Congrats to Nichole, comment #10. She is the winner of a copy of DRAWN by Marie Lamba!

To learn more about Drawn and read an interview with the author, click here: http://www.twilightmoms.com/2012/01/drawn-blog-tour-and-book-giveaway-with-author-marie-lamba/

*giveaway winners are chosen using random.org

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We are thrilled to be the next stop on the DRAWN blog tour with author Marie Lamba today!

Maria answers some questions for us and and comes to us with a paperback copy of DRAWN for one lucky reader! Leave a comment under this post for your chance to win DRAWN! Deadline is Tuesday, Jan 31st (International entries are welcome!) But first, let’s talk about the book:

The grounds of Blanchley Castle seem the perfect spot for some afternoon sketching. But Michelle soon learns that within these walls are rooms and artifacts filled with the stories of the people from its past. Tourists are shown around the castle-turned-museum by guides costumed in Medieval attire, however there is something strange about some of the “employees” who seem to play the part a little too well.

Past and present are blurred as Michelle comes to find herself part of a romance that bridges centuries. But is this romance real or is it time to start questioning her own sanity?

Mysterious and enchanting, DRAWN is a breath of fresh air. If you are looking for a page turner with a unique twist, then look no further.

TM: The premise behind DRAWN is such a unique one. How did you come up with, or develop the idea?

MARIA: The idea developed over many years, starting back in high school when an artist visited my class. She showed paintings she’d done of an old house. Within the shadows of her art were figures of a man in Revolutionary garb, of a woman in a wedding dress, and emerging from the darkness was an angry face. Spirits, she said. Ghosts that just appeared in her works. She said she channeled them through her art.

That got me thinking…

As a senior in college, I spent a semester living in England, wandering through old graveyards, and exploring castles and dreary castle dungeons.

That really got me thinking…

As time went on, I fell in love with the medieval era. Knights and quests and the ill-fated lovers in troubadour ballads. Adding into this mix was my own background as an artist. I started to wonder, what if an artist really could draw a ghost? And what if that ghost were from medieval times? If she could meet this ghost and they formed a bond, would that be an ill-fated love, or a love worth dying for?

Drawn became that story.

Is there a particular castle or castles in England that you modeled Blanchley Castle after, or histories that you drew inspiration from with regard to the medieval stories of the characters from Blanchley Castle’s past?

I definitely modeled Blanchley Castle on Warwick Castle in England. From the little chapel to the grassy green and the dank cobweb-draped dungeon, Warwick Castle haunts my novel, just as surely as Christopher haunts Michelle in the book. Warwick Castle is beautifully preserved, and part of it is populated with lifelike wax figures, which really brings the middle ages alive. You can’t help but imagine what it was like to live there.

Other true-ish details in the book: Michelle’s new school Wallingford Academy hosts a costumed banquet at the castle, and Warwick Castle actually does host themed banquets on its grounds.
Also, critical final scenes in the novel take place during a Ghost Tour at Blanchley Castle, complete with psychics and ghost hunting equipment. And, yup, you guessed it, these really have been held at the castle…and they continue to be! In fact there’s one coming up in April, if you’re interested.
Paranormal Nights, the site that runs the tours, talks about Warwick Castle saying, “Here death and revenge have bared their teeth, perhaps leaving a legacy so that in dark places here we may brush with shades of the past?”

Maybe they’re talking about Michelle’s brush with Christopher, like in this scene from Drawn when she first meets him at the castle: 

With a jolt I remember the drawing of that guy in my sketchbook. To get his attention, I clear my throat.

In an instant, he stands, grabs my arm and shoves me against the wall. His face is close. His eyes filled with fury.

Sharp stones bite into my back. Tears spring into my eyes. “Let go!” I shout. I try to pull from his grip.

His glare softens, his grip loosens. “Forgive me. I thought…”

“You thought what?” I pull my arm from him.

He takes a step back. “I beg your pardon. I was taken by surprise. There have been dangers…”

I’m rubbing my arm. Blinking away tears.

“I have hurt you.” His voice is surprisingly gentle. He’s around my age and wears a brown woolen cape over an emerald-green tunic that fits him better than most of the rental costumes I’d seen tonight. His square jaw and strong chin add ruggedness to his face, and his eyes…

His eyes are studying me. I feel my cheeks burn.

Oh, wait, that all happened at Blanchley Castle, not Warwick Castle. My bad.

You’ve had a previous book, WHAT I MEANT…, published by Random House and then began your own publishing company. As an independent publisher and a writer, what have been the greatest rewards and challenges for you along the way to bringing your work to readers, without some of the advantages of having a “big name” behind you.

The greatest reward is having total control of your novel. It’s very old school. I have final say over the cover (and in the case of Drawn I got to draw the cover, too), I picked the paper color, the typeface used, and what appeared on the back cover. It’s all my vision through and through. Really exciting for an author.

The greatest challenge is letting people know that this book exists. Getting wonderful reviews for Drawn and for my other indie YA novel Over My Head has been so gratifying, but it doesn’t mean much if interested readers never find my books. That’s a bit of a heartbreak for a writer…

The good news is that my novels can be ordered through any bookstore and found online on Amazon and BarnesandNoble.com and Smashwords.com, but unless folks know where to look, the titles can definitely get lost. Here’s were readers can really make a difference, honestly. If you find a book you love, any book, but especially independently published titles like Drawn, then you can give it wings just by telling your friends to read it, by sharing it online, posting reviews about it, blogging about it. Talking up your favorite books gives your favorite writers the boost they need to write more of the stuff that you’d like to see. It’s all word of mouth. Talk about old school!

It’s also noteworthy that you are an agent, too. You wear many hats in the literature industry! And must be full of wisdom and advice for aspiring writers. When you are going through countless queries from hopeful authors, what helps a story or idea stand apart from all the others? As an agent what kind of query grabs your interest?

It’s really interesting as an author to now be sitting as an agent on the receiving end of query letters. Endlessly fascinating, and I feel like each time I go to my agent inbox I’m on a treasure hunt. The submissions vary widely from the ridiculous to the brilliant.

When it comes to the query letter, I wish I could tell every single writer who sends me a wacky letter to be more careful, to not blow their chances by making goofy mistakes. Simple things like getting my name right (!) and spelling words correctly (!!) and following my submission guidelines (!!!) will mean I’ll actually read the full letter and start to read the first 20 pages pasted into the bottom of the email. You can find my guidelines, and the types of projects I represent by going here: http://jdlit.com/submitpages/mariesubmit.html

What grabs my interest in a query is a writer with a clear sense of story. Describe your book idea in a way that makes me sit up and think, hey, this sounds interesting. The stories that stand out are ones with a strong voice. Ones that are written with confidence. Ones that don’t remind me of something I’ve already read, but that feel fresh and real.

And here are some general submission tips: Get right into the heart of your story when you write a book. If the novel starts off with a lot of back story, or characters driving to a destination where the story starts, or a character looking to buy a property where things will happen, well you’ll probably lose me long before I reach the good stuff.

Also, don’t tell an agent things like “this is the best book you’ll ever read,” or “this will be a best seller,” or “I know Hollywood is going to want to make this into a movie.” It really marks you as an amateur. Instead, let the agent come to that conclusion. If your book is fabulous, it will definitely speak for itself.

And the best writing advice I can offer? Never give up. I spent 10 years writing and perfecting my first novel, and that one never sold. If I gave up then, I would have never written What I Meant… or Over My Head or Drawn. If writing is your dream, work hard at it, keep improving, and never ever get discouraged. Remember that big dreams always take time.

Dream big!

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Congratulations to Catie S, comment number 11, who is the winner of the BLOODROSE ARC giveaway! 

Thanks to everyone who entered and keep your eye out for more giveaways! 

*Winners are chosen using random.org

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Have you read Andrea Cremer’s NIGHTSHADE Series? If you have, then you are aware that BLOODROSE is the long awaited 3rd book in this deliciously addictive story. Reading it will put you through the full range of human emotions with its ups and downs and unpredictable surprises!

Leave a comment below for a chance to win the ARC version of BLOODROSE. The deadline is Thursday, Jan 12.

*Sorry. US residents only.

Good Luck!

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For anyone who read Cynthia Hand’s Unearthly, I’m sure you’ve been dying to get your hands on the sequel, Hallowed, which will be released on January 17. And if you haven’t read Unearthly, I highly recommend it – it’s one of those novels that you can’t put down and has you dying for more.

Having read Hallowed already, let me tell you – it is just as fantastic as Unearthly. There may be less action and overall story arc than we saw in Unearthly, but Hallowed brings more Tucker and Christian, plenty of answers to lingering questions, and LOTS of emotion…I laughed and cried through the whole book. Plus there are some hilarious references to the Edward’s “stalking” in Twilight. Cynthia has a wonderful way of writing such realistic characters, conversations and situations even in a paranormal world.

So, can’t wait till January 17 to get this book? We have an advance reader copy of Hallowed to give away to one lucky person, courtesy of HarperCollins!

All you have to do to enter is leave a comment below telling me why you want to read Hallowed. The contest will run from today through Friday at noon ET when I’ll pick a winner. Good luck!

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Congratulations to comment number 34: Rachel She is the winner of the beautiful eReader/iPad cover from M-Edge! 

Merry Christmas! 

It looks like we were able to bump this cover up to #5 on the list of Top Voted Designs on the website! Woohoo!

Keep an eye out for future giveaways! Thanks for being awesome fans!

*contest/giveaway winners are selected using random.org

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Win this E-Reader/iPad cover!  

If you’d like a chance to win The Meadow cover for your e-reader or iPad, go to the M-Edge website HERE, vote for this cover (or any design you like), then come back and leave a comment under this post. 

A winner will be chosen at random on Friday. 

Remember to include your email address in the box provided. (not in your comment).

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I’ve always loved the creativity that The Twilight Saga has inspired, and singer/songwriter/performer Mandala at Twilight is the perfect example! We have two Mandala at Twilight prize packages to give away, each featuring a CD and a t-shirt. But first, let’s get to know Mandala a bit better.

Q: How did you find the Twilight books?
Mandala: I had just finished Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, the final book in the Harry Potter series, and was looking for a new book series to read. A few friends of mine had been talking about Twilight, so I went to my local bookstore to take a look. I got Twilight in paperback and had planned to wait for New Moon to come out in paperback before I bought it. That was a silly notion, but I did wait. Needless to say, I did not wait for the other two and got them as soon as they came out.

Q: What appealed to you about the series?
Mandala: There was just something about the books that drew me in. I have to say, the first few pages were difficult for me because I was unsure if I could get into books about high schoolers. I was so long out of high school that I worried I would not be able to relate, but something pulled me in and I could not put the books down. It is hard to pin-point, but I think it is the universal nature of the story. Many people get so mad at Jacob for kissing Bella in Eclipse, but that seemed like a very real moment to me. I mean, who has not done something really stupid when in love? This was exactly the kind of thing a teen boy would do when is at wits end. The books are full of these real moments.

Q: What inspired you to create Twilight-themed music? How would you describe your music?
Mandala: I started writing songs about Twilight because I was going through a rough time. The books were a wonderful distraction for real life, and turning my energy toward writing down my thoughts was a therapeutic way of dealing with the darker emotions I was feeling.

The music I created was edgier than other music I had written. It was electronic, but much more industrial than pop. I was feeling a lot of intense emotions. I had been fascinated with vampire lore and legend for years, and for me, there was always an association with more aggressive music. This edgy sound, mixed with vocals that were sometimes angsty and sometime sultry just seemed like the perfect fit.

About the time I started reading New Moon, my mother began having some major health problems. The book was an escape for me. This was also the time I started writing Twilight-inspired songs. I remember sitting in the waiting room at the hospital composing “Run.” Looking back on it now, I find it intriguing that, as I was confronted with my mother’s mortality, I was escaping into books that dealt with the desire to live forever.

“Welcome” is a perfect example of all my favorite vampire books and movies rolled into one. The Volturi are the Twilight inspiration for this song because they are most like traditional vampires from other stories. It was also inspired by Anne Rice’s vampires and the Bella Lugosi version of Dracula. All of these characters are regal and eloquent, but under the surface they are pure monsters.

As my mother’s illness wore on, and I watched her slip into a deep depression, I wrote “Ghost.” I was moved by how the movie depicted the months passing in New Moon. I saw my mother in Bella Swan. What I love so much about that song is that every single word is about my mom, and still, every word is about Bella. I think it is one of the best songs I have ever written.

Also, it was around this time that I met the man who is now my husband. I tend to identify with Edward more than Bella. “Dusk to Dawn,” though written for the great man in my life, seemed to me to be the exact same feelings Edward had for Bella. However, “Without You,” which is also about my husband, is more along the lines of Bella’s feelings.

A few years after my introduction to the book series, my mom passed away, and a couple of the songs on the album reflect the emotional roller coaster that resulted from it. I think the songs are perfect for the album because, though not directly about Twilight, they deal with love and loss, and mortality versus immortality.

Writing was a mix of two very different things for me: escaping from reality and being able to relate what I was going through with what I was reading in the books. The beauty of it, is that I can write songs about the characters, or I can write about myself and my life, and still the songs fit perfectly into the context of what happens in the books.

Q: Have you always had an interest in music?
Mandala: I think my parents knew I would grow up to be a musician when, at two years old, I played the maracas to my step-dad’s Rolling Stones album. However, I think it took me until the age of four to start having day-dreams about being a Rock & Roll star. I began taking piano lessons in the third grade. Growing up in a family of musicians, it was a dream that was encouraged. About nine years ago I began performing with a band, and a few years after that I began performing as a solo musician in addition to being in the band. I was really fortunate to perform as Mandala at Twilight at a midnight book release party for Breaking Dawn. That was one fantastic show!

Q: What do you have coming up next? Can fans see you perform live anywhere?
Mandala: I recently went back to school for Audio Production, so I am not performing much these days. When I do have shows, I have them listed on my show calendar on my website. I am always willing to travel outside of the Washington DC area (where I’m based) if requested to do a show. The contact information is on my website as well.

Right now I am focused on writing songs and improving my techniques in the studio. I did just make a music video for “Soundtrack to Your Demise,” the title track for my Mandala at Twilight album, and it can be seen it here: http://www.youtube.com/mandalasongs

Mandala at Twilight’s album and singles can be purchased on Amazon and iTunes.

Now for the giveaway…

As I mentioned, we have two prize packs to giveaway:

1. Mandala at Twilight’s “The Soundtrack to Your Demise” and a Mandala at Twilight t-shirt
2. Mandala at Twilight sampler CD including 6 tracks from “The Soundtrack to Your Demise” and a Mandala at Twilight t-shirt

Want to enter? Just leave a comment on this blog post! Contest runs until Monday (December 5) at noon ET, then we’ll choose two winners at random. Good luck!

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Congratulations to Erica A! She won a copy of Ally Condie’s MATCHED in paperback and CROSSED (ARC edition). Be sure to pick up Matched in paperback and the newly released Crossed, book 2 in the series! 

And Congratulations to Cat who won the Twilight Breaking Dawn Deluxe Party Pack from Discount Party Supplies! This pack has everything needed to make the perfect premiere or birthday party. Discount Party Supplies carries supplies for all kinds of themed parties or special events, so next time you are planning make it easy on yourself as a mom and have everything come to you instead of making extra trips and paying more.

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Looking for some fabulous Breaking Dawn party supplies? Discount Party Supplies is giving away one Twilight Breaking Dawn Deluxe Party Pack exclusively on TwilightMOMS.com! Valued at $59.99! 

To enter for a chance to win the Deluxe Party Pack, go check out the whole line of Breaking Dawn Party Supplies on their website then come back and post in the comments section telling us what your favorite item is. 

One lucky commenter* will be selected using random.org. Deadline to comment is Wednesday 11:59 pm EST.

*must be at least 13 years old, and have a US mailing address. 

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Today is release day for Ally Condie’s CROSSED. The 2nd book in her Matched Series. We have  a new paper back edition of MATCHED and an advanced copy of CROSSED to give away! Just leave a comment below for a chance to win both of these books!

To kick off her tour Ally is signing books in Salt Lake City tonight. Her book tour will also take her to San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, Chicago, and Atlanta. You can find all the information on her website allysoncondie.com

Amazon Book Description:

In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky – taken by the Society to his certain death – only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.

Cassia’s quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander – who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia’s heart – change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.

Be sure to move this series to the top of your list! Congratulations Ally!

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In honor of Summit announcing the track list for the Breaking Dawn Soundtrack yesterday, we’ve decided to reflect back on the other artists and songs from past Twilight Saga soundtracks. To do that, we’re giving away two copies of the Music Videos and Performances from The Twilight Saga Soundtracks, Volume 1 on Blu-Ray.

Synopsis: This unprecedented release features a collection of music videos and live performances from bands featured on the Billboard Chart topping soundtracks from The Twilight Saga: Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse. Connect with the artists as they perform the songs that channel the emotions of Twilight fans through music. Enjoy original music videos and never-been-seen live performances all on one release.

To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post letting us know your favorite song from all of the soundtracks. The contest will last until next Tuesday, October 4, at noon ET, when we’ll choose two winners. Good luck!

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Don’t forget to enter our contest for two gold passes to Creation’s Official Twilight Convention in Baltimore, MD, October 8-9. You have until noon ET today, so go here for all the details and to enter!

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TwilightMOMS will be attending Creation’s Official Twilight Convention in Baltimore, MD, October 8-9. We will be hosting panels and a vendor booth, so make sure you stop by to see us!

For those of you without tickets for the convention, we have TWO GOLD WEEKEND PASSES from Creation to give away to one lucky person! (note: this is for passes only, winner needs to provide their own transportation, hotel, etc)

TO ENTER: All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on this blog post letting us know you want to enter!

The contest will run until Monday, September 19 at noon ET. Then we’ll use random.org to choose a winner.

Cast members currently scheduled to attend the convention are Peter Facinelli, Chaske Spencer, Kiowa Gordon, Booboo Stewart, Tinsel Korey and Tyson Houseman. You can check out the full convention schedule here.

Good luck!

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Before you leave for the long holiday weekend, don’t forget to enter our two giveaways!

Crossroads Prize Pack: Winner receives Crossroads by Mary Ting, a Crossroads tote bag and beautiful Inspired by Twilight heart necklace. Go HERE for more details and to enter before Monday at noon.

The Night Circus ARC: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern will be released on September 13, but we have an Advanced Reader Copy available to giveaway now! Go HERE for more details and to enter before Monday at noon.

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This book isn’t even on shelves yet, but it is receiving quite a bit of buzz! It has already been optioned for a movie by Summit Entertainment and after reading it you’ll understand why. 

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern is an enchanting, unique story (one might even call it “fairytale”) full of beautiful, mysterious, whimsical imagery both light and dark.

After exploring Le Cirque des Rêves and the characters entwined in the mystique of its existence , the word “circus” as you’ve always known it will have new meaning. You’ll be wishing for black and white striped tents filled with magical possibilites to unexpectedly appear one day in a field nearby… and no doubt, you’ll keep a red scarf at the ready for the day that your wish just might come true.

For a chance to win an Advanced Readers Copy of  The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern leave a comment below and one lucky person will be chosen using complex magic… and random.org

Winner will be chosen September 5th. 

*And don’t forget about the other book giveaway for Crossroads by Mary Ting! Click HERE to enter.

The Night Circus and Crossroads are both available on the TwilightMOMS Amazon Store!

 Click here: Watch video of Jim Dale ( voice of Harry Potter Audio Books) read the first page of The Night Circus

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We have a great prize pack to give away to a lucky reader, courtesy of author Mary Ting and Inspired by Twilight!

If you’re anything like me, you’ve been hearing A LOT about Mary’s recently released book Crossroads. Here’s a synopsis for those not familiar with the book:

Claudia Emerson has a good friend who shares the same first name and last name. That friend unfortunately dies in a tragic accident during homecoming dance. Claudia is distraught at the loss of her friend, but is even more disturbed by her dreams, which seem to take her to another place called Crossroads. Unknown to her, Crossroads is like a second heaven, a place between heaven and earth. It is where the souls of humans in comas or near death experiences may wander. There, Claudia meets Michael, a nephilim, a half angel, half human, whom she often meets in her dreams. It turns out that this isn’t her first visit to Crossroads, which is an enigma for no human can ever travel there until Claudia. Now the fallen and demons are after her, suspecting she must be special and it is up to Michael and the other nephilims to protect her. Her dream becomes a nightmare as more secrets are revealed. Who is she really? What will the true identities of the people she loves the most reveal? Can Michael fight his growing feelings for Claudia and protect her as a guardian angel should? The answer awaits you! Follow the exciting path to Crossroads!

So not only do we have a copy of Crossroads to giveaway, but the winner will also receive a Crossroads tote bag and beautiful Inspired by Twilight heart necklace. The necklace is a 27 x 22mm Swarovski crystal heart that is the same shape as the wings on the cover with sterling silver chain.

How to enter: Just leave a comment on this blog post letting me know that you want to get your hands on Crossroads. The contest will last until 12:00 noon on September 5th. Then I’ll use random.org to choose a winner.

Good luck!! You can learn more about Crossroads on Mary’s blog, “like” Crossroads on Facebook, and follow Mary on Twitter.

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Today is the last day to enter our giveaway to win two gold passes to the Official Twilight Convention in Hartford, CT, May 14-15!

To enter, go to our original blog post here and leave a comment by noon ET today.

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TwilightMOMS will be attending Creation’s Official Twilight Convention in Hartford, CT, May 14-15. We will be hosting panels and a vendor booth, so make sure you stop by to see us!

For those of you without tickets for the convention, we have TWO GOLD WEEKEND PASSES from Creation to giveaway to one lucky person! (note: this is for passes only, winner needs to provide their own transportation, hotel, etc)

TO ENTER: All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on this blog post letting us know you want to enter!

The contest will run until Tuesday, May 3 at noon ET. Then we’ll use random.org to choose a winner.

Cast members currently scheduled to attend the convention are Peter Facinelli, Bronson Pelletier, Tinsel Korey and Booboo Stewart. You can check out the full convention schedule here.

Good luck!

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