Giveaway! "Airhead" and "Being Nikki" Author - Meg Cabot

In preparation for Meg Cabot's third book "Runaway"  in her New York Time's Best Selling "AIRHEAD TRILOGY"  which is being released in stores on April 20th,I have a fantastic giveaway for YOU!  The first two books "Airhead" and "Being Nikki" will be given away to TWO of my Lucky Readers! Each winner will win a copy of each book in order to catch up for the newest book "Runaway"!

Let me start off by telling you a little bit about each book!

 "AIRHEAD" -

It’s about modeling. Gaming. And corporate greed. With hot guys. Oh, and a poodle. Airhead is the first book in a new trilogy by #1 New York Times best-selling author Meg Cabot. With Cabot’s signature wit, Airhead is pitch perfect for teen summer reading.

One day she’s a brainiac. The next she’s…not herself. Emerson Watts isn’t your average sixteen-year-old girl. She loves playing video games and hanging out with her best friend Christopher, and has made peace with her less-than-supermodel-esque looks. But when she’s involved in a mysterious accident, she finds herself…not herself at all. Who’s behind it? What’s their motive? And how can she get Christopher to realize she’s still the same person inside? One thing’s for sure: Em Watts is gone. Nikki Howard is here to stay.

"BEING NIKKI" -

Emerson Watts was pretty sure there couldn’t be anything worse than being a straight A student whose brain had been transplanted into the body of a teenage supermodel. But it turned out she was wrong: Because that supermodel could turn out to have a mother who’s mysteriously gone missing, a brother who’s shown up demanding answers, and a British heartthrob who’s written a song about her that’s topping the charts.

Now Em’s got to deal with all that, plus a lingerie fashion show, a crush who’s intent on destroying the company she works for to avenge the death of his lost love; and a boss that seems to be turning to the dark side….But then, nobody said it was going to be easy being Nikki.

"RUNAWAY" being released on April 20, 2010 -

High fashion with a touch of sci-fi. In Runaway, the dramatic conclusion to the bestselling and acclaimed Airhead novels by Meg Cabot, Emerson Watts is on the run: from school, from work, from her family, from her friends, from herself.


With everyone she loves furious with her for something she can’t explain, and nothing but the live Stark Angel fashion show on New Year’s Eve to look forward to, Em’s reached the end of the rope…what’s thepoint of even going on?

But when she discovers the truth about Nikki’s secret, she knows there’s only one

person she can turn to. Will Christopher be able to put aside his personal feelings and help her expose her employer to the world? Is it even fair to get Christopher involved—since if he agrees, there’s every chance that Stark Enterprises will try to have them both killed—this time, permanently?

Maybe it would be better for Em to just keep on running…

About the Author MEG CABOT -

Meg Cabot is the author of more than fifty books for both adults and teens. Her books have sold over fifteen million copies worldwide, many of which have been #1 New York Times bestsellers. The most notable of these is The Princess Diaries series, which is currently being published in over 38 countries, and was made into two hit movies by Disney. In addition, Meg wrote the All American Girl, Mediator, and 1-800-Where-R-You series (on which the television series, Missing, was based). She is now writing a new middle grade series called Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls, as well as an edgy new young adult series, Airhead.
 
Meg was born on February 1, 1967, during the Chinese astrological year of the Fire Horse, a notoriously unlucky sign. Fortunately she grew up in Bloomington, Indiana, where few people were aware of the stigma of being a fire horse ­­­- at least until Meg became a teenager, when she flunked freshman Algebra twice, then decided to cut her own bangs. After six years as an undergrad at Indiana University, Meg moved to New York City to pursue a career as an illustrator, at which she failed miserably, forcing her to turn to her favorite hobby-writing novels-for emotional succor. She worked various jobs to pay the rent, including a decade-long stint as the assistant manager of a 700-bed freshmen dormitory at NYU, a position she still occasionally misses.

Meg currently divides her time between Key West, Florida, and New York City with a primary cat (one-eyed Henrietta), various back-up cats, and her husband, who doesn't know he married a fire horse. Please don't tell him.



Personally, these books are ALL ME! I LOVE everything about them! Please remember that this giveaway includes the first two books only for TWO lucky winners.  But, I am a fan of Meg Cabot on Facebook, and I am also a fan of her first book "AIRHEAD" and I just happened to see that she's also giving away arc of "Runaway". Just a heads up! But, if you're interested in catching up before the BIG RELEASE DAY! I've got both "AIRHEAD" & "BEING NIKKI"! Ready to hear how?

AIRHEAD & BEING NIKKI GIVEAWAY!!

Rules

These books will not be sent by me!

So, the contest is open to ALL of my followers that have a

US address where they can recieve the book if they are chosen as a winner!

The only other rule is that you must FOLLOW this Site

through GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT!

Not Sure if You are? You can find that HERE!

I ask that you leave your name/nickname in each post you leave.

Something that separates you from everyone else so that it will be

clear if you are chosen as the winner.

You must also leave me with your emailing address so that you

can be contacted! (Even if it's in your profile)

*This Contest ends 4/30/10*

Extra Entries

+5 If you Subscribe by Mail

+5 If you Subscribe via Google Reader

+5 If you TWEET About This Giveaway (Leave Link)

+10 If you Rate Me On Blogged (see link at bottom of blog)

+10 If you add me to your blog roll (and link it back to my blog)

+10 If you Blog about the Contest in your Sidebar (Link back)

+15 If you blog about this Giveaway in it's own post (Link back)

+20 If you Follow @APrkAvePrincess on Twitter (Leave @name)

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

I'm also willing to send you

+50 for each and every NEW follower you bring me

(They just have to mention it in their post! You will BOTH Get the Points!)

YES EVERY PERSON YOU SEND!

They must remain followers at least until the specific contest you

signed up for is finished!

Although, I'd love it if you to stay signed up forever!

I have some really AMAZING prizes and books coming up!

Separate your entries one per post! (either each or just +5 for example)

Or you will only have One Entry Regardless of What You Do!

GOOD LUCK and HAVE FUN!!

KISSES and TOODLES!

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

Michelle Moran Guest Post and A Special Cleopatra's Daughter Giveaway!

I'm here to welcome back author Michelle Moran for a very special giveaway and guest post! Michelle has generously offered a *SIGNED* hardcover copy of her book "Cleopatra's Daughter" as well as an ancient Roman coin complete with certificate of authenticity (like the one on my website here). This Giveaway will be open to EVERYONE and can be shipped anywhere at all so spread the word and let my international readers know that they can participate in this really wonderful giveaway as well! The contest is going to be much shorter than they usually are here at Park-Avenue Princess, it's going to run about a week and end at Midnight (EST) September 24, 2009! So, get your entries in as quickly as possible! I'll let you know what it takes to qualify at the bottom of Michelle's post! Which means that ALL contest entries MUST be posted HERE and not under ANY of the other posts about "Cleopatra's Daughter" or Michelle!

Let's welcome back MICHELLE MORAN...

For every novel I have written, I can look back and say that there has been a very specific moment of inspiration - usually in some exotic locale or inside a museum - where I’ve said, “Aha! That’s going to be the subject of my next novel.” I never began my writing career with the intention to write books about three different princesses in Egypt. In fact, I had no intention of writing about ancient Egypt at all until I participated in my first archaeological dig.

During my sophomore year in college, I found myself sitting in Anthropology 101, and when the professor mentioned that she was looking for volunteers who would like to join a dig in Israel, I was one of the first students to sign up. When I got to Israel, however, all of my archaeological dreams were dashed (probably because they centered around Indiana Jones). There were no fedora wearing men, no cities carved into rock, and certainly no Ark of the Covenant. I was very disappointed. Not only would a fedora have seemed out of place, but I couldn’t even use the tiny brushes I had packed. Apparently, archaeology is more about digging big ditches with pickaxes rather than dusting off artifacts. And it had never occurred to me until then that in order to get to those artifacts, one had to dig deep into the earth. Volunteering on an archaeological dig was hot, it was sweaty, it was incredibly dirty, and when I look back on the experience through the rose-tinged glasses of time, I think, Wow, was it fantastic! Especially when our team discovered an Egyptian scarab that proved the ancient Israelites had once traded with the Egyptians. Looking at that scarab in the dirt, I began to wonder who had owned it, and what had possessed them to undertake the long journey from their homeland to the fledgling country of Israel.

On my flight back to America I stopped in Berlin, and with a newfound appreciation for Egyptology, I visited the museum where Nefertiti’s limestone bust was being housed. The graceful curve of Nefertiti’s neck, her arched brows, and the faintest hint of a smile were captivating to me. Who was this woman with her self-possessed gaze and stunning features? I wanted to know more about Nefertiti’s story, but when I began the research into her life, it proved incredibly difficult. She’d been a woman who’d inspired powerful emotions when she lived over three thousand years ago, and those who had despised her had attempted to erase her name from history. Yet even in the face of such ancient vengeance, some clues remained.

As a young girl Nefertiti had married a Pharaoh who was determined to erase the gods of Egypt and replace them with a sun-god he called Aten. It seemed that Nefertiti’s family allowed her to marry this impetuous king in the hopes that she would tame his wild ambitions. What happened instead, however, was that Nefertiti joined him in building his own capital of Amarna where they ruled together as god and goddess. But the alluring Nefertiti had a sister who seemed to keep her grounded, and in an image of her found in Amarna, the sister is standing off to one side, her arms down while everyone else is enthusiastically praising the royal couple. From this image, and a wealth of other evidence, I tried to recreate the epic life of an Egyptian queen whose husband was to become known as the Heretic King.

Each novel I’ve written has had a similar moment of inspiration for me. In many ways, my second book, The Heretic Queen is a natural progression from Nefertiti. The narrator is orphaned Nefertari, who suffers terribly because of her relationship to the reviled "Heretic Queen". Despite the Heretic Queen's death a generation prior, Nefertari is still tainted by her relationship to Nefertiti, and when young Ramesses falls in love and wishes to marry her, it is a struggle not just against an angry court, but against the wishes of a rebellious people.

But perhaps I would never have chosen to write on Nefertari at all if I hadn't seen her magnificent tomb. At one time, visiting her tomb was practically free, but today, a trip underground to see one of the most magnificent places on earth can cost upwards of five thousand dollars (yes, you read that right). If you want to share the cost and go with a group, the cost lowers to the bargain-basement price of about three thousand. As a guide told us of the phenomenal price, I looked at my husband, and he looked at me. We had flown more than seven thousand miles, suffered the indignities of having to wear the same clothes for three days because of lost luggage… and really, what were the possibilities of our ever returning to Egypt again? There was only one choice. We paid the outrageous price, and I have never forgotten the experience.

While breathing in some of the most expensive air in the world, I saw a tomb that wasn't just fit for a queen, but a goddess. In fact, Nefertari was only one of two (possibly three) queens ever deified in her lifetime, and as I gazed at the vibrant images on her tomb - jackals and bulls, cobras and gods - I knew that this wasn't just any woman, but a woman who had been loved fiercely when she was alive. Because I am a sucker for romances, particularly if those romances actually happened, I immediately wanted to know more about Nefertari and Ramesses the Great. So my next stop was the Hall of Mummies at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. There, resting beneath a heavy arc of glass, was the great Pharaoh himself. For a ninety-something year old man, he didn't look too bad. His short red hair was combed back neatly and his face seemed strangely peaceful in its three thousand year repose. I tried to imagine him as he'd been when he was young - strong, athletic, frighteningly rash and incredibly romantic. Buildings and poetry remain today as testaments to Ramesses's softer side, and in one of Ramesses's more famous poems he calls Nefertari "the one for whom the sun shines." His poetry to her can be found from Luxor to Abu Simbel, and it was my visit to Abu Simbel (where Ramesses built a temple for Nefertari) where I finally decided that I had to tell their story.

It’s the moments like this that an historical fiction author lives for. And it probably wouldn’t surprise you to learn that my decision to write Cleopatra’s Daughter came on an underwater dive to see the submerged city of ancient Alexandria. Traveling has been enormously important in my career. My adventures end up inspiring not only what I’m currently writing, but what I’m going to write about in the future.

Again Michelle, I thank you for being here and sharing with my readers!

Can't wait for the Giveaway to End? Buy Cleopatra's Daughter!

Cleopatra's Daughter and Ancient Coin GIVEAWAY!!

ONE LUCKY Readers Will WIN The Prize Above!!

This Contest is Open to EVERYONE and Will Be Shipped

ANYWHERE in the World!

How Do you Win?

It's Simple!

You must follow MY Blog With Google Friend Connect

Just Hit the Follow Button! 

That Way I Can See You and Know You Are One of My Readers!

All Entries MUST be in By Midnight September 23rd (EST) Winner Drawn on the 24th!

Extra Entries

You MUST be a FOLLOWER with GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT or the

Extra Entries Do Not Count!

(It's the Button Over On The Right Side Of the Blog You Should See Your Picture)

Also, Because of the "Royal Giveaway" coming up, I recommend

that you Subscribe to My Feed

and/or

Follow Me On Twitter!

That Way, You Will Not Miss Important Announcements!

This is Not Required,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)

+15 If you blog about this Giveaway in it's own post

+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 it in their post!

Good Luck and HAVE FUN!!

Thank you ALL for Stopping By!

This week is about Book Blogger Appreciation

and I Want You To Know That I Appreciate You ALL

and Have A Whole Lot To Celebrate!

Without you, your comments and input, this blog

wouldn't be able to continue to grow!

KISSES ~ XXX

Oh...ONE last thing, Michelle is running some contests over on her page as well! Go see!!

Ruined by Paula Morris *GIVEAWAY*

Ruined
By: Paula Morris
Publisher: Point
Available: August 1, 2009
Language: English
Copy: Hardcover
Pages: 304










Can't wait to win? Buy it!

About the Book:

When Rebecca Brown goes to New Orleans to stay with her voodoo-obsessed aunt, she finds the beautiful city haunted by the effects of Hurricane Katrina. Rebecca is also startled to discover a haunting of a different kind: near a graveyard one night, amid the Spanish moss and beneath the moonlight, she meets a ghost girl named Lisette, who has been dead for 150 years. Lisette helps Rebecca unearth an ancient mystery in her aunt’s house, along with some troubling historical truths. Meanwhile, Rebecca must juggle adjusting to her snooty new prep school, developing a serious crush on a handsome boy, and dealing with an elite group of popular girls who may be linked to the ghostly mystery themselves.

Not convinced...How about the FIRST CHAPTER?

STILL UNSURE? But...It's close to Halloween! OK...Watch This!




About the Author:

Paula Morris has published a short story collection and several novels for adults in her native New Zealand. She's lived in a number of cities around the world, moving to New Orleans the year before Hurricane Katrina. She teaches creative writing at Tulane University.

Ruined: A Novel GIVEAWAY!!

FIVE Of My LUCKY Readers Will WIN A Copy Of RUINED For Their Very Own!!
You MUST Reside in the U.S.
Also, You MUST Have a Street Address that You Can Give Me IF You Win
NO P.O. Boxes Please!

How Do you Win?

It's Simple!
You must follow MY Blogs by hitting the FOLLOW button
that way I can see you and know you are one of my readers!

All Entries MUST be in By Midnight September 30th Winner Drawn on the 1st!

Extra Entries

You MUST be a FOLLOWER with GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT HERE ON BOTH BLOG
(It's the Button Over On The Right Side Of the Blog You Should See Your Picture)
I Recommend Following On Twitter -It's NOT Required But I do Contests
and Giveaways There Plus Major Announcements!


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)
+15 If you blog about this Giveaway in it's own post
+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 it in their post!

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!

KISSES ~ XXX

Liquid Soul by Matthew Carter *Giveaway*

OK, so my new friend and author Matthew Carter and I are getting together to bring you ONE HUGE ROYAL GIVEAWAY. I'll be sure to fill you in on the how-to's and the What it is soon! The post for the Royal Giveaway will be up sometime this weekend and I hope you'll all be as excited to participate as we are to bring it to you!

First I'd Like you to know a little bit about Matthew Carter and his book "LIQUID SOUL". I'm going to have him back for a review, interview and possibly a guest post. This HUGE ROYAL GIVEAWAY is going to last from now until Christmas Holidays. So, someone will have a VERY special gift!




For now, here's a bit about the novel "LIQUID SOUL"

Liquid Soul
Author: Matthew Carter
Publisher: Outskirts Press
Release Date June 29, 2009
Available in: Trade Paper, Hardcover, Kindle
Pages: 200




Buy it!

About the Book:

This story is more than just writing about some mass murderer killing innocent lives. In the end the narrator wants to be become them. There are situations in which people say they would do anything to be in another's shoes and do things a bit differently than they would, but nobody ever gets the chance. So I wondered what would happen if for a moment we were all able to become someone else and the moment was so fulfilling that we had to have it again and again and would only be stopped either by ourselves or by an outside force. At that point being ourselves would be on par with being someone else. There would be no difference whatsoever.

Throughout this story not only does he learn about other people around him, but about himself and who he really is, along with the father who killed his mother and abandoned him when he was younger. Through the blade, he is finally able to forgive his father, learn his why, learn from the mistakes his father made, and move on with the rest of his killings.

The story is told completely from the point of view of the serial killer and his warped thought process. He views everything as a greater calling, even as he recognizes his addiction. His fear of getting caught isn't that he will be locked away for life, but because he wouldn't be able to experience Liquid Soul like he has grown accustomed to in the past.

Despite being completely involved in who he kills and taking care of them after death, as well as talking to them on a daily basis, he doesn't even know their names. In the end his obsession with trying to become a part of their world pushes him to finding a way to join their world and become one of them. But he realizes he can't kill himself and through much time understands that it is his destiny to, as he likes to call it, "free people from this life, so they can enter the next." He takes his "job" seriously and does whatever it takes to make improvements to it.

About halfway into the story there is a part in which the narrator takes over an old man who supposedly had been doing the same thing as the narrator and in a passing of the torch, allows the narrator to kill him the way he would any other, with a knife to the throat. Even as the narrator tries to fight the killing, it is of no use as he no longer can control his arm. Instantly, snippets of experiences the old man had flash into his mind and one after another he relives lives he never knew about, through a tunnel of life that felt alien to him.

In a critical part of the story there is a person he kills but becomes himself afterwards, nothing else. Usually, the instant blood touches him, he becomes another person and for a short time at least, lives a moment in their past. But, for whatever reason he doesn't this time and it hits him harder than he could have thought possible. Depression strikes him down hard and he contemplates quitting the thing all together. During this time, unbeknownst to him, he actually thinks clearly for the first time since before Liquid Soul took its hold on him. He fights the urge at sanity and goes after the next person which, of course is a success. Throughout the story he has fought constant bouts of depression that limit him and his so called "freeing".

He doesn't realize his so-called "greater purpose" comes with a large price of separation from family and friends. But since he hasn't had either in such a long time, his making up for it, is burying them together and every now and then talking to them. The blood has some sort of hallucinogenic effect on him because he actually believes that they are happy being dead and in spite of their condition they are able to have short conversations with him.

In the end, all the narrator wanted was to be loved by as many people as possible and to live the life he never knew could exist.

A Little About the Author:

Matthew Carter has always been interested in what makes the human mind twist and turn, seeking the moment that a person's thought process goes from a sane and productive mechanism to a form of mental cancer. Carter lives in Romulus, Michigan, and 'Liquid Soul' is his first novel.

(Taken from the Author's Web Page)

You can Preview the Book - HERE

Friend Matthew on TWITTER

Friend him on FACEBOOK

Fan LIQUID SOUL on FACEBOOK

Now...WHY are ALL these things important to do? Well, Matthew and I are going to be giving away a Brand New Sony Pocket E-Reader (Winner Chooses Color). I'll set up that link soon, the page was down for maintenance! How do you WIN? Details Coming Shortly!

KISSES - XXX

And the Winner Is...

Sorry I'm a bit late drawing this winner. I'm not feeling well at all and have SO much to post! Anyway, enough about me and let's get on with the good news!

The winner of "Summer of Two Wishes" is...

HEATHER J. (aka nmfgirl(at)gmail(dot)com)

Heather has 48 hours to get back to me...if not, then I choose another winner!

CONGRATULATIONS HEATHER!!

There were over 75 entries for this book! It was a wonderful read and I highly recommend it!!

I have some HUGE contests coming up. I'm going to post shortly about Author Matthew Carter's new book "Liquid Soul" and how YOU can win a Brand New Sony Pocket E-Reader (color choice is yours) from the two of us! (*I really want to keep this one for myself*)!

Details on how to win ... shortly! Please check out the "Catching Fire" giveaway below!

Kisses - XXX

Catching Fire Book, T-Shirt & Pin Giveaway!!

This is an AMAZING CONTEST and I am SO excited to be able to bring this to you! OK...THREE of my readers are going to get a chance to win "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins! Not only the book, but a really Limited Edition T-Shirt and Collectible Pin as well! Interested? Keep reading...

This contest is going to run a little bit different than the rest of my contests, so please read the entire post and make sure you follow the instructions!

How to Enter:

To enter, please leave a comment with your name, and email address so that I may contact you if you win! This contest will run until SEPTEMBER 24th and I will announce the winners the next day!

Rules:

The Catching Fire book promotion is open to participants with a United States mailing address only (international readers can enter if you have a friend in the States who can accept your prizes by mail!). Entrants under age 13 must have parent or guardian permission to enter. The Catching Fire book promotion runs from September 1 to September 15, 2009. Winners will be announced on or around September 16, 2009.

A Little Background:

"Catching Fire" is the much awaited second edition to the ever popular "Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins! So, before I get into what you win, for those of you that haven't had the great-fortune to read "The Hunger Games", let me give you a little background!


About The Hunger Games:

Twenty-four are forced to enter. Only the winner survives.

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Each year, the districts are forced by the Capitol to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the Hunger Games, a brutal and terrifying fight to the death – televised for all of Panem to see.

Survival is second nature for sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who struggles to feed her mother and younger sister by secretly hunting and gathering beyond the fences of District 12. When Katniss steps in to take the place of her sister in the Hunger Games, she knows it may be her death sentence. If she is to survive, she must weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

Sounds too good to miss doesn't it? Well, watch this...



The Second Installment!

Catching Fire:

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.

Hungry for MORE?



Still not sure? How about the First Chapter?

About Suzanne Collins:

Since 1991, Suzanne Collins has been busy writing for children’s television. She has worked on the staffs of several Nickelodeon shows, including the Emmy-nominated hit Clarissa Explains it All and The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo. For preschool viewers, she penned multiple stories for the Emmy-nominated Little Bear and Oswald. She also co-wrote the critically acclaimed Rankin/​Bass Christmas special, Santa, Baby! Most recently she was the Head Writer for Scholastic Entertainment’s Clifford’s Puppy Days.

While working on a Kids WB show called Generation O! she met children’s author James Proimos, who talked her into giving children’s books a try.



Thinking one day about Alice in Wonderland, she was struck by how pastoral the setting must seem to kids who, like her own, lived in urban surroundings. In New York City, you’re much more likely to fall down a manhole than a rabbit hole and, if you do, you’re not going to find a tea party. What you might find...? Well, that’s the story of Gregor the Overlander, the first book in her five-part fantasy/​war series, The Underland Chronicles.

At present, Suzanne is hard at work on the third book in her sci-fi series, The Hunger Games.

She currently lives in Connecticut with her family and a pair of feral kittens they adopted from their backyard.

*as stated on the author's site!

Are You Ready For This HOT GIVEAWAY?
Me TOO! Remember to Follow the Above Rules and
You MUST Also Be One of My Readers By Following This Blog!

This Giveaway Will End on September 24th and
The Three Winners Drawn The Next Day on September 25th!

Good Luck and Have Fun!!

x0xx - KISSES

Bookcase / Bookshelf Giveaway!

One For Me and One For You!

When I was recently contacted by CSN Office Furniture to either Review or Giveaway a Bookcase, I chose to review. Well, I got my confirmation that mine is on my way and should be here no later than Monday. When I got comments saying how much others wished they had the opportunity, an idea came to me and now, I decided to hold a giveaway on my own. I'm going to share my good fortune and the great service of CSN with one lucky follower, New or Old. So there will be ONE lucky winner of a new bookcase!

I've decided that with the launch of the new "Park-Avenue Princess" look and the end of summer, there should definitely be some kind of giveaway! Right? Back-to-School...Back to the books and where are you going to put these books? On your new bookshelf, of course! I'd like to thank everyone who does already follow. Today I just noticed that I'm close to 200. I'm also going to be doing a HUGE giveaway as the followers go up - more about that in another post (...I'm such a tease)! But, I PROMISE you'll love that giveaway for sure!

As for this one, I'm going to do it a little bit different than my other giveaways. I am going to put up two bookshelves and the winner will get to pick which one they want (out of the two pictured). You don't have to tell me NOW...the winner can just mail me their preference when the name is drawn. The shelf of their choice will be delivered to their front door courtesy of ME!

You may pick from the Mylex in Black or the Corner Hanging Shelves! Here's what they look like!

I am going to use random.org for this drawing ... I will count down to who is in the winning spot and then post the winner. The winner can be anyone, the only rule really is that they have to follow. This is my way of saying "Thank you". I love our book blogging community and the people that I've met here have been so kind to me! So...just know you ARE appreciated!

Questions or Concerns? Just go to the top of the page and hit the "Contact" tab. Fill out the form and I'll get back to you as quickly as I can!

Here are the Rules and Ways to Win!

The winner will get their choice shipped to their address.

Therefore, no P.O. Boxes are accepted!

You Must be One of My Readers and A Follower!

• Extra Entry for Blogging (Must be a Post)
• Extra Entry For Following Me On Twitter
• Extra Entry For Putting My Button On Your Blog and Linking Back

ALL Entries Must be in by Sept. 24th

WINNER Announced Sept. 25th!

Good Luck and Have Fun Everyone!

I Appreciate My Readers and Their Comments!

Kisses ~ xxOx

P.S. After you sign up here, why not stop over at Bingo's Book Blog - She's giving away a bookshelf as well. That doubles your chances to win one!! Oh, and tell her Park-Avenue Princess sent you! (No, it doesn't give me entries, I just want her to know that you actually saw this note! Thank you ALL!!

Damas, Dramas and Ana Ruiz Blog Tour & Giveaway!!

Damas, Dramas and Ana Ruiz: A Quinceañera Club Novel

By: Belinda Acosta
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Pages: 336 Pages
Available: August 11, 2009

My Rating: 4.5 Tiaras!

Synopsis:

All Ana Ruiz wanted was to have a traditional quinceañera for her daughter, Carmen. She wanted a nice way to mark this milestone year in her daughter's life. But Carmen was not interested in celebrating. Hurt and bitter over her father Esteban's departure, she blamed Ana for destroying their happy family, as did everyone else. A good man is hard to find, especially at your age Ana was told. Why not forgive his one indiscretion? Despite everything, Ana didn't want to tarnish Carmen's childlike devotion to her beloved father. But Ana knows that growing up sometimes means facing hard truths. In the end, Ana discovers that if she's going to teach Carmen anything about what it means to be a woman, it will take more than simply a fancy party to do it...

"Belinda Acosta's Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz delivers all its title promises and more: it's a book about damas of all ages, from teenage girls to the struggling mothers of those teenage girls; it's packed with drama so you don't want to stop reading; it's a novel that deeply and honestly tells the story of Ana Ruiz, her own coming of age as a woman and as a mother. Belinda Acosta is up to all of the challenges of such a rich panorama of characters and events. She's sassy, she's smart, she makes it look easy! But it takes a lot of hard work and a pile of talent to write such an engaging, touching book. A wonderful quinceañera of a novel!" --- Julia Alvarez, author of
Once Upon a Quinceañera: Coming of Age in the USA and Return to Sender"

Lively and perceptive... Acosta empathically captures the innermost feelings of her characters."--- Booklist

My thoughts:

What's a quinceañera? Before opening the book, that's something I needed to know! Here's what I found; It's a celebration or coming-of-age party held on a girl's fifteenth birthday that typically begins with a religious ceremony. This ceremony is usually a good way for the family to bond with the girl turning 15 (especially the mother).

When I first picked up Damas, Dramas and Ana Ruiz, I expected a humorous beach-type read with little sustenance. But, to my delight, I couldn't have been more wrong! Belinda Acosta does a wonderful job weaving a story of a heart-broken daughter who misses her father's love and a mother that will do anything to gain her daughter's heart back! Belinda uses a unique mixture of humor and narrative point of view to get the messages across to her readers. Which worked for me one hundred percent!

Carmen can only see all the goodness in her father and furthermore, she blames her fully for their immediate separation! A daddy's girl through-and-through she has only starry-eyed notions of just what type of a man he is. Her mother and father, Ana and Esteban Ruiz cannot even hold a civilized conversation, never mind connecting to try and figure out if and how the marriage is going to work! And while Carmen refuses to talk to her mother, Ana is determined to throw Carmen a beautiful Quinceañera with the hopes of bringing them closer together and strengthening their bond.

Most of the story is centered around Ana and her need to regain her own self-confidence along with her daughters love. Ana's Son Diego and her niece Bianca both are there to help with the planning. While Carmen shows her childish, immature and demanding self in this story, her brother is just the opposite. Diego is caring and compassionate and tries to help his mother with whatever she needs. Bianca's got her own mother/daughter issues. Her mother is mentally ill and therefore can't be there for her while she's growing up. Each one of these character's were so well developed that I felt as though I got to know each and every one of them. I cared about what happened to them. I laughed with them and I felt their pain. To me, that's one of the main things that makes a story a success.

I believe this book would make a fantastic book club read (and you can even find a RGG here)! There is so many aspects of this story you could discuss. Also, there are the different cultural aspects of the book that helped me learn a whole lot about a subject I didn't know much about to begin with. I was so angry at times with Ana for not telling her daughter the truth about her father. But, as a mother myself, I could see the struggle she had with trying to protect her daughter from all that wasn't "perfect" in the family. There are already so many different types of things that teen girls have to worry about while entering womanhood. Why add more stress?

Belinda has written a coming of age story and the issues that affect so many of us and not just Spanish families. You could feel the stress in the written word and just how strong the bond of love is between the Ruiz family. This story will at times tug at your heart-strings and at other times laugh out loud! I highly recommend this book and note Ms. Acosta an author to watch!

About the author:

Belinda Acosta has written and published plays, short stories, and essays. As a journalist, her work has appeared in the Austin American-Statesman, The Austin Chronicle, the San Antonio Express-News, The San Antonio Current, and AlterNet. Her short story Tortilla Dough appeared in Saguaro, a publication of the University of Arizona in 1992. In 1993, she produced, directed and performed in a multi-media dance-theater performance of La Llorona. National exposure came in 1995 when she read her personal essay Gran Baile, on Latino USA - the Radio Journal of News and Culture, carried on National Public Radio.



Acosta received a Master of Fine Arts in Writing from The University of Texas in 1997. She lives in Austin, Texas and is the TV and media columnist for The Austin Chronicle.

You can learn more about Belinda Acosta by visiting her blog! I also please sign up for the Damas, Dramas and Ana Ruiz Facebook Fan Page - Here!

Want updates on Damas and Belinda? Follow here on Twitter!

I'd like to thank Miriam and Hachette Book Group

for letting me participate in this Blog Tour!

Want to WIN a copy for yourself? Of course you do!

You must be a resident of the U.S. or Canada only

and have a valid address (NO P.O. Boxes Please)

If you qualify above, here's how you win!

For your entry, tell me the best and/or worst gift you've ever gotten for your birthday

please include your name and email address so I can reach the winner.

Extra Entries? You KNOW IT!

You MUST be a follower of my blog

Each entry must be a separate comment with a link (if needed)

+2 if you follow me on Twitter

+3 if you tweet about this giveaway

+5 if you Blog about this giveaway

+10 if you put my button on my blog (or already have it there) and link back!

This contest will run until August 30th (Midnight EST) and I will draw a winner on the 31st!

Good Luck and Have Fun!!

Can't wait to WIN? Buy the book - HERE!

Kisses ~ XXX

Just ONE Day Left

Alright...I already can't sleep! I have SO much going on and like I announced in my previous post, I'm going to be taking on a ton of reviews, tours, guest spots, Q&As and Giveaways. And I'm trying to organize it all.

What I'm really thinking of as I'm in the middle of reading is that we only have ONE day left until I announce the BIG winner. We need just TEN more followers to make ONE HUNDRED (100 TH) FOLLOWERS and how AMAZING will that be when my next post is my ONE HUNDREDTH (100 TH) POST?

Coincidence?

...I think NOT!!

I would like to thank all who participated, especially LIZZY BLEU, who will be doing a giveaway with me one per month! (***Round of Applause***) So, you'll have the chance to win something amazing from her monthly and GOD does she even package beautifully! A VERY talented lady! Thanks LIZZY BLEU, I love YOU!!

(Pssst...I'm not supposed to say anything yet, but I think she's going to be donating *gift certificates* to her shop monthly...that way, you can buy what you want) But...you didn't hear that from me! So what are you waiting for SPREAD THE WORD!! There's SO little time!!

Also, you're going to see a huge rise in reviews and giveaways and I hope you'll all participate in commenting and receiving FREE BOOKS! (including arcs and signed books as well)!

I hope it's been as much fun for you as it's been for ME!

KISSES ~ XXX

THE PRINCESS

Just A FEW things about the Giveaway!

How exciting! I'm really getting the followers I wanted. And, the good news...we're almost to 100, which is the magic number to win BOTH the jewelry and the Gift Certificate to the book store of your choice. (Online or Otherwise) Or it could be Amazon and you can buy whatever tickles ya'!

OK..a few important things. I got over FIVE emails today asking *IF* they had to post under the sticky post to be entered. My answer and I feel bad about this is technically yes. Only because I have a huge ***IMPORTANT*** up that this is the actual post about the contest with all the rules and actual prizes. There are several of you who are posted under the first post and that may be, in part, my fault. I'm sorry if I confused you. So, if you have not moved your posts over (either by copying and pasting or just adding your +'s) then I will NOT penalize you because I kinda' feel responsible!

I'm going to be having a whole new format for giveaways, a BUNCH of new book reviews, and books to giveaway as well, in the upcoming month. I have about twenty-five books to giveaway...NO LIE! I am also going to continue to work with Lizzy Bleu for a monthly prize as well. Which I believe is going to be a gift certificate so you may buy what you'd like from her shop and the amount will depend upon YOU! (And how many followers PAP receives!)

OK back to questions. When does this contest end? That would be midnight on
July 31st EST. You have until then to enter! And get as many points as you can until then. Remember each tweet and post counts!

What do you win? Right now, gorgeous VINTAGE TYPEWRITER JEWELRY from LIZZY BLEU and her etsy shop! Next month's contest is going to have another cool feature where if you bought something from her shop, you will get extra points or if you buy something there you will earn them as well (Not necessary to enter monthly)!

If you can think of anything else that you need to know, please do not hesitate to contact me at IAmHiMaintenance(at)aol(dot)com! Only ONE WEEK from tomorrow! SO let's DO this! We CAN reach 100 followers! Thanks to everyone for all of their help and cooperation for this contest!

KISSES ~ XXX

THE PRINCESS