Wednesday, May 9, 2007

World's Easiest Contest

posted by Aunty Cindy

To celebrate our "official" launch of the Romance Bandits, we Banditas have gone into the depths of our Bandit lair and sifted through the Bandit plunder (aren't you proud of me, I did not say Bandit Booty!) for our very first giveaway.

We've decided to give away not one, not two, but THREE wonderful prizes:

  • a $15 Barnes & Noble gift card (compliments of your old Aunty)
  • a personally autographed copy of Anna Campbell's wonderfully sensual Regency noir, Claiming the Courtesan
  • a yummy box of See's chocolates (compliments of our shoe diva Tawny)
And how do you go about winning? Just post a comment to this blog entry anytime between now and midnight Friday night, May 11th and tell us which prize you'd like to win and why. And yes, "just because" is a good enough reason! But please, only enter once.

We'll announce the winners on Saturday, May 12th.

87 comments:

Anna Campbell said...

I wanna win the choccies because I've read CTC and if I put anything else on my TBR pile at the moment, the house will fall down with the weight of it all. Mind you, perhaps the chocolates won't help with the weight problem.....

Helen said...

I would love the chocolates because I love chocolate, we don't have a barnes and noble in Australia, I have a copy of Anna Campbells CTC fantastic book and I am meeting Anna on Thusday evening and she is going to sign it for me so yes the chocolate would be wonderful BTW grat blogs.
Have Fun
Helen

Buffie said...

I would definitely want the B&N gift certificate. Why? Well, I already have Anna's CTC in by TBR. And I gave up caffeine last year (and yes that includes chocolate!). So it is really a process of elimination.

Skylar Masey said...

While I would love Claiming the Courtesan for my TBR pile, and the chocolates to indulge in after a hard work day (and to dream up cool foreplay with), I'd have to say I would like to win the Barnes & Noble gift card more. There are so many great books coming out that I'd like to snap up, plus B&N is one of our writer meeting spots. A latte on someone else would be a nice treat.

Hmmm...what to do to win. Come up with said ideas for using chocolate for foreplay? I'm also very good at answering questions from excerpts. :0) And think I'm fairly good at brainstorming...perhaps suggestions of promo ideas for you banddidas?

Sonja Foust said...

Ooh, I would love to have the book. Because, um, I don't have enough in my TBR pile... Ok, well, that's a lie. But who can pass up a free book, huh?

C.MacLean said...

Wow, what a dilemma - books, sex, and chocolate, probably my 3 favorite things in the whole world, and you want me to CHOOSE??? Sure know how to make it hard on a gal. Well, I confess to never having read anything by Ms. Campbell, so this seems like a good time to start. And since the MacLean's (my name) and the Campbells were traditional enemies back in the day, I will do my part for world peace, and choose CTC. (If I go for the B&N or the chocs, I will just have to make more choices - which book, or 'to share or not to share,' so I better go with world peace.)

Beth Caudill said...

I would like to win the B&N card because, well there are sooo many books and soooooooo little money to buy them all.

Although, the chocolate wouldn't be bad either. ;)

Beth

Paisley Kirkpatrick said...

See's candy would be nice because when is it not the best excuse to slip into something sweet.
Marlene

Paisley Kirkpatrick said...

Sees candy is good anytime - a great way to slip into something sweet. Have fun with your site. Marlene

Mama-Llama said...

Wait... we have to give you a REASON for wanting chocolate, a great book, or the opportuity to buy more good books?

Drooling isn't enough?! :)

Well, I'd love to win CTC-- but that would be greedy, because I already have my own copy. And I'd love to win the chocolates-- but that would wreck my waistline (I've even been doing situps and I HATE situps!).

So I'd like to win the BN giftcard, even though that would wreck my productivity. I'm just that kind of trooper! :)

Love your new blog!

Carla Capshaw said...

Congrats on your official launch! I'd like the prize because all of it sounds good to me. :-)

Karen said...

Welcome to the blogosphere, Romance Bandits!

I'd like to win the book store gift cert because my TBR pile is only knee-high at this time and I'm thinking waist high is the way to go!!

ikkinlala said...

I'd like to win the chocolates, because I'm craving chocolate at the moment.

Yes, I know that even if I won I wouldn't have the chocolates right now. But they're still what appeals most today.

Marie-Nicole Ryan said...

I'm not picky. I love chocolates, gift cards and sensual reads.

Congratulations on your new blog.

Saralee said...

I need, need, need more books! Hey, you guys have books I could read! Sweet.
That's why I want a B&N gift card.
best of luck with the blog!

Constance said...

I love to read. I am thrilled to discover a whole new bunch of authors. Now I can look you up on Barnes and Noble and buy your books.
Best,
Constance
cobk@valornet.com

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

WOW! How WONDERFUL to see all these bright and shining comments from other avid readers/writers, chocoholics! And for those of you who have never tasted See's candy (I believe it's only available in the western USA) it is SPECIAL! Second only to Godiva in your old Aunty's esteemed opinion (and I worked in a candy/ice cream store during my college years)!

Best of luck to everyone! We'll announce winners on Saturday.

Vicki said...

Oh my, three to choose from and they're all really good. :)

I would say the Barnes & Noble gift card. However, I would love any one of them.

Love the new blog.

Jill James said...

I would totally love to win CTC, I've heard so much about it; how it pushed the envelope, was so thinking outside the box. Sounds like an awesome read.

Janet Mullany said...

I know some of you naughty girls! Trish, Chris, Jeanne, and Anna! And, no. This isn't an easy contest. It requires a great deal of soul-searching and self-evaluation.

I already have Anna's fab book. B&N gift cards are always good--yes, go in there with a $15 gift card and come out staggering under the combined weight of 100 cubic feet of books and an empty billfold, so I'd say, no, I have no self control.

And since I have no self control, I'm a natural for the chocolates.

Yum yum.

Caren Crane said...

Wow, I see lots of my HCRW buddies here. Welcome, guys!

Everyone, don't forget to check back on Saturday to see if you're a winner and find out how to get your free stuff. We actually like to give stuff away and, since you guys like to get stuff, it all works beautifully!

I have to say, whoever gets "Claiming The Courtesan" is in for a treat! Anna Campbell is sure to blast to the top of the lists with future releases. She is just that good. You can never go wrong with a gift card at B&N (even if they're not generally as romance-friendly as Borders - ahem). No idea about See's, since I'm a lifelong denizen of the sunny South, but I understand from my native Californian critique partner that it's THE BEST. Hey, I'm willing to give it a try!

Terri Garey said...

Wow, so many familiar faces and names! The "Banditas"... love it!

Ok, let's see: I double dare anybody to try and pry chocolate out of Tawny's hands (Double Dare, get it? Oh, I crack myself up), so the Sees is out. I have several B&N cards in my wallet because people are always giving me those as gifts (I anticipate another round of those for Mother's Day, in fact!), so I'm good in the gift card department. However, having read an excerpt of CTC, I'll take as many free copies as I can get to give as gifts (it will keep me from having to use up my stash of B&N cards!)

Love the new blog,

Terri

Trish Milburn said...

Yay! I see people from my chapter and the Posse have come out, not to mention lots of others. Good luck in the contest!

Kim said...

Okay, I'm answering because Caren would probably drive two hours to hang me by my toes if I didn't. Oh, and there was the See's.

Since everybody is going for the See's, I'll give my top two choices...did I mention See's? Other people have fond memories from baby blankets. For me, it's all about See's. Especially now that I live 2,000 miles from a store. The things we do for love, huh?

But, if I can't have the SEE'S, then I deserve the gift certificate because...oh yeah, Caren -- remember her -- she's also my critique partner. She says my latest WIP is more in line with a different line than I planned to write for. So, it's time for research! yeah, that's it. Research.

I love my nonpaying writer job. Finally, I deserve one of these things because I spend part of each day working with victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. I love it, but I need a place to go to at the end of the day where I can escape all the ugliness of the world, and where better than the wide world of romance?

There you go, Caren. As promised. Pages? WIP? Huh? No way babe, it was one or the other, and I'm big on instant See's gratification!

TracyGarrett said...

Congratulations on your entry into c-space! Choosing between a great book, great chocolates & money to get more books? Tough decision. I'll go with the B&N Certificate - like my tbr pile isn't tall enough already.
Thanks!

Marianne Arkins said...

Oh man, oh man... a tough choice -- either the B&N gift certificate or the autographed book.

Why? Because you can never have too many books!

Marianne Arkins said...

Oh... and is it okay to share this contest with everyone on my blog? I'd love to pass the word!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Tracy! Welcome to the Bandits blog. Tracy is one of my chapter mates and good friends. Since she just moved out of state, (sad face here), her TBR pile needs replenishing. PS she has a debut western historical coming out in October!

Come chat with us often!!

Welcome Marianne. Of course we'd love for you to share this site on your blog. We figure the more the merrier!

Welcome all the other new visitors. Glad to have you!

Colleen Gleason said...

Well, since I already have Anna's book :-) and I have more books than I can read right now (though one can never have too many) and I'm feeling more than a bit hormonal this time of the month, I'm going for the CHOCOLATE!

Colleen Gleason
http://www.colleengleason.com/wordpress/

Carol M said...

I would love to win the Barnes & Noble gift certificate. I could get Claiming The Courtesan and another one of the great books from such great authors! :)

Congrats on your official lunch of the Romance Bandits!

Kate Carlisle said...

Wow, how great to see so many familiar faces along with plenty of chocoholics! I've gotta say, my personal opinion is that See's is even better than Godiva, so good luck everyone!

Unknown said...

I would love the B & N card or the chocolate....
what a great contest....what a great blog!

Sandy M said...

LOL, you want me to choose either chocolate, books, or sex?? Yeah, right. Since I love all three, I won't be greedy -- I wouldn't say no to which ever one comes my way!

Jennifer Y. said...

I would love to win the gift card so I can buy more wonderful books...plus I already have Claiming the Courtesan and chocolate would just melt here...LOL.

TinaFerraro said...

I want to win an autographed copy of Anna's book because I know it will be worth gazillions someday. (I had the pleasure of reading the first chapter and I know it's fantastic. I even pre-ordered a copy on-line, and can you believe, it has yet to arrive?)

If I don't win, I'll get over it. I'll simply make her sign my purchased copy when we settle into the Adam's Mark bar for a long overdue drink together!

I'm loving the blog, ladies...

Tawny said...

WOW!!! Check you all out :-)

Welcome to our little corner of cyberspace and thanks for coming by to celebrate (and chant for goodies LOL)

And yes... IMO, Sees is Soooooo much better than Godiva. I've made it a point to try both (often) and can say that with a great deal of research to back my opinion ;-)

btw - Terri - LOLOLOLOL on the Double Dare pun *ggg* I snickered.

Ai Yin said...

Barnes & Noble gift card for me! As I already have Anna's signed Claiming the Courtesan (which, by the way, absolutely rock my socks, and yes, I cried (several times) <-- I admit it) and chocolates aren't as important/yummy as a good book, I would love the B&N prize.

Judy said...

This is a hard decision to make. I love chocolate!! I always have books I want to buy!! I enjoy Anna Campbell's books. I have not read this one, so I pick the book.

Joan said...

I'll take...oh, wait. I'm a Bandita and ineligible. Drat!

It is so exciting to meet so many new friends. We're thrilled that you've visited and hope you come time and time and time again (there may be bourbon balls in your future if you do :-)

I've heard of See's candy...probably on the Food Network which is my stumbling block for getting my WIP finished. I mean let's face it, who can resist watching a contest on which chef can sculpt an entire city in spun sugar?

Already read CTC. Ladies, the buzz you've all been hearing about our Anna's debut title is well justified. It is FANTASTIC and is I feel, the breakout novel that will turn romance fiction on its ear.

Great to see all of you! Now back to my WIP

Courtney Milan said...

I already read CTC. I think I'd have to go for the B&N certificate, but I see no reason to affirmatively say no to chocolate.

I'm not crazy!

Anna Campbell said...

Man, this contest is turning into a party! Thank you to everyone who said nice things about CTC (Ai Yin, sorry to say this, but I'm HAPPY that I made you cry - mwahahahaha). Tina! Great to see you. Don't tell me that book STILL hasn't turned up! Colleen G, welcome! Thanks for popping by. Terri, hello, my Avon buddy. See you in Dallas! Hi, Janet! If you win the chocolate, can I have some?

Corrina Cowan said...

Hey there! Great site. The chocolates. Who can pass up chocolate? Certainly not me, though I should, but that's a topic for another day:)

Cynthia D'Alba said...

Congratulations on your blog launch!

I want to win Anna Campbell's book. Why? Because I've heard SO MUCH about it and haven't had a chance to read it yet.

Looks like a great group of writers.

Good luck.

Blog on.

Anonymous said...

Blogger and google aren't cooperating with me tonight. The last post from "editors of Diamonds in the Rough" is from me - ArkansasCyndi

Michelle said...

I want the BOOK!!! I have searched my neighborhood grocery and wal-mart to no avail. I am planning the treck to Books - A - Million, but with my little ones, it's definately an experience. Let's just say they love the books so much they try to take them ALL off the shelves.
Please save me from continuing to make myself the "dreaded customer" to all of those poor employees at BAM!

Kathryn S said...

I would like to win the choccies, so I can feed them to Anna when I see her. Does sucking up get me a prize? lol.

Annie West said...

Me, me! I want to win! My choice would be the Barnes and Noble gift certificate because I NEED books. My TBR pile is teetering but I need more and I WILL read them. Ooh, some lovely historical romances would go down so well now that the weather has turned chilly and I could curl up with them before a nice fire.

I can't ask for the choccies as I'll have trouble getting into my jeans, and, while I'd love Anna's book, I have to admit I already have a signed copy (yay!).

Fingers crossed for luck in the draw.

Annie

Kammie said...

I already read Anna's book right when it came out so that eliminates one. I can't choose between the other two so I'd like to enter for either if I can. Books...chocolate...books...chocolate. That's too tough.

Crystal said...

I want Claiming the Courtesan. My TBR pile is too high already, but I still want it. Besides, the chocolates would totally counteract my work out efforts.

Dorothy St. James/Dorothy McFalls said...

I want to say I want the chocolates. I really, really do. But I just started a diet. :-(

However, I'd love to devour Anna's Regency!! It doesn't have any calories, right?

Shannon Robinson said...

I would love to win either the gift card or Claiming the Courtesan. The gift card to spend on some writing references at Amazon, or the book to enjoy.
I love your blog!! It is beautifully set up! Thank you for this opportunity. Shannon.

Susan Macatee said...

I would love to win the B&N gift certificate, because my cash flow is non-existent right now and I have a pile of books on my wish list.

K. Ceres Wright said...

Kim Howe, she did entice me here
A writer of suspense without peer
A prize to win
But to stay thin
The Barnes card, please, I must endear

Tara Greenbaum said...

I would LOVE Anna Campbell's Claiming The Courtesan because it sounds so goooood! You girls look like a fun group. How does one become a Romance Bandits?

Thank you!

Tara :0)

Caren Crane said...

Hi, Tara! The "official" Romance Bandits are a group of writers who all finaled in the prestigious 2006 Golden Heart contest sponsored by Romance Writers of America. But, we are adopting unofficial Banditas all the time!

If you are a reader or writer who will be in Dallas for the big Literacy Autographing at the RWA National Conference on July 11, look for the Banditas wearing Romance Bandits buttons! We would love to meet everyone (and maybe give you bribes - like chocolate - to be our friends). All honorary banditas are welcome here!

Visit often and post at will!

Unknown said...

I'll take the B&N card, because I don't have enough books already... oh wait, no, it's because I tend to buy books on the down-low and sneak them onto the shelves so the husband doesn't notice how many new ones I've acquired lately - and how much money I spent doing it. Yay free books!

Beth Andrews said...

Wow! It's so great to see so many familiar faces and to meet so many new people *g* Although I must admit I'm glad I'm not eligible for the contest -- much too difficult to choose just one prize!

Don't forget to check back Saturday to see if you're a winner!

Dee S Knight and Anne Krist said...

What a great contest--easy is right!

As much as I love chocolate or would appreciate strolling through B&N with $15 burning a hole in my pocket, I'd really like to have Anna's book. I love Regency romances of any sort, and this sounds like the perfect read.

Thanks!!

Heidi Ruby Miller said...

I'm here via K. J. Howe, too.

In fact, I've helped to spread the word here.

By the way, since I have you all in one place, would any of you be interested in participating in my author interview series - I already got Kim, but am looking for more romance writers to interview.

If so, please email me at heidi at moonstonewritings dot com.

Best of luck on your new blog!

~Heidi

Unknown said...

Okay, I'm posting only to get us to 60 posts because I'm not eligible for the book, the chocolate or the BN card. Boohoo. Not that I need any of it. I'm reading Anna's book right now and loving it. The last thing I need is chocolate when I'm trying to lose weight and my TBR pile is about to fall over.

I love to see all the new faces here!

tcastleb said...

I could really use a gift card . . . Kim sent me, and I like Zorro. Always have.

redheadedwriter said...

Am I the only one who ends up using part of her B&N gift cards for cheesecake and coffee at the B&N cafe? Its so nice to take your laptop in and hole up in a corner to write while sipping a Caffe Mocha. Not that I do that enough because that suggests I'm actually getting some writing done. LOL! BTW the blog looks great - y'all are a wild n' crazy bunch (and I suppose you decided against the Romance Six Packers?).

Ciao,
redheadedwriter

Lori Ann said...

I would love a signed copy of Claiming the Courtesan. I've heard so many good things about the book and now I'm filled with anticipation to read it.

kim h said...

i would to win bn card to get more books

Vanessa Hart said...

Enter me! Enter me! I'm really Cheryl Norman, don't let the Blogger ID fool you. *LOL*

Joan said...

Hi Cheryl!!!

Welcome to our blog. You're the first PRP alumni to sign on LOL.

Cheryl is an original Louisville girl who resides in Florida. She has a new book out called "Restore My Heart" with Medallion Press.
Great read.

Anna Campbell said...

Hey, thank you, everyone, for popping by (especially those people who shamelessly sucked up to win prizes, not mentioning any names, MISS SMITH!). Come and say hello in Dallas. I'm going to have Caramello Koalas which are a local delicacy you really want to get to know! Hey, Christine, thanks for the plug - you can DEFINITELY have a CK! Good luck!!!

VoodooGoddess said...

Well, let's see. I going to pass on the chocolates. Don't get me wrong, I love See's candies, but I'm dieting for my K-Con costumes and I don't need the addded temptation. So the decision is between the autographed book and a B&N gift card. I would have to choose the autographed book, I haven't read Claiming the Courtesan, so a copy with Anna's wonderful signature in it would be AUsome (sorry it's an Auburn thing).

Anna Campbell said...

Snort, Voodoogoddess. I'm sorry, I can't pass up this opportunity - it would come all the way from AUstralia too!

Caren Crane said...

Oh, the redheadedwriter has my number! I suspect she is none other than my redheaded critique partner, Tracy Leigh Brown! And yes, Tracy, you know my time at B&N most often includes a venti decaf sugar-free vanilla latte - and a dessert for good measure. Ha!

Robin Snodgrass said...

What a great contest to open your blog! And I absolutely LOVE the title of "Romance Bandits". That is just wonderful. All the comments have been fun to read as well.

Zoe Knighton said...

I would be happy with any of the wonderful prizes. I am not pickly.
As a chocolate and read aholic I am easily pleased.

Kara Lennox said...

Congratulations on your new blog! My husband was an '05 GH finalist, and he said one of the best things to come out of that experience was the "Wild Cards" (that's what the '05 finalists call themselves). He's made some wonderful friends.

If I were good I would say, "Oh, please let me win the book or the B&N gift card!" But what I really want is the candy. Darn it.

Kara

Amanda said...

I want to win the barnes and noble gift certificat so I can get more books.

Anna Louise Lucia said...

I think I'd rather like the book, because 'Regency Noir' sounds like something dark, rich and decadent, and although chocolate is also dark, rich and decadent, a book lasts longer....

Congrats on your blog venture, ladies!

Keira Soleore said...

The B&N gift certificate for me, please, because I very much want to read "The Education of Mrs Brimley" and "Scandal's Daughter."

Christine Wells said...

Keira, I knew when I saw your avatar you were my kind of lady! Thank you for saying you're looking forward to Scandal's Daughter. I'll be running a contest for Scandal just as soon as I get those author copies, so stay tuned!

Karen H said...

I already have my copy of Anna's CTC, and I am perpetually on a diet, so I'd like to win the $15 B-N GC because an avid reader (like me) can NEVER have TOO many books!

Of course, the chocolates would be great to nibble on while reading some of my 1000+ TBR books!!

Gail Fuller said...

I love the new blog site. Great job!

As for me, I would love to win these lovely gifts because you know up here in Canada, we're quite deprived when it comes to such treats. Now you'll have to excuse me as I dash out the igloo to the dog sled. Shh, fellow Canucks, don't out me. This could be a pity win. :)

Wishing the Romance Bandits much success!
Gail Fuller :)

Oliveria said...

That is a tugh choice. If i choose the card, i could get the Anna Camphells book. If i pick the chocate which i love then i eat it and it's gone.

So i pick the card.

Lindsey said...

Welcome to the web, Bandits! Your site is great, and Bandits & Vagabonds are surely kindred spirits, so I'm sure to love all of you as much as the delightful Anna C! :D

I never turn down prizes of any kind, though I already have CTC, so maybe I should be generous and let that go to someone who hasn't read it. I'm not sure I can be so generous about the chocolate though.

Stacy S said...

Would love to win the B&N gift card or chocolates. I love chocolate. And if I got the B&N card could order new books. Yay.. Already have CTC in my TBR pile.

Diane Gaston said...

Oh, ME! ME! I would like Anna's Claiming the Courtesan!

Good luck to all of you on your new blog!

Diane (waving to Trish and Anna!)

Cynthia Falcon said...

I would love an autographed copy of CTC, since Anna is such a sweet gal and the book just rocks :)

Keira Soleore said...

May I say how very much I'm enjoying AnnaC's CtC? If ever anyone reading this were on the fence regarding to read or not to read, I say jump off and run to the store. I love it, and I'm not even done yet.

Christine: The avatar is from one of Candice Hern's fine prints. Thank you for the tip about your upcoming contest.

Diane: *waves* Hi!

Redeye Malone said...

Breaking all the rules here. Posting late, but I'm a big Warren Buffett fan and have never had Sees chocolates - one of the companies owned by Berkshire Hathaway.
Primarily curious if the chocolates have nuts in them... Or maybe a few milk duds.
Plus, I'm out of chocolates at the moment.

Anna Campbell said...

Goodness! You go away for the weekend and come back to find all these lovely comments! Thank you. Keira, delighted you're enjoying CTC (Keira won it in one of my guest blog contests). Diane, HELLO!!! Thank you to so many people for popping by our first contest and entering (and a special thank you to people who either wanted my book or didn't want it because they'd already bought it - warms the cockles of an Aussie author's heart, it does!). It's been fantastic to see faces both new and familiar!