Tag Archive for 'reality TV'

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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.

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!

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!

Sink or Swim 6: Meet Skye Summers from The Cutting Edge

Published on February 2, 2011 in Sink or Swim Reality Show. 12 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , .

Today’s contestant on the fictional reality show Sink or Swim is Skye Summers from my good friend Darcia Helle’s book The Cutting Edge. 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 Skye’s responses to the Sink or Swim 6. Be sure to leave Skye and Darcia some questions or comments to help them make it into the finals!

1. Tell us about yourself and the book or series you’re from.
I assume you’ll need my full name. I’m Lilly Skye Destiny Summers. My parents had acid hangovers when they named me. They thought LSD Summers was a perfect moniker for a child conceived in a commune during an especially hot July. But you didn’t ask all that. Please don’t call me Lilly. I go by Skye Summers. I’m 37 and I live in Whitman, Massachusetts. The book you’ll find me in is The Cutting Edge by Darcia Helle. It’s available in a bunch of places, in various formats.

2. What is something about yourself that no one else knows?
No one else, not even my husband? Wow, I’m not sure there’s anything left that hasn’t been spilled in the pages of The Cutting Edge. And Scott knows everything about me. Wait, okay, maybe not everything. When I was 17, I thought I was in love. My boyfriend wanted to get tattoos of each other’s names on our upper arms. He went first. When my turn came, I chickened out. We broke up three days later.

3. Tell us about an unusual job or hobby that you’ve had?
Most people think it’s weird that I’ve taken part in hundreds of protests. I’m a fairly good artist and, at the age of seven, I started painting elaborate protest signs. We – being my parents and our commune family – protested animal cruelty at various labs and factory farms. We protested a few political issues, as well, but it was mostly about the horrible things humans do to animals.

4. What is the strangest or most exciting thing that has ever happened to you?
That’s all documented in the book. A serial killer apparently fell in love with me. I won’t tell you what happened because Darcia gets irritated when I spoil things for her readers.

5. What would you do if you won a million dollars?
I would buy a house out in the country, on at least five acres of land, and open a dog rescue. I’d take on the most challenging cases, dogs that have been abused or severely neglected and need to be rehabilitated.

6. Please tell us your author’s name and web sites.
Her name is Darcia Helle and you can find her hanging out in these places:
Website: http://www.DarciaHelle.com
Blog: http://www.QuietFuryBooks.com/blog
Message Board: http://www.BestsellerBound.com
Twitter: http://www.Twitter.com/darciahelle

Be sure to leave some comments below and to check out The Cutting Edge on Amazon. And did you know that Skye and my character Cassidy from Sink or Swim are old friends? In fact, Skye is Cassidy’s hairdresser. After you finish up here, stop by Darcia’s blog to read a fictional scene between Cassidy and Skye that offers a fun glimpse at both books.

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.

Author Promo Opp! Literary Characters Wanted for Mock Sink or Swim Reality Show!

Published on January 12, 2011 in Guest Blog Guidelines and Sink or Swim Reality Show. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , , , , , , .
This guest blog feature is going on hiatus due to time constraints. If you’ve already written an interview for the previously advertised open submission period, please query. If we have already touched base about being a guest before this hiatus went into effect, then that agreement will still be honored.

Wanted! Contestants for a new reality show! There are two catches, though. I’m looking for contestants who don’t exist, because quite frankly, the reality show doesn’t exist either. I just needed to clarify that point so my made-up contestants don’t clamor at me and demand a million dollar prize.

Have I lost you yet? Let me explain. I have a brand new mystery suspense novel called Sink or Swim. In the book, Sink or Swim is a reality TV show where contestants slave aboard a Tall Ship as crew members – the unlucky sucker who gets voted off each week must walk the plank. Because of the show’s initials, it has the nickname SOS. The SOS also has double meaning in the book as my character Cassidy gets into some hot water. After appearing on the show, she returns to her normal life and captures the attention of a killer who wants her to walk the plank for real. You can read more about the book here.

Hence, I am holding a mock Sink or Swim season on my blog in 2011. Here are the rules:

First, I ask that you follow this blog via Google Friend Connect or Networked Blogs if you plan on submitting a post. Also, please note that:  I will not be scheduling anyone until I have their materials in hand. If we touch base about penciling in a tentative date for a blog tour stop, your post must be submitted at least 30 days before that date.

WHO CAN ENTER: I am seeking literary characters from published books to fill out a guest blog interview/contestant application. I’ve published a couple of samples so that authors can see the format. Read the interviews with Cassidy Novak from Sink or Swim and Kris Langley from Twenty-Five Years Ago Today. Your interview will be published in the same format.

APPLICATION: Authors, please fill out the below contestant application and e-mail it to stacy (at) stacyjuba.com. Interviews will be published in the order they are received and I will let you know your scheduled date so that you can promote it. As you’ll see below, promoting your guest spot is an important part of the process.

1. Please state the character’s name, age and place of residency.

2. Now it’s time for YOUR CHARACTER to answer the Sink or Swim 6. Please answer each question in about 75 words or less – approximately one paragraph per response. Important – Please include the question along with your answer, or else it takes twice as long for the post to be edited. Only posts that follow these instructions exactly can be accepted.
* Tell us about the book or series you’re from. You can include one buy the book link from a site such as Amazon.
* What is something about yourself that no one else knows?
* Tell us about an unusual job or hobby that you’ve had?
* What is the strangest or most exciting thing that has ever happened to you?
* What would you do if you won a million dollars?
* Please tell us briefly about your author and list web sites.
* OPTIONAL - would you like to give away an e-book to one or more commenters, to encourage more visitors to stop by? Giveaways are posted on sites that list book-related contests. My blog is also connected to Giveaway Scout.com, which automatically scans thousands of blogs to bring their readers the latest blog giveaways, coupons, sweepstakes and contests.
* OPTIONAL – If you have a blog, would you like to exchange reciprocal blog roll links? This blog is: http://stacyjuba.com/blog/blog/ If you would like to exchange links, please note that in your submission and include your blog link.

* Just in case you wind up as one of the winners, please include extra material with your submission so that I will have it readily available if needed – this might be an embedded book trailer, a book excerpt, a synopsis or a Reader’s Guide, for example. See below for more information.

3. Please paste all of the information into a Word file or text file. (no Doc.X files please) Attach a jpeg of one book cover.

4. At least three winners will be chosen at the end of the season. The winners will be the characters who brought in the highest number of unique commenters. To increase your chances of winning, authors please promote your guest blog appearance on the scheduled date and encourage comments. The three winners will be honored during a special All Stars appearance at the end of the season and will receive the extra publicity of their choice, such as having their book trailer, excerpt, or synopsis displayed on the blog.

Winners will be notified at the end of the year. The season will run from January-December 2011. If you aren’t named a winner, don’t despair. All contestants will be recalled during a special Fan Favorites segment at the end of the season.

Please be assured that this is a friendly competition and only positive comments will be allowed. Please note that this is a family-friendly blog and I need to keep the post content and book covers PG-13.

That’s it! I hope to see your characters soon on Sink or Swim…where Reality TV turns to murder!

Sink or Swim 6 – Meet Kris Langley From Twenty-Five Years Ago Today

Published on January 9, 2011 in 25 Years Ago Today and Sink or Swim Reality Show. Closed Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , .

I reported earlier that as a tie-in to my brand new mystery novel Sink or Swim, I’m launching a guest blog feature that involves literary characters competing in a mock on-line season of my fictional reality show. Authors will be able to enter their characters into the contest and the three posts with the highest number of unique visitors at the end of the year will be declared the winners. I recently did a sample interview written from the perspective of my Sink or Swim character Cassidy Novak. I thought it would be fun to also interview my Twenty-Five Years Ago Today character Kris Langley. All contestants in the mock season of Sink or Swim will receive the same questions.

Character’s name, age and place of residency:
Kris Langley, 27, Fremont, Massachusetts

1. Tell us about the book or series you’re from.
I’m from Twenty-Five Years Ago Today by Stacy Juba. Here’s the blurb: For twenty-five years, Diana Ferguson’s killer has gotten away with murder. When rookie obit writer and newsroom editorial assistant Kris Langley investigates the cold case of the artistic young cocktail waitress who was obsessed with Greek and Roman mythology, she must fight to stay off the obituary page herself. Lucky for me, it has a little romance mixed into all that fighting for my life stuff.

2. What is something about yourself that no one else knows?
I murdered my cousin Nicole…or rather, I felt like I did. I played a horrible prank on her when we were kids, which led to her being in the wrong place at the wrong time. She was abducted and…killed. I grew up. She didn’t.

3. Tell us about an unusual job or hobby that you’ve had?
I’m an obit writer and newsroom editorial assistant, working the graveyard shift. I’ve had to calm down irate callers who were annoyed that we messed up the crossword puzzle. I need to decide whose orders to follow when my editors fight. I know every funeral director within a 50 mile radius. And I’ve had to listen to Bridezillas who got bent out of shape because of the order that I listed the bridesmaids’ names in their wedding announcement. It’s never boring.

4. What is the strangest or most exciting thing that has ever happened to you?
Stumbling across Diana Ferguson’s murder on the microfilm and knowing that I might be the one to solve it after 25 years. I’m interviewing her family and old friends, trying to nail her killer. Her nephew, Eric Soares, is helping me investigate the case, making it hard to concentrate with all that chemistry between us. I also got my first newspaper byline recently, which was really exciting.

5. What would you do if you won a million dollars?
I’ve give some of the money to families of cold case homicides so that they could use it as a reward for people who come forward with information. I’d also look into giving some money to police departments to help with the running of their cold case units.

6. Please tell us your author’s name and web sites.
My author is Stacy Juba, who also wrote the mystery novel Sink or Swim and the patriotic children’s picture book The Flag Keeper. She has a young adult paranormal crossover book, Dark Before Dawn, coming out in January 2012 and will be re-releasing her young adult novel Face-Off in the near future. Visit the Books tab for more information about her novels, and the Store tab for buy links.

Sink or Swim Book Release – Where Reality TV Turns to Murder!

Published on January 5, 2011 in General News and Sink or Swim Reality Show. Closed Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , .

I’m excited to announce that it is the official launch week for the trade paperback edition of Sink or Swim! Mainly Murder Press is now featuring the book on its web site at a 20 percent discount off the cover price. You can also find it on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.com. For a full selection of retailers, please visit my store. If you buy or read the book, then be sure to stay tuned to my blog on February 8-10 as you can receive extra entries in a contest that I’ll be holding. Several of my author friends will be generously giving away print books and e-books to help celebrate the launch and anyone who emails me their receipt at that time or shares their favorite part of the book will receive bonus entries.

I’d describe Sink or Swim as a cross between a romantic suspense novel and a cozy mystery. In fact, a few years ago, it finaled in the St. Martin’s Press Malice Domestic Contest for the Best First Traditional Mystery. As a matter of fact, my first book Twenty-Five Years Ago Today finaled in that contest also, but I’m glad that I ultimately wound up with Mainly Murder Press as my publisher for both novels.

Although Sink or Swim has a reality TV show hook, I want to stress that you don’t need to be a reality show fan to enjoy the book. In fact, the reality show scenes are over by Chapter 2, but they provide a great catalyst to set the story into motion. Personal trainer Cassidy Novak has gained fame for starring on the hit reality show Sink or Swim. Not only does she lose and have to walk the plank, but upon returning home, Cassidy discovers she is being stalked. As her former competitors get killed off, Cassidy refuses to play by the stalker’s bizarre rules. She’s also being shadowed by photographer Zach Gallagher, who has been assigned to capture her personal moments for the local newspaper. She wants to trust Zach, but fears he may not be as nice as he seems. When the stalker forces a showdown, Cassidy must walk the plank again – this time for her life.

Please visit my Sink or Swim page for a book trailer, excerpt and reviews – and please use the share links in the right sidebar to help me to spread the word about the release!

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