200 Followers Contest!!!

Alright everybody, I've hit 200 followers and because I'm always looking for an excuse to hold a contest, I couldn't think of a better way to say thank you than to give away some books!  I really appreciate you guys reading the rambling posts I put out there, so here's what's up for grabs...

There are 3 prizes and each book is one I've been really anxious to read and hopefully you have to:

Book #1:  

Other by Karen Kincy

Seventeen-year-old Gwen hides a dangerous secret: she’s Other. Half-pooka, to be exact, thanks to the father she never met. Most Americans don’t exactly roll out the welcome mat for Others, especially not the small-town folks of Klikamuks, Washington. As if this isn’t bad enough, Gwen’s on the brink of revealing her true identity to her long-time boyfriend, Zack, but she’s scared he’ll lump her with the likes of bloodthirsty vampires and feral werewolves.

When a pack of werewolves chooses the national forest behind Gwen’s home as their new territory, the tensions in Klikamuks escalate-into murder. It soon becomes clear a serial killer is methodically slaying Others. The police turn a blind eye, leaving Gwen to find the killer before the killer finds her. As she hunts for clues, she uncovers more Others living nearby than she ever expected. Like Tavian, a sexy Japanese fox-spirit who rivals Zack and challenges her to embrace her Otherness. Gwen must struggle with her own conflicted identity, learn who she can trust, and-most importantly-stay alive.

Book # 2:

Forget You by Jennifer Echols

There’s a lot Zoey would like to forget. Like how her father has knocked up his twenty-four-year old girlfriend. Like Zoey’s fear that the whole town will find out about her mom’s nervous breakdown. Like darkly handsome bad boy Doug taunting her at school. With her life about to become a complete mess, Zoey fights back the only way she knows how, using her famous attention to detail to make sure she’s the perfect daughter, the perfect student, and the perfect girlfriend to ultra-popular football player Brandon. 

But then Zoey is in a car crash, and the next day there’s one thing she can’t remember at all—the entire night before. Did she go parking with Brandon, like she planned? And if so, why does it seem like Brandon is avoiding her? And why is Doug—of all people—suddenly acting as if something significant happened between the two of them? Zoey dimly remembers Doug pulling her from the wreck, but he keeps referring to what happened that night as if it was more, and it terrifies Zoey to admit how much is a blank to her. Controlled, meticulous Zoey is quickly losing her grip on the all-important details of her life—a life that seems strangely empty of Brandon, and strangely full of Doug.

Book # 3:

You Wish by Mandy Hubbard

Kayla McHenry’s sweet sixteenth sucks! Her dad left, her grades dropped, and her BFF is dating the boy Kayla’s secretly loved for years. Blowing out her candles, Kayla thinks: I wish my birthday wishes actually came true. Because they never freakin’ do. 

Kayla wakes the next day to a life-sized, bright pink My Little Pony outside her window. Then a year’s supply of gumballs arrives. And a boy named Ken with a disturbing resemblance to the doll of same name stalks her. As the ghosts of Kayla’s wishes-past appear, they take her on a wild ride… but they MUST STOP. Because when she was 15? She wished Ben Mackenzie would kiss her.

And Ben is her best friend's boyfriend.

There will be three winners and if I get another 50 followers I'll add another book and winner into the mix.  This contest is international (as long as the book depository will ship to you) and you must be 13 years of age or older and of course a follower.

So fill out the form below to enter, and if you want to leave a comment to remind yourself that you've entered, that would be a good idea - repeat entries are never appreciated, lol!

This contest will end on August 1, 2010 when the final book has been released.

Good luck everyone, thank you again for following and happy reading as always!!!

Beth Fantaskey Contest Winner!!!

The winner of a copy of one of Beth Fantaskey's books that the author will be personalizing is.....

Jko!!!!

I'll be sending you an email shortly to confirm your information and then shooting that information off to Beth so that she can get your book out to you as soon as possible!

For those of you who didn't win this time....you might just want to check back in later today, ya never know what might be up for grabs???

Contest Reminder!!!

Just wanted to post a friendly reminder that today is the last day to enter the Beth Fantaskey contest!

You can find the contest information here, so hurry on over and enter for a chance to win a copy of one of Beth Fantaskey's books signed by the author herself, while you still can!

Happy Reading and Good Luck!

Review: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker--his classmate and crush--who committed suicide two weeks earlier.

On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list.
Through Hannah and Clay's dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers.


I waited entirely too long to read this book. I'm not sure if it was the serious issues I could tell this book was about from the summary that made me hesitate, or if my TBR list was just growing too long or what? But I waited too long and I'm sorry for that. All I can say to those of you out there who haven't read Thirteen Reasons Why, is to go out right now and get yourself a copy and start reading.



I'm in love with Jay Asher's writing. To be honest, I thought I was a part of this book. Not just reading the words and turning the pages, but I felt like I could hear Hannah's words for myself, and see the places on the map that Clay was visiting for myself. Asher is that talented, he takes you inside his writing and does not let go. As Clay listens to Hannah's story he decides he won't be able to take breaks or spread the stories out. It's almost like ripping off a band aid - you just have to get it over with. Not just so he can find out how he played a role in the grand scheme of things, but because he needs closure and the it's the type that can only come from knowing the whole story. I was right there with Clay, I couldn't stop reading, I just had to get the full story.

This is not a light read, I found no humor within these pages and yet I couldn't, and didn't want to stop reading. Even now, I'm finished and yet still Hannah and Clay are with me. I think Thirteen Reasons Why will be sticking with me for a very long time. I'm not usually one for books with strong morals being forced on readers, or lectures about lessons to be learned, but this was different. Asher made me look at things in new ways and I'm not sure you can go back after something like that. I learned a valuable lesson from this book and I'm grateful for that. Clay says in the beginning of the book that he'll never be able to get Hannah's voice out of his head, and to be honest I don't think I will either.

This story was amazing. It was emotional and heavy, but also moving and beyond memorable. I feel grateful to have read this book and cannot say nearly enough about how highly I think of Asher's writing and technique and his amazing gift for story telling. I may not be able to look back at this book and want to re-read it over and over again, it's just not that type of book. But I also can't bear to part with it. I'm not sure I'll ever read another that can even come close to being it's equal. I will never forget Hannah's story.

Thirteen Reasons Why gets 5 shamrocks without a doubt!

In My Mailbox 11

This is a meme that I first heard about from Kristi over at The Story Siren and immediately wanted to jump on board.

Every week we’ll post about what books we have received (whether they’re bought/borrowed, etc… you get the idea). Everyone participating will try and visit other lists to comment and possibly pine for the new arrivals everyone’s talking about. I’ve learned that it’s a great idea to really try and stop by at least two or three lists because I’m constantly finding out about new books that I’ve later added to my TBR list.

This week I got just one to add to my collection and I wanted to say a special thank you to Penguin Publishing for sending it over, I can't wait get started.

My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares

Daniel has spent centuries falling in love with the same girl. Life after life, crossing continents and dynasties, he and Sophia (despite her changing name and form) have been drawn together-and he remembers it all. Daniel has "the memory", the ability to recall past lives and recognize souls of those he's previously known. It is a gift and a curse. For all the times that he and Sophia have been drawn together throughout history, they have also been torn painfully, fatally, apart. A love always too short. 

Interwoven through Sophia and Daniel's unfolding present day relationship are glimpses of their expansive history together. From 552 Asia Minor to 1918 England and 1972 Virginia, the two souls share a long and sometimes torturous path of seeking each other time and time again. But just when young Sophia (now "Lucy" in the present) finally begins to awaken to the secret of their shared past, to understand the true reason for the strength of their attraction, the mysterious force that has always torn them apart reappears. Ultimately, they must come to understand what stands in the way of their love if they are ever to spend a lifetime together.

It's Friday, and you know what that means....it's time to do the Book Blogger Hop! I'm hoping that I'll find even more great blogs than I have in the past few weeks, there are so many great ones out there, I can't wait to check them out!

And last but not least....contest reminders!!!!

The Beth Fantaskey contest ends Tuesday, June 15, 2010.

The Spirit Bound contest information ends Monday, June 21, 2010.

And information for both contests can be found by clicking the contest tab in the menu bar at the top of this page.  Good luck and happy reading!

Author Interview: Rachel Hawthorne

Rachel Hawthorne, who also writes as Lorraine Heath and Jade Parker, writes for both adult and young adult readers. She received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Americana historicals. Her novels have been recognized with a RITA, Romance Writers of America’s most prestigious award for excellence, a HOLT medallion award honoring outstanding literary fiction, a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award, five Texas Gold Awards, the Golden Quill Award, the Rising Star Award as well as other awards and recognitions. Her novels have been selections of the Doubleday and Rhapsody Book Club. Her novels have appeared on bestseller lists, including USA Today, Waldenbooks, and most recently, the New York Times. (Taken from author's website)

I was so excited that Rachel agreed to come by the blog for an interview and can't wait to share, so check it out!

Katelyn:  With the paranormal genre being so popular at the moment and with so many different ways to take your work, why were you drawn to write about werewolves? Was there anything specific that you pulled your ideas and inspiration from?

Rachel:  I’ve always loved shapeshifters and wolves fit in well with the story idea that came to me. I’d watched a special on the Sherpa program in Glacier National Park (in the summer they hire college students to assist campers) and I began to play the what-if game: what if the sherpas were trying to protect something hidden in the park, what if they were really guardians of something, what if they could shift?

Katelyn:  I can only imagine how intense and chaotic the writing process and the promotion of the books must be, what's your favorite/ least favorite part of the process?

Rachel:  My favorite part is writing the story and hearing from readers. My least favorite part if trying to determine how to best promote the book.

Katelyn:  Do you have any favorite books/authors?

Rachel:  I’m a huge fan of Richelle Mead and her Vampire Academy series. I also enjoy Catherine Clark.

Katelyn:  If you were describing the Dark Guardian series in three words, what would they be?

Rachel:  Adventuresome, romantic, fun.

Katelyn:  Do you have a favorite character or characters in your series? Any reason?

Rachel:  You know, I loved them all. It’s really hard to pick a favorite. There was something about each of them to love.

Katelyn:  I've flown through the first two books in the Dark Guardian series, and I've just started the third book, Dark of the Moon and I know I'll be reading Shadow of the Moon immediately after, but can I cross my fingers that the series won't end there? How many books are you planning on for the series?

Rachel:  At this point, I’m sorry to say, but Shadow of the Moon is the final book in the series. That’s not to say that there won’t be more but at this time, my publisher isn’t planning to release anymore. However, I am working up some new ideas and do hope to have a new series in the works soon.

Katelyn:  Are you working on any other books at the moment for the Young Adult readers? Any clues you can give us?

Rachel:  Right now, everything is in the idea—what-if—stage. Wish I could give you some definite news.

Katelyn:  Thanks again Rachel for stopping by, anything else you want to add be my guest!

Rachel:  Thanks so much for asking me for the interview. The only thing to add is that I will be in Orlando in July to sign books and readers are welcome to join me at the Disney Swan & Dolphin Hotel in Orlando, Florida:

“Readers for Life” Literacy Autographing

Here's a chance to meet your favorite authors and help promote literacy! Join 500 romance authors on Wednesday, July 28, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. as they sign their latest releases. Proceeds from this event go to local and national literacy organizations. For more info go to www.rwanational.org

Happy Reading!

Vintage Veronica Contest Winner!

And the winner of a copy of Vintage Veronica signed by author, Erica S. Perl is.....

Riv Re

Congratulations!  I'll be sending you an email shortly to get your information so that Erica can get your book signed and ready to go!

Sorry for those who weren't as lucky this time but don't forget there are still other contests going on here and if you haven't entered, what are you waiting for?

Happy Reading!