You Know When It’s YA: A Giveaway

So.

After all of my recent essays/rants/rambles/thing-a-ma-jigs, I decided it was time to do something fun for a change. And what could be more fun than a giveaway of some awesome YA books? (Hint: Nothing! Well, except for a million dollars, perhaps…) 

I have 4 books to giveaway today–all YA and all thrilling. First is the dark YA thriller, Hushed by Kelley York. It was generously donated for this giveaway, and has been reviewed highly among readers. I have one copy available as an eBook–your choice of an .ePub or PDF file. Here’s more about it:

He’s saved her. He’s loved her. He’s killed for her.

Eighteen-year-old Archer couldn’t protect his best friend, Vivian, from what happened when they were kids, so he’s never stopped trying to protect her from everything else. It doesn’t matter that Vivian only uses him when hopping from one toxic relationship to another—Archer is always there, waiting to be noticed.

Then along comes Evan, the only person who’s ever cared about Archer without a single string attached. The harder he falls for Evan, the more Archer sees Vivian for the manipulative hot-mess she really is.

But Viv has her hooks in deep, and when she finds out about the murders Archer’s committed and his relationship with Evan, she threatens to turn him in if she doesn’t get what she wants… And what she wants is Evan’s death, and for Archer to forfeit his last chance at redemption.

****

Here are the next three books:

 

These next three YA novels are a little different. They weren’t donated, but I already have them purchased on my Kindle and can lend them. I can only lend one eBook copy of each of these three, but keep in mind that once I lend them, you have 14 days to read them. It’s not my rule; it’s Amazon’s. Remember that this only applies to these three books, not Hushed. Also note that you do not need a Kindle for any of these books. You must have an Amazon account, however, and if you don’t have a Kindle, it takes five minutes (and it’s free) to download the Kindle for PC and read from there. (Again, Hushed does not require an Amazon account.)

Since I don’t want a simple giveaway post to be exceptionally long, please click on the books’ covers to find out more about them. But essentially (shortened blurbs follow): 

Divergent: In a future Chicago, 16-year-old Beatrice Prior must choose among five predetermined factions to define her identity for the rest of her life, a decision made more difficult when she discovers that she is an anomaly who does not fit into any one group, and that the society she lives in is not perfect after all.

The Future of Us: It’s 1996, and Josh and Emma have been neighbors their whole lives. They’ve been best friends almost as long – at least, up until last November, when Josh did something that changed everything. Things have been weird between them ever since, but when Josh’s family gets a free AOL CD in the mail,his mom makes him bring it over so that Emma can install it on her new computer. When they sign on, they’re automatically logged onto their Facebook pages. But Facebook hasn’t been invented yet. And they’re looking at themselves fifteen years in the future.

Angelfall: It’s been six weeks since angels of the apocalypse descended to demolish the modern world. Street gangs rule the day while fear and superstition rule the night. When warrior angels fly away with a helpless little girl, her seventeen-year-old sister Penryn will do anything to get her back. Anything, including making a deal with an enemy angel. [My addition: This is also one of the most popular and beloved self-published books that I know of. Just sayin'.]

 

How To Enter:

The one problem with WordPress is that Rafflecopter, a giveaway miracle, does not work on it. So we’ll have to do this the old-fashioned way. Through commenting. *gasps from all around*

I’ll try to make this simple, so to enter you must:

- Share this post. Whether on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Google+, your blog, etc. I don’t really care. However, if you share it on Twitter, please tweet using the hashtag #IncessantGiveaway so I can more easily keep track of entries.

- Comment. In your comment, you must link to where you shared this post. In addition, please include your email address so I can contact you if you win. Also, if you’ve read one of these books and don’t want to be in the running for winning it in particular, please say so in your comment. If you don’t, I’ll assume you’re fine with whichever book. Although you may choose not to be entered for a book or two (maximum of two) that you already own, you don’t get to choose which book you want to be entered for–you get one randomly if you win. But let me assure you, they’re all quality books.

…And that’s about it. If you’d prefer, you may also enter by emailing me at JHansenAuthor(at)gmail(dot)com instead of commenting, but the same above rules apply.

**This giveaway ends in one week; entries close at 11:59 P.M. EST on Sunday, May 27th.**

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please let me know!

Enjoy!

50th Follower Contest Winners

First off, big thanks to everyone who participated. There were so many great stories here; I’m very impressed. The winners will be announced at the end of the post, but first, let me familiarize you with the entries and finally reveal these talented authors!

#1 – Different

By Allegra D. @ http://herestous.wordpress.com

A girl was walking down the street wearing Edwardian boots and a sundress. I watched her from outside the convenience store, watched her hair flow down her back. She looked straight at me. Her form had an edge to it that was sharper than what I was used to. She was different from me—I became frightened. I turned and passed through the brick wall to get away.

#2 – The First Battle

By Nadina Boun @ http://nadinaboun.wordpress.com

From the deep underground the dark angels soared wailing out in the open, threatening. Came the angels from above with their loud trumpets, singing. On the verge of heaven and hell they met and exchanged glances and in their heart they knew the battle has begun. A light shone in the distance blinding both parties as they retreated to their initial hiding again. I am the alpha and the omega, it said, only by my command will you fight. Peace fell back on earth by now lacking all the serenity of existence until the light would come again.

#3 – The House

By Stormi Johnson @ http://writesthoughts.blogspot.com/

Sam moved into his new house today. He thought it would be a good start for him, but the house had a different thought. This house was evil and wanted Sam out. Sam could fill the evil presence in the house but had no clue what to do. The longer Sam was in the house the more he became like the house until it possessed him. The house liked murder, and so Sam killed.

#4 – Living the Dream

Jean Vogler @ http://gibbee.blogspot.com/

The house is dark except for the one lone light bulb exactly over my head, piercing my solitude like an interrogator. In the kitchen, the refrigerator bumps and clangs as new ice drops into the ice box. I listen to a man at the back of the house gag and spit while he attempts to extract tonsilliths from his throat. I grimace. This is the life I chose. But as I sit here indifferent, dispassionate, something inside me desperately wants to run.

#5 – Morning Rays

By Karen Malena @ http://karenmalena.blogspot.com/

On a gnarled, oak bench, underneath a fragrant pine, sits my father, worn, leather prayer book open on his lap.  Jewel-colored hummingbirds dart to and fro suckling sweet nectar, when one flies near to whisper in my father’s ear.  Sunlight filters through the branches on this lazy morning.  He stands, stretching out the body, now bent from age, as his face turns upward letting the first rays of warmth course through him.  “Thank you, Father,” he says.  It will be a good day.

#6 – In The Shape of Shep

By Eileen Gansfor @ http://www.eileengranfors.blogspot.com/

Behind the barn, Orville leans the rifle against the sagging wood, rinses all of Shep’s paws with the barn hose, and dries each paw with a rough rag. Orville’s heart releases like fingers stretching open from a closed fist. “A dog’s good for filling a grief-dug hole,” he says, his soft voice lifting. Shep wags his tail and races away. Orville follows him into the warm house where Muriel weeps in her black dress.

#7 – No Stone Unturned

By Angel Zapata @ http://arageofangel.blogspot.com/

The old witch had advised him to add no more than five drops of blood per head. Jackie knew his three buddies would be too chicken to volunteer, so he drugged their beers. Their heads were the only things sticking out of the holes he’d dug in the backyard. He shaved off all their hair while they slept, popped open the vial, and dripped the recommended dosage on each bare scalp. Within moments, long, green, speckled snakes emerged from stimulated follicles and locked eyes with Jackie. This really is Medusa’s blood, was his last conscious thought before transforming to stone.

#8 – It’s A Joke, Right?

David Hoof @ http://www.littlegods.net/

“Guy walks into a bar after a thermonuclear war,” Sam says, then picks up his beer and looks across to Gus for a reaction.

Gus puts down his own mug, swallows and asks, “So what’s the punch line?”

Sam blinks, then turns away. “That’s it.”

Gus scowls, then starts mouthing the joke out loud, thinking hard. Suddenly it hits him. After a thermonuclear war, there is no guy and there is no bar because there’s no nothing else either. So he looks back at Sam and says, “Not funny.”

Sam is looking at himself in the mirror as he admits, “Not as little as a word. So next time you walk into a bar, stop looking so goddamn lonely.”

______________________

And the winners are……

Eileen and Allegra!!!!!!!!

Congrats you two and everyone else, thanks for participating! If you entered, please remember to honor your commitment and follow the two winners’ awesome blogs! That was such a fun contest; I’m glad to do it. Funny, I’m up to 64 followers now.

Good night everyone.

50th Follower Contest – Voting Stage

(If you don’t remember anything about my 50th follower contest, please read this post)

And the entering stage of my 50th follower contest is now closed! Phew. We have a lot of great stories here, all of which are very deserving. I really encourage you all to vote on your favorites! Note: I’m keeping the anonymity for a reason (I don’t want any cheating). Don’t worry, I will reveal the authors and their blog links when the contest voting ends on November 22nd so you can read more about the authors behind your favorite stories. Let me just set the basic guidelines for voting before we begin:

- Everyone may only vote for TWO stories. I’m sorry, you’re going to have to choose.

- Authors, you may vote for your own story if you like, but only once. You MUST vote for someone else’s story in addition to your own. Authors, you may also encourage people to vote but please don’t spoil the anonymity by saying which story is yours.

- Voters, remember that these stories are supposed to be six sentences, so don’t judge them by length.

- I’m also hiding the results to the public because I don’t want any hard feelings (and I also like the element of surprise). I promise that I will NOT EVER rig the vote. As I said before, I like the element of surprise.

- Remember, these stories are in no particular order.

And finally, please, please, PLEASE vote on your favorite stories and even link to it on your blog or any social media if you feel so inclined as well. Thanks everyone and let the voting begin!

#1 – Different

A girl was walking down the street wearing Edwardian boots and a sundress. I watched her from outside the convenience store, watched her hair flow down her back. She looked straight at me. Her form had an edge to it that was sharper than what I was used to. She was different from me—I became frightened. I turned and passed through the brick wall to get away.

#2 – The First Battle

From the deep underground the dark angels soared wailing out in the open, threatening. Came the angels from above with their loud trumpets, singing. On the verge of heaven and hell they met and exchanged glances and in their heart they knew the battle has begun. A light shone in the distance blinding both parties as they retreated to their initial hiding again. I am the alpha and the omega, it said, only by my command will you fight. Peace fell back on earth by now lacking all the serenity of existence until the light would come again.

#3 – The House

Sam moved into his new house today. He thought it would be a good start for him, but the house had a different thought. This house was evil and wanted Sam out. Sam could fill the evil presence in the house but had no clue what to do. The longer Sam was in the house the more he became like the house until it possessed him. The house liked murder, and so Sam killed.

#4 – Living the Dream

The house is dark except for the one lone light bulb exactly over my head, piercing my solitude like an interrogator. In the kitchen, the refrigerator bumps and clangs as new ice drops into the ice box. I listen to a man at the back of the house gag and spit while he attempts to extract tonsilliths from his throat. I grimace. This is the life I chose. But as I sit here indifferent, dispassionate, something inside me desperately wants to run.

#5 – Morning Rays

On a gnarled, oak bench, underneath a fragrant pine, sits my father, worn, leather prayer book open on his lap.  Jewel-colored hummingbirds dart to and fro suckling sweet nectar, when one flies near to whisper in my father’s ear.  Sunlight filters through the branches on this lazy morning.  He stands, stretching out the body, now bent from age, as his face turns upward letting the first rays of warmth course through him.  “Thank you, Father,” he says.  It will be a good day.

#6 – In The Shape of Shep

Behind the barn, Orville leans the rifle against the sagging wood, rinses all of Shep’s paws with the barn hose, and dries each paw with a rough rag. Orville’s heart releases like fingers stretching open from a closed fist. “A dog’s good for filling a grief-dug hole,” he says, his soft voice lifting. Shep wags his tail and races away. Orville follows him into the warm house where Muriel weeps in her black dress.

#7 - No Stone Unturned

The old witch had advised him to add no more than five drops of blood per head. Jackie knew his three buddies would be too chicken to volunteer, so he drugged their beers. Their heads were the only things sticking out of the holes he’d dug in the backyard. He shaved off all their hair while they slept, popped open the vial, and dripped the recommended dosage on each bare scalp. Within moments, long, green, speckled snakes emerged from stimulated follicles and locked eyes with Jackie. This really is Medusa’s blood, was his last conscious thought before transforming to stone.

#8 – It’s A Joke, Right?

“Guy walks into a bar after a thermonuclear war,” Sam says, then picks up his beer and looks across to Gus for a reaction.

Gus puts down his own mug, swallows and asks, “So what’s the punch line?”

Sam blinks, then turns away. “That’s it.”

Gus scowls, then starts mouthing the joke out loud, thinking hard. Suddenly it hits him. After a thermonuclear war, there is no guy and there is no bar because there’s no nothing else either. So he looks back at Sam and says, “Not funny.”

Sam is looking at himself in the mirror as he admits, “Not as little as a word. So next time you walk into a bar, stop looking so goddamn lonely.”

____________________________________

Did you enjoy these? Tell me what you think of the overall product and don’t forget to vote!

****2 winners will be selected*****