WINNER of HexHall Gift Pack!

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Hi all! I used Random.org to pick the winner of the Hex Hall Contest.  The winner will receive 1 copy of Hex Hall and a Tshirt!
The Winner is:
 
I will email you shortly.  Thank you to all who entered. I still have 2 more giveaways going on so be sure to check them out and enter.  REMEMBER- every Tuesday is a new weekly giveaway! Spread the word. I have some more great prizes in the future for everyone!

2010 Erotica Reading Challenge Wrap up

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YES!!!!!
Another challenge completed! I am so excited! This was a fun one for me.  I finished my second challenge and I am over the moon considering that this is only March!  Here is my wrap up post!

Timeline: 01 Jan 2010 – 31 Dec 2010
Rules: To read TEN(10) Erotica Romance in 2010

1. RED HOT REUNION by Bella Andre
2. WICKED PERSUASION by Tierney O’Malley
3.WICKED DESIRE by Tory Richards
4. THE COWBOY WAY by Tory Richards
5.  DARE TO SURRENDER by Lilli Feisty
6.  DELICIOUS by Shayla Black
7.  NAUTI INTENTIONS by Loar Leigh
8.  CRAVE: THE SEDUCTION OF SNOW WHITE
9.  RAVISH: THE AWAKENING OF SLEEPING BEAUTY

GUEST POST–Author Rachel Hawkins–Author of HEX HALL

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To go along with the giveaway today, author of Hex Hall, Rachel Hawkins decided to write up a guest post for everyone! Let’s all welcome Rachel Hawkins!

One of the first things people say when they find out I’m a writer is, “Sweet! You get to work at home!” I never have the heart to tell them that I actually can’t write at home. I mean, I do sometimes, but it’s definitely not my favorite spot to write? Why?  Well, my house is very…distracting. There’s the TV, obviously, and all my tottering TBR pile, and the internet, and sometimes, when the writing is going really badly, laundry. (This is how I always know I need to take a break. When the prospect of washing clothes feels more fun than writing? Yeah. Time to step away from the keyboard.) So I’m one of those obnoxious people, hammering away on their laptop at a coffeeshop. In fact, I’m writing this from a Starbucks RIGHT NOW. Obnoxiously. 

But I can’t write at just any coffee shop. So I’d like to present The Top Ten Things A Coffee Shop Has To Have For Rachel To Want To Write There, AKA The Most Specific Top Ten Ever. 😉

1) No free internet. Please don’t tell me I can just turn the internet off. You clearly don’t know the depth of my addiction.

2) A variety of coffee AND hot tea. Sometimes I need to write in a caffeine fueled haze. Other times I was to be contemplative and sip chamomile.

3) Baked goods to reward myself with if I actually complete my writing for the day.

4) Lots of outlets. Nothing sucks more than being In the Zone only to have your laptop die!

5)Decent sized tables. I sometimes have a notebook, my laptop, and my printed out manuscript all vying for space!

6) Unobtrusive music. People, I listen to my iPod VERY LOUDLY while I write, and if I can still hear your crappy elevator jazz (Starbucks? J’ACCUSE!), I’m not gonna want to write there.

7) At least one hot barista. Shut up. I’m married, not dead!

8) Bathrooms. ‘Nuff said.

9) A good vibe. Granted, this is the most subjective thing ever, but it’s my list, darnit! Some coffee shops just have the perfect ambience for writing. Low lighting helps!

10) Baked goods. Wait, I said that already? Well, they’re VERY VITAL TO MY ARTISITC PROCESS! 

HEX HALL by Rachel Hawkins (Review & Giveaway)

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HEX HALL
Source: Publisher 
* I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

  • Reading level: Ages 9-12
  • Hardcover: 336 pages
  • Publisher: Hyperion Book CH; 1 edition (March 2, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1423121309
  • ISBN-13: 978-1423121305
SYNOPSIS:

Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It’s gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie’s estranged father–an elusive European warlock–only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it’s her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.

By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.
As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her. 
MY THOUGHTS:
I was so excited to read this book and review it for you! It not only features witches, but it also includes fae, shapeshifters, vamp’s, ghosts,  and were’s.  A great mix of supernatural all in one book.  For me, this book was like a cross between Vampire Academy, Evernight and Sweet Valley High all rolled into one.  We had the teenage angst, the forbidden romance, supernatural plot and high school all mixed together with great characters!
I loved how the author brought the characters to life on the pages.  The story moved at a wonderful pace and before you even knew it, you were on the last few chapters.  Archer was the bad boy on campus that Sophie not only is falling in love with, but she can’t stand him at the same time.  The author throws many plot twists to you and keeps you guessing on what is happening.
There was only one thing I didn’t like about the book and that is the ending.  The book builds up to what you think would be a great climax near the end.  Then, within the last few short chapters, the battle is done.  I would have liked the climax to be drawn out by more than a few pages.  I will say that the story is left to where we can expect a sequel to this book.  The things that are left, really keep you interested enough to want to buy the next book in the series. 
A wonderfully written young adult book that I am sure will be a hit among the young adult community and adults!
MY RATING:



Very Good! Worth Spending Your Money on!

CONTEST CLOSED!!!!
GIVEAWAY:
Thanks to the publisher, I have one copy of Hex Hall and a Hex Hall T-Shirt to giveaway! These will come directly from the publisher. Here is the front and back view of the shirt that will be in your choice of S.M or L:
Here are the rules:
1. You must be a follower of my blog.
2. You must live in the USA or Canada only.
3.  Leave a comment on this post with your email address.
EXTRA ENTRIES:
Please leave each extra entry on a seperate comment to qualify!!!
+1 Follow me on Twitter
+1 Tweet about the contest
+1 Mention the contest on your blog
CONTEST WILL BE OPEN UNTIL 3/6/2010 AND THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON 3/7/2010.  YOU WILL HAVE 48 HOURS TO RESPOND OR ANOTHER WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN.

WEEKLY CONTEST/GIVEAWAY

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Here is this weeks giveaway contest.
  At times, there will be more than one book, but most of the time I will be featuring a weekly giveaway of one book. For these giveaways, I will NOT contact you if you win.  I will announce the winner and you will have 48 hours to respond.  If I don’t hear from you.  the book will be passed to the next winner in line. 
Now here is the book(s) for this week and the rules will follow after the description:
 Used Trade Size Paperback
GIVEAWAY RULES:
1. You must be a follower to enter.
2. Contest is only available to the USA.  Sorry, but limited funds at this moment in time. This could change later.
3.  Leave a comment on this post.

OPTIONAL: 

4. Mention the contest on your blog for +1 extra entry.
(Please post the link in a separate comment to qualify.)
5.  Tweet about this contest for +1 extra entry. 
(Please post the link in a separate comment to qualify.)
6. Follow me on Twitter for +1 extra entry.
(Please post the link in a separate comment to qualify.)
This contest is open until 3/8/2010 with the winner being announced on 3/9/2010.
Good luck!