The Skin Map: Can You Find It?

My CSFF review copy of The Skin Map (A Bright Empires Novel) arrived only 4 days ago. While there are plenty of crazed maniacs who read in 4 hours what it took me 4 months (+) to create, I am not one of them. And although they claim it’s a compliment when they consume a book at that rate, I still find it quite depressing. It’s like inhaling a fine steak, or a platter full of fresh sushi. No time to savor. No time to enjoy. Nothing good can come of it. (But thanks).

So I’m literally holding The Skin Map in my hand, knowing it’s taunting me. Gorgeous cover, great reviews, and gripping title. Yet I have not cracked it. So while I won’t review it’s contents, I can at least attest to it’s author…and the amazing pre-release promotion it underwent.

I must have posted a few bazillion (real number) times already that Lawhead is the man that inspired me to write. Aside from a few Skype calls, emails, and the fact that he claims to likes my music, I have never met the man. As many do, I hope to shake his hand one day and tell him what an inspiration he has been.

Given that fact that everything he writes is something I must read–and that he’s never disappointed me–I can only presume that The Skin Map is, likewise, brilliant. Go buy it.

As for his marketing, the C. Grant & Company has been incredible. They dreamed up a multi-state hunt reminiscent of Derek Webb‘s Stockholm Syndrome release that combined obscure clues with geocaching. While I was out of state for my own signings the weekend that the NY clue was revealed (and so close to my neck of the woods, too!), I followed the amazing promotional campaign that brought a few thousand fans onto his FaceBook page and got them all excited over the new book.

And the winners?

Congratulations to Stephanie Daugherty for winning the grand prize to the ultimate treasure hunt for Stephen R. Lawhead’s “The Skin Map.” You have won a customized “The Skin Map” iPad preloaded with an electronic copy of Stephen R. Lawahead’s “The Skin Map.”

Congratulations to David Kouts for winning the hidden website contest. You have won an original painting by Stephen R. Lawhead and a personal phone call with the author.

Yeah. Wish I had won.

The Skin Map. You’ll love it. But you don’t have to take my word for it. (Thank you LeVar Burton). Here’s what everyone else is saying… ch:

CSFF Blog Tour NOV 20TEN

Angela, Brandon Barr, Keanan Brand, Amy Browning, Beckie Burnham, Morgan L. Busse, Melissa Carswell, Jeff Chapman, Valerie Comer, Amy Cruson, CSFF Blog Tour, D. G. D. Davidson, April Erwin, Tori Greene, Ryan Heart, Bruce Hennigan, Timothy Hicks, Becky Jesse, Cris Jesse, Jason Joyner, Julie, Carol Keen, Krystine Kercher, Dawn King, Leighton, Rebecca LuElla Miller, John W. Otte, Donita K. Paul, Chawna Schroeder, Tammy Shelnut, James Somers, Kathleen Smith, Rachel Starr Thomson, Robert Treskillard, Steve Trower, Fred Warren, Jason Waguespac, Dona Watson, Phyllis Wheeler, Jill Williamson

CSFF Blog Tour: Tuck DAY 3

Well, I didn’t get to post anything of much length or content today. Bottom line: go buy the book. Lawhead doesn’t disapoint. ‘Nough said? ch:

CSFF Blog Tour: Tuck – DAY 1

tuckTAKING A BREAK FROM MY BREAK: I’ve been on a break from the amazing CSFF Blog Tour for the past several months in order to work on the very thing that this tour focuses on: books. I felt I owed it to my fans and my two publishers (Tsaba House and Thomas Nelson) to complete two looming projects: Book 3 of The White Lion Chronicles, and Book 1 of The Berinfell Prophecies. With that said, I’m still not finished with either (although very, very close), but I had to jump back into the fray for this month’s tour because it’s a Lawhead book. Need I say more?

THE ONLY REASON I WOULD WEAR A MAXI PAD: As most of you know who follow me here, Stephen R. Lawhead is my hero, and the author who inspired me to start writing in the first place. I’ve had spurts of contact with him over the past 5 years, which I cherish each occasion. To say I’m enamored would be an understatement. But respect would be a much more civil word. I’ve never been one to go ga-ga over stars, but sitting down with Lawhead over a pint somewhere in a European stone pub might actually make me wear a Depends Pad (with wings).

GOOD THINGS ARE WORTH WAITING FOR: Like any well respecting Lawhead fan, I’ve been patiently waiting for the third and final installment of the King Raven Trilogy: Tuck. It has, in affect, put me in mind as to how my own readers feel with the delay in my third book. Although, I will not put myself on par with Lawhead, either in wordsmithing or delay; where mine is chalked up to significant projects in church life and professional life, Mr. Lawhead had a battle with cancer. (Author Note: My thoughts and prayers have been with you, Steve). But the delay has been well worth the wait.

FROM ENGLAND TO…WALES?: For those not familiar with this series, it’s a whole new take on the story of Robin Hood, one Lawhead bases on five years spent in Wales himself. There he studied the lure, culture, and plausibility of Robin’s adventures not coming from the small English forest of Nottingham, but the much larger, vastly more dynamic setting of Wales. And since it was the Welsh that first adopted the technology of the longbow from the Romans long before the English ever did, Lawhead suggests that Robin seems much more likely to be from the western lands. While some have fought this bitterly, I for one love the premise. But then again, I’m the one wearing extra padding in my underpants. ch:

LEAVE A COMMENT! Q: Who would you wear a maxi pad for if you met in person?
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Tomorrow: My Great Disappointment with Tuck

Please visit all my fellow touries and read their insights’ on Tuck!:

Brandon Barr, Jim Black, Keanan Brand, Rachel Briard, Grace Bridges, Valerie Comer, Amy Cruson, CSFF Blog Tour, Stacey Dale, D. G. D. Davidson, Jeff Draper, April Erwin, Karina Fabian, Alex Field, Beth Goddard , Todd Michael Greene, Ryan Heart, Timothy Hicks, Joleen Howell, Becky Jesse, Cris Jesse, Jason Joyner, Kait, Carol Keen, Krystine Kercher, Dawn King, Terri Main, Margaret, Melissa Meeks, Rebecca LuElla Miller, Caleb Newell, Eve Nielsen, Nissa, John W. Otte, John Ottinger, Epic Rat, Steve Rice, Crista Richey, Hanna Sandvig, Chawna Schroeder, James Somers, Robert Treskillard, Rachel Starr Thomson, Steve Trower, Speculative Faith, Fred Warren, Phyllis Wheeler, Jill Williamson