Friday, December 23, 2011

Song of the Season Blog Hop!


Songs of the Season
Event production by
Random Magic Tour
Sasha Soren (Random Magic)
Dec. 10-25, 2011

     Welcome to the Songs of the Season music hop! You're invited to join us every day from December 10-25, to enjoy a virtual round of caroling.

You can visit a different blog each day to find another wonderful music selection, handpicked by a great host.

Here's our selection for your enjoyment!


Title: Let it Snow
Artist: Vonda Shepard
Available at: Amazon 



 
Title: Santa Baby
Artist: Jane Krakowski
Available at: Amazon 





Commentary: Why do I love these two songs? Well, I used to be a horrible Ally McBeal junkie :) I especially loved VONDA SHEPARD's fabulous soundtrack to the series. Doesn't she have the most phenomenal voice ever? :) I loved her songs, I loved watching the Christmas episodes of Ally - these were one my very favorite ones!

Santa Baby and Let It Snow are my most favorite Christmas songs of all times. I love snow, I love Santa, I love Vonda and Jane.. What can I say? I love my Ally Christmas! :)

Title: Koe Wo Kikasete
Artist: Big Bang
Available at: Amazon 





Commentary: This is not a typical Christmas Song, but each time I listen to it I get into Holiday Mood :) It's cheerful, sparkly, mood-lifting and just.. so good! :) Plus the hotties in the video are just, well, hot! :D Who wouldn't love that?! :)

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY SONG?!

Goodies:

http://images.betterworldbooks.com/030/The-Bronte-Sisters-Note-Cards-With-17-Envelopes-9780307408501.jpg
Through Dec. 31, 2011: Win a pretty box of stationery, featuring
quotes by writer Charlotte Brontë and her sisters, who were also
novelists. Browse details (http://tinyurl.com/73a8uyl)



https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2LNWW1DXNpRTIDIRPM8HDTl5RdlI7tcNxCjTuJvFgadF5uyFJ4vkBmjjRMb4q2Lu3OzS02svsT_RGPJMoX-WJWJSulI32kigy0sDhEBKnpwnzZy4RdSjcebS2Y582iEJs_jOmVbuwFR8/s320/BookieBrunch_AgeofInnocence1.JPG
Through Dec. 31, 2011: Win a book-and-DVD set of a romantic drama set
in New York during the Gilded Age (http://tinyurl.com/rv7wa). Browse
details (http://tinyurl.com/brr948a)

If you've enjoyed your visit, please feel welcome to click on any of the badges below, to find another great tune, selected especially by the host to share with you for the Songs of the Season music hop.

If you have a favorite song, feel free to share in the comments. Thanks for stopping by, and hope you have a chance to enjoy a cup of cocoa on the way to your next stop on the hop!


Tour Schedule:
(make sure to check out all the stips, there are some wicked awesome posts with wonderful Christmas songs that will bring a huge grin to your face and put you in a Holiday mood!)


Brought to you by the fabulous Sasha Soren, author of Random Magic and host of the phenomenal Bookie Brunch!

Event production by Random Magic Tour
Find Random Magic: Print | Kindle
Explore Random Magic: YouTube | Tumblr | Twitter


Heven and Hell BLOG TOUR: Masquerade by Cambria Hebert (Review + Giveaway)

Genre:Young Adult, Fantasy, Supernatural, Romance
Publication.Date  December 16th 2011
Pages:310
Published By:  Otherworld Publications  | 
WebsiteCambria Hebert
Masquerade - Goodreads
My review copy:Received from the author in exchange for an honest review
Where to get: Barnes and Noble | Amazon |






     Before. Everything was so much better Before. I wasn’t haunted by nightmares, my place at school was secure and my face was flawless. Now, I’m a freak and everything has changed. The worst part is that I can’t remember the night I was sentenced to the shadows. The memory has been stolen from me and I just can’t shake the feeling that someone, something is out there -watching.

Just when I think I have my life handled, Sam, with his intimidating golden stare and shiver inducing voice, makes me realize that I don’t know anything. He makes me see that my scars don’t matter. That they never mattered. I can’t help but fall for him, completely unknowing that he knows exactly how I got this way. Not knowing he was involved.

***

Heven has no idea how closely death stalks her. She has no idea what I have done to keep her alive. I fear the day she learns my secrets, finds out what I really am. But even then I cannot stop, I vow to make things right. Finally her hunter will be hunted, Heaven and Hell, faith and sin will battle, and we will be victorious. But first, Heven must learn to be what she never imagined. I know her strength is there – I feel it. If we are to overcome all odds, she must push past her flaws - her frailties - to become much more.
(goodreads.com)




I shouldn't feel safe.  I never felt safe around anyone new, but his presence was like a blanket to my shivering insides, whatever he projected reached out and wrapped around me, keeping my fear at bay.
     His eyes shone like the summer sun with a hint of surprise.
  I learned a long time ago a person's appearance is only a disguise for who they truly are.






   
     May I illustrate with a picture???


     This book could not have been more perfect. Cambria Hebert hit the jackpot, she created an unforgettable, magical, insanely gripping and astoundingly beautiful story. Fast paced plot that drips with tension and thick, mysterious atmosphere. Richly developed, swoon-worthy characters that you'll instantly connect with. Totally unpredictable twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat non-stop. All that and so much more... this book will blow your mind!
They tried not to stare, but they couldn't keep their eyes away. I was a freak now. I made people uncomfortable and not necessarily because of my scars-but because what my scars represented. Danger, fear, and the unknown. Something had had happened to me, something not even I could remember. They all probably thought that I was crazy, that I somehow did this to myself. I couldn't blame them. ow could I? They might be right.
    Heven used to be beautiful and very popular at school. A perfect teenage girl. She had it all: cheer squad membership, closet full of latest fashion items, a group of loyal followers and admirers, beaming confidence and charm - you name it. But all that was Before. Before the night of the accident, before her face was scarred and permanently disfigured, completely changing her life forever. She can't even remember what happened. Was she attacked? Was this an accident? A wild animal? Did she do it herself? It's a mystery. She's never been the same ever since. She's a freak now, everyone stares at her and whispers behind her back. She stopped caring about her wardrobe and make-up, trading her designer clothes for baggy t-shirt and hoodies that can at least partly hide her hideous face. All that's left from her "Before" life is the ever-supportive and loyal friend, Kimber, and Kimber's boyfriend, Cole. At least until a mysterious new guy shows up in town. Not to mention that he's insanely hot, steamy and gorgeous-looking (Awww, please, can I go for a Bubble-Tea with Sam?!). Heven is about to get into some serious trouble. She'll discover that what she thought to be her over-reactive imagination and silliness, was in truth her instinct trying to warn her about the evil thing lurking in the dark, observing her, waiting for the right moment to strike again. This time, though, it won't go for her face. This time it will go for the kill...
"I'll make sure she gets home safe." Sam husky voice made me shiver, and then he touched me. It was a simple, insignificant brush of his hand as he took the keys from my palm, but I would remember that one second contact with him like it was my first kiss.
Every single nerve in my arm tingled, and my skin burned. Every coherent thought I might have had completely faded away. I stared at him, entranced by his hazel stare, caught by the golden highlights that sparked through his eyes "Uh..."
      SWOON~!
      Noah Shaw, wherever you are, know that you have a formidable rival to the title of the 2011 Most Swoon-Worthy! *Deep sigh* ahhh, Sam! Where do I begin? He is so painfully hot! Mysterious, brave, tough, handsome (handsome?! he is drop-dead gorgeous!). He was so amazingly protective of Heven, so deeply in love with her and at the same time so.. wild and dangerous, and all sorts of wicked awesome! OMG! And for the most part of the book you don't even begin to suspect who (or what) he is, what's his reason for being there... Of course, me being a total sucker for mysterious, hot guys, I fell totally in love with Sam and got goose-bumps every time he worked his charms on Heven. Sparkles were flying, tension was overwhelming, and the chemistry between these two.. OMG! Dear Santa, can I have Sam wrapped (or not:P) and placed under my Christmas Tree? Please??? 


It was a clear night, and there were a million stars nestled in the sky, twinkling brightly alongside the moon. I was nearly home, my street just yards away. The night was quiet, exaggerating the sound my heels were making on the pavement. Usually, I liked the clicking sound, it made me feel womanly, and it announced my arrival. However, at this moment, it seemed I shouldn't announce my presence. I slowed slightly, gentling my steps and glanced to my right at a wooded, overgrown lot. I imagined something hiding in the bush, watching/ O laughed a little at my silliness, but quickened my pace. This time, allowing my heels to slap loudly on the pavement, hoping the sound would ward off any animals that might be around. Behind me I sensed movement and whirled around to confront it.
   OK, that was more of an excerpt than a quote, I know, guilty as charged! But can you see how wonderfully descriptive and captivating Cambria's writing is? And that's just a quote from the first page! It only gets better as you read. It's definitely one of those books that you can easily devour in one sitting. Maybe not so much "can" but "have to", cause I bet you, you won't be able to put it down until you find out what's going on! From the very beginning there are many questions and mysteries, and very little answers. The title is so adequate! It's like a big masquerade, where nothing is what it seemed, there's a thick web of lies and pretending. You will be biting your nails and wrecking your brain, begging for some answers! So intense!
The road ahead holds many tests challenging everything she ever believed. I whispered a prayer for her inner strength to guide her on her path. She was going to need it.
      Four words: Multiple Point of Views! Yeah, baby! So well done and thoroughly executed, with clear marks as to whose head you're poking around at the particular moment. I loved it. It was such a great idea, not only because it gave us precious insight about characters' thoughts and motivations, but also because it was convincing. Every character was different. You got the story from Heven's perspective (most of the time), but you also got it from Sam's. And then you also got the POVs of two, um.. creatures? The Hope and The Hate! How wicked cool is that?!
"I'm hideous"
"You could never be hideous"
"Forget it" I wanted this conversation over.
"I can't forget it," Gran said, not giving up so easily. "I don't like to hear you talk about yourself that way. Your scars do not define you, young lady. Your action do."
      I feel extremely grateful for this book. It's not only a wild thrill ride with a great, unique plot and sparkly characters, but also quite an eye-opener and profound life lesson. It's entertaining, but it also teaches you something about how the world works. How appearance is only that, an appearance. And everything that truly matters lies underneath. How easily is to forget that your face, clothes, hairstyle, and all those silly little things don't define you. How you can shape your life and change the way things are if only you give it a try. You choose who you are. No one else. It's a wonderful and deep story, and I am really glad I had the pleasure to read it.

      Cambria Hebert is a super talented author and I'm 100% sure that she will shake up the YA world with her brilliance. Her writing is expressive, graceful and insanely pleasant to read. She's a born writer, a hidden gem among the Indies. Expect to hear a lot about her in the coming years! 

Now, can I have the next part, please???





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This review is posted as part of the Heven and Hell Blog Tour!

I LOVED this book so much, I am giving away one Book Depository paperback copy to one lucky INTERNATIONAL winner.
Ends: January 15th
enter through Rafflecopter below:

Thursday, December 22, 2011

The Pearl Savage by Tamara Rose Blodgett (REVIEW + GIVEAWAY)

Genre:Young Adult, Fantasy, Stempunk
Publication.Date  June 14th 2011
Pages:272
Published By:  Tamara Rose Blodgett | 
WebsiteTamara Rose Blodgett
The Pearl Savage - Goodreads
My review copy:Received from the author in exchange for an honest review
Where to get: Barnes and Noble | Amazon |






     "The Guardians," have saved a fragment of 1890s America in nineteen spheres when a natural disaster threatened to drive humanity to extinction. One hundred forty years later, Clara is a seventeen-year old princess that feels a great obligation to her kingdom that is encased in a steam-engineered, bio-sphere for their survival. Clara's father, King Raymond, passes away when she is only twelve, leaving the Kingdom of Ohio in the sadistic rule of her mother. Queen Ada has promised Clara's hand in marriage to an abusive prince of a neighboring sphere. When it's discovered that there are people outside the sphere that did survive, Clara deliberates on escaping Outside to a future free of abuse and tyranny. Unbeknownst to Clara, the Clan people of the Outside have their own calamity and set of perils. Those two objectives collide in an emotional and tumultuous story of love, duty and survival.

Suddenly, with both the clan and sphere peoples’ destiny in her hands, Clara finds herself torn between love and duty…
(goodreads.com)




“...because of the foulness of her mother's emotional river, a current which ran swift, changing its path without warning...”
     Bracus looked at the female behind the sphere that the Evil Ones had constructed in his grandfather's grandfather's time, her image obscure. He had watched the female for months and had seen her in strange clothing while supervising workers in the fields of sea creatures that yielded shimmering jewels.
     He also knew she was beautiful and.. he wanted her.
     Clara stood on feet grown shaky from stress and said, "Thank you all most kindly for your presence at my Day of Birth Celebration; I am most grateful for your allegiance and loyalty."
     Ada waved her hand dismissively, "Yes, yes Princess Clara, they understand that," her eyes narrowed upon Clara.
     Clara thought that may be the case but felt the words were most important to say. The queen cared not, but loyalty was an uncertain thing, cultivated through decent treatment, not fear. A lesson her mother did not ascribe to. A lesson taught by her father, King Raymond, long-since passed... someone she never forgot.

   
    
     OH. My. God.
     I loved this book. SO MUCH. I've read this book 3 times already and still can't seem to get enough of it! I'm a huge fan of Tamara Rose Blodgett's brilliant works. She's made of win and her stories speak right to my heart. Every time I pick up one of her novels (whether it's the Savage series or her wicked awesome corpse-raiser series, Death) I just want to lock myself away from the rest of the world and read. Just read. Devour the whole thing in one sitting and then re-read, slowly savoring every word. Not caring about anything but the story, the characters and the fabulous atmosphere of the world she created. It's my happy moment. My pink bubble of happiness. My guilty pleasure. SPA for the soul and mind.

      The Pearl Savage is the first novel in the fantastically imagined Savage series. It's a beautiful and touching tale of love, friendship, sacrifice, destiny, promises and difficult choices. It's a fight for freedom and equality, struggle against abuse, depiction of greed and howling injustice in the world driven to the brink of extinction. Above all, it's a marvelous, wonderfully narrated, multi-layered and complex creation, written with passion and something I like to call the wow-factor.
"Their history clear in that regard, they needed to be ever-vigilant with the savages. The Time Keeper had made it known that they were a people apart, possibly not even the same species."
     In 1890 something horrible happened. Some sort of natural disaster (most likely an asteroid hitting the planet) almost drove humanity to extinction. The ash-covered earth was no longer inhabitable, and so "The Guardians" created the spheres - steam-engineered, impenetrable bio-zones, where people could live normally, breathing purified air. Not everyone could be saved, though, as there were only 19 spheres created. Sick or old people were left behind. Miraculously, some of them managed to survive and adapt to the hostile environment. People gathered together, creating clans. A new race of men was born - the Band - bigger, stronger, and with gills to help them breath. The Band protected the clan, taking special care of the precious females, so fragile and sparse in number. Unfortunately, not every clan out there is governed fairly, some of them are nothing more than criminals, aggressive, despicable and violent.

      Clara, a seventeen-year old red-head girl, is a princess in the Kingdom of Ohio. Her life is the opposite of a fairytale, though. Her father, King Raymond, had passed away, giving in to the untreatable sickness, and ever since then her mother (Queen Ada) had taken to the cup. She's a horrible person, who doesn't care about anything other than alcohol and will stop at nothing - even if it means selling her own daughter - to get her precious grapes for wine production. Abusive, violent, cruel and nasty, she often takes her rage out on the poor Clara, who dares not  stand up to her, afraid that her People will suffer punishment. When Queen Ada promises Clara's hand to a bilious prince of a neighboring Kingdom, Clara, together with her trusted friends, plots an escape plan. She saw the savage outside the sphere, she knows people live there, and if living outside the protective walls of bio-zones can grant her freedom from the never-ending abuse and humiliation, then she is willing to give it a try.  What she doesn't realize, though, is that the Clan people have their own plans for her, and it's not necessarily something she will be happy about, either...
The guard watched the shy female with Joseph of the Band. He kept his smirking to himself. His time would come. A female would not be his weakness. He would bend her to his will.
   Um, awesome much?!
The Pearl Savage is such a vibrant and deliciously imaginative tale! A one-of-a-kind, breathtaking, touching and charming, but also often thrilling and disturbing story. It's beautiful. Simply beautiful. I've never come across anything like that! It's so freaking unique! Tamara Rose Blodgett did a fabulous job creating a phenomenal steampunk world with a fancy, lyrical XIX-century-ish language straight from the Victorian era. The setting and the costumes, the characters and the way they express themselves, the sparkling atmosphere and evocative descriptions - all that makes for an exquisite and thoroughly compelling read.
Some promises a person could not keep, even if their lives depended on it.
     It's the kind of book that requires 100% of your attention 100% of the time. You need to focus on what you're reading and skimming through is strictly forbidden, otherwise you'll miss all the essential details that are hidden throughout the whole story. Seriously, every word accounts for something. There are bits and pieces of information that may seem unimportant, but trust me, they are. Blodgett doesn't waste time and paper blabbing away, she creates a complex and well thought-out plot line. If you skim through, you'll just end up frustrated that you wasted your time.
She was unlike any of the females he had seen, which were rare in his clan. A female was highly prized and safeguarded. His eyes caressed her face, the skin like cream from the cow, her eyes like the sea near his cousin's clan... hair the color of fire burnt down to embers.
      I loved the narration style! I'm not a big fan of different POVs, but in The Pearl Savage it worked so well! You get to learn what the main characters think - and not only just Clara, Charles and Bracus, but even the evil little traitor who is plotting something totally evil (like all the evil traitors usually do). And I know that you must be thinking "gee, that sounds like a lot of POVs and the whole thing must be quite confusing", but really, it isn't. At all! Tamara cleverly changes the font style each time the POV switches to the next character, everything is pretty clear and straight-forward. The complexity is there, but it's not in the least overwhelming or annoying. What can I say? It works perfectly! I enjoyed the flashbacks, too! For once you actually knew those were flashbacks, instead of wondering "where in the world this passage/chapter just came from?!"

      Clara was such a wonderful heroine! Brave, strong, thoughtful and caring. So lovely, sweet and, um, very hot! :) A redhead in a corset dress, with pearls in her hair? OMG, how insanely awesome is that?! I can totally imagine this book being adapted into a fantastic movie! I found the characters to be realistic and believable. Sophisticated. Well-drawn and vivid. I genuinely cared for them, especially Clara and Charles. The bad guys, though? Aw man, you will love to HATE them! And I'll bet you, you will swear under your breath at least once while reading about their evil schemes!

      The bottom line is: This book totally blew me away. It's the coolest thing ever. I mean, come on! Victorian era + steampunk + freedom quest + love?! WIN! An absolute must-read! 



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Thanks to the fabulous
Tamara Rose Blodgett

We have a paperback and eBook copy of The Savage Blood - second book in the Savage series up for grabs today!
You can get your free copy of The Pearl Savage on AMAZON! - CLICK
open to:  
PAPERBACK: US/CANADA
eBOOK: INTERNATIONAL 
and eBOOK: US/CANADA
Ends: January 15th
enter through Rafflecopter below:


Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Flame of Surrender by Rhiannon Paille (REVIEW + GIVEAWAY)

Genre:Young Adult, Fantasy
Publication.Date  November 1st 2011
Pages:260
Published By:  Coscom Entertainment | 
WebsiteRhiannon Paille
Flame of Surrender - Goodreads
My review copy:Review copy received from the author in exchange for an honest review
Where to get: Barnes and Noble | Amazon




The boy who follows death meets the girl who could cause the apocalypse.

Krishani thinks he’s doomed until he meets Kaliel, the one girl on the island of Avristar who isn’t afraid of him. She’s unlike the other girls, she swims with merfolk, talks to trees and blooms flowers with her touch. What he doesn’t know is that she’s a flame, one of nine individually hand crafted weapons, hidden in the body of a seemingly harmless girl.

Nobody has fallen in love with a flame until now. She becomes Krishani’s refuge from the dreams of death and the weather abilities he can’t control. Striking down thousand year old trees with lightning isn’t something he tries to do, it just happens. When the Ferryman dies, Krishani knows that he’s the next and that a lifetime of following death is his destiny.

And Kaliel can’t come with him. The Valtanyana are hunting the flames, the safest place for her is Avristar. Krishani can’t bear to leave her, and one innocent mistake grants the Valtanyana access to their mystical island. They’re coming for Kaliel, and they won’t stop until every last living creature on Avristar is dead. She has to choose, hide, face them, or awaken the flame and potentially destroy herself.
(goodreads.com)





“He released his hold on her and she turned, and buried her face in his chest. He ran his hands along her back. “I thought about you every day,” he said as he pressed her cheek into him. She smiled against his tunic.
“And I thought about you.”
“Promise me one thing then,” he whispered as she shook.
“What?”
“That you’ll find a happy ending"
The girl was running her fingers through her knots of hair and he leaned forward to get a better look at her. She was petite, the ivory dress hugging her body in a very flattering way. She was the first thing that left him stunned and mesmerized, heart thumping and palms sweaty. 
He didn't have the courage to tell his brothers that even with all the training, when he tried to manipulate the elements, they lashed back at him and caused mass destruction to the land. 
Something curled itself around her ankle and she felt a pit in her stomach. its webbed hands stretched out on her leg and she heard a coo from merfolk a second later. She tried to relax, these merfolk were wild like the ones in Orlondir, but their home was bigger and deeper. More hands grabbed at her thighs and her forearms and she realized there was a swarm of them surrounding her.


    
     Rhiannon Paille is the J.R.R. Tolkien of today's young adult generation. She's a visionary with a phenomenal talent for words, and I just can't tell you how much I love her! I'm not in the least surprised that I enjoyed her YA debut novel so much - she wrote a beautiful story, because she herself is a wonderful person with a beautiful soul. Visually breathtaking and emotionally powerful - The Flame of Surrender will have you riveted to its pages from the opening passages to the cliffhanger ending. Starcrossed lovers, marvellous setting, magic, adventure and jaw-dropping twists - this book has everything a fantasy fan could possibly crave for.

      I won't even try to describe the plot. It's beyond me. Too epic to even try - I'm still not sure if I got everything right and I feel like I need to re-read this book ASAP. As soon as you start reading, you are drawn into the world of magic, mystery and forbidden love. Rhiannon crafted an astounding story that enthralls in scope, writing ability and creativity. She basically built everything from scratch, breathing life into her creation with her mesmerizing and evocative storytelling. This book is just as fragile as a butterfly wing, and just as sweet and addictive as a slow and soft kiss on a hot summer evening. Graceful, vibrant, fresh and absolutely charming, Flame of Surrender is made of win and epicness.

      I can't emphasize enough how much I fell in love with this story. No amount of raves, oohs and aahs can ever do this book justice. I loved everything about it, from the magnificent and fully imagined setting, well-drawn and lively characters, magical and mysterious atmosphere and deliciously forbidden romance to the heart-breaking twists and unexpected surprises.

      I admit, at the beginning I felt overwhelmed. Who wouldn't? You find yourself thrown into an entirely new world and it takes a moment to sort through all the customs, traditions, rules, places and people that you're introduced to. Rhiannon doesn't waste time explaining how everything works, the reader is basically on his/her own. But as the story progresses, everything comes together and you begin to see the big picture. It's totally worth it. You'll need to stay focused and open minded. If you do that, you'll be rewarded with something beyond a typical fantasy novel, something so epic, your eyes will pop and your head will be spinning!

      One of my favorite aspects of this book was its uniqueness and freshness. Especially when it comes to naming the characters and places. And don't even get me started on all the cool stuff the main characters could do/were burdened with, that was just out-of-this-world fantastic. Wow! It took me some time to actually memorize more than the names of the two MCs, but about half way through the book, I found myself so into this world that I felt like I could close my eyes and magically transport myself to the Island of Avristar. I can't remember last time something like that happened to me. I wanted to have a conversation with the trees, make things bloom with just a single touch or even strike things with a lightning! I wanted to visit the Elmare Castle and swim with the merfolk.. ahh.. so many fabulous, beautiful things and sceneries! I crave more!

      Flame of Surrender is hands down one of my favorite fantasy books ever. YA or not, this is just pure awesomeness and every fantasy fan should read it. It's a delectable, rich in detail, numbingly brilliant and swoon-worthy read that you can't afford to miss out on. I'm enraged that I can't have the second book, like, right now! I'd give a lot to be able to delve back into the fascinating and imaginative world of Avristar.





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Thanks to the fabulous
Rhiannon Paille
We have a paperback copy of Flame of Surrender up for grabs today!
open to: US/CANADA
Ends: January 15th
enter through Rafflecopter below:

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

MEN in YA: Wrap-up post + GIVEAWAYS and totally BADASS vLOG from MATT Merrick!


It's been a crazy month! Sadly, it's almost the end (ALMOST, as we still have THIS totally awesome post with some totally awesome surprises!:D). I had a BLAST with this event and I would like to thank all the fabulous YA GALAXY DEFENDERS for taking the time out of their busy schedules to participate in this event! I would also like to thank all the wonderful publishers for sponsoring the book prizes (Simon&Schuster US, Harper Collins CA, Scholastic CA, HCI Teens, Sourcebooks = you ROCK!).

Here's the full schedule in case you'd like to re-visit some of the posts (some of the giveaways are still ON!):

November 20th - Kick-off post with Michael Northrop's MIYA strip!
November 21st - Book Review: Rot&Ruin by Jonathan Maberry (POSTED)
November 22nd - Book Review + Giveaway: Dust&Decay by Jonathan Maberry (POSTED)
November 23rd - Book Review + Giveaway: Playground by 50 Cent (POSTED)
November 24th - Book Review + Book Giveaway: This Dark Endeavor by Kenneth Oppel(POSTED)
November 25th - Book Review: Ashfall by Mike Mullin (POSTED)
November 26th - Hottest Upcoming Releases: MEN in YA edition (POSTED)
November 27th - Book Review: Exiled by MR Merrick (POSTED)
November 28th - Author Interview + Book Giveaway: MR Merrick (POSTED)
November 29th - Book Review: Trapped by Michael Northrop (POSTED)
November 30th - Author Interview + Book Giveaway: Michael Northrop (POSTED)
December 1st - Book Review: Dark Territory by J. Gabriel Gates (POSTED)
December 2nd - Author Interview + Book Giveaway: J. Gabriel Gates (POSTED)
December 3rd - Book Review: iBoy by Kevin Brooks (POSTED)
December 4th - Book Review: The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch (POSTED)
December 5th - Author Interview + Book Giveaway: Jeff Hirsch (POSTED)
December 6th - Book Review: Skyship Academy by Nick James (POSTED)
December 7th - Author Interview + Book Giveaway: Nick James
December 8th - Book Review: Helper 12 by Jack Blaine
December 9th - Author Interview + Book Giveaway: Jack Blaine
December 10th - Book Review: Ushers INC by Rusty Fischer
December 11th - Author Guest Post + Book Giveaway: Rusty Fischer
December 12th - Book Review + Giveaway: Shelter by Harlan Coben, Water Wars by Cameron Stracher
December 13th - Book ReviewThe Magnificent Steam Carnival of Professor Pelusian Minus by Sean Hayden
December 14th - Author Interview + Book Giveaway: Sean Hayden
December 15th - Book Review: Recovery Road by Blake Nelson (YET TO BE POSTED)
December 16th - Book Review: Misfit by Jon Skovron
December 17th - Author Interview + Book Giveaway: Jon Skovron
December 18th - Book Review: North: The Gathering by Dustin Hansen (CANCELED)
December 19th - Author Interview + Giveaway: Dustin Hansen (CANCELED)
December 20th - Wrap-up + Calendar Giveaway!


It wouldn't be a blog event, if some of the things wouldn't get messed up a bit (or at least that's what I'm telling myself to make myself feel better!). Unfortunately, I didn't have enough time to review 3 more books that I have planned on reviewing during this event (including Recovery Road by Blake Nelson, which I've read and loved!) and I will be posting my reviews of those sometime in the nearest feature.

The fabulous Dustin Hansen had to drop out of the event due to.. a book deal! :) Yay, hurray~! So happy for you, Dustin! :) Wish you all the best with that and I'm hoping to be able to feature you in the next year's edition!

YES! There will be a MEN in YA2 :D Are you happy?! Excited? Can't wait?!?! ME TOO! :D
Date is yet unknown, but I am planning on doing it annually, so probably sometime towards the second half of 2012! Interested in participating? Drop me a line!


AND NOW...
MORE AWESOMENESS!


First we have the totally fabulous, beautiful and one-of-a-kind (LITERALLY) MEN in YA 2012 Calendar!

Featuring:

- Mike Mullin (author of Ashfall)
- MR Merrick (author of Exiled)
- Nick James (author of Skyship Academy)
- Jonathan Maberry (author of Benny Imura Series: Rot&Ruin, Dust&Decay)
- Michael Northrop (author of Trapped)
- J. Gates (author of Dark Territory)
- Jeff Hirsch (author of The Eleventh Plague)
- Jack Blaine (author of Helper12)
- Rusty Fischer (author of Zombies Don't Cry)
- Sean and Connor Hayden (authors of The Magnificent Steam Carnival of Professor Pelusian Minus)
- Jon Skovron (author of Misfit)
+ a collage of pictures (instead of Dustin Hansen who wasn't able to participate)
HOT much?!
So, the gorgeous, drool-licious calendar is printing and I should have it in about 2-3 weeks. 
The giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY, everyone can enter!
There are plenty of extra entries for this one, so knock yourself out!
ENDS: January 15th

Enter through Rafflecopter below!


MEN in YA: Interview + Giveaway with Jon Skovron, author of Misfit


I'm delighted to be joined today by the fabulous Jon Skovron, author of Misfit! If you missed my yesterday's review of Misfit be sure to check it out later - it's a fantastic, entertaining and wild ride you can't afford to miss! Enjoy the interview and be sure to tell me what you thought about Jon's MEN in YA exclusive picture! :) 


Guys, please give a warm welcome to our extraordinary YA Galaxy Defender, Jon Skovron!



E: Evie
JS: Jon Skovron
E: Welcome to Bookish Jon! I’m honored and excited to be able to talk to you today! Three words: I loved Misfit! Gripping, imaginative, elegant – it was a fast-paced and tantalizing read! Could you tell us where did the inspiration for this novel come from?
JS: I'm so glad you enjoyed it! The inspiration for Misfit was a slow and winding road, with many dead ends and wrong turns. I knew I want to tell a story about a half-demon in Catholic school. Initially it was a boy named Dean. When he got upset, smoke would leak out of his mouth. To cover that up, he would pretend to smoke cigarettes. He didn't like constantly getting in trouble for smoking on school grounds, but he knew it was preferable to the priests finding out his mother had been a demon.

But I got stuck with that idea. It just wasn't working, especially with the relationship with the father. Then one night while I was tucking my sons in to bed, I wondered to myself what it would be like to have a daughter and realized I might never know. And so I thought, "Well, I could write story about a father and daughter, and then I might know at least a little bit." The moment I began thinking of the half-demon as a girl, everything just fell into place.
E: How long did it take for you to write Misfit?
JS: From that original story idea with Dean to the final draft published, it took approximately five years. To compare, my first novel, Struts & Frets, was written in less than a year. Of course, that was a much simpler story and required almost no research.
E: Are any of your characters inspired by people in your own life?
JS: My favorite thing to do is to take two people I know in real life, people who have almost nothing in common, and mash them up into one person. Bam! Instant internal conflict! Now, this isn't something I do on purpose. It's just something I've noticed after the fact. And even then, that's just how the character starts, but as I continue writing and revising, the characters evolve in ways that sometimes surprises even me.
E: Which of your characters do you feel is the most like you?
JS: Hmm, that's a tough one. It would be like picking favorites, you know? There are somethings about each of them. My experience growing up in a conservative Catholic environment was much like Jael's experience. Rob and I share many philosophies. And while my parenting isn't anything like Paul's, the fears he has for his daughter and her well being is something I have for my sons. Then, of course, there's Dagon, who probably isn't anything like me at all, but I just love the guy.
E: What was the most difficult part of the novel for you to write?
JS: The plotting was the hardest part for me. There are a lot of characters, a bunch of settings, and a vast timeline to cover. Getting all of those pieces to fit together was a huge headache and not something I'm naturally inclined toward.
E: How do you approach writing a new novel? Are you a plotter or a pantser?
JS: Ha! I pretty much define the pantser ethos. Coming from a theatrical and musical background, I'm a huge fan of improvisation. I treat rough drafts like big messy improv jam sessions. A lot of it gets tossed when go back and revise, but that's fine with me. I'd rather make crazy writing choices and have to pull back then be overly cautious.
E: Do you ever experience writer’s block? If so, how do you deal with it?
JS: There is this myth that writer's block is some kind of terrible affliction, like an illness or something. But it's actually just a part of my process. It's a symptom, a signal that there's something I haven't figure out yet, or that I've taken a wrong plot turn somewhere. Sometimes I have to just batter my way through it, write some terrible pages until I stumble toward the solution. Other times, it's best to just step away, go exercise or play a video game or take a shower. Often while I'm doing those things, my subconscious is churning away and suddenly you figure it out.

But any way you look at it, writer's block is not something to be feared. It's just comes with the job.
E: What advice would you give to aspiring authors interested in writing YA novels?
JS:

Read. A lot. And not just YA books. Read classics, read weird stuff, read terrible stuff, read stuff that seems way over your head. Read it all.

Then write. A lot. And not just YA stories. Write classical stories, weird stories, terrible stories, and stories you don't even understand.


If you do all of that, eventually, in some strange mystical alchemy, you will arrive at your own voice, your own style. Something that could never be copied by another.
E: Who or what are your literary inspirations? Can you name 3 all-time favorite reads?
JS: This is a hard question for me because there are so many authors who inspire me. Current authors like Neil Gaiman, Michael Chabon, Anne Rice, Tom Robbins, John Irving, Kelly Link, and Holly Black. But I also draw a great deal of inspiration from classic authors like William Shakespeare, Anton Chekov, William Thackeray, and Samuel Beckett.

If I had to pick three works of fiction, only three, to have with me at all times, they would be The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon, Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray, Sandman by Neil Gaiman, and Magic for Beginners by Kelly Link (that's four, I know, sorry...)
E: What’s next in line for you? Are you working on a new book now? Can we expect a sequel to Misfit?
JS: I just turned in a new book last week. Probably a little too early to talk about it (though I REALLY want to!!!!). I would love to write more Misfit books if the circumstances are right. We'll just have to wait and see
E: What are your biggest bookish pet-peeves?
JS: I don't really have any peeves. Paper books, e-Books, hardback, paperback, bookmarks, folding corners, notes in margins, highlighting, whatever. I've been guilty of all of it at one time or another, so I don't get annoyed by it.

I tell you what I love, though. Old books. The feel of them, the smell of them, the weight of them. I have a couple of books, a copy of Thackeray's The Newcomes, two Edgar Rice Burroughs John Carter of Mars books, a collection of Lord Byron's poetry, and a translation of Homer's Odyssey that are about a hundred years old. They are my most prized possessions.

Jon, thank you so much for joining us today!  
I had a BLAST reading Misfit and can't wait for the next part to come out!!!

I hope you guys enjoyed the interview, for more information about Jon Skovron and his books, please visit his website: Jon Skovron or/and read my review of Misfit.

Huge thanks to Jon Skovron for the exclusive MEN in YA photo! <3

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Thanks to the fabulous:
ME ^___^

We have a copy of Misfit up for grabs today! 
To be eligible to win all you need to do is be a follower of my blog and enter through Rafflecopter below.

Ends: January 14th
INTERNATIONAL


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