And the Winners of the Hot Summer Romance Giveaway Hop are:

E-Copy of Always:

Jessica M.!

Paperback copy of Always:

Margay R.!

$25 Amazon Gift Card:

Tina B.!

Congratulations everyone...thanks for participating! <3 I'll be emailing the winners to get you your prize.

Insatiable Reads Blog Hop!

Thanks for stopping by my blog for the Insatiable Reads Hot Summer Romance Giveaway Hop! :)

Grand Prizes for the entire hop:
A Kindle Fire!
A $50 Amazon Gift Certificate!

****
For my blog giveaway you will have a chance to win:

Always ebook
or
Always paperback
or
$25 Amazon gift card!

My giveaway is international and the winner will be chosen via the Rafflecopter below. The winner will be announced July 22!

To enter to win you can:

• Comment on this blog post and answer the question: 'You never forget your first love--tell us about yours!'
• Follow @ellerydreams on Twitter
• Tweet about this giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway


My Answer:

I met Brad at Hardees when I stopped by in between classes. I remember thinking he was hot right out of the gate--lean and muscled, all the right angles, blond with these intense brown eyes. He flirted, but I just mumbled and got my food and went on my merry way. Later, I talked to a friend about him and she decided that we were gonna go back and do it right this time and give him my number.

We go back to Hardees, but Brad's off work--luckily, one of his friends was a romantic and decided to give us his number. I call and leave an awkward message, saying he might not remember me but I remembered him etc.

He called back a few hours later!

We met up and had dinner and talked for hours about nothing and everything--and he made me feel like I was literally the only girl in the room.

We didn't last, but I'll always remember cuddling with him, arms wrapped around me as he whispered some tragic Nirvana song in my ear.

Check out other blogs participating in the hop and win stuff!

 

A HUGE thank you! (and an apology)

I want to start off and say I heart everyone that's picked up a copy of Always and took the time to read and review. From four stars to one, I appreciate the feedback. Which brings me to my apology...

I am sorry for the errors in the book. I put out a sub-par product and I am really sorry about that. When I released Always, I was so freakin' excited about telling my story that I didn't think about betas and getting someone to edit outside of myself that important things were missed. As I've gone back through the story and talked with my beta-readers/editors, I am seriously embarrassed by what slipped past me. I'm doing a big re-release on July 26 with a new, professional edited version. I'll be contacting Amazon and they should email everyone that bought the book and give them the option to download the updated version for free (I'll let you know when to expect the email). I don't think Barnes and Noble offers that service, but I'm offering it here:

If you want the edited version, email me with your preferred format and I'll send it to you--no questions asked.

This has been a HUGE learning experience for me (slow the eff down, Ellery!) and I want to say a big thank you to all the betas that helped me out via the Some Like it Hot group on Goodreads. Thank you for reading the book and giving your feedback, and all the offers to read and review the updated version! Yall rock my face right on off. Seriously. <3

I also used the proofreading/editing services of:
Mandi Smith (http://www.facebook.com/rawbooks) and (http://rawbooks.wordpress.com)
Indie Proofs (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Indie-Proofs/453146148110219)

I'm looking forward to putting out the shinier (and better edited!) version of Always next week!

Updates!

• Always is doing all kinds of awesome things on Amazon and Barnes and Noble:

It's ranked at #1,258 on AZ and in the top 100 in Coming of Age and New Adult!

It's ranked #68 on B+N!

Omg...is my book really ranked higher than World War Z?

Never in my wildest dreams you guys. I feel so blessed and grateful to everyone that's bought the book. <3

• There WILL be a second book. It's tentatively titled Never...and would be out late Sep-Oct (subject to change).
• I'm in the process of polishing up Always (getting feedback from beta-readers and getting it professionally edited) and plan on doing a re-release in 2-3 weeks. I know Amazon gives the option of letting purchasers download the latest version, but I don't know if Barnes and Noble does. Either way, if you purchased the book you can email me at elleryrhodesauthor[at]gmail[dot]com or click the envelope at the top of the page and I will send you the updated copy, free of charge in the format of your choice.
• Speaking of beta readers, if you'd like to join the list, shoot me an email! I'm also looking for reviewers. It's a great opportunity to give me feedback and share your opinions on how the book could be better.
• I'm participating in the Insatiable Reads Blog Hop!

There's over 175 blogs participating and giving away loads of shiny swag! On this blog I'll be giving away a $25 Amazon gift card, an e-book copy of Always, and a paperback copy of Always!
The giveaway will start on July 18 and run through the 21! I'll be announcing the winners on July 22.

I must be dreaming...

Right now, Always is ranked #503 in Barnes and Noble's e-book store.

You guys...I just...

THANK YOU!!!! <3

I know I'm a new author, and my book's a little rough around the edges and it means so much to me that people are taking a chance on my story. I heart every single one of you to the moon and back!

Now I've gotta stop obsessively checking my rank and do some writing lol. :)

How long do you wanna be loved?

They didn't have you where I come from

Never knew the best was yet to come

Life began when I saw your face

And I hear your laugh like a serenade...

"Lullaby" by Dixie Chicks

As much as I love Tumblr (and my love is endless and vast), I figured I should have a place where readers can come and not be bombarded by photos of pretty clothes, pretty people, pretty pictures, pretty hair, and pretty/heartbreaking quotes. This space will be dedicated to my writing. I like music and lyrics, so I'll also post those sporadically along with updates about my writing projects.

Currently, my first New Adult (NA) novel has been released and it's called Always. Always is a story about first-loves and how love can transcend miles, time, and backgrounds. 

Here's the description:

A new university, a fresh start, and no falling in love.

After a freshman year from hell, Juliet Stowe's heart is in a million pieces. She transfers to a new school, determined to leave the past behind. 

But when she's paired up with Lucas McNamara, the 'boy next door' all deliciously grown up, she knows she's in trouble. Back then she didn't understood why her mother, who used to work for Lucas' family, told her not to get attached. But they were inseparable -until her mother was fired because the McNamaras don't mix with the help.

He never thought he'd see her again...

Lucas McNamara knew there was something familiar about his biology partner and is floored when it hits him. She's 'Julie'--the barefoot beauty who was unlike any girl he'd ever met then or since. 

While years have passed and he's far from the carefree kid that Juliet once knew, one thing remains the same. He wants her. He's always wanted her--but he's the heir to the McNamara multi-million dollar empire and his family is hell bent on keeping them apart.

 And here's the cover, because I think it's gorgeous. ;)

Now, this story is not without its faults. Editing issues slipped past me and my early beta-readers and I've had questions and concerns about the short epilogue. I apologize for these issues (and I'm in the process of broadening my beta-readers beyond my besties since they may or may not have been worrying about hurting my feelings by being too hardcore)...please be patient with me and I hope that despite the errors you enjoyed Lucas and Juliet's story because I loved telling it. I assure you that from here on out, I will double, triple, quadruple check and also have a professional editor take a look at these things to ensure you're not distracted from the important thing, which is how much my characters heart each other.

I am considering writing a second and third book and I hope you'll stick around for the ride if I choose to expand upon their journey to HEA! <3