Putting Makeup on Dead People - Giveaway!!

Today I have a very special guest! Jen Violi wrote Putting Makeup on Dead People. It's an amazing read you're sure to love, and today I have THREE copies up for grabs!!! Read the interview for the fun, and at the end how you can get your hand on a copy!

1. If you put makeup on dead people what would you start with? Would you mix lipstick colors to give that person the perfect edge?

If I put makeup on dead people, which honestly, you wouldn’t catch me doing, um, ever, I think I’d spend a lot of time with skin tone/foundation first. If I could, I’d want to capture that glow the person had in life.

2. What color of couch would you have if it was in your favorite spot in the woods? Why?

I feel like my answer to this might determine whether or not I’m eaten by a mountain lion, so I’m nervous. Is brown and green the right answer? So I’m camoflauged, both in the woods and in a ‘70s sitcom?? If nothing was going to eat me and I didn’t have to disco, I think I’d pick a dark burgundy, because that’s the color couch I want right now, regardless of locale.

3. You’re at an airport shop, before boarding a plane what are the three things you purchase?

Whatever magazine has the best cover story that is not about either disastrous celebrity marriages or how to prevent aging, Andes Mints (I could eat the whole box), and teriyaki jerky (must have salty to balance out sweet).

4. Who would you rather dress up as the Easter Bunny or Santa Clause? Why?

Can I pick the Tooth Fairy? I seriously just hate wearing pants, and I fear that both the Bunny and the Claus would involve hot (and I don’t mean attractive) trouser-like components. I would much prefer wings and a wand. And glitter. Oooh, or the goddess Artemis. I happen to be quite skilled at making bows and arrows out of cardboard and aluminum foil, and that’s a talent I never get to use enough.

5. When was the last time you played in the snow?

Wow. It’s been a while. I’m pretty sure it was Christmas three years ago, when I built a pretty rocking snowman. Six feet tall, black olive eyes, a plaid scarf. He didn’t come to life or anything, but he was a classy winter stud.

Fun & Random Questions (one word answers):
 
Animal print socks or fruit print socks: Mythical animal print (currently craving sasquatch socks)
Bowl of ice cream or ice cream cone: Cone for sure. That way you eat the bowl.
Vampire or Werewolf: Wolf it up, Kris. I like ‘em warm-blooded.
Rubberband ball or bouncy ball: Bouncy and turquoise, please.
Purse or handbag: Purse. I require hands-free satchels.

Isn't she super cool? Not only does she share my name, but she's awesome like me too (yes, I think I'm awesome).

Giveaway details:
You must be in US & Canada
Add your email address
Comment on the interview, to say something weird, OR say hello to Jen!
Followers get a few brownie points in the pot of gold!!!

I'll announce winners next Monday!!! Get your name in! I want to see the love for Jen Violi's book... it's THAT GOOD!!!!

Too Much Love... Giveaway

Real Quick - I'm being featured over at Lisa Green's blog for Monday Madness! Check it out (after you check out this badass interview)!

Happy Monday! Today I’m helping out a fellow blogger of ours!!! Lisa Boswell! She has the blog In Pencil (it’s super cute – stop by). She and her husband Ben have written a self-published an e-book titled Too Much Love, Too Much Discipline: The Perfect Mix for Changing Your Defiant Child’s Behavior & Restoring Peace & Harmony to Your Life & Family.

She has decided to give away 5 copies of her book for a review and to provide hope to families. If you or someone you know could benefit this book please let me know you’d like a copy! I think this is beneficial for any type of parent.

1. What made you decide to write this book?

Before my husband, Ben, started medical school, he worked as a Behavioral Specialist (think Super Nanny with a master’s degree and more formal training) and a Child and Family Therapist. He helped hundreds of families change their children’s behavior using the method now available to all parents in Too Much Love, Too Much Discipline…It had long been his dream to put his method into a book, but it was hard to find the time. However, when his medical career took us to London in 2009, and my work opportunities proved to be limited, I picked up the project and completed his vision.

2. How did you and your husband decide to write the book together? Was it difficult?

It was difficult at first, but we eventually hit a nice stride. We bought a digital recording program and Ben would spend his weekends putting his ideas onto tapes. I would then take the tapes and transform them into the content of the book. At the end of the week, Ben would then review everything and recommend any changes that needed to be made.

3. What was your reasoning for choosing self-publishing?

The searing memory of TLC’s (the R&B group) Behind the Music special from back in the day. Seriously. If ever there was a cautionary tale for protecting what you create, it would be TLC’s well-known story of bankruptcy despite a chart-topping career…You need to smart about what you are willing to sign away, and our research showed that- John Grisham and JK Rowling aside- it’s often the retailer, publisher, and agent who often stand to make the most from a traditional publishing contract. Yet the game has changed in recent times, and large royalties are now a possibility for any author willing to go it alone (it’s not that hard, I promise- you can do it!) ….To quote the great chef and businessman Joe Bastianich, “Art without commerce is simply a hobby”.

4. Do you have plans to write more?

During many long revision sessions I swore this book would be our first and last. Yet I’m also a believer in never saying never.

Fun & Random Facts
Summer or Winter: Summer
Favorite Read: Anything by Augusten Burroughs
Favorite TV Show: Mad Men
Tea or Coffee: Coffee
Bear or Lion: I’m a Leo, so I have to go with lion.
Thank you, Jen, for allowing me this opportunity- who needs Oprah when I have you. Your kindness is inspiring.

Be sure to visit Lisa's fabulous blog! I cannot believe how awesome she is and what an amazing feet her and her husband have taken toward publishing. These two are an inspiration and well worth a visit! So drop your name below for a chance to win!!! I think it's so neat how she helped complete a story for all to read!

Life As A Princess

Happy Wednesday!

So last week I told you I was giving away a signed copy of Sophie Jordan's Firelight! Well today I chose the winner!!! That lucky person is...

Laura Marcella

Congrats! You can thank my husband, he was my random number guy! I'll be emailing you to snag your information!

So onto something super special! I decided to email Lindsey Leavitt to tell her how fabulous I thought her novel Princess for Hire was, she was so excited that she said she'd love to give away a SIGNED COPY! Isn't that sweet?!



So I decided to ask her a few interview questions in lieu of the celebration!



1.If you could sub for a princess anywhere in the world where would it be?

Bora Bora. My goal in life is to live in a screen saver. And let's not get into the lack of Bora Bora princesses. I'd be fine as apuppet monarch. A puppet monarch who lives in one of those cool huts on the lagoon and wears a tiara just for show.

2.Ever crushed on a boy that didn't like you but you never bothered to accept it?

Remember his name?MOST of my crushes in my younger years did not recipricate my feelings. Unrequited love was a theme for most of junior high. So were The Bangs of Big, which might have had something to do with my one-sided adorations. But I was happy with these crushes. They were safe... ideas. Good practice before I got into the dating/kissing drama (and okay, so there was this one boy John. I nicknamed him Bob so I could write about him on my notebook so he wouldn't know. Then I tried to make John jealous with Bob, but the real boyfriend and the imaginary inevitably didn't like me)

3.What's the worst job you had growing up?

I worked for five weeks as a physical therapy tech for a practice run by my now-father-in-law. He was a great boss, yes, but I had to massage hairy backs and some of the patients had hygiene issues and... suffice it to say, health care was not my field.

4.Any interesting experiences at book signings, yours or someone else's you've gone to?

I had a pretty poorly attended book signing that began with three little old ladies sitting in front row for my reader. Other customers came and went, but these three stuck it out all night. We talked for a good hour, and in the end one asked, "So wait, this is a CHILDREN'S book?" They admitted that they came because the cover was pink, and asked if it was still okay if they read the book (um, yes please?). They ended up buying one for each of their granddaughters, but I'll always have that experience to reflect upon should I start to Diva Out.

Fun & Random Questions
Cloud Princess or Mermaid Princess: Mermaid. Sashimi is yum. What substance do cloud princesses have, anyway?
Lip gloss or Lipstick: Lip gloss! I'm an addict.
Beach or Mountains: Mountain beaches? Like in Hawaii.
Pizza Outfit Girl or Pet Shop Girl: Um, wow. You ask the hard questions. Pizza. I love smelling like garlic.
Favorite Food: Whatever I am eating. Presently: carrot cake.
Favorite Book: To Kill a Mockingbird or East of Eden.
Favorite TV Show: Modern Family is my most recent favorite, but I love me some Bravo reality TV
Favorite Writing Snack: Diet Coke and lindt dark chocolate.

So now, for the giveaway! If you'd like to win a signed copy from Lindsey leave me a nice little comment below and you'll be entered! Brownie points are always welcome for tweeting, sidebar love, facebook love, you know the deal. Winner will be chosen next Wednesday!

Hunger Games Giveaway

Today is a day of giveaways!!!

If you haven't signed up for mine make sure you stop by!!!!

Tracy over at A Blissful Life is giving away the Hunger Games Trilogy!!! Please tell her I sent you (maybe I'll gain a few more blogging brownie points!) and also sign up for yourself!!!

THIS IS OPEN FOR INTERNATIONAL FOLLOWERS (which is now lessening my chance of winning, so you know how much I love all of you!!)

So what are you waiting for?? Visit... now... and make sure you bring back my brownies!