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.