2013 Debut Author Challenge-- November Update

2013 Debut Author Challenge

Challenge Goals

I love the Debut Author Challenge because it accomplishes two very awesome things – obviously it helps debut authors out with exposure, but it also helps readers find debut books that they might have otherwise missed, and I think that’s pretty awesome.

So, with that in mind, I’m asking that each participant come up with a list of at least twelve (12) debut books to read and review in 2013. You can read as many as you want, but in order to be eligible for the grand prize, you must have read and reviewed at least twelve (12).

Rules/Guidelines

Just a few simple rules/guidelines to help things run smoothly!

1) You must have a blog, a Goodreads account, a YouTube account, an Amazon account – any where you can post your reviews and share them with others.
2) There is no deadline to join the 2013 Debut Author Challenge, but make sure you give yourself enough time to achieve the goal!
3) ARCs of 2013 debuts read before January 01, 2013 do not count towards your challenge goal.
4) The 2013 debuts must be read between January 01, 2013 – January 31, 2014 to count for the 2013 Debut Author Challenge. The extra month is to allow participants more time to read the December releases.
4) 2013 debuts must be young adult or middle grade in order to count towards the challenge.
5) The title must be the author’s young adult or middle grade debut. If they have previously published an adult title, and this is their first young adult/middle grade title, that counts towards the challenge. If this is their second young adult/middle grade title, it does not count towards the challenge.
6) If you’re a blogger in the US, all debuts must be US debuts to count towards your challenge goal. Likewise, if you’re a UK blogger, all debuts must be UK debuts to count towards to your challenge goal, and same goes for other countries.
Note: I’m removing this rule. I was under the impression that it was easier to buy debuts in your own country, but based on feedback I’ve received in comments and e-mails, it sounds like it’s not! So if you live in Australia or India or wherever, and it’s easier for you to buy a US/UK debut on your kindle or purchase a book through the Book Depository or whatever, go for it – that will count.
7) Each review equals one entry in the monthly prize pack. If you post six review of debut titles in January, you have six entries to win the January prize pack.

Sign-Ups

That’s it! That’s all the rules for joining and participating! There is more information here regarding contests and other resources for the challenge.

Here are some buttons for challenge participants – but feel free to make your own!

If you are an author and interested in what you can do, please click here!

 

1.  Pivot Point by Kasie West
2. Dualed by Elsie Chapman 
3. The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd
4.  Pretty Girl-13 by Liz Coley
5.  Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland
6.  Poison by Bridget Zinn
7.  The Rules for Disappearing by Ashley Elston
8.  The Year of the Great Seventh by Teresa Orts
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2013 ARC Reading Challenge-- November Update

2013 ARC Reading Challenge

The Levels

Level Bronze: .a. All of us who have or will have less than 12 ARCS must read all of the ARCS we have. Note, that if you have 11 ARC's and then receive a 12th one you will be bumped up to category b.
b. All of us who have or will have 12 or more than 12 ARCS must read and review at least 12.
Level Silver: Read 24 ARCS
Level Gold: Read 30 ARCS
Level Platinum: Read 35 or more ARCS

Rules:

To sign up, leave a direct link to your blog post about this challenge. Please leave a comment as well.

• You Can join this challenge at anytime throughout the year.
• You don't have to make a list of which ARC's you plan to read, but you can if you want.
• If you choose a lower level, you can always change it to a higher level if you like. However, you cannot go from a higher level back down to a lower level.
• Crossovers with other challenges are allowed and Audio-books and ebooks are allowed as long as they are ARC's.
• Read the books and review them on your blog. If you don't have a blog, you can post your review on sites like Powells, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc.

~I am trying for platinum again.

1.  Crash (Visions #1) by Lisa McMann
2.  Pivot Point by Kasie West
3.  Dualed by Elsie Chapman
4.  Shadows in the Silence (Angelfire #3) by Courtney Allison Moulton
5.  Sever (The Chemical Garden Trilogy #3) by Lauren DeStefano
6.  The Elite (The Selection #2) by Kiera Cass
7.  The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd
8.  Pretty Girl-13 by Liz Coley
9.  Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland
10.  Poison by Bridget Zinn
11.  Love in the Time of Global Warming by Francesca Lia Block
12.  The Rules (Project Paper Doll #1) by Stacey Kade
13.  Siege and Storm (The Grisha #2) by Leigh Bardugo
14.  Invisible Girl by Mary Hanlon Stone
15.  The Rules for Disappearing by Ashley Elston
16.  Furious by Jill Wolfson
17.  The Returners by Gemma Malley
18.  Heartbeat by Elizabeth Scott
19.  Eve (Rise #3) by Anna Carey
20.  Spies and Prejudice by Talia Vance
21.  Dirty Little Secret by Jennifer Echols
22.  Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2) by Sarah J. Maas
23.  Alienated by Melissa Landers
24.  Wait for You by J. Lynn
25.  Frigid by J. Lynn
26.  The Infinite Moment of Us by Lauren Myracle
27.  The Dream Thieves (The Raven Cycle #2) by Maggie Stiefvater
28.  Things I Can't Forget by Miranda Kenneally
29.  Perfect Ruin (The Internment Chronicles #1) by Lauren DeStefano
30.  Shadow of the Mark (Carrier #2) by Leigh Fallon
31.  Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
32.  Racing Savannah (Hundred Oaks #4) by Miranda Kenneally
33.  
34.  

2013 150+ Reading Challenge-- November Update

2013 150+ Reading Challenge

DETAILS/RULES:

 

1. The goal is to read 150 or more books. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate. Posting on GoodReads or wherever you post your reviews is good enough.

2. Allowed are: Audio, Re-reads, eBooks, YA, Manga, Graphic Novels, Library books, Novellas, Young Reader, Nonfiction – as long as the book has an ISBN or equivalent or can be purchased as such, the book counts.

What doesn't count: Individual short stories or individual books in the Bible and comic books.

3. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.

4. Crossovers from other reading challenges count.

5. Challenge begins January 1st, 2013 thru December 31, 2013. Books started before the 1st do not count. You can join at anytime.

 

1.  Crash (Visions #1) by Lisa McMann
2.  Pug Hill by Alison Pace
3.  Pivot Point by Kasie West
4.  Dualed by Elsie Chapman
5.  Shadows in the Silence (Angelfire #3) by Courtney Allison Moulton
6.  Fever (The Chemical Garden Trilogy #2) by Lauren DeStefano
7.  Sever (The Chemical Garden Trilogy #3) by Lauren DeStefano
8.  Eternal by H.G. Nadel
9.  The Elite (The Selection #2) by Kiera Cass
10.  The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd
11.  Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
12.  Pretty Girl-13 by Liz Coley
13.  Shut Up by Anne Tibbets
14.  Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland
15.  Poison by Bridget Zinn
16.  Love in the Time of Global Warming by Francesca Lia Block
17.  Before I Wake (Soul Screamers #6) by Rachel Vincent
18.  The Rules (Project Paper Doll #1) by Stacey Kade
19.  Siege and Storm (The Grisha #2) by Leigh Bardugo
20.  The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult
21.  Invisible Girl by Mary Hanlon Stone
22.  The Rules for Disappearing by Ashley Elston
23.  The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
24.  Furious by Jill Wolfson
25.  The Returners by Gemma Malley
26.  Heartbeat by Elizabeth Scott
27.  Rise (Eve #3) by Anna Carey
28.  Spies and Prejudice by Talia Vance
29.  Disneylanders by Kate Abbott
30.  Dirty Little Secret by Jennifer Echols
31.  Requiem (Delirium #3) by Lauren Oliver
32.  With All My Soul (Soul Screamers #7) by Rachel Vincent
33.  Never to Sleep (Soul Screamers #5.5) by Rachel Vincent
34.  The Cinderella Pact by Sarah Strohmeyer
35.  The Sleeping Beauty Proposal by Sarah Strohmeyer
36. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas 
37.  Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2) by Sarah J. Maas
38.  Artichoke's Heart by Suzanne Supplee
39.  The Year of the Great Seventh by Teresa Orts
40.  The Assassin and the Pirate Lord (Throne of Glass #0.1) by Sarah J. Maas
41.  Ralph's Party by Lisa Jewell
42.  Alienated by Melissa Landers
43.  Wait for You by J. Lynn
44.  The Assassin and the Dessert (Throne of Glass #0.2) by Sarah J. Maas)
45. On the Island by Tracey Garvis Graves 
46.  Frigid by J. Lynn
47. The Infinite Moment of Us by Lauren Myracle
48.  The Dream Thieves (The Raven Cycle #2) by Maggie Stiefvater
49.  Things I Can't Forget by Miranda Kenneally
50.  Perfect Ruin (The Internment Chronicles #1) by Lauren DeStefano
51.  Shadow of the Mark (Carrier #2) by Leigh Fallon
52.  Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
53.  Demonglass (Hex Hall #2) by Rachel Hawkins
54.  Racing Savannah (Hundred Oaks #4) by Miranda Kenneally
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In My Mailbox- October 28, 2013

In My Mailbox: Here's what I got in my mailbox last week

MONDAY

Racing Savannah (Hundred Oaks #4)- Miranda Kenneally--review for an Around the World ARC Tour

Love Waltzes In- Alana Albertson--from publisher for review











TUESDAY

The Dark Unwinding- Sharon Cameron--from publisher for review











WEDNESDAY

The Beautiful and the Damned- Jessica Verday--review for an Around the World ARC Tour

The Sunday Salon- October 27, 2013

The Sunday Salon

I finished and reviewed the following books last week:

Demonglass (Hex Hall #2) by Rachel Hawkins

Racing Savannah (Hundred Oaks #4) by Miranda Kenneally











I fulfilled items in the following challenges last week:
2013 150+ Reading Challenge: 53, 54
2013 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 42, 43
2013 ARC Reading Challenge: 32
2013 Quick Fix Challenge: 22

I'm not currently reading anything because I'm waiting for a tour book to come in!

Book Review- Racing Savannah

I finished Racing Savannah (Hundred Oaks #4) by Miranda Kenneally today for an Around the World ARC Tour.

From Goodreads:

They’re from two different worlds.

He lives in the estate house, and she spends most of her time in the stables helping her father train horses. In fact, Savannah has always been much more comfortable around horses than boys. Especially boys like Jack Goodwin—cocky, popular and completely out of her league. She knows the rules: no mixing between the staff and the Goodwin family. But Jack has no such boundaries.

With her dream of becoming a horse jockey, Savannah isn’t exactly one to follow the rules either. She’s not going to let someone tell her a girl isn’t tough enough to race. Sure, it’s dangerous. Then again, so is dating Jack…

Usually I find the books in this series way too religious.  But I was happy when I realized that there wasn't a hint of any religion in this book.  Yay!  And it was by far my favorite of the series!

I loved the topic--horseback riding.  I've secretly always loved horses and wanted to learn how to ride them.  So this book was fascinating to me.  I loved reading about being a jockey.

And I loved Savannah (love the name too!)  Her humor was great and she was so strong even though she was raised in a way that I'm not used to--poor with college  not a given.  I'm still not exactly sold on Jack though.  He grew on me by the end, but during the story, I wasn't sure how he was going to turn out.

I really enjoyed this one!

Racing Savannah will be released on December 3, 2013

I gave this book a rating of 4/5.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2013 150+ Reading Challenge: 54
2013 ARC Reading Challenge: 32
2013 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 43
2013 Quick Fix Challenge: 22

*FTC Disclosure: I was given this book for free for an honest review as part of the Around the World Tours.

Book Review- Demonglass

I finished reading Demonglass (Hex Hall #2) by Rachel Hawkins on Tuesday.

From Goodreads:

Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch. That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a

reform school for delinquent Prodigium (a.k.a. witches, shape-shifters, and faeries). But then she discovered the family secret, and the fact that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.

Turns out, Sophie's a demon, one of only two in the world-the other being her father. What's worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will either destroy her powers for good-or kill her.

But once Sophie arrives, she makes a shocking discovery. Her new housemates? They're demons too. Meaning, someone is raising demons in secret, with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they're using Archer to do it. But it's not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?

This second book in the Hex Hall series had me entertained the whole time.  I didn't want to put the  book down!  I once again absolutely loved Sophie's sense of humor.  She's just so sarcastic and I can completely relate. 

There were definitely some little parts of the book that I didn't see coming.  Especially at the end!  I liked the little love triangle that was going on (though I'm not really sure you can call it a love triangle) but once you read the book, you'll understand what I'm saying. 

And I want to know what's going to happen next.  I need to get my hands on the third (and fourth!) books in the series!

I gave this book a rating of 4/5.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2013 150+ Reading Challenge: 53
2013 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 42
*FTC Disclosure: I traded this book with a friend.

In My Mailbox- October 21, 2013

In My Mailbox: Here's what I got in my mailbox last week

TUESDAY

Love Struck- Chantel Guertin--contest win from Goodreads











FRIDAY

The Supreme Macaroni Company- Adriana Trigiani--contest win from Goodreads

The Sunday Salon- October 21, 2013

The Sunday Salon
I finished and reviewed the following books last week:

Shadow of the Mark (Carrier #2) by Leigh Fallon

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins











I fulfilled items in the following challenges last week:
2013 150+ Reading Challenge: 51, 52
2013 ARC Reading Challenge: 30, 31
2013 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 40, 41
2013 Sophomore Reading Challenge: 5
2013 Embarrassment of Riches TBR Reading Challenge: 6

I am currently reading Demonglass (Hex Hall #2) by Rachel Hawkins and up next is Racing Savannah by Miranda Kenneally.

Book Review- Hex Hall

I just finished reading Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins.

From Goodreads:

Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes.

Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European warlock--only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.
 
By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire student on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.
 
As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.

Cindy from Princess Bookie knows what's on my bookshelves and asked if she could pick what I read next.  I said sure and she picked Hex Hall for me since I love books about boarding schools.  And she was sooo right!  I loved this book!

This book was light and funny and I loved Sophie's sense of humor.  I also loved her sense of loyalty and her good heart.  I also enjoyed the side characters of Elodie and Archer.  I certainly didn't want to like Elodie but for some reason I did.  And Archer too!

This book was a fun way of looking at the life of witches, fairies, shapeshifters, werewolves, and vampires.  I loved how they all interacted and lived together. 

There were some surprises that I enjoyed and didn't see coming.  Always love when that happens!  I have the next book in the series, Demonglass, in my hands and I can't wait to start!

I gave this book a 4.5 out of 5 rating.

This book fulfills items in the following challenges:
2013 150+ Reading Challenge: 52
2013 ARC Reading Challenge: 31
2013 Young Adult Reading Challenge: 41
2013 Embarrassment of Riches TBR Reading Challenge: 6

*FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher for a review.