Cool posts!

I found these two excellent posts today that stopped me in my tracks.

1) The first is from Book Chick City in Defence of Vampires by author Matt Haig. 
http://www.bookchickcity.com/2010/10/all-hallows-eve-guest-author-in-defence.html

2) This one is from Darkly Reading and it's a guest post and givewaway with author Clare Dunkle.  Her book House of Dead Maids, sounds amazing. 
http://darklyreading.blogspot.com/2010/10/guest-post-and-giveaway-with-author.html

Halloween Giveaway #2

Happy October!

Here is my second giveaway to celebrate my favorite month.  For your listening pleasure, I'm giving away a copy of Midnight Syndicate's The Dead Matter cd.  (Click on their link to listen to samples of their eerily beautiful music.)

No need to follow, link or tweet.  Just leave a comment and tell me 3 of your favorite Halloween themed or spooky songs.  I have an entire Halloween playlist, but some favorites off the top of my head are Bloodletting (The Vampire Song) by Concrete Blonde, Dead Man's Party by Oingo Boingo and Possum Kingdom by the Toadies.   

Please leave me a way to get in touch with you so I can get your address if you win.

This contest is open to ages 13 and up.  

This contest ends on Monday, October 11, 2010 at midnight (or should I say "Midnyte"?)

If I can't get in touch with the winner within 3-5 days, another winner will be chosen.

And yes!  I will ship internationally!

Halloween Contest Winner...

And the winner is...

Bonnie from The Literary Gato!  Check out her blog!  It's got really good content, a friendly tone and cats!

Childhood Thrills - (October, 2010)

Childhood Thrills is a feature that recalls books I read in my childhood or adolescence that were special to me or "haunt" me in some way.  I don't intend to re-read & review them, just simply share my memories and the feelings they evoke.  

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Ghosts I have Been by Richard Peck

I walked out of my elementary school classroom and saw a poster for this book on the library door. My heart leapt. Would you look at that image?  A girl in a white nightgown, lit by candleight.  The smoke from the flame morphing into ghostly images.

I couldn’t wait till “Library Time” so I could get my hands on this book, but when I got there they didn’t have it in yet! I was so disappointed. I think I must have asked every time I went in there and I’m sure the staff wanted to strangle me.

Finally it came in!

Blossom Culp is the main character in this story set in the early 1900s. She has a mother who is a fortune teller, lives in a poor section of town and always seems to get into trouble. She is fun, spunky, smart and brave. I so wanted to be friends with her and have some of her personality rub off on me. Unlike Blossom I was shy and kept my mouth shut.

One day she declares that she has the gift of Second Sight. If I remember correctly it was to avoid getting into trouble. But then something odd happens. She does develop this gift and is able to see ghosts and past events. She starts to use her ability to help people, but of course gets into a little trouble along the way. She also befriends a little boy ghost who drowned on the Titanic and uncovers the mystery behind his death. Blossom even thwarts some phony spiritualists looking to take advantage of the citizens of her town.

I think what struck me most at the time was the excitement I felt seeing this image, the anticipation of the story it hinted at and knowing I was going to be able to read it.  It was similar to seeing a really good movie trailer.  The best part though, was the actual story. The characters, time period and events came alive for me. It gave me the ghostly thrill I was looking for in a realistic setting. Maybe it wouldn’t seem as clever if I re-read it now, but as a young reader I loved it and also felt it was not too “babyish.”  I wanted to be thrilled and spooked!  I remember this book exceeded my expectations and I absolutely loved it.    

MANtasy

Hi Everyone!  I'm a guest poster at Reading on the Dark Side today!   Thank you Christine for inviting me!  Please click HERE to read my post.  Click on the button above to get to the home page of Reading on the Dark Side.

Book Blogger Hop (October 1 - October 4, 2010)

I love the Book Blogger Hop.  It's really amazing how many book blogs there are and each time I participate I always find a great new blog and have a few people stop by my blog as well.  This meme is hosted by Crazy For Books.  Please check out her blog for complete rules.

This week's question is:  How do you spread the word about your blog?  (e.g. Social Networking sites, Book Blog directories, comments on other blogs...)"

Answer:  I have to admit I don't promote my site as much as other bloggers out there.  I admire the way my savvy co-bloggers handle Twitter and seem to be able to manage their time so well writing posts,   interviewing authors, participating in challenges, holding contests, having on-line chat parties...phew!  I'm tired just thinking about all of it! 

I try to post on Twitter and Facebook as much as I can, but I have to admit that while I think it would be great to have a large following, I'm more interested in the process and "journey" of my blog.  I want to write as well as I can and present unique, fun and interesting content. Although I don't have a large following  - which is okay, really, don't feel bad for me ; ) - there are several people who have given me great feedback and wonderful support.  The biggest and most pleasant surprise that came with blogging is the relationships I have built, and am still building, with people who love books and reading and the blogging experience as much as I do.  

Halloween Giveaway

Happy October!

Since Halloween is my favorite holiday, I made this bracelet to give away to one lucky winner.  The silver beads are sterling and the red crystals are Swarovski.  I beaded them on Stretch Magic.

No need to follow, link or tweet.  Just leave a comment and tell me 3 things you love about October.  And please leave me a way to get in touch with you so I can get your address if you win.

This contest ends on Tuesday, October 5, 2010 at midnight (or should I say "Midnyte"?)  If I can't get in touch with the winner within 3-5 days, another winner will be chosen.   And yes!  I will ship internationally!