Wednesday, March 14, 2012

I Have a Website! (and, as promised, a party!)

My website has a long and checkered history.  I started trying to build one myself more than a year ago and failed miserably.  Give me words any day.  Suggest I jumble some images and fonts together and make them pretty?  Not happening.

But in November, I was lucky enough to be guided to Maddee James and Xuni and she worked with my every thought and need to put together a beautiful, moody, suitably historical but not "historic" design with just the right amount of romance thrown in.  I am forever indebted to her.

So now I want to celebrate!  I recently had a birthday, so I'm still making my way through the world's biggest chocolate cake.  And I'd like to share some of my good fortune with you.

So I'm giving away prizes to four lucky winners!

I have a collection of gorgeous swag from the Class of 2k12 - bookmarks, stickers, buttons, postcards, you name it.

I have an ARC of the middle grade novel REMARKABLE by Lizzie Foley, which debuts next month.  It's absolutely delightful and I hate to give it up. From Goodreads: Not everything in the town of Remarkable is remarkable, even though the terribly interesting and even more terribly talented people won’t admit this to just anyone.


I also have an ARC of the brilliant historical YA novel GRAVE MERCY by Robin LaFevers.  Atmospheric, historically lush and romantic, but with a kick-butt, no-nonsense herione.  From Goodreads: Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny.


And I have one lonely little ARC of GILT that has been waiting for this moment to find a good home.

This giveaway is open internationally, and there are a number of ways to enter.

  • Comment below, telling me what you think of the website.
  • Follow the blog.
  • Follow me on Twitter.
  • Go and see my Facebook page -- I would love it if you "Like" it, but officially can't put that in my entry rules.
  • Tweet about the website!  For instance: Go and see @KALongshore's new website! She's giving away an ARC of GILT: www.katherinelongshore.com (hint: check the blog).
  • And comment on any post on the blog before the deadline!
You can enter as many times as you like.  Contest closes at 11:59 pm EST on Tuesday, March 20th.  I'll name the winners in the blog the next day.

68 comments:

  1. I think it's gorgeous, and looks perfect for your book! I'm so glad you finally got it right - I'm in the process right now, myself. You give me hope!
    Hmm - I think I've got 4 entries here. Tweeted, FBed, followed you everywhere like a stalker... I'm not following your blog, but I'm not following anyone's yet. Soon.

    ReplyDelete
  2. You know how some blogs are just so over-powering? With all the colours and the links? Yours is the OPPOSITE and it is FANTASTIC :D I love it :) Turns out I was already following your blog, your Twitter and your Facebook page - I guess I was one of the cool kids before the contest :)

    Congrats on the pretty blog!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I like it! Love the color and the way it's organized on the sides. And love that info are on the first page - about GILT.

    +1 I follow the blog!

    +1 I follow on twitter: @precious_shusky

    +1 tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/precious_shusky/status/179942638219300865

    Thank you! So excited for GILT!

    Precious
    precious_shusky at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I just love the header! The colors definitely work well with the image that's in it. I think the website's feel fits perfectly well with Gilt!

    +1 I follow the blog! Kai Agito (amaterasureads)
    +1 Twitter follower: @amaterasureads
    +1 I liked your Facebook page! : Kai Agito
    +1 I tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/amaterasureads/status/179944412082741250

    Gilt's been on my list of books I am REALLY looking forward to read this year!

    Thanks for such an awesome contest!

    Kai
    amaterasureads AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I think the new website is fabulous and the word REGAL springs to mind - perhaps this is the colour scheme? Classy ;)

    Thank you for the contest, I can't wait to read your book! I already follow you on twitter, facebook and I follow the blog.

    Lynsey(AT)narrativelyspeaking(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love the new website!!! <3 It reminds me of Kimberly Derting's website. :D And yes, a Glit ARC. I want one!!! I follow on twitter. a comment, I'll tweet later.

    peachandblue2(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  7. The new website looks fantastic!!!!! I love the coloring...and furthermore, I absolutely love the cover of Gilt!!!! It gives me tingles! :)

    For some reason every time I try to follow the blog, it says Page Not Found....so, I'm following by email!!! +1 hopefully!

    Following on twitter: @jennrenaemccoy +1

    Tweeted! https://twitter.com/#!/jennrenaemccoy/status/179956720179748867 +1

    And Liking you on Facebook!!!

    Can't wait to read your book!!! Hopefully I can win an ARC!!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Loving the blog - the header is fabulous!

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  9. I just wanted to say this page is totally gorgeous :) Yay for historical YA.

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  10. It's a beautiful website! Congratulations!

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  11. Love the website and very much looking forward to, well, all of those books!

    I followed your blog (Christina Franke) and your twitter (Reader_Fictions).

    Congrats on your debut!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh, thank you, everyone! It makes me happy just to see the header. AND it makes me happy to see so many familiar faces and names here (and the new ones!) Really, your support is overwhelming.

    ReplyDelete
  13. The website looks fabulous!!! I need to explore it more!!
    Followed you blog via GFC - Natalie
    Twitter via @natalievana
    FB - Natalie Van A...
    Tweeted - https://twitter.com/#!/natalievana/status/179997226821623808

    PS, that ARC of Gilt is sure looking lonely over there.... ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi, I love the look of your new website! Gorgeous colors! I would love to read Gilt!

    I followed your blog via GFC.

    I followed you on twitter!

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  15. The website is gorgeous Katy! Love it!

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  16. I love the header. The photos are really pretty. :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oooo! Love the website! The colors and design are gorgeous! Thanks for the awesome giveaway!

    All the best ♥
    Mackenzie @ Oh, For the Love of Books!
    P.S. I follow via GFC :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. I absolutely love the colors!! They definitely catch my eye. Great job :) Plus with that gorgeous cover on the front page, you can't go wrong!

    GFC: Vivien
    @deadtossedwaves
    tweeted:
    https://twitter.com/#!/deadtossedwaves/status/180028492161888256
    Looked at your lovely facebook page :)

    deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Absolutely love the website - so pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  20. The website looks great! I love how everything matches.

    I follow your blog via GFC: Amber/aLmYbNeNr
    I follow you on Twitter: aLmYbNeNr
    I've liked the FB page for a long time. :) Amber Robinson
    And, I tweeted! https://twitter.com/#!/aLmYbNeNr/status/180123423203262464

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    amberr610[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  21. I tweeted!
    https://twitter.com/#!/CandyM037/status/180128265799864320

    canapple7(at)cox(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  22. Love the new look! It's just perfect. :]

    +1 Follow Your Blog
    +1 Twitter as Ash_Ash
    +1 Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/Ash_Ash/status/180153059526180864

    Can't wait until Gilt comes out! :D

    ashley.mckinsey(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  23. It's a beautiful website and I'm so looking forward to reading Gilt!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Love the new look! It's very suiting! I also tweeted this morning about your website before I even knew about a giveaway. :)

    - Follow the blog! REBECCA@ReadingWishes
    - Follow me on Twitter (readingwishes)
    - Follow you on facebook under the name Rebecca De Aguiar
    - Tweet about the website:
    https://twitter.com/#!/readingwishes/status/180186087786946560

    Thanks! When you say enter as many times as you like, do you mean by spreading the word? If so, I'm on it! Thank you so much for the international giveaway! I'd LOVE to win Gilt! :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. I love the pictures in the header, it looks like little windows to the past for me (very appropriate to historical writing :)).

    I followed your blog via GFC as Sarah Meral.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/readingwishes/status/180223916244082688

    ReplyDelete
  27. The blog really suited Gilt! The header really shows the ancient-ish of Gilt and the red flowers looks like a romance about to blossom in Gilt! I really can't wait for Gilt!

    Followed GFC: Von @ Mr. Book Wonder
    Twitter: @mrbookwonder
    Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/mrbookwonder/status/180251893359063040

    Von
    mrbookwonder(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Thank you all for your lovely comments! Yes, Rebecca, please spread the word as often as you like -- comments on any posts between now and Tuesday will be entered, too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If we comment on a post between now and Tuesday do we link it to this post, saying that we've commented?

      Delete
    2. No need to link to this post, Rebecca! I can keep track of all comments. Thanks for clarifying!

      Delete
  29. I love your blog and follow via email at milind.uppal@gmail.com and i'd love to win this arc. I have also tweeted this:
    https://twitter.com/#!/jay120494/status/180345029787795457
    and I follow you on twitter- jay120494

    ReplyDelete
  30. I love your blog and have so been looking forward to reading Gilt!!
    I've been following through email: ame1184 at gmail dot com
    follow on twitter: bamayankee
    tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/bamayankee/status/180346742271787008
    like you on facebook: alicia marie ezell
    spread the word on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=205536859547081&id=41801260
    thanks for the party! I'll try to spread the word as much as i can : )

    ReplyDelete
  31. I love your website, It's amazing! I would like to enter please!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Honestly, I love it. It's dark, and gorgeous, with gold additions reminiscent of Gilt's cover. It's perfect.

    +1 Follow the Blog -- GFC name is Lexie
    +1 Twitter Follower -- @LexieB2
    +1 Tweet -- https://twitter.com/#!/LexieB2/status/180412165205921793

    Thank you so much for the giveaway, and happy belated birthday! :D

    ReplyDelete
  33. +1 tweeted:
    https://twitter.com/#!/deadtossedwaves/status/180429683182145536

    Vivien
    deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  34. Web site is beautiful! (I was directed here by a tweet from the lovely Anita Grace Howard.) Historical YA is my favorite, so I can't wait to read Gilt. Congrats! I'm following here and on Twitter (@Honeybee_323).

    ReplyDelete
  35. The website is amazing. I love the color scheme. The website is easy to maneuver through as well.

    I tweeted:
    https://twitter.com/#!/krazehiveh/status/180449293864402944
    ^
    I followed you too

    ReplyDelete
  36. Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/readingwishes/status/180489403003715584

    ReplyDelete
  37. I adore the website so much! It's awesome!
    +1 Follow the blog - Celine
    +1 Twitter Follower - @forget8me8not
    +1 Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/forget8me8not/status/180552397666516993

    Thank you so much for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  38. The blog and GILT have a very similar feel to me... I like that!

    I follow you on Twitter and I've also tweeted the giveaway:
    https://twitter.com/#!/thehidingspot/status/180571275603877889

    I can't wait to read GILT! :)

    Sara @ The Hiding Spot

    ReplyDelete
  39. I love the new look. The header is by far my favorite part. I of course follow you on Twitter. :) Cannot wait to read Gilt. Especially after Pam's raving review when I had dinner with her last night.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Tweeted...yet again. Can you tell I want to win? ;D

    https://twitter.com/#!/readingwishes/status/180744243499896832

    ReplyDelete
  41. +1 tweeted:
    https://twitter.com/#!/deadtossedwaves/status/180808806039699456

    Vivien
    deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  42. Facebooked about it!

    http://www.facebook.com/#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=328941103830933&id=100003269593391

    ReplyDelete
  43. Tweeted:

    https://twitter.com/#!/readingwishes/status/181017199497056256

    Thanks again for the lovely contest and for making it International! :)

    ReplyDelete
  44. GAH! I'm so excited.

    +1 tweeted:
    https://twitter.com/#!/deadtossedwaves/status/181156128921624576

    Vivien
    deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  45. Yay! Congrats on the website! :D I like the color scheme + graphics used for the header!
    & I know you should judge a book by it's cover, but the cover of Gilt is pretty! I like the font used on the cover!

    +1 following on twitter!
    +1 following the blog via GFC

    Happy (belated) Birthday & Congrats on the upcoming release of Gilt! :)
    Dominique
    bookvault(at)yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  46. Tweeted:

    https://twitter.com/#!/readingwishes/status/181217457690787843

    I need more of a challenge in spreading the word. Give me a suggestion and I'll see what I can do! :)

    ReplyDelete
  47. YAY! :)

    https://twitter.com/#!/PhoenixDoth/status/181222141147099136

    What this blog needs? MORE GIVEAWAYS! Hahaha.. kidding. Or just some chapters from Gilt. :)

    ReplyDelete
  48. Facebooked it. Everytime I spread the word I try and come up with soemthing different. Here's my newest. :)

    http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.224419854238428.75712.152549498092131&type=3#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=385381211480173&id=100003269593391

    readingwishes@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So sorry! I made a mistake, so I fixed it up. Here it is. I deleted the above one.
      http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=385381211480173&id=100003269593391#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=191472710962911&id=100003269593391
      Am I annoying you with all my spreading of the word? Whoops, but your site's so awesome and everyone needs to check it out!

      Delete
    2. Not annoying at all, Rebecca! I appreciate it!

      Delete
  49. Thank you all so much for your enthusiasm!

    @Eva -- great idea! I'll see what I can do about getting some material to tease you all with! And keep an eye out for the Tudor Tuesday blog tour coming in April -- there will be teasers and prizes and more!

    @Rebecca -- If I could think of more you could do, I would! I noticed you haven't said hello to Bret yet on Friday's post...http://katherinelongshore.blogspot.com/2012/03/friday-five-bret-ballou.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So excited for Tudor Tuesday, I still can't believe I'll be taking part! :) Bring on April! Done and done, commented on the Bret post.

      Delete
  50. +1 tweeted:
    https://twitter.com/#!/deadtossedwaves/status/181508312691523584

    Vivien
    deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  51. I love the colors of the website! Red and gold elicit such luxury and mystery all at once. Especially love how it feels just like the Gilt cover, even though it's completely different. Remarkable.

    Also, I had no idea how travel-filled your past is! That must have been terrifying to go to Africa by yourself, but so exciting. I would love to see Victoria Falls one day.

    +1 - this comment
    +1 - following your blog! GFC: Ashley
    +1 - following on twitter! @italylove19
    +1 - tweeted about your site! https://twitter.com/#!/italylove19/status/181643379069829120

    = 4 total.

    Thanks so much for doing this giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  52. More lenghty facebook message:

    http://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/photo.php?fbid=209125359187794&set=a.170297589737238.26837.161474857286178&type=1

    ReplyDelete
  53. Also, tweeted!

    https://twitter.com/#!/readingwishes/status/181663362265006080

    :D

    ReplyDelete
  54. +1 tweeted:
    https://twitter.com/#!/deadtossedwaves/status/181751819813400577

    Vivien
    deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  55. I love the website! The color is PERFECT, and it really fits the book! The header is very beautiful too! The header is kind of gothic, and I love how the photos blend in with the website! <3

    + I follow via GFC!
    + Liked your Facebook fan page!

    Thanks for the amazing giveaway! Just one more thing: your website is GORGEOUS and I can't wait to read your book! It looks absolutely amazing! :)

    ReplyDelete
  56. Oh, the website is fabulous! I'm following on Twitter and Liked the FB page as well. GILT looks amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  57. Tweeted:

    https://twitter.com/#!/readingwishes/status/181996461226078208

    ReplyDelete
  58. Facebooked:

    http://www.facebook.com/huntley.fitzpatrick/posts/2786854919081?ref=notif&notif_t=feed_comment_reply#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=115515745245767&id=100003269593391

    :D

    ReplyDelete
  59. Tweeted yet again:

    https://twitter.com/#!/readingwishes/status/182027487193206784

    ReplyDelete
  60. +1 tweeted:
    https://twitter.com/#!/deadtossedwaves/status/182111111884185600

    Vivien
    deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  61. Tweeted:

    https://twitter.com/#!/readingwishes/status/182257354660777985

    ReplyDelete
  62. Facebooked:

    http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=177506799034972&set=a.177506165701702.36677.100003269593391&type=1

    :)

    ReplyDelete