Spring 2015 YA Scavenger Hunt
Welcome to the insane book circus that is the YA Scavenger Hunt! For those new to the fun-fest that is YASH, this tri-annual event was first organized by the fabulous Colleen Houck as a way to give readers a chance to gain access to bonus material from their favorite authors … and a chance to win some awesome prizes!
So for those of you who don’t know me, I’m the author of several books, including the Amazon best-seller BLOODSPELL; The AQUARATHI Series from Harlequin Teen – WATERFELL, OCEANBORN, and SEAMONSTER; THE ALMOST GIRL from Angry Robot Books; and the Spring 2014 Kids’ Indie Next Pick ALPHA GODDESS from Sky Pony Press.
If you came here looking for my bonus material, ALPHA GODDESS – THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY, you’ll have to keep hunting!
At this hunt, you not only get access to exclusive content from each author, you also get a clue for the hunt. Add up the clues, and you can enter for our prize–one lucky winner will receive one signed book from each author on the hunt in my team! But play fast: this contest (and all the bonus material) will only be online for 72 hours — until noon PST on Sunday April 5th!
Check out the YA Scavenger Hunt page to find out all about the hunt. There are EIGHT contests going on simultaneously, and you can enter one or all! I am a part of the RED TEAM–but there are also BLUE, GOLD, GREEN, ORANGE, TEAL, PURPLE, & PINK teams (each with 20 authors) for a chance to win a whole different set of signed books!
If you’d like to find out more about the hunt, see links to all the authors participating, and see the full list of prizes up for grabs, go to the YA Scavenger Hunt homepage.
SCAVENGER HUNT PUZZLE
Directions: In my post, you’ll notice that I’ve hidden my favorite number in RED somewhere. Collect the favorite numbers of all the authors on the blue team, and then add them up.
Entry Form: Once you’ve added up all the numbers, make sure you fill out the form here to officially qualify for the grand prize. Only entries that have the correct number will qualify.
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 5th, at noon Pacific Time. Entries sent without the correct number or without contact information will not be considered.
ARE YOU GUYS READY?!?!
I am super-thrilled to be hosting the lovely SHONNA SLAYTON for this leg of the YA Scavenger Hunt!
About Shonna: SHONNA SLAYTON is the author of the YA novels Cinderella’s Dress, (Summer 2014) and Cinderella’s Shoes (Fall 2015) published by Entangled Teen. She finds inspiration in reading vintage diaries written by teens, who despite using different slang, sound a lot like teenagers today. When not writing, Shonna enjoys amaretto lattes and spending time with her husband and children in Arizona.
Shonna’s featured book on this hunt is called CINDERELLA’S DRESS! Are you guys ready to see the gorgeous cover and read the summary? Drumroll please …
Being a teen-ager during World War II is tough. Finding out you’re the next keeper of the real Cinderella’s dress is even tougher.
Kate simply wants to create window displays at the department store where she’s working, trying to help out with the war effort.
But when long-lost relatives from Poland arrive with a steamer trunk they claim holds the Cinderella’s dress, life gets complicated.
Now, with a father missing in action, her new sweetheart shipped off to boot camp, and her great aunt losing her wits, Kate has to unravel the mystery before it’s too late.
After all, the descendants of the wicked stepsisters will stop at nothing to get what they think they deserve.
Find out more information about this exciting book by checking out Shonna’s website!
EXCLUSIVE CONTENT
The Hidden Easter Eggs in Cinderella’s Dress
I’ve never publicly talked about the Easter eggs hidden in my novel. Given that this is Easter weekend, I thought now would be a good time.
Easter eggs are secret references that authors sneak into the story. They can be something general for anyone to notice–like in my genre, a nod to other fairy-tale retellings–or something specific that only one person might pick up on.
I left unique Easter eggs behind for my first writer’s group to discover. These are the folks who read rough draft after rough draft, and yet still encouraged me to keep writing.
One of those Easter eggs is so delicious, you might want to make it yourself. My good friend Kitty Bucholtz, who writes light urban fantasy (aka funny super hero books), is famous for her brownies. She freely admits that she is not a cook, but she makes a killer brownie. *Zowie!*
Cinderella’s Dress is set in the 1940’s and my main character’s brother and boyfriend are both off at bootcamp and begging for care packages. Kate saves up her rations and sends them brownies. What make them so good are the chocolate chips and the almond flavoring:
Kitty’s Brownies
1 c margarine or butter
2 c sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
½-1 tsp almond, mix with:
¾ c cocoa
1 c chocolate chips
2 c flour
Mix ingredients one at a time. Pour into greased 9 x 13 pan. Bake at 350 for 25-30 min. *Try not to consume in one sitting.*
FOR THE RECORD, MY MOUTH IS WATERING!!! Curse you, Shonna! Now I must make these STAT. Be sure to click on the links to Shonna’s website to find out how you can get your hands on your very own copy of CINDERELLA’S DRESS. Anyway, I now want to stuff my face with THIRTEEN of these brownies.
Don’t forget to enter the contest for a chance to win a ton of signed books by me, Shonna Slayton and more! To enter, you need to know that my favorite number is hidden somewhere in this post (hint: scroll up a bit – it’s in red and it’s about how many luscious brownies I want to consume). Add up all the favorite numbers of the authors on the red team and you’ll have all the secret code to enter for the grand prize! Also keep in mind that most of the authors are doing their own giveaways so there are many chances to win cool stuff.
While you’re here with me, be sure to enter the personal contest I’m hosting below for signed hardcover of my Spring Indie Next Pick, ALPHA GODDESS, as well as a signed set of my Aquarathi series, WATERFELL & OCEANBORN (including necklace, charm, bracelet, and tattoo). Contest is international.
CONTINUE THE HUNT
If you’re ready to move on, click HERE to head over to the next author in the hunt — RIN CHUPECO! Good luck!!
Megan @ reading away the days
April 4, 2015 at 9:33 am (9 years ago)Crisp (chips) yum
Kim Waters
April 4, 2015 at 9:05 am (9 years ago)I love Burger Rings. Delish! Ooooh, or these Cranberry & Golden Syrup cookies my Mum makes! Now I want some…
Thanks for taking part in YASH and for the giveaway!
Amanda
April 4, 2015 at 9:00 am (9 years ago)Best snack to eat while reading is definitely some kind of little cakes or pie slices.
Carol
April 4, 2015 at 8:09 am (9 years ago)What I feel is in theme with the book!
Justine
April 4, 2015 at 3:05 am (9 years ago)Haha anything. Right now I’m eating cheesy garlic bread 🙂
Cynthia Kreisel
April 4, 2015 at 2:40 am (9 years ago)Thanks for participating in the Spring 2015 YASH and for the opportunity to participate in the giveaway.
Anything with CHOCOLATE, especially dark chocolate! Can get messy while reading . . . but is YUMMO!!
Paola
April 4, 2015 at 2:12 am (9 years ago)Definitely chocolate!
Danielle D.
April 4, 2015 at 1:52 am (9 years ago)I don’t read and eat at the same time so the book doesn’t get damaged, but I love to take cookie breaks!
Michelle
April 4, 2015 at 1:32 am (9 years ago)Honeycombs
Gabriella Morales
April 4, 2015 at 12:01 am (9 years ago)Anything bite sized, but today it was Reese’s Pieces Eggs.
ladylandon
April 3, 2015 at 11:07 pm (9 years ago)What’s your favorite snack while reading?
Olive Oil Popcorn <3
Hannah M
April 3, 2015 at 10:51 pm (9 years ago)Popcorn. But it can’t be too cheesy or buttery. It’s hard to find the right ratio, but it’s worth it. 🙂
Emily R.
April 3, 2015 at 10:47 pm (9 years ago)I love to have hot chocolate when I am reading. Especially if it has honey and coconut oil put in it first.
eli yanti
April 3, 2015 at 10:44 pm (9 years ago)anything from chocolate
Erin baker
April 3, 2015 at 10:09 pm (9 years ago)Usually hard candy
icequeenmiki
April 3, 2015 at 9:46 pm (9 years ago)gimme some of those brownies when you make them, will you?
On second thought, we’d probably need a triple batch between the two of us.
icequeenmiki
April 3, 2015 at 9:47 pm (9 years ago)I need them. Sustenance for long hours of reading.
Vickie
April 3, 2015 at 9:29 pm (9 years ago)Thanks for the giveaway! My favorite snack while reading is oreos! They’re so good!!
valerierlawson
April 3, 2015 at 9:23 pm (9 years ago)mixed nuts or goldfish crackers. anything small i can eat with one hand so i don’t have to stop reading. (i save the chocolate for later.)
Denise ♔ (@cheshirescatty)
April 3, 2015 at 9:15 pm (9 years ago)Pistachios! I really love them and it tastes sooo good 🙂
Thank you for the giveaway.
Dizneeee
April 3, 2015 at 8:32 pm (9 years ago)I’m not sure if it’s a good thing or not, but I’ll snack on anything while reading. LOL! Fruit, veggies, chips, popcorn, candy…whatever! 😉 One thing I do always have is a glass of iced tea. Southern girl here! 😉
Monica R
April 3, 2015 at 8:20 pm (9 years ago)Most definitely chocolate! Chocolate is life, I love Kit Kat minis and Lindt. Dark chocolate is also amazing! <3 Thanks for hosting this giveaway!
Vahhaba
April 3, 2015 at 7:36 pm (9 years ago)I’m not a big fan of eating while reading because I’m always scared that I’ll drop it on my book. But I occasionally gave candy while reading
Thanks for the giveaway 😀
Lillie @ Bookraptured
April 3, 2015 at 7:31 pm (9 years ago)Cake!!! Cake in all shapes and sizes!!
Kellani
April 3, 2015 at 7:10 pm (9 years ago)popcorn. Cheddar popcorn is even better :3
Mimi
April 3, 2015 at 6:28 pm (9 years ago)I love to drink hot chocolate and snack on cookies while reading!
Quintana
April 3, 2015 at 6:16 pm (9 years ago)i don’t particularly eat while im reading a book, because im afraid ill get food on my book. But if i did it would probably be walnuts because im always eating them anyways
Bekah
April 3, 2015 at 6:01 pm (9 years ago)Favorite thing to eat while reading – chocolate. 🙂
Sam
April 3, 2015 at 5:52 pm (9 years ago)I love some good biscuits and a cup of tea!
readwritelove28
April 3, 2015 at 5:44 pm (9 years ago)I love reading and eating any time of candy (or something that isn’t messy) while reading!
Kayla Toris
April 3, 2015 at 4:43 pm (9 years ago)Chocolate ice cream!:)
Abigail
April 3, 2015 at 4:39 pm (9 years ago)DARK CHOCOLATE. YUM.
sarah s
April 3, 2015 at 4:03 pm (9 years ago)My favorite snack while reading is crackers or something sweet that can be eaten with one hand while holding a book or reader and a cup of coffee or hot chocolate.
Sabrina Joy
April 3, 2015 at 3:55 pm (9 years ago)My favorite snack is anything sweet, but mostly cookies or chocolate 🙂
rita
April 3, 2015 at 3:39 pm (9 years ago)absolutely some french fries hmmmm i should make some now
Nichol Brown
April 3, 2015 at 2:59 pm (9 years ago)I love eating Twizzlers while reading!! They’re insanely addicting!
tfs93
April 3, 2015 at 2:56 pm (9 years ago)pretzels
K Fox
April 3, 2015 at 2:46 pm (9 years ago)Oh boy … I am so boring when it comes to favorite snacks … especially while reading! Here it goes … drum roll please … plain old, no flavor added, potato chips. I’m talking Lay’s Wavy. (They are even sitting right beside me as I’m writing this.) Pretty boring I know but there is something amazing in the salty crunchiness of these chips that keep me going through all hours of the night.
Merisha Abbott
April 3, 2015 at 2:08 pm (9 years ago)Dark chocolate by Godiva!! Thanks for YASH! And for the amazing giveaway!!
Olivia
April 3, 2015 at 2:02 pm (9 years ago)M&M’s. All flavors but especially coconut!
Jess Kidding (@JesKiddingBooks)
April 3, 2015 at 1:43 pm (9 years ago)Thank you for hosting an additional giveaway as a part of this! My favorite thing to eat while reading is M&Ms, because they’re good, chocolate, but can’t smudge my book. lol
Jen (@BookWitchJen)
April 3, 2015 at 1:27 pm (9 years ago)Any kind of sour gummy candy
Jenna Kilgore
April 3, 2015 at 1:24 pm (9 years ago)My favorite snack while reading is fried potatoes. Not really a “snack” though.
OhanaReads
April 3, 2015 at 1:09 pm (9 years ago)My favourite snack while reading is goldfish oddly enough:)
Ayanami Faerudo
April 3, 2015 at 12:57 pm (9 years ago)Chocolate!
Jenn L.
April 3, 2015 at 12:21 pm (9 years ago)M&M’s are the best snacking while reading but other than that, chips.
laura jayne
April 3, 2015 at 12:01 pm (9 years ago)I pretty much eat anything that is edible, that is in reaching distance when reading :’)
Autumn Miller
April 3, 2015 at 12:00 pm (9 years ago)As strange as it sounds, my favorite thing to eat while reading is a pickle.
katrinabookishthings
April 3, 2015 at 11:23 am (9 years ago)It’s kind of messy, but I like to eat hot cheetos while reading.
Natalie @ Book Lovers Life
April 3, 2015 at 10:20 am (9 years ago)Thanks so much for the extra amazing giveaway! My favourite snack while reading is cereal 🙂 I love munching on dry Frosties!!
Nicole
April 3, 2015 at 10:18 am (9 years ago)Oh, I love pretzels while I am reading a book!
Thanks for participating in YASH this year. It’s always so much fun!