The Best Reader [Search results for Contest] 

All contests hosted at Miss Remmers' Review will follow this policy:

• Because Miss Remmers' Review has a definite purpose — I offer extra entries in exchange for Guest Reviews. This does not take much of your time, especially if you are a review blogger.
  
• All winning contestants will be notified by email within two days of the winning announcement (if an email was provided).
• If I am unable to contact the winner, it is their responsibility to learn of their win. I suggest you do this by becoming a follower. All winners have 52 hours to contact me via email at google(at)gmail(dot)com or a new winner will be chosen (unless otherwise noted)
  
• Any entries posted after the set deadline will not be counted toward the contest. While I will never close a contest early, I do hold the right of extending contest deadlines
  
• I choose winners by putting all the information into a numbered spreadsheet and then having either a resident or student pick a number
  
• All contests are only open to US addresses. I apologize for this inconvenience.
• I often have "Quick Giveaways". These giveaways are of random books that I do not plan on rereading or putting in my classroom — I will post what the giveaway is and the first person to email me a Guest Review wins the book. Again, I suggest you follow Miss Remmers' Review in order to be aware of these great opportunities.
  

• Be sure to check contest deadlines!
• Be sure to follow contest instructions. Not all contests are as easy as leaving a comment. Entries that do not follow the requirements will be disqualified.

As you all know, I am a huge fan of Promise by Kristie Cook. Lucky for me, book 2, Purpose is out soon! To celebrate this occasion Lisa from A Life Bound By Books and I are going to host a re-create cover contest! I will be hosting the voting for re-covers of Promise and Lisa will be hosting them for Purpose but you will be signing up for both using the same Linky tool below.
You can decide to only enter for one cover, or both. They each have their own prize pack for the winners.

Prizes:

• The Promise cover winner with the most votes will receive…

• The Purpose cover winner with the most votes will receive…

Rules:

• You must be at least 17 to enter.
• You must sign up through the Linky tool below.
• You can have a PROMISE and PURPOSE cover in the contest. Only one of each.
• You can do a blog post with the cover(s) or just link the image below.
• Contest is US ONLY and sign ups end 12/18.
• Covers will be voted on starting 12/19 and the contest ends 12/31.
• Once contacted, the winners will have 48 hours to respond with their mailing address.

Details: You can re-create the Promise cover, Purpose cover, or both. Here are the covers and summary to give you ideas.

Summary:
Alexis Ames has a life full of promise… but not all promises can be kept.

When Alexis Ames is attacked by creatures that can’t be real, she decides it’s time she learns who she really is, with or without the help of her mother, who guards their family’s secrets closely. After meeting the inhumanly attractive, multi-talented Tristan Knight, however, Alexis retreats behind her façade of normalcy… until she discovers he’s not exactly normal either. Then their secrets begin to unravel.

Their union brings hope and promise to her family’s secret society, the Angels’ army, and to the future of mankind. But it also incites a dangerous pursuit by the enemy – Satan’s minions and Tristan’s creators. After all, Alexis and Tristan are a match made in Heaven and in Hell.

Summary:
Lost in despair, Alexis teeters on the edge of an abyss, her lifeline of hope fraying into a thin thread. If it snaps, she’ll plunge into complete darkness. With the help of her son and her writing, she’s been able to hold on. Until now. Erratic impulses, disturbing delusions and her own demonic blood threaten her sanity. When she’s forced to choose between hanging onto hope or letting go to serve her Amadis purposes, she faces a decision with inconceivable sacrifices.

Alexis runs to the one place she thinks will provide answers, only to find herself at the center of another battle of good versus evil, not only with the Daemoni, not only within herself… but also against the worst opponent imaginable. But even if she wins, what will she lose?

Character Descriptions
Alexis: Petite; long, reddish-brown hair usually pulled into a ponytail; big brown eyes; olive skin; Mediterranean look (her heritage is mostly Greek and Italian); can usually be found wearing jeans and a T or shorts and a tank; shy and reserved and full of secrets; a writer.
Tristan: Tall; muscular build but not overly brawny (yes, think of your wildest fantasies); light brown hair; hazel eyes with gold sparkles (or flames – yes, real flames) around the pupils; square jaw; full lips; enjoys physical activity, especially aikido (martial arts) and basketball; usually rides a motorcycle – owns both a crotch rocket and a Harley; almost always in jeans, and, in my mind anyway, hardly ever wears a shirt LOL.

Sign up Click on"USE GOOGLE to enter" and put your name/alias
(This is the same Linky Tool that will be on Lisa blog)

This contest is to show everyone your creative side! We're looking for anyone who would like to enter by making a cover from scratch — something that's scary from the title to the art. If you had a scary story or book, what would you think that cover would look like? Show us, share with everyone for your chance to win.

There will be 3 rounds of voting. Each new round begins on a Sunday and ends the following Friday.

Your covers must be turned in to us or posted on your blog by FRIDAY, 10/8!

Prizes:

• 4 winners

- Honorable Mention — 2 books The Restless Dead by Deborah Noyes, Herbie Brennan, Nancy Etchemendy, Chris Wooding, Marcus Sedgwick, Libba Bray, M.T. Anderson, Holly Black, Kelly Link, Annette Curtis Klause
Dracula by Nicky Raven

Entries:

• The covers should reflect what you would want if you were to write a scary or paranormal book.
• The book cover must have a title.
• An alias can be used as your"author name".

*Note: The covers will be voted on by others (not Lisa or myself). The covers with the most votes will go onto the next round.

Rules:

• You must be at least 13 to enter.
• The entry form must be filled out.
• One cover entry per person.
• Entries must be posted on your blog, or emailed to one of us by Friday, 10/8 (Email addresses listed below).
• Contest is US ONLY and ends October 31st.
• Once contacted the winners will have 48 hours to respond with their mailing address.

1st Place

2nd Place

3rd Place

Honorable Mention

Once you have posted your entry on your blog or emailed it to us, fill out this form.

* This is the same form found at A Life Bound By Books. Please only fill it out once. Thanks and good luck!

Have a spooky or creepy story stuck in your head waiting to get out? How about something scary or freaky that happened to you that you can't explain and you've just been waiting for the perfect opportunity to tell? Well, now is the time, this is your chance!

There will be 3 rounds of voting. Each new round begins on a Sunday and ends the following Friday.

Prizes:

• 4 winners

Entries:

• The scary stories can be fiction or nonfiction
• The story must have a title.
• Stories must be at least 300 words and not to exceed 600 words.
• Stories must be posted on your site/blog so people can vote.

*Note: The story will be voted on by others (not Lisa or myself) so the stories submitted must be on a blog where they can be read. If you do not have a blog, and have a friend who may let you post on theirs, that is fine. You may also use an alias but please make sure it matches the name you submit in the form below.

Rules:

• You must be at least 13 to enter.
• The entry form must be filled out by Friday 10/8.
• One story entry per person.
• Stories must be posted on your blog by Friday 10/8.
• Contest is US ONLY and ends October 31st.
• Once contacted the winners will have 48 hours to respond with their mailing address.

1st Place

2nd Place

3rd Place

Honorable Mention

Once you have posted your story on your blog, fill out this form.

* This is the same form found at A Life Bound By Books. Please only fill it out once. Thanks and good luck!

It is now time to vote on the cover entries! Thanks to everyone who entered! They are all amazing.
Voters:

• Lisa and I will both be posting the covers.

• The form is the same on both blogs so duplicates will be deleted.
• To vote, put your email address and the number of the cover you like into the form.
• Email addresses are only used in order to check for duplicate votes.
• If you are participating in the comment contest, leave your email with the comment for it to be counted. Same as with the other Haunted Halloween posts.
• If you voted, say"I voted!" in the comment and you will get an extra entry into the comment contest.
• Vote for your favorite!

• Feel free to post about the voting starting. Please encourage people to vote for their favorite.
• You can cast a vote for your own cover, but only once each round.

Rules:

• This is Round 1 of voting. It will end Friday, the 22nd.
• Round 2 will begin next Sunday, the 24th. It will end Friday, the 29th.
• 8 covers will continue onto Round 2!
• The winners will be announced on Halloween!

Cover # 1 — Found

Cover #2 — The Raven Games

Cover #3 — The Secret Ball

Cover #4 — Invisible

Cover #5 — Chimera

Cover # 6 — Trapped

Cover #7 — The Blood Spirit

Cover #8 — Stranger in the Night

Cover #9 — Blackbird Sing

Cover #10 — The Mattress

Cover #11 — Buried

Cover #12 — We Are All Prisoners Here

Cover #13 — Whisper

Cover #14 — A Piercing Flight

Cover #15 — Bone Deep

*Reminder: If you are interested in the COMMENT CONTEST, remember to include your email address with your comment for an extra entry! Please read full entry rules here.
If you vote include"I VOTED" in your comment for an extra entry in the comment contest!

For the month of October, here at Confessions of a Bookaholic and over at my co-hosts blog — A Life Bound By Books, we will be hosting a Comment Contest! We love comments, authors love comments, and for each comment you leave on either of our blogs during our Haunted Halloween Event — will get you entries to win some great prizes!!

How does it work you ask? It’s pretty easy – just leave a comment (one comment per person, per post) with your email address and your entered! Comment on as many posts as you’d like. The more posts you comment on, the more entries you get.
Just remember, one comment per person per Haunted Halloween post and you must include your email address each time which lets us know you’d like an entry.

Prizes:

• 4 winners

- 4th Place — 2 books Gothic: Ten Original Dark Tales by Deborah Noyes, Gregory Maguire, Garth Nix, Celia Rees, Barry Yourgrau, Janni Lee Simner, Vivian Vande Velde, Joan Aiken, more… M.T. Anderson, Neil Gaiman, Caitlín R. Kiernan
The Sallie House Haunting by Debra Lyn Pickman

Entries:

• ONE comment per Haunted Halloween post on this blog and A Life Bound By Books counts.
• Comments count as extra entries into the giveaway for the prizes listed. One comment with email per post = 1 extra entry to win!
• No form required. As long as you leave your email and are eligible to win (are at least age 13 and have a US address) you can enter!

Rules:

• You must be at least 13 to enter.
• You MUST leave an email with each comment for it to be counted.
• Only one comment for each post will count.
• Comments can ONLY be for Haunted Halloween posts! No other comments will count!
• Copying and pasting comments WILL NOT be counted.
• Contest is US ONLY and ends October 31st.
• Once contacted the winners will have 48 hours to respond with their mailing address.

1st Place

2nd Place

3rd Place

4th Place

Contest starts NOW so start commenting! Remember to include your email with each comment!

Beth Revis, author of the upcoming book Across the Universe is having an unbelievable contest! It's EPIC! If you'd like a chance to win this prize pack or many many others, USE GOOGLE.
Contest ends December 20th.

I have had a wonderful time with the Crossroads tour. I can't believe it ends Sunday! It feels like we just got started: ) But now it's time for the CONTEST!! The authors were kind enough to donate some swag and a book for the tour and the book I have to give away is Magician's Muse by Linda Joy Singleton. In order to sign up to win this prize pack just fill out the form below. This is a quick contest! It will end at midnight (ET) on Halloween!

Magician's Muse by Linda Joy Singleton Publisher: Flux (October 1st, 2010) Reading Level: Young Adult Series: The Seer, book #6 The Final Book in Linda Joy Singleton's Popular Paranormal Series, The Seer

A whisper, too soft to swirl wispy candle smoke, carried across time, beyond life and death—and was heard."Our bargain is sealed. My secrets will be yours-when the girl dies."

In the thrilling climax to The Seer series, Sabine's psychic abilities, sleuthing skills, and courage are pushed to a dangerous edge as she deals with the mysterious disappearance of her ex-boyfriend Josh, a new threat against her boyfriend Dominic, evil magicians (both living and dead)—and a coldblooded murder.

Giveaway Prize:

• 1 winner will receive a signed copy of Magician's Muse by Linda Joy Singleton and swag from the Crossroads tour participants!

• You must be at least 13 to enter.
• Name and email must be provided and counts as 1 entry.
• Extra entries are possible and links must be provided.
• Contest is US/CANADA and ends Sunday night, October 31st.
• Once contacted the winner will have 48 hours to respond with their mailing address.
• The form must be filled out to enter.

Also, for the huge prize pack giveaway, each day of The Crossroads Tour, a new research question will be revealed here on The Crossroad Blog Tour main page (http://judithgraves.com/events/the-crossroads-tour/), and each day the answer to that question will be found within one of the 16 different blog posts by Crossroads Tour authors. Your job is to get the question, read the blog posts, and collect all 16 answers by the end of the tour, on Halloween.

YOU MUST send your answers to judithgraves at ymail dot com by midnight on October 31^st

Here is the brand new book trailer for the upcoming book Descended by Blood by Angeline Kace. USE GOOGLE to add it to Goodreads. It will be released August 26th, 2011.

To celebrate the book trailer, and upcoming release, Angeline is having 2 wonderful giveaways! Each blog posted the book trailer (listed below) will be giving away an ARC ebook copy of Descended by Blood. In addition, you can enter below to win an ereader skin.

Descended by Blood by Angeline Kace
Publisher: Accendo Press (August 26th, 2011)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Series: Vampire Born #1
Brooke Keller is a high school junior who has never spent much time living in one place. She is finally in a town long enough to almost snag the boy of her dreams, until her life is threatened after killing a fanged man in his attempt to kidnap her. Brooke begins a dangerous journey in an effort to find out who is after her and how to stop them. In a world with powerful and prejudiced vampires, Brooke must tap into the side of her that she never knew existed at the risk of losing her life in order to save it.
Prize:

• 1 winner will receive an ARC ebook of Descended by Blood by Angeline Kace.

• You must be at least 13 to enter.
• Name and email must be provided and counts as 1 entry.
• Extra entries are possible and links must be provided.
• Contest is International and ends June 23rd.
• Once contacted, the winner will have 48 hours to respond.
• The form must be filled out to enter.

What's cooler than winning and reading the ARC? Reading the ARC on your Kindle while it's wearing the Descended by Blood skin! The winner will get the choice of having the skin for their Kindle, Nook, Nook Color, iPad, or Kobo.

Here are the benefits of the Skin:

• Kindle skins cover the front and back of the Kindle
• 3M technology for easy application and clean removal
• Super-thin (less than 1mm) tough scratch protection

Find Angeline Kace Website | Blog | Goodreads | Twitter
Read chapter one of Descended by Blood.
Other blogs hosting the book trailer
Kristen @ Seeing Night Book Reviews Ashley @ The Bookish Burnette Amber @ Me, Myshelf, and I Jessica @ Confessions of a Bookaholic <-- You are here! Kara @ Great Imaginations Jaime @ Two Chicks on Books
Check out all of these blogs for additional chances to win the ARC ebook!

Radiance by Alyson Noel Publisher: Square Fish (August 31st, 2010) Reading Level: Middle Grade Paperback: 192 pages Series: Radiance, book #1 Riley Bloom left her sister, Ever, in the world of the living and crossed the bridge into the afterlife—a place called Here, where time is always Now. Riley and her dog, Buttercup, have been reunited with her parents and are just settling into a nice, relaxing death when she's summoned before The Council. They let her in on a secret—the afterlife isn't just an eternity of leisure; Riley has to work. She's been assigned a job, Soul Catcher, and a teacher, Bodhi, a curious boy she can't quite figure out.

Riley, Bodhi, and Buttercup return to earth for her first assignment, a Radiant Boy who's been haunting a castle in England for centuries. Many Soul Catchers have tried to get him to cross the bridge and failed. But he's never met Riley…

Find out more about Alyson Noel Alyson Noel / Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads

Purchase Radiance Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository

Book Trailer

Mistwood by Leah Cypess Publisher: HarperCollins (April 27th, 2010) Reading Level: Young Adult Hardcover: 304 pages
The Shifter is an immortal creature bound by an ancient spell to protect the kings of Samorna. When the realm is peaceful, she retreats to the Mistwod.

But when she is needed she always comes.

Isabel remembers nothing. Nothing before the prince rode into her forest to take her back to the castle. Nothing about who she is supposed to be, or the powers she is supposed to have.

Prince Rokan needs Isabel to be his Shifter. He needs her ability to shift to animal form, to wind, to mist. He needs her lethal speed and superhuman strength. And he needs her loyalty--because without it, she may be his greatest threat.

Isabel knows that her prince is lying to her, but she can't help wanting to protect him from the dangers and intrigues of the court.. until a deadly truth shatters the bond between them.

Now Isabel faces a choice that threatens her loyalty, her heart.. and everything she thought she knew.

Find out more about Leah Cypess
Leah Cypess / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads

Purchase Mistwood
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indie Bound

Book Trailer

Prize:

• 1 winner will receive a SIGNED copy of Radiance by Alyson Noel, a Radiance and Dark Flame bookmark, and a SIGNED Mistwood bookmark.

• You must be at least 13 to enter.
• Name and email must be provided and counts as 1 entry.
• Extra entries are possible and links must be provided.
• Contest is US ONLY and ends October 17th.
• Once contacted the winner will have 48 hours to respond with their mailing address.
• The form must be filled out to enter.

*Reminder: If you are interested in the COMMENT CONTEST, remember to include your email address with your comment for an extra entry! Please read full entry rules here.

Today, I'd like to welcome my very first Guest Author Interview — Lizzy Armentrout.

A couple weeks ago (I'm never good with time in the summer) I was lucky enough to win "A Vengeful Spirit" (Shelly Gale Mystery: Book 1) from @lizzyarmentrout via Twitter. After 'twittering' with Lizzy a little I finally had the courage to ask her to by my first Guest Author! So everyone, please welcome Lizzy Armentrout!

Lizzy, tell us about you.
I’m very excited to be asked to do this interview with you; thank you so much for asking me. I’ve been an avid reader of all mysteries since I started reading Nancy Drew in 5th grade. I’ve been a 6th grade school teacher for several years and have taught for 20 yrs this coming fall. My husband and I care for my dad, who has Alzheimer’s, and my step-mother, who is a stroke victim. We have one adopted daughter, Bethany, and two very spoiled dogs. I’m very active in my local church and have taught many different Sunday School classes & am very involved in the music ministry there. The one event in my life that has had a profound effect on me is the unexpected death of my mother when I was 11 & almost losing my father to a brain tumor 3 months after that. You can read all about that on my site.
What was it like writing this book?
It was a very relaxing experience; that is, after I actually sat down and started doing it. I love to write in longhand and would sit in the living room while the family was watching tv and write. I would become so involved in the characters that I would actually forget where I was and what was going on around me!
How long did it take you to write "A Vengeful Spirit"?
It took me about 1 ½ years to write the entire 1st rough draft. I had to stop several times due to work and family demands. Fitting writing in to my schedule can be very challenging at times. I had three very close friends who I would send three chapters at a time to so I could get their input and reactions. That really helped me to see the work through a reader’s eyes.
Where did the idea for this book come from?
My husband! Really! I’ve bought many, many books over our 19 yr. marriage, and I was complaining to him that the Christian bookstores don’t have enough contemporary mysteries coming out often enough. His solution? “Well, write your own.” I just laughed at him. But that seed was planted and three years later God put an idea in my head based upon my experiences as a schoolteacher, and A Vengeful Spirit was born. Although I didn’t tell anyone, even my husband, that I was writing anything until I had three chapters completed. I needed to prove to myself that I could actually get my thoughts down on paper.
Any advice for aspiring authors?
Don’t spend so much time reading “How To” books. If you have a desire to write and an idea for a story, then pick up the pen and just start writing. Don’t get hung up on the revising until you’re well into the book. I’ve seen too many “aspiring” author websites of people who are caught up in reading what other authors have to say about writing. No author is going to write in the same way. Find what works for you and get going. One last thing, I started out self-publishing. Don’t do it! Be patient and keep working to get a respected publisher; you’ll get much better results.

Thank you SO much Lizzy. I just finished "A Vengeful Spirit" and will be working on my review. Also, I'd like to pass this book on to more readers by hosting my very first contest! It only seems right, it's the first book I won, consequently my first interview, why not go for the whole nine yards and have a contest too! Stay tuned to hear about the contest at the beginning of the week!
Again, Lizzy — thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions. If you want to learn more about Lizzy check out her website and her testimonial (it's worth it!) and follow her on Twitter via @lizzyarmentrout.

Last Holiday Season I asked for reviews for Christmas and I had a fantastic turn out. This year I'll be doing the same thing (with an updated button, although I might change it). I haven't done it in months, but I really need to get back in the habit of posting guest reviews on a weekly basis. If you're new to Miss Remmers' Review and don't know what a "Guest Review" is, please see this post.

My mission since transitioning from student to student teacher to (finally) classroom dictator... um, I mean loved teacher... has not changed. I love receiving books for review and connecting with bloggers, readers, teachers, publicists, etc, but the purpose of this blog is to supply my students with an abundance of reviews to spark their interests in reading. I can't do this alone.

I know this is a busy season for everyone and there are so many fantastic projects, challenges, etc going on. It doesn't take a lot to become a Guest Reviewer.

Let's break it down (now):

1. Think of your favorite YA book that you think struggling readers would devour.
2. Look at my left side bar. Is it listed?
If yes, please email me and I'll add your review link to the bottom of the post.
If no, fill out the form with a link to your review.

It is basically that easy. Of course, in order to be entered in the contest it does have to be a NEW review to this blog. But basically, if you're a book blogger, it's as simple as copying and pasting the review link from your blog into the form.

Did I say contest? OH I DID!

Submit more than five reviews and be entered to win the GRANDPRIZE: an ARC of Lauren Oliver's "Delirium"

Submit less than five reviews and be entered to win any of the following prizes:

• an ARC of "In the Arms of Mr. Darcy" by Sharon Lathan
• an ARC of "I'd Know You Anywhere" by Laura Lippman
• an ARC of "Take a Chance on Me" by Jill Mansell
• an ARC of "HERO: For One Kid, the Time is Now" by Mike Lupica
• an ARC of "Dreaming in Chinese" by Deborah Fallows
• an ARC of "Emma and Vampires" by Wayne Josephson
• "Sea Change"

Please don't be a Scrooge, share your reviews!

Are you ready to vote for your favorite covers?? PLEASE VOTE BY LEAVING A COMMENT

Voters:
PLEASE ONLY CAST YOUR VOTE ONCE!

• To vote, put your email address and the number of the cover you like into the comment.
• Email addresses may be used to verify votes, only if needed.
• If you are participating in the comment contest as well, say"I'M VOTING!" in the comment and you will get an extra entry into the comment contest.
• Anonymous votes are NOT allowed. Sorry!
• Vote for your favorite!

• Feel free to post about the voting starting. Please encourage people to vote for their favorite.
• You can cast a vote for your own cover, but only once.

• Voting will end Wednesday, October 31st at midnight EST .
• Only vote once!

COVER #2

COVER #3

COVER #4

COVER #5

COVER #6

COVER #7

COVER #8

To vote, include the number of your favorite cover and email address in your comment! Reminder: If you are interested in the COMMENT CONTEST, remember to include your email address with your comment for an extra entry! Please read full entry rules here.

Kristie Cook, author of the amazing book Promise, is having a huge contest! I normally don't enter anything that requires creativity because, well, I have none. But, I couldn't resist this one! Here are the details from Kristie herself.

This is Tristan (from Promise) and he is HOTT!
His birthday is on Halloween, although he prefers not to acknowledge it. But I've decided we're going to anyway with the Mr. Beautiful Halloween Hop Contest!

And you get to borrow Tristan for this contest! Consider him your treat for Halloween. Yum!!

What do you do with him? Whatever you want! Take the picture above (or email me at kristie(at)kristiecook(dot)com for a higher resolution pic) and get creative with it. You can blow the picture up, cut it out and paste it to foam-board, then take Tristan on some outings in your corner of the world — just be sure to take pictures. Or create a video with him. Or, if you're an artist, give him a face (hint: sandy-brown hair, hazel eyes with green around the outside and gold flecks around the pupil, square jaw, full kissable lips). The sky's the limit and the more creative, the more likely you'll win.

Whatever it is, you MUST include the above picture in some form (so the judges can recognize Tristan!) and post your photo(s), image(s) or video on your blog, anytime during the weekend of October 29-31. Give Tristan an actual post so we can find it the following week for judging. My publishing team and I will decide on the most creative entry and I'll announce the winner on Friday, November 5. Sign up here and don't forget to post your entry at the end of the month!

What can you win? How about a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble? Or an iPod Shuffle? Or maybe a Kindle 3 or B&N Nook? Really?!? Seriously!! The grand prize depends on how many people we can get to participate — the more who actually post a Halloween Hop entry, the better the prize.
I will be posting my entry later, EEK! It's still a work in progress. For more information or to see the details on Kristie's site, USE GOOGLE.

USE GOOGLE to see my review of PROMISE. By far, one of my favorite books of this year!

This Love Hop is hosted by I Am a Reader, Not a Writer.
Welcome back lovely hoppers! The last hop, Dreaming of Books, was absolutely fantastic — I had so much fun meeting so many new people and seeing so many great blogs! This Hop is very similar; it runs from now until February 13th at midnight. Please stop by and check out all the participating blogs — last month I won two books simply by signing up and following!

Up for grabs this time around, to celebrate Valentine's Day, I am giving away an ARC of "The Iron Queen"!

Like last time, I am also offering a $20 gift certificate to Barnes and Noble.com if we reach 350 followers! That's TWO possible winners for one great contest! You must be a Google Follower to enter — see right side bar to follow! And, OH, did I forget to mention that this contest is INTERNATIONAL — because it is.

While you're here - sign up to win "DELIRIUM" as well! This contest ends January 10th!

Check out the other blog hop participants!

It is now time for the 2nd round of voting! Here are the top 8 stories picked from round 1!

We are changing the voting for this round. We had an instance of false voting during the last round. Someone used a variety of email addresses, including ones from authors, to cast votes. We became suspicious and decided to verify these votes. We contacted the authors and they said that they did NOT vote, so that person has been disqualified.
We are truly saddened by this instance of cheating. Lisa and I worked really hard to gather the books and swag for these giveaways and we will not tolerate cheating. It is not fair to us or the people who worked hard on these stories and covers. They deserve a fair chance. That is why we changed the voting for this round.

Now, voting MUST come through comments. We will not accept anonymous comments.

* The stories are in the order that we received them.

Voters:
PLEASE ONLY CAST YOUR VOTE ONCE!

• For round 2, I will be posting the story vote, and Lisa will post the cover vote.
• To vote for the COVERS- USE GOOGLE
• To vote, put your email address and the number of the story you like into the comment.
  
• Email addresses may be used to verify votes, only if needed. Hopefully we will not need to for this round.
  
• If you are participating in the comment contest, say"I'M VOTING!" in the comment and you will get an extra entry into the comment contest.
• Vote for your favorite!

• Feel free to post about the voting starting. Please encourage people to vote for their favorite.
• You can cast a vote for your own cover, but only once each round.

Rules:

• This is Round 2 of voting. It will end Friday, the 29th.
• 4 stories will win prizes!
• The winners will be announced on Halloween!
• Votes from Round 1 have been deleted.

Story #1 — Invisible Gotta find the exit. I just have to. I don't want to die I am too young. He told me that it wouldn't end like this that if I just give him what he needed then he would leave me and my family alone. I have been running for nearly three days and every time I think I am safe I see his shadow again. It all started back when I met the new kid in school. He was gorgeous nonetheless. Always seemed so perfect and mysterious. Apparently my judgment was correct except for the perfect part. As I grew closer to him the more I drew away from school, friends, and even worse my family. There seemed to be something pulling me deeper into his world, something that was turning me almost invisible to the world around me.
Want to read more? USE GOOGLE

Story #2 — The Current-Day 1900's Spiderman: A Little Boy's Tale
A shaggy haired two year old boy with wide eyes watched the hall of his newly built home. Not only was his puppy barking at it but both pet cats were hissing as well. His mommy turned to the hall then back at the display in front of her calling their attention. The little boy dropped his multi-colored duplos and looked to his mommy, his eyes glistening with a look she never seen before, then pointed to the short hall between the living room and the playroom saying one word. “Man.”

The appearances of 'man' didn't stop that one quiet night. Want to read more? USE GOOGLE

Story #3 — Friendly Fire Fire. One word. One very short word. And yet, for Kaylee it was the most important word in the world. It was the last thing her mother ever said to her. As a child she had been hurt that her mother hadn’t spoken words of love and encouragement in the last moments of her life, it was only when she was older that she understood the true power behind that one word.

Fire. It brings warmth. It brings light. It brings destruction. And eventually it can bring life. But for Kaylee it brought wonder and mystery and a power so overwhelming that the mere sight of her would strike fear into complete strangers. Want to read more? USE GOOGLE

Story #4 — Blackbird Sing They say the beautiful song of the blackbird makes it a symbol of temptations. For the most part, I have been a fairly responsible adult during the course of my life. I live in control and in restraint; I have no weakness.

When I approach the enormous tree with the bare and scraggly branches, I see it is full of blackbirds. I should think something is not right. But with a sensible head resting atop my shoulders, omens never affected me. I could shatter a thousand mirrors and still live in good health and in good luck.

My phone shrills in my pocket. I do not want to pick it up. Instead, I gaze at the still blackbirds, with their graceful feathers and beady eyes. Nothing is wrong. Just a tree full of silly birds. I see them all the time. Want to read more? USE GOOGLE

Story #5 — Lifeless Love Her breath raced as she ran down the hill. Sweat glistened on her face in the light of the half-moon. Her pursuer was not far behind, his long arms flapping limply at his sides. She turned right and hid behind a trash can and prayed he would pass her by.

“Chloe,” He croaked. “Come out. You know I won’t hurt you. How could I hurt you? I love you.”

Silent tears slid down her face. How she wanted to believe those words. But she knew now that he was lost to her.

Footsteps were heard receding into the distance; he was gone, for now. Want to read more? USE GOOGLE

Story #6 — The Secret Ball Louisiana, 1862
I could hear the carriage roll on the damp stone path. The path where what had mattered most was silently taken from me. I saw men in white masks embellished with jewels and lined with intricate black lace. The men who took Dylan, my love.
Who were they? Why didn’t I panic?
“Olivia Preston,” I remembered hearing the husky voice say with invisible lips, “thank you. You’ve done well.”
Unfortunately, it’s simple to know who I am. I’m the daughter of James Preston, the wealthiest man in New Orleans.
Was Dylan taken because of this? Because of where I come from? Want to read more? USE GOOGLE

Story #7 — Strange Things Are Happening Emily walked towards the sound of the music. Her friend, Mel, and she were on their way home from school when they first heard it, and they had followed it all the way until they came to the source: Shay Manor. Shay Manor had been abandoned for so long that no one could even remember when someone had lived in it last or why they left. The only people who went in the supposedly haunted mansion now were teenagers looking for a scare on the weekends. “Emily! What the—” Mel started, coming up behind Emily. “Shh!” Emily hissed. “Do you hear that?” Want to read more? USE GOOGLE

Story #8 — Under the Bed I folded my arms and did the infamous mom stare in front of my little sister.
“Jessie, I thought you were old enough not to believe in this stuff anymore,” I said, shaking my head. “I am a big girl,” my five-year-old sister whined. “But this time it’s different, something is under my bed!” “Look it’s one thing that I missed the biggest Halloween party ever to take you trick or treating, but it’s not fair I have to do this.” For a moment, just from the pleading in her tiny blue eyes, I believed her. I shook it off and let out a deep sigh. “Fine, Kylie, I’ll go look. But just one time. Ryan is coming over in ten minutes and we’re watching a movie.” She stood at the bottom of the stairs, biting her thumbnail nervously as I entered her room. Want to read more? USE GOOGLE

*Reminder: If you are interested in the COMMENT CONTEST, remember to include your email address and"I'M VOTING" with your comment for an extra entry! Please read full entry rules here.
To vote, include the number of your favorite cover and email address in your comment!

To vote for the COVERS- USE GOOGLE

It is now time to vote on the story entries! Thanks to everyone who entered! We really appreciate you all for sharing your stories with us! We do hope that everyone takes time out to read each story before voting for their favorites! You have until this Friday, the 22nd to vote.
Voters:

• Lisa and I will both be posting the stories.

• The form is the same on both blogs so duplicates will be deleted.
• To vote, put your email address and the number of the story you like into the form.
• Email addresses are only used in order to check for duplicate votes.
• If you are participating in the comment contest, leave your email with the comment for it to be counted. Same as with the other Haunted Halloween posts.
• If you voted, say"I voted!" in the comment and you will get an extra entry into the comment contest.
• Vote for your favorite!

• Feel free to post about the voting starting. Please encourage people to vote for their favorite.
• You can cast a vote for your own story, but only once each round.

Rules:

• This is Round 1 of voting. It will end Friday, the 22nd.
• Round 2 will begin next Sunday, the 24th. It will end Friday, the 29th.
• 8 stories will continue onto Round 2!
• The winners will be announced on Halloween!

Story #1 — Found"Hello my love." Came a horribly familiar voice. I slowly turned around and there he was. My worst nightmare. The last time I saw him he was covered in my blood. My knees felt week and I didn't know if I had the strength to keep them study. He smiled that same dark smile that he had the day he tried to kill me. I thought I had escaped, I thought it was over. As he reached for my hand I knew it would be soon."How I have missed you." He said as our hands met. I felt a tingle run up my arm as he touched me. I couldn’t speak, couldn’t move, everything that I had worked for, to get past the memory of him was gone. All there was in the world was him and his hand upon mine. I couldn’t bring myself to run or to scream. I was lost in his murderous eyes. Want to read more? USE GOOGLE

Story #2 — Invisible Gotta find the exit. I just have to. I don't want to die I am too young. He told me that it wouldn't end like this that if I just give him what he needed then he would leave me and my family alone. I have been running for nearly three days and every time I think I am safe I see his shadow again. It all started back when I met the new kid in school. He was gorgeous nonetheless. Always seemed so perfect and mysterious. Apparently my judgment was correct except for the perfect part. As I grew closer to him the more I drew away from school, friends, and even worse my family. There seemed to be something pulling me deeper into his world, something that was turning me almost invisible to the world around me. Want to read more? USE GOOGLE

Story #3 — Sun and Moon The obsidian building towered high into the thunderous clouds, and was surrounded by a large iron-wrought fence. Erus, a grim and depressing boy for his age, stared at the bleak view before him: This was to be his new home: The Orphanage. Erus picked anxiously at his raggedy blue sweatshirt. His dark black hair obscured his vision, but gave him a sharper look. The pale skin of his face often made others think that he was dead, maybe a vampire. Maybe he was, no, he most definitely was. Due to the monumental hunger he felt building up inside him like carbon in a soda bottle. Every sense in his body became more acute, and human blood sang beneath luscious skin. Want to read more? USE GOOGLE

Story #4 — Ghost girl This was when I was around 17 years old. My parent move us in to our first house after living so long in an apartment. The house had 3 bedrooms and one bathroom. I was sharing a room with my sister, she was 16 year old. My two brother were sharing the room next to ours. my parents room was across the hallway. My room had the only window a/c unit. Our bedroom was the smallest bedroom and we only had a bunkbed an old tv, those old one that had the wooden box arround and with the big knobs. After a week I was watching tv late one night and the tv out of nowhere turn off. I thought the tv had a short and went to sleep. The next week weird things started to happen. Want to read more? USE GOOGLE

Story #5 — The Blood Spirit 1920
It was in the small town of Ashbury, New York that the rumor became.
“Oh, Mary, I’ve missed you so much!”
“Hahaha, well, I told you I’d return didn’t I, silly boy.” The girl’s sweet voice filled the room. It was like a drug to Everett and he wanted more. He had long awaited her return spending night after night staring longingly into the mirror on his dresser, until she had finally appeared that night.
“I thought… maybe you had moved on.” Everett’s voice tried to cover his emotions at the thought of losing his beautiful Mary. Mary, the one that had saved him from all the darkness in his life and now he could barely stand to look her in the eyes because of her beauty. They had shown with understanding, but that was all a mask to help cover up the thing she really was. Want to read more? USE GOOGLE

Story #6 — The Current-Day 1900's Spiderman: A Little Boy's Tale
A shaggy haired two year old boy with wide eyes watched the hall of his newly built home. Not only was his puppy barking at it but both pet cats were hissing as well. His mommy turned to the hall then back at the display in front of her calling their attention. The little boy dropped his multi-colored duplos and looked to his mommy, his eyes glistening with a look she never seen before, then pointed to the short hall between the living room and the playroom saying one word. “Man.”

The appearances of 'man' didn't stop that one quiet night. Want to read more? USE GOOGLE

Story #7 — Friendly Fire Fire. One word. One very short word. And yet, for Kaylee it was the most important word in the world. It was the last thing her mother ever said to her. As a child she had been hurt that her mother hadn’t spoken words of love and encouragement in the last moments of her life, it was only when she was older that she understood the true power behind that one word.

Fire. It brings warmth. It brings light. It brings destruction. And eventually it can bring life. But for Kaylee it brought wonder and mystery and a power so overwhelming that the mere sight of her would strike fear into complete strangers. Want to read more? USE GOOGLE

Story #8 — Stranger in the Night"We should dance," Brady smiled. Prom night.
I heard a voice."Excuse me," someone said from behind.

"Sorry, sorry" Brady muttered.

Me, I couldn't speak. It was his eyes; they smoldered. I had never seen a guy with black eyes before. Taking one look at his face --pale, chiseled, eerily handsome-- I was totally, totally lost.

"Stephanie," he grinned. I parted my lips, but couldn't speak.

"Stephanie?" I couldn't hear Brady. I couldn't even tell he was still there. Everything was a big, buzzing blur; his hand at my waist, it wasn't even there. I swear it wasn't. Want to read more? USE GOOGLE

Story #9 — The Good Mother Our lake is haunted.

Long ago there was a Mother who fell asleep by the water. While she slept her child crawled into the water and was lost.

The Mother, unwilling to accept her child’s death, dove beneath the waves and disappeared.

Supposedly, she searches for him still. Children roaming near the lake on the night her child disappeared will disappear too. She waits to wrap them in her watery embrace. Want to read more? USE GOOGLE

Story #10 — Blackbird Sing They say the beautiful song of the blackbird makes it a symbol of temptations. For the most part, I have been a fairly responsible adult during the course of my life. I live in control and in restraint; I have no weakness.

When I approach the enormous tree with the bare and scraggly branches, I see it is full of blackbirds. I should think something is not right. But with a sensible head resting atop my shoulders, omens never affected me. I could shatter a thousand mirrors and still live in good health and in good luck.

My phone shrills in my pocket. I do not want to pick it up. Instead, I gaze at the still blackbirds, with their graceful feathers and beady eyes. Nothing is wrong. Just a tree full of silly birds. I see them all the time. Want to read more? USE GOOGLE

Story #11 — The Mattress Kasey never liked hospitals. They just made her feel uncomfortable. Everything smelled like hand soap or old people, and everything was so… sterile. She especially hated it at night when her room's light was turned off. The hallway would still be brightly lighted — yes, even in the middle of the night — but even the small sliver of light that she could see under her door wasn't comfort enough. Being in the dark scared her, and being in the dark alone was even more frightening.

She had had three concussions in the past spring from playing rugby — three too much. She had spent week after week in hospitals attempting to recover, missing school, missing her friends, missing life. She hardly knew what sunshine felt like. Want to read more? USE GOOGLE

Story #12 — Lifeless Love Her breath raced as she ran down the hill. Sweat glistened on her face in the light of the half-moon. Her pursuer was not far behind, his long arms flapping limply at his sides. She turned right and hid behind a trash can and prayed he would pass her by.

“Chloe,” He croaked. “Come out. You know I won’t hurt you. How could I hurt you? I love you.”

Silent tears slid down her face. How she wanted to believe those words. But she knew now that he was lost to her.

Footsteps were heard receding into the distance; he was gone, for now. Want to read more? USE GOOGLE

Story #13 — Whisper Damien was filled with dread as he crossed the threshold of Milton Manor. Fear emanated from his every pore, clouded his vision, and burned its way through his lungs with each breath.

Then the whispers began…

Get out! You don’t belong here. This is our home!

With each whisper more and more voices joined in, bringing the words to a crescendo, reverberating around Damien’s head and bombarding his mind. The voices began screaming at Damien, commanding him to leave.

Leave now or we’ll kill them all! Want to read more? USE GOOGLE

Story #14 — Howl at the Moon The sharp ululation had my head snap back. Shivers shot up my spine, the harsh wind causing my cheeks to sting. They were coming for me. I tried to cover my scent with the dirt and foliage around me, but it didnt work. They had super noses, and hearing.
I tripped over a root and landed on my knees and hands. I muffled a cry. I quickly got up, ignoring the globs of blood appearing on my knees. I could almost here them approaching me. My blood ran cold, my limbs grew stiff even as I stumbled my way through the forest. My breath thickened, blood tricked down my legs. Want to read more? USE GOOGLE

Story #15 — The Secret Ball Louisiana, 1862 I could hear the carriage roll on the damp stone path. The path where what had mattered most was silently taken from me. I saw men in white masks embellished with jewels and lined with intricate black lace. The men who took Dylan, my love.
Who were they? Why didn’t I panic?
“Olivia Preston,” I remembered hearing the husky voice say with invisible lips, “thank you. You’ve done well.”
Unfortunately, it’s simple to know who I am. I’m the daughter of James Preston, the wealthiest man in New Orleans.
Was Dylan taken because of this? Because of where I come from? Want to read more? USE GOOGLE

Story #16 — Strange Things Are Happening Emily walked towards the sound of the music. Her friend, Mel, and she were on their way home from school when they first heard it, and they had followed it all the way until they came to the source: Shay Manor. Shay Manor had been abandoned for so long that no one could even remember when someone had lived in it last or why they left. The only people who went in the supposedly haunted mansion now were teenagers looking for a scare on the weekends. “Emily! What the—” Mel started, coming up behind Emily. “Shh!” Emily hissed. “Do you hear that?” Want to read more? USE GOOGLE

Story #17 — Under the Bed I folded my arms and did the infamous mom stare in front of my little sister.
“Jessie, I thought you were old enough not to believe in this stuff anymore,” I said, shaking my head. “I am a big girl,” my five-year-old sister whined. “But this time it’s different, something is under my bed!” “Look it’s one thing that I missed the biggest Halloween party ever to take you trick or treating, but it’s not fair I have to do this.” For a moment, just from the pleading in her tiny blue eyes, I believed her. I shook it off and let out a deep sigh. “Fine, Kylie, I’ll go look. But just one time. Ryan is coming over in ten minutes and we’re watching a movie.” She stood at the bottom of the stairs, biting her thumbnail nervously as I entered her room. Want to read more? USE GOOGLE

*Reminder: If you are interested in the COMMENT CONTEST, remember to include your email address with your comment for an extra entry! Please read full entry rules here.

If you vote include"I VOTED" in your comment for an extra entry in the comment contest!

The post you are about to read is 100 % **Role Play

All the characters represented here (please see the list of all Role Players provided below ) with the exception of Lisa and myself are **Role Players from a group on twitter. They have agreed to role play with us to help celebrate not only our Halloween Event, but also to help share our love for the Black Dagger Brotherhood series by author J.R. Ward, as these Role Players are also huge fans of J.R. Ward's works.

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT NO ONE with this site/blog, Lisa’s site/blog nor the role-playing group — which you can find with the list of twitter accounts provided — is in any way, shape or form connected to or affiliated with J.R. Ward. No one present or represented here is J.R. Ward, nor is the role playing intended for any purpose other than the personal enjoyment of the Role Players involved.

Warning: This story contains mature and adult themes.
J: @Rehvenge_BDB – seriously, I haven’t played this since college. Any tips on how to beat these boys? and you too *laughs* C’mon – help a girl out?

@Rehvenge_BDB: *enigmatic smile* Mind over matter, female. *leans forward* No… really… mind… *reaching out with the “fun” side of me to get a nice hold on your emotions… then looking over @Wrath_BDB and releasing my hold on you in an effort to play nice*… over matter.
@John_MatthewBDB: *Walking in with Xhex, smiling at the shellans, nodding at the brothers*
@Xhex_BDB: * Walking into room with John seeing everyone gathered together kicking back. Noticing @Rehvenge_BDB playing Monopoly with @Zsadist_BDB, @Wrath_BDB, and @Phury_BDB. I feel the smugness rolling off him, he must have Boardwalk and Park Ave again.* Gearing up to win @Rehvenge_BDB?
@Rehvenge_BDB: You know my tastes, Xhex. And how I play for keeps. *flicking amethyst eyes to @EhlenaA_BDB and thinking she’s overdue for one of our “special” phone calls*

L: *smiles* Hello, @John_MatthewBDB & @Xhex_BDB. It’s nice to see you both tonight. We were hoping you’d make it.

@John_MatthewBDB: *Looking to @Xhex_BDB, signing* Translate for me?
@Xhex_BDB: Of course. *smiling at @John_MatthewBDB*
@John_MatthewBDB: *signing* It's always good to be here, this is my family. No matter how crazy or strange, this is home. Thanks for your support of all of us.

L/J: *Sitting back, taking everything in and listening to the conversation that’s going around the room.*

@MarissaH_BDB: I’m new to some of these human traditions, but @Butch_BDB has explained the Halloween tradition to me. I’m curious to know what costume my hellren might wear if we all donned costumes? *looks towards @Butch_BDB*
@Butch_BDB: I’d put on a cop uniform. You wanna see my night stick, baby? waggles eyebrows and picks @MarissaH_BDB up, swinging her around, planting a kiss on her lips*
@CormiaC_BDB: Oh, costumes? That sounds like fun. I think I might like to dress up like an Explorer — I’ve been reading a lot of human history books lately. Perhaps Magellan or Columbus or Cortes… *looks to my hellren* What about you, @Phury_BDB? What costume would you wear?
@Phury_BDB: *looks at @Rhage_BDB and @Vishous_BDB* Before anyone suggests it, I am NOT dressing up as Pocahontas so @CormiaC_BDB can be John Smith.
@CormiaC_BDB: Pocahontas?
@Phury_BDB: Never mind. As for a costume? I don’t know, I’d probably go as something that would make my niece laugh.
@Vishous_BDB: Now that is a great idea, true?
@MaryL_BDB: I love Halloween. I’d love to know what costume @Rhage_BDB would have me wear. *blushes again* Scratch that, baby. I don’t think I want you to answer it in the interview.
@Rhage_BDB: *growls*
@BethR_BDB: I think @Wrath_BDB would make a good pirate & I could be the kitchen wench. *laughing at the mental image of my hellren dressed up as a pirate*
@Wrath_BDB: *shakes head* Great, I have to hand out candy to humans and dress up as Captain Jack Sparrow. Leelan, we need to discuss this pirate obsession of yours, preferably while I’m pillaging your village, wench. *low growl*
@EhlenaA_BDB: *smiles sweetly @Rehvenge_BDB* You’ve already seen my Halloween costume. What’s your favorite part?
@Rehvenge_BDB: Pantyhose. *FANGS*
@DocJaneW_BDB: *Laughing at the Halloween talk* I already have the perfect costume, I'm going as a ghost. Of course V has other ideas, don't you? *raises an eyebrow*
@Vishous_BDB: *growls, tempted to grab @DocJaneW_BDB and head for the pit*

@Lassiter_BDB: So I have a question for you two. Since I don’t have my own book yet, *rolls eyes* I want to know which book if your favorite? And what makes it your favorite? I know that when I get my own book that one will be everyone’s favorite. Also who’s your favorite brother? Favorite shellan? Favorite couple? It is okay to say I am your favorite, we all know it’s true.
@Vishous_BDB: *walks over and drags @Lassiter_BDB away from you* Leave them alone Lassy. He will do anything for an ego boost.

L: It’s okay @Vishous_BDB. I’ll try to answer @Lassiter_BDB’s question. I do have two books that are my favorites, which two, I’m not going to say. However, I will tell you this — I more then enjoyed, laughed even cried during each and every book for one reason or another. @Wrath_BDB & BethR_BDB’s story had me hooked and ready for more. Now, that’s how it is at the end of each book. Craving more. As for the other questions you asked. For a favorite brother – depends on who’s book I’m reading at the time. That brother will usually end up being my favorite. For shellan, I think the answers they gave for how they deal with the fighting just proves to me that they are all worthy of that title. And for Favorite couple? Well, each has been through so much *looks at @Tohrment* that shows that even a Vampire race and the couples within it have some normal, if not extremely hard things they have to deal with, that makes you seem somewhat human in how most of us humans can relate to you. So, each couple is my favorite if for that reason alone. As for your book @Lassiter_BDB I’m looking forward to it. *smiling at you* I can’t wait to see where your story will go and to learn more about you. *thinking I kinda rambled there*

L: What about you Jessica?

J: Well, I will admit that I am very much looking forward to your story @Lassiter_BDB *winks* but as for past stories I am a huge fan of @Zsadist_BDB and I think that him and @BellaR_BDB are a fabulous couple! I mean c'mon, @BellaR_BDB kicks butt! Gotta love when the lady takes charge. *smiles* I do have to say that one thing I loved in each book was that the shellans were there to help each of you see a different side of yourselves and with that I believe it helped to open each of you up a bit too.

@Lassiter_BDB: A long as you didn’t say that one is your favorite I am good: *points @Vishous_BDB*
@BellaR_BDB: *small smile* Thanks.

L: What about each of you? What do you think of your stories being out there? And were you surprised at anything you read after the fact?

@Wrath_BDB: Challa has been good to us. She’s told our stories and kept it accurate. I can’t ask for more than that.
@Butch_BDB: I’m ok with what she wrote about me. It was hard to read about my family back in Boston and how things ended with us, but *shrugs* I’ve found where I really belong and that’s what really matters, true?
@John_MatthewBDB: *Looking at @Xhex_BDB and signing* It's hard to have all of that exposed but at the same time I think it can help anyone realize that no matter how tough the path, eventually you end up exactly where you're supposed to be. * Squeezing @Xhex_BDB's hand and turning my head to look @Tohrment_BDB, remembering @Wellsie_BDB*
@Xhex_BDB: * Returning @John_MatthewBDB’s comforting gesture. * It is difficult as I am a private person normally, but it has brought me back to where I needed to be and to people I can work with, albeit hesitantly for me given my personality. *Smirks *
@Phury_BDB: I’m not proud of some of the decisions I made, so it was difficult to know that those decisions were in print. But I am proud of what I’ve done since then. So it makes sense to have the bad showcased with the good.
@CormiaC_BDB: *nodding* You have much to be proud of. *thinks how proud I am of you* And yes, it was difficult to know that what we went through was shared with others, but we take the good with the bad… together. *smiles at @Phury_BDB*
@DocJaneW_BDB: *Cutting in* I'd just like to say that I find the bond between mates absolutely compelling. Through reading the books, you are easily aware of when a male has found their mate *thinking of @Vishous_BDB's intoxicating bonding scent*. In each instance, the urge to claim their mate is nearly immediate whether the female is vampire, human or a half-blood, and in @Butch_BDB's case, he even knows before he's made aware of his lineage. I think that what may not be acknowledged as frequently, but can't be ignored, is that each of us was in turn magnetized to them. So is it all fate? Or is there something in our chemical make up that draws us to one another? I think there is plenty of room to explore this phenomenon. Anyway, I went off on a tangent there. About our story being out there? Personally, I think our book kicks ass. *winks at V*

J: Yeah.and what do you look forward to as more stories come out and your lives move forward?

@Wrath_BDB: A united vampire race. We need to recruit and work together to decimate the Lessing Society. With the Brotherhood strengthening daily anything is possible.
@John_MatthewBDB: *signing* I'd like to see my boys @Blaylock_BDB and @Qhuinn_BDB get smart and find what I did with @Xhex_BDB, no matter what that means, for both of them. As far as the two of us *smiling at @Xhex_BDB* well, I just look forward to kicking some ass side by side *John then signs something that Xhex doesn't translate*
@Xhex_BDB: * Rolling my eyes at my Hellren and signing back. * I can’t wait.
@Phury_BDB: I hope you’ll get to see our race strengthened…
@Vishous_BDB: Getting to know sister mine.
@Butch_BDB: I’m waiting to see what’s doing with @Payne_BDB. If she’s anything like her twin, holy hell we’re in for a ride *glances over at @Vishous_BDB grinning* You love me bro, and you know it. *glancing over at @MarissaH_BDB*
@Vishous_BDB: *claps @Butch_BDB’s back* True.

And with that, were going to get back to our visit and games here. We hope you enjoyed getting to peek in on our visit, we know we had a great time sharing it with you.
Goodnight!

If you would like to follow along with the all the Black Dagger Brotherhood Twitter Role Players is part of this group, please USE GOOGLE to easily follow each character. And trust me, you don't know what your missing! So hurry and follow today!

@FritzDoggen_BDB Online: (updates, notes and information on the Twitter Role Playing Group)

Website | Twitter

Order All 8 books in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series and Preorder book 9 Online here:

Amazon | Borders | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository

Thank you so much to all the characters from the Black Dagger Brotherhood Twitter Role Play group for all the time and effort they have been putting in to help us celebrate not only Halloween and our event, but also our love for all that is the Brotherhood and J.R. Ward.

ENTER TO WIN the first SIX books in the Black Dagger Brotherhood!! One lucky person will win a box set!!
NOTE: The winner for this contest will be chosen at Random with a little help from @Wrath_BDB! He will be helping us pick the winner LIVE ON TWITTER soon after Nov. 15th. Lisa and I will post details closer to when @Wrath_BDB is ready to pick the winner, so keep an eye out!
Here are the rules and how to enter:

• You MUST complete the form to enter. No entries in comments please they won't count. Comments are welcome, so share your love with Lisa and I for the Black Dagger Brotherhood World!!!
• You must be at least 17 years old to enter. (these are ADULT titles, so you MUST be at least 17 to enter)
• This contest is open to INTERNATIONAL! (Anywhere the Book Depository Ships to!)
• Contest ends: Nov. 15th, 2010

Check out Lisa's other Haunted Halloween post! NOTE: This post will be the same on both of our blogs.
REMINDER: *If you are interested in the COMMENT CONTEST, remember to include your email address with your comment for an extra entry! Please ready full entry rules HERE.

By: Tammar Stein

The first time, the only time, I ever saw an angel I was five years old. I know that sounds amazing but it wasn’t some big, miraculous event. It was actually pretty ordinary. We were living in Israel at the time, in a tall apartment building. It had just finished storming and as the rain eased, I saw a rainbow. I had a perfect view of it from my window and I remember resting my elbows on the windowsill, watching it and the dark gray clouds.
There was a particularly odd shaped cloud drifting closer to the rainbow and I watched, curious, wondering why it seemed to be moving with purpose. So I had a perfect view of a hand emerging from that oddly shaped cloud. It reached over, touched the rainbow and just like that, the rainbow and the hand dissipated like mist and the cloud drifted off, all innocent and normal.
I jumped up and raced to my mother. I had seen an angel! It made such sense. I’d read the story of Noah’s ark. I knew the rainbow was a sign from God. It made sense angels kept track of them. Yet my mother, smiling fondly, insisted that all rainbows fade and that clouds often have shapes. Even five-year-olds know condescension when they hear it. I returned to my window, scanning the clouds, looking for proof. There was nothing to show, of course, nothing to point out. But I knew. And to this day, I can still see that hand, can still remember the unnatural way the rainbow simply vanished.
I used to feel disappointed that my one experience with the supernatural was so mundane. There were no fireworks, no goosebumps, no lasting repercussions that I know of. Just a little girl catching a glimpse of something amazing. As I grow older, though, I don’t mind the lack of fireworks, or the unexciting nature of my sighting. It’s kind of nice to think there might be wonders happening all around our oblivious selves. That miracles and marvels don’t need a drum roll to precede them, don’t need life altering meaning to follow. They’re just there, on a rainy afternoon, keeping us company.

Kindred by Tammar Stein Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (February 8th, 2011) Reading Level: Young Adult Hardcover: 272 pages The first time I meet an angel, it is Raphael and I am eighteen.

Miriam is an unassuming college freshman stuck on campus after her spring break plans fall through. She's not a religious girl--when pressed she admits reluctantly to believing in a higher power. Truth be told, she's about as comfortable speaking about her faith as she is about her love life, which is to say, not at all. And then the archangel Raphael pays Miriam a visit, and she finds herself on a desperate mission to save two of her contemporaries. To top it all off, her twin brother, Mo, has also had a visitation, but from the opposite end of the good-evil spectrum, which leaves Miriam to wonder--has she been blessed and her brother cursed or vice versa? And what is the real purpose behind her mission?

Prize:

• 1 winner will receive a signed copy of Light Years by Tammar Stein.

• You must be at least 13 to enter.
• Name and email must be provided and counts as 1 entry.
• Extra entries are possible and links must be provided.
• Contest is US ONLY and ends October 22nd.
• Once contacted the winner will have 48 hours to respond with their mailing address.
• The form must be filled out to enter.

- Thank you so much Tammar for the story and the book donation!
Find out more about Tammar Stein Tammar Stein / Blog
Pre-Order Kindred
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Borders

* Check out Lisa's Haunted Halloween post.

*Reminder: If you are interested in the COMMENT CONTEST, remember to include your email address with your comment for an extra entry! Please read full entry rules here.

As many of you know, I am a huge fan of Kristie Cook and her crazy-HOT book Promise. Tristan (the reason for crazy-HOT) happens to have a birthday today, on Halloween! So happy birthday Tristan *mmwwah!* I can't wait to snuggle up with you and jump into your … new book.; ) ha! But before that, you all need to check out the two giveaways Kristie has going on right now. One gives you the chance at winning a KINDLE 3!

Kristie is having a Mr. Beautiful's Halloween Hop & Birthday Bash contest. And here is what you can win just for helping spread the word.

1st Prize Purpose (#2 in the Soul Savers series) by Kristie Cook (ARC) Promise Bookmark Plus your choice of 2 of the following: Falling Under by Gwen Hayes (ARC) The Haunted (#2 in The Hollow trilogy) by Jessica Verday Where She Went (sequel to If I Stay) by Gayle Forman (ARC) Beyonders: A World Without Heroes by Brandon Mull (ARC) After the Kiss by Terra Elan McVoy Dead Beautiful by Yvonne Woon Dreaming in English (sequel to Veil of Roses) by Laura Fitzgerald (ARC) Learning to Breathe by Karen White The Wrong Mother by Sophie Hannah
2nd Prize Purpose (#2 in the Soul Savers series) by Kristie Cook (ARC) Promise Bookmark Dark Days and Wicked Nights (Free sampler featuring various authors)

Complete the form below to enter as many times as you'd like. You can return and enter to win every day, between now and 11/5, by tweeting and posting. Get up to 50 BONUS ENTRIES for taking a picture of you and Promise in the wild… or your home or whatever.

. Don't have Promise yet? Buy it here or here. Have the ebook? Just make sure the first page shows up on your ereader in the picture. Email the picture to kristie(at)kristiecook(dot)com for 25 extra entries or post it on your blog for 50 extra entries!

The form below is the one found on Kristie's blog.
For the question"Do you follow this blog?" it is referring to Kristie's blog HERE.

BUT that's not all. The other part of the giveaway allows you to borrow Tristan for a while. Sounds great, right??
What you could win

$25 Barnes & Noble Gift Card iPod Shuffle Kindle 3 or Nook!
How can you win?? Take the picture below and be creative!

How it works:
Take the picture above (or email kristie(at)kristiecook(dot)com for a higher resolution pic) and get creative with it. You can blow the picture up, cut it out and paste it to foam-board, then take Tristan on some outings in your corner of the world — just be sure to take pictures. Or create a video with him. Or, if you're an artist, give him a face (hint: sandy-brown hair, hazel eyes with green around the outside and gold flecks around the pupil, square jaw, full kissable lips). The sky's the limit and the more creative, the more likely you'll win.

Whatever it is, you MUST include the above picture in some form (so the judges can recognize Tristan!) and post your photo(s), image(s) or video on your blog, anytime till November 5th. (If you don't have a blog, you can post it on your Facebook page.) Give Tristan an actual post so we can find it the following week for judging.

I'm entering this contest myself and plan to post my entry early this week.