All Hallows Eve . . .

So, I've come to the realization that I really love Halloween--in  a theoretical way. I love the idea of dressing up, and every year I come up with elaborate couples costume for my husband and I to wear (this year we'll don  hypothetical Marie Antoinette and Count Fersen costumes--it's an EVERMORE thing!). But the truth is, it never really gets past the idea stage--I haven't dressed up in over a decade.

As a kid, I always had the coolest costumes on the block. Though it had nothing to do with me, it was all because of my mom. I had one of those mom's that made everything from scratch--hand embroidery, smocking on my dresses--it was no problem for her. Though my favorite costume of all was the turquoise blue fringed flapper dress with the matching boa and feather headband she made--I didn't want to take it off--and would kill 

for that costume today! 

And when it came to candy, I was all about the Butterfinger. M&M's, candy corn, they all had their place, but give me a bite sized Butterfinger and I was in heaven!

But today, I'm not so big on candy. And when it comes to passing it out--well, it's a hit or miss thing. Some years I'm home with a bowl full of the good stuff (ie Butterfingers, Krackle, and M&Ms), and other years I purposely stay away until it's safe to come home.

Mine is not a house you can count on.

So tonight, whether I'm home between the magic hours of 6-9 remains to be seen, though by ten o'clock you can find me curled up on my couch, wearing my PJs, watching a season two DVD of DEXTER. And on Sunday, in the interest of "research," I'll be getting a past life regression with Dr. Brian Weiss-- I wonder what I will see???  Last time it wasn't at all what I expected . . .

Oh, and if you haven't done so already, make sure you head over to Jessica Brody's brand spankin' new Free Book Friday for Teens.  She's kicking it off by giving away the only remaining EVERMORE ARCs, and since the book doesn't drop until Feb 3, 2009--this is your last chance to get an early read!  Also, everyone who signs up will automatically get a sneak peek at chapter one!  So don't miss it, click HERE!

So tell me, how do you celebrate All Hallows Ever? Do you dress up? Pass out candy?? Or will you be watching Dexter like me?

Happy Halloween Everyone!

Free Book Friday Teen Edition Is Now Open!!!

Hey Everyone-

Just wanted you to know that the teen edition of Jessica Brody's Free Book Friday Teens is now open for business--and she's giving away the VERY LAST Advanced Reading Copies of the first book in my new paranormal YA series, EVERMORE, (generously donated by my awesome publisher!) And since the book isn't scheduled to drop until February 3, 2009, this is your very last chance to get an early read!

Also, everyone who signs up to win will receive a sneak peek at chapter one!

So don't delay-- head over to Free Book Friday Teens now!

Just. Click. HERE!

Freebies!!

Those of you who read this blog know how I love a good freebie. And in an economy like this, who doesn't? That's why I'm so excited about the fabulous Jessica Brody's Free Book Friday website, where she gives away a free book every Friday (pretty self-explanatory, I know!). But when she told me she's branching out into a Free Book Friday for Teens, well, I was thrilled.

And while the Teen site won't go live until next week, (when we're giving away The Absolutely Last Two Advanced Reading Copies of EVERMORE generously donated by my awesome publisher, St. Martin's Press since my supply is depleted!), this week she's featuring New York Times Bestselling Author, PC Cast, who pens the totally addictive HOUSE OF NIGHT series with her daughter Kristen! Oh, and there's an awesome podcast interview to go with it!

So don't miss it-- Click HERE for you chance to listen and win!




Also, in celebration of her new release, THE MEMORIST, MJ Rose is offering a free download of her first book in the series, THE REINCARNATIONIST. To get your copy, click HERE.

That's it for now!
Have a good night!
:-D

EVERMORE's First Review!!

EVERMORE just got it's first review, and it's a 5 STAR GOLD AWARD from TeensReadToo, stating:

" . . .Every once in awhile, a book comes along that I end up getting sucked into and become addicted. EVERMORE was one of those books. When I wasn’t reading, I was thinking about how I could sneak away to read some more. I couldn’t put it down. I dreamt about this book. When I finished, I couldn’t get it out of my head. This book was simply breathtaking.

Ever is a wonderfully realistic character that grows throughout the novel. The guilt she feels over her family’s accident and her grieving process are heart-wrenchingly real, as is her growing acceptance of her new psychic gifts. I also loved the scenes with Riley, Ever’s little sister. Who knew a ghost could be so funny and charming? I know she’s just waiting to have her own series written about her. And Damen…well, what can I say - I’m in love. If you’re looking for a new lit-boy crush, Damen is it.

Alyson Noel knows how to write for and about teens, and this is one of her best books yet. I can’t wait to find out more about the mysterious Damen and step into Ever’s world again.

Combining mystery and romance, EVERMORE is the beginning of the next must-read paranormal series. Be sure to get your hands on this one - you’ll be swept away." Sarah Bean, TeensReadToo

To read the entire review, click HERE!!

Also, thanks to everyone who showed up to my book signing last night! I had a great time meeting new people like the sisters from Canada and Gabby the future author, and talking with old friends like Jolynn & Patrick and the talented Debby Garfinkle! And while I forgot to take pictures (despite my camera being right there in my purse), I was thrilled to see so many people out buying books on a Thursday night!

After, we went back to my house for a little post-book-signing-celebration, where my husband put out an amazing spread of Greek delicacies in honor of CRUEL SUMMER (I am sooo lucky to have married a man who cooks!), and Jessica Brody and her partner in crime, Charlie, uncorked a bottle of German champagne to celebrate the EVERMORE and BLUE MOON German translation deal, and then there was more eating, and more champagne, and maybe some red wine . . .and, well, you can imagine how I'm feeling today. (If you are under 21 and reading this-- it is a cautionary tale! If you are over 21, then you probably already know what I mean!)

But with a good supply of aspirin and a steaming hot mug of green tea beside me, I'm off to tackle my BLUE MOON revision!

Have a good weekend everyone!
A

GCC Presents . . .Kelly Parra!!!

Hey Everyone-

I'm so excited to host double Rita nominee, author Kelly Parra, who I was lucky enough to meet at last summer's RWA conference, and let me tell you she's as nice as she is talented!

Her new book, INVISIBLE TOUCH, was just released by MTV Books and people are already raving about it!

Here's what they're saying:

A magical blending of mystery, romance, and deep and dangerous secrets. Kelly Parra’s Invisible Touch is an action-packed coming-of-age novel, sure to keep readers turning pages and begging for a sequel."-- Laurie Faria Stolarz, Bestselling author of Blue is for Nightmares and Deadly Little Secret

"Readers are going to delight in this fast-paced, gripping story, and be kept spellbound until its surprising finish." --Tina Ferraro, How To Hook A Hottie

"The Gold Award of Excellence! An amazing, touching novel that deals with big issues in an original context."--TeensReadToo

"Five out of five gold pens for Invisible Touch."- The Salinas Californian

Here's what it's about:

Do you believe in fate?

Kara Martinez has been trying to be "normal" ever since the accident that took her father's life when she was eleven years old. She's buried the caliente side of her Mexican heritage with her father and tried to be the girl her rigid mother wants her to be -- compliant and dressed in pink, and certainly not acting out like her older brother Jason. Not even Danielle, her best friend at Valdez High, has seen the real Kara; only those who read her anonymous blog know the deepest secrets of the Sign Seer.

Because Kara has a gift -- one that often feels like a curse. She sees signs, visions that are clues to a person's fate, if she can put together the pieces of the puzzle in time. So far, she's been able to solve the clues and avert disaster for those she's been warned about -- until she sees the flash of a gun on a fellow classmate, and the stakes are raised higher than ever before. Kara does her best to follow the signs, but it's her heart that wanders into new territory when she falls for a mysterious guy from the wrong side of town, taking her closer to answers she may not be able to handle. Will her forbidden romance help her solve the deadly puzzle before it's too late...or lead her even further into danger?

Here's the same 5 questions we always ask:

1. Every story has a backstory, what's the backstory for your book?

I've always believed in intuitive vibes and repetitive signs and
thought wouldn't it be cool to have a girl who really saw visions and
have to piece the signs together to help others? But not only that,
but this gift had to also be a curse and would a logical mother
believe her? And from there Kara was born in my mind with secrets
and pain and grief and romance.

2. What's your work environment like? Any rituals, totems, or must
haves?

My desk is usually a mess, and recently its been cleaned and
organized! I wonder how long it will stay this way. ;) I work a lot
better with organization. It's sort of silly, but I have this old
trophy from fifth grade that was given to me for "Outstanding Award
in Language Arts" and it sits atop my desk as a sort of symbol that
maybe I was meant to be a writer. :) :)

3. If you could live inside any book-- which would it be?

I think it would be really cool to live in J.D. Robb's Death series
world. Its one of my favorite series so of course I'd love to
explore it, but only for a short visit. I'm pretty happy with my world.

4. What book rocked your world growing up?

V.C. Andrew's Dollanganger series and the Castell series. I felt for
these characters that weren't really real, but they felt real to a
sixteen-year-old girl. :)

5. If you could visit any time, place, or person- what, where, or who
would it be?

My father passed away suddenly in my early twenties. I think I would
visit my dad one last time. :)


Also, if you haven't yet stopped by her blog-- run don't walk! She's hosting a Secret Fates Blog Extravaganza through the month of October, with 26 authors sharing secrets and giveaways on the Secret Fates blog. But hurry on over, the party ends on October 31^st!

About Kelly:

Kelly Parra is the author of Graffiti Girl, a double RITA nominee and a Latinidad Top Pick, and the contemporary paranormal, Invisible Touch. When not pulling her hair while writing her current novel, she likes to play with her abundance of websites and feed a serious television addiction. For excerpts visit, www.kellyparra.com or follow the Secret Fates blog at secretfates.blogspot.com.