Are Authors the New Rock Stars?

I don't know how middle and high schoolers are now, but books weren't the high topic at the lunch table back then for me, and I don't remember hearing much discussion from my peers. My crowd enjoyed music, like a ton! I'll admit it, when I read, it was for class; it wasn't for fun.

Sadly enough, I didn't really start loving words until I read the Harry Potter series and then came the Twilight Saga. That's when my book collection started and I haven't stopped devouring words since.

Was literature discussed as much before Harry Potter? I assume so; however, it seems like reading is the talk of the town now, and in all age ranges, to boot.

Many movies these days are brought to a theater near you because of books. Goodreads floods the internet with countless reviews to tempt our reading fancy. E-books are available at the click of the mouse.  

Has reading taken over the world on a higher scale than it was ten or fifteen years ago? If so, great! If not, no worries!

Are authors the new rock stars? I'd agree with that statement. 

Hugs

Writing Jewels

Smiling all the Way From A to Z -- R

With being a writer, the letter R will be pretty obvious.

READING

I love me some books. Falling into a maze of fiction lightens any day and brings a smile glittering across my face. Well, sometimes books make me cry, too. Examples: "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak and "These is My Words" by Nancy E. Turner.

I have read a ton of books and plan on reading a hefty load more--they are heavy, I assure you. With having moved 3 times in the last year and a half, I would know. And I'm moving again in just over a week from now.

So you know how yesterday I wrote about quirks? Here is another one about me... I am an extremely active reader. While being captivated by a story, I will talk, scream, growl, and giggle at the book. That's just how much I become twisted within the web of a book's story. It is as if I am really there, experiencing everything that the characters feel, touch, smell, taste, and see. I become the character and it is everything I can do to put the book down to go to sleep.

Reading is priceless, precious to me.

What is your favorite book? What kind of a reader are you? Do you have a favorite genre? Do you talk to a book while you read it? Please tell me I'm not alone. haha

Writing Jewels

PS: Refer to the blurb on the very top of my blogs sidebar to know why I am posting about what makes me smile. Go forward and smile!

Where Did Your Reading Journey Begin?

What is the first book you remember reading? Or which one stuck out to you the most and you still think about it? Well, not all the time but every now and then you stop and think: I really liked that book.

That book for me is actually two-fold; they are two books in a series of which I unfortunately haven't read in its entirety. Maybe I should sometime soon...

The books are:

"The Plant that Ate the Dirty Socks"

&

"The Return of the Plant that Ate the Dirty Socks" by Nancy McArthur.

Yes, very juvenile but incredibly funny.

To be honest, I have no idea when I read them but it had to have been during my elementary years. Perhaps, I purchased them from the "Bookmobile" that came to my school. A totally rockin' way to buy books and to get kids reading. This admition ages me. A lot. I know. If I age myself then I will make you do likewise --> Do you remember the "Bookmobile?"

Is the "Bookmobile" still on the road going from school to school selling books of new worlds of wonder to kids? That'd be super cool.

Anyway, I enjoyed these books immensely. And I think you would, too. They are quick reads and I know you will laugh your pants off within pages. There was one scene that literally made me LOL so hard I was crying, tears spilling from my eyes.

What is the first book you read? Or the first book(s) that stuck out to you the most?

Writing Jewels 

Reading Habits

The other day, I visited the lovely Julie Glover's blog. She answered the following questions from a tag. I decided to take a stab at them, too. 

If you could live in a fictional world, where would that be?

There's a series called Fablehaven by Brandon Mull. It is a middle grade fantasy and is brilliant. It's about these two kids who end up spending time at their grandparents house. While there they find out that it's a reservation for fantastical creatures like witches, faeries, trolls, etc... If I could have all of the fun characters in tow, I'd love it all the more. Sigh.

Do you read in noisy or quiet places?

It depends. I'll read cuddled up in my bed all toasty warm or on my lunch break in the hall. Yet, I do go on what I call "Reading Walk-a-thons". The name of it explains all. It's not as hard to walk and read as you'd think. :D I also will read while I workout at the gym. Helps me to get through the agonizing experience. haha

What was the first book you ever read?

Oh, this is a tough one... I can't think back that far. I'll say the first book I read and really liked was "The Plant that Ate Dirty Socks." It's playful, fun, and great for kids (and kids at heart ---> like me).

If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Religion aside, it would have to be Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. I've said it before and I'll say it again: I love this book tons.

Favorite Author?

Ok, I'm gonna shake things up a bit. Normally, I'd say Ayn Rand, but J.K. Rowling is the author who got me reading (Well, to be honest, it was Stephenie Meyer). But, Rowling turned out to be a stepping stone to get me excited about reading. It only took a few more years before I was gobbled up by words.

Do reviews influence your choices of reads?

I don't read reviews. At. All. I don't want them to influence if I like or don't like a book. I may ask people I know if it's good or about content. But, in general, I steer clear from reviews.

Fiction or Non-fiction?

Fiction in. Non-fiction out. I like living in make believe worlds. Plus, Non-fiction books don't grasp my attention. I tend to fall asleep reading them. No offence to Non-fiction writers.

Have you ever met your favorite author?

I've met many an author but not Ayn Rand, J.K. Rowling or Stephenie Meyer. But I've met Kiersten White, Ally Condie, Shannon Hale, Beth Revis, Andrea Cremer, Brandon Mull, Brenna Yovanof, and Elana Johnson. And I've seen Scott Westerfeld speak (haven't actually met him--total bummer). It's fun to meet authors. It's just fun to be around authors. Such great energy.

Audio books or Paperback?

Both. I always have an audio book playing in my car while I drive around. Thanks to the local library. I do this to multi-task. I have so many books I want to read that this helps me to scratch them off my list quicker. However, I do listen to many that I've already read or own.

Classic or Modern Novels?

I read both. Not classic as much as I should. I try, though. I do read a lot of genres from MG to Adult. I don't stick to just one genre. I tend to read more YA than anything because it's what I write.

Book groups or Solitary Reading?

I've been in a book club before, but I'd rather read as I wish. If I had more time available, I'd enjoy book groups more. For now, I'm a solitary reader. Not to say that I don't talk to friends who've read them before, especially if the book is awesome.

If you could invite three dead authors to a dinner for four, whom would you invite?

Jane Austen, Ayn Rand, and William Shakespeare. Great authors. Why not have an evening with them. Plus, I'd be the talk of the town for having brought them back from the dead. Nice.

Now, what are your reading habits?

Writing. Jewels.

I’m Excited to Read Books: 2012 Edition

With 2012 here and kicking, I’m getting super excited for this year’s book releases.

Here's my list o' books I can't wait to read:

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

Endlessly by Kiersten White

Arise by Tara Hudson

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

Third book in the Matched series by Ally Condie

And Bad Hair Day by Carrie Harris (no cover yet)

I'm salivating here. Can't wait to devour these books!

Which books being released this year are you dying to read?

Writing. Jewels.

Don't Judge a Book by Its Cover

I started reading Heist Society by Ally Carter the other day. I'm liking it lots. I have to admit the only reason why I chose to read this book was its cover. When I saw it, I knew I HAD to read it. Of course, I checked out the synopsis of it on GoodReads; that made me want to read it all the more. Look at it peeps...

Isn't it fantastic???

I bought Twilight for the same reason (btw, this was before it was the craze).

I've noticed that book covers have become amazing as of late. I swear a book cover can sell the book. Here are a few I've particularly loved and have made me read the book:

Which covers have encouraged you to read the book?

Thunder, Lightning, Rainstorms! Oh, My!

I've always loved the roaring sound of thunder, the electrifying clash of lightning in the sky, and the splash of rain on the ground. 

I got it all, and more, on Saturday night.

While I was at a zombie-themed dance party, the rain started pelting down. A bunch of us ended up going to the back of the club to dance in the rain. After only ten minutes, I was soaked, no longer fashioning my ratted out zombie hair.

On my way home, I witnessed one of two of the best lightning storms I've ever seen in my life. The first was when I lived in Taiwan. During the typhoon season, I saw lightning striking throughout the entire night's sky. It's still burned into my eyes. Amazing!

But Saturday night, sheesh, it was like watching the coolest firework show known to man. Almost every thirty seconds, fire-like branches of light slashed through the sky accompanied by booming surges of thunder. By the time I neared my house, the rain was flowing down like a waterfall. My driveway turned into a pond of water.

This was such a fun evening of wicked-awesome dancing and a storm I won't ever forget.

The following list includes some books that are like these storms: They're unforgettable to me.

• Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
• Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
• The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer
• These is My  Words by Nancy E. Turner
• My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok
• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
• Artemis Fowl Series by Eoin Colfer
• The Plant That Ate the Dirty Socks by Nancy McArthur (yep, you read it right. Love these books)
• The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien
• The Road by Cormac McCarthy
• The Alchmist by Paulo Coelho
• The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
• The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R Tolkien

I have high hopes that one day my book(s) will be unforgettable to YOU.

Which books fall into this category for you?

Now What?

I’ve finished my first book, Félicité Found.

Now what?

Should I step off the writing train? Should I place all my focus on sending out query letters? Should I become a hermit-like mole, gobbling up other author’s words?

This has been an odd time for me. I took a wee break, then had to whip out a synopsis letter super quick. After that, I really didn’t want to write or read anything. I pretty much felt like I was in blah-blah-land, like I had barely graduated from college with my whole future wide open. I felt aimless, needed something to do.

A wise person told me: once I started querying my completed first manuscript, I should start writing my next—hop right into the next idea. On Tuesday night, I took her advice. Now I’ve got the first chapter of Julia King’s next hot seller done. It was liberating to formulate my new idea into words, especially because it’s been nagging at me for months.

And my WIP is completely different than my first book. The voice sings to me, making butterflies flutter their way through my veins. I love the voice of Félicité Found, too. It’s just different, combining a pinch of solemnity and a splash of darkness.

Writing another book (the first in a trilogy), has opened up my creative mind again. Funny enough, having gone through Félicité Found so many times has definitely earned me the right to start something new.

I’m not putting Félicité Found on the shelf, never to look at it again. I will be querying her out until my diligence gains me an agent, then a publisher. But for now, all I can do is progress forward, crafting another story.

Being an author is certainly difficult, but super fun when the creative juices are being pumped onto the page.

What would you suggest doing after you’ve finished your first, second, or twenty-eighth novels?

Bad Taste in Boys by Carrie Harris: Living Dead Giveaway

For something like 9 months, I’ve been full-blown giddy with excitement to read the book Bad Taste in Boys by Carrie Harris. On Sunday I was finally able to read the super fantastic book. I liked it so much that I’m gonna pimp it out with a review and a giveaway!

GoodReads:

Someone's been a very bad zombie.
Kate Grable is horrified to find out that the football coach has given the team steroids. Worse yet, the steroids are having an unexpected effect, turning hot gridiron hunks into mindless flesh-eating zombies. No one is safe--not her cute crush Aaron, not her dorky brother, Jonah . . . not even Kate!

She's got to find an antidote--before her entire high school ends up eating each other. So Kate, her best girlfriend, Rocky, and Aaron stage a frantic battle to save their town. . . and stay hormonally human.

Review Time:

Bad Taste in Boys attacks the writing world with gnawing humor, biting sarcasm, and chomping wit. Ok, forgive my zombie references. Harris’ playful story enthralled me to the point of madness as the bloodied plot thickened. I practically read it all in one sitting, wanting more and more. Just like a zombie craves eating more and . . . uh, I won’t be graphic.

I loved the main character, Kate Grable. She’s the darned cutest and geekiest little teenager. Ever. Her intellectual prowess comes in handy all the time! Fear is not in her vocabulary and neither is lipstick. She kicks some major zombie butt (that's if they have a butt left to kick). And she still has time to get all straight As. There is nothing she can't do.

Now to the flesh of this magnificent book: Carrie Harris has the most creative, unforgettable writing style I’ve ever had the pleasure to read. There’s no stopping her clever sense of humor or her ability to craft some wicked good, borderline eerie, scenes. And the best part is there can be some creeptastic part in the book but you’ll still find yourself giggling like a little girl. Or laughing so loud, you fear waking up the neighbors.

Reading Bad Taste in Boys will take you no time at all. You’ll be recommending it to all your friends just so they can chuckle at its hilarity or jump at a scary part. I assure you this is a brilliant read; one you won’t want to miss eating up like a zombie.

Giveaway Time:

If you want to win this living dead treasure, you should enter this giveaway right now. If you don’t, beware of flesh eating creatures or ninjas dressed up like trampolines. Bwahahahahaha Seriously, which of those is more terrifying?

To enter:

You must follow my blog (offer the name that appears on my sidebar follower list)

You must follow me on Twitter - @writingjewels1

You must tweet, blog, or Facebook about this contest and provide the link

Provide your email address so I can contact the winner

And tell me what you would say or do if a zombie walked up to you on the street

Open to U.S. Only

You must be 13 years or older

Contest ends on Thursday, August 11, 2011 at 1:47 P.M. MST

The soon-to-be zombified winner (well, once you’ve read it) will be announced on my blog on Friday, August 12, 2011.

Good luck!

A Vast Sea of Genres

Over the past couple years, I’ve found that my primary reading focus has been Young Adult literature. It’s what I enjoy reading the absolute most which is probably why I write YA. But for me to be an author, I feel that I have to feast upon a variety of different literature genres. I rather adore Middle Grade works like Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer or Fablehaven by Brandon Mull. Plus, a whole slew of fiction genres have been a part of my literature study.

Being a lover of YA, it’s somewhat difficult to pull myself away from them for a while to eat up other genres. One genre I try to implement into my joyrides through words are the classics. I don’t do it much, but every once in a while I’ll read one.

Right now I’m reading Bram Stoker’s Dracula and Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility. It’s rather hilarious just how far apart they are on the spectrum—one steeped in darkness, the other flowered with romance.

I’m reading Dracula out of a traditional book, but listening to Sense and Sensibility on audio book in order to utilize my time in an effective manner. I’m just gonna use the cliché: Hitting two birds with one stone.

I like to call my book a “Horrific Love Story.” These two books are very useful to add a dark aura and romantic touch to my story.

With saying this, the classics and all genres for that matter can help to improve an author’s writing because reading is research for a writer. Technically YA are where I get my stylistic ideas, but other genres aid me to formulate a story. Plus, I’ll be honest, they’re just fun to read.

I love reading. It’s a delight to become absorbed in a story, even if it is outside of my most beloved genre—Young Adult.

What is your favorite genre? Do you have a hard time branching out to read other ones? Or are you able to slide from one to the next with ease?

Paper, Rocks, Scissors

I’ll admit this post has nothing to do with rocks or scissors; I just thought it would be a cool title. It does have to do with paper, though. More specifically, I’ll be talking about paperback and hardback books.

I was talking to my sister about this subject. Her husband has been reading a series of books. The next book in the series has yet to be released in paperback. He really wants to read the next book but doesn’t like hardbacks. He says they’re too heavy, not easily portable.

Here’s a picture of the book I’m reading (Dracula by Bram Stoker). I absolutely loved the cover when I purchased it, but it was only available in paperback. It’s so prettylicious! Don’t you think? But I haven’t even read a third of the book and pages are already falling out. That totally bugs me.

As I talked with my sister, we decided we like hardback books the most. I take a book with me everywhere to sneak in some reading whenever I can. Without the hardcover it could get really banged up. Plus, they’re less susceptible to pages falling out. Yes, a con to the hardback is it’s heavier. But I’m not too concerned with that issue.

Plus, typically books are released in hardback first, then a year or so later they come out in paperback. I don’t like to wait for a book to come out in paperback. I’m greedy—want it NOW! And I’m sort of OCD about books in a series either being all hardback or all paperback. They look more copasetic as they rest on my bookshelf.

It’s okay to like paperbacks. It’s perfectly fine to like hardbacks or both for that matter. To each their own!

So, are you a paperbacker or a hardbacker? Maybe you’re not partial to either. Possibly, you have a Kindle. What do you like about your preference? Or do you just play Paper, Rocks, Scissors with a bookstore employee to decide which to buy?

Hey, I brought the title into the post. I’m supercool! Uh, not really, though!

PS: Don't forget to enter to win one of these books, Imaginary Girls or Hereafter, on my blog. Follow this link to enter. You have until Thursday afternoon. Winners will be announced on my Friday blog post!

200/1000 Followers Book Giveaway

Its GIVEAWAY time, my lovely friends. I officially have over 200 followers on my blog. And. I have over 1000 followers on Twitter. With all the monumental giddiness flooding through my wee being, I feel it’s time for a supercool giveaway for the blessed event of my follower count.

Because I loveth you all to deatheth, I want to give you a chance to win one of the following books:

Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma

GoodReads: Chloe's older sister, Ruby, is the girl everyone looks to and longs for, who can't be captured or caged. When a night with Ruby's friends goes horribly wrong and Chloe discovers the dead body of her classmate London Hayes left floating in the reservoir, Chloe is sent away from town and away from Ruby. But Ruby will do anything to get her sister back, and when Chloe returns to town two years later, deadly surprises await. As Chloe flirts with the truth that Ruby has hidden deeply away, the fragile line between life and death is redrawn by the complex bonds of sisterhood.With palpable drama and delicious craft, Nova Ren Suma bursts onto the YA scene with the story that everyone will be talking about.

Hereafter by Tara Hudson

GoodReads: Can there truly be love after death?

Drifting in the dark waters of a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she's dead. With no recollection of her past life—or her actual death—she's trapped alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but will him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him survive.

Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the strange circumstances of her death and the secrets of the dark river that held her captive for so long. But even while they struggle to keep their bond hidden from the living world, a frightening spirit named Eli is doing everything in his power to destroy their newfound happiness and drag Amelia back into the ghost world . . . forever.

Thrilling and evocative, with moments of pure pleasure, Hereafter is a sensation you won't want to miss.

Rules:

There will be two winners chosen by randompicker.com. The first person drawn will get first pick; the second winner wins the other book.

Open to domestic U.S. only (sorry, I’ve got to save on postage)

You must be 13 years of age or older

Contest closes on Thursday, July 14, 2011 at 3:16 P.M. MST

Comment the following things on this post:

Do you follow my blog? Your picture must appear on the sidebar. (Offer your name as shown on sidebar) +1

Do you follow me on Twitter: @writingjewels1 (Offer your Twitter name) +1

You must tweet and/or blog about this giveaway. (Both would be fabulous, but only one is required) Provide link +1

You must give me your email address (to contact the winners) +1

You must leave a comment on this blog post that makes me giggle (if it doesn’t, I’ll still let you be in the contest. haha) +1

Winners will be announced on Friday, July 15, 2011 on my blog

Everyone, thank you for making this possible! I love sharing my thoughts on my blog about my journey to be published. I especially love tweeting my blah blah blah’s and that people still respond.

Good luck!

Inspired to Read

One thing that inspired my writing was reading. Back in 2007, I super got into reading. Nope, I wasn’t a prodigy child who read everything I could get my hands on. It just wasn’t my thing at the time. 

My thing was watching Nick-at-Nite when it REALLY had the good classics like the Dick Van Dyke Show and Get Smart. 

Ok, tangent. I really liked infomercials, too. Back to the point, now.

I can say with complete confidence the Twilight series was the pivotal point where I realized the value of reading. That series opened my mind to the creative power of words. I kept reading other books until I was carrying one in my bag all the time.

So, my grammar/punctuation guru beta said it would take him some time to read my manuscript because he gets sidetracked—just can’t focus on one thing for a long time. Within a week (he told me it would take a month) he’d finished my novel and with rave reviews. The following day he asked me if I had any book suggestions. I asked what he liked to read. He said 1984 was a fav. I instantly knew he’d enjoy a dystopian book. Now he has my copy of Across the Universe by Beth Revis in hand.

While I talked to him, he said that my book sort of inspired him to read. Hearing that was like fireworks exploding out of my ears, possibly nose, too. I was beaming and sort of wanted to cry. One of the purposes of my writing is to inspire people to read. It happened to me, and I want it to happen to others.

Words really do have immense power.

I’m glad to say my novel has been an inspiration to someone, and hopefully my other beta’s, too. I hope it can inspire many people to read as well. And I know it WILL be published one day. Look out world; I’m on my way. Uh, or at least to bookshelves.

Which books have inspired you to read? Or for that matter write?

Fahrenheit 451

I’ve been eating up a lot words lately. With work, revising my own book, writing blog posts, tweeting, eating, sleeping, enjoying ice cream, having some sort of social life, twiddling my thumbs, day-dreaming about having my very own puppy, etcetera, I‘ve still been able to read the following books:

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Daimon by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Almost finished DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth

Now that I look at the list, it doesn’t look very long at all. Sigh. But it is was it is and seems like a lot more than I should be able to read under the circumstances. I’ve got to have time to brush my teeth and shave my legs, ya know. TMI all the way! Plus, I'm beta reading for one of my Tweeps. I keep myself busy.

Anywho, I love reading. A lot. It’s a part of my life I could never, ever give up. Which brings me to the audio book I’m listening to: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. The premise of the novel is books are outlawed and burned if found. (Pretty Dystopian if you ask me) In the society, thought has been diminished to practically nothing due to the lack of being educated through reading. And the lack of real social interaction. As well as the lack of looking around to see what really is happening in the world. Life’s “happiness” is based around robotic actions that truly won't bring lasting joy.

Its made me think about all the books I have, will have, and currently am devouring. If someone told me I couldn’t own them, read them, enjoy them, what would I do? Would I hide them in my air conditioning shaft? Would I succumb to the maddening law? Part of me says I would give in because I’m a pretty law-abiding individual—except when it comes to the speed limit, of course. Another part of me says I wouldn’t. Couldn’t.

It’s difficult to decide which path I would choose—the one I love or the one I know I’d hate.

Reflecting upon this thought brings me to a decision: I can’t live without books. I can’t live without feasting upon a story that lulls me away to a far away land, driving my imagination wild. Reading has become a large part of me, and I’m not willing to surrender it. I can’t. I won’t. Because I love it too much.

Now I pose the question: What would you do if you found yourself in such a society?

Bad Taste In Boys & Supernaturally

There are a couple books that I’m ecstatic to read, and they’re coming out within the next couple months. The books are...

Bad Taste in Boys by Carrie Harris (July 12)

& Supernaturally by Kiersten White (July 26).

Carrie Harris’s beautiful, quirky, and fun writing style has drawn me in. I can’t wait to read more of her dynamic voice through the words of her book. BTIB is about zombies in high school. How cool is that? Way supercool on an awesomesauce scale. I’ve been waiting well over six months for this book and the clock is ticking—it will be out soon. I feel pretty special because Carrie was the first person to follow me on Twitter. Back then, I appreciated her confidence in me as a beginner in the tweeting arena and as an aspiring author. Ok, I’m bragging.

Last summer, Kiersten White’s book Paranormalcy was recommended to me by her dad. Now that’s a cool claim to fame. I’ve really got to stop bragging now. Anyway, within days I finished it and fell in love with the characters and the story. Then I had the fabulous opportunity to interview Kiersten. She was so welcoming and a delight to get to know in person. Since then I’ve been itching to get my greedy little fingers on Supernaturally. It makes me giddy thinking in just over two months I will be feasting upon the second part of the series. However, it kills me to think I have to wait even longer for the final book in the trilogy to be released. They should just release them both at the same time. Seriously! And I’m anxious to find out what the third book is going to be named. I have some ideas, but I’m probably way off the mark.

So, which soon-to-be-released books are you dying to read and why?

Contest Time Again!

New plan: Please follow the instructions below to enter the contest. Google Documents is so not working for me, so I won't give it my business. Hehe 

I’m excited to say its contest time again! Almost two months ago, I had the opportunity to contact the fantastic author, Kate Kaynak. On top of being an author she is an editor for Spencer Hill Press (SHP is publishing Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout). Kate graciously gave me my own personalized signed copy of her book, Minder. Not only did I get the book, but she has offered to send the winner of this contest a personalized signed copy of Minder, too. And you know what; it is a trilogy, so there is more to come after the first book. Super yah!

Here is a blurb about it:

“Sixteen-year-old Maddie Dunn doesn't know how Del and his two friends died. She just knows that she killed them. Ganzfield is a training facility full of people like her, but it's not exactly a nurturing place. Every social interaction carries the threat of mind-control. A stray thought can burn a building to the ground. And people's nightmares don't always stay in their own heads. But it's still better than New Jersey. Especially once she meets the man of her dreams...”

Alright, if you liked The X-men comic or movies, then you’ll absolutely adore Minder. It’s paranormal, romantic, comical, and adds in some crazy, intense drama. The two main characters are strong and dynamic in personality. They make an unforgettably spicy couple. By the end, you won’t be able to put the book down. I know it’s cliché but you’ll for sure be on the edge of your seat as your heart beats out of your chest.

To enter the contest comment on this post with the following point system.

Rules:

• You must follow my blog +1
• You must follow me on Twitter +1
• You must tweet, facebook, or blog about it +1
• Please add the links to your tweet, facebook message, or blog post +1
• Please give me your email address so I can contact the winner +1
• Add up your points

The contest will close on Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at 3:21 p.m. MST. I will announce the winner on Thursday, April 28, 2011 on my blog. The winner will be randomly picked by the order in which you entered. OPEN TO U.S. ONLY.

If that wasn’t enough to tempt your eyes to enter this contest, then check out the trailer for it below.