Blogoversary Recap and Last Chance for Giveaways!

We'd like to thank all the authors who participated in our Blogoversay event the last two weeks: Jennifer Estep, Amanda Bonilla, Dakota Cassidy, Kristi Charish, Chloe Neill, Karina Cooper, Carolyn Crane, Jan DeLima and Jenn Bennett! And thanks to everyone who came by to comment and wish us a happy blogoversary!

 

 

Week one giveaways have all closed, but you can still read about what each of these authors (and bloggers) was doing four years ago when GATTW was born:

Goldilox
Jennifer Estep
Amanda Bonilla
Kristi Charish
Rose Red

All of our week two giveaways are open through Friday night. Check out all of these posts:

Gretl Four Years Ago and enter to win Bloodlines books and Vampire swag

Four reasons to read The Veil by Chloe Neill and enter to win a print copy

Karina Cooper Four Years Ago and enter to win a Galen Dara print

Carolyn Crane Four Years Ago and enter to win an E-book of your choice

Jan DeLima Four Years Ago (with puppy pics) and enter to win a Gift Box including signed books and Amazon GC

Jenn Bennett Four Years Ago and enter to win a signed copy of Kindling the Moon

Thanks again to everyone who stopped by our Blogoversary Party!

Blogoversary Post and Giveaway: Jenn Bennett Four Years Ago

 

Here at Goldilox and the Three Weres we are celebrating our 

4 YEAR BLOGOVERSARY!

In honor of the four wonderful years this blog has had, for the last two weeks we've had authors share with you all what they were doing four years ago at this time and what they hope to be doing four years from now. Today is the last day of our Blogoversary celebration, but all of this week's giveaways will remain open until the 15th. Scroll down and make sure you haven't missed anything.

Today's Post Comes From Jenn Bennett

Four years ago, my first book was published, KINDLING THE MOON. That summer was a blur of emotions. I didn’t know what to expect when the book came out. Most publishers don’t provide authors with instant sales info (it’s sketchy, and usually only doled out twice a year), so unless you hit a major bestseller list, you’re pretty much left in the dark, wondering how your book is doing. That’s a scary place to be when you’re starting out. It gets even scarier when a couple of months after your first book releases, your editor leaves your publishing house to work for George Lucas on Star Wars books. Suddenly I wasn’t just a debut author who didn’t know how her book was doing, I was an orphaned author with no editor. And I was in the middle of pitching more books in the series. Publishing was a dark alley in the middle of a bad neighborhood at midnight, and I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it through to the other side with my life—or soul!—intact.

Luckily, there was a golden streetlight at the end of that alley. Not only was I fortunate enough to connect with another editor at that house, I even sold a second series at another publishing house—AND a young adult book to a third major publishing house that has been translated in several languages and will be published internationally later this year.

That’s how I see writing, as a game of chance. You must have talent, yes, and the right story at the right time. However, what drives your book’s success is sheer luck: whim of a genre’s popularity, your agent’s workload, a reviewer’s mood. That dude in the publisher’s Sales department who forgot to pitch your book to the big account because he was busy sneaking texts under the desk about cheating on his wife while on the road... and all the other very human things that happen behind the scenes that the public never sees.

What will I be doing four years from now? I wouldn’t dare to predict. I just hope I’ll still have the guts to be walking through dark alleys at midnight…and making it out alive.

 

About the Author

Jenn Bennett is an artist and RITA-nominated author who writes books for adults and teens, including the award-winning Roaring Twenties romance series (Bitter Spirits) and the Arcadia Bell urban fantasy series (Kindling the Moon). Her first YA contemporary romance, The Anatomical Shape of a Heart, (aka Night Owls in the UK) will be released in 2015. She lives near Atlanta with one husband and two evil pugs.

In honor of our shared 4th anniversary, Jenn Bennett's giving away a signed copy of Kindling the Moon. (Winner must have a mailing address in the U.S. or Canada.)

 

Click on the cover to add to Goodreads.

 

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Blogoversary Post and Giveaway: Jan DeLima Four Years Ago

Here at Goldilox and the Three Weres we are celebrating our 

4 YEAR BLOGOVERSARY!

 

In honor of the four wonderful years this blog has had, we are having authors share with you all what they were doing four years ago at this time and what they hope to be doing four years from now. Each post will include a giveaway, so be sure to check back every day through August 8!

Today's Post Comes From:  Jan DeLima

Happy blogoversary! And thank you for asking me to be a part of such a fun event!

The first thing that comes to mind from four years ago (perhaps because she’s snoring next to me at the moment) is the arrival of a new furry baby bundle into our household. Her older sister wasn’t overly excited by the new arrival, but has tolerated her well enough. Instead of writing a long post, I think pictures might be in order with this one.

Meet Willow four years ago, the youngest of my pampered English bulldogs. As you can see, she makes herself comfortable wherever she pleases. If she were to have a super power, it would be her napping abilities. She’s also quite put out when visitors come and don’t pamper her as she believes they should.

 

 In four years, I hope to have another series on the shelves, with my bulldogs still snoring next to me.

 

 About the Author

Jan DeLima is the author of the Celtic Wolves novels, including Summer Moon and Celtic Moon. She lives in Maine with her husband and their two sons. Unlike many authors, Jan didn’t pen stories at an early age, but she has always been a dedicated reader.  It wasn’t until after her children entered school that she began writing. Raised in a military family, she lived in different countries such as Thailand and Germany, but home base has always been Maine.

 

Jan DeLima's got a whole box of Blogoversary presents for one lucky winner! Her gift box includes signed copies of Celtic Moon and Summer Moon, a $25 Amazon gift card and swag. (Bulldog not included.) Winner must have a U.S. or Canadian mailing address.

 

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Click the covers to add to Goodreads.

 

Blogoverasry Post and Giveaway: Carolyn Crane Four Years Ago

Here at Goldilox and the Three Weres we are celebrating our 

4 YEAR BLOGOVERSARY!

In honor of the four wonderful years this blog has had, we are having authors share with you all what they were doing four years ago at this time and what they hope to be doing four years from now. Each post will include a giveaway, so be sure to check back every day through August 7!

 

Today's Post Comes From:

Carolyn Crane

Hey!! Happy Anniversary to Goldilox and the Three Weres!! These were four really great years for you, and best wishes for four more! And thanks for having me!

Four years ago:
Aren’t blogs great? You can look back at what you were doing and reading and thinking four years ago so easily.

2011 in books:
Some things were really different for me back then. The books I was excited about are utterly different. In 2011 I was reading a lot more UF, for one. I’d just started Nalini Singh’s Angel series, I was still reading Richelle Mead’s Succubus series. But I was branching out. I’d also loved Jill Sorenson Edge of Night (This is a great RS book and she has a follow-up coming within the year!) Meljean Brooks’ Iron Duke had recently come out and blew me away. (have you read it? If not, OMG so good.) I was also really excited about Joanna Bourne’s Blackhawk, a historical!

2011: Scandals emerge!
Responding to reviews was a new and raging topic because, you guessed it, there was an author responding to negative reviews! Is this where the issue really came to the forefront? I think so!

2011: my writing
In my writing life, Head Rush came out. That was the last of my UF series, and I’d just self pubbed Wild & Steamy, an anthology together with Meljean Brook and Jill Myles (aka Jessica Clare). That was really exciting and eye-opening and gave me a taste for being indie.

Four years from now:

Books:
I can’t even imagine what I will be reading in four years, just because today I am reading really different stuff than 2011! I feel like my reading has exploded with new subgenres – the sorts of books I'm excited about barely existed on my radar back then. Like, Captive Prince, an MM fantasy, Three-Two-One, a slightly dark new adult, Jackie Ashenden’s Having Her, an erotic contemporary. It boggles my mind to imagine what new genres there will be. Maybe something interactive? Something…even dirtier? Is that even possible? Prediction: I feel funny will come back in.

Four years from now in scandals
Prediction: Surprise! Writers will still be responding to negative reviews and it will still be a horrible thing to do. Just like people walking into the desert and seeing skeletons on the side of the trail and they keep going.  I will still hate it because it is chilling to reviewers, who do such an important job in our book ecosphere. Prediction: I think honest, trusted reviewers will be more important in the upcoming era as reviews on commercial sites lose all credibility.

Today in writing
I think if you would’ve told my 2011 self that I’d be writing romantic suspense as well as erotic romance and wild dark romance under another pen name, I would’ve been SOOO shocked. What will I be doing in 2019? Um…maybe I will stun myself by writing sweet? Something very clean and chaste with no sex and no violence? Ummmm….no.

 About the Author

I am a RITA-winning author of romantic suspense, urban fantasy, and other tales of love and adventure (and erotic & dark romance as NYT bestselling author Annika Martin). My books have been published by Random House and Samhain, and I also go the indie route. I work a straight job as a marketing writer, I love to read in bed and run, I’m passionate about helping animals, and I make my home in Minnesota with my husband and two cats.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter

 

 

Carolyn Crane is giving away your choice of  any ebook from her Mind Games series, any Associates hot spy book, or the Kinky Bank Robbers boxed set (written as Annika Martin.) This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL!

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For more on Mind Games, check out Goldilox's Read This F-ing Book post. To learn more about The Associates see my review of the latest release, Behind the Mask.

Blogoversary - Karina Cooper 4 Years Ago and 4 Years From Now

Here at Goldilox and the Three Weres we are celebrating our 

4 YEAR BLOGOVERSARY!

In honor of the four wonderful years this blog has had, we are having authors share with you what they were doing four years ago at this time and what they hope to be doing four years from now. Of course, we thought we should share our own answers with you guys too! Each post, including the ones from us, will include a giveaway, so be sure to check back every day for the next two weeks!

Today's Post Comes From:

Karina Cooper

Four Years: Then and Now

Four years ago, I was gainfully employed in the career of my dreams: I was an author. With a couple books under my belt and a few more lined up, the world was looking rosy.

And then everything sort of went topsy-turvy.  The trickle-down effect from Borders finally rolled through my corner of the industry, and paranormal romance took a hit. It was subtle at first, and then not so subtle, and then I realized that while I’d hang on for the ride as long as I could, I would eventually reach the point where my two series would end and then what?

But four years ago, I was too happy to be writing to sweat it. As long as I could write, I could do anything.

Four years later, and I’m about where I expected to be. So many decisions, a new path set in front of me, and hard choices. Even so, I haven’t quit writing. While I didn’t think I’d be here, where I am, dealing with unexpected medical stuff, crazy life changes, and all kinds of writing experimentation,  I’m weirdly content about it all. Things change. Life is crazy.

And it’s the best time for a new four year plan.

So I’m launching that now!

Four years from now, I hope to be writing in multiple genres. I hope to be making a mark in SF/F, in short stories, everywhere I can. I want to be always busy, and always working, and you know what? I want to be bold. I want to take risks, suffer the scrapes and celebrate the victories, and I want to always, always be looking for the next challenge.

So, basically? Doing what I do. Loving what I do. And hopefully, sharing it all with you.

Not bad for a short term plan, don’t you think?

And in honor of all the things I love, I’ll be giving away one Galen Dara print from my Fireside short story Four Tons Too Late. It's 11 x 17, and it's my favorite thing in the world. US/CAN only, my doves.

After writing happily ever afters for all of her friends in school, Karina Cooper eventually grew up (sort of), went to work in the real world (kind of), where she decided that making stuff up was way more fun (true!). She writes urban fantasy, SF/F, steampunk misadventures, paranormal romance, and continues to write across multiple genres with mad glee. Her award winning steampunk series, The St. Croix Chronicles, has been nominated for multiple RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards.

One part glamour to two parts dork, she’s an avowed gamer, a borderline hermit and occasional Outer God. She co-exists with loved ones who stubbornly put up with her, a menagerie, and a severe coffee habit. She lurks randomly at @karinacooper and www.karinacooper.com.

Karina has a SUPER COOL prize for you all! 

She is offering one lucky winner a really cool 11x17 Galen Dara print that comes from her recent short story (see picture below). 

13 and older and US/CAN only.

Enter on the Rafflecopter below!

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Blogoversary Post and Giveaway: Gretl

Here at Goldilox and the Three Weres we are celebrating our 

4 YEAR BLOGOVERSARY!

In honor of the four wonderful years this blog has had, we are having authors share with you what they were doing four years ago at this time and what they hope to be doing four years from now. Of course, we thought we should share our own answers with you guys too! Each post, including the ones from us, will include a giveaway, so be sure to check back every day until August 7!

Today's Post Comes From:

Gretl

You might have noticed that it's the fourth anniversary of Goldilox and the Three Weres. But it's also the one year anniversary of Rose Red and I joining the blog. My first review appeared on July 24, 2014. So we're both particularly excited about this Blogoversary. Here's a little bit about how I got here.

Four Years Ago
Well, actually I'm going to go back a little further. For most of 2010, I was unemployed. Looking for a job is a really tedious process now that everything is done online. There's lots of "hurry up and wait" and lots of uncertainty about whether a real live person ever actually saw your resume. But one of the good things that came out of that experience was that I started reading to fill all that free time.

By 2011, when I was working again, I was definitely an Urban Fantasy Addict. And it was a great time to be discovering the genre. So many of my all-time favorite series debuted that year. Kate Daniels, Chicagoland Vampires, Iron Druid, Charley Davidson and Shaede Assassin just to name a few that are still going. It was also some time that year that I started reading book blogs on a daily basis. Because how else was I going to find my next fix? One of the first blogs I started to follow was Goldilox and the Three Weres. And just look how that turned out!

Four Years From Now
I hope sometime in the next four years I actually get the hang of this blogging thing. I'd like to achieve a better blog/life balance. I feel like I'm either slammed or I have nothing to write about. I mean really, publishers, do you have to release ALL THE BOOKS on the same day every month? But I predict that in that time, self-publishing will make significant changes in the book world. I'm already seeing books released on Saturdays, and why not if that's when most people buy them?

I think a lot of the words we use to define our books and ourselves may change as well. I can't tell you how crazy it makes me when people mis-label my UF as romance. (Not that there's anything wrong with romance.) But I'm also seeing the term Urban Fantasy-Romance and I think we can expect to see a lot more genre-blending in the future. There's a fandom out there for just about every crazy combination. Though I certainly hope some of my old favorites are still going strong in four years as well.

In honor of my first literary love, VAMPIRES, I'm giving away books from one of our favorites series. I've got hardcovers of Richelle Mead's Silver Shadows (signed) and The Ruby Circle, as well as the Vampire Academy movie, and some other vampire-themed goodies. (This giveaway is U.S. and Canada only.)

 

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Blogoversary and Giveaway: Jennifer Estep Four Years Ago and Four Years From Now

Here at Goldilox and the Three Weres we are celebrating our 

4 YEAR BLOGOVERSARY!

In honor of the four wonderful years this blog has had, we are having authors share with you what they were doing four years ago at this time and what they hope to be doing four years from now. Of course, we thought we should share our own answers with you guys too! Each post, including the ones from us, will include a giveaway, so be sure to check back every day for the next two weeks!

Today's Post Comes From:

Jennifer Estep

What were you doing at this time four years ago?
JE: Four years ago in 2011, I was starting up my Mythos Academy young adult urban fantasy series and continuing to write more books in my Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series. I think I had four books out that year – two in each series – so it was definitely a busy time for me.


What do you predict you will be doing at this time four years from now?
JE: Winning the lottery and taking an early retirement. A girl can dream, right? LOL. But seriously, I hope to be doing what I am right now – writing books. Hopefully, four years from now, I’ll have written and finished a new series or two and have ideas for even more books/series.

Happy reading, everyone! J

Jennifer Estep is the New York Times bestselling author of the Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series; the Black Blade young adult urban fantasy; the Mythos Academy young adult urban fantasy series; and the Bigtime paranormal romance series.

Her books are available in print, audio, and e-book formats from a variety of retailers, including the following: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Books-A-Million / iTunes / Kobo / Audible / Brilliance Audio

Jennifer is giving away a print copy of the first book in her new series, COLD BURN OF MAGIC!

Enter on the Rafflecopter below!

Winner must be 13 or older and live in the US only.

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Blogoversary and Giveaway: Goldilox Four Years Ago and Four Years From Now

Here at Goldilox and the Three Weres we are celebrating our 

4 YEAR BLOGOVERSARY!

In honor of the four wonderful years this blog has had, we are having authors share with you what they were doing four years ago at this time and what they hope to be doing four years from now. Of course, we thought we should share our own answers with you guys too! Each post, including the ones from us, will include a giveaway, so be sure to check back every day for the next two weeks!

Today's Post Comes From:

Goldilox

       Four years ago I discovered that the books I enjoyed reading the most had something in common - they all had that something extra. I came across a little site called Goodreads and learned that this something extra was what put all these books in the genre of speculative fiction: fantasy, paranormal, sci-fi, dystopian, etc. I started chatting with other readers through comments on Goodreads, began writing short reviews for the books I was reading, and eventually built up a nice little community of reading buddies. This led to the creation of the blog, Goldilox and the Three Weres in the summer of 2011. I'm a teacher, so summertime seemed like the smartest time to start something like a book review blog. I was inspired by bigger blogs like All Things Urban Fantasy and Parajunkee. 

       The past four years have been SO AWESOME. There's really not a better way to describe them. This blog has been a lot of work at times, but it has absolutely been worth it. I have been so amazed by the world of book blogging. Bloggers are some pretty damn cool people. The friends I have made through blogging have become people that I consider real, true, lifelong friends. I've also loved going to book conventions and meeting bloggers from all over the country. As a regular reader I probably wouldn't have attended most of these conventions. And the authors!!! Meeting the people behind the books that I love has been amazing, and that never would have happened without this blog. But, the most wonderful thing about being Goldilox has been just having an outlet to discuss books. It's still so surprising to me that people care at all what I thought about the latest release, and that people actually read my reviews!

        Four years from now I hope to still have the blog, of course! Hopefully my co-bloggers will still be with me and maybe we'll even have some new reviewers join us by then! I don't know where I will be in my career or in my personal life, but I hope I will still be reading, still be blogging, and still be celebrating blogoversaries like this one!

Below I have pictures of some of my favorites books/series of the past four years. 

One winner may choose TWO books from below (hardback, paperback, or Kindle/Nook book) or any other books in the same series as the book shown, or a book by the same author. Both books chosen do not need to be in the same series!

Enter on the Rafflecopter below!

- Winner must be 13 or older. -

- International winner will be limited to books available through Book Depository or ebooks. -

- US winner will be limited to books available through Amazon, Book Depository, or ebooks. -

    

   

    

    

    

   

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