Hooked On YA Books

Blog Tour: Siren by Tricia Rayburn

noreply@blogger.com (Lex) — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 16:16:00 +0000

I'm happy to be a part of the Siren Blog Tour and I was given the chance to get Tricia to answer a few of my questions about herself and her new novel Siren. Here's what it's about.....

Seventeen-year-old Vanessa Sands is afraid of everything--the dark, heights, the ocean--but her fearless older sister, Justine, has always been there to coach her through every challenge. That is until Justine goes cliff diving one night near the family's vacation house in Winter Harbor, Maine, and her lifeless body washes up on shore the next day.
Vanessa's parents want to work through the tragedy by returning to their everyday lives back in Boston, but Vanessa can't help feeling that her sister's death was more than an accident. After discovering that Justine never applied to colleges, and that she was secretly in a relationship with longtime family friend Caleb Carmichael, Vanessa returns to Winter Harbor to seek some answers.
But when Vanessa learns that Caleb has been missing since Justine's death, she and Caleb's older brother, Simon, join forces to try to find him, and in the process, their childhood friendship blossoms into something more.
Soon it's not just Vanessa who is afraid. All of Winter Harbor is abuzz with anxiety when another body washes ashore, and panic sets in when the small town becomes home to a string of fatal, water-related accidents . . . in which all the victims are found grinning from ear to ear.
As Vanessa and Simon probe further into the connections between Justine's death and the sudden rash of creepy drownings, Vanessa uncovers a secret that threatens her new romance, and that will change her life forever.

1. Do you have a favorite character in Siren?
Besides Vanessa, the main character, I really enjoyed writing Zara. She needed to be cold, mysterious, and likable at the same time, which was a fun challenge.

2. Since I haven't had to the opportunity to personally read Siren yet (though I hope to get my hands on a copy soon), I'm guessing-based on the title-the book involves Sirens. Did you have to do a lot of research about these creatures or did you make it up along the way?
I read up on the mythological sirens that lured sailors in from the sea, but everything else came about along the way. Because I wanted my sirens to be contemporary and their world completely unique, I didn’t rely too heavily on other sources.

3. In Siren, Vanessa has a fear of practically everything, do you share any of the same fears?
Vanessa and I do share some of the same fears. Neither of us is a fan of the dark, heights, or flying!

4. If you weren't a writer, what other job would you want to have?
It’s really hard to imagine being anything else, but believe it or not, back in the day I wanted to be a marine biologist. I’m still as fascinated by creatures of the deep as I am afraid of them, so I might give that a go!

Thank you Tricia for taking the time to answer my questions and I can't wait to read Siren!

Contests end tonight!

noreply@blogger.com (Lex) — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 05:48:00 +0000

As the tittle explains, my super huge mega crazy birthday bash contest ends tonight at 11:59 PM EST and the june comment contest, where you can win a $5 Amazon gift card ends at the same time, so if you haven't entered yet and you still want to, make sure you get your entry in today!

*commenting on a post will get you +5 for the super huge contest and at least 1 entry into the comment contest (refer to post for rules)

Cover Compare Friday (14)

noreply@blogger.com (Lex) — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 16:59:00 +0000

you get +5 for commenting on this post and an entry to win a $5 Amazon GC

Braced to Bite by Serena Robar

vs.

Fangs for Freaks

vs.

Dating for Demons

vs.

The old cover for Braced2Bite is cute, but i think the new cover appeals to me more. The old cover for Fangs4Freaks doesn't do anything for me, but I think the new one looks really cool. I don't really like either cover for Dating for Demons. The old one has a stake through her bellybutton which kinda gives me the chills and I don't really have an opinion for the new one, it's just .....

So which ones do you like the best?

Review: Audrey, Wait!

noreply@blogger.com (Lex) — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 20:27:00 +0000

you get +5 for commenting on this post and an entry to win a $5 Amazon GC

Author: Robin Benway

Title: Audrey, Wait!

Pages :320

Original Release Date: April 10, 2008

Synopsis:

Audrey Cuttler's life hasn't been the same since that song, "Audrey, Wait!" hit the air waves. All she wants to do is go to concerts, hang out with her friends, and maybe score a date with the cute boy who works with her at the Scooper Dooper.

But now, her ex-boyfriend's song about their breakup is at the top of the charts and she's suddenly famous! The paparazzi won't leave her alone, the tabloids are trying to make her into some kind of rock goddess, and the internet is documenting her every move!

Will Audrey ever be able to have a normal life again? Get ready to find out, because it's time for Audrey to tell her side of the story.

First Sentence:

"The Day I broke up with my boyfriend Evan was the day he wrote the song."

Review:

First of all, thank you guys for suggesting this book because it was exactly what I wanted! I laughed so many times that my mom kept giving me weird looks.

The Plot:

Audrey, Wait! is a book about a normal 16 year old girl who breaks up with her boyfriend Evan and takes you on her journey to being famous because of the song her wrote about her.This book captures the teenage life perfectly and gave me a good impression of what it's like to be famous. I remember when I was little and I wanted to be a famous singer, now I realize that it's sooooo overrated. I don't think I could ever handle all the constant attention plus I wouldn't want to deal with all of the ~~stalkers~~ crazed fans. This book is the perfect read if you're looking for something to grab your attention from the first sentence and make you crack up. Seriously, this book is pure gold, a complete masterpiece. I loved every single thing and I couldn't help but fall for all the characters. A nice and cool touch was who the author incorporated songs (in the titles of the chapters and in general) into the book. I even knew some of them and one of my favorite songs was in it. It was so funny and realistic and I'm dying to get my hands on her next book. I know the plot is a tiny bit far-fetched, but I loved the unique story line, the witty conversations, and the glimpse into the life of a normal music-loving, fat-cat-having girl turned famous by a break-up song. Audrey, Wait! was hilarious and if you haven't read it already, what the hell are you waiting for?! go, now, read. thank me later!

Character:

It's safe to say that Audrey is probably one of my favorite characters ever. She was relatable (minus the fame part) and I could easily feel sorry for her about all of the problems she had to deal with. She handled her situation well and I grew to love her attitude. Audrey came off as being a cool normal girl and almost too realisitc. I wish she was real cause I'd love to be her friend. She stayed to true to herself throughout the book and I loved the scene at the end (trust me when you read it, if you haven't already, you'll know what I mean) and she was just so easy to connect to.

Victoria was laugh-out-loud hilarious. Her amusing comments, pit bull attitude and sick pink Mohawk thing made me crack up so hard, if i had been drinking milk, it would have come out my nose (just wondering, does that actually happen?). She was tough and an awesome friend who didn't let anyone walk all over Audrey. She was a fun-loving awesome character who added the necessary spark to make this book so freakin good!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Overall Rating:

Cover:

Vacation

noreply@blogger.com (Lex) — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 12:08:00 +0000

Hey everyone. I just wanted to let you know I'm going on vacation today and coming back on the 21st. I'm pretty sure there's internet in the house I'm staying at, but if not, I already have a few post pre-set the post.

EDIT: I do have internet =D!

Interview with ReaganStar

noreply@blogger.com (Lex) — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 04:01:00 +0000

you get +5 for commenting on this post and an entry to win a $5 Amazon GC

ReaganStar of Star Shadow was kind enough to donate an ARC of Butterfly by Sonya Hartnett, so to show my appreciation, I offered to interview her:

1. Can you tell us something about you and your blog?
My Blog is run by myself and my wonderful other half Matt, as well as occasional reviews from our lil monster Kaden. Hes 4 so I just put his opinion in review form, and Mekaya (6) :-) We are beyond book lovers, as our home is filled with tons and tons of books.. we have a huge love for them as well as the kiddos. We have a wide array of favorites ranging from YA and Chick lit, to Science Fiction to Post Apocolyptic and even cook books LOL. Yes like I Said... huge variety.

2. Why did you start blogging?
I actually started blogging back in October or 2009 as I had a back surgery that was going to have me bed ridden for quite a nice recovery period. I am still recovering actually... It started as a creative blog.. doing my work with PSP and Gimp... then turned into a book blog, I never imagined it to turn into what it is now, and I am so thankful for so many of the amazing Book bloggers out there for there support and inspiration.

3. What's your favorite part of the blogging experience?
It would have to be the opportunity to talk and see other book bloggers sharing a wonderful passion for books as well as meeting some amazing Authors... such as Jennifer Murgia, and Jennifer Laurens... HAHAH I think I have a favorite for Jennifers LOL

4. Tell us one really random/strange fact about you.
I am not a huge chocolate fan... I prefer the fruity types of candies and flavors.

5. Name your top 5 favorite books.
Ok this is so not fair as there are so many fabulous books out there.. but Here they are in no particular order
       1. Angel Star by Jennifer Murgia
       2. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
       3. Heavenly by Jennifer Laurens (penitence as well Im sure its my next read)
       4. Meg Cabots' Heather Wells Series Size 12 Is not fat, size 14 is not fat either and big boned and her runaway series... well everything she writes lol
       5.The Dark Divine by Bree Despain

6. Do you have a favorite author?
Again another hard choice... I cant choose just one.. I love Jennifer Murgia, I love Jennifer Laurens, I love Meg Cabot, I love Chloe Neill and I love Melissa Walker.. plus so so many more amazing writers out there.

7. What's one (or more) book that you can't wait to read?
HAHHA good thing you said or more..
Insatiable by Meg Cabot
The Next in Jennifer Murgia's series
Penitence and Absolution in Jennifer Laurens Series
Hex Hall and Twice Bitten by Chloe Neill
Lost Saint? I believe thats the name sorry if I am wrong... next in Bree Despains series
ohhh and so many more lol

8. Do you have any advice for new bloggers?
The best thing I can say is play around with your blog.. till you find YOUR style, don't work of others as each person is different if you find it comfortable then keep doing it.. If you get great response.. then keep doing it... Accept other bloggers assistance they have great advice and are so much nicer than you expect them to be I am sure.. Feel free to message some of your favorite bloggers, as them questions or check out the FAQ pages they have. Last but certainly not least have fun... read, chat, enjoy thats what this is all about.

Thank you ReaganStar for doing this interview and for your kind donation.

Make sure to visit her blog because it's one I really enjoy

Books on the beach

noreply@blogger.com (Lex) — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 17:12:00 +0000

you get +5 for commenting on this post and an entry to win a $5 Amazon GC

A week from today I'm leaving to go on vacation! I'm really excited, but I need your help finding books to read. I want something like a cute light hearted romance book (like Drive Me Crazy by Erin Downing) or a funny one that would make me randomly burst out laughing causing everyone in the room to give we weird looks (like Pants on Fire by Meg Cabot). If you have any suggestions, let me know or if you have a book that you absolutely love that doesn't fall under those categories, let me know because there's still the rest of the summer!

Remodeling

noreply@blogger.com (Lex) — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 23:44:00 +0000

I just read through some of the responses to my survey on how to make my blog better and majority would like to see a new design for this blog, so I'm going to start playing around it and changing some things over the next few days. I just wanted to give everyone a heads up so don't worry if it looks all messed up and weird.

Eclipse premiere!

noreply@blogger.com (Lex) — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:34:00 +0000

I was going to go see eclipse today, but it was sold out, though there is a later showing, but I probably will wait until tomorrow. So, did anyone go to the midnight premiere of eclipse last night? Did anyone see it today? How was it? Should I just drop everything and run to the nearest movie theater? I'm dying to see it since it looks AMAZING, but I need the opinion of someone who has read the book to actually know if it was good or not. Oh, and most importantly, did Taylor Lautner take off his shirt???

Cover Guess Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Lex) — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 01:00:00 +0000

This is the last contest of my big birthday bash celebration! I was going to do something else, but I looked back to see what you wanted and majority said a cover guess contest so........

Rules:

~ Email me[violeteyes8(at)gmail(dot)com] the title of the book you think each part comes from- you don't have to include the author

~Ends on July 21st

~There will be one winner (this might change)-who ever gets the most right will win
~ Winner gets any book from the Book Depository under $15 (make sure they ship to you, if not-tell me in the email)
~Please don't publicly ask others for answers

you can click on the picture to make it bigger

here's a hint to help you out: I've mentioned all of these book and shown a cover of almost all of them anytime from my first post to the previous one

GOOD LUCK!

Voting: Round 3

noreply@blogger.com (Lex) — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 22:00:00 +0000

you get +5 for commenting on this post and an entry to win a $5 Amazon GC

There were a lot of amazing covers entered into this contest, but these are the two that had the most votes:

1. 2.

This is the last round of voting, so who ever has the most votes will win, so make sure you vote for the cover that you think deserves to win!

~voting will end on next Tuesday, July 6th

Some important updates

noreply@blogger.com (Lex) — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 20:37:00 +0000

I'm back! This past week was crazy. My mom banned me from computer use until finals were over and then my friend took me down to her beach house for a long weekend so I couldn't blog-sorry! Anyways, concerning my contests and stuff.......
1. I'm extending all of my contests (the huge main one and the comment one) for two weeks since I haven't been around to make any posts so you could get more entries
2. I'll announce the winner of the May comment contest sometime this week
3. the last round of voting will be up sometime today
4. my other contest will be up also later today
5.since i now have 550 followers, there are going to be 10 WINNERS
6. i think that's it, but if i forgot anything, let me know!

again sorry for lathe lack of blogging!

Cover Remake Voting: Round 2

noreply@blogger.com (Lex) — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 16:32:00 +0000

you get +5 for commenting on this post and an entry to win a $5 Amazon GC

Everyone of the covers in this contest are amazing, but these are the 5 that got the most votes and are heading to round 2:

~Top 2 will go on to the next round

~ type the number of the one you like the best
~ You CAN vote for your own cover
~ Voting will end on Sunday, June 20th

* I was going to post another contest today, but I'm changing it a little so it will be up tomorrow*

School and blogging are not friend

noreply@blogger.com (Lex) — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 01:00:00 +0000

Hey guys, I know I've been MIA lately, but I haven't had the time to blog with school ending in less than two weeks (yes!) since my teachers are piling on the work. I'll be back as soon as I can and I'll be posting another contest and the 2nd round of the cover remake contest tomorrow (promise). I also just wanted to mention that I hit the 500 follower mark, so THANK YOU everyone for following this blog and I never imagined it to EVER have this many followers.

p.s. If you didn't notice, there are now 9 winners in my huge contest.
p.s.s. now I'm using my brother's laptop for blogging stuff (blogger doesn't work on my computer for some reason) and I realized how weird it looks--there isn't a background for the sidebars and the header isn't centered (does it look like this to you?) --so I'm going to be changing the layout a little soon.

Interview: Ellen Hopkins

noreply@blogger.com (Lex) — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 00:04:00 +0000

you get +5 for commenting on this post and an entry to win a $5 Amazon GC

Why she is one of my favorite authors: I don't think I can begin to describe how much Ellen Hopkins inspired and affected me. Her writing always reduces me to tears and leaves me enlightened and changed. I love how she dares to write about serious topics (drug abuse, suicide, teen prostitution) and doesn't sugar-coat any of it. Ellen Hopkins is a truly extraordinary writer and I can't get enough of her books.

1. Describe yourself in 10 words of less

Multifaceted, accomplished, socially and environmentally conscious, adventurous, subtly funny woman.

2. Did you always want to be a writer?

It was always in the back of my mind, yes. And even when I wasn't writing for money, I was writing. Always.

3. Tell us one random/strange fact about you.

I have had a couple of out-of-body experiences. Not drug induced, either!

4. If you were stuck on an island and you could only have one book, what would it be?

A journal.

5. Do you have any plans for future novels?

Of course. I have several sizzling on a back burner in my brain. And ideas come to me all the time, from many different places. But I am only comfortable writing one book at a time.

6. Since Crank is based on your daughter's experience, was it very emotional for you to write it?

CRANK actually pretty much poured out on the page. Everything was still very fresh and the writing was a catharsis. The sequel, GLASS, was much more difficult, as it deals with the deeper stages of her addiction, and our lives at that time were permeated by pain.

7. You have a very unique (and brilliant) style of writing. How come you decided to write your novels in verse?

Liking the "brilliant" here. :-) I started CRANK in prose, but the voice was wrong. Too angry. Mine, not Kristina's. Put the book away and happened to hear Sonya Sones (who also writes in verse) speak at a conference. I've been growing my poetry for a number of years, so it struck me that verse could tell the story better. It did, and I discovered a talent for storytelling through narrative verse. The unusual formatting is something I developed to make my verse novels stand out from the rest.

8. I read a review on Amazon about one of your books: "I stopped reading it for personal reasons. Plus I am very uncomfortable with the subject." As an author who writes about serious issues, how do you feel when people can't read of finish your books because of the subject matter?

You notice the reasons here are personal, so the book hit a nerve. The same book will offer comfort to someone who might have experienced whatever it is that person couldn't yet read about. My guess is the damage to that person was fresh. No book is for everyone. But I don't shy away from tough subject matter because people who have experienced things like abuse or molestation or addiction need to know they're not alone. That there is a way out. I don't sugarcoat because honesty is key to understanding these issues and developing empathy for those whose lives they touch. For every person who can't finish one of my books, there are thousands who need them.

Thank you Ellen for taking the time to answer my questions!

Don't forget to enter my contest to win a copy of Crank and other great books

Cover Remake Voting

noreply@blogger.com (Lex) — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 23:09:00 +0000

you get +5 for commenting on this post and an entry to win a $5 Amazon GC

Below are the AMAZING covers that people remade for the Cover Remake Contest. Please help me determine a winner by choosing the one that you like the most.

Rules:

~There will be three rounds

Round 1: Top 5 with the most votes will advance to nest round
Round 2: Top 2 will advance to next round
Round 3: The cover with the most votes will win

~ ONLY type the number of the one you like the best (if you liked Torment the most, all you have to do is type 7)
~ You CAN vote for your own cover
~ Voting will end on Saturday, June 5th

10.

11.

June Comment Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Lex) — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 22:21:00 +0000

I decided to have another comment contest exactly like the one I just had for the month of May. Again, this is a win-win situation for you guys because I'm already giving you +5 extra entries into my Super Huge Mega Crazy Birthday Bash Contest for each comment, but now you will also get you an entry into this contest. The winner will again contest a $5 Amazon Gift Card.

Rules:

~ Open to everyone

~ There will be one winner

~ Only commenting on posts posted from June 1st - July 17th count for this contest

~ Commenting on the day a post was posted will get you +2 entries

~ Commenting anytime after the day it was posted will get you +1 entry

~ Either leave your email address on one of your comments (or here) or come back when I post the winners and email me

About: random non-book related things

noreply@blogger.com (Lex) — Sat, 29 May 2010 14:41:00 +0000

Every blogger has a life outside of blogging and books. Here are some random non-book related facts about me:

~ favorite color: blue
~ favorite food: definitely fries
~ favorite music: Alternative (Paramore <3)
~ I have an unhealthy obsession with Supernatural (aka greatest show ever invented)
~ Family Guy and That 70's Show make me laugh--even though I've seen every episode a least 5 times.
~ I'm a VERY messyperson
~ I have a pet turtle and 3 giant ~~whales~~ fish
~ I love soccer
~ If I don't become a writer, I want to be a psychologist
~ I spent majority of last summer watching every episode of Buffy
~ I love watching the sun set
~ I'm afraid of heights--I can't go near the railing in the mall when I'm on the second floor
~ I can't kill any living thing-not even spiders (I just get my dad to throw them out the window)
~ I love laughing so hard that I can't breathe
~ I'm a shy and sometimes awkward person

~ I'm a procrastinator(which is the reason why I end up not posting when I say I will)

And sorry for the delay, but voting for the cover remake contest will start Monday (May 31st)

Cover Compare Friday (13)

noreply@blogger.com (Lex) — Sat, 29 May 2010 00:03:00 +0000

Nothing But Ghosts by Beth Kephart & Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender

I love the cover of Bad Girls Don't die, it creepy and harmless looking at the same time.

Possessed by Kate Cann & Wish You Were Dead by Todd Strasser

Based on a creep-factor, I like Possessed better, though Wish You Were Dead is freaky too.

I really like all the covers, but Bad Girls and Possessed win for me, what about you?

Review: Impulse

noreply@blogger.com (Lex) — Tue, 25 May 2010 23:11:00 +0000

Author: Ellen Hopkins

Title: Impulse

Pages : 688

Release Date: May 20th, 2008

Synopsis:

Three teens who have attempted suicide meet in a psychiatric hospital, battle their demons, and begin to heal.
The handsome son of wealthy parents, Connor has everything anyone could want—except his family’s love and affection. Jailed for years after killing his mother’s child-molesting boyfriend, Tony is confused about his sexuality. Manic-depressive Vanessa cuts herself. All three stories intertwine in a brutally honest story about pain and resilience.

First Sentence:

"Without warning

Sometimes
   you're traveling
   a highway, the only road
   you've ever known,
   and wham! A semi
   comes from nowhere
   and rolls right over you."

Review:

This was one of the first books that I read when I first started my reading obsession. Even the second time around, Impulse still took my breath away.

The Plot:

I've become addicted to verse writing because of how blown away I always am of Ellen Hopkins and her books. Impulse is one of my favorites. The story is something of a mixture of beauty and devastation. Impulse takes place in Aspen Springs, a psychiatric hospital where three teens are staying, each with their own terrible problems. Impulse presents a stunning story of the lives of Vanessa, Conner, and Tony, who tried to commit suicide, and gives you a front row seat to their ups and downs, their mental breakdowns, and their finally coming to terms with their lives and futures. The weaving of the three teens is smooth and amazing. The plot flowed effortlessly and I kept wondering how Ellen Hopkins was able to create this heart squeezing novel. The end was perfect and really sunk the novel into my mind and heart--but it also made me drop the book and stare blankly at the wall because I was so shocked that about what happened.

Character:

Vanessa was a too real character who both broke my heart and healed it up again through the course of the book. Her issues that landed her in Aspen Springs would be enough to break me, but Vanessa found a way to stay strong and tried to take hold of her life again.
Tony was a golden character. I loved reading how he changed throughout the book. He had been through hell and back, but Tony had a true caring heart even though his whole childhood should have turned him into the opposite.
Connor........was a terrifying character because he was the one that I could relate to the most. I probably could even know a "Conner" in real life and to read about him tackling his struggles made me cry to no end.
I loved all the characters, even the minor ones, but I guess that's what's supposed to happen when you love a book!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Overall Rating:

+
Cover:

About: favorite books and reading habits

noreply@blogger.com (Lex) — Sun, 23 May 2010 01:40:00 +0000

Favorite Books

I have so many favorite books, I don't think I could list them all. Here are the ones that I absolutely couldn't live without:

~ Perfect Chemistry

~ Tricks
~ Before I Fall
~ Among the Hidden
~ Thirteen Reasons Why
~ Uglies
~ Twilight (don't shoot me)
~ Vampire Academy
~ Blue is for Nightmares
~ Living Dead Girl
~ Night World
~ What Happened to Cass McBride
~ The Body of Christopher Creed
~ Shadowland (by Meg Cabot)
~ Leftovers

~The Hunger Games

My Weird Reading Habits

When I read a book, I can never sit still. Most of the time I get comfy on my bed and jump right into a book, then about 10 minutes later, I have to switch positions. Whether I'm completely in love with or bored with a book, I always end up moving a billion times.
Also, I can never read in complete silence. 9 out of 10 times I'll have the tv on while I read. I don't know why but if there's no sound, I can't concentrate.
hmmmm.....Oh, I always read the last sentence first. Don't ask me why or when I started doing this because I honestly didn't even know why, but I do.
If I'm reading a hardcover book, I always have to take the dust jacket off because I HATE bending or messing it up at all.
If I'm really addicted to a book, I won't put it down to sleep (or do homework) until I finish it. I stayed up until I think it was 5 am during the summer because I couldn't stop reading.
When I read, I never imagine the character's face. They're not headless bodies running around in my mind, just blurry faced because I can never create a detailed enough picture of them.(unless they're shown on the cover)

Do we have any favorites in common? If you want, tell me some of your weird reading habits so I feel less strange.

Next saturday I'll post some random non-book related stuff

The cover remake contest ends TONIGHT so if you can make a cover in the next few hours, DO IT. There are about 10 people entered so far, so your chances of winning are pretty good.

Also, now there are 8 WINNERS for my contest.

Contest extended

noreply@blogger.com (Lex) — Wed, 19 May 2010 02:21:00 +0000

Since only 5 people entered, I decided to extend my cover remake contest for another week, so now it ends on May 22nd! If you still want to enter, there's still time! Go here.

Interview: Laura Wiess

noreply@blogger.com (Lex) — Mon, 17 May 2010 00:08:00 +0000

Why she is one of my favorite authors: I have read all of Laura Wiess' books and each one was beautifully heartbreaking. Each of her characters were painfully real and the plots were perfectly paced. Her books are powerful and memorable and always exceed my expectations.

1. Describe yourself in 10 words or less.

Author, reader, feeder of strays. Love, laugh, learn.

2. Did you always want to be a writer?

Well, I was always an avid reader and wrote stories to amuse myself from about first grade on but until I was in my 20s it never occurred to me that perhaps I could learn to write well enough to actually be published. Then I got busy learning everything I could about writing fiction, and found I loved it even more, enough to keep writing and learning through plenty of rejections and, along the way, my first acceptances, too. The first time I had a short story accepted for publication -- and they paid me for it! -- was pure gold.

3. Tell us one random/strange fact about you.(Laura gave me three =D)

On two completely separate occasions, wild field mice have run up my arm and hidden in my hair. Bizarre. Happily, I'm not the panicky type so I just gently pulled them out again and let them go.

My old best friend and I once chased burglars down the street in the wee hours of the night. We were hollering and waving shish-ke-bob skewers, and I have no idea what we thought we were going to do with them once we caught them.

I kept all my old high school journals and so I have a list of every single guy I ever went out with. (With little asterisks next to the ones who dumped me.) It's a great memory-prompt.

4. If you were stuck on an island and you could only have one book, what would it be?

Oh, this is hard. I am horrible at picking just one of anything. (See question 3!) I can't do it. How about if I was on an island and could only have one segment of a library? Then I'd pick fiction. But I can't even narrow it down to a genre because I read all over the place. I do love Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird, though. And that's a nonfiction book about writing. *sigh*

5. Do you have any plans for future novels?

Yes, right now I'm working on my next novel tentatively scheduled for release in June 2011, and mulling over ideas for the one after that. I'm also having a blast working on a romantic comedy, so we'll see.

6. Why did you choose to write about such serious topics in your books?

I never planned to, I just found myself getting passionate about teens caught in bad situations, either in spite of the adults in their lives, or because of them. For example Meredith, in Such a Pretty Girl, becomes the prey of an adult through no fault of her own, and the whole situation just infuriated me. How It Ends has several stories woven together, and one of them is about young girl who wakes up next to her deceased mother, and how that mind-blowing loss leaves her at the mercy of people who care a little, but no where near enough to do right by her.

7. Where did you get the idea for Leftovers?

I was thinking about the rash of school shootings and why it seemed to always be boys who did it, who hit critical mass and exploded, and then I started wondering what it would take to break girls instead, and how they would break when they did. Ardith and Blair showed up in my mind, both speaking, telling me their stories, and once again I got passionate about how no one seemed to listen to them or care about what they wanted, and so I just started writing.

8. Is there a character in any of your books that is most like you?

Hmm, I think there might be pieces of me in each of the characters, since they're all filtered through my mind and probably don't make it to the page untainted. Character trait-wise, I've been told I have sort of a pitbull-chomped-down-on-your-leg determination and nothing short of an act of God can make me let go of an idea if I don't want to, so maybe the characters who get knocked down and just get up again and again, and keep trying till they make it through, have something in common with me.

My mantra? Never say die. There's always a way. I just have to find it.

Thank you Laura for taking the time to answer my questions and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!(how cool is it that her birthday is one week after mine?!)
Make sure you enter my contest for a chance to win a copy of Leftovers

About

noreply@blogger.com (Lex) — Sat, 15 May 2010 21:17:00 +0000

I asked everyone a week ago if I should post something about me, so here it goes:

The Basic Stuff About Me

Ok, let's see......well for starters (which most of you should know), my name is Alexa and I'm a pretty simple 16 year old girl who has a passion (some say obsession) for books. I used to hate, no, DESPISE reading for most of my life, but then I found my love for books in 8th grade when my teacher told me to pick up this one HUGE (anything over 75 pages was huge to me then) book with a red apple and pale arms on the front. Can you guess what book it was? Yup, I was swept away in the Twilight reading craze. From then, I was obsessed with vampires (still am) and I eventually made my way through majority of the YA genre. So, yup, that's basically me, oh, and because I fell in love with books, my goal in life is to be an author (I know it's ambitious and extremely hard, but I'm determined).

Check back next saturday to see what my favorite books and reading habits are.

Interview: Rachel Caine

noreply@blogger.com (Lex) — Wed, 12 May 2010 00:31:00 +0000

Why she is one of my favorite authors: Normally I get bored with a series that is over 6 books, but Rachel Caine brings something new and exciting in every book in the Morganville Vampire Series. She's able to draw me into a story and keep me entertained with everything that's going on. Her stories are the perfect mix of action and romance and I can't get enough of her writing!

1. Describe yourself in 10 words or less.

A happy, tired, busy, peaceful, blessed writer of weird stuff.

2. Did you always want to be a writer?

Oh no. I intended to be a professional musician (and was one, for a while). I wrote as a hobby, but I never thought I'd be good enough to be a professional writer. It happened in stages, and it took me almost 15 years of publishing before I finally quit my day job.

3. Tell us one random/strange fact about you.

I was born at White Sands Missile Range. No, really. My dad did missile countdowns, and my mom was an assistant to the rocket scientists. It all sounds very old-school science fiction, eh?

4. If you were stuck on an island and you could only have one book, what would it be?

The Complete Sherlock Holmes. Because I can read those stories over and over and over.

5. Do you have any plans for future novels?

Always! I have a new series starting next year (first book is called DEAD SEXY) and a new YA series in the works as well.

6. How many more books are going to be in The Morganville Vampire Series?

Right now I'm planning for a total of 12 books.

7. How did you get the idea of humans living in a town run by vampires?

I used to live in West Texas, and I always thought those isolated little towns had secrets ... of course, having vampire secrets is probably a leap most people wouldn't make, but there you go.

8. Do you have a favorite character from any of the books you’ve written?
I think I like Shane the best -- but Lewis Orwell (from the Weather Warden series) comes close, too. And Myrnin. I love to write Myrnin.

Thank you Rachel for taking the time to answer my questions!
Make sure you enter my contest for a chance to win the 8th book in the Morganville Vampire Series, Kiss of Death