Day 31 - $10.00 to a bookstore/online bookseller of your choice.

The winner of day 30 is Melinda Sheridan.  Congrats, because the book is being personalized you can take however long you like to get back to my email but the sooner you respond the sooner I should be able to get the book out to you.

Today is the last day of our 31 day of contest so I hope that you all had fun.  I know that not all of you won but don't be sad there will be more contests on this blog!  I'm thinking of doing a monthly one, that runs all month and the winner is picked at the start of the next month, what do you guys think?  Let me know in the comments.

For the prize today I thought I should give away something that everyone can benifit from.  Since we all love books here on the last day I've decided to give away the equivilent of $10.00 US to someone to use at a site you can buy books.  So that means Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository, Amazon, ect.  Anywhere you can buy a book I'll give you $10.00 worth of credit.  All you have to do is fill out the form, easy peasy.  I'll pick the winner tomorrow and it will be anounced in the wrap up.  Thank you all for participating and I hope that you don't just un-follow the blog now that our contests are over with.

Day 30 - Personalized Signed Book

The winner of day 29 is Lissette Martinez!!! Congrats, you have 72 hours to respond to my email or the prize goes to someone else.

Today up for grabs is a signed personalized book from THIS event, which includes Kimberly Derting, Lisa Schroeder, Mandy Hubbard, Eileen Cook, Cat Patrick and Suzanne Young.  International entries are welcome but just be aware that if you are international you may have to pay shipping, but we'll see how it all works out.  Just fill out the form but be aware that if you would like the hard cover book you will have to pay for half of it because I'm broke-ish.  Good luck, and remember, only one day left!

Day 29 - Dark Goddess

The winner of day 28 is PamM!!! Congrats, you have 72 hours to respond to the email or the prize will go to someone else.

Today the prize is an ARC of Dark Goddess, the sequal to The Devil's Kiss.  It was donated by the same follower that donated our last two prizes, because, you know, she's amazing.  The contest will be just like yesterday's, within the US unless you want to pay shipping to your country, just fill out the form to enter.

Review-A Need So Beautiful

To start out I just have to say that there are very few books that have made me cry, and even fewer paranormal-ly books that have made me cry, but this book was one of those very few.  I think it takes a great author to make a reader cry, and an even better author to make a reader cry when the whole idea of the book is not something that people have gone through before (i.e. more fantasy than contemporary) so in this case Suzanne Young is truly a great author.  Not only did this book make me tear up but it also had some great parts to it that I think will definitely make people think.  Not many fantasy books now a days make people go "wow, what would I do if that happened to me, and how can I make the world a better place" but this book really does.  Maybe it's the idea of the book but in step with the title Beautiful is exactly the right word to describe this book all together.  The last 30 pages or so are definitely going to make you emotional if you have EVER cried because of a book before, so make sure you're not in public (or you don't care what other people think of you), you've been forewarned.  Now, other than making me cry (and not in a bad way) this book was really amazing.  I honestly hadn't heard of Suzanne Young before this book even though she's written some other books that were published before this one but now I need go read those ones because, man, she is some writer.  The story was amazing, the characters were impressive, and the idea was just phenomenal.  I can see how some reviewers might see Charlotte as winy and somewhat of a poor character, but in my eyes that's not the way it is at all.  Yeah, there are some characters like that, but I don't think she is one of them because if you were to put yourself in her position I'm not sure you would be much better, so if you think she's a bad character put the book down, because it's obviously not for you.  This book was so amazing and I feel that everyone should read it because even though it does have that fantasy air about it I think that everyone could learn something important from Charlotte and take something away from the book.  I can't wait to see what happens in the next book and I hope that Charlotte and Harlin are in it because I want to see what happens next.

5/5/ dust spirits

Day 28 - The Darlings Are Forever

The winner of day 27 is Dawn Hagan GFC!!! Congrats, I've emailed you and you have 72 hours to respond or the prize goes to someone else. 

Today the same fan as last time donated an ARC of The Darlings Are Forever and just as I said before, with postage being expensive and me being strapped for cash and such it's US only unless you wish to pay for the extra shipping costs.  And since only like 13 people entered last time we'll go with the spreadsheet cause that seems to work better.

Review-Supernaturally

Throughout my time as a reader I've learned that sequels generally fall short of the first book in a series.  This isn't always true but most of the time it is.  I have to say that I am in love with Paranormalcy because it was just so much fun.  It was different and the story was so fresh and new it was a really great read.  I not-so-patiently awaited the release of Supernaturally because despite my best efforts I was unable to get an ARC of the book, although I did find it a few days early.  Now, I really enjoyed the book, it was fun and fresh just like it's predecessor but there were a few things that I missed.  I missed Tasey in most of this book, although she was there she wasn't used much and I feel that it really made Evie feel less Evie-ish and thus made this book less Paranormalcy-ish.  This book really was a great sequel to it though because it starts off pretty much where Paranormalcy left off and although it was missing Tasey there were still great things about it.  Lend, I love Lend and he pretty much just gets better and better in this book.  Then there's Evie, she really seems to find herself in this book and I really like that, because in the long run that's what all teenage girls (all people in general) want in the end. Then there was also that great twist at the end that I sort of saw coming but probably should have pegged from the beginning, but in my defense Reth is still a dick.  We rarely see female heroins that have to make a big decision that effects more than just herself and maybe a few of her close friends, but Kiersten somehow makes it possible for Evie to decide the fate of an entire species and you don't want to slap her, which I think is pretty impressive.  We also see more of who Evie is, not just as a person but who she is as a paranormal and I think that was another great thing about the book, because it needed to be put out there, not in the last book, but in the second one.  Long story short this was a good sequel but there was just that one thing missing that made it not better than the first one.  The beginning just throws you into the action and the ending wraps things up nicely while leaving a string for the last book to pick up on.  I can't wait for Endlessly to see how Evie and Lend end up and what the outcome of everything that's happened in the first two books turns out to be.

4.5/5 dust spirits

Day 27 - Hearts at Stake

The winner of day 26 is Marie Kacerosky!!! Congrats, you have 72 hours to respond or the prize goes to someone else.

Today one of our lovely members donated a PB copy of Hearts At Stake, which is the first book in the Drake Chronicles and although I've yet to read them they do look promising.  So because you all know I'm strapped for cash and shipping is expensive, and I've yet to get the prizes out to the international winners from the LAST contest this one is inside the US unless you want to pay shipping.  I also appologize, if you're international and you won something last time it should be in the mail with the stuff from this contest.  For this contest let's be a little different and have you leave a comment with your favorite vampire book (or book with vampires in it).  *this is mainly because I don't want to make a spreadsheet for the thing, so just one entry, nice and simple.

In Which I Talk About Dreams, Zombies, and Horror Movies

So recently my good author friend (or at least I consider her my good author friend, she might think I'm just a creepy stalker fan) Kimberly Derting wrote a blog post on horror movies and her daughter, which got me thinking.  Now I myself am a huge horror slut, I would say horror junkie, but while being a slut can just be all about talk (take Easy A for example) being a junkie is some serious business and can be more deadly than I would like.  Any who, I love horror movies and I'm always looking for a movie that will scare me sh*tless.  So far I've come across no such movie, and although I've not seen Paranormal Activity I refuse to watch it because I don't do weird movies that are viewed through crappy security cameras and such.  Now, if I had to pick my favorite horror movie I would have to go with The Silence of the Lambs because really, who doesn't love Anthony Hopkins? I'm also a big fan of Aliens which is the sequel to Alien and is SO much better than the first one because, well, there are more aliens and...yeah, there are just more aliens.  I've seen a huge number of movies that range from ones that want to make me gouge my eyes out with a dull spoon (Piranha 3D) to ones that aren't all that bad, but didn't scare me (Insidious).  I also can't help but love zombie movies, but now onto the dream part of this blog post.  For some reason every few months I seem to have a reoccurring dream about a zombie apocalypse.  Which could mean a few things.
1. There is a coming zombie apocalypse and my subconscious is trying to tell me to get off my a** and start training
2. Zombies scare me subconsciously and I just am to stupid to realize it
OR
3. Oy brain is trying to tell me that in the case of a zombie apocalypse I will die a horrible death because I will be viciously eaten alive by a hoard of hungry zombies.

Now, all of those sound kind of suckish because well, let's face it, I kinda like the world we live in right now, even if it is a little f*cked up, with all of the crazy pop stars in the limelight and some of the TV shows that are still running.  And I really like being alive and being able to think for myself.  That, and if the zombie apocalypse does happen I WILL NEVER GET TO FINISH ALL THE BOOKS I HAVE TO READ IF I'M EATEN AND I WILL NEVER FIND OUT HOW SOME BOOK SERIES END!!!  Which would pretty much be the worst thing in the world (I'm sure that you would all agree with me on this, right?).  Basically what I'm trying to say is if there is a zombie uprising tomorrow it isn't my fault, and before I die I'm going to break into the publishing offices to read the endings of my favorite books, then I can die happy.  Also, if you have any good horror movies for me to watch please let me know because my socks have not fallen off because I was scared, so before the zombies attack let's fix that. 

Thank you,

   <3

Day 26 - Enthralled

The winner of day 25 is Alba!!! Congrats, i've emailed you and you have 72 hours to respond or the prize goes to someone else.

Today up for grabs is a pre-order of ENTHRALLED Paranormal Diversions and as long as you live in some place where the book depository ships to for free you're all set to go.  Basically it's international. Just fill out the form to enter.

Day 25 - Bookplate Package

The winner of day 24 is Monique Ansari!!! Congrats, I've given your email to Beth Revis and hopefully she will email you soon.

Today up for grabs is a Bookplate Package with various book plates from various authors.  Why not make it international because it will fit in a small envelope so postage shouldn't be to bad.  I might get a few more bookplates at the signing I go to but I can't promise anything. Just fill out the form.

Sorry that it's upside-down, Blogger is being stupid. 

Review-The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer

I have so many things to say about this book but I think that the first one has to be WOW.  This book is like, half paranormal, half romance, and half murder mystery (yup, that's 150% but that's how awesome it is!).  I think this is one of the best books I've read this year and it's for a number of reasons.  One, Mara, she's such a great character.  I mean, she's gone through so much and she still manages to find a great comeback line when it comes to Noah.  Two, Noah, I just love him so much.  He's witty, sarcastic, basically he's a Patch only not a fallen angel, and I mean, who doesn't wish they could change the poor aloof hot guy who has slept with the whole female body into the guy any girl would love to have on her arm because he's so in love with you it's almost sick?  Basically, Noah is mine, and you can't have him.  Third, the mystery.  I love a good mystery and Michelle has definitely delivered a great one right here.  Paranormal mysteries, even better and this is definitely a great paranormal mystery.  The whole idea of this book is fresh and new, and I'm sure that only a few people could have done this book justice and Michelle does a great job.  This book has gotten quite a good amount of hype and now that I've read it I can see why.  I think the only thing that could have made this book better was if, you know what, I don't think I can think of ANYTHING that could have made this book better.  This book was just so much fun and according to the lovely author it's gonna be the first in a series, which means I needed the second one like, yesterday.  Hopefully I'll be able to get Michelle to do an interview with me because she's a really great person and a terrific writer.  Definitely be on the lookout for this book when it comes out and if you have any chances to snag this book before it comes out take it because I promise you won't be disappointed.  (But don't steal, cause stealing is bad, and killing is worse, so don't kill either.  But it's okay to bite, cause this book is worth a few scrapes and bruises, just make sure you're up to date on all of your shots if you do get in a scuffle, cause I'm not responsible for any medical problems that may occur if you try to get your hands on this book.)

Released September 27, 2011

5/5 dust spirits



Day 24 - A bookplate and swag from Beth Revis

The winners of day 23 are Christina Madison and Alice Priday!!! Congrats, you have 72 hours to respond to my email or the prize goes to someone else.

Today Beth Revis, the lovely author of this book ^ has donated a signed bookplate (a sticker you can put in your book so it's signed) and some swag to our lovely page.  I do believe she said the prize would be international so remember to thank her profusely when you enter.  She'll be mailing the stuff directly to the winner, so yeah, you get an envelope directly from an author!  (A famous one at that!).  Just fill out the form. :]

Day 23 - Bookmark Package

The winner of day 22 is Shannon Johnson!!! Congrats, let me know what book cover you want on your pendant and be sure to respond to Midnight Creations email.

Today up for grabs I have two bookmark packages.  I've accumulated a bunch of swag and such from authors and signings over the last 9 months or so and I don't have anything to do with the extras, so I give them away to you guys!  There are two packages andd since this is swag and the lovely Alice Priday has donated two bookmarks to one of the winners courtesy of this site and they ship international, we'll make the contest international. 
Note, quite a few of these are signed and I will be picking up some more at the signing I go to at the end of the month, so I'll add some more to that too.

Let me know which pack you want in the form and then you know the rest.  The two extra bookmarks will go in pack 2.

Pack 1

Pack 2

Day 22 - Beaded Bookmark and Book Pendant

The winner of day 21 is Shannon Johnson!!! Congrats, I've emailed you and you have 72 hours to respond to the email or the prize will go to someone else!!!

Today we have a handmade beaded bookmark made from Midnight Creations.  The page has been kind enough to donate ONE bookmark to the winner and she's also kindly made the contest international.  I've also decided to include either a pair of book cover earrings or just one if you want a necklace or a bookmark so I'll gladly send that to the winner as well. 
     

My end will be like the earrings and the beaded bookmark will be like the beaded bookmark shown above.  Just fill out the form!

Day 21 - Tighter + interview

Today is the 21st contest, which means there are only 10 to go!

The winner of the 20th day contest is savanna ucinski!!! Congrats, I've emailed you and you have 72 hours to respond or I pick another winner.

Today's prize is Tighter by Adele Griffin, who has generously donated a SIGNED copy to us AND done an interview.   I sent the questions to Adele last month and she got them back to me really fast, so here's the interview I set up with her. :]





PLTF: It seems that you’ve written quite a few books but I’ve only heard of your two most recent ones The Julian Game and Tighter, is that because your other books are indi books or was I just not looking hard enough?

AG: I had my first book published in '96 but it, and a few others, are out of print. I've spent a few recent years putting out the three books in my Vampire Island series, which is younger. So I've been off the YA radar. You can get most of my books through the usual channels-- I've been with Putnam 12 years.

 

PLTF: The Julian Game is really more of a contemporary YA book but Tighter is more paranormal, was it hard moving from one to the other?

AG: My first love is with the paranormal. Lisa Brown and I co-wrote Picture the Dead which is a paranormal set during the Civil War. I have a book called Where I Want to Be that's a bit of a paranormal. And I have a book coming back into print called The Other Shepards that can be read as a ghostly tale.

 

PLTF: I assume you didn’t get your first book published the first time you turned it in, so you definitely needed a few other jobs before you became an author, what did you do?  Do you like being an author better?

AG: Here is something funny-- I actually did get my first book that I turned in published--but I was very helped by the fact that I was working in the editorial department of MacMillan Children's Books. It was great training. I wrote flap copy, catalog copy, helped write editorial letters. Wonderful training, I still use all these years later.

 

PLTF: I’ve been so curious about this question, what happens if you’re booked on a book tour (no pun intended) and you get sick?  Will you go back there like with what happens when singers get sick or is it one of those one shot things?

     AG: I get migraines so this question is very pertinent to me. Last time I got sick, I just stayed in the hotel. It was about 11 years ago, I still have sad memories of it. I hate to be sick when I want to be signing books. But it's a rare event.

PLTF: Out of all the books you’ve written what is your favorite one?

AG: I think my favorite book of mine has not been written yet. I truly think it's going to happen this decade. But I'm an erstwhile optimist.

 

PLTF: As an author I’m sure you get at least a few ARCs, and then you must read at least SOME YA fiction, what are some of your favorite recent or upcoming YA books?

AG: Right now in YA I'm finishing Invisible Girls by Nova Ren Suma and just finished Frost by Marianna Baer. Both a bit spooky. Going to read The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. It's the spooky, luminous summer of 2011. I'm always reading something, it's my joy of life.

 

PLTF: What’s the hardest part of writing a book for you?  The beginning, the ending, the summary?

AG: The hardest part is always the last third, when I have to answer for the first two thirds. It's also the most dangerous turf, because things can turn most boring or confusing, in my rhythm of writing.

 

PLTF: Was there a reason you became a writer or was it just one of those things that called to you?  Did you always want to be a writer?

AG: I love to be a writer, it was the only thing I could have been. Or a professional dog adorer. I adore dogs.

PLTF: Which do you like writing better, contemporary or paranormal YA fiction?  Have you ever thought about branching out into adult fiction?

      AG:Maybe I will write adult fiction, when I feel more like an adult. It creeps up on you ...

PLTF: Last but not least, what do you have to say to all of the people out there who have read/bought/reviewed your books?

     AG:To anyone who took the time to read my book, I am blushing. It's a profoundly humbling feelings. There are no words.

Thank you Adele for answering all of my crazy questions, and now, onto the giveaway.  :]

Review-Possession

I won this book from the #TaggedPOSSESSION twitter giveaway via Beth Revis (lovely author of Across the Universe) and I'm glad I did.  I had heard so many great things about this book and I'm really glad I got to read it, although due to unforeseen circumstances it took me longer then it should have to actually finish it.  Possession was a lot of fun, a good dystopian book with a mix of crazy laws, lots of advanced technology, and that one boy (or maybe two) that makes you go *swoon*.  Elana really comes out with a bang and although the ending made me go "NO, YOU DID NOT JUST DO THAT!!!" it was still a good book and it had that nice air of refreshing book to it.  I really enjoyed the characters, Vi and Jag were so much fun and all of the tech was fascinating.  I do have to say that the world of Possession is not one that I would want to live in, but it was a good one to read about.  The action starts off right away and you're pretty much thrown into the story without much explanation, but in some way I think this works better then having all of the back story because that could have been really boring.  Definitely not a regular dystopic novel I'm pleased that I got a chance to read this book and if you liked Matched, Delirium, or The Hunger Games I think you would really enjoy this book.  It's also a great read if you're looking for something just a little different that still has that boy you can drool over and that girl with the special ability who could one day rule the new world she lives in. Originating and fascinating I'm pleased that this book made it through to printing and I can't wait to read the second installment of this series, even if it is a companion novel and not a true sequel.  Also, there better be more of Vi in the companion novel or I might have to hunt down Elana and eat her.

4.5/5 dust spirits

Day 20 - The Ghost and the Goth

The winner of day 19 is Melinda!!! Congrats, you have 72 hours to respond to my email or the prize goes to someone else.


Today up for grabs is an order of The Ghost and the Goth from a website with free shipping, so if you live somewhere the Book Depository ships to you're good.  Basically this contest is international.  Stacey also did an interview with us but for some reason I can't get the damn thing to work, so I'll post it later.

Day 19 - The Girl Next Door

Since there were more than 30 people who entered (37 to be exact) there are two winners, (well that and the fact that the first winner said that they would take any of the VA books which means a paperback copy). The two winners are Corey and Monique Ansari!!! Congrats, you guys have 72 hours to respond to my email or the prize goes to someone else.

Today the author, Selene, was nice enough to donate a (slightly puffy but still very readable copy) of one of her books The Girl Next Door, and it was a really touching book, great for those of you who have read My Sister's Keeper and If I Stay. All you have to do is fill out the form. Because I'm tight on money it's within the US unless you want to pay shipping fees.

In Which I Talk About Borders

As long as I can remember I've been going to Borders to get books.  It's where I went to get Breaking Dawn on the day it was released, I stayed at the store until midnight, and it's where I get most of the new books that I buy now a days.  They always have great deals, with a coupon every week, and since it's just down the street from my grandparent's house I drag my dad there constantly.  When I learned that Borders had gone bankrupt last year I was a little worried, but Barnes and Noble filed for bankruptcy two years ago so I wasn't that worried, and they seemed to recover, or so I thought.  Today I learned that Borders will be closing ALL of it's stores ALL around the country, and that really hit me hard.  I pretty much go to Borders every week and even though they didn't have ALL the books I was looking for they had enough good ones I was happy enough with what I found.  Thanks to Borders I found some really great books including The Body Finder, City Of Bones, Th1rteen R3easons Why, and Hush, Hush.  The only upside I can see in this is that I'll be able to get some good books cheap because they have to get rid of all of their stock, so that's a plus.  I'm really sad that people now a days are so wrapped up in their e-books that they can't take the time to buy actual books and I'm afraid that by the time that I would have grandchildren they won't even know what books are anymore.  Unfortunately I don't think that Borders will ever come back to us once it is gone but it's good to know that they served us for 40 years and I personally will miss this particular bookstore chain terribly.

Day 18 - Vampire Academy

The winner of day 17 is Brittany!!! Congrats, I've emailed you and you have 72 hours to respond to my email or the prize will go to someone else.

Today up for grabs we have one, maybe two *copies of one of the Vampire Academy books and it will be signed!!!  Not personalized, but you will get a VA book with Richelle's signature in it.  This contest will be in the US only unless you want to pay the international shipping fees, if you do, then feel free to enter!  Just fill out the form and winners will be picked tomorrow.

*The number of winners will depend on the number of entries, please note that if the first person picked wanted Last Sacrifice signed then there would only be one winner.

Day 17 - Viola In The Spotlight

The winners of day 16 are Alba (Ouran) and Clarissa P (Clary) [Fullmetal Alchemist]!!! Congrats, you guys have 72 hours to respond to my email or your prize goes to someone else. 

Today we have a book that was randomly sent to me from the publisher (which I thank) but I've never read the first one, and it realy doesn't seem like my cup of tea, so I'm gonna give it away here!  Since I didn't actually have to pay anything for the book why not make it international!?  Hopefully I'll pay shipping but just as a side note you might have to, but I'll do my best to make sure you don't have to.

Day 16 - Manga

The winner of the 15th day contest is Carrie Schul!!!  Congrats, I've emailed you, and you have 72 hours to respond before I pick another winner.

Today's prize?  There will be two, one person will win the first volume of FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST and the second will win the first volume of OURAN HIGH SCHOOL HOST CLUB.
  All you have to do is fill out the form. Good luck.                                                    



Day 15 - Firelight

The winners of day 14 are Monique Ansari, Sabrina Herrero, and Casey Hensley!!! Congrats, I've emailed you and hopefully you guys will enjoy the book.

Today we have a signed FIRELIGHT by Sophie Jordan up for grabs. Someone won this last time, but no one ever claimed it, so here it is again. I can't remember if the last one was international, but why not make this on international. Again, you might have to pay for shipping, it all depends, but if you want it go for it and we'll deal with the postage later. Just fill out the form.

Day 14 - Anathema

The winner of day 13 is kristina!!!  Congrats, you have 72 hours to reply to my email or the prize goes to someone else.

Today the generous author of Anathema has donated three ebooks to our lovely blog.  All you have to do is fill out the form and I'll pick a winner tomorrow.  I appologize that this post is late, my dog is sick and we had to take him to the vet.  This contest is international, but make sure you can read it on your computer or device (any ereader should do) and remember that it's in English.

Once Upon A Read-A-Thon Mini-Challenge 3-1

Today's first challenge is hosted by Nikki from Wicked Awesome Books and has to do with matchmaking. I think I'm gonna have lots of fun with this one.

The idea is to take two characters, each from a different series and match them together, then say way.  Oh what fun. <3

So if I were a YA fiction matchmaker I would match.............

Patch from The Hush, Hush Saga by Becca Fitzpatric

+

Ridley from the Caster Chronicles by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Why?  That's easy, because even though Patch has a girl already he seems like the kind of guy who you would expect to see a very attractive but somewhat slutty girl on his arm.  I feel that Ridley would fit this image just perfectly so, BAM, Patch and Ridley!

Who would you guys match up?

Day 13 - Forgotten + Interview

The winner of the 12th day contest is Victoria Sloboda!!!  Congrats, I've emailed you, and you have 72 hours to reply or the prize will go to someone else.

Note; when you enter the contest please be sure that all of your information is correct and READ the questions because sometimes they are a little different.

Today's prize?  A SIGNED ARC of Cat Patrick's debut novel Forgotten. AND she did an interview with us, so please enjoy.  Since this ARC is was for the US this one is just going to be within the US, but if you're international please enjoy the interview.

The idea for Forgotten is so different, was it hard to keep everything straight with London only remembering into the future?

Yes, it was a challenge, but I think that’s why I wrote it so quickly: so I could stay in the moment and up on everything that was happening…all the things London had to forget. I did a lot of timelines and pretty much every time I sat down to write, I had to re-read the last few chapters to help keep things straight.

I asked you at your launch party how London remembers her mom and such and you said because they’re in her future.  What happens when her mom dies and is no longer in her future, will she forget all about her?

That’s a very sad thought, but yes, when someone’s no longer in London’s future, she doesn’t remember them. Although I think she’d make a scrapbook and videos so that the memories of her mother wouldn’t be lost forever.

What is it like to be a debut author?  And I even saw that your book was blurbed by JAY ASHER, what was that like!?

Being a debut author is a surreal experience: Having people worldwide read your writing for the first time is nerve-racking! But, since I’ve wanted to be a writer my whole life, it’s also a dream come true.

I was thrilled when Jay Asher agreed to blurb my book. When I originally sent it to him, he was so busy with school visits that he didn’t have time to read it for a while. Then when we were approaching the blurb deadline, I checked in with him, and I’m so glad I did. He read it really quickly and even better, he liked it enough to put his name on it! He’s an amazing writer; I’m honored to have his endorsement.

It’s also been optioned for a movie and the rights have been bought.  How do you feel about that?  Are you afraid they’re gonna ruin it if they do turn it into a movie? Do you have a dream cast for the movie?  Would you like big stars or new comers to star in it?

I’m so excited that they’re going to make Forgotten into a movie. Hailee Steinfeld is attached to play London and I think she’s perfect. As for the rest of the cast, I think I’d like some new comers to fill in the rest of the roles. I don’t envy the casting director’s job for sure!

Did you listen to music while you wrote or did you need silence?  If you did listen to music did you have a playlist?  If so, what did it include?

I love music, but I can’t listen to it while I write: It’s too distracting.

I really feel like there is great potential for Forgotten to have a sequel, is there ANY hope of that?

I’ve learned in my life to never say never, but I’m really not planning on a sequel at this time. I love the ending to Forgotten. I think it shares enough while also giving the reader the chance to use his or her imagination a bit, too.

I also know that you’re working on a new book, is there anything you can tell us about that?

Unfortunately, not yet, but I’ll post news on my blog and on Facebook and Twitter as soon as I have it!

What’s the deal with the cover?  There’s the dust jacket and underneath the hardcover has something printed on it too.  Do you have a preference of one or the other?

There were several versions they were considering for the cover (the dust jacket), and instead of scrapping the one they liked second best, Little, Brown chose to print it on the case. The pink case art is very 80s to me—I think it’s pretty—but I also love the boldness of the cover lettering (and the cover model’s name is Cat, too!).

You dedicated your book to your twin girls, is it hard to juggle writing and being a mom (as well as any job you might have)?

Sure, juggling is always a challenge, but I think we make room in our lives for the things we love to do. I have an incredibly helpful husband and extended family to make things easier. And I just hope that my pursuit of my dreams will teach my daughters that they can and should go after what they want in life, too.

Seeing as you’re a new YA author I think it’s only reasonable to ask you what some of your favorite YA books are.

I’m reading Divergent by Veronica Roth right now and I’m obsessed: I love it. I’m a fan of Maggie Steifvater’s books and I really enjoyed Matched by Ally Condie. I think Carolyn Mackler is amazing and am in awe of Jay Asher—Thirteen Reasons Why should be required reading for teens—so I’m incredibly excited for their co-written book, The Future of Us.

What is the best part of being a debut author?  What’s the best thing a fan has ever done for you?

I think it’s just experiencing everything for the first time: the fan letters, the emails about sales, the events. It’s all pretty amazing.

My favorite thing from a fan so far is just a simple email that said that before reading Forgotten, this particular girl didn’t like to read. My book changed her outlook on reading. That blew my mind.

My sister, who was a fan before I ever wrote a word, made me a “Have a Purr-fect Day” t-shirt and gave it to me on launch day. My UK publisher did the same when they were bidding on the book. I’m (now not so) secretly hoping that by this time next year, I’ll have a whole collection of homemade cat t-shirts.

Last but not least, what do you have to say to all of those people who have read/bought/reviewed Forgotten?

You’re helping to make my dream a reality. Thank you.

So, now that you guys have read that, onto the giveaway.  Easy peasy, just fill out the form. :]

Once Upon A Read-A-Thon Mini-Challenge 2-1

So today's first mini-challenge is hosted by YA Bliss and has to do with love triangles.

Authors seem to be really fond of love triangles and of course I have read quite a few books with some good love triangles in them.  My favorite three would have to be
1. Ren Vs. Shay in the Nightshade series by Andrea Cremer.  I know that people are really torn on this one and I can see how some people are leaning towards one or the other.  I myself really love Shane but who knows, Calla could very possibly end up with Ren as well.
2. Zenn Vs. Jag in Possession by Elana Johnson.  I'm only like 35 pages in but I can already tell that this will definetly turn into a love triangle for Vi over the course of this book, and I intend to see who she picks by tomorrow.

I know there must be tons of other love triangles out there but I honestly can't think of any more at this point.  What are your favorite love triangles in YA books?

Day 12 - Wolfsbane

The winners of day 11 are April X and nat cleary!!! Congrats, you guys don't have to respond to the email, but Joanne will tell me if you don't claim your prize within 72 hours.

Today I have a preorder of Andrea Cremer's WOLFSBANE up for grabs, and as long as you live somewhere I can ship the book to from a website free of cost you're good.  So basically it's international.  Just fill out the form to win.  Good luck!

Review-The Future of Us

What if you could look 15 yeras into your future and see what your life would be like?  Would you want to change things?  How far would you go to be happy?  I loved the idea of this book, and when I heard that Jay Asher was co-authering this book I was estatic.  His first book Thirteen Reasons Why was just amazig and I couldn't wait to see what he had come up with next.  I haven't read anything by Carolyn Mackler but I think that after reading this book I definetly will at least pick up one of her books.  Honestly, I wasn't as blown away by this book as I was by Jay's first work, but it was still a really enjoyable read.  Quick and easy it didn't make me think long and hard like Thirteen Reasons Why but it did make me think about all of the petty things we post on Facebook and how we seem to let the whole world know our personal business now that we have this technology.  The voices were fresh though and I really felt like it was a good rendering of what teenage life is like, even though it was 15 years in the past.  I think that we forget what it was like so long ago, and even though when the book took place I was only a year old I do applaud the authors for writing in that time.  Its easier to write about the now or the future in a book, and with the past you do have to do some research but there wasn't a lot of technology 100 years ago.  Jay and Carolyn do a great job at making the techonology they use in the book right to the time period they're in.  I do have to admit I was just a little let down with this book, but maybe it was because I was looking forward to it being amazing, but just because it didn't exactly stand up to what I imagined doesn't mean that it wasn't a good book.  It was a quick easy read that was light and enjoyable.  I don't think that anyone can say that the YA world is all dark with this book in the mix when it comes out in November.  I'll be picking up a copy of this book and putting it on my shelf in a place of honor.

Released November 21, 2011

4.5/5 dust spirits

Once Upon A Read-A-Thon Mini-Challenge 1-1

So the first mini-challenge is hosted by Bailey at IB Book Blogging and the questions are as followed;

Mini Challenge Question 1:What is your favorite type of myth (Greek, Roman, Egyptian etc)?

Mini Challenge Question 2:
What is your :favorite book with some type of mythology in it?
My answers are;

Mini Challenge Question 1:
I think that my favorite type of myth has to be Egyptian.  Maybe it's because of the afterlife thing, but I think it's more about the mummies, because who doesn't love a mummy!?  They're so fascinating, just the whole idea of mummifying a person to help them travel to the next life, and all of the things that went into making them mummies, I mean, how can you not find that interesting?
Mini Challenge Question 2:
This one is harder, I really don't read that many books with mythology in them, but I think the most recent one I read has to be THE GODDESS TEST by Aimee Carter.  It's all about Greek mythology and although I do enjoy Greek myths I really would love to read a book about Egyptian mythology.  Do you guys know any?

Feel free to answer the questions in the comments too, I love reading about what you guys like as well!

Once Upon A Read-A-Thon

So I signed up to participate in the Once Upon A Read-A-Thon which is hosted by Reading Angel, Pure Imagination, and Candace's Book Blog.  This is my first time doing this and I'm not quite sure how it works, but I'm going to do my best.  The point is just to read a whole bunch, and then do some little mini-challenges every day, so I'll post reviews as I finish books and post mini-challenges here on the blog as they come up.  Maybe some of you will respond in the comments, and or chreer me on!

Day 11 - Laney

The winner of day 10 is Sabrina Heuschkel!!! Congrats, you have 72 hours to respond to my email or the prize goes to someone else.

Today we have two ebooks donated by the author herself, Joanne.  I really enjoyed this book so I hope that you guys will enjoy it too.  This contest is international and as long as you have a computer you should be good to go.  The ebook will also work on any ereader you might have.

Review-Hourglass

I won this book courtesy of Victoria Schwab's first giveaway on her countdown to THE NEAR WITCH.  I would have bought this book anyways because 1, the cover is just like, WOW, and 2, although I'm not the best at time travel (it can get confusing) I've heard that this book is really great so I would have had to try it.  I'm really glad I did win this book though, because it was signed and Myra has no signings here in Seattle, and I'm even more glad (please ignore the bad grammar) that I read it earlier rather then later.  It was honestly a great debut book and it was just so beutifuly written you can't help but not love it.  I'm sure that the science isn't exactly sound, but the way that Myra writes it might as well be scientific fact, because the way she explains things just make it so easy to believe.  Why can't some of my teachers write like this, seriously, it would make things so much easier.  It's true that the book doesn't get really really exciting until the last 100 pages or so but that doesn't mean that the rest of the book isn't good.  Emerson (what a great name for a main female character) is a great main character.  I know there are some of you out there who really dislike the female leads that are needy and whiney but I really don't think Emerson is like that.  Yeah, she does do a little bit of "woe is me" stuff, but honestly who doesn't?  Emerson is such a strong character and I really connected with her.  Even though this is a fantasy/sci fi book I feel that it really does have an underlying message to everyone, and that's that even though it might be hard you can overcome anything if you have help, and if you're willing to get help.  I myself can't wait for the next book in the series because after this ending I NEEd to know what happens next.  There were so many twists I was trying to keep up with everything and figure it out before Emerson, but I really only got it right before it was revealed in the book, and you know how impressive that is when it comes to me and my detective skills ;).  So Bravo to Myra for a great debut and hopefully the sequal will be quick to print so I can read it too.

5/5 dust spirits

Day 10 - I'm Not Her

The winner of day 9 is savanna ucinski!!! Congrats, you have 72 hours to respond to my email or the prize goes to someone else. 

There were only 14 enteries in the last contest and I had to delete some becaues they didn't get the required question right.  The answer was in the interview or if you didn't read it, just somewhere on the internet. 

Day 10 is just like day 9 only the book up for grabs is I'm Not Her by Janet Gurtler.  All you have to do is fill out the form.  This contest is international, as long as the book depository ships to your country (or if you find another place that does with free shipping).

Day 9 - The Pull of Gravity + Interview

Day 9 of our month of contests!!!

The winner of day 8 is Megan A.!!! Congrats, you have 72 hours to respond to my email or I pick another winner.

Today up for grabs is a copy of The Pull of Gravity by Gae Polisner which I will buy the winner off of a site that sells books, so for the most part it's international.
Gae is a great personal friend of mine and I'm really glad to have her here on the blog today!!!

PLTF: What is it like to be a debut author? Is it frustrating that your book isn’t out there in all the major chain
stores (even though it should be)?
GP: It is both exciting and totally stressful. As a debut, we have to worry more about sales than is good for
the artistic personality. And with a piece of realistic, contemporary, even somewhat literary, YA, it’s
even harder to watch those numbers climb so slowly. And, btw, I am with a major publisher. One of the
biggest. But the Bix Boxes (like B&N) are picking up fewer and fewer contemporary YA’s even though
they sell them online.
Bettina Restrepo, author of the beautiful debut Illegal, has (we think) coined the totally fitting
phrase “no wings, no fangs” to describe the quiet nature of our books that don’t get much up-front
attention. No big-bang marketing plans. No major buzz. BUT, I wrote The Pull of Gravity to be a
lasting novel that might transcend generations. And a few important (to me) people and reviewers
have already described it as such, one even calling it “librarian’s gold” and using the word “classic” in
conjunction with it. So, I remind myself that my book is what it is: my book. I try not to compare to
measure it in sales, but rather in heartfelt praise knowing that it isn’t a flashy “wings and fangs” book.
The Pull of Gravity brings something else to the table -- something special that may not blast it off with
fireworks onto “big box store” shelves everywhere, but will trickle it into hearts and be remembered
and talked about for generations to come. At least I hope so. I have faith that it will.

PLTF: Yoda, Steinbeck, and Troll dolls, why?
GP: I’m so tempted to answer “why not?” but I’ll try to do better than that.
Yoda is easy. Both my boys loved Star Wars as younger kids, and Star Wars just reeks of boy, doesn’t it?
And if you know anything about Yoda, you know that he spouts a lot of Buddhist-type wisdom. So, when
The Scoot, who is about to turn 16 and dying, came into my story, I knew I wanted him to be wise, but
not precocious – a difficult balance. By allowing The Scoot to rely on Yoda’s wisdom, I could have my
cake and eat it too. * points to lame metaphor*
As for Steinbeck, and Of Mice and Men, there are long and short answers. If you want the long answer,
ask in a comment or something. The short answer is, I decided to test the power of Jaycee (Nick’s
love interest) by use of a classic novel. I thought, what better way to see if she was as intriguing and
charming as I wanted her to be than by seeing if she could draw Nick into her love of Of Mice and Men.
And, as for troll dolls? Why not? I mean, who doesn’t love the butts on those things? Besides, they’re
iconic, yet out-of-date, another thing that Jaycee can pull off simply because she’s Jaycee.

PLTF: Five words to let people know why they should read/buy your book.
GP: Quirky, poignant. Funny. Real. Memorable. (or so I hope).

PLTF: I assume you’re working on a new project, can you tell us a little about it, or is it top secret?
GP: I actually have several young adult manuscripts in the works, as well as two women’s fiction
manuscripts. But I think my next YA book we’re going to go out to publishers with is a book tentatively
titled Frankie Sky, about a teen girl who falls into a summer job watching a fearless little boy she
believes may be the reincarnate of her dead little brother. It’s not paranormal though, it’s contemporary
realistic YA with a hint of magical (or spiritual?) realism.

PLTF: Describe your book in either a Yoda quote or a Steinbeck quote.
GP: That’s easy because the book opens with a quote from Of Mice and Men that perfectly encapsulates the
story:
“Lennie broke in. ‘But not us! An’ why? Because…because I got you to look after me, and you got me
to look after you, and that’s why.’”

PLTF: What is the hardest part of being an author?
GP: The rejection. And the self-doubt. And the copy edits. ;)

PLTF: Best thing a fan has ever done for you?
GP: There are a few. One lovely fan made me a beautiful pair of earrings that I wear constantly. True story.
Another, constantly writes that she is hugging my book. Hugging it. Really. That means so much to me.
It just really feels amazing when people connect with the book, and moreso, when I make connections
with people through the book that I otherwise would never have made. That part is a very good thing.

PLTF: Who inspired you to write The Pull of Gravity?
GP: I wrote it for my sons. I was writing women’s fiction (though did always want to write a children’s or
juvenile fiction book) and, at the time, reading aloud to the boys every night. They both really loved
contemporary MG and then YA fiction (anything by Kate DiCamillo, Polly Horvath, Katherine Hannigan,
K.L.Going, Sharon Creech, etc.), but the older they got, the more they wanted the books we read to
have a male protagonist. A kid they could relate to. But that got harder and harder to find. Really good
character-driven fiction narrated by a boy. So I decided to write one for them.

PLTF: A few of your favorite books?
GP: MG: The Liberation of Gabriel King (Going); YA: Marcelo in the Real World
(Francisco Stork) and Stupid Fast (Herbach). Women’s/Contemporary: The History of Love (Krauss).

PLTF: Why YA and not adult fiction, or Sci Fi?
GP: Yep, answered this. I love writing women’s fiction. I have a ms I love to death that my agent loves too, that we’ve been unable to sell. But we will. Going to embark on some revisions this summer.

PLTF: How much research did you do for your book? How long did it take you to write it? Were there any
parts you had to rewrite because the facts weren’t right?
GP: I did bits and pieces of research for the book: The Scoot has Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome,
so I had to do some basic research on that. Nick’s Dad walks from a fictional upstate NY town (near
Saratoga) to NYC (so I had to do a lot of mapping, and researching how far someone could walk in a day,
etc. and mileage. . . those types of things). And also some mapping of Rochester, NY, where Nick and
Jaycee go to look for Scoot’s dad. Although some of the landmarks are fictional, the streets, the hotel
and the local news affiliate are all where I say they are, so more mapping. Not too many facts wrong
although I did mess up which type of tip a rectal thermometer has (stubby of course!). My editor fixed
that! ;)

PLTF: How do you deal with bad reviews (if you’ve gotten any that is)?
GP: We ALL get bad reviews. Pick the best book in the world, a book considered a classic, and go look. You’ll see bad reviews. And, yes, I’ve gotten a few. Mostly, they’re “not for me” type of comments, and I try to take them at face value. The reader didn’t connect with my book, or even my type of book. I’ve gotten enough good reviews that I hold onto those, accept the praise from the people who “get” my story, and what I was trying to do. Of course, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want everyone to like my book and me for that matter. But that aint how it goes.

PLTF: You have two sons, is that why you wrote The Pull of Gravity from a boys POV or did it just feel right?
GP: Yes, partly. But I’ve always liked boys. When I was a teenager, most my friends were boys. I related to
the boys better. They were more direct and honest in a way with their communication, even if that
communication was also greatly limited. Boys have a lovely simplicity to them that teenaged girls
don’t have. And, for the most part, they talk less. At least are less forthcoming with details. I love the
challenge of writing from a male POV and I think I do it better than from a teen girl POV. We’ll see if
Frankie Sky sells. It’s a girl’s POV.

PLTF: Last but not least, what do you have to say to all those people out there who have read/bought/rented
The Pull of Gravity?
GP: That it’s totally surreal that you may be out there reading my book. And that you might remember it,
share it, talk about it one day in the future. That you might stay awake reading even though you need to
go to sleep. That you might hurry back to its pages. That is so very cool.
I’m humbled and completely grateful.

Props to Gae for answering all of my questions and giving such GREAT answers.  Now, onto the give away. :D

Day 8 - Beauty Queens

The winner of day 7 is Cesya!!! Congrats, you have 72 hours to respond to my email or your prize goes to someone else.

Day 8 is an ARC of Libba Bray's newest book Beauty Queens, about a plane full of beauty queens who get marooned on what they think is a desserted island. Just fill out the form to enter! Good luck!

Day 7 - Imaginary Girls

The winners of day 6 are Sabrina Heuschkel and Catarina R.!!! Congrats, you have 72 hours to respond to my email or your prize goes to someone else.

Day 7 is an ARC of Imaginary Girls by the amazing Nova Ren Suma.  I LOVE this book so I've decided to make it international because I want to share this amazing book with everyone out there.  You might have to pay shipping, we'll see, but just fill out the form and we'll work that out later.  Good luck!

Day 6 - Mortal Instruments Postcards

The winners of day 5 are Monique Ansari, Melinda Sheridan, Ana L Arroyave, jordyn rose, Sierra, Ashley, and Sabrina Herrero!!! Congrats, I've emailed you and you have 72 hours to respond or your prize goes to someone else.

For day 6 I have two sets of Mortal Instruments postcards which were sent by the characters back and forth in CoFA.  Please only enter if you DON'T have a pack of these so that only people who don't own them will have the chance to win.  This contest is international!

Day 5 - Curse Worker Bracelets

The winners of day four are Clarissa P (Clary) and Cassie Madsen!!! Congrats, you have 72 hours to respond or I pick another winner.

Today there will be 7 winners! Each of the seven winners will win one bracelet inspired by Holly Black's Curse Workers Series.  It will be on a first come first serve basis, so it all depends on how fast you answer the email and what bracelet you requested on the form.  This contest is international!  :]

Day 4 - First Looks at Clockwork Prince and Black Heart

The winner of day 3 is jordyn rose!!! Congrats, you have 72 hours to respond to my email or the prize goes to someone else.

Today you're entering to win one of TWO teasers of Black Heart and Clockwork Prince.  Cassie's side is signed, unfortunetly after the fact I realized that Holly's was not.  They are double sided so each small booklet has the first chapter (or the prologue) of the books mentioned above.  These aren't final but I don't think they will be changed so much that they won't be recognized.