Saturday Spotlight & Giveaway!!

I can't believe it! It's already Saturday and Book Blogger Appreciation Week has come and gone.  So, it's for that reason that I wanted to do a very special "Saturday Spotlight"!  This year's theme to BBAW was "Celebrate Books" and while I LOVE books and I was more than happy to celebrate them, I CHERISH the friendships I've made along the way MUCH more.  This blogger has been here for me in SO many ways and for that, I can't thank her enough.  Let me introduce this weeks "Saturday Spotlight" .

Something easy  but important to know to start with ...

What's your name? Katrina

And your online alias? Trin

The name of your blog is? Bloody Bad

And when we want to find your blog, what's the URL? http://trinsnook.blogspot.com/

How about a something about yourself? A short bio maybe?  I am a wife, a daughter, a student, a hard worker and an avid reader. I am from New England and I love it.

That was *Definitely short Trin and I too am from New England and Love it! What's NOT to love? Actually, we found out that we're just ONE state away! By the way, you forgot something REALLY important..."Friend".  : )

Why did you start your blog?

I started my blog on New years day. It started as a journal of sorts, then I was reading the Twilight series and I wanted to post about it. Trough that I found other book blogs and the 100+ challenge. I had always said I was a big reader and that challenge peeked my interest. Now, cliche as it sounds, my blog is a one year project to read 100 books.

What is your favorite genre and/or genres?

I love historical fiction,literary fiction, romance and I have learned to enjoy memoirs.

Who is your favorite author?

That is a tough one, can I choose 20?

*giggle* NO!

OK,  If I had to choose just one it would be, France Hodgson Burnett.

What's your favorite book of all time?

I love each book for it's own reasons. I do not have a favorite.

Name & describe your blog features:

I review every book that comes into my hands. I also hold contests for books and I have joined a few blog tours. I enjoy being a part of Memes like What are you reading Mondays, The Literary Road Trip and In my mailbox.

Describe your review system:

I base books on a 0-5 ratings scale. I never specified anything but if I loved it, it gets 5 stars, if I liked it, it gets 4 stars, if it was okay, it gets 3 stars. Anything lower than that and I probably put the book down.

How is your blog unique from other blogs?

I would like to think the design of my blog is unique. I work very hard on it. I also change my header monthly. I am really excited about September's header. Lastly, the blog is by me and has me all over it. No other blog has that (except maybe one.)

How do you market your blog?

Um. . .I don't think I do. I have contact with a few publishers but I have had trouble joining blog tours. I have sent emails and explained Bloody Bad but no one has responded. I don't let it get me down though. I figure "You don't want me to review a book or have an interview with your author, too bad for you because Bloody Bad is awesome" !

*giggle* Yes IT IS!! and SO is the Blogger!!

Can you give us 3 tips about content?

1. Be real, don't try to fancy it up.

2. Keep it relevant

3. Be honest, but kind

I couldn't agree more with number 3!

Can you give us 3 tips about blog promotion?

Nope, as I said, I stink at promotion. Maybe someone can give me tips on it?

 

I don't think you "stink" at anything! You're a wonderful reviewer and a talented blogger! Most of all a great friend!
Thank you for stoping by "Park-Avenue Princess" Trin!  I LOVED having you!

Now, for Trin's giveaway, she's going to giveaway a really special talent! If you go over to Trin's blog and look at her "button" on her sidebar...you'll see how Be-U-Tee-Full it is.  Go Quick! I'll wait . . .

You back? Good! That's what she's going to do for YOUR blog!  But, she's going to make one up especially for your blog!  Something that goes with your theme!  In order to participate you MUST be following BOTH of us!  Want to know how??  OK...read on.

SATURDAY SPOTLIGHT GIVEAWAY!!

ONE Of My LUCKY Readers Will WIN A Button Custom Made for Their Blog!!

Courtesy of Trin and Park-Avenue Princess (Trin's doing the actual work)

This Giveaway is open to EVERYONE. There is NO mail involved!

How Do you Win?

It's Simple!

You must follow BOTH Blogs by hitting the FOLLOW button

That way we can see you and know you are one of our readers!

If you are NOT willing to follow this rule, you can't participate.

(But, how simple of a step IS that...plus, you'll get all the important updates)

All Entries MUST be in By Midnight October 17th Winner Drawn on the 18th!

Extra Entries

I Recommend Following On Twitter - Because of the ROYAL GIVEAWAY

for the Sony E-Reader that is coming up! - It's NOT Required But I Will Be

Making Important Announcements There!

(Some exclusively for extra points that day)

The Choice Is Yours!

+2 If you Subscribe by Mail

+2 If you Subscribe via Google Reader

+3 If you TWEET About This Giveaway

+3 If you Rate Me On Blogged (see bottom of blog)

+10 If you Follow Me @APrkAvePrincess on TWITTER! (Leave @TwitterName)

+10 If you Follow Trin @Faith42Love on TWITTER! (Leave @TwitterName)

+15 If you blog about this Giveaway in it's own post (or any others I'm having)

+20 If you Put My Button On Your Blog and Link Back

Try to Separate your entries one per post!

(+15 for each and every NEW follower you bring me)

They just have to mention that they are NEW in their Post, along with YOUR name!

Good Luck and HAVE FUN!!

Thank you ALL for Stopping By!

Without you, your comments and input, this blog

wouldn't be able to continue to grow!

And we're now at 400!!

Questions/Concerns? Please do not hesitate to Contact ME!

If you'd like to be FEATURED in the "SATURDAY SPOTLIGHT"

Please either hit the "CONTACT ME" Button OR Email me directly

IAmHiMaintenance(at)aol(dot)com!

 Preach to the Princess, leave a Noble Note or a Royal Rambling!!

x0xx ~ KISSES

Interview with Author Michelle Moran

Hello Michelle and Welcome to Park-Avenue Princess! I'm SO excited to have you here during Book Blogger Appreciation Week! It's Really an honor! OK...I definitely don't want to start rambling (and as my readers know, I have a tendancy to do that) so, on with the interview!

Q: What prompted you to write a novel about Cleopatra’s daughter?

A: I do a great deal of traveling both for research and for fun, and most of my destinations are archaeological sites. On a trip to Alexandria in Egypt, I was afforded the amazing opportunity of participating in a dive to see the submerged remains of Cleopatra’s ancient city. More than ten thousand artifacts remain completely preserved underwater: sphinxes, amphorae, even the stones of the ancient palace. Although I'm not a fan of diving, it was an incredible experience, and it changed the way I looked at Cleopatra. I immediately wanted to know more about her life, and it was mere coincidence that my next trip took me to Italy, where her ten year-old children were brought to live after her suicide. While in Rome, I was able to retrace her daughter's steps, and upon seeing where her daughter had lived on the Palatine, I knew I had my next novel.

Q: What was it like to walk where Selene walked? In particular, what was it like to visit Octavian’s villa?
A: Unbelievable. For two thousand years, Octavian’s villa has sprawled across the top of the Palatine Hill, slowly deteriorating. At one time, its vibrantly painted dining room had hosted magnificent feasts, one of which would have been the celebration of the emperor’s triumph over Marc Antony and Cleopatra in Egypt. As the heir to Caesar, Octavian was determined to rule the western world without interference. He changed his name to Augustus, and with the help of his general Agrippa and his architect Vitruvius, he turned a city of clay into a city of marble.



I had known all of this on that day in March when the villa was opened for the first time in more than a century. What I hadn’t known, however, was just how unbelievable that trip back into the world of ancient Rome would be. After three million dollars in restoration, Italian archaeologists have been able to recreate not just the intimate library and studies Augustus used, but the mosaic floors he once walked on and the vividly painted ceilings he once walked beneath with Ovid, Seneca, Cicero, Horace, and even Julius Caesar himself. As we were quickly escorted through the frescoed rooms, we stopped in the triclinium – the dining room which had once seen so many famous faces smiling, laughing, even crying for mercy. With a little imagination, it was easy to see the tables and couches that had once adorned the chamber, and there was the undeniable feeling of standing in the presence of the ancients. It was the kind of feeling you only get in Grecian temples or Egyptian tombs.



Q: In all three of your novels, your narrators have been teenage girls. Is there are reason for this?
A: Actually, yes. I like to begin my novels during the time of greatest transition in a person’s life. And in the ancient world, the greatest transition in a woman’s life was often the time when she was married. Because women married at much younger ages two thousand years ago (twelve years old was not uncommon), my narrators have all been very young girls. In fact, Random House will be making a concerted effort to market Cleopatra's Daughter to young adults as well as adults. However, as my novels progress through time (my next book, for example, will be about Madame Tussaud), my narrators will be older.



Q: Is the Red Eagle based on an historical person?
A: Yes. The Red Eagle is actually based on several men who led slave rebellions (unsuccessfully, I might add) against Rome. Spartacus led the most famous revolt, but there were other men too, such as Salvius, who waged war with his army of slaves in ancient Sicily.



Q: You write in your acknowledgements page that the character of the Red Eagle is an homage to the works of several authors. What made you decide to do this?
A: Creative as well as personal reasons. First, I wanted to create a character that fans of swashbuckling adventures might love, and it wasn’t at all difficult to find historical personalities on which to base such a hero. Men like Spartacus and Salvius were heroes in the truest sense of the word. But I didn’t want there to be too much action, and certainly not so much that it would detract from the real story – that of Selene and her twin brother Alexander growing up in a foreign court. I could certainly have chosen not to include anything as obviously fictitious as the Red Eagle. But I wanted to illustrate just how threatening slave rebellions were at that time, and how ever-present the danger of becoming a slave would have been, even to captured royalty. And the creation of the Red Eagle wasn’t a huge stretch. Many rebels who came before – and after – the Red Eagle employed similar tactics: rousing the plebs, arming the slaves, and encouraging those in servitude to passive resistance.


On a more personal note, however, I wanted to include the Red Eagle because I knew it would be a character my father would have loved. He devoured anything having to do with ancient Rome, and I deeply regret not having written this while he was still alive.



Q: Was a third of Rome’s population really enslaved?
A: Sadly, yes. And you didn’t have to be born a slave to become one. You could be kidnapped and sold into slavery, your city could be overrun and you could be turned into a slave, or you might be sold into servitude by your own parents. Slavery meant an absolute loss of every human right we now take for granted, and as a slave, your body was no longer your own. Many slaves were physically and sexually abused, regardless of age or gender.



Q: Where did these slaves come from?
A: Many were Gallics and Greeks. The Gallics were from Gaul, a region which now encompasses France, Belgium, parts of Switzerland, and Germany.



Q: When did slavery end?
A: It hasn't. In the Western World, it was slowly - very slowly - phased out with the coming of Christianity (which was one of the reasons Christianity flourished… it appealed to the disenfranchised and enslaved, making everyone equal if not on earth than in the next life). But slavery certainly hasn't ended for everyone. There are women and children who are enslaved today, even in America and Europe. Of course, this isn't legal. Many of these victims of modern-day human trafficking have been brought over from places like Albania or Algeria and have no resources to escape. That's why organizations such as STOP International exist. You can visit them here.



Q: Is it still possible to visit the places Selene visited when she was in Rome?
A: Yes. In 2008, I went on a photographic safari in search of the places Selene would have gone during the brief years she was in Rome. Many of the photos are included here!



Q: What are you working on next? Will it also be marketed to both adults and YA?
A: Actually, my next book will be firmly adult fiction. MASKS OF THE REVOLUTION is about Madame Tussaud, who joined the gilded but troubled court of Marie Antoinette, and survived the French Revolution only by creating death masks of the beheaded aristocracy. I’m very excited about this novel, since Marie (the first name of Madame Tussaud) met absolutely everyone, from Jefferson to the Empress Josephine.

Again, Thank you for being here today Michelle!

KISSES ~ XXX

Celebrate Books!

I can't help but excited around this time of year! It's like a Christmas for Book Bloggers! That's right, I'm talking about Book Blogger Appreciation Week (BBAW)!

I love this year's theme, it's "CELEBRATE BOOKS" and I couldn't think of anything more fitting for me this year! Not only have I celebrated books in a BIG way, but I've also celebrated the authors that have helped me get through the toughest times of my life! Other than the wonderful authors , I have also met some very special new book bloggers this year and became closer to several of the book bloggers that I met when I first started blogging. It's these friendships that I treasure most. The authors, the books and the friends that come along with this blog are irreplaceable.

I am extremely lucky. I get to do what I love and share it with people that understand my love and my *escape*. Books have always been an important part of my life, an old friend, one I never want to lose. Their purpose has been more than a learning tool in my life. More than a way to get through school. They've been a journey of imagination, they've made it possible for me to see new places and meet new people and most of all when I felt SO alone with illness, they made me feel loved. I have friends and family all of whom I love very much. But when you feel like no one could possibly understand what you're going through, that you must be the only person in the world that has ever felt this way, and you pick up a book. The feeling, to me anyway, is instant gratification. The *comfort* I needed to go on.

So, to all of my new and old author and blogger friends, I thank you for understanding and for making this blog a FUN and exciting place to be. You're my online family and we have SO MUCH in common.

This year I not only want to celebrate books, but my promise will be to celebrate each and every one of you! I can't thank you enough. My words alone cannot express how I felt with each email, card, letter and heart-felt post. To all of you that cared about me, you and your kindness will not soon be forgotten.

This week I will be posting about blogs and bloggers that are close to me, the ones that have inspired me, and the blogs that I simply HAVE to visit daily! This will include old blogger friends and new.

I invite you to share the book blogger love with me this week and "CELEBRATE BOOKS"!

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL MY BLOGGER FRIENDS THAT MADE THE SHORT-LIST!! NOW, GO DO YOUR PART AND VOTE!! GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!


Kisses ~ XXX

Book Blogger Appreciation Week Sept. 14th - 18th

I just wanted to remind everyone to vote! vote! vote! That's right, it's that time of the year again where we, the book blogging community, can vote for the best of the best!

Here's the specifics posted by My Friend Amy on the Book Blogger Appreciation Week Site:

Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Announcing the Second Annual Book Blogger Appreciation Week September 14-18, 2009
Last year over 400 blogs came together to celebrate the art of book blogging during the first ever Book Blogger Appreciation Week! I am so pleased to announce that the second annual Book Blogger Appreciation Week will be taking place September 14-18.

WHO Anyone who blogs about books is invited to participate. In fact, we want everyone who blogs about books and reading to be a part of this week!
WHAT A week where we come together, celebrate the contribution and hard work of book bloggers in promoting a culture of literacy, connecting readers to books and authors, and recogonizing the best among us with the Second Annual BBAW Awards. There will be special guest posts, daily blogging themes, and giveaways.
WHEN September 14-18, 2009
WHERE Here at the new Book Blogger Appreciation Week Blog! (Please note that this year there are three separate blogs and feeds—one for the main event, one for giveaways, and one for awards.)
WHY Because books matter. In a world full of options, the people talking about books pour hard work, time, energy, and money into creating a community around the written word. I, Amy, the founder of Book Blogger Appreciation Week love this community of bloggers and want to shower my appreciation on you!



WANT TO PARTICIPATE?
Please help us spread the word about Book Blogger Appreciation Week by posting about it on your blog, stumbling this post, twittering about it, and telling everyone you know that it’s time to have a party and celebrate book bloggers!

Please register by filling out the registration form! Registering ensures your inclusion in the BBAW 09 Database of Book Bloggers and enters you into the drawing for the BBAW 09 Grand Prize!

Come back often as there will be many updates! And follow us on Twitter!

AWARDS
BBAW Award Nominations will open tomorrow, July 15 on the BBAW Awards Blog.

So what are you waiting for? Go sign up and VOTE for YOUR Favorite Blogs!