DECEMBER GIVEAWAY: win a gift card!!!

In Of Breakable Things, the world is what the dead make it. The spirited experience their own sights, smells, and sounds based on how they are feeling or what they remember from their lives. I was recently inspired by a reader who sent me an email about what her autumn would look like in the afterlife. (It was pretty cool, I have to say...)

So December giveaway:

Up for grabs is an Amazon gift card!

Explain what your December would look like in the afterworld. If you could manipulate the world in any way you could, what would it look like?

On any social media, fill in the blank:

In my afterworld, ________________________.


Ex) "In my afterworld, snow would rise from the ground instead of falling from the sky" or "In my afterworld, cold wind would sound like caroling."

Tag me in your response on

Tumblr (http://alyndenr.tumblr.com/)
Instagram (@A.LyndenRolland)
Twitter (@amyrolland)
Or email it to me: alyndenrolland@gmail.com

Drawing will be on December 20th.

Good luck and...

Have the time of your afterlife.

Review: The Truth About Alice

I scooped up this book when I saw it arrive at my local library. I was meeting a student for tutoring, and after our session I sat and read the book. I finished in less than three hours. I visit classrooms often, and kids always, always ask for book recs. This will be one of them- I think the conversational tone with appeal to fans of contemporary.

Admittedly, during the first chapter (Elaine’s POV) I wasn’t so sure if I would like the book. She’s catty and opinionated and narcissistic (but isn’t that the point??). She’s true to her character, likable or not, although I found myself liking her more and more as the story progressed. My opinion of Kelsie rollercoastered throughout the story – again, this was the obvious intention of Mathieu. Kelsie’s questionable actions have a questionable reason. Same with the others. There are hidden motives, guilt, and meaning, and all of their actions intertwine.

It’s difficult to consistently alter POVs without 1. Confusing the reader or 2. Annoying the reader. At no point did I have to flip back to the chapter beginning to figure out who was speaking. The characters are that distinct. And the switching of perspective never interrupted the flow of the story.

I finished the book and thumbed through it again, just thinking. The dedication resonated with me: To All the Alice Franklins. Because they exist. I knew Alice Franklins in high school. Lies spread like viruses. I knew Alice Franklins when I was teaching high school. It’s sad, but she is present in so many schools. The same is true for the Kelsie. And Josh. And Kurt.

This one felt real. 

My only wish: (SPOILER BELOW: Stop reading if you haven't yet read the book)

My only wish was a more distinct resolution. I get it... often the truth is never uncovered, and Mathieu doesn't specifically say that it doesn't happen after the end of the book. We get a glimpse that Alice will be okay, yes, but I want everyone to know the truth!! She never says THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN, GUYS!!!! But even if the world never learns the complete truth, I would have liked for Alice to destroy the bathroom stall- or even find Josh or Kelsie painting over the graffiti to repent for their part in Alice's troubles.

Regardless, I loved the book.

DAY OF THE DEAD

It's

The Day of the Dead

In Of Breakable Things, The Day of the Dead or All Souls Day is an (after)worldwide celebration. It marks the end of their haunting. Festivals include illusions, dancers, games, singing, partying, and a masquerade. In a world of the mental, a costume can be made of flames, orbiting planets, smoke, 

rain, clouds, bones. If you can dream it, you can live it.

Thank you to everyone who entered the sBOOKtacular giveaway. Names were randomly selected through RC. Each winner will select prizes from the list until all of them are gone!

Updated list of prizes listed here.

If a book isn't still on the page, someone else has already claimed it!

WINNERS:

1. K. Smythe
2. A. Sienkil
3. M. Walton
4. Holly Bryan
5. P. Mandigo
6. S. Skylark
7. A. Jowens
8. Guadalupe B
9. Robby M.
10. Michelle L.
11. Precy Larkins
12. J. Christenson
13. Ash Darkmore
14. Tia
15. Reanna

CONGRATULATIONS! Book selections are first come, first served. You get to pick TWO!!! (full list of prizes link is above the Joker)

Email me at ALyndenRolland@gmail.com to choose your prizes or DM me on Twitter @amyrolland!!

sBOOKtacular Halloween with Darke Conteur and The Prophecies of Mortals

On this spooky occasion, I'm lucky enough to spotlight a book that was released TODAY by the fabulous #goatposse member: Darke Conteur! THE PROPHECIES OF MORTALS is the fifth book in her paranormal series!! What a great read for Halloween!!!

Death has touched Jezryall and her team, but their mourning is cut short as the minions of hell step up their plans of kick-starting the apocalypse.

The arrival of old friends bring some much needed laughter and good memories, as well as a possible key to stopping the coming maelstrom. Yes even as Daniel’s powers are re-awakened, Jezryall’s concerns about the Goddess’s motives, questions her loyalty to the deity, and as internal conflict rise with each of her staff, the extra tension strains her own self-control.

As the team is drawn in several directions, they must push aside their own doubts and personal demons, or risk the fulfillment of a prophecy that would see the end of their world.

For a chance to win THE PROPHECIES OF MORTALS, enter the giveaway below! For more information about The Watchtower Series, visit Darke Conteur's website!

For a full list of prizes, click here!

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NJ Signing Pics and sBOOKtacular day 30!!!

So last night was fab! The crowd was so cool and asked wonderful questions! I was humbled to be in the company of Ty Drago, Dorothy Dreyer, and Elizabeth Holloway. They're amazing.

Congrats to all the winners of the gift card pumpkins and other prizes!

I'm in a short story kind of mood today- the spooky kind. Fitting. Here are two anthologies of captivating shorts:

Note: Wee Willie Winkie in Two and Twenty Dark Tales FREAKED. ME. OUT. (in an awesome kind of way)

You can win a copy of these little gems during my OCTOBER sBOOKtacular!!

Enter below!

For a full list of prizes, click here!!

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Come meet me TONIGHT! Barnes & Noble, NJ

New Jersey friends, particularly those in the Marlton area, come out to meet :

Me and OBT

 Ty Drago and the Undertakers Series

Dorothy Dreyer and the Reaper's Rite books

and Elizabeth Holloway with Call Me Grim

There will be treats! There will be free swag! There will be giveaways! There will be pumpkins! And of course, there will be books!

If you dress in costume, you are entered TWICE for the giveaway prizes (including gift cards).

And don't forget to enter my sBOOKtacular October giveaway! You can win one of 30 books and other prizes!


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sBOOKtacular day 28 with Philip Siegel and THE BREAKUP ARTIST

OBT said she didn't want some stupid elephant on her head this morning. She wanted to be cooler... so today she's a skateboarder:

She wanted to be a dancer like Becca from The Breakup Artist, but I have boys... so my props aren't very girl friendly :) Speaking of ... you could win a SIGNED copy of The Breakup Artist during this month's October sBOOKtacular!

Some sixteen-year-olds babysit for extra cash.

Some work at the mall.

Becca Williamson breaks up couples.

Becca knows from experience the damage that love can do. After all, it was so-called love that turned Huxley from her childhood best friend into a social-world dictator, and love that left Becca's older sister devastated at the altar. Instead of sitting on the sidelines, Becca strikes back—for just one hundred dollars via PayPal, she will trick and manipulate any couple's relationship into smithereens. And with relationship zombies overrunning her school and treating single girls as if they're second-class citizens, business is unfortunately booming. Even Becca's best friend, Val, has resorted to outright lies to snag a boyfriend.

One night, Becca receives a mysterious offer to break up the most popular couple in school: Huxley and raw football team's star player, Steve. To succeed, she'll have to plan her most elaborate scheme to date—starting rumors, sabotaging cell phones, breaking into cars...not to mention sneaking back into Huxley's good graces. All while fending off the inappropriate feelings she may or may not be having for Val's new boyfriend.

No one said being the Break-Up Artist would be easy.

This one is so much fun. I've already read it more than once since its release.

Read my review on GR. 

You can check out Philip Siegel's website and buy a copy or enter for a chance to win below!

For a full list of prizes, click here or check out my Tumblr page.

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