Friday, April 30, 2010

Lookalikes 99

Mennonite in a Little Black Dress by Rhoda Janzen


Spooky Little Girl by Laurie Notaro

I like Spooky Little Girl because the invisible person is a bit smaller and I love the yellow background in this case! Also I don't like how the type runs right over the dress on Mennonite.

Have you spotted a Lookalike you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Blog Tour: Something Like Fate by Susane Colasanti


Today I'm pleased to host author Susane Colasanti and her new book Something Like Fate (out May 4th). Have some fun stuff today for you including a guest post from Susane on Palmistry (she's talking about a different topic related to fate at every tour stop!), an interview with her and a giveaway! To check out the rest of the tour stops click here.

Here's the book's summary:

Lani and Erin are bonded for life. One thing that connects them is their fascination of fate. Lani wonders how much of our lives has already been decided and how much we can actually influence. Since the Unknown can unexpectedly change our lives forever, how much can we really control?

From the minute Lani meets Jason, she can't deny the intense connection they share. It feels like she's known him forever. She's not sure if he feels it, too. But it doesn't matter. Because Jason is Erin's boyfriend. Lani is determined to ignore her feelings for Jason, no matter how powerful they are, rather than risk hurting her best friend.

What if the boy who is your destiny is the one person you can't have?

Take it away Susane!

Topic 9: Palmistry

Some people don’t have a lot of lines on their palms. I am not one of those people. My palms have so many lines it’s not always easy to tell which is which. Maybe that’s why I’ve always been interested in palm reading. I remember ripping out a few pages from Seventeen back in the day (can you believe it’s been around for over 60 years?) that had diagrams showing what each line on your palm means. Palmistry is used to determine characteristics about a person and foretell key events in the future. Major lines on your hand all represent an aspect of your life, like the heart line and the fate line. Hand shape also has significance, classified as earth, air, water, or fire. I’m pretty sure I have water hands. Then there are a bunch of minor lines and other markings like stars and triangles, all with specific meanings. If you’re interested in reading your palm (use the hand you write with), I suggest starting with a palmistry map and building from there. Oh, and if you happen to have fire hands, no worries. It just means you’re enthusiastic and creative.

My Interview with Susane

1. I love the concept of fate and how it plays into people's lives. How did you wrap your head around something so abstract?


Although the idea of fate is abstract in a lot of ways, I tend to focus on its concrete aspects. I believe that we’re the architects of our own destiny. We shape our lives by the choices we make. That said, life is a wild thing. There are some things we just can’t control. Which can be really scary, since there’s no way to know exactly how our futures will look. Understanding that everything is connected helps to eliminate this fear of the Unknown. Everything we do not only affects our lives, but the lives of people we don’t even know. Exploring the possibilities of these connections opens up so much in terms of plot development. In Something Like Fate, I examine how the small choices my characters make on a daily basis result in huge consequences.

2. You seem like such a positive person and it really comes across in your writing. How do you maintain that positivity?

It’s hard to stay positive when life is sucking so massively you wonder how things will ever get better. When times get tough, I hold on to the hope that things will eventually get better. Reminding myself about the goals I want to accomplish helps to push me forward, even when I’m feeling like I just want to hide under the covers and never come out. We all have our bad days. The trick is to find some good within the bad.

3. What types of books do you personally enjoy reading? What authors inspire you?

There are so many excellent teen novels out now! Finding new authors to love is one of my hobbies. My favorite books are ones that feel completely real. Whenever a book can keep me awake until three in the morning because I have to know what happens next even though I can barely keep my eyes open, I’m inspired. Some authors in this category are Laurie Halse Anderson, Blake Nelson, and S.E. Hinton. Sandra Scoppettone’s YA novels from the 70s completely captivated me. I also love reading lots of adult fiction, especially everything by Jodi Picoult, Garrison Keillor, Jonathan Tropper, Nick Hornby, Anne Tyler, and Tom Perrotta.

Here's how to enter to win a signed hardcover of Something Like Fate!

Fill out the giveaway entry form here.


The giveaway is open to addresses within the U.S.

The giveaway will end May 13th at 6:59 pm Central Time.

**Prize provided by the publisher**

E-book sampler (updated to until 3 chapters from Something Like Fate)
Susane Colasanti website
Susane Colasanti twitter (trending topic is #fatetour)
In Person Tour Dates

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

"Waiting On" Wednesday 80

The Journal Junkies Workshop by Eric M. Scott and David R. Modler

Amazon.com:

Discover a truly no-nonsense approach to documenting your life with a visual journal. You?ll be relieved to see how easy it is to use a plethora of art techniques and not only how to make marks, but how to translate your experiences and thoughts to your journal. In addition to discussion about various types of journals to work in, you will be walked through step-by-step instruction for everything from drawing and doodling to watercolor and stenciling.

Released May 20th 2010

I've been trying to keep a sketchbook/journal for years but I just never seem to stick to it for more than one entry so this seems like it might be a lot of fun!

What can't you wait for to be released?

"Waiting On" Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine!

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Winners of the Runaway Blog Tour iTunes cards and giveaway update

The winners of the 2 $50 iTunes gift cards are:

Ronni S
Lydia

I have emailed you so please respond with your full name and mailing address by Friday April 30th to claim your prize!

Also, there is a change being made to my Harry Potter contest that ends today. Instead of an Amazon Giftcard it will now be a Visa Cash Card, same value. I will be making the adjustments to the giveaway post as well.

The winner of the Harry Potter contest is nomadreader!

Hardcover vs Paperback 78

Mennonite in a Little Black Dress by Rhoda Janzen

Hardcover


Paperback

Amazon.com:

"It is rare that I literally laugh out loud while I'm reading, but Janzen's voice—singular, deadpan, sharp-witted and honest—slayed me." —Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love

Not long after Rhoda Janzen turned forty, her world turned upside down. It was bad enough that her husband of fifteen years left her for Bob, a guy he met on Gay.com, but that same week a car accident left her injured. Needing a place to rest and pick up the pieces of her life, Rhoda packed her bags, crossed the country, and returned to her quirky Mennonite family's home, where she was welcomed back with open arms and offbeat advice. (Rhoda's good-natured mother suggested she get over her heartbreak by dating her first cousin—he owned a tractor, see.)

Written with wry humor and huge personality—and tackling faith, love, family, and aging—Mennonite in a Little Black Dress is an immensely moving memoir of healing, certain to touch anyone who has ever had to look homeward in order to move ahead.

Hardcover. The paperback looks vaguely like at least one other book (check back Friday for Lookalikes) and the whole outfit on an invisible person is just very FLAT. I love the movement, color and illustrative elements on the hardcover as well.

Hardcover or Paperback?

Have you spotted a Hardcover vs. Paperback you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

Monday, April 26, 2010

The Castle of Galomar (New Brighton Archeological Society Book 1) by Mark Andrew Smith and Matthew Weldon

Amazon.com:

Out of the ashes of misfortune will rise the next generation of great adventurers! After their parents are lost on an archeological expedition, four children begin to unlock the secrets of their parents' mysterious lives, discovering a hidden world of mystical artifacts, mythical creatures, and arcane knowledge. Soon they find themselves drawn into a conflict over a great library that has kept two kingdoms at war for centuries, the children must save an enchanted forest, the birthplace of magic itself. Join us as these children become the latest members of the fabled New Brighton Archeological Society, and take their first steps towards their true destiny!

The Castle of Galomar is a fun and adventurous graphic novel for the younger set (middle grade). Instantly it gives off a bit of A Series of Unfortunate Events vibe for me, parents disappearing under mysterious circumstances but this time around the kids have more than their siblings to rely on!

The Castle of Galomar is a mixture of mystery, adventure, fables, goblins and fairies! I think most kids that are interested in mysteries and adventures would enjoy this graphic novel. It's definitely set up as the start of a series but can just be enjoyed on its own as well.

I loved the full color illustrations which a lot of graphic novels do not have and I especially loved the full frame pages, some really beautiful imagery. There was a nice balance between sharp detailed facial features or more abstract backgrounds. I did encounter some confusion as to what was going on in a few cases where dialogue wasn't being used and I was supposed to rely just on the imagery to understand what was going on. I think if the jump between the frames was shorter maybe those instances would have made more sense, it would have meant more frames but things would have been clearer for me.


The Castle of Galomar was released on March 4th 2009
Genre: Graphic Novel/Middle Grade
3/5 Stars
Review copy provided by author

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Winner of the Envelope Purse

The winner of the Envelope Purse is Jessica M! Jessica I've emailed you so please respond with your full name and mailing address by Wednesday the 28th! Thanks!

This Week In Books Or Book P*#^


Don't even say it.... I already know, it's crazytown up in here.

Saturday (night):

Creature Crochet by Kristen Rask

Got this at Barnes and Noble thanks to Irish who told me about it! If you want your own enter her Craft Stash giveaway and maybe mine too!

Sunday:

Knit Knack Knit by Kris Percival
Certain Girls by Jennifer Weiner

My Wicked Marquess by Gaelen Foley
Never Romance A Rake by Liz Carlyle

Again the Magic by Lisa Kleypas
Goddess of the Hunt by Tessa Dare
Surrender of a Siren by Tessa Dare


Got these from Half Price Books for $20, not bad!

Monday:

A Lady of Persuasion by Tessa Dare

Got this at a local used bookstore so I could complete the trilogy!

Alison Dare: Little Miss Adventures by J. Torres and J. Bone
Alison Dare: The Heart of the Madien by J. Torres and J. Bone


For an upcoming blog tour!

Caleb + Kate by Cindy Martinusen-Coloma
Three Rivers Rising by Jame Richards


For review.

Tuesday:

The Carrie Diaries by Candce Bushnell

I pretty much screamed when this came! For review!

Wednesday:

More Than Words Vol 6 by Various

For review.

Thursday:

Forget You by Jennifer Echols

I loved Going Too Far and The Story Siren pointed out a quote from my review is in the ARC of Forget You! For review!

Friday:

Fantasy by Various
When Strangers Marry by Lisa Kleypas

Private Arrangements by Sherry Thomas

Never Lie to a Lady by Liz Carlyle

Bride of a Wicked Scotsman by Samantha James

The Lady and the Spy by Monique Ellis

Forbidden Falls by Robyn Carr

Angel's Peak by Robyn Carr

The Elusive Bride by Stephanie Laurens

A Belated Bride by Karen Hawkins

Notorious Rake, Innocent Lady by Bronwyn Scott


These are from my local library's annual sale! (Different from the library book store I usually go to.)

Softies by Therese Laskey
The Sheikh's Forbidden Virgin by Kate Hewitt

Every Breath You Take by Hope Tarr
Reckless by Tori Carrington

Just for Kicks by Susan Andersen
The Best American Comics 2009 by Various

She's Got It Bad by Sarah Mayberry

Half Price Books (different store than the one I was at on Sunday but still OMG!) I only went there because I was in the area for something else, honest!

The Six Rules of Maybe by Deb Caletti
The Summer We Read Gatsby by Danielle Ganek


For review. Six Rules from Vine.

Saturday:

Wed Him Before You Bed Him by Sabrina Jeffries
What the Duke Desires by Jenna Petersen

Lady of Desire by Gaelen Foley
Lord of Ice by Gaelen Foley

The Courtship Dance by Candace Camp

Conquering King's Heart by Maureen Child
Take On Me by Sarah Mayberry

Lady of Spirit by Edith Layton

Lord Barry's Dream House by Emily Hendrickson
An English Alliance by Dawn Lindsey

The Secret Nabob by Martha Kirkland

Night of the Hunter by Jennifer Greene

The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon
Serendipity by Louise Shaffer


Library Booksale a bag for $6 and the bag included more than this!

Sunday:

Since the Surrender by Julie Anne Long
Private Confessions by Lori Borrill

Paradise Valley by Robyn Carr

Don't Tempt Me by Loretta Chase

Just Imagine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Larger Than Life by Adele Parks

The Bridegroom by Linda Lael Miller

Wedding at King's Convenience by Maureen Child

Stealing the Bride by Elizabeth Boyle

Bride by Command by Linda Winstead Jones

Lady in Red by Karen Hawkins

The Maverick by Diana Palmer

Lone Star Seduction by Day LeClaire

The Maverick's Virgin Mistress by Jennifer Lewis

How to Propose to a Prince by Kathryn Caskie

Slow Dance by Jennifer Green

One Night of Sin by Caelen Foley

Sins of a Wicked Duke by Sophie Jordan

A Christmas Scandal by Jane Goodger

Always a Scoundrel by Suzanne Enoch
Confessions of a Little Black Gown by Elizabeth Boyle
The Melting of Maggie Bean by Tricia Rayburn
A Fine Passion by Stephanie Laurens
Her Every Pleasure by Gaelen Foley

Wild Heart by Lori Brighton

Secrets of a Scandalous Bride by Sophie Nash

The Mighty Quinns: Brody by Kate Hoffman

Under Your Spell by Lois Greiman

Taken by Tori Carrington
Fool Me Once by Fern Michaels

To Sir Phillip, With Love by Julia Quinn

Confessions of a Scoundrel by Karen Hawkins

Seduction of a Proper Gentleman by Victoria Alexander

A Rake's Guide to Pleasure by Victoria Dahl

Bride at Briar's Ridge by Margaret Way
Beguile A Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt
Sealed with a Kiss by Carly Phillips

The Ideal Bride by Stephanie Laurens

Running Hot by Jayne Ann Krentz

The Seduction of Sara by Karen Hawkins

Family Matters by Deborah Bedford
A Lady of His Own by Stephanie Laurens

Westmoreland's Way by Brenda Jackson

To Tame Her Tycoon Lover by Ann Major

One Reckless Summer by Toni Blake
Crime Scene at Cardwell Ranch by B.J. Daniels
One Night Standards by Cathy Yardley

His Favorite Mistress by Tracy Anne Warren

The Governess Wears Scarlett by Sari Robins

All Night with a Rogue by Alexandra Hawkins


Library book sale, last day $3 a bag. 3 bags for $9. I think I got 62 books but some were not for me so they aren't listed here. I need a nap and extra storage.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Pop Culture Junkie on the Nook


Today there was a pretty major update for the Nook including the addition of games (suduko!! and chess) and a beta web browser! Apparently some of the nuts and bolts of battery life and page turning have also been fixed. So I stopped over at Barnes and Noble, hooked up to their wi-fi with the help of a bookseller and tada! Even checked my email and sent one as well, all on my nook! I never even considered the fact that the Nook would eventually do something like that but it's a wonderful update and surprise! And Pop Culture Junkie looks pretty awesome on there, I've always been a fan of black and white! You can zoom in and out and you control it via the touch pad (and also see the webpage in color).

Lookalikes 98

Very Le Freak by Rachel Cohn


Album De Boda (Spain) by Nora Roberts

I like this picture so I think they are both sort of nice. I do think the Nora Roberts cover loses the full impact of the photo because of the wider cropping. Both pretty though.

Thanks to Melissa Walker for pointing out this lookalike, she snapped this picture in Spain!

Have you spotted a Lookalike you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Winners of Facebook Fairytales and Get Lucky

The winner of Facebook Fairytales is xxsquigglesxx!

The winner of Get Lucky is Steve C!

I have emailed you both, please respond with your full name and mailing address by Monday the 26th to claim your book! Thanks!

Craft Stash Giveaway!!!!

Well, as you know I've been doing a lot of crafting lately, especially of the yarn variety and I love to share pictures of what I make. I also love seeing what others make so hence this giveaway, the Craft Stash Giveaway!!!! My book buying addiction has turned into a craft supplies buying addiction so I've got extra supplies I'd like to share with you! And the best part, head over to Ticket to Anywhere where Irish is co-hosting this contest with me and you can win a totally different set of supplies! Join the craft craze! The giveaways are crochet and amigurumi centric but use the supplies however you like!


The craft stash includes:

-Crochet Today! (May/June 2010 issue-including 6 amigurumi patterns from Ana Paula Rimoli author of Amigurumi World and Amigrumi Two!)
- 2 crochet hooks (3.75 mm and 4 mm)
-8 small skeins of worsted weight cotton yarn (red, bright blue, yellow, bright orange, black, light purple, tan, and off-white)
- Small pouch of Polyester Fiber Fill
-Small pouch of sequins
- Small pouch of assorted buttons
-Small pouch of assorted beads
- 8 9mm black safety eyes
-1 skein of black embroidery floss (to make faces)
- 3 small pieces of felt (peach, white, light pink)
-6 row markers
- 1 plastic needle

(and yes I actually already had all of this except for the magazine and crochet hooks- ADDICTED!)

Here's how to enter to win the Craft Stash Giveaway!

Fill out the giveaway entry form here.


The giveaway is open to addresses within the U.S. and Canada only.

The giveaway will end May 6th at 6:59 pm Central Time.

**Prize provided by me**

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

"Waiting On" Wednesday 79

Craft-In edited by Kathleen McCafferty

LarkBooks.com:

The recent resurgence of interest in craft circles, stitch-and-bitches, and indie craft fairs shows that crafters want to connect in person. But what group projects will scratch everyone’s crafting itch? Each of the 12 booklets in this boxed set is chock-full of projects by stand-out authors, top etsy designers, and the brightest indie crafters. The host of each booklet provides a unique perspective on prepping the gathering space, the best supplies, and even music to get everyone in the mood. The hip projects include a retro paper doll, funky crocheted cacti, shrinky dink earrings, and an embroidered pet portrait. Beginner friendly and easily portable, these guides are the perfect way to get friends, families, and craft dabblers together to try something new.

Released October 5th 2010

I personally think crafting is more fun when you have someone to do it with! And this "book" just sounds awesome and so current with what people are doing right now! It sounds like it's not actually a book but a group of booklets in a boxed set, so even the presentation of this "book" is crafty! It basically sounds like the coolest thing ever!

What can't you wait for to be released?

"Waiting On" Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine!

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Hardcover vs Paperback 77

The Local News by Miriam Gershow

Hardcover


Paperback

Amazon.com:

When fifteen-year-old Lydia Pasternak’s popular older brother Danny disappears late one summer night, she unwillingly becomes a celebrity in her community and an afterthought to her bereaved parents. In Danny’s absence, Lydia blossoms from a bookish outcast to the center of attention, all while grappling with her grudging grief for a brother she never particularly liked. When an intriguing private investigator enters the picture, Lydia finds herself drawn into the search for clues to Danny’s whereabouts. The shocking end to that trail of clues—an end that Lydia never prepares for—will haunt her for the rest of her life. An authentic and at times surprisingly funny dissection of public and private grief, The Local News is an accomplished, affecting debut.

I always thought the hardcover was very interesting for this book. I've never held the paperback in my hands before but from what I can see online it's hard to make out that that is a girl kneeling in the snow (if that's even what it is). I do like how the type turns into a male profile that wraps around the girl's head though. And I think the type is interesting on both.

Hardcover or Paperback?

Have you spotted a Hardcover vs. Paperback you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

Monday, April 19, 2010

Weekly Dose of Crafts!

The crochet craze continues...

This is a fortune cookie (maybe you can tell?) he could have come out better but oh well. The pattern is from Create!


Tiny rabbit from Amigurumi Two!


Little apple buddies! The apple is from Tasty Crochet and the face is from the apple in Amigurumi World (the apple shape there looked like a tomato to me).


And pretty much the cutest thing ever.... is the fuzzy panda from the CraftZine Craft Along from last September, hey, better late then never right. ;) Was fun learning how to make the panda fuzzy and this is a pretty large doll which was fun! The pattern was created by Tamie Snow. It's ears and head are crooked but whatever, still cute!

Swoon At Your Own Risk by Sydney Salter

Amazon.com:

You’d think Polly Martin would have all the answers when it comes to love—after all, her grandmother is the famous syndicated advice columnist Miss Swoon. But after a junior year full of dating disasters, Polly has sworn off boys. This summer, she’s going to focus on herself for once. So Polly is happy when she finds out Grandma is moving in—think of all the great advice she’ll get. But Miss Swoon turns out to be a man-crazy sexagenarian! How can Polly stop herself from falling for Xander Cooper, the suddenly-hot skateboarder who keeps showing up while she’s working at Wild Waves water park, when Grandma is picking up guys at the bookstore and flirting with the dishwasher repairman? No advice column can prepare Polly for what happens when she goes on a group camping trip with three too many ex-boyfriends and the tempting Xander. Polly is forced to face her feelings and figure out if she can be in love—and still be herself.

I LOVE LOVE LOVED Sydney Salter's My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters so I just knew I had to give Swoon At Your Own Risk I try. Unfortunately this book didn't quite do it for me like her previous one did.

I think this is rare for me but I just didn't really like the main character Polly. She wasn't a bad person by any means but I don't know if she wasn't believable to me. I can't pinpoint it but I didn't really like her. Same goes for her mother and grandmother who were sort of absent in her life while still being around (and her father who actually was absent). I thought her little sister Grace was funny though, with her stuffed animal obsession.

And I thought the whole multiple ex-boyfriends plot would be funny but it turned out to be sort of annoying and unbelievable to me. I don't know why, but I can't believe that she had that many ex-boyfriends in that amount of time. Something was off. Same goes for all the minor characters (except for Xander). I just didn't like them. Polly's best friend Jane made me mad and all her wild co-workers at Wild Waves just didn't seem that like good of people to me.

But Xander, someone that Polly knew from childhood as the weird kid, blossoms into this handsome and confident young man. I loved this guy and how he was so sweet when Polly was hot and cold and yes and no (to quote Katy Perry). I kinda just wish he was falling for someone other than Polly. It sounds so mean when I say that but I honestly thought that while reading.

I'm not really sure how I could feel this way about Swoon when I so loved Big Nose but I do. Honestly it could just be me, be sure to check out some of the other reviews! I'll definitely be reading the author's future works though to see if maybe I can find some of that Big Nose magic again!

Swoon At Your Own Risk was released on April 5th 2010
Genre: Young Adult
2.5/5 Stars
ARC provided by Amazon Vine

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Party by Tom Leveen

Amazon.com:

It's saturday night in Santa Barbara and school is done for the year. Everyone is headed to the same party. Or at least it seems that way. The place is packed. The beer is flowing. Simple, right? But for 11 different people the motives are way more complicated. As each character takes a turn and tells his or her story, the eleven individuals intersect, and reconnect, collide, and combine in ways that none of them ever saw coming.

I love love love the concept of 1 story told in 11 voices, what a great concept that kept me turning the pages. And some of the characters were great as well like Beckett and Ashley, once friends that grow apart for a reason Ashley doesn't know and Beckett doesn't want to share.

But with a few grew characters come so not so great. I found a lot of the guys to be sort of carbon copies of each other. Just because a lot of them were friends doesn't mean 4/5 of them have to be so alike I can't remember who is who a few days later. I think the author could have used the opportunity to explore a few more personalities. Also I found the characters of Anthony and Azize rubbed me the wrong way, their depictions but also their encounter with each other. Not to give too much away but I found their encounter to be majorly serious and then all of a sudden it was ok, it was fine and sort of faded into the background. I think if something like this is going to go down in the book it has to be the focus or not be there at all. It sort of left this strange balance to the tone of the book. But that's just my personal opinion.

Overall I loved the girl's voices but could have done with more variety in the male voices and more of a consistent tone to the book. There is definitely something here though and I loved the concept of the book.

Party will be released on April 27th 2010
Genre: Young Adult
3/5 Stars
ARC provided by Amazon Vine

Saturday, April 17, 2010

This Week In Books Or At Least I Didn't Go Crazy at the Library This Week!


Monday:

College in a Nutskull compiled and edited by Professor Anders Henriksson


The first of many surprise review copies this week. Looks kinda funny!

Tuesday:

Unexpected by Lori Foster
Love, Hollywood Style by P.J. Ruditis


Library bookstore. Guess I was too busy getting books for my Random Box of Romance Novels winner to get too many for myself. ;)

Wednesday:

Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr
The Poison Diaries by Maryrose Wood


For review!

Sunset Bay by Susan Mallery
The Family He Wanted by Karen Sandler

A Weaver Wedding by Allison Leigh
The Secret Wedding by Jo Beverley


Thank you Bookfairy D!!!!!!

Thursday:

Tiny Yarn Animals by Tamie Snow

From Borders. I love her amigurumi, check out her website and the one I'm making now!

Friday:

This Is Me From Now On by Barbara Dee
Gimme A Call by Sarah Mlynowski

Kiss in the Dark by Lauren Henderson

Thief Eyes by Janni Lee Simner


For review! Excited about some of these! Barbara Dee's book sounds fun, have always wanted to try one of her books! Gimme A Call sounds great, hadn't heard about it until now! And Kiss in the Dark, finally a series I've read and am fully caught up on, yay!

Friday, April 16, 2010

Lookalikes 97

This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen


Bewitching Love Potions and Charms by Raven Tempest

Eehh. I guess This Lullaby, there is something sort of suffocating about the monotone color of Bewitching. It's like the person is standing in a pink haze. I also like the placement of the title on This Lullaby.

Thanks to Yan for pointing out this lookalike!

Have you spotted a Lookalike you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Slow Hands by Leslie Kelly

Amazon.com:

His price? Pure pleasure... This is Maddy Turner's lucky day. The civilized society girl just bid on sexy rogue Jake Wallace at a charity bachelor auction and won! But Maddy knows Jake's dirty little secret. And it should keep her from trying out her new boy toy. Too bad she can't stop herself from indulging in raw, quite uncivilized sex all the same....

Jake Wallace is utterly bewitched by Maddy and utterly bewildered. How can this tantalizing woman melt so rapturously under his ministrations one moment, then turn into a haughty queen the next? He's determined to get to the bottom of Maddy's agenda. One slow, delicious inch at a time...

My first e-book! Yay! Ok onto the actual book. Slow Hands was my second book from the Blaze line and I liked it a lot more than my first one, which was a collection of short stories that were so short I didn't really buy the chemistry. In Slow Hands Jake and Maddy actually get the page count to get to know each other to make the story believable.

I love the whole idea of mistaken identity. When Maddy first bids on Jake she thinks he's a male escort, a male escort that she has a chemistry with, but still a male escort. It takes Jake awhile to figure this out and when he does he's dumbstruck but also kind of finds it funny, he's just an EMT that wants to do his family and sisters proud! I thought it was pretty funny!

I really liked their relationship, Maddy doesn't find herself lovable for many reasons including her appearance and her family history but Jake is awe-struck by her and wants her to know it. So as you might suspect their chemistry was great!

Overall Slow Hands has resorted my faith in the Blaze line and I can't wait to check out more books by Leslie Kelly, including Heated Rush which tells the story of the real male escort and the women that bid on him thinking he was an EMT!

Slow Hands was released on June 1st 2008
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Category
4/5 Stars
Free E-book from BarnesandNoble.com

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

"Waiting On" Wednesday 78

The Daughters by Joanna Philbin

Amazon.com:

The only daughter of supermodel Katia Summers, witty and thoughtful Lizzie Summers likes to stick to the sidelines.


The sole heir to Metronome Media and daughter of billionaire Karl Jurgensen, outspoken Carina Jurgensen would rather climb mountains than social ladders.


Daughter of chart-topping pop icon Holla Jones, stylish and sensitive Hudson Jones is on the brink of her own music breakthrough.


By the time freshman year begins, unconventional-looking Lizzie Summers has come to expect fawning photographers and adoring fans to surround her gorgeous supermodel mother. But when Lizzie is approached by a fashion photographer that believes she's "the new face of beauty," Lizzie surprises herself and her family by becoming the newest Summers woman to capture the media's spotlight.


Released May 1st 2010

Well, I always love stories of friends and especially alternating perspective (wonder if that book has that). And I also like how they don't sound like brats of celebrities but girls that are just trying to be normal and find the spotlight on the way! Sounds like it might be the start of a series too!

What can't you wait for to be released?

"Waiting On" Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine!

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Winner of signed copy of 9 Rules to Break When Romancing A Rake!

The winner of the signed copy of 9 Rules is cait045!

Cait045 I have emailed you so please respond with your full name and mailing address by Friday the 16th to claim your book!

Thanks!

GIVEAWAY: The Real Magic of Harry Potter

Harry Potter, who does not love Harry Potter! I want to go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

Read the fastest selling book of all time and experience the adventure from the beginning!. Enter to win the complete Harry Potter box set in paperback! And don’t forget to check out Scholastic’s national sweepstakes. They are giving away 4 family trips to Universal Orlando Resort’s The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which opens June 18th!


New Harry Potter Book Trailer:



Harry Potter official website
Sweepstakes website

Here's how to enter to win the Harry Potter complete paperback box set (Books 1-7) and a $50 Visa Cash Card!

Fill out the giveaway entry form here.


The giveaway is open to addresses within the U.S. only.

The giveaway will end April 27th at 6:59 pm Central Time.

**Prize provided by marketing firm**

Hardcover vs Paperback 76

A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick

Hardcover

Paperback

Paperback (CA)


Paperback 2 (CA)

Amazon.com:

He placed a notice in a Chicago paper, an advertisement for "a reliable wife." She responded, saying that she was "a simple, honest woman." She was, of course, anything but honest, and the only simple thing about her was her single-minded determination to marry this man and then kill him, slowly and carefully, leaving her a wealthy widow, able to take care of the one she truly loved.

What Catherine Land did not realize was that the enigmatic and lonely Ralph Truitt had a plan of his own. And what neither anticipated was that they would fall so completely in love.

Filled with unforgettable characters, and shimmering with color and atmosphere, A Reliable Wife is an enthralling tale of love and madness, of longing and murder.

Well, I'm throwing Canada into the mix here because I've always liked Canada's original paperback. I do love how they are all a bit mysterious though. For some reason the coloring of the U.S. paperback just makes me think of bloody battles into practically monotone color. Don't ask. I have this book and have to read it though!

Hardcover or Paperback?

Have you spotted a Hardcover vs. Paperback you would like to contribute? Send me an email!



Monday, April 12, 2010

Blog Tour: Runaway by Meg Cabot + Giveaway

Welcome to the next stop on the Runaway blog tour! I've really enjoyed the first two books in the Airhead series so I'm so excited that the third and final book is almost out! To learn more about series visit the official book website and to check out the other stops on the tour visit Meg's website! Let's start with Meg's guest post about the Runaway playlist!

Runaway Playlist

I grew up on the campus of Indiana University, a block from the music school. All day long all I ever heard were college students singing operettas or practicing the French horn.


Meanwhile, inside my house, my dad and one younger brother watched sports incessantly at top volume; my mom had all the rest of the TVs in the house tuned to the news, cooking shows, and Oprah (at the same time, so she could watch them while she moved from room to room); and my other younger brother, in his bedroom across the hall from mine, was determined to memorize every musical known to man by singing along to them at the top of his lungs (it really is a hard knock life. Annie).


So learning to write with headphones on was a necessity.


But that doesn’t mean what I was listening to was ever just white noise to me. To this day, unlike a lot of writers I know, I can’t listen to classical or orchestral music when I write. It has to have a beat you can do aerobics to (because writing IS a workout), and for some reason, it has to have lyrics.


Sometimes a particular song will, for whatever reason, inspire a character, or even a whole book.


In the case of Runaway, the song that was on permanent repeat while I was writing it was Imogen Heap’s “Good Night and Go.” This is fitting since Em and Christopher say Good Night and go a lot throughout the book.


I was lucky with Runaway. “Good Night and Go” is a great song. Sometimes the song that gets into my head while I’m writing a book won’t even be a song I like. It doesn’t matter: I’ll still be compelled to play it over and over again until the book is finished. I won’t horrify you with the details, but often these songs will end up being playing over the speakers at the grocery store, which is why I can no longer go there.


The creepy thing that’s started happening now is, instead of my books being inspired by songs (whether I like them or not), songs are starting to seem to be inspired by my books. I realize that this sounds insane, but no sooner had I plunged into the second draft of my June release, Insatiable (the song that was on constant repeat for that one: Tony Lucca’s cover of Daniel Johnston’s Devil Town. You could see how Daniel Johnston, who is bipolar, might suspect everyone he knows of being a vampire. But what if, I couldn’t help wondering, everyone you knew really did turn out to be a vampire?) when I heard Lady Gaga’s Teeth.


At which point I realized Lady Gaga was spying on me. Because somehow she has written the theme song for a book I HADN’T EVEN PUBLISHED YET.


In the meantime, the playlist for Runaway doesn’t contain any songs I hate. So I can safely go to the grocery store. For now.


Don’t Trust Me

3OH!3

Want


Weightless

All Time Low

Nothing Personal


Days Like Masquerades

The Academy Is….

Lost in Pacific Time


Bulletproof

La Roux

La Roux


All for You

The Secret Handshake

My Name Up In Lights


Good Night and Go

Imogen Heap

Speak for Yourself


The Underdog

Spoon

Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga


Cousins

Vampire Weekend

Contra


Clumsy Little Heart

Every Avenue

Picture Perfect


Here is a bit about Runaway! Caution: spoilers for the first two in the series!


High fashion with a touch of sci-fi. In Runaway, the dramatic conclusion to the bestselling and acclaimed Airhead novels by Meg Cabot, Emerson Watts is on the run: from school, from work, from her family, from her friends, from herself.


With everyone she loves furious with her for something she can’t explain, and nothing but the live Stark Angel fashion show on New Year’s Eve to look forward to, Em’s reached the end of the rope…what’s thepoint of even going on?

But when she discovers the truth about Nikki’s secret, she knows there’s only one
person she can turn to. Will Christopher be able to put aside his personal feelings and help her expose her employer to the world? Is it even fair to get Christopher involved—since if he agrees, there’s every chance that Stark Enterprises will try to have them both killed—this time, permanently?

Maybe it would be better for Em to just keep on running…


Onto the giveaway! I have 2 $50 iTunes giftcards available! Here's how to enter!

Fill out the giveaway entry form here.


The giveaway is open to addresses within the U.S. only.

The giveaway will end April 26th at 6:59 pm Central Time.

**iTunes giftcards provided by marketing firm**

**Meg Cabot photo credited to Ali Smith**

Check out the next stop on the tour, BermudaOnion on April 14th which will feature a guest post from Meg's publicist!

Sunday, April 11, 2010

GIVEAWAY: Envelope Purse from Crochet (Klutz)

My first crochet giveaway! Yay! This giveaway goes with my review of Crochet (Klutz) which you can see here.

I've made an envelope purse from the book and would like to give it away to one of you! You all have been so encouraging with my journey into the yarn arts and I would love to thank you!

As you can see it's turned out a little different than the first one I made but I still think it's cute and hope you will too! This book has been a lifesaver for me in learning the art of crochet and I would highly recommend it to anyone else that wants to learn!


Here's how to enter to win the pictured envelope purse!

Fill out the giveaway entry form here.


The giveaway is open to addresses within the U.S. only.

The giveaway will end April 25th at 6:59 pm Central Time.

**Stitched by me, pattern by Crochet (Klutz)**

Crochet (Klutz) by Anne Akers Johnson

Amazon.com:

Crochet comes with everything you need to get started, including two kinds of yarn, a crochet hook and a button. Projects include a chic scarf, super cute purse, stylish hat and more. All the projects are teen-approved and way cooler than Grandma’s tea cozy.

Between this book and the I Can't Believe I'm Crocheting dvd I learned to crochet. Originally I signed up for a class that only confused and discouraged me but this book set me back onto the path of successfully and not confusing crochet!

While I had learned the actual stitches from the dvd this book slowly and patiently showed me where each stitch goes with great illustrations highlighting the specific stitch. There is information given on yarn, gauge, tools, the stitches and the projects of course.

In most craft books there are always a few duds in the projects but this book had great projects that I actually wanted to make and use. I'm still trying to make a perfect flower and master the granny square but I've basically made everything in the book already!

I would highly suggest this to anyone that wants to learn to crochet. The instructions are simple and easy to follow, the projects are fun and it comes with all the tools you need to get started in the kit!

Here's what I've made so far!

Jewelry Roll


Flower


Bath Bag


Envelope Purse


Hat


Enter my giveaway for an envelope purse here!

Crochet (Klutz) was released on August 1st 2006
Genre: Crafts
5/5 Stars
Purchased at Joann's
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...