25 Days of Jubilation - Day 23 | Books to Win Galore!

*ENTRIES ARE CLOSED*

Click here for all the stops!

The Lovely Hosts of the Event:

+Cyndi at Dog-Eared & Bookmarked
+Jacinda at The Reading Housewives
+Yani at The Secret Life of an Avid Reader

Note: All official giveaway rules must be adhered to and MOST of my giveaways today are OPEN TO US RESIDENTS ONLY**(Sorry, my international readers!) All giveaways will end JANUARY 7, 2011!!

"People rush by at this time every year
Without stopping to think about true Christmas cheer
It's of giving, not getting, let me ask you this now
Have you ever stopped to wonder what it's truly about?
Let me spoil you this once, let me give you reason to smile
Let me give you a gift that is absolutely worthwhile
So I'm proud to present with utmost elation
My piece of Jubilation" ~ Gabi (my sister)

Introduction

When I think of Christmas I immediately think of generosity at its finest, its biggest. My mom would say that I'm pretty spoiled given that I'm so used to receiving a lot on Christmas, since I'm used to my family going to extraordinary lengths to give and to please each other during the holidays.

Personally, I feel if you're going to do something, going to celebrate something, do it right and do it big. It's been SUPA hard yo, keeping this a secret from you guys, and I've been tingling with anticipation for this day all along, trying not to burst into mysterious giggling fits.

So, without further ado, I want to (FINALLY) share with you that feeling of being given so much, in light of the holiday spirit!

Authors Who Know Family

Miranda Kenneally, author of Catching Jordan was asked...

What are your first thoughts when someone mentions the word 'family'?

MK: Togetherness. Eating Mexican food together! Laughing. Sharing inside jokes and memories. A built-in support system that no one can live without.

Lorraine Zago Rosenthal, author of Other Words for Love was asked...

What is/are something(s) you do with your family around Christmastime?

LZR: One of my favorite places to spend Christmas is in New York. There’s just so much to do and see. I love the giant tree and the ice skating at Rockefeller Center, the "Christmas Spectacular" at Radio City Music Hall, and the beautiful displays in the store windows. I also love just walking around the city, smelling all the delicious food that vendors sell on the street and feeling the excitement buzzing in the air. Another tradition is watching the original version of Miracle on 34th Street, which was filmed during the 1940s and takes place in New York. It’s such a wonderful holiday film with an inspiring message.

Lisa T. Bergren, author of the River of Time series was asked...

For you, personally, what does it mean to be a family?

LTB: It means we stick together, no matter what. We love one another, even when we're unlovable. We strive to grow together, not apart, through experience, exploration and fun!

And now for... Prizes
+the entire River of Time series (Waterfall, Cascade, and Torrent) (US + INTL)
+bookmarks and stickers from Miranda Kenneally (US only)

Click here to enter!

Petitions to Santa

A vacancy has suddenly sprung on Santa's Nice list, ONE available spot. All meanies and baddies from YA Fiction on the "Naughty" list now have the chance to redeem themselves and claim that spot. Once the voting is over on January 7th, one winner will be selected. All of the winning character's loyalists will automatically be entered for the chance to win the bribe the character offered. Vote for ONE of the following characters:

from the Blue Bloods series by Melissa de la Cruz

Her Character IT girl spoiled and snobbish possessive controlling headstrong determined

Her Case Unfortunately, Mimi Force was rather busy when I approached her to come up with her case, so she is only here in spirit, shall we say.

Her Bribe a signed copy of the latest book in the Blue Bloods series, Lost in Time

from The Duff by Kody Keplinger

His Character funny likes to annoy Bianca a bit of man-whore gorgeous lonely without his family

His Case Dear Santa, So there's a nasty rumor going around that I'm on the Naughty List this year. I hope this isn't true, but if it is, I'm writing to you so that hopefully you'll change your mind. I mean, I haven't really been "naughty"... okay, maybe just a little bit, but it was the fun kind of naughty. I didn't shout or cry or pout, like it says in the song. All I did was, um, keep the company of a few girls. And, really, if you think about it, I was doing something good! It made them happy. Just ask them. So sometimes "naughty" is actually nice. And if this is about Bianca - about calling her Duffy - I've already apologized for that, and she forgave me, so can't you, Santa? I hope so. Yours, Wesley PS: I will leave out extra cookies with double chocolate chips and a big glass of chocolate milk for you. I am not above bribery.

His Bribe a signed hardcover copy of The DUFF

from The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade

Her Character bossy blunt/harsh very mean the Queen Bee self-centered determined/focused

Her Case Will: Um, yeah, hi. You wouldn't be able to hear what Alona is saying so I'm just going to write it out for her. She's very grateful for the chance to adklsfjkelasklfj;eia... Alona: Ha! They can too "hear" me if you'd just give me the keyboard. Listen, I don't know whose bright idea this was, but I'm not going through this whole getting judged thing again. Being rejected by the light was bad enough. Do I really have to justify my existence? I'm not a bad person! Seriously, is it my fault if people don't appreciate the advice I'm giving them? It's good advice! You can't wear brown and black together. You just can't. And don't even get me started skinny jeans. They're called "skinny" for a reason, people. If you can't adklfjkds;asdkk;alsdkjflsadfj;;jk;a... Will: What she means to say is thank you. *clears throat* And she really is a good person, in her own way. I mean, she helped me even when it didn't benefit her, and that counts for something in my book. The "old" Alona Dare would never have done that. So, yeah.

Her Bribe a signed hardcover copy of The Ghost and the Goth and the sequel, Queen of the Dead, plus a special deck of signed playing cards

from Legacy by Cayla Kluver

His Character arrogant self-absorbed egotistical jealous hand-picked to rule

His Case Dear Santa, There seems to be an error on your naughty/nice list this year – you must have forgotten to check it twice. I simply cannot be on your naughty list. As you probably know, I was crowned King of Hytanica this year, and my people love me (with the possible exception of my wife). To suggest that the judgment of the masses is flawed is a great insult to my kingdom, and could result in an army marching upon the North Pole. I urge you to reconsider. All the best, King Steldor

His Bribe a finished copy of Legacy and an Advance Readers Copy of the sequel, Allegiance

Sweet Heat Under the Mistletoe

As you can very well see, Alyxandra Harvey's Drake brothers hit Advance Proficient on the KOTL (Kiss on the Lips) test. So I present you with the chance to experience a Drake flavored kiss for yourself.

Here are the next set of prizes:

+1 person will win a kiss scene under the mistletoe with their favorite Drake brother à la Alyxandra Harvey
AND a copy of Ruling Passion (the bind-up) which includes the first three books in the Drake Chronicles series
AND a copy of the latest installment, Bleeding Hearts
+1 person will win a copy of Ruling Passion
+1 person will win a copy of Haunting Violet
+1 person will win an Advance Readers Copy of STOLEN AWAY 

Click here to enter!

Another Gift for You:

Candy Canes, Christmas Beads, and Ornaments NOT up for grabs ;P

Click here to enter!

A Cheerful Goodbye:

"Thank you for staying from finish to start
Just remember that true giving comes from the heart" ~Gabi

If you're still with me, I want to wish you all a very merry merry merry Christmas this weekend and I hope you had as much fun reading this post as I had in making it. Thank you to all the participating authors, publishers, publicists for making my stop not only possible, but exciting! As well as my mom (who has been a beacon of support, more than I could ever hope for) and siblings (one sister came up with the poems above and the other the cartoon characters you see around the blog as well as the holiday dividers in this post) who've helped me with this post too! I love you guys!

This is the first time I've really participated in an event with other bloggers, and I hope I did okay. In fact, I hoped I wowed you all, because I really really wanted this to be extremely special given the theme. Have a great weekend and enjoy the holidays! Happy reading!

- Don't forget to grab the button and spread the word!!
- Extra entries for all the giveaways listed are available here!