To celebrate
the official release of Suddenly Royal, I wanted to do something special. I
could have done another giveaway, but that just didn’t seem like enough. This
year, I’ve seen a lot of sad things, but I’ve also seen some amazing,
spectacular people step forward to help. In a time of uncertainty and
confusion, I feel like it’s important to celebrate those that are doing good
and making a difference around them. So, this is
what I want to do. I want to treat someone like a princess for a day. Really pamper
them and make them feel special and loved.
But how to
choose? Instead of doing a random drawing, I want you—my readers—to nominate
someone deserving. Leave a comment on this post describing your deserving
nominee and I will choose five people. Then you guys get to vote on who is the
most worthy. All five of those people will receive a small package from me—but
the one person with the most votes will receive the grand prize!
What is the
grand prize, you ask? Well, let me tell you. We’re pulling out all the stops!
The grand
prize winner will receive:
Signed swag
from Suddenly Royal
A signed paperback
copy of Suddenly Royal
A $100 Amazon
or Barnes and Noble Gift Certificate
A handmade
necklace by moi!
A $100 ULTA
gift certificate!
And what
princess is complete without a crown and wand? Those will be provided for their
special day as well!
Let’s give a
deserving woman (or man!) the pampering they deserve! Leave a comment with your
nominee’s name, why they deserve to be Princess
for a Day, and a way for me to contact you. (I may need more information from
you for the next round. If I can’t get in touch with you, I may have to move on
to one of the other stories.)
Let’s get
started! We’ll be accepting entries until 11:59pm on Saturday, April 27th.
KP Simmon of InkSlinger PR and I will be choosing the top 5 stories on Sunday
and posting the open voting on Tuesday, April 30th. We’ll keep
voting open until Friday, May 3rd, at 12:00am and we’ll announce the
winner on Sunday, May 5th! I’m a firm believer in passing things
forward and I’ve been very lucky this year. Hopefully we can bring a smile to
someone that needs it!
Canada and US residents only.
My person would be Amanda Engelkes!!! This girl has the biggest heart I know! She got pregnant in December and has a very rough bad road so far trying to keep her baby alive. She is there whenever someone needs her through any tough situations. She has helped me through many. She loves to shower her loved ones with the amazing love out of her heart! She is also a big Nichole chase fan so i know shes flove this prize, but most of all she deserves a princess day cause in my heart she is one of the bestest mostest greatest friends a girl could ask for! I flove you Mani and thank you Nichole for hosting such an amazing giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Katy! Amanda has a heart of gold! Always putting others before herself! It just doesn't get any better when it comes to pure hearts and golden souls! <3
DeleteWow, words can't describe the feelings I got when I read this! From the bottom of my heart I thank both of you! Even if I don't win this wonderful gift Nichole has offered, I believe I won something even greater...friendship with two very lovely people!
DeleteI have a lot of friends who actually are great warriors including anonymous but there are many everywhere. I know who, hehehehe, Xochilt Zazueta Leon.xochilzazueta1968@hotmail.com
DeleteI would like to proudly nominate the amazing, Tamara Beard. Tamara is a one of a kind type of person. One of those people you come across in your life and you see how much good there can be in the world. Tamara is kind, generous, giving, and a hard worker. She spends a lot of her time helping promote Indie authors and always puts a smile on people’s face. She helps authors; supporting them and helping them reach their goals. She is a big inspiration to me; she makes me want to be a better person and be all I can be. She has the heart and soul to do anything she has her heart set on. To me, she is a great role model; I really look up to her and her sincere kindness. I really believe she makes a difference in the world and hope to be like her one day. (Contact info: missjocsan@gmail.com)
ReplyDeleteMy nominee would be Ms. Laura Wilson (BA-er)! I only know her virtually, but irregardless, she is one fantastic friend, and Mom! She has overcome some obstacles in her life! She needs a LAURA day... I mean a Princess for a day DAY!
ReplyDeleteThanks Nichole!!
I nominate Mandy Anderson of I Read Indie Blog. She does amazing reviews on her site. She is quick witted, funny and super sweet. She helps Indie authors tremendously! She does blog tours, reviews, Top Ten Question interviews, character interviews,and features. She promotes authors everyday tweeting and posting on Facebook. She also posts her reviews on goodreads, Amazon, Smashwords, Barnes and Nobles etc.... She brightens my day everyday and is so deserving to be Princess for a day!
ReplyDeleteI heart you lady!!
DeleteI have to nominate Lesslie Lamphere (yay, BA!)for this award. Her fourth baby is due in three days; last night she fell as she got out of her car and landed hard on her leg. Fortunately it's just (*just*?) bruised, but it's going to be harder for her to get ready for this new one and take care of her older children while trying to stay off that leg! I adore Lesslie <3
ReplyDeleteI would like to nominate my daughter, Madison Headley. She is 16 years old and in my opinion and experience, quite unusual. To give you a few examples, on the first day of school this year, Madi sought out the new kids that didn't know anyone and were sitting alone during lunch. By the end of the 40 minute period she had rounded up several students and they were all feeling better about their first day at a new school. This past Christmas, Madi asked if part of her "Christmas money budget" could be used for one of her close friends whose family isn't as fortunate as ours; as a result, her friend actually came to spend Christmas with our family and it was the first time she had ever had a stocking, among other holiday traditions we always took for granted. When I told Madi how much I appreciated her selflessness and I apologized that she had fewer presents that year she told me it didn't matter, it was the best feeling in the world just to see her friends face on Christmas morning. Madison also volunteers at our church every Sunday. She gets there at 8am and helps with the coffee and tea setup, she is part of the early service worship team, she greets people between services, she works with the 3 year olds during the 2nd service and then in the evening she goes back to help with the children's choir and then participates with the high school youth group. She is truly one of the most kind hearted, sweet, honest, selfless people I know. Her positive attitude and love for God and his children challenge me to be a better mother, wife and friend. I would love to see her recognized for all she does, she truly is a Princess!
ReplyDeleteI truly believe my Mother is my princess!! She has suffered Multiple Sclerosis for almost 20 years now and she never lets it slow her down.. On top of that I have a rare lung disease that requires constant trips to specialists in and out of state and 5 hospital stays in 2 years.. I may be 29 years old but everytime I'm sick she drops everything just to rub my head while I lay in her lap at the hospital, rubs my back to calm me, constantly tells me everything will be fine when in all honesty, that's the one thing we don't know.. My mother is much more than a selfless princess. She is my hero, my best friend <3 Please consider her for this opportunity, she NEVER Pampers herself and is always worried about me first! Thank you
ReplyDeleteI would like to nominate my twin sister, Megan Flack. She has endured many hardships over the last few years. Her husband has lost his job several times, leaving her being the sole provider for a family of 5. She has worked her tail off for a company who doesn't recognize her hard work. (I know that happens in many places, but there are also certain factors that go along with this.) She is involved in her church, in her children's school, helps our brother with his three kids, and takes care of things at home. She never treats herself to anything, knowing that their budget is limited. (Her husband just started a new job today, but given his health record, she is holding her breath for him to keep this job. If he does, they will be catching up for some time.) She has done her best to provide for her kids, and she even provides for others. She gives great clothes to other families with younger children, in kind of a "Pay It Forward" way. My sister is not perfect, and we don't always see eye to eye on things. However, I do believe that she deserves to feel special, if not just for a day. Please consider her as you look at all entries. Thanks! Charli A emmakt07@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI would like to nominate a special friend of mine. She told me not to mention her name, but let's call her winter. Last summer of 2012, she just lost everything. Her summer started great at first. She had friends and a best friend she could always rely on. People admiring her, loving her and trusting her. All that changed when she made friends with the new girl. The new girl wasn't an angel that's all I can say. She was influenced by that new girl to actually become another copy of her. Even I wanted to hit Winter. Not only did Winter lose herself, she lost her best friend and got rejected by her crush. Winter lost it. She blamed it on us and said she did nothing wrong. We really freaked out when she starting cussing and glaring at her old friends. I knew Winter well and that wasn't her. The Winter I knew was shy and kind, she helped her friends all the time, but this new Winter was the opposite, she only thought of herself.
ReplyDeleteAfter that summer, Winter got back to school. She still had friends, but were they actually real friends? I couldn't tell which was Winter's friend since most of them stabbed her behind when she's not looking. Sometimes during the days I would see the actual Winter. She would pretend to sleep on her desk when I could see her shuddering and weeping silently. It made me feel guilty that I actually helped Winter's suffering. I just watched her from the corner and tried to avoid her as much as I could. I wanted to comfort and tell her what she did wrong, but I was scared of the new Winter. Is she still me friend? I kept asking my conscience.
Winter fixed her own problem. I didn't lift a finger. I'm not sure how she got the courage to apologize in front of everyone. Everyone was just silent and Winter's best friend even cried and hugged her and said "I really missed you." They both wept and it was a happy ending. That's why I want Winter to be my nominee she's a brave girl and she has a good heart even if she made mistakes she knew how to fix it by herself, but I still wished I could have helped her in some other way and not just watch her cry.
chynangie(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
Oh and BTW I'm a new GFC follower ;D
DeleteI want to nominate Anita. Even though I have never met her in person, she is my family. I can't imagine life without her. I met Anita last December through Facebook. We instantly started bonding over movies and books (she's just as much of a bookworm as I) and we started trading ebooks. She was always so cheerful that it took a few weeks to hear about the troubles she was going through at the time.
ReplyDeleteBoth of us have seen each other through some really touch patches in life and encouraged one another to keep moving forward despite life constantly throwing curve balls at us. I don't really want to go into detail about what she has gone through in the months that I have known her because that is not for me to put out without her consent, but I can certainly say what she has done for me.
I have been living with an anxiety disorder since I was diagnosed April 2012, taking medicine in case of an emergency. Around the same time that I met Anita, things weren't going great for me and my handle on my anxiety wasn't improving. I felt like there was something wrong with me. Once I opened up to her about it, she never once judged me. She listened and tried to understand. She helped me so much more than she might ever know.
This woman is more than just a friend. She is like a second mother to me. I listen to her and help her however I can just as she does with me. She is the type of woman I hope to be like as I progress in life. The type that just has a heart that keeps on giving to those that need it. A woman that never lets life knock her down without getting up again and keep going. Life has yet to stop her despite the trials she has overcome and I doubt it ever will. You asked for a nominee worthy of this prize, and to me, there is no better person than my Mama G, Anita.
luneraeclipse AT aol DOT com
I'd like to nominate my mum, Nancy. She hasn't had the easiest life - her first husband was a terrible man, but he did give her one great thing: my brother. My brother was very sick as a baby and was left deaf, and my mum has done everything she can to make sure he has a good life (even now, he's almost 40 and she's still always doing something for him and helping him). She worked 3 jobs and still had time to go to every single event at my brother's school, take sign language classes, and spend quality time with him. When my brother was 8, my mum met her true prince and they got married and then I came along. Eight years later, my dad was diagnosed with cancer, and for two years he struggled and suffered, and my mum was by his side the whole time, even when he was in the hospital two hours away. After he died, she was left alone yet again to raise a child on her own. She's always been there for both me and my brother, she's sacrificed so much, and has done it all with courage, grace, and a smile on her face even when her heart was breaking. She's the type of person who will be there for you no matter what, even at a personal cost (her own health has suffered at times while she was talking care of my brother, my dad, and then my Grama during a lengthy illness). She'd give you the shirt off her back and her last dollar if you needed it. She's kind and thoughtful and loving and selfless, and because she's selfless, she never does anything for herself. She hasn't been anywhere for over a decade, and she rarely does things for herself. I would love to pamper her and treat her like a princess since she's always treated me like one and always been the best mother and friend imaginable.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this very generous giveaway. It's so nice to see something so positive when there's so much sadness in the world.
~Marie
i_love__u2(at)hotmail(dot)com
I nominate Mandy I Read Indie, because not only is she a truly selfless and awesome, honest blogger, but she gave me my first review as I'm sure she has for tons of other Indies. A truly Indie friendly blog that doesn't look at our books and say "They're good DESPITE the fact that their Indie" and instead looks at any book, Indie or Traditional, as what it is. A book. Love it or hate it. So thank you, Mandy, for being awesome in the way of being unbiased and fair. Love ya, Mandy!
ReplyDeleteEven if I don't win this giveaway...I already feel as if I won. Much love to you Shelly.
DeleteI vote for Mandy from I Read Indie! She is Sweet, Funny and a Wonderful reviewer!! She takes the time to chat with us, Shares & Supports indies and her friends nonstop!!!
ReplyDelete((Hugs))
DeleteI would have to nominate my sister, Cheyenne. She's a young, single mother who always puts her daughter first. She works part time and is going to school to be a special education teacher! Wow, talk about motivated, fun, beautiful and related to me! She amazes me everyday and I'm so glad I get to be close to her and my niece Quinn. Chey lets me spoil Quinn every chance I get. She deserves to be a princess and be spoiled and taken care of instead of the other way around for once.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the chance.
Tiffany JOrgenson
tiffanynicole99@Yahoo.com
I vote for Mandy from MandyireadIndie!! She's the best!She's honest and the hardest working blogger out there!!!
ReplyDeleteCause that's how I roll
DeleteI want to thank those for nominating me...but I want to nominated someone that I think deserves to be Princess for a Day. It is my niece. God bless her heart she has had a rough year and a half. A little while back she went to live with my mom and dad (her grandparents) due to lack of getting along with her mother. She was the first grand baby on this side of the family and she and my dad had a close relationship. Practically...she could do no wrong. Then on Feb 4, 2012 we lost my dad and her grandfather. It was one of the worst weeks of our lives.
ReplyDeleteSince then she got fired from a job that was absolutely not her fault. She had a boss that was catty and jealous of her. So add that to her growing stress of no grandfather (her rock), a mom that seldom pays you any attention, and now the stress of having to find a job in a Podunk town in this economy.
Then not only that...she had to witness the loss of my father in law not even a year later.Like literally, she and my mom made it there before the 1st responders did. She had gotten so close to my in laws that year, it was so hard on her.
So I think she should be Princess for a Day. She is my go to book girl and I am constantly telling her about new Indie books to read. And you should see the things she would be able to do with that Ulta GC. The girl has serious talent when it comes to makeup.
That is all.
I'd like to nominate my dear friend Malissa (Jayne's Ire). Not only is she a fantastic mom of two adorable girls (who she homeschools), but she's a selfless wife of an Army general and an animal rescuer.
ReplyDeleteIn her spare (hah!) time, she's an avid supporter of authors and their books across all genres. With zero expectations, she shares her love of books with everyone she meets. I can't count the sweet gestures she's made not only to me, but to nearly every author she reads. She's a genuinely kind, giving person -- a rare thing these days. Instead of her making *us* feel like rock-star author princesses, it would be great to pamper her with the royal treatment.
Oh Heaven's Stephanie I don't even know what to say. I am beyond honored that you think I could be worthy of something like this. I love you with all my heart! Truly, I am speechless, thank you so much, I feel a bit like the Grinch and my heart just swelled two times this day!
DeleteI would like to nominate my best friend and older sister Alexandra Louk. She has had a rough 3 years starting when she was diagnosed with SLE Lupus her freshman year at college living 2 ½ hours away from home and had to deal with this with out her family being there in person. She was able make it through the rest of the year and get her grades high enough to transfer to a school closer to home. She had to deal with the first 2 medicines not working. She never gave up and continued to fight and still make sure she was okay to volunteer and coach her special Olympics athletes. She even helped me when live at home was bad. She took me in and fought to protect me. She brought me to a real home where I found a family that loves me. The weekend of thanksgiving 2011 the doctors put her on a new medicine called Methotrexate, which is a low dose form of chemotherapy. She has to give herself injections every week. While some people might see the chemo as a hindrance she uses it to push herself and doesn’t let it get her down. Sometimes she ends up sick but ignores it for as long as she can because she hates letting people down. In less then 18 months we have lost both of our grandparents. She has been strong and helped with our special needs brother as much as she can. But she never gives up and is always there to help or make us laugh when we need it and tell me when I am acting like a brat sometimes. Everyday she fights against her Lupus and is constantly reading and reviewing for authors and blogging when she can. She is an amazing person, big sister, and best friend and I think she is a princess!
ReplyDeleteAww thank you little sister!
DeleteI would like to nominate by new bestest and long lost sister Desiree Deorto *even if I still have to look to spell her last name* She is an amazing woman! She has 4 kids, she is a writer, artist and many other things I'm sure. She needs a day of pampering for all the hard work she does just being a mom. She is doing edits and making one of her dreams come true. She gets online or sends a text and can have you in a better mood even if she isn't in a great one. She So Needs to be Princess for a DAY!
ReplyDeleteHeather aka SuaGurl
supagurlheather@gmail.com
love you too Heather! <3 I already texted you and 'yelled' at you for making me cry ;) You're awesome and I'm so blessed to have you in my life! Thank you lovely!
DeleteMan...this is impossible. I vote for Mandy, I read Indie, because it's true what everyone says that she's awesome but then I just read Heather's post about her sister...and say I also vote for Heather Robbins because she had one mad, crazy year and she's still smiling. And, then I just read the entire long post and the awesome votes and sweet things people say, and dang it, I vote for everyone. Is this allowed?
ReplyDeleteIf not...then I have to vote for Mandy because I heard some chatter about coming on here to vote for her and so that's why I originally clicked the link...but sigh... everyone seems to deserve this. ox xo
Lol I love you crazy girl.
DeleteI would nominate my mom. Valerie. I love my mom but I know that with seven kids it hasnt been the sanest of lives for her. My elder sister was born when mom was nineteen and the youngest was born when mom was thirtyone I think. Cant recall. My youth was speckled with so much drama from outside sources but my mom has always tried to do the best for me and my sibs. She took in others kids when they needed a place and even other families. She is a military wife as both my father and my stepfather are military. She waited years to marry my stepfather because she wanted to make sure that we were all accepting of it. And in the last four years my stepfather was stationed in afghanistan. That was some of the most hectic time. But no matter what has been sent our way my mom always does her best. I think it would be great if she could get a chance to be pampered for once. A time to relax. She has spent so much time taking care of others her family and others. It be great if she could be taken care of.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to nominate my mom. She's always been really busy and yet always seems to find the time to spend time with us and do things for us. She recently got a promotion that's kept her really busy and caused her to move, which has been really stressful for her. She has a busy job, an unemployed husband, three children (one in college -- me!) and she deserves to be pampered. She never thinks of herself and has run herself down too many times. I really think she deserves this.
ReplyDeleteamzpar[at]gmail[dot]com
What a beautiful Idea!! I can think of so many people who deserve to be a princess for a day, but I would like to nominate Lisa Markson. Lisa took me under her wing when I first found the indie community, and has become one of my dearest friends. She is always there to help, no matter what I ask of her. She tirelessly promotes authors, blogs, pages, and goes out of her way each day to do amazing things for people. She is a single mother of a wonderful seven year old with autism, and does so much to help make his life better. Lisa spends all of her time on others, and never takes time for herself. I am honored to call her my friend, and I would love to see her be the one taken care of for a change. <3
ReplyDeleteI'm still debating on who to vote for. There's so many people out there that are deserving, and I hate the thought of choosing just one. I'm really REALLY stuck right now lol. So I'm playing just going to point to someone...... *points*..... okay so I vote for Heather Hildenbrand. She is a truly amazing person. She has gone through so much heartbreak in such a short time and is still doing her best in every aspect of her life. She has helped me, personally, to become not afraid to follow my dreams. She has been an inspiration, a great friend, and an overall amazing human being. She's fabulous in every way and I know that the tiara (if she wins) would look wonderful on her beautiful hair (she seriously has some massively gorgeous hair).
ReplyDelete-Desiree
lemuriangoddess1115@yahoo.com
I nominate my sister Gillian. She has supported me when I was having a hard time with last year. I was getting bullied a lot by other girls and she help though it. She is truly an a amazing person and I hope she wins.
ReplyDelete- Chelsea Godden
drew@godden.me
Damn! I was all set to enter this and nominate myself then I got to the bottom and got all Luke Skywalker...
ReplyDelete"If there's a bright centre to the universe, I'm on the planet that it's farthest from"
:(
...
;)
Hi! I nominate my mum, Michelle. My dad got cancer as well as discovered he has a heart problem last year and she kept the family going, working a full time job and taking care of us kids as well as driving him an hour and a half away to chemo every week (As well as at least one radiation/week). Now that he is technically cured but still not back to full capacity (and never will be because of the heart thing), she is still totally taking care of everything- except herself.She doesn't have time to do "me" (or rather her) things anymore, and i know that somedays she just feels so not capable, but she is, and so i believe that she deserves to be a princess for a day, buy herself some things and see how much we appreciate her. She is my inspiration, she is incredibly strong and loving and wonderful, and she deserves to be a princess for a day. I love my mom. Please make her a princess (I'm sorry for my rambly writing, its just i really believe she should get the prize)
ReplyDelete-Caitlin Brenneman
Cait.B@outlook.com
I nominate my mom, Vicki. She is the most amazing person ever. I would not be the person I am today without her. She is my best friend.
ReplyDelete-Jessica Ryba
jrryba@gmail.com
I see many wrote longer stories... I will go into a bit more detail. My mom raised us 4 kids alone. She NEVER gave up on any of us.. she always stood by our sides. And she continues to do so everyday. I have severe chronic pain, and when I feel like I can't handle what I am going through, I call my mom. She sticks by me through everything. If I need her, she is there no questions asked. My kids LOVE her like crazy.
DeleteMy mom is also why I LOVE reading. She reads so much... we are always swapping books. I don't really have anyone else to talk to about all the books I read... but mom & I can talk for hours upon hours about the books we have read.
Id love to win this for my mom. Shes always done everything for everyone and it would be nice to be able to treat her. Shes the most caring and giving person i have ever met. Shes someone i look up to and aspire to be. She'll give strangers the shirt off her back, the last dollar in her pocket, and she keeps her door open wide for anyone who needs a home. I remember growing up, our front door was always revolving. People lived with us constantly. If anyone needed anything, she was the first person there. She takes groceries to people. I remember her working in a home for the mentally disabled, and the boss selling the patients medicine, stealing the groceries and treating the people horribly. It broke my moms heart. The boss threatened her to keep quiet but my mom didnt, she turned her boss in, then took her pay check and bought the patients groceries. The boss was sent to prison, but not before she sent someone to hurt my mom. Luckily, my dad and cousin were here, and no one was hurt. She even takes in hurt animals, neighborhood kids were always bringing pets home. If i need anything, shes here for me, i can talk to her about anything. She supports me and my choices, she pushes me to achieve and be more. When someone does something bad toward her, she doesnt have a bad word to say about them. She wishes them well and says she did what she felt was needed, and if she was in there shoes, she'd want help too. My mom had a cousin, his wife and there 4 kids that moved in. They were terrible people. They wouldnt work, wouldnt help around the house, take care of there kids, they were disrespectful and they stole from us. One things being my dads great grandfathers coin collection. It hurt my mom and she asked them to leave but she rented a house for them and payed the rent for the next two months, this way, she was sure the kids were taken care of. She couldnt stand the thought of the kids being hurt. At another of her jobs, she was a manager at a home that took care of people, she loves helping others. One of the staff members hated my mom. She wanted my moms job and did everything she could think of to get her fired. One day, the woman went and cashed the petty cash check, she was in charge of it. She'd went home that evening (with the petty cash and her rent money in her purse), and woke the next morning to find her boyfriend had stolen her purse and half of her belongings. She woman ended up having 3 strokes and ended up in the hospital for a couple months. Mom took the blame for it all and payed back the money back at work and gave her the money to pay rent, this way the woman didnt have to worry about it. She even helped her cancel her credit cards. She told the woman "dont worry. just get better. everything is always brighter the next day". My mom went to 2 different check-in-gos and used her pay check. It took her months to pay everything off, but she was so happy the woman got better and she was able to help. Her and the woman are now very close friends. Shes always optimistic. Shes always smiling. Shes my best friend. I love her dearly. The saying us kids always grew up with, "The past is in the past. Leave it there. People make mistakes, dont hold it over them. Treat others as you would want to be treated and do what you can to help others, even if its giving a smile to brighten someone's day." There aren't enough words to describe what an amazing woman she is. To me, shes perfect.
ReplyDelete