SULTRY SUMMER NIGHTS: IGNITE YOUR PASSIONS BLOG HOP TOUR (AUGUST 22-29)

Hi!  I'm so glad you are here!  As you can see to the right, my name is Melaina Lausen and I am a 'starving artist'.  Well not literally 'starving', thankfully my husband is financially capable of feeding me.

Being a stay-at-home mom to four very active kids has changed what the season of Summer brings to my life.  Summer used to mean 'carefree', go where you want and do what  you please.  I looked forward to those Summer breaks even though they also brought 110 to 125 degree weather days (back in Arizona).  And YES you can fry an egg on the sidewalk.  Even as a teenager I 'played' outside.  We rode bikes, rollerbladed, went swimming, hung out at the mall and walked EVERYWHERE!  Our skin was naturally tan and our hair had sun-made highlights.  We were healthy and active.

Summer to me now is almost dreaded.  What used to be fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants is now planned out and scheduled to a T.  Kids don't play outside like they used to and the world isn't as safe as it used to be.  I pack our Summer with free movies, trips to the parks, museums, beaches and libraries.  Every day has an agenda because in my house a day without schedule is a recipe for chaos.  I hope when my kids look back on their childhood they have fond memories like I do.

About my writing. I have co-created three books with my cousin Megan Bekkedahl.  Much to my husband's dismay we donate 100% of the authors' proceeds to charity.  ('dismay' is used sarcastically here)  The series is called Beyond Books, because we are 'thinking beyond ourselves'. 

Beyond the Clouds: two minute tales for women on the go~  Is a collection of very short fictional stories.  They are all written by women for women.  There are seven different authors with very different writing styles. There is something for every taste.  They are super short so you can read it anywhere.  The authors' proceeds are donated to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund in memory of Leslie Olson. 

Beyond the Diaper Bag~  Is all about mommy stories.  50 real moms with real stories contributed to this book.  It covers everything from pregnancy to Kindergarten.  If you have kids or will in the future this is a great book!  Most are extremely funny while others are touching.  As a mom it helps to know that there are others out there going through the same 'stuff' you are.  The authors' proceeds are donated to The Mommies Network. 

Beyond the Uniform~ Is a girl's guide through the military life.  It gives tips about insurance, deployments, housing, PCSing, care packages, hospitality, menus and so much more along with personal experience stories sprinkled in.  If you're a military girl (spouse or active) or know someone that is, this book is perfect!  The authors' proceeds are donated to Operation Hug-A-Hero. 


Check out The Beyond Books Blog for more information and to order!

For more about me visit my website at Melaina Lausen 

TOUR RULES:

1) HAVE FUN!!!
2) INVITE ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS!!! SPREAD THE WORD!!!
3) THIS TOUR STARTS: Monday, August 22, at Midnight (Arizona Time)
THIS TOUR ENDS: Monday, August 29, at Midnight (Arizona Time)
Winners will be drawn and posted August 30th! ***
4) MEET AND MINGLE WITH ALL THE AUTHORS AND BOOK PAGES! EXPERIENCE A NEW PARTY DESTINATION AT EVERY STOP! PARTICIPATE IN EVERY BLOG CONTEST AND BE ENTERED FOR CHANCES TO WIN MULTIPLE PRIZES! EVERY BLOG VISITED IS ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO WIN!!
5) PARTICIPATION AT ALL BLOGS IS RECOMMENDED, BUT NOT REQUIRED. REMEMBER, THE MORE BLOGS YOU HOP, THE BETTER YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING PRIZES. EVERY AUTHOR AND BOOK PAGE IS WAITING TO MEET AND INTERACT WITH YOU, SO PLEASE BE SURE TO SHOW EVERYONE SOME LOVE!
6) DID I MENTION TO HAVE FUN? WHOO! HOO!! HERE WE GOOOOOOOOOOOO!
***Authors have full discretion to choose an alternate winner in the event any winner fails to claim their prize(s) within 72 hours of their name being posted or after notification of win, whichever comes first. Anyone who participates in this blog hop tour is subject to these rules***

***CONTEST***
1. Click Follow at the top! (P.S. I follow back!)

2. Leave a comment or a question below and mention which book you'd like to win! (please include your e-mail address so I can notify you if you win)

3. Visit my facebook fan page at Author Melaina Lausen   If you 'like' what you see, become a fan and 'LIKE' me on your personal page.  (P.S. I also 'LIKE' back)

4. You can 'LIKE' one or all three 'Beyond Books' facebook fan pages. Beyond the Clouds   Beyond the Diaper Bag    Beyond the Uniform


***PRIZES***

FIRST PRIZE:  An autographed copy of Beyond the Diaper Bag sent to you along with Beyond Books bookmarks. (Only one winner will be chosen)

SECOND PRIZE: A PDF copy e-book of one of the beyond books, your choice and autographed Beyond Books bookmarks.  (Only one winner will be chosen)

RUNNER UPs: Receive autographed Beyond Books bookmarks.  (Multiple winners)



Prizes!!! (PDF not shown)