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Two New Books ~ Two Cool Contests

Crystal — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 21:05:36 +0000

Two great books out today: Jenny Nelson’s debut novel Georgia’s Kitchen (if you like women’s fiction, romance and a taste of Italy) and bestselling author Lisa Unger’s Fragile (for you Jodi Picoult and Anita Shreve fans who love family drama with some suspense. People Magazine called it a “nail-biter”).

Must-reads for summer and each author has a fantastic contest~ check it out:

Fragile Contest
Order Fragile between now and August 6^th and you could win an iPad. Just leave a comment on Lisa Unger’s Facebook page telling her where you picked up her book and then a random drawing will take place August 10^th.

About Fragile:
Everybody knows everybody in The Hollows, a quaint, charming town outside of New York City. It’s a place where neighbors keep an eye on each other’s kids, where people say hello in the grocery store, and where high school cliques and antics are never quite forgotten. As a kid, Maggie found the microscope of small town life stifling. But as a wife and mother, she’s happily returned to The Hollows’ insular embrace. As a psychologist, her knowledge of family histories provides powerful insights into her patients’ lives. So when the girlfriend of her teenage son Rick disappears, Maggie’s intuitive gift proves useful to the case – and also dangerous.

Eerie parallels soon emerge between Charlene’s disappearance and the abduction of another local girl that shook the community when Maggie was a teenager. The investigation has her husband, Jones, the lead detective on the case, acting strangely. Rick, already a brooding teenager, becomes even more withdrawn. In a town where the past is always present, nobody is above suspicion, not even a son in the eyes of his father.

It’s a page-turner and the Associated Press says “Unger fans won’t be disappointed.” For more info: www.lisaunger.com.

Georgia’s Kitchen Contest
Georgia’s Kitchen is a dazzling debut made with the finest ingredients: romance, cooking, Italy, New York, and one woman’s appetite for more. Order Georgia’s Kitchen between now and August 6th (it’s only $10!), email your receipt to jennynelsonauthor@gmail.com and be entered to win Georgia’s Kitchen Giant Giveaway which includes a bag full of these great novels, your choice of a food magazine (a full year subscription!) and more. The other great books you’ll win in this giveaway are:

Everyday Italian by Giada DeLaurentiis, After You by Julie Buxbaum, Super in the City by Daphne Uviller, She’s Gone Country and Flirting with Forty by Jane Porter, Girls in Trucks and Men and Dogs by Katie Crouch, I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti by Giulia Melucci and Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert.

PLUS A one year subscription to the food magazine of your choice (Food and Wine; Bon Apetit, Fine Cooking or Everyday with Rachael Ray) and a $50 gift certificate to Crate & Barrel.

WOW!! What are you waiting for? Enter to win now.

Happy reading and good luck!

Friday Must List

Christelle — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 20:11:51 +0000

Hello! I’m Christelle and I am an intern here at BookSparksPR. I am thrilled to be working with Crystal (and crew) as well as all of the fabulous authors she works with. I will be taking over the Thursday Must List - now the Friday Must List and doing some other fun posts, too. Follow me on Twitter for some fun Friday Must List, book- and intern-related tweets.

The Friday Must List

There are few things I love more than watching a favorite book jump off the pages and onto the big screen. Seeing a perfectly casted actor breathe life into a novel’s leading character can be like seeing the ocean for the first time. We’re excited that BookSparksPR client Allison Winn Scotch (who is busy promoting her new book The One That I Want) is having her bestseller Time of My Life adapted into a movie soon. We’ll keep you posted on the latest, including which actors come onboard for the lead roles of Henry and Jack. We also love that Emily Giffin is keeping fans updated on her book, Something Borrowed, being made into a movie starring Kate Hudson.

All this book-to-movie talk got me thinking about what I think the best (and worst) movies based on books are so here’s my must list for books made into movies.

The Best

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks… Is there really any need for explanation? The book and the movie can make me cry every time and they both make me question “Why can’t I have that?” anytime a relationship is in the toilet. Two telling signs of a great love story.

Atonement by Ian McEwan – I have a sort of backwards feeling about this combo. Usually a book can give so much more than a movie, but in this case the theatrical visuals are so breathtaking I am not sure anyone can put into words what Hollywood did with a camera.

Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen – This is one of my favorites in both categories… life in a mental hospital from the perspective of a patient; you can’t make this stuff up. And she didn’t, the true story element just makes this double treat a little tastier.

The Worst

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare – The attempt to blend modern day themes with Shakespearean vernacular sounds uber-creative, but just comes off weird and corny most of the time. Apparently, not everything Leo Dicaprio touches turns to gold.

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown – I admit I was as hooked into the book as the next person, but it would have taken a holy miracle to keep me awake through that movie.

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne – Am I truly supposed to believe that a woman who starred in Striptease is capable of pulling off the role of Hester Prynne gracefully? Love you Demi…but you’re no Puritan.

More to love (or hate)!

Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane – This thriller just came out on DVD and although I went straight for the movie and skipped the book, but I could definitely see myself going back and reading it.

Dear John by Nicholas Sparks – This movie just hit stores and bottom line I’m never disappointed with his books or movies. Sparks had me at A Walk to Remember and I’ve never looked back.

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen – This book is not only at the top of my reading list it is also in the early production stages. Add to the fact that it stars everyone’s favorite dirty-pretty boy Rob Pattinson and my all time favorite actress Reese Witherspoon… I see a midnight showing in my future!!

What are your favorite movies based on books?

Thursday Must List

Crystal — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 00:14:02 +0000

It’s back by popular demand! The Thursday Must List – I know, I know. You’ve been missing it – not sure how you’ve been getting along without it: my rants and raves on everything from books, to movies to pop culture to beauty products.

Well, be still your heart: The Thursday Must List is back!

#1 The One That I Want
Redbook, Glamour and Cosmo agree: New York Times bestselling author Allison Winn Scotch is back with a must-read book for summer. The One That I Want hit stores on Tuesday – and Allison is giving away some fantastic prizes for anyone who orders before end of day on June 4th (tomorrow!) Buy the book, email a copy of your receipt to allisonwscotch@gmail.com and you’ll be entered to win a cool FLIP cam, a new Blackberry, a sweet pair of Oakley women’s sunglasses and a beach bag full of other fantastic books for summer. Details on the contest are here. Hurry and enter to win!

#2 Georgia’s Kitchen
This sizzling debut novel by Jenny Nelson is one you won’t want to miss – and I’m giving away an advanced copy of it. All you have to do is became a fan of on Facebook and leave a comment with your favorite Italian dish (mine is Pasta Milano!) and you’ll be entered to win. Check out this book summary of Georgia’s Kitchen and you’ll be craving more!

#3 Cake Boss
So after spending a weekend couped up in a hotel room, I’m suddenly addicted to the fabulous TLC show “Cake Boss” – it’s a serious problem. I did nothing Saturday except watch this show and crave cake. I love watching Buddy and his team make some of the most amazing cakes I’ve ever seen. The new season just kicked off – so check it out on TLC – and follow Cake Boss Buddy on Twitter. Love this show!

Tell me what’s on YOUR must list! And don’t forget to buy Allison’s new book - GREAT book, GREAT prizes!

5 Tips on Book Publicity & 2 Super Cool Contests

Crystal — Wed, 26 May 2010 17:11:49 +0000

In this guest column by Livia Blackburne, an MIT neuroscientist by day and a YA writer by night, she talks about book publicity tips she got when she recently attended “Publishing Books, Memoirs, and Other Creative Nonfiction,” at Harvard Medical School. The tips came from Rusty Shelton, managing director of Phenix and Phenix Literary Publicists, who spoke about book publicity at the event.

I picked a few of the tips below and think you should check out Livia’s fascinating blog, A Brain Scientist’s Take on Writing. And read to the end for details on 2 Super Cool Contests you won’t want to miss!

5 Tips on Book Publicity…

1. Media is changing
Before the Internet era, the media landscape was like a classroom. The teacher (i.e., The New York Times or the Washington Post) stood at the podium and disseminated information. Now, with social media, the students are passing notes amongst themselves. Plus, if a note gets very popular, the teacher picks it up and reads it to the class.

2. Your website is not about selling your book
Many authors mistakenly think their website is about selling their book. But in that case, people would have no reason to visit your website except to buy your book. Instead, make your website useful to people so they keep coming back. Keep a blog so there’s always fresh information. Then, you start building up a base of followers who may not only buy this book, but future books as well.

3. It’s more important than ever to write a good book
With the old media landscape, you might have been able to trick people into buying a bad book with advertising or a high-profile review. But now with social media, people are sharing information, and people trust their friends more than they trust professional book reviewers.

4. Don’t be a media snob
There is an urban legend about an author who went to New York City for a book signing. He couldn’t book many venues, but he was offered an interview in a small upstate New York radio station. A NY Times reporter was driving through, heard his story, and write a feature story on him. The moral of the story? You never know who’s watching or listening.

5. On choosing a publicist
Look at their recent media bookings to see what kind of media contacts they have. Also, be wary if the publicist agrees to take you on without even looking at your book. The publicist should be interviewing you the same way an agent does so he can make an educated decision about whether he can help you.

Read the full guest post with even more tips, here.

And 2 Super Cool Contests…

Aspiring Writers – Your break-out opportunity is here!
For all you aspiring writers out there – don’t miss this fantastic contest that bestelling author Allison Winn Scotch is currently running – her amazing agent, Elisabeth Weed, is opening her inbox to your submissions. Get your query lettters and first chapters all snazzy and enter this outstanding contest. Check out the details and don’t miss Allison’s new novel coming next week: The One That I Want.

Bestselling author Lisa Unger Fabulous Giveaway
Just in time for your summer reading pleasure, bestselling author Lisa Unger is giving away a complete set of her hardcover novels – signed! All you have to do is “Like” her Facebook page and leave a comment to be entered to win. Her 4-year-old will pick a winner on Friday – you’ll be all set to read her incredible books all summer long … and then dive into her new highly anticipated, superb novel Fragile, coming in August!

Tuesday 5

Crystal — Tue, 11 May 2010 16:07:10 +0000

5 Things you need to check out today:

#1 Get up close and personal with Emily Giffin
Chick Lit is Not Dead has bestselling author Emily Giffin on today sharing a fun video of 12 things you didn’t know about her – it’s hilarious, so go check it out.

Plus you can leave a comment to win Giffin’s new book (her best by far!) Heart of the Matter which comes out today…her BEST book ever. I swear. You can even enter to win Emily Giffin’s Favorite Things.

#2 Cool contest for writers
The lovely NYT bestselling author Allison Winn Scotch has a fantastic contest for writers out there – you could have your query and chapter one of your manuscript reviewed by her agent, Elizabeth Weed. Uhm, hello? What are you waiting for? Check out Allison’s blog for more. And don’t forget her new novel, The One That I Want, is in stores June 1. Pre-order it now.

Oh and if you missed it, check out my super fun Q&A with Allison (on motherhood, writing, celeb moms and more) for Redbook magazine – Mom with the Write Stuff: Allison Winn Scotch.

#3 Cool contest for book bloggers
Author Sarah Pekkanen is showing some majeh love for book bloggers by giving away a trip to the Book Blogger Convention in NYC as part of BEA 2010 for one lucky book blogger out there - money toward travel expenses, a hotel for two nights in NYC, meet Sarah and more.

Check out Sarah’s contest and spread the word!

Oh, and if you haven’t already, check out Sarah’s debut novel, The Opposite of Me, perfect for your summer reading plans.

#4 Food Lit – a tasty treat
What’s more fabulous than reading a good book? A good book loaded with real recipes to die for! Jenn and Jule of Girls Just Reading are raving about author Jennifer Ross and her delicious book The Icing on the Cupcake.

And here’s what Booklist had to say about it: “Striking the perfect balance between tart wit and sweet romance, Ross spoons up a thoughtful blend of chick lit and women’s fiction, complete with a tempting assortment of cupcake recipes, the icing on this irresistible culinary literary creation.”

Scoop it up now and read it – and let me know what you think!

#5 I don’t really have a #5… it just sounded better than 4.

Happy reading, y’all!

Friday Reads/Spring Break

Crystal — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 16:44:59 +0000

It’s Friday and I wanted to share what I’m reading this week (or recently finished) for all you book lovers looking for a book recommendation for Spring Break.

First of all, last night we had a great SheKnows Book Club conversation with author Irene Zutell on her book, Pieces of Happily Ever After, on the SheKnows Book Club message board. Irene joined in and answered questions from members and our amazing, fun Official SheKnows Book Club bloggers. And even our new SheKnows Book Club Radio Host, Robin of Reading with Robin, joined in. (Speaking of Robin- she’s interviewing Real Housewives of New York’s Jill Zarrin and her sister Lisa tomorrow on her show. Tune in from 7 to 8 a.m. EST at www.920whjj.com.)

If you haven’t joined this free, easy, online book club – please check it out and come join us. In April, we’ll be talking about Jodi Picoult’s new novel (her 17th) House Rules.

Okay, what else am I reading?

Fireworks Over Toccoa by Jeffrey Stepakoff
I loved this book and could not put it down – it’s a wonderful love story. You know that part in the Titanic movie when Rose (Kate Winslet) is on the floating piece of ice and holding on to Jack (Leo, oh Leo!) and then has to let him go? This book is just like that moment for me – sad and brilliant and beautiful and so emotional. It’s about first love, true love, WWII, the beauty of the South and a girl from a small town there, the expectations, the obligations, true and passionate love and those moments in our lives that change us forever. Follow Jeffrey on Twitter, become a Facebook Fan and buy the book. It comes out on Tuesday and you will be mesmerized and wanting more from this debut author (but who has written for TV for years – The Wonder Years, Sisters, and co-exec producer of Dawson’s Creek.)

Love in Mid Air by Kim Wright
Of all the books I have read in the last six months, this book has resonated with me most. I LOVED this book and I cannot say it enough – buy this book. buy this book. buy this book. Kim is a debut author and getting people to buy the book is critical. Because, well I can’t wait for the next one and the next one… and a lovely career from this fabulous woman! It’s about marriage, sex and friendship, infidelity, community….a group of amazing and different women who belong to the same church and book club, who are all at different places in their marriages. Mostly it’s about Elyse – a woman who risks everything after a chance encounter with a stranger she meets on an airplane. It’s about women in marriage and what makes them stay or what is the straw that breaks the camel’s back to make them leave, it’s sexy and relatable…it’s so RICH and FULL and FABULOUS. Okay. read it, buy it, love it. Enough said.

And last but not least, I’m reading The Other Side of Organized: Finding the Balance Between Chaos and Perfection – a great book by my new client and professional organizer of 20+ years Linda Samuels. Perfect timing for Spring – it’s all about how to let go of the clutter (you know you hang on to stuff because emotionally you don’t want to let it go!) and finding the sweet spot where you are comfortable (not necessarily perfectly ordered and organized) in your life.

And I wouldn’t be a good publicist if I didn’t tell you that you should check out The Opposite of Me by Sarah Pekkanen…. talk about a perfect Spring Break book! People magazine gave it 3.5/4 stars, The Washington Post gave it a good review, Redbook magazine picked it for March… it’s a great story about sisters and the roles we are assigned (pretty one, smart one). Learn more about The Opposite of Me.

What are YOU reading?

Happy Friday, Happy Reading!

P.S. Don’t forget to check out my lovely Q&A with fab YA author Josie Bloss on her book Albatross and my Q&A with Jodi Picoult on House Rules – both for the Indianapolis Star.

LOST

Crystal — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:00:14 +0000

So, I’m a big LOST fan. Can’t wait for the final season to kick off tonight. Other than the minor challenge of trying to remember where the heck we left off (who’s where, who’s when, who’s dead, who’s alive), I’m all set to dive back into the island and all its mystery.

But speaking of LOST, there are always things that get lost in the shuffle…. you know, when things get crazy busy and you (okay, well me) can’t seem to get it all together.

Things begin to fall by the wayside. For me, those things include:

- My DVR (which is so loaded up with past episodes of my favorite non-LOST shows that I just might throw in the towel on all of them. There are so many, my DVR comes on with a warning that unless I make some serious time for vegging out and catching up, I’m actually OUT OF SPACE. So hundreds of hours of TV are just sitting there waiting on me to get my shit together. And I just might give them all up, as I pledge to sit down and watch TV tonight, live, when LOST returns. Remember the day when you had no choice but to watch it live? My DVR just makes me lazy and a procrastinater. I’m starting to hate it. I have DVR rage.)

- My teeth (who has time for flossing anyway? you don’t see the islanders on LOST flossing their teeth?)

- My body (case in point: three new Jillian Michaels DVDs that guarantee me killer abs and a much needed 30-day-Shed that I got for the New Year are still sitting in their orignal package here on the floor – Jillian Michaels, and her solid rock body, mocking me from her spot next to a bag of miniature Snickers.

- My blog. Yes, I know…I have not updated it in centuries. I have not done my Must Read Monday List or everyone’s favorite Thursday Must List in ages. I haven’t posted in so long, I started getting emails asking if I was in rehab.

So, here I am, tryng to get back all that gets lost in the shuffle when things are super busy. And they are busy (which is a good thing for my clients) It’s not like I’ve been sitting around on my couch in front of my DVR, people!

To catch you up on what’s been keeping me away, check out all this great news from BookSparksPR. And thanks for hanging in there.

Pieces is now at Target
Congrats to the fabulous Irene Zutell! Her book, Pieces of Happily Ever After, is now availalbe at Target stores! And check out this fun contest over at the celebrity gossip site, Have U Heard, where you can enter to win one of five copies of Pieces of Happily Ever After.

Extreme makeover Chick Lit edition
The fantastic Chick Lit Duo of the Year award goes to….Liz and Lisa! I can hardly believe it’s been a year since the launch of Chick Lit is not Dead, and the ladies are celebrating their anniversary with a super sexy, fun makeover. Check out the newly improved – and always freaking fabulous – Chick Lit is not Dead. And tell us what you think of the new look. Liz and Lisa will be doing several fun giveaways on the blog this month in celebration of their anniversary (they already gave away a Blackberry!). And, today they have New York Times best-selling author Kristin Hannah dishing about her new book, Winter Garden, and 5 Things You Didn’t Know about her.

Marianna’s book is a huge hit
Money expert, life coach, mother, and now best-selling author! Marianna Olszewski’s new book to empower women – Live it! Love it! Earn it! – is an official best-seller. Her fabulous book is not just about finances and falling in love with your money, it’s about making your dreams a reality – or what Marianna likes to call “going fuzzy to firm”. No matter what your goals are – save more money, start a new business, find a husband – she’s got great tools and tips that have been proven to work. And she’s a great example. Congrats, Marianna!

Countdown to publication
Last, but not least, author Sarah Pekkanen is coming in on the home stretch as she waits for her big debut. The Opposite of Me hits stores on March 9th -the clock is ticking and the excitement is brewing! You can pre-order from Amazon (it’s the perfect book for your Spring Break plans!)

And, become a fan of Sarah Pekkanen on Facebook or subscribe to her monthly newsletter so you’ll be up to speed on all the great things happening around the launch of The Opposite of Me.

Today, like every Tuesday, Sarah’s over at The Debutante Ball blogging – this one is about the story behind her fabulous book cover.

Have a great day everyone!

Thursday Must List

Crystal — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:19:23 +0000

Remember the good old days of Must-See TV on Thursdays? My college roomies and I never missed an episode of Friends…. it was such a fun ritual: a few snacks, a few beers, good friends and great laughs.

So, I wanted to put together a fun Thursday Must List of my own in honor of those Must-See TV Thursdays – not just about TV, but things (books, articles, blogs, people and -yes- TV) that I think you Must Check Out!

Thursday Must-List

Cougars
I checked out Courtney Cox in Cougar Town last night and LOVED it. She is Faboosh! It’s fresh and funny.

Did y’all see it? What did you think? I was pleasantly surprised. I’m definitely cheering for Courtney Cox. It’s a definite must!

And speaking of cougars, all this buzz on Cougar Town reminded me of a fun post by my clients and popular bloggers Liz and Lisa (co-authors of I’ll Have Who She’s Having and the popular Chick Lit is Not Dead blog) who posted this absolutely hilarious blog on Five Reasons To Embrace Your Inner Cougar that you must go back and read!

Chick Lit gets well deserved praise
This great article praising Chick Lit and including the lovely author Joanne Rendell is a must: Author Praises Chick Lit. We all know Chick Lit gets enough of the bad rap and not enough praise (despite the fact that so much of the genre is smart, relevant, real fiction for women and by women that rock!). So check out the great article. And if you haven’t seen it already, in my lovely interview with Joanne Rendell , she spills some juicy deets about her fab, sharp new book Crossing Washington Square.

Book trailers
I love book trailers! They can be so fun and creative. So I’m passing along this great book trailer for Pieces of Happily Ever After by Irene Zutell. It’s so juicy it makes me want to read the book NOW!

Well done, Irene! Don’t forget to pass along any of your favorite book trailers and I will post them here on the blog.

The debutante
And, last but not least, this great article Get That Book Deal: Three Books Tell You How by debut author Sarah Pekkanen for NPR is a must-read for all you aspiring authors out there.

Sarah was also one of five debut authors chosen to blog over at The Debutante Ball on being a new author. Her latest post there is about her recent trip to New York to visit her publisher, editor and agent. So excited for her as she preps for her debut novel, The Opposite of Me, coming in early 2010 from Atria Books (a division of Simon & Schuster.)

Here’s hoping Sarah is the belle of the ball and fans will embrace The Opposite of Me!

Happy Thursday all!