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RAGT 14 Goodie Bag Giveaway! by Cheryl Brooks

I didn't make it to RT this year, but I did attend Lori Foster's Reader and Author Get Together in Cincinnati earlier this month. If you've never been, I highly recommend you put it on your calendar for next June. Space is limited, so you have to be ready to sign up as soon as registration opens, but it's worth it for the chance to mingle with authors and readers alike in a relaxed, comfortable, fun atmosphere. This was my fourth year, and I had a fabulous time seeing old friends and meeting new ones. The event raised over $17,000 to benefit One Way Farm this year, which means a lot of dedicated readers were buying an amazing number of raffle tickets.

This was my first time putting together a gift basket, and I had a hard time figuring out a way to cram in all of my books plus a few other goodies. I spent ages in Michael's craft store picking out ribbons and bags and a nifty little butterfly pin that I was afraid might get lost, but I thought the finished result was quite pretty. Thanks to fifteen books and a bottle of wine, it was also very heavy!


I thought I was being so cool by including an ARC of Rebel front and center in the basket. That is, until I went into the onsite Barnes & Noble bookstore to make sure the books I'd ordered were there. This is what I found!


At the time, Rebel's release date was a month away, and my "Holy shit! How did you get those? I don't even have them yet!" comment made the bookseller's day. She had somehow managed to get her hands on thirty copies, even before I received my author's copies, which I still don't have. I was very happy with the number of sales. By the end of the event, there were only six left, and I bought them myself!

I attended several panel discussions, and I participated in a Q & A for Erotic Romance authors, which was pretty funny. It's supposed to be on YouTube at some point, but I couldn't find it. Sorry!

Since I've been working on a romantic suspense novel with an Indian hero, I was excited to see this historical fashion show so I could learn how to put on a sari. The costumes were all beautifully handmade, and some were even stitched by hand.


The signing went better than usual. I signed several copies of Rebel, and I even sold out of the print copies of my indie-pubbed Unlikely Lovers series, which surprised the heck out of me. Granted, I was selling them at cost, and you could get all four for $20, but still, I was pleased. I was also sitting beside a debut author who thought it was so cool to be seated next to Cheryl Brooks. That was definitely a first!


During the signing some of my buddies came over and provided me with a screaming fan girl moment. Wish I'd gotten a picture when they were jumping up and down and cheering, but I was laughing too hard!


Of the 250 or so baskets in the raffle, mine was one of the last to be given away on Saturday night. By that time, my phone was dead, so I couldn't get a picture of the winner. *:( sad
Fortunately, someone else took a picture and I was able to snag it from Facebook. Doesn't she look happy?


For once, I remembered to get my goodie bag signed by the authors. I strolled around the indie signing on Friday, got quite a few signatures, gathered more swag, and bought some books. Then I had one of my friends take the bag around during the traditional pubbed signing on Saturday, and she got everyone to sign it, including Lori Foster herself! You wouldn't believe how long it took me to set all this stuff up and get a decent picture. There are several books in there, along with some pretty nifty gadgets and my last ARC of Rebel.


And now, I'm giving it all away! Post a comment below for your chance to win big! You get bonus points for liking my Facebook Author page and signing up for my mailing list (you can find the signup form by clicking one of the links below). Please include your email address so I can contact the winner.  


Blog: http://cherylbrooksauthor.blogspot.com/
Facebook:
 https://www.facebook.com/cherylbrooksauthor

Due to the size and weight of this package, 
the contest is limited to USA addresses only.

Good Luck!

Comments

  1. Sounds like an AWESOME time! I would love to attend an event like that!
    Thanks for the super amazing giveaway!
    Liked your Facebook page!
    Signed up for your newsletter!
    justforswag(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

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    1. Thanks for entering, Chelsea! It's a great event. Hope you can make it sometime!

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  2. Cheryl, congrats on the new release. It sounds like it would be a blast to attend one of these events. Thanks for the opportunity to enter your awesome giveaway. I 'liked' your Facebook page and signed up for your newsletter.
    mcbookshelf@gmail.com

    Wishing you much success.

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    1. Thanks, Mason! I wish space at the RAGT wasn't so limited, but a smaller group is part of what makes it fun. You don't feel quite as overwhelmed as you do at RT.

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  3. Someday I will attend. For now, I just love reading about everyone else's experience especially. Great giveaway. Good luck to all.... including ME!
    Bettysunflower@hotmail.com

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    1. LOL! Good luck, Betty! Once you go to a RAGT, you'll be hooked!

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  4. I love Cheryl's books and even got my mom hooked on them as well! HAFortman@gmail.com

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  5. The baskets are beautiful. Thanks for sharing the photos and the scoop on the conference.

    patoct at yahoo dot com
    Pat L.

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  6. I signed up for your mailing list and "liked" you on fb. Thanks again for the contest.

    patoct at yahoo dot com
    Pat L.

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  7. I am going next year. I already warned my hubby. I follow all of your media sites.

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    1. Yay! Looking forward to meeting you! Just hope I don't miss the window of opportunity to sign up. It's a close shave sometimes!

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    2. my hubby is already setting money aside, and we rescheduled the family and friends camp out to the following week!

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  8. RAGT was a blast and I had a great time meeting you. I was so bummed I didn't win your basket but overall the raffle ticket charity event was so much fun. I loved looking at all the different baskets put together by authors. Can't wait for next year. Thanks, Jennifer (jennyann1975@sbcglobal.net).

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    1. Hi Jennifer! So happy to meet you and your sister! Hope we can all make it again next year. Such a fun event!

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  9. Looks like fun was had by all. Wish I could have been there. I have already signed up for your letter and liked your Facebook page

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  10. Those conventions surely look like a lot of fun.
    I signed up for your newsletter.

    My fingers are crossed; would love to win that surprise basket.
    gmapeony@yahoo.com

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  11. I could not believe the amazing basket you put together, Cheryl! That was one lucky winner and you were very kind. I do hope to go to RAGT15 next year! It is also so nice of you to give away your goodies! I have my print and e-book copies of Rebel pre-ordered and cannot wait! I am so sad this series has come to an end. Ahem...You could always do blog or newsletter posts to keep us up to date on any stories attached to these books and maybe the kids. LOL! Thank you for the opportunity. I am signed up and a FB fan, friended and fanned on Goodreads and liked your Amazon Author page--which we should all do!! Thanks again!

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    1. Thanks, Susan! Good idea on the updates about the kids. At some point I'd like to do a "Next Generation" addition to the series, but even if I do, it'll be a while.

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  12. Hey congrats! can't wait to read Rebel.. you know how much I love those hunkalicious cat boys!
    Tanya
    zetithiankitten@gmail.com

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    1. LOL! Just got my author's copies today! Won't be long now!

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  13. Sounds like you had a lot of fun and got some awesome goodies!! I missed Lori Fosters this year but have it on my list to go to next year. Glad that they had 30 copies of Rebel but not so happy that they got them before you got your authors copies. . . Hope that you have an awesome week!
    I've liked your Facebook Author Page and joined your mailing list :)
    jessangil at gmail dot com

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    1. Thanks, Jessica! My author copies came today, along with the cool tote bags for my street team, so it's all good!

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  14. Awesome giveaway, and it looks like it was a great conference.

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    1. Thanks, Shana! RAGT is great fun and a small enough group to get to know people.

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  15. I have heard wonderful things about Lori Foster's RAGT. Would love to attend someday, it looks like such fun.

    little lamb lst at yahoo dot com

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    1. You won't be sorry if you do, Lil! Loads of fun!

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  16. Wow, that's a great swag prize. Some day I'll get to that conference. Thanks for the chance to win. I've liked and already get your newsletter.

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  17. I love your books and I am on your mailing list. I am also a fan on Face Book. THanks for the chance.
    vls356@yahoo.com

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    1. You're welcome! Thanks for following and good luck!

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  18. Sounds like a wonderful event and what an amazing giveaway - it would be so exciting to win! I keep hoping to make an event like that some day. I'm all signed up :)

    catslady5@aol.com

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  19. Sounds like you had a fabulous time! Love your Cat Star Chronicles and am looking forward to reading Rebel. I would love to win this! I'm a fan on your Facebook page and am on your mailing list (which is how I found out about this giveaway, thank you)

    Vannahboosmom at Gmail dot Com

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  20. I'd love to attend this event. It looks like you all had a fabulous time. I'd love to win all this loot. Thanks for Sharing. I liked you on Facebook. dmf747@comcast.net.

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  21. Thanks, Donna! I hope you can make it to RAGT sometime. Would love to finally meet you in person!

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  22. Looks like fun!! :) Fingers crossed for this amazing giveaway too!

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  23. PICK ME!!! I've been fan 4ever
    liked FB page ages ago
    BEEN newsletter subscriber
    and we tweet buddies
    anything else???
    and I DID get to meet you RWA Atlanta last year?? year before???
    Pam
    PicardsMom at yah

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    1. Yep! That was last year, Pam! Good luck in the contest!

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  24. Cheryl i need this sooooo bad please I haven't had anything good to read in ages I'm dying here corytj1@mail.com

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  25. I don't live anywhere near to RT convention locations and the same goes with Cincinnati too! I'm glad to see you had a great time though.

    I liked your Facebook page. I hope to see you on there. Lets hope FB will allow me to see your posts.

    secret_gurl69 at hotmail dot com

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    1. Me, too, Alyn! Thanks for the like and good luck!

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  26. I would love to be able to attend a convention - it looks like such fun. I have liked your page and I subscribe by email. Thanks for the great giveaway.

    mlawson17 at Hotmail dot com

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  27. I love your books.I am freinds with you on facebook. I look forward to all your books. raeraecat1@hotmail.com

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  28. I wish I could enter this (not American *sad face*), what an amazing giveaway! I always love seeing the pictures and reading the stories from the different conventions. Maybe one day I'll get to go to one myself! :)

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    1. Sorry, Anita! Ordinarily I don't limit my giveaways to the US, but this thing is huge! If it weren't for those darned customs forms and higher postal rates....:(

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  29. Loved reading your article. I now live in a city where I can actually see author events so u hope you will be here at one where I can meet you. (Dallas). Thanks for all you do.

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    1. You're welcome, HoweHowse! I believe RT and RWA Nationals are going to be in Dallas in the near future. Hope to see you there!

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  30. Oh wow, what fun! I have never been to a conference, but they look like so much fun.
    lattebooks at hotmail dot com

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    1. Several of them move around the country, which means you've got to catch them while they're close. I don't go to RT unless I can drive there in about five hours or so. Otherwise, I wait until it moves closer! The RAGT is about 3 hours from here, so it's perfect for me! Hope you can get to one sometime!

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  31. From what I have seen on blogs, conferences look like a blast. Sorry I never got to one. Maybe some day.

    The giveaway looks great.

    pattyb43coral@gmail.com

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    1. Everyone usually has a good time, but big conferences can be a little overwhelming. Sometimes you just have to go back to your room and chill for a while!

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  32. I'm sooo jealous ;) Awesome giveaway too. Thanks for the chance!
    dgoodridge84@yahoo.com

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  33. Contest closes at 9pm EDT 6/24/14.

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  34. Just found your books and have really enjoyed the ones I have read so far. Looking forward to reading the rest.
    gooniebird@gmail.com

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    1. I tossed a few other Cat Star books in the goodie bag along with that advance copy of Rebel. Good luck in the contest!

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  35. RAGT is always crowded but fun! Thank you for the generous giveaway, I already like your FB page and get your newsletter, thanks!
    emmasmom AT wi DOT rr DOT com

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  36. That is amazing that you got everyone to sign!!!! I love your books, my friend got me hooked on them!!!!! Can't wait for Rebel!!!!!!!
    amber_sue2002@yahoo.com

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    1. I missed a few at the indie signing, but my buddy Kris got everyone at the traditional signing. She's awesome!

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  37. Susan P! You're the winner! Will email you shortly. Congrats!

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  38. Woohoo! Thank you so much!! I can't wait to dig through it. :)

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