Ready to get started?  Okay–here’s how it works.

From July 23-August 1, Aspen Mountain Press is conducting its big fourth anniversary bash and if you want the presents, here’s what you have to do.

1. Post a comment to this blog post.

2. Post a comment to the twin blog post at the Aurora Regency blog.

3. Sign up for the AMP newsletter at https://app.e2ma.net/app/view:Join/signupId:1400893/acctId:1400720

4. Participate in the AMP Anniversary bash partyon Sunday August 1 at the AMP Community Loop from 7 to 11 pm EST at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AMP_Community/?yguid=323193151.  We’ll have a thread specifically for entries there where you’ll have to shout out.

And that’s all you have to do to win a Nook e-reader from Aspen Mountain Press.  Other prizes like downloads and gift baskets will be given away at specific chat events.

Tomorrow, at LR&M E-cafe, the Aurora authors are chatting from 10 am to 5 pm.  Your first chance to win is at the Aurora launch party–we’ll be giving away a “Good Night With a Historical Romance” basket with downloads, a hot chocolate set and a FIRST EDITION Georgette Heyer!  Gift basket is worth $100! So show up at the Love Romances and More E-Cafe for your chance to win.

Next week, you can chat with AMP authors including Cynnarra Trenarth, Maura Anderson, Lena Austin, Lizzie T. Leaf, Celina Summers, Marguerite Butler, Kimberly Nee, Arabella Sheraton, Colleen Stormer, Dominique Eastwick, V. Mark Covington, Raine Delight, Kara Griffin, Viki Lyn, Cynthia Vespia, Jade Buchanan, Barbara Custer, Sloane Taylor and Chris Morrow.  We’re giving away downloads from most and many other prizes as well. You can find them at chats–TRS Blue on July 27  from 12 to 8, Romance Excerpts Only all day on July 28 and Love Romances and More on July 30 from 8 to 5.

So the first step is to post a comment to the blog posts. Then sign up for the newsletter. Then the Aurora Regency/ Aurora Regency Historicals authors tomorrow at the Love Romances and More E-cafe! And good luck!

Well, it’s time to start getting ready for our fantastic fourth anniversary–especially for all of you, our readers.  The great thing about our birthday is that you get all the presents. In order to be eligible for our big prizes, the gift baskets or the Nook e-reader, you’ll need to keep track of the contest here on our blog, on our Facebook fan page or group page and our newsletter.  You can join the newsletter at  https://app.e2ma.net/app/view:Join/signupId:1400893/acctId:1400720

 The celebration kicks off on July 23, with the sneak peek into AMP’s new imprint, Aurora Regency.  Aside from the three books we’re releasing that day, we’ll be hosting a chat event that evening at the AMP Community Yahoo loop–http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AMP_Community/  with our authors and editors.  You’ll have a chance to meet the authors, read some excerpts and win some prizes.

July 24th we’ll be focusing on our Del Fantasma line. On the 25th, we’ll be spending time with our horror, mystery and thriller writers.  On the 26th, we’ll spend the entire day with our m/m books.  The 27th will be devoted to the Cougar Club line and authors, while on the 28th we’ll take a look at our paranormal and sci fi stories.  The 29th will be centered around our erotica genres.  The 30th will be devoted to Vamps, shapeshifters and fantasy while the 31st will showcase our new authors, the up and coming writers of Aspen Mountain Press.

Stay tuned to the blog–we’ll be announcing different locations and sites for each day’s events.  Take the opportunity now to join the AMP Community loop or friend us on Facebook, so you’ll know where to be every day to meet your favorite AMP authors and have a chance to win some of our fabulous prize packages!

Finally, on the first of August, we’ll have our final big birthday bash.  That evening on the AMP Community loop, you can chat with AMP authors, win lots of wonderful prizes, find out what’s in the future for Aspen Mountain Press and just have a lot of fun.  We’ll be announcing our grand prize winners that evening as well.

We really hope you all enjoy the special events we’re planning as you help us celebrate four years of Aspen Mountain Press!

I’m writing this from the Hyatt Regency in downtown Columbus, Ohio where the Romantic Book Times convention is going on. 

After a tiring travel day Tuesday, the RT Convention started off with several emotional, heart felt tributes to editor Kate Duffey. 

AMP author, Celina Summers finaled in a comepetition that could garner her manuscript a review by an agent with the possibility of representation.  You go girl!

A beautiful poster featuring the covers for Bride of Death by Celina Summers and Cover Me by L.B. Gregg adorn a large column in the 2nd floor bar that nearly everyone has to pass through to get into the main convention area.

Authors ZA Maxfield, Celina Summers, Laura Baumbach, Helen Hardt, Sam Cheever, Lizzie T. Leaf, Lucynda Storey, and Cynthia Vespia have all represented Aspen Mountain Press at this event and have been a delight to hang out with.

Finally, I am tickled beyond belief that a stranger felt comfortable approaching Cynthia, Celina and I (later joined by Laura) in asking us how to make the most of his RT experience.  The stranger, is no longer a stranger but a friend who introduced  us to two more of his friends.  We are thrilled to have added to our list of compadres Brett Battles, Robert Gregory Browne and James Scott Bell.  They’ve shared with us their zany sense of humor and a little bit about the world of thriller writing.

 We are already making plans to be at RT next year where it will be held at the Westin Bonaventure in L.A.

Hear ye, hear ye!

I am pleased to announce my super duper special contest for the release of The Gift of Redemption!

Are you ready for this? You can win–

1-downloads of both The Reckoning of Asphodel and The Gift of Redemption!

2-a $25 gift card from Best Buy–which I recommend you use to buy the DVD of Neil Gaiman’s Stardust. *grin* Only because Asphodel knocked it out of #1 at Fictionwise last summer…

3-an antique book–great classic piece of literature from my personal collection. I’ll give you choices, and you pick the book!

and FINALLY…

4-you can be the only person in the world to get the complete Asphodel historical backstory file–which is almost a book in itself!

Rules:

1. I am so stealing this one from Nathan Bransford: You may only enter once; Once only you may enter. No multiple entries please.

2. Email me at kaantira@hotmail.com . In the subject line, write ASPHODEL BLOG CONTEST. Leave me your name and email addy. IF YOU DON’T LEAVE YOUR ADDY I CANNOT CONTACT YOU IF YOU WIN. *just thought I’d let you know that*

3. Be present at my release party on June 6, 2008 where I will announce the winner with all sorts of hoopla and fanfare! I’ll be hosting my release party at Love Romances & More Cafe  –an all-day event with other writers, other contests, other prizes and general all-around brou-ha-ha!

Sound like fun? I sure hope so! Be sure you stop by the Cafe’ and say hi!

Oh, and just in case you didn’t know:

EIGHT DAYS  until the release of The Gift of Redemption: Book 2 of The Asphodel Cycle!

I’ve got a lot to tell you guys, so I’m going to try to shotgun it for sanity’s sake.First off, the second book in The Asphodel Cycle–The Gift of Redemption–will be released by Aspen Mountain Press on June 6, 2008!  I’m really excited about this sequel and how it take Tamsen and Brial down some very interesting–and dangerous–paths.  The prologue of Redemption is up and live on my website–Shoot the Muse!–so drop by and check it out.  This Friday, May 23, 2008, I’ll be hosting an all-day author’s chat at Love Romances and More Cafe.  I’ll be giving away prizes, posting excerpts, stealing the Cafe’ statues, and generally wreaking havoc all over the place.  If you get a chance, stop in and say hello.  I heard a little birdie say that there was going to be a super duper better-than-good prize package given away, but I can’t say for sure if it’s true or not.  *giggles*

Great cover by Jinger Heston–love it!

The Asphodel Cycle 2: The Gift of Redemption

After the defeat of the Duke de Spesialle’s armies, Tamsen de Asphodel finds herself weakened and ill. The toll of the magic she called has ravaged her body, but the demands of the Elven Realm and the kingdom of Ansienne call her to continued duty. With Brial at her side, she ignores her fragility and dives headlong into the political turmoil of both nations. Unfortunately, her uncle Spesialle is not finished with her yet. When she finds herself at his mercy, she must gather all of her wits and courage to combat him. And when the gods demand an answer to the question: What gift can buy the redemption of the Elves? Tamsen must decide if she is brave enough to give the right answer.

Raves for The Reckoning of Asphodel:

“…She weaves a tale that is both familiar and unexpected; because she remains so true to the genre, readers can trust her to lead them to explore untried paths in a familiar fantasy landscape…”–MyShelf.com

“…This is a serious fantasy novel, not the verbal equivalent of a computer game…”–Novelspot.com

“…THE RECKONING OF ASPHODEL is a masterpiece in word building, character building and delivering a story so complex and heart felt, the reader is caught up in it all until the last page is read…”–Love Romances & More

COMING JUNE 6, 2008 from Aspen Mountain Press and other distributors!  God, I love posting this blurb!  There is definitely a lot of fun still to be had in Asphodel.  I hope you come share it with me.Be sure to keep an eye on my blog Elf Killing and Other Hobbies for updated information and news on other ways that you can win!

Join some of the Del Fantasma authors in the Realms of Love chatroom:

Monday, February 25th, 9pm EST

As a special treat, we’ll even have the series editor, Nikita Gordyn, to talk about the series overall!

Come hear about the terrific books in this series, some coming books and a chance to win a copy of a few of them.

Right now we have:

Maura Anderson
Aline de Chevigny
Celia Kyle
JM Snyder

You can find the by going to the Realms of Love homepage and clicking on Chat in the left hand sidebar!

We can’t wait to tell you all about Cody, the Del Fantasma bar, and the stories behind each drink!