3/28/2011

Release Week Party!


My, how time flies!

Maureen McGowan
This time last year, I was still working on my two debut novels, Cinderella: Ninja Warrior and Sleeping Beauty: Vampire Slayer, and now they are both being released--on the same day!--to launch the Twisted Tales series!

The official release date is April 1, 2011, but they are already shipping from some online retailers. I can't wait to actually see/hold one myself and/or hear that someone has spotted one in the wild! If you see a copy in a store, please let me know! Even better, take a picture and send it to me. :)

In spite of the long and twisty road I took to this point (worthy of any challenging fairy tale fraught with evil witches) I'm not letting the April Fool's Day release date temper my excitement. Tune back on Friday to find out whether the joke's on me. LOL.  I might tell some of the twisty tale that day.  :)

In the meantime, here's what the publisher and some fabulous bloggers/reviewers have said about the first two books in the Twisted Tales series.

SLEEPING BEAUTY: VAMPIRE SLAYER

In this thrilling story full of adventure and romance, Sleeping Beauty is more than just a lonely princess waiting for her prince—she's a brave, tenacious girl who never backs down from a challenge. With vampire-slaying talents that she practices in secret, Sleeping Beauty puts her courage to the test in the dark of night, fighting evil as she searches for a way to break the spell that has cut her off from her family. In a special twist, readers have the opportunity to make key decisions for Sleeping Beauty and decide where she goes next—but no matter the choice; the result is a story unlike any fairy tale you've ever read!
Sleeping Beauty: Vampire Slayer is an entirely new type of fairy tale–one that will keep today's kids guessing and offer them hours of magical fun.

"If you’re just a fan of retold fairytales, then Sleeping Beauty: Vampire Slayer is exactly what you’ve been looking for." Maianka Verstraete of I <3 Reading

"It's a fairytale full of teen angst, comedy, romance, mystery and adventure! The 'choose a path' option was brilliant and made the book a lot of fun. I will be looking at other works by this Author and look forward to any other writing she has coming out." - Kristi Stern of The Book Faery

"Once upon a time a story comes along that makes your heart soar and transports you to a world filled with royalty, magical beings and immortal creatures. Sleeping Beauty: Vampire Slayer is one such story."  -Aobibliophile of Aobiblioshpere


"This was a wonderful new twist on the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale. ... Lucette was one butt-kicking vampire-slaying princess."  -ReaderGirl of NightOwl Reviews



CINDERELLA: NINJA WARRIOR

In this fast-paced story full of adventure and romance, Cinderella is more than just a servant girl waiting for her prince—she's a tough, fearless girl who is capable of taking charge of a dangerous situation. Seeking to escape the clutches of her evil stepmother, Cinderella perfects her ninja skills and magic talents in secret, waiting for the day when she can break free and live happily ever after. In a special twist, readers have the opportunity to make key decisions for Cinderella and decide where she goes next—but no matter the choice; the result is a story unlike any fairy tale you've ever read!

"An extremely funny, enjoyable and entertaining read that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and brings a fabulous twist to a well-known fairytale."  Majanka Verstraete of I <3 Reading

"My favourite princess made even stronger, it couldn’t be better!  A world filled with magic with love being the strongest magic of all.  A wonderful concoction of Maureen McGowan: a retelling of Cinderella mixed in with wizardry, martial arts, and choose-your-own-adventure!"  Tien of Tien's Blurb

"I was never fan of Cinderella to tell you the truth. But this book...oh my...! I wish the original stories were like that! Forget the sweet cliché love story and the poor girl. Here we have witches, championships, warriors, villains and even dragons! How awesome is it?" Yiota of Splash of Our Worlds

PARTY PLANS

All week we'll be celebrating the books' release. But it won't be boring. I promise. :) Tomorrow, we have a special guest, YA writer Christie Craig, and there will be new content every day.


Plus....


THERE'S A SPECIAL WEEK-LONG GIVEAWAY!!!


I'm giving away four books this week. Two of each title. The draw will be made on Saturday, April 2, 2011, from all the comments made Monday to Friday this week.


Better yet, if you come back and comment on more than one day, you'll get more than one entry. So, if you come back every day this week and leave a comment, you can have up to five chances to win one of four books!

If you live in the US or Canada, you'll get a signed copy, but if you don't happen to live in either of those two countries, you can still enter! Yes, that's right!!!!
Anyone who lives in a country that The Book Depository ships to, may enter! (except in jurisdictions where such contests are not legal)

Thanks for stopping by to help me celebrate!

Do you love fairy tales? Which are your favorites and why?

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30 comments:

  1. June M.March 28, 2011 at 2:01 AM

    Congrats on the new releases! Hope you have a great week.

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  2. Maureen McGowanMarch 28, 2011 at 11:47 AM

    Thanks, June!

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  3. CassieLeighMarch 28, 2011 at 1:00 PM

    Can't wait to read them! I too, congrat you on the new releases. :D

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  4. Donnell Ann BellMarch 28, 2011 at 1:06 PM

    Maureen, I love the balloons. I'm a HUGE fan of you. Congratulations and Happy Release Day!!! Looking forward to celebrate with you. DQing me from any drawings. But my favorite fairy tale is Rumplestiltskin, where the little elf creature spins straw into gold for a fair maiden and in order to do so, he gives her three days to guess his name, or else she has to marry him.

    Naturally it would have blackmail and suspense in it ;)

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  5. Elizabeth StockMarch 28, 2011 at 1:11 PM

    Congrats Maureen! I'll be looking for those gorgeous covers in the store.

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  6. Trish MilburnMarch 28, 2011 at 1:16 PM

    Maureen, I've been looking forward to these books every since you told us about them on the loop. Such fun concepts. Congrats on your releases, but OMG, how is it almost April already!?

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  7. RivaMarch 28, 2011 at 1:27 PM

    WOW - both of these sound great! Toss my name in the hat, please.

    dulcibelle [at] earthlink [dot] net

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  8. Ken WoycheskoMarch 28, 2011 at 1:57 PM

    Congratulations Maureen! I'm very excited for you!

    Ken!! :-)

    P.S. I'm going to come buy your books at a signing somewhere, so no need to include me in the draw.

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  9. WendyMarch 28, 2011 at 2:16 PM

    I do love fairy tales! And I'm always partial to anything with a happy ending. :)

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  10. Heather SnowMarch 28, 2011 at 2:27 PM

    Woohoo! Congratulations!!! (And the balloons are quite fab!!!)

    I'm so very happy for you, as I know a little of the twisty tale it took for you to get here. Enjoy your release week, my friend. May it be everything you hope!

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  11. Maureen McGowanMarch 28, 2011 at 3:01 PM

    Thanks, CassieLeigh!

    Donnell, you are too sweet. :) Thank you.

    Elizabeth. Thanks! I can't wait to see one in a store.

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  12. Maureen McGowanMarch 28, 2011 at 3:02 PM

    Trish, thanks so much for stopping by and your support. I did have kind of a crazy route to publication with these ones!

    Riva, consider your name in the hat! And remember, you can enter every day this week. :)

    Ken, :) You are such an awesome supporter.

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  13. Maureen McGowanMarch 28, 2011 at 3:03 PM

    Wendy, Happy endings are what it's all about, right? And they are worth fighting for. :)

    Heather, Glad you like the balloons. :) I added them at about midnight last night. Always dangerous. LOL

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  14. Reader Unfolded March 28, 2011 at 3:25 PM

    Happy release party! I love the idea of the Cinderella book (ninjas? that just seems so cool...). I didn't know there would be a Sleeping Beauty one too. I think I'll really like these if I ever get my hands on them.

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  15. Lauren Baratz-LogstedMarch 28, 2011 at 4:34 PM

    I'm so excited to see this, Maureen, and can't wait to read your books - happy release day X two!!

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  16. Maureen McGowanMarch 28, 2011 at 5:22 PM

    Thanks Erika! I hope you win. :)

    Lauren, thanks so much, as always, for your fabulous support. Mwah!

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  17. RFTC BlogMarch 28, 2011 at 5:45 PM

    Congrats on the release. I actually have both of these books on my wishlist. I can't wait to read them. They looks so good. It also doesn't hurt that they are both my favorite fairy tale. So I can't wait to see your spin on it.

    iqb99@yahoo.com

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  18. KwanaMarch 28, 2011 at 6:36 PM

    I'm so happy for your Maureen. Congrats! Since I already won a book don't enter me but I just had to stop by.

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  19. G. Jillian StoneMarch 28, 2011 at 7:18 PM

    Your book series just sounds wonderful and what great review blurbs! Best of luck to you Maureen and heres to many, many sales!

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  20. Lexie@BookBugMarch 28, 2011 at 8:10 PM

    I absolutely love fairy tales and can't wait to read both of Maureen's books! My favorite fairy tale of all time is any variation of Beauty and the Beast.
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    lexie.bookbug at gmail dot com

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  21. Angi MorganMarch 28, 2011 at 11:35 PM

    C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S M A U R E E N !!

    I can't wait until my copies arrive. I'm reading them first before giving the copies to my granddaughter.

    Hugs on your release week! Celebrate! Celebrate! Celebrate! and take lots of pictures.

    ~~Angi

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  22. Jennifer McGowanMarch 29, 2011 at 7:04 AM

    CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR LAUNCH!!!! these sound outstanding and GREAT covers!

    Jenn

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  23. Marilyn BrantMarch 29, 2011 at 10:40 AM

    MAUREEN!!!!
    So incredibly excited for you! Congrats, congrats, my friend. You know I can't wait to read these ;). Wishing you the most exciting launch week imaginable!!

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  24. Shelley CoriellMarch 29, 2011 at 12:12 PM

    Yaaaaaaay, Maureen! Beautiful covers. Great story premises. I can't wait to share your books with my three daughters!! BTW, my fave fairytale is Thumbelina. I love the idea of flying on the back of a swallow and boating on a lily pad. Hugs!

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  25. CarolineMarch 29, 2011 at 12:34 PM

    Woo Hoooooo!! Maureen, HAPPY RELEASE DAY!! The books look great and I can't wait to read them. The covers are to die for. I'm so very happy for you!!

    Hugs,
    ~Caroline

    PS-My all-time favorite fairytale is Breman Town Musicians!! Love that story!!

    CHEERS!!!

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  26. SusanRMarch 29, 2011 at 5:03 PM

    I am not a big fairy tale person, but I do love altered fairy tales. These sound awesome!! Can;t wait to read them!

    susanmik@gmail.com

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  27. M.J. ScottMarch 30, 2011 at 4:26 PM

    Congrats Maureen!!! So very cool : )) And great covers.
    Hope you get to hold both of them fast! My fave fairy tale is Cinderella (always knew she was a ninja : ) ) then possibly Beauty and the Beast.

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  28. LilMissMollyMarch 31, 2011 at 10:32 AM

    These books sound like so much fun. And they have such fabulous covers. I'd love to read one.

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  29. Melanie S.April 1, 2011 at 2:44 PM

    I can't believe I almost missed those books and I'm so glad that I discovered them now :) I love fairy tales and one of my favorite ones is The Star Money - I always loved the artworks in the books!
    wish you all the best, Melanie

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  30. Maureen McGowanApril 2, 2011 at 1:33 PM

    Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway! I'm getting everyone listed right now so I can pick winners. :) Will use a random number generator.

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