Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Hanging out with Kendare Blake and giving away a copy of Anna Dressed in Blood!

I have a book in my hot little hands. Yes, I do. And, if you're lucky, even though this book doesn't release until August 30th, it could be in your hot little hands very soon, because I'm giving an ARC away RIGHT NOW! You seriously want this one. Seriously.

It's this:

and it's by my editor sister, Kendare Blake. This book is just bunches of WOW and OMG! You won't be able to put it down! Promise!

Here's the jacket copy:
Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead.

So did his father before him, until he was gruesomely murdered by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father's mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.

When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn't expect anything outside of the ordinary: track, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he's never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, now stained red and dripping with blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.

But she, for whatever reason, spares Cas's life.


Kendare was kind enough to answer a few questions for me, so I thought I'd pass her answers along to you. Here goes...

Okay, so, first off, how much do you love your editor? (Hi Melissa :p *waves*)
I know! We got so lucky. Mel is always on the perfect wavelength editiorially. Her instinct on what to cut, what to soften, what to emphasize or blend is so spot on that whenever I read her notes it feels like I thought of it myself. A definite "Oh yeah. Of course" moment. Now if only she'd stop being such a slave-driver in my nightmares. Have you had those? Apparently me and at least one of her other authors have horrible Mel nightmares, in which she changes our covers and laughs maniacally, or forces us to write in German.

So, yeah...no. I've never had Mel nightmares. Now I sorta feel left out. All right then... Moving right along. What made you want to write from a (totally cool) male POV?
The book I'd just come off of had one male POV, and it was a lot of fun. Cas was the natural narrator, and it wasn't really that much of an adjustment, which I think stems from my 12 year bout of Tomboy-ism.

Tell the truth. Cas is your husband, right? Cuz I met him and he’s pretty cool too.
I may or may not tell him you said that. He gets so conceited! But truth...Cas isn't my husband. The only thing they really have in common is a ridiculous urge to climb rocks that are not safe for climbing. And an inherent fear of sushi. Cas is just...Cas. I have no idea where he came from, and I thought not a lick about his character before I wrote him. He just was.

If I was to try and hang out with Anna, what do you think she’d go after first? Maybe rip my still beating heart out? Or just tear off my head?
Hmm. Well, she really loves dismemberment. So maybe you'd just lose a limb? Hopefully not the arms because you need those for writing!

What’s with the ghosts? (Make of that what you will.)
The ghosts. Ah yes. Little bit of backstory...one of my best friends is obsessed with serial killers. She wrote her graduate thesis on Bundy and Dahmer. So I've heard a lot of nasty tales over the years. Police accounts of victims, that sort of thing. It's really terrible. Makes you want to live in a bubble. So when I wrote ANNA, and I needed horrible things...I just had to dig around in the back of my many, many repressed memories.

And, last but not least, I love the Wiccan theme of Anna Dressed in Blood. Fess up. You’re a witch, aren’t you?
Crap! The jig is up! Time to throw the cauldron in the back of the Volkswagen van and get out of here. But seriously, I enjoyed the Wiccan theme also. I've been familiar with the religion for most of my life, and though the Wiccan world in ANNA is fictionalized, I wanted it to stay grounded in reality.

Thanks for clearing that up, Kendare!

So, y'all want a copy, don't you? All you have to do to enter for an ARC of Anna Dressed in Blood is leave a comment below before noon on Friday (8/5/11). And, just because I love you, I'll throw in a signed copy of Original Sin. You can earn an additional entry for Tweeting or Facebooking the contest. Must be 13 to enter. Open internationally.

So comment away! And if you have any more questions for Kendare, I'll ask her to check in and we'll hopefully get them answered for you. =)

89 comments:

  1. Ohmigosh I've heard so much about this book and seen it everywhere! I would love to win a copy! Thanks, Lisa and Kendare!

    iLiveiLaughiLoveBooks@gmail.com

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  2. Thanks for giveaway!! It's simply amazing!
    roxy_roxana_100@yahoo.com
    +1 Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002678261984&sk=wall

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  3. Yay! I really want to read this one. Thanks for the wonderful post!
    Tweeted:
    http://twitter.com/#!/BritneyWyatt/status/98789407393460224
    Posted on fb:
    facebook.com/britney.m.wyatt

    britneywyatt[at]gmail[dot]com

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  4. I can't wait to read Anna Dressed in Blood and Original Sin! And I have a friend who is obsessed with serial killers too (kinda creepy, but interesting!)
    booksake(at)yahoo(dot)com
    Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/booksake/status/98790802947452928

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  5. I really, really want to read this book! I've heard such good things about it!

    twilightforever.edward at gmail dot com

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  6. Thanks so much for the giveaway! I don't know which I want to read more, ANNA or Original Sin. I'd gladly settle for both in my hot little hands... That was wishful thinking.

    http://twitter.com/#!/hikablack/status/98792252029149184

    hikablack(at)gmail(dot)com

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  7. woot! Thanks for the chance, this book looks AWESOME!

    tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/luarroyave/status/98792817589100544

    luarroyave(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  8. Oh man I'd live to win these! atwillen5205@hotmail.com

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  9. Thank you for giving away a copy! *crosses fingers*

    Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/Ash_Ash/status/98794257787269120

    ashley.mckinsey(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  10. I read somewhere that this is a sought out book! Enter me please :)
    Email: cruz042@csusm.edu
    Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/ariannecruz07/status/98794932894048256

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  11. great giveaway
    follow via gfc
    drakebdog@gmail.com

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  12. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  13. Thanks!! I want to win this book SO bad!

    here's my tweet:
    http://twitter.com/#!/poisnivyred/status/98799571223851009

    poisnivyred@gmail.com

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  14. Great post! The bit about the serial killer loving best-friend cracked me up :)

    mrs.which (at) gmail.com

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  15. Thanks for the awesome giveaway!

    ashleysbookshelf at gmail dot com

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  16. Facebooked it - http://www.facebook.com/AshleySuzanne4/posts/247010691986612

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  17. Wow. That does sound like an awesome book. Thanks for the shot.

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  18. It sounds like an awesome book! Thanks for the opportunity!

    Tammi
    tammirn2002@gmail.com

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  19. I've been looking forward to ADIB for so long. Thanks for the chance :-)

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/safaripoet/posts/248902675127727
    Twitter: http://twitter.com/safaripoet/status/98818237239795712

    safaripoet@live.com

    What sort of obstacles did you face writing from a male pov?
    Are there any songs that could describe the atmosphere, actions and feel of ANIB? Do you have a playlist?

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  20. Omg, thank you for this amazing giveaway! :D I can't wait to read Anna Dressed in Blood. <3 It seems so awesome ;D And I also can't wait to read your book :) So it would be amazing to win them both. <3
    Love, Carina ~ carina-olsen@hotmail.com

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  21. I think it's great we get to read from a male POV. We don't get too many of books like that.

    Tweet: https://twitter.com/emma015/status/98822952837066752

    Findjessyhere at gmail dot com

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  22. I would love to read Anna Dressed in Blood. I've heard good things about it.

    Would be awesome to win. Thanks for the giveaway!

    lyssad87(at)gmail(dot)com

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  23. Thanks for the awesome giveaway! I am dying to read this book I've heard so many great things about it.

    Neri0724(at)gmail(dot)com.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Thank you so much for the chance to win♥
    tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/JanaRathouska/status/98832989412270081
    Rathouska(dot)jana(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  25. I've heard a lot about this book,can't wait to read it!Thanks for the giveaway!
    Here's my tweet about the giveaway:

    http://twitter.com/#!/Julianapiovani/status/98838500404768768

    julianapiovani@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. me me!! OMG!!I've been dying to read that book!! and I looooooved this interview she seems so fun!!!!!! now I'm intrigued with the whole idea of the book!!! thanks for this!

    calbizzz_152(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  27. Thanks for the giveaway!!!

    gfc follower

    vidishamun at gmail dot com

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  28. Sounds great. Thanks for the chance!!

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

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  29. I've read Original Sin and loved it. Anna Dressed in Blood is on my TBR list and I've been checking the libraries to see if they bought a copy yet.
    Aradia M.
    aradia_m@yahoo.com

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  30. I've heard such good things about this book!! Thanks for the contest. :)

    Stephanie :)
    moonglo at gmail dot com

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  31. The cover is amazing, and I'm looking forward to it! juanpablo.m.sullivan(at)gmail.com

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  32. Awesome! I've been looking forward to this one for a while.

    travisp1026(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  33. This book sounds so awesome. I've been wanting it for a while.

    michelle . witte @ belletrinsic.com

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  34. Thanks for the giveaway, Lisa, and a fantastic interview!

    Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/AshelynnS/status/98884179130986497

    facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ashelynn.hetland/posts/189306804466808

    thank you!

    ashelynnsanford at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  35. Yes please, thank you! :)

    +1 Tweeted: https://twitter.com/cegluna/status/98885845909643264

    cegluna(at)Gmail(dot)com

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  36. I'd love to read this! Thanks for the giveaway!

    meredithfl at gmail dot com

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  37. I have been waiting for this book forever!!

    Thank you!
    I tweeted about it also :)
    Lexirylie at yahoo dot com

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  38. I love that you're "editor sisters" :)

    heisereads [at] gmail[dot]com

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  39. DO WANT.

    It's adorable you're editor sisters. Those are needed more than one thinks if you're a writer. <3

    +1: retweeted the following: https://twitter.com/#!/LisaDez/statuses/98939714970718208

    Woo hoo!

    Usagi
    usagiko at gmail dot com

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  40. I have been absolutely dying to read this! I love the TorTeen line :D

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  41. I want them both!!

    laurengetsliteral at gmail dot com

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  42. I cannot wait to read Kendare's book!! I've been looking forward to it all year. Love the spooky sounding story.

    Tweety'd here: http://twitter.com/#!/FancifulMusings/status/98943845768757248

    fancifulmusings (at) hotmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  43. awesome! I really want to read Anna Dressed in Blood!!

    tweeted it:
    http://twitter.com/#!/razismyname/status/98943715921498112

    neilrazipong at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  44. Oh wow Anna and a signed copy of Original Sin! Could this giveaway be any better? Awesome Interview C:

    Megannflowers(@)hotmail.com

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  45. sounds soooo creepy....i need my hands on a copy!!!!! great giveaway!!!


    sk8lyn123@aol.com

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  46. Oooh, this has been on my to-read list for ages! I am so anxious to read it! Thanks for the chance!

    purdueliz at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  47. +1 tweeted magicatticbree

    Thanks for the giveaway!!

    Breechri@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  48. Would so love to win this book! I've heard so many great things about this book. I LOVE the cover. Thanks a bunch for hosting this giveaway.

    fchien16@gmail.com

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  49. Awesome! This book seems just my type.

    reutreads@gmail.com

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  50. Wow!!! This is awesome!! Nice questions. Thanks for the giveaway.

    claroxide@yahoo.co.in

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  51. Kendare- what a rockin' cover! I am SO STOKED for this book to come out! Would love to win a copy and display it on my "books with awesome covers" shelf in my room. =]

    Thanks for having her here, Lisa! Hope you are well! If you're attending SCBWI this weekend, would love to meet up again! (haven't seen you since dinner in fairview at your signing!)

    -Lindsay


    lindsaycummings20 at yahoo dot com

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  52. This sounds great! Thanks for the giveaway!
    throuthehaze at gmail dot com

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  53. awesome giveaway, I've been waiting for both of these books for far too long!

    bookaholic117(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  54. Oh my gosh, I have been so excited to read this book. I've heard such good things about this book!
    I tweeted: twitter.com/#!/Bookluver1208

    Thanks so much for this giveaway! :)

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  55. Wow, thanks for all the kind compliments on the cover art and such. It is definitely cool to have Lisa as an editor sister! We're going to be signing together sometime this fall (so help me! We will!) and I can't wait to see her again.

    Questions to answer: No playlist. If Anna had a song, it might be the Fiona Apple cover of Sally's Song from The Nightmare Before Christmas. But just in tone. Obstacles to Male POV: Well, dudes don't tend to EMOTE that much. So the touchy feely bits were...tough.

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  56. I would love, love, love to win a copy of either book! Thank you for a great giveaway!!

    Destiny
    destinyphilipose(at)gmail(dot)com

    Tweeted: www.twitter.com/dphilipose

    ReplyDelete
  57. Awesome giveaway, can't wait for anna dressed in blood!

    amanda
    wolfbauer3(at)gmail(dot)com

    tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/MortalsLibrary/status/98973685553180673

    ReplyDelete
  58. This sounds like a really good book. I LOVE the cover. Thanks for the interview & the giveaway!

    I tweeted: http://twitter.com/ravenamo/status/98963575611211776

    raven (dot) ashley187 (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  59. Loved the interview, and I cannot wait for this book to be released!

    Vivien
    deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  60. I can't wait to get my hands on this book so getting it early would be awesome! And the cover is so pretty!

    lollybees3@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  61. Thanks for the giveaway.

    I have seen rather a lot of hype on the blogs around about this book and to be honest that type of thing can sometimes turn me off a book but I am still curious about this one, so please enter me in the giveaway.

    Thanks for opening it to worldwide entries.

    Carol T

    buddytho {at} gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  62. i'm really looking forward to this book. thanks for the interview and the awesome giveaway! :)

    tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/mrhcontesttweet/status/99069487978000384

    maidenveil(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  63. :O want!

    Tweeted:http://twitter.com/#!/kadburytweets/status/99089709724209152

    youngreadersathomeATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  64. Thanks for the great giveaway! I love the cover.
    I shared it on FB: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1522821560

    artgiote at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  65. Love the cover and the title! Thanks so much for the giveaway! :D

    I shared it on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/FreakChiq/status/99104565697331201

    sabina(dot)dezman(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  66. Ahh I really wanted to read Anna Dressed in Blood.

    My email is kcalalang36(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  67. The cover is kinda creepy, but at the same time it's beautiful. I can't wait to read this book! *-*

    Please, count me in :D

    I tweeted about it:
    http://twitter.com/#!/lismagol/status/99139380014366720

    lismagol(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  68. I'd love an ARC!!!

    starmetaloak(at)gmail(dot)com

    +1 tweet:
    http://twitter.com/#!/starmetaloak/status/99139276587016193

    ReplyDelete
  69. I can't wait to read this book! Great interview and thanks for the giveaway!

    +1 tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/MT0089/status/99140238718402561

    minas_1989(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  70. My name is Anna so, clearly, the pinch of weird in me absolutely can't wait to read a book where a character who shares my name is a killer ghost. Okay, maybe it's a lot more than a pinch. That being said, I'm really excited to read this book and would love to get a ARC - plus, I loved Personal Demons and haven't yet read Original Sin.

    anna.baker.lv@gmail.com

    +1 Tweet: http://twitter.com/annafantastica
    +1 FB: https://www.facebook.com/#!/annafantasica
    I think it's private so here's a screen shot:
    http://tinypic.com/r/33as8j8/7

    ReplyDelete
  71. how fun - a book giveaway for books i really want!! thanks for hosting such a fabulous giveaway.

    +1 tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/LisaDez/status/99137808773550080
    you should be able to see me in among the people who have retweeted you... my twitter name is blackstonepttry

    jenny@blackstonepottery.com

    ReplyDelete
  72. I'm soooo excited for this book!!!!

    Delilah
    bellsabee.keener@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  73. Thank you for the giveaway!

    + 1 tweet
    https://twitter.com/#!/mermaidvisions/status/99150068262764545

    angelidgcruz@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  74. Please enter me. I'd love this!
    Re-tweeted your tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/LisaDez/status/99137808773550080

    vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  75. Im in!!! Thank you!!

    +1 Tweet: http://twitter.com/Mariana_s89/statuses/99158240776032256

    -Mariana S
    sarima89 AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  76. I don't know what's happening to me. I used to be a huge chicken, but here I am totally salivating for this book that sounds terrifying! o_O

    What a fun interview! I think there need to be mre witch/Wiccan books in YA. It's such a fascinating topic, and there's so much there to explore! I didn't realize there was a Wiccan aspect to this novel, but now I'm even more excited to read it!

    Thanks so much for the great interview and giveaway, Lisa!

    +1 Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/The_BookishType/status/99169470030954497

    +1 Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=228019593901682&id=327206975973

    Casey
    thebookishtypereviews AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  77. I'd love to read this, it looks really interesting. Thanks for making it international!!

    Shazzy

    I tweeted the giveaway

    http://twitter.com/DeathKisses/status/99187546290012160

    deatkisses(at)hotmail(dot)co(dot)uk

    ReplyDelete
  78. OMG! I've been dying to read Anna Dressed in Blood! Thanks so much for this giveaway! The interview was awesome!

    I also tweeted the contest:

    https://twitter.com/#!/xjessirae/status/99223866911633408

    ReplyDelete
  79. Everyone says that this book is da BOMB! Hope I win!

    oreo_93 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  80. I've heard great things about this book! I'd love to win a copy!

    thecozyreader @ gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  81. Really wanting to read both books.

    Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/Gabelle_M/status/98949981532209153

    Gabbie-ethela AT hotmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  82. thank for the giveaway!
    tirnanog77@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  83. Great giveaway and that is an awesome cover, thanks.

    frellathon(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  84. Thanks! I think I got the memo for this giveaway a tad late though :(

    golfgirl96@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  85. I hope I'm not too late, but please enter me for the ARC of Anna Dressed in Blood and Original Sin. I really love the cover and the story seems interesting :)

    sawamura_foxman AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  86. I would love to win Anna Dressed in Blood!
    I tweeted! http://twitter.com/#!/TabithaMichelle/status/99508805645238272

    chicababy_63019(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  87. I'd love to play please.

    Following you on GFC.

    lesly7ch(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  88. The cover art is beautiful &the cannot wait to read it after all the awesome reviews I've read on it. If I don't win the ARC (hopefully. I do) then its def on my to buy list. Thanks for the chance at something awesome like this!
    Deviantzangel@gmail.com - Shellie

    ReplyDelete