Giveaway with Ms. Claudia Dain

I want to thank you all for partying with me day after day!!
We will all need a vacation after all this, lol!!!
Well, today ladies, I have a very special guest with us...
Allow me to introduce to you Ms. Claudia Dain!

Since, it has been very chilly up North of me (in Louisiana, lol) I decided to build you ladies this beautiful outdoor fireplace to warm up next to as we get to know our guest a little better!!!
So, pull up a comfy chair and get settled....

After getting settled, give Caleb your drink order... He decided to get up close and personal with us as well as Ms. Dain! Don't ya just love him.... **swoon**

Remember to pick your poison well... Because he makes a hell'va drink!!! And do not forget to get you a piece of cake... to go with your drink...Now, go ahead and settle in with the fire, drinks and cake...
and enjoy the conversation with Ms. Dain!

Can you please tell you a little something about yourself?

You know, that's kind of a hard question! Oh, sure I can talk about myself for hours, who can't?, but what little bits of information would you find interesting? I'm short. That's one tidbit. Doesn't seem too pertinent though. I'm married with children, which at least might be construed as romantic on some level. I'm a USC grad with a degree in English. I'm a writer who plunges into a book like falling off a cliff, hoping that there's a fluffy mattress down there somewhere to catch me.

You probably feel like you know less about me than you did before I answered the question!

What are you currently working on?

I'm working on the sixth book in The Courtesan Chronicles. I haven't quite fallen off the cliff yet, but I'm working my way to the edge. I'm scared to jump! I'm always scared to jump. Experience tells me that I will land safely, but the view sure is scary from up here.

One of the reasons I'm delaying is that my publisher has told me that if the sales of the other books in the series don't pick up they won't publish the next book. Of course that makes tons of business sense, but since I love this series my heart is in mourning. Plus, I want to tell the next story! My hope is that more people will find and love these books so that the series can live on.

This happens a lot, doesn't it? How many television shows have I discovered and loved only as they were going off the air? You don't get a lot of time anymore to build a fan base; it has to happen very quickly now. I think we lose a lot of good entertainment that way, and I'm not speaking about my own books. How many shows were slow starts and then built a huge audience? I think Seinfeld started out slowly. And Cheers.

What are your pet peeves (one or many)?

Does anyone have just one pet peeve? I have loads! People who drive five miles under the speed limit. That kills me. Strangers who give you advice/criticism without prompting. Does this happen to anyone but me? It's the weirdest experience. People who can't admit they don't know something. It's okay not to know everything! People who talk about themselves endlessly. So I'll shut up now.

In a song could describe your life, what song would that be?

I'm probably the worst person for remembering song titles so this question has me in a cold sweat. I love country western, rock, pop, swing, Broadway musicals...there's certainly a song from each category that could describe my life.

What is something that most people would find surprising about you?

That I can't remember song titles? No, I think that secret is out. Maybe that I'm super organized in my life. I'm a planner, write everything down in a calendar, keep files of every bill and receipt, organize my closet by color, but when I write I don't have a plan. I just start writing and let what happens, happen. My writing process is the complete opposite of my life process. I have no idea why, but since it works I try not to fight it.

What do you love/like most about your birthday?

I love that people who love me remember it and celebrate it with me. I think birthdays are a wonderful celebration. You were born! I'm so glad you're here!

What has been your most memorable present?

Oh, that's tough. I have a few to choose from, but I'll pick my first trip to England. I've wanted to go to England since I was twelve years old yet never could find the time or money to go. I finally went with my husband on the eve of my birthday a few years ago. When the plane was descending over England at dawn, my husband turned to me and whispered, "Happy Birthday!" It was a very sweet moment.

When was the last time you dressed up for Halloween? What were you?

Oh, wow, I think I was in college. I was a black cat. I remember it was a very comfortable outfit, which is important. How can you have fun if you're wearing something that pinches, itches, or blinds you?

Scary Movie person yes/no? If yes, which is your favorite scary movie?

Hey, I'm the sort of person who jumps when something pops up in an animated kiddie movie so I'm not a scary movie girl. I'm high-strung enough without any help.

Haunted house... yes/no? Have you ever been to a haunted house?

No, I never have. Not even those pretend kind at Halloween festival.


Prezzies time... And who does not like prezzies!!! I know I sure do.. So, what does Ms. Dain have in store for us::::

The present is.... A signed copy of The Courtesan's Secret. (It is only open to US only ~ but if you know someone who is willing to ship it for you... throw your name in there please)

What do I have to do to win.... Tell me a story of your favorite Halloween?
Short, long, whatever kind of story you want to share.

Please do not forget to leave me your email address so that we can get in touch with you!!!!!

The contest ends Saturday, October 17th... winner will be announced sometimes on Sunday... You will have till Wednesday, October 21st to respond back to me or contact me if you did not leave an email address...
Good luck to all... Oh... and before I forget....
There is still time to enter for Ms. Kimber Chin's giveaway...

I hope you ladies are having as much fun as I am having...
Hope you enjoyed and have a great day!