Friday, July 24, 2009

GIVEAWAY: ARCs of The Chosen One and Into the Beautiful North

Well, I have a growing collection of books to be given away, and I thought that I would start with a couple of ARCs that I have. These are both gently read, and in very good condition.

From Booklist
Taking a story “ripped from the headlines,” Williams looks inside a polygamist cult and the dangers it poses for one girl. Kyra and her father, three mothers, and 20 siblings live in an isolated community under the thumb of a prophet, who controls every aspect of his apostles’ lives. The most shocking intrusion of all comes when the prophet decrees that Kyra is to become the wife of her 60-year-old uncle. A secret patron of a local mobile library, Kyra knows there’s a world away from the compound she might escape to, but first she pins her hopes on her father’s ability to change the prophet’s mind. Instead, her family is threatened, and the stakes for her refusal to marry are raised. The clandestine relationship Kyra is having with one of the compound’s teenage boys is a romance more convenient than convincing (everyone is carefully watched except this duo, it seems). Contrivances notwithstanding, this is a heart pounder, and readers will be held, especially as the danger escalates. Williams’ portrayals of the family are sharp, but what’s most interesting about this book is how the yearnings and fears of a character so far from what most YAs know will still seem familiar and close. Grades 7-10. --Ilene Cooper


See my review of The Chosen One here. I didn't rate this book as well as most others have. It wasn't that I didn't like the story or the writing style-- both were quite good. I am just personally uncomfortable with reinforcing stereotypes, and this did feed on the media stereotyping of polygamist groups like the Mormon off-shoots. So it tempered my enjoyment of the book and left me concerned that it would foster prejudice against a whole class of people based on a fictional story.

Synopsis

Nineteen-year-old Nayeli works at a taco shop in her Mexican village and dreams about her father, who journeyed to the US to find work. Recently, it has dawned on her that he isn't the only man who has left town. In fact, there are almost no men in the village--they've all gone north. While watching The Magnificent Seven, Nayeli decides to go north herself and recruit seven men--her own "Siete Magníficos"--to repopulate her hometown and protect it from the bandidos who plan on taking it over.

Filled with unforgettable characters and prose as radiant as the Sinaloan sun, INTO THE BEAUTIFUL NORTH is the story of an irresistible young woman's quest to find herself on both sides of the fence.


You can see my review of this book here.

GIVEAWAY: Win either The Chosen One or Into the Beautiful North.

Rules (don't you just hate rules?):
  • You must be 18 years or older
  • Open to US and Canada residents only
  • To enter, just comment below. Be sure to leave your email address in your comment, or have it visible in your profile.
  • For extra entries, follow my blog and/or blog about this contest. One extra entry for each that you do, but a max of only one extra entry for blogging regardless of how many times you blog it. Sidebars are okay.
  • Leave a separate comment for each entry.
  • That's a total of 3 possible entries!
  • Those who don't follow the rules risk being disqualified.

Also, for this contest please be sure to note whether you have a preference for The Chosen One or Into the Beautiful North. If you don't specify one, you will be entered for both.

Deadline is August 9th.

Good Luck! Ready, Set, Go!

33 comments:

Libby's Library said...

I'm not entering either of these contests, as I already have Into The Beautiful North.

As for The Chosen One, I am more than uncomfortable with reinforcing stereotypes - and I'm so glad that you specifically mentioned that these polygamist groups are OFF-Shoots (and, in my opinion they should not be allowed to use any part of the LDS name) , of the "Mormons". As a Latter-day Saint, I appreciate your concern. I have been on the receiving end of this type of prejudice.

Debbie F said...

Please enter me!
I would love The Chosen ONe but either book would be great
Debbie F
dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Rebecca N. said...

Hi! I just found your blog a few days ago and love it! Great list! I would love to be entered for both of these books please. Thanks so much!

Rebecca N. said...

I am a follower of your blog!

Jo-Jo said...

Please enter me as I would love to win either of these books.

I'm also a follower.

joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com

Heidi V said...

I would like to read The Chosen One.

I read your comment on A Bookish Mom and decided to drop on by!

Thanks!

heidivargas [at] live dot com

Heidi V said...

Blogged about the giveaway @ http://theblackcell.com/blogs/?p=32343

thanks again!

heidivargas [at] live dot com

Kristen said...

I follow you now and I would like to be entered to win The Chosen One!

Thanks!

bittahsweetharmony@yahoo.com

Catch My Words said...

Sounds interesting. I'd love to win The Chosen One but would be happy with either.

jlansky@comcast.net

Sab H. said...

Enter me please!

crystalreviews[at]gmail.com

Sab H. said...

+1 I follow!

Sab H. said...

And your contest is on my sidebar:
http://crystalreviews.blogspot.com/

catss99 said...

Please enter me for both

amanda
catss99@yahoo.com

catss99 said...

I follow
amanda
catss99@yahoo.com

wheresmyrain said...

really want to read
into beautiful north
i am a follower
wheresmyrain@yahoo.com

Jo-Jo said...

I blogged about your contest here for another entry.

joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com

Debs Desk said...

I would love to win Into the Beautiful North. Please include me in your giveaway.
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9(at)verizon.net

Debs Desk said...

I am a follower.
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9(at)verizon.net

Vera said...

please enter me! I've been wanting to read "The Chosen One" forever!

vvperesk@gmail.com

Vera said...

I follow. vvperesk@gmail.com

sharon54220 said...

I would love to win either of these. I've been wanting to read both of them for awhile now.

Thanks for the chance.

sharon54220@gmail.com

sharon54220 said...

I am also a new follower.

sharon54220@gmil.com

Unknown said...

Both books sound very good. I've wanted to read Luis Alberto Urrea for awhile now and "The Chosen One" intrigues me.

Thank you for this great giveaway!

Amy
Aimala127@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I'm a follower =O)

Amy
Aimala127@gmail.com

Shawna L. said...

Shawna Lewis
weloveourdogs@juno.com

I would love to be entered into this book giveaway ;o) Thanks for putting it on for us to win.

Shawna L. said...

Shawna Lewis
weloveourdoggs@juno.com


I am a follower of your blog ;o)

Shawna L. said...

Shawna Lewis
weloveourdoggs@juno.com

I Tweeted about this blog & book giveaway
http://twitter.com/theblindcupid/status/3203130340

Shawna L. said...

Shawna Lewis
weloveourdoggs@juno.com

I would love to be entered into both giveaways. (but if I get pick I'm leaning toward The Chosen One) Thanks so much ;o)

Jessica ( frellathon ) said...

I would love to be entered in your giveaway. Please count me in for Into the Beautiful North. Thanks.
jessica(at)fan(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Please enter my name in your draw. I would prefer "Into the Beautiful North" but either book would be great.
wandanamgreb (at) gmail (dot) com

Anonymous said...

I just became a new follower of your blog.
wandanamgreb (at) gmail (dot) com

Nancye said...

I would like to win this Giveaway. I would most like to read The Chosen One, however, I'd be happy with either one.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

I follow your blog

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net