Tag Archives: giveaway

News & Contests

St. Patrick’s Day Giveaway!

Don’t forget to come learn to Talk Like the Irish this week!

St. Patrick’s Day is coming up! With an Irish heroine in my newest book, I have to celebrate the most Irish holiday—and what better way to celebrate than with a giveaway?! Scroll down to learn more about the Irish prize pack!

SAINTS & SPIES

SaintsSpies_CVR_MEDWhen she finds her priest murdered, Molly Malone, secretary of their Catholic parish, vows to never let it happen again. She’ll use the full force of her Irish will, and her previous stint on the Irish police force, to protect the new priest from the congregation’s rumors of criminal activity.

Falling in love wasn’t part of her plan. However, young, handsome and — dare she even think it? — flirtatious, Father Tim O’Rourke is nothing she expected. But Father Tim is also nothing like he seems to Molly: he’s Special Agent Zach Saint, an LDS FBI agent undercover to root out the mob that’s hiding in the parish.

And Molly isn’t helping: every time Zach gets close to the mob, Molly manages to get in the way. Falling for her is the last thing he needs. Now Zach must find the murderer and catch the mobsters before his feelings for Molly blow his cover and add another murder or two to the mobsters’ docket.

Buy now | About the book | Excerpt

a Rafflecopter giveaway

To celebrate Saints & Spies and St. Patrick’s Day, I’m giving away an Irish prize pack!

irish accent gum front1024x577irish accent gum back576x1024

In the pack, one lucky winner will get to enjoy Paddy O’Connell’s Instant Irish Accent Gum, homemade barmbrack (okay, it’s more Halloween appropriate, but not many foods ship well, folks), and, my favorite, two handknit prizes: a shamrock pin and a very special set of mittens.

Hand-holding mitten in action:

wp-1457959909214.jpg

wp-1456979290800.jpgThese aren’t just any mittens, my friends. They’re hand crafted with a Celtic knot cable design on the wrists. There are actually three mittens in the set: two individual mittens, and, perfect for any romantic, one mitten designed so you can hold hands! The real wool mittens use two colors: one called “Molly” and the other called “Father Tim”! (Okay, so it was really called “Father Time,” but close enough!) Even I’m surprised at how beautifully the colors meld together in the hand holding mitten. They’re cozy and sure to keep you and your beloved warm through long, wintry walks or professions of love on snowy back porches, if either of those are in your future.

Okay, I love these things. And all this semi-kitschy, super fun Irish stuff. And I’m giving them to you!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Physical prizes shipped to US addresses only. Entries must be received before March 19, 2016. No purchase necessary.

Want to have the first chance to enter future giveaways? Be sure to join my readers’ group!

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Works

Announcing Saints & Spies!

2 Comments

It’s here! After SEVEN! LONG! YEARS!, I’m finally ready to share this story, and on its actual seventh birthday, no less:

SAINTS & SPIES

SaintsSpies_CVR_MEDWhen she finds her priest murdered, Molly Malone, secretary of their Catholic parish, vows to never let it happen again. She’ll use the full force of her Irish will, and her previous stint on the Irish police force, to protect the new priest from the congregation’s rumors of criminal activity.

Falling in love wasn’t part of her plan. However, young, handsome and — dare she even think it? — flirtatious, Father Tim O’Rourke is nothing she expected. But Father Tim is also nothing like he seems to Molly: he’s Special Agent Zach Saint, an LDS FBI agent undercover to root out the mob that’s hiding in the parish.

And Molly isn’t helping: every time Zach gets close to the mob, Molly manages to get in the way. Falling for her is the last thing he needs. Now Zach must find the murderer and catch the mobsters before his feelings for Molly blow his cover and add another murder or two to the mobsters’ docket.

Buy now | About the book | Excerpt

And if you buy Saints & Spies this week, your ebook will include over 80 pages of bonus features, from recipes to character profiles to deleted scenes & alternate versions!

But you MUST purchase the book by Saturday to get this exclusive content. Some of these features will NEVER be shared again!

To celebrate the release of Saints & Spies (can I say that again?!), I’m giving away a reader prize pack!

readerpack

In the pack, one lucky winner will get to curl up with hot cocoa (don’t worry, I’ll ship it as powder), a reading-themed mug (I like “Reading is my super power”), ALL SIX BOOKS OF THE SPY ANOTHER DAY SERIES (Kindle or ePub format), and cozy handknit socks (women’s mediumish, ankle height, reversible, knit by yours truly!).

Okay, I’m crazy excited about these socks. The name of the yarn color is “Molly.” AND the sock pattern’s designer was actually my Irish consultant on the novel. She’s awesome! And I decided to make them ankle high, and then I remembered this scene:

Molly.

Even if he could cover his gun before she found him, Zach would look really suspect—and really stupid—hiding under her desk. He tried to force himself further into the shadows. Good thing she had a deep desk, and she hadn’t bothered to switch on the lights, either.

But wouldn’t any normal person with a legitimate reason to be in their own office after hours switch on the lights first thing? Was she here for something illegal? . . .

In the silence, Molly shifted her weight from one attractive ankle to the other—he’d never realized ankles could be pretty. . . .

He waited until he was sure Molly would be gone before he returned to the parish house. As he walked through the parking lot, he took note of the maroon sedan parked across the street. But he was more worried about the owner of a pair of pretty ankles.

Okay, I love these things. And cocoa. And reading mugs. And my books. And I’m giving them to you!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Physical prizes shipped to US addresses only. Entries must be received by October 24, 2015. No purchase necessary.

Hot cocoa photo by meg

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Reading

Blog tour: Damnation by Jo Noelle (+ giveaway & writing tip)

2 Comments

I’m so excited to share this book with you! I got to read a pre-release version of this book almost a year ago and I LOVED it. I’ve been waiting forever for it to come out so I could review it! I love the conflicts Cassie faces and how she learns and grows in a realistic way. Plus, I loved the fresh, vivid writing.

About the book

DamnationDamnation by Jo Noelle

Cassie is going to heaven—if she can get amnesty from hell in the next twenty days.  Her assignment is to change the eternal destination of a girl in Albuquerque to earn admittance into heaven.

No sweat.

But when Cassie returns to earth during her three-week, mostly-mortal assignment, her old habits get in the way, (apparently habits don’t die when you do), the partners assigned to help her are anything but helpful, and it turns out the girl she is supposed to help is the only enemy she made on her first day of school.

Oh, I’m so going to hell.

Things aren’t all bad—it helps to have a hot angel on your side. Mmm-Marc. Even though he’s all about heavenly business, Cassie would like to make it personal.

Assignment with benefits.

goodreads1Add Damnation to your Goodreads!

Read a sample of Damnation on Amazon now!

About Jo Noelle

Author PicJo Noelle grew up in Colorado and Utah but also spent time in Idaho and California. She has two adult children and three small kids.

She teaches teachers and students about reading and writing, grows freakishly large tomatoes, enjoys cooking especially for desserts, builds furniture, sews beautiful dresses, and likes to go hiking in the nearby mountains.

Oh, and by the way, she’s two people—Canda Mortensen and Deanna Henderson, a mother/daughter writing team.

Writing tip from Jo Noelle: Building Tension Through Questions

We’re looking at some ways to build tension in our stories and decided to ask a lot of questions to get us started.

Questions!

Decide what the overall book question is going to be for your story. This is the overall premise you are writing to achieve. For Damnation it is:

  • Will 17 yo Cassie Witlon earn amnesty from Hell in the next 20 days?

Then as you plan or revise each scene decide what questions you can plant for the readers to be motivated to learn the answer to. Here are some more we used:

  • Will Cassie beat the deadline?
  • Will Cassie escape?
  • Will Cassie get distracted from her purpose?

These are a little cryptic but they become more detailed as we wrote the scenes. We need one question for each scene. Some authors describe this step as making sure your scenes have a “purpose” or a “goal.” It’s just a little easier for us to think in terms of answering a question.

More about story questions and scene goals

The giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Get the Details
1 winner will receive a $100.00 Amazon.com giftcard.
Blog hop and Rafflecopter registrations Begin 9/1/14 and End 9/7/14 MDT

 

This drawing is open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Card.  Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. Check back on this blog between Sept. 8-10, 2014. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized and sponsored by Canda Mortensen & Deanna Henderson DBA Jo Noelle. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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News & Contests

Fireworks in July Facebook event today! Add some sweet sizzle to your summer!

Today I’m co-hosting a Fireworks in July Facebook event with ten other awesome authors!

Fireworks-in-July-promo

I believe all of our books are “sweet” (PG-13 or less), and all of them feature the “sizzle” of romance! Come join the Facebook event for fun giveaways all day long (starting at 10 AM EDT), PLUS a $100 Lindt chocolate gift basket!

In honor of the party, I’ve lowered the price of Spy Noon to 99¢ TODAY here on my site and on Amazon! (On my site, the coupon will automatically apply in the shopping cart.)

What do you have to do?
Just go to the Facebook event and follow the instructions of the host for that hour to enter the giveaway. One lucky participant will also win the grand prize!

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News & Contests, Works

Announcing Spy Noon

1 Comment

Cover reveal & other fun news!

Today, my self-publishing nuts-and-bolts column premieres at Janice Hardy’s blog, The Other Side of the Story! Come find out if you’re good enough: evaluating whether you’re ready for self-publishing!

Many thanks to everyone who voted in New LDS Fiction’s 2013 Mystery/Suspense Cover Contest—I, Spy won! And the competition was awesome! Today is the last day to vote for the best cover overall, so go choose your favorite!

I, Spy was reviewed by BarnesandNobleReview.com columnist Vanessa Kelly, and her kind words have kept me dancing for two days! Plus the review was picked up on the Nook blog.

Due to technical difficulties, the linky for the Indie Author Resources Blog Fest malfunctioned. I’ll keep it open a while longer for anyone who tried to participate but couldn’t!

And on to today’s biggest news!

It’s the day a significant proportion of the population dreads—a day they are reminded of everything they don’t have—a day that lives in infamy. You may know it as “Valentine’s Day,” but if you’re unattached, a better name might be . . . Singles Awareness Day.

On the other hand, there are worse fates than being alone, even on Valentine’s Day. For example, a totally hot guy you can’t seem to get away from, pursuing you when you’re really not interested—and he can’t take a hint. CIA operative Talia Reynolds doesn’t do romance, but her new coworker doesn’t care. Spy Noon, an “anti-romance” and a prequel novella to I, Spy, is coming February 3, 2014!

Already know you’re going to read it? Add Spy Noon on Goodreads.

Today, I’m especially excited to reveal the cover and give away an ARC! But first, a little more about the book.

About the Book

Canada’s the last place you’d expect to find an American spy, but CIA operative Talia Reynolds has problems piling up higher than a Canadian snowbank. When Elliott Monteith, her ridiculously handsome new coworker, shows up (and shows her up), Talia decides it’s game on. She’ll be the first to track down a dangerous counter-spy, and she’ll give Elliott an unforgettable souvenir of his time in Ottawa: some humble pie.

Her plans don’t work as well as she expects, though. Elliott’s over-the-top flirting dredges up too many painful memories for Talia and undermines the confidence she’s worked hard to regain. To do her job and keep her integrity intact, she’ll have to keep her personal feelings at bay. Now Talia must find a way to work alongside Elliott—and maybe even trust him—to outsmart the enemy.

And now for the cover!


The Spy Another Day series
I, Spy
Book One		 Spy for a Spy
Book Two		 Mr. Nice Spy
FREE Prequel novella
To save her secrets and her country, CIA operative Talia Reynolds must sacrifice the man she loves. Talia’s new boss is her ex-boyfriend. And that’s the just beginning of her problems. Elliott Monteith must choose between his fiancée and his fellow spy. Cake.
Chronologically, Spy Noon is the first in the series.

Praise for the series

A fast-paced, crisply written story with entertaining plot twists, told in a first person, wryly self-deprecating narrative voice. . . . I, Spy is a well-crafted romantic suspense with humor, heart, and a uniquely engaging heroine.

— Vanessa Kelly, Love Rocks column, BarnesAndNobleReview.com

 

I knew by the first page that I was going to love [I, Spy]. I absolutely loved Talia’s inner voice. . . . The plot is enjoyable and I loved the action! I really could not guess what was going to happen next. There were so many surprises at the turn of each page, especially during the climax, it didn’t matter what time it was, I had to finish.

— Mindy Holt, LDS Women’s Book Review
One of her top reads of 2013

 

The series has this great combination of sarcasm and wit in the MC, great chemistry and dialogue between her and her love interest, and then a whole slue of spying, deception, intrigue, and danger. Especially of that last one. . . .

I thoroughly enjoyed [Spy for a Spy]! I would definitely read it again and I am highly anticipating the next book that Jordan McCollum writes! If you enjoy action-adventure, suspense, or books about characters who are spies and some romance, then I would definitely recommend this.

— Tressa, Tressa’s Wishful Endings

 

Win an Advance Reader Copy!

Enter to win an electronic Advance Reader Copy of Spy Noon!
 a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author


An award-winning author, Jordan McCollum can’t resist a story where good defeats evil and true love conquers all. In her day job, she coerces people to do things they don’t want to, elicits information and generally manipulates the people she loves most—she’s a mom.

Jordan holds a degree in American Studies and Linguistics from Brigham Young University. When she catches a spare minute, her hobbies include reading, knitting and music. She lives with her husband and four children in Utah.

Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Email newsletter 

Add Spy Noon on Goodreads today!

Many thanks to everyone helping out with the cover reveal today: Mindy Holt, Tressa’s Wishful Endings, Julie Coulter Bellon & Emily Gray Clawson!

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News & Contests

Win I, Spy in the Debut Author Giveaway Hop!

2 Comments

DEBUT AUTHORS 2013[1]It’s been a big year around these parts. I turned thirty and had a baby (on the same day!), and I published my first novel. And novella. And non-fiction book. And second novel.

A BIG year. And it’s almost over. So let’s celebrate—I’m giving away an e-book of I, Spy! The giveaway is open internationally, and all you have to do is hop on Twitter or Facebook to enter! AND if more than 50 people enter, I’ll giveaway at least one ebook per 50 entries! Skip to the giveaway

More about I, Spy

I, Spy coverCanada is probably the last place you’d expect to find an American spy. But even idyllic Ottawa has its deadly secrets—and so does CIA operative Talia Reynolds. She can climb through ventilation shafts, blend in at the occasional diplomatic function, even scale buildings (small ones). But there’s one thing she can’t do: tell her aerospace engineer boyfriend Danny about her Top Secret occupation.

It worked for a year, keeping Danny in the dark, keeping him away from danger, keeping her secrets. And then Talia finally catches a hot case: Fyodor Timofeyev. Russian. Aerospace executive. Possible spy?

She can make this work, too—until Danny needs her at the same time her country does. And when Fyodor targets Danny? Suddenly her schedule isn’t the only thing suffering. Now to save her secrets and her country, Talia must sacrifice the man she loves.

Read an excerpt from the first chapter.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Want to win more great books from debut authors? Check out the full list of participants!


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News & Contests

Thank you!! And now what?

The Facebook and Twitter launch party yesterday was quite the success! Julie and I had a lot of fun commenting and giving away our generously donated prizes. We want to thank our friends who donated:

  • Cindy Hogan
  • Emily Gray Clawson
  • Ilyan Lavanway
  • Stephanie Fowers
  • Monique Bucheger
  • Christy Dorrity
  • Cami Checketts
  • Rachael Anderson
  • Ranee` S. Clark
  • Heather Moore
  • Stacy Carroll
  • Lynn Hubbard
  • Jaleta Clegg
  • Konstanz Silverbow
  • Anna del C. Dye
  • Rebecca Shelley
  • Christy Hayes
  • Joyce DiPastena
  • Taunya Butler

THANK YOU!!

And now for the news you’ve been waiting for . . . .

I, Spy broke into the top 500 books on Amazon, hitting the Amazon best sellers lists in Espionage (#5), Spy Stories & Tales of Intrigue (#5), Hot New Releases in Espionage (#2), Hot New Releases in Spy Stories & Tales of Intrigue (#2), Romantic Suspense, Thrillers . . . wait, that’s not what you’ve been waiting for?

Oh, then how about this . . .?

GRAND PRIZE WINNERS!

We had almost 400 entries on our Rafflecopter giveaway, and our winners, chosen at random, are:

Alison Rogers Spelman: Spy Another Day books 1 and 2
Necia Munro: Spy-on-the-fly kit
Cohlina Mae: Book lover’s basket
Thomas Edward Ticknor: Hostage Negotation Series books 1-3

Congratulations! Alison and Necia, please send me your mailing address to Jordan (at) jordanmccollum.com. Thanks to everyone who entered, commented, tweeted and played along!! And thanks once again to all our sponsors, and a special thanks from me to Julie. Couldn’t have done it without you!

Now what?

I, Spy will be on sale for 99¢ for the rest of this week, so woot!

And I . . . I’m not really sure. I was planning on jumping into Nano with both feet, but my house a wreck, my kids are going crazy, I have Christmas-in-November gifts to make…

But if I could go into December with a finished novel . . .

Maybe tomorrow.

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News & Contests

Spy for a Spy is here!

4 Comments

SpyForSpy_CVR_LRGIT’s 11-12-13! And you know what that means! It’s time to celebrate the release of Spy for a Spy—and my friend Julie Coulter Bellon’s new book, Pocket Full of Posies!

Join us TODAY on Facebook (at my page and Julie’s page) and Twitter (follow Julie and Jordan) for drawings from 9 AM MST until 5:30 PM MST, and enter to win more fabulous prizes here!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Party!

Also be sure to check out today’s tour stops!

Emily Gray Clawson Using spy skills to predict the presents of Christmas future (before the giver knows!) + a review!
Anna del C. Dye
Rebecca Shelley
Christy Dorrity Using spy skills to find a child lost in the grocery store + what I eat when I’m writing!

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