Here's YOUR Chance!

I have another blog, The Eclectic Crafter where I'm currently running a promotion offering those followers/commenters a chance to win a FREE copy of my book and I'd like to extend the offer to YOU.

What is One World One Heart? The blogger who started this promotion in 2007, just wanted a way for other bloggers to meet each other. Why? Because we have a common thread. We blog. We speak out, and we definitely LOVE to meet others like us. Yes. This is a way to get your blog out there to be viewed by others. But more important? A chance to meet other people around the world that you normally wouldn't meet.

What is my giveaway? (Need you ask?!) :) I'm going to offer a signed copy of my novel, The Price of Trust ($24.99 value). When does this end? February 15th. (Please note: your copy will be longer as it is in printing and we don't expect it to be out on the market until around March 31st)

To enter ~ just leave a comment! That's it! February 15th, I'll use www.random.org/ to generate the winner, and I'll notify you by email.

Thanks for stopping by, and be sure to join the fun!
Until next time....
Cheerio! :)

Sixth Installment!

Hello Folks ~ happy Saturday! Just wanted to let you know that my novel should be out in early Spring, 2010 ~ so be sure to stay posted for more details, including purchasing details!

This is the next to last snippet I'm going to offer of my book, so stay tuned for the killer Seventh Installment! Now. On to more fun...

After spending some time with the Baird family, Carly finds herself thinking too much of Joe. Afraid that she's gotten herself into trouble, she decides it's best if she avoids him ~ which means she has to avoid everyone else connected with him. She's successful for a while until Kelly invites her to lunch one day and asks where she's been.

"Why don’t you sit with us anymore?” Kelly asked after Sandy had taken their order and left.
“I’ve just been running late.” She looked down, placing her napkin in her lap, avoiding Kelly’s frown.
“I’m not convinced. You live three minutes at the most away from church, and you’re late? I don’t think so. Why are you trying to avoid Joe?”
“Why? Kelly, I can’t stay here. I’m going to have to leave again, and I don’t want Joe to feel bad. He’s too nice to hurt.” Carly sighed heavily. “Trust me. It’s better for everyone this way."
“Why can’t you stay? I don’t understand.”
“I can’t because I have a problem to deal with,” Carly answered evasively.
“A problem to deal with? Oh my. Oh wow,” Kelly breathed, her eyes wide, her face pale. “Carly, are you married?” She squeaked the last word out.
Carly burst out laughing. “Married? No way, trust me. You should see your face. If you opened your eyes anymore, I think they’d fall right out!”
Kelly breathed a big sigh of relief. “Are you sure you’re not married?” She eyed her doubtfully.
“Positive. You remember me telling you all at the Bairds’ that I was engaged once?”
Kelly nodded, not taking her eyes off Carly’s face. “Well, when I broke off our engagement, my fiancé was less than pleased. In fact, he was furious.”
“So? Why would that make it to where you couldn’t stay here?”
“He told me that he would follow me wherever I went, that he wouldn’t let anyone else have me, and that he’d kill me if I tried to marry anyone but him. That’s pretty much it in a nutshell.”
“Are you serious?” Kelly stared. “He loved you a lot then, right?”
“Love? This isn’t romantic. It’s frightening. I’ve had to keep running, because he keeps finding me and trying to force me to come back to him. I’ve lost everything I had because of him. He’s crazy. Obsessed.”
They finished their meals, paid their bills, and left without another word. Kelly was quiet until they arrived at the hardware store.
“Carly, I’m sorry you’ve had it so rough, and I wish you felt safe. I want you to stay, and I know Joe wants you to stay here.”
“I would love to, but Ian will find me and will hurt anyone that he thinks I’m
interested in. I can’t let that happen. I’ll just leave before he likes me too much,” Carly said simply, shivering. The wind was cold and whipped through her light jacket.
“I think you should tell Joe and see what he thinks. You should give him that option before you leave,” Kelly said stubbornly, refusing to see it Carly’s way.
“Thanks for listening. You’re the only person I’ve told, and it feels like a load has been lifted off my shoulders.” Carly smiled sadly, giving her friend a hug.
“I’ll see you later, girl. If you need anything, let me know,” Kelly said, walking away. Carly watched her go, thankful for her friendship.

It's the small things that thrill my little heart! ♥

Good afternoon, all! I wanted to thank you again for showing your support by following this page. It means a lot to me.

Today I received the pdf file of my book, and I must say, it's gonna be a big one! It's got 344 pages, and it's 6x9 inches - paper bound. I looked at the first page, and I know it seems like a silly little thing, but I've got an ISBN number and a copyright! Wow! Weird how small things can feel so good, right?

After months and months of collective hard work, we're nearing the end of the process. Printing will be next, and I should be receiving my hard copy in a few weeks. Yes. I get my hard copy first and guess what? I've got to READ it. (I think I could almost quote this book word for word I've read it so much...) Nevertheless, who could complain that they've got to sit on the couch in their comfy clothes and read a novel for work? Ha! Not me!

As most of you know, I'm currently working on the audio book, and happy of happies, I've only got another 9,000 words to cut out. Well, it's a lot better than what I started with - 24,000 words! Yes, I've been just a teeny weeny bit busy on this project!

Again ~ thank you so much for letting me prattle on and on about this ~ bet you can't tell I'm excited, can you?

Until next time......Cheerio!

Audio books.....

I was just sitting here re-reading and editing my novel for the audio book portion of my contract, and I thought I'd give my take on audio books.  I could have chosen between an audio book, a website, or a book trailer when I signed on with my publisher.  I diligently looked at the options, and finally decided on an audio book.  Oooh, sounds easy, right?  Not exactly.  It's not rocket science, but it is a little daunting when you have to take an almost 102,000 word novel and cut it down 20%.  Still doesn't sound too bad?  Let's give you the real numbers:  I started out with 101,640 words and have to cut 23,000 words.  ACK!  Imagine my exhilaration when I peruse my novel (yet again...) and cut, cut, cut away words.  Thinking I've made an extremely LARGE dent, I hit the word count button, only to find out......I've still got a whopping 21,000 words to go!  Woo hoo!  Honey, please bring me another coffee, and order take out!

But to be perfectly honest, it's not as difficult as I had thought it would be.  Yes.  I've got to read it again.  And again.  And yet again!  Am I complaining?  No.  Actually, this has been a very interesting and invigorating ride.  Did I think having a book published would be this in-depth?  Nope.  Let's face it.  When you tell most people that you've written a book and now you're working on an audio book, they really don't see the work and dedication that goes into each step of the book publishing process.

So, all this is to say, kudo's to all you authors that have done this over and over and over.  You're an awesome bunch, and my hat goes off to you!  Thank you for the time and effort you've put into your particular work.  Me?  Will this be my last book endeavor?  Absolutely NOT!  I'm having the time of my life!  I'm super excited to send the publisher my second, and when I'm finished with this audio book, I'm going to finish my third!  What would I tell my publisher?  Thanks for giving me a chance and I'll be back!

Until Next Time....  Cheerio!

And the winner is.....

Well, today is the day I have to pick the cover design.  After much consideration, feedback, and deliberation with the design staff, I've decided to go with Cover 2.  Many, many people voted for cover 2 and 3, and I believe there were only two likes for cover 1 ~ I want to thank each of you for letting me know which your favorite was.

The reason I decided to go with cover 2 ~ I felt it really gets the attention of the visitor, and like someone else told me, I have one glance ~ if they're not hooked, they'll put the book down.  This story has adventure, romance, and a little dash of mystery, I believe the second cover portrays that the best.  Although they're all good, I felt cover 1 and cover 3 led the potential reader with the feeling that it was a self-help book, or a devotional. 

Thank you again for all who commented.  I really do appreciate you taking the time to help me on this.  Have a wonderful Christmas, and a fantastic New Year!

 

Book Teaser

Hello! My name is Amanda Stephan, and I'm a new author. I absolutely LOVE to write books, I've been writing since grade school. My favorite part about writing a book is that when I'm inspired, nothing can stop me from grabbing a pen and paper and letting it flow. Dinner? It'll have to wait! Cleaning? No problem...later! Are you talking to me? You might want to start over, because I haven't heard a word you've said, sorry! Sleep? It's overrated! This is just a small part of what it can be like living with me.