2nd Annual U.S. Military Wives Contest

It's great to be back here at HEA! Thanks for having me back again gals!

Last year, as a special thank you to our service members and their families, I held a very special contest for Military Wives. It turned out to be an incredibly rewarding experience. I had the privilege of meeting several incredible women and their beautiful families. It's so easy to forget that there are real people who are deeply affected by the conflict overseas. Hearing the personal stories of these families helped me remember that our troops are husbands, fathers, brothers and sons who are immensely loved and sorely missed.

I have decided to make this an annual contest. I am very excited to report that ASMBA-STAR, an outstanding organization for Vets and their families, has agreed to continue their partnership with me.

This contest will run from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend. Once again, a portion of my annual book sales will be donated to ASMBA-STAR.

Who is eligible? This year I've opened the contest up to ALL U.S. Military Families. Moms, Dads, Sons, Daughters, Wives, Husbands, Sisters, Brothers. If you have a family member that is serving our country...tell us about them!

How do you enter? Send an email to sarataneyhumphreys@hotmail.com with a picture of you and your family member in uniform. Tell us a bit about what branch he/she serves in, where you've been stationed, challenges and so forth.
Please put "2nd Annual Military Families Contest" in the subject line.

Once a week, beginning Memorial Day weekend, I will pick one entrant to be highlighted on my blog. These weekly entrants are semi-finalists. Labor Day weekend I will select three winners.

Second Prize: A $25 Amazon Gift Card, a signed copy of "The Amoveo Legacy" and a Team Amoveo T-Shirt.

First Prize: A $50 Amazon Gift Card, a signed copy of "The Amoveo Legacy" and a Team Amoveo T-Shirt.

Grand Prize: A book signing event at their local Bookstore and the winner will be the special guest of honor. 5 Free Signed copies of "The Amoveo Legacy. (1 for them and 4 of their friends) A $100 Amazon Gift card and a Team Amoveo T-Shirt.

I hope you'll help me spread the word about this contest. I look forward to meeting more incredible families! You can support our veterans and their families by purchasing a copy of "The Amoveo Legacy" or donate directly to ASMBA-STAR .

Summer Long Contest for U.S. Military Wives!

This summer from 6/1/09-8/31/09 I will donate a portion of the proceeds from my Book Sales to the ASMBA STAR Foundation, a charity for Veterans and their families.

Below is the letter that the ASMBASTAR Foundation sent out to their members. I hope you'll pass this information on to anyone you know.

As a special thank you to our service members and their families, Sara Taney Humphreys, author of "The Amoveo Legacy", the first published novel in "The Amoveo Series", is running a very special contest for Military Wives ONLY. This contest will run from June 1st - August 31st and during the contest months a portion of the proceeds from ALL of her book sales will be donated to the ASMBA STAR Foundation. The mission of the ASMBA STAR Foundation, located in Nashville, Tennessee, is to improve the quality of life of the military service member, veterans and their families by contributing to the financial, educational, social, employment and medical needs unmet by the U.S. Government. The Foundation has awarded grants to organizations such as the National Military Family Associaton, Helping our Veterans, Operation Stand Down, and many others.
About Sara:
She is a graduate of Marist College, with a B.A. Degree in English Literature & Theater. Her initial career path after college was as a professional actress. Some of her television credits include, “A&E Biography”, “Guiding Light”, “Another World”, “As the World Turns” and “Rescue Me”. For the past several years, Sara has been a professional Public Speaker and Speaker Trainer. Her speaking career began with Monster’s “Making It Count” programs, speaking to thousands of students in high schools and colleges throughout the United States. Sara has also worked with The College of Weschester in New York as the Director of High School and Community Relations. Read more about Sara at: sarataneyhumphreys.com
How to enter:
Send an email to mailto:info@novelromance.net
Include a picture of you with your spouse in uniform and a little bit about what branch he serves in, where you've been stationed, challenges you've been presented, etc., for 2 entries into the contest. If you purchase "The Amoveo Legacy", email the receipt along with your photo and story for 8 more entries in the contest!
Please put "Military Wives Contest" in the subject line.
Prizes:
Once a week, one entrant will be chosen and featured on her blog. These weekly entrants are the semi-finalists. Over the Labor Day weekend, one winner will be selected by Sara from the semi-finalists.

The Grand Prize Winner is to have her name used as a character in one of Sara's books and a $100 Amazon Gift Certificate.

First Prize is a $50 Amazon Gift Certificate

Second Prize is a $25 Amazon Gift Certificate

Purchase "The Amoveo Legacy" in Paperback : http://www.amazon.com/Amoveo-Legacy-Sara-Taney-Humphreys/dp/1554872774/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1244992191&sr=8-2

Check out the first 2 Semi Finalists on Sara's Blog: http://amoveoromanceseries.blogspot.com/

Thank you to all of our military for their service!

Remembering the Meaning of Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day weekend everyone! Memorial Day weekend has become the kick-off to summer time. Vacations, bar-b-ques, beaches, pools, cold beer and hot nights. All of these words, and several more, have become synonymous with Memorial Day weekend and summer fun. However, this holiday weekend was not founded for hot dogs and potato salad. I think sometimes everyone, including myself, forgets that. This weekend we are supposed to be remembering those who have fallen and given their lives for us, for our freedom.

This weekend there are thousands of American families who have empty seats at their picnic tables and yellow ribbons around the oak trees. For many families those seats will remain empty. Those young men or women will not return home. They gave their lives in exchange for the freedom we all enjoy. For others, those seats sit empty waiting to be filled again.

So this weekend when you raise a glass, take a moment to remember. Remember how lucky you are to have your loved ones with you. Remember those who are fighting far away for you and for me. Pray that they come home soon and give their families the best Happily Ever After of all.

Release Day for "The Amoveo Legacy"

The Amoveo Legacy

Author, Sara Taney Humphreys
ISBN: 978-1-55487-ARC
Cover art by Angela Waters
Published by Devine Destinies

Excerpt: The Amoveo Legacy

Suddenly, Sam got the eerie feeling of being watched and knew she was no longer alone in her revelries. She froze and clutched her robe closed. She swallowed hard, afraid to open her eyes. Sam cursed silently at her silliness and slowly cracked one eye open. There was no one in her room, the door was still closed. I’m being ridiculous. Just as she let out a sigh of relief, she heard a clicking noise behind her. She slowly turned around and her body froze at the sight before her. Perched on her window sill was the exact same bird she’d seen in her dream and identical to the one she’d drawn on her canvas. Samantha stood there with wide eyes, uncertain what to do.

“Holy crap,” she whispered.

The giant bird puffed up, bronze feathers glinting in the light. It shook its head as though displeased with her response.

“Sorry. Nice, birdie,” she said through a strained, almost hysterical giggle.

The giant creature didn’t move.

It just sat there staring at her, silently watching her with glowing yellow eyes. Sam didn’t know what to do so she stared back. Eventually her artist’s eye began to study the specimen before her. Her fear soon became replaced by curiosity. It was a mammoth bird of prey, an eagle, she thought, but reminded herself she’d have to look it up later. Its feathers shone with bright streaks in varying hues of browns and bronzes. They glinted brightly in golden flashes with even the slightest movement. She eyed its large taloned feet and sharp, hooked beak. Sam shuddered at the damage they could likely do.

The eyes were the same piercing yellow she remembered from her dream. They didn’t move from her face. As she stared into the eyes of her feathered visitor, she got the oddest sense of familiarity. She felt like it was intentionally sitting there so she could study it, like some kind of bizarre introduction. Feeling an unusual bravery, Sam slowly reached out to touch it.

Where to Buy It: http://devinedestinies.com/shopdevine/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=ebook_flypage&product_id=303&category_id=25&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=52

Marketing with Music

I have to say that the whole promotion and marketing aspect of writing is a challenge. I actually do PR for a local college here in NY. Promotion and community relations is what I do. It's really cool to do it for my own stuff though....especially for my books. Now, as an ebook author, it's a tad more challenging to promote your work to the masses. Traditional book signings aren't exactly the right fit. Also, the general public hasn't fully embraced ebooks yet. Some people, I know, look skeptically at me and wonder if I'm publishing "a real book". Sad but true. So...how does an ebook author do a signing or a book launch event without a traditional book? Borders isn't going to host one until it's in print.

Here's my solution. I'm burning my book onto CD's, packaging it in a DVD case (looks more like a book than a CD case does) and printing the book cover in color, which is then inserted into the DVD Case. Okay...that problem solved. Second issue....where do you have it and what else can you do to get people in the door.

I found an amazing musician, Amy Petty, thanks to a DJ buddy of mine. She's on a record label and has new album out. One of her songs, Honey on the Skin, is the perfect theme song for my second book. Gratefully she and her label are allowing me to use it in the upcoming book trailer. Now...take that a step further. She's an up and coming musician who want exposure too. Why not work together?

I approached a popular pub here in NY, Fogarty's, and asked if I could host a book launch in the bar. I also have a talented singer/songwriter who's willing to play the event. They jumped at it.

So...we've got a nicely packaged ebook that people can hold in their hands and I can sign. We've got an incredible singer who's performing to boost the texture and feel of the entire event. It's all good!

You can check out her songs at her website http://www.amypetty.com

But it gets better. John Campbell, my DJ friend, then spoke with another band he works with, The Strike Nineteens. He told them about the vampire series that I'm working on. They wrote me my own bloody song. No kidding. In like 3 days this total stranger sat down and wrote my WIP it's very own song. How cool is that? It's titled Forever in Darkness and you can hear it on my website http://www.novelromance.net it's pretty cool.

Check them out on Myspace http://www.myspace.com/thestrikenineteens

I'm finding that by combining music with the stories is a great way to really draw people in and enhance the entire experience. Marketing with Music ROCKS!!