Happy New Year 2013 Giveaway Hop

Hey guys! Today I'm excited to take part in the Happy New Year 2013 Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & Babs Book Bistro. For my stop, I'm giving away a copy of What Happens Next by Colleen Clayton. This was one of my favorite reads of 2012!

Synopsis from Goodreads:   How can you talk about something that you can't remember?

Before the ski trip, Cassidy "Sid" Murphy was a cheerleader (on the bottom of the pyramid, but still...) and a straight-A student, with two of the best friends a girl could ask for.

When Sid finds herself on a ski lift with hunky local college guy, Dax Windsor, she's thrilled. "Come to a party with me," he tells her, but Dax isn't what he seems. He takes everything from Sid-including a lock of her perfect red curls-and she can't remember any of it.

After the ski trip, Sid is an insomniac and an obsessive late-night runner, unable to relate to her old friends.

Caught in a downward spiral, Sid drops her college prep classes and takes up residence in the A/V room with only Corey "The Living Stoner" Livingston for company. But as she gets to know Corey--slacker, baker, total dreamboat--Sid finds someone who truly makes her happy. Now, if only she could shake the nightmares, everything would be perfect...

Witty and poignant, Colleen Clayton's debut is a stunning story of moving on after the unthinkable happens.

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To enter just leave a comment and a way to contact you (email, twitter handle, etc.). Sorry, rafflecopter is being a pain!! In any case, this counts as 1 entry. If you follow this blog, you get an extra entry. If you tweet, facebook, or otherwise spread the news I'll give you 3 additional entries. Just let me know what you did in the comments. The hop runs from January 1st-7th. I will chose a winner on the 8th. Good luck to everyone who enters and don't forget to check out the rest of the stops on the hop!!!

The Farm: Escape is Only the Beginning Blog Tour & Giveaway!!

Today I'm thrilled to be a part of the blog tour for Emily McKay's The Farm. This book is thrilling and unexpected and just all around awesome. Look for my review to be posted next week. In the meantime, I have a brief Q&A with the author and a giveaway!!!!!

Synopsis: Life was different in the Before: before vampires began devouring humans in a swarm across America; before the surviving young people were rounded up and quarantined. These days, we know what those quarantines are—holding pens where human blood is turned into more food for the undead monsters, known as Ticks. Surrounded by electrical fences, most kids try to survive the Farms by turning on each other…

And when trust is a thing of the past, escape is nearly impossible.

Lily and her twin sister Mel have a plan. Though Mel can barely communicate, her autism helps her notice things no one else notices—like the portion of electrical fence that gets turned off every night. Getting across won’t be easy, but as Lily gathers what they need to escape, a familiar face appears out of nowhere, offering to help…

Carter was a schoolmate of Lily’s in the Before. Managing to evade capture until now, he has valuable knowledge of the outside world. But like everyone on the Farm, Carter has his own agenda, and he knows that behind the Ticks is an even more dangerous threat to the human race...

Amazon / Goodreads

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Amazing, right?! Now, Emily McKay gives us some insight into The Farm's setting and her experience writing both Young Adult and Adult novels...

Q. Is there a specific reason that the story takes place in Texas? Was it a purposeful decision, or a random selection?

A. I live in Austin, Texas, and the landscape of this state—particularly between the major cities—lends itself well to a post-apocalyptic novel.  Also the drive they take out of Texas is a drive I took every summer growing up when I was visiting my family in the Ozarks.

Q. When writing a YA novel, what are the things you are conscious of in terms of language choice, character development, etc? What are some of the differences when writing a YA novel and compared to an Adult novel?

A. I think whether I’m writing a YA novel or an adult novel, my number one focus is on telling a kick-ass story.  And while I edited a little for language and content in the YA novel, I think YA readers are some of the savviest ones out there and I knew I had to bring it if I wanted to impress them.  I hope I did.

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And now, the moment you've all been waiting for. Thanks to the lovely folks at Penguin I have a prize pack to offer to one lucky reader!!!

The prize pack includes a copy of The Farm and a Vampire Apocalypse Survival Kit.

Rafflecopter is being wonky so just leave a comment for Emily and don't forget to include a way for me to contact you (email, twitter, etc.). I'll pick a winner on 1/15/2013!!! If you tweet or facebook about the giveaway, leave a link and I'll give you 2 additional entries.

Good luck and don't forget to check out the rest of the blog tour for more content and more chances to win!!! To learn more about the book or the author, please check out the book's website at: http://www.escapethefarm.com/

BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE 
Nov. 26  ICEYBOOKS  http://www.iceybooks.com/
Nov. 27  THE READING FEVER  http://www.thereadingfever.com/
Nov. 28  READ NOW SLEEP LATER  http://www.readnowsleeplater.com/
Nov. 29  KATIE’S BOOK BLOG  http://www.katiesbookblog.com/
Nov. 30  MY OVERSTUFFED BOOKSHELF  http://myoverstuffedbookshelf.blogspot.com/
Dec. 3    WASTEPAPER PROSE  http://www.wastepaperprose.com/
Dec. 4    CORNUCOPIA OF REVIEWS  http://cornucopiaofreviews.blogspot.com/
Dec. 5    THE READING GEEK  http://thereadinggeek.blogspot.com/
Dec. 6   CHICA READER  http://chicareader.blogspot.com/
Dec. 7   THE READING DATE  http://thereadingdate.com/
Dec. 10  YOUNG ADULT BOOK REVIEWS  http://youngadultbookreviews.com/
Dec. 11  LITERARY ESCAPISM http://www.literaryescapism.com/
Dec. 12  THE LIBRARIAN READS  http://thelibrarianreads.com/
Dec. 13  ACTIN UP WITH BOOKS  http://actinupwithbooks.blogspot.com/
Dec. 14  YA LOVE BLOG  http://yaloveblog.com/
Dec. 17  ADDICTED 2 NOVELS  http://www.addicted2novels.com/
Dec. 18  POISONED RATIONALITY  http://www.prationality.com/
Dec. 19  BREE’S BOOKS  http://www.breesbooks.com/
Dec. 20  GONE WITH THE WORDS  http://www.gonewiththewords.com/

Giveaway Winner: Level 2

And the winner of an ARC of Level 2 is....

ERIN

 

Erin has already replied to the winner notification and her book is on the way. Congratulations Erin!!!!

End of The World Book Blast & Giveaway!

Today we're celebrating the "End of the World" and the launch of Theresa McClinton's new dark YA paranormal romance, The Stone Guardian.

When Myth Becomes Reality, Reality Becomes a Nightmare

Book Blurb: Like any other teenager in America, Ashley just wants a normal life. But growing up in an orphange for the insane is anything but normal. After endless therapy and increasing medication, her nightmares have only gotten worse.

Probably because they're not nightmares.

When Ashley's mysteriously abducted, she finds a reality even less normal than the orphanage. And she discovers something else--she's no ordinary orphan. Faced with enemies thought to only exist in fairy tales, Ashley discovers she possesses a powerful Maya bloodline. She's the daughter of an ancient Maya Guardian, whose duty is to protect the Stone of Muuk'ich, an enchanted relic blessed by the gods. But first she must get it back from Sarian, a power-hungry demigod who slaughtered the last guardian--Ashley's mother. Without the stone, all will be lost.

When she meets Arwan, a hot Belizean time bender, his delicious olive skin and dark eyes make her feel a little less alone. But his gentle whispers and reassuring touch might not be all they seem. How can she balance love and duty when it's up to her to prevent the rising of the underworld? Especially when the guy she loves might be its crown prince...

Here is a link to the book's trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fN1JvOOntWw&feature=plcp

About the Author: A long time enthusiast of things that go bump in the night, Theresa started her writing career as a journalism intern—possibly the least creative writing field out there. After her first semester at a local newspaper, she washed her hands of press releases and features articles to delve into the whimsical world of young adult paranormal romance.

Since then, Theresa has gotten married, had three terrific kids, moved to central Ohio, and was repeatedly guilt tripped into adopting a menagerie of animals that are now members of the family. But don’t be fooled by her domesticated appearance. Her greatest love is travel. Having stepped foot on the soil of over a dozen countries, traveled to sixteen U.S. states—including an extended seven-year stay in Kodiak, Alaska—she is anything but settled down. But wherever life brings her, she will continue to weave tales of adventure and love with the hope her stories will bring joy and inspiration to her readers.

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Theresa has been kind enough to offer us an amazing giveaway with a chance to win a $50 gift card and a copy of The Stone Guardian. Just enter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Waiting on Wednesday: Nobody But Us

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Today I'm featuring Nobody But Us by Kristin Halbrook.

Synopsis from Goodreads:  Bonnie and Clyde meets IF I STAY in this addictively heart-wrenching story of two desperate teenagers on the run from their pasts.

They’re young. They’re in love. They’re on the run.

Zoe wants to save Will as much as Will wants to save Zoe. When Will turns eighteen, they decide to run away together. But they never expected their escape to be so fraught with danger….

When the whole world is after you, sometimes it seems like you can’t run fast enough.

Nobody But Us, told in alternating perspectives from Will and Zoe, is an unflinching novel, in turns heartbreaking and hopeful, about survival, choices, and love…and how having love doesn’t always mean that you get a happy ending. Described as “beautiful, heartbreaking, and exhilarating” by Kody Keplinger, author of The DUFF, Nobody But Us will prove irresistible to fans of Nina Lacour, Jenny Han, and Sara Zarr.

Goodreads / Amazon

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Nobody But Us will be released by HarperTeen on January 29th, 2013!

Okay, so that's mine. What's your WOW pick this week? Also, if you want to participate, head on over to Breaking the Spine and link up!!

ARC Review: The Hallowed Ones

The Hallowed Ones, Laura Bickle

Rating: 4 of 5 Stars

Genre: Supernatural Thriller

Publication: 9/25/2012, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

# of Pages: 320 (Hardback)

Source: I received an advanced reader's copy (ARC) from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis from Goodreads: If your home was the last safe place on earth, would you let a stranger in?

In this captivating thriller, an Amish settlement is the last safe haven in a world plagued by an unspeakable horror…

Katie is on the verge of her Rumspringa, the time in Amish life when teenagers are free to experience non-Amish culture before officially joining the church. But before Rumspringa arrives, Katie’s safe world starts to crumble. It begins with a fiery helicopter crash in the cornfields, followed by rumors of massive unrest and the disappearance of huge numbers of people all over the world. Something is out there...and it is making a killing.

Unsure why they haven’t yet been attacked, the Amish Elders make a decree: No one goes outside their community, and no one is allowed in. But when Katie finds a gravely injured young man lying just outside the boundary of their land, she can’t leave him to die. She refuses to submit to the Elder’s rule and secretly brings the stranger into her community—but what else is she bringing in with him?

My Review:  It's not often that a novel takes me totally by surprise the way this one did. The Hallowed Ones is a unique take on the post-apocalyptic sub-genre, offering the reader a world overrun by ravenous, frightening, vampiric creatures, and introducing us to a heroine whose innocence and lack of knowledge regarding the outside world is as refreshing as it is infuriating.

This book was at times chilling and intense, and at others, a thoughtful look at religion, freedom, and the need to question authority. Laura Bickle is a masterful storyteller. Katie is a sympathetic, determined protagonist. She's driven and strong despite an upbringing that teaches her to behave and do as instructed. She's aware of what she's been told to do and she's aware of what is right. The fact that she's willing to put her life on the line to do what is right endeared her to me.

I've never read her Anya Kalinczyk series but after reading The Hallowed Ones it has earned a place high on my TBR list. If you're looking for something a little bit scary and whole lot amazing, this book is for you.

Goodreads / Amazon / B&N

Contest Winner: Easy

And the winner of a paperback copy of Easy is....

CHANTAL

Chantal has already replied to the winner notification and her book is on the way. Congratulations Chantal!!!