Spring 2015 YA Scavenger Hunt

YASH INFOWelcome 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 – WATERFELLOCEANBORN, and SEAMONSTERTHE 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!

http://www.dreamstime.com/-image16294099Check 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?!?!

Shonna-Slayton1I am super-thrilled to be hosting the lovely SHONNA SLAYTON for this leg of the YA Scavenger Hunt!

About ShonnaSHONNA 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 …

cinderellas-dress-cover-685x1024Being 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

Brownies2 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.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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!!

Older comments

214 Comments on Spring 2015 YA Scavenger Hunt

  1. Megan Cheng
    April 5, 2015 at 7:33 pm (9 years ago)

    My fave snack is string cheese. Mmm.

    Reply
  2. Jennifer Bui
    April 5, 2015 at 4:43 pm (9 years ago)

    I dont really eat a snack when reading because it may ruin the book so maybe before I might eat fruits or some sweets!
    Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply
  3. Yun-A
    April 5, 2015 at 4:25 pm (9 years ago)

    I love ice cream, whether or not I’m reading.

    Reply
  4. Océane
    April 5, 2015 at 3:05 pm (9 years ago)

    I do not eat everytime I read but I like cereal 🙂

    Reply
  5. Océane
    April 5, 2015 at 3:02 pm (9 years ago)

    Thank you for the giveaway and the YASH !

    Reply
  6. Katherina Vo
    April 5, 2015 at 12:34 pm (9 years ago)

    I love eating pretzels or chips when reading! Who am I kidding I just love eating them in general 😛

    Reply
  7. nerdychampagne
    April 5, 2015 at 11:55 am (9 years ago)

    I honestly don’t *CAN’T* eat while reading, I’m kinda occupied… Haha, well, if I can, I usually eat some chips. Thanks!

    Reply
  8. Jaclyn
    April 5, 2015 at 11:52 am (9 years ago)

    I like to munch on M’n Ms

    Reply
  9. Hannah Mac
    April 5, 2015 at 3:36 am (9 years ago)

    Currently chocolate orange

    Reply
  10. Angela Atienza
    April 5, 2015 at 3:26 am (9 years ago)

    Chips with spicy flavor

    Reply
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