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Friday, November 25, 2011

Black Friday Tips, Tricks, and 1/2 priced books!

If you can't or don't want to indulge in CyberMonday from the safety and warmth of our own computer (which I enjoy very much don't get me wrong!), my personal tips to survive the day are learned the old fashioned way. Where am I this morning? Out shopping. Yes. Yes I am. I'm out and about on this fine Black Friday.

Just remember the one simple rule for any holiday season: It's the spirit of the season! And no...that spirit isn't consumerism. It's giving.

Dos:
*Dress in layers and get there early!
*Do be respectful of others, because really, it's an item and frankly that item isn't worth beatings, jail time, or death.
*Do try to get the limited time only prices (the before noon stuff) but be polite about it. Sales people are more likely to say YES to a customer not arguing with them or calling them names.
*Do remember that it's not the cashier's fault you're a crazy person. This is only their job, be kind to them-they had to get there early, too, and those thousand people behind you? They're even crazier than you are. And this poor cashier has to deal with you AND them AND the other 999 people just like them.
*Do remember that there is an increasing number of people unable to afford the season: Toys for Tots and Feeding America are 2 of my favorites.

Don'ts:



*Don't expect to get that fabulous whatever at the unbelievably low price but try anyway.
*Don't circle for an hour trying to find a parking spot-not only is the walk good for you but you don't want to be that fool circling the parking lot for an hour when you could be getting those fabulous deals!
*Don't throw a fit if that sales person doesn't give you the sale price because you missed the time frame.
*Don't fight with your fellow shoppers. Sure, it'd be cool and all to get the 50" flat screen for $100 but fighting over the last one with someone who may be crazier than you? Please see above mentioned jail, death, and beatings...
Seduction of a Proper Lady: A Regecy Ménage Tale 1/2 price this weekend at All Romance eBooks!

4.5 Stars from Just Erotic Romance Reviews
The sexual chemistry between Braedon and Ethan is very subtle and on the surface you only see they are very good friends. When Laurel completes this triad the chemistry is smoking hot. The sexual action throughout the story is hot and spicy regardless if it was M/M, M/F, or M/F/M the sex was just awesome.

4 Cups of Coffee from Coffee Time Romance
Ms. Reed takes her characters to the height of passion, and as the reader you are allowed the opportunity to enjoy every moment of their journey.

Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of Risqué: A Regency Ménage Tale (1 winner per day of 3-day weekend) and a chance for a $10 Amazon gift card (1 overall winner based on comments from 3-day weekend).

Prizes:
- Cassandra Carr: copy of either of my two current releases, Talk to Me or Head Games

- Kristabel Reed: back list copy of one of her stories and then on her own blog a $10 GC plus a copy of her newest release, Risque: A Regency Menage Tale
- Lucy Felthouse: back list copy of any of her single-title books
- Cari Quinn: back list copy of one of her books
- Leigh Elwood: two back list copies of her books
- Natasha Blackthorne: copies of her two Regency era novellas: Grey's Lady and Waltz of Seduction
- Amber Kallyn: e-copy of Dragos 1
- Camryn Rhys: Kindle copies of The Barn Dance and Off the Record-Foodie Erotic Romances
- Lissa Matthews: two of her back list books
- Misa Buckley: an e-copy of Ironhaven and To Reach the Dawn
- Lacey Wolfe: a copy of Amber's Muse
- Courtney Sheets: a $25 GC to Ravenous Romance and a copy of Kona Warrior-PDF
- Sara Brookes: an e-copy of one of my back list books
- Cynthia Arsuaga: a copy of an e-book, and on her own blog five book charm book tethers
- Louisa Bacio: .pdf copy of my first book in The Vampire, The Witch & The Werewolf series, and on her own blog a $10 certificate to Ravenous Romance, and each commenter will also be entered to win a Goody Bag of new Orleans treats
- Malia Mallory: one copy each of The ABC's of Erotica and Santa's Back Door Baby
- Cynthia Eden: a copy of Angel of Darkness (either print or digital)
- Carrie Ann Ryan: an e-copy of The Alpha's Path
- Jacquie Rogers: a Smashwords coupon for Faery Merry Christmas, plus on her own blog, a free copy of Much Ado About Marshals
- KT Grant a print copy of Sweet and Sinful and an ebook copy of her next release, Xavier's Loving Arms

So what are the rules? Simple: visit as many of the blogs as you can and leave a comment for the blog owner. For every comment, you'll get one entry into the grand-prize drawing. Be sure to leave your e-mail address with every comment so we can find you if you win! And don't forget that several blog owners are giving away prizes specific to their blog, too!

One winner will be chosen on Saturday morning using random.org. I will contact that person about the Kindle Fire and then each blog owner with a prize will contact the winner themselves to arrange delivery of said prize. Questions? Contact me at AuthorCassandraCarr AT gmail DOT com.

Good luck and Happy Thanksgiving everybody!







98 comments:

  1. Great list of do's and dont's. I am too scared of all the crazy people to venture out for Black Friday lol!

    avarileyromance at gmail dot com

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  2. Hi Kristbel! Enjoyed (as usual) your post. I'm addicted to amazon's lightning deals. Was tempted to go out last night to best buy and try to get a new tv but decided against it. Too many people! Love your books!

    Samantha

    Samtai75(at)msn(dot)com

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  3. Re: "It's not the cashier's fault you're a crazy person." LOL!! I love that.
    Diana @ Book of Secrets
    bookofsecrets(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  4. Well I hope you got what you wanted from your holiday shopping I might brave it in a few hours but not going out while the earlie birds are still out there.
    Drmgrl99atyahoodotcom

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  5. Really a great list to ponder. I don't shop Black Friday. Its not worth it to me. I don't need or want anything that bad for Christmas. I like to shop the weekend after Thanksgiving.

    Great giveaway and I'm now a follower of your blog.

    Marika
    maw1725@gmail.com

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  6. What a great list of Do's and Don't's! I, however, will be staying inside. It is not with the 100 bucks I will save to fight off all those people. Thanks for such a great giveaway!

    TLC84@yahoo.com

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  7. Black Friday is too much like a madhouse for me. Great to-do and don't list.

    GabbyG

    msgabby(at)gmail(dot)com

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  8. This blog hop has been so cool because I didn't know about Kristabel Reed and I do now and that SEDUCTION OF A PROPER LADY looks h.o.t. Gotta get it--from my computer in jammies while avoiding anything to do with Black Friday.
    jay9moore@gmail.com

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  9. Great post! Love your rules. :)

    Thanks for the giveaway.

    bimmergrlmd at gmail dot com

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  10. If I shopped on Black Friday your rules would be very helpful. I'd much rather not go out and fight the crowds.

    Thanks,
    Tonya
    tonyacallihan@hotmail.com

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  11. I loved your do's and don'ts very funny. I can't tell you how many times I have seen people fight over toys...uh they are just toys lol.

    ~~*Drea*~~
    dreabecraft(@)aol.com

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  12. Thanks for having this great blog tour giveaway!!!
    Online shopping shopping for me! After the last 2 days of cooking and cleaning, I didn't want to end up getting trampled too!!! LOL!
    I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!!!!
    kimmyl
    klmc_37@yahoo.com

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  13. Great lists.Thanks for both giveaways :)
    elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net

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  14. Krista, I'm so impressed that you shop Black Friday. Sounds like you are smart about it, though. I personally have never shopped during Black Friday unless it's on my computer.

    Thank you for participating in the giveaway!

    books4me67 at ymail dot com

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  15. Love your Do's and Don'ts. I don't shop on Black Friday because people lose their freaking minds all in the name of a sale. It's ridiculous. And we do forget that there are others who won't be able to buy gifts this Christmas.

    lovetoreadforfun(at)gmail(dot)com

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  16. You are amazing to shop today. I am a wimp and will be staying home to shop....LOL

    koonie2888 at yahoo dot com

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  17. Good luck in shopping today, Kristabel. You are one brave woman!

    Thanks for the generous giveaway.


    Thanks,
    Tracey D
    booklover0226 at gmail dot com

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  18. I totally scooped up the books at All romance this morning, and am going back for more! 50% off books, Merry Christmas to me!! Much more enjoyable than dealing with the crowds!!

    Thanks for the awesome giveaway!

    mnjcarter@charter.net

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  19. Good luck with your shopping!!

    makepeace.arts[at]gmail[dot]com

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  20. Ohhh I get it now, there's a time slot in which the sale price is active!? I'm from England and I've been trying to figure out this whole Black Friday thing as we don't have it here.
    http://beingmama.com/
    http://ohsoprettylife.blogspot.com/

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  21. great giveaway
    imajicasnow@inbox.com

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  22. Smart words to adhere to on our shopping adventures! I found that people were a lot more polite this year than the previous years I've been to the Black Friday events. It makes it easier when stores are opening sooner, so last night we did our shopping, got our deals and were home by midnight, not too bad ;) Thanks for being part of the Blog Hop!

    Eva
    evitap67(at)gmail(dot)com

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  23. Thanks for the gieaway. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving! aviashnanama@yahoo.com

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  24. Wonderful tips and I love that book cover!
    Happy Holidays!
    robinbadillo720 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  25. Finally a fellow shopper! :) I love black Friday shopping! I just avoid Walmart, Best Buy, and Toys R Us. I just got everything I wanted at Target - including the electronics! I agree with your do's and don't except that I usually don't arrive until about ten minutes before the store opens. If I can't fit into the parking lot at that point then I don't want to deal with the crowd inside! Thanks for the Blog Hop giveaways! chessa79 (at) gmail (dot) com.

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  26. What a great blog hop. I’m hopping along.

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  27. Man, I can't even comment on my own blog! Crazy blogger...

    Afternoon all! I got some fantastic deals this morning. Strangely enough it was less crowded early this morning than it was later in the day. But when you can get an additional 20-30% early in the day on top of 50% off, it's so worth it.

    I'm now crashing. Well, after some turkey leftovers. And possibly a drink. Just cause I survived :)

    So for all you I refuse to shop in a store for Black Friday, do you prefer Cyber Monday?

    ~Kristabel

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  28. I like your rules! Me, I am online today to do the shopping! It's just not worth it to me!
    delivery.RN at gmail dot com

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  29. No, No, No...Black Friday, if there is any shopping to be done...it's online for me! Saves toes that way!

    barbbattaglia@yahoo.com

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  30. So glad to see you mentioned being nice to the cashiers. I've worked in customer service long enough to know how it is to be on the receiving end of an angry customer. It's no fun!

    Thanks for being part of this giveaway. Happy Holidays to you and yours!

    susanaudrey33 at gmail dot com

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  31. I tried to get hubby a new flat screen 19 inch tv last year and missed it. When I told my brother about my woes the darlin' ordered a 32 inch for us and had me go pick it up! Love that. :)

    cmselfridge@gmail.com

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  32. great rules!.. thanks for the giveaway..
    darksiry(at)gmail(dot)com

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  33. I totally agree about being nice to the salespeople. I'm quite irritated that some stores opened on thanksgiving, or on midnight of Black Friday, they barely have any chance to have a day off!

    This is such a generous giveaway, thank you!

    melorabrock {at} gmail {dot} com

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  34. Thanks for making me laugh "it's not the cashier's fault you're crazy". Yes, anyone going out on black friday is a little crazy.
    geminicalli at yahoo dot com

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  35. Hilarious, yet true do's and don'ts! Thankfully i'm shopping online.
    mizztuts AT bellsouth DOT net

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  36. I'm so happy to see that you pointed out the need to be nice to cashiers. I used to work in retail as a sales associate, and I had to work on a Black Friday, which was utter chaos. We all got called in super, super early and were bombarded by customers. We worked as fast as possible, but some people were still incredibly rude & mean to us. Just because someone wears a name tag, doesn't make them your servant or less deserving of respect.

    Thanks for the awesome giveaway! Happy Holidays!

    gosia727(at)gmail(dot)com

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  37. Great post and the Marines do a tremendous job with Toys for Tots every year. Thanks for the mention and the contest.

    dukediva32(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  38. LOL great list of dos and donts :)

    Thalia
    museclues08 AT yahoo DOT com

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  39. Awesome list of Dos and Don'ts! I think I made the right decision about staying home for Black Friday. I'd rather not get trampled to death at the local Walmart!
    Ashley A
    ash_app@hotmail.com

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  40. Great post! Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!
    Oops! Sorry for not leaving my email address at some of the other stops! So sorry!

    justforswag(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

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  41. I like the reminder to be polite and not crazy. This book looks really steamy. thanks for the giveaway
    teressaoliver at gmail dot com

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  42. Great post on do's and don'ts. I was a cashier at a department store once during the holiday season. That was crazy. I won't do that again. Great giveaway. Thanks for the chance.
    KimS.
    truebloodfan(at)rock(dot)com

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  43. Awwwww c'mon not even a little hair pulling? Lol j/k I totally agree and next year I'm not leaving the dang house haha. roeflor@gmail.com

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  44. Online shopping is the way for me. No lines, no stress, no traffic. I did Black Friday once, not knowing the whole concept of it and it was an interesting experience. But nowadays, it is getting more violent as the years go by. So, I might consider myself being a coward but I see it more as being safe than sorry.

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  45. Great list of dos and donts. Thanks for the awesome giveaway.
    Crystal816[at]hotmail[dot]com

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  46. Awesome prizes! Good luck everyone!

    amysmith98(@)gmail.com

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  47. I'm one of those cashiers that has to be nice to all those crazy people out there shopping. You are exactly right, it's not my fault you are out shopping and that you are tired and your feet hurt.
    Great prizes you all are giving away. I'm blog hopping on Black Friday from on.
    luvfuzzzeeefaces at yahoo dot com.

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  48. Excellent tips! Even though I don't leave the house on Black Friday, lol!

    Thank you for the giveaway opportunity! Amazing prizes!

    Gena Robertson
    robertsongena@hotmail.com

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  49. My do's and dont's list is pretty simple:

    Don't get out.
    Do follow along the Black Friday Blog Hop!

    silverjames@swbell.net

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  50. Excellent tips...for someone who is crazy enough to want that $100 TV and is willing to stand out in the cold for hours to get it- not me!

    mconnolley@yahoo.com

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  51. hopping all over blg stayed home
    desi the blonde@ msn.com

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  52. A totally fun way to start off the holidays.

    caity_mack at yahoo dot com

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  53. The way I see it, my family has everything we need, so unless it's a sale on food, lol I'm staying home

    emilytardy@yahoo.com

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  54. Thanks for the awesome giveaway! You're dead on with your Dos and Don'ts! I just wish that people would observe them! I have dealt with a lot of rude and obnoxious people on Black Fridays, when I used to work retail! brendem7@comcast.net

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  55. This year's Black Friday stories are scary! Those are great tips - but I can't get over the trampling stories you hear, and then how some crazy woman pepper sprayed others today. And people with guns! Geez! It's really sad...
    But! This is fantastic :D Thanks for the blog hop and giveaway!

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  56. Since I work cyber Monday, gotta participate in the black friday sales!:-) Great giveaways!

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  57. I think it's absolutely ridiculous when people throw hissyfits inside a store. If you can't get the deal you want, I say just move onto another store. n.dematos@gmail.com

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  58. thank you for all the great tips and for the chance at such an awesome giveaway. i hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving.

    trvlagnt1t@yahoo.com

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  59. This is such an awesome giveaway! I would love to be entered:
    sugar_creek_cottage@yahoo.com

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  60. This is a fun giveaway.

    Thank you for the generosity.

    lindsaywolford AT sbcglobal DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  61. That is a great to-do list especially the last one and that is to remember those less fortunate and to give a helping hand when possible.

    Cambonified{at}yahoo{dot}com

    ReplyDelete
  62. Love the lists!
    Thanks for participating in the giveaway!

    gigi s
    gigis0426(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  63. I haven't really had any crazy Black Friday experiences....one time some lady stole a comforter right out of my hands and ran away...THAT was weird lol

    Thank you so much for doing this giveaway! A kindle fire would be an excellent christmas present!

    hense1kk AT cmich DOT edu

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  64. Having fun bouncing along the Hop lane. Your post is spot on...love it.

    momma.money at gmail.com

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  65. This is so awesome!!! I have been lusting after one of these for ages and the fact that it's being given away by some of my favorite authors just makes it that much better!!! Good luck to all but I 'd be lying if I said I didn't want to win. lol roeflor@gmail.com

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  66. very cool! please count me in! rhob3123@gmail.com

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  67. `I personally hate shopping. One year my mom who hates shopping as well sent each of my daughters gift cards to Walmart... My kids love to shop. I paid my friend to take the kids shopping. hurricanemercedes@yahoo.com

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  68. cant say that i have any crazy black friday sales stories . I always the one yelling to pass an item down to the little old lady who looks scaried lol

    meandi09@yahoo.com

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  69. Every crazy shopper should read your list.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  70. The crazies are just one of the reasons I stay home

    frellathon(at)gmail(dot)com

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  71. I hope that you had a happy Thanksgiving. I was also one of those crazy people that was out shopping. I'll have to print out your list and remember to try and follower it next year. But I also think that online shopping is looking better and better.
    jessangil at gmail dot com

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  72. I LOVE Cyber Monday and being toasty warm and safe at home while shopping. Black Friday shopping is too crazy for me.

    joderjo402 AT gmail DOT com

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  73. Thanks for the great giveaway, perfect for Christmas.

    dhealey123@yahoo.com

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  74. I always like to carry a shopping tote to carry all of my purchases! And, I like to have a secure place to put my cup of coffee to free up my hands for shopping! jepebATverizonDOTnet

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  75. Happy Black Friday! What a great way to celebrate! Thanks you so much for all these amazing prizes. You guys are truly awesome!

    I laughed at some points made in your post, but I was also shocked at other because I can imagine the frustration faced by people who spends hours and effort trying to get to the store and still have to wait in a queue and eventually miss out once the time frame ends.

    I've been wanting a Kindle since forever and, since my mum and I are avid Romance readers, all the great books on offer add to the temptation. Thank you:) Hope you've had a splendid day!

    sarah DOT setar AT gmail DOT com

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  76. Supporting the BlogHop!

    stacyms_99 AT yahoo DOT com

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  77. I love blog hops! Thanks

    tdlsfm(at)gmail(dot)com

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  78. Great tips! A big fan of online shopping these day, Black Friday is just too crazy.

    skpetal at hotmail dot com

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  79. Good tips for crazy shopping for crazy people on Black Friday. And yes, I was one of them.*g*
    But I did remember to be patient and polite with a smile. Just wished my little tween girly could be a bit more humble and understanding. Ah well, I can only hope.

    I absolutely loved Wickedly Wanton and can't wait for more. But if I don't win I have my wish list of your books at AllRomance. I will certainly take advantage of the discount. Best wishes!!

    armiefox at yahoo dot com

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  80. I love your Dos and Don'ts. You are right though about remembering those who can't aford the things we take for granted. I am not a big black friday person mainly because I shop all year long online and have most of my holiday shopping out of the way by the time black friday rolls around.

    However during this season I always am in the giving spirit and I help feed the animals at the animal shelter, I love helping familes in need especially ones with kids however I have to say i like to pick my family I help out because there are so many out there just bucking the system. Sad to say but it is so true.

    Where I live here in TX we have had so many fires and people who have lost their homes, those individuals will definitely get my help.

    Thank you for your giveaway and Happy Holidays

    Ronda Tutt
    mrsqueentutt@yahoo.com

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  81. GREAT reminders, Kristabel! We stayed home, safe and sound ;) Happy weekend to you, too!

    f dot chen at comcast dot net

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  82. Keeping to your own sanity helps us wade through the black friday crowds. I have to admit i do some of my shopping on line although somethings I love just being in the mix of the crowd, but I always keep safety first in mind.
    neneelynn at yahoo.com

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  83. Thanks for the great blog hop!

    ainfinger(at)comcast(dot)net

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  84. I had a horrible Black Friday shopping day! My daughters and I started out at 11:00 pm last night. Stood inline outside of Best Buy for 2 hrs. in freezing cold. got nothing. Then stood outside of Old Navy for another hour then waited in line hour and a half to check out. Kohl’s would have been 2 hrs. to get checked out. We gave up there. Bath & Body hour and a half check out time. So basically was out all night got home 930 this morning with hardly nothing and so tired and achy and cranky! UGH! Never again for me! I’m done being a Black Friday shopper except online.

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  85. Great advice. Great Giveaway!

    This year I was lucky enough to not need anything in the before noon sales, so I got to miss the extreme craziness.

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

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  86. I stay home, most like will always avoid this shopping day! I hate to shop anyway! LOL

    thanks for the hop!

    artsyoil@yahoo.com

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  87. I just avoid Black Friday.I do not like crowds or have tolerance for rude people with the entitlement issues lol.Thanks!
    lstanziani(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  88. No Black Friday shopping for me - 12 years working at the mall cured me of any remote idea that it might be worth it.

    Thanks! And happy holidays!

    dragonessd@gmail.com

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  89. Keeping my fingers crossed! This would be an awesome Christmas present!

    sweetheart8181@yahoo.com

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  90. Thanks for the great giveaway!!

    sweepingtheusa at gmail dot com

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  91. You tell em' girl that list of do's and don't's is great!!!! Thanks for the giveaway!!

    miranda.grissomATgmailDOTcom

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  92. Love the dos and donts list, all are so true. Thanks for the great giveaway, the story sounds smoking hot.

    Areeths at new dot rr dot com

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  93. All good tips! Thanks for the giveaway!

    ~Beeb

    supercoupongirl AT gmail.com

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  94. This is a pretty sweet give away I am so excited to find out who wins! :)roeflor@gmail.com

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  95. Thank you for the chance to win such great prizes!!

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  96. I'd just like to thank everyone for stopping by. I missed a great deal of this chat because I was out and about, but I did try and remember all my list of dos and don'ts!

    I'll be picking a couple winners later today, once I get myself awake and really moving. I'm usually up and ready to face the dfay much earlier, but Black Friday exhausted me!

    And don't forget, I'm giving stuff away all weekend, so come on back for a chance to win.

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  97. What a great giveaway and a good present too
    vmkids3 at msn dot com

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  98. Love the abs on some of these sites rosans4@comcast.net

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