P.J. Hoover's Blog, page 63

DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth

Really, all I can say is OMG, loved this book. It's been ages and ages a while since a book has kept me up until 2:30 in the morning to finish, but this is the one.

DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth (Katherine Tegen Books, May 3, 2011)


I've promised my ARC out elsewhere so I'm not sure when I can give it away, but if I get it back, it will be up for the population of the blog following. Because trust me, you want to read this book. You really, really want to read this book.

Not that you need to read the product description, but here it is just in case you aren't convinced:

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the YA scene with the first book in the Divergent series—dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.


And in case that isn't enough, here's the (amazing 22-year-old) author talking about the book:



Enjoy!

STILL SUCKS TO BE ME Winner!

The two day contest seemed to be huge! Thank you to everyone who entered and to Kathy Habel at I am a Reader, Not a Writer for organizing the whole thing!

The winner of the signed hardcover of

STILL SUCKS TO BE ME by Kimberly Pauley (Mirrorstone, May 2010)
More All-True Confessions of Mina Smith, Teen Vampire


is...

RAE at In The Forest!

*****

Don't forget there is one more day to enter the giveaway for the four James Patterson ARCs

Click here to enter.

What I did on my Winter Break Part 1

Somehow I started this morning by raking leaves, and I ended up doing this. There was a logical train of thought, I swear. Or maybe I should blame it on the solstice and lunar eclipse.


Tribute to Captain Nemo

Hope your holidays are going well so far!

MIDWINTER'S EVE GIVEAWAY - Signed Hardcover - STILL SUCKS TO BE ME!

In honor of the amazing Winter Solstice AND the lunar eclipse, I'm giving away a signed hardcover of the sequel to SUCKS TO BE ME



STILL SUCKS TO BE ME by Kimberly Pauley (Mirrorstone, May 2010)
More All-True Confessions of Mina Smith, Teen Vampire


This giveaway fun is again organized by the wonderful Kathy Habel at I am a Reader, Not a Writer, and tons and tons of blogs are participating in this two day only giveaway!

In case you aren't familiar with the books (you need to be!), here is the book trailer:



From Amazon:

With vampire boyfriend George and best friend Serena by her side, Mina thought she had her whole life—or rather afterlife—ahead of her. But then Mina's parents drop a bomb. They're moving. To Louisiana. And not somewhere cool like New Orleans, but some teeny, tiny town where cheerleaders and jocks rule the school. Mina has to fake her death, change her name, and leave everything behind, including George and Serena. Not even the Vampire Council's shape-shifting classes can cheer her up. Then Serena shows up on Mina's doorstep with some news that sends Mina reeling. Mina may look a lot better with fangs, but her afterlife isn't any less complicated!

In this eagerly awaited sequel to the popular Sucks to Be Me, Kimberly Pauley addresses many of her fans' most pressing questions (Will Serena become a vampire? What happened to Raven? What's next for Mina and George?) with signature humor and breezy bloodsucking style.


For your chance to win this signed hardcover, all you need to do is:

1) Follow this blog
2) Comment on this blog post


For extra entries:

1) Blog about this contest and leave a comment telling me
2) Tweet about this contest and leave a comment telling me


And make sure you leave me a way to get in contact with you when you win! The contest will run through 11:59 PM on Wednesday, December 22, 2010.
TWO DAYS ONLY!

And so you want to win more books, too, I bet! Continue on the Midwinter's Eve Giveaway hop. Check out all the blogs participating here!



*****

Don't forget I'm also giving away four ARCs by James Patterson.
Click here to enter.

WITCH AND WIZARD by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet (Little, Brown, December 2009)


WITCH AND WIZARD: THE GIFT by James Patterson and Ned Rust (Little, Brown, December 13, 2010)


MED HEAD by James Patterson and Hal Friedman (Little, Brown, April 2010)
My Knock-Down, Drag-out, Drugged-up Battle With My Brain



DANIEL X: DEMONS AND DRUIDS by James Patterson and Adam Sadler (Little, Brown, July 2010)

THE HUNGER GAMES Playaway Winner!

I love the Playaways and am so glad I was able to pass one along in the contest! I know I'm going to keep these in mind as gift ideas in the future. Thank you to everyone who entered.

The winner of A PLAYAWAY of THE HUNGER GAMES


is...

Book Kritik!

*****

Congrats and thank you!

I'll be doing a special giveaway next week for two days only, so make sure to check back for that.

In the meantime, don't forget I'm also giving away four ARCs by James Patterson.
Click here to enter.

WITCH AND WIZARD by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet (Little, Brown, December 2009)


WITCH AND WIZARD: THE GIFT by James Patterson and Ned Rust (Little, Brown, December 13, 2010)


MED HEAD by James Patterson and Hal Friedman (Little, Brown, April 2010)
My Knock-Down, Drag-out, Drugged-up Battle With My Brain



DANIEL X: DEMONS AND DRUIDS by James Patterson and Adam Sadler (Little, Brown, July 2010)

AUSTIN SCBWI Huge Critique Contest

Guess what.

If you haven't already registered for the Austin SCBWI Conference, then you've missed the critique deadline. Missing an opportunity for a critique or a portfolio review can be a real bummer because these are one of the best things about attending conferences no matter what level you are.

So The Texas Sweethearts, along with some of the Austin SCBWI conference faculty, have put together a small contest for you.

Okay, it's a great big contest with author critiques and illustrator portfolio reviews.

Here's the deal...

1) You're not registered yet for the conference
No problem. Register for the conference and then email The Texas Sweethearts and let us know you've registered. You'll then be entered in the contest to win a free critique.
*This is the perfect opportunity to remind your loved ones what a great gift the conference registration would be.

2) You are registered for the conference but you still want a chance to win
No problem. Refer someone to the conference, and email The Texas Sweethearts to let us know. When they register, you will then be entered to win the critique. Make sure to let them know to email us, too.


Details:
Our email address is texas_sweethearts /(at)/ yahoo /(do)/ com (minus all the funny characters of course)
In your email let us know what you'd like to submit if you win a critique (MG/YA/Picture book/Non-fiction/Portfolio)The contest will run through Friday, January 21st, 2011.

Portfolio reviews and critiques are up for grabs from the following awesome faculty:

David Diaz – Illustrator:
David Diaz has illustrated numerous award-winning books for children, including Eve Bunting's Going Home; as well as Newbery Honor winner, The Wanderer, by Sharon Creech. Mr. Diaz was awarded the Caldecott Medal in 1995 for his work in Smoky Night by Eve Bunting, and his colorful illustrations in Margaret Wise Brown's The Little Scarecrow Boy lead to the book being named the New York Times Best Illustrated Book for 1998. Most recently, Mr. Diaz has teamed up with renowned author Joyce Carol Thomas, creating vibrant illustrations for The Gospel Cinderella, a soulful retelling of the classic Cinderella story.

Julian Hector – Illustrator:
Julian Hector was born in Los Angeles, raised in rural Texas, and received a BFA from Parsons the New School for Design, in New York City. His clients include Disney-Hyperion, Scholastic, Harper Collins, and Simon and Schuster Julian Hector is represented by Rebecca Sherman of Writers House and plans to make Austin, Texas his home!

Jessica Anderson:
Jessica Lee Anderson is the author of Trudy, which won the 2005 Milkweed Prize for Children's Literature, as well as Border Crossing. She's published two nonfiction readers, as well as fiction and nonfiction for a variety of magazines including Highlights for Children. While her experiences have ranged from teaching to selling computers to coordinating a vision therapy clinic, her lifelong passion is writing literature for children. She lives near Austin, Texas, with her husband, Michael. Jessica is willing to critique fiction and non-fiction manuscripts.

Bethany Hegedus:
Bethany Hegedus has spent time above and below the Mason-Dixon Line. She cares deeply about kids, having once been a high school teacher and also a youth advocate. She serves as a mentor in the PEN Prison Writing Program and holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Bethany is Co- Editor of the Young Adult's and Children's section of the literary magazine, Hunger Mountain and is Austin Host of the popular website readergirlz.com. Her second novel, Truth, With a Capital T. releases Oct. 12, 2010. Between Us Baxters is her first young adult novel. Bethany is willing to critique picture books, middle-grade, and YA fiction and non-fiction.

Kari Ann Holt:
K.A. Holt is a writer, a terrible cook, and a mother of three (not necessarily in that order). When she's not busy imagining how she would survive a trip to Mars or a zombie apocalypse, she's busy imagining how she will survive the day. Kirkus and Publishers Weekly praised both her first book, Mike Stellar: Nerves of Steel, as well as her most recent Brains for Lunch. Kari Ann is willing to critique middle-grade sci-fi.

P J Hoover:
PJ grew up visiting museums and dreaming of finding Atlantis. She eventually married, had two children, shifted her dreams to reality, and began a writing career. PJ's novels The Emerald Tablet, That Navel of the World, and The Necropolis are evidence of her talent, tenacity, and devotion to craft. PJ is willing to critique middle grade and YA novels.

Jeanette Larson:
Jeanette has been a librarian for more than 30 years. She is a frequent reviewer for Booklist and Book Links and has served on a number of state and national award committees, including the Newbery Award, the Texas Bluebonnet Award, Best Books for Young Adults, the Morris Award (for debut YA authors), the Writers' League of Texas Teddy Awards, and the Audio Book Publishers Award. She is currently serving on the YALSA Excellence in Non-fiction Awards committee. Retired from Austin Public Library, Jeanette now teaches the Children's and Young Literature course for Texas Woman's University and is a freelance trainer and consultant. Moving to the other side of the book shelf, Jeanette's first children's book, Hummingbirds: Facts and Folkore from the Americas, will be coming out in February 2011. Jeanette is willing to critique non-fiction and fiction of any genre.

Brian Yansky:
Brian has a BA from The University of Texas and an MFA in Writing from Vermont College. He's an Assistant Professor at Austin Community College where he teaches writing. He writes both young adult and adult fiction. His adult stories have appeared in the Crescent Review, Nebraska Review, Chiron Review and other literary journals. My Road Trip to the Pretty Girl Capital of the World was his first published novel. Wonders of the World, his second novel, came out in June, 2007. Alien Invasion and Other Inconveniences, a YA novel, will be published by Candlewick Press on October 12, 2010. Brian is willing to critique YA novels.

Frances Yansky:
An author/illustrator, Frances is the author of The Bug Cemetery, published under Frances Hill, her maiden name. Frances has a keen eye for detail, intrigue, and the whimsical. Though Frances is currently working on a sensational middle-grade fantasy, she is willing to critique picture books.


GOOD LUCK, and we'll see you in Austin!

THE HOUSE OF DEAD MAIDS by Clare Dunkle

If you're looking for the perfect creepy read this holiday season, here's a book totally worth checking out. The cover is uber-freaky, and the text delivers every single bit of that freakiness perfectly.

THE HOUSE OF DEAD MAIDS by Clare Dunkle (Henry Holt, September 2010)


I'd recommend this one for sixth grade and up, boys and girls, fans of fantasy, paranormal, mysteries, ghost stories, and fans of the Bronte sisters' works. Sadly, I borrowed this ARC from a friend, so I can't pass it on in a giveaway, but it's totally worth the read.


"DEAD MAIDS is dark and beautiful, literary and lovely ... Worthy of sitting on a shelf next to Wuthering Heights." —Melissa Marr, author of Wicked Lovely


Check out the super-creepy book trailer, too!



From Amazon:

Young Tabby Aykroyd has been brought to the dusty mansion of Seldom House to be nursemaid to a foundling boy. He is a savage little creature, but the Yorkshire moors harbor far worse, as Tabby soon discovers. Why do scores of dead maids and masters haunt Seldom House with a jealous devotion that extends beyond the grave?

As Tabby struggles to escape the evil forces rising out of the land, she watches her young charge choose a different path. Long before he reaches the old farmhouse of Wuthering Heights, the boy who will become Heathcliff has doomed himself and any who try to befriend him.

Austin SCBWI Holiday Fun!

In the spirit of the seasons, our local Austin SCBWI chapter held its annual holiday social this past week at Opal Divine's where I discovered Buried Hatchet beer. So good, and the company was great!

By the way, today is the last day for early-bird registration and critique sign-up for our Austin SCBWI conference coming this February. Our faculty rocks, so don't miss out!

Tim Crow, Shelli Cornelison, Texas Sweethearts Emma Virjan and Don Tate, and Amy Goodwin


Liz Garton Scanlon and Brian Anderson


Bethany Hegedus and Debbie Gonzales


Margo Raab, Greg Leitich Smith, Texas Sweetheart Jessica Lee Anderson, and Me


Debbie addressing the crowd of over 80 people!

JAMES PATTERSON 4 ARC Giveaway!

'Tis the season, so in that spirit, I have four fantastic ARCs from bestselling author James Patterson up for giveaway for one lucky winner!


WITCH AND WIZARD by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet (Little, Brown, December 2009)


WITCH AND WIZARD: THE GIFT by James Patterson and Ned Rust (Little, Brown, December 13, 2010)


MED HEAD by James Patterson and Hal Friedman (Little, Brown, April 2010)
My Knock-Down, Drag-out, Drugged-up Battle With My Brain



DANIEL X: DEMONS AND DRUIDS by James Patterson and Adam Sadler (Little, Brown, July 2010)


Source of ARCs: From publisher at various conferences

*Please note ARC covers are not necessarily the same as the final covers!

For your chance to win these ARCs, all you need to do is:

1) Follow this blog
2) Follow The Texas Sweethearts blog
3) Comment on this blog post


For extra entries:

1) Blog about this contest and leave a comment telling me
2) Tweet about this contest and leave a comment telling me


And make sure you leave me a way to get in contact with you when you win!

The contest will run through midnight on Friday, December 24, 2010!

*****

And don't forget I also have for giveaway

A PLAYAWAY of THE HUNGER GAMES.
Click here to enter.

Critter is Finally up for Auction!

The big moment has finally come.
The darling Critter who has traveled the world and been signed by authors and illustrators aplenty is finally up for auction!
And the best part?

100% of the final sale price will support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

So bid now, bid often, and let that competitive spirit of support take over!


From ebay:

For over 14 months Critter has traveled the world visiting talented writers, artists, and authors: while exploring their world. Christy Evers sent out Critter after an interactive art project, directed by the cutting edge artist, Ian Sands.


Critter has visited (and was signed) by PJ Hoover (author of the Forgotten Worlds trilogy) and the Texas Sweethearts, in Texas. Beth Revis in North Carolina (whose debut novel, Across the Universe, coming out in January 2011, is expected to be a HUGE success!). Christina Farley in Korea, New England with Nandini Bajpai, Illinois with Kelly Polark, (who is frequented in Highlights magazine), MG Higgins in California, Rena Jones (author of multiple picture books) in Montana, Cynthia Leitich Smith (NY Times best-selling author) in Texas, Bish Denham in the Virgin Islands, Jacqui Robbins (author of "The New Kid and Me", and "Two of a Kind") in Michigan, Tina Ferraro, (author of "How to Hook a Hottie, Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress, and The ABC's of Kissing Boys) in California, Cynthia Chapman Willis, (Picture book author of "Dog Gone" and "Buck Fever") in New Jersey, Jill S. Alexander, (YA author of "The Sweetheart of Prosper County") in Texas, Ellen Oh in Virginia, Alberta, Canada with Angela Ackerman (the blog-genius behind the "Writing Thesaurus". The World-famous artist, Robert Bateman, also signed Critter (on his backside) as an honorary host.

Critter's Travels have caused him to be beaten around the edges and cracked just a bit, but I think that adds to his charm . . . scarred like a foam-board Indian Jones (for St. Jude) or something like that. It hasn't taken away from the integrity of the signatures, though. He has traveled the globe in 14 months. He looks pretty good (for being handled by the U.S. post office) The signatures of fabulous people (in addition to his worthy cause) well makes up for his worn edges. Upon his return trip to me he was cracked a bit, but it was easily repaired with super glue.

The winning bidder will receive THE autographed (by the notable people mentioned above) Critter as well as a 20-page scrapbook documenting his travels.

He will be shipped in the flag-case, as shown in the picture, along with the 20 page scrapbook (designed by Snapfish).

You can view Critter's travels on the sidebar of my blog at http://ChristysCreativeSpace.blogspot...


CLICK HERE TO CHECK CRITTER'S AUCTION OUT!