971+ Follower Appreciation Giveaway

Wow! I can't believe in almost two years we have been blogging, we are about to hit the 1000 follower mark. I never dreamed BLH would reach this milestone when I started this blog. I can't thank you enough without you, I wouldn't be where I am now. So to celebrate I am giving away not one but 2 $15 Amazon gift cards or $15 worth of books from The Book Depository. Yes that's right 2 winners! Good Luck !

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Help me celebrate brand new YA Blog with a Surprise Giveaway!

Help me celebrate, the brand new sister blog to BLH, Book Lover's YA Hideaway with a giveaway..
http://bookloversyahideaway.blogspot.com/

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Night Reigns tour with Dianne Duvall: Character Interview and Giveaway

I am super excited to have these characters for a visit today, as well as Dianne. Please give a warm welcome to Dianne Duvall.

It’s such a pleasure to be here at Book Lovers Hideaway! Thank you for helping me celebrate the release of Night Reigns, the second book in my Immortal Guardians series! I’ve sprinkled my blog tour with some character interviews this time so visitors can get to know the Immortal Guardians crew and today thought I would have Todd, a member of the human network that aids the immortals, pose a few more questions to the hero and heroine since their first interview ended precipitously. :-)

In case you’re new to the Immortal Guardians, I’ll just take a moment to explain that the vampires and immortals in my series are both infected with a rare symbiotic virus that produces the increased speed, strength, and regenerative properties, as well as the photosensitivity and need for blood, that both possess. Vampires are humans who have been infected with the virus. They suffer brain damage that causes them to rapidly descend into madness. Immortals are gifted ones, men and women born with advanced DNA, who have been infected with the virus. Their advanced DNA protects them from the madness and bestows upon them special abilities that help them as they hunt the maddened vampires who prey upon humans. Seconds are members of the human network who assist individual immortals by taking care of business for them during daylight hours when they must shun the sun and backing them up, if necessary, when the immortals hunt vampires at night.

Now on to the interview:

Todd: Thanks for granting me another interview, guys. Last time we had a problem at network headquarters that called me away.

Ami: What was it? I never heard.

Todd: One of the vampires living at the network had a psychotic break.

Ami: Oh, no! I thought the madness hadn’t progressed that far in them.

Todd: It has in at least one of them.

Marcus: What happened?

Todd: You know how it goes. He was fine one minute, then just . . . snapped. Some network employees were injured before the vamp was brought under control. Then Bastien showed up. It was a mess. Anyway, Marcus, one of the questions everyone wanted me to ask is . . . how have you managed to befriend

Roland? He’s the most antisocial immortal on the planet.

Marcus: Pure stubborn perseverance. Every time he tried to push me away, I refused to let him. After a while, he gave up trying and just sort of . . . tolerated me.

Ami: He more than tolerates you. I heard him tell Sarah he loves you like a brother.

Marcus: *smiles* Really?

Todd: Don’t get mushy on me, man.

Marcus: I wasn’t, wiseass. What’s your next question?

Todd: Rumor has it there was a bit of strife between you and Roland recently. Is that true?

Marcus: Roland and I are good.

Todd: That didn’t really answer the question.

Marcus: *smiles*

Todd: Right. So, Ami, how long did you train to become a Second?

Ami: I wasn’t actually trained for that position. Seth, David, and Darnell trained me to fight, but . . . I wasn’t given any specific instruction regarding the duties of a Second and had no idea Seth wanted me to become one.

Todd: Really? Then Marcus, how would you rate Ami’s performance as a Second on a scale of one to ten with ten being the highest quality work?

Marcus: *thoughtful* About five hundred and forty-seven.

Todd: Wow.

Ami: *grins* Thank you.

Marcus: It’s well-deserved. I’ve already lost count of the times you’ve saved my ass.

Ami: *winks* It’s an ass worthy of saving.

Todd: Gag.

Marcus and Ami: *laugh*

Todd: Ami, is it true you’ve actually bested an immortal in sparring sessions?

Ami: Yes. One of the youngsters.

Todd: What’s a youngster?

Ami: To Seth and David, it’s any immortal who was turned in the past century and a half.

Todd: And you beat one?

Ami: Yes.

Todd: Really?

Ami: Yes.

Todd: How is that possible? You aren’t immortal.

Ami: *looks uneasy*

Marcus: Trade secret. Next question.

Todd: But--

Marcus: Next question.

Todd: *mutters something beneath his breath*

Marcus: You know I can hear you, right?

Todd: *grins* Yes.

Marcus: *shakes his head*

Todd: Ami, the ladies at the network wanted me to ask you what it’s like to be one of the few females swimming in the sea of super testosterone.

Ami: Well . . . you see a lot of nipples.

Marcus: *sputters* What?

Ami: I’m at least a head shorter than you guys. If I don’t crane my neck to look up at you, all I see are nipples and arm pits. Clothed of course. Usually.

Todd: *laughs* I don’t think that’s what the ladies meant. Although I think some would like the nipples. The ladies all think the immortals are hot. Their word, not mine. They want to know what it’s like working with such *grimaces* tempting morsels. Again, their words, not mine.

Marcus: Yeah. Sure.

Ami: *shrugs* They’re like family to me. The only immortal who ever tempted me is Marcus.

Marcus: Excuse me for a moment, Todd. *dips his head and delivers Ami a scorching kiss that goes on . . . and on . . . and on*

Todd: Awkward.

Ami: *draws back and eyes Todd with flushed cheeks* Sorry.

Marcus: *eyes glowing a vibrant amber* I’m not.

Todd: Right. Perhaps we should just wrap this up now. Ami, before I go, I just wanted to say welcome to the network family. We have only the highest respect for Seconds and you seem to be the best of the lot. What you’ve accomplished thus far as Marcus’ Second has been nothing short of astonishing.

Ami: *smiles* Thank you.

Marcus: *offers his hand* Thank you.

Todd: *shakes his hand* And I’m glad you found happiness again, Marcus. It’s been a long time coming.

Marcus: Now who’s getting mushy?

Todd: *laughs* Momentary lapse. You guys have a good night.

Night Reigns

Ami isn't much for trusting strangers. She has a hard time trusting anyone. But she's no coward, and she's no pushover in the protection department either. So when she comes across a mysterious warrior taking on eight deranged vampires on his own, she doesn't hesitate to save his bacon. Of course, that was before she realized what one little rescue would get her into . . .

Marcus Grayden has been an immortal protector of humanity for eight hundred years, and at the moment he's not interested in backup. From the moment Ami arrives in his life, he can't deny that she's strong, smart, and extremely skilled at watching his back. But she's also destroying his protective solitude and stirring desires he can't bear to awaken. After all, whatever her secrets — how can she defeat death itself?

Dianne's Website: http://www.dianneduvall.com

Blog: http://dianneduvall.blogspot.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dianne-Duvall/248355201895532

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/DianneDuvall

Thank you for joining us! Have a wonderful weekend!

Dianne Duvall

Dianne Duvall earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of St. Thomas, where she studied fiction writing, playwriting and poetry writing. Darkness Dawns, the first book in her Immortal Guardians paranormal romance series, was released on February 1, 2011, courtesy of Kensington (Zebra Imprint). It has since been nominated for the RT Reviewers' Choice Award for Best Vampire Romance by RT Book Reviews and for Best Paranormal Romance - Vampire by The Romance Reviews. It has also received many 5-star reviews, was deemed a Top Pick by The Romance Reviews, and was chosen as the Best of the Best in the RWA Indiana Golden Opportunity contest. Night Reigns, the second book in the series, was released on December 6, 2011 and was deemed a Top Pick by RT Book Reviews.

Dianne has also completed two not-yet-published paranormal romance novels that are prequels to Darkness Dawns. A Sorceress of His Own is a medieval romance with paranormal elements that won awards in the Lone Star, Where the Magic Begins, Southern Heat, Picture This, Book of Your Heart and Suzannah national writing competitions. Rendezvous With Yesterday is a time travel romance and won second place in the Picture This writing contest.

In addition to writing romance, Dianne has completed a one-act play (comedy) and teamed up with an award-wining screenwriter to write a spec script for a new situation comedy. Several of her poems have also been published in anthologies.

When she isn’t writing, Dianne is very active in the independent film industry. She edits films, constructs movie trailers and designs movie posters. Some of the film projects she has worked on have been Official Selections of the Cannes Independent Film Festival, the London Independent Film Festival the Jamerican International Film and Music Festival, and others. She also participates in preproduction and production and has done so in varying capacities for several years. Some of the functions she has performed in the past are script editor, special effects make-up artist, shooting scheduler, special effects creator, casting coordinator, production assistant, movie extra and web site designer.

Thank you so much Dianne for stopping by at BLH today!

Now onto the giveaway, Dianne has generously offered one signed paperback copy of Night Reigns and some awesome Immortal swag. All you have to do is comment and leave an email addy. The Giveaway is running from Jan 6th to the 10th with the winner being announced on Jan 11th!

Switched by Amanda Hocking Giveaway!

About the "Trylle" Series and "Switched":

From Amanda Hocking, million-copy bestselling author and internet sensation comes the Trylle series… it all begins with Switched, available everywhere 1.3.12. As a special gift to readers, Switched contains a new, never-before-published bonus story, “The Vittra Attacks,” set in the magical world of the Trylle.

The Trylle series continues with Torn, on-sale 2.28.12, and concludes on 4.24.12 with Ascend.

SWITCHED… at birth:
When Wendy Everly was six years old, her mother was convinced she was a monster and tried to kill her. Eleven years later, Wendy discovers her mother might have been right. She’s not the person she’s always believed herself to be, and her whole life begins to unravel—all because of Finn Holmes.

Finn is a mysterious guy who always seems to be watching her. Every encounter leaves her deeply shaken…though it has more to do with her fierce attraction to him than she’d ever admit. But it isn’t long before he reveals the truth: Wendy is a changeling who was switched at birth—and he’s come to take her home.

Now Wendy’s about to journey to a magical world she never knew existed, one that’s both beautiful and frightening. And where she must leave her old life behind to discover who she’s meant to become…

Buy Links:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Author's Links:

Facebook

Blog

Trailer:

Link to Photo Album

http://s1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa339/ZeitghostMediaProd/

One winner will win a copy of Switched, All You have to do is comment and leave your email addy so I can contact you if you should win. The giveaway is going to run from Jan 3rd to Jan 8th and the winner will be announced on Jan 9th! Good Luck! Update: US and Canada Only

Switched by Amanda Hocking Book Trailer

About the "Trylle" Series and "Switched":

From Amanda Hocking, million-copy bestselling author and internet sensation comes the Trylle series… it all begins with Switched, available everywhere 1.3.12. As a special gift to readers, Switched contains a new, never-before-published bonus story, “The Vittra Attacks,” set in the magical world of the Trylle.

The Trylle series continues with Torn, on-sale 2.28.12, and concludes on 4.24.12 with Ascend.

SWITCHED… at birth:
When Wendy Everly was six years old, her mother was convinced she was a monster and tried to kill her. Eleven years later, Wendy discovers her mother might have been right. She’s not the person she’s always believed herself to be, and her whole life begins to unravel—all because of Finn Holmes.

Finn is a mysterious guy who always seems to be watching her. Every encounter leaves her deeply shaken…though it has more to do with her fierce attraction to him than she’d ever admit. But it isn’t long before he reveals the truth: Wendy is a changeling who was switched at birth—and he’s come to take her home.

Now Wendy’s about to journey to a magical world she never knew existed, one that’s both beautiful and frightening. And where she must leave her old life behind to discover who she’s meant to become…

Buy Links:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Author's Links:

Facebook

Blog

Trailer:

Link to Photo Album

http://s1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa339/ZeitghostMediaProd/

The Kure by Jaye Frances Guest Post Giveaway and Review

Thank you, Donna, for the invitation to do a guest post. I really appreciate the opportunity to talk about The Kure and to give your readers a little insight into the origin of the book.

I’d like to start with a brief synopsis. The story takes place in 1860’s Kentucky, when John Tyler, a young man in his early twenties, discovers he has contracted a ghastly affliction affecting a most sensitive part of his body. When the village doctor offers the conventional, and potentially disfiguring, treatment as the only cure, John tenaciously convinces the doctor to reveal an alternative remedy—a forbidden ritual contained within an ancient manuscript called the Kure.

Although initially rejecting the vile and unholy rite, John realizes, too late, that the ritual is more than a faded promise scrawled on a page of crumbling paper. And as cure quickly becomes curse, the unholy text unleashes a dark power that drives him to consider the unthinkable—a depraved and wicked act requiring the corruption of an innocent soul.

Ultimately, John must choose between his desperate need to arrest the plague that is destroying his body, and the virtue of the woman he loves, knowing the wrong decision could cost him his life.



One of my biggest challenges in writing The Kure was to create an accurate depiction of the difficulties that befall the main characters, John and Sarah, without needless vulgarity or straying into the gratuitous.

John’s deteriorating physical condition and the narrative associated with the ritual performed by Sarah are admittedly graphic. But I also feel—and thankfully, have had it confirmed by the majority of reviews—that the grisly descriptions were essential in conveying the thoughts and actions of the characters. The raw intensity is there because the circumstances demand it. It’s there because the story won’t work without it.

For example, simply describing Sarah’s movements as she performed the heinous ritual mandated by the Kure would have provided the reader with little more than a robotic account of her actions. But revealing her thoughts, her terror, as she forced herself to comply with the shocking and depraved instructions of the profane rite is what keeps the reader turning the pages.

Here’s a brief excerpt:

Pushing through the layers of discharge, Sarah squeezed her eyes to near slits, trying to ignore the mutilated flesh resting in her hand. In spite of her resolve, the puddle of warm blood and pus gathering on her fingers was too much, and she began to gag on a rush of saliva. Afraid swallowing would set off the eruption building in her stomach, she leaned out, emptying her mouth.

She took a deep breath, then another, trying to prevent herself from vomiting. Sensing a trickle of moisture on her chin, she wiped at the warm fluid. Even in the dim light, she could see the smear of blood on the back of her hand. At first, she guessed it was from an absent brush with John’s groin. But as she dabbed at her chin, the renewed color made her realize she had been biting her lower lip, setting it to throb with her own pulse.

She felt herself trying to back away, her muscles straining against invisible bonds that were every bit as strong as the straps that would bind John to the treatment table. Yet she knew if the spells in the old book could really cure John, the release of their power would only come with complete agreement between her mind and body, without hesitation, without protest. She reminded herself that she was not a victim, nor was her predicament the result of naïve ignorance. She had chosen to do this, her conscience having become a quiet and consenting accomplice. She was paying the price willingly, resigning herself to attempt the insanely perverse act because it was part of the price—to ensure the commitment of the donor was sincere, she reasoned.

Sarah cringed, and then wondered why she hadn’t noticed it before—the stench of rotting flesh and draining pus. She inhaled slowly, trying to avoid the nauseating effects of the tainted air.

Dropping her head, Sarah pressed her cheek against the fevered skin of John’s thigh.
I’m stronger than this. I have to get control of myself.

As the drainage migrated into her mouth, she gagged on the thick, rancid fluid, the coppery taste of blood driving her throat into convulsions.

Brief Synopsis

Forbidden by law and denounced as an abomination by the church, the Kure has been hidden for centuries…

John Tyler has never met Sarah Sheridan. But he knows he must find her, and somehow convince her that she is the key to unlocking the power of an ancient ritual that will rid his body of a rare and ravaging disease.

But as cure quickly becomes curse, John realizes the ritual is more than a faded promise scrawled on a page of crumbling paper, and he discovers, too late, that the unholy text has unleashed a dark power that is driving him to consider the unthinkable.

Ultimately, John must choose between his desperate need to arrest the plague that is destroying his body, and the virtue of the woman he loves, knowing the wrong decision could cost him his life.

Links:

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Kure-Jaye-Frances/dp/1466262966/ref=sr_1_1s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1317073140&sr=1-1

BN:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/the-kure-by-jaye-frances keyword=the+kure+by+jaye+frances&store=ebook

Goodreads:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12718447-the-kure

Author Bio:

Jaye Frances is the author of the new paranormal romance “The KURE”, the first novel in “The KURE” series. She is also a featured columnist for the NUSA SUN magazine. Born in the Midwest, Jaye Frances grew up surrounded by traditional values and conservative attitudes, which she quickly discarded at an early age. Readily admitting her life’s destination has been the result of an open mind and a curiosity about all things irreverent, she invites visitors to her website with the following caveat: “Be forewarned, my life has not followed the traditional path of homemaker, wife, and mother.” When not consumed by her writing, she enjoys cooking, traveling to all places tropical and “beachy” and taking pictures-lots of pictures-many of which wind up on her Facebook page. She currently lives on the central gulf coast of Florida with her husband, sharing their home with six computers, four cameras, and several hundred pairs of shoes. For more information, visit her website at www.jayefrances.com

Review:

I have to say this book has the most unique storyline I have read in a very long time. The description was so entailed that I honestly winced as I envisioned the pain and suffering John was going through as he tried to find a Kure to heal the inflicted part of his body.

I tried to picture in my mind which Kure would be better, considering the era this book is set. which is 1865. The more I read the more I wanted to know if he was going to be healed and would he choose the one cure over the other Kure.

What grabbed me the most was John's inner battle within himself between a desperation to be healed and to do right by Sarah.

Also while, the story might seem rushed to some readers,  and at first I thought briefly the same thing. But then I had time to think about it and I understood why. He was in a dire situation.  There really wasn't anytime to be proper even in this era.

Warning! there are some definitely graphic parts to this book,so if you can't handle it then this book might not be for you. While I did mention I winced and made a few faces while reading this book, I did like it. So if you are looking for something unique and different and don't mind a bit of squeamish descriptive details, then give this book a try. The cliffhanger definitely has me curious to see where this story goes in the next book.

Rating:

Now on to the giveaway, Jaye Frances has generously offered a ebook copy of The Kure to one lucky person. All you have to do is comment and leave your email addy so I can contact if you should win. This giveaway is going to run from Dec 1 to Dec 8th , with the winner being announced on Dec 9th.

Destined Book Trailer and Giveaway

About "Destined":

"...Zoey is finally home where she belongs, safe with her Guardian Warrior, Stark, by her side, and preparing to face off against Neferet – which would be a whole lot easier if the High Counsel saw the ex-High Priestess for what she really is. Kalona has released his hold on Rephaim, and, through Nyx's gift of a human form, Rephaim and Stevie Rae are finally able to be together – if he can truly walk the path of the Goddess and stay free of his father's shadow…"


But there are new forces at work at the House of Night. An influx of humans, including Lenobia’s handsome horse whisperer, threatens their precarious stability. And then there’s the mysterious Aurox, a jaw-droppingly gorgeous teen boy who is actually more – or possibly less – than human. Only Neferet knows he was created to be her greatest weapon. But Zoey can sense the part of his soul that remains human, the compassion that wars with his Dark calling. And there’s something strangely familiar about him…

Will Neferet’s true nature be revealed before she succeeds in silencing them all? And will Zoey be able to touch Aurox’s humanity in time to protect him – and everyone – from his own fate? Find out what’s destined in the next thrilling chapter of the House of Night series.

Amazon

Website:

HouseofNightSeries.com

Giveaway details

One winner will a copy of Destined, all you need to do is comment and leave your email addy for contact information should you win. The giveaway will run from Oct 27th to Nov 5th. The winner will be announced on November 6th. USA and Canada Only

Halloween Spooktacular Scary Creepy Ladies by Dee Tenorio

When I was a kid, if there was ever anything I absolutely afraid of, it was the Llorona.

Haven't heard of her? Well, she's the scary story Mexicans tell their children to make them behave and especially to make them come in when its dark.

There are several versions of the story, but the one I heard is that a long time ago, a woman with a broken heart lead her six children to a river near her home after her husband left her. Planning to punish the man, she drowned each of her children and then killed herself. Her children, now wronged by both parents, went to Heaven, but for her crime she was cursed to spend eternity looking for them in the darkness, so if she finds any children out at night, she'll claim them as her own, take them to the river and drown them. So whenever you hear a long, keening cries in the night, you'd better hurry home...it's the Llorona, coming for you.

As you can imagine, most little kids got their tails inside at dinner and ran from the windows as soon as the sun went down. I, of course, was among them. And since the wind tended to whistle through my neighborhood with long, keening moans, you bet your tail that I had company.

But one night, every year, we kids grew a pair for a good cause. CANDY.

We'd all don our favorite costumes and walk out into the dark, risking life, limb and drowning by creepy crying lady for pillowcases stuffed full of candy. The wind howled and creepy ladies abounded but it never occurred to any of us to miss out on a year's worth of candy—for my family, Trick or Treating was a sport, man!—because someone might want to snatch us. For one day a year, we were safe. Ish.

Now, I've heard some people think that The Llorona is comparable to Bloody Mary—she of the infamous Midnight mirror game for stupid people (yup, I played it when I was little, because i was a very dumb 7 year old, lol)—but I never quite bought that. She's a scary cow all on her own, so when you hear some long moans in the night, be sure not to go outside. After all, there's no way to get free of her and as she's several hundred years old, I'm guessing we're all kids to her. :)

Tell me, did you ever hear of The Llorona? What version of the story were you told?

Dee

Thanks Dee for stopping by, Dee has graciously offered a copy of your choice book 1 or book 2 in the Resurrection series, so if you haven't read the first or if you have you can choose book 2 all you have to do is leave a comment answering her question above and leave an email addy. The giveaway will run from October 13th til the end of October 31st.

Back cover blurb:

The mate he never wanted may be the woman he can never have...

After a series of murders is discovered along the trail of the Shifter Underground, wolf soldier Jensen Tate is assigned to find and protect a missing stray. But Lia Crawford doesn't seem to want his protection. When she eludes his watch and returns with mysterious injuries, Tate knows she's hiding something. To discover her secrets, he'll have to win her trust...and get closer to the woman he thinks may be his mate.

Lia has reasons to keep her distance. The killer is haunting her steps, determined to claim her. He will come after them both if he sees how drawn she is to Tate, though it becomes increasingly difficult to deny her attraction to him. Protecting Tate is vital – but will her deception cost her his love?

"Deceiving The Protector" trailer:

About The Author:

Dee Tenorio has a few reality issues. After much therapy for the problem—if one can call being awakened in the night by visions of hot able-bodied men a problem—she has proved incurable. It turns out she enjoys tormenting herself by writing sizzling, steamy romances of various genres spanning paranormal mystery dramas, contemporaries and romantic comedies. Preferably starring the sexy, somewhat grumpy heroes described above and smart-mouthed heroines who have much better hair than she does.

The best part is, no more therapy bills!

Well, not for Dee, anyway. Her husband and kids, on the other hand...

If you would like to learn more about Dee and her work, please peruse around this site or visit her blog at http://www.deetenorio.com/Blog/.

Author's Links:

Site: http://www.deetenorio.com

Blog: http://www.deetenorio.com/Blog

Twitter: http://twitter.com/DeeTenorio

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dee-Tenorio/112663472089725?v=app_4949752878&ref=sgm

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/deetenorio

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/Deeliciousone

Halloween Spooktacular is HERE !!

October is finally here! Danielle @ Romance Book Junkies and I have loads of fun things planned for the whole month of October. There is going to be guest posts, fun interviews, short stories and lots of giveaways on both of our blogs. Also, there will be a Grand Prize Contest. So don't forget to come back and check out both blogs to see what kind of fun we have in store for you.

Now for the contest rules:

1. The grand prize contest is going to be open to everyone with in Book Depository's shipping area.
2. You earn your entries by commenting on our Halloween Spooktacular posts. So, if you comment on every post you should be able to earn 62 entries (31 entries per blog.)
3. Make sure you include your email address in every comment so that we can add up your entries.
4. Now you want to know what the grand prize is right? Well we will be having 3 winners. First place winner will receive a $30 gift card. Second place winner will receive a $20 gift card. And the third place winner will receive a $10 gift card. So don't forget to comment comment comment. =)
5. If you win and would like to shop at the Book Depository you will have to make up a list of books equaling your prize amount and I will order them for you because Book Depository does not offer gift certificates.

Since this is a official Halloween Spooktacular post leave a comment to earn your very first entry into the contest.

Dreamland Book Trailer and Giveaway

Blurb:

"Riley's finding that the afterlife can be a lonely place when all you do is focus on work. So she goes to the place where dreams happen, hoping to find a way to contact her sister, Ever. She meets the director, who tells her about the two ways to send dreams. As a Dream Jumper, a person can jump into a dreamer's dream, share a message, and participate. As a Dreamweaver, an entire dream can be created in a studio and sent to the dreamer. But Dreamweaving was outlawed decades ago, and the studio was boarded up. Thinking it's her only way to reach out to her sister, Riley goes in search of the old studio. There she finds a ghost boy, who's been creating and sending nightmares to people for years. In order to stop him and reach out to Ever, Riley is going to have to confront and overcome her own fears."

Alyson Noël continues the bestselling story of Riley Bloom as she learns how dreams are made and tries to make contact with her sister, Ever.

Links:

Macmillan page for Alyson Noël:

http://us.macmillan.com/author/alysonnoel

Become a Facebook fan: http://www.facebook.com/OfficialAlysonNoel

Website: http://www.alysonnoel.com/

Here's a chance to win a copy of Dreamland, All you have to do is comment and leave you email address for me to contact you if you should win. The giveaway runs from Sept 14th to the 21st with the winner being announced on Sept 22nd. US and Canada Only

All These Things I’ve Done by Gabrielle Zevin Book Trailer and Giveaway

Reading level: Ages 12 and up

Hardcover: 368 pages

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) (September 6, 2011)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0374302103

ISBN-13: 978-0374302108

Amazon

Links:

Macmillan page for the book & author:

http://us.macmillan.com/allthesethingsivedone

Become a fan and see Gabrielle on tour this Fall: http://www.facebook.com/gabriellezevinfanpage

Website:

http://www.memoirsofa.com/

Amazon Summary:

In 2083, chocolate and coffee are illegal, paper is hard to find, water is carefully rationed, and New York City is rife with crime and poverty. And yet, for Anya Balanchine, the sixteen-year-old daughter of the city's most notorious (and dead) crime boss, life is fairly routine. It consists of going to school, taking care of her siblings and her dying grandmother, trying to avoid falling in love with the new assistant D.A.'s son, and avoiding her loser ex-boyfriend. That is until her ex is accidently poisoned by the chocolate her family manufactures and the police think she's to blame. Suddenly, Anya finds herself thrust unwillingly into the spotlight--at school, in the news, and most importantly, within her mafia family.

Doesn't this book sound exciting, would you like to win a copy? Here's your chance one lucky winner will win a copy, all you have to do is comment and leave your email so I can contact you. Thanks again to Tara at Zeitghost Media for sponsoring another great giveaway. This giveaway is going to run from Sept 6th to 14th with the winner being announced on the 15th. Good Luck! I'm sorry forgot to mention US and Canada Only

Hade's by Alexandra Adornetto Book Trailer and Giveaway

Hardcover, 422 pages

Published August 30th 2011 by Feiwel & Friends

ISBN 0312656270 (ISBN13: 9780312656270)

primary language English

original title Hades

series Halo #2

Amazon

Links:

See Alexandra Adornetto on tour this Fall: http://www.facebook.com/penfataletour

Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/AlexandraAdornetto

Macmillan page for the book & author: http://us.macmillan.com/hades

Goodreads Summary:

Bethany and Xavier are even closer since battling Jake Thorn and his evil influence (in Halo) and Beth and her angel siblings must still protect Venus Cove from the Dark Forces.

When a party game – a séance – inadvertently releases Jake from the Underworld, he disguises himself and tricks Beth into taking a ride on his motorcycle. When the highway opens up and swallows them, Beth learns too late that she’s now a prisoner in hell. What happens to angels there? As her archangel brother, Gabriel, her sister Ivy, Xavier, and her best friend, Molly search for her, Beth must weigh Jake’s bargaining for her freedom: one night with him, and she will be released back to Earth.
Can Jake be trusted in this wager? And is he also using Beth to engineer the fall of the archangel Gabriel? Xavier has already lost one love – when Jake tricks him into thinking that Bethany is dead, his grief and anger result in a betrayal that will leave Bethany – and readers – wondering if he is so good after all.

It will be up to Beth to use everything she’s learned about her powers as an angel – and about love – to free herself and those she loves from the clutches of Hades.

Now who would like to win a copy of Hades, All you have to do is leave a comment and your email addy so I can contact you if you win. A big thank you to Tara from Zeitghost Media for sponsoring this giveaway. This giveaway is running from Sept 3rd to 10th , with the winner being announced on the 11th! US and Canada Only(I'm sorry forgot to mention this important detail)

WINNER, WINNER, CHICKEN DINNER!!! AND TEASER TUESDAY!

Today is the day!

I get to announce my very first winner! Donna did the last one for me. I don't think she trusted me to get it right. So this time, I snuck in there under the radar and finished what I started. YEEEE HAWWW!!! So who is the lucky winner of the McCarty Griffin giveaway? Hmmmm???

There are times when I am blonde, probably more often than not, it IS part of my charm. So I don't know how to post this Random thing, but I do know I did it and here's what it came up with for the winner:

* * *

Random Sequence Generator

Here is your sequence:

2
3
4
1

Timestamp: 2011-08-23 02:29:50 UTC

* * *

So that means that the very lovely Adva walks away with the book of her choice! WHOOO HOOOOOO!!!! Congrats Adva!!! If you get Monster Story, (which is what I would do), you will LOVE IT! Thanks for posting such a lovely and encouraging post and thanks for visiting our blog and entering our contest. I'll be sending you an e-mail shortly with all the lovely details.
___________________________________________


So what has everyone been up to? I have been sort of AWOL around here. I actually started 2 new temporary jobs and then started to recover from working those (recover with other work and my household duties) when I got hired for a third and hopefully permanent job. YEEEEE HAWWWWW!!!! It's almost a perfect job for me. I'm so very excited about it. I started the Tuesday after Labor Day but for now, I will be babysitting my girlfriends two kidlets. I'll be gone from home for 2 weeks and staying at her house. I hope I have some time during those two weeks to get caught up on all my computer stuff. It's been very frustrating for me.

So now on to today's meme.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read;

Open to a random page;

Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page!

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

* * *

"Eve was put to sleep. And so was Adam...and, I think, so was my brother Matthew."

I am reading an absolute page turner in every sense of that term. I seriously am having a hard time putting this book down.

It's called "When the Wind Blows" by James Patterson which is the .5 book in the Maximum Ride series. I am not a huge Patterson fan. I mean, I've read his books before and they are alright. Not really in my romance genre but dayum, this book is freaken AWESOME! I think anyway. The reviews are mixed. If you have a literary brain, it may not be your thing but if you just like to sit down and enjoy a book, then get this one. I'm so glad I picked it up and I will be getting more and more into this series.

So that's it for me for today. I hope everyone has a great one and congratulations again to our winner, winner, chicken dinner!!!

Kelly
for Book Lover's Hideaway

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

The BLB Blog Tour Boyfriend From Hell Giveaway

Ooodreads Summary:

Fifteen year-old Megan Barnett and her single mom, Suze, have a special relationship—they are friends, close friends, who do almost everything together.

“But come on, guys, she’s my mother… Can I really tell her that while we’re snuggled up on the sofa watching Spider Man Three, I’m secretly undressing James Franco with my eyes? Of course not…”

The special bond takes a turn for the worse when Suze decides to start dating again. She hasn’t had a man in her life since Megan’s father left ten years ago.

Enter two mysterious young men, Megan’s new classmate, sinfully attractive bad boy, Guy Matson, and the dangerously handsome art dealer, Armando. Before long Megan and Suze both wind up in steamy relationships.

But neither of the handsome pair is quite what he seems. In fact, one of them is Satan, with his sights set on a new bride. Megan has precious little time to figure out how to stop him. If she doesn’t, either Megan or Suze are quite literally going to HELL.(

E. Van Lowe generously offered a copy of Boyfriend from Hell, your choice of ebook or Hardcover, All you have to do is let me know which you would prefer? She also wanted for me to let you knowWhite Whisker Books) is offering an ebook pre-sale, where for two weeks (from Aug 15th-31st) Boyfriend From Hell kindle or Nook will be available for just $2.99. On September 1st the book will go up to its regular price. Readers can go to my blog (http://vanlowe.blogspot.com/) or my publisher's website (http://whitewhisker.com/) on or after the 15th to purchase.

The giveaway is from August 15th to 22nd, the winner will be announced on August 23rd

*** HOT DAMN! I GOT A GIVEAWAY! ***

PREAMBLE

Back in late June, this delightful author contacted me and asked if I would read and review a book she had recently released called "Monster Story." She went on to tell me that she was sending me two other stories as well, "The Tribe" and "Half Inch." She said that if I was interested in reading them and offering a review on them she would be delighted. I told her I would do it and as luck would have it, I had some time to review them and fairly quickly. ::pausing for effect:: Pay attention to that fairly quickly part.

It is now mid August and while I have had the books read and the reviews written, I am just now getting around to posting the reviews. My life just exploded and I am slowly but surely getting ahold of things again. I would not want these stories to slide under any radar because they are good stories and YOU, our loyal blog readers, will want to know about these books and participate in this giveaway. You will. You won't be sorry.

THE GIVEAWAY

So here's the deal...leave a comment, any ol' comment. You can pat my head and tell me that it's okay, everyone's lives explode at one time or another and make me feel a little better, or you can line up and throw dart at my picture. Whichever. But LEAVE a comment! Because that will enter you in a drawing (determined by Random.org) to win an e-copy of one of the stories of your choice directly from the author (who is still lovely enough to want to do this). The drawing will be held on Tuesday, August 23rd and the winner announced that day as well. Make sure you leave your e-mail address or it will go into another round of Random.org if you don't!

Post away my darlings!!! I'll see you next week when I'll be picking up some meme's again. Good luck! Whomever wins will be one lucky enchilada!!!

THE REVIEWS

THE TRIBE
By McCarty Griffin
Published by: McCarty Griffin (Smashwords)
First Printing: 2010
ASIN: B004ZZQUZU
Amazon; Barnes and Noble; Goodreads

Concept: “The tribe has been alone on the farm for many seasons, struggling to survive by their wits and will, unaided by the humans who abandoned them there years ago. Few members of the tribe outside of Tia, the eldest, and her fiercely loyal companion Bella, remember a time when two-legs--the cats' name for humans--lived in the farmhouse. Suddenly, the tribe's territory is invaded by a young two-legs couple, and the frightened cats ask themselves why have two-legs come to live there after so many seasons and what will happen to the tribe at the hands of these often cruel creatures?” (From Author’s website.)

Review: This book really landed in the right lap. As you loyal followers know, I am a huge animal person. About the only animal I’m not really all that into are cats. This book is mainly about kitties. The message in the book though, is for every responsible pet owner. It’s aimed at the young adult demographic but I found it to be a rather enjoyable read at my ripe old age. This book is wonderfully written and the characters (the animals) really jump off the page at you. It’s a delightful and responsible book and perfect timing for the problems we face today.

What I liked: I love the message of this book and I find it very interesting that the author chose to tell it while focusing on our kids since they will be the ones to fix problems like this. It’s a good story and well thought out. Heartwarming.

What I disliked: This genre isn't really my personal cup of tea and I feel uncomfortable writing this review because of that. If you are interested in this book and looking to my review to decide your purchase, please read other reviewers of this story along with mine.

My rating: 4 feathers

* * *

HALF INCH

By McCarty Griffin

Published by: McCarty Griffin (Smashwords)

First Printing: April 27, 2010

ASIN: B004YDM212

Amazon; Barnes and Noble; Goodreads

Concept: “Pammy has had enough of Bobby, her abusive drunk of a husband. One lovely spring day, she decides to kill him, despite the fact that they will soon be divorced and he will, at least in the eyes of the law, be out of her life for good. Indulging in homicidal daydreams for years has led her to devise her own perfect and completely bizarre plan.”

Review: This is a short story of a woman who is at the end of her rope because of her abusive, alcoholic husband. But she has a plan and she’s going to off him and bury him, truck and all in a hole that she has dug. She has this plan figured out down to the “T.” The problem? Murphy’s Law strikes and it doesn’t quite go as she wanted so she has to quickly start relying on Plan B, and maybe even Plan C. It’s an interesting, nail biting, well written story but, I’m not quite sure of one thing. Why? There’s no moral to the story or bad ending or good ending. It just ends and it left me wondering if I was missing the purpose to this book.

What I liked: Once the “murder” was happening, things moved quickly and with a great deal of excitement. There was a good amount of build up and intrigue. Lots of holding your breath type moments.

What I disliked: I think this is one of those books where the story is good, but highly improbable and as I said, I am still wondering what the purpose of the story even was.

My rating: 3.5 feathers

* * *

MONSTER STORY
By McCarty Griffen
Published by: McCarty Griffin
First Printing: April 27, 2011
ASIN-B004YDR3F4
Amazon; Barnes and Noble; Goodreads

Concept: “Christy McCauley has returned to West Virginia at last, but her homecoming quickly turns into a surreal nightmare. In the deep hollows and woods of rural Augusta County, something unspeakable is slaughtering people in the dark of night. Authorities don't know if its human or animal, or how to stop it. Christy and her friends only know they must hunt it and destroy it, before it kills again.” [From Amazon.]

Review: I read a fellow reviewer’s review on this book just to weigh our opinions against one another, and then I read another and another and then with my opinion, I think I can safely report that everyone agrees that this book should be considered a “cozy” horror story that has a sort of backwoods redneck horror atmosphere. You know the scene, someone is dead, a bunch of characters go “hunting” in the scary, dark woods. Some live, some die, some meet the monster that goes bump in the night. That’s how this story reads. It’s a good, familiar type read while introducing us to some fun characters, some that make it, some that don’t and a truly crazy monster (that’s crazy in a spooky, don’t turn the lights off sort of way). Throughout it all though, there is a unique and likeable writing style and if you are a lover of scary movies, this book is for you.

What I disliked: I am a lover of characters in my books, but I am finding many authors that seem to be throwing in character after character for no reason. That is sort of the case here, except because some of the characters are victims, I sort of am okay with it. But I can’t help but wonder if it really would have made that big of a difference if there were less characters and still the amount of victims if it would have been so bad?

The book for me was slow in some spots. I felt there could have been better flow to the story. Now having said that, I’m going to turn around and compliment the writer on an excellent writing style that presented the story in a unique yet familiar way. Perhaps a slightly shorter tale would have been better.

What I liked: I really liked a point of view in the story that was presented from the monster’s side. Yes, it’s been done, but this was done well and I appreciated it.

This book is a classic horror story written in a unique way by an author who has proven herself to me to be special. I will speak nothing derogatory about this author and indeed, I am hopping on the fan bandwagon. Maybe I’m not sitting in the front seat, but I’m still on the wagon.

My rating: 4 Feathers


Kelly
for Book Lover's Hideaway





This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.