Holiday Friday & Fred

Friday Funny!  Okay well, my manuscript is off to my editor where she'll no doubt rip it to shreds.  I thought this funny was fitting.  I'd say Santa is my manuscript, and I am the reindeer.  Yes, my manuscript has decidedly kicked my ass this holiday season.  

Fridays with Fred

A few weeks ago, I posted how I busted Fred eating the turkey carcass.  Below was his punishment   Hehe.  
Yeah, he didn't think the punishment fit the crime...but we sure did.  LOL.  He's too darn cute, isn't he?

Stop by and visit Schatze over at Mary’s BookHounds too.

Have a great weekend.

Mina B.

Guest Post: Faith McKay, Author of Prophecy Girl

Hiya, minions!  Today, I'm excited to have fellow author, Faith McKay here on my blog.  She's here as my guest to discuss her recently released novel, Prophecy Girl.  

Minions!...I give you Faith "On the Importance of Enthusiasm."

Thank you, Mina for having me.

I've been told to calm down more times than I could ever remember. I've been told I laugh too much. I care too much. I get too involved. I need to slow down and not stress and play it cool and I never really understand what people are talking about. There was a period of my life where I really gave it my all to do this—to be a more mellow person, more socially acceptable. All this seemed to do for me was grow a healthy sense of apathy. You know what apathy is really bad for? Creativity. I didn't really understand the concept of creativity, because it was just my whole life, until I became apathetic and lost that part of myself. In its absence, I learned its power.

"I began to realize how important it was to be an enthusiast in life. He taught me that if you are interested in something, no matter what it is, go at it at full speed ahead. Embrace it with both arms, hug it, love it and above all become passionate about it. Lukewarm is no good. Hot is no good either. White hot and passionate is the only thing to be."
Roald Dahl, My Uncle Oswald

There is this quote, from My Uncle Oswald by Roald Dahl, and it is a reminder of why it's okay that I laugh so much, I care so much, I become so involved and just enthusiastic—because the alternative leaves me without much idea for what to do with myself.

It's not very prestigious. It's not very dignified, or socially acceptable. But I'm just not sure how to live, let alone how to write, without that white hot passionate drive that gets me up at five in the morning with a document open, typing away as fast as I can, lost in my own head.

If I wasn't so enthusiastic while I pursued my stories, I think I'd be miserable as I approached another day of trying to reach my word count. I couldn't imagine the long and slow process of revising a novel without the enthusiastic need to see it completed.

That's not to say I don't wake up some days lacking that enthusiasm. I may still feel the motivation to work, but I'm not naturally enthusiastic and driving forward with passion. So, what do I do then? I find a way to find that in myself. You'd be surprised what a good air drumming session to a great song (or a REALLY bad one) can do for me. Honestly, banging my head to "Pour Some Sugar On Me" is one of the fastest ways to feel completely silly. A little bit of silliness can be just the ticket to loosening up, and then a quick reminder why I love to write, or about the importance of enthusiasm with that quote from Roald Dahl, and I'm usually ready to enthusiastically have a go at a word document.

What makes you enthusiastic, and what do you do when you lose it?

Faith McKay's Bio:

Faith McKay writes stories about characters with real world struggles in otherworldly settings. She is the author of PROPHECY GIRL, a story where characters struggle with the idea of having a destiny. In comparison, she feels really lucky that her destiny was to struggle with comma placement and be that awkward lady who points out puns at parties.

Other things to know about Faith… She wears two different colored shoes. She is a survivor of child abuse. She has lived with chronic illness for over a decade. A lot of people don't like her because she laughs too much. It's also the reason a lot of other people do like her, so go figure. She listens to more music than people are probably supposed to. She's a nomad. The word sounds really cool, so a lot of people say it, but she actually lives in an RV with her husband and their pet bunny rabbit, Dorian Gray.

Prophecy Girl:

Ever since Samantha Winthrop's mother moved them to Lacuna Valley, supposedly in search of better weather, the list of strange questions she has no answers for has been growing out of control.

Does her little sister, Violet, have the ability to make things happen just by "praying" for them? Are Sam's dreams really predicting the future? Is she destined to marry the boy she just met, and what is the mysterious orb that he's guarding? Why does she get the impression that there are dangerous creatures watching from the woods?

While Sam should be focusing on answering those questions, there is one other that makes them seem almost irrelevant: Is her mother planning on killing her and Violet?

***

Thanks, Faith!

You can purchase Prophecy Girl via Amazon of Barnes/Nobles.
Or check it out on GoodReads.

To learn more about Faith visit her at any of the locations below.

Faith's Website:  http://faithmckay.net 
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/faithmckaybooks 
Twitter:  http://twitter.com/faithmckay

Mina B. 

Cheers, Cavanaugh BlogFest

Welcome to the “Cheers, Cavanaugh BlogFest hosted by Mark Koopman, Morgan Shamy, Stephen Tremp, and David Powers King, the BlogFest runs from December 10 - 12. 

1.  Alex's Description
I believe Alex is a tall, physically-fit man with a youthful disposition.  His preferred attire is a worn pair of Levis 501's that he wears with Rush concert t-shirt that he purchased during their Bones tour over twenty years ago.  His favorite pastime is a toss up between jamming on his Gibson with his band-mates, heading to the theater with his beloved wife or riding on the never-ending blogging train supporting his ever-increasing ninja tribe.           


2.  Who could play Alex in a documentary? (Living or dead.)
Mathew Fox, the star of cult favorite, Lost, would be my pick to play Alex.  Am I right, ladies?  I think Alex would approve.  Yes?  No?  What do you think?

3.  I'm not sure if I've ever met anyone like Alex.  He feels like a big brother to me which may sound ridiculous but that's what I think.  He's supportive, loyal and is as true as a friend as you could have realistically online.  He's someone you look up to and aspire to be like.  

4.  My FF about Alex - it's well over 100 words, but I had fun writing it.

The phone rang as Alex types the last sentence for tomorrow’s blog post. He answered the phone not paying attention to the caller.

"Hello?"

"Alex Cavanaugh, please," an unknown male voice carried across the line.

"This is." Alex replied.

"Is this Alex J. Cavanaugh, author of the sci-fi Cassa series?"

"Yes, can I ask who is call-"

Alex was cut off by the caller. "And also Casa Storm?"

"Yes, but-"

"And the Ninja Captain of hoards of writer/blogger minions?"

"Yes-"

"The creator of the IWSG," the caller stopped to howl on the other line, "Insecure Writer's Support Group. I love that one, by the way. Where were you when I started my career back in the 60s?"

"I have no idea. May I ask who this is?" Alex said.

"You may. I've just read your series, and I really enjoyed them. I actually have a call into your publisher to get my hands on Cassa Storm. They won't release a copy to me until they have spoken to you--which is why I'm calling."

Alex attempted to speak, but the caller continued.

"I like your Cosbolt pilot, Bryon too. I must know what's in store for him. You by chance don't have an agent do you?"

"No."

"Well, there's plenty of time for that. You see, I've recently sold my baby--something I've treasured my entire life. Now I'm in need of a new project."

Alex stops the caller. "I'm sorry. Who is this again?"

"Lucas. George Lucas."

And that was just the beginning for Alex. No amount of writing or guitar playing could have prepared him for that phone call. The rest was history.

***
I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did.  You're such an inspiration, Alex.  I wish nothing but crazy, inconceivable success and happiness for you!

Mina B.

Book Feature: The Mistaken by Nancy S. Thompson

As part of the Writers4Writers, the group led by Stephen Tremp, Mary Pax, C.M. Brown, and Christine Raines, I'm participating in a special book feature for author/blogger, Nancy S. Thompson.  Go Nancy!

Sapphire Star Publishing recently released Nancy's suspense novel in October.  The book is titled The Mistaken and is getting killer buzz on the blogosphere.  Here's the book description.

All Tyler Karras wants is to enjoy life with his expectant bride; what he gets instead is a graveside seat at her funeral. With the woman who killed her uncharged and still free, all Ty wants now is revenge. His brother, Nick, has dangerous connections and suggests a sadistic plan: grab the woman responsible and hand her over to his associates—sex-traffickers in San Francisco’s Russian Mafia. They offer Ty more than he dreamed possible. In exchange for the woman, they’ll finally let his brother leave the business for good—with his debt wiped clean and his heart still beating.

There’s just one problem: Ty kidnaps the wrong woman.

Now he must protect her from the very enemy he’s unleashed, but the Russians are holding Nick as leverage to force Ty to complete their deal. Caught in a no-win situation, Ty must find a way to save himself, his brother, and the woman, but with the Russian Mafia, even two out of three makes for very long odds.

***

Sounds good, huh? You can purchase a copy at the following locations:

Amazon & Barnes & Noble

But wait...there's more!

Nancy is currently doing a giveaway for one signed copy of her novel, The Mistaken.  
Visit Goodreads to enter!  Contest runs until December 12th.

Have you read this book?  Do you know Nancy?  You can find her on FB or follow her on Twitter.

Have a great day!

Mina B.

IWSG: Art Imitating Life

Welcome to another month of Insecure Writers Support Group!  Special thanks Alex for creating this growing group.  First, I'd like to start with an update.  I've made incredible progress editing one of my novels.  I write when I can, but I'm attempting to get my YA novel in the best possible shape (again) before sending it to an editor who will rip it to shreds, no doubt one more time.  Insecurities aside, I'll keep you posted on my progress.


On another note, I can across a segment by 60 min.  It was a powerful piece and a political one too on generation prisoners in North Korea.   Have you ever heard of such a thing?  I wanted to feature this today, because as I watched, it felt so foreign I swore I was reading a page out of history or better yet, a fictional novel--one with an oppressive government, deadly prisons, murdered children and people oblivious to the world and humanity around them.  I decided to feature this impactful video not to depress you, but to remind you where much of our art comes from--real-life history.  Please take the time to view this video.  It struck a vital cord with me.  I bet it does the same for you.


North Korean prisoner escaped after 23 brutal years, December 2, 2012 4:42 PM
Born in a prison camp, Shin Dong-hyuk describes how three generations of a family are incarcerated if one family member is considered disloyal. Anderson Cooper reports.North Korean prisoner escaped after 23 brutal years

Mina B.

And you are? Blogfest

It's time for "And You Are?" Blogfest Q & A.  Special thanks to Emily King & Tammy Theriault for coordinating this blogfest.  There's over 50 blogs participating so if you get a chance, stop by and visit Tammy and then check out the other fabulous bloggers.  These questions were not what I was expecting so the answers are...well, I'll let you decide.

1. How many speeding tickets have you gotten?

Two. Once on a date. True story too. My date in the passenger seat asked,"Why are you going so fast? My reply: "Because I have to be first." I don't know what was worse: getting the ticket right after I said that or giving that dude more amo to rag on me. Yeah, that relationship didn't last too long after that.

2. Can you pitch a tent?

I don't do much camping, but if I had to, I could.

3. What was your worst vacation ever?

Once I went to Acapulco with a person who I thought was my friend.  I learned a lot on that trip.  Like when some people go on vacation--especially in a foreign country--they think that gives them license to turn into a**holes.  In short: Worst. Vacation. Ever!  That's all I'll divulge on the subject, but it may make for a great scene in a future story.  How's that for turning a negative into a positive?

4. What was the last thing you bought over $100?

My son's bday presents. :)  Legos are so damn expensive.

5. We're handing you the keys to what?

My dream home in the Keys where my backyard is the Atlantic, and I have an endless supply of margaritas.  :)  

6. What was the last meal cooked that made even you sick?

Thanksgiving dinner. Lol! Lawd, that food is too rich for me. They call it stuffing for a reason, right?

7. Fill in the blank: Oh my gosh! Becky, look at her butt! It is so big. She looks like _____?

...every a** man's dream.

8. What was your first car?

Honda civic. I'm a Honda owner for life.

9. Your best friend falls and gets hurt. Do you ask if he/she's okay or laugh first?

I used to laugh first. Now, I always ask if she's okay, then laugh my a** off. I can't help it.  However demented, there's something I find but hilarious when a person trips.  Sorry, have we met? I'm the president of the inappropriate humor club.  And you are?

10. What's the worst song ever?

I hope I don't offend anyone with this answer.  Even though I liked the movie Dirty Dancing, there are two songs I can't stand.  It's a toss-up between Hungry Eyes and Time of My Life. Thank the gods for Patrick Swazye or else I think the movie would  have a complete flop.  How can you forget some of the cheesiest lines in Hollywood? "No one puts baby in the corner."

Care to share any of your answers to the questions above?  Come on...you know you want to.

Mina B.

Friday Funnies, Warm Bodies Trailer & Fred

Happy Friday, minions!  Aren't we all happy it's Friday?  I am.  First, let's start with our Friday Funny.  You should know by now how much I worship Joss Whedon.  I have a Buffy the Vampire hoodie to prove it.  (Geek alert.)  Anyway, I love JW's response to the question below. 

I knew there was a reason why I loved JW.  Are you a fan too?

Warm Bodies Movie Trailer & Book

Have you seen the Warm Bodies movie trailer?  Better yet, have you read the book by Isaac Marion?  Here's the book premise: 

R is a young man with an existential crisis--he is a zombie. He shuffles through an America destroyed by war, social collapse, and the mindless hunger of his undead comrades, but he craves something more than blood and brains. He can speak just a few grunted syllables, but his inner life is deep, full of wonder and longing. He has no memories, noidentity, and no pulse, but he has dreams.

After experiencing a teenage boy's memories while consuming his brain, R makes an unexpected choice that begins a tense, awkward, and stragely sweet relationship with the victim's human girlfriend. Julie is a blast of color in the otherwise dreary and gray landscape that surrounds R. His decision to protect her will transform not only R, but his fellow Dead, and perhaps their whole lifeless world.

Scary, funny, and surprisingly poignant, Warm Bodies is about being alive, being dead, and the blurry line in between.

And here's the movie trailer of Warm Bodies from Summit Entertainment.

Have you read the Warm Bodies book?  What do you think about the trailer?  Thumbs up or down?

Fridays with Fred - Busted again!

The day after thanksgiving, Fred was a bad dog.  Why?  I threw out the turkey carcass in a trash bag and left it by the garage door for my husband to take out.   Well...Fred found it, tore it open and devoured the bag of bones.  FRED...(cue in Phineas and Ferb's Candace here) YOU ARE SO BUSTED!

Fred was arrested and later released for good behavior.  His only penance was a tongue lashing, a sour stomach and then later the worst set of gas a human could endure.  Oh, Fred. :(

Never a dull moment.  Has your pooch ever done this?

Stop by and visit Schatze over at Mary’s BookHounds too.

Have a great weekend.

Mina B.

Book Review: Fireseed One by Catherine Stine

Today I'm super excited to review my latest read, Catherine Stine's Fireseed One. This book was so in-depth and fantastic, I felt the need to feature the book description. I remember reading it when I first read Catherine's blurb and recall being instantly hooked.

Book Description:
Fireseed One is a futuristic thriller that can be enjoyed by teens and adults. The year is 2089. Temperate climate has replaced Arctic ice, and much of what is now the United States is a lethal Hotzone, cut off by an insurmountable border from its northern, luckier neighbors, Ocean and Land Dominion. It is rumored that roving Hotzone nomads will kill for a water pellet or a slice of insect loaf, and that the ZWC, a dangerous Hotzone activist group, has infiltrated the border to the northern Dominions.

Up in Ocean Dominion, all eighteen year-old Varik Teitur wants is to party on Snowangel Island with his friend Audun and flirt with college girls he dreams of joining next year in his quest to become a doctor. Instead, he inherits a vast sea farm, following the death of his father, famous marine biologist Professor Teitur. Five weeks later, ZWC member Marisa Baron breaks into the farm’s secret seed vault and a fellow activist poisons the farm’s agar crops, the world’s food source. In order to save the last agar seedlings Varik is forced to journey to the Hotzone in search of Fireseed, a plant his father supposedly developed with magical hybridization properties.

Varik takes Marisa along. Aside from being a terrorist, she’s the daughter of Melvyn Baron, the biggest real estate mogul in Land Dominion, and the professor’s old rival. Oddly, she knows lots about Fireseed, and what Hotzone land Professor Teitur bought to test the crop, before becoming embittered and trashing the project. No one except Varik knows whether Fireseed once existed off the drawing board. Might the refugees in Vegas-by-the-Sea have answers, or the bizarre Fireseed cult in the Chihuahua desert? Varik, the reluctant hero, must risk burning in the Hotzone, as his mother did, to save the ailing agar, and the world.

My thoughts:

Fireseed One is a riveting futuristic fantasy tale that is classic YA with more than enough to sustain the die-hard adult sci-fi fans. I found the world Stine created reminiscent of best-selling, middle-grade Dark Life series by Kat Falls. However, in FireseedOne, Stine takes the global warming fantasy tale to a whole new level. In the beginning, we meet a reluctant hero, Varik, a young man who's forced to run his family farm after the passing of his father. Straight away, Varik is thrust into unfamiliar territory as he discovers his farm vaults were robbed. Those vaults secured most of the world's food supply in a form of seeds. Harvesting, protecting and engineering these seeds had been his dead father's life's work including his radical creation, Fireseed One.

Besides creating an amazing fantasy world, Stine did a wonderful job at creating such a likable hero who throughout the novel showed incredible depth and courage. Marisa, Varik's counterpart, was equally intriguing. I'll admit I didn't like her at first, but it just goes to show you how when great plotting happens, characters evolve, which make for enjoyable reading experience. The journey Varik and Marisa take along with Audun, Varik's childhood friend, is filled with suspense and bizarre sci-fi imagery that after awhile becomes addicting.  If you're looking for something sci-fi/dark fantasy with elements of dystopian YA genre, then Fireseed One is just the book for you.

Find out more information about Fireseed One and Catherine Stine by visiting her Idea City Blog. Like or follow her on Facebook or Twitter too!

What about you?  Have you read Fireseed One?  

Mina B.

Oh, I Miss You Blogfest!

Welcome to the Oh, I Miss You Blogfest. Before we get started, I wanted to thank Andrew, Mathew and Alex for hosting this blogfest.   I felt like I had been slacking too in the blogging department, and I know I'm not alone.

There were many that I wanted to feature today, but I had to keep my choices in check.  The bloggers I really miss and like to highlight today are ones you may or may not be familiar with.  To sum up my feelings...it just isn't fair.  Tell 'em Anne! 

Sarah Pearson / Empty White Pages, was a blogging force at the beginning of the year. Where art thou?

Ainsley Shay I enjoy her posts and love her cool blog..   

Jesse Cohen's Not Worth Mentioning - Cohen's blog is totally worth mentioning, and I miss him.  *sniffle*

C D Meetens/ One Little Spark - a Writer's World - I miss the spark. :(

Please feel free to stop by these amazing bloggers and say hi.  

Perish the thought!  The blogger buddies I'm grateful for and the ones I would die if they ever went away.  

Alex Cavanaugh

David Powers King

Elise Fallson

S.L. Hennessy's Pensuasion

Thanks to all you guys.  You enrich my blogging experience so much.

Fridays with Fred

This was the best I could do this week.  He honestly couldn't be bothered.  Oh well.

Stop by and visit Schatze over at Mary’s BookHounds too.

Have a great weekend.

Mina B.

NaNoWrMo 2012 - Progress Anyone?

I was off to an excellent start with National Novel Writing Month.  I wrote a little over 10,000 words and mostly ironed out plot issues.  This might not seem very much, but plot issues were killing my progress for my novel.  Now I can think clearer, and the words flow easier since the harmony has returned. 

That said, the progress I had was halted, and I'm not even half way through the month.  Damn!  Sometimes life overwhelms us with its untimely incidents, which is precisely what happened to me.  Both of my kids collided in a freak accident which has led to two trips to the ER, several trips to the dentist and of course, the pediatrician.  No worries, everyone is fine but this cat lost a life or two that's for sure. Between work, missed school and good lord anything else that comes with that, I'm certain of one thing only: minimal progress for NaNoWrMo.  Oh well...  

I decided to write this post to find out if others are struggling with nanowrimo progress.  I think it wouldn't be so bad if it weren't the end of the year.  For some reason, I feel a bit sullen that 2012 is almost over.  I think it's because the remainder of my year is planned out extensively, which gives me little time for editing and probably less for writing.  Oh well...

On another note, I'm curious how others are using NaNoWrMo to network and write.  Has anyone else met with their group?  Or do you have plans to attend a Write In?  Unfortunately, with work and my family, I don't have the time to attend one.  Still, the plan is to keep trying, right?

Have a fabulous week and don't forget to stop by on Friday for I Miss You Blogfest!
Mina B.

Fred Update & other Fun Stuff

Hi, minions.  Happy Friday!  Today I wanted to feature a few things.  First off...Fred!  He's back by popular demand.  I haven't done a post in a couple of months because, frankly, Fred's not as obliging as he used to be.  It seems he's a bit prickly in his senior years, but who can blame him?  That said, I'll post when I can and have placed him on the side of my blog for those die-hard fans to catch the latest glimpse.  For today's Friday, I did capture a shot of him the other day.  We had 60 degree weather, and my JRT got filthy dirty and had to have a bath.  Poor buddy.  Anyway, afterwards, he couldn't stop shaking so I swaddled him in one of his jackets.  

Damn, I'm cute!

Be sure and stop by and visit Schatze over at Mary’s BookHounds too.

Friday Funny!

And the Friday Funny below sums up how my week went.  I'm betting if more people wore hats like the bear below, we'd be know to steer clear of them, huh?

Cool Giveaway!  

Beth Revis, author of the NY Times Bestselling Across the Universe series, is hosting a wicked YA book giveaway that I just have to scream out to the world.   She's giving away to one (1) lucky winner a fifty...50 of some of the hottest YA books!  Isn't that waaay cool?  How do you enter?  Visit her blog for details at http://bethrevis.blogspot.com/.  Be sure to tell your friends!

Have a great weekend!

Mina B.

Insecure Writer’s Support Group - Adverbly!

Insecure Writers Support Group, brought to you by Alex Cavanaugh, is here today.  I've been editing some of my previous works and thought I'd get your perspective.  Are you a lover or hater of adverbs?  Have you ever watched School House Rock?  If so...Lolly, Lolly, Lolly, Get Your Adverbs here!

To be honest, I'm not too insecure about this topic.  Still, we're expunging demons here with the IWSG post, right?  That said, I have  *clears throat*  misused adverbs before.  *Ducks for cover*  I know, I know.  Stop throwing sh** at me.  I'm not perfect and yes, I use "ly" adverbs.    

I know many writers aren't adverb fans, but kill me for saying this, I actually don't mind "ly" adverbs.  Dare I say, even in dialogue I don't mind them.  The best post I've read about using adverbs in dialogue was written by Nathan Bransford almost a year ago.  For me, I don't identify my mistakes until I'm in the editing phase.  And when I come across a "ly" word, I focus on whether or not I truly do need it in the sentence.  If not, then I do what Twain recommended...I kill it.  

How about you?  Do you like or hate adverbs?  Do you have a trick to keep your adverb use in check?

Mina B.

Creepy Classic: Hansel and Gretel

It's been far too long since I've featured a Creepy Classic.  I'm such a slacker it's embarrassing.  Life happens and that's my only excuse.  The last book I was supposed to post on was H.G. Wells The Island of Dr. Moreau.  I'll get to that at some point but today I want to feature Grimms' Fairy Tales: Hansel and Gretel. 

Since Halloween is almost here and magic and sorcery continues to have a foothold in my brain, I couldn't resist reading this classic again.  I realize everyone recalls the creepy children's tale, but when was the last time you read it?  Why do I ask?  Well, because most original fairy tales (minus the Disney angle) are disturbingly dark--like I like it.   Who doesn't want to eat little children? Muhwahhhh! Better yet, what parent hasn't thought about dropping their kids off in the middle of the forest to fend for themselves? Heh. Heh.  Like I said, Hansel and Gretel wonderfully paints a freakishly good picture of what witches in classic literature represent: pure unadulterated evil. #lovedit!

Did you know...

Paramount Pictures  is scheduled to release their take on the classic tale--Hansel and Gretel Witch Hunters in early 2013.  Check out the bad ass movie trailer below featuring Jeremy Renner (yum!) as Hansel and Gemma Arterton as Gretel.  Damn, I hope Hollywood doesn't disappoint.

Did you love H&G as much as I did? Which tale is your fav from Grimm? Did you like the movie trailer?

Mina B.

2012 Spooktacular Giveaway Hop

Boo, minions!  This is my third year participating in the Spooktacular Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer.  Damn!  The Spooktacular hop was one of the first hops I ever participated in -- which is why its so near and dear to my heart.  With nearly 500 blogs participating, you can bet there will be some amazing giveaways.  Thank the Lords for my Free Sh** Fairy.  Once again, he worked his mojo and sourced one spooktacular giveaway.  How so?  Well, this happens to be one of my favs.  

Pick your Poison!

One (1) lucky winner can choose from the these hot YA novels listed above.  There's an insane amount of buzz going on for each of these YA novels.    Pick your poison between Roth's Insurgent, Cole's Poison Princess and Meyer's Twilight conclusion Breaking Dawn.

To enter…

You MUST be a follower of my blog and MUST fill out this entry form. (And yes, I do check GCF)

Extra entries…
+1 For Becoming my Fan/Like on Facebook/MinaBurrows
+1 Subscribing via email to my blog
+1 Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/MinaBurrows
+1 if you Retweet this on Twitter (limit 1 retweet)

Again, the giveaway runs from 12:01 AM on Oct. 24th - October 31st, midnight. Contest is open to International participants. 

Want to see who else is participating?  Visit I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and check out all the links and hop on by.

Mina B.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Partners in ParanormYA: Paranormal Truth is Stranger Than Fiction

Happy Hump Day, Minions. Partners in ParanormYA are here today!  I repeat...the dynamic duo themselves, Angela Brown and Gwen Gardner are in Mina's mystic house!  Give it up for these rock'n babes. Wahoo!  This entire month they've been scaring up a storm with the release of their YA paranormal tales, Neverlove and Givin’ Up The Ghost.  As a lover of YA lit, I'm super excited to be a deputized paranormYA partner and thrilled to help get the word out about their fantastic YA novels.

Minions...I give you Partners in ParanormYA, Gwen and Angela!

Thanks for hosting the Partners in ParanormYA blog tour today, Mina!

A rather strange partnership you say? You could say we are opposites in many ways. Just look at our book covers.

The cover of Neverlove is photographic, real, in your face. The beauty on the cover has a secret as evidenced by her face being partially hidden. The teardrop adds mystery. You know there’s something dark happening there. Angela Brown writes dark paranormal.

About Neverlove: For Abigail and Basil, there is a choice they both fear making. Duty or love? There can be only one.

The cover of Givin’ Up The Ghost is illustrated. Even though the girl on the cover is clearly running from the goons in back, the cartoon-like nature of the characters takes the edge off the spooky stuff inside. Gwen Gardner writes light paranormal.

About Givin' Up The Ghost: Indigo Eady's life erupts into mischief and mayhem when a ghost enters her teen abnormal life demanding answers for his death.

You can see that paranormal isn't just for the stout of heart. The weak of heart can enjoy it, too.

So what do the Partners in ParanormYA have in common?

We have a secret...

Source

The PIP’s are big fat scaredy cats. You heard right. We are scared to death of things that go bump in the night. We don’t watch stuff on television that: sends us scurrying to lock the doors and check under the beds and in the closets, or dump rings of salt around our homes or burn sage or make holy water or keep guns with silver bullets under our pillows.

The scariest Gwen goes is The Nightmare Before Christmas or Hocus Pocus.

And Angela? Let’s just say that while researching for a tour post, she had to quit reading Ghost Files and wing it.

Yes, we’re quite the anomaly, but we’re looking for a cure. Any suggestions?

How about you? Do you get scared watching movies, or at things that go bump in the night?

***

Thank you both for stopping by.  And no...I would have never guessed you two spook so easily.  

I love it! 

About Angela Brown

Born and raised in Little Rock, AR, Angela now calls Central Texas home. She's a lover of Wild Cherry Pepsi and chocolate/chocolate covered delicious-ness. Steampunk, fantasy and paranormal to contemporary - mostly young adult - fill her growing library of books. Mother to a rambunctious darling girl aptly nicknamed Chipmunk, life stays busy. Her favorite quote keeps her moving: "You may never know what results come of your action, but if you do nothing there will be no result." ~ Mahatma Gandhi 

About Gwen Gardner

Running, writing and reading are my favorite things.  I am also a dreamer.  Have you ever told yourself that "someday" I'm going to travel or write or whatever it is that you are passionate about but can't do right now for whatever reason? You can go for years and years and keep telling yourself that "someday" you'll do it. Too often "someday" never comes. But mine did. I am a former Administrative Manager and Vice President of a successful swimming pool plastering company - until I woke up one day and realized that my "someday" had arrived. I quit my job, moved to the mountains and began to write. Crazy, I know. But even crazier? Is when you get to the end of your life and realize that your "someday" is too late. Life is much too short for that! So the adventure has begun.

These books are creepy good so hurry up and get your copy today!

Purchase Angela Brown’s Neverlove at Amazon US, Amazon UK, Barnes and Noble, Amazon FR, and Amazon DE.

Purchase Gwen Gardner’s Givin’ Up The Ghost at Amazon US and Amazon UK.

But wait...there's more!  There are two giveaways! Visit Partners in ParanormYA for the Big Swag Giveaway and for the Week Two Giveaway.  Enter today!

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