IGNITE is here!!!

I've really been struggling to write this post. There is just too much to say and I'm completely overwhelmed.

IGNITE is officially published. I truly hope that you will all love what happens next for Alexa, Damian, and Rylan. It's a strange and wonderful thing, publishing a book. These characters, this story, it feels like mine...until now. Now, they are yours. We all bring something different to a book when we pick it up, open to the first page, and begin to read. What happens next will be a little bit different for everyone. But my wish is that you will find a piece of yourself somewhere within its pages, and maybe, just maybe, a piece of your heart, too. My goal as an author is to try and make each book I write better than the last, and I hope you will find that I succeeded with IGNITE. 

I have so much gratitude in my heart for everyone that has made this dream into a reality, but I won't bore you by repeating it here. (I guess that's what my acknowledgements are for, right?) But I do want to express my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you for your part in this journey. Every one of you has a piece of this dream. My family, my agent, my editor, the team at Scholastic, every reader and blogger and reviewer--you are all vital and amazing and I can't thank you all enough. 

Okay, now that I'm pretty much crying...! 

(Let's watch Kristen Bell cry instead of me, because let's be honest, she's a way cuter crier than I am!)

 Don't forget that the IGNITE blog tour is happening right now (and continuing through the end of next week). Lots of fun interviews, blog posts, insider info, and you can enter to win one of 10 copies of IGNITE + a DEFY Dagger charm! So hop on over to Rockstar Book Tours to check out all the posts and see the schedule of what's to come! CLICK HERE. 

Finally, I've been asked many times "What can I do to help ____ (fill in with book of your choice) succeed?" and I thought today, on the day IGNITE releases, it might be a good time to quickly let you know a few easy ways you can help the books you love reach more readers! 

1. Buy it! Buy it from an independent bookstore, buy it from B&N, buy it from Amazon, in hardcover, or paperback, or ebook, just buy it! Ask for books for gifts, give books as gifts. (Nothing hurts an author more than piracy.) 

2. If you can't afford to buy it, check it out from your library! If they don't have it, request it. It really does help authors if their books are in demand at the library, I promise. We love it when readers check out our books!

(Was it just me, or did you totally think you were Belle growing up because you loved books so much, too?) 

3. If you do read a book you love, review it online. It only takes a minute, but every review a book gets on Amazon, B&N, Goodreads, etc. gets that book seen by new readers. It really can make a big difference, so please, let others know when you love a book! (And I'll love you forever and a day if you are so kind as to review IGNITE on those websites!) 

4. And of course, spread the word. Nothing helps a book more than word-of-mouth. What helps you decide to pick up your next read? More often than not, it's because someone told you to read it, right? Or your book club picked it, or you keep hearing about it from multiple sources. If you love a book, share that love! 

Okay, that's enough of that. It's time to CELEBRATE!! IGNITE IS HERE!!!!!

Again, thank you all SO much for your love for this series and for you support and kindness towards me. I can't even begin to tell you how much your messages, emails, letters, gifts, posts, and words mean to me. You are all amazing! IGNITE is now yours - I hope you will love it as much as I do! 

XOXOXO,

Sara


You can purchase IGNITE in many places!

For a SIGNED/PERSONALIZED copy order through The King's English and they will ship it to you! Call 801-484-9100 or through their website: CLICK HERE

BARNES & NOBLE CLICK HERE

AMAZON CLICK HERE

BOOK DEPOSITORY CLICK HERE

(And these are all great places to leave reviews as well!) :-)

And for my local friends and fans: I have 2 launch parties coming up. I hope to see you at one!

TUESDAY, JAN 6th @ 7pm THE KING's ENGLISH

THURSDAY, JAN 8th @ 7pm PROVO LIBRARY

AND

LAS VEGAS BARNES & NOBLE JANUARY 15th w/ Lindsey Leavitt! 

2 weeks until IGNITE!!!

I can't believe I just typed those words. IGNITE comes out December 30th, which means it's actually less than 2 weeks until it's officially released!! I've already heard from one blogger who said she got notified that her pre-order of IGNITE shipped already, so some of you might even be getting it earlier than that! How's that for a fun holiday surprise??

Remember, if you did pre-order IGNITE (or if you choose to before December 30th) you can enter the contest I'm holding on my blog for a chance to win a DEFY dagger necklace. And it sounds like you might get it early if you do! Everyone who enters will get something, so make sure to CLICK HERE!! (If you'd like a signed or personalized copy, make sure to contact The King's English! I will sign it the night of my launch party and they'll ship it to you! From their site: Preorder your signed copy of Ignite today, by either calling the store at 801-484-9100 or ordering online. Please specify if you will be attending the event and if you want your book personalized.)


If you do see it "in the wild" make sure to snap a pic and tag me in it! You guys, I'm dying for you all to see how gorgeous this book is in person. No picture can really do it justice, I promise. EEEEP! I'm SO excited!! 

(trying to capture the metallic sheen and the gorgeousness of this cover = nigh unto impossible) 

I can't believe how quickly this year has flown by. I just want to take a minute to thank everyone who has taken the time to read DEFY, to review it, or talk to a friend/book club/blogger/family member/random stranger about it, who have supported my writing and been cheerleaders for this series. I hope that you will all love IGNITE as much as I do! 

For my local friends I have two signings to celebrate IGNITE's release: 

January 6th @ 7PM: THE KING's ENGLISH - IGNITE Launch Party! 
January 8th @ 7pm: PROVO LIBRARY - IGNITE signing/party!

Hope to see you at one (or both if you're super ambitious)! 

DEFY Fan Art Contest Winners!

It's 3 WEEKS until IGNITE comes out!!! WHAT THE?!?! I can't believe it's almost here! And guess what showed up today??

My finished hardcover!!! OH. MY. GOSH. It is GORGEOUS. Even more gorgeous than I anticipated. It's seriously just stunning. I'm not even kidding. Wait until you see it in person. Pictures can't do it justice. And the inside flap! And the bow and arrow on the actual hardcover! So many details I just adore! Scholastic has truly outdone themselves. If you don't believe me, read what David Levithan wrote about it on my Facebook post:

David Levithan As someone who has his own copy, I can independently confirm IT LOOKS ABSOLUTELY SPECTACULAR. Congrats!!!

DAVID LEVITHAN people!

*ahem*

What was I saying? Oh yeah! If you have pre-ordered (or decide to before Dec. 30th), make sure and enter the pre-order contest for your chance to win a DEFY dagger necklace just like mine! CLICK HERE for details or to enter!!


But, enough of that! Let's get on with announcing the winners!


You guys are so amazingly talented, you made this so hard on me! I loved all of the entries so much I couldn't decide on my own. So I assembled a panel of judges including other authors, my family members, and some friends who are avid readers to decide on a winner. And then THEY had a hard time, too!

So, I've decided to do something extra special. My judges were split on who they felt should win, so I'm going to call it a tie and give away TWO signed ARCs of IGNITE! PLUS I'm going to award signed swag to 2 runners-up who had amazing entries that also got a lot of votes!

That makes FOUR winners! WOOHOO!!!

So without further suspense, here are your winners:

Runner - Up #1  --- Signed Swag pack

Kathy and her DEFY Mood Board! I can't post a pic of it here, but here's a link to the blog post she did with the very cool mood board! I love the pictures and colors she chose!  http://mynookbooksnmore.com/2014/11/bookish-mood-board-defy.html

Runner - Up #2 -- Signed Swag Pack

Mandy_T for her construction paper dagger:

 How cool is that?? And I just love the quote she picked. A truly fabulous entry!

Enjoy your swag packs and thank you for your entries!! I hope you both enjoy IGNITE when it comes out!


And now, on to the winners!


WINNER #1:

 Amber with her DEFY cake! She made a DEFY dagger out of fondant! How awesome is that? (Plus how yummy! Wish I could have tasted it!) Congrats Amber!!

And WINNER #2:

MontanaSky with her stunning drawing of Alexa when she startles the Macaws! Such beautiful detail and stunning color! So, so amazing. Congrats to you as well!

SEE HOW HARD THIS WAS?! Everyone is so talented, thank you ALL for entering and congrats to the winners!

All four winners, please email or message me your mailing address and I will send out your prizes as soon as possible!!


3 WEEKS YOU GUYS. AAAGGGHHH!!!!