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Monday, November 2, 2009

Guest Post with Laurie Faria Stolarz, Author of The Touch and Blue is for Nightmares Series


I am thrilled to welcome author Laurie Faria Stolarz today! Laurie has written many YA books including Project 17, Bleed, Deadly Little Secret, and the Blue is for Nightmares series. She grew up in Salem, MA, attended Merrimack College, and received an MFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College in Boston.

Thanks so much for inviting me to talk here about the upcoming release of DEADLY LITTLE LIES, the second book in the TOUCH series.

DEADLY LITTLE LIES is the sequel to DEADLY LITTLE SECRET, (the first book in the TOUCH series). I’m really excited about it, because I think it has even more suspense, romance, and twists than the first book. It starts up a few months after Ben’s departure at the end of DEADLY LITTLE SECRET. Camelia’s spent those months researching everything she can find on psychometry (the ability to sense through touch). See the full description below.

About the Book:

Last fall, sixteen-year-old Camelia fell for Ben, a new boy at school who had a very mysterious gift – psychometry, the ability to sense the future through touch. But just as Camelia and Ben's romance began to heat up, he abruptly left town. Brokenhearted, Camelia has spent the last few months studying everything she can about psychometry and experiencing strange brushes with premonition. Camelia wonders if Ben's abilities have somehow been transferred to her.

Ben returns to school, but he remains aloof, and Camelia can't get close enough to share her secret with him. Camelia makes the painful decision to let him go and move on. Adam, the hot new guy at Knead, seems good for her in ways Ben wasn't. But when Camelia and Adam start dating, a surprising love triangle results. A chilling sequence of events uncovers secrets from Ben’s past – and Adam's. Someone is lying, and it's up to Camelia to figure out who – before it's too late.

I’m launching the release with a really exciting contest, the winner of which could have a minor character in DEADLY LITTLE GAME, the third book in the TOUCH series, named after him or her. Be sure to check out all the details on my website: www.lauriestolarz.com/news.html.

Also, be sure to check out some of Camelia’s favorite psychometry links below, as well some tips she has to develop your own psychometric powers, her guilty pleasures, and more.

Lastly, the paperback of DEADLY LITTLE SECRET will be out in November as well. For a limited time Barnes & Noble will be releasing an exclusive edition that will have excerpts from Ben’s secret blog.

Many thanks again for this opportunity to chat! Also, be sure to visit my website, where you’ll find more contests under NEWS.

All best,

Laurie Stolarz



Directions on how to bring your own psychometric senses to fruition

1. Make yourself comfortable in a place that feels “sacred” to you. For some it’s outside, surrounded by nature; for others it’s a favorite chair or surrounded by candles; for me, it’s wherever I’m doing pottery.

2. Close your eyes and concentrate on your breath, letting go of any stray or nervous thoughts.

3. Now, take an object in your hand. A good idea is to have someone give you something they’ve owned for a long time, i.e. a favorite bracelet or a set of keys.

4. Close your eyes again and concentrate on this object. Be aware of any thoughts or feelings that come about as a result of holding this object. Talk those ideas through, even if they seem silly or insignificant, but never make information up.

Remember, this takes practice and a bit of experimenting. The goal is to begin tuning in to your own inner awareness and your ability of perception. What works for me is saying a question aloud in my head, and then sculpting out the answer – using my power of touch in a creative and organic way.


Camelia’s Favorite Links About Psychometry:




Camelia’s Guilty Pleasures

Favorite snack: Honestly, I’m pretty open. My mom’s a super health-freak and doesn’t allow any “toxins” in the house, so anything salty, sugary, and bad for you usually works for me. Bring on the Fritos, Doritos, Twinkies, and Scooter Pies.

Touristy Trip: I’d love to go to Florence and Rome to study the art.

Fashion addiction: When I go shopping, I mostly just look at the mannequins and then copy (buy) the clothes I think look cute. I’m a big Gap girl – basic, comfortable, feminine when it needs to be, and can be dressed up or down.

Dessert: Fried ice cream – yum!

Fast food: Chips and chalupas from Taco Bell.

Beauty Binge: I don’t wear a lot of make-up, but I must admit I like collecting samples from Sephora and at the make-up/perfume counters at the mall, though my mom hates it, saying I should only use organics on my skin and in my body. I do like Bare Escentuals products – the Buxom Lip gloss is amazing.

Late-Night TV: The Ghost Whisperer, marathons of Made, Supernatural, and Lisa Williams’ Life Among the Dead.

Chick Flick: Before Sunrise.

Nightlife: Chatting online with friends.

Cheap Thrill: Cool and fun new sculpting tools.

Ultimate Splurge: A new pottery wheel – I still use an old kick-wheel.

RANDOM FACTS ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

1. I love what I do, and feel very grateful to be able to have this as a career.

2. I love dark chocolate, Starbucks coffee, Bertucci’s cheeseless pizza, popcorn, and Indian food (though not necessarily in one meal).

3. I watch an embarrassing amount of reality TV (it’s research after all).

4. I’m very deadline driven, giving myself weekly deadlines and agendas, so that everything gets done on time.

5. I have a background in marketing and French.

6. My first job was as a piano teacher (I was 9). I’ve also been a waitress, a supermarket cashier, worked in a ceramics studio, worked as a tour guide for international exchange students, been a teacher, a script reader, an editor, and written obituaries for a newspaper.

7. I’m a vegetarian. If I were to try my hand at a different career, it would be holistic nutritionist.

8. I love yoga, dance/aerobics classes, cooking, tennis, and power walks.

9. I often shop online, fill my basket, and then empty it all out. Does anyone else do this?

10. My readers mean the world to me.

Don't forget to stop by Fantastic Book Review for a little Monday Madness too!


43 comments:

Ellz said...

I read the first one and loved it. I bought it in a mystery bag of paranormals. Great interview. I love the tips.

Elie (Ellz Readz)

Unknown said...

Hi :)
Thank you for the guest post with Laurie & thanks to Laurie for sharing. I loved the information, links and excerpt.
All the best,
RKCharron
xoxo

Dani. said...

I loved Stolarz's Blue is for Nightmares series & am dying to read her new series:)

Dani. said...

great post by the way.
i enjoyed it throughly:)

Jess. said...

It's so weird a few of the people I work with were talking about psychometry but couldn't figure out what it was called. Weird coincidence, I think not! LOL

I've never had fried ice cream but have had heard good things about it, I'll have to give it a try.

Natalie said...

I've been wanting to read the first book, but I've been waiting for it to come out in paperback (poor college student here). I've been hearing a lot of great things about this series, and I'm really hoping that they live up to the hype. Great interview!

Natalie @ Mindful Musings

Jessica B said...

These books have been on my TBR list for far, far too long.

Oh and by the way, fried ice cream isn't that great. Taco bell however, is magnificent!

Anonymous said...

Verry cool! My friend loves the first book :)

pepsivanilla said...

I've been wanting to read Deadly Little Lies ever since it came out, don't know why I haven't yet!
That is so cool, I've always wanted a pottery wheel, or to use one...

Jax said...

I have been waiting on deadly little lies...

M.A.D. said...

Mary D

Great interview! I've just added these to my Wish List for Christmas lol :)

I, too am a vegan, love throwing pottery and dark chocolate. And have tried my hand at psychometry many times (with mixed results I might add).

Ann Diana Dinh, said...

This is cute! I really like the answers. I've never tried fried ice cream before...but I'd like to try one day! And I do most of my shopping online too!

behapppppppy(at)hotmail(dot)com

Melissa said...

I also fill up my basket online, then empty it out. LOL!

This is a new author for me, but I'm excited on getting stared on her series. The books sound very good.

in which a girl reads said...

Awesome interview :)

I'm really looking forward to the release of Deadly Little Lies!

throuthehaze said...

This book sounds great! I need to read the first in the series

Anonymous said...

Great post! Psychometry sounds really interesting! Love the guilty pleasures and random facts. Reality TV embarrassingly sucks me in too!

Amy1225 said...

Your book sounds great. I cant wait to read it!!

Alicia0385 said...

I loved the first book. I cant wait to read more!!

brizmus said...

Camelia sounds so cool! I think I'm unfortunately severely lacking in the psychometry department. :-( Maybe if I read the book it will help.

Stacey Brucale said...

These books look great; can't wait to read them!

Jessy said...

I love Laurie's books. I always think the characters are built up really well and have a great sense of humor.

Emily said...

I have loved ever book of Laurie's that I have read! Can't wait for more :)

Anonymous said...

These books sound really good!

As for the filling your shopping cart online and then emptying it - I do that ALL the time!!!!!

Emily Brown said...

Great post!

Unknown said...

I love her books. What fun facts!

Nikki (Wicked Awesome Books) said...

Fried ice cream = yum

I love the Touch series. I've never read the Blue is for Nightmares series, but I plan on getting around to it. I loved the little tips and Camelia's guilty pleasures.

donnas said...

Thanks for posting. This is the first I really read about the Touch series and now I dont know how I missed it before. It sounds great. Cant wait to get the chance to start it. Thanks!!

Anonymous said...

I do that all the time too. Fill my cart on the internet and then empty it...lol.

jlcstewart (at) earthlink (dot) net

Allison T said...

you're awesome i love your blog

Unknown said...

Thanks for an amazing guest post. I love her books and am dying to read this series.

Andrea [Buried In Books] said...

I've been wanting to read many of her books for a good while, but haven't reached them on my TBR yet. Thats a cool contest she mentioned too.

Brittany said...

These sound so good, there aren't many good books on this subject. I also love all the little facts about Laurie, like how she has a background in French .

Anonymous said...

Yes I admit I often load up my shopping cart and then empty it out! ha ha I thought I was the only one.
veltara@yahoo.com

Kim said...

It's so interesting to know about her. I love dark chocolate also as well as her books. Tehehe.

jpetroroy said...

These books sound great!

Missmagic188 said...

the first book sounds really sad, especially when my other someone just left me. I am totally in the dark now. Gotta check your books out. Maybe I'll find myself in your books...

J. Lee said...

Sounds interesting

StephTheBookworm said...

The books look so interesting. I am dying to read them!!!

Malbebe said...

I've been looking forward to getting copies of all the books to read them. They all look really good. I like the post you put up. It was very entertaining to me.

Park Avenue Princess said...

It's always interesting to know more about the author behind the books! And Dark Chocolate? Yummy! Thanks for the Fantastic Interview!

x0xx Park-Avenue Princess

Wrighty said...

Love this interview! Random facts are always so interesting to me. I empty my cart while I'm shopping online too and have had several of the same jobs over the years. Can't wait to read more of her books!

L said...

Laurie is one of my favorite authors and I love hearing more about her and her books! She's an awesome writer!

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