THE SAVAGE GRACE Release Day plus Talentmania and Door Prize Winners Announced

AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's here! It's here! The release day for THE SAVAGE GRACE is finally here!!!!!

I can not tell you how sad, scary, happy, awesome it is to give "the end" to readers. I want to cry and happy dance all at the same time. Heh. I just tried combining "cry" and "happy dance" in my head and came up with "crappy dance." That's pretty much how I dance all the time.

It looks something like this:



Anywho . . . I'm celebrating release day by getting ready for the big TSG Launch Party at the King's English Bookshop. It's tonight at 7.p.m. and I would love to see you if you're in the area.

The other way I'm celebrating is by announcing the winners of Dark Divine Fan Talentmania!! And also the winners of the door prizes!

The judges have turned in their votes. The numbers have been compiled. So here we go!

Drum roll please . . .

In the category of FAN ART, the winners are:

1st Place: Katie Dahlberg

2nd Place: Diana Gudayol

3rd Place: Amber Knighton AND Rudi May Hart

In the category of FAN FICTION, the winners are:

1st Place: LC Piper

2nd Place: Entity Carter

3rd Place: Whitney Gibbons AND Annie Boytim

Door Prize Winners are as follows:

Bwyatt wins: CINDER by Marrissa Meyer
Lexiegirl1222 wins: TIGER'S VOYAGE by Colleen Houck
Julianna Helms wins: EVERNEATH by Brodi Ashton
Sacredm00n wins: HOURGLASS by Myra McEntire
Julie Belnap wins: TRIS & IZZIE by Mette Ivie Harrison
Vivien wins: THE MEPHISTO COVENANT by Trinity Faegen
Enna Isilee wins: EVERY OTHER DAY by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Julie Eves wins: THE BUTTERFLY CLUES by Kate Ellison
Chapter Chicks wins: THE SAVAGE GRACE by Bree Despain

Lucid Memory wins: Dark Divine Moonstone Necklace from Infinite Jewelry Company

Purplg8r wins: TSG nail polish*
dani_nguyen wins: TSG nail polish*
lollybees3 wins: TSG nail polish*
featherlyhearts wins: TSG nail polish*

Congratulations to all the Talentmania and door prize winners! Please email me at readbreecontests[at]gmail[dot]com to claim your prize. You have 30 days to do so, or I will assume you don't want it and the prize will be given to someone else.

*Since nail polish can not be shipped internationally, if you are outside the USA stickers and bookmarks will be sent instead of nail polish.

I hope you all have a wonderful TSG Launch Day! And I really hope you enjoy the book!

And I hope to see at least a few of you at the launch party tonight!

XOXO,

Bree

THE SAVAGE GRACE Soundtrack Round 5 and Holy Crap TSG releases tomorrow!

Can you believe that THE SAVAGE GRACE comes out tomorrow? I still can't quite wrap my head around it!

Here are the last three songs in THE SAVAGE GRACE Soundtrack. I have to admit that I got a little misty eyed putting this post together--mostly because I know what happens in the book at this point.


TSG Soundtrack Song #15: Wide Eyes by Local Natives
Description: Let's call this "the battle song."



TSG Soundtrack Song #16: Orange Sky by Alexi Murdoch
Description: Someone recently asked what I considered to be the theme song for the Dark Divine trilogy. At first I said there wasn't one, but then after I thought about it for awhile, I decided this song was it. (You may remember that this song was also on THE LOST SAINT Soundtrack--but I find it especially fitting for TSG. And I listened to it many times while writing this book.)



TSG Soundtrack Song #17: The Dog Days Are Over by Florence and The Machine
Description: I told you in the first post that I listened to A LOT of Florence while writing this book. I wasn't kidding. I could put several more F+TM songs on this playlist, but narrowed it down to the most essential. I'm including this song because I can't help thinking "The Dog Days Are Over" when I think about the trilogy coming to an end. It's a thought that makes me happy in a gut-wrenching sort of way. Which is kind of what this song is about. Saying goodbye to these characters has been really hard, but I am thrilled to finally have their complete story out there in the world.



So tomorrow is the big day. I've still got a ton of things to finish before the launch party, so I had better get going. Be sure to come back tomorrow--I'll be announcing the winners of Talentmania, and all those nice door prizes!

THE SAVAGE GRACE Soundtrack Round 4

As promised, here is today's second TSG sountrack post. I hope you like these songs as much as I do!

TSG Soundtrack Song #11: Welcome Home by Radical Face
Descrption: Love, love, love this song. It's about coming home. That's all you really need to know. Just listen, and enjoy. Because it's awesome.



TSG Soundtrack Song #12: Where The Kids Are by Blondfire
Description: You know that moment in a book where everything feels like it is as it should be? But you know this perfect moment can't last? And that any minute now the happiness is going to end and the shizz is going to hit the fan? Yeah. That moment.



TSG Soundtrack Song #13: Baby Says by The Kills
Description: The shizz has arrived. And somebody just turned on the fan . . .



TSG Soundtrack Song #14: Abandon by French Kicks
Descripiton: Somebody has got to take this shizz down! But first there are preparations that need to be made. This song is really good at showing the mixed emotions of the gang at this point. The music itself has a rhythm and speed that conveys the fear and anxiety felt as they prepare for battle, but then the juxtaposition of the slower, calmer voice and lyrics help show the sadness that is felt by Grace and her family, and their determination to keep their emotions in check in the face of the coming storm.





Okay, that's all for today. Be sure to some back tomorrow for the last TSG Soundtrack post. Can you believe that THE SAVAGE GRACE is only 2 sleeps away?! Or I guess only 1 sleep away if you buy it on eBook right after midnight. Eep!

THE SAVAGE GRACE Soundtrack Round 3

Sorry for missing yesterday's soundtrack post. I spent most of the day in a doctor's office dealing with a medical issue, and then decided I needed some time to relax before the big day this coming Tuesday. So I spent the evening staring at a shirtless Taylor Kitsch (a.k.a. Went to see John Carter with hubby) and didn't make it back early enough to put my post together before falling asleep.

Anyway, that just means you get 2 soundtrack posts today--and each 4 songs!

I hope you enjoy! And be sure to tell me what you think in the comments.

TSG Soundtrack Song #7: Unchained Melody by U2
Description: I discovered this beautiful version of this super old school song on the B-Sides of U2's WAR album back when I was in college--and promptly became obsessed with it. At the time, I was going to school in Utah and the boy I loved was an ocean apart, living in England. Once a week, I'd run to the mailbox just knowing there would be a new letter from him. To me, this song is the perfect encapsulation of what it feels like to be separated from someone you are in love with, and the incredible need to bring that person back to you. (And that boy who was living in England? He came home. And now he's my hubby.)



TSG Soundtrack Song #8: Howlin For You by The Black Keys
Description: This is a point in the book when the action of the story starts to pick up and Grace starts to embrace her "kick-A-ness" (as April would put it).



TSG Soundtrack Song #9: Mouthful of Diamonds by Phantogram
Description: This is pretty much the theme song for Talbot. He's got a "mouth full of diamonds" as in he's charming and has a smile that will sweep you off your feet, but he's also got a "pocket full of secrets." Grace wants to trust Talbot and accept his help--but she just doesn't quite know if she can "believe" in him.



TSG Soundtrack Song #10: We Are Young by Fun
Description: This is an amazing song that captures the feeling of just embracing the moment and being who you are meant to be right then and now. Crappy stuff has happened and more trials are yet to be faced, but for now, let yourself feel triumph and hope.



Be sure to check out today's second post for more awesome songs for your listening pleasure!

THE SAVAGE GRACE Soundtrack #2

Hey all,

It's day two of sharing songs from THE SAVAGE GRACE soundtrack. If you missed day one's songs, click HERE to listen to them. I'll be posting songs from the soundtrack everyday up through March 12th, so be sure to check back to find out what songs inspired TSG.

I've had a few people ask about the soundtracks for the first two books so I decided to link to those. For the soundtrack for THE DARK DIVINE click HERE. For the soundtrack to THE LOST SAINT click HERE.

Now on to today's songs. I hope you enjoy!

TSG Soundtrack Song #4: The New by Interpol
Description: As the story progresses so does the tension... all leading to the first crescendo leaving one of the characters in danger. This song follows a very similar pattern. Plus I just really like it.



TSG Soundtrack Song #5: 10 Mile Stereo by Beach House
Description: It is getting more and more difficult to explain why I chose the song without giving anything away. Grace has some very emotional scenes following the events that song #4 represents that she faces with strength and determination. I love how this song allows you to feel the weight of sorrow while still feeling empowered to press forward. I think this is exactly where Grace is emotionally at this point of the story.



TSG Soundtrack Song #6: When I'm Small by Phantogram
Description: I love this band--and I discovered them thanks to the recommendation of a blog reader. This is song represents a point in the story when Grace realizes that it is up to her to solve a big problem, whether she feels ready to or not. She has to muster up what power she has and run with it. Literally and figuratively.



Thanks for listening! Be sure to tell me what you think, and be sure to come back tomorrow.

Final Full Moon Extravaganza: The Savage Grace Soundtrack

It's time! The last full moon before the launch of THE SAVAGE GRACE is upon us, which means... it's time to share the TSG soundtrack!

I love this part. I love music-- A LOT-- and for me it is a huge inspiration for writing. Often I will find three or four songs I will listen to over and over again when I'm in the middle of a draft. But the soundtrack is more than that. It's not just a list of songs I listened to while writing TSG (though that is how a lot of the songs were chosen), it is meant as a companion to the book. A list of songs that follow the mood and scenes as the story flows.

For the next 5 days, leading up until the release of THE SAVAGE GRACE, I will be posting 3 songs a day with explanations of why I chose them. So let's get started shall we?

TSG Soundtrack Song 1: Florence and The Machine - Cosmic Love
Description: As many of you know, THE LOST SAINT ends on a bit of a cliff hanger and things are not as they should be. TSG starts shortly after TLS finishes with the characters trying to deal with their current situation. I really view this song as the theme song for chapter 1 (which you can read now here by the way), and it perfectly captures the yearning and passion and heartache that Grace is going through as TSG begins.



TSG Soundtrack Song 2: Florence and The Machine - Howl
Description: Ok, so basically I listened to this whole album over and over again while writing TSG. I love her voice and her incredible ability to convey such emotion with every single word. Soon after the book begins, we find Grace running through the woods feeling both the pull of the wolf and her love for Daniel... take a listen and this choice will make sense.




TSG Soundtrack Song 3: Wolf Gang - Back to Back
Description: Hopefully not giving too much away, let's just say that Grace misses Daniel and is exhausted... The song itself is has a very ethereal and disconnected sound that goes perfectly with the lyrics, creating a feeling of loss and longing for someone.



Ok. That's it for today. Come back tomorrow for more soundtrack songs. Lots more good stuff to come. But for now, what'dya think? Like the songs so far? Any guesses on what might be coming next? Are you as freaking excited for next Tuesday as I am? Because I'm actually shaking right now. Of course, that could be the nerves. Uh oh. It's the nerves. Oh Crap! Freak out coming on... where'd I put that chocolate?!

P.S. Don't forget that in anticipation of THE SAVAGE GRACE release, the eBooks of THE DARK DIVINE and THE LOST SAINT are on sale wherever eBooks are sold for only $1.99. Some places are selling them for as little as only $1.31! That's freaking insane!

TDD Fan Talentmania Finalists Announced...and updated information about the eBook special price promotion

You guys, THE SAVAGE GRACE comes out ONE WEEK FROM TODAY!!!!!!

(Yes, that is me shouting at the top of my lungs about it! I can't wait for this book to be out in the world for all to share. Like seriously, is it March 13th, yet?!!)

To celebrate the upcoming release of TSG, the eBook versions of THE DARK DIVINE and THE LOST SAINT are currently on sale for only $1.99 each! You can find this special deal on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, or pretty much anywhere eBooks are sold. That way you can brush up on (or catch up with) Grace, Daniel, Jude, Talbot and the rest of the Divine gang before the launch of THE SAVAGE GRACE on March 13th. Or maybe even gift the eBooks (at a super cheap price) to a friend or family member who might enjoy the Dark Divine trilogy. But don't delay, this special offer is only good until March 19th!

{Note: the date was extended from the 16th to the 19th to make up for the delay in the price reduction that happened over this last weekend.}

In addition to this eBook sale, you can also snatch up THE LOST LETTERS OF BROTHER GABRIEL: A Dark Divine Original Story for $1.79. {And the author's proceeds (i.e. mine) go to the children's charity Kids Need To Read.}

For a list of other things going on here in ReadBree Land, and for details about upcoming signing and events, be sure to click HERE.


Okay, now on to the main event!

If you want to know the names of the finalists who will be moving on to the final round of Dark Divine Fan Talentmania, raise your hand!
















Now both hands!

















Okay, now put them down. That looks uncomfortable. Plus, you can't scroll with both hands in the air. Believe me, I've tried. It takes a very dexterous nose.

So here's the deal, I absolutely LOVED every single Talentmania entry. Seriously, loved them like burning. Every entry showed so much passion and love and talent, it made me want to burst. And it didn't help that the voting was so fierce on some of the entries! (You voters rock!) Because of this, I found it nearly impossible to narrow the entries down to only 5 finalists in each category. Therefore, I decided that the best thing to do was to choose the top FOUR most-voted-for entries (as opposed to only the top three entries like I had originally planned) along with two wild card entries in each category to advance on to the finals. That makes a total of SIX finalists instead of only five.

But don't worry, I have decided to award TWO third prizes in each category to compensate.

Before I list the finalists, please note that only legitimate votes that followed the voting rules were counted (i.e. completely anonymous votes were thrown out). I, along with the help of two other judges, selected the two wild card finalists out of the rest of the group.

So without further ado, I give you the Dark Divine Fan Talenmania Finalists (listed in no particular order) . . .

Fan Art Finalists:

Samantha Dussor
Rudi May Hart
Katie Dahlberg
Amber Knighton
Brina Cook
Diana Gudayol

Fan Fiction Finalists:

Annie Boytim
LC Piper
Stephanie Ehmann
Whitney Gibbons
Entity Carter
Malyza C.

Finalists, congratulations! Your entries will now be submitted to a panel of judges who will determine the final outcome. Winners will be announced here on the blog on March 13th.

To the other entraints, thank you so much for entering Talentmania! You have no idea just how much your participation means to me. I truly loved and appreciated every single entry and would have advanced everyone on to the final round if I could. (Which would totally negated the purpose of having finalists--which is why I brought in two additional judges to help me with the selection process.)

Voters, be sure to come back on March 13th to see if you won one of the door prizes!

For a list of door prizes and to see what the finalists are competing to win, please refer to THIS POST.

Looking for something to tide you over until the 13th? You can read the first chapter of THE SAVAGE GRACE by clicking HERE.

And be sure to come back on March 8th when I'll post my playlist/soundtrack for THE SAVAGE GRACE.

Upcoming Events, Promotions, and Happenings for March and April 2012

Hey all, just wanted to give you a quick list of places I'll be, and things I'll be doing for the next couple of months. I hope you'll be able to join me for some of them!

March 3rd - March 16th:
Special Price Promotion!









For 2 weeks only, the e-book versions of THE DARK DIVINE and THE LOST SAINT will both be marked all the way down to only $1.99 each! That way you can brush up (or catch up) on the storyline before THE SAVAGE GRACE releases on March 13th. (Or perhaps gift the e-books to someone who might enjoy the Dark Divine series.) But don't delay, the $1.99 price is only good from March 3rd to March 16th. I know Amazon and Barnes & Noble will be selling the books at the special discounted price, but you can also check other e-book retailers. {Edit: As of the morning of March 3rd, the price promotion hasn't started yet. I don't know why. I was told it would. I will try to get to the bottom of it, but in the meantime, check back with retailers on Sunday or Monday and hopefully it will have started by then.}

March 6th:
Finalists for the Dark Divine Fan Talentmania will be announced.

March 8th:
To celebrate the last full moon before the launch of THE SAVAGE GRACE, I will post my writing playlist for the book. Come find out what songs inspired TSG!

March 13th:
THE SAVAGE GRACE release day with fun stuff going on!
Winners of both the art and fiction portions of Dark Divine Fan Talentmania will be announced.
Winners of the door prizes for Talentmania will also be announced.

And later that evening . . .
Official THE SAVAGE GRACE Launch Party!!!
Where: The King's English Bookshop
When: 7pm on March 13th
What: I will be there to do a book talk, reading, games + prizes, and a book signing

March 17th:









Writing For Charity Conference at the Provo Library
Come celebrate Saint Patty's Day by learning about writing from a plethora of YA, Middle Grade, and Picture Book Authors--and help kids in need while your at it. This fantastic event that raises money for children's charities is going to be bigger and better than ever before. I'll be co-teaching a class with Brodi Ashton and Emily Wing Smith. Even if you've been to WFC before, you will want to check out their website to see just how much more awesome the conference is going to be this year. Click HERE for more details.


March 20th:
Book Signing at the West Jordan Barnes & Noble (in Jordan Landing)
Time: 7-9 p.m.
What: I will do a book talk and read from THE SAVAGE GRACE starting at 7 p.m. Then I will be on hand in the store until 9 p.m. to sign books.

March 27th:
Author Q&A at the Saratoga Springs Library
Join me and Brodi Ashton for a Q&A session at the library. Learn how we got published, and ask us whatever you want to know about writing, our books, or publishing. (More details to come.)

March 13th - Mid-April
Blog Tour
I'll be vising a number of blogs, answering interview questions and doing guests post. (More details to come.)

April 11th-15th
RT Booklovers Convention!
I'll be in Chicago for this fun-filled, book-loving event. I will be one of the participating authors in the YA Slumber Party and the Teen Day Party, plus I'll be signing books in YA Alley.


That's all the events I have scheduled for now, but I hope to be adding more for April and May. If you can't make it to one of my events, but would still love a signed book, you can order one from The King's English and I will sign it for you the night of my launch party. For info about ordering signed books, click HERE.