Brandi Bernoskie
No. 33

The Crown of Embers {a giveaway}

A few weeks ago, a special package arrived in my mail box. In it was a sweet note from a friend and an advanced copy of The Crown of Embers, the sequel to The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson. (This package was better than Christmas and my birthday, combined, and I spent several minutes dancing in glee.)

Since first reading The Girl of Fire and Thorns, I have been telling everyone I know to pick up a copy. Rae is an incredibly compelling storyteller and creates a world that you wish you could physically drop into. There are unexpected twists and turns (I promise you won’t see them coming), and your heart aches for the characters. Aches. (Especially in her latest book.) But what ranks her books among my favorites ever is her powerful message for women, whether you’re 16 or 31 or whatever age. Her books are about a young woman discovering how incredible she is, loving for all the right reasons, and finding her power.

The Crown of Embers is officially released tomorrow, but as I have an extra preordered copy arriving by post to me, I thought there would be no better way to celebrate and get a few more people addicted to Rae Carson’s novels than with a giveaway.

Here’s what you get: The Girl of Fire and Thorns AND The Crown of Embers by Rae Carson AND homemade cookies or some other treat from me, to sustain you because you won’t want to move once you start reading.

Here’s what you need to do: Leave a comment below and tell me something awesome about yourself. Sing your praises. Comments without an awesome you-fact won’t count.

Other details: The winner will be chosen at random using random.org. Open to US and Canadian residents only (sorry other fantastic people). One entry per person Contest closes at 9pm EST tomorrow, Tuesday, September 18, 2012. Winner will be contacted by email and this post will be updated with the winner’s name.  For those of you who don’t win, go out and buy this book and its prequel. Trust me.

WINNER! Random.org chose #15 – bonnie. Congrats!

{photo by me. this giveaway was entirely my idea and all books are paid for by me. neither the publisher nor author are involved.}

About brandi

Brandi is a digital strategist, website developer, and founder of Alchemy+Aim, a company that helps entrepreneurs and business owners elevate their online presence and enhance their digital experience. Her academic background in theatre, philosophy and physics was the perfect foundation for launching her business, where she’s worked with Brené Brown, Laverne Cox, Judy Smith, and other notable thought leaders since 2013. She is an advocate for using technology in ways that humanize, connect and serve people as well as for asking deeper philosophical questions and teaching others to think more broadly about impact when they create, particularly in STEAM fields.

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36 thoughts on “The Crown of Embers {a giveaway}”

  1. This is a fantastic giveaway idea! My awesome superpower? Multi-tasking. I can read AND run on the treadmill at the same time :)

    1. What? That is a superpower! I’ve mastered reading and using the elliptical, but the treadmill? That’s a whole different playing field.

  2. I make awesome dances and a killer tabouli.
    (can’t wait to hear more about your trip)

  3. Thanks for the giveaway! And can I just say how refreshing it is to not have to jump through a million hoops to enter? :)

    Okay, awesome thing about me: I’m a grammar guru, as evidenced by the fact that I got a perfect score on the English section of the ACT. (Uh, that’s a little uncomfortable to write. Good for you for making us say something great about ourselves :) )

    1. I’ve never liked hoops either. And rock on with the grammatical awesomeness! That’s definitely something to brag about.

  4. I’d love to win this giveaway, thanks for offering it! My awesome thing…. I lost almost 25 lbs and made 1 sweater and 2 quilts this summer. I don’t know, I think that’s pretty cool.

  5. What a cute idea! Well, I’m no good at singing my own praises, but I think I’m a pretty good cook. I’m self-taught and although there are a lot of flops, I get it right most of the time and learn from each culinary experience :) marthalynn16 at gmail

  6. I’ll bite :P I love books, and love getting things in the mail, so this sounds like all kinds of win.

    I just decided to bust my butt and get a booth at a big handmade craft show in my city in December. All weekend, I’ve been painting goods to peddle, and I’m so excited and proud.

  7. Wow, great giveaway. Hmm, why is it so hard to think of something awesome about me?? I once lost 80 pounds–I guess that’s awesome, right?

  8. Ah, Brandi, it is tough to live up to your awesomeness, so I won’t even try.

    There is one truly awesome thing I can say about myself, though…I give my time, each and every day, to raise awareness about dogs and the need for rescue. There are so many good and loving dogs out there, begging for the kindness of a human’s touch. I am so proud to be a part of a rescue organization filled with caring people who put their hearts on the line all year to save these dogs and find them their forever homes.

    Hugs!
    Jaye

    1. Raising awareness for dogs that need to be rescued is such an amazing cause. I’m so glad you’re out there doing that, Jaye.

  9. YES! I need more fantasy books in my life :) My awesomeness: being extra sensitive to signs in my life. I’m good at listening to my gut and the universe. It feels like a hippy superpower sometimes when things just click because I’ve harnessed all the good vibes aroudn me.

    I also won two contests last month (which was also awesome) … so maybe the universe will work in my favor for this one too? :)

    1. Steph, I LOVE that — I’m still working on being sensitive to signs and my intuition. It seriously is a superpower.

  10. OMG, this is the most awesome giveaway ever! I wish more blogs gave away books! Seriously! And I know you’ve already told me to read this one, Brandi, so whether I win or not I will now go out and buy these books lol! (And how lucky are you to get an advanced copy?! I want your connections!)
    My awesomeness lies in the fact that no matter what I set my mind to, no matter what it is that I want, I always get it because I make it happen…like winning this contest lol! It’s like magic :)

    1. Books are the best giveaway prize in my humble opinion too.
      And I love your awesomeness — you need to spread that magic!

  11. Ooh, you know I can’t resist a BOOK giveaway! I remember you telling me about The Girl of Fire and Thorns one time while we were chatting on skype. I still have the post-it note by my computer with the title scribbled down…

    Hmm, one awesome thing about me… I am a fabulous friend. Thoughtful, supportive, loyal, fun.

  12. Awesome giveaway!

    Eeeep, an awesome “me” fact? Hmm… I can speak German, some French, and a few words in Dutch. My favorite expression? “Heb je een snoopje?” which translates to “do you have a cookie?” HA!

    Happy Monday to you, girl!

    1. If I ever travel to the Netherlands, you’re coming with me. At least I’ll know I’ll be good for cookies.

  13. I’ve been looking for a new book to get into! Great giveaway!

    Hmm… something about me…
    I’m a super recognizer. If I meet a person, I remember their face, name, and who they are from then on. For instance, recently I had an interaction with someone who I realized was a coach (not mine) at my gymnastics gym when I was a kid but I hadn’t seen them in at least 10 years. She was simply impressed, but sometimes I feel like it freaks people out so a lot of the time I keep it to myself!

  14. I’ve been working on my tennis game and my forehand has improved! It looked like a softball hit before. I’m proud of my progress.

  15. I handle extreme wacky crisis situations very very well. Many people are good under pressure, (I think you are one of those people, but that’s not surprising with your overall demeanor regularly. I cry at the drop of a hat and am always a bit “messy” (that’s the nice word for it). HOWEVER, I always surprise myself staying calm and launching into survival mode during the worst “wtf, I can’t even believe this is happening right now” days (weeks, months).

    Last week our car died over the weekend before I had several important doctor’s appointments + a minor surgery scheduled an hour away from where I live, and a long commute to work. Not to mention I’m also actively job searching and trying to finish some projects under a tight deadline too. And we have a weekend away in the Cape booked for this next weekend. I wanted to cry and scream and somehow managed to laugh and pull myself together to get through this week. I’m still not entirely sure how we made it…

  16. At this point in time, a mention of homemade cookies could get me to, like, write an essay…

    Here is a thing – once my friend and I traveled to a Colts/Patriots tailgate and went from car to car performing songs he had written about the game. I hula hooped and Irish danced while he sang. We made some absurd amount of money, and then climbed over the median to cross I-90 so we could spend some of it on Denny’s.

  17. Free books! I love it. :) Just finished reading Kristin Cashore and this seems like it would be in the same vein …
    Hmm, something awesome I do twice a week is wake up at 5 a.m. to get to aikido class. I am not a morning person at all, and usually drag myself out of bed grumbling, but so far I haven’t missed a class due to oversleeping. I love getting my exercise out of the way early so I can enjoy that glow of accomplishment all day long. ; )

  18. You had me at cookies.

    Let’s see… something awesome about me. I won’t say painting because that’s my job. Oh! I’m really awesome at navigating. And cleaning super fast. And making Italian food. (Wow, those were random.)

  19. Oh dear. I do not need more books. Not at all. We are moving on Saturday and I think my husband and brother-in-law may kill me if they pick up any of my book-boxes. :) It wouldn’t arrive until after that, though, right? Ha!

    What’s something awesome about myself? I just had to write five qualities about myself that I think will make me a good teacher and I had to ask Cor for help. I am a super-diplomatic person and a good peacemaker. This might be because I hate conflict, but hey, at least I’m able to make something good out of what frustrates me, right? It works because I am somehow capable of translating what various family members are saying to each other. When I was in college, my family members used to call me to try to figure out what each person actually meant by what they were saying. Many a misunderstanding was averted, and many a laugh was had.

    and I’ll have you know that the possibility of a free book or two is about the only thing that can get me to brag on myself in public, aside from job interviews in which you have to answer the question if you want a chance at the job.

  20. I would love to win this! Just moved to NYC and reading is my distraction on the subway so this would be wonderful!

    Awesome fact: I used to work on the TV show 19 Kids & Counting! I can name all 19 kids in birth order (and all of their names begin with J)!

  21. I WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO READ THIS BOOK MISS BRANDI! oh my, I am awesome at SO MANY AWESOME THINGS!
    I’m awesome at laughing. I can laugh for 10 minutes straight.
    I’m awesome at making treats.
    I’m awesome at making humans and picking out husbands (my kid and spouse are incredible!)
    I have another awesome talent: name a movie — I can give you the entire cast list. 99% of the time. Usually. Maybe 95%.
    I’m a super awesome fast reader, I can read really super fast! With great comprehension!

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