Get Read-y for 2012

Just signed up for Get Read-y for 2012 hosted by Loving Books. A great and fun way to read it up until December 31 and get ourselves ready for all those great reads coming in 2012 and read through some of those TBR piles that are teetering. And ya know because I am participating it will become my duty to read, read, read, read and read.

Sigh. 

It is a tough job...you know the rest of how that goes.

And, along the way I am hoping (well, I know I will) I will add to my book talk pile for my next visit with my old book club (speaking of that, hoping to start one out in my new hometown once 2012 gets moving along).

Tween joining in the fun of Get Read-y for 2012 and writing and working and preparing for the holidays it promises to be a fun and joy filled season!

Back with my to read list tomorrow.

Cover Reveal-EMBRACE by Jessican Shirvington

Recently I read the ARC of EMBRACE by Jessica Shirvington. More of a review closer to the release date, but for those of you looking for a great urban fantasy, with a strong female mc and a believable teen voice to read yourselves or recommend to teens, I'd say add this to your "Waiting on Wednesday" posts or to be read lists. It's good. Solid writing, totally believable character, and boy...the choice she has to make keeps you turning those pages to find out what happens. The ARC didn't have the final cover. But, now that cover is ready to go and I must say, I like it. 

A lot. 


And what is even cooler? There is a video of the cover shoot. Suweet!

Embrace Cover Shoot from Sourcebooks Inc on Vimeo.

A little more about the book  from Sourcebooks;

"It starts with a whisper.

            “It’s time for you to know who you are…”

Strange dreams leave her with very real injuries and there’s a dark tattoo weaving its way up her arms. The guy she thought she could fall in love with just told her he’s only half-human—oh, and same goes for her. And she keeps hearing a distant fluttering of wings.

Violet Eden is having a very bad 17th birthday.

But if angels seek vengeance and humans are the warriors, you could do a lot worse than betting on Violet Eden…"

Also well worth the read is Jessica's guest post on Page Turners about her  debut in the U.S. 




Congratulations to Jessica and the Sourcebooks team on a beautiful cover! Thanks for allowing me to be a part of spreading the word. 

Giveaway Winners!

First, sorry it took so long to make the announce. On the most recent giveaway announces, the flu (aka the sore throat from heck) kicked my butt, big time. And--never thought I would say this, I am sick of ice cream. On the other giveaway, it was me forgetting to announce. My apologies.

And here we go :


Danika Dinsmore (Accidental Novelist) won the copy of Extraordinary by Adam Selzer. Book is on the way.

Ems of In Which Ems Reviews Books won the Holiday Read-a-thon and The Night Circus is on its way to to her.

Rounding it out is Joan (commenter #59) on the Book Lover Holiday Hop. I am just waiting to hear back from her.

And a big thanks to all to who stopped by, read, commented and followed me. Happy Holidays, all!

I shall be back later today with a cover reveal for EMBRACE, a novel by Australian author Jessica Shirvington to be released in the U.S. March 2012.

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday!

Greetings MMGM Travellers.

I have nothing today, but will be back with a roundup of Marvelous Middle Grade Reads next week.

Enjoy your blog reading today, I know I will! And speaking of blog reading, I like checking out the GreenBeanTeenQueen, Tween Tuesday's. AND (just call me Deblah blah, lol) I am making us an icon-well a couple actually and Shannon will see what she likes. Alrighty then that's it from me.

Here be the other MMGM-ers. If, btw, you are not on this list, let me know in the comments (or email works, too) and I will be sure to add you.

Shannon Whitney Messenger (a.k.a. Fearless Leader)-Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe
Jennifer Rumberger-Children's Author
Joanne Fritz-My Brain on Books
Danika Dinsmore-The Accidental NovelistShannon Whitney Messenger-Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe 
Shannon O'Donnell-Book Dreaming
Myrna Foster-The Night Writer
Sherrie Petersen- Write About Now 
Natalie Aguirre-Literary Rambles
Brooke Favero-Somewhere in the Middle
Ally Beecher- Kid Lit Frenzy
Barbara Watson-Novel and Nouveau
Anita Laydon Miller-her middle grade blog
Michael G-G-Middle Grade Mafioso
Jessica Lei-her blog  
Pam Torres-So I'm Fifty
Akoss-Nye Louwon – My Spirit | a search for the writer in me
Gabrielle Prendergast-Angelhorn

Three Writing Reads and December Sci Fiction and Fantasy Releases for Children and Teens

Well, I did not make the NANO word count, BUT, pretty happy with the book I am working on. Broke 43,000 and am now at 45,000. Ending blossomed and I can see and feel it and have been writing it. Each time my MC and her sidekicks wonder if it can get worse? It does. Now, a lot of that may be second drafted out, but it’s fun seeing just how much they can take, even some of their flaws are being put to good use (cause really, I don’t want them to be perfect at the end, heh heh).

Now, because I have slowed down with the fast drafting, I am taking the weekend to smooth out scenes and plot lines, and just do some general reading on writing. It’s part of the way I think on a book.

Many of you already are familiar with SEEING CREATIVE, but giving a shout out to Stina’s 12 Days of Christmas for writers. Came upon it on day three and it’s timely to say the least.

Seeing Creative: The Twelve Days of Christmas for Writers: Day Three

And I like this post. Keeping in mind that Danika is NOT saying to send out your queries now, just use the query as a means of focusing in on the tone and feel of your book as you prepare to work on draft two. I like doing that. I also rewrite the synopsis. It’s my way of getting the whole story in my head, helps me see the the arcs (or see that they are not there, lol!)

NaNo Hangover: What to do between your first draft and second (part 1) « The Accidental Novelist (Writes Again)

Now. I am still working away on the first draft of HAPPY MEDIUM, A HOWLING HEIGHTS NOVEL (yeah, the title is changing). But when that done I will be stepping into the second draft. So, will be having a close look at this:

“NaNoWriMoReMo” – Make December Your NaNoWriMo Revision Month

Finally, check out Charlotte’s Round-Up of new books hitting the shelves in December. I’d say there is some good shopping to be had for your kid and teen readers. Yourself, too!

Charlotte's Library: New releases of fantasy and science fiction for kids and teens--the first half of December, 2011 edition

Enjoy the weekend all!

Holiday #Readathon December 2-4-Giveaway

I have a pretty full schedule this weekend, but I am in on the Holiday #Readathon being hosted by Liza on Who RU. (click about icon for details).  When I get home from work tonight will make a mini-pile of to-reads for this. Next week, will be donating two books each to my local school and my local library (new to town, so figure this is a good way to introduce myself). AND-I have a mini-challenge/giveaway for everyone. Here it is :

Read  (or donate) a Middle Grade Novel, let me know what it is, what you did and I will enter you to in a giveaway for  a book of your choice, up to 20.00 value. Making this international so you can make your pick from the Book Depository.

Happy reading everyone!

***

Elsewhere on Just Deb:

Holiday Book Lovers Giveaway Hop (20.00 gift certificate)

Marvelous Middle Grade Read-a-thon (Jan 2-Jan 8, 2012-reading and prizes and more, oh my!)

Book Lover's Holiday Giveaway Hop-Dec 2-Dec 6

Greetings to all of you making the rounds for the Book Lover's Holiday Giveaway Hop (Dec. 2nd to 6th). Shout out and thanks to Kid Lit Frenzy and I'm A Reader Not a Writer for hosting us!

Don't know about you, but I love love the Holidays, spending time with family, reading, writing, decorating, baking...er, eating!

As a book lover I appreciate anything book related I must say and one of my all time favorites and something I cannot get enough of is gift cards. So-thought I would give away a 20.00 gift certificate from Indigo Books (Canada) or Barnes and Noble...or, if you have a favorite indie store you buy from and they offer online gift certificates I am more than happy to get you one from there. OR-a book of your choice, up to 20.00.

All you need to do is comment with what you would like and your email so I can contact you  if you win. I will use random org to pick a winner at the end of the blog hop.

Happy Hopping! See below for the links so you can carry on with the fun and if you are so inclined to hang here for a little longer please check out my MARVELOUS MIDDLE GRADE READ-A-THON.  It will be in the first week of January.