Michelle Zink's Blog, page 25

A Temptation of Angels Playlist Song #7 – Vices

I know, I know… Another Brand New song! But this one is perfect for sickle training.

I'm also pleased to announce Shelley Koons as the winner of the $250 bookstore gift card! Thanks to everyone who rushed out to buy a copy of A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS in-store. And stay tuned, because I will continue to offer AH-mazing giveaways and will announce the Ipad contest winners on Saturday.

SO EXCITED.

In the meantime, check this song. And don't' be turned off by its militant vibe. As with all Brand New songs, you really have to listen to the lyrics.

A Temptation of Angels Playlist Song #6 – Hurricane

Chosen for the warehouse scene in the book, the sixth song on the A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS contemporary playlist is Hurricane by 30STM. I've always loved this song, and it's a particularly good fit for everything that transpires at the warehouse.

Hope you enjoy it!

And don't forget; you can still get an entry (or more than one!) in the $250 gift card giveaway by buying A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS in any brick-and-mortar bookstore — but only until Midnight EST tonight. So hurry!

A Temptation of Angels Playlist Song #5 – Breathe Me by Sia

Oh, you guys… I have such a soft spot for this song. Those of you who know me probably know why.

For those of you who don't, just listen and enjoy. It's perfect for Helen and is labeled "Helen Goes Home" on the playlist.

A Temptation of Angels Contemporary Playlist Songs 3 and 4

Sorry I blew it on the Temptation playlist song of the day yesterday! I spent the day on a college visit with Rebekah and came home BEAT.

To make it up to you, I'm giving you Songs 3 AND 4 tonight!

This one is song #3 and is labeled "Helen discovers her identity" on my playlist. I've always loved this cover of the Eurythmics original, and it's a perfect fit here.

The 4th song on the contemporary playlist is Heartbeat by the Fray. I see this song when Helen and Griffin first become friends, walking the streets of London, getting to know each other, and doing sickle training in the ballroom.

Hope you guys enjoy these!

On another note, the Ipad GIveaway is officially closed. Thanks so much to everyone who entered in the month of March by helping me spread the word about A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS. You really made a difference. Winners will be announced on Friday April 7th, so stay tuned!

You still have a couple days to enter for the $250 store gift card by buying a copy of A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS in any brick-and-mortar bookstore (ANY store, as long as it's not online). So many people bought copies online that we have surprisingly few entries for this mega gift card, which means great chances of winning. So hurryyy!

Temptation Playlist Song #2 – Search and Destroy by 30 Seconds to Mars

After posting the first song on the A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS playlist yesterday, I wanted to continue by giving you guys the second song, chosen for Helen's escape. Those of you who have read the book will know what I mean.

Hope you enjoy it! And don't forget there's still a few more days to enter the $250 gift card giveaway for buying a copy of A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS in any brick-and-mortar store as well as two more days to enter to win the Ipad and assorted other goodies.

Hurryyyy!!

Temptation Playlist Song #1 – Noro by Brand New

This is the song I chose for the opening scene of A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS. Those of you who know me know that my adoration for Brand New if well documented, so this probably comes as no surprise. Still, it's a perfect fit, and those of you who have read the book will know why.

And I always have to post lyrics for Brand New songs, because they are a true writer's band. No one writes songs like Brand New.

I hope you enjoy it and that you're all accumulating entries for the $250 gift card and the Ipad. Not long now!

 

Little light lead us through the night

And if we die burn down the forest

chariots, carry us

distance says we don't care to walk

I'm on my way to hell

I'm on my way to hell

Why doesn't anyone in Noro sleep?

Are they all just scared of their dreams?

When they lay down there heads down at night,

What are they haunted by?

Why won't anyone just close their eyes?

Could it hurt them to rest for a while?

(Because)

I'm on my way to hell

(Well I've tried, god knows that I've tried)

I'm on my way to hell

(One time, two time, three time)

Sitting duck

Running out of luck

And I caught up on the train crossing

How are we ever gonna know peace

How will I ever see a life through the tress

I wanna burn down everything we begun

I wanna kill and eat my young

(Because)

I'm on my way to hell

(Well I've tried, god knows that I've tried)

I'm on my way to hell

(One time, two time, three time, again)

I'm on my way to hell

(Well I've tried, god knows that I've tried)

I'm on my way to hell

(One time, two time, three time, again)

I'm on my way to hell [x4]

 

 

 

Looking for a Tempting Vibe?

I'm all about atmosphere, so if you're looking for a little taste of the atmosphere in A TEMPTATION IF ANGELS, here are two good ways to check it out!

You can go to the A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS Pinterest board, which is a virtual bulletin board of images that fit in with the vibe in the book. It's GORGEOUS, if I do say so myself! I had so much fun choosing all the beautiful images.

You can also listen to samples of Kenneth's original A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS score, either on Itunes or on Amazon. It's a perfect fit for the book. Kenneth and I collaborated for months on the project, with Kenneth coming up with new pieces and calling me over to listen when he thought he had something good. We have a lot of fun with these projects, and I feel so lucky to have someone around who really "gets" the atmosphere in my work and is able to so perfectly match it with his own.

You have almost a week left to buy a copy of A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS in any brick-and-mortar store (an Indie, a B&N, Books-a-Million, etc.) for an entry into the $250 gift card giveaway, and you have a little less than a week to accumulate entries in the epic Ipad Giveaway (which includes lots of other great prizes in addition to the Ipad).

So.. yeah! Tons of awesome prizes and chances to win, in addition to quite a few blogger giveaways still going on.

And with that, I need to share some links of more awesome blogger reviews fro A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS. I try to say thank you to bloggers who enjoy my work and review. If I missed you, it was entirely unintentional! If you'd like me to link to your review, just send it to prophecypress@aol.com.

Gothic Angel Book Reviews wrote, "I must say that few books end with me in tears with a pile of tissues beside me. Even fewer books still that start with tears and end with a wry kind of smile. A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS was one of the latter."

Book Kitty Blog called TEMPTATION, "Dark and beautiful."

Rebecca's Book Blog said, "If you love historical fantasy, or if you love paranormal romance but want to read something that's different and unique, I highly recommend this book."

You can still enter Reading or Breathing's giveaway for personalized copies of A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS, and Novel Thoughts is still running their giveaway for two wonderful prize packs, including book store gift cards.

Tomorrow I'll start unveiling the contemporary A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS playlist. Come back to check it out!

In Store Book Purchase = $250 gift card and Ipad Giveaway Entries

Wow. You guys continue to amaze me. I watched my numbers at B&N climb OVERNIGHT after launching the initiative to give readers an entry for a $250 gift card for EVERY COPY of A Temptation of Angels they purchase in an actual store – any actual store.

This is because, as I've said more than once, my readers RULE.

And that's not all, purchasing a book in-store qualifies you for tons of other contests and giveaways, too, with some amazing prizes up for grabs including an Ipad, gift cards to Itunes and Starbucks, Visa gift cards, Victoria's Secret swag, and MOAR!

You can read more about the giveaways in play here, but here's the gist; buy A Temptation of Angels at any bookstore and get an entry in the $250 gift card giveaway. This also entitles you to TEN ENTRIES per copy purchased for the Ipad giveaway (an online purchase counts for this one, too) as long as you purchase before Sunday April 1st.

And that's not all.

I'll send you a free signed limited edition bookplate and bookmark for each book (this makes for an amazing and personal gift for the reader in your life) you purchase, too.

So basically, but a book in-store and be entered to win a $250 gift card, an Ipad, and assorted other swag, PLUS get free personalized bookplates and bookmarks for each copy.

Not a bad deal, if I do say so myself!

Thank again to all of you who have mobilized on my behalf by going out to your bookstores and buying the book, as well as those of you who have bought online. What would I do without you?!

Blogger Reviews, Giveaways, and a $250 Gift Card!

Okay, I'm sort of recovered from the crazy that was release day for A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS. If I owe you an email or a tweet or a Facebook comment or ANYTHING, I promise you, I'm working on it.

First things first; Like many people, I buy a lot of stuff online. I live in a very rural area where the nearest bookstore is almost an hour away, the nearest Thai restaurant is 40 minutes away, and the only restaurant in town that delivers is a pizza place – four of them, to be exact.

As a single mother to four teenagers, sometimes I just can't get in my car and make the haul somewhere to buy something (not to mention how expensive gas is – eeek!). Enter online shopping.

That said, I would HATE to come to a place where we don't have any more brick and mortar stores, because sometimes, there's nothing like going to a bookstore or a music store or a natural foods store and just… wandering. So I'm going to do something to encourage brick and mortar buying.

I'm offering up entries for a $250 bookstore gift card (you can choose – Indiebound, Books-a-Million, B&N, Book Depository, Amazon, etc.) to anyone who purchases A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS in ANY brick-and-mortar store.

Yes. $250!

All you have to do is send a picture of your receipt (please make sure it's legible) to prophecypress@aol.com.

And I'll give you one entry for EVERY copy of TEMPTATION you purchase at a brick and mortar store.

This giveaway is open to residents of the US and Canada (the release date for Temptation is different in other countries) and runs from the release day of TEMPTATION (March 20th)  through Midnight EST on Tuesday April 3rd. So if you purchased the book at a brick and mortar store prior to now, you are still eligible to win. If you've already supplied a brick and mortar receipt for a bookplate, just shoot as en email and we'll enter you automatically. Plus, I'll still send you a signed bookplate for your book and a bookmark.

That's it! No tweeting, no Facebook status, no blog posts. Just a receipt for your copy or copies of TEMPTATION from a brick and mortar store.

Now, I need to give a little blog review and giveaway love!

Seventeen Magazine said A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS, "…will leave you craving more until the very end."

The Story Siren is hosting a TEMPTATION swag giveaway and said about the book; "An absolutely beautiful story! I only hope there is more to come! There is more, right?"

Alice Marvels said A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS is, "… always a delicious, captivating ride."

Dark Faerie Tales said, "Zink builds a convincing and mysterious world around historical London that will keep you turning the pages!"

Esther's Ever After called TEMPTATION, "… an addictive, fascinating, page-turner that's remarkably refreshing for its genre."

Christine Fonseca, author of another angel book called LACRIMOSA, says TEMPTATION is, "… a beautifully crafted historical tale that tackles themes I can really relate to – love, betrayal, temptation."

The Book Faery said Temptation was, "… most definitely a One-Sit-Read for me, my highest honor!"

Nina Reads said, "Michelle Zink has once again created something completely original… If this is not on your to-read list already, add it now!"

Starting the Next Chapter said, "Michelle Zink has created a wonderfully imaginative take on the battle between angels and demons that will set your imagination alight.

Thanks for all the kind words, you guys!

And there are some blogger giveaways still in play, too!

Novel Thoughts has two awesome TEMPTATION prize packs up for grabs!

There is ONE MORE DAY to enter WhatchYAReading's giveaway, including swag and book store gift cards!

The Story Siren's TEMPTATION giveaway also includes swag and a book store gift card!

You have two more weeks to enter I Am a Reader Not a Writer's giveaway for a signed copy of A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS plus swag.

Aaaaand! Don't forget that you still have 9 days to enter the massive Ipad giveaway right here! There are tons of amazing prizes, and all you have to do is help me spread the word that Temptation is out in the world. Easy!

And lastly, a big shout out and thank you to Kelsey at Reading or Breathing for rallying the troops to help me with a little distribution problem.

What You Can Do

Now that A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS has officially released, many of you have approached me to ask what you can do to help.

It means so much to me that so many of you want to support me and my work. Many of you have been with me since Prophecy of the Sisters published in 2009. You have supported me through so much and helped spread the word about my work in a way that has made a true difference in my success.

TEMPTATION is a bit of a departure for me. It's the first non-Prophecy book I've published and also the first book with my new publisher, Penguin/Dial. While it's still dark and Gothic in style, it's got a Steampunk edge and a lot more action than Prophecy. I think it's a dark, sexy read with the same kind of psychological undertones that made Prophecy a cult favorite, and I'm very excited to share it with you.

I welcome your support in any way you can offer it. Purchasing the book – particularly in the first couple of weeks when sales are closely monitored by the publisher – helps tremendously. It tells publishers that there is immediate demand for the book and sometimes increases early print runs and prompts the publisher to increase marketing. If you go to purchase the book and your store doesn't have it, please take a minute to inquire with the staff. Often, the books haven't been unpacked yet and are sitting in the back. Having a customer ask will prompt the booksellers to put them on the shelf. If the store doesn't have it all, special ordering sends a signal to corporate that there is demand for the book.

And I'll do my part by providing a free bookplate and bookmark (for as long as they last) for each book that you buy.

But buying the book isn't the only way to help! Requesting it at your library also drives sales (libraries buy tons of books and provide such a tremendous service tot heir communities) as does tweeting about the book or posting a Facebook status about it with links to it at Indiebound, Amazon, B&N, or Book Depository (links make it easy for people to click through). Once you've read the book, leaving positive reviews on sites like Amazon, B&N, and Goodreads help other readers feel more comfortable taking a chance on the book.

Writing is my lifelong dream. My lifelong passion. Everything you do to spread the word helps support that dream, and for that, I can never thank you enough. There are many of you that I've never met in person, and yet I've found that I remember you and think of you as friends. That friendship, more than ANYTHING else, is truly invaluable to me.

Thank you so much for everything you do!