Tuesday, September 21, 2010

MINI-CHALLENGE: FALL CATCH-UP READ-A-THON

This mini-challenge and giveaway has now ended.

I was trying to think of a great mini-challenge for the read-a-thon and then it dawned on me....Banned Books Week starts Saturday! So that is what this mini-challenge is about.  I'm making it relatively simple in keeping with the theme of the read-a-thon and for the people who do not have blogs (I have a few participants who do not). 

Your task for this mini-challenge is to go the the American Library Association (ALA) banned books page HERE and look on the left sidebar.  There is a menu titled Frequently Challenged Books organized by years, authors, decades, etc.  Take a look at these lists and pick one book that you have read, then tell me why you read it (did you read it specifically because of its banned status?), what your thoughts on the book were and anything else you might want to share about the book (why you would recommend it or why not).  If you have not read any of the books, pick one you would like to read and tell me about the book and why you want to read it.

RULES:
--If you have a blog, you must do a blog post and then place your link in the Mr. Linky on this post.
--If you do not have a blog, you can leave your responses in the comments (I have a new comment system where you can comment as a guest so you don't have to have a blogger account)
--This challenge will be open until Sunday, September 26 at 8:00pm CT.
--In the linky, please leave your name and what country you are in (non-bloggers leave your country info in your comment).

And now....

THE PRIZES!

Charlie Courtland was generous enough to donate hard copies and e-copies of her novel, Dandelions in the Garden and her new novel, the sequel to Dandelions, The Hidden Will of the Dragon.

About the books (product details from Amazon):

Amara Borbala is certain she is the only living person in the sane world with intimate knowledge concerning the life and exploits of the Countess Elizabeth Bathory. After all, she was Elizabeth s companion and confidant since her eleventh year. In 1573, after the death of her mother, Amara is sent by her cousin to serve as a lady-in-waiting at the castles of Sarvar, Varanno, and Cachtice. Now it is years later, 1628, and Amara is aging, alone, and reduced to eavesdropping at her favorite cafe around the corner from her townhouse in Vienna. Befuddled by gossiping ladies, Amara determines perhaps it is time to finally put a stop to the rumors and once and for all, answer the question, Is it true? Did Elizabeth Bathory, a descendant of Vlad Tepes really commit the horrible acts of torture, bathe in the blood of slaughtered virgins, and dabble in the dark magic that she was accused of during her trial? One thing is certain, Amara knows the truth, but will it be enough to explain the habits of her friend? Dandelions In The Garden is book one in a two-part series that begins with the journey of Amara, an impressionable girl who follows the Blood Countess through all the horrid events that lead to her rise and secure her place in history.


The year is 1628, Vienna, and the aging Lady Amara Borbala has collapsed before fulfilling her promise to Count Drugeth to record the historical truth about the infamous Blood Countess, Elizabeth Bathory. In her last entry, Amara writes, "It'd been nearly 130 years since Vlad Tepes, known as the Dragon, arranged the secret agreement." Was it truly possible that the kin of his ancient advisor would honor the contract? And if so, how would it change history?

In the sequel to "Dandelions in the Garden," the journey of history's most intriguing noble female murderer continues. Come following Elizabeth and Amara through the canals of Venice and high into the Carpathian Mountains to discover the inevitable. How the story of the Blood Countess really ends!

PRIZE DETAILS:
--There will be two winners. 
--Winner's choice of both hard copies or a 100% discount code to obtain e-copies of both books at Smashwords.
--International (outside of US/Canada) will automatically receive the e-books.

Thank you, Charlie, for providing these wonderful prizes!

To find out more about Charlie Courtland, visit her at the following:

website:  http://www.bitsyblingbooks.com/
blog:  http://www.charliecourtland.com/
blog:  http://ccourtland.blogspot.com/

Copies of both books (e-format) can be purchased at Smashwords.
Copies can also be purchased at Amazon HERE and HERE.

GOOD LUCK WITH THE MINI-CHALLENGE...CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOUR ENTRIES!



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