Tag Archive for 'reality shows'

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Reality Show Rundown Interview With Billy Garcia from “Survivor: Cook Islands”

Published on June 1, 2011 in Reality Show Rundown. Closed Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , .

This is the first in a series of interviews with former reality show contestants, an idea inspired by my new reality show-themed mystery novel Sink or Swim, Where Reality TV Turns to Murder. For more information on Sink or Swim, and the interview schedule which features contestants from Survivor, Top Chef, Beauty and the Geek, Shark Tank, Bachelor Pad, Big Brother and I Love New York, please visit this link.

Today, I’ve had a lot of fun learning more about Billy Garcia from Survivor: Cook Islands. Virgilio “Billy” Garcia was born in New York and moved to Miami when he was seven years old. He began studying karate, judo and wrestling at age 12. While lying sick in bed when he was 15, he heard the song “Juke Box Hero” on the radio and began to entertain the idea of becoming a rock and roll musician. He saved his lunch money and eventually bought his first electric guitar. When he was 22 years old, Billy sold most of his belongings and returned to New York to pursue a career in music. While playing in several local bands, he was also pursuing a career in wrestling and, in 1997, won a silver medal at the Amateur Athletic Union Wrestling National Championships.

Billy is currently a heavy metal guitarist and songwriter with the band Forsakken and is finishing up his first full length feature film as a filmmaker. He is also trained in the martial arts and does Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

1. Billy, if you could boil down your experience on Survivor to one paragraph, what was your overall feeling about being on this show?
To borrow a line from a very famous book, It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Survivor isn’t a game you just play. It’s a game you live all day, every day for 39 straight days if you’re lucky. It’s the Hell in Paradise and the million dollar Battle Royal. It’s a scar I wear like a badge of honor. I was lucky enough to get on and be part of the most controversial season of the greatest reality competition show in television history. So I’m not surprised that my loss on Survivor equals more than a victory on another show for others.

2. What was it like to have cameras rolling all the time? How hard was it to get used to being in the public eye?
The cameras never disappeared unless I was peeing, then they hid in the trees. Ha ha ha. The fans were cruel when my season was airing but now things are different. When it was my season that was airing, then to them I was the worst player ever, but now, I’m one of the best ever and should be brought back. Funny how that works. I appreciate how passionate Survivor fans are. I underestimated that back then.

3. What was the best part about being on the show?
It was a dream of mine to be on Survivor so the best part was being there for all of the traditional moments I have grown to love. The snuffing of my torch should have been a somber moment, but it wasn’t. I grinned from ear to ear while it happened because it’s such an iconic ritual and I was a part of it.

4. What were your favorite challenges on the show? Least favorite?
My favorites challenges are when we had to loot a replica of the Bounty and make off with the goods on bamboo rafts and the first immunity challenge, at least right up to the part when my tribe set me on fire. My least favorite was the challenge my tribe lost on purpose. When I want to do a fake competition, I do Pro Wrestling, not Survivor. Lame! It was a Survivor suicide bombing. We all got eliminated because of that. One right after the other. No matter how much they down play the throwing of that challenge, they cost the whole tribe our shots at the million dollars. I’ll go on record and say that strategy was pure stupidity. I’m glad that it’s become the world wide Reality TV example of why you should always play to win.

5. What advice would you give to someone who is considering applying for a reality show?
Watch Wile E Coyote. That will be how you will look in the edit if you make it on a show and don’t win it. So if you have a problem with being the butt of the joke, then this isn’t for you. Otherwise, good luck.

6. What else have you been up to lately?
I’m in the final stages of post production of my first full length feature film as a filmmaker. It’s a horror movie called “The Infernal Room.” I’ve also been recording with my heavy metal band Forsakken. We have a new lead singer, April Starkweather.

7. Where can fans find you online?
www.forsakken.com
www.tribal-council.org
www.facebook.com/survivorbillygarcia

My next interview is with Michelle Costa from Big Brother on June 2. Bookmark the full interview schedule, with clickable links to the interviews as they become available, here. Do you have a few minutes to help me give some buzz to Sink or Swim? Get 8 ideas here that can make a big difference!

Call for SOS! 8 Ways to Help Sink or Swim Sail Toward the Bestseller List

Published on May 28, 2011 in Reality Show Rundown. Closed Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , .

I’ve organized an entire Reality Show Rundown month on my blog as a way to get the word out about my mystery novel Sink or Swim. In the book, which is available in gift quality trade paperback from Mainly Murder Press and in multiple bargain e-book formats, Cassidy Novak loses the hit game show Sink or Swim and returns to her normal life as a personal trainer, only to find a stalker and danger awaiting her. The book should appeal to mystery fans, romantic suspense fans, reality show fans, and anyone looking for a fun beach read this summer. I would greatly appreciate any help with spreading the word about the book. There are some quick and easy things that you can do that would help a great deal.

1. Visit the Sink or Swim Amazon page and click the Amazon like button just beneath the title at the top of the page. Then you can hover the mouse across the like button, where you’ll find links to tweet the page and share it on Facebook.

2. Visit the Barnes & Noble page and click the Facebook Like button to the right of the book cover.

3. Like and share the book trailer on You Tube. The video is short and fun, set to the song “Every Breath you Take.”

4. Ask your local library to order the paperback version of the book, which you can tell them is available from Ingram with the ISBN 978-0-9827952-2-4. Sometimes, patrons can request that the library order a book right through the library web site. Do you belong to a book club? Suggest the book to your club. My web site contains discussion questions for both of my adult novels.

5. If you’ve read the book or think others might like it, mention it on online sites such as reality TV show message board forums, Amazon customer forums, and groups on Goodreads, Library Thing, and Shelfari. If you’ve read the book, please consider leaving a short review at any of the retail sites or book-sharing sites.

Want to read two sample chapters of Sink or Swim? Download the free mystery short story Laundry Day and the Stacy Juba Mystery Sampler. Click on the cover for download information.

6. I have share icons for Facebook, Twitter, Stumble Upon, and many other social networks in my right sidebar if you click on the + sign above the Follow Me on Twitter logo. Please use it to share my Sink or Swim page and some of the contestant interviews being published during my Reality Show Rundown Month. You can find the contestant interview schedule and links to the posts (which will be added as they become available) here.

7. Sink or Swim is included on an Amazon Listmania list of reality-TV show themed novels. If you follow this link for the Amazon Listmania Reality TV Show-Themed Novels List, you’ll see a small envelope on the top right where you can share the list with friends. If you click on it, you can email the list, or share it on Facebook or Twitter. Please do so to help other reality show fans discover the books.

8. Want to read two sample chapters of Sink or Swim? Get the free download of my mystery short story Laundry Day, which also contains an author interview, two sample chapters of Sink or Swim, and two sample chapters of Twenty-Five Years Ago Today. You can get the free download information here, then spread the word to others about how they can download a fun free read.

Thank you for helping to create some buzz!

Meet Your Favorite TV Personalities During Reality Show Rundown Month

Published on May 26, 2011 in General News and Reality Show Rundown. Closed Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

If you enjoy reality shows, or have ever wondered what it’s like to get famous from one, then you’re in for a special treat. I am hosting Reality Show Rundown Month on my blog in June and will be featuring my interviews with former contestants from the shows Survivor, Top Chef, Beauty and the Geek, Shark Tank, Bachelor Pad, I Love New York and Big Brother. What was the best part about being on the show? The hardest part? Did being in the spotlight help the contestants to advance their career goals? Would they recommend the reality show experience? How do you handle being on TV after tragedy strikes in your real life? They’ll tell you all of that and more, and quite candidly. The schedule is as follows:

1. Call for SOS! 8 Ways to Help Sink or Swim Sail Toward the Bestseller List – May 28
2. Billy Garcia, Survivor: Cook Islands – June 1
3. Michelle Costa, Big Brother 10 – June 2
4. Betty Fraser, Top Chef – June 3
5. Shawn Bakken, Beauty and the Geek – June 7
6. Walking the Plank Excerpt from Sink or Swim – June 8
7. David Olsen, winner of Beauty and the Geek - June 9
8. Guest author Steve Kamps’ article Examining the Relationship Between Reality TV and Us – June 11
9. Leslie Haywood, Shark Tank - June 13
10. Reality Show Rundown Month Media Release - June 14
11. Hashim Trends Locario, I Love New York – June 15
12. Losing the Reality Show – Excerpt 2 from Sink or Swim – June 18
13. Natalie Getz, winner of Bachelor Pad - June 20
14. 8 Tips on Trying Out for a Reality Television Show - June 22

I’m hosting this month because my new mystery suspense novel Sink or Swim has a reality show theme. You don’t need to be a reality show fan to enjoy the book, which is a cross between a cozy mystery and a romantic suspense novel, but if you do like reality shows, then you’ll get a kick out of the premise. How do you change the channel when reality TV turns to murder? After starring on a hit game show set aboard a Tall Ship, personal trainer Cassidy Novak discovers that she has attracted a stalker. Soon, she will need to call SOS for real. The book has been endorsed by Stephenie LaGrossa, fan favorite Survivor: Palau, Guatemala, Heroes vs. Villains; Michelle Costa of Big Brother 10; and Shawne Morgan of The Amazing Race 16 and is available in trade paperback and multiple $2.99 ebook formats. Visit the Store for a list of online retailers.

My heroine Cassidy Novak is fictitious, but the above reality show personalities are flesh and blood. Don’t miss their informative and entertaining interviews about what it’s like to be a reality show star. As a former reporter for magazines and newspapers, I had a great time doing these interviews. If this series was appearing in a newspaper, it would be called a “package” because of all the different parts. As each post is published, I’ll come back here to make a clickable link in case readers would like to bookmark this page for easy reference.

If you have a moment, please check out the Sink or Swim book trailer below, set to the song Every Breath You Take, to kick off the festivities.

Sink or Swim 6: Meet Ashriel Delaney from Smitten & Giveaway

Published on March 20, 2011 in Sink or Swim Reality Show. 8 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , .

Today’s contestant on the fictional reality show Sink or Swim is Ashriel Delaney of Five Oaks, Colorado, from the Silke Juppenlatz book Smitten. Now I must say, I’m extremely honored that Ashriel is taking the time to participate on my little game show because get this, Ashriel is an angel. Well, a failed angel, but that’s beside the point. In fact, he sent me a note: Hi Stacy, Here is my application. I would, of course, be a heavenly contestant. Exactly what you need. Not that I’m biased, or anything. Best, Ash

Even better, Ash is giving away one PDF copy of Smitten to a lucky commenter. The deadline is March 26 at 11:59 p.m. , EST. +1 Retweet this post. +1 Share on Facebook. Don’t forget to leave your email address. But first, here are Ashriel’s answers to the Sink or Swim 6. Here’s a quick recap of the rules: the three literary characters with the highest number of unique commenters to their post will be chosen as winners at the end of the year. That means Ash needs your comments.

1. Tell us about the book or series you’re from.
I’m from the fantastic anthology A Passionate Christmas, or more precisely from Smitten. All of us live in Five Oaks, which is really Five Stumps, because, well, I had a little accident. Don’t tell the residents. Please. I’m still on probation with my boss. The only downside to Five Oaks is Jo Button, another mistake of mine, but I intend to rectify that one. You can find out if I succeed by grabbing Smitten from here.

2. What is something about yourself that no one else knows?
Well, I’m a failed Angel, but a few people (and vampires) know about this. Here’s one no one knows: I’m a huge Yoda fan, and I’ve collected Yoda memorabilia since the first movie. I have pretty much everything from little squishy toys to coasters. I own a life-size statue of him, complete with light saber, which sits in my office at home. In case you wondered — he’s 28 inches tall.

3. Tell us about an unusual job or hobby that you’ve had?
I’m a veterinarian. You should meet some of my patients. There is nothing “usual” about a Great Dane with a fetish for eating tin soldiers. I used to be Vengeance Angel, but I sucked. My aim isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, and instead of smiting the demons I chased, I usually set fire to everything else. Including my own wings. It kind of got me fired, if you pardon the pun.

4. What is the strangest or most exciting thing that has ever happened to you?
Having my butt saved by a vampire has to rate as one of the strangest. I don’t mean he saved my life, I can’t die, after all. I do mean he saved my butt. From a Rottweiler. I know, I know. I shouldn’t hang out with vampires (or angry Rottweilers, apparently), being an angel, and all. But Ty is a good friend now, so I tend to overlook his eating habits and those teeth.

5. What would you do if you won a million dollars?
Make up for former mishaps. Unfortunately no one can fix the oaks in the square, I messed it up properly. The church I accidentally burned down is a different matter, I can fix that. And help out a few people who struggle, invest in some businesses around town. If any money is left over, I would build a wildlife recovery center next to my clinic, Mostly Paws.

6. Please tell us briefly about your author and list web sites.
My author is Silke Juppenlatz, and she did a fantastic job bringing the town to life around me. Unfortunately she’s also responsible for me messing up with Jo Button, but since I’m benevolent and all that, I’ll forgive her. She has a website, appropriately named Evil Author, where she blogs using that devious mind of hers.

Please stop by to leave Ash a comment to help him “fly” to the finals and don’t forget to enter the giveaway! Check out the book on Kindle below!

For newcomers: readers, I hope you’ll follow the blog closely via one of the follow options in the sidebars such as Google Friend Connect, Networked Blogs, Goodreads or Kindle. At the end of the year, the characters that drew in the most unique visitors to their interview will be declared the winners. For more information on the mock online season of Sink or Swim, inspired by the mystery novel of the same name, you can view the rules and application form here.

Sink or Swim 6: Meet Kevin “Red” Davis from By A Thread

Published on March 14, 2011 in Sink or Swim Reality Show. 23 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .

Today’s contestant on the fictional reality show Sink or Swim is Kevin “Red” Davis, 21, Barnabitengasse 12, Vienna, Austria, a character from Marty Beaudet’s book By A Thread. Marty will be giving away one paperback copy of the book. The giveaway is open to the U.S. Deadline is Saturday, March 19 at 11:59 p.m. EST. +1 Retweet this post. +1Share on Facebook. Don’t forget to leave your email address.

But first, let’s meet Kevin. Here’s a recap of the rules: the three literary characters with the highest number of unique commenters to their post will be chosen as winners at the end of the year. Here are Kevin’s answers to the Sink or Swim 6:

1. Tell us about the book or series you’re from.
My book is By A Thread, a political thriller with a heart.

2. What is something about yourself that no one else knows?
I had a crush on Bucky Denton, one of my missionary companions.

3. Tell us about an unusual job or hobby that you’ve had?
I moonlighted for the CIA for a few weeks.

4. What is the strangest or most exciting thing that has ever happened to you?
I ran away with a Kuwaiti terror suspect.

5. What would you do if you won a million dollars?
I would build a house in British Columbia and travel the world.

6. Please tell us briefly about your author and list web sites.
My author, Marty Beaudet, spent eight years getting to know me, visiting my hometown of Prineville, Oregon many times, and coming to visit me in Vienna. He has introduced me to numerous memorable and interesting characters. You can read interviews with him at our blog.
Learn more about my story at this link.

For newcomers: I hope you’ll follow the blog closely via one of the follow options in the sidebars such as Google Friend Connect, Networked Blogs, Goodreads or Kindle. At the end of the year, the characters that drew in the most unique visitors to their interview will be declared the winners. For more information on the mock online season of Sink or Swim, inspired by the mystery novel of the same name, you can view the rules and application form here. Don’t forget to enter the giveaway below and leave Kevin and Marty some comments to help them advance in the contest! And while you’re here, also stop by my other giveaway for a $10 Amazon gift card.

Radio Interview Tonight On The Rad Reality Show-Manic Monday With Big Brother Fan Favorite Michelle Costa

Published on March 7, 2011 in Sink or Swim Reality Show. 2 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .

To listen to this archived interview, visit the episode’s link for a fun chat. My interview is 15 minutes into the show, but I’m sure you will enjoy the whole show and possibly discover a new favorite program.

I’m delighted to be doing a special radio interview tonight with Michelle Costa, former contestant and fan favorite of Big Brother 10. Michelle was kind enough to read an early reader’s copy of Sink or Swim and provide a cover endorsement for the book.

“After being on a reality show, Big Brother 10 on CBS and Showtime, reading Sink or Swim made me feel like I was Cassidy,” she said. “People don’t ever know what happens behind the scenes. I thought it was a great read and kept me in suspense.” As some of you know, Sink or Swim is about a personal trainer and former reality show contestant who attracts a stalker after returning to her normal life.

I’ll be discussing Sink or Swim tonight from 7:15-7:30 with Michelle and Ron Rad on The Rad Reality Show- Manic Monday. If you miss it live, you’ll be able to catch it on the archives. Holly Hoffman of Survivor will also join the show, which runs for 90 minutes.

To learn more about Michelle, check out this interview with her – and I’ll also be interviewing her on my blog in the near future. If there’s anything you ever wanted to ask a reality show star, post in the comments and I’ll add that to my list of questions for when it’s my turn to do an interview!

$10 Amazon Gift Card – Tweet Kindle Links for Bonus Entries!

Published on March 5, 2011 in General News. Closed Tags: , , , , , , , .

As many of you know, I am giving away a $10 Amazon gift card on my blog – two gift cards if I reach 500 Google Friend Connect followers before the promotion ends on March 19 at 11:59 p.m. I noted in the post that there are ways to gain bonus entries. My mystery novel Sink or Swim is being featured today on Kindle Nation Daily, a wonderful site for Kindle users to learn about new books. I’m also having a Kindle campaign on Twitter this weekend, trying to get as many people to download the Kindle book as possible, which will lower the Amazon ranking and lead to more readers stumbling across the book.

I would appreciate any help with getting the word out to Kindle users. (of course, I’d appreciate any help with getting the word out about the other editions also, such as the print book!) But, today my focus is the Kindle edition. If you have a chance to put out any of these messages on Twitter or Facebook, I’d be very grateful.

1.Sink or Swim featured at Kindle Nation Daily @stacyjuba http://bit.ly/eVtw0x
2.Sink or Swim by @stacyjuba $2.99 #Kindle http://amzn.to/i8ZRqX

Once you share one or both of those, please visit the post for my $10 Amazon Gift Card giveaway and let me know in the comments that you shared the Kindle message. Leave a separate comment for each time you shared so you will receive multiple entries, and if you read the post, there are also several simple things you can do to receive additional entries. Thank you for your support!

Sink or Swim 6: Meet Rock Star Mitchell Voss From Trevor’s Song & Giveaway

Published on February 17, 2011 in Sink or Swim Reality Show. 17 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , .

Your humble emcee is excited to announce that we have a celebrity competing today on our fictional reality show Sink or Swim. And not just any celeb. Ladies in the audience, we have none other than the gorgeous Mitchell Voss, frontman of the band ShapeShifter. Mitchell, twenty-something, hails from Riverview, USA and is from Susan Helene Gottfried’s book Trevor’s Song and the short story anthologies Shapeshifter: The Demo Tapes – Year 1 and Shapeshifter: The Demo Tapes – Year 2.

Here’s a recap of the rules: the three literary characters with the highest number of unique commenters to their post will be chosen as winners at the end of the year. Mitchell tends to draw groupies wherever he goes, so groupies and new fans, leave your comments below. If you enjoy reading e-books, be sure to leave your email address as Mitchell’s creator Susan is giving away five Smashwords downloads of one of the band’s books. +1 Retweet this post. +1 Share on Facebook. Deadline to enter is Feb. 24 at 11:59 p.m., EST. But first, let’s meet Mitchell. Look, but don’t touch, ladies! He’s a married man.

1. Tell us about the book or series you’re from.
The ShapeShifter project, as Susan calls it, was supposed to focus on me and my wife, Kerri. Then Trevor took over and now, it’s all about him. Right now, this is a three-book series: two collections of short stuff and the novel. You can read them in any order. Here’s a buy link. You can use it to get to lots of specific vendors. Spread the love. You know how that goes.

2. What is something about yourself that no one else knows?
No one? Not even Kerri? Sheesh. I don’t think there is anything. Well, wait. Maybe there’s that time when I was a kid and I tried riding my bike by standing on the seat and not holding onto the handlebars. After I picked myself up from the wreck and hobbled home, I told Ma I’d gotten beat up by the neighborhood bullies. I don’t think she believed me. I had to earn my next bike, too.

3. Tell us about an unusual job or hobby that you’ve had?
When we were waiting for the band to take off, I worked crew for Riverview’s Community access cable TV channel. I was the poor sod who got to move the sets around, empty the garbage, sweep up, get the coffee, make the f***ing coffee — did I mention I hate coffee? Hell, I even built a few sets. I was a one-man show.

4. What is the strangest or most exciting thing that has ever happened to you?
Strangest: Trevor. If it’s been strange and it’s happened to me, Trevor’s been part of it. Behind it, usually. Most exciting? That’s a toss-up between Kerri and the band. That’s where the highest highs in my life have come from, and I’m not talking the pharmaceutical kind of highs. Just the good, old-fashioned kind. The “Life is f***ing amazing” kind.

5. What would you do if you won a million dollars?
Probably let Kerri use it to fund that scholarship at Riverview Art. She won’t take any of the money I’ve earned from the band to do it, but she might take winnings. Maybe. She insists she wants to use the cash she earns from her own art. Whatever makes her happy, I guess.

6. Please tell us briefly about your author and list web sites.
My author is a kick-ass woman, plain and simple. She’s bucked some hard trends and unpopular views to bring me and the gang to readers.
Her name’s Susan Helene Gottfried and you can find her at http://westofmars.com All those social networking things have the West of Mars handle — Facebook, Twitter. Even the Facebook fan page is the West of Mars Fans. Stop by below and enter the Smashwords giveaway. Susan hands out coupons to Smashwords the way dealers give out samples. Same reason, too: one taste of me and the band and you’re hooked. Isn’t that the reason you asked me to do this interview, Stacy? Halfway through the novel and you can’t get enough. Welcome to the Trevolution, babe.

Mitchell Voss called me by name! I’m blushing! For more information on the mock online season of Sink or Swim, inspired by the mystery novel of the same name, you can view the rules and application form here. In the meantime, check out Trevor’s Song on Amazon and leave Mitchell some comments below. Don’t forget to leave your email address if you’d like a chance at the free e-book!

CSN Stores Gives Away $50 Gift Card to Celebrate New Reality Show Mystery Novel

Published on February 5, 2011 in General News and Sink or Swim Reality Show. 313 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

The winner of the CSN Stores Giveaway was Kathy L. Congratulations!  Thank you to everyone who entered!

To celebrate the launch of my brand new reality show-themed mystery novel Sink or Swim, CSN Stores is generously offering a $50 gift certificate to one lucky winner to spend on anything from a laptop messenger bag to barstools, dishes, suitcases and diaper bags. With over 200 online stores to choose from, the winner will definitely find something to spend the one-time-use CSN $50 gift certificate on! Please note that the giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian readers only.

If you’d like to submit your name for the drawing, then please post a comment and include your email address. Also add up points from any extra entries.

Extra Entries
1. Follow this blog via Google Friend Connect +1
2. Follow on Networked Blogs +1
3. Like this page on Facebook (upper left corner) +1
4. Tweet about the giveaway (Include username in your comment) +1
5. Mention giveaway on your blog, Facebook or other site (post link below) +1
6. Follow on Twitter +1

Click on the book cover to find Sink or Swim discounted in trade paperback on Amazon, or $2.99 on Kindle. Visit the Store Tab above for more retailers.

I’m grateful to CSN Stores for helping me to throw an on-line launch party for my new mystery novel Sink or Swim. How do you change the channel when reality TV turns to murder? After starring on a hit game show set aboard a Tall Ship, personal trainer Cassidy Novak discovers that she has attracted a stalker. Soon, she will need to call SOS for real. “Survivor Steph,” Stephenie LaGrossa, owner of GIGI Restaurant & Lounge, Philadelphia PA, television personality and fan favorite Survivor: Palau, Guatemala, Heroes vs. Villains, recently shared her thoughts about the novel and what it’s like being a reality show celebrity. You can read Stephenie’s words here and catch up on her busy life since Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains.

In addition, from Feb. 8-13, nine of my author friends will help me celebrate the Sink or Swim release by giving away over 30 books (print books and e-books) to blog followers. You’ll also be able to visit more than 200 other book blogs giving away prizes as part of the I Am A Reader, Not a Writer Love Hop. If you enjoy reading, be sure to stop by my book giveaway. As a tie-in to Sink or Swim, I’ve also launched an on-line version of the show in which authors can enter their characters as contestants. You can meet our first few contestants and get the full scoop here.

Thank you to the following sites for promoting my giveaway: CashNet Sweepstakes, www.contestbeat.com, www.online-sweepstakes.com, Canada Sweepstakes.com, Blog Giveaway Directory, Prizeatron and www.contestguide.com. And thank you to CSN Stores for making this giveaway possible! The winner will be chosen via Random.org.

Survivor Star Steph LaGrossa Says “Sink or Swim” is Reality

Published on February 3, 2011 in General News and Sink or Swim Reality Show. 3 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

I’m throwing an online launch party celebration for my brand new reality-show themed mystery novel Sink or Swim from Feb. 6-14 and I’m excited to kick off the festivities with guest of honor Stephenie LaGrossa, television personality/fan favorite from Survivor: Palau, Guatemala, and Heroes vs. Villains. Since her appearances on the hit CBS reality show, Stephenie has been keeping herself busy with television appearances, personal appearances, modeling and a few business development projects, including the co-purchase of GIGI Restaurant & Lounge in Olde City, Philadelphia. She is also the celebrity spokesperson for RateYourSmile.com.

Her busy life now includes enjoying her 2010 marriage to Philadelphia Phillies pitcher, Kyle Kendrick. Last spring, Stephenie was kind enough to read an advance copy of Sink or Swim and give me an endorsement for the book, which appears on the back cover of the trade paperback and inside the e-book editions. The story follows Cassidy Novak, a personal trainer who stars on a hit reality show set aboard a Tall Ship. After returning to her normal life, Cassidy discovers that she has attracted a stalker. Soon, she will need to call SOS for real. Here’s what Stephenie had to say about the book:

“Being on a hit reality show not once, but three times, made Sink or Swim really hit home for me. I could identify with Cassidy on many levels. First, I understand the disappointment of coming so close to the first place prize only to realize you finished runner-up. That time came for me during Survivor: Guatemala, Season 11, 2006, unfortunately.

Click on the cover to find a selection of on-line retailers for Sink or Swim.

“Next, I understand going from being a normal person with a normal life to getting home from the filming and going to Target and being stopped in almost every other aisle. Which is extremely flattering, don’t get me wrong. I was a fan of the show, too, so I get it, but at the same time it can be difficult when you want to live just that, a normal life. Then after my first stint in the show Survivor: Palau, Season 10, 2005, I too had a stalker, which was extremely terrifying and intrusive. Lastly, this novel was so entertaining and suspenseful and had me so on the edge of my seat that I read it in one plane ride from Philly to Vegas. It was an easy read and extremely well written. I would love to see it come out as a movie one day.”

Be sure to visit Stephenie’s web site and check out her restaurant GIGI Restaurant & Lounge. Don’t miss the People Magazine article about her wedding to Kyle Kendrick.

Also, I hope you’ll come by my blog for the Sink or Swim book launch festivities. From Feb. 6-14, the generous CSN Stores will be giving away a $50 gift card to a commenter on my blog, which can be used on any of their 200+ websites. In addition, from Feb. 8-13, nine of my author friends will help me celebrate the Sink or Swim release by giving away over 30 books (print books and e-books) to blog followers. You’ll also be able to visit more than 200 other book blogs giving away prizes as part of the I Am A Reader, Not a Writer Love Hop. As a tie-in to Sink or Swim, I’ve also launched an on-line version of the show in which authors can enter their characters as contestants. You can meet our first few contestants and get the full scoop here.

Stay tuned for lots of “reality show” fun and prizes!

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