Someone Will Be "Finding Cinderella" in Their Mailbox Soon!! Is It You?

Our winners of the signed copies of Colleen Hoover's "Finding Cinderella", as chosen by Random.org are:

Elisabeth Castro

and

Jordan Chambers!!!

Congratulations ladies!  Don't forget to email me at chelleauthorstalker@gmail.com with your mailing address so I can get it to you ASAP.  I hope you enjoy that bonus epilogue as much as I did!

Even if you didn't win the giveaway, we all still win because we can download a FREE copy of "Finding Cinderella" by clicking here.  Yes, I said FREE!  Just because Colleen Hoover likes us that much.  You can purchase a paperback or the Audible at that link as well.

Thanks again for all the entries!  Good luck next time!

"Fashionably Dead" is Fashionably Fun!

1Did you ever watch the show "Sabrina The Teenage Witch"?  I loved that show.  What's not to love about a fashion conscious teenager trying to navigate her way through the world with her magical powers, all while living with a couple of quirky aunts.  And she had a talking cat.  Who doesn't love a talking cat??

We all knew "Sabrina" would never win an Emmy or get stellar reviews.  But who cares?  It was fun and funny and enjoyable and it made me happy.

That's kind of how I felt while reading "Fashionably Dead" by Robyn Peterman.  Happy.

Yes, it was a little out there.  But what do you expect from story about a girl who decides to quit smoking and instead ends up undead?  It shouldn't be surprising that it's not going to win any awards.  But frankly, I don't care.  Because once you throw in the hot devil man and the guardian angel with the mouth of a sailor, it ends up being an enjoyable ride.

One of the best parts of this book is that the Kindle version is free.  Now it does end in a cliffhanger, but if you end up dying to know what happens next, you'll be happy to know book 2 is already out!  I, myself, am looking forward to it.

You can get "Fashionably Dead" by clicking here.

For a fun read on your next vacation, "Fashionably Dead" gets a fun and fashionable

Welcome!!! Thanks for Being Here!!

I woke up this morning and to my surprise, my tiny little blog's Facebook page has over 100 new likes.  Now I know that doesn't sound like a lot, but to me, that is HUGE!!!  So I wanted to thank you for being here and give you a quick rundown of what I'm about.

My overall goal of Diamonds in the Rough is to celebrate and promote the authors that haven't made the big time yet.  The ones that have brilliant stories and brilliant writing, but just haven't been discovered on a NY Times best selling scale yet.  Authors like 

Penny Reid 
Mara Jacobs
Kathryn Perez
Stacey Grice
Brenda Rothert 
And more!   

My one exception is Colleen Hoover.  She is obviously the queen of Indie, but I'll always review her stuff because I love it and her so much.  Considering most of you are fans of hers, I doubt you have any objections!

I try really hard not to over post.  Usually only twice a week.  I don't want you to get sick of me!  So make sure to "like" it when you see it on Facebook so you can continue seeing the posts.  Or just sign up for the updates via email.  Your choice.

On Mondays I review a book or author.  These are books that knocked my socks off for one reason or another.  Books I truly highly recommend.  

Right now on Thursdays I'm doing a segment called "Beach Reads".  These probably aren't 5 star books, but they are light and fun and may be the perfect book for your vacation.  It won't necessarily stick with you, but it will be a guilty pleasure.  

And I throw in contests and giveaways as they come up.

So that's the schedule.  I do have to apologize in advance for my lack of technological savviness.  I'm still learning how to navigate my own blog and it doesn't always do what I want it to do.  Now that there are so many of you, I probably should call my friend who set it up and get that remedied, huh?

Once again, welcome!  I'm humbled and honored you are here and hope I can help you find your newest favorite author.  So look around!  See what you think.  I will do my best to bring you the greatest authors you've never heard of!  

Giveaway!! And Yes, It's Open Internationally

While I was at Book Bash, I was given a couple of signed copies of the above book to giveaway on my blog.  And by signed copies, I mean Colleen Hoover write a little ditty about this blog.  Because who wants a book just signed by an author when it can have something random written in it?  It's good to keep life interesting!  So basically, they are the only two copies in existence.  

In honor of "Finding Cinderella" being released as an audio book today, I think it's a great day to give away one of these signed books!

Here's what you're gonna do....
~Download "Finding Cinderella" in print for free OR purchase the audio book by clicking here.
~"Like" this blog on Facebook by clicking here.
~Comment either here or under the Facebook post that you've completed the above

See?  Easy peasy!  

And yes, it is open internationally.  Mostly because I have never shipped internationally and have no idea what I'm getting myself into.  So take advantage of me now.

Winner will be chosen by Random.org on Friday, July 11, 2014.  Good luck!

Even if You Don't Like Paranormal, I "Promise" You Will Love This Book

In the world of paranormal romance, there is really only two ways a book can go.  Either really, really good. Or really, really bad.

Fortunately for us, my newest Diamond, Kristie Cook, falls in the really, really good category.

I accidentally discovered Ms. Cook's "Soul Savers Series" while driving back to Houston from Pensacola, Florida a couple years ago.  Now, I've never been able to read in the car because I have a tendency to get car sick.  But I was bored and "Promise" was free and I had never tried reading on my Kindle in the car before.  So what the heck, right?

By the end of the 12 hour trip, I had discovered that Kindle reading doesn't make me nauseous (Score!).  I had also discovered my newest favorite author.

In the span of that drive alone, I had devoured "Promise" and was already halfway done with "Purpose", the second book in the series.  They were that good.

The "Soul Savers Series" follows the story of Alexis, a girl with a seemingly normal life who finds out that she is actually anything but normal.  Add in the uber-sexy Tristan who has some secrets of his own, and the story quickly gets exciting.  Not only does Alexis have to come to terms with who she is and her role in life, she has to do it all while navigating her way through a brand new love.

Even if you aren't a fan of paranormal, this series is worth a try.  Ms. Cook's writing is interesting and fun and she never fails to keep me on the edge of my seat.  She has an amazing ability to intertwine all kinds of creatures without it becoming overwhelming or flat-out dumb. And maybe best of all, her explanation of God versus satan, heaven versus hell and good versus evil are some of the most brilliant statements I've ever read in a work of fiction.  She truly has a gift.

Don't believe me?  Ask my BFF Allison.  We rarely agree about a book that knocks our socks off. But both of us count down when a new "Soul Savers" book is about to be released!

I was really excited to purchase "Promise" on Audible today.  It's on sale for just $3.95 which is a fantastic price!  But if audio books aren't your thing, "Promise" in written form is a freebie. So why not take the chance?  You can get it by clicking here.

Kristie Cook and her "Soul Savers Series" gets a solid

I'll Pay Lots of Pennies For Her Thoughts!

I know I was supposed to introduce you to a Beach Read today.  But instead, I'm going to tell you a story.

This is Penny Reid.

Not the shrimp on the left.  Penny is the other one.

One day, Penny was working as a lowly biomedical researcher when a friend started complaining about books.  The following conversation is not at all accurate, but you'll get my point:

Penny:  What don't you like about books?
Friend:  I want a book about a smart girl.  Why doesn't anyone write about smart girls?
Penny:  I bet I could write a book about a smart girl.
Friend:  I bet you couldn't.
Penny:  I bet I could.
Friend:  I bet you couldn't.
Penny:  I bet I could.
Friend:  Well what would you bet?
Penny:  I'd bet dinner.
Friend:  You're on!

So Penny went off and wrote a book about a smart girl and then ordered the steak and lobster because she won the bet.  

And that was the last Penny thought about her book.

Fast forward a little while and Penny's now one-expensive-dinner-poorer friend asks Penny to put the bet-winning book up on Amazon so her book club can read it on their Kindles.

Being the good friend that she is, Penny created a quick cover, came up with a random pen name and BOOM!  Penny's book was on Amazon.  

And that was the last Penny thought about her book.

A week-ish later, Penny remembered the book was on Amazon.  So she logged on to make sure all five book club members had downloaded the book and it could now be removed from the world wide web.  All five members had downloaded the book...along with EIGHT THOUSAND OTHER PEOPLE!!

Penny's reaction?

"No, no, no!!  You're not supposed to be reading that!"

But they were and the reviews were coming in.  Readers appeared to be very happy with the book.  So Penny sucked it up and wrote another book.  And then another.  And so on and so forth.

True story.  She tells it so much better though.

Penny's bet-winning book is called "Neanderthal Seeks Human" and it is one of my top reads of the year.  It is quirky.  It is smart.  It is fun.  It's like reading Tara Sivec with a Ph.D. and not as much sex talk.  You never know what direction it will take and some ridiculous things seem to always happen.  But, just like Tara Sivec (who is one of my favs), Ms. Reid knows how to make it work in a non-stupid way.

The main character, Janie, reminds me of a combination of Amy Farrah Fowler and Zoey Dechannel.  Super smart, full of all kinds of weird trivia and quirky to a fault.  She is awkward and endearing and you just want her to get the guy the end.  

I cannot even tell you how much fun this book was to read.  I started with the paperback, but when my husband went to bed I immediately bought the Kindle version so I could read the dark.  And I HATE spending double money on books!  But I just couldn't stop reading.  In fact, I'm still reading.  I've already moved on to "Neanderthal Marries Human" and it is just as entertaining!

I'm so, so glad I ran into Penny Reid in Kristen Ashley's line .  It was the best chance encounter I had at Book Bash!

You can get your copy of "Neanderthal Seeks Human" by clicking here.  It gets a very smart and quirky

Book Bash Breakdown...In Pictures

If you have never heard of Book Bash, the only way to describe it is the ComicCon of book nerds.  I'm not even exaggerating.  

There were close to 100 authors in attendance and over 1500 fans.  To say it was crazy is an understatement.  But it was crazy in the best possible way.  So here you go...my recap.  In pictures.

Being that I have never attended Book Bash before, I met up with some very close on line friends.  Including this one...

And also this one...

To say we have a loving relationship would be a bit of an understatement, don't ya think?

One of the first people I ran into before all the molesting began also happens to be one of my Diamonds!  Yep, I very quickly found this chick and her ugly book cover...

Sure, the cover is ugly.  But that didn't change my excitement from actually getting to hold it, as you can see from the look on my face.  Holding HJ Harley was pretty cool, too.  I know.  Way too much hugging going on so far.  (You have no idea)

Book Bash had a really cool pre-registration event on Friday night where you could mingle with some of the authors and get your picture taken.  And mingle with some authors I did!  In fact, that's where I found another Diamond!  I give you Stacey Grice...

Let me just say, that girl is straight up cra-zy.  In the best possible way.  If you ever get a chance to party with her, DO IT!!  It will be the most fun nights of your life!  And as a bonus, you will learn some new and improved dance moves.  Just trust me on that.

One of the most exciting parts of Book Bash for me was getting to meet and chat with this precious chick.

That, my friends, is Emily.  She is Griffin Peterson's girlfriend.  If you don't know who Griffin Peterson is, we can't be friends anymore.  Or, I'll just tell you.  Griffin Peterson is this guy...

Yes, I know this is an old picture.  But it is still the best picture EVER, so I have to show it off at any and all appropriate moments.  I mean, the hottie in the front, the photo bomb in the back, and Griffin in the middle...perfection!  

Griffin wrote and recorded the songs for Colleen Hoover's "Maybe Someday", by the way.

Back to Emily.  Emily was just such a sweetheart and is taking all this new found fame stuff in stride.  It was one of the highlights of my weekend.  I'm pretty sure she was avoiding me like the plague at some point.  But seriously, would you expect anything less from the Author Stalker than to freak at least one person out???  Of course not!!!  Moving on...

The one consistent thing about attending Book Bash is waiting.  Lots and lots and lots of waiting in lines.  Which is why you have to be diligent in your line forming skills.

Ok fine.  We didn't actually spend the night on the lobby floor.  But we thought about it.  Because there is a lot of waiting.

Waiting in line to get in.  
Waiting in line to meet authors.  
Waiting in line at the most ill-equiped and poorly run Starbucks in the history of the world.  

But sometimes the wait was so worth it!  (Well, not the Starbucks wait.)

Because I got to hang with this Diamond during Book Bash...

And this weekend, she found out this book that she wrote.....

Made the Amazon best seller list!  And it's STILL UP THERE!!!  Congratulations Kathryn Perez!!!  Now THAT is a fun fact for Book Bash!  (You can still purchase it by clicking here)

I did get to help out at this lady's table a bit...

And let me just say, the woman is a machine.  A kind, friendly, everyone feels loved when they leave, machine.  Impressive.

I also ran into this chick...

If you didn't know, this is Vilma from Vilma's Book Blog.  She is amazeballs.  Truly.  If you don't already follow her blog, you need to.  Now.  She is the foremost authority on anything book related.  And she's a hoot.

I did have a huge fangirl moment over this lady...

That, my friends, is Ana from Ana's Attic Book Blog.  She's kind of my hero.  So yeah, I'm not ashamed to say I made a fool out of myself.  But she was really nice about it.  She's been pimping out our Diamond, Kathryn Perez, hard!  Just one more reason to love her!

After Book Bash was over, the after party began.  Did I already mention parts of Book Bash were straight up crazy?  Oh yes.  Yes, they were.  But, the best part was watching these guys perform.

They are fantastic performers.  Truly entertaining.  And I'm pretty sure I have an inappropriate crush on Adam now.  That man can shred!  If I could figure out how to get the video on here, I'd show you.  But you know me and technology.  So for now, I keep the video for myself!

The show was over way too soon.  But the partying went on until close to midnight.  And when I tell you these guys....

Know how to party, I'm not kidding!  They literally danced on stage with all the book nerds until the DJ shut down the party!  It was great!  (Side note...why is my arm not around Adam, too?  Am I stupid????  #bookbashfail)

Look...here's me being a groupie!

That's John.  He does all the percussion instruments for the band.  I have no idea why I took a picture with him and didn't take a picture with anyone else.  But who cares??  I look hot.

And of course, what Book Bash event would be complete without some punk pulling the fire alarm at 2:30 in the morning?  Nothing like being evacuated from your room in your jammies, only to find out that your floor wasn't actually evacuated and you ran down the stairs by yourself leaving all your friends behind to die for nothing.  Still.  It looks like some of us enjoyed the fire drill more than others..

(Just zoom in.  That girl could make a funeral fun.)

After 3 days of adrenaline rushes, maybe one meal a day and a total of 12 hours of sleep, I have learned a few things....

First, Book Bash is not for the faint of heart.  It is crazy intense.  

Second, you  never know who you are going to run into and where.  Authors and cover models are everywhere!  

Third, there are some amazing Diamonds out there just waiting to be discovered.  I can't WAIT to bring you some of the new people I met.  

So thank you Book Bash for an amazing, albeit strange weekend.  Until next time....hands off my stash.

I'm going to sleep now!