And the winner is . . .

The EVERMORE winners have been chosen!

Click HERE to see if it was YOU!

All Manner of Awesomeness including a signed copy of EVERMORE!!!

So, I just got back from an amazing b-day weekend in Las Vegas with my husband where we 

stayed here:

We had an amazing view of the dancing waters that go off every 15 minutes, beautifully choreographed to a variety of songs, everything from Frank Sinatra to the Star Spangled Banner!

We ate here:

Mix restaurant is on the 64th floor at The Hotel in Mandalay Bay, it has an amazing view of the city, and those glass balls hanging from the ceiling make you feel like you're eating in heaven! Of course the food is heavenly too . . .

Oh, and we saw this:

Turns out it's our least favorite of all the Cirque Shows-- we are major fans, we've seen 'em all-- but this one needs some serious work!

We even tracked down a beautiful new bookstore in The Palazzo Shops, Bauman Rare Books that had all manner of seriously drool worthy first editions of Le Petit Prince, Franny and Zooey --my all time favorite and very tempting, but since the slot machines stole all my money, I refrained from buying it!

Anyway, it was a really nice break from what's turning into a very hectic time (the good kind of hectic though!), and I came back so happy and relaxed I figured I'd pay it forward by giving away two signed copies of my upcoming EVERMORE-- and all you have to do for your chance to win is click HERE!

Oh, and I also just learned that CRUEL SUMMER is nominated for the Best Books of 2008 sponsored by TeensRead and the Children's Book Council!! To see the full list, and learn how to vote for your top 5, click HERE.

Oh, and BLUE MOON is now available for preorder on Amazon!!! Check it out HERE!

Have a fun weekend everyone!!

It's Live!!!

Yup, my new, improved, website is officially up and running and I'm so excited about it I could spend the entire morning just visiting the portal again and again. 

Oh, and listening to the playlist.

And reading the guide on how to see auras.

Not that I would actually spend an entire morning like that . . . 

Anyway, if you want to see for yourself just click HERE.

Then click on the EVERMORE cover and take a look around!

Have fun!

More EVERMORE news!

Yay! Khyrinithia, aka- The Frenetic Reader likes EVERMORE!!!

Here's what she said:

" . . .I found myself unwilling to put the book down, even though I had to at some points, because I wanted to know what was going to happen with everyone and see how all the little subplots would be woven together.

Also, Alyson Noel knows how to write her characters. Ever was so real and her emotions were so believable that it was a little creepy. It's like Alyson Noël is actually a grieving, lovestruck teenager. She got Ever completely perfect. And by perfect, I mean delightfully flawed and deep. Also, I'm kind of smitten with Damen even though he got on my nerves a lot. He's fascinating to read about because of his past. Love him.

Alright, since I know nobody went and preordered this before reading the review, you better go do it now. You're really going to want this one. I swear. It's a great start to the series, especially considering that the ending isn't a big cliffhanger but still leaves you wanting more. (Well, actually me since I've read it. You just sounds better. But once you read it you'll want the sequel. Trust me.)"
8.7ish/10

To see the full review, click HERE!

Also, congrats to the winners of the Last Two EVERMORE ARCs over at Free Book Friday Teens, make sure to check back tomorrow for more chances to win!

Today I'm finishing up revisions on BLUE MOON so I can get started on Untitled Book Number 3 (hopefully that title will change!)

Have a good weekend everyone!!

Seriously, this is your LAST CHANCE!!

This is it, your very last chance to win one of the very last two EVERMORE ARCs!!

So if you haven't signed up at Free Book Friday Teens yet-- be sure to do so soon!

The winner will be chosen on Friday!

Best of luck!

Oh, and then check back to Free Book Friday Teens on Saturday for more awesome giveaways!

More reasons to celebrate!

It's official!  I've just agreed to write three more books in my upcoming Immortals series for St. Martin's Press--making for a total of five!!

The first book, EVERMORE, is scheduled to drop on 02.03.09, the second book, BLUE MOON, will be in stores in fall of 09, and the following three will be published in 2010!!

And I'm so excited I would totally celebrate-- but I really should be writing instead!

Be sure to check back in December though--I've got an exciting new website makeover planned!!

All Hallows Eve . . .

So, I've come to the realization that I really love Halloween--in  a theoretical way. I love the idea of dressing up, and every year I come up with elaborate couples costume for my husband and I to wear (this year we'll don  hypothetical Marie Antoinette and Count Fersen costumes--it's an EVERMORE thing!). But the truth is, it never really gets past the idea stage--I haven't dressed up in over a decade.

As a kid, I always had the coolest costumes on the block. Though it had nothing to do with me, it was all because of my mom. I had one of those mom's that made everything from scratch--hand embroidery, smocking on my dresses--it was no problem for her. Though my favorite costume of all was the turquoise blue fringed flapper dress with the matching boa and feather headband she made--I didn't want to take it off--and would kill 

for that costume today! 

And when it came to candy, I was all about the Butterfinger. M&M's, candy corn, they all had their place, but give me a bite sized Butterfinger and I was in heaven!

But today, I'm not so big on candy. And when it comes to passing it out--well, it's a hit or miss thing. Some years I'm home with a bowl full of the good stuff (ie Butterfingers, Krackle, and M&Ms), and other years I purposely stay away until it's safe to come home.

Mine is not a house you can count on.

So tonight, whether I'm home between the magic hours of 6-9 remains to be seen, though by ten o'clock you can find me curled up on my couch, wearing my PJs, watching a season two DVD of DEXTER. And on Sunday, in the interest of "research," I'll be getting a past life regression with Dr. Brian Weiss-- I wonder what I will see???  Last time it wasn't at all what I expected . . .

Oh, and if you haven't done so already, make sure you head over to Jessica Brody's brand spankin' new Free Book Friday for Teens.  She's kicking it off by giving away the only remaining EVERMORE ARCs, and since the book doesn't drop until Feb 3, 2009--this is your last chance to get an early read!  Also, everyone who signs up will automatically get a sneak peek at chapter one!  So don't miss it, click HERE!

So tell me, how do you celebrate All Hallows Ever? Do you dress up? Pass out candy?? Or will you be watching Dexter like me?

Happy Halloween Everyone!

Free Book Friday Teen Edition Is Now Open!!!

Hey Everyone-

Just wanted you to know that the teen edition of Jessica Brody's Free Book Friday Teens is now open for business--and she's giving away the VERY LAST Advanced Reading Copies of the first book in my new paranormal YA series, EVERMORE, (generously donated by my awesome publisher!) And since the book isn't scheduled to drop until February 3, 2009, this is your very last chance to get an early read!

Also, everyone who signs up to win will receive a sneak peek at chapter one!

So don't delay-- head over to Free Book Friday Teens now!

Just. Click. HERE!

Freebies!!

Those of you who read this blog know how I love a good freebie. And in an economy like this, who doesn't? That's why I'm so excited about the fabulous Jessica Brody's Free Book Friday website, where she gives away a free book every Friday (pretty self-explanatory, I know!). But when she told me she's branching out into a Free Book Friday for Teens, well, I was thrilled.

And while the Teen site won't go live until next week, (when we're giving away The Absolutely Last Two Advanced Reading Copies of EVERMORE generously donated by my awesome publisher, St. Martin's Press since my supply is depleted!), this week she's featuring New York Times Bestselling Author, PC Cast, who pens the totally addictive HOUSE OF NIGHT series with her daughter Kristen! Oh, and there's an awesome podcast interview to go with it!

So don't miss it-- Click HERE for you chance to listen and win!




Also, in celebration of her new release, THE MEMORIST, MJ Rose is offering a free download of her first book in the series, THE REINCARNATIONIST. To get your copy, click HERE.

That's it for now!
Have a good night!
:-D

EVERMORE's First Review!!

EVERMORE just got it's first review, and it's a 5 STAR GOLD AWARD from TeensReadToo, stating:

" . . .Every once in awhile, a book comes along that I end up getting sucked into and become addicted. EVERMORE was one of those books. When I wasn’t reading, I was thinking about how I could sneak away to read some more. I couldn’t put it down. I dreamt about this book. When I finished, I couldn’t get it out of my head. This book was simply breathtaking.

Ever is a wonderfully realistic character that grows throughout the novel. The guilt she feels over her family’s accident and her grieving process are heart-wrenchingly real, as is her growing acceptance of her new psychic gifts. I also loved the scenes with Riley, Ever’s little sister. Who knew a ghost could be so funny and charming? I know she’s just waiting to have her own series written about her. And Damen…well, what can I say - I’m in love. If you’re looking for a new lit-boy crush, Damen is it.

Alyson Noel knows how to write for and about teens, and this is one of her best books yet. I can’t wait to find out more about the mysterious Damen and step into Ever’s world again.

Combining mystery and romance, EVERMORE is the beginning of the next must-read paranormal series. Be sure to get your hands on this one - you’ll be swept away." Sarah Bean, TeensReadToo

To read the entire review, click HERE!!

Also, thanks to everyone who showed up to my book signing last night! I had a great time meeting new people like the sisters from Canada and Gabby the future author, and talking with old friends like Jolynn & Patrick and the talented Debby Garfinkle! And while I forgot to take pictures (despite my camera being right there in my purse), I was thrilled to see so many people out buying books on a Thursday night!

After, we went back to my house for a little post-book-signing-celebration, where my husband put out an amazing spread of Greek delicacies in honor of CRUEL SUMMER (I am sooo lucky to have married a man who cooks!), and Jessica Brody and her partner in crime, Charlie, uncorked a bottle of German champagne to celebrate the EVERMORE and BLUE MOON German translation deal, and then there was more eating, and more champagne, and maybe some red wine . . .and, well, you can imagine how I'm feeling today. (If you are under 21 and reading this-- it is a cautionary tale! If you are over 21, then you probably already know what I mean!)

But with a good supply of aspirin and a steaming hot mug of green tea beside me, I'm off to tackle my BLUE MOON revision!

Have a good weekend everyone!
A

Last chance to win!

Hey Everyone-

Just wanted you to know that I'm giving away my last advanced reading copy of the first book in my upcoming series, EVERMORE, over at Brooke Taylor's blog. The book won't be in stores until February, so if you want to get an early read head over there now! All you have to do is click HERE!

Good luck!

A

Heavy Metal

What does sushi have to do with public humiliation? And why did I title this blog post HEAVY METAL?

For answers to those burning questions and more, come on over to the Teen Fiction Cafe by clicking HERE. We're talking about embarrassing moments this week and would love for YOU to join us!

Also, yesterday was an amazing day as I learned that the foreign rights to my upcoming books EVERMORE and BLUE MOON sold to Goldmann (a division of Random House!) in Germany --at auction!!!!!

Also, EVERMORE sold Spanish and Catalan rights to Mondadori!!

And I'm planning an exciting new website makeover to introduce the new series, the unveiling will take place sometime in Dec/Jan!

Speaking of EVERMORE . . .for your chance to win an Advanced Reading Copy stop by Kelly Parra's Secret Fates Blog Extravaganza look for my post and leave a message. Kelly's giving away a lot of great prizes so be sure to check them all out! All you have to do is click HERE.

Oh, and, it's not to late to vote for YALSA's Teen's Top Ten Award (SAVING ZOE is nominated!) just click HERE!

And don't miss the interview with Stacy DeKeyser on the previous post- her new book is amazing!!

That's it for now-- I'm off to Beckman High School in Irvine to talk to some students!

Be well!

Alyson
:-D

Keeps Gettin' Better!!

It's Saturday, which means it's time for another round of Jessica Brody's FREE BOOK FRIDAY!
This week she's featuring the awesome Lisa Lutz who's giving away a signed copy of her New York Times bestselling novel, THE SPELLMAN FILES, so be sure to go HERE for your chance to listen to the podcast interview and win a copy of this amazing book!



Also, talented debut author of UNDONE, Brooke Taylor, (who I was lucky enough to meet at the RWA national convention in San Franciso last summer and she totally rocks!) is holding a Monster Giveaway (seriously monster sized!) on her blog this month, with prizes so great you won't want to miss it! I'll be giving away a signed ARC of the first book in my upcoming paranormal series, EVERMORE, at the end of the month, but trust me, you're going to want to head over there now for your chance to win the awesome, New York Times bestselling, HOUSE OF NIGHT series! Just. Click. HERE!

And, don't forget about the Secret Fates Blog contest that's also running all month in celebration of Kelly Parra's (who I also met at the RWA convention and she's sooo nice!) new release INVISIBLE TOUCH. Today, Erica Orloff (who writes one of the best blogs on writing- ever!) is not only spilling secrets but also giving away a copy of her YA hit, THE POKER DIARIES! I'll be giving away a signed copy of EVERMORE this month too, and since I'm running pretty short on copies, this maybe your only chance (other than Brooke's giveaway) to get a first look, so don't miss it! Go HERE now!


And did anyone watch THE EX LIST last night? I did, right after GHOST WHISPERER, it's kind of a MY NAME IS EARL (mostly because of the list) meets SEX AND THE CITY (mostly because of the dating--only it takes place in L.A.) hybrid. If you didn't see it, it's about a girl who goes to a psychic and learns that she has one year to get married (or it will never happen) and that her soul mate is someone she's already dated. So I'm guessing each show will be about her going through her (long) list of exes, trying to figure out who it could be. And while it got me thinking about my own list of exes (not that long-- I swear!), it also reminded me of the time I went to a psychic with a friend who predicted my future husband to a T. Seriously. All the way down to his education, birth place, astrological sign, etc. The reading took place eight years before he would come into my life (which she also predicted!) and it seemed so crazy at the time I put it right out of my mind- until the night we met, (yup, 8 full years later), and it went just as she said . . .

So, in celebration of all things paranormal, Halloween, and THE EX-LIST, tell me:
Have you ever been to a psychic--and did any of the predictions come true?

Speaking of Books . . .

Lots of exciting things happening in the world of books this week, including:

It's Cybils time again! That's right, nominations for the Children's & Young Adult Blogger's Literary Awards are open for nominations! To nominate your favorite book, just visit HERE and leave the title in the comments section--it's so easy!


Also, the Leave a Mark auction has begun! This is the one where various authors (including moi), mark up one of their books (thereby turning it into a sort of director's cut edition!), and auction it off to benefit First Book, a wonderful charity providing books for the needy! This amazing idea was the brainchild of Lauren over at Shooting Stars Magazine and Chelsea at The Page Flipper. They'll be auctioning off a different title every few days (including my marked up version of SAVING ZOE- though I'm not sure which day it will run so check back!), and all you have to do to participate is click HERE!

And, as it that wasn't enough, today also marks the start of Kelly Parra's Secret Fates Blog Extravaganza! In celebration of her latest release, INVISIBLE TOUCH, from now til the end of the month, she'll be featuring various authors spilling secrets and giving away prizes and you won't want to miss it! I'll be giving away a rare (um, rare because I'm running out of copies!) ARC of the fist title in my upcoming paranormal series, EVERMORE!! But since I'm not sure which day I'm up--you should probably visit everyday since there's loads of good stuff you're going to want! And all you have to do to win, win, win--is just click HERE!

That's it for now-- Happy October Everyone!

Entourage is back!

Last night was a great night.

Not just because I got to stay home and get reacquainted with my couch after a weekend of running around including my BFF's community gala on Saturday night-- but also because it just so happened to mark one of my favorite things:

The season premiere of ENTOURAGE!!!!!!!!!

It also introduced me to one of my new fave things:

The premiere of True Blood.

For me, ENTOURAGE is a no brainer. Hollywood + Hi jinks + Hottie cast= 30 minutes of Hi-larious fun!

As for True Blood, other than a passing reference over a year ago by my hair stylist, I was completely unfamiliar with Charlaine Harris' vampire series. But when I learned that Alan Ball, genius writer of my all time fave movie, AMERICAN BEAUTY, and producer of one of my all time fave shows, SIX FEET UNDER, was once again, at the helm- I knew I had to watch--and I'm so glad I did. It's dark, campy, and fun, and I can't wait to see where they go with it!

Though I have to admit, the second Sookie started hearing everyone's thoughts but the vampire's, I looked at my husband, and he looked at me, and at the exact same time we said:

Oh my gawd! (okay, the OMG part was just me, but what follows was in unison, I swear)
That's just like Ever and Damen in EVERMORE!

Because just like Sookie, Ever (the EVERMORE protagonist), hears thoughts. But she also sees auras, gets life stories by touch, and talks to the dead. And speaking of EVERMORE, I just received a few ARCs the other day, and this is what the back cover copy says:

Since the horrible accident that claimed the lives of her family, sixteen-year old Ever can see auras, hear people's thoughts, and know a person's entire life story just by touch. Going out of her way to suppress her abilities has branded her a freak at her new high school--but everything changes when she meets Damen . . .

Damen Auguste is gorgeous, exotic, and wealthy. He's the only one who can silence the noise and the random energy in her head. The problem: She doesn't know who he really is--or what he is.

The awesome Kelly Parra is running a contest in October, to celebrate the release of her own paranormal tale, INVISIBLE TOUCH. So be sure to stop by her secret fates blog for your chance to win an advanced reading copy of EVERMORE among many other cool prizes!

So what about you? Which TV shows are you looking forward to?

Desert Daze

If you're anywhere near the Coachella Valley and  interested in picking up a signed copy of one of my books, then stop by the Border's in The River a beautiful outdoor shopping center in Rancho Mirage. 

I dropped by yesterday to browse the stacks and sign stock, and just happened to notice that CRUEL SUMMER, which came out in June, has gone into another printing!!  And SAVING ZOE, which was released a year ago next month, is in it's fifth! And since YOU are directly responsible for that I just wanted to say:

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also, the EVERMORE galleys arrived the other day, and they're gorgeous!!  And while I don't have many to spare, I will be giving one away on Kelly Parra's Secret Fates blog contest, which was recently moved to October. So keep an eye out for that!

Have a wonderful holiday weekend everyone!

Reader's Choice

Climbing out of a paranormal haze (working on the outline for the next EVERMORE book) to say that the lovely Brooke Taylor called me today to tell me that SAVING ZOE is a finalist in the National Reader's Choice Awards---Yippee!!!

I'm totally psyched--but a little sad that I missed Brooke's call because she's really cool!

Okay, back to work--
As you were. . .

Weekend Update

So, I had a great time yesterday, participating in the Taft High School PASSPORT TO READING event


Where I caught up with friends, hung out with the funny, sweet, and talented, Debby Garfinkle, and spoke with some really great students about the publishing process. Everything that happens between the initial idea that sparks the story, to the final product--the book on the shelf-- with lots of visual aids to illustrate the journey.



After that I met up with the amazing, Jessica Brody, whose poised to make her author debut, and who also happens to be so cute, so talented, so sweet, so funny, so smart, so nice, so gifted, so genuine, you can't help but like her. I was lucky enough to get an early peek at her debut novel, THE FIDELITY FILES (coming June 10), and I'm telling you, it's so good-- I could barely put it down. It's about this girl who works as an infidelity inspector, and then, well, why not click HERE to watch the best book trailer you've ever seen (seriously), and read more about it!

Later that evening, my husband and I met up with some friends for a special premier screening of the TV show, GHOST WHISPERER, which was so fun to watch on a movie theater sized screen. Then after the credits rolled, the show's executive producers, writers, directors, costume designers, set designers, actors- including Camryn Manheim, David Conrad, and that hunky young new guy who plays Camryn's son (sorry, his name escapes me, but just know he's even hunkier in person), and, of course, the amazing James Van Praagh, took the stage where they engaged in a really fun and super informative Q&A.

And best of all--well, aside from hanging with friends and having fun, it totally qualified as research! I swear, ever since I started writing my EVERMORE books, the research gets better and better!

But since today is turning out to be far more humble, and hardly worth writing about, filled with all manner of laundry and other household "to-dos," I'll just go about my business, and try not to bore you with the details!

Happy Sunday everyone!
A

PS- Oh, and I wanted to add that for those of you looking for autographed copies, yesterday I stopped by the Barnes & Noble in the Westside Pavillion, chatted with the super friendly and knowledgeable staff (seriously, like the nicest, most helpful employees evah), and signed multiple copies of LAGUNA COVE, KISS & BLOG, and SAVING ZOE!