A Contest You Don't Want to Miss!

Over on my blog, I'm hosting a contest for a chance to win a spot on the ARC Tour for my wonderful friend Susan Dennard's debut novel, SOMETHING STRANGE AND DEADLY!

There’s something strange and deadly loose in Philadelphia…

Eleanor Fitt has a lot to worry about. Her brother has gone missing, her family has fallen on hard times, and her mother is determined to marry her off to any rich young man who walks by. But this is nothing compared to what she’s just read in the newspaper—

The Dead are rising in Philadelphia.

And then, in a frightening attack, a zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor…from her brother.

Whoever is controlling the Dead army has taken her brother as well. If Eleanor is going to find him, she’ll have to venture into the lab of the notorious Spirit-Hunters, who protect the city from supernatural forces. But as Eleanor spends more time with the Spirit-Hunters, including their maddeningly stubborn yet handsome inventor, Daniel, the situation becomes dire. And now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her very life may hang in the balance.

Susan is a reader, writer, lover of animals, and eater of cookies. She used to be a marine biologist, but now she writes novels. And not novels about fish either, but novels about kick-butt heroines and swoon-worthy rogues (she really likes swoon-worthy rogues). She lives in Germany with her French husband and Irish setter, and you can learn more about her crazy thoughts and crippling cookie-addiction on twitter, facebook, or Goodreads. Her debut, Something Strange and Deadly, will be available from HarperCollins in July of 2012, and you will never believe how happy this makes her!

How does an ARC Tour work? Easy. I'm choosing FIVE winners, lining them up, and we ship the book from one person to the next. So, it’s shipped to you, you ship it to the next in line, etc. After you read it, all I ask is that you take a minute to tell someone about it. Blog it, Tweet it, put it on your Goodreads list, or just exclaim about it to everyone who comes within a three-foot-radius of you. That’s what I do! ;) (The only people seeing your address will be me and the person shipping the book to you, so it won’t be broadcast into the stratosphere.)

So, you want a chance to enter to win? Head over to my blog!

Friday Fives (37): Writing Places

Due to personal reasons, I couldn't get last week's Friday Fives up. I really apologize for that!

Welcome to our weekly Friday Fives!

What are your FIVE favorite writing places?

Post about it on your blog and then leave your link (and blog name) below so everyone can visit your blog today!





Next week: What are the FIVE novels you're looking forward to in 2012? :)

If You Liked...

This week’s selections are in a genre I am unfamiliar with. I hope to use this list as a starting point in familiarizing myself with this popular theme, as you might also do. In case you haven’t peaked ahead at the list, I’m talking about zombies. My only experience with the walking dead is the movie Zombieland, which I loved! So I’m excited about this genre and looking forward to getting better acquainted with it. Enjoy!

If you liked…

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

In Mary's world there are simple truths. The Sisterhood always knows best. The Guardians will protect and serve. The Unconsecrated will never relent. And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village; the fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth. But, slowly, Mary’s truths are failing her. She’s learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power, and about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness. When the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, she must choose between her village and her future—between the one she loves and the one who loves her. And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded in so much death?

Then you might like…

Generation Dead by Dan Waters

Phoebe Kendall is just your typical Goth girl with a crush. She’s strong and silent…and dead.

All over the country, a strange phenomenon is occurring. Some teenagers who die aren't staying dead. But when they come back to life, they are no longer the same. Feared and misunderstood, they are doing their best to blend into a society that doesn’t want them.

When Phoebe falls for Tommy Williams, the leader of the dead kids, no one can believe it; not her best friend, Margi, and especially not her neighbor, Adam, the star of the football team. Adam has feelings for Phoebe that run much deeper than just friendship; he would do anything for her. But what if protecting Tommy is the one thing that would make her happy?

Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick

An electromagnetic pulse flashes across the sky, destroying every electronic device, wiping out every computerized system, and killing billions.

Alex hiked into the woods to say good-bye to her dead parents and her personal demons. Now desperate to find out what happened after the pulse crushes her to the ground, Alex meets up with Tom—a young soldier—and Ellie, a girl whose grandfather was killed by the EMP. For this improvised family and the others who are spared, it’s now a question of who can be trusted and who is no longer human.

The Enemy by Charles Higson

They'll chase you. They'll rip you open. They'll feed on you...When the sickness came, every parent, policeman, politician - every adult - fell ill. The lucky ones died. The others are crazed, confused and hungry. Only children under fourteen remain, and they're fighting to survive. Now there are rumours of a safe place to hide. And so a gang of children begin their quest across London, where all through the city - down alleyways, in deserted houses, underground - the grown-ups lie in wait. But can they make it there - alive?

Zombie Blondes by Brian James

From the moment Hannah Sanders arrived in town, she felt there was something wrong. A lot of houses were for sale, and the town seemed infected by an unearthly quiet. And then, on Hannah’s first day of classes, she ran into a group of cheerleaders—the most popular girls in school.

The odd thing was that they were nearly identical in appearance: blonde, beautiful, and deathly pale. But Hannah wants desperately to fit in—regardless of what her friend Lukas is telling her: if she doesn’t watch her back, she’s going to be blonde and popular and dead—just like all the other zombies in this town. . . .

Friday Fives (36): 2011 Favorite Books

Welcome to our weekly Friday Fives!

What are your FIVE favorite books in 2011?

Post about it on your blog and then leave your link (and blog name) below so everyone can visit your blog today!




Next week: What are your FIVE New Year's resolutions (writing/reading/or otherwise)? :)

Happy Holidays!

In lieu of a Friday Fives this week, we at Paper Hangover would like to wish each and every single one of you a

Happy Holidays!!!

We hope that you'll have a wonderful time with friends and family.

Keep warm and be safe!

P.S. For next week's prompt, please check the sidebar. :)

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays everyone! Michael and Lauren are taking the holiday off. We will be back after the holiday with more page critiques.

If you would like to submit a page from your story for us to look at, you may read our guidelines and fill out the Writing 101: Page Critique Form. You may also read the previous submission.


Have a great holiday, everyone!


And now a holiday themed video:

Dawn Rae Miller and LARKSTORM Giveaway!

Today on Paper Hangover we're talking with author Dawn Rae Miller about her debut YA novel LARKSTORM. Here is the summary:

In the years following the destructive Long Winter, when half the world’s population perished, the State remains locked in battle against the Sensitives: humans born with extra abilities.
As one of the last descendants of the State’s Founders, seventeen-year-old Lark Greene knows her place: study hard and be a model citizen so she can follow in her family’s footsteps. Her life’s been set since birth, and she’s looking forward to graduating and settling down with Beck, the boy she’s loved longer than she can remember.
However, after Beck is accused of being Sensitive and organizing an attack against Lark, he disappears. Heartbroken and convinced the State made a mistake, Lark sets out to find him and clear his name.
But what she discovers is more dangerous and frightening than Sensitives: she must kill the boy she loves, unless he kills her first.

I finished the book in just one night and I have to warn you--once you start reading, you will not want to stop. The plot, the characters, the romance, the twists and turns you won't see coming--it's all that good! 

Dawn, how did you come up with LARKSTORM: the story, the world, the incredible characters? 
I came up with the character of Lark, Beck, Callum and Annalise first. Lark and Beck came to me simultaneously, which seems fitting. I couldn’t write one without the other. As for the world, I live in San Francisco near the Presidio where the school is set. 100 years ago, it was nothing but bare hills and I thought it would be interesting if it reverted back to that. But what caused it?

The main framework of the story came easily once I had the characters, but the details changed constantly – I have 23 drafts of LS! – until I arrived at what is in print.

Oh wow, 23 drafts! Do you write using an outline? Or do you "pants" it? 
For LS, I pantsed most of it during the first draft stage, but I quickly realized I needed an outline to keep everything straight. I’m now a dedicated synopsis user. It helps me figure out where the story is going and see the big picture.

Interesting! Writing Lark's story, what did you love the most about her? 
Her determination. She does not give up, no matter what.

I love that about Lark too. The romance in LARKSTORM is so heartbreakingly beautiful. If you could sum up the book in five words, what would they be? Dedication. Friendship. Loyalty. Horror. Loss.

It's going to be a long wait until Book 2 comes out. Any hints of what we can expect? 
The bulk of the book will take place in San Francisco and center around Lark figuring out her place in the State. And Ryker Newbold – Beck’s friend who was kicked out of their home – comes back in a major way.


When Dawn wasn't looking, I snuck Lark away for a quick interview:
Lark, can you tell me something interesting about yourself?
Most people seem to think being a Founders’ descendant is interesting. But I’d rather talk about my talent with agriculture. I’m extremely good at food production and have helped Mr. Trevern create a new strain of hybrid tomatoes.


What things are most important to you?
Doing what’s right. Friendship. And loyalty.


What's the one thing you wish you had?
Besides Beck? Hmmm…privacy. I hate being the center of attention.


What's the one thing you regret?
Not skipping school with Beck when he asked me. If I had…well, things would have been different. I’m sure of it.



Thanks, Dawn, for stopping by! WANT TO WIN AN E-BOOK VERSION OF LARKSTORM AND/OR BOOKMARKS? Click here and fill out the form to enter. If you follow Paper Hangover, tweet/blog about the contest, or leave a comment you get +1 extra entry (max of 4 extra entries). The contest is open (internationally) until January 5, 2012.  

Buy your copy of Larkstorm here.
Website: www.dawnraemiller.com
Twitter: @DawnRaeMiller