Win an ARC of Metamorphosis

So I'm about ready to send Metamorphosis off to the book bloggers. I'm so excited at how this novel turned out. In Ordained, my characters were confined to one location and uneasy with their surroundings, as they were forced to play nice with the enemy. But now that they're home again, they're free to be themselves and let loose a little. (Of course it all goes to hell again, but it was nice while it lasted) So much is going to happen in this novel, but I don't dare spoil the fun!

Change is not always a good thing...

Some survived the battle – but not without a price. As one heart starts up again, another dies down. The pure vampires learn their immortality isn't as strong as they'd thought – the status of their hearts determines their vulnerability. And when the truth gets out, a betrayal by one of their own will cost more lives.

Read an excerpt.

Expected Publication: November 15, 2011

So ya wanna win a copy long before it hits the market? Just fill out the form below before August 20th. I'm extending this giveaway because Ordained is going on a book tour August 8 - 19th via The {Teen} Book Scene. I'm going to give away one copy for every 50 entries, up to 10 copies. And yes, I'm going to offer extra entries for this special giveaway. :)

So far there are enough entries to give away 8 of 10 books!!!

Haven't read Ordained yet? eBooks are only $2.99 at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

How to Enter: 

This contest has ended.

1. Fill out the FORM - free entry, no obligation on your part

2. Follow The Crazy Dream Blog (+1)

3. Follow Dark Horse Books Blog (+1)

4. Become a fan on GoodReads (+1)

Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Winner!!!

Thank you to all that entered the 'I am a Reader, Not a Writer' Midsummers Eve Giveaway. But there can only be one winner and that person is:

SPAZ!!!

Midsummer Eve's Hop

It's that time again!
What better way to splash into summer than with a good book?
Here at The Crazy Dream Blog, I'm giving the winner any book they want for a list price up to
$12 from the Book Depository*
*If the book depository ships to you, then you are eligible to enter! Check here to see if they ship to your country!

It's easy to enter. Just Follow This Blog and fill out the FORM below.

Want to win a copy of Ordained?
Head over to Dark Horse Books and enter tHe
Midsummer's Eve Giveaway there!

As always, winners will be chosen by random.org.

This Contest Is Now Closed.
I AM A READER, NOT A WRITER

Misfit by Jon Skovron (ARC)

Misfit by Jon Skovron

Expected Publication: August 1, 2011

Jael Thompson has never really fit in. She’s changed schools too many times to count. The only family she’s ever known is her father, a bitter ex-priest who never lets her date and insists she attend the strictest Catholic school in Seattle. And her mother—well, she was a five thousand year old demon. That doesn’t exactly help.

But on her sixteenth birthday, her father gives her a present that brings about some unexpected changes. Some of the changes, like strange and wonderful powers and the cute skater boy with a knack for science, are awesome. But others, like the homicidal demon seeking revenge on her family? Not so much.

Steeped in mythology, this is an epic tale of a heroine who balances old world with new, science with magic, and the terrifying depths of the underworld with the ordinary halls of high school.

When I read the synopsis for Misfit, I was under the impression that I was going to get to witness an awesome tale about a girl coming into demonic powers. In a way I did, but I had higher hopes.

The first half of this book felt like a long, drawn out religious lesson to me. I'll give the author props here, cause I certainly felt like I was stuck in class with Jael listening to the priests lecture on and on and on... I was a little disappointed that such a huge chunk of this novel was devoted to  the backstory of her parents and uncle. I felt a little cheated; because what little I got from Jael at that point, I had really enjoyed. After a while, I found myself scanning the other chapters because they just couldn't keep my attention.

The last half of this novel is why I'm glad I kept reading. Though I wish she hadn't picked up all these 'difficult demon traits' within one or two attempts,  her demonic side merging with her mortal side was interesting and believable. If Misfit gets a follow-up, I hope it'll be more devoted to Jael, because I came to adore her a little bit more as the story progressed.

Novel provided by Amulet via NetGalley

Dark Horse Books for Indies

I am an Indie Author (or Self-Pub, depending on who you speak to).

(Whew! Glad I got that off my chest!)

Over the course of this journey - okay, journey may be an overstatement for 3 months - I've learned a lot of things. I've learned there is soooo much more to becoming an author than simply writing a book. Hell, looking back, that may have been the easiest part of all.

It took me about a month to figure out what putting my book on the market would really entail, and then go about doing it. I had to choose a publisher, design the interior and exterior of the book, choose where I would offer an eBook and format it in a way that would look good on an eReader, and determine how I wanted the book to be distributed. But all that was just making the book available - amongst the millions already available.

This is where being an Indie really weighed me down - public relations and marketing - all those wonderful things a group of people can help you do with traditional publishing. But luckily, there's GoodReads and Shelfari, and so many wonderful book bloggers that are willing to review your book. And who can forget the bloggers who take a tremendous amount of time and effort putting together a book blog tour for you! I'm so excited The {Teen} Book Scene is willing to take my Indie book Ordained on tour this August!

Along the way, I spotted some great Indies in nearby canoes who were paddling upriver next to me. Of those, a few of us have joined together to share the new blog Dark Horse Books for Indies. Here, Rebecca, Constance and I are going to spotlight Indie Authors. We'll review, host interviews and offer giveaways. We know there are some really great books out there written by Indies and we're determined to find them for you. So come by and check us out!

And the Winner of the Airborne Giveaway is...

Breanne!!

Thanks to all that entered. If you didn't win, don't let that discourage you from reading Airborne by Constance Sharper. This harpy series is unique and not to be missed!