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Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Waiting on Wednesday – Stick by Andrew Smith

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we seriously can’t wait for.

So check it, I knew I was abso in LOVE when I read The Marbury Lens by Andrew Smith. Only after buying his other novels (Ghost Medicine and In The Path of Falling Objects) and practically stalk him, err. .. I mean check out his website, did I know I was completely enamored with Smith’s writing! So, I can not wait for uh… sometime in 2011 for STICK!
STICK by Andrew Smith – Coming in 2011

Stark (“Stick”) McClellan hears the world in a different way. He is surrounded by cruelty and ugliness, but holds on to a powerful sense of wonder, faith, and love for his best friend, Emily, and the most important person in Stick’s world — his older brother, Bosten.
When the boys’ father throws Bosten out of their home for being gay, Stick steals a car and takes off on a three-state odyssey to find and rescue him.

Okay, so this is NOT, I repeat not the official cover for STICK. I just swiped it from Andrew’s website while stalking, um, checking it out again. Yeah, that’s it. So until sometime in 2011, I will be pining away for this much anticipated novel by Andrew Smith. I will update information as soon as Smith releases it to the public (stalkers).

(geez, stalk much?! )

Don’t forget to leave us a link in the comments and tell us what goodies you’re waiting on this Wednesday! Hey while you’re at it, why don’tcha be a pal and follow us while you’re here, we’ll follow back. Pinkie Promise.
And As always, we hope you have a wonderful week and thank you for stopping by. Happy Reading!

Arrivederci!

Psst! Check out my review on The Marbury Lens.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

150 Follower Giveaway - Sniffly Kitty

http://snifflykitty.blogspot.com/2010/12/150-follower-giveaway.html

As I am fairly close to 150 Followers (edit: yay! 150 reached!), it's time to do my first giveaway as a thank you to my followers! It's as international as Book Depository gets. Winner shall be randomly chosen.

Prizes:
-Book of winner's choice under $10 from Amazon (US) or Book Depository (Outside US wherever they deliver)
-If I reach 250 followers there will be a second winner also book of choice under $10! and every 100 followers beyond that means another winner ^.^

Giveaway Dates: Dec 13, 2010 - Jan 13, 2011

To Enter:

Initial Entry:
-You MUST leave a comment on this post with your Email address.
-You must be a public GFC follower to qualify (if your follower name is different from what you're posting with please list your GFC name). This is a follower thank you giveaway after all. (google friend connect, it's in the sidebar)

Bonus Entries
+2 Follow my Twitter snifflykitty0
+1 Tweet about this giveaway using the tweet below and give the link (1/day up to 5 times)
Book of choice - 150 Follower Giveaway! Open internationally. http://bit.ly/erMj6O @snifflykitty0
+1 Link this giveaway in a giveaway linky or other giveaway announcement place, and provide the link here
+3 Do a blog post about this giveaway with a link back to this post and provide the link here.
+3 Grab the button, put it in the sidebar of your blog, and provide the link here.

http://snifflykitty.blogspot.com/2010/12/150-follower-giveaway.html

Monday, December 20, 2010

Caster Girls Holiday Giveaway

Caster Girls Holiday Giveaway

This month we are giving away:

The John Breed Poster
Beautiful Darkness Audio Book
UK Version of Beautiful Darkness
Bookmark
Beautiful Darkness Bracelet
Beautiful Darkness Dog Tag
Vodoo People
Candy
Wanna win it? Its simple, join the forums. Comment on the forums. Here’s how you earn points

Join the Forum (+1) — if you are already a member, you have a point :)

Comment on a thread in the forums here on CasterGirls.com (+1 for every comment)

Start a thred in the CasterGirls forums (+2)

Post about the contest on your blog or site (+2)

Tweet about the contest (+1 for every tweet, limit one per day).

You have from now until December 20th at 9am PST. Keep track of your points and email them to us at castergirls@gmail.com. We will announce the winner at 8pm PST on the 20th.

Happy Winning!

Saturday, December 18, 2010

What is Your Echo?: KIM IS HAVING A CONTEST

What is Your Echo?: KIM IS HAVING A CONTEST: "KIMS HAVING A CONTEST!!!!! Here is what you can win.. FIRST PRIZE: A signed ARC of DESIRES OF THE DEAD, a signed copy of THE BODY F..."

JAMES PATTERSON 4 ARC Giveaway!

http://pjhoover.blogspot.com/2010/12/james-patterson-4-arc-giveaway.html

'Tis the season, so in that spirit, I have four fantastic ARCs from bestselling author James Patterson up for giveaway for one lucky winner!


WITCH AND WIZARD by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet (Little, Brown, December 2009)

WITCH AND WIZARD: THE GIFT by James Patterson and Ned Rust (Little, Brown, December 13, 2010)

MED HEAD by James Patterson and Hal Friedman (Little, Brown, April 2010)
My Knock-Down, Drag-out, Drugged-up Battle With My Brain

DANIEL X: DEMONS AND DRUIDS by James Patterson and Adam Sadler (Little, Brown, July 2010)

Source of ARCs: From publisher at various conferences

*Please note ARC covers are not necessarily the same as the final covers!

For your chance to win these ARCs, all you need to do is:

1) Follow this blog
2) Follow The Texas Sweethearts blog
3) Comment on this blog post


For extra entries:

1) Blog about this contest and leave a comment telling me
2) Tweet about this contest and leave a comment telling me


And make sure you leave me a way to get in contact with you when you win!

The contest will run through midnight on Friday, December 24, 2010!

Friday, December 17, 2010

Supernatural Underground: My Top Ten Christmas Movies

Supernatural Underground: My Top Ten Christmas Movies: "I go on a mad mission during this time of year. I feel I must watch each and every one of my favorite holiday movies or I won’t be able to g..."

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Supernatural Underground: Supernatural Stocking Stuffers From The Undergroun...

Supernatural Underground: Supernatural Stocking Stuffers From The Undergroun...: "Ho, ho, ho!  Merry Christmas, all you Supernatural Undergrounders, and have I got a package for you! What? No, wait... not that packag..."

Sunday, December 12, 2010

What's on the Bookshelf: Are you Santa or Scrooge? Giveaway

What's on the Bookshelf: Are you Santa or Scrooge? Giveaway: "Me personally..I'm a little bit of both. I love the time I get to spend with family and I LOVE LOVE LOVE watching my daughter open presents...."

Moirae (the fates) book reviews: Interview and Giveaway with Chloe Neill.

Moirae (the fates) book reviews: Interview and Giveaway with Chloe Neill.: "Today I am excited to host an interview with Chloe Neill, author of the Dark Elite series. Hexbound, the second novel will be released..."

Saturday, December 11, 2010

1 year anniversary celebration. Bitten by Paranormal Romance

1 year anniversary celebration. Todays giveaway is J.R. Wards




Woohoo! One year has past, I cant believe how it has flown by. I would like to take this time to think everyone that joined the blog this year, your comments makes my day and I hope you found some good books to read. I also want to think my recent added reviewers, Ronda, Cynthia, Kris and Stacey, THANKS LADIES! I would be able to take all the request without you ladies.
I love to make new friends that reads the same books as I do and I have made some great friends around this book blogging community.

Now for some giveaway fun. As I was out this year visiting some authors book signings I decided to grab an extra book for my Anniversary.I have 5 books and will give one away each day. This one is for J.R. Wards. its Crave.

This is open for US and International.

Rules
You have to be a follower. Please leave one comment with your email.

Extra
+10 for posting about my anniversary on your blog
+5 for being an old follower
+3 for being a new follower
+4 for twitter or facebook post.

Please include links
I will announce the winners in one post after its over. All giveaways will end Monday 13th at midnight

Good luck

http://www.bittenbyparanormalromance.com/2010/12/1-year-anniversary-celebration-todays.html

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

YA Outside the Lines: Gifts of the Season

YA Outside the Lines: Gifts of the Season: "I just did something outrageous, considering the busyness of the holidays and work deadlines (a book party this weekend, a copyedit of Don't..."

YA Outside the Lines: Born to Write Outside the lines.... since 8th grad...

YA Outside the Lines: Born to Write Outside the lines.... since 8th grad...: "My bio says that I got my start 'writing bad poetry about unrequited love and razor blades.' If we're going to be technical about it, I got ..."

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Pure Imagination: Birthday Blogoversary Bash Kickoff and Giveaway!!

Pure Imagination: Birthday Blogoversary Bash Kickoff and Giveaway!!: "Today marks the kick-off of my Blogoversary and Birthday month! It's, of course, also the holidays so we can't not celebrate!December 16th ..."

Monday, December 6, 2010

Once Upon A Twilight!: BIR2010: Mockingbirds & Sisters Red Giveaway


Welcome to the first day of BEST I'VE READ 2010! BIR2010 will run from December 6th through December 14th. This will be a annual event and this year its compromised of 9 blogs. Each day each blog will have multiple post and giveaways happening each day until its over. Then on the last day there will also be a Grand Prize Giveaway on the BIR2010 Blog. So today's BIR2010 continues with two books giveaways of books that were popular this year. 
 
The Mockingbirds
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Released: November 2nd 2010
 
Sisters Red
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Released: June 3th 2010
 
To Enter:
  • We loved for you to follow our blog
  • Fill out the FORM
  • Giveaway is open to US & Canada - No P.O. Boxes
  • We ask that you help spread the word of course
  • Stop by all the blogs in this event. 
A big Thank you to Daisy Whitney and Jackson Pearce and also Little, Brown Books. 
 

 

Between the Covers: GIVEAWAY - My Double Life by Janette Rallison, AND...

Between the Covers: GIVEAWAY - My Double Life by Janette Rallison, AND...: "My Double Life by Janette Rallison was chosen as one of our Best I've Read 2010 selections. My Double Life By: Janette Rallison Publisher: ..."

Babbling Flow: Me and Orson Scott Card (+ SIGNED ENDER'S GAME GIV...

Babbling Flow: Me and Orson Scott Card (+ SIGNED ENDER'S GAME GIV...: "That's right, you read that title correctly! Two weeks ago, I MET ORSON SCOTT CARD!! *dies* *revives* *dies again* PROOF: Me & Orson..."

Second Annual Inkies Giveaway Extravaganza

Second Annual Inkies Giveaway Extravaganza

Fire and Ice - BIR2010 Cresendo Teaser


Our very first teaser giveaway for Best I've Read 2010 comes from author Becca Fitzpatrick. We are excited to announce that she has donated 2 signed copies of Crescendo for our US blog readers.


Giveaway ends December 15!

The Guardian Legacy: Chase~the~Cold~Away Giveaway

The Guardian Legacy: Chase~the~Cold~Away Giveaway: "Even though I'm down in the dumps with the cold/flu (whichever), my spirit soars. A fan sent me an early Christmas present...a kindle (YEAH..."

Review - The Marbury Lens by Andrew Smith

Sixteen-year-old Jack gets drunk and is in the wrong place at the wrong time. He is kidnapped. He escapes, narrowly. The only person he tells is his best friend, Conner. When they arrive in London as planned for summer break, a stranger hands Jack a pair of glasses. Through the lenses, he sees another world called Marbury. There is war in Marbury. It is a desolate and murderous place where Jack is responsible for the survival of two younger boys. Conner is there, too. But he’s trying to kill them.
Meanwhile, Jack is falling in love with an English girl, and afraid he’s losing his mind. Conner tells Jack it’s going to be okay.
But, it’s not.
 Andrew Smith has written his most beautiful and personal novel yet, as he explores the nightmarish outer limits of what trauma can do to our bodies and our minds.


My Thoughts:


Check it. One day I saw Marbury up for grabs in a Goodreads contest. I was enthralled with the cover! I knew I just HAD to read that book. I entered. Did not win. Still driven to read this novel, I pre-ordered The Marbury Lens from Amazon.
First off let me start by sharing a little about myself. If you know me at all then you probably know this but if not check it out. ..
1. I don’t read reviews or the synopsis of a book before reading it myself. Why? I don’t like spoilers and don’t really want to know what the book is about. I like the surprise of a story.
2. I usually don’t write reviews. Not that I don’t want to, but it is a very difficult thing for me. Having ADD tends to jumble my thoughts so when I try to express what I think or feel it usually comes out a big mess, not making sense at all.
I feel very strongly about this book, something grabbed on to me, swallowing me whole. That being said, I’m going to do my best and try to write a ‘review’ or atleast give my jumbled thoughts on/about the novel.

“Roll. Tap. Tap. Tap.”

Jack is a sixteen year old boy. Normal. As normal as any other teenage boy, I suppose. Conner is Jack’s best friend, has been for years. .. since they were very young. Jack and Conner have a great friendship. They would do anything for each other. Seriously! ANYTHING. Jack is more reserved, quiet and shy. Almost like he’s just hanging back watching everything from the sidelines. Whereas Conner, he is all up in the action. All the time, everywhere. Conner loves the attention and is adventurous. Conner does give Jack a hard time because he isn’t the same, but he’s always just joking around with him and would always be there if Jack needed him.
Jack’s birth parents bailed. Yeah, that sucks and at times I think Jack has a shitty outlook on life because of it. I would. I have. I’ve been there.
Jack was raised by his maternal grandparents, Wynn and Stella. Both love him deeply but this isn’t enough for Jack, he still resents the fact that he was left behind. He hides his feelings, keeps them bottled up inside. He’s a loner, doesn’t let anyone in except for Conner.
School is over for the summer and Jack has planned a trip to London with Conner to check out a private school. This is a good thing and Jack is excited. During a party (end of school? going away? just a party?) at Conner’s house a few days before leaving both boys get extremely drunk. (As do the rest of the guests) Jack stumbles upstairs to Conner’s bedroom to escape and what he finds is not at all what he expected. In the frazzled state of mind Jack was in, he hurredly left the room, went outside and decided to walk home. He didn’t make it home though. Jack woke on a park bench to find Freddie. Freddie is one character that is sick, manipulative, psychotic and basically plain evil. He does things unimaginable to Jack. After a few days of unduring what felt like hell only 1000 times worse, Jack escapes Freddie’s house. Only to see him again when he and Conner have been out shopping one night before their trip. Conner is the only person Jack really trusts completely and is the only person that Jack told about Freddie. So, when they see his car parked hidden in the alley exactly where it probably had been when he abducted Jack, Conner decided to get revenge. A plan to kidnap and set Freddie up to be found by police in his own home with all of the evidence of what he’d done to Jack and others goes all awry. Jack feels guilty and blames himself for all that went wrong.

“You haven’t gotten away with anything.”

Jack finally goes on the trip to London. His emotions are raw, enhanced even. He is paranoid, feeling like everyone out there must know, that they are watching him. Maybe even after him. Jack tries to relax and enjoy his time away until he is confronted by a man who says he knows him. He is given a pair of glasses that when worn take him on a literal trip to hell. Marbury. This is Jack’s hell. At first he is confused, doesn’t know what’s going on. Slowly Jack realizes he knows Marbury and every horrifying thing about it. After each escapade to Marbury; an alternate world full of murder, inhuman warriors hunting him and desolution, Jack slips back to reality and learns that time has gone by. A lot of it. He gets physically sick. However Jack is addicted and like any drug attacks your body making you want more, Marbury calls Jack back. During his stay in London Jack meets a lovely English girl who is everything he’s dreamed of. He doesn’t want to share his secrets with her but she slowly learns that something is amiss. She tries to help him, but doesn’t push too hard. Knowing that would push him away. The more Jack goes to Marbury the more he can’t help himself. The more he wants to be there. Until one day he finds out his best friend Conner is there also. Only in Marbury Conner wants to kill Jack. This turns into a struggle in and out of Marbury for him. He slowly thinks he’s losing his mind, can’t tell the difference between reality and Marbury. He experiences shocking events, things like maybe his worst nightmares and fears might congure up. Taking this ride with Jack from beginning to end was an amazing journey. Watching him learn to trust and fall in love with a wonderful girl was an experience in it’s own. Experiencing first hand all of the horrid trials and events that took place in Marbury, being in his head while he was feeling totally lost and out of control. However, Jack manned up, stood up to the evil and haunting events happening in Marbury. He grew up from a lost and scared boy to a strong-willed young man knowing the best things to do and helping others. I felt compelled to stick with him on this journey, through out every dispicable turn of event. And will I go back for more? You bet your ass I will. I can’t wait for the sequel to The Marbury Lens to release.

I think Andrew Smith has done a brilliant job by writing a novel so intense, so frightening because it borders on reality. Some will shy away from it but in my opinion this story isn’t so off base. It defines everyday life for some people in several ways. Marbury haunts all of our minds who have been traumatized in some form or another. It’s called your own personal hell. We all have one.

My final rating = 5 stars!

Sunday, December 5, 2010

100 Follower Giveaway - Call Me Crazy

CALL ME CRAZY - 100 FOLLOWER GIVEAWAY!

I am so happy to say that Call Me Crazy YA Reviews has reached 100+ Followers! I just want to thank all of my awesome and loyal followers. I absolutely love the young adult book blogging community and am so glad I joined in. This entire experience has been a blast and I wouldn't change a single thing. You guys rock!

As a thank you to my amazing followers I am holding a giveaway!
There will be 6 winners. 5 books and 1 Swag Pack!
This contest is INTERNATIONAL!
Open to followers only.

The winners will be picked at random. The first winner chosen will have first pick at the prizes. The second winner willhave second pick and so on...

Okay now onto the goods!
 
Books
-Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrik (Signed)
-Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson (Signed)
-Freefall by Mindi Scott
-Nightshade by Andrea Cremer (Signed)
-Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz

Swag Pack
-Smart Chicks Kick It Tour Bookmark
-Darkest Mercy by Melissa Marr Bookmark
-Simone Elkeles Perfect Chemistry Triology Bookmark
-Octopus Bookmark
-Vampire "Bite Me" Magnet

To enter the giveaway just fill out the form below or click here!

The Call Me Crazy 100 Followers Giveaway will be from November 17, 2010 to December 10, 2010. Like I mentioned above, this is International. The winners will be contacted on December 11th through email and will have 48 hours to respond.

Book Blogger Holiday Bash - Attack of the Book/Last Sacrifice!!

Book Bloggers Holiday Bash – Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead

Attack Of The Book is participating in The Book Bloggers Holiday Bash! The bash is hosted by: Soap Box in my Mind. Make sure to check out all of the other fabulous blogs that are participating in this event for Awesome prizes! In light of Richelle Mead’s most recent release, Last Sacrifice (Vampire Academy #6); Peep and I thought we would offer this package of AWESOMENESS as our prize in the giveaway!

Sound Yummy?!! You wanna read it, dont’cha? I know you do! C’mon.. say it! Tell me you want to. .. Oh, alright! I won’t make ya beg. *grins*
Okay, Check it. We’ve got Richelle’s Amazing new book up for grabs! We’re gonna make this easy peasy. Notta lotta strings, ya heard! :)

Contest Rules!!

  1. Attack of the Book Contest is for US Residents at this time Only. (Sorry, this will change in the near future.)
  2. Contest Participants MUST be followers of Attack of the Book via GFC. (follow us on Twitter, FB, & NB too!) We <3 friends!! :)
  3. Fill out the form below with a valid email addy, so if you are the winner we can contact you.
  4. Contest starts at 12:01 am December 5th and goes until midnight December 15th.
Happy Holidays and Good Luck to everyone! And don’t forget to stop by all of the other blogger hot spots! There are some fabuloso gifts being given away! And it’s totally not required, but we’d love for you to leave us some comment love, telling us how BADLY you want this book! We’d also like to know who your favorite character is and why.

Nocturnal Bites: Twilight Eclipse Swag Giveaway

Nocturnal Bites: Twilight Eclipse Swag Giveaway: "Calling all Twihards... Eclipse, the movie comes out in stores today, so what better way to celebrate than with a Giveaway!! Are you Team Ja..."

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Shut Up! I'm Reading.: Cryer's Cross Review and Giveaway

Shut Up! I'm Reading.: Cryer's Cross Review and Giveaway: "Author: Lisa McMann Release Date: February 8, 2011 Pages: 240 (ARC) Publisher: SimonPulse Most Appropriate For Ages: 12+ Where I Got It: ..."

Friday, December 3, 2010

Best I've Read 2010: BIR2010 Teaser Giveaway #5 - Pathfinder by Orson S...

Best I've Read 2010: BIR2010 Teaser Giveaway #5 - Pathfinder by Orson S...: "Only 4 days until BIR2010 begins. Today we've got another great giveaway for you. Orson Scott Card has a brand new series coming out. T..."

FOREVER YOUNG (adult): GIVEAWAY & REVIEW: Need by Carrie Jones

FOREVER YOUNG (adult): GIVEAWAY & REVIEW: Need by Carrie Jones: "DescriptionNow fans of Stephenie Meyer and Melissa Marr have a new author to devour . . .Zara collects phobias the way other high school ..."

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Holiday Gifts: Ballads & Joey!!

Holiday/Bring Ballads into Classrooms Contest!
Buy in Paperback or both books are available as eBooks now too! Check it!

I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone

Ballads of Suburbia

Holiday/Bring Ballads into Classrooms Contest! / http://balladsofsuburbia.weebly.com/

Holiday/Bring Ballads into Classrooms Contest! BALLADS OF SUBURBIA
Help me get BALLADS OF SUBURBIA into high school classrooms and libraries! This would be a huge way to get the book into the hands of more teen readers who need it. Getting my book used in the classroom would be a huge honor and boost for me. And now I have a resource to share with teachers. A lovely teacher from Arizona created a super cool interactive teaching resource website for BALLADS OF SUBURBIA: http://balladsofsuburbia.weebly.com/ It's got activities to do with the book, resources on the themes in the book, music, and an exclusive interview with me. It will make BALLADS easy to use in the classroom for projects or extra credit. Now I just have to figure out how to let the teachers know about it. Perhaps you guys can help, especially those of you in high school or still in touch with the teachers you loved from high school!

Women Who Rock Wedensday!

Women Who Rock Wednesday: Caridad Ferrer!
http://stephaniekuehnert.blogspot.com/2010/11/women-who-rock-wednesday-caridad-ferrer.html