Ensconced in Lit

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Most Creative Blog Voting is Up! Would really appreciate your vote!

Hey guys,
Don't forget to vote in the Bloggy Awards 13 in general, but then also, vote today for Most Creative Blog! This was the wonderful blurb by Fiona Paul (her real name is Paula Stokes, which is what you should follow her as now, she has some great books coming out!) about my blog:

Ensconced in YA

So here's the deal about Ensconced in YA. Yes, it's hard to type right. And some of you might not even know what the word ensconced means. And it's true, Christina doesn't have a ginormous multi-colored header with animated rainbow and puppies. But the blog is GOOD, people.

For one, Christina has amassed 2000 followers in just over a year. That's crazy, yo! I can still count all my blog followers on the toes of my cats, and I have multiple Big Six publishing deals. Clearly, she is doing something right. Here's a rundown of some of the creative things she does:

twitter parties that utilize various contest formats

sections on her blog that appeal specifically to writers, readers, and bloggers

story prompts for writers

snippets of her own writing. Look! She's creating! That's creative, no?

rants--sometimes by her, sometimes by guest bloggers, about things that really grind our gears #FamilyGuyReference

author and character interviews that don't just ask the same 5 questions that have been answered all over the interwebs

FB question prompts like "How would you define the trope of Instalove?" (I bet THAT was an animated discussion!)

a high degree of support for indie and self-pub'd authors, which isn't common on big 2000 follower blogs

In addition to all of this, her blog is easy-to-read, informative, and professional. As an author, I don't have a lot of time to read blogs, so I always enjoy a blog like Ensconced in YA that is lighter on graphics (and thus loads quickly) but heavy on information. Vote for Christina as Most Creative Blogger because clearly she rocks or I would not have taken the time to write her this rather lengthy endorsement while on deadline :) FIONA SAYS VOTE ENSCONCED IN YA FOR MOST CREATIVE!
-Fiona Paul, author of Venom, Belladonna, and Starling

Here's the link: go vote, and THANK YOU!
http://www.thebloggyawards.blogspot.com/2013/07/most-creative-voting.html

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Cover Reveal: Riley's Redemption by Christina Smith

I'm very excited to show you guys this cover reveal, and I'm dying to find out what happens in the final book of this great trilogy!

Is it possible to be at peace when you have so many regrets?

After everything Megan and Nate have been through, things are finally looking up, and a trip to Vegas solidifies their relationship. Everything is as it should be. Or is it? Megan is the happiest she’s ever been, and although Nate says he is too, she knows the guilt he feels for everything he has done weighs on him daily. But she hopes that one day he can let go of the past and finally live a life without regrets. After the note Nate found on his old enemy six months ago, he is determined to find out what it means, even if the answer puts him and his new pack-mates at risk.

When Megan gets a call from her friend Adrian asking for her help to find his sister, she is compelled to join him. And everyone in their group is shocked at what they find. When they return home, controversy and tension erupts, creating more questions and fewer answers.

In an unexpected twist, conflict comes between Nate and a friend he has known for fifty years. Will there be harmony in the pack once again, or will anger and hostility rip apart their formerly tight knit group?

Author Blurb:
Christina Smith grew up in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Like her mother, she fell in love with books at a young age. She started reading her books and usually hid them behind her texts at school. Then she began to venture out herself, reading anything she could find.

After getting married, she moved to a small rural town in the country. She lives there with her husband Brad, two kids Josh and Megan, and their dog Bailey. She didn’t realize she had the ability to write until a few years ago, but ever since then, she hasn't been able to stop.

I love the cover and all of the blue! What do you guys think?

Friday, July 19, 2013

Blogger Interview with Anasheh Satoorian and INT giveaway!

So I know I said I'm taking a blogging break, and I am (I REALLY AM!) but I can't wait to put this interview up with one of my dearest blogging friends, Anasheh, who is hailing from the terrific blog, A Reading Nurse.

http://areadingnurse.blogspot.com/

About Anasheh

I'm a 28 year old Armenian girl from Los Angeles. I'm the epitome of a Virgo: Analytical, observant, helpful, reliable, precise, and extremely loyal. Yes, I'm a little bossy too, but I like to consider it as being a born leader. I worked in Retail Management for 11 years and finally got tired of it and quit my job to go back to school. Some people called it risky, but I call it following my dream to become of a nurse. I have 5 months until I graduate LVN school and am hoping to go back in school for my RN towards the end of 2014. When I'm not studying about one disease or another, you find me nose deep into a book. Print or on my Ipad, honestly don't have a preference. I am lucky to have some amazing friends who share my love for reading, and follow me on road trips to meet amazing authors and other book lovers. My favorite genres are: YA or NA/MA. Specifically: Paranormal, Contemporary, or Historical. My other love is JAFF (Jane Austen Fan Fiction). Continuations, variations, or re-tellings with Zombies; If it's about one of Jane Austen's famous characters I am sure to read it! I spend more time on Goodreads than on Facebook or Twitter combined. Some people want to travel the worlds 7 natural wonders. I however, want to travel the world’s best libraries. I started blogging because I wanted to meet other book lovers, and so far I can honestly say that my wish has been fulfilled!

Interview with Anasheh

1. Tell us a little bit about how you fell in love with reading.

I fell in love with reading probably at the age of 3. When my family first moved to the states we didn't have a lot of money, so my mom would take me down to the local library where they had great children's events (BTW I still go to the same library.) They would show tons of movies and I could check out as many books as I wanted. Even though English is not my first language, I was always at the top of my school's reading level throughout elementary school and was in Honors English classes in high school. And the love of reading is a big part of who I am today at the age of 28.

2. What have been your top 5 YA reads in the past year or two and why?

The biggest thing I look for when reading books regardless of what genre they are in is originality. After reading hundreds of books, like any avid reader I start being able to predict the ending and I HATE that. It’s what will make me give a GREAT book a 4 star rating instead of a 5 star. But the following I would say are my Fav Five from the last 2 years:

1) The Madman's Daugther - Megan Shepard : Loved the mixture of historical fiction, paranormal and the anatomy thrown in!

2) Second Chance Summer - Morgan Matson: This book is a contemporary that actually had me bawling at one point. Beautiful story about making the most of every moment you have.

3) The Bloodlines series - Richelle Mead: There is just something about reading a book by a favorite author that makes it feel like coming home. Richelle Mead is one of those authors. I love the fact that she has some kick-butt heroines and yes, her heroes aren't that bad either.

4) Anything by Gayle Forman - Gayle Forman is one of those authors that has me glued to my seat and unable to do anything besides read her beautiful stories. I think I read If I stay, and Where she Went in one day, one sitting.

5) The Infernal Devices by Cassie Clare - I have been a huge fan of Cassie's work for years now. But since I loved The Mortal Instruments so much, I was kind of hesitant to start this series. But my one of my best friends Vivian, who knows the books I like, said that she thought I might actually like this series more. And boy was she right! Luckily I waited until all 3 books were out before I picked it up. This is hands down one of the best series out there in my opinion. It mixes historical fiction, romance, steampunk all into the amazing Shadowhunter World Cassie Clare created!

3. What's your favorite candy?

Hmm favorite candy? Not sure about that. I'll get back to you **Runs to the nearest candy store to do research** Just Kidding. If I have to choose one, I would probably say Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.

4. What superpower would you choose if you could have it?

Can I create a new one? If so I would pick the super power of not having to sleep. I could accomplish so much more that way!

But if I had to pick a super power already out there I would pick being able to fly! That would come in handy when I have to go somewhere during LA rush hour!

5. Who is your favorite author and why?

My favorite author of all time is Jane Austen. I am a huge sucker Pride & Prejudice and have watched almost every single adaptation out there. It is probably one of the most beloved love stories out there. Jane Austen was also much ahead of her time. She wrote themes and topics that were way advanced for the world she lived in. Her stories are still beloved today, 200 years later and even though there are a gazillion adaptations out there, people still go out to see it!

6. What has been the three best things you've loved about blogging?

1) Meeting people from around world and developing some lasting friendships

2) Being able to be more active with some authors and to be able to express to them out how much their world affected me.

3) Knowing that there are thousands of people out there like me, who like to fan-girl about books and fictional characters.

7. Which Hogwarts house would you be placed in by the Sorting Hat and why?

This has to be the toughest question yet, because honestly I have attributes that could qualify for any of the houses. But I think I would like to believe that I would I sorted into Ravenclaw. I have and always will be a nerd who loves to learn and that will probably never change.

Even though anyone who has ever known, worked as or shadowed a nurse, can say that there is a great amount of bravery associated with the nursing profession! Some obvious reasons and some not so obvious. So maybe the hat would sort me as a Gryffindor.

8. Who is your favorite villain and why?

My favorite villain has to be Valentine from the Mortal Instruments series. There is just something about him that you love to hate. Plus I would be lying if I didn't admit that I was more excited about Jonathan Rhys Meyers, being cast as Valentine than any of the other casting choices! Anyone who has watched Tudors knows why ;)

Thanks so much to Anasheh for her awesome answers in this interview! Now please go on to enter her very generous giveaway!!! Either the box set of The Infernal Devices (US only) OR $40 Amazon Gift Card (INT).

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Thursday, July 18, 2013

Oracle of Delphi Blog Tour and INT giveaway!

Prophecy of the Most Beautiful (Oracle of Delphi, #1)

Goodreads Book Description: She has a destiny so great that even the gods fear her.

Constant hallucinations and the frequent conversations with the voices in her head, have earned eighteen-year-old Chloe Clever the not-so-coveted title of "Whack Job" in her home town of Adel, Georgia. With the onslaught of prescription medications and therapists threatening to push her over the edge, she wishes for a life far away from the one she has, a life where she is destined to be more than the butt of everyone's jokes and mockery.

Be careful what you wish for has never rung more true.

After living through an attack from her worst nightmare, she awakens to find herself far from home, surrounded by glorious riches and servants…and a few demigods who enjoy killing things. Upon learning that her favorite rockstar is an Olympian god, she is thrust into her new life as the Oracle of Delphi, the prophesier of the future, and the great Pythia that the gods have been anxiously awaiting to arrive for centuries. Setting out to fulfill the prophecy she has been given and to keep her family safe from a demigod Princess that wants her dead, Chloe learns of how great she is to become, all the while fighting mythical monsters, evading divine assassins and trying to outwit the ever-cunning Greek gods who harbor secrets of their own. In the hopes of discovering the Most Beautiful and the truth of her destiny, she strives to uncover the mysteries of the demigod Prince who has sworn to protect her with his life…and threatens to win her heart in the process.

My rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Want to buy it?

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/prophecy-of-solstices-end-diantha-jones/1116050182?ean=2940148440819

Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00DXO6IZ6

Author Blurb: Diantha Jones was born the day thousands of turkeys sacrificed their lives to fill millions of American bellies on November 22 which also happened to be Thanksgiving Day (Her mother says she owes her a turkey). She is a Journalism graduate who wants to be a career novelist (of books, not Facebook posts). When not writing or working, she is reading on her Nook, being hypnotized by Netflix or on a mission to procure french fries. She also writes adult fantasy/paranormal romance under the name A. Star. Friend/Fan her at www.goodreads.com/A_Star.

Character interview with Chloe, main character in Prophecy of the Most Beautiful
Chloe, welcome to Ensconced in YA! I know you are busy saving the world, but I'm so happy you made it!

Thanks, Christina! Saving the world is my mission, but I've always got time for a friend of Diantha's.

We are going to do a lightning round to get to know you a little better.
1. Favorite book? Can anybody honestly answer this question? There's too many to choose from?
2. Favorite movie? The Avengers. I have a thing for heroes :)
3. Favorite song? Lover's Moon by A Divinity's Stimuli. They're my fave band.
4. Least favorite subject in school? Math. UGH. Terrible. Still aced it though.
5. Superpower that you've always wanted? Telling the future. Ha! Check.
6. Favorite TV show? Can't say I'm much of a TV person, but who can resist a Law & Order marathon?
7. Favorite ice cream flavor? Strawberry Cheesecake.
8. Boxers or briefs? Boxer briefs. Those are pretty hot.
9. Email or handwritten letters? I think Hermes Mail (celestial email) is pretty cool. But Iris delivers handwritten letters over a rainbow which is also pretty cool. Ah! I can't decide.
10. Dogs or cats? Dogs. There are already gods stalking me. Don't need a cat around doing it too.
11. Bad boys or good boys? Strafford Law. Pass your own judgement.
12. Zeus or Hades? Cupid. As far as I know, he doesn't have any sinister plans involving me...and he can kiss ;)
13. Favorite inanimate object? Lawless, my Morph. A ring that transforms into all kinds of weapons.
14. When going on a trip: are you a planner or take things as they come? I think it's pretty safe to say that I take things as they come. At this point, I don't have a choice.
15. Candy or chocolate? Chocolate!
16. Coffee or hot chocolate? Coffee. Blame my mother. I inherited the addiction.
17. Mountains or beach? Mountains. Ever seen Mount Olympus? Beautiful.
18. Hot or cold? I like both. Hot means laying out by the pool. Cold means cuddling up with Strafford. Meh. Who am I kidding? Cold all day.
19. Vampires or werewolves? Have you ever met an Empusa? Well, I have. So that's a big fat NO to the bloodsuckers. I'll go with werewolves.

20. Do you believe in soulmates? Yes. A thousand times, yes.

Thanks! Had fun!

Now enter some great giveaways!

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