Flash Fiction Friday First

It's Flash Fiction Friday--a first--here on my blog. I'm gonna make a wee contest out of it. All those who enter will have the chance to win a $25 Amazon.com gift card just to make it all the more tempting.

Rules:

1. You must follow my blog (comment on this post with your name as it appears on my followers sidebar)
2. You must tweet, blog, and/or Facebook about the contest (leave the links)
3. Write your own flash fiction and post it on your own blog (comment on this post with the link) 
4. Comment with your email address so I can contact the winner

* For my Flash Fiction Friday Blog Contest, you need to write something within a 650 word limit starting with the phrase, "Once Upon a Time..." Ok, I'm obsessed with that TV show.

* Contest closes on Friday, February 24, 2012 at 5:00PM MST (New close date: Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at 5:00PM MST)

* The flash fiction entry I enjoy the most will win the Amazon.com gift card

* I will announce the winner on my blog on Friday, March 2, 2012 and share their Flash Fiction if that's ok
* Peruse the other entrees by following their links commented on this blog

Here's my flash fiction for some ideas (BTW: this is the first time I've shared anything I've written fiction-wise on my blog. Lucky you guys!):

The Purple Butterfly by Julia King

Once upon a time, a butterfly fluttered along a sunny path strewn with mossy shrubs and fragrant flowers, open and full of life. This particular day was the same as always—airborne, drinking the nectar of forest blossoms.

          Lexie never thought her life was quite right. Something was missing since she’d escaped from her cocoon. Maybe it wasn’t feeling comfortable in her wings like the other butterflies seemed to be. Most of all, it was the void in her heart. 

          Upon reaching the outermost corner of the woods—farther than she’d ever flown before, she smelled something different. It wasn’t the sweet smell of the forest but something stronger, not a bad scent but not what she was used to. Her delicate purple wings flapped harder to propel her closer to the source of the oddity wafting around her.

          The forest had thinned to a huge body of water with sand stretching into its depths. In the middle of the sea, a structure floated to and fro. Suddenly, something jumped off of it, splashing into the water. She watched the figure bobbing up and down, nearing the shore.

          Alarmed, she hid behind a rock. Once the tall form escaped from the water, he—a boy with suntanned skin—stepped over to where she veiled herself. Something about him spoke to her, made her want to be like him. He perched himself upon the rock almost crushing her. With a yelp, she dodged him, making a quick escape. His head turned, blue eyes narrowing on her.

          “Hello, beautiful butterfly,” he spoke sweetly. With a swift glide, he scooped Lexie into his hand. Fright overcame her, but his hand held her delicately. She didn’t try to escape. “What’s your name?” he asked, a coy smile glittered his handsome face.

          “Lexie,” she answered, shying away.

          He cocked his head quizzically to the side, then set her on the rock, backing away. “You answered me.  I…understood.”

          “What’s your name?” she asked as her heart thumped against her chest.

          “Max.” He drew closer, fixed upon her.

          “I’ve never spoken to a boy—a handsome one.” She fluttered her lashes at him. Without her control, she soared over to him until she was hovering near his face.

          “You are more beautiful than…” His wistful expression brought a bubbly sensation into her stomach. With timidity, she drew closer.  

          His searching eyes explored her. “Can I kiss you?”

          “Kiss me? I’m a butterfly the size of your palm.”

          “You’re the butterfly in my dreams. Today I’ve found you. I… I love you, Lexie.”

          A sigh escaped her mouth, joy heavy in her heart. “Then yes, kiss me.”

          Tenderly, he caressed her small form with a kiss she’d never forget. Then an unbearable stinging overtook her body. Falling to the sand, she felt as though she would die, if not from the fall, then from the anguish sparking up and down her limbs and wings.

          Perhaps hours later she awoke, Max bent over her, his hand brushing against her face.

          “Are you all right? I was so worried.” His jaw set.

          She tried to fly but nothing happened. Again, flapping her wings only resulted in them lifting up and down in the sand. Lexie’s gaze rested upon human arms instead of wings. With great panic, she stood, backing away from Max. “What happened?”

          “You transformed into a girl—a pretty girl with purple hair.” He drew closer with slow decided steps. “I saw the entire painful transformation. Are you okay?”

          “I’m…perfect. What I’ve always felt I should be. And I’m with you, even better.”

          “And I’m with you,” he declared as he gathered her into his lean arms. His lips pressed against hers passionately, then sweetly.

          They were meant for each other. Lexie from Max’s dreams, and him to transform her into what she was meant to be—a human girl.

          And they lived happily ever after.
______________

Your turn to write ---> Have fun and good luck!

Writing. Jewels.

200/1000 Followers Book Giveaway

Its GIVEAWAY time, my lovely friends. I officially have over 200 followers on my blog. And. I have over 1000 followers on Twitter. With all the monumental giddiness flooding through my wee being, I feel it’s time for a supercool giveaway for the blessed event of my follower count.

Because I loveth you all to deatheth, I want to give you a chance to win one of the following books:

Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma

GoodReads: Chloe's older sister, Ruby, is the girl everyone looks to and longs for, who can't be captured or caged. When a night with Ruby's friends goes horribly wrong and Chloe discovers the dead body of her classmate London Hayes left floating in the reservoir, Chloe is sent away from town and away from Ruby. But Ruby will do anything to get her sister back, and when Chloe returns to town two years later, deadly surprises await. As Chloe flirts with the truth that Ruby has hidden deeply away, the fragile line between life and death is redrawn by the complex bonds of sisterhood.With palpable drama and delicious craft, Nova Ren Suma bursts onto the YA scene with the story that everyone will be talking about.

Hereafter by Tara Hudson

GoodReads: Can there truly be love after death?

Drifting in the dark waters of a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she's dead. With no recollection of her past life—or her actual death—she's trapped alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but will him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him survive.

Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the strange circumstances of her death and the secrets of the dark river that held her captive for so long. But even while they struggle to keep their bond hidden from the living world, a frightening spirit named Eli is doing everything in his power to destroy their newfound happiness and drag Amelia back into the ghost world . . . forever.

Thrilling and evocative, with moments of pure pleasure, Hereafter is a sensation you won't want to miss.

Rules:

There will be two winners chosen by randompicker.com. The first person drawn will get first pick; the second winner wins the other book.

Open to domestic U.S. only (sorry, I’ve got to save on postage)

You must be 13 years of age or older

Contest closes on Thursday, July 14, 2011 at 3:16 P.M. MST

Comment the following things on this post:

Do you follow my blog? Your picture must appear on the sidebar. (Offer your name as shown on sidebar) +1

Do you follow me on Twitter: @writingjewels1 (Offer your Twitter name) +1

You must tweet and/or blog about this giveaway. (Both would be fabulous, but only one is required) Provide link +1

You must give me your email address (to contact the winners) +1

You must leave a comment on this blog post that makes me giggle (if it doesn’t, I’ll still let you be in the contest. haha) +1

Winners will be announced on Friday, July 15, 2011 on my blog

Everyone, thank you for making this possible! I love sharing my thoughts on my blog about my journey to be published. I especially love tweeting my blah blah blah’s and that people still respond.

Good luck!

Half-Blood & Daimon Swag Winner

I want to announce the winner of some great Daimon and Half-Blood swag by Jennifer L. Armentrout. First of all, I've read Daimon and really want to encourage all of you to read it. I can tell you from first hand experience that it is FANTASTIC! A great read! And you'll want to read it before you delve into Half-Blood--to be released on September 15, 2011.

If you want to listen to the astounding playlist that inspired Daimon, check out this link to my blog post for the contest!

Now the winner of the swag is...

hiba008

Congratulations! I will be emailing you shortly to get your address for the sparkly swag to be mailed off to you. BTW, I chuckled at how you said you loved, "DOG DAYS ARE OVER!!! because for someone who has absolutely no clue how to dance, this song really makes me want to jump no matter how weird I look!!" Way cute!

I hope everyone has a brilliant day!

FYI: Stop by my blog tomorrow to check out a little playlist of my own. It rocks, and I will for sure be listening to it all today and tomorrow!

Daimon Playlist Contest Recreated

Uh, in a frantic panick I recreate my post from yesterday to promote Jennifer L. Armentrout's short book Daimon, the prequel to her upcoming release Half-Blood.

If you entered yesterday to win Daimon and Half-Blood awesome swag, please enter again! If you haven't now is your time to enter!!!

Here is the Daimon Playlist that inspired the book:

Rules for the giveaway contest:

+1 Comment on this post about which song on the playlist is your favorite & why?

+1 Tweet or Blog about the contest (offer link)

+1 Offer your email so I can contact the winner

Contest is open internationally. Ends on Friday, May 20, 2011 at 2:56 p.m. MST

Winner will be randomly chosen and then announced on Monday, May 23, 2011.

Here is a blurb about Daimon:

For three years, Alexandria has lived among mortals—pretending to be like them and trying to forget the duty she'd been trained to fulfill as a child of a mortal and a demigod. At seventeen, she's pretty much accepted that she's a freak by mortal standards... and that she'll never be prepared for that duty.

According to her mother, that’s a good thing.

But as every descendent of the gods knows, Fate has a way of rearing her ugly head. A horrifying attack forces Alex to flee Miami and try to find her way back to the very place her mother had warned her she should never return—the Covenant. Every step that brings her closer to safety is one more step toward death… because she's being hunted by the very creatures she'd once trained to kill.

The daimons have found her.

And you all should read it. I have and loved every spicey hot moment of it. Jennifer knows how to write something that draws you in after three words. Now I can't wait to read Half-Blood to know what happens.

Here are the links to read it:

http://www.site.spencerhillpress.com/Daimon.php
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10860399-daimon
Daimon Kindle http://www.amazon.com/Daimon-Prequel-Half-Blood-Covenant-ebook/dp/B004Z7TDFM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1304905251&sr=8-2
Daimon Paperback http://www.amazon.com/Daimon-Half-Blood-Jennifer-L-Armentrout/dp/0983157251/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1304905251&sr=8-3
 
Plus, don't miss out on the last day of the Daimon Blog Tour at:
 
Friday May 13th
Preternaturalprimer
What's going on? Character interview with Seth
Prize? A signed printed copy of Daimon

Contest Time Again!

New plan: Please follow the instructions below to enter the contest. Google Documents is so not working for me, so I won't give it my business. Hehe 

I’m excited to say its contest time again! Almost two months ago, I had the opportunity to contact the fantastic author, Kate Kaynak. On top of being an author she is an editor for Spencer Hill Press (SHP is publishing Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout). Kate graciously gave me my own personalized signed copy of her book, Minder. Not only did I get the book, but she has offered to send the winner of this contest a personalized signed copy of Minder, too. And you know what; it is a trilogy, so there is more to come after the first book. Super yah!

Here is a blurb about it:

“Sixteen-year-old Maddie Dunn doesn't know how Del and his two friends died. She just knows that she killed them. Ganzfield is a training facility full of people like her, but it's not exactly a nurturing place. Every social interaction carries the threat of mind-control. A stray thought can burn a building to the ground. And people's nightmares don't always stay in their own heads. But it's still better than New Jersey. Especially once she meets the man of her dreams...”

Alright, if you liked The X-men comic or movies, then you’ll absolutely adore Minder. It’s paranormal, romantic, comical, and adds in some crazy, intense drama. The two main characters are strong and dynamic in personality. They make an unforgettably spicy couple. By the end, you won’t be able to put the book down. I know it’s cliché but you’ll for sure be on the edge of your seat as your heart beats out of your chest.

To enter the contest comment on this post with the following point system.

Rules:

• You must follow my blog +1
• You must follow me on Twitter +1
• You must tweet, facebook, or blog about it +1
• Please add the links to your tweet, facebook message, or blog post +1
• Please give me your email address so I can contact the winner +1
• Add up your points

The contest will close on Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at 3:21 p.m. MST. I will announce the winner on Thursday, April 28, 2011 on my blog. The winner will be randomly picked by the order in which you entered. OPEN TO U.S. ONLY.

If that wasn’t enough to tempt your eyes to enter this contest, then check out the trailer for it below.