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!

Who Would I Cast for The Immortal Archives?

Okay, so I get asked this question ALOT!! I'm so focused on writing that I hardly think about the possiblity of it gracing the silver screen one day. But just for grins and giggles, I'm gonna indulge the readers and show exactly who would be my #1-gotta-have-or-the-author-won't-sell-the-rights-hissy-fit (okay, not really) to fill these roles.

Click to enlarge.

                Abby         Noel         Emily       Valerie       Gaius

Abby : Rachel McAdams : I don't think I've seen a film yet that I didn't like her in. She's a well-rounded actress and could pull off the bipolar eccentricities of Abby's emotional state with ease. Not to mention, who here wouldn't like to see Rachel McAdams in a physical battle with herself at the end of Ordained?

Noel : Skeet Ulrich : He's a dead-ringer for Noel with mad acting chops. Noel has the biggest secret to reveal amongst the immortals and he always knows more than he lets on verbally. He would need to be represented by someone that could convey that knowledge through eye and facial expressions - and Skeet Ulrich rocks that skill. If you've been living under a rock (or really young) and don't know who he is - go watch Scream right now. Go!!!

Emily : Emma Stone : Emily's a sassy rebel who's gonna be a pistol throughout the series, so who's better than Emma Stone? Seriously, who? (give me names people! - I challenge you but I doubt you'll succeed). Emily will play a huge role in how this series will end but she's gonna have to suffer from one emotional stab after another to get there - and I'd love to see how much depth someone like Emma Stone could bring to this character.

Valerie : Evan Rachel Wood : She's given some incredible performances in the past and she could do wonders for Valerie. I particularly enjoyed her in The Life Before Her Eyes and Thirteen.

Gaius : Derek Hough : Don't worry. If you've read Ordained already, Gaius isn't there. He debuts in Metamorphosis but I thought I'd go ahead and add some more eye candy for the ladies. I'm not sure if he's done anything outside Dancing With The Stars but he's a physical match for Gaius, who is the leader of Abby and Noel's organization - and a possible future love interest for Emily.

Alright, I've had my fun. Now I've gotta get back to writing. :)