Friday, October 2, 2009

Laurie Faria Stolarz: Guest Post and BIG Contests!

Hi Laurie, welcome to the FNC! Thank you so much for spending time with us today!


Thanks so much for inviting me to talk here about the BLACK IS FOR BEGINNINGS, the fifth book in the BLUE IS FOR NIGHTMARES series, and the upcoming release of DEADLY LITTLE LIES, the second book in the TOUCH series.


BLACK IS FOR BEGINNINGS is a companion book to the BLUE IS FOR NIGHTMARES series. When my editor approached me with the idea of writing a graphic novel, I was very intrigued because it gave me the opportunity to not only try something new, but to really picture the book as a movie. I have a background in screenwriting and wrote BLACK IS FOR BEGINNINGS in screenplay format, adding in ideas for illustrations and sidebars. It was an absolute thrill to write, and to have the opportunity to work with an illustrator for these characters and situations I’d created. BLACK IS FOR BEGINNINGS does not take the place of a regular prose novel in the series. It is a companion piece, complimenting the entire series as a whole. It picks up where RED IS FOR REMEMBRANCE left off, and also shows some fan-favorite scenes from the entire series.

DEADLY LITTLE LIES is the sequel to DEADLY LITTLE SECRET, (the first book in the TOUCH series). I’m really excited about it, because I think it has even more suspense, romance, and twists than the first book. It starts up a few months after (Spoiler Alert) Ben’s departure at the end of DEADLY LITTLE SECRET. Camelia’s spent those months researching everything she can find on psychometry (the ability to sense through touch). See the full description below.




ABOUT BLACK IS FOR BEGINNNINGS:

The BLUE IS FOR NIGHTMARES series that put a spell on more than half a million readers continues – in graphic novel format! Prophetic nightmares. Near-brushes with death. Killers pursuing her and her friends. Stacey Brown knows that being a hereditary witch isn’t all it's cracked up to be.

All she really wants to do is work things out with Jacob and figure out what to do with the rest of her life. But before Stacey and Jacob can have a future, they must face their pasts. BLACK IS FOR BEGINNINGS reveals the never-before-seen backstory - and what lies ahead - for the young, spellcasting lovers.

BLACK continues the harrowing adventures of Stacey and Jacob in the wake of Jacob's brush with death. Ever since he lost his memory, Jacob hasn't been able to remember Stacey - his own soul mate. He leaves Massachusetts, returning to his childhood home in Colorado, hoping to jog his memory. What he remembers is Kira, his ex-girlfriend. As Jacob works to piece together his past, will there be room for Stacey in his future?

REVIEWS:

"The half-million readers of Laurie Faria Stolarz’s paranormal mystery series will be happy with this shift to graphic style, offering as it does the pleasure of putting faces on characters, its visualized eeriness and vibrant displays of emotion...The graphic style allows Stolarz to distill the story while simultaneously dropping hints about Stacey and Jacob’s supernatural talents, luring new readers to the series." - Kirkus Reviews

"Taking Stolarz’s Blue Is for Nightmares series into the graphic-novel realm is a bold idea, and it pays off in this morbidly entertaining and surprisingly romantic page-turner." - Booklist




ABOUT DEADLY LITTLE LIES

Last fall, sixteen-year-old Camelia fell for Ben, a new boy at school who had a very mysterious gift – psychometry, the ability to sense the future through touch. But just as Camelia and Ben's romance began to heat up, he abruptly left town. Brokenhearted, Camelia has spent the last few months studying everything she can about psychometry and experiencing strange brushes with premonition. Camelia wonders if Ben's abilities have somehow been transferred to her.

Ben returns to school, but he remains aloof, and Camelia can't get close enough to share her secret with him. Camelia makes the painful decision to let him go and move on. Adam, the hot new guy at Knead, seems good for her in ways Ben wasn't. But when Camelia and Adam start dating, a surprising love triangle results. A chilling sequence of events uncovers secrets from Ben’s past – and Adam's. Someone is lying, and it's up to Camelia to figure out who – before it's too late.

View the Book Trailer for Deadly Little Secret: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fzMpVMy2fQ



Below, you’ll find Stacey Brown’s courage sachet spell, Camelia’s favorite psychometry links, and some tips Camelia has to develop your psychometric powers. I’m also including some random facts about me.

Lastly, the paperback of DEADLY LITTLE SECRET will be out in November as well. For a limited time Barnes & Noble will be releasing an exclusive edition that will have excerpts from Ben’s secret blog.

Many thanks again for this opportunity to chat! Be sure to visit my website, where you’ll find more contests under NEWS, and information about upcoming signings (www.lauriestolarz.com).

All best,

Laurie Stolarz


Stacey Brown's Courage Sachet

Purpose: To help conquer your biggest fears.

Ingredients: swatch of cheesecloth, dried thyme, small piece of paper, black ball-point pen, piece of string.

1. On the piece of paper, using the black ball-point pen, write whatever it is you fear.

2. Fold this paper up, as tight as you can get it, imagining your fear becoming smaller and weaker with each crease.

3. Lay the cheesecloth open in front of you and drop the folded paper ball into the middle. 4. Sprinkle the dried thyme atop it.

5. Gather the ends of the cheesecloth and tie closed with the piece of string.

6. Hold the sachet and repeat the following chant three times: I fear you now but not for long for with my courage you will be gone.

7. Keep this courage sachet with you whenever you need to remind yourself that you are much stronger than your fears.

For more spells, go here: http://www.llewellyn.com/spell.php



Camelia’s Favorite Links About Psychometry:

http://paranormal.about.com/cs/espinformation/a/aa063003.htm

http://freespace.virgin.net/russel.steward/psychome.htm

http://www.powerful-psychic-reading.com/psychometry.html



Directions on how to bring your own psychometric senses to fruition

1. Make yourself comfortable in a place that feels “sacred” to you. For some it’s outside, surrounded by nature; for others it’s a favorite chair or surrounded by candles; for me, it’s wherever I’m doing pottery.

2. Close your eyes and concentrate on your breath, letting go of any stray or nervous thoughts.

3. Now, take an object in your hand. A good idea is to have someone give you something they’ve owned for a long time, i.e. a favorite bracelet or a set of keys.

4. Close your eyes again and concentrate on this object. Be aware of any thoughts or feelings that come about as a result of holding this object. Talk those ideas through, even if they seem silly or insignificant, but never make information up.

Remember, this takes practice and a bit of experimenting. The goal is to begin tuning in to your own inner awareness and your ability of perception. What works for me is saying a question aloud in my head, and then sculpting out the answer – using my power of touch in a creative and organic way.



RANDOM FACTS ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

1. I love what I do, and feel very grateful to be able to have this as a career.

2. I love dark chocolate, Starbucks coffee, Bertucci’s cheeseless pizza, popcorn, and Indian food (though not necessarily in one meal).

3. I watch an embarrassing amount of reality TV (it’s research after all).

4. I’m very deadline driven, giving myself weekly deadlines and agendas, so that everything gets done on time.

5. I have a background in marketing and French.

6. My first job was as a piano teacher (I was 9). I’ve also been a waitress, a supermarket cashier, worked in a ceramics studio, worked as a tour guide for international exchange students, been a teacher, a script reader, an editor, and written obituaries for a newspaper.

7. I’m a vegetarian. If I were to try my hand at a different career, it would be holistic nutritionist.

8. I love yoga, dance/aerobics classes, cooking, tennis, and power walks.

9. I often shop online, fill my basket, and then empty it all out. Does anyone else do this?

10. My readers mean the world to me.


Thanks so much for stopping by Laurie! And...the FNC has some exciting contest news for you!

After you finish entering Laurie's contests, enter ours!

Leave a comment below and enter for a chance to win one of five prizes!

We are giving away TWO signed copies of STACEY'S SPELLBOOK
                                 TWO signed copies of BLACK IS FOR BEGINNINGS
                                 ONE signed copy of DEADLY LITTLE SECRET (TOUC)
                                 ONE signed copy of DEADLY LITTLE LIES ARC (TOUCH)

Here's how to enter: You must be a follower and leave a comment below.
                                  +1 for everytime you repost. So for example if you run two blogs and post on both of them (+2). Or if you repost on your blog, twitter and facebook (+3). Please leave your email address and links to the reposts.

The Fine Print:

Contest is open worldwide. Winner will be contacted by email at the close of contest. If you do not leave your email address in your comment, it is your responsibility to check back at the FNC blog to see if you've won. You have 72 hours to claim your prize, or an alternate winner will be chosen.

Contest runs until 10/31 at 11:59PM EST.

(Also check out our other October contest STALKERS and SERIAL KILLERS).

THANKS again Laurie!!

53 comments:

  1. Please enter me! :)

    This is a fascinating post. I think that the concepts here are under-utilized. And, as with the other post y'all did--I totally agree. Stalkers/serial killers are MUCH scarier than vampires and zombies!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow this is an amazing contest! Very creative!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great giveaway. I can't wait to read deadly little lies.
    zenfoxflowerATyahooDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  4. Please enter me!

    +1 Link on Contest Sidebar

    n_monzyk_27@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm a follower and would love to be entered in the contest!

    bittahsweetharmony@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I've never heard of these books but now they're on my list! I don't know if we can indicate a preference but mine is Deadly Little Secret (although I would be thrilled to win any of the books). Thanks for the contest!

    stephaniefleischer889 [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great contest. I have just become a follower. I've read a couple of Laurie's books (Blue is for Nightmares and White is for Magic).

    everythingtodowithbooks@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Shawna L
    weloveourdogs@juno.com
    Very cool stuff thanks for all the wonderful information & life tools!!!

    I follow your blog!!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Shawna L
    weloveourdogs@juno.com


    +3 I posted this on my blog Right in front with pictures ;o) Thanks for this chance to win these amazing books!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Shawna L
    weloveourdogs@juno.com


    +3 I posted this on Facebook (theblindcupid) http://www.facebook.com/posted.php?id=1259591812&share_id=173559024358&comments=1

    ReplyDelete
  11. Shawna L
    weloveourdogs@juno.com



    +3 I posted this on Twitter http://twitter.com/theblindcupid/status/4703563617

    ReplyDelete
  12. Shawna L
    weloveourdogs@juno.com

    I posted this on my blog as you can see above in my entry.

    BUT

    Oops....I forgot to leave my Blog address~

    http://booksaremoviesinthemind.blogspot.com/

    So there you have it.....so you can go on over and see the post!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Great guest post! Ohh and she's a vegetarian too, that's awesome. I sometimes do that too (#9 random fact) I fill up the trolley with lots of cool stuff I want and pretend I'm a super-rich little munchkin and can afford it all... then regrettably empty it all out when I decide play time is over LOL.

    Awesome contest, I would love to be entered please!

    Thank you!
    hanging.by.a.moment_@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thanks so much - rae_sunshine4(at)yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Please enter me!
    twitter: http://twitter.com/reader_meg/status/4714339443
    Thanks,
    mdondero@sprynet.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Awesome contest! I would love to enter. :)

    michelle_thebookjunkie@hotmail.com

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Great contest, please enter me(:

    Kelsey
    kelseythebookscout at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  18. I would absolutely love to be entered! I haven't read any of Laurie Faria Stolarz's books yet - but they all sound simply amazing!

    :) Erica
    thebookcellar@wi.rr.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Great contest. Please enter me.

    neverendingshelf@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Please enter me!!

    +1 link on sidebar: http://crystalreviews.blogspot.com/

    crystalreviews[at]gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Please enter me! I've already read Deadly Little Secret and I can't wait to read the next one!

    kat-tastic(at)live.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Great Contest, Please count me in!! ^^

    Im a follower
    Tweeted: http://twitter.com/Libelula89/status/4745762510
    Link on sidebar: http://entrelibelulas.blogspot.com/

    Mariana
    sarima89(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  23. Shawna L
    weloveourdogs@juno.com


    I re-tweeted ;o)
    http://twitter.com/theblindcupid/status/4756475422

    ReplyDelete
  24. Shawna L
    weloveourdogs@juno.com


    +3 I re-posted on Facebook today
    http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/posted.php?id=1259591812&share_id=148775554940&comments=1#s148775554940

    ReplyDelete
  25. Please enter me!!

    WilowRaven[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Great contest! I am a follower.
    throuthehaze at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  27. Shawna L
    weloveourdogs@juno.com

    I re-tweeted http://twitter.com/theblindcupid/status/4803138790

    ReplyDelete
  28. Please enter me I haven't read any of Touch series books though their only one out right know

    I posted about this contest HERE +3 http://denisemadness.blogspot.com/

    I am already a follower
    + 3 and I tweeted about this contest here
    http://twitter.com/DeniseMadness


    Denise

    denisemadness(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  29. Shawna L
    weloveourdogs@juno.com

    I re-tweeted http://twitter.com/theblindcupid/status/4837910137

    ReplyDelete
  30. I would love to play please!

    Already a follower.

    lesly7ch(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  31. Shawna Lewis
    weloveourdogs@juno.com

    I re-tweeted http://twitter.com/theblindcupid/status/4930991778

    ReplyDelete
  32. Please enter us! We linked in sidebar and posted about it. (http://aflightofminds.blogspot.com/2009/10/contest-round-up-anyone.html)

    Thanks!
    Alex & Lauren at aflightofminds@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. Shawna Lewis
    weloveourdogs@juno.com

    I retweeted http://twitter.com/theblindcupid/status/4957273495

    ReplyDelete
  34. Please enter me.

    tehashley(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  35. Please enter me, thanks!
    booksobsession(at)gmail(dot)com

    I'm already a follower.

    +1 Posted on my sidebar at http://booksobsession.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. Shawna L
    weloveourdogs@juno.com

    I re-tweeted http://twitter.com/theblindcupid/status/4970778132

    ReplyDelete
  37. Shawna L
    weloveourdogs@juno.com

    I re-tweeted http://twitter.com/theblindcupid/status/4999715496

    ReplyDelete
  38. Shawna L
    weloveourdogs@juno.com

    I re-tweeted http://twitter.com/theblindcupid/status/5036484192

    ReplyDelete
  39. Great contest ^_^

    I am a follower, and I posted about the contest in my sidebar: librojoven.blogspot.com

    this is my email: librojoven@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  40. Awesome contest!

    I'm a follower and I posted about this on my sidebar and on twitter.

    http://twitter.com/Sheeredry/status/5080945140
    http://todoesfacilsi.blogspot.com/

    sheere.dry@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  41. Thanks for the contest. I'm a follower.

    jennsicurella at verizon dot net

    ReplyDelete
  42. Awesome Contest! I am a follower.

    Meliam723@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  43. I'm a follower, please enter me
    copperllama at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  44. This sounds like an absolutely awesome contest with some spectacular books! Please enter me.

    +1 Posted (In a actual post) about this contest on my blog at
    http://gimmethatbookbeforeipunchyou.blogspot.com/2009/10/win-up-to-6-signed-books-from-laurie.html

    +1 Posted about this contest with a link on my sidebar at
    http://gimmethatbookbeforeipunchyou.blogspot.com/

    Shadowofwonder47[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  45. great contest....

    follower

    misty_labean@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  46. I would love to be entered. I am a follower.

    marielay@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  47. I'd love to win one of those! Count me in. I'm a follower.

    +1 Sidebar Book Blog: http://thebookpixie.blogspot.com/

    +1 Sidebar Photo Blog: http://frombrianaspointofview.blogspot.com/

    +1 Tweeted: http://twitter.com/thebookpixie/status/5280644727

    ~Briana
    thebookpixie[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  48. I've been wanting to read these books for awhile.

    I'm a follower

    +1 Sidebar (http;//casey62588.blogspot.com)

    paranormalfanatic@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  49. I just love all of her books. I think she is a fabulous writer! Please enter me in.

    I'm a follower

    findjessyhere at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  50. I love Laurie's books! She's such a good author!!!!
    I'm a follower

    +1 sidebar: http://hookedonyabooks.blogspot.com/
    +1 sidebar: http://violeteyesroaming.blogspot.com/
    +1 tweeted: http://twitter.com/naggy8/status/5317124045

    lovinfitch(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  51. I would love to win any of these books! Thank you for the giveaway.

    I'm a follower.
    mittens0831 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  52. I've read all of the books from her blue is for nightmares series! :D

    I'm a follower

    piratepenguinreads(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  53. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete

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