ORANGE COUNTY CHILDREN'S BOOK FEST 9.30.12 @kidsbookfest #OCCBF

PLEASE JOIN ME TOMORROW!  

I will be on the Bloggers Panel.

2012 Teen & YA Stage

Orange County Children’s Book Festival

9:45am Panel: "On The PRE End of Teen"

Moderator: Derek the Ghost - Scary School Series

Shelley Moore Thomas - The Seven Tales of Trinket

Benny Alano - Hand Puppet Horror

Russ & Nancy Rodrigue - Hidden Mickey

10:15am EJ Altbacker - Shark Wars Series

10:30am Greg van Eekhout - The Boy At The End Of The World

10:45am Gitty Daneshvari - Monster High: Ghoulfriends Forever

This is a BRAND NEW Monster High Series, introducing 3 new characters!

11:00am Panel: "Suspense, Alternate Worlds and a Teen Wolf?"

Moderator: Nancy Holder - Teen Wolf Series

Lissa Price - Starters

Gretchen McNeil - Ten

Jessica Therrien - Oppression

11:30am Sarah Maas - Throne of Glass

11:45am Lisa Desrochers - Last Rites

Noon Panel: "School, Love & Honor!"

Moderator:  Jessi Kirby - In Honor

Jessica Brody - 52 Reasons To Hate My Father

Carol Tanzman - Circle of Silence

Janet Tashjian - For What It's Worth

Max Doty - Surviving High School

1:00pm Panel:  "Will Work For Books"

Local Teen & YA Book Review Bloggers

Moderator: Ishita The Reading Fish - http://omgitsfishy.blogspot.com/
Zareen - Reach for the Stars...and the Books! - http://reachforthebooks.blogspot.com/

Ashlyn - Teenage Reader - http://teenagereader.com/
Mary - BookHounds Young Adult - http://foreveryoungadult.blogspot.com/

1:30pm Jennifer Bosworth - Struck

1:45pm Andrew Smith - Passenger (Marbury Lens)

2:00pm Panel: eBooks - Keeping It Interactive!

Teen & YA Authors from Coliloquy Publishing

Moderator: Heidi R. Kling - Witches Brew

From - The Spellspinners of Melas County Series

Kira Snyder - Parish Mail

Jessica Ettling - Georgetown Academy

3:00pm A Very Steampunk High Tea & Book Signing

You are invited to a Tea Party with Steampunk Authors

Your hostess: Suzanne Lazear - Innocent Darkness

Nancy & Belle Holder - Furry Fantastic

Kailin Gow - Steampunk Scarlet series

Giveaway & Q+A FATHOM by MERRIE DESTEFANO @MerrieDestefano

PLEASE WELCOME MERRIE DESTEFANO TO BOOKHOUNDS YA!

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2012

Everything is changing . . .

Turning sixteen can be hell, especially if everyone in town thinks your mother killed herself and your sister. All Kira Callahan wants to do is swim, hang out with her best friend, Sean, and ignore the kids who torment her at school. That is, until one day when she gets invited to a party. For three minutes her life is wonderful—she even kisses Sean. Then somebody spikes her drink and some girls from out of town lure her into the ocean and hold her underwater. 

Kira soon discovers that the group of wild teenagers who have come to visit Crescent Moon Bay are not as innocent as they seem. In fact, nothing is as it seems—not the mysterious deaths of her sister or her mother, not her heritage, not even her best friend. And everything seems to hinge on the ancient Celtic legends that her mother used to tell her as a child.

Read an excerpt HERE

http://www.merriedestefano.com/fathom.html

About the Author

With twenty years’ experience in publishing, Merrie Destefano left a 9-to-5 desk job as the editor of Victorian Homes magazine to become a full-time novelist. Her first two novels, Afterlife: The Resurrection Chronicles and Feast: Harvest of Dreams were published by HarperVoyager. Fathom is both her first YA novel and her first indie published novel. When not writing, she loves to camp in the mountains, walk on the beach, watch old movies and listen to alternative music—although rarely all at the same time. Born in the Midwest, she now lives in Southern California with her husband, their two German shepherds and a Siamese cat. 

You can find Merrie

Author website:

http://www.merriedestefano.com/

Author blog:

http://merrie-destefano.blogspot.com/

Twitter:

http://twitter.com/MerrieDestefano

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1205132688

Author’s HarperCollins micro author site

http://www.harpercollins.com/authors/36854/Merrie_Destefano/index.aspx

1.    What is the first book you remember reading by yourself as a child?

What I remember most is the actual process of learning how to read. I was sitting in the kitchen, trying to figure out the beginning of the next chapter in one of my Dick And Jane school text books, but I got stuck on the chapter heading which was, Dick And Ann. Every time I tried to read it, what I saw was, Dick And And. I went to all my older brothers and sisters, asking them to help me figure it out. No matter how many times they tried to explain it to me, it still didn’t make any sense. Then finally, it was like a light bulb went off inside my head. I was finally able to understand it. And from that point on, I loved to read.

2.    What are you reading right now?

I happen to be in between books right now, something that doesn’t happen very often. I just finished reading Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick, which was incredible! The next book on my TBR pile is Ten by Gretchen McNeil. I’ve already read the first 60 pages and I can’t wait to read the rest.

3.    How does your garden grow?

Oh, my poor garden! When we first moved in, it was glorious. Since then, both of our German shepherds have become novice gardeners, experts at deciding which plants need to be removed and then helping them along. It’s been really hot this summer and almost everything except my bougainvillea has died. Just this afternoon, one of our dogs was in the backyard digging a hole, probably because there were no plants to get in his way. Unfortunately, all the dirt he was kicking up was going on the cat. The cat was not amused.

4.    What is the last thing you Googled?

Great question! I’m working on a blog post about one of the main characters in Fathom, my young adult novel that releases on October 1. This particular character, a seventeen-year-old girl named Riley, is extremely rebellious and has a full-sleeve tattoo. So I was searching for photos of full-sleeve Japanese tattoos to include in my post.

5.    What makes you cringe?

So many things! Where to begin? Bugs, worms, smelly dead things, lizards, snakes, blood and guts, scary movies, bad breath, garbage, car wrecks, violence, dark alleys, guns, cars that break down on the freeway, hospitals, jails, broccoli, needles, dentists, the concept of infinity, outer space, the Mariana Trench, flesh eating bacteria, closets, whatever is under the bed when I’m trying to fall asleep, basements, serial killers, monsters, noises outside when I’m home alone, power outages at night, running out of gas…in other words, I cringe at almost everything. This is probably one reason why I write scary stories—I can definitely identify with the person who’s terrified!

Mary, thank you very much for having me on Bookhounds today!

--

WANT TO WIN A COPY OF THIS  eBOOK for Kindle? 

Complete the below form 

Contest is open to anyone over 13 years old that can use a US Kindle book

Contest ends on 10.12.12 Winner will be chosen by Random.org 

Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen.
One winner per household. Duplicate entries will be deleted. 

This giveaway is sponsored by me and ONE copy is available.

Follow Me

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+1 Friend me on Goodreads HERE

+1 for social networking this giveaway and leave me a link once daily per site

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 Extra Entries

+1 Fan on Goodreads HERE

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Giveaway BANNED BOOKS WEEK HOP Win your choice!

Welcome to the BANNED BOOKS WEEK Giveaway Hop! 

This hop is hosted by: 

I Am a Reader, Not a Writer (HERE) 

I Read Banned Books (HERE)

There are over eighty blogs participating and each has their own entry rules and geographic limits, so be sure to read the rules for each one.  This hop starts September 28th and and runs through October 6th,  midnight.

HERE IS WHAT I HAVE FOR ONE LUCKY WINNER:

Your choice of book from the Book Depository, up to $10 in value

Check out the list of challenged books HERE

Check out the reasons books are challenged at the ALA website HERE

WANT TO WIN YOUR CHOICE OF BOOK FROM THE BOOK DEPOSITORY?

Contest is open to anyone over 13 years old with a mailing address that delivers the free areas of The Book Depository or Amazon.

Contest ends on 10.6.12 Winner will be chosen by Random.org 

Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen.
Void where prohibited.  Duplicate entries will be deleted.

This giveaway is sponsored by me and ONE BOOK is available. Value up to $10.

Complete the below form 
Follow Me

Extra Entries

+1 Follow me on Twitter HERE 

+1 Like BookHounds on Facebook HERE 

+1 Be my Friend on Goodreads HERE

Giveaway LIFE ON HOLD by BEVERLY STOWE McCLURE WIN $25 to Amazon #BookBlast

Life on Hold by Beverly Stowe McClure


A paper found.
A secret revealed.
A girl's life changed forever.

Myra Gibson's life is a lie. For sixteen years her parents have kept their secret, but the adoption paper she discovers while cleaning the guest house tells the truth. As the past and present collide, Myra finally stands up for herself and begins a journey she may regret.



Reviews:

"All I can say is wow! Beverly Stowe McClure knocked this one out of the ballpark. The story of Myra and her search for the truth touched upon one of the fundamental needs of all children (and teens): the need for a father in their lives. ... The school librarian at the middle school where I teach is already looking into buying a copy for the school library. It's that good."
~Award Winning Author Darby Karchut- http://darbykarchut.blogspot.com

"Beverly did an awesome job with this book. Myra's character and the decisions she make throughout the book are believable. Her friends, family and love interest, Jeremy, are all characters that the readers can relate to."
~Peggy Tibbetts - http://www.peggytibbetts.net/

About the Author:

When Beverly Stowe McClure was a child she hated to read. Even though her eighth grade teacher sent her poem “Stars” to the National High School Poetry Association, and it was published in Young America Sings, an anthology of Texas high school poetry, she hated to write. In spite of her rocky relationship with books, she attended Midwestern State University, where she read too many books to count, and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree. She taught in elementary school for twenty-two years. Reading Dr. Seuss to her sons and Newbery winners to her students made Beverly realize what she’d been missing: Reading was fun.
Now, she reads most every day. She also writes. Her articles for children’s magazines, many of them about activities her classes did in school, have been published in leading children‘s magazines. One article was reprinted in a Scott Foresman Anthology, Grades PK/K. Her doggie story appeared in a Chicken Soup for the Soul book.

Beverly’s five novels for teens and tweens are published by small Indie Publishers. Her YA historical novel, Caves, Cannons, and Crinolines, is a finalist in the 2011 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Novella Division. The book also is a finalist in Dan Poynter’s Global eBook Awards, Teen Fiction, and is an Honor Award Winner in the Reader's Favorite Book Award Contest, YA Category, as well as an Honor Winner in the Eric Hoffer Book Awards, YA Category.  Listen to the Ghost was a finalist in the 2003 Dream Realm Awards. Her first picture book came out in June 2011. Her latest book, Life on Hold, is a YA contemporary novel. She lives in the country with her husband, two cats, and a variety of wild critters that come to visit.

Links:
http://beverlystowemcclure.wordpress.com
http://beverlystowemcclure.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/beverlymcclure
http://www.goodreads.com/beverlysmcclure
http://www.facebook.com#!/beverlysmcclure

$25 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway
Ends 10/4/12
Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent's permission. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

BOOK WINNERS! @msakma

AND THE WINNER IS:

Books to Movies:  The Perks of Being  a Wallflower

DORIE

Heart of the Hero by Billie Tiner

KAREN

Under the Sea -- $10 to the Book Depository

Denise -- she request Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs
(I admit to a little arm twisting there!)



An email has been sent to the lucky person named above
The winner has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.
Thanks to all who entered. 
PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPAM FOR THE EMAIL FROM BOOKHOUNDS @ HOTMAIL REQUESTING YOUR MAILING ADDRESS!

Waiting on Wednesday DAYS OF BLOOD + STARLIGHT by LAINI TAYLOR @lbkids @lainitaylor

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

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Book Description

Publication Date: November 6, 2012 | Series: Daughter of Smoke and Bone

In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Karou must come to terms with who and what she is, and how far she’ll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, mysteries and secrets, new characters and old favorites, Days of Blood and Starlight brings the richness, color and intensity of the first book to a brand new canvas.

About the Author

Laini Taylor is the author of of four previous novels: Daughter of Smoke and Bone, the Dreamdark books Blackbringer and Silksinger, and the National Book Award finalist Lips Touch: Three Times. She lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband, illustrator Jim Di Bartolo, and their daughter, Clementine.

Details

• Hardcover: 528 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (November 6, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316133973
• ISBN-13: 978-0316133975

Hey! If you are planning on ordering or preordering any of these books, consider using my Amazon links below to help support BookHounds.  I get a small (very small) percentage of anything you buy if you use my links to start your shopping! 

Book Trailer Tuesday Ten by Gretchen McNeil @HarperTeen

You can catch Gretchen on September 30 at the OC Children's Book Fest! Info and details  HERE   I will also be there and speaking on the YA book bloggers panel.

BOOK REVIEW Scorch by Gina Damico @ginadamico @HMHKids

Book Description

Publication Date: September 25, 2012 | Series: Croak

Sixteen-year-old Lex Bartleby is a teenage grim reaper with the bizarre ability to damn souls. That makes her pretty scary, even to fellow Grims. But after inadvertently transferring her ability to Zara, a murderous outlaw, Lex is a pariah in Croak, the little town she calls home. To escape the townspeople’s wrath, she and her friends embark on a wild road trip to DeMyse. Though this sparkling desert oasis is full of luxuries and amusements, it feels like a prison to Lex. Her best chance at escape would be to stop Zara once and for all—but how can she do that from DeMyse, where the Grims seem mysteriously oblivious to Zara’s killing spree?

About the Author

GINA DAMICO is the author of Croak. She lives outside of Boston with her husband, two cats, and a closet full of black hoodies. www.ginadami.co

Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Graphia (September 25, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0547624573
• ISBN-13: 978-0547624570

SOURCE:  AROUND THE WORLD ARC TOURS

MY THOUGHTS
ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT

*** spoilers abound if you haven't read Croak -- do so without delay ***

Lex is stuck with an unbearable power to damn souls as well as being a grim reaper, not only can she send souls to the afterlife, she can turn them into ghosts, forced to walk the earth in a neverending afterlife on Earth with no chance of reuniting with loved ones.  Zara has tricked Lex into sharing her  Damning power and is using it to create chaos beyond removing criminals in order to create a new world order.  Driggs is still by Lex's side as well as the other Juniors who now find themselves ostracized by the townspeople of Croak and led by Norwood and Heloise, who place all of Zara's doings squarely on the group of teenagers and depose Uncle Mort as mayor.

 In order to escape the hell that is now Croak, the group escapes to DeMyse which is another Grim town much like Las Vegas for reapers.  Her uncle Mort has supplied the group with a loophole that allows them to "crash" together to escape the town and Zara.  Lex has also uncovered a bit of history and some notes that lead her to search for the Wrong Book which is basically a book of all the wrong things that should never be done and unravel the world's order.  Zara is also on the trail of the book and she will do anything to get her hands on it, even kill any who stand in her way.

There is nonstop action as the group bands together to stop Zara and clear their names.  As the crew continue to work their way back together, Norwood and Croak are out to get them as well as Zara.  Of course this ends in another cliffhanger but with one twist I wasn't expecting.  Uncle Mort uses his wiles to protect them all.  The story is filled with lots of wonderful wordplay and snarky dialogue that I adore.  You are immediately swept up in Lex's world and drama while the descriptions were right on target without being overly wordy.  Parents should note that there is lots of PDA between Lex and Driggs, some language, drinking, mentions of drugs, violence and death, so this one is best suited for older teens. 

 Hey! If you are planning on ordering or preordering any of these books, consider using my Amazon links below to help support BookHounds.  I get a small (very small) percentage of anything you buy if you use my links to start your shopping! 

Book Review DEAD IS A KILLER TUNE by MARLENE PEREZ @HMHKids @MarPerez

Book Description

Release Date: September 4, 2012 | Series: Dead Is

A diabolical pied piper comes to town in the the seventh installment of this hot paranormal mystery series.   High school freshman Jessica Walsh is a virago, a woman warrior who must protect her hometown from danger. And in the unusual little town of Nightshade, California, trouble is always lurking. At Nightshade’s Battle of the Bands, Jess’s boyfriend Dominic and his band Side Effects May Vary are up against Hamlin, a band so popular that their fans follow them everywhere. Soon, Nightshade’s musicians are doing risky, illegal and even fatal things—and claiming that strange music they heard right before falling asleep told them to do it. Could a diabolical pied piper be sabotaging the Battle of the Bands? It’s up to Jessica and her friends track down the tuneful tyrant.

About the Author

Marlene Perez is the author of seven books in the Dead Is Series, including Dead Is The New Black, an ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers. She lives in Orange County, California.Visit her website at www.marleneperez.com.

SOURCE:  AMAZON VINE

MY THOUGHTS

LOVED IT

So Daisy has graduated and the series shifts to her boyfriend Ryan's sister, Jessica Walsh.  Jessica finally has her life on track as a new Virago, protecting Nightshade from the paranormal threats that create havoc for the population. Her new boyfriend, Dominic, the singer from Side Effects May Vary (SEMV)  is acting a bit strange, so when a Battle of the Bands comes to town and SEMV shows up to compete, things go haywire.  Something peculiar is happening to the most popular bands and they each lose a member to bizarre accidents.  The most popular bands all have lost members, including SEMV, whose guitarist breaks his arm skateboarding, which he has never done before.  Jessica, a skilled but shy player is talked into the role.  Hamlin, has followers much like the Pied Piper, who devotedly follow them around the country and they haven't had any bad luck like other bands.  

Jessica starts to put these coincidences of misfortunes together and notices things are quite what they should be and it all revolves around Hamlin.  There are the usual evil characters and unwitting accomplices that at times seem cartoon like but that is what makes this series so much fun!  As Jessica puts things together to unravel the mystery surrounding the popularity of Hamlin and the disasters they have unleashed on the local musicians, she grows into her role of a self reliant and confident Virago.  I loved this series and the change to featuring Jessica has taken it a new and wonderful direction.  All of the characters have their good and bad points but Perez does a wonderful job of keeping them all interesting.  This is my favorite series to recommend to kids who hate to read since it has something for everyone.  Most of the adults I have forced this book on have enjoyed them as well.  Parents don't need to worry about anything in this series since there is only a bit of cartoon violence, a few kisses here and there and they always end with an important, positive message.

Product Details Reading level: Ages 12 and up Paperback: 224 pages Publisher: Graphia (September 4, 2012) Language: English ISBN-10: 0547608349 ISBN-13: 978-0547608341

Giveaway FREEDOM ROAD by T.M. SOUDERS win $50 to Amazon #BookBlast

Freedom Road by T.M. Souders

Book Description

Publication Date: September 12, 2012

Since the tender age of eight, music served as Samantha Becker’s source of solace against her father’s tyranny and her mother’s alcoholism. Now at eighteen, her only dream is to study classical guitar at Juilliard. But when her father’s careless actions lead to an “accident,” which threatens her ability to play the guitar, Sam becomes despondent. Losing all confidence in her future, Sam hides behind the emotional barriers that have protected her for years.

Just when Sam has given up, two unexpected people enter her life, giving her the confidence she needs, and forcing her to evaluate all she’s ever known. Battling her father’s plans for her future, band mates using her for personal gain, and a permanent injury, the odds are stacked against her. With auditions approaching and time running out, Sam must relearn to play the guitar, or be destined to give up her dreams forever.

About the Author:
T.M. Souders was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania and grew up in the suburbs outside of Pittsburgh. She graduated in 2004, from Youngstown State University, with a degree in Psychology and minor in Women’s Studies. She is the author of bestselling women’s fiction novel,Waiting on Hope, as well as the novelette Dashing Through The Snow and the newly released young adult/crossover novel ,Freedom Road. In her spare time when she is nor writing she is an active volunteer for The World Literary Cafe, a site dedicated to authors and readers. She currently lives in rural Ohio with her husband and children.


Links:
Website: http://www.tmsouders.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tmsouders
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5044358.T_M_Souders
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/TM-Souders-Author/181198815275423


Book Blast Giveaway:
$50 Amazon Gift Code
Ends 9/27/12
Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent's permission. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway