Fins Are Forever week is done (here on the Buzz blog anyway, it continues this coming week in real life) and that means WINNERS! The three sets of Fins books go to:
(To avoid confusion, please click on the link to see if it's your profile.) Send your mailing info to tlc at teralynnchilds dot com and I'll get the prizes in the mail as soon as I get my copies and get done traveling.
Hugs,
TLC
teralynnchilds.com
@teralynnchilds
Showing posts with label contest. Show all posts
Showing posts with label contest. Show all posts
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
A Natural Wonder!
So excited to be celebrating the release of Tera's new book, Fins Are Forever. I do apologize that my crazy travel schedule kept me from posting last week on Heather's good news...so a belated "whoohoo!" to Heather, as well.
We're talking about memories that involve water...and I created one just last week. And boy, was it a wonder. One of the wonders of the world, in fact: Niagara Falls.
My fiance, Patrick Burns, and I have his two boys with us this summer and we're always looking for things to do to keep them entertained. Well, we were scheduled for a conference in Illinois one weekend and Auburn, New York the next week, so we took the time to drive to Niagara Falls and take in the spendor and beauty of the natural wonder.
This was my fourth visit, but it never fails to take my breath away. This time was especially memorable because we had the kidlets with us and they had never been there. Also, I have always wanted to ride on the Maid of the Mist, the boat that takes you literally right up underneath the horseshoe falls. We did it! We were on the front of the boat and got completely soaked, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
And, you can't take a bad picture of the Falls. The sheer power and beauty of it is overwhelming. It was an extraordinary day--albeit, a wet one--and following a warm cup of tea and reminiscing already, I know it was a day to remember for all of us. A real "family" moment...and that's what counts.
Have you been to Niagara Falls? What did you think? Share your thoughts and memories. Remember, three lucky commenters this week will win a Fins pack from Tera Lynn Childs. Click HERE for all the exciting details. And congrat's, TLC! You are truly blessed by the cover gods! LOL!!
Hugs,
Marley = )
www.marleygibson.com
www.ghosthuntress.com
The next installment of the popular Ghost Huntress series
is out and everything's not as it seems...
GHOST HUNTRESS: THE DISCOVERY
We're talking about memories that involve water...and I created one just last week. And boy, was it a wonder. One of the wonders of the world, in fact: Niagara Falls.
My fiance, Patrick Burns, and I have his two boys with us this summer and we're always looking for things to do to keep them entertained. Well, we were scheduled for a conference in Illinois one weekend and Auburn, New York the next week, so we took the time to drive to Niagara Falls and take in the spendor and beauty of the natural wonder.
This was my fourth visit, but it never fails to take my breath away. This time was especially memorable because we had the kidlets with us and they had never been there. Also, I have always wanted to ride on the Maid of the Mist, the boat that takes you literally right up underneath the horseshoe falls. We did it! We were on the front of the boat and got completely soaked, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
And, you can't take a bad picture of the Falls. The sheer power and beauty of it is overwhelming. It was an extraordinary day--albeit, a wet one--and following a warm cup of tea and reminiscing already, I know it was a day to remember for all of us. A real "family" moment...and that's what counts.
Have you been to Niagara Falls? What did you think? Share your thoughts and memories. Remember, three lucky commenters this week will win a Fins pack from Tera Lynn Childs. Click HERE for all the exciting details. And congrat's, TLC! You are truly blessed by the cover gods! LOL!!
Hugs,
Marley = )
www.marleygibson.com
www.ghosthuntress.com
The next installment of the popular Ghost Huntress series
is out and everything's not as it seems...
GHOST HUNTRESS: THE DISCOVERY
Sunday, June 19, 2011
It's (Practically) Fins Are Forever Week!
Fins Are Forever, the sequel to my mermaid book Forgive My Fins, comes out a week from Tuesday! *confetti and vegan cupcakes* To celebrate here on the Buzz blog we're talking about favorite water memories all week AND I'm giving away Fins sets (Forgive My Fins paperback, with cool extras in the back, and Fins Are Forever hardcover) to three lucky commenters.
Tune in all week to read Buzz girl water memories and comment on each post for extra chances to win! Feel free to share your own favorite water memory below for your first entry. Check back next Sunday to find out if you've won.
Hugs,
TLC
teralynnchilds.com
@teralynnchilds
Tune in all week to read Buzz girl water memories and comment on each post for extra chances to win! Feel free to share your own favorite water memory below for your first entry. Check back next Sunday to find out if you've won.
Hugs,
TLC
teralynnchilds.com
@teralynnchilds
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
A Moravian Moment
Congratulations to Heather! I'm so excited to celebrate the RITA nomination for The Clearing this week with another post about inspiring elders (and another chance to with the fabulous farmhouse prize pack Heather is giving away).
When I was in graduate school (studying Historic Preservation at Columbia University) one of our first year required classes as called Basic Principles of Traditional Construction. We studied things like brick recipes, house framing, and roofing techniques. The professor was a distinguished old (like 85-years-old old) Czech-born architect named Jan Pokorny. He wore a blazer and a bow tie every day and always showed up early for class.
I have a special connection to the Czech and Slovak people because my dad's theatre design mentor was also Czech. Actually, he was also Moravian, the area between the Czech republic and Slovakia. He once told my father that, when the country was still Czechoslovakia and they would play the national anthems at events, Moravia was the space between the two.
I really enjoyed that class because I love learning how things are built. I loved learning about the different kinds of siding used in Colonial housing and how to make different colored bricks by adding certain things to the recipe. The class also happened to be right after lunchtime, so I often got there early to eat lunch in my seat before the other students started showing up.
One day, Jan came in and started making notes on the board. Feeling a little awkward, I tried to make some small talk and asked him about being Moravian. When he saw that I knew what Moravia was, his eyes lit up. He asked if I was Moravian. I told him no, but that we had close family friends who were.
From that moment on I was his favorite student (well, it did help that I scored highest on the midterm test). He eventually made me T.A. for the class and was the faculty sponsor of our class trip to Prague before graduation.
Jan is no longer with us, but I can still picture his smiling round face, his quirky bow ties, and the neat and precise architectural drawings he used to make on the board. At 85 he still swam laps every day, still taught every semester, still designed and sat on committees and made a significant contribution to the world of historic preservation and the world in general. I am inspired to be as active as possible for as long as possible.
Okay, to enter today, comment with a favorite or inspiring teacher and why. Be sure to comment on all the other posts this week for more entries and check back on Sunday to find out if you've won!
Hugs,
TLC
teralynnchilds.com
@teralynnchilds
When I was in graduate school (studying Historic Preservation at Columbia University) one of our first year required classes as called Basic Principles of Traditional Construction. We studied things like brick recipes, house framing, and roofing techniques. The professor was a distinguished old (like 85-years-old old) Czech-born architect named Jan Pokorny. He wore a blazer and a bow tie every day and always showed up early for class.
I really enjoyed that class because I love learning how things are built. I loved learning about the different kinds of siding used in Colonial housing and how to make different colored bricks by adding certain things to the recipe. The class also happened to be right after lunchtime, so I often got there early to eat lunch in my seat before the other students started showing up.
One day, Jan came in and started making notes on the board. Feeling a little awkward, I tried to make some small talk and asked him about being Moravian. When he saw that I knew what Moravia was, his eyes lit up. He asked if I was Moravian. I told him no, but that we had close family friends who were.
From that moment on I was his favorite student (well, it did help that I scored highest on the midterm test). He eventually made me T.A. for the class and was the faculty sponsor of our class trip to Prague before graduation.
Jan is no longer with us, but I can still picture his smiling round face, his quirky bow ties, and the neat and precise architectural drawings he used to make on the board. At 85 he still swam laps every day, still taught every semester, still designed and sat on committees and made a significant contribution to the world of historic preservation and the world in general. I am inspired to be as active as possible for as long as possible.
Okay, to enter today, comment with a favorite or inspiring teacher and why. Be sure to comment on all the other posts this week for more entries and check back on Sunday to find out if you've won!
Hugs,
TLC
teralynnchilds.com
@teralynnchilds
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
DISCOVERING New Vegan Recipes
Since I became vegan more than a year ago (wow, has it been that long?) I've had to cook a lot more of my own food that I used to. Vegan options aren't always plentiful or tasty. So I'm always on the lookout for great new recipes. I have a few key sources for trustworthy ones.
- blogs like Chef Chloe, Healthy. Happy. Life., and vegalicious
- books like Appetite for Reduction, Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World, and Veganomicon
- sites like Allrecipes, Epicurious, PETA, VegWeb
Do you cook a lot or are you more of an eat out kind of person? Would you rather drive through, sit down, or stir up something on the stovetop? If you have a great source for recipes (vegan or otherwise) please share.
Marley's giving away a very cool prize pack this week. Comment on my post (and every post this week) to enter.
Hugs,
TLC
teralynnchilds.com
@teralynnchilds
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Happy Happy...a winner...and another giveaway!
To all of our Buzz fans, I want to wish you a Happy Passover and Happy Easter! Wow...is spring really upon us? I sure do hope so. We've been in Gettysburg for the last month...or as I call it, Wettysburg. I know April showers bring May flowers...those need to be some pretty stupendous flowers! LOL!
Some good news to share is the WINNER of my Meg Cabot book giveaway. A copy of AVALON HIGH CORONATION goes to...
Some good news to share is the WINNER of my Meg Cabot book giveaway. A copy of AVALON HIGH CORONATION goes to...
************1110cg************
Congrats! Please e-mail me at marley_gibson AT yahoo DOT com with your name and mailing address.
Now...to this week's giveaway. (Isn't this fun?) I'm giving away a copy of my fellow St. Martin's Press author, C. C. Hunter's book BORN AT MIDNIGHT. The cover is reallllly dark and cool.
To enter the book giveaway, please leave a comment letting us know what you and yours are planning for the Passover/Easter holidays. Anything yummy to eat? Family traditions?
Hugs,
Marley = )
www.marleygibson.com
www.ghosthuntress.com
The next installment of the popular Ghost Huntress series
Coming May 2nd! Everything's not as it seems...
GHOST HUNTRESS: THE DISCOVERY
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Rita, Purina, and Romantic Times
First off, let me join in on the buzz and congrats for Bee Heather on her fabulous Rita Award nomination for her book, THE CLEARING. I adored this book from the second I started reading it and knew it was something special. So proud of Heather and wish her luck at the awards ceremony!
Secondly, I've entered a little contest of my own. My fiance, Patrick Burns, and I have done a video application to be Purina's first Cat Chow Correspondents. Check it out and leave a comment for us, if you will.
Thirdly, I'm getting ready to join everyone out in Los Angeles for the Romantic Times Booklovers Convention where they're featuring teen reads. There's going to be a huge Teen day with book signings and speed reading "dates" with teen authors, as well as panels, discussions, giveaways, and more. My awesome publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has donated a ton of not only my GHOST HUNTRESS series, but also Heather's Rita nominated THE CLEARING. So exciting! And, I'm doing a ghost hunting basket giveaway including my series, my how-to book, some basic ghost hunting equipment and more fun stuff.
To celebrate all the good things going on, I'm going to give away an advanced copy of my upcoming May release, GHOST HUNTRESS: THE DISCOVERY.
Just leave a comment here in the trail or on my YouTube video, to be entered to win. I'll announce the winner next Wednesday.
Hugs,
Marley = )
www.marleygibson.com
www.ghosthuntress.com
Ghosts don't hang up their sheets after Halloween!
GHOST HUNTRESS series - The Awakening, The Guidance,
The Reason, The Counseling - available now!
Secondly, I've entered a little contest of my own. My fiance, Patrick Burns, and I have done a video application to be Purina's first Cat Chow Correspondents. Check it out and leave a comment for us, if you will.
Thirdly, I'm getting ready to join everyone out in Los Angeles for the Romantic Times Booklovers Convention where they're featuring teen reads. There's going to be a huge Teen day with book signings and speed reading "dates" with teen authors, as well as panels, discussions, giveaways, and more. My awesome publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has donated a ton of not only my GHOST HUNTRESS series, but also Heather's Rita nominated THE CLEARING. So exciting! And, I'm doing a ghost hunting basket giveaway including my series, my how-to book, some basic ghost hunting equipment and more fun stuff.
To celebrate all the good things going on, I'm going to give away an advanced copy of my upcoming May release, GHOST HUNTRESS: THE DISCOVERY.
Just leave a comment here in the trail or on my YouTube video, to be entered to win. I'll announce the winner next Wednesday.
Hugs,
Marley = )
www.marleygibson.com
www.ghosthuntress.com
Ghosts don't hang up their sheets after Halloween!
GHOST HUNTRESS series - The Awakening, The Guidance,
The Reason, The Counseling - available now!
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
What's new with Steph?
I'm loving this week...catching up on news from all the Buzz Girls! And we've got an incredible giveaway! Keep reading for more deets.
It was awesome to chat with Stephanie on what's been going on in her world.
Hey Steph! How has 2011 been treating you so far?
STEPHANIE: I can't believe it is already March and almost time for the RWA Rita finalists to be announced already. I don't know where the year has gone!!
I know! Time flies... So, tell our readers what you're currently working on?
STEPHANIE: I'm currently working away on a new YA novel. I wish I could tell the readers more but I'm very superstitious about discussing new works. Hopefully someday soon I'll be able to announce a new sale and tell you all about it. I'm extremely lucky with have our own Tina Ferraro as a critique partner and she has helped me so much!
That's great...and we've got our fingers crossed on a new sale soon! So tell us...do you have any upcoming events or signings where people can catch you?
STEPHANIE: I had really hoped to be in NYC for RWA Nationals this year, but I don't think it is going to work out. Unless I win the lottery, then I'm totally there. Ha. I hope to be in LA with the Buzz Girls at RT in spirit though and I expect pictures of hot guys.
Yeah, I'm a little worried about RT as a first-timer. Don't know what to expect! LOL! Can you tell us what inspires you as an author?
STEPHANIE: If I'm having a day when I think my writing isn't good, or just feeling down about things, I like to re-read fan emails. It is an amazing feeling to know that you have kept people up turning pages when they should have been sleeping. Or that someone got something positive from your writing that you didn't even originally intend. These are the things that inspire me.
That is so true! In this digital and automatic age, it's so easy for authors to connect with their fans...and their appreciation and e-mails really DO make a difference and keep us going.
Thanks for sharing what's up with you! And if you haven't already read Steph's books, what are you waiting for? Check her out at http://www.stephaniehale.com/.
Now...to enter our contest to win the fabulous jewelry, please leave a comment or question for Stephanie.
Thanks again, Steph!!!
Hugs,
Marley = )
www.marleygibson.com
www.ghosthuntress.com
Ghosts don't hang up their sheets after Halloween!
GHOST HUNTRESS series - The Awakening, The Guidance,
The Reason, The Counseling - available now!
It was awesome to chat with Stephanie on what's been going on in her world.
Hey Steph! How has 2011 been treating you so far?
STEPHANIE: I can't believe it is already March and almost time for the RWA Rita finalists to be announced already. I don't know where the year has gone!!
I know! Time flies... So, tell our readers what you're currently working on?
STEPHANIE: I'm currently working away on a new YA novel. I wish I could tell the readers more but I'm very superstitious about discussing new works. Hopefully someday soon I'll be able to announce a new sale and tell you all about it. I'm extremely lucky with have our own Tina Ferraro as a critique partner and she has helped me so much!
That's great...and we've got our fingers crossed on a new sale soon! So tell us...do you have any upcoming events or signings where people can catch you?
STEPHANIE: I had really hoped to be in NYC for RWA Nationals this year, but I don't think it is going to work out. Unless I win the lottery, then I'm totally there. Ha. I hope to be in LA with the Buzz Girls at RT in spirit though and I expect pictures of hot guys.
Yeah, I'm a little worried about RT as a first-timer. Don't know what to expect! LOL! Can you tell us what inspires you as an author?
STEPHANIE: If I'm having a day when I think my writing isn't good, or just feeling down about things, I like to re-read fan emails. It is an amazing feeling to know that you have kept people up turning pages when they should have been sleeping. Or that someone got something positive from your writing that you didn't even originally intend. These are the things that inspire me.
That is so true! In this digital and automatic age, it's so easy for authors to connect with their fans...and their appreciation and e-mails really DO make a difference and keep us going.
Thanks for sharing what's up with you! And if you haven't already read Steph's books, what are you waiting for? Check her out at http://www.stephaniehale.com/.
Now...to enter our contest to win the fabulous jewelry, please leave a comment or question for Stephanie.
Thanks again, Steph!!!
Hugs,
Marley = )
www.marleygibson.com
www.ghosthuntress.com
Ghosts don't hang up their sheets after Halloween!
GHOST HUNTRESS series - The Awakening, The Guidance,
The Reason, The Counseling - available now!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
There is Thankfulness...and a Contest!
As I write this from the passenger seat of my RV, we are about two hours east of Santa Monica which will conclude our coast-to-coast trip that began in Baltimore on November 5th. We're pulling into SoCal just in time to be included in a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner and celebration with our friends The Wilsons.
Having just come cross-country, over 3,000 miles, there is much thankfulness. I'm thankful for the love and support of my sweetheart, Patrick, who not only did his share of driving us out here, he also took care of pumping the gas, dumping the water tanks (don't make me go into too much detail! LOL!), and taking care of any needed repairs here and there.
I'm also very thankful to the many friends and family we stayed with (called "boondocking" in RV vernacular) along the way from Baltimore to Chicago to St. Louis to Joplin, across Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico, to Arizona and finally to California.
And I'm thankful for this beautiful country that we live in. I am truly in awe of her beauty...literally, from the mountains, to the prairies, to the oceans. We watched the leaves turn colors on the east coast and then saw the flat plains of the midwest change into the deserts of the southwest and into the mountains. I'm a writer, yet I have no words to describe the things we've seen except...wow.
The beautiful mountains of western Arizona along Old Route 66
The Petrified Forest in eastern Arizona
The Painted Desert in eastern Arizona
The world's largest rocking chair in Cuba, MO
I will be most thankful on Thursday when I sit down to a wonderful dinner with friends who were kind enough to bring us into their fold for the holiday. And, I will be most thankful on Saturday if my beloved Crimson Tide and completely mess up the Auburn Tigers' "perfect" record with a win in the Iron Bowl. LOL! What...I can't be grateful for my football team?
Shout out and thanks to the wonderful people at RTBookReview.com for their amazing support of the Buzz Blog Girls and featuring us to give advice to aspiring writers of young adult fiction. If you haven't already done it, check out the article here.
And in celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday and the upcoming Christmas holiday season, I am giving away a copy of my book, CHRISTMAS MIRACLES. To be eligible to win, please post in the comment trail what you're most grateful and thankful for...from the most sincere and heartfelt...to the most quirky. One (1) winner* will receive an autographed copy fo CHRISTMAS MIRACLES.
Happy Thanksgiving and Roll Tide!
Hugs,
Marley = )
Ghosts don't hang up their sheets after Halloween!
GHOST HUNTRESS series - The Awakening, The Guidance,
The Reason, The Counseling - available now!
*Contest is open to US and Canadian residents.
Having just come cross-country, over 3,000 miles, there is much thankfulness. I'm thankful for the love and support of my sweetheart, Patrick, who not only did his share of driving us out here, he also took care of pumping the gas, dumping the water tanks (don't make me go into too much detail! LOL!), and taking care of any needed repairs here and there.
I'm also very thankful to the many friends and family we stayed with (called "boondocking" in RV vernacular) along the way from Baltimore to Chicago to St. Louis to Joplin, across Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico, to Arizona and finally to California.
And I'm thankful for this beautiful country that we live in. I am truly in awe of her beauty...literally, from the mountains, to the prairies, to the oceans. We watched the leaves turn colors on the east coast and then saw the flat plains of the midwest change into the deserts of the southwest and into the mountains. I'm a writer, yet I have no words to describe the things we've seen except...wow.
The beautiful mountains of western Arizona along Old Route 66
The Petrified Forest in eastern Arizona
The Painted Desert in eastern Arizona
The world's largest rocking chair in Cuba, MO
I will be most thankful on Thursday when I sit down to a wonderful dinner with friends who were kind enough to bring us into their fold for the holiday. And, I will be most thankful on Saturday if my beloved Crimson Tide and completely mess up the Auburn Tigers' "perfect" record with a win in the Iron Bowl. LOL! What...I can't be grateful for my football team?
Shout out and thanks to the wonderful people at RTBookReview.com for their amazing support of the Buzz Blog Girls and featuring us to give advice to aspiring writers of young adult fiction. If you haven't already done it, check out the article here.
And in celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday and the upcoming Christmas holiday season, I am giving away a copy of my book, CHRISTMAS MIRACLES. To be eligible to win, please post in the comment trail what you're most grateful and thankful for...from the most sincere and heartfelt...to the most quirky. One (1) winner* will receive an autographed copy fo CHRISTMAS MIRACLES.
Happy Thanksgiving and Roll Tide!
Hugs,
Marley = )
Ghosts don't hang up their sheets after Halloween!
GHOST HUNTRESS series - The Awakening, The Guidance,
The Reason, The Counseling - available now!
*Contest is open to US and Canadian residents.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
What I'm Thankful For (and a Contest)
My family has never been one of those that goes around the Thanksgiving table and has everyone say what they're thankful for. It always seemed a little cheesy to me. But since I'm now a cheese-free vegan I think I can go for it with feeling dorky.
Besides, it's always a good idea to keep perspective on the good things that are happening, because sometimes it's too easy to dwell on the bad. Here goes. My list of things that I'm thankful for in 2010.
As a bonus item for today, I'm thankful for the fabulous RT Book Reviews because they asked us Buzz girls for some advice on how to write YA books and they're posting it on their blog today. (FYI, they have a really great collection of YA news, interviews, and guest posts.)
Now, for the contest. I'm giving away a signed copy of Forgive My Fins.* To enter, comment with your favorite meat-free Thanksgiving dish. (Double points if you include a recipe or a link to one.) I'm going to give this one a try.
Hugs,
TLC
teralynnchilds.com
@teralynnchilds
* US/Canada only, winners to be announced Monday
 |
| Tasty ginger cookies. |
Besides, it's always a good idea to keep perspective on the good things that are happening, because sometimes it's too easy to dwell on the bad. Here goes. My list of things that I'm thankful for in 2010.
- my parents (for being here and healthy and always supportive)
- my friends (for same and for letting me whine and keeping me going)
- my agent (for always being ready with a hooray)
- my editor (for helping make those hoorays possible)
- my dog (for always wiggling when I get home)
- the opportunities life has given me
- the opportunities I've made in life
- the infinite resource the internet
- warm blankets on a cold night
- the beautiful blue sky outside my window
As a bonus item for today, I'm thankful for the fabulous RT Book Reviews because they asked us Buzz girls for some advice on how to write YA books and they're posting it on their blog today. (FYI, they have a really great collection of YA news, interviews, and guest posts.)Now, for the contest. I'm giving away a signed copy of Forgive My Fins.* To enter, comment with your favorite meat-free Thanksgiving dish. (Double points if you include a recipe or a link to one.) I'm going to give this one a try.
Hugs,
TLC
teralynnchilds.com
@teralynnchilds
* US/Canada only, winners to be announced Monday
Wednesday, October 06, 2010
Is it seriously already October?
Hey, hey, hey! Wow...it's October already. Where has this year gone? Wheeeeeeeeee!!!
You must forgive me as I'm wicked busy this week planning events and booking travel. As you can imagine, October is "Christmas season" for us ghost hunters...so we're in great demand!
So, while I'm busy RSVPing to invitations to speak and such, I'm gonna let you win a copy of my "Halloween" book: GHOST HUNTRESS: THE GUIDANCE.
Leave a comment in the trail about what you plan to go as this Halloween...or, if you're not dressing up, then tell us the best costume you've done in the past. For me, it would have to be when I went as a Navy Blue Crayola. LOL!!
Winner will be announced next Wednesday!
Hugs,
Marley = )
You must forgive me as I'm wicked busy this week planning events and booking travel. As you can imagine, October is "Christmas season" for us ghost hunters...so we're in great demand!
So, while I'm busy RSVPing to invitations to speak and such, I'm gonna let you win a copy of my "Halloween" book: GHOST HUNTRESS: THE GUIDANCE.
Leave a comment in the trail about what you plan to go as this Halloween...or, if you're not dressing up, then tell us the best costume you've done in the past. For me, it would have to be when I went as a Navy Blue Crayola. LOL!!
Winner will be announced next Wednesday!
Hugs,
Marley = )
Thursday, September 09, 2010
Great Expectations
Hooray for the new paperback version of NEVER CRY WEREWOLF by our own Heather Davis!
This week we're chatting about things that are better the second time around. The types of things that pop into my mind have to do with:1. My taste changing with time.
For example, music, art, and food. Avocados used to gross me out, but now I find myself actually craving them, whether in salads, on sandwiches, or guacamole.
2. Being in a better or different mind set the 2nd time around.
You know, when you aren't really enjoying yourself because you're not in the right mood? For instance, vacations, books and movies. Vegas was a bit of a blur my first time, but the more I go, the more I explore and enjoy it. And sometimes a book or movie is better the 2nd time I read or watch it because I look at the details instead of just the big picture.
3. Knowing better what to expect and therefore being able to relax the 2nd time around. This is close to #2, but a little more specific. It is what happened to me with my first kiss.
Since I was older (almost 18) when I finally had my first REAL kiss, I'd been playing the moment over in my head for eons. And when it happened, I was so shocked, I literally fell over! I recently told this story on Nisha Sharma's blog, so if you want to read it, click HERE. But then, as can be predicted, subsequent kisses went much smoother--with him, as well as with future guys (Notice I didn't write "boyfriends" because I admit that when I got in college I kissed my share of random guys. ha!)
Want to win 1 of 5 signed copies of NEVER CRY WEREWOLF (in its new paperback version) by Buzz Girl Heather Davis? Of course you do! So leave a comment here, as well as on the other posts made this week, for a chance to win. Here's your prompt for today: What have you enjoyed more the 2nd time around 'cause you knew better what to expect?
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
No Regrets (or There Is No Such Thing As Wasted Experience)
Today the Buzz Blog celebration continues in honor of the release of Marley's newest book, Ghost Huntress: The Counseling, the fourth book in her popular Ghost Huntress series. Read on to find out how to enter to win a copy for yourself by commenting on this post (and all the posts this week) and head over to Marley's website for her Grand Prize contest.
In honor of Marley and the ghost huntress herself, Kendall, all week we're talking about making decisions and finding your way in the world. I am the last person in the world to talk to anyone about not taking decision-making too light--I'm pretty much the queen of worrying and planning, which make like a perfect storm for traumatic decision making. But, one thing I have learned over the years is that, whatever decision you end up making, it's going to end up being the right one.* Let me explain by example.
After getting a college degree in theatre, I still didn't know what I really wanted to do with my life. I spent a year doing temp work (at very exciting places like banks, auto parts stores, and potato chip companies) and then decided I wanted to be an architect. I applied to architecture schools and, when I filled out the application for the program at Columbia University, I could apply to the Historic Preservation program by checking an extra box. I loved old buildings, so I decided to check that box.
Fast forward a few months and I don't get into a single architecture program. But I do get into the Historic Preservation program at Columbia. Not really knowing what I planned to do with an HP degree, I packed up my stuff and headed to New York. I spent the next two years getting an Ivy League masters degree.
Now, you might have noticed that I am not working in historic preservation. I'm a writer. How did I get from HP to writing? Did I waste those two years (and the significant student loan debt I still have) on a field that isn't even my career? No, definitely not. Here's why:
During my thesis defense, in the final days of my degree, one of my thesis advisors said, "Tera, you're a very effective writer." He was just softening the blow before telling me I needed to cut a big chunk from the first half of my thesis, but that phrase stuck with me. After I left the program, I kept replaying that statement in my head. It gave me the confidence to actually try to become a writer.
So, you see, even though I spent two years and accrued an appalling amount of debt for a degree I would never use, the experience was not wasted. I feel that way about all experiences, about all decisions in our lives. You cannot regret choices from the past, just because given the same options today you would make a different choice. If you hadn't made those choices in the first place, who knows where you might be.
Have you ever had an experience like that? Time to share and win!
To enter to win a copy of Ghost Huntress: The Counseling, leave a comment telling me whether you've had an experience that might seem like a waste of time, but in retrospect was really important.
Hugs,
TLC
* Stupid decisions like driving drunk, criminal behavior, and retro 80s fashion are definite exceptions to this rule.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Book Launch of GHOST HUNTRESS: THE COUNSELING
Well...it's here! The big week of promo for my new book, GHOST HUNTRESS: THE COUNSELING. This is the fourth book in the Ghost Huntress series and I'm very excited that the time is finally here to talk about the book.
Kendall has just discovered who Emily really is, lost her boyfriend, and nearly died doing the thing she loves most–ghost hunting. It’s time to take a break and try to reconcile all the changes she’s going through. So Kendall heads to the Sierra Mountains, where there’s a camp especially for young people with gifts such as hers. It’s a time for reflection and self-discovery. But when she gets to California, she once again finds restless spirits–and the boy in her last vision. It may be the end of one chapter of her life and the beginning of a new one.
This week, we'll be talking about finding your own way in the world and making the best decisions for you. Each day, you'll be eligible to win not only copies of THE COUNSELING here on Books, Boys, Buzz, but I'll be offering a GRAND PRIZE on my website to be given away on September 15th. There's an awesome prize package on my website, so please be sure to check that out and spread the word.
To win a copy of THE COUNSELING, leave a comment in the trail about a huge decision you had to make that had a huge affect on you and your life. Again, those who leave a message (as many as you'd like), will be eligible to win a book.
Thanks for reading!
Hugs,
Marley = )
Kendall has just discovered who Emily really is, lost her boyfriend, and nearly died doing the thing she loves most–ghost hunting. It’s time to take a break and try to reconcile all the changes she’s going through. So Kendall heads to the Sierra Mountains, where there’s a camp especially for young people with gifts such as hers. It’s a time for reflection and self-discovery. But when she gets to California, she once again finds restless spirits–and the boy in her last vision. It may be the end of one chapter of her life and the beginning of a new one.
This week, we'll be talking about finding your own way in the world and making the best decisions for you. Each day, you'll be eligible to win not only copies of THE COUNSELING here on Books, Boys, Buzz, but I'll be offering a GRAND PRIZE on my website to be given away on September 15th. There's an awesome prize package on my website, so please be sure to check that out and spread the word.
To win a copy of THE COUNSELING, leave a comment in the trail about a huge decision you had to make that had a huge affect on you and your life. Again, those who leave a message (as many as you'd like), will be eligible to win a book.
Thanks for reading!
Hugs,
Marley = )
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Winners!
Busy with copy edits for GHOST HUNTRESS: THE DISCOVERY, but wanted to poke my head in and announce a few things.
First off, starting Sunday, we will be back to our regular (non-summer) posting schedule, so we'll have something fresh every day for you now that all of our warm weather distractions have, sadly, come to a close.
Secondly, on Sunday, we will kick off the launch of the fourth book in my GHOST HUNTRESS series - THE COUNSELING, which is released on September 1st! We'll have a lot of giveaways and the chance to enter a GRAND PRIZE giveaway, so be sure to stop back by and get in on the fun!
Thirdly, on that note, I'm giving away an advanced copy, as per last week's contest, as well as some Silly Bandz. And the winners are....
Please contact me offline with your snail mail address and I'll get the prizes out to you - marley_gibson AT yahoo DOT com.
See you on Sunday!
Hugs,
Marley = )
Get spooked this fall!
GHOST HUNTRESS: THE COUNSELING - available September 1st!
First off, starting Sunday, we will be back to our regular (non-summer) posting schedule, so we'll have something fresh every day for you now that all of our warm weather distractions have, sadly, come to a close.
Secondly, on Sunday, we will kick off the launch of the fourth book in my GHOST HUNTRESS series - THE COUNSELING, which is released on September 1st! We'll have a lot of giveaways and the chance to enter a GRAND PRIZE giveaway, so be sure to stop back by and get in on the fun!
Thirdly, on that note, I'm giving away an advanced copy, as per last week's contest, as well as some Silly Bandz. And the winners are....
MD - pack of Silly Bandz
brendajean - pack of Silly Bandz
Steph - copy of THE COUNSELING
Please contact me offline with your snail mail address and I'll get the prizes out to you - marley_gibson AT yahoo DOT com.
See you on Sunday!
Hugs,
Marley = )
Get spooked this fall!
GHOST HUNTRESS: THE COUNSELING - available September 1st!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
A final summer fling
I'll admit...I'm a seafoodaholic. After all, I live in New England where you can fall out of your front door and have your fill of shrimp, scallops, cod, and clams. So, imagine my thrill when a friend of mine here in Florida said she'd take us out on their boat for a day of fishing.
It was a gorgeous day in St. Pete when we floated out onto Tampa Bay.
The water was calm and inviting, as was the sun as it shimmered down on us. With our bait of pin fish, shrimp, and squid, we took to the poles.
After a few hours of nothingness, the tide shifted, causing the water to airate, which means more fishies! That's when we started pulling them in. A couple of gray snappers, a few salt water catfish, but most of all, I caught an 18-in Spanish mackerel!
And, my sweetie and co-author of THE OTHER SIDE: A TEEN'S GUIDE TO GHOST HUNTING AND THE PARANORMAL, Patrick Burns, caught a two-foot long shark! Check out the video we did!
I cooked up the mackerel in flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder and did a quick fry in veggie oil. I whipped up a mango coulis from fresh mangos from my friend's tree and voila! A meal fit for a king.
So, that's pretty much it for summer. Time to get back to the grind. There are book proposals to write, books to edit, and promotions to do. And speaking of, soon, we'll have a huge week of giveaways for my newest book in the GHOST HUNTRESS series - THE COUNSELING.
To get things started, let's have a little contest. Did someone say CONTEST?
Tell me about your summer adventures and your highlight of the season. I will pick three winners to announce next Wednesday. Two winners will get a packet of Silly Bandz and one winner will get an advanced copy of THE COUNSELING.
Hugs,
Marley = )
http://www.marleygibson.com/
Get spooked this Halloween!
GHOST HUNTRESS: THE COUNSELING - available September 1st!
It was a gorgeous day in St. Pete when we floated out onto Tampa Bay.
The water was calm and inviting, as was the sun as it shimmered down on us. With our bait of pin fish, shrimp, and squid, we took to the poles.
After a few hours of nothingness, the tide shifted, causing the water to airate, which means more fishies! That's when we started pulling them in. A couple of gray snappers, a few salt water catfish, but most of all, I caught an 18-in Spanish mackerel!
And, my sweetie and co-author of THE OTHER SIDE: A TEEN'S GUIDE TO GHOST HUNTING AND THE PARANORMAL, Patrick Burns, caught a two-foot long shark! Check out the video we did!
I cooked up the mackerel in flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder and did a quick fry in veggie oil. I whipped up a mango coulis from fresh mangos from my friend's tree and voila! A meal fit for a king.
So, that's pretty much it for summer. Time to get back to the grind. There are book proposals to write, books to edit, and promotions to do. And speaking of, soon, we'll have a huge week of giveaways for my newest book in the GHOST HUNTRESS series - THE COUNSELING.
To get things started, let's have a little contest. Did someone say CONTEST?
Tell me about your summer adventures and your highlight of the season. I will pick three winners to announce next Wednesday. Two winners will get a packet of Silly Bandz and one winner will get an advanced copy of THE COUNSELING.
Hugs,
Marley = )
http://www.marleygibson.com/
Get spooked this Halloween!
GHOST HUNTRESS: THE COUNSELING - available September 1st!
Wednesday, July 07, 2010
Suddenly Summer Giveaway!
It's suddenly summer! Finally the temperature will be almost 90 in the Seattle area. It's time to get out the flip-flops, slather on sunscreen, and... edit my new book.Yep, although the weather is great, I've been inside revising my draft of Wherever You Go, my new book for Harcourt for fall 2011.
It's a book packed with characters in transition - a ghost boy, a girl caring for her grandfather with Alzheimer's, a guy who's lost his very best friend on the planet. As I'm writing this book, I've been working with the idea that guys are very emotional; they're just not encouraged to show that side of themselves. The loss and love they feel is no smaller than anything women experience. The hurt and the joy can be just as big as anything we go through.
I'm in the home stretch, which is so great to report. And there was no bigger satisfaction than to write "The End" on the last page of the draft - especially with my awesome bf across from me at the coffee shop during my writing fest.
THE SUDDENLY SUMMER GIVEAWAY!
To celebrate the beginnning of summer and the approaching end of this revising round one - I'd like to giveway a signed copy of The Clearing - my first book for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
To enter, comment about something worth celebrating - an end or a beginning - and I'll choose a winner Sunday 7/11.
Until then, enjoy the sun!
Heather
http://www.heatherdavisbooks.com/
Wherever You Go - Fall 2011 Harcourt
The Clearing - April 2010 HMH
Never Cry Werewolf - 09/2009 Harperteen
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Friendship Week
Congratulations to Buzz girl Wendy on the release of her third book, LIFTED! (This is Wendy's first release week as a Buzz girl, so let's make it a good one!) In honor of her book, we're talking friendship all week long.
For my part, I want to talk about one of my favorite romantic plots of all time: the best friends who realize they love each other. I am such a sucker for this storyline. It might all date back to kindergarten when my best friend was an adorable blond Dutch boy named Wauter. Secretly, I still wonder whether we're still meant to be....
Anyway, I adore books and movies about best friends (or childhood friends) who all of a sudden wake up to the fact that the perfect person has been right next to them all along. I think it's all about getting to that moment, that instant where one of them realizes the truth of their feelings. The duality of being thrilled to find love and terrified that the other friend won't feel the same way and that confessing might end the friendship all together. How will it all work out?
One of the first complete stories I ever wrote was about a pair of best friends/roomies who realize they're meant to be together after an April Fool's joke forces them to start thinking about each other differently. Hmmm, might have to go dig that story out....
This theme is one of the reasons I love The Hunger Games. There's obviously something under the surface between Gale and Katniss, I mean he almost said he loved her in Catching Fire, right? And when Mockingjay comes out in two months (TWO MONTHS!!!) I fully expect a little best friends romance.
I'm a sucker for best friends turning into lovers in the movies, too. One of my all-time favorite movies is Drive Me Crazy, starring Melissa Joan Hart and Adrian Grenier. The pair were best friends in elementary school, but had drifted apart by the time high school rolled around. But a basketball mishap and a breach of dance date protocol brings them back together as pretend boyfriend-girlfriend. It's only a matter of time before the pretend part disappears.
Now I'm looking for recommendations. To be entered to win a copy of LIFTED, tell me about your favorite best-friends-fall-in-love book or movie. And if the boy has secretly loved the girl all along, then all the better!
Hugs,
TLC
Oh. My. Gods. and Goddess Boot Camp (Greek gods are more than myth.)
FORGIVE MY FINS (What happens when a mermaid kisses a human?)
For my part, I want to talk about one of my favorite romantic plots of all time: the best friends who realize they love each other. I am such a sucker for this storyline. It might all date back to kindergarten when my best friend was an adorable blond Dutch boy named Wauter. Secretly, I still wonder whether we're still meant to be....
Anyway, I adore books and movies about best friends (or childhood friends) who all of a sudden wake up to the fact that the perfect person has been right next to them all along. I think it's all about getting to that moment, that instant where one of them realizes the truth of their feelings. The duality of being thrilled to find love and terrified that the other friend won't feel the same way and that confessing might end the friendship all together. How will it all work out?
One of the first complete stories I ever wrote was about a pair of best friends/roomies who realize they're meant to be together after an April Fool's joke forces them to start thinking about each other differently. Hmmm, might have to go dig that story out....
This theme is one of the reasons I love The Hunger Games. There's obviously something under the surface between Gale and Katniss, I mean he almost said he loved her in Catching Fire, right? And when Mockingjay comes out in two months (TWO MONTHS!!!) I fully expect a little best friends romance.
I'm a sucker for best friends turning into lovers in the movies, too. One of my all-time favorite movies is Drive Me Crazy, starring Melissa Joan Hart and Adrian Grenier. The pair were best friends in elementary school, but had drifted apart by the time high school rolled around. But a basketball mishap and a breach of dance date protocol brings them back together as pretend boyfriend-girlfriend. It's only a matter of time before the pretend part disappears.
Now I'm looking for recommendations. To be entered to win a copy of LIFTED, tell me about your favorite best-friends-fall-in-love book or movie. And if the boy has secretly loved the girl all along, then all the better!
Hugs,
TLC
Oh. My. Gods. and Goddess Boot Camp (Greek gods are more than myth.)
FORGIVE MY FINS (What happens when a mermaid kisses a human?)
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
Something to cheer about!
A huuuuuuuuge congrats to Tera for the release of her new book, Forgive my Fins. What an awesome concept and I can't wait for my Amazon delivery to catch up with me.
As the others have said, we're talking about childhood dreams. Mine...were a bit warped, I must admit.
First...I dreamed of being a travel agent. I turned my father's shelf of tax forms into homemade travel brochures of "exotic" places like Atlanta and Panama City Beach and Birmingham. LOL! I would book my stuffed animals on trips and make tickets and such for them.
Ironically, my professional career has been as a meeting planner...so I guess that dream helped me out some, eh?
Then, I wanted to be a doctor. Most kids want that at some point, eh? But not just any doctor. I wanted to be an anesthesiologist. My grandfather had surgery and he told me all about it and I was fascinated by the fact that there was a doctor that could literally just put you asleep.
But the dream that was biggest for me...I wanted to be a cheerleader! I love sports and especially football and I have an extremely big mouth. LOL! What better person to be a cheerleader, right?
I started off as a pee wee cheerleader. This wasn't a big deal as anyone who would buy the uniform and show up for games could be one. I was in band my junior high years, so I wasn't a JV cheerleader. But, in 9th grade, I tried out for the varsity and made it! Fortunately, because of being so physical as a cheerleader, I discovered a lump in my left leg which turned out to be cancer. Had I not been a cheerleader, I might not have found it so quickly. So, that was definitely something to cheer about.
How have your childhood dreams morphed and changed and helped you? Share your story in the comment section and you'll be entered in this week's contest to win a copy of Tera's book. Also, there are more chances to win over at Tera's website web-site and she's making donations to an ocean charity, as well. Please help out!
Congrats again to Tera!
Hugs,
Marley = )
Ghosts don't hang up their sheets November 1st
GHOST HUNTRESS: THE REASON - Available Now!
As the others have said, we're talking about childhood dreams. Mine...were a bit warped, I must admit.
First...I dreamed of being a travel agent. I turned my father's shelf of tax forms into homemade travel brochures of "exotic" places like Atlanta and Panama City Beach and Birmingham. LOL! I would book my stuffed animals on trips and make tickets and such for them.
Ironically, my professional career has been as a meeting planner...so I guess that dream helped me out some, eh?
Then, I wanted to be a doctor. Most kids want that at some point, eh? But not just any doctor. I wanted to be an anesthesiologist. My grandfather had surgery and he told me all about it and I was fascinated by the fact that there was a doctor that could literally just put you asleep.
But the dream that was biggest for me...I wanted to be a cheerleader! I love sports and especially football and I have an extremely big mouth. LOL! What better person to be a cheerleader, right?
I started off as a pee wee cheerleader. This wasn't a big deal as anyone who would buy the uniform and show up for games could be one. I was in band my junior high years, so I wasn't a JV cheerleader. But, in 9th grade, I tried out for the varsity and made it! Fortunately, because of being so physical as a cheerleader, I discovered a lump in my left leg which turned out to be cancer. Had I not been a cheerleader, I might not have found it so quickly. So, that was definitely something to cheer about.
How have your childhood dreams morphed and changed and helped you? Share your story in the comment section and you'll be entered in this week's contest to win a copy of Tera's book. Also, there are more chances to win over at Tera's website web-site and she's making donations to an ocean charity, as well. Please help out!
Congrats again to Tera!
Hugs,
Marley = )
Ghosts don't hang up their sheets November 1st
GHOST HUNTRESS: THE REASON - Available Now!
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Fins, Fins Everywhere!
It seems almost hard to imagine, but the release week for FORGIVE MY FINS is finally here! You might think it gets a little easier or a little less extraordinary after two books, but let me tell you the third book release is just as exciting/terrifying/hopeful/busy/nervewracking as the first. I'm glad you and the Buzz girls are here to celebrate the craziness with me.
Because FORGIVE MY FINS is the realization of a life-long mermaid fantasy (I still dream of my legs magically turning into fins) all this week we'll be talking about childhood dreams. For anyone who hasn't heard the scoop, here's the blurb:
To enter today's giveaway, tell me:
Hugs,
TLC
PS -- Want more chances to win? Want to help protect the oceans? Pop over to my personal blog, where I'm giving away another seven books this week and making a donation to Oceana for every comment.
Because FORGIVE MY FINS is the realization of a life-long mermaid fantasy (I still dream of my legs magically turning into fins) all this week we'll be talking about childhood dreams. For anyone who hasn't heard the scoop, here's the blurb:
Lily Sanderson has a secret, and it's not that she has a huge crush on gorgeous swimming god Brody Bennett, who makes her heart beat flipper-fast. Unrequited love is hard enough when you're a normal teenage girl, but when you're half human, half mermaid, like Lily, there's no such thing as a simple crush.Regular Buzz blog readers know that when there's a release week, there's usually a giveaway, too. Well, guess what? There is a giveaway, too! Every day this week I will give away a signed, hot-off-the-presses copy of Forgive My Fins to one lucky winner in the US/Canada. That's seven days, seven copies, seven chances to win. Comment every day for your best odds!
Lily's mermaid identity is a secret that can't get out, since she's not just any mermaid—she's a Thalassinian princess. When Lily found out three years ago that her mother was actually a human, she finally realized why she didn't feel quite at home in Thalassinia, and she's been living on land and going to Seaview High School ever since, hoping to find where she truly belongs. Sure, land has its problems—like her obnoxious biker-boy neighbor, Quince Fletcher—but it has that one major perk: Brody. The problem is, mermaids aren't really the casual dating type—the instant they "bond," it's for life.
When Lily's attempt to win Brody's love leads to a tsunami-sized case of mistaken identity, she is in for a tidal wave of relationship drama, and she finds out, quick as a tailfin flick, that happily ever after never sails quite as smoothly as you planned.
To enter today's giveaway, tell me:
Water. Love it, hate it, or fear it?Good luck and thanks for making this week extra special.
Hugs,
TLC
PS -- Want more chances to win? Want to help protect the oceans? Pop over to my personal blog, where I'm giving away another seven books this week and making a donation to Oceana for every comment.
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