Freedom Isn’t Free
For the past four years, from Memorial Day through Labor
Day, I’ve held a special contest just for military families. When I worked in field recruiting for a local
college here in New York, I encountered several of our veterans and their
families. I was struck by the unwavering
devotion of the soldiers’ families and it dawned on me that our military is
made up of more than just individual soldiers. Our military is made up of
American families and I wanted to do something to honor them.
I decided to hold a contest for the families of our military
members—active duty or retired. I wanted to give these wives, husbands,
children and parents a voice and a forum for them to express their love,
appreciation and sometimes frustrations that come with being a military family.
The stories they sent were compelling, heartbreaking, and
undeniably moving. While they all come from various backgrounds, races or
religions, one thing remains constant—these families make sacrifices every
single day so that our country remains free.
Their husbands/wives/mothers/fathers/daughters/sons are away
from home and risking their lives so that we can barbeque on the Fourth of July
or carve that turkey on Thanksgiving. However, more often than not, the
families of our soldiers celebrate without their loved ones and many of them
have endured more holidays apart than together.
Since I started this contest, I’ve had the privilege to develop
Facebook friendships with some of the gals that I’ve featured on the blog. It’s
been wonderful to see their families reunited with their soldiers and it’s
always a relief to see them return safely home.
Their stories are a vivid reminder that freedom isn’t free and there is
always a price to be paid.
You can see the 2012 winners on my blog here.
I’ll be opening the 2013 contest up for entries on 1/2/13.
Beginning Memorial Day weekend, I pick a semi-finalist every week and that
family is featured on my blog. Then I announce the three winners on Labor Day
weekend. If you, or anyone you know, is part of a military family and would
like to submit their story, they can send it to info@novelromance.net and put 5th
Annual U.S. Military Family Contest in the subject line.
Thank you to all of our military and their families!
UNTAMED BY SARA HUMPHREYS – IN STORES NOVEMBER 2012
An ancient race of shapeshifters has lived secretly among humans for thousands of years...they are...the Amoveo
HER WORST NIGHTMARE IS COMING TRUE...LaylaNickelsen has spent years hiding from her Amoveo mate and guarding a devastating secret. But Layla's worst fear is realized when the man who haunts her dreams shows up in person ...
HE HAS FINALLY FOUND HER...William Fleury is as stoic as they come, until he finds Layla and his feelings overwhelm him. She won't let him get close, but then an unknown enemy erupts in violence and threatens everything Layla holds dear...
Praise for the Amoveo Legend series:
“Compelling... Deft world-building and sensuous love scenes make this paranormal romantic thriller an enjoyable journey.” —Publishers Weekly
“The characters haunted my dreams...I thought about this book constantly.” —Long and Short Reviews
“I loved the book. I'm looking forwards to many more in this series.” —Night Owl Reviews, Reviewer Top Pick
“Fast-paced paranormal romance with fantastic world-building.” —The Book Girl
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sara Humphreys has been attracted to the fantasies of science fiction, paranormal, and romance since her adolescence when she had a mad crush on Captain Kirk. An actress and public speaker, Sara lives in Bronxville, NY, with her husband, who is very considerate of her double life, and four amazing boys. For more information about her books and to join her street team, please visit www.sarahumphreys.com or follow her on Twitter, @AuthorSara.
~*GIVEAWAY*~
Sourcebooks is giving away one copy of Sara Humphrey's Untamed to one reader (US & Canada only please). To enter, just leave a question or comment for the author relevant to this post and then fill out the Rafflecopter below. Additional entries are available but not required. Good luck!
I am a huge fan of this series and am looking forward to reading Untamed.
ReplyDeletemiztik_rose@yahoo.com
I am a huge fan and can't wait to read Untamed. Thanks
ReplyDeleteIt's great that Sara does something extra for military families. It seems like they sacrifice a lot and are pretty much ignored by everyone who doesn't have someone serving.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new release. This book sounds fantastic. Can't wait to read it. Thanks for the great post and for all you do for Military families. It's wonderful.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the release.
ReplyDeleteI love your post. What a wonderful thing for you to do for the military families.
I've only read about wolf shifters so far, but this cheetah looks gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteCheers to the active military and the Veterans!
sallans d at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteHi Mary--Thanks so much!
Hi Sheryl--I hope you'll enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteJen M-I'm so happy to give back even if it's just in this small way.
ReplyDeleteJoanne--Thank you very much!
ReplyDeleteVictoria-I'm in awe of what our soldiers and their families sacrifice every single day.
ReplyDeleteDi--I love wolves but big cats are also on my favorites list. That's why I had the Amoveo made up of 10 different animal clans. It was too hard to choose just one!
ReplyDeleteWe have so much to be thankful for from our military personnel and their families who struggle at home while their solders are helping to keep us enjoying our rights. Thank you for your awesome spotlighting of these people who should always be in our hearts and helping to to be reminded that we must never forget to acknowledge them in our thoughts and appreciations.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway. Please enter me. I would love to read the book. Tore923@aol.com
ReplyDeleteHi-Congrats on your new release. The book sounds awesome. I will add to my Christmas list. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeletelorih824@yahoo.com
Awesome on the military family contests. Looking forward to reading the series
ReplyDeleteI think it is great that you honor the men & women who serve in the military and their families for the awesome sacrifices they make for this country. The members of the armed forces risk their lives and sacrifice time with their families (and their families miss time with their loved ones) to protect all of our families. Thank you so much for honoring them and thanks to all current & former members of the armed forces for their serice.
ReplyDeleteyour support of the military is awesome. thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteThat's a wonderful thing to do for military families.
ReplyDeleteI've read the first book in this series and I really like the variety of shifters it introduced. Some of the animals I've never read about as a shifter before. Congratulations on the latest release!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful thing to do, Sarah!
ReplyDeleteLove this series and I love this author. sdylion(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI love that you honor the military men and women of our country! Coming form a huge military family it makes me happy to see that they are being honored :-) Thank you so much for doing what you do!
ReplyDeletefantasy_angel381ATyahooDOTcom
Love the idea of the military family contest!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!