Welcome to the Crossroads Tour! Books! Goodies! and More!

Today is the first day of the Crossroads Blog Tour created by author, Judith Graves. So what is it exactly? Well it's a tour of 16 awesome authors on 16 blogs for the next 16 days. There will be guest posts, interviews, and YOU CAN WILL SOME STUFF!! 


HOW THE TOUR WORKS:
Each day of The Crossroads Tour, a new research question will be revealed here on The Crossroad Blog Tour main pageand each day the answer to that question will be found within one of the 16 different blog posts by Crossroads Tour authors. Your job is to get the question, read the blog posts, and collect all 16 answers by the end of the tour, on Halloween.

Send your answers to judithgraves at ymail dot com by midnight on October 31st to win a fab grand prize consisting of:

signed copy of Under My Skin by Judith Graves
copy of Dreaming Anastasia by Joy Preble
copy of Freaksville by Kitty Keswick
gothic stickers
funky Halloween decorations
a DVD featuring Classic Horror Films
a $10 gift certificate for Leap Books
a Leap Books T-shirt

BUT THAT'S NOT ALL! Judith collected some lovely swag from all 16 authors and has sent them out to us. So for the next 2 weeks I will be giving away 4 surprise swag packs! What's going to be included? Well just some of this:

A bit of that

And a pinch of this!

*These pictures were taken by Judith - it's all she has collected from authors and sent out 16 packages to bloggers. 

Rules for Surprise Swag Packs:

- US ONLY! Sorry guys, I will have a book that will be international up today, but I'm shipping these out and I cannot afford to ship overseas.

- Must be over the age of 13 to enter

- 1st week will run from 16th-23rd. 2nd week will run from the 24th-31st. 

- Winners will be chosen by leaving comments on all the posts involving the Crossroads Tour. So basically if you comment on 5 posts, you are entered 5 times! 

- I'll announce 2 winners on the 23rd and the other 2 winners of the 31st!

Make sure to check out Judith Graves' website to see the other 15 bloggers and keep checking them out so you can have the chance to win the grand prize!

♥amber

Author Interview: Erin McCahan + GIVEAWAY!

How does it feeling being a debut author?I cannot wrap my head around it still. In truth, I feel distinctly detached from all the buzz and the book signings and the author visits. I’m grateful for it. I’m happy going to events, but it’s strange. I can’t explain it any other way than that it feels, for now, as if it’s happening to someone else – no pun intended, but I’m going to work this into a pun someday – and I’m standing nearby watching.

What was the first idea that sparked I Now Pronounce You Someone Else?
The spark came from the collision of three separate ideas:

1. my own alias, Phoebe Lilywhite
2. my shameless fascination with weddings
3. my step-dad, who died before I got a chance to tell him how much I
loved him.

I was working on a story about a girl and her step-dad, but it stalled after just a couple chapters. Once I blended it with weddings and Phoebe Lilywhite, it became a novel.

How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing stories since third grade. I began writing with an eye towards publication when I was 22. And only eighteen short years later . . .
But it wasn’t a steady eighteen years of writing and rejection. In total, it was probably more like nine.

Are you anything like the characters in your book? Or did you base them on anyone you know?
No, I was nothing like Bronwen when I was her age. I was so pathologically shy that I rarely spoke in public, and when I did, no one could hear me, and I was pretty much in a constant state of blushing from the ages of 13 to 20.

And I don’t think I could ever write characters faithfully if they were based on actual people. I’d be writing the real person rather than allowing the character I’d created to develop on his or her own. That’s what I mean about faithfully writing a fictitious character.

You're walking down the street - what song is following you?
This is such a fun question. Can I swipe it for my Facebook page? I wish it were the James Bond theme. Running up to the grocery store would be so exciting, then. I’m glad it is not the theme to the Pink Panther, which I’m certain would, in time, make me start walking funny. It’s probably either Come Sail Away or Schoolhouse Rock’s The Preamble.

You sure can! What's one genre you doubt you'd ever write for?
Erotica. Vampire erotica. Vampire dystopian erotica. YA vampire dystopian erotica. And westerns.

Have you experienced any 'rock star' writing moments?
No rock star moments yet, but I ran up to my local Borders last week, looking for a copy of my book – I keep giving all mine away – and after the saleswoman said they were out of stock, she said, “I’ve got to order more because we can’t keep these on the shelf.” And that’s probably from me buying copies. Then she looked at me and said, “You know the author lives in Dublin.” (nearby suburb) And I just smiled and said, “No, I didn’t know that.” I actually don’t live in Dublin, but it was nice that she knew that I’m local.

What's next for you?
Dinner! Put the James Bond theme on; I’m headed to Kroger!

Thanks for stopping by, Erin! If you would like to read my thoughts on Erin's book, check out my review. I'm also giving away one copy of I Now Pronounce You Someone Else.Giveaway is for US ONLY and will end October 31st at 11:59 pm central standard time.

Fill out the form to enter and good luck!

♥amber

I Now Pronounce You Someone Else by Erin McCahan

I Now Pronounce You Someone Else by Erin McCahan


Released: June 2010
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
Genre:Young Adult - Contemporary - Romance
Pages:272
Source: Publisher


Rating: ♥♥♥♥.5

Seventeen-year-old Bronwen Oliver doesn't just want a family. She has one of those, and there's nothing terribly wrong with them apart from bickering grandparents, an image-obsessed mother and a brother she describes simply as Jesus. But there's no natural sense of connection between Bronwen and her family, leaving her with the belief -- and the hope -- that she was switched at birth, that she was never supposed to be Bronwen Oliver but someone else entirely.


When she begins dating college senior Jared Sondervan, she finds herself thoroughly embraced by the loving family she has always wanted and does not hesitate to say yes when Jared proposes on her 18th birhday. Plans for the Perfect Beach Wedding before her junior year of college become plans for the Perfect Beach Wedding before her freshman year of college. And a wedding so soon isn't exactly what Bronwen wants. But Jared is. And his family is. Or so she thinks.

Before Bronwen can determine what she truly wants, she must first determine who she truly is, and the answer, she discovers, is only partially what she thought it was. She wasn't switched at birth, but she's also not Bronwen Oliver and hasn't been for a very long time.

---
If you're looking for a fun charming read then I've found it for you. Meet Phoebe Lilywhite. A daughter to a wonderful family that doesn't mind her big teeth or want her to keep dying her hair blonde. At least, that's what seventeen year old Bronwen Oliver likes to sometimes dream she is. Being switched at birth is the only explanation of why her and her mother have nothing in common.

Bronwen's voice really made this book. It was catchy, up beat and full of witty moments. The way she viewed her family had me cracking up. I think we can all relate to a moment where we thought we were adopted. (Or you could be like me, and have a lovely older sister who made you believe you in fact were!) A real family life is something Bronwen never really thought she have since her father's death. Then Jared and his fun-loving family comes along and Bronwen finally finds the life she's been so desperately seeking.

Or has she?

While slightly predictable, you go on the journey with Bronwen through this very cute romance that her and Jared hold. During their relationship you get to know Bronwen outside of the sarcastic front she shows off to everyone. I love how she made mistakes and knew when she had. I loved how she kept questioning her actions and wondering if she should get married to Jared. McCahan did a wonderful job on creating such a well rounded character that I think many teens and non-teens will be able to relate to.

My only compliant is that I thought the ending was a bit rushed. I wish it would have been developed more, but none the less I really enjoyed this read and suggest you get yourself a copy!

♥amber

Guest Blog with Wayne Josephson + GIVEAWAY (International!)

Readable Classics – Making Literature Less Frustrating

Last year, when my 10th grade son was assigned The Scarlet Letter in English, he moaned and groaned and went online to SparkNotes. That took me back to my own high school days, when I did the same thing to avoid reading Moby Dick, and got a C on the exam.

That gave me an idea. I gently edited The Scarlet Letter to flow more smoothly and make it less frustrating. It still felt like the original because, essentially, it still was the original—I just made it more readable.

My son read my version alongside the original, chapter by chapter, and was able to understand and appreciate it. He got an A on the exam. I published the book.

Readable Classics was born.

I was on a roll. I had a score to settle with my past. So I rewrote Moby Dick. With the brooding obsession of Captain Ahab, I conquered my nemesis, the White Whale.

Then I rewrote Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, and The Odyssey. I’m now working on The Red Badge of Courage. The reviews on Amazon are glowing--even the literary purists like them. And students are ecstatic.

I also recently published a mashup, Emma and the Vampires, with the intent of introducing a gently-edited Jane Austen to young adult readers in a friendly way, laced with Twilight-type vampires.

My work is challenging, enjoyable and satisfying. The classics have opened up a whole new world to me. I finally understand why these books have been continuously published for two hundred years--they have something important to say.

Jane Eyre was the first novel in English literature where a woman was the hero. Pride and Prejudice was the first novel to challenge the ridiculous notion that women were second-class citizens.

But the best part of writing Readable Classics? Students and adults have told me that my books have helped them overcome their fear of great literature. And that is the most rewarding part of all.

-----------------------------------------------

Wayne has offered to give away one of his readable classics. The winner gets to choose 1 book from his site. Here are the list of books:

The Scarlet Letter
Jane Eyre
Pride and Prejudice
Moby Dick
The Odyssey--will be released this month
The Red Badge of Courage—coming in November
Emma and the Vampires

You can swing by his website to check out the first chapter of each book if you're having trouble deciding. This giveaway is OPEN TO EVERYONE! It will end on October 26th at 11:59 pm central standard time.

Fill out this form to enter and good luck!

♥amber

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting


Released: March 2010
Publisher: HaperCollins
Genre: Young Adult - Paranormal - Thriller
Pages: 336
Source: Bought


Rating: ♥♥♥♥.5

Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her "power" to sense dead bodies—or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes the dead leave behind in the world . . . and the imprints that attach to their killers.

Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift; it mostly just led her to find dead birds her cat left for her. But now that a serial killer is terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he's claimed haunt her daily, Violet realizes she might be the only person who can stop him.

Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet find the murderer—and Violet is unnerved by her hope that Jay's intentions are much more than friendly. But even as she's falling intensely in love, Violet is getting closer and closer to discovering a killer . . . and becoming his prey herself.



---

This is the perfect read for those who are starting to shy away from paranormal and for those that are in the mood for an absolute page-turner. Kimberly Derting weaves a thrilling mystery of one girl's gift that could quite possibly end her life.

Violet has a great support team when it comes to her gift. Her immediate family knows of her gift along with her best friend, Jay. The relationship between the two was one of the best I've read in a while. They've been best friends since childhood and I think anyone teenager or adult can relate to at some point in your life you've fallen for your best friend. Jay is another male character who I was crushing on. I loved how protective he was when it came to Violet and making sure she was safe.

I've always wanted a supernatural type of power. I think Violet's power is one I'd pass on. The ability to sense the dead around you really creeped me out. Add that with the fact that this story is written in third person which allows us to get into the killer's mind - well, I was a bit scared to walk in the dark. None the less, this book kept me on my toes as Violet was trying to track down the person responsible for ending the lives of many girls in the area she lives in.

Kimberly Derting has written a thriller of a debut novel which I'm sure will ground her a great fan base and have many people anticipating the sequel, Desires of the Dead, coming out next year.

♥amber

Trick or Treat: Win Crusade - OPEN INTERNATIONAL

Crusade by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie

The ultimate battle. The ultimate love.

For the past two years, Jenn has lived and trained at Spain's Sacred Heart Academy Against the Cursed Ones. She is among the few who have pledged to defend humanity or die trying. But the vampires are gaining power, and the battle has only just begun.

Forced to return home after death takes a member of her family, Jenn discovers that San Francisco is now a vampire strong-hold. As a lone hunter apart from her team, Jenn is isolated—and at risk. She craves the company of her fighting partner, Antonio: his protection, his reassurance, his touch. But a relationship with Antonio comes with its own dangers, and the more they share of themselves, the more Jenn stands to lose.

Then Jenn is betrayed by one who was once bound to protect her, causing her to doubt all she had held as true. To survive, Jenn must find the courage to trust herself—and her heart.

Sound goods, right? 1 lucky winner will get a copy of Crusade along with a signed bookplate by the authors. BIG thanks to Nancy and Debbie for donating this!

- Giveaway is open INTERNATIONAL
- Will end October 31st at 11:59 pm

- Must be 13 years old to enter

- Fill out this form to enter!

♥amber

September's Commenter WINNER!

Sorry I'm a bit late on announcing the winner, but today I finally got around to punching in everyone's comments and bonus entries.

The Top 10 Commenters were:

Llhen

The Cold One

Prophecygirl

Ally

Polkadots1121

Kaila Sage

Girlsinstacks.com

Sab H.

LuxeCotorue 

Alitareads

And the winner of 2 books of their choice from this list chosen by random.org is:

*drum roll*

PROPHECYGIRL!!!

Jen, just shoot me an email with your two book choices from the list link and I'll send them your way! Thanks to everyone who commented. Remember, this month there isn't a Top Commenter but check out the sidebar for all other giveaways going on this month. 
♥amber