tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10152431247708145492024-03-05T11:35:44.336-06:00Tara HudsonTara Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377524840375467317noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015243124770814549.post-47404964050682434132013-10-03T14:00:00.000-05:002013-10-03T18:41:38.071-05:00Fall 2013 YA Scavenger Hunt and a Chance to Win Hardcover ELEGY!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAl5VagCFmDOfjeSitl-lSSDOdSFFwfdZZY8DH1bDaX2fcA7QSLbmAiJ6FyyewZjLIpRnqqglCrbvVBBOp-jcgaSOc5LUf_TmrMBA3FA6uYl2Fxo9jW7ulpxIji4QXRQ-9MDW1Tu6EfnE/s1600/scavenger+hunt+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAl5VagCFmDOfjeSitl-lSSDOdSFFwfdZZY8DH1bDaX2fcA7QSLbmAiJ6FyyewZjLIpRnqqglCrbvVBBOp-jcgaSOc5LUf_TmrMBA3FA6uYl2Fxo9jW7ulpxIji4QXRQ-9MDW1Tu6EfnE/s320/scavenger+hunt+logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Welcome to YA Scavenger Hunt! This tri-annual event was first organized by author <a href="http://www.tigerscursebook.com/"><span style="color: #2288bb;">Colleen Houck</span></a> as a way to give readers a chance to gain access to exclusive bonus material from their favorite authors...and a chance to win some awesome prizes! At this hunt, you not only get access to exclusive content from each author, you also get a clue for the hunt. Add up the clues, and you can enter for our prize--one lucky winner will receive <b>one signed book from each author on the hunt in my team</b>!<b> </b>But play fast: this contest (and all the exclusive bonus material) will only be online for 72 hours!</div>
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<strong>Go to the </strong><a href="http://yascavengerhunt.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #2288bb;"><strong>YA Scavenger Hunt</strong></span></a><strong> page to find out all about the hunt. </strong>There are THREE contests going on simultaneously, and you can enter one or all! I am a part of the <span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: red;">RED TEAM</span></span>--but there is also a blue team and a gold team for a chance to win a whole different set of signed books!<br />
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If you'd like to find out more about the hunt, see links to all the authors participating, and see the full list of prizes up for grabs, go to<a href="http://yascavengerhunt.blogspot.com/p/stuck.html"><span style="color: #2288bb;"> the YA Scavenger Hunt homepage</span></a>.</div>
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<b>SCAVENGER HUNT PUZZLE</b></div>
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<b>Directions:</b> Below, you'll notice that I've listed my favorite number. Collect the favorite numbers of all the authors on the <span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: red;">red team</span></span>, and then add them up (don't worry, you can use a calculator!). </div>
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<b>Entry Form:</b> Once you've added up all the numbers, <a href="http://yascavengerhunt.blogspot.com/p/enter-here.html"><span style="color: #2288bb;">make sure you fill out the form here to officially qualify for the grand prize</span></a>. Only entries that have the correct number will qualify.</div>
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<b>Rules:</b> Open internationally, anyone below the age of 18 should have a parent or guardian's permission to enter. To be eligible for the grand prize, you must submit the completed entry form by <span style="color: magenta;"><span style="color: black;">October 6</span></span>, at noon Pacific Time. Entries sent without the correct number or without contact information will not be considered.</div>
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<strong>SCAVENGER HUNT POST</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Ugqgy9R5jyTC1oPj8LBSL9pZjVEEjFapYRVhvUfGy303EEyIzL4VHowznuf90-SCaRl3HgEwpvXDvyq2uSZVvNN3USV74AJBCGTqtK6HHxjo2DehmTOq1pKX0UenNhUabMLDhWk8n34/s1600/Julie+Cross.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Ugqgy9R5jyTC1oPj8LBSL9pZjVEEjFapYRVhvUfGy303EEyIzL4VHowznuf90-SCaRl3HgEwpvXDvyq2uSZVvNN3USV74AJBCGTqtK6HHxjo2DehmTOq1pKX0UenNhUabMLDhWk8n34/s200/Julie+Cross.jpg" width="158" /></a></div>
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This lovely lady is the fabulous Julie Cross, author of the Internationally Bestselling Tempest Trilogy, a young adult science fiction series which includes Tempest, Vortex, and the final installment Timestorm (St. Martin's Press). She's also the author of Letters to Nowhere (8/13), a mature young adult romance set in the world of elite gymnastics, as well as several forthcoming young adult and new adult novels with publishers like Sourcebooks, HarperCollins, and St. Martin's Press/Thomas Dunne Books. Julie lives in central Illinois with her husband and three children. She's a former gymnast, longtime gymnastics fan, coach, and former Gymnastics Program Direction with the YMCA. She's a lover a books, devouring several novels a week, especially in the young adult and new adult genres. Outside of her reading and writing credibility's, Julie is a committed - but not talented - long distance runner, creator of imaginary beach vacations, Midwest bipolar weather survivor, expired CPR certification card holder, as well as ponytail and gym shoe addict.</div>
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Find out more information by checking out the author <a href="http://www.juliecrossbooks.com/" target="_blank">website</a> or find more about the author's book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EAC91YA/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00EAC91YA&linkCode=as2&tag=julcro-20" target="_blank">here</a>! And now, for the....</div>
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<strong>EXCLUSIVE CONTENT!</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdXKPZ63yoXbl8HD1jULb-5QqZpqd2Fo-S3ArVwdALvSqWdzlP702SewIkK8eXtkd4SSKPlDqSThmKIPhCgiB0d1F13fvu2IDjcUmHlXG7qBNIE-_JwrcQ89STYm-i94v_i4hdn5kk0UA/s1600/Letters+to+Nowhere.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdXKPZ63yoXbl8HD1jULb-5QqZpqd2Fo-S3ArVwdALvSqWdzlP702SewIkK8eXtkd4SSKPlDqSThmKIPhCgiB0d1F13fvu2IDjcUmHlXG7qBNIE-_JwrcQ89STYm-i94v_i4hdn5kk0UA/s1600/Letters+to+Nowhere.jpg" /></strong></a></div>
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<em>"From the International Bestselling Author of the Tempest Series...</em></div>
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<em>Set in the tough world of Elite Gymnastics...</em></div>
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<em>I've gotten used to the dead parents face. I've gotten used to living with my gymnastics coach. I've even adjusted to sharing a bathroom with his way-too-hot son. Dealing with boys is not something that's made it onto my list of experiences as of yet. But here I am, doing it. And something about Jordan--being around him, talking to him, thinking about him--makes me feel like I can finally breathe again. That's something I haven't been able to do lately. He knows what it feels like to be me right now. He knows what it's like to wonder--what now? I think about it constantly. I need answers. I need to know how to get through this. In the gym, if you're struggling, you train harder, you do drills and conditioning. How do I work hard at moving on? At being on my own? And what happens if I might be...maybe...probably falling for Jordan? I mean we live together now. That can't happen, can it? But kissing him...well, let's just say it's not an easy activity to forget."</em></div>
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Now what you've been waiting for during this entire post: an exclusive excerpt from Julie's new young adult novel, Letters to Nowhere:</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong>Jordan blocked the
door, his eyes on me, waiting for an explanation. “What?” I said, all innocent.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He shook his head. “Nothing. Just wondering where you
went. A couple of guys in my class made this cool light show thing for the
science fair. We’re about to watch it.”<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You and Stevie?” I said, then I closed my eyes wishing
I’d had an ounce of my usual self-control. <o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Karen—” he started.<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Come on.” I turned my back to him, heading out the door.
“Let’s go watch the light show science experiment thing.”<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He dropped the subject of Stevie and followed behind me.
I felt Jordan’s arm brush against mine as we walked down the steps to the
basement where Tony had the alpha and omega of home theaters. The room was
crowded with students and cups and booming voices, but Jordan managed to
capture my attention. Standing close behind me, he whispered, “Are you worried
about me and Stevie?”<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I shrugged and kept my eyes on my two teammates standing
across the room, talking to a few of the girls I’d met at the last party. Blair
was chugging Kool-Aid mix like someone dying of thirst. “Why would I would be
worried? I like Stevie. She’s my teammate.”<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Suddenly all the lights went out, leaving the room
pitch-black. A few screams erupted, followed by laughter and someone shouting
that it was supposed to get dark. The laser designs appeared on the ceiling,
causing everyone to look up. Pink, blue, and green neon shapes streaked across
the ceiling. I could see them clearly, but it was still so dark in the room
that I couldn’t even see my hand in front of my face. Which is why I jumped and
let out a yelp when someone’s arm snaked around my waist from behind. <o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Shh,” Jordan said, speaking right into my ear. “It’s
just me.”<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I sucked in a breath, feeling my heart fly, goose bumps
popping up on my neck where his breath had hit my skin. The first thought in my
head was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">please don’t walk across the
room and do this to Stevie.</i><o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He gently tugged me closer until my back pressed against
his chest. One of his hands rested on my stomach, and the other fumbled around
in the dark for a minute before drifting down my arm. He laced his fingers
through mine and slowly lifted our hands until I felt my knuckles touch his
lips. <o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If my heart was racing before, it was sprinting now. This
totally broke our friend code and I didn’t feel an ounce of desire to point
that out. I just wanted to sink further into him and for the lights to never
come back on. <o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The light show blurred above me, electronic classical
music filled the dark as I leaned against Jordan, my head falling back onto his
shoulder. His nose grazed my neck and I suddenly felt hot all over—in a good
way. Like heat enveloped me from all sides.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Jordan…?” I whispered into the dark.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Shh,” he said again. “I know the rules. No kissing.”<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I wasn’t going to say that. Not even close. We needed to
abolish that rule this very moment. I turned my head slightly toward him and ran
into his mouth before I even had a chance to decide to kiss him. I lifted my
hand and gripped the back of his neck, drawing him even closer. Our mouths
almost couldn’t match up, the way we were angled, but I felt his fingers brush
my cheek and eventually hold me in place. His lips were as soft as I remembered
from the first time, and when they parted a little, I almost debated trying the
whole tongue thing, but then he closed them again and pulled away.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I turned my head forward again, and both his arms went
around my waist while he planted little kisses up and down the side of my neck.
<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Karen,” he breathed.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yeah.”<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“In case you’re wondering…I’m not into Stevie.”</strong></span></div>
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And don't forget to enter the contest for a chance to win a ton of signed books by me, <span style="color: magenta;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.tarahudson.com/" target="_blank">Tara Hudson</a></span></span>, and more! To enter, you need to know that my favorite number is <span style="color: magenta;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">13</span><span style="color: black;">.</span></span> Add up all the favorite numbers of the authors on the <span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: red;">red team</span></span> and you'll have all the secret code to enter for the grand prize!</div>
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<b>CONTINUE THE HUNT</b><br />
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To keep going on your quest for the hunt, you need to check out the next author, <a href="http://shauntagrimes.com/" target="_blank">Shaunta Grimes</a>! </div>
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Tara Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377524840375467317noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015243124770814549.post-43990627937170602242013-08-08T19:11:00.003-05:002013-09-04T21:23:49.155-05:00Introducing the YA AdVANture Tour!Four Authors, Five Cities, ONE MINIVAN.<br />
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This September, I’ll be hitting the road with <a href="http://myramcentire.com/">Myra McEntire</a> (author of the HOURGLASS Trilogy), <a href="http://tessagratton.com/" target="_blank">Tessa Gratton</a> (author of the THE BLOOD JOURNALS series and THE UNITED STATES OF ASGARD series), and <a href="http://www.soniagensler.com/">Sonia Gensler</a> (author of THE REVENANT and THE DARK BETWEEN) in somebody’s mom’s minivan to visit bookstores and libraries in the South and Midwest! Here's a list of the bookstores that we'll be visiting. If you're in the area and even if you aren't (I'm looking at YOU, Florida), stop by to get your copies of HEREAFTER, ARISE, and ELEGY signed! You know, if I'm not in the Van Down By the River. :)<br />
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<strong>Thursday, September 5th: Irving, TX</strong><br />
Barnes & Noble, Frisco, TX @ 7:00 p.m.<br />
Stonebriar Center Mall, Frisco, TX 75034<br />
(972) 668-2820<br />
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<strong>Friday, September 6th: Little Rock, AR</strong><br />
Barnes & Noble @ 6:00 p.m.<br />
11500 Financial Ctr Pkwy, Little Rock, AR 72211<br />
(501) 954-7646<br />
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<strong>Saturday, September 7th: Memphis, TN</strong><br />
The Booksellers at Laurelwood @ 7:00 p.m.<br />
387 Perkins Extd Memphis, TN 38117<br />
(901) 683-9801<br />
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<strong>Sunday, September 8th: St. Louis, MO</strong><br />
St. Louis Central Library, "Teen Lounge" @ 4:00 p.m.<br />
Sponsored by Left Bank Books<br />
1301 Olive Street, St. Louis, MO 63103<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; white-space: nowrap;">(314) 241-2288</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; white-space: nowrap;"><br /></span>
<strong>Monday, September 9th: Kansas City, KS</strong><br />
Mysteryscape @ 6:30<br />
7309 W 80th St Overland Park, KS 66204<br />
(913) 649-0000Tara Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377524840375467317noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015243124770814549.post-52589393980261492122013-04-30T21:43:00.000-05:002013-04-30T21:44:50.425-05:00Amelia's Birthday Giveaway!!Spoiler alert: April 30th the day that Amelia Ashley - the protagonist and narrator of the Hereafter Trilogy - was born. It's also important to her for another reason, but you only know that if you've read the first book. :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74hGTEpj4VsZFIVQdQ14i9VKanpgM8QX1kBphuI9dqET6L78YHwsTTyPgKtH9yChrpOKf20qYkjoSESgCADVeCycaDI11htM3sCkBCYTHPlc_lxHgzf_UunL5hC0P7kdHt8JCWp5nVAQ/s1600/20121021_182122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74hGTEpj4VsZFIVQdQ14i9VKanpgM8QX1kBphuI9dqET6L78YHwsTTyPgKtH9yChrpOKf20qYkjoSESgCADVeCycaDI11htM3sCkBCYTHPlc_lxHgzf_UunL5hC0P7kdHt8JCWp5nVAQ/s320/20121021_182122.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So as a Happy Birthday to Amelia, I'm holding a GINORMOUS giveaway contest!! The prizes are kind of ridiculous, ya'll.<br />
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The 1st Place Winner gets signed hardcovers of HEREAFTER and ARISE, as well as a signed ARC of ELEGY, a signed bookmark, and (drumroll, please) a pre-order of the hardcover ELEGY, to be delivered on its U.S. release date, June 4th!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo948r9TEsBYvwoT2NBXWEhUgcsMtXvlwPKDMGXOJ5knotTkGbNerqRv9xrA-FJ22Y7zgSaRrT67cFrz1R-E_miTwpUEqcz9N2R0LXOlIzNsKgO54vFkchV0ZxMkkuIp4lzUJnGqmJYoA/s1600/Second+Prize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo948r9TEsBYvwoT2NBXWEhUgcsMtXvlwPKDMGXOJ5knotTkGbNerqRv9xrA-FJ22Y7zgSaRrT67cFrz1R-E_miTwpUEqcz9N2R0LXOlIzNsKgO54vFkchV0ZxMkkuIp4lzUJnGqmJYoA/s320/Second+Prize.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The 2nd Place Winner gets signed hardcovers of BLOOD MAGIC by Tessa Gratton and THE REVENANT by Sonia Gensler, a signed ARC of ELEGY, and a signed bookmark.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5kAv4qDrJD9btvu78i2XIibStiXVqUUGQmJBcYWxVfXn_YM6pmueIaS7cG-AdIxdbdWlDSg3b_425iHQ833yvK_Qh9dztRepjfsp29CP3HENqGnPEH6ZJfrgTFGXm3f54mU-pPoS8DuM/s1600/First+Prize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5kAv4qDrJD9btvu78i2XIibStiXVqUUGQmJBcYWxVfXn_YM6pmueIaS7cG-AdIxdbdWlDSg3b_425iHQ833yvK_Qh9dztRepjfsp29CP3HENqGnPEH6ZJfrgTFGXm3f54mU-pPoS8DuM/s320/First+Prize.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The 3rd Place Winner gets a signed bookmark and a preorder of the hardcover ELEGY.<br />
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And the 4th Place Winner gets a signed bookmark.<br />
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Kind of amazing, right? At least for people get ALL THE STUFF. :) So, how do you enter? It's easy! Just get points by entering the following contest (powered by Rafflecopter:<br />
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/236dbf0/" id="rc-236dbf0" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>The contest starts today and ends at 12:00 am CST on May 7th. (Sorry guys, but only 4th place is open internationally.) So get to entering and HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMELIA!Tara Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377524840375467317noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015243124770814549.post-49452164170556002962012-11-29T14:00:00.000-06:002012-11-29T14:58:21.273-06:00Winter 2012 YA Scavenger Hunt & 1st ELEGY ARC Contest<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxZ0r8vz8zqhqUUPOCL5GqsN_TeVISazbUYsRKD7wxCoOtiZ_zwZlj7e8lIZIhYDXE0aosh3SfgvLuklZpq1dQ4ejmW5ts0a3s5GiQwPUWe_0fNFvu_hET13UDhfRbJWR5Uy_tJkTJzU/s1600/scavenger+hunt+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxZ0r8vz8zqhqUUPOCL5GqsN_TeVISazbUYsRKD7wxCoOtiZ_zwZlj7e8lIZIhYDXE0aosh3SfgvLuklZpq1dQ4ejmW5ts0a3s5GiQwPUWe_0fNFvu_hET13UDhfRbJWR5Uy_tJkTJzU/s320/scavenger+hunt+logo.jpg" tea="true" width="320" /></a></div>
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Welcome to YA Scavenger Hunt! At this hunt, you not only get access to exclusive content from each participating author, but you also get a clue for the hunt. Add up the clues, and you can enter for our prize--one lucky winner will receive <strong>one signed book from each author on the hunt in my team</strong>! But play fast: this contest (and all the exclusive bonus material) will only be online for 72 hours!<br />
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Go to the <a href="http://yascavengerhunt.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">YA Scavenger Hunt page</a> to find out all about the hunt. There are TWO contests going on simultaneously, and you can enter one or all! I am a part of the <span style="color: red;">RED TEAM</span> --but there is also a blue team for a chance to win a whole different set of signed books!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPrzvyotLUeA1zaq0mdJHkwZA_6h2C4OEWejazD8WpElo8cMpY_apSBeC7b2OObURfWPLThaDGd4YQ4TKwhUQKMLn22YAfHZD5eRxsdBolhGtKQmPvbHAAIX8np-h0YGVs5fSQBNdJa0/s1600/team+red.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPrzvyotLUeA1zaq0mdJHkwZA_6h2C4OEWejazD8WpElo8cMpY_apSBeC7b2OObURfWPLThaDGd4YQ4TKwhUQKMLn22YAfHZD5eRxsdBolhGtKQmPvbHAAIX8np-h0YGVs5fSQBNdJa0/s320/team+red.jpg" tea="true" width="320" /></a></div>
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If you'd like to find out more about the hunt, see links to all the authors participating, and see the full list of prizes up for grabs, go to the <a href="http://yascavengerhunt.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">YA Scavenger Hunt homepage</a>.<br />
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SCAVENGER HUNT PUZZLE</div>
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Directions: Below, you'll notice that I've listed my favorite number. Collect the favorite numbers of all the authors on the <span style="color: red;">red team</span>, and then add them up (don't worry, you can use a calculator!). <br />
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Entry Form: Once you've added up all the numbers, make sure you fill out the form <a href="http://yascavengerhunt.blogspot.com/p/enter-here.html" target="_blank">here</a> to officially qualify for the grand prize. Only entries that have the correct number will qualify.<br />
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Rules: Open internationally, anyone below the age of 18 should have a parent or guardian's permission to enter. To be eligible for the grand prize, you must submit the completed entry form by Sunday, December 2, at noon Pacific Time. Entries sent without the correct number or without contact information will not be considered. If you have trouble or get stuck, be sure to go <a href="http://yascavengerhunt.blogspot.com/p/stuck.html" target="_blank">here</a> for help.<br />
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SCAVENGER HUNT POST</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxp-NyROvK-wRHsDN_uOkc8xD6sy-To-NLXGsDJkEntXI4l_oJvWZq_toT6cBnhiYqqhoxlStXz2tcivatFZOCrl71QNp0Wqzs1XqECE___PyaWCYkD0efCOxBbr6xy5O1my3OgSkAY1E/s1600/Kristi+Cook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxp-NyROvK-wRHsDN_uOkc8xD6sy-To-NLXGsDJkEntXI4l_oJvWZq_toT6cBnhiYqqhoxlStXz2tcivatFZOCrl71QNp0Wqzs1XqECE___PyaWCYkD0efCOxBbr6xy5O1my3OgSkAY1E/s1600/Kristi+Cook.jpg" tea="true" /></a></div>
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Today, I'm hosting the amazing <a href="http://kristi-cook.com/" target="_blank">Kristi Cook</a>, author of HAVEN, MIRAGE, and the upcoming ETERNAL!</div>
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As a child, Kristi Cook took her nose out of a book only long enough to take a ballet class (or five) each week. Not much has changed since then, except she's added motherhood to the mix and enjoys penning her own novels as much as reading everybody else's. A transplanted Southern girl, Kristi lives in New York City with her husband and two daughters.</div>
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MIRAGE, the sequel to HAVEN, is Kristi's most recently published novel. Danger looms large in MIRAGE, which Booklist called "a blend of the Gemma Doyle trilogy, the Twilight saga, and Lois Duncan's thrillers.</div>
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Violet McKenna is back for her senior year at Winterhaven and thrilled to be back with Aidan after a long summer apart. But while their love for each other is as strong as ever, their troubles are far from over.</div>
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News of a rogue vampire on a killing spree sets everyone on edge. While Aidan is determined to stop the killer, Violet is chilled by a horrifying vision she simply must prevent...for if she can't, two people she loves will meet a violent end.</div>
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In the midst of Violet's fears, a mysterious newcomer enters her life - and he has some vital information, not just about her past but about her future as well. Now everything Violet held as truth is upended, and she is left not knowing whom to trust, if she is in danger, and - worst of all - whether she and Aidan are really meant to be together.</div>
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Sounds awesome, right? Well, even better I get to share some EXCLUSIVE CONTENT with you from Kristi's upcoming novel, ETERNAL. This third and final book in the Winterhaven series will blow you away! So, on to the excerpt!</div>
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<strong>ETERNAL by KRISTI COOK</strong></div>
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<strong>Excerpt</strong></div>
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<em><strong>Aidan</strong></em></div>
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<em><strong>Paris, France</strong></em><br />
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<em>Flames licked at the restraints, crackling noisily as the smell of singed flesh filled the small space. My flesh. Burning, then healing—then burning again. At intervals, spikes pierced my sides, the jagged barbs tearing through skin and muscle, and then retracting until the wounds healed over. </em><br />
<em><br /></em><em>The searing pain was endless, relentless. I had no idea how long I’d been there in the torch-lit chamber beneath the Tribunal’s headquarters. Hours? Days? Weeks? </em><br />
<em><br /></em><em>I swallowed hard, my elongated canines scraping my lower lip, drawing blood. Blood. I needed to feed. Denied my elixir, the thirst was driving me mad. I could smell it, somewhere up above, pulsing through veins and warming the skin of the living. The metallic tang made my mouth water, made me tremble with need. I closed my eyes, fighting the bloodlust, denying it. </em><br />
<em><br /></em><em>When I opened my eyes again, she was there, standing before me. </em><br />
<em><br /></em><em>Violet.</em><br />
<em><br /></em><em>The orange flames flickered across her face, throwing shadows across her cheekbones. Her mouth curved into a smile as she reached a hand out to me, beckoning me. </em><br />
<em><br /></em><em>My heart thudded against my ribs as my hungry gaze swept over her, devouring her. I tried to call out her name, to beg her forgiveness. </em><br />
<em><br /></em><em>I’m sorry, Vi. So very sorry. </em><br />
<em><br /></em><em>She shook her head, her brows drawn over the emerald eyes that had haunted my days and nights in this miserable, agony-filled existence that was my life since I left her. </em><br />
<em><br /></em><em>“Come back to me,” she begged, her voice a ragged whisper. “Please, Aidan. I need you.” </em><br />
<em><br /></em><em>I tried to reach for her, raging against the restraints that dug into my wrists, manacling me. A sob tore from my parched throat as I struggled ineffectually, the metal bruising and biting my skin, breaking my bones. </em><br />
<em><br /></em><em>And then she began to fade away, her form dissolving like wisps of smoke that looped and curled toward the ceiling before fading into nothingness. </em><br />
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Oh my - I seriously can't wait to read this entire book! Be sure and check out Kristi's books <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mirage-kristi-cook/1104239955?ean=9781442442993" target="_blank">here</a>. And don't forget to enter the contest for a chance to win a ton of signed books, including the FIRST EVER ARC OF ELEGY, by me, <a href="http://www.tarahudson.com/" target="_blank">Tara Hudson</a>! To enter, you need to know that my favorite number is <span style="color: red; font-size: large;">13</span>. Add up all the favorite numbers of the authors on the <span style="color: red;">red team</span> and you'll have the secret code to enter for the grand prize!<br />
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And here's something even better: I'm running my own, separate contest! The first person who comments correctly here on my blog with the birthday of my main character, Amelia Ashley, also wins a signed ARC of ELEGY (out with HarperTeen, June 4, 2013)! Even if you don't win the grand prize, you can still find out what happens to Amelia and Joshua seven months before everyone else! :)<br />
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CONTINUE THE HUNT</div>
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To keep going on the hunt, you need to check out the website of the next author (who happens to be one of my very besties!), Josephine Angelini, at her website <a href="http://www.josephineangelini.com/blog/" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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Thanks for stopping by, and good luck with both the grand prize and the ELEGY ARC contest!</div>
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<br />Tara Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377524840375467317noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015243124770814549.post-10804190263954333282012-08-01T14:00:00.000-05:002012-08-05T18:34:05.603-05:00Welcome to the 4th YA Scavenger Hunt!!<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gYg4ovvNm8YAOznl2Od4szjDo478VHULc92KyTZa7SHXZBNUIsOQsQVBFFsJEhYpCTOyJadbUBVCT-XzBLB3j4q-_WCYndsRpTRBJ3rLyS-O8NW9uiZXiGNNGOvG4oxguMiWiEnXVkU/s1600/scavenger_hunt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gYg4ovvNm8YAOznl2Od4szjDo478VHULc92KyTZa7SHXZBNUIsOQsQVBFFsJEhYpCTOyJadbUBVCT-XzBLB3j4q-_WCYndsRpTRBJ3rLyS-O8NW9uiZXiGNNGOvG4oxguMiWiEnXVkU/s320/scavenger_hunt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Welcome to YA Scavenger Hunt! At this hunt, you not only get access to exclusive content from each participating author, but you also get a clue for the hunt. Add up the clues, and you can enter for our prize--one lucky winner will receive <strong>one signed book from each author on the hunt in my team</strong>! But play fast: this contest (and all the exclusive bonus material) will only be online for 72 hours!<br />
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Go to the <a href="http://yascavengerhunt.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">YA Scavenger Hunt</a> page to find out all about the hunt. There are TWO contests going on simultaneously, and you can enter one or all! I am a part of the <span style="color: blue;">BLUE TEAM</span>--but there is also a red team for a chance to win a whole different set of twenty-five signed books!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHSgk3e_on050hfg6HfARiCjNlidG_Er1xoZVuUMESe5dDDGIHxY1y7YIJ0VxCJWqIFnxmh3T1hPM61knc8vTlCQ75xjONnJ_8zkRlLf-Mlqlk-OAQaR6iayptFtIUKXs5ZLexZaB55X8/s1600/team_blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHSgk3e_on050hfg6HfARiCjNlidG_Er1xoZVuUMESe5dDDGIHxY1y7YIJ0VxCJWqIFnxmh3T1hPM61knc8vTlCQ75xjONnJ_8zkRlLf-Mlqlk-OAQaR6iayptFtIUKXs5ZLexZaB55X8/s320/team_blue.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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If you'd like to find out more about the hunt, see links to all the authors participating, and see the full list of prizes up for grabs, go to the <a href="http://yascavengerhunt.blogspot.com/p/stuck.html" target="_blank">YA Scavenger Hunt homepage</a>.</div>
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SCAVENGER HUNT PUZZLE</div>
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Directions: Below, you'll notice that I've listed my favorite number. Collect the favorite numbers of all the authors on the <span style="color: blue;">blue team</span>, and then add them up (don't worry, you can use a calculator!). <br />
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Entry Form: Once you've added up all the numbers, make sure you fill out the <a href="http://yascavengerhunt.blogspot.com/p/enter-here.html" target="_blank">form here</a> to officially qualify for the grand prize. Only entries that have the correct number will qualify.<br />
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Rules: Open internationally, anyone below the age of 18 should have a parent or guardian's permission to enter. To be eligible for the grand prize, you must submit the completed entry form by August 5, at noon Pacific Time. Entries sent without the correct number or without contact information will not be considered.<br />
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SCAVENGER HUNT POST</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCgxpCxhkdHfhrMsAXSKlNVMhCfITyFm8ODDwB_hdILHQKaEUAbB05nqLdSZdtfr4INzWFH14QW99xGsOq-EPrAQLex3Uwv3utSF5Q759YlcFQ7i9KJI6ULTniUbsnqSGVfYZfHHDsIg/s1600/Leigh+Fallon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCgxpCxhkdHfhrMsAXSKlNVMhCfITyFm8ODDwB_hdILHQKaEUAbB05nqLdSZdtfr4INzWFH14QW99xGsOq-EPrAQLex3Uwv3utSF5Q759YlcFQ7i9KJI6ULTniUbsnqSGVfYZfHHDsIg/s1600/Leigh+Fallon.jpg" /></a></div>
Today, I am hosting the super-gorgeous, super-talented <a href="http://www.leighfallon.com/" target="_blank">Leigh Fallon</a>, author of The Carrier Series, which includes CARRIER OF THE MARK and the upcoming SHADOW OF THE MARK, on my blog for the YA Scavenger Hunt!<br />
Harrassed mom by day and tormented writer by night, Leigh is a walking Irish cliche, trying (rather unsuccessfully, she thinks) to to blend into U.S. society.<br />
Find out more information about Leigh Fallon, check out her <a href="http://www.leighfallon.com/" target="_blank">website</a> or find more about the author's books <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/carrier-of-the-mark-leigh-fallon/1100562436?ean=9780062027870&itm=1&USRI=leigh+fallon&" target="_blank">here</a>! And now for the best part of the hunt... <br />
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EXCLUSIVE CONTENT FROM LEIGH FALLON! <br />
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<em>In SHADOW OF THE MARK, the upcoming sequel to Leigh's hit novel CARRIER of the Mark, life for Megan Rosenberg just got a lot more complicated.</em> <br />
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<em>While she evoked the air element, and her feelings for Adam instensified, a web of lies, deceit, and betrayal has been spun around her. With the Order tightening its hold, and the reinstatement of the Mark Knights, Megan has more questions than answers as the Marked Ones grow in strength.</em> <br />
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<em>New people arouse suspicion, the DeRises start behaving strangely, and Megan begins to unravel a destiny shrouded in mystery. It's a destiny the Order has struggled to hide, and a destiny someone in the past - far in the past - has already laid claim to.</em> <br />
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<em>Alliances will be made and friends will be lost as the Order's dark secrets will be revealed by the very thing they sought to destroy.</em> <br />
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Doesn't that sound FANTASTIC? I know I can't wait for SHADOW OF THE MARK to be released! <br />
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And don't forget to enter the contest for a chance to win a ton of signed books by me, <strong>Tara Hudson</strong>, and more! To enter, you need to know that my favorite number is <span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><strong>2</strong></span>. Add up all the favorite numbers of the authors on the <span style="color: blue;">blue team</span> and you'll have all the secret code to enter for the grand prize! <br />
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CONTINUE THE HUNT</div>
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To keep going on the hunt, you need to check out the next author (who I absolutely adore) Tera Lynn Childs, at her website <a href="http://teralynnchilds.com/" target="_blank">here</a>!</div>
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</div>Tara Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377524840375467317noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015243124770814549.post-67946028079010736322012-05-11T10:18:00.000-05:002012-05-11T10:21:29.914-05:00Four VERY Good Things - Biggest Giveaway EVERThis has been a week of good things, and we all need to celebrate! The best way to do that is to hold a giveaway, right? :) I have my last two ARCs of ARISE, as well as some other awesome goodies to give away to <strong><em><u>three </u></em></strong>winners!! <br />
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So what is so exciting, that we need to jump with joy and throw prizes everywhere? How about a list? :)<br />
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4. My good buddy Amy Plum's book, UNTIL I DIE, was released in the U.S. this Tuesday, May 8th! UNTIL I DIE is the sequel to her sensational debut, DIE FOR ME, and let me tell you: it's even better than the first book!<br />
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3. The paperback of HEREAFTER was also released on Tuesday, May 8th. It's so exciting to see these copies sitting on bookstore shelves, especially since each contains an excerpt of ARISE!<br />
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2. Speaking of ARISE, the official playlist for the book is now up on my <a href="http://www.tarahudson.com/arise-playlist.php" target="_blank">website</a> - including the song that all of you voted for, "No Light, No Light" by Florence + the Machine! I'm kind of deeply in love with this playlist and soon, HarperTeen is going to release my playlist notes (giving sneak-peeks of ARISE) on <a href="http://www.epicreads.com/">http://www.epicreads.com/</a> and Amazon.com. Be looking for them!<br />
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1. YA'LL. This is the biggest news! ARISE releases in the U.S. in less than thirty days! EEP, SO EXCITED!! June 5th couldn't get here soon enough.<br />
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Good news, or what? Definitely deserving of a final ARC-and-more giveaway! So here's what's at stake:<br />
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<strong>Grand Prize: A signed ARC of ARISE, a signed paperback of HEREAFTER, and a order of UNITL I DIE by Amy Plum</strong><br />
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<strong>Second Prize: A signed ARC of ARISE and a signed paperback of HEREAFTER</strong><br />
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<strong>Third Prize: A preorder of ARISE in Hardcover</strong><br />
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How do you get all this good stuff? That part is easy. You get a point for doing each of the following, and the person with the most points gets the grand prize, and so on. <br />
Follow me on Twitter (@thudsonwrites) +1<br />
Like the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/TaraHudsonAuthor?ref=tn_tnmn" target="_blank">Tara Hudson Author page</a> on Facebook +1<br />
Like the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hereafter/163401313716811" target="_blank">Hereafter Fan page</a> on Facebook +1<br />
Follow this blog +1<br />
Add <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9256414-hereafter" target="_blank">HEREAFTER</a> to your shelf on Goodreads +1<br />
Add <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12270931-arise" target="_blank">ARISE</a> to your shelf on Goodreads +1<br />
Add <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11413298-elegy" target="_blank">ELEGY</a> to your shelf on Goodreads +1<br />
Like the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAvHnQQ7Etw" target="_blank">ARISE book trailer</a> on YouTube +1<br />
Tweet about this contest on Twitter +1 for each tweet<br />
Tweet a link to any of the above on Twitter +1 for each tweet <br />
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It's like Girl Scout badges, except for free books! The contest is U.S. only (sorry, international folks - I promise that the next contest will go everywhere), and it ends at 10 pm CST, Monday May 14th. (Winners announced Tuesday)<br />
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Can't wait to celebrate with you!Tara Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377524840375467317noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015243124770814549.post-73354783476668552282012-05-01T13:52:00.001-05:002012-05-01T13:52:21.491-05:00The ARISE Book Trailer is HERE!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So different, so cool, and so dark...just like ARISE! Let me know what you think!</div>Tara Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377524840375467317noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015243124770814549.post-9931506589544749712012-04-22T21:20:00.000-05:002012-04-22T21:20:34.262-05:00Win, Win, WinWithout further ado, the song with the most votes was:<br />
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"No Light, No Light" by Florence + the Machine!!!<br />
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So thanks to you guys, this song will be the bonus on my website as well as EpicReads.com and Amazon. Even better, the lists on EpicReads and Amazon will have my song notes, and this one will be all about you guys, the best readers ever!<br />
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Even betterer (totally a word, guys), we have two ARC winners, chosen by Randomizer. The lovely Lisseth and The Momma/Nanny win signed ARCs of ARISE! I'll email you guys, so that you can email me your mailing addresses. And in a surprise move, I'm giving an honorable mention to Devan @ Bookstrings for her two incredible write-ins: she gets an ARC of DREAMLESS by my good buddy Josephine Angelini (out May 29th)!<br />
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Congrats to the winners, and congrats to my even more awesome playlist which will be fully revealed in May. :)Tara Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377524840375467317noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015243124770814549.post-81873006019178703182012-04-18T20:00:00.000-05:002012-04-18T20:00:04.627-05:00Shiny New Website = ARISE Playlist ContestI've had such a crazy couple weeks, bouncing around between book conventions. And at the end of this week, I promise a long update on the Romantic Times Convention and Teen Book Con. (I mean, you all want to know about the ridiculously cool YA authors, booksellers, librarians, and readers I met, right?) <br />
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But I have other news I need to celebrate! The day I got back from my world travels (okay, I just went to Chicago and Houston, but whatever), I saw my gorgeous, newly designed website: <a href="http://www.tarahudson.com/">http://www.tarahudson.com/</a>. Isn't it fantastic? It has all the creepy beauty of my original design, but now it's much more interactive with my Twitter feed, the latest blog posts, pictures and playlists for my books, etc.<br />
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It is missing one thing, however: a playlist for ARISE! I've already picked out the first fifteen songs, which will be featured (with story notes!) on <a href="http://www.epicreads.com/">http://www.epicreads.com/</a> and Amazon to get you ready for ARISE's release date of June 5th. But I still need your help before the entire playlist is revealed.<br />
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I've listed four candidates for ARISE's "Bonus" song, i.e. the song that captures the overall feel of the HEREAFTER series. The song with the most votes wins, and everyone who votes (via blog comments, Facebook comments, and Twitter @ mentions) is entered for a chance to win one of two signed ARCs of ARISE!!! (Contest open internationally, and it ends Friday at 10 pm CST.)<br />
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So, here we go. I love all three of these equally, but YOU get to decide which one wins!<br />
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1. Open Your Arms - The Editors<br />
2. No Light, No Light - Florence + the Machine<br />
3. C'est la Mort - The Civil Wars<br />
4. The Write-in Option! Suggest a different song and if I just can't help but love it, it wins!<br />
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I can't wait to read your thoughts on the new website, listen to your fantastic song choices, and give away some more ARCs of ARISE!!!Tara Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377524840375467317noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015243124770814549.post-11423931731444808052012-03-29T10:33:00.000-05:002012-03-29T10:33:39.830-05:00April Fool's YA SCAVENGER HUNT!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYJNaq9jqAuCWo_41ksMU9iNHuBMMNB2frACYFqRZzDs4AGQbObZJ-rnsOxKZPnMOVWhb1_qckWFxPKfSKubt7qeHcmTcpa9I5ukRfn6-haKDh-bqd82orDZRoRD4r0thIBJB_sOtHjk/s1600/scavenger+hunt+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYJNaq9jqAuCWo_41ksMU9iNHuBMMNB2frACYFqRZzDs4AGQbObZJ-rnsOxKZPnMOVWhb1_qckWFxPKfSKubt7qeHcmTcpa9I5ukRfn6-haKDh-bqd82orDZRoRD4r0thIBJB_sOtHjk/s320/scavenger+hunt+logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<strong>It's time for the APRIL FOOL'S YA SCAVENGER HUNT!</strong><br />
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</strong><strong>Follow from blog to blog, picking up clues, and win a grand prize of ALL the current books for the YA Authors participating in the Hunt...how awesome is that? Plus, I'm giving away an <em>extra ARC of ARISE</em> for those of you who find my bonus content and comment on this blog about it!! (Rules below on what you'll need to include in the comment.) </strong><br />
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<strong>So, on to the Big Party:</strong><br />
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<strong>I'm Tara Hudson, for those of you who don't already know me, and I'm your hostess at this stop.</strong><br />
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<strong>YOU ARE CURRENTLY BLOG HOPPING ON <span style="color: yellow;">TEAM YELLOW</span>!</strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjU0mrPTgT5LMF1NwAoFKGr-QkmyOq2tCApwN30KESbojdQIxLxz7GJZVdP6j2b2A0wKV1qckEr90a6gWVw_Pz1n6j3WWwsAcUKqwcKn0akRRRN8hK0j593HY54J_750wZIlUGhojJqBU/s1600/Team+Yellow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjU0mrPTgT5LMF1NwAoFKGr-QkmyOq2tCApwN30KESbojdQIxLxz7GJZVdP6j2b2A0wKV1qckEr90a6gWVw_Pz1n6j3WWwsAcUKqwcKn0akRRRN8hK0j593HY54J_750wZIlUGhojJqBU/s320/Team+Yellow.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><strong>For you first timers, the YA Scavenger Hunt is an online blog hop sponsored by authors who write books for both Young Adults and the Young at Heart. Each of us hosts a different fabulous author on the tour. If you came here looking for my bonus material - the second chapter of my upcoming novel, ARISE - you'll have to keep going. It's a reward for your scavenging work. :)</strong><br />
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<strong>Have you already been here? Are you stuck? Confused? Lost? All will be well. You can click <a href="http://yascavengerhunt.blogspot.com/p/stuck.html">HERE</a> to go to the YA Scavenger Hunt homepage to figure out which authors you missed.</strong><br />
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Today, I'm hosting the fabulous Gina Damico, whose dark (and hilarious!) YA debut, CROAK, is out now!<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxkQfDRQclmB7OHOd2Kr8k_qtDcE9mVA9ViC5JCFqkDBZYKOVj_sk22j54Xa3ntQecFIqFtQ0Ai4jlMH-ry7-7TJG0b-dRBMuH7HXIPWm2Jz1LE2c53HJZWACaZ35853bw8EWyZXOlpw/s1600/Gina+Damico+Headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxkQfDRQclmB7OHOd2Kr8k_qtDcE9mVA9ViC5JCFqkDBZYKOVj_sk22j54Xa3ntQecFIqFtQ0Ai4jlMH-ry7-7TJG0b-dRBMuH7HXIPWm2Jz1LE2c53HJZWACaZ35853bw8EWyZXOlpw/s320/Gina+Damico+Headshot.jpg" width="244" /></a></div>Isn't she kind of a hottie? :) <br />
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Gina grew up under four feet of snow in Syracuse, New York. She received a degree in theater and sociology from Boston College, where she was active with the Committee for Creative Enactments, a murder mystery improv comedy troupe, which may or may not have sparked an interest in wildly improbable bloodshed. She has since worked as a tour guide, transcriptionist, theater house manager, scenic artist, movie extra, office troll, retail monkey, yarn hawker and breadmonger. CROAK is her first novel. She lives in Boston with her husband, two cats, and a closet full of black hoodies. <br />
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Want to know more? Here's the description of CROAK: <br />
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<em>Fed up with her wild behavior, sixteen-year-old Lex’s parents ship her off to upstate New York to live with her Uncle Mort for the summer, hoping that a few months of dirty farm work will whip her back into shape. But Uncle Mort’s true occupation is much dirtier than shoveling manure. He’s a Grim Reaper. And he’s going to teach Lex the family business. She quickly assimilates into the peculiar world of Croak, a town populated by reapers who deliver souls from this life to the next. But Lex can’t stop her desire for justice—or is it vengeance?—whenever she encounters a murder victim, craving to stop the attackers before they can strike again. Will she ditch Croak and go rogue with her reaper skills?</em> <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" dea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0DLzihZFaSaBtdMHJ3PSXz6oLSPZsbZyX8YCUhibeWpjicJRhPAgA2rXGkN4LSn8IroQRLX9jcmlclbA1ixHSyL-iwMLoGULrb1CDTj-migRFIPr5FwNBXOkX8RwcJVfHTqOiZwrE-Q/s1600/Croak+Cover.gif" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Sounds awesome, right? Well lucky for you, Gina's treating us to a deleted scene from Chapter 3 of CROAK, right now! In this scene, Lex has just gotten off a Greyhound bus somewhere in the Adirondacks.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><em>She sighed and looked at <span style="color: yellow; font-size: x-large;">H</span>er watch. Uncle Mort was supposed to have picked her up five minutes ago. Restless, she began walking down the muddy road, not even sure if she was going in the right direction. A bear would arrive to eat her soon, no doubt. She certainly hoped Mr. Truitt would be happy upon learning that her bloodied corpse had been found in a muck-filled ditch.</em></div><em><br />
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<em>It was then that she noticed a small kiosk across the street, primarily because it was yelling at her. </em><br />
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<em>"HEY! C'MERE!"</em><br />
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<em>Lex warily approached the window to find a corpulent, angry-looking woman simmering in a thick cloud of cigarette smoke and wearing, in an ironic twist, a shirt commemorating last summer's Lung Cancer Fun Run.</em><br />
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<em>"Yes?" Lex said.</em><br />
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<em>"Where you headed?" the woman barked, hacking up a wet cough.</em><br />
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<em>"Uh, I'm not sure." Lex vaguely gestured at the road. "I'm waiting for my uncle to pick me up."</em><br />
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<em>"Eh?" The woman leaned closer to the screen. </em><br />
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<em>"My uncle," Lex said, pronouncing each syllable. </em><br />
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<em>The woman snorted. "Who's your uncle?"</em><br />
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<em>Lex rolled her eyes, because even though she was only sixteen, she had already grown quite impatient with the world. "Mort. Why, you know him?"</em><br />
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<em>The woman, who had hitherto been ignoring Lex's little performance, froze. Her nose hair rustled. The cigarette fell out of her mouth but caught at the last second, so that it dangled from the very tip of her lip. "Mort, you say?" she whispered, the cigarette dancing as she spoke.</em><br />
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</em><br />
<em>"That is what I said."</em><br />
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<em>The woman looked around, as if there could possibly be anyone in earshot to hear her, then shrunk away from the window. "Get outta here."</em><br />
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</em><br />
<em>"What?"</em><br />
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</em><br />
<em>"Get out!" She picked up a phone and frantically pounded at the keypad. "Out, now!"</em><br />
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<em>Lex looked at the trees surrounding her, then back at the woman inside the box. "I am out."</em><br />
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<em>"Get out or – hello, police?"</em><br />
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</em><br />
<em>"There is nowhere to go, lady."</em><br />
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<em>"Out!" </em><br />
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<em>And with a final crude gesture, the woman yanked down the blinds and continued yelling into the phone.</em><br />
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<strong>For more information on Gina and her books, check out her website </strong><a href="http://ginadami.co/"><strong>HERE</strong></a><strong>. Interested in buying the book now? Click on the link </strong><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Croak-Gina-Damico/dp/0547608322/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1314195180&sr=8-1"><strong>HERE</strong></a><strong>. </strong><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>For another behind-the-scenes look at CROAK (and the secret letter for the hunt), go to </strong><a href="http://www.ginadami.co/hunt"><strong>www.ginadami.co/hunt</strong></a><strong> and type in the password: jellyfish</strong></div><br />
<strong>Now for the prize portion. As you are hopping from blog to blog there will be a giant sized letter highlighted in <span style="color: yellow;">YELLOW</span>. After you have collected all 20 yellow letters, one from each blog, unscramble them to form a phrase. Enter the phrase at this <a href="http://yascavengerhunt.blogspot.com/p/enter-here.html">LINK</a>, making sure you put the <span style="color: yellow;">YELLOW</span> phrase in the <span style="color: yellow;">YELLOW</span> entry form. When you have finished with the yellow team you may want to consider moving onto the <span style="color: blue;">BLUE</span> and <span style="color: red;">RED</span> author teams so you can enter to win even more prizes. How you get there is by clicking <a href="http://yascavengerhunt.blogspot.com/p/stuck.html">HERE</a> and then selecting an author on either the red or the blue team. Collecting your red or yellow clues along the way and enter the secret phrase in the form. Don't forget that most of the authors are doing their own giveaways as well so there are many chances to win something special.</strong><br />
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</strong><strong>As I mentioned above, while you're here visiting with me you can also enter to win a personal contest I'm hosting!! </strong><strong>I'm giving away one extra ARC of ARISE to the first person who reads the excerpt of Chapter Two (available on the <span style="color: yellow;">TEAM YELLOW</span> hunt) and correctly identifies where the scene takes place, in the comments section of this blog.</strong><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Thank you so much for visiting the HEREAFTER Saga Blog! </strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>If you're ready to move on to the next author's blog, </strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>click </strong><a href="http://marleygibson.com/category/blog-talk/"><strong>HERE</strong></a><strong> to head over to Marley Gibson's blog.</strong></div>Tara Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377524840375467317noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015243124770814549.post-85140396182106879592012-02-02T08:46:00.001-06:002012-05-09T22:01:06.079-05:00Happy birthday to me, Happy ARC day to you!!Today is my birthday, and I kind of feel like celebrating with gifts. Plus, SE FOSSE PER SEMPRE (the Italian version of HEREAFTER) just spent its second week on the bestseller list. So...yeah...celebration is totally in order.<br />
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But since I've received a LOT of gifts this last year (um, a debut novel and a baby, anyone?), I think I'll GIVE gifts to celebrate. That means two ARCs of ARISE, the sequel to the Internationally Bestselling HEREAFTER, are yours for the taking! <br />
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So here's how it will work: one ARC will be given away to someone who just comments, as chosen by Randomizer.org; one ARC will be given to the person with the most "points." You can get a point each by commenting here, following this blog, liking "Tara Hudson" on Facebook, liking "Hereafter" on Facebook, commenting on Facebook, following me on Twitter, and Tweeting about the contest. One "point" for each thing you do - including if you already follow those things!<br />
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The contest will last until 8 pm, EST, February 3rd. I'll announce winners the morning of February 4th. Open internationally.<br />
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Just to give you a taste of what awaits the two winners, here's the first chapter from ARISE, below!<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black;">CHAPTER ONE</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /><span style="color: black;"></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black;">The entire world had gone dark, and I had no idea why.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black;"></span><br />
<br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black;">No matter how widely I opened my eyes, no matter how many times I craned my neck or spun around in search of even one speck of light, I found none. There was nothing but thick, impenetrable darkness.</span><br />
<br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black;">Before I’d opened my eyes to all this pitch-black, I had the vague impression that I’d just been someplace warm, familiar. Someplace safe.</span><br />
<br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black;">But wherever I was now, I didn’t feel safe at all. I felt sightless and trapped. Like I was on the verge of being consumed by the darkness . . . like it was trying to eat me whole.</span><br />
<br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black;">Although I couldn’t see, I could still hear things: the swish of my long dress as I whirled in useless, searching circles; the hiss of my increasingly panicked breath.</span><br />
<br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black;">I heard something else, too—some sound I couldn’t quite identify. Not at first.</span><br />
<br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black;">It started softly, almost muffled. A strange noise echoing out from beneath layers and layers of cotton. But as the sound grew in volume, it also deepened. Slowly, it transformed into something stronger. Something that more closely resembled a continuous thudding.</span><br />
<br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black;">When the thudding gained a certain steadiness—a rhythm—I sucked in one sharp breath.</span><br />
<br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black;">I recognized the sound now, and it made me want to scream.</span><br />
<br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black;">If I were anyone else—anything else—I probably wouldn’t have reacted that way. After all, the rhythmic thudding of a heartbeat usually meant something positive. It meant life.</span><br />
<br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black;">But for me, an audible heartbeat meant only one thing: someone nearby was dying.</span><br />
<br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black;">It wouldn’t be me, of course. I hadn’t felt a genuine heartbeat in my chest since the day I drowned, on the night of my eighteenth birthday more than ten years ago.</span><br />
<br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black;">The sound I heard now was definitely made by a living heart. And I couldn’t fight the horrible suspicion that it belonged to someone I loved.</span><br />
<br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black;">Joshua Mayhew, for instance. Or even his little sister, Jillian. Both very much alive, and both of whose heartbeats I monitored carefully after I’d worked so hard to protect them.</span><br />
<br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black;">Hearing that terrible thudding now, I forced myself to calm down and focus more intently on the darkness. I strained and squinted, peering into the dark until, blessedly, weak light began to shimmer along the edges of my vision. I watched each new sliver closely, silently praying that it would reveal the owner of that heart. Selfishly praying that it wouldn’t be Joshua. As I waited impatiently, another realization struck me: I could rely on senses other than sight and hearing. This was strange, considering the fact that ghosts can’t smell, taste, or feel anything outside themselves. At least not very often.</span><br />
<br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black;">Yet I could smell a sweet, musty decay all around me. It overlay the scent of damp air; and, combined, the scents had an almost disorienting effect. The smells, the heartbeat, the shifting darkness—all of it made me dizzy and uncomfortable.</span><br />
<br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black;">Thankfully, the light grew brighter, and I could finally see that I stood in a dim room. Across from me, heavily slatted shutters ran from a wood-planked floor up to a beamed ceiling. The shutters blocked most of the light from what could only be the sun, shining outside a wall of windows.</span><br />
<br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black;">Furniture filled the room: randomly placed chairs and end tables, as well as a low coffee table that flanked a couch. Flung across the couch, in some sort of makeshift slipcover, was a white bedsheet. And flung across the sheet was a person.</span><br />
<br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black;">At first I thought she might be a child. On closer inspection, I realized the tiny figure was actually closer to my own age. She had curled into a protective ball on the couch, spine pressed to the back cushions and sharp hip bone jutting up in the air. Her head lolled sideways onto one of the couch’s arms, and her dark brown hair cascaded in a tangle to the floor.</span><br />
<br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black;">Even in the darkness of the room I could see the unhealthy sheen of her skin. Sweat glistened upon her sunken cheeks, and her eyes fluttered behind their closed lids.</span><br />
<br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black;">Something about the girl’s face gave me an actual chill. Something about her features . . .</span><br />
<br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black;">I leaned closer for a better look,. and, at that moment, the girl opened her eyes to stare blankly into the room. Her eyes were red rimmed and unfocused, addled by either sleep or some kind of chemical. Probably the latter, judging by the overturned prescription bottle that had spilled a rainbow of pills across the table in front of her.</span><br />
<br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black;">Under normal circumstances—if anything about this scene could be classified as normal—I would have been worried about this girl. However ineffectively, I would have tried to find someone to help her. I would have grasped at her with my dead, incapable hands.</span><br />
<br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black;">But these were not normal circumstances.</span><br />
<br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black;">Because just one sight of the girl’s eyes rooted me to the floor. Those eyes, though bloodshot and bleary, were still a luminous green, shining out from a face I knew very well.</span><br />
<br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black;">My own.</span><br />
<br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><br /><span style="color: white;"></span></span>Tara Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377524840375467317noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015243124770814549.post-28423441305491160732011-11-23T12:34:00.000-06:002012-05-09T22:00:07.837-05:00Give Thanks for 2011!I love Thanksgiving. Not just because of all the carbs that I get to consume tomorrow, not just because it signifies the start of the holiday season, but also because of what the day does to people. It gets friends and families to reevaluate their lives - to find and celebrate things for which they are truly grateful. I love getting on Facebook and Twitter to see all the status updates that celebrate the best things in our lives.<br />
<br />
In the spirit of my favorite tradition, I am celebrating five of my favorite debut novels of 2011 (in no particular order, as they are all equally awesome).<br />
<br />
1. FURY by Elizabeth Miles<br />
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I think Ms. Miles must have inadvertently brushed shoulders with Stephen King, because she shares his mastery of atmosphere. I have never been so freaked out by the noises of a radiator - and that was only in the first few pages! I also love that FURY dares us to like - and even come to love - characters with real flaws.<br />
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2. DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth<br />
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This one is worth all the glowing praise it has received. Not only does this dystopian get your heart-pounding, but it also REALLY makes you think about human nature. This book decidedly earns its place on the shelves next to <strong>1984</strong> and THE GIVER.<br />
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3. THE NIGHT CIRCUS by Erin Morgenstern<br />
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Perhaps it's now trite to say this, but this book truly is magical. As one of my friends so aptly put it, I'm sad that I don't get to read this for the first time again. Give yourself a pre-Christmas treat and READ THIS NOW!!<br />
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4. THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER by Michelle Hodkin<br />
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Mmmmm...Noah Shaw. This one is twisty and weird and uncategorizable and oh so good.<br />
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5. THE REVENANT by Sonia Gensler<br />
<br />
I've intentionally NOT listed my good writing-buddies' books for fear of showing favoritism. (Even though their books are truly great, including STARCROSSED by Josephine Angelini and DIE FOR ME by Amy Plum). But I just have to give thanks for a book like Sonia's. THE REVENANT is a classic Gothic in the vein of JANE EYRE, <em>and</em> set in Oklahoma. This one is fascinating, meticulously researched, and just plain good.<br />
<br />
Thank you to all five debut authors for making 2011 the year of excellent reads!Tara Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377524840375467317noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015243124770814549.post-55266864702038356612011-11-17T19:31:00.000-06:002011-11-17T19:37:44.930-06:00The Real-Deal ARISE coverThe second book in the HEREAFTER series come out on June 5, 2012 and I couldn't be more excited. ARISE not only exemplifies all that I've learned as a writer and plotter, but it also raises the stakes for Amelia & Joshua. Plus, it's set in New Orleans - my favorite city on earth, no exaggeration - which just makes everything all the better!<br /><br /><br /><div>The early version of the ARISE cover started floating around on the interwebbies a few weeks ago and has already garnered some much-deserved buzz. Cause, um, it's freaking BEA-U-TIFUL, right? But the final version, below, is even better. So...signed ARC of ARISE to the first person who can tell me the difference between the ARISE cover image floating around out there, and the one below. It's like the "find the differences" <em>Highlights</em> Magazine game, but much prettier and sexier. :)</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 265px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676143745565238962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8Gvxkop2uhtMde__qKKdvAxnI7BTcNEXKpRuxfxegmgi3G1YbL8KJMXoR53kMV6cacxwCCGyRyvctFB_SZQtUrM_u3GkEqCIoSLl_D62k-TnBwt1g66Neep2yhVdIJDkykaM7K1WMLA/s400/Arise+Final.jpg" /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Tara Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377524840375467317noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015243124770814549.post-39577820842820574702011-10-11T16:38:00.001-05:002011-10-11T20:05:27.718-05:00Creepy Cake N Bake: My Heart Bleeds for You (plus winners!)<div><br /><div><br /><div>First of all, I just want to say THANK YOU to everyone who participated in my Betting on Yourself Contest. Each and every one of you are so brave, and you all have given me such strength and inspiration! This is a pretty courageous lot! That's why I've chosen two winners for the signed hardcover HEREAFTER and signed ARC of ARISE (when it's available this winter).<br /><br />Poploli and Sara M, you both are incredibly brave - please send me your mailing addresses, via <a href="mailto:tara@tarahudson.com">tara@tarahudson.com</a>.<br /></div><br /><br /><div>To celebrate you guys and this spooky season, I'm participating in something really awesome: the YA Authors <strong>Creepy Cake N' Bake-A-Thon</strong>! Be sure to check out the previous authors' posts, as well as the ones following mine, and comment on your favorite entry, below. You can comment on EVERY Cake N' Bake post, one entry per post, for a chance to win a $20 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble or an official <strong>Creepy Cake N' Bake</strong> doll! Please include your email in order to be entered to win.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Trophies will be awarded on Halloween for the top creeptastic creations. Winners will be chosen by our special celebrity judge, <a href="http://adamrex.com/">Adam Rex</a>, author of such deliciously creepy creations as FAT VAMPIRE, FRANKENSTEIN TAKES THE CAKE, FRAKENSTEIN MAKES A SANDWICH and PSSST!</div><br /><br /><br /><div>For the bake-a-thon, I decided to create a favorite of the guests as my annual Halloween party: the My Heart Bleeds for You Cake. But I also decided to make a few heart-babies to go along with the big momma heart. :)<br /></div><br /><div>You can find my inspiration (and the recipe) for the cake <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Bleeding-Heart-Cupcakes-232940">here</a>, at Epicurious.com. Word to the wise: definitely use the cake recipe they provide, as cake mix is just too sticky/soft. I use their recipe for the overall pink frosting, but I like to cheat and buy tubes of grocery-store red and blue frosting for the veins. And just FYI, squeezable jelly makes the best blood! Here are my ghastly creations, pre- and post-surgery.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662396158490242610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_OiaCiMuZwT8YpbTd_FBkNNZOK2v6J5MSnKQYiiTgov6UJvU-5j5y5kMt43KV9LcXloCu_Krja6FP-XLxrB_CGaxzqYN3ax6n_pYIVgNkK7MpR77jUK16C1NBqfo5Xvf0jQn3mlsQ5A/s400/Lots+of+hearts.jpg" /></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662395397893080514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUt-xQKnUJPKP3nRBTX3gSa3TLWkZwoVKfik_WG3MTqWLB4aCaFpMbbdJHnY38mfRhhj32pbu0bK0EOyG_n0K86YXpcy0gZr35rZ4kH6oupmAGrNmxwE5JXSNeACbP-EN-WP8GSOaBBuo/s400/Bleeding+heart.jpg" /> <br /><div><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662384327017919762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUOAdGTBTqaDkaOw08iJq0ApHoT0mQ5Dm-FEdsrsu3sMRBPUz_rG4p-3Bh5I_sYESkcS6Sf8tQX7pz_ppMZ1KkJy2YCnBxZifBxZsOqsND_ywMmxUef8U5zUAng-lylkA83mAmDInQJ_8/s400/Heart+Cupcake.jpg" /> Check the list of the other contestants and their post dates so you don't miss any of the fun:<br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Mon Oct 3 <a href="http://saundramitchell.com/blog/">Saundra Mitchell</a></div><br /><div>Wed Oct 5 <a href="http://staceyjayya.blogspot.com/">Stacey Jay</a></div><br /><div>Fri Oct 7 <a href="http://bostonerin.livejournal.com/">Erin Dionne</a></div><br /><div>Sat Oct 8 <a href="http://www.mybignose.blogspot.com/">Sydney Salter</a></div><br /><div>Mon Oct 10 <a href="http://brennayovanoff.com/posts/">Brenda Yovanoff</a></div><br /><div>Wed Oct 12 Tara Hudson (me!)</div><br /><div>Fri Oct 14 <a href="http://http//karenhealey.livejournal.com/">Karen Healey</a> </div><br /><div>Sat Oct 15 <a href="http://robinbridges.livejournal.com/">Robin Bridges</a></div><br /><div>Mon Oct 17 <a href="http://michellezink.com/">Michelle Zink</a></div><br /><div>Wed Oct 19 <a href="http://juliakarr.livejournal.com/">Julia Karr</a></div><br /><div>Fri Oct 21 <a href="http://veschwab.wordpress.com/">Victoria Schwab</a></div><br /><div>Sat Oct 22 <a href="http://writegame.blogspot.com/">C. Lee McKenzie</a></div><br /><div>Sun Oct 23 <a href="http://www.ekristinanderson.com/">Emily Kristin Morse</a></div><br /><div>Mon Oct 24 <a href="http://nataliezaman.blogspot.com/">Natalie Zaman</a></div><br /><div>Wed Oct 26 <a href="http://www.stephanieburgis.com/blog/">Stephanie Burgis</a></div><br /><div>Fri Oct 28 <a href="http://writegame.blogspot.com/">Dawn Metcalf</a><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Tara Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377524840375467317noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015243124770814549.post-26396067049022719732011-10-07T16:16:00.000-05:002011-10-07T16:27:29.138-05:00I Feel a Contest Coming On...Today I took a major step in my life, a step that explains my long absence from blogging. Mostly because I spent so much time hemming and hawing over whether or not I was making the right decision for myself and my family. Ultimately, I answered: yes, I was.<br /><br />Today, I finished my last day of full-time employment at a corporation. Today, I became a full-time writer.<br /><br />Today is a big day.<br /><br />Of course, I've been a writer for a long time. And I've been a published writer since the day HEREAFTER was released. But before today, I hadn't yet decided to dedicate my career to writing. I hadn't taken the risk.<br /><br />Writing, as we all know, is scary. It is hard, mentally exhausting, creatively challenging work. The publication process, too, is a roller-coaster of praise and punishment, as is the life of a published author. These are things I know and have experienced on a very personal level.<br /><br />But to build my entire career on writing - something I love and respect and fear and crave so much? Well, that's a whole other ball of wax. It took a lot to get here.<br /><br />So I'm challenging you to tell me the riskiest thing you've done for yourself - the moment you bet biggest on <em><strong>yourself</strong></em>. I'll choose the most daring, and that person will win a signed copy of HEREAFTER and a signed ARC of ARISE (when ARC's become available)!Tara Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377524840375467317noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015243124770814549.post-85778650835303900852011-07-13T19:47:00.000-05:002011-07-13T20:02:07.120-05:00NEWS! Lots of it!Hey ya’ll! It’s been so long, and I have so much news, that I’m going to have to hold off until this weekend on posting about my adventures on my debut day, on my amazing Dark Days tour, and on my first signing in my home state of Oklahoma. (But if you’re pining for that info, Amy Plum of DIE FOR ME fame has a great series of posts about our tour, <a href="http://www.amyplumbooks.com/blog/">here</a>.)<br /><br />Instead, I’m going to give a smorgasbord of exciting news about HEREAFTER and the Hereafter trilogy. Awesome, right? So here we go:<br /><br />1. I have a bajillion new signings in Oklahoma and Texas coming up, which means I get to meet more of you! I’ll be signing tomorrow night, July 14th, at 7 pm at the Barnes & Noble on 63rd & May in OKC. I’ll also be giving a Book Chat and mini-signing at the Latimer County Public Library in Wilburton, OK (yes, THAT Wilburton!) at 1 pm on July 30th. Then, on August 6th, I’ll be popping by Blue Willow Books in Houston, TX at 2 pm to signing some stock and say “hey” to anyone who comes by. Finally, I’ll have an all-out-signing at 4 pm on August 27th in Frisco, TX at the Stonebriar Mall Barnes & Noble, to coincide with their Back to School Event. Whew, right?<br /><br />2. HEREAFTER is now out in the <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hereafter-Tara-Hudson/dp/0007430507/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1310604934&sr=8-1">UK, Australia, and New Zealand</a>, which is just sort of incredibly awe-inspiring. Next up on the international list? Publication in Germany, as <a href="http://www.amazon.de/Wenn-du-mich-siehst-Roman/dp/3453267230/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1310604980&sr=8-2">Wenn Du Mich Siehst</a> (“If You See Me”) on August 29th. (Check out some more foreign sales in the column to the right, too, to see if HEREAFTER is coming to your country!)<br /><br />3. I’m freaking pumped to be giving a radio interview to a certain, very cool Northeastern radio show next week…more details when I get the date that they’ll air the interview!<br /><br />4. I’m lucky enough to moderate a first-ever LiveChat Bookclub on <a href="http://www.inkpop.com/">Inkpop.com</a>, at 5 pm EST on July 28th. Our first book? BEFORE I FALL, by Lauren Oliver. Swoon!<br /><br />5. I'm participating in this incredibly cool <a href="http://www.tigerscursebook.com/blog/post-113/">Website Scavenger Hunt</a> with a gaggle of great YA authors like Colleen Houck, Andrea Cremer, Amy Plum, Lisa and Laura Roecker, and more. The official Scavenger Day will be one day only - August 1, 2011 - and each of our websites will have a piece of new material - new trailers, short stories, deleted scenes, new book excerpts. But here's the catch: each of websites will have another author's new stuff, and each will you lead on the trail to find more! A sneak peek of BLOODROSE, maybe, or a deleted scene from THE LIAR SOCIETY? Yes, please! Be sure to check out my <a href="http://www.tarahudson.com/">website</a> on August 1 to play the game!<br /><br />6. Finally, I wanted to make a Hereafter Trilogy announcement: I have a preliminary cover of ARISE. And it's awesome. Like, really awesome. Even better than HEREAFTER's cover, if that's possible. And the artists are still working on it. And...I'm not sharing...yet. :)Tara Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377524840375467317noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015243124770814549.post-2444832816534575422011-06-07T10:48:00.000-05:002011-06-07T10:56:08.293-05:00It's here<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hereafter-Tara-Hudson/dp/0062026771/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1307461746&sr=8-1">Today is the day</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hereafter-tara-hudson/1026903265?ean=9780062026774&itm=1&usri=tara%2bhudson">Today is the day</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.borders.com/online/store/TitleDetail?type=0&catalogId=10001&simple=1&defaultSearchView=List&keyword=tara+hudson&LogData=%5Bsearch%3A+8%2Cparse%3A+16%5D&searchData=%7BproductId%3Anull%2Csku%3Anull%2Ctype%3A0%2Csort%3Anull%2CcurrPage%3A1%2CresultsPerPage%3A25%2CsimpleSearch%3Atrue%2Cnavigation%3A0%2CmoreValue%3Anull%2CcoverView%3Afalse%2Curl%3Arpp%3D25%26view%3D2%26all_search%3Dtara%2Bhudson%26type%3D0%26nav%3D0%26simple%3Dtrue%2Cterms%3A%7Ball_search%3Dtara+hudson%7D%7D&storeId=13551&sku=0062026771&ddkey=http:SearchResults">Today is the day</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.target.com/Hereafter-Hardcover-Tara-Hudson/dp/B004SCQPQO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&searchView=grid5&keywords=tara%20hudson&fromGsearch=true&sr=1-1&qid=1307461916&rh=&searchRank=target104545&id=Hereafter%20Hardcover%20Tara%20Hudson&node=1038576%7C1287991011&searchSize=30&searchPage=1&searchNodeID=1038576%7C1287991011&searchBinNameList=subjectbin%2Cprice%2Ctarget_com_primary_color-bin%2Ctarget_com_size-bin%2Ctarget_com_brand-bin&frombrowse=0">Today is the day</a>Tara Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377524840375467317noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015243124770814549.post-79574102175584420692011-06-04T08:36:00.000-05:002011-06-04T08:43:16.407-05:00Three Days Away...I'm freaking out - are you freaking out? More on my pre-publication jitters later. Right now, you want to know who won the giveaway, don't you? :)<br /><br />I wish I had enough money to send everyone who commented a shiny hardcover of HEREAFTER, delivered on June 7th. Unfortunately I don't, but I hope I CAN make 4 people have a better day, right now!<br /><br />1. 2-day preorder hardcover of HEREAFTER: Wulfluva<br /><br />2. Standard preorder hardcover of HEREAFTER: Chey<br /><br />3. HEREAFTER ARC plus goodies: Jade<br /><br />4. Goodies plus a surprise: Paradise<br /><br />Congrats to the winners, and thank you everyone for telling me why you want to read HEREAFTER! Even though you didn't win, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hereafter-Tara-Hudson/dp/0062026771/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1307194840&sr=1-1">Amazon has HEREAFTER here</a>, for ridiculously low-priced preorder in case you just can't wait to find it at your local bookstore on June 7th.Tara Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377524840375467317noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015243124770814549.post-38480053508867322442011-05-24T06:51:00.000-05:002011-05-24T07:01:58.715-05:00The "Two Weeks Till Hereafter" Final GiveawayI can't believe it's really almost here. I've had to suppress more than one urge to do a happy-dance (and that's just today). I think I need company in my happy-dancing, and what makes people happier than free stuff? As in, a HEREAFTER giveaway?!?<br /><br />Since this is my final, pre-publication giveaway, I'm going to make it a big one. There will be FOUR (yes, four!) winners, who will receive very cool stuff, as follows:<br /><br />1st prize: HEREAFTER hardcover pre-order, with 2-day shipping so you have it June 7th!<br />2nd prize: HEREAFTER hardcover pre-order, with standard shipping<br />3rd prize: HEREAFTER ARC and fun, book-related swag<br />4th prize: Fun, book-related swag (which you can show off to your non-winning friends, ha!)<br /><br /><strong>So, all you have to do is tweet, FB comment, or blog comment the reason you deserve to win.</strong> Then I decide who gets to read Amelia's story early!Tara Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377524840375467317noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015243124770814549.post-9482241775906586772011-05-22T18:18:00.001-05:002011-05-22T18:28:52.264-05:00Movie Day, Times TwoIn which I discuss HEREAFTER, ARISE, and my weird writing proclivities<br /><OBJECT id=BLOG_video-29182677e37ade55 class=BLOG_video_class width=320 height=266 contentId="29182677e37ade55"></OBJECT>Tara Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377524840375467317noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015243124770814549.post-40842441745254214622011-05-19T06:59:00.000-05:002011-05-19T07:13:58.973-05:00The Book Trailer!<OBJECT id=BLOG_video-dc82f2ef4ee217b0 class=BLOG_video_class width=320 height=266 contentId="dc82f2ef4ee217b0"></OBJECT>Tara Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377524840375467317noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015243124770814549.post-10264113704508999262011-05-15T19:58:00.000-05:002011-05-15T20:17:42.066-05:00Three Weeks Until Publication = Three Good ThingsOn Tuesday, there will be only three more weeks until HEREAFTER'S U.S. launch. (Notice a pattern in my posts? Not like I'm counting down or anything.) Since three is the Magic Number (no one start singing "Conjunction Junction"), I've thought of three things that are almost as awesome:<br /><br />1. My U.K./Australia/New Zealand Cover (available on July 7th)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgOL-QNnL9hDC9NizCLXepRTenV-TIdlGJteywF5gyLAIRil6c-s9V5JIV4JHQtCn4XL24EXKaT1qDc0tr6YhzBamAFluN98VMaHy6GfqRiIRFzlvEOW0uWOK2vOqHL123B1lLACzXucw/s1600/Hereafter_BFormatPB_Cov.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 273px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgOL-QNnL9hDC9NizCLXepRTenV-TIdlGJteywF5gyLAIRil6c-s9V5JIV4JHQtCn4XL24EXKaT1qDc0tr6YhzBamAFluN98VMaHy6GfqRiIRFzlvEOW0uWOK2vOqHL123B1lLACzXucw/s400/Hereafter_BFormatPB_Cov.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607116946244500386" /></a><br /><br />The front cover is identical to the U.S. cover, but the back of the jacket and spine differ slightly. No whirlpool on the back, and check out the ripple effect on the spine. Nice, right?<br /><br />2. The HEREAFTER <a href="http://www.tarahudson.com/playlist.html">playlist</a> is up on my website and unlike a lot of other playlists, this one actually works! But just in cases, here's the line-up for your at-home listening pleasure.<br /><br /> Bixby Canyon Bridge – Death Cab for Cutie<br /> Semi-Automatic – The Boxer Rebellion<br /> Ghost – Blue Foundation<br /> A Strange Education – The Cinematics<br /> Sweet Disposition – The Temper Trap<br /> Wide Eyes – Local Natives<br /> Too Afraid to Lose You – The Black Keys<br /> Milk – Kings of Leon<br /> Caught by the Light – The Boxer Rebellion<br /> Blinding – Florence + the Machine<br /> Memory Serves – Interpol<br /> The Orchard – Sea Wolf<br /> BONUS: If I Die Young – The Band Perry<br /><br />Bonus points to anyone who can figure out which song represents which scene/character!<br /><br />3. Best of all: my blog tour with the <a href="http://theteenbookscene.weebly.com/hereafter-tour-details.html">Teen Book Scene</a> starts tomorrow! Top Ten Lists, Character Interviews, the works! I'm so excited!!!Tara Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377524840375467317noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015243124770814549.post-78279196749339960752011-05-10T20:15:00.000-05:002011-05-10T20:50:11.729-05:00Four Weeks! FOUR!Is it really possible that only four weeks stand between me and the U.S. release date of HEREAFTER? The day when I see my first novel sitting on bookstore shelves, the day my lifelong dream comes true?<br /><br />It's humbling. It's exciting. It's scary as hell.<br /><br />Mostly, it's going to allow me to meet some unbelievably cool people, i.e. all of you. Below are the dates and locations of my signings for the month of June. I really, really hope each of you can make it to one to see me. If not, let me know, and I promise that when I plan future tours this year, I will try my best to come see you.<br /><br />Because one the best parts of this crazy journey is meeting you.<br /><br />June 7, 2011: Anderson's Bookshops, Naperville, Illinois, 7 pm - 10 pm<br />June 8, 2011: Clackamas Town Center Barnes & Noble, Portland, Oregon, 7 pm - 10 pm<br />June 9, 2011: Book People, Austin, Texas, 7 pm - 10 pm<br />June 11, 2011: Full Circle Bookstore, Oklahoma City, OK, 3 pm - 6 pmTara Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377524840375467317noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015243124770814549.post-47569237140319447982011-05-02T09:48:00.000-05:002011-05-02T09:54:35.792-05:00Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeousI have to share this NOW, because it is so beautiful, I'm kind of freaking out! HEREAFTER will be released in Germany on August 29th, 2011, by Heyne Verlag (an imprint of Random House). The German title is "Wenn Du Mich Siehst," which translates as "When You See Me." Love the title, and absolutely love this cover:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKrbs6UAZ0ulgd-vRisBIm-_Ot2yHfXb0QP1NIPiXMgB9MUCSg89R4344yEzps9F91UzLF27k8uSIZFZXFJHI35Gj9v_u8KmqkBFueMTY-sD3Sp_aRw5G1rhoW9rYCccUH-ATAVxu5qU/s1600/German+Cover.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKrbs6UAZ0ulgd-vRisBIm-_Ot2yHfXb0QP1NIPiXMgB9MUCSg89R4344yEzps9F91UzLF27k8uSIZFZXFJHI35Gj9v_u8KmqkBFueMTY-sD3Sp_aRw5G1rhoW9rYCccUH-ATAVxu5qU/s400/German+Cover.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602131726294081442" /></a><br /><br />Man, the country of my ancestors knows how to treat HEREAFTER <em>right</em>!Tara Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377524840375467317noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1015243124770814549.post-86771861692695620882011-04-25T19:47:00.001-05:002011-04-25T19:50:02.557-05:00It's the Little Things...There are certain things and places that make me inexplicably happy.<br /><br />If you're anything like me, then <a href="http://www.target.com/Hereafter-Hardcover-Tara-Hudson/dp/B004SCQPQO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&searchView=grid3&keywords=%22tara%20hudson%22&fromGsearch=true&sr=1-1&qid=1303778741&rh=&searchRank=target104545&id=Hereafter%20Hardcover%20Tara%20Hudson&node=1038576%7C1287991011&searchSize=30&searchPage=1&searchNodeID=1038576%7C1287991011&searchBinNameList=subjectbin%2Cprice%2Ctarget_com_primary_color-bin%2Ctarget_com_size-bin%2Ctarget_com_brand-bin&frombrowse=0">this</a> would make you happy, too.Tara Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09377524840375467317noreply@blogger.com6