Thursday, December 20, 2012

Holiday #Hullabaloo DAY 11: YA eBook Prize Pack


This is it. The final day of giveaways before the grand prize finale! To top of this awesome event, we have an uberfabulous YA Heaven prize pack up for grabs :D

Lacrimosa (Requiem #1) by Christine Fonseca

It's been three thousand years since the fall of Azzaziel and the rebirth of evil; three thousand years since the Sentinal Order, an elite group of warrior angels, returned to Celestium. Their job-rid Earth of the dark creatures, the UnHoly. And with luck, end Azza's rule. As if casting out demons isn't hard enough, five-hundred-year-old Nesy has to masquerade as a teenage girl to do it. Nesy is the best of the Sentinals. She never makes mistakes, never hesitates, never gets emotionally involved. Until she meets Aydan. He is evil incarnate; a fallen angel that feeds off the souls of others. Everything Nesy is supposed to hate. But she can't, because he's also the love of her former life as a human girl-a life that ended too soon, tying her to emotions she was never supposed to feel. Now Nesy must choose between doing her duty-damning Aydan to the fiery depths of hell-or saving him, and condemning herself. And her choice may cost her, and Celestium, far more than anyone realizes. How much will she sacrifice for love?


Libera Me (Requiem #2) by Christine Fonseca
 
What happens when everything you’ve sacrificed for is lost?
Aydan thought Nesy’s death would be the end of him, until he meets Nessa and his hope is restored. Could she be Nesy reborn? He is certain she must be. That is, until her lack of memories and incessant nightmares begin to erode his faith.

Zane is used to trusting his mind, his wisdom and his angelic senses. But these attributes are no help with Nessa. He has no way to be certain of her identity, no way to know the truth. That is, unless he listens to the one thing he has refused to acknowledge throughout his existence - his feelings for Nesy.

Blind to both angel and demon, Aydan and Zane must figure out the truth behind Nesy's identity before all is lost, Azza discovers the truth and the Beast is again unleashed.

The lines between good and evil have never been so blurred.


 The Willows: Haven (The Willows #1) by Hope Collier

When tragedy strikes, seventeen year-old Ashton Blake sets out on a cross-country road trip, leaving the comforts of Malibu for the mountains of Kentucky. Along the way, she encounters Gabe Willoughby—the mysterious drifter with eyes like the sea and a knowing smile. Getting to know Gabe raises questions about her past. But no secret can be buried forever, and Ashton soon finds herself in a world where water is air and myth becomes reality.

Just as Ashton comes to accept her newfound heritage, she’s summoned to fulfill a treaty laid down centuries before — a treaty that will divide her love and test her loyalty. In the end, her future isn’t her biggest concern, her humanity is. To run may mean war, but is she strong enough to stay?



 Here (On the Other Side #1) by Denise Grover Swank

Sixteen year old Julia Phillips buries herself in guilt after killing her best friend Monica in a car accident. Julia awoke in the hospital with a broken leg, a new talent for drawing and false memories of the accident, in which she dies and Monica lives. The doctors attribute this to her head injury, but no one can explain how a bracelet engraved with her name ended up at the scene of the accident. A bracelet no one has ever seen before.

Classmate Evan Whittaker paid Julia no attention before the accident, let alone after. Now suddenly he’s volunteering to tutor her and offering to drive her home. She can't ignore that his new obsession started after his two-day disappearance last week and that he wears a pendant she’s been drawing for months. When the police show up one night looking for Evan, he begs Julia to run with him, convincing her that Monica is still alive. Julia agrees to go, never guessing where he’s really from.


Bridger (Bridger #1) by Megan Curd
 
Ashlyn McVean doesn't believe in fairy tales. That is, until Ashlyn is thrown into the crosshairs of grudges her grandmother created long ago. After finding out she is one of two people able to cross between faerie realms, Ashlyn is faced with trying to understand her abilities, along with navigating a new relationship with her boyfriend, Liam. As if being on a centuries old hit list and dealing with crazed pixies isn't enough, her new abilities mean trouble for Liam. Knowing her new life puts everyone she loves in danger, Ashlyn must decide what's most important in her life between friends, family, love, and ultimately, realms.


Traitor (Bridger #2) by Megan Curd

Ashlyn never believed in fairy tales until she was in one.

They say ignorance is bliss, but not when you're on a centuries old hit list...and there's a traitor in your midst.

Ashlyn must decide what's most important: trusting the allies she has, or siding with those she thought were enemies. Ashlyn knows old friends can turn on her, and unlikely allies may be the best chance she has to piece her family back together. No matter what her choice, she could lose someone she loves.

And when you don't know who to trust, believe one thing: You can never trust a faerie.


 Whispers in Autumn (The Last Year #1) by Trisha Leigh

In 2015, a race of alien Others conquered Earth. They enslaved humanity not by force, but through an aggressive mind control that turned people into contented, unquestioning robots.

Except sixteen-year-old Althea isn’t content at all, and she doesn’t need the mysterious note inside her locket to tell her she’s Something Else. It also warns her to trust no one, so she hides the pieces that make her different, even though it means being alone.

Then she meets Lucas, everything changes.

Althea and Lucas are immune to the alien mind control, and together they search for the reason why. What they uncover is a stunning truth the Others never anticipated, one with the potential to free the brainwashed human race.

It’s not who they are that makes them special, but what.

And what they are is a threat. One the Others are determined to eliminate for good.


Everblue (Mer Tales #1) by Brenda Pandos

She wanted her life to change... he wanted his to stay the same.

Best friends share everything with each other. Or do they? Seventeen-year-old Ashlyn Frances Lanski is tired of her boring, single life. Spending time with her best friend Tatiana, dreaming about kissing Tatiana's twin brother Fin, and swimming competitively are her only sanctuary. The girls plan to leave their drab lakeside town far behind for college. But when Tatchi fails to return home after a family emergency, and no one knows where the family has gone, Ash chooses to do something drastic to find them.

Ashlyn is about to discover what she'd thought to be true her whole life, wasn't, and the truth, too fantastical to imagine. Secrets lurk beneath the deep blue waters of Lake Tahoe, secrets that will change Ashlyn's life forever.
 


 The Light of Asteria (Kailmeyra Chronicles #1) by Elizabeth Isaacs

 If Nora Johnson hadn't been on campus that day she would have never known her true destiny. Helping her friends move into the dorm that she wanted to call home, Nora accidentally collides with mysterious stranger, Gavin Frey. His very first touch sends flames through her heart. The world seems different-something within her has changed. Nora tries to resume her mundane life, but she is now consumed with the one whose very presence ignited her soul, the one with eyes of emerald. Nora soon learns that an energy buried deep within has been unleashed. She now wields unimaginable power and has become Gavin's source, his strength.

Her newfound joy is shaken when she discovers that Gavin is not who he appears to be and she has been thrust in the middle of a war of mythical proportions. Negativity has allowed all things evil to flourish, the earth is under siege. The fate of creation hinges on the power within her heart. Will she be strong enough to survive?

A gripping tale of unbounded love and ancient power, The Light of Asteria will take you on an epic adventure filled with war, treachery, and demons, as well as unimaginable delights.


 The Secret of the Keepers (Kailmeyra Chronicles #2) by Elizabeth Isaacs

Life for Nora couldn't be better; she has married the man of her dreams and loves living in the pristine land of Kailmeyra.

That is, until the darkness threatens her perfect world.

Now war is upon the land. She and Gavin must strengthen their clan and prepare to fight. But the enemy has an ally—one that not only wields power, but holds knowledge of the ancients' secrets. Secrets that could destroy creation itself.

As the darkness grows, doubt seeps in ... protectiveness hinders progress ... and the unthinkable comes to pass.

Bewildered and alone, Nora shoulders the responsibility of leading an entire race to war. As she struggles with decisions that seem impossible to make, she is haunted by one choice.


"No one has ever doubted that you would die for those you love. The question then becomes ... would you live?"


***This giveaway is open to everyone, so join the fun and share the love!

Want to win these amazing novels? Just follow the Rafflecopter instructions below! Don't forget to enter for the grand prize drawing: a $200 gift card to either Amazon or Barnes & Noble! Follow the Linky below for all the giveaways happening today!

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Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Holiday #Hullabaloo DAY 10: THE WILLOWS: HAVEN Charm Bracelet and Sticker Pack


Day ten, guys. We're rounding up the giveaway with just a couple days left to win! I wanted to do something a little different today and offer up a handmade THE WILLOWS: HAVEN charm bracelet and three pack of stickers!





Each charm represents a different part of the story!



Show some Haven love and team support with these custom designed stickers!






***This giveaway is open to US residents only. Please check back because we have TONS of international giveaways, too!

Want to win this amazing prize pack? Just follow the Rafflecopter instructions below! Don't forget to enter for the grand prize drawing: a $200 gift card to either Amazon or Barnes & Noble! Follow the Linky below for all the giveaways happening today!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Holiday #Hullabaloo DAY 9: YA Merfolk/Ocean Myth Prize Pack


Day nine and we're retreating land. Up for grabs is a YA Merfolk/Ocean Myth eBook Prize Pack containing FOUR fun novels with some underwater adventures.

SEAWEED by Elle Strauss

Dori Seward can’t wait to get out of Eastcove, a sleepy fishing village on the border of New Brunswick and Maine. She bides her time by hanging out with friends, attending swim club, and holding her biggest competition, Colby–who wants more than just friendship, at arm’s length.

Then Tor Riley comes to town and he has everything Dori dreams of in a boyfriend–looks, athleticism and mystery.

But Tor also has a tantalizing secret and Dori is determined to find out what it is. The truth is crazier than her wildest imaginations and more dangerous, too. Dori has new enemies, and they will do anything to get to her.

Her life, her dreams and her love for Tor are all weighing in the balance. Will Dori risk it all in order to have it all?


 EVERBLUE (Mer Tales #1) by Brenda Pandos She wanted her life to change... he wanted his to stay the same.

Best friends share everything with each other. Or do they? Seventeen-year-old Ashlyn Frances Lanski is tired of her boring, single life. Spending time with her best friend Tatiana, dreaming about kissing Tatiana's twin brother Fin, and swimming competitively are her only sanctuary. The girls plan to leave their drab lakeside town far behind for college. But when Tatchi fails to return home after a family emergency, and no one knows where the family has gone, Ash chooses to do something drastic to find them.

Ashlyn is about to discover what she'd thought to be true her whole life, wasn't, and the truth, too fantastical to imagine. Secrets lurk beneath the deep blue waters of Lake Tahoe, secrets that will change Ashlyn's life forever.



 TANGLED TIDES (The Sea Monster Memoirs #1) by Karen Amanda Hooper

Yara Jones doesn't believe in sea monsters-until she becomes one. When a hurricane hits her island home and she wakes up with fins, Yara finds herself tangled up in an underwater world of mysterious merfolk and secretive selkies. Both sides believe Yara can save them by fulfilling a broken promise and opening the sealed gateway to their realm, but they are battling over how it should be done. The selkies want to take her life. The merfolk want something far more precious.

Treygan, the stormy-eyed merman who turned Yara mer, will stop at nothing and sacrifice everything to protect his people-until he falls for Yara. The tides turn as Yara fights to save herself, hundreds of sea creatures, and the merman who has her heart. She could lose her soul in the process-or she might open the gateway to a love that's deeper than the oceans.

 
THE WILLOWS: HAVEN (The Willows #1) by Hope Collier

 When tragedy strikes, seventeen year-old Ashton Blake sets out on a cross-country road trip, leaving the comforts of Malibu for the mountains of Kentucky. Along the way, she encounters Gabe Willoughby—the mysterious drifter with eyes like the sea and a knowing smile. Getting to know Gabe raises questions about her past. But no secret can be buried forever, and Ashton soon finds herself in a world where water is air and myth becomes reality.

Just as Ashton comes to accept her newfound heritage, she’s summoned to fulfill a treaty laid down centuries before — a treaty that will divide her love and test her loyalty. In the end, her future isn’t her biggest concern, her humanity is. To run may mean war, but is she strong enough to stay?




***This giveaway is open to everyone, so join in the fun and share the love!

Want to win these amazing novels? Just follow the Rafflecopter instructions below! Don't forget to enter for the grand prize drawing: a $200 gift card to either Amazon or Barnes & Noble! Follow the Linky below for all the giveaways happening today!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, December 17, 2012

Holiday #Hullabaloo DAY 8: signed paperback of BRIDGER by Megan Curd


Day eight and I have one of the best YA books I've ever read up for grabs! :D Want to own a signed copy of BRIDGER by Megan Curd? Read more about it and enter for your chance to win!

Ashlyn McVean doesn't believe in fairy tales. That is, until Ashlyn is thrown into the crosshairs of grudges her grandmother created long ago. After finding out she is one of two people able to cross between faerie realms, Ashlyn is faced with trying to understand her abilities, along with navigating a new relationship with her boyfriend, Liam. As if being on a centuries old hit list and dealing with crazed pixies isn't enough, her new abilities mean trouble for Liam. Knowing her new life puts everyone she loves in danger, Ashlyn must decide what's most important in her life between friends, family, love, and ultimately, realms.



***This giveaway is open to US residents only. Please check back because we have TONS of international giveaways, too!

Want to win this amazing novel? Just follow the Rafflecopter instructions below! Don't forget to enter for the grand prize drawing: a $200 gift card to either Amazon or Barnes & Noble! Follow the Linky below for all the giveaways happening today!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Holiday #Hullabaloo DAY 7: $5 #Amazon Gift Card


Day seven is out of the gate. Today you have the chance to win a $5 Amazon gift certificate! Who doesn't love freebies, right?

***This giveaway is open to everyone, so jump in and share the love!

Want to win this amazing prize? Just follow the Rafflecopter instructions below! Don't forget to enter for the grand prize drawing: a $200 gift card to either Amazon or Barnes & Noble! Follow the Linky below for all the giveaways happening today!


a Rafflecopter giveaway



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Saturday, December 15, 2012

Holiday #Hullabaloo DAY 6: Signed Copy of THE LIGHT OF ASTERIA by Elizabeth Isaacs


We're over halfway through the Holiday Hullabaloo! Today, I'm SO flippin' excited to have a copy of my all-time favorite YA novel, THE LIGHT OF ASTERIA by Elizabeth Isaacs! You can read my review here. Seriously though, I adore this book!

If Nora Johnson hadn't been on campus that day she would have never known her true destiny. Helping her friends move into the dorm that she wanted to call home, Nora accidentally collides with mysterious stranger, Gavin Frey. His very first touch sends flames through her heart. The world seems different-something within her has changed. Nora tries to resume her mundane life, but she is now consumed with the one whose very presence ignited her soul, the one with eyes of emerald. Nora soon learns that an energy buried deep within has been unleashed. She now wields unimaginable power and has become Gavin's source, his strength.

Her newfound joy is shaken when she discovers that Gavin is not who he appears to be and she has been thrust in the middle of a war of mythical proportions. Negativity has allowed all things evil to flourish, the earth is under siege. The fate of creation hinges on the power within her heart. Will she be strong enough to survive?


A gripping tale of unbounded love and ancient power, The Light of Asteria will take you on an epic adventure filled with war, treachery, and demons, as well as unimaginable delights.


***This giveaway is open to US residents only. Please check back because we have TONS of international giveaways, too!

Want to win this amazing novel? Just follow the Rafflecopter instructions below! Don't forget to enter for the grand prize drawing: a $200 gift card to either Amazon or Barnes & Noble! Follow the Linky below for all the giveaways happening today!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, December 14, 2012

Holiday #Hullabaloo DAY 5: THE WILLOWS: HAVEN Swag Pack


Day five and I thought I'd join in the fun. I'm giving away THE WILLOWS: HAVEN Swag Pack made up of: a signed paperback and a custom designed t-shirt!

When tragedy strikes, seventeen year-old Ashton Blake sets out on a cross-country road trip, leaving the comforts of Malibu for the mountains of Kentucky. Along the way, she encounters Gabe Willoughby—the mysterious drifter with eyes like the sea and a knowing smile. Getting to know Gabe raises questions about her past. But no secret can be buried forever, and Ashton soon finds herself in a world where water is air and myth becomes reality.

Just as Ashton comes to accept her newfound heritage, she’s summoned to fulfill a treaty laid down centuries before — a treaty that will divide her love and test her loyalty. In the end, her future isn’t her biggest concern, her humanity is. To run may mean war, but is she strong enough to stay?






THE WILLOWS: HAVEN shirts are unisex, 100% cotton and are available in sizes M-XL.








***This giveaway is open to US residents only. Please check back because we have TONS of international giveaways, too!

Want to win this amazing swag pack? Just follow the Rafflecopter instructions below! Don't forget to enter for the grand prize drawing: a $200 gift card to either Amazon or Barnes & Noble! Follow the Linky below for all the giveaways happening today!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thursday, December 13, 2012

Holiday #Hullabaloo DAY 4: eBook GIRL UNDER GLASS by Monica Enderle Pierce


Day four of Holiday Hullabaloo! Who's having fun? I know I am. And what better way to have a good time than to read a great book! Check out GIRL UNDER GLASS (don't you love that title?!) by Monica Enderle Pierce.

What do you do when you’re trapped between death and the devil? To protect her young daughter from a madman and a tyrant, Rachel Pryne must trust an enemy—one of the alien warriors who conquered Earth.

It is 2032, the Ohnenrai—Earth’s humanoid alien conquerors—orbit the planet, and Terran reproduction is failing. Rachel Pryne, a trained medic, is struggling to protect her seven-year-old daughter, Pearl, from the sexual predation of their penal colony’s leader. Having fathered the girl by rape, he now intends to take her on her eighth birthday, only six weeks away.

Then Rachel finds her unlikely champion—an injured Ohnenrai soldier who appears in her yard one stormy evening. She knows she may be choosing death over the devil in trusting this warrior, but she doesn’t know that her trust, and her DNA, will make her one of the most important and endangered people to ever set foot aboard an Ohnenrai starship.


Equal parts science fiction, suspense, and romance, Girl Under Glass moves from a post-apocalyptic wilderness in the American Pacific Northwest to a high-tech world aboard an alien starship furnished with all the stolen comforts of Earth. Readers meet Rachel Pryne, whose parents' lifelong and life-ending connection to the Ohnenrai has set her upon a path she never wanted to travel. And they're introduced to Ehtishem, an Ohnenrai soldier who exists to save his dying people, but who faces enemies from within and without his own military.

The only possible solution to the Ohnenrai’s extinction lies within Rachel, but all she wants to do is protect her daughter and see Earth’s alien conquerors go straight to hell.


***This giveaway is open to everyone! So enter now and share the love!

Want to win this amazing novel? Just follow the Rafflecopter instructions below! Don't forget to enter for the grand prize drawing: a $200 gift card to either Amazon or Barnes & Noble! Follow the Linky below for all the giveaways happening today!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Holiday #Hullabaloo DAY 3: signed copy of TO RIDE A PUCA by Heather McCorkle


Day 3 of the Holiday Hullabaloo and we're only getting started! Today I have a signed copy of TO RIDE A PUCA by the amazing Heather McCorkle. Check it out below!


Invaders are coming to take what isn't theirs, again. Neala wants to stand and fight for her homeland, but as one of the last druids, she may be standing alone. Persecuted, hunted down, forced to live in obscurity, the druids have all but given up. Can the determination of a girl who has barely come into her power bring them together? Or, just when she finally finds her place among her kind, will they end up losing a homeland their very magic is tied to?




***This giveaway is open to US residents only. Please check back because we have TONS of international giveaways, too!

Want to win this amazing novel? Just follow the Rafflecopter instructions below! Don't forget to enter for the grand prize drawing: a $200 gift card to either Amazon or Barnes & Noble! Follow the Linky below for all the giveaways happening today!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Holiday #Hullabaloo DAY 2: SOUL SAVERS Series Mug & Bookmark Set


Day two is heating up! Keep it (and your tea) warm with this fantabulous SOUL SAVERS series coffee mug! Enjoying a good book with that tea? Mark that page using one of your favorites from Kristie Cook's amazing series!

***This giveaway is open to US residents only. Please check back because we have TONS of international giveaways, too!

Want to win this amazing gift set? Just follow the Rafflecopter instructions below! Don't forget to enter for the grand prize drawing: a $200 gift card to either Amazon or Barnes & Noble! Follow the Linky below for all the giveaways happening today!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Monday, December 10, 2012

Holiday #Hullabaloo DAY 1: signed copy of TANGLED TIDES by Karen Amanda Hooper


It's Day 1 of the Holiday Hullabaloo!!! How exciting is this?! 14 authors participating in 12 days of giveaways = every kind of awesome!

We're starting out with a splash...literally! I have a signed copy of TANGLED TIDES (The Sea Monster Memoirs #1) by Karen Amanda Hooper.


Yara Jones doesn't believe in sea monsters-until she becomes one. When a hurricane hits her island home and she wakes up with fins, Yara finds herself tangled up in an underwater world of mysterious merfolk and secretive selkies. Both sides believe Yara can save them by fulfilling a broken promise and opening the sealed gateway to their realm, but they are battling over how it should be done. The selkies want to take her life. The merfolk want something far more precious.

Treygan, the stormy-eyed merman who turned Yara mer, will stop at nothing and sacrifice everything to protect his people-until he falls for Yara. The tides turn as Yara fights to save herself, hundreds of sea creatures, and the merman who has her heart. She could lose her soul in the process-or she might open the gateway to a love that's deeper than the oceans.


 

Reviews:
Tangled Tides includes a delicious romance that even the most dispassionate soul can t refuse. I absolutely adored Yara and her strength in all things, including love. And Treygan? I seriously want in on that merman action. Blue has never been so sexy. Hooper has created a believable underwater world that will leave readers wishing for a tail instead of legs. - Elana Johnson, author of POSSESSION

I adored this tale of sea monsters and forbidden love. Full of deception, romance, and intrigue, Tangled Tides is a story best savored but impossible to put down. - PJ Hoover, author of SOLSTICE

Tangled Tides is a delightful, smartly plotted tale of adventure, family secrets, and sizzling romance. I couldn t put it down! - Rae Carson, author of THE GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS


***This giveaway is open to US residents only. Please check back because we have TONS of international giveaways, too!

Want to win this amazing novel? Just follow the Rafflecopter instructions below! Don't forget to enter for the grand prize drawing: a $200 gift card to either Amazon or Barnes & Noble! Follow the Linky below for all the giveaways happening today!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Holiday Hullabaloo Epic Awesomeness



Holiday Hullabaloo [hol-i-dey huhl-uh-buh-loo] noun: a reader's heaven; epic giveaway; every kind of awesome celebration.

In other words, this Holiday Hullabaloo is something you don't want to miss. It's over a week long giveaway, including 14 different authors brought together by bestselling, Denise Grover Swank. This means each person is hosting their own giveaway - that's 14 chances per day to win something incredible!!! Tell me that isn't every shade of splendiferous!
  
All you have to do is fill out the rafflecopter form below starting on the 10th! Make sure to enter for the daily prize as well as the grand prize! You have to enter each day, so don't forget to come back all week! To see what everyone is giving away, click on the names in the Linky below.

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Monday, December 3, 2012

Book Lover's Holiday #Hop






Christmastime is here! What better way to celebrate your loved ones (or yourself ;) than with a $10 Amazon gift card? Don't have one, you say? No worries. It just so happens I do, and I like to share!

Just follow the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win in this ho-ho-holiday hop courtesy of I am a Reader, Not a Writer and Chapter by Chapter for hosting this fun giveaway!

This giveaway includes everyone, both US and international! See rules in the Rafflecopter for more details.


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Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Thankful for Books #Giveaway #Hop ~ Autographed Goodness




Okay, guys, I am SO excited about this hop! Want to know why? Because I'm giving away one of my very favorite books by one of my very favorite authors and ::drum roll:: ... it's SIGNED!!! Read on to find out more!


 
Nevermore by Kelly Creagh


Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look.

Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life.

As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares.
His life depends on it.    

So there you have it. If you want to see my review of Nevermore, you can find it here. It's spoiler free ;)

Want to win? Follow the Rafflecopter instructions below. Because this is an actual book, this contest is open to US residents ONLY.

Many thanks to I am a Reader, Not a Writer and Tristi Pinkston for hosting this awesome hop! Be sure and check out the Linky below for more bloggers participating in this hop!


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Wednesday, October 31, 2012

The Next Big Thing

Welcome to Week 20 of The Next Best Thing!

In this blog hop, authors answer ten pre-determined questions, which will reveal bits and pieces about their current release or upcoming book. Today, I'm going to highlight the sequel to my debut novel, The Willows: Thorn. But first, I want to say thanks to the amazing, Layla Messner for inviting me to play along!

Q&A:

Q: What is the working title of your book?
A: The Willows: Thorn

Q: Where did the idea come from for the book?
A: It's a continuation of The Willows series, but the original idea spawned from one of my lead characters, Gabe Willoughby.

Q: What genre does your book fall under?
A: Young Adult paranormal romance.

Q: Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
A: I'd love to have Alexandra Dadario play Ashton. She has the most perfect shade of blue eyes. The rest of my dream cast can be found here.

Q: What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
A: I don't have a one-sentence synopsis written for Thorn yet. It's still being written ;) 

Q: Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
A: Thorn will be published by Raven Key Press.

Q: How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
A: I'm still working on the first draft. My debut novel, The Willows: Haven, took about nine months.
Q: What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
A: I'd say, story-wise, it falls somewhere between Julie Kagawa and Amanda Hocking.
Q: Who or What inspired you to write this book?
A: I've always written, but I'd never tackled a full-length novel. My awesome husband really encouraged me to finish one after our second daughter was born. It was a way of having something for myself. It's easy to get lost in taking care of everyone else. He wanted to me to have my own outlet. :)

Q: What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
A:You probably haven't read anything about what my characters are before. I really love taking existing history, fable, myths, or beings and making them my own.

I’m breaking the “rules” of this blog hop a bit because, despite numerous posts on Twitter, I couldn’t find five more authors who wanted to answer these questions about their WIP/new release (I guess everyone’s busy writing.) Rather than become the most annoying person on Twitter, I decided to link to five of my author buddies. Feel free to play along if you'd like, guys. No pressure! If anyone else would like to participate, just leave a comment, and I'll link you in :)
My author buddies (who are AMAZING writers. Check them out!):
Elizabeth Isaacs
Rachel Harris
Lucy Swing
Trisha Wolfe
Tiffany King 
Mindy Ruiz
Todd Keisling

The rules: Post *next Wednesday.* Answer these 10 questions about your WIP or new release. Find five authors to “tag” for week 21.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Stymied: I versus Me.

 
 Stymied schmy-mied. I can answer this one for ya! Maybe.

It's a source of debate lately and understandably so. The English language is ever changing and evolving, not that it made much sense to begin with. Add creative writing into the mix, and you hear every kind of reasoning for bending, or sometimes shattering, the rules. But for grammar's sake (aside from the fact that I started this sentence with but), let's at least know what rule we're breaking and how, shall we?

I think I and me are one of the most common mix-ups I see, simply because the proper use doesn't always sound correct. It's a lot like not ending a sentence with a preposition, even though we all do that now. No one asks, "For what are you looking?" Well, unless you're tapping into your inner Shakespeare. 

So, what's the difference?

The traditional grammar rule states when a pronoun ( I, he, she, they, etc.) follows a linking verb (is, be, seem, appear, etc.) the pronoun should be in the subject case. It’s also called the nom-nom-nom “nominative.” Linking verbs don't describe an action so much as describe a state of being. When pronouns follow these non-action verbs, you use the subject pronouns such as "I," "she," "he," "they," and "we."


Confession: My mom was right. "This is she," is correct. Thanks, Mom.

What does it all mean?

That means it is grammatically correct to say, “It is I.”  Congratulations, gold-belted rat. You landed a mighty blow.

A few examples, WHY they work, and HOW you can think about it:

Try reversing the order of your statement and see what sounds correct.

Who won the grammar challenge? It was he. (He won the challenge, not him.)
Who covered the fight? It was I. (I covered the fight, not me covered it.)
Who cares? It is we. (We care, not us cares.)

See what I did there?

But wait ... silver-belted rat staggers into the center ring! He ... he's making a comeback!

90 percent of you are probably thinking, "Yeah, nobody talks like that anymore!" And you would be right. In the book, Woe Is I, Patricia O'Connor notes that almost everyone says, “It is me,” and that the “It is I” construction is almost extinct. (Grammar Girl)

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary of English Usage says that it’s a style choice, and that “It is I” is formal and, “It is me” is casual. Needless to say, unless you're clerking for NYU's English department or writing an article for The New York Times, you're probably in the clear ... in this matter! 

Happy writing!

Friday, August 31, 2012

I Killed an Adverb ... and I Liked It.




     "I believe the road to hell is paved with adverbs." ~ Stephen King, On Writing.  



Any seasoned writer has heard this phrase at least once in their life, yet it seems to miss the mark with many. I'm on the fence about them. Too often, writers tend to lean on adverbs like a crutch, using them as an excuse for lazy writing.

For example, "The book hit the floor loudly," is a sorry excuse of a sentence.

But what if that's what I'm trying to say? one asks.

Then say it better! If you want the reader to know the land is noisy, show them.

For example, "The book clattered to the floor." Better, right? Or this, "Pages fluttered against the wind before the book met the tile with an echoing crack." There are an infinite number of ways to improve the original sentence. It merely takes some effort! I assure you, it's worth the trouble. Once you learn to identify lazy writing, you soon begin avoiding it altogether. 

Things to Watch

Repetitive Adverbs: These would fall under the 'duh' category. Confession: I do this all the time, and I want to smack myself for it. 

For example, "Megan smiled happily." Well, yeah. How do most people smile, painfully? I realize one can smile and it be in sarcasm or even sadness. Most of the time, however, smiles are a result of joy, so smiling happily is redundant.

A few more examples would include, "Mindy bounced up and down excitedly," or "Todd paced back and forth anxiously." Again, there are times you'll need to clarify these actions to say more than the obvious, but it's rare.

Intensifiers: These are words which, you guessed it, intensify! Extremely, very, truly, honestly, massively, etc are all intensifiers. According to Grammar Girl, you should avoid these at all costs *except* in dialog ... if your characters are surfers. I truly ::wink wink:: love intensifiers, especially in YA. With teens, everything is bigger, stronger, and more intense. In my opinion, I find they work for me -- sparingly, of course -- because most of my characters are teens. I wouldn't recommend intensifiers if you're trying to be professional or in any way serious. 


Dialog Diatribe: This is one of the areas my editor calls me out every time. On occasion, I'm justified in using a particular adverb. These typically involve fast-moving scenes or places where there's already a lot going on, and I don't want to weigh it down. More often than not, adverbs attached to a dialog tag are a result of either unclear or lazy writing. Most of the time, the sentence should speak for itself. When you need more oomph, you add action. If all else fails, then and only then, you may use an adverb. But keep in mind, if you can read the dialog, and it's just as strong without the adverb, leave it out. 





Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Review: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Alina Starkov doesn’t expect much from life. Orphaned by the Border Wars, the one thing she could rely on was her best friend and fellow refugee, Mal. And lately not even that seems certain. Drafted into the army of their war-torn homeland, they’re sent on a dangerous mission into the Fold, a swath of unnatural darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh.

When their convoy is attacked, all seems lost until Alina reveals a dormant power that not even she knew existed. Ripped from everything she knows, she is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling. He believes she is the answer the people have been waiting for: the one person with the power to destroy the Fold.

Swept up in a world of luxury and illusion, envied as the Darkling’s favorite, Alina struggles to fit into her new life without Mal by her side. But as the threat to the kingdom mounts, Alina uncovers a secret that sets her on a collision course with the most powerful forces in the kingdom. Now only her past can save her . . . and only she can save the future.

 I'd heard nothing but glowing praise for Shadow and Bone when I picked it up, so needless to say, I had very high expectations. Certain parts of the book were everything I hoped for...others, well, not so much. I'm going to try and be brief, but it isn't as simple as I liked or didn't like the story. Bear with me!

The Good: First off, I just have to say, as cliche as it is, I've never read anything like this before. My sister asked me, "What's it about?" and I found myself struggling to even begin to tell her. This is a good thing! I ADORE stories that include characters/beings/situations I've never read about. Bardugo nailed it in originality.

The characters are very well done. The Darkness is definitely my favorite (in an odd way) of them all. I think he's the most...layered, I guess. He's very multifaceted. Alina and Mal, of course, are well written though I think they could've been deeper. Mal more so than Alina. We didn't see as much of Mal though, so here's hoping in Book 2 he's more involved!

The world-building as far as government/society/etc is entirely brilliant! I love the play between the Grisha (the people with special powers) and the monarchy, though I suspected things would play out the way they did. It was still well done though. I wasn't disappointed.

 The world of the Grisha is just fascinating. I love their abilities, limitations, restrictions, and such. So glad to read about people/beings who are absolutely unique. I've yet to read anything like that! It's like a mishmash of the elements, science, and a touch of magic but not in a "fantasy" kind of way per se. 

The Mediocre: The plot was painfully S-L-O-W. It wasn't until chapter 6 or so that I really got into the story. I felt like 30% of the story could've been culled entirely. There was massive description where it didn't matter, such as describing how ornate a door was. Then there was massive description missing where it would've lent itself to the story. A lot of our time is spent talking and meandering. I found myself skimming quite a bit early on. Had Chi not been so adamant that it picked up, I would've quit reading. I will say, the latter half of the story makes the slow start worth it.

Confusing terminology. The story is based to an extent on Russian...stuff. Many of the names and much of the terminology was Russian. This frustrated the everliving CRAP out of me. I can't stand when I have to stare at a name/word/description and sound it out. It pulls me out of the story entirely, and I just make up a word in my head to replace it. Not to mention, WAY too many things had Russian words that sounded similar, so I was constantly going back to see who/what Alina was seeing.

The beginning, up to about chapter 3, was uberconfusing. You don't know who people are when they show up, what the terms mean, and more until many chapters in. This left me frustrated because by the time I learned "what" it was, I'd forgotten why I needed to know to begin with. I really feel like the people in charge of editing and such, must've been too close to the story. They knew who/what the Grisha were, so they must not have realized it needed clarifying.

Finally, the writing. Like I said earlier, there's a lot of description and personification. As always when I have writing complaints, it was every ounce telling. Sigh. I know some may say it's a style thing, but please, agents/editors/publishers, don't tell me to show not tell all the dang time if it isn't truly important. It seems I'm extraordinarily picky about this though, so disregard this section if you're not a psycho about the craft. I will say this, the telling really didn't bother me as much as the passive voice. There's no reason to say "I could see" ever. I'm most assuredly guilty of this, too. This isn't me being a douche, but we all know, this book underwent some serious editing and revision from some of the BIGS. There's no excuse for that to slip through. Don't throw rubber chickens at me please. I'm just being honest.

In Conclusion: I'd definitely recommend Shadow and Bone with the warning: It gets clearer after chapter 3, and much more interesting after chapter 6! The second half of the book is absolutely masterful as far as being interesting and different. The last couple of chapters are really well done! So, in this case, I'm going to rate the story on originality. Still I can't help but mourn what could've been...


Saturday, August 25, 2012

Review: Nevermore by Kelly Creagh

From Goodreads
Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look.

Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life.

As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares.
 


Wow. That's the best the way to sum up Nevermore by Kentucky author Kelly Creagh. I met Kelly at a multi-author signing in Louisville. At the time, I'd seen Nevermore, but never really paid attention to it. It wasn't until I saw the Raven on the shelf and the Edgar Allan Poe trinkets scattered around the table that I realized the title was actually associated with Poe himself. It was at this point, my heart did a little dance.

Okay, the story starts out with an interesting (and very well written) prologue. I know, I know. God forbid there's a prologue! It's necessary, I assure you. In the case of this book, it encouraged me to read it! Creagh introduces us to Poe here in such a cool way. She brings in some little known facts about his (very real) untimely death and uses them as the basis of the story.

The first chapter soon starts off with the cheerleader Isobel Lanley being paired up for a writing project with goth-boy Varen Nethers ... much to jock-guy, quarterback boyfriend's dismay. I'll admit it. I had more than a moment's pause about the cheerleader/goth/jock thing. I don't like cheerleader/goth/jock stories, because more often than not, they end up being so cliche. However, cliche can also be defined by the quiet nerdy girl who likes to read or the misunderstood nobody boy who comes from the wrong side of the tracks. It's all a matter of plot and perspective, how unique the STORY is, and how WELL is it WRITTEN.

There's a lot of awesomeness to cover in this one, so I'm going to categorize here.

Characters:

Varen. Varen is dark and brooding at first. I wondered if Miss Author-pants could pull it off without succumbing to the Count Gothica experience we've all had in YA books. Let's face it, tortured and brooding is tough to pull off these days. Creagh nailed it! While Varen has a very dark side to him, he has good reason, and Creagh defines it beautifully without going over the top. Her ability to paint the perfect picture of him and his emotion is enviable. I think he comes across exactly how she intended, and not as a woe-is-me emo kid.

Isobel. Isobel has her ups and downs in the story. On occasion, the moment kind of fell flat for me with her or an opportunity was missed for Isobel to shine. There were times when I really didn't like her in fact. Isobel let other people manipulate her because she wouldn't just put her foot down and stand up for the right thing. She overreacted in some situations and underacted in others. All in all, she was relatively wishy-washy in the beginning, but Varen's strong character and Creagh's beautiful writing kept me in the story. As the story progressed though, Isobel gained quite a bit of momentum, growing into the type of heroine I like to see: scared yet strong; flawed yet willing. I'm eager to see how her character develops in the sequel.

Secondary characters. Isobel's friends are a group of douche-canoes. I realize that's somewhat reminiscent of high school, but it took a while for Isobel to stand up to them, and they weren't even worth her time. When she did though, it felt real. Honestly, I could've done without the others. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing.


* I LOVED Gwen. I have to say she's one of the best YA characters I've ever read. Her personality is fabulous, and Creagh captured it in the most realistic way.
* Pinfeathers is quite interesting. I haven't quite figured him out yet. I really liked the way Creagh incorporated "those guys" into the story. I don't want to give anything away, but they're cool in a twisted kind of way.
* Reynolds, though not in the story as much as I would've liked, is superb. He's blurred somewhere between the good guy and bad guy. He has a job to do. While he doesn't want to hurt anyone, he looks out for the overall best interest.

Plot/Pacing/Writing:

I won't get into everything because I hate spoilers, and this one is hard not to spoil. I will say this, the plot was unique and riveting. The pace was perfect in an unusual way. There were times I was ready for it to move on, almost to skimming, but then it picked back up. Different readers have different points of "too fast/too slow". This one's on the fence, but paced just right for me!

The writing. Oh my gosh, the writing. I fell in love with the prologue and it continued throughout the entire book! Excellent writing is something insanely hard to come by. Most readers don't mind, but as a writer too, it's epically important to me. The descriptive writing is incredible, but not overdone. The sensory aspect is perfectly done, making me feel like I was there, which is tough considering the third person POV. I didn't feel like I was missing any emotion, any experience like I sometimes do with third person. Overall, the writing was impeccable.

Final Thoughts:

I've never read anything like Nevermore. It's based loosely on Poe's life and works. I'm a HUGE Poe fan, so I found this just freaking amazing! The story is definitely dark and very creepy, but it's eerily charming. I don't see it being an across-the-board success from a plot/genre point of view, but the gorgeous writing, a handful of fabulous characters, and the epic uniqueness guarantee a great read! I absolutely recommend to ages 15 and up.