Wolves and Seahorses and a Contest Oh My!!

Yesterday I admit I had a rather pathetic post. But I'm making up for it today. I hope. I'm happy to say that my husband and I finally have a date as to when he will be stateside again. Only 78 days till he is home FOREVER! Since we are under the 80 day mark and it's pretty close to the 4th of July (my favorite holiday and if you ask me why I solidly say it's because it's the holiday you get to blow stuff up) I want to have a CONTEST!


But first, I also said yesterday I was going to not only have fun news but I was also going to "expand" my blogging experience to you all. I have decided to become a beta here on my personal blog. For those of you who frequent the Chimera site, I will still be doing critiques with the staff there. So I'm probably nuts but I have to admit I enjoy providing a beta service. So I have put a tab at the top of my page for submissions. For more information about how to submit work, how I do critiques, and other such stuff click on the submission link at the top there and check it out. I will be doing submissions (on my own here) four times a month starting in July. So that was my other bit 'o news.

Now for the contest. =D

How about we discuss the prizes first…then we'll get to the rules.

The prize package includes: 3 Books, Bookmarks, Notebook, and Tote.

A quick breakdown on the prizes

Raised by Wolves by (the amazingly young and talented) Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Synopsis:
Adopted by the Alpha of a werewolf pack after a rogue wolf brutally killed her parents right before her eyes, fifteen-year-old Bryn knows only pack life, and the rigid social hierarchy that controls it. That doesn't mean that she's averse to breaking a rule or two.
But when her curiosity gets the better of her and she discovers Chase, a new teen locked in a cage in her guardian's basement, and witnesses him turn into a wolf before her eyes, the horrific memories of her parents' murders return. Bryn becomes obsessed with getting her questions answered, and Chase is the only one who can provide the information she needs.

But in her drive to find the truth, will Bryn push too far beyond the constraints of the pack, forcing her to leave behind her friends, her family, and the identity that she's shaped?

White Cat by (the wonderful) Holly Black

Synopsis:
Cassel comes from a family of curse workers—people who have the power to change your emotions, your memories, your luck, by the slightest touch of their hands. And since curse work is illegal, they’re all criminals. Many become mobsters and con artists. But not Cassel. He hasn’t got magic, so he’s an outsider, the straight kid in a crooked family. You just have to ignore one small detail—he killed his best friend, Lila, three years ago.
Cassel has carefully built up a façade of normalcy, blending into the crowd. But his façade starts to crumble when he finds himself sleepwalking, propelled into the night by terrifying dreams about a white cat that wants to tell him something. He’s noticing other disturbing things too, including the strange behavior of his two brothers. They are keeping secrets from him. As Cassel begins to suspect he’s part of a huge con game, he must unravel his past and his memories. To find out the truth, Cassel will have to outcon the conmen. (you'll never see the ending coming)

The Book Thief by (the wickedly awesome) Markus Zusak

Synopsis:
An incredible young adult novel about how a young girl’s love of books helps a community survive World War II and the Holocaust.
It’s just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. Set during World War II in Germany, this groundbreaking novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist—books. This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul.

“Zusak has created a work that deserves the attention of a sophisticated teen and adult readers…a mesmerizing and original story.”—School Library Journal, starred review

Awesome blue seahorse beach/pool tote bag, cool lil notebook and 4 magnetic monkey page holders. (so friggin cute!)

And now, for the rules…and a twist. Cause I love twists!

1. You must be a follower. As a follower you get 2 points (start adding now).

2. If you place this contest on your blog in the side-bar add 2 points.

3. If you link me within a blog post and give a brief shout out add an extra 3 points. (please leave a link, if you don't put the link up today leave it in my comment section when you do.)

4. If you Tweet this give yourself 3 more points (please put @ericaspickard at the end of your tweet so I can track it) You may tweet this once a day after today for 1 extra point per day, again just put the @ericaspickard and I will track the extra points.

5. If I gain more followers, make SURE they tell me you sent them. For every new follower that mentions you as the referrer I will tack on 5 extra points. (new followers who found me via your friends post please let me know who they are, and I will follow you as well )

6. You must comment on today's blog post for 1extra point. Tell me um…what you love about the 4th of July and how many points you have today (or will have soon).

Remember you are free to add more points by extra tweets and referrers, as well as leaving me a comment during the contest to inform me of any links or shoutouts.

NOW FOR THE TWIST

If I surpass the number of days it will be until my husband comes home, that number being 78, in the number of followers I have by the end of this contest I will throw in one extra treat which I will reveal should I surpass that special number of 78 next Thursday.  Help me help you! And get me to 78 or more...


So when does the contest end? Next Friday at 11:59 pm I will shut the contest down and announce the winner Saturday July 10th. 9 Days!

I will talk more about my decision to be a beta here tomorrow ;) Have a great day and I am so so so excited to offer this contest in celebration of my favorite holiday and being under the 80 day mark till my husband comes home. Rock it out!