Join Me at a Masquerade Party!

Winners have been chosen. Congratulation, Yolanda and Jessica! I’ll see you both in October!

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Fancy dresses and elaborate masks that lends an aura of mystery are in store this Halloween! Join me October 24th for a day long event that includes a book signing with over 60 authors (including me!) and finish with a masquerade Party afterwards.

The event is being held in Greenville, NC and I have TWO (2) VIP tickets for two winners. All you have to do to enter is chose one of the entry options on the rafflecopter form.

I already have my costume for the party and even though it isn’t as elaborate as this one, the party is still going to be a blast. Hope to see you there!

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*Disclaimer – Winner is responsible for transportation to the event (in Greenville, North Carolina) and for their lodging (if needed). All this giveaway is offering is the VIP ticket into the book signing and after party.

In order to give those able to travel to this event a fair shot, please only enter if you will be able to use the free ticket.

For extra chances, perform any of the other options.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fiddle Dee Dee Recipes :: A Taste of “Gone With the Wind”

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Last year I received an email from Terry Lynn Crane, an author who ran across a photo I had taken at one of  my historical events. It was from the Hart Square event that takes place every October. I take tons of photos at this event because all the buildings and everything in them are all dated to the 1800’s or later. The photo that caught Terry’s eye was one from inside the old mercantile.

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In the email she explained to me that she was writing a cookbook based on “Gone With The Wind.” Her late husband was none other than actor Fred Crane, who portrayed Brent Tarleton. Terry’s cookbook would celebrate the movie and the wonderful actors who have made it such an iconic piece of cinema magic.

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Terry was gracious enough to sign a copy of her book for me and I’ve placed it on the kitchen cabinet where I can see it everyday. It too beautiful to shove into a tight space with all my other cookbooks. Take a look at some of the wonderful pages inside the book and see for yourself.

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The pages are filled with not only recipes, but small tidbits of movie memorabilia, exclusive, never before seen photographs and hand drawn sketches.

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Each page is a work of art, just like the movie is. My daughter has already asked for my copy but this one won’t be leaving the house. Its the one book I’ll be sure to treasure for years to come.

Take a look at the video below and see the entire book and all the wonderful pages within!

If you’d like to get your own copy of this special cookbook, head over to Terry’s Website to order.

About Terry Lynn Crane

 

terrylynncraneTerry Lynn Crane is a published author, free-lance writer for newspapers, magazines, poetry anthologies, an award-winning poet, gifted artist, singer, songwriter, broadcast professional, an actress in live theatre, civic light operas and a marketing professional.

At the age of 14, Terry was one of the youngest members of A.S.C.A.P. (American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers) with her first song, “Glad You’re Still Around”, penned with co-writer, Dan Lambert, published in Nashville, Tennessee. While pursuing her music career, she performed in numerous civic light operas in California, many television variety shows, Jerry Lewis Telethon and live concerts throughout the United States. Terry also studied broadcasting in San Diego, California and was the comedic radio personality, “Shirley Dimple” in Memphis, Tennessee with popular disc jockeys, Rick Dees (Disco Duck and Top 40 Countdown fame), Ron Jordan, Charlie O’Neal and radio legend, Wolfman Jack.

In 2000, Terry and her late husband, “Gone With The Wind” actor, Fred Crane, (“Brent Tarleton”) opened a Gone With The Wind-themed B&B, Tarleton Oaks Bed and Breakfast, where they entertained guests from all over the world. In 2002, they opened The Gone With The Wind Hall of Stars Museum which housed over 100 items previously owned or worn by “Gone With The Wind” cast members such as Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable, Olivia de Havilland, Leslie Howard, George Reeves, Butterfly McQueen and others, along with many signed photographs from “Gone With The Wind” and letters from the cast members.

FIDDLE DEE DEE RECIPES: A TASTE OF “GONE WITH THE WIND”, is Terry’s newest book release. It is a beautiful unique, Gone With The Wind collectible cookbook. A variety of recipes are offered from the mid to late 1800’s, as well as Fred and Terry’s recipes which were served to family, friends and guests at their establishment, Tarleton Oaks Bed and Breakfast. Also included are special selections from their memorabilia collection, most autographed, which were on display at The Gone With The Wind Hall of Stars Museum. These recipes, memorabilia, autographs, information about the “Gone With The Wind” cast members and historic items are intertwined with memories of their extraordinary experiences at Tarleton Oaks. Other books Terry has in the works are GONE WITH THE PEN: A JOURNEY TO THE HEART, a non-fiction book which contains many of the letters that Fred and Terry wrote to each other as well as photographs, original poetry and artwork of both Fred and Terry Lynn Crane; FROM TARA TO TARLETON OAKS: A GONE WITH THE WIND SCRAPBOOK, a non-fiction book which she co-wrote with her late husband, Fred Crane; two children’s books, HALLOWEEN and THE MAGICAL EASTER EGG HUNT; and a series of travel books.

Today, she and her husband, Frank Crabtree, have their own radio shows, “Feel Good Friday With Frank and Terry” and “Cruisin’ To The Oldies With Frank and Terry” and the soon to be aired “Feel Good Mornings With Frank and Terry”. Since they stream on the world wide web, they have listeners from all over the United States, England, Germany, The Netherlands, Egypt, the Philippines, China, Australia, Indonesia and Thailand on WIHE-LP 101.3 FM and streaming on www.RadioLibertyKY.com .

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Christmas in July .99cent Sale!

 

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It may be another 24 weeks before Christmas rolls around again but that doesn’t mean we can’t indulge in the holiday spirit with a few warm-hearted Christmas reads!

For the entire month of July, all of my Christmas romances are special priced at .99cent! Take a look below for book blurbs and buy links.

 

A Willow Creek Christmas by Lily Graison - Book 6  in the Willow Creek Series
A Willow Creek Christmas
by Lily Graison

Historical Western Romance
Length: Novel
Released: Nov. 2013

Running from a life she no longer wanted…
Widowed with two young children, Keri Hilam is desperate to escape her abusive brother in law, going so far as sneaking away in the dead of night in hopes of finding a better life. She never regrets leaving, not even when they find themselves stranded, starving, and alone. Fate brings them to Willow Creek, Montana, where they’re rescued by an unlikely hero, an ex-confederate soldier who seems more monster than man.

Hiding from a past he can’t seem to forget…
The war leaves Noah Lloyd scarred and bitter. When the girl he left behind broke his heart, he turned his back on the life he used to know, and sought refuge in a dusty little town that afforded him the solitude he wanted. Finding a woman and her kids hunkered down in an abandoned line shack in the middle of a blizzard is the last thing he needs. They’re ragged, half starved and vulnerable, but he’s determined to leave the trio in the care of the town marshal.

Can a future together erase all the pain…
But the innocence of a child at Christmas breaks through Noah’s hard exterior and Keri’s tender care allows him to see that life may be worth living. All he has to do is let go of his past and let this unlikely family love him.

BUY THE EBOOK FROM:

Amazon US | UK | DE | FR | IT | ES | JP | IN | CA | BR | MX | AU
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords
Kobo
Apple iBook Store

 


Blame It On The Mistletoe
by Lily Graison

Contemporary Romance
Length: Novella
Released: Dec. 2009

When Macy Carter’s parents order her to bring her live-in boyfriend Sean home with her for Christmas she has no idea that her little white lie is just about to snowball into a fabrication of monstrous proportions. Sean isn’t her boyfriend, he’s her boss. Now she has to reveal the lie she’s been telling her family for the past two years or hastily concoct an elaborate ruse to fool them instead.

When Macy tells Sean Mathis of her predicament he does what any gentleman would – he laughs and then agrees to help her out. Little does he know that one misplaced word in their little scheme will backfire and land them both in the hot-seat.

Secluded in the mountains, surrounded by snow and good will, Sean and Macy can’t help looking like the perfect couple. So perfect that the family decides a Christmas wedding will make it a holiday none of them would ever forget!

BUY THE EBOOK FROM:

Amazon.Com US | UK | DE | FR | IT | ES | JP | IN | CA | BR
Barnes and Noble.Com
Smashwords
Kobo
Apple iBook Store

 


That First Christmas
by Lily Graison

Contemporary Romance
Length: Novella
Released: Dec. 2008

Meredith Gunter has always been Daddy’s little girl. Spoiled all her life, she’s never had to ask for anything and expects to get exactly what she wants. When she wrecks her car on the way home from college for Christmas break, she finds herself stranded on the mountain in the middle of a snowstorm, in a one-room cabin with a man she can’t help but want.

Travis Gregory has lived alone on the mountain for the last four years. He has little contact with the outside world and prefers it that way. When he spots a girl on the side of the road, his conscience won’t let him abandon her. The redhead captivates him instantly.

Worlds collide when Travis and Meredith try to co-exist in his one room cabin. Can they fight their growing attraction when the nights get longer and the storm isolates them from the rest of the world? Can two people, from such different worlds, ever truly be happy together?

BUY THE EBOOK FROM:

Amazon.Com US | UK | DE | FR | ES | IT | JP | IN | CA | BR
Barnes and Noble.Com
Smashwords
Kobo
Apple iBook Store

Giveaway Winner – A Day With The Authors

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I have a winner in the “A Day With The Authors” conference and luncheon! Congratulations to Charlotte Somerville! Charlotte has until April 3rd to respond. If she doesn’t I’ll pick an alternate winner.

Thanks to everyone who entered. I do hope to see you at the event. Visit the Facebook Event Page as I think there may be a few tickets still lingering around.

If you’ve already registered, are a VIP ticket holder, and would like to sit at my table, head over to the Request Form to select your table. Regular ticket holders will be able to select seats at the event, after the VIP ticket holders have been seated.

See you there!
Lily

The Willow Creek Series – Story Update

covercomingsoonHey y’all…..I’m getting lots of emails and messages asking about the book 7 in the Willow Creek series and I’m happy to say, “I’m working on it!”

There are a few reasons the book isn’t finished yet. After publishing book 6, A Willow Creek Christmas, my intention was to tell the new doctor, Evan Reid’s, story next. I wrote half of Wanton Angel before I hit a roadblock. The book stalled, I rearranged the plot, I took it down several different roads but regardless of what I did, I still kept hitting the same snag in the story. After months of aggrevation, I realized it just wasn’t happening. “Something” about this story was wrong and I didn’t know what it was, so I had no way to fix it. I even blogged about it here.

I’d like to say some cosmic force prevented me from churning out Wild Horses once I switched and started writing it but long story short — there were personal issues that prevented me from working on it like I wanted to. I’ll not go into all that but I am writing, the story is flowing, the pieces are falling into place and I have a ‘new’ deadline of March 31st. IF that happens and I can get the book in front of my editor and find cover art, we’ll have a release sometime in May.

So…there you have it. I do apologize you’ve had to wait so long. Just know that I am writing the story as quickly as I can.

If you would like to be notified via email when Wild Horses is available for purchase, you can join my mailing list here. Or stay up to date by following my on Facebook.

Be My Guest…

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Many of you have seen me post about this event over on my Facebook page and with the date quickly approaching, I wanted to guarantee one reader a seat at my table for the luncheon with a special giveaway. I have one (1) ticket available for this event, which is Friday April 24th and Saturday April 25th. There will be author panels, parties, giveaways, food, games, signing cowboys and of course a book signing.

This ticket will get you into all these events. All you have to do is get yourself to Nashville! I’ll post below the event schedule so you can look at everything that will be happening. If you would like to get your name into the draw for this special giveaway, enter below. Good luck!

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*Disclaimer – Winner is responsible for transportation to the event (in Nashville, Tennessee) and for their lodging (if needed). All this giveaway is offering is the two-day pass into the event.

Event Schedule

Friday, April 24th
Breakfast – 10 – 11
Speed dating 11 – 1230
Lunch – On your own
Author panels – 2 – 4
Dinner – On your own
Party – DJ, dancing, cash bar, meet and greet your favorite authors

Saturday, April 25th
Breakfast – On your own
Keynote Speech – Sharon Hamilton 10 – 11
Book Phrase Bingo – 11 – 12
Lunch – 12 – 115 (provided – guaranteed seat at my table)
Games – 130 – 3
Book signing – 3 – 6

Entertainment during the book signing will be cover model and singer Steffen Hughes, cover model and singer Jackson Young, and cover model Daniel Hosse.

 

Attending Authors (check the main event page as more are added daily)

Sandy Lea Sullivan
Lia Davis
Michel Prince
Lily Graison
Anna Kristell
Randi Alexander
Sidda Lee Rain
Shannon West
Betty Bolte
Author Missy Lyons
Sharon Hamilton
Jean Joachim
Kathleen Ball
Deanndra Hall
Donna Michaels
K.D. Woods
Debra Parmley
Ruth Zavitsanos
JC Wardon
Maddie James
Bella Masters
Tamara Hoffa
Miranda Lynn
Gwen Williams
Lori Ryan
Darcy Flynn
Kate McKeever/Eve Simon
J.L. Mitchell
Leanne Tyler
Cooper McKenzie
KaLyn Cooperscroll2

In order to give those able to travel to this event a fair shot, please only enter if you will be able to use the free ticket.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Additional tickets to this event can be purchased HERE.

The hosting hotel will be:
Nashville Airport Marriott
600 Marriott Dr
Nashville, TN 37214

Rooms will be $129.00 per night Friday and Saturday. For reservations (800) 228-9290 or (615)889-9300. Use the link below to reserve online and tell them you are with Secret Cravings Publishing luncheon.

Reservation Link

I hope to see you there!!!

“How To” Guide for Authors : Introduction

Back in March I joined a group of ladies in their blogging venture at Sweethearts of the West and over the course of the first month, learned that many of them weren’t taking advantage of social media outlets like they should be. The reason they weren’t was because…they didn’t know how.

I’m the type of person who won’t stop digging away at something until I’ve mastered it to the best of my ability and when I see a new way to reach readers, I do my homework and fiddle until I’ve managed to make use of it. Not everyone is as hard-headed as me and most give up without much effort or can’t figure out where to start to begin with, so I promised the other Sweethearts that I’d do a series of social media (and other author friendly) posts to help them out and give them a guide of How To’s when tackling these outlets.

I have ten post (so far) that will introduce authors to, and help you set up, manage and maintain a number of sites and applications. I’ll be posting these, one every week, starting next Wednesday. I am by no means an expert and I make no claim to be so these will just be my experience with these programs.

The topics I’ll be talking about in the coming weeks are Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter, Mailchimp, Hootsuite, Scrivener, Instagram and creating your own book production schedules.

If you want to make sure you don’t miss a week, sign up for email notifications and receive each post in your email inbox.


 

Beach Bum

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It is currently 27° outside but the sun is shining and the temperatures are ‘supposed’ to climb so… I’m doing what any sensible, “so-over winter” person would do…I’m running off to Myrtle Beach!

It’s a girl’s weekend out (we’re leaving the men-folk at home) so I’ll be chilling by a heated (indoor) pool with my mom, sister, and niece until Sunday. I plan to work a bit too – or that’s the plan – so I’m taking the MacBook Air along to remind me I have things to do besides lots of shopping, although, Boardwalk at the Beach will not be missed!

If you’re on Instagram follow me there as I’ll be posting pics from my weekend.