Lovely Lit.

New Blog Site!

2012-12-30T00:37:00.002-06:00

Well i have good news and bad news! Bad news is that i will no longer be posting to this blog. Good news is that i am on a different blog alove4lit.blogspot.com This blogger is on an old google acct that i no longer use. It's really hard to constantly sign in and out of two accts when trying to blog, email, etc. So i made a blog on my main google acct. Oh and FYI, i just posted info on Indie Author Month 2013.

Indie Author Month 2013

2012-12-29T08:10:00.005-06:00

This year i will be hosting it on my new blog. Here's a post with all the info: http://alove4lit.blogspot.com/2012/12/indie-month-info-for-authorsbloggers.html

Thankful for Books Giveaway Hop

2012-11-08T00:56:00.000-06:00

Welcome to the Thankful for Books Giveaway Hop November 8th to 13th Hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & Tristi Pinkston.

Giveaway

Mystery Shoebox of Books! This shoebox will have approximately 4 to 5 mystery books in it! They will all be YA and will be an assortment romance/paranormal/comtemp. Good luck!!!

Everyone will get two entries into this giveaway!
Entry One: Free entry. Just comment with your email or a way to contact you.
Entry Two: Visit/Signup. You'll need to visit the below link and signup, then comment with your username from the site. Here's the link.

Note: Each entry needs its own comment below!

Spooktacular Giveaway Hop

2012-10-23T03:47:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Spooktacular Giveaway Hop hosted by I am a Reader, Not a Writer & The Diary of a Bookworm!

For my giveaway, I am offering 2 books from the Dark Elite series by Chloe Neill: Firespell and Hexbound! It's not a choice, winner will get both books!

New Girl. New School. Old Evil. Lily's parents have sent her to a fancy boarding school in Chicago filled with the ultra-rich. If that wasn't bad enough, she's hearing and seeing bizarre things on St. Sophie's creepy campus. Her roommate, Scout, keeps her sane, but keeps disappearing at night. When one day Lily finds Scout running from real-life monsters, she learns the hard way that Scout is involved in a splinter group of rebel teens.

They protect Chicago from demons, vamps, and dark magic users. It's too bad Lily doesn't have powers of her own to help. At least, none that she's discovered yet...

.............

Lily Parker is new to St. Sophia's School for Girls, but she's already learned that magic can be your best friend-or your worst enemy. That's why Lily has to learn how to control her newly discovered paranormal abilities while fighting the good fight with her best friend Scout as they take on Chicago's nastiest nightlife-including the tainted magic users known as Reapers...

To Enter, just add in your email and follow the widget directions for entries!

Here's the list of everyone hosting a giveaway! Have fun and good luck to everyone!!

Spotlight Post: Emerald Talisman Audiobook by Brenda Pandos

2012-10-23T02:46:00.000-05:00

Hey hey, I have an awesome post for y'all today! Today we are going to discuss one of my favorite books The Emerald Talisman by Brenda Pandos. This is one of the first few books i came across in my early days of discovering indie books. I instantly loved it after the first chapter! I'd have to say that my favorite part of the book is the beautiful atmosphere and setting.

Links
Talisman Series
Book 1: The Emerald Talisman
Book 2: The Sapphire Talisman
Book 3: The Onyx Talisman
Audiobook
The Emerald Talisman

Well i am happy to announce that this book is now available on Audiobook!!!! This is huge! One of my favorite things to do is to listen to the book and follow along on either kindle or in a real book! Most indie books, which is what i read most of, don't have audiobooks, so this is uber awesome! To make it even better, the Kindle book is FREE. I totally recommend picking up both and having a great and trilling reading experience!

So, i know you are wondering what the audiobook sounds like... well i have a longish sample for you posted by the author. Check it out here! I have already gotten this book and let me tell you that it's amazing! The narrator, Mary Morgan has a great voice and great alternate voices! Take a listen and let me know what you think.Also, the author is having a $100 giveaway... WHOA right?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday Freebies

2012-10-05T19:42:00.000-05:00

Welcome to my freebies post! In this post, I will be listing a bunch of Kindle Ebook freebies! Before the freebies though, a lot of people ask me "Why Kindle?" Well initially, I was torn whether I wanted to be with "Nook" or "Kindle", but in the end I chose Kindle for a few reason: (1) better hardware(9.8in HD) (2) More features in the reading software(xray for books) (3) Personal Docs in the Kindle cloud (you can email books you already own to your kindle) (4) Movies, TV and other things besides just reading. Not too mention, I noticed that has soooo many indie books and those are my fave! I think kindle just has a better selection and more promotional prices (sales).

Ok, so now the freebies:

Over a thousand years ago, the gods left Eloh's people and took their magic with them. To win back their favor, her people sacrifice ten female initiates every ten years. No has ever survived. There has never been a Chosen One. Forced into becoming an initiate, Eloh will try to find a way to beat the odds, stay with her boyfriend, and survive the fires that threaten to consume her. But will her lack of faith in the gods and her disbelief in their magic doom her to a painful death?

Forget prophecy. Make your own destiny. Sheltered from the outside world with no hope for escape, slave girl Reychel dreads her fifteenth birthday - when her master’s symbol is burned on the back of her bald scalp. Her best friend disappears the night before, leaving her to face the branding ceremony alone. She soon discovers nothing is as it seems when people desperate for freedom beg for Reychel's help. Can Reychel learn to believe in herself?

When fifteen-year-old Jacob Lau is pulled from the crumpled remains of his mother's car, no one can explain why he was driving or why the police can't find his mother's body. A beautiful and mysterious neighbor offers to use her unique abilities to help him find his mom. But in exchange she requires Jacob to train as a Soulkeeper, a protector of human souls. He agrees to her demands, desperate for any clue to the mystery of his mother's disappearance. But soon Jacob finds himself trapped in a web of half-truths, and questions her motives for helping him.

Paivi Anderson has it all—friends, a spot on the varsity basketball team, wonderful parents, and quite possibly, her first boyfriend. It was everything a freshman in high school could ask for. Her perfect life begins to crumble when she discovers her name on a list distributed by a power-hungry presidential candidate. How could anyone think of Paivi as an Enemy of the State? Could it be because of her special powers? No one was supposed to know about them, but the mysterious messages in her tater tots say otherwise. In INTO THE SHADOWS, Paivi quickly learns who her friends are and is forced into a reality she didn’t see coming.

Lora wants nothing more than to be the wind behind sexy windsurfer Chance's sails. But fulfilling that wish just became...complicated. After seventeen years of normal life, someone wants Lora and her family dead. And the attempted massacre isn't nearly as strange as the reason behind it.

Shayna and her two best friends have the abilities to manipulate and control the four elements, earth, air, water and fire. While learning to hone their growing powers, they discover a new and malicious presence in their sleepy beach town. Someone is performing blood magic and threatens to expose their small magical community. So far only small animals have been slaughtered, but then the nightmares start. Shayna suffers nightmares of being chased and sacrificed only to wake up bloodied and bruised. She thinks her magical blood is the ultimate target for the final blood rite. When an innocent girl, Tracy, is kidnapped Shayna knows it’s only a ploy to draw her out; she can’t let someone die because of her.

In Peachville, even the cheerleaders have a dark side... Harper Madison isn't like other girls. She has extraordinary powers, but her inability to control them has gotten her kicked from so many foster homes she's lost count. Shadowford Home for Girls is her last chance, and she hopes Peachville High will be the fresh start she needs. But when evidence ties her to the gruesome murder of a Demons cheerleader, Harper discovers this small town has a big secret. Beautiful Demons is a fast-paced YA novel with magic, mystery, and a touch of romance. This series will appeal to fans of Pretty Little Liars, Hex Hall, and The Vampire Diaries.

Do you know of a freebie? Let us know in the comments! Thanks for reading and sharing!

Review: Ally by Jessica Taylor

2012-10-03T22:31:00.000-05:00

Description: Ally is a girl with a magical secret. On Homecoming night, she finds herself in a situation where she is between life and death. Can her special gifts save her?

Well I gotta say, I dont necesarily love this book. The book had an ok storyline and the characters were ok. But let's get more detailed:

The Good: Well, one good thing i picked up on was the awesome friendship. I really liked Ally and Courtney's relationship. It's a sweet friendship. Another thing i like was the fact that it took place in AZ (the most beautiful place ever) although the writing doesn't really meet any of my five senses. I like that its short, but i think there seems to be too much put in it for it being so small. There seems too much structure writing and not enough descriptive writing. It was very matter of factly. I do love the cover though!

Series Info
The Dream Series
Book 1: Ally
Book 2: Unknown

The Not So Good: Unfortunately, I have found a bunch. I actually feel bad because i really try to find the good in every book, but these issues are sort of important to me. (1)I think Ally was cruel to Ryan. Without giving away the story, i think she was rather winchy! (2) I dont like how Ally needs to get "new teeth, hair and clothes" to get friends. And i dont like that she became a snob when she was starting to become popular. I think rude, snobby winches causes problems for everyone...like in this story.

Overall, I give Ally 2/5 stars! There are some good things in this book but altogether I'm just not sure they are enough. I'd recommend this book to an older reader that just wants a short (about 30 pages) book to preoccupy themselves but I wouldn't however recommend it for a very young reader or a reader who wants a very immersive story. I'll probably read book 2 because i'd like to see if she grows up.

Fang, Fur & Fey Giveaway Hop

2012-10-02T02:02:00.000-05:00

Hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & Reading Lark

A new guy in town. Rumors of vampires.

Dangerous first love.

This is where it all begins. . . . The mansion on top of Benson Hill has stood empty for years. But one day it seems to be occupied, and its mysterious, handsome inhabitant Alexander Sterling becomes the source of much talk around town. Raven, a vampire-obsessed Goth-girl who has always considered herself an outsider in "Dullsville," is determined to uncover the truth surrounding the secretive Alexander. As she gets to know him, and their spark intensifies, Raven finds herself in some unanticipated situations. Can Alexander make her lifelong dream come true? But love always has its complications--especially when it can only be awakened at nightfall. The first three books in Ellen Schreiber's bestselling Vampire Kisses series capture the thrill of a most unusual romance.

All GFC followers are welcome to enter! Just signup on the widget below with your email and thats it You're entered! There are a couple extra entry methods but those are optional! If you aren't a GFC follower, its easy! Just use the widget in the sidebar!

Review: Raven by Suzy Turner

2012-09-26T02:09:00.002-05:00

Description: After the inexplicable disappearance of Lilly Taylor's parents, she has no choice but to move to Canada where she unravels some frightening yet intriguing family secrets... Her whole life had been based on a lie. Lilly had grown up in a loveless home with a father who she had barely ever seen and a mother who was... well, not very motherly. After they mysteriously disappear without a trace, Lilly is sent to Canada where she finds a whole new way of life. A life filled with love and people who care for her. But that's not all she discovers, Lilly also finds out that she isn't who, or what, she thinks she is. Lilly has a very special ability and it's just a matter of time before her true self starts to shine. And when it does, her life will never be the same again.

Well I gotta say, I really liked this book a lot. The book had a great storyline and I really liked the characters. But let's get more detailed:

The Good: I loved the setting! It starts in London then moves to Canada! The author does a great job make the reader feel "on location". Which is great because i probably have no hope of traveling to either place any time soon.

I also really liked protag Lilly. She seems a little naive (esp. with the hair cut and dyeing)in the beginning but I grew to like her throughout the book. I also liked Rose and her Grand dad. The love interest in this book (while maybe a bit rushed) seems pretty genuine, esp for a character of her age. She's like 13/14..not like 16/17, so i could see her quickly falling for a older guy. (It does seem a bit odd though how all the females in this book are in love with guys much older...but maybe that's just me!)

Series Info
Raven Series
Book 1: Raven
Book 2: December Moon
Book 3: The Lost Soul

The Not So Good: Well there aren't many things to dislike about this book...but I've pinpointed a few. First, being the british english that the book is written in. While this isn't really a negative, it just made it a bit hard for me to understand some words or what things meant.

Second thing is the family aspect. I understand that this book is probably written for readers that are younger (therefore, needing to have a strong family bond)but im just not a heavy family person. lol wow, i know that probably sounds weird, but it's true... I had a colorful childhood and don't really have a family to rely on. So for me, it was hard to relate with Lilly in that respect. Like when "something" happens, the whole family rushing over to help and show concern... That just seems sort of weird to me. It's totally not the book/authors fault though, because I'm sure that's how a family is "supposed" to act!

Overall, I give Raven a 4/5 stars! Its a great book, esp. for younger reads! I will be continuing with the series and do recommend the book.

Pageturning Reading Challenge

2012-09-23T00:44:00.000-05:00

Hey guys! My friend is re-reading Harry Potter... those books are huge!! How can anyone reach a goal of 50 books in a year when a bunch of books on your tbr list is 700+ pages? Well, we decided to do a "Pages Per Year" Challenge instead!

Since its already the end of September, were just doing half a year... from this Monday, Sept. 24 to Dec. 31.

Lovely Lit's Goals: 5,000 pages
A Place for Book's Goals: 5,000 pages

If you wanna join, just leave a comment below! I can make a widget for your sidebar and add you to the list!!

Rules:
-All pages count...even unfinished books!
-For ebooks, use math to determine your page count! (ex. A book with 100 pages in paperback = 1 page per % completed -- A book with 250 pages in paperback = 2.5 pages per % complete)
-Have fun!

Top Ten Tuesday

2012-09-17T18:50:00.001-05:00

Top Ten Bookish People You Want To Meet

Well, i think this is supposed to be real people...but i wonder if i could get by with listing a few characters? Maybe no one will notice! :D

Alice Cullen (from Twilight)
Nara (from The Brightest Kind of Darkness)
Julia (from The Emerald Talisman)
Abbey (from The Hollows)
Arelia (from Bound)
Grace (from Shiver)
Ana (from Awakening)
Lark (from Larkstorm)
Ashton (from Haven)
Brazil (from Safe Landing)

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature hosted over at The Broke and the Bookish. Each Tuesday a topic/question will be chosen and all participating bloggers will have the opportunity to make a top ten list of answers!

Under Construction

2012-09-13T06:04:00.001-05:00

Hey guys! Just wanted you to know that LovelyLit is being remodeled, so please excuse the mess! Lol. It should be done soon though! Thanks.

Charity Hopping Around the World

2012-04-04T22:42:00.001-05:00

The Hosts: I am A Reader, Not a Writer , Reading away the Days & Reading A Bit of Everything.

**Full List of Participating Blogs**

Purpose: To promote a charity that you support.

For the post, tell a little about the charity.
It can be a local, regional or worldwide charity.

Along with the info about the charity host a giveaway. It can be a giveaway related to the charity or it can just be book related!

12/09/2009

My Charity: Children International

Children International allows you to sponsor an under privileged child from many countries. Once you choose a child you have many options to interact with your child, including emails, letters, visiting and presents! Having my child in Ecuador has really meant the world to me! I've been sponsoring her for almost 3 years! Her name is Daniela Alejandra Chicaiza Charry. She is 15 years old now!

11/10/11

One thing that i really like is that they give you photo's as well as family facts every year! They also keep a photo gallery online with all the pictures taken of your child! I've learned so much about Ecuador and really want to visit soon! Consider sponsoring a child! Or click here to find other ways to help the children!

Rene

I also really love animals, especially horses! So i wanted to take this opportunity to take about my favorite horse charity/shelter. It's in Arizona (where I used to live). Its called Journey’s End Ranch Animal Sanctuary. They have different program's to sponsor a horse for like $1 a month (and all the way up to $100/month). They use it for feed, meds, shelter and other supplies!

Here's a little List for other Horse Charities:

Ok, Now for the GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal: Defy by Raine Thomas

2012-03-29T11:05:00.001-05:00

Seventeen-year-old Tate is about to make her parents’ dreams come true. Unfortunately for her, their dreams foretell her death. Eager to explore more of the Estilorian plane and prove her abilities, Tate goes against her parents’ wishes and leaves the area of protection surrounding her home. Her choice puts her on a deadly path…one that leaves her alone, severely injured and battling for her life. Her possible savior arrives in the form of Zachariah, a male who has removed himself from Estilorian society for more than fifty years. Fighting an unexpected connection to Tate, he must decide whether saving her life is worth destroying his. As Tate struggles to find a way home, she ends up drawn into a dark Mercesti plot involving multiple murders and a powerful ancient artifact. With the unpredictable Zachariah as her only source for aid, she’ll soon find out if her abilities are strong enough to help her defy her Fate.

Wow!!! , its beautiful, don't you think? I love the blue eyes and peacock feathers! Also the synopsis sounds great! I happen to know that Raine Thomas is a great writer, so ln sure this book and new serious will be awesome! Can't wait to read it!

First Line Friday

2012-03-23T04:28:00.000-05:00

Title: Parallel
Series: Travelers Series, Book #1
Author: Claudia Lefeve

First Line
" Like any orphan, I wished that someday my real family would come for me."

First Line Friday: This is a weekly event that spotlights those amazing first lines in book! The first line (and first chapter) sets the foundation for the book and influences first inpressions! These are my first lines, you be the judge! Brought to you by Katie's Book Blog

Destined by Jessie Harrell

2012-03-22T04:58:00.000-05:00

Title: Destined
Series: None
Author: Jessie Harrell
Theme: Greek Mythology, Romance
Rating: 5 Stars

Description
When Psyche receives a prophecy gone horribly wrong, she learns that even the most beautiful girl in Greece can have a hideous future. Her fate? Fall in love with the one creature even the gods fear.
As she feels herself slipping closer into the arms of the prophecy, Psyche must choose between the terrifyingly tender touch she feels almost powerless to resist and the one constant she's come to expect out of life: you cannot escape what is destined.

What I Thought

Amazing!! This is the first ever book I've read about Greek mythology! I've seen other books around like The Goddess Test, but I think Mythology in general never really interested me. My Kindle recommended this book to me because of all the other Indie Books i'd been buying at that time. I just bought it without even reading the synopsis...then i just started reading! After about 2 pages, I figured out the theme real quick, but i didn't shy away and I'm so glad i didn't!

This book was actually beyond amazing! It really blew me away especially considering my lack of passion for the subject matter. The story really struck a cord with my emotions! At times, i was sad, happy amused, dewildered, annoyed and even jealous! The characters that you are supposed to hate, I hated and the ones you are supposed to love, I loved them! The character's overall are were great and well developed. The one thing I really learned in this book is to never under estimate a scorn woman's wrath! HEHE... You should really read it!

Favorite Scene

Pysche's first moments exploring her new home!

Favorite Quote

"Good Heavens, Psyche! How'd a pigeon get in here?" - What can i say...it was funny! lol!

More about the Author: By day, I'm an appellate lawyer. By night, I'm a wife, mother of two, and author/lover of all things Greek mythology. I'm a native Floridian, frustrated world traveler, unrepentant dreamer, lover of acoustic music and not-so-closet geek. Destined, being released November 17, 2011, is my first novel. Stay tuned for Beneath the Surface, co-written with the amazing Nikki Katz. Read more about Jessie Harrell.

WWW Wednesday

2012-03-21T02:59:00.000-05:00

What are you currently reading?

Title: Punished
Series: The Arelia LaRue Series, Book #2
Author: Kira Saito

Descrpition
Punished is the follow-up novel to Bound and is the second book in the Arelia LaRue Series! Down in New Orleans, Arelia Larue’s once ordinary life has quickly transformed into something truly extraordinary. As her ability to communicate and work with Les Mysteries (spirits) grows, so does her attraction for Darkwood’s secretive owner Lucus LaPlante. However, Arelia soon discovers that Darkwood’s shiny and seemingly extravagant exterior holds secrets that may put her very soul at risk. In the intoxicating world of New Orleans voodoo/hoodoo, expect the unexpected.

What did you recently finish reading?

Title: The Awakening
Series: The Watchers Trilogy, Book #1
Author: Karice Bolton

Description
Alone in snowy, remote Whistler village, Ana tries to build a new life since losing her parents. With a cozy condo, a sweet-faced bulldog and an evening job to leave the days free for the slopes, life slips into a great routine. If only she could shake the guilt for not remembering anything about her parents and banish the night terrors that haunt her every dream.
On a whim, Ana goes out with Athen, a guy she’s just met in the Grizzly Pub... The only problem is that she feels like she already knows him.
Within 48 hours of meeting Athen and his family, Ana’s world implodes. She falls for Athen quickly and before she knows it, a past life begins to resurface. As thrilling as the revelations appear at first, she fights against the chilling information that Athen is from the underworld. Soon she begins to struggle as her own supernatural gifts are slowly unveiled, and she realizes that the nightmares she’s been having might be premonitions and not dreams at all.
It is up to Ana to decipher between fact and fiction before it is too late, and her new love, Athen, follows in her same fate - one that is lost between two worlds.

What do you think you’ll read next?

Title: Ascent

Series: Ascent Series, Book #1

Author: Amy Kinzer

Description:
For three teens going back to the past is the only way to save the future.
After years of recession a new political party is ascending to power. To control the United States they must offer leaders people will vote for. The Party has chosen a select group of teens to attend the Institute for Youth Development (IYD) for training to become the nation’s next leaders. But no one has a perfect past and in a world where every moment is captured on film it has become increasingly difficult to find future politicians. Everyone has something from their past they wish they could change.
Matt wants to go back and change the night he drove drunk and ended the life of his girlfriend and best friend; Farrah-Kate, the daughter of America’s most tragic actress, wants to save her movie star mother; and Rick is ordered to go back and change the night he hacked the governments computers.
Marvin Winn, a casino billionaire and Party founder has funded a device that will take the chosen back in time to alter their past. But not everyone is attending the Institute because they want to join The Party. And while everyone returns to their past, one person will choose not to come back, putting everything The Party seeks to achieve at risk.

WWW Wednesday: To play along, just answer the following three questions: What are you currently reading?, What did you recently finish reading? & What do you think you’ll read next? Brought to you by Should Be Reading.

Indie Month Bookie Awards

2012-03-16T23:17:00.000-05:00

Whoo HOOO Look what I have!! The results to the Indie Author Month Book Awards!!! Ok, so here goes!!

Best Cover in a Indie Book

The Deepest Cut by J.A. Templeton

Best New Indie Author

Jessie Harrell

Best YA Indie Series

Signifcance Series by Shelly Crane

Best Overall YA Indie Author

Fisher Amelie

Best Female Lead in an YA Indie

Sophie from Sophie and Carter by Chelsea Fine

Best Male Lead in an YA Indie

Callum from Callum and Harper by Fisher Amelie

Best Supporting Character in a YA Indie

Patrick from Eternal Eden by Nicole Williams

Best YA Indie in a Sub Category

Sophie & Carter by Chelsea Fine for Comtempory
Bridger by Megan Curd for Romance
Ethereal by Addison Moore for Paranormal
Coexist by Julia Crane for Mystery
Open Minds by Susan Kaye Quinn for Dystopia
Zombies Don't Cry by Rusty Fischer for Horror

Congrats to all these AWESOME BOOKS!! I wish i had a trophy to give these authors! I really really recommend all these books though!!! :D Check them out today!

Nook LendMe Offer

2012-03-16T18:41:00.001-05:00

Hey guys, heres my latest list available for borrowing through Nook LendMe. If you'd like to borrow a book, just leave a comment below with the address you use for nook, and i'll send it to you asap!

Just a reminder: B&N only allows each book to be borrowed once and only for 2 weeks. So if you see someone else requesting a book you want, its probably already taken... :( sorry in advance! If 2 weeks isnt long enough, read as much as you can, then maybe consider buying it to finish, if you really enjoyed it! Thanks.

Also, im not really asking for a LendMe trade (although youre welcome to post what you have in the comments), I would prefer bloggers/reviewers to get the books. I love all of these books and would like as many people as possible to know about/read them! :) Thanks for helping!

THE LIST:
Awakening by Karice Bolton
After Eden by Katherine Pine
Bridger by Megan Curd
Bitteroot Crossing by Tess Oliver
Camille by Tess Oliver
Destined by Jessie Harrell
Emerald Talisman by Brenda Pandos
Glamour by Penelope Fletcher
Larkstorm by Dawn Rae Miller
Lovely by Allison Liddelle
Parallel by Claudia Lefeve
PineLight by Jillian Perry
Starfire Angels by Melanie Nilles
Zombies Dont Cry by Rusty Fischer

Thanks for looking! ;p

2012 A to Z Indie Reading Challenge

2012-03-16T02:43:00.001-05:00

Hey guys! I saw a blog post with the most perfect reading challenge! Its here: A to Z Reading Challenge 2012.
I initially wanted to join that challenge but i wanted it to be Indie Theme. I had a reading challenge for my readers through out Indie month, But i wanted to do one for myself now! :D

So the rules i set for myself is as follows:

I must read enough books to Fill out the A to Z list
Author, Title, or Character Name can be added to the list
Only Indie Books Read Jan to Dec 2012 count

Alphabet	Author	Title	Character
A		Awakening	Ana
B	Bolton, Karice	Brightest Kind of Darkness
C	Collier, Hope	Coexist
D		Destined
E		The Emerald Talisman
F	Fischer, Rusty
G
H	Harrell, Jessie
I	Isaacs, Elizabeth
J
K
L	Lefeve, Claudia	Larkstorm
M	Miller, Dawn Rae
N
O	Oliver, Tess
P	Pandos, Brenda	PineLight
Q
R
S	Saito, Kira	Safe Landing
T
U
V
W		The Willows: Haven
X
Y
Z		Zombies Don't Cry

Thanks for stopping by my blog! :D

Winners!!

2012-03-02T22:45:00.012-06:00

CHECK out the prize list!! We are still waiting for a few people to vote in the Book Awards. We have a few ties thats needs to be broken!! Click Here to Vote

$10 Gift Card to Amazon! *** ~~Nicola T~~ ***

Signed Copy of Remembrance by Michelle Madow. *** SpadesHigh Reads ***

Destined by Jessie Harrell - Paperback Copy to a US resident or an e-copy to an International winner! ***~~Tess Watson~~ ***

Signed copy of Exiled by RaShelle Workman. *** SpadesHigh Reads ***

(2) Ecopy of Foreshadow by Brea Essex *** ~~Cayce & Tess Watson~~ ***

(3) Ebook Set of the Grey Wolves Series by Quinn Loftis *** ~~Tess Watson~~ & ~~Nicola T~~ & ~~Cayce~~***

(3) ECopy of Parallel by Claudia Lefeve *** ~~Nicola T~~

& ~~Tess Watson~~ & Rose Hairston ***

ECopies of Silver Moon & Black Moon by Rebecca Rogers *** ~~Tess Watson~~ ***

Ecopy of Under The Stars by Rebecca Rogers *** Kristina Parmenter ***

ECopy of The Willows: Haven by Hope Collier *** ~~Tess Watson~~ ***

The Willows: Haven Bookmark *** ~~Tess Watson~~ ***

Ebook set of Dirty Blood/Cold Blood by Heather Hildenbrand *** ~~Cayce~~ ***

ECopy of Dont Fear the Reaper by Michelle Muto *** ~~Nicola T~~ ***

Ecopy of Anomaly by K.C. King *** ~~Nicola O'Sullivan~~ ***

Ecopy of Beckoning Light by Alyssa Rose Ivy *** ~~Tess Watson~~ ***

Ecopy of Beloved Purgatory by Katherine Pine *** ~~Tess Watson~~ ***

Ecopy of Eden OR Fall of Angels Trilogy by Keary Taylor *** Rapunzel ***

ECopy of Pride's Run by Cat Kalen *** Devon Ashley ***

Ecopy of Sleepers by Megg Jensen *** ~~Tess Watson~~ ***

ECopy of Guardian of Souls by Amy Maurer Jones *** Kristina ***

Physical Copy of Guardian of Souls by Amy Maurer Jones *** ~~Tess Watson~~ ***

Physical Copy of Meeting Destiny by Nancy Straight *** SpadesHigh Reads ***

ECopy of Open Minds by Susan Kaye Quinn *** Ashley Siegle ***

Physical Copy of Vamplayers by Rusty Fischer *** ~~Tess Watson~~ ***

Ecopy of Punished by Kira Saito *** Marie Landry ***

Signed copy of The Deepest Cut J.A. Templeton *** ~~Tess Watson~~ ***

Ecopy of The Haunted by J.A. Templeton *** ~~Cayce~~ ***

Signed copy of Becoming by Raine Thomas *** ~~Tess Watson~~ ***

Ecopy of Becoming Trilogy by Raine Thomas *** ~~Nicola T~~ ***

Signed Copy of Jaguar Sun by Martha Bourke *** Marie Landry ***

Signed Copy of Destiny Binds by Tammy Blackwell *** Anne Muller ***

Sign copy of Exiled by RaShelle Workman *** alwaysyaatheart ***

Signed Copy of The Scarlet Stone by T.L. Clarke *** ~~Tess Watson~~ ***

Ecopy of A Diamond in my Heart by Lorena Angell *** Catherine Lee ***

Sarah Billington book pack! 1x MG novel Life was cool until you got popular 1x YA short Life was easier when boys were stupid 1x comedy short The Death & Life of Rocky the Crab 1x New Adult short The Ballerina & My Best Friend *** Cean Lim ***

(2) Ebook of Felinian by M Clifford *** Temara & Catherine Lee ***

Paperback of Felinian by M Clifford *** ~~Nicola T~~ ***

Ebook copy of Knave by Harper Jayne *** Jeanne ***

Ecopy of Enchantment by Charlotte Abel *** Patricia L Beaudin ***

Ecopy of Hope's Daughter by Melanie Cusick-Jones *** SpadesHigh Reads ***

(2) Ebook copy of Illumine by Alivia Anders *** ~~Cayce~~ & Jaime Lynn Lester***

(5) Signed bookmarks by Alivia Anders *** ~~Tess Watson~~ & Brandi Kosiner & Donna Lawrence & ~~Cayce~~ & Mare Sperry ***

CONGRATS everyone!!!!!! If you won an Ebook or Gift card, send me an email to tell me what format (nook, kindle, etc), and what email you use for that service & the book/card will be gifted to you. For Bookmarks and Physical books, send me your address where it should be sent! :D My email is MargaretSkipper007 at gmail.com.

Indie Book of the Day: Feb. 29

2012-02-28T23:53:00.000-06:00

Today's Indie Book of the Day is: Open Minds by @SusanKayeQuinn

Synopsis: When everyone reads minds, a secret is a dangerous thing to keep.

Sixteen-year-old Kira Moore is a zero, someone who can't read thoughts or be read by others. Zeros are outcasts who can't be trusted, leaving her no chance with Raf, a regular mindreader and the best friend she secretly loves. When she accidentally controls Raf's mind and nearly kills him, Kira tries to hide her frightening new ability from her family and an increasingly suspicious Raf. But lies tangle around her, and she's dragged deep into a hidden underworld of mindjackers, where having to mind control everyone she loves is just the beginning of the deadly choices before her.

Kindle | Nook

If you have a Review for this book, please put the link in the comments so you can get entries in the Mega Giveaway!

Indie Interview: Harper Jayne

2012-02-28T23:08:00.000-06:00

1. What book inspired you most before you became a writer yourself?
That's too difficult to answer with a single volume. I've read a lot, and much of what I have read has influenced me. I draw a great deal of inspiration from other writers, but mainly in the taste of their words as opposed to their ideas or styles.

Some of the books I can point to as having been major influences on me include Tad William's Memory, Sorrow and Thorn trilogy and Otherworld series; Weis and Hickman's first two Dragonlance trilogies; David Weber's Honor Harrington books; Neil Gaiman's Sandman comics and American Gods; and George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series.

Each of the novels above have inspired me in some respect. You'll notice they're pretty different. Epic (YA-ish) fantasy, near future (Ya-ish) sci-fi, game tie-in fantasy, serial space opera/military sci-fi, grungy-gothy YA-ish urban fantasyish graphic novel, urban fantasyish mythology, and epic swords and sorcery.

I have diverse tastes in books, and since writing my own YA project I have busied myself with reading some of the "hot new releases" to see what's what in the world of YA right now. I have to admit that I enjoy YA, but I am naturally more at home in adult genres. Writing YA is all about stretching muscles for me, and it's a good feeling.

2. First book you ever remember reading?
Seriously? I've been reading since I was something like 2! I cannot honestly remember. I do know I used to read in a book of faerie tales as a child. I suspect that my love of fantasy began with things like that, as well as with The Black Cauldron (and the rest of the Prydain books) by Lloyd Alexander and Madeline L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time and subsequent novels, as well as C.S. Lewis' classic Narnia series.

Big influences an a younger me were also Anne McCaffery and Piers Anthony. (In particularly the first Dragonriders and Crystal Singer books and the Adept and Incarnations novels respectively.)

3. How do you pick your character's names?
Completely at random. Actually, that's not entirely true. I think about some basic rules for names, and then I apply them to the characters. I have one whose name is originally quite a bit different than the name she currently uses. Think America's Ellis Island name changes for immigrants from places like Poland. (Only she has other reasons for calling herself by a new name . . .)

4. Name an excellent indie book that you think needs more recognition.
Pff. One? That's honestly impossible. There's plenty of indies doing "ok" right now (and a few that stick out as doing better than that), but a whole lot more are struggling. Also, I haven't read nearly enough indie work to be able to give you a good answer. I'm really just getting my feet wet still.

My suggestion? Buy at least one new indie book for every new traditionally published book you pick up. Read things that appeal to you, and pay attention to the reviews a title has gotten to see if it might be of interest to you. (In particular any non-customer reviews you can find!)

You are bound to find a gem in there, and when you do: tell everyone you know. Indies need word of mouth even more than tradpub authors do. (They still need it, so make sure to spread the love for those authors as well.)

5. Share some quotes you love! Either from your book or someone else's!
I don't want to quote myself. First because I think there's a taboo against doing it outside of marketing. Second because I'd have a hard time selecting something others might enjoy. Not because I have no confidence in my writing, but because books are highly personal. What appeals to me in my writing is not what appeals to everyone else.

I will give you a couple of quotes from other people though.

Grabbing some random books off my Fire . . . ah, here we go.

"Catalina Flores de la Peña's tongue got her in more trouble than any other part of her body, even though there were far more likely candidates." The opening line from A Storm Hits Valparaìso by David Gaughran is great. I'm actually jealous when I read it. Seriously. My opener doesn't gain strength until the second paragraph because of the stylistic choice to let things build. I'm not afraid I will lose readers, but David has done a bang-up job of delivering immediately.

Joe Abercrombie is hyper violent. I'm making sure to tone my writing down a bit because of the YA aspect, but he runs in the direction I naturally head: extreme, brutal, visceral combat. He's also hilarious. Unfortunately he's also crude, so I won't share his best laughs. Instead I'll give you a piece from his novel The Heroes, which sums up the kinds of characters he populates his novels with. "Apparently the engagement was over, and he was still alive. How strangely disappointing."

I think everyone who is an indie needs to read Be The Monkey which is an extended conversation between Barry Eisler and Joe Konrath. In addition to the very simple quote which forms the title of the work, they have some other good ones which are really relevant to the life of an author, and particularly an indie author. Barry wrote: "Yes. Apparently, bestselling indie authors aren't 'real' bestsellers. Some sales are more equal than others." And a favorite from Joe: "Dude, they're like two pumpkins in a sack. Your balls are massive. Other men fear your balls." (Which should give you a hint of just how raunchy Abercrombie is that I'm willing to quote Konrath on Eisler's balls. Maybe it's a Joe thing?)

Kindle | Nook

Indie Book of the Day: Feb. 28

2012-02-28T02:53:00.000-06:00

Today's Indie Book of the Day is: Parallel by @ClaudiaLefeve

Synopsis: Destiny has a way of catching up.

Saddled with powers she doesn't understand, Etta Fleming's world is turned upside-down the day she meets Cooper Everett, the man who transports her to an alternate reality. A reality she was meant to be a part of.

One minute, she's an orphan living at Dominion House for Girls, an institution for delinquent foster kids, then finds herself attending the exclusive Dominion Hall Academy.

Plucked from the only world she's ever known, Etta now has to deal with an aunt she never knew, a boyfriend she doesn't know, and a best friend who can't know.

PARALLEL is the first book in the Travelers Series.

PARADOX, the second book in the Travelers Series, will be available MARCH 2012.

Kindle | Nook

If you have a Review for this book, please put the link in the comments so you can get entries in the Mega Giveaway!

2012 Indie Award Awards Voting Booth

2012-02-28T01:04:00.000-06:00

Awesome!! The time has come to vote for the YA Indie Book Awards! Just click this link to go directly to the voting form! Voting ends on Noon March 1st!

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Lovely Lit.

New Blog Site!

Indie Author Month 2013

Thankful for Books Giveaway Hop

Giveaway Mystery Shoebox of Books! This shoebox will have approximately 4 to 5 mystery books in it! They will all be YA and will be an assortment romance/paranormal/comtemp. Good luck!!!

Everyone will get two entries into this giveaway!Entry One: Free entry. Just comment with your email or a way to contact you.Entry Two: Visit/Signup. You'll need to visit the below link and signup, then comment with your username from the site. Here's the link.

Spooktacular Giveaway Hop

Spotlight Post: Emerald Talisman Audiobook by Brenda Pandos

Friday Freebies

Review: Ally by Jessica Taylor

Fang, Fur & Fey Giveaway Hop

Review: Raven by Suzy Turner

Pageturning Reading Challenge

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Bookish People You Want To Meet

Under Construction

Charity Hopping Around the World

Cover Reveal: Defy by Raine Thomas

First Line Friday

First Line

Destined by Jessie Harrell

Description

What I Thought

Favorite Scene

Favorite Quote

WWW Wednesday

What are you currently reading?

Descrpition

What did you recently finish reading?

Description

What do you think you’ll read next?

Description:

Indie Month Bookie Awards

Nook LendMe Offer

2012 A to Z Indie Reading Challenge

Winners!!

Indie Book of the Day: Feb. 29

Indie Interview: Harper Jayne

Indie Book of the Day: Feb. 28

2012 Indie Award Awards Voting Booth

Giveaway

Mystery Shoebox of Books! This shoebox will have approximately 4 to 5 mystery books in it! They will all be YA and will be an assortment romance/paranormal/comtemp. Good luck!!!

Everyone will get two entries into this giveaway!
Entry One: Free entry. Just comment with your email or a way to contact you.
Entry Two: Visit/Signup. You'll need to visit the below link and signup, then comment with your username from the site. Here's the link.