Sixth Annual International HOLIDAY #READATHON

Sixth Annual International 

HOLIDAY #READATHON

DECEMBER 4th-6th, 2015

This is the NO PRESSURE, READ AS MUCH AS YOU WANT #Readathon

I'm Joli, your new host and I'm overjoyed that you've joined me here to participate. This #readathon is one of my favorite book events of the year and I was more than happy to takeover when Liza at WhoRuBlog asked me to host this year. (She has a new book out, HELLO?, you may have heard of it, and it is keeping her SUPER BUSY). I've participated in the Holiday #Readathon every year and want to keep the tradition going!

To participate: SIGN UP using Mister Linky below and READ. 
That's It!!
You can use your blog, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter accounts to join.

BONUS:

Everyone who signs up through Mr. Linky below is entered for a chance to win a fantastic giveaway from Books of Wonder. One winner will have the opportunity to select two signed books from Books of Wonder http://www.booksofwonder.com/  (Total value not to exceed $40.00)

(If the winner is outside of the US, the prize will two books from The Book Depository - not to exceed $40)

BONUS 2.0

When we have 100 participants sign-up, a second giveaway will be offered.

You do not need to participate in the mini-challenges to qualify.

 If you have any questions or you are an author/blogger who would like to offer a mini-challenge, feel free to contact me (Liza) at whorublog@aol.com - See more at: http://www.whorublog.com/category/readathon/#sthash.rTBseGvy.dpuf

 If you have any questions about the #Readathon or if you are an author or blogger who would like to host a mini-challenge, please send an email to: actinupwb (at) gmail (dot) com.

 If you have any questions or you are an author/blogger who would like to offer a mini-challenge, feel free to contact me (Liza) at whorublog@aol.com - See more at: http://www.whorublog.com/category/readathon/#sthash.rTBseGvy.dpuf

MINI- CHALLENGES
(I'll update the mini-challenges as they are confirmed)

1. My Mini-Challenge - Prize: a $20.00 gift certificate to Amazon, Barnes and Noble or The Book Depository. To enter: GIVE

1. Pledge a penny or two or three (or any amount you want!) per page that you read. Put a minimum number that you will pledge. For example: 100 pages – $1.00. And then donate the amount to your favorite charity.
OR
2. ANY type of donation for the holiday season – a can(s) of food, book to a library, Toy for Tots, gently used books or clothes donated to a shelter, school – qualifies. OR volunteer your time at, for example, a soup kitchen or food bank. Just list it. (Feel free to come up with your own ideas!)
3. Click on comments below and share your pledge/donation. THIS IS ON THE HONOR SYSTEM!
(again, you do not have to participate in this mini-challenge to participate in the readathon)

2. Hosted by Liza Wiemer - author of Hello? (challenge is live)


The Hello? Inspired Challenge (submit entries here - WhoRuBlog) : 

A holiday tradition in Emerson's family is everyone receives a book. Essentially, that's the only "physical" gift they will get. Their big gift is a family activity, like a road trip to the caves of Kentucky or a trip to Memphis to see the Civil Rights Museum or a trip to Chicago to explore museums.

My mini-challenge is: what book would you give as a holiday gift and why?

Extra entry: If you chose to pass on other holiday gifts and instead decide to take a road trip within reasonable distance of your home (so it's affordable) where would you take a few days off to spend quality time with your loved one(s)?

PRIZE: International - 2 random winners will receive an annotated copy of my debut YA novel Hello? (US/CAN). International winners will receive non-annotated copies from The Book Depository.

3. Hosted by Meg and Kassiah of Swoony Boys Podcast
If you've been to our site before you know we are all about the swoon. So what could be better than combining the Holidays AND swoon? Nothing! For our mini-challenge we want you to tell us which fictional boy you would want to kiss under the mistletoe and why!

One lucky winner will receive a swoon-worthy prize pack from us!

To enter, Tweet your swoony-worthy fictional boy to @SwoonyBoys with #Readathon any time during the readathon to be entered in giveaway. One winner will be selected at the end of the readathon on December 6th.

4. Hosted by Alexa of Alexa Loves Books 

NOT-SO-SECRET SANTA MINI-CHALLENGE - begins Dec. 4th

Happy Holidays, my friends! For this mini-challenge, there are only two things (and a bonus!) you need to do in order to be entered to win the $25 worth of books on Amazon or Book Depository. I wanted to keep things sweet and simple, and bring some Christmas cheer to this bookish event, so here we go:


1. Pick a book character. (Or two.) (Or three.)

2. Tell me what gift(s) you'd like to give him or her in a comment on this post.

3. You can get a bonus entry if you write a post for this challenge. Just leave a link in your comment!


That's all there is to it! You'll automatically be entered to win the prize. Please note that this giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY through 12/6. I will be verifying every single entry, and the winner will be chosen randomly.  Have fun Christmas shopping for your favorites!

Submit entries here: http://www.alexalovesbooks.com/2015/12/not-so-secret-santa-mini-challenge.html 

5. Hosted by Karen Ann Hopkins - author of the Temptation series, Serenity's Plain Secrets series, and The Wings of War Series
Prize - A set of Embers and Gaia from The Wings of War Series 

For my challenge, I want you to share your favorite comfort read with me. Tell me the book that you return to time and again or the book that holds a special place in your heart. 

To enter, Tweet answer to @KarenAnnHopkins with #Readathon any time during the readathon to be entered in giveaway. One winner will be selected at the end of the readathon on December 6th.

6. Hosted by Katie Kacvinsky - author of the Awaken series and First Comes Love series

PRIZE: I'm going to giveaway an autographed copy of First Comes Love.

To enter, tell me what your favorite romantic comedy movie is (and share mine). Tweet answer to @TheWeirdests with #Readathon any time during the readathon to be entered in giveaway and win one an autographed copy of First Comes Love.

7. Hosted by Adam of Roof Beam Reader

The Mini-Challenge:
“Silver Bells” is a classic Christmas song, one I love to hear every year. Something about it just helps me get into the spirit of things. So, YOUR task is this: Leave a comment telling us about a book that resonates with you around the holiday time.
Is there a seasonal favorite you read every year? One you received as a gift for Christmas or Hanukkah or even Festivus, and now always reminds you of the holidays?  This one’s pretty open to interpretation – just be sure to share the book and the reason why it represents the holidays to you.

Prize: The winner will receive one book of his/her choice, priced less than $20 USD, to be shipped from The Book Depository. This is an international prize, but be sure to check that The Book Depository ships to your location! Good luck & happy holidays!

Submit your entries here: http://roofbeamreader.com/2015/12/04/holiday-readathon-silver-bells-mini-challenge/

8. Hosted by Brooke of Brooke Blogs 
Prize: $5 Amazon gift card
The Mini Bookmas Tree challenge. :) 

To enter, Participants can make a mini book tree out of some of their favorite books (decorations/lights optional) and share a picture of it on their blog, twitter, facebook, etc. with the #BookmasTree and tag me - 
Twitter - @xbrookeb28x
Instagram - @xbrookeb28x
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BrookeBlogs

You can also submit links to your entries here: http://www.brookeblogs.com/holiday-readathon-mini-bookmas-tree-challenge/

9. Hosted by Cylin Busby - author of The Year We Disappeared, Blink Once, and the upcoming middle-grade novel The Nine Lives of Jacob Tibbs

Prize - A YA book by Cylin Busby
“What would you give your favorite fictional character for the holidays?” Tweet answer to @cylinbusby with #Readathon any time during the readathon to be entered in giveaway and win one of Cylin’s YA books.

10. Hosted by Roger Charlie Publicity

Prize - a selection of fantasy and mystery books by authors Mark Stevens - The Allison Coil Mystery Series, Linda Joffe Hull - The Mrs. Frugalicious Mystery Series, 

Frog Kisses, and C.R. Richards 

To enter: Tell me your favorite holiday drink or sweet treat. Fill out the rafflecopter 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

11. Hosted by Deb of Read Write Tell

Prize: ENTER TO WIN up to 30.00 worth of books from Book Depository.

The Challenge(s):

First Entry 

Let me know one or some favourite all time book/s. 

Extra Entry

Donate to your local support group. Your choice of what and how! A simple donated is all I need, but do share who and what if you like.

Extra Extra Entry

Reading Slump Tips. My teen book club members and I have been talking book reading slumps lately  What do you do to end the slump? Relax and wait it out? Keep on trying? I'll share your tips.

You have until the end of the read-thon (Dec. 6). I will draw for a winner Monday morning (Dec. 7) Be sure to leave me an email or link to your twitter or blog so I can contact you! 

Submit your entries here: 

http://www.readwritetell.com/2015/12/holiday-readathon.html

Mini-challenges/giveaways end on Sunday, December 6th at midnight PST. Please note that all the bloggers/authors have their own rules for their challenges.

Please share what you’re reading and your progress during the Readathon on Twitter by including in your tweet – Holiday #Readathon.

Twitter Party

Sunday, December 6th, 9 - 10 p.m. EST. Follow along using #READATHON. We'll talk about the books we're reading and holiday memories. There will be several giveaways during the party, so make sure to join in the fun!

This readathon is meant to be a fun, no pressure event. Read as much or as little as you want and you can start any time during the weekend. I'll be cheering you on!! 

Sign Up Here with Mister Linky:

Twitter Party

Sunday, December 7th, 9-10PM EST, which can be accessed by entering #Readathon. We’ll talk about the books we are reading and holiday memories and anything else you’d like to share. I will be hosting several giveaways during that time.

Remember, this is a set-your-own-pace/start-whenever-you-want #readathon. Don’t wear yourself out. I’ll be cheering you all on and checking up on your progress. Have FUN!

- See more at: http://www.whorublog.com/category/readathon/#sthash.AVDXfSoG.xol4AnPB.dpuf

Mini–challenges:

I will be updating the list of CONFIRMED bloggers/authors who are participating in giveaways as they come in as well as their mini-challenges/giveaways.

- See more at: http://www.whorublog.com/category/readathon/#sthash.AVDXfSoG.xol4AnPB.dpuf

Mini–challenges:

I will be updating the list of CONFIRMED bloggers/authors who are participating in giveaways as they come in as well as their mini-challenges/giveaways.

- See more at: http://www.whorublog.com/category/readathon/#sthash.AVDXfSoG.xol4AnPB.dpuf

Restless Waters by Jessica Park: Audiobook Release and Giveaway

I am so excited to celebrate the audio release of Restless Waters by Jessica Park! 

 

RESTLESS WATERS Audiobook

Author: Jessica Park

Narrated by Arielle DeLisle

Music by Troy

Release date: November 2015

Goodreads  |  Amazon

A storm is coming, and with storms come restless waters.

Pulled from the depths of catastrophe and depression, Blythe McGuire has learned to escape from her past while embracing the future. A future now entwined with the Shepherd siblings.

With Chris, she shares a staggering romance that kicks heartbreak’s ass.

With Sabin, she shares an intense friendship, one that’s becoming more complicated than either had expected. A friendship now being put to the test because Sabin’s brutal past still haunts him. Because trauma is the gift that keeps on giving without mercy.

Now Sabin is the one left drowning and struggling to breathe, and his turmoil threatens to send all three into dark currents they cannot escape. Even after going through her own hell, saving Sabin will take much more than Blythe had anticipated. Their connection and their love could help, but getting him to reach for her hand could be Blythe’s biggest challenge ever.

 

 

From Author Jessica Park

Gah! I am so excited for the release of the Restless Waters audiobook! It’s always exciting when a book I’ve written comes to life in a new form, but this project snowballed into something more beautiful than I could have imagined. I wasn’t sure I was even going to do an audiobook, but then I reconnected with my fabulous Left Drowning narrator, Arielle DeLisle. Once she was on board, my enthusiasm for creating this version of my book soared. She understands my characters as well as I do, and she’s the only person in the world I would entrust to deliver their voices.

So, as thrilled as I was to have her attached to this project, there was one idea I had to present, and I wasn’t sure how it would go over with her...

Restless Waters includes lyrics from my friend and phenomenally talented musician, Troy. Beyond that, he actually wrote a song for me! Er, well, for the book. “Coward” is the powerful single he created, and everything about it reaches into my heart. More music from the book is available on his recently released EP, When The Lights Came, and he’ll also be releasing more music from the book soon!

So, I couldn’t imagine having these lyrics narrated... I mean, it’s one thing to read the lyrics in the context of the book, because it’s sort of the equivalent of poetry, but I felt sure something would really be lost if they were read aloud. More than that, we had an opportunity to do something incredibly unique and dynamic.

Because Arielle is a sassy rule breaker and a rebel, like I am, she agreed: We would ask Troy to record acoustic versions of his music to incorporate into the audiobook.

And then Troy agreed.

And then suddenly the three of us were working together seamlessly on this production! An indie trifecta, each of us bringing something different to this work, and all of us supporting and cheering on the other. It was an extraordinary experience.

Troy and I have been trying to work together for years (his former band, In Like Lions, is mentioned in Flat-Out Love!), and we finally got our chance. Troy is, without a doubt, the voice of Sabin. Nobody sings with Troy’s level of passion, emotion, depth, soul, and beauty. It was an honor to use his lyrics in the text of the book, but hearing his voice as Sabin’s in the audiobook is phenomenally moving, and I am so grateful for all the work he put in. Troy also narrates the chapter titles and opening lyrics, and I think it’s just perfect having him as Sabin doing those introductory pieces.

As far as the three of us know, an audiobook that incorporates music as the Restless Waters one does hasn’t been done before, so that’s another thrill for us! Listeners not only get to savor Arielle’s perfect narration (Man, does she capture these characters and all the ups and downs of the story!), but they get to hear what it would be like to be right there with Sabin as he sings and plays guitar.

We are so proud of this audiobook and terribly excited for fans of the Left Drowning series to take a listen!

Here’s sample from the audiobook with a scene that features Blythe andSabin… and also an exclusive first listen to Sabin (well, Troy!) singing “CityLights.” Enjoy!

 

From narrator Arielle DeLisle

Restless Waters was a project I held very close to my heart. The timing of how it came together for me -- as a narrator and collaborator and fan of the prequel I'd recorded 2 years ago -- was truly a beautiful experience for me. It's one of my favorite projects I've worked on, ever. To say this was an intense recording experience would be an understatement! Not only was this thick with emotion and depth, which required a lot from me as a narrator, a challenge I absolutely loved, but it also is an exceptionally unique multimedia audiobook. I could not imagine a better suited team, all of us with our own personal connections to the work, and all driven toward the end-product being as great as we could make it. 

Working with Troy and his producer, Dante, to get just the right feel and timing to allow the story to unfold around and on top of the music was a beautiful enhancement to this already moving story. I have a background in commercial production and was able to facilitate this collaboration, and Jessica and I were on the same page -- if we break the rules of how audiobooks are produced, it has to have meaning and it has to be perfect. The script informs the narration, introducing the music adds dimension to the tone, and the blend of narration and music work together to create an atmosphere that you just don't get when it's only one piece or the other. I love what we've done and couldn't be happier with how it all came together.

 

Read Restless Waters, Chapters 1-2

http://www.jessicapark.me/preview-chapters.html

 

  

 

GIVEAWAY

3 winners will receive Left Drowning (ebook) via Amazon

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About Jessica Park

Jessica is the author of LEFT DROWNING, the New York Times bestselling FLAT-OUT LOVE (and the companion piece FLAT-OUT MATT), and RELATIVELY FAMOUS. She lives in New Hampshire where she spends an obscene amount time thinking about rocker boys and their guitars, complex caffeinated beverages, and tropical vacations. On the rare occasions that she is able to focus on other things, she writes.

Please visit her at jessicapark.me and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/authorjessicapark and Twitter @JessicaPark24

Connect with Troy

Website: http://troy-music.com 

SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/troy-ramey

Instagram (@iamtroymusic):  http://instagram.com/iamtroymusic

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5LpElf1fSSqU6eOTzU7xbq

YouTube: http://youtube.com/troyrmusic

Twitter: (@iamtroymusic) http://twitter.com/iamtroymusic

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/troy.ramey.96

 

BETWEEN THE NOTES by Sharon Huss Roat - Guest Post and Giveaway

Between the Notes

by Sharon Huss Roat 

Release Date: 06/16/15

Harper Teen

382 pages

Summary from Goodreads:

When Ivy Emerson’s family loses their house—complete with her beloved piano—the fear of what’s to come seizes her like a bad case of stage fright. Only this isn’t one of her single, terrifying performances. It’s her life.

And it isn’t pretty.

Ivy is forced to move with her family out of their affluent neighborhood to Lakeside, also known as “the wrong side of the tracks.” Hiding the truth from her friends—and the cute new guy in school, who may have secrets of his own—seems like a good idea at first. But when a bad boy next door threatens to ruin everything, Ivy’s carefully crafted lies begin to unravel . . . and there is no way to stop them.

As things get to the breaking point, Ivy turns to her music, some unlikely new friends, and the trusting heart of her disabled little brother. She may be surprised that not everyone is who she thought they were . . . including herself.

Debut author Sharon Huss Roat crafts a charming and timely story of what happens when life as you know it flips completely upside down.

Buy Links:

Local Bookseller  I  B&N  I  Amazon  I  HarperCollins  I  Books-a-Million

Book Title Brain Dump: A Top Ten List of Rejected Titles for BETWEEN THE NOTES by Sharon Huss Roat

I learned recently that R.L. Stine, author of the Goosebumps books, starts writing ONLY after he is inspired by a great title. As someone who always struggles to find the perfect title, I’m more than a little jealous. Here’s a look at some of the titles I threw out there in the process of naming BETWEEN THE NOTES. Thankfully, none of them stuck.

1) IVY’S TOWER – This was original title, which I thought was a clever play on the term “Ivory Tower”—a nod to Ivy’s fall from affluence that also referred to the very skinny, tall, apartment house where her family moves. Alas, my publisher thought it sounded too young. I was asked to submit other ideas. Hence:

2) A GIRL, HER BEST FRIEND, TWO BOYS, AND A SONG - A longer version of this title might’ve included “A PIANO, HER DISABLED LITTLE BROTHER, A GIRL WITH A CLARINET, THAT DUSTY UKELELE, HER PARENTS, A BICYCLE…” Yeah. Listing everything and everyone in the book does not a title make.

3) IVY DOESN’T LIVE HERE ANYMORE - Nope. She moved. And the story is about what happens in the new place, not in the place she doesn’t live anymore. So, never mind.

4) HOW TO RUIN PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING - This is the title you come up when you’re pulling out your hair out trying to capture in a few words what the book is about and… you fail.

5) PULLING SECRETS FROM A SHELF - When you’re thinking about the part of the story where someone is leaving secret notes for Ivy on a shelf, and then the song “Pulling Mussels from a Shell” gets in your head, and isn’t this the most brilliant title ever? No? FINE.

6) MUCH ADO ABOUT GATSBY AND PONY BOY - There’s some Shakespeare in the story, and The Great Gatsby makes an appearance, as well as The Outsiders. So, OF COURSE the perfect title would somehow combine all of that. Right? WRONG.

7) DISCOMPOSING IVY - Work with me, here. Ivy composes music to calm herself, but has to leave her piano behind and she’s kind of falling apart. She’s… discomposing? Ew, that sounds like DECOMPOSING, doesn’t it? And this is not a zombie story. Nobody’s earlobes are rotting off.

8) OPUS DISASTEROUS - Music theme? Search musical terms and try to rhyme them with words that vaguely describe what your main character is facing, and… TA DA! *Slinks back into cave where horrible title-writers live.

9) UNTANGLING IVY - One of many titles I came up with that tried to capture Ivy’s struggle as if Ivy, the plant, was actually strangling her. (TWISTING IVY, TURNING IVY, THROWING IVY, anyone?)

10) BAD BOY NEXT DOOR - Refer to rejected title Number 2, except pick just one character. The  

hottest one, preferably. But, what about that other hot boy? BAD BOY NEXT DOOR AND THAT TOTALLY SWOONY OTHER GUY. Too long? Dang.

In the end, my friend and fellow HarperCollins author Hilary T. Smith (WILD AWAKE, A SENSE OF THE INFINITE) suggested “In Between the Notes.” I added it to the list, my editor shortened it to BETWEEN THE NOTES, and a title was born. (And lived!)

About the Author

Sharon Huss Roat lives in Delaware with her husband and two kids. When not writing books for young adults, you might find her reading (YA of course), planting vegetables in her backyard garden, or sewing costumes for a school musical. BETWEEN THE NOTES is her first novel.

Author Links:

   

GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway