Only 2 days left to win 2 books!!!

Hi guys, Just 2 more days to enter to win 

2 books of your choice!!!

All you have to do is sign up for the A-Z Reading Challenge!!!

Learn more and Sign up HERE!

Happy Reading!!!

Author Spotlight: Lori Pescatore

Please Welcome 

Lori Pescatore

Author of

Human Blend

1) Could you tell us a bit about yourself.

Lori: I am a married mom of two grown men. I've been married for 27 years and have taught preschool for over 15 years. I'm an avid reader of the sci-fi/fantasy/romance genre.

2) What was the inspiration for writing Human Blend?

Lori: I've read so many books and have lost most all of them but I always found a scene or two that I would think, I would have written that differently. So out from that came the idea to write an original story all my own. The inspiration of the story itself came from the characters. Once they introduced themselves in the story, the rest just flowed.

3) Were there any personal experiences that went in to writing Human Blend?

Lori: I've been in and out of the hospital so I am very familiar with the setting so those scenes were quite easy. The location of the storyline was unfamiliar to me so a lot of research went into the area so I could accurately depict it. 

4) Was Julie's character based on anyone or was she a  purely made up character? What is she like?

Lori: Julie was a fictional character in my head that came out to tell her story. She is a stubborn but determined girl who has lived a very troubled life. She escapes from the hell she had been forced to live and tries very hard to be normal, something impossible for her because of her unique abilities. She struggles to be strong and does achieve it eventually. 

5) What was your inspiration in the cover art for Human Blend?

Lori: A co-worker of mine and I actually designed the cover concept in work on the chalkboard. The actual design, it is slightly different. The cover consist of three different photos of trees taken near my home, blended together. Editing the numbers into the trees and adding rain was done using photo-shop and my techy son's expertise in cleaning up the image.

6) How many books do you plan on having in your Human Blend series?

Lori: It is a trilogy, so three. I am penning the second book now and hoping for an April release.

7) Who is your favorite character in the book? And why?

Lori: Oh wow, tough question. They are all important to me. I'm going to say Marcus because he is just so fun to write. He is sarcastic and humorous, yet at the same time, you can't help but want to smack him upside the head. 

8) Do you write to music? If so, what is your favorite?

Lori: Music is playing when I type up the story after handwriting it, but usually when I write it is quiet, or just low volume noise in the background. I listen to a lot of R&B and pop/rock. Country and rap are fun to have playing depending on my mood or the mood of the scene I am typing. I've listened to everything from Taylor Swift to Eminem.

9) What do you plan on doing in the future?

Lori: Hopefully more of this, writing and promoting. I have so many stories and characters floating around in my head, there is lots more to come. 

10) What are you reading right now?

Lori: I am actually reading Nightwolves Coalition by Clarrissa Lee Moon. She is another Indy author with a cool kick-butt lead female character. 

11) Who are a few of your favorite authors?

Lori: Anne Rice, Dean Koontz, Stephanie Meyer and P.C. Cast.

12) Anything you would like to add?

Lori: First a Thank You to Stephanie for allowing me to promote my book. Look for book two to come out mid April. Thanks for taking the time to read this interview and I hope you all enjoy the book. 

***************

Where to find Lori:

Goodreads

Facebook

Twitter

New Meme Idea... Come join the fun!!!

Hi Guys,

So I have been thinking ( I know.. Dangerous) About creating a new meme here at Book Junky.
Here is my idea:
Every week ( most likely Friday's ) I would like to spotlight a book blogger.
I would like to get to know you better... pick your brain and ask you a few questions!

I wanna know what makes you tick! ( but not in a creepy way..hehe)

So if you are interested in being featured here on Book Junky, Fill out the form and I will contact you and schedule a feature date!!!

I am really looking forward to getting to know you better!!!

Fill out this FORM!! 

Happy Reading!!

Forget Me Not! (8)

Forget me not is a weekly meme dedicated to books that are not brand new but still worthy of reading and are on out TBR list. Feel free to join!  Have fun and Happy Reading!

*******************

This weeks FMN is: 

The It Girl meets The Exorcist in this chilling, haunted boarding school tale

New-girl Lindsay discovers all is not right at the prestigious Marlwood Academy for Girls. Ethereal, popular Mandy and her clique are plotting something dangerous. Lindsay overhears them performing strange rituals, and sees their eyes turn black. It doesn't help that the school itself is totally eerie, with ancient, dilapidated buildings tucked into the Northern California woods, a thick white fog swirling through campus. There are hidden passageways, odd reflections in the windows at night, and scariest of all is the vast lake rumored to have captured the ghost of a girl who drowned many years ago.

What Lindsay doesn't yet realize is that Mandy and her cohorts are becoming possessed by spirits who have haunted the school for two hundred years. Spirits who want someone dead...

And that someone is Lindsay.

This book looks really good and I think I may have to push it up in my TBR list! 

What do you think?

Have you read it?

If so, link your review.. I would love to read it!!!

Happy Reading!

BuildASign.com Review!

I recently received an email from Melissa with BuildASign asking me to do a review of a product from their company. BuildASign.com has tons of different products such as, yard signs, magnets, licence plates, art prints and more! with so many great products to choose from it was hard to pick, but I decided to go with a bumper sticker. 

I was able to design it right there on the website. It was easy to do and really fun! 

I received my bumper stickers quickly and they were awesome. My bumper stickers are shiny and made of very durable material. 

I received 100... yes 100 bumper stickers and I can not wait to share them with you guys! I will be sending them out with my giveaways! 

So if you want to promote your blog with a shiny bumper sticker or some cool magnets, head over to BuildASign.com and check out there products!!!   

Here they are... what do you think???

Pretty great huh!

I just wanted to say thank you to Melissa and everyone from BuildASign.com 

for letting me review a great product!!! 

Happy Reading!!

Review: Human Blend + Giveaway

Loi Pescatore
Paperback, 234 pages
June 10, 2010
CreateSpace

She was breaking a promise she made to herself. Her thoughts were silenced the minute his lips touched hers. It was different, Julie realized.

Escaping from them had been difficult enough, now Laney needs to keep hidden. All she wanted was to be on her own. Laney is not like other girls... she has very special abilities that set her apart from others. How or why she came about these abilities is a mystery she has yet to unfold. 

Haunted by memories and flashbacks of the suffering she endured at the hands of her captors, she changes her appearance and hides out in a small town. Ignoring her own warnings, she begins a relationship with a local boy. 

The relationship turns dangerous when the boy begins developing similar abilities. This development does not fall under the radar of the men who are trying to recapture her. 

A young doctor's interest is piqued when he witnesses her mysteriously curing a young child's illness. He befriends her due to his growing fascination with uncovering the true nature of her abilities, but not without harboring secrets of his own. Laney's new life falls apart when she meets a young intern that seems to have all the answers to her questions. The information sends her into a tail spin. Thoughts of going on the run once again are thwarted as those whom she was running from find her.

***********************

Let me start of by saying, I loved this book. The concept was original, the plot fast paced and kept me drawn in throughout the entire book!

Julie as a character was really fun to read. She was a strong girl with a strong personality and knew how to take care of her self. She also had a love for helping people which I thought was great. With everything going on in her life all she wanted to do was lead a normal life and help the people around her.

When Julie comes to the town of Marion, she never intended to meet Austin. He immediately is drawn to Julie. As Austin and Julie become friends, it becomes apparent to Julie that she is getting to close to Austin. Even though she knows she needs to distance her self from him, she seems to be doing the complete opposite. 

I liked Austins character, he was that sweet boy next door type. He was caring and wanted to make Julie feel special throughout the book. We see him doing all types of sweet things for Julie that would give any girl the worm fuzzies.

When Julie goes to the local Hospital to do volunteer work she meets the Eli the resident Doctor. He  immediately knows her is not all human and he wants to know her secret. Julie shortly finds out that Eli isn't entirely human either. As Eli and Julie learn more about each other, they start to have feelings for one another.   

I absolutely loved Eli's character, he was a protector. He wanted to help Julie at all costs and does everything he can for her. He was kind and caring but also knew when to lay down the law. As Eli and Jules relationship progresses, Julie is faced with the choice of what direction to take.

Without giving too much away, I will say this, Human Blend was a great story with mythological beings that we are introduced to that are pretty uncommon in the YA scene today. I loved the uniques story and the great relationships that were introduced. 

Overall I really enjoyed Human Blend. I do feel the characters could have been described in a bit more detail. The visual details were a bit vague(hair color, and eyes)  I am a very visual reader and I wish I had a better sense of who I was reading about. Other than that I really loved it. I am really looking forward to more from Lori Pescatore and am hoping that there is a sequel to Human Blend and it comes out soon! 

***************

   

This book was part of my A-Z Reading Challenge. As you know for every book I complete, I will be giving away a prize!

One winner will receive a copy of Human Blend!
To enter, please leave a comment with your email.

If you are not apart of  the A-Z  Reading Challenge and you would like to enter SIGN UP HERE!
If you are already participating you are automatically entered and get +5 entries!

Extra Entries:
Follower +1
Tweet +1
Facebook +1
(must leave direct link)

Ends 2-20-2011

Happy Reading!!

2011 A-Z Reading Challenge Update!

~Update~Update~Update~Update~Update~Update~Update~Update~

Hello all, I just wanted to do a quick update and let you know that the A-Z challenge is in full swing!

There has been quite a few entries and I am so excited to read all your reviews!

I realized that I forgot to put an end date to the 2 books of your choice giveaway... haha silly me!

So I think that February 12th is a good day!  

Thats gives us a month to get all are entries and entry posts ready!

Below is a list of entry's so far.. You can still join and I advise you do. You can combine this challenge with other challenges that you are doing and there is going to be some great prizes for participating!

1. http://badassbookie.blogspot.com/2011/01/2011-z-reading-challenge-sign-up-post.html
2. Thinking Cat
3. http://girlaboutbooks.blogspot.com/2011/01/z-reading-challenge.html
4. Swords for Fighting
5. http://moonlightgleam.blogspot.com/2011/01/taking-on-a-z-reading-challenge.html
6. http://leecheeeee813.blogspot.com/2011/01/z-reading-challenge.html
7. Lauren (message 5)
8. http://eleusinianmysteriesofreading.blogspot.com/2011/01/z-reading-challenge.html
9. Justine
10. Justine
11. Ashley (koisoy)
12. Camilla
13. Sara Orlowski
14. http://thatbookishgirl.blogspot.com/2011/01/z-reading-challenge.html
15. http://thetealeafreview.blogspot.com/2011/01/z-reading-challenge-2011.html
16. http://literaryrr.blogspot.com/p/to-z-reading-challenge-2011.html
17. Hannah
18. Patricia's Particularity
19. realhumangirl
20. http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/462988-2011-a-z-book-challenge
21. Jen (Reading Lassie)
22. Jenny @ The Mimosa Stimulus
23. Sticky Fingerprints
24. Brandi (Blkosiner's Book Blog)
25. Barmy_Bex (YA Book Reviews)
26. Samantha
27. http://theramblingsofabookaddict.blogspot.com/2011/01/z-reading-challenge.html
28. http://angel28140.livejournal.com/32648.html
29. KJ
30. http://aobibliosphere.blogspot.com/2011/01/to-z-reading-challenge-giveaway.html
31. Page Turners Blog
32. Lu (First one on the post)
33. Brooke
34. Stephanie
35. Amber (Down The Rabbut Hole)
36. http://attackofthebook.com/lr-goodies/goodies/
37. http://uniquelymoibooks.blogspot.com/p/z-reading-challenge.html
38. Lesley @ Lesleysays
39. http://literary-explorations.blogspot.com/2011/01/z-reading-challenge.html
40. Bridget-Nicole
41. Morgan (The Paperback Princess)
42. http://myreadersblock.blogspot.com/2011/01/z-reading-challenge.html
43. http://jaysbooksandotherthings.blogspot.com/2011/01/z-reading-challenge.html
44. http://www.ivyreads.info/2011/01/z-reading-challenge.html
45. http://thereadinghousewives.blogspot.com/2011/01/jasmines-z-reading-challenge.html
46. Therese
47. http://thereadinghousewives.blogspot.com/2011/01/jacindas-z-reading-challenge.html
48. Christi the Teen Librarian
49. ~MoonStar~
50. http://deadbookdarling.blogspot.com/2011/01/z-reading-challenge.html
51. Sarah (Books Like Water)
52. Alex
53. Braiden's YA Concoction
54. http://bookaholicaanonymous.blogspot.com/2011/01/z-challenge.html
55. Rie Conley
56. http://yabookiemonster.blogspot.com/2011/01/z-reading-challenge.html
57. http://mbooknerd1995.blogspot.com/2011/01/z-reading-challenge.html
58. http://midnightbloomreads.blogspot.com/2011/01/2011-z-reading-challenge-hosted-by.html
59. She Known As Jess BlogSpot 
60. Danielle (An Eagles View)
61. http://pages-of-forbidden-love.blogspot.com/2011/01/welcome-to-2011-z-reading-challenge.html
62. http://thebookbug-hogan.blogspot.com/
63. Laura (Tampa BookWorm)
64. Orchid
65. Tryllyam
66. Syki
67. Bex
68. Izabella
69. Mithee
70. Kayla
71. Madison
72. Pisinat
73. Amanda
74. Gabrielle Carolina
75. Gaming Gabby
76. Aylee
77. Aleetha
78. Katelyn Torrey
79. http://palmbooksjournal.blogspot.com/2011/01/z-reading-challenge.html
80. Tamara Fořtová
81. Penelope
82. amy aka ladyreader
83. Lisa loves to read
84. Lisa McGeen
85. Jennifer
86. Lisa
87. Jill
88. Kate- Midnight Book Girl
89. Amanda-Lee
90. Maša
91. Aik Chien
92. http://wormyhole.blogspot.com/2011/01/another-challenge-in-case-i-already-am.html
93. Emilie Ahern
94. Filia Libri
95. Aleksandra
96. ReaganStar McBeigh
97. Precious
98. Neer

So there you have it... so far! If you are not apart of this challenge :(  Please visit the sign up page and sign up.. It is going to be really fun and will hopefully help you make a dent in your TBR list...

 plus you might even get some Great books!! 

Check it out here:

SIGN UP HERE

** If you signed up and do not see your name, email me with your name and entry post url @ stephanie_xoxo27@yahoo.com

Happy Reading!!!

Forget Me Not! (7)

Forget me not is a weekly meme dedicated to books that are not brand new but still worthy of reading and are on out TBR list. Feel free to join!  Have fun and Happy Reading!

*******************

This weeks FMN is: 

"I Know Your Secret . . ."

Stacey's junior year at boarding school isn't easy. She's not the most popular girl at school, or the smartest, or the prettiest. She's got a crush on her best friend's boyfriend, and an even darker secret that threatens to ruin her friendships for good. And now she's having nightmares again. Not just any nightmares – these dreams are too real to ignore, like she did three years ago. The last time she ignored them, a little girl died. This time they're about Drea, her best friend who's become the target of one seriously psycho stalker. It started with weird e-mails and freaky phone calls. Now someone's leaving Drea white lilies – the same death lilies that have been showing up in Stacey's dreams. Everybody thinks it's just a twisted game . . . until another girl at school is brutally murdered. There are no witnesses. Worst of all, no one has a perfect alibi. With everyone as a potential suspect, Stacey turns to the one secret weapon she can trust – the folk magic taught to her by her grandmother. Will Stacey's magic be strong enough to expose the true killer, or will the killer make her darkest nightmares come true?

In this Deluxe Spellbook Edition you'll find:

Spells created by You and other keepers of secrets-poems, spells and meditations contributed by fans of this popular series. Extras also include an interview with the author.

Have you read it yet... I really want too!

Let me know your thoughts!!

Happy Reading!

Dreaming of Books Giveaway Winner!!!

The Winner is....

Megan Kyser

Congrats Megan and thanks to everyone who entered!!!

2011 Debut Author Challenge!

Hey dear readers,
I am participating in the 2011 Debut Author Challenge hosted by The Story Siren.
I am super excited about this challenge. There is so many great books coming out and I can't wait to jump into this challenge! If you haven't signed up, I suggest you do!



Here are the basics:

• The objective of the DAC is to read at least twelve novels from Young Adult or Middle Grade Authors. While twelve is the minimum there is no maximum limit! I encourage readers who can read more than twelve to do so!
• Anyone can join. You don't have to be a blogger, and you don't have to live in the United States. 
• You do not have to have an blog written in English to participate. 
• You can join at anytime. Deadline to join is November 20, 2011. (not 2010 you still have PLENTY of time to sign up!) The challenge runs from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011. 

You can read more and sign up HERE!


OK so my 15 books I have selected are:

So there you have it! I believe 2011 is going to be a great reading year..
 I mean will you look at that list...I am really excited!

Happy Reading!!

Stylish Blogger Award!

Hi guys... So this week I received 3 Stylish Blogger Awards..

I would like to thank:

Britta @ I Like These Books

Mistress of the Library

Aik and Koey @ The Bookaholics

Thanks guys for the great award... Make sure to go check out their blogs...they are great!!!

Being a stylish award I must thank Danny @ Dreamy Blog Designs for creating my fantastic blog design... she is great and if you have a blog and want a new design I advise you check out her work! XOXO

OK here are the rules:

1.) Be sure to thank the person who gave you the award in your post.

2.) Share seven fun things about yourself

3.) Pass the award onto ten bloggers who you think are extremely stylish

4.) Be sure to let the winners know they were chosen.

Seven fun facts:

1) I love owls... duh, I'm sure you know that!!

                           

            2) I am a huge Stephenie Meyer fan

3) Owl City is my favorite band.. and not because 

it has owl in the name... although it is great!

4) I pretty much live on Arizona green tea and red Gatorade

5) I love to sing... I sing in the shower, in the car, when I'm making dinner and when I'm cleaning the house. Plus I tend to use inanimate objects as microphones... such as spoons, hair brushes and what not!


6) I hate onions!

7) Avatar is my favorite movie of all time!

OK the ten lovely bloggers who will be receiving this award from me are:


Brodie @ Eleusinian Mysteries 
Myranda @ The Book Nymph
Lucia @ iLive, iLaugh, iLove Books
Monica @ The Ramblings of a Book Addict.
Christi @ Christi the Teen Librarian 
Ivy @ Ivy Reads
Brandi @ Blkosiner's Book Blog
Alexa @ Pages of Forbidden Love
Danielle @ An Eagles View
Jay @ Books, and other things...

Make sure to check out all the great blogs I nominated and the 3 that nominated me!
Happy Reading! 

Dreaming of Books Giveaway!!!

Alright... It's time for yet another hop... Are you ready.

OK so you know the drill... its a Hop so you have to be a follower... 

Wanna know what you will win?

One winner will win a choice of these 4 books:

So there you have it! Fill out the form and your entered!!!
Make sure you enter my other giveaways that are going on here at Book Junky!

Win Bumped by Megan MacCafferty

              Enter HERE!

Join the A-Z Reading Challenge and get a Swag pack just for joining
and be entered to win 2 books of your choice!

                 Sign up Here!

A-Z Reading Challenge + Giveaway!!

Welcome to the 2011 A-Z Reading Challenge... 
Hosted by Me!

So... here's how its gonna work... 

Read 26 books this year ( easy right ) 

One for each letter of the alphabet.

Here's how to enter:

Make a post with your list of 26 books and fill out the entry form.
If you don't have a blog don't worry.. you can post your list on Facebook, Goodreads or where ever you can find... just  add your link to where ever you posted your list!!

When I have your link you will automatically be entered to win 2 books of your choice.. yes thats 2

Any 2 books you want... under $25 each .. I'm not rich here people.

Plus for every book on my list I read there will be another giveaway...

Thats 26 giveaways that you are automatically entered for and all you have to do is particulate.

Pretty great huh. Read books, get free stuff. 

So what are you waiting for?

Join now!!!
Yes... It's International
And if you don't have your whole list complete just yet... It's OK... just fill it in as you go along!!
Any other questions, feel free to ask... I don't bite!

Fill out This
FORM

Here's my list:

A- Anna Dressed in Blood By Kendare Blake (Read my Review Here)

B- Bumped by Megan McCafferty

C- City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

D- Delirium by Lauren Oliver (Read my review Here)

E- Enchanted Ivy by Sarah Beth Durst

F- Forsaken by Jana Oliver

G-The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong  (Read my Review here)
H- Human Blend by Lori Pescatore  (Read my review here)

I- I Am Number Four by Lore Pittacus

J- Jonas (Beautiful Dead) by Eden Maguire

K- Knife by R.J. Anderson

L- Lament by Maggie Stiefvater 

M- Matched by Ally Condie

N- Need by Carrie Jones

O- Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCallough

P- Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard 

Q- Queen in Exile by Donna Hatch

R- Rosebush by Michele Jaffe

S- Slice of Cherry by Dia Reeves

T- The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

U- Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

V- Vampire Academy by Rachelle Mead

W- Wildfire by Karsten Knight

X- XVI by Julia Karr

Y- You Against Me by Jenny Downham

Z- Zombie Vs. Unicorn by Various Authors

Happy Reading!!

** Edit: For all of you who had signed up with Mr. Linky you do not need to fill out the form... I thought this was a better way of keeping all of your info... :)