Sea of Pages

AHHHHH!!!!! + Contest Winners!

2012-01-10T06:48:00.000-08:00

Hey, guys. So, so sorry I've been AWOL on you this long. I've been dealing with family illness among other things lately, and this time I am not going to promise that things will be better and I'll be here more, because--quite frankly--I've learned not to make assumptions regarding even the near future.

All that said, I'm glad to be writing to you all today. I've missed the book blogging world so much. I've missed READING for that matter. There are actually a couple of books I need to write a review on that I've finished over these past weeks, and I plan to jump on that as soon as possible.

The first wonderful announcement I would like to make is the winner of the copy of Unleashed. That beautiful book goes to the very lucky Carrie!! Congratulations! I'll email you right now.

Onto other business. I have found the coolest site in the world! It's called Listia. It has tons of free... well everything! Tons of YA books, all kinds of seeds for gardening (including hard to find herbs!), clothing, you name it. You earn credits and then spend them on things. Shipping is free most of the time too. Click here to check it out and sign up!

So... Who else watched the Season Premier of Downton Abbey Sunday night?? I did, and teared up more than once. It was so good. The Matthew/Mary scenes killed me. And who would have thought we'd see Thomas humbled? What did you all think about the start of this amazing show? Let me know!

Blog Tour: Unleashed by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie + GIVEAWAY!!

2011-11-29T18:13:00.000-08:00

Wolf Springs Chronicles: Unleashed by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie 5 of 5 stars.

Katelyn McBride's life changed in an instant when her mother died. Uprooted from her California home, Katelyn was shipped to the middle of nowhere, Arkansas, to her only living relative, her grandfather. And now she has to start over in Wolf Springs, a tiny village in the Ozark Mountains.

Like any small town, Wolf Springs has secrets. But the secrets hidden here are more sinister than Katelyn could ever imagine. It's a town with a history that reaches back centuries, spans continents, and conceals terrifying truths.

And Katelyn McBride is about to change everything.

Broken families, ageless grudges, forced alliances, and love that blooms in the darkest night--welcome to Wolf Springs. (Book Blurb)

Katelyn wants to fly. Her dreams of becoming a performing in the Cirque Du Soleil are crushed when her ballerina mother is killed in a housefire, and Katelyn is sent to live with the grandfather who has kept his distance from her since the tragic shooting death of her father.

Miserable with no way to train for the life she wants to create and grieving still for both of her parents, Katelyn must find a way to kep herself going in this frightening new world that she cannot seem to make herself understand. Someone in this small Victorianesque village is hiding something; something deadly.

Heart-wrenching loss, terrible lies, and firey passion. Unleashed is a romance and a thriller. A perfect combination of horror, suspense, and humor. The writing is that wonderful down-to-earth style I've come to associate with Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie, and the plot is wonderfully paced and surprising.

I adored the main character, Katelyn, because of her personality and the way she thinks. She was as well-rounded a character as you could hope to find. I couldn't help but think that she's not exactly the type of girl whose going to stand up for herself in every situation even if she is a fighter. That does fit the story pretty nicely, though.

On the other hand, Katelyn's friend Cordelia is temperamental and not afraid of anything--excluding her family. At the same time I couldn't completely like Cordelia. It's not that she's not a well thought out character, but that she just isn't a likeable character. Though she is sympathetic.

And as far as our heroes go in this story... I'm rooting for grandpa! haha While I like Trick, I feel like he's hiding something, and Justin kind of gives me the creeps...

Overall, Unleashed is a remarkable edge of your seat first installment to a series that I have a feeling will be wonderful. But I must warn you-- the ending is so abrupt it will leave your reeling for days after you finish it.

Giveaway!

Enter your name and email in the comments (Don't forget a shout-out to Nancy and Debbie!) below to be entered for a chance to win a copy of Unleashed

Must be a US Resident to enter.

The Screaming Season by Nancy Holder

2011-09-25T13:51:00.000-07:00

The Screaming Season by Nancy Holder 5 of 5 stars
A POSSESSIONS NOVEL

IF A GIRL SCREAMS IN THE WOODS
AND NO ONE IS AROUND TO HEAR HER,
DOES SHE MAKE A SOUND?

Lindsay wakes to find herself strapped down in the Marlwood Academy infirmary. She had a breakdown and might have tried to kill her nemesis Mandy or Mandy's boyfriend, Troy--or both. The details are hazy, but one thing is certain: she is possessed by a spirit and cannot trust.

Her disbelieving friends refuse to see the ghosts that haunt them, and Lindsay soon realizes that nowhere on campus is safe. Then, she finds a surprising ally in a former rival. Together, they must figure out who can be trusted--and who wants them dead. (Book blurb)

Think you have the mysteries of Marlwood figured out? Think again. As new characters come into play and old ones are thrown into a new light, you will question everything you thought you knew about the creepy boarding school, its bloody past, and the terrors that haunt poor Lindsay. Nothing is as it seems in this ever-twisting horror series.

Let's go ahead and clear the air. I am not a fan of scary movies. Ghosts have always given me the creeps, and I had no expectations of liking The Evil Within when I first read it a little over a year ago. Still and yet, Nancy Holder managed to blow me out of the water completely. I loved the second novel in the possessions series, despite the fact that it made the hair on my arms stand up and I was tempted to scream a time or two while reading it.

The Screaming Season was exactly the same... only better. The characters I thought I knew, I didn't. Everything I thought I had figured out was wrong. It was so surprising and full of suspense, I didn't put it down til I'd read it cover-to-cover.

I'm not going to get into all of the details about what I liked about who, because with a story like this it is much too easy to have spoilers. But I will say that while the plot was amazing and wonderful I didn't like the end. I felt like Lindsay ended up with the wrong guy completely, and I really wanted there to be another book. But I guess I'll just have to pout because I don't think that's going to happen.

If you're a fan of horror or just love a really good and slightly terrifying novel this time of year (hey, Halloween is just around the corner!) you should most definitely pick up a copy of The Screaming Season. Just make sure you've read the rest of the Possessions novels first. Otherwise you won't get the whole affect.

To order The Screaming Season from Amazon.com, please click here.

Book Tour: Damned by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie

2011-09-24T13:23:00.000-07:00

Damned by Nancy Holder and Debbi Viguie 5 of 5 stars.
Second book in the Crusade Trilogy.

There is a fine line between love and sacrifice. . .

Antonio would do anything for his beloved fighting partner, Jenn. He protects her, even suppresses his vampire craving to be with her. Together, they defend humanity against the Cursed Ones. But tensions threaten to fracture their hunting team, and his loyalty--his love--is called into question.

Jenn, the newly appointed Hunter, aches for revenge against the Cursed One who converted her sister. And with an even more sinister power on the rise, she must overcome her personal vendettas to lead her team into battle.

Antonio and Jenn need each other to survive, but evil lurks at every turn. With humanity's fate hanging in the balance, they must face down the darkness. . . or die trying. (Book blurb)

Jenn has the weight of the world on her shoulders. Between being named the leader in a team of "Hunters" trying to save the world by ridding it of the vampires that threaten to suck it dry, the desperate need to see her newly converted sister turned into a "good" vampire like Antonio, and, worst of all, the doubt about Antonio's humanity that grows stronger and stronger as she battles the blood lust and destruction of his kind.

New characters join the fray, adding even more diversity to the already colorful Salamanca team. Love is tested and allegiances questioned. Will the Salamanca hunters survive this war? Or will the few underground hunters be destroyed and all of humanity fall prey to the unquenchable thirst of the CO's?

I adored Crusade, and I am tempted to say that I liked Damned even more. It is definitely a close call. Action, suspense, romance, and betrayal; everything one could want in an epic paranormal series. There is hardly ever a dull moment, but as with the last book, I found myself wanting to see more of certain things and certain people and a bit less of some of the rest.

The new characters Noah and Taamir were an awesome surprise. The almost instant bond between Noah and Jenn was so sweet, and I couldn't help myself but hope that Jenn would end up with him and not Antonio. Sorry. I'm a bit biased when it comes to vampires.

The bigger glimpses into Holgar's past and his life in the werewolf pack were very entertaining. He became one of my favorite characters in this book. His sweet demeanor and unwavering loyalty are positively endearing.

I think the thing that really sets the Crusade trilogy apart from other books of its kind is the staggering amount of diversity between the characters in the books. Catholics, Jews, Witches, Muslims, etc. all thrown together and fighting under the same flag, bound by their heartache and need to save their world from an enemy that threatens to destroy it. I can't help but wonder how much research went into this series to create such a believable and amazing story.

Overall, its definitely worth reading for anyone who loves supernatural creatures or just a good, action-packed story. I am dying to get my hands on the next book in the trilogy myself.

To order Damned from Amazon.com, please click here.

Check out the rest of the Damned book tour here!

((My apologies to Nancy, Debbie, and all of the awesome people who put together the Damned book tour and allowed A Sea of Pages to be featured in it. I was not able to have my post up on time due to emergencies at home, but NOT due to a lack of enthusiasm toward the series.))

TBR Pile!

2011-07-12T12:56:00.000-07:00

I've recently gone through my books and made an ACTUAL to-be-read pile. It is currently up to my hip and does not include my AP English lit books, classics I'm reading per my New Year's revolution, OR the entire first three books of the Inheritance Cycle that I plan to re-read before the September release of Book IV.

(Sorry it's not straight. Blogger won't cooperate with iPhoto.)

That said, I finally think I've have it chiseled down to a managable size. I also ordered a copy of Dark Goddess by Sarwat Chadda as well as the first 6 books of the Mitford series. I'm reading The Screaming Season by Nancy Holder now and let me say, I could barely tear myself away from it long enough to type up this post. It is incredible!

The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien

2011-07-11T05:45:00.000-07:00

The Two Towers by JRR Tolkien
Book II in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

"One Ring to rule them all,
One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all,
And in the darkness bind them."

The Fellowship was scattered. Some were bracing hopelessly for war against the ancient evil of Sauron. Some were contending with the treachery of the wizard Saruman. Only Frodo and Sam were left to take the accursed Ring of Power to be destroyed in Mordor–the dark Kingdom where Sauron was supreme. Their guide was Gollum, deceitful and lust-filled, slave to the corruption of the Ring.

Thus continues the magnificent, bestselling tale of adventure begun in The Fellowship of the Ring, which reaches its soul-stirring climax in The Return of the King. (Goodreads)

With the death of Boromir and the courageous escape of Frodo and his trusty gardener Samwise, the Fellowship of the Ring was scattered but not quite broken. Despite feeling as though their lost companions must surely be dead--or worse--each man in the company continues to do his part in taking down the evil of Sauron.

Pippin and Merry are captured and taken away from their friends who pursue on foot for a while to no avail. But there's is perhaps the most magic of adventures out of all of their companions.

Legolas, Gimli, and Aragorn are left to ally with the King of Rohan in hopes of defeating the digusting orcs converging on Middle Earth. And one old companion who was lost will return again, triumphant and powerful, ready to release his wrath on Saruman, Sauron, and all other evil in the land. Hope, however, is dwindling-- held together by only the hearts of men. Whether any of them will make it out of this war alive is yet to be seen...

I'm not sure I can say that I enjoyed The Two Towers any more than The Fellowship of the Ring but it definitely pulled me much farther into the world and the story and held a greater grip on my mind. Tolkien's lulling and lyrical prose wound around me like an enchanted piece of elven rope and still hasn't let go.

We meet some new characters in this second installment who quite nearly stole the show, in my opinion. Faramir was a big surprise to me. I never really liked him in the movies, he seemed more like his greedy, misled brother. In the book, though he was gallant and kind. A bit frightening for Frodo and Sam, but a great and worthy ally in their quest.

I fell in love with the people of Rohan as well. They're so rough and wary, but also so good hearted. They were almost more interesting to me than the elves and Galadriel had been in the first book. I loved Eomer, King Theoden, and of course, Eowyn.

The bit of unrequited love between Eowyn and Aragorn was shown for the first time in this book, and my heart went out to her. She's had such a cold and stuffy life, it's easy to see why she would be looking for someone gallant to cling to, but it is also obvious that Aragorn won't be having any of that.

The only character in the book (or the trilogy, rather) that I don't enjoy is Gollum. He's funny at times, but for the most part he just creeps me out. I can't decide whether to be proud of Frodo for his mercy and kindness or angry at him for his naivete in letting the little Stinker stay with him.

Now, I'm just dying to read the last book in the beloved trilogy, and I'm afraid that I'll cry when I finish it. There is no doubt in my mind that I will carry all of these character with me for the rest of my life. Their impression on the reader is so great it is hard to imagine them not being with you, and harder still to accept the fact the they (and likely no one like them) exists in our world any more. The thought is enough to bring tears to my eyes, so instead of weeping I'm and doing what Tolkien taught us: hoping. Hoping to find that bright light, courageous goodness, and honor in those around me.

Click here to read my review of The Fellowship of the Ring.

Blog Tour: One-Question Interview with Teresa Frohock

2011-06-27T09:16:00.000-07:00

Hi, everyone! Today I have a very cool one question interview with Teresa Frohock to share with you! Make sure you leave her a comment to say hi!

Raised in a small town, Teresa Frohock learned to escape to other worlds through the fiction collection of her local library. She eventually moved away from Reidsville and lived in Virginia and South

Carolina before returning to North Carolina, where she currently resides with her husband and daughter.

Teresa has long been accused of telling stories, which is a southern colloquialism for lying. Miserere: An Autumn Tale is her debut novel.

Teresa can be found most often at her blog and web site (www.teresafrohock.com). Every now and then, she heads over to Tumblr and sends out Dark Thoughts http://teresafrohock.tumblr.com, links to movies and reviews that catch her eye. You can also follow Teresa on Twitter (http://twitter.com/TeresaFrohock ) and join her author page on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Teresa-Frohock/134892453223242).

When writing MISERERE: AN AUTMN TALE did the story/characters surprise you in any way? Meaning, did they veer from the path you had originally intended for them?

Oh, absolutely, Arya. I think it happens to all of us at one time or another, don’t you? No matter how meticulously we plan our novels, we have those characters that get away from us.

For me it was Lindsay.

Lindsay is twelve years old in MISERERE, and she passes through the Crimson Veil from Earth into Woerld with her brother Peter. Lindsay is Lucian’s foundling, and it’s his job to teach Lindsay how to control her talents and become a Katharos.

I had originally written Lindsay as a brat and wanted a lot of twenty-first century references through her character. She was supposed to change from a little horror to a good kid through her interaction with Lucian. I also wanted her to be the catalyst that brought Lucian out of his self-absorption.

However, as the story progressed and shifted and changed (as stories tend to do as writers find their voices), Lindsay’s character changed. I really struggled with how to portray her. It was quickly apparent to me that Lindsay as brat wasn’t working. All the scenes I wrote with her fell flat and the twenty-first century references jerked the reader out of Woerld.

So I shifted gears and made her a good kid. Then she was boring. I kept trying to kill her, but my daughter reminded me that Lindsay had an important job later on. Hours of brainstorming went into this one character. In the end, I didn’t kill either Lindsay or my daughter.

I just kept writing and hoped that Lindsay would eventually show up and join the party. It wasn’t until one of my critique partners mentioned that I had Lindsay too trusting of Lucian during one scene. My partner said that as a child of an alcoholic, Lindsay would be highly sensitive to sudden mood shifts, and she would be wary of Lucian at that particular point.

I had to read her email twice, then I went back to the manuscript and, sure enough, I had planted the idea that Lindsay was the child of an alcoholic in her very first scene. It was a real ah-ha moment for me and I was able to go back and work more detail through the beginning. Weronika really helped me with Lindsay too, and I believe it was that last push by Weronika that made Lindsay’s character believable.

When I finally quit trying to ram Lindsay into being the kid I wanted her to be and just let her be herself, I was able to get into sync with her character, but it was work. I had to let go of some preconceived ideas of how she fit into the plot and I had to expand her role. [Here’s a scoop for you: While Lindsay has minor roles in both MISERERE and DOLOROSA, she will be the protagonist in BELLUM DEI.]

I think she’s a solid character now and can carry her own story, but it was not an easy road to bring her to that point. The trick I employed was to cut and paste every scene from Lindsay’s point of view into a separate document. Then I could read her actions and reactions to others around her more clearly. I went back to the main manuscript and filled in the blanks until I was satisfied with her growth.

That was how I did it.

What about you? Have you ever had a character get away from you and turn into someone completely different?

The next interview in the blog tour will be at Michele Corriel’s blog http://mcorriel.livejournal.com/ where I’ll be talking about the relevance of the magical world of MISERERE to contemporary society.

I hope you’ll join me there.

Miserere: An Autumn Tale (Night Shade Books www.nightshadebooks.com / July 1, 2011)

Exiled exorcist Lucian Negru deserted his lover in Hell in exchange for saving his sister Catarina's soul, but Catarina doesn't want salvation. She wants Lucian to help her fulfill her dark covenant with the Fallen Angels by using his power to open the Hell Gates. Catarina intends to lead the Fallen’s hordes out of Hell and into the parallel dimension of Woerld, Heaven’s frontline of defense between Earth and Hell.

When Lucian refuses to help his sister, she imprisons and cripples him, but Lucian learns that Rachael, the lover he betrayed and abandoned in Hell, is dying from a demonic possession. Determined to rescue Rachael from the demon he unleashed on her soul, Lucian flees his sister, but Catarina's wrath isn’t so easy to escape. In the end, she will force him once more to choose between losing Rachael or opening the Hell Gates so the Fallen's hordes may overrun Earth, their last obstacle before reaching Heaven's Gates.

Read the first four chapters of Miserere FREE here.

LINKS TO PREVIOUS INTERVIEWS:
All Things Books
Layers of Thought
The Written Connection

Publishers...

2011-06-24T05:07:00.000-07:00

I don't think I noticed how shallow publishers were until just recently. HarperTEEN, a long-time favorite of mine, has dropped the last book in one of my favorite series because of recent budget cuts. This just after they paid a TON for big tickets like Josephine Angelini's Starcrossed (the so-called Percy Jackson for girls). It seems they don't want to spend any time on books unless they are certain they will sell...

I might not be so vehement about the whole ordeal if it weren't for the fact that I have never seen where HarperTEEN did much to promote the Warrior Princess books that they have now dropped like a hot potato.

The Warrior Princess books, and indeed all of the books by Allan Frewin Jones, are amazingly written. He has a knack for words and voices that often reminds me of our beloved J.R.R. Tolkien. This is especially true in the Warrior Princess books.

That said, I do understand the kind of stress the publishing market is under right now. My own theory is that all the trouble stems from the uprising of eReaders. Which is one of the many reasons why I avoid eBooks like the plague. It's sad that people can be reading more and the bookstores and publishing houses still be struggling to keep their doors open.

I would really like to get more people involved in the fan community surrounding Mr. Jones's books, and if you are a fan, I ask you to please contact HarperTEEN and express your disappointment in losing the tail-end of a wonderful trilogy.

I've included links below to help you better understand what's going on and what YOU can do about it!

Announcement and explanation on Mr. Jones's blog

More info and a chance to WIN many of Mr. Jones's books

Fan Community

Madame Tussaud by Michelle Moran

2011-06-11T07:55:00.000-07:00

Madam Tussaud by Michelle Moran 5 of 5 stars.

When Marie Tussaud learns the exciting news that the royal family will be visiting her famed wax museum, the Salon de Cire, she never dreams that the king's sister will request her presence at Versailles as a royal tutor in wax sculpting. As Marie familiarizes herself with Princess Elisabeth and becomes acquainted with both Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI, she witnesses the glamorous life of the court. It's a much different world than her home on the Boulevard du Temple in Paris, where bread can only be had on the black market and men sell their teeth to put food on their tables.

The year is 1788, and men like Desmoulins, Marat, and Robespierre are meeting in the salons of Paris, speaking against the monarchy; there's whispered talk of revolution.

Spanning five years from budding revolution to the Reign of Terror, Madame Tussaud brings us into the world of an incredible heroine whose talent for wax modeling saved her life and preserved the faces of a vanished kingdom. (Book blurb from press release)

Madame Tussaud is a deftly written novel that portrays all of the important players of the French Revolution through the voice of a shrewd young woman who manages to straddle the worlds of both 'Royalists' and 'Patriots' to an amazing degree. During the day she may spend time with King Louis XVI's sister, Madame Elisabeth, in her beautiful Montreuil but at home in the evening she is listening to men set on destroying the royal family at all costs.

As violence grows steadily in Paris, the woman who will become Madame Tussaud is caught between loyalty to her friends on both sides and the simple need to survive this horrid time. She will do anything to ensure the safety of herself, her family, and, of course, her Salon even if it mean taking wax models of severed heads of people whose only crime was being in the wrong place in France at the worst time possible.

When I read the synopsis for this book I was overjoyed by the fact the Michelle Moran had written another historical novel. I expected it to be much like her others, but was pleasantly surprised. Instead of being completely immersed in the intrigue and grandeur of the French court the reader is simply given the chance to dip their toes in it from time to time, focusing more on what was happening in Paris during the most bloody time in this country's history.

Moran finds a way to perfectly straddle the closed world of Louis XVI and the harsh reality of the French people. She shows the royal family in a light that will make you sympathize with them. The naive love Louis had for his people was beyond my grasp of understanding, and indeed beyond that of those who were closest to him. We receive a rather horrid view of what the consequences of a "weak" king really are.

I once read a book about Marie Antoinette that made me feel I understood her to some extent, but since then I have watched one historical documentary after the other that pretty much condemned her as the doom of France and, eventually, the French monarchy. This is the first time in a while I have seen Antoinette from a different light, and I will admit that I cried when she was executed. (This is not technically a spoiler since everyone should already know she died.) Every time she tried to economize she was attacked by her courtiers. Historians can say what they wish, but in my mind I will always see Marie Antoinette as a prisoner in a rather gilded cage.

However, the most interesting character in the book has to be the wax artist Marie Tussaud. A shrewd business woman and an amazing artist, she helps immortalize the French Revolution in her own way. The things she was willing to do to ensure her survival and that of her family continue to astound me, and that makes the ending all the more surprising.

If you are a Moran fan, a history buff, or just an avid reader looking for a good story I would suggest you read Madame Tussaud. It is the best historical fiction novel I've read since Moran's last book Cleopatra's Daughter, and the great thing about this author's works is that they never really feel historical. They feel like they directly relate to our modern lives.

To order Madame Tussaud from Amazon.com, please click here.

Weekly Author Writing Prompt!

2011-06-04T10:06:00.000-07:00

Hey, guys!

I'm not sure if you've noticed (hopefully you have!), but I've started a new meme called "Weekly Author Writing Prompt". That's pretty self-explanatory, don't you think?

In case I'm wrong, let me explain. Every week (though it hasn't really been weekly yet due to craziness) I will be hosting one of your favorite YA authors on the blog. They will be presenting you with a writing prompt to get your creative juices flowing. Its basically just a little activity to do or a snippet of something to read that will, hopefully, inspire you. You'll be able to comment on the post with your creation for everyone else and the author to see. Or you can just hoard your pretty words.

Anyway, the fun in this is to just get us all writing for a little while every week. Plus, you get inspiration from your favorite authors. I will also be hosting occasional giveaways and contests!

Below is a working list of the authors who have been featured. Please, please, please help spread the word about this on your blog/twitter/facebook and most importantly, participate!

C. Lee McKenzie
Fran Orenstein -Giveaway still OPEN!

Author Writing Prompt with Fran Orenstein + Giveaway!

2011-05-26T09:16:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Author Writing Prompt Week 2! This week, I'm hosting children/YA author Fran Orenstein. She has a wonderful prompt for you guys, and I hope you'll join in.

Rules: All you have to do is comment, including your name email address to be entered for a chance to win Fran's book The Spice Merchant's Daughter! You may also post your work for the prompt as well. We would all love to see it!
(Giveaway open to US/Canada residents only!)

Fran Orenstein, Ed.D., award-winning author and poet, wrote her first poem at eight and received her first rejection for a short story at age twelve. Her published credits include a ‘tween mystery series, The Mystery Under Third Base and The Mystery of the Green Goblin, a fantasy series for ‘tweens, The Wizard of Balalac and The Gargoyles of Blackthorne, and the second edition of a ‘tween fiction novel dealing with childhood obesity and bullying, Fat Girls From Outer Space, two young adult historical romances, The Spice Merchant’s Daughter, and, coming in June 2011, The Calling of the Flute. Her poetry book for young children is out-of-print, but she plans to reissue it with additional poems in 2012.

Moving into literature for adults, prize-winning short stories and poetry have appeared in various anthologies. A book of poetry is currently in the works for publication in late 2011. Fran is currently seeking a publisher for a recently completed novel about a woman’s most devastating loss and her eventual redemption.

Fran wrote professionally as a magazine editor/writer, and also wrote political speeches, newsletters, legislation, and promotional material for New Jersey State Government for fourteen years. She produced professional papers on gender equity and violence prevention, which were presented at national and international conferences.

Fran has plans for more books in the ‘tween mystery series, as well as more YA historical romance novels. She also has plans for a second woman’s novel dealing with marital emotional abuse. She is currently writing the third book in the fantasy series, The Centaurs of Spyr.

Beating The Block: one writer’s cure

by Fran Orenstein

Scenario: The Bard sits at a table, quill in hand, creating words that will live on for 400 years, perhaps a thousand years; words spoken by actors over the centuries, memorized by school children. He strokes his beard, scratches his head. Putting quill to paper he writes, “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears. I come to bury Caesar….”

Just then he is interrupted, perhaps Anne calls him to dinner, or a blot of ink ruins the paper. When he returns a day or so later his mind is blank. Why was this character Marc Anthony going to make a speech? Is it a necessary speech? What was the purpose? Is he wasting his time creating a play out of some ancient murder nobody cares about any more. He fiddles with the fire that is dying in the hearth. He checks the inkwell, sharpens the quill, stares out the window. He does everything but write the next sentence. Imagine Julius Caesar never written because William Shakespeare developed a writer’s block that he couldn’t break.

At some point during the writing experience, every writer gets blocked. I have gone into a manuscript that was flowing beautifully and couldn’t write another word. It seemed boring, inane, insipid. What was I thinking? Who would want to read this? Yet, just yesterday it was exciting.

Have you ever closed down the computer, covered the typewriter, or put the pen in a drawer, and your stomach churns every time you think of starting again? I have a simple solution that works every time. I go back to the beginning of the manuscript and start editing and rewriting. As I move along, I realize it’s really good. I understand why I chose to write it. By the time I reach the point of yesterday’s despair, I know what comes next. Even if I only write one page, I’ve moved on.

Once I learned that, I always go to the beginning of the previous chapter and read it through. I generally find things to add or change and it inspires me to continue writing. Bedsides breaking the block, I’ve been editing and rewriting as I go along. Every writer has some technique or there would not be any books. This is one suggestion and the next time you face writer’s block, try rereading to get back into the thread and feeling of the story. Whatever you do, don’t give up…it isn’t fatal.

Visit her at www.franorenstein.weebly.com

The Spice Merchant's Daughter by Fran Orenstein

2011-05-16T04:43:00.000-07:00

The Spice Merchant's Daughter by Fran Orenstein 5 of 5 stars.

In 1685, Jean-Claude Dubois, son of a French spice merchant, escapes from the violence against Protestant Huguenots and sails to Prussia. Jean-Claude falls in love with Marie and they marry and have a daughter, Katy. At thirteen, fluent in French, Katy is sent away to be the companion of spoiled, aristocratic Charlotte, to tutor her for a marriage into French nobility. Katy must accompany her to France, where she meets the blacksmith's apprentice, Gilles. Their love appears doomed, when the family takes her to Versailles for the wedding. They remain there for two years, while Charlotte's lecherous brother Franz pursues Katy to become his mistress and although terrified of him, Katy is powerless to help herself. Finally Katy and Gilles are reunited when the family returns, but Franz, enraged at Katy's stubborn refusal, frames Gilles for attempted murder, sending the young couple fleeing for their lives across the French countryside. (book blurb)

The Spice Merchant's Daughter opens through the eyes of Jean-Claude Dubois as he is making his escape from France with his younger brothers in tow. It then continues to follow him all the way to Prussia and to the new life he has made for himself there, away from the King of France's tyranny. When his oldest daughter, Katy, is thirteen the narrative switches to her.

It is a heart-wrenching look at the lives of people in that time, particularly women. Forced into becoming a sort of governess and companion to the young Ms. Charlotte, Katy slowly becomes a young woman as she falls in love, stands up to the King of France, and helps Charlotte through her own rough spots.

Fran Orenstein did a remarkable job with this novel. Her prose has the rich and wonderfully simplistic tone of a storyteller. I believe that The Spice Merchant's Daughter would make a great audio-book, and that isn't something I say very often.

The cast of character was interesting and fairly well-rounded. From Charlotte and her betrothed to Katy's own struggling parents and her love Gilles, they all added something unique and different to the story; contributing toward a many-threaded plot. I must say, though, that I didn't quite understand Gilles as a whole. His love for Katy didn't seem quite genuine, and beyond that love I don't see any other motivations for his actions throughout the book. More than likely, however, this is just me reading too deep into the story.

While I liked the book as a whole very much and hardly put it down the entire time I read it, I didn't really enjoy the beginning from Jean-Claude's point-of-view. As soon as the story switched to his daughter it was like another book entirely. The writing gained depth and the plot thickened into something concrete.

This is a YA novel, in my opinion, based on the content, but I do think that the younger end of the YA audience will enjoy the story much more. That said, it is best to keep in mind that this novel does have sexual content that some under 13 might not feel completely comfortable reading.

To order The Spice Merchant's Daughter from Amazon.com, please click here.

Click here to check out Fran Orenstein's website!

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

2011-05-14T15:35:00.000-07:00

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte 5 of 5 stars.

Jane Eyre is the single most mesmerizing novel I've ever read. The voice is rich and conversational with enough darkness to keep you on the edge of your seat. The book was literally glued to my hands the entire time I read it. I couldn't get over little Jane Eyre's deep and sometimes rather dangerous thoughts. The musings of the writer that dealt such universal and frightening truths.

I've never been a huge fan of the brooding, scary male lead. Like Mr. Darcy for instance. Yeah, sure, Colin Firth made him awesome, but he really wasn't all that wonderful in the book. However, there was something vastly different about Mr. Rochester. Everybody says he isn't a loveable character, but I think just the opposite. He's not dark and scary all of the time, there is a levity to him that takes away from his gruffness. And then, of course, the man has been hurt so many times in his life. Despite (in most cases) trying to do the right and honorable thing, he finds himself in one horrible position right after the other. It makes you want to cheer for him despite his pride and arrogance.

Jane is also, officially, one of my favorite heroines. Her unique way of thinking and independence made me want to keep listening to her. I was terribly disappointed when the book ended. She was strong, courageous but also gentle and kind. You don't find that in many modern heroines. The way she stood up to St. John was incredible. Jane will take a lot, but in the end she will let no one trample over her. Jane talks about needing a person with a strong will around her, as though she doesn't have one of her own. But Mr. Rochester recognizes the indomitable strength within her.

My favorite parts of the book were the verbal sparring matches between Jane and Mr. Rochester. They are a bit hard to keep up with but absolutely hilarious (and at times frightening) if you can. Its remarkable how well matched the two are in intellect and it adds considerably to the strength of their bond.

This book is the kind of love story that you don't necessarily want in your own life. Its full of heartbreak, secrets, and more pain then any two people deserve. It is what's at the heart of this love story that makes us crave it for ourselves. It is the fact that these two remarkably similar people, these kindred spirits could find each other that makes us want a love like that between Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester. That they--in the end--could reach beyond social and economical barriers and be together is the beauty of it.

I have heard some say that Rochester's wife being locked in the attic is symbolic of the way women were treated at the time. I don't believe that. I don't think there is anything really symbolic about it, though there may be some parrallels with insanity or a person not being virtuous at all. As I see this part in the story, I think that the way Rochester treated Bertha Mason was the kindest thing he could do. He had been through so much and could have basically left her at any of his other estates (or sent her to an asylum which, during that time period, would have been far more cruel) instead he kept her where he could watch over her and where she would be taken care of. Even when she was nothing more than a burden and a danger to his happiness and his life, he kept her.

Charlotte Bronte crafted a novel that could withstand the test of time and leave its reader with love for the characters long after the story had ended. Her gothic prose and rich description make the story a masterpiece.

Below I have embedded a trailer for the latest screen adaptation of Jane Eyre though I have not had a chance of seeing it myself yet. My favorite out of the ones I have seen is the 1983 version.

Weekly Writing Prompt with C. Lee McKenzie!

2011-04-21T03:55:00.000-07:00

Hey, everyone! From now on I'll be posting a writing prompt by one of your favorite YA authors every Thursday. I'll also be doing some contests and giveaways later on for those of you brave enough to join it! Here are the rules:

Write just write.
Share pretty please! Post what you wrote each week in the comments section! Let the author see your awesome work.

C. Lee McKenzie

C. Lee McKenzie has written YA and MG novels as well as short stories and nonfiction articles. Judging by all the buzz surrounded her latest book Princess of Las Pulgas (read my review if you haven't!), you might say she's a veritable master behind a keyboard.

This week, Ms. McKenzie has given us a writing prompt to really get the juices flowing!

"Every writer knows that the opening lines of a book can make or break a sale, so my writing prompt is about creating a dynamite opening. The catch is you have to include the following words and it can't be longer than a paragraph.

alive OR dead

hug (any verb form)

importance, important

Here's my stab at a "grabber" opening for a YA novel. Enjoy and write up something irresistible for that agent, that editor, or your readers.

If I’d known I wouldn’t be alive today, here’s what I would have done . . . in order of importance.

Hugged Mom
Apologized to Ben
Tossed all my diaries
Punched Kelly Pollard in the mouth" --C. Lee McKenzie

Her website!
My review of Princess of Las Pulgas!

Many thanks to Ms. McKenzie for participating this week! I hope you will all join in and keep this going!

Chunky Bling Review

2011-04-19T05:22:00.000-07:00

I'm sure you've all noticed the gorgeous button to the left, right? The one with the pretty purple watch? That is for the awesome jewelry site called Chunky Bling. They've got all kind of jewelry that features awesome chunky beads and beautiful hunks of Swarovski Crystals. What's a Swarovski Crystal? You know the stones in the pretty ring/necklace/bracelet of yours? The ones that shine so much they look like diamonds? Those are more than likely Swarovski Crystals. They are cut to have as many shiney facets as possible so that they reflect the most light. I've always adored them.

When a representative from Chunky Bling contacted me about posting an ad on my blog, I told him that I would have to review the product to make sure it was of good enough quality to support on here. He agreed that this would be fine, and I chose the beautiful Palace Green Swarovski Crystal Ring. I was a bit apprehensive when it came to picking a size because I have very long thing fingers and alot of times my ring size differs, so I just have to try them on. Ordering online was a bit different for me. But I guesstimated the size and sent out for it.

When the ring arrived I was surprised to find that instead of just being a straight ring, it was a little bit elasticy and fit my finger perfectly. I normally don't like rings with elastic because they aren't very comfortable, but this one fit and felt just fine. It didn't make any marks on my fingers, and oh, how it shined!

The stones are most definitely Swarovski Crystals and they shimmer in the light beautifully. The color was a bit lighter than it appears in the photograph on the website, but it is still gorgeous. It has become one of my favorite pieces of jewelry.

As for the other stuff on the site, I'm thinking about order a watch myself. And I hate watches. These are just too cute!

So, if anyone is looking for any jewelry please, please, please check out Chunky Bling. The site is small, but it is 100% legit, and I promise you will be satisfied with your order!

***
I receive a small commission every time someone makes a purchase on the website after following one of my buttons. However, this does not affect my opinion of the product.
***

Blog Tour: Odessa - Seraphym Wars by Rebecca Ryals Russell

2011-04-10T06:37:00.000-07:00

"Myrna Ashlin Watts graduated from High School in Jacksonville, Fl just in time to find herself transported to a bizarre and primal planet corrupted by demon-dragons. And they want her DEAD. Her problem is she has been recruited to kill them, too.

18-year-old Myrna is drawn into the middle of an epic battle between Seraphym and Demons. An average High School student from Florida, struggling with inner demons resulting from a rape two years earlier, she wakes one morning on the Steampunk planet of Dracwald, home of the demon-dragons responsible for her brother’s recent murder as well as many other atrocities in the news. She meets Michael, who becomes her guide and explains that according to prophecy, Myrna must gather the remaining six Vigorios (teen warriors with special talents) then train with the Majikals on an enchanted island.

Reluctantly, and knowing it is her only way to get back home, she agrees to lead, battling dragons and monsters while crossing swamps and mountains, forests and seas. She wrangles with the old inner demons when three very different men join her quest—a seasoned demon/dragon-slayer who irritates but beguiles her, a tender and sweet mentor in whom she trusts completely and a roguishly handsome Scientist who sets her senses aflame. How is she expected to lead the others and keep everyone safe with so much inner turmoil?

Will love and lust, jealousy, greed, deceit and distrust break the delicate tie that binds these teen warriors called The Vigorios? Can a troupe of teens help the Seraphym finally defeat the massive empire of evil dominated for eons by the demon-dragons of Dracwald?" - Goodreads

This or That with Rebecca Ryals Russell

1. Cookies or cake? Cake. Particularly carrot cake. Every birthday we have carrot cake because everyone knows it’s my favorite. I also like Red Velvet, Black Forest and cheesecake (although it’s not officially cake).

2. Jelly or jam? Neither. I prefer preserves because I like the bits of actual fruit. My favorite is Orange Marmalade, then Strawberry. But, I also love Guava Jelly or Apple Jelly and Apple Butter. Apple Butter and Peanut Butter make a delicious sandwich, by the way.

3. Bright colors or darker colors? Both. In my decorating, clothing and any time color is a choice, I prefer any shade of red, then bright yellows and dark purple.

4. Travel by train or travel by bus? Train travel is definitely preferable, but even so can be rather tedious. About 15 years ago we took our 4 young children from Jacksonville to Savannah, Ga on the train. It was a LOOOOOOOOONG ride with 4 little ones. But we all remember it, and that’s what counts.

5. Art museum or science museum? Science Museum. When my kids were little we had an annual membership to the Jacksonville Science Museum where they could play, or we’d attend the Planetarium and watch the laser lights played to rock music. They especially enjoyed the Dinosaur exhibit. We went to the Orlando Science Museum one time. They had a travel exhibit about the body that was outstanding.

6. Socks or bare feet? Bare feet for sure. Growing up in South Florida I grew up barefoot and never got out of the habit.

7. Go for a walk or go for a run? Walk. I can’t run anymore. When I was in my twenties my hubby and I would jog at an exercise park near our apartment in Orlando. I developed shin splints. Ever since, if I don’t stretch well, or go too fast before my muscles warm up, I can hardly even walk. It’s very frustrating.

8. Dresses or pants? I’ve always been one for skirts or dresses. I guess I enjoy feeling feminine. I wear pants and jeans when necessary, but I love all of the full-length, flowing skirts available these days and pretty much live in them with embroidered or crochet-enhanced peasant tops. I’m so happy styles from the ‘60’s have become popular again.

9. Dance or sing? Dance. When I was in college, and dating my hubby, we went ‘clubbing’ every Friday night. There was one night we got into a battle between the drummer and us dancing. Everyone left the dance floor at the end of the set, but we kept dancing and the drummer kept going. It lasted at least another 30 minutes before we finally gave up. The whole club cheered us on. It was so much fun. I miss dancing since we moved into a Victorian house with wooden floor and a crawl space. Bounce, bounce, bounce.

10. Celebrate with a small group or celebrate with a large group? I’m definitely a small group gal. I’m quite shy and have trouble connecting with too many people at once. That’s why the Internet is perfect for me. Whenever I’m in a large group, like at a Writing Conference, I always choose the rear corner table and sit in the far corner of the room. The irony is that I was a Middle Grades teacher for 14 years. Talk about being front and center and with the most opinionated age there is.

Thank you, Rebecca! Hopefully, a review will of Odessa will be soon to follow!

To order Odessa - Seraphym Wars from Amazon.com, please click here.

Blog Tour: Overprotected by Jennifer Laurens

2011-04-07T04:29:00.000-07:00

Overprotected by Jennifer Laurens 5 of 5 stars.

Ashlyn: A lonely society princess living in New York City.

Daddy hired you to be my bodyguard.

Colin: Childhood enemy, now her protector.

Daddy thought I'd be safe. He thought I'd never fall in love.
He thought he could keep me forever.

Charles: Obsessed with keeping her safe, keeping her his,
he hires the one person he knows she could never fall in love with:
Colin.

Daddy was wrong.
(Book blurb)

When Ashlyn was five years old she was kidnapped by her father's stalker. Ever since, paranoia has run rampant in her house. At seventeen, being kept behind the walls of a townhouse and constantly being watched by a bodyguard, she's almost like a modern-day princess in a tower. Only worse, because Ashlyn feels there is absolutely no chance of a handsome prince getting her out of this one. Little does she know that she doesn't need one.

Ashlyn thinks her life is about to get a whole lot worse when Daddy hires the boy who tormented her as a child, Colin Brennan, to be her bodyguard. But Colin is all grown up now and more than a little handsome. As Ashlyn tries to get past her hatred of Colin her feelings for him change, she also has to come to terms with a reality she never even knew existed in her house. And with only one friend, Ashlyn has very few allies she can count on.

Overprotected is a heart-stopping edge of your seat kind of novel, but it also has the soft undertones of youth and redemption along with the bitterness of a coming to age that came all too fast. Jennifer Laurens is a truly brilliant writer who's wonderful voice kept me turning the pages. I literally couldn't put it down.

The characters are so remarkably real and yet at the beginning (and perhaps a little throughout the rest of the book) the situation seems terribly unrealistic. But something in the way Laurens tells the story and the emotions of the characters makes us believe in Ashlyn's plight, whether it is realistic or not. That's what makes a story of this type wonderful.

Ashlyn's voice was innocent and unique. In the beginning I thought she was a bit too complacent and didn't have any fight in her, but as the story continued, and I watched Ashlyn grow as a character and saw her eyes be opened to the world around her I wanted to do nothing more than cheer her on.

As for Colin, he is probably one of my new favorite fictional heroes. His gentlemanly demeanor and honest-to-goodness care toward Ashlyn makes my heart melt. His personality may have been that of the near-perfect hero we all dream about and feel we'll never find, but sometimes those kind of characters are just what we need to lift are spirits.

Over all, the story is remarkably well written, the plot is intense and surprising, and the character will make you miss them. Anyone who loves a good story will like this book, no matter what genre you prefer. As for me, Jennifer Laurens has officially made it onto my "favorite author's" list!

To order Overprotected by Jennifer Laurens from Amazon.com, please click here.

Jennifer Laurens's Top Ten Fiction Characters!

Top Ten Fiction Characters I LOVE:
Cam - Sea Swept by Nora Roberts
Roxy - Honest Illusions by Nora Roberts
Luke - Honest Illusions by Nora Robers
Barbara Covett - Notes on A Scandal
David - Endless Love by Scott Spencer
Jamie - Outlander - Diana Gabaldon
Damon Salvatore - Vampire Diaries
Sayuri - Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden

~
Many thanks to Jennifer and to Teen {Book} Scene for letting me participate in this blog tour. Please leave Jennifer a comment below!
~

CSN Stores Review - Milk Frother

2011-04-03T04:30:00.000-07:00

Do you remember when I did that teaser post about my CSN Stores milk frother review? Well, I intended to write the review and post it long before now but between the holidays, being sick with winter colds, and the start of my new classes for school I just haven't found time. Until now...

The Cuisinox 27 oz. Cappuccino frother is a wonderful addition to anybody's kitchen. Especially if you like hot milky drinks. All you have to do is pour however much milk, hot chocolate, or whatever you want frothed into the stainless steel frother and set it on the stove. As it heats, you use this little plunger that is attached to some kind of netting-wire thing that aerates the milk.

I've found that heating the milk first and then frothing it, however, is the best way to go. If you don't and you just put it in the little frother its hard to tell when the milk is hot enough. Taking the lid on and off while frothing causes a sticky, milky-burned mess on the stove-top.

And that brings me to my problem with the lid in general. The little rod that is connected to the aerator goes through the lid, and you use it as a little pump. So when you pull the lid up, you pull the dripping aerator up as well. That is problem enough in and of itself, but the worst part is that there isn't any kind of lock or very good suction on the lid. So in order to pump the plunger up and down you have to put your other hand on the lid to keep it from popping up and down too. When you've got it on the stove or with nearly-boiling milk inside, that stainless steel lid gets pretty hot.

I know it sounds like I'm bashing this things, but remember; This is a good review. I just want to make sure you know what you're getting into before you buy it. Its a lot more work to make that delicious, steaming bunch of froth than I thought it was going to be.

Now, onto the delicious steamy froth! It is just that fluffy, light, and wonderful. It may not be of the Starbucks quality, but it adds at least 3 in. of foamy goodness to your favorite drink. Which, by the way, is very comforting on a blustery winter/spring day.

That's all I have to say for now, other than that ordering from CSN Stores is always an absolute pleasure. I have to make it a point not to look at the website very often. Its kind of like avoiding the stores you know you'll buy alot of stuff at on impulse in the mall. Only, its way bigger than that store in the mall...

Click here to check out the Cuisinox 27 oz Cappuccino Frother on CSNStores.com!

Awesome Giveaway!

2011-04-02T06:54:00.000-07:00

You have got to check out the awesome giveaway going on at Le Vanity Victorienne. Nevey is giving away a really cool Goddess Girls: Athena the Wise prize pack!

Click here to go enter!

And if you haven't entered her Amazon Gift Card Giveaway, do that too! --->>

The Charmed Return by Frewin Jones

2011-04-02T03:39:00.000-07:00

The Charmed Return by Frewin Jones 5 of 5 stars.
Faerie Path Book Six

By the light of the
pure eclipse, two worlds
will be as one. . .

She was once a princess of Faerie, the seventh daughter of King Oberon. But sixteen-year-old Anita Palmer has no memory of the Faerie Realm; her true Faerie princess identity; her love, Edric; or her quest to save Faerie from a deadly plague that ravaged it. With the help of an unexpected ally, Anita must figure out a way to reawaken Tania, her Faerie self--but how?

Now Anita--or is she Tania?--doesn't know who, or what, to trust, including her own memories. With no time to spare, Anita must act. A thrilling final battle is soon to be waged that will affect not only her destiny but the fate of both Faerie and the Mortal World. Loyalties will be tested, true love questioned, and nothing is what it seems.(Book blurb)

Magic and mayhem prevail as our favorite Faerie Path characters rush to save the kingdom once again. This time it is Tania's dreadful uncle who is trying to take-over Faerie and all of those in it. But, of course, evil villains of this sort never hold their ambitions in only one realm...

New friends join old for a semi-apocalyptic battle in the most epic Faerie Path book yet. Excitement, danger, and romance will keep you on the edge of your seat from the first moment, while the author's gentle and beautiful writing calls to mind images both lovely and terrifying.

I feel ridiculous trying to right Faerie Path reviews anymore. Everyone knows how much I adore these books, and the plots in this series are so twisted I always feel like I jumping through hoops in an attempt not to accidentally leave you any spoilers.

But needless to say, The Charmed Return is probably one of my favorite installments of this series thus far. It has an ending that will leave you *squee*-ing with happiness. Even while you desperately want another Faerie Path book. You'd think six would be enough, but apparently not.

If you haven't read the previous Faerie Path books, then I wouldn't even suggest attempting this one. You'll be far too lost and this book is too wonderful to read it without getting the full effect.

To order The Charmed Return from Amazon.com, please click here.

Lore: East and Eight by Chad T. Douglas

2011-03-17T04:06:00.000-07:00

East and Eight by Chad T. Douglas 5 of 5 stars.

Darkness only darkens when you put out fires...

His dead brother lying in his wake, Thomas Crowe walks into trouble's open arms once again when an Atlantean sorceress comes to him looking for a stolen talisman. When Tom refuses to return it, the consequences are dire. Plagued by two new foes, a demon and a mysterious octet of immortal-hunters simply known as "The Eight", there seems to be nothing the young werewolf can do when the truth about his past life comes to surface and the world tries to eat him alive. Molly Bishop is Thomas Crowe's only hope. Wrought by anger and confusion toward her father, the beautiful and talented gemseeker must wrestle with demons of her own if she hopes to live long enough to keep Thomas from succumbing to his end. Armed with strength and power anew, Molly lights the way as she and Tom make the treacherous journey east, to Romania. (Book blurb)

Thomas Crowe's adventures continue in the latest Lore novel. This time there are new and far more evil dangers to face. Though not without the help of strange new allies and deadly potent powers. Molly and Tom's love story continues, however with a great deal more heartache as we learn more about the past that shaped the two swashbuckling characters. Their world is far from predictable, making East and Eight a pirate book to keep you on the edge of your seat.

East and Eight proved itself to be a wonderful addition to the Lore trilogy of books, standing as yet another testament to its author's incredible talent.

While I adored the characters, both old and new, I found that they had changed a great deal since the last book. Whether from the guilt of killing his brother, or from the curse laid upon him near the beginning of this second book, Tom lost some of his comical side. The very thing that made us fall in love with his craziness in the first book. However, it was interesting to watch how he grew throughout the trilogy so far.

As for new characters, there are several that I completely adored. I thought the descriptions and overall characteristics of Ine to be very well written and developed. The Japanese warrior-woman reminded me a bit of Mulan. (Who is, of course, the all-time best Disney character ever drawn. If you didn't know.) The princely vampire Leon was also an interesting addition, his "honorable" chararacter bringing contrast to the pirates of the story.

The were a few other wonderfully surprising characters that showed up in this second book, but I'm not about to tell you everything! The only one I didn't quite understand was William. Perhaps I'm wrong, but it seems to me he only served to fill up pages.

Other than that the plot went smoothly, though a bit hard to keep up with at times. The imagery was wonderful and the writing exquisite. Definitely a trilogy and an author to follow. The one thing I would like to caution readers about a bit though, is the fact that the second installment was a good bit more racy than the last. I know alot of younger kids read book for older teen, so just be careful about this one. There was a bit more sexual content in it than you find in the majority of the YA books these days. Not to the point that it was terribly over-done. Just a warning.

Other than that, I completely suggest East and Eight to anyone who is a fan of pirates and adventure. Just be sure you read the first book!

Many thanks to the author for sending me a copy to review!
The first book, A Pirate's Charm, has entered into the second round of the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards! Congrats!

To order Lore: East and Eight from Amazon.com, please click here.

Wanna Win a $20 Amazon Gift Card?

2011-03-14T04:47:00.000-07:00

Ooof course you do! Just go check out my friend Nevey's blog, Le Vanity Victorienne to find out how! She'll be giving away one gift card to a super lucky winner in honor of her awesome grades. Don't forget to tell her congratulations and snag that snazzy button before you leave. -->

A Rant About Tinkerbell and Charlie Sheen

2011-03-10T04:56:00.000-08:00

You know what gets on my nerves? The fact that women (mother's mainly) can take the time to bash Tinkerbell for being scantily clad and/or provocative in other ways. Seriously?! There is so much else wrong with our media, and you are going to take out your frustration on the cartoon?

I'll admit, I'm not the biggest fan of Walt Disney. I don't care for some of the story re-dos I don't always agree with the television shows they put out there for kids to watch on Disney Channel. But really, the fairy!?! At this point, she is the least of my worries.

Let's start worrying about the fact that you can't walk through a grocery story without the image of a half-naked woman on magazine cover grabbing your eye, or worse, your child's. I'm not a mother. I don't plan to be, but I like kids well enough, and I just can't help but think that you wouldn't want your kid looking at that. So why attack the fairies, the cartoons, the things that are drawn to be whimsical and silly? Why not attack the Charlie Sheens, Lindsey Lohans, Miley Cyruses in the world or better yet the people that throw them in front of your face every day?

I don't believe in censorship either. I'm not trying to do that. But honestly? Where our interests have gone scares me.

I'm not trying to tear down or praise anything in this post. I'm just frustrated. I think what America needs more than anything is a major cultural change. This "pop culture" isn't helping any of us. This makes me want to get into a bunch of other topics I find wrong with the world, but I think I'll just leave it at this for now.

So, what do you think? Is Tinkerbell not-so-wholesome? Do you think bigger changes than a fairy's attire need to be worried about in mainstream media? Let me know!

****EDIT****
You know what ELSE gets on my nerves? Spell checkers that automatically change name spelling. And then of course missing the change in my re-read. Epic fail. Sorry, guys!

Waiting on Wednesday!

2011-03-09T04:31:00.000-08:00

Are you kidding me?! Who isn't dying to read So Silver Bright, the third installment of the Theatre Illuminata, by the wonderful Lisa Mantchev?! Her stories thus far have enchanted us all an I have no doubt what so ever the So Silver Bright will do the same! So Silver Bright will be released on September 13, 2011!!

<3 Team Ariel!

"Things are never easy for Beatrice Shakespeare Smith. Something's happened to the Théâtre Illuminata, putting the only home she's ever known in limbo. Her mother's sanity is fraying under the strain, her father has vanished and an angry goddess is out for revenge. Bertie is caught between her duties and her dreams, just as her heart is torn between Ariel and Nate. But hope glimmers in a Distant Castle, and if Bertie can put on the performance of her life, maybe she can win the magical boon that may save them all." -Goodreads.com

To pre-order So Silver Bright from Amazon.com, please click here.

Waiting on Wednesday!

2011-03-02T04:45:00.000-08:00

Good morning, everyone! I hope you are all having a wonderful 1st Wednesday. This week I wanted to share with you a really awesome book I stumbled upon on Goodreads. The book is the second in the series, and I haven't yet read the first. I'm dying to now though!

Cascade by Lisa Tawn Bergren will be release on June 1, 2011.

"Mom touched my underdress—a gown made six hundred years before—and her eyes widened as she rubbed the raw silk between thumb and forefinger. She turned and touched Lia’s gown. “Where did you get these clothes?”

Gabi knows she’s left her heart in the fourteenth century and she persuades Lia to help her to return, even though they know doing so will risk their very lives. When they arrive, weeks have passed and all of Siena longs to celebrate the heroines who turned the tide in the battle against Florence—while the Florentines will go to great lengths to see them dead. But Marcello patiently awaits, and Gabi must decide if she’s willing to leave her family behind for good in order to give her heart to him forever." -Goodreads

To pre-order Cascade by Lisa T. Bergren from Amazon.com, please click here.

Coming Soon: Another CSN Stores Review

2011-02-18T19:17:00.000-08:00

Hi, everyone! Who doesn't love CSN Stores? They have everything from kitchen appliances to pet products. One of my favorite parts of CSN is their luggage stores. I won't be reviewing luggage this time, though! I'll be doing a review of Cuisinox's 27 oz Cappuccino Frother to froth milk with. My mom adores masala chai lattes, but I just can't whisk the milk enough to make it frothy like the way Starbucks does. I'm hoping this will be a good investment. Can you imagine mocha hot chocolate frothed up in this thing? YUM! All I need to add with that is a long book and a blustery day.

Be looking for this review very soon!

Blog Tour: Fallen Grace by Mary Hooper + Author Interview

2011-02-18T05:43:00.000-08:00

Fallen Grace by Mary Hooper 5 of 5 stars.

Life has been nothing but unfair to Grace Parkes and her sister. Penniless, the two orphans manage to stay alive--but only barely, like so many on the streets of Victorian London. And Grace must bear a greater heartbreak, having become pregnant from terrible circumstances and then given birth to a stillborn baby. But the infant's death sets Grace on a new path, bringing her into contact with people who hold both riches and power. A great fraud has been perpetrated on young Grace and her sister, and they are the secret recipients of a most unusual legacy--if only they can find the means to claim it. This breakout novel by Mary Hooper offers Dickensian social commentary, as well as malicious fraud, mysterious secrets, and a riveting read. (Book blurb)

Grace and Lily Parkes know all to well what hardship means. Not long after Grace was born their father left for the Americas in search of a fortune. Just a few years later their mother died. Surviving both a London orphanage and a few months in training school, Grace finds herself on the street. She must learn to fend for not only herself and her simple sister, but also the unwanted baby growing inside her.

But Victorian London does not approve of unwed mothers, and when it comes time for Grace to give birth none of the hospitals will accept her. Finding a charity house that deals with young, unwed mothers Grace gives birth to a stillborn child. The burial of her baby sets in motion things that Grace could have never before imagined, and brings her unwittingly into the empire of death and mourning that spins silently at the heart of London.

Fallen Grace is a beautifully told Gothic mystery that shows the shadowy world of undertaking fueled, in part, by the pomp and grandeur of the upper-classes of Victorian London. Heartbreak, redemption, and surprise embody this wonderful story by a seasoned historical fiction author who doesn't mind showing the truly gritty streets of Victorian England.

I greatly enjoyed this novel. I had no idea what a big deal undertaking was in Victorian England, and the way Mary Hooper showed how Prince Albert's death affected this business was very interesting. She set it up quite nicely by showing us Albert from the girl's point of view, as well as showing that the evictions of the time were order (so to speak) by Prince Albert who wanted to help the lower classes. It was obvious that while the majority of the public held him in high esteem, most would not have felt the need (and certainly couldn't afford) the rather extreme decry by Queen Victoria that the public be in morning for her husband for so long.

One of my favorite parts of the story was Lily. All of the characters in the novel were wonderfully well-written, but there was something uniquely complex about Lily and her situation. The novel alternates between the two sisters' points of view and while reading from Lily's POV I automatically assumed her to be the sweet, younger sister. It wasn't until a bit later in the story I realized she was the older. For a moment I was confused until in the simplest of 19th century terms it was declared that Lily had a mental handicap. She was simple. So many people throughout the story expected her to be stupid, and indeed, she was naive, but she proved them all wrong in the end. She was truly someone you could cheer for even more so than for sensible Grace who did such a wonderful and selfless job taking care of her sister.

The only thing I disliked about the story was the ending. The very ending itself was perfect, but I would have liked to have seen more before that. What happened with Grace and James Solent? Where did Grace and Lily move to? I would even like to see a sequel! But I understand that sometimes its better to leave the endings of these things to the imagination, so I cannot fault Mary Hooper for that.

If you love the Victoria-era, Dickens, or just historical fiction in general, you will adore this book!

To order Fallen Grace from Amazon.com, please click here.

Interview with Mary Hooper

1. Did you have to do any research for Fallen Grace?

Masses of research. But for me, this was the best bit. This is where you find out little nuggets of truth which will make your book come alive.

2. What makes this book different from your others?

Well, It's the first book that I've written about the Victorian funeral trade!

3. If a movie was made of Fallen Grace who would you cast for the lead roles?

I think it would have to be an unknown, because Grace is only fifteen.

4. What is a normal day of writing like for you?

Every day is slightly different...I'll either be writing, re-writing, thinking, proof-reading, editing, catching up on emails, answering interview questions, reading round a subject or out actually researching by going somewhere like Brookwood Cemetery, which features in FALLEN GRACE. (This is not strictly necessary, but fun).

5. Do you find the inspiration for your novels comes from other media (books, movies, songs etc.) or from different sources?

From all over the place - but you can't help picking up bits and pieces from wherever you go/whatever you read/view, etc.

6. Out of all of the characters you've written, which one do you connect the most with?

Difficult one, this. When I'm writing I try to get right inside my main character's heads and feel as they would feel. I make a connection with all of them and couldn't pick one in particular. They would all be my best friends.

7. Favorite quote?

From a book or from life? In life, the one that has stood me in good stead is: You are responsible for your own happiness.

8. What is the number one piece of advice you would give to aspiring writers?

Read, read, read...

~
A special thanks to BloomsburyUSA for the review copy and to Mary Hooper for answering all of my questions! Please leave a comment for her below.
~

Waiting on Wednesday!

2011-02-09T09:24:00.000-08:00

Good day to you all! Hopefully, where you are it isn't too cold. Maybe even the sun is shining. I'm so sick of rain myself. The sun has been fighting valiantly to break through the gathering clouds to day, and I assure you, I have been cheering him on!

Anyway, today's WoW is really cool. Why? Because. I love any thing involving Native Americans, and I like ghosts. Not literally, of course. I've just recently discovered them in YA horror, and I think they rock. This book, The Revenant Sonia Gensler has both!

"When Willie arrives in Indian Territory, she knows only one thing: no one can find out who she really is. To escape a home she doesn't belong in anymore, she assumes the name of a former classmate and accepts a teaching job at the Cherokee Female Seminary.

Nothing prepares her for what she finds there. Her pupils are the daughters of the Cherokee elite—educated and more wealthy than she, and the school is cloaked in mystery. A student drowned in the river last year, and the girls whisper that she was killed by a jealous lover. Willie's room is the very room the dead girl slept in. The students say her spirit haunts it.

Willie doesn't believe in ghosts, but when strange things start happening at the school, she isn't sure anymore. She's also not sure what to make of a boy from the nearby boys' school who has taken an interest in her—his past is cloaked in secrets. Soon, even she has to admit that the revenant may be trying to tell her something. . . ."-Goodreads

Pretty cool, right? And isn't the cover gorgeous and striking in a seriously creepy kind of way?

The Revenant will release June 14th by Knopf!

To pre-order The Revenant by Sonia Gensler from Amazon.com, please click here.

The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien

2011-02-07T12:48:00.000-08:00

The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien 5 of 5 stars.

One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all and in the dark darkness bind them.

In ancient times the Rings of Power were crafted by the elven-smiths, and Sauron, the Dark Lord, forged the One Ring, filling it with his own power so that he could rule all others. But the One Ring was taken from him, and though he sought it throughout Middle-earth, it remained lost to him. After many ages, it fell by chance into the hands of the hobbit Bilbo Baggins.

From his fastness in the Dark Tower of Mordor, Sauron's power spread far and wide. He gathered all the Great Rings to him, but always he searched for the One Ring that would complete his dominion.

On Bilbo's eleventy-first birthday, he disappeared, bequeathing to his young cousin, Frodo, the Ruling Ring and a perilous quest: to journey across Middle-earth, deep into the shadow of the Dark Lord, and destroy the Ring by casting it into the Cracks of Doom.

The Lord of the Rings tells of the great quest undertaken by Frodo and the Fellowship of the Ring: Gandalf the Wizard; the hobbits Merry, Pippin, and Sam; Gimli the Dwarf; Legolas the Elf; Boromir of Gondor; and a tall, mysterious stranger called Strider. (Book blurb)

I have finally read the first book in the series that inspired so much, from movies

to spin-off novels, roleplayers and dreamers. In no way can I say that I was disappointed. For a long time I have said that I like The Lord of the Rings, not because I had read it but because of what it was, what it repressented; epic fantasy, magical creatures, and, of course, Orlando Bloom played an elf in the movie! But now I have a new and genuine appreciation for the trilogy and the writer.

As I read, I tried to look not simply at the story itself, but at the writing. I tried to decipher what it was that made us all fall in love with Tolkien's work. Is it his musical tone? His vast knowledge and imagination? Probably some of both. But I also saw that he didn't steer away from the things we are so often told to avoid in our writing today. He used passive sentences. He always stayed true to the voice of the characters even if it meant veering slightly away from the "correct" formation of the prose. Some might say, but it is okay for Tolkien to do it. He is a linguist, he studies language, he knows it. I say, would he not want us to follow in his footsteps and to write as clearly as we possibly can what that little voice inside our head is saying, even if we fear that it might sound or look foolish?

Probably the most wonderful part of Tolkien's trilogy is the characters. They are so rich and full. There is nothing lacking in their personalities, their voices. They bring to mind a time that might once have been, might come to be. They aren't like the people in our lives today, but they are real enough to relate with, to laugh with, to wish beyond hope that you would just suddenly run into one of them on the street one day.

I also can't help but wonder about the characters in this book and to compare them with modern series that are often talked about with reference to The Lord of the Rings like (you had to know this was coming!) Christopher Paolini's Inheritance Cycle. In Tolkien's trilogy we find that while the women in the books are strong just like in Paolini's works, they are greatly outnumbered by the men. I wonder a bit if it might be the way views on women have changed in the last fifty years or if it was just a fluke.

As for the movie adaptation of Lord of the Rings I see it in a slightly different light now. I do still adore it, but there is so much missing. So much beautiful scenery (not that what was in the movie wasn't gorgeous!) so much information that could be useful to the viewer is missing.

All together, Tolkien has gained yet another devoted fan.

To order The Fellowship of the Ring from Amazon.com, please click here.

~
I would greatly appreciate any comments on my review and would love to discuss any of these point (or some of your own!) below. This is my first time reviewing a classic and I hate to feel like I'm talking to myself!
~

Promotion

2011-02-04T10:06:00.000-08:00

Promotion

I love to promote books and their authors! Otherwise, I wouldn't be doing this. Its important, though, that you understand it takes alot of time and effort to keep up a blog that will be succesful in promoting you/your client/favorite author. Below, I have listed the different ways I offer promotion to authors.

Guest Post

This is a completely free and totally fun way to promote your book. Its not necessary that I review your book before your guest post, its just important that I like the concept of your book. I don't promote anything I can't stand behind. If you're interested in doing a guest post, just send me an email with a synopsis of your book and when you'd like the guest post to be posted and we can begin brainstorming topics!

(I also welcome fellow book bloggers for guest posts!)

Interviews

This is the same as with the guest posts. If I like the idea of your book, I would be more than happy to host an interview with you. Just let me know if you're interested and when you need the interview done by and I will send you a list of questions.

Reviews

Please check out my Review Policy for information on reviews.

Giveaway

Giveaways can be the most effective form of promotion on a blog. If you'd be interested in giving away a copy of your book on my blog, drop me a line and we can discuss details.

Advertising

As a college bound teenager, I do need some way to come up with a little bit of income. That's why I just recently began offering paid book/book related advertising on my blog. Its $10 a month to feature a button on my blog. It can be for your book, your bookstore, or anything else book related. If you are interested but do not have a button, let me know and I can make one for you.

Weekly Author Writing Prompt

For me information please click here. If you are interested in participating, email me and we can set up a date.

Contact Me

If you have question or are interested in any of the promotion methods above, please email me at hollywood_here_i_come@live(dot)com.

Review Policy

2011-02-04T08:44:00.000-08:00

Review Policy

I will review nearly anything of the YA genre and some crossover/adult novels as well. I usually say that I mainly review fantasy and historical fiction, but even if it isn't of those genres just send me the synopsis and I'll let you know if I'm interested.

I absolutely will not accept ebooks for review! No matter how much I like the sound of the book, I will not read it in ebook format. I don't believe in eReaders and can't stand long stints of reading on the computer. However, if I like the sound of your novel I will offer to promote you in other ways, I just cannot do a review.

I reserve the right to not review an unsolicited galley. If I do not plan on reading it at all, I will generally pass it on to another blogger.

Time

I go to school nearly year-round and when I'm in the middle of a term, I sometimes am only able to review one book every two weeks. That said, it may take a good while to review your novel unless you have specified a date you want it reviewed by.

Blog Tours

I love blog tours and am a proud part of Teen {Book} Scene! They organize blog tours for many authors and always do a wonderful job. They're seriously some of the most hardworking people in the YA Lit blogosphere.

I also do blog tours for publishing companies on occasion. So far, I have never missed a deadline. However, if I'm covering a review and do not receive the book in a reasonable amount of time, don't expect me to post on time. I will always try, but I can't help it if you don't give me long enough to read the book.

Contact Me

If you have any questions or a book that you think I would be interested in, please email me at hollywood_here_i_come(at)live(dot)com.

Winter Wonderland!

2011-01-28T16:57:00.000-08:00

Hey, guys! If you haven't checked out Winter Wonderland you should head on over to Book Rat and do that! There are tons of awesome post going on like wintery reviews, guest posts, and giveaways. Its lots of fun, so don't be left out!

Write it Down!

2011-01-27T08:10:00.000-08:00

How many of you have heard authors say that you should carry a notebook with you everywhere you go? How many of you do? I can't help but think that this is terribly good advice. Good advice that I, nonetheless, refuse to follow. I constantly have a monologue and/or paragraphs worth of prose going through my mind. And I always feel like I will remember it when I need it. But I don't. Writing things down more often would probably make me a better writer as well as a better blogger.

The funny thing is that I've known this for a while and yet I never do anything about it. So, since I am always complaining about never having time to write and constantly having writers' block (Could this, possibly be my own terrible form of procrastination? Probably.) I've decided to challenge myself and see if it works. For the next week I will be carry around my notebook and writing everything from quotes to epiphanies, story ideas and thoughts for the blog.

I would love it if some of you would do this "challenge" with me. Then at the end we can see how much of our thoughts have been immortalized on paper and if it actually helped in the least with our writing. There is a difference between doodling and truly drawing but even the simplest of scribbles can influence the most beautiful of paintings.

January 27 - February 3

Waiting on Wednesday!

2011-01-26T07:54:00.000-08:00

Happy Wednesday, everyone! This week I'm waiting on Steel by Carrie Vaughn to be released March 15, 2010 by HarperTEEN.

"When Jill finds a rusty sword tip on a Caribbean beach, she is instantly intrigued—and little expects it will transport her through time to the deck of a pirate ship. Will a dark enchantment, salty kisses, and a duel with an evil pirate captain leave her stranded in the eighteenth century forever?

Drawing on piratical lore and historical fact, Carrie Vaughn creates a vivid world of swaying masts and swelling seas, where blood magic overrules the laws of nature, romance is in the air, and death can come at the single slip of a sword."-Goodreads

Sounds great, huh? I am so psyched for this book! I've never read a Carrie Vaughn book, but I've heard great things. And, of course, you guys know how much I adore pirate books! (:

Click here to enter the Goodreads giveaway!
To pre-order Steel from Amazon.com, please click here.

2011-01-20T03:02:00.000-08:00

Lost on Spirit River by Tommy Batchelor 4 of 5 stars.

Thirteen-year-old Tony's parents are in the middle of divorce, his mother sends him to his Grandpa's along the banks of the Flint River in Southwestern Georgia. With his younger cousin Kathryn, they set out to look for a Christmas tree for the holidays, along with Grandpa's aging beagle, Sally. The three become lost in a snowstorm. Finding shelter in a hidden cave, stumbling upon Ancient Native American wall art. Now the adventure really begins. . . (Book blurb)

When I agreed to review Lost on Spirit River by Tommy Batchelor I was terribly excited because it was set not far from my home. This is the first book I've read that I could actually go "Oh! I know that place." It was super fun to read about a blizzard going through South Georgia, but, unfortunately, I don't think many others will get the irony in that.

The story is about two cousins; one a country girl, the other a city boy. When they are caught in a freak snow storm, they find themselves swept up into an adventure full of danger, art, and ancient Native American spirits. They never would have guessed all that they would learn about themselves along the way.

While I enjoyed Tommy's book and saw great potential in it, I can't help but feel that it should not be marketed toward the YA audience. The MG audience, however, I am sure would adore it. The story was cute and fun as an adventure for youngsters. I would have devoured it in third or fourth grade, but as a teenager I found it over-written and at times dragging.

If you enjoy reading lower MG novels particularly, than you would probably love it! And I am certain that it would make a great gift for anyone you know in the 8-11 age group.

To order Lost on Spirit River by Tommy Batchelor from Amazon.com, please click here.

Check out Tommy Batchelor's website here!

Waiting on Wednesday!

2011-01-19T17:52:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! For this week's WoW I have Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini. That's right. Its the book that sparked huge interest when HarperTEEN signed a multi-million dollar deal to the author calling it "Percy Jackson for girls". But I don't just want to read it for all of the hype. It sounds like a wonderful book, and HarperTEEN does general know what they're talking about. Anyway, this beautiful book will be out on May 31, 2010.

"Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.

As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart."-Goodreads

WINNER of the ENTICE Giveaway!

2011-01-16T08:11:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone! I hope you are all having a splendid Sunday morning. It has warmed up here ALOT today, but unfortunately, I don't think its going to stay that way.

Okay, so I know you are all wondering who the winner of the Entice Giveaway right? My elf-helper-person drew a piece of paper out of a hat (or, more accurately, a bowl) and the winner is...

Tommy!

Congratulations! I'll be sending you an email shortly.

As for the rest of you, better luck next time! And happy reading until then. (:

In My Mailbox!

2011-01-15T04:00:00.000-08:00

*Comes in happy dancing* I don't mean to brag but Mr. UPS Man dropped off an AMAZING surprise today. I don't know exactly where it came from (I'm guess Goodreads?) but Madame Tussaud by Michelle Moran showed up. As a HUGE Michelle Moran fan I am really excited about reading it, but I fear it will be another week or so before you see my review.

"When Marie Tussaud learns the exciting news that the royal family will be visiting her famed wax museum, the Salon de Cire, she never dreams that the king's sister will request her presence at Versailles as a royal tutor in wax sculpting. As Marie familiarizes herself with Princess Elisabeth and becomes acquainted with both Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI, she witnesses the glamorous life of the court. It's a much different world than her fome on the Boulevard du Temples in Paris, where bread can only be had on the black market and men sell their teeth to put food on their tables.
The year is 1799, and men like Desmoulins, Marat, and Robespierre are meeting in the salons of Paris, speaking against the monarchy; there's whispered talk of revolution.
Spanning five years from budding revolution to the Reign of Terror, Madame Tussaud brings us into the world of an incredible heroine whose talent for wax modeling save her life and preserved the faces of a vanished kingdom." Book Blurb

Have you guys gotten any awesome goodies in the mail this week?

Waiting on Wednesday!

2011-01-12T05:37:00.000-08:00

Happy Wednesday, everyone! This week I have a really awesome book for my WOW. Its Cleopatra's Moon by Vicky Alvear Shecter. After reading Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran, I've been incredibly intrigued by Cleopatra Selene. What strength it must have taken to get through an imprisonment by the man that killed her family.

"PRINCESS OF EGYPT
Cleopatra Selene is the only daughter of the brilliant Queen Cleopatra of Egypt and general Marcus Antonius of Rome. She's grown up with jewels on her arms, servants at her feet, and all the pleasures of a palace at her command. She wants only to follow in her mother's footsteps and become a great and powerful queen.

PRISONER OF ROME
Then the Roman ruler Octavianus, who has always wanted Egypt's wealth, launches a war that destroys all Selene has ever known. Taken to live in Octavianus's compound in Rome, she vows to defeat him and reclaim her kingdom at all costs. Yet even as she gathers support for her return, Selene finds herself torn between two young men and two different paths to power. Will love distract her from her goal--or help her achieve her true destiny?

EPIC IN SCOPE
Extraordinary in detail, this ravishing novel reveals the fascinating journey of a young woman long hidden in history: the remarkable Cleopatra Selene."- Goodreads

Blog Tour: The Princess of Las Pulgas by C. Lee McKenzie + Author Guest Post

2011-01-11T08:55:00.000-08:00

The Princess of Las Pulgas by C. Lee McKenzie 5 of 5 stars.

After her father's death from cancer, Carlie's mother is forced to sell their cherished oceanfront home and move the family to dreaded Las Pulgas. At her tough new urban high school, Carlie is nicknamed "Princess" because of her aloof attitude. But what her classmates don't know is that Carlie's in mourning for everything that mattered to her. In their uncomfortable new environment, her younger brother Keith becomes angrier by the day, and even their cat Quicken goes missing, sending Carlie and Keith to search for her beside their seedy garden apartment complex. They're soon accosted by a rifle-toting cowboy who ejects them at gunpoint from his property. But when Carlie finds him amiably having coffee with their mom the next day, she begins to realize that in Las Pulgas, nothing is what it seems. (Book blurb)

Carlie's life used to contain all of the comforts a beach front home and amazing school could offer, but after her father's slow fight with cancer ends she finds the rest of her life falling down around her. When Carlie's mom is forced to move her and her brother to shady part of town in a small run-down apartment Carlie is swept from her charmed life into a sharp-edged high school and the heady world of Othello.

While trying to "become" Desdemona, figure out how to keep her old friends away from her new home, and prove to a certain infuriating Othello, Carlie must also deal with a terrible guilt that has been dogging her since before her father even died. With so much craziness, it is no wonder that Carlie's family seems to be falling apart.

The Princess of Las Pulgas is the charming and heartbreaking tale of a young girl who has been torn from everything she'd ever known. I both laughed and cried as I read Carlie's beautifully told story. From loss to love and back again, it is undeniably inspirational to watch Carlie grow through the experiences that are changing her life.

I've been wanting to read one of C. Lee McKenzie's books for a long time now, and I was far from disappointed. The story was so well written and engrossing that I read it in nearly one sitting and then immediately afterward read the majority of it again.

The characters were my favorite part. Carlie is definitely an extremely lovable and relateable main character as she loses her preconceived notions about the dreaded Las Pulgas and grows to love the people in her high school. Her friend Sean was also a bit of added texture to the story. His sweet and brotherly nature always made me smile. And then there is Anthony's character. I could almost wish for a story told from his point of view. I always kind of felt sorry for him. But my favorite was the Mexican Othello, AKA the "infuriating" Juan. I couldn't help but hope that Carlie would end up with him.

I would suggest this book to anyone, truly. Whether you typically care for realistic fiction or not. C. Lee McKenzie's writing could charm anyone. As the first book I read in 2011, it was an AMAZING start!

To order The Princess of Las Pulgas by C. Lee McKenzie from Amazon.com, please click here.

C. Lee McKenzie

Top 10 Favorite Places

"Wow. The most difficult thing in the world for me is to rank favorites. At least you didn’t ask me to do books because that’s totally impossible. So about the places in the world I love from best to least:

Home, Santa Cruz Mountains, CA. That’s my all time favorite place. If it wasn’t I’d have to move.

Turkey, especially the old part of Istambul and Fethya: I’ve been there several times and never get enough of that beautiful, east-west, ancient country.

Italian Alps: I think this is one fabulous place for people who love to hike. My family is from little towns called Bellinzona and Revecchia near Lake Lugano, so when I go there I feel like it’s a second home.

Nicaragua: I love beaches without crowds.

Hong Kong: I love taking the Star ferry to Kowloon and the hikes up to the top of the mountain and over to Aberdeen to see the junks and eat fresh fish.

Seville, Espana: It has such beauty, the people are generous with food and hospitality, I can’t get enough of the Alhambra.

The Cotswolds in England: Beautiful and endless paths that take you through some of the most unspoiled country I’ve ever seen, yet allows you the luxury of an inn at the end of a long day’s hike.

Scotland: The lochs, the Viking castles that seem to be around every corner, the Hebrides where the only access are the ferries (I seem to like the idea of ferries.) Again long and beautiful walks. Have to admit I’m not fond of Haggis, but then neither are a lot of Scots!

San Francisco: It’s close to home. It has so many districts to explore: China Town, Little Italy, Castro, Union Square with all the shops and glitter. I never get tired of exploring San Francisco.

London. It is the most kinetic and exciting city and it only comes later in my list because it’s a city, and I favor more open spaces, but when I’m in the mood for plays or museums or some wild night life, London pops into my head."-C. Lee McKenzie

Thanks to the fabulous author for sharing this and also to the Teen Book Scene for allowing me to participate in this blog tour!

In My Mailbox! (Playing Catchup!)

2011-01-04T09:07:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I know I haven't done a 'In My Mailbox' in a while, so I thought I would play a bit of catchup today. (:

So here it goes:

Out for Blood by Alyxandra Harvey

I did not request this book, but from what I understand the Entice tour and the tour for this book were done together (sort of?) so that's probably why they sent it to me. It looks like a pretty cool book though! But I have to say-- the guy model is in no way good looking. Since I haven't read the book, I don't know, but maybe he's not supposed to be. On my ARC copy I swear he looks like a girl. Okay. I'm done cover bashing for a moment.

Lost on Spirit River by Tommy Batchelor

Again, not the best cover art in the world. However, I will be doing a blog tour for this book in a couple of weeks, so I have high hopes for the story.

Lore: East and Eight by Chad T. Douglas

So I don't have the actual cover for this book yet (online), but it is pretty awesome. Its the second book in the awesome Lore Trilogy, so I am dying to read it! But I'm sticking to my resolution (hah!) and waiting until I finish The Fellowship of the Ring first.

That's about it! Has anyone else gotten any awesome reads in the mail over the holidays?

Win Madame Tussaud from Queen of Happy Endings

2011-01-01T15:36:00.000-08:00

Check out Queen of Happy Endings's awesome January Giveaway for a chance to win Madame Tussaus by the amazing Michelle Moran!

Happy New Year + Resolution and The Best Books of '10!

2011-01-01T12:15:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year, everyone! Its the first day of 2011, and I figured I'd let you in on my one resolution for the new year. I'm usually not into resolutions because I feel terrible if I don't go through with them, but I think this one will be fairly easy.

I'm going to read WAY more classics in 2011. I'm not giving up on the contemps entirely (you know I couldn't if I tried!), but I'm going to try to incorporate more of the books I've been wanting to read and never really had time to because I'm reading so much other stuff. Like Le Morte d'Arthur and Lord of the Rings and Wuthering Heights! I usually don't like writing reviews on classics because, well, who am I to judge these well-loved tales? But I'm going to try. Since alot of the books I want to read are much longer than the average book, I'll probably also be doing discussion posts along and along.

Now for the best part of all...
The Best Books of 2010
1. Freefall by Anna Levine
2. Poisoned Honey by Beatrice Gormley
3. Threads and Flames by Esther Friesner
4. Insatiable by Meg Cabot
5. The Enchanted Quest by Frewin Jones
6. Crusade by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie
7. Entice by Carrie Jones
8. Perchance to Dream by Lisa Mantchev
9. Guardian of the Gate by Michelle Zink
10. Secondhand Charm by Julie Berry

The books on this list are here because they either inspired me in some great way or made me remember them far more vividly than the rest of my 2010 reads. They are all beautiful and haunting in some great way and I expect to remember them far after 2011 has past as well.

Now, its time for me to go in Southern tradition to eat some black eyed peas and mustard greens. You can expect to hear from me plenty more in the months to come.

May 2011 be the best year yet!

Blog Tour: Entice by Carrie Jones + Giveaway!

2010-12-26T12:42:00.000-08:00

Entice by Carrie Jones 5 of 5 stars.

Have you been pixie kissed?

Zara and Nick were soul mates, meant to be together forever. But that's not quite how things have worked out. For starters, well, Nick is dead. Supposedly, he's been taken to a mythic place for warriors known as Valhalla, so Zara and her friends might be able to get him back--if they can figure out how to get there. Meanwhile a group of evil pixies is devastating Bedford, with more teens going missing every day. An all-out war seems imminent, and the good guys need all the warriors they can find. But even if Zara and her friends can find the way to Valhalla, there's that other small problem: Zara's been pixie kissed. When she finds Nick, will he even want to go with her? Especially since she hasn't just turned pixie. . . she's Astley's queen. (Book blurb)

With Nick gone and creeper pixie king Frank's minions still on the loose, Bedford is awash in danger. Zara is still trying to come to terms with the fact that she is a pixie, the same as the creatures that tore her family apart, the thing her friends hate. But Astley is there beside her, helping her to find herself again, as well as to save Nick from Valhalla. But that proves much harder than anyone expected. Twist, turns, and dead ends in the quest leave behind a string of dead allies and despare in Zara's heart.

As new and old enemies crawl out of the woodwork will peace-loving Zara be able to defeat them and save her love while still dealing with the judgment of her friends and family? Especially since her heart is suddenly confused by the attraction she feels toward Astley, her king?

Entice is a heart-stopping, laugh-out-loud, swoony addition to an already addictive series. Carrie Jones has made me fall in love with the characters all over again in what is probably the most action-packed Need Series book so far! I adored Zara and Astley's adventures as they tried to find the way to Valhalla and dealt with their pasts at the same time. I didn't want to put it down for a second, but I didn't want it to end either!

The added depths to the characters has made me change my opinions about them entirely. I thought the last book was a shocker, but this one was about twice as surprising. I am now, officially, Team Astley. Which I never thought would happen. But it did. And I also have a great deal more respect for Zara. Despite everything, she wasn't willing to give up.

The writing, as always, was amazing. The was Carrie Jones can switch so easily between beautiful description, teenage angst, philosophical observations, and snarkiness cracks me up. I love it. Zara may have grown up, but her voice hasn't changed from book one.

Humor, romance, drama, and suspense are the basis for this spectacular series that I would truly suggest for anyone. If you love your paranormal fantasies original and your heroines hilarious, you will adore the Need Series.

To order Entice from Amazon.com, please click here.
Check out the Need Series facebook page!

Giveaway

Must be a US/Canada resident

Must be a follower

Enter to win a copy of Entice by Carrie Jones as well as some awesome Need Series bookmarks! Just fill out the form below

Giveaway ends January 10, 2010 at Midnight EST!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T19:13:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Christmas Advent! Day 24

2010-12-24T20:07:00.001-08:00

Every day in December leading up to Christmas, I'm going to be posting a cool little something to get us in the holiday spirit.

Let us all give thanks on this Christmas Eve night to the loving God who sent us His one and only son to be born as a man and suffer a horrible death so that we might have eternal life. Let us also praise the Son on His birthday for giving up his life for our sins.

Christmas Advent! Day 23

2010-12-23T19:22:00.000-08:00

Every day in December leading up to Christmas, I'm going to be posting a cool little something to get us in the holiday spirit.

I've been racking my brain for the past week or so trying to figure out the name of a cute little Christmas movie. I finally figured it out. The movie is The Year without Santa Clause. Its an adorable ABC Christmas cartoon I'm sure you will all remember. They just don't make cartoons like that anymore. This is my favorite song from the movie. So turn up the volume and sing along!!

Christmas Advent! Day 22

2010-12-22T19:42:00.000-08:00

222Every day in December leading up to Christmas, I'm going to be posting a cool little something to get us in the holiday spirit.

Sorry I haven't been able to post the last couple of days due to this stupid cold and crazy last-minute holiday shopping. I think I am finally set for Christmas! (: Anyway, today I heard an old favorite and thought I would share it with you. Anybody else like The Beach Boys?

Christmas Advent! Day 19

2010-12-19T18:21:00.000-08:00

Every day in December leading up to Christmas, I'm going to be posting a cool little something to get us in the holiday spirit.

Christmas shopping. The time when you have to beat off the crazy old women grabbing and snatching at the toy store. The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas day when you are afraid to leave your house for fear of being trampled by a stampede of holiday shoppers that could put Santa's most rowdy reindeer to shame.

Giving is great. But to be honest, I would rather undergo hours of terrible Medieval torture than step foot in the mall this time of year. Nevertheless, that's what I'll be doing tomorrow. Looking for presents while gathering around me a swarm of cold germs. Despite the fact that I still kinda-sorta have the sniffle disease. Great...

Now that I have sufficiently Bah Humbugged this post, here is a funny Christmas memory for us all...

Christmas Advent! Day 17

2010-12-17T19:37:00.000-08:00

Every day in December leading up to Christmas, I'm going to be posting a cool little something to get us in the holiday spirit.

Everyone's favorite...

Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce

2010-12-17T17:18:00.000-08:00

Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce 5 of 5 stars.

THE WOLF OPENED ITS LONG JAWS,
ROWS OF TEETH STRETCHING FOR HER.
A THOUGHT LOCKED ITSELF IN
SCARLETT'S MIND:
I AM THE ONLY ONE LEFT TO FIGHT,
SO NOW I MUST KILL YOU.

Scarlett March lives to hunt the Fenris--the werewolves that took her eye when she was defending her sister, Rosie, from a brutal attack. Armed with a razor-sharp hatchet and a blood-red cloak, Scarlett is an expert at luring and slaying the wolves. She's determined to protect other young girls from a grisly death, and her raging heart will not rest until every single wolf is dead.

Rosie March once felt that her bond with her sister was unbreakable. Owing Scarlett her life, Rosie hunts ferociously alongside her. But even as more girls' bodies pile up in the city and the Fenris seem to be gaining power, Rosie dreams of a life beyond the wolves. She finds herself drawn to Scarlett's only friend, Silas, a young woodsman who is deadly with an ax. But does loving him mean betraying her sister and all that they've worked for? (Book blurb)

Scarlett is ready to sacrifice her life to put an end to the Fenris, to protect the young girls they prey on. She has always been ready. Ever since the day they stole her innocence, her grandmother, and threatened her sister. However, Rosie only fights because it is the only way she knows how to pay Scarlett back for saving her life years ago.

Only now neither one of them are so sure of their convictions. When they go to Atlanta in search of the monsters that have been gathering and slaughtering young women, everything changes. The Fenris are traveling with their packs under close supervision by their Alpha which makes hunting them anything but easy for Scarlett. And living in the close quarters of an apartment with long-time friend and neighbor Silas is anything but easy for Rosie who now has to cope with both her need to repay her sister and her feelings toward him which constantly remind her of her desire to have a normal life.

Dark secrets come to rear a nasty head and threaten not only their purpose, but the threads that hold the three of them together. Can the sisters put their differences of heart aside and work together one last time? Or will the Fenris destroy everything they love?

Sisters Red was the kind of horror story I love. The kind that occasionally have you screaming "Don't do that!" or "That's him, stupid!" but still leave you completely surprised and in love with the ending. The kind where the female characters are strong, but still able to hurt, to bleed. There is no invincibility but there isn't any weakness in the March sisters either.

My favorite parts of the story were the fights with the Fenris. I love a battle anytime, but please, keep your watered-down PG-13 crap away from me. And I always hate it when the MC's never get a scratch on them. Don't think me entirely morbid, but it just makes things so unrealistic. In Sisters Red, though, I couldn't just hear the bones of the Fenris crunching, but I could feel the characters' pain.

I met Jackson Pearce at the Decatur Book Festival, and I can now officially say that she is not just an awesome person but a remarkable writer as well. The plot rolled smoothly and the writing held the perfect amount of suspense. The characters were incredibly well written and full of all of the angst, love, and misgivings that make them "human".

I would suggest Sisters Red to anyone who likes their fairytales dark and their romance magical. It is a perfect book to sit down and read in one setting without any interruptions.

For fans of: Sarwat Chadda, Maggie Stiefvater

To order Sisters Red from Amazon.com, please click here.

Christmas Advent! Day 16

2010-12-16T20:03:00.001-08:00

Every day in December leading up to Christmas, I'm going to be posting a cool little something to get us in the holiday spirit.

This has to be one of my all-time favorite versions of "The Little Drummer Boy". Enjoy!

Christmas Advent! Day 14 - Secret Santa (Movie)

2010-12-14T18:09:00.000-08:00

Rebecca Chandler, the young reporter with a rocky love life is sent to a small town to uncover the mysterious man known as "Secret Santa". Every year he does something unbelievably generous for his neighbors. Of course, everyone has their theories about who Secret Santa is, but Rebecca had no idea it would be so difficult to find the truth.

Secret Santa is a wonderful holiday movie. Amazing actors, a unique and quite unpredictable story-line, and a lot of heart. While I can't say that it is one of my "favorite" holiday movies it is definitely worth watching.

Christmas Advent! Day 13 - Thomas Kinkade's Christmas Cottage

2010-12-13T18:46:00.000-08:00

Thomas Kinkade's Christmas Cottage 5 of 5 stars.

When young Thomas Kinkade's mother Maryann isn't able to come up with the payments on their cottage, Thom realizes just how much the place means to him. In a desperate effort to come up with the money, Thom takes on a job painting a mural of the town and in the process learns more about himself and his painting than he could ever imagine.

Christmas Cottage is a simply beautiful movie, but what would you expect from something about Thomas Kinkade? I don't know much about the artist's life, but whether the story was accurate or not, it was eloquent and sweet.

Thomas's aging mentor, Glen, is played by the wonderful Peter O'Toole. His acting in the movie was amazing, his character's struggle against Alzheimer's bringing me close to tears several times throughout the movie.

Overall, I would suggest this movie to anyone. Thomas Kinkade's Christmas Cottage is a tale of hope, determination, and more than anything else, love. It is sure to bring laughter and tears into your home on this holiday season.

To order Thomas Kinkade's Christmas Cottage from Amazon.com, please click here.

Christmas Advent! Day 12

2010-12-12T18:25:00.000-08:00

Every day in December leading up to Christmas, I'm going to be posting a cool little something to get us in the holiday spirit.

I was thinking today about "Christmases Past" and couldn't help but let my mind wander to a cute little Christmas site I used to spend hours on during the holiday season. And then after I outgrew it spent hours playing with my younger cousins. I hope you'll all check it out, either for yourself or any little ones you are around. There are cookie recipes, game, ecards, and more!

Check out Northpole.com!

Blog Tour: Threads and Flames - Esther Friesner Guest Post

2010-12-11T18:21:00.000-08:00

In honor of the Threads and Flames blog tour, I am hosting a guest post by Esther Friesner! Enjoy, and please leave a comment for Esther!

"Feminism is a very important part of my life. Unfortunately, like many sociopolitical movements, it’s become a question of whose definition of Feminism you support. This leads to a dreadful quantity of CommitteeSpeak and finger-pointing, with too many people declaring “You can’t call yourself a Feminist because my way is the One True Feminism and anyone who says otherwise is obviously wrong,wrong, WRONG! And probably a closet agent of the Evil Patriarchy. And you stink.” Then they take their toys and go home.

It would be funny, but in the meanwhile, the energy and invective they’ve spent on trying to force everyone be on their team could have been used for—Oh, I don’t know, maybe changing a world where women still don’t get the same pay for the same work? Or where some women can’t get an education without risking their lives? Or where women get belabored into believing the message that being in any relationship, including an abusive one, is the only basis of their self-worth?

I believe Feminism is about giving women choices and the freedom to access those choices. Those choices should also be our own choices, not the choices someone else tells us they should be, even if that someone else is also calling herself a Feminist. A bully is a bully, even when s/he’s claiming to be on your side.

I was fortunate to have been raised in a family where Feminism (Well, Feminism as I understand the term) was practiced without being labeled as such. My grandparents’ neighbors wanted to know why they were bothering to send their daughter to college along with their sons. Wasn’t it a waste to give a girl a college education? The neighbors were duly informed that my mother was at least as smart if not smarter than her brothers, so why shouldn’t she get a college education? I do hope that shut them up.

Both of my parents were teachers in the New York City public school system for decades. My father always shared the housework—he did all the laundry and all the vacuuming, to name just two chores. When I asked him why, he said “Your mother has a full-time job. It’s only fair.” There was no nit-picking negotiation over how to divide domestic tasks; he just did it, without fuss, protest, or speechifying.

Because it was only fair.

If we can make fairness an intrinsic part of Feminism, we’ll be on the right road. And if we have to send the CommitteeSpeakers and the bullies packing in order to make room for it? Bonus. " -Esther Friesner

Thank you so much, Esther!

To read my review of Threads and Flames click here.

To order Threads and Flames from Amazon.com, please click here.

To check out all of the other awesome stops on the Threads and Flames blog tour click here.

Christmas Advent! Day 10

2010-12-10T19:00:00.001-08:00

Every day in December leading up to Christmas, I'm going to be posting a cool little something to get us in the holiday spirit.

Today, I've got a vlog by one of my all-time favorite people, Jackson Pearce. She's hilarious and brilliant and so is this video. Enjoy!

Blog Tour: Threads and Flames by Esther Friesner

2010-12-10T09:22:00.000-08:00

Threads and Flames by Esther Friesner 5 of 5 stars.

Hardship,
Romance,
Hope.

It's 1910, and Raisa has just traveled alone from a small Polish shtetl all the way to New York City. It's overwhelming, awe-inspiring, and even dangerous, especially when she discovers that her sister has disappeared and she must now fend for herself. How do you survive in a foreign land without a job, a place to live, or a command of the native language?

Perseverance and the kindness of handsome young Gavrel leads Raisa to work in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory sewing bodices on the popular shirtwaists. . . until 1911 dawns, and one March day a spark ignites in the factory. Fabric and thread and life catch fire. And the flames burn hot enough to change Raisa--and the entire city--forever. (Book blurb)

Raisa is a strong and determined young Jewish woman who is ready to leave the home and people she loves to go after her sister in The Golden Land. After fighting down a sickness that left her with ridiculously short hair and an even stronger view on what she is capable of she finally has enough money to go.

On the way to this strange new world, Raisa is left caring for a little girl whose mother died on the voyage. When Raisa finds herself alone in New York City with no way of finding her sister and little to no skills at a sewing machine all she can think about is how she will be able to support them both. But Raisa's strength, courage, and determination save her time and again as she tries to create a stable life for herself and little Brina while still looking for her sister.

However, nothing could have prepared her for what was to come. . .

Threads and Flames is a beautiful and gripping tale of hope, love, and persistence. Esther Friesner's beautiful storytelling and character creation bring life to a tragic event in our countries history. She gives us a solid way to connect and sympathize with the helpless victims of the Triangle Factory Fire.

Esther Friesner has been one of my favorite historical fiction writers for years. She brings solid realism to stories shrouded in the dust of time, and brings a fantastical air to the simplest of things. Normally, reading a story about a girl going on a voyage and trying to find her way in a new place would be interesting to me, but ultimately rather boring. Threads and Flames wasn't like that. I hung on the author's every word as I followed Raisa through the story. Her personality and voice kept me interested the whole time. The story's other characters where just as amazing. From spunky, little Brina to the hilariously adorable Gavrel there wasn't a dull moment in the whole story.

The novel brought me both laughter and tears, but most importantly, it left me feeling good after reading it. There aren't many good books that leave you satisfied, without wishing there was something more. This one did, though I do wish there could be a movie based on this book. I know it would be gorgeous.

Whether you like realistic fiction, historical fiction, or pretty much anything else if you can appreciate strong characters and beautiful storytelling you will adore this novel! I highly suggest it to everyone.

To order Threads and Flames from Amazon.com, please click here.

Check out the rest of the stops on the Threads and Flames blog tour by clicking here.

Christmas Advent! Day 9

2010-12-09T19:45:00.000-08:00

Every day in December leading up to Christmas, I'm going to be posting a cool little something to get us in the holiday spirit. Today my creativity is running dry so I searched youtube for some cute Christmas slide shows, and I love this one! The music is some of my favorite as well. Enjoy!

Christmas Advent! Day 8

2010-12-08T17:30:00.000-08:00

Every day in December leading up to Christmas, I'm going to be posting a cool little something to get us in the holiday spirit.

Christmas trees! Gah! Every year I think how much I want one, how the aggravation is worth it. And every year I end up realizing what an idiot I am. Especially this year. I suggested a live Christmas tree because we haven't had one in years. I didn't remember all the sticky, icky, irritating mess that went along with it. Now, the trees is up, the lights are on, and we keep having trouble with our decorations. Its back to the store tomorrow to look for different color ribbon.

How are your Christmas trees going?

Christmas Advent! Day 7

2010-12-07T17:28:00.000-08:00

Every day in December leading up to Christmas, I'm going to be posting a cool little something to get us in the holiday spirit. Today I found a really beautiful video of one of my favorite Christmas songs, "What Child is This?" So, enjoy and let's not forget the reason for the season!

Christmas Advent! Day 6

2010-12-06T16:27:00.001-08:00

Every day in December leading up to Christmas, I'm going to be posting a cool little something to get us in the holiday spirit. One of my favorite things to do this time of year is to "elf" people! It is sooo much fun!! If you haven't heard of the Elf Yourself thing put out by OfficeMax then you have DEFINITELY been missing out. Check it out and let me know what you think!

Click here to Elf Yourself!

Christmas Advent! Day 5

2010-12-05T18:32:00.000-08:00

Every day in December leading up to Christmas, I'm going to be posting a cool little something to get us in the holiday spirit. In honor of my Christmas special, I'm going to share my sorrows with you today. Usually by about this time (actually, way sooner!) Hallmark has been playing marathons of my FAVORITE movie series The Love Saga based on the books by Janet Oak (all of which are wonderful as well, you should definitely check them out!), but so far either I have missed them or they haven't played them. So, here's the trailer for the first movie Love Comes Softly, it is absolutely wonderful and the one that is most like the book in my opinion. It also happens to be the movie that made me begin READING the books. Enjoy!

In My Mailbox!

2010-12-05T08:55:00.000-08:00

Yes, In My Mailbox is a meme started by the Story Siren! <--- Check it out!

This week I didn't get much in the mail. Heaven knows I don't need to get much in the mail as far as books go, but I couldn't help doing a little happy dance when this came in!

That's right! Its the third in the Need Series by Carrie Jones!! I can't wait to read it. Entice will be released in hardcover by BloomsburyUSA on December 14th. Sounds like a pretty awesome Christmas gift to me!

"Zara and Nick are soul mates, meant to be together forever. But that's not quite how things have worked out.

For starters, well, Nick is dead. Supposedly, he's been taken to a mythic place for warriors known as Valhalla, so Zara and her friends might be able to get him back. But it's taking time, and meanwhile a group of evil pixies is devastating Bedford, with more teens going missing every day. An all-out war seems imminent, and the good guys need all the warriors they can find. But how to get to Valhalla?

And even if Zara and her friends discover the way, there's that other small problem: Zara's been pixie kissed. When she finds Nick, will he even want to go with her? Especially since she hasn't just turned. She's Astley's queen." -Goodreads.com

Thanks Bloomsbury for the review copy!

To pre-order your copy from Amazon.com, please click here.

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This blog is an Amazon Associates Affiliate. When you buy an item from Amazon.com after following one of our links to the site, we gain a small commission. However, this does NOT effect our opinion of the books. Thank you.
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Christmas Advent! Day 4

2010-12-04T18:54:00.000-08:00

Every day in December leading up to Christmas, I'm going to be posting a cool little something to get us in the holiday spirit. In honor of the decorations going on in my own home I'm giving you some "Deck the Halls" music!

Christmas Advent! Day 3

2010-12-03T17:42:00.000-08:00

Every day in December leading up to Christmas, I'm going to be posting a cool little something to get us in the holiday spirit. For today I have a clip from one of my favorite Christmas movies, The Ultimate Christmas Present! Enjoy!

Wildwing by Emily Whitman

2010-12-02T16:21:00.000-08:00

Wildwing by Emily Whitman 5 of 5 stars.

Addy knows there's so much more to life than what she has. She must be destined for more than being a maid to an eccentric elderly man. And so when she finds a mysterious contraption in the gentleman's study, of course she steps inside. Of course she bumps into the wrong button. Suddenly Addy is in medieval England, mistaken for the young woman betrothed to the lord of the nearby manor. It's destiny. But is it home? And will she ever find her way back to her own time? Will she want to, once she's met the shy, handsome falconer's apprentice? (Book blurb)

Addy is tired of being ridiculed, tired of listening to the other girls calling her a bastard for a mistake her mother made years ago. More than anything she is tired of swallowing her pride and apologizing for losing her temper when it was never her fault to begin with. When her mother takes her out of school and forces her to get started working as a maid for a "crazy" old man who has been grieving for the last sixteen years, it is that same quick wit and daring behavior that saves her time and again.

Working for Mr. Greenwood is better than Addy could have ever expected. She has easy hours, good company, and a library full of books. But something is missing. When after stumbling across one of Crazy Mr. Greenwood's "inventions" and taking a walk in the past, Addy's mother decides its time to send her away as a live-in. The thought is almost too much to bear, but when Addy decided to go back in time to medieval England in hope of living a better life she didn't quite know what she was getting herself into.

Wildwing is a coming-of-age story full of love and hardship, joy and grief. Emily Whitman's writing flies off the page drawing us all into both Victorian times as well as the Middle Ages. The story follows a young girl hoping to break away from a life without the bonds of servitude and submission but soon finds herself becoming much more entangled in far heavier chains.

Addy was one of those characters I couldn't decide whether to love or hate. In the beginning she seemed like a fiery young woman who was tired of being put down by girls who thought she was better than them. Shortly after, all I saw in her was greed and selfishness. But I guess that's what made the book so satisfying in the end. I got to watch her grow and be shaped by the things happening around her.

The plot is well shaped with equal parts predictability and surprise. The smaller side characters in the story were probably my favorites. And the romance between Addy and Will was adorable. In the end I found myself close to tears.

The story was well-written for the most part, though some places in the book were better than others. My favorite scenes though (as far as writing goes) where the ones where Addy was hawking. Emily Whitman described it beautifully, and I truly wish I could see it myself.

Overall, Wildwing was an enjoyable read, perfect for curling up with on a cold winter day. I've seen plenty of not-so-great reviews on this book, so I suggest you check a few more out before deciding whether you want to read it or not. But if you like medieval/Victorian fairytale-type stories I think you would like it just as much as I did.

Many thanks to HarperTEEN for sending me a copy to review!

To order Wildwing from Amazon.com, please click here.

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This blog is an Amazon Associates Affiliate. When you buy an item from Amazon.com after following one of our links to the site, we gain a small commission. However, this does NOT effect our opinion of the books. Thank you.
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Christmas Advent! Day 2

2010-12-02T08:43:00.000-08:00

Good morning, everyone! Do you remember I told you that I had something cool planned for December? Well, I completely forgot yesterday. So, starting today everyday up until Christmas I'm going to have an "advent" post. What I'll do is post cool little Christmas stuff like videos, songs, movie reviews, etc.

For today I've got one of the cutest holiday songs ever!

Prisoners in the Palace Giveaway Winner!!

2010-12-01T07:53:00.000-08:00

How Princess Victoria became Queen with the Help of Her Maid, a Reporter, and a Scoundrel.

London, 1836. Seventeen-year-old Liza's dreams of her society debut are dashed when her parents are killed in a tragic accident. Alone and penniless, she accepts the positions of lady's maid to the young Princess Victoria and steps unwittingly into the gossipy intrigue of the servants' world below-stairs as well as the trickery above. Is it possible that her changing circumstances may offer Liza the opportunity to determine her own fate, find true love, and secure the throne for her future Queen? (Book Blurb)

The winner of this absolutely gorgeous book is... Nevey from La Vanity Victorienne! Congratulations!

The book will be sent out by Chronicle Books in honor of their Prisoners in the Palace blog tour.

For those of you who didn't win, you can still buy the book from Amazon.com by clicking here.

Thank you to all those who entered!

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This blog is an Amazon Associates Affiliate. When you buy an item from Amazon.com after following one of our links to the site, we gain a small commission. However, this does NOT effect our opinion of the books. Thank you.
~

Crusade by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie

2010-11-30T06:02:00.000-08:00

Crusade by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie 5 of 5 stars.

THE ULTIMATE BATTLE.
THE ULTIMATE LOVE.

For the past two years, Jenn has lived and trained at Spain's Sacred Heart Academy Against the Cursed Ones. She is among the few who have pledged to defend humanity or die trying. But the vampires are gaining power, and the battle has only just begun.

Forced to return home after death takes a member of her family, Jenn discovers San Francisco is now a vampire stronghold. As a lone hunter apart from her team, Jenn is isolated--and at risk. She craves the company of her fighting partner, Antonio: his protection, his reassurance, his touch. But a relationship with Antonio comes with its own dangers, and the more they share of themselves, the more Jenn stands to lose.

Then Jen is betrayed by one who was once bound to protect her, causing her to doubt all she has held as true. (Book blurb)

The hunters of Salamanca are an unlikely band of warriors, mix-matched in more ways than they could have ever thought possible. Some joined the team in hopes of finding their place in a topsy-turvy world, some casting their lot for the new Holy Crusade. But most--are in it for revenge.

As vampires take over nation after nation, spilling innocent blood, there are few who are willing to stand up for what is right. And fewer still who have the skills to do it. Those few would be the Hunters, banded together and trained hard in the art of killing vampires. Armed with holy water, wooden stakes, and crosses they wage a shadow war against the enemy of humanity. Even against their own countries.

Crusade is a bloody thriller. Action and suspense combine with mysterious and complex characters to set the stage for an amazing novel. Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie have done it again creating a magically written story that will keep the best of us flipping pages late into the night.

The interesting thing about Crusade is that it could almost be a sequel. The training is over, the relationships are already formed, and the battle is on. The way it is written informs you of all you need to know in order to follow the story, while still keeping you guessing. The first half of the book seemed to shine a suspicious light on almost all of the characters. I wasn't sure who I could trust and who I couldn't. Through changes in point of view and a series of flashbacks from the different characters, the pictures became clearer toward the end. These characters can't be called anything if not complex.

The writing is the perfectly paced and characterized voice of experienced authors who know how to tell a story. They bring light to several dark time periods (including their fictional one) with the use of well-made and greatly varied characters. One of my favorite parts, strangely, was Aurora's flashbacks. She has such an atmosphere of evil around her it was interesting to see how hard she tried to resist it all during the Inquisition when she was imprisoned as a Jew. She reminded me a bit of Katherine from the Vampire Diaries, one of those complex characters that really make you think.

The religious aspect in the book was also very nice to me. It wasn't just Catholicism, but so many other religions stewed together within the story. They all served to add even more depth to an already winding plot.

Overall, Crusade is an amazing book. If you like prissy, sparkling vampires it might not be for you. But if you like a fast-paced story full of action and an incredibly complex plot... You would love it! This is definitely one of my most suggested books of 2010.

For fans of: Devil's Kiss by Sarwat Chadda

Many thanks to the publicist for sending me a copy for review!

To order from Amazon.com, please click here.

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This blog is an Amazon Associates Affiliate. When you buy an item from Amazon.com after following one of our links to the site, we gain a small commission. However, this does NOT effect our opinion of the books. Thank you.
~

News + Fantasy Reading Challenge SUCCESS!

2010-11-27T19:36:00.000-08:00

Hello fellow bookworms! I am back more steadily in the blogosphere, I hope. And, yes, I know I say that alot. But I've finally finished off these courses and am hoping to have a break at least through December and January.

Anyway, I have exciting news. I have FINISHED the Fantasy Reading Challenge 2010 at the Obsessed level hosted by Royal Reviews! The exact date of completion was October 29, 2010. I'm sure I will have several more between now and the end date. You can see my reads here.

Also, I have a cool plan for an Advent thing in December. (You'll have to wait to find out what it is!) And, of course, I'm going to have some awesome giveaways for the holidays. --Check out the one I've got going on now! ^^ You can win a hardcover copy of Prisoners in the Palace by Michaela MacColl!

I really hate I missed out on all of the book blogger Secret Santa things. I did last year too, so I'm kind of upset about it. If anyone knows of one that I can still sign up for PLEASE let me know!

I hope all of my fellow Americans had an AMAZING Thanksgiving!

Best of wishes,

Arya

Guest Post: Author Christine Schulze on Self-Publitwshing and Christian Fantasy!

2010-11-27T09:03:00.000-08:00

"Hullo, and thanks so much to Arya for having me here today! My name is Christine E. Schulze, and I am a new, starving author of YA and middle grade fantasy and Christian fantasy.

One topic Arya thought my readers might be interested is why I have chosen to self-publish. Self-publishing can have a bad wrap, but do not think I am not very serious about my craft. Quite the opposite, and though I do hope to get into a major publishing house, I am glad for the self-publishing experience, which has taught me loads.

My publishing experience started when I was a freshman in college. I was working at the Success Center at Southwestern Illinois College as an English tutor. My mom came in one evening with this excellent letter of acceptance for my YA novel, The Prism of Ashlei, from Tate Publishing. I was so elated! Until I learned they wanted me to pay a fee to do so; though they promised to return the cash once I sold 5,000 copies of my book, the fee was a lot of money to me as a new college student.

Now, I am a stubborn person and SO wanted to be published, so needless to say, I really wanted to give in. It wasn’t others’ advice, warning, and common sense which changed my mind though. It was the fact that, if I gave in and paid such an exorbitant amount—which I didn’t really have, by the way, unless I gave up college—I was basically saying to myself and all the world that I wasn’t good enough to make it to a real publishing house. A serious author should never have to pay money to get published. I don’t fault those who do, but it wasn’t for me. (I’m quite glad I didn’t pay also because I’m learning how hard it is selling your first copy, let alone 5,000!)

Now, the same could be argued for self-publishing; wasn’t I saying I couldn’t make it in the real publishing world? Well, first off, not long after I turned down Tate, which left me really bummed out, I received an offer for a contract with Writers-Exchange e-publishing for another YA novel of mine, Golden Healer, Dark Enchantress. Though I really wanted to see my work in print, I was up for getting my name out there with a few ebooks. The ebook released earlier this year, and I am really glad I decided to work with this e-publisher. Through working with Laura Shinn, Sandy Cummins, and Jenna, all brilliant editors, I learned much about how to polish my own work. They guided me through the first chapter, and I did the rest. I must have caught on quickly too, because they didn’t make many changes to the rest of the book once I’d edited.

Well, at some point, I discovered Createspace, a self-publishing company affiliated with Amazon. They are great because you don’t have to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars. You actually don’t pay a thing, except to order a proof copy of each book before it officially goes to print. I was intrigued by the idea of getting to make my own cover art, design the interior of my books, etc. Laura Shinn helped me learn about creating PDF files and made a template for me, as well as assisting me in the art of making cover art files. Without her help, I could not have self-published, so God bless you, Laura, for that.

I think I originally intended just to self-publish a few books, sort of as an experiment to see if I could help spread my name that way, and partially just as something I did for myself because I wanted to. Maybe I got a little carried away, self-publishing three of my favorite and best series. However, someday, when I get renowned through a traditional publisher, those books will be out there, waiting for my fans to delve into. I definitely don’t regret the experience or all I learned, though I hope those books too are someday picked by a traditional published. The best part was designing everything and making both the paperback and ebooks available at really reasonable prices to my readers. For my favorite series, The Gailean Quartet, I actually came up with two separate book covers for each book, front and back. The back cover is like a surprise, containing some of my original, hand-drawn illustrations of the characters; which ones depends on which version of the book you buy. I realize I’ve done things a little backwards—creating collectors’ items and THEN trying to be famous. But, like I said, it was a fun experience, and the stuff is out there when readers want it.

That said, I’ve since worked with smaller presses like Old Line Publishing, who did Bloodmaiden, as well as Victory Tales Press; I’m involved in several of their anthologies, and my anthology Bloodmaiden: a fantasy anthology, was actually one of their first releases. I learned much from Rebecca Vickery, the editor there as well.

So, in the end, I am applying all I’ve learned over these past couple of years to perfect a manuscript, a middle grade fantasy called The Last Star. I feel a lot more confident now in its being polished to send to agents and editors. My boyfriend has also taught me much on query letters and helped me perfect my own for the book (he was also my photographer for Bloodmaiden’s cover, which is one of my best; thanks, sweetie!). When I’m ready to start submitting the manuscript in a few months, well, pray and cross your fingers! That will be the start of a whole new adventure.

Another topic Arya said her readers might be interested in is why I write not only fantasy, but Christian fantasy as well. I think the best way to sum that up is to use a reply I used in another interview, so without further ado:

I have always loved fantasy. I love being able to create new worlds, peoples, characters. I just can’t write realistic fiction because it limits me too much. Plus, I really love how almost all of my books—all thirty-plus of them—connect in some way, shape, or form.

The “Christian” aspect comes in because, as a Christian, I feel I should give something back to the God who blessed me with talents of writing. That said, most of my work is NOT preachy; I try to incorporate any Christian aspects so that they flow naturally with the characters and story, instead of seeming awkward. In the words of Briana from The Book Pixie, another young lady who reviewed Bloodmaiden:

“Another thing I loved was the incorporation of religious elements. They were subtly done so that a Christian like me would pick up on them; however, they weren't blatantly obvious enough to detract from the story for those non-religious readers out there.”

This is exactly what I aim for, so I was glad to here it from another reader. Many of my books simply contain Christian virtues like the importance of friendship, forgiveness, love, redemption, or self-sacrifice. Others do talk about God, but mostly in an allegorical sense, like Aslan from Narnia. For those looking for a more obviously Christian read, my short book, The Pirates of Meleeon, does refer to God directly, and salvation is a big part of that book. For the most part though, my books will still appeal to as wide an audience as regular fantasy. I do plan to wrap up all my books with a final book, Carousel in the Clouds, which draws on the book of Revelation to bring an end to all worlds. Though the book is already finished, I have much else to do before it too is published.

Well, that about wraps things up. Thanks so much to Arya for having me here, and I hope you all get the chance to sometime read Bloodmaiden or other of my works for yourself.

God bless and happy reading!

P.S. Arya, your name is beautiful; look for it in a book someday!"

Thank you so much, Christine, for taking to time to share some about yourself and your books with my readers!

To find out more about Christine you can check out her Goodreads page and blog by following the links below.

Goodreads
Blog

Tea Beyond Rose Series Juliet Tea Pot - CSN Stores!

2010-11-20T07:33:00.000-08:00

Tea Beyond Rose Series Juliet Tea Pot 4 of 5 stars.
CSN Stores 4 of 5 stars.

The Tea Beyond Rose Series Juliet Tea Pot is definitely beyond beautiful! It is very elegant and glimmers in the light. However, it is much smaller than I expected. I might should have looked more closely at the measurements online, but I assumed it was a full sized tea pot. It holds about 3 small (6oz.) cups of tea without the strainer in. The lid feels a little wobbly when I put it on as well. It does make a great cup of tea though! Another thing that bothers me about it is that it is hard to clean the spout. I may have to buy something especially tiny to clean it with. After a couple of uses it started to look tea-dingy around the end.

The people at CSN Stores are terribly nice and the selection is amazing. But there was a bit of trouble with the shipping. The billing address and the shipping address were different. The billing was to my grandmother's house and the shipping was to me. Anyway, on my birthday my grandmother gave me a mixed up tea set. The tea pot looked just like this one, and I had shown it to her before. I asked her about it, and she said that she had ordered it off ebay. It turned out later that she hadn't ordered a tea pot and the tea pot was sent to the billing address. I was a bit uncomfortable that the item was shipped to the wrong place, but I'm not exactly sure if that was the store's fault or FedEx.

I wouldn't hesitate to work with CSN Stores again, though. As for the tea pot I do think it is adorable. If you are only going to be making tea for yourself and maybe one other person, it should work fine for you. The rose detailing is precious and the tea it makes is delectable.

To order the Tea Beyond Rose Series Juliet Tea Pot from CSNStores.com, please click here.

Blog Tour: Prisoners in the Palace by Michaela MacColl

2010-11-17T08:48:00.000-08:00

Today is devoted to Prisoners in the Palace by Michaela MacColl. You can read my review of the beautiful novel, read a guest post by the amazing author, and enter to win a copy of this absolutely stunning hardcover book. Find out more about the book and the blog tour here. Don't forget to enter the giveaway and leave Michaela a comment!

Prisoners in the Palace by Michaela MacColl 5 of 5 stars.

How Princess Victoria became Queen with the Help of Her Maid, a Reporter, and a Scoundrel.

London, 1836. Seventeen-year-old Liza's dreams of her society debut are dashed when her parents are killed in a tragic accident. Alone and penniless, she accepts the positions of lady's maid to the young Princess Victoria and steps unwittingly into the gossipy intrigue of the servants' world below-stairs as well as the trickery above. Is it possible that her changing circumstances may offer Liza the opportunity to determine her own fate, find true love, and secure the throne for her future Queen? (Book Blurb)

Elizabeth Hastings's life is turned completely upside down when after her parents death she is forced to go to work as Liza the maid. But Liza didn't know what she was getting into when she applied for the job of maid in Princess Victoria's household-the dilapidated Kensington Palace. As Liza sees the people of the palace all trying to buy her loyalty, she realizes that there is more than one conspiracy going on in the palace. It soon become obvious that Liza is needed to help keep Victoria's throne safe from the greedy hands of those around her. However, Liza couldn't do it alone. A young princess like Victoria needs more than one ally in the world. But what could a former maid, newspaperman, and a street urchin (minus the street) possibly do to tilt the scales of power in this game of intrigue?

Prisoners in the Palace is a lush Victorian novel that waltzes us through the the life and hardships of the Princess Victoria as she fights for her crown before she even learns the importance of it. With engaging writing and beautiful scenery, it is a must for any true Victorian era fan. Romance, intrigue, and dangerous secrets lurking in the shadows. What more could a girl want?

The first thing I have to say is that Chronicle Books deserves some sort of award for the amazing cover they put together for this book. It has a brilliant foil outer cover with a beautifully patterned hard-cover. Even the inside pages of the book are to die for. I would definitely suggest buying this book if for nothing more than a collectors piece. But it is must more than just a pretty book.

Michaela MacColl's writing truly draws you into the time period and setting. I could honestly hear the English accents and see the beautiful dresses and gardens coming alive before me. The story is a fun twist on history that leaves you with a good feeling after reading it. Although I admit that I was a bit annoyed by the way some of the characters were portrayed in the beginning. After recently watching The Young Victoria (and falling madly in love with it, mind you) I wasn't expecting to see Victoria betrayed as such a brat, even in the start. For a while it seemed like the only character with half a brain was the main, Liza. The story did change, however, as the author introduced us to the complexities of it and the various other characters. Victoria's courage grew and she soon became the feisty young queen I imagined her to be.

Over all, the book was truly enjoyable, and I adored many of the characters. I would suggest this book to any lover of a good Victorian novel.

To order this book from Amazon.com, please click here.

Michaela's Guest Post:

"Arya, thank you so much for sharing your lovely readers for this stop on the Prisoners in the Palace Blog Tour.

One of the best things about writing historical fiction is doing the research on site. Even if I didn’t love to travel, it’s critical if the book is to have that extra zing that convinces readers that they are in the scene.

I went to London with a close friend to visit Kensington Palace, Fleet Street and Windsor Palace.

While I was writing the first draft, I had been frustrated whenever I tried to figure out the floorplan for Victoria’s rooms. I found plans for 50 years earlier and then for the way it is now… What happened in between? A helpful docent explained it for me. Victoria’s mother, the Duchess of Kent, didn’t get along with her brother in law, the King. He allowed her to stay in Kensington Palace, the dumping ground for his poor relations. She was always complaining that the rooms were inadequate for the heir to the throne. He refused to give her any more space. The Duchess, not being known for her tact, just took them. (When the King found out, he was furious. He threw a fit at his birthday party – but that’s another story and a deleted scene in the novel). Since the Duchess took the rooms without permission, there weren’t any plans. So I’m out of luck unless I go and walk the halls. I’m so glad I did.

The other thing that happens when you visit your locations is that you find details that create sub-plots and minor characters. Once I saw the little guard house, I realized that I needed to add a drunken porter who never was awake to open the door. There’s a stone circular kitchen where I just had to place Simon the the footman, sitting on a bench with his sleeves rolled up, tossing back an ale. And I was lucky to see a recreated bedroom of the Duchess and Victoria (they shared a room until Victoria was eighteen). The crystal bowl of bon bons gave me a whole story about stolen candy and false accusations.

I recently went to Italy with my daughters. We went on a New Moon tour in Volterra. The guide was a local and she showed us all the places described in the book. Then she brought us to a spring in the lower part of the city and told us how her grandmother used to do her laundry there. And where the water spills out of the cisterns, there’s a hidden entrance. She used to climb through into tunnels that led up through the cliffs to the upper city. My daughter asked why the author of New Moon didn’t use that in her books. The guide laughed and said that Stephanie Meyer never came to the city. Not once. I think she missed a great detail!

For more details about Prisoners in the Palace visit my website, www.michaelamaccoll.com. Thanks for listening!"

Isn't she awesome!? Which is why you need to enter the giveaway to win a copy of Prisoners in the Palace!

<p>&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Loading...&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;</p>

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This blog is an Amazon Associates Affiliate. When you buy an item from Amazon.com after following one of our links to the site, we gain a small commission. However, this does NOT effect our opinion of the books. Thank you.
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Anna Levine Tour: Freefall Giveaway Winner!

2010-11-15T18:32:00.000-08:00

The winner of an awesome copy of Freefall by Anna Levine is... Carla from Library Mosaic! Congrats, Carla! I know you are going to love it! Freefall is one of my favorite books of the year.

Aggie is eighteen and getting ready to do her service for the Israeli Army. She could get a cushy assignment--maybe pushing paper somewhere--or she could just take her chances. Only, Aggie isn't like that. Despite her small size and the fact that she needs to gain weight to even make the grade, and despite the total disbelief of her entire family (except her grandmother, who is an old freedom fighter and don't you forget it), Aggie is trying out for an elite combat unit.

Ben--Aggie's crush of the moment--isn't at all convinced that she's making the right choice. Shira, Aggie's best friend forever, is bewildered (and perhaps a bit too interested in Ben). Then there's Noah. And the serendipitous snow. And a good-bye kiss that turns into, well, a real kiss.

Luckily for Aggie, her backbreaking, sand-in-mouth, completely-lost-in-the-desert training produces an unlikely dividend: friends. The kind she never imagined she could have. The kind you'd go to war with--and for. (Book blurb)

Blog Tour: Author Interview with Anna Levine + Giveaway

2010-11-01T04:48:00.000-07:00

Good morning, all! Today I would like to introduce you to one of my new favorite authors. Meet Anna Levine, author of Freefall one of the best books released this year. Her book honestly blew me away! Its been a couple of weeks since I read it and scenes are still randomly playing through my mind. Its been a while since I've read a book that good. Enjoy!

1. What is Freefall about?
Freefall is a story about an eighteen-year-old Israeli girl, Abigail Jacobs. As Aggie’s mandatory military service approaches, she decides she wants to try out for a combat unit. She’s under weight, but that doesn’t hold her back. She gains the weight and faces the grueling physical, emotional and mental challenges of pre-army training. Her family, her friends and her then boyfriend think she’s out of her mind. She proves them wrong. Freefall is about what it’s like growing up in Israel from the challenging family relationships, changing friendships, mandatory army service and the experience of falling in love for the very first time. This is my third book set in Israel. All my stories feature strong female protagonists who are told that they can’t, no way, impossible. Then they set out to prove everyone wrong.

2. Who was your favorite character (aside from the main!) and why?
Noah! Noah’s got a sensitivity about him that I just love. I admire his strength of character and the way he tries to adapt himself to the situations he finds himself in.

3. Which sparks your interest and imagination most: Heroes, villains, or anti-heroes?
Villains are the hardest. I mean, a good story needs a really nasty villain with lots of personality somebody you love to hate. I always ‘wrestle’ with my villainous characters. I think a good villain is someone who makes you doubt yourself. In the bus scene, when the guy next to Aggie puts his arm around she is both flattered and excited by the idea of him being attracted to her but at the same time is appalled that he thinks he can just take whatever he wants and that she, for a second, wanted it!

4. What is your favorite quote and why?
My favorite quote: “There are moments in life when you have to jump.”
I love this idea. I think you have to be ready to take chances in life, and especially as a writer you need to be willing to jump and be daring. One of the hardest things about being a writer (and this includes the last question

5. Any advice for struggling writers? Is being able to free yourself from what other people may think of you because of what you’ve written. I think the thing which holds back most writers is the fear of being honest. Go for it! Don’t hold back. Your readers will respect you for it.

Thank you so much, Anna!
To order Freefall from Amazon.com, please click here.
Read my review of Freefall here.
Check out Anna Levine's website here.
Follow the Freefall blog tour here.

Giveaway

To enter to win a copy of Freefall by Anna Levine all you have to do is fill out this form.
+1 entry if you comment on this post
+1 entry if you comment on the review

This giveaway IS international.
13+ years of age to enter!

Deadline is November 14, 2010 @ 12:00am EST!

Happy Halloween + Spooky Swap!!!

2010-10-31T17:25:00.000-07:00

Hi, everyone! I hope you are all having an awesome Halloween!! Halloween is probably one of my FAVORITE holidays. Free candy, a legitimate reason to walk around in costume, and of course... scary stories! This year I wasn't able to do much for Halloween, but I did participate in the Spooky Swap hosted by Travis at Inked Books and Jessica at A Fanatics Book Blog. Below is a picture of the awesome stuff I received from Julie at A Tale of Many Review. A special thanks to Julie for sending my this absolutely awesome stuff!! I adored the Emergency Chocolate. It read:
"For immediate relief of: Halloween mayhem, fake Frankensteins, plastic spiders and fake blood.
Directions of use: Snap off into single pieces and throw at suspects from the nearest window. Break into bigger pieces and throw if suspect returns with big brother or a large wooden object. If truly desperate hand over entire bar to these extortionists and retire." Hehe... LOVE IT!

The Emerald Flame by Frewin Jones

2010-10-29T20:00:00.000-07:00

The Emerald Flame by Frewin Jones 5 of 5 stars.
Book Three of the Warrior Princess Series

Branwen has finally accepted that the Shining Ones have chosen her to save her country from the Saxon invaders. But the next stage in her journey includes a seemingly impossible missions, and the path before her is filled with darkness and danger. Branwen is pushed to the brink of disaster, and with each step she takes, she is being pulled farther from the life she knew--the life she still desperately misses.

Guided by the spirits, with both her fearless friend Rhodri and the dashing, sometimes maddening Iwan by her side, Branwen must overcome terrifying odds if she is to succeed in her quest. But a true Warrior Princess won't back down. . . even when an old enemy returns.

The Chosen One of the Shining Ones, Branwen ap Griffith, continues the journey toward her destiny alongside her loyal followers. However, Branwen's plans to join the people of her homelands in their war against the Saxon invaders has once again been put on hold. The Shining Ones have a new task for Branwen: find the relic holding the wind god Caradoc prisoner and return it to Merion of the Stones. As if rescuing a god isn't hard enough, Caradoc's prison is in the very heart of the Saxon's main camp.

Branwen and her friends face fierce beasts and terrible foes as they continue their quest. Old friends and old enemies rise up around Branwen, and she is once again left wondering if the path she has chosen is the right one. Stalwart determination and the support of her followers give the Warrior Princess the faith to carry on in this never-ending saga of destiny, death, and magic.

The Emerald Flame is a beautiful and exiting installment in the Warrior Princess series that will leave readers craving the next one. Girls will look up to Branwen whose courage, strength, and sheer will power put her in a league of her own among the MG and YA heroines.

Frewin Jones's writing is, as always, wonderful. His way of sweeping you into mystic lands and dropping you among vivid characters keeps all of us reading. The Emerald Flame was no exception. The narration is flawless in capturing the mood and feel of the land as well as the characters. I also love the voice of the characters in their dialogue. Sometimes I feel a sort of echo between this and Lord of the Rings.

The third book of the Warrior Princess series is more about character development than the campaign of Branwen's people. While there is still enough action to keep you flipping the pages, I feel like we see Branwen grow up even more in this books than in the others. I also see how much she has changed since we were first were introduced to her.

In short, this book is wonderful with beautiful characters, scenery, and themes. Fans of high-fantasy or historical fiction would adore this novel. I must suggest reading the first two books before you get to this one, though. That way you can better understand Branwen's struggles and her opinions.

For fans of: Frewin Jones, Lord of the Rings, The Inheritance Cycle

To order this book from Amazon.com, please click here.
Check out the Frewin Jones fan site here!

Blog Tour: Split by Swati Avasthi

2010-10-26T14:07:00.000-07:00

Split by Swati Avasthi 5 of 5 stars.

Sixteen-year-old Jace Witherspoon arrives at the doorstep of his estranged brother, Christian, with a re-landscaped face (courtesy of his father), $3.84, and a secret.

He tries to move on, going for new friends, a new school, and a new job, but all his changes can't make him forget what he left behind.

His mother is still trapped with his dad. And his ex-girlfriend is keeping his secret--for now.

Turns out there are some things you can't just walk away from. (Book blurb)

A lost temper and a split second decision leave Jace Witherspoon with a busted up face and a one way ticket out of town. Jace knew what was coming as soon as he decided to throw a punch at dear old dad, but that doesn't stop him from worrying about the consequences his decision will have on both his mother and himself.

Now Jace is living with his estranged and paranoid brother, walking on eggshells in an attempt to not open any old wounds and to get his life back on track. The problem is, he doesn't even know what that means. With secrets in his heart and his mother left behind, Jace has to come to terms with what it means to be out of the house he grew up in, the house were so much blood was spilled.

Split is a beautiful and gripping tale of domestic abuse and the strength it takes to break away from it. Swati Avasthi has shed new light on something many people can't even fathom. She's walked us through what it means to be afraid for your family's life, and to look at violence as a trivial, every day fact of life.

When I read the synopsis and signed up for this blog tour, I thought I new what to expect. I was expecting a tear-jerker sort of story that would leave me surrounded in balled up tissues, but that's not what I got. Jace's voice drew me in and lulled me into a state where I saw through his eyes. I felt his anger and his grief. Something about the way he told his story left me dry eyed and constantly flipping the pages. The tone of his character rang in my mind long after I put the book down.

Swati Avasthi definitely has a gift for story telling. Her characters were well written and easy to relate to, while her writing was nuanced and compelling. Nothing was what it seemed as I continued to read. The plot was fairly predictable, but not in the kind of way that just annoys you as you read. There was simply enough foreshadowing to give me a pretty clear picture of what was coming.

Overall, Split was a wonderful read with character I will remember for quite a while. If you enjoy realistic fiction, there is no way you wouldn't like this book. You may even enjoy it if you don't.

To order a copy of Split by Swati Avasthi from Amazon.com, please click here.

To honor National Domestic Violence Awareness month, author Swati Avasthi has combined a blog tour for her debut novel, Split, with a charity auction. Over 40 authors, agents and editors have donated manuscript critiques, personalized books, and more to an online auction that anyone –reader, writer, booklover -- can bid on and buy. All proceeds go to the Family Violence Prevention Fund. In addition to the auction, Avasthi is donating $1/comment on her 26-stop, month-long blog tour, coordinated by Kari Olson at Teen Book Scene. If she reaches her goal and cap of $250, she will double the donation. Follow the tour, get stuff you want, and make a difference.

General Store

Featured Lots:

A 20 page critique by author Heidi Ayarbe here.

A personalized, signed copy ofFreeze Frame by Heidi Ayarbe here.

A toy rocking sheep here.

Toy soldiers here.

A readable miniature book here.

A miniature version of The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis here.

A miniature version of Split by Swati Avasthi here

All of the minis above are handcrafted!

Now... Start commenting! You'll be helping people like Jace who need your support!

Blog Tour: Freefall by Anna Levine

2010-10-19T10:50:00.000-07:00

Freefall by Anna Levine 5 of 5 stars.

What would your life be like if military service was compulsory, not voluntary?

Aggie is eighteen and getting ready to do her service for the Israeli Army. She could get a cushy assignment--maybe pushing paper somewhere--or she could just take her chances. Only, Aggie isn't like that. Despite her small size and the fact that she needs to gain weight to even make the grade, and despite the total disbelief of her entire family (except her grandmother, who is an old freedom fighter and don't you forget it), Aggie is trying out for an elite combat unit.

Ben--Aggie's crush of the moment--isn't at all convinced that she's making the right choice. Shira, Aggie's best friend forever, is bewildered (and perhaps a bit too interested in Ben). Then there's Noah. And the serendipitous snow. And a good-bye kiss that turns into, well, a real kiss.

Luckily for Aggie, her backbreaking, sand-in-mouth, completely-lost-in-the-desert training produces an unlikely dividend: friends. The kind she never imagined she could have. The kind you'd go to war with--and for. (Book blurb)

Military presence is a very strong factor for young Israelis. Brothers, sisters, boyfriends, and besties are pulled into compulsory service as soon as they finish high school. But not everyone has to be a fighter. Aggie's mother would have her doing something in an office, cool and safe, but Aggie, a dancer, isn't sure she wants to spend the next two years of her life doing paperwork. The only person who encourages Aggie is her bestfriend Shira's brother Noah. As Aggie's feelings change for Noah, her heart is faced with even more decisions.

Aggie soon finds herself in the middle of the desert toting sand bags alongside a group of other girls. Blood, sweat, and tears form strong, unbreakable friendships. Later, when one of those friends is in trouble, Aggie realizes that she has to make her own choices. Nobody can do that for her.

Freefall is a beautifully written, heartfelt novel that left me smiling through tears. There are stories that you enjoy, and then there are stories that leave a permanent mark in your heart. Sometimes there are characters that you feel a real, solid connection to. This was one of those books.

Anna Levine is a truly brilliant writer. Her characters hardly seemed fictional at all. They were real, living breathing people. Alot of times I say characters were believable but that isn't the case here. These characters are real. I almost expect to see pictures of them all in the back of the book. Aggie, her grandmother, Noah, and Lily were probably my favorites. I don't think I will ever forget them.

The only problem I have with this novel is that its too short! Its one of those books that you can't stand to put down, but you cringe as you see the stack of pages to the right getting smaller and smaller. I seriously think I could have picked it up and read it all over again as soon as I finished. It doesn't really matters what kind of novel you like, there is no way you could not love this book.

Find out more about the Anna Levine Freefall blog tour by clicking here.
To order a copy of Freefall by Anna Levine from Amazon.com, please click here.

Author Interview with Julie Berry!

2010-10-16T08:06:00.000-07:00

Today, I would like to introduce you all to one of my favorite fantasy authors, Julie Berry. Her latest book Secondhand Charm was released October 12th.

1. What was writing The Amaranth Enchantment like for you?

Writing The Amaranth Enchantment was a lot of fun, though there were many moments when I wondered if there was any merit at all in what I was writing. The more you stare at words for months, and puzzle over this verb or that verb, the more the words lose all meaning. It’s very hard to be objective about your own work.

2. Was there ever a time when you were afraid you might not finish it?

I knew I would not rest until it was finished, however, I did wonder sometimes if it was finish-able. Would I be able to craft an ending that resolved all I’d started? Heaven only knew!

3. Did you always know you wanted to be a writer?

I think so, though I think I kept it on the back burner in my life plans for a lot of years. Since my books have come out, though, many friends have said, “I remember you talking about wanting to be an author back when we were kids together.” It surprises me to hear this. Maybe I wasn’t as mum about my hopes as I’d like to think I was.

4. Do you have any particular writing "quirks", thing you seem to do differently than others?

I don’t think so. My busy schedule and large family force me to be flexible about where, when, and how I write. I don’t have the luxury of special rituals. I need to be able to move my story forward in whatever snatches of time I have, and wherever I am.

5. What was your publication journey like?

Mine was fairly straightforward. I started writing essays for a local paper, then after a couple years of doing that, I applied for graduate school and pursued an MFA in writing for children and young adults, eventually graduating from Vermont College of the Fine Arts. While in school, I wrote three novels. I submitted the second one to an agent shortly before graduation, and she offered me a contract. She sent the manuscript out to several publishers, and I was fortunate that Bloomsbury wanted to buy The Amaranth Enchantment.

6. How do you get ideas?

If you’re awake and alive, your mind is always noticing things, observing ironies, laughing at what’s funny, pondering what baffles you or breaks your heart. The more you write, the more you learn to sift through that stream of thoughts to find and file away the ones that have story potential. When I want to start something new, I just think of whatever interests me at the moment, ask a lot of what-if questions, and let the new story bubble to the surface.

7. What drew you to writing for MG-YA rather than adult?

Writing fiction for adults was never my goal. I always wanted to write children’s books. I write other things for adults, such as essays and commentary, and perhaps one day I’ll write a book for an adult audience, but my heart lies in the kids’ book section.

8. What's your favorite quote?

I don’t have a favorite quote, but I do have one pasted next to my computer at work: “Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.” This is attributed to Henry Van Dyke.

9. Do you have any advice for young writers?

Read, read, read. Take advantage of the fact that you don’t need to pay all the bills and just read, read, read, in whatever pockets of time you have. Then, write! Keeping a journal is a great way to limber up writing muscles. So is writing stories and poems. Write whatever comes easily and brings you joy. It will all feed the muscles that help you write terrific stories down the road.

Thank you so much for doing this, Julie!

Julie Berry's Website
My review of Secondhand Charm
My review of The Amaranth Enchantment

To order Secondhand Charm by Julie Berry from Amazon.com, please click here.
To order The Amaranth Enchantment by Julie Berry from Amazon.com, please click here.

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This blog is an Amazon Associates Affiliate. When you buy an item from Amazon.com after following one of our links to the site, we gain a small commission. However, this does NOT effect our opinion of the books. Thank you.
~

Coming Soon: CSN Stores Review

2010-10-06T18:21:00.000-07:00

I love hot tea, especially in the winter time. I started drinking Celestial Seasonings herbal teas, and I seriously think I like them better than coffee-even Starbucks! But I don't have a tea pot/kettle, so every time I make tea I just pour water into a mettle pot to boil. Where's the fun in that? I've been looking for a tea set for a while and haven't found one that I've fallen in love with yet.

CSN Stores recently asked me to do a review of one of their products. They have such a large site I felt completely lost looking through everything from messenger bags to nightstands and yes, even stuff for the pooch. But then it hit me. They have dishes! So I looked up tea pots and I have found the most adorable one ever. Its simple and whimsical and elegant. I just adore it! I wasn't crazy about the plain glass tea cups though, so I think I'm going to find some different ones in baby pink to go along with it.

(You can click the image below to see it on the site.)

Anyway, I'll be reviewing this product in a few weeks, and I will let you know how I like it. I'm so excited!!

Bloggers Speak Out: Winner of the SPEAK Giveaway!

2010-10-06T17:05:00.000-07:00

Hi, everyone! I apologize for being a few days late announcing a winner. I've been running around so much lately I haven't been sure whether I was coming or going. But you won't have to wait any longer.

The winner of the 10th Anniversary Edition of Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson is....

Erika from Moonlight Book Reviews

Congratulations!! I'll have your book in the mail soon.

Thanks to all of you who entered!

Secondhand Charm by Julie Berry

2010-10-04T08:29:00.000-07:00

Secondhand Charm by Julie Berry 5 of 5 stars.
To be released October 12, 2010 by Bloomsbury Children's Books

In a secluded village, magic sparkles on the edges of the forest. There, a young girl named Evie possesses unusually strong powers as a healer. And a gypsy's charms--no more than trinkets when worn by others--are remarkably potent when Evie ties them around her neck. Her talents, and charms, have not escaped the notice of the shy stonemason's son. But Evie wants more than a quiet village and the boy-next-door. When the prince's entourage arrives one day, and his footman has fallen ill, Evie might just get her chance after all. . . But this young girl's destiny is no mere romantic fairytale. Her fate, and the journey she is about to embark upon, will taker her far from her tiny village, uncovering serpentine powers and a legacy she never dreamed possible. (Book blurb)

Evie dreams of helping people, of being a martyr. She knows what she wants from life. When the king makes a chance visit to her small village he grants her the chance to follow that dream. But Evie faces many trials along the way that make her question her past and her future. When all is said and done, will Evie let her so called 'fate' make her decisions for her? Or will she stick to what she believes in, despite the dangers such a decision pose?

Secondhand Charm was a beautiful novel written in a pleasant fairytale style that few can master. Sea monsters and dashing bandits keep you on the edge of your seat as we follow Evie into this beautiful world. Since reading her debut novel The Amaranth Enchantment, Julie Berry has been one of my all-time favorite fantasy writers, and Secondhand Charm was no exception.

The story begins in Evie's small village where we see her daily life. It soon becomes obvious that she is mature beyond her years. As things progress, obstacles are thrown into our heroin's path that could never have been expected. Despite her feelings of insecurity around the beautiful and mysterious Annalise, Evie stays the strong young woman that we all love to see in the young adult/middle grade genre.

The plot is twisting, unpredictable, full of suspense, and at times hilarious. Whether you enjoy a lighthearted fairytale or an action packed adventure, you are sure to fall in love with Secondhand Charm.

To pre-order Secondhand Charm by Julie Berry from Amazon.com, please click here.

~
This blog is an Amazon Associates Affiliate. When you buy an item from Amazon.com after following one of our links to the site, we gain a small commission. However, this does NOT effect our opinion of the books. Thank you.
~

Split by Swati Avasthi - Tour Details

2010-09-27T14:51:00.000-07:00

To honor National Domestic Violence Awareness month, author Swati Avasthi has combined a blog tour for her debut novel, Split, with a charity auction. Over 40 authors, agents and editors have donated manuscript critiques, personalized books, and more to an online auction that anyone –reader, writer, booklover -- can bid on and buy. All proceeds go to the Family Violence Prevention Fund. In addition to the auction, Avasthi is donating $1/comment on her 26-stop, month-long blog tour, coordinated by Kari Olson at Teen Book Scene. If she reaches her goal and cap of $250, she will double the donation. Follow the tour, get stuff you want, and make a difference.

You can find out more about the awesome Split tour and where it will be stopping by clicking here.

Bloggers Speak Out!

2010-09-23T12:22:00.001-07:00

Bloggers Speak Out is a movement sparked by the recent article, "Filthy Books Demeaning to Republic Education" by Dr. Wesley Scroggins that was published in the Springfield, MO News-Leader on September 18th. In this article, Scroggins vehemently advocates the censorship of books in schools, and specifically requests that the following books be removed from the Republic school system: Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler, and Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut. To show our support of these authors and to fight against book banning and censorship, we have decided to take action and speak out.

Below is a list of links of bloggers speaking out against book banning and censorship--in the form of giveaways, posts, and reviews. Some are "officially" participating in what we're calling Bloggers Speak Out, and others are posts that we've found around the blogosphere. If you get time, you should definitely check them out!

Giveaways of Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

**All giveaways will end on 10/3, unless otherwise noted**

Papercut Reviews

Braintasia Books

Escape through the Pages

Tina's Book Reviews

Sea of Pages

Mrs. Deraps Reads

Moonlight Book Reviews

Cari's Book Blog

Just Your Typical Book Blog

For What It's Worth

Wondrous Reads (Ends 9/27)

Frankie Writes (Ends ?)

The Elliot Review (Ends ?)

The Bookologist (Ends ?)

La Femme Readers

Other Giveaways

**All giveaways will end on 10/3, unless otherwise noted**

-Lisa Schroeder: ARC of The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney (Ends 9/23)

-Will Write for Cake: Win Speak, Twenty Boy Summer, or Slaughterhouse Five

-Mindful Musings (here): Win Speak, Twenty Boy Summer, or Slaughterhouse Five

-Teens Read and Write: Win The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

-Mundie Moms: Win Speak, Burned, Twenty Boy Summer, or The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian (Ends 9/26)

-Wicked Awesome Books: Win a "Filthy Books" Prize Pack

-Carol's Prints: Win Speak and The Mockingbirds

-Myra McEntire: Win Speak, Twenty Boy Summer, or Harry Potter

-The Bookish Type: Win Speak or Twenty Boy Summer

-Bea's Book Nook: Win Speak & an ALA Challenged Book (Ends 10/2)

-Sarah Ockler: Win a Wesley Scroggins Filthy Books Prize Pack (Ends 10/1)

Other Posts Against Book Banning and Censorship

Braintasia Books

Escape Through the Pages

As Told by Jen

Aine's Realm

The Compulsive Reader

Once Upon a Bookcase

Daily Dose

http://www.latebloomeronline.com/2010/09/speak-loudly-book-drop.html

A Life Bound by Books

The Undercover Book Lover

Reading the Best of the Best

The Pirate's Bounty

Reclusive Bibliophile

The Lady Critic's Library

Emilie's Book World

Jacob's Beloved

Just Your Typical Book Blog

Maggie's Bookshelf

Basically Amazing Books

The Darker Side of the Fire

Katie's Book Blog

Sassymonkey (BlogHer)

Authors Speak Out

Laurie Halse Anderson: This guy thinks Speak is pornographic

Laurie Halse Anderson: The power of speaking loudly

http://evesfangarden.com/blog/2010/09/21/book-banning-by-gayle-forman/

http://evesfangarden.com/blog/2010/09/20/3993/

Karen Rivers

Sarah Ockler: I Speak Loudly for Speak

Sarah Ockler: On Book Banning Zealots and Ostriches

http://www.pageturnersblog.com/2010/09/using-book-to-open-conversation-banned.html

Cheryl Rainfield: Fight Against Ignorance

Myra McEntire: Speak Loudly: In Defense of Laurie Halse Anderson

Andrea Cremer: Speak Out

http://emilysreadingroom.blogspot.com/2010/09/guest-post-and-giveaway-natalie.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+EmilysReadingRoom+(Emily's+Reading+Room)

Important Articles on the Subject

"Filthy Books Demeaning to Republic Education" (the article that started it all)

Scroggins' Official Complaint to the School Board (PDF)

"Republic School Book Choices under Fire" (Springfield News-Leader)

Laurie Halse Anderson's Editiorial in the Springfield News-Leader

Sarah Ockler's Editorial in the Springfield News-Leader

http://www.news-leader.com/article/20100922/OPINIONS03/9220365/1069/Students+should+get+to+read+about+worldNews-Leader

Essay: Kurt Vonnegut's Thoughts on the First Amendment

Author Interview with C.T. Douglas

2010-09-23T06:20:00.000-07:00

Good morning, everyone! Today I'd like to introduce you all to C.T. Douglas a very talented young artist and author of The Lore Trilogy: A Pirate's Charm. For those of you who love paranormal romance and pirate stories, you won't want to miss this!

When she flees Barbados in the late 1780s, the last thing Molly Bishop expects is to begin life anew with a criminal -- much less the infamous Captain Thomas Crowe. On the high seas, far from her old life and even farther from England and her Uncle Samuel's farm, Molly learns more than just the way of outcasts. Captain Crowe keeps secrets -- many secrets. His eyes are sometimes deep blue and sometimes yellow. Inhuman noises can be heard from his cabin on moonlit nights. Stranger still, Thomas possesses a ring crafted by Molly's father -- a man she thought to be long gone. Life on the fringes of civilization seems to offer something forbidden and exciting to Molly, and when Thomas's secrets are revealed, she is immersed in a world of fantasy and myth more real and much larger than she could have imagined. (book blurb)

1. How did you get the idea to add vampires and werewolves to a pirate story?
When I was a junior in high school, the excitement surrounding Pirates of the Caribbean just started to die off, and at the same time, Stephanie Meyer hadn't yet released the second installment in the Twilight series. I remember being in a meeting for a club that a friend and I had started, "Creative Writing and Comics", and someone who was talking about Twilight eventually had everyone on the subject of vampires. It was sometime soon after this that I thought, "Why has no one put pirates, werewolves, vampires, and everything else possible into one story?" I've always been a fan of mythology, especially Greek mythology, and I love studying the deeper meanings attached to folklore and legends. At the time I realized that the fan bases for pirates and vampires overlapped and I decided to start writing a story that just made sense to me. Once I began, I kept writing, and finished the series in high school, but didn't pick it back up and consider it seriously until I was already a year into college.

2. Who is your favorite character in A Pirate's Charm and why?
My answer may come as a surprise: the Leviathan. I can't tell you how many times I came back to that chapter. I could never make it quite good enough, and while I was revising A Pirate's Charm, I had several revelations about writing and purpose. I think what upset me about the Leviathan chapter, initially, was that every version of it felt cliche. It was in the early morning one night that, out of exhaustion and frustration, I tore the chapter apart and rewrote it in every way possible. I wanted to evoke a new sense of wonder in the face of this creature, and describing a "dark and stormy night" to set the stage was not going to cut it. The question to be answered here, I thought, is "what is fear made of?" I decided that fear was a reaction to the unnatural and unfamiliar, so I started by making the natural setting (ocean, sky, etc) grotesque and surreal. Then, I decided that the Leviathan should be a deep sea creature and hark on the fear of "alien" things. This fascination I developed for creating a mood and designing a character, or in this case, a creature, to inhabit it led to my love for the Leviathan.

3. What is the hardest thing about writing for you?
The hardest thing about writing is knowing when to set down the work and call it "finished". I was prepared for this by years of art classes in high school. Any kind of artistic work is defined more by its flaws than its successes. When a writer can "finish" a work, and move on, the work will later become a tool for reflection. I think writing is more about progressing than perfecting. I want to make my stories as perfect as possible, but if I waste time on that, I'll never finish them.

4. What do you do when you need inspiration?
Inspiration, for me, is never in short supply. I feel as though a lot of it comes to me each and every day, in little pieces. I never just have tons and tons of ideas, but I build up a few really worthwhile ones over a long period of time. Watching movies, listening to music, and being able to think in quiet or peaceful places certainly helps when I need a little extra creative fuel, though. I do a lot of questioning and thinking on my own, and rarely do I go looking for "examples" to draw from. I laugh when I think of how often I'm asked to name my favorite author, because I don't have one. I rarely read, and often it's because I'd rather be writing, and I'm always afraid of allowing myself to subconsciously mimic other artists' ideas.

5. When did you first know you wanted to be a writer?
I've always been a writer, but I guess it would be more correct to say I've always been a storyteller. I've been a visual artist for longer than I've been a serious writer, and I've also been a musician since early high school. I love stories, for one reason or another, and these various modes of expression allowed me to realize that I had the greatest room for expression in writing, since writing came easiest. I didn't think of myself as a writer until as recently as two years ago. I began college as an Architectural Design major, ditched it in less than a week, and switched to English. At that time, I took up Lore, dusted it off and said, "I'm going to do this from now on."

6. Do you let friends/family read your writing before its done?
I let several people look through my work as I write, which is a new behavior for me. Normally I'm the type of person who would sooner set a manuscript on fire than let someone look at it "naked" haha. Since the first book, I've steadily gathered friends and other connections whose personalities and perspectives make for an excellent gradient of feedback. Often, if I sit with someone who is familiar with the story, and explain a specific concept to them that I'm developing, the bouncing of ideas will produce a thought that wouldn't have occurred to me if I had kept myself locked up in my own little world and shut-out to other idea highways. Allowing for input during the creation process is great. When you pass your ideas through others, it's like looking at a picture you drew through different lenses, and this allows you to see parts of your picture that you may have neglected or not considered thoroughly.

7. Are there any writers you particularily look up to?
Again, I don't really look to other writers for guidance or look up to other artists to evaluate myself by. I consider all the arts to be alternate means of expression, and storytelling is really at the heart of every art form. Having said this, I do look to certain "storytellers" because I find a certain inspiring uniqueness in their work. A few would be directors Hayao Miyazaki and Shinichiro Watanabe; authors and writers Lewis Carroll, Stephen King, J.R.R. Tolkien, J.K. Rowling, Aldous Huxley and Mary Shelley; animator Don Hertzfeldt; composer Tchaikovsky, and many contemporary bands, mostly in the blues and rock genres and subgenres.

8. Any advice for young writers?
What I always emphasize to aspiring writers is this: "If you love it, that means it's what you're meant to do. If you do it, and don't stop, you'll never regret it."

My review of A Pirate's Charm
Official Lore Trilogy website
A Pirate's Charm on Goodreads

Bloggers Speak Out: Speak Giveaway!

2010-09-21T16:34:00.000-07:00

Bloggers Speak Out is a movement sparked by the recent article, "Filthy Books Demeaning to Republic Education" by Dr. Wesley Scroggins that was published in the Springfield, MO News-Leader on September 18th. In this article, Scroggins vehemently advocates the censorship of books in schools, and specifically requests that the following books be removed from the Republic school system: Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler, and Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut. To show our support of these authors and to fight against book banning and censorship, we have decided to take action and speak out.

This project is headed by Natalie at Mindful Musings.

As part of the Bloggers Speak Out tour I will be showing my support for Laurie Halse Anderson and the rest of the YA authors attacked by Dr. Scroggins by giving away a 10th Anniversary Edition paperback copy of Speak. There are no strings tied to this giveaway. I would be thrilled if you became (or already are) a follower, but it isn't necessary to enter. Extra entries will be given for spreading the word about the above article and our stand against censorship.

Rules:
Must be a US resident.
Must be 13+ years old.
Must enter by Oct. 2

Winner will be announce October 3.

To enter please fill out this form.

Speak LOUDLY!

2010-09-19T18:13:00.000-07:00

As many of you have heard, several popular YA novels have come under attack for being used in high school classrooms by a Dr. Scroggins out of Rupublic, MO. One of those books is Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. Speak is the story of a young woman who was raped and chose to stay silent about the things that happened to her. I haven't read the book, but I do plan to. Being a YA blogger, I have heard enough about Laurie Halse Anderson's books to know that they are not meant to 'corrupt' girls in any way. Anderson wrote her books to send us all a picture of reality, harsh as it may be, and to make sure people who have been abused in the same way don't feel quite so alone. I've always found that when reading books or watching a movie, the parts that make you cry, shake with anger, and question the the world around you are the things you remember most. They're the things that make you want to change whatever you can.

I could go on and on about everything he said but it all boils down to this: Does he have any clue what he is talking about? It sounds to me like he's just some self-righteous big-mouthed man who thinks he can dictate what's right and what's wrong for teenagers to read.

My opinion is that censorship is not the answer. Having just finished reading Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, this really tore me up. I want to know your opinion. Please let me know what you think and also share any links if you've posted about this yourself.

Click here to read the article in its entirety.

Waiting on Wednesday!

2010-09-15T15:19:00.000-07:00

This week I'm waiting on I was Jane Austen's Best Friend by Cora Harrison to be released by Delacorte Books for Young Readers on September 28, 2010. The pretty cover caught my eye at first, and lately (okay, its been a while!) I've been absorbed with Victorian novels. I'm not the biggest Jane Austen fan, but this sounds like it will be a cute book and worth the risk.

"When shy Jenny Cooper goes to stay with her cousin Jane Austen, she knows nothing of the world of beautiful dresses, dances, secrets, gossip, and romance that Jane inhabits. At fifteen, Jane is already a sharp observer of the customs of courtship. So when Jenny falls utterly in love with Captain Thomas Williams, who better than Jane to help her win the heart of this dashing man?

But is that even possible? After all, Jenny’s been harboring a most desperate secret. Should it become known, it would bring scandal not only to her, but also to the wonderful Austen family. What’s a poor orphan girl to do?"-Goodreads

To pre-order I was Jane Austen's Best Friend by Cora Harrison from Amazon.com, please click here.

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This blog is an Amazon Associates Affiliate. When you buy an item from Amazon.com after following one of our links to the site, we gain a small commission. However, this does NOT effect our opinion of the books. Thank you.
~

A Pirate's Charm by C.T. Douglas

2010-09-11T16:08:00.000-07:00

A Pirate's Charm by C.T. Douglas 5 of 5 stars.
First book in The Lore Trilogy.

When she flees Barbados in the late 1780s, the last thing Molly Bishop expects is to begin life anew with a criminal -- much less the infamous Captain Thomas Crowe. On the high seas, far from her old life and even farther from England and her Uncle Samuel's farm, Molly learns more than just the way of outcasts. Captain Crowe keeps secrets -- many secrets. His eyes are sometimes deep blue and sometimes yellow. Inhuman noises can be heard from his cabin on moonlit nights. Stranger still, Thomas possesses a ring crafted by Molly's father -- a man she thought to be long gone. Life on the fringes of civilization seems to offer something forbidden and exciting to Molly, and when Thomas's secrets are revealed, she is immersed in a world of fantasy and myth more real and much larger than she could have imagined. (Book blurb)

Captain Thomas Crowe is handsome, charming, and secretive, he also happens to be Molly's only chance of escaping a past filled with shadows. What Molly didn't know is that Thomas Crowe was a man who could make all of the stories her uncle told her as a child become real. As Molly finds her world inescapably tangled with that of Thomas she must learn to accept fiction as fact while facing an adventure more mystifying and dangerous than she ever dreamed possible.

A Pirate's Charm is a page-turning adventure full of mythical creatures, romance, and magic. The writing is dense and graceful as we follow the characters' unbelievable story. Humor lightens an otherwise dark plot full of surprising twists and unpredictable turns that will leave the reader on the edge of her seat.

Having been obsessed with the Pirates of the Caribbean movies for years (seriously- I could quote all three movies perfectly) and reading To Catch a Pirate by Jade Parker over twenty times before moving on to the more popular genre of paranormal fiction, I couldn't resist reading a book that had both pirates and werewolves. Now, this plot had the possibility to either be positively genius or horribly corny. Thankfully, it was the former.

The mythology C.T. Douglas uses in his debut novel is unique to the modern paranormal world but still carries a more traditional feel. He quite obviously put alot of effort into creating a thorough history for the creatures and magic in his book.

The characters were easily lovable. Molly was the more realistic out of the bunch, while Thomas Crowe was completely swoon-worthy and hilarious. The notorious captain's antics reminded me greatly of Jack Sparrow. The side characters in the novel were just as three-dimensional as the main characters, all adding a piece to the puzzle.

Overall, I think anyone would enjoy A Pirate's Charm. Whether you're into the paranormal scene of vampires and werewolves, a pirate lover, or just a fan of a good adventure novel, you can easily fall in love with this story. I, for one, can't wait to read the next book!

To order a copy of A Pirate's Charm by C.T. Douglas, please click here.