November 1, 2009

Saturday Spotlight and a Giveaway!



Shhhh.... I know! I know! It's "technically" Sunday.  But, I figured that since we turned back the clocks, maybe, just maybe, I could get away with it!  Sneaky... huh?

Well here we are again! Finally! A new Sunday...um, SATURDAY SPOTLIGHT!  And look who we have instore for you this week!

And what shall we call you?  Ya' know...what's your name? I like to surround myself with a glamour of mystery... ;)

*Nods head*  That's why you're here...right?  You're surrounding yourself with glamour! *giggles* Get it! Get it? Me.... Me... *ha ha ha*  Glam...o..ur...  Ok... Next!


Alias? Zombie Girrrl! I'd been known as "21," but adopted the new moniker from Taschima of Bloody Bookaholic after I left a rather lengthy and passionate rant on the many uses of zombies in literature. She kinda gave me my online identity.

Very chic! Spooky! I likey!

Your blog name? Crackin' Spines & Takin' Names. I changed it for Zombie Appreciation Week, though, to Crackin' Spines & Takin' Brains. Me so clever. =9

Oh... that YOU are!  *wink*
Crackin' Spines? *giggles*   Get it?  Crack...   *ahem*

And where can we find this FABU Blog? http://crackinspines.blogspot.com/

Well? Go take a peek...  Yeah! I'll Wait!

Alright. They're back! How about a "Quickie Bio"?  I’ve always felt that biographies were for successful people, but I’ll give it a shot anyway!

I’m a military brat, so I’ve moved around a lot, and have the bragging right of having lived on all three coasts. I didn’t get into reading until my early teens, mostly because I didn’t like sitting still (still don’t), but now I love “traveling” with books. That sounds lame, but that’s how it is! Books feed my imagination and fuel my daydreams. Also, they’re the only friends that never get left behind (bar some disastrous packing accident). They’ve always been the first things out of the box, and I never travel without four or five of them.

Why did you start your blog? I started my blog after seeing how many new books my friends were finding through fellow bloggers, I wanted in! I came for the books, but I stay for the people! I’ve met a ton of nice people, and there’s always something going on!

Amen to that!

What is your favorite genre and/or genres? It’d be quicker to tell you what I don’t like!

*Well by all means then...it is YOUR show, right?* SPILL IT!

 I like fiction and non-fiction (LOVE reading about the 1918 flu pandemic!), but I basically only read YA fiction because it’s easier to avoid smut (I hate smut!). I love supernatural, paranormal, and fantasy; although I do like the occasional contemporary fiction too, like An Abundance of Katherines.

Who is your favorite author? Ooh, hard! I have a favorite author for every genre, subgenre, and day of the week! Tamora Pierce is my fallback, though. Her Tortall books never disappoint, and I’ve been reading her stuff faithfully since I was thirteen. Her sheroes (Literally she-heroes, her word, not mine. “Heroine” is too druggy, even with the extra e.)  kick butt!

"Butt" Kicking is ALWAYS Good...  Did you say 13?

What is your favorite book of all time? That is probably the hardest question ever conceived by man.  *Note: I am a Woman * Fiction would be World War Z by Max Brooks. Non-fiction, Flu by Gina Kolata. YA fiction… that’s too hard to answer. There’s so much good stuff! Too much! No, wait, there’s no such thing as too many good books!

Describe your review system: My review system is highly scientific. I read a book, decide how much danger I’d risk to get at that book, then I assign it a rating from 1 to 5 zombies. I really admire people who can break a book down to its constituent parts and rate every individual aspect of a book, but I haven’t been able to come up with my own detailed system, so for now, zombies it is!

And Zombies...Rock!

How is your blog unique from other blogs? Well, it’s the only place in the known universe where you can read what I think about books. Haha. One thing that sets me apart from other bloggers is my footnotes. I include my deeper or unrelated thoughts on things in footnotes at the end of most posts. It works out for me because my mind tends to wander, which leads to rambling and a lack of clarity. Plus, they’re fun to do!

How do you market your blog? I haven't really marketed my blog, per se. I've posted a link to it on my Shelfari page and linked my IMM posts on The Story Siren, but this is the first actual promotion I’ve ever done. I’ve been a bit of a chicken-butt in that department.

tsk tsk... "chicken butt" (Note: Lots of  "butt" and "zombie" talk) ..

Can you give us three tips about content? Be honest. Be kind. Be yourself! You can give a poor review without tearing the book or writer down, and the most interesting blogs are the ones where you really get a feel for what the blogger is like through their writing.

Great Advice!

Can you give three tips about blog promotion? Look out for blogs that promote their fellows and inquire into being included, don’t snag people’s email addresses for the purpose of advertising (very poor internetiquette), and be patient.

Patience is a Virtue...

Thank you for being here Zombie Girl! Oh and Guess what "Chicken Butt"?  I love you and your blog!  *giggles*  (I crack myself up)!

OK! Now that you've got to know Zombie Girl, she's been kind enough to offer a really Awesome Giveaway!  Are you ready?!? 

I knew you were!

GIVEAWAY!

Top 5 Recommended Reads Contest!


The winner will choose one of ZG's Top 5 Recommended Reads for their prize (all paperback)!

The choices are:

World War Z by Max Brooks
Strange Angels by Lili St. Crow
Terrier by Tamora Pierce
The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor
Den of Shadows Quartet (Yes, all 4 books [in one]!) by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

ZG's RULES:

To enter just leave a comment telling me what which book you’d like to win and answer me this: What is your top reading recommendation? (This question is entirely self-serving as I’m always on the lookout for new reading material.)

Don’t forget your email address! US mailing addresses only, please (sorry, globies, I can’t afford the shipping right now!)

MY RULES!

Blogger Blogs, You MUST Be A Google Friend Connect Follower
For This Giveaway, That means on BOTH Blogs to be Entered!
How do you do this? You click the FOLLOW Button up in
The Top Corner and PLEASE Make Sure Your Settings Are Public!

If you are from another type of blog, please let me know HOW you are following!

How Do you Win? It's Simple!

All Entries MUST be in By Midnight November 21st! (EST)
Winner Drawn on or about the 22nd!

Extra Entries


You MUST be a FOLLOWER with GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT on Both Blogs
or the following will Not Count! Also, If you do not include an Email Address, I have
to pick another winner. I can't chase email addresses any longer.

I Recommend Following On Twitter -It's NOT Required But I do Contests,
and Giveaways there as well! Currently, I'm doing a giveaway for a
$50.00 Barnes & Noble Gift Card there! You can still get in on that!
I'll tell you how in another post! But, if you follow on Twitter, I bet
you'll find out MUCH sooner!

Plus, there are Major Announcements made on Twitter and not Here!

My NEXT post will be about how to win either a Kindle, Nook or Sony E-Reader!
That's YOUR Choice! Well...The Winner's Choice and That Will Be ONE of You!

The Choice Is Yours!

+2 If you Subscribe by Mail
+2 If you Subscribe via Google Reader
+3 If you Rate Me On Blogged (see bottom of blog)
+5 If you TWEET About This Giveaway (Leave Link Please)
+10 If you Follow Me on TWITTER! (Leave @TwitterName)
+15 If you blog about this Giveaway in it's own post (Link)
+20 If you Put My Button On Your Blog and Link Back

Separate your entries one per post! (either each or just +5 for example)

(+25 for each and every NEW follower you bring me)
They just have to mention it in their post!
You will BOTH Get the Points!

As Always, Good Luck and HAVE FUN!!


** If YOU Would LIKE To Be FEATURED Please Hitt "Contact Me" **

OR

** Send Me An Email At IAmHiMaintenance{at}aol{dot}com **

and Preach to the Princess!!







Kisses & Toodles!!

68 comments:

  1. I would love to be entered for Den of Shadows Quartet !
    I follow both of you guys :)

    My top reading recommendation is Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols.

    :) Erica
    thebookcellar@wi.rr.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. nice blog! just found it! i'm a follower now!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you for the great spotlight. Love to find a blog that is zombie proof.
    I am following with google reader (both blogs).
    I follow on twitter (@booktumbling)
    I have tweeted (http://twitter.com/booktumbling/status/5347808411)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow, there were a lot of "zombies" and "butts" in there. Not to mention a lot of "cracks"... Get it? ;)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hey, Princess! I'm sorry you were sick this week, I hope all is well. ♥♥♥
    Here's a copy of the entries for the contest from my blog. I hope it's alright to just forward them to you since I dropped the ball on the *where* to sign up part and I'd hate for them to be excluded or to have to sign up again. I ammended the post, so it shouldn't happen again. :)
    P.S. The links all check out. ;)
    Sorry about the crossed wires!
    Huggles,
    ZG

    natalierenae said...
    +1 Following!
    +1 Link on Sidebar
    Hmm..My top reading recommendations (at least for this year) would be
    -Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
    -The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare
    -Gone by Michael Grant
    -The Vampire Academy Series by Richelle Mead
    -Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
    Natalie @ Mindful Musings
    n_monzyk_27@yahoo.com


    October 24, 2009 7:52 PM
    boatbuilding said...
    Hi, First time here at this blog. Its very interesting and useful. I wanna to visit here very often. I wanna to join this contest.


    October 26, 2009 6:02 AM
    ...MY NAME IS ELENI AND I AM A BOOKAHOLIC... said...
    Congrats on your first contest!!
    To enter, answer me this: What is your top reading recommendation? Hm, that's a hard question, recently the book that sticks out in my mind is the Hate List by Jennifer Brown, it had the wow factor that most YA books are missing now a days.
    -I'd love to win World War Z by Max Brooks and here is my e-mail lafemmereaders@yahoo.com
    +1 I'm an oldddd follower :)
    Thanks!
    -Eleni


    October 26, 2009 6:21 PM
    pirate penguin said...
    +1 For following
    +1 For linking (sidebar ;D)
    Top recommendations? Hmm... I always tell people to read Megan McCafferty books. (read Sloppy Firsts, PLEEEASE!) The main character has a razor-sharp wit and the guy...Oh Marcus Flutie *swoon!* Love the boy. Also, The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart. What else... I enjoyed Psych Major Syndrome too so that one as well! :)
    And don't be in shock about the 60 followers! Your blog is made of awesome ;) ummm, IF I win I'd like...Strange Angels. :D I was originally going to suggest Hawksong but then I remembered: you already read it! Zane...*swoon again* I heard that Amelia finally wrote a sequel to Shattered Mirror. Let's hope that's true @_@;


    October 29, 2009 10:48 PM
    throuthehaze said...
    recommend:
    *Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead
    *Darkest Power series by Kelley Armstrong
    *House of Night series by P.C. Cast
    +1 New follower!
    Raelena
    throuthehaze at gmail dot com

    October 29, 2009 11:41 PM
    throuthehaze said...
    oops...forgot to say which book I would like- Strange Angels by Lili St. Crow


    October 29, 2009 11:42 PM
    ladystorm said...
    Seen your spotlight over at Park Avenue Princess so decided to check you out. Nice blog. I am now following.
    I recently read Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr and it was pretty good.
    Have a great day,
    Stormi
    booklady2007[at]gmail[dot]com


    November 1, 2009 8:57 AM
    ~Jennifer~ said...
    The book I always recomend to people is The Mists of Avalon. It was long, but very good.
    I would love to win The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor
    I follow.
    jennsicurella at verizon dot net
    Jennifer @ Reading with Tequila


    November 1, 2009 9:46 AM
    Nickles said...
    Currently, my top reading recommendation is Ice by Sarah Beth Durst. I just finished it and it was fantastic. I would love to read Strange Angels by Lili St. Crow
    +1 follower
    +1 sidebar link: http://thewhowhatwhenwherewhy.blogspot.com/
    novelgirl@gmail.com


    November 1, 2009 12:03 PM
    pepsivanilla said...
    Recommendation: Impossible by Nancy Werlin :)
    I'd like Strange Angels!
    +1 new follower (hi!)
    pepsivanilla14(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I would love to win Strange Angels by Lili St. Crow. Been dying to read that one.

    A book I recommend this week is Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder. Love her books!

    +2 If you Subscribe via Google Reader
    +10 Following on twitter (@bookgoil)
    +20 Button is up! http://www.bookworminginthe21stcentury.com/

    dragonzgoil at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I would like to enter for the Den of Shadows Quartet.

    I recommend the Wicked series by Gregory MacGuire.

    I follower both blogs.

    I follow on twitter.

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm following both of you guys!
    Follow on Twitter (mindfulmusings)

    I'd like Strange Angels!

    My top recommended read for this year would have to by City of Bones by Cassandra Clare. Definitely an amazing book1

    Natalie @ Mindful Musings
    n_monzyk_27@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I would like Den of Shadows Quartet by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes, please. I would recommend the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon and The Kingdom of Thorn and Bone series by Greg Keyes. Both are excellent!

    Thanks,
    Tracey D
    booklover0226 AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I follow both blogs as (booklover0226….)

    Thanks,
    Tracey D
    booklover0226 AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  11. +2 I subscribe my mail (email below)

    Thanks,
    Tracey D
    booklover0226 AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  12. +2 I subscribe through Google Reader (booklover0226…)

    Thanks,
    Tracey D
    booklover0226 AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  13. +10 I follow on Twitter (as bl0226)

    Thanks,
    Tracey D
    booklover0226 AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  14. +3 I rated you on Blogged

    Thanks,
    Tracey D
    booklover0226 AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love Zombie Girrrl's blog! I found her through vvb32 reads!

    I'm a follower of both blogs

    My tweet: http://twitter.com/Gofita/status/5376699979

    Follower on Twitter @Gofita

    hmsgofita at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hey there! I'm a follower now.Great giveaway!

    Ilana
    IlanaWrites@gmail.com
    www.ilanawrites.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I follow both of you

    Raelena
    throuthehaze at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  18. +2 Subscribe by Mail

    Raelena
    throuthehaze at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  19. +2 Subscribe via Google Reader

    Raelena
    throuthehaze at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  20. +3 rated

    Raelena
    throuthehaze at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  21. +10 follow on twitter @throuthehaze

    Raelena
    throuthehaze at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'm following both blogs. I'd love to read either World War Z by Max Brooks or Den of Shadows Quartet by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

    aikychien at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  23. +2 If you Subscribe by Mail

    aikychien at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  24. +2 Subscribed via Google Reader

    aikychien at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  25. +10 Follow you on TWITTER @aikchien!

    aikychien at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  26. +20 I have your button.

    http://aik-friendsnfamily.blogspot.com

    aikychien at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  27. I'd like to win Looking Glass Wars

    I'd recommend Lighting by Dean Koontz and the Immortals series by Cassandra Clare

    email: demonicattractions@gmail.com

    I follow both blogs

    +2 Subscribe by Mail
    +2 Subscribe via Google Reader
    +5 TWEET https://twitter.com/teensrandw/status/5395226401

    +10 Follow on TWITTER! (Leave @teensrandw)

    +20 Your My Button On My Blog www.teensreadandwrite.blogspot.com


    Great contest and thanks for helping out other bloggers!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Sorry, I think I messed up on posting separate comments but I think my total is +39 if that helps.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Ooh! Enter me in this! It's so hard to pick which one I want, but I guess I'm going to have to go with Strange Angels.
    I follow both blogs.

    zedster.tbb(at)gmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  30. +5 tweeted about it (@brizmus) http://twitter.com/brizmus

    ReplyDelete
  31. +10 follow you on twitter! (@brizmus)

    ReplyDelete
  32. it's also in my sidebar, although I don't think that counts for points.
    +2 I subscribe by google reader

    which makes +40 total

    zedster.tbb(at)gmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  33. And I just realized that I forgot to recommend books. I would recommend American Gods by Neil Gaiman to absolutely anyone. it is SO good! Also the Neverending Story by Michael Ende is fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Recommendation: Impossible by Nancy Werlin :)

    I'd like Strange Angels!

    +1 new follower (hi!)

    +25 I'm a new follower, heard about your site from Bookworming in the 21st Century's link

    pepsivanilla14(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  35. tirachii@yahoo.com

    +2 Subscribe by Mail)
    +10 Followed on TWITTER!

    ReplyDelete
  36. I am following both of you. By the way, I just stopped by to say I have some bloggy love for you on my website www.jennifermorrill.wordpress.com

    Figured I would enter another contest while I am here! :)

    ReplyDelete
  37. +2 I Subscribe via Google Reader

    P.s I was so excited giving away awards I forget to leave my email in the above comment...

    jennifermorrill(at)att(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  38. +10 I Follow You on TWITTER! (@BetweenTLines)

    jennifermorrill(at)att(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  39. Grr...Again, so wrapped up with myself I forgot the rules!

    I REALLY want to read Strange Angels by Lili St. Crow. The first chapter was at the end of Vampire Academy, which I just finished. I am hooked, I want to read more.

    As for my selections;
    Graceling by Kristin Cashore and Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater.

    and so I don't waste comments, here is my tweet:
    https://twitter.com/BetweenTLines/status/5563763790

    jennifermorrill(at)att(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  40. Very fun interview! Thanks for bringing Crackin' Spines & Takin' Names to our attention! Another great book blog to add to the blogroll. : D

    Good luck to everyone who enters the contest!

    Jessica W. - Book Bound

    ReplyDelete
  41. I'd love to win the The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor! My favorite all-time books are The Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald and Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. I recently read Last Light Over Carolina by Mary Alice Monroe and really enjoyed it!

    ReplyDelete
  42. I subscribe via email! -#1 (annmarieweeks at verizon dot net)

    ReplyDelete
  43. I tweeted! http://twitter.com/amweeks/status/5683352156 -#1

    ReplyDelete
  44. I tweeted! http://twitter.com/amweeks/status/5683352156 -#2

    ReplyDelete
  45. I tweeted! http://twitter.com/amweeks/status/5683352156 -#3

    ReplyDelete
  46. I tweeted! http://twitter.com/amweeks/status/5683352156 -#5

    ReplyDelete
  47. I would like to read the Den of Shadows Quartet.
    I recommend reading Beauriful Creatures.
    I am following both blogs
    +2-Following on Google reader
    +2-Subscribe by mail
    +10-Following on Twitter (emma015)
    +5-Tweeted here: http://twitter.com/Emma015/statuses/5688538640

    findjessyhere at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  48. +2 If you Subscribe via Google Reader
    +5 If you TWEET About This Giveaway http://twitter.com/EllzReadz/status/5874828337
    +10 If you Follow Me on TWITTER! @Ellz Readz
    zenfoxflowerATyahooDOTcom
    Elie (Ellz Readz)

    ReplyDelete
  49. Every chance I get I recommend Margaret Atwood's "A Handmaid's Tale"

    +2 e-mail subscriber

    I follow both blogs (mabelilly28)

    mabelilly28 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  50. Hello Miss Princess! I liked the Spotlight! Great Idea! I don't know any of the books so I will go with ZG's recommendation for Terrier. TY
    My top recommendation right now - for a Christmas quickie really nice read: Noella's Gift. Another top rec if you haven't read it is Lightening by Dean Koontz - a favorite of mine!
    e-mail = mesreadsATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  51. I follow on Google at your blog and ZG's blog! mesreadsATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  52. +10 I follow you on Twitter - MSEREADS

    ReplyDelete
  53. +20 I put your button on my sidebar at Martha's Bookshelf!
    http://marthasbookshelf.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete

Feel like Preaching to the Princess?

Well then...Please leave all of your Noble Notes and Royal Ramblings here...

All will be taken into consideration.

XXX ~ The Princess