Queen of Babble - Book Giveaway!

I have been invited to help promote the paperback release of the book 'Queen of Babble' by Meg Cabot. The publishers have provided me with a freshly printed copy of the book to offer as a giveaway to my vintage customers and the readers of this blog. Pretty cool, huh?
The paperback version of the book is due to be released on May 22nd. Meg Cabot is the successful writer of 'The Princess Diaries' series as well as many other books. Her biography lists her birthdate as February 1st, 1967, and I was born on Feb 6th, same year, so I thought that was kinda cool, you know what a dork I am about things like that.
I'm working on reading the book this weekend, and so far I'm several chapters into the book, which seems like a fun read. The book is about a recent college grad who majored in Fashion History and works in a vintage clothing store (now you see why they contacted me!) There's been a few references to vintage clothing so far. She's kind of unsure of her future when she finds out that she hasn't actually finished everything needed to get her diploma yet. Plus she is headed to Europe, chasing after a boy of course. Here is a blurb from the official press release -

"Lizzie Nichols has the biggest mouth in the universe. (And no, we don’t mean that you’ll be seeing Julia Roberts running off to Lloyd’s of London to up the coverage on her legendary lips.)

Lately, the LBS (“Lizzie Broadcasting Service”) has been getting her into more trouble than usual, especially now that she’s blowing her college graduation money on a trip to visit her long-distance boyfriend Andy in London (instead of using it to fund her big city job search and the down payment on a Manhattan apartment). She can’t keep a secret – except the one about not really graduating college until she completes her senior thesis needed for her “History of Fashion” degree – and once again, her big mouth is going to get the better of her.

The trouble starts to tell-all when Lizzie’s plane touches down in Heathrow. Lizzie has two passions in life: vintage fashion and Andy. And Andy turns out to be a walking fashion faux-pas (he meets her in a Michael Jackson, Thriller-esque jacket, red leather, epaulets and all) – how much can a girl to attribute to quirky British fashion sense? Then she discovers he’s told her two big whoppers: not only is he sharing his brother’s bedroom at his parents’ home, where Lizzie has to sleep in a jerry-rigged bed above the washing machine (instead of in a posh flat with friends); but instead of working at a prestigious primary school for gifted children, he’s collecting welfare while working as a full-time waiter. Oh, and he’s in debt up to his ears from running a college gambling ring – and he wants Lizzie to help him pay off the goons looking to collect the money he owes.

With a non-changeable airline ticket – the return date home to Ann Arbor is set for exactly one month away – Lizzie is running out of options. Fortunately, there’s Shari, Lizzie’s best friend, who’s spending her summer in the south of France, catering weddings with her boyfriend Chaz in a sixteenth century chateau. One call to Shari, and Lizzie’s hurtling through the Chunnel on a train bound for Souillac…who cares if she only speaks rudimentary French? (It may keep her out of trouble!)

Once onboard, a tearful Lizzie unleashes an outpouring of angst on a handsome fellow passenger. He gets the whole sordid story – down to a certain “gift” Lizzie wishes she could get back from awful Andy. When she gets off the train, she’s smitten – and stunned to learn that her seatmate is none other than Jean-Luc, a.k.a. “Luke,” Chaz’s best friend – and the son of Chateau Mirac’s owner. Why did she have to tell him about … all that? Lizzie is in fine form at Chateau Mirac: no sooner has the first cork been popped than Luke seems to hate her, the bride is in tears, and it looks like Chateau Mirac is in danger of becoming a lipo-recovery spa. As if things aren’t bad enough, ex-boyfriend Andy shows up, looking for a big pay-off and word is that everything is coming undone – especially Lizzie’s chance at ever finding real love……unless she can figure out a way to use that big mouth of hers to save the day."

So - If you'd like to enter for a chance to win a new paperback copy of 'Queen of Babble' - then either post a message in the comments here (please make sure there is a way for me to contact you) or you can send me an email with 'Babble' to carol@dandelionvintage.com - The winner will be chosen on May 22nd. Anyone, anywhere in the world is invited to enter, shipping for the prize is free.
I've also been offered a chance to do a Question & Answer thingy with Meg, so if anyone has any questions that you'd like to ask her about this book or any of her books, send me those too!

Find more info about Meg and her books at her website - http://www.megcabot.com/