June 30, 2008

Welcome to my Christmas In July Extravaganza

Welcome to my CHRISTMAS IN JULY EXTRAVAGANZA! I’m excited about this event. I have some wonderful prizes to give away, some great writers for you to meet and some yummy recipes to share. On July 4th, I’ll be posting some of my favorite summer recipes and at least on that day, I’ll be asking you to post yours. We may do the recipe exchange other times during the month, too.

So, a little about myself. I’ve been writing since high school, though I can remember having imaginary friends who went on high adventures with me. So, I really think I started ‘writing’ before I knew I was writing. I wrote my first novel in high school, an Armageddon tale about teenagers who were put into suspended animation over a 25 year period. They awoke centuries later, after a nuclear war and appeared to be the only survivors. Of course, they paired up and there was romance in there somewhere.

My first romance novels were written in my early twenties, before I knew about agents, scene and sequence and head-hopping was a no-no. Not surprisingly, the one I set in was rejected.

I hung up my writing for a few years to raise my two daughters. About 5 years ago, I took up the writing bug again. I was first published in 2005 with a short story in a local anthology. That story has been revamped and sold to The Wild Rose Press. “A Cowboy’s Dream” will be coming out this Christmas.

I have has several other short stories published in anthologies through Highland Press under my other pen name, M. J. Sager: “A Second Chance at Forever” in NO LAW AGAINST LOVE; “Blue Moon Enchantment” in BLUE MOON MAGIC and “Soup d’Amour” in RECIPE FOR LOVE. I have one story written under Anna Kathryn Lanier with them as well, “Tempt Me Twice” in “Holiday in the Heart.”

Through The Wild Rose Press, I have one short story out in their Yellow Rose line, “The Priceless Gift,” a contemporary set in Montana. This fall, I’ll have a novella released through their historical Cactus Rose line. “Salvation Bride” is set in Texas and the heroine is a mail order bride. And as already mentioned, “A Cowboy’s Dream,” is coming out through the Yellow Rose line this Christmas.

I have half a dozen stories in progress, and one good completed novel – a historical set in 1880’s Denver. Though it’s good, it does need some revamping.

Well, as I said, I have two daughters, both grown and mommies of their own. They have blessed me with two granddaughters and a grandson. In addition to writing and family, I am also a full-time college student. I earned my A.A. in Teaching/history (with honors) in May and am transferring from the community college I was attending to a senior college to continue pursing my teaching degree.

So, back to this gift giveaway. Each day, I’ll draw a winner from everyone who comments during the day. Throughout the month, I’ll also hold a few extra drawings, basically whenever I feel like it, and give away additional prizes.

Also, don’t forget to visit the other blogs (links for them can be found on my website www.aklanier.com on my contest page. Each fellow participant will also be giving away a prize a day for those who comment on their blogs. So visit them and increase your chance to win a prize!

Tell us about yourself. Are you an author or a reader?

Happy holidays!

~Anna Kathryn

35 comments:

windycindy said...

Hello! I am a reader. My favorite genres are suspense/mystery, historical romance, and I also vary these from time to time! I have been married for 22 years and we have two wonderful sons. My college degree is in Psychology. Thanks for a fun contest. Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Jodi said...

I'm a reader. My favorite genres are contemporary and romantic comedy. However, I pretty much read all romances.
I'm on vacation right now so I don't know how much I'll get to participate.

Michelle said...

Hello,
Happy almost July. July 4th is a big day for us since it isn't just our country's b-day but my niece's as well, who will be 12 this year. I am a bookaholic for over 30 yrs., and don't over plan on breaking the addiction. Love sci-fi, erotica, paranormal, shifter, menage & more, fantasy, mystery, etc. I'm a vegeterian, love animals (have many cats as my sister works for a no-kill shelter & we have taken in many difficult cases), have a degree in Russian & Economics, work for local govt as an admin. asst., lived overseas for a few years...Russia, England, visited Finland, France & Japan. Live with my sister, niece & nephew who I help to raise. Also, no ASL since my niece is deaf. I'll try and stop in each day. Have a good night.

Michelle
aka Koshkalady (koshka is russian) for cat)

Unknown said...

I am a reader. My favorite genres ar historical romance, and romantic suspense and mystery. I like to switch around my reading so I really read a little of everything. I have been married for 23 years and I have an eighteen year old son who just started college.

cheryl c said...

I am an avid reader, and this contest really sounds fun! I read contemporary and historical romances. I also love to visit author sites on the web, so you'll be "seeing" me here in July.

Kim S. said...

I'ma reader! And a voracious reader at that!!

This August my DH and I will be married 27 years. We were just commenting at a wedding of friends on Sat., that it feels like just yesterday that we married, but it also feels like we've know each other all our lives! We met and married in three months!!

We have a 17 yr old daughter who just graduated high school and will be attending college in the fall for culinary. My Chef-Baby-R-Dee!! LOL And we have a 14 yr old son who starts high school in the fall and is MUCH taller than Mom at 6 foot!!

I don't really have a favorite genre. Because I read so much and so fast, I'll read just about anything....even the cereal box!!

Looking forward to reading your Blog and Merry Christmas in July to everyone!!

Kim

peggy said...

hello i am a reader.
i enjoy reading historical romance.
i love finding and reading new authors books.i'm married 30 years
with one 18 year old son.

Park Avenue Princess said...

Hello Anna!

I'm actually just back to writing in my blog! I'm in the hospital and I have cancer. I have been fighting it for fourteen years. I have a son that just turned 17, he'll be a SENIOR this year in high school.

I used to be a paralegal but now I basically review. If you'd like, I can send you my myspace where I have ALL of my author friends sending me books that need review.

I am a voracious reader as well and I review to pay back all of the sweet and talented authors like you that have gotten me through all the horrible times with my cancer. It's what gets me through. That and my son. I read to leave all the horror behind me and I get lost in all the good things *the story itself* so reviewing is a dream job for me.

Thank you for an extremely fun contest! Why doesn't like Christmas? Especially in July!!??!

Anna Kathryn Lanier said...

Hi Cindi, Jodi, Micehlle, Virgina, Cheri and Kim! Thanks for stopping by. You may be happy to know that today's prize is a T-shrit that says "Smart Women Read Romance." I'll admit I stole that slogan from an RWA chapter who was selling T-shirts at National last year in Dallas (and yes, I did buy one).

Michelle, how did you like Finland? I lived there for a year as an exchange student during High School. I loved it. I also got to go to Leningrad (as it was then) for a few days. In 1979, it was the height of the Cold War and I think that added to the excitement of going to Russia!

I read mostly historicals, when I'm able to read. Which hasn't been much the last couple of years. But I have added a few contemporaries to my book shelf.

Sounds like most of us are old married ladies, lol.I've been married 21 years this go round. And as Kim said, seems like it was yesterday. This year, my husband and I actually attended a wedding on our anniversary. That was nice. Last year, on our 20th, he took me to Luby's, which if you don't know, is a cafeteria. You can tell, we're high fluten' here. LOL

Jodi, enjoy your vacation. And drop in whenever you can. I'd love to see you however often you can make it.

~Anna Kathryn

Anna Kathryn Lanier said...

Hey Peggy and Park Ave. Princess! You snuck in on me while I was writing the other message.

Please do send us your myspace URL, anyone for that matter. I'd love to befriend you if we aren't friends already.

www.myspace.com/aklanier.

~Anna Kathryn

acdaisy95 said...

I'm a reader. I like to read contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and historical romance

Cathy M said...

I am a reader, my favorite stories are paranormal romance, contemporary romance and romantic suspense.

Sarah said...

Hi, I'm a reader and my favorite genres are historicals and fantasy/paranormal. I guess I'm about as old as the children of those who are posting on this blog lol, since I'm just 18.

I've got a boyfriend a few days ago, since one of my friends who failed a year in high school had his prom this year (mine was last year) and he invited me to go with him as a friend. There I met another guy who was invited by a friend and we talked a lot during the prom and afterward and we had many similar interests. We really liked each other so after two days we decided to go out together. My friend Stéphanie said as a joke that I was a lil pervert seeking young men lol, because Charles is only 16.

Well anyway, I like to read romance novels as you may already know since I'm writing here.

None said...

Hi,
I am an avid reader of romances. My favorite genres are contemporary and some historical. I am a single mother of two, who has just lost her father to cancer and my mom has alzheimers. I love animals. We have 4 cats and one dog. My mom has 14 cats and wants a dog. The Christmas in July is a great idea as this is also my birthday month.

LadyVampire2u said...

Great opening post! Hello all, I'm a reader here who actually likes to write too but I haven't got anything published...yet. I really enjoy paranormal romance, historical romance and comedy romance books the best but I do read a little of everything.

Estella said...

Hi!
I am a reader. I read all genres.

Molly Daniels said...

Hi Anna:)

I'm both a reader and an author. I read mainly romance or women's fiction, but I've also been known to read thrillers, biographies, basically any book which catches my attention with a good premise or plotline.

My Arbor University series is more Women's Fiction, but I'm branching into to the erotic romance and trying to get my ms polished so I can send it on its way.

Pamk said...

Hi, I am a reader and work for a rather large hospital in the payroll dept. I have two boys 18 and 12 and have been married for 22 years too. lol

Anna Kathryn Lanier said...

Good morning, everyone. Wow, what a great response so far!

I'm glad to have everyone here. Today I'll be popping in and out, mosting out for the day, because I have my 3-year-old grandson visiting and I babysit his cousin, the 7-month-old granddaughter. We'll be going to Johnson Space Center today, so he can 'blast off in a rocket ship.'

Thanks again for stopping by! I'm looking forward to a month full of fun.

LuAnn said...

Hi, Anna. I'm a reader.
I'm really looking forward to Christmas in July ... not only for the many great prizes, but also because of the great posts and discussions I'm sure will take place. I read anything and everything. In fact, I have over 300 books on my TBR shelves. I'm not sure if I'll ever get them all read, but at least I'll never be without!

Anonymous said...

Hi Anna,
I am a reader although I have written a few short stories and one very steamy romance for my husband. I enjoy reading your blog. Have a great day.

Leah said...

Hi. I'm an avid reader. I like to read paranormal romance or historical romance.

kamewh said...

Hi Anna :) I am a reader with a broad range of interests- I don't think that there is a genre that I am not interested in!

Laura K said...

Hi, I read and review for two websites. My favorites are the D/s, historical, and sci-fi genres. Can't wait to see whom you have lined up this month.

BinkerzBunny said...

Hello I am an avid reader especially now that I have graduated from college I have all the time that I used to study to now read which is great! My favorite geners are paranormal romance, fantasy, and time travel romance. I am soo excited about this contest I am going to post everyday!!

Lisa Brawner said...

Hi :)Reading and designing jewelry are my fav past times. Sometimes a book will inspire me to create a piece of jewelry also. I love to read just about anything. I have been hooked lately on the paranormal romances .But I enjoy romances of all kinds and sci fi and fantasy.

Anonymous said...

What a fantastic event you've planned for us! I'm a reader, love books, all kinds of books under the romance genre.

JeanMP said...

I am a reader. My favorite genres are suspense/mystery and historical romance. But I read most anything I can get my hands on

EdgesAngel23 said...

Hi there! I am an avid reader!! I love romance novels! My favorites are paranormal romances, and m/m romances. I also like to read the supense romances, and sometimes a good funny contempary, I guess it depends on my mood.
I am also an aspiring writer, but as of now, writer's block is all I'm getting! (LOL) I have a few chapters of a vampire romance written out, but I guess inspiration just hasn't hit me yet...
Ashley A
rvds_angel21@yahoo.com

danetteb said...

Hi Anna,

I'm a reader. My favorite genre is paranormal,but I love any book that can can hook me from page one.

I'm a SAHM and student. I have three little girls all in elementary school and a husband who takes care of us all.

Hugs, Danette

Kimberly B. said...

Hi there! I am a voracious reader and aspiring author, though I mostly write poetry now while I am working on my dissertation. I enjoy reading paranormal romance and fantasy, YA fiction, mysteries and some sci fi. I am getting my PhD. in history right now!

cpullum said...

Wow Christmas in July!! So nice of you to offer the giveaways! I need good reads both of my kids are in sports and I sometimes get bored and need to read at their practices!!

Anna Kathryn Lanier said...

Sounds like a really wide variety of genres here. I hate to say it, I'm mostly a stickler for historicals. I've not been able to get into the paranormals too much, but I think that's because I've been so busy the last few years with college, that when I had a chance to read, I read what I knew I liked, know what I mean?

I understand the wanting something to read at practices. When my youngest was in dance, I read a lot! I'd keep the book in my purse. One father even commented on it, wanting to know where my book was.

I really do want to thank you all for dropping in today. Between my two blog postings today, I've had over 50 comments. Thanks!

Tomorrow, author Skhye Moncrief, a good friend and a parnormal writer, will be guest blogging. She has some great stories out through The Wild Rose Press, so stop in and say hi to her!

Anonymous said...

I am a reader! I like the funny vampire type books (i.e., Mary Janice Davidson). I also like mysteries and the Best Sellers that are out.

mimi said...

thanks for a real fun contest

el