Thursday, October 3, 2013

Fall 2013 YA Scavenger Hunt and a Chance to Win Hardcover ELEGY!


Welcome to YA Scavenger Hunt! This tri-annual event was first organized by author Colleen Houck as a way to give readers a chance to gain access to exclusive bonus material from their favorite authors...and a chance to win some awesome prizes! At this hunt, you not only get access to exclusive content from each author, you also get a clue for the hunt. Add up the clues, and you can enter for our prize--one lucky winner will receive one signed book from each author on the hunt in my team! But play fast: this contest (and all the exclusive bonus material) will only be online for 72 hours!
Go to the YA Scavenger Hunt page to find out all about the hunt. There are THREE contests going on simultaneously, and you can enter one or all! I am a part of the RED TEAM--but there is also a blue team and a gold team for a chance to win a whole different set of signed books!

If you'd like to find out more about the hunt, see links to all the authors participating, and see the full list of prizes up for grabs, go to the YA Scavenger Hunt homepage.

SCAVENGER HUNT PUZZLE
 
Directions: Below, you'll notice that I've listed my favorite number. Collect the favorite numbers of all the authors on the red team, and then add them up (don't worry, you can use a calculator!). 



Entry Form: Once you've added up all the numbers, make sure you fill out the form here to officially qualify for the grand prize. Only entries that have the correct number will qualify.
 
Rules: Open internationally, anyone below the age of 18 should have a parent or guardian's permission to enter. To be eligible for the grand prize, you must submit the completed entry form by October 6, at noon Pacific Time. Entries sent without the correct number or without contact information will not be considered.
SCAVENGER HUNT POST

This lovely lady is the fabulous Julie Cross, author of the Internationally Bestselling Tempest Trilogy, a young adult science fiction series which includes Tempest, Vortex, and the final installment Timestorm (St. Martin's Press).  She's also the author of Letters to Nowhere (8/13), a mature young adult romance set in the world of elite gymnastics, as well as several forthcoming young adult and new adult novels with publishers like Sourcebooks, HarperCollins, and St. Martin's Press/Thomas Dunne Books.  Julie lives in central Illinois with her husband and three children.  She's a former gymnast, longtime gymnastics fan, coach, and former Gymnastics Program Direction with the YMCA.  She's a lover a books, devouring several novels a week, especially in the young adult and new adult genres.  Outside of her reading and writing credibility's, Julie is a committed - but not talented - long distance runner, creator of imaginary beach vacations, Midwest bipolar weather survivor, expired CPR certification card holder, as well as ponytail and gym shoe addict.
 
Find out more information by checking out the author website or find more about the author's book here!  And now, for the....
 
EXCLUSIVE CONTENT!
 
 
"From the International Bestselling Author of the Tempest Series...
Set in the tough world of Elite Gymnastics...
I've gotten used to the dead parents face. I've gotten used to living with my gymnastics coach. I've even adjusted to sharing a bathroom with his way-too-hot son. Dealing with boys is not something that's made it onto my list of experiences as of yet. But here I am, doing it. And something about Jordan--being around him, talking to him, thinking about him--makes me feel like I can finally breathe again. That's something I haven't been able to do lately. He knows what it feels like to be me right now. He knows what it's like to wonder--what now? I think about it constantly. I need answers. I need to know how to get through this. In the gym, if you're struggling, you train harder, you do drills and conditioning. How do I work hard at moving on? At being on my own? And what happens if I might be...maybe...probably falling for Jordan? I mean we live together now. That can't happen, can it? But kissing him...well, let's just say it's not an easy activity to forget."
 
 
Now what you've been waiting for during this entire post: an exclusive excerpt from Julie's new young adult novel, Letters to Nowhere:
Jordan blocked the door, his eyes on me, waiting for an explanation. “What?” I said, all innocent.
            He shook his head. “Nothing. Just wondering where you went. A couple of guys in my class made this cool light show thing for the science fair. We’re about to watch it.”
            “You and Stevie?” I said, then I closed my eyes wishing I’d had an ounce of my usual self-control.
            “Karen—” he started.         
            “Come on.” I turned my back to him, heading out the door. “Let’s go watch the light show science experiment thing.”
            He dropped the subject of Stevie and followed behind me. I felt Jordan’s arm brush against mine as we walked down the steps to the basement where Tony had the alpha and omega of home theaters. The room was crowded with students and cups and booming voices, but Jordan managed to capture my attention. Standing close behind me, he whispered, “Are you worried about me and Stevie?”
            I shrugged and kept my eyes on my two teammates standing across the room, talking to a few of the girls I’d met at the last party. Blair was chugging Kool-Aid mix like someone dying of thirst. “Why would I would be worried? I like Stevie. She’s my teammate.”
            Suddenly all the lights went out, leaving the room pitch-black. A few screams erupted, followed by laughter and someone shouting that it was supposed to get dark. The laser designs appeared on the ceiling, causing everyone to look up. Pink, blue, and green neon shapes streaked across the ceiling. I could see them clearly, but it was still so dark in the room that I couldn’t even see my hand in front of my face. Which is why I jumped and let out a yelp when someone’s arm snaked around my waist from behind.
            “Shh,” Jordan said, speaking right into my ear. “It’s just me.”
            I sucked in a breath, feeling my heart fly, goose bumps popping up on my neck where his breath had hit my skin. The first thought in my head was please don’t walk across the room and do this to Stevie.
            He gently tugged me closer until my back pressed against his chest. One of his hands rested on my stomach, and the other fumbled around in the dark for a minute before drifting down my arm. He laced his fingers through mine and slowly lifted our hands until I felt my knuckles touch his lips.
            If my heart was racing before, it was sprinting now. This totally broke our friend code and I didn’t feel an ounce of desire to point that out. I just wanted to sink further into him and for the lights to never come back on.
            The light show blurred above me, electronic classical music filled the dark as I leaned against Jordan, my head falling back onto his shoulder. His nose grazed my neck and I suddenly felt hot all over—in a good way. Like heat enveloped me from all sides.
            “Jordan…?” I whispered into the dark.
            “Shh,” he said again. “I know the rules. No kissing.”
            I wasn’t going to say that. Not even close. We needed to abolish that rule this very moment. I turned my head slightly toward him and ran into his mouth before I even had a chance to decide to kiss him. I lifted my hand and gripped the back of his neck, drawing him even closer. Our mouths almost couldn’t match up, the way we were angled, but I felt his fingers brush my cheek and eventually hold me in place. His lips were as soft as I remembered from the first time, and when they parted a little, I almost debated trying the whole tongue thing, but then he closed them again and pulled away.
            I turned my head forward again, and both his arms went around my waist while he planted little kisses up and down the side of my neck.
            “Karen,” he breathed.
            “Yeah.”
            “In case you’re wondering…I’m not into Stevie.”
 
And don't forget to enter the contest for a chance to win a ton of signed books by me, Tara Hudson, and more! To enter, you need to know that my favorite number is 13. Add up all the favorite numbers of the authors on the red team and you'll have all the secret code to enter for the grand prize!

CONTINUE THE HUNT

 

To keep going on your quest for the hunt, you need to check out the next author, Shaunta Grimes!
 
 

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Introducing the YA AdVANture Tour!

Four Authors, Five Cities, ONE MINIVAN.

This September, I’ll be hitting the road with Myra McEntire (author of the HOURGLASS Trilogy), Tessa Gratton (author of the THE BLOOD JOURNALS series and THE UNITED STATES OF ASGARD series), and Sonia Gensler (author of THE REVENANT and THE DARK BETWEEN) in somebody’s mom’s minivan to visit bookstores and libraries in the South and Midwest!  Here's a list of the bookstores that we'll be visiting.  If you're in the area and even if you aren't (I'm looking at YOU, Florida), stop by to get your copies of HEREAFTER, ARISE, and ELEGY signed!  You know, if I'm not in the Van Down By the River. :)

Thursday, September 5th: Irving, TX
Barnes & Noble, Frisco, TX @ 7:00 p.m.
Stonebriar Center Mall, Frisco, TX 75034
(972) 668-2820

Friday, September 6th: Little Rock, AR
Barnes & Noble @ 6:00 p.m.
11500 Financial Ctr Pkwy, Little Rock, AR 72211
(501) 954-7646

Saturday, September 7th: Memphis, TN
The Booksellers at Laurelwood @ 7:00 p.m.
387 Perkins Extd Memphis, TN 38117
(901) 683-9801

Sunday, September 8th: St. Louis, MO
St. Louis Central Library, "Teen Lounge" @ 4:00 p.m.
Sponsored by Left Bank Books
1301 Olive Street, St. Louis, MO 63103
(314) 241-2288

Monday, September 9th: Kansas City, KS
Mysteryscape @ 6:30
7309 W 80th St Overland Park, KS 66204
(913) 649-0000

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Amelia's Birthday Giveaway!!

Spoiler alert: April 30th the day that Amelia Ashley - the protagonist and narrator of the Hereafter Trilogy - was born.  It's also important to her for another reason, but you only know that if you've read the first book. :)



So as a Happy Birthday to Amelia, I'm holding a GINORMOUS giveaway contest!! The prizes are kind of ridiculous, ya'll.

The 1st Place Winner gets signed hardcovers of HEREAFTER and ARISE, as well as a signed ARC of ELEGY, a signed bookmark, and (drumroll, please) a pre-order of the hardcover ELEGY, to be delivered on its U.S. release date, June 4th!



The 2nd Place Winner gets signed hardcovers of BLOOD MAGIC by Tessa Gratton and THE REVENANT by Sonia Gensler, a signed ARC of ELEGY, and a signed bookmark.



The 3rd Place Winner gets a signed bookmark and a preorder of the hardcover ELEGY.

And the 4th Place Winner gets a signed bookmark.

Kind of amazing, right?  At least for people get ALL THE STUFF. :)  So, how do you enter?  It's easy!  Just get points by entering the following contest (powered by Rafflecopter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The contest starts today and ends at 12:00 am CST on May 7th.  (Sorry guys, but only 4th place is open internationally.)  So get to entering and HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMELIA!

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Winter 2012 YA Scavenger Hunt & 1st ELEGY ARC Contest



Welcome to YA Scavenger Hunt! At this hunt, you not only get access to exclusive content from each participating author, but you also get a clue for the hunt. Add up the clues, and you can enter for our prize--one lucky winner will receive one signed book from each author on the hunt in my team! But play fast: this contest (and all the exclusive bonus material) will only be online for 72 hours!

Go to the YA Scavenger Hunt page to find out all about the hunt. There are TWO contests going on simultaneously, and you can enter one or all! I am a part of the RED TEAM --but there is also a blue team for a chance to win a whole different set of signed books!



If you'd like to find out more about the hunt, see links to all the authors participating, and see the full list of prizes up for grabs, go to the YA Scavenger Hunt homepage.

SCAVENGER HUNT PUZZLE

Directions: Below, you'll notice that I've listed my favorite number. Collect the favorite numbers of all the authors on the red team, and then add them up (don't worry, you can use a calculator!).

Entry Form: Once you've added up all the numbers, make sure you fill out the form here to officially qualify for the grand prize. Only entries that have the correct number will qualify.

Rules: Open internationally, anyone below the age of 18 should have a parent or guardian's permission to enter. To be eligible for the grand prize, you must submit the completed entry form by Sunday, December 2, at noon Pacific Time. Entries sent without the correct number or without contact information will not be considered.  If you have trouble or get stuck, be sure to go here for help.

SCAVENGER HUNT POST



Today, I'm hosting the amazing Kristi Cook, author of HAVEN, MIRAGE, and the upcoming ETERNAL!

As a child, Kristi Cook took her nose out of a book only long enough to take a ballet class (or five) each week.  Not much has changed since then, except she's added motherhood to the mix and enjoys penning her own novels as much as reading everybody else's.  A transplanted Southern girl, Kristi lives in New York City with her husband and two daughters.

MIRAGE, the sequel to HAVEN, is Kristi's most recently published novel.  Danger looms large in MIRAGE, which Booklist called "a blend of the Gemma Doyle trilogy, the Twilight saga, and Lois Duncan's thrillers.

Violet McKenna is back for her senior year at Winterhaven and thrilled to be back with Aidan after a long summer apart.  But while their love for each other is as strong as ever, their troubles are far from over.

News of a rogue vampire on a killing spree sets everyone on edge.  While Aidan is determined to stop the killer, Violet is chilled by a horrifying vision she simply must prevent...for if she can't, two people she loves will meet a violent end.

In the midst of Violet's fears, a mysterious newcomer enters her life - and he has some vital information, not just about her past but about her future as well.  Now everything Violet held as truth is upended, and she is left not knowing whom to trust, if she is in danger, and - worst of all - whether she and Aidan are really meant to be together.

Sounds awesome, right?  Well, even better I get to share some EXCLUSIVE CONTENT with you from Kristi's upcoming novel, ETERNAL.  This third and final book in the Winterhaven series will blow you away!  So, on to the excerpt!








ETERNAL by KRISTI COOK
Excerpt

Aidan

Paris, France

Flames licked at the restraints, crackling noisily as the smell of singed flesh filled the small space. My flesh. Burning, then healing—then burning again. At intervals, spikes pierced my sides, the jagged barbs tearing through skin and muscle, and then retracting until the wounds healed over.

The searing pain was endless, relentless. I had no idea how long I’d been there in the torch-lit chamber beneath the Tribunal’s headquarters. Hours? Days? Weeks?

I swallowed hard, my elongated canines scraping my lower lip, drawing blood. Blood. I needed to feed. Denied my elixir, the thirst was driving me mad. I could smell it, somewhere up above, pulsing through veins and warming the skin of the living. The metallic tang made my mouth water, made me tremble with need. I closed my eyes, fighting the bloodlust, denying it.

When I opened my eyes again, she was there, standing before me.

Violet.

The orange flames flickered across her face, throwing shadows across her cheekbones. Her mouth curved into a smile as she reached a hand out to me, beckoning me.

My heart thudded against my ribs as my hungry gaze swept over her, devouring her. I tried to call out her name, to beg her forgiveness.

I’m sorry, Vi. So very sorry.

She shook her head, her brows drawn over the emerald eyes that had haunted my days and nights in this miserable, agony-filled existence that was my life since I left her.

“Come back to me,” she begged, her voice a ragged whisper. “Please, Aidan. I need you.”

I tried to reach for her, raging against the restraints that dug into my wrists, manacling me. A sob tore from my parched throat as I struggled ineffectually, the metal bruising and biting my skin, breaking my bones.

And then she began to fade away, her form dissolving like wisps of smoke that looped and curled toward the ceiling before fading into nothingness.

Oh my - I seriously can't wait to read this entire book!  Be sure and check out Kristi's books here.  And don't forget to enter the contest for a chance to win a ton of signed books, including the FIRST EVER ARC OF ELEGY, by me, Tara Hudson!  To enter, you need to know that my favorite number is 13.  Add up all the favorite numbers of the authors on the red team and you'll have the secret code to enter for the grand prize!

And here's something even better: I'm running my own, separate contest!  The first person who comments correctly here on my blog with the birthday of my main character, Amelia Ashley, also wins a signed ARC of ELEGY (out with HarperTeen, June 4, 2013)!  Even if you don't win the grand prize, you can still find out what happens to Amelia and Joshua seven months before everyone else! :)

CONTINUE THE HUNT

To keep going on the hunt, you need to check out the website of the next author (who happens to be one of my very besties!), Josephine Angelini, at her website here.

Thanks for stopping by, and good luck with both the grand prize and the ELEGY ARC contest!


Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Welcome to the 4th YA Scavenger Hunt!!


Welcome to YA Scavenger Hunt! At this hunt, you not only get access to exclusive content from each participating author, but you also get a clue for the hunt. Add up the clues, and you can enter for our prize--one lucky winner will receive one signed book from each author on the hunt in my team! But play fast: this contest (and all the exclusive bonus material) will only be online for 72 hours!

Go to the YA Scavenger Hunt page to find out all about the hunt. There are TWO contests going on simultaneously, and you can enter one or all! I am a part of the BLUE TEAM--but there is also a red team for a chance to win a whole different set of twenty-five signed books!
If you'd like to find out more about the hunt, see links to all the authors participating, and see the full list of prizes up for grabs, go to the YA Scavenger Hunt homepage.
SCAVENGER HUNT PUZZLE

Directions: Below, you'll notice that I've listed my favorite number. Collect the favorite numbers of all the authors on the blue team, and then add them up (don't worry, you can use a calculator!).

Entry Form: Once you've added up all the numbers, make sure you fill out the form here to officially qualify for the grand prize. Only entries that have the correct number will qualify.

Rules: Open internationally, anyone below the age of 18 should have a parent or guardian's permission to enter. To be eligible for the grand prize, you must submit the completed entry form by August 5, at noon Pacific Time. Entries sent without the correct number or without contact information will not be considered.

SCAVENGER HUNT POST

Today, I am hosting the super-gorgeous, super-talented Leigh Fallon, author of The Carrier Series, which includes CARRIER OF THE MARK and the upcoming SHADOW OF THE MARK, on my blog for the YA Scavenger Hunt!
Harrassed mom by day and tormented writer by night, Leigh is a walking Irish cliche, trying (rather unsuccessfully, she thinks) to to blend into U.S. society.
Find out more information about Leigh Fallon, check out her website or find more about the author's books here!  And now for the best part of the hunt...  
EXCLUSIVE CONTENT FROM LEIGH FALLON!
 
 
In SHADOW OF THE MARK, the upcoming sequel to Leigh's hit novel CARRIER of the Mark, life for Megan Rosenberg just got a lot more complicated.
 
While she evoked the air element, and her feelings for Adam instensified, a web of lies, deceit, and betrayal has been spun around her.  With the Order tightening its hold, and the reinstatement of the Mark Knights, Megan has more questions than answers as the Marked Ones grow in strength.
 
New people arouse suspicion, the DeRises start behaving strangely, and Megan begins to unravel a destiny shrouded in mystery.  It's a destiny the Order has struggled to hide, and a destiny someone in the past - far in the past - has already laid claim to.
 
Alliances will be made and friends will be lost as the Order's dark secrets will be revealed by the very thing they sought to destroy.
 
Doesn't that sound FANTASTIC?  I know I can't wait for SHADOW OF THE MARK to be released!   
And don't forget to enter the contest for a chance to win a ton of signed books by me, Tara Hudson, and more! To enter, you need to know that my favorite number is 2.  Add up all the favorite numbers of the authors on the blue team and you'll have all the secret code to enter for the grand prize!

CONTINUE THE HUNT

To keep going on the hunt, you need to check out the next author (who I absolutely adore) Tera Lynn Childs, at her website here!

Friday, May 11, 2012

Four VERY Good Things - Biggest Giveaway EVER

This has been a week of good things, and we all need to celebrate!  The best way to do that is to hold a giveaway, right? :)  I have my last two ARCs of ARISE, as well as some other awesome goodies to give away to three winners!! 

So what is so exciting, that we need to jump with joy and throw prizes everywhere?  How about a list? :)

4. My good buddy Amy Plum's book, UNTIL I DIE, was released in the U.S. this Tuesday, May 8th!  UNTIL I DIE is the sequel to her sensational debut, DIE FOR ME, and let me tell you: it's even better than the first book!

3. The paperback of HEREAFTER was also released on Tuesday, May 8th.  It's so exciting to see these copies sitting on bookstore shelves, especially since each contains an excerpt of ARISE!

2. Speaking of ARISE, the official playlist for the book is now up on my website - including the song that all of you voted for, "No Light, No Light" by Florence + the Machine!  I'm kind of deeply in love with this playlist and soon, HarperTeen is going to release my playlist notes (giving sneak-peeks of ARISE) on http://www.epicreads.com/ and Amazon.com.  Be looking for them!

1.  YA'LL.  This is the biggest news!  ARISE releases in the U.S. in less than thirty days!  EEP, SO EXCITED!!  June 5th couldn't get here soon enough.


Good news, or what?  Definitely deserving of a final ARC-and-more giveaway!  So here's what's at stake:

Grand Prize: A signed ARC of ARISE, a signed paperback of HEREAFTER, and a order of UNITL I DIE by Amy Plum

Second Prize: A signed ARC of ARISE and a signed paperback of HEREAFTER

Third Prize: A preorder of ARISE in Hardcover

How do you get all this good stuff?  That part is easy.  You get a point for doing each of the following, and the person with the most points gets the grand prize, and so on. 
Follow me on Twitter (@thudsonwrites) +1
Like the Tara Hudson Author page on Facebook +1
Like the Hereafter Fan page on Facebook +1
Follow this blog +1
Add HEREAFTER to your shelf on Goodreads +1
Add ARISE to your shelf on Goodreads +1
Add ELEGY to your shelf on Goodreads +1
Like the ARISE book trailer on YouTube +1
Tweet about this contest on Twitter +1 for each tweet
Tweet a link to any of the above on Twitter +1 for each tweet

It's like Girl Scout badges, except for free books!  The contest is U.S. only (sorry, international folks - I promise that the next contest will go everywhere), and it ends at 10 pm CST, Monday May 14th.  (Winners announced Tuesday)

Can't wait to celebrate with you!

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

The ARISE Book Trailer is HERE!!!




So different, so cool, and so dark...just like ARISE!  Let me know what you think!