Welcome to the summer 2012 YA Scavenger Hunt!

Hello and welcome, everyone! For you first timers, the YA Scavenger Hunt is an online blog hop sponsored by authors who write books for both Young Adults and the Young at Heart. Each of us hosts a different fabulous author on the tour, so if you came here looking for my bonus material, a deleted scene from BLOODSPELL, 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 exclusive bonus material) will only be online for 72 hours!

Go to the YA Scavenger Hunt page to find out all about the hunt. There are TWO contests going on simultaneously, and you can enter one or all! I am a part of the RED TEAM–but there is also a blue team for a chance to win a whole different set of amazing 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: Below, you’ll notice that I’ve included my favorite number somewhere in this post (hint: it will be in RED!) Collect the favorite numbers of all the authors on the red team, and then add them up (don’t worry, you can use a calculator).

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 August 5, at noon Pacific Time. Entries sent without the correct number or without contact information will not be considered.

And now, without further ado … on to the hunt goodies!

SCAVENGER HUNT GUEST

I’m totally thrilled to be hosting the fabulous Tracy Deebs, author of the Tempest Series! After all, we could practically be related! She surfs, I surf. She’s afraid of sharks, I’m afraid of sharks. She likes to skydive, I like to bungee. I think we need to hang out, and talk about Matt Damon’s apples (Good Will Hunting reference, people). Anyway, speaking about hunting, here’s some more about Tracy …

TRACY’S BIO

Tracy Deebs collects books, English degrees and lipsticks and has been known to forget where—and sometimes who—she is when immersed in a great novel. At six she wrote her first short story in aquamarine magic marker—something with a rainbow and a prince—and at seven she forayed into the wonderful world of girls lit with her first Judy Blume novel. From the first page of that first book, she knew she’d found her life-long love. Now a writing professor at her local community college, Tracy writes YA novels that run the gamut from dark mermaids to kissing clubs to techno-Armageddon stories… and she still has a soft spot for Judy Blume.

Tracy’s latest book is called TEMPEST UNLEASHED. Check it out below!

Isn’t this cover gorgeous!? Just looking at it makes me want to be a mermaid! In case you’d like to know what the book is all about, here is the description:

Eight months have passed since Tempest Maguire embraced her mermaid heritage and her mother’s clan. As the future merQueen, Tempest holds dominion over the entire ocean and has access to more magic than she had ever dreamed possible. More important, she has Kona, the selkie prince whose passion and power kindle her own. But when Tempest receives word that her brother has been gravely injured, she rushes to his side—once again facing a choice. Her father and brothers have barely survived her absence, and the intense connection she once felt for her old flame, Mark, has only strengthened with time. But Tempest’s life is not the only one at stake. The sea witch Tiamat still desires to control all who live among the ocean depths—and Tempest alone has enough power to face her. As a deadly battle looms beneath the waves, Tempest once again finds herself caught—between Kona and Mark, sea and land—and this time, she might not survive her choice.

Sounds super-exciting, right? Find out more information by checking out Tracy’s website, and if you can’t wait another second to get TEMPEST UNLEASHED for yourself, buy her books here!

EXCLUSIVE CONTENT

~ END OF HUNT ~ Exclusive content removed. Please click the links below for more info on Tracy.

HOLY MOLY, readers! Are you guys shaking after reading that? I sure am!! Just in case you want to check out the first two books in the trilogy before having to wait until 2013 (sigh!) for the rest of TEMPEST REVEALED, here are the links once again to check out Tracy’s website for lots more info on the Tempest series, as well as direct links where you can pick up copies of her books!

Don’t forget to enter the contest for a chance to win a ton of signed books by me, Tracy Deebs, and more! To enter, you need to know that my favorite number is hidden somewhere in this post (hint: keep reading). 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 something unique and special.

Thank you so much for visiting my website! While you’re here with me, be sure to enter the personal contest I’m hosting below, at the bottom of this post. Up for grabs are 7 prizes–three autographed copies of BLOODSPELL, two custom-designed BLOODSPELL necklaces, and two sterling silver triquetra charms.

CONTINUE THE HUNT

If you’re ready to move on to the next author on the hunt, click HERE to head over to the fabulous Leah Bobet’s blog.

Good luck and have fun!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

August 1, 2012 by admin | 200 Comments

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200 Comments on Welcome to the summer 2012 YA Scavenger Hunt!

Cheryl Hopper
August 2, 2012 at 3:29 am (12 years ago)

This is awesome! I’m having a lot of fun with the scavenger hunt.
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Gaby Navarro
August 2, 2012 at 3:26 am (12 years ago)

I love YA because besides being stories I’ve grown to love like more than just books it’s thank to it that I’ve been able to make so much wonderful friends!
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Marthapao
August 2, 2012 at 3:03 am (12 years ago)

I love YA because it takes me back to my teen years when I met my now husband and also had so much fun in college.
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Marthapao
August 2, 2012 at 3:01 am (12 years ago)

Awesome prizes!! Thanks for the chance to win!
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Blake Haysel
August 2, 2012 at 2:56 am (12 years ago)

There’s a 17-year-old girl in my head who doesn’t stop pestering me unless I’m reading YA.
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Amy Logg
August 2, 2012 at 2:49 am (12 years ago)

I’m loving YASH and that was an awesome excerpt!!! Thanks for the extra giveaway!!!
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Tammi F
August 2, 2012 at 2:49 am (12 years ago)

Thanks for the giveaway!
I want to see more romance (but without the love triangles)
I like YA because the character are usually really relatable (not too old or too young) and YA books are so creative
I would love to see more dystopia/science fiction (my favourite genre)
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Becky Louise Williams
August 2, 2012 at 2:30 am (12 years ago)

😀
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Iristelle Anne Vicente
August 2, 2012 at 2:18 am (12 years ago)

Thank you for the amazing giveaway!
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Thalia
August 2, 2012 at 1:43 am (12 years ago)

I love being able to relate to the main characters and the more realistic problems they go through. They can be my role models and my friends, because they struggle with the same things I do.
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Kelly Hung
August 2, 2012 at 1:38 am (12 years ago)

I love YA because it contains material that both teens and adults can relate to and love. Often, there’s a perfect blend of action and romance.
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Kendra
August 2, 2012 at 1:01 am (12 years ago)

I love YA because they seem to be written better than many adult novels out there. They are detailed, emotional. They pull you into the story and don’t let you go, even long after you are finished reading.
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Emily H
August 2, 2012 at 12:34 am (12 years ago)

Thanks for the giveaway!!
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Caila F.
August 2, 2012 at 12:26 am (12 years ago)

I would like to see more YA books with LGBT characters.
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Esther Saavedra
August 2, 2012 at 12:21 am (12 years ago)

Thanks so much for the giveaway! I’d love to win this book! 🙂
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Ali B.
August 2, 2012 at 12:10 am (12 years ago)

Thank You for the giveaway.
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Austine @ The Red Reader
August 1, 2012 at 11:33 pm (12 years ago)

I love YA and the adult genres equally for different reasons. YA, for me, is easy to connect with because I’m still near the age it’s targeted at. The stories are always so unique and fresh, something I don’t see as much of in the adult genre. YA captures my mind and heart all at once.
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Soumi Roy
August 1, 2012 at 11:28 pm (12 years ago)

I love YA books because I crossed my teenage 2 years ago, and it’s easy to relate myself with the characters, and their emotions. YA books are more enjoyably than adult books and i fell I’m still a teen.
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Taylor B.
August 1, 2012 at 11:11 pm (12 years ago)

sorry forgot to answer the question. I love YA because most of the stories are easy to relate to in some way and its better than whats on TV now a days.
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Taylor B.
August 1, 2012 at 11:08 pm (12 years ago)

Thank you for the giveaway!
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CassayC
August 1, 2012 at 10:56 pm (12 years ago)

I like YA because they are fast paced and keep my attention better than adult novels
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Naomi H
August 1, 2012 at 10:48 pm (12 years ago)

In YA books, most of the characters are quite innocent, and I love watching them struggle with their lives that are so full of drama!! If only they knew!!

Thanx for being in the hunt, and hosting a great giveaway!!
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Rebecca Heaslip
August 1, 2012 at 10:32 pm (12 years ago)

I would love to see more zombies in YA. I loooove zombie stories. I hope that it starts to catch on more soon as it seems to be doing. I hope that continues. I would also love werewolf books to become as popular as vampires did at one point. I love me some werewolves.
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Katherine
August 1, 2012 at 9:49 pm (12 years ago)

The reason I love YA is not just because the stories are amazing, and the characters are easy to relate to but because it’s an age category that actually has so much creativity. Angels, vampires, greek mythology, dystopia, YA has it all.
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Maria A.
August 1, 2012 at 9:40 pm (12 years ago)

I enjoy YA novels because they’re so much fun – something I don’t think my young adult life was too much. But sometimes they do go through things that are relatible to that time in my life, so I can connect and that makes them so much more enjoyable.
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Kim
August 1, 2012 at 9:11 pm (12 years ago)

I love YA because while it’s incredibly relatable, it’s easy to get lost in and dream about!
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Katherina Barney
August 1, 2012 at 9:11 pm (12 years ago)

I love YA because the story lines-what the characters are, what they go through-are unbelievable and yet believable at the same time. Adult books only want mysteries or straight out romances, with no challenge to the author’s imagination; while YA want the romantic werewolf falling in love with the vampire, or the dangerous boy keeping his magical secrets secret because it will keep the love of his life safe. We love the stuff like that! Although, I would love to have more Historical Romantic fiction–like “My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century” by Rachel Harris
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Gabbie
August 1, 2012 at 9:03 pm (12 years ago)

I’m not sure what I’d like to see more of in YA books. I do know that I’d like to see more YA books. One can never get enough 🙂
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Merisha
August 1, 2012 at 8:51 pm (12 years ago)

I love YA books because they are unique. I would love the see more mythology books and mermaids. 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway
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Heather Heslip Alexander
August 1, 2012 at 8:40 pm (12 years ago)

I love young adult books because the story lines are usually really well developed as are the characters. The YA authors can’t rel on sex and violence to carry the books.
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Katie (Call Me Crazy)
August 1, 2012 at 8:37 pm (12 years ago)

I love YA because I can easily connect with the characters, no matter how old I get, and the stories always keep me on the edge of my seat, I love it! 🙂 Thank you for the awesome giveaway! 🙂
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Paige Schwartz
August 1, 2012 at 8:36 pm (12 years ago)

Honestly, I would like to see more variety in romance scenarios. I am the kind of people into forbidden love, and even if it is different species, it would be cool to see the connection.
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Sara Gordon
August 1, 2012 at 8:24 pm (12 years ago)

I love Bloodspell! Can’t wait for the sequel.
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Sarah Green
August 1, 2012 at 8:22 pm (12 years ago)

I love YA books because it’s an adventure away from home for this stay-at-home mom!
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Rachael Alex
August 1, 2012 at 8:12 pm (12 years ago)

Thanks for the awesome giveaway!!!
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Lisa R
August 1, 2012 at 8:11 pm (12 years ago)

Thanks for the giveaway!! I absolutely LOVE everything about YA ( I wish the love triangles would ease up a little but if its a good book its a good book!) 😀
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sofiia
August 1, 2012 at 7:59 pm (12 years ago)

I like Tennage romance
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Liliana
August 1, 2012 at 7:49 pm (12 years ago)

What I like about YA is that I can live vicariously through the characters…especially if it’s a school setting. I’m 20 years old now, but as a Junior and Senior in High school I took most of my classes at the college, so I wasn’t at the high school for very life. I don’t regret starting college at such an early age, but I like to live those teen years theough books 🙂

What I’d like to see more of is mythology! I LOVE mythology and books by Rick Riordan and the Mythos Academy series by Jennifer Estep.
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Courtney Heitman
August 1, 2012 at 7:44 pm (12 years ago)

I love YA because of how it hooks in readers quick and easily. I am an 8th grade Literature teacher and really enjoy being able to discuss great books I’ve read with my students!

Looking forward to checking out both books by you and Tracy! Thank you for the giveaway!
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Liza @ Reading with ABC
August 1, 2012 at 7:43 pm (12 years ago)

I love YA because it has to do more with the story, the plot and the characters that with sex or excessive cursing. The feelings and situations are more intense, just love it! Thank you for the giveaway!
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Courtney Heitman
August 1, 2012 at 7:42 pm (12 years ago)

Looking forward to checking out both books by you and Tracy! Thank you for the giveaway!
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Raychelle Smith
August 1, 2012 at 7:21 pm (12 years ago)

I love the relationships and the strength of the characters. YA books are great for all ages because anyone can relate to them and will enjoy the stories that are created.
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Catalina L. L.
August 1, 2012 at 7:18 pm (12 years ago)

I want to see more of gay/lesbian characters being portrayed as normal. The ONLY authors I’ve ever seen do this are Kristin Cashore and Justine Larbeleister (I can never spell her last name right-.-)Their characters simply don’t care, and no time is spend discussing the issue. The characters think it is completely normal, so why would they spend any time on the topic? While I understand this may be difficult/impossible in contemporary fiction, I wish more authors didit.
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tara ritchie
August 1, 2012 at 7:11 pm (12 years ago)

i love ya as i think this is an excellent way to inspire people to read different things
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Julia Girvin
August 1, 2012 at 7:04 pm (12 years ago)

Sorry, I commented a little early! I love teen books more than books for adults because I honestly think that they are more original and more ‘daring’ in some respects than novels for adults. Plus, they are usually not as gory as novels for adults. I would like to see some ‘nice guys’ in YA novels because I think that their a quite a few too many ‘bad boys.’
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Julia Girvin
August 1, 2012 at 7:01 pm (12 years ago)

Both of your books have gorgeous covers! I would love to read Bloodspell! Both Tempest Unleashed and Bloodspell have beautiful and mysterious covers; perfect in my mind!
Thanks for the giveaway!
-Julia G.
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Kathryn
August 1, 2012 at 6:59 pm (12 years ago)

Thanks for the giveaway! In teen books, I’d like to see a lot less angst and a lot more butt-kicking heroines. Does Hermione Granger or Katniss Everdeen ring a bell? 😉
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Sophia K.
August 1, 2012 at 6:48 pm (12 years ago)

Thank you for the fantastic giveaway!
I love YA because there is always an exciting story to be read no matter what the topic is or who the characters are. 😀
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Liz. R
August 1, 2012 at 6:38 pm (12 years ago)

Thanks so much for the giveaway! I love YA because there’s just so much variety, and so many characters out there that are so easy to relate to. Plus, I have to say this – I think YA covers are much better than adult ones :P.
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