Next Giveaway in the September Giveaway Extravaganza

Beth and evelyn n. alfred don't forget to leave me a comment with your email address or email me your snail mail address so I can send you your copies of Silver Phoenix.

The next giveaway is Gringolandia by Lyn Miller-Lachmann. I just finished this book and it's going to be my Male Monday post later (after I finish my homework).

Daniel’s father used to play soccer, dance the cueca, and drive his kids to school in a beat-up taxi…while publishing an underground newspaper that exposed Chile’s military regime.

After Papá’s arrest in 1980, Daniel’s family fled to Wisconsin. Now Daniel has a new life, playing lead guitar in a rock band and dating Courtney, a minister’s daughter.

When his father is released and rejoins the family, Daniel sees what five years of prison and torture in a brutal police state have done. Papá is partially paralyzed, haunted by nightmares, and bitter about exile in “Gringolandia.” Daniel worries that Courtney’s scheme to start a human rights newspaper could bring back Papá’s past and drive him further into alcohol abuse and self-destruction. Daniel dreams of a real father-son relationship, but he may have to give up everything to save his papá’s life.

This powerful coming-of-age story portrays an immigrant teen’s struggle to reach his tortured father and find his place in the world.

I have 2 copies to giveaway, thanks Lyn!

To enter: Contest ends Sept. 14

You MUST answer the question "If you could work to stop any evil dictator in the world (past or present) who would it be?" Hitler is not an option (in my opinion that someone everyone would want to stop today). List the name and the country. I'll share my answer when I announce the winner.

+2 becoming a follower

+1 if you're already a follower

+3 If you link to this contest on your blog (post the link in the comments section for this contest)

+3 If you refer someone (please tell me who referred you)

+2 Commenting on any of my upcoming reviews (leave a comment on the review telling me you entered the contest).

This contest is open to residents of the U.S. only (I will have some international contests soon, I'm ashamed to admit that I didn't think I had international readers so it never occured to me that I would need to specify who the contest is open to. Thanks Nymeth and Jodie for bringing that to my attention!)

Please leave your email address. If you don't feel comfortable commenting with your email address, then email it to me.

Let the Contest Extravaganza Begin!

I'm starting my September people of color giveaway a few days early, due to the phenomenal response! I have so many books to give away, the giveaways could potentially head into October (or I may giveaway more than one).

So here we go.....

I have three (3!!) copies of Silver Phoenix: Beyond the Kingdom of Xia by Cindy Pon to giveaway. This means there will be 3 winners!! Thanks so much for your generosity Cindy! Also, today is Cindy's birthday, happy birthday Cindy!

No one wanted Ai Ling. And deep down she is relieved—despite the dishonor she has brought upon her family—to be unbetrothed and free, not some stranger's subservient bride banished to the inner quarters.

But now, something is after her. Something terrifying—a force she cannot comprehend. And as pieces of the puzzle start to fit together, Ai Ling begins to understand that her journey to the Palace of Fragrant Dreams isn't only a quest to find her beloved father but a venture with stakes larger than she could have imagined.

Bravery, intelligence, the will to fight and fight hard . . . she will need all of these things. Just as she will need the new and mysterious power growing within her. She will also need help.

It is Chen Yong who finds her partly submerged and barely breathing at the edge of a deep lake. There is something of unspeakable evil trying to drag her under. On a quest of his own, Chen Yong offers that help . . . and perhaps more.

*Edit: Check out the awesome book trailer here! I love it!!

To enter:

+1 for commenting on any of my past and upcoming reviews (must add an extra entry telling me which post)

+2 For becoming a follower

+3 If you're already a follower

+3 If you are already in the August Color Me Brown Challenge (click on the icon in my sidebar for more details, it ends soon but if you enter and participate these last couple of days leave me an extra comment linking to your review)

Be sure to include your email address!

Contest Ends: Sept. 5th

I haven't had a chance to read Silver Phoenix yet, but I now own it and my goal is to have a review up before the giveaway ends. It sounds so good :)

Ps Today I'm the Saturday Spotlight at Bookworming in the 21st Century blog! Check it out

Thanks Kristen for featuring me!!

First Contest!

So today is a super awesome day! It's the start of my very first contest! Yay *waves her hands in the air*! This contest is in honor of my one-month blogaversary (started blog July 4th, the contest is one day late)

The Details

What & Who: Win a copy of the super-awesome book A Wish After Midnight by Zetta Elliott!

Fifteen-year old Genna Colon believes wishes can come true. Frustrated by the drug dealers in her building, her family's cramped apartment, and her inability to compete with the cute girls at school, Genna finds comfort in her dreams of a better future. Almost every day she visits the garden and tosses coins into the fountain, wishing for a different life, a different home, and a different body. Little does she know that her wish will soon be granted: when Genna flees into the garden late one night, she makes a fateful wish and finds herself instantly transported back in time to Civil War-era Brooklyn
Zetta has generously given me a copy to give away. Thanks Zetta! You can read my review of AWAM and my interview with Zetta. I highly recommend you read both for the contest!

When: Today, Aug. 5-August 18
Where: Reading in Color!

How: entries
+1 comment on any of my previous book reviews
+3 become a follower of my blog

+2 become a follower of Color Online or Taste Life Twice or Zetta's blog Fledgling! Leave me a comment on this post telling me which one(s) you became a follower of.

+3 Enter the August Color Me Brown Contest (comment with a link to a post on your blog announcing you've entered). Click on the picture on my sidebar for more details.

+2 If you're already in the Color Me Brown Challenge

+5 Comment on this post and list celebrities to play any of the characters in AWAM (even if you haven't read the book, based on my descriptions you should be able to pick at least 3 actors/actresses based on appearance or personality) that I've listed below. If there's not a lot of physical characteristics (for example there aren't many physical details about Martha) than use your imagination. Min. is 3 celebrities. Max is 8. If you use any of Zetta's suggestions, they don't count (you still need at least three characters, her suggestion is extra).

You must do at least two of the above! Be sure you leave your email address!
*Update-go to storycasting.com and leave me the link with your cast! You have to create an accout (it's free) and then cast away! If you already entered, I'll cast your people on my account so I can get a better visual. Thanks Jeff for letting me know about this website!
A Wish After Midnight Characters
2001 (present day) Characters

Genna-tall, skinny, "dark and plain" (in her own words) with "short nappy hair". However, later on Genna gets locs (dredlocks). Shy, studious, determined, an outsider. Wants to be a psychiatrist. Lives in Brooklyn. 15 years old. African American and Panamanian

Judah-A little older than 15 or 16 because he moved from Jamaica and got put in the 10th grade, but he's a little older than that. Has dreds. Wants to move to Africa. Strong, quiet, likes writing haiku, has an accent. Likes reggae.

Toshi- Genna's older sister. 17 years old. Very popular girl. Only cares about boys, clothes, hair, make-up, and the latest dance moves. Short and curvy. Long brown hair, "skin the color of butterscotch pudding". Wants to drop out of school and work at a clothing store (already works there part-time). Mean to Genna (but was nicer when they were younger).

Rico- Genna's older brother. Got held back, so in some of her classes. Always in trouble (with the police, teachers, neighbors). Dealing drugs. He's always been mean to Genna, never defends her from his creepy friends. He's loud, rude and selfish. His mother's favorite. Has already been in juvie.

Hannah-Older white lady who befriends Genna. Has a little boy. Helps Genna, gives her clothes and her old psychiatry books. Very nice, but can be overly helpful (sometimes sees Genna as a charity case).

1863 Characters

Paul-When Genna travels back in time to 1863 Brooklyn she meets Paul. He is bi-racial. Blue eyes, light brown curly hair. Honey-colored skin. Kind, funny (always got jokes) , a listener. Genna's age, maybe a few years older.

Nannie-elderly black woman. Housekeeper to the Brants. Nice, comforts Genna.

Sam-Helps Genna out. Elderly black man (gray hairs on his head and has a beard).

Dr. Brant- White doctor who asks Genna to live with him and his wife and take care of their child. Tall, kind and has a mustache. Well-to-do.

Mrs. Brant-Dr. Brant's wife. A snob, rude to the servants and her husband. Stubborn and whiny. Short , has "cold" blue eyes and has curly hair.

Martha- Irish girl Genna befriends. Dirt poor, a scullery maid. She has an accent. Skinny.

Best of luck everyone! Can't wait to read these :)