#BHSV – WINNERS ANNOUNCEMENT! {25 Winners}

 

 

Hey Everyone! They’re here! The Winners of the Bookish Have Summer Vacation Event, that me and the girls from Paranormal Haven Hosted, are here! All 25 of them! YAY!

If you entered the giveaways at Paranormal Haven, you need to check out there winner announcement, to see if you’ve won.

PARANORMAL HAVEN

Before we get to the good part, I wanna take a minute to thank my fellow bloggers, Athenna and Stephanie from Paranormal Haven for hosting the event with me and of course, ALL the awesome authors that contributed to make this event so awesome!

Alice Clayton
Carolyn Crane
Dakota Banks
Eileen Wilks
Gini Koch
Jeaniene Frost
Jeanne C. Stein
Jess Haynes
Jocelynn Drake
Kelly Gay
Lara Adrian
Larissa Ione
Vicki Pettersson
Laura Bickle / Alayna Willams
Linda Robertson
Michele Barsdley
Michelle Rowen
Nancy Holzner
Seanan McGuire

 

THANK YOU!

 

Remember…

 

 

ALL winners and have 72hrs to contact me at:

larissa@larissaslife.com

*please state in the email your prize choice if it’s the case.

 

 

Now to the winners:

 

Giveaway	Winner	email {1st part}
1of3 "Redhead" eBook Sets by Alice Clayton	Anne Reeths	areeths
1of3 "Redhead" eBook Sets by Alice Clayton	blodeuedd	blodeuedd1
1of3 "Redhead" eBook Sets by Alice Clayton	Melliane	delhia_1
Signed "Mind Games"	Pam S /pams00	pams00
Signed Copy of "Sacrifice" + 25$ Amazon Gift Card	jc	yumihamano
"Blood Challenge" by Eileen Wilks	SweetShenanigans	girl23rocks
A SIGNED "Alien" Book by Gini Koch	Meredith Miller	meredithfl
Signed "This Side of The Grave" or "One Foot In The Grave"	Brittany Gale	quixoticdreamer
Full set of the Anna Strong series by Jeanne C Stein	JenM	jen
H&W 3Book set {Signed} by Jess Haines	Christy M	practimom
1 of 2 SIGNED Copies of "Wait For Dusk" by Jocelynn Drake	Dovile	spamscape
1 of 2 SIGNED Copies of "Wait For Dusk" by Jocelynn Drake	Midnite	lady.midnite
SIGNED Copy of “Darkness Becomes Her” + NEW Copy of “Natural Born Charmer” from Kelly Gay/Kelly Keaton	Kristen My Bookish Fairy Tale	mybookishfairytale
Signed Taken by Midnight/Bk1 Audiobook/Bkmarks	Nanni Clover	nanniclover
SIGNED Larissa Ione Book (winner's choice)	Naty Gry	natygry
Signed Neon Graveyard + Poker Chip	Naty Gry	natygry
Signed "Embers" & "Dark Oracle" by Laura Bickle / Alayna Willams	Mish@	misadevilgirl
1 of 2 SIGNED Copies of "Arcane Circle" or "Fatal Circle" {US}	Ash	ashley.mckinsey
1 of 2 SIGNED Copies of "Arcane Circle" or "Fatal Circle" {US}	Anne	acm05
SIGNED Copy of "Arcane Circle" or "Fatal Circle" {Intl}	Nanni Clover	nanniclover
25$ Amazon Gift Card from Michele Bardsley	Bethany C.	b.cardone
1 of 2 SIGNED Copies of “Bloodlust" by Michelle Rowen	erin	efender1
1 of 2 SIGNED Copies of “Bloodlust" by Michelle Rowen	Cathy M	caity_mack
Pair of Sea Glass Earrings from Nancy Holzner	Leni	lenikaye
SIGNED "Late Eclipses" by Seanan McGuire	Rachel Leigh	TheOneRing111

 

 

 

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BHSV – Guest Post by Vicki Pettersson & SIGNED Copy of “Neon Graveyard” + NG Poker Chip Giveaway!

 

Las Vegas isn’t just a 24-hour city, it’s a 365 day city – an all-you-can-eat buffet of bulging neon, glamour, and action. I always like to say that my glittering hometown is willing to be whatever you want it to be, and that you can find whatever you’re looking for here – whether good or nefarious.

Having set my Signs of the Zodiac series here (and next year’s THE TAKEN, from my new Celestial Blues series), I’ve been asked if the locales in my books are real … and I’m happy to say that many of them are. Real life settings add weight and mental moorings to fantastical stories, and surprisingly, I’ve found that the stories do the same for the real life settings. Readers who have visited these places in the past say they can almost see my characters peering at them from around the city’s most shadowy corners … but, of course, they know where to look.

Below is a mini walking tour* of the city … though unlike one ever cobbled together before. This is my protagonist’s, Joanna Archer’s, city – one with dueling agents of Shadow and Light, comic book shops filled with kids who know a little too much, and watering holes that are more than they seem.

First up, no journey to Zodiac Vegas would be complete without a stop at the Neon Boneyard. Central to my series - as this is where my mystical superheroes hang their metaphorical hats and call home - the Neon Boneyard is where the signage of Las Vegas’ yesteryear goes to die. Collected and stored until they can be refurbished and transformed into their previous neon glory, the signage is a literal clustering of Las Vegas’ past. There are guided walking tours five days a week, where you can view the signage up close, and that brings us to …

The Silver Slipper. This great beauty lay rusting in the Boneyard for many years until someone donated enough funds to give that great shoe a proper shine. It now stands atop a pedestal along the Cultural Corridor (to my heroine’s chagrin – she calls it the world’s largest stripper pole, but I digress) where it spins with other refurbished signage as a testament to the city’s glittering past.

While you’re downtown, you might as well wet your whistle at the boho-chic speakeasy, the Downtown Cocktail Room … that is, if you can find the door. Locals can, of course, and have a great time watching from the inside as newbies give it a go, but it’s well worth the I.Q. test once admitted. It boasts a swanky, urban vibe, unique cocktails, and good service. It’s one place downtown that locals deem to call home.

And let’s not forget about the children, shall we? Alternate Reality Comics is Vegas’ oldest comic book shop, and it’s also the loose blueprint for my fictional comic book shop, Master Comics. Though I can’t say you’ll find a changeling or the manuals of Shadow and Light inside these doors, they do have a fantastic selection and a knowledgeable staff … and they’re located right across the street from my alma mater, UNLV.

Finally, no tour of Vegas would be complete without a visit to the incomparable Peppermill Lounge. Ultra-lounges come and go in Vegas, but this place has been grooving since the seventies … and has the outdated décor to prove it. It also has a bubbling firepit, and velvet lounge chairs tucked into faux tropical foliage, making it one of Vegas’ iconic make-out spots. But don’t worry. What happens at the Peppermill, stays at the Peppermill.

These are just a few of the locales that show up in my series, but they’re also places that make my hometown so unique, kitschy, flashy and fun. So if you’re headed to Vegas why not consider visiting one of the above places, and give Joanna Archer’s world a try.

If you can separate fact from fiction, that is. If you dare.

*walking tour, btw, is a bit of a misnomer. You’d be risking heatstroke if you tried to walk from one place to another, so I suggest a car or cab … though if you’ve read my series, you’d know even that carries a bit of risk. ;-)

Have a wonderful summer, All.

 

For more information about Vicki Pettersson and her books, check out her website at

www.vickipettersson.com

 

 

Win a SIGNED Copy of “Neon Graveyard” by  Vicki Pettersson & a NG Poker Chip!

 

 

 

To Enter:

 

Leave a comment about anything on the post above.

 

Fill Out THIS Form! 

 

INTERNATONAL!

 

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Check Out The OTHER BHSV GIVEAWAYS:

 

 

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Author Interview & SIGNED Copy of "Neon Graveyard" + Poker Chip Giveaway w/ Vicki Pettersson!

 

Hello everyone!

Please help me welcome one of my favorite authors to the blog tonight!

Vicki Pettersson is here to talk about the end of The Signs of The Zodiac series and she has been awesome enough to offer an amazing giveaway!

Enjoy!

• How are you feeling now that you are done with the Signs of the zodiac series? Will you miss that world and characters?

It’ s definitely odd not having them roll around in my gray matter every free (and working) moment. It feels a bit like a graduation, with everyone moving in different directions in order to pursue their individual dreams. Yet I also feel that, like graduation, it’ s time for that. We’ ve learned all we can at this time in this place with these people. So I can’ t say I’ ll miss them because they’ re not really gone to me. They’ re just in my periphery, rather than direct sight. I dunno … maybe we’ ll reconnect someday on Facebook. ;-)

• I have to say that you came out with a bang for the finale and that I for one am not ready to say goodbye to Joanna and co. Any plans to revisit that world in novellas?

None right now, but never say never. I’ d need the characters to approach me, though. I’ ve learned through trial-and-error that I don’ t like to write anything unless I really feel I must. So it has to be a story that touches (or guts) me in some way – and can compete with what I have going on creatively now - even (or especially) in a shorter format.

• Did you always have a plan for things to go the way they did or did things fall into place with time?

A little of both. I knew most of the major plot twists, as well as the series’ ending, and that’ s how I was able to plant clues and red herrings from the first book to the last. However, getting from A to Z was in many ways a mystery, and that’ s one of my favorite things about writing. Some things only make themselves known when you’ re seeking specificity. That’ s when characters or themes unexpectedly pop up, yet somehow appear as if they were always meant to be. The entire troop of grays were like that for me. I’ d originally conceived of the series as a battle solely between Shadow and Light, yet
what else could Joanna ultimately be, but gray? So while I write with an end in mind, and I plot for my own mental comfort, I’ ve learned to leave ample opportunity for mystery and surprise.

• Which was your favorite character in the series?

I don’ t think it would come as any surprise that it’ s Joanna. She’ s hard and cynical, tough and moody, stubborn and justified, broken and thoughtful. But for all her faults, she’ s really trying, you know? She wants to be a good person, and to do the right thing in a hard world, yet she’ s not afraid to pull the trigger when it comes to protecting what’ s hers. She decisively makes tough decisions when pressed, and while I still admire the strength that has been her hallmark from page one of the first book, her willingness to open up and be vulnerable even after so many betrayals and hardships is so attractive to me. I’ ve learned from Jo that being soft and hopeful is not the same thing as being weak. What a great lesson to hold on to when facing life’ s inevitable obstacles and changes. Do the best you can, and retain your hope and humanity through it all. I love that.

• Which was your least favorite?

My instinct is to say the Tulpa – after all, he’ s the Big Bad, the ultimate evil – but the more nuanced evil is somebody like Warren, who was trusted and embraced, and who then betrayed that trust. His
character growth surprised even me, it was so slow and organic, but as I peeled back more and more of his layers, it became clear that his actions were based on beliefs that were just as extreme as his enemies’ beliefs, and a mind that was just as inflexible as well. He’ s a great example of someone who is more emotionally invested in being right than being compassionate, understanding, kind … in being
human.

• Which character will you miss the most?

I loved Cher and Suzanne. Their uncomplicated, unconditional friendship was such a balm to Joanna’ s soul. She was so mistrustful and emotionally shattered at the beginning of the series, and their friendship helped heal her in those ways. A great deal of her being able to eventually open herself up to love was because of them.

• Any plans for "Signs of the zodiac" Graphic Novels? I mean, with all the talk of comic books in the series it must have crossed your mind at some point, no?

Not at this time. There’ s been talk now and again, but I don’ t concern myself with that. I just write the novels.

• What are you planning for us next? Can you tell us a little bit about it?

Next up is THE TAKEN, the first book in my new Celestial Blues trilogy. The series has a slightly different focus than did Zodiac – more supernatural noir than pure urban fantasy – but it still retains the dark romance, gritty setting, and worldbuilding that I find such great fun. I’ ve long loved detective fiction, so coupling that genre with the supernatural has let my mind go all inventive and twisty. I’ ve just handed in the first draft, so it should be on shelves around spring of 2012.

Find Vicki Pettersson Online:

Website/Blog | Twitter

Facebook

Buy Vicki’s Books:

Amazon.com | Book Depot | Barnes and Noble

Check Out:

My ARC Review of Cheat The Grave!

My ARC Review of Neon Graveyard!

 

 

To Enter:

 

Leave a comment about anything in the interview above

Fill Out THIS Form!

Extra Entries in The Comments WILL NOT COUNT!

*please read my Contest policy*

 

 

Extra Entries:

• +5 Google Friend Connect Follower {Follow Publicly}
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• +3 Follow me on Twitter (@larissa_sarah)
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INTERNATIONAL!

Ends May 31st!

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ARC Review: Neon Graveyard {Signs of The Zodiac, #6} by Vicki Pettersson

 

 

 

 

 

Once she was a soldier for the Light, the prophesied savior who would decide the outcome of the eternal conflict raging unseen in the dark corners of her glittering hometown. Now Joanna Archer is just another mortal—still born of an impossible union of Shadow and Light . . . still hunted by both—and carrying the unborn child of a lover held captive by a depraved demon goddess. Joining forces with a band of rogue Shadow agents, Joanna's ready to storm the stronghold of her demonic foe, risking everything to enter this ghastly, godforsaken realm where the price of admission is her eternal soul. Because in a world that has stripped her of her power, identity, and fortune, Joanna has nothing left to lose—except her baby, her future, and the epic war poised to consume the city.

From Goodreads.

 

• Publisher: Harper Collins 
• Release Date: May 31st, 2011   
• My Copy: eARC received from NetGalley.
• Pages: 384 
• Series: Signs of The Zodiac 
• Genre: Urban Fantasy 
• Author's Website
• Pre-Order The Book:

The Neon Graveyard (Sign of the Zodiac, Book 6)

*Minor Spoilers for the other books in the series

After such an incredible adventure full of villains, super powers, super heroes, comic books, mysteries, secrets, revelations, disappointments, heart-break and all-out war in the Las Vegas desert, Joanna’s journey comes to an end in this spectacular ending to this amazing series.

In Neon Graveyard, a powerless Joanna finds herself siding with the most unexpected allies, causing a shift in the power structure of the heroes and villains that inhabit Vegas.

She is on a mission to save the man she loves from the clutches of a self-proclaimed goddess, while still having to deal with shadow agents as well as light ones that used to be her friends.

Vicki brings all out to a halting crash with this final installment of this incredible series, not sparing no one in this heart wrenching war that seems endless.

All the characters we’ve come to love and hate are back in Neon Graveyard, some are more welcome to see than others, but all of them are necessary to help Joanna and the ones she loves to reach closure and perhaps even a happy ending?

If you have been dilligentely following this series as I have, you will NOT want to miss out on this amazing book! I totally recommend it! And if you have yet to read this series, you should be ashamed of yourself, this is an all-you-can-eat buffet to any Urban Fantasy lover out there!

 

Previously on the Signs of The Zodiac series:

My review of “Cheat The Grave”!

 

Don’t Forget to Vote for Next Week’s {May 22nd} Theme for

The TOP 5 Sundays Post on the Poll at the left sidebar!

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Top 5 Sundays {#37} - Most Jaw Dropping Bookish "Plot Twists"!

Hey there my dear readers! =) My favorite time of the week has arrived, Top 5 time!

This was such a fun one to think about, Hope you enjoy as well!

Let’s get right to it, shall we?

This week’s results:

Most Jaw Dropping Bookish "Plot Twists"! = 21 (65%)

Fave Book Quotes! = 11 (34%)

 

The theme for today is:

Most Jaw Dropping Bookish "Plot Twists"!

  *thanks Amanda P for the theme!

But first, a little bit about this feature and the rules to join in…

Every Sunday I will post a TOP 5 list on the blog. It can be about anything and every week I'll have a new theme {You can vote on next week’s theme on my left sidebar!} and I will ad the Mr.Linky bellow the post so you can do a list with the theme and add you link to it.

Rules:

1. Write a post listing your TOP 5 choices within the theme I chose (or was chosen on a poll) for the week.
2. Mention this Blog on the post and link back to it.
3. Fell free to use the Feature's image (there is a smaller size version of it bellow)
4. After you've finished your post, add you link (of the post, not your blog's main page) to the Mr.Linky at the end of that week's post.
5. If you don’t have a blog to post, just leave your list in the comments =)

 

This week’s theme is Most Jaw Dropping Bookish "Plot Twists"!

  *in no particular order

Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning

Nothing more mind blowing than finding out who was the beast under Barrons’ garage and who V’lane really was… WOW! 

 

Bring on The Night by Jeri Smith-Ready

Awesome series and I’m still reeling from how gutsy Jeri was in changing the main character so thoroughly in this installment! 

 

City of Souls by Vicki Pettersson 

Having the heroine of a series about super heroes become mortal was nothing else than insane and if I may so, genious!

 

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

There were a couple of jaw-dropping twists in this one, but the most amazing for me was the meeting at the end and the decision to have one last HG. I mean, after all they had been through? Really?

 

Double Cross by Caroline Crane 

Packard! OMG! I hate Otto with all my being! The ending of this book is a killer! 

 

Attention!

Please HELP!

If you have any theme ideas for the next Top 5 Sundays Posts, please leave them in the comments!

Your input would be much appreciated!

*Thanks everyone that submitted their ideas last week! You guys rock! =)

 

 

Now I can’t wait to see who is in YOUR List of Most Jaw Dropping Bookish "Plot Twists"!

Write you post and leave your link so i can check it out!

Hope you guys have fun with it!

 

Don’t Forget to Vote for Next Week’s {May 1st} Theme for

The TOP 5 Sundays Post on the Poll at the left sidebar!

Giveaways:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Check Out My Design Blog:

Great Anti-Piracy Badge Up for Grabs!

& an AWESOME Giveaway!

&

Sign Up for…

 

Thanks so much for tuning in and I’ll see you soon!

xoxo,

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