Books Book Books! You can win lots of books

Once again, our book giveaway princess, Princess Bookie, has something very awesome in store for you. A contest Craze Will be starting a week from Monday (September 27th) over her blog! It will last two weeks this year with the major blowout contest day on October 9th. Each day there will be a special contest or a little mini challenge to participate and win!

There's also a mystery pack of ARCs for one of the lucky promoters of this contest. Sounds perfectly awesome right? Head down to her blog to find more info on this!

Sing Me To Sleep winner is finally found

My bad, I should have announced the winner like weeks ago. Can't believe I totally forgot about the contest T.T (don't hate me okay?)

Anyway, the signed copy of Sing Me To Sleep by Angela Morrison has finally found its owner. Is it you? Well, I won't make you wait anymore. The luckiest one among those who have entered this contest is


....

PRECIOUS


Please drop me an email at something_maybeAtliveDOTcom. We'll get the book to you soon. Also, thanks to all of you who entered this contest. I hope to host more soon in the future. Good luck next times ~~~

Blog Tour: Angela Morrison (plus a contest)

Angela Morrison stops here at Serenehours for her blog tour today ^^ *greets and applauds*. As you know, her second book has just been released this March and if you've not read it yet, I suggest you snatch a copy somewhere soon. It's beautiful and heartbreaking just like the title indicates.


Anyway, I have a change to ask Angela some questions about the book as well as her upcoming project today. Check out the interview : )


1. Hi Angela. Welcome to Serenhours, again. Hope you have a nice chat with us. First of all, can you tell us about your inspiration to write Sing Me To Sleep?

My daughter sang with a competitive girls' choir when we lived in London, Ontario, Canada. When we traveled to international festivals, the choirs of older teen age girls would attack us as soon as they saw, "Amabile," on the back of our jackets.

"Are the guys here? Where are the guys? Can we meet the guys?"

The Amabile Young Men's Ensemble is one of the few all male youth choirs. The sound is to die for. Makes you totally weak in the knees. And all those thousands of choirs full of teen girls all over the world love them. Great concept for a novel. But I didn't have a story, so I put the idea on the back burner and worked on other things. But when I need a brand new concept for Razorbill, something had happened to one of my daughter's best friends in that choir that showed the love and grace and heart of the entire Amabile choir family. It gave me a story that took hold of me and wouldn't let go.

2. Uhm...interesing. So both of your books were based on real life experience. Is there any difference between Taken By Storm & Sing Me To Sleep?

Huge differences--especially in the writing process. I wrote TAKEN BY STORM as my creative thesis for my MFA at Vermont College (if you want to write for children or young adults, VC is the best program in the world). I revised and marketed, got rejected TONS, and revised and marketed and revised it until I came up with the collage format--Leesie's poems, Michael's dive logs, and their online chat logs. I met my editor, Lexa Hillyer, then at Razorbill, and she loved it, but I still had a lot of work to do to get the manuscript in shape for their target audience.

I wrote SING ME TO SLEEP under contract. Lexa and I batted a summary back and forth until we liked it, and then she got it approved. I wrote the first draft in a month. It is entirely in Beth's voice. She spilled out of my black gel pen, and I tried not to get in her way. After that marathon month, I researched, revised, got critiques, revised some more, and then sent it off to Lexa. She loved it. We made very few changes. I know SING ME TO SLEEP was a gift. I had a lot of help from unseen hands.

How are they alike? Both Michael and Derek are really good kissers. So be prepared for romantic kissing scenes. Both novels are about love and how it changes you. They are both about young people facing the ultimate in life's challenges.

3. I agree. Both Michael and Derek are real romantics. So what's your favorite character from the book?

I am closest to Beth. She pulled me through the story and didn't hold anything back. She is honest, up front, and so confused.

4. I'm curious. What's your most/least favorite part to write in the book?

The ending was the most emotionally difficult thing I've ever attempted. I was a total wreck while I worked on it. I kept having to stop and dry off my keyboard. But the process of writing those chapters was an amazing experience. I wasn't alone. You'll sense the same thing when you read them.

The toughest part for me was the lyrics. I had to teach myself how to do it. Some are better than others. "Beth's Song" is the best. I'm so excited that Amabile's recording of it will be available soon on iTunes. I'll let you know when it comes out!!

5. Woohoo~ I'll be sure to check it out. Anyway, anything you can let us know about your next book?

My poor next project. I'm kind of in shock over that these days, but it's going to work out. Last fall I wrote the sequel to TAKEN BY STORM. It's called UNBROKEN CONNECTION, and I love how it turned out. So does my agent. Unfortunately, my editor left Razorbill just recently, and they decided not to publish UNBROKEN CONNECTION, so I'm taking stock and conferencing with my agent, and we'll try to figure out a way to bring it to readers as soon as possible. I've got a lot of great support from bloggers--that helps believe me. There's a Facebook page up and another blogger is working on an "Don't break the CONNECTION" icon in support of Michael and Leesie. I'll send out an update as soon as I know anything definite. And then I'll get on with writing book three in their saga, CAYMAN SUMMER.

Aww what a pity. I hope the readers will show great support and somehow we'll get to miss Lessie and Michael again soon in the future. In the meantime, good luck with Sing Me To Sleep and Cayman Summer.



So guys, here's the most important part of today: GIVEAWAY~~~Angela has offered a copy of Sing Me To Sleep. If you want to be entered, just leave a comment telling us why you want to read this book.

Extra entries:

+5 for any type of spreading the word.

Contest open to everyone. Ends on March 31st.


Good luck~!!! And if you're a fan of Leesie and Michael, don't forget to show some love to Unbreakable Connection.

Winner winner~!!!

I know I should have announced the winner last December but finals have been killing me : ( Anyway, it's better to win a book in the beginning of the year right, so as to win more and more for the rest of 2010?

So without further ado, the owner of the ARC of Once Was Lost is...

*Brooke*

Congratulations to you Brooke. I've emailed you. Please reply with your mailing address so Sarah can have the book sent to you soon : )

Thanks for entering the contest, everyone. Please come back for more in the future!

Mega 2010 Box Contest

Another contest to end 2009 and kick off 2010 with some of the most awaited books. Are you excited? I am too.

Here are the books that may become yours if you're any lucky:

• Firespell by Chloe Neill (HC)
• The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson (ARC)
• The Mark by Jen Nadol (ARC)- Cover is different
  
• The Naughty List by Suzanne Young (ARC)
• The Good Girl's Guide To Getting Kidnapped by Yxta Maya Murray (ARC)
• Anastasia's Secret by Susanne Dunlap (ARC)
• The Line by Terri Hall (ARC)
• A Match Made In High School by Kristin Walker (ARC)
• Boys, Girls, and Other Hazardous Materials (ARC)

How to win? Simply go to The Bookologist and fill the entry form. Best luck with it okay? May your new year full of awesome books like these.

Win A Bunch Of Awesome Books This Christmas

Want to know how to? Simply, just head over to Princess Bookie and enter her contest. Curious of the prize packs? Have a look.

You can win this....




or this...



The contest is international so don't hesitate. All you need to do is become a follower of the blog to be legible to enter. You can also find info on the other contest of 12 Days Of Christmas giveaway. Great right?

What are you waiting for? GO NOW! Oh and wait, remember if you see this post and decide to enter the contest, please let Cindy of Princess Bookie know that I recruited you okay? Thanks and GOOD LUCK<3

And the winner is...

2 weeks of Donut Days contest has ended and I picked the winner without delay ^^ We have 167 entries totally and some of you guys have like...up to 14+ entries (huge chance of winning, I know). Unfortunately, there will be only one winner. According to random. org the owner of this copy of DD is

*takes deep breath*

pirate penguin

Congratulations penguin ^^ please send an email to something_maybeATliveDOTcom so Lara and I will have this book sent to you as soon as possible.

For those who have entered the contest, thanks so much. Please check back every Friday cos we'll have more contests coming soon!!!

Author Tour & Contests

I'm meant to post this a few weeks ago but totally forgot (my bad) :(



Adriana Trigiani Tour.

Celebrated author Adriana Trigiani is adored by millions of fans around the world for her adult novels, including the New York Times bestsellers Very Valentine, Lucia, Lucia, The Queen of the Big Time, Rococo and the Big Stone Gap series. Teens finally have a chance to experience Adriana's humor, insight and beloved storytelling for themselves with the publication of her highly anticipated YA debut, VIOLA IN REEL LIFE (September 1, 2009; HarperTeen), the first in a new teen series.

Trigiani’s entrée into the teen world centers on fourteen year-old aspiring filmmaker Viola Chesterton. When Viola’s parents leave for Afghanistan to make a documentary, they send her to boarding school in South Bend, Indiana. Homesick for Brooklyn, her BFF Andrew Bozelli, her confidante mystical Caitlin Pullapilly, and cold sesame noodles from her favorite local place, Viola does her best to fit in. With her trusty camera in hand, her three dynamic roommates (Romy, Marisol and Suzanne) by her side, a new crush, and the challenge to write and direct her first movie, the year Viola was dreading becomes one filled with wonder, surprise, heartbreak and joy.

Inspired by the books Adriana discovered as a teen on her county Bookmobile when she was growing up in Virginia, VIOLA IN REEL LIFE touches on the importance of self-discovery, the comfort of friendship and the love of family.

Adriana will be going on a 6 city VIOLA IN REEL LIFE tour and it would be great if you could post her event schedule on your site:


Tuesday, September 1 - LAKE GROVE, NY - Barnes & Noble – 600 Smith Haven Mall – 7pm

Thursday, September 3 - LOS ANGELES, CA - Barnes & Noble – 189 Grove Drive – 7pm

Wednesday, September 16 - ATLANTA, GA - Barnes & Noble – 7660 North Point Parkway (Alpharetta, GA) – 7pm

Thursday, September 17 - DALLAS, TX - Borders – 10720 Preston Road, Suite 1018 – 7pm

Friday, September 18 - RALEIGH, NC - Quail Ridge Books & Music – 3522 Wade Ave. – 7:30pm

Tuesday, September 22 - CHICAGO, IL - Off-site event hosted by Anderson’s Bookshop – Pfeiffer Hall at North Central College, 310 E. Benton Ave. (Naperville IL) – 7pm

Thursday, September 24 - WASHINGTON, DC - Borders – 5871 Crossroads Center Way (Baileys Crossroads, VA) – 7:30pm



Share The Ghost Love Contest.

Want to win 1,3 or even 5 ARCs from the picture on the right along with some GUTG swag?

Just post a review of GHOST on Amazon and/or as many of the following sites as you like, and for each you post on, you’ll get an entry. Your review can be on one or all of the site below:

BarnesandNoble.com
Borders
Chapters.ca
Powells
GoodReads
Shelfari
LibraryThing

Then go back to this post and leave a comment with your links. Easy peasy aye?


L.K Madigan's Photo Contest.

Inspired by her own upcoming book Flash Burnout, L.K Madigan is hosting a photo contest which allows you to show off your photography skill and win big prizes. Here's the "task"

Color Spot:
Take a photo that is monochromatic (mostly all one color) or lacking in color, with one contrasting bright spot that draws the eye.

She also included some example so you can have an idea of what to do





For more information, click here.



Hopefully you'll find one or more of these interesting. Whatever you choose to participate, have a good time!

You Want To Win Candor? Click Here!

Ever heard of Candor by Pam Bachorz that will come out from Egmont USA in September 2009? I'm sure you've and some have even been lusting for it for an awfully long time. The author knows this well, so she decided to give us a chance to win not only copies of the book but also its goodies and more.

Want to know how? Check this post.

For those who has no clue about Candor (seriously where have you been =.=), here's the synopsis.

Oscar Banks has everything under control. In a town where his father brainwashes everyone, he's found a way to secretly fight the subliminal Messages. He's got them all fooled: Oscar's the top student and the best-behaved teen in town. Nobody knows he's made his own Messages to deprogram his brain. Oscar has even found a way to get rich. For a hefty price, he helps new kids escape Candor, Florida before they're transformed into cookie-cutter teens. But then Nia Silva moves to Candor, and Oscar's carefully-controlled world crumbles.


For already crazy fans, keep on supporting the book. Spread this trailer, will you? :)

GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF US~!

Signed copies found their owners!

I'm sorry for the delay. I should have announced the winners on Monday or so but finals are killing me with stress :( Anyway, the luckiest ones, each of whom will receive a signed copy of Death by Denim directly from Linda Gerber are...

*drum rolls*

SUNKISSED

&

WINDY

Congratulations you guys. Please drop me an email with your mailing address so Linda can get the books to you as soon as possible. Also, thanks for everyone who entered the contest, check back for a new one next month (hopefully)

:)

Win Death by Denim by Linda Gerber

Yes, it's the very first contest/giveaway on Serene Hours!!!! Are you excited? I hope you are because I really am ^^ The lastest and last installment of Death by...series just came out last month and Linda Gerber, being so nice and kind, has offered two copies to give away on my blog.

Heres's the synopsis of the book:

Aphra Connolly is being chased by some very dangerous people. She knows her survival depends upon staying far away from love interest Seth, and listening to her mom’s lectures on the finer points of anonymity and survival. But how is a girl supposed to live under the radar and not think about her boyfriend when she’s in Paris—the most romantic city in the world? When her mom’s contact in Paris is found floating in the Seine with a deadly message stuffed in his mouth, Aphra realizes that she will never be able to stop running unless she confronts the situation head-on. Sneaking away from her mom, Aphra tracks down the criminal mastermind in Italy, only to unwittingly reveal Seth’s location. And her mistake has just put them both in mortal danger. . . .


How to enter:

Simply leave a comment with your name and email. You can show how much you love to read this book or just say hi. It doesn't matter.

Extra entries:
+1 if you follow me
+2 if you're already a follower
+1 if you link this contest on your blog/facebook/twitter/myspace (sidebar is okay but make sure to come back and show me the links)

Please leave separate comments. It'll be much easier for me to count the entries. The contest is international and will end on June 14 (in case if you haven't noticed, it's one month anniversary of Death by Denim!)

Good luck everyone :D

An ARC Of Shiver Is Coming This Way!!!

Uhm okay I sound a little bit like a maniac but don't you just want to have this book on your hands right now? Well, thanks to some crazy people on eBay who sold and bought an ARC of Shiver at the prize of $51, Maggie Stiefvater has decided to throw one our way. She's so cool, isn't she?

For those who haven't heard of Shiver (I'm pretty sure everyone has though), here's the synopsis:

For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf--her wolf--is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human . . . until the cold makes him shift back again.

Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human--or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.



Can't wait? Me too. I love the wolves so much I squealed reading the summary. You can pre order Shiver here, or if you're any lucky, enter Maggie's contest. The details are right below.

Taken from Maggie's LJ:

It's running from May 8-15th. The idea is to convince as many of your LJ or blogger or wordpress friends to post about SHIVER (you don't have to pay them, although it might help). Winner is whoever manages to get as many of their friends to post and comment back here by 8 p.m. EST on the 15th.

And the reward? Okay. Here it is. First of all, you have to get at least 5 friends to blog about it to be eligible. Winner gets:

- a signed ARC of SHIVER
- 4 signed copies of LAMENT
- and for each of the friends that you got to comment, a critique of the first 5 pages of any of their manuscripts

And if any single person manages to get over 50 friends to comment, I'll make it 3 ARCs of SHIVER and 8 copies of LAMENT.


So what are you waiting for? It's time to beg, nag and threaten your friends to blog about this for you (and themselves too) to be able to be one of the winner. Don't forget to go here and tell Maggie about your post and you heard about the contest from me. I love you. I know you love me to too!

Good luck to all of us :D

A Charity Is Calling You. So Is An ARC of Ballads Of Suburbia

Stephanie Kuehnert's (the awesome author of I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone) cousin has formed a formed an organization called Tipping Points in Philadelphia. It's an organization that provides high-quality, low-cost tutoring and test preparation services to at-risk, underprivileged youth to help them access college and higher education opportunities. At the moment, Tipping Points is competing for a grant from Match Rugby and Teach for America. To help Tipping Points, all you have to do is go here and cast a vote for them. Then for your chance to win an ARC of Ballads Of Surburbia, come back to Stephanie's blog and tell her. Extra entry is available so you'd better NOT miss this.

Also, if you love me (I know you do), don't forget to tell her that you heard about this contest from me. 

Interested in this contest or not, I hope you all will help Tipping Points<333

So I Heard They Are Giving Away Books

To celebrate various great happenings, a lot of authors and bloggers have decided to give away bunches of cool books to us,  released and ARC. So if you're dying to read one of these or just too hungry for books to live, you have to check out these links!

The Story Siren has just gained her 100 000th visitor and to thank all the lovelies who stopped by her blog even just one, she is offering one winner to get a pack of ten ARCs

Steph Su has a great friend through paperbackswap who sent her several ARCs of How To Ditch Your Fairy. She's giving 8 of these away.

Kelsey got her 100th follower, also the 20 000th visitor of her blog. Beth has given her 2 copies of  Jessica's Guide To Dating on the Dark Side to pass on two readers and she thinks now it's the right time.

Jenny, in honor of World Book Day, is giving away two copies of Jenny Valentine/Cathy Hopkins WBD.

Liv is having a Blog-o-versay.

Liviania is also hosting a Blogiversary.

Amy is giving away  5 fabulous books.

Elizabeth Scott is hosting a Something, Maybe countdown

Amanda Ashby asks you to join her roadtrip to win a copy of Queen Zombie Of Newsbury High and more.

Cheryl Renee Herbsman is giving away a signed ARC copy of Breathing. 

Good luck girls and guys ; 0

Fun! Fun! Fun! Play with authors and win cool stuff

On the occasion of their book releases, some authors have held great parties for us to join. Trust me, they're too fun to miss : )

Amanda Ashby Party!

Calling all zombie lovers!!! This is a great chance for you to hear other authors/bloggers talk about zombie and the likes. Okay, so what if you're not into that creepy creatures? Still there're guest posts you'll enjoy. And lots and lots of cool prizes (not just books) are waiting to be taken home. More information should be found in the vid below. 

Sneak Peek of Twenty Boy Summer

Wondering what's so funny that the man has to crack up? Me too. I know we all want to read Twenty Boy Summer right now, but the problem is it won't come out till June 1st. Sarah Ockler knew it too, so she offered to giveaway two ARCs of her first book. It's simple, join this contest and spread the word. If luck adores you, you'll find Twenty Boy Summer in your mailbox soon. Extra entries are available so more chances to win.

Is that enough to satisfy your greed? No?  I got something else for you.

Brook Taylor's Swag Bag

Okay that's not exactly how the bag looks like but I bet the real one is just as big and beautiful. Why? Because it contains so many great things: a signed copy of Undone, some stickers/magnets/bookmarks, and a book of your choice from a provided list of authors. You decide what you'll find in your bag. Come here and tell Brook yourself.

Last but not least, GOOD LUCK, because I know we all need it =D

You know you'll love this

Interview with Melissa Walker and more : )

Also, don't miss a chance to win a copy of Models Don't Eat Chocolate Cookies by Erin Dionne. More info on on Melissa's blog.

Free books again? Are you kidding me?

Of course I'm not : D Here I am recruiting you to another place where you will stand a chance to be one of the 6 winners who are to get 50 books. Where? Melange's Book Review. Simply head over there and become a follower, then, if you're any lovelier, post about her blog on yours. So what are you waiting for? GO!!!!

Good luck my love<3


p.s Don't forget to tell her you're referred by me okay?

Let's be friends (and winners)

Laura @ Laura's Review Bookshelf wants to get to know more of you - the book bloggers and readers. She also hopes to receive some feedback to make her blog a nicer place to visit. So please drop by and join her on discussing books, celebrating new releases and entering many awesome contests. Don't forget to give her some tips as well : D At the moment she's offering to a chance to win any book of your choice so you'd better hurry up!

One more thing, if you read this post and decide to visit her blog. Please please leave a comment telling her I'm your recruiter ^^. Thanks, and have fun!

In Too Deep Trailer

I love this trailer, so professional and exciting. You'll want to rush to the nearest store to get a copy of In Too Deep after watching it.

Credits to Signing Up Again at Youtube and Jennifer Banash.