Back to the Books Giveaway Hop

~This giveaway is now closed~

Back to the Books Giveaway Hop is hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & Buried in Books

This Giveaway Hop will run from September 1st to the 7th. Don't miss out because there are so many chances to win prizes!

What is a giveaway hop?
Simple - Each participating blog hosts a giveaway and then we link up together allowing our followers to hop easily from one giveaway to another. For followers this means lots of chances to win free books.

To win the prizes from Cheri Schmidt, here is what you need to do:

Mandatory entry: Follow my blog and mention it in the comments section of this post. Don't forget to let me know your email address, so I can contact you if you win.

For extra optional chances to win: (You may do one, some, all, or none of these...)
Become my friend or follow me on Goodreads
Like me on Facebook
Pin my book cover on Pinterest and link to either my blog or website. Or just repin this one.

Again, let me know which ones you've done in the comment's section of this post. Winners will be drawn randomly and notified via email. There will be first, second, and third place winners.

Prizes:
~A signed paperback copy of Fateful, or Fractured, or Fair Maiden. Each book comes with a handmade beaded bookmark.
~Get the e-book copy of Fractured, or Fair Maiden gifted to you from Amazon. (Since Fateful is on sale for .99 cents, I'm not including it as an option in this giveaway except for the printed copy.)
~A pretty handmade bookmark like the ones in the pictures below.

Good luck and thanks for stopping by to say hi!
Note: originally I'd said USA only. But I changed my mind. I will open-up the eBook and the bookmark to international readers as well.

What are readers saying about the Fateful Series?

This literary arts teacher reviewed both books on her blog and put them on her summer reading list for her students: "They were both phenomenal books, and the best part is there is a 3rd in the series. Woohoo! I can’t wait!"
"All I can say is I love this book! It pulled me in quickly, and I instantly fell in love with Ethan. He is one of the most likeable characters to be introduced in a long time. Dare I compare his likeability to Edward Cullen? I loved Cheri Schmidt's writing style. I finished this book in a day because I couldn't put it down, and I can't wait to start the next one." ~Christine


"I read this book front to back in one day.....I was useless to the world in all other ways but I HAD TO FINISH IT. Its a different spin on the vampire and with just enough detail to give the great visual image but with a quickly evolving plot. Not to slow....Not to fast....so you can enjoy the ride! LOVE LOVE LOVE" ~ Glo

"I usually don't take the time to write reviews (and I wouldn't consider this one a review) BUT I absolutely LOVED this book and Fractured. I couldn't put my book (kindle) down. I kept wanting to read more and more. I loved the romance in the book. I fell in love with Ethan! I loved how much of a TRUE gentleman he was!!!"
~ Anonymous

YA Indie Carnival ~ 3 tips for authors...

Welcome to YA Indie Carnival! I'm going to keep this very short and to the point. My three tips for YA Indie Authors are:

1~Keep a schedule so you don’t lose track of time and spend the whole day reading blogs or blogging when you should be writing. Give yourself an hour a day for that kind of stuff, for example. I’m over my limit for today, which is partly why I’m keeping this short. Plus I won’t take up too much of your time either. ;o)

2~Befriend those who love your books. Friends are the most loyal readers!

3~Read these 2 posts by John Locke: (They were both very helpful to me.)

Bad Reviews

AND

Break Some Rules

Danny Snell's Refracted Light Reviews
Patti Larsen Author of The Ghost Boy of MacKenzie House, The Hunted Series and the Hayle Coven Novels.
Courtney Cole Author of Every Last Kiss, Fated, Princess, and Guardian. Also a contributing author in The Glassheart Chronicles.
Wren Emerson Author of I Wish and a contributing author in The Glassheart Chronicles.
Nichole A. Williams Author of Eternal Eden, and the upcoming Fallen Eden. She is also participating in the Glassheart Chronicles.
Fisher Amelie Author of The Understorey, as well as a contributing author in The Glassheart Chronicles.
Laura Elliott Author of Winnemucca and the upcoming 13 on Halloween
Amy Maurer Jones Author of The Soul Quest Trilogy as well as a contributing author in The Glassheart Chronicles.
Rachel Coles. Geek Mom. Book Reviewer Author of Diary of a Duct Tape Zombie, Whistles, Beergarden, Plagues, Bees of St. John, and Mushrooms.
T. R. Graves T.R. Graves: Author of Warriors of the Cross.
Cyndi Tefft Author of Between
P.J. Hoover Author of Solstice, The Emerald Tablet, The Navel of the World, The Necropolis.
Alicia McCalla Author of the upcoming science-fiction novel Breaking Free
Heather Cashman Author of Perception
Abbi Glines Author of Breathe, and the upcoming Existence and Vincent Boys
Cidney Swanson Author of Rippler


And don't forget about my giveaway below!!!

Sweet Saturday Samples ~ Forever, Book 3

Welcome to Sweet Saturday Samples! Please enjoy this clip from Forever, Book 3 in the Fateful series.

Told from Danielle's point of view...

She saw why as they backed toward the bed again. Pieces of wood dug into her bare feet with each painful step. Spinning away, they both dove onto the bed as a werewolf flew at the glass and crashed through it. Worse than hearing a car crash, the sound of breaking glass was followed by vicious snarls and shouts. Driven by a crazy need to see what was going on, Danielle lowered the hands she’d tossed over her face, and craned another look over her shoulder. Even obscured by the hair that had fallen over her face,  she could see the beast had landed in their bedroom, its knees bending with the impact before straightening, its spine uncurling as it rose upright. It shook like a dog trying to dry itself. Danielle threw an arm over her face again. Shards of glass showered the room like droplets of rock-solid water, clinking against anything hard it hit. Danielle felt a few pieces hit her, but it seemed they didn’t hit hard enough to do more damage than a few minor abrasions.

(If you haven't read the Fateful series yet, get them by clicking on the pictures below. Or enter my giveawy in the previous post)






For more Sweet Saturday Samples go here or click on one of the links below. (Please note that all of these samples are copyrighted by the authors and can't be copied or distributed without the author's written permission.)

Indie eBooks Interview

Author Interview and excerpt on indieebooks.blogspot.com




Up next: Join me for many chances to win stuff at the Back to the Books Giveaway Hop and don't miss the huge sale on ebooks at Indie Book Blowout.

Another Sample of Forever, Book3 in the Fateful Trilogy

Welcome to Sweet Saturday Samples! The last excerpt of Forever was so popular, I decided to gift you with another. If I gain a lot of blog followers from this, then I'll likely post a few more clips...maybe....

Told from Danielle's point of view:

A pleased smile captured his lips as he braced his hands on the trees at either side of her and leaned toward her for a kiss. She could see her reflection in his glasses as well as the flirtatious twinkle in his eyes. But instead of matching his mouth with hers, he shoved her backward into the leaves and bluebells and landed on top of her. “What—?” was all she managed as the air whooshed out of her lungs before one of the guards shouted, “Pixies!”

That’s when she realized Ethan hadn’t intentionally knocked her down; he’d fallen into her when Merrick shoved him down. Looking just as surprised as she was, Ethan shifted so he wasn’t squashing her with his weight but maintained a protective position above her. He also looked for his glasses which had slid off as they fell and then bounced off her cheek before tumbling into the thick undergrowth.

“Do you have salt?” Danielle asked as the little creatures entered her line of vision and their rotten-apple smell assaulted her nose.

When he jammed his hand into his pocket and tossed what looked like white particles of granular snow at a swarm of sharp-toothed and snapping pixies, she took that as a yes.

Ethan lifted his arms and came back down on top of her shielding her from another shower of salt thrown by the guards this time. Danielle closed her eyes as it pelted her skin not covered by Ethan.

When Ethan lowered his left hand to the ground to brace himself, lifted his head, and looked over his shoulder, she could see the guards battling against what looked like hundreds of pixies. The men tossed salt and smacked away the creatures attacking them. Merrick, who was the closest to her and Ethan, backhanded three at once as they tried to fly past him. The pixies went sailing like thin, snarling toys.

A huge crowd of them got past Merrick though. While the vampires swatted and tossed salt at the pixies, Danielle got a better view of what was attacking them. In truth, she’d never actually seen them this close up before. With their skinny bodies they looked something like stick bugs but they had little faces sort of like fairies, except a wicked twist of their lips made what could be smiles evil-looking. Instead of having brown skin, however, they were actually a pretty shade of pale-blue mixed with brown. That was the only appealing thing about pixies though. Miniature beasts closed in on them with claw-tipped hands raised and needle-sharp teeth exposed. Their smell became overpowering enough to make her sneeze. When her eyes blinked open again the pixies grabbed hold of Ethan’s backpack and pulled. Ethan let it slide free of his arms before he was dragged along with it. Danielle kicked out and managed to impact two of them, sending them flipping head over heel away from them. Ethan swung out with a fist too but they’d gone for his clothes this time and hauled him right off her.

“Ethan!” she screamed reaching for him. Danielle had no idea those things were so strong until then.

He swore and fought to get them off his clothes as his feet actually left the ground.

(If you haven't read the Fateful series yet, get them by clicking on the pictures below. Ebooks are priced at .99 and 2.99. Printed copies are around $10. Printed copies of Fractured will be availabe within the next week.)






For more Sweet Saturday Samples go here. (Please note that all of these samples are copyrighted by the authors and can't be copied or distributed without the author's written permission.)

Writers’ Platform-Building Campaign

I've just joined Rachael Harrie's Writers Platform-Building Campaign. If you're a writer and would like to learn more  about it, go to her blog. I'm new to this too, but I'll fill you in on what I learn as I go.

Preview Sample of Forever, Book 3, in the Fateful Series.

Welcome to Sweet Saturday Samples! I have a treat for you if you've already read Fateful and Fractured. Please enjoy this preview of Forever, Book 3 in the Fateful series.

Told from Ethan's point of view. Hope this wets your appetite... :D

Chapter One
Full Moon

I’ll do anything to wipe that pout off her face, Ethan thought to himself as he watched Danielle wash the paint out of her paintbrush while he leaned against the doorframe, his arms folded over his chest.

Her shoulders lifted and then drooped with the troubled sigh she expelled. Moonlight filtered in through the skylight above her art studio and bathed her in silver. The lamp painted the rest of the room in gold. With her eyebrows drawn together, her thick lashes shadowing her cheeks with her downcast gaze, her soft hair caught up in a messy bun at the back of her head, and the earrings he’d given her dangling from her earlobes, she presented a portrait for Ethan that was prettier to him then the painting she’d just finished. And it was one of her better pieces. In shades of brown, cream and pale blue she’d captured another fairy in a soft wash of watercolors.

When Danielle was finished cleaning up her work, he gathered her under his arm. A little pressure on her shoulder and he had her facing him. Catching her chin on the edge of his finger, he said, “I like the fairy trapped in a jar, but she doesn’t look very happy.”

Those lashes swept up along with her chin when she looked at him. “Would you be happy if you were confined like that?”

Ethan noted the guards in his peripheral, knowing Danielle was talking about herself with that query and not the displeased little sprite in her painting. “I see your point.” He brushed the hair from her forehead. “Let’s watch that picture we rented,” he offered, hoping to distract her from the guards posted at each door and window inside their home as he steered her toward the sofa.

The pout deepened and those pretty brown eyes of hers darted to the guard near the window where the full moon was just visible beyond the sheer curtain and the man’s hulking shoulder. A twinge of jealously jabbed him in the gut even though he was fairly certain she was looking at the moon and not the handsome French bodyguard who said his name was Casanova ... Casanova, really?

Forget them, he mentally commanded and refocused on the lines of distress on Danielle’s face. He really needed to fix that. Drawing her down onto the seat next to him, he lowered his voice and muttered right next to her ear, “Forget we live in a fishbowl for an hour and a half and I’ll make popcorn.” Leaning out to make eye contact with her, he wagged his eyebrows and a shout of triumph echoed through his thoughts when she giggled at him. Her whole face lit up with the sound and he decided he’d not only do anything to wipe the pout off her face, he’d do even more to hear her laugh again, to hear her laugh more often.

Things had gone back to normal after they’d returned to being mortal. Sort of ... mostly.... Secretly he missed her need to feed from only him. The way she clung to him when she sank her little fangs into his flesh, the way she needed him, the way she still feared insects even being as dangerous as she was then. It was back to mortality for both of them, however, and he didn’t, no he couldn’t regret that. He still planned to care for her despite that modern streak of independence she had. Danielle was an intriguing bundle of contradictions. He found her fascination with all things Jane Austen charming. It was part of what drew him to her because she reminded him of his Victorian past, even in a modern world. But the fact that she could sweep his feet right out from under him in one smooth move ... well, that brought a smirk to his mouth when he thought about it. That violent side of her also drew him. Of course more than any of that was what he saw when he looked into her eyes. Their forgotten past together and the personality quirks she tried to hide from everyone else.

(If you haven't read the Fateful series yet, get them by clicking on the pictures below.)







For more Sweet Saturday Samples go here or click on one of the links below. (Please note that all of these samples are copyrighted by the authors and can't be copied or distributed without the author's written permission.)

Don't get a toothache...

Welcome to Sweet Saturday Samples

This is where authors share excerpts of their works for a sweet bit of Saturday sampling.

Fateful is a PG rated YA paranormal romance.

What readers are saying about the Fateful series:

“Delicious and addictive.” ~Courtney

“You've managed a feat that many authors find challenging: making certain scenes in your book sensual and sexy without being trashy. I commend you for writing "clean" fiction.” ~Shay

“I absolutely LOVED this book. I was looking for a romance book that WAS clean to read. (I have a passion about reading books, but am easily disappointed when I find that it has filthy content). I truly wasn't disappointed with either book. I found that I couldn't put my Kindle down. I just had to keep reading. When I finished Fateful, I hurried on to Fractured.” ~Roxana

Enjoy this sample of Fateful:

“You smell like a vanilla cupcake.”

“Uh, thanks.” That would be the shampoo from last night.

“I like it, although I haven’t eaten cake in a very long time.” Danielle thought she felt his lips pull into a smile. “‘Sugar and spice, and everything nice…. That’s what little girls are made of.’” After quoting the nursery rhyme, he then chuckled to himself.

Recalling the verse, she said, “So are you made of frogs and snails and puppy dog tails?”

“I don’t know. I may be more toad-like than you realize, though I believe the rhyme goes ‘snips and snails,’ not ‘frogs and snails.’”

“Really?” She’d never heard it that way. “What’s a snip?”

“Good question.”

For many more Sweet Saturday Samples go here.
To buy Fateful, click on the picture below.

(Sorry, I'm not sure why this post didn't show up at midnight as I'd scheduled. That schedule thingy doesn't work very well for me. Hmmm.)

Electronic revolution, really? What do you think explains the drop in sales of print books? Have you made the switch yet?

Amazon announced a while back that eBooks have already outsold printed books on their site. In June, Barnes & Noble announced that eBooks outsell print books three to one. I guess that explains why my printed books never sold on B&N,even though B&N had discounted them by 3-4 bucks! David Farland said this in one of his "Daily Kick in the Pants" posts: (I recommend signing up for his "Daily Kick" if you're a writer, by the way. It's free to subscribe.)
...book sales on a month-by-month basis for hardcovers in the US are showing about a 40% loss...and paperback sales are also tanking.


At the same time, Amazon.com, the world’s largest retailer, is showing about a 300% rise in sales of e-books on their site from last year.


Barnes and Noble, the second largest retail chain in the United States, is jumping onto the digital platform. In the past few months, they’ve reduced shelf space for books in their stores dramatically, increasing the space that is allotted to selling e-readers and accessories.


As a result of this, an author can anticipate that paperback sales now are about 50% of what they were last year.


In other words, paper books are rapidly dying. Many of the retailers who were selling them only a year ago are gone, and many of the survivors were selling paper books are now pushing electronic books instead.

If you go looking for printed copies of my books you'll see a new lower price. Basically, I had opted in to the programs that make my books available to places like B&N and Libraries, but those options drove up the price. Because the eBook version of my books are outselling the printed versions by something crazy like 2000 to 1, I decided to drop those options and lower the price of my printed books.

If you want Fateful in your local library, sorry, you'll have to donate it or specifically request they buy it for you. The only places you can buy printed copies of my books are: Amazon, Createspace and soon my website for signed copies.

Some might complain that my books aren't widely available...well, since B&N is carrying less printed books in their stores and Borders is closing, I can't change that even if I do opt in for the programs that make my books available in those markets as well as more expensive. Of course you can always follow my blog to be informed of giveaways, which I do often.

Something Completely Different (guest post by Drew)

So Cheri and I have a whole set of differences -

She is shy and quiet.
I'm loud and obnoxious.

She likes to get dressed up and wear frilly skirts.
Cargo shorts and sandals are perfect for me.

She is a woman
I'm a man (encase you were wondering)

And certainly there are many more - - but the one I want to focus on today....is....

I believe bigfoot is real.
She could care less.

Now you may wonder why I have chosen to use this forum and your time for such a subject. Well perhaps you are more like me then Cheri. Perhaps you like Bigfoot. Perhaps there is a friend in your life...that like me...things Bigfoot is real. If either of these are the case, then I would like you to check out another Indie author name Rusty Wilson.

I met Rusty through Kindleboards which is a great online resource for new authors and those who simply want to find Indie authors or ask a few questions about anything Kindle related. We developed an email friendship. I've read his books. And his wife is reading Cheri's books.

Rusty is an outdoor guide in Colorado and spent quite a bit of time in the woods and the rivers of the west. Over the years he has collected a huge collection of Bigfoot stories. Some are funny. Some are strange. Some will scare you to death.

Word of mouth is huge for Indie Authors. So I'm hoping that you wonderful and sweet readers of Cheri's work will pass along the word to the Bigfoot believer in your life and encourage them to get Rusty's books. They will enjoy the stories. And Rusty will enjoy the sales.

Rusty's blog - http://rustybigfoot.blogspot.com/

Rusty's Books are available on the Kindle and in paperback. 

AND!!! Don't forget Ethan's Interview and the contest at the Bottom!!!

Drew’s interview of Ethan Deveroux: (Don't miss the giveaway at the end ;)

Drew: Thanks for joining me today. It’s nice to talk man to man.

Ethan: Indeed. The pleasure is all mine, I must say.

Drew: (wrinkling his nose like something smells bad) “Indeed?” and “I must say?” Your...um, historic choice of words prompts me to ask: Do you realize that you sound kind of cheesy sometimes?

Ethan: It might be that British, Mr-Darcy-like side of me coming out. I grew up in the late 1800’s. Sorry, old habits. (Ethan grins showing teeth)

Drew: Mr. Darcy, huh?

Ethan: I daresay, if someone plucked him from the past and plopped him right in the middle of the 21st-century, wouldn't people label the poor bloke as cheesy too? (Ethan slants an offended gaze back at Drew)

Drew: Dude! People don’t say “daresay” anymore!

Ethan: British guys do.

Drew: Really? (still not buying it)

Ethan: We use words like actually, bangers and mash, bloke, pip pip, cheerio, and knickers quite frequently too.

Drew: (Drew gaped at Ethan before saying) You’re pulling my leg.

Ethan: (smirking knowingly) Perhaps.

Drew: So is it safe to guess that you know the effect this kind of speech has on women?

Ethan: (shrugs shoulders) Danielle likes it...and with that knowledge, I confess I might be pouring it on a little thick.

Drew: Let’s get back to business, shall we?

Ethan: Very British way of putting it. (Ethan offered in approval)

Drew: Er, thanks...So in the books it's mentioned that you and Danielle recognize and know each other. From like another time. Can you explain that?

Ethan: I believe we knew each other BEFORE we were born into this life, as spirits basically. I also believe we chose one another then and had a relationship then. But since none of us can remember our existence before we were born, we too can’t remember that time together either. We can only see it when we look directly into each other’s eyes, or sense it, really. It’s sort of like how one’s spirit continues to exist after death of the physical body—one existed before physical life too.

Drew: Don't you know a witch, or fairy, or something that could shed some light on this for you?

Ethan: Hm, perhaps. That’s a good idea, though. I'll look into it and inform you all in book 3.

Drew: So how old are you?

Ethan: A little over 170.

Drew: And how long have you been a vampire?

Ethan: I was turned in my twenties, so for about 150 years.

Drew: Why do you want to be human and mortal? Why not stay a vampire with all of the benefits that come with that?

Ethan: I still consider myself human, just cursed. And as a cursed man I can't have children. I want to be a father more than I want immortality.

Drew: But all of that power and strength! Can’t you hypnotize with our eyes and don’t you have some kind of magical breath that smells intoxicating instead of like normal breath...which might smell more like a burger with onions for example?

Ethan: (Glancing sideways, a grin lifts the corners of his mouth.) I rather fancy American burgers with ketchup and mustard and pickles and, of course, melted cheese. Ah! Don’t forget the chips!

Drew: You’re getting sidetracked again.

Ethan: (rubbing his stomach) I suppose I should have stopped for a bite first.

Drew: So at the end of book 2 you make a decision that seemed sort of impulsive to me. Why so quick? Why no hesitation?

Ethan: Inside I did hesitate. There are advantages, so to speak, that I will miss due to that decision. But I strongly believe it was for the best, for both Danielle and me. I will always do what's best for her. Deep down I can be as selfish as anyone, but in this instance, I was choosing what I thought was best for her. She really hated being a vampire even if I thought she was safer that way. I just want her to be happy.

Drew: What do you have to say to people who say you’re like Edward?

Ethan: Well... I’m older than he is. I have blond hair and blue eyes. I can grow facial hair and I can tan when exposed to the sun. I’ve never looked down on Danielle as though she were a child. Our spirits are the same age even if our physical bodies aren’t. I see her as an equal, no actually, that isn’t right either. I put her above me. I respect her. She can kick major a—! And I’ve let her defend herself when I knew she could. Like with that handsy-creep she met at the dance club.

(Ethan took a big breath and released it slowly, also releasing his fisted fingers.)

Going back to that Edward chap, I certainly do not sparkle, and I have real fangs! I believe I do have a soul, always have. I believe in an afterlife as well as a pre-earth life, which is where I believe I met Danielle, and probably why I don’t fear the idea of growing old as a mortal man. And, most importantly to me, I wasn’t constantly resisting the urge to eat Danielle. I was more concerned with getting to know her, winning her heart and becoming un-cursed so I could have a normal life with her. ~He’s a little aggitated. His accent got thicker...~

Drew: So what is the deal with you and Lucas?

Ethan: The troubles with him go back to our days in school as teenagers. He became a murderer before he ever became a vampire. My friends and I tried to stop him but failed. He blames me for things I couldn't change and things I did do to him. Because of that conflict he went after Danielle. I regret the fact that my past put Danielle in danger.

Drew: What should readers look forward to in book 3?

Ethan: Readers will learn the details about my past with Lucas. And you’ll get to know me even better than before. Look forward to another wild ride with a considerable dose of danger, an introduction to more mythical creatures and, as always, plenty of romance and sexy Victorian lingo. (Ethan winks, only smiling with half his mouth.)

Author note: The sale on Fateful will be ending soon, so I suggest you snatch it up now! Plus I’ll give away a free e-book OR PRINTED COPY of Fateful or Fractured or Fair Maiden to one of the lucky people who post a comment below by August 12th. (Yes, even international.)

Cheers! Cheri