Sunday, March 29, 2009

Release Party Begins: Week-Long Giveaway!

Willow by Julia Hoban
Buy: http://www.amazon.com/Willow-Julia-Hoban/dp/0803733569
Party: March 30-April 3!

Summary: Seven months ago, on a rainy March night, sixteen year- old Willow’s parents died in a horrible car accident. Willow was driving. Now her older brother barely speaks to her, her new classmates know her as the killer orphan girl, and Willow is blocking the pain by secretly cutting herself. But when one boy —one sensitive, soulful boy—discovers Willow’s secret, it sparks an intense relationship that turns the “safe” world Willow has created for herself upside down.

Told in an extraordinary fresh voice, Willow is an unforgettable novel about one girl’s struggle to cope with tragedy, and one boy’s refusal to give up on her.

Hello Everyone!

Willow comes out on April 2, 2009 which basically means...this Thursday. To celebrate the release week, I asked the help of fellow book bloggers and other authors to help out and write some guest posts on various topics.

If you look in the right hand sidebar, there is a link for the HUGE Willow giveaway going on. If you still haven't read the details, click that link. You have until April 30 to buy the book and be entered to win. You know you want too. Look at that summary above...it sounds awesome, right? And you could win so many other cool prizes if you buy the book in time to enter. I'd say it's worth it!

This post here was my way to explain what this week is going to be about: contests, guest posts, reviews of Willow, and more as well as explain another fun giveaway going on. Please spread the word about this party. I want as many people to enjoy as possible!

Willow is coming out through Dial, which on a large level, is Penguin books. An amazing publicist for Penguin hooked us up with a prize pack of other novels to give away. To be entered, all you have to do is comment as much as you can this week (only one comment for each post will count). If there is a post and it includes ANOTHER contest, those comments only count towards that one post...but if there is a post with no contest, you better comment to get extra entries in this giveaway!

Sadly, Penguin can only send to the U.S., but there will be a chance for some International winners to try their hand later (and you should still comment, regardless, of course!) and if you buy the book and show proof, International winners can win the huge giveaway!!

Now, what's in the prize pack you ask?

Peace, Love & Baby Ducks by Lauren Myracle

Strange Angels by Lili St. Crow

Lipstick Apology by Jennifer Jabaley

Tales of the Madman Underground by John Barnes

EON by Alison Goodman

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Because I Am Furniture by Thalia Chaltas

Chasing the Bear by Robert B. Parker



Pretty nich, huh? So follow this blog through blogger or simply add it to your favorites. You won't want to miss out on the posts this week...whether you are trying to win or simply enjoying the guest posts (and I hope if you're in the U.S., it's both!)

Thanks to everyone who made this week possible and especially to Julia Hoban for allowing me to read Willow early. It's definitely a great book, so think long and hard about buying it. :-) And according to Aerin, it's really "no thinking, just buying". That works too!

And finally...Congratulations Julia! I hope you have an amazing release week!!!

31 comments:

Alea said...

Lauren you are just AWESOME! You know that? And it couldn't be for a nicer person! This is going to be a great week! *hugs*

Anonymous said...

Hey hey - the theme you've chosen is gorgeous; love that deep brown background. However, I would advise you to reword the last paragraph - instead of "think long and hard about buying it" just tell us to not think but just go get it! :D

Yay for a fun week!
Aerin

Shooting Stars Mag said...

Alea: Aw, thanks Alea!! I know though, right? I'm so stoked. Everyone should read Willow.

Aerin: I'm glad, Kelsey from Reading Keeps you Sane made the banner and background. She did great, huh?

hahaha I almost did! But so true...no thinking people, only buying!! :)

Yes, I'm excited. I hope everyone has fun!

-Lauren

Nora said...

Wow, what a great idea. Love how you're really championing this book!

Anonymous said...

Wow, this is great! I still haven't bought (or read) Willow. I need to get on it! :-P

Shooting Stars Mag said...

Nora: Thank you so much, I'm glad you think so! Well, I really do think it's a great story with a lot of messages and I hope that those who do read the book really get something out of it. And Julia is fantastic, so she deserves the help.

Krista: Thank you! Yes, you do. :)

-Lauren

Erika Powell said...

This is so amazingly nice. the site looks great and CONGRATS JULIA! I have heard so many great things about this book and I can't wait to buy it!

Anonymous said...

This is so awesome! If you need any more help with this just let me know and I'd be more than happy to help!

Congrats Julia!

Yan said...

This is beyond WOW! If I were Julia I'll be dumbstruck and so very thrilled! Lauren, you girl, need a huge hug! and a nifty planner :)

Katie said...

This is so amazing. I am already planning to go out and buy the book, hopefully this week.

Congratulations Julia!

Reyna Meinhardt said...

Fun!!! Thank you very much, what an awesome giveaway!

Khy said...

YAY for Julia!

Steph Su said...

Oh my gosh. Is Penguin awesome or what? (And the same goes for you for organizing this! Yay! I'm excited for Willow week.) :)

Amelia said...

I already bought the book, absolutely cannot wait to read it

Liviania said...

I'm looking forward to it! Julia Hoban is AWESOME.

So Many Books, So Little Time said...

It's great that you're championing Willow. It sounds amazing. I just wish I lived in the US!

Bridget said...

Thanks for letting us know. I've posted about this on Win A Book. Don't enter us though.

Alicia said...

Great idea for Willow! After seeing all the interest in this book, I pre-ordered my copy last week and now I can't wait to read it!

tetewa said...

What a great opportunity!

Shooting Stars Mag said...

Tetewa: Thanks!

Alicia: Yay, I'm so glad to hear that. I hope you enjoy it, and don't forget to take a picture of the book when you get it so you can be entered in the huge giveaway!

So Many Books: I'm sorry, but if you buy the book, you can enter that contest...and there should be a couple more contests this week for everyone!

Livinia: So true! :)

Amelia: Whoohoo! Did you enter the big giveaway?

Steph Su: Aw, thanks, and YES, Penguin is mega awesome. :)

Khy: For sure!

Polo.Pony: No problem, I'm glad you're enjoying it.

Katie: Thank you for buying the book!! Definitely enter the big giveaway when you do.

Yan: haha well, thanks, and a planner is definitely needed in my life sometimes. LOL

Kelsey: Thank you! If there is anything you want to do, get in touch. We'd love any and all help!

Erika Lynn: Yay!! And thanks, glad you like the site. All credit really goes to Kelsey from Reading Keeps you Sane. :)

-Lauren

Shalonda said...

Lauren, you are the greatest! Really just one of the nicest people ever!

What a fabulous idea; it's already turning out to be a big success. Can't wait to see what the end of the week brings!

Liyana said...

That's great! (:

Shooting Stars Mag said...

Liyana: Thanks! Keep checking back.

Shalonda: Well, thanks, but so are you, and that's the truth!

I'm glad, yay! I was hoping it would go over well, so I hope people enjoy the week for the most part and learn more about Willow in the process.

-Lauren

darbyscloset said...

Okay, I preordered the book and once it arrives I guess I'll have to send or possible fax you my receipt for I'm not sure if I can scan if for you....yet I want to win and can't wait to read this book. I'll post my excitement on www.myspace.com/darbyscloset
Yowwiee,
Thanks
Darby
darbyscloset at yahoo dot com

Violet Vixen said...

This is so exciting!

Shooting Stars Mag said...

Violet: Thanks!

Darby: Got your email.

-Lauren

Wrighty said...

What a great week you have planned! I'm looking forward to all of it. I have heard the best things about Willow and I can't wait to read it. You are doing an amazing job here Lauren!

Shooting Stars Mag said...

Wrighty: Thank you so much. I'm really glad to hear that, I hope people are enjoying the week. And you should definitely get Willow, it's amazing.

Unknown said...

:( I want to read Willow now :D

Megan said...

Wow you have a great week planned and can't wait to read willow.

bookworm8675309@yahoo.com

Shooting Stars Mag said...

Robin: I hope you can get it soon!

Megan: Thanks so much, and I hope you get to read it soon as well. It's amazing, believe me.