Giveaway Ideas for New Books @kayelleallen #MFRWauthor #amwriting

I recommend giving away something other than a book. If you give away what you're trying to sell, who's going to buy? NY publishers spend thousands of dollars giving away books on shows like Today, Good Morning America, Ellen, and so on. If you don't have that kind of budget, what can you do?

Some authors hold Rafflecopter contests, but not every reader will sign up for them (I don't like them and won't sign up for one) and some authors don't like them. Even if you do use it, what are you going to give away?

Deleted Scenes Mini Book

Did you cut some beloved scenes from your book? Put them together, write a brief explanation for the reason you cut it, and create a mini book. Even a few pages are fine. Format it well. Include: an image of your cover, the blurb for the book, buy links, links for your social media and newsletter.

Remember when including social media this way -- if you're on Twitter, this is not the place to use @kayelleallen -- clicking that does nothing. Use the full URL so it becomes an active link. http://twitter.com/kayelleallen Save the document as an rtf if you plan to share it online, or better yet, as a pdf.

Puzzle Booklets

The Last Vhalgenn

I've had success with giveaway puzzle books. I like Word Search puzzles myself, and discovered a site that lets me make and download them.http://puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com/WordSearchSetupForm.asp After creating it (choose the text option), copy and paste it into your word processing program. Be sure to copy the solution page as well. I have a free app that lets me turn that into a pdf, and I can use the puzzle as a giveaway. I created a set of puzzles for each book, and combined them to make one big puzzle book. I also have pdf puzzles for each individual book.

Create an Inside Peek Booklet

Another thing I did for my book The Last Vhalgenn was create a booklet about the book itself. I included trivia about the story, the cover, pictures (make sure they are licensed and/or royalty free), an excerpt, and buy links. I also added my social media links. Click here to see the finished product. http://is.gd/vhalgenn_peek

I hope this has sparked a few ideas. I'd love to hear your creative solutions. Please post them in the comments.

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Kayelle Allen is the founder of Marketing for Romance Writers. She is a multi-published, award-winning author, and the owner of The Author's Secret, an author support company. Her unstoppable heroes and heroines include contemporary characters, futuristic immortals, covert agents, and warriors who purr.

Homeworld http://kayelleallen.com

Unstoppable Heroes Blog http://kayelleallen.com/blog

Twitter http://twitter.com/kayelleallen

Facebook http://facebook.com/kayelleallen.author

The Author's Secret https://theauthorssecret.com

#HolidayRecipe of Lavender Cookies and Tea Plus a Free Peek into A Romance for Christmas by @KayelleAllen

This is one of my favorite drinks any time of year. I make it during the holidays to help me relax. The scent is soothing, and so are the qualities of the tea. It's also wonderful in the summer when it's hot outside. The cookies are so easy to make you'll want them often. You can ice them, or sprinkle with sugar. I hope you enjoy this delicious combination.

Lavender Sugar Cookies

Yield: 2 dozen cookies

1 tablespoon dried culinary lavender flowers, ground
1 cup butter, softened
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt

In a medium bowl, cream together ground lavender flowers, butter, sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon extract. Add flour and salt; mix until combined (dough should be soft but not sticky.) Refrigerate 1 to 2 hours or until dough is firm.

On a lightly-floured surface, roll dough approximately 1/4-inch thick with a rolling pin. Cut into desired shapes with your favorite cookie cutters and place on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Optional serving suggestion:
Roll dough into balls, place on cookie sheet two inches (2") apart and flatten with the bottom of a glass.

Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until cookies are lightly browned around the edges. Remove from oven and cool on wire cooling racks.

Lavender Tea

This delicate tea is just the thing for enjoying all by yourself. It's soothing, and has a wonderful fragrance. The polyphenols in lavender can help reduce "bad" bacteria in your digestive system, and aid you in relaxing.

Yield: 4 cups tea (1 quart)
2 cups boiling water
1 cup lavender flowers
2 cups cold water
1 cup sugar

Use a glass pitcher to preserve the natural flavor of the lavender.

Place the lavender in a glass pitcher. Add sugar to the boiling water and remove from heat. Stir until sugar dissolves. Pour sweetened water over lavender, cover and allow to steep 10 minutes.

Preserving water, strain it, discard lavender, and return water to the pitcher. Add cold water and stir. Serve over ice.

TIP: Allow the discarded lavender to dry on a cloth near a window. This can add a wonderful fragrance to your kitchen. As it warms in the sun, it will release its lovely scent.

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Download this recipe and post as a PDF http://kayelleallen.com/media/cookiesandtea-kayelleallen.pdf

Recipe by Kayelle Allen, author of A Romance for Christmas

A cop at the door on Christmas Eve brings an unexpected gift.

A sweet holiday romance showcasing love, loss, and the spirit of giving.

It's Christmas Eve, and the end of a year in which everything Dara loves has been lost. Everything but her little girl and a fierce determination to survive. When a cop brings Christmas to her door, he brings another gift she never expected to get.

Take a free peek inside the book: http://is.gd/rom4cmaspeek

Find Your Copy:

Amazon http://amzn.to/1wpW8qE
Barnes and Noble http://bit.ly/1wpYfL2
Kobo http://bit.ly/1wpYndJ
iBooks http://bit.ly/1oZ8CGB
CreateSpace http://bit.ly/romforcmas

Happy Holiday everyone,

Anita

Spot Light on A Romance for Christmas by Kayelle Allen #MFRWauthor

A Romance for Christmas
By Kayelle Allen

A cop at the door on Christmas Eve brings an unexpected gift.A sweet holiday romance showcasing love, loss, and the spirit of giving.It's Christmas Eve, and the end of a year in which everything Dara loves has been lost. Everything but her little girl and a fierce determination to survive. When a cop brings Christmas to her door, he brings another gift she never expected to get.

Buy Links

Amazon http://amzn.to/1wpW8qE

Barnes and Noble http://bit.ly/1wpYfL2

Kobo http://bit.ly/1wpYndJ

iBooks http://is.gd/sdSfMT

CreateSpace http://is.gd/gazeza

Giveaway

This giveaway is for everyone. Click below to download an illustrated pdf containing an excerpt, the history of the story, the meaning behind the names, and more. A Romance for Christmas is a sweet holiday romance that makes you feel great about giving.http://is.gd/rom4cmaspeek Visit my website to download a free 22p Christmas cookbook you can share with friends. You don't have to sign up for anything, click anything, or register for something. It's really free. Early Merry Christmas! http://kayelleallen.com/exc-romchristmas.html

Quickie for Fun with Author @KayelleAllen

Quickies ?

Cherries/Bananas? - Bananas

Leather/ Lace? - Leather

Tall / Muscular? Tall

Blond/ Brunette? Blond

Pizza / Burger? Pizza

Blurb

Duty to king and country has shaped Raik's life since birth, but to protect them, she must perform a ritual that betrays all she holds sacred.

The Vhalgenn is a warrior, bedmate, soulmate, companion, and friend. Trusted by the king. Hated by the queen. To save the newborn prince, the Vhalgenn will risk her position, her honor, and death itself to honor the Old Ways. But when she takes the newborn prince to the queen's homeland for a ritual blessing, she discovers a betrayal so deep the kingdom -- and her heart -- might never recover.

This fantasy features a strong heroine, and was originally part of the 2008 EPIC eBook Award Finalist anthology A Time To... Volume 1 - The Best of The Lorelei Signal, from Wolfsinger Publications, which is now out of print. The strong female heroine possesses nobility, honor, and courage, and is a role model for women. The book is dedicated to all women warriors, whatever their battle, and is written by a female veteran.

By Kayelle Allen

A quickie read

In this scene from The Last Vhalgenn, the heroine, Raik, is alone with King Orix. They grew up together, but his new queen barred Raik from the palace. Raik is back to deliver news of a battle and while delighted to be with Orix, is nervous about his queen discovering them.

---

I followed Orix to the matching chairs where we used to sit in the evenings. The fire crackled and popped. Homesickness gnawed my heart, especially when the faithful old servant, Cyrus, greeted me. His unfeigned affection and fatherly embrace brought tears to my eyes. He set out a meal of bread, cheese, and wine and served me first, against all custom.

Orix watched, amusement touching his mouth and eyes. Before he left, Cyrus reminded me twice to call if I needed anything. Orix stood and went to the fire, hands held out to the flames.

"There's enough for four people." I broke off a hunk of crusty black bread. "Come share."

He returned, nibbling while I gulped, but said little. At last, hunger satisfied and body clean, I leaned back in the chair and lifted a goblet, watching the fire through the deep red wine.

"I'm sorry, Orix. You know. About Dahr. I didn't mean to hurt. You mean more to me than anyone alive."

He reached across and took my hand; interlaced his fingers, and then folded his arms and stared into the fire.

"I need her Raik. As much as I needed you."

Needed? I choked back words that anguish hurried to mind. I was as much his chattel as any of his horses. If one person could own another, then I was his, given to him at birth. Why should it hurt if he treated me as such?

"She's in danger of losing the baby."

"Again?" There had been a miscarriage four months after their marriage. "What's wrong this time?" I poured more wine.

"Some woman thing. Her doctors fuss around her bed all day. It's been weeks and she still has to stay on her back. I can't even see her. All her doctors are from Kellindahr. I don't think she trusts ours."

"This child is crucial, Orix. You need an heir to both lands. If it helps for her to have her own people around her, so much the better."

"Aye." He rambled on about a rallying point and the Kellindahrii people's love for their queen, while I mused over how much time would be lost begetting another heir. It struck me that if Dahr was abed she hadn't met Orix's needs. My throat tightened when I thought of him sleeping alone. I dared not look at the over-sized bed we'd so often shared. Nor did I look straight at him, afraid my rampant feelings would show. There was a war to finish. I'd been foolish to bring the dispatch. Being this close to him...

I flung myself out of the chair and stalked, stiff legged and sore, over to the fireplace and leaned my head against the mantle.

Let him go! He's the king. You're a soldier. He'll never be yours. Don't lose your heart over him. Don't do it. Not again.

"I'm sorry." Orix came up behind me. "You're exhausted and here I am prating about my needs." He pulled my hand to his mouth and pressed the palm against his lips.

---

Available exclusively at Amazon http://is.gd/SciFiFantasy_Vhalgenn

Sign up for one email the sequel, Return of the Vhalgenn is available: http://authoralarms.com/Kayelle_Allen

Giveaway

Here's a giveaway for everyone, an illustrated eBook called Behind the Scenes with The Last Vhalgenn. This free eBook is an inside look at the characters and setting in the story. When you click the link, this will either offer you a download, or open in a new window, depending on your settings. To read it, you need Adobe Reader, available free.

http://is.gd/vhalgenn_peek

About the Author

Kayelle Allen is a multi-published, award-winning Science Fiction Romance author of unstoppable heroes, uncompromising love, and unforgettable passion.

Homeworld http://kayelleallen.com

Unstoppable Heroes Blog http://kayelleallen.com/blog

Twitter http://twitter.com/kayelleallen

Facebook http://facebook.com/kayelleallen.author

Anita
www.anitaphilmar.com

Cover Love for The Last Vhalgenn by @kayelleallen

Duty to king and country has shaped Raik's life since birth, but to protect them, she must perform a ritual that betrays all she holds sacred.

The Vhalgenn is a warrior, bedmate, soulmate, companion, and friend. Trusted by the king. Hated by the queen. To save the newborn prince, the Vhalgenn will risk her position, her honor, and death itself to honor the Old Ways. But when she takes the newborn prince to the queen's homeland for a ritual blessing, she discovers a betrayal so deep the kingdom -- and her heart -- might never recover.

This fantasy features a strong heroine, and was originally part of the 2008 EPIC eBook Award Finalist anthology A Time To... Volume 1 - The Best of The Lorelei Signal, from Wolfsinger Publications, which is now out of print. The strong female heroine possesses nobility, honor, and courage, and is a role model for women. The book is dedicated to all women warriors, whatever their battle, and is written by a female veteran.

Excerpt:

The Last Vhalgenn

By Kayelle Allen

In this scene from The Last Vhalgenn, the heroine, Raik, has just bathed and eaten, and is alone with King Orix. They grew up together, but his new queen barred Raik from the palace. Raik is back to deliver news of a battle and while delighted to be with Orix, is nervous about his queen discovering them.

---

Orix set his fingers beneath my chin, and turned my face up to his. "You're more than pretty, Vhalgenn, you're magnificent. She's never once sat near the fire with me and talked."

It had been our nightly ritual. "Never?"

"Never." He brushed my hair back from my face. "I've learned to get along with her, Vhalgenn, but I never had to learn anything with you. We grew up with one another. You were my partner in everything I did. My lover, my sister, my sparring partner, my best friend. My everything."

I lifted my head to look up at him. As I did, his mouth came down on mine. A feverish chill coursed through me at his touch. I'd wanted his mouth from the moment I'd seen him on his throne. Orix could not help but be languid and sultry and hot. I felt desire emanating from him like heat from an oven with its door ajar. It scorched my face and I drew in a shallow breath, afraid of being burnt.

Resisting him was something I had never done, except in play. He thought I meant it that way now and made as if to pressure me, until he saw my eyes were brimming.

"Please, Orix. Don't." I pushed myself away from him. "I can't."

He frowned, confused. For him, life was simple. A need? Fulfill it. Thirsty? Drink. Hungry? Eat. Lusty? Love.

"Half the palace must know I'm here. Do you think your queen will let this go unnoticed? She'll have someone in here to check on me before the night's through and I won't be thrown out again, Orix. I couldn't bear it."

"Vhalgenn, I promise. She'll never know."

"No!" I moved away from him. "She's no fool. She's your queen and she's risking her life to have your child. The least you can do is be faithful."

The look of horror on his face tore out a piece of my heart. Then I realized he was looking past me.

His pregnant queen stood in the darkness, right outside the door.

---

Available exclusively at Amazon http://is.gd/SciFiFantasy_Vhalgenn

Sign up for one email the sequel, Return of the Vhalgenn is available: http://authoralarms.com/Kayelle_Allen

Giveaway

Here's a giveaway for everyone, an illustrated eBook called Behind the Scenes with The Last Vhalgenn. This free eBook is an inside look at the characters and setting in the story. When you click the link, this will either offer you a download, or open in a new window, depending on your settings. To read it, you need Adobe Reader, available free.

http://is.gd/vhalgenn_peek

About the Author

Kayelle Allen is a multi-published, award-winning Science Fiction Romance author of unstoppable heroes, uncompromising love, and unforgettable passion.

Homeworld http://kayelleallen.com

Unstoppable Heroes Blog http://kayelleallen.com/blog

Twitter http://twitter.com/kayelleallen

Facebook http://facebook.com/kayelleallen.author

 Thanks for sharing your story with everyone,


Anita

Keeper of My Pleasure by @KayelleAllen

Keeper of My Pleasure by Kayelle Allen
Rai trusts Koo to submit. To keep him, she must trust her heart.
A Romantica® BDSM erotic romance from Ellora's Cave
This book is in the Taboo line -- one of the Ellora's Cave Quickies

Blurb
A recent college graduate, Koo hires Rai as his attorney after thieves total his car and then dare to sue him. She wins, and takes him out to celebrate. Dinner leads to the hottest sex in his life, and a long-term relationship as her submissive. He adores the way she makes him feel, and the way she makes him burn. He longs to show her he has more to offer. He has a heart, and it's hers, if only she'll let him give it.
A successful attorney in her late thirties, Rai has a penchant for handsome young men with long hair. Koo, her newest client, becomes more than her usual boy toy. He likes being tied up and whipped, and he yields the way she'd always dreamed. But he has a future ahead of him, and she's a jaded lawyer. He wants sex, not love. Right? He wouldn't stay with her forever. She trusts him to submit. To keep Koo, Rai is going to have trust her heart.

Excerpt

This scene takes place in Rai Whethen's estate home. She and Koo Ayakura have spent the evening enjoying dinner, flirting, anticipating their session, and now it's time for him to perform for his mistress.

In Rai's bedroom, Koo stood before her. She'd stretched out on the bed and was watching him, hands tucked behind her head, legs crossed at the ankles.
"I'm ready to see you strip, Koo. Do you need music?" She lifted one eyebrow.
"No, mistress, but if you want music, I'll use it."
"Hmm." She picked up a remote and pointed it. A dance tune started, and she skipped it, listened a moment, and skipped again. Two more songs and she turned it off. "No. I only want you. No distractions. Strip for me." She tucked her hands behind her head again. Quite unlike her, she added, "Please."
Koo began by unfastening his hair. Straight, healthy, it reached halfway to his waist, and shone like raven's wings. He'd inherited it from his Japanese father. His Irish mother had imparted the splash of freckles across his nose and shoulders, and grey eyes. Rai liked his hair down, and he ran his fingers through the long tresses, shook his head, and let it fall.
Rai's eyes gleamed, and she licked her lips.
He lifted one foot at a time to unfasten the plain black shoes, and slipped them off, pulling off each sock. He crossed his arms over his chest, slowly opened them, and pulled his tuxedo coat down his shoulders. It slipped down his arms, and he caught it, held it, and then slid it all the way off and tossed it over the hassock.
He reached up to the front of the vest, unfastened it one button at a time, doing it as slow as he could, taking care to keep her gaze on his hands. He pulled it open, let it slip down his arms, and then caught it at his elbows. He crossed his hands over his chest, hands spread.
Rai pushed herself up, hands braced on the bed.
Koo opened his arms, and let the vest fall. He caught it, tossed it after the jacket.
He opened each button on the shirt with the same slow care. Rai tugged up her skirt, and sat with legs folded, watching him like a cat in front of a mouse hole.
He opened the cufflinks, slid them into his pockets, and then shrugged out of his shirt. He held the collar between his teeth, folded the sleeves, and laid it aside.
Rai chewed on a knuckle, but didn't speak.
He reached over his back, pulled off the T-shirt in one move, and cast it onto the pile of clothes. Bare from the waist up, he tucked his hands behind his head, lifted his hair, and let it fall over his shoulders. He'd always worked out; he also ran, and swam. He knew his body pleased women. But the way Rai looked at him, as if he were a tasty treat she craved... that made this more than a strip show. He was preparing himself for his lover.
Koo unfastened the waistband of his trousers, lowered the zipper, and then eased them partway down.

Inside Scoop: Our hero willingly submits to his Dom lady love and all her toys in their BDSM play, including whips and bindings and more.

Buy links:

Ellora's Cave http://ellorascave.com/keeper-of-my-pleasure.html
Amazon http://amzn.com/B00E64KWL8

Word count: 7170
Genre: BDSM Romance
ISBN: 9781419946592
Author: Kayelle Allen
Editor: Victoria Reese
Cover art: Ellora's Cave
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Trailer for Keeper of My Pleasure http://youtu.be/pXmsf8gb6DI
Music is "Road Adventure" from iStockPhoto, used with permission.

Giveaway

Inside Peek: Keeper of My Pleasure This free, illustrated eBook provides insight about the book, its characters, and its creation. When you click the link, it will either offer you a download, or open in a new window, depending on your settings. To read it, you need Adobe Reader, available free. http://is.gd/meet_Rai_and_Koo

About the Author

Kayelle Allen is a multi-published, EPIC Award winning author. She writes Contemporary Romance, Gay Romance, Erotic Science Fiction Romance, Mainstream Fantasy, BDSM, and non-fiction. She likes to attend Science Fiction conventions, and has been a speaker at DragonCon, Outlantacon, and Gaylaxicon. Kayelle is the founder of the author-mentoring group Marketing for Romance Writers, and manages the successful Romance Lives Forever blog. She is a US Navy Veteran, and founded the graphics and eBook conversion company The Author's Secret. Kayelle is married to her personal hero, and makes her home in the southeast.

Homeworld http://kayelleallen.com
Unstoppable Heroes Blog http://kayelleallen.blogspot.com
Twitter http://twitter.com/kayelleallen
Facebook http://facebook.com/kayelle.allen
Pinterest http://pinterest.com/kayelleallen/
Goodreads http://goodreads.com/KayelleAllen
Shelfari http://shelfari.com/kayelleallen
Romance Lives Forever http://romancelivesforever.blogspot.com/
Marketing for Romance Writers http://marketingforromancewriters.org/
The Author's Secret http://theauthorssecret.com