Hello Lovelies! Please excuse our dust while we do a bit of construction on the blog. We will still be posting exciting reviews, brilliant guest posts, and exciting giveaways but we are in the process of transforming the blog and adding new content and features for you to enjoy.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

The Swan Maiden Giveaway and Bookplates!


Thanks to the lovely Jules Watson and her publishing team at Bantam, one lucky US Royal Reviews reader will win a copy of her latest novel The Swan Maiden!

Jules has kindly also offered free bookplates for international readers of her books. If you would like to receive a free bookplate, please contact Jules here with your details.

Here's a little about The Swan Maiden:


'A lush, romantic retelling of one of the most enduring Irish legends, reigniting the tale of Deirdre-the Irish Helen of Troy-in a story that is at once magical, beautiful, and tragic.

She was born with a blessing and a curse: that she would grow into a woman of extraordinary beauty-and bring ruin to the kingdom of Ulster and its ruler, the wily Conor. Ignoring the pleadings of his druid to expel the infant, King Conor secrets the girl child with a poor couple of his province, where no man can covet her. There, under the tutelage of a shamaness, Deirdre comes of age in nature and magic.. And in the season of her awakening, the king is inexorably drawn to her impossible beauty.

But for Deirdre, her fate as a man's possession is worse than death. And soon the green-eyed girl, at home in waterfall and woods, finds herself at the side of three rebellious young warriors. Among them is the handsome Naisi.

His heart charged with bitterness towards the aging king, and growing in love for the defiant girl, Naisi will lead Deirdre far from Ulster - and into a war of wits, sword, and spirit that will take a lifetime to wage.

Brimming with life and its lusts, here is a soaring tale of enchantment and eternal passions - and of a woman who became legend.'


Here's how to enter:

1. This particular competition is open to residents of the United States Only.

2. Competition is only open to public followers of this blog. So if you're not a follower then just click on the follow button in the column on the right.

3. For an extra entry post on your blog, tweet or facebook about this give-away and let us know about it. Anyone elligible to enter who leaves a legitimate comment during Aussie and NZ Author Week (16th - 22nd August 2009) will gain an additional entry for each comment.

4. You must leave your email address in the comments section. This competition is provided by Jules Watson and will be drawn on August 31st and the winner will be announced on this blog.

Princess of the Past

66 comments:

Unknown said...

This book sounds like such a great story and the cover is absolutely beautiful. I would love to be entered for this book. I am a follower and I posted about this on my sidebar http://themaidenscourt.blogspot.com/.

Thanks. dolleygur[at]hotmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

This sounds like a great book. I am a follower.

+1 Added to sidebar
neverendingshelf.blogspot.com

Kate
neverendingshelf.blogspot.com

Rich Mom, Rich Dad. Poor Mom, Poor Dad. said...

Ooohhh looks fantastic!

Count me in! I totally love the theme, the era, and the cover!

Jaime.huff1@gmail.com

Already a follower
Posted on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Historyslover/status/3338400883

GreenBeanTeenQueen said...

This book sounds wonderful-and I love the cover-it's beautiful!
greenbeanteenqueen at gmail dot com

Samantha LeAnne said...

Sounds fantastic! The cover is beautiful. I love retellings like this!

I am a follower.
I posted on my sidebar: harlequintwilightsbookblog.blogspot.com

HarlequinTwilight@gmail.com

The Obsessive Reader said...

I love the cover.
I'm already a follower.
rconnell94@yahoo.com

Ms. Asphyxia said...

I am totally a follower.

Blogged: http://www.morbid-romantic.net/2009/08/13/book-giveaways-08-10-08-16/.

Valorie
morbidromantic@gmail.com

Debs Desk said...

This books sounds great. Please include me in your giveaway.
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9(at)verizon.net

Kristen said...

I love books like this! Please count me in.

I tweeted about the giveaway: http://twitter.com/bookgoil/status/3344925050

bittahsweetharmony@yahoo.com

Minding Spot said...

What a beautiful cover! I already follow.

wendyhines (at) hotmail (dot) com

ibeeeg said...

This book has been on my TBR list for a bit now. Actually, it is also on my 2009 TBR Challenge list.
I would love to win a copy!

I already follow!

Posted a link about this giveaway on my blog's sidebar.

ibeeeg(at)gmail(dot)com

sue14625 said...

I am a folower on Google Reader always wonderful reviews and giveaways ty for hosting these

Erica said...

Please count me in! I'm already a follower


:) Erica
thebookcellar@wi.rr.com

HODGEPODGESPV said...

as hodgepodgespv, i follow you
spvaughan yahoo

HODGEPODGESPV said...

http://twitter.com/spvaughan/status/3348109999
spvaughan yahoo

HODGEPODGESPV said...

Sandra Vaughan http://theroyalreviews.blogspot.com/2009/08/swan-maiden-giveaway-and-bookplates.html

Royal Reviews: The Swan Maiden Giveaway and Bookplates!
Source: theroyalreviews.blogspot.com

facebok...spvaughan yahoo

Patti (@TheLoveJunkee) said...

Sounds like a wonderful story!

I'm a follower and put your contest on my sidebar...

pspinney AT cox DOT net

Unknown said...

Looks like a good book, please enter me into this drawing.

I'm a follower.

Thanks for hosting this giveaway.
jake.lsewhere[at]gmail.com

Anonymous said...

This book sounds AMAZING. I'm a follower, and my email is blackmoonkitsune[at]yahoo.com. Thanks for hosting this giveaway!

Miss K said...

I bought the book this week and am well into reading it. I'm sure the winner will love it! I agree...the cover is exquisite! Good luck everyone :-) Remember to visit us and comment during the week for extra entries.

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

I would imagine that you had to do a lot of historical research on that time period and I would love the story in addition to learning how things were done in that time period!

Please count me in the giveaway!
I'm a follower too!

kamara said...

I'm a hug fan of historical fiction. I can't wait to read it! Please count me in for the giveaway.
Many thanks,
Kamara94@hotmail.com

Gaby317 said...

This sounds so cool! Please count me in.

Thanks so much

gaby317nyc AT gmail DOT com

i'm a follower

throuthehaze said...

I'm a follower! Count me in please
throuthehaze at gmail dot com

Tales of Whimsy said...

Oooo looks good! :) I'm a new follower and can be reached at suitejuju@gmail.com

-Juju
talesofwhimsy.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

This book looks gorgeous and sounds even better. Please include me in the contest... I also blogged about it here: http://biki209.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!88898F4A49C6F88D!370.entry

Michelle and Leslie's Book Picks said...

Sounds like my kind of book! I hope I win :) My email is countesschelle@aol.com

Michelle and Leslie's Book Picks said...

and I forgot to say I also blogged about this giveaway on my blog (http://theromancejunkieblogs.blogspot.com/). Again, email is countesschelle@aol.com.

Unknown said...

I'm a follower & I'd like to enter.

bjhopper(at)me(dot)com

Unknown said...

Tweet

http://twitter.com/bridget3420/status/3377215436

bjhopper(at)me(dot)com

Kimberly B. said...

I'm a new follower, and I'd love to win this! It sounds great!

Unknown said...

Blogged

http://bridget3420.blogspot.com/2009/08/818-book-giveaway-list.html

bjhopper(at)me(dot)com

Unknown said...

I've also blogged about this giveaway here.

Thanks,
jake.lsewhere[at]gmail.com

Jasmine said...

This one looks really good. Please enter me and +1 as I added it to my sidebar http://literarydragon.blogspot.com/

My email is enchantingdragon@gmail.com

Thanks
Jasmine

Lynn Irwin Stewart said...

I'd like to be entered -- and I'm a follower!

LIS859@gmail.com

Thanks!

Unknown said...

I am starting to enjoy reading this type of genre. The story sounds fascinating and the cover is a dream.

I follow your blog.

I just tweeted the giveaway:
http://twitter.com/pine1211/status/3385890459

bstilwell12 AT comcast DOT net

Libby's Library said...

The Cover is Gorgeous - thanks for the giveaway.

libneas[at]aol[dot]com

Libby's Library said...

I'm a follower - thanks!

libneas[at]aol[dot]com

Libby's Library said...

I blogged it here:

http://libslibrary.blogspot.com/2009/08/giveaway-link_3155.html

Thanks

libneas[at]aol[dot]com

Bingo said...

I would love to try for this enchanting looking book! I am a follower and came back as I said I would. kdhaney (AT) gmail (DOT)com

Thanks for the chance!

Laura said...

This book sounds great! Thanks for reviewing it! Please enter me in the drawing; I'm following your blog via bloglines.

Keyes97[at]aol[dot]com.

mrsshukra said...

Already follow!

Please count me in, thanks!

delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

Shawna L. said...

Shawna Lewis
weloveourdogs@juno.com

Thanks for this chance to win this amazing book ;o)

Shawna L. said...

Shawna Lewis
weloveourdogs@juno.com

I am a follower of your blog and have been for awhile now ;o)

Shawna L. said...

Shawna Lewis
weloveourdogs@juno.com



I tweeted about this book giveaway here http://twitter.com/theblindcupid/status/3390908887

Miss Remmers said...

I'm a follower.
Reagan Remmers
missremmeres@gmail.com
I tweeted too! @MissRemmers
Thanks!

Alyce said...

This sounds great! I would love to be entered.

I follow your blog.

akreese (at) hotmail (dot) com

Marie said...

I would love to read this, I am already a follower.

marielay@gmail.com

Jennifer said...

The Swan Maiden sounds like a compelling read. Thank you for giving me a chance to win a copy!
I am indeed a public follower of your blog. :)
knittingmomof3 (AT) gmail (DOT) com

Ninja Fanpire said...

Looks interesting


I'm a follower

ninjafanpire@hotmail.com

Ninja Fanpire said...

Linked to contests in blog post: http://ninjafanpire.blogspot.com/2009/08/contests_15.html

Anonymous said...

I'd love to win this - looks like a great read.

I am a follower and subscriber @ pams00@aol.com

I posted to my facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pams00

Pam S
pams00@aol.com

Sharon Lathan said...

Oh my! this sounds sooo good! Please include me in the drawing. I am a happy follower of this blog! Sharon Lathan babysavr@pacbell.net

Mandyfish said...

I have a soft spot for stories that mix in fairy tales. I can't wait to read this! Please pick me!

follower- mandyfish

mandyfish@gmail.com

Mandyfish said...

I just posted a link to this give-away on twitter.

http://twitter.com/mandyfish/status/3473066087


mandyfish@gmail.com

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

This sounds like a great book, you did a great interview! I'm a follower!

dancealert (at) aol (dot) com

Passages to the Past said...

No need to enter me as I've already had the pleasure of reading! I just wanted to let your readers know that this is one FABULOUS novel and the winner is going to LOVE it!

good luck to all!

Danni said...

Great contest! I'm a follower. :)

romanticharbor@gmail.com

the end run said...

This looks like it will be a wonderful story. Being an Irish legend is all the better. My first trip to Ireland was a couple of years ago and I do believe my heart is still there. I would love to win this book.
annielee53@gmail.com

CherylS22 said...

I follow - I'd love to read this book. Please count me in - Thanks!
megalon22{at}yahoo{dot}com

Sandy said...

This sounds like a fantastic(al) read!

I'm a follower, and I posted the link to the contest under my sidebar :) it's at:www.piratepenguinreads.blogspot.com

pancakesthepenguin(at)hotmail(dot)com

~The Book Pixie said...

This sounds like a great book. Definitely count me in.

Linked in sidebar here: http://thebookpixie.blogspot.com/

~Briana
thebookpixie[at]yahoo[dot]com

Marie (MUM) said...

Already follower. Count me in please.

Marie
utah91960(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

I follower please count me in, book look like a great read.
jmarksgirl@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

First of all I love the tag that its based on a Irish legend, and the cover its fantastic. It brings to mind one of my favorite cartoons of all time "The Swan Princess" with the title.

Marimasiel@aim.com

booksrmysoul said...

Blair w
blairwlewis@gmail.com

Thanks for this giveaway


+1 I am a follower of your neat blog

+1 I tweeted here is that link http://twitter.com/booksrmysoul/status/3649839712

2 points