Fall Book Exchange Giveaway!

The deadline to sign up for the Fall Book Exchange is fast approaching -

October 1st

And as an added treat, Ruby, Ivy and we are hosting a giveaway! 

It's easy. Everyone who signs up for the Fall Book Exchange will automatically be entered and one winner will receive a book of their choice off your Wish List courtesy of your hosts as a Thank You for joining in our event!

If you don't know what the Fall Book Exchange is, here is a recap of the original post. Just fill out the form HERE or further down in the post.  

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Hi Everyone! We had such a great time with the Summer Secret Santa and we're so excited to join Ruby from Ruby Reads and Ivy from Ivy Reads in hosting the FALL BOOK EXCHANGE! Here's all the details direct from Ruby.

 Welcome to the Fall Book Exchange! Due to the fantastic success of the Summer Secret Santa program, I've decided to hold a book exchange at the turn of every season. Well, every season except Winter. Unless you guys convince me otherwise. This time around, though, I have two other great blogs helping me out. Ivy, from Ivy Reads and Alyssa from Teens Read and Write are hosting the event with me!

     Are you ready to get started? Let me tell you the rules of the exchange in case you're new. For those who participated before please take a gander as well, since I've made a few changes from the last exchange.
      First, here's a little refresher on how things will work: Each participant will link to at least one wishlist with a collection of titles they'd like to receive from their Santa. Names
will be thrown in a virtual hat and drawn so that each person will have a Fall Santa who will give them a book, and a Fall Santee they will give to. Fall Santas will choose titles from their Santee's wishlist(s). I want to be clear: Everyone who signs up will both give and receive. Sounds like fun? Yeah, I thought so too.
Here are the rules:

• You do not have to be a book blogger to participate. Everyone's welcome!
• International participants are welcome, too, anywhere that the Book Depository ships. Please be aware, when you sign up, that you may be assigned an international santee. 
• You will need wishlist in order to participate. Where you keep your wishlist--on Goodreads, Amazon, or your blog--is up to you and you will be able to link to two wishlists in the form. If
• you need help setting up a wishlist, email me and I'll help you figure it out. Though I am by no means a technical genius.
• PLEASE NOTE:
Fall Santas (FSs--) will chose TWO books from your wishlist for a total of around $18. If you want one book for that price, it's up to you--let your FS know.
• Pre-ordered items are acceptable ONLY if this is agreed upon by both parties.
• You may purchase your books from whatever source you choose, but please do not send used books. Ebooks must be okayed with the santee before purchasing.
• Once santas and santees are assigned, addresses will be exchanged between individuals. If you're not comfortable with this, please do not sign up.
• Sign ups begin on September 1, and end on October 1. 
• After you send the books to your santee, you must fill out the tracking information form I will provide you with.
• To join the exchange, you must fill out THIS form.

     I would highly appreciate it if, after signing up, you would grab one of the buttons below and put it in your sidebar. I tried to size them so they'd fit, but let me know if you have trouble. It's not required, but it would help to spread the word. If you want write up a post announcing your participation, that would be even awesomer. Definitely leave me a link if you do, and I'll make sure to stop by and thank you!

So add some joy to your Fall while giving some joy to others!  

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.rubysreads.com" title="Ruby's Reads"><img src="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc398/Rubysreads/FallBookExchange2.jpg" alt="Ruby's Reads" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.rubysreads.com" title="Ruby's Reads"><img src="http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc398/Rubysreads/FallBookExchange1.jpg" alt="Ruby's Reads" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Author Interview with Kiki Hamilton, THE FAERIE RING

We're thrilled to be hosting Kiki Hamilton today on her blog tour with Mundie Moms! It's the launch day for her fantabulous debut novel, THE FAERIE RING, a book we were lucky enough to read early and provide a blurb which said:

A delicious blend of urban fantasy, heart-stopping suspense and sizzling romance - THE FAERIE RING rocks! Pulsing with excitement this high-stakes adventure catapults you through the gritty slums of Victorian London, the glittering balls of the Royal Palace, and the menacing Otherworld, in a thrilling tale where no one and nothing is what it seems. Deception, twists, diabolical faeries, a gutsy heroine and a sexy love interest all woven into a spectacular wild ride. You'll devour every page - compelled to finish but never wanting it to end!"

Can you tell we kinda liked it?

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1) Since you wrote The Faerie Ring without having been to London, what was your biggest surprise about the city when you finally made the trip? 

That everything I plotted in the book actually worked and worked beautifully. There is a side entrance to Buckingham Palace, it is logistically possible to easily get from Buckingham to St. James Park to Charing Cross; Hyde Park and Grosvenor Square are accessible as told in the story and it all worked! Thank goodness!

2) What was your favorite moment when you followed Tiki's footsteps in London? 

I loved every minute I spent in London. It was like I’d come home. I especially loved being in beautiful St. James Park and seeing Buckingham in the distance – it was like a snapshot of two different worlds: the royals and the rest of us. I’ll never forget standing on the side of the building and looking at the ways Tiki could have snuck in. Back in 1871 they didn’t have any fences around the palace so it was fascinating imagining that. Also, I’ll never forget walking around the corner and seeing the outside of Charing Cross. Loved it!

3) What is your favorite quote or scene from The Faerie Ring?

 There is a scene when Tiki is in the ballroom at Buckingham Palace and meets William Richmond. Prince Leopold sees the mark on her wrist and his reaction still makes me laugh. I love that part.

4) Rieker is a dreamy love interest, and he and Tiki have a great relationship - believable, exciting and romantic. What do you think makes a good love interest and how did you go about creating the credibility of their relationship? 

 Well, initially there’s that period of time when you’re learning to trust the other person, which is a theme in the story. And of course, every relationship has its ups and downs, which helps build the tension in making the relationship work, so, like real life, there are moments of disagreement or distrust. Another essential ingredient is respect. You have to respect the love interest and *want* the main character to get together with them because there’s nobody else better for them. Finally, I think pacing is important in developing your character’s interest in each other so that it feels believable too.

5) What literary character would you like to interview most and what would you ask them? 

I’d love to interview Harry Potter. Of course we’d have to do a little flying during the interview, visit Hogwarts and drink butter beer at Hogsmeade. All in the name of research, of course. J I’d ask Harry how long it took Hogwarts to be rebuilt after they destroyed Voldemort and the Elder wand. If he ever returned to Hogwarts, did he ever consider becoming head master…etc. etc. The questions would probably go on and on.

6) What is the most surprising thing we would find in your purse right now? 

Hmmm…glances at purse which has recently been cleaned….probably the most surprising thing is what ISN’T in there. I usually NEVER go anywhere without some chocolate – for emergency purposes only, of course – but right now – there’s no candy at all. Let me tell you – that’s a first!

7) You awaken to the sound of large feathered wings flapping and realize you're being carried by a giant eagle with the head of a moose sporting a top hat and monocle. Despite your quaking fear, you attack it's talons. "Maaaaaaaawwwwwwww!" screams the moose head. Crazed by your attack, he releases you and you plummet to the earth, landing onto the balcony of Windsor Castle. "Do you have biscuits for brains, you daft fool!" cries the Queen of England. She sprints toward you wielding a katana and a P-90 handgun. Behind her is her Royal Guard who have been transformed into bloodthirsty zombies! "Assist me in squelching this rebellion!" You frantically search your pockets and find one broken balloon, a dried pixie, an ounce of horseradish, and an original 1965 vinyl of The Sound of Music movie soundtrack. How do you survive? 

 Using the vinyl LP, I throw it like a Frisbee with dead-eye aim, decapitating half of the royal guard. I snatch the katana from the Queen and take out a few more zombie guards. Using the balloon like a slingshot I shoot the horseradish into the eyes of the remaining guard and whew! we’re all safe. Of course, I’m saving the dried pixie for another adventure.

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Thanks for stopping by and excellent job on the zombie question! What could you be saving the dried pixie for???


Tomorrow there's a character interview at Overflowing Shelf and you can get information on the whole Faerie Ring Tour here,

THE FAERIE RING

by Kiki Hamilton

pub: 9/27/11

Debut novelist Kiki Hamilton takes readers from the gritty slums and glittering ballrooms of Victorian London to the beguiling but menacing Otherworld of the Fey in this spellbinding tale of romance, suspense, and danger. 

The year is 1871, and Tiki has been making a home for herself and her family of orphans in a deserted hideaway adjoining Charing Cross Station in central London. Their only means of survival is by picking pockets. One December night, Tiki steals a ring, and sets off a chain of events that could lead to all-out war with the Fey. For the ring belongs to Queen Victoria, and it binds the rulers of England and the realm of Faerie to peace. With the ring missing, a rebel group of faeries hopes to break the treaty with dark magic and blood—Tiki’s blood.

Unbeknownst to Tiki, she is being watched—and protected—by Rieker, a fellow thief who suspects she is involved in the disappearance of the ring. Rieker has secrets of his own, and Tiki is not all that she appears to be. Her very existence haunts Prince Leopold, the Queen’s son, who is driven to know more about the mysterious mark that encircles her wrist.

Prince, pauper, and thief—all must work together to secure the treaty…

Looking for more?

Kiki Hamilton Website

Kiki Hamilton on Twitter

The Faerie Ring Website

The sequel: THE TORN WING

Banned Books Weeks Giveaway Hop!

Welcome to the BANNED BOOKS WEEK Giveaway Hop hosted by two terrific ladies. 

Kathy @ I Am A Reader Not A Writer,

 and 

Jen @ I Read Banned Books. 

We're offering a $10 gift Amazon certificate to buy your favorite banned book or, if you're international,  you can choose a banned book (up to $10 US) from The Book Depository! 

Not every book is for everyone, we simply support people's right to make the choice themselves!


If you'd like to be surprised by some classics that were banned, check out this list of banned books from the American Library Association. 

Good Luck
 and  
Enjoy a Banned Book!

Check out THE LIST of all the participating blogs and their giveaways!

Giveaway Details:

• Fill out the form below
• Must be a Follower through Google Friend Connect
• Open to wherever Book Depository Ships
• Enter by Oct 1

WoW: FALL BOOK EXCHANGE Wish List!

WoW is hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine and showcases upcoming releases we're dying to read!

This week we're doing something a bit different. To gear up for the FALL BOOK EXCHANGE that we are co-hosting with Ruby from Ruby Reads and Ivy from Ivy Reads our WoW is featuring some of the books on our Book Exchange Wish List. 

Check out the FALL BOOK EXCHANGE post for details and to sign up!

Can't wait to see what's on your

FALL BOOK EXCHANGE Wish List 

so be sure to leave a link! 

Guest Post: Emma Michaels Introduces The Writers Voice

The Writers Voice 

Where you get to know the people behind the pages 

(http://ourbooksourvoice.blogspot.com) 

This is Emma Michaels, the author of The Thirteenth Chime’ and 'Anasazi' and I am taking over! Don’t worry, it is only for one post. To introduce you to the team of amazing authors who are a part of a new blog called, ‘The Writers Voice’. A blog run by 12 authors. Dedicated to letting you get to know each of us and the authors we feature!

J.K. Rowling and other authors are known for the ‘Easter eggs’ they hide in their books. 

Do you have any Easter eggs in your stories?

There are definitely little tidbits in my novels that will make more sense in
the final book. I don’t know if I did them on purpose or if it was just
organic to the story.”
-Megg Jensen

“I’m not sure what her Easter eggs are or stand for, but I’ve hidden some things in my books. There’s certain items, sayings, people’s names, places, and situations I’ve penned in that only my family or friends would catch—like the Quantum “veggie mobile” Julia drove. It’s fun when they find them, or I reread and rediscover them myself. Also, it lets me know if someone has really read my book (sneaky).”
-Brenda Pandos

“I do have a few “Easter Eggs” in my books. There is one in the Fallen Star, when Alex goes over to Gemma’s house. Gemma mentions a picture of a castle by a lake, which is the Keepers castle.”
-Jessica Sorensen

“I do! Most character names have significant meaning – a few to mepersonally, but mostly the meanings of their names tell a lot about that character and include some foreshadowing. Specific dates – birthdays, anniversaries, etc. – for the characters are also important dates to me and my family. I’ve made up a few terms that, if the reader did some research into the parts of the names, they could figure out what it means and possibly even see some foreshadowing. There are more to come in future books, too – as readers share things with me, I find a way to incorporate a name or a phrase or some other reference.”-Kristie Cook

“Wouldn’t that be cool! I’m afraid I’m not very clever with that kind of thing.”-Keary Taylor

“Unfortunately no. But I’m hoping to have some in my other books.”
-Kim Richardson

“I didn't know the technique of implementing hidden messages and hints was called bringing in Easter eggs but, come to think of it, I believe all my stories have them because they help build up mystery and suspense, and draw the reader right in. I love well-placed cues, both as a reader and as a writer.”-Jayde Scott

“My Easter eggs come in the form of fairy tale-type references. And sometimes, the Easter eggs resemble characters from other stories I’ve written.”
-Danyelle Leafty

“I do! I love to use every method possible to foreshadow not only what will happen in the novel I leave them in, but novels that are yet to come in the series. Sometimes I have no idea that I’m doing this – it’s as if the characters are teasing not only me but the readers.”
-Jamie Magee

“Uh ... no. Maybe I'm a little behind with the times, but I've never heard of them.”-Victoria Simcox

“There are a few rare moments in my novels where I’ve described something in a way that perhaps seems out of context but actually has some personal meaning to me.”
-Samantha Young

"Yes, tons of them. I am one of those authors who plans the last book first. The rest goes from there.”
-Emma Michaels

Oh yeah, did I mention we have amazing guest authors? 

Here is a sneak peak of a few of the interviews we have planned for the future:

“There are hints about future events but I haven’t any hidden messages. Maybe I’ll try to get one in for the third book, which would go well with the theme.”
-Devyn Dawson

“I wish I did but I have to say that I haven't actually done this... so far. You've given me some ideas now though!”
-Suzy Turner

“In real life, I’m very much a planner, but when I write, I plan very little. I think that’s why I’d have to say NO, there are no Easter eggs in my books. I would, however, in some future books like to try doing it the other way, planning out a series and seeing how that works for me. In that case, I would definitely want to throw some eggs out there for readers to find.”
-M. Leighton

“Yes. I’m quite political although I don’t support a political party; there’s a scene I wrote around the time the ConDem Coalition was announced, and the way David Cameron manipulated and continues to manipulate Nick  Clegg astounds me! When you get to the scene, you’ll understand what I want to do to Cameron. There is another little Easter egg, but before I tell you here’s a little back-story: in college, I had a horrible time in class because it was my classmates were the same people over and over again for every lesson.  As a result, I started hating them and they started hating me, which meant that none of us were friends. Due to this, I befriended some of my teachers. Two of them I can’t technically call ‘friend’ because with one I had a semi-awkward relationship and the other was a hippy and therefore was friendly to everyone. I named two characters after them:  Anna Jackson and Demitri Henshaw. Of course, I made the names slightly different to their namesakes. I’m also making one character’s personality similar to that of my Theory of Knowledge teacher – Mr. B – who was probably the best teacher-friend a girl could ask for! I absolutely loved him and would occasionally leave strawberries for him (as a sign of friendship and nothing more). He was the sweetest guy on the planet and the character I have is going to have a carbon copy of his personality. Mr. B is also the reason why there are so many references to strawberries in The Nightmare Man *nervous chuckle*”
-AG Bellamy

“I’m afraid I’m not quite clever enough to do that – maybe someday when I get the writing part down, I’ll have room in my brain to plant a few inside jokes!”
-Inara Scott

We are the team of authors for The Writers Voice but our blog is about so much more than just us, writing or even literature. It is about everything reading can bring to each individual person’s life, the work and lives that go into novels and all authors out there with their own stories and voices to share. I hope you will join us at The Writers Voice and hear more from our team and other writers from around the web! 

http://OurBooksOurVoice.blogspot.com

“The Writers Voice: Where you get to know the people behind the pages”

____________________________________

Thanks for sharing. We love Easter eggs - especially in our books! 

Blog Tour & Giveaway! ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD Author Kendare Blake

 Please welcome ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD author, Kendare Blake, who is visiting as part of her Kismet blog tour. Kendare has been here before when she hosted a Bromance showdown between Harry Potter & Ron, and Aragorn and Legolas. She's always inventive and hysterical and we love having her!

Today she's guest posting about which relationships she thinks are most important in ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD.

The relationship between Cas and Anna is the driving relationship behind the book. It’s the catalyst for most of the action, and it’s probably the one I thought most about. They’re very adversary-ally. I really enjoy the things that they bring to each other, that level of respect. There’s challenge there, and admiration. There would be no book without that dynamic.
The friendship between Cas and Carmel and Thomas is also really important. Loners don’t let their walls down that easily. Cas has always been the type to let people get only so close. When he finally accepts help, he’s surprised by how much he needs it.
And perhaps just one more: the relationship between Cas and his mom. It’s got to be a little weird, raising a son who kills things in the dead of night, risking life and limb, but she does it well. In lots of ways, she’s all he’s got in the beginning, and they really trust each other. He couldn’t do what he does without her help.

Thanks for stopping by! ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD with it's awesome cover is available now and be sure to enter the contest for a fabulous Kindle. Here are the details.

Who is about to take on Anna next? Each day during the first week, a new ghost fighter will be introduced and invited, by Anna herself, to come to Thunder Bay and try to defeat Anna. Follow the tour for the next three weeks to find out who the other ghost hunters are, which of them accept Anna's challenge and who among the five is the one who will enter Anna's house on the last day of the tour!
On that last day of the tour, a link will be provided where you can enter the ghost hunters name for 15 entries into the contest to win a Anna Dressed In Blood skinned and loaded Kindle 3! Open to US/Canada.

Here's the latest challenge letter!

For an extra points in the meantime, you can gain +1 point a day by tweeting the following:

Who will make it to Thunder Bay? Join the contest to best Anna and win an Anna Dressed In Blood Kindle! Follow #ADIBtour @KendareBlake

GOOD LUCK!

About Kendare Blake - website, facebook, twitter

 Kendare Blake lives and writes in Washington state, with cats and a husband who critique the work. Her first literary novel, Sleepwalk Society, recently won a 2011 Indie Excellence Award for crossover fiction. Her second novel, Anna Dressed in Blood, is YA horror, and released 8/30/11, with a sequel to follow in 2012.

Tour Schedule:

Here are all the tour stops or you can check out the ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD tour page.  

Monday, September 12th - Rachel, Parajunkee

Tuesday, September 13th - Stacey, A Reader's Record
Wednesday, September 14th - Alyssa, Teens Read and Write
Thursday, September 15th - Heather, Buried In Books
Friday, September 16th - Jenny, Supernatural Snark


Monday, September 19th - Melissa, I Swim For Oceans
Tuesday, September 20th - Tawni, The Book Worms
Wednesday, September 21st - Alice, Alice Marvels
Thursday, September 22nd - Julie, That's Swell
Friday, September 23rd - Angela, The Reading Angel


Monday, September 26th - Julia, Rex Robot Reviews
Tuesday, September 27th - Ashley, Smash Attack Reads!
Wednesday, September 28th - Britta, I Like These Books
Thursday, September 29th - We Fancy Books
Friday, September 30th (Anna's 1 month birthday!) - Kristi, The Story Siren

Tuesday, October 4th: 

Announcement of the big prize winner on Kendare's Site!

Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead.
So did his father before him, until he was gruesomely murdered by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father's mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.
When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn't expect anything outside of the ordinary: track, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he's never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, now stained red and dripping with blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.
But she, for whatever reason, spares Cas's life.