Saturday, October 6

Win a copy of YOU HAD ME AT HALO





Hooray!! Since it's promo week here at the Teen Fiction Cafe, it means I get to talk about my favorite thing in the world - David Boreanaz. Oh, hang on, I've just been informed that apparently this is neither the time or place for me to go on about my obsession so I guess I'll have to talk about my second favorite thing, my debut novel.

YOU HAD ME AT HALO has been out in the world for two months now and I still have to pinch myself everyday that it's real!!!! I wrote this book just after my dad died and so not only is it dedicated to him, it is also inspired by him as well, since I based it on a conversation we had on the day of his funeral. It went something like this:

ME: Okay, so this is a bit boring doing all this dusting just before a funeral. Besides, when people come back for the wake, they're not going to look underneath the bedroom bookshelf.

HIM: Is that right is it? If you're going to clean the place, do it properly.

ME: Who said that?

HIM: I said it and since it's my funeral you have to listen to me. It's the rules you know.

ME: Dad, is that you?

HIM: Well, duh. I mean I'm meant to be dead but can I just sit back and enjoy the moment? No, I've got to make sure that the whole thing doesn't fall apart because of some sloppy cleaning habits. Now, hurry up and get that done because I've got to go and talk to your brother about the way the half-hearted way he's mopping the floor. Honestly, if you want something done...

Now, as you've probably gathered, this conversation didn't really happen. But it did happen in my head and once I got the idea that my dad was sitting up in heaven and passing comments on the whole proceeding, I just couldn't lose the imagine and so my book was born. Here is the skinny:

Holly Evans has just seen her own body laid to rest. Now she would like to move onto the afterlife. But apparently she has some mortal baggage to unload first, starting with the matter of how she died. Her heavenly shrink isn't buying that she didn't kill herself- and says she must return to earth to straighten things out. The thing is, she needs to borrow the body of computer geek Vince Murphy to do it. Oh, and although Vince was supposed to have vacated the premises, he apparently never got the memo. Now, Holly has forty-eight hours to resolve her issues while sharing arms, legs, and...other things...with a guy she barely noticed while she was alive. But the real surprise is what life has to offer when you have only two days to live it.

YOU HAD ME AT HALO is available online and in most bookstores in the US and Canada, and if you want to have a sneaky peek at the first chapter, then just head over to my website. Also, if you want to win yourself a copy, all you need to do is leave a comment and tell me why.

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hmm, reasons why I would like to win a copy of your book....I don't suppose because I'm broke but would really like to read it counts? lol On a more serious note, I think the premise of the book looks very cute and although I would really, really like to win said copy ;-), even if I don't I do plan on tracking it down eventually. Congratulations once again on the book, and keep writing!

CoD

Lis said...

Will bribery with a hot picture of David Boreanaz help? *g* I'd love to win a copy because well it sounds like a great read and I had 2 r's in the inbox this weekend, so winning would be a highlight :)

Anonymous said...

Okay,I love the reasoning behind the book - as someone whose Dad was a practical joker and always said his face would stop traffic, what happened at his funeral, en route from church to cemetery? We gatecrashed a parade!Oops! All these people were waiting for something exciting and they got a hearse and funeral procession of mourners. Could just about hear Dad's giggles. He probably planned the whole thing... Good luck with your book and keep that halo shining.

Anonymous said...

Well one reason I really want to win a copy of your book? Well it looks great, I love the cover, and the story of the book. I think that's great that losing your dad gave you some inspiration. Plus, you are really nice and a great blogger.

Sara Hantz said...

The reason I'd like to win a copy of your book is because then I'd have a matching pair.... and that's got to make them more valuable! Yes?????

Anonymous said...

#1 reason I need your book- Because I'm awesome. Come on, you know you wanna give it to me.


hehehe

Great blog entry!

Anonymous said...

I would love to win this book. The storyline sounds amazing...Love reading debut books

Anonymous said...

The reason I want to win your books is so I can read it, because unless I win, I probably won't be able to buy it. But don't worry, I'll get my hands on it somehow. Also, I'd like to win because the book looks absolutly awe-inspiring.

So..PICK ME! Lolz.

faith said...

I would love to win the book. Storyline sounds great...Love reading debut books

Unknown said...

david, david david david david

o wait i was suppose to comment here lol

sorry my mind went into the gutter and wont leave it , and hot sweaty, david

Emily Marshall said...

I'd love to win a copy of the book. I think it sounds great. I love the title. I love the concept. And the story behind your book makes it even more interesting!

Amanda Ashby said...

CoD - that reason totally counts (and you still have the best name EVER!)

Lis, I'm incredibly open to any sort of bribery, especially of the DB variety. Boo on the r's though.

OMG, Clare, I adore that story of your dad's funeral and it sounds like he totally had a hand in it!!!!

Rachel - oh, I think you might be my new BF!!!!

Sara, yes, a girl can never have too many copies of YHMAH!!!

Book Chic - couldn't have said it better myself. You ARE awesome!

Hey anon - thanks for the kind comment!

Annemarie - well that's a pretty sound reason (though if you don't win it and still want to read it, see if your library will get it in for you - they're normally pretty cool about things like that!)

Faith - I love reading debut books as well!

Blackroze37 - I see that we are of one mind when it comes to DB (who I did manage to sneak into my book!!!)

Emily - thanks so much and keep the comments coming everyone because I'm really enjoying reading them all!!!!!

Sierra Donovan said...

Amanda,

I believe I should win a copy of this book because I love the idea so much, I'm jealous I didn't think of it myself! Getting a copy from you would be my consolation.

Sierra

Natalie Anderson said...

I want to win... because it sounds so fabulous!
And I love the title.
And I love David B.

Yvonne Eve Walus said...

1. Because I like winning.
2. Because I never ever win any randomly-drawn competition.
3. Because I love your writing style.
4. Because I love your sense of humour.
5. Because I'd love to read the book and yet the premise keeps spooking me into not buying....

Helzkat said...

why wouldn't i want to win this lovely debut book? very intriguing read and i will put on it my TBR pile regardless.

Alyson Noel said...

When I just read the premise my first thought was-- dang, why didn't I think of that???
So basically I want this book because it sounds exceedingly awesome!
:-D

Happy Sunday!
Alyson

Little Willow said...

I am sure that your father is very proud of you. Congratulations again on the book's release.

A Paperback Writer said...

How about if I tell you what's in it for you if I win?
See, if I get a copy of the book and read it and like it, then I'll tell at least 150 junior high school students and all my blog readers how great it is --- which means word-of-mouth advertising. If it's really good, I'll stick it on my reading list, and then kids will feel obliged to buy it or at least whine to the local library to buy more copies.
However, if I never read the book, no matter how good it is, I can't do any of these things.

Great title, by the way.

Amanda Ashby said...

Sierra - hehehe, I like your reasoning!!!

Natalie - any DB fan is a friend of mine (btw, you were fab in the Woman's Day!!!!)

Yvonne - great list!!

Helzkat - thanks for the kind words!

Alyson - as ever, you rock!

Little Willow, thanks so much for your lovely coments!

A paperback writer - oh, great reason - fingers crossed!

Simone Elkeles said...

Amanda,
I love the premise. My dad died when I was 24, so I can totally relate. He was my hero.

Christina Phillips said...

Well I already have my very own copy of Halo, so all I'll say here is Holly is an awesome heroine, Vince is one gorgeous (and very patient!!) hero, and this book made me both laugh and cry! Can it get any better than that??

Jessica Burkhart said...

Oooh, it sounds so good Amanda! :)

Amanda Ashby said...

Simone - the cool thing is that I bet your dad totally knows about how well your writing career is now going!

Christina - biased? I love it!!!

Jessica - thanks so much!

Anonymous said...

i love to read and the more books to read the better. I mean i love book ilovvvvvvvvvvvvve books truly, madly deeply.
--Brinda Officer

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