Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Giveaway: Madame Tussaud Book & Earrings/International


Madame Tussaud by Michelle Moran 

Publisher's Description:

The world knows Madame Tussaud as a wax artist extraordinaire . . . but who was this woman who became one of the most famous sculptresses of all time? In these pages, her tumultuous and amazing story comes to life as only Michelle Moran can tell it. The year is 1788, and a revolution is about to begin.

Smart and ambitious, Marie Tussaud has learned the secrets of wax sculpting by working alongside her uncle in their celebrated wax museum, the Salon de Cire. From her popular model of the American ambassador, Thomas Jefferson, to her tableau of the royal family at dinner, Marie’s museum provides Parisians with the very latest news on fashion, gossip, and even politics. Her customers hail from every walk of life, yet her greatest dream is to attract the attention of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI; their stamp of approval on her work could catapult her and her museum to the fame and riches she desires. After months of anticipation, Marie learns that the royal family is willing to come and see their likenesses. When they finally arrive, the king’s sister is so impressed that she requests Marie’s presence at Versailles as a royal tutor in wax sculpting. It is a request Marie knows she cannot refuse—even if it means time away from her beloved Salon and her increasingly dear friend, Henri Charles.

As Marie gets to know her pupil, Princesse Élisabeth, she also becomes acquainted with the king and queen, who introduce her to the glamorous life at court. From lavish parties with more delicacies than she’s ever seen to rooms filled with candles lit only once before being discarded, Marie steps into a world entirely different from her home on the Boulevard du Temple, where people are selling their teeth in order to put food on the table.

Meanwhile, many resent the vast separation between rich and poor. In salons and cafés across Paris, people like Camille Desmoulins, Jean-Paul Marat, and Maximilien Robespierre are lashing out against the monarchy. Soon, there’s whispered talk of revolution. . . . Will Marie be able to hold on to both the love of her life and her friendship with the royal family as France approaches civil war? And more important, will she be able to fulfill the demands of powerful revolutionaries who ask that she make the death masks of beheaded aristocrats, some of whom she knows?

Spanning five years, from the budding revolution to the Reign of Terror, Madame Tussaud brings us into the world of an incredible heroine whose talent for wax modeling saved her life and preserved the faces of a vanished kingdom.

Author Information

Michelle Moran was born in the San Fernando Valley, CA. She took an interest in writing from an early age, purchasing Writer's Market  and submitting her stories and novellas to publishers from the time she was twelve. When she was accepted into Pomona College she took as many classes as possible in British Literature, particularly Milton, Chaucer, and the Bard. Not surprisingly, she majored in English while she was there. Following a summer in Israel where she worked as a volunteer archaeologist, she earned an MA from the Claremont Graduate University.

Michelle has traveled around the world, from Zimbabwe to India, and her experiences at archaeological sites were what inspired her to write historical fiction. She is the international bestselling author of Nefertiti, The Heretic Queen, and Cleopatra's Daughter. Her fourth novel, Madame Tussaud, will be released on February 15, 2011.

Giveaway Information:

In celebration of the  release of Madame Tussaud, Michelle Moran has provided one copy of her book and a pair of Marie Antoinette cupcake earrings for me to giveaway to one of my readers!

To enter leave a comment including your email address. 

 The deadline for entry is Sunday, February 13.  I will draw the winner using random.org on Monday, February 14. Michelle Moran will get the book and Earrings sent to you soon after.

You got it right. It is international!

25 comments:

Ruth @ Bookish Ruth said...

I can't wait to read this and those earrings are absolutely darling. Please enter me in the giveaway!

bookishruth @ gmail dot com

Julie P. said...

How exciting. Michelle Moran is one of my favorite authors -- and the earrings are cute too!

bookingmama(at)gmail(dot)com

Mel u said...

Hi-please enter me in this great contest

rereadinglives (at)gmail.com

Lynossa (Deranged Book Lovers) said...

Is this international contest? If yes, please count me in.

Lynossa(at)yahoo(dot)com

fredamans said...

I've seen this book around and it looks fantastic. Please enter me. Thank you.

freda.mans[at]gmail.com

GT said...

This books sounds really intriguing and a nice distraction from the blizzard like conditions we're experiencing in the Chicago area. Love the earrings too!

tewarigita@gmail.com

Misha said...

I have been dying to read the book! Michelle Moran is FANTASTIC!

Thanks for the giveaway!
Misha
mishamary@gmail.com

Kristin said...

I can't wait to read this book - I've become intrigued with Madame Tussaud ever since reading A Royal Likeness by Christine Trent which is about an apprentice working for Madame Tussaud. Please enter me in this giveaway!

k2reader(at)gmail(dot)come

Jo-Jo said...

I really really really want to read this one! Please enter me.
joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com

Jessica ( frellathon ) said...

This looks like a fabulous read. I'd love to get in on the action.
frellathon(at)gmail(dot)com

Jennie said...

I have wanted this book since I saw it show up on Goodreads! I would love to win! Jennie748 at sbcglobal dot net

Keisha said...

Her books have been on my TBR list for ages, I would love to win and finally get a chance to read one!

librarian.of.doom(at)gmail.com

Shelley said...

Awesome! I would love a chance to win.

saz AT chainreader DOT com

Gigi Ann said...

This sounds like an interesting read. Please enter me in the giveaway.

iowagramma.ann@gmail.com

Margaret said...

Looks great - please enter me in the giveaway.

booksplease (at) btinternet(dot)com

Unknown said...

Oooooh, I love those earrings and I would really like to read this book. Thank you for the giveaway!
Nadinenys at gmail dot com

joemmama said...

I am looking forward to this read...thanks for the chance to win!
joemmamas(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Michelle said...

SOO cute! I love Michelle Moran!

jmchshannon at gmail dot com

brenda w said...

It sounds like an intriguing read. I'd love to win the earrings, and will put the book on my summer reading list whether I win or not! Thank you.
~Brenda
birdbren@live.com

Melody said...

I want to read this book after seeing a few reviews on it. Please enter me!

melreadingcorner (AT) gmail (DOT) com

Unknown said...

Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity!!!

moonlightgleam(at)gmail(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I really love historical fiction and I know that this author has done so much research. I would really love to win, read and learn from this book. Madame Tussaud must have been such an outstanding woman, intellgent and talented to rise to high society and high esteem and she is a house hold name today. Please enter me in this contest!!!!!

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

karen! said...

This book sounds fascinating. Thanks so much for offering this give-away.

morsecode dot k at gmail

jtanny said...

Divine...

jtanny(at)hotmail(dot)com