Tag Archives: giveaway

Contests, Reading

Ebook Bundle Giveaway: Addison Albright [CONTEST CLOSED]

44 Comments

Many thanks to author Addison Albright for donating two ebook copies of the contemporary m/m romance short stories she has revised and reissued with new covers as second editions! (click the collage to embiggen)

Born to Be Wild: A social fraternity house of pranksters is next door to a house full of GLBT club roomies. Hi-jinx abound. It’s a double cross… or is it a triple cross? (5,113 Words / 16 Pages)

Dropping Quarters: “How they met” might be a story Luke and Cato would just as soon keep to themselves, but when they keep running into each other, they figure it’s time to stop dodging fate. (4,777 Words / 13 Pages)

Moving On: Brandt’s been trying to rebuild his life, but it’s been a difficult year. On this special Halloween night, maybe Graeme can help both Brandt and himself move on. (5,496 Words / 15 Pages)

Moving Along: Brandt’s new relationship with Mark has been moving along nicely, but they’d like to make this, their first Christmas together, extra special. (3,581 Words / 11 Pages)

Photo Shoot: Eddie’s a good guy who’d do anything for a friend, especially Trent, but that good-nature is sorely tested when Trent asks Eddie to be the model for a nude photo shoot. (3,524 Words / 12 Pages)

King Kong vs. The Skinny Pirate: Blaine is a well dressed, high priced attorney, and George is a hairy mountain of an auto mechanic. Can this odd couple put aside their misgivings and do what opposites do best? (4,121 Words / 13 Pages)

Now and Forever: Darryl and Warren are planning a wedding reception – their own. After twelve years of love they deserve a special party. Will Warren be able to give Darryl what he wants? (3,248 Words / 11 Pages)

Cow Pie Bingo: Evan is just coming to terms with his attraction to men. Will he have the nerve to follow through when Gary flirts with him from his seat in the dunk booth? (5,148 Words / 15 Pages) (Please note that Cow Pie Bingo will not be re-released until April 10 – this is an advance copy!)

Here’s a bit more about Addison:

Addison Albright lives in the middle of the USA with her husband, son, and four peculiar cats (and, at any given time, various boomerang children and step-children, along with their assorted children and pets). Her stories are gay erotic romance, and tend to be sweet man-love in contemporary settings. Her education, which pretty much doesn’t get used these days, includes a BS in Education with a  major in Mathematics and a minor in Chemistry. Addison loves her family, reading, popcorn, boating, french fries, “open window weather,” cats, math, and anything chocolate. She loves to read pretty much anything and everything, anytime and anywhere.

Addison: What am I working on writing-wise? Actually, my life has gotten incredibly busy lately so I haven’t been working on any new projects. I’ve been spending what time I do have available reworking my first editions as their contracts expire, then formatting them as required for upload at various distributors such as Smashwords, 1 Romance Ebooks, and Amazon Kindle. I’ve also had fun making custom covers for my short stories that were previously released with publisher stock covers. Still to come this year are Cow Pie Bingo in April, Nevermore (previously published in Taste Test: A Day at the Beach) in July, and The Straggler (previously published in Taste Test: Shades of Autumn) in November. The first two stories in my Dream series are a larger project I’ll be working on throughout this year for their 2nd editon releases in February and July of 2011. First editions of all these stories are still available in the meantime. Should an actual block of time that would allow me to sit down and truly concentrate on a new project fall into my lap, I do have a couple story ideas rattling around in my mind that I’d like to try writing out sometime in the next two years.

Contest Rules

  • To enter, leave a comment below stating that you are entering the contest. Leave your comments by 7 pm CST, Friday, March 5.
  • If you haven’t commented before, your comment will not be visible until after I moderate it. Please do not leave a second comment because your first doesn’t show up! The blog gnomes will decide your comments are spam and then only luck and counterintuitive espionage will salvage your entry…
  • If your comment is actually an advertisement or if your CommentLuv link turns it into an advertisement, your comment will be deleted. (Most of you do not need to worry – this refers to some pretty clever comment spam.)
  • Winners will be selected by random number.
  • You must leave a valid email address in the “Email” portion of the comment form.
  • Please make sure that your spam filter allows email from stumblingoverchaos.com!
  • If a winner doesn’t respond to my congratulations email within 48 hours, I will select another winner.
  • If you win, please respect the author’s intellectual property and don’t make copies of the ebook for anyone else.
  • This contest is open worldwide!

“Your ear, it is dirty, Mayhem. Stay still while I clean it for you.” -Chaos

“Hey!” -Mayhem

Stop back tomorrow for your Misadventures in Stock Photography fix!

Contests, Knitting, Those Cats

For the First Time, Crazy Aunt Purl’s Kitties Speak Out! [CONTEST CLOSED]

220 Comments

Crazy Aunt Purl (aka Laurie Perry) is nearing the end of her blog tour to support her new book, Crazy Aunt Purl’s Home Is Where the Wine Is: Making the Most of What You’ve Got One Stitch (and Cocktail!) at a Time. Since Laurie’s probably answered every possible question there is to ask about her book at this point in her blog tour, her cats have stepped up to be interviewed… for the first time.

Today, Chaos and Mayhem are excited to welcome Bob, Sobakowa, and Frankie from Crazy Aunt Purl to Stumbling Over Chaos! Bob, Soba, and Frankie live in Los Angeles with Laurie.

Chaos: Excited? We are awake.

Mayhem: Speak for yourself, big kitty! Hi, other kitties!!!!!!!! Mom said you live far away. I hope you don’t live at the vet!! The vet is far away.

And May is a titch excitable… Perhaps you three can begin by telling us a bit about the book?

Soba: All I know is that I’m not on the cover – again – and she’s going to hear from my lawyer.

Chaos: So I heard that you actually wrote this book, Soba, but didn’t get any credit for it. Any truth to that, and if so, why do you let your mom get away with treating you so cruelly?

Frankie: I’m an airhead.
Bob: I’m scared. Or hungry. Or scared. Or hungry.
Soba: Obviously I have a more existential relationship with the manuscript, as my way of working is more self-directed, but I don’t need the recognition of a byline. Lesser cats may feel slighted by indignities like pooping in a box or having a stunt cat pictured on the cover of her human’s book, but I have loftier aspirations. Total world domination.

Chaos: Did you always know you’d be so successful at being crabby, Soba, and can you offer any advice to kitties who’d like to do the same?

Soba: I don’t think of myself as crabby. I think of myself as unfortunately equipped with claws but no thumbs.

Chaos: I feel your pain! The no thumbs thing really sucks, especially since Mom put locks on the cupboards. Hmph. Ok, Bob, you’re so laid back. Any tips for maintaining your boyish cool in a female dominated household?

Bob: Find a quiet spot in the closet.

Mayhem: Do you dye your fur, Bob? No one is that shade of orange!

Bob: I once ate half a bag of cheetos that I found in my human’s handbag. Maybe that did it?

Chaos: Are the rumors about Bob faking his dumbness true? Is it true he really has a degree in Economics, and it’s all an act?

Bob just fell off the bed, and is unable to answer this question.

Mayhem: Ouch. Poor Bob. I bet that hurt. Frankie, how do you deal with the pressure to be beautiful all the time? I myself find it requires many hours of napping to sustain.

Frankie: When you’re naturally gorgeous like me, you don’t feel pressure to stay beautiful because you just are. But finding people to appreciate your beauty nonstop is so hard! They always want to do things like “sleep” and “watch TV” so I have to stand on their stomachs or block the TV. It’s hard work being appreciated for your beauty.

Mayhem: Do you ever see ghosts? I do!!

Frankie: Not since we moved. Now we see more dust bunnies.

Chaos: Is it true that pets that live in California are all famous?

Soba: Only the ones with good representation. Our agent is with CAA….

Mayhem: What’s your favorite flavor of yarn? I like all kinds!!

Bob: I prefer knitting needles to yarn. Much easier to ruin.

Mayhem: Oh, yes, knitting needles are nice, too!!
Chaos: What kind of parties do you have when your mom’s at work?

Soba: I hate cats, so I spend most of the day trying to open the door and get to Starbucks so I can be with my own kind.

Mayhem: Do you have any suggestions on how to get our mom to quit spending so much money on yarn and buy more toys and treats?

Frankie: Have you tried throwing up on the yarn?

Mayhem: Oh, I’ll have to get the big kitty on that. He’s a very pukey kitty.
Chaos: What happens to you when your mom leaves for a while? (We’re pretty sure our mom stood in the hallway for two weeks when she said she was going on vacation, because even she wouldn’t visit the vet for two weeks.)

Frankie: We have a British nanny who stays with us. She’s like supernanny, only taller.

Chaos: How do you punish your mom for leaving you alone?

Bob: Hairballs.
Soba: Targeted furniture shredding.
Frankie: Constant meowing when she returns is really helpful.

Chaos: Oh yeah, I work the constant meowing, too. So very effective, isn’t it?
Mayhem: Is it true that fluffy white birds [snowflakes] don’t fall from the sky in California?

Frankie: We have lint. Does that count?

Chaos: I still miss Roy. Care to share an amusing anecdote about the Old Man?

Bob: He could actually open doors! He was so tall that if he stood on his hind legs and put his paws on the long type of door handles he could open all the doors. It was amazing.

Mayhem: Where does your mom buy your catnip? Does she have an inside line to a reputable source?

Chris breathes a sigh of relief that May didn’t bring up Frankie’s bust for catnip possession last summer.

Frankie: Living in California has its advantages, as we have legalized the catnip trade for medicinal purposes. Soba uses it for her “glaucoma.”

Chaos: Do you like it when your mom has visitors? How do you react? I stand at the front door after Mom buzzes someone in and I greet them with growling and hissing.

Soba: I enjoy discourse with new humans. The other cats hide under the bed and pretend to be invisible, the fools.

Mayhem: Thank you for visiting with us, kitties from faraway!!!!!
Chaos: Whatever.

And thanks for letting your cats visit with us today, Laurie!

Laurie’s publisher HCI has offered five copies of Home Is Where the Wine Is for me to give away, so make sure you mention that you’re entering the contest when you comment.

Contest Rules

  • To enter, leave a comment below stating that you are entering the contest. Leave your comments by 7 pm CST, Thursday, March 4.
  • If you haven’t commented before, your comment will not be visible until after I moderate it. Please do not leave a second comment because your first doesn’t show up!
  • If your comment is actually an advertisement or if your CommentLuv link turns it into an advertisement, your comment will be deleted. (Most of you do not need to worry – this just refers to some pretty clever comment spam.)
  • Winners will be selected by random number.
  • You must leave a valid email address in the “Email” portion of the comment form.
  • Please make sure that your spam filter allows email from stumblingoverchaos.com!
  • If a winner doesn’t respond to my congratulations email within 48 hours, I will select another winner.
  • Only residents of the US and Canada are eligible to win.
  • No PO Boxes.

Good luck!

Contests, Reading

Ebook Giveaway: The Guardian by Mary Calmes [CONTEST CLOSED]

41 Comments

Many thanks to author Mary Calmes, who has graciously donated an ebook copy of her new paranormal m/m romance, The Guardian, for me to give away to one lucky reader!

Jude Shea’s life is turned upside down when he rescues a dog he names Joe. Even though Jude has enough trouble taking care of himself – he doesn’t even have a job – he can’t resist the animal that needs him. Then one night, a man shows up on his doorstep looking to claim Jude’s new companion. As they run from a surprise attack, Jude finds out that “Joe” is not what he seems.

Eoin Thral is a guardian from an alternate dimension, and once he leads Jude through the veil that separates their worlds, he transforms into a handsome hulk of a man known for his fighting skills, not the capacity for love. Jude finds himself immersed in Eoin’s world, and he’s faced with the fight of his life to secure a happy future for them both.

Here’s what Mary has to say about herself:

My name is Mary Calmes and I have been writing since I was in the seventh grade. One of my first stories eve was about Demetrius and Konor, two big strapping gorgeous knights and while it was not historically accurate in any way, hello, seventh grade, the one thing that became glaringly obvious was that the guys liked each other more than the damsels in distress they were trying to save.

“Boys don’t sleep in the same bed when they’re grown-ups,” my mother said when I read it to her.

“Men don’t talk nice to each other like that,” my step-father said that night.

They do in m/m fiction which I was destined to write.

I tried really hard to write a female lead but it just left me flat. I read all kinds of different books and I have favorite writers in every genre but I can only write about men. The dynamics between two men are more interesting to me and as a woman, I like men and the idea of two men together, two beautiful men… I don’t understand the question.

When people tell you that they’ve enjoyed something you’ve written, there really is no greater feeling. I have technically written four books, Change of Heart, The Guardian, a new book to be released by Dreamspinner this spring, and A Matter of Time). Even though A Matter of Time was broken up into four books, it was written as one and that’s the way I think of it.

Contest Rules

  • To enter, leave a comment below stating that you are entering the contest. Leave your comments by 7 pm CST, Monday, February 22.
  • If you haven’t commented before, your comment will not be visible until after I moderate it. Please do not leave a second comment because your first doesn’t show up! The blog gnomes will decide your comments are spam and then only luck and counterintuitive espionage will salvage your entry…
  • If your comment is actually an advertisement or if your CommentLuv link turns it into an advertisement, your comment will be deleted. (Most of you do not need to worry – this refers to some pretty clever comment spam.)
  • Winner will be selected by random number.
  • You must leave a valid email address in the “Email” portion of the comment form.
  • Please make sure that your spam filter allows email from stumblingoverchaos.com!
  • If a winner doesn’t respond to my congratulations email within 48 hours, I will select another winner.
  • If you win, please respect the author’s intellectual property and don’t make copies of the ebook for anyone else.
  • This contest is open worldwide!

“Mom! We talked about this! No more photos!! Stop!” -Chaos

Contests, Reading

Ebook Giveaway: Ryland’s Sacrifice by Kim Dare [CONTEST CLOSED]

58 Comments

Many thanks to author Kim Dare, who’s providing an ebook copy of her forthcoming m/m paranormal romance, Ryland’s Sacrifice, for me to give away to a lucky winner!

Principles don’t pay tuition fees. When Ryland’s math scholarship disappears overnight, he has two choices. He can borrow money from fellow student Jason Burrows, who has very interesting ways of collecting debts. Or, he can volunteer to be thrown to the werelions.

One night spent playing the part of a willing human sacrifice will give him enough money to finish his PhD. It seems like a good deal – right up until the moment he finds himself naked, blindfolded, bound and surrounded by lions.

A bit more about Kim, who might have been a little bit traumatized that I asked, based on her first few sentences!

“Tell me a bit about yourself” is an evil thing to ask a person to do. It’s like handing someone a microphone and telling them to “say something”. Instant mind blank. Here goes anyway…

I’m 26 years old, from Wales in the UK, and apparently incapable of writing anything like this without making it sound like a really bad personal ad, lol.

And on to what I guess is the interesting bit – I write BDSM erotic romances. Most of them are Male/Male, some are Male/Female and a couple are menages, but all of them are kinky and, in their own way, they are all love stories that work towards giving happy endings to characters who really deserve them.

My latest obsession of the moment is with shifters. I’ve already got a pack of werewolves who are having a huge amount of fun over at Total-e-bound. Now, my pride of werelions have found a very nice home at Resplendence Publishing – the humans who fall in love with them are settling in quite well there too.

That’s pretty much it. If you want to know anything else, just ask. I’ll be lurking about while the competition is running, so if any questions crop up in the comments, I’m happy to chat.

Ryland’s Sacrifice will be released by Resplendence Publishing on Tuesday, February 9.

Contest Rules

  • To enter, leave a comment below stating that you are entering the contest. Leave your comments by 7 pm CST, Monday, February 8.
  • If you haven’t commented before, your comment will not be visible until after I moderate it. Please do not leave a second comment because your first doesn’t show up! The blog gnomes will decide your comments are spam and then only luck and interpretive dance will salvage your entry…
  • If your comment is actually an advertisement or if your CommentLuv link turns it into an advertisement, your comment will be deleted. (Most of you do not need to worry – this just refers to some pretty clever comment spam.)
  • Winner will be selected by random number.
  • You must leave a valid email address in the “Email” portion of the comment form.
  • Please make sure that your spam filter allows email from stumblingoverchaos.com!
  • If a winner doesn’t respond to my congratulations email within 48 hours, I will select another winner.
  • This contest is open worldwide!

“I don’t think werelions are really cats. Still waiting for that black cat book giveaway, Mom. If you loved us…” -Mayhem

Hmm. In correcting this overexposed picture of May, I appear to have left her very sparkly. But not pink! 😉

Contests, Reading

Ebook Giveaway: Keeping Promise Rock by Amy Lane [CONTEST CLOSED]

39 Comments

Many thanks to author (and knitter) Amy Lane, who’s offering up an ebook copy of her new m/m romance release, Keeping Promise Rock, for one lucky commenter! Plus additional thanks to Amy, because I won a copy of the ebook in a contest on her blog, Yarning to Write. 🙂

A bit about the book:

Carrick Francis has spent most of his life jumping into trouble with both feet. The only thing saving him from prison or worse is his absolute devotion to Deacon Winters. Deacon was Crick’s sanity and salvation during a miserable, abusive childhood, and Crick would do anything to stay with him forever. So when Deacon’s father dies, Crick puts his college plans on hold to help Deacon as Deacon has helped him.

Deacon’s greatest wish is to see Crick escape his memories and the town they grew up in so Crick can enjoy a shining future. But after two years of growing feelings and temptation, the painfully shy Deacon finally succumbs to Crick’s determined advances and admits he sees himself as part of Crick’s life.

It nearly destroys Deacon when he discovers Crick has been waiting to be pushed away, which is what Crick’s family did in the past. When Crick’s knack for volatile decisions lands him far away from home, Deacon is left, shell-shocked and alone, struggling to reforge his heart in a world where love with Crick is a promise, but by no means a certainty.

And a bit about Amy:

Amy Lane mothers four children, teaches high school part time, and when the dragon roars in her blood, she writes. Her house is a demolition zone, her car is an accident waiting to happen, but her children love movies, science fiction, and prefer plastic swords to any other toy so she figures she’s done her job well. She spent five years as an independent writer and although she loves m/m and will continue to write it, she still has stories to tell from her Little Goddess series and isn’t going to give up being an indie any time soon. She is currently working on the sequel to Keeping Promise Rock, which is titled Making Promises, and then she’ll move on to the final installment of her novella series, Jack and Teague (and Katy): A Story of Green’s Hill. (The first five installments of this last one are available on her website for absolutely free!)

Contest Rules

  • To enter, leave a comment below stating that you are entering the contest. Leave your comments by 7 pm CST, Wednesday, February 3.
  • If you haven’t commented before, your comment will not be visible until after I moderate it. Please do not leave a second comment because your first doesn’t show up! The blog gnomes will decide your comments are spam and then only luck and adopting ten shelter kitties will salvage your entry…
  • If your comment is actually an advertisement or if your CommentLuv link turns it into an advertisement, your comment will be deleted. (Most of you do not need to worry – this just refers to some pretty clever comment spam.)
  • Winner will be selected by random number.
  • You must leave a valid email address in the “Email” portion of the comment form.
  • Please make sure that your spam filter allows email from stumblingoverchaos.com!
  • If a winner doesn’t respond to my congratulations email within 48 hours, I will select another winner.
  • This contest is open worldwide!

“Who cares about Mom trying to regain some of her long lost knitting cred with this pathetic sock?! Check out these yummy needles!” *munch* -Mayhem

“Mayhem! No!” -me

*mope* -Mayhem

Contests, Reading

Ebook Giveaway: Not Quite Wicked, with stories by Mia Watts, Dakota Rebel, Bronwyn Green, and Brynn Paulin [CONTEST CLOSED]

80 Comments

Many thanks to authors Mia Watts, Dakota Rebel, Bronwyn Green, and Brynn Paulin, who have donated ebook copies of their scorching hot January 19 Resplendence Publishing releases (constituting the Not Quite Wicked collection) for one lucky commenter! The Not Quite Wicked books retell old fairy tales and nursery rhymes, suggesting that the bad guys maybe weren’t so bad after all… just misunderstood and oversexed. 😉

Heart of Ice by Brynn Paulin (being a retelling of the Snow Queen)

Kai is perfectly unhappy with his life. Cast into a role as shop boy and forced into marriage to save his family, he sees nothing good in his future. In fact, his betrothed, Gerda, seems to hate everything he enjoys. Especially winter and his attraction to dominating his partners. His prospects look grim…until the Snow Queen arrives.

Wyn has spent her life alone, living vicariously through those who love winter. When she learns of Kai’s predicament, she knows she must save him. If only she could save herself. She craves his dominance, but there’s one tiny thing standing in their way. No human can touch her without experiencing chilly agony. And that might bring any relationship to an icy death.

About Brynn: When it comes to books and movies, Brynn has one rule: there must be a happy ending. After that one requirement, anything goes. And it just might in her books.

She lives in Michigan with her husband and two children, who love her despite her occasional threats to smite them. They humor her and let her think she’s a goddess…as long as she provides homemade chocolate chip cookies on a regular basis. Brynn has conducted workshops at several writers’ conferences around the country and enjoys mentoring and meeting new people.

According to Brynn, her writing success can be attributed to an eclectic collection of music, her local road construction crews, a trusty notebook, and of course, her husband, Mr. Inspiration, who puts up with a lot in the name of research.

Open Sesame by Mia Watts (being a contemporary m/m retelling of Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves)

Alister Baban overheard a business discussion which netted him and his Uncle Cassimer a lot of money. When the Simsim Group stock crashes and declares bankruptcy within weeks, the owners immediately suspect the Babans of playing dirty.

Oz Adamo, one of four brothers who owned Simsim Group, agrees to abduct Alister to obtain information and win back the lost pensions of former employees.

Tied to a bed and lusting after his captor, Alister fights the sexual attraction he has for Oz. They want information and he isn’t about to give it. But Oz loves a good challenge and shrewd, serious, sexy Alister is naked and his – at least for now.

Um… Ain’t nothin’ suggestive about that apple, eh?!

About Mia: Mia makes her home in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she divides her time between a job and spying on people. Mia enjoys long walks in Como Park (except for the damn geese), daisies, dancing in the snow…(Delete prior sentence, meant for personal ad)…

Mr. Perfect may apply in person for a thorough evaluation and trial. All others will be towed.

Wolf in Mens Clothing by Dakota Rebel (being a contemporary m/m retelling of Little Red Riding Hood)

Little Red Riding Hood has nothing on Rhys. On his way to his grandmother’s house Rhys’ car breaks down in the middle of nowhere. Fortunately for him there is a big, bad rescuer watching and waiting to sweep him off his feet.

About Dakota: Dakota lives in Detroit, Michigan. She loves the city at night and the shopping during the day. She loves David Bowie and vampire movies, The Beatles and Dolly Parton. She is partial to pixie sticks and cannot stand nuts…in her food. She will always believe that pizza is the perfect food. She is as much in love with her partner as she is with herself. And she will be the first to tell you how incredibly witty she is. She doesn’t believe in lipstick but won’t leave the house without eyeliner. She is fiercely political and can often be found ranting around her house and the internet on any given topic. She still won’t admit whether or not she really believes that vampires exist. And if you let her, she can convince you she doesn’t know how to ride a bicycle.

Just Right by Bronwyn Green (being a contemporily naughty version of Goldilocks and the Three Bares Bears)

When Department of Natural Resources officer, Gwendolyn Locke, hits a black bear on the way home from work one night, her entire view of reality changes. She discovers that shape shifters exist and she’s just become Goldilocks to three, gorgeous, very aroused men who also happen to be werebears. Being snowbound has never been so hot.

About Bronwyn: Bronwyn lives in Michigan with her wonderful husband, two amazing sons and six somewhat-psychotic cats. When not tormenting her characters, she can usually be found helping with reading and writing projects in her sons’ classrooms as well as providing child care and tutoring for several daycare children. Besides writing, she also enjoys reading, knitting, sewing, cross stitching, pottery, drawing – basically anything that helps her avoid cleaning and cooking.

Contest Rules

  • To enter, leave a comment below stating that you are entering the contest. Leave your comments by 7 pm CST, Tuesday, January 19.
  • If you haven’t commented before, your comment will not be visible until after I moderate it. Please do not leave a second comment because your first doesn’t show up! The blog gnomes will decide your comments are spam and then only luck and sacrificing a herd of dust bison will salvage your entry…
  • Winner will be selected by random number.
  • You must leave a valid email address in the “Email” portion of the comment form.
  • Please make sure that your spam filter allows email from stumblingoverchaos.com!
  • If a winner doesn’t respond to my congratulations email within 48 hours, I will select another winner.
  • This contest is open worldwide!

Good luck!

“I’m sulking, Mom. You never give away books about black kitties. Why is that?” -Mayhem

Um, any authors out there with a book about black kitties that they’d like to donate for a contest?!