A New Year, New Challenges For The #FlirtSquad

Are YOU ready to Unmask Your Inner Flirt...Again?? 

Last year, My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century was released into the world and so many of you helped spread the word and excitement. You became THE FLIRT SQUAD, my ultra fantabulous street team, and you absolutely made the year a blast for me. Along the way we also helped spread the word about other fabulous authors, and over two hundred of you earned prizes!

Now it's 2013. I have a new book coming out, and I also have a slew of fun challenges up my sleeve with other authors. If you are new to the squad, it's not too late to join in....and if you are a seasoned member, there's lots more ahead, with a ton of new prizes to earn :)

Read on for all the standard rules, new ways you can begin earning points NOW, along with a hint to what's ahead!

Why Should You Join?

Flirt Squad members win awesome prizes and get special perks, like:

• Exclusive contests and prizes just for Flirt Squad members
• Teaser chapters and special snippets from future books, including A Tale of Two Centuries, Rearview Mirror, 2nd Type of Girl, and some super sekrit books you'll hear about soon!
• Tons-o-swag
• Your name in the Acknowledgements of my next book
• A special note from me with secret tidbits
• A chance to become a character in a future book
• And special mega prizes geared to each book theme

And yes, the Flirt Squad is open International!

What does the Flirt Squad actually DO?

There's several different levels based on point totals, and at each new level you win some of those awesome prizes. The more points you have, the bigger the prizes. As you earn points, you can always email me at FlirtSquad@gmail.com, but the main way that point totals will be kept is on the Flirt Squad Google doc (we're very official here, peeps). Once you sign up by emailing me at FlirtSquad@gmail.com, I'll send you a link to the form so you can begin!

And here's how to earn points:

**First 10 people to find the shout out to My Super Sweet 16th Century in GLITTER Magazine's Winter Issue & tweet or email me a picture, earns 25 points! **

1. Buy a copy of My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century! If YOU order it OR get a friend/family member/acquaintance to do so, email me a copy of the receipt (Flirtsquad@gmail.com) and you get (+20) for each book sold! <--Yes, prior sales count!

2. Write an honest review for Goodreads once you read the book (all reviews count!!) (+15, post link on doc)

3. Write an honest review for Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Book Depository (all reviews count!!) (+25, post link on doc)

4.  Any art work you design about the characters or the Super Sweet series (tweet or email me for +15 points)

5. Sending me a picture of you holding/reading your copy of My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century (+10 points)

6. Tweet any of the following ( +1 per tweet, only one of these tweets counted per day!! Post link in doc):

• Wanna be a character in @RachelHarrisYA 's future book? Join the #FlirtSquad to find out how
• Unleash YOUR Inner Flirt, read My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century by @RachelHarrisYA http://amzn.to/VErERz
• Swooning over Lorenzo in #MySuperSweet16thCentury http://amzn.to/VErERz
• 21st century girl, 16th century boy. Italian accents. Renaissance art. Best. Birthday. Ever. #MySuperSweet16thCentury http://amzn.to/NJIdZS
• OR Tweet any favorite one-liners from the book, or facts about Cat or Lorenzo. Just be sure to include #16C so I know, and post a link in the doc.

7. Retweet any reviews for the book you see in my timeline (@RachelHarrisYA) or any of my peeps' (+1 point per retweet, one per day only, let me know in doc)

8. Commenting on any blog stop I make between now and the release of A Tale of Two Centuries (+5 points).

9. Retweeting the link to any blog stop I make to your followers (+2 points)

10. Put the cover of My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century as your avatar on FB and Twitter (+5 for the first site the avatar is placed and +1 for each additional, post link on doc )

11. Blog About the Flirt Squad (+5, must post link in the doc)

12. Mention the Flirt Squad on Facebook (+5, post link to the doc)

13. Recommending My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century to your friends on Goodreads (+15, take a screen shot and email it to FlirtSquad@gmail.com)

14. Email a friend or YA book loving family member that either has a blog or is active in social media, and ask them to join the Flirt Squad (+ 25 for all future active members when they join, make sure they email me at FlirtSquad@gmail.com and mention that you referred them so you can get the points!)

And now for the real fun.... THE PRIZES:

And if you are a returning member who has already earned these prizes, stay tuned for a brand new set of goodies as we get closer to August and the release of A Tale of Two Centuries! 

• First level (25 points): A Super Sweet bookmark and tattoo
• Second level (75 points): All prizes above PLUS a set of trading cards (your very own pocket-sized Lorenzo and Cat!), and a Super Sweet bracelet
• Third level (150 points): All prizes above PLUS your name in the acknowledgements of book 2 in the Super Sweet series, A TALE OF TWO CENTURIES <--this prize available for another two months!
• Fourth level (250 points): All prizes above PLUS a special note from me inviting you to the sequel to My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century, A TALE OF TWO CENTURIES, including a special sneak peek!
• ALL Participants who Reach Fifth Level (500 points): All prizes above PLUS an entry into a drawing to make a special appearance as a character in a future book.

Twitter Fun:

Those of you who know me, know that I live on Twitter. So to join me in the fun, use the hashtag #FlirtSquad or #MySuperSweet16Century, or find me at @RachelHarrisYA.

Awesome! I Wanna Join... But How??

Simply email me at FlirtSquad@gmail.com. I'll be contacting you shortly with the form to keep point totals and info on future FLIRT SQUAD CHALLENGES, the first of which begins this week!

So what are you waiting for? Get your FLIRT on!!

Get Your Flirt on In October And Win a Skype or Phone Chat!

Ever dreamed of being a character in a book? Actually LIVING inside the pages? Well, you may just get your chance...

My Super Sweet Street Team, The Flirt Squad, has been in full swing for a couple months now, and we've been having a blast. It's a fun and easy way to earn prizes and get to know other YA Authors! (click here for more info on that.) 

And now, just for the month of October, I'm taking it up another notch!

As always, ANYONE who earns 500 points by November 1st will be entered to become a character in my current project, a YA Contemporary Thriller, REARVIEW MIRROR, releasing next December. And I don't just mean your name in the book.... I mean the way you look, the way you act, everything. You can even decide if you are a good guy or a bad guy! =D

Since I'll be drawing the winner's name November 1st, I want to give everyone a chance to be entered who is interested, so I'm changing up the previous rules and adding a few more things this month. 

AND, to sweeten the deal even more, I'm giving away a SIGNED Copy of My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century AND a Skype or telephone chat (that may or may not include other YA authors, too!)

 **Every Flirt Squad member, regardless of when you joined, will be entered into this contest**

Read on for all the new info. Please read carefully as point values are increasing and new items have been added!

How to Earn Points in October

Added: You asked....and I agree! Halloween is coming, so here's a new way to add points--If you dress up like a Super Sweet Character for Halloween, and send me a picture of it, that's good for 30 points! (Come on, you know you want to be Reyna!)

1. Tweet any of the following ( +5 per tweet, only one of these tweets counted per day!! Post link in doc):

• Wanna be a character in @RachelHarrisYA 's future book? Join the #FlirtSquad to find out how #16C
• Unleash YOUR Inner Flirt, read My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century by @RachelHarrisYA #16C
• Swooning over Lorenzo in #16C
• Best Sweet Sixteen ever! #16C @RachelHarrisYA
• 21st century girl, 16th century boy. Italian accents. Renaissance art. Best. Birthday. Ever. #MySuperSweet16thCentury http://amzn.to/NJIdZS
• 21st century girl, 16th century boy. Italian accents. Renaissance art. Best. Birthday. Ever. #MySuperSweet16thCentury http://bit.ly/wzxFfC

2. Retweet any posts about the book or my upcoming book tour from me (@RachelHarrisYA) or any of my peeps' (+5 point per retweet, one per day only, let me know in doc)

3. Like the My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century Series  Facebook Fan Page (+10, let me know on doc. Yes, if you already liked it, this counts!)

4. Post pictures, favorite lines, or thoughts about the book or Super Sweet series, or simply interact with me on the series FB Page OR on Twitter (+2 per post, one per day. If you tweet it, please include the #16C or #MySuperSweet16thCentury hashtags or @RachelHarrisYA)

5. Like my Facebook Author Page (+10, let me know on doc. Yes, if you already liked it, this counts!)

6. Put the cover of My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century as your avatar on FB and Twitter (+10 for the first site the avatar is placed and +5 for each additional, post link on doc)

7. Buy My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century! If YOU order it OR get a friend/family member/acquaintance to do so, email me a copy of the receipt (Flirtsquad@gmail.com) and you get (+30) for each book sold! 

8. Send me a picture of you, your kids, or your pets reading or holding My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century(+25 points)

9.  Blog About the Flirt Squad, what it’s about, and why you think others have to join *grin*  (+10, must post link in the doc)

10. Mention the Flirt Squad on Facebook (+10, post link to the doc)

11. Write an honest review for Goodreads once you read the book (all reviews count!!) (+10, post link on doc)

12. Write an honest review for Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or any retail outlet (all reviews count!!) (+20 first review, +10 each additional retail site you post it. Post link on doc)

13. Recruit subscribers to my Newsletter--see sidebar (+15 for anyone who signs up and mentions your name as referral. Can only earn points for this once)

14. Promote My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century on Facebook by posting Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or any other retail buy page links in a status (+15, Only one link per day by any social media **update** and let me know on the doc)

15. Add my Book Trailer (click the link) to your Blog, Website, or Facebook account (+15, leave the link for proof)

16. Recommending My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century to your friends on Goodreads (+20, take a screen shot and email it to FlirtSquad@gmail.com)

17. Post the above Flirt Squad button, or any of the Super Sweet Character buttons (see sidebar) on your own sidebar (+5 for first button, +2 for each additional)

18. Email a friend or YA book loving family member and ask them to join the Flirt Squad ( + 25 for all future *active* members when they join, make sure they email me at FlirtSquad@gmail.com and mention that you referred them so you can get the points!)

A quick recap of what's up for grabs:

• First level (25 points): A Super Sweet bookmark and tattoo
• Second level (75 points): All prizes above PLUS a set of trading cards (your very own pocket-sized Lorenzo and Cat!), and a Super Sweet bracelet
• Third level (150 points): All prizes above PLUS your name in the acknowledgements of book 2 in the Super Sweet series, A TALE OF TWO CENTURIES
• Fourth level (250 points): All prizes above PLUS a special note from me inviting you to the sequel to My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century, A TALE OF TWO CENTURIES, including a special sneak peek!
• ALL Participants who Reach Fifth Level (500 points): All prizes above PLUS an entry into a drawing to make a special appearance as a character in a future book.
• AND ALL Squad Members, Regardless of points accrued: Entered into a drawing for a signed copy of MY SUPER SWEET SIXTEENTH CENTURY, Plus a Skype or telephone chat (may or may not include other YA authors!)

Twitter Fun

 Those of you who know me, know that I live on Twitter. So to join me in the fun, use the hashtags #FlirtSquad, #MySuperSweet16thCentury, or #16C.

Awesome! I Wanna Join... But How??

Simply leave a comment below with your email address OR email me at FlirtSquad@gmail.com. I'll be contacting you shortly with the form to keep point totals and everything you need to know to get started! 

Get Your Flirt On!

Demons of the Sun Excerpt 2 by @CindiMadsen #DOS

The Flirt Squad's August Author Challenge with Cindi is drawing to a close this week as we celebrate it's release into the wild, but today we still have one more goodie... another exclusive excerpt!!

Here's my Warrior man Jax in all his yumminess....ladies, he's mine (ha!):

Persephone grabbed the notebook out of her locker, frowned at it when it looked unfamiliar, and flipped it open. This must be Jax’s notebook.

He hadn’t written actual notes, but in the middle of a page was a circle scribbled in blue ink. Over the top of the circle were the words, “Bang Head”, below it was the word “here.”

She smiled, then held the notebook out to Jax. “I believe these detailed notes are yours.”

He leaned down and looked at the paper. A sheepish grin hit his lips. “I get kind of bored in class.”

“You don’t say.”

“The next page is even better.”

Persephone turned the page and studied the sword-wielding stick figures. She pointed at one. “This monster thing fell in a mud puddle?”

He squinted at the picture. “That’s a demon, and the little Warrior guy just cut his head off. That’s blood.”

“Looks like you really missed your calling as an artist.”

His mouth dropped open. “Hey. We talked about this, remember?” He pointed at himself. “Fragile ego.”

Persephone laughed. “Right. Can’t believe I forgot.”

He pointed to a sketch at the bottom of the page. “That one’s of you, by the way.”

The stick figure had wavy hair, angry eyebrows, and a frown on her face.

It was her turn to be insulted. She smacked his arm with the notebook. “Now my ego’s feeling fragile.”

He draped his arm over her shoulders. “That was before I knew you.” His smile got even bigger. “Now I’d fill in the pouty lips and add a little more fire to those eyes.”

She shook her head. “I’m going to get you back for that later. Soccer, or training, or whenever you’re least expecting it.”

A mischievous glint hit his eye. “Looking forward to it.”

Like what you read? Be sure to order a copy of Demons of the Sun so you can see what happens next (*grin*). It's in stock at Amazon now!

The Ultimate Cindi Madsen Scavenger Hunt #FlirtSquad #DOS <--Signed Bookmarks Up 4 Grabs!

The Flirt Squad is in full force excitement over the Demons of the Sun official launch on Tuesday, September 4th, and having fun spreading the word.

If you're new to the game, please check out the earlier posts on this page for an exclusive excerpt (another coming next week!), an Order of Zeus quiz, a hilarious interview, and more.

The top prizes for a copy of Demons of the Sun and an Amazon Gift Card have been won BUT there are still signed bookmarks up for grabs!!

And this Scavenger Hunt is worth 20 points!

If you're not already in on the challenge, simply email me at FlirtSquad@gmail.com for all the details and the special link to the doc where we are tracking all our points.

Here's How To Play In The Hunt

Below, you will find a series of questions Cindi selected just for the Flirt Squad, to help you get to know her a little better. Simply hop around her website, CINDIMADSEN.COM, to find all the goodies and email them to me at FlirtSquad@gmail.com.

Once you do, simply log into the doc and record your twenty (20+) points!

Easy-peasy? Thought so, too =) Here we go....

The Ultimate Cindi Madsen Knowledge Hunt

• Why does Cindi say she writes romance?

• What does Cindi say she has too many of?

• Where does Cindi live?

• Name a song in her Demons of the Sun playlist.

• What’s the name of the contemporary book Cindi has releasing in December?

• Go to Cindi’s blog, under the May blog posts. Besides the fabulous cover reveal for My Super Sweet 16th Century, there was apost titled Inspiration. Name one of the actors mentioned in the post. (You canstare for a few minutes. They are super-hot :)

Don't forget to email me your answers at FlirtSquad@gmail.com! And help spread the word on Twitter when you're done.

Have a fantabulous weekend, y'all! Good Luck =)

Demons of the Sun: Exclusive Interview & #FlirtSquad Challenge 1

Happy Wednesday!!

Today on the Flirt Squad (doesn't that totally sound all official-like?), we are featuring our exclusive (another word I love) interview with author Cindi Madsen, where we discuss all things Demons of the Sun, and we also have our first Flirt Squad Challenge!

The Challenge will be posted at the bottom and is worth 25 points for anyone who posts their own answer on their blog or share it publicly in some way, and letting me know. You can leave a link in the comments here or tweet it out and include me (@RachelHarrisYA).

Email me at FlirtSquad@gmail.com if you don't have a blog or Facebook, and need help figuring out how to do this!

Sound good? Awesome! So, let's get started.

First up:

The Inner Workings of Cindi Madsen's Mind

(1) What came first, the plot or the title? And how did you come up with the title?

The plot came to me first. I always like a strong heroine & I want her to have a guy that challenges her, which usually means drives her crazy—at first anyway. I rarely know the entire plot before I write the story. I get an idea and I just go with it. I knew that this guy would break in, thinking he was on a demon's trail, but find Persephone instead. Before I even started writing this book, though (usually my characters live in my head a few months before I get them on paper, due to the fact they come to me while I'm working on another book) I saw the end scene. It's the only time I've ever written a book knowing exactly how it'd end. Getting there was quite a fun, challenging ride, though, and unexpected things definitely happened along the way.

My husband gets credit for the title. I told him about the daywalking demons, and he called them demons of the sun and said that was the coolest title and I should use it. So I did :)

(2) Have you always been interested in Greek Mythology?

Yes! In school I loved studying those stories. They explained the reasoning behind everything, from the sun rising and setting, to why plants grew when they did. I remember at one point in probably junior high, thinking I was going to major in Greek Mythology. In college, I ended up going into business (not really sure how that happened), but in the end, I still had this desire for stories, from Greek Mythology, to contemporary, to pretty much anything involving romance.

(3) If you were in the Order of Zeus, what would you be?

I'm pretty evenly split between Sentryand Gatekeeper, but Sentry won out by one point. Like Persephone (who's the last Sentry) I have a hard time completely letting people in. I'm determined to be in control of my emotions and surroundings and pretty much everything at all times. I’ve tried to be a little more open about letting people in, and thankfully the ones I have are my best support system.

(4) High School Cindi: Friends like Danielle and Dean? Soccer like Persephone? Favorite teacher?

I had a lot of friends move, which was difficult. Every time I got close to someone, then they'd leave. But I always had guy friends, who were kind of like brothers. Then my junior year, I had a class with a girl who was in the grade younger than mine. I'd always known who Amanda was, but once we started hanging out, I started having more fun than I've ever had. She was funny and supportive like Danielle, and to this day, we're still really close. I know I can call her when I need a friend, and she'sbeen one of my biggest cheerleaders for my writing.

As for soccer, um, I wish. While I think soccer's fun, I pretty much suck at sports, and in high school, I was so paranoid about making a fool of myself, I pretty much made a fool of myself. I was on the high school dance team (and so was Amanda) and that was much more my style.

I think I'm obligated to say my grandma was my favorite teacher. It wasn't always easy having her as a teacher, but she taught english & literature at my high school, which I always liked, and she's an amazing, super smart woman. I actually liked most of my teachers (probably because I was kind of a nerd)

(5) Why New Orleans, and have you been there before?

It's my dream to go to New Orleans, especially after researching it and feeling like I was living there while writing Demons of the Sun. As for why, that was also my husband's idea. I told him I needed a cool place and that I'd have demons and mysticism, and he suggested New Orleans. That led me to add Mara, the Voodoo priestess, and helped so many elements come together. Sometimes such a minor detail can end upbeing a major part of the story, and I felt like that happened with using NewOrleans as the setting.

(6) Did you have actors in mind while drafting your story? Any one you think captures the essence of Jax, Adrastos, Persephone, Danielle, Mara, and Dean?

When I came up with Adrastos, I pictured Taylor Kitch. I'd been watching Friday Night Lights and wanted to have a character based on him. So when I needed a dark, hot dream boyfriend, I crafted him with Taylor Kitch in mind. Jax was so strong in my mind that I have trouble fitting him into a certain actor. Finally I decided he's like if Chase Crawford and Chord Overstreet had a love child. Persephone was based off this picture I saw right before I started writing. http://www.freewebs.com/sgarchives3/persephone.htm Isn’t it a beautiful picture?

I have a friend who Mara’s looks are loosely based on, but like Jax, Dean and Danielle are just really strong in my mind. Haven’t found an actor for them yet.

(7) Any thoughts to a sequel (please say yes)?

I have thought of what the characters would do after, the conflicts that could come up, or of even doing spin offs on the Order of Zeus & different mythology tales. But nothing’s written yet. I have to see how this books goes and write the other books that I’m contracted for. I hope to revisit this world someday, though, because it was an awesome world to live in. (And thanks for wanting one. That makes me a happy author!)

Thanks, Cindi!! Awesome answers... and we're not done yet!

FLIRT SQUAD CHALLENGE #1

I presented our guest author, Cindi Madsen, with the first official Flirt Squad Challenge Question, and I freaking LOVE her answer!

To play along, and earn 25 POINTS toward the DOS Challenge, simply answer the question below on your own blog, Facebook page, or some other public medium, along with a link back to the Official Flirt Squad Welcome post, inviting them to join in the fun....and you know you're having a blast with me on those docs (he he!)

Leave your links in the comments here or tweet it out and include me (@RachelHarrisYA).

Our Flirt Squad Challenge Question for the month of August is:

What is the silliest thing you ever did to get someone's attention?

My reply will be posted on my main blog page "The Craziest Thing I Ever Did To Get Someone's Attention," and here's Cindi Madsen's response:

I don’t really have one certain instance, but with a small town, you pretty much know what everyone drives. So if I spotted the car of the boy I liked stopped at Winco (It was the local convenience store) I’d stop in. I mean, I could always use another Mountain Dew or Snickers or whatever, so it was the perfect excuse.

Only then I’d see the guy and I would just kinda avoid them because all my courage was gone and I didn’t know what to say. I became VERY interested in the candy shelf, scared to look up.

I always hoped they’d come up to me and smile and I don’t know, ask me out or SOMETHING. But I was usually lucky to get a “hi,” head nod, or wave.

I always wondered if I would’ve said something besides “hi” back, if we could’ve gotten something going. But instead I just stood there, gripping my soda and candy like my life depended on it, wondering how the heck anyone ever got a boyfriend.

They probably just thought I was really into my junk food. Lol!

He he, I LOVE it!! Didn't I tell you people that Cindi was awesome? I can so relate to teenage Cindi... sigh.

What about YOU?? What is the Silliest/Craziest/Most Embarrassing thing YOU ever did to get someone's attention??