Monday Madness Maggie Stiefvater AND the OMG contest topped with Awesomesauce

Yep, you read that right. First off let me tell you that I had the opportunity to meet the Maggie Stiefvater (who's book LINGER just debuted at #1 on the New York Times Best Seller List) and drool all over her. She didn't even have me arrested. In fact, she took this picture with me. So, forget all those werewolf and fairy books, I've met the real Maggie and I know what she really is.

MY NEW BFF!

Um, yes, it is possible she's unaware of this development. Ahem.

Let me get to the important part... See, I got both SHIVER and LINGER signed and then I got to thinking about how much love I have for all of YOU. Soooo, I will very generously offer BOTH of my own personal copies of these SIGNED BOOKS as a prize for the winner of my newest contest.

Here's how to enter:

1. Be a follower +1 for new followers +2 for old.

2. Leave a comment letting me know how to contact you if you win and if someone else sent you here (if you are named as sending a new follower you get +2 just for that)

3. Tweet about this contest +2

Here's where it gets complicated (because it's me, so it can never be simple mwhahaha):

You must do at least ONE of the following to participate and the most creative will be featured here on my blog in two weeks time when I announce the winner. OH and the most creative will receive an extra 25 entry points for your efforts.

1. In your comment, tell me why you must own these books. +2

OR

2. Blog or vlog about why you must win these books and link back to this contest. +10 (you must let me know in the comments with a link to you so I know where to find it).

ALSO please add up your entry points (other than the extra 25 for the most creative). I can't be held responsible for poor math skills. :)

Do it by Friday 13th of August because that is OBVIOUSLY the deadline. As I said I will announce the winner on Monday the 16th and feature the most creative entrant on Monday Madness. If you've already had that honor? I'll contact you and let you decide who should receive that highest of honors. SOUND GOOD? I hope so. GOOD LUCK!

I've Got the Chills

First things first. Drum roll please. The winner of BLEEDING VIOLET by Dia Reeves is JULIE MUSIL. Congrats!

Now it's time for a book review my friends. Which book? SHIVER by Maggie Stiefvater.

Remember my friend Seth? If not refresh your memory with this interview. Got it? He's a werewolf. A werewolf that said he really doesn't read books like this, so naturally, I asked him to do just that. At first he said, "NO WAY." Then I offered to bribe him and he acquiesced. So here's his review:

Okay, first off, lets get this out in the open - it was way too sappy for me. Total chick stuff. But, I have to admit that once I accepted that and resigned myself to reading it, I found I actually kind of liked it. I really liked Sam. Though I totally would have been all over Grace from the get go. I don't know what took him so long.

I also thought this Stiefvater lady did a pretty good job making up lore. I mean the whole when it gets cold I turn into a wolf thing was original. Hardly accurate, but I give her points for imagination. She really did get right in those wolves' heads though. That was right on. Like scary right on.

So, I have to say that if I was going to be forced to read a chick book about werewolves, this would totally be the one. Yeah. And anytime you want me to read LINGER and you offer me a few more Milkbones, I'll be happy to help out.

Thanks, Seth! I'll certainly be picking up LINGER when it comes out. My own take on SHIVER? I REALLY liked it. The romance was great. I'm a sucker for that myself. I agree with Seth in that I also enjoyed Sam's character. I understand why she chose to split the POV between Sam and Grace, but truthfully there were times I would have preferred to stick with Sam. I liked the fact that he was not your typical YA male. He was touchingly real. Also, I can't help but give a positive review to anything taking place in and around Duluth.

What did you think of the book?