So... is this the most relaxing song of all time?

According to an article in Time Magazine (and the UK Daily Mail it is).
Time actually said the song lowered the heart rate and reduced stress by 60 percent. It may even be the sleeping pill of the future.

The artists: Marconi Union, a UK band.
The song: "Weightless."

Judge for yourself:

And the winner is...

...drumroll....of course, you'll have to watch the video.
Special thanks to I Am a Reader, Not a Writer and Bab's Book Bistro.

Enjoy, and thanks for coming by. I hope you have a wonderfully carpe diem 2012.

Last Day on Blog Hop: Testing My Video Camera-- PLUS funny stuff you might have missed

This is only a test...

I just wanted to be sure my video came through okay on this BEFORE I actually tried to do a video drawing. Don't worry, I don't charge extra for the Eastern North Carolina accent.

It's not too late to place a comment for a FREE copy of my latest novel: "Ten Thousand New Year's Eves."
Details, and other cool linky links are here--- special thanks to "I am a Reader, Not a Writer" and "Bab's Book Bistro" (seriously, I love that name) for sponsoring this. Links to all the details, free drawing, yada, yada, yada, is here.

Also, some time this month (possibly the 14th, but we'll see how it goes) I'm going to have a special promo for another book of mine for FREE on Kindle. I know, it's a sneaky way to get you to follow my blog, but as I mentioned earlier, I really am THAT insecure :)

I thought newcomers to this blog may want to review some of the posts I got the most comments on:
1-- Aussie August--a series of guest posts by my friend, an Australian poet. He tells us the TRUTH about koalas. Be sure to look at all of his posts for August, as I had to double check to be sure I knew what "knickers" were.

2-- Reasons I'm glad I'm single. I wrote this for Feb. 14 one year, because every time I told people I was okay with being single, they looked at me like I had three heads or something.

3--The free online video game that kept me from leaving my house for days.

4-- My sister's EVIL CAT (who is, ironically, named Baby) who I am convinced is trying to kill me. BTW, this year my blog will have followups on Baby, as well as delving into his troubled kittenhood (i.e. pictures of my niece dressing him up in doll clothes.). Just the look on that cat's face in the picture is enough to tell you...he's thinking "you got to sleep sometime."

okay... let me see if this video works---I was having trouble with the sound earlier....

New Year's Blog Hop Continues---and guess how I spent New Year's Eve? PLUS another freebie!

WOW. Thanks to all of you who have left comments on the blog for your FREE copy of my book. It's also GREAT to know there are others who enjoy reading Max Lucado as much as I do.

And---anyone want to guess how I spent New Year's Eve? Did I :

a) spend a low-key night hanging with friends
b) go to one of the celebrations in Raleigh (closest major city to me)
c) watch re-runs of Law and Order: Criminal Intent
d) clean my closet

I know. Some of these are absolutely yawn-worthy. I think it's safe to say some of my New Year's are more social than others. I'm one of those people who enjoy being with others, but then also enjoy some alone time.

The answer is : C. But in my defense, Vincent D'Onofrio is the most talented, underrated character actor alive today. I'm very fascinated by murder mysteries. I may even attempt to write one---a "cozy"---nothing overtly graphic....
D'Onofrio's character (which, I think we all agree could probably not exist in "real life") is based on Sherlock Holmes. Also, the show follows the crime heavily from the criminal's perspective. As a writer, I find this fascinating because the motive is never what you'd really expect....

Anyway, I now have ANOTHER book being offered for free as a part of an Amazon promo.
It is a collection of my short stories (written as a part of my creative writing master's thesis).
The link is here--the book is "Welcome to Shangri-La, North Carolina."

And now, a quick recap of how to get your FREE book, prizes, etc.


Here's the 4-1-1 and tips on how you can WIN free stuff.
First, everyone who leaves a comment on this blog will get a coupon code for a FREE electronic copy of my latest novel, "Ten Thousand New Year's Eves" (what better for the new year?) You can read a bit more about it--including a sample chapter--- here.

Second, all of those who leave a comment will be entered into a drawing to win a FREE hardcover copy of "Traveling Light" by Max Lucado OR "Love" by Toni Morrison. (winner's choice). I am giving the winner a choice because, in the interest of full disclosure, "Traveling Light" is a religious book. I love Max Lucado (particularly his "Applause of Heaven") and while I make no apologies for my beliefs, I do NOT want anyone to think they were being "back-door evangelized," so if you'd prefer (or if you've already read the Lucado book) you can have a hardcover copy of "Love" by Toni Morrison. I think both authors write with an intense sense of imagery and emotion---so please feel free to pick the one you wish. (Though please be aware that the Morrison book is PG-13).

Not trying to offend anyone, just keeping it real.


So in short:
1. Leave a comment to get a FREE e-copy of "Ten Thousand New Year's Eves"
2. When you leave a comment, please leave your e-mail addy OR, if you prefer to send it privately, you can send it to me at dawndeannawilson@gmail.com
3. All those who comment will be placed in a drawing to win a hardcover book: either "Traveling Light" by Max Lucado OR "Love" by Toni Morrison (winner's choice).
4. I will post a video of me drawing the name of the winner from a hat (I know it's hokey, but I love the theatrical) .
5. I will contact that winner via e-mail to get his/her snail mail addy and send the book of his/her choice.

Also, I do NOT send your e-mails, addresses, etc. to some kind of spam list, because 1) that is just not cool 2) I wouldn't know how to do that anyway and 3) that is totally rude.

So...read the sample chapter of my "Ten Thousand New Year's Eves" right here if you want to see if it's your cup of tea (I've had a blast writing it and I really do think you'll enjoy it). Hang around a bit. I'll talk about some of my favorite characters I created for the book, and I'll talk to you about HOW I came up with the characters.  So have some coffee. Have fun. Chill out. Follow my blog because I'm insecure and need validation...
But last, and CERTAINLY not least, PLEASE visit the other blogs on this list to get other chances to win cool free stuff.
And on behalf of writers everywhere---thank you. Writing can be a solitary profession, and it's great to connect with readers.

What I hope for in the New Year

Closeness. Peace. A decent haircut.

I'm thinking about doing a "Julie & Julia" type blog where I date my way through three major dating search engines.  (should I? shouldn't I?)

I'm hoping I can keep my fingernails in better shape.

Oh and loose ten pounds. Guess we have to put that in there.

But there's something about a new year that is full of hope. A clean slate. Starting again.

I hope that things continue to go well with my book sales. I'd love to be able to quit the "day job" and help out more with my elderly parents (who are doing great right now, but I want to be sure I'm ready in case I need to take care of them.)

New Year's Book Giveaway Blog Hop

Welcome to the year of writing dangerously!
I'm pleased to be participating in the giveaway blog hop, which is hosted by "I Am a Reader, Not a Writer" blog and Bab's Book Bistro (don't you just love that name? A lot of alliteration. I love it. Say it three times fast)

Here's the 4-1-1 and tips on how you can WIN free stuff.
First, everyone who leaves a comment on this blog will get a coupon code for a FREE electronic copy of my latest novel, "Ten Thousand New Year's Eves" (what better for the new year?) You can read a bit more about it--including a sample chapter--- here.

Second, all of those who leave a comment will be entered into a drawing to win a FREE hardcover copy of "Traveling Light" by Max Lucado OR "Love" by Toni Morrison. (winner's choice). I am giving the winner a choice because, in the interest of full disclosure, "Traveling Light" is a religious book. I love Max Lucado (particularly his "Applause of Heaven") and while I make no apologies for my beliefs, I do NOT want anyone to think they were being "back-door evangelized," so if you'd prefer (or if you've already read the Lucado book) you can have a hardcover copy of "Love" by Toni Morrison. I think both authors write with an intense sense of imagery and emotion---so please feel free to pick the one you wish. (Though please be aware that the Morrison book is PG-13).

Not trying to offend anyone, just keeping it real.

PLUS if you've happened to land here on or before the 30th, you've got a special treat....right now my first novel, "Saint Jude," (which is about a young adult with bipolar disorder) is FREE on Amazon throughout December 30. It's a part of some promo thing I'm working on, so if you want to get a free copy for your Kindle, just click here and (hopefully) enjoy!

So in short:
1. Leave a comment to get a FREE e-copy of "Ten Thousand New Year's Eves"
2. When you leave a comment, please leave your e-mail addy OR, if you prefer to send it privately, you can send it to me at dawndeannawilson@gmail.com
3. All those who comment will be placed in a drawing to win a hardcover book: either "Traveling Light" by Max Lucado OR "Love" by Toni Morrison (winner's choice).
4. I will post a video of me drawing the name of the winner from a hat (I know it's hokey, but I love the theatrical) .
5. I will contact that winner via e-mail to get his/her snail mail addy and send the book of his/her choice.

Also, I do NOT send your e-mails, addresses, etc. to some kind of spam list, because 1) that is just not cool 2) I wouldn't know how to do that anyway and 3) that is totally rude.

So...read the sample chapter of my "Ten Thousand New Year's Eves" right here if you want to see if it's your cup of tea (I've had a blast writing it and I really do think you'll enjoy it). Hang around a bit. I'll talk about some of my favorite characters I created for the book, and I'll talk to you about HOW I came up with the characters.  So have some coffee. Have fun. Chill out. Follow my blog because I'm insecure and need validation...
But last, and CERTAINLY not least, PLEASE visit the other blogs on this list to get other chances to win cool free stuff.
And on behalf of writers everywhere---thank you. Writing can be a solitary profession, and it's great to connect with readers.

Cool Maya Angelou Quote

I love this quote:

"Life is pure adventure,
and the sooner we realize that,
the quicker we will be able to treat
life as art."