Monday, May 3, 2010

Spread the Awesome + Contest!

This day of awesomeness is the brainchild of Elana Johnson. It's a way to show our love and appreciation to published authors whose books ROCK!

We are giving away signed hardbacks of two of the most amazing books ever! (Details below.)

GARY PAULSEN

Gary Paulsen

No person outside my family has influenced my son's life more than this amazing man. You can see the thrill on my face at meeting him last month. In person he is just like his books - full of incredible stories and interesting information. BUT in real life he is hilarious! It was such an honor to be able to thank him in person for his influence in my son's life.

Gary has written a new book woven with historical vignettes called Woods Runner. It's about a 13 year old boy who sets out to rescue his family from during the Revolutionary War. (Don't be surprised if this one's an award winner!) Followers of this blog can win an autographed copy just by commenting on this post. (Be sure to specify if you'd like to win this book or the one Bethany is featuring!)

For a bit of round-robin fun, head on over to Danyelle Leafty's blog for Shannon Hale's Forest Born. (And no worries! If you follow the links each blog in the chain, you will end up back here to read Bethany's post! And to see a master list of all those participating, click here.)

~Suzette~



LINDSEY LEAVITT



If I had to scream praise for a book, it would be Lindsey Leavitt's middle grade novel PRINCESS FOR HIRE. From the first page, I was laughing... the first sentence! The main character drew me in and carried me through the story to the end. Humor, heart-ache, magic and love--that's what makes this book shine.


Followers of this blog can win an autographed copy of Lindsey Leavitt's Princess for Hire just by commenting on this post. Be sure to specify which book you'd like to win!


For round-robin fun, head on over to L.T. Elliot's blog, Dreams of Quill and Ink to read about Jay Asher and 13 Reasons Why. (Master list available here.)


Winners will be announced in one week. =)


~Bethany~

94 comments:

Matthew MacNish said...

Wow. Gary friggin Paulsen? That guy's a legend. I would love a signed copy of his book.

Thanks for sharing Suzette!

I've never heard of PRINCESS FOR HIRE, but will have to check that one out as well, thanks for the heads up Bethany.

Slamdunk said...

I'll have to look into this author as I have a young one that type of writing might appeal to--thanks.

Please throw my name in the hat for the chance at Woods Runner.

Enjoy your day.

Candyland said...

Oh wow. I love learning of new books! I'd go for Princess for Hire, because it sounds like my daughter.

Janet Johnson said...

So cool you met Gary Paulsen! But being a fantasy junkie, I'd have to go for Princess for Hire. Great reading suggestions!

Suzette Saxton said...

Whoa! The photo of Gary Paulsen and me ended up huge! Will shrink it ASAP.

Thanks for your comments!

Amanda Gaume said...

This is so much fun! Although I am an old fantasy junky and would love the Gary Paulsen book, put me in the mix for Princess for Hire. My daughter is fast approaching the age when she will start devouring books whole.

Stina said...

Ooooh, I so want to win Princess for Hire. :D

This was so cool. I got two reviews in one post.

Kelly said...

O...M...G, I love Gary Paulsen. He is totally awesome. It's so neat you got to meet him. I would love to win this or Princess for Hire! Thanks so much! :D
kghobbs@gmail.com

Courtney Barr - The Southern Princess said...

Gary Paulsen! Gary Paulsen!!!!

yes, yes, please enter me to win!!

Both of you did awesome spotlights!!

This is so much fun!

Visit My Kingdom Anytime

S.A. Larsenッ said...

I love to see the 'real' side of writers. Gary seems amazing. Thanks for sharing and for the contest.

Suzette Saxton said...

I have to say that Lindsey is pretty amazing too. Elana and I met her about a month back and she was delightful! Keen sense of humor and so sweet with all the little girls who had flocked to see her! I'll be posting an interview of Lindsey over on the QueryTracker blog soon. =)

Cheyanne said...

I love meeting writers! Especially those who have influenced my life like that, it's even better than meeting some actor =)

Put me down for Princess for Hire because I haven't read it yet =) And thanks for the contest!

Margay Leah Justice said...

I would love a chance to win Princess for Hire. It sounds like a hoot and I really need a good laugh these days.
Margay

Cole Gibsen said...

Ooh, I'm dying to read Princess for Hire!!!

Tina Laurel Lee said...

That is an awesome photo of Suzette and Gary! And I have seen Lindsey around, thanks for reminding me of her book. I have to go check it out! Awesome you guys! I love this two in one stop and how different the books are!!

Carolyn V. said...

Oh my gosh! I really want to read this book! =0

Chersti Nieveen said...

I'd love to win a signed copy of Princess for Hire! Such a fun book :-)

Tamika: said...

Princess for Hire! Me! Me!

Thanks ladies for hosting another fabulous contest!

Steph Schmidt said...

At last fun news on a Monday! Lucky duck you for meeting these amazing sounding authors but this going above and beyond super fan. Getting more people excited about less well known authors is a wonderful idea.

Put me down for Princess for Hire.

Angela Ackerman said...

I love how this book touched your son as well! That's wonderful!

Princess for Hire sounds great too! Please put me down for both and thanks for the great blurbs.

JESSJORDAN said...

I SO want to read P4H. (And doesn't Lindsey look gorgeous in her author photo??)

jessjordan82(at)gmail(dot)com

Natalie said...

Wow, Gary Paulsen! I'm impressed. And Princess for Hire sounds wonderful too. I'd love to win either one.

Lydia Kang said...

I'm so jealous!!!

Sarah Ahiers said...

ooh fun!
Put me in for the Gary Paulsen book - i loved him when i was a kid

Precious said...

I've heard good things about Princess For Hire. Reviewers seem to like it. I'd love to win a copy of that! If this is open internationally, please include me.

precious_shusky@yahoo.com

Tana said...

OK I'm ready for my signed copies! LOL! Awesome books indeed.

Unknown said...

I would love to win Lindsey Leavitt's Princess for Hire! Her book sounds so good.

pirate_pony2 at yahoo dot com

Katie said...

I think I'll have to go with Princess for Hire, just because I love funny books and this one sounds hilarious.

katiemstout@gmail.com

You both spotlighted great-sounding books!

Corinne O said...

Gary Paulsen! I would love to win his book, please!

Will be checking out Princess for Hire too... Thanks!

Shannon Messenger said...

Wow--it's SO hard to choose between the awesomeness going on. But....but....I HAVE to go with Gary Paulsen. I haven't had a chance to read his work yet, so I will definitely be adding him to my TBR list.

Oh, and omg--you are so adorable in that picture! Love it!

Unknown said...

We have to choose? That's just cruel! lol! They both sound like fantastic books. Jot me down for Princess for Hire. Thanks for hosting a contest, ladies!

bookaholic said...

Please include my name in for Princess For Hire.There is a lot of buzz going around it right now,so I would love to read it!
And it is so cool that you got to meet Gary Paulsen!It must have been such an honour!

frndz.debas@gmail.com

Caroline Starr Rose said...

Gary Paulsen. I've taught HATCHET and love the series. He is a genius.

Wendy Swore said...

They both sound great, but I think I'd like to read Gary Paulson's book if I had to pick.

Ladies, it was great fun reading about your authors! THanks for sharing.

Christa said...

I'd love to win Princess for Hire. It looks so cute!
ambience.of.rain {at} gmail.com

Taffy said...

Hi Ladies! Long time no see...too long it seems already!

Awesomeauce reviews :) What fun blog hopping and find new books to read and hopefully win!

Rebecca Wells said...

Gary Paulsen! Gary Paulsen!

- Rebecca

rebeccaswells(at)gmail(dot)com

Lisa Aldin said...

Oh, gosh. I would like to win both! But I'll go Princess for Hire. Sounds fun!

Angie said...

Love that picture of you with Gary Paulsen. Both books sound great it's hard to choose. Given the maleness of my household, though, I think I'll try for the Gary Paulsen book. Love you guys!

Weronika Janczuk said...

The Gary Paulsen! Love, love him!

What wonderful choices. :]

Amy Holder said...

Two great choices... but I'd love, love, LOVE to win PRINCESS FOR HIRE! I've been wanting this one since its release.

Isn't this Spread The Awesome blogfest too fun? Thanks for stopping by my blog today. :)

Yamile said...

Great choices! I'd love to read both, but if I have to choose a signed copy, I choose Gary Paulsen's book. Thanks for the chance!

Janna Leadbetter said...

You sisters are awesome! I've seen you somewhere in blogland, but I'm glad to be here at your site. Great books! Great awesomeness!

And thanks for visiting my blog, Suzette! Wishing you both the best.

Sarah Wylie said...

Great post! I am loving this Spread the Awesome awesomefest. I can't wait to read Princess For Hire!

Heather W said...

Awesome contest.
I would love to win Princess for Hire.

Thanks :)

Michelle McLean said...

Oh.....hard choice!!!! Umm, I think I'll go for Princess for Hire, cause I'm just in that kind of mood right now :) Love you guys - miss you!

Lindsey Leavitt said...

Wow, THANK YOU, Suzette! Totally humbling to be mentioned in the same breath as Gary Paulsen. I read HATCHET in fifth grade and loved it. I'm still scared of moose (side note--isn't it weird that the plural for moose is MOOSE? Same with deer and sheep. They are amazing creatures. Why don't they get plural respect? Mice get a whole new WORD. It just doesn't seem right)

Emily said...

What an awesome opportunity. I should have gone with you to tat event!

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Wow, what a choice! I pick, I pick, ooooo, well, it's gonna be Woods Runner, because I am a huge fan of Hatchet.

Hannah said...

I love Gary Paulsen and have ever since I could read! That's so cool that you got to meet him!!

Anonymous said...

Wow, I remember Gary from when I was young! loved his books. I would love to win Princess for Heir!

Theresa Milstein said...

Painful decision. My family loves Gary Paulsen. We all listened to Hatchett years ago on road trip.

But I know my daughter would love Princess for Hire, so I'll choose that.

Christine Fonseca said...

WOW...both books sound so fantastic! LOVE THEM!!!

Riv Re said...

I'd love to win either! Hatchet was one of the best books I've ever read in my entire life, and I've never read anything by Lindsey Leavitt, but it looks really interesting!

Lindsay said...

I'd love to read Princess For Hire. Any book by a fellow Lindsey (even if our names are spelt different) is okay with me. Plus, the book sounds awesome.:)

Kathy McCullough said...

I love that you picked two authors I already love! No need to convert me. :)

John Sankovich said...

I'm more interested in Pricess for Hire. Sounds like a good book.

Anonymous said...

Wow. Brings back memories of reading Gary Paulsen books with my son. They both sound good, but I'll have to choose Woods Runner for the sentimental aspect.

kzupancic[at]yahoo[dot]com

Natalie Aguirre said...

I'd love to read Princess for Hire. Thanks for the contest.

Unknown said...

I'd love to win Princess for Hire. Thanks for the great review.

Jonathon Arntson said...

me = wanna win a Gary Paulsen book. This man jump started my love of reading with THE HATCHET in fifth grade! Thanks for hugging him!

Anonymous said...

I'd love to read Gary Paulen's new book!

Unknown said...

Hello! I'm a new follower :) What a wonderful giveaway -- count me in! Thanks:)

Laura Pauling said...

Princess for Hire - totally! Thanks!

Unknown said...

Great contest ladies! I'd love to win Princess for Hire. :)

ally said...

I'd love to win Princess for Hire!!!! Sign me up!

Shannon O'Donnell said...

O!M!G!! I can't believe you met Gary Paulsen! My Montana kiddos would kill to meet him (and me too)! I'd LOVE to win his book.

Princess for Hire is on my wish list. Great choices, ladies! :-)

Sharli said...

I'd love to win Princess for Hire! Please enter me :)

Thank you!
entrelibros_blog at hotmail dot com

Kelsey said...

Would love to win and read Princess for Hire!

Thanks for the giveaway!
Kelsey
krae991 at yahoo dot com

Jeanne Ryan (Serenissima) said...

Tough choice, but I'll go with Princess for Hire.

Sherrie Petersen said...

I love Lindsey, but I already own (and love) Princess for Hire. the Gary Paulsen book sounds like something my son would love to read so enter me for that one please!

Jackee said...

You mean I have to choose just one?! You, ladies, are torturing me. (Kidding.)

Actually, I would LOVE Paulsen's new one, since I've already read and love Lindsey's book.

Thanks for your awesomeness, ladies! And I loved that picture, Suzette--your face is radiant!

Carolina M. Valdez Schneider said...

Gary Paulson rocks. So cool you got to meet him! I love a good historical fiction, as well, though I haven't come across too many for kids. Sounds fantastic.

Lindsey Leavitt's book sounds like a blast. Just the title alone is enough to entice me.

Great selections ladies! I think I'd like to win the Princess for Hire. Sounds like a fun one.

Aik said...

I'd love to win Lindsey Leavitt's Princess for Hire!

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Jewel Allen said...

I'd love both, but my first pick is Princess for Hire.

Great to see you at Storymakers!

Krispy said...

Thanks for both of these features!

Please put me in for Paulsen's book. It sounds like something I'd enjoy since I LOVE the Revolutionary period in US History. Thanks!!!

A.L. Sonnichsen said...

I'm in awe of Gary Paulsen. Please sign me up for his book. I'm sure the other book is excellent too, but that man's a genius.

Thanks for the cool giveaway!

Amy

B.J. Anderson said...

Oh, my goodness! Decisions, decisions. I think I would love the Woods Runner! Thanks for spreading the awesome!

CL said...

Princess for Hire sounds great! I'd love to be in this contest. thanks!

Mandy said...

Princess For Hire sounds fun.
Please enter me (:
bratdownstairs @yahoo.com

Jenn Adams said...

You're going to make me CHOOSE??? *sigh* They both look amazing. If I can't be in both drawings, I guess I'll have to choose Woods Runner. Thanks for two great suggestions. They're both going on my TBR list right . . . NOW. :-D

Anonymous said...

I would love to read PRINCESS FOR HIRE. I'd heard about it more than a year ago and thought it sounded really awesome. :)

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

OMGoodness Gary Paulsen made me want to crash in my plane and survive in the wilderness...

I want to read Princess For Hire too. :)

OMGoodness so many books....

Charlotte said...

I'd love to read Princess for Hire....Thanks for the contest!

Sena said...

I would like to read Princess for Hire! But the other book sounds just as goood. :P

Lindsey Petrucci said...

I have been dying to read Princess for Hire! My name is Lindsey (just like the author)! I would love to win it!

xollinzolox@aim.com

Margo Berendsen said...

I would love to win Princess for Hire! Pick ME! PICK ME! (smiles to the pixie gods of random generators)

Cynde L. Hammond said...

Hi, Girls!

Please put me in for the Gary Paulson book. I would give just about anything to have one of his autographed books!

I'm so glad you put that photo on your site. You're so blessed to have been able to meet him in person.

Cynde

Cynde's Got The Write Stuff

Nichole Giles said...

Okay, apparently I somehow missed this post on the chain--though it was very late by the time I finished them all. I think both books (and authors) sound great. I'd love to meet either. Thanks for the recommendations, Suz and Bethany.

Unknown said...

Oh gosh! I loved Hatchet and Brian's Winter. My older son has never been much of a reader, but those books captivated him. I'll always be grateful that there are at least two books I can discuss with my son.

My daughter is only nine, but she loved Hatchet too, and was mad that a teacher wouldn't let her do it for a book report. It sounds like Princess for Hire might be a book she'd enjoy. I'm trying to get her hooked on reading, but so far, she's resistant. She just needs to find the 'right' book to get her hooked.

Katie Anderson said...

wow. y'all are soo cute! And great choices!!!
I also LOVE the new look of the blog. I need to change mine too...

Dani. said...

PRINCESS FOR HIRE!!!! I am seriously dying to read that book- it looks hilarious!!! :]

Laura Ann Dunks said...

Tough choice but think I prefer Princess for Hire

Amazing!

Laura Ann Dunks

lauradunks at googlemail (dot) com

http://www.lauraanndunks.com/

Nishant said...

I love learning of new books!
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