Eight Days of Halloween- Day Six: Running Scared & The Hollow by Jess Verday Giveaway

So, Halloween is supposed to be all about the creepy and fantastical; basically either the stuff of nightmares or the celebration of deception and re-imagining one's self, right? I mean, dressing up in costumes that scare others or being sexy and outgoing when that might not be your natural personality. I think that's why I love Halloween. Anything is possible, when the sun goes down for the night.

But, let's face it. Scary isn't the sole property of Halloween night. People can be frightened, their hearts beating faster, and breath caught in their throat on any day of the year. So, in that vein, I thought I'd share some of the things that made an impact on me in the creepy department when it wasn't Halloween.

Here's my top five list:


5. SALEM'S LOT and IT by Stephen King

Well, I don't even have to break this tie, because these two books have so much in common. Their ultimate creep-factor, and the author who wrote them.






4. THE SHINING

Those creepy twins. Redrum. Jack Nicholson on that roller coaster ride of insanity that started out slow, then careened wildly out of control by the end of the movie. Classic.






3. JU-ON/THE GRUDGE

I've seen both versions. Although from a cinematic standpoint, I thought that the original just blew the re-make out of the water, there's no denying that they are both nightmare worthy.

2. AFTERLIFE: DANIEL ONE AND TWO

This is one that I don't expect many people to be familiar with, because it is (or was, before it was cancelled) a British television series. I think I watched this particular episode on PBS, or something like that, but when I recognized the actress recently in the DOCTOR WHO: MIDNIGHT episode, I remembered how freaky I though the concept of the show was. After ponying up much bucks for overseas delivery from Amazon UK, I had the whole series in my possession. Oh, and maybe Andrew Lincoln looks familiar? He was in LOVE, ACTUALLY, but even more exciting, he'll be seen in the upcoming THE WALKING DEAD on AMC!

From IMDB: While researching a book, the author introduces Allison to Daniel, who has been committed to an institution after a girl friend was injured in his presence. Daniel claims he didn't do it, that it was Daniel-2, an entity that has been with him since childhood and is becoming increasingly violent. Allison is skeptical about the existence of the entity, but continues to visit Daniel in hopes she can help him.
I recommend watching from 2:45 to 5:01 in the following video. This is just the intro; the section before the credits to whet your appetite.










1. THE X-FILES: HOME (TV episode 1996 #4.2)

This is the first X-FILES episode that truly creeped me out. And it's from season four, so that's saying something.



From IMDB: The remains of an infant suffering from an uncharted amount of birth disabilities are uncovered in a field in rural Home, Pennsylvania. The only suspicious residents are three brothers who have lived on their family farm for twenty-some years. They live there alone. Or do they?

























So, what do you think? Sufficiently creepy for a Halloween post? Got your own suggestions? Let me know in the comments section. As part of my Eight Days of Halloween, I'll pick one random commenter to win a *signed* paperback copy of THE HOLLOW by Jessica Verday.

Contest runs until 6pm Eastern on November 4th. I'll announce the winner on the blog, so no need to leave an email address, but please remember to check back on the week of November 8th for the announcement of the winner.

From Good Reads: When Abbey's best friend, Kristen, vanishes at the bridge near Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, everyone else is all too quick to accept that Kristen is dead and rumors fly that her death was no accident. Abbey goes through the motions of mourning her best friend, but privately, she refuses to believe that Kristen is really gone. Then she meets Caspian, the gorgeous and mysterious boy who shows up out of nowhere at Kristen's funeral, and keeps reappearing in Abbey's life. Caspian clearly has secrets of his own, but he's the only person who makes Abbey feel normal again...but also special.

Just when Abbey starts to feel that she might survive all this, she learns a secret that makes her question everything she thought she knew about her best friend...








HAPPY HALLOWEEN TO ALL!

Eight Days of Halloween- Day Five: Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble by H.P. Mallory

Book: FIRE BURN AND CAULDRON BUBBLE
Author: H.P. MALLORY
Genre: PARANORMAL ROMANCE/ FANTASY

Published: July, 2010


I received this book from the author, H.P. Mallory for free, in exchange for an honest review.


From Good Reads:
Life isn’t bad for psychic Jolie Wilkins. True, she doesn’t have a love life to speak of, but she has a cute house in the suburbs of Los Angeles, a cat and a quirky best friend.

Enter Rand Balfour, a sinfully attractive warlock who insists she’s a witch and who just might turn her life upside down. Rand hires her to help him solve a mystery regarding the death of his client who also happens to be a ghost. Jolie not only uncovers the cause of the ghost’s demise but, in the process, she brings him back to life!...

My Review:
I enjoyed my first foray into H.P. Mallory's writing. I was attracted to FIRE BURN AND CAULDRON BUBBLE because of the synopsis. A psychic and a warlock are two elements in paranormal romance and urban fantasy that I haven't read in too many books recently, and I always like to change things up every once in a while, to read more widely (even if it is still in a genre that I frequent) and to avoid sinking into reading slumps. I couldn't have asked for a more satisfying read to fulfill that criteria than this novel.

FIRE BURN AND CAULDRON BUBBLE starts out with Jolie Wilkins meeting the mysterious Rand, a self-professed warlock, who claims that she isn't a pyschic, but a witch. While the beginning is mostly Rand trying to convince Jolie of his claims, the story still moves pretty quickly, and I found myself getting into the changing locales, and the new people that Jolie was meeting.

A note about the beginning: The repeated visits of Rand, and Jolie's "practice" to try and engage her witchy powers was quite realistic in its pacing. I hate it when I have to think that some character agreed too readily to a life-changing announcement given to them by a third party. Or, even when a book seems to compress a month's worth of story into three days. However, I also want the book to move along, and keep me from getting bored. Mallory handled this aspect well.

As with her other novel, TO KILL A WARLOCK, she also introduced several men into Jolie's life. So yes, I do love a good romantic triangle in a paranormal romance. But, I also like it when a woman doesn't "have to" commit herself to a guy. In real life, this is how it happens. Mallory gives Jolie options, one that is probably inapproprate, but still, it's an option. And, it's not a triangle. FIRE BURN AND CAULDRON BUBBLE hit all of the right buttons for me.

In terms of pacing, plot, characters and language, this novel is one I'd think any reader, looking for a bit if a change from the usual bookshelf offerings, would highly enjoy.


4/5 for plot
4/5 for characters
4/5 for language

My Rating: 12/15 Highly Recommend



Find out more about H.P. Mallory, and the books that she has written, at the following links:

H.P. Mallory's website
Blog
Twitter
Facebook

Eight Days of Halloween- Day Four: Sinjin Sinclair Takes Over

I am very happy to welcome Sinjin Sinclair to Read My Mind for Eight Days of Halloween. He's the uber vamp and gentleman (sometimes!) of H.P. Mallory's novel, FIRE BURN AND CAULDRON BUBBLE. Sinjin wants to set some things straight about "real" vamps, in honor of Halloween or Samhain or Devils' Night. Whatever you prefer to call the last days of October, let's have a word from a true creature of the night.

The dire circumstance of the vampire in entertainment today
By Sinjin Sinclair, vampire


I was asked by Ms. Hill to write an expose regarding the plight of the vampire in the modern world. Ah, where to begin? Perhaps I should preface this post by educating the audience on the fact that I, myself, am a vampire. I am more than six hundred years old and in my lifetime, I have seen the vampire metamorphose from a rather grandiose, reverenced and feared character into the glittering subject of teenage salivation. Disgusting. We are vampires, we do not glow in the sunlight—we explode in the sunlight.

Entertainment depicting the vampire in yesteryear was true entertainment. Bram Stoker’s portrayal of Dracula was art imitating life. The Count is a true spokesperson for the vampire—someone to be feared and admired. And Stoker well represented the sensuality of the vampire. I often wonder if Mr. Stoker was not a vampire himself, for he painted us so expertly well.

I shake my head when I consider the vampire of today according to the narrow scope of Hollywood. I could not allow myself to witness the pain that was Twilight. Once I learned our kind was represented as glittering and climbing trees like squirrels, I merely swallowed my disgust. And this True Blood which seems to have captivated modern young women…I do not know what to say about it although I do see a similarity between myself and the vampire Eric. I must admit that I have found hours of enjoyment reading Stephen King and his representation of the vampire race in Salem’s Lot.

In conclusion, as a vampire, I am not glittery nor do I climb trees. And I do not drive a Volvo. I am something to be feared and respected. If you are female, I am something to be desired.

I am the vampire Sinjin.




H.P. Mallory


Blog
Twitter
Facebook

Purchase H.P.'s books in the following formats:

FIRE BURN AND CAULDRON BUBBLE
Kindle
Nook
E-Book

TO KILL A WARLOCK
Kindle
Nook
E-Book

I'll be reviewing FIRE BURN AND CAULDRON BUBBLE as part of the Eight Days of Halloween tomorrow, so come back to see what I thought. But, don't forget to check out H.P.'s other novel, TO KILL A WARLOCK. Here's my review.

And coming soon, continuing the adventures of Jolie, Rand, and hopefully more of Sinjin, is TOIL AND TROUBLE.

Eight Days of Halloween- Day Three: YA Paranormal Giveaway

For Day Three of Eight Days of Halloween, I have a giveaway for all of the YA book lovers out there!


Slayed by Amanda Marrone

From Good Reads: The Van Helsing family has been hunting vampires for over one hundred years, but sixteen-year-old Daphne wishes her parents would take up an occupation that doesn’t involve decapitating vamps for cash. All Daphne wants is to settle down in one place, attend an actual school, and finally find a BFF to go to the mall with. Instead, Daphne has resigned herself to a life of fast food, cheap motels and buying garlic in bulk.
But when the Van Helsings are called to a coastal town in Maine, Daphne’s world is turned upside down. Not only do the Van Helsings find themselves hunting a terrifying new kind of vampire (one without fangs but with a taste for kindergarten cuisine), Daphne meets her first potential BF! The hitch? Her new crush is none other than Tyler Harker, AKA, the son of the rival slayer family.
What's a teen vampire slayer to do?


Rules:

1. Must have a U.S. address to enter (I'm low on funds right now, and many of my giveaways DO include my international followers)

2. Must fill out the form completely

3. May enter ONE TIME ONLY; I reserve the right to eliminate an entrant for duplicate entries that seem like cheating.

4. Must be 13 years or older

5. Giveaway ends: November 4, 6PM eastern

Good luck to all!

Eight Days of Halloween- Day Two: Urban Fantasy Giveaway

In celebration of Halloween, I am giving away BRAND NEW books! I don't read too much pure horror, so my offerings are going to be mostly urban fantasy. Here's what I have to start:


Masques by Patricia Briggs (a previously written book, that she has edited and revised for re-publication)

From Good Reads: After an upbringing of proper behavior and oppressive expectations, Aralorn fled her noble birthright for a life of adventure as a mercenary spy.

Her latest mission involves spying on the increasingly powerful sorcerer Geoffrey ae'Magi.

But in a war against an enemy armed with the powers of illusion, how do you know who the true enemy is-or where he will strike next?



Poisoned Kisses by Stephanie Draven (this book packs a great urban fantasy punch, with tons of action, a sexy hero and heroine, and vengeful gods with blood in their eyes!)

From Good Reads: Daughter of the war god Ares, Kyra had been born into darkness—a darkness she'd vowed to annihilate. Just as she'd destroy the notorious Greek arms dealer Marco Kaisiris for feeding the bloodlust she despised. She'd use her nymph's carnal powers to seduce him, then slay him. But Kyra wasn't prepared for Marco's secret weapon.

For millennia Kyra had avoided mortal men, but she couldn't resist Marco's magnetism, his raw sexuality. Time and again his sculpted body took her to heights to which only the gods soared. That he was a shape-shifting hydra she could forgive, but not his one fatal flaw—his poisoned blood could kill her. Kyra had fallen for the only being who could destroy her…. Yet how could she spend eternity without him?



Rules:

1. Must have a U.S. address to enter (I'm low on funds right now, and many of my giveaways DO include my international followers)

2. Must fill out the form completely

3. May enter ONE TIME ONLY; I reserve the right to eliminate an entrant for duplicate entries that seem like cheating.

4. Must be 18 years or older

5. One winner will receive both books

6. Giveaway ends: November 4, 6PM eastern

Good luck to all!

Eight Days of Halloween- Day One: To Kill a Warlock by H.P. Mallory

Book: TO KILL A WARLOCK
Author: H.P. MALLORY
Genre: URBAN FANTASY

Published: July 2010

I received this book from H.P. Mallory, for free, in exchange for an honest review.

From Good Reads:
The murder of a dark arts warlock. A shape-shifting, ravenous creature on the loose. A devilishly handsome stranger sent to investigate. Sometimes working law enforcement for the Netherworld is a real bitch.


My Review:
I absolutely loved the beginning of H.P. Mallory's book! I was thrust right into the life of Dulcie O'Neil, and her job as a Regulator. As the synopsis from Good Reads says, sometimes her life can be a real bitch. And boy, does Dulcie have a lot on her plate. TO KILL A WARLOCK is a solid urban fantasy, where the story focuses on Dulcie and her latest case, which is full of twists and turns... and murder, of course.

TO KILL A WARLOCK had a great plot that kept me interested throughout the book. Not only did Dulcie have to solve a few murders, but she also had to deal with her self-consciousness about her "fairy" ears, as well as finish the novel that she was writing. I liked how she actually had a private life that was separate from the job that she does. In many urban fantasy or paranormal romance novels, the abnormal and danger seems to permeate all parts of the heroine's life. It was a nice change to have a heroine that had some separation on the two.

Know what else I loved? Mallory does introduce some steamy men in TO KILL A WARLOCK. While her boss Quillian, sex-club owner Dagan, and vampire Bram, are previously known to Dulcie, she can't resist the new stranger in her life. It's clear that Dulcie is attracted to Knight. Could it be the amount of time he spends clad in skin-tight leather, undercover at Dagan's club? (That's totally my vicarious thrill, by the way!) Either way, the spark between her and Knight, and the long-term crush that Dulcie harbors for Quillian, never overshadow the actual case that she is trying to solve. Romance doesn't become the main plotline, which is something I look for in my urban fantasy.

4.5/5 for plot
4/5 for characters
4/5 for language

My Rating: 12.5/15 Highly Recommend


Find out more about H.P. Mallory, and the books that she has written, at the following links:

H.P. Mallory's website
Blog
Twitter
Facebook

NaNoWriMo

It's that time of year again.
My Birthday? Nah, too late.
Christmas? Way too early.
Floride treatment at the dentist? That's just silly.

No, no, no. It's almost November 1st, which means that NaNoWriMo is just around the corner!

I'll be participating, as I did last year. I've already got a great (in MY head) idea, and while I'm usually a pantser when I write, this year I think I am going to do a little plotting.

By the way, the forums at NaNo seem like a great way to connect with other participants, but I am going to be concentrating on writing. I do love a good write-in, though, so if you are in my region, count on seeing me around!

My NaNo name: PolarisGreen

Check me out and friend me, if you want. Then, sharpen your pencils and open your moleskine. Or clip your fingernails, buy a power strip, and turn off your screensaver. Whatever. Just be ready to WRITE!

Book Review: Cate of the Lost Colony by Lisa Klein

Book: CATE OF THE LOST COLONY
Author: LISA KLEIN
Genre: HISTORICAL FICTION

Published: October 2010, BLOOMSBURY


I received this book for review from GOOD GOLLY MISS HOLLY BOOK TOURS (ARC edition)

From Good Reads:
The greatest unsolved mystery of American history--what happened to all the colonists who landed on Roanoke Island in 1587? This novel traces the fortunes and misfortunes of one Cate Archer, banished to Virginia by a jealous Queen Elizabeth because of her dalliance with Sir Walter Ralegh. What will be her fate in this dangerous New World?



My Review
My interest in CATE OF THE LOST COLONY was piqued immediately by the idea that Lisa Klein had created a fictionalized account of the events leading up to the disappearance of the missing colony of Roanoake. Obviously, because the history was indisputed, I knew that she would have done a great amount of research to get the details right; the British involvement with the native peoples of America, the royal court and the background of the Queen, and even the people that lived in her orbit. These are important facts that done right could make a great novel, but done wrong could turn the read sour for me.

But, Klein's result is so much more than just an accounting of history. Her characters, be they created, or real people who lived at the time are so three-dimensional, it was fairly breath-taking. I really enjoyed the insight into the Queen and Ralegh. Even though it is fictionalized, the inclusion of their personal reactions to love, their own jealousies, and their persuasive qualities speak to how, no matter the title or position in society, all of humanity is similar in very base ways.

I was even pleasantly surprised by the native people that Klein wrote into her novel. Manteo especially, turned out to be a key character, and his point of view enriched the book for me by having him as a representative, figuratively and literally, of the native inhabitants that lived in the area before the British arrived. Through his eyes, she shows a people rich in culture, and far from being savages. Yes, he has a foil in Wanchese. But, the idea that all of the natives were war-crazy or brutal is dispelled here.

CATE OF THE LOST COLONY brings a fresh perspective to what it might have been like, on both sides, to experience the birth of a new era for North America, and the difficulties that were endured and overcome by the colonists that departed from European soil.


4.5/5 for plot
5/5 for characters
4/5 for language

My Rating: 13.5/15 Must Read


Find more about Lisa Klein, and her other books, at the following links:

Lisa Klein website
Bio
Facebook Page

Advance Review: Cloaked by Alex Flinn

Book: CLOAKED
Author: ALEX FLINN
Genre: YA FANTASY

Published: February 2011, HARPER


I received this book for review through STAR BOOK TOURS (ARC edition)


From Good Reads:
Johnny works after school in a shoe repair shop in a swanky hotel in Miami. He loves shoes and is talented; he even aspires to be the next Manolo Blahnik. But the real reason that he is working so hard is because his dad left when he was a baby and he needs to help his mom pay the bills. At least he has his friend, Meg, who works at the hotel coffee shop, to keep him company.
When beautiful Princess Victoriana comes to stay at the hotel, Johnny is thrilled when Victoriana invites him to her suite. There she tells him that her brother has been turned into a frog, and that she needs his help finding him in the Florida Keys. Johnny thinks she is crazy and does not believe her,
until she gives him a magical cloak that immediately transports him to another location. Armed with the cloak and a magical earpiece that can help him talk to other transformed humans Johnny sets out to save the Prince ...


My Review:
I've heard so much praise about Alex Flinn, as an author, and her fresh take on classic fairy tales. Also, her previous release, BEASTLY, is on my wishlist, but I haven't actually had a chance to read any of her work. So, when I had the opportunity to get an early look at CLOAKED, I was pretty excited.

Right from the beginning, I liked the premise of the novel. Johnny is the type of character that I would like to read in books more often. One that isn't super-wealthy, doesn't drive an expensive car, or doesn't have an ambiguiously large (impossible) NY (or other large city) apartment. A character that, in fact, I might truly be able to connect with.

The dialogue was snappy, and at times -the right ones- even a bit snarky. I loved the encounters that Johnny had with the talking animals, especially the swans in the hotel. And, all of this is a more technical review of the book than I usually do. Because, I thought the book was good...

BUT. I didn't engage with CLOAKED the way that I expected to. Don't get me wrong, I liked the book. But, I didn't fall in love with it. I wanted to. The story kept me reading, because I did want to see how Flinn was going to take the book to its conclusion. And, I wasn't disappointed in her "fresh" take on the fairy tale. I'm not sure what I was disappointed in. Myself, a little, because I suspect that I was in a reading slump, and nothing might have satisfied me at the time.

3/5 for plot
3/5 for characters
3/5 for language

My Rating: 9/15 Worth Trying


Find out more about the author, Alex Flinn, and her work from the following links:

Alex Flinn's website
Bio
Blog
Speaking Engagements

Book Review: Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Book: CLOCKWORK ANGEL
Author: CASSANDRA CLARE
Genre: YA HISTORICAL FANTASY

Published: August 2010, MARGARET K. MCELDERRY

I received this book for review from TRAVELING ARC TOURS (ARC edition)


From Good Reads:
Magic is dangerous--but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own...


My Review:
I make no bones about how much of an anglophile I am. I also make it clear that I love the Shadowhunter world that Cassandra Clare has built in her series, THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS. So, when I heard that the two would collide in her new series, THE INFERNAL DEVICES, I knew that CLOCKWORK ANGEL would be a must read for me.

This novel introduces the Shadowhunters decades before THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS, in a Victorian London. But, make no mistake, the villians here are just as indominable as their contemporary counterparts. Tessa Gray is the primary character, wading her way through danger at the hands of the Dark Sisters, and their mysterious master, The Magister.

One of the reasons that I love Clare's books so much, is her utter skill in building the world her characters inhabit. Thoroughly researched, but still wholely inventive, she engages all parts of me, as a reader. My intellect, imagination, curiosity, and thrill-seeker are always completely sated when I turn the last page. CLOCKWORK ANGEL is the perfect book for any fantasy reader that needs pages full of mystery, history, danger and excitement.

5/5 for plot
5/5 for characters
5/5 for language

My Rating: 15/15 Must Read


Find out more about the author and her books from the following links:

Cassandra Clare website
Blog
The Mortal Instruments
The Infernal Devices
Upcoming author events

Book Review: Heart of Lies by M.L. Malcolm

Book: HEART OF LIES
Author: M.L. MALCOLM
Genre: HISTORICAL FICTION

Published: June 2010, HARPER

I received this book from The Book Report Network for free, in exchange for an honest review

From Good Reads:
Leo Hoffman was born with a gift for languages. When his dreams for the future are destroyed by World War I, the dashing young Hungarian attempts to use his rare talent to rebuild his life, only to find himself inadvertently embroiled in an international counterfeiting scheme. Suddenly Leo is wanted across the European continent for a host of crimes, including murder. Left with no options, he must escape to Shanghai with his lover, carrying with him a stolen treasure that could be his salvation . . . or his death warrant. But the gangsters who control the decadent Asian city have no intention of letting him outrun his past. And when the Japanese invade, one wrong move could cost Leo Hoffman everything he holds dear.

My Review:
HEART OF LIES by M.L. Malcolm is a sweeping historical novel that travels from eastern Europe, to Asia, and even to America. I was taken on a lovely ride that included danger, lies, misunderstandings, manipulations, the affects of war, but most of all, love.

There's something to be said about a writer that can create a flawed character that can still capture the reader, such as Leo Hoffman. Despite the fact that he seems to act with good intentions in mind, Leo doesn't necessarily operate on the "right side" of the law. While his adventure starts out with him being taken advantage of, and it precipitates a quick escape from his home, Leo is still culpable in many of the actions that he takes throughout this story. However, I thought that, perhaps in spite of his mistakes, Leo is also a character that I could sympatize and empathize with.

Truthfully, it was the locales that Malcolm included in HEART OF LIES that kept me reading the book, as well as their history. The characters were rich and interesting, but Malcolm's research and depth as she describes the places is truly enthralling. This is the real star of the book. The places and the everyday people that inhabit them. Malcolm infuses the novel with such detail, while still telling Leo's story, that the cities he spends time in become just as important to the plot, as the things he does while there.


4/5 for plot
3.5/5 for characters
3.5/5 for language

My Rating: 11/15 Recommend


HEART OF LIES was selected as an “Indie Pick,” and Target chose the title as a “Breakout Book” in their Emerging Authors Program as well.

To find more info on the author, M.L. Malcolm and her work visit any of the links below:

M.L. Malcolm's bio
Blog
HEART OF LIES Discussion Guide
More about HEART OF LIES and her upcoming sequel, HEART OF DECEPTION
Schedule of author events

H.P. Mallory Wants to Put YOU in a Book!

H.P. Mallory, author of urban fantasy books, TO KILL A WARLOCK and FIRE BURN AND CAULDRON BUBBLE, is having a contest on her blog during the month of October. (Is it really 2/3 over already?! Better enter now!) Here's all of the deets straight from H.P.'s blog:



So, who hasn't wished to be in a romantic novel? Well, here's your chance! I want to write you into my next book, Toil and Trouble which is due to release on Jan 1, 2011!

I'm about 2/3 finished with Toil and Trouble, the follow up book to Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble, the first book in the Jolie Wilkins series.

And, I got this crazy idea...what if I hold a contest on my blog whereby the winner becomes a character in my book? Pretty fun, right? So, I'm doing it!

Here are the contest parameters:

Enter to be written as a character in my book, Toil and Trouble. I'll create your character using your name, description and personality (I'll have to send over a questionnaire, etc. to find out all about you!)

I already know which character you'll be and without giving away too much, this character is:

* integral to the storyline
* mentioned in Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble
* will play a part in all future books in the Jolie Wilkins series

The winner will get:

* A written part in Toil and Trouble and future Jolie Wilkins books
* The ability to read Toil and Trouble before it's released to the public
* Added to the Acknowledgments page of Toil and Trouble
* Interviewed on my blog
* A signed (with dedication) paperback copy of Toil and Trouble
* A signed paperback copy of Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble and To Kill A Warlock

To enter, you can simply comment on this blog post. To get more entries, you can do the following:

* Leave a comment on this blog post (+ 1 point)
* Follow my blog (+ 1 point)
* Follow me on Twitter (+ 1 point)
* Tweet about the contest (+ 1 point)
* Friend me on Facebook (+ 1 point)
* Mention the contest on Facebook (+ 1 point)
* Mention the contest on your blog (+ 1 point)
* Join my brand new Yahoo Group (+ 1 point)

Do all of the above and you'll get even more chances to win with a total of 8 possible points. Just mention in your blog comment how many points you earned (and how you earned those points). A sample comment could look like this:

Hey, HP, enter me in your awesome contest! I have a total of 4 points for commenting on your blog, friending you on facebook, tweeting about your contest and joining your yahoo group!

This contest is open until October 30, 2010 with the winner announced on Halloween, October 31.

Contest Rules:

* Enter by October 30th, winner drawn Oct 31st
* Total your points in the comments field of this blog and tell me how you earned your points. I'd love to know what you think of my contest too!
* The winner will be drawn at random by random.org (the more points you have, the more entries you'll get)

Want the whole background story of your character? Read my book, Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble just $2.99 ebook! (Soon to be available in paperback)
Kindle
Nook
Other ebook

Good Luck!!!!!


*Look for my review of both books on Monday, and a guest post from H.P. during the week also. For those of you who have read the books, one of the dishy male characters might make an appearance!*

New Winner for Anita Blake Graphic Novels

Well, the original winner never claimed their prize, and it's been four days. I know that some bloggers have a second-chance type of contest to find a new winner, but I usually have random.org find me two runner-ups during the original drawing, just in case. So, here is the next name.

LAURIE G.

Please CLICK HERE to redeem your prize.

Congrats!


Welcome The Fall: Kick-Ass Graphics (2 Limited-Edition Anita Blake Graphic Novels)

Breaking My Hiatus, and Winners Announcement

Ok, it's time for me to get back to the blog. I know I haven't posted in about two weeks. I've had some personal drama, that I won't get into, but it has messed my head up some. I've got some reviews to write, and I've been planning a 10 day blast of reviews and giveaways to celebrate Halloween at the the end of the month. But, I didn't want to try to put words in print for those reviews while I had this personal stuff swirling around, making me upset and off-kilter.

Anyway, I'm putting it aside because I have missed blogging, and writing, and I know there are people waiting to find out the results of my Welcome The Fall Giveaways.

Welcome The Fall Giveaway #1: Anita Blake Graphic Novels
GIADA M.!

Please fill out the form HERE to claim your prize


Paranormal Author Favorites
DANIELLE S.!

Prize Claimed.



Welcome The Fall Giveaway #2: The BeDeviled Collection or The Kilted Collection

STELLA (EX LIBRIS)!

Prize Claimed.



Welcome The Fall Giveaway #3: YA Authors

LISA (BADASSBOOKIE)!

Prize Claimed.



Book Porn (What books attract your eye?)

CASS (WORDS ON PAPER)!

Prize Claimed.


CONGRATS TO ALL!