Minneapolis FUN!

Last weekend I had the pleasure of visiting Minnesota for the very first time. After a very early flight, I checked into my hotel, and headed out into town for a quick lunch and look-around.

Let me tell you something about Minneapolis. The weather can change in 2.3 seconds. When I left home, the weather channel said it would be a bit rainy and in the 80's. It was a bit rainy, but closer to 70. Still livable, right? Well, as I beebooped along the sidewalks to find some food, the weather dropped another ten degrees. I kid you not. In the time it took to walk two blocks, I was shivering and in need of an umbrella. It didn't stop me from enjoying the city though!

What really surprised me, was how NICE everyone was! Coming from the South, we have a reputation for being hospitable, but that's not always true. However, the people in Minneapolis? Wow! You guys sure know how to make someone feel welcome! Everyone smiled and was friendly. Not once did I feel like I was being hurried along. It was truly a great experience. (Even if everyone didn't sound like they were from the movie FARGO.)

That night I went out with a bunch of awesome people for dinner (Barrio) and drinks (The W Hotel). I may have also joined Abbi Glines and Colleen Hoover in photo-bombing some pictures at the hotel bar. Good times!

The next day was made of awesome! I met so many amazing people.

The Authors! (From L to R: Molly McAdams, Rebecca Donovan, Willow Aster, Tarryn Fisher, Abbi Glines, Steph Campbell, Colleen Hooover, Me, KA Robinson, Angie Stanton, Cora Carmack, Jillian Dodd, Jessica Sorensen)

 

The Authors and Volunteers! (Look at Cora striking a sexy pose!)

 

My table with a giant Sam in the background!

After the signing, I hung out with everyone and then headed into town for dinner. Thankfully, this time it wasn't raining or cold! Instead, it was perfect! We ate this great restaurant named Zelo's. (Try the huckleberry sorbet if you ever go. It was delish!)

The best part of my trip was hanging out with so many awesome people! I miss them when I don't get to see them often!

Me and Abbi!

 

 

Me and Angie! (I'm not that short... I was just sitting in a different type chair. Honest.)

P.S. If you enjoyed Suddenly Royal and are looking for another royal book, you should follow Angie. She has an amazing book titled Royally Lost coming from Harper Collins!

 

 

K.A. Robinson is an absolute sweetie--and a baby! She's so young! Forgive me if I don't tell you just how much older than her I am. Needless to say, she was carded when we went out and for good reason!

 

My great friend (and pretend assistant for the weekend) Laurie--owner of Got You Covered! (If you're an author, check out her site, follow her on FB and Twitter! She has some great designs and even more coming.)

 

 

Benefits of having a creative friend that can bake? These awesome cookies to celebrate hitting the NY Times!!! They're too pretty to eat.

 

Another perk of having a creative friend that is an art teacher? She dragged me to the Sculpture garden to see a giant spoon. No really, I enjoyed it! (I did go to college for Art History after all.) And the spoon is ginormous! What was weird was all of the prom bound kids. There were hundreds wandering around downtown and taking their pictures at the garden. It was a great place for photos!

I wish I had taken more pictures. I had so much fun on this short trip. A huge thanks to Rebecca Donovan and Emily Lalone for setting everything up!

I'm going to leave you with one more picture just so you can understand how silly we authors truly are...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minneapolis, here I come!

It's almost here! I leave for Minnesota on Friday and I can't wait to see everyone! For those of you that are coming, here is a little more information about the event. I will only have so many books (the majority of what I am bringing is Suddenly Royal), so if there is something that you just *have* to have signed, you might want to order a copy from Amazon.com. (I will also have some goodies. Bookmarks, etc.)


MINNEAPOLIS AUTHOR EVENT FAN FAQ SHEET   

DATE & TIME: Saturday, May 18th, 2013 12:00 – 4:00pm   
** Please do not line - up before 11:00am** 

VENUE:  Hotel Ivy  Kimball Hall 201 South Eleventh Street Minneapolis, MN 55403 http://bit.ly/1417qa7 


WEBSITE:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/507611035968805 

AUTHORS:  Alphabetical by last name, with all titles available for sale on site.
• Willow Aster True Love Story
• Steph Campbell Delicate, Grounding Quinn, Beautiful Things Never Last, My Heart For Yours  Lengths, Depths 
• Cora Carmack Losing It 
• Nichole Chase Suddenly Royal, Flukes, Mortal Obligation, Mortal Defiance, Immortal Grave
• Jillian Dodd That Boy, That Wedding, Stalk Me, Kiss Me, Date Me
• Rebecca Donovan Reason to Breathe, Barely Breathing
• Tarryn Fisher The Opportunist, Dirty Red
• Abbi Glines The Vincent Boys, The Vincent Brothers, Fallen Too Far, Never Too Far
• Colleen Hoover Slammed, Point of Retreat, Hopeless
• Molly McAdams Taking Chances, From Ashes
• K.A. Robinson Torn, Twisted
• Jessica Sorensen The Secret of Ella and Micha
• Angie Stanton Rock & A Hard Place, Snapshot, Dream Chaser, Love ‘Em or Leave ‘Em,  Snowed Over 

BOOK SALES: 
* Supplies will be limited. Please buy ahead if possible. (Barnes & Noble: http://goo.gl/maps/RdD9T )
• Onsite Bookseller – Barnes & Noble will have a table directly at the entrance of the Signing Room where they will be selling books. The B&N sales table will be your first stop before entering the room and everyone will be given time to buy books before entering.
• Onsite Indie Book Sales – The Authors will also be selling their indie titles inside the Signing Room. If you do not see a book at the B&N sales table out front, it will be available for purchase at the Author’s individual table.
• Forms of Payment– Please plan to bring cash and a credit card with you. B&N will accept both forms of payment. All Authors will accept cash, and a few Authors will also accept credit cards.
• Cost – Most books cost between $10-15 (with deals for purchasing multiple books). Supplies will be limited though, so please buy your books ahead if possible.  
continued… 

HOW IT WORKS:
We can’t express how much we appreciate your help keep ing the line moving through the Room!
• Bringing Books – Fans are encouraged to bring books, as supplies are limited. 
• Waiting In Line – We will have everyone form a line outside the Signing Room. This line will then weave past the B&N sales table at the entrance and then into the Signing Room and past each Author’s table. (*Best to make friends with your neighbors in line, they’ll be with you all day!)
• How Long Do I Get With Each Author? – You will have time to meet every Author! We do ask you be mindful of the line behind you and appreciate your help keeping it moving. 
• What Can I Have Signed? – We do ask that you please limit yourself to one signed item per Author. The Authors will sign anything you’d like them to –scrapbooks, e-readers, t-shirts –and they will absolutely pose for a photo with you too!
• Cash – Bringing cash? Please help the Authors by bringing small bills so they can make change.
• Social Media – We’d love to hear from you before, during, and after the event! Please post comments and photos to our Facebook Fan Page (link above) and tweet/instagram using the hashtag: #MNAuthorEvent.
• Hungry? Thirsty? – Please plan to bring water and/or snacks with you. The Hotel Ivy also has a restaurant. (There are bathrooms readily accessible on the same level as the Signing Room.) 

PARKING:  
Recommendations:
• Hotel Ivy Valet Daily Parking Rate: $13 o Overnight Parking Rate: $28
• 11th Street Underground Parking Ramp Pricing subject to change o http://bit.ly/17b5ddl 
Other Nearby Options: http://goo.gl/maps/HoMI6  

Additional questions? Please ask on the Facebook Fan Page (link above) or email Emily Lalone ( Emily(AT)lalonemarketing.com ).

 

 

 

I can't wait to see you there!

 

 

Big and Awesome News

I know I've said this already, but the last few weeks? They've been made of some crazy, amazing, awesome things! I have two announcements. Are you ready?

I've signed with Rebecca Friedman of the Hill Nadell Agency. She will now represent my work and handle all inquiries about rights. I'm very excited about working with Rebecca. She's read and loved Suddenly Royal and has the same goals for the books as I do. I can't wait to see where we go together!


In other news... last night I received early news that SUDDENLY ROYAL hit the New York Times Bestseller List (#16 on the efiction list and #22 on efiction and print combined list)... AND the USA Today Bestseller List!


So, my life lately?

I may have done a Dory impressions...




And some screaming on the phone...




And this is what it looked like when I told my sister...



Because, you know, this is a dream come true!


To celebrate all of this awesome I want to do a quick giveaway! So, leave a comment, telling me something that has made you happy this week and I will randomly choose a winner for a signed paperback of Suddenly Royal with some swag! Entries close on Sunday, May 12 @ Midnight PST. (International, too!)

 

Massive hugs and kisses to everyone that has supported me and Suddenly Royal!  

 

Princess for a Day WINNER!

The results are in and the winner is:

 

Congratulations!

 

Remember though, that all of the finalists won something! So, please make sure that I have the correct addresses and emails for the winners.

You can email me at nicholechase.contact(at)gmail(dot)com.

 

 

A big thank you to all of the people that nominated someone for Princess for a Day. There are so many people out there that deserve to be pampered.

 

 

 

 

A Royal Thank You!

The last two weeks have been some of the most emotional I've experienced. On Sunday, I made it into the top 100 books on Amazon.  Then... I made it into the top 50, top 30... and I promised that if Suddenly Royal made it into the top 20 I would have a surprise for everyone. Barnes and Noble quickly followed-- eventually hitting as high as #12!

And guess what? This morning I woke up to find out that Suddenly Royal was #20 on Amazons best seller lists! And now at 18! (Excuse me while I scream incoherently for a moment!) So, for all of those that have been asking, I have a definite answer for you. Surprise, or maybe not so much as a surprise, but a confirmation... I plan on writing another book in the Suddenly Royal series.

I'm not ready to release the blurb, but I can tell you that this book is Cathy's book. Sam and Alex will definitely be in it, as will several other... familiar... faces. ;) I have a good bit of this book plotted out and I can't wait for you guys to get inside of Cathy's head! I know many of you will want to know when this book is going to come out and I can't tell you yet because I don't know. (I can tell you that I'm currently working on The Accidental Assassin and that I really think you're going to enjoy this one!)

I know you guys might be tired of hearing me say this, but I am so very thankful to everyone that has helped spread the word about Suddenly Royal and my other books. Massive hugs for everyone! <3 p=""> 

Princess for a Day- Time to Vote!

Picking out the top five for this contest was incredibly difficult. You guys? So many people deserve to be Princess for a Day. Thank you to all of the entries. I think it's amazing that so many people stepped forward on behalf of their friends and family.

Without further ado, here are the top 5 finalists. All of them will receive a small something for hitting this point, so please contact me at nicholechase.contact (at) gmail so that I can get your addresses.

In no particular order, these are the posts for the finalists:

Cheyenne-
I 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.
Thanks so much for the chance.
Tiffany J.

Mandy I Read Indie-
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!
Shelly Crane (Mandy was nominated several times!)

Alexandra L.-
I 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!
-Sarah L.

Michelle-
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)
-Caitlin B.


Madison H.-
I 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!
-Kristi H.

Tough decision, huh? Now! Go vote!

Let's crown a princess!

Voting will be open until Sunday, May 5th at 12pm PST