Judge A Book By Its Cover Contest Closes Soon

The Judge A Book By Its Cover Contest 2016, commonly called JABBIC and sponsored by Houston By Area Chapter of Romance Writers of America, is now open for entries.

Note: Contest closes Jan. 15, 2017, so read on and get your entries in today!

This is JABBIC's 12th anniversary! Join the celebration by entering your cover--whether traditionally published or indie self-published--in a contest where it will be seen by booksellers and readers alike!

Judges from Around the World

Your covers will be judged by booksellers around the world. The winning cover in each category will be featured in a full-page color ad on the inside front cover of the April 2017 Romance Writers Report, as well as on the Houston Bay Area RWA web site.

While the booksellers are judging, we will open up the Reader's Choice portion of JABBIC. The Readers Choice Winners from each category will be featured on our web site.

Last year thousands of readers logged on to view and vote for the JABBIC 2015 covers during the Reader's Choice portion of the contest!

If your book is self-published, you will be able to give credit where credit's due to your cover artist or to yourself if you created the cover art.

If traditionally published, recognize your publisher and/or their artists!

Details

Entry Deadline: Entries must be received by January 15, 2017.

Entry Fee: $15

Eligibility: Published in 2016

Enter: The cover of your book, novella, short story or anthology published by a traditional house, self-published, ePublisher, or POD during 2016.

Entry Format: Electronic files (JPG or GIF) only.

Categories:
  • Contemporary Romance
  • Single Title/Mainstream
  • Historical
  • Romantic Suspense
  • Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Paranormal
  • Sexiest Cover
  • Young Adult
  • Inspirational.
Judges: Booksellers in the United States, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

Top Prize: Winners will be featured in a full-page color ad on the inside front cover of the April 2017 Romance Writers Report.

For more information, entry form, and rules, visit the JABBIC website or contact Contest Coordinator Leslie Marshman at: judgeabook @ hbarwa dot com.

Takeaway Truth

This is a really popular contest so take a few moments to enter.

Celebrate Boxing Day

What is Boxing Day?

Boxing Day, celebrated mostly by the United Kingdom and Commonwealth nations, is a holiday on the day following Christmas Day.

I think it's the perfect day for authors and readers to celebrate that cunning little invention known as the box set, or boxed set--a collection of several novels, novellas, or short stories.

Some of these collections have many different authors so a reader can try out new stories and new authorial voices for very little money. Some box sets are a collection of works by a single author.

Boxing Day Perfect for Box Sets

No matter how these box sets are designed, the common denominator is lots of stories for little money.

In this world of ebooks, you don't even need a dedicated device to read a digital book, but if you received one as a Christmas present then take advantage of these bargains.

Remember, you can give an ebook as a gift for any occasion even if you don't know the email address they use with Amazon. Let me tell you how easy it is. So put your feet up, relax, and allow me to explain the process to you.

Click to enlarge Image
How To Give Ebooks As Gift from Amazon

To give a free ebook, copy the link and send it to your friend or just click to get it for yourself.

To purchase any of these 99cent ebooks as gifts, all you need to do is click the embedded link for the book that takes you to the book page. Click to GIVE AS A GIFT and fill in the form as shown to the left.

If you do not know your recipient's address, just follow the directions on the diagram at the left. Basically, you just click to buy (arrows on diagram show where) and a gift email will be sent to you. Then you can forward it to the recipient at any email or give it in person. They can then go to Amazon and claim their gift.

Or click to buy it for yourself--you know you want these books!! Besides, shouldn't you get a reward for all the Christmas shopping you've done on behalf of your family?

Enjoy browsing these books put on sale just for you. Call, text, or email your friends and family so they can take advantage of these bargains too. These books will be on sale for several days, but always check the book's page to make sure the price coincides with the sale price.

So if you're tired from the holiday hoopla, then fill your Kindle or ereader or cell phone app with these box set bargains and take a well-earned day or two off relaxing and reading.

Happy Boxing Day!


#1 Come Love a Cowboy by Caroline Clemmons and 7 Other Authors.
Writing love that lasts.

From firefighters, bronco busters, and wealthy ranchers to bad boys, we have them all for you! If you've ever wanted to fall in love with a sexy, alpha cowboy of today...now's your chance.Eight stand-alone contemporary western romance novellas from bestselling and award-winning authors.

Come Love a Cowboy is 99cents.

Visit Caroline Clemmons at her Amazon Author Page.


#2 The Pleasure Hound Trilogy by Ines Johnson.
Erotica, Paranormal, and Fairytales ~Oh My!

A woman's pleasure is their rite. Three full-length novels and two short stories.

The Pleasure Hound Trilogy is $4.99.

Visit Ines Johnson at her Website.

#3 Fierce Hearts, the Complete Series, by Lynn Crandall.
Ordinary Characters, Extraordinary Romances

Five suspenseful paranormal romances, five stories of supernatural tragedy, triumph, and love in one beautiful bundle.

Fierce Hearts, the Complete Series, is 73 cents.

Visit Lynn Crandall at her Amazon Author Page.


#4 Romancing Christmas, Volume 2 by Leslie Lynch and 6 other award-winning, bestselling romance authors.

From sweet to spicy, friends to lovers, from cowboys to babies and puppies, this holiday anthology from 7 of today’s hottest romance authors has something for everyone.

Romancing Christmas, Volume 2, is 99cents until Jan. 1, 2017.

Visit Leslie Lynch at her Amazon Author Page.

#5 Native American Spirit Trilogy by Paty Jager.
Murder Mystery and western romance starring cowboys and Indians.

Nez Perce spirits fall in love while righting injustices toward their people.

Native American Spirit Trilogy is $9.99

Visit Paty Jager at her Website.

#6 Spicy Christmas Kisses by Bonnie Edwards and 10 Other Romance Authors.
Earthy, Irreverent...Lovestruck

Spicy Christmas Kisses: 11 Romances to Heat Up Your Holidays. From hauntings to bad boys to matchmaking dogs, this box set delivers the joy and warmth of the season.

Spicy Christmas Kisses is 99cents. Visit Bonnie Edwards at her Website.


#7 Holiday Magic by The World Romance Writers (Rose Anderson, Lynn Crain, Gemma Juliana, Cara Marsi, Jenny Twist)
Come enjoy the many flavors and flavours of our English language with romance writers from around the world.

The World Romance Writers presents a collection of heartwarming seasonal tales from far and wide, spanning the globe through history and our love of the season.

Holiday Magic is 99cents until January 31, 2017.

Visit Cara Marsi at her Website.


#8 Decorah Security Collection by Rebecca York
Master of Paranormal Romantic Suspense

A Decorah Security Agency Collection of Paranormal Romantic Suspense containing 1 novel, 1 novella, and 2 short stories. "Rebecca York delivers page-turning suspense." ~ Nora Robert

Decorah Security Collection is $4.99.

Visit Rebecca York at her Website.

#9 The Garden Series by Cynthia Wicklund

Visit “The Garden” again where love and passion await… All 4 volumes of the popular Regency Romance series: In the Garden of Temptation, In the Garden of Seduction, In the Garden of Disgrace, and In the Garden of Deceit.

The Garden Series Collection is $3.99.

Visit Cynthia Wicklund at her Amazon Author Page.


#10 Book Bites 7: a Holiday Sampler from the 20 NY Times, USA Today, & National Bestselling Authors of Love, Christmas Romance Collection. See the listing in this post for Love, Christmas.

Puts a Smile on Your Face and a Song in Your Heart.

Book Bites 7 is free.

Visit the Authors at Authors Billboard.


#11 Holiday Heartwarmers by Mimi Barbour
An author who truly gets her characters.

Three heart-warming books to lighten your holiday spirit!

Holiday Heartwarmers (Box Collection of 3 novellas) is 99cents.

Visit Mimi Barbour at her Amazon Author Page.

#12 Regent Mysteries (Boxed Set) by Cheryl Bolen

There's always a fresh romance in these three award-winning, lighthearted mysteries set in Regency England.

Regent Mysteries is $9.99 (a savings of $3.00).

Visit Cheryl Bolen at Cheryl's Regency Ramblings.


#13 Dark Legends by Shelley Munro and Friends
Adventure into Romance

“I won't be just a hero. I will be a LEGEND.”

Dark Legends is 99cents until January 20, 2017.

Visit Shelley Munro at her Website.



#14 BodyGuard, A Box Set by The Butterscotch Martini Girls
Butterscotch Martini Shots ~ Romance With a Twist.

Four exciting bodyguard stories from four of the Butterscotch Martini Girls: BodyGuard by Jennifer Ashley, Rise of the Damned by Calista Fox, Witch’s Pass by Kayce Lassiter, and Next To Die by Tia Dani.

BodyGuard is $2.99 until January 1, 2017.

Visit The Butterscotch Martini Girls at their Website.


#15 Love In Times of War by Jacquie Biggar and Friends
Romantic Suspense w/Attitude

This anthology invites you to triumph over the worst of conditions and find the courage to bring forth the best in us.

Love In Times of War is 99cents for a limited time.

Visit Jacquie Biggar at her Website.



#16 Baby It's Cold in Space by Margo Bond Collins, et al.
Aim for the Heart

Travel off-planet for the holidays.

Baby, It's Cold in Space is 99cents until December 31, 2016.

Visit Margo Bond Collins at her Website.


#17 Christmas at the Inn on Main Street by Susan R. Hughes and Friends

A collection of 5 all-new Holiday Romances.

Christmas at the Inn on Main Street is 99cents.

Visit Susan R. Hughes at her Amazon Author Page.


#18 Love, Christmas
by 20 NYT, USAToday & Other Bestselling Authors
Holiday stories that will put a song in your heart!

Still the best-selling holiday collection since it's release in October.

Love, Christmas is $2.99cents.

Please visit The Author's Billboard to learn more about these authors.



#19 Dream Sequence by J.J. DiBenedetto

What if you could see everyone else's dreams?

Dream Sequence is 99cents until Wednesday, December 27, 2016.

Visit J.J. DiBenedetto at his Website.



#20 Season of Promises by Vicki Batman and Friends
Vicki Batman, sassy writer of sexy and funny fiction

It’s a season of holiday wishes and promises made. Six fun-filled stories to fill your holidays with promises, love, and kisses by award-winning and bestselling authors.

Season of Promises is 99cents.

Visit Vicki Batman at her Blog.


#21 Winter Lites, A Collection of Seasoned Tales, by L.A. Remenicky and Friends
L.A. Remenicky: Love Stories With A Twist
Inside this boxed set of novellas, eight special journeys await – all clean reads, ranging from love stories to paranormal thrillers.

Winter Lites is 99cents.

Visit L.A. Remenicky at her Website.



#22 Come Love A Cowboy by Keta Diablo and Friends.

We're the cowgirls your mother warned you about. Eight best-selling contemporary cowboy stories for 99 cents!

Come Love A Cowboy is 99cents.

Visit Keta Diablo at her Website.



#23 A Well-Stacked Trio by Elaine Raco Chase.

What's better than one sexy romantic comedy for your Kindle? Why 3 sexy romantic comedies: Lady Be Bad, Designing Woman, and Video Vixen.

A Well-Stacked Trio is $2.99.

Visit Elaine Raco Chase at her Amazon Author Page.



#24 A Very Romantic Christmas by Shirley Hailstock and Friends.
Read Shirley Hailstock...She'll take you on an adventure

A freak accident changed the course of tennis player Allie Underwood’s life...can architect Peter Barrett put it back together?

A Very Romantic Christmas is 99cents until December 31, 2016.

Visit Shirley Hailstock at her Newsletter Sign-up Page.




#25 The Good, The Bad, and The Ghostly by Anita Philmar and Friends

What do you get when you mix cowboys with ghosts? Five best-selling western, historical cowboy stories.

The Good, The Bad, and The Ghostly is 99cents.

Visit Anita Philmar at her Website.


Takeaway Truth

These bargains will be here for a few days. Remember to always check the book's web page to make sure the price is still the sale price. Take advantage of the low prices now so you'll have plenty of reading in the new year.