Friday, October 19, 2012

Birthday and Conquest Anniversary Giveaway!

Hey, ladies and gents! I know right now a huge number of the M/M community is partying it up in Albuquerque for the GayRom Lit convention, and many giveaways are going on there and free books handed out, but I wanted to hold my own little giveaway for my birthday and the three year anniversary of my first novel, CONQUEST. I'm not at GRL this year. I decided to pass since I wanted spend my birthday with my little guy, and even had I gone, I would've left early to come home to be with him :-)

So for my little giveaway, I'm offering up a free book, winner's choice of title and format. I was originally just going to give away print format, but I thought that wouldn't be fair in case the winner would prefer ebook. If the winner does pick print, I'll sign the book, if you'd like. To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment on this post! Please include an email address where I'll be able to contact you. And if for any reason you have trouble leaving a comment, you can also message me your entry on Facebook, tell me on Twitter, or email me at s.j.frost3@gmail.com  I'll run the giveaway from October 19th through the 21st, and announce the winner on the 22nd.

And if you'd like to know my backlist and what books are available in what formats, here you go. I do have other stories besides these, but they're free reads or included in anthologies:

Conquest - available in print and all ebook formats.
No Fear - available in print and all ebook formats.
Keys to Love - available in print and all ebook formats.
Finding a Dream - available in ebook only.
Black Heart Down - available in print and all ebook formats.
Beautiful Harmony - available in ebook only.
Heartstrings - available in print and all ebook formats.
Natural Instincts - available in print and all ebook formats.
Enduring Instincts - available in print and all ebook formats.
Loving Instincts - available in print and all ebook formats.

It's hard to believe that three years ago in 2009, on my birthday, October 21st, CONQUEST went live and everyone was introduced to up and coming rock star, Jesse Alexander, famed singer, Evan Arden, and their love for each other. It was a long road to bring their story to that point. I had started writing CONQUEST back in 2005, during my last year in college at the University of Toledo. But saying I graduated in 2005 makes me sound younger than I am. I had actually taken a few years off to work, then went back to finish my Bachelor's degree in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing. It was during that last year in school when Jesse came to me.

In one of my last creative writing classes, the professor gave an assignment for a dialogue exercise, but we couldn't use characters or a story line we'd already used in class. After class let out, I was walking across campus, mentally complaining about the assignment because I didn't know what the hell I was going to write about. That's when he showed up.

Jesse burst to the front of my mind with so much force, I literally stopped walking. In my mind's eye, I could see him more clearly, more vividly, than any character I'd ever worked with. I asked what his name was, and the name Jesse floated back to me. He said he had something to say, and everything started unfolding.

For my assignment, I wrote what would eventually become part of CONQUEST's first chapter, where Jesse's brother, Brandon, takes Jesse to the diner, and they talk about life and music. The story, as many of you know, was far from over. Even after I turned the assignment in, I kept writing, and writing, and writing. I didn't know what would come of the story. All I knew was I was driven to write it. And through it all, Jesse and Evan stayed strong and clear in my mind. When I did get my assignment back, my professor looked at me and said, "This is your best work."

With Jesse feeling pretty proud of himself and my young writer confidence boosted, I kept working on CONQUEST, and when I finished, went directly into NO FEAR. It took a few years of courage building before I sought a publisher, but in early 2009 I was sent that coveted acceptance letter by MLR Press.

CONQUEST has come a long way in that time. It's been voted for in many reader favorite awards and polls, was a finalist in the Epic Ebook Awards, and has earned several wonderful reviews. From it came an entire series, which still blows my mind. Back in those days as a new author, my biggest hope was to see it and NO FEAR published. That was all. I never imagined that three years later, I would be getting the seventh book in the series ready to go live and I would have an entirely different series focused around vampires. There are times when it still feels dreamlike. But I can say without a doubt, every book I've written has been thanks to Jesse and Evan. They started it all and gave me the confidence to continue.

And to you, my dear readers, thank you so incredibly much for being a part of my journey over the past three years. I can't express my gratitude enough for the time you take to read my words and share in my characters lives. For what you give to me in doing that, I'll continue to the best of my ability to give you a good reading experience with every book I write.

Thanks to everyone who's stopped by! Good luck in the giveaway!


52 comments:

  1. Congratulations on your anniversary. I love your books, but there are one or two I haven't read so please put my name into the hat. Thanks

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    1. Thank you! It's so hard for me to believe three years have passed. I'm so happy you've enjoyed my books! Many thanks for giving them a read! I've got you down for the giveaway. Good luck!

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  2. Happy Birthday and Conquest Anniversary!!!! I've only read a couple of your books and I really enjoyed them. Thanks for the chance to win a book.
    sstrode at scrtc dot com

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    1. Thank you for the birthday wishes and congrats! And thanks so much for giving a couple of my books a read! I'm glad you enjoyed them :-) Good luck in the giveaway!

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  3. Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary. I've read all your books though except for 'Living Instincts' so I'd love to have a copy of that one. Count me in!

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    1. Thank you so much, Lena! I greatly appreciate that you've read so many of my works. If you win, I'll be more than happy to give you a copy of Loving Instincts. If you liked Natural Instincts, that one continues with Andreas and Titus :-)

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  4. Congrat's on your anniversary and hope your birthday is a good one! Would so love to win one of your books!

    Stephanie V.

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    1. Thank you! I'm looking forward to having a fun day with my little guy on my birthday :-) Good luck in the giveaway!

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  5. Hi S.J., and double congratulations on your birthday and on Coquest's anniversary. I absolutely love your rockers and hope there will be a lot more to come, so please count me in.

    Isabel

    nazarenevescruz@gmail.com

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    1. Thank you for the double congrats! I'm so happy you've enjoyed my rockers :D I do have a bit more planned for them. My editor and I are working hard to get Book 7 in the series ready to hopefully release at the end of the year. Hope you'll like that one too if you give it a read! I've got you in the giveaway. Good luck!

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  6. Happy Birthday and Congratulations. I've read them all so if by chance I win I want BRAD and REMMY!!!!

    Just kidding. I would take a signed copy of Conquest...the beginning of your greatness!

    Susan Whelan
    whelan051665@hotmail.com

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    1. lol! I don't know about greatness! I just do my best to tell a good story :-) And if only Brad and Remmy were ready to be given away! It would've been great to have them in the giveaway. But if you win, a copy of Conquest it is! Thanks so much for the birthday wishes and congrats. Good luck!

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  7. Congratulations on the anniversary of Conquest and wishing you a very Happy Birthday, too. :) I already have all of your books in ebook format. Would love to win a signed copy of Conquest, the one that started it all. It is one of my favorite books and Jesse and Evan are still one of my favorite couples in m/m romance. Love those guys! I am so glad you had that assignment. :D

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    lkbherring64(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Thank you! I appreciate the congrats and birthday wishes! It means so much that Conquest is one of your favorite books, and Jesse and Evan one of your favorite couples. That's a huge compliment, because I know there are so many fantastic books and couples in this genre. And you know, I'm really glad I had that assignment, too! And thank you very much for getting all my books in ebook. If you win, I'll be happy to send you a print edition of Conquest :-) Good luck!

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  8. Congrats on your anniversary and happy birthday! It's so nice of you to celebrate by offering a giveaway. :)

    Jyl22075@gmail.com

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    1. Thank you! It's my pleasure to offer the giveaway :-) I appreciate you stopping by and entering in it!

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  9. Happy Anniversary and Happy Birthday. I'm glad you are getting to spend it just the way you want to! The only one of your books I haven't read is Finding A Dream, so that would be my choice. tmadamski(at)msn(dot)com

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    1. Thank you! I'm glad I'm getting to spend it the way I want, too :-) I just had to be home to get squeezes from my little guy! And this weekend is also trick or treating at our local zoo, so we're going to that. We go every year, and it's always lots of fun :D

      Thank you for getting my books! I appreciate it! If you win, I can certainly give you a copy of Finding a Dream. Good luck!

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  10. Happy Birthday!! Hope you have fun celebrating. :)
    Thanks for the great giveaway!!

    susanmik AT gmail DOT com

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    1. Thank you! I do have a fun day planned with my little guy for my birthday :-) And you're very welcome for the giveaway. Thanks for swinging by for it!

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  11. Happy Birthday!
    Thanks for the giveaway.

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    1. Thank you! And I'm very happy to offer the giveaway! Good luck!

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  12. Happy Anniversary and Happy Birthday. May the music always live on!
    MFierydrgn@aol.com

    ╔♫╗────────╔═╦╗─♫╗╔╗─╔╗─♥──
    ║╩╠═╦═╦═╦╦╗║╚╠╬╦╣╚╣╚╦╝╠═╦╦╗
    ║╦║╬║╬║╬║║║║╔║║╔╣╔╣║║╬║╬║║║
    ╚╩╩╩╣╔╣╔╬╗║♫═╩╩╝╚═╩╩╩═╩╩╬╗║
    ────♫╝╚╝╚═╝─────────────╚═♥
    ஜ۩۞۩ஜ S.J. Frost ஜ۩۞۩ஜ

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    1. That's so cool, Mary! I love it! Thank you very, very much!

      "May the music always live on" - such a beautiful statement. I hope that it always will, and that Jesse, Evan, and the guys will continue to bring enjoyment each time their stories are read :-)

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  13. Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary! In Spring, I'm discovered M/M eBooks and have been trying to catch up. Conquest is on my TBB list. Thanks for the chance to win.

    strive4bst(At) yahoo(Dot) com

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    1. Thank you much! And that's so cool you just discovered M/M this year! There are so many fantastic stories in this genre and massively talented authors. I'm flattered you have Conquest on your TBB. I hope that when you get a chance to give it a read, you'll enjoy it :-) Good luck in the giveaway!

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  14. Happy Birthday! Thanks for the give-a-way.
    Yvette
    yratpatrol@aol.com

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    1. Thank you! It's my pleasure to hold the giveaway :-)

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  15. Happy Birthday!!!

    gisu29(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  16. Happy Birthday SJ!
    thanks for bringing your wonderful book to us.
    Thank you for the contest!

    Judi
    arella3173_loveless@yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Thank you for the birthday wishes and kind words! I'm happy you've enjoyed my work :-) Good luck in the giveaway!

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  17. First off, happy birthday & happy Conquest anniversary!!!!
    I LOVE Jesse & Evan!!! They're my faves of all your rockers. Of course, I also love the Blackheart Down boys too...lol
    Right at this moment, I can't decide which book I'd want since I'm 2 books behind in the Conquest series & 1 book behind in the Instincts series. I also can't WAIT to read Brad's story!!!!
    aunt_cori(at)yahoo.com

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    1. Thank you so very much! Aww, it makes me so happy hearing how much you like Jesse and Evan :D They're such special guys, I can understand them being your favorites. I absolutely love them too, but I suppose some would call me biased ;-) And thank you for looking forward to Brad's story! Going to do all I can to hit that December release! If you win, I'll be happy to give you any book you decide on. Good luck!

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  18. Happy "Conquest" day and many Happy returns on your special day with the little guy! Looking forward to feeling the rythym and fingers crossed Carl and Egil will be featured on your next "Instinct" book series.. Carl deserves to have his own "coupe de foudre" too! Be happy!

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    1. lol! Conquest Day! I really like that! And thank you for the birthday wishes!

      I greatly appreciate you looking forward to Brad's story. I'm also working on the next Instincts books now, and I can say it will be about Carl and Egill :-) After I finished Loving Instincts, I thought they deserved to have their story told, too. I'm hoping to have the manuscript turned over to my editor at the end of the year, and if I do, we'll be aiming for a late winter/early spring release, possibly around March.

      Thank you again for the kind wishes! Good luck in the giveaway!

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  19. Happy Birthday and happy Conquest anniversary as well!! I'm so glad you had that assignment because I adore Jesse, Evan, and the whole Conquest gang. I wold love a signed copy of the first book, if I were to win.

    I stumbled across your stories by total accident, btw, interesting things happen when you search for 'Natural Instincts' (hair color) on Amazon and forget to choose a department filter. lol So glad I did. :)

    adawn83@gmail.com

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    1. That's too funny how you came across my stories, lol! I'm very glad you did find them and gave them a chance. Thank you so much! It means a lot knowing you've enjoyed Jesse, Evan, and the guys. If you win, I'll happily sign a copy of Conquest for you :-) And thank you for the birthday and anniversary wishes, too! Good luck in the giveaway!

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  20. Happy Birthday/Anniversary...I love the Instincts books...I didn't know there was a 3rd though...count me in. I would like Loving Insticnts in a prc/mobi format if I win please...Thank you very much, chellebee66(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Thank you! I'm thrilled you've enjoyed the Instinct books! If you win, I'll be more than happy to get Loving Instincts to you. It just came out a couple months ago, and I've been working on the fourth one since, so there's a little more coming in the series :-) Good luck!

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  21. Hope your birthday was everything you wanted it to be! Congrats on the three years of Conquest. Like the other comments before I am so glad you were given that assignment :). I can't imagine what it would be like to have a character pop into your mind unannounced, particularly given what it would lead to! The only one of the series I haven't read is BHD so that would be my pick - although you might not want to post it all the way to New Zealand :). Cheers, Kath.
    Ckhenshaw(at)xtra.co.nz

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    1. Thank you for the birthday and anniversary wishes! It's really hard to believe it's been three years since Conquest came out. Often for me, when a character first shows up, they're a little shadowy and get clearer the more I work on learning about them. Not with Jesse! He was a force from the start! And if you win, I'll be more than happy to send BHD to New Zealand! Good luck!

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  22. HAPPY BIRTHDAY !! Happy Conquest day! That should be on the calendars. I have all your books I could find in ebook already so I think I would like No Fear in print as that was the first one I read and led me to all the rest. Or maybe Keys To Love. I have a soft spot for Jules. Or maybe.... You know I have a soft spot for all of them. And for sure I need it signed! Enjoy your time with your little guy. Xoxo cherry-in- or@usa.com

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    1. I'm so loving it being Conquest Day, lol! Thank you for the birthday wishes, too! I have a fun day planned at the zoo with my little guy for it :-) I think it's wonderful you have a soft spot of the guys, and I appreciate so much you having all my books. Should you win, I'll gladly sign and send you whichever you choose. Good luck!

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  23. Just wanted to say Happy Birthday and congratulations on your third year anniversary of Conquest. Please count me in on the contest. Thanks

    My email address is npat78@yahoo.com

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    1. Thank you very much! Good luck in the giveaway!

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  24. Happy (late) birthday and congrats for your writing anniversary. I wish you the best of luck in the future as well and hope you'll write many more wonderful books.

    ayamekaoru@yahoo.com

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    1. Thank you! I appreciate the birthday wishes, congrats, and wishes for the future :-) I'll keep trying to do my best to write books you'll enjoy. Good luck in the giveaway!

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  25. Happy Birthday and Anniversary. I love all of your Conquest books, so much that I have bought them for all of my readers, so I am never without LOL! Please enter me into your drawing for the only one I haven't picked up yet, Loving Instincts.

    email: sushimobileblue at gmail dot com

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    1. Wow! I'm super flattered and happy that you like the Conquest books so much, you have them on all your readers :D Thank you very much! I will happily give you Loving Instincts if you win. Good luck!

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  26. Happy Birthday S. J. & Happy Conquest Anniversary!
    Thank you for sharing your 2 very special days with your Fans & for creating an Ultimate Fantasy for Us in each Book you write, you are a truly talented Author. May you experience a "Conquest" in every Amazing Book you publish for your Fans to read.

    I would very much appreciate the opportunity to be considered in your very generous giveaway.

    Take Care & Stay Naughty,
    PaParanormalFan (Renee’ S.)
    paranormalromancefan at yahoo dot com

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    1. Aww, thank you so incredibly much! I'm flattered and humbled by your sweet words, and it means the world knowing you've enjoyed my work that much. Thank you! And good luck in the giveaway!

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