Release Weekend Party Kickoff!!! Giveaway #1

Thanks for joining me in the kickoff to my Release Weekend Party for Nobody's Perfect (Rescue Me #4). Yesterday morning, I made an announcement on my Facebook Author Page and on my Amazon Author Central Page's discussion on Nobody's Perfect to say that the book won't be cleaned up for you until this weekend, most likely Sunday. I could apologize again, but I'd be more embarrassed if I'd released the book before I thought it was the best book I'd ever written. Now I'm satisfied to say that I have achieved my goal. 

This book certainly was aptly named, though! I have struggled with the ending for four months, which was why I wouldn't publish it on the originally expected June date. Yesterday morning, I finally got the ending the way I wanted it.  

It took me a long time to break down that last emotional hurdle--the last trigger, the one I didn't want to face. A wonderful sub, Ekatarina "Saya" Sayanova, whom I first met when she e-mailed me in June wondering when the heck the book was coming out, helped give me the courage to face the scene and #finishthefuckingbook (my original and favorite hashtag on Twitter, although I can't understand why other writers haven't picked up on it yet).  

Anyway, writing this last scene (chapters 24 and 25) yesterday morning provided the catharsis both Savi and I needed. RELEASE! But with that monumental event happening the day before the expected release date (and edits still happening), I announced that the book would come out this weekend instead. 

So, today we're going to kick off a 3-day Release Watch Party. I know everyone blocked reading time today, so you'll also find out about some of my friends' new releases (some today, I believe), and chances to win more books and goodies. Visiting today (in alpha order, not necessarily posting order) will be Chris Almeida & Cecilia Aubrey, Shayla Black, Lexi Blake, Eliza Gayle, Joey W. Hill, Alannah Lynne, Teresa Reasor, and Bianca Sommerland! 

Prizes will be drawn be after 12 midnight CDT Saturday (which gives you all day Sept. 14 & 15 to enter). See below for more details about today's party.  

And while you all are partying here, I'll be going back and forth all day with my editorial team and beta readers, so that I can send it to the formatter. 

We are going to have this book all cleaned up and in your hands no later than end of day Sunday, Sept. 16. 

Thanks for your continued support and patience on this incredible journey for me! On Facebook, I've described this last month as the 9th month of pregnancy. (My DIL is due Oct. 1 with my first grandchild--a boy--so that's also foremost in my consciousness right now.) Labor began about a week ago, I believe the place where I posted STFU as a comment to someone who posted a tick-tock message on my Facebook wall as the transition stage. Yesterday, was the pushing stage and the baby will be born today--but it's a big baby! (Right now, about 160,000 words with NO subplots. As announced in my Aug. 31 newsletter, I removed Marc and Angelina's subplot because it was a distraction to Damian and Savi's story. But I plan to complete their story in a separate book--now book 5 in the series, but am reluctant to make any promises on when you will get it.)

So, while we clean up this baby, you all enjoy yourselves today, discover some new authors and/or new books, and just hang on a little longer. No more delays.

And thanks for your ongoing support and patience. I hope to God I never have to birth to another baby like this one, but I was determined when I started this series over a year ago that I would write a book about the realities of become a sexual being again after the traumas of child sexual abuse. This book will be an intensely emotional read for survivors of abuse, rape, incest, as well as those suffering from PTSD from combat and other traumatic events. Too many times in the Romances I've read, the heroine's emotional scars just disappear with the love of a good hero. If I'm going to bring you more realistic BDSM, I also want to show the reality of being a survivor of any kind of sexual abuse. It doesn't go away--ever. 

But the overall message I hope readers will take away from this book is one of hope and healing. None of us is broken--trust me, don't EVER let Sir Damian hear you say that--and none is too wounded that she or he can't find love. The hardest step is building trust and then lowering the defenses enough to let that worthy person inside your heart. {{hugs}}

My thanks to my assistant, Leagh, for pulling off this party. She truly did ALL the work of getting postings from the authors and will be on here much more today than I will. Please be sure and let her know how much you appreciate her! I know I wouldn't have been able to do a release party for another month if it were solely up to me!


There will be new blog posts all day long. So without further ado, here are the details. 

Each hour today (beginning with this post), there will be a new author visiting my blog bringing prizes, guest posts, and fun book information. There are lots of chances to win. All giveaways will be open until 12 midnight CDT tomorrow (Saturday) so you have plenty of time to enter. All winners will be chosen and contacted by e-mail next week.

GIVEAWAY!

For your first chance to win, fill out the Rafflecopter below. (You will need to fill out a new form at EACH of the posts today for all chances to win.) 

(While I *love* to read comments and welcome them--THE WINNER WILL ONLY BE CHOSEN FROM ENTRIES TO THE FORM!)

So to kick things off today I have a special gift package for one of my readers. I am offering one randomly drawn winner a copy of any Rescue Me book (including this one or a future one), swag (pen, trading cards, bookmarks, and an autographed hand fan), and a $10 Gift Certificate for a bookseller of your choice (chosen from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and All Romance eBooks). 

To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter below. THIS drawing is open internationally. (Please watch for details in each specific drawing, especially those involving prizes other than e-books, to see if international entries are included.)

Thank you to everyone who is celebrating with me! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway