The Signature of All Things Contest

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Roomies: My Roommate Story + A Giveaway

Hey everyone! By now I'm sure most of you have at least heard of the new book by Sara Zarr and Tara Altebrando - Roomies. I have my very own roomie story for your enjoyment (horror?) and some info on the book. Also, the awesome people at Little, Brown and Co. are offering up a copy to one of my readers - so don't forget to enter the giveaway at the bottom of the post!

Roomies

Author: Sara Zarr and Tara Altebrando

Genre: YA/New Adult Contemporary

Release Date: December 24, 2013

Publisher: Little, Brown and Co.

Description:

It's time to meet your new roomie.

When East Coast native Elizabeth receives her freshman-year roommate assignment, she shoots off an e-mail to coordinate the basics: television, microwave, mini-fridge. That first note to San Franciscan Lauren sparks a series of e-mails that alters the landscape of each girl's summer -- and raises questions about how two girls who are so different will ever share a dorm room.

As the countdown to college begins, life at home becomes increasingly complex. With family relationships and childhood friendships strained by change, it suddenly seems that the only people Elizabeth and Lauren can rely on are the complicated new boys in their lives . . . and each other. Even though they've never met.

National Book Award finalist Sara Zarr and acclaimed author Tara Altebrando join forces for a novel about growing up, leaving home, and getting that one fateful e-mail that assigns your college roommate. 

My Very Own Roomie Story:

It was my freshman year of college - first semester and all. I hadn't lived anywhere besides my parent's house before, so this was already kind of a big deal for me. Add in the fact that I'm super shy and have social anxiety issues - yeah, I was pretty much freaking out. Now, when we were filling out our acceptance stuff for the school, classes, etc. - there was a place to mark our preferences for our roommate, even asking if there was a student we would like to room with. One of my best friends and I were going to the same college, so we put each other down for our choice of roommate. I also marked down that I definitely wanted a non-smoker and some other random things - like our majors and such. 

Well, as you can imagine, my friend and I did NOT get roomed together. I was placed with some unknown chick named Rachel. When I was getting dropped off and getting settled in before my family left, said roommate and her parents arrived. We all made small talk - her parents were nice, she seemed quiet and polite - it made me think that maybe it wasn't going to be so bad after I got used to things. HA. It soon became very clear that my new roomie was pretty much everything I didn't want. She cracked open our dorm window to smoke in our room (which was clearly marked a non-smoking room).  Keep in mind that she continued to do this in the middle of winter in Pennsylvania - where it was below zero at night. I hate the smell of cigarette smoke to begin with - and now all of my clothes and my stuff smelled of it. That wasn't even the worst part. After about two weeks or so, it was in the middle of the night and I was sleeping. I get woken up by my roomie entering our room being loud and bringing not one, not even two, but FOUR guys into our room. Before I knew what was happening, one of them just hopped onto my bed with me and tried to strike up a conversation like nothing was strange. I was basically mortified - and seriously pissed. These guys continued to bunk in our room for the next five days (give or take) - and to top it off, I had to go to sleep at night (or get woken up in the middle of the night) by the noises of her and one of the said guys making out - or WHATEVER it was they were doing on the other side of the tiny room. Not okay. Before the end of the semester, my friend and I had physically moved her into my room and forced the other chick out - she was leaving anyways I think - she dropped out or something. It was seriously one of the worst experiences I've ever had and I basically refuse to room with anyone I don't know previously ever again.

Check out Sara and Tara on Tour:

• January 12, 2014 – New York, NY: McNally Jackson [venue link]
• January 15, 2014 – Salt Lake City, UT: The King's English [venue link]
• January 16, 2014 – Provo, UT: Provo Library [venue link]
• February 4, 2014 – San Francisco, CA: Books Inc, Opera Plaza [venue link] 
• February 5, 2015 – Petaluma, CA: Copperfield's Books [venue link]

Giveaway: (1) copy of Roomies to one lucky winner (US Only)!

In addition, the publisher will be giving away a grand prize of a Roomie survival kit/gift pack that includes earplugs, home spa essentials, a signed copy of the book, a special note from the authors, and other fun things—all packed in a shower caddy—for one blogger & one of their readers!

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Do you have a roomie story? Tell me in the comments or link me up to your post!

 

Check out Chronicle - the Prequel to Relic - and enter to win a tablet!

For more on Chronicle, Relic, and The Books of Eva series, click HERE.

Soho Teen is also holding an awesome sweepstakes! When you download your free ecopy of Chronicle, you will be entered to win a tablet of your choice! For more information and to download Chronicle, click HERE.

What are you waiting for? Get your free RELIC prequel today and enter for a chance to win a tablet!!

Help for the Haunted by John Searles - Spotlight, Excerpt & Sweepstakes Opportunity

Help for the Haunted: A Novel
Author: John Searles
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Release Date: September 17, 2013
Publisher: William Morrow

Description:

It begins with a call in the middle of snowy February evening. Lying in her bed, young Sylvie Mason overhears her parents on the phone across the hall. This is not the first late-night call they have received, since her mother and father have an uncommon occupation, helping "haunted souls" find peace. And yet, something in Sylvie senses that this call is different than the rest, especially when they are lured to the old church on the outskirts of town. Once there, her parents disappear, one after the other, behind the church's red door, leaving Sylvie alone in the car. Not long after, she drifts off to sleep only to wake to the sound of gunfire.

Nearly a year later, we meet Sylvie again struggling with the loss of her parents, and living in the care of her older sister, who may be to blame for what happened the previous winter.

As the story moves back and forth in time, through the years leading up to the crime and the months following, the ever inquisitive and tender-hearted Sylvie pursues the mystery, moving closer to the knowledge of what occurred that night, as she comes to terms with her family's past and uncovers secrets that have haunted them for years.  

Help for the Haunted by John Searles by WilliamMorrowBooks

There is a HUGE sweepstakes going on right now where if readers pre-order the book, they could win tickets to see Broadway’s hit musical Matilda. Click here to check out the sweepstakes rules and entry form.  

This is what John has to say about the connection between his book and Matilda: “Matilda and HELP FOR THE HAUNTED are each stories about a young girl who loves books, is smart beyond her years, and must rely on her intelligence and curiosity in order to set things right in her world.”

Be sure to check back closer to the release date for my review of HELP FOR THE HAUNTED + a giveaway!