Friday, September 30, 2011

Contest Craze {Collection}

Hosted by Cindy @ Princess Bookie’s Reviews

Deets

Challenge: Write up a blog post telling us all about your collection. What do you collect? Why do you collect it? Feel free to post pictures of your collection. Be creative.

Don't forget to link your blog post!!!

Prize: Mystery Prize Pack of books
-Winner Picked using randomorg

-Mini Challenges will end randomly, so get your entry in asap!

What do I collect? Funny you should ask…

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Have you figured it out yet? Hello, my name is Ashley, and yes I am a book addict, and yes I am proud :]

I collect books. YA books, anything that looks good, has a pretty cover, and sounds good!

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Head over to PB’s and enter!
Ashley

Monday, September 26, 2011

IMM {9.25.11}

IMMIs hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren

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Tantalize: Kieren's Story by Cynthia Leitich Smith

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Red Riding Hood MTI by Sarah Blakley-Cartwright

The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove by Lauren Kate

Ironside by Holly Black

Omnitopia Dawn by Diane Duane

Hourglass (Hourglass, #1) by Myra McEntire

{Won from Sash & Em}

Lord of Misrule by Rachel Caine

Fade Out by Rachel Caine

Thirst No. 1: The Last Vampire, Black Blood, Red Dice by Christopher Pike

Thirst No. 2: Phantom, Evil Thirst and Creatures of Forever by Christopher Pike

Night World, No. 3: Huntress, Black Dawn, Witchlight by L.J. Smith

The chick friends rules! Freshman year by Howard

{From Publisher/Author}

Storm Glass by Maria V. SnyderDSCN0955

The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong

Everlasting by Alyson Noel

Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder

Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #2) by Rick Riordan, John Rocco

{From Thrift Store}

Ruling Passion (Drake Chronicles, #1-3) by Alyxandra Harvey

{From Publisher}

Jinx by Meg Cabot

Invisible I by Stella Lennon

Love Story by Jennifer Echols

Wynter Chelsea: The Legacy by Becca Michelle Ritchie

{Won from Katie’s Book Blog}

Gone by Michael Grant

Hunger by Michael Grant

Reunion by Meg Cabot

Darkest Hour by Meg Cabot

Haunted by Meg Cabot

Twilight by Meg Cabot

Shadowland by Meg Cabot

Ninth Key by Meg Cabot

Jessica Rules the Dark Side (Jessica, #2) by Beth Fantaskey

{From Author}

Night World, No. 2: Dark Angel; The Chosen; Soulmate by L.J. Smith

Bloodline (Bloodline, #1) by Kate Cary

{From PBS}

Twelfth Grade Kills by Heather Brewer

The Disappeared by Gloria Whelan

Storm Front (The Dresden Files, #1) by Jim Butcher

Darklight (Wondrous Strange, #2) by Lesley Livingston

Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs

Captivate (Need, #2) by Carrie Jones

{Last 3 from Amazon}

All the others are from Goodreads swap unless stated differently :]

Sunday, September 25, 2011

After Obsession {Giveaway & Interview}


AO 
Release Date: September 13, 2011
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 320
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher

Aimee and Alan have secrets. Both teens have unusual pasts and abilities they prefer to keep hidden. But when they meet each other, in a cold Maine town, they can't stop their secrets from spilling out. Strange things have been happening lately, and they both feel that something-or someone- is haunting them. They're wrong. Despite their unusual history and powers, it's neither Aimee nor Alan who is truly haunted. It's Alan's cousin Courtney who, in a desperate plea to find her missing father, has invited a demon into her life-and into her body. Only together can Aimee and Alan exorcise the ghost. And they have to move quickly, before it devours not just Courtney but everything around her.
Filled with heart-pounding romance, paranormal activity, and rich teen characters to love-and introducing an exciting new YA voice, Steven Wedel-this novel is exactly what Carrie Jones fans have been waiting for. Meet your next obsession.
ELash_hs1_e1

How did you  two meet, anyway? Is it true this Wedel guy used black magic to lure Carrie to Oklahoma in 2008?

CARRIE: Actually author Melissa Marr set us up on a speed date at a conference in Oklahoma where we had to go around to tables talking to people for five minutes. Melissa said she put us together because we were both mellow and nice.  Ha! We had her fooled. Oh! Wait, maybe that was part of the Wedelian black magic. Geesh! How did I not know?
STEVE: hehehe I love it when a plan comes together! Seriously, until I saw the schedule Melissa had put together, I didn’t have a clue who Carrie Jones was. But the chemistry was instantaneous. We developed a little introduction as we went table to table and just had a great time. Later, Carrie stole the fruit out of my beverage, though. I’m not sure I’m over that yet.


Carrie, you are a respected New York Times bestselling author. It probably came as no surprise to you to learn that Wedel had created some fantasy in which you would write a book with him. Why didn’t you simply report him to the police immediately when he continued to harass you? Do you feel you encouraged his demented obsession through your innocent e-mails?

CARRIE: Since I work as a part-time police dispatcher, I knew that the complaint about Wedel would not really be taken seriously. There were no explicit death threats involved. Since I was on my own without law enforcement back-up, I figured that I might as well just do it.
No, actually I was super excited to try to write a book with Steve. It seemed like a cool experiment. And if I failed, I got to fail WITH someone. That’s never happened before.  I’m used to failing alone. How about you, Steve? Was it freaky writing YA instead of Adult?
STEVE: Oh, I’m used to failing alone. But then, I am older than you, Carrie. Writing YA wasn’t all that freaky, really. Getting used to first person present tense took a while, though.


Rumor has it Steve chained Carrie to a desk and forced her to write this novel. In an effort to end the torment, you both set a breakneck pace and finished the book in a very short time. Is that how it happened?

CARRIE: It took less than a month to write that first draft. Enough said. Although as supporting evidence, I do have chain marks on my ankles. Really, I’ve never had so much fun writing a book before. I’d check my email all the time muttering, “Has he sent a new chapter yet? What?! WHAT?!? No new chapter.”  Then I’d rush out my chapter to see what would happen next.
It was kind of like when you have a crush on a boy and you really want him to text and he doesn’t and you’re like – come on! Come on!
It was probably the opposite for Steve. He was probably all, “NO! NOT ANOTHER CARRIE CHAPTER!”  Was it? (Please say “no,” Steve. Please say “no.”)
STEVE: Not even close! I felt exactly the same. I couldn’t wait for that next chapter, and as soon as I got it I was inspired to write my next part right then. If something happened and I couldn’t write my chapter on the same day I got Carrie’s latest I was wracked with guilt and afraid she would need more time, or would withhold her chapter as punishment and I’d have to wait longer for it. Like she said, writing has never been so much fun.


Artistically speaking what did each of you contribute to this book? How is it different than the usual novel you write?

STEVE: Well, the most obvious answer is that the book is written in alternating points of view between Aimee, Carrie’s character, and Alan, my character. Carrie’s writing is very much character driven and very feminine. She sees a lot of detail that I tend to gloss over. I’d say this novel is much richer in detail and tone than anything I’ve done previously and I blame Carrie for that.
CARRIE: It is much quicker, much more plot-driven, and has a lot more testosterone in it. Steve puts a really man energy into his chapters and he’s so good at dialogue and flow. I was really lucky to write with him.


Wedel has been sighted wearing a cowboy hat and driving a 40-year-old pickup truck. Carrie, on the other hand, is an East Coast girl with a Mini Cooper. Is it possible that you both found shared ground upon which to build a plot? What are some of the commonalities and differences between the two of you?

STEVE: I think our politicians could learn a lot from me and Carrie. Sure, we have some differences, but our ultimate goals are pretty much the same. We both want to tell good stories that entertain and just maybe carry a positive message. We share an interest in the supernatural and Norse mythology and the plight of the modern teenager. To be honest, I didn’t really know how good Carrie was with the paranormal elements until we wrote this book. Need wasn’t published yet, remember. I figured I’d provide most of the chills, but she wrote a scene with a knife that stands my hair up every time I read it.
CARRIE: Dude. When your hair stands up on end you’re like 87 feet tall. Steve has long hair…. Really, really long hair.
Sorry. Back to the question.
Well, he is quite tall and I’m --- I’m not quite tall and he has a lot of facial hair and I – I DO NOT! I think the thing we have in common is that we both really care about people and stories and teens. I mean, Steve will become a huge stress monkey if something is wrong with one of his students or his kids, and I think that passion and caring and love of people comes out in both our writing despite our political, physical, and motor vehicle differences.


What reaction do you anticipate from your loyal fan base regarding this collaboration? Is it something they’re going to like? Will they pity you for what you’ve endured? Or will they simply ignore it?

STEVE: Hopefully Carrie’s fans won’t feel the need for pity. No residents of Maine were harmed in the creation of this book. Not physically, anyway. I think my fans will like it. I know my students will, and I’ll be thrilled to have a book school librarians will make available to high schoolers.
CARRIE: I hope they like it despite the fact that there are no pixies. They will all probably fall in love with Alan, the main character that Steve created, the way I did. Oh my gosh! You think they’ll ignore it? Hold on. I have to go panic now.


After Obsession features a girl in Maine and a boy who comes from Oklahoma. Are there other elements in the novel that mirror your lives or your relationships to your Okie or Mainiac collaborator?

CARRIE: Well, Steve is tall. Alan is tall. Steve  is less politically correct than I am. Alan is like that too. Aimee and I both try to eat healthy and we both paint…… Um…… Wedel? Can you answer this one?
STEVE: Alan and Aimee learn a lot about each other, and that was true for me and Carrie as we worked together. I learned a lot about living in a small Maine town. Can you believe they really don’t have football in most Maine high schools? I know I worked in several details gleaned from my life as a high school teacher.


The concept of demonic possession is something you haven’t dealt with in your previous fiction. Did the idea for the novel come from your month-long captivity? Carrie, was it a feeling of helplessness as Wedel subjected you to a Southern drawl and stories about the high school students he tries to teach?

CARRIE: I think it came from Wedel because he is twisted like that.
STEVE: I honestly don’t remember. I remember there was a pretty short period where we kind of kicked around some pretty basic plot ideas. That was November 2008. Carrie was working on something for the National Novel Writing Month, so we agreed to start writing in December. Not being bound to NaNoWriMo, I went ahead and wrote a chapter, then confessed to what I’d done. Turns out, Carrie had done the same thing. So, I’m not sure who’s idea the possession was, but I guess I did the research on it as we got into the book.


Carrie, you are known for strong young female characters instrumental in solving their own problems, much like you allegedly gnawed through the chains and escaped Wedel. Has the revolving point of view used in After Obsession diluted the strength of Aimee, the female protagonist? And Steve, you are known for your horror and your detail. Did you find it hard to tone it down for this book?

CARRIE: No. I think by seeing her actions through Alan’s eyes it actually makes her stronger.
STEVE: In YA, even demons have to watch their language. Actually, the scary elements aren’t that toned down from my solo novels. And, I guess I’ve mellowed with age, because I’m not including as much graphic content in my other books as I used to.


Carrie, are you suffering from Stockholm Syndrome? Would you collaborate with Wedel again, or are you simply glad to be free? Steve, have you moved on to bigger and better authors to torment?  What are your states of mind as After Obsession moves closer to publication?

CARRIE: I would love to experiment again, if he still wants me.
STEVE: Bigger and better? That would be hard to find. I’d write with Carrie again in a heartbeat. Maybe I wouldn’t even have to use that old black magic next time.
ELash_hs1_e1 US ONLY!

After Obsession {Review & Trailer}

AO

Release Date: September 13, 2011
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 320
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher

Aimee and Alan have secrets. Both teens have unusual pasts and abilities they prefer to keep hidden. But when they meet each other, in a cold Maine town, they can't stop their secrets from spilling out. Strange things have been happening lately, and they both feel that something-or someone- is haunting them. They're wrong. Despite their unusual history and powers, it's neither Aimee nor Alan who is truly haunted. It's Alan's cousin Courtney who, in a desperate plea to find her missing father, has invited a demon into her life-and into her body. Only together can Aimee and Alan exorcise the ghost. And they have to move quickly, before it devours not just Courtney but everything around her.
Filled with heart-pounding romance, paranormal activity, and rich teen characters to love-and introducing an exciting new YA voice, Steven Wedel-this novel is exactly what Carrie Jones fans have been waiting for. Meet your next obsession.




My Thoughts
{My reviews are SPOILER-Free}

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When I first agreed to participate in this tour with the review of After Obsession, I was a little hesitant due to the fact that it was my first demon possession book, ever. Plus I am a Christian, and because I know how real demon possession is, I was a little worried that it may unnerve my faith. However with this book that was not a problem. To me it seemed more as a paranormal romance that a complete demon possession book. Aimee and Alan are from two different places. Alan is part Navajo and Aimee is from Maine. However when they meet the chemistry is so strong that they begin to feel like they were made for each other.


I loved the characters in this book. At first I was a little worried that I wouldn’t like Aimee, because she seemed a little flat, but throughout the story that first impression was depleted. After Aimee meet Alan she immediately became a better character and was not afraid to fight for what she believed in, even if it meant losing her very sanity. She was so worried that she would end up like her mother, but was able to overcome that feel and be a hero that she was called to be. Alan on the other hand. I liked him from the very get go of the story. He started off being passionate and I could not help, but relate him to Jacob from the Twilight series. I think it was more of his macho-ness and the Indian blood in him. I also loved the way he was protected of his women-folk. The next characters that I really enjoyed were Gramps and Benji. They were so much fun and acted just like a married couple with their fussiness to each other. Or as Aimee told us their crankiness. CHEETO :] Courtney was an okay character to me, it was a little hard to get to know her with the whole demon possession going on with her.


I also couldn’t help, but to notice how this book and Alan’s beliefs and practices mimicked my own. Here are a few ways that they were a like. I will do Alan’s compared to mine. Great Spirit – My God/Heavenly Father, Mediation {to understand and hear} – Prayer, Spirit Guide – Holy Spirit/Bible, Spirit Warrior – My faith and the fact I am Christ like and a warrior in this never ending spiritual warfare that is waging now between Light and Dark, between the Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of Darkness. Rewarded by living eternally in  Heaven or Hell. Which side will you choose to stand up and fight in, or will you be a passerby and give up your crowns of glory?


CR - 4

I like the cover a lot. From the pretty girl to the font of the text.

rating-4

Acquire/Borrow/Trade
For those of you who like paranormal suspense and who like to keep books I would say this would be acquire. Those of you who are not sure if this is your cup of joe then I would say borrow it. For those like me who read a book once and then do not want to read it again, because you remember it clearly then I would say put this book up for trading.

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Have any of you read this book? Would any of you be interested in trading a book in exchange for this one? Don’t forget to come back and check out the giveaway and interview for After Obsession coming soon!

Ashley Suzanne

Friday, September 23, 2011

Contest Craze: Lucky Number 7



Lucky Number 7

Princess Bookie's Contest Craze is in full swing! Today I'm hosting a mini challenge. It'll be fun to see what everyone comes up with!!!

TO ENTER:
  • Open a book you are currently reading.
  • Turn to page 7.
  • Count to the 7th word.
  • If the word is an article (a, an, the, etc), go to the next real word.
  • Type the word into a Google Images search, and select a picture that you can stand.
  • Create a blog post with the following information:
  • Add a link to your post in the linky form at the bottom of this post to enter into to win.
PRIZE:
  • Book of your choice from The Book Depository up to $10.
DETAILS:
  • Open to anywhere The Book Depository ships to.
  • Giveaway Ends September 25th.

This awesome giveaway is hosted over at The Elliot Review and you can enter by going here.

My Entry


After Obsession  by Carrie Jones & Steven Wedel

7th Word on 7th Page:
Soccer





Cover Re-Design

Princess Bookie's Contest Craze is in full swing! Today I'm hosting a mini challenge. It'll be fun to see what everyone comes up with!!!
 
TO ENTER:
  • Take a book you are currently reading.
  • Re-create a cover for it.
  • Fill out the rafflecopter and add a link to the post.
  • Create a blog post with the following information:
PRIZE:
  • Book of your choice from The Book Depository up to $10.
DETAILS:
  • Open to anywhere The Book Depository ships to.
  • Giveaway Ends October 1st.

My Examples


 






Banned Books Giveaway Hop!



Hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and I read Banned Books.

Before I actually posted this giveaway. I actually had to go and see which books were considered “banned” so that I knew which to giveaway. If you are like me and are unsure then you can see a list here.

So for my giveaway I have decided to giveaway the Hunger Games Trilogy!

The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)Catching Fire (The Hunger Games, #2)Mockingjay (The Hunger Games, #3)

MUST BE A GFC FOLLOWER!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday: Insurgent

WOW

Insurgent (Divergent, #2)

 

Publisher: HarperCollins
Release Date: May 28th 2012
Pre-Order: Barnes & Noble

I have not read Divergent yet, but I sure hope to before this book is published. I love the cover and the synopsis of Insurgent – so pretty!

One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Contest Craze {One True Pairing}

Today’s Mini Challenge is hosted @ My Cute Bookshelf

To enter this challenge:

  • You should create a blog post with your OTP (One True Pairing), meaning your favorite couple from young adult books. Explain why they’re your favorite YA couple. If you don't have a blog, you can share your answer in the comments section.
  • To make it fun, add pictures of who you think can portray the characters. 
  • Add the link to your blog or comment to the linky tool at the bottom of this post to participate.

Prize:
  • A YA Book of your choice from the Book Depository up to $10.

Rules:
  • Open everywhere, as long as the Book Depository ships to your country.
  • Giveaway ends on September 28.

To enter this challenge you can click here to visit the entry post.

Shane Claire

As my favorite YA couple, I chose Shane and Claire (Alex Pettyfer and Emma Roberts) from the Morganville Vampire series by Rachel Caine. I like the fact that Shane is so over protective of Claire and how they are not afraid to be themselves. They belong together :] I think Alex and Emma are the perfect couple to mimic Shane and Claire because Alex is older than Emma and he has that overprotective stance.

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Good Luck to all who enter!

Sunday, September 18, 2011

1000 Follower Giveaway!

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Finally! I finally found the time to post this giveaway! I have been doing blog hop giveaways lately and I wanted to wait until they were done before I posted this one :] Thank you so much to my followers and friends who have stuck by me from day one a year ago when I first started. I never expected to gain any followers from my hobby, let alone 1000!! I have enjoyed blogging and sharing my favorite books with you as well as learning more from you all and just enjoying the whole atmosphere of book blogging. Enough about me, now on to the giveaway!

I have a few prize packs that I am going to list below and there will be (1) winner for every 50 followers.


UPDATE {10.09.11}


Thanks everyone!!! We are now up to (3) winners for a prize pack!!!


UPDATE {9.30.11}


Thanks to everyone who has followed and entered. We are now up to (2) winners for a prize pack! Continue to tell your friends!!!!!

Prize Pack #1
Hades (Halo, #2)   ARC of Hades Forever (The Wolves of Mercy Falls, #3)    ARC of Forever
Prize Pack #2

Wildefire (Wildefire #1)
ARC of Wildefire
Spray
ARC of Spray
Prize Pack #3

Hearts at Stake (The Drake Chronicles, #1)
Hearts at Stake {PB}
Out for Blood  (The Drake Chronicles, #3)
ARC of Out for Blood

Prize Pack #4

Night Watch (Watch, #1) Day Watch (Watch, #2) Twilight Watch (Watch, #3) The Last Watch (Watch, #4)
Paperback set of Series

Prize Pack #5

Minder (Ganzfield, #1) Adversary (Ganzfield, #2) Legacy (Ganzfield, #3)
ARC of First 3 Books in Series

To enter for these prize packs fill out the Rafflecopter below.
US ONLY!
{unless willing to pay for shipping – let me know in a comment}

All you have to do to win is fill out the Rafflecopter below.