Friday, October 28, 2016

Huge Giveaway, Audiobook News, and a Favorite Quote

Happy Friday!!  I hope you had a good week!  Mine has been pretty great so far.  :-)

I put together and mailed quite a few packages to giveaway winners.  Swag Packs.  Signed books.  Tote bags.  Key Chains.  Pens.  A cool coffee mug.  There was a little bit of everything.  :-)

And look what was waiting for me at my P.O. Box:


My author copies of the Rendezvous With Yesterday Audiobook!  Aren't they pretty?  Kirsten Potter narrated this one.  If you've never listened to my audiobooks, she has narrated all of my novels and has done a fantastic job.  I've thrown a LOT of accents her way, and she came through every time.  I can't wait to listen to this one.  :-)

Speaking of audiobooks, A Sorceress of His Own, The Gifted Ones Book 1, just received an absolutely fabulous review from Caffeinated Book Reviewer.  


Here's a longer snippet:
"Duvall is a masterful storyteller who fleshes out her worlds and gives depth to her characters. Even her secondary characters are memorable. I loved the thread about the gifted ones and loved that Seth (from Immortal Guardians) has been protecting gifted ones all of this time. 
"Kristen Potter narrated, and she was perfect for this tale. This was my first experience with Potter, but I must confess it will not be my last. Her voices, tones, and accents were spot on creating another layer to an already brilliant tale. 
"Aside from having a new book boyfriend, (that is right ladies Dillon is mine), A Sorceress of His Own earned a place on my favorite romance and audio shelves. I would venture to say that even those who shy away from historical would love this tale."
You can read the full review HERE.



Just in time for Halloween:  We're celebrating Magical Reads that feature Witches, Wizards, Warlocks, Wiccans, and other characters with special gifts/abilities in the Trick or Treat for Your Next Favorite Read Multi-Author Party.  I'm Day 3 Author 2 and will be giving away A Sorceress of His Own books and swag.

We're also celebrating Vampires, Demons, Angels, and Immortals of all kinds.  So I'm Day 4 Author 4, too, and will be giving away Shadows Strike books and swag.  Here's a link to the party:  
eBook
Kindle • Nook • Kobo • iTunes/iBooks

It's time once more for Favorite Quote Friday!  I'm absolutely thrilled by the reviews that have been rolling in for Rendezvous With Yesterday.  I'm so glad readers are enjoying Robert and Bethany's story.  Even readers who admit they don't usually care for time travel romances are giving it great reviews, something that is always exciting.  So I thought I would give you another peek into its pages.

In this scene, Robert and Bethany are making camp with Robert's men—Stephen, Michael, and Adam.
Beth glanced over at Robert and caught him staring at her across the fire.  Rising, he abandoned the tent and the others and came to sit beside her once more. 
She smiled.  “Giving up?” 
He shook his head.  “I find your company more pleasing than theirs.” 
“I heard that,” Stephen groused, tossing the metal rod down and picking up another. 
She laughed.
Would it surprise you to know that I enjoy creating secondary characters as much as I do primary characters?  :-) 

Have a wonderful weekend!

Dianne
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Friday, October 21, 2016

Rendezvous With Yesterday—Excerpt & News

Happy Friday!  What an exciting week it has been!

Rendezvous With Yesterday, The Gifted Ones Book 2, released on Monday.  Thank you so much, everyone who has celebrated with me, shared my excitement, and helped me spread the word!  :-)  You made Rendezvous With Yesterday a #1 Amazon Bestseller!!  And look what fabulous company it has been keeping on Amazon's Top 100 Time Travel Romance list:



Coming November 1, 2016
Pre-Order on Audible

Good news, fellow audiobook lovers!  You can now pre-order the Rendezvous With Yesterday Audiobook, narrated by the lovely and talented Kirsten Potter, on Audible.  It's scheduled to release on November 1st.  :-)


Reviews for Robert and Bethany's story are beginning to roll in.  Here are some snippets: 
Read the full review.

Read the full review.

Heroes and Heartbreakers gave readers a great first look
at Rendezvous With Yesterday.  You can read it here.



My Rendezvous With Yesterday Blog Tour ends soon.  Join me and enter to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card, a $20 Amazon Gift Card, or signed books and swag.  :-)  Here are the latest stops:

October 15

October 16

October 17
RELEASE DAY BLAST

October 18

October 19

October 20

October 21

I'll also be visiting the following stops between now and Monday:

October 22

October 23

October 24


eBook
Special Release Week Price — Save $1!
Kindle • Nook • Kobo • iTunes/iBooks
It's time once more for Favorite Quote Friday!  I thought I would continue the release week celebration by giving you an exclusive excerpt of Rendezvous With Yesterday you won't see anywhere else.  :-)  It features Robert and Bethany, the hero and heroine.
_______________________________

She laughed ruefully.  “I don’t need a mirror, thank you, and would only grimace if I had one.  I’m not wearing any make-up.  I have scratches all over my face from racing pellmell  through the forest.  And even though I found a comb in my backpack, I know my hair.  If I don’t use tons of mouse and spend half an hour blow-drying it straight, it kinks up as if it’s been freshly permed.”

To demonstrate, she reached up, tugged on a ringlet until it was straight, then let it bounce back into place.

He frowned.  “You have beautiful hair.  Why would you wish to straighten it?”

“Because straight is in.  Straight is sleek.  Straight is sexy.  Straight is sophisticated.  Curly is . . . cute,” she informed him, wrinkling her nose.

He fingered one of the thick curls that rested upon her shoulder.  “You truly dislike your hair?”  He sounded as if he couldn’t believe it.

Her pulse began to race.  “Yes.”  

“’Tis soft,” he murmured, his voice deep and hushed.  “And radiant.  See how it captures the light of the fire?”

Her throat closed up, silencing any self-derisive protest she might have made.  As she watched, mesmerized, the brown lock twined itself around his long, tanned finger like the limbs of a lover.

“It coils itself around me, caressing me, making me your willing prisoner.”  Seizing a larger section of hair, enough to fill his callused palm, he brought it to his face, closed his eyes and inhaled deeply.  “And so fragrant.  The perfume of some flower I cannot name.  Mayhap one of those that defies winter itself and blooms before spring is even full upon us.”

Sighing, he returned the curls to her shoulder as if he had not just enthralled her with his words.

Beth stared at him.  Who are you? she wanted to ask, her heart thudding loudly in her breast.  And are you really the man you appear to be?

Her gaze fell to his lips.

The kind I would just about beg to have wrap his arms around me and kiss me?
_______________________________

The special Release Week Discount ends this weekend, so if you're planning to read the ebook, you might want to pick up a copy today and save $1.  :-)

Thank you again for celebrating the big release with me. And thank you, too, everyone who has emailed me, messaged me, or told me on social media or in reviews how much you enjoyed Robert and Bethany's story.  I'm so very happy to hear it.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Dianne
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Monday, October 17, 2016

Release Day—Rendezvous With Yesterday!

Rendezvous With Yesterday, The Gifted Ones Book 2, releases today!!

eBook
Special Release Week Price — Save $1!
Kindle • Nook • Kobo • iTunes/iBooks
Amazon Kindle AU • Amazon Kindle DE
Amazon Kindle FR

Paperback
Modern-day bounty hunter Bethany Bennett helps her brother track two fugitives to a forest outside of Houston, Texas. But what should have been a routine apprehension of two bail skippers spirals out of control and ends in violence. After Beth and her brother are both seriously injured, a mysterious figure suddenly looms over her. And, when the smoke clears, Beth finds herself not only in another place, but in another time. 

As Lord Robert, Earl of Fosterly, attempts to identify and track down the nameless enemy who has been plaguing his lands and people with violence, the most peculiar woman stumbles into his path. Small, vulnerable, yet possessed of a bold, fiery spirit and wicked sense of humor, she persists in dubbing Robert and his men members of something called a medieval reenactment group . . . until she sees his castle and labels herself insane. It seems bounty hunter Bethany Bennett has come to him from the future, bringing with her laughter and chaos, swiftly winning the hearts of his people and inspiring within him a love he thought he would never experience again. But when Robert discovers a way for her to return to her time, will the love they share be enough to keep them together?

+ Bonus Scene


A persistent pounding on the door heralded the dawn and roused Robert from a sound sleep.  

Beside him, Beth stretched, then settled back into slumber.  

Content to join her, he cuddled her close and sighed.

Boom!  Boom!  Boom!  “My lord?”

Robert groaned.

“I don’t think he’s gonna to go away,” Beth mumbled.

“My lord?” Marcus called.  

Boom!  Boom!  Boom!  

Growling epithets, Robert threw back the covers and lunged out of bed.

Beth squealed when the icy morning air hit her sleep-warmed skin.

Laughing, he tossed the blankets over her head, then drew the bed curtains closed and called to his squire to enter.

“Forgive me, my lord,” Marcus said upon entering.  His gaze darted to the concealed bed and back again as he closed the door behind him.  “A missive has arrived.”

Robert crossed to his trunk and retrieved his braies.  “From?” he asked as he donned them.

“Terrington.  The messenger insisted it be brought to you at once.”

As Robert reached for the rolled parchment, Beth poked her head through an opening in the curtains, clutching them closed beneath her chin.  “Good morning, Marcus,” she offered with a cheerful smile.

Marcus jumped and lowered the scroll, his head whipping in Beth’s direction.  Face flushing, he bowed.  “Good morrow, my lady.”

“Would you do me a huge favor and light a fire in the hearth?  It is frrrreezing in here!”

“At once, my lady.”  Tossing the missive to Robert, Marcus hurried to the hearth and began to carefully construct what Robert guessed would be a great, roaring conflagration.  

Robert glanced over at Beth and fought a smile.  

Her hair was loose and adorably mussed from sleep, her eyelids a little heavy.  The many kisses they had shared the previous night had left her lips puffy and rosy.  The coarse stubble that coated his own jaw had abraded hers enough to leave it a bit pink.  

Just the sight of her made his heart light.

Forcing a frown, he nodded his head toward Marcus, whose back was to them, and motioned for her to duck back behind the curtains.  Even though her head was the only thing visible, he did not want any other male to see her so enchantingly disheveled.

A teasing glint entered her warm hazel eyes.  Glancing at Marcus to confirm he couldn’t see her, she suddenly flung the curtains wide, giving Robert a thrilling look at her beautiful bare body bathed in the morning sunlight that sifted into the room, then yanked the curtains closed again.

Robert laughed silently as she tucked the heavy material beneath her chin, her face alight with amusement and feigned innocence.

Setting the missive down on his trunk, Robert quietly crossed to the bed.  

Beth grinned up at him, daring him to do he-knew-not-what.

Grinning back, he palmed her face and gave her a little push that sent her tumbling backwards amidst blankets and giggles.

Ensuring no gap remained in the curtains, he returned to his trunk and grabbed a linen shirt.  Marcus, he noticed as he tugged the material down over his head, concentrated overmuch on his task, adding to Robert’s amusement.  

— • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • —


For the audiobook lovers out there, it looks like the Rendezvous With Yesterday audiobook, narrated by the lovely and talented Kirsten Potter, will release a little but later than the ebook and paperback.  The official release date is now November 1st, but it may release earlier than that.  I'll let you know as soon as I see it go up on Audible.

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Thank you, everyone who pre-ordered Robert and Bethany's story!!!  Pre-orders are so important to authors.  :-)  

The final winner is . . .

Nicole Newman

Congratulations!!

— • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • —

If you'd like more chances to win goodies, hop over to My Facebook Page.  I'm sure I'll have a giveaway or two there this week to celebrate the release.

I hope you will all enjoy Robert and Bethany's story.  :-)

Have a great week!

Dianne
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Friday, October 14, 2016

The Countdown Has Begun . . . and News Galore!

Happy Friday!  This is going to be a longer post than usual, because I have a lot of news to share.  :-D

ONLY 3 DAYS TO GO!  My time travel romance Rendezvous With Yesterday, The Gifted Ones Book 2, releases on Monday!  Woohoo!!  I'm already getting that excited, yet nervous feeling in my stomach that always hits just before a book releases.  :-)  I know some writers worry over sales and wait anxiously to see if they'll hit the bestseller lists.  And I admit I do hope to hit the lists again.  But that runs a distant second to my desire to simply see readers enjoy the story.  Waiting for those first reviews to roll in is always so hard.  LOL. 

And speaking of reviews . . .

Look what came in the mail!  Aren't they pretty?  One thing I haven't done as a writer, but would like to, is release a book in hardback.  This is very close to that.  :-)  If you're wondering why it costs more than my traditionally published paperbacks, it's because this is a trade paperback that's 6x9 inches, so its pretty much the same size as a hardback, has better quality paper, etc.  I really like it.  And four of these are already in the hands of reviewers.

I realized yesterday that I have a lot of giveaways going on right now.  LOL.  And all of them have rapidly approaching end times, so here's a list:


I've launched a Thunderclap Campaign to help blast the news of Rendezvous With Yesterday's release out there on Monday.  Would you help me make news of its release roll through social media channels like thunder?  

My Rendezvous With Yesterday Thunderclap Campaign

What is Thunderclap?  It's a website that allows people to pledge to Tweet or Facebook or Tumblr a message all at the same time on a designated day to achieve maximum exposure.  Don't worry.  You don't have to set your alarm.  Thunderclap does all of the work for you.  A writer friend once compared it to an online flash mob.  :-)  All you do is follow the link above, click on Facebook, Twitter, or Tumblr (you can support the campaign with one, two, or all three), and give them permission to post the release announcement for you.  That's it.  

I'm thanking those who support the campaign with a special giveaway just for them over on My Facebook Page.  So if you have a minute, I hope you'll join the Thunder, then enter to win 1 of 5 Immortal Guardians and The Gifted Ones Swag Packs (10 bookmarks, 10 trading cards, 3 postcards) I'll give away.  The giveaway ends later today, but you can still support the campaign through Sunday night.

— • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • —


Monday's release means there are only 3 days left to enter my Rendezvous With Yesterday Pre-Order Contest.  I just gave away another prize:


Congratulations to Mary D., who will receive all of these Immortal Guardians and The Gifted Ones goodies.  Next up is a $50 Amazon Gift Card.  And if I reach my pre-order goal before release day, I'll give one lucky entrant a $75 Amazon Gift Card.  So if you Pre-Order Robert and Bethany's story (save $1 on the eBook if you do!), don't forget to fill out the Entry Form.  Pre-Orders are so very important to authors.  I really would like more chances to thank those special readers who pre-order the book.  :-)

— • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • —


My Rendezvous With Yesterday Blog Tour continues!  Here are the stops I made this week:

October 8
Lynn's Romance Enthusiasm
Excerpt

Kelee Morris
Author Post — Combining Romance, Action, and Fantasy

October 9
Book Crazy Scrapbook Mama
Author Post — A Funny Thing Happened One Night

October 10
Books and Things
Excerpt
Heather makes Robert's jaw drop in this one.  ;-)

October 11
eBookObsessed
Author Post — Time Jumping in Series

October 12
E-Reading After Midnight
Character Interview — Sheldon Interviews Marcus

October 13
Diane's Book Blog — Top 5 List

The Blog Tour will last through October 24th, so I hope you'll join me and enter to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card, a $20 Amazon Gift Card or signed copies of Shadows Strike and A Sorceress of His Own + swag!
— • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • —


There will also be Flash Giveaways on My Facebook Page that won't be mentioned here or on my website as I celebrate the release, so I hope you'll join me there, too.



I have an update for the audiobook lovers out there.  It looks like the Rendezvous With Yesterday audiobook, narrated by Kirsten Potter, will release a little bit later than the eBook and paperback.  It's scheduled for release on November 1st, but may release as early as October 18th.  I don't have an Audible link yet.  But I do have links for Amazon and Tantor Audio.

 I can't wait to hear Kirsten's narration!! 


Paperback

eBook
Kindle • Nook • Kobo • iTunes/iBooks

 It's time once more for Favorite Quote Friday!  I have another glimpse of Robert and Bethany, the hero and heroine of Rendezvous With Yesterday for you today:
His brow crinkled.  “Beth, there is no reason for you to be nervous.” 
“Yes, there is.  I want to make a good impression.”  She grimaced.  “Or at least a better impression.  Was your brother totally offended by my looking like a boy and shaking his hand?” 
“Nay, he was intrigued.”  Amusement sifted into his handsome face.  “And no matter your garb, you could never look like a boy, sweetling.” 
Beth rolled her eyes.  “I was wearing Marcus’s old clothes.” 
Robert’s face darkened.  “And do not think the men failed to notice how tight the tunic was across your breasts or how it and the braies hugged your lovely bottom.  Those who ran behind you will be delivered a grueling punishment on the morrow once I drag their weary carcasses onto the practice field.” 
“They were all running behind me, honey.” 
His eyes narrowed dangerously.  “I know.”
These two remind me a lot of Ethan and Heather when they're together.  :-)

 Have a wonderful weekend!

Dianne
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