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Happy Monday Everyone! Hope you're having a great start to the week.
Today Casey and I have a HUGE giveaway for you and I'm also participating in the Survive and Thrive Bloghop. First, the Blog Hop. It's hosted by Stephen Tremp, Michael Di Gesu, Diane Wolfe, and Alex Cavanaugh. The blogfest is meant to bring awareness of disease prevention and early detection regarding medical conditions that may be averted or treated if caught in the early stages.
So I have two preventive tests to share. First, I'll tell you a secret. I'm surrounded by breast cancer. My mom and one of my aunt's are breast cancer survivors. My paternal grandmother got it shortly before her death from other causes in her 90's. My only sister and sibling died from breast cancer after a 15 year courageous battle with it filled with fairly continuous chemo the last 10 years of her life.
So doing your self breast exams and yearly mammograms are critical to finding this disease early. Early detection can raise your survival rates significantly. And they are always inventing new drugs and therapies to help those with the disease and lifestyle changes to help those like me not get it. I know. I have one to two mammograms a year and have been on drug treatments that will help me not get breast cancer. Plus I try to live a healthy life. So do your breast exams and get your yearly mammograms!
The next test I am actually having done today. It's a colonoscopy. A yucky test we may put off. I already had it done once in May but the preparation didn't work fast enough. So I had to do it again with a two day preparation of only drinking black coffee and cola and eating jello and drinking yucky medicine this weekend. I didn't want to do it again. But I remember my doctor telling me of a doctor friend putting his off and dying from colon cancer. So I'm doing it even though I didn't want to. You should do it too. And so if I have not stopped by your blog early this morning, it will be later today or tomorrow before I get there. Because whatever medicine they give me to sleep during the procedure makes me sick and I'll sleep it off.
Next I have a few winners to announce.
The winner of MY YEAR OF EPIC ROCK is Christina Fiorelli!
And the winner of DOUBLE NEGATIVE is Dawn Simon!
Congrats! E-mail me your addresses so I can have your books sent to you. Please e-mail me by the end of Wednesday or I'll have to pick another winner.
Now onto our celebration! Casey and I are thrilled that we've reached over 4000 GFC followers and have had over 3 million page views. I know we have way more followers following by e-mail, Blogovin, etc. I loved this blog! It's a perfect fit for me that fuels my lifelong passion for books and gives me the opportunity to help authors and share fantastic books.
We couldn't have reached 4000+ followers without you! Thank you so much for all your support and friendship. Especially this year, when I've been going through and continue to go through the biggest challenges of my life, I've appreciated all the support you've given me. It's one of the things helping me get through this, even in my darkest moments. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
So one thing I've realized after my husband's death is the importance of stopping and celebrating all the important events in life. And this is one of them. So we've got a huge giveaway to celebrate this important milestone!
One lucky winner will win the book of their choice and one winner will win a $40.00 Amazon Gift Card. We've picked lots of YA books and MG books. Many are favorites of ours. If you are in a different place in the series, you can win a different book in the series as long as it doesn't cost more than the book selected. I hope you'll find a book you like. If not, pick one to give as a gift to someone over the holidays. Click on the titles to read a blurb from Goodreads.
So here's the YA choices:
And here's the MG choices for our middle grade book lovers:
And don't forget the $40 Amazon Gift Card.
If you mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog, mention this in the comments and I'll give you an extra entry. You must be 13 or older to enter. International entries are welcome as long as The Book Depository ships to you for free.
Here's what's coming up:
On Wednesday I'll be hosting a giveaway of the entire YA urban fantasy Heir Chronicles series by Cinda Williams Chima, one of my all time favorite authors. So excited about this!
Next Monday 'll be thrilled to share an interview with debut author Martina Boone who so many of us know with a giveaway of her fantastic YA Gothic romance COMPULSION. You'll love the small town Southern setting and the characters who are all so unique.
Next Wednesday I'll have a guest post by debut author M.A. Larson and a giveaway of his MG fantasy PENNYROYAL ACADEMY. M.A. is a television writer so I know he'll have lots of great advice for us.
The following Monday I'm interviewing Kimberley Griffiths Little and giving away her YA romance set in a desert setting FORBIDDEN. I loved the setting and I'm a sucker for forbidden romance.
The Monday after that I'm giving away an ARC of THE ELITES by Marie Lu. I've got one word for this book: Wow!
And don’t forget Casey’s Thursday Agent Spotlights.
Hope to see you on Wednesday!
108 comments:
Your words about living around family with illness and about your husband… You're an encouragement and an inspiration.
AND an you've created an awesome blog- congrats on the milestone! ^^
If I win the book side of the giveaway, I would love a copy of Heir of Fire.
Keep up the wonderful work!
blacklaceblonde (at) yahoo (dot) com
Thank you for sharing! You're definitely an inspiration!
Happy birthday, Lenny!
I so want Falls the Shadow!!
Nicole.Zoltack@gmail.com
Happy Birthday, Lenny Lee!!
And thanks a lot for such a great post :)
I'd love to win The Young Elites.
GFC: Evie
by.evie at yahoo dot com dot br
Glad you're celebrating this milestone, and great idea to highlight preventative tests. Treat yourself to something nice after your colonoscopy, Natalie, and take care.
Wow - so many awesome books! And looking forward to hearing from Martina - just got a notice that my copy of Compulsion has shipped!! :)
Good advice with the tests - they really do make a difference! Best wishes are with you today!!! *hugs*
You have a wonderful outlook, and I've missed stopping by and seeing all the amazing books, those covers are brilliant!
Congratulations on so many followers!! I appreciate especially your agent spotlights. Thank you for sharing very practical information. I would love The Shadow Throne. tphumiruk@hotmail.com
Congratulations on the followers! That is cause to celebrate. Happy Birthday to Lenny Lee! Will hop over to his site and say hello. Have a great week!
Hi, Natalie,
You have gone through so much, but you are a survivor and a positive person! Keep smiling! We all appreciate it so much.
Take care of yourself.
I've been putting off the colonoscopy for a while now. I need to get in and have it done. I just hate the idea of the liquid. I have a queazy stomach. Oh well better that than the alternative...
CONGRATS on 4000 that is awesome! I remember like it was yesterday you were celebrating 3000...
I'll tweet about the giveaway for sure...
A Snicker of Magic caught my eye...
Congrats on 4000 followers!
I'm surrounded by breast cancer too, and 20% of breast cancer cases are MEN. So I get an exam too, albeit it's quite different, I'm sure.
I have a friend who is surrounded by breast cancer like you. I worry for her but like you, she's doing everything she can. Good luck with your procedure today. Anesthesia makes me ill too.
Would love to own Heir of Fire. I have it on Kindle but promised my daughter a hard copy.
Congrats on the 4000 followers Natalie and Casey. This blog is my first stop whenever I want to research an agent. I am so happy that you have such wonderful MG books in the giveaway. I would love to win a copy of The Eight Day. Had read about it on your blog.
And good luck with the colonoscopy.
Have a lovely week.
Wow, so much awesome here! I would love Blue Lily, or I promise you the sun. And thank you for this amazing blog. The agent profiles have been so helpful!
Thank you a lot for making us realise how important those test can be by sharing personnal experience and for reminding us how life and every happy moment are important too
Congrats on reaching the 4000 followers it's more than deserved.
if i were to win a book and not the gift card.... i would pick blue lily , lily blue or heir of gfiore ( or iron trial) ^^;; sorry i can't decide right now on which one i want teh most^^
bloglovin username: mikilectureaventure
isabelle(dot)frisch(at)gmail(dot)com
Congrats! 4000 followers is amazing!
Hugs. <3 I am so sorry about all the cancer in your family :( That sucks. I hope you will continue to stay healthy, though. <3 And ugh. Yess. Colonoscopy is the worst. I have done them pretty often, since I have Morbus Crohn :p Which sucks. But I suppose it must be done. So best of luck sweetie :D
AAALSO. Congrats on 4000 followers :D That is so so awesome! I love your blog. <3 Meeep! Best giveaway :D I would love love love to win the giftcard. <3 Thank you so much for the chance sweetie :) You are awesome.
Best wishes with the colonoscopy. That's the topic of my post. The day before, the cleanse, is the worst part. You won;t remember a thing of the actual procedure because you'll be under anesthesia.
And Congrats! on the 4,000 followers!
You certainly have a lot going on, Natalie. Best of luck with your colonoscopy. I had one eight years ago and I'll be due for another soon. And I never knew that about breast cancer affecting your family so much and taking your only sibling. I'm so sorry. I just lost a friend to breast cancer last week. You're right: early detection is the key.
I'd love to win The Shadow Throne or Snicker of Magic. Thanks for the opportunity. And congrats on the followers!
Happy Birthday to Lenny Lee!!
Congratulations, Natalie and Casey, on 4,000 followers! I'm not surprised, because your blog is my go-to for information about agents and author interviews.
Good for you doing all that prevention for breast cancer and colon cancer. My MIL is battling breast cancer right now, and it was caught too late.
Thanks for all you do for the blogging community! I'd love to win the Young Houdini--it looks like something my son would love.
Following through on your colonoscopy exam is a good thing. Maybe not fun, but a smart preventative measure for your health.
And the giveaway seems so surreal with so many wonderful titles to choose from. But if I were chose, I would go with the MG novel, The Shadow Throne.
tomewriter@gmail.com
So nice of you to highlight the preventive measures of breast exams and colonoscopies, while highlighting your own experiences. As you said, early detection is key. Congratulations to you and Casey on your 4,000 followers, so rightly deserved!
Thank you for the awesome giveaway!
If I win the book, I'd like The Young Elites!
My e-mail is angela1997 at live dot nl
Congratulations on four thousand followers! That is massive.
Good luck today. Make sure they give you the happy gas.
Congrats! That is great news! If I win a book, I'd like Atlantia. :)
Good luck on your colonoscopy. I'm having a mammogram in December. I'm in my mid-30s, so it's considered early for me to be having these. But my mom had breast cancer years ago and even though she is fine right now, I still need to be vigilant.
Congratulations on the outstanding progress you've made on your blog. And thanks for hosting the contest. The book I'm interested in is The Junction of Sunshine and Lucky.
Wow! 4000 followers is awesome! I can see that you've had some major events in your life lately. I am a GFC follower. If I win the book, I'd love to have either Ignite Me or The Young Elites. Congrats again!
Bravo to you for taking care of yourself. So many don't.
Congrats also on the success of your blog. Helps keep all of us plugging away. Thanks for all of your great posts. If I win, YOUNG HOUDINI is my choice.
Wahooo. Great job, you two. CONGRADS! Early detection, Natalie. I'm glad you're taking such care. That daughter needs you. I hope your test went well. YaY for Lenny. He's gettin' old! *wink*
I hope your procedure goes well and prevention is the best medicine. I've never been here so many great books to read. I just followed :)
Holy shizbuckets! This contest is awesome. Such a great way to celebrate. I'm so glad that Literary Rambles has been as good of an experience for you as it's been for all of us. Congrats. I would like to win GATES OF THREAD AND STONE please :)
All kinds of whizzbang stuff here today! Yay on that number 4000+ Do you hear the champagne corks popping? I know you'll come through that colonoscopy with flying colors and a desire for yogurt. :-) Yep. Eat that as soon as possible to restore your enzyme balance.
Happy Birthday! I would love to have Blue Lily, Lily Blue
I know how difficult it is to be surrounded by breast cancer. Be vigilant. Congrats on getting your colonoscopy. The procedure is a lot easier than the prep.
I have been lucky that no one in my family has been afflicted with breast cancer. Wow, the prep for a colonoscopy sounds scary. Good luck with the procedure.
Congrats on making 4000 plus :)
Congrats on 4000 followers.
This was the first time there had ever been an issue down there, and if not for a casual comment to my doctor about something that shouldn't be happening since I've gone through menopause, who knows how long before I got any tests done.
Congrats again on 4000! I've been using the agent spotlights a lot lately, as I start querying. Natalie - You're such an inspiration! I hope all your tests come back negative!
If I win a book, I would love Snow Dogs. I will post on twitter, too.
Congrats, ladies! And thank you for taking the time to write and share such informative posts! Good luck with your tests, Natalie!
And I'll throw my hat into the Maggie Steifvator Blue Lily ring! Thx!
Happy happy birthday to Lenny!
Those are some tough choices. I've narrowed it down to Cress or Blue Lily, Lily Blue. Congrats on 4,000 :)
hi miss natalie! being sick isn't fun. im glad youre doing the right stuff so you don't get breast cancer. im real sorry about so many in your family getting it and im way sorry your sister died from it. im glad you got that colon stuff done. i had that test a while back. getting ready for it sucks. i finally just took my laptop in the bathroom and stayed there. ugh! good thing we got more than one bathroom. ha ha. thanks for thinking of me on my birthday and doing a nice happy birthday post. i got you in my prayers. ...love and hugs from ley
Congratulations! Great post. I have breast cancer in my family too, and I make sure to get checked every year.
Good for you for taking a pro-active approach to your health! There is a lot of cancer in my family as well and I'm very careful about going to the doctor and getting my tests done too.
Those tests can be pretty awful, but for a short time of discomfort, it's worth it. I've recently learned that one.
Happy Birthday, Lenny Lee!
Congrats on 4000+ Followers!
Omg. Looking at those books i'm not sure which I would want more; The Young Elites , Into the Still Blue, or Cress! I think I know who I'd go for.. Since I own the other too; Cress. Best of luck!
Wow, those are a LOT of great books! Excellent post. Congrats on the huge following.
oh, I don't think my email is on my google+
p-f-t-97@hotmail.com
Congrats on your 4000+ followers...so impressive!!! Praying for continued good health for you and your family. I enjoy your Literary Rambles.
Congrats on the 4000+ followers! That's such a huge milestone.
Thank you for the giveaway!
erleen.alvarez @gmail.com
My aunt was just diagnosed with breast cancer and started her chemo about a week ago. I'm glad you're getting screenings and taking preventive measures. A friend of mine had a preventive mastectomy. (There are reasons for this specific move, but I wouldn't be able to remember and do them justice, but she didn't make the decision lightly, obviously.) Cancer is a scary thing.
You're awesome and brave to share all your personal hardships with us. I think the fact you've been open about your life and also provide awesome book advice makes this blog such a favorite with all your fans!!
thank you so very much :)
GFC Christina Kit.
email subscriber ccfioriole at gmail dot com
I'd love Snow Like Ashes.
thank you so very much :)
My sister and I had breast cancer in 2001. My best friend just had a double mastectomy with chemo to follow. I fully support all of you who go through the worry and everything connected with it.
Susan at Pen and Ink.
Or the gift card would be awesome!!
Either prize is fine with me so enter me for both giveaways please :)
thank you so very much :)
I tweeted as well :) https://twitter.com/christinafiorio/status/524457079676100608
I'm so sorry you lost your sister to breast cancer, and that it runs rampant in your family. Hope your colonoscopy went well. It's awful you had to take it again so soon. I never heard of a two-day coffee and cola prep before. Glad you were brave enough to go through it again.
Congrats again on reaching 4000 followers! Lots of great books to choose from! Happy belated birthday to Lenny! Take care of yourself, Natalie.
Julie
Congratz for your milestones!
If I could win a book, I'd like Isla and the Happily Ever After :P
GFC follower
tweet: https://twitter.com/Dmigia/status/524509693977190400
Congrats on such a huge milestone! This is definitely my favorite literary blog, so it is well deserved! And your giveaways are always awesome. I'd love The Young Elites. lcspeers@gmail.com
Congratz on 4000+ followers! :D
And thx for the giveaway - I'd like Heir of Fire or the Young Elites :)
Great idea for a contest. Count me in! I like the idea so much I'll probaby set up one for my own blog. I tweeted this post, too. Best of luck growing your blog! I'm at tlcnine@gmail.com
Congrats and thank you so much for the giveaway! I'd love to enter for the Amazon GC :)
GFC-Janhvi Jagtap
justjanhvi at gmail dot com
Thank you for promoting self breast exams, mammograms, and colonoscopies. My mother-in-law is a 20+ year survivor of breast cancer. I'd love a copy of The Young Elites.
What a great giveaway! I want MORTAL HEART, which I cannot wait to read!
Woot congrats on this milestone! What a fantastic giveaway too.
Congrats on the milestone!! Here's wishing you many, many more ;) Also my heart goes out to you w/ all that you've experienced. I'm a leukemia survivor myself and I couldn't image living w/ the threat of it as you do!!! Thank you for the awesome giveaway!!! I'd love the gc (I follow by email and gfc: erin) but I wouldn't mind Mortal Danger by Ann Aguirre.
You definitely have to celebrate the awesome moments, and rallying up so many followers, that's just epic. We just never know what's going to come next in life, eh?
You know I love your giveaways, and I can't wait to read The 8th Day with my littles.
Congratulations on 4000! That's awesome!
I hope your test goes well.
Cinda Williams Chima lives in my little town, I've talked to her at the grocery store!! :)
Two of my sisters and I are all past the ten year mark of health after our bouts with breast cancer. Lots to celebrate here as well. I am really looking forward to reading either The Junction of Sunshine and Lucky or The Time of the Fireflies. I can't make up my mind!! Congratulations on all your successes and thanks for a wonderful giveaway.
Congratulations!!!! :D
And Thank you very much :-*
GFC- Anubha
Congrats on 4000+ followers, and continued good health. We all have to be so careful, don't we?
Great prize, thanks so much for the chance to win it. I follow your blog by email: carlscott(at)prodigy(dot)net(dot)mx
Great choice of books, I'd love a copy of The Young Elites.
I also tweeted a link to this post: https://twitter.com/carlrscott/status/524636103202971648
and pinned it to - cause - what the heck: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/336573772126046445/
Thanks again.
Congratulations on 4000+ followers and I follow by email: wallace71(at)mctc(dot)com.
I would like to be entered for the gift card or the book Blue Lily,Lily Blue!! Thanks for the amazing giveaway!! :)
Super duper congrats!!!!
Heir of Fire
GFC: Vivien
tweet: https://twitter.com/KellisAmberlee_/status/524664823007543296
kellis_amberlee at yahoo dot com
Congratulations! It has been a pleasure to discover your blog. I would choose The Blood of Olympus. It is our family read-aloud series and we are excited for the conclusion.
I follow on Bloglovin as Sophia, and I also followed by email, since I'd rather not share my email address publicly. It's the gmail one starting with biblio. Let me know if there are any issues!
And I'd like Blue Lily Lily Blue oh so very much! :-)
Thank you for the giveaway!
Congratulations on the 4000+ followers and thanks for sharing. I wish you well and good health. :)
And I'd like the gift card!
Thank you for the giveaway!!!
Mazal tov!
AAAAAA! So many great books! I'd have to pick FALLS THE SHADOW, and I'm sharing this on my blog newsletter. Thanks!
Congratulations on the great success of your blog. That is wonderful news! And you enjoy it don't you? Lovely array of books too.
Congrats on 4000 followers!!! I love your blog- especially all the reviews! I think I would pick The Young Elites just because I loved the Legend trilogy so much :) Thank you for this wonderful opportunity and wish you two happy blogging!
Good luck with the tests! Congrats on all the followers.
The Isla and the Happily Ever After book sounds great.
Congrats on over 4000 GFC followers and happy birthday to Lenny Lee! I follow on Bloglovin' under username: allyswanson. If I am the lucky winner, I would prefer the gift card, thanks. My email is allyswanson@hotmail.com.
Congratulations & Thank You!!!!
YOUNG HOUDINI looks like fun.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Great awareness post, and congrats on the 4K followers.
I'd love to win Gates of Thread and Stone.
Thank you for the chance to win
fencingromein at hotmail dot com
Thanks for giving Lenny a birthday shout out. He is such a good kid.
Congrats on the 4000+ followers! Also, thanks for the chance:
zaniebalhanoosh@rocketmail.com
I would like to win Cress by Marissa Meyer
GFC: Valentina BV
Share: https://www.facebook.com/valentina.bv.77/posts/747998055277797
Thanks for the giveaway!
Email: bv_byby27@yahoo.com
I'd pick Into the Still Blue. Thank you for the chance!
GFC follower - Dovile
spamscape [at] gmail [dot] com
Hi Natalie and Casey - both of those tests and check ups are essential ... especially if you are surrounded by breast cancers in the family ... I'm pleased you're reminding us.
Lenny is amazing isn't he ... and what a great follower gift-card selection you've got here ...
Cheers Hilary
Congrats on the major milestone! I love y'all's blog, both for the regular interviews and the agent spotlights. They were sooooooo helpful as I put together my query list.
Congrats!!! Such a big milestone! I'd love to win either the card or I'LL GIVE YOU THE SUN.
I follow on gfc-magic5905
Thanks.
magic5905 at embarqmail dot com
congrats!!
the card or cress
gfc dookiepookiebear dookiepookiebear(at)yahoo.com
Congrats on 4000+ followers!
Thanks for the reminder to have those check-ups.
Routine check-ups = early detection.
I'm a follower via GFC. The book Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi.
mish(at)writer-in-transit(dot)co(dot)za
Congrats on the 4000 followers!
I'd love to win Falls the Shadow.
thais_rpc at hotmail dot com
GFC: Thais
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/_slycat/status/526088730986024960
Congrats on 4000 followers, wishing you many, many more! And happy birthday Lenny Lee, hope it's an amazing one! :)
I would most likely pick I'll Give You the Sun.
Thanks for a giveaway! :)
*following via GFC - Sandra K
*email - sandra.zg.13 @ gmail.com
*twitter - https://twitter.com/_Sandra_R_/status/526111581143199744
*Google+: https://plus.google.com/107598100375357110332/posts/gsqZsvPP2mT
Congrats on the 4000 followers!!!
I'd love to win Mortal Heart or the gift card!
Following via Bloglovin.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Congratulations on hitting 4000!!
I'd love to win the GC or Mortal Heart.
Happy Halloween and thanks for the amazing giveaway!
elizabeth @ bookattict . com (subscribed)
GFC: BookAttict
Bloglovin': BookAttict
Shared:
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BookAttict/posts/10203059967729312
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BookAttict/status/526402796799541248
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+BookAttict/posts/aWMCTkeXvb2
Thanks for the giveaway! I love your blog!! I posted on Facebook. I would love to win A Snicker of Magic.
Thank you very much for the great giveaway!
GFC follower=latishajean
tishajean@ charter.net
Wow!!! I'm pleased to be the 100th commenter as you celebrate your wonderful success in spreading book love. And thank you for the nudge to schedule my (overdue) mammogram. Treat yourself to something yummy today. You deserve it after drinking all that "colonoscopy Gatorade".
Congrats on 4000 followers!
I'm subscribed by email: yunakwak14(at)gmail(dot)com, and either a GC or Mortal Heart would be cool. But all the books you have displayed look great.
Thank you for sharing your personal story - it is quite an inspiration. So many good books to choose from - I want to read them all! I choose I'll give you the sun, as I just read the first book by Jandy Nelson and loved it.
Thank you for sharing your inspiring story.
jrupertnewsletters@gmail.com
I would like to start the Raven Cycle series
Thank you!
I would love to read Heir of fire
rathouska (dot) jana (at) gmail (dot) com
The giftcard would be so great!
thanks :)
grabs64(at)gmail.com
Congratulations! I'd love to have the giftcard.
I follow on GFC as rainjeys, but my email is rainjeys@yahoo.com
Rafflecopter name: Julia Rain Wellman
Awesome giveaway! I'd pick Blood of Olympus, but they all look great!
Thanks for the chance to win! I already follow this blog. If I win I would love a copy of The Time of the Fireflies.
deguiaj@hotmail.com
I have posted this giveaway on FB.
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