Lisa Roecker's Blog, page 17

The Bookanistas: Winner Announcement and PAST MIDNIGHT Series Giveaway!!!!

It's a big day around these parts. First of all, we are excited to announce the winner of THE WHITE ASSASSIN giveaway from last week. Congratulations Corey Schwartz--you are the proud new owner. Email us your address ASAP and we'll pop it in the mail, lucky girl!

Second of all, it's almost Halloween. Halloween is taken VERY seriously in Laura's household. If you remember from last year, Lydia dressed up as Mickey Mouse and her husband rented a full out Donald Duck costume, tights and all. Well, this year Lydia has chosen to be Rapunzel from Tangled and hubs is taking on Flynn Ryder, her romantic interest, which is wrong on many levels and will embarrass Lydia to no end when she's old enough to understand. Pictures to follow--just know the costume involves some controversial leggings that Laura is rallying to have replaced by khakis. The neighbors will thank her.

In honor of Halloween, we're excited to offer yet another giveaway on the blog, this time with THREE of Mara Purnhagen's SIGNED books from the PAST MIDNIGHT series. Mara is absolutely fabulous and the series is not to be missed (especially around this time of year) so even if you don't win, definitely check them out.

[image error] PAST MIDNIGHT:

Let me set the record straight. My name is Charlotte Silver and I'm not one of those paranormal-obsessed freaks you see on TV…no, those would be my parents, who have their own ghost-hunting reality show. And while I'm usually roped into the behind-the-scenes work, it turns out that I haven't gone unnoticed. Something happened on my parents' research trip in Charleston—and now I'm being stalked by some truly frightening other beings. Trying to fit into a new school and keeping my parents' creepy occupation a secret from my friends—and potential boyfriends—is hard enough without having angry spirits whispering in my ear. All I ever wanted was to be normal, but with ghosts of my past and present colliding, now I just want to make it out of high school alive…. 


ONE HUNDRED CANDLES:

It's taken a long time for me to feel like a normal teenager. But now that I'm settled in a new school, where people know me as more than Charlotte Silver of the infamous Silver family paranormal investigators, it feels like everything is falling into place. And what better way to be normal than to go on a date with a popular football star like Harris Abbott? After all, it's not as if Noah is anything more than a friend….

But my new life takes a disturbing turn when Harris brings me to a party and we play a game called One Hundred Candles. It seems like harmless, ghostly fun. Until spirits unleashed by the game start showing up at school. Now my friends and family are in very real danger, and the door that I've opened into another realm may yield deadly consequences.


BEYOND THE GRAVE:


I can't move forward with my life, until I know my demons are confined to the past…

Being Charlotte Silver, the daughter of famous paranormal investigators, means my life isn't like that of other teenage girls. Especially after what happened to my parents. Things changed. I missed prom and deferred my big college plans. But I still have my boyfriend, Noah. He's everything I could want—if I can figure out what's up with him. Suddenly Noah is secretive.

I fear it has something to do with what happened to us three months ago. The bruise Noah suffered during a paranormal attack has never completely faded. Now I've learned Noah is researching demons. And when he disappears, it's up to me to find him—before something else does.


To win, tell us about any ghost encounters of your own in the comments. GOOD LUCK!

And check out what the other Bookanistas are up to this week:


Elana Johnson cheers for Crossed
Christine Fonseca reveals books she cannot wait to read
Beth Revis interviews My Very UnFairytale Life author Anna Staniszewski
Shannon Whitney Messenger interviews Skyship Academy-Pearl Wars author Nick James & agent Jennifer Rofe – with giveaway
Jessi Kirby twirls for Audition
Shana Silver burns for Circle of Fire
Carrie Harris devours Deadly
Stasia Ward Kehoe travels to The Day Before

The Best and Worst Thing About Being a Writer

Opening up a brand new document and starting a new manuscript is scarier than a Paranormal Activities trailer.
But then you get to type in the brand new, absolutely perfect title of your WIP. 
You hit the enter key once.
And type these words:
By Lisa and Laura Roecker
A tiny, little thrill races up the back of your spine and makes you sit a little bit straighter as you type, "Chapter 1."
And so it begins....

Tell The Truth Tuesday

1. I just ate 2 caramel apples and I'm still kind of hungry. In my defense, the apples were technically my dinner. Yeah, that's not really a good defense is it?

2. There are Twitter feeds I read for the sole purpose of being annoyed. I realize this makes zero sense.

3. This is the funniest video I've seen IN MY LIFE.



4. Even though I'm in desperate need of yoga pants, I refuse to purchase them from Old Navy lest they think their horrific advertising campaigns are working. So, if you're an Old Navy marketing executive and you happen to stumble upon this blog post, your advertising campaign has successfully PREVENTED me from purchasing your merchandise. Congratulations.

5. Jack got Super Mario Brothers for his Nintendo DS after getting a good report card and I play it sometimes while he's asleep. He thinks I'm a hero because I still remember some of the tricks. Let's chalk this up to mother/son bonding, shall we?

What's your dirty little secret this Tuesday? The jucier the better. Spill your guts in the comments.

Things That Make Me Happy

1. This book. THIS BOOK. You guys need to read this book.

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I started this Friday and did not put it down until I finished it on Saturday. Plot, gorgeous writing, exotic settings, characters who make me long for the next book in the series - Daughter of Smoke and Bone has it all.


2.  These boots. And Zappos shoe videos. (AKA Shoe Porn)


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All kidding aside, these videos are SUPER helpful when ordering shoes online. And Loretta Nyhan will be pleased to know that I purchased these in black to replace my beloved Uggs and I love them. So much.


3. Pumpkin spice coffee. This is the best birthday present I've ever gotten. EVER. I'm so....alert.
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4. Caramel apples. The kids and I spent the day with The Regulator and we made caramel apples. Delicious and fun. This is why I love the Fall.




5. Two amazing manuscripts on my Kindle. Just waiting for me to read them. Bliss.

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What's got you happy this lovely Monday morning? Leave a comment and I'll send you a virtual latte.

Celebstalking by LiLa

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Happy Friday!

The White Assassin Blog Tour and GIVEAWAY!!!!

 THE WHITE ASSASSIN
Book II of the Nightshade Chronicles
October 2nd, 2011 We are absolutely honored to help spread the love for Hilary Wagner's latest book, THE WHITE ASSASSIN, book 2 in the Nightshade Chronicles, on the blog today. If you're anything like me, you struggle with gift ideas for those tricky tweens--especially tricky, male tweens. Struggle no more, my friends, struggle no more. This book along with NIGHTSHADE CITY (which is now out in paperback, although it's definitely the kind of classic book you want in hardcover on your shelves) make a fabulous gift that is sure to keep kids entertained for hours.
About the THE WHITE ASSASSIN:

Book II in the Nightshade Chronicles begins three years after Juniper and his rebel band of rats liberate the Catacombs and defeat their oppressors.
A sense of peace has settled over Nightshade City, but it is a false one. Billycan, the white assassin, has been found. Deep in the southern swamps, he now rules a primitive horde of savage swamp rats eager to overrun Nightshade City and claim it for their king. With the help of an ancient colony of bats and an uneasy alliance with the swamp snakes, Juniper and his Council set out to thwart Billycan's plans. When an old secret is revealed—one so shocking it shakes both Billycan and Juniper to the core—the fate of Nightshade City and the life of Juniper's only son depend on Juniper's decision: should he help his mortal enemy? The past resurfaces with devastating impact in this exciting sequel to Nightshade City, a dark tale of intrigue, deception, and betrayal.
Nightshade City, Book I of the Nightshade Chronicles is a CBC Best Book of 2011 and a Crystal Kite finalist.
About the Author: Hilary Wagner was born and raised in Chicago. She graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in fine art. Her paintings have appeared in galleries and exhibitions in New York City and in the Chicago area, where she lives with her husband and two children. Her first book, Nightshade City, launched the Nightshade Chronicles and received wide critical acclaim. Nightshade City is a CBC Best Book of 2011 and a Crystal Kite Finalist. Hilary also writes for National Geographic School Publishing and has just finished Goblin Shark Rising, a new adventure novel, set for publication in fall of 2012. You can find Hilary on Twitter and Facebook, and keep up with all her latest news by following her blog.
If you're still not convinced, check out this incredible review from Kirkus. Oh...and Hilary's already racking up five star reviews. And we're not at all surprised. These books are unique, entertaining, well-written and loads of fun. Happy reading!

PS: One lucky commenter will win a copy of THE WHITE ASSASSIN. Good luck!

Check out what the Bookanistas are up to this week:


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SO close....

Um, you guys, we're ALMOST THERE. Our epic round of edits is almost done. I just sent Laura my final edit to the very last line of THE LIES THAT BIND and now I must go collapse.

Today: We send the document to our fabulous editor and major agent.

Tonight: Fancy b-day dinner with the sisters Roecker to celebrate finishing this beast.

Tomorrow: We'll be back to our normal (highly randomized) blogging style.

HOORAH!!!!

Tell the Truth Tuesday, Belated Birthday Style

Truth #1: I am the absolute WORST at remembering birthdays (all of my friends know this firsthand). The only person who may rival my complete lack of birthday recollection is Lisa.*

Truth #2: I did not forget Lisa's birthday. I knew it was October 17th, I woke up yesterday preparing to make my annual birthday phone call and did in fact wish my big sister a Happy Birthday on time (as opposed to waiting until 10 PM like I did last year). I just dropped the blog ball.

Truth #3: I am spoiled. Lisa loves the blog. It's her baby. I can turn in every night and sleep easy knowing the blog is taken care of and can request a post here or there when I really have something to say (like on Bookanista days or, I don't know, BIRTHDAYS).

Truth #4: I felt a very real sense of shame when I logged on yesterday morning and realized I hadn't even considered writing a special post for my poor sister's birthday. Lisa deserves a break on her birthday of all days and I failed. Miserably.

Truth #5: In an effort to appease my extreme guilt I looked up my birthday from last year** and realized Lisa had done the same thing. I breathed a sigh of relief knowing I was in good company. Plus, I pulled an all-nighter for her 30th, so that has to count for something three years later, right?

So, without further ado, I'm officially wishing my big sister a happy birthday on the blog like I should have yesterday. I love you Lis and hope you enjoyed your crock pot roast beef birthday dinner. Yum.

*We've decided that anyone who wants to be friends with us needs to know upfront that we will probably forget their birthdays and really any other special day thoughtful people remember. In addition, we will most definitely fail to send cards and if I was a betting woman I would put a lot of money on us forgetting the birthdays of their children as well. We just suck like that. If you are the type of person who cares about listening to multiple happy birthday voicemails each year, we probably can't be friends.

**See that incredible slideshow my best friend pulled together for me for my 30th? Yeah...I forgot hers. See? I am the WORST.

Stages on Pages

Still in edit hell over here.


[10/14/11 9:54:58 PM] Lisa Roecker: i love this
[10/14/11 9:54:59 PM] Lisa Roecker: The next day between classes, Seth walked toward me a thick booklet of printed pages after twisting his head right and left, to be sure the coast was clear. Of course while he was looking in the opposite direction he ran right into a meaty looking football player who did that shoulder jerk fake-out thing meatheads are so fond of. Seth immediately tucked himself into the fetal position with the mysterious pages tucked beneath his chin. Jock Strap lifted his leg like he was either going to kick Seth while he was down or pee on him like a dog, but before he could make his move I slid between them.
"Anyone ever tell you you're not supposed to hit girls?"
"He's not a girl," Jock Strap growled.
"Wow, athletic and quick on the uptake. You must be a real catch." I gave him my sweetest smile.
"Yeah right." Jock Strap laughed and then abruptly stopped laughing after he realized what he said. "I mean, the ladies love me and I'm smart and…God, Lowry, you're such a bitch." He turned and walked away.
"Great talking to you, Jacques….Strap." I whispered the last word so only Seth could here it.
"His name is Jeremy, Kate." Seth whispered hoarsely from his tiny man cocoon. He sat up and handed me the papers. "It's all here." His breath smelled faintly of sour cream and onion potato chips. It was 9:25 AM.

[10/14/11 9:55:07 PM] Lisa Roecker: that scene makes me laugh every time i read it
[10/14/11 9:55:19 PM] Lisa Roecker: a bright spot in an otherwise dismal manuscript
[10/14/11 9:55:23 PM] Lisa Roecker: we'll probably have to cut it
[10/14/11 9:56:06 PM] Laura Roecker: haha--i forgot about that!
[10/14/11 9:56:13 PM] Lisa Roecker: i'm so funny
[10/14/11 9:56:42 PM] Laura Roecker: i wrote it you loser
[10/14/11 9:56:48 PM] Lisa Roecker: Really?
[10/14/11 9:56:50 PM] Lisa Roecker: dammit
[10/14/11 9:56:52 PM] Lisa Roecker: that's funny
[10/14/11 9:56:54 PM] Laura Roecker: HA
[10/14/11 9:56:55 PM] Lisa Roecker: are you sure?
[10/14/11 9:56:57 PM] Laura Roecker: yes!
[10/14/11 9:57:06 PM] Laura Roecker: you added a ton of stuff though
[10/14/11 9:57:07 PM] Lisa Roecker: jacques strap?
[10/14/11 9:57:13 PM] Lisa Roecker: that sounds like something i added
[10/14/11 9:57:15 PM] Laura Roecker: it's MUCH funnier---yes, you added that
[10/14/11 9:57:17 PM] Lisa Roecker: see
[10/14/11 9:57:20 PM] Lisa Roecker: i'm hilarious
[10/14/11 9:57:29 PM] Laura Roecker: yeah yeah



P.S.
Have you guys checked out the Stages on Pages Book Tour??? Holy Awesome. Some of our favorite authors are touring. If you're anywhere even remotely close to one of their stops, you absolutely must go check it out and report back to us!

Day 3/4 of Editing Hell

[10:30:49 PM] Laura Roecker: so tired
[10:31:10 PM] Laura Roecker: so, so tired
[10:32:38 PM] Lisa Roecker: omg
[10:32:42 PM] Lisa Roecker: me too. i'm falling asleep at my computer
[10:32:50 PM] Lisa Roecker: why did we think this was a good idea again?
[10:32:52 PM] Laura Roecker: my combined total for two days is 13,827
[10:32:57 PM] Laura Roecker: that's why
[10:33:03 PM] Lisa Roecker: i'm at 14,125
[10:34:30 PM] Lisa Roecker: so i guess you're right
[10:34:39 PM] Lisa Roecker: i just can't see straight
[10:34:50 PM] Laura Stropki: yeah and i can't promise i'm changing anything besides commas

We're still going strong walking the track. Who knows, we might even try to jog a lap over the weekend. Where's that finish line again?

Someone better be serving vodka.