Hello to all my readers: Summer has finally landed in New York, and we’re enjoying a muggy, thunderstorm-y, but nonetheless warm and full of fun season so far. To spice up the idle summer hours, I wanted to hold another giveaway, this time for my latest novel, Lone Star. Lone Star takes place in tempestuous, passionate, life-changing summer, and I think you’ll see why it’s my favorite season. I’m giving away 10 signed copies of Lone Star to anyone who writes in between now and Thursday, July 10th, with the answer to this question: What’s your favorite love song, and why? Music evokes the strongest of emotions in human beings, and that’s certainly true of Chloe Divine and Johnny Rainbow. Please write your answers to paullinasimonscontest@gmail.com. We will announce the winners Friday, July 10th.

Dear fans, Some of you remember my memoir of my trip back home to Russia being published a little while ago, just in ebook. I’m happy to tell you that it is now available in print copy as well, new and improved and revised, with a new afterword and with lots of pics inside to make us all cry. Well, at least make me cry.  Six Days in Leningrad is my real story of a trip to Leningrad (now St Petersburg) with my Papa.  It was a research trip for a book I’d only just begun to write, and those six days changed my life and became The Bronze Horseman.You can buy the new version in Australia/NZ and Poland right now, and in the U.S.

Dear Everyone, This was one of the funnest contests for me. It took a delicious forever to sift through the hundreds of entries and to listen to the songs. Many I knew (“Hey There Delilah” “Romeo and Juliet”), some I did not (“Say You Love Me” “In Da Club”).  Some were my own favorite songs (“Nothing Else Matters” “High and Dry”). But each one personal and beautiful. Out of the songs you submitted, “Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol came in four times as a fave, “Unchained Melody” by the Righteous Brothers three times, “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith and “You’re Beautiful” by James Blunt twice, but the rest were all glorious and unique. I love them all. It gave me such joy to see inside your hearts. It was like going on a mini-tour and meeting you face to face. Thank you for the wonderful opportunity to get to know you better. My daughter thought ten was brutally insufficient, so she finagled another three out of the summer bucket because she said thirteen was her favorite number (because she is thirteen, and her favorite girl in all the world was born on December 13).  Without further ado, here are the lucky thirteen, and heartfelt thanks so each and every one of you for participating. I’m going to go make a reader playlist and put it on my phone, and carry you and your love songs with me wherever I go. Winners: Please email me your full name and address so I can send out your books pronto. The winners are… • Malinda Dickens – “Try” by Colbie Caillat. • Rachael Jesko – “Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol • Nicole Karlson – “There’s a Light that Never Goes Out” by the Smiths • Adam McHugh — “505” by Arctic Monkeys • Maria Kavvatha — “Love Me Tender” by Elvis • Jenny Belk — “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You” by Rod Stewart (this one happens to be my own wedding song, lol) • Samantha McLaughlin — “Addicted to You” by Avicii • Lisa Grimes — “Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls • Shura Herondale — “She Will Be Loved” by Maroon 5 • Mirielle McMillin — “The Best Day” by Taylor Swift • Sarah Heaton — “Annie’s Song” by John Denver • Tanya Birman — “Nights in White Satin” by the Moody Blues • Francesca Grizancic — “Eternal Flame” by the Bangles Thanks again! Love to all.

Hello to my patient and wonderful fans! I know you’ve been asking me for an update on the film adaptation for The Bronze Horseman, and I’ve wished I could give one to you.  And now,  I finally can! So happy to tell you we’ve signed with Getaway Pictures for the series.  Here’s that trailer I mention as well.