That time of year - YACrushTourney

Hello readers! It's that time of year again. No, I don't mean Christmas but rather YA-Sisterhood's Crush Tourney. Just like last year I will be supporting none other than our favorite Scott from Jeri Smith-Ready's Shade series:

Zachary Moore 

Matthew Lewis has been used as a model for Zach by #TeamKilt numerous times

Some of us also fancy Sean Faris. Rawr!

My good friends & teammates, Amy & Jen from Fictitious Delicious, are Zach's advocates this year. They really rallied us to support Zach in the last tourney and I cannot wait to see what they have up their sleeves this year. These are some fantastic ladies and they are advocating one of the hottest, most crush-worthy fictional teen males in existence!

What does this mean for you? Well, I'd like to ask for your support for Zachary as well this year. How can you help? Do the following:

1. You can join us in supporting Zachary by signing up HERE for TeamKilt on Jeri's blog. (Keep updated on her blog, b/c Jeri always has some fantastic incentives and let's face it: SHE'S AWESOME!)

Most importantly:

2. VOTE FOR ZACH ON FRIDAY, JULY 6 

at the YA Sisterhood blog.  

Voting starts at midnight Eastern Time. 

We need to get him through this first match so we can continue the fight! 

As a little surprise for #TeamKilt, I had my mother dig up a very old picture of me from grade school in my plaid jumper which just so happens to be in the same colors of Zachary's family's tartan! Pretty sure I've always been destined to be apart of TeamKilt :)

Yep! That's me - first day of either kindergarten or first grade. I know...I'm adorable.

I AM #TEAMKILT !!!

Thanks for stopping by :) 

Hug An Author: Day 4, In which I gush over some of my favorite authors & interview fellow blogger Ann

Welcome to Day 4 of the Hug An Author Blog Hop 

hosted by 

myself, Lynn from Bringing the Epic & Jen from What's On the Bookshelf 

to celebrate authors!

My Q/A for the day:

Who was your favorite author when you were a child? A teen? During my 20s?Currently?

This is a pretty tough question for me because I am an extremely indecisive person. I can never just pick 1. I don't have a single favorite of ANYTHING. This probably sounds odd to you, but it's true. Here I will attempt to narrow it down and share a few of my favorites. Can I do it ladies and gentlemen?! Here I go...

Anne McCaffrey - Ms. McCaffrey brought me to the world of reading and just looking at my copies of her books, you can tell they are well-loved (i.e. falling apart because I've read them so many times). (Child/teen years)

Sherwood Smith - Ms. Smith has a way with words that completely draws me in. I love her kick-butt leading ladies and her mysterious leading men. Just thinking about her worlds and her characters makes me want to go crack open ANY book of her's and snuggle up on the couch. I loved Crown Duel and was so ecstatic to discover she had written more. Much anticipation over some of the next bunch of releases. (Teen/adult years) 

Jeri Smith-Ready - Funny enough I came to Shade & Shift late in the game thanks to the YA Crush Tourney held by YA Sisterhood. I just had to read all about Zachary Moore. At first, after reading the synopsis I was a little hesitant. I shouldn't have been because it is seriously my favorite series that I've read this year. I laughed, cried, and ready to find out what happens next. I will sincerely be waiting on pins & needles until May when we finally see Shine! Not to mention, I love the WVMP series (adult). What's NOT to love about vampire DJs?? (Current)

Other authors of note whose books I am always on the edge of my seat for: Richelle Mead (Vampire Academy & Bloodlines), Cassandra Clare (The Infernal Devices & The Mortal Instruments) , & J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter). These authors write books that I pull all-nighters reading.

Interview with

Ann 

Today I have the privilege of presenting special guest, fellow blogger Ann from Annabell's Book Nook!

Tell us about yourself.

My name is Ann.  I am 24 and live right in the middle of Minnesota.  For the most part, I enjoy it here.  I don't like the winter because of how cold it gets, but I love the winter because of all the reading I get to do!  I don't spend a lot of time outside when it is cold, so I read lots of books and blog about them too!

Who is your favorite author and why? What genre do they generally write?

My absolute favorite author is Richelle Mead.  I read her Vampire Academy series when I had just begun reading for fun again (those 4 years in college really made reading for fun not possible!).  I hadn't really been interested in vampires at all, and didn't understand what all the fuss was about.  But when I read the first book in that series, Vampire Academy, a whole new world was opened to me.  I loved The Chronicles of Narnia and Harry Potter when I was in elementary and high school, but I thought as an adult I was supposed to stick with adult books!  I am so glad that I read Vampire Academy and found such a great author!

Do you have a blog? If so, what is the website. If not, where do you like to discuss your favorite books & gush about authors?

 I do have a blog.  It is Annabell's Book Nook.  The addy is http://annabellsbooknook.blogspot.com  I also use Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter quite a bit.

Where can we follow you? (Twitter, Facebook, etc.)

Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4334540-annabell

Twitter - http://twitter.com/#!/AnnabellsBNblog

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Annabells-Book-Nook/159117757519915

Is there an author whose books you'll read regardless of the genre they write simple because you know you will love it?

Jennifer Lynn Barnes.  I actually haven't read much of her work, just the Raised by Wolves series, but her writing is amazing!  So I would definitely read anything she writes, regardless of the genre.

Who was your favorite author when you were a child? a teen? as an adult?

I think in my child/teen years my favorite authors were C.S. Lewis and J.K. Rowling.  And as an adult, my favorite author is Jennifer Lynn Barnes.  I could come up with a whole list, because I have several favorites, but she is the ultimate favorite! :)

Is there an author that got you started reading or maybe one that brought you back to reading after having fallen away from it?

After college, I picked up Vision in White by Nora Roberts.  I had never read anything by Nora Roberts before, but the cover was gorgeous and the synopsis was sweet.  I finished all of the books that were already released, and actually ended up picking up the rest the day they were released.  I rarely buy books, and if I do, I wait until I can find a used copy or it goes on sale.

Hug An Author: Day 3, In which I'd give an arm to see Jeri Smith-Ready & interview friend Thamy D.

Welcome to Day 3 of the Hug An Author Blog Hop 

hosted by 

myself, Lynn from Bringing the Epic & Jen from What's On the Bookshelf 

to celebrate authors!

Is there an author you've met or attended their book signing? If not, who would you give your right arm to see?

Unfortunately I have never encountered the chance to see any of my favorite authors at a signing. When I lived in bustling Philadelphia, I never knew that opportunity existed and then I moved to a smaller city in Louisiana that did not get to see much in that area of the arts (as far as I know). You could probably say that I have lived under a rock for 30 years. 

However, now that I KNOW these opportunities exists I would give my right arm to see Jeri Smith-Ready.

Which - I find kind of funny b/c I don't know who would want my right arm in the state that it's in right now....But Jeri is always so fun, generous, and all round awesome when she interacts with fans on Twitter and Google+ hangouts I would be totally willing to give my good left arm to see her at a signing.

I know Team Kilt is having a Kilt-Con in May. I really hope that I can be there but traveling from Japan at that time might prove a bit difficult. 

The moment I put Shade down I immediately bought Shift. When I had finished reading, I wanted to start back form the beginning and read them both over again. I also needed tissues. When both of these things happen, I know I am in love with a series. I cannot wait until Shine is released in May. 

While co-hosting this fabulous event, I had the opportunity to talk to so many of my bookish friends. I am so lucky I have them to gush with over books, characters & authors!

Today I have another interview for you to check out - my good friend, Twitter sweetheart and blogger... 

Thamy D.

Tell us about yourself.
I'm a Brazilian who lives in England with my husband and little daughter, I love colourful things like butterflies and sexy warrior faeries! Or angels, werevolves and even vampires to be fairly honest. Anyway in my real life, the one when I am not pretending I am a Shadowhunter, I am pretty normal, graduated in Business, always worked for banks and love eating cakes. I talk a lot, people ask me sometimes to have a drink of water and rest my tongue a bit, but the truth is that I love talking to people, it's in my blood, you know I am Brazilian! Ha! 

Who is your favorite author and why? What genre do the generally write?

Cassandra Clare, she is my idol. I also love Jeri Smith Ready and Julie Kagawa. These awesome authors write YA novels. I utterly recommend their books. Sensational. 

Do you have a blog? If so, what is the website? If not, where do you like to discuss your favorite books & gush about authors?

I do own a blog, FanaticReader (www.fanaticreader.weebly.com) but I use Twitter 24/7 and Goodreads. 

Where can we follow you? (Twitter, Facebook, etc.)
I'm on Twitter under ThamyDuff and on Goodreads, I love talking about books, amazing fictional characters and movies. 

Is there an author you've met or attended their book signing? If not, who would you give your right arm to see?I've been to a Cassandra Clare book signing in London and I'll tell you this, it was amazing. I live in Newcastle so I had to get a train to London with my rucksack carrying every single book I owned written by her. It was tricky because I was pregnant and the sickness and tiredness were not on my side, but it was worth it. She was friendly, welcoming and just as I imagined she would be, amazing! 

Who was your favorite author as a child? as a teen? Now as an adult?
I am from Brazil so my authors are really not internationally known, but I loved reading The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien when I was 15. As an adult? Clare is my top author, but I need to mention To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee because her novel truly moved me, I was sad for a few days after I finished reading that book because I loved it so much. 

Which author created a world so vivid you were actually lost after the book/series was completed? (i.e. who gave you a book hangover from hell?)
The Summer Trilogy by Jenny Han is a series that owns a piece of my heart, but Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare turned me into a psycho for months! I love so much her characters and the story that I can hardly explain why I loved this book so much. I am Team Jem by the way! 

Thank you, Thamy! I hope you are currently stuck with your nose in Clockwork Prince!

Is there an author you've met or attended their book signing? If not, who would you give your right arm to see?

I'd love to hear about it! 

Hangout with Jeri Smith-Ready, 11/14/11 @ 8 P.M. CST

Wooooo Hoooooo! Monday, 11/14/11 is almost here!

Wanna know why Fictitious Delicious, Living-Fictitiously, What’s on the Bookshelf, and And Many to Read Before I Sleep are smiling from ear to ear and flipping cart wheels? Do you? *drum roll…………………………………….*

Jeri Smith-Ready will be video chatting with us live on Google+ hangout at 8pm CST about the FANGtabulous WVMP Radio Series!!! Jen D. from What’s on the Bookshelf will be hosting this radical event from 8pm – 9pm CST.  

If you do not have a Google+ account, set one up immediately so you can join in on the fun! Jen D. from What’s on the Bookshelf will be sending all who participate a hangout invite. We ask you to log on 15 minutes early (7:45pm CST) and to have your microphones muted and camera’s off, but volume turned up. Jeri and Jen D. will be the only one’s live and the rest of us will be using the chat feature to type in questions and/or comments.   

If you were a WVMP read alonger, we have your email address. For those who didn’t participate in the read along, please leave a comment below with your email address. All participants will receive an email from Marissa (And Many to Read Before I Sleep) with more formal instructions on attending. 

Don’t forget to enter the Ultimate Feed the Need Giveaway hosted by the blogs mentioned above. Giveaway ends at 11:59pm on Sunday, 11/13/11. 

Remember, WVMP Radio Series is an adult read. Topics discussed could stun young ears. Hell, we may even shock ourselves…… NAH!!!! 

Thanks everybody and we look forward to seeing you at the chat on Monday! 

Jen S. & Amy- Fictitious Delicious 

Kimberly & Britney- Living-Fictitiously 

Jen D.- What’s on the Bookshelf 

Marissa- And Many to Read Before I Sleep

WVMP Read-Along Wrap-Up & Giveaway

First of all, as your hosts, we would all like to give a HUGE Thank You to all of you who joined us for the WVMP Read-Along in October. We truly enjoyed sharing these wonderful books with you all, and we hope you enjoyed it too. Thank you also to all of you who participated in the discussions for each book. We have sent out all the bookmarks and buttons to our giveaway winners. Jeri Smith-Ready is a very talented woman, and I think we can all appreciate her hard work. Especially on the #intheshower scene! 
And how about that fabulous chat with Shane and Ciara? Wow! They were so kind to join us and answer some of our questions. They were both very good sports about some of the rather outrageous inquiries. 

Now for a couple of announcements:

• We have had to postpone the live Google+ chat with Jeri due to her deadline; however, we now have that chat all lined up for you.  The chat will take place on Monday, November 14th at 8 PM CST (9 PM EST). So come join us, and bring your questions for Jeri!
  
  
• We are also starting the final giveaway. The giveaway will run from Monday, Nov. 7th until Sunday, Nov. 13th at 11:59 PM EST. Entering is easy. Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below, and answer all the WVMP questions. All participants who were ORIGINALLY signed up for the Read-Along will receive extra entries. The winner will receive the following:
• WVMP Tote Bag from Fictitious Delicious
• WVMP Coffee Mug from What's on the Bookshelf
• ETERNAL: Love stories with Bite from Living Fictitiously
• $15 iTunes Gift Card from And many to read before I sleep

Jen Duffey from What's on the Bookshelf 
Amy and Jen from Fictitious Delicious
Britney and Kimberly from Living Fictitiously
Marissa from And many to read before I sleep

Welcome to the WVMP Radio Series Read-Along

Welcome to the WVMP Radio Series Read Along!  If our planning sessions are any indication, this Read Along is going to be a GREAT time.

We start our reading of WICKED GAME today and we’re very anxious to start discussing the goings-on in Sherwood with all of you.

Here are some things to keep in mind as we begin the Read Along:

1.     Test out your Google+ account as soon as you can. When you log in to your account you should have a notification from Jen Duffey sharing a WVMP Circle with you.  Accept her invitation and...Voila!  You'll have your very own WVMP Circle that includes all participants of the Read Along.

2.     When you want to submit a post to the WVMP Read Along group, be sure to share with your WVMP Circle so everyone can see your question/comment.

3.     Come visit us OFTEN on Google+. While each host will be posting discussion questions throughout each week, we want YOU to post what’s on your mind. Start or comment on a discussion thread anytime you’d like. 

4.     Come visit us OFTEN on Facebook.  Because Google+ is new to so many of us, we’re going to be posting questions on the WVMP Fan Page on Facebook, too. Post on the wall at any time!

5.     Each comment you make on Google+ and Facebook earns you an entry into a weekly swag giveaway.

6.     NO SPOILERS. Please keep discussions relevant to current and prior readings only.

   

IMPORTANT LINKS

WVMP Fan Page on Facebook

Google Plus link

LET IT BLEED Novella

MEET YOUR HOSTS

Find your hosts on Twitter: @jenduffey @FictishDelish @Kimberdee @BritneyWyatt @MarissaOdom

Find your hosts on Google+: 

Link to Jen Duffey from What's on the Bookshelf 

Link to Fictitious Delicious

Link to Kimberly from Living Fictitiously

Link to Britney from Living Fictitiously

Link to Marissa from And many to read before I sleep

SCHEDULE OF READ ALONG

October 1 – 8 WICKED GAME hosted by Fictitious Delicious

Oct. 2: Prompt questions from first half of the book posted. PLEASE keep discussions relevant to current reading. Let’s not post spoilers, ok?

Oct. 5: Prompt questions from second half of the book posted. PLEASE keep discussions relevant to current and prior readings only. Let’s not post spoilers, ok?  

October 9 – 17 BAD TO THE BONE hosted by Living Fictitiously

Oct. 9: Prompt questions from first half of the book posted. PLEASE keep discussions relevant to current and prior readings only. Let’s not post spoilers, ok? 

Oct. 12: Prompt questions from second half of the book posted. PLEASE keep discussions relevant to current and prior readings only. Let’s not post spoilers, ok? 

October 18 – 26 BRING ON THE NIGHT hosted by What’s on the Bookshelf

Oct. 18: Prompt questions from first half of the book posted. PLEASE keep discussions relevant to current and prior readings only. Let’s not post spoilers, ok? 

Oct. 26: Prompt questions from second half of the book posted. PLEASE keep discussions relevant to current and prior readings only. Let’s not post spoilers, ok? 

October 17 – 30 LET IT BLEED hosted by And many to read before I sleep and What’s on the Bookshelf

Oct. 29: Prompt questions from all posted portions of the online novella.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Oct. 11: TWITTER CHAT WITH SHANE AND CIARA (9:00PM ET/8:00PM CT)

          Follow them: @ShaneMcAllister and @CiaraGriffin and @jsmithready

          Hashtag: #WVMPchat

Oct. 26: GOOGLE+ HANGOUT WITH JERI SMITH-READY (9:00PM ET/8:00PM CT)

Come chat with Jeri when she joins us for a WVMP hangout.  Additional instructions for the hangout will be posted when we get closer to the date. Be sure to mark your calendars for this awesome event hosted by Jen Duffey from What’s on the Bookshelf.

Oct. 31: READ ALONG WRAP UP

The ULTIMATE FEED THE NEED GIVEAWAY question is posted.  Winner selected and posted on November 2.

         

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are prompt questions? These are questions that the current week’s host will post on Google+and Facebook to prompt discussion.  Please understand that you can post your own questions on Google+ and Facebook at any time.  Prompt questions are meant only to get the conversation going.

How do I win a weekly giveaway? Create or comment on any Google+ and Facebook discussion thread.  Each comment is an entry.  Hosts from each week will select a winner at random on the last day of their hosted week.  Winners will be posted on Google+ and Facebook.

What is the ULTIMATE FEED THE NEED GIVEAWAY? This prize package includes a WVMP Coffee Mug (from What’s on the Bookshelf), a WVMP Tote Bag (from Fictitious Delicious), a copy of ETERNAL: MORE STORIES WITH BITE (this is a YA anthology that includes a WVMP story) (from Living Fictitiously) and a $15.00 iTunes Gift Card (from Many to Read Before I Sleep).  Yeah, you want this.

How do I win the ULTIMATE FEED THE NEED GIVEAWAY? First of all, you are eligible to win the grand prize IF AND ONLY IF you signed up for the Read Along prior to October 1.  Secondly, pay attention to the details as you read the series.  We’re going to ask you a question that only a pro can answer at the end of the Read Along.  If you answer correctly, your name goes into a drawing. 

What if I have other questions? Please post any questions you might have during the Read Along onto your Google+ page or the WVMP Fan Page on Facebook.  One of the hosts will be happy to help you.