This is Me From Now On by Barbara Dee - Review + CONTEST!

Hi everyone!

Happy Monday to you!  Hopefully your weekend went well and you are ready to start another stretch of 7 days (okay, well technically 6 since Sunday is already over...but anywho...).  If not, no worries...I'm aiming to help you start it off right!

Today we are celebrating the upcoming release of a great new YA title with a review and contest...but before we get into that...let me tell you how this story came to pass (the story of the ARC not the story behind the story....only the fabulous author knows that).  I was going about my usual daily online doings and low and behold I see a tweet from an author looking for book blogs to review her upcoming release!  Well, I scrambled to see who this author was, her current works, and what I could uncover on the new book (I know, too thorough, but I'd rather be thorough then get a big not-so-good surprise on a title).  Once I did my little research, I immediately responded to the tweet and the rest as they say is history!

There was one catch though.  There was only one ARC for review so it had to be passed around.  Sounds easy, right?  Yes, and no.  Getting it all coordinated was a little tricky, but in the end everything went as planned and that brings you up to speed on where we stand today...on the verge of a review.  This is not just an ordinary review though nor is it just a chance to win a little swag.  Along the way, the book made a journey out to one of my book blogging friends (small world, huh?), thus we are both featuring this book today...so once you're done reading my post, hop on over to There's A Book and see what she has to say!  You never know...there might be extra entries in it for you too.  Let's get this show moving...today's book of choice is....

This Is Me From Now On

by

Barbara Dee

Meet Evie.  She is your typical girl next door...good friends since kindergarten, worried about her grades but not overly, and trying to figure out school and life as it comes at her.  One thing she didn't expect was the arrival of Francesa, a relative of their former actress neighbor.  If you are anticipating a bit of flair due to the actress aspect, you would be correct.  She is full of the confidence and self-importance that Evie needs, but my goodness some of the things she gets into!  Their very first excursion to the I Scream shop (love the ice cream shops name there) just after meeting ends up leaving Evie paying for two since Francesa conveniently forgot her wallet.  Oh wait, no, she didn't forget, she planned on having it taken care of in some way.  Hmm...a little self-confidence can go a long way, but an over dose can take it one step too far and land you in trouble in so many ways.  Let's see between revealing Evie crush on Zane (who she could do so much better than), to playing matchmaker to two unexpecting teachers (yeah, the story behind that is rather interesting, but I'm not spoiling it for you), if you don't find youself gasping in laughter or in shock, you might want to check your pulse. 

Where oh where to begin...the beginning ...what a great suggestion!  Evie is the star of the show as she tries valiantly to unite her old friends and her new friend, even though she's not 100% certain how she feels about her inclusion just yet.  She still tries to make everyone feel welcome.  Now Franscesa...everyone needs a friend like her.  She is someone whom you can be the version of yourself that you hold back due to your fear of rejection....even from your closest, and dearest friends (admit it...there are some friends that you are less guarded around than others even though they are considered one of your closest).  A friend like Francesa is definitely worth making a spot for in your life.  Check out the author's thoughts on this very subject!

Another aspect that I want to draw attention to a moment is a quote that was very true in it's statement.

"History is a story we tell ourselves."

Think about it a moment.  History is truly what we make it despite facts or opinions presented.  If your parents and their parents told you your family history in one tone only to discover years later another version listed elsewhere....you are still more apt to believe what you grew up being told.  It's kind of like opinions...everyone has one, but they are not all the same.  Our take on history is based off facts, but also our own thoughts and perceptions.  We write our own stories....no one else.  (Yes, Barbara Dee...your characters impart some wonderful sentiments there.)

I have to say though, overall...I did enjoy this book; definitely recommended for younger teens since the story itself isn't that complex, and the writing style (due to the ages of the characters narrating the story) is set to match that level.  Adult readers can enjoy it as well, but just go in expecting that so you don't get a surprise.  Who knows?  Maybe you were like Evie or had a friend like Franscesa....if not, you'll get to live out their adventure though you remain safe in your home (no worries...I was a goody-goody too....no rebel rousing here...but now you can live out those aspirations through reading!).

So I was lucky enough to participate in a recent ARC tour of Barbara Dee's newest addition to the YA genre.  To help usher in this fun read, she has created and supplied two little gift pouches filled with the three things the new Evie would not be caught without....lip balm, bubble gum, and her amber necklace (okay, so it's not real amber, but it is still fun for sure).  That's right!  These cute purple bags contain your very own fun set of Evie-esque items PLUS a bookmark and you have a chance to win one of your very own!  You have until midnight CST on Monday, April 26th, 2010 to enter, and the winner will be announce Tuesday, April 27th, 2010...what do you know...that's also the day this new book hits shelves in a store near you!  (total coincidence...or not...hehe)  How do you enter?  I'm glad you asked.....

The prize:

1 of 2 Evie-esque prize packs containing:

(1) cutesy purple bag

(1) Lip Smackers lip balm

(1) amber colored necklace

a piece or two of bubble gum

(1) bookmark

PLUS...

...thanks to my "parter-in-review" over at There's A Book, one lucky swag winner will also receive a copy of the book!

How to enter:

Fill out this FORM and TADA, your entry will be complete!

Extra entries:

(Come on...you know you love extra entries!  Since this is a joint post, I'm gonna add in an extra option or two for you to earn more.  All of these will be listed on the form but I'll give you sneak peek.)

+4 - Visit author Barbara Dee's site and tell me one interesting fact you learned about the author (your choice...just curious to see what you find)

+3 - Leave a comment on this post

+3 - Leave a comment on the post at There's A Book

+2 - Follower (new or old) of Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

+2 - Follower (new or old) of There's A Book

+1 - Follow ME on Twitter

+1 - Follow There's a Book on Twitter

+1 - Tweet about the contest

+1 - Link to the contest (blog, sidebar, or other social site...your choice)

+1 - Tally your entries

(That's 20 possible entries you can earn (including your initial one)!)

The rules:

*Open to US mailing addresses only!  No P. O. Boxes please.  (Sorry guys, but I'm footing the mailing bill on this one and my-funds-are-low.  Promise there is a super fantastical contest open to all followers coming later this month!)

* Entries will be accepted from Monday, April 19th, 2010 through Monday, April 26th, 2010 at midnight CST.  The entries will be tallied and entered into the random.org randomizer, after which a random number will be picked by their number generator.  (This way all the entries are mixed up nicely.)
* All entries must be submitted using the form accessable through this post.  You MUST include your email address in order to be counted as well as contacted should you be chosen as the winner!
*The winners will be announced and contacted via email on Tuesday, April 27th, 2010 (which happens to be the book release day too!) and will have 72 hours to respond with their mailing address.  Should they fail to respond in the given time, a new winner will be chosen.
*Winners name and address will be used by me for prize send out only and then discarded.

Special thanks to author Barbara Dee for the opportunity to review this book and for the adorable gift packs!  For more information on her bookish life, check out her website or follow along on Twitter!

Good luck to all that enter!

Until next time....happy reading!