96 followers....Sorry

Ok, so I havnt been around much this week... I have been so sick with the wonderful cold/flu i get every winter... Anyway I am 4 followers away from 100, regardless I will post winners tommorow. Sorry for the delays.

4 more followers!!!!

Yes we are that close, Dont forget to go back and look at the 50 to 100 Followers giveaway and make sure you enter!!!! 4 more followers and I can officially end the giveaway. Also, if you look up at the web address bar, you will notice we are now on our own site, so I will be updating buttons by this evening as well as working on the new layout and sidebars, so keep an eye out on that this evening!!!

Tip: Major Giveaways to come soon!!!

Author Spotlight & Giveaway

It is time again to do the Author Spotlight, this week we have an amazing author of a couple series and actually has her first book for Harlequin coming out on Feburary 1st, definitely keep your eyes out for that.

Candace *Candy* Havens

Candace "Candy" Havens is a best selling and award-winning author. Her novels include "Charmed & Dangerous", "Charmed & Ready", "Charmed & Deadly", "Like A Charm" and "The Demon King and I". She is known for writing strong female characters, who save the world, but aren't exactly perfect. She is a two-time RITA, Write Touch Reader and Holt Medallion finalist. She is also the winner of the Barbara Wilson award.
Candy is a nationally syndicated entertainment columnist for FYI Television. A veteran journalist she has interviewed just about everyone in Hollywood from George Clooney and Orlando Bloom to Nicole Kidman and Kate Beckinsale. You can hear Candy weekly on 96.3 KSCS in the Dallas Fort Worth Area.
Her popular online Writer's Workshop has more than 1000 students and provides free classes to professional and aspiring writers.

Candy has nicely agreed to stop by and visit us for a few questions.
Thank you so much for stopping by Candy,

1)      What lead you to become a writer?

 I'd been a tv and film critic for about 20 years, and a friend suggested I try my hand at writing fiction. I'd always wanted to write a book, but didn't think I could. I sat down and did it and I haven't stopped since.

2)      What is the first book you ever wrote?

It was the book that eventually became The Demon King and I, though I revised it about 99 percent. I'm not kidding. The first version was a romantic suspense with no paranormal elements or any kind of magic. It became my fifth published book, and the only thing that was the same from that first version were the names.

3)      Do you have certain things that motivate you (i.e. photo, quote, item)

Music is a great motivator for me. The soundtrack depends on the book. I also have a quote taped to my desktop that says, "Fear is the enemy of creativity." I don't know if I heard that somewhere or I've murdered someone's quote, but it works for me.

4)      Who are some of your favorite writers?

This is one of the toughest questions for me. I have so many it would take pages to list them all. I will say some of my early inspirations for my own writing were Laurell K. Hamilton, Janet Evanovich, Nora Roberts and Jodi Thomas were people I admired before I ever started writing.

5)      What is your favorite genre to read?

I honestly like everything, though I'm partial to paranormal.

6)      What is your favorite genre to write?

 I love romance and paranormal.

7)      Which book or series are you most proud of and why?

That's like trying to pick a favorite child. I love the Bronwyn books from the "Charmed & Dangerous" series, because that character is a lot like me. I love the magical library in "Like A Charm" that I created. And I love my tough but caring sisters in "The Demon King and I" and "Dragons Prefer Blondes." I never had sisters and that was fun to explore. And now with my new books with Harlequin, I finally get to write in a guy's point of view, and that's been beyond fun for me. I'm proud of all of them.

8)      What tips would you give to aspiring writers?

Sit down and write. A lot of people talk about doing it, but few actually finish a book. Also, learn your craft. Take classes and go to conferences. I know it can be tough financially, but I offer FREE writing workshops on my Write_Workshop yahoogroup. You can get to that through my website at www.candacehavens.com

Thank you again for stopping by to visit with us Candy!

Books: 

Take Me If You Dare (Feb. 1, 2010)
Dragons Prefer Blondes
The Demon King and I
Like A Charm
Charmed & Deadly
Charmed & Ready
Charmed & Dangerous
Joss Whedon: The Genius Behind Buffy 

Information on her newest release Take Me if You Dare

Stonegate Investigative Agency
We have what you need...

For Mariska Stonegate, the gorgeous guy she's now met is everything she's looking for in a man--hot, hot and...oh, right. Hot. And just because every pore of his body screams danger and sex doesn't mean she's getting herself into too much trouble....
But Mr. Thomas isn't who he says he is. In fact, his real name is Jackson--no last names, please--and he's a burned CIA agent on the run. And he'll do just about anything to stay alive...including seducing Mariska one hot, steamy night at a time!
Dangerous times call for sexy measures...

Candy has so nicely offered to do a giveaway of Dragons Prefer Blonds!
So here are the rules:

1. You Must be a follower of StarShadow
2. You must fill out this form to enter
3. Giveaway is for Us and Canada only, Sorry!
4. Contest Ends/Winner Announced February 1st, 2010 The date of her next release!!!!
   

 

Waiting on Wednesday

This Week I am excited about a certain book only cause, this author is amazing, and I know many of you have read her work.

I am waiting for...

The Sight - March 1st 2010

Gracie has premonitions. They’ve haunted her since before her mother’s death, and she can’t get rid of them. She doesn’t know how to deal with them and she doesn’t want to--they’ve never led to anything good. She never knows whether she’s seeing the past, the present, or the future--it just comes to her. But Gracie is forced to try to use her premonitions. Her best friend, Emily, disappears, and the premonitions lead to the only clues to where she might be--and how she might be saved. Gracie’s long-absent father reappears, and his history appears to be mysteriously linked to the disappearance of a student many years ago--and the recent appearance of a body. Only Gracie’s premonitions lead to answers to some dark family secrets. In these two novels, Judy Blundell (writing as Jude Watson) takes readers on a suspenseful journey where premonitions become a matter of life and death. 

Blog Layout winner!!!

Just wanted to send a quick message letting you know the winner of the Blog Giveaway.

The winner is.....

Steph The Bookworm!

Steph said :

Your new design is GORGEOUS!! Please enter me in the contest, I would LOVE to win! I think for my blog, I would love a design with lots of colors and a unique look. I would like some books all around and swirling colors. I would also like 3 columns. Steph I have sent you an email with the contact information for Melissa, Looking forward to seeing what your new design looks like. !!!! Thanks again to Melissa Silver for agreeing to do this amazing layout for one of my followers.

In My Mailbox

This Weeks In My Mailbox

hope your ready for this week, I got a large amount of Amazing books!!!

Lets start with books that I received from the amazing Riane at Publishing Works

• Mabel takes the Ferry - Emily Chetkowski
• Mabel takes a Sail - Emily Chetkowski
• Footlights and Fairy Dust - Maureen C. Tirabass
• Lebanon 1-2-3 - Marijean Boueri, Jill Boutros & Joanne Sayad
• Lebanon A to Z- Marijean Boueri
• Where is Simon, Sandi? - Donna Marie Seinl
• I Love to visit my Grammy - Mary Crawley
• Katy Cares for the Animals - Katherine Bailey
• Pinky & Bubs' Stinky Night Out - Frankie Spellman
• Letter Birds (ARC) released later this year Illustrated by Pam D. Spremulli

And let me just say, I swear kaden's eyes got bigger than they did on Christmas when we opened this package and it was all Children's Books for him!!!
~~~I received these books free of charge, in exchange for "Our" honest reviews.  These will come soon as kaden made me start the reading process immediately!!!

From Thomas Nelson Publishers for review

• Long Way Home - Andrew Klavan

And Last but certainly not least
For Review from Simon & Schuster Teen

• The Year I Turned Sixteen - Diane Schwemm

Excuse the Mess for a bit, where I am getting quite serious about blogging and starting so much as far as new things, The reviews are a bit behind, but will be published ASAP!!!

Wendy Toliver Giveaway Winner!!!

Sorry for the late post been arguing with google all day about why my new site isnt working :(

Anyway, the winner of the nice bracelet from Wendy Toliver is:

Amy Jacobs

Congrats Amy, I have sent your info on to Wendy, to ship !!!

Test text

Please read- Changes

BIG CHANGES!!!

So most of you have heard me talk about my amazing boyfriend Matt, well he has started working again. Has a great Chef position, and of course now we have some extra fundage! So luckily, I have been able to through blogger get my own custom domain name, which is in the progress of being transferred The new website will of course still be my blog but here are some upcoming changes for when its complete.

I will still do my weekly Author Spotlights
I will be doing more book reviews, I have finally decided to give in and do them
I will be hosting Kadens Korner, Children's books and movie reviews, from both Child and Parent.
I will be adding additional pages to focus on some amazing websites offering, free design and Items
I will be adding some new weekly features, In My Mailbox (gonna start enjoying this meme) Teaser Tuesday will continue, Trailor Tuesday I am gonna try doing this every week  Waiting on Wednesday will continue
Inspired Ink will change to Thursday and name change of Thankful Thursday ( I hope others will start doing this as well) Free Friday and Friday Follows will start, these are ideas I have picked up from tons of other bloggers, I am just going to do them my way . Free Friday will be showing off links to Giveaways, Free Stuff Sites, and some designs that myself and the AMAZING Amy@The Overstuff Bookshelf will be making, Friday Follows will be a weekly Spotlight on one blog/blogger that I have found to truly be a great one, they may need a bump in followers, or feature something amazing I want to share with all of you.
Saturday Showcase will feature weekly photo's/funny cartoons and or quotes. Then there will be a Sum Up Sunday this will pretty much show off the previous week making sure to feature Giveaways, Author Spotlights, Winners, and all of the above links. In case you missed any

Also I will once the site is finished transfering be doing weekly newsletters letting you know of Great contests, Follower Birthday (if you have signed up) and any great information about Authors, and stuff to look out for.

There is a subscription link on my current page for this. Thanks.

Hope you all enjoy once the new site transfers. It will be known as StarShadowBlog  and the new address will be www.starshadowblog.com
Thanks for all the recommendations and new followers, We are currently at 89 soooo close and I am excited to do the winners when we hit the 100 mark!!!!

Thanks Again,

Amazing Giveaway AGAIN!!!!

The amazing team over at Teens Read and Write are doing another follower contest, with AMAZING opportunities to win.

Some of the details Make sure you check it out HERE

First Place Winner - First Choice of 4 Books 
Second Place Winner - Second Choice of 3 Books 
Third Place Winner - Third Choice of 2 Books
Fourth Place Winner - Fourth Choice of 2 Books

and more to come I am sure.

Starter book list:


1) Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
2) The Dark Divine by Bree Despain
3) Fallen by Lauren Kate
4) Darklight by Lesley Livingston
5) Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
6) City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
7) Wish by Alexandra Bullen
8) Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor
9) Sceptor of the Ancients by Derek Landy
10) Candor by Pam Bachorz
11) Violet Wings by Victoria Hanley
12) The EverAfter by Amy Huntley
13) Wish You Were Dead by Todd Strasser
14) Invisible Lines by Mary Amato

and the list of books they are thinking of adding, not to mention your suggestions:
Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves
The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong
Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting
Firespell by Chloe Neill
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

What do you suggest?

This giveaway is international!

want to go straight to sign up page click HERE 





a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank">

Jennifer Laurens Heavenly Review/Interview & Giveaway

Jennifer Laurens

Author of Heavenly

Jennifer has so nicely agreed to do a giveaway of 3 copies of Heavenly, Details will be at bottom of page.


Trailor:

Synopsis:
I met someone who changed everything. Matthias. My autistic sister's guardian angel. Honest. Inspiring. Funny. Hot. And immortal. That was the problem. What could I do? I did what any other girl would do-I fell in love with him. Zoë's sister darts in front of cars. Her brother's a pothead. Her parents are so overwhelmed; they don't see Zoë lost in her broken life. Zoë escapes the only way she knows how: partying. Matthias, a guardian sent from Heaven, watches over Zoë's autistic sister. After Zoë is convinced he's legit, angel and lost girl come together in a love that changes destiny. But Heaven on Earth can't last forever.

My Review:
Let me start off by saying the synopsis of this book, doesn't even come close to comparing to the emotional complexities of this novel. I absolutely adored this book, the story flowed very nicely and I loved Zoe. Her character was very deep and hurt, taking on the role of everyone's protector in a way that ruined her. 

Matthias was ummm very nicely written to be a character that just makes you want to drool, he has a way of showing up at just the right critical moment, relieving poor Zoe of one thing, of course wouldn't we all want a guardian angel watching over one person in our lives.. 

Jennifer does an excellent job describing emotions, settings and everything was very smooth, I couldn't wait to read this, and now watching the trailer for Penitence I got shivers... then Absolution.. I am adding this to my favorite series shelf.

Interview:

1.) How did you get the idea for Heavenly? I have a child with autism, and the struggle to accept that has been difficult for our entire family. Heavenly is very much our family story. Everything that happened with Abria ( and a thousand fold more ) happened with our child with autism. I often thank God for her guardian angels, whoever they are. I'm absolutely certain she has them, and, in my mind as I've pondered the idea of guardians I've warmed to the idea that our deceased loved ones are somehow involved in watching over us.

2.) Are any of the character's traits/personalities based off of people you know? Abria has autism and the spectrum of autsim varies, but our daughter Rebekah is who I modeled Abria after. Zoe is a combination of my two oldest girls ( I have 6 children ) Luke's character takes many of his characteristics from one of my sons who struggled with drugs a few years back. There is definitely shades of fiction and reality in most of the characters I write about -- that goes for all my books.

3.) Who was the hardest character for you to write and why? Luke. My son was still struggling with drug abuse when I wrote Heavenly. Often, I wished he could 'turn around' like Luke. He did, but it took a looooong time.

4.) I know from reading a blog post, that back in August you were having a bit of a struggle with Absolution, was there a specific idea or happening that broke that for you? I'd never written a series before, and I had lots of characters and threads to tie up. Usually, wrapping up story lines isn't a problem. But doing it in a satisfactory way ( when I knew HOW the book HAD to end ) and not annoying people, ( still remains to be seen, I guess ) was difficult. I'm very committed to keeping the inegrity of each character from beginning to end with as little cliche or 'expected' events as possible. Yes, I wanted a happy ending, but not in the traditional sense.

5.) If you wouldn't mind giving us a sneak peek besides Pentinence and Absolution is there anything else we should keeping a look out for from you?

Right now I'm working on OVERPROTECTED, my next YA novel, as well as writing a screen play for one of my adult novels, FOREVER, LAURA. ( I've had one book made into an indie film: A Season of Eden under my JM Warwick author name ) When OVERPROTECTED is done, I'm working on NOON, another YA novel.

6.) Out of the three: Heavenly, Pentinence and Absolution which is your favorite, and why does it stand out to you?  Ooooh, they are all vital to each other -- like family -- and, any good mother doesn't have favorites :)

7.) Anything else you would like to add?

I thank you for reading. For your enthusiasm for the book. I hope your readers will find me on Facebook, My Space and at the www.heavenlythebook.com  spots if they want to share my work with their friends.

***In February, I'm giving away a Valentine basket with all of my books and a bunch of really cool goodies. Stop by and enter!


and of course the cool feature taken off her site is the Heavenly Soundtrack

Death of Vesper - David Arnold
Solange - David Arnold
City of Lovers - David Arnold
Lose Control - Evanessence
Calling All Angels - Train
Haunt You Every Day - Weezer
Escape - Muse
She Floats - Vanessa Carlton
Scarlet - Brooke Fraser
Your Guardian Angel - The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
Soulmate - Natasha Bedingfield
Somewhere - Barbara Streisand

Dont forget to check out Jennifer Laurens Sites


http://www.heavenlythebook.com

http://www.jenniferlaurens.com


http://heavenlythebook.wordpress.com/

http://www.myspace.com/jenniferlaurensauthor


http://jenniferlaurens.blogspot.com/

Giveaway:

As I said at the top of this post the Amazing Jennifer Laurens has agreed to give 3 copies of her novel Heavenly out to some of my wonderful followers.

So If you want your chance to get a copy of the amazing book Heavenly, all you need to do is leave a comment here, with your email address and if you want to ask Jennifer any questions. Make sure you go become one of her followers at her blog which can be found HERE, winners will be drawn either January 30 or 31st by Jennifer herself, Upon finding out the winners I will get it posted.

Thanks again Jennifer for this opportunity. I know that I will be looking forward to the next two books and your other works in progress.

Waiting on Wednesday

Sorry all I am on a roll today and I just came across this release and am to excited to wait until morning...

Token of Darkness

Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

Release 2/9/10

Cooper Blake has everything going for him—until he wakes from a car accident with his football career in ruins and a mysterious, attractive girl by his side. Cooper doesn’t know how Samantha got there or why he can see her; all he knows is that she’s a ghost, and the shadows that surround her seem intent on destroying her.

No one from Cooper’s old life would understand what he can barely grasp himself. . . . But Delilah, the captain of the cheerleading squad, has secrets of her own, like her ability to see beyond the physical world, and her tangled history with Brent, a loner from a neighboring school who can hear strangers’ most intimate thoughts. Delilah and Brent know that Cooper is in more trouble than he realizes, and that Samantha may not be as innocent as she has led Cooper to believe. But the only way to figure out where Samantha came from will put them all in more danger than they ever dreamed possible.

Tuesdays Trailors

Not sure if I will do this every week, I will try but I have some books that seem amazing to me, sharing trailers with you.


Heavenly-Jennifer Laurens


Penitence- Jessica Laurens



Fallen - Lauren Kate

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.
Anyone can play along! Just do the following:


*Grab your current read
*Open to a random page
*Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
*BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
*Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Current read is The Naked Nun by M.E. Gardner

I am quite excited I am sharing details below the teaser if your intersted in more....

These excerpts can be found on page 158

"I like to see her get pissed off once in a while, instead of always being so goddamn know-it all....It is great to see her off her high horse!" Mike slurred.

"I don't have to take these insults."

And now as promised the details

M.E.Gardner's new page turner has it all: good and evil, hot sex and enduring love, violence and tragedy. You'll experience chills and excitement as you're taken on an unbelievable action-packed ride.

Find out what makes the beautiful heroine, Lisa von Bidmont, defy her evil foster father and escape from a Pennsylvania farm to New York City.

Bear witness as Lisa von Bidmont meets billionaire Bill Brenner and they instantly fall in love with each other. Their torrid affair pulls her into a jet-set frenzy of exotic destinations, nude beaches, and an extraordinarily rich lifestyle.

Discover whether good fortune will befall this beauty - or will demonic forces and the Mafia spell the end of her magical love affair.

Learn how catastrophic events bring the FBI and Witness Protection Program into play, suddenly changing Lisa's charmed life into one of solitude and eeriness in a secluded convent shrouded with bizarre mystery.