Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Waiting on Wednesday


Entwined by Heather Dixon
Release Date: March 2011


Azalea and her younger sisters dance in the mysterious silver forest every night, escaping from the sadness of the palace and their father’s grief. What they don’t understand—although as time passes they begin to get an inkling of the danger they are in—is that the mysterious and dashing Keeper is tightening his snare with deadly purpose. Luckily, Azalea is brave and steadfast. Luckily, a handsome young army captain also has his eye on Azalea. . . . Lush, romantic, and compelling, this debut novel by Heather Dixon will thrill fans of Shannon Hale, Robin McKinley, and Edith Pattou.

This book is definitely out of my normal "GIMME!" range. The read and the cover just seem so whimsical, and it's really caught my attention. Anyone else heard about it? What do you think? Yay or nay?

♥amber

Monday, September 27, 2010

In case you've been under a rock today - FOREVER cover revealed!



It's so pretty and IT'S RED!! Did you guys know red is one of my favorite colors? It's true. There's just something so bold, beautiful, and riskay about the color red that I adore. And bonus: It's up for pre-order. So here if you want to do that .....cause you know you do!!

♥amber

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Contest Craze: Top 5 Books for 2011

Unless you're under a rock, you  know about Princess Bookie's Contest Craze. One fun thing she does during this time is mini-challenges. So here are my Top 5 Book for 2011 that I cannot wait to read!


1. City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

Do you really need me to tell you why? IT'S THE MORTAL INSTRUMENT SERIES! It'll have Jace! Clary! Simon! JACE!!! Wait. I already said that. Oh well. Why can't I have this now?!


If you are a newcomer to my blog then know this and know this well: Sarah Dessen is one of my all time favorite authors. It doesn't matter what she writes, I will buy it. This novel seems like she'll be stepping out of her "comfort zone" so to say so I'm very excited what lovely story she'll unravel for us.

3. Where She Went by Gayle Forman


Gayle Forman's novel, If I Stay became an instant favorite with me. It was so moving and powerful, it stuck with me for days. I even get teary eyed just thinking of the book all over again. So when I heard there was going to be a sequel and told in Adam's point of view, I flipped!

4. But I Love Him by Amanda Grace (no image)


I've been stalking out Mandy Hubbard's blog forever now. She used to post little teasers of this book called Shattered she was working on. This was before even Prada & Prejudice had hit the shelves and I had fallen in love with her witty and fun writing. I knew something about Shattered seemed like my type of read. When she announced the book would be published under a different title and pen name - I was so excited! I love it when authors take on different types of tones for novels. I'm really looking forward to seeing how different her writing will be under such a series subject matter.


5. Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare


Clockwork Angel became another one of my favorites. Does it top the Mortal Instrument series for me? Not yet, but I still loved every page of the first book. It was packed full of action and twists and I'm dying to know what will be happening to dear Tessa, selfish buttface but very yummy Will, and sweet, sweet Jem.


And yes, I'm very aware I didn't pick one debut author for my 2011 reads. I know! How shameless of me. I know there are tons of books coming out next year, tons of authors who will become instant favorites, but until then these authors I know. These authors I love and their books are what I need in my hands NOW!

♥amber

Friday, September 24, 2010

Make a splash! Fins Are Forever's Cover Revealed!

The perk of being on Tera Lynn Childs's Splash Team is getting the latest news on the series. Today we're all jumping in and making a huge splash to show everyone the cover of the sequel - Fins Are Forever!

Are you guys ready?



Are you sure?




TA - DA!!!!



Fins Are Forever by Tera Lynn Childs

Warning: Contains Forgive My Fins spoilers.

On Lily Sanderson’s eighteenth birthday she’ll become just a girl—still a mer girl, true, but signing the renunciation paperwork will ink Princess Waterlily of Thalassinia out of existence. That leaves plain old Lily living on land, dating the boy she loves, and trying to master this being human thing once and for all.

Now that Lily and Quince are together, mer-bond or not, she’s almost content to give up her place in the royal succession of Thalassinia. But just when she thinks she has everything figured out, Lily’s father sends a certain whirlpool-stirring cousin to stay with her on land. What did Doe do to get herself exiled from Thalassinia and stuck in terraped form, when everyone knows how much she hates humans? And why why why is she batting her eyelashes at Lily’s former crush, Brody?

The seafoam on the surf comes when a merboy from Lily’s past shows up. Tellin asks Lily for something that clouds her view of the horizon. There’s a future with Quince on land, her loyalty to the kingdom in the sea, and Lily tossing on the waves in the middle. Will she find a way to reconcile her love, her duty, and her dreams?


You can read my review of the first book in the series, Forgive My Fins, here. Don't forget to swing by Tera's blog for updates and details! To add to the celebration, the first 2 people to post a comment on this post with their thoughts on the cover (MUST HAVE A US MAILING ADDRESS) will some Forgive My Fins swag!

♥amber

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Rock This Thursday: Seether's New Song!

Rock This! Thursday is a weekly feature where we discuss books that are about or centered around one thing we love the most: MUSIC! Once in a while we'll even throw in a concert story, a band/artist you should hear, or feature bloggers and authors in an interview.

It feels like I've been waiting an eternity for Seether's new album to come out. I'm such a huge Seether fan, it's almost borderline obsession.  So when I saw that Seether Freak had posted something new and it was one of their news songs off of the upcoming album that will hopefully be out in January, I may or may not have let out the biggest fangirl scream.

You see, earlier this month Seether came to Missouri TWICE! Both of those days I was in school and could not make it to the concert. (I live about 4 or 5 hours from both venues - since I go to a tech school where I cannot miss any days for like 3 months, I just wanted to cry.) But hearing their new song with a semi-decent sound quality kind of made up for it. Plus I love that my rock star husband is back to the bright red hair. *sighs*



Also for those of you who read Rock This! Thursday, if you haven't noticed lately, I'm struggling a bit to come up with new stuff. If anyone wants to be interviewed or do a guest post - shoot me an email: justyourtypicalbookblog@hotmail.com

♥amber

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Waiting on Wednesday


Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton
Release Date: April 26, 2011

For Nick Pardee and Silla Kennicot, the cemetery is the center of everything.

Nick is a city boy angry at being forced to move back to the nowhere town of Yaleylah, Missouri where he grew up. He can’t help remembering his mom and the blood magic she practiced – memories he’s tried for five years to escape. Silla, though, doesn’t want to forget; her parents’ apparent murder-suicide left her numb and needing answers. When a book of magic spells in her dad’s handwriting appears on her doorstep, she sees her chance to unravel the mystery of their deaths.

Together they plunge into the world of dark magic, but when a hundred-year-old blood witch comes hunting for the bones of Silla’s parents and the spell book, Nick and Silla will have to let go of everything they believe about who they are, the nature of life and death, and the deadly secrets that hide in blood.

I saw this cover via the 2011 Debuts on Livejournal. My first reaction was: OoOOo that's pretty! I wonder what it's about. I haven't read tons of witch YA novels so I'm excited for this one. Plus it's based in Missouri so holla! (For those of you who don't know, I live in Missouri.)

♥amber

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Speaking up for SPEAK + Giveaway!

There is no doubt my post will be among so many that pop up on blogs and articles all over the internet, not just today, but within this week. I first heard about someone trying to take SPEAK away via twitter with the hastag #SpeakLoudly. Then I saw a link Kristi from The Story Siren had tweeted and I read it. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. For those that haven't read the article, click here.

I've never been in a situation like Melinda faces in SPEAK. I remember, back in 1999, when the book was first published picking it up from my high school library. I remember not being able to put it down during class. I remember taking it home and finishing it that night and being in tears because of this horrific heartbreaking story and knowing that anyone walking the halls in my school could have been going through the same thing Melinda did. I remember thinking how wonderful it was that there were authors out there that were willing to write something like this. Something so powerful to make this issue known.

I am from the same general area that Scroggins is targeting. To take a book out of this class, to tell parents and teachers that they aren't being Christian-like because they are allowing their children to know about sex is the most ludicrous thing I have ever heard. It is beyond obvious to me that Scorggins did not really read SPEAK. If he did, he would have realized this is a book is no way or shape pornographic. It's actually sickening to even say that. This book is about hope. This is a book about a girl who is willing to go up against something she had no control over. Something that should not have happened to her in the first place. As someone who strongly believes in God, I am furious. To have someone, someone who claims to be such a Christian, slap judgement and say these accusations of this book has lit a fire under my butt.

So this is what I'm doing today. I am giving away 2 copies of Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. GIVEAWAY CLOSED! I am purchasing them from the Book Depository which means as long as they deliver to your country, you can enter. The giveaway will be running until October 3rd. Depending on my bills situation, I might even give away more copies.

To enter to win one of the most powerful and profound books of my high school time, just leave a comment on this post with your email address. If you do not want to leave it here, please send me an email: justyourtypicalbookblog@hotmail.com

Tomorrow, I will be heading down to my public library to make sure a copy of SPEAK is there. If it isn't, I'm donating my personal copy.

Here is what author, Laurie Halse Anderson has said on the issue.

Here is what author, Myra McEntire, posted in defense of SPEAK. I have to say, it's one of the best things I've seen.

I also plan on tweeting anymore posts or articles I see via twitter so if you don't follow me, this is my  handle: @JYTBB. If you, my dear readers, have written your own post or are doing a giveaway please leave a comment so everyone can go check out your site!

♥amber

Calling all writers!

I have a separate blog where I talk about my writing or just whatever floats my boat at the time. I'm not very good at keeping it updated due to being so busy lately. With getting back into the swing of things of book blogging, I really want to start updating and definitely keeping up with a certain meme I love from Confessions of the Un-published. If you're a writer, run a separate blog for it, or even want to post it on your blog now you should check out Wannabee Writer's.

Here's some info taken straight from the host's site:


How Wannabe Writers Works


Wannabe Writers is an internet writing group.  Everyone is welcome to join.  It's a place to meet other writers, ask questions, and get feedback.

Here's how it works:
1. Create your own post: You can model this any way you like!  I don't mind if you model it after mine, but feel free to create your own post however you like.  Generally (in one of my posts) I talk about where I am in the writing process, any current issues I've been struggling with, and then any questions that I'm hoping other wannabe writers can help answer.  ***Something new***  I'm urging everyone to answer the question I pose in comments section of my blog and then to ask your own question in your own post. That way when you visit different blogs than you can see a number of different questions and answers.

2. Everyone that agrees to participate will try to visit each other's posts and leave comments! (The point is to help each other by giving out advice.)

3. Everyone is welcome to join! You can join at anytime and DO NOT have to participate every week. 
Click here to see all pasts posts and don't forget to join up in future ones or even snag a post one to write about!

Thursday, September 16, 2010

BLOG TOUR: Rock This! Thursday: Author Interview with Cheryl Rainfield + GIVEAWAY!

Scars deals with some very serious issues. What made you want to tell Kendra's story?

I went through extreme abuse as a child and teen (I’m a ritual abuse survivor) and I used self-harm to cope. I felt so alone growing up, and was frequently told by my abusers that no one would believe me if I talked, that people would think I was crazy, and that I’d made the abuse happen. It is painful and hard to believe that you’re the only one, that the abuse is your fault, or that you’re crazy. I needed to know I wasn’t alone, and was always looking for my own experiences to be reflected in the books I read—books were a big part of my survival—but I never found it, not completely. So part of the reason I wrote Scars was because it was what I needed. I also really wanted to reach other survivors and people who’ve used self-harm to cope, and let them know they’re not alone. I also wanted people who hadn’t had such experiences to come away with greater compassion and understanding.

You're walking down the street - what song is following you?

Depends where in my healing process you’re talking about. As a teen, when I was afraid and just remembering the abuse, it would probably have been Holly Near’s “Fight Back!” I needed that bolstering.

Now, perhaps, I’d be more likely to hear something calming or encouraging—or, sometimes, the latest catchy song that’s stuck in my head.

When writing did you have a playlist? If so, could you share a few songs with us?

I didn’t have a playlist when I wrote (and edited and re-edited) Scars; I
work best in quiet. But if I was creating a playlist, I’d include these
songs:

-Christina Aguilera “Fighter” (survivor, fighter – like Kendra she does not give up; she keeps fighting to survive, heal, get safe, find happiness and love.)

-Train – “Calling All Angels” (if you leave out the one homophobic line, and don’t take religious connotations from this, it speaks to me (and would to Kendra) SO strongly “When there is no place safe and no safe place to put my head/ When you feel the world shake from the words that are said” I think that fits Kendra’s world perfectly. And it used to fit mine.)

-Jewel – “Hands” (I think we all need the message that we’re okay. We can heal. That we have inner strength. That’s what this song means to me. Facing pain, abuse, not letting others control us.)

-Celine Dion – “Love Is All We Need” (When you’re being abused, and no one does anything, it feels like no one cares. I also have never understood how someone can enjoy abusing anyone else. So I especially relate to this song. “I don't understand the concept of/The power of one is stronger/Why don't people seem to care at all/As long as it's not about them”

-Delphonics – “Ooh Child”. I think it’s especially important for survivors, or anyone going through a hard time, to know that it can and will get better. That it won’t always be so hard. It’s easy to forget that when you’re going through it—especially, I think, for survivors.

-Destiny’s Child – “Survivor” (when you get away from abusers, life is better. And you can survive—and then thrive.)

-Libby Roderick – “How Could Anyone?” (“How could anyone ever tell you/you were anything less than beautiful?/How could anyone ever tell you/you were less than whole” Those words are true, and so important. The act of repeated abuse, alone, tells a victim that they are not equal or worthy of good treatment. To realize that the abuser is wrong—and that you matter—is
important.)

-Sweet Honey In the Rock – “On Children” (“You can give them your love, but not your thoughts; They have their own thoughts, they have their own thoughts.” I was SO controlled by my abusers—as was Kendra, by hers. They tried to control how we thought. I find this song powerful and liberating. I am not what my abusers tried to make me, and they can’t control my thoughts, my soul, my emotions, just as Kendra’s abuser could not control her.)

-Kirtana – “Come Out.” (There is safety and love and goodness in the world, and you can find it.)

I'm always curious of the writing process with authors. How long did it take you to write Scars?

The initial draft may have taken me a few months—but then I wrote and rewrote, and edited and re-edited Scars more than 40 times over a 10 year period (and also submitted it to, and received many rejections from, publishers and agents in that period).

Where there any major changes from the first draft to what's on shelves now?

Yes. First, I had to learn to put a bit of breathing room in for the reader. Even though it may feel like there’s not much now (laughing) there’s a heck of a lot more than there was before. I struggled to put in much happiness and lightness for most of the drafts; it wasn’t something I
knew. Kendra’s gay friend and mentor, Sandy, was a recent addition. I also had to rewrite the parents a lot. My own parents were extremely abusive; they were part of an intergenerational cult. I didn’t get anything good or kind or loving from them.

The good that I put into Scars, I first learned from other books and movies and shows, from the tiny bits I got from a few people over the years, and from the way I felt about others—and eventually from a few good people in my life who gave me some real nurturance and a sense of family.

I was careful not to write Kendra’s parents as abusive as mine were, and to not make Kendra’s experiences as extreme as mine; I didn’t want to overwhelm readers and turn them off. I wanted them to be drawn into the story and entertained, even as they felt and learned. But the pain—that was there. I had to learn how to put in lightness.

Who is your favorite band/artist? Why are they your favorite?
I have a few favourites: Meg Christian (lesbian singer); Margie Adams; Kirtana; Savage Garden. For the most part, I find their songs affirming, healing, encouraging, or soothing. They speak to me. And Karen Carpenter—I love her voice, and Abba—their music is just so catchy. It depends on my mood, though. Sometimes I just want to listen to Sinead O’Connor, Dido, Jann Arden.

Name a song that you think would make a great book.
“On Children” and “Love Is All We Need.”


Now onto the giveaway!


I have one SINGED copy of Scars plus a couple bookmarks that Cheryl graciously added to today's post! Thanks, Cheryl!


  • Must be over the age of 13 to enter!
  • Giveaway is for US mailing address ONLY! 
  • Giveaway ends September 30th at 11:59 central time.
  • Winner will be contacted by email.
  • To enter fill out this form
  • Comments on this post do not count as your entry for the giveaway. Make sure you fill out the form above. (Though they do count as an entry for September's Commenter Contest.)
♥amber

Friday, September 10, 2010

Yo, Llehn!

(Yes, I am making a blog post just to contact last month's winner.)

Llehn - I accidently erased your email that had your mailing address on it, and I need it so I can send you your book. Please send me another email! Thank you!

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Rock This! Thursday: Let's talk driving music.

Rock This! Thursday is a weekly feature we have where we discuss books that are about or centered around one thing we love the most: MUSIC! Once in a while we'll even throw in a concert story, a band/artist you should hear, or feature bloggers and authors in an interview.

If you are an author or blogger who would like to swing by and discuss books and music with us, shoot us an email: justyourtypicalbookblog(at)hotmail(dot)com


Today we're mixing things up a bit. I've recently started school and my drive isn't bad - it's about 30 minutes give or take. The only bad thing is that it's a one lane highway, and one of these days I just know I'm going to get stuck behind a tractor. 

I love to drive. By the time I die, I've probably spent about 7 or 8 years of my life driving around while listening to music. I blame it on my dad. When I was a kid, we used to take long drives and jam out to the Grateful Dead. (And sometimes the Stones, a little New York Dolls, some Patti Smith...you get the point.) I can't really explain why I like it so much. There's just something, especially on a nice day or a beautiful calm morning when the sun hits just right through the trees, and a song like Here's Looking At You, Kid by Gaslight Anthem comes on and it just puts a smile on your face. But nothing is better on a summer day, with the windows down, and one hand out the window and right song comes on.

I change my favorite song more than the average person changes their underwear. I'm also one of those people you see going down the highway who is signing at the top of their lungs and sometimes even banging my hands on the steering wheel if the mood strikes me right.  So this week's favorite driving songs are:

- Ain't No Rest for the Wicked by Cage the Elephant


- Remedy by Seether


- Casanova, Baby by Gaslight Anthem


- Wagon Wheel by Against Me!


So what's your driving mix like? Leave me a few songs in the comments section, and if you're doing the September's Commenter Contest, you'll get 5 extra bonus points for doing so!

♥amber

Monday, September 6, 2010

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
(The Infernal Devices #1)


Released: August 2010
Publisher:  Margaret K. McElderry
Genre: Young Adult - Paranormal - Series
Pages: 496
Source: Traveling ARC Tours


Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

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


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


Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by--and torn between--two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length...everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world...and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.




---


I honestly don't know how to start this review without gushing like a mad woman. Please excuse how rambly this review is going to be. I can't help it guys.

There is something you need to know about me as a reader. I do not like historical books. I know. I know. I'm sure I'm missing out on some wonderful and fascinating book because of my snobish attitude towards anything...well, historical, but I just can't get into them! So when I heard that Cassandra was making a whole new series of Shadowhunters, I was exstatic! When I heard it was going to be set in back in the London I kind of went meh.

But I knew I could not be a book snob because c'mon, it's the prequel to THE MORTAL INSTRUMENT SERIES! One of the best series I have ever read! Sure there is no hotness that is Jace running around, but there was no way I could turn up my nose. So I dove into the book and was blown away, once again with Cassandra Clare's wonderful imagination and amazing writing.

The formula for Clockwork Angel is a bit familiar. Teenage girl, secret about her family, falls into the hands of the Shadowhunters, etc but I still devoured each and every page. I loved Tessa. She was so quietly strong and so brave right from the beginning. The way Cassandra writes, I could imagine everything from the Dark sisters to historical London right after the second or third chapter. One thing that I loved was when I thought the story was going one way, suddenly there was this twist that made it much more interesting than it had been before.

Now for my discussion of the boys. Will is a pompous ass. He's rude, stubborn, and so cocky you just want to smack the smart ass right out of him. Jem is a doll. He's sweet, caring, and you can tell has this wonderful genuine heart. The thing about Jem is - he's boring to me. I like my boys with layers and mystery, and that's why I am Team Will in this series. Saying that, you might be a bit surprised with my next line: Even though I love Will, I don't want him to be with Tessa. Yep, that's right. I said it. I don't want them together because even though sometimes a cocky bad boy just needs a sweet girl to come along to pull them out of their jerkface ways, I want her with Jem. They're just perfect for one another...at least for now. Ask me my opinion in the next book, and it might be singing a new tune.

So basically, I loved this. The world of the Shadowhunters is one of the best things ever created, and I am so glad we will be getting more and more of it throughout the years. If you haven't even picked up either series yet, you're insane, go get it now!

♥amber

Saturday, September 4, 2010

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren and was inspired by Alea from Pop Culture Junkie.






  • Matched by Ally Condie (Around the World Tours)
  • On the Road by Jack Kerouac (Paperback Swap) - I got this one because Garrett Hedlund is now filming the movie, and I'm a major fan of his!
  • Halo by Alexandra Adornetto (Around the World Tours)
  • Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade (From author for doing the upcoming Crossroads Tour)
Also from Paperback Swap I've been getting in The Roswell High series. If anyone has books number #3, #8, #9, or #10 - let me know!

♥amber

Thursday, September 2, 2010

September's Commenter Contest!

There are so many awesome books that have come out this past week and upcoming month it's making my head spin. I decided for this month's prize 1 lucky winner will get to pick 2of the following releases:




  • Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
  • Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
  • Halo by Alexandra Adornette
  • Nevermore by Kelly Creagh
  • Return to Paradise by Simone Elkeles
  • Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters by Natalie Standiford
  • Not That Kind of Girl by Siobhan Vivian
  • Firelight by Sophie Jordan
  • The DUFF by Kody Keplinger
  • Girl Stolen by April Henry
  • Beautiful Dead by Yvonne Woon
  • Love Drugged by James Kilse

Both books chosen by the winner will be mailed out by Book Depository. If your country is not listed for them to ship to - I'm sorry! The way the Monthly Commenter Contest works has CHANGED. Please click here to find out all the details!

**A special thanks to YA Bliss and Upcoming Books Blog for making posts where I can see what all is coming out because um, I suck at finding out this sort of thing on my own.

**If you left a suggestion in my earlier post, don't worry you're extra 5 points were counted. I just took down the post.

**Oh, and in case you were wondering. No, my novel didn't get finished like I had planned. I'm still working hard at it, but I am back to the blogging world! I've missed you all!

♥amber

UPDATE: Monthly Commenter Contest!

After a few opinions and thinking about it this is how the Monthly Commenter Contest will run:

  • Each time you comment on a post within the current month of the contest you will be given 1 entry point.
  •  If you comment multiple times in one post you still only get 1 entry point. (I have no problem if you want to talk away in my comment section but just know it'll only count 1 time.)
  • At the end of the month I will tally up everyone's entries. The TOP 10 COMMENTERS will be entered for the month's prize. There's a good chance there will be more than 10 people in the drawing due to ties with entry points. (i.e. let's say 15 people have the exact same points. Those 15 people will be entered)
So now that we all know how it's going to run here are 'official rules':

  • The contest is open to EVERYONE! BUT please note some prizes may vary due to shipping costs and/or if Book Depository does not deliver to your country. 
  • This is a month by month contest. Past comments will never count. 
  • Winners will be announced here on the blog. You will have 48 hours to contact me via email with your information. If you do not contact me within that time, I will draw a new person and re-announce them on here. 
  • Some months the winner will be able to pick their book(s) out. There will be a price limit on this. Please do not ask me to higher it or ask for the money instead. 
  • There will be extra entry points in some posts. If you catch it, you get them. Simple as that.
  • ANYTHING I post on this blog (even rules like this) do count as entries.
  • I have the right to change the rules at any time.
♥amber

Rock This! Thursday: Author Interview with JJ Hebert

You're walking down the street - what song is following you?
I’m a huge fan of soundtracks at the moment, particularly the soundtrack for The Book of Eli, one of my favorite movies on the face of the planet. I would definitely be listening to track 17, The Purpose, while walking down the street.

How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing seriously since around 2003, when I wrote my first novel, Defiance Rising. The story didn’t end up being publishable. I went through seven drafts and received tons of rejection letters. It currently sits in a drawer somewhere in my house. Maybe I’ll revisit it at some point?

I'm always interested in the first idea that sparks an author's story. What was yours?
The first idea, for me, is always a character. In Defiance Rising, it was Daniel. In Unconventional (my second novel, but first published), it was James Frost. Surprisingly, I get some of my best ideas while showering. Weird, I know, but true.

Did you make a playlist while writing Unconventional? If so, can you share a few songs with us?
I’m pretty sure I was listening to The Shawshank Redemption soundtrack while writing some of the more poignant scenes. Can you tell I love soundtracks?

Are you and your character James anything alike?
James and I are alike. I did some mopping back in the day. I obviously also dreamed of seeing my name in print. I’d say that he and are also very similar emotionally.

You're given two golden concert tickets that will take you to any show in any era. The only catch is that you have to take one of your characters with you. Who are you taking and who are you two going to go see?
I would love to spend time with Meranda Erickson. We’d go see a Beatles tribute band. On the ride to the venue, we’d discuss writing.

Name a song you think would make a great novel.
Cat’s in the Cradle by Cat Stevens

What was your publishing process like?
My publishing process was kind of unconventional. As I said earlier, my first book received many rejections and went nowhere. Unconventional landed me an agent, though. Ted Dekker’s former agent. Unfortunately, that business relationship dissolved about six months later. At that point, I decided to self-publish. I knew if I worked hard enough, I could self-publish successfully and hopefully inspire a few readers along the way. I’m pleased to say that Unconventional has been a huge hit, far beyond what I could’ve imagined.

We're always up for new music. Tell us five songs we should definitely be listening to.
Half of my Heart by John Mayer
Panoramic from The Book of Eli soundtrack
Fields of Gold by Sting
Dust in the Wind by Kansas
Oh My Sweet Carolina by Ryan Adams

What's one thing you want people to take from your novel?
I want readers to understand that no dream is unattainable.

If you could meet any musician - dead or alive - who would it be and why?
Sarah McLachlan. Her music is beautiful.

Have you experienced any 'rock star' writing moments?

Rockstar writing moments. Well...I definitely feel like a rockstar whenever I watch Unconventional climb the charts at Amazon, receive a glowing review, or hear from fans that my book inspired them.

Can you tell us what you're working on next?
I’m working on Saving Dad. It’s about Jet Brine, a college baseball star. He discovers that his dad is dying of a terminal illness, so he leaves college to be with his dad before he passes. It’s kind of like a Christian version of Tuesdays with Morrie...with some paranormal elements as well.

If you would like to buy a copy of Unconventional, the best deal can currently be found exclusively at JJ's website.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Waiting on Wednesday


Fall For Anything by Courtney Summers 

Release Date: December 21, 2010

When Eddie Reeves’s father commits suicide her life is consumed by the nagging question of why? Why when he was a legendary photographer and a brilliant teacher? Why when he had a daughter who loved him more than anyone else in the world? When she meets Culler Evans, a former student of her father’s and a photographer himself, an instant and dangerous attraction begins. He seems to know more about her father than she does and could possibly hold the key to the mystery surrounding his death. But Eddie’s vulnerability has weakened her and Culler Evans is getting too close. Her need for the truth keeps her hanging on… but some questions should be left unanswered.




I adore Courtney Summers. She has such an original and fresh voice who writes the most unlikeable yet likeable characters with gut punching stories.  I was so pumped to know her third book was going to be out at the end of this year and LOOK AT THAT COVER! How could you even ignore something so stunning?

♥amber