YA Scavenger Hunt -- Spring 2015

Welcome, one and all, to the Spring 2015 Young Adult Scavenger Hunt!


 All of us here are pretty excited about meeting you all, and we would love your feedback.

YASH is a bi-annual event organized by Colleen Houck as a way for readers to gain exclusive content from their favorite authors...and a chance to win awesome prizes! At this hunt, you not only get access to exclusive content from each other, you also get a clue for the hunt. Add up all the clues and you can enter for our prize--one lucky winner will receive one signed book from each author on my team! But play fast--this contest will only be available for 72 hours!

Go to the YA Scavenger Hunt page to learn all about the hunt. There are EIGHT contests going on at once. You can enter one--or all!--and learn about awesome books and earn exclusive prizes.


I am on TEAM PURPLE but there is also Red, Blue, Gold, Pink, Orange, Green, and Teal. Each team has 20 authors. Yes, you read that right--twenty!





SCAVENGER HUNT PUZZLE

Directions: Collect the favorite numbers of all the authors (Hint: Usually can find out but what number sticks out the most) of the PURPLE team and add them all up at the end.

Entry Form: Once you've got all your numbers added, make sure you fill out the form here to officially qualify for for the grand prize. Only entries with the correct number will qualify.

Rules: Open internationally. All under the age of 18 should have the consent of parent or guardian to enter. To be eligible for the grand prize, you must sign up before APRIL 5th, at noon Pacific time. Entries sent without the correct number or contact information will no be accepted.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

It is with my greatest pride and deepest pleasure to introduce to you, Aria Michaels! She told me she once sat at her computer for 23 hours writing. Talk about dedication!

Isn't she lovely, folks? I asked her to describe herself for me and this is what I got in response:

I am author Aria Michaels and I live a double life. In addition to being a wife and mother of six boys, I am also a creator of worlds, instigator of literary mayhem, and stealth assassin of fictional characters. Less than a year ago, I walked away from a "comfortable" job in higher education to finally pursue my dream of being an author. As terrifying as that was, the thought of never sharing the epic adventures in my imagination was just unfathomable. So, I plugged my nose, crossed my fingers, and dove in head-first. Six months later, I independently published my first novel, Killshot (Icarus Series, Book One), followed shortly by a novella to the same series, Before the Sky Fell. This is just the beginning for me, and for the Icarus Series and I am hard at work on the next installment, as we speak. In addition to my Young Adult titles, I also have projects planned for another paranormal series, and a few romance novels in the mix. When I am not glued to my computer, I can be found playing in the dirt (or snow) with my kids, curled up to a good zombie flick with my husband, or sipping wine by the fire with friends.  

Talk about busy lady! And her book definitely doesn't let you down, either! (Although I haven't read it, I certainly would love to!) Such a sweet woman, and I am so excited for her! Just look at the cover:

Want to know what it is about? Oh... well.... I suppose. 

After months of solitude and anti-social behavior, Liv Larson’s best friend Riley drags her to a Rooftop Party to view Icarus, a once in a lifetime solar flare event. Despite her initial resistance, that night Liv finds herself inexplicably drawn to Zander James, a mysterious boy with a crooked smile. For a few hours, Liv’s troubles feel a bit less overwhelming—that is until what should have been a small flare erupts into a massive solar storm, forcing them into the school’s basement. Cut off from the rest of the world and with no signs of rescue, the group must embark on a perilous journey to save one of their own and find their families…But, something sinister awaits them in the dark and it’s undeniably connected to Liv. What are she and her new friends willing to do to survive? Will their bravery and determination be enough to save them all from a rogue government, a terrifying virus, and the things that go bump in the night…Or was Icarus, indeed, the killshot? 

Sound interesting, right? Quick! Go to Amazon and take a look for yourself. It's also available in Kindle. Curious to know where the rest of the series is going? Feel free to drop by her blog and get all the scrumptious details. Thinking you might want more? Stop by her website and check out her other book (and the deal she's offering!).

Oh, silly me! I got so wrapped up in introducing her I nearly forgot the exclusive content she's offering. (What? NO!) Yes, it's true. But don't worry, here is for you. I got to interview the one, the only, Zander! And--can I say?--the things he says are delicious! Without further ado, Zander James, ladies and gentlemen!

Me: I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to sit down with me today, Zander. I must admit, in light of all you are going through right now, I was quite surprised when Aria told me that you had agreed to this interview. At any rate, I know you don’t have a lot of time, so let’s get right down to the fan questions, shall we?

Zander: Sure, fire away, ma’am. (…and there’s that crooked smile)

Me: One fan would like to know, what is your most treasured possession?

Zander: You know, if you had asked me that question a few days ago I would have said my bike—well, my dad’s bike, hands-down, but after everything that’s happened? It all just seems so trivial now, you know? (He laughs, but it sounds deflated and his smile doesn’t quite reach those copper eyes)

Me: How do you mean? 

Zander: Thing is, when all you have left in this world is the clothes on your back and your memories, possessions don’t really mean a whole lot anymore. The only thing I have that means anything to me is little more than a useless scrap of metal. Still, it’s all I have left of my dad and Liv damn near got herself killed trying to get it for me. I can never repay her for that.

Me: Speaking of Liv, that brings me to our next fan question. The two of you seem like you have a real connection. Do you feel as though Icarus is responsible for that or is there more to it? 

Zander: Wow, you don’t shy away from the hard ones do you? (laughs and runs his fingers through his hair) Yeah, we definitely have a connection but it’s kind of hard to explain. I mean, she’s probably the most stubborn and strong-willed girl I have ever met in my life, but…Liv is special and I don’t just mean her abilities, you know? She has this sort of reluctant strength, if that makes sense. And by the way, my faith in her and our connection, as you put it, has absolutely nothing to do with Icarus. Liv has always been a survivor—even before all this. I wish she could see what the rest of us see, you know? 

Me: No, I totally get it. (swoon). Where was I…Oh, right. Next question. What is your biggest regret?

Zander: I…you know what? I don’t think there is room for regret in this world anymore. Life is just too short, and there are no guarantees that there will even be a tomorrow. I think that rather than looking back with regret, I am choosing to look forward with hope. Salvation is out there and we are going to find it.

Me: Wow! I have to say, that’s insanely optimistic given what you’ve been through since Solar Storm Icarus hit. How do you stay so positive when the world is quite literally crashing down around you…when everything feels so dark?

Zander: (laughs and shakes his head, his dark hair falling into his eyes as they meet mine) The dark is nothing to be afraid of, ma’am. Even the brightest star needs a little darkness to shine.  

       

Check out this exclusive teaser from Book Two in the Icarus Series, due out this fall!

For more information on Aria Michaels and the Icarus Series, visit:

www.ariamichaels.com

To continue the search, click [here] and see what Jennifer has to say! Happy hunting!