Giveaway JOHN WILLIAM AND THE QUEST FOR COPIA by ELIZABETH P BELLOWS @lizzypbellows @toobusyreading

 

John William and the Quest for Copia

John William knew there was something special about the medallion Celeste found. It chimed and sparkled in the sunlight. He was right; the medallion was from Copia, a lost city masked in time. Legendary tales were repeated of a golden city inhabited by Empyrean Wizards that was suddenly plagued by greed and gluttony when a meager fledgling magician by the name of Imperius the Great wandered in. Some did not believe the city ever existed; others who knew better wanted it to stay lost. John William and Celeste were more than ready for another adventure. The search for Copia seemed to be a perfect opportunity. They were unaware of the dangers until it was too late. Shadow jumpers emerged and grew rapidly in numbers. They wanted the medallion; its power would bring the lost city to life again, unlocking the dark past dormant with in its walls. The young explorers were in a mess of trouble. If they did not fix things fast, Copia’s pestilence of wild creatures would be set free to stir up an evil capable of destroying the realm.  

Amazon * Smashwords

 

John William and the Bandits of Basswood

We already know Alexander Drake’s story. His father, John William started it all years before when he entered Azra’s Pith. This is his story. John William was born an explorer; just like his dad before him. His adventure really began with the worst year of his life. He lived everyday in misery until his twelfth birthday. He set out to turn things around and find his smile again. A new friend gave him an invitation he could not turn down… follow me and change your destiny. He never imagined being captured by bandits and taken to a ship riddled with river rats was part of his fate. Not just any bandits – the Bandits of Basswood; known to be a ruthless and wild crew of thieves. Trying to escape would be a ridiculous idea. No one has ever escaped and lived to tell about it. Someone should have mentioned that to John William before he snuck off the ship. The chase out of Basswood was on. He took a chance to change his destiny and ended up on a wild ride to save his life.

Amazon * Smashwords

  Author Elizabeth Parkinson-Bellows Being the frizzy-haired tomboy with buck teeth gave me a slight case of shyness as a kid. A colorful imagination meant escape and adventure at the drop of a hat. Over the years I learned that the insecurities I carried around were a waste of time. I still prefer a football game to a manicure any day of the week. That indispensable imagination has found its way into my writing providing a sense of joy and a true purpose.

Website * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads

  BookBlast Giveaway
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
 Ends 10/20/13  
 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. 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 enter for you. 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. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


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Giveaway LITTLE RED WRITING HOOD by JOAN HOLUB WIN $50 @JoanHolub @toobusyreading

  Little Red Writing by Joan Holub

 Acclaimed writer Joan Holub and Caldecott Honoree Melissa Sweet team up in this hilarious and exuberant retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, in which a brave, little red pencil finds her way through the many perils of writing a story, faces a ravenous pencil sharpener (the Wolf 3000)... and saves the day. Joan Holub has hundreds of pencils. Some are red. Others are glittery, sporty, or full of holiday cheer. They are all super sharp and good at writing books. They’ve helped Joan write more than 130 books, including Zero the Hero and Knuckleheads. She lives in Raleigh, North Carolina. Melissa Sweet has illustrated nearly 100 children’s books, including the Caldecott Honor–winning River of Words and the Sibert Medal–winning Balloons Over Broadway. When not in her studio, Melissa loves to ride her bicycle and hike with her two dogs, Rufus and Nellie. She lives in Rockport, Maine.  

Amazon * Barnes & Noble

  Praise
"A very funny picture book that, I guarantee you, lots of savvy teachers will be eagerly sharing with students as part of the process of teaching creative writing." -- Richie Partington MLIS, Richie's Picks

 "What a CLEVER, CLEVER story!" -- I Love to Read and Write Reviews

 "This clever adaptation of Little Red Riding Hood has so many levels of creativity and learning... Every elementary teacher should have this book to begin their writing units." -- Play on Words

 "Style, humor, and solid writing advice." --Publishers Weekly, starred review

 "So rich in words and wry humor-written and visual-that one reading just isn't enough." --School Library Journal, starred review

 "Every writers' group should start with this story." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review

 "Every elementary teacher should have this book to begin their writing units." -- Play on Words

 "An easy, winning prompt for beginning writers to abandon their fears and take up pencils of their own." --Booklist    

Author Joan Holub

I graduated from college in Texas with a fine arts degree, and then freelanced as an art director at a graphic design firm for eight years. I dreamed of working in children’s books, so I moved to New York City and became associate art director in Scholastic trade books, where I designed books for children and worked with editors and illustrators. It was a great job. I illustrated my first published children’s book in 1992 and soon began illustrating full time. I began completing manuscripts and mailing them out to publishers in the early 1990s. In 1996, I sold my first two manuscripts — Boo Who? A Spooky Lift-the-Flap Book (Scholastic) and Pen Pals (Grosset & Dunlap). Yippee! Now I write full time and have written and/or illustrated over 130 children’s books. Creating books that entertain, inform, and interest children (and me) is a fabulous job that I truly love.  

Twitter * Website * Blog

 

 
  BookBlast Giveaway

 $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
 Ends 10/15/13  

 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. 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 enter for you. 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. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author.
 VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW


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Review THE BEAUTIFUL AND THE DAMNED by JESSICA VERDAY @JessicaVerday @PulseIt @simonteen

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2013

Cyn’s blackouts have deadly consequences in this sexy, suspenseful spinoff to the New York Times bestselling Hollow series. Cyn Hargrave is on the run, but she can’t escape her dark past. The brother of her murdered boyfriend is convinced she’s the killer—and now he’s tracked her down. Cyn has only one person to turn to, and she can’t stand him. Avian knows the evil that lives inside of Cyn, but he’s still compelled to help her. As the thirteenth Revenant he’s scorned by heaven and unwanted by hell, so he understands what it’s like to be a part of two worlds and not fit into either. Together they will need to deal with the danger that follows her—and the danger inside of her—before one of them destroys her. Jessica Verday brings readers on a sexy, suspenseful adventure in this companion novel to the bestselling Hollow trilogy.

Product Details Grade Level: 7 and up Hardcover: 272 pages Publisher: Simon Pulse (October 1, 2013) Language: English ISBN-10: 1442488352 ISBN-13: 978-1442488359

About the Author
Jessica Verday writes the first drafts of her novels by hand, using spiral-bound notebooks and black pens. She lives with her husband in Goodlettsville, Tennessee. Find out more at JessicaVerday.com and follow her on Twitter at @JessVerday.

 SOURCE:  AROUND THE WORLD ARC TOURS
 MY THOUGHTS  LOVED IT


 Growing up, Cyn has always seen faces in the mirror other than her own.  Now sixteen, she has started blacking out, not remembering anything about her lost time.  When she wakes up covered in her boyfriend's blood and convinced she murdered him, she panics and runs from Sleepy Hallow to a small town in New York.  Cyn finds that she can make people bend to her wishes and make them do anything for her without them remembering.  She coerces people to "loan" her cars, give her larger tips at her waitress job and supply her with alcohol and cigarettes when she needs.  Then she wanders into a bar and has no luck at all with the staff.  She also sees that the some of the guys there are not at all human.  And these guys recognize her for what she is:  an Echo, someone who has souls of those not ready to pass on using her body much like a parasite.

 At the bar, she meets Avian, a Revenant, born of a demon and angel and wanted by neither heaven nor hell.  He lives with a priest, who sees the good in him and gives him support as he seeks to take care of those the angels and demons won't go against like vampires.  Avian doesn't actually like her since he knows that she is trouble, but is drawn to Cyn anyway and wants to protect her.  He knows she is possessed by an evil spirit named Vincent and their goal is to get the guy to leave her alone.  In the meantime, her dead boyfriend's brother comes looking for her to settle the score, thinking she did indeed murder him.  The ex-cop soon becomes her worst nightmare.

 As the story progresses, you really feel Cyn's pain and you will find yourself cheering for her as she tries to rid herself of this demon and have some peace.  I stayed up super late since I was so intrigued by this story.  It was very suspenseful and creepy at the same along with enough mystery about Cyn's actually participation in her boyfriend's murder and her "lost time".  Having read the Hollows ages ago, I have forgotten the characters, so I read this one with no remembrance of Cyn.  Parents: this one is best suited for teens since there is alcohol and some violence involved.
 This song pretty much sums up this book:
 Monsters by The Filthy Souls  https://soundcloud.com/thefilthysouls/monsters

Spotlight & Excerpt SUBURBAN LEGENDS by SAM STALL @quirkbooks

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2013

Its a Terrible Day in the Neighborhood

They told you the suburbs were a great place to live. They said nothing bad could ever happen here.
But they were wrong.

This collection of terrifying true stories exposes the dark side of life in the ’burbs—from corpses buried in backyards and ghosts lurking in fast food restaurants to UFOs, vanishing persons, bizarre apparitions, and worse. Consider:

• The Soccer Mom’s Secret. Meet Melinda Raisch of Columbus, Ohio. She’s the wife of a dentist. A mother of three. A PTA member. And she has enough murderous secrets to fill a minivan.
• Noise Pollution. More than 100 residents of Kokomo, Indiana, claim their small town is under attack by a low-pitched humming sound that erodes health and sanity. Too bad they’re the only ones who can hear it.
• Death Takes a Holiday inn. There’s nothing more reassuring than a big chain hotel in a quaint small town—unless it’s the Holiday Inn of Grand Island, New York, where you’ll spend the night with the spirit of a mischievous little girl.

So lock your doors, dim the lights, and prepare to stay up all night with this creepy collection of true tales. We promise you’ll never look at white picket fences the same way again!

EXCERPT

(from the author's website) 

The Devil’s Lawn Ornament

        The inappropriate or excessive use of lawn statuary has caused many a neighborhood snit. That’s because one man’s cute little garden gnome, homey-looking concrete porch goose, or lifelike ten-point buck can be another’s kitschy, property-value-destroying nightmare.

        Given the discord that any one of those objects could cause if it appeared suddenly in a flower bed, it’s not hard to imagine the havoc wreaked when Danny Van Istendal parked his own unique bit of statuary on the lawn of his Lumberton, New Jersey, home. According to reports, his neighbors called it demonic and despicable (among a great many other things), and accused it of frightening everything from neighborhood children to the horses at a nearby stable.

        One can see their point. Van Istendal’s lawn ornament isn’t the usual bit of crudely made, side-of-the-road goofiness. It’s an eleven-foot-tall, three-thousand-pound statue of a Sumerian fertility god. A really angry one, judging from the look of seething rage on its four-horned, red-eyed, skull-like head.

        The statue came to Van Istendal by way of Hollywood. It was originally built as a prop for the 1955 Lana Turner movie The Prodigal, for which it was painted gold and equipped with light-up red eyes. There was a picture of it on the flick’s poster. After its acting career (which included a couple of cameos in Tarzan movies) dried up, the piece languished for years in front of a Newark lawn service company. Then, in 1984, it was repositioned on a highway north of the Delaware town of Smyrna. First it welcomed visitors to a travel agency, then to a gallery. The piece was nicknamed the “Buddha,” even though there’s absolutely nothing Buddha-esque about its glowering visage.

        When its former owner decided she’d had enough of the thing, Van Istendal offered $4,000 for it. Ironically, he didn’t have a clue about it’s Hollywood origins -- he just liked its looks. He hauled it to his property and carefully positioned it on a five-foot mound of dirt with the setting sun at its back so that his own personal pagan god could cast an intimidating shadow across the road out front. “I think this thing overlooking my yard is kind of cool,” he told theBurlington County Times. “If it offends you, don’t look at it.”

        The neighborhood was offended and decided that no one should look at it. City officials, using an extremely free interpretation of local zoning ordinances, told Van Istendal that he had to banish his god to a spot where it couldn’t be seen from the road. Van Istendal fought the ruling, stating that the statue was already concealed behind a six-foot fence. Actually, “concealed” probably wasn’t the right word. The “Buddha” towered over the fencing, allowing it to leer at startled motorists.

        These days the statue leers at no one, save for Van Istendal and invited guests.

About the Author

Sam Stall has authored and coauthored several nonfiction books, including The Encyclopedia of Guilty Pleasures (Quirk, 2004). He lives in Indianapolis.

Giveaway MY SISTER'S REAPER by DOROTHY DREYER @DorothyDreyer WIN $50 @toobusyreading

My Sister's Reaper by Dorothy Dreyer




Sixteen-year-old Zadie’s first mistake was telling the boy she liked she could bring her dead sister back to life. Her second mistake was actually doing it. When Zadie accidentally messes with the Reaper’s Rite that should have claimed her sister Mara, things go horribly wrong. Mara isn’t the same anymore—Zadie isn’t even sure she’s completely human, and to top it off, a Reaper is determined to collect Mara’s soul no matter what. Now Zadie must figure out how to defeat her sister’s Reaper, or let Mara die … this time for good.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Kobo

  Author Dorothy Dreyer



 I'm a Philippine-born American living in Germany with my husband and two teens. I write young adult books that usually have some element of magic or the supernatural in them. I also like to read those kinds of books. Aside from reading, I like movies, chocolate, take-out, coffee, traveling, and having fun with my friends and family. I've also been known to make a pretty sweet cupcake. I tend to sing sometimes, too, so keep me away from your Karaoke bars.

Website * Twitter * Facebook

Blog Tour Schedule

BookBlast Giveaway
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 10/18/13

 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. 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 enter for you. 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. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW




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Giveaway THE VIOLET HOUR by WHITNEY MILLER @whitneymiller #NerdBlast

Welcome to the Nerd Blast for
The Violet Hour by Whitney A. Miller

The voice inside me is breaking free. I can’t stop her.

Harlow Wintergreen, daughter of the leader of a powerful religious organization called VisionCrest, has a dark and dangerous secret. She hears a voice in her head that seems to have a mind of its own, plaguing her with visions of a violent and bloody alternate reality. And even worse, Harlow fears that this terrifying voice could take control of her.

Traveling with the VisionCrest elite on a PR expedition through Asia, Harlow struggles to keep her mind under control. But the more she resists, the more her mental state deteriorates, making her visions bleed into reality. When people start dying, Harlow must expose her secret to the boy she loves and face the monster within her . . . or else be consumed by it.

Signed finished copies of Whitney’s critique partners’ books: SEA by Heidi R. Kling, VALKYRIE RISING by Ingrid E. Paulson, and ISLE OF NIGHT: THE WATCHERS by Veronica Wolff
A travel pack of goodies from the incredible locations featured in THE VIOLET HOUR, including a silk lantern from Vietnam, silliness and Skittles from Shanghai, and too much fun from Tokyo!
$20 gift certificate to Books, Inc. (can be used online or in store)
A signed ARC of THE VIOLET HOUR (when they are released)
Must be 13+ to Enter
International Giveaway

About Whitney A. Miller:
Website
  

Whitney A. Miller lives in San Francisco with her husband and a struggling houseplant. She’s summited Mt. Kilimanjaro, ridden the Trans-Siberian rails, bicycled through Vietnam, done the splits on the Great Wall of China, and evaded the boat police in Venice, but her best international adventures take place on the page!

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Giveaway THE EMERALD RING by DORINE WHITE @DorineWhite WIN $50! #BookBlast @toobusyreading

 

The Emerald Ring

Sara Bogus's life turns upside down when she discovers an emerald ring that once belonged to Cleopatra. The fun of discovering the ring's unique abilities turns to fear when she finds out a dangerous cult bent on restoring Rome to power is after the ring. Forced to choose between keeping the ring and saving her friends, Sara learns the price of bravery in this electrifying read! The Emerald Ring is a middle grade fantasy novel.  

Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Praise

"Filled with fun, magic, mystery, and history, The Emerald Ring and spunky sleuth Sara will have you racing on a pulse-pounding trail that reaches all the way to Ancient Egypt."- Kevin Emerson, author of The Oliver Nocturne series, and The Fellowship for Alien Detection.   "The Emerald Ring is a whirlwind adventure that transports the reader into the mysterious world of Ancient Egypt. A great choice for those who love mythology and magic. " - Suzanne Selfors, author of The Sweetest Spell, Smells Like Dog series, and many more.   "The Emerald Ring is an exciting and mysterious fantasy featuring fast-paced action, a scary villain, and a spunky young heroine." - Suzanne Williams co-author of The Goddess Girls Series.   "The Emerald Ring is a not-so-run-of-the-mill middle grade fantasy novel laced with mystery and intrigue. It has just enough surprises to keep kids turning the page to see what happens next. The author has a real knack with "kid lingo" and has used diverse cultures to her advantage. Definitely a book I can recommend with confidence."- Laurisa White Reyes author of The Rock of Ivanore & The Last Enchanter  

Author Dorine White

I graduated from Brigham Young University with a BA in Humanitites. I am a member of the SCBWI and the PNWA. I write middle grade and YA fantasy. My first book, The Emerald Ring, will be published in 2013 by Cedar Fort Books.  

Blog * Facebook * Twitter

   

BookBlast Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 10/15/13   Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. 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 enter for you. 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. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.




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Fall KINDLE FIRE HD GIVEAWAY !

  This is a joint AUTHOR & BLOGGER GIVEAWAY EVENT! Bloggers & Authors have joined together and each chipped in a little money towards a Kindle Fire HD 7".

Kindle Fire HD 7" Giveaway

The winner will have the option of receiving a 7" Kindle Fire HD (US Only)

Or $199 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)

Or $199 in Paypal Cash (International)

Fall Sponsoring Authors & Bloggers

1. I Am A Reader, Not A Writer
2. Feed Your Reader
3. Author Annette K. Larsen
4. Phantasmic Reads
5. Author Bella Street
6. Author Bonnie Blythe
7. Author Stacy Claflin
8. MyLadyWeb: Women's History, Women Authors
9. Book Mama Blog
10. Word to Dreams
11. Candace's Book Blog
12. Once Upon a YA Book
13. Author Miriam Louise
14. Author Mary Ting
15. Author Camelia Miron Skiba
16. Books4Tomorrow
17. Author Theresa McClinton
18. Brooke Blogs
19. Author Pauline Creeden
20. Author MK McClintock
21. Author Kathryn Chastain Treat
22. Books Unhinged Book Blog
23. Author Kelly Cozy
24. Meredith & Jennifer's Musings
25. These Are But Shadows
26. My Devotional Thoughts
27. Author Ally Shields
28. Dark Motive's Books and More
29. Nessarox
30. Fae Books
31. Author Jennie Sherwin
32. The Real Bookshelves of Room 918
33. Auggie Talk
34. No BS Book Reviews
35. BookLover Sue
36. Gin's Book Notes
37. Bookhounds
38. Buku-Buku Didi
39. Author Shelli Profitt Howells
40. My Nook, Books and More
41. The Late Bloomer's Book Blog
42. Clarice's Book Nook
43. MichaelSciFan
44. Magical Manuscripts
45. Author Talia Jager
46. Every Free Chance Book Reviews
47. Jessabella Reads
48. Author Melissa Pearl
49. Author Elizabeth Isaacs
50. Bookitty Blog
51. Author Helen Smith
52. The (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Something Year Old Girl
53. Christine's Blog
54. Write Away Bliss
55. Another World of Books
56. The Reporter and The Girl MINUS The Super Man!
57. Katie's Clean Book Collection
58. Author Marcia Lynn McClure
59. Author Shannon Guymon
60. Ripple Effect Romance Series

Sign up to Sponsor the NOVEMBER Giveaway http://www.iamareader.com/2013/09/november-kindle-fire-giveaway-sign-ups.html

  Giveaway Details 1 winner will receive their choice of a Kindle Fire 7" HD (US Only), $199 Amazon Gift Card or $199 in Paypal Cash (International). There is a second separate giveaway for bloggers who post this giveaway on their blog. See details in the rafflecopter on how to enter to win the 2nd Kindle Fire. Ends 10/31/13 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. 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 enter for you. 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. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the participating authors & bloggers. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.



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BANNED BOOK GIVEAWAY HOP!

Banned Book Week Giveaway Hop! 

The week of 9.22.13 through 9.28.13 is set aside to bring notice to a growing trend in public and school libraries -- pulling literature from circulation based on the actions of a few, not the majority of the public.  Since 1982, the American Library Association has put together campaigns to make everyone aware of the circumstances of this form of censorship.  Some of the books banned are for minor issues like language that was once accepted but is now objectionable.  Instead of personal responsibility, these censors wish to impose their beliefs on everyone.  You can read more about this important week at the BANNED BOOK WEEK site.


I don't believe in censorship of any media.  I think it is a parents' place to make sure their children are consuming appropriate materials.  I don't want someone else telling me what is right for my child, nor do I want to tell anyone what is acceptable for their family.  I let my son read, watch, listen to anything he wanted with a few important guidelines in place.  I reviewed and discussed with him the media he was consuming.  He turned out more advanced, making better choices and incredibly responsible for those decisions.   


MY GIVEAWAY:
click on the cover for more details



This book came in at number three on the challenged list last year.


Ends 9/28/13
PO Boxes OK - US Only
Open only to those who can legally enter Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded.
 No purchase necessary.
You must be 18 or older to enter .
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.
Giveaway was organized by BookHounds and sponsored by  ME.
VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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STUCK IN A GOOD BOOK GIVEAWAY HOP!

Welcome to the STUCK IN A GOOD BOOK Giveaway Hop

This hop is hosted by 

I Am A Reader (HERE)
and
Stuck in Books  (HERE)


  There are around 70 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 20th and ends on September 25th,  midnight. 

HERE IS WHAT I HAVE FOR ONE LUCKY WINNER:

Want to win this book?

Contest is open to anyone over 13 years old with a US mailing address,  PO Boxes are OK!  

Contest ends on 9.25.13 Winner will be chosen by Random.org  WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN THE COMMENTS OF THIS POST

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

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


Complete the below form 

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Giveaway Guest Post BROKEN DESTINY by CARLYLE LABUSCHAGNE @CarlyleL #BookNerdTour

Links will be clickable the day of the tour.

• September 10th: Beneath The Cover  - Review
• September 11th: A Dream Within A Dream – Review
• September 12th: Sassy Book Lovers – Spotlight/Excerpt
• September 13th: Fluttereal Flight – Review
• September 14th: Jessica Loves Books – Review
• September 15th: Literary Meanderings – This or That
• September 16th: Book Cracker Caroline – Review
• September 17th: Book Hounds YA – Guest Post
• September 18th: Sarah’s Reviews, Intervirews and Giveaways – Interview
• September 19th: Katie’s Books – Review

Ava knows much more, and feels much more than she is allowed to. When she starts questioning her origins and the destruction of Earth, things go horribly wrong for her. She is saved by a Minoan boy from an attempted kidnapping on her life – the perpetrators are evil Zulus and their dark ancient magic. Humans and Minoans are forbidden to interact with each other, and as she is taken back to their village she finds out why – they know of her, her kind and her destiny to save a dying race. Ava must rid them from the Council’s ruling and free the galaxy of The Shadow. Her destiny is to rise above the fall, because within her soul is the key to an archaic weapon that has been missing in the mix of a genetic code since the time of the ancients. As the prophecy unfolds she learns of her bloodline – a bloodline that makes her less human than she could ever have imagined. She alone has the power to destroy or save, but the mind-shift is a horrible thing. Ava will become what she hates to save the ones she loves. Beaten, poisoned, possessed and betrayed by her own emotions, she has no choice but to rise above it all… for that is her Destiny.

Prologue
All my life, I had searched for something, something I thought I ought to be. I felt like I was living someone else’s life, waiting for the awakening of my own. I felt like an empty shell burning for life. That was, until the day I lay dying in the prince’s chambers. I could no longer feel the pain from the tear in my gut. The only sensation left was a hollowed-out feeling that I had made a huge mistake in assuming that taking my own life, would have stopped the ancestors’ spirit from raging out. I had given up. I didn’t want to see myself killing the ones I loved. I was the Chosen one, but I threw it all away for what I thought would save a life. Could you end a life to save a life? I did, and I have regretted it ever since. I realized then that things like me are not meant to exist. What had been missing my whole life? It was I. To find myself, I had to lose myself in the worst possible way. The consequences of my actions became the legend of The Broken.

You can purchase Broken Destiny at the following Retailers:
    

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carlyle Labuschagne is a South African Debut Author working her way into the hearts of international readers with her First Young Adult Dystopian Novel “The Broken Destiny. She is not only an author but works as a Sales Rep and Marketing Manager by day. She holds a diploma in creative writing through the writing school at Collage SA. Loves to swim, fights for the trees, food lover who is driven by her passion for life. Carlyle writes for IU e-magazine India, an inspirational non-profit magazine that aims at inspiring the world through words. The drive behind her author career is healing through words. Carlyle is also the founder of the first annual book drive – Help build a library in Africa project.
“My goal as an Author is to touch people’s lives and help others love their differences and one another.”

A firm believer in – YA saves!

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GIVEAWAY

The drive behind her author career is healing through words. Carlyle is also the founder of the first annual book drive – Help Build A Library in Africa Project.

I am really honoured to be sharing a part of my book life with Mary of Book Hounds, and her wonderful readers!

As an author, I am ruled not only by my imagination, but my personal experiences and emotions that lead me to my journey/stories I embark on. I grew up in South Africa during the Apartheid era where pretty much everything was limited/banned (dystopian setting anyone?). Why I feel so passionate about my mission statement “healing through words”? Life as a teenager is pretty traumatic especially if you do not fit in with what is classed as normal behaviour.  I wish when I went through those stages in my life-  trying to discover my true self, to accept me for me and not care about what is deemed fitting in – that I had the kind of books/novels that are available to the youth today. Our books were extremely limited, our media was very limited. As a teenager everyone goes through the rough bad, emotional journey that is growing up with raging hormones and cruel, judgmental, insecure peers.  Our youth needs the gift of a great book with amazing fantasy worlds, journeys and characters to connect with, to get lost in, something to be excited and passionate about. To find self-worth, and love between the cover of a book. To be a hero in your own eyes is something truly amazing.  Now I write to reach, to emotionally connect with anyone at any age, who ever felt lost, bent and wounded. To heal through words is a gift like no other, as it stays forever!

My help build a library in Africa Project started very unexpectedly. I launched The Broken Destiny at my kids small, yet personal private school where they started with only 60 or so children. I sold tickets and gave a way prizes to the event. Ticket proceeds were divided between the school and a local charity for children suffering from HIV. Over a year I collected many books as prizes, and well my mother won the huge grand prize with books and swag over $400 – being the big hearted lady she is, mom then donated her prize to the school. Months later the school had opened their first library whereby the Principal called me to be one of the first to view and take in the new library. Behold the books I collected racked the shelves! I was moved to tears, it was by far the best feeling in the world to bring this form of education to the youth. Reading is not a huge deal in our country to this day. I want to change that! Ive since opened a donation page and collect donations for books in paperback and ebook format for the school. Next year I hope to take the book drive to the townships or perhaps a rape crisis centre. This will add to the impact of healing through words!

Thank you for sharing my story!

“Don’t be crippled by fear, let love give you wings”

~Carlyle Labuschagne

GIVEAWAY

The Broken Destiny ebook

Signed poster

3 signed bookmarks

The Broken Destiny perfume bottle

Minoan inspired key-chain 

$5 amazon gift card

Open Internationally | Must be 13+ To Enter | eReader is NOT included in giveaway, it is used only to display the eBook prize.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway Interview THE SECRET SIDE OF EMPTY by MARIA ANDREU @WriterSideofM Win a Kindle Fire

 The Secret Side of Empty by Maria Andreu

It's the story of a teen girl that is American in every way except for in one very important way: on paper. She was brought to the U.S. as a baby without proper documentation, so she's "illegal." As the end of the safe haven of her high school days draw near, she faces an uncertain future. Full of humor and frustration and love, The Secret Side of Empty speaks to the part in all of us that has felt excluded or has had a secret too scary to share. What M.T., the main character, finally discovers is the strength of the human spirit and the power that's unleashed when you finally live the truth.

Maria’s writing has appeared in Newsweek, The Washington Post and the Star Ledger.  Her debut novel, The Secret Side of Empty, is the story of an “illegal” high school senior.  It was inspired by Maria’s own experiences as an undocumented teen.  Since becoming a citizen, Maria has run her own business and has become a soccer mom. She lives with her 13-year-old daughter and 12-year-old son in northern New Jersey.

Links
Maria Andreu’s website- http://mariaeandreu.com/
Maria Andreu on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WritersideofM
Maria Andreu on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maria.andreu.books

From Amazon:

What's it like to be undocumented?  High school senior M.T. knows all too well.  With graduation and an uncertain future looming, she must figure out how to grow up in the only country she's ever called home... a country in which she's "illegal."


M.T. was born in Argentina and brought to America as a baby without any official papers. And as questions of college, work, and the future arise, M.T. will have to decide what exactly she wants for herself, knowing someone she loves will unavoidably pay the price for it.  On the way, M.T. must navigate first love, letting go of her childhood friends as they begin a life she can't share, a difficult relationship with a father who grew up a world away and a mother struggling to find her way in America.  What is it like when the only country you've ever known says you don't belong?  The Secret Side of Empty offers an intimate, often surprising glimpse into a story you often hear on the news but have never heard told this way before.


Author Maria E. Andreu draws from her personal experience as a former undocumented immigrant to explore issues of belonging, keeping secrets and what it's like to be undocumented.  More than that, The Secret Side of Empty is a story that will touch anyone who has ever felt excluded or unsure about the future or has kept a secret she felt was too big too share.

Pre-Order your copy here:  



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

It haunts me that I can’t remember the title, because it was a book that really blew my mind.  It was about a girl who had a doll in a little wardrobe case filled with outfits.  Then she lost it.  Every time she told the story of how wonderful the doll and her outfits were, it got a little more embellished.  Eventually it became The Greatest Doll Ever.  After the winter passed she found it under a pile of leaves.  It was not as amazing as she had made it out to be.  I thought that was profound – that memory can shift like that and that we can believe things that aren’t so.  I read that book over and over again.

2. What are you reading right now?

I’m reading two books (as I usually am).  I am totally loving Why We Write, a collection of essays by successful writers about the writing process and their motivation.  Totally inspiring.  I’m also reading The Willpower Instinct, which is about creating habits that make you more productive.  I’m hoping it will help me to finish writing two books per year.  ;-)

3. How does your garden grow?

Well, I’m a gardener, so it grows awesome.  Last year I planted an obscene amount of iris rhizomes and this year I may get even more.  I love plants that you put in the ground in the fall and which flower in the spring.  It feels like a promise, like held breath.  You put these uninspiring looking brown roots in the ground, then they get frozen and it seems like maybe it was all folly.  Then in the spring they grow green and burst with color.  It’s miraculous.

4. What is the last thing you Googled?

I actually just Googled “how does your garden grow” to make sure it wasn’t some cool underground reference I should be getting but wasn’t.  I am an obsessive Googler.  When Google came into my life I felt I finally understood how I was going to be at peace in the world.  As someone who loves to know everything, Google pulled me out of the darkness of not knowing.

5. What makes you cringe?

People being mean to other people.



WANT TO WIN AN AMAZON GIFT CARD & A KINDLE FIRE?



Maria is giving away two separate prizes on her tour, a $250 Amazon Gift Card AND a Kindle Fire.

For a chance to win the$250 Amazon gift card, OR the Kindle Fire leave a comment on her blog post for that day. Winners will be randomly selected on September 30th.

GO TO MARIA'S WEBSITE AND COMMENT ON HER CURRENT POST TO ENTER! 
http://mariaeandreu.com/