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Tue 27 Nov 2012

Posted by annastan [20] Comments

Win a signed copy of Sinister Sweetness ! Details at the end of this post.

When my mom was alive, she read me stories every night. “Use your imagination, Lorelei,” she’d say, “and your whole life can be a fairy tale.” I wanted that to be true. But I should have paid more attention to the fairy tales. Because not all of the children in them come out alive. And sometimes there are witches hiding in the woods. My soon-to-be stepmother was a witch, I was sure of that. I wasn’t quite certain whether she wanted me to die, but it was looking possible. Die of humiliation, if nothing else. Somehow, she had convinced my dad to make me wear a peach-and-white petticoat dress, with white shoes that looked like they’d been stolen off an American Girl doll. They were about that big, too. I could feel the blisters coming up as I walked to the minivan. “Hurry up, Lorelei,” Dad shouted from the front seat. He already had the engine on. “I don’t want to be late for my own wedding. Molly will kill me!” “Molly’s already trying to kill me,” I murmured as I shut the door. I hadn’t been quiet enough. Dad had heard. “Lorelei,” he warned. “Molly is not trying to kill you. Why do you insist on being so negative about her? She’s going to be your new mother–” A rude noise came from the back seat. Bryan, my older brother, had pulled out his earbuds to listen in. “Stepmother,” he said. “She’s not Mom.” Mom. The word hung in the air like sparkles of dust in the sunlight, bringing with it memories and pain. My heart thumped hard against my seat belt. Nobody said anything for a few seconds. Nobody breathed. I closed my eyes so I wouldn’t have to see if Bryan was giving me the look he’d given me over a year before. The day I had destroyed our family. Excerpt copyright © 2012 Nikki Loftin

When my mom was alive, she read me stories every night. “Use your imagination, Lorelei,” she’d say, “and your whole life can be a fairy tale.” I wanted that to be true. But I should have paid more attention to the fairy tales.

Because not all of the children in them come out alive.

And sometimes there are witches hiding in the woods.

My soon-to-be stepmother was a witch, I was sure of that. I wasn’t quite certain whether she wanted me to die, but it was looking possible. Die of humiliation, if nothing else.

Somehow, she had convinced my dad to make me wear a peach-and-white petticoat dress, with white shoes that looked like they’d been stolen off an American Girl doll. They were about that big, too. I could feel the blisters coming up as I walked to the minivan.

“Hurry up, Lorelei,” Dad shouted from the front seat. He already had the engine on. “I don’t want to be late for my own wedding. Molly will kill me!”

“Molly’s already trying to kill me,” I murmured as I shut the door. I hadn’t been quiet enough. Dad had heard.

“Lorelei,” he warned. “Molly is not trying to kill you. Why do you insist on being so negative about her? She’s going to be your new mother–”

A rude noise came from the back seat. Bryan, my older brother, had pulled out his earbuds to listen in. “Stepmother,” he said. “She’s not Mom.”

Mom. The word hung in the air like sparkles of dust in the sunlight, bringing with it memories and pain. My heart thumped hard against my seat belt. Nobody said anything for a few seconds. Nobody breathed. I closed my eyes so I wouldn’t have to see if Bryan was giving me the look he’d given me over a year before.

The day I had destroyed our family.

Excerpt copyright © 2012 Nikki Loftin

About the book:

Lorelei is bowled over by Splendid Academy–Principal Trapp encourages the students to run in the hallways, the classrooms are stocked with candy dishes, and the cafeteria serves lavish meals featuring all Lorelei’s favorite foods. But the more time she spends at school, the more suspicious she becomes. Why are her classmates growing so chubby? And why do the teachers seem so sinister?

It’s up to Lorelei and her new friend Andrew to figure out what secret this supposedly splendid school is hiding. What they discover chills their bones–and might even pick them clean!

Mix one part magic, one part mystery, and just a dash of Grimm, and you’ve got the recipe for a cozy-creepy read that kids will gobble up like candy.

What people are saying:

“A mesmerizing read…a fantasy that feels simultaneously classic and new.”— Publishers Weekly

“A pinch of Grimm, a dash of Greek mythology and a heaping helping of fresh chills make for an irresistible contemporary fairy tale…Deliciously scary and satisfying.”– Kirkus

“A wickedly intriguing, deliciously eerie read.”–Cynthia Leitich Smith, NYT Bestselling author

Released: August 21, 2012

About the author:

Nikki Loftin lives with her Scottish photographer husband just outside Austin, Texas, surrounded by dogs, chickens, and small, loud boys. Her debut middle-grade novel, The Sinister Sweetness of Splendid Academy , is available now. You can visit her online at www.nikkiloftin.com .

Giveaway:

Nikki has been kind enough to contribute a signed copy of The S inister Sweetness of Splendid Academy for a giveaway!

The contest is open in the US and Canada, and ends on December 12th at midnight EST.

Just comment on this post to enter.

For extra entries:

-Be a follower on Twitter or like us on Facebook [+1 entry each].

-Link to this contest on Twitter, Facebook, etc. [+1 entry per each link].

Please list your extra entries in the comments.

Good luck and happy reading!

Tags: Contest , Fairy Tale , Food , Middle Grade , Sci-Fi/Fantasy

sharonne katz says: November 27, 2012 at 3:42 pm Tweeted at sharonnelt and I’d love 2 win

Tweeted at sharonnelt and I’d love 2 win

Vivien says: November 27, 2012 at 3:43 pm This does look awesomely creepy!!! I’ve wanted to read this for months. Twitter follower: @deadtossedwaves tweet: https://twitter.com/deadtossedwaves/status/273451361193033728 pin: http://pinterest.com/pin/187110559489930964/ goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/event/show/859647-first-page-and-giveaway-the-sinister-sweetness-of-splendid-academy Vivien deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

This does look awesomely creepy!!! I’ve wanted to read this for months. Twitter follower: @deadtossedwaves tweet: https://twitter.com/deadtossedwaves/status/273451361193033728 pin: http://pinterest.com/pin/187110559489930964/ goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/event/show/859647-first-page-and-giveaway-the-sinister-sweetness-of-splendid-academy

Vivien deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

Donna Earnhardt says: November 27, 2012 at 3:45 pm WOW. That hooked me right away! We are huge fans of Grimm fairy tales (and GRIMM, the TV show) and this sounds right up our alley! Peace, Donna Donna Earnhardt says: November 27, 2012 at 3:47 pm I “liked” on FB and I retweeted on twitter! 🙂

WOW. That hooked me right away! We are huge fans of Grimm fairy tales (and GRIMM, the TV show) and this sounds right up our alley!

Peace, Donna

Donna Earnhardt says: November 27, 2012 at 3:47 pm I “liked” on FB and I retweeted on twitter! 🙂

I “liked” on FB and I retweeted on twitter! 🙂

Mirtka Breen says: November 27, 2012 at 5:00 pm I LOVE this book, and I haven’t won anything in ages… Hint. 😉

I LOVE this book, and I haven’t won anything in ages… Hint. 😉

Eric says: November 28, 2012 at 12:03 am This book is on the top of my MG to read list.

This book is on the top of my MG to read list.

Sarah says: November 28, 2012 at 2:36 am This sounds fun! +1 Twitter +1 Facebook follower +1 Facebook post

This sounds fun! +1 Twitter +1 Facebook follower +1 Facebook post

Megan Robertson says: November 28, 2012 at 4:20 pm I’d love to win! My niece and I both have this on our to read list.

I’d love to win! My niece and I both have this on our to read list.

SueBE says: November 28, 2012 at 5:27 pm This would be great for my niece and, of course, I would have to read it too.

This would be great for my niece and, of course, I would have to read it too.

Nancy Wickham says: December 1, 2012 at 4:17 pm The book sounds great! Just heard about it.

The book sounds great! Just heard about it.

Lexie Day says: December 1, 2012 at 8:19 pm I’d love to read this and with 12 grandchildren……..well, 4 more families to enjoy this creative book – also your Dad just left our house in Kansas City!

I’d love to read this and with 12 grandchildren……..well, 4 more families to enjoy this creative book – also your Dad just left our house in Kansas City!

Jessica says: December 2, 2012 at 3:04 pm Who could resist a Hansel and Gretel retelling?

Who could resist a Hansel and Gretel retelling?

Eric Hutchins says: December 12, 2012 at 3:41 am This is SUCH a cool book. I had the opportunity to listen to the Author speak at her book release party and she is awesome. Wonderful creative imagination that is going in 16 different directions at once. Love the Idea, Love the Writing, love the Cover.

This is SUCH a cool book. I had the opportunity to listen to the Author speak at her book release party and she is awesome. Wonderful creative imagination that is going in 16 different directions at once. Love the Idea, Love the Writing, love the Cover.

Joanna Labow says: December 12, 2012 at 3:46 am I cannot wait to read this divinely eerie book!

I cannot wait to read this divinely eerie book!

Carolyne says: December 12, 2012 at 4:14 am I am so excited for this wonderful book. I’ve been hooked since I heard you read from it two summers ago. Definitely worth the wait, I’m sure!

I am so excited for this wonderful book. I’ve been hooked since I heard you read from it two summers ago. Definitely worth the wait, I’m sure!

Alyssa Goodnight says: December 12, 2012 at 4:22 am Very excited about this book and its author! 🙂

Very excited about this book and its author! 🙂

Darcy says: December 12, 2012 at 4:45 am Would live to win this for my 3 kids!

Would live to win this for my 3 kids!

Joan Hodges says: December 12, 2012 at 8:44 am Nikki is coming to my school in Japan this Spring.. I’d love a copy to read to my seminar kids in advance of the visit! Joan Hodges says: December 12, 2012 at 8:45 am I liked on FB and shared the contest on my homepage… +2 baby! Mama needs a new signed book!

Nikki is coming to my school in Japan this Spring.. I’d love a copy to read to my seminar kids in advance of the visit!

Joan Hodges says: December 12, 2012 at 8:45 am I liked on FB and shared the contest on my homepage… +2 baby! Mama needs a new signed book!

I liked on FB and shared the contest on my homepage… +2 baby! Mama needs a new signed book!

Pam says: December 18, 2012 at 2:49 pm Picked this up for my grand son and he loved it! Am sending for more copies for my nieces and nephews.

Picked this up for my grand son and he loved it! Am sending for more copies for my nieces and nephews.

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Featured Authors J. Anderson Coats Andrea Alban Crystal Allen Sarah Aronson Monica S. Baker Hannah Barnaby Rebecca Barnhouse Hilari Bell Charlotte Bennardo & Natalie Zaman Julie Berry Lauren Bjorkman Jan Blazanin Ellen Booraem Hélène Boudreau Julie Bowe Robin Bridges Leslie Bulion Marissa Burt Erin Cashman Lara Chapman Sheela Chari Julie Chibbaro Lena Coakley Kristi Cook Kate Coombs Leah Cypess Carole Estby Dagg Karen DelleCava Amy Fellner Dominy Marissa Doyle Deva Fagan Beth Fehlbaum Greg R. Fishbone Janet Fox Sonia Gensler Cole Gibsen Hilary Weisman Graham Tessa Gratton Alissa Grosso Lia Habel Teri Hall Kiki Hamilton Janice Hardy Kim Harrington Merrie Haskell Danette Haworth Cat Hellisen Karyn Henley Leanna Renee Hieber Tess Hilmo Amy Holder Elissa J. Hoole Jennifer Hubbard Kirsten Hubbard Denise Jaden Terry Lynn Johnson Mike Jung Julie Kagawa Julia Karr Stasia Ward Kehoe Lynne Kelly Miranda Kenneally Derek Taylor Kent Kami Kinard Jessi Kirby Jo Knowles Ron Koertge R.L. LaFevers Helen Landalf April Lindner Nikki Loftin Natasha Lowe Susan Lubner Elisa Ludwig Jenny Lundquist Michaela MacColl Christina Mandelski Jessica Martinez Shari Maurer C. Lee McKenzie Gretchen McNeil Kate Messner Dawn Metcalf Erin Moulton Erin E. Moulton Kate Kae Myers Anne Nesbet Jennifer Nielsen Kristin Wolden Nitz A.J. Paquette Rosanne Parry Mitali Perkins Gae Polisner Cindy Pon J.L. Powers Joy Preble Cheryl Rainfield Michelle Ray Jenn Reese Diana Renn Bettina Restrepo Laurisa White Reyes Nelsa Roberto Joanne Rocklin Lisa and Laura Roecker Caroline Starr Rose Randy Russell Jeanne Ryan Chris Rylander Kimberly Sabatini Peter Adam Salomon Jeff Sampson Tiffany Schmidt Lisa Schroeder Victoria Schwab Mindi Scott Ruta Sepetys Medeia Sharif Kristen Simmons Angie Smibert Clete Barrett Smith J.A. Souders Jessica Spotswood Anna Staniszewski Kiera Stewart Lauren Strasnick Sarvenaz Tash Sarah Tregay Audrey Vernick Danette Vigilante Sara Bennett Wealer Dianna Winget Jennifer Shaw Wolf Allan Woodrow Brian Yansky Lara Zeises Jennifer Ziegler part: [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ] [ 7 ] [ 8 ] [ 9 ] [ 10 ] [ 11 ] [ 12 ] [ 13 ] [ 14 ] [ 15 ] [ 16 ] [ 17 ] [ 18 ] [ 19 ] [ 20 ] [ 21 ] [ 22 ] [ 23 ] [ 24 ] [ 25 ] [ 26 ] [ 27 ] [ 28 ] [ 29 ] [ 30 ] [ 31 ] [ 32 ] [ 33 ] [ 34 ] [ 35 ] [ 36 ] [ 37 ] [ 38 ] [ 39 ] [ 40 ] [ 41 ] [ 42 ] [ 43 ] [ 44 ] [ 45 ] [ 46 ]

J. Anderson Coats Andrea Alban Crystal Allen Sarah Aronson Monica S. Baker Hannah Barnaby Rebecca Barnhouse Hilari Bell Charlotte Bennardo & Natalie Zaman Julie Berry Lauren Bjorkman Jan Blazanin Ellen Booraem Hélène Boudreau Julie Bowe Robin Bridges Leslie Bulion Marissa Burt Erin Cashman Lara Chapman Sheela Chari Julie Chibbaro Lena Coakley Kristi Cook Kate Coombs Leah Cypess Carole Estby Dagg Karen DelleCava Amy Fellner Dominy Marissa Doyle Deva Fagan Beth Fehlbaum Greg R. Fishbone Janet Fox Sonia Gensler Cole Gibsen Hilary Weisman Graham Tessa Gratton Alissa Grosso Lia Habel Teri Hall Kiki Hamilton Janice Hardy Kim Harrington Merrie Haskell Danette Haworth Cat Hellisen Karyn Henley Leanna Renee Hieber Tess Hilmo Amy Holder Elissa J. Hoole Jennifer Hubbard Kirsten Hubbard Denise Jaden Terry Lynn Johnson Mike Jung Julie Kagawa Julia Karr Stasia Ward Kehoe Lynne Kelly Miranda Kenneally Derek Taylor Kent Kami Kinard Jessi Kirby Jo Knowles Ron Koertge R.L. LaFevers Helen Landalf April Lindner Nikki Loftin Natasha Lowe Susan Lubner Elisa Ludwig Jenny Lundquist Michaela MacColl Christina Mandelski Jessica Martinez Shari Maurer C. Lee McKenzie Gretchen McNeil Kate Messner Dawn Metcalf Erin Moulton Erin E. Moulton Kate Kae Myers Anne Nesbet Jennifer Nielsen Kristin Wolden Nitz A.J. Paquette Rosanne Parry Mitali Perkins Gae Polisner Cindy Pon J.L. Powers Joy Preble Cheryl Rainfield Michelle Ray Jenn Reese Diana Renn Bettina Restrepo Laurisa White Reyes Nelsa Roberto Joanne Rocklin Lisa and Laura Roecker Caroline Starr Rose Randy Russell Jeanne Ryan Chris Rylander Kimberly Sabatini Peter Adam Salomon Jeff Sampson Tiffany Schmidt Lisa Schroeder Victoria Schwab Mindi Scott Ruta Sepetys Medeia Sharif Kristen Simmons Angie Smibert Clete Barrett Smith J.A. Souders Jessica Spotswood Anna Staniszewski Kiera Stewart Lauren Strasnick Sarvenaz Tash Sarah Tregay Audrey Vernick Danette Vigilante Sara Bennett Wealer Dianna Winget Jennifer Shaw Wolf Allan Woodrow Brian Yansky Lara Zeises Jennifer Ziegler part: [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ] [ 7 ] [ 8 ] [ 9 ] [ 10 ] [ 11 ] [ 12 ] [ 13 ] [ 14 ] [ 15 ] [ 16 ] [ 17 ] [ 18 ] [ 19 ] [ 20 ] [ 21 ] [ 22 ] [ 23 ] [ 24 ] [ 25 ] [ 26 ] [ 27 ] [ 28 ] [ 29 ] [ 30 ] [ 31 ] [ 32 ] [ 33 ] [ 34 ] [ 35 ] [ 36 ] [ 37 ] [ 38 ] [ 39 ] [ 40 ] [ 41 ] [ 42 ] [ 43 ] [ 44 ] [ 45 ] [ 46 ]

J. Anderson Coats

Andrea Alban

Crystal Allen

Sarah Aronson

Monica S. Baker

Hannah Barnaby

Rebecca Barnhouse

Hilari Bell

Charlotte Bennardo & Natalie Zaman

Julie Berry

Lauren Bjorkman

Jan Blazanin

Ellen Booraem

Hélène Boudreau

Julie Bowe

Robin Bridges

Leslie Bulion

Marissa Burt

Erin Cashman

Lara Chapman

Sheela Chari

Julie Chibbaro

Lena Coakley

Kristi Cook

Kate Coombs

Leah Cypess

Carole Estby Dagg

Karen DelleCava

Amy Fellner Dominy

Marissa Doyle

Deva Fagan

Beth Fehlbaum

Greg R. Fishbone

Janet Fox

Sonia Gensler

Cole Gibsen

Hilary Weisman Graham

Tessa Gratton

Alissa Grosso

Lia Habel

Teri Hall

Kiki Hamilton

Janice Hardy

Kim Harrington

Merrie Haskell

Danette Haworth

Cat Hellisen

Karyn Henley

Leanna Renee Hieber

Tess Hilmo

Amy Holder

Elissa J. Hoole

Jennifer Hubbard

Kirsten Hubbard

Denise Jaden

Terry Lynn Johnson

Mike Jung

Julie Kagawa

Julia Karr

Stasia Ward Kehoe

Lynne Kelly

Miranda Kenneally

Derek Taylor Kent

Kami Kinard

Jessi Kirby

Jo Knowles

Ron Koertge

R.L. LaFevers

Helen Landalf

April Lindner

Nikki Loftin

Natasha Lowe

Susan Lubner

Elisa Ludwig

Jenny Lundquist

Michaela MacColl

Christina Mandelski

Jessica Martinez

Shari Maurer

C. Lee McKenzie

Gretchen McNeil

Kate Messner

Dawn Metcalf

Erin Moulton

Erin E. Moulton

Kate Kae Myers

Anne Nesbet

Jennifer Nielsen

Kristin Wolden Nitz

A.J. Paquette

Rosanne Parry

Mitali Perkins

Gae Polisner

Cindy Pon

J.L. Powers

Joy Preble

Cheryl Rainfield

Michelle Ray

Jenn Reese

Diana Renn

Bettina Restrepo

Laurisa White Reyes

Nelsa Roberto

Joanne Rocklin

Lisa and Laura Roecker

Caroline Starr Rose

Randy Russell

Jeanne Ryan

Chris Rylander

Kimberly Sabatini

Peter Adam Salomon

Jeff Sampson

Tiffany Schmidt

Lisa Schroeder

Victoria Schwab

Mindi Scott

Ruta Sepetys

Medeia Sharif

Kristen Simmons

Angie Smibert

Clete Barrett Smith

J.A. Souders

Jessica Spotswood

Anna Staniszewski

Kiera Stewart

Lauren Strasnick

Sarvenaz Tash

Sarah Tregay

Audrey Vernick

Danette Vigilante

Sara Bennett Wealer

Dianna Winget

Jennifer Shaw Wolf

Allan Woodrow

Brian Yansky

Lara Zeises

Jennifer Ziegler

part: [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ] [ 7 ] [ 8 ] [ 9 ] [ 10 ] [ 11 ] [ 12 ] [ 13 ] [ 14 ] [ 15 ] [ 16 ] [ 17 ] [ 18 ] [ 19 ] [ 20 ] [ 21 ] [ 22 ] [ 23 ] [ 24 ] [ 25 ] [ 26 ] [ 27 ] [ 28 ] [ 29 ] [ 30 ] [ 31 ] [ 32 ] [ 33 ] [ 34 ] [ 35 ] [ 36 ] [ 37 ] [ 38 ] [ 39 ] [ 40 ] [ 41 ] [ 42 ] [ 43 ] [ 44 ] [ 45 ] [ 46 ]

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