November 2011 BNC - Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Please join us with the reading of Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Every month Alice Priday & I will be choosing a book-of-the-month, cleverly titled BOOK NERD CHOICE (BNC). Anyone can participate. We will have a month to read and discuss it. At the end of the month, we will have a poll in which character from the book that artist

James Vallesteros will draw. The drawing will be transformed into bookmarks and all actively participants will receive one.

***If you have already read Iron King or any of the Iron Fey Series, you are welcome to JOIN our discussion and still get the Bookmark***

Third book to our adventure.

Join us for >>>HERE<<<

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Signed Silence Poster

Thank you for helping me reach 1,000 on my FB page >>>HERE<<<. As a Thank you I will have one Signed Silence Poster by Becca Fitzpatrick and 2 Nora Grey Art Bookmarks by James Vallesteros for giveaway! (Just Thank the Artist Page for me >>>HERE<<<

Keep suggesting. You guys ROCK!!!

Just leave a comment on this thread. I'll announce the Winner on 10/28/2011.

WINNERS:

Signed Silence Poster and Nora Grey Bookmarks by JamesVallesteros Winner is Autum Frailey.

1 Nora Grey Bookmark Winner is Michele Moore Luker

1 Nora Grey Bookmark Winner is Britney Wyatt

1 Nora Grey Bookmark Winner is Stacey Clifford

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Happy Release Day 10/25/11

My name—my True Name—is Ashallayn'darkmyr Tallyn.

I am the last remaining son of Mab, Queen of the Unseelie Court. And I am dead to her.

My fall began, as many stories do, with a girl…

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The House of Night series is an international phenomenon, reaching #1 on US, German and UK bestseller lists, and remaining a fixture on the New York TimesChildren s Series bestseller list for a whopping 116 weeks and counting. The Fledgling Handbook 101, the fascinating illustrated guide, debuted at #1 on theNew York Times Children s Paperback bestseller list, and the past four hardcovers, Awakened, Burned, Tempted and Hunted, each debuted at #1 on theUSA Today bestseller list. With over 10 million copies in print, rights sold in 35 countries to date, and relatable, addictive characters, this series is an unstoppable tour de force.

In Destined, the forces of Light and Dark collide as their epic struggle focuses on Tulsa's House of Night. Zoey is home where she belongs, safe with her Guardian Warrior, Stark, by her side and preparing to face off against Neferet. Kalona has released his hold on Rephaim, and, through Nyx's gift of a human form, he and Stevie Rae are finally able to be together if Rephaim can truly walk the path of the Goddess and stay free of his father's shadow.

But is Zoey really safe? Does she truly know those who are closest to her? And will love win when it is tested by the very soul of Darkness? Find out what s destined in the next thrilling chapter of the House of Night series.

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When privileged 17-year-old Jasmine gets kicked out of her house, she takes what is left of her savings and flees to Santa Cruz to pursue her dream of becoming a musician. Jasmine finds the ideal room in an oceanfront house, but she needs to convince the three guys living there that she's the perfect roommate and lead guitarist for their band, C-Side. Too bad she has major stage fright and the cute bassist doesn't think a spoiled girl from over the hill can hack it. . . .

In this fresh new novel by critically acclaimed author Tara Kelly, Jasmine finds out what happens when her life gets Amplified.

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Emmy Rane is married at nineteen, a mother by twenty. Trapped in a life with a husband she no longer loves, Baby is her only joy. Then one sunny day in September, Emmy takes a few fateful steps away from her baby and returns to find her missing. All that is left behind is a yellow sock.

Fourteen years later, Sophie, a homeschooled, reclusive teenage girl is forced to move frequently and abruptly from place to place, perpetually running from what her mother calls the "No Good." One afternoon, Sophie breaks the rules, ventures out, and meets Joey and his two aunts. It is this loving family that gives Sophie the courage to look into her past. What she discovers changes her world forever. . . .

The riveting stories of Emmy and Sophie—alternating narratives of loss, imprisonment, and freedom regained—escalate with breathless suspense toward an unforgettable climax.

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For as long as Esmerine can remember, she has longed to join her older sister, Dosinia, as a siren--the highest calling a mermaid can have. When Dosinia runs away to the mainland, Esmerine is sent to retrieve her. Using magic to transform her tail into legs, she makes her way unsteadily to the capital city. There she comes upon a friend she hasn't seen since childhood--a dashing young man named Alandare, who belongs to a winged race of people. As Esmerine and Alandare band together to search for Dosinia, they rekindle a friendship . . . and ignite the emotions for a love so great, it cannot be bound by sea, land, or air.

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Sixteen-year-old Jessamine Luxton is heartbroken. Her true love, Weed, the strange but intriguing young man who came into her life so suddenly, has disappeared. How could he have left her with no farewell, and no word since?

Jessamine may not know why Weed vanished, but she does suspect that her own father, Thomas, may have had something to do with it. Thomas, who was so obsessed with Weed’s secret knowledge of dangerous plants that he would do anything to learn it. This suspicion—and her experiences with poisons—has changed her. She is no longer innocent, and now she has her own intimate knowledge of the power of the plants.

So when Jessamine learns that Weed is alive, she will do whatever it takes to be reunited with him.

She is, after all, her father’s daughter. . . .

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The Legend of Beka Cooper gives Tamora Pierce's fans exactly what they want—a smart and savvy heroine making a name for herself on the mean streets of Tortall's Lower City—while offering plenty of appeal for new readers as well.

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An inspired collection of short stories by an all-star cast of best-selling storytellers based on the thought-provoking illustrations in Chris Van Allsburg’s The Mysteries of Harris Burdick. For more than twenty-five years, the illustrations in the extraordinary Mysteries of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg have intrigued and entertained readers of all ages. Thousands of children have been inspired to weave their own stories to go with these enigmatic pictures. Now we’ve asked some of our very best storytellers to spin the tales. Enter The Chronicles of Harris Burdick to gather this incredible compendium of stories: mysterious, funny, creepy, poignant, these are tales you won’t soon forget. This inspired collection of short stories features many remarkable, best-selling authors in the worlds of both adult and children's literature: Sherman Alexie, M.T. Anderson, Kate DiCamillo, Cory Doctorow, Jules Feiffer, Stephen King, Tabitha King, Lois Lowry, Gregory Maguire, Walter Dean Myers, Linda Sue Park, Louis Sachar, Jon Scieszka, Lemony Snicket, and Chris Van Allsburg himself. Van Allsburg's Harris Burdick illustrations have evoked such wonderment and imagination since Harris Burdick's original publication in 1984; many have speculated or have woven their own stories to go with his images. More than ever, the illustrations send off their eerie call for text and continue...

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From the authors of the New York Times bestsellers The Strain and The Fallcomes the final volume in one of the most electrifying thriller series in years.

It’s been two years since the vampiric virus was unleashed in The Strain and the entire world now lies on the brink of annihilation.

Humankind’s only hope for salvation is Dr. Ephraim Goodweather—head of the Centers for Disease Control’s team—and his ragtag band of freedom fighters. But who will pay the ultimate sacrifice—so that others may be saved?

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A Houston college student, McKenzie Lewis can track fae by reading the shadows they leave behind. For years she has been working for the fae King, tracking rebels who would claim the Realm. Her job isn't her only secret. She's in love with Kyol, the King's sword-master-but human and fae relationships are forbidden. When McKenzie is captured by Aren, the fierce rebel leader, she learns that not everything is as she thought. And McKenzie must decide who to trust and where she stands in the face of a cataclysmic civil war.

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New York Times bestselling author Kim Harrison has won legions of fans with her sexy supernatural novels featuring bounty-hunting witch Rachel Morgan. And now comes a unique look inside her beloved Hollows series that no fan should miss. . . . The Hollows Insider

In the Hollows, the supernatural Inderlanders rule, and humanity must abide by their conventions, or else.

To survive among vampires, witches, Weres, gargoyles, trolls, fairies, and banshees—to say nothing of demons—humanity needs a guide. And now, written by Kim Harrison herself, here is an insider’s look at the supernatural world of the Hollows, from an overarching new story to character profiles, maps, spell guides, charm recipes, secret correspondence from the elusive Trent Kalamack, and much more.

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Interview with Gretchen McNeil & Spooktacular Giveaway Hop

Interviewed by JeanBookNerd

Spooktacular Hop October 24th to 31st

hosted by Iamareadernotawriter

and co-hosted by TheDiaryofaBookworm

When the world is wrapped in slumber

And the moon is sailing high

If you peep between the curtains

You'll see witches riding by.

The clock is striking midnight

The witch her spell has cast

All fairies, ghosts and goblins

Will be conjured from the past

If with one puff you blow out the light,

'tis a sign you'll marry this year;

If with two, or three your chance is slight,

And if more, give it up for the night.

I am bobbing for an apple,

A shiny red apple,

I am bobbing for an apple,

But no apple can I get.

Yowling, prowling, growling cat

Why do you switch your tail like that?

Why do your eyes flash gold and green?

Could be--must be--Halloween!

Slinky, inky, blinky cat,

Why do you arch your back like that?

What scary creatures have you seen?

Could be--must be- Halloween!

Oh Boy! Oh Boy!

It's Halloween Night . . .

My, oh my . . .

What an interesting sight!

It's glowing . . . it's gleaming . . .

I think I'm in fright!

It's howling . . . it's leaping . . .

Come share my delight!

by Cissy Ramirez

Trick or Treat! Trick or Treat!

Give me something good to eat.

Give me candy. Give me cake.

Give me something good to take.

We mask our faces

and wear strange hats,

and moan like witches

and screech like cats,

and jump like goblins

and thump like elves,

and almost manage

to scare ourselves!

There's a goblin as green

as a goblin can be.

Who is sitting outside

and is waiting for me.

When he knocked on my door

and said softly, "Come play!"

I answered,"No thank you,

now please,go away!"

But the goblin as green

as a goblin can be.

Is still sitting outside

and is waiting for me.

Just wait until daybreak on Halloween Day,

when you know all the ghouls and ghosts are away.

They hate the daylight, "it's no fun," they say.

So just please, please wait

to Trick or Treat on Halloween Day.

I hope you had enjoyed your journey through The Vintage Halloween Images. 

I had the utmost fun putting it together for all of you.

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And now for my BookNerd Halloween Author Interview.

Gretchen McNeil is an opera singer, writer and clown. Her YA horror/paranormal POSSESS debut with Balzer + Bray for HarperCollins, August 23, 2011. Her second novel, TEN – YA horror/suspense about ten teens trapped on a remote island with a serial killer – is tentatively scheduled for a Fall 2012 release. Gretchen is a former coloratura soprano, the voice of Mary on G4's Code Monkeys and she currently sings with the LA-based circus troupe Cirque Berzerk (http://www.cirqueberzerk.com). Gretchen is also a founding member of the vlog group YARebels (http://www.youtube.com/yarebels) where she can be seen as "Monday."

Where were you born and where do you call home?

Born in the San Francisco Bay Area, currently residing in Los Angeles.

As a child, what did you want to do when you grow up?

A tap dancer. Then a singer.

What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 30 or less words, what would you say?

My debut novel is called POSSESS and I have the perfect two word pitch: teen exorcist.

What or who inspired you to write? And how long have you been writing?

I've been writing for about four years and I was inspired, oddly enough, by the combination of divorce and Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential. I have no idea how those two things resulted in YA fiction, but there it is!

How did you come up with the title for your book?

The original title was BANISH but for various reasons we needed to change it. My agent, editor and I brainstormed and POSSESS was the clear winner!

Who designed the cover of your book?

Sarah Hoy, at HarperCollins. I heart her.

If you gave some of your characters an opportunity to speak for themselves, what would they say?

Hector would thank me profusely for writing the choir rehearsal scene because, frankly, he loves to be in the spotlight. But then he'd be pissy because he didn't get enough screen time. Matt would ask me to stop describing his hair as "floppy" and Bridget would just stand there and roll her eyes at me.

What was your favorite chapter to write and why?

My favorite chapter was the aforementioned choir rehearsal scene for two reasons: (a) "Hip Hop Hallujah" and (b) the fact that the mood changes from light to terrifying in an instant.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in writing Possess?

Process-wise, I think the greatest writing lesson I learned was how to craft a tense, scary scene without dragging the thing on forever.

Do you ever come up with anything so wild that you scare yourself, that leaves you wondering where that came from?

Heh. Yes. I'd tell you but I'm saving that creeptastic idea for a future novel…

What question are you never asked in interviews but wish you were?

I wish someone would ask me about my shoe collection. I could go on and on and on and on and…

Has a review or profile ever changed your perspective on your work?

No. Honestly, there's a point where you have to decide whose opinions to trust on your own work. I have great critique partners, an amazing agent and editor, and I trust that they love my books as much as I do.

How do you feel about the horror boom of the 80’s and early 90’s?

I'm a bigger fan of old school "horror" like The Omen and Rosemary's Baby, and the horror/suspense of Alfred Hitchcock. I think the first Friday the 13th movie was brilliant – and one of the scariest things I've ever seen – but the 80's fad for multiple sequels really made me roll my eyes. I mean, how many Jason, Freddy, Michael Myers and Jaws movies do we really need?

What about the horror genre interests you?

I love crafting a moment in a book where someone actually squeals out loud because they're scared or shocked.

Do you have any fun Halloween experiences you can tell us?

My favorite Halloween was years ago when some friends and I rented out a reconstructed Vaudevillian magic theater and screened one of my favorite movies of all time – Clue. And everyone came dressed as a character from the movie. I was Mrs. White. "Flames, flames from the side of my face. Heaving, breathless, heaving breaths…"

What was the first horror book/story you remember reading?

There's an old story compilation called Scary Stories to Tell In the Dark. I still have all three volumes from when I was a kid.

Are there any tips you would give a book club to better navigate their discussion of your book?

While I'm not particularly religious in any way, I think some discussion of the history of exorcism in the Catholic church – the Rituale Romanum and the St. Benedict Medal in particular – might be helpful.

Any recent appearances that you would like to share with us about/any upcoming ones?

I have just finished a slew of events in California including signings, library events with teens, as a couple of book festivals. Next, I'll be touring in Southern California and New York with Stages on Pages (www.stagesonpages.com) in October and November, where our in store appearance will include performances by the authors, including me.

What books have most influenced your life?

Anne of Green Gables, Pride and Prejudice, Little Women – as a kid I read a lot of books with strong female characters and I think they really showed me the kind of woman I wanted to be.

What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing?

There's a great book called Self-Editing for Fiction Writers in which I learned the most important lesson about writing – Resist the urge to explain. That concept single-handedly changed my approach and made me a better writer.

Are you working on any books/projects that you would like to share with us?

My next book is a stand alone horror novel called TEN about ten teens trapped on an island with a serial killer, scheduled for Fall 2012 from Balzer + Bray. After that, super secret project…

What are you reading now?

Wildefire by Karsten Knight and Towards Zero by Agatha Christie

White wine or red?

White.

Coffee or tea?

Coffee. 

Favorite food?

Is champagne a food? Good. Champagne.

---

 

Synopsis

Fifteen-year-old Bridget Liu just wants to be left alone: by her mom, by the cute son of a local police sergeant, and by the eerie voices she can suddenly and inexplicably hear. Unfortunately for Bridget, it turns out the voices are demons – and Bridget has the rare ability to banish them back to whatever hell they came from.

Terrified to tell people about her new power, Bridget confides in a local priest who enlists her help in increasingly dangerous cases of demonic possession. But just as she is starting to come to terms with her new power, Bridget receives a startling message from one of the demons. Now Bridget must unlock the secret to the demons' plan before someone close to her winds up dead – or worse, the human vessel of a demon king.

When I came upon Gretchen McNeil’s Possess, I was immediately drawn by its cover. It led me to believe that it would be a dark and creepy adventure and it couldn’t be truer as I got myself in between the pages. All of my expectations from this genre as most paranormal YA is normally dominated by vampires, faeries, angels, ghosts, and witches were absent. It was entirely different than what I thought it was going to be. Possessions by demons are not new but very refreshing with the current fad of today’s paranormal YA. I am happy it turned out that way because I absolutely loved it. 

The main character, Bridget Liu, is very likeable and just seems normal.  McNeil created this character perfectly as she is very easy to relate to. The book progresses emotionally without being over-the-top. Although Bridget experiences inner turmoil as she discovers all of the secrets of her past, she was not portrayed as being too much of a depressed character. 

Although there are scenes of exorcising demons and other dark events, the story is more about Bridget’s great effort of figuring out who she is, and what her new powers meant. I absolutely loved the adventure that Bridget takes you on as she ultimately meets her faith and becomes who she was meant to be. Her journey to discovering all of the secrets of her past is just half of the excitement. 

All of the ingredients of this book were a perfect combination. The plot was mysterious and it progressed quickly. Elements of intense creepiness and suspense only helped to how awesome the story was. The book was so creepy that there were times I had stop reading to remind myself that it was just a story. As soon as I realized it wasn’t real, I immediately placed myself back into the story because every page was entirely captivating. 

Gretchen McNeil’s story-telling is absolutely amazing and I recommend Possess to anyone that likes creepiness in YA. It has everything that will satisfy all audiences. Possessions, murder, mysteries, and hidden family secrets are all there. And let’s not forget that it also has romance. If you enjoy reading creepy books and tired of your average paranormal book, Possess will not disappoint you.

You can purchase Possess at these following retailers.

Click LINKS below:

Barnes & Noble
Amazon
Book Depository

Have you read Possess? If not, please JOIN US for our Halloween BNC (BookNerd Choice). >>>CLICK HERE<<<

Every participant will receive a Bridget Liu Bookmark.

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And now, the giveaways!!

1 Signed copy of Possess by Gretchen McNeil

1 Signed Possess Bookmark

4 Possess Tattoo

3 Signed Bridget Liu Art Bookmarks by James Vallesteros

3 Bridget Liu Super Sized Art Bookmarks by James Vallesteros

*Please Thank the Artist James Vallesteros for his Donations*

Click the Links Below:

Blogspot

Fan Page

More Awesome Giveaways

Blog Hop Linky List

Gretchen and I also chose 3 more Signed Bookmark by Gretchen McNeil & 3 Bridget Liu Art Bookmarks by James Vallesteroswinners for Possess by Gretchen McNeil Giveaway:

Possess Bookmarks

Dana Al-Basha

Tiffany Mahaffy

Martina Koleva

Bridget Liu Bookmarks:

nylesor85@yahoo.com

Mary Ellen Thompson

jennifer@fictitiousmusings.com

Email me: jeanbooknerd@gmail.com

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Spook-A-Licious Blog Hop

SPOOK-A-LICIOUS: WHERE BOO-KS DEVOUR YOU: 

BLOG HOP TOUR (Oct 17-24)

1) HAVE FUN!!!

2) INVITE ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS!!! SPREAD THE WORD!!!

3) THIS TOUR STARTS: Monday, October 17, at Midnight (Arizona Time)
THIS TOUR ENDS: Monday, October 24, at Midnight (Arizona Time)
Winners will be drawn and posted October 25th! ***

4) MEET AND MINGLE WITH ALL THE AUTHORS & BOOK PAGES! EXPERIENCE A NEW DESTINATION AT EVERY STOP! PARTICIPATE IN EVERY BLOG CONTEST AND BE ENTERED FOR CHANCES TO WIN MULTIPLE PRIZES! EVERY BLOG VISITED IS ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO WIN!!

5) PARTICIPATION AT ALL BLOGS IS RECOMMENDED, BUT NOT REQUIRED. REMEMBER, THE MORE BLOGS YOU HOP, THE BETTER YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING PRIZES. EVERY AUTHOR & BOOK PAGE IS WAITING TO MEET AND INTERACT WITH YOU, SO PLEASE BE SURE TO SHOW THEM SOME LOVE!

6) DID I MENTION TO HAVE FUN? WHOO! HOO!! HERE WE GOOOOOOOOOOOO!

***Authors & Book Pages have full discretion to choose an alternate winner in the event any winner fails to claim their prize(s) within 72 hours of their name being posted or after notification of win, whichever comes first. Anyone who participates in this blog hop tour is subject to these rules***

"Green cats eyes in midnight gloom fly with the witch on her ragged broom over dark hills where bonfires loom" by Myra Cohen Livingston

From ghoulies and ghosties, 

Long-leggety beasties,

And things that go bump in the night,

Good Lord, deliver us. -Anonymous

Jack-o-lantern, Jack-o-lantern, 

You are such a funny sight. 

As you sit there by the window, 

Looking out into the night. 

You were once a sturdy pumpkin, 

growing on a curly vine. 

Now you are a Jack-o-lantern, 

See your night lights shine.

-Anonymous

A gentle breeze rustling the dry cornstalks. 

A sound is heard, a goblin walks.

A harvest moon suffers a black cat's cry. 

Oh' do the witches fly!

Bonfire catches a pumpkins gleem.

Rejoice, it's Halloween

-Richard Anderson

The night is dark

and the goblins are out,

and the witches and black cats

are prowling about.

And costumed creatures

the strangest I've seen,

are knocking on doors

'cause tonight's Halloween!

-Anonymous

I'm a little scarecrow, Raggedy and worn I wear a hat, And a shirt that's torn When the crows come, I wave and shout, "Away from my garden-get on out!"

And now, for the giveaway. Hope you enjoyed the pictures and poems. Halloween is one my favorite season and glad to be a part of this hop.

PRIZE:

A signed copy of Daughter of Smoke and Bone

by Laini Taylor

*This book will not sent until after the signing on October 31*

(This can also be personalized)

Overview:

Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages--not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

When one of the strangers--beautiful, haunted Akiva--fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

Fill out the Rafflecopter below to enter:

More Awesome Giveaways

Blog Hop Linky List

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A World of Words Scavenger Hunt

Hello Fellow Book Nerds!

Halloween is almost here and a dear friend of mine Ellen, asked me to be part of her Scavenger Hunt. This will be fun and Good Luck.

Now here are the rules and don't forget to have fun!

Each blog will have a hint to help you narrow down your choices of the books you're possibly thinking of that fits with that letter.

Here's the catch, you MUST save that puzzle piece to your laptop or computer or wherever because you'll need those pieces to email to Ella along with your answer, so She can see that you want those extra entries for doing the hunt! At the end of the blog post, there will be a link to the next blog and so forth. The blogs will be in order, so you don't have to hunt around.

Each right answer that you figure out, you will get one extra entry. If you get one of them wrong, then you still have 8 other answers to get right! You will get a free extra entry, so that makes a total of 10 extra entries for doing the hunt!
Along with doing the hunt, you have to fill out the form embedded in Ella's original post !

P.S. Be sure to thank the participating blogs by commenting below their blog post for being apart of this and for helping me out! No extra entries for this, sorry, but it's nice to say thank you once in a while

I am your 6th stop, so there for you should already have 5 puzzle pieces.

In case your nerdy senses is giving you some trouble, maybe I can be of help.

This novel is about a 17 year-old doesn’t believe in Faeries. Not unless they’re the kind that you find in a theatre, spouting Shakespeare—the kind that so desperately wishes she could be: onstage, under lights, with a pair of sparkly wings strapped to her shoulders.

Have Fun!

Click HERE to go back to Ellen's original post.

Next Stop is my fellow nerd Alba HERE
Say HI for me!

Hop Ends October 24, 2011

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Halloween 2011 BNC - Possess by Gretchen McNeil

Fifteen-year-old Bridget Liu just wants to be left alone: by her over-protective mom, by Matt Quinn, the cute son of a local police sergeant, and by the eerie voices she can suddenly and inexplicably hear. Unfortunately for Bridget, the voices are demons—and Bridget possesses the rare ability to banish them back to whatever hell they came from. Literally.


Terrified to tell her friends or family about this new power, Bridget confides in San Francisco’s senior exorcist, Monsignor Renault. The monsignor enlists her help in increasingly dangerous cases of demonic possession, but just as she is starting to come to terms with her freakish new role, Bridget receives a startling message from one of the demons. And when one of her oldest friends is killed, Bridget realizes she’s in deeper than she ever thought possible. Now she must unlock the secret to the demons’ plan before someone else close to her winds up dead—or worse, the human vessel for a demon king.






Please join us with the reading of Possess by Gretchen McNeil for Halloween 2011.


Every month Alice Priday & I will be choosing a book-of-the-month, cleverly titled BOOK NERD CHOICE (BNC). Anyone can participate. We will have a month to read and discuss it. At the end of the month, we will have a poll in which character from the book that artist James Vallesteros will draw. The drawing will be transformed into bookmarks and all actively participants will receive one.

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Colleen Houck Author Interview

Photo Credit: Gabriel Boone

New York Times Bestselling author Colleen Houck is a lifelong reader whose literary interests include action, adventure, paranormal, science fiction, and romance. When she’s not busy writing, she likes to spend time chatting on the phone with one of her six siblings, watching plays, and shopping online. Colleen has lived in Arizona, Idaho, Utah, California, and North Carolina and is now permanently settled in Salem, Oregon with her husband and a huge assortment of plush tigers.

        

Tell me a bit about yourself. 
I am the oldest of seven kids. I’m an organizational freak and love to have a little place for everything. Science Fiction/computer nerds run in my family. I once flunked a typing class and American Sign Language Interpreter was my job up until a year ago when I sold my series. 

Can you tell us how you became a writer? 
I’ve always enjoyed creative writing. English and Math were my favorite classes in high school. Writing didn’t become something serious for me until I first gave it a go in 2008 after reading about J.K. Rowling’s and Stephenie Meyer’s stories. They were just moms who got up one day and wrote a book and the idea spurred me to pick up a pen and paper. 

What inspired you to write this particular book? Is there a story about the writing of this novel that begs to be told? 
The Tiger’s Curse Series idea came when I was plotting and researching. I decided to write a book series before I knew what I was going to write about. I knew I wanted it to have fantasy elements, romance, and scary monsters. Beauty and the Beast was the theme I chose to work with and when I picked a white tiger for my beast, research led me to India. 

I was fascinated by the Indian culture. How long did take for you to do the research? 
Quite a long time actually and I still research every day. In the beginning I studied mythology books and jotted down names or concepts of anything that interested me. I didn’t limit myself to Indian mythology but found fascinating creatures and tidbits from all over the world and then categorized them into which things would make sense with which book. I’d write down Lady Silkworm, for example, but none of the details. Then when I was ready to write Tiger’s Voyage, I researched the story in depth and figured out where to put it in the book. 

What is it that you’re exploring in this book? 

In Tiger’s Voyage my heroes journey on the ocean. They meet the dragons of the five oceans who give them various tasks to complete before they can move on. Sometimes they were in terrible danger, other times they had to use their wits to best the dragon. In this book the love story takes some very dramatic twists and turns. Of all the books in my series this one was the most fun to write. Some very important questions get answered in this book and some new problems arise as well. 

Who is your favorite character in this book, and why? 
One of my favorite new characters in Tiger’s Voyage is Wes. He’s a Texas cowboy that adds a lot of humor and fun and manages to throw a bit of a monkey wrench into the love triangle. I like having both Ren and Kishan team up to thwart the outsider. I like Wes so well that I’ve already begun plotting out a book all for him. 

Are there any tips you would give a book club to better navigate their discussion of your book? 
My series is heavily layered with foreshadow. I think it’s fun to go back and find the clues in the first and second books that are revealed in the third. It would also be interesting to talk about the use of poetry and discuss how it adds to the books. I use lots of symbols through the series “lotus blossoms, yin/yang, and color” several of these are picked up again and again in each book. Discussing archetypes and the hero’s journey is also something I would recommend. 

Do you have a favorite story to tell about being interviewed about your book? 
I actually met with a Hollywood talk show interviewer to talk about how to interview properly. She taught me about soundbytes and how to sit, what to wear and how to answer questions. I think it was very helpful and I’ve used her notes several times. 

What question are you never asked in interviews but wish you were? 
I suppose it would be more about my background prior to writing. I didn’t get published until after age forty so I’ve had a very interesting career that no one knows about and one that I think is fascinating by itself. 

Has a review or profile ever changed your perspective on your work? 
Yes and no. If there is a comment that I see often, I think about it and decide if its something I should let influence me. Sometimes it is but often it’s not. What I wrote two years ago is not the same as what I write today. Each author grows and stretches book by book and my hope is that the last book I write will be my best. At the end of the day I’m the only one really who needs to be satisfied with my work. If I tried to write to make others happy I would always fail because outsider opinions differ so widely. 

Which authors have been most influential to your own writing? 
Madeleine L’Engle has been a huge influence on me since I was a young child. Her books took me to a place I’d never dreamed of and to this day I can still quote the poem that ran through A Swiftly Tilting Planet. 

Orson Scott Card has been one of my favorite writers as an adult. I admire his bizarre creativity and his ability to make you really connect to a character. 

In a way every single book I read influences me. I’m of the opinion that no book is a waste. I can find something interesting or a cool idea or a fantastic phrase in any book I pick up. 

If you weren't writing, what would you want to be doing for a living? What are some of your other passions in life? 
I would still be interpreting. I’ve always been interested in working with Deaf children. I’m a foodie and would like to learn how to cook delicious things. I’m a decent housewife kind of cook but I’d love to learn gourmet cooking. I’m kind of a jack-of-all-trades since I’ve worked in lots of varied jobs. I can do a little of everything. 

If you could have written one book in history, what book would that be? 
I would have loved to have written Romeo and Juliet. I think it’s the best, most memorable love story ever told. 

What book are you reading now? 
Right now I’m reading my own books for research as I’m finishing up Tiger’s Destiny, but most recently I read Bree Despain’s The Lost Saint. I have a ginormous stack of unread YA books after cleaning out the YA section of the Salem Border’s that just closed. I meet so many YA authors now and when I’ve read their book there is an automatic connection. I get a feel of who they are and can talk to them about their books without embarrassing myself. Actually I love almost every kind of fiction but tend to favor picking up books with fantasy, sci-fi, or romantic themes. 

What do you like to do when you’re not writing? 
Tweeting, blogging, touring, Facebooking, taking pictures to blog, tweet, and share on Facebook, updating my Goodreads page, answering email, listening in on conference calls, revising, editing, copyediting, writing bonus material, answering interview questions, snacking on unhealthy treats, and once in a while having a conversation with my husband. 

Seriously, there is very little free time in my schedule and when there is I feel guilty if I’m not sharing my moment with the world. I do try to have breakfast a couple times a month with friends and I visit my parents every Sunday I can. Sunday’s are really the day I take off from the writing/social media world. I love watching movies and I try to catch a recorded television show at the end of the day. My favorite right now is Vampire Diaries. 

What was your favorite chapter to write and why? 
I can’t really say anything about my favorite because it’s a big cliffhanger reveals in the book but my favorite dragon is the gold one. His human form is based off of Wallace Shawn who is The Sicilian in Princess Bride & the dinosaur on Toy Story. I adore him and he’d be perfect to play my golden dragon. He’s greedy and wily and dramatic. 

Can you tell us about your upcoming book? 
There is an exclusive version of the book only available through Barnes & Noble with a bonus chapter that shows what happened when Ren lost his memory. Most of the book is spent on a fabulous Mega-Yacht which is just so over the top fun that it makes me yearn for one of my own. There are very interesting secondary characters that will make you laugh, cry, fear, and loathe. And we discover that Fanindra can change into a sea snake and accompany them underwater. 

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors? 
If you have a desire to write you should try. Writing can never be a bad thing. My maternal grandfather wrote cowboy westerns that were never published and he died when my mom was a little girl. In his books I can actually hear his voice and learn what kind of a man he was and see what he valued. That opportunity for me to know who he was is more priceless than ten million screaming fans or a huge book advance. Write because you love writing and good things will follow.

The third book in the gripping Tiger's Curse series!

With the head-to-head battle against the villainous Lokesh behind her, Kelsey confronts a new heartbreak: in the wake of his traumatic experience, her beloved Ren no longer remembers who she is. As the trio continues their quest by challenging five cunning and duplicitous dragons, Ren and Kishan once more vie for her affections--leaving Kelsey more confused than ever.

Fraught with danger, filled with magic, and packed with romance, TIger's Voyage brings Kelsey and her two tiger princes one step closer to breaking the curse.

This fast-paced novel includes a sneak peek at Tiger's Destiny (Book 4) and a smartphone Tag code on the back cover that links to the series website.

Praise for TIGER'S CURSE

“…a sweet romance and heart-pounding adventure. I found myself cheering, squealing and biting my nails-all within a few pages. In short, Tiger's Curse is magical!” ―Becca Fitzpatrick, New York Times bestselling author of Hush, Hush

"High adventure ensues. As in Tiger's Curse and Tiger's Quest, this story is part action-adventure and part romance…The novel will satisfy the saga's fans, who will be delighted by the prospect of a fourth volume.” ―Booklist

“Houck cranks the love-o-stat up another notch…Hypersteamy romance...'hot, melty, smoldering' (but still chaste) make-out sessions…” ―Kirkus Reviews

“Forget vampires and werewolves, tigers are the new hottest thing…a guaranteed page turner with a huge twist at the end that will leave you breathless.” ―RT Book Reviews

Colleen starts Tiger's Voyage from Lokesh's penthouse office. I thought it was brilliant to know what rage and disappointment our antagonist was feeling. After reading the prologue, I immediately knew what an incredible journey I am about to embark. 

Tiger’s Voyage continues just over a month after Ren’s rescue from Baiga camp. As Kelsey deals with Ren’s memory loss, Colleen works slowly and carefully through her emotions. Every page was an absolute pleasure to read. I can assure you, Colleen is at her best with this installment. This is a love triangle written well in the most remarkable way. 

I enjoyed being introduced to new characters. Captain Diondre Dixon tells an interesting story about a beautiful maiden named Jingwei. Wesley Alexander is a great addition to the love triangle. He truly did put a smile on my face and during my interview with Colleen, she had mentioned plotting a book all about Wes. Oh, I almost forgot about Randi. I desperately wanted to throw her off the yacht and when she is introduced on page 212, you will understand what I am talking about. 

Ren & Kishan, as you all know and agree, are the most beautiful, well written male characters. I did not think it was possible to love them even more. There are a few heartbreaking moments and you will learn to handle them like I did. 

Although I had forgotten to mention Mr. Kadam on my review of Tiger’s Curse, there are not enough words to describe this incredible man. I adore and love him. Without his research, I doubt the mission would be absolute. 

How was the journey you may ask? It was absolutely incredible! Put your suit on and prepare to explore the water. This is a story that is surely not to be missed and just wait until you meet the dragons--I would elaborate more but that just leads to spoilers. The story grabs you by the wrist and leads you to a front row seat of all the nonstop action, romance, and adventure. 

You can purchase Tiger's Voyage at the following Retailers:

        

And now, The Giveaways.

Thank you COLLEEN HOUCK for making this giveaway possible.

2 Winners will receive one copy of Tiger's Voyage

(Exclusive Edition from B&N)

Each Book will include a signed bookplate from Colleen Houck

Signed Bookmarks by James Vallesteros

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