Reviews of Happiness + 1 month post-debut giveaway!!

Wow, what a month huh? I can hardly believe it's nearly been that long since DEFY was released. It's been a crazy, wonderful whirlwind, and I honestly can't thank you all enough for your excitement about my book! Every tweet, FB message, text, email, phone call, or smoke signal telling me that you loved DEFY mean so much to me. Seriously, they brighten my days and make everything it's taken to get to this point worth it. So THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!! Seriously, thank you, SO SO much.

In happy news, a couple of big trade publications also loved DEFY! Wanna hear what they had to say??

From VOYA:

Alexa has posed as a boy for the last three years allowing her to serve in the royal guard where she is the best fighter in the elite group which serves and protects the crown prince…. 

….The heroes of the story find themselves part of an elaborate plot to end the war. While Alexa has believed her understanding of reality to be truth, she is repeatedly shocked when secrets are revealed showing her that the life and mind of the prince and the politics of the palace are more complicated than she imagined. Her competence as a fighter and quick thinking are valued by those around her, regardless of her gender. This action-packed fantasy holds much page-turning appeal. —Erin Wyatt.

And from SLJ:

Gr 8 Up–In Alexa’s world, young men are soldiers and young women are the means to breed new ones. There is no alternative. So when Alexa’s parents are killed and their home destroyed by a sorcerer, Alexa cuts her hair and enrolls in the army to save herself from the breeding house. Trained by their father and polished by the army, “Alex” and her twin, Marcel, earn places in the prince’s guard as the best swordsmen in the kingdom. But the palace is full of secrets and as the story continues to build in suspense, it’s clear that Prince Damian has more than most. Alex is a bold heroine whose priorities are protecting her prince and her people, but the lines between good and evil blur as she gleans more truth about the royal family she serves. Her destiny is revealed when her own power comes to fruition, a power that could end the greatest corruption of all. Larson’s debut is full of passion and adventure, urging readers to cheer and weep simultaneously at Alexa’s astounding courage. Those interested in strong female characters, such as Katniss from Suzanne Collins’s The Hunger Games, will find new affinity in Defy.–Jamie- Lee Schombs, Loyola School, New York City


WOW, right?!?! I got these while I was in Seattle, and so my publicist can attest to the fact that I was literally bouncing with excitement and bursting with happiness when I read them! 

So to celebrate good reviews, and 1 month of being an officially published author, and just because it's cold and yucky out side and we all need some happiness in our lives, why don't we do a little giveaway? 

How about...a signed/personalized copy of DEFY (final hardcover!) PLUS an ARC of BURN OUT by Kristi Helvig!! Sound good??

Okay, here's how it's going to work. This is going to be called the "DEFY in the Wild" giveaway! (or #DEFYintheWild on Twitter) All you have to do is take a picture of DEFY--anywhere you want! The store, the library, your bookshelf, wherever you see it! And you can get as creative as you want. In fact, I may have an extra surprise in store for the most creative picture I get of DEFY in the Wild!!! :-) 

Make sure to tag me in your post--be it Twitter, FB, or your blog/tumblr. Just make sure I see it! Then come back, and paste your link to the post below and get your entry in. In one week, I'll use rafflecopter to do a random drawing of everyone who has entered to win both books! I will also announce the winner (and what they get) for the most creative #DEFYintheWild post I see! 

Good luck! I'm excited to see your pictures! 



a Rafflecopter giveaway