As promised it is my pleasure to bring to you the very fun photo entries for the Bleeding Dusk photo contest. For those of you playing at home, the contest was to promote first week book sales for the third book in Colleen Gleason’s Gardella Vampire Chronicles Series, The Bleeding Dusk. Participants were asked to purchase the book during the week of February 5th-11th, photograph themselves and their book, or just the book, as ‘proof of purchase’, and send it in to me by midnight February 12th.
The winner was to be chosen at random as creativity was not a prerequisite. However Colleen Gleason suggested that we also award a creativity prize.
And so in no particular order whatsoever, here are your entries, followed by the announcement of the winners and a special prize for everyone reading this post!
Janet of Fond of Snape sent in this picture, claiming it was herself “I had to disguise myself a bit…it was so good it turned my bones inside out! And it’s been cold here, so I had to don my cloak.” I know for a fact it is just a very naughty Poppet!
Sarah lets everyone know not to get in between her and her reading of The Bleeding Dusk. Stake, anyone?
Andrea’s entry makes me wonder just what part of the book she was reading at the time this photo was taken. Could it have been a racy bit? Love the expression. I got a good chuckle out of this one.
Brianne’s entry shows just what a little creativity can do! “I may not have a black corset top but I did have a homecoming dress!” You can see the pre-photoshop image by clicking on the image itself.
Kristin wrote “Well, here’s my entry – what a fun family night we had!” Indeed! I have to echo the “I heart Victoria” sentiments and have to ask, was this a read out loud family night or did you have to drag the kids in to the picture? 😉
Melanie goes the extra mile, purchasing two of Colleen’s books. Way to go Mel!
Tina’s entry makes me smile every time I see it. I did a bit of cropping just so you could see the two of them better. If you click on the image itself you can see her entry in its entirety. Love the outfits, the pose, the expressions…everything! I can only imagine that the two of you must be a lot of fun!
Jeff…of The Picture fame…and family sent in several really fun entries. I had a chore choosing which to enter into the contest. I could have went with Sleeping Jeff, or Surprised Jeff, or Revolted Jeff. Instead I chose to go with Holy-*Beep*-My-Wife’s-Gone-Crazy-On-Me Jeff:
A wise choice I do believe.
The last entry I received for the contest was from Lacey, who really did a good job of creating a Life imitates Art moment. Everything is perfect. Is that your actual hair? It looks so much like the cover image. Nicely done!
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And now, the hard part. At least it always is for me because I like so many different aspects of all the entries. I want to preface this by saying that it just so happens that the random drawing winner and the creative winner have both been to signings and have tons of Colleen Gleason swag. So…we edited the prize to be an autographed early copy of When Twilight Burns, which the rest of us slobs…er, fans…will have to wait until August to receive. In addition I am awarding these two winners an automatic entry into the next photo contest (eventhough they won’t be buying the book first week because they already own it, their creativity makes me want them in on the next photo contest).
And now, to break the tension! The Random drawing winner is:
Way to go Tina! Your winning of the random prize actually made it ever so slightly easier to pick a creative winner by narrowing the field because this entry is fantastic!
The Creative winner is:
Congratulations Brianne! This was such a clever, creative idea. The pose with you reading the book actually superimposed onto the book cover is great! Well done!
Brianne and Tina, please send your particulars to books @ colleengleason (dot) com and she will keep them on file until your prize is ready for delivery.
But wait, there’s more!
I couldn’t stop there because this entry was very creative as well. According to the semantics of my original contest rules, the book had to be present in the picture somewhere. However since she single handedly did much to erase THIS NOT-SEXY IMAGE from my mind, I have to award her a prize as well:
Congratulations Lacey! You win a gift card to the bookstore of your choice. Please email me your address to cvincent68 @ comcast (dot) net.
And while I wondered if we would get more images like this one and Brianne’s, I am just thankful that Jeff and I both managed to show some restraint…because I for one was sorely tempted!!! (and can I admit just how much of a typical guy I am here by saying that it wasn’t until I actually went and bought the book, despite seeing the cover many, many times, that I noticed there were columns in the background?)
And finally I am awarding a bonus prize to each of Jeff’s children. The first is for his son Zach whose desire to dress up and be included in the pictures led to an image that makes me laugh every time I think of it. Perhaps it is just the geek in me, but I love this:
and another prize goes to his daughter Ashley who took all (except this) picture and did a fantastic job with them.
Each of you will get to pick a package of PocketModel trading cards from the comic shop the next time you are in there and it is on me!
I must say that the quality of these entries has made me determined that the next contest will certainly include another creative category!!! For those of you who want to plan ahead, here is the cover image of When Twilight Burns:
What say, Jeff? Should we go out and get tattoos?
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Congratulations to you all for your fantastic entries and for putting a smile on Colleen’s face by purchasing her book during the all important first week of release. Well done you! And for all of you, as well as all of you reading this post. I have another gift:
No, you ninnies, not a disembodied Colleen Gleason head (although we could possibly have some fun with that). I give you Colleen Gleason herself!!!
RomanceNovel TV has posted their video interview with Colleen from last summer.
In her own words:
“I talk about my world-building, my collaging, and flail my arms around a lot. People ask me if I’m Italian. I have to admit that, no, I’m not. I just move my hands a lot.”
My description:
“If you ever wondered if vampire romance authors look and sound cute…and flail their arms around a lot…go check it out!” 🙂
Thank you so much Colleen for letting us have fun with your books and for being such a fan friendly author. You’re the best!
Wonderful entries!!
Fabulous post, Carl. And congrats to all the winners. Zach, yep — definitely my favourite pic. I’m still giggling over that one. 🙂
These rocked! I loved them all and Brianne’s entry was awesome! Congrats to everyone. And I second Carl’s thanks to Lacey for erasing Jeff’s entry last year 😉
Jeff, your pictures crack me up! Looks like your family had a blast with those and your whole family looks awesome. Love the passion for Star Wars going on there.
Man…we don’t get a disembodied Colleen head?! psht….I loved the video of Colleen. She’s just as bright as she comes across online!
Can’t you tell by the twinkle in my son’s eye how thrilled he was to be in the picture?!? Actually he didn’t mind too much and threw out a few sassy comments that made me laugh(which was good because I hate getting my picture taken.) He’s also been so lucky to have me tell him what a vis bulla is and any time he pops in on me while I’m reading tell him all about what’s going on at that moment in the book. My daughter was happy to help – she made the hearts…but I’d like her to be a little bit older before I let her read the books. 🙂 Hubby took the pictures and my other son put it in the e mail for me(he was really supportive – which was a nice surprise!) Yeah… we all had fun. Enjoyed all the photos! Are you going to do the tattoos?!?
Kristin….ummm…….doubtful. Too much of a wimp probably. Plus I would sit there thinking about how many books that tattoo money would buy! 🙂 I figured your son was less than thrilled which actually made the picture very, very fun. So glad you entered and hope you do again for the next contest.
Chris: Maybe Colleen can work that out for her next product line!
Wimpy? If I did it I think anyone can! Maybe just start with a really nasty eyebrow wax or threading and I think you’ll be sort of prepared. A good distracting book could also pull you through!!! As for the $$$ I’m totally with you there! 🙂
These pictures are great! I loved the cross-genre appearance of Darth Vader, maybe he could get worked into the plotline for the next book??
Wow great entries. I love the creativity. You all are winners in my book (of course I have never written a book myself).
Great job taking pictures, Ashley, and what a great Darth Vader Zach makes.
Awesome entries!!! Well done to all.
Jeff steals the show again, really! The picture with Zach as Darth Vader is just fantastic. Lots of giggles here. Cute kidlets, Jeff!
When Twilight Burns: a sexy dude for a change. Hurray!
Oops! Rises in the Night has a sexy dude too. Can’t wait to see the entries for the next contest 😉
congrats, winners! And oooh my I DO like the cover of the next book!!!
Great enteries everyone!
I thought Brianne’s entry was awesome. Just incredible work! You deserve the prize!
I’m also wondering how Janet was able to hover in her poppet form just right. Very cool.
Andrea’s expression cracked me up. Love it.
Kristin and her family were wonderful. Nice to see another family having fun with Colleen’s book. My kid’s loved your kid’s being in the picture. I will echo Carl’s ” I love Victoria ” as well.
Tina’s entry was great as well and congrats on winning one of the prizes.
Lacey’s entry. Um. Is it getting hot in here? 🙂 I will end my comments there lest I get trouble with my lovely wife. In all honesty Lacey. Your entry was very classy and I think the dress is breath takeing.
CndReader – Thanks. I let Zach know and he was grinning from ear to ear.
Chris – Believe me I was silently thanking Lacey as well. The whole family had such fun with it this year. I was surprised as well. Last year they looked at me with that odd sort of look which now that I think of it they look at me that way often. Hmmm. Anyways, Keri and the kids this year were excited to get involved this time around. Zach really cracked me up. As Keri and I were poseing for Ashley he was just watching. Then all of the sudden he rushed upstairs and came back down dressed as Darth Vader. It was so cute. He just wanted to join in so much. It was such a great parent moment. Those with kiddos I know you can relate. As for the Star Wars passion. Yes my kids love Star Wars which is inronic because I’m a much bigger Star Trek fan but Trek is too boreing they tell me. Sigh.
Kristin – It sounds like you have a wonderful family as well. My kid’s thought it was awesome there were other kids in the contest.
Kim L. – I think you’re right. Can you imagine the sales on a Gardella / Star Wars crossover book. 🙂
Mary – I’ll pass on your comments to the kiddos. They will be all smiles I’m sure.
Quixotic – You are too kind. Thank goodness my kiddos got there looks from my wife.
Colleen – Thank you for creating such a fun series we are all are able to enjoy. I love it when books bring people together. Reading is so unique in that it starts off as such a solitary experience but good books drive us to share them with others so they can also experience the excitement.
Carl, my friend, what can I say. I knew I was a winner the minute I sent you those photos because I knew they would crack you up and isn’t that the real foundation of friendship. A good chuckle! 🙂
hooray for jeff! that is so funny!! 😀 oh, i was grinning from ear to ear…
i must say, the darth vader one is just the best. that is just so out-there! 🙂
and well done to all the other participants – each and every photo is so well taken and designed! really impressive!!
Late to the party, but loving it. This was so much fun, and congrats to all the winners!
Jeff, my son is a Star Wars fanatic too–probably about your daughter’s age–and he wholly enjoyed the picture of Darth Vader in on the act.
Kristin, my kids are engrossed in the books because they’re always trying to help me plot. Or, rather, figure out how to get Victoria out of a tight situation.
I’m really hoping for the fourth book that we’ll get some more bare-chested guys mimicking the front cover. Ahem.
And Jeff, tell Keri I can’t wait to see her again–but don’t know if we’ll be at any of the same conferences this year.
“I’m really hoping for the fourth book that we’ll get some more bare-chested guys mimicking the front cover. Ahem.”
All I can say is that truly you should be careful what you wish for! 😉
LOL. Hmmm….but one can dream, right?
I’m not thinking about the dreams…I’m thinking of the potential nightmares of that call for entries… 🙂
OMG, those are all so good. The one with the Mini-Darth-Vader is a scream. I think Lacey should try out as a cover model for romance books. She’s a special effect all by herself.
cool contest! I love the life-imitates-art entries and Ashley’s photography. Nice work!
And hey Carl – i did just acquire the first in the series and am starting my way through it. I wouldn’t have known about this series except for your blog, so thanks!
Fantastic as always!! Congrats to all the winners!!
I just got my copy this week. Sorry, Colleen, but my work schedule killed my chances of getting out to the bookstore the first week.
lol, I love these! Congratulations to the winners, and to everyone else too! They’re all so creative!
I’ve been AFK for a few days being sick …wow! I think I could have used Jeff’s son! I would have felt better immediately! lol..
great pictures! hahaha
Wow…definitely a bunch of creative people out there! They were all fabulous…truly!
Esri: I agree.
Eva: My purpose is certainly to expose others to Colleen’s work because it is so enjoyable. Glad I am being successful in that.
Stephanie: I’m sure just the fact that you bought it is good enough. Look forward to reading your thoughts on it.
Nymeth: Aren’t they great? I can’t wait for the next photo contest.
Deslily: I hope you are feeling better now and am glad Darth brought you some humor!
Debi: Yes they are.
Everyone’s entries were great, and it was interesting to see what others did. Keep up the good work everyone.