Super Awesome 'A Stiff Kiss' One Year Anniversary Contest

Today, I'd like to share Avery Olive's post! It's a super awesome contest! I hope everyone participates because 'A Stiff Kiss' was one of my favorite reads for 2012! See MY review of it HERE.

Welcome... Welcome! Please stick around and read today’s post ‘cause it’s a Winner! Hehe. Okay, so I thought about trying something a little different for this next contest.

My goal is to try and get everyone involved more, while spreading the word about A Stiff Kiss. I know many of you might prefer the simple enter your email Rafflecopter, or leave a comment on a post... but I think, if people get involved, this will be a huge hit!

As an A Stiff Kiss Anniversary Participant, your goal is to get as many points as possible so that you can win the massive prize package I’ll be giving away.

But wait, I’m all about a pat on the back for participation, so I will be giving two smaller prize packages away to two random entrants, and... And... for everyone else, you’ll get a little something something too. So, if this works, everyone has the potential to receive some kind of goodie!!

Grand Prize includes:

1 signed and personalized paper copy of A Stiff Kiss (with a special note to the winner)

1 ASK Canvas Tote Bag

1 ASK T-Shirt

1 ASK Coffee Mug and set of coasters

1 ASK Mousepad

Signed Bookmark, postcard and mini poster

2 Participation Prizes include:

1 ASK Coffee Mug filled with Hersey’s Kisses

1 Set of ASK Coasters

1 ASK Mousepad

Signed Bookmark, postcard and mini poster

To see a picture of the prizes being offered, click HERE

Alright, let’s get to the fun stuff. I’ve created a list of activities, given each of them a point value and tried to come up with simple, easy to do and like I said, most importantly, fun things for you to accomplish. You will need to copy and paste this form, and fill it out in order to entered. All forms must be sent to averyolive1@gmail.com no later than February 28^th!

1. Tweet about A Stiff Kiss. I’ve created a few tweets that you can copy and paste, or create your own.

Tweet 1: Who knew kissing a corpse would change everything? #AStiffKiss out now! http://www.amazon.com/Stiff-Kiss-Avery-Olive/dp/193725433X/

 

Tweet 2: Have you checked out @AveryOlive #AstiffKiss ?Happy one year book anniversary! http://www.amazon.com/Stiff-Kiss-Avery-Olive/dp/193725433X/

 

Remember to use @averyolive or the hashtag #AStiffKiss so that I can track your tweets! International readers may tweet in their own language, so don’t worry 

1 Point per Tweet and no more than 2 Tweets per day! Enter how many tweets you did here...

Number of Tweets:

2. Post to your blog or other social media (Website, Tumblr and Facebook)

You’re goal is to share something about A Stiff Kiss. It can be posting a review, doing a simple cover and blurb spotlight, it can be asking me to do an interview (send an email to averyolive1@gmail.com if you’d like my help) You can re-use an old review, post or interview, however it must be imbedded into a NEW POST. You’re imagination should be put at use here, being extra creative is awesome!) Can be posted in your language of choice.

5 Points per Post. You can post a maximum of 3 times, at least one week apart but each post must be different. One post review, one post cover and blurb, one post something random like sharing with me your personal favourite cemetery...

Please include links to your post!

1.

2.

3.

3. Spread the love by sharing your A Stiff Kiss Review. Most people forget that there are dozens of places to share reviews. Posting one in a new place can help spread the word. Find a new place (like Goodreads, Barnes & Nobel, Librarything.com, YaCentral) and post your review!

5 Points for each new location you post your review! Please include links to your reviews 

Enter Links Here:

4. Candid Camera! Take a photo of you (and others if possible) holding a copy of A Stiff Kiss, your e-reader with the cover (or opening page). If you see A Stiff Kiss in your bookstore, library, or own a copy, get as many people as you can into a picture!

Don’t have a copy or ebook of A Stiff Kiss? That’s Okay! If you’ve been lucky enough to receive ASK Swag in the past, take a photo with that or print out this handy 8 ½ X 11 POSTER (colour or black and white) and use that for your picture!

10 Points for each photo, plus 5 points for each additional person within the photo! Follow me on Instagram—tag me in your photo—post it on Facebook, post it to my wall, share it on twitter with @AveryOlive or #AStiffKiss or send me links.

5. Poster, poster, read all about! Print out this handy dandy 8 ½ X 11 POSTER (colour or black and white) and post it all around your town. Tape it up anywhere you are allowed to—libraries, school bulletin boards, telephone poles, get creative!

10 Points for each poster you put up (with photo proof, see activity 5 guidelines on how to make sure your photo is seen if you are not sending me links)

5. Get your Library to get in on the fun! Many library websites have a “request a book form” so, fill it out and request to have them purchase a copy of A Stiff Kiss for their shelves or go directly into the library and fill out a form or talk to your librarian!

10 Points for each request (take a screen shot of your screen when making the request (screen shot how to info HERE)

5. Stage a spooky photo! Since A Stiff Kiss’ main character is all about cemeteries, I want you to go out and stage a photo next to a tombstone. I know, it’s a little morbid, but Xylia will love it. Use your book, ereader, poster or swag and capture it along with a tombstone, creepy statue—anything you can find at your local cemetery!

15 Points for each spooky photo (with photo proof)

5. Buy a Copy today! Don’t own A Stiff Kiss? Buy a copy (print or ebook) today for yourself, your friends, to donate to your library or giveaway as a gift. I recommend BookDepository.com. Take a screen shot of your order confirmation or a picture of your receipt.

25 Points for each book (or ebook) purchased—don’t forget that photo proof.

5. Write an article! This is a big one, it might be nearly impossible to accomplish, but I have faith in you! Write an article about A Stiff Kiss (or me, Avery Olive) and have it printed in your school or local newspaper. The article can be a review, an interview, whatever you can come up with!

30 Points for each article printed. Send me links or get photo proof!

The Wild Card! This is for you wild ones out there. Show me what you’ve got! This is activity is strictly for you to think outside the box! If you can come up with a fun, creative way to spread the word about A Stiff Kiss, show it to me!

50 Points I’ll need photo proof, links—anything you can throw me!

Just a little extra. 
 

Can I personally use your pictures and post them on the internet? Yes or No

Can I include your name when announcing prizes or thank you’s? Yes or No

Don’t forget to include your full name and mailing address because in my eyes, everyone is a winner!

Name:

Address:

Send completed form to averyolive1@gmail.com
 

That’s it, that’s all. I know, some are easier than others, but I think with a little planning and a little motivation, anyone out there can rack up the points!

Remember, for the ones that require proof, I need links provided or to be tagged on Facebook or Instagram, it posted on my wall or use @averyolive or #AStiffKiss so that I can see all your hard work!

For full contest details, rules and regulations, please visit HERE otherwise, get to work and spread the love of A Stiff Kiss!

Avery Olive’s Blog : Facebook: A Stiff Kiss Facebook Fan Page: Twitter: Instagram: Goodreads:

: Amazon: Barnes & Noble: The Book Depository:

Guest Post: Author Shelley Workinger + Giveaway

Today at Tink's Place, please welcome Shelley Workinger, author of Solid and a brand new addition to her series, Settling. Both are excellent YA reads about a mysterious genetic experiment, cover ups, and what happens when they're found out, and it's surrounded by the US Army and one crazed scientist. Join Calliope's gang to discover more! 

Ms. Workinger is an andie author who has found her niche.

Welcome Shelley!!

Today Shelley is going to share some of her thoughts about reading and the love for it. Why we choose to read, what makes us desire to read. So, please help me welcome Shelley to Tink's Place!

The very first time I talked to a newspaper reporter about “Solid,” she asked me if I was a big reader in junior high and high school – the age group I was writing for. I know I shocked her by answering, “No.”

It’s not like I didn’t like books; it was the opposite, in fact – I loved reading until I reached the age where the required reading at school was both so massive and, frankly, so boring, that the last thing I wanted to do was pick up another book in my free time when I was sure it’d no better than the rest.

Things have definitely changed since then; digital formats make so many more titles accessible (I lived nowhere near a bookstore); the blogosphere is filled with targeted suggestions (I had no resource to help me find stuff I’d like); and teachers and schools have changed tack in a big way. My friend that teaches high school English assigns books like “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” and “The Book Thief,” along with the less-painful classics, like “The Great Gatsby.” I feel that a lot of people in my generation came to the same conclusion that I did – you foster the love of reading by introducing kids to books they’ll love, not massive tomes of ye olde torture – and are doing something about it.

I also think it’s important for staunch proponents of sticking to the same old standards to know that just because many new YA reads are fun and fast, it doesn’t mean they’re dumbed down. I might even argue the opposite, actually! I know that details that yank you out of the narrative – How can that character be using a Droid in 2009 when it didn’t come out until 2010? – get me every time, and I think young adults are the quickest to catch those kinds of slips, which keeps me on my toes! Maybe that’s even one reason why some readers are so reluctant – they don’t always trust the writer, or feel that he or she is really writing for them. Just because I didn’t know anything about chromosomes and bandwidths when I started writing didn’t mean the readers wouldn’t, and I worked to make sure that even though my story was highly improbable, it was not impossible.

I’ve been thrilled with the feedback I’ve received for both “Solid” and “Settling,” and I do hope readers see how seriously I consider their thoughts and time and how the series is very much being written for them.

Now, Shelley would like one lucky reader to have the opportunity to read her new novel, Settling. If you'd like to give it a try, leave a comment. If you're a blog follower, leave a comment for an extra entry. Follow me on Networked Blog to pick up another entry. It's an excellent read!!

Guest Author and Contest with Raven Corinn Carluck!!

It my very special pleasure to have Raven Corinn Carluck posting at Tink's Place today!  She's going to tell us about her books, writing, and a sweet excerpt from All Hallows Blood, an excellent read for Halloween!

(Released:  March 2010  Crescent Moon Press)

 From the Cover:

Mourning her mother on Halloween, Keila O'Broin, a psychic warrior and last of her line, isn't prepared for dead teenagers to ask her to avenge them. Compelled by her family creed, Keila combats the vampiric serial killer, despite her atrophied powers.

But defeating one killer is only the start of her adventure. Into her life walks Varick Eitenhauer, centuries old undead master of Portland. The vampire tells her she will now help him defeat his rivals in a battle to control the city, and he will accept no refusals.

Surrounded by her desire and danger, the only way to succeed is to rise from her past like a phoenix from its ashes.

Raven is a native of Las Vegas, and is madly in love with her desert homeland. No matter where she wanders, she always returns. Her household is quite full, with her soulmate, her best friend and his sister, two cats, a parrot, and a snake all in residence. The fuller the house, the happier Raven is.

Her first story was written at age five, and was everything a five-year-old's story could be expected to be. Raven has been writing ever since, creating worlds and characters in an effort to share her visions. Magic abounds in her thoughts, waiting to be set to paper. Nothing will stop her from writing, as Raven is forever a storyteller.

Amongst her hobbies, past and present, are breeding snakes, embroidery, digital painting, playing table top RPGs, hiking, collecting stuffed animals and swords, cooking, growing roses, and playing computer games.

Raven codes and maintains her own website, and invites everyone to stop by and browse her story and art galleries @ http://raven.youareannoying.us or http://ravencorinncarluk.blogspot.com

Follow on Twitter @ http://twitter.com/ravencorinn

Please help me welcome Ms. Carluck to Tink's Place!


Hi Raven, thanks for visiting Tink's Place today! It's awesome having you here!

Thanks for having me. It's great to get out and around the blogosphere.

To start with, why don't you tell us something about yourself?

I'm madly in love with my soul-mate, and we've been together for twelve years now. I love big animals, and have a very talkative parrot, a childish cat, and a gorgeous snake. And I'm stoked to be on my journey to fame and fortune.

What drew you to the genre of paranormal romance? Have you written in other genres?

I've been a fan of vampires and monsters since I was little. I'm a romantic at heart, so it wasn't a big leap for me to join the paranormal romance genre. Passion and love, immortality and powers beyond the normal, these are things I love very much.

I typically have a little more urban fantasy in me, so there's action and adventure along with the love. I also write dark fantasy, and have the bad guy win. I've never been accused of being cute and fluffy with my stories.

What types of books do you read when you're not writing? Do you read in your own genre? Do you have a favorite author or all time read?

I do read from my own genre, though I prefer fantasy and sci-fi as my main reading selections. I'll read just about anything speculative fiction. I want more than the real world in my reading selection, because reading has always been an escape for me.

Anne McCaffrey and Michael Moorcock are some of my favorite authors of all time. Carrie Vaughn is my favorite author in something resembling my own genre.

Is there any must haves when you sit down to write (I have to have hot cocoa, lol, chocolate and caffeine, yum!)?

My must have is my Orlando Bloom notebook. I'm obsessed with him, and I do all my first drafts by hand. Not much I'll do without him. Other than that, I really just need something to drink, and something in the background. Doesn't matter if it's soda, or water, sweet tea or drink mixes. And music or movie, just something to distract parts of my mind.

Is there a certain time of the day you like to write? Morning, Noon, Midnight? (I'm a night owl myself, lol)...

I'm a total night owl myself, but can't stay up too late because of the dreaded day job. I'd love to write until dawn, but I can't. I end up mostly writing through the afternoon at work, and doing edits and typing in the evenings.

I really think of myself as a storyteller, and mostly I'm just reaching out to get new readers. I want all of you to get a glimpse of what I've created, and be taken away for a while. I've got a bunch of free reads on my site, and am putting up short stories on my blog. All Hallows Blood is my first novel, but it certainly won't be my last.

An excerpt of the book will follow. If what you read catches you, come to my blog and enter in my big giveaway. You just need to friend me there, or on Twitter for a chance to get an ecopy of either of my books. And November 1st, I'm doing a drawing for autographed copies of my books. So stop by, say hi, and maybe get a free read.

Varick met my gaze, his eyes hard chips of blue. “I am judging your skills, attempting to discern how you bested a vampire past the neophyte stage.”

“Maybe he was just a loser,” I offered, crossing my arms under my breasts as I settled into the corner. Varick's sweater was loose enough across my chest, but it pulled tight when I trapped the fabric like this. I thought his eyes flicked across my form, but couldn’t be sure. I didn't know if I cared, despite the desire I'd had for him earlier. “Just because he's a vampire doesn't automatically make him badass.”

“Actually,” he said, suddenly in my face, his arms braced on either side of my shoulders, “it does.” Varick leaned closer, enveloping me in his aroma, our bodies nearly touching. He still didn’t register in my psychic perceptions, but my aura parted around him. I swallowed hard, and his eyes went to my neck.

“Vampires are predators,” he said with a husky voice. He made no attempt to disguise the way his gaze caressed my neck. My pulse jumped as I imagined his lips tracing my skin, and I bit my tongue stud. Varick knew he disconcerted me, and he seemed intent on using it to make his point. “Once we are strong enough to be away from our master, we are stronger than any human.”

I uncrossed my arms, standing a little taller, letting anger rise to displace the sadness completely. Was this really the same man who'd held me an hour ago while I cried, who'd bared his own sorrow to me? My heart skipped a beat as I carefully put my hands by my side, attempting to show that I wasn't frightened of him. I wondered if he tasted my hidden fear, if he could tell it was all a lie. “I've read accounts of vampires getting killed by humans.” I held his gaze, even as the sapphire brilliance darkened with his expanding pupils. It didn't even occur to me that I'd admitted to having knowledge of his kind when I hadn't earlier. “That vamp didn't sound that strong.”

The German must have allowed some of his aura loose, because his presence swelled. He didn't move, yet I instantly felt trapped by Varick. My blood ran cold, and I pressed myself farther into the corner. I didn't care if he knew I was scared. No one with a self preservation instinct wouldn't be scared. This was the atavistic fear all creatures carried, something in the genes that let us know when we were being hunted.

His eyes bored into mine, pinning me as easily as his body. “Even were that account true, do you really think a bunch of mewling mortals stalked into a vampire's lair and killed him without help? Perhaps he was set up? Or was he a neophyte abandoned by his master?”

I shivered, his breath washing across my face. The account I'd read was from a hunter, and he'd hinted at being a psionicist. No mewling mortal there, but someone who could level the playing field. I could tell him what I was, take the mystery out of it, but then he'd know everything about me. I couldn't do that.

The elevator bounced to a stop, chiming as the doors opened. “We're here,” I said, unable to look away from his captivating eyes.

“Never mind that,” he whispered huskily, turning his head as his gaze fell once more to my neck. My skin crawled with biting fire as he leaned forward, close enough that a deep breath would bring us together. My head slowly turned, a breathless whimper escaping my lips. I didn't know what was happening to me, but I wanted him to taste me. Right now. I shuddered, from either fear or desire, as his breath touched my bared neck. “Could you stop me?” he asked, his voice dropping lower. “Would your fighting skills do you any good in here?”

Varick's lips were nearly to my neck, the air stirred by their motion. My eyes closed, a soft groan rising from my throat. The vampire stiffened, and his left hand drifted closer to my shoulder. I couldn't think of anything but his mouth, and how his hair would feel tangled through my fingers. I wanted to tell him the vampire in the house hadn't had this kind of presence, that until he'd bitten me, there had been no desire for him. With the German so achingly close to me, I couldn't think of raising a hand to him.

I groaned again, gritting my teeth in frustration. I was not some sort of easy lay; I simply did not lust for someone like this so quickly. It had to be some function of his power, something to lull his prey into submission. It couldn't be my own hormones running rampant.

The doors swished closed behind us, and I let my eyes flutter open. I saw Varick's hand scratching at the paneling, scars standing out against icy flesh. We'd moved so close in that span of seconds, his mouth was a breath away from the vein in my neck. “Varick,” I whispered in a strangled voice. If either of us moved, my throat would end up against his teeth. It took more willpower than I realized I had to hold still .

Thanks for visiting with us here at Tink's Place!  It's been great having you here!  And remember to stop follow Raven's blog or follow on Twitter for a chance to win one of her books!

Winner of Dakota Banks Giveaway!!

Before I announce the winner of Sacrifice, Book Two, Mortal Path by Dakota Banks, I want to thank her for spending time here at Tink's Place, answering questions, and letting us know a little about herself and her writing process. I always enjoy learning about authors!

I used Randomizer to choose a winner, and it has spoken. The winner is.....

Blodeuedd!!

B, Send me your snail mail addy and I'll send it to Dakota! You have 5 days to claim your prize. Congrats and Happy Reading!!

Guest Post and Giveaway! Tink's Place Welcomes Dakota Banks

Hi to all my blogosphere buds!!

I have a very special guest to welcome to Tink's Place today!!

Dakota Banks has become one of my favorite authors. She always delivers a story filled with action, adventure, excitement, and a little love; and she does it all in the guise of an Urban Fantasy, making the reader that a look around, wondering if it's a possibility. After all, the Salem Witch Trials really did happen. What if you were Maliha and could bargain away the pain and death, the only cost was your service to a demon. You'd have a second chance at life, a chance at revenge, and you'd be better than before, enhanced, immortal. The only problem, your conscious doesn't like to follow the demon's demands. This is the premise for Dakota's books.

And now, to celebrate the release of her new book, Sacrifice, Book Two, The Mortal Path Series, Dakota has prepared a special post today.

Thanks, Dottie, for having me on your blog today.

Sacrifice is out! I've been waiting for it, building up both anticipation and honestly a little nervousness. I'm well aware of the "second book fizzle," in which the second book of a series doesn't live up to the promise of the opener. I pour heart and soul into each book and I hope there's no fizzle in the Mortal Path series. Instead, I honestly hope to make this a best-selling series. Enough with the honesty! I'm starting to get dewy-eyed.

I love book releases! It's when I have the most opportunity to talk with readers other than during conventions. Otherwise, with my daily routine that includes writing in the middle of the night, I can go a long time without saying a word. The writing and the research that go into the Mortal Path books are very intense activities for me. Think trance. Think throwing the stapler at anyone who interrupts my trance. My cats are immune from that rule, and when you think about it, there's something trance-inducing about cats purring in unison anyway. Writing in the middle of the night also means I can slip out into the kitchen for s'mores and not have to make some for everyone. Seriously. The "k" key on my keyboard sticks a little because somehow microwaved marshmallow dripped down next to it. You'd think toothpicks would do a better job of cleaning.

Many authors have two or more book releases a year. So far in the Mortal Path series, it's been one a year, and I see that pattern continuing. I'm working on book #3 now (working title Despair, although I don't know if my editor will go for it). Instead of doing more than one MP book a year, I think I could add another series, and I'm looking into that now. Something that isn't quite so dark. Something that would never have a title of Despair, even tentatively. Any suggestions? Vampires? Werewolves? Zombies? All of the above? And I guess (sigh) I'm going to have to get into writing in first person, something that doesn't come naturally to me. Well, no one said writing was easy.

I want to go on record about something. My original intentions for the Mortal Path series had Maliha ending up alone and bereft, as she was at the beginning of the series, in a full circle thing. I dropped that idea because I love Maliha too much and could never do that to her. I solemnly promise, right here on Tink's Place, a HEA for Maliha, but she has a lot to go through to get there. Don't you just love HEAs? I think even a dark fantasy deserves some light at the end.

This short excerpt represents a problem Maliha has to face in Sacrifice, where the challenge lends itself to her returning to the ways of the Black Ghost, when she was a demon assassin:

       Maliha wanted to talk to Hound, Amaro, and Yanmeng before she left. She corralled them all in a bedroom.

       "Don't expect to hear from me often," Maliha said. "I can call the phone here because it's secure, but mostly I'll be operating quietly and quickly. I'll be using my old assassin techniques and you don't really need to hear about that anyway. Keep everybody calm in here and I'll let you know when I'm successful."

       Her three friends exchanged looks that she couldn't interpret. "What gives?"

       "You're shutting us out. Do you need to work secretly?" said Yanmeng.

       Maliha frowned. "If you want the job done and lives saved, then let me have a free hand."

       "What exactly does a free hand mean? How do you operate with your 'old assassin techniques'"? Yanmeng wanted to know.

       With no regrets, no looking back, and nobody getting in my way. Using any method to get what I want.

       "Efficiently," she said. Her voice was cold. Unconsciously, she'd taken an aggressive stance: feet spread apart, her right foot slightly in front of her left, her left hand inches away from the gun in her hidden waistband holster.

       "Whoa, back off," Hound said as he stepped in front of Yanmeng. "It was just a question. Shit, don't get all Rambo on us."

       Maliha swung her arms to loosen them, and moved backward to sit on the bed. "What's with all of you? This is no different from other missions we've worked on."

       Yanmeng shook his head. "Your attitude is different. You're slipping back to the way you behaved when you were Ageless, and it seems like you … want to."

       What gives them the right …?

       "How do you know how I behaved when I was Ageless?"

       "Because you've told us," Amaro said. "You also said that you never wanted to be that way again."

       "I can handle this. It's temporary." Maliha stood up and left the room, cutting off the conversation. It was time for her to leave.

Wow! What an excellent taste of Sacrifice! Thanks Dakota for sharing what it's like for you to write, I like middle of the night s'mores too, lol, it's the only peaceful time of my day! My dog likes middle of the night snacks too, but I make him have puppy treats.


I love the excitement you have for the Mortal Path series, it keeps the characters fresh and your readers happy! Though writing means lots of hard work and long nights, the payoff is a story that's hard to put down. I do hope Maliha has many more books and adventures yet to come, she's a magnetic heroine, and yes, I do believe she needs her HEA. She's worked too hard not to end up happy!

Dakota also has a special treat for my readers today. She'd like to have an international giveaway of one signed copy of Sacrifice to one lucky commenter.  YAY!!

So, leave a comment for Dakota.  Ask her a question, make a suggestion for her new series (you know, I'd suggest Vampires, hot sexy vampires, lol, and Dakota, you write dark so well!), pick her brain about writing, and please congratulate her on the release of Sacrifice, my review will be up soon, all I can say... it's a must read!!

If you're a follower, remind me and I'll give you an extra entry, but you don't have to follow to enter. Spread the word, and let me know, earn an extra entry. We'll leave the contest open until Tuesday midnight, and randomizer will pick a winner. Good luck and good reading!!

Winner of Born of Night

Randomizer has spoken and the winner of Born of Night is............elaing8!  Congrats elaing8!!  Send me your name and snail mail addy, and I'll make sure your book goes out in the mail.  If I don't hear from elaing8 in 48 hours, I'll pick another winner.

Thanks to everyone who entered!!

Another, Another Faust Contest

Hi Everyone!!

I just wanted to share with everyone one of the entries I wrote for the Another, Another Faust Contest (BTW: Entries for this contest have to be email in to the contest by 1-31-10. Only a few short hours left.) I just wanted to share the one that I didn't enter. I wasn't sure it met the requirements of a deal with the devil, now that I think about it, it might have if the deal could be between Death and the Devil.

To Steal A Soul

The Angel of Death walked the Earth searching for lost souls to save. So many these days, his job was becoming harder and harder. The lives of these humans were becoming more desperate with each passing day. It saddened him.

Satan stalked the Earth in search of lost souls to take. So many these days, his job had lost all of its challenge, it had become almost boring. These humans were desperate for creature comforts, greedily hoarding and wasteful. It would bring him joy, if not for the monotony.

One day, Death and Satan met, enemies on the battlefield, but away from the fighting, they had evolved into a grudging truce.

“I've found and saved two dozen souls today.” Death boasted, happy with his achievement.

“I've taken twice that many and then some.” Satan yawned with boredom, he could have had four times that many, but Purgatory was a nice place to make souls suffer too. Hell was too crowded anyway.

Death knew of Satan's truth, he'd stretched his number and Satan had underestimated. It didn't used to be that way.

Satan cracked his knuckles. “Would you like to make a friendly wager?” He hadn't played with Death lately, and maybe it was time for a game.

“What do you have in mind?” Death inquired, his face breaking into a smile, Satan may be ahead in the taking of souls, but Death was a great equalizer.

“Let's say that if I win, Death takes a holiday, one day for me to work my magic without the interference of the Angel.” Satan grinned with mischief, he thought he might really have Death this time. Of course, he'd have to cheat to win, but what the Hell, Death should expect it.

“And what will happen if I win?” Death inquired, Satan never played fair, and never gave up anything willingly.

“Same thing, I'll take a holiday.” Satan chuckled.

“What's the game?”

“The game is called 'To Steal A Soul'.” Satan's beady eyes were sharp as he awaited Death's answer.

“Satan, you know I'm in the business of saving souls, not putting them in jeopardy.” Death responded, Satan wasn't winning that easily.

“Okay, let's make it fair. I'll put three souls up for grabs, and all you have to do is get one of them to join you. If you convince just one, you get all three. If you can't convince a single soul, then I get to try to tempt a soul that you've claimed.” Satan watched Death carefully, to see if he agreed.

Death considered the possibilities, pondering what the catch could be, coming up blank.

“Alright, I'll play your game.” Death grimaced, he had to take a chance if he could save even one soul, he had to try. The Devil had him by the short hairs and Satan knew it.

“The wager is set then.” Satan said. “Who's soul are you wagering?”

“Your game, you get to tell first.” Death held up a hand, waiting to see what souls Satan had to wager.

“I'll make it easy, are all disgruntled souls, unhappy with their lot in life.” Satan grinned wickedly.

“I'll make it easy too, I'll wager one exceptionally happy soul.” Death smiled. “Where's the playing field?”

“Neutral ground, no where too infected with happiness or despair. Since it's my game, I think it's fair that I choose, seeing as I have the greatest amount to lose. I choose Middle Ground, Earth itself.”

Death knew there wasn't a place on the face of the Earth unaffected by despair; wars, disease, and disasters that set the course of life and it was beyond his control. His only hope was for the small things that brought happiness to the lives of humans.

As the game began, Death took the field and approached the first of Satan's cursed souls.

“My child,” Death began, “how can I offer you comfort? Why do you despair?”

The soul looked Death in the eye. He was young, barely 30 years, but his soul reeked of disdain.

“There is little to offer me,” the soul said. “I hunger after the all mighty dollar with never enough as a child. Can you give me my heart's desire? Can you fill my pockets?” The soul sneered at Death. “Satan has made promises that he's kept. I've always helped myself, easily. Leave me in peace, Angel, I have what I need.”

The second soul strolled boldly up to Death, grabbed him by his lapels, and yelled. “I've been cursed with illness, my whole family has suffered, why wasn't I granted peace and comfort when there was a chance?” He pushed Death away from him. “Leave me to Hell, I want no part of Heaven.”

The third soul was a sweet young woman and she held tears in her eyes. “Angel, if you had approached me when I was younger, I would have followed, I'm a good girl.” Then her eyes turned hard, cold, and distant. “But Satan has saved me from the abuser and the abuses.” She walked to Satan and ran her hand across his fevered cheek. “He has taken away those who've brought me pain. Could or would you have done the same?” She looked at Death, and shook her head. “I didn't think so.”

The Angel looked back upon the souls, and to the first he said, “You, money lover, will money bring you peace? Will your love of money serve you in the end? And, you who suffers from disease, did Satan take your disease away? Has he spared your family? And, you girl, did Satan bring your abusers to justice? Did his vengeance bring you peace? ” And Death looked around. “I thought not.”

The Angel of Death knew that he didn't have a chance with any of these souls, they were already lost. The poor souls gathered around Satan, eager for his touch and smile.

Satan glanced at Death. “Where's my soul to tempt, Angel?”

As Death stepped aside, revealed behind him was a little old lady, smiling happily with her pet Chihuahua. “This is my soul, a happy soul who has lived a happy life. She's earned everything she has needed in her life.” Death smiled at Satan, knowing he had before him an impossible steal.

Satan walked up to the little old lady, smiled and said, “Ma'am, I love Chihuahuas and I have two myself.” He patted the small dog who shivered in dread. Satan actually had Hellhounds, but what's a little white lie.

“Aren't they the sweetest little things?” She hugged her prized pet to her bosom.

“Ma'am, did you ask Death if you can bring little hmmm... I believe it's Roscoe, isn't it? Did you ask if Roscoe will be allowed to stay with you forever and always?”

The little old lady looked at Death, face falling with fear in her eyes. “Roscoe has to stay with me. I could never stand to lose him.”

Ah, Satan had played this one well, for The Angel couldn't bring Death to any creature before it's time.

The little old lady saw the answer in his eyes. She looked at the Angel one last time. “You know it's for the best really. He wouldn't want to be without me.” She walked to the other souls and joined their party.

Satan smiled at Death, the game was over. Death would have to take a holiday. “I win my friend.”

Death grimaced at Satan, “You may have won on this day my friend, but remember that souls can call for forgiveness at any time and then they're mine. The battle continues.” He smiled and turned away.

Satan knew the Angel was right, that was what gave the Devil nightmares. Everything could be lost with two little words. “Forgive me.” Before Death, souls could be boisterous, but upon it's occurrence, Death had the last word.


© Dottie Taylor

Born of Night Giveaway

From the Cover: In the Ichidian Universe, The League and their ruthless assassins rule all.

Expertly trained and highly valued, the League Assassins are the backbone of the government. But not even the League is immune to corruption . . . Command Assassin Nykyrian Quikiades once turned his back on the League—and has been hunted by them ever since. Though many have tried, none can kill him or stop him from completing his current mission: to protect Kiara Zamir, a woman whose father’s political alliance has made her a target.

As her world becomes even deadlier, Kiara must entrust her life to the same kind of beast who once killed her mother and left her for dead. Old enemies and new threaten them both and the only way they can survive is to overcome their suspicions and learn to trust in the very ones who threaten them the most: each other.

Since the wonderful people at St. Martin's Press sent me an extra copy of Born of Night, it's giveaway time. YAY!! So, that means one lucky commenter gets to take home this little jewel home with them. It's an excellent read, Sherrilyn Kenyon creates a wonderful world to explore, and I personally fell in love with Nykyrian (great tortured hero!), sexy paranormal romance. I hope everyone enjoys Born of Night as much as I did. This is Kenyon release of her early work, re-drafted and connected into a series, The League. If you haven't tried Kenyon yet, this is your chance to get in with the first of her new series.

Leave an comment to enter. If you'd like extra entries, follow or current followers, let me know. Tweet, blog (sidebar is fine), share in some way, and let me know. Thanks in advance for making this fun. Open worldwide. Contest ends Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010 at midnight anywhere.

Winner of Immortal: Love Stories With Bite

There were 98 entries for this contest, WOW!!



The winner of Immortal: Love Stories With Bite is..............

LILI

Yay Lili!! I'll be sending you an email.

Thanks everyone for playing along.

Review & Giveaway: Immortal: Love Stories With Bite Anthology

From the Cover: In Immortal: Love Stories With Bite, edited by New York Times bestselling author of the House of Night series P.C. Cast, seven of today's most popular YA vampire and contemporary fantasy authors offer new short stories that prove that when you're immortal, true love really is forever.

Rachel Caine (the Morganville Vampires series) revisits the setting of her popular series, where the vampires are in charge and love is risky

Cynthia Leitich Smith (Tantalize) gives us a love triangle between a vampire, a ghost and a human girl, in which none of them are who or what they seem

Claudia Gray (Evernight) takes us into the world of her Evernight series, in which a pre-Civil War courtesan-to-be is courted by a pale, fair-haired man whose attentions are too dangerous to spurn

Richelle Mead (the Vampire Academy series) brings us the tale of a young vampire on the run from the rest of her kind, and the human boy who provides the getaway car

Nancy Holder (the Wicked series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) immerses us in a post-apocalyptic New York where two best friends are forced to make a choice that may kill them both

Kristin Cast (the House of Night series) introduces us to a new kind of vampire: one with roots in Greek mythology, and the power to alter space and time

And Tanith Lee (Black Unicorn) shows us what happens when a bright young woman with some supernatural savvy encounters a misguided (but gorgeous) young vampire

I had read about this book on Rachel Vincent's blog, so when the publisher offered a copy, I snatched up the opportunity to review. I had it on my TBB list and I would have gladly paid the purchase price! Excellent reading!!


P.C. Cast - Offers her views on why there is a fascination with vampyres. Could it be the search for immortality? How do teenagers view lifestyle and does this continues throughout adulthood? Interesting viewpoint, this author stirs my interest with her wit and wisdom.

Haunted Love by Cynthia Leitich Smith (new author for me)
Cody is the only vampire in town ... or so he thought. Come and watch what happens when he buys the local haunted theater. Monsters come in all shapes, sizes, and genders and they aren't always what we think.

Amber Smoke by Kristin Cast
Ever want to meet the furies? If you read this story, not only do you meet them, but their gorgeous son too. He has a mission and he must save her or lose his soul forever.

Dead Man Stalking (A Morganville Vampire Story) by Rachel Caine
What's like to live in a town full of vampires? If you visit Morganville, TX, you won't have to wonder. Vampires, zombies, and a crazy old man make this story come to life.

Table Manners by Tanith Lee (new author for me)
Lel has been sent to find a vampire .... but do you know what a vampire really is?? Only Lel and her father, Anthony Draculian can help with that question .... but wouldn't you like to know??

Blue Moon by Richelle Mead
Have you ever heard the saying 'once in a blue moon'?? Well, Lucy Wade of the Chicagoland Vampire Mob Wades hadn't until her eighteenth birthday draws near. She has to make a choice: leave, escape or die....by her own family's hand. Very blood thirsty.

Changed by Nancy Holder (new author for me)
The day the vampires came, Jilly ran, ran for her life, her love, and away from the death and destruction. But to save her true unrequited love, will she sacrifice herself??

Binge by Rachel Vincent
Andi sings to feed, and feed she must or she will die, all sirens need to feed off the energy of humans. But Mallory is something else all together. She gives to feed. But how do you know when you've given too much??

Free (A Story of Evernight) by Claudia Gray (new author for me)
New Orleans (1841) Patrice and Amos want nothing more than to be together, both are free. But Patrice's mother has other plans, and she'll go to the highest bidder. Until Julien Larroux tries to make her his ... A life for a life.

Each of these little novellas are a tasty treat well worth reading. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was filled with just the right amount of urban fantasy and paranormal romance. I'll definitely be trying some of these new authors.

Giveaway!!!!

Jennifer at Ben Bella Books has generously offered a copy of this fabulous book for giveaway. All you have to do is leave a comment. For an extra entry post somewhere, please let me know where. For another try, follow and if you already follow, just let me know. This giveaway is open to US and Canada, but as always, for those of you across the big pond if you have a friendly US address to use, please feel free to enter. Contest will run until the end of the month, 11-30-09 midnight anywhere, winner announced December 1, 2009. Thanks and Good Luck!!!

I received this book for review from the publisher, Ben Bella Books. The views I have expressed are my own.

Bitten by Books, Blood Bank Members, And All Others - Mega Contests Going On!

Bitten by Books is having a month long party. Here is the current schedule:

It is a HUGE week for us at BBB!

We have several events that I could really use your help promoting. Feel free to copy the text in it's entirety and post to your blogs, groups etc. BE SURE to include the RSVP link so they know where to go. :) This is a HUGE HUGE help to me, the more places you post it, the better it is for the site and the authors. LOTS of great prizes are being given away. Remember you can enter all of the contests too!

Tuesday Author PC Cast!
RSVP HERE: http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=11900

Wednesday Erica Hayes
RSVP HERE: http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=11651

Thursday Charlaine Harris
RSVP HERE: http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=11942

RSVP's to follow later in the week!
10/22 - Bring Your Cover Model To Work Day - Carey Hope Interview/Contest
10/23 - Eva Gordon - Release Party

Also, here are a few other contests going on around the blogosphere:

Suburban Vampire - check out Catherine site, several contests right now, and I'm sure more to follow.

Patricia's Vampire Notes - Patricia has several contest going on this now, check this site out.

Scifiguy - Doug always has contests going on and he's a fountain of information from around the blogosphere.

Vampire Wire - Marta has some sweet contests going on right now, be sure to stop by.

All I Want And More - Cecile is having a month long birthday celebration.

Queen of Happy Endings - Alaine is having her monthly contest and more, stop by!

The Electic Reader - Teddyree is celebrating her son's birthday, stop and help her celebrate. Give her a hug while you're there, she's a sweetie!

The Book Resort - Diane always has something going on, and you never know what you find!

The Royal Reviews - The Princess always having some contests going on, check out these ladies.

Anna's Book Blog - OMG! Have you been to Anna's site lately? Hurry over, she has a box of books giveaway.

Stumbling Over Chaos - Chris has a great site, and she usually is running at least one contest (check out her huge mega giveaway by the 26th) and a great contest listing. Besides Chaos and Mayhem are entirely too cute.

The Book Butterfly - If you love YA, check Kim's site out, always a few contests going on.

The Book Muncher - Again YA site, but Scarlet has sweet contests going on.

Donna's Fantasy Dreamers Rambling - Donna has the neatest contest for Lenore going on and she has an incredible contest listing, make sure to check her site out!!

The Lateiner Gang Book Review Spot - huge contest going on!! If you haven't visited, you really should!

Houston A.W. Knight - Hawk is having a 'guess the jelly bean contest', check it out, too much fun!!

And remember, Michele Hauf's site, The Bite Club is having a Halloween Celebration starting on Oct. 25, should be fun!

I know I'm missing some great contests, but if you check out these sites contest listings as well, you'll find even more!!! Halloween contests galore!!

Get Your Scare On: Check out these ghostly pictures!
http://paranormal.about.com/od/ghostphotos/ig/Best-Ghost-Photos/

Guest Post With Dakota Banks and Giveway!!

Today on my blog, I have an extra special guest. I have the pleasure of welcoming Ms. Dakota Banks. She has written several suspense novels and she has agreed to impart some of her words of wisdom (I can use all the words of wisdom I can get!). I recently reviewed her book, Dark Time: Mortal Path Book One (to read my review, click here) and I thought it was a fantastic adventure with her first foray into urban fantasy genre. So please join me in welcoming Ms. Banks to the blog!!!

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I want to thank Dottie for the opportunity to reach out to her blog readers today.





I sat down prepared to write something perky, ending with a few self-congratulatory statements about my book, Dark Time: Mortal Path Book 1. Instead I found myself in a more reflective mood. So stay with me and I promise a treat at the end.

I'm one of those people who had a lifelong urge to write and knew from the age of eight that I'd be a writer someday. That was the year I wrote a 200 word short story and had it published in the school newspaper. Wow, my first byline! I slept with that story under my pillow until it got tattered and smeared (mimeographs were used at that time). It must have been a health hazard, because one morning the story was gone and a quarter was left its place. My mother talked nonsense about the story fairy, but I was convinced it was my first paid writing. I was a pro, and the only thing I had to work on was a higher payment per word and maybe getting an agent.

I was swept up by life after that. Science and computer studies, college, marriage, a career, a couple of adopted sons. The dream never died, though. I kept waiting for the "perfect" time to devote myself to long days and weeks of writing, and naturally something always came up to cause me to put it off. I finally learned what all writers have to learn: there is no perfect time. If you wait for it, they'll carve on your gravestone, "She could have been a writer, but the laundry had to be done." When my first son was a toddler and still taking naps (thank God), my inclination was to nap when he did. Oh, how that pillow called to me! Instead, I chained myself to a desk and began writing. Soon I was staying up late or getting up early to add more writing hours. I'd proven to myself it could be done, and the timing was anything but perfect. Did I mention I was juggling a full-time job as a computer consultant working from home and being a wife, too? Sacrifices had to be made. Watching TV? What's that? A social life? Family time came first.

Six suspense novels later, I let go of the security blanket of continuing with the same type of book. I was at a point where I wanted to try something new, to move into the paranormal genre, and I had an idea for a series that had been building up inside to the point that I couldn't shove it into the background. I had to write it. I was starting to inhabit my protagonist, Maliha Crayne, like an actress immersed in method acting.

Most new writers experience a lot of angst in their search for a first agent. So imagine what it's like to fire one! That's the first thing I did, so I could search for a higher-profile agency. It was like stepping off a giant cliff. I was in freefall with no agent, no contract, and only a new, unconventional idea to offer. There were so many times that I doubted what I had done and berated myself for firing an agent. Was I nuts? What if no one liked the concept of the Mortal Path series except me? And an even deeper fear: what if my writing couldn't stand up to the competition in an already-crowded urban fantasy/paranormal thriller genre?

It took six really scary months to find a new agent. Whew. Thanks for listening as I relived all this. You're a good audience! Somehow I went from age eight to the present in a few paragraphs, complete with some soul-baring. I'm not destined to write an autobiography—it would be too short to publish!

Now for the treat. Here's an excerpt from Mortal Path Book Two, Sacrifice, coming next year. It's from the middle of the book. Thanks again to Dottie for inviting me!

Sacrifice Excerpt

When Maliha woke, she was half-reclined on a chaise lounge in a sunroom overlooking a grand view of forested hillsides. The sun glinted on water in the distance, with a hazy area that might be land to one side.

Lucius was sitting on the edge of the next lounge, looking over at her. When he saw that she was awake, he spoke.

"Please enjoy my hospitality."

She sat up abruptly and faced him. She was wearing a soft, flowing green gown that was the opposite of her killing outfit in every way. It didn't escape her that somewhere between killing outfit and gown, there must have been a nude stage. That riled her. If she was going to get naked with a guy, she didn't want to sleep through it.

"I don't suppose you had your wife change my clothes and give me a bath."

He blinked. "I don't have a wife, or any female but you, here."

"I thought so. You kidnapped me and stripped me," she said, with disbelief and anger fighting for control of her voice. "Whatever you did, you were cowardly enough to do it to an unconscious woman." She pursed her lips. "Where am I?"

"I didn't do anything to you but make you clean and comfortable. If you don't like this gown, I can take you to where there are others choices. You are on my island home in the Mediterranean Sea. I said I wanted answers from you, and short of torture, this seemed to be the best way to get your attention."

Maliha looked around. She could see olive trees nearby, with their evergreen leaves and gnarled trunks. Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore. Or Chicago, either.

She shook her head and regretted it. Dizziness made the world swirl around her.

"The dizziness will wear off. It's from the drug. I'm a skilled physician. You needn't worry about any permanent effects."

"You can take your torture and your permanent effects and this gown"—she grabbed a handful of the fabric—"and shove them up your ass. I'm leaving here now." She stood up and the dizziness was worse. Sitting back down, she said, "I'm leaving here in a few minutes. You should know this isn't the Stone Age. You don't knock a woman on the head with your caveman's club, drag her home, and expect cooperation."

"I've taken women without their consent. But I've matured since then."

"That does it. I'm out of here."

She stood up and began to walk away in spite of the dizziness. Instantly he was in front of her, his hand grasping her wrist tightly enough to signal that he wasn't going to let her just swim off the island. Even though it was a restraining move, his touch stirred something in her. There was no denying that she was physically attracted to him. Relaxed in his own home, with the breeze stirring the curtains on long windows, patches of sunlight on tile floors, and the scent of the Mediterranean in the air, he wore loose shorts and nothing else. She could see the mark of his demon on his chest, faintly pulsing with power.

"I wish you'd stop doing that," she said. "I never did anything that annoying when I was Ageless. Are you going to let me leave?"

"I'd rather you didn't."

His grip on her wrist loosened and his hand slid up her arm all the way to her bare shoulder, leaving an invisible trail of sexual sparks.

"We're not finished," he said. "In fact we haven't even started. You haven't answered my questions about your rogue status. Plus I … " He paused and gave her a slow, appreciative look down her body and back up again, ending by gazing directly into her eyes. He had expressive brown eyes, and at the moment they were expressing passion.

Maliha's legs felt a little weak and warmth radiated from low in her abdomen. He could turn on a rock.

His hand on her shoulder strayed and swept slowly across her body just above where her breasts filled the soft gown. He was very close to her now, close enough to bend and kiss her shoulder. Then his arm moved around her waist and he pulled her against him.

Whoa, girl, don't forget this is a demon's servant and a stone-cold killer. I think it's time to toss a little cold water. Remember that business about taking women without their consent.

She raised her knee to strike his groin, but he caught her leg and gave it a painful jerk. She ended up on her back on the marble floor. He offered her a hand up. She took it, planted both of her feet into his hard, flat belly, and flipped him over her head. He never made it to the floor in a body flop as intended. He twisted like a cat in mid-air, landed on his feet, and ended with a move that left her arm and shoulder half a second way from breaking. She rotated on the floor to face him, taking the pressure off her limb.

"So you like to play," she said. "I've done this cat-and-mouse thing with another demon's slave and he came out the worse for it. Don't think I can't do the same to you."

His face, so warm and welcoming just seconds ago, had taken on a look that frightened her. She thought of all the murderous power contained in his body, no matter how attractive the packaging.

"You are mistaken if you think a cat and a mouse are in this room. A tiger and a mouse are here, and I see no stripes on you."

The words were delivered coldly. She'd switched off both his good will and his lust.

He pulled her up from the floor, gathered her gown in his fist and kept lifting, holding her a foot up in the air with one hand. Lucius brought her to within an inch of his face and paused there. She expected to be flung backwards with murderous force.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
`

Thanks Dakota for being here today, it's been an honor! And you're welcome to come back anytime.

All I can say is WOW, I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of Sacrifice: Mortal Path Book Two! I have so many questions that need to be answered!

Now for the giveaway! The wonderful Dakota Banks not only gave us her words of wisdom and the treat of the excellent excerpt from Sacrifice: Mortal Path Book Two, but she's willing to giveaway a copy of Dark Time: Mortal Path Book One to one lucky commenter.



So, here are the rules:

1. Leave a comment or a question for Dakota, we'd really enjoy hearing from you and she'll be stopping by throughout the day (please include your email address, it will make it easier to track down the winner!).
2. This is an international giveaway, if you have an address on this planet, (hmmm I'll have to check on extra planetary visitors), you are welcome to enter.
3. If you follow this blog, you can have an extra entry. (Don't feel you have to follow. You still get the original entry.)
4. If you spread the word about the contest, let me know, and I give you another entry.
5. This contest will run for one week, so on my daughter's birthday (10-15-09), at midnight anywhere, (that means the next morning for me, lol), I'll let randomizer draw a winner.
6. Most importantly, have fun!!

That's it....nothing difficult.....so start commenting and good luck!

Legacy by Cayla Kluver Contest Winners!!!!

The winners of Cayla Kluver's Legacy are:




Randomizer has spoken Timestamp: 2009-10-01 10:22:53 UTC for 33 unique entries.

1. AmyC


2. Stephanie


3. Briana






I believe I have everyone's email address, so be expecting an email. I'll just need your snail mail addy to send to the publicists. Thanks Natalie for providing Legacy by Cayla Kluver as a giveaway!!

Contest Alert!!! Giveaway of Cayla Kluver's Legacy!!!

This is another WOW! moment for me. I was contact by Natalie at Waggener Edstrom Worldwide with an offer of 3 copies of Legacy by Cayla Kluver for a giveaway. Who could say no to that? I'm very happy with this young author's work and very happy to host this giveaway.

From the Cover: As a dark rivalry between two kingdoms threaten to erupt into war, a willful princess must decide between duty and desire. Obligated to wed her father's choice in successor to the throne, seventeen-year old Princess Alera of Hytanica believes that she is being forced into worst of all possible fates--a marriage to the arrogant and hot-temptered Steldor. When the attractive and mysterious Narian arrives from enemy lands bearing secrets and different ideas about women's roles in the world, Alera's private desires threaten to destroy the kingdom. The discovery of Narian's shocking past plunges Alera into a shadowy world of palace intrigue and ancient blood feuds, leaving her unsure of what to believe in, or whom to trust.
This is a beautifully worded historical YA full of the magical, intrigue, and young love. To read my review, click here.

Now here are the rules:

Since it will shipped by Fed Ex, it can only be shipped to US addresses and no PO Boxes. (But, international readers, if you know someone with a US address and they're willing to ship to you, please feel free to enter.)

If you'd like to follow, you can earn an extra entry. This is not necessary to enter, so please don't feel obligated to do so. If you already follow or become a new follower, just post a second comment.

If you post (sidebar is okay) this contest, you can also earn an extra entry. Again, this is not necessary for entry, just appreciated. Please post in a new comment where the posting can be located.

Contest runs until 9-30-09 and three winners will be drawn the morning of 10-1-09 by randomizer.

Thanks everyone for stopping by and Good Luck!