Banned Books Week Hop

Welcome to Stop #27 of the Banned Books Week Hop! 

This blog hop is being hosted by Kathy at I'm A Reader, Not A Writer and Jen at I Read Banned Books.

Over 100 blogs are offering a book related giveaway, and we are all linked up together so that you can easily hop from one giveaway to another! The hop runs from Friday, September 28th through Saturday, October 6th.

What is a banned book?

(excerpt copied below - follow link for full article) 

A banned book is one that has been removed from the shelves of a library, bookstore, or classroom because of its controversial content. In some cases, banned books of the past have been burned and/or refused publication. Possession of banned books has at times been regarded as an act of treason or heresy, which was punishable by death, torture, prison time, or other acts of retribution.

A book may be challenged or banned on political, religious, sexual, or social grounds. We take the acts of banning or challenging a book as a serious matter, because these are forms of censorship--striking at the very core of our freedom to read.

Details of my giveaway:

I have gone through the lists of banned and challenged books at the American Library Association. I have chosen a selection of books that have been banned or challenged from a variety of genres: From classics, to contemporary literature, to Young Adult, to Middle-Grade Fiction. I hope that everyone will find at least one book that appeals to them!

One winner will win their choice from one of the books featured below (please note that the book cover of the copy that you receive from The Book Depository may differ from the one in the photo).

Follow the links below to read the synopsis for each book: 

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Marked by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle

Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George

My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult

The Giver by Lois Lowry

The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey

The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood 

Rules:
 

• You may enter only once!
• You must be 13 years of age or older.
• You must be a follower of Darlene's Book Nook on Google Friend Connect (see widget on the left-hand side or at the top of the column).
• The Book Depository must ship to you with free delivery in order to enter. If you are not sure, please check.
• The giveaway will end on Sunday, October 7th at 12:01 AM, Eastern Standard Time.
• Rafflecopter will choose the winners using Random.org.
• The winner(s) will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to claim the prize(s).
• If a prize is not claimed within 48 hours, a new winner will be selected through Rafflecopter. 

To enter this giveaway, fill in the Rafflecopter below.
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Good luck, everyone!  And don't forget to keep hopping for more chances to win!

Guest Post and Giveaway with B.K. Bostick, author of Huber Hill and the Brotherhood of Coronado

Hi, everyone!

I am pleased to participate in B.K. Bostick's Huber Hill and the Brotherhood of Coronado Virtual Blog Tour hosted by Cedar Fort Publishing.

About B.K.:

B.K. Bostick, author of Huber Hill and the Brotherhood of Coronado and the best selling book, Huber Hill and the Dead Man's Treasure, resides among the magnificent Rocky Mountains. In addition to writing, he has spent his career in education. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Utah and his Masters in Psychology from Utah State University. He has worked as a teacher, after school program coordinator, teacher mentor, and currently as a counselor for the Open High School of Utah. He loves spending time with his lovely wife, son and two dogs. In his spare time, he enjoys eating cheetos and watching old episodes of the Twilight Zone.

CONNECT WITH B.K. ONLINE: 

Website | Twitter | YouTube | Goodreads | Facebook

Welcome back to Darlene's Book Nook, B.K.!

B.K. has written a guest post, so I will now turn the floor over to him.

Networking 101

by B.K. Bostick

Many pre-published authors ask how to get endorsements from published authors. Asking for someone to endorse your book can be intimidating. What if they say no? What if they don't like it? What if they ignore me? Instead of asking how to get endorsed, I believe people should ask, 'How can I get to know other authors?' If all you're interested in is an endorsement instead of building a relationship with an author, it's a bit like asking a stranger for a glowing letter of recommendation. It isn't likely to happen. However, if you're able to develop genuine friendships with other authors, then when the time comes, asking for an endorsement is easy because the author knows who you are and has likely read your work or is at least willing to do so. 

Here are some ways you can network and get to know authors:

1) Conferences & Writing Workshops. These venues bring many published and pre-published authors under one roof. You'll see that published authors are regular people like you who started just where you are. Informal conversations around the writing table are wonderful networking opportunities. Maybe even better ones come from the lunch table.

2) Writing Groups. Joining a writing group with a published author can help you revise your work to its best, but will also likely earn a glowing endorsement when the work is finished. If you're in a group without a published author, just wait awhile, someone in the group will get published.

3) Social Networking. Following authors fan pages and twitter handles gives you the ability to interact one on one. Consistently commenting or responding to posts (without stalking) will make it so that when you meet the author in person, they'll know how you are already.

4) Book Signings. See #3. After interacting with an author online or meeting them at a conference, going to a book signing is a great way to show support and develop a closer relationship

Once a relationship is established, it is much more likely that an author will take the time to at least read your work. While an endorsement is never guaranteed, at least you'll receive some feedback from someone who has been in the trenches.

Thanks so much for joining us today, B.K.!

One lucky winner will win a digital copy of the second book in B.K.'s middle-grade Huber Hill adventure series, Huber Hill and the Brotherhood of Coronado.

The Dead Man’s Treasure has been stolen! When Huber receives a revelatory message from a girl in Spain regarding the treasure’s location, the gang hatches a plan. Convincing their parents they are part of a study abroad program, Huber, Scott, and Hannah travel to Salamanca, Spain- an old city full of secrets.

While in pursuit of their goal, the group becomes dangerously entwined with a secret society called the Brotherhood of Coronado- a ruthless organization led by three self proclaimed kings, bent on reacquiring the lost fortunes of the Spanish empire for nefarious purposes.

Their only hope of finding the stolen treasure and escaping the city with their lives requires trust in new found friends and in a cloaked figure who reveals clues leading to the Brotherhood’s hiding place. But in a city of strangers, who can you trust?

With a plot that will keep you guessing, Huber Hill and the Brotherhood of Coronado is a study abroad adventure you’ll want to be a part of!

Buy Links:

Amazon / Barnes & Noble

To enter the giveaway, please fill out the Rafflecopter entry form below.

SPECIAL OFFER: Everyone who "likes" B.K. on Facebook or follows on Twitter will receive a special memento for the book launch. Please complete the tasks in the Rafflecopter form. After you've liked the Facebook page or followed on Twitter, you can email B.K. directly and let him know along with your physical mailing address. Please send email to B.K. at: bkbostickauthor@gmail.com.

 This giveaway is open worldwide until 12:01 AM EST on October 4, 2012.

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Tour Participants

September 18
Fire & Ice

September 19
Geo Librarian
I’m A Reader, Not a Writer

September 20
Over a Cuppa Tea

September 21
Frank L. Cole

September 24
Bookish
Book Dreaming

September 25
Imaginary Reads
LDS Retailers

September 27
Darlene’s Book Nook

 September 28
Community Bookstop

September 29
Bookworm Lisa
Tristi Pinkston

Waiting on Wednesday: Asunder by Jodi Meadows

Hi, everyone!

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Here is this week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection:

 
TITLE: Asunder

SERIES: Newsoul, Book #2
AUTHOR: Jodi Meadows 

PUBLISHER: Katherine Tegen Books

EXPECTED PUBLICATION DATE: January 29, 2013

FORMAT: Hardcover, 384 pages

GENRE: Young Adult, Science Fiction/Dystopia, Fantasy

ISBN: 9780062060785

Darksouls
Ana has always been the only one. Asunder. Apart. But after Templedark, when many residents of Heart were lost forever, some hold Ana responsible for the darksouls–and the newsouls who may be born in their place.

Shadows
Many are afraid of Ana’s presence, a constant reminder of unstoppable changes and the unknown. When sylph begin behaving differently toward her and people turn violent, Ana must learn to stand up not only for herself but for those who cannot stand up for themselves.

Love
Ana was told that nosouls can’t love. But newsouls? More than anything, she wants to live and love as an equal among the citizens of Heart, but even when Sam professes his deepest feelings, it seems impossible to overcome a lifetime of rejection.

In this second book in the Incarnate trilogy, Ana discovers the truth about reincarnation and will have to find a way to embrace love and make her young life meaningful. Once again, Jodi Meadows explores the extraordinary beauty and shadowed depths of the soul in a story equal parts epic romance and captivating fantasy.

I absolutely loved Incarnate! I can't wait for the next book in this trilogy! Another gorgeous cover!

What are you waiting on? Please leave a comment in the section below. If you participate in this meme, please leave a link so I can visit your blog!

Books in Translation Reading Challenge 2012

Hi, everyone! Time for another 2012 Reading Challenge!!

This challenge is being hosted by Introverted Jen at The Introverted Reader!

Here are the details copied from Introverted Jen's blog:

Books in Translation Reading Challenge 2012

I've decided to host one more challenge, the Books in Translation Reading Challenge. I think this one's pretty self-explanatory. The goal is to read translations of books. They don't have to be in English; whatever language(s) you're comfortable reading in is good.

You can read any genre and any age range. Crossovers with other challenges are fine. Any format that you choose is also acceptable. The challenge will run from today, January 7, through December 31, 2012.

Looking for suggestions? I have a shelf on GoodReads you can check out. There's also a Listopia list on GoodReads.

I am not limiting the challenge to bloggers. You can also link to a review you wrote on another site, such as GoodReads or LibraryThing.

Levels:
Beginner: Read 1-3 books in translation
Conversationalist: 4-6
Bilingual: 7-9
Linguist: 10-12

I am going for BEGINNER LEVEL: READ 1-3 BOOKS IN TRANSLATION.

CHALLENGE COMPLETE!
"BEGINNER" LEVEL REACHED ON OCTOBER 9, 2012

If you would like to join me in the challenge, click on the challenge badge at the beginning of this post.

I am going to keep track of my progress below:

1. Battle Royale by Koushun Takami 

Review Copy Wipeout

Hi, everyone! Time for another 2012 Reading Challenge!!

This challenge is being hosted by Kate at The Book Monsters!

Here are the details copied from Kate's blog:

Review Copy Wipeout

The Goal?
To read as many of your remaining 2012 review pile as you can.

Details:
Beginning October 1st through December 31st, we will be hosting Review Copy Wipeout. There will be all sorts of fun to be had throughout the event.

To sign up, just fill in the Linky below. Please link to your sign up post directly!

You can sign up at anytime before the challenge. Sign ups close October 15th. As a special bonus, those who sign up prior to October 1st, will be entered into a special giveaway. Just our way of saying thanks.

Any book that you have received for review in 2012 counts towards the challenge, regardless if the book is physical or ebook, all genres and lengths are welcome!

Coming closer to the challenge start date, we will also providing a link so that everyone can record their progress and see how everyone else is doing.

If you would like to join me in the challenge, click on the challenge badge at the beginning of this post.

Below is a list of some books that I have on my TBR review pile that I am hoping to get to by the end of the year! I will link up reviews as I go: 

1. Loose Gravel by David P. Holmes
2. Battle Royale by Koushun Takami 
3. Enshadowed by Kelly Creagh (Nevermore, Book 2)
4. Hold On to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers by Gordon Neufeld, Ph.D. and Gabor Maté, M.D.
5. How to Lose a Demon in 10 Days by Saranna DeWylde (10 Days, Book 1) 
6. Thy Neighbor by Norah Vincent 
7. The Last Bastion of the Living: A Futuristic Zombie Novel by Rhiannon Frater 
8. The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater (The Raven Cycle, Book 1) 
9. Poison Princess by Kresley Cole (The Arcana Chronicles, Book 1) 
10. Pretty When She Dies by Rhiannon Frater (Pretty When She Dies, Book 1)
11. Nowhere To Run by Nancy Bush (Nowhere Series, Book 1)
12. Red Rain by R.L. Stine
13. Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death by M.C. Beaton (Agatha Raisin, Book 1) 
14. Blood Red Road by Moira Young (Dust Lands, Book 1) 
15. Ashes of Twilight by Kassy Tayler (Ashes Trilogy, Book 1) 
16. A Winter Dream by Richard Paul Evans
17. Kiss of Surrender by Sandra Hill (Deadly Angels, Book 2) 
18. Agatha Raisin and the Vicious Vet by M.C. Beaton (Agatha Raisin, Book 2)
19. How Can I Be Your Lover When I'm Too Busy Being Your Mother? by Sara Dimerman and J.M. Kearns
20. Hallowed by Cynthia Hand
21. The Trouble with Being a Horse by Emily Edwards
22. Burn For Burn by Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian
23. Envy by Elizabeth Miles
24. Founders by James Wesley, Rawles
25. Who Has What? All About Girls' Bodies and Boys' Bodies by Robie H. Harris
26. Dot by Patricia Intriago
27. Abe's Lucky Day by Jill Warren
28. A Bad Kitty Christmas by Nick Bruel
29. Chasers by James Phelan
30. Nowhere to Hide by Nancy Bush
31. Undead by Kirsty McKay 
32. Magisterium by Jeff Hirsch 
33. The Dark Unwinding by Sharon Cameron
     

Stacking The Shelves - September 23, 2012

This meme is hosted by Tynga over at Tynga's Reviews, which she describes as follows:

"Stacking The Shelves is all about the books we are adding to our shelves each week, sharing with you our excitement for our newest titles and maybe have you discover a new book in the process!"

I won this e-book in the Under the Sea Giveaway hosted by Paul at Sher A. Hart: My Written Art:

Alligators Overhead
by C. Lee McKenzie

Thanks again, Paul & Lee!


 

I received this e-book as a freebie from the publisher in exchange for participating in a blogger promotion:

Divinely Ruined

by Diane Alberts

Thanks again, Entangled Publishing!

I received this audiobook for review from the publisher:

Thy Neighbor: A Novel

by Norah Vincent

Thanks again, Penguin Audio!

I won this e-book in a giveaway hosted by Laurie at Reader Girls Blog:

Crossroads

(Crossroads Academy, Book #1)

by J.J. Bonds

Thanks again, Laurie & J.J.!

I received this e-book from the author as a freebie (which actually is currently FREE on Smashwords) for being a newsletter subscriber:

It Was You

by Carly Fall

Thanks again, Carly!

I received this paperback for review from the author:

One Little Christmas Tree: A Children's Christmas Picture Book

by The Curto Family & Rusty Fischer

Thanks again, Vincent!

I received this hardcover for review from the publisher:

The Raven Boys

(Raven Cycle, Book #1)

by Maggie Stiefvater

Thanks again, Scholastic Canada!

What books have you added to your shelves this week? If you are also participating in this meme, please leave me the link to your blog post in the comments so that I can come and drool over all your goodies!

 If anyone has read any of these books, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

2013 Debut Author Challenge

Hi, everyone! Time for a 2013 Reading Challenge!!

Wow, is it really that time for 2013 challenges to start popping up?!

This challenge is being hosted by Jamie at View from the Hill Book Reviews!

Here are the details copied from Jamie's blog:

2013 Debut Author Challenge

Challenge Objective:

~ To read and review a minimum of 12 Debut Authors, starting January 1, 2013 and concluding February 1, 2014*.  Where you choose to post your reviews is up to you (accepted places will be listed below).

*The extension to to allow challenge participants to include December releases as part of their challenge.

Rules and "Fine Print":

~ To sign up please link to either your blog or your Goodreads account in the linky below.

~ Challenge runs from January 1, 2013 - February 1, 2014

~ ANY Advance Reader Copies for 2013 releases that are read before January 1 DO NOT count towards the challenge.

~ Reviews may be posted on either your blog, Goodreads or Youtube.  You MUST include a link to your review in the linky for each month.

~ Challenge reviews MUST be written/given in English.

~Deadline to sign up for the challenge is June 1, 2013.

Rules for the Books:

~ The book must be a debut and being released in 2013.

Challenge Giveaway:

This giveaway is for those challenge participants who COMPLETE the challenge. August 1 a linky will go up for those who complete the challenge. The prize will be a 2014 pre-order of the winner's choosing. To submit your entry for the giveaway you MUST do the following:

~ create a post declaring the challenge complete.

~Somewhere on your blog I must be able to find your email address or someway to contact you.

~ if you do not have a blog and are using Goodreads please make a notation in your final review and submit the review in the linky in the giveaway post.

~Giveaway will be live from August 1, 2013 until February 10, 2014.

~ Open Internationally to where ever The Book Depository ships to.

If you would like to join me in the challenge, click on the challenge badge at the beginning of this post.

I will keep track of my progress below and link up my reviews:

1. Three Graves Full by Jamie Mason
2. Splintered by A.G. Howard (Splintered, Book #1) 
3. What the Spell? by Brittany Geragotelis (Life's a Witch, Book #1) 
4. The End Games by T. Michael Martin 
5. Another Little Piece by Kate Karyus Quinn     

Spotlight Saturday: Guest Post and Giveaway with R.T. Kaelin, author of Progeny and Prophecy

Hi, everyone!

Welcome to another edition of Spotlight Saturday at Darlene's Book Nook, where we feature authors and their books!

We will be joined today by R.T. Kaelin.

About R.T.:

R.T. Kaelin is a loving husband, father of two, and a lifelong resident of Ohio. While writing for a local Columbus gaming group, some suggested he try his hand at writing something a bit more ambitious. He foolishly committed to the undertaking and wrote, Progeny, the first volume in The Children of the White Lions series. The book has garnered critical acclaim while his writing style has drawn numerous comparisons to the giants of the genre. He has also published the Terrene Chronicles, a series of twelve short prequel stories that take place prior to the events within Progeny. Volume II in the series, Prophecy, will be available September 25th, 2012.

CONNECT ONLINE WITH R.T.:

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Google+

Welcome to Darlene's Book Nook, R.T.!

R.T. has written a guest post, so I will now turn the floor over to him!

Look Before You Leap

by R.T. Kaelin

A common thing I hear from people taking a crack at writing their first book is how difficult it is to finish it. In fact, at just about every convention I attend, there will be at least one panel focused solely on this problem. I spoke with a guy at Origins who had been working on the same book for fourteen years. Fourteen years ago, Windows 98 was new.

Now, personally, I do not have a problem finishing a novel. So far. Perhaps I have jinxed myself by saying that, but…ah, well, I will cross that bridge when I come to it.

Most writers start out working on their book project in spare time, when they are not at their job or taking care of their family. You know, life. But assuming one carves out time to write, unfinished manuscripts still can languish.

People’s reasons for not being able to ‘The End’ are varied, but I have seen a common theme to most of their difficulties. See if you can glean what it is from some of the most frequent comments I hear:

“I just don’t know where to go next.”

“I can’t figure out what to do with this one character.”

“I don’t know how it ends.”

See it?

It’s a simple lack of direction.

When you sit down at the keyboard, you need purpose. You need to know where you are going with a scene, character, and plot. You can stray from your plan—I do it often—but you need to start with a destination in mind. You do not get in your car, turn the ignition, and start driving without a place to go, do you? No. If you are out of milk, you get in the car with the intent of driving to the grocery store. Your route might vary due to traffic, an accident, or a craving for an ice cream cone, but you still end up at the grocery store.

Writing is no different. You need a goal, a point, a destination.

As important as this point is in writing a single, standalone novel, it is infinitely more so when it comes to writing a series. Nothing is more frustrating to a reader when, two books into a trilogy, you stop and say, “Okay, the author is just making this up as he/she goes along.” If the author did not take the time to plan things out, why should you invest your time in following a meandering tale?

When I made the commitment to write The Children of the White Lions series, I knew that I had to have an ultimate destination from the get go. Before starting to write book one, I had to know how book five ended.

Has everything turned out exactly as I had planned? Of course not. One character wrote himself into a larger role because he was fun to write. Some characters’ personalities were not what I laid out. A couple plot points have changed, but I still know that by the time I get to the end, everything will be pointed to the same, singular goal that I have had in mind from the beginning.

Have a destination. And enjoy the journey.

Thanks so much for joining us today, R.T.!

Three lucky winners will win bundles of both Progeny (Books #1) and Prophecy (Book #2) of R.T.'s epic fantasy series, The Children of the White Lions!! 

The Grand Prize will be signed copies of both Progeny and Prophecy to a Canada/US winner!

There will also be two runner-up prizes, and each winner will win a Kindle set of both Progeny and Prophecy! This prize will be open worldwide to anyone who can receive a Kindle gift!

Nikalys and his sister Kenders grew up living a peaceful life in the quiet farming village of Yellow Mud... until the blistering hot day when they go to the nearby lake for a swim. When they reach the lake, they spy an unknown mage conjure a massive water creature hundreds of feet tall. They watch in horror as the water creature plunges toward their home, apparently drowning all in its path, including their parents and older brother, Jak.

As the only survivors, brother and sister strike out on their own, hoping to discover the reason their home and family was destroyed. They must make their way through a countryside where magic is outlawed, punishable by imprisonment or even death while struggling with the revelation that Kenders has magical abilities herself.

Although Kenders can feel and touch the many-colored "strands" of magic she has no idea how to use them until she and Nikalys are attacked by a pack of wolves and Kenders instinctively summons a bolt of lightning, immediately collapsing when the effort drains her of all her energy. From nowhere a giant lynx appears and saves the pair from certain death and then miraculously morphs into his natural self, a seven-foot-tall man. The shape changer's name is Broedi and when the time is right, he reveals to the siblings that he is one of the original White Lions and he recites to them an ancient prophecy that tells of the coming of a new and even more terrible war than the one centuries ago. The evil Gods of Chaos, Strife, and Sorrow and Pain would combine efforts to unite the orcs, gnolls and razorfiends --- normally sworn enemies. The forces of good would be led by two children of other White Lions; those children are Nikalys and Kenders, the Progeny.

As brother and sister struggle with the revelation that the only parents they could remember were not their birth parents, some of the Gods and Goddesses were busy setting other events in motion. Others people - strangers at first - would gather and become allies of the Progeny. Together, they were about to be caught up in the greatest conflict the world had ever seen. Ancient, powerful forces still seek the Progeny on their travels, some intent to eliminate the threat they pose, some hoping to help them fulfill a destiny of which they are unaware. Myths and legends come to life, whisking the pair along a journey they never could have imagined possible.

The God of Chaos is marching. The Borderlands is nearly overrun, shredded by his army. In a dusty village, ninety-four residents led by two soldiers make a last stand. During the assault, one of the enemy isolates Rhohn Lurus, a Dust Man. Yet rather than kill him, the monster gives him a cryptic message and begs he carry it east, claiming it could halt the war.

At Storm Island, Nikalys, Kenders, and Jak are adjusting to their new lives as leader, mage, and soldier. In the nation’s capital, nobles spar, some conspiring with the enemy while others ally together to halt Chaos’ advance. New friends will be made, old rivals rediscovered, and secrets revealed.

The stage is set. War is here. And the Progeny must stop it.

To enter the giveaway, you must complete the Rafflecopter entry form below.

This giveaway is open worldwide (the Grand Prize is available to shipping addresses within Canada/US only). The contest will close at 12:01 AM EST on September 29, 2012.

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