Feature and Follow: New Years resolutions

Feature and Follow Friday is a blog hop hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read

Here are the rules to the blog hop!
To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

• (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts {Parajunkee & Alison Can Read}
• (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers

• Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
• Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say “hi” in your comments and that they are now following you.
• If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn’t have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followed
• Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”
• If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love…and the followers
• If you’re new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog! 

Q: What New Years Blogging or Writing resolution have you placed on yourself?

Good question. I don't really have specific goals for myself-- except to keep my blog very fresh and creative, and get my loyal readers more involved in the process to keep their interest! I don't think I'll get to do much writing until after July, but at that point, I hope to start. But brainstorming will definitely take place before that!

 Current Giveaways
1. Interview with Jennifer Lane, author of Streamline, US giveaway of signed paperback + bookmark and International giveaway of e-copy, 12/16
Streamline Giveaway

2. New Years 2013 Blog Hop, featuring Interview with Morpheus from Splintered by A.G. Howard and Giveaway, 1/1/13-1/7/13 (INT)
Splintered giveaway

Feature and Follow: What have I learned from blogging?

Feature and Follow Friday is a blog hop hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read

Here are the rules to the blog hop!
To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

• (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts {Parajunkee & Alison Can Read}
• (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers

• Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
• Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say “hi” in your comments and that they are now following you.
• If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn’t have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followed
• Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”
• If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love…and the followers
• If you’re new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

Q: What have you learned from book blogging that you didn’t know before about the publishing industry?

 

Geesh. What have I NOT learned? I have met so many people, other bloggers, authors, etc who have taught me so much. I've learned how people promote their books-- the difference between self publishing and the standard publishing route. I've learned about ARCs, and other acronyms (TBR list, dreaded DNF list, etc). I've learned the difference between selling a book as a complete book and selling by proposal. I've learned the importance of crit partners. I've learned that it may take 30 drafts or more to get to your final copy and sometimes, editors take you in a direction you didn't want to go.  And so much more! It's been such an educational ride!

 

Enter some great giveaways and Happy Friday!
Current Giveaways
1. Interview and Giveaway of dystopian YA novel, There Comes A Prophet by David Litwack, US/Canada giveaway of paperback of his book
There Comes a Prophet giveaway

2. End of the World Blog Hop Giveaway, Interview and Giveaway with Elizabeth Richards, author of Black City, 12/13-12/22
Black City Giveaway

3. Interview with Jennifer Lane, author of Streamline, US giveaway of signed paperback + bookmark and International giveaway of e-copy, 12/16
Streamline Giveaway

4.  Midwinter's Eve Giveaway Hop Featuring Keary Taylor, author of Eden and What I Didn't Say! (US only), 12/21-27
Keary Taylor Giveaway

Feature and Follow (23): What book(s) made me cry?

Feature and Follow Friday is a blog hop hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read

Here are the rules to the blog hop!
To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

• (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts {Parajunkee & Alison Can Read}
• (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers

• Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
• Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say “hi” in your comments and that they are now following you.
• If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn’t have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followed
• Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”
• If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love…and the followers
• If you’re new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

Q: WHAT IS THE LAST BOOK THAT MADE YOU CRY? TELL US ABOUT THE SCENE…

I'll just say this... the two books that last made me cry were 1) If I Lie by Corrine Jackson and 2) Dust and Decay (#2 in Rot and Ruin series) by Jonathan Maberry. I will not describe the scenes because this will give away a lot in the plot. But I don't cry a lot in books, and I was bawling for both of those.

Enter some great giveaways!

Current Giveaways
1. Interview and Giveaway with Tracy Rozzlynn, author of the Fast-Tracked and Verita trilogies, Two Sets of Fast-tracked (first two books), Two sets of Verita Trilogies (first two books) OR $25 Amazon GC
Verita and Fast Tracked Giveaway

2. Interview and Giveaway of dystopian YA novel, There Comes A Prophet by David Litwack, US/Canada giveaway of paperback of his book
There Comes a Prophet giveaway

3.End of the World Blog Hop Giveaway, Interview and Giveaway with Elizabeth Richards, author of Black City, 12/13-12/22
Black City Giveaway

Feature and follow (22): What character would I be from any book?

Welcome back, everyone! Yesterday was crazy busy so I haven't had time to post this until now!
Feature and Follow Friday is a blog hop hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read

Here are the rules to the blog hop!
To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

• (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts {Parajunkee & Alison Can Read}
• (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers

• Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
• Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say “hi” in your comments and that they are now following you.
• If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn’t have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followed
• Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”
• If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love…and the followers
• If you’re new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog! 

Q: Activity! Who do you want to be? If you could choose any character from a book. What do you think that character looks like and what do you have in common?

 Geesh. This is a tough one. I'd love to be a character in Harry Potter of course, and I'm sure Hermione is a popular choice today. She's totally kick butt, smart, and powerful.

The problem with my love of dystopians is that I actually would not want to be any of them, but love reading about them! Who wants to live in a zombie infested world or one that has been killed off for some reason or another?

A couple of characters that would be fun to be for a day, would be Rose or Lissa from Vampire Academy, or Tris from Divergent, because they are totally kick butt heroines as well.

Don't forget to enter some great giveaways!


Current Giveaways
1. Interview and Giveaway with Tracy Rozzlynn, author of the Fast-Tracked and Verita trilogies, Two Sets of Fast-tracked (first two books), Two sets of Verita Trilogies (first two books) OR $25 Amazon GC
Verita and Fast Tracked Giveaway

2. Interview with Eric Gale and giveaway of signed ARC of The Bully Book (INT)
Bully Book Giveaway

3.  Book Lovers Giveaway Hop Featuring Rachel Harris, author of My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century, US giveaway of signed paperback and International giveaway of e-copy,12/4-10
Book Lovers Giveaway Hop

Feature and Follow (21)

Just one more day, and it's the weekend-- I'm so glad. But I have to say tonight was pretty terrific-- I got to see Antony John, Fiona Paul, and Heather Brewster at Schafly Library as they talked about their newest books!

Feature and Follow Friday is a blog hop hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read

Here are the rules to the blog hop!
To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

• (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts {Parajunkee & Alison Can Read}
• (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers

• Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
• Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say “hi” in your comments and that they are now following you.
• If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn’t have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followed
• Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”
• If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love…and the followers
• If you’re new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

Q: Activity! Who is your to-die-for book crush? What do you think they look like? Add an image to make us all happy.

Sigh... Tom Imura, from Rot and Ruin by Jonathan Maberry. Tune in at the end of December to read my interview with him.

Closest I can come up with would be half Asian actor Daniel Henney

Who's your crush?

Current Giveaways
1. Interview and Giveaway prize pack of Beckoning Light and Perilous Light by Alyssa Rose Ivy (US only), 11/12
Afterglow Trilogy Giveaway

 2. Interview and Giveaway with Tracy Rozzlynn, author of the Fast-Tracked and Verita trilogies, Two Sets of Fast-tracked (first two books), Two sets of Verita Trilogies (first two books) OR $25 Amazon GC
Verita and Fast Tracked Giveaway

3. US giveaway of 5 Elemental Bookmarks signed by Antony John
Elemental Bookmark Giveaway

4. Interview with Eric Gale and giveaway of signed ARC of The Bully Book (INT)
Bully Book Giveaway

Feature and Follow (20)

Almost at the end of my two weeks on service, Hallelujah! Cheers to the weekend!

Feature and Follow Friday is a blog hop hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read

Here are the rules to the blog hop!
To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

• (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts {Parajunkee & Alison Can Read}
• (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers

• Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
• Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say “hi” in your comments and that they are now following you.
• If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn’t have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followed
• Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”
• If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love…and the followers
• If you’re new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog! 

Q: Books are turned into movies all the time! Turn it around. What movie would make a great book?

Gattaca hands down :-)

Enter some great giveaways!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Interview and Giveaway prize pack of Beckoning Light and Perilous Light by Alyssa Rose Ivy (US only), 11/12
Afterglow Trilogy Giveaway

Winner of the Dystopian Blog Hop and Feature and Follow (19)

First of all, congrats to Sunny who won the Dystopian blog hop!

It's been a LONG week! So glad I'm almost to my day off!

Feature and Follow Friday is a blog hop hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read

Here are the rules to the blog hop!
To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

• (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts {Parajunkee & Alison Can Read}
• (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers

• Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
• Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say “hi” in your comments and that they are now following you.
• If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn’t have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followed
• Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”
• If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love…and the followers
• If you’re new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

Q: Do you mind books with similar ideas to other books? Similar concepts, backgrounds, retellings or pulled-to-publish fanfic?

This is a good question. If the book is good and brings something new to the table, I'm okay with it. But I don't think anyone is entirely original these days. I love this quotation from Mark Twain.

'.....substantially all ideas are second-hand, consciously and unconsciously drawn from a million outside sources, and daily used by the garnerer with a pride and satisfaction born of the superstition that he originated them; whereas there is not a rag of originality about them anywhere except the little discoloration they get from his mental and moral calibre and his temperament, which is revealed in characteristics of phrasing. . . . It takes a thousand men to invent a telegraph, or a steam engine, or a phonograph, or a photograph, or a telephone, or any other Important thing-- and the last man gets the credit and we forget the others. He added his little mite--that is all he did.

In 1868 I read Dr. Holmes's poems, in the Sandwich Islands. A year and a half later I stole his dedication, without knowing it, and used it to dedicate my "Innocents Abroad" with. Ten years afterward I was talking with Dr. Holmes about it. He was not an ignorant ass--no, not he; . . . and so when I said, "I know now where I stole, but who did you steal it from?" he said, "I don't remember; I only know I stole it from somebody, because I have never originated anything altogether myself, nor met anybody who had."
- Letter to Anne Macy. Reprinted in Anne Sullivan Macy, The Story Behind Helen Keller (Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, Doran, and Co., 1933), p.162.

Anyway, I tend to gravitate towards certain genres, such as sci fi and dystopian-- and they have similar elements. Even all YA books have certain elements that I lean towards. 

That said, if there is a copycat book, I absolutely detest that. At the same time, if I feel that the author brings really fresh and original ideas, I give brownie points for that, because it's so difficult to do right.

What do you guys think?

Current Giveaways
1. International Giveaway of signed copy of If I Lie by Corrine Jackson OR Three swag packs!
IF I LIE giveaway

2.  Interview and Giveaway with Clare Marshall, author of The Violet Fox, e-copy of The Violet Fox (INT)
Violet Fox Giveaway

Feature and Follow (18)

I'm on a much needed vacation.

Feature and Follow Friday is a blog hop hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read

Here are the rules to the blog hop!
To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

• (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts {Parajunkee & Alison Can Read}
• (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers

• Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
• Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say “hi” in your comments and that they are now following you.
• If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn’t have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followed
• Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”
• If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love…and the followers
• If you’re new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog! 

Q: What is a deal breaker for you in a book? For example, do you abhor love triangles? Or can’t deal with bad editing?

1. Bad science

2. Bad editing

3. No world building

4. Two dimensional characters

5. Dragging plot

Basically... the book needs to be good! :-)

Enter my dystopian Giveaway!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Also, stop by and enter an international giveaway of a signed copy of IF I LIE by Corrine Jackson!
http://cahreviews.blogspot.com/2012/10/part-i-corrine-jackson-interview-and.html 

Feature and Follow (17)

 
My first weekend off in a long time, whoohoo! Plus, I just had dinner with Antony John and Fiona Paul, so still riding high from that. Great food and wonderful conversation about YA books!

Feature and Follow Friday is a blog hop hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read

Here are the rules to the blog hop!
To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

• (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts {Parajunkee & Alison Can Read}
• (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers

• Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
• Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say “hi” in your comments and that they are now following you.
• If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn’t have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followed
• Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”
• If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love…and the followers
• If you’re new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

Q: What writing device or trick most irritates you when reading a book? For example, if an author employs an omnipotent narrator that is sometimes considered bad form.

Oh geez, where do I even start! I could just direct you to my Curmudgeon's Corner!

1) POV is really huge for me. I hate multiple points of view for the most part. I maybe can tolerate two different points of view, but there has to be a good reason for having two.

2) Not enough world building (just giving vague suggestions to why there is a dystopian world). Article 5. Nuff Said.

3) Too much world building. We don't want the whole book to be build up just to get to a sequel. Why would we want to read it?

4) An evil character that is evil just to propel the plot. Three dimensional villains are so sexy.

5) Trilogies that exist just to make more money.

OK maybe some of these don't actually count as "writing devices" but you get the point :-)

Enter these great giveaways!
1. International Giveaway of either Incarnate or pre-order of Asunder by Jodi Meadows and a signed bookplate by the author. Two runner ups get signed bookplates by Jodi!
Incarnate Giveaway

2. International Giveaway of signed copy of If I Lie by Corrine Jackson OR Three swag packs!
IF I LIE giveaway

3. Spooktacular Giveaway Hop- $10 Amazon gift card/$10 towards a book from Book Depository (winner's choice)- INT
Spooktacular Giveaway hop

Feature and follow (16)

I cannot wait to be off service and to get some MUCH needed sleep. Yay for almost being done!

Feature and Follow Friday is a blog hop hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read

Here are the rules to the blog hop!
To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

• (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts {Parajunkee & Alison Can Read}
• (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers

• Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
• Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say “hi” in your comments and that they are now following you.
• If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn’t have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followed
• Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”
• If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love…and the followers
• If you’re new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog! 

Q: When you step out of your USUAL genre what do you like to read? Best books in that genre?

I don't typically read contemporary (I'm usually paranormal/dystopian/sci fi), but I just recently read one of the best contemporary YA novels ever, called If I Lie by Corrine Jackson. Just wanted to put a plug in for her awesome giveaway going on right now, a signed copy of this book! 

Goodreads Book Description: A powerful debut novel about the gray space between truth and perception.

Quinn’s done the unthinkable: she kissed a guy who is not Carey, her boyfriend. And she got caught. Being branded a cheater would be bad enough, but Quinn is deemed a traitor, and shunned by all of her friends. Because Carey’s not just any guy—he’s serving in Afghanistan and revered by everyone in their small, military town.

Quinn could clear her name, but that would mean revealing secrets that she’s vowed to keep—secrets that aren’t hers to share. And when Carey goes MIA, Quinn must decide how far she’ll go to protect her boyfriend…and her promise.

Current Giveaways
1. International Giveaway of Signed and personalized hard back copy of Venom by Fiona Paul
Venom Giveaway

2. International Giveaway of either Incarnate or pre-order of Asunder by Jodi Meadows and a signed bookplate by the author. Two runner ups get signed bookplates by Jodi!
Incarnate Giveaway

3. International Giveaway of signed copy of If I Lie by Corrine Jackson OR Three swag packs!
IF I LIE giveaway

Feature and Follow (15)

It's been a LONG week. Can't wait to get a day off... have to wait until Sunday!

Feature and Follow Friday is a blog hop hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read

Here are the rules to the blog hop!
To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

• (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts {Parajunkee & Alison Can Read}
• (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers

• Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
• Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say “hi” in your comments and that they are now following you.
• If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn’t have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followed
• Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”
• If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love…and the followers
• If you’re new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog! 

• Q: What book do you think would make a great Halloween movie? Please explain in graphic detail of goriness…

  Well, shoot. Parajunkee took my answer :-) Anna Dressed in Blood of course!!!

International Giveaway of a signed copy of IF I LIE by Corrine Jackson OR swag packs.
IF I LIE giveaway 

Feature and Follow (14)

I'm excited another week is done, but the next two weeks are going to be tough. So I'd better enjoy the last weekend I have off in a while! :-)

Feature and Follow Friday is a blog hop hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read

Here are the rules to the blog hop!
To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

• (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts {Parajunkee & Alison Can Read}
• (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers

• Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
• Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say “hi” in your comments and that they are now following you.
• If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn’t have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followed
• Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”
• If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love…and the followers
• If you’re new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog! 

Q: What do you hope to accomplish with your blog? Is it to one day become an author yourself, just for fun, maybe get some online attention, or maybe something very different?

Wow. Tough but great question today. I initially started the blog because I had more than 100 reviews on Amazon and people kept approaching me, saying I should start one. When I began the blog, my idea was to support indie authors and other authors that I really loved. That has been the primary goal from the start, and I still feature authors every week. That said, I've always dreamed of writing my own YA book someday, and so that's on the backburner. But now, I have a great community of people to publicize it to if I ever get around to it! 

 Don't forget to enter some great giveaways!

a Rafflecopter giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Feature and Follow (13)

Dear all, thank goodness it's Friday! My first full weekend off in a month is a reason to celebrate!

Feature and Follow Friday is a blog hop hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read

Here are the rules to the blog hop!
To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

• (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts {Parajunkee & Alison Can Read}
• (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers

• Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
• Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say “hi” in your comments and that they are now following you.
• If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn’t have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followed
• Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”
• If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love…and the followers
• If you’re new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

Q: What is the BIGGEST word you’ve seen used in a book lately – that made you stop and look it up? Might as well leave the definition & book too.

Wow. Tough question today. I think that the biggest word that I've seen was "absconded." 

abscondedpast participle, past tense of ab·scond (Verb)

Verb:

Leave hurriedly and secretly, typically to avoid detection or arrest. (of someone on bail) Fail to surrender oneself for custody at the appointed time.

I've read a lot lately, but I think the book I found this in was Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan. How about you?

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Feature and Follow (12)

Time for a blog hop :-) It's really sad, but just came down with the stomach flu so wasn't sure if I'd get around to doing this Friday's post, but I really liked the question, so gotta answer it!

Feature and Follow Friday is a blog hop hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read

Here are the rules to the blog hop!
To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

• (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts {Parajunkee & Alison Can Read}
• (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers

• Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
• Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say “hi” in your comments and that they are now following you.
• If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn’t have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followed
• Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”
• If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love…and the followers
• If you’re new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog! 

Q: What hyped up book do you think was worth all the talk?

How about 4 of them? These are 4 of my favorite books this year, thus far.

How about you?

Don't forget to enter these great giveaways!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Feature and follow (11)

Time for a blog hop :-)This has been an extremely busy week and I haven't had enough time to blog as much as I would like to, but hopefully I can make up for it this weekend!

Feature and Follow Friday is a blog hop hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read

Here are the rules to the blog hop!
To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

• (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts {Parajunkee & Alison Can Read}
• (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers

• Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
• Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say “hi” in your comments and that they are now following you.
• If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn’t have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followed
• Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”
• If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love…and the followers
• If you’re new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

Q: What hyped up book do you think was not worth all the talk?

Great question! I have to agree with the Fifty Shades of Grey answer.

Rant on Fifty Shades 

 Also, Pure by Julianna Baggott is the other.

Rant on Pure

Don't forget to sign up for these great giveaways!  

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

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Feature and Follow (10)

Time for a blog hop :-) I have been sick all week but finally, I'm feeling a little better. So I'm really looking forward to my last free weekend in a while!

Feature and Follow Friday is a blog hop hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read

Here are the rules to the blog hop!
To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

• (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts {Parajunkee & Alison Can Read}
• (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers

• Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
• Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say “hi” in your comments and that they are now following you.
• If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn’t have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followed
• Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”
• If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love…and the followers
• If you’re new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog! 

Q: What book(s) are you reading right now? What do you think of it?

I'm having an issue that other people have alluded to-- I'm in between books! Yesterday, I just finished Of Poseidon by Anna Banks, which I wasn't a huge fan of, but the huge cliffhanger at the end finally made it interesting so I may just pick up the next one to see what happens!

I started Wither (Chemical Garden) by Lauren DeStefano last night, but am only a few pages in. It's tantalizing enough that I decided it was my next read after I finish one of my required reviews.

Don't forget to enter these great giveaways!
International giveaway of:
1) 2 copies of Neverdark by C.S. Einfeld
2) 1 signed copy of Neverdark from both author and illustrator
3) 1 copy of A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
CS Einfeld Giveaway

Prize pack giveaway (US only) of ALL FOUR of Antony John's books signed (Five Flavors of Dumb, Busted, Thou Shalt Not Road Trip, and the unreleased YA dystopian, Elemental)
Antony John Giveaway

The Back to School Blog Hop:
Win either a hard back signed copy of Insignia OR a $10 Amazon GC (Winner's Choice!)-- US only.
Back to School Blog Hop

Feature and Follow (9)

Time for a blog hop :-) Who's looking forward to Labor Day weekend? I am, because for once, I sort of get the holiday off (well I still have to carry a pager around).

Feature and Follow Friday is a blog hop hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read

Here are the rules to the blog hop!
To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

• (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts {Parajunkee & Alison Can Read}
• (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers

• Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
• Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say “hi” in your comments and that they are now following you.
• If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn’t have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followed
• Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”
• If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love…and the followers
• If you’re new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

 

Q: Best Cover? What is the best cover of a book that you’ve read and didn’t like?

Well, oops! I answered this exact question last week. But I guess now it's legit. I was so excited to get this book from Early Reviewer Librarything giveaways because I mean LOOK at that beautiful cover. But the book didn't really live up to it.

Goodreads book description:

Lately strange things have been happening to Daire Santos. Animals follow her, crows mock her, and glowing people appear out of nowhere. Worried that Daire is having a nervous breakdown, her mother packs her off to stay in the dusty plains of Enchantment, New Mexico with a grandmother she’s never met.

There she crosses paths with Dace, a gorgeous guy with unearthly blue eyes who she’s encountered before...but only in her dreams. And she’ll get to know her grandmother—a woman who recognizes Daire’s bizarre episodes for what they are. A call to her true destiny as a Soul Seeker, one who can navigate between the worlds of the living and the dead. Her grandmother immediately begins teaching her to harness her powers—but it’s an art that must be mastered quickly. Because Dace’s brother is an evil shape-shifter who’s out to steal her powers. Now Daire must embrace her fate as a Soul Seeker and find out if Dace is one guy she’s meant to be with...or if he’s allied with the enemy she’s destined to destroy.

 

My rating: 3 out of 5 stars.

I had a love/hate relationship with this book. The first 100 or so pages dragged and I almost put it down for good. After reading some other recent reviews, I wasn't the only one and some people actually stopped reading it. Then, around halfway through the book, things start to get interesting. Daire's grandmother is teaching her some really neat things. I really enjoyed learning about Seekers, their powers, and their war with the Coyotes. But Daire throughout the book was a whiny, not very likeable protagonist. And the Cade/Dace split (not really into how their names rearranged are each other's) seems just too easy. Cade is just too evil and Dace is just too good. Put them together and HE would be a character worth reading about. I just can't stand two dimensional characters and then here we have two characters that are set up that way. However, I will say that there are some terrific supporting characters. Xotichl and Lita are both wonderful, well developed and unexpected. I would read a book about them.

While Fated has some beautiful prose especially about landscape and some great supporting characters, the main characters are not especially interesting and the plot drags for too much of the book. It's too bad because the backstory has a lot of potential. 

Don't forget to sign up for my three current giveaways!

1) International Giveaway of Signed copy of CS Einfeld's Neverdark OR A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
Neverdark Giveaway

2) Prize pack giveaway (US only) of ALL FOUR of Antony John's books signed (Five Flavors of Dumb, Busted, Thou Shalt Not Road Trip, and the unreleased YA dystopian, Elemental)
Antony John Giveaway

3) US giveaway of either signed hard back copy of Insignia OR $10 Amazon Gift Certificate!
Back to the Books Blog Hop Giveaway 

Feature and Follow (8)

Thursday was rough, but Friday is a whole new day :-)

Feature and Follow Friday is a blog hop hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read


Here are the rules to the blog hop!
To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

• (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts {Parajunkee & Alison Can Read}
• (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers

• Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
• Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say “hi” in your comments and that they are now following you.
• If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn’t have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followed
• Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”
• If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love…and the followers
• If you’re new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

Q: Worst cover? What is the worst cover of a book that you’ve read and loved?

 Ok. I have no idea how to answer this question because mostly I don't notice book covers unless they are beautiful. I do have an answer for the reverse... I thought the cover for Alyson Noel's book Fated was just gorgeous... and the book was enh.

What about you?

Don't forget to enter these great giveaways!
1) Signed copy of Girl of nightmares by Kendare Blake
2) International: Signed copy of The Night of the Purple Moon by Scott Cramer OR Fear: A Gone Novel by Michael Grant
Giveaways

Feature and Follow (7)

Welcome back, everyone! Thank goodness it's Friday :-) It's been a long week, but the weekend is finally here. And so is this great blog hop!

Feature and Follow Friday is a blog hop hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read


Here are the rules to the blog hop!
To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

• (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts {Parajunkee & Alison Can Read}
• (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers

• Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
• Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say “hi” in your comments and that they are now following you.
• If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn’t have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followed
• Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”
• If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love…and the followers
• If you’re new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

Q: What blogger inspires you? It can be any kind, it doesn’t have to be a book blog.

I've already waxed poetic about this particular blogger because she has been so pivotal to the success of my blog. Here's another shout out to Jessi from Reading in the Corner. 

http://readinginthecorner.blogspot.com/ 

I met her at a Lauren Oliver event randomly by sitting next to her. Since then, we've connected on Goodreads, and she taught me which memes to join, great ways to get followers, etc. We've met up at several other book events, and it's been really fun getting to know her!

Don't forget to sign up for these great giveaways!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Feature and Follow (6)

Welcome back, everyone! Thank goodness it's Friday :-) It's been a long week, but the weekend is finally here. And so is this great blog hop!

Feature and Follow Friday is a blog hop hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read


Here are the rules to the blog hop!
To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

• (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts {Parajunkee & Alison Can Read}
• (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers

• Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
• Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say “hi” in your comments and that they are now following you.
• If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn’t have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followed
• Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”
• If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love…and the followers
• If you’re new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

Q: What would you do over if you were to start your blog again from scratch?

My blog is pretty new as it is-- only a couple of months old. And part of the fun is the evolution of the blog-learning what works, and what doesn't. I didn't even have a followers button for the first few days because I didn't know what that was! Several good friends who already had their own blogs gave me great tips. A few weeks later, I learned about memes and regularly participate in this one as well as Waiting on Wednesday. I learned the ins and outs of Rafflecopter and how to set up interviews and giveaways. I invited my sister to do guest blogging and in the past week, set up my rants page, Curmudgeon's Corner, which is currently my favorite place on my blog! So this is a long answer to the question, but essentially, I wouldn't change anything because the process of learning and evolution was probably one of the best parts of having a blog!

Don't forget to sign up for great giveaways!
a Rafflecopter giveaway  

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