Now it’s time to announce the winners of the prizes along with the winner of the grand prize, the Kindle Fire.

• December 1st Winner: Michelle S. – Griffie World is where it started. Swag: A paperback copy of Misfit McCabe along with Can’t Catch Me and Other Twice-Told Tales by Michael Cadnum.
• December 2nd Winner: Fiery Na – The Global Citizen – home on the web to Juliette Terzieff The winner will receive a paperback copy of Misfit McCabe along with Prince of Wolves by Dave Gross
• December 3rd Winner: Tanya – We’ll unravel secrets with Heather McCorkle The winner will receive a paperback copy of Misfit McCabe along with The Secret of Spruce Knoll by Heather McCorkle
• December 4th Winner: Daria – Fly on over to Eisley Jacobs’ site where the winner will receive a paperback copy of Misfit McCabe along with Born to Be a Dragon by Eisley Jacobs
• December 5th Winner: Shannon – We’ll open the door to a new world with Christine Fonseca and the winner will take away a paperback copy of Misfit McCabe along with A Darkness Forged in Fire by Chris Evans
• December 6th Winner: Ellie – We’ll be hanging out with Julia Swank, the YA Book Diva and giving away a paperback copy of Misfit McCabe along with a copy of her mama’s book Here by Denise Grover Swank
• December 7th Winner: Maddy – Get ready for the snark with the Snarktastic Ramblings of Rhonda Cowsert and winner walks away with a paperback copy of Misfit McCabe along with The Hammer by K. J. Parker AND an ARC of Tattered.
• December 8th Winner: Iona -Head out for the party that is Katelyn Torrey’s blog. Put on your dancing shoes, and the winner waltzed away with a paperback copy of Misfit McCabe along with The Stoneholding by James G. Anderson and Mark Sebanc AND an ARC of Tattered.
• December 9th Winner: Racheal – Find out if Molly Hacker is Too Picky! with Lisette Brodey and the winner picks up a paperback copy of Misfit McCabe along with Squalor, New Mexico by Lisette Brodey AND an ARC of Tattered.
• December 10th Winner: Gabi – Check out a review or two on the LL Book Review. Winner receives a paperback copy of Misfit McCabe along with Mayan December by Brenda Cooper AND an ARC of Tattered.
• December 11th Winner: Ellechim – Make a difference with Carolina Valdez Miller and get your chance to win a paperback copy of Misfit McCabe along with The Prophecy of Zephyrus by G. A. Hesse AND an ARC of Tattered.

And now the moment you’ve been waiting for… the winner of the Kindle Fire!

ELLIE M.

Congratulations Ellie!! It was a pleasure to have you on the tour and have you get to know Katie McCabe and the other characters in Tattered!

And for validation, all winners were selected with the help of Random.org. Below is the Kindle Fire selection list.

Everyone is a winner! I’m so happy about the release of Tattered, I’m giving away copies of the first book in the series, Misfit McCabe and everyone can get the ebook version FREE! Here’s how to win:

1. For the daily prizes on each stop on the tour comment on the post of the day to be entered for the daily prize
2. To get a free ebook copy of Misfit McCabe:
• Put together the puzzle and write down the code. Each day will give another part of the coupon code. Please note at the top whether it is for eBook or Print.
• Once you have collected the entire code, go to Smashwords and purchase Misfit McCabe input the code and download whichever ebook version you need for free.
3. To get 50% off the print version of Misfit McCabe:
• Put together the puzzle and write down the code. Each day will give another part of the coupon code. Please note at the top whether it is for eBook or Print.
• Once you have collected the entire code, go to Griffie World Store and purchase Misfit McCabe input the code and receive 50% off the purchase price.
4. To win the KINDLE FIRE
• Support this tour by commenting on each of the daily stops — It’s only 11 days, not even as long as the 12 days of Christmas.
• And since each of the hosts was nice enough to help me promote my new book, honor their request on their post to follow, subscribe, tweet, etc.
• And if you’re under 18 and would like to enter, but don’t have Facebook or Twitter, etc. if you have a friend comment on the posts saying that you sent them, we’ll consider that your entry for the Grand Prize. One friend for each stop (and they can enter too and bring all of their friends to the party).

But enough of that… let’s get down to what this post is about — Tattered!

What do Sunday afternoon court proceedings, cheerleader tryouts, and a book burning have in common? Katie McCabe is back in action.

After her nemesis Harvey is found guilty and sentenced to community service, Katie wants to believe her troubles are over, but Harvey won’t rest until he gets revenge. When blackmail rears its ugly head, she’s caught between friends and enemies putting her growing relationship with Tom at stake. Books go up in flames and Katie’s world rains down in tatters.

Each of the stops along the way will introduce you to the characters you will find in Tattered and Katie is very excited because she will get to do most of the commentary about the people you will meet within the pages. Speaking of which, since today’s puzzle is a picture of Katie, I’d better say a little something about her. Katie is at bottom, a good girl, but she tends to get in a lot of trouble… sometimes through no fault of her own, but usually, she has a hand in it. She is impulsive, has a good sense of humor, is loyal to her friends, and has a good heart. Her main goal? To figure out this thing called life. But you’ll get to know a lot more about her during the tour. Now for the stops:

**Note** All winners must have a US or Canada mailing address — but comments from all countries are welcome.

Tour Stops

• December 1st – You found it… here is where it all starts. Today’s swag: A paperback copy of Misfit McCabe along with Can’t Catch Me and Other Twice-Told Tales by Michael Cadnum. For Kindle entry, please Like my Misfit McCabe page on Facebook (link in the sidebar to the right)
• December 2nd – The Global Citizen – home on the web to Juliette Terzieff The daily winner will receive a paperback copy of Misfit McCabe along with Prince of Wolves by Dave Gross
• December 3rd – We’ll unravel secrets with Heather McCorkle The daily winner will receive a paperback copy of Misfit McCabe along with The Secret of Spruce Knoll by Heather McCorkle
• December 4th – Fly on over to Eisley Jacobs’ site where the daily winner will receive a paperback copy of Misfit McCabe along with Born to Be a Dragon by Eisley Jacobs
• December 5th – We’ll open the door to a new world with Christine Fonseca and the winner will take away a paperback copy of Misfit McCabe along with A Darkness Forged in Fire by Chris Evans
• December 6th – We’ll be hanging out with Julia Swank, the YA Book Diva and giving away a paperback copy of Misfit McCabe along with a copy of her mama’s book Here by Denise Grover Swank
• December 7th – Get ready for the snark with the Snarktastic Ramblings of Rhonda Cowsert and you might walk away with a paperback copy of Misfit McCabe along with The Hammer by K. J. Parker AND an ARC of Tattered.
• December 8th -Head out for the party that is Katelyn Torrey’s blog. Put on your dancing shoes, comment and waltz away with a paperback copy of Misfit McCabe along with The Stoneholding by James G. Anderson and Mark Sebanc AND an ARC of Tattered.
• December 9th – Find out if Molly Hacker is Too Picky! with Lisette Brodey and pick up a chance to win a paperback copy of Misfit McCabe along with Squalor, New Mexico by Lisette Brodey AND an ARC of Tattered.
• December 10th – Check out a review or two on the LL Book Review. Comment to win a paperback copy of Misfit McCabe along with Mayan December by Brenda Cooper AND an ARC of Tattered.
• December 11th – Make a difference with Carolina Valdez Miller and get your chance to win a paperback copy of Misfit McCabe along with The Prophecy of Zephyrus by G. A. Hesse AND an ARC of Tattered.

If the puzzle does not load correctly, please refresh your browser and it should display correctly.

I love book releases. There is something special about all of the efforts the author made finally coming together and having them share their inspiration with the world. And the release of a debut novel is even more special. Knowing the writer is finally seeing the end product and is sharing something so intimate with the world for the first time. Because the book writing process is an intimate one and I know from personal experience, the blood, sweat, and tears that go into the process. That’s why I’m especially glad to be able to participate in The Secret of Spruce Knoll Tour of Secrets.

The Secret of Spruce Knoll by Heather McCorkle

Following the tragic death of her parents, Eren Donovan moves to Spruce Knoll to live with her aunt. Little does Eren know the entire town of Spruce Knoll is filled with “channelers”~a magical group of people who immigrated to the small Colorado town when they were driven out of their own lands.

Channelers are tied to the fate of the world. As the world slowly dies, so do they~and they alone have the power to stop the destruction of Earth. Now, Eren learns she not only lives among them, but she is one. When she meets local boy Aiden, his charm convinces her that being a channeler may not be all bad.

WOW! Something tells me the fate of Earth might be tied to Eren. And who can resist a charming boy named, Aiden? But since this is the Tour of Secrets there must BE secrets involved…and my secret I’m going to reveal is related to Aiden, but not about him.

I got it from the secret master, herself, Heather McCorkle. Aiden’s adoptive father, Virgil is abusive — and it’s tough to have any sympathy at all for him. What he tries to hide is that he (and his wife) desperately wanted to have children, but it is becoming increasingly difficult for channelers to have children. After years of trying they became so desperate that they adopted Aiden (how I can’t tell you, that’s another secret!). But shortly after the adoption, Virgil’s wife became pregnant. That certainly complicated Virgil’s feelings about Aiden!

While that doesn’t make up for the abuse, it gives Virgil a layer as a character that we wouldn’t expect. But wait! there are PRIZES!!! Hop on over to Heather’s Blog for the full rules (and to find out how you can score extra points). And here’s what you can win:

1st place:
*$50 gift certificate to B&N (or the Book Depository if you’re over seas).
*Autographed copy of The Secret Of Spruce Knoll
*Special swag bag

2nd place:
*Swag bag filled with:
*Autographed copy of The Secret Of Spruce Knoll
*Spoiled by Heather Cocks & Jessica Morgan
*Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan
*Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
*A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young

3rd place:
*Autographed copy of The Secret Of Spruce Knoll
*Swag bag

And don’t forget to pick up your copy of The Secret of Spruce Knoll — available NOW!!!

The catch? Pitch your book with the same restrictions we have on twitter – 140 characters. Whoa!! There are times I can barely say hello in 140 characters… pitch a whole book?? I thought about sitting this one out, but then decided to jump in the deep end for two reasons.

1. A friend dared me (yes, we have Monica Enderle Pierce to thank for my participation in this contest) because I can’t back down from a challenge.
2. And the ability to have a short snippet I can pull out and use when someone asks me the question I never cease to stumble over… “What is the book about?” Once I’m in a conversation about my writing, I’m able to discuss fluently, but I always trip over my tongue when attempting to give someone a short summation.

So I signed up and started off on my quest of perfecting a pitch in 140 characters. I had a bit of a slow start but ultimately came up with something I’m almost happy with – I’d like to get a descriptive adjective in there, but may need a shoe horn to do it. Oh, and I thought about tweet-shrinking my pitch, but decided to go for the gusto and complete the pitch without shrinking. Sooooo, here it is:

Title: The Journal of Angela Ashby
Genre: Middle Grade contemporary with magical elements
44,000 words

When her magical journal falls into a bully’s hands, a girl must sacrifice her deepest desire to protect her unborn brother’s happiness

In a nutshell and 135 characters… but, I’ll probably continue to tweak – leave a comment & help me make it sparkle.

With the feedback from below, I’ve been toying with some new pitches, so here is #2

Conjuring a gnome was fun, but when her magical journal falls into a bully’s hands, Angela must recover it before her last wish causes chaos

With her magical journal in a bully’s hands, a girl must sacrifice her desire 2 reunite her parents 2 protect her unborn brother’s happiness

I’ve incorporated Rebecca’s suggestion below for the third version. And hop on over to Shelley’s blog and see all of the other contestants. It’s going to be fun seeing how everyone sums up their books.

The 2009 Pearson Prize Teen Choice Award winners have been announced and Misfit McCabe by LK Gardner-Griffie grabbed runner-up honors. Published in 2008, Misfit McCabe is written for teen readers, a market that can be notoriously difficult to reach. The Pearson Prize attempts to make reading exciting to teens by involving them in selecting a winner and two runner-up prizes for the contest.

Author LK Gardner-Griffie specializes in teen literature. Misfit McCabe is the story of 14 year old Katie McCabe. The story follows her journeys through a difficult year where she deals with the illness of her father and going to live with her Uncle Charley. Any teen is sure to recognize her struggles with a new town, new friends, and new foes.

The Pearson Prize Teen Choice Award started in 2008 as a way to engage Montreal teenagers in reading books. The brain child of Michael Earnest Sweet, the prize also serves as a way to bring in books for teens to read on a limited budget. Authors donate books as their entrance fee to the contest, the teens get books to read, and the authors get recognition. All of the books are independently published.

LK Gardner-Griffie says of the award, “There can be no greater satisfaction for a writer than to have their work read and enjoyed. Now all I have to do is get Nowhere Feels Like Home ready to enter next year’s contest!” For more information on Misfit McCabe and LK Gardner-Griffie, visit www.griffieworld.com. For more information about the Pearson Prize, visit www.pearsonprize.org.

Author and Contact: LK Gardner-Griffie
Email: lkgardner-griffie@griffieworld.com

###

After learning what the project was, and finding out some information about the Pearson Prize Award contest, I was delighted to participate in the contest. The contest is one which is determined solely by the students, and what author can resist a captive audience of their target readership? Michael Sweet was looking for a way to encourage his students to read, but they were lacking in books, so he came up with the idea of having a contest where the authors send in their books as the entry fee. Two books per participant are required, because the books are shared among the students as they all read the books and write reviews for class credit. I actually had 3 copies of Misfit McCabe participating in the contest because one of the books from the Where in the World is Misfit McCabe? project was sent from a classroom in Durango, Colorado to a classroom in Montreal, QC.

I considered it an honor to have been invited to participate in the contest. Misfit McCabe’s target audience is slightly younger than high school students, so I wasn’t sure how it would fare with the high school readers, simply because it might be a little on the young side for them. Imagine my surprise when I received an email with the following message from Michael Sweet:

Congratulations. More than 20 teens choose your title as their number one selection from more
than 150 titles!

That Misfit McCabe should be a favorite for more than 20 students and to have been selected as one of the top 3 books out of more than 150 titles is beyond excellent.

Now I have to write my own press release and get some of those little gold seals so I can put them on my books.

So, I tried to come up with a reason on why we would have been neglected as entries in such a contest, and then it hit me. . . since I am the dachshund princess, I should not participate in contests as it wouldn’t be fair to the commoners participating, and since Gryphon and Elsa make up my court, the same rules apply. I forgot that different rules apply to royalty for a few moments in the initial surprise that my cute face was not posted on the site.

Now, I will watch the voting and politely clap and smile, maybe even give a slight nod of approval when the winner is announced. Maybe I should be giving out the award. Strange that no one has contacted me yet to see whether I can take the time from my busy schedule to do such a thing. Is that my phone ringing? Have to run now.