No Winner in the Book Giveaway

Hi, Everybody!

The book giveaway has ended with no entries and thus no winners. The contest post had lots of traffic, though, so I am dying to know if readers tried to enter but had technical problems. If that was the case, please leave a comment on this post or email me, Amy, at this address: amy [at sign] amyballard.com.

You can of course purchase Shhhh. . .Murder on Amazon and elsewhere on the Web, but it's disheartening to think someone may have missed out on a win because of issues with the Rafflecopter widget.

If you live in southern Idaho, there's another opportunity coming up, and this one doesn't involve technology! You're invited to the Camas County Public Library on November 15 at 6 p.m. for a reading of two cozy mystery stories from Shhhh. . .Murder! and a chance to win the paperback edition as a door prize. See you there!

Just a few more hours to enter the book giveaway

Our giveaway for a paperback copy of Shhhh. . .Murder! is ending in a few hours!
If you are having technical difficulty entering the Rafflecopter below, please email me, Amy Ballard, at this address: amy [at sign] amyballard.com. That way I can address the issue with Rafflecopter.
Thanks!
Amy

Book Giveaway for Shhhh. . .Murder!

It's here, the giveaway for Shhhh. . .Murder! 

Use the Rafflecopter box below and comment below for a chance to win a free copy of this fun fiction anthology from Darkhouse Books. The contest begins Thursday, October 25 at 12 a.m. EST and ends Saturday, October 27 at 12 a.m. EST, so spread the word and tell your friends while there's still time to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway



The prize: one copy of the paperback edition of Shhhh. . .Murder!, signed by Amy Ballard, the author of "Bookish Dreams," one of the stories in the collection.

Shhhh. . .Murder!

I was so excited when I saw the call for submissions for this anthology. What a fun theme! Immediately, I knew I wanted to write a library-themed who-dunnit. After all, I have so many good memories of libraries.

One of my favorite library memories from childhood is of the big, old-fashioned, clawfooted tub full of pillows that the public library in Waterville, Maine, kept in the children's room. What better reading nook could there be? And why don't I have one of those in my house? #LifeGoals. I wonder if the tub is still there. . . ?

Here in my southern Idaho town, our local library served as part of the inspiration for my story, "Bookish Dreams." While the characters in the story are purely fictitious, the setting of the old library building and other spots around town may be recognizable to local readers. 

(And speaking of my public library, I'm looking forward to doing a reading there in mid-November! More on that in a future post.)

As for the would-be detective pooch, Billy, he's inspired by a bulldog rescue that one of my husband's coworkers took to work with him. To my knowledge, the real-life doggy, Max, never solved any mysteries either, though he did get in trouble with the cops once or twice.

Amy Ballard

I hope you have a chance to read the story, along with the 23 other stories in the cozy/noir mystery anthology. If this contest doesn't bring you luck, you can go to Amazon.com to purchase the Kindle edition for $2.99 or the paperback for $12.95. Like what you read? Leave an Amazon review. Your reader reviews will help the book find more readers.

If you're a Goodreads user, you can add the book to your lists and follow me, Amy Ballard, there, too.

It's your turn! In the comments, tell us your favorite library memory.

Note: Any entries or comments deemed spam will be deleted by the author of this post and will not be eligable to win.

Library-Themed Book Giveaway Coming This Week: Shhhh. . .Murder!

Shhhh. . .Murder!

The fall book giveaway is just five days away! Stop by Christian Teacher, Public School from Thursday, October 25 at 12 a.m. EST to Saturday, October 27 at 12 a.m. EST to enter for a chance to win a paperback copy of Shhhh. . .Murder! The anthology features librarians in sticky situations, trying to solve "Cozy crimes in libraries." Some stories veer more toward noir, while others are solidly cozy reads. It's the perfect fall book pick, with twenty-four mysteries by various authors, including me, Amy Ballard.

In my story, "Bookish Dreams," assistant librarian Emma and her English bulldog Billy help solve a murder in the old library building across town. There's a smattering of romance, a pile of old National Geographics, and plenty of small-town charm for cozy mystery readers who like a happy ending.

Also don't miss Michael Bracken's "Mr. Sugarman Visits the Bookmobile," a cozy mystery with characters that feel so real they could be your neighbors. After I read this one, I just had to send the author fan mail via his Web site. Michael was kind enough to reply! I know you'll love the story as much as I did.

Can't wait to read the collection? Get the Kindle edition for $2.99 or the paperback for $12.95. Like what you read? Leave an Amazon review. Reader reviews will help the book find more readers.

If you're a Goodreads user, you can add the book to your lists and follow Amy Ballard there, too.

Use the sharing buttons below to spread the word about the contest to book lovers and library lovers in your life!

More:

Landlocked: Poems by Amy Ballard
The Swans of Starlight Lake, a traditional fairytale by Amy Ballard and Reagan Ballard, .99 for Kindle
"The Ghosts of the Composers," a short story by Amy Ballard on Penultimate Peanut