Sunday, August 7, 2011

Blog Jog, Baby!

Welcome to Blog Jog Day! Please enjoy my site then click over to Misadventures with Andi  at http://www.misadventureswithandi.com to see what the next Blog has to offer! Lost in the links? You can always go back to the main Blog Jog Day Blog at http://blogjogday.blogspot.com and find a new link to jog from. Thank you for stopping by my site!
 
To kick it all off, I'm going to give you a short excerpt from CURSED. *Gasp!* And after the excerpt, check out the contest I have to offer.  

***

           I thumbed the book open, preparing myself for the bizarreness that was Oscar Wilde.  Only ten or fifteen minutes had passed before a shadow blocked the sunlight streaming through the window behind me. No one ever approached me when I was reading, not even Mrs. Compton. Curious and a little bit weary, I lifted my head and my heart stuttered.

            I was hallucinating again, because Hot Dude was standing in front of me.

            The sun cast a halo around him, making him appear surreal. His arresting mouth formed a crooked grin and one lock of brown hair, tinted red by the light, fell over his forehead. I blinked, but he didn’t vanish.

            “Hi,” he said in a deep, soft voice that sent a pleasant shiver down my spine.

            I looked around, checking to see if anyone else noticed him, but there was no one near us. My gaze fell back to him. Up close, he was actually sort of breathtaking, with his hair tousled and olive skin tone.  His sooty eyelashes had to be the envy of every girl he crossed paths with.

            H ran a hand through his hair and rocked back on heels.  Awkward silence stretched out, and I suddenly became painfully aware of how different I was from two years ago. I’d used to always have something witty and flirty to say. Now I just stared up at him like an idiot. A fierce blush stole over my cheeks, spreading down my neck.

            “I’ve seen you around here a couple of times,” he tried again, staring at the book I held.  “‘I had come face to face with someone whose mere personality was so fascinating that, if I allowed it to do so, it would absorb my whole nature, my whole soul, my very art itself.’

            I stared. “What?”

            His lopsided grin spread into a full one, and it felt like someone had socked me in the chest. “It’s a quote from Oscar Wilde’s Dorian Gray? It’s one of my favorite books.”

            Hot and smart. And apparently he was a real life boy. I was still staring. Snapping out of it, I shut my book and shoved my hands between my legs, hoping to hide the gloves as pointless as it was. “I’ve never seen you here before. I would’ve noticed you.”

            His gaze landed on my face, eyes dark and warm. “You would? That’s flattering.”

             I kind of wanted to kick myself in the face. At the very least, hide my flaming cheeks. Embarrassment and confusion triggered my flight response. Shoving my book in my bag, I unfurled my legs.

            “I was just teasing.” He held up his hands harmlessly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to embarrass you.” He nodded at the chair across from me. “Do you mind?”

            I gripped the strap on my messenger bag as I stared up at him, caught between wanting to bolt and to stay here with him. Boys, beside Adam, rarely spoke to me. Well, unless it was to hurl an insult in my face. “I… I have to leave soon.”

            He smiled fully then, momentarily stunning me into further stupor.  He slid into the chair and leaned on the little table separating us. “You come here often, don’t you?”

            “Yeah.” I dropped my hands to my lap, hoping he hadn’t noticed the gloves. “I… I saw you at school today.”

            His dark brows rose as he leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest. “You did?”

            “Yes. You were standing next to our trophy case.” Accusation colored my words without my intentions. My social skills were sorely lacking. I tried to make up for it. “Are you transferring to the school?”

            “I was checking it out.”

            My lips pursed. That hadn’t been an answer. “You’re new to this town.”

            “Must be a small town for you to notice me.” He tipped his head to the side, his gaze so intense that I know he was studying me. “I’m from a small town, too. By the way, I never introduced myself. My name is Hayden Cromwell.”

            “Hayden Cromwell?” His name rolled off my tongue smoothly. I realized he was waiting for me to tell him my name, and I started too, but my cell took that moment to bounce around the table as the alarm went off in vibrant mode. Jumping to my feet, I snatched the phone. “I’m sorry. I have to go.”

            He stood fluidly, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Walk you out?”

            The girl inside me screamed and did a happy dance, but I quickly smacked her upside the head. I started backing off.  “No. Uh, no thank you. There’s no reason. My car is just right outside.”

            Disappointment flashed across his face, but he covered it with a quick smile. Shoving my hands under my arms, I turned away before he could say anything else. Now I felt a little sad about not being able to stay and chat longer, but what was the point?

            “It was nice talking to you, Ember.”

            My legs stopped moving as a shiver tip-toed down my spine.  “I never told you my name….”

            He was gone.

            I quickly scanned the narrow stacks and aisles for his well over six foot frame. There was no way he could just disappear like that. I felt pretty confident I hadn’t made ‘Hayden Cromwell’ up.  And I had never once mentioned my name. That was twice he had disappeared into thin air.

            More than a little creeped out by that, I hurried out of the library without saying goodbye to Mrs. Compton.  Thick gray clouds had rolled in, warning of an early fall thunderstorm.  I hurried to the side of my car, daring a look over my shoulder.

            My gaze went right to the window I had been sitting in front of.  A dark shadow stood there, tall and lean. I took a step back, bumping into the car door as my heart rate sped up. He was just standing there, watching me.

            Hayden Cromwell.

*****

Now for the giveaway!  

What can you win?
A signed paperback copy of DAIMON
Daimon, Half-Blood, Pure and Cursed Bookmarks, all signed
A Touch Mortal Bookmarks (2) signed
A Touch Mortal Stickers (2)
Elemental Bookmarks (2)
Witch Eyes Bookmarks (2) signed
Minder Series and Angelia's Secret Bookmarks (2) 
Half-Blood Guitar Picks (10)
Deity Island Stickers (6)
Rune stones 

Requirements
1. You must comment on this blog post
2. You must be a follower of this blog
3. You must spread news of this post via any social media outlet

Contest is International
Ends August  13th 12:01pm EST

Thanks for stopping by. Don't forget to check out  Misadventures with Andi  at http://www.misadventureswithandi.com to see what's next!

Also don't forget I will be doing a live Q&A on Tuesday August 9 at 6:30pm EST on BLOGTV, bring your questions and I will also be giving away some swag and a copy of Half-Blood.

43 comments:

  1. Loved the excerpt and I can't wait to read cursed!
    Follower
    Tweeted:http://twitter.com/#!/mtrw12/status/100122210223669248

    ReplyDelete
  2. I LOVE this giveaway, but I presume it's just for US residents, right?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh, already a follower! tammyb_2810
    Tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/tammyb_28/status/100166106379067392

    And now excuse me while I go pray to win this ;)

    tammyb_2810(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I already knew I wanted to read Cursed, but now the wait will be even more of a torture after that excerpt. Now I'm left to wonder not just what Ember is or does, but Hayden as well. Hmmmm

    I'm already a follower and spread the news :-)

    http://twitter.com/safaripoet/status/100188397829754881

    ReplyDelete
  5. Can't wait to read Cursed! :D Thanks for the giveaway!

    Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/woven_/status/100194516291682304

    I'm a follower. :)
    naruto_and_hinata(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a great giveaway! I so cannot wait for Cursed!! :o)

    imabookshark AT yahoo DOT com
    I'm a follower!
    I RTed your tweet (imabookshark) :o)

    Thanks!!
    Mickey @ imabookshark

    ReplyDelete
  7. Ok, this is my official post:
    RT: @francyp79
    I'm already a follower of your great blog!!
    Thanks for the chance!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks for the awesome giveaway. I've read Damion and Half-Blood and LOVE THEM.

    http://twitter.com/#!/BookPforLife/status/100203827218743296

    Donna

    ReplyDelete
  9. I loved the excerpt for "Cursed"! So excited to read it, and "Half Blood"!

    I'm a follower of your blog (NLSobon at gmail dot com), I tweeted this blog post (@YABookHaven), and I'm commenting on this post ;)

    Thanks for offering such a fantastic giveaway!

    :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks for the chance and for the "international" bit! :)

    Tweeted - https://twitter.com/#!/BookyAnki/status/100210108067364864

    coolccs.anki@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Awesomeness!!! I'm a follower and I posted it in FB.

    ndh03rio@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thank you so much for the little sneak peak of Cursed! Cannot wait for Half Blood and Cursed to arrive on my doorstep!

    I follow your blog, tweeted here: http://twitter.com/#!/Aimous22/status/100217026517274624
    and now commenting :)

    thank you for offering such a great giveaway and expert on Cursed!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I can't wait to read this book!!!!

    I'm already a follower of your amazing blog and here is my RT: http://twitter.com/#!/JLArmentrout/status/100197124821622784

    Thanks for this great opportunity, Jennifer!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. The book sounds fascinating. You go girl! I confirmed it as a terrific site.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Great excerpt, Jennifer! And I LOVE your giveaway. I've heard those Elemental bookmarks are GORGEOUS!! Hehehe!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I am a stalker (ok y'all call it following)
    I commented *CHEESE*
    Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/fangedmom73/status/100240391835627520
    Facebooked: http://www.facebook.com/mindy.janicke/posts/189914501070752

    LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thanks so much, loved the excerpt!!! Great giveaway. GFC follower.
    Tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/natcleary/status/100240154622562304
    Shared to facebook http://www.facebook.com/natcleary

    natcleary(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thank you for the excerpt and giveaway!!
    GFC follower

    greekpatty13(at)gmail(dot)com

    Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/pattykalo/status/100248181933219841

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thank you for the excerpt. I can't wait to read this book. It sounds really great. I told someone about the giveaway. Tore923@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Old GFC follower - Taz
    Old Twitter follower - @star_light91
    Tweeted - https://twitter.com/#!/star_light91/status/100258083044986880

    Thanks for the excerpt! I can't wait to read Half-Blood, Alexis is sending it to me so it's currently on it's way to me in the UK yayyy :)

    tasnim-sheikh(AT)hotmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Here via Blog Jog day and would love to win. Am now following you - hope you'll visit my blog to follow me as well!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Great blog! I'm now a follower and I tweeted today's post through www.twitter.com/dmcdine

    Regards,
    Donna
    Award-winning Children’s Author
    Write What Inspires You Blog
    The Golden Pathway Story book Blog

    ReplyDelete
  23. New follower from Blog Jog Day. Beautiful blog design and your work seems to be right up my alley. Count me in for the giveaway, but please note that I live in Europe so I'm not sure if I can participate or not. I'm offering a giveaway package at my blog that might interest you as well; it contains a haunted house monopoly, two paranormal thrillers and a bag of Halloween candy. I hope you'll follow me back too ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  24. I am so excited about Cursed! It sounds amazing.

    Thanks for sharing some of it with us.

    Of course I follow your blog and on twitter.

    Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/StuckInBooks/status/100276986441773056

    valerie(at)stuckinbooks.com
    @StuckInBooks

    ReplyDelete
  25. Stopping by to say hello on Blog Jog Day. I'm a new follower. Looks like a lot of great swag in the giveaway. Thanks for the chance to win. I retweeted your blog post.

    smdrazic(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  26. GFC Follower: Pearl

    FB post:https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/PearlReadsBooks/posts/254141231270326

    Thanks for the great giveaway! Hope I win! :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. I'm a new follower. Thanks for the amazing giveaway and the fascinating excerpt.

    I have tweeted the giveaway here: http://twitter.com/#!/redtoffee/status/100295471548989440

    Laura
    ~X~

    ReplyDelete
  28. Thanks for this Superb Giveaway !!
    tweeted : https://twitter.com/#!/Twinklesmile023/status/100298649766072320

    Starlight023@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. The snipped was great - the book is now in my to-read pile.

    GFC follower as TommyGirl
    tweeted - http://twitter.com/#!/tommygirl/status/100338629926334464

    Mare
    tommygirl828 (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I cant wait to read Cursed:)
    GFC -Follower- Amanda
    Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/apedulla/status/100348745752920064

    Amanda
    amandapedulla21@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. Must have the prizes!!!!!! can't wait!!!

    follower- Kaitlyn
    blog post- readreviewreply.blogspot.com
    tweeted- hashtag #halfblood

    sk8lyn123@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Thanks again!
    GFC follower
    spread here
    http://www.goodreads.com/event/show/127290-blog-jog-baby

    Vivien
    deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  33. Not only am I excited to read HALF BLOOD in October but now I can't wait to read CURSED, that expert was really, really good.

    GFC Follower

    tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/DoRis_Elysia/status/100607629621080064

    Btw, thanks for the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  34. This is such an AWESOME thing for you to do. I cannot wait to get Half Blood, then Pure...and now I want Cursed!!! I love your writing, your style is amazing, keep up the great work!!!!
    twitter post - http://twitter.com/#!/deviantzangel/status/100746194476740608

    ReplyDelete
  35. Follower, tweeted ( @bookchowdown) and I believe this is a comment!

    The excerpt of Cursed was amazing. I literally cannot wait to read it! You're awesome!! This giveaway is crazy good!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Can't wait to read Cursed now. Thanks for the giveaway!!

    I'm a new follower (I thought I followed before but it must have just been on Twitter).

    Tweeted: Here

    Jess @ The Midnight Bookworm

    Contact: midnightbookworm@live.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. Can't wait to read CURSED. Already pre-ordered Half-Blood. Thanks for the giveaway.

    Follower - Nalazul
    Tweeted - http://twitter.com/#!/Nalazul/status/101192303292588033

    ReplyDelete
  38. I'd love to have a signed copy of Daimon! :)) I'm an old follower.
    http://twitter.com/vollkopf/status/101680679166820352

    ReplyDelete
  39. I love some swag. :-) thank you for the giveaway!
    I shared on facebook:
    http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=269541683061373&id=100002156553711

    ReplyDelete
  40. Hello,

    yay for International giveaways. Wonderful excerpt, I'm like a kid in a candy store with anything you write at the moment, cause I know you are good!!

    okay I am retweeting shortly this giveaway and facebooking it. Not sure how to give you the facebook link as I am daft, but I won't have much action on facebook over next couple days so you shall see it easily enough.

    MIchelle

    tintinbrains@bigpond.com

    follower under gfc = novelsontherun

    ReplyDelete
  41. Thank you for the amazing giveaway!
    I'm already a follower (celebridal)
    I tweeted:
    http://twitter.com/#!/celebridal/status/101928414700765185

    anniech85(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  42. I would love to win this, thank you so much-I loved Half-Blood and Daimon (reviewer) and would love to continue reviewing for you! edysicecreamlover18@gmailDOTcom
    Krystal Larson follower
    facebooked: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000547840483

    ReplyDelete
  43. Thanks for shaing the excerpt! I am even more excited for Cursed now! Thanks for the giveaway!

    GFC follower
    Tweet: https://twitter.com/raychellej/status/102207643430563841

    Raychelle
    SteeleReviews AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete