LeahHultenschmidt
Moderator
Registered: 10/29/09
Posts: 40
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| | 01/15/10 at 12:02 PM | Reply with quote | #1 |
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Congratulations to Saranna DeWylde, whose HOW TO LOSE A DEMON IN 10 DAYS is American's Next Best Celler winner! Both our editors and readers absolutely fell in love with this playful paranormal, full of spunk and imagination.
Sadly, this means that this week's elimination is VAMPIRE VACATION by C.J. Ellisson. Here's what our readers had to say:
Alma - Reading this book felt like going on vacation. The characters were engaging, the story interesting. It instantly transported me from the everyday and took me to a new world. My only criticism would be that after a while, the vampires constantly having to feed got a bit tiresome, but other than that, this was a terrifically fun read.
Duana – This story is hot! Anyone who likes super sexy paranormals will definitely like this book. The story is different, which was a delight. It is well written. There is romance, intrigue and just enough suspense to want to keep reading. I thought the characters were believable and everything blended so well. I would recommend this book to others to read. This one was my favorite out of all the manuscripts that we've read. Susan – I couldn't decide if this book was about sex or vampires. I know now that it's about vampires but some parts of the book were very erotic. I thought the chapters were too long and not very fast paced but it improved further in to the book. The characters seemed to get dimensional and even if I didn't really like any of them, it was better than when I started reading the book. The author is very up on erotica. . .maybe she should change genres.
Diane - I liked the storyline and the characters were interesting. It reminded me a little of Christine Feehan, as the couple had mental telepathy and of course, the sex was incredible erotic. The dialogue needs work, though. It often didn't flow as a conversation would and felt choppy to me. The author could also flesh out the story a bit more. Though it needs some TLC from an editor, overall I found it enjoyable and I see a future for this talented author.
Thank you again to all the writers and readers who participated in the contest. And for those who enjoyed HOW TO LOSE A DEMON IN 10 DAYS just as much as we did, you'll be able to find the book in stores this November. Stay tuned for updates on cover images and more.
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| Annemarie Hartnett | |
SarannaDeWylde
Registered: 11/20/09
Posts: 42
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SarannaDeWylde
Registered: 11/20/09
Posts: 42
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| Christy Finn |
| | 01/15/10 at 12:36 PM | Reply with quote | #5 |
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Congratulations, Saranna & CJ.
Best of luck to you both.
Saranna- I'll be looking for HOW TO LOSE A DEMON IN 10 DAYS on the shelves!  |
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SarannaDeWylde
Registered: 11/20/09
Posts: 42
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kerribookwriter
Registered: 11/23/09
Posts: 6
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| | 01/15/10 at 12:47 PM | Reply with quote | #7 |
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First up, I want to send major Congrats to Saranna. This is a huge deal and I'm so proud for you. I feel as if all of the finalists in this contest just ran the longest marathon in the history of writing and now the finish line has finally been crossed. Whew!
The best news is that the end of the race means the beginning of one of your dreams coming true! Again, major CONGRATS!
Secondly, I'd like to send props out to CJ. Trust me when I tell you that I know exactly how you're feeling today. Also, trust me when I tell you that to have made it to the 1st runner-up position in a contest this huge with your FIRST novel is absolutely astonishing. Any author who has been at this forever (like myself, ahem, about 15 years of writing, ahem) will tell you that you have reached a very important milestone in your career already. Keep your chin up and keep those books a coming!
Thirdly, I want to send a belated thanks to all my well wishers from last week's elimination. The same day that I got eliminated (big bummer) was the same day I got put on doctor imposed bed rest for the remainder of my pregnancy. So, needless to say...this has been a tough week for me!
In fact, I'm creeping out to the computer today just for these results!
Thank you to all my friends, fans, and co-authors for your support and encouragement along the way.
Thank you to Text Novel (Mr. Soper) and Dorchester (Leah, Alicia & Chris) who have all made this journey possible. Thanks to the reader panel for the lovely comments on my book COURTING DEMONS. I truly appreciate each and every one of you.
Best wishes for continued success to all of you in this New Year!
My best,
Kerri Nelson
Author of Courting Demons
America's Next Best Celler (2nd runner-up)
__________________
Kerri Nelson
Author of Romantic Suspense & More
http://www.kerrinelson.com
http://www.kerribookwriter.blogspot.com |
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SarannaDeWylde
Registered: 11/20/09
Posts: 42
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LianeGentrySkye
Registered: 11/23/09
Posts: 11
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| | 01/15/10 at 01:36 PM | Reply with quote | #9 |
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Saranna. Yeah, you know what I'm going to say. I *so* told ya so. A loooong time ago, I told you your demon boy was going to whip my sexy muse's butt. You're going to hear this a zillion times before all is said and done.  I'm so very proud of you, as an author and as a friend.
CJ, look at what you've accomplished. You have a book that readers love and a drive that will take you far. Your supporters are behind you a hundred percent and that's reason to celebrate. First runner up. Wow!
Congrats to ALL the contestants who weathered this contest all the way to the end. I'm proud of each and every one of us.
Cheers all around! I expect to see the entire top twenty in print--soon.!!!!
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CandiWall
Registered: 11/19/09
Posts: 7
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| | 01/15/10 at 01:43 PM | Reply with quote | #10 |
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Ladies!
First a huge congrats to C.J. Ellison for making it this far. It's a huge accomplishment and I have no doubt we'll see your work on shelves someday soon. Keep writing and know you now have a great credit to add to your queries. Runner-up is just outstanding.
Next, my dear Saranna. I'm so proud to have met you and to call you friend. You are an amazing writer. Your heart and wit pour out in your writing, and it's what gives you your unique voice. I can't wait to see the cover and info that'll come, but mostly, I can't wait to get my hands on How To Lose A Demon. I'll be sending it to you the second I buy it so I can have you sign it. That way people won't look at me weird when I say I knew you when...
I'm so proud of you! And to all the other contestants and finalists ~ I'll be looking for your names on my shelves.
Best to all and happy writing.
Candi
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Candi Wall |
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CJEllisson
Registered: 11/22/09
Posts: 16
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| | 01/15/10 at 02:52 PM | Reply with quote | #11 |
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| Congrats Saranna! I'm genuinely happy to hear that your book made first place! You've worked long and hard on your story and you deserve it. I look forward to seeing it on the shelves this fall and I wish you the best with super high sales.
Thanks everyone - it has been an extraordinary honor to compete with such experienced authors. I never thought my story would make it this far when I entered back in September on the textnovel site and I'm thrilled to be able to say it has.
Thank you Dorchester for holding a contest like this where someone like me - a newbie - had a shot at all. Thank you to the judges for your time and in sharing your thoughts with us all.
Again - big congrats Saranna! C.J.
__________________
C.J. Ellisson
"In the Alaskan darkness, it's not just the cold that bites."
http://www.facebook.com/c.j.ellissonfanpage
http://www.cjellisson.com |
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SarannaDeWylde
Registered: 11/20/09
Posts: 42
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Gail_Hart
Registered: 11/24/09
Posts: 9
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| | 01/15/10 at 05:25 PM | Reply with quote | #13 |
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Well damn, Saranna - I thought I had good news today because I closed on my new home, but as usual, you one-upped me!  I'm so proud of you, and proud to be one of your partners in crime at Textnovel Divas.
CJ, you have so much to be proud of as well. I'm sure you're disappointed to have come this close without winning, but keep your head high. Vivian and the rest of the vamps will find a home with some publisher.
This has been a long and draining contest but I think we've all learned a lot from it. I'm thrilled to have gotten to know so many amazing writers through Next Best Celler.
Gail |
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SarannaDeWylde
Registered: 11/20/09
Posts: 42
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ValorieDorr
Registered: 11/23/09
Posts: 13
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| | 01/15/10 at 07:01 PM | Reply with quote | #15 |
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| Sara and CJ, congratulations! I can't believe this contest is finally over. You know that all of us finalist, sweated along with you two every week, right? I think I lost a few pounds pacing, waiting for announcements to come through. I'm so proud to have been in this competition with you both. Sara, I am inspired by you and I along with the others will be waiting in Nov. for Demon to hit the shelves. So excited about that! C.J. I know you release party won't be far off too. Hugs and best wishes to both of you. |
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