Monday, February 13, 2012

Let the "Dangerous Favor" party begin!



Happy Valentine's Day! (Or almost-Valentine's Day, if you're here on Monday.) And welcome to my online book launch of Dangerous Favor! I couldn't think of a better time to share my newest sweet medieval romance with you. I'm giving away prizes, of course, and gifts to everyone who visits (think chocolate!). But first, a little bit about Dangerous Favor:


Here is the back cover blurb:


Mathilde needs a champion.

Her father has been accused of stealing from the king, an allegation that has reduced her family to poverty. She has one chance to find and marry a man who can help her prove her father's innocence. Lord Therri, heir to a rich barony, has the wealth and connections Mathilde needs to delve into the mysteries of her father's past. Furthermore, Therri embodies all her romantic dreams. 

Etienne, the younger son of a disgraced family, has neither wealth nor connections, but is smitten with Mathilde at a glance. She finds the knight intriguing, but believes he is only out to seduce her. While she seeks for a way to win Therri's attention, Etienne tricks her into granting him her favor, an embroidered white ribbon, for a tournament, setting in motion a dangerous chain reaction of events. Can Etienne save Mathilde from a nightmare from her past and prove himself the true hero of her dreams?




And of course, I can't let Valentine's Day go by without sharing a sweet, romantic excerpt with you. (Okay, so I snipped just a couple of words out so as not to give away a tiny bit of the plot, but this scene reads true without them.)

It occurred to Mathilde that Etienne might interpret her remark as evidence of her own lack of skill in the kitchen.


She added hastily, “I am not in the habit of burning something as simple as gruel. Since my father was forced to let our cook go, I have been responsible for all our meals. Father teases me that if he had known he had such a talented cook for a daughter, he would have turned Gilles off years earlier.”


“You cook?” A flicker of surprise animated his drowsy gaze. With an effort, he drew his right elbow under him to prop himself up. “Nay, your fragile fingers never wielded a flesh-hook or turned the weight of a boar on a spit.”

“Father drafted a scullery boy from the fields to help me lift the heavier pots and to dress game as large as boars. And my fingers are not fragile!”

“They are so slight I wonder their delicate bones have not shattered ’ere now. Such ethereal extremities were intended only for the gentle drawing of an embroidery needle or the sweet plucking of a harp’s strings.”

“I play the flute, not the harp. And I will prove to you that my fingers are quite strong!”

She crossed the tent, set the bundle of bread and cheese on the stool next to the cot, then grabbed Etienne’s hand and squeezed.

“Mercy, my lady!” he cried.

But his green eyes twinkled as they had that first night she had met him in Grantamur’s hall. Her squeeze had as much effect on his strong, broad palm as she imagined it would have had on a stone. She flushed with embarrassment at her boast—and with confusion at the disturbing tremor she felt as his long brown fingers wrapped themselves about her own.

“Let me go,” she whispered.

“Afraid Therri will see me holding [your] hand?” he said, echoing her earlier warning. “I suppose that would give him a bit of a jolt.”

He laughed softly, an utterly disarming sound that caused a catch in her breath.

“I’m not holding them tightly, you know,” he said after a moment of flustered silence on her part.

“What?”

“Your fingers. I don’t want to break them. I am only holding them lightly—see?” He lifted her hand, bouncing it slightly as though weighing it in his.
He was right. He cradled her fingers as gently as a mother might cradle her cherished babe. ’Twas not by force of strength that he held her trapped, though quiet power emanated from his touch. If her fingers continued to nestle in his, ’twas because she willed them to.

Somewhere in some far corner of her mind the word seducer whispered. But ’twas more than his mysterious charm that held her now. She did not know why she thought suddenly of the grey-haired knight and his menacing gaze. But with her hand in Etienne’s, the threat of that memory seemed to ebb, replaced with a warm promise of safety.

To celebrate the release of Dangerous Favor (available now on Amazon), I'm giving away not one, not two, but THREE prize packages!

(1) A Dangerous Favor tote bag containing a Dangerous Favor mug, a Dangerous Favor mouse pad, and a copy of Dangerous Favor (print version), a box of candy, and some swag.


(2) Loyalty’s Web tote bag containing a Loyalty’s Web mug, a Loyalty’s Web notebook, a copy of Loyalty’s Web (winner’s choice of print or Kindle version), a box of candy, and some swag

(3) An Illuminations of the Heart tote bag containing an Illuminations of the Heart mug, an Illuminations of the Heart notebook, a copy of Illuminations of the Heart (winner’s choice of print or Kindle version), a box of candy, and some swag

And EVERYONE who enters will receive a 2 oz box of chocolate and some swag (bookmarks, magnets, pen, and a special Dangerous Favor white ribbon).




(**If you already own a copy of Loyalty's Web or Illuminations of the Heart, you may still enter for the other prizes in the package. Just leave a comment with your entry letting me know you already have the book.)

All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on this post. To get your box of chocolate and swag, you must also email me your mailing address to jdipastena@yahoo.com, because obviously I can’t send you your candy if I don’t know where to send it. J (Addresses will not be kept and you will not be added to any mailing lists)

Deadlines for entries is February 14, 7:00 PM MST.



OFFICIAL RULES:
  • NO PURCHASE NECESSARY
  • USA entries only
  • Entrants must be 18 years or older
  • Giveaway opens February 13, 2012 and runs through February 14, 2012
  • Winners will be selected on February 14. Winners have 48 hours to respond to an email notifying them of their win.
  • Prizes not claimed within 48 hours will be reawarded
  • Sponsor name and contact info: Joyce DiPastena, jdipastena@yahoo.com or PO Box 673, Kearny, AZ 85137
  • Legal venue: Arizona (no, this doesn't mean you have to be from Arizona to enter!)
  • VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW

74 comments:

Heidi said...

This is so exciting and fun. Thanks for doing this and sign me up!!!

Heidi Sorensen
heidi.sorensen95@gmail.com

The Heartless Gamer Girl said...

I'm here! I'm here! Sign me up, please. I already have Loyalty's Web and Illuminations of the Heart. ☺

Congrats on Dangerous Favor, by the way. I'm not sure I ever told you that, though I meant to. ☺ Beautiful cover.

~Jaimey
jaimeygrant {at} yahoo {dot} com
www.jaimeygrant.com

Joyce DiPastena said...

Thank you, Heidi and Jaimey! Yes, I'm very pleased with the cover, too. :-)

Jeannette said...

Happy book launching, Joyce!!

I love your books, I love swag, and I love chocolate! I own all three of your books. (Well, I have to share Dangerous Favor.)

Congratulations!

Joyce DiPastena said...

Thanks, Jeannette! I hope you enjoy Dangerous Favor, even if you have to share. ;-) And hey, you're still eligible for some chocolate!

Anne Patrick said...

Congrats on your new release, Joyce! Dangerous Favor sounds like a great read. Loved the excerpt. I wish you continued success.

Joyce DiPastena said...

Thank you so much for stopping by, Anne!

Getting Your Read On said...

What a fun party! :) I'm so excited to read Dangerous Favor. I just got paid so my book budget is now replenished and I can finally order it. :) Hopefully today after work. Congrats on the book release! And thanks for the great giveaways.

Aimee
brandonaimee {at} gmail {dot} come

Jennifer Griffith said...

I can't wait to read this new one, Joyce. I love, love, love the title. Sign me up for the contest! You have my email address, right?

traveler said...

What a wonderful post and giveaway. Many thanks and best wishes. Your book looks wonderful. Please sign me up. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Joyce DiPastena said...

Aimee, Jennifer and traveler, thanks for stopping by! Yes, Jennifer, I have your email address, so I know how to find you. :-)

petite said...

Congratulations on Dangerous Favor. What a special book. All the best. Enjoy this great celebration. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

Gail Pallotta said...

Hi Joyce,
Your new book sounds so good. I enjoyed the excerpt and am pulling for Etienne.

Christine A. said...

Congrats Joyce on the release. Happy early Valentine's Day! I look forward to reading your books. Thanks for an awesome giveaway.

your1chef at aol dot com

Joyce DiPastena said...

petite, Gail, and Christine, thank you so much for coming to my party! :-)

Anonymous said...

This is so exciting Joyce. I'm very proud of you!
:) Kristee (Eaton) Richardson

Valerie Ipson said...

So excited for you, Joyce!!! I already have the first two books and can't wait to read the next!

vipson@cox.net

Lisa And Randy said...

What an exciting launch for your new book. Sign me up! I'm so looking forward to reading this latest "masterpiece" of yours. Thanks so much. I'm enjoying the party!!!

brendajean said...

Hooray! I love a party and Mathilde definitely deserves one. (Come on, she's got the beautiful dress and the tiara ready to go) I own Loyalty's Web and Dangerous Favor (yippee!) and would love to win Illuminations:) Congrats again on your launch- the book is beautiful!

bchild5 at aol dot com

Anonymous said...

Congrats. I'm headed to Amazon right now! Good luck with sales. As I've told you before, I just love your cover! Oh, and the book sounds wonderful too!
cindy@dragonflyromance.com

Joyce DiPastena said...

Hi Kristee! Thanks. You know I'm very proud of you, too. :-)

Aw, Lisa, you're making me . Thanks for coming by!

Thanks for stopping by, Valerie! And Brenda, yes, Mathilde is dancing with excitement in her pretty red dress. :-)

Mary Kirkland said...

A big congrats to you! Awesome giveaway and I'm so excited to read this one.

-Mary Kirkland
miztik_rose@yahoo.com

Colleen C. said...

Congrats on your newest release! That is a truly beautiful cover... sounds like a great book!
I have a copy of Illuminations of the Heart, so do not enter my name into that prize pack.
Happy Valentine's Day!

greenshamrock AT cox DOT net

Joyce DiPastena said...

Hey, thanks, Cindy! I appreciate it!

Mary and Colleen, I'm so happy you stopped by to help me celebrate! I'm keeping track of who already has which books, so thanks for letting me know you have Illuminations, Colleen. :-)

Megan Scott said...

Congrats on your new release, it looks amazing! I am so excited for this giveaway! I love medieval romances, so I know I will love these books. Thanks for doing this! My e-mail is Meganleigh844@gmail.com.

Cheryl said...

Hi Joyce,

I absolutely love what you are doing with the goodreads clean romance group. I have been hoping to read some of your books and haven't had the chance yet. This might be my chance! I would love to try any of the 3. Thanks for being so wonderful!

Cheryl
chery.larson@sbcglobal.net

Peggy Urry said...

Joyce, this is so fun! Love your books. (have them all) paurry@msn.com

blackroze37 AT yahoo.com said...

WOW you are very generous!! love swag and tote bags

Joyce DiPastena said...

Megan and Cheryl, thanks for visiting my party. Good luck in the giveaway!

Peggy, thanks for coming by. Hey, everyone, Peggy is the genius behind the title of Dangerous Favor! I don't even want to tell you what my book might have been titled otherwise. Nothing nearly as good as DF! :-)

Debra Brown said...

I would love to win any of the prizes. Thanks, and best wishes with the launch of Dangerous Favors!

kescah at comcast dot net

Anonymous said...

Whoo Hoo! Joyce! Love the cover of your new book, hope to get one soon to start reading, I assume she's patterened after me (haha) since she plays the flute, with her strong fingers!!! So when do the series of movies come out? ;0 Glad I have a steady collection of the books, even more glad to know the author! And yes, let the "Dangerous Favor" party Begin!

Joyce DiPastena said...

Thanks for visiting, blackroze. And chocolate, don't forget the chocolate! ;-)

Thanks, Debbie!

Ah, Cathy, yes, Mathilde is a flutist. (Flautist?) Her instrument is more like a recorder, though. Still, she plays very prettily, as I remember you doing. :-)

Maria said...

Congratulations on the release! Dangerous favor sounds really good:) and I love the cover. Thank you for the for the excerpt and the giveaway. I already have Loyalty's Web in print.

maria63303 at gmail dot com

DanielleThorne said...

I already have a copy of Loyalty's Web. Thanks for the contest!

Danielle Thorne
danithorne@yahoo.com

Bonnie Gets A Say said...

So exciting! Great idea for the online book launch! Sign me up. :)

mellocello1ATjunoDOTcom

Rachelle Christensen said...

What a fun contest! And thanks for the excerpt. I'm so excited to read this one. I own both of your other books, so I'd love Dangerous Favor. :)

Bookworm Lisa said...

This sounds just like a book that I would love to read. Congrats on a new publication!!

Lisa F
lisaisabookworm at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Loved the excerpt. Haven't read any of your books but now I want to. Please enter me in your give-away. I love chocolate too.

Marjorie Cullen
macullen1@murray-ky.net

Anna Arnett said...

Loved your ms and am looking forward to getting the book to review. The cover is great. I can hardly wait to read the finished Dangerous Favor. You're great, yourself, Joyce. Amazing, also. I have both Loyalty's Web and Illuminations, and have devoured each at least twice.
Love ya. Hope you don't go broke with all the chocolate and book mailings.

Joyce DiPastena said...

Wow! Took some time off for lunch and a few errands, and look at all the new entries! Thank you, Maria, Danielle, Bonnie, Rachelle, Lisa, Marjorie, and Anna for helping me celebrate!

Books Are Sanity!!! said...

I really hope I win either Illuminations of the Heart or Dangerous Favor! I have Loyalty's Web and LOVED it! Thanks for the chance Joyce!

broc2crys (at) yahoo (dot) com

Pat Cochran said...

Congratulations on the new book, Joyce.
Thanks go out to the cover goddesses,
all your covers have been just great! Thanks also for the goodies & prizes!

Pat Cochran
p-cochran@juno.com

Claire said...

This book looks amazing! Congratulations! Can't wait to read it :) Loved the scene you shared with us!

Claire Enos

In Julie's Opinion said...

Oh my gosh, Joyce!! This is so exciting! Congratulations on the release! I'm really psyched to read this installment because I absolutely HAVE to hear Etienne's story! I'm keeping my fingers AND toes crossed that I win one of your prize packs! Thanks so much for the giveaway:)
jwitt33 at live dot com

Jennifer Mathis said...

congrats on the release :) I already have Illumations of the heart Which is fab btw

meandi09@yahoo.com

In Julie's Opinion said...

Whoops! I forgot to mention that I have a copy of Loyalty's Web already :D Thanks!

jwitt33 at live dot com

Joyce DiPastena said...

Books Are Sanity (how true!), I'm so glad you loved Loyalty's Web!

Pat, yes, I've had an excellent cover designer for my books. I've been thrilled with each one!

Thanks for visiting, Claire! I'm glad you enjoyed the scene I shared. (It was hard to choose one that wouldn't give too much away. ;-) )

Glad you uncrossed your fingers long enough to leave a comment on my book launch, Julie. LOL!

Thanks, Jennifer, for helping me celebrate today!

Lexie@BookBug said...

I'm so excited to read this! I already have the other two so I know how good this one will be!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Lexie@BookBug
lexie.bookbug at gmail dot com

Joyce DiPastena said...

Thanks for coming to my launch party today, Lexie!

Larry Hammersley said...

Hi Joyce: Great excerpt. I really enjoyed Loyalty's Web. Congratulations on another interesting sounding story. I wish you the best on it. Say I have a new short story coming out via Wild Rose, the Vintage Line this coming Wednesday. I'm chatting about it at Coffee Time Romance this Friday from 5-9 PM EST.
Larry Hammersley
lhammersley@comcast.net

Joyce DiPastena said...

Thanks for dropping by to celebrate with me today, Larry. And congratulations on your new short story! I'll try to remember to drop by Coffee Time Romance on Friday. :-)

Terry said...

Joyce,
You don't have to send chocolate all the way to Washington. I just wanted to let you know I stopped by. It sounds like you've got another hit on your hands.
Terry Deighton

Gayle said...

I can't wait to read Dangerous Favor! I already own Loyalty's Web and Illuminations of the Heart. How fun to celebrate a book launch!
bgh(at)byu(dot)net

Joan said...

What a fun way to celebrate! Congratulations on the new book. It sound great. Thanks for sharing.

Joyce DiPastena said...

Terry, thanks for all your help with DF! I'm so glad you dropped by today.

Thanks for celebrating with me, Gayle and mom!

Tera Mecham said...

Congrats on your new book! It sounds like one I'll have to read soon.

Meljprincess said...

Hi Joyce,
Would you be my Valentine? ;-)
I already have 'Loyalty's Web'. So one of the other prizes would be awesome! Thanks and have a wonderful, romantic day!

Meljprincess AT aol DOT com

D. Ogden Huff said...

Wow! Look at the competition already. You really know how to throw a party. I have your first two books, but I can't wait to read Dangerous Favor. Sign me up!

DeAnn Huff
huff_house@yahoo.com

Joyce DiPastena said...

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! Tera, Mel and DeAnn, thanks for helping me celebrate my new book.

Hogan's Hero's Swim School said...

So fun! I love Valentines. We already had heart pancakes for bfast. I'd love to win

Joyce DiPastena said...

Hi Cindy, Pancakes for breakfast! Wow, I'm jealous. I'll be eating a Reeses peanut butter heart later today to celebrate, though.

Small Town Shelly Brown said...

I love that cover! I would love to support you and will be sharing and tweeting this launch! :) Best of luck to you!
Shelly

ShellyBrownWriter@gmail.com

Anah said...

Can't wait to read this! I will need a new book to plow through while healing from surgery! I enjoy the other book immensely and am very elated and what better way to bring it out then on Valentines day!

anahrose@gmail.com

Ginger Phillips said...

Congrats on your new book Joyce. I look forward to reading your book... Best wishes and Happy Valentines Day.

God Bless,
Ginger (Dalton) Phillips

gingerphillips3@yahoo.com

Kari Pike said...

What a fun party! Loyalty's Web and Illuminations of the Heart have a place of honor on my bookshelf! I love the cover (as so many others have pointed out as well) of Dangerous Favor! You are such a gifted writer, Joyce! Hugs!

Roseanne's Spot said...

What a fun way to launch a book :) I'm looking forward to reading it.

Stacy said...

Congratulations on Dangerous Favor! I'm so happy for you. See you at Conference!

Joyce DiPastena said...

Shelly, thank you so much for sharing and tweeting about my book launch! It's much appreciated!

Anah, I hope you're recovering well from your surgery. Be sure to take it easy and thanks for taking time to stop by my party!

Ginger, it's so wonderful to hear from you! And so sweet of you to drop by my book launch. Thank you! Happy Valentine's Day!

Kari, thanks for the sweet words. Hugs to you in return!

Roseann and Stacy, thanks so much for stopping by and helping me to celebrate Dangerous Favor's release!

Anonymous said...

The book sounds great. There's nothing quite like a good sweet romance book. I think it's a cute cover. Happy Valentine's Day!
Anna W.
abwilder99@yahoo.com

Cindy Rogers said...

Thanks for the give away I all ready have Loyalty's Web.

robseanmom[at]gmail[dot]com

Mary said...

What a wonderful excerpt! I haven't read any of your books, but they are all on several of my wish lists. Congratulations on your new release! Please sign me up and thank you!

bradyml (at) comcast (dot) net

Joyce DiPastena said...

Thanks for visiting, Cindy!

I'm glad you enjoyed my excerpt, Mary. Thank you for stopping by!

Jeannette said...

Hey, Joyce! Happy Valentine's Day! Now that Dangerous Favor is published, is it Acelet's turn? :D

Joyce DiPastena said...

Happy Valentine's Day, Jeannette! Yes, now that DF is launched, I hope to finally be able to get back to Acelet. He would be thrilled to know he has such a loyal fan, if he could get his head out of the clouds long enough to notice. My heroine will be working on that. ;-)