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Spring Cleaning Giveaway Hop! Enter to win bookish things…

Mar19

Welcome to the “Spring Cleaning” Giveaway Hop! Brought to you by the wonderful I Am A Reader, Not A Writer. The dates for this hop run from March 20th through March 25th. (It is technically a day early, but the giveaway host prefers this for linking purposes.)

There is a small box full of books to give away to you guys… I have I believe 4 or 5 books ready for this package, but I may be adding 2 to 4 more by the time I am able to ship out. Since I’m in the process of moving soon, there may be a slight delay in shipping, BUT, it will be all for good reason, because you’ll probably get more books… hahaha! 😉

Sound good? Good! Here’s the official rules/guidelines for the giveaway:

1. You must be a follower.
2. You must be over 15 years old.
3. This is for US residents ONLY.
4. This contest runs from March 20th through March 25th.
5. You can gain extra entries by “liking” my Facebook page and/or following me on Twitter @Jess_Sankiewicz.
6. Winner will be selected at 12:01 a.m. on March 26th via Rafflecopter random selection.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you for following and entering!!! ❤

 Jessica

Rapunzel Untangled Blog Tour: Guest Post by Cindy C. Bennett + Giveaway!

Feb5
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Welcome to my stop on the Rapunzel Untangled Blog Tour! I am so excited to be part of this tour because I loved Rapunzel Untangled. You can see my review HERE. Be sure to check out all the other fantastic stops on the tour for prizes and reviews of this fabulous book. ^_^

Here at Thoughts, the wonderful Cindy C. Bennett is here with a guest post.

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Rapunzel Really Untangled by Cindy C Bennett

When I decided to write a retelling of Rapunzel, the first thing I did was research her. I looked up and read many of the original fairytales, and either read or read about most of the subsequent retellings. I thought I knew Rapunzel’s story. I was wrong.

We all know about her long hair, about the famous line “Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair”, and the Prince climbing up and helping her escape the evil Gothel who holds her in the tower. But I think between all of the retellings, and particularly Disney’s Tangled, much of the story has been forgotten.

The first well-known version of Rapunzel was told by the Grimm Brothers in 1812 with many of those recognizable elements. It’s an adaption of Persinette, published in 1698 by Charlotte-Rose de Caumont de La Force in France. There’s also a Persian tale from the 10th century about Rudaba who would let down her hair for her lover Zal to climb up to her, though that’s where any similarities end. It’s also believed that the Grimm Brothers were influenced by the bawdy 17th century collection of tales called The Pentamerone by Italian poet Giambattista Basile. It’s the Grimm version, though, that’s sort of considered the standard for the story.

In the Grimm version, Rapunzel is given as a baby to the witch Gothel because of her pregnant mother’s craving for rampion (an edible plant) that grows in the witch’s garden. (Really? The woman gives away her baby for a plant? Hmm . . . must be something funny in that plant.) The witch locks her up, and it’s Rapunzel’s singing that draws the Prince to her, who sees the witch climbing up Rapunzel’s hair to enter the tower. Soon Rapunzel is pregnant. (You won’t find that in the Disney movie.) When the witch discovers the deception, she cuts Rapunzel’s hair and throws her out into the wilderness. When the Prince comes and finds the witch but no Rapunzel, he jumps into the thorns below, blinded by them. For months he wanders the wilderness until he finds Rapunzel and her twin babies. Rapunzel’s tears then cure the Prince’s blindness and they live happily ever after.

As a girl I remember seeing a cartoon version of Rapunzel that followed the Grimm version sans the pregnancy and babies. I thought it was endlessly romantic that they would risk so much for their love, and that her tears would be the thing that would heal him. Rapunzel Untangled is a different version, though I tried to retain some of the more common, recognizable elements. It’s a much darker version, because to me her story is one of tragedy—being taken from her family and locked in a tower by a crazy witch. Where’s the light in that? I had a great time exploring the darker side of Rapunzel—and a great time discovering the origins and variations as well, untangling her story along the way.

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Thank you so much Cindy!!! ❤
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About the author
Cindy C. Bennett

Cindy C Bennett was born and raised in beautiful Salt Lake City, growing up in the shadows of the majestic Rocky Mountains. She lives with her husband, two daughters, and two dogs. She also has two sons. She volunteers her time working with teen girls between the ages of 12-18, all of whom she finds to be beautiful, fascinating creatures. When she’s not writing, reading or answering emails she can often times be found riding her Harley through the beautiful canyons near her home (yes, I ride a Harley and no, you’d never know it to look at me!).

Find Cindy on
Her Blog * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads

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Rapunzel Untangled

Rapunzel is not your average teenager.

For one thing, she has a serious illness that keeps her inside the mysterious Gothel Mansion. And for another, her hair is 15 feet long. Not to mention that she’s also the key to ultimately saving the world from certain destruction. But then she meets a boy named Fane, who changes all she has ever known, and she decides to risk everything familiar to find out who she really is.

Filled with romance, adventure, and mystery, Rapunzel Untangled is one story you won’t want to put down. Discover the true meaning of love and friendship in this modern twist to the classic fairytale.

Add it on Goodreads
Buy it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble
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GIVEAWAY

Win a copy of Rapunzel Untangled!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Jessica

Follower Love Giveaway Hop! Enter to win bookish things…

Feb4

Welcome to the Follower Love Giveaway Hop! Brought to you by the wonderful I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and co-hosted by The Reader’s Antidote The dates for this hop run from February 4th through February 11th. (It is technically a day early, but the giveaway host prefers this for linking purposes.)

I am changing things up… instead of going with my usual Book Depository choices, I have a large box of books that I want to give to you guys! Here is what you could win a HUGE BOX of the following books…

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If We Kiss by Rachel Vail
Rosebush by Michele Jaffe
Something, Maybe by Elizabeth Scott
The Host by Stephenie Meyer
When It Happens by Susane Colasanti
Sisters In Sanity by Gayle Forman
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
The True Meaning Of Cleavage by Mariah Fredericks
I Heart You, You Haunt Me by Lisa Schroeder
All-American Girl by Meg Cabot
A Novel Idea by Aimee Friedman
Desire by Kailin Gow
Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky

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Sound good? Good! Here’s the official rules/guidelines for the giveaway:

1. You must be a follower.
2. You must be over 15 years old.
3. This is for US residents ONLY.
4. This contest runs from February 4th through February 11th.
5. You can gain extra entries by “liking” my Facebook page and/or following me on Twitter @Jess_Sankiewicz.
6. Winner will be selected at 12:01 a.m. on February 12th via Rafflecopter random selection.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you for following and entering!!! ❤

 Jessica

Last Day to Enter the Epic Giveaway!

Jan31

Last day to enter the Epic Giveaway! You have five prizes to possible win, including a Hunger Games and Twilight pack (for US only) and three great book swag packs (INT). So if you haven’t entered, hurry up and do so before time runs out! It ends at midnight tonight. I will be picking winners and posting in the next coupled days. ^_^

Jessica

The Epic Giveaway of Epicness! Five Prizes to WIN!

Jan17

I decided to give away some stuff that I’ve had sitting around. It’s been awhile since I’ve done one of these giveaways and I thought it was long overdue. Especially with as much book swag as I’ve been accumulating! So, here you guys go! A chance to win one of 5 awesome prizes!!! What can you win? Take a look-see below…

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The Hunger Games Prize Pack (US ONLY)

The Hunger Games Official Illustrated Movie Companion
Seventeen Magazine featuring Jennifer Lawrence
The World Of The Hunger Games
Hunger Games Lanyard ID Tag
Katniss Bracelet 

Twilight Prize Pack (US ONLY)

 

Twilight Collector’s Edition
Twilight Graphic Novel Volume One
Twilight DVD
Various Twilight Swag (cards, buttons, etc.)

Three Bookmark Swag Packs (INT)

The bookmarks/swag in this picture will be divided evenly among the three winners.


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Sound good? Good! Here’s the official rules/guidelines for the giveaways:

1. You must be a follower.
2. You must be over 15 years old.
3. The Twilight and Hunger Games giveaways are US only due to high shipping costs. The Bookmark Swag giveaway is open International.
4. This contest runs from January 17th through January 31st.
5. You can gain extra entries by “liking” my Facebook page, following me on Twitter @Jess_Sankiewicz, and/or commenting on one of my reviews.
6. Winners will be selected at 12:01 a.m. on February 1st via Rafflecopter random selection.

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jessica

Best Of 2012 Giveaway Hop! Enter to win bookish things…

Dec26

Welcome to the Best Of 2012 Giveaway Hop! Brought to you by the wonderful I Am A Reader, Not A Writer. The dates for this hop run from December 27th through December 31st. (It is technically a day early, but the giveaway host prefers this for linking purposes.)

I am pleased to present to you the opportunity to win ONE of my favorite books of 2012 (of course, this is just a short list and doesn’t include books only available as e-books). You get to pick from TWELVE different awesome books. *

1. Meant To Be by Lauren Morrill
2. Insurgent by Veronica Roth
3. For Darkness Shows The Stars by Diana Peterfreund
4. Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally
5. Forgotten by Cat Patrick
6. Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver
7. Don’t Breathe A Word by Holly Cupala
9. The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
10. Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen
11. Under The Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
12. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

* Cover you receive may vary based on what is available from The Book Depository

Sound good? Good! Here’s the official rules/guidelines for the giveaway:

1. You must be a follower.
2. You must be over 15 years old.
3. This is open to international followers. (Only if The Book Depository will ship to you; please check this link to see if you are eligible.)
4. This contest runs from December 27th through December 31th.
5. You can gain extra entries by “liking” my Facebook page, following me on Twitter @Jess_Sankiewicz, &/or following my writing blog.
6. Winner will be selected at 12:01 a.m. on January 1st via Rafflecopter random selection.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you for following and entering!!! ❤

 Jessica