Welcome, one and all, to the Spring 2016 YA Scavenger Hunt!
I am thrilled to be participating this go around and so glad you stopped by. Is this your first time hunting? No worries. This is a bi-annual event dreamed up by author Colleen Houck to help connect brilliant readers like you with awesome YA books. Not only do you get to view exclusive bonus content from some of your favorite authors, you get to discover new authors to fill those empty spaces on your bookshelves, and you also have the chance to win several mind-blowingly awesome prizes. Like books! And more books!
Click here to see a list of all the prizes.
For those of you who are eagerly awaiting the upcoming release of my book Songkeeper, I’ve put together some exclusive content including a sneak peek at the opening scene and hidden it somewhere on one of the other PINK TEAM sites. Can’t tell you where, of course, because this is a Scavenger Hunt, and you have to find it!
Want to find out more?
Go to the YA Scavenger Hunt page. There are NINE teams and contests running simultaneously, and you can enter one … or if you’re feeling especially crazy and ambitious, you can enter them all. I am on the PINK TEAM, so if you follow the hunt from my site, just remember you’re collecting clues to win the PINK TEAM prize. But you are also welcome to check out all the other teams for a chance to win several different sets of books.
How does it work?
Right now, you are hunting on the PINK TEAM. At the end of this post, I’ll include a link to the next stop in the hunt. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to follow the hunt from site to site over the next few days, collect all the clues for the PINK TEAM and add the numbers up to enter for a chance to win one book from each author on my team! On each site, you will find a secret number. Add up all of the numbers for the PINK TEAM and enter them into the rafflecopter here to enter the giveaway.
But because I really like you guys, I’m also doing a bonus giveaway on my site, so make sure you read on to the end to find out how to enter.
When does it begin?
The clock, my friends, is already ticking and will continue through noon Pacific Time on April 3rd.
Rules
Open internationally, anyone below the age of 18 should have a parent or guardian’s permission to enter. To be eligible for the grand prize, you must submit the completed entry form by April 3rd, at noon Pacific Time. Entries sent without the correct number or without contact information will not be considered.
Today, I’m thrilled to be hosting Jessica L. Brooks as a special guest on the blog! Read on to see some exclusive content about her YA novel, If I Speak True.
Jessica L. Brooks is a lover of books, coffee, and all things owl-dorable. She writes young adult books about near-future dystopia (PITY ISN’T AN OPTION, Cozenage #1) and magical realism (the Flora series: IF I SPEAK TRUE, BY SUN & CANDLELIGHT, and OPEN THY HEART) and loves to serve virtual cookies. Connect with her on her blog, Let Me Tell You A Story, or anywhere else on the interwebs by doing a search for her username: coffeelvnmom.
Find out more at Jessica’s website
Dahlia Kennedy’s sixteenth birthday marks a decade of mysterious dahlias arriving and strange, lonely dreams of being in a forest. The only difference this birthday, however, is that for the first time, someone is there with her. And he’s practically from a whole other era.
The more often Dahlia visits Rowan in his land of Ambrosia, the stronger their connection grows. But… is Ambrosia real? Is he real? What is going on between the two of them, exactly, and why does he insist that she keep it to herself?
As secrets usually go, however, it’s only a matter of time before everything comes out. And when Dahlia finds out the truth of who Rowan is, who she is, and how he really feels — it’s beyond anything she could have ever imagined.
Exclusive Scene with Characters from If I Speak True
David: Welcome to the second installment of Cooking with Ds. If you’d like to check out our first installment you can—what? Oh. Thank you, internet person. Apparently that was bonus content and is no longer available. Sorry.
Also, sorry, but if you were hoping maybe “D” stands for doughnuts, it actually stands for us: David and Dahlia. Cooking with David and Dahlia! *rubs hands together* Aren’t you excited?
Dahlia: I’m sure they are. Very. Today, at Cooking with Ds, we have a great guest with us. My best fr—
David: Our…
Dahlia: Our best friend, Eva Heaton.
Eva: *waves while David applauds* Hola everybody!
David: So, since Dahlia isn’t the best with cooking utensils and Eva’s mom is like, THE chef of the year, we thought we’d have Eva share one of her favorite dishes.
Eva: Except David didn’t like that one, and wanted to share one of his favorites instead, because that’s how he rolls.
David: Ah ha ha, good one, Eva! Rolls? Sweet bread? *whispers to Dahlia* You know, because they’re kind of the same?
Dahlia: Um, but they’re not.
David: It’s okay. I was still funny.
Dahlia: Eva’s mom used to make these for us a lot when we were younger, especially in the spring. We’d hop on our bikes, head over to the Heaton’s, grab a concha, and ride for hours ‘round the neighborhood. It’s a great childhood memory.
Eva: *whispers* Except for the part where David’s dad followed us everywhere in his truck…
Dahlia: You know that wasn’t my fault. My mom’s a worry wart.
David: My dad loves your mom’s conchas!
Eva: Please. I bet you made him hold onto them until you got home so you could have them all to yourself.
David: *laughs* How’d you know?
Eva: Because it’s food. That’s how. Anyway. For a classic concha, you need flour, yeast, butter, sugar… *looks around* Where’s all the ingredients?
Dahlia: *turns to David* Please tell me you brought the brown paper bag by the pacing lane.
David: Me?
Dahlia: *throws hands in the air* I literally said, “Hey, can you grab that paper bag?” as we were walking out the front door!
David: Oh. Well. *shoves hands in pockets* Whoops.
Eva: I knew I should have picked you up in Bertie. Well it looks like we’re just going to have to share the recipe, then. Do you have that, at least?
Dahlia: Yes. For great-tasting, authentic conchas, go HERE.
Eva: Bye, everybody!
Thanks, Jessica, for sharing that with us … and that recipe sounds great. :)
To enter the grand prize giveaway, you’ll need to know that my favorite number is 17. Add up the favorite numbers of all the authors on the PINK TEAM to find the secret code to enter for the grand prize here.
In the meantime, I’m also hosting a bonus giveaway here that you won’t want to miss! One lucky winner will win their choice of one of my novels, Orphan’s Song or Out of Darkness Rising, or the soon to be released Songkeeper! Enter through the Rafflecopter below.
But don’t stop here! The hunt’s afoot. Visit author PHILLIP W. SIMPSON to find your next clue! Thanks for stopping by!
Clare Farrelly says
Oh the first may have been “The Hobbit” I could be wrong but that was one of the first, although technically my dad read it to me.
Gloria says
It’s hard to remember that far back, but perhaps my first fantasy novel was the Giver? Thank you for the giveaway!
Veronica Sharpe says
The first fantasy novel I can remember reading is Harry Potter (I think book 3). My mum was reading it to me for bedtime when I was 6 and when she stopped I wanted to keep going so I picked it up myself!
DeVorah says
My first fantasy novel is the “Skeleton Man” by Joseph Bruchac
Melissa Paschal says
Maybe The Giver. I’m actually not sure.
Kailey Bradley says
First fantasy novel was probably The Lion, the Witch, and the WArdrobe by C.S.Lewis, and thus my life-long obsession with fantasy was begun!
Sierra Faith says
My first fantasy was probably the Chronicles of Narnia!
Anna S. Brie says
I think The Magician’s Nephew. My (then) little brother had had surgery and Dad started reading it to us.
Dominique says
I think it was Harry potter and the Sorcer’s Stone when I was 9 in 3rd grade!
Vickie says
First Fantasy book I ever picked up was Percy Jackson and the Lightning Theif
Victoria Grace Howell says
This sounds like fun! I’ve never done one of these scavenger hunts before!
Victoria Grace Howell says
Oh right first fantasy novel. I commented before checking to comment. It was the Chronicles of Narnia. :)
Nicole Hoefs says
The Harry Potter series!
Sharon says
I think The Giver, but I am not positive.
miki says
Bilbo the Hobbit when i was 6.
thanks
Ashfa says
The Chronicles of Narnia!
Alyssa says
Probably Chronicles of Narnia. But I know I read and enjoyed the world of Shannara from a young age.
jess says
harry potter
Nicole Johnson says
Percy Jackson!
Stephanie H. says
I loved reading the Hobbit!
Agustine says
My first fantasy novel I read was Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan.
Jo Anne V says
Chronicles of Narnia
bn100 says
can’t remember
Emily Huff says
Harry Potter
Ruzaika says
The first ever fantasy book I read was The Adventures of the Wishing Chair by Enid Blyton :D
Melissa Robles says
I’m not sure, but the first big novel I read was HP back in 2nd grade. :)
And I loved Jessica’s post! David always cracks me up. And yes to that concha recipe ♥
Liv K. Fisher says
How exciting! This sounds like fun! :D
I remember the first fantasy novel I ever read was J.K. Rowling’s HARRY POTTER & THE SORCERER’S STONE. :)
Kira Fisher says
I first read Percy Jackson when I made a deal with my brother. If I read Percy Jackson, he had to read Twilight. It turns out I actually loved Percy Jackson and he has yet to read Twilight.
Elizabeth says
My first fantasy novel was The Magician’s Nephew (and then the rest of the Chronicles of Narnia). My dad read them to the whole family for the first time when I was about 6. That’s when my love of fantasy first got off the ground :)
Thanks so much for hosting the giveaway!
(And for those who are eagerly awaiting Songkeeper, I’ll just say that I read an advance copy and it was TERRIFIC. Only downside – now I can’t wait for Book 3 ;)
Cassandra says
Harry Potter. Easy. After those seven, it was City of Bones, which is what REALLY hooked me on fantasy as a whole!
Carolyn says
Oh gosh, I have NO idea, but I loved reading mythology as a kid, so that has to count. Thanks for being part of YASH!
Karin S says
The first fantasy book I remember reading is Harry potter when I was on thesecond grade
Theresa says
It’s either the Chronicles of Narnia or A Wrinkle in Time, not quite sure which I actually read first.
thanks!
Susan says
The first fantasy novel I ever read? That’s a really good question. I think it was probably The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe because I remember my dad reading that to me and my siblings when we were little.
Baggins says
Wow, that’s a hard question! I can’t remember, haha! Maybe A Wrinkle in Time or The Enchanted Wood? I’ve always treasured my The Lantern Keeper Bedtime Book too. :-)
Nicole Wetherington says
Harry Potter or Narnia!
Rachel B says
the first fantasy novel I read was Watership Down, if that’s considered fantasy. Otherwise, it was the Hobbit and LOTR.
Deborah O'Carroll says
Ooh, boy… I want to say the first fantasy book I read may have been The Princess and the Goblin? Or possibly The Book of Three. I was pretty much absorbing books through osmosis (a.k.a. reading-aloud parents and audio books. XD) before that so… probably The Princess and the Goblin is my first to read myself. :)
Elizabeth says
The Princess and the Goblin was one of my first, too!
Debi says
I think one of the first I read Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O’Brien
Thejmeela says
Harry potter was my first
Rebecka J says
It’s hard to remember since I’ve read fantasy for as long as I can remember, but I think one of the first fantasy books that I read wah “The Hobbit” with my father. I think that was the book that set it all off! :)
Cindy C. says
Mmmm…. It’s been a long time, but, if I’m not mistaken it was Harry Potter. :3
Lynn Erickson says
I honesty can’ t remember, it was too many books ago.
Jaime H. says
I think Narnia was the first fantasy series I was introduced to. I think it was read TO me though. On my own, the first was probably the Magic Tree House books!