Friday, March 7, 2014

The Big Love Letter Event Finale: Danielle Paige + Nichole Chase

Today marks the last day of the The Big Love Letter Event, the joint month-long feature hosted by Danny from Bewitched Bookworms and myself, and to bring this event home in a big way I have two fantastic letters to share with you all. I couldn't be more excited by the response we've gotten to these letters, and I just want to say a huge THANK YOU to the amazing authors who participated and all of you readers for making this letter extravaganza such a success. Massive hugs to everyone:)

If you haven't yet had the chance, be sure and take a look at the letters from Wendy Higgins, Kasie West, Tiffany Schmidt, A.C. Gaughen, Lorraine Heath and Katlyn Duncan posted over the past five weeks!

http://supernaturalsnark.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-big-love-letter-event.html

I'm so excited to start off this two author finale with a letter from the Tin Woodsman to Dorothy, two characters from next month's debut novel from Danielle Paige, Dorothy Must Die. I've been absolutely salivating over this book ever since I saw the cover reveal and the dark, gritty gorgeousness of it made me decide I had to have it on the spot. After reading the below letter my need for this book has grown to a nearly unbearable degree, but luckily in just a few short weeks I'll be able to have it in my grabby little hands. I hope you all enjoy a sneak peek at Dorothy Must Die!

• • • • •  LETTER ONE  • • • • •

If you’ve read the prequel No Place Like Oz, then you know the Tin Woodsman has more than a little crush on Dorothy. It only gets more intense in Dorothy Must Die, out April 1.

Dearest Dorothy –
I am not a man of words like the Scarecrow. But this heart that I have because of you still does not know restraint. I write this to you as I sit across from you in the Emerald Castle. You think I am writing down your wishes. But I am writing my own.

You want me to find this new girl from the Other Place who landed here in her Tin House. Something about her scares you. Perhaps you fear that she may be a little like you used to be. Perhaps you fear that one day she might be as powerful as you. But no matter, I will deliver her to you in one piece or in pieces. Because it is what you wish.

I think you know how I feel. But you do not say it and I do not say it. It is a kindness that you do not reject me openly. And you are not often as kind as you used to be.

I remember what you looked like that day – the day you saved me. You wore your hair pigtails and that simple blue and white dress and a smile that seemed to be filled with sunshine and something else, something from The Other Place. Something that echoed in the hollow of my chest, where nothing had echoed before.

I don’t know how long I stood in that road ax in hand – stuck and powerless. With an oil can and a smile, you gave me power and agency and hope. You showed me my strength and my heart. I was not supposed to be able to feel what I feel. But when I saw your smile, that cloud-parting smile, and you grabbed my hand to get me moving again, I knew I had never met your likeness nor would I ever again.

You made me see that we were all stuck once. Me, beside the Yellow Brick Road. Scarecrow on his post. The Lion, hiding out from his pride. And you, in The Other Place. But you saved us all and together we saved Oz. So why shouldn’t you have what you want when you want it. Why should I not do all in my power to give it to you?

Sometimes, I miss that simple dress and that simple girl who greeted every challenge on the road with courage and wonder. You called it “pluck.” You said many people had it in The Other Place. But I had never seen it before or since in anyone but you. Not in the soldiers of my army, not in the witches or the Munchkins. Your pluck trumps them all. And it slays me.

I know the distance between my heart and yours seems far. But life in Oz is so very long. I believe that your heart will change. I have seen you change before. I wait for that, for you.

I was doubtful when we started down this path
when you started to take more than you gave. But I see what no one else sees—what only a true friend can see. Through it all you have been faithful to me, the Lion, and the Scarecrow. We change but we do not part. 

We remain on the road together. And maybe, just maybe one day you’ll take my hand again.

With all My Heart,
Nick, The Tin Woodsman

• • • • • • • • • • • 

DOROTHY MUST DIE
(releases April 1st from HarperTeen)


I didn't ask for any of this. 
I didn't ask to be some kind of hero.
 
But when your whole life gets swept up by a tornado—taking you with it—you have no choice but to go along, you know?

Sure, I've read the books. I've seen the movies. I know the song about the rainbow and the happy little blue birds. But I never expected Oz to look like this. To be a place where Good Witches can't be trusted, Wicked Witches may just be the good guys, and winged monkeys can be executed for acts of rebellion. There's still the yellow brick road, though—but even that's crumbling.

What happened? Dorothy. 

They say she found a way to come back to Oz. They say she seized power and the power went to her head. And now no one is safe.

My name is Amy Gumm—and I'm the other girl from Kansas.
 
I've been recruited by the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked.
 
I've been trained to fight.
 
And I have a mission.

Find Danielle:



• • • • •  LETTER TWO  • • • • •

The second letter today comes from Nichole Chase, an author I fell in love with earlier this year when I read Suddenly Royal. Suddenly Royal was one of the cutest books I've had the pleasure of reading, with a very smart heroine in possession of a sharp wit and tongue, and a romance of the complete comfort variety that you'll want to pick up and read whenever you're having a bad day.

Nichole has brought with her a letter written from her to David, the hero of the second book in the Suddenly series, Recklessly Royal. In it she shows a little bit of possessiveness which I completely approve of because there's no doubt in my mind I'm going to lay claim to him as a fictional boyfriend as soon as I "meet" him, so she's smart to remind him of the role she plays in his life ;-)

Dearest David,
 

I knew from the moment you walked onto the page in SUDDENLY ROYAL that you would have a story to tell. You were hot, protective, and a little on the uptight side. What would it take to get you to loosen up a little? And then it hit me. All that time, you were meant for a princess. A princess that was ready to cut loose and live a little; one that was maybe a little too reckless.
 

What I hadn’t realized was that I was going to fall in love with you so fast. You drove me crazy. The back and forth, the almosts but not quites, the teasing banter mixed with your steadfast loyalty was irresistible. Every time I would think, “This is it!” you’d pull back with more resolve than I thought anyone was possible of possessing. It drove me just as crazy as it did Cathy. You had a mind of your own, a plan, and you stuck to it.
 

You’re the whole package. Smart, sexy, trustworthy. There’s not a thing I would change about you.
 

And now I have to share you.
 

When RECKLESSLY ROYAL comes out in the world, you’re going to break hearts, raise expectations, and cause episodes of swooning.
 

Just remember.
 

I loved you first.
Always,
 

Nichole Chase
• • • • • • • • • • •

RECKLESSLY ROYAL
(releases March 25th from Avon)


Catherine has spent her life being the perfect princess. She’s kept her hands clean, her head down, and most importantly—men at arm’s length. After all, most men are after only one thing, and for Cathy there’s a lot more at stake than her bed; she has to worry about the fate of an entire nation. But at the rate she’s going, Cathy is afraid she’ll give the Virgin Queen a run for her money. She is tired of waiting for someone good enough to come along. She has a plan, and it all hinges on seducing the one man who seems utterly unimpressed by all things royal. The one man she is tempted by more than any other . . .

When David arrives at the royal wedding of his friend, the newly ordained Duchess Samantha Rousseau, he expected to feel uncomfortable and out of his element, but he wasn’t prepared to be targeted by Prince Alex’s gorgeous younger sister. With Cathy’s giant blue eyes, killer figure, and sense of humor, it won’t take long before he gives in. But when he finds out just how innocent the crown princess really is, will he play the part of knight in shining armor or the dashing rogue?


Find Nichole:

 
• • • • • • • • • • • 

GIVEAWAY

Danny and I have an amazing giveaway to share with you all, one that will have 14 winners in total!
  • Winners 1 and 2: Each will get a book of their choice from one of the authors featured during the event (open internationally as long as Book Depository ships to you!)
  • Winner 3 : Signed Copy of Crash Into You by Katie McGarry (open US/CAN only) – Prize is provided by the author – A huge thank you to Katie!
  • Winners 4- 14: Sweet Trilogy swag packs from Wendy Higgins (open internationally) - Prize is provided by the author – Thank you so much Wendy!
The giveaway will run until March 14th and you can enter via the Rafflecopter form below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

37 comments:

  1. Thank you! These recommenadations are amazing!

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  2. "We remain on the road together. And maybe, just maybe one day you’ll take my hand again."
    I have not read the book yet but I'll definitely would 'cause I love what I saw here :)
    I have read Suddenly Royal and it was very enjoyable.

    Thank you so very much for this wonderful event! :) <3

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    1. I'm so excited for DOROTHY MUST DIE, and I'm so glad you enjoyed SUDDENLY ROYAL too!!!

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  3. Awww... I love this.
    "Just remember. I loved you first." --- I think I would be jealous as author - I do not like to share.

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    1. True! Jenny you have no idea how hard it is to get a book boyfriend from her! :D

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    2. *snort* I don't like to share either, so I completely understand ;-)

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  4. Aww, the Tinman! I'm really excited for the release of Dorothy Must Die, so I really enjoyed that love letter. Thanks for sharing, Jenny!

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    1. I can't wait for it either Keertana! I'm so very ready for it to be April:)

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  5. OMG. Now I'm even more excited about Dorothy Must Die, though I must say that I'm sad I have to wait another month. The Tinman, he's winning my heart.

    Loved these letters, Jenny! What a cool and fun idea!

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    1. MINE TOO MARY! I feel like he's destined for the book boyfriend list:) And David too. The more the merrier ;-)

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  6. You guys did a great job on this event; I thoughroughly enjoyed it! And, what a fab way to wrap things up, with a letter to Dorothy. Thanks for the chance, and happy Friday!

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    1. Thanks so much Carmel! We've had a blast with all of these letters, so we're hoping we can do it all over again next year:)

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  7. The first letter is so emotional that I'm going to read that book as soon as it is out. I have heard great things about it and let's face it that title is hard not to notice. But the letter <3. For the second one it's new to me and it seems to me that David is a character I want to meet. Amazing post, Jenny :)

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    1. I highly recommend SUDDENLY ROYAL Tanja, it was fantastic! I can't wait for David and Cathy's story. And of course I'm not completely in love with Nick, so I need DOROTHY MUST DIE asap:)

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  8. I have loved every single one of these, they have been so much fun to read and see each week.

    What a fabulous fun event.

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  9. I'm going to go all fan girl here. Seriously, OMG, I'm dying to read Dorothy Must Die. That love letter from the Nick *swooning* has me even more excited for this book. Great love letter :)

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    1. ME TOO! I need it to be April 1st already! *stares impatiently at calendar*

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  10. Tinman! I'm so excited to read Dorothy Must Die, so you'd better believe that letter there got me a million times more excited! It seems perfect! Great feature today, Jenny! :)

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    1. Wasn't it a fantastic letter? I just want to hug Nick and tell me not to give Dorothy another thought, he has me:)

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    1. Yes! I'm a total Nichole Chase fangirl now:)

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  12. Why is this the first time I am seeing Dorothy Must Die? It sounds fantastic and I haven't read a Wizard of Oz retelling in a long time. Definitely watching for it. This has been such a fun event, thanks for putting it on!

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  13. Okay, I must have Dorothy Must Die. MUST! :) Love the sound of the tin man. You have me already. Oh and I'm going to have to check out Nichole Chase's books. This one sounds good!

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  14. I can't wait to meet David! :)

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  15. Omg ... it seems like Dorothy Must Die has been on my GR TBR shelf for so long now, I forgot about it. But I didn't know about the prequel!!! I must get it!

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  16. I so want to read Recklessly Royal :)
    Great letters! :)

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  17. I have Recklessly Royal in my tbr pile and can assure you Dorthy Must Die will soon be there as well. I loved the love letters!

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  18. Ahhh I can't help getting excited whenever Dorothy Must Die is mentioned, lol. I haven't read the prequel yet but this got me excited for it too! That is such a lovely letter tho. I've never heard of Suddenly Royal until now and it sounds really cute!

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  19. If I didn't need to read this already, I certainly do now. Love the sound of this one.

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  20. No I don't want this event to be over! I love these love letters so much, and have grown to look forward to them. The Tin Woodsman's letter is amazing, I clearly need to read the novella before I attack my copy of Dorothy Must Die. Thank you for sharing! :-)

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  21. I can't wait for Dorothy Must Die, Jenny! It sounds like it will be very entertaining.

    The letter from Nick to Dorothy is so sweet!

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  22. I've been hearing a lot about Dorothy Must Die, so I'm anxious for some reviews! I might just have to read that one. I just got Suddenly Royal so this was good timing. Now I want to pick it up ASAP!

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  23. First, I know I say this every week, but I LOVE THIS FEATURE. Why can't it go on forever? *whines* Anyway, another two fantastic letters. The first one creeps me out a bit. I'm not sure that's the appropriate reaction, though. But it also intrigues me a whole lot. I need to find out what has happened to Dorothy. The second one got me swooning for sure! I remember David from Suddenly Royal and I can't wait for him to get the girl in Recklessly Royal!

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