YA Scramble!

Hi everyone! Thanks so much for stopping by for the YA Scramble. :D

Here's all the details:

Instructions for the YA Scramble
1) Visit the first blog (based on list below)
2) Read the guest post
3) Identify the PURPLE word
4) Pick out the 3rd letter from the purple word
5) Go to the next blog.

6) Repeat #3, #4, and #5 until you visited all 14 sites.

7) At the end, take all 14 of the 3rd letters from the PURPLE words and figure out the message near and dear to our hearts.

8) You will enter that unscrambled message ONCE into this form as your official entry for a chance to win some great prizes from fantastic authors and bloggers.

HINT: The Grand Prize phrase is FOUR words. :D

Grand Prize Items:

- ARC of The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab (with signed bookmark)

- Ebook of Soltice by PJ Hoover (with trading cards)

- Ebook of The Space Between by Alexandra Sokoloff

- Paperback copy of Perception by Heather Cashman

- Signed paperback ARC of Anathema by Kathleen Tucker

- Chronicles of Vladimir Tod Gift Set (Trade Paperback of Eighth Grade Bites, Vlad Journal, Minion Bling Buttons and Vlad Tote)

- Signed paperback copy of Between by Cyndi Tefft

- Signed hardcover of Clarity by Kim Harrington

- ARC of Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

- Signed ARC of Fury by Elizabeth Miles

- Signed paperback of Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

- ARC of Tris & Izzie by Mette Ivie Harrison

- Copy of The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney

- Winner's choice of 5 ebooks from a list of indie authors

- Signed paperback of Sleepers by Megg Jensen

- Ebooks of Soul Quest and Guardian of Souls by Amy Jones

- Kindle copy of Winnemucca by Laura Elliott (plus a guest post spot on her blog!)

Participating Blogs - all must be visited:

✯ Kaitlin Simpson 
✯ PJ Hoover
✯ Cary Cummings
✯ Heather Cashman
✯ Kathleen Tucker
✯ Jennifer Morris
✯ Cyndi Tefft
✯ Irish/ Gail
✯ Danielle Bunner
✯ Melissa Layton 
✯ T.R. Graves
✯ Megg Jensen 
✯ Amy Jones
✯ Laura Elliott

Remember, there's a prize on my blog and a grand prize, so make sure you read all of the rules. Now here's a guest post from T.R. Graves!!!!

What makes great YA paranormal heroes/heroines?

This is one of those types of questions where the response is completely subjective. If you polled 100 people, each would provide a different response. I suspect - based on today’s bestselling books - that a large majority of people have slight variations on the same concept. In their version, the hero/heroine is someone who is uncommonly beautiful, SMART (book smart or street smart), unnaturally powerful, and has an absolute propensity for saving others. Based on my experience, a small portion of the 100 people polled would have the exact opposite expectations of the perfect hero/heroine. Their version includes someone with the power to save the world but exhibits personal demons so powerful they are prevented from living up to their potential (at least in the beginning).

In addition to the characteristic listed above by the majority group, I believe a great paranormal heroine is a role-model for teenage girls. Her powers are as good as - if not more powerful than - those given to the male characters of the story. While the heroine may end up in situations where she has to be rescued by the hero-like character, she is strong enough to save him and others when necessary. Continuing my ‘role-model’ theme, a great heroine educates herself (formally or informally) and exercises her body and soul. Finally, she is passionate when it comes to her beliefs.

While I agree with the (imaginary) responses provided above by the majority group, I also believe a great hero is a man who is mentally and physically resilient. He possesses unique characteristics that make his enviable power all the more amazing. Morally/ethically, he has a strong sense of right and wrong. And, without a doubt, he has an absolute desire to save the heroine (if not the world).

With all that being said, I understand the importance of a flaw. The hero/heroine should not be invincible. Without a weakness, there would be no story. Even then, I do not agree with the expectations of the minority who want their heroes/heroines to possess large gaping personal flaws. I’ve had several hundred people review Warriors of the Cross. Of all those reviews, I’ve identified two people who were very upset that the heroine was not fighting with a dark side or overcoming a debilitating defect. After the second comment, my daughter and I discussed the remarks and decided that we disagreed with their opinion. My daughter’s words stuck in my mind and gave me a level of comfort that I had done the right thing. She said, “When I read a book, I like to pretend I’m the heroine. As a teenager, I’m constantly struggling with my self-image. In my fantasy world, I don’t want that to be a constant factor. I read to get away from the real world not to endure more of it.”

Like I said originally, this whole topic is very subjective. The bottom line is that a good book is a good book. As long as the story is interesting, I can read and enjoy anything (flawed or perfect characters). The quality of writing, the development of formidable characters, and the excitement embedded within the storyline will determine the book’s and the author’s success.

Thanks, Megg, for allowing me to do this guest blog.

T. R. Graves, Author
Fan Page - https://www.facebook.com/#!/TRGraves.Author?sk=app_129982580378550
Twitter - http://twitter.com/#!/WARRIORSSERIES
Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4699869.T_R_Graves
T. R. Graves Blog - http://www.thewarriorseries.blogspot.com/
Warriors of the Cross- Book One of the Warrior Series (now available on Amazon/B&N/Smashwords/Itunes)
Guardians of the Cross - Book Two of the Warrior Series (December 2011)
Enemies of the Cross - Book Three of the Warrior Series (September 2012)

 



















TR is offering a great giveaway with her blog post!!!! The winner will choose 5 (yes, FIVE!!!) eBooks from this list. To enter, just leave your name and a way I can contact you in the comments section below! Entries close at midnight, September 14th.

❤Pattie Larsen
❤Courtney Cole
❤Wren Emerson
❤Nicole Williams
❤Fisher Amelie
❤P. J. Hoover
❤Laura Elliott
❤Amy Jones Young
❤Rachel Coles
❤Tiffany King
❤Cyndi Tefft
❤Alicia McCalla
❤Heather Cashman
❤T. R. Graves
❤Abbi Glines
❤Cidney Swanson
❤Cheri Schmidt

❤Jayde Scott

❤Addison Moore
❤Autumn Dawn

❤M. Leighton

❤Kyra Gates

❤Megg Jensen

❤Tamara Rose Blodgett

❤K.C. Blake 

Want to win this prize? Then comment below with your name & a way to contact you by midnight September 14th. Remember, if you want to enter the grand prize, fill out this form.

Next, head over to Kaitlin Simpson's blog! Have fun!!!!