Giveaways, Book News, and Reviews, Oh My!

Hello dear Readers, I hope you're all well as we look at the end of February and get ready to welcome in March. Today, I have closed door giveaway, book, and reviews news for you, so pour yourself something to drink and plan to settle in for a moment or two.

The snow is gone in our region, and at this time of year, I'm glad for it as I've got garden planning on the brain. Any other gardeners out there? What's on your agenda this year to plant? Often, I wish the snow came earlier in the year, say just after Halloween. Then have it last through January and begin to taper off as February arrives. Typically, though, we get our snow around mid-February and even sometimes into March. Ah, well. Grin and bear it is all you can do really, and just be thankful we DO get all seasons.

We are officially six days into the giveaway for Written in the Deep. It started, or opened on the 20th, and will run through March 23rd--the weekend AFTER Written releases.

Speaking of releases, we are about two and half weeks until the March 16th. Ahhh! I'm so excited! So far, the reviews have been positive. Readers are really liking Bethany's and Liam's story. And let me assure you, to a writer, hearing and knowing that readers are enjoying their books is literally the best feeling in the world.

Not only does it makes us feel good, building up that natural dopamine to read those positive reviews, BUT reviews play a HUGE, MAJOR, SUPREMELY IMPORTANT, and CRUCIAL role in an author's life. The more positive reviews a book receives, the more visibility the book has on Amazon, allowing for more readers and sales. Which allows the author to continue to write and create those stories you love so much. So, do an author a favor, and write a review. It can be as simple as: "I really enjoyed this book!" Or, if you find yourself with lots to say about it, feel free to write more.

Back to the giveaway news. So yeah, we're six days in, and some of you are already on a roll getting your entries in. Yes, I am keeping track; I've created a spreadsheet and everything. Look at me adulting. Just be sure to use the hashtag #writteninthedeepgiveaway for all your shared posts so I can find them. Tagging me in those posts doesn't hurt either--I do want to stop by and thank you for your efforts on my behalf.

Need to know HOW to enter? No problem! Here you go:

*Newsletter subscribers get one (1) automatic entry (if you're signed up and are on my list, you get an automatic entry).

1- Sign up for my newsletter https://bit.ly/4djLCeH : 1 entry.

2- Share this blog post: 1 entry; be sure to tag me: E.L. Irwin, Author in the post.

3- Share the graphic/link posted below to promote Written: 1 entry per Facebook, Instagram post; just be sure to tag me in them so I can see it. POST as many times as you want for added entries. Use hashtag #writteninthedeepgiveaway

Click the link to preorder!

4- Get a friend to sign up for my newsletter (see link above), and have them comment below that they've done it: 1 entry

5- Post a review for Written in the Deep to Amazon: 5 entries

6- Post a review for Written in the Deep to Goodreads and/or BookBub: 3 entries

7- Post a review for Out of the Blue to Amazon: 3 entries

8- Post a review for Out of the Blue to Goodreads and/or BookBub: 2 entries

That's it, that's all you need to do to be entered to win this prize. Entire prize package for ONE (1) person, US residents ONLY; residents outside the US (I can offer an Amazon ecard in place of these gifts, amount to be determined later). Contest begins: February 20--contest ends March 23rd.

Now, on to new book news. I'm still working on Between Blood and Stone, no worries on that front. BUT!! I've had another idea. Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairy tale. I've loved that one since I was young. Belle, the Beast, the books, the castle, the romance... yeah, I love it. I've often thought about doing a retelling, but didn't have any sure inkling as to which direction to take it. Obviously, it'll be closed door. But that's about all I had.

My favorite classical story is Jane Eyre. It reminded me, at times, of Beauty and the Beast. Recently, I finished the third book in the Empyrean series (NOT clean or closed door, but still I LOVE that series). And I got to thinking. What if...I did a Beauty and the Beast retelling, with a touch of Jane Eyre, and the Beast is....a DRAGON???

Yep, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. Plotting has begun, characters are being sketched out, scenes are being jotted down. If you want to stay up to date on the progress of upcoming projects and books, BE SURE TO SIGN UP FOR MY NEWSLETTER!

And just to wet your giveaway interest more, here are the items you can win. In addition to what is pictured here, you'll get two signed paperbacks as well as swag. I did FINALLY receive a shipping confirmation on those paperbacks. Yahoo! There are prizes from Cody, Wyoming, Ireland, and Scotland--you're going to LOVE them!

Your potential prize package should you win.

As always, thank you SO much for stopping by. Take care of you. Be kind and courteous--the world sure needs it.

Until next time,

Your Lady of Literature