Contest, Snippet and Cate's Birthday!

Hey!
So yesterday was Cate's birthday! Happy Birthday Cate :D

Head on Jessica's blog right away if you're from the US or Canada because there is a contest to win some exciting things :) Here

And last but not least! A snippet from Star Cursed : Yeaaaaah!

Brother O’Shea clears his throat. “The second measure, also effective immediately, forbids that girls should be taught to read. We cannot help those who already have such knowledge, of course, but in future, we think it unnecessary and even dangerous. Girls can rely upon the knowledge of their fathers, their husbands, and the Brotherhood. They need not seek it elsewhere.”
The room is shocked silent. There’s no sound save the hissing of the gas lamps on either side of the mantel.
I look down at Sister Cora and Sister Gretchen, at their carefully blank faces.
I cannot imagine a life without books.
Without Father’s stories of the ancient Greek gods and goddesses, without pirate stories and fairy tales and poems. Without the hope of another way, of freedom and adventure beyond what we have here and now. How dark life would be.
I think of the people I love, the ones I would trust with my own life. Maura. Tess. Finn. Marianne. Mad about books, all of them. What will this new decree do to them?
I find myself clenching my fists and force my fingers to relax. I mustn’t look as though I want to start a brawl.
Sister Cora’s voice is hushed, her shoulders rigid. “Is our school to remain open?”
“For the time being.” O’Shea’s clipped voice and lemon face make it clear he doesn’t approve. “There will be a bonfire in Richmond Square on Friday night, as there will be in each town in the coming days. We ask the faithful to bring books from their own libraries—fiction and fairy tales, that sort of thing—to burn.”


What do you think? I am hurting so much for the books! Argh! Poor books!
I'm always happy to have snippet of Star Cursed, though! About three months left before Star Cursed!