Tuesday, August 31, 2010

LOCK AND KEY: GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED
LOCK AND KEY

BY SARAH DESSEN

ABOUT THE BOOK:

“Ruby, where is your mother?”

Ruby knows that the game is up. For the past few months, she’s been on her own in the yellow house, managing somehow, knowing that her mother will probably never return.

That’s how she comes to live with Cora, the sister she hasn’t seen in ten years, and Cora’s husband Jamie, whose down-to-earth demeanor makes it hard for Ruby to believe he founded the most popular networking Web site around. A luxurious house, fancy private school, a new wardrobe, the promise of college and a future—it’s a dream come true. So why is Ruby such a reluctant Cinderella, wary and defensive? And why is Nate, the genial boy next door with some secrets of his own, unable to accept the help that Ruby is just learning to give?

Best-selling author Sarah Dessen explores the heart of a gutsy, complex girl dealing with unforeseen circumstances and learning to trust again.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sarah Dessen grew up in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and attended UNC-Chapel Hill, graduating with highest honors in Creative Writing. She is the author of several novels, including Someone Like You, Just Listen and Along for the Ride. A motion picture based on her first two books, entitled How to Deal, was released in 2003. Her tenth novel,What Happened to Goodbye, will be published in May 2011. She lives in North Carolina.

"I’ve been writing, in one way or another, for as long as I can remember. I was always a big reader, mostly because my parents were. I used to get frustrated with my mom because she bought me books for Christmas when what I really wanted were the gifts my friends got, things like sweaters and jewelry. But I did love to read. When I was eight or nine my parents gave me an old manual typewriter and a little desk in the corner of our den, and I’d sit there and type up my stories. I was the kind of kid that people always sighed over and said, "She has such a wild imagination," which usually meant "I wish Sarah would try to stick to the truth." I have a tendency to embellish: I think it’s just a weakness of fiction writers. Once you learn how to make a story better, it’s hard not to do it all the time.

"In high school, I was lucky enough to have a big group of girlfriends that have really inspired a lot of the stories in my books. I’m still close with my friends from that time, so it’s never very hard to put myself back into that place, that voice. Also it doesn’t hurt to still be living in my hometown, where it’s a given that I’ll bump into people I had homeroom with, or guys I had big crushes on, while I’m pumping gas or buying stamps. It makes it hard to leave high school behind entirely, which is a good or bad thing depending on what day you ask me. I attended college at UNC, where I studied creative writing and graduated with a degree in English. (Which means I can quote small parts of many Great Works. Comes in handy occasionally, like at cocktail parties.) I’d been on the five-and-a-half year college plan, and when I graduated my parents were hoping I’d settle down and get a Real Job so they could stop worrying about me. But instead of doing the whole resume/pantyhose thing, I decided to stick to my job waiting tables at the world famous Flying Burrito Restaurant and try to publish a novel. At the time, I had only one very bad book I’d written my senior year of college and the beginnings of another one. Luckily, my family was supportive and I spent a few years living in a ramshackle little house where I wrote during the day and did the restaurant thing at night.

"Three years after graduating, I sold my first book, That Summer, but it wasn’t until a year after that that I got offered a teaching job and left waitressing for good. I still miss it sometimes, though. It was a great job for a writer. Endless conversations to eavesdrop, tons of material, and fast money without ever taking work home. Plus, free Mexican food, the best perk of all. Now, I’ve published four books, all for young adults. I never really intended to be YA writer, but the second book I showed my agent she thought had a strong teenage voice, so she sent it off to an editor at Orchard Books, who bought it. Even though it was in a way accidental, I’ve found that writing for teens suits me. I do short stories, and other novels, that are for an older audience, but again and again I am brought back to the stories of high school. Maybe it’s because so much happened to me then that I’m not finished yet telling everything. My senior quote was from Pink Floyd (okay, I was a bit of a burnout---I spent a lot of time in the parking lot, whatever, let’s move on) and it pretty much summed up my future, although I didn’t know it at the time. It was: "The time is gone, the song is over, thought I’d something more to say." It turns out that I did.

"The books I read when I was teenager, the good ones anyway, have stuck more in my mind than anything since. I still love books, but while I couldn’t tell you complete plots of novels I read even six months ago, I do remember even the smallest descriptive details from Lois Lowry’s A Summer to Die or Judy Blume’s Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. I think it was because back then books were still somewhat new to me, and when I found an author who seemed to say just what I was feeling, it really struck me and resonated. I hope that my books do that for the people who read them: I think it’s the best thing to which any writer can aspire. Now, I teach writing at UNC-Chapel Hill, where I’m lucky enough to see my students find their own voice, the way I did in the same program there not so long ago. Teaching is great for me, because I get to show people how writing can really change the way you see not only yourself but the world. I’ve found in my own life that if my writing isn’t going well, not much else will. It is the one constant, the key to everything else.

"As far as my other life, my non-writing life, I live in the country with my husband, some lizards, and two dogs who are completely spoiled and rule me completely. I like to work in my garden---although I have not yet perfected the art of keeping everything alive----and, in my weaker moments, shop. I have a bit of an addiction to the Gap clearance rack, to be honest. I have this strange need to buy huge quantities of black pants. How many pairs of black pants does one person need? (Obviously for me, the answer is 11 and counting. But I digress.) What else can I tell you? I love Starbucks mochas but they make me way hyper. I subscribe to too many magazines. I make a mean bean salad. I could go on, but the truth is, my books are much more exciting than I am, and that’s a good thing. It’s always more fun to make stuff up anyway."

Sarah Dessen’s first novel, That Summer, an ALA Best Book for Young Adults, was published in 1996. Her other books include Someone Like You and Keeping the Moon, both ALA Quick Picks and School Library Journal Best Books of the Year. Her fourth novel, Dreamland, was published in the fall of 2000. She lives in North Carolina, where she teaches creative writing at UNC-CH, and is currently at work on her fifth novel.

GIVEAWAY

I HAVE ONE COPY OF THIS
ENJOYABLE BOOK TO GIVE
AWAY MYSELF, BRAND NEW,
HARDBACK EDITION.



--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!

HOW TO ENTER:
+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FOUND INTERESTING ABOUT SARAH DESSEN BY VISITING HER WEBSITE HERE

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ABOUT SOMETHING YOU ENJOYED READING ABOUT SARAH DESSEN IN THE "ABOUT THE AUTHOR" SECTION ABOVE

+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND COME BACK AND LEAVE A LINK THAT I CAN FOLLOW

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON ANOTHER CURRENT ENTRY OF MINE YOU HAVE ENTERED. YOU MAY COMMENT ON EACH ENTRY SEPARATELY AND THEY WILL EACH COUNT AS ANOTHER ENTRY.

GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST,
SEPTEMBER 15!


GOOD LUCK!

115 comments:

Suburban prep said...

A gutsy girl with trust issues. Could pull me in to want to read.

Suburban prep said...

The fact that she seems so normal with the need for black pants.

Margie said...

The author sold her first book three years after graduating from college.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

The author said that Keeping the Moon holds a special place with her because a lot of the lessons in it about self-confidence are ones she's still trying to learn herself.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

Entered for No Way Down
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

Entered for White Heat
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

Entered for Amish Proverbs
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

Entered for Capitol Game
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

Entered for Fierce Radiance
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

Entered for I'd Know You Anywhere
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

Entered for Charley's Web
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

Entered for Light of the Moon
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

Entered for Judgement and Wrath
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

+5 Swag
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

debbie said...

I thought it was interesting that her favorite book right now, is a prayer for owen meany.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I entered dracula in love giveaway.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

holdenj said...

I enjoyed learning about Sarah's parents, they are both professors. No wonder she always wanted to write!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I like Sarah's refreshing, open comments, espcially about owning 11 pairs of black pants!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I entered the White Heat giveaway.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I entered the Amish Proverbs giveaway.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I entered the Capital Games giveaway.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I entered Last NIght at the Chateau Marmont.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I entered the Postcard Killers.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I entered I'd Know You Anywhere.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

On Sarah Dessen's site, she has a link to her blog and on her blog for today, she has a picture of deer taking it easy, lying down.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Her submission to Jack & Jill was the beginning of her parent's sleepless nights.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Connie said...

Hi! The one fact I learned from her website is that she was born in Illinois. I thought that was really interesting since that is where I am from. :)

aliasgirl1976@yahoo.com

Connie said...

Her one book "How to deal" was made into a movie. I saw that movie and didn't know it was her book. LOL

aliasgirl1976@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

+5 Swagbucks


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I entered the contest for A Fierce Radiance.


CarolNWong@aol.com

Anonymous said...

I entered the contest for The Postcard Killers.


CarolNWong@aol.com

Anonymous said...

I entered the contest for I'd Know
You Anywhere.


CarolNWong@aol.com

Anonymous said...

I entered the contest for Judgment and Wrath


CarolNWong@aol.com

Anonymous said...

I entered the contest for Judgment and Wrath


CarolNWong@aol.com

Anonymous said...

I entered the contest for Charley's Web.


CarolNWong@aol.com

Anonymous said...

I entered the contest for Charley's Web.


CarolNWong@aol.com

Anonymous said...

I entered the contest for Swan.


CarolNWong@aol.com

Anonymous said...

I entered the contest for Swan.


CarolNWong@aol.com

Anonymous said...

I entered the contest for The Light of the Moon.


CarolNWong@aol.com

Anonymous said...

I entered the contest for The Light of the Moon.


CarolNWong@aol.com

Anonymous said...

I entered the contest for Promise Me.


CarolNWong@aol.com

Anonymous said...

I entered the contest for Last Night at Chateau Marmot.


CarolNWong@aol.com

Linda Henderson said...

I learned she loves the book A Summer to Die by Lois Lowry

seriousreader at live dot com

Linda Henderson said...

I like the fact that her family was supportive when she wanted to continue working in a restaurant even after getting a degree so she could pursue her writing.

seriousreader at live dot com

Linda Henderson said...

I tweeted this giveaway.

http://twitter.com/BookOwner/status/22640265256

seriousreader at live dot com

Linda Henderson said...

Entered The Capitol Game.

seriousreader at live dot com

Linda Henderson said...

Entered Dracula In Love.

seriousreader at live dot com

Linda Henderson said...

Entered The Body Shop.

seriousreader at live dot com

Linda Henderson said...

Entered A Fierce Radiance.

seriousreader at live dot com

Linda Henderson said...

Entered Get Positively Beautiful.

seriousreader at live dot com

Linda Henderson said...

Entered The Postcard Killers.

seriousreader at live dot com

Linda Henderson said...

Entered I'd Know You Anywhere.

seriousreader at live dot com

Linda Henderson said...

Entered Judgment and Wrath.

seriousreader at live dot com

Linda Henderson said...

Entered Charly's Web.

seriousreader at live dot com

Linda Henderson said...

Entered Swan.

seriousreader at live dot com

Linda Henderson said...

Entered Light Of The Moon.

seriousreader at live dot com

Linda Henderson said...

Entered Last Night at Chateau Marmont.

seriousreader at live dot com

Linda Henderson said...

Entered Promise Me.

seriousreader at live dot com

Linda Kish said...

She written quite a few books which all look interesting.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I like how she started writing on an old manual typewriter.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I entered The Capitol Game giveaway.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Colleen Turner said...

I found out from the author's website that she really enjoyed being a waitress and continued to do that after she sold her first book and did not give it up until she received a teaching job a year after selling her first book.
Thanks,
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I learned from the author information portion of the post that her first two novels were made into a movie in 2003. Didn't know that!
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I entered the White Heat giveaway.
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I entered the Fierce Radiance giveaway.
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I entered the I'd Know you Anywhere giveaway.
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

+5 swagbucks!
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I entered the Swan giveaway.
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I entered the Last Night At Chateau Marmont giveaway.
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I entered the Promise Me giveaway.
candc320@gmail.com

justpeachy36 said...

justpeachy36@yahoo.com

One of the things that I find really interesting is the covers that Sarah gets for her novels. They are so delicate and beautiful. They would definitely peak my interest just seeing them on the shelves.

Please enter me in the giveaway.

justpeachy36 said...

justpeachy36@yahoo.com

Something I found interesting in Sarah's bio was that both her parents were professors. One mythology and the other Shakespeare. How could you not become a writer with that kind of inspiration, LOL...

justpeachy36 said...

justpeachy36@yahoo.com

I also entered the Fern Michael's giveaway.

Unknown said...

I am a follower and email subscriber. Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book. Tore923@aol.com

throuthehaze said...

I think it is pretty interesting she worked at a place called the Flying Burrito Restaurant
throuthehaze at gmail dot com

Teresa said...

I think its interesting that most of her books come from something that has happened to her or someone she knows
mstlee2000 @ hotmail.com

bison61 said...

she has published seven books, all for young adults. she also enjoys writing for teens.

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

Jolee said...

Love Dessen's live journal on her blog. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

I think it's cool that Dessen actually enjoyed waitressing and realized that it was a good job for a writer. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

Also entered "A Fierce Radiance." joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

Also entered "Get Positively Beautiful."

Jolee said...

Also entered "I'd Know you Anywhere."

Jolee said...

Also entered "Charley's Web."

Jolee said...

Also entered the Mr. & Miss Anonymous Giveaway. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

Also entered Light of the Moon.

Jolee said...

Also entered Last Night at Chateau Marmont. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

Entered Edge of Winter, too. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

Entered Russian Winter too. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

Also entered "Human Bobby." joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

Also entered "Testimony." joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

Also entered "Top Chef." joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

Also entered "Corduroy Mansions." joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

Entered "Promise me" too. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

Entered "hero Found" too. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Allison said...

I learned that her book was made into a movie starring Mandy Moore.

allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com

Allison said...

I like that she won an ALA Best book award.
allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com

Allison said...

Entered Mr and Miss Anonymous giveaway

allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com

Nancye said...

I learned that Sarah and I have a lot in common! We were both born in the same year, and we read the same books when we were kids, just to name a few things.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

I enjoyed hearing about some of the things Sarah enjoys doing such as gardening. I got tickled when she was telling how she hasn't mastered the art of keeping things alive. I haven't either!!

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Tweet! Tweet!
@NancyeDavis

http://twitter.com/NancyeDavis/status/24511463695

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

I entered the giveaway for Charley's Web.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

nfmgirl said...

I learned her father teaches Shakespeare.

nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

nfmgirl said...

I learned she lives in the country with her husband, daughter and two spoiled dogs.

nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

nfmgirl said...

I also entered Swan


nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

nfmgirl said...

I also entered Light of the Moon


nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

nfmgirl said...

I also entered Wicked Appetite


nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

nfmgirl said...

I also entered Last Night at Chateau Marmont


nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

nfmgirl said...

I also entered The Edge of Winter


nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

nfmgirl said...

I also entered The Human Bobby

nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

nfmgirl said...

I also entered Russian Winter

nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

nfmgirl said...

I also entered Top Chef


nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

nfmgirl said...

I also entered Mockingjay


nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

nfmgirl said...

I also entered Gilded Lily

nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

nfmgirl said...

I also entered The Good Daughters


nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

lag123 said...

She has a toddler that she has been chasing around.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

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