Archive for October 2011
posted by SweetSwan on Giveaway
Hey Everyone! I have been thinking about something to do for when 1 reach 500 followers. I'm only half way so far, but i wanted to start thinking early! What i decided to do was a Lovely Lit Lottery. Initial entries will be $1 then extra entries, for tweeting, commenting, etc, will be free.
Oh course I'm sure you all are thinking "Why would i give some stranger a dollar?" right? Well that is because you will be entered to win a KINDLE FIRE plus various other book prizes!!
The whole reason i wanted to do this giveaway is because I've been wanting to giveaway an EReader on my blog for awhile, but i cant just spend $250 on it. I cant even afford one for myself, much less one to giveaway away.
Ok the Catch: I would need atleast 200 people to enter at $1 to be able to do it!! So before i commit to doing it, i want to gage interest so i can be sure i will have enough people enter. The price is $199 plus shipping/taxes. If i get money over the actual price, i will list books as prizes too. That way all the money you all send in, you'll be getting back in prizes.
I think itd be pretty awesome to enter at $1 and win a book or even a ereader!!
SO if you think i should do this, please write a comment and let me know... Also, let your readers and friends know too. Hopefully we can get to 200+ then someone will get an awesome ereader!!!
posted by SweetSwan on Challenge, Event, Giveaway
Spootackular Giveaway Hop Oct. 24 - Oct. 31
My Spooky Giveaway: One Lucky winner will win a book of their choice from The Book Depository! This giveaway is open internationally as long as they ship to your country! To enter, all you need to do is (1) follow blog via GFC, (2) add your name and way to contact you to the comments, and (3) list your choice of spooky book if you win in that same comment! As an optional EXTRA entry, you can tweet about the contest and add the direct tweet url to a second comment. Your tweet must include this posts url to be a valid entry. 2 comments = 2 entries. 2 entries max per follower. Winner will be randomly chosen from the comments using random.org.
Thanks a lot for entering and Good Luck!! :) Please also check out the other blogs in the hop! They will all have a book giveaway you can enter.
posted by SweetSwan on Challenge, Event, Giveaway, readathon
#WWReadathon |
The Challenge
I was having some issues finding my own challenge, so this one is from Michelle at Book Briefs. Its quite simple and super fun!!! Thanks to April at Shelf Confessions for helping me construct it.
For this challenge you will be making one sentence using only book titles. You cant add or leave out any words. You can use as many books as you'd like. Your sentence will probably be silly but that makes it even more fun! Just make sure its a real sentence. Subject & Verb! Here is my example:
A beautiful, dark witch song crossed the haunted, wicked woods.Wow! that sentence sounds scary...sort of like youre lost in the woods...then you start hearing things.. :/ Here are my books:
Woo not too hard huh? If you have a blog, you can make a post with your sentence and book covers then link it in the comments. If you dont have a blog, just add your sentence to the comments then list the book titles and authors you used! Also, since our event here has a twitter tag, as a extra entry, tweet your sentence with the tag (#WWReadathon) and url to this post then add a direct link to your tweet in a seperate comment!
This challenge is TIMED!! Yes thats right...you will only have a few hours to complete this and get your entries in! The challenge starts at 4pm est and will end at 10 pm est. That gives you 6 hours. I will choose the winner promptly at 10:15 pm!! If you are having trouble please feel free to tweet me at @Alove4Lit !
Prizes
We will have 1 winner that will be chosen randomly from everyone who completes the challenge. The winner will get to choose one paranormal/supernatural/horror book of their choice from Book Depository.
**For more info on the Wonderfully Wicked ReadAThon and a schedule of events, Check out Aprils post over at Shelf Confessions.**
Here is the Signups for the Prize Packs:
Oh and before i forget, if you want to follow along on twitter, try going using TweetChat at http://t.co/8rnINl1L I found it to be soo easy!
posted by SweetSwan on Challenge, Event, Giveaway
Hey everyone!! This October had been one super great and scary month for my blog here. This weekend ill be particpating in another Halloween event called the Wonderfully Wicked ReadAThon. It will officially be running from Tomorrow Friday Oct. 21 to Sunday Oct. 23. I of course work every weekend (sigh) so ill be doing some unofficial read today and Monday..hehe. OH and of course, i forgot the best part, tomorrow ill be hosting a challenge for the readathon!!
The challenge will give yall a little time to rest your eyes.
Ill post the challenge up at exactly 4pm est time (1pm pacific) and it will last 4 hours until 8 pm est (5pm pacific). Wooo, ok back to reading now! I just wanted to give you all a heads up! Thanks to ShelfConfession for hosting the ReadAThon!
posted by SweetSwan on readathon
Frightful Fall Read-A-Thon Oct. 3-9
My (tenative) reading list:
Brightest Kind of Darkness by PT Michelle- Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey
- Anna dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
Need by Carrie JonesThe Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
*Strikeout=finished; Underline=Currently Reading; Italic=Postponed*
posted by SweetSwan on Review, zombies
Title: The Forest of Hands and Teeth
Author: Carrie Ryan
Series Info: Book 1 of 3
Theme: Zombies, PostApocalyptic, Dystopian
Rating: 5 Hearts
Summary: Through twists and turns of fate, orphaned Mary seeks knowledge of life, love, and especially what lies beyond her walled village and the surrounding forest, where dwell the Unconsecrated, aggressive flesh-eating people who were once dead.
My Overall Thoughts: The town in which the main character lives is surrounded by a fench. There is nothing outside of the fench except woods...and zombies! There are no other towns..or at least thats what everyone is told and is urged to believe!! Although...somehow there are these trails that go off into the woods...Do they really lead to nowhere?
I must say, i really loved this book!! The writing was greatly detailed and beutifully paced. It was nice to see the characters grow and change from just believing everything they hear to discovering things from themselves. I really love the action and zombie scenes!! I was very suspenseful, the whole book was sort of exhausting. For the whole huge journey i was like "Aaahhhhh get there already"..or get somewhere besides walking around on the trails. Im still undecided about the ending and where they actually "get".
This was my first zombie book ive ever read i really liked it. Before i read it, i half expected a human zombie love thing...but its pretty clear in the first few pages that that wont be happening! I like that the book is different in that it focus on life, loss, faith and strength instead of only love. This is why i gave it 5 hearts.
What I Liked: I really like the "love" in this books. Not only the romance but Mary's love for her family, friends, and self. Mary has to go through SO much loss and destruction...but she doesnt get too bitter.
What I Didn't Like: I didnt like that the part right towards the end when they get to the end of the path...I dont want to spoil it...but youll know what i mean when you get there!! It just seems so unfair...its like "WHAT? You have got to be kidding me"... In actuallity its a very realistic and possible situation...im just soo used to YA having perfect sweet endings where everyone lives happily ever after. Ms. Ryan is not afraid to leave the sugar coating elsewhere. These things werent enough of a dislike to lower the rating though.
My Favorite Quote: "We are our own memory-keepers and we have failed ourselves."
posted by SweetSwan on Book Exchange, Feature
Status: Got a partner!
Wooooo i have great news!! I finally got a partner for the Fall Book Exchange! Its Steph from http://papercut-reviews.blogspot.com/ . Wwwooo I'll be sending her 2 brand new books from her amazon wishlist.. The book titles are a secret though!!! :)
posted by SweetSwan on Feature, First Line Friday
- Title: Hunting Ivy
- Author: Alyxandra Harvey
First Line: I was nine years old when my mother decided it was time I took part in the family business. I was pretty enough now, she said, that I might be of use.
What do you think: fab or flab? Does it make you wanna read it or run from it? Without reading a summary, what can you gather from just the first sentence?
posted by SweetSwan on Feature, WWW Wednesday
What are you currently reading?
- Title: Hunting Violet
- Author: Alyxandra Harvey
- Progress: 2%
Description: I didnt read the summary because i wanted to be surprised...so far though i can tell the main characters mom is a "fake" pyschic! Lol! Its really good so far!!!!
What did you recently finish?
- Title: The Brightest King of Darkness
- Author: P.T. Michelle
- Rating: 5 hearts
Description: Nara has dreams telling her everything that will happen the following day. After she prevents a bombing at her school, she ends up meeting Ethan, a "would-be" target. After strange and dangerous things start to happen, she starts wondering whos behind it all. Could is be Ethan, who she has come to like and semi trust, or could it be something else entirely? I really liked this book!! My review is up! I gave it my highest rating!
What do you think you'll read next?(tenative)
- Title: Anna Dressed In Blood
- Author: Kendare Blake
Description: I didnt read the summary completely but i think its about a guy who gets rid of ghosts but ends up falling in love with one...hmm something like that. It's getting excellent reviews and it came out at the perfect time for all my halloween events!! I love a good ghost story!
posted by SweetSwan on Challenge, Event
Frightful Fall Read-A-Thon Oct. 3-9
My (tenative) reading list:
Brightest Kind of Darkness by PT Michelle- Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey
- Anna dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
*Strikeout=finished; Underline=Currently Reading*
posted by SweetSwan on Author Interview, Giveaway, P.T. Michelle, Review, Widget Wednesday
I have a super surprise for you all today.... an review, a interview, a widget AND a giveaway!! Squee! Author P.T. Michelle ( @PT_Michelle ) and i have been working on this behind the scenes. Amazon has recently made the first few chapters embedable...so heres a snippet!! Hope you enjoy and keep scrolling down for your chance to win!!!!!
My Review
Title: The Brightest Kind of Darkness
Author: P.T. Michelle
Series Info: Book 1 of The brightest Kind of Darkness
Theme: Darkness vs. Lightness, Dreams, Fate
Rating: 5 hearts
Summary: Nara has an unusual gift. She came see her entire next day in her dreams. While she tries not to interfere, one day when she dreams of a bombing in her school she cant stay quiet... but soon her life starts getting chaotic. She meets a new gut at school Ethan who seems to be able to balance her..but suspcious, dangerous things start to happen and she cant tell whos behind them!
My Overall Thoughts: Excellent!! The action started from the very first page!! The timing and pace were great!! The romance was sweet and steamy! The mystery was infalliable with soo many twists! The authors writing style was beautiful. I was blown away by how perfect the book seemed, especially considering it was self published! Other self pubished books ive read had errors or were very short. This book didnt have any of those problems!! Its def ready for prime time! I honestly think its ranked in the top books ive read this year!!
What I Liked: My favorite part of the book, beside the scorching hot Ethan, was the last chapter. The last chapter is very visual and it is there that you learn the meaning behind the title and the cover! Its so vivid i felt like i was part of the story. The last chapter also introduces a new mystery to be explored more in book 2. The ending left enough open to make for a great sequal but tied up enough that you feel satistfied. I love the ending...although i continue to think about Nara and Ethan. I miss their story! (Fyi: a short story and a print copy will be coming out in November, then book 2 sometime after that)
What I Didn't Like: Honestly, the only thing i didnt like was the format...Ive come to depise kindle!!! Its soo slow and laggy on my android...maybe my phone is too slow..but i almost screamed with the sluggishness!! It was very distracting when i was reading...i much prefer the moon reader ebook app!! I will have to remember this!! As for the story or reading i didnt find anything to dislike!!
My Favorite Quote: "Knowing what was coming-even if i didnt like it- was better than not knowing what would happen if i changed something."
1. How did you pick the names for your charcters?The Fast Five: Interview with P.T. Michelle
I initially chose Nara's name when I heard the name Inara on a TV show (shout out to Firefly!). When I started researching the meaning behind Inara, I was so excited because the description of "illuminating or ray-of-light" fit perfectly into the theme of my book "lightness vs darkness". Ethan's name means "solid and enduring" and that's also a perfect name for his character, because he's already been through a lot in book one and will have to face even more trials in book two.
2. I love quotes!! What would you say is your favorite Quote(s) from the book?
Here are a few quotes from Brightest Kind of Darkness...
Ethan had this knack for leaving me breathless and teetering. Like a chair tilted on two legs, I was never sure if I was going to topple over or land on solid ground.
Ethan clasped my wrist and pulled me into his arms, holding me close. “I’ll always be here for you.”
Ethan leaned close and I closed my eyes as he lightly kissed my cheekbone, then my forehead. He had no idea that his gentle kiss had melted something inside me, how much I craved the physical connection.
3. If you could summarize your book in one sentence, how would that sentence go?
Brightest Kind of Darkness is about a girl with the ability to see the future, but when that power fails her, will the boy who seems to know her better than anyone be able to save her?
4. What can we expect from book 2?
Book two takes Nara and Ethan even deeper into uncovering who and what he is. At the same time, Nara will have to make some difficult decisions about her own heritage and the responsibility her powers bring her. There will be more mystery, new dangers, surprising discoveries and of course the stakes will be raised for Ethan and Nara. Can their romance survive it?
5. Since this series tackles dreams and seeing the future, what other ya theme would you like to explore in your writing (ie fairies, vampires, contempory topics etc)?
I'd like to write a story that incorporates magical realism or maybe an alternate reality. I think I'll always have some sort of paranormal element or unique twist in my books. I just can't seem to stay away from it.
More about the Author
P.T. Michelle is the young adult pseudonym of Patrice Michelle, author of fifteen romance novels and novellas. When P.T. isn’t writing, she can usually be found reading or taking pictures of landscapes, sunsets and anything beautiful or odd in nature.
P.T. loves to hear from readers. If want to share your thoughts on her books, click on the contact link above and send her an email.
She’s currently hard at work on the next book in the series.
Her Blog | Her Twitter | Her Facebook
The Giveaway
Wheee after all that scrolling... FINALLY the giveaway!! Ok, so the giveaway is for THREE (3) winners. Each will win the Ebook (amazon kindle version) of The Brightest Kind of Darkness!! (**If you dont have an actual Kindle device, you can read it on any iphone or android using the free app -OR- you can try the new cloud reader, where it just shows up in the internet browser! Check out the Amazon Kindle Help page for more info on reading Kindle books.**)
To Enter, all you have to do is add the widget to your blog. If you don't have a blog or webspace, you can also add a link back to this post on either twitter or fb (once a day, with a max of 7 total).
Each person can get up to 15 entires (1 for widget posting, 7 for twitter, and 7 for fb) although only one is required to have a chance to win. For each entry, please make a separate comment below with a direct link and your email or a way to contact you. At the end of the contest (Tuesday, Oct. 11th at midnight), I will randomly pick 3 winners out of the comments using random.org. This is open to anyone who is able to receive and view kindle books!
Did i forget something or do you have a question? Just use the "contact me" button on the bottom bar or leave a comment! Thanks!
posted by SweetSwan on P.T. Michelle, Review
Title: The Brightest Kind of Darkness
Author: P.T. Michelle
Series Info: Book 1 of The brightest Kind of Darkness
Theme: Darkness vs. Lightness, Dreams, Fate
Rating: 5 hearts
Summary: Nara has an unusual gift. She came see her entire next day in her dreams. While she tries not to interfere, one day when she dreams of a bombing in her school she cant stay quiet... but soon her life starts getting chaotic. She meets a new gut at school Ethan who seems to be able to balance her..but suspcious, dangerous things start to happen and she cant tell whos behind them!
My Overall Thoughts: Excellent!! The action started from the very first page!! The timing and pace were great!! The romance was sweet and steamy! The mystery was infalliable with soo many twists! The authors writing style was beautiful. I was blown away by how perfect the book seemed, especially considering it was self published! Other self pubished books ive read had errors or were very short. This book didnt have any of those problems!! Its def ready for prime time! I honestly think its ranked in the top books ive read this year!!
What I Liked: My favorite part of the book, beside the scorching hot Ethan, was the last chapter. The last chapter is very visual and it is there that you learn the meaning behind the title and the cover! Its so vivid i felt like i was part of the story. The last chapter also introduces a new mystery to be explored more in book 2. The ending left enough open to make for a great sequal but tied up enough that you feel satistfied. I love the ending...although i continue to think about Nara and Ethan. I miss their story! (Fyi: a short story and a print copy will be coming out in November, then book 2 sometime after that)
What I Didn't Like: Honestly, the only thing i didnt like was the format...Ive come to depise kindle!!! Its soo slow and laggy on my android...maybe my phone is too slow..but i almost screamed with the sluggishness!! It was very distracting when i was reading...i much prefer the moon reader ebook app!! I will have to remember this!! As for the story or reading i didnt find anything to dislike!!
My Favorite Quote: "Knowing what was coming-even if i didnt like it- was better than not knowing what would happen if i changed something."