Michelle Zink's Blog, page 27

Be Tempted to Win a Free Ipad 2!!!!

You heard me!

As many of you know, I always do a big giveaway to celebrate the launch of a new book. This is in part because, well, it's fun! But also, I've learned over the years that there is very little I can control about the publishing experience. Most of the marketing is handled by the publisher, and to be very honest, a lot of the really big stuff is out of reach for most authors.

But there are two things in which I believe unequivocally; the writing and the enthusiasm and support of my readers.

A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS will be my fourth published novel, and if it's one thing I've learned, it's that NOTHING beats word of mouth for building book buzz. Nothing. So while I could spend my marketing budget taking out high-priced ads, I think I'll bet on you guys instead.

With that in mind, I have FOUR incredible prizes for the A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS Giveaway.

The Grand Prize is a 16GB Ipad 2 with WIFI and a $50 Itunes gift card.

The Ipad 2 is a truly amazing device, allowing you to read books and magazines (often with special apps and features), listen to music, work on graphics, surf the internet, and basically do anything you can do on a full size computer using something you can stick in a regular-size handbag.

This prize will ship direct from Apple, so you can choose black or white if/when you win. If you're fortunate enough to already own one of these bad boys, I'm sure you know this would also make an amazing gift for a special someone.

One First Prize Winner will receive;

A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS signed hardcover

Victoria's Secret bath and body set with make-up bag

BE TEMPTED t-shirt

$50 Visa gift card (not pictured)

$15 Starbucks gift card

$10 Itunes gift card

Gold High Roller nail polish

Angel mini-frame

Mini-candle

A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS postcard and bookmark.

One second prize winner will receive;

A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS signed hardcover

Victoria's Secret Seductive Amber Fragrance Mist and Body Lotion

Be Tempted t-shirt

Gothic-inspired bracelet

$25 Visa gift card

$15 Starbucks gift card

$10 Itunes gift card

Purple Haze nail polish

Angel mini-frame

Mini-candle

A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS postcard and bookmark.

One third prize winner will receive;

A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS signed hardcover

Victoria's Secret Seductive Amber Fragrance Mist and Body Lotion

$15 Starbucks gift card

$10 Itunes gift card

Purple Haze nail polish

Angel mini-frame

A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS postcard and bookmark.

Pretty awesome, am I right?!

So here's the deal; The most critical time for a book is right after it comes out. That's because during the first couple of weeks, the publisher is closely watching the numbers to gauge how its being received by the reading public. I'm really hoping that you guys will help me spread the word, because if anyone can get the buzz going, it's YOU. And even though I know many of you would do that anyway, it's kind of fun to sweeten the deal for you with some extra special goodies. And I've given you lots of ways to win!

Here's how you earn entries;

TEN (count them – 10!) ENTRIES for EVERY copy of A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS you purchase or preorder for the duration of this giveaway. That means if you buy a copy for yourself, one for a sister, and one for a friend, you get THIRTY entries. PLUS, I'll send you a signed, personalized bookplate at no charge for each copy you purchase. To claim these entries, send your book receipt, order confirmation, or a photo of your receipt or order confirmation (cell phone pics are fine as long as we can read them) to prophecypress@aol.com. If you have already preordered and requested a bookplate, just remind Rebekah of that in your contest entry email (no documentation required in this case since you've already provided it).

TEN ENTRIES for uploading a Youtube video in which you explain why you're excited about the book. Include a link to the video when you email your total number of entries.

FIVE ENTRIES for changing your Twitter picture to the A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS book cover (must remain for the duration of the giveaway).

FIVE ENTRIES for changing your Facebook picture to the A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS book cover (must remain for the duration for the giveaway).

ONE ENTRY for each time you tweet a link to the book (on Amazon, B&N, Indiebound, or any other bookstore site). You must include #atemptationofangels for these entries to count.

ONE ENTRY for each time you tweet a link to this contest post. You MUST include #atemptationofangels for these entries to count.

ONE ENTRY for each friend you refer to me on Twitter. Your friend must follow me and @michellezink with #atemptationofangels that they were referred by you. They get an entry when they do plus any other entries they accumulate by participating in the giveaway.

ONE ENTRY for each time you tweet the link to the A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS trailer here; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmB4L671wqA. You must include #atemptationofangels for these entries to count.

ONE ENTRY for each time you post a Facebook status about the book. You must be my Friend on Facebook and tag me for these entries to count.

As you can see, there are TONS of ways to win. You can do one thing or twenty. You can spend a day accumulating entries or you can work on entries all month long and email your total at the end. Pick and choose whatever works for you. It's no accident that Keisha Natalee, last year's Circle of Fire Grand Prize Winner (of an Ipod Touch), had 80+ entries,  many of them a result of friend referrals. The more entries you have, the better chance of winning. And truly, it will help me so much, which I appreciate more than you know.

Here's the fine print; Contest runs now through midnight on Saturday, March 31st. Winners will be chosen by Random Number Generator and announced April 7th. You MUST email your total number of entries plus any supporting documentation (receipts, Youtube links, etc.) to prophecypress@aol.com with "BE TEMPTED LAUNCH GIVEAWAY" in the Subject line by that time to win. This giveaway is open only to residents of the US and Canada or anyone with a shipping address in the US or Canada (you can use a friend or relative's address if you like and have them forward the prizes to you).

That's it! And you guys… many of you have been with me for years now. I want you to know how very much your support continues to mean to me. I feel as if I know many of you, and you are the very best part of this journey.

 

 

A Temptation of Angels Trailer – World Premier

You guys get it here first! Less than three weeks now to the release of A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS and tomorrow marks the launch of my biggest giveaway yet. All of which makes this perfect timing for the release of the A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS book trailer.

And remember; you can get a signed, limited edition bookplate with every copy of the book that you preorder PLUS 10 entries each in the giveaway. Just send your receipts, order confirmations, or pics of either to prophecypress@aol.com. Don't forget to tell me who you want me to sign the bookplate to!

Huge thanks to Kenneth for the incredible (as always) trailer music. The soundtrack for the book releases in just a couple of weeks and it's AMAZING. Can't wait to share it with you. And special thanks goes to Caroline who produced and edited the trailer.

Enjoy!

Free Like You Make Me

You guys… I'm SO IN LOVE with this week's song, Free Like You Make Me by Cary Brothers. You know that feeling of elation and meloncholy and discovery that's all wrapped into one when you discover a great new band or song?

THAT'S what Song of the Week is about, and this one nails it for me.

It was nominated by Jeannie, one of my favorite online peeps, and I feel like I owe her a huge debt of gratitude. I'm going to look up ALL the songs by this guy right now.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

And P.S. Don't forget to come back this Thursday for the kick-off of the MASSIVE A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS GIVEAWAY. I'm ridiculously excited to tell you guys about the Grand Prize, but I also have three amazing runner-up prizes. Stay tuned…

Temptation Thursday; Meet Darius Channing!

Two weeks ago you got to meet Griffin, one of the Channing brothers who, along with Helen Cartwright, are the only remaining Keepers in A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS.

Tonight I'm pleased to introduce Darius, Griffin's older brother. When I see Darius in my mind, it's like this (actor Jensen Ackles);

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

… except with a scar along his cheekbone, obtained when Darius was forced to defend himself and Griffin in a deadly wraith attack after their parents were executed. Darius is closed off and dangerous. He doesn't think twice about pulling rank on Griffin, and he makes no secret about the fact that Helen is a complication they don't need. Darius is sarcastic and acerbic, with only one very significant chink in his armor.

Her name is Anna, and you'll meet her in two weeks.

For now, I hope you enjoy this sneak peek from A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS (less than a month!)!

At first it seemed they were alone. Helen took advantage

of the moment to reach up and smooth her disheveled hair. It

was the first time all night that she had thought of her appear-

ance, but it somehow seemed important to impress Darius, whomever

he was and however impossible a task it might be,

given her dirty nightdress, bare feet, and sooty skin.

"That cannot be her." The voice, deep and low, came from

a chair in a shadowed corner.

Griffin stopped in the middle of the plush carpet, very like

the ones in her own home. She had an image of the rugs in her

chamber burning, the carved bed aflame, the paint melting

across the portrait of her mother in the parlor. A spasm of loss

and grief almost brought her to her knees.

"It is," Griffin answered. "At least, I believe it is."

"Have you even prepared for the possibility that it's not?"

There was steel behind the question, though Helen had no

idea what the man meant.

Griffin sighed. "She's just a girl, Darius. And she's cold and

tired."

"I should hope she is anything but a simple girl. Otherwise,

you have let a stranger into the house at great risk to us both."

The shadow that was Darius continued without waiting for an

answer. "Never mind. Bring her here."

She saw the apology in Griffin's eyes as he prompted her

forward with a nod of his head.

Lifting her chin, Helen moved toward the chair. Dishevel-

ment aside, she did not intend to be bullied.

"I have no idea who or what you think I am, but I can

assure that I am, in fact, just a girl as your brother claims." She

was relieved to hear the anger in her voice. To feel it trickle

through her bloodstream in place of the numbness she had felt

since escaping her burning home.

The figure in the chair rose to his feet, his face still in

shadow. She felt him survey her in the silence that followed.

"She's too young."

The simple pronouncement fueled her annoyance. "If you

have something to say about me, kindly afford me the respect

of saying it to me, will you?"

Darius did not answer right away, and Helen wondered if

she had gone too far. Anger seemed to flow outward from the

shadow where he stood.

"Fair enough," he said, his face directed toward hers. "You're

too young."

She shook her head, feeling as if she had landed in some

kind of alternate reality. "Too young for what?"

"Too young to be who you're supposed to be and too young

to be of any use if you are."

"And who exactly am I supposed to be?"

She saw the tip of his head, even in the shadows, as if he

was considering his answer. When he stepped into the light of

the desk lamp, she saw that he was taller than Griffin, with

a fine scar running from his right temple nearly to his chin.

She thought him striking, and not as old as he sounded when

shrouded in darkness. His eyes, identical to Griffin's, flashed

yellow-green when he answered.

"One of us."

 

Just Breathe

This week's song, Just Breathe from Pearl Jam, is from me to you. Sometimes we all need to just breathe. This is one of those times.

Love you guys.

The Good News and the Bad News…

Well, the bad news is that I've been super busy writing and taking care of family/kid stuff so I don't have a mystery OR a movie review for you tonight.

The good news is that A) March 1st, a week from this Thursday, I'll be announcing the super big, amazingly awesome A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS giveaway, and B) I've decided to continue the free bookplate offer to anyone who pre-orders A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS. All you have to do is email a receipt or order confirmation (or a photo of your receipt or order confirmation) to prophecypress@aol.com with the name you'd like the bookplate signed to and your full name and address (for mailing). I'll do this as long as I still have stock on them, so don't wait too long! They make an awesome personalized gift when placed inside a book.

And seriously, you guys. I'm SOOOO excited to announce my big giveaway. It's the biggest thing I've ever done. I'm like a kid before Christmas right now!

Temptation Thursday; Sickle Training Anyone?

Just five weeks until the release of A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS! Can you believe it?! I'll be announcing the big release month giveaway March 1st and will have tons of other fun for you to celebrate the launch, including the release of Kenneth's A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS score. Can't wait to share it all with you!

In the meantime, this week's teaser features Griffin (you met him last week here) and Helen engaging in some, er, intimate training in the ballroom.

Enjoy!

A moment later, they rounded a corner into an enormous, nearly empty room. Sun-

light streamed in through windows that rose to the ceiling and

dust motes hung in the air like a veil as Helen stepped onto

the parquet floor.

"It's lovely." She turned in a circle, admiring the chandeliers

overhead, the gilt-framed art on the walls.

"It hasn't been in use for some time." Griffin crossed to

a small table against one wall. "I wasn't even old enough to

attend the last ball that was held here."

Helen nodded, her mind touching on the experiences she

always assumed would be hers before the murder of her fam-

ily and the ruin of her home.

"I'll bet it was wonderful, though." She smiled at him as

he came back toward her, holding something in his hands.

"When it was all lit up, I mean."

He nodded. When their eyes met, his loss mirrored her own.

He held something out to her. Helen took it, closing her

hand around the smooth wood of the V-shaped training sickle.

"It won't hurt you while you learn, but it will give you

a feel for the advantages and challenges of such a strangely

shaped weapon. I assume you've taken fencing?"

Helen couldn't hide her surprise. "How did you know?"

He shrugged. "It was part of the curriculum for most of us.

All the usual studies plus Latin, religious history, intelligent

defense, fencing."

"Intelligent defense?" She remembered Father's lessons on

Latin and religious history and the more recent addition of

fencing, but she didn't recall anything approximating intel-

ligent defense.

"It might not have been presented as an actual lesson. Our

parents were killed before we could study it outright. But

when we were small, the lessons came in the form of games."

"What kind of games?" But Helen already knew what he

would say.

"Games like Find the Way Out and What Would You Do If . . ." He

tipped his head. "You did play them, didn't you?"

She nodded, the pieces of the puzzle clicking together in

her mind. "I didn't realize they were more than games until I

escaped from the tunnel under my house the night of the fire.

I emerged in front of Claridge's."

Griffin raised his eyebrows. "I take it you were familiar?"

"My father took me there for tea every week. We often

walked the streets afterward. Right by this very house, I'm

sure."

"It must have been difficult to prepare us without actually

telling us anything. It cannot have been easy to teach children

such things," he said. "As time passes, you'll discover a lot of

things you didn't realize you knew."

She heard her mother's frantic voice the night of the fire.

You know more than you think, Helen.

"Now, when you hold the sickle…" Griffin backed up,

looking at her more closely, his eyes traveling to the hem of

her skirts. "I do like your new clothing, Helen, but . . . well,

your skirt seems shorter than normal."

She had wondered if Griffin would even notice the eccen-

tricities of her attire.

Sighing, she reached down with her free hand, pulling the fabric

away from her legs so he could see the cut of the design. "It

isn't a skirt. Not really."

His bewilderment turned to shock. "You're wearing trousers?"

"They're not trousers!" she protested. "It is a slightly shorter

skirt sewn in the middle so I can move about more freely."

"Yes," Griffin agreed, laughing. "Pants! Like I said."

She slapped him playfully on the shoulder. "Gowns are made

for strolling and sewing. I cannot hope to defend myself with

all that fabric weighing on my legs. This can pass as a slightly

short skirt while still allowing me some freedom of move-

ment. Besides," she looked down at herself, feeling a twinge of

pride, "I think I did quite well designing them on a moment's

notice, and Andrew did brilliantly with creating them."

"All right." Griffin rubbed the stubble, faintly visible on his

chin. "I see your point."

He backed up a few more feet, beginning to explain the

use of the sickle. Helen listened intently, for though they were

practicing with wood, she might well be holding the razor-

sharp edge of a real sickle someday soon. And her life might

depend on her ability to use it.

It was not very different from fencing in stance, Griffin

explained. He reminded her to place her weight on her back foot

when gauging the situation and to transfer it to her front

when taking the offensive.

"It's trickier than fencing, though, because you don't have

the length of the blade between you and your opponent." He

demonstrated, moving closer to her. He held out the training

sickle as if attacking her with its sharp edge. "You have to get

close enough to do damage, but that places you near enough

to be injured as well."

"How do I avoid that?" Helen asked, her mind already work-

ing to come up with a solution.

He smiled. "By keeping them too busy to go on the offen-

sive or by knocking their own weapon out of their hand."

She nodded, storing the information for later as he

stepped forward, tapping his sickle against hers. "The other

thing you have to watch out for is the lock." He slipped the

edge of his weapon into the hook of hers so that they were

intertwined in the center of the V. "If someone gets a lock

on you, it's tough to extricate yourself without injury. That's

the bad news."

"What's the good news?" she asked, her sickle still inter-

twined with his.

"That you can do the same to them." He gave his sickle a good

yank, and the piece of wood in her hand clattered to the ballroom

floor.

She bent to pick it up. "I think I'm beginning to under-

stand," she said. "It's not a physical problem. Well, not really.

It seems like it is, because we're moving around. But it's really

more mathematical. More scientific."

He raised his eyebrows. "Scientific?"

She liked the way he looked into her eyes when she spoke.

As if he truly wanted to hear what she had to say and was not

just being courteous by asking.

"Yes. Probability, cause and effect, that kind of thing."

His brow wrinkled a little. "Go on."

She studied the sickle. "Using this as an example, if my

opponent comes closer than two feet, the probability of his

using greater strength to injure me is great. But if I can hook

my sickle with his before that point or right as he reaches it, I

have a better chance of disarming him altogether."

Griffin shook his head. "You wouldn't have the strength to

disarm him."

"Strength isn't a requirement."

"I'm not sure I agree with that."

She raised her sickle. "I'll show you."

He lifted his arm, holding the wooden sickle in front of

him, waiting to see what Helen would do. A split second

later, she whipped her weapon around his, trapping it in

the V.

"This is what I mean, Helen. Now you're trapped."

She could feel the pull of strength on his side of their battle.

Their sickles were taut, and it took all of Helen's strength to

hold her ground. She let a couple of seconds pass while Griffin

became used to the idea of disarming her.

Then she released the tension in her arm just enough to

cause him to stumble back. Before he could regain his bal-

ance, she tapped his sickle hard, sending it skidding across the

parquet floor.

He nodded, his expression turned from one of surprise to

admiration. "Nicely done."

She smiled, her cheeks warm. "Thank you."

 

The Greatest Love Of All

Valentine's Day makes me happy. Life is a struggle so much of the time. Any day — Hallmark holiday or not — that gives everyone a chance to focus on love is a good thing. But today, with so much focus on romantic love, I'm making it my personal mission to remind you all to love yourself first. Love yourself truly, deeply. Love yourself in all your complexity, frailty, mistakes, and all the beautiful flaws that make you human. Love yourself wholly and know — KNOW — that it is truly the only thing that can make you whole.

The luminous Whitney Houston sang it best. What a voice she had. I'm sending you all much love tonight with this week's song, chosen by me for all of you who send me your love every day.

I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone's shadows

If I fail, if I succeed

At least I'll live as I believe

No matter what they take from me

They can't take away my dignity

Because the greatest love of all

Is happening to me

I found the greatest love of all

Inside of me

The greatest love of all

Is easy to achieve

Learning to love yourself

It is the greatest love of all

And if, by chance, that special place

That you've been dreaming of

Leads you to a lonely place

Find your strength in love

And the Valentine's Day Prize Pack Goes To….

Aurora, otherwise known as @scarletredwill, with 12 entries! Congratulations, Aurora! Please send your full name and mailing address (we have you on the mailing list but we like to make sure it stays updated) to prophecypress@aol.com with "Valentine's Day Winner" in the Subject line. We'll get everything out to you right away.

Thanks so much to everyone who entered. If you didn't win, don't worry! My biggest giveaway EVAR starts March 1st to promote next month's release of A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS and features FOUR amazing prize packs.

And the grand prize is quite literally, the biggest and best thing I've ever given away.

I'm not going to post a mystery OR a movie review today because I'm seriously under the weather. But I'll be back with Song of the Week tomorrow and this week's teaser from A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS on Thursday. Hope you are all well.

Let the Good Times Roll

This week's thing I love is one of my favorite albums from the 80′s, The Cars self-titled LP.

Even after all these years, this album features some of the best music of all time. Between Let the Good Times Roll, My Best Friend's Girl, and Moving in Stereo — to name just a few — it's pure genius.

Proof that great music never gets old.

Here's a sample for you! Happy Saturday!