New Year extravaganza!

Happy New Year!

Today is the first day of the Lunar New Year. I was feeling a bit homesick as the new year approached, so I went shopping at the Global Foods.Traditionally, we would have sweets on New Year. And by sweets, I mean a big ol’ platter of candied fruit. Now, you’re thinking…Mmmm….candied fruit sounds good! It’s actually mostly coconut and lotus seeds and a few pieces of yam. The best pieces are the pineapple which you have to snag REAL fast before some cousin gets it.

So I went shopping for a random assortment of more yummy Asian candies. Unfortunately, this led me to regress to my childhood as I went on a bit of a shopping spree. I know everyone’s heard of Pocky, but as a kid, I preferred Yan yan because you get to dip the sticks into frosting yourself. And those lychee jelly things are addictive. I will be sharing part of this bounty with 5 lucky winners.

And of course New Year’s isn’t complete without lucky red envelopes:

And books! Each winner will receive one of these fabulous fantasy or paranormal books. There’s a nice mix of traditional epic fantasy, urban fantasy, historical paranormal and of course wuxia in there.

The Eldwyn Chronicles – 3 ebook set

I absolutely adore this fantasy series by Inez Kelley and jumped at the chance to be a beta reader for it. The first book (Myla at Midnight) started out with a fascinating premise and worldbuilding and the second book (Salome at Sunrise) added additional layers of emotional depth. Book 3 – Time Dancer is out tomorrow and it really takes the trilogy to a new level, weaving together an ensemble cast from all the previous books and explores the origins and dark side of magic. All the things I love in a great epic fantasy: magic, intrigue, and romance! I was going to give away a copy of Time Dancer, but that doesn’t make sense without the whole trilogy so I’m gifting the entire 3 book set to one lucky winner.

Blood and Honor by Chelle Ang

A martial arts adventure in the tradition of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” or “Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre” with legendary swords, secret martial arts skill and two young protagonists, betrothed at birth, but separated. I really enjoyed reading all of the most beloved tropes of the wuxia genre in Blood and Honor. I believe Chelle Ang wrote this adventure in a very accessible way that can be enjoyed by readers who are new to the wuxia (martial arts heroic fantasy) as well as for those who are lovers of the genre and I can’t wait to read the sequel.

The ebook is available for Kindle, Nook and Kobo.

These last three books are autographed print books and come with swag like romance trading cards, bookmarks, and door hangers. One of the benefits of grabbing them at a booksigning. ๐Ÿ™‚

Coveted by Shawntelle Madison

The first book in the Coveted series features Natalya, a werewolf with OCD who hoards Christmas ornaments, and her old flame Thorn. Shawntelle Madison is one of my critique partners and I am endlessly agog at how she comes up with her ideas! This urban fantasy series has a cast of quirky paranormal characters from Natalya’s therapy group as well as Natalya’s Russian family (yes, also werewolves). The sequel, Kept, is also available and I happen to know that…tee hee…a novella is coming out in a few months. If you like creative worldbuilding and unusual characters, this book is the ticket.

Boyfriend from Hell by Jamie Quaid

Don’t you love that title? I haven’t read this one yet, but I’ve bought a second copy via ebook so I can relinquish this copy for the giveaway. It’s about a law student who accidentally wishes her boyfriend into hell. Oops! Now she has to get him back while wrestling with a whole assortment of unfriendlies.

From the back cover:

“Much to her surprise, Tina is apparently one of Saturnโ€™s daughters, with the power to wield vigilante justice. But poor Max didnโ€™t deserve to go up in flames, even if he did almost run her over with her own car. Tinaโ€™s convinced someone cut the brakesโ€”and now a relentless nemesis is stalking her through the Zoneโ€™s back alleys, where buildings glow, statues move, and chemical waste exposure comes with interesting consequences. Tinaโ€™s usually a loner, but now she needs a posse like no other: a shape-shifting kitten, an invisible thief, a biker gang, a snake-charming private detective, a well-meaning cop, and her sleazy, sexy boss. But in between freeing Max from hell, saving her own neck, and solving a mystery that threatens the Zone and her newfound friends, how is she ever going to study for finals?”

My Lord Vampire by Alexandra Ivy

This is the first in her Regency paranormal series. I’ve read a few of her Guardians of Eternity books, which are contemporary paranormals complete with vampires, weres, demons and a little gargoyle! We got to chat a bit about the gargoyle and his love interest today. I do love speaking to authors about their stories. The blurb of this one sounds nice and Dark Shadow-y.

Use the rafflecopter widget below to enter. I’ll draw next Sunday.

Wishing you good health, good fortune and all that you desire in the new year.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

47 Comments

  1. Limecello
    Feb 10, 2013 @ 01:21:21

    Happy New Year, Jeannie! ๐Ÿ˜€
    … So do the ็ด…ๅŒ… have money in them?! *angelface*

    Sorry you were feeling home sick, but wow – what a haul! Are you eating any of the traditional LNY foods today? Dumplings? Fish? ๅนด็ณ•?

  2. Jeannie Lin
    Feb 10, 2013 @ 01:24:43

    Happy New Year! And of course they have money in them, happily culled from my hard-earned book royalties. ๐Ÿ™‚

    We are going to go to PF Chang’s…yes, I know, but St. Louis’ idea of authentic Chinese food is the St. Paul sandwich, so PF Chang’s it is. And they do have dumplings!

  3. flchen1
    Feb 10, 2013 @ 01:25:29

    Gong xi fa cai, Jeannie! So sorry to hear you weren’t feeling well, but may you be starting off a new year of health and prosperity! And ooh, love the looks of those goodies ๐Ÿ˜‰ We enjoyed a new year’s party at a friend’s place, and there were lots of yummies to be had, including braised pork belly sandwiches ๐Ÿ˜‰ Happy year of the Snake!

  4. Evelyn
    Feb 10, 2013 @ 01:27:17

    Happy Lunar Year! Hope that this new year shines brightly on you

  5. Danielle Monsch
    Feb 10, 2013 @ 01:34:38

    Happy New Year Jeannie! Good Health and Good Fortune for you and your family ๐Ÿ™‚

  6. Jeannie Lin
    Feb 10, 2013 @ 01:36:42

    Thank you and Happy New Year to all.
    I did feel better as soon as I started stuffing new year’s envelopes. It’s tough being away from family for new year’s, more so than Christmas for me, but it’s a happy time and I can’t stay gloomy for too long. The sugar helps. ๐Ÿ™‚

  7. Jane
    Feb 10, 2013 @ 01:40:10

    Gung Hay Fat Choy, Jeannie. Have a prosperous and good year.

  8. Julie
    Feb 10, 2013 @ 01:40:20

    ๆญๅ–œๅ‘่ดข๏ผŒๆ–ฐๅนดๅฟซไน! Blessings on you and your family.

    Hopefully you’ll get to see your family soon!

  9. Eve
    Feb 10, 2013 @ 04:04:01

    Have a great year ahead, Jeannie. All the best luck for you & your books.
    Yan yan! I liked it when I was little, and am not sure I’ve stopped liking it.

  10. Ayla
    Feb 10, 2013 @ 07:47:18

    Happy New Year! I’ve actually never heard of Pocky so i get to learn something new today ๐Ÿ˜€

  11. Colette @ A Buckeye Girl Reads
    Feb 10, 2013 @ 09:05:32

    Happy Lunar Year! I hope it’s a great one for you. :0

  12. Sara M.
    Feb 10, 2013 @ 09:09:27

    Happy New Year! May it be a prosperous and healthy one!

  13. Lexie C.
    Feb 10, 2013 @ 09:24:44

    Happy New Year ๐Ÿ˜€ I totally lost track of time so when my friend handed me a red envelope on Friday I stared at her blankly until she reminded me XD

  14. Jeannie Lin
    Feb 10, 2013 @ 09:47:10

    Lexie – I was the same way. I already had my red envelopes and kept on telling myself New Year’s was right before Valentine’s day this year and then bam! There it was. I had to go to the bank Friday to get cash since I spend almost exclusively via plastic these days!

  15. Melanie Rose Meadors
    Feb 10, 2013 @ 09:49:35

    Wow, these books look like fun! Especially the Chelle Ang one. It’s the year of the snake–my year ๐Ÿ˜€

  16. Jeannie Lin
    Feb 10, 2013 @ 10:03:34

    My mum is a snake too! She insists that the Snake is a great sign for girls. She is, of course, urging Sis to have another baby so she can add to her collection of grandchildren. With twins, I get a pass.

  17. Deanna
    Feb 10, 2013 @ 10:37:29

    Happy New Year Jeannie!

  18. Ilona
    Feb 10, 2013 @ 13:04:17

    Gong Hei Fard Choy Jeannie(or if you prefer it in Welsh: Blwyddyn Newydd Dda Jeannie).

  19. LoriA
    Feb 10, 2013 @ 15:24:48

    We’re having some New Year celebrations at work, one sponsored within the company, and one among our group (heading to Chinatown for that).

    I know someone who is expecting a baby this year. Glad to hear it’s a good sign for a girl. ๐Ÿ˜‰

    What is a traditional Chinese baby gift?

  20. Jeannie Lin
    Feb 10, 2013 @ 16:44:35

    Ilona – Happy New Year in TWO languages! Can’t beat that!

    LoriA – Well, the beauty of Chinese gift giving is that money in a red envelope is pretty much an acceptable gift for most occasions. ๐Ÿ™‚

  21. sara
    Feb 10, 2013 @ 18:52:03

    ๆ–ฐๅนดๅฟซไน
    Always love being exposed to new authors

  22. Marcy
    Feb 10, 2013 @ 19:53:56

    Happy New Year, Jeannie!

  23. Meg @ A Bookish Affair
    Feb 11, 2013 @ 10:14:13

    Here’s to a very prosperous new year!

    I love Yan Yan! It’s so yummy!

  24. Anna Bowling
    Feb 11, 2013 @ 15:06:30

    Happy New Year, Jeannie! I agree, candied pineapple is a real treat. I wouldn’t turn down the coconut, either. May this new Lunar year bring you only wonderful books, both written and read.

  25. Stella (Ex Libris)
    Feb 12, 2013 @ 09:09:58

    Wow, what a haul! ๐Ÿ˜€ And what a great tradition to eat sweet treats to celebrate the New Year, I think I’ll have to start this tradition myself ๐Ÿ˜‰ Wishing you a very Happy New Year, full of joy, great memories, lots of laughter, love, health and success! ๐Ÿ˜€ Thank you!

  26. Jeannie Lin
    Feb 12, 2013 @ 09:33:38

    Happy New Year to all! And now it’s Mardi Gras as well. Let the good times roll…

    sara – Good to see you here. Best wishes for the new year.

    Marcy – Happy New Year to you. May you have all that you desire

    Meg – Another connoisseur of Yan Yan! My only complaint is there’s not enough frosting.

    Anna – There’s nothing stopping me from just buying a box of candied pineapple, I suppose. Hmm…idea….but it feels more special when you can grab it from the assortment.

    Stella – Thank you! Best wishes to you as well!

  27. CrystalGB
    Feb 12, 2013 @ 11:30:54

    Happy New Year, Jeannie! Wishing you the best this year. ๐Ÿ™‚

  28. Phyllis Lamken
    Feb 12, 2013 @ 11:35:31

    Happy Happy New Year everyone. Good luck. May this year be filled with joy and much reading.

  29. Vicki Wurgler
    Feb 12, 2013 @ 11:37:42

    Happy New Year and Happy Valentines Day!

  30. FredTownWard
    Feb 12, 2013 @ 11:51:37

    That’s got to be about the oddest collection of book descriptions to win I’ve seen in a while!

    Fortunately, I like odd.

  31. bn100
    Feb 12, 2013 @ 11:52:54

    Happy new year!

  32. JeanMP
    Feb 12, 2013 @ 11:53:37

    Happy New Year!

  33. Lanae T.
    Feb 12, 2013 @ 12:07:42

    Candied fruit…yum! Happy New Year!

    I was born during a Snake Year, so this is supposed to be a great year for me. I plan on making sure it is. ๐Ÿ™‚

  34. charlotte
    Feb 12, 2013 @ 12:18:41

    Happy New Year and thank you for a great giveaway xxx

    charlotte x

  35. Joder
    Feb 12, 2013 @ 13:00:53

    Happy New Year! Thanks for the unique celebration and I wish everyone good luck, not only in the giveaway but also throughout the rest of the year!

  36. Jennifer H.
    Feb 12, 2013 @ 13:07:27

    Happy New Year and I hope you have safe travels while doing the circuit!

  37. Lesa Neace
    Feb 12, 2013 @ 14:47:36

    What a great way to start a new year!

  38. Janice Hougland
    Feb 12, 2013 @ 16:03:14

    And Happy New Year to you too, Jeannie! I purchased My Fair Concubine as my first story from you, but am so glad to find out about your paranormal series. I have long been a fan of “dark magic” stories and now have a new avenue to try. BTW, you are very generous in this giveaway!

  39. Kai W.
    Feb 12, 2013 @ 20:55:44

    Gong Hay Fat Choi, Jeannie and Have a Prosperous New Year.

  40. Jeannie Lin
    Feb 13, 2013 @ 00:00:05

    Hello everyone!!! So many visitors, I do apologize if I don’t reply to everyone specifically, but Happy New Year to all!

    FredTownWard – What can I say, I have eclectic tastes. At one point, I thought about coming up with a theme, but it became harder the more and more books I added.

    Lanae – Hope it’s starting out well. As they say, fortune favors the prepared.

    Jennifer H – Thank you! I haven’t traveled in a while so this will be a busy summer. Hubby will be juggling little ones while I’m away. The mommy guilt is already setting in, but other moms tell me it’ll be good for the little ones and for me. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Janice – I hope you enjoy! Just to clarify, the paranormal series is by another writer I know, Inez Kelley. Now I do have another series scheduled for the far horizon. Not paranormal, but more the realm of speculative fiction. Haven’t made any announcements yet though…

  41. Mary Preston
    Feb 13, 2013 @ 07:19:41

    Happy New Year and thank you!!

  42. Olga
    Feb 13, 2013 @ 07:41:16

    Happy New Year, Jeannie. Thanks for this giveaway.

  43. Ann
    Feb 14, 2013 @ 03:01:45

    Happy new year! I’m looking forward to reading your next book.

    I read your interview from January with great interest. Great advice to Asian guys! I ended up being the first to ask my boyfriend out since I got a vibe but wasn’t sure if it was just in my mind or not.

  44. Ann
    Feb 14, 2013 @ 03:10:15

    Just read your last comment. I adore your harlequin books, but as a fiction/fantasy reader, I would love to read more good solid fantasy novels that are written by someone of asian heritage. I did enjoy Cindy Pon’s Silver Phoenix series, but haven’t found much else out there, and haven’t really found translations of Louis Cha/Jin Yong’s work. This Chelle Ang book looks promising, I’ll have to check it out. But for the record, you have fans like me that would love to read a speculative fiction series from you.

  45. Jeannie Lin
    Feb 14, 2013 @ 12:09:12

    Ann, that’s great to hear! I’m also a huge fan of Cindy Pon. Guy Gavriel Kay isn’t Asian, but I’d highly recommend his Under Heaven which is based on Tang Dynasty history. (Really looking forward to his next book, also set in a China-inspired fantasy world) Also Lian Hearn, who’s Otori series is Japanese-based fantasy. I’ve enjoyed Maya Snow’s Sisters of the Sword, though I don’t feel it goes quite as deep as Lian Hearn’s books emotionally.

    I’ll hopefully be able to announce my new series later this year. I’m quite excited about it!

    And to all the visitors, today I can say Happy Valentine’s Day as well as Happy New Year!

  46. flchen1
    Feb 14, 2013 @ 14:10:26

    Jeannie, I completely agree–I sometimes end up resorting to red-envelope gifts for the kids’ friends’ birthdays if I haven’t had the chance to run to the store and don’t know what kind of present the kids want…

    And ooh… looking forward to that new-series announcement! Woot! And happy Valentine’s Day to you and your sweeties!

  47. Thao
    Feb 15, 2013 @ 10:52:52

    Happy New Year, Jeannie! I remember the lychee jelly things, especially the warning about them being a choking hazard.