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Win-It Wednesday: Amor and Summer Secrets
The winner of Looks by Madeleine George is... Llehn! Congratulations, and send me your address, L.
Diana Rodriguez Wallach was here to share her Cover Story a while ago, and now--before summer's over--you have a chance to win a signed copy of her first novel, Amor and Summer Secrets.
The description has me needing to read this before August is over:
Fifteen-year-old Mariana Ruiz has no desire to step foot outside her affluent Philadelphia suburb. BUT she may not have a choice. With total disregard to the high-glam Sweet 16 her best friend is hosting, Mariana's father ships her off to a tiny mountain town in Puerto Rico to stay with family she's never met. The heat is merciless, the food is spicy, and only one of her relatives--her distant cousin Lilly--speaks English. Her consolation prize is Lilly's homespun Puerto Rican Quinceãnera. Only the riotously festive party exposes Mariana to more than just her culture. She uncovers new friends, her first love, and a family secret that's been buried on the island for more than 30 years.
Sounds pretty awesome, right? So, to enter to win, just comment below and tell me about the best thing you've done this summer--could be eating ice cream or going on a boat or working a summer job or kissing (I need kissing stories!). Whatever. Just tell me below and fulfill my need for summer tales.
Oh, and +1 extra entry if you visit/comment on my recent posts at Teen Fiction Cafe (about my first love) or on The Book Girl Reviews (about weddings. Yes, I know I'm obsessed lately.)
Happy Wednesday!
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Comments (26)
Hm....I'd have to say our trip to Washington D.C. and walking on the National Mall in the summer sun into the night. The Washington Monument, lit up by spotlights and juxtaposed against a full moon, is breathtaking.
+1 I commented on your wedding post at The Book Girl Reviews.
Posted by JenP | August 19, 2009 3:01 PM
Oh my, my best thing will happen this Saturday when I take an early plane to California! But I guess so far, celebrating my blog's first anniversary! :)
I commented over at Teen Fiction Cafe and stopped by The Book Girl Reviews!
Posted by Diana Dang | August 19, 2009 3:01 PM
The best thing I've done this summer? Without a doubt coming to Florida and relaxing for two weeks. I'm leaving on Friday, but it was amazing while it lasted. :)
Also, I liked your post about first loves - I think it's great that you've stayed such good friends with Max. My first boyfriend and I haven't spoken since we broke up almost 3 years ago, despite having many friends in common. It's especially sad because he was one of my best friends before we dated.
(And I bought 'Looks' the other day after your recommendation, although I haven't started it yet.)
Posted by Amanda | August 19, 2009 3:19 PM
The best thing I did this summer was attend the Iowa Summer Writing Festival. Sorry, no kissing! But it was still really awesome. I learned a lot and gained some confidence in my writing.
Posted by Valerie | August 19, 2009 6:07 PM
Sadly, I have no kissing stories to tell, but i did go whale watching this summer when I was on vacation, it was awesome!
Posted by Alexa | August 19, 2009 7:36 PM
The best thing I've done this summer is teach. I teach color guard to a wonderful group of high school girls and they brighten my day every time I see them. It's the best feeling in the world!
Thanks for the opportunity!
Jess
Posted by Jess | August 19, 2009 8:09 PM
The best thing I did this summer was go to Paris to spend two weeks with my Aunt who lives over there now. I have never stayed in a city that long but it was magical. It was a wonderful vacation.
Posted by Caitlin Usignol | August 19, 2009 9:45 PM
The best thing I've done this summer is read. Since I started blogging in May, I've been reading more than ever and I'm so glad.
Great contest! Count me in!
~Briana
Posted by Briana | August 20, 2009 8:10 AM
The best thing I've done this summer would have be going to North Carolina, I just love it there. Plus, I had a ton of fun going to places like Chimney Rock and Grandfather Mountain.
Posted by Lauren | August 20, 2009 9:35 AM
I got a job and got my first pay chek best thing ever is seeing a check with your name
+1 I ommented on the the girl book review
as Denise MAdness
Posted by Denise | August 20, 2009 1:42 PM
I went to Hawaii for the first time. It was amazing. Waikiki had the best atmosphere and the ocean was warm. It was basically paradise. :D
Posted by Cyndi | August 20, 2009 1:58 PM
The best part of my vacation was getting my puppy! He's a golden retriever and we named him Charlie. He's such a great dog, I've been having an awesome summer with him(:
Posted by Kelsey | August 20, 2009 3:21 PM
The best thing I've done this summer is touching the stingrays at the Toronto Zoo - it was very, very cool!
Posted by Pam R. | August 20, 2009 5:31 PM
One of the best things this summer was my garden. It was a cooler year, although dry, and now I'm beginning to reap the benefits!
Count me in!
Posted by Julie H. | August 20, 2009 5:49 PM
The best thing I did this summer was watch my best friend get married in a wedding that I helped organize and plan. For me, the fruit of all maid of honour labour was completely realized when I saw how happy she was on the day and how much she enjoyed her wedding. I hope your MOH felt the same way, Melissa! =)
+1 I commented on your wedding post as well!
Posted by Tiff | August 20, 2009 6:15 PM
The best thing I have done all summer is to welcome my first grandchild into our family. She was born June 24 and I was able to be there and spend lots of lazy summer days with her before back to school time! She's wonderful, and I now have a recipient for all the children's books I have been collecting for years...that's one of the best parts...knowing there is a new generation in which to foster a love of reading...I've already been reading to her!
Posted by Toreyy | August 21, 2009 8:06 AM
The best thing I've done this summer is finished reading Peeps by Scott Westerfeld that has been in my to be read pile for a while now. I LOVED IT!
Posted by Llehn | August 21, 2009 10:51 AM
Can't say that I did that many interesting things this summer besides move from Kentucky back to my hometown, here in Miami. I'm going to miss everybody in Kentucky but I'm sort of glad to be back home! Plus, I got to work on my blog more and talk to alot more authors who are so awesome *hint, hint*! LOL!
Posted by Lilibeth Ramos | August 21, 2009 3:41 PM
Definitely riding on ATV's in the sand dunes. I was so scared, but it turned out to be great, as long as you do everything the people tell you to do!
And I started a blog, which is as much fun as it looks!
Posted by Leann | August 21, 2009 6:53 PM
The best thing I did this summer were going to garage sales and playing with my dogs outside. Thanks!
Posted by jacque | August 21, 2009 7:32 PM
I wish I had a kissing story... Best thing this summer? Riding bikes at the beach, definitely!
Oh, and attending BlogHer '09 in Chicago! Awesome women, awesome blogs, awesome city, and I had an awesome time!
Posted by Beatrice | August 21, 2009 8:49 PM
+1 I commented on first love. So cool how you guys are still friends!
The best thing I did all summer was go to Detroit with a bunch of friends as well as other teens I didn't know. We partcipated in service actiivites and there were dances every night (one on a boat! We could see Canada!!). I had so much fun.
In a close second is a field hockey camp I went to. Made so many new friends and from sun-up to sundown I played a sport I loved (and the food was good!).
Posted by Ari | August 22, 2009 8:31 PM
The best thing I've done this summer is relax and spend time with my friends who are going away to different colleges!
Posted by Amber Gibson | August 22, 2009 9:47 PM
Summer, summer. I went on a roadtrip from Washington D.C to Savannah in May. Does that count?
Other than that, eating dinner at the beach and then taking a bath!
Sara
Posted by SARA | August 23, 2009 5:53 AM
The best thing I've done this summer is make a lot of trips to the zoo, the art musuem and the sculpture garden -- just for fun!
Posted by Marie | August 24, 2009 3:31 PM
The best thing I did this summer was to visit my sister in Wisconsin after she moved!
Posted by Cari | August 28, 2009 10:10 AM