Saturday Spotlight!

Well, here it is! My FIRST Saturday Spotlight since I've been back! I'm going to try to introduce you to as many new blogs and bloggers as I can! I've had a great response to The Saturday Spotlight but a slow response time in getting the questions back to me.  I will keep the feature every week that I can because I think it's important to find new blogs to read weekly and new friends to meet!  If you're interested in being spotlighted here, don't hesitate to hit the "contact me" button and I'll be sure to get right back to you!

I hope you enjoy this week's Spotlight Blog and Blogger! You certainly won't find this sweet little flower hanging around the garden...

What's Your Name? My name is top-secret classified information, but you can call me Orchid.

Alias? Orchid Forsythia

Your Blog Name? The Haunting of Orchid Forsythia

Why did You Choose that Specific Name? I chose The Haunting of Orchid Forsythia, because I thought it sounded really cool and original, plus it kind of gives my blog an air of mystery.

Where can we find you on the net? (A.K.A. Your Blog URL) - http://hauntedorchid.blogspot.com/

*Go Ahead and Look I'll Wait ...*

Can you give us a quick bio about yourself?   About me, hmm, I love to read and can practically always be found with my nose in a book. And if I'm not reading I am working on my blog.

Why did you start your blog? I wanted to share my personal thoughts on the books that I read. I’ve also found that it’s a great way to find neww books and authors that I might never have bothered looking into reading.

What is your favorite genre and/or genres? My favorite genres are YA, fantasy, mystery sci-fi, horror, and supernatural. I also have a soft spot for mangas.

Who is your favorite author? My all-time favorite author would have to be Agatha Christie, she
completely rocks. Her mysteries are some of the best I have ever read

What's your favorite book of all time? I guess I would have to say that "Death on the Nile" by Agatha Christie is my favorite book, but there’re a ton of books that are tied for second.

Has there ever been a book you've "faked" reading? No. If I didn’t like it enough to finish, I’m going to be truthful and say that I didn’t finish it.

What are you currently reading? Will there be a review/reviews in the works? I am currently reading Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld. Yes, there will be a review sometime in the future for it. I am also currently
working on a review for Seeker by William Nicholson; hopefully I’ll have it up by the end of the week.

Please Name & Describe Your Blog Features:  I participate in quite a few memes,  like, Teaser Tuesday, where you post a short teaser from your current read; In My Mailbox, where you post about books and book swag that you have received, bought, or borrowed; Wish List Wednesday where you tell about a book that you are looking forward to buying. I have also begun accepting affiliates, and still have a few open slots. While I really enjoy doing memes, my favorite feature on my blog is reviews. I love reviewing books and introducing other people to new books and authors.

Describe your review system: My review system is probably one of the least complicated ones. 1 pineapple, means it was a complete waste of my time; 2 pineapples, means I just didn’t enjoy it; 3 pineapples, means it was good, but not necessarily something I’d re-read; 4 pineapples means that I really liked it; 5 pineapples means that I loved it and would recommend it to everyone.

How is your blog unique from other blogs? I think what makes my blog unique is that I review more obscure books and tend to read to the beat of my own drum.

How do you market your blog Orchid? By commenting on other blogs, and participating in challenges and guesting at other blogs.

Can you give us 3 tips about content? Tip number one: try not to include spoilers in your reviews, it tends to turn people off from reading a book where they already know the big twist. Tip number two: to keep in mind that authors are real people to, so try to keep the snarkiness to a minimum. Tip number three: Make sure you have the correct info about a book (i.e. author’s name, title, pub date…).

How about tips on Blog promotion? Two good ways to promote our blog would have to be, commenting on and following other blogs. Because you’ve got to get your blog out into the blogosphere if you want to get noticed.
Thank Youfor having me at Park-Avenue Princess. It has been a blast!

You're more than Welcome Orchid! I hope you'll continue to stop back and you know you're always welcome here! By the way, the J*Flops Giveaway and The Space Between Trees (autographed copy) Giveaway are both still open! Plus, I have some more to put up this week along with some great authors stopping by Park-Avenue Princess! Don't forget that it's almost time for me to list the Brand New Nook Giveaway, we're very close to the 1,000 Followers Celebration! 

Again, if  YOU Would Like to be a Part of The SATURDAY SPOTLIGHT just drop me a note or if you're comfortable with putting it in the comments section you can do that and I will get back to you immediately! There's a lot that we can do with the Saturday Spotlight! It's a great way to meet new people, find new blogs to read and help each other bring in new followers! I hope you're all having a wonderful weekend!


KISSES and TOODLES!






Thanks,

Orchid

http://hauntedorchid.blogspot.com

And The Winner Is...

And the winner is for this month's $50.00 Gift Certificate for anything at all in Lizzy Bleu's Etsy Shop is ...

LADY _ TINK!

Lady_Tink, you've been emailed and have 48 hours to contact me back!  If for some reason you don't claim your prize, I will have to draw another winner. I had to get that out of the way. Enough of that talk...

LADY_TINK, CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU!!

For those of you that didn't win, I will be listing the J*FLOP GIVEAWAY tonight and another Lizzy Bleu Giveaway will be coming up shortly! Stay tuned, you don't want to miss what I have coming from J*FLOPS!




KISSES and TOODLES!!

$50.00 Lizzy Bleu Giveaway!!

I couldn't come back with my summer giveaways without starting with Lizzy Bleu! She's back this month offering ANOTHER wonderful $50.00 Gift Card to her Jewelry Shop! THANK YOU LIZZY BLEU!

If you're new to Park-Avenue Princess, you might not know that Lizzy makes GORGEOUS, Well-Crafted, Vintage, OOAK Jewelry that you are sure to LOVE! I have many of Lizzy's Pieces and you'll want more and MORE once you get one of these in your hands! She is going to continue to carry her "Book Worm" Bracelets and her Bookmarks as well! I'm going to show you some pieces this month that you may not have seen!

If you're not familiar with Lizzy or her Jewelry, you can check out her shop HERE! But, I must warn you, once you click that link, there's no turning back! Everyone finds at least ONE item that they just have to get! I know I've found at least...oh, forty or so. No lie! Again, that's just me... And while I won't go into my shopping addiction, I WILL go into this month's giveaway and what YOU Could win!

This month, just like the past, Lizzy Bleu has offered to give ONE of my *VERY* LUCKY readers a Gift Certificate for $50.00 towards anything in her shop! That's right, $50.00 worth of Lizzy goodness! I LOVE IT! YOU LOVE IT! So, its a Win-Win situation!

Let me show you a few of my favorites that she currently has for sale in her shop!

Pooh has always been a favorite of mine and this one looks classic.

Lizzy does AMAZING things with rulers! I LOVE this bracelet! It may not be there when you go to check out your favorite pieces. "Someone" may have already purchased it.
 
 

 
 
 
 
SHOPPING ADDICTION RING....I thought of two words when I saw it -- CHARGE IT!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Lizzy has book marks and Bookworm Bracelets as well that are always my favorites! For those of you that have never seen one.  Here you go!
   

 
I wanted to mention that because Lizzy is such a wonderful person, she has agreed to make this (once again), a monthly giveaway! Thank You Lizzy!
 
Now for  the fun part! You seen SOME of Lizzy Bleu's Products and you know there is $50.00 up for grabs for One winner what you don't know is HOW you win, Right?  Here's How!

LIZZY BLEU $50.00 GIVEAWAY!!

Rules

Your jewelry is going to be sent out by Lizzy herself

The contest is open to ANYONE that has an address!

That means ANYWHERE! But, you MUST Follow

Park-Avenue Princess through GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT!

Most important you must follow through Google Friend Connect!

Don't know how? Go here to get instructions!

I want you to head on over to Lizzy Bleu's Shop and tell me something that you'd LOVE to have or what you'd buy if you won! You MUST do this step to QUALIFY! If you choose tell me at least thee things you get +25 extra points but you MUST tell me at least one and NOT something pictured.

Also to qualify, I ask that you please 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 is in your profile).

This contest is open to ANYONE that Follows with GFC - Anywhere In the WORLD!

*This Contest ends 7/23/10*

Entries

There are Changes so Make Sure You Read!

+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

(All will be checked BEFORE they count!)

I am having a HUGE NOOK contest coming up --
I would like to reach 1,000 Followers!

So, spread the word about Park-Avenue Princess!
It's just a *Click* to Follow and

we're not that far away!!

And Because I'd like to get to my 1,000th Follower Quickly

I'll now be offering...

+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 like you to stay signed up forever!

I have some really AMAZING prizes 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!

So...SPREAD the Word! It's ONLY A Click & a Follow!

GOOD LUCK and HAVE FUN!!

KISSES & TOODLES!

Guest Post & Giveaway ~ "Token of Darkness" by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

Token of Darkness
By: Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
Publisher - Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Pages - 208
Level - YA
Giveaway - Five Copies

About the Book -

Cooper Blake has everything going for him—until he wakes from a car accident with his football career in ruins and a mysterious, attractive girl by his side. Cooper doesn’t know how Samantha got there or why he can see her; all he knows is that she’s a ghost, and the shadows that surround her seem intent on destroying her.

No one from Cooper’s old life would understand what he can barely grasp himself. . . . But Delilah, the captain of the cheerleading squad, has secrets of her own, like her ability to see beyond the physical world, and her tangled history with Brent, a loner from a neighboring school who can hear strangers’ most intimate thoughts. Delilah and Brent know that Cooper is in more trouble than he realizes, and that Samantha may not be as innocent as she has led Cooper to believe. But the only way to figure out where Samantha came from will put them all in more danger than they ever dreamed possible.
 
If you're now hooked and HAVE to know what happens, I have FIVE copies of this amazing book to give away! Stay Tuned (I'll fill you in at the bottom) after Amelia's Guest Post that she's written for Park-Avenue Princess!  I aslo wanted to make it a point to say that this week Amelia Atwater-Rhodes is over at RANDOM BUZZERS this week! Do stop by if you'd like to ask her any questions!  Without futher ado, Please make Amelia Feel Welcome!
 

Amelia Atwater-Rhodes Guest Post

 

 

I signed my first publishing contract when I was fourteen; I wrote my first complete novel when I was ten. I graduated high school, undergraduate and graduate school, went to Texas for a semester, have frequently worked full time, and maintain both a social- and love-life, all while continuing to write and publish. So it is not surprising that one of the questions I am most frequently asked is, “How do you do it all?”

 

I wrote Token of Darkness in November, 2007. At the time, I was a full-time student at the University of Massachusetts at Boston. I wrote the rough draft in 30 days as part of National Novel Writing Month (nanowrimo.org), which is part of the answer: I need pressure in order to get anything done. 50k in 30 days (the goal of NaNo) is possible for me. I couldn’t do it every month, because I need to maintain the other parts of my life, but I can rise to the challenge of a goal and the friendly competition of NaNo.

 

What I cannot do is ever get anything done when I have too much time. Summer has always been a difficult time for me, because I tend to be under-scheduled once school lets out (and I am not really a fan of heat and humidity unless I am on vacation with a pool or the beach nearby). If I work out a schedule to organize what needs to be done in a logical form that eliminates stress, I will violate the schedule, or add something to it; too much time kills my inspiration, which tends to come up when I am moving quickly, tackling difficult tasks, problem-solving, or moving from point A to point B in the moments between work. I tend to solve plot problems in the car between appointments, not when I actually sit down to focus on them.

 

It is only recently that I have ever created a schedule or established a specific time for writing. In January, I started a job that I hope to turn into a long-term career. My fiancée and I have also been in the process of buying a house and planning our wedding, and I have finally discovered what might be my limit for how much I can do at one time: full time job, plus writing, plus editing, plus graduate class, plus wedding and house-buying plans. Apparently that combination is difficult (go figure), so I decided I needed to make some kind of plan to ensure I did not lose my writing focus while developing other parts of my life. I have set up 5:30 to 6:30 in the morning as a time for writing projects. This schedule has worked for me since the beginning of January- the trick is to make the coffee and start work before I am awake enough to wonder why I am awake at five in the morning- and I hope I can hold onto it as time moves on, especially as summer months arrive.

I’ll let you know how it goes.

Visit Amelia at her website - HERE!
More About Amelia HERE!

Interested In The Rest Of the Tour?

Monday, March 1st  - Tales of the Ravenous Reader

Tuesday, March 2nd -  Park Avenue Princess

Wednesday, March 3rd - The Story Siren

Thursday, March 4th - Cynthia Leitich Smith

Friday, March 5th  - The Book Butterfly

Monday, March 8th -  Books by Their Covers

TOKEN OF DARKNESS GIVEAWAY!

I have a total of FIVE copies to give away!

One copy to FIVE LUCKY Followers!

Rules

These books are not being 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? The Duchess has written up a

wonderful tutorial for anyone that need help!

You can find that HERE!

You MUST do this step to QUALIFY! The only other thing I ask you do is that you leave your name/nickame 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 is in your profile).

*This Contest ends 3/29/10*

Entries

There are Changes so Make Sure You Read!

+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

(All will be checked BEFORE they count!)

So, spread the word about Park-Avenue Princess!

It's only a *Click* to Follow and We're NOT that far away!!

80 New Followers to be Exact!

For the Huge 1000 Follower Celebration!

And Because I'd like to get to my 1,000th Follower and

Huge Giveaway as Quickly As Possible

I'll now be offering...

+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 like you to stay signed up forever!

I have some really AMAZING prizes 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!

So...SPREAD the Word! It's ONLY A Click & a Follow!

GOOD LUCK and HAVE FUN!!

KISSES and TOODLES

Win a Signed ARC of "In A Heartbeat"

In A Heartbeat
By: Loretta Ellsworth
Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers
Available: February 2, 2010
Pages: 224
Genre: YA









About the Book:

When a small mistake costs sixteen-year-old Eagan her life during a figure-skating competition, she leaves many things unreconciled, including her troubled relationship with her mother. From her vantage point in the afterlife, Eagan reflects back on her memories, and what she could have done differently, through her still-beating heart.

When fourteen-year-old Amelia learns she will be getting a heart transplant, her fear and guilt battle with her joy at this new chance at life. And afterwards when she starts to feel different - dreaming about figure skating, craving grape candy - her need to learn about her donor leads her to discover and explore Eagan's life, meeting her grieving loved ones and trying to bring the closure they all need to move on.

Told in alternating viewpoints, In a Heartbeat tells the emotional and compelling story of two girls sharing one heart.

*My thoughts on "IN A HEARTBEAT" will be coming soon!  This copy is an ARC so The Winner will Get a chance to read the book before it comes out if February!

Author Loretta Ellsworth was born in Mason City, Iowa, and grew up in a large family of seven children, two parents, and one bathroom. When she was young she kept a diary but she never considered becoming a writer until she had four children. Her first book took me two years to write. She juggled writing with my work as a middle-school Spanish teacher, her kids' soccer games, and lots of family get-togethers.

In A Heartbeat Giveaway!!

Win an ARC Courtesy of Author Loretta Ellsworth

To enter you MUST be a follower of Park Avenue Princess, this means publicly and through Google Friend Connect if you are a Blogger Follower! (I will check) To do that just need to click Follow in the google Friends connect widget on the sidebar. If you are not a Blogger Blog Follower, please tell me how you do follow. Contests on this blog are only open to my readers who are followers.

This particular contest is only open Internationally so please spread the word!

*This giveaway will end on 12/16/09 at Midnight EST*

In your first comment tell me if you are an organ donor or not! If you don't feel comfortable with that, you may leave it blank! But, You do have to say "I'd love to win this book IN A HEARTBEAT"  Then make sure you leave your email address! No email, NO Win! (Place it in each entry!) That's all you need to do to be entered! Just follow & leave a comment!

+3 If you Subscribe by Mail

+3 If you Subscribe via Google Reader

+5 If you Rate Me On Blogged (see bottom of blog)

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

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

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

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

+20 If you Put My E-Reader Contest Button & Link Back

(These will be verified before they count towards your entries!!)

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!

(+25 for each and every NEW follower you bring me)

They just have to mention it in their post!

You will BOTH Get the Points!

A Huge Thank You to Loretta Ellsworth for Giving Me

An Extra *Signed* ARC for this Giveaway!

As alwys, Good Luck & HAVE FUN!!

*Don't Forget to Put in Your Entries for the E-Reader of Your Choice and Put the Button on Your Blog!







KISSES & TOODLES!!

Win a Copy of Lipstick Apology!

Four Little Words Written in Lipstick...


mean Emily must say goodbye to everything she knows. Emily Carson has always been a good girl. So when she throws a party the night her parents leave for vacation, she's sure she'll get busted. What Emily doesn't know is that her parents will never return. That their plane will go down. And the only thing left amidst the wreckage will be a tray table with the words: Emily please forgive me scrawled in lipstick—her mother's last words.

Now it's fall in New York City and Emily's trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life. Her public tragedy captures the attention of more than just the media—and soon two very different boys at her new school are pursuing her: the cute, popular Owen and the quirky chemistry partner slash pastry-baker-by-night, Anthony. But even with such delicious distractions, Emily can't let go of her mother's mysterious apology. Does she have the courage to face the truth?

With help of a whole new kind of family—one that includes a make-up artist to the stars, a teen model, and a wacky hairdresser—Emily must choose between the boy who makes her forget it all, and the one who encourages her to remember, and ultimately, heal.

Sometimes goodbye is just the beginning.

Watch The Trailer:

Lipstick Apology Giveaway!!

To enter you MUST be a follower of Park Avenue Princess, this means publicly and through Google Friend Connect if you are a Blogger Follower! (I will check) To do that just need to click Follow in the google Friends connect widget on the sidebar. If you are not a Blogger Blog Follower, please tell me how you do follow. Contests on this blog are only open to my readers who are followers.

This particular contest is only open Internationally so please spread the word!

*This giveaway will end on 12/15/09 at Midnight EST*

In your first comment tell me the strangest and/or coolest thing you've ever used to write a note with! Mine would be eyeliner...I didn't have a pen!  Then make sure you leave your email address! No email, NO Win! (Place it in each entry!) That's all you need to do to be entered! Just follow & leave a comment!

+ If you Subscribe by Mail

+ If you Subscribe via Google Reader

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

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

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

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

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

+20 If you Put My E-Reader Contest Button & Link Back

(These will be verified before they count towards your entries!!)

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!

(+25 for each and every NEW follower you bring me)

They just have to mention it in their post!

You will BOTH Get the Points!

A Huge Thank You to Jennifer Jabaley for her Visit to PAP!

Jennifer Donated The Book That I am Using for This Giveaway!

*It's Brand New*

As alwys, Good Luck & HAVE FUN!!

*Don't Forget to Put in Your Entries for the E-Reader of Your Choice and Put the Button on Your Blog!









KISSES & TOODLES!!

Welcome Author Jennifer Jabaley!

Today I have the great pleasure of hosting author Jennifer Jabaley! She's going to Guest Blog here regarding her newest book "LIPSTICK APOLOGY" and in the next post, check to see how one lucky readers will win a brand new copy of their own!

Let's Welcome Author Jennifer Jabaley! 




*Thunderous Applause*

I love this time of year - the crisp mornings and evenings, the vibrant colors painting the leaves and stacks of pumpkins decorating front porches. Looking at the painted pumpkins arranged on my kitchen table reminds me of one of my favorite scenes in LIPSTICK APOLOGY - the Halloween party where the stack of illuminated jack-o-lanterns explodes.

It's funny how many times readers have asked me if that really happened to me. The answer is no, this was a creation of my imagination. I loved the idea of a pyramid of pumpkins - it's so visual and festive - and the idea of candle light sparkling from a pumpkin creates a unique romantic ambiance for a roof top party. But of course when I'm creating scenes in my mind and I want to create drama, I always ask myself what's the worst thing that could happen? And somehow I envisioned this beautiful arrangement of pumpkins exploding everywhere, sticky orange pulp flying and flames of fire erupting. What a way to interrupt a kiss, right?

I think a lot of people assume that authors write scenes from their life, and maybe some do, but maybe my life is just a little dull :) Thank goodness I have an over active imagination.

Thanks for letting me ramble on your blog!

Jennifer Jabaley

You're MORE Than Welcome, Jennifer!

About the Author:

(The Short Version)

Born in New York and raised in Bridgewater, New Jersey, Jennifer Jabaley is a graduate of James Madison University and Southern College of Optometry. She began writing in 2006 and tries to manage optometry, writing and motherhood. She lives in Blue Ridge, Georgia with her husband and two children.

 
Stay Tuned to Learn How YOU Could Win a Copy of Lipstick Apology!
 
 

KISSES & TOODLES!!

Win a Kindle! & 2 Gift Card Winners!!

Photo taken from Amazon.com

I KNOW We're already offering a choice of E-Reader here on Park-Avenue Princess and if  you haven't entered that contest, I suggest you do!  (by the way, it's open internationally).

So here's the deal, I just came across another WONDERFUL Kindle Giveaway and with the holidays coming up and money being tight for so many of us, I'm going to give you a quick and easy way to enter & possibly win a Kindle yourself!

How did I do it? Well...I just entered a contest to win a free Kindle from Noobie (worth $259!) and I wanted you to have a chance to win one too!

It's simple to do! All you have to do is click the link below or copy and paste it into your favorite Internet browser!

http://www.noobie.com/kindle-giveaway?ref=44135735

From there, just fill out the form and BAM! You're entered to Win A Kindle! 

If you come back here and tell me where you posted *MY* link, the top two people that have posted it in the MOST places will in a $10.00 Gift Card to Amazon.com (or any other online book retailer).  All you have to do is post it in as many places as you can! That means Tweet it (as much as you'd like), Post it on your blog, FaceBook, MySpace....ANYWHERE!  Come back here with your links so I can check it and the top TWO will win Gift Cards!  Also, Let me know if you've entered yourself!  You have until the 10th of December!

Ready...Set...GO!

KISSES & TOODLES!!

Huge Haunting Halloween Hachette Giveaway!

Thank you to my wonderful friends at HACHETTE BOOK GROUP, I'm hosting a Huge Halloween GIVEAWAY!  Are you ready for this? THREE of My Lucky Readers will win a Prize Pack of FIVE Books Each! The following books are included in each and every prize package -

The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent
Sins of the Flesh by Caridad Piñeiro
When Ghosts Speak by Mary Ann Winkowski
BoneMan's Daughters by Ted Dekker
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

Plus After the contest ends, Hachette will select 20 random winners from among all participating blog winners to receive a galley (ARC) of Ted Dekker’s next book, THE BRIDE COLLECTOR! I know...I can hardly STAND IT! HACHETTE KNOW HOW TO DO HALLOWEEN!!

Let me tell you a little bit about each one of the books!

THE HETERIC'S DAUGHTER
By Kathleen Kent
Available: October 12, 2009


Martha Carrier was one of the first women to be accused, tried and hanged as a witch in Salem, Massachusetts. Like her mother, young Sarah Carrier is bright and willful, openly challenging the small, brutal world in which they live. Often at odds with one another, mother and daughter are forced to stand together against the escalating hysteria of the trials and the superstitious tyranny that led to the torture and imprisonment of more than 200 people accused of witchcraft. This is the story of Martha's courageous defiance and ultimate death, as told by the daughter who survived.

Kathleen Kent is a tenth generation descendent of Martha Carrier. She paints a haunting portrait, not just of Puritan New England, but also of one family's deep and abiding love in the face of fear and persecution.

Can't Wait? Read an EXCERPT!

SINS OF THE FLESH
By: Caridad Piñeiro
Available: October 27, 2009


Caterina Shaw's days are numbered. Her only chance for survival is a highly experimental gene treatment-a risk she willingly takes. But now Caterina barely recognizes herself. She has new, terrifying powers, an exotic, arresting body-and she's been accused of a savage murder, sending her on the run.

Mick Carrera is a mercenary and an expert at capturing elusive, clever prey. Yet the woman he's hunting down is far from the vicious killer he's been told to expect: Caterina is wounded, vulnerable, and a startling mystery of medical science. Even more, she's a beautiful woman whose innocent sensuality tempts Mick to show her exactly how thrilling pleasure can be. The heat that builds between them is irresistible, but surrendering to it could kill them both . . . for a dangerous group is plotting its next move using Caterina as its deadly pawn.

WHEN GHOST'S SPEAK
By: Mary Ann Winkowski
Available: October 1, 2009


Meet Mary Ann Winkowski. She is just like you. She is a married mother of two grown daughters. She lives in a suburban town in Ohio. She goes to church every Sunday.

And she sees and talks to ghosts.

Mary Ann's grandmother noticed her unusual ability when she was practically a baby. By the time Mary Ann was four years old, she was attending neighborhood funerals to broker communication between those who had died and their living loved ones. Word of her extraordinary abilities spread, and Mary Ann was soon accompanying her grandmother on "social calls," visits where Mary Ann would confront earthbound spirits who were sharing homes with the living. This ability stayed with Mary Ann through her adolescence into adulthood, and the stay-at-home mom eventually had a side business: paranormal consultant.

In this remarkable book, Mary Ann tells her incredible story. She talks about the difference between earthbound spirits and those who have crossed over; she tells you why spirits remain on the earthly plane and how long they have before their "White Light' disappears; she shares her most intriguing and infamous tales about the spirits she has encountered. And she divulges how to determine whether your house or your family is haunted--and what to do if there is a ghost around you.

Full of no-nonsense advice, amazing anecdotes, and practical tips for navigating a paranormal phenomenon that is at once unbelievable and awe-inspiring, WHEN GHOSTS SPEAK is a must-read for any person who has ever heard something go bump in the night.

Sound good doesn't it? Read an Excerpt HERE!

BONEMAN'S DAUGHTERS
By: Ted Dekker
Available: April 14, 2009


They call him BoneMan, a serial killer who's abducted six young women. He's the perfect father looking for the perfect daughter, and when his victims fail to meet his lofty expectations, he kills them by breaking their bones and leaving them to die.

Intelligence officer Ryan Evans, on the other hand, has lost all hope of ever being the perfect father. His daughter and wife have written him out of their lives.

Everything changes when BoneMan takes Ryan's estranged daughter, Bethany, as his seventh victim. Ryan goes after BoneMan on his own.

But the FBI sees it differently. New evidence points to the suspicion that Ryan is BoneMan. Now the hunter is the hunted, and in the end, only one father will stand.

This one...to DIE For! Read HERE!

THE HISTORIAN
By: Elizabeth Kostov
Available: September 1, 2009


From Publishers Weekly: Starred Review. Considering the recent rush of door-stopping historical novels, first-timer Kostova is getting a big launch—fortunately, a lot here lives up to the hype. In 1972, a 16-year-old American living in Amsterdam finds a mysterious book in her diplomat father's library. The book is ancient, blank except for a sinister woodcut of a dragon and the word "Drakulya," but it's the letters tucked inside, dated 1930 and addressed to "My dear and unfortunate successor," that really pique her curiosity. Her widowed father, Paul, reluctantly provides pieces of a chilling story; it seems this ominous little book has a way of forcing itself on its owners, with terrifying results. Paul's former adviser at Oxford, Professor Rossi, became obsessed with researching Dracula and was convinced that he remained alive. When Rossi disappeared, Paul continued his quest with the help of another scholar, Helen, who had her own reasons for seeking the truth. As Paul relates these stories to his daughter, she secretly begins her own research. Kostova builds suspense by revealing the threads of her story as the narrator discovers them: what she's told, what she reads in old letters and, of course, what she discovers directly when the legendary threat of Dracula looms. Along with all the fascinating historical information, there's also a mounting casualty count, and the big showdown amps up the drama by pulling at the heartstrings at the same time it revels in the gruesome. Exotic locales, tantalizing history, a family legacy and a love of the bloodthirsty: it's hard to imagine that readers won't be bitten, too.

Read more HERE!

Are You Ready To WIN This SPINE-CHILLING BOOK GIVEAWAY? I Knew you were! Here's how!

GIVEAWAY!!

THREE Of My LUCKY Readers Will WIN The Above Prize Pack of FIVE BOOKS!

for their Very own! Plus, their name will be

entered to win one of twenty galleys!

Courtesy of Hachette Book Group and Park-Avenue Princess!

Books will be coming directly from HBG - So, there are two rules:

You MUST Reside in the U.S. or Canada ONLY

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!

Blogger Friends, You must follow me through

Google Friend Connect! To do that -

Hit the FOLLOW Button In The Top Right Corner!

That way, We can both see you and I know you are one of my readers!

All Entries MUST be in By Midnight (EST) November 14th

WINNERS Drawn on November 15th!

Since I LOVE to be scared and Halloween is one of my favorite times of the year, I'd like for you to tell me Something that you are totally afraid of in your first post! (You MUST do this to be entered)! Do this and add your name and email address - So that I may contact you if you've won!!

Then... The EXTRAS!

These only count if you FOLLOW the above directions

and these are just that "EXTRA" ... they are NOT Necessary

Do they better your odds? Of course!

+3 If you Subscribe by Mail (or already do!)

+3 If you Subscribe via Google Reader (or already do!)

+5 If you TWEET About This Giveaway (daily)

+5 If you Blog about this Giveaway (sidebar)

+10 If you blog about this Giveaway in it's own post

+15 If you follow me on Twitter (Leave your @APrkAvePrincess)

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

Try to Separate your entries one per post (Pretty Please)!

(+25 for each and every NEW follower you bring me)

They just have to mention it in their post!

You'll each get the points!!

Good Luck and HAVE FUN!!

I can't THANK you ALL enough for Stopping By!

Have a Hauntingly Good Halloween!

KISSES and TOODLES
(The One and Only..)

A Review and Giveaway for the *VIXEN* In You!

I am SO excited to be able to offer you TWO books that I loved! The Vixen Diaries and The Vixen Manual!  FIVE Winners are EACH going to get BOTH books!!  Now, I know I wasn't able to post much during BBAW, but I PROMISE that this week you will NOT be disappointed with what I have to offer you! Stay right here with ME this week, I'm going to have MANY Announcements and Giveaways! If you do...you'll be SO glad you did!

Let's talk about the first book up for Giveaway!

The Vixen Diaries

By: Karrine Steffans

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

When: Sept. 25, 2007

Pages: 208

Book Description:

This titillating exposé chronicles the personal and professional adventures of this tabloid-laden socialite, dispelling some rumors, while confirming others. Diaries unveils the heavily shrouded Hollywood backrooms and its coveted secrets. Offering her ardent fans answers to burning questions and presenting lessons learned, this book will surely not disappoint.

Karrine Steffans continues to dish out juicy gossip and the much sought after details of her star studded lifestyle and the celebrity men that helped her get where she needed to be.

Karrine draws you in to get an up-close and personal look at the Hollywood life of fast money and sex; all the things that make for a great movie. She discusses her interactions with people after the release of Confessions of a Video Vixen and how she copes with it all.

That's not ALL! I have the Brand new Follow up!

The Vixen Manual - How to Find, Seduce and Keep the Man You Want

By: Karrine Steffans

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

When: July 13, 2009

Pages: 272

Book Description:

Since she exploded on the scene with her two juicy and impossible-to-put-down tell-alls, readers have wanted to know even more about what makes Karrine Steffans tick. How was she able to meet all the high profile politicians, movie stars, and other celebrities that are her close acquaintances? What skills does she possess to keep men wanting more? Finally, Karrine lays it all out and explains exactly what a woman must do to win over the man of her dreams. With chapters like "Never Let Him See You Sweat,""Flirting,""Encouraging His Manhood," and "Give Him What He Wants," this hot and sexy manual is a must-have for every woman's bookshelf.

Read an Interview With Karrine - Here!

About the Author:

Karrine Steffans became a New York Times best selling author after releasing her debut tell-all book Confessions of a Video Vixen in June of 2005. Since the success of her books, Karrine speaks at universities and celebrity panels. She has also established The Karrine Steffans Girls Club, The Karrine Steffans Book Club , and The Steffans Commentary on MySpace. Check out Karrine's website at www.karrine.com

Fan Karrine on FaceBook!

Follow on Twitter @KarrineSteffans
OR You Can Follow her VidTweets!

My Thoughts:

Video Vixen Karrine Steffans doesn't disappoint with these two sizzling hot books about finding the man you want and how to keep him! Each chapter talks about a different subject with specific tips from Karrine on the sidenotes! I found both of these books to be highly enjoyable, entertaining, sexy and very easy to read! Karrine is no-holds barred and up front! I love the sassy, spicy attitude that Karrine has. She had confidence that packs a punch and it just oozes from the pages! Find your inner VIXEN. We all have one!

This is one hot, sexy tell-all manual that will have the man of your dreams coming back and begging for more! All you have to do is follow Karrine's tips!

Can't wait for the Giveaway to End?

Buy The Vixen Diaries

Buy The Vixen Manual

This GIVEAWAY if for ALL My Book VIXENS!!

FIVE LUCKY Readers Will WIN BOTH Books Listed Above!!

This Contest is Open to Residents of the U.S. and Canada

The Books Will Be Shipped Directly From The Publisher

What does that mean? No P.O. Boxes (Please)!

How Do you Win and Let out that Vicious Vixen Within?

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 October 24th (EST)

WINNERS Drawn on (or around) the 25th!

Extra Ways to Win!

You MUST be a FOLLOWER with GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT or the

Extra Entries Do Not Count! I'd Like to Thank Anna at

Hachette Book Group for making this Giveaway possible!

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 to Enter This Giveaway - 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 that they are new and you sent them!

Good Luck and HAVE FUN!!

Thank you ALL for Stopping By!

This week was about Book Blogger Appreciation

and I Want You To Know That I Appreciate You ALL

and Have A Whole Lot To Celebrate! So Much that I'd

Like to Continue Celebrating for the Rest of the Month!

Without you, your comments and input, this blog

wouldn't be able to continue to grow!

KISSES ~ XXX

The New Sony E-Reader Giveaway will be announced *VERY* soon!

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!!