September 12, 2012

Interview with author Ann Aguirre & Giveaway of Enclave and Outpost!




Hi GCReaders!

Today we bring you an interview we recently had with author of Enclave and Outpost, Ann Aguirre.

We'll also, courtesy of MacKids, will be giving away a paperback copy of Enclave, and a hardcover copy of Outpost to one lucky commenter.

Check it out!




Hi Ann!

Welcome to Good Choice Reading!

1. Can you tell us a little bit about your latest release Outpost, book two in your Enclave series?

This is a story about how the kids adapt to life in Salvation. Relationships are important, and there's lots of character development. There are still plenty of pulse-pounding action, but it's layered between sweetness and poignant moments.

2. What was the most challenging part for you in creating Deuce’s world?

My worldbuilding process seems to be unusual in the sense that I don’t create worlds before characters. With me, character is king. The people I write are real to me, and basically, they tell me about their environments on a need-to-know basis. To many people, this probably sounds crazy; fictitious people who live in my head tell me things that I didn’t know before? Suuuure.

The one component I impose in my worldbuilding is that all elements should be internally consistent. If there is no magic in the world in book one, I can’t solve a problem with a spell in book three. But generally, my protagonists make it clear early on whether they’re living in a science-based world or a paranormal one, and all logic descends from that reality. So I can't really address what was difficult about creating Deuce's world. She told me about it and I wrote it down.

 3. Tell us one thing no one knows about your characters.

Fade is the sensitive one in their relationship, the more emotional one. It isn't that Deuce feels less for him, but she's less experienced at handling her emotions. Fade is also a bit of a turtle when it comes to emotional pain. In his life, he's lost a lot of people, and if he suspects more might be incoming, he pulls back inside himself. That's when he stepped off when Deuce started training with Stalker. He couldn't imagine that she would choose him -- because everyone leaves -- and so he tried to prepare himself to lose her. He feels things pretty intensely, but he keeps it all bottled up. He's not good at talking about everything he feels because that's so much vulnerability. He's also afraid to ask for what he wants; he thinks if he doesn't admit to it, then nobody can hurt him by withholding from him. He has a hard road ahead of him in Horde.

4. Your characters have some pretty unique names. How did you come up with their names? Is there a website and/or book that you used to help name them?

No. They told me their names as I wrote the book. In the enclave, the names came from the coming-of-age ceremony. In the Wolves, you got a name based on what you were good at, and for Stalker, it was tracking, which comes in very handy in Outpost.

5. Do you have a specific soundtrack and/or set of songs that you listened too while writing both books?

Thank you Ann for stopping by today and answering our questions. We leave your readers now with a small teaser of Outpost. Enjoy!

Before I could answer, he cupped my cheek in his palm, dark eyes searching mine. Apparently satisfied by what he saw, he leaned his brow against my head. My heart gave a treacherous thump at his nearness. It was late afternoon, sunny and bright, which meant anyone could happen on us. Though the rules weren’t strict here, I might get in trouble for sitting so close and letting him touch me, but I didn’t care. 

“I missed you.” I didn’t mean to tell him so, even if it was true. Admitting need felt like weakness; it demonstrated dependence and vulnerability. 

But when he lifted his head, his dark eyes shone brighter than I’d ever seen, like he held stars inside. “It’s been awful without you, but I thought you chose him. I was determined to respect your decision.”

“He’s a friend,” I said again. “But he’s not you.” 

“Here, it’s not like it was down below,” he murmured. “There’s no shame.” 

 “In what?” 

“This.” 

His kiss didn’t surprise me. My response did. Delight surged from the moment his lips touched mine, and I pressed close, wanting to crawl out of my skin and into his. Fade wrapped his arms around me as if he felt the same, his whole body trembling. Such strong feelings terrified and elated me simultaneously. These sensations were the reason for the noises I’d heard down in the enclave, breeders huffing and moaning as they made a new life. Before, I always imagined it was an unpleasant chore, like patrolling the back ways, and you put up with the process in order to achieve the desired result. Now, I wasn’t so sure. 

When I pulled free, my heart beat furiously in my ears and I couldn’t catch my breath. Wonderingly, I touched my fingers to my lips. 

I breathed, “That’s dangerous. How long have you known?” 

“Known what?” 

“That it could be so. . .so…” Words failed me. 

“Good?” he suggested, but it was a pale description. Yet I lacked a better one, so I just nodded, and he replied, “Since the first time I kissed you.”  


Book Trailer for OUTPOST:




Follow the blog tour here: http://macteenbooks.com/mackidsblog/?p=1249

Ann Aguirre is part of our Fall 2012 Fierce Reads campaign and she will be going on a multi-city and multi-author tour in September. Details can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/FierceReads/events


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Deuce’s whole world has changed. Down below, she was considered an adult. Now, topside in a town called Salvation, she’s a brat in need of training in the eyes of the townsfolk. She doesn’t fit in with the other girls: Deuce only knows how to fight.

To make matters worse, her Hunter partner, Fade, keeps Deuce at a distance. Her feelings for Fade haven’t changed, but he seems not to want her around anymore. Confused and lonely, she starts looking for a way out.

Deuce signs up to serve in the summer patrols—those who make sure the planters can work the fields without danger. It should be routine, but things have been changing on the surface, just as they did below ground. The Freaks have grown smarter. They’re watching. Waiting. Planning. The monsters don’t intend to let Salvation survive, and it may take a girl like Deuce to turn back the tide.

Links:



Here's your chance to win both Enclave and Outpost. Just leave a meaningful comment below. Please include a way for us to contact you if you should win. If you don't feel comfortable leaving your e-mail address, you can leave your Twitter, Facebook, anything. Good Luck!


71 comments:

  1. I like your interview and the Fierce Reads trailer. The music is really cool. I'm excited to win this book!

    Patice- sudhamalee@hotmail.com

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  2. I haven't read either book but they seem so awesome!

    I like how even though it's a dystopian and heavy on plot, it's obvious Ann focused a lot on creating wonderful multidimensional characters - that's what I love about stories anyway.

    How cool is it that FAde's the softie here? I LOVE THAT EXCERPT! I kinda love Fade too as well now;)

    Thank you:)

    ccfioriole at gmail dot com

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  3. My almost 15 yr old son came home from school the other day and said, "Mom, you need to read Enclave." My jaw dropped. I've been trying to get this boy to read for YEARS. I told him Enclave was on my wishlist and he went on to tell me all about it for 10 minutes, then said, "and I'm only like 15 pages into it!" LOL. Any book that can get him reading is a sure win with me. :)

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    1. my email: theresa(at)fadeintofantasy(dot)com

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  4. This series was recommended to my several times but i haven't been able to get my hand on the books yet.

    I like her other series and i would like to discover this one too

    if the giveaway is open to international i would like to be entered

    thank you for the opportunity
    isabelle(dot)frisch(at)gmail(dot)com

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  5. I love that you focus primarily on character development, and secondarily on action sequences. That, to me, is a sign of a good novel. I haven't read Enclave yet, but I really want to. And I love that the trailer is animated, which is unique among all the book trailers that I've seen. :)

    bethwade1 at gmail dot com

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  6. I've been wanting to read Enclave for so long. When I saw it, I was blown away by how cool the cover was. I read the synopsis and was even more convinced that I needed to read it!

    Love Ann's interview - I like that she is more character based. I think if I could write books, I'd be the same way. Characters over world building. Because at the end of the day if your characters aren't well thought out and complex, all that world building won't matter. They have to be strong enough to carry the story.

    fantasticalsharing@yahoo.com

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  7. The snippet definitely pulled me in! I love how the characters are a primary focus.

    I'd love to read more!

    Twitter: aprilelayne1

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  8. I haven't read Enclave yet but all I'm seeing are raving reviews. I like the focus on characters, even though I do love seeing world-building, because if I can connect with them and see through their perspectives appreciatively it makes reading worthwhile and I'm a part of that story. Haha, I love the idea that characters speak to authors! If only readers could hear them in our heads too...

    Fantastic interview, and I loved. That excerpt. Thanks for sharing! :)

    readingunderthestars@yahoo.co.uk

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  9. I can not believe that I have yet to start this series. I love dystopians and I love the fact that their is real character development in addition to what sounds like an amazing plot!

    melissaseclecticbookshelf at gmail dot com

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  10. Thank you for the introduction to this author and series. It sounds pretty good. I'll have to look into them.
    I like it when authors focus on character development first, and then let the characters tell them what their world is like.

    lisa(at)vetteklisa(dot)com

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  11. I LOVED Enclave. It was really, really good, compared to most post-apocalyptic/dysoptian worlds. I really, really could not wait for Outpost to come out. I remember when I first picked up Enclave from the library, read it, and then wondered when the next book would come out! I'm so excited! Thank you for the giveaway!!!

    Alyssa Susanna
    lilleetleet(at)verizon(dot)net

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  12. I haven't read either of these books yet, but they sounds awesome. I appreciate that Ann writes her world consistently and doesn't just add oddball stuff that doesn't make sense to solve a problem. The playlist is awesome. Can't wait to read this series now!

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  13. I haven't read either book yet, but they have been on my TBR list for ages. Can;t wait to get lost in this world!

    findjessyhere at gmail dot com

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  14. Awesome! Ive been wanting to this! Thank you so much! Will the author be coming out with another series some time?
    xeno_turtle(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  15. I haven't started this series yet, but I hope to really soon! Thanks for the chance to win!
    natasha_donohoo_8 at hotmail dot com

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  16. I have read Enclave and LOVED it! Outpost looks wonderful as well and I would love to read it. :)

    ke7yca at gmail dot com

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  17. I have really wanted to read this series. It sounds very good. Thanks for the giveaway. Please enter me. Tore923@aol.com

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  18. This is really wild, but earlier today I was at Wal-Mart, they have the ONLY *new book* section available in over an hour's drive - and I was sooooooooo hoping they would have Outpost!!
    Naturally, they didn't and I really hate living in the sticks, so far from any *real* book store :(

    Anyhoo, I just love these zombie survival stories, they're my favorite reads of ALL genres :D

    I can't believe you guys are having such a sweet giveaway, thank you oodles for the awesome chance to win <333
    GFC: Mary DeBorde M.A.D.
    zenrei57 (at) hotmail dot com

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  19. I cannot bloody wait to read Outpost!!!! I need to meet Fade ASAP. Absolutely loved Enclave. Need more from this world.

    Vivien
    deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

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  20. Great interview. Enclave totally rocked so I'm really looking forward to getting my hands on Outpost. Great trailer.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OOPS...forgot my email addy

      jennifer@fictitiousmusings.com

      Delete
  21. Both sound like such great books! Are more planned in the series or is this it?! I think my teen and I would "fight"over who got to read the books first...LOL!

    I've heard so many authors state their characters tell them what to write so no reason to feel weird or strange...makes sense to me!

    books4me67 at ymail dot com

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  22. Oh my goodness, I can't wait to read Outpost! The trailer was awesome! I read Enclave as an ebook and want it so badly in print form! This book rocks! Thanks for the chance to win!

    lexiboo202(at)gmail(dot)com

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  23. Thank you so much for this awesome opportunity! . This series has been on my radar forever and a day now. I have been looking or a wonderful dystopian to get immersed in again. Sometimes dystop's are better than real life..lolz..
    Thank you for the wonderful interview and opportunity to win <3
    fcoleman76@gmail.com

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  24. These books sound so amazing! They both have been on my wishlist forever. Thank you for the great giveaway!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oops - forgot my email!

      stephward84(at)hotmail(dot)com

      Delete
  25. Dystopians aren't usually my cup of tea, but I so enjoyed Ann's other series that I tried Enclave. I really liked it and am looking forward to finding out what's next. Thanks for the giveaway.
    Lisacordes (at) yah00 (d0t) c0m

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  26. Nice interview. I'd like to read more about these characters.

    bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  27. I enjoyed the interview and the chance to learn more about Enclave and Outpost. I've adored everything I've read by Ann Aguirre and I'm looking forward to starting the Enclave series.

    Barbed1951 at aol dot com

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  28. I have to start this series soon because Ann is an amazing writer. I never thought I'd like scifi, but her Sirantha Jax series is fantastic. Sirantha is at the top of the list of 'book girlfriends I wish were real people and I could hang out with.'

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  29. Oops, forgot contact info-

    b(dot)cardone(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  30. Thank you very much for the chance to win, I've heard that these books are terrific! edysicecreamlover18@gmailDOtcom

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  31. I have heard alot about this series. I need to get them cause they sound really good. Thanks for the great giveaway=)

    ansindt@hotmail.com

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  32. Thanks for the interview, excerpt and trailer for Outpost. Man, talk about a triple-threat post. This one has it all. I'd love the chance to win this. Thanks very much Damaris. carlscott(at)prodigy(dot)net(dot)mx

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  33. I have had Enclave on my TBR list for a while now. I just never got around to purchasing a copy. This post has made me want to start the series THAT much more. I loved the interview and trailer, so thanks for that! : ) Would love to win this one!

    jessicalynn333@gmail.com

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  34. I have both books on my wishlist for what seems ages!!! Both seem really creepy and scary and I love the trailer. Thanks so much for the chance and if its International please enter me.

    natcleary(at)gmail(dot)com

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  35. I really enjoyed Enclave. Though fans of Hunger Games would also enjoy this read (as blurbed on the cover), it has a more different feel to it that is a good thing and they will enjoy. :)

    -Len of Musings of a Reader Happy
    maidenveil(at)gmail(dot)com

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  36. I love dystopian books like this! I haven't read either yet, but I'd really like to !

    spamscape [at] gmail [dot] com

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  37. I am just fascinated to hear about how authors create their worlds. Especially when I am just so sucked in and can't believe they aren't real.

    Really interesting.

    nat_isabelAThotmailDOTcom

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  38. I love the character names - they fit. The books lok amazing.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  39. Thanks so much for the chance to win. I read a review of Enclave awhile back that REALLY had me wanting to read it. And OMG at the trailer for Outpost! I'm so excited!

    Poisnivyred AT gmail.com

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  40. looks so good!

    follow via gfc samantha35
    drakebdog@gmail.com

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  41. Enclave has got to be one of my favorite books, up there in the top 10! I'm so excited to read Outpost. Thanks so much for this giveaway. By the way, that Teaser was pretty amazing ;)
    3r1ca93[at]gmail[dot]com
    twitter: @ReadToLove

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  42. I love it! What a great interview. Thank you, Ann, for the little insights into Fade!
    engarde_99[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  43. I love this series and love this author. Great interview

    @aprilmom00

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  44. I love dystopian and haven't been able to get my hands on these books! The reviews of these books have been really good and I can't wait to read them!

    volta2173 at sbcglobal dot net

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  45. Books look great, would love to read them. Thanks.
    magic5905 at embarqmail dot com

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  46. Oooh, I have been so excited about reading these books. The cove for Outpost is super creepy. *squees with excitement*
    desiree1612@hotmail.com

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  47. I really loved the excerpt! Can't wait to read this!
    deedee [at] grifmail [dot] com

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  48. I got the first book as a office secret santa gift (this person knew me really well) and I loved it! I had never heard of it but since reading I’ve told a lot of people about it. It’s really unique. Not a plot I’ve read before which is nice.

    markella.whetzel AT gmail.com

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  49. I just finished the ebook Enclave and I really would love to have these as paperbacks. I do not have Outpost yet. Thanks for the giveaway I can't wait to read the next books.

    pefrw at yahoo dot com

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  50. I just finished Outpost this morning. It was definitely heartbreaking. So much happened and I can't wait to see more adventures! It's so intense and there were certain moments that made me cry. It was sad to see Fade and Deuce apart. I enjoyed seeing the characters grow throughout both novels!

    svvan1@yahoo.com

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  51. Loved the interview! I'm looking forward to reading both of these books. They sound like a great series.
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

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  52. I have been hearing a lot of good things about this book, and I'd love to read it. Please enter me. Thanks!

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

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  53. I like the perspective on Fade's character. Poor turtle boy!

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  54. Wow! I hadn't seen the outpost trailer yet. That was definitely different and pretty cool! I'm a huge fan of Enclave! Loved it the first and second time I read it! Definitely can't wait to read Outpost! :)

    sarinana0309(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  55. Forgot email: cordfitz(at)gmail[dot]com

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  56. I have been seeing this book everywhere.. would love to win! Jennaweets(at)gmail(dot)com

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  57. Enclave is one of my favorite dystopians. I love the balance between the world-bulding, plot, and romance. Fade and Deuce are seriously one of my favorite kick-butt YA pairs. So excited to read Outpost!

    kelly@beingjamiebaker.com

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  58. I just finished Enclave, and I really , really liked it. I can't wait to read Outpost! I'm just hoping that Fade gets a happy ending. I should be saying Deuce but Fade is my favorite character. I'm a little nervous about when Ann mentioned, "He has a hard road ahead of him in Horde".
    spyblue78(at)gmail.com

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  59. Loved Enclave, Outpost was put directly on my TBR list afterward. Poor Fade, don't be a turtle! Don't pull away from Deuce! Great teaser!!!

    candicerjames [at] gmail [dot] com

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  60. I would LOVE to have these two books on my shelf. I really enjoyed Enclave, therefore I can't wait to see what Outpost holds.
    To add, I'm loving the covers of this series. They're totally creepy, but awesome. Plus, the writing style is very pleasing. It flows so well, which makes the world building so easy to follow. It's perfectly balanced with charactre and plot. (Duece + Fade) * The Freaks = Fierce fighting & Dead excitement! =P

    joanna9273 AT gmail DOT com

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  61. I've been wanting to read this series, I've heard great things about it and it's at the top of my wishlist! Thanks so much for the chance to win

    june111(at)att(dot)net

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  62. Just reading that fantastic teaser makes me want to read this novel a lot!

    You can click on my blogger name to contact me

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  63. I LOVED Enclave! And have yet to read Outpost, so I would love to win a copy :) Thanks for the giveaway and interview!

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  64. I keep hearing good things about this series! I have it on my wishlist! I can't wait to read!! Great post!! Thanks for the chance.

    sariahwalters at gmail dot com

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  65. I've had Enclave on my TBR list for a loooong time, but I have yet to pick it up. This teaser from the sequel just intrigues me even more. I'll definitely have to pick this book up soon. I think this book could really teach me a lot.

    Thanks for the giveaway chance, and the interview! I love hearing what authors have to say.

    purenamastee@gmail.com

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  66. what an awesome giveaway I would love the opportunity to win these titles. thanks

    starshadow.blog@gmail dot come

    ReplyDelete
  67. Enclave has been on my list to read for a while but I've never picked it up. Reading this interview has me now dying to read it!! Thanks for the chance to win!

    Kelly @ Dandelion Dreams

    kelly.dandeliondreams@hotmail.com

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  68. I've been dying to read both of these. Thank you for the giveaway!

    :).

    Twitter: @LisaLueddecke.

    ReplyDelete

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