Sunday, February 28, 2010

COOP2 17: Closing Ceremonies

And now the sadness. The Vancouver Winter Olympics are coming to and end. The competition ends today, culminating in the gold medal hockey game pitting the US against Canada. Then comes the Closing Ceremonies, the fond farewell as we bid goodbye to beautiful Vancouver...


... and here we come Sochi, Russia, a resort city located on the Black Sea and the host of the 2014 Winter Olympics.


Well, I'm sure we're all sad to see the Olympics--and the COOP2 contest--come to an end. So let's end with another great set of bonus prizes: IT'S ALL ABOUT US, THE FRUIT OF MY LIPSTICK, BE STRONG & CURVACEOUS, WHO MADE YOU A PRINCESS?, TIDINGS OF GREAT BOYS, and THE CHIC SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH by Shelley Adina. Again, no room for blurbs. (Click the links above to learn more.)

Prize Pack 1





Prize Pack 2 




Prize Pack 3




How's this for a way to wind up the second semi-annual Contest of Olympic Proportion? I think it's pretty phenomenal.

To enter today's contests, tell me about your favorite moment from the Vancouver Olympics? There are so many to choose from. The Chinese couple who won the pairs skating gold, Joannie Rochette skating to a bronze medal just days after losing her mother, or Chris Del Bosco taking a risk to go for gold and losing bronze in the process. Or even the crazy pants worn by the Norwegian curling teams! Answer in comments for your chance to win Oh. My. Gods. and Goddess Boot Camp and one of the prize packs. Also, because this is the grand finale, Shelley and I are offering up an extra bonus prize of a tee shirt each.

CLOSING CEREMONIES CONTEST
Answer this question: What was your favorite moment from these Olympic games?

PRIZES

All three book winners get:
(1) copy of Oh. My. Gods.
(1) copy of Goddess Boot Camp

One winner gets:
(1) copy of IT'S ALL ABOUT US by Shelley Adina
(1) copy of THE FRUIT OF MY LIPSTICK by Shelley Adina

Another winner gets:

And a third winner gets:

One bonus winner gets:
(1) All About Us tee
(1) Academy tee

Enter below and make sure you've entered all the other contests. You'll have until the end of the day Monday to enter and winners of all contests will (hopefully) be posted on Tuesday.

Here's your last chance at the other contests:

Gold Medal Contest
COOP2 1 HEIST SOCIETY by Ally Carter
COOP2 2 MY SOUL TO TAKE and MY SOUL TO SAVE by Rachel Vincent
COOP2 3 TATTOO and FATE by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
COOP2 4 BALLADS OF SUBURBIA by Stephanie Kuehnert
COOP2 5 LOVESTRUCK SUMMER by Melissa Walker
COOP2 6 TMI by Sarah Quigley
COOP2 7 JARS OF GLASS, DREAM FACTORY, and THE CUPCAKE QUEEN by Heather Hepler
COOP2 8 HEX HALL by Rachel Hawkins
COOP2 9 THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY by Kay Cassidy
COOP2 10 THE SPLENDOR FALLS by Rosemary Clement-Moore
COOP2 11 UNDONE by Brooke Taylor
COOP2 12 LYNNVISIBLE by Julia DeVillers
COOP2 13 THE FALSE PRINCESS by Eilis O'Neal
COOP2 14 CRANK and GLASS by Ellen Hopkins
COOP2 15 I WAS A NON-BLONDE CHEERLEADER by Kieran Scott and SNOW QUEEN by Emma Harrison
COOP2 16 THREE PRIZE PACKS from The Buzz Blog Girls

Hugs,
TLC

Saturday, February 27, 2010

COOP2 16: Ski Jumping

Ski Jumping must be about the closest a human can get to actually flying. I can't imagine the sensation of speeding down that slope and launching myself into the air, floating for what feels like forever. They look so weightless and effortless, though I'm sure there's a heck of a lot of effort going on there.


I was never one of those kids who wanted to jump off things. My sports were mostly the precision kind: swimming, tennis, and basketball. The kind that required the execution of carefully practiced technique. Not much on adrenaline. I have to imagine that ski jumpers are adrenaline junkies. How could they not be?

Today's bonus prize is the biggest of all. So big I have to break up the prizes among three winners. It's Buzz Blog day in the COOP and girls are giving away ten--count 'em TEN--books! There are so many I don't even have room for the blurbs.

Prize Pack 1



Prize Pack 2



Prize Pack 3



When the Buzz Girls get together, we go all out. These are some seriously awesome books, and some seriously awesome prize packs.

To enter today's contests, tell me what superpower do you wish you had? Would you want the ability to fly? (I bet the Olympic ski jumpers would choose that.) Or maybe to be invisible or walk through walls or to teleport objects or to telepathically communicate with others? Answer in comments for your chance to win Oh. My. Gods. and Goddess Boot Camp and one of the prize packs listed above.

SKI JUMPING CONTEST
Answer this question: What superpower do you want?

PRIZES

All three winners get:
(1) copy of Oh. My. Gods.
(1) copy of Goddess Boot Camp

One winner gets:
(1) copy of THE ABC'S OF KISSING BOYS by Tina Ferraro
(1) copy of TOP TEN USES FOR AN UNWORN PROM DRESS by Tina Ferraro

Another winner gets:
(1) copy of SHRINK TO FIT by Dona Sarkar
(1) copy of MISS MATCH by Wendy Toliver

And a third winner gets:
(1) copy of THE OTHER SIDE: A TEEN'S GUIDE TO GHOST HUNTING AND THE PARANORMAL by Marley Gibson

Enter below and check back tomorrow for the final COOP contest. Winners of all contests will be posted after February 28th.

And don't forget the other contests:

Gold Medal Contest
COOP2 1 HEIST SOCIETY by Ally Carter
COOP2 2 MY SOUL TO TAKE and MY SOUL TO SAVE by Rachel Vincent
COOP2 3 TATTOO and FATE by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
COOP2 4 BALLADS OF SUBURBIA by Stephanie Kuehnert
COOP2 5 LOVESTRUCK SUMMER by Melissa Walker
COOP2 6 TMI by Sarah Quigley
COOP2 7 JARS OF GLASS, DREAM FACTORY, and THE CUPCAKE QUEEN by Heather Hepler
COOP2 8 HEX HALL by Rachel Hawkins
COOP2 9 THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY by Kay Cassidy
COOP2 10 THE SPLENDOR FALLS by Rosemary Clement-Moore
COOP2 11 UNDONE by Brooke Taylor
COOP2 12 LYNNVISIBLE by Julia DeVillers
COOP2 13 THE FALSE PRINCESS by Eilis O'Neal
COOP2 14 CRANK and GLASS by Ellen Hopkins
COOP2 15 I WAS A NON-BLONDE CHEERLEADER by Kieran Scott and SNOW QUEEN by Emma Harrison

Hugs,
TLC

Friday, February 26, 2010

COOP2 15: Ice Hockey

Despite having been born in Minnesota and spending formative years in Canada, I didn't get into Ice Hockey until college. I'd transfered to the University of Colorado at Boulder and started there in the summer of 1996. Which also happens to be the same season that Quebec Nordiques moved to Denver and became the Colorado Avalanche. Where they ended up winning the Stanley Cup!


It was such an exciting experience. My roommate and I went down to the arena to watch Game 4 against the Florida Panthers on a huge projection screen hanging over the ice. When the Avs won, the place exploded. Colorado was in full-on celebration mode. Then we drove back down for the victory parade. Fire engine after fire engine full of hockey players waving at the crowd as music and streamers filled the air. Is it any wonder that I've had a soft spot for hockey ever since?

Today's bonus prize comes from a seriously cool chick who has more pen names than anyone I know: I WAS A NON-BLONDE CHEERLEADER by Kieran Scott and SNOW QUEEN by Emma Harrison (aka Kieran Scott). Here are the blurbs:


New Jersey transplant and sassy brunette Annisa Gobrowski has a problem—everyone at her Florida high school is blonde. If her Jersey attitude didn’t make her stand out enough, her dark pixie cut sure does. At least her new neighbor, uberhot, guitar-playing, football-wrestling-and-track star Daniel Healy makes her feel welcome.

But no lack of golden highlights is going to stop Annisa from making the best of Sand Dune High, especially once she checks out their competition-level cheerleading squad—one that actually appears on ESPN. Yet after a disastrous first day where Annisa accidentally breaks the most popular girl in school’s nose, ticks of Daniel’s girlfriend for even existing and discovers the cheerleaders all hate her, she starts having second thoughts.

It’s almost enough to make a girl run out for a box of Herbal Essences Amazon Gold.

Nevertheless, the cheerleader in Annisa just won’t let her quit. She may be a little different, but Sand Dune High had better watch out—this non-blonde is here to stay.


When tomboy Aubrey Mills flies to Vermont with her best friend Christie, she’s expecting two weeks of skiing, skating and fun in the snow. She never imagined she’d get sucked into the annual Snow Queen beauty pageant. But when she meets Layla Chamberlain, the snotty girl expected to win the crown, her competitive nature kicks in and she decides she has to take the girl down. Of course that may get a little bit complicated when Aubrey starts to fall for Layla’s gorgeous older brother Grayson, who thinks his sister is a perfect angel. Can Aubrey find love with her dream guy, while feuding with his sister and going for the crown?

Kieran's books are always a sure bet for a fun read that can pull you away from the real world for a while. Whether you're reading Non-Blonde Cheerleader on the beach, or Snow Queen on the slopes, you're going to have a great time.

To enter today's contest, tell me if you prefer snow or sun? It's beach versus mountain. Would you choose to spend a day surfing and sunning, reading under a beach umbrella? Or swooshing down the slopes and curling up next to the fire with a cup of hot cocoa and a good book? Answer in comments for your chance to win Oh. My. Gods. and Goddess Boot Camp and I WAS A NON-BLONDE CHEERLEADER by Kieran Scott and SNOW QUEEN by Emma Harrison (aka Kieran Scott).

ICE HOCKEY CONTEST
Answer this question: Do you prefer snow or sun?

PRIZES
(1) copy of Oh. My. Gods.
(1) copy of Goddess Boot Camp
(1) copy of I WAS A NON-BLONDE CHEERLEADER by Kieran Scott
(1) copy of SNOW QUEEN by Emma Harrison


Enter below and check back tomorrow (and the day after that) for a new contest. Winners of all contests will be posted after February 28th.

And don't forget the other contests:

Gold Medal Contest
COOP2 1 HEIST SOCIETY by Ally Carter
COOP2 2 MY SOUL TO TAKE and MY SOUL TO SAVE by Rachel Vincent
COOP2 3 TATTOO and FATE by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
COOP2 4 BALLADS OF SUBURBIA by Stephanie Kuehnert
COOP2 5 LOVESTRUCK SUMMER by Melissa Walker
COOP2 6 TMI by Sarah Quigley
COOP2 7 JARS OF GLASS, DREAM FACTORY, and THE CUPCAKE QUEEN by Heather Hepler
COOP2 8 HEX HALL by Rachel Hawkins
COOP2 9 THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY by Kay Cassidy
COOP2 10 THE SPLENDOR FALLS by Rosemary Clement-Moore
COOP2 11 UNDONE by Brooke Taylor
COOP2 12 LYNNVISIBLE by Julia DeVillers
COOP2 13 THE FALSE PRINCESS by Eilis O'Neal
COOP2 14 CRANK and GLASS by Ellen Hopkins

Hugs,
TLC

Thursday, February 25, 2010

COOP2 14: Freestyle Skiing

Freestyle Skiing consists of three different events. There's the moguls, where skiers bomp down the hill over a series of humps, with a couple of aerial jumps along the way. There's aerials, snow equivalent of diving where skiers fly down the hill, launch into the air, and perform a series of twists and turns. And finally, the newest event, ski cross, which is a four-person free-for-all race down an obstacle course of jumps, twists, and turns.


Ski cross is my new favorite sport, and all because of Canadian ski crosser Chris Del Bosco. A ski prodigy from practically the time he could walk, alcohol addiction derailed his career for a while. Now, twenty-seven years old and six years sober, he was a major contender in the ski cross competition. In fact, he was in solid position to win the bronze medal until he took a huge risk and ended up crashing, costing himself a medal. His response? "I wasn't content with just ... I don't know, third, I guess, is all right for some people, but I wanted to give 100% for my sport and my country." He wouldn't settle for anything less than gold. How's that for Olympic spirit?

Today's bonus prize comes from an author who knows the hardships of highs and lows, and has been gracious enough to share her experiences through her words: a signed box set of CRANK and GLASS by Ellen Hopkins. Here are the blurbs:


Kristina Georgia Snow is the perfect daughter: gifted high school junior, quiet, never any trouble. But on a trip to visit her absentee father, Kristina disappears and Bree takes her place. Bree is the exact opposite of Kristina -- she's fearless.

Through a boy, Bree meets the monster: crank. And what begins as a wild, ecstatic ride turns into a struggle through hell for her mind, her soul -- her life.


Crank. Glass. Ice. Crystal. Whatever you call it, it's all the same: a monster. And once it's got hold of you, this monster will never let you go.

Kristina thinks she can control it. Now with a baby to care for, she's determined to be the one deciding when and how much, the one calling the shots. But the monster is too strong, and before she knows it, Kristina is back in its grips. She needs the monster to keep going, to face the pressures of day-to-day life. She needs it to feel alive.

Once again the monster takes over Kristina's life and she will do anything for it, including giving up the one person who gives her the unconditional love she craves -- her baby.

The sequel to Crank, this is the continuing story of Kristina and her descent back to hell. Told in verse, it's a harrowing and disturbing look at addiction and the damage that it inflicts.
(Please note these books are intended for readers age 14 and up.)

For me, the most moving part of these stories is that they are semi-autobiographical, based on stories from Ellen Hopkins's own experience. That she has the artistic courage to share them with the world amazes me.

To enter today's contest, tell me what ill you would like to eradicate from the world? Poverty, disease, drugs, war, famine, terror, illiteracy, racism, pollution, animal cruelty... the list goes on. If you could snap your fingers and one thing that plagues us would be gone for good, what would you choose? Answer in comments for your chance to win Oh. My. Gods. and Goddess Boot Camp and a boxed set of CRANK and GLASS by Ellen Hopkins.

FREESTYLE SKIING CONTEST
Answer this question: Which of the world's problems would you like to eradicate?

PRIZES
(1) copy of Oh. My. Gods.
(1) copy of Goddess Boot Camp
(1) copy of CRANK by Ellen Hopkins
(1) copy of GLASS by Ellen Hopkins

Enter below and check back tomorrow (and the day after that and the day after that) for a new contest. Winners of all contests will be posted after February 28th.

And don't forget the other contests:

Gold Medal Contest
COOP2 1 HEIST SOCIETY by Ally Carter
COOP2 2 MY SOUL TO TAKE and MY SOUL TO SAVE by Rachel Vincent
COOP2 3 TATTOO and FATE by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
COOP2 4 BALLADS OF SUBURBIA by Stephanie Kuehnert
COOP2 5 LOVESTRUCK SUMMER by Melissa Walker
COOP2 6 TMI by Sarah Quigley
COOP2 7 JARS OF GLASS, DREAM FACTORY, and THE CUPCAKE QUEEN by Heather Hepler
COOP2 8 HEX HALL by Rachel Hawkins
COOP2 9 THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY by Kay Cassidy
COOP2 10 THE SPLENDOR FALLS by Rosemary Clement-Moore
COOP2 11 UNDONE by Brooke Taylor
COOP2 12 LYNNVISIBLE by Julia DeVillers
COOP2 13 THE FALSE PRINCESS by Eilis O'Neal

Hugs,
TLC

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

COOP2 13: Bobsleigh

Bobsleigh has to be my favorite of the sledding-type sports. Mainly because it seems like the safest one (have you noticed a theme of danger in the winter sports?) but also because it's funny to watch the athletes scurry to climb into the bobsleigh after pushing off. Especially the four-person teams.


To be honest, another reason I love the Bobsleigh is because of the movie Cool Runnings and the story of the first Jamaican bobsled team. (Jamaica, btw, being an extremely tropical and non-snow-covered island.) It's a really fun, uplifting movie. Plus, Doug E. Doug always makes me laugh.

Today's bonus prize is such an advance copy that the book doesn't even have a released cover yet! Win an ARC of THE FALSE PRINCESS by Eilis O'Neal. Here is the blurb:

Princess and heir to the throne of Thorvaldor, Nalia has led a privileged life at court. But everything changes when she learns, just after her sixteenth birthday, that she is a false princess, a stand-in for the real Nalia, who has been hidden away for her protection. Cast out with little more than the clothes on her back, the girl now called Sinda must leave behind the city, her best friend, Kiernan, and the only life she’s ever known.

Sent to live with her only surviving relative, a cold, scornful woman with little patience for her newfound niece, Sinda proves inept at even the simplest tasks. Then she discovers that magic runs through her veins – long-suppressed, dangerous magic that she must learn to control – and she realizes that she will never learn to be just a simple village girl.

Sinda returns to the city to seek answers. Instead, she rediscovers the boy who refused to forsake her, and uncovers a secret that could change the course of Thorvaldor’s history, forever.

I had the great luck to meet Eilis (pronounced Ay-Lish, btw) at an Oklahoma authors get together and have been pining for her debut novel ever since. Alas, I will have to wait until July, but you could win one now!

To enter today's contest, tell me what makes you laugh and cheers you up when you're down? When you're having a rotten day--or a string of endlessly gray ones, like we've been having here in Oklahoma--what can you do to lift your mood? I'd have to say my dog, Daisy, always cheers me up. Especially when she's chasing her own tail. And, failing that, reruns of Psych always do the trick. Answer in comments for your chance to win Oh. My. Gods. and Goddess Boot Camp and THE FALSE PRINCESS by Eilis O'Neal.

BOBSLEIGH CONTEST
Answer this question: What cheers you up?

PRIZES
(1) copy of Oh. My. Gods.
(1) copy of Goddess Boot Camp
(1) ARC of THE FALSE PRINCESS by Eilis O'Neal

Enter below and check back tomorrow (and the day after that and the day after that) for a new contest. Winners of all contests will be posted after February 28th.

And don't forget the other contests:

Gold Medal Contest
COOP2 1 HEIST SOCIETY by Ally Carter
COOP2 2 MY SOUL TO TAKE and MY SOUL TO SAVE by Rachel Vincent
COOP2 3 TATTOO and FATE by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
COOP2 4 BALLADS OF SUBURBIA by Stephanie Kuehnert
COOP2 5 LOVESTRUCK SUMMER by Melissa Walker
COOP2 6 TMI by Sarah Quigley
COOP2 7 JARS OF GLASS, DREAM FACTORY, and THE CUPCAKE QUEEN by Heather Hepler
COOP2 8 HEX HALL by Rachel Hawkins
COOP2 9 THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY by Kay Cassidy
COOP2 10 THE SPLENDOR FALLS by Rosemary Clement-Moore
COOP2 11 UNDONE by Brooke Taylor
COOP2 12 LYNNVISIBLE by Julia DeVillers

Hugs,
TLC

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

COOP2 12: Short Track

For some reason, Short Track speed skating scares me more than any other sport. The racers are speeding so very fast around such a short track, crammed so close together, with those insanely sharp skate blades just millimeters from their fingers. My heart pounds the entire time, waiting for the slightest nudge or misstep that causes a major crash.


Of course, the reigning star of the Short Track world is Apollo Anton Ohno. Now the most decorated American Winter Olympian in history, he's also a superstar in the regular world thanks to his spot on Dancing With the Stars. But my favorite part about Apollo (besides the mythological name) is that every time the cameras are on him before a race--whether he's waiting on the sidelines or skating a warmup lap--the boy is always yawning. I love this because it means he's relaxed and confident and not consumed by the pressure of the games. It takes a true superstar to relax during Olympic competition ... and still win!

Today's bonus prize comes from an author with plenty of experience hanging with superstars: LYNNVISIBLE by Julia DeVillers. Here is the blurb:


Lynn Vincent knows all the latest trends and isn’t afraid to flaunt her funky style. The problem is, in small-town Pennsylvania, being fashion forward makes Lynn socially backward. And the queen bees at her high school won’t let her forget it, especially when her dream of making the IT panel for GlITter Girl—the coolest fashion magazine in teendom—is crushed. But when one of Lynn’s unique creations makes it into the hands of a famous designer and onto the runway, it seems that Lynn might finally get her moment in the spotlight.

This one comes out next month is on my to-be-read fun list!

To enter today's contest, tell me whether you want to be a superstar? Could you deal with all the attention and obsession and scrutiny that comes along with fame? Or would you rather succeed in the behind-the-scenes world? Answer in comments for your chance to win Oh. My. Gods. and Goddess Boot Camp and LYNNVISIBLE by Julia DeVillers.

SHORT TRACK CONTEST
Answer this question: Do you want to be a superstar?

PRIZES
(1) copy of Oh. My. Gods.
(1) copy of Goddess Boot Camp
(1) copy of LYNNVISIBLE by Julia DeVillers

Enter below and check back tomorrow (and the day after that and the day after that) for a new contest. Winners of all contests will be posted after February 28th.

And don't forget the other contests:

Gold Medal Contest
COOP2 1 HEIST SOCIETY by Ally Carter
COOP2 2 MY SOUL TO TAKE and MY SOUL TO SAVE by Rachel Vincent
COOP2 3 TATTOO and FATE by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
COOP2 4 BALLADS OF SUBURBIA by Stephanie Kuehnert
COOP2 5 LOVESTRUCK SUMMER by Melissa Walker
COOP2 6 TMI by Sarah Quigley
COOP2 7 JARS OF GLASS, DREAM FACTORY, and THE CUPCAKE QUEEN by Heather Hepler
COOP2 8 HEX HALL by Rachel Hawkins
COOP2 9 THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY by Kay Cassidy
COOP2 10 THE SPLENDOR FALLS by Rosemary Clement-Moore
COOP2 11 UNDONE by Brooke Taylor

Hugs,
TLC

Monday, February 22, 2010

COOP2 11: Alpine Skiing

Alpine Skiing as all about speed. The faster the better. (I'm having a Top Gun moment. "I feel the need. The need. For speed.") But believe it or not, Alpine Skiing is not just one event. It's more than just strapping on the skis and heading straight down the mountain. There are actually four different Alpine Skiing events.


There's the basic Downhill--that's the strapping the skis and heading down bit. There's also the Slolam, the one where you have to weave back and forth between poles as you fly down the mountain. Then there's the Super G (aka Super Giant Slolam), which is basically like the Slolam, except the poles are farther apart and the skiers go faster. And finally the Super Combined, where the skier has to do a Downhill race and then a Slolam race. On the same day! Though stuff.

And speaking of tough, today's bonus prize is all about a tough subject: UNDONE by Brooke Taylor. Here is the blurb:


When Kori Kitlzer, the “dark angel” of the 8th grade, tells Serena Moore that they are more alike than she thinks, Serena is instantly intrigued. As their friendship solidifies and their lives entwine, Serena tries to become more like the fearless, outspoken, and ambitious Kori. Soon Serena doesn’t know where she begins and Kori ends. But when a twist of fate yanks Kori away from Serena, she will need to find a way to complete her best friend’s life left undone.
Ooh, dark and spooky and mysterious. And two boys! What's not to adore?

To enter today's contest, tell me what kind of Alpine Skier are you? Would you rather race Downhill. Slolam, Super G, or Super Combined? Answer in comments for your chance to win Oh. My. Gods. and Goddess Boot Camp and UNDONE by Brooke Taylor.

ALPINE SKIING CONTEST
Answer this question: Which Alpine Skiing event would you compete in?

PRIZES
(1) copy of Oh. My. Gods.
(1) copy of Goddess Boot Camp
(1) copy of UNDONE by Brooke Taylor

Enter below and check back tomorrow (and the day after that and the day after that) for a new contest. Winners of all contests will be posted after February 28th.

And don't forget the other contests:

Gold Medal Contest
COOP2 1 HEIST SOCIETY by Ally Carter
COOP2 2 MY SOUL TO TAKE and MY SOUL TO SAVE by Rachel Vincent
COOP2 3 TATTOO and FATE by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
COOP2 4 BALLADS OF SUBURBIA by Stephanie Kuehnert
COOP2 5 LOVESTRUCK SUMMER by Melissa Walker
COOP2 6 TMI by Sarah Quigley
COOP2 7 JARS OF GLASS, DREAM FACTORY, and THE CUPCAKE QUEEN by Heather Hepler
COOP2 8 HEX HALL by Rachel Hawkins
COOP2 9 THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY by Kay Cassidy
COOP2 10 THE SPLENDOR FALLS by Rosemary Clement-Moore

Hugs,
TLC

Sunday, February 21, 2010

COOP2 10: Ice Dancing

If figure skating is gymnastics on ice, then Ice Dancing is ballet (with a little tango thrown in) on ice. It is beauty and elegance, where figure skating is power and strength.


I am so not graceful enough for something like this. It took ballet for, like, two weeks. (I quit because at the end of each class we had to line up to curtsy and thank our instructor, and I could never remember her name.)

Today's bonus prize goes perfectly with ballet on ice, because it's ballet in a book. (Or, at least, a ballerina in a book.) THE SPLENDOR FALLS by Rosemary Clement-Moore. Here is the blurb:


Can love last beyond the grave?

Sylvie Davis is a ballerina who can’t dance. A broken leg ended her career, but Sylvie’s pain runs deeper. What broke her heart was her father’s death, and what’s breaking her spirit is her mother’s remarriage—a union that’s only driven an even deeper wedge into their already tenuous relationship.

Uprooting her from her Manhattan apartment and shipping her to Alabama is her mother’s solution for Sylvie’s unhappiness. Her father’s cousin is restoring a family home in a town rich with her family’s history. And that’s where things start to get shady. As it turns out, her family has a lot more history than Sylvie ever knew. More unnerving, though, are the two guys that she can’t stop thinking about. Shawn Maddox, the resident golden boy, seems to be perfect in every way. But Rhys—a handsome, mysterious foreign guest of her cousin’s—has a hold on her that she doesn’t quite understand.

Then she starts seeing things. Sylvie’s lost nearly everything—is she starting to lose her mind as well?
Ooh, dark and spooky and mysterious. And two boys! What's not to adore?

To enter today's contest, tell me about about something you quit, but wish you hadn't. I have oh-so-many things. Ballet, for one. And the flute (that lasted a month). And swimming, which I have done much of since high school. And signing, though I was never very good. Well, you get the idea. Answer in comments for your chance to win Oh. My. Gods. and Goddess Boot Camp and THE SPLENDOR FALLS by Rosemary Clement-Moore.

ICE DANCING CONTEST
Answer this question: What have you quit that you wish you hadn't?

PRIZES
(1) copy of Oh. My. Gods.
(1) copy of Goddess Boot Camp
(1) copy of THE SPLENDOR FALLS by Rosemary Clement-Moore

Enter below and check back tomorrow (and the day after that and the day after that) for a new contest. Winners of all contests will be posted after February 28th.

And don't forget the other contests:

Gold Medal Contest
COOP2 1 HEIST SOCIETY by Ally Carter
COOP2 2 MY SOUL TO TAKE and MY SOUL TO SAVE by Rachel Vincent
COOP2 3 TATTOO and FATE by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
COOP2 4 BALLADS OF SUBURBIA by Stephanie Kuehnert
COOP2 5 LOVESTRUCK SUMMER by Melissa Walker
COOP2 6 TMI by Sarah Quigley
COOP2 7 JARS OF GLASS, DREAM FACTORY, and THE CUPCAKE QUEEN by Heather Hepler
COOP2 8 HEX HALL by Rachel Hawkins
COOP2 9 THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY by Kay Cassidy

Hugs,
TLC

Saturday, February 20, 2010

COOP2 9: Figure Skating

Finally we come to what is arguably the most popular sport at the winter Olympics. Figure Skating! (And so appropriate, too, considering American Evan Lysacek brought home the gold just two days ago.) I think Figure Skating is such an appealing sport because of the seamless blend of elegance of power. The girl in the photo below probably launched into a triple something just seconds after her elegant arabesque.


What girl didn't (or doesn't) dream of being an Olympic figure skater? It's like the pinnacle of girly fantasy. Beautiful dance moves, sparkling costumes, and the eyes of the entire world focused on you for that moment in time. Wow.

Wanna know what else girls dream about becoming? Cinderella. And that's funny because today's bonus prize allows readers to do just that. An ARC of THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY by Kay Cassidy. Here is the blurb:


When the Prom Queen becomes your fairy godmother…

Sixteen year old outsider, Jess Parker, gets the chance of a lifetime: an invitation to join a secret girl power society dedicated to defeating the mean girls of the world. The Cinderella Society guides all new recruits through its top secret ultimate life makeover. It’s all part of preparing them to face down the Wickeds and win. Determined not to let the Cindys down, Jess dives in with a passion. Finally, a chance to belong and show the world what she’s made of.

… be careful what you wish for.

Jess’s transformation wins her the heart of her dream crush and a shot at uber-popularity. Until the Wickeds–led by Jess’s arch enemy–begin targeting innocent girls in their war against the Cindys, and Jess discovers the real force behind her exclusive society. It’s a high stakes battle of good vs. evil, and the Cindys in power need Jess on special assignment. When the mission threatens to destroy her dream life come true, Jess is forced to choose between living a fairy tale and honoring the Sisterhood… and herself.

What’s a girl to do when the glass slipper fits, but she doesn’t want to wear it anymore?

I had the chance to read this one early on, and let me tell you it is awesome!

To enter today's contest, tell me about another childhood fantasy--besides being Cinderella or a figure skater. Those were my two big ones, of course, but I also wanted to be a veterinarian for a long time. Oh, and Rainbow Brite. Answer in comments for your chance to win Oh. My. Gods. and Goddess Boot Camp and THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY by Kay Cassidy.

FIGURE SKATING CONTEST
Answer this question: What did you dream of becoming when you were a little girl (or boy)?

PRIZES
(1) copy of Oh. My. Gods.
(1) copy of Goddess Boot Camp
(1) ARC of THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY by Kay Cassidy

Enter below and check back tomorrow (and the day after that and the day after that) for a new contest. Winners of all contests will be posted after February 28th.

And don't forget the other contests:

Gold Medal Contest
COOP2 1 HEIST SOCIETY by Ally Carter
COOP2 2 MY SOUL TO TAKE and MY SOUL TO SAVE by Rachel Vincent
COOP2 3 TATTOO and FATE by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
COOP2 4 BALLADS OF SUBURBIA by Stephanie Kuehnert
COOP2 5 LOVESTRUCK SUMMER by Melissa Walker
COOP2 6 TMI by Sarah Quigley
COOP2 7 JARS OF GLASS, DREAM FACTORY, and THE CUPCAKE QUEEN by Heather Hepler
COOP2 8 HEX HALL by Rachel Hawkins

Hugs,
TLC

Friday, February 19, 2010

COOP2 8: Luge

Anyone who has watched any of the Olympics knows how tragically dangerous the Luge can be. On the day of the Opening Ceremonies, Georgian athlete Nodar Kumaritashvili died in a luge training run. But I think it is a testament to the spirit of the Olympics that the games go on, that his teammates marched in the parade of nations, that the luge athletes got back on the course and competed.


Imagine the first person who slid back down that course after the accident. Think about the amount of courage, determination, and faith in their abilities as an athlete it required to make that run. I am seriously in awe.

Today's bonus prize comes from an about-to-be-released author with magic in her words. HEX HALL by Rachel Hawkins. Here is the blurb:


Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father-an elusive European warlock-only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.

By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.

As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.

But wait, there's more. Lady Hawkins herself is also including an awesome Hexy Tee in her giveaway! A bonus bonus prize.

To enter today's contest, tell me one crazy thing you would do if knew you wouldn't get hurt. In the spirit of the winter games, I think I would ... snowboard down a black diamond run in Telluride, Colorado. The scenery is gorgeous and the ride would be total adrenaline. Answer in comments for your chance to win Oh. My. Gods. and Goddess Boot Camp and HEX HALL by Rachel Hawkins and a Hexy tee!

LUGE CONTEST
Answer this question: What one crazy thing you would do if knew you wouldn't get hurt?

PRIZES
(1) copy of Oh. My. Gods.
(1) copy of Goddess Boot Camp
(1) copy of HEX HALL by Rachel Hawkins
(1) Hexy Tee

Enter below and check back tomorrow (and the day after that and the day after that) for a new contest. Winners of all contests will be posted after February 28th.

And don't forget the other contests:

Gold Medal Contest
COOP2 1 HEIST SOCIETY by Ally Carter
COOP2 2 MY SOUL TO TAKE and MY SOUL TO SAVE by Rachel Vincent
COOP2 3 TATTOO and FATE by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
COOP2 4 BALLADS OF SUBURBIA by Stephanie Kuehnert
COOP2 5 LOVESTRUCK SUMMER by Melissa Walker
COOP2 6 TMI by Sarah Quigley
COOP2 7  JARS OF GLASS, DREAM FACTORY, and THE CUPCAKE QUEEN by Heather Hepler

Hugs,
TLC

Thursday, February 18, 2010

COOP2 7: Cross-Country Skiing

If Phoebe Castro (the cross-country-running main character of my first two books) were to participate in a winter sport, it would be Cross-Country Skiing. Which is, I think, perhaps the only non-dangerous sport in the winter Olympics. The only real danger in sliding across the snow is tipping over. In my personal experience, anyway.


I'm not going to go any deeper into today's sport because the prizes are so phenomenal they take up a whole blog. There's no more room.

Today's bonus prize is a triple play of fabulous books from a fellow Dutton author: JARS OF GLASS, DREAM FACTORY, and THE CUPCAKE QUEEN by Heather Hepler. (And the first two were co-authored with her writing partner, Brad Barkley.) Here are the blurbs:


Chloe and Shana want the same thing--for everything to go back to normal, the way it was before their mom went to the hospital. But both sisters know that things can never be the same. While Chloe wants their mom to come home so they can be a family again, Shana never wants to see their mother. And while Shana is trying to escape her problems by hiding under a new persona, Chloe is left trying to be the responsible one. Then things go from bad to worse, and the sisters are forced to band together and redefine what it means to be a family.



When the Disney World character actors go on strike, teens are hired as replacements. Ella is assigned the role of Cinderella simply because the shoes fit. And every afternoon at three o'clock she gets married to Prince Charming. A perfect dream come true...except Ella doesn't believe in dreams anymore. Meanwhile, Luke is one of the fur characters (Dale, the chipmunk), and his girlfriend, Cassie, plays his counterpart, Chip. Cassie is perfect in every way, so why does Luke want to be with Cinderella? Then Luke and Ella are brought together during a scavenger hunt, and as they uncover the Magic Kingdom's hidden treasures, they discover an undeniable magic between them. Perhaps dreams really can come true after all...


When her mother moves them from the city to a small town to open up a cupcake bakery, Penny's life isn't what she expected. Her father has stayed behind, and Mom isn't talking about what the future holds for their family. And then there's Charity, the girl who plays mean pranks almost daily. There are also bright spots in Hog's Hollow--like Tally, an expert in Rock Paper Scissors, and Marcus, the boy who is always running on the beach. But just when it looks as though Penny is settling in, her parents ask her to make a choice that will turn everything upside down again. A sweet novel about love, creativity, and accepting life's unexpected turns.
Be sure to check out the adorable customizable cupcake e-cards on Heather's website. So much fun!

Three such fabulous books deserve three fabulous words. To enter today's contest, give me the first three words that come to mind when you think of the winter Olympics. Answer in comments for your chance to win Oh. My. Gods. and Goddess Boot Camp and JARS OF GLASS and DREAM FACTORY and THE CUPCAKE QUEEN. (Whew!)

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING CONTEST
Answer this question: What three words come to mind when you think of the winter Olympics?

PRIZES
(1) copy of Oh. My. Gods.
(1) copy of Goddess Boot Camp
(1) copy of JARS OF GLASS by Heather Hepler and Brad Barkley
(1) copy of DREAM FACTORY by Heather Hepler and Brad Barkley
(1) copy of THE CUPCAKE QUEEN by Heather Hepler

Enter below and check back tomorrow (and the day after that and the day after that) for a new contest. Winners of all contests will be posted after February 28th.

And don't forget the other contests:

Gold Medal Contest
COOP2 1 HEIST SOCIETY by Ally Carter
COOP2 2 MY SOUL TO TAKE and MY SOUL TO SAVE by Rachel Vincent
COOP2 3 TATTOO and FATE by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
COOP2 4 BALLADS OF SUBURBIA by Stephanie Kuehnert
COOP2 5 LOVESTRUCK SUMMER by Melissa Walker
COOP2 6 TMI by Sarah Quigley

Hugs,
TLC

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

COOP2 6: Skeleton

Skeleton has to be one of the wildest and most dangerous sports in the Winter Olympics--and that's saying a lot, considering how dangerous all of the winter sports are. The athlete lays down on their stomach on a sled, and proceeds to race face-first down the track. Yes, FACE FIRST! (Omg, are you kidding me?)



You could not pay me enough to try Skeleton. There are some crazy adventures that just might be worth the risk. The amazing view and release of free fall you get with skydiving. The sense of physical accomplishment at the end of the tough rock climb. Even the exhilaration of rushing down a breathtaking mountain on a snowboard. But speeding face first down what is essentially a frozen-over water slide? I can't really see the benefit. Do you?

Today's bonus prize comes from an author who happens to share my fabulous editor, so you know it has to be good: TMI by Sarah Quigley. Here is the blurb:


Friends call Becca the Overshare Queen, but her tendency for TMI never seemed like a problem to her until she blabs about her sweet band-geek boyfriend's sloppy kisses--and gets dumped! Realizing it may be better to resist the temptation to overshare face-to-face, Becca decides to blog anonymously about everything instead. On her blog, Too Much Information, Becca unleashes her alter ego, Bella. Bella tells it like it is . . . though perhaps with a bit more drama. After all, no one's going to read it, right???

I think we can all guess that someone is going to read that blog....

And to enter today's contest, tell me whether you tend to dish TMI or if you keep your thoughts and feelings close to the vest. Answer in comments for your chance to win Oh. My. Gods. and Goddess Boot Camp and TMI.

SKELETON CONTEST
Answer this question: Do you overshare or are your lips sealed?

PRIZES
(1) copy of Oh. My. Gods.
(1) copy of Goddess Boot Camp
(1) copy of TMI by Sarah Quigley

Enter below and check back tomorrow (and the day after that and the day after that) for a new contest. Winners of all contests will be posted after February 28th.

And don't forget the other contests:

Gold Medal Contest
COOP2 1 HEIST SOCIETY by Ally Carter
COOP2 2 MY SOUL TO TAKE and MY SOUL TO SAVE by Rachel Vincent
COOP2 3 TATTOO and FATE by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
COOP2 4 BALLADS OF SUBURBIA by Stephanie Kuehnert
COOP2 5 LOVESTRUCK SUMMER by Melissa Walker

Hugs,
TLC

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

COOP2 5: Speed Skating

Speed Skating has one of the grandest legacies of any winter sport. It originates, at least in popularity, in the Netherlands, where people are apparently as crazy for speed skaters as Americans are for basketball players and the rest of the world is about soccer players. Sometimes it looks like NASCAR on ice.


When I think about Speed Skating it always makes me think of the book Hans Brinker, or the Silver Skates. (You can read the book for free online at Project Gutenburg.) The late 19th century story is about a boy and his sister who want to compete in the big skating race on the canal because they want the prize, a pair silver skates. I remember reading this book as a child and thinking how wonderful it would be to skate outside on a frozen canal. It would feel like you were flying over ice.

Today's bonus prize comes from the I Heart Daily co-founder who recently interviewed swoon-worthy speed skater J.R. Celski: LOVESTRUCK SUMMER by Melissa Walker. Here is the blurb:


This is the story of Quinn, an indie rock girl who came out to Austin, Texas for a music internship.

She also plans to spend long, lazy days in the sun at outdoor concerts--and to meet a hot musician or two. Instead, she's stuck rooming with her sorority brainwashed cousin, who now willingly goes by the name 'Party Penny.' Their personalities clash, big time.

But Sebastian, a gorgeous DJ, definitely makes up for it. Sebastian has it all: looks, charm, and great taste in music. So why can't Quinn keep her mind off Penny's friend cute, All-American Russ and his Texas twang?

One thing's certain: Quinn's in for a summer she'll never forget!

What a fun way to warm up from this winter chill!

And to enter today's contest, tell me about a favorite book from childhood. (My big three are The Westing Game, The Egypt Game, and From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.) Answer in comments for your chance to win Oh. My. Gods. and Goddess Boot Camp and LOVESTRUCK SUMMER.

SPEED SKATING CONTEST
Answer this question: What was your favorite book as a child?

PRIZES
(1) copy of Oh. My. Gods.
(1) copy of Goddess Boot Camp
(1) copy of LOVESTRUCK SUMMER by Melissa Walker

Enter below and check back tomorrow (and the day after that and the day after that) for a new contest. Winners of all contests will be posted after February 28th.

And don't forget the other contests:

Gold Medal Contest
COOP2 1 HEIST SOCIETY by Ally Carter
COOP2 2 MY SOUL TO TAKE and MY SOUL TO SAVE by Rachel Vincent
COOP2 3 TATTOO and FATE by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
COOP2 4 BALLADS OF SUBURBIA by Stephanie Kuehnert

Hugs,
TLC

Monday, February 15, 2010

COOP2 4: Snowboarding

Even though I went to college in Colorado, where skiing is practically the state sport and students arrange their class schedules to allow for the most time on the mountain, I have absolutely zero ski ability whatsoever. I think it's a fear issue. It's scary to think about sliding down a mountain on a pair of sticks--and even scarier when you're actually on the mountain.

For some reason, the idea of snowboarding is less frightening. Maybe it's the fact of only having to control one stick instead of two, but when my friends dragged me up the mountain, I decided to rent snowboard gear and give it a try.


Um, let's just say that after a private lesson (from a very non-encouraging instructor) the best I did was slide down the warm-up hill. (For the uninitiated, that's even smaller and shallower than the bunny slope.) And most of the time I wound up on my butt at the bottom of the hill. Mentally, I know it's all about committing to the movement, and being tentative only leads to disaster.

That's a pretty good lesson for life, too. Either put all your heart and effort and courage into whatever you do ... otherwise what's the point?

Today's bonus prize comes from an author just as punk and edgy and exciting as the sport of Snowboarding: BALLADS OF SUBURBIA by Stephanie Kuehnert. Here is the blurb:



Kara hasn’t been back to Oak Park since the end of junior year, when a heroin overdose nearly killed her and sirens heralded her exit. Four years later, she returns to face the music. Her life changed forever back in high school: her family disintegrated, she ran around with a whole new crowd of friends, she partied a little too hard, and she fell in love with gorgeous bad boy Adrian, who left her to die that day in Scoville Park. . . .

Amidst the music, the booze, the drugs, and the drama, her friends filled a notebook with heartbreakingly honest confessions of the moments that defined and shattered their young lives. Now, finally, Kara is ready to write her own.

Talk about a powerful story. They don't get much edgier than this.

And to enter today's contest, tell me about something you put all your heart and effort and courage into. (For me, this is definitely writing. It's not easy to write a book and send it out into the world, but I do--again and again--because it's my passion. You can't short-change your passion.) Answer in comments for your chance to win Oh. My. Gods. and Goddess Boot Camp and BALLADS OF SUBURBIA.

SNOWBOARDING CONTEST
Answer this question: What do you put all your heart and effort and courage into? What is your passion?

PRIZES
(1) copy of Oh. My. Gods.
(1) copy of Goddess Boot Camp
(1) copy of BALLADS OF SUBURBIA by Stephanie Kuehnert

Enter below and check back tomorrow (and the day after that and the day after that) for a new contest. Winners of all contests will be posted after February 28th.

And don't forget the other contests:

Gold Medal Contest
COOP2 1 HEIST SOCIETY by Ally Carter
COOP2 2 MY SOUL TO TAKE and MY SOUL TO SAVE by Rachel Vincent
COOP2 3 TATTOO and FATE by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Hugs,
TLC

Sunday, February 14, 2010

COOP2 3: Biathlon

First of all, HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! (Okay, that business is out of the way.)

I honestly don't understand the appeal of the Biathlon. The cross-country skiing bit, yes. Who doesn't love the idea of swooshing across the snow at a non-death-defying angle? But stopping every so often to shoot at targets...? To quote a character from one of my all-time favorite shows: "When's that get fun?"


I'm pretty sure I'm not the target audience for Biathlon anyway. I don't really get the appeal of hunting or guns in general. (Unless, of course, you're a spy or a very sympathetic thief.) But I do appreciate the skill it takes to hit a target with a rifle while your body is thrumming with adrenaline and your hands are probably shaking like a leaf in a hurricane.

Anyway, onto the (completely comprehensible) fun.

Today's bonus prizes(!) are donated by a multi-talented author who writes great books, reads more than anyone I know, is getting her PhD, and still manages to find time to devour TV shows like Make It or Break It. (I don't think she sleeps.) Today you can win signed copies of: TATTOO and FATE by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. Here are the blurbs:


Bailey Morgan isn't the type of girl who shows a lot of skin, but somehow, she ends up in a dressing room at the mall with her friend Delia applying a temporary tattoo to her lower back. Never one to suffer fashion doubt, trendsetter Delia knows exactly where she wants her own tattoo: on her stomach, right where her shirt ends—can you say "midriff"? Annabelle, the quiet one, chooses the back of her neck, and tomboy Zo plasters hers on the top of her foot. The tattoos will last for three days, and Delia's sure that with them, the four friends will absolutely kill at the school dance.

Unfortunately, killing is just what someone has in mind, and Bailey, Delia, Annabelle, and Zo are in for the battle of their lives. Along with her tattoo, each girl receives a gift—a supernatural power to help them in their fight. As Bailey's increasingly frightening dreams reveal the nature of their enemy, it becomes clear to the girls that it's up to them to save the world. And if they can get Delia to stop using her newfound power to turn gum wrappers into Prada pumps, they might actually stand a chance.


For the past two years, Bailey Morgan has lived a double life: high school student by day, ancient mystical being by night. As the third Fate, Bailey literally controls the fate of the world, but as Plain Old Bailey, her life is falling apart. She’s got a tattoo that was supposed to be temporary (but isn’t), friendships that were supposed to last forever (but might not), and no idea what her future holds after high school graduation.

Then Bailey meets the rest of the Sidhe, an ancient race defined by their power, beauty, and a sinister habit of getting what they want at any cost. Before Bailey knows it, she’s being drawn into an otherworldly web more complicated than anything she weaves as a mortal Fate.

And the best part? The mythology, of course. Well, that and the fact that Jen has a way awesome middle name. (Though I might be biased on both counts.)

And to enter today's contest, tell me about a sport or hobby that just doesn't make sense to you. (Example: I don't understand Rugby. I like it, but I have no clue what's going on.) Answer in comments for your chance to win Oh. My. Gods. and Goddess Boot Camp and TATTOO and FATE.

BIATHLON CONTEST
Answer this question: Did you know what Nordic Combined was before reading this blog?

PRIZES
(1) copy of Oh. My. Gods.
(1) copy of Goddess Boot Camp
(1) copy of TATTOO by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
(1) copy of FATE by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Enter below and check back tomorrow (and the day after that and the day after that) for a new contest. Winners of all contests will be posted after February 28th.

And don't forget the other contests:

Gold Medal Contest
COOP2 1 HEIST SOCIETY by Ally Carter
COOP2 2 MY SOUL TO TAKE and MY SOUL TO SAVE by Rachel Vincent

Hugs,
TLC