YA Mythology Giveaway Hop - Win a Book of Your Choice

This giveaway is part of the YA Mythology Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and For Those About to Read. There are a lot of great blogs participating in this hop. After you enter here, please hop over and enter their giveaways as well.

My Giveaway:
One winner will receive a YA Mythology Book of Choice! (Up to $10 USD from The Book Depository.)

How to enter:
Just fill out the form below.

Additional optional entry:
Leave a comment letting me know which book you would like if you win.

Giveaway Details:
Giveaway is open internationally (as long as The Book Depository ships to your area). Giveaway is open until midnight EST on November 4. Must be 13 or older to enter. Winner will be decided using Random.org. Winner will be emailed and this blog post updated to show the winner. Winner has three days to respond or a new winner will be selected.

Sorry! This giveaway is now over.

Winner: Melinda 

Cleaning vs. Writing - Rachael Anderson, Author of The Reluctant Bachelorette - Giveaway

Cleaning vs. Writing

Guest Post by Rachael Anderson

When it comes to deciding between cleaning and writing, writing typically wins out. And it's not because I'm lazy or dying to work on my book, it's because I've learned long ago that keeping up the house on a daily basis isn't worth the effort.Or stress.

Here's why:

1--The kids will soon undo whatever it is I get done. And when they do, I tend to get frustrated and sometimes very upset (okay, so a little more than sometimes). Whereas, if the house is already slightly messy, then who cares if they get out all the toys from the toy closet or decide to play dress-up in my closet? Not me--at least not as much as I would care if it had started out perfectly clean.

2--I like the feeling of accomplishment that comes from turning a messy room into a nice, clean, organized one. Like the before and after pictures of a home makeover. The overall sense of satisfaction is greater when there's a bigger difference. 

3--It gets noticed. Which means I get noticed. (Yes, I'm the type who needs to be appreciated). If I were to keep my house clean and organized all the time, my husband and kids would assume that either the cleaning fairies came or I wiggled my nose and tada--it's done. There would be no kiss and a hug from an appreciative husband, no "Hey, thanks for cleaning out the car today" or "Wow, the upstairs looks great." So while I hate to admit I'm the type who manipulates or coerces appreciation, I am. And I'm happier for it. :)

The Reluctant Bachelorette

by Rachael Anderson 

Unknowingly cast as the bachelorette for her town’s charity event, Taycee Emerson wants out. Especially when she discovers her old teenage crush, Luke Carney, is one of the bachelors and it's up to the viewers--not her--to decide which bachelors stay or go.

Coerced into participating, Taycee does what any self-preserving girl would do. She launches a subtle attack on Luke’s good name with the hope of getting him voted off the show. Unfortunately, Luke's an eye-for-an-eye kind of guy, and when he discovers what she's up to, it means revenge.

But when their pranks go south, will they screw up any chance they have at a future together, or will they be able to forgive and forget and prove that love really does conquer all? 

Add on Goodreads.

About the author:

Rachael Anderson is the author of four contemporary romances: Divinely Designed, Luck of the Draw, Minor Adjustments, and The Reluctant Bachelorette. She's the mother of four, can't sing, doesn't dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating. 

Find out more on Rachael's blog, Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads. 

Click here to find out more about this tour.

Tour Giveaway (shared rafflecopter for entry) - October 1st to 31st:
-Grand Prize
    Print copy of The Reluctant Bachelorette (Ebook for International winner)
    $15 Amazon Gift Card
    Copy of the DVD Sneakers (US only)
-Print copy of The Reluctant Bachelorette
-3 Kindle Ebook Copy of The Reluctant Bachelorette

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Blogoversary Giveaway and the Beginning of Goodbye to Krazy Book Lady

Happy Blogoversary!

My first post as Krazy Book Lady was on October 19, 2011, exactly one year ago today! My plan was to have a big blogoversary giveaway, and I had some great authors on board to participate with giveaways of their books, but I just did not have time to coordinate it. So I am celebrating my one year anniversary of blogging in a very quiet way to honor all of the wonderful followers I have gained and the amazing craziness of the past year.

My one year blogoversary is also bittersweet. As much as it pains me to do it and as hard as this is for me to say, Krazy Book Lady will quietly fade away. Perhaps that started before I admitted what had to be done because I have been very bad about posting regularly lately. I am posting about it to simply acknowledge the great experience I have had with this blog and to say goodbye to my loyal followers. (There are some of you that I know have been with me since almost the very beginning, and I am so thankful for that.)

In the past year, I have gained 1,833 GFC followers, over 3,600 followers on Twitter, many more followers on Facebook and Google+, and a lot of great friends on Goodreads. I have also met some truly inspiring authors, both indie and traditionally published, and while I cannot possibly name them all, I would like to spotlight a few. Darian Wilk, who has become a great friend and advocate for me to write my own book. Patti Larsen, who knocks those books out so quickly it would make anyone envious. A.G. Howard, who blew me away with her outstanding debut novel. And finally, two great authors who became my friends while they allowed me to rant... I mean, *talk* to them about my homeschooling concerns, Rachel Harris and Beth Balmanno. During this past year, two authors allowed me to become a somewhat permanent part of their book. Quotes from yours truly appear on The Accordo by Roberta L. Smith and Love Unfinished by the previously mentioned Darian Wilk. Thank you both so much for giving me that honor. I have also met many amazing book bloggers: Kathy of I Am a Reader, Not a Writer and Mary of Bookhounds and Bookhounds YA, who both helped me tremendously in my early days of book blogging, and Kayla from Bibliophilia, Please, who is a top notch reviewer and blogger who isn't afraid to step outside the proverbial book blogger box. Of course there are many, many more great book bloggers out there, and I hope to one day work with you all again when I am looking for bloggers to give my book a chance.

So why am I leaving behind Krazy Book Lady? Quite simply, I can just no longer give it the attention it deserves, as you can tell from how I have really slacked off on posting. In March, I was suddenly transformed from a quiet housewife with time on my hands while the kids were in school to a homeschooling mom who had to learn how to cook for a celiac little boy. To be honest, I was not much of a cook in the first place, and there has been a lot to learn about gluten free cooking. As much as I want to do it all, I have to face the fact that I am not Super Woman and cannot do it all well. Something always suffers when you try to do too much, and in this case it is the blog and the authors I have failed by not having time to read or write reviews after accepting the book for review.

You will see the occasional post here from me while I am honoring commitments that have already been made. I have several reviews that need to be written and many more books to read before I am done, but that will be sporadic at best. I will not be accepting anymore books or signing up for any other commitments. I will definitely miss blogging and all of you. Who knows, I may decide to start a new blog that is a medley of book reviews, homeschooling, gluten free cooking, and whatever else that pops into my head.

Thank you so much for being on this crazy ride with me! I have enjoyed it tremendously.

So, now to the good stuff!

Giveaway:

One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card! 

How to enter:

Since it is my blogoversary and I am honoring my followers, you must be a follower to enter.

Giveaway Details:

Giveaway is open internationally (as long as you can use a gift card from Amazon). Giveaway is open until midnight on October 31, 2012. Must be 13 or older to enter. Winner will be chosen using Random.org. Winner will be emailed and this blog post updated to show the winner. Winner has three days to respond or a new winner will be selected.

Sorry! This giveaway is over.

Winner: Emily 

Write the Novel Only You Can Write - Emma Michaels, author of Owlet - Excerpt & Giveaway

Write the Novel Only You Can Write

Guest Post by Emma Michaels 

You might have heard how every person has at least one book inside of him or her. Fortunately for some of us, we have dozens if not more. But when we write it is important to write the novel that only we can write.

What does that mean? For me, it means that when I write, I bring my view of the world I am writing about to my readers. Have you ever listened to a storyteller? He or she not only tells you a story, the storyteller weaves the entire storytelling experience into a time that is meant to capture your mind. You not only hear the story, you see and feel it. If done correctly, you don’t hear about the main character riding a red dragon through the sky – you’re on that dragon’s back catching the breeze.

When you write a novel, it’s the same thing. Write not only what you know, but what you feel. Bring your readers into the world with you because they’re relying on you to open the gateway. Shown them around your world. Let them breathe it. Trust in your words and write the novel the way you know it should be written.

If you want to know if you are writing it properly, try reading it to a crowd. Watch their faces. Listen to their expectations as they are with you through the whole experience. Write the novel that only you can write, and you will be bringing your readers into worlds they never dreamed could exist because you were the only one who could have known they were there. So many novels fall into preset categories or follow the latest trends but each of my favorites but a brand new concept that managed to touch my heart because it was something unique and new.

So my ultimate suggestion for anyone interested in writing isn’t to write what you know or keep up with trends, it is to write the novel that only you can write. Something that is a culmination of your creativity and all that you are. That will be the novel that will sweep me off my feet and as a book blogger turned author, I love being swept off my feet by a good book. 

Owlet was that novel for me, what are a few novels you feel are truly unique and original that caught your attention?

Owlet by Emma Michaels

Society of Feathers #1

October 13, 2012

Tribute Books

Somewhere between falling and flying… there is a girl.

Iris has a secret. She lost her memory eight years ago and never told a living soul. After an asthma attack one night she finds out that her dreams of a strange house on a snowy island may be a memory resurfacing but the more she learns about the past the more she realizes the life she has been living is a lie. As the façade her father has built starts to crumble around her she will have to decide which means more to her; the truth or her life.

Add on Goodreads.

Excerpt 

“They are beautiful. They are all different shapes and sizes and all of them are white,” she answered. As she remembered her imaginary world’s disappearance, Iris felt her eyes start to water. Quickly pushing her emotions back down, she looked up to face him.

You did it. You told him. Finally, you told him. He’s realized!

“What?” he asked simply, looking a bit confused.

Iris hesitated just a moment before answering. “It is an island composed of white feathers. I fly there in my dreams,” she admitted, waiting for him to tell her that the trip was canceled and instead she was being sent to a psychiatric ward. Seeing the odd look on his face, Iris knew she wasn’t about to tell him that the same dream involved her jumping out of her balcony window.

But instead, a smile spread across his face and his eyes danced with laughter. “That is wonderful!” he said, completely jubilant. “That sounds like a fantastic dream! I wouldn’t mind having it myself.” He was laughing now.

Don’t worry. It is a good thing. Trust yourself. He needed to know.

See the linky below to read along with more excerpts.

About the author: 

Emma Michaels is the author of the ‘A Sense of Truth’ and ‘Society of Feathers’ series. Her goal with her latest YA novel 'Owlet' is to give others what she did not have growing up; a strong female protagonist with asthma.  While her previous aspiration was to be a lady knight she realized that not being able to run more than a few feet might become a hindrance so turned to writing instead. Her day jobs include being a cover artist, marketing consultant and silk screen designer.

As the founder of The Writers Voice blog (http://OurBooksOurVoice.Blogspot.com) she loves to connect authors and readers. As a book blogger turned author, she was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, until she moved at eighteen to Washington State. Suddenly, the world was a new place filled with tall green trees that reached further for the sky with every moment, making her want to do the same. Ever since, she has tried to make her life something new and different from what it was before, pursuing her future career, setting high goals and reaching for them. With the support of her fiancé, Chihuahua, and her amazing blog followers and fellow bloggers, she wants to prove to the world that anything is possible and help inspire fellow literary lovers to reach for their dreams. 

Find out more at EmmaMichaels.com, on Twitter, and Facebook.  

Find out more about Tribute Books on their website, Twitter, and Facebook.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Gallagher's Hope by M.K. McClintock - Book Blast - Win Amazon Gift Card

Gallagher’s Hope Synopsis

She sought a new beginning.

He sought what he didn’t know was missing.

Together they would discover hope in unlikely places.

Isabelle Rousseu must escape New Orleans and the memory of her family’s tragic loss. With her younger brother in tow, she accepts a position as the new schoolteacher in Briarwood, Montana. Desperate to keep what’s left of her family together, Isabelle joins her life with a stranger only to discover that trust and hope go hand in hand.

Gabriel Gallagher lived each day as it came believing he had everything he could possibly want...until a determined woman and her brother arrive with a little luggage and a lot of secrets.

It will take a drastic choice to protect her and give them both, hope for the future.

Teasers

Excerpt One: 

Nothing existed of the life she had known.

      Her slender arm wrapped around the little boy’s shoulder and pulled him closer to his side. She could feel his slight trembling and wished more than anything that she could take away his sadness. They were alone in the world. They had each other, and she prayed that would be enough for them both.

      They stood and listened as the priest gave the final blessing, and two men lowered the caskets into the ground. The few other mourners who had been kind enough to attend the funeral asked her to leave with them, but she needed the closure. She needed her eyes to see what her heart refused to accept. ”An unfortunate affair,” everyone called the incident for it wasn’t every day that a man murdered his wife and then shot himself. Isabelle wished not to think on the possible reasons why, but she couldn’t seem to help herself. She never imagined her family to be anything but happy. Their father’s death, however, revealed the truth. No one spoke of it with them of course, but the lawyer had made the situation quite clear.

      They were penniless.

Excerpt Two: 

“You promised Gabriel, you promised!”

Gabriel wasn’t a light sleeper. In fact it often took a great deal to wake him from a pleasant slumber and last night had been one heck of a night’s sleep. He enjoyed waking with Isabelle in the room. What he didn’t enjoy was being yelled at and falsely accused before he’d even had his first cup of coffee. Her words though, did enough to bring him about.

“Criminy, Isabelle it’s too early for yelling and I didn’t break my promise.” Gabriel moved around the side of the bed until he located his boots and slipped them on. His happy memories of holding her in his arms the night before were quickly replaced by anger and irritation.

“What do you call waking up next to me then Gabriel?”

“If you’ll take a good look at yourself, and me for that matter, you’ll see we’re both fully dressed. More’s the pity.”

   

The Author

McClintock is an entrepreneur, baker, photographer, tour host, reviewer and multi-genre author.

Over the years McClintock has traveled the country and abroad, experiencing the beauty of other lands and cultures. She dreams of a time when life was simpler, the land rougher, and the journey more rewarding. With her heart deeply rooted in the past and her mind always on adventure, McClintock will always call Montana home.

McClintock is a member of Romance Writers of America, Montana Romance Writers, and Women Writing the West.

www.mkmcclintock.com

Connect with the author!
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads



Gallagher's Hop Book Blast Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card
1 Autographed copy of Gallagher’s Hope (US only)
2 Gallagher’s Hope-Kindle Edition
2 Gallagher’s Pride (Book One)-Kindle Edition


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent's permission. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.