10 things that happened while I was a Fool's Gold Cheerleader!

I almost did not do the contest to be a Fool's Gold Cheerleader, but something told me that I had to.  I am so glad I listened to that little voice in my head (Thanks little voice!  lol) because I have had the time of my life.  Someone told me that this is something that is my.  With 3 kids, nothing is ever just my!  She is right!  My food is not my!  So, when I decided to do this, I realized this is something for me!  Like I said, I almost did not do this, but now I am so happy I did.

From the end of May to the end of June, I lost 20 lbs.  Whoo hoo!!  It is because of all the walking I did while I was "cheering"  I am disabled & live with chronic back pain.  Being a Fool's Gold Cheerleader gave me hope to get moving.  One of the Cheerleaders said "Guess all our cheers have gotten you moving more."   Thank you JoAnne!  I think she is right!  The Cheerleaders are Awesome.  Jenel, Susan, & the fellow Cheerleader motivates you. Michele motivated me to write a book about our struggles on raising our daughter with a chronic disease (#4).

I am going to do the 10 things that happened to be while I was a Fool's Gold Cheerleader.  You ready?  

10. Learned how to use Rafflecopter!

9. Having my first Giveaway!

8. Talking about my favorite author was easy!!

7.  I met lots of Susan Mallery fans this summer!!

6. Still want to move to Fool's Gold, but now I wish Susan (& Jenel) could make the town.  Ladies, could you have someone build it?  Yes/No.  Us cheerleaders would be happy to move there!  What do you say Cheerleaders?  I say YES!!  I think Susan would make a great Mayor Marsha, knows all, sees all!  

5.  I have an idea for a Romance book!!

4. Decided to write about our Struggles with our daughter's disease & how it affects our family.

3. Moving more! 
-This is very important with being disabled & living in pain.
-Something that my pain management doctor has been telling me to do for awhile now.  

2.  Made friends!

1.  Lost 20 lbs.

Thanks for joining me!  
Melissa

Day 3 of Cheering for All Summer Long

I went out after we got back from OH today to do some cheering & I of course forgot to take some photos!  I only have 1 photos!  My 3 kiddos were tired & CRANKY!!  This was after a 4 hour & 1/2 ride home.  They were hot.  We also dropped off our stuff to our home then dropped off my friend & her kids (& her stuff) to their home.  Then, we went to KMart to do some cheering & to get Aloe for my sunburn.  You know when you go somewhere like the zoo & you put the sunscreen on the kids, but you forget to do yourself.  That type of day.  Each time I did the kids I forgot to do my face & my back of my neck, but I did get my arms & my legs, but my left arm got sunburn badly on the drive down!  Ouch!

Ok!  Cheering at KMart!

I did All Summer Long, Summer Nights, & a few of the earlier books in the series.  There was 14 books total!  

I need to get this sent out before I fall asleep! I am so tired!  It has been a long weekend!  Tomorrow I am hoping I can get some photos of the kids at the zoo!  They all had a lot of fun!


Keep Reading Fool's Gold Books!!
Melissa

Cheering for Summer Nights Part 3

When I went back to Target & KMart, I forgot I had that I had to go to Sam's Club.  Yesterday I finally made it there. 


We had Ashleigh's Birthday Party finally.  We went to Sam's Club to get her cake. Yum!  (sorry no pics of her cake yet.)  
This photo is bad, a little out of focus for me.  I was in a rush.  My friend & I had 5 kids with us.  My 3 + her 2.  We had to get my daughter's cake.  The kids were hungry!  (Some moody!)  

I did this trip to Barnes & Noble another day! No kids!  YEA!!  I spoke with the manager on duty.  He said he had to speak with the corporate about this, but I could leave the bookmarks there, which I did.  Summer Nights was not on the shelve.  Summer Days was.  

Keep on Reading Fool's Gold Book!!

Melissa

Cheering for Summer Nights Part 2

This week has been fun!!!

I had all 3 kids with me today since Shawn works on Thursdays!! 


First stop was the dentist! Both Ashleigh & Noah had a dentist appointment.  Routine Dental appointment.  Both kids went back on their own.  Ethan played in their little kids area.  Guess what I did?  Yes, I read Summer Nights!  


The one lady brought Noah out first.  No cavities.  After she was done, I asked her if she read  She does!!  I showed her the bookmark.  I had my ipad on my lap & I was reading Summer Nights.  I told her that, too.  She asked if she could get them from Amazon since she has a Kindle.  I told her that I am reading my in the Kindle app so yes.  I told her that I look at both Amazon & Barnes & Noble price wise, but I go with Amazon most of the time.  She said she is going to get the 3 books from Amazon!  Score!!  Ashleigh came out next & no cavities, but she needs to see an Orthodontist. Again I spoke to her about Fool's Gold, the books, etc.  She does not read, but her mom does.  She is going to give her mom the bookmark!  I also try to schedule their 6 month appointments, but their schedule books do not go that far.  I hand out bookmarks to the office girls & tell them all about Fool's Gold & Summer Days.  I tell them I am in the middle of reading Summer Nights & so far I am loving what I am reading.  Just wish I had more time to read it.  

Today we had to go back to KMart, too, because Summer Nights was not there on Tuesday.  The book rep, Linda, was there.  She is also the same one from Walmart.  I saw her on Tuesday when I was at Walmart.  She asked her boss & everything is ok to be put in & on the books at both Walmart & KMart.  

I was at Target today & spoke with 1 of their managers.  I was only allowed to put the bookmarks & recommend sticker into/onto the books. 

I need a chart to keep this all straight.  


I need to get back to Sam's Club because I forgot about them.  They did not have their Summer Nights out on the shelves.  I will try to get there tomorrow, but it is to be a HOT day.  I am thinking tomorrow night.


Keep Reading Fool's Gold Books especially Summer Nights!

Cheering for Summer Nights

Today was the the book release for Summer Nights.  I was so excited to get out there & "Cheer."  Last time for Summer Days I had Ethan with me, but this time I had Noah with me!  Our first stop was an appointment for Noah!

Noah had my cell phone because I wanted my ipad to read (come on, can you guess why I wanted my ipad?  what did I want to read?)

Yes, you guessed right!  Summer Nights! Noah normally has my ipad to play games, but since I was reading Summer Nights, he had my cell phone & he took this photo of me.  

I took this photo of him!  Noah is a ham at times!

At Book a Million, I spoke with the Manager & I could only put the bookmarks, tattoos, & business cards into the books.  Not only did I put the bookmarks, etc into Summer Nights, but I also did Summer Days, Only His, Only Mine, & Only Yours.

Noah wanted to go to McDonald's.  It was a way to keep him happy while we were out "Cheering" & so we went to McDonald's.  I was so disappointed because I love Wild Berry Smoothies & they replaced it with Blueberry Pomegranate. I do not like blueberries.  I do not like bananas in my Smoothies (either does Noah).  Noah & I do not like Pineapple-Mango Smoothies.  We found another location to get our Smoothies if we do not want to make them.

I love going to Walmart because of the book rep, Linda.  She had 32 boxes to go through.  She had so many books on the shelves to put away, but she always has the ones I need put where they go!  Thank you Linda!  We did not get to Walmart until 1:30p.  I have learned not to go close to 10a because she is overwhelmed with all of her boxes & I would have to go back.  I only noticed these Summer Nights.  

I am glad I had Noah with me because he saw all of these books! Good eye, Noah!!

Across the aisle from Summer Nights, I saw Summer Days!!

Target did not have any of Summer Nights so I need to go back there.  There was only 4 Summer Days left from when I did them at the end of May.

At Walgreens, I spoke with a Manager & Noah & I got to work.  I only saw 2 books, but once again, Noah saw the other 2 books to the left!  Good thing I had him with me!

Unfortunately Sam's Club did not have any Summer Nights in.  There was no boxes laying around either.  I do not think they got there shipment in.  The guy I spoke to last time when Summer Days was release was not there.  I went up to the Customer Service desk & spoke with a Manager.  I was only allowed to put the bookmark in.  I am not going to put the reason on my blog.  I will go back to Sam's Club on Thursday to check to see if they received Summer Nights.  I did speak with a nice sales clerk & told her who I was, told her about the series, & about the one being out today, & about Summer Days.  She told me she loves to read.  She wants to get Summer Days & Summer Nights, but is disappointed that Summer Nights was not in today.  She will keep looking until she gets it!  My husband met me at Sam's so we could swap kids!  Noah for Ashleigh.  Noah wanted to go home!  

So, off I went with Ashleigh!  I went to get my allergy shots.  Then, Ashleigh had her 12 year check up.  At the pediatrician's office, I, of course, "cheered"!! The nurse, who took us back to the room, weighed Ashleigh.  I was guessing Ashleigh's weight.  I was off by 10 lbs (I was thinking of Noah's weight).  I said I lost 20 lbs.  The nurse asked me how, & are you stress (she knows about Ashleigh's neurological disease).  

Me- "No, that I am a Fool's Gold Cheerleader."  

Nurse- "What does that mean?"

Me- (Showing her the bookmark)"Susan Mallery does a Contest on her Member's Only website.  She picks ladies to go out to where her books are.  It is a way to advertise & a way for her fans to talk about her fans.  I applied for this contest & I won! Fool's Gold is my favorite series.  Summer Days just came out at the end of May & I read it.  I loved it.  Summer Nights came out today & I am reading it now.  All Summer Long comes out on July 31st.

Nurse- "I want to read them."

Me- "I have bookmarks for the rest of the office girls, too.  Walmart has both Summer Days & Summer Nights."

Nurse- "Thanks.  I will have to get them the next time I am there.  The other ladies here are readers, too!!" (she also is getting the next one, too!!)

I do not remember the others I spoke to in the office as in names, but they are getting the books, too!!  I am getting tired right now.  I have what books they are getting & the numbers written down (it is downstairs in my bag & I am upstairs). 

KMart did not have any Summer Nights so I need to go back to them. I put bookmarks, etc inside Chasing Perfect, Finding Perfect, & Almost Perfect, & Only His.  I am really thinking of having a giveaway to win the first book (Chasing Perfect) of the Fool's Gold Series!  I want to someone the opportunity to start reading this fabulous series & fall in love with it!  Tell me what you think!  I have to go back to KMart as it is! 

With day 1 done, I feel pretty good.  My legs have started to hurt & so is my back.  I have taken my meds!  I am going to do a quick recap just for me.  I need to go back to Target & KMart on Thursday.  I have to get to Barnes & Noble sometime soon.  I am hoping Friday, but I need to check to see what Friday's schedule holds.  I know that our Library movies are due back then, but I am not sure what else.  I know on Thursday the kids (older 2) have their Dentist appointment.  Ashleigh has camp tomorrow.

I hope you all went out & brought a copy of Summer Nights today!  Let me know if you did!  I can get points!  I am enjoying this so much.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

If you are looking for a Reading Challenge, check out the one on We Love Susan Mallery's Group Click HERE.   I am doing it!  It will be a lot of fun.  I will be posting my soon! Come on, join us in it!

Keep on Reading Fool's Gold!  

Susan Mallery Q & A on Summer Days

I wanted to share this with you all.  Jenel, Susan Mallery's, Awesome Assistant told us Cheerleader that we could post it on our blogs.  I am a little late though.  I think.  I hope you take the time to read this.  It is a Question & Answer with Susan Mallery about Summer Days, Us Fool's Gold Cheerleaders, & her next book coming out on June 26 called Summer Nights.

Keep on Reading Fool's Gold Books!
Melissa  

Susan Mallery Q&A on SUMMER DAYS (Fool’s Gold Book 7)

New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery has entertained millions of readers with her witty and emotional stories about women and the relationships that move them. Publisher’s Weekly calls Susan’s prose “luscious and provocative,” and Booklist says, “Novels don’t get much better than Mallery’s expert blend of emotional nuance, humor and superb storytelling.” Visit Susan online at www.susanmallery.com.

Tell us about SUMMER DAYS.

SUMMER DAYS is the perfect beach read. It’s funny, romantic, sexy, and it’s light both in tone and in actual weight – you can toss the paperback into your beach bag and go. (It’s also available wherever ebooks are sold.)

Heidi Simpson had a vagabond childhood with her grandfather. The one thing she wanted most in the world was a home of her own. Now, in her late 20s, she finally has one, but her ranch is put on the line by a scam her grandfather pulled in order to pay for a friend’s surgery. Rafe Stryker is the son of the woman whose money was stolen, and the first of the Stryker brothers to move to Fool’s Gold. He’s on a tear when he arrives, determined to protect his mother’s interests at all costs.

Since possession is nine-tenths of the law, neither is willing to leave the ranch until a judge can decide the matter. Sparks fly right from page one between Heidi and Rafe! The people of Fool’s Gold take sides in a pretty hysterical way.

You can find SUMMER DAYS wherever books are sold – bookstores, online, even the grocery store check-out line. You can read a free excerpt on my website, www.susanmallery.com or in the free app for iPhone and Android (www.mobileroadie.com/apps/susanmallery).

Who are these Fool’s Gold cheerleaders I keep hearing about?

Oh, the cheerleaders are beyond fabulous! This year’s squad is made up of 60 Fool’s Gold super fans who are earning prizes all summer for telling other readers about Fool’s Gold. They’re driving around with Fool’s Gold car magnets, wearing Fool’s Gold T-shirts, handing out bookmarks like candy to everyone they meet.

For those of my followers who have never read a Fool’s Gold book, tell us about the small town known as the Land of Happy Endings.

SUMMER DAYS is the seventh book in my series set in fictional Fool’s Gold, California. Fool’s Gold is a small town in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. It’s a quaint place where people truly support each other – mostly with casseroles. And margaritas. Women rule in Fool’s Gold. For many years, there was a man shortage, which is just now beginning to level out, thanks to the town’s efforts to bring in some pretty spectacular men.

Fool’s Gold is the most popular series I’ve ever written. In fact, last year, one of the Fool’s Gold books hit #3 on the New York Times and #8 on the USA Today bestsellers lists. Those were personal bests for me and very thrilling.

Each book is written as a standalone, which means that you can jump in and start with SUMMER DAYS, and you won’t feel lost or confused. While previous characters make an appearance, you don’t need to know their stories to understand this one.

Why did you decide to write about three cowboy brothers?

With each year’s Fool’s Gold books, I try to create heroes who represent iconic male archetypes. The men of Fool’s Gold have been athletes, businessmen, pilots, surgeons. Each is a leader, powerful in his own way. His strength goes deeper than the physical. He does what’s right even when it’s not easy. When he falls, he falls hard… and he loves forever.

This summer, three cowboy brothers will ride into Fool’s Gold on horseback in SUMMER DAYS, SUMMER NIGHTS, and ALL SUMMER LONG. The Stryker men represent everything I love about a cowboy hero. They are protective, honest, tall and strong. And wow, do they do nice things to a pair of blue jeans!

Since this is Fool’s Gold, these cowboys come with a special twist – humor. Rafe is undone by Heidi the Goat Girl. Shane has to teach the local librarian how to do the ancient Dance of the Happy Virgin – while riding a horse. And Clay, the youngest, made his fortune as a Hollywood butt double.

What’s next for Fool’s Gold?

In SUMMER NIGHTS (July), Shane Stryker will meet Annabelle who, oh my WORD, do I love! Annabelle is my gift to all the librarians who have supported me so wonderfully over the years, putting my books into readers hands with a fervent, “You’re going to love this!” Annabelle is a librarian who defies the stereotypes – she’s fashionable, modern… a dangerous, pint-sized sexpot, as far as Shane is concerned. He’s completely undone by her the first time they meet, so much so that he can’t even remember his own name.

Then comes Charlie, to be paired with Clay in ALL SUMMER LONG (August). Oh, Charlie. She’s so tough and oh, so wounded. She’s got that hard-as-nails firefighter exterior, but when it comes to matters of the heart, she is as vulnerable as they come. Something happened in Charlie’s past that has made her afraid of intimacy with a man. She’s the kind of person who tackles her problems head-on, much to Clay Stryker’s delight

Day 3 of Cheering!!

Ethan & I was out yesterday cheering, we have no photos from our day out!  Barnes & Noble did not have Summer Days in stock.  I was so disappointed.  I went into Barnes & Noble thinking this will be a lot of fun!!  This is good though!  They sold out!  Right?  Our Barnes & Noble is a 30-40 minute trip from us.  Depending on traffic.  I wish it was closer.  I could not get there until Friday.

Ethan & I did have a good day!  

We got Noah his bike!

I forgot to tell you about a chat I had with 2 ladies at Sam's Club.  Ethan had a hot dog.  Well, we waited for the ladies to make it.  I asked them if they read Romance books.  A lot of time I have been getting that they don't have time to.  I think we need to make time to read Romance novels especially Susan Mallery.  I told the ladies about Fool's Gold, about the 7 books that are out now, & the 2 that are coming out this summer.  I handed out bookmarks & tattoos!!  The one lady said she is going to read the Fool's Gold series!  She told me about her favorite author, Robin Carr, & told me about her favorite series from her.  When I don't have any books from Susan to read, I am going to check out Robin & this lady is going to do the same with, but with Susan!! Win-win!!  The other lady is going to give the bookmark & tattoos to her granddaughter who loves to read.  I told them I will be in often to see if more books comes in & I will be putting bookmarks so if they want to chat some more, I will back.  

I just pre-ordered Summer Nights & All Summer Long for my ipad using the Kindle app.  I have Summer Days for the Kindle app already.  I have to have all the books as e-books!  The first 6 will get lonely if the set is not complete!!

I am thinking of  having a contest to win a copy of Summer Days (book copy) soon.  I need to figure out how to do this since this is my first time ever doing this.  

Keep on Reading!

Melissa

Day 2 of Cheering!!

This morning our first stop was KMart.  The same book rep that does Walmart does KMart, too. She told me that KMart had the books, but I told her I was there. Only 1 was left when I got there. A lot was sold!  I could not get there on Tuesday since Ethan & I did 5 stops.  Ethan could not do anymore on Tuesday.  He was too cranky to do anymore on Tuesday. 

Second Trip to Sam's Club & Yea, they came in!!  I can not remember the salesperson's name (I am so bad at that). He was so nice. He remembered me from Tuesday. He said they were dropped shipped Tuesday night. There were 4 on the shelf & he said they sold some because there were more when he put them out.  I love hearing when some were sold!!

Our third stop was a small bookstore downtown, but the sale lady wanted to check with her manager.  She was afraid that the book would not be returnable.   I think I caught her off guard with my request.  I explain why I was there.   I was polite & so was she.  She did ask me why Susan uses Cheerleaders.  I told her it is an easy way to promote her books & for us fans to get out there talking about the author & books we love.  I have never been in this bookstore before.   I hate parallel parking.  I have always brought my books from Walmart or Target.  Now I get my e-books from either Barnes & Noble or Amazon.  Mostly Amazon!  I have an ipad.  I do want to go back to see if they want more bookmarks & to check out the kids' books!

The book rep was wonderful again. I want to put her name on the list, but I first have to go back to write it down. I forgot! She is there Tuesday. I am going to give her a pen, too, which I forgot to do today. I had to go back today after Ethan & I were there. She had 12 boxes to go through to find Summer Days for me, but there they were on the shelve for me! She had tons to display, too!

At the end of our second day cheering! Can you say he was wore out?  

Ethan & I will be heading out tomorrow, too, but we are only going to Barnes & Noble.  We decided to do Sam's Club today since I needed to buy Ethan his pull ups.  We were almost out.  Tomorrow I need to pick up forms from Ashleigh's (daughter) pediatrician's office so I can take it & forms (I can not forget these) for Ash & Noah for their horseback riding camps for this summer.  I have to pay for them.  I am hoping I can get Ashleigh into the Special Olympics Horseback Riding, too.  Then, we can go to Barnes & Noble, which is about 45 minutes South from where this camp is.


Keep on Reading Fool's Gold Books!!!
Melissa

Cheering!!

Home after cheerleading for my favorite author, Susan Mallery, & I wanted to share with all of you about our day!! I took my 3 year old, Ethan, with me since my husband, Shawn, took our other son, Noah, to his MRI & to his ortho appointment (both went well).   We went to 5 different locations! 3 out of 6 had Summer Days!  Ethan was a great helper!  He was helping put bookmarkers into the books!!


Before we left, we had to get the Great looking Fool's Gold Magnet onto my van!!  =)  I love the saying "Read. Laugh. Love."  It is almost like my other favorite saying Live Laugh Love.  I believe in both of these sayings!! 

Close up of the magnet!  Isn't it cute?  I love the book covers for each of the new books coming out by Susan Mallery.  We have Summer Days that came out today!!  Summer Nights that is coming out on June 26th & All Summer Long that is coming out on July 31st.  I can not wait to read the last 2.  My review of Summer Days should be up within a week.  

My first stop today was Books A Million.  The sales clerk there was very nice.  We chatted about why I was there.  I explained I was a 2012 Fool's Gold Cheerleader, that Susan started this a few years ago (I think 2) to advertise her books.  I told him that this was the first year that our area is being chosen for this opportunity.  I asked if they are expecting anymore of Summer Days in stock & he said he is not sure.  I will be checking back with him to see.  The sales clerk still had to put Summer Days out onto the shelf to sale.  

Ethan & I went to Target.  The sales clerk here was great!!  I can not remember what Target calls their sales person on the floor!  I used to work for them a long time ago when I was in college.  He showed me where Summer Days is located & said that he does not think they are anywhere else (he was right).  Ethan helped me again getting everything we needed to put into the books!  Best stock so far!

Ethan & I went to Walmart next, but I could not find Summer Days on the shelf.  I spoke with the book rep at Walmart about Summer Days being in stock.  She feels that it was due to the holiday.  Another store in my area also did not receive Summer Days.  We also spoken about Summer Days, & the other Fool's Gold books & she is going to read FG!! =) I told her all about the series & Summer Days. I have had other book conversations with this lady before, but first time about FG! I have to go back Thursday to put the bookmark in since they did not get their shipment.  On Thursday, I will talk some more to this lady.  I may even write down this blog address for her so she can get some information about the series!  

Sam's Club did not have Summer Days, which really surprises me.  They normally have all the new releases.  I spoke with someone about getting it in.  I will be checking back in with them later in the week.  I also went into a grocery store to see if they have Summer Days & they did not.  I waited in line to talk with someone, but the lady at customer service was too busy filling up the cigarettes & Ethan was starting to act up so we left.




Ethan & I took a little detour in our cheering!  We went to the grocery store to get a few items.  It was close to where we were.  Ethan was getting tired & whiney!  


Our last stop for the day was Walgreens!  They were great there!  Books are right up front.  I never known that.  I do not go into Walgreens that much.  

I still have Barnes & Noble, which is about 30 minutes from me.  I can not wait to go there.  It is my favorite book store!  I also have this small book store in our downtown area, which I have never been in.  I think I have not been in it.  Plus go back to Walmart.  

Ethan & I had a lot of fun cheering!!

Keep on Reading Fool's Gold Series by Susan Mallery!!

Melissa