Monday, January 26, 2015

ATTENTION: Eaters, cooks, chefs, waiters, waitresses, restaurant managers, and owners!

A Note to anyone who owns, works, or frequents eating establishments:

First, let me clarify. Though I am an author (I have eight books to my credit, so I feel confident using that term) and a licensed dental hygienist (educated and licensed in the state of Indiana) I feel I am qualified to write this post.

After all, I eat everyday. 

By definition: eat (verb)
1. put (food) into mouth and chew and swallow it.
synonyms: consume, devour, ingest, partake of; gobble (up/down), wolf (down); swallow, chew, munch, chomp; informal guzzle, nosh, put away, chow down on, tuck into, demolish, dispose of, polish off, pig out on, scarf (down)

Rest assured, I'm not new at eating. I'm nearly 50 years old. I have been eating everyday of my life. To explain that further, 49 years and 6 months equals roughly 18,079.5 days. (Since I've already eaten today, we could probably round that up to 18,080 days!

By all standards I'm an expert.

As a said "expert" I feel it is my duty to inform you what is right and what is wrong with eating establishments. Rest assured that I'm confident that MY opinion is shared by most if not ALL people who "eat".

Therefore, I suggest you listen carefully.

1. UTILIZE BUZZERS:

As a patron I find it offensive when you ask me my name upon entering your establishment. That practice is a blatant and inconsiderate offense. By offering you my name aloud and then later having you call my name out to the masses, you are jeopardizing my right to not only anonymity, but you are also compromising my identity.

Any person in the vicinity can "hear" my name which puts me at risk for identity theft.

If this practice is utilized at your restaurant, know that I will remove your place of business from my list of acceptable establishments.

FOR THE SAKE OF YOUR PATRONS PERSONAL SECURITY, UTILIZE THE LITTLE BUZZERS.

And when you hand that buzzer to me, do not request my name; instead, ask me a random identifying question.

Let me help: "Thank you, miss, for your patronage. To identify YOU with this buzzer, please tell me the name of your first pet."

You can see how much better that will work.

Then, if I don't answer to my buzzer, instead of announcing my name to the masses, you can simply call, "Tinkerbell" "Tinkerbell" "Will Tinkerbell party of five please approach the hostess desk?"

Just imagine how much safer your patrons will feel.

2. "NEW" SHOULD BE FREE:

When your establishment dares to try new dishes and recipes, do not expect me or anyone else to actually pay to try these new dishes.

This concept is rather self explanatory. These dishes are NEW! They have not been proven and therefore do not warrant compensation. As a matter of fact, I am doing YOU a favor by "trying" this new dish.

Again I will help you: On the menu you should have an entire section dedicated to "new" items. And next to each one of the items the price should say "FREE."

Now, more than likely, if I like the new item, I will give you positive feedback. However, you can rest assured that if I DON'T like the item, I will let not only you but EVERYONE I know about it.

Even though it was free, I spent MY precious valuable time eating that new dish. That could have been thirty to sixty minutes of my life that I will never get back!

THIS CONCEPT APPLIES TO NEWLY EMPLOYED CHEFS OR COOKS:

If your chef or cook has not "established" his or her self at your place of business, I should not be expected to pay full price for their meals.

The hours spent preparing those meals, the ingredients that went into the meals, and even the additional staff that is needed for things such as serving, cleaning, and the like, are insignificant.

Do NOT expect us "eaters" to pay for their "practice".

3. THIS IS HOW IT SHOULD BE DONE: 

Let me explain to you HOW you should all do your job (remember, I am an expert)

1. Greet me upon arrival. (NOT by name!)

2. Seat me immediately (Yes, you may be a popular restaurant and I may not have a reservation, but I'm the customer. I'm always right)

3. Within the first 30 seconds of my arrival to my table I should be greeted by my server. (again, other customers be damned...this is about me)

4. Do not offer me the "specials" with out a free sample. That is just plain rude. You, nor anyone else, can accurately describe the taste of crepe suzette. I NEED to feel it pass my lips, taste it upon my tongue, and enjoy the sensation of swallowing before I could possibly be expected to make a decision.

5. Bring my requested beverage immediately. (And if I'm unfamiliar with one or two beverages on your menu, see #4)

6. Bring my meal promptly.

7. Check back on my "desired happiness" with said meal. After all, if I DNF I will tell the entire world.

8. See #7, don't do it too much--that's intrusive. Don't do it too little--that's inattentive.

9. Remove empty dishes promptly and refill glasses as needed.

10. Managers / Owners: This restaurant is your "baby" you should ALWAYS be available to the patrons. Do not think that your children, spouse, parents, or anything else is more important. After all, if I message you and you do not respond within a suitable amount of time (I'm not telling you that time period...it's a secret. Good luck with that!) then I will NEVER go back to your restaurant. And again, I will tell the world what an ungrateful owner you are. YOU should remember that I was there the year you opened your doors and now YOU owe me!

11. Do sales! Do a lot of sales. I have other bills. I have other restaurants to frequent. Don't expect me to pay full price for what you have to offer, no matter how unique or good it is.

~~~~~~~

As I disappear for a time into my "writing cave" I want you to know that I will continue to eat. I will continue to go out to eat. That is why I felt the need to set the record straight.

I sincerely hope this post helps everyone...eaters included!

You're welcome!

Aleatha Romig ~ expert consumer of food

(The degree to which you are capable of understanding sarcasm will greatly influence your ability to read the true meaning behind this post.)




Tuesday, January 20, 2015

RELEASE DAY AUTHOR HOP WINNERS!!!

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE & PATIENCE WITH THIS FUN HOP!



As you may be able to imagine, organizing 38 authors, allowing them time to hear back from 38 winners, and organizing the entire hop has been time consuming. If you add to that a weekend away with limited internet, well, I can only apologize for not having this to you sooner. 

The entire point of this was to have fun and help to announce my release. I hope you all know about the fifth book in the CONSEQUENCES series, BEYOND THE CONSEQUENCES! And I hope that you had fun hopping from author to author! If that happened, this was a success!

First let me do a big shout out to ALL the authors on the hop! I'm so appreciative of all of your time and energy!

I'm going to take this opportunity to once again remind you about BEYOND THE CONSEQUENCES!

More Tony and Claire...more Phil...more fun and life "Beyond" the Consequences!


This is currently available from the following sites:






NOW WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY...
THE WINNERS ARE:

A CONSEQUENCES SWAG PACK:



**All prizes come from Aleatha Romig. (The name of the author is the indicator of the page where each prize was won) Names highlighted in yellow have received prizes or exchanged emails with Aleatha. 


Winner:
From this Author's page:
Michele Ficht *
Rebecca Donovan
Melanie Lowe
Kahlen Aymes
Sharon Verstraete
K. Bromberg
Caroline Rose
Mia Sheridan
Jenn Hudson
BA Wolfe
Madeleine Constance
Corinne Michaels
Shelby Leah
Katie Ashley
Angela Vogts Lighthall
K. Langston
Joanna Villalongo
Kimberly Knight
Anita Powers *
Pepper Winters
* I do NOT have your email address. PLEASE email me at aleatharomig@gmail.com

**Winners have received an email asking for their mailing address. IF you didn't receive an email, please email Aleatha: aleatharomig@gmail.com 
(All prizes come from Aleatha. Do NOT contact other participating authors) 


$5 AMAZON GIFT CARD:



Winner:
From  this Author's page:
Angie Bartley
Tia Catalina
Heather Ross Cicio
Livia Jamerson
Robin Bromiley
Penny Reid
Melanie Trevino
Donya Lynne
Robin Bromiley
A.D. Justice
Melanie Lowe
Tia Louise
Shera Layn *
Viv Daniels
Shannon Cole
Kathryn Perez
Kassandra Zamora *
Sk. Hartley


·     *    Please email aleatharomig@gmail.com with your email address associated with your Amazon account and I will gift the gift cards. ( I don't have your email)

All other winners should have received an email asking for their email address associated with their Amazon Account. IF you didn't receive an email, please email Aleatha: aleatharomig@gmail.com (All prizes come from Aleatha. Do NOT contact other participating authors) 


$10 AMAZON GIFT CARD





Winner:
From this Author’s Page:
Roxana Pachitarin
Laurelin Paige
Mystipul Stacy Rakkasta
Gretchen de la O
Jenn Hudson
CJ Roberts
Roxana Pachitariu
Geneva Lee
Pam Levine Million
Kate Roth

All winners should have received an email asking for their email address associated with their Amazon Account. IF you didn't receive an email, please email Aleatha: aleatharomig@gmail.com (All prizes come from Aleatha. Do NOT contact other participating authors) 

Signed paperback copy of BEYOND THE CONSEQUENCES



Winner:
From this Author’s Page:
Shannon Vereraete
Jillian Jacobs
Julie Garrett
Rebecca Shea
Kristen Kocher
Kelly Elliott
Rachelle Marie
Britni Hill
Catherine Ketner Bates
SL Scott
Roselle Torres
Elisabeth Grace
Charlie Chisholm
E.K. Blair
Jaime Moss
A.L. Jackson
Priscella Slone Thacker
Whitney G.



Winners should have received an email asking for their mailing address. IF you didn't receive an email, please email Aleatha: aleatharomig@gmail.com 
(All prizes come from Aleatha. Do NOT contact other participating authors) 


$25 AMAZON GIFT CARD



Winner:
From this Author’s Page:
Carla Jane
Jettie Woodruff
Kelly Mae Helfrich
CD. Reiss

These two winners have been contacted
(All prizes come from Aleatha. Do NOT contact other participating authors) 

CLAIRE'S EARRINGS





Winner:
From this Author’s Page:
Clare Fuentes
R.E. Hunter

This winner has been contacted. 
 (All prizes come from Aleatha. Do NOT contact other participating authors) 

CLAIRE'S NECKLACE



Winner:
From this Author’s Page:
Sarah Griffin
Aleatha Romig

This winner has been contacted. 
(All prizes come from Aleatha. Do NOT contact other participating authors) 


Thank you again!

Please read the list carefully. Some readers have been won on more than one page. One winner is not currently listed. I am still waiting on the winner's information from Michelle Valentine. I will add that information as soon as I receive it. 

Again, all prizes come from Aleatha Romig. Aleatha will be contacting you in the next 12 - 24 hour IF she has your email address. IF you don't hear from her by Wednesday, January 21 at 6 PM. PLEASE email her: aleatharomig@gmail.com

Thank you to the GREAT set of authors and readers that made this hop possible!! I hope you all remember to join Tony and Claire for BEYOND THE CONSEQUENCES!

Aleatha 

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

BEYOND THE CONSEQUENCES RELEASE/ AUTHOR HOP

MORE TONY AND CLAIRE!!!



BEYOND THE CONSEQUENCES is live on January 15!!!!



We're so excited about this new release that we're hopping from one author to the next...and YOU can win!!

AUTHOR HOP! 



Author Hop Schedule: Be sure you enter at EVERY stop!!!


1.       Aleatha Romig
2.       K. Langston
3.       Kathryn Perez
4.       Penny Reid
5.       A.L Jackson
6.       Britni Hill
7.       Jillian Jacobs
8.       Kahlen Aymes
9.       CD Reiss
10.    Pepper Winters
11.   Whitney G.
12.   Kate Roth
13.   Livia Jamerlan
14.   Gretchen de la O
15.   Tia Catalina
16.   Corinne Michaels
17.   B.A Wolfe
18.   Kristy Bromberg
19.   Tia Louise
20.   A.D. Justice
21.   Kelly Elliott
22.   SL Scott
23.   Kimberly Knight
24.   Jettie Woodruff
  1. Geneva Lee
  1. E.K Blair
  1. RE Hunter
  1. Elisabeth Grace
  1. Donya Lynne
  1. Rebecca Shea
  1. Viv Daniels
  1. Mia Sheridan
  1. Michelle Valentine
  1. CJ Roberts
  1. Laurelin Paige
  1. Rebecca Donvan
  1. Katie Ashley
  1. S.K. Hartley

WHAT CAN I WIN??? WHAT IS A SECRET CONSEQUENCE "PRIZE"

The 38 winners, one from each author's page, will randomly be assigned one prize from this "secret" list...

Consequences SWAG PACK! 



AMAZON gift cards....





Signed copies of BEYOND THE CONSEQUENCES:


Claire's Earrings:


GRAND PRIZE: 

Claire's Necklace



HOW DO I WIN?

Starting January 15 at 8:00 AM (EST) begin the hop! Go from author to author, liking pages, liking posts, sharing and commenting! Increase your chances by entering at EACH hop!!

WHY ARE WE HAVING THIS HOP??

To celebrate the release of book #5 of the Consequences series BEYOND THE CONSEQUENCES!


SYNOPSIS:

Beyond the Consequences

Book #5 of the bestselling Consequences series
From New York Times bestselling author Aleatha Romig comes more of the suspenseful romantic thriller about secrets and deception, passion and love, choices and consequences.

Secrets and deception

As the pieces of their puzzle come together, Anthony and Claire Rawlings continue to defy the odds. Together they overcame an incomprehensible beginning. Apart they endured unimaginable heartache. Reunited with family and friends, their journey continues as they navigate a dangerous world where secrets threaten to destroy what they hold the most dear.

Passion and love

Tony and Claire turn up the heat as sparks fly, passion rages, and love prevails.  With only a dark glance or devilish grin, the fire that sparked in an isolated suite, continues to burn. Though no longer willing to be less than Tony’s equal in life, behind closed doors only one man makes the rules.

Choices and consequences

The safety of the Rawlings family is not debatable, and only Phillip Roach can assure that they are not disappointed. Learn how he leads old friends and new associates through the dangerous world of delusion and revenge. The choices he makes for both the family and his personal life will have consequences.

Beyond the Consequences is a novel that began as the novella, A Peek Beyond the Consequences, in a limited-release anthology, Breathless. Since its publication in 2014, Beyond the Consequences has more than quadrupled in length with more action, heat, and secrets to reveal. Learn once and for all the identity and fate of the sender of the Rawls-Nichols letters as you join the Rawlings for a special surprise!

Theirs was a long, complicated story with a monster and a knight. What made their story unique was that these two players were the same person.—Aleatha Romig, CONVICTED


BUY LINKS:




KOBO


**COMMENT BELOW FOR AN ADDITIONAL GRAND PRIZE ENTRY**