waiting on sunday to drown

Young Adult Book Giveaway

2012-01-26T21:32:00.000-08:00

As part of the Young Adult Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am A Reader Not A Writer and Down the Rabbit Hole. I am giving away a young adult book of your choice up to $10 in value from the Book Depository or Amazon. This giveaway is open to entrants from any country that the Book Depository ships from. Please check their website if you are unsure. The giveaway runs from Friday, January 27 to midnight on Tuesday, January 31st. Please enter using the rafflecopter entry form. If it’s being wonky, then enter in the comments and I will enter you by hand. There are four ways to enter: 1. Enter your contact info, 2. Follow me either on google friend connect, twitter (@engelsigh), or google plus, 3. Tell me your favorite young adult book and 4. Tweet about the giveaway. Be sure to check out the other 200+ blogs giving away books.

**** 1/27/2012 UPDATE - I AM OUT OF TOWN AND HAVE LIMITED COMPUTER ACCESS. RAFFLECOPTER IS REFUSING TO COOPERATE, SO PLEASE ENTER IN THE COMMENTS AND I WILL ENTER EVERYTHING IN RAFFLECOPTER WHEN I GET HOME ON SUNDAY NIGHT. THANK YOU! :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

In My Mailbox (1/18/2011)

2012-01-18T21:14:00.000-08:00

Hello! ::waves:: I haven't been on here in two weeks, sorry bout that, but I have had my nose buried in books. I have a ton of books to report that were in my mailbox so here goes:

From my boyfriend and his parents:
Vampire Diaries: Shadow Souls by L.J. Smith
Born at Midnight by CC Hunter
Spells by Aprilynne Pike
Seven Up by Janet Evanovich
Hard Eight by Janet Evanovich
Leatherbound copy of Edgar Allan Poe books

From the Author:
Watched by Cindy Hogan (review and giveaway forthcoming)
Patient Zero by Jim Beck (stop back for my review and giveaway February 21st as part of his book tour)

Bookworm Secret Santa:
Kiss of Frost by Jennifer Estep

Random Buzzers:
Blood Sun by David Gilman

Books I ordered bargain from Amazon and B&N:
Wish by Alexandra Bullen – Amazon bargain book

Meridian by Amber Kizer – Amazon bargain book
Possession by Nancy Holder – Amazon bargain book
Reign or Shine by Michelle Rowen
Reign Check by Michelle Rowen
How to Ditch Your Fairy by Justine Larbalestier

Next time I will try to have some pictures of all my treasures!

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by the Story Siren.

What's in your mailbox?

Guest Author Post: Writing by the seat of your pants – hold on, this may be a bumpy ride! by Vincent Tuckwood

2012-01-17T18:43:00.000-08:00

Writing by the seat of your pants – hold on, this may be a bumpy ride! by Vincent Tuckwood

To write to an outline or by pure intuition?

Ah, the artist’s endless dilemma!

With structure and plan, we know where we’re going, so get to travel easier, safe in the knowledge that there is a destination; comfortable that we will arrive, even if the journey meanders.

Riding the intuitive lightning? It’s a mercurial roller-coaster of channeled creativity, while in the background, the whispering critic challenges us that we don’t know enough, aren’t clever enough, aren’t worthy enough to bring this crested wave to fruition. An extreme activity for sure, and it carries its fair share of highs and hangovers.

In the past twenty years of writing, I’ve written books at both ends of this spectrum. Do Sparrows Eat Butterflies? Still feels like it wrote itself. Family Rules was a longer write, but certainly felt like I was discovering the story as I went. While it’s non-linear structure works for the invention of the lead character, Kenny, I confess that the story was stuck for a long time as I decided what would happen in the final chapters – knowing it needed to be strong, yet with no idea what it would be. In the end it came, after lost months of not writing.

Karaoke Criminals was structurally mapped before I wrote a word – actually, its outline was written as an extended joke while on holiday in Spain. It didn’t end up a comedy, but the overall structure remains intact.

If you’d asked me the question a year ago, I would likely have given it 20% structure to 80% intuition.

Since then, though, I wrote Escalation – my first novel without the distraction of the day job, the first where I was writing fully in my story-telling self. At just the point where I might have expected intuitive writing to take over, I went the other way – and completely, totally and utterly enjoyed the experience!

By way of background, in early 2011, I adapted Family Rules into the screenplay Inventing Kenny with my screen-writing partners, James Patric Moran and Timothy Quinlan, and completed my first original screenplay, Team Building. Through these experiences, I’d been learning about movie structure, beats, archetypes and everything else that gets distilled into the ideal movie script.

So, when the idea for Escalation struck in early April 2011, I decided to map out the structure as if it were a movie: 4 acts, 16 sequences, 48 chapters, each chapter labeled with the major decision or development that needed to happen, along with whatever reminders I wanted to give myself of my original intent. With that outline in hand, I wrote about 1500 words a day, Monday to Friday and, 4 months later, the novel was complete. The experience was a dream, each chapter its own little voyage of discovery. Effortless writing. Not only that, but the rewrite was minimal; a welcome relief when it had previously been like running a second marathon.

And, the funny thing is, when I went back to look over my ‘intuitive’ novels, they conformed pretty closely to the classic story structure I’d applied in Escalation, even though I didn’t even have it in hand at the time I wrote them.

Is structured writing somehow a lower standard, less artful? I don’t think so.

As Mark Rothko showed with his famous series of off-black rectangles, art lies in nuance AND in bold statements.

Unless we are born with deformity, or suffer an accident, we human beings have basically the same skeleton – number of bones, how they’re organized, etc. – yet we couldn’t be more different when the flesh and skin are layered over the top. It’s what sits atop, and within, the structure that makes us come alive.

It’s the same with story – the structure that has been distilled into the typical movie formula is as present in ‘Romeo and Juliet' as it is in an episode of ‘Teletubbies’. Story arcs form the skeleton of human existence.

There will doubtless be those who challenge that great art can never be planful. In my experience, those who shout that the loudest are those who most often say “I would… if only…”

As in:“I would write a novel, if only I could find the time”, or…

“I would start a business, if only I could come up with a killer product”, or…

“I would paint a portrait, if only I hadn’t been told at school that I wasn’t a good enough painter.”

As you can probably tell, I disagree with the premise that art always comes at the expense of waiting for lightning bolt inspiration.

For all we view Beethoven as a genius, he still wrote symphonies, concerti, preludes, etudes, and other accepted structural forms. He still formed his music in the tradition of the other romantic composers. Do we view his art as lesser because it was in these structures and context? In fact there’s an argument that, when he lost his hearing, those same structures enabled him to produce some of his most enthralling and compelling music.

I believe that the struggling artist is an archetype that society perpetuates to discourage people from stepping out of conformity. To make art is abnormal, and even the most inclusive society is uncomfortable with difference.

In pushing us to conform, society perpetuates the myth that creativity necessitates pain, and that only a truly gifted prodigy has the fortitude to prevail. Society pushes this myth to discourage as many as possible from seeking to question their normality…

I’m a Brit and, pardon my language, but I say that’s bollocks!

Of course, inspiration strikes and, honestly, there’s no feeling like the awakening of an idea. But, once you’ve ridden that wave a few times, you learn that it passes quickly, more often than not leaving extensive editing in its wake. And, if we lurch from one idea-high to the next, the ideas can drift off into the ether, falling prey to the ever-waiting voice of insecurity and criticism all artists have whispering in their ear. Better, I think, to capture those moments of connection and insight early, to remind us of where we intended to go all along.

So, structure or intuition?

At the moment, I would say I’ve flipped my opinion to 80% structure to 20% intuition.

As I learned with Escalation, if you give yourself a map, it lets you enjoy the journey a whole lot more. And it doesn’t preclude stepping off the path every now and then to discover what’s rustling behind those bushes!

To read more about Vincent Tuckwood and his writings at his personal website.

GUEST AUTHOR POST: 10 Things you didn't know about Key of Sea by Mary Stella

2012-01-04T19:57:00.000-08:00

10 Things You didn't know about Key of Sea by Mary Stella

Thanks so much for inviting me to do a post for Waiting on Sunday to Drown. I have to say that the topic’s fun and intriguing to me at the same time. What can I reveal about one of my books that will entertain both the person who’s already read it and the reader who might want to give it a try?

Here, in totally random order are ten things you didn’t know about Key of Sea.

1)    I never expected the original publishing house to keep the title. Since my first book was called All Keyed Up and both books are set in the Florida Keys, I wanted to include Key in the title of the second book, but I couldn’t come up with something that fit. I finally put Key of Sea on the document so that I could refer to it as something other than “My next book”. It grew on me, but I was positive that the publisher would change it. Imagine my surprise when they didn’t! Once they told me that the title would remain, I went through the manuscript and wove in a few things that would tie the title a little more to the story.

2)    The opening of the book was inspired by a conversation I had one night at dinner with a close friend. Many restaurants down here in the Florida Keys have at least one mounted fish or fish replica hanging on a wall. Over dinner I studied the mounted tarpon – which is a large sport fish – on a wall and asked Marilyn, “Wouldn’t it stink if a woman suddenly realized that she meant less to her husband than his trophy fish?” Mar agreed that it would indeed stink and I was off and running with the opening scene of Key of Sea.

3)    Like my heroine Dora Lee, I loathe land crabs and once dueled with one in my backyard. My weapon of choice? A long-handled pooper scooper! I’m happy to say I won the battle, but it wasn’t easy. FYI, pooper scoopers make effective weapons when necessary. I have also used mine to vanquish a scorpion. I told the story of battling the land crab to my friend Heather Graham and her family. They insisted that I had to include it in a book one day.

4)    I named my hero after two men I’ve had big time crushes on at different times in my life. Bobby was a neighbor many, many years ago. Daulton is the last name of a former major league catcher that played for my favorite baseball team, the Philadelphia Phillies. Other than the borrowed names, any resemblance of any character to any person living or dead is purely coincidental. Really!

5)    In each of my two books, there is a restaurant or bar inspired after one that I like in the Keys. When a bartender I know read Key of Sea, she figured that out immediately!

6)    The first half of the book took me several months to write. When the original publishers contracted for it, they asked me if I could deliver it in less than two months. “Absolutely!” I promised. I’ve never written so much so fast. I got up an hour early each day, said no to a number of social invitations, but delivered on time – and even had a few days to spare to go over it for some revisions and tweaks.

7)    More than one writer cautioned me that readers would not be sympathetic to a main character who had been a trophy wife to an older, wealthy man. I was convinced that readers would grow to love Dora Lee, flaws and all, and end up rooting for her to succeed. I’m so happy that reader feedback has been 100% positive about Dora!

8)    When I started writing Key of Sea, I knew that Dora would have a best friend in the story but I honestly didn’t have any preformed ideas about that character. Jo Jo jumped off the page with her voice, her clothing and her personality in the very first scene in which she appears. Seriously, that woman practically wrote herself. (I will admit, however, that I borrowed a little from my friend, author Beth Ciotta when describing Jo Jo’s ability to wear a variety of creative outfits and styles. Beth used to be a full time entertainer and her fashion sense is inspiring!)

9)    There’s a scene where Dora visits her older friend Ruby’s dolphins at Dolphin Land. The experience of playing with a dolphin really happened to me. Yes, sometimes real life inspires our writing.

10) Readers often think that we authors know everything there is to know about our characters and story before we write. I knew a lot about Dora Lee and what I hoped to represent with her. I reread the book for the first time last year, prior to putting it up for sale in e-format. I have to say that there are things that Dora taught me about reinventing your life that I didn’t see as clearly the first time around. I’m grateful for the lessons!

Key of Sea is Mary Stella's second book. For more information about the author and her books please check out her personal website at http://www.mary-stella.com/about.html.

Huge Sale at Gold Canyon Candles!

2012-01-02T19:45:00.000-08:00

Gold Canyon Candles is having a huge sale. Everything on the site is 12 to 42% off. The best sales are in the "On Sale" section and includes all the holiday scents, baking scents, soy candles, boutique candles and more. You can get a pod warmer for less than $22.00. All the baking line scents are being discontinued in their current format and reformulated. You can buy them all now (19 oz each) for $13.45. Scents include banana nut bread, warm apple crisp, cherry pie, cobbler on the porch, and more. Be sure to stock up on all your favorites while they're on sale.

2011 Book Log

2012-01-02T19:36:00.000-08:00

January

1. "Radiant Shadows" by Melissa Marr 340 pages
2. "Wintergirls" by Laurie Halse Anderson 278 pages
3. "Tempted" by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast 319 pages
4. "Vampire Academy" by Richelle Mead 332
5. "Once Dead Twice Shy" by Kim Harrison 232 pages
6. "Grave Secret" by Charlaine Harris 306 pages
7. "Dead in the Family" by Charlaine Harris 311 pages
8. "Dreamfever" by Karen Marie Moning 388 pages
9. "Fear Nothing" by Dean Koontz 391 pages
10. "Paranormalcy" by Kiersten White 335 pages
11. "Dark Song" by Gail Giles 292 pages
12. "A Bone to Pick" by Charlaine Harris 222 pages LP

February
13. "The Hunter's Moon" by O.R. Melling 283 pages
14. "The Night Bookmobile" by Audrey Niffenegger 40 pages
15. "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls 288 pages
16. "The Reckoning" by Kelley Armstrong 391 pages
17. "The Final Warning" by James Patterson 256 pages

March
18. "The Haunted" by Jessica Verday 467 pages
19. "Real Murders" by Charlaine Harris 230 pages LP
20. "The Dark Divine" by Bree Despain 372 pages
21. "Beautiful Darkness" by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl 503 pages
22. "Spider Bones" by Kathy Reichs 302 pages

April
23. "Somewhere Inside" by Laura Ling and Lisa Ling 470 pages LP
24. "Sisters Red" by Jackson Pearce 324 pages
25. "Glass Houses" by Rachel Caine 256 pages
26. "Dead Girls Dance" by Rachel Caine 256 pages

May
27. "Shadowfever" by Karen Marie Moning 608 pages
28. "I'm Looking Through You: Growing Up Haunted" by Jennifer Finney Boylan 267 pages
29. "Seize the Night" by Dean Koontz 443 pages
30. "The Eyes of Darkness" by Dean Koontz, 384 pages
31. "Grave Sight" by Charlaine Harris 293 pages
32. "Dare to Surrender" by Lilli Fiesty 342 pages
33. "An Ice Cold Grave" by Charlaine Harris 280 pages
34. "The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening" by L.J. Smith 272 pages
35. "The Vampire Diaries: The Struggle" by L.J. smith 256 pages
36. "The Vampire Diaries: The Fury" by L.J. Smith 309 pages
37. "The Vampire Diaries: Dark Reunion" by L.J. Smith 312 pages
38. "Dark Visions: The Strange Powers" by L.J. Smith 230 pages
39. "Dark Visions: The Possessed" by L.J. Smith 224 pages
40. "Dark Visions: The Passion" by L.J. Smith 224 pages
41. "Daughters of the Moon: Goddess of the Night" by Lynne Ewing 294 pages
42. "The 8th Confession" by James Patterson 342 pages

June
43. "Just Kids" by Patti Smith 320 pages
44. "City of Bones" by Cassandra Clare 485 pages
45. "City of Ashes" by Cassandra Clare 496 pages
46. "Midnight Alley" by Rachel Caine 256 pages
47. "Feast of Fools" by Rachel Caine 242 pages
48. "Smashed: Story of a Drunken Girlhood" by Koren Zailckas 342 pages
49. "Lord of Misrule" by Rachel Caine 244 pages
50. "Carpe Corpus" by Rachel Caine 241 pages
51. "Fade Out" by Rachel Caine 237 pages
52. "Kiss of Death" by Rachel Caine 241 pages
53. "Prom Nights From Hell" by Meg Cabot, Kim Harrison, Michele Jaffe, Stephenie Meyer, Lauren Myracle 184 pages
54. "The Frenzy" by Francesca Lia Block 122 pages
55. "Secret Circle: The Initiation" by L.J. Smith 320 pages

July
56. "Hot Six" by Janet Evanovich 350 pages
57. "Nightshade" by Andrea Cremer 289 pages
58. "Vacations from Hell" by Libba Bray 156 pages
59. "Nightfall" by L.J. Smith 359 pages
60. "Fallen" by Lauren Kate 452 pages
61. "Plum Lovin" by Janet Evanovich 164 pages (AUDIO)
62. "Ghost Town" by Rachel Caine 353 pages
63. "My Horizontal Life" by Chelsea Handler 214 pages
64. "Hush, Hush" by Becca Fitzpatrick 391 pages
65. "Early to Death, Early to Rise" by Kim Harrison 247 pages

August
66. "Angelfire" by Courtney Allison Moulton 297 pages
67. "Plum Lucky" by Janet Evanovich 166 pages (AUDIO)
68. "Captivate" by Carrie Jones 273 pages (AUDIO)
69. "Plum Spooky" by Janet Evanovich 345 pages (AUDIO)
70. "The Secret Circle: The Captive" by L.J. Smith 320 pages
71. "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" by Mitch Albom 196 pages (AUDIO)
72. "The Secret Circle: the Power" by L.J. Smith 310 pages
73. "Entice" by Carrie Jones 264 pages (AUDIO)
74. "Cloaked" by Alex Flinn 341 pages (AUDIO)
75. "Finger Lickin' Fifteen" by Janet Evanovich 308 pages
76. "Twelve Sharp" by Janet Evanovich 320 pages (AUDIO)
77. "Jez and Morgead's Night Out" by L.J. Smith 59 pages
78. "Bonnie and Damon - After Hours" by L.J. Smith 32 pages
79. "City of Ashes - Kissed" by Cassandra Clare 5 pages
80. "City of Ashes - Because it is Bitter" by Cassandra Clare 5 pages
81. "City of Ashes - Deleted Scene" by Cassandra Clare 3 pages
82. "City of Glass - Deleted First Chapter" by Cassandra Clare 20 pages
83. "Lean Mean Thirteen" by Janet Evanovich 310 pages (AUDIO)
84. "Delerium" by Lauren Oliver 441 pages
85. "Bite Club" by Rachel Caine 340 pages
86. "Beastly" by Alex Flinn 304 pages
87 "Dream Dark" by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl 76 pages
88. "First Frost" by Jennifer Estep Kindle ebook
89. "Nevermore" by Kelly Creagh 543 pages
90. "Visions of Sugar Plums" by Janet Evanovich 240 pages
91. "Goddess Boot Camp" by Tera Lynn Childs 224 pages

September
92. "Sweet Valley Confidential" by Francine Pascal 293 pages
93. "Ethereal" by Addison Moore Kindle book
94. "Tremble" by Addison Moore Kindle book
95. "Burn" by Addison Moore Kindle Book
96. "Wicked" by Addison Moore Kindle Book

October
97. "The Fallen Star" by Jessica Sorenson 449 pages
98. "Dead Reckoning" by Charlaine Harris 336 pages
99. "Something Deadly This Way Comes by Kim Harrison 245 pages
100. "The Underworld" by Jessica Sorenson ebook
101. "Wither" by Lauren DeStefano 358 pages
102. "Touch of Frost" by Jennifer Estep 350 pages
103. "Shattered" by Sophia Sharp ebook

November
104. "Into the Cold Fire" by Lynne Ewing 264 pages
105. "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne COllins 374 pages
106. "Supernaturally" by Kiersten White 336 pages
107. "The Vision" by Jessica Sorensen ebook
108. "I Am Not Your Victim" by Beth Sipes 320 pages

December
109. "Hex Hall" by Rachel Hawkins 323 pages
110. "Smokin Seventeen" by Janet Evanovich 308 pages
111. "The Name of the Star" by Maureen Johnson 372 pages
112. "Claimed" by Lauren Barnholdt (kindle)
113. "Tricked" by Lauren Barnholdt (kindle)
114. "Rumored" by Lauren Barnholdt (kindle)
115. "Hushed" by Lauren Barnholdt (kindle)
116. "Pursued" by Lauren Barnholdt (kindle)
117. "Enticed" by Lauren Barnholdt (kindle)
118. "Ruined" by Lauren Barnholdt (kindle)
119. "Embers" by Lauren Barnholdt (kindle)
120. "Smolder" by Lauren Barnholdt (kindle)
121. "Burn" by Lauren Barnholdt (kindle)

December RAK Wrap Up

2012-01-02T19:03:00.000-08:00

For December I sent out:

to Ambur at Burning Impossibly Bright

to Damaris at Good Choice Reading

to Tarra at Twilight Book Junkie

I received the following:

from Ambur at Burning Impossibly Bright

and I received a box of books from Nicci at Paper Dreams that included all of these books:

If you would like to taking part in giving and sending RAK's for January sign up over at Book Soulmates.

My Bookworm Secret Santa Wrap Up

2012-01-02T17:52:00.000-08:00

My bookworm Secret Santa was hosted by Michelle from Book Briefs and Bree from The Magic Attic. For my secret santa I got Vi from Confessions of a Vi3tbabe.

I sent Vi the following:

I don't yet know who my secret santa was, but he or she sent me a book I've been dying to read:

I had a lot of fun and would hope to do it again next year.

Guest Post: How to Promote Online by Debra Burroughs

2011-12-14T07:17:00.000-08:00

How to Promote Online, by Debra Burroughs, author of She Had No Choice

Whether you are traditionally published, small press published, or self published, I have learned that most, if not all, marketing is put on the shoulders of the author. Unless you are a well-known author or a shooting star, you have to be prepared to promote your work yourself.

Most authors I know would rather do almost anything than wear the “Marketing” hat. But in today’s publishing world, like successful author and blogger D.D. Scott says, “You better put your big girl panties on,” and do it.

The first online page you should concentrate on is your Author Page on Amazon.com. If you haven’t uploaded your photo and bio to this page, stop what you’re doing right now and take care of it. Go to: https://authorcentral.amazon.com, log in with your username and password, click on Profile in the blue bar at the top, and use the tools on the right on the next page. Easy peasy.

The second online presence you should have is a Facebook page. Some people say you should have a personal page, some say have an author page, some say have a page for each of your books, and some say have all of the above. I don’t know who’s right. I have a personal page and an author page where I will promote all of my books. Go on Facebook several times a day (early morning, noon, and evening) and post something interesting so people want to be “Friends” with you and come back. You can post about your books sometimes, but show people you are a real person with some personality.

After Facebook, set up a Twitter account and learn to use it. I’m reading Twitter Power 2.0, by Joel Comm, right now to help me become an expert. Make sure to upload a photo to your Profile and write something interesting about yourself so when people check to see if they want to follow you, you can hook them with why they should want to follow you.

The next avenue of online promotion would be your website and/or blog. Some people blog every day, some only once a month, and others do it anywhere in between. It’s an excellent vehicle to drive your Facebook and Twitter followers to, so you can engage with them. Make sure you have a place where they can subscribe to your site and a “Contact Me” button so they can send an email to you.

My last bit of advice is to continually learn more about marketing. Every day, I receive a blog post in my email from TheWritersGuideToEpublishing.com with great tips on marketing and promoting books. I’m also reading We Are Not Alone, a book by Kristen Lamb, about building your brand and online marketing for writers. I go to KindleBoards.com/writerscafe and join the discussions. There’s just so much out there to know. Good luck!

About Debra Burroughs:

Debra Burroughs grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area during a tumultuous time when the Civil Rights Movement was gearing up and racial tensions were mounting. Her parents moved the family to a more peaceful small town in the Central Valley of California.

Over the years, with a large Mexican family, she heard many stories about their history, particularly from her mother and grandmother. As she would relay these colorful and heart-wrenching family stories to her friends, many times she would hear them say, “You should really write a book about that.”

After continual encouragement and gentle prodding from her husband, she finally decided to do it. Now that their children are grown and gone, Debra has found a quiet place to write in their home in Boise, Idaho.

You can visit Debra Burroughs’ blog at www.DebraBurroughsBooks.com.

10 Things I Didn’t Know Savvy Diva’s Take On…44 Days of Random Thoughts & Observations By Guest author Jahzara, the Savvy Diva

2011-12-11T20:41:00.000-08:00

Days of Random Thoughts & Observations By Guest author Jahzara, the Savvy Diva

I made the decision to write my book two years ago, as I began blogging. Though I didn’t write everyday on my blog, I made sure on a daily basis that I jotted down my topics and thoughts. However, I had no idea that a good writer…a dedicated writer would experience so many turbulent issues.

In December 2009, my blog had been active for at least three months, my mind had produced a whole notebook of rants and thoughts, but my lack of focus and holiday influences conflicted with my-self inflicted deadline to have a book written and revised by the new year. Looking back, I can recall the following ten lessons I encountered while rallying internally to produce a higher level of creativity than I had done for my blog.

Discipline is the most important attribute any writer must have to become the great writer most of us desire to become. Without the discipline, the will to achieve a goal becomes mute.

Focus comes along with the discipline. If you lack focus then all of the goals you bellow out become only sound bytes of social conversation and not reality. I witnessed many obstacles destroy others who lacked the focus they so desired, and I was determined not to let my passion fade away without notice.

Friendships and the real meaning of a true friend becomes relevant but slowly diffuse to the category of non-existent once you realize your dreams and goals are…your dreams and goals; and not those of the people you thought were your friends. I learned during the process that the flaky people who called themselves friends were the ones who wanted to see me fail because my priorities for success were threatening their initiative to see me fail.

Rituals play a huge part in my creative process. I’ve been writing since grade school, but I never honed in on my writing ritual, I just wrote. But during the nine months it took me to write my book, I realized that my process of dancing and singing for a half hour before writing was needed to achieve the level of creativity.

Revisions are like the family member that no one likes having around…but without them, the family isn’t complete. Without revisions, my creative work wouldn’t have been good enough to release into the literary world. It took me many years to accept that my first draft could never be my last and final draft. Constant revisions make you look at your work differently each time, and with each round it improves.

Flexibility isn’t necessary the best attribute to have while writing because there is always room for deviating from the focus. I experienced many times the interruption of something exciting; whether it was a phone call or a knock at the door that prompted me to consider changing my writing schedule. I found that if I allowed the any distractions to command me to be flexible around the external activities of my writing space, I would never complete the task at hand to write, write and write.

Timelines and Outlines are necessary because without them both, my book would still be a work in progress and not a completed project. I make sure I set timelines for each chapter, and outline the chapters so it’s etched in my mind continuously…leaving me to be strong in my process. However, flexibility is something great to have with timelines because everything isn’t produced or doesn’t go as planned…especially the constant flow of creativity.

The words Final Draft don’t mean the project is final. Even though as a writer I am used to revision processes but the anxiety of waiting for copy editors and content editors to review and give notes and await your feedback and revisions is the most taunting task of writing. and the need to rewriteCommitment to the art of writing is one of the most rewarding lessons I have acquired along the way. Sharing my gift of writing is my passion and should always be the most important thing I think about when writing and not how much money I want to make from my gift. If writing is natural, the rewards will come naturally as well.

The Publishing Date was the most exciting date on the calendar of events for me during the process, but without flexibility around the process, it can be hardening to the soul when the release date changes continuously. My release date changed three times, and had I not been someone who loves to produce quality, my finished product wouldn’t be worthy enough to share today.

2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge

2011-12-09T20:10:00.000-08:00

I am taking part in the 2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge hosted by The Eclectic Bookshelf. If you would like to join me, please go to The Eclectic Bookshelf to sign up. I am going with the Mega Size Challenge of reading 50 YA books in 2012.

Run's January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012.

The Rules:

Anyone can join.

You don't need a blog to participate.

Non-Bloggers: Post your list of books in the comment section of the wrap-up post on Jamie's blog.

Audio, eBooks, paper, re-reads all count.

No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.

There are four levels:

The Mini YA Reading Challenge – Read 12 Young Adult novels.

The "Fun Size" YA Reading Challenge – Read 20 Young Adult novels.

The Jumbo Size YA Reading Challenge – Read 40 Young Adult novels.

The Mega size YA Reading Challenge – Read 50+ Young Adult novels.

I will list the books here as I read them.

Finish the Series 2012 Reading Challenge

2011-12-09T20:00:00.000-08:00

I am participating in the 2012 Finish the Series Reading Challenge hosted by Socrates Book Reviews. I am entering the level three challenge, and will finish 3 or more series.

Here are the guidelines:

1) All books that are part of a continuing series qualify (i.e. Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove, Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum, James Patterson’s Alex Cross, etc. etc.)

2) It doesn’t matter if you have 1 or 10 books in a series to complete it, it qualifies (i.e. if you only need to read one more Sookie Stackhouse book to complete the goal, that’s fine) The goal is to complete a series from wherever you are up to until the last published book.

3) The qualification period is January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012. Books must be read during this time frame to count.

4) Take the button above and post about it. Use the Mr. Linky on Yvonne’s page to sign up, but make sure you link it directly to your post about this challenge.

5) If you don’t have a blog, that’s fine. Just leave a comment to sign up and tell us what you are reading.

6) Any format of book counts – audio, ebook, etc.

7) You should choose the series you want to finish before the challenge begins, but it isn’t necessary. It’s fine to change series during the year – as long as you complete whichever series it is.

Choose a level….

Level 1 – Complete 1 series.
Level 2 – Complete 2 series.
Level 3 – Complete 3 or more series.

My series that I wish to finish are:

Wake series by Lisa McMann
1. Gone

Wicked Lovely series by Melissa Marr
1. Darkest Mercy

Evernight Series by Claudia Gray
1. Afterlife
2. Balthazar

Maximum Ride Series by James Patterson
1. Max
2. Angel
3. Fang

Gift Card Giveaway Hop!

2011-12-08T19:41:00.000-08:00

I Am A Reader Not A Writer and Attack of the Book are hosting a Gift Card Giveaway Hop with over 140 blogs participating in the giveaway. I am giving away a $10 gift card to Amazon, Lush, or any other store that will do an online gift card (so that you have it online and don't have to wait for it in the busy holiday mail). For my International readers, if you win, you may choose a book of your choice for $10 or less from the Book Depository. Please enter using the Rafflecopter. If for some reason Rafflecopter is being hokey, then leave your entries in the comments and I will hand enter them in the raffle copter. The contest runs from 12:01 a.m December 9th through Midnight December 13th. When you're done entering my giveaway, please check out the other blogs involved in the giveaway for many chances to win.

Entries are for 1. Entering your name and email 2. following on google friend connect 3. following on twitter 4. commenting on any of my other blog posts 5. letting me know which gift card you would pick and 6. tweeting about the giveaway.

P.S. Can someone tell me how to do the google entry forms because rafflecopter hasn't worked right the last two times.

Do You Remember Your First 'Big Issue' Moment? by guest author Kath Russell

2011-12-07T09:17:00.000-08:00

Do You Remember Your First 'Big Issue' Moment?

One of the wonderful things about writing my book, DEED SO, was transporting my adult self back to the time when I took my first step on the road to adulthood, the early Sixties. Through my main character, Haddie Bashford and her friends, Sarah Jane and Elise, I got to experience that first crush, those intense girl friendships, the first feelings of not being in shall we say total sync with your parents' view of the world, those yearnings to belong and those feelings of being misunderstood. Because DEED SO deals with important historical events that changed the face of America, I also got to write about Haddie as she first comes to grips with issues beyond her family, school, church and community -- issues playing out on the national and international stage, such as civil rights, the Vietnam war and women's rights. My generation went on to develop a phase for this experience when your eyes were opened to big goings-on, the moment when it stopped being 'all about you.' We said your consciousness had been raised.

Can you recall in your own life when you first connected with an external event in a visceral and cerebral way different from any connection you had made before. A moment when you realized that your life and your immediate world did not exist in a bubble, but was joined at the hip with a bigger world, a vast place where forces were at work way beyond your control or understanding. For many people, 9/11 was such a moment. For others, the Challenger tragedy. My first recollection of an experience like this was the Hungarian Revolution. My parents subscribed to Time magazine. I never took much interest in it. Back in the day, young people did not get barraged with violent images as they do now. Television news was little more than a boring visual of talking heads. I didn't pay much attention to that either. One day I came home from school and happened to glance at the stack of mail on the kitchen table. A troubling image got my attention, and I slipped the magazine off the pile and took it to the den. The article about the revolt in Hungary was accompanied with graphic photographs. To this day, I can remember the picture of a bloody body being dragged by a tank.At dinner, I started asking questions. My parents were disturbed I had seen the pictures. My father cobbled together a mini-lecture on the evils of Communism and the glories of America, including freedom of speech and the right to assemble. The magazine was taken away from me and future issues of Time were removed from the mail stack before I got home from school. Life magazine disappeared too. Modern parents don't have the luxury of this kind of censorship.

I could not shake the image. It would wake me up in the dead of night. It haunted me on the school bus. The bloody body had power over me for months. Who was the young man? What could he possibly have done to forfeit his life so horribly? Who was the tank driver? Why was he so cruel?Years later I attended Northwestern University and majored in history. My focus was Russo-American relations, the Communist bloc, the Cold War and Totalitarianism in general. See a pattern here? Coincidence? I think not.

Try to recall your first close encounter with history writ large. Is the incident still an influence in your life?

In DEED SO, Haddie Bashford witnesses the killing of a black teenager by a white farmer. The racially charged tragedy shifts the balance in her small community of Wicomico Corners as surely as an earthquake. Haddie must testify at the trial of the farmer while the courthouse is surrounded by civil rights demonstrators. Violence begins to tear at the fabric of the formerly peaceful town. Mysterious fires are set which lead to fear and finger pointing. Finally, the arson claims lives and impacts the destiny of everyone close to Haddie. In the midst of this upheaval, Haddie's secret love interest returns from Vietnam, a changed man with a mission that puts him on a collision course with the establishment. Haddie's baptism into the world of adult conflicts forces her to chose between her family, her friends and her love. She learns that choices have consequences in the most tragic of twists, when she becomes convinced that she is directly responsible for the death of others. Come join Haddie and her friends as they live out the last year of innocence, the year before President Kennedy was assassinated, and the civil rights struggle, the women's rights movement and the Vietnam war changed America forever.

Thanks for inviting me to blog!

About the author: Kath Russell enjoyed over thirty-five years in marketing and communications management in the biotechnology industry. She was an executive with one of the first genetic engineering companies. Russell also was president of Russell-Welsh Strategic Life Science Communications, Inc., and founder and chief executive officer of an ecommerce company offering services for mature companion animals and veterinarians. Russell received her bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University, her master’s degree in journalism from Boston University, her master’s of business administration from the Kellogg School of Management, and earned her certificate in creative writing from the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program

Winter by Tori Amos

2011-12-06T20:16:00.000-08:00

In honor of winter and snow and the chill in the air, I am posting a song that makes me nostalgic for when I was younger. The song is Winter by Tori Amos. I love Tori. I really related to her as a teenager - and that's where my blog title came from (as well as my email address) for those of you that don't.

Enjoy

"Snow can wait

I forgot my mittens

Wipe my nose

Get my new boots on

I get a little warm in my heart

When I think of winter

I put my hand in my father's glove

I run off

Where the drifts get deeper

Sleeping beauty trips me with a frown

I hear a voice

"Your must learn to stand up for yourself

Cause I can't always be around"

He says

When you gonna make up your mind

When you gonna love you as much as I do

When you gonna make up your mind

Cause things are gonna change so fast

All the white horses are still in bed

I tell you that I'll always want you near

You say that things change my dear

Boys get discovered as winter melts

Flowers competing for the sun

Years go by and I'm here still waiting Withering where some snowman was

Mirror mirror where's the crystal palace

But I only can see the myself

Skating around the truth who I am

But I know dad the ice is getting thin

When you gonna make up your mind

When you gonna love you as much as I do

When you gonna make up your mind

Cause things are gonna change so fast

All the white horses are still in bed

I tell you that I'll always want you near

You say that things change my dear

Hair is grey

And the fires are burning

So many dreams

On the shelf

You say I wanted you to be proud of me

I always wanted that myself

He says

When you gonna make up your mind

When you gonna love you as much as I do

When you gonna make up your mind

Cause things are gonna change so fast

All the white horses have gone ahead

I tell you that I'll always want you near

You say that things change

My dear"

CAN THE WORST OF TIMES MAKE FOR THE BEST OF LINES? by Guest Author Aaron L.

2011-12-06T09:13:00.000-08:00

I think I heard somewhere that “life is pain”. I beg to differ. Life is the ability to survive the pain.

When I began my journey into creating my novel, “Light Under the House” I only had a germ of a plot and not much else. I was a college drop out at the time and didn’t have much going for me. I had also sown a lot of seeds into endeavors that turned out to be useless. I had a mountain of wasted opportunity and regrets piled up. I wasn’t trained expert in any field. What did I know? Then again, I did know a few things… I knew about rejection. I knew about the loss friendship. I knew about living with frustration, anger, and fear. I knew those things. I knew I had a story to tell.

So I asked myself, what does it look like to overcome the wounds I’ve been dealt? What does it look like to fail and come back again? What does faith in action look like? As I started to ask myself these questions, the novel grew and so did I. In the process I learned some key things:

If you want to challenge the reader you have to challenge yourself. “Light Under the House” is a novel about character. I knew I wanted to be better. A better brother…son…friend…a better man. If I didn’t find it challenging I was certain no one else would.

Don’t be afraid to be open and generous. I’ve learned not be afraid to talk about issues that through my story and its characters that are personal me and my struggles. Are scars are just proof that we’re still alive, we can show them.

Everyone has a strength, let yours shine. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not all pain. I’ve lived a very blessed life. While it was true that I didn’t have any technical expertise, I did have life experience. By the time I was fifteen I had lived in numerous places in the U.S. and abroad. I had been around the world. I had diverse experiences to draw upon in dealing with people and life. It also helped to hone a unique perspective. What are your strengths?

So can the worst of times make for the best of lines? I think it can. If not, I’m sure I’ll survive it.

About the Author: Aaron L might be a newcomer to the creation of fiction but is not one when it comes to the arts and all things creative. Growing up in places from Seattle to South Africa, he spent a lot of his time drawing. Aaron always knew that his future lay in a creative field. In 2010, he graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in graphic design. Although the usual application of this degree is in the creation of different types of art and design, Aaron chose instead to focus his creative skills on the task of storytelling. He lives near Chicago, Illinois.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (12/5/2011)

2011-12-05T19:56:00.000-08:00

Finished Since Last Post:
I Am Not Your Victim: Anatomy of Domestic Violence by Beth Sipes (for School)
The Vision by Jessica Sorensen
Supernaturally by Kiersten White
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Shattered by Sophia Sharp

Currently Reading:
Flame of Surrender by Rhiannon Paille
Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Up Next:
Undercurrent by Tricia Rayburn

Mount TBR Reading Challenge 2012

2011-12-05T17:57:00.000-08:00

I have tons and tons and tons of books on my shelf that need to be read, that I never get to because something else new comes out and catches my eye. This year I plan to take part in the Mount TBR Reading Challenge hosted by My Reader's Block. The challenge goes from January 1 to December 31st of 2012 and can only include books that were on my bookshelve by January 1, 2012.

I am going for the Mt. Vancouver Challenge level, which means that I will read 25 books from my own shelf. I will post my list here as I read the books.

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Free Reads 2012 Reading Challenge

2011-12-05T17:49:00.000-08:00

In 2012 I am partcipating in the Free Reads Challenge hosted by Bookish Ardour. For this challenge, we are only reading books that we received free, for example RAKs, ARCS, won in giveaways, etc. They cannot be library books.

I am going with the "On the Cheap" level, which means I will read 15 books for this challenge. The challenge starts January 1st and goes through December 31st 2012. I will update my books here as I read them.

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YA-AHOLIC's 2011/12 New Year's Giveaway Hop

2011-12-02T08:25:00.000-08:00

Ya-aholic is having a giveaway in honor of the new year. The winner has the option of 4 great book bundles. Stop by her blog and take a look. She also writes great reviews and has giveaways fairly regularly.

Get to Know me (12/1/11)

2011-12-01T21:41:00.000-08:00

The getting to know you meme is hosted every Thursday by I am A Reader Not a Writer

If someone wrote a book about your life, what would the title be?

Strange Little Girl. Trust me it fits. I hear that about myself on a fairly regular basis.

If you could have a signed copy of any novel what would it be and why?

The Time Traveler’s Wife. It’s just such an amazing story.

Horror or Romance?

Can I have a little romance in my horror?

If you could choose only one time period and place to live, when and where would you live and why?

That’s a tough one. There are so many time periods I’d like to check out. The Italian Renaissance for one, because there were so many things happening. I also think I’d like to be a teenager or young adult in the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80s…just to experience the things that happened during those times would be amazing.

Do you prefer a bunch of small gifts or one big expensive one?

I’d rather have a bunch of small things…I’m not much on expensive things.

Flame of Surrender Trailer

2011-12-01T20:58:00.000-08:00

Author Rhiannon Paille released a trailer for Flame of Surrender

YA SCAVENGER HUNT GOING ON NOW!

2011-12-01T20:22:00.000-08:00

There are a ton of authors hosting a YA book blog event. Each author's blog features another author's book, special features and giveaways with a scavenger hunt. The scavenger hunt winner gets a huge prize back from all the authors.

I don't know which author is hosting per se, but I began my hunt on author Bree Despain's blog. If you love YA and giveaways, you should check it out.

Most wanted new releases

2011-11-30T20:59:00.000-08:00

I have sixteen more days of school this semester and it's really getting down to the grind. I haven't been posting as much, so in the meantime, here is a list of the new releases I am most looking forward to reading:

November RAK Wrap Up

2011-11-30T20:42:00.000-08:00

November wasn't a good month for me. I have my November people picked out but didn't get any of my books mailed out yet. I plan to more than make up for it in December. I sent 6 in October, so I'll send at least that many this month.

I did receive and RAK from Michelle at Michelle's Book Blog

If you would like to take part in December's RAK please sign up at Book Soulmates.

My wishlist is here: Amazon Wishlist

2011-11-28T20:27:00.000-08:00

So after entering everyone in that had trouble with rafflecopter, a winner has been chosen. Darlene at Book Nook won my giveaway! She is choosing Unearthly by Cynthia Hand.

Congrats Darlene!

December and January Giveaway Links

2011-11-26T19:26:00.000-08:00

It's helpful to have all the giveaway hop links in one place, so I (as well as all of you) can find them easier - so here are the hops I've found for December and January. If you know of any more please let me know so I can add them (and enter them). I will most likely be hosting a giveaway in some of these so be sure to check back.

One Stop Christmas Hop – November 29 to December 6

Holiday Gift Giveaway Hop December 1 to 5th
http://www.simplystacie.net/2010/09/holiday-gift-giveaway-hop-update-blog-list/

Book Lover’s Holiday Giveaway Hop – December 2 to 6

Gift Card Giveaway Hop – December 9 to 13

12 Days of Christmas Giveaway Hop – December 13 to 24

http://intoxicatedbybooks.blogspot.com/2011/10/12-days-of-christmas-blog-hop.html
Mid Winter’s Eve Blog Hop – December 21 to 27

Happy New Year 2012 Giveaway Hop – December 30 to January 3

Best of 2011 Giveaway Hop – December 27 to 31

Young Adult Faerie & Fantasy Giveaway Hop – January 6 to 12

Dreaming of Books Giveaway Hop – January 13 to 18

Young Adult Giveaway Hop – January 27 to 31

Black Friday Giveaway Bonanza

2011-11-25T07:50:00.000-08:00

I am giving away a $10 e-gift card to Amazon for those of you in the United States and for International entries I'm giving away a book of $10 or less value from the Book Depository (if they ship to your country). Please enter via raffle copter.

Ok everyone - for some reason raffle copter is being stupid and intermittently posting an older, closed giveaway. When I hit refresh it usually puts the right one in. In the event you wish to enter and raffle copter has the wrong giveaway (as in closed) please enter in the comments. I will be making a spreadsheet and will draw a winner that way. I don't want to just delete the rafflecopter because so many people already entered. I apologize in advance for the trouble. This is the first issue I've ever had with rafflecopter and don't know what else to do.

Tap Dance and massacres

2011-11-22T21:45:00.000-08:00

It’s been a little while since I posted, and I apologize for that. The last ten days I have been swamped with end of semester projects and research papers. I just finished a 4000 word paper for my Criminology Class. We had to choose a crime that happened in the last five years and analyze it with one or two criminal theories we studied this semester. I chose to analyze the Virginia Tech Massacre through Robert Agnew’s General Strain Theory and Travis Hirschi’s Social Bond Theory. My decision was influenced by my tap dance class.

I know, that’s weird – how could something like tap dancing make me think of a brutal massacre? We were working on a routine to “Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster the People. I downloaded the song so that I could practice at home, and as I listened to the song for the twentieth or so time, I started catching dark lyrics in the catchy tune …”All the other kids with the pumped up kicks better run, better run, outrun my gun…” Upon looking the lyrics up and then verifying it on the bands website, I discovered that the song is about a kid that goes on a shooting spree at his school, going after all the rich and popular kids (as represented by their “pumped up kicks” a.k.a. expensive sneakers).

I’ve always been fascinated by crime and the psyche of the criminal. When I was younger, I wanted to be a forensic profiler for the FBI. What makes killer’s minds tick? Why do they do the things they do? I clearly remember the Columbine Shootings as well as The Virginia Tech Massacre from the time when they happened and wondering what made these kids snap. What does it take for people so young to become so angry, so full of hate, that they decide to not only end their own lives, but those of classmates and teachers?

This could turn into a HUGE rant about bullies, parents not being involved enough in their kids’ lives, the media, and number of other reasons that have come forth over time, but I’d rather not get into all of that. It’s been said over and over in the past. In the case of Seung-Hui Cho (The Virginia Tech shooter) he was disturbed since childhood, diagnosed with social anxiety disorder, depression and selective mutism – a rare form of social anxiety where the individual is afraid to speak – afraid of hearing the sound of their own voice. Cho’s mutism was so bad he would not even speak to his parents or his teachers. Even in 8th grade Cho identified with the Columbine shooters. Despite years of counseling and medication, Cho snapped.

I’m sure it would be a frightening place to be, but I really want to get into the minds of these killers, and figure out what’s going on. I haven’t had anything above general psych and none of the theories I’ve studied in criminology really come close to explaining the motivations of these trouble young people. Agnew says that adolescents are under strain because they are not treated the way they want to be treated, and that these negative relationships cause anger. From the various articles I’ve read, including the official report by the Virginia Tech Massacre Review Panel, it appears that his family, counselors, teachers, and college roommates all tried to be social, to make friends, etc but Cho rejected their advances. Hirschi says that deviance occurs when there are no strong social bonds to family and institutions (ie. Schools). Again the people in Cho’s life made attempts to bond, but were rejected or treated with hostility and weirdness.

Hours of research and 4000 words later and I am still no closer to understanding the senseless violence that occurred on April 16, 2007.

Know Me Better (week 2)

2011-11-10T19:50:00.000-08:00

Know me better is a weekly event held by I Am A Reader Not A Writer

If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you want with you?

I would definitely bring enough food for a year – because I am not a huge meat eater, and the idea of eating island animals, fish or bugs just grosses me out. I’d definitely bring a ton of books because I love reading, and my boyfriend for company because the thought of being stranded on an island all alone is kind of creepy.

What is one book everyone should read?

That’s a tough one. I think the Harry Potter series is a really good one for all ages, because it’s an epic story and the characters have really good values and characteristics young ones can learn from (courage, the value of friendship, etc).

If you could have any superpower what would you choose?

I’d love to be able to fly. I know that’s not a very cool power when you look at Marvel characters that can phase through walls, have super strength, invisibility, control over the weather, etc – but the pure joy of flying through the air just seems like it would be amazing. Oh…teleportation might be kind of cool too since I had driving down the mountain.

Harry Potter or Twilight?

I’m probably about to get flogged by a bunch of Twilight fans…but I definitely think that Harry Potter is the better series. It’s written better, the character development is better…and when it comes to the movies – the acting and special effects are way better. I’m not a fan of Pattison or Stewart, and after seeing the first film I swore not to watch any more. I did enjoy the Twilight books, but the acting – Ugh!

Gum or Breath Mints?

I prefer mints… I really like those cherry flavored Certs. Do they even still make those things? Usually I carry a tin of ginger Altoids or Howard’s Violet Mints (I really love things with flower flavors).

Getting to know me (week 1)

2011-11-03T18:59:00.000-07:00

Getting to know you is a meme hosted by I Am A Reader Not A Writer every Thursday
What's your favorite season/weather?

My favorite season is fall. I love when there is a little crispness in the air and the leaves change color. I love everything associated with Fall – bonfires, warm apple cider, raking leaves. My favorite weather though, is from May to June when it’s warm enough for shorts and sleeveless tops, but not yet too hot.

PC or Mac?

I’m a PC girl. I haven’t used a Mac since elementary school, and wouldn’t know where to find anything on a new Mac.

When you were little, what did you want to be when you "grew up"?

I wanted to be several things when I was little including Rock star (which changed when I realized my fear of singing in front of other people), Teacher (which changed when I saw how awful my classmates treated our substitute when I was in 8th grade, and I realized I would be teaching their children), Lawyer (which I’m still considering)…The most inappropriate thing I wanted to be growing up was a dancer like Jennifer Beals character in Flashdance. I don’t know why my mom let us watch that as a kid, but at the time I didn’t realize that she was an exotic dancer.

Favorite music?

I love music in general. I’ll listen to almost anything. My favorite music of all time is probably new wave/80’s synth pop/80’s goth. I’m a huge fan of the Cure, Depeche Mode, Erasure, Peter Murphy, Psychedelic Furs, Morrissey, The Smiths and many more obscure bands. I also have loved Tori Amos since I first discovered her at age 14 or 15. I really related to her music as a teen, and I’m still a fan, though her music style has changed. I like oldies and swing music as well. I went through a phase at 19 where I went swing dancing all the time with my friends and to sock hops and bought all my clothes authentic 30’s and 40’s from a vintage store specializing in those eras. As far as modern music goes, I hate to admit that Lady Gaga and Ke$ha get stuck in my head. I love anything I can dance to. I love dancing, so if it has a beat I can move it to I love it. I also am a big fan of Joss Stone and Adele – love their smoky, jazzy voices. I like the Band Perry and the Zac Brown band. I like Irish music and anything that sounds southern bluesy.

Facebook or Twitter?

I mostly use Facebook. It’s a very bad habit (darn you Farmville!) and a way for me to keep in touch with my family and friends scattered across the country. I do use twitter though as well, but less often.

What TV show/movie/book do you watch/read that you'd be embarrassed to admit?

I like the Secret Circle on the CW… its way out of my age range, but I loved those books growing up, and so I watch it like a junkie. Movie wise I love some bad ones, lol, - Harold and Kumar, Clerks 2, Grandma’s Boy and Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion to name a few. As for books, I am not really embarrassed about what I read.

November Giveaways and Giveaway Hops

2011-11-01T22:18:00.000-07:00

There are tons of book giveaways going on in November, so I thought I'd post them all here like I did in October. If you have a giveaway you want me to add, or see a really good hop, let me know via email and I will add it to my post.

November 1st to 14th - Thanks for the Books Hop hosted by Livre de Amour.

November 8th to 11th - Giveaway Hop hosted by I am a Reader not a Writer.

November 14th to 25th - Nurture Your Books Giveaway hosted by Nurture Your Books

November 17th to 27th - Gratitude Giveaways hosted by I am a Reader not a Writer.

November 23rd to 30th - New Author Blog Hop hosted by Of Thoughts and Words

November 25th to 27th - Black Friday Bonanza hosted by Book Savvy Babe (I will be participating in this giveaway so check back on the 25th to enter).

October RAK Wrap Up

2011-11-01T21:54:00.000-07:00

October was a big month for RAK. I sent out quite a few books and got three in return.

For starters, here are the books I sent out:

to Katie at A Book Obsession, Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting

to Jennifer at The Book Nympho, Broken by Shiloh Walker

to Amanda at Hippies Beauty and Books Oh My, Shadowspell by Jenna Black

to Joli at Actin Up with Books, First Girls of Baxter Academy by Pamela J. Roskin

to Amanda at The Musings of ALMYBNENR , Somber Island by T. Lynne Tolles

to Zoey at Zoey's Uncreatively Titled Blog, Shattered by Sophia Sharp.

All of the books that I received in October were kindle versions:

from Amanda at The Musings of ALMYBNENR I received Bloodthirsy by Flynn Meaney

from Joli at Actin Up with Books, I recieved the Witches of Santa Anna by Lauren Barnholdt
also from Joli at Actin Up with Books, Lucky by Alice Sebold

from Dani at Refracted Light Reviews, I received Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep.

Thanks everyone for the RAKs.

If you would like to take place in RAK during November sign up at Book Soulmates.

Review of Shattered by Sophia Sharp

2011-11-01T21:22:00.000-07:00

Shattered by Sophia Sharp

Goodreads says:
Laura Cubus was perfectly content with her life. A junior in high school, she felt perfectly normal. She had good friends, a great family, and did well in school. Nothing particularly exciting ever happened where she lived, and everything was stable.

But that all drastically changes when a new student arrives at Laura's school. Wild rumours swirl about his past, and Laura becomes determined to find out the truth.

As she gets to know the mysterious student, he shares with her an ancient secret... one that may yet put both of them in grave danger.

And for the first time in her life, Laura is exposed to a completely unfamiliar world. She is swept away on an exhilarating journey that takes to a place where romance and great destiny may yet await... and where supernatural powers run rampant.

Shattered is a teen romance / paranormal romance, and is the first book of the Dream Realms Trilogy.

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I had been wanting to read this book because of the gorgeous cover (though, it is somewhat similar to the covers of the Fallen series by Lauren Kate). The kindle book is 99 cents which seemed like a steal, but I gues you get what you pay for in this case.

For starters, the amount of grammar and spelling mistakes is ridiculous. That's one of my biggest pet peeves in books. Authors, please take the time to have your work proofread. The amount of errors almost killed me.

This book also reads like a story for younger children. Laura has no depth to her and it's hard to relate to her or Logan. Additionally, their relationship isn't built upon, and when she leaves everything she knows to be with Logan, you're kind of left feeling weird about it.

There are also inconsistancies in the story, which I won't spell out here because I dislike giving spoilers. The story has the potential to be really good...but at this point, it's not. I will read the next book in the series to see if the storyline/characters improve. I'm not giving up on the series yet.

Spooktackular Giveaway Blog Hop Winner

2011-11-01T20:50:00.000-07:00

The winner of a book of her choice for $15 or less from Amazon or the Book Depository is entrant #180

Traci Hicks. Traci has 48 hours to respond to my email notification before an alternate is drawn.

Congratulations Traci!

Reading Goal Met & Questions for my Readers

2011-10-25T13:01:00.000-07:00

For the first time in the last few years I have met my goal of reading 100 books during the year (surpassed it already, actually). I'm incredibly proud of this, and I'm debating whether or not to increase my goal (and possibly not make it). I have the kindle app to thank for the last few books, because thanks to the app, I can now have access to books no matter where I'm at.

I guess that I have to get more used to the kindle app, because we recently recieved that bad news that our Barnes and Nobles is closing. There are rumors of bankruptcy and rumors of the mall owners trying to increase the rent beyond what is fair. Regardless, it saddens me that I won't have a local book store (I live in a small town) to go to for books. I like the convenience of the kindle, but I would still much rather turn a page, hold a book, and be able to trade that book in at Bookmans for another book when I'm done with it.

I'm most proud that I made my goal, despite all the harships I've faced recently (which also explains why I haven't been posting as often as I mean to). My school messed up on my financial aid, so I had to take 12 credit hours (when I normally take 6 to 9) during the same time that the clinic I work at was switching to EMR. On top of that I had surgery in September, and then my Grandma Betty died at age 91 this month. Anyway, I don't want to come across as whining - but despite all the challenges life has thrown at me, I still managed to surpass my goal, and I'm happy about that.

So, since I'd like to take off with my blog, make new friends, and post more often, I'd like to ask anyone reading this, what would you like to see more of? What are your reading goals for the year, and how far along are you? Some of you have goals up in the 200 and 300 range - how do you make those goals? It's amazing to me that people can get that many books read in a year. I'm thinking of doing a follower giveaway, but what number should I put it at? I want real followers that will stay, not just people that follow for giveaway purposes and then delete me....so what will keep your interest?

Spooktackular Giveway Blog Hop Oct 24th - 31st

2011-10-24T08:54:00.000-07:00

It's Giveaway Hop Time Again! I am giving away a book of your choice for $15 or less from Amazon (if you're in the United States) or The Book Depository (if you are international). This giveaway is open internationally as long as the Book Depository ships to your country. If you are not sure, please check their website to see.

I am using Rafflecoptor for this giveaway so please make sure to use it for all entries, and be patient if you don't see it right away (I've noticed on other blogs it sometimes takes an extra minute to load). You must have Java for Rafflecoptor to work. If it still won't load, go ahead and enter in the comments section but be sure to leave a name and email so I can manually enter you into Rafflecoptor.

The only mandatory is your name and email address. Following my blog is optional (an extra entry) - but I'd prefer if you're going to follow that you stick around after the giveaway (which is why I made the only mandatory entry name and email address). You can also follow on twitter, tweat, comment on another blog post, and suggest a book for me to read for extra entries.

Check out the other giveaways:

Wicked (Celestra #4) by Addison Moore

2011-10-06T12:39:00.000-07:00

Wicked by Addison Moore $2.99 for Kindle only (Click photo for link to purchase).

GOOD READS SYNOPSIS: Seventeen year-old, Skyla Messenger is wishing people would just stay dead.

With Chloe back, Skyla finds it difficult to live under her tyranny and threats.

A seemingly innocent misstep in Skyla’s past comes back to haunt her and could end up costing her relationship with Gage.

MY THOUGHTS:

The fourth installment in the Celestra series ends with a cliffhanger, and the 5th book isn't out yet. This book continues in the vein of the first three books - the love triangle (or should I call it a square) between Skyla, Gage, Logan and Dudley, Skyla continues to be accused of acts she doesn't commit. The only thing different is that Chloe is back in the picture. I really like the series and Addison's writing style, but I hope she brings something big in the next book. The status quo is getting old. Bring on the faction war!

*** 3 Stars out of 5

On My Wishlist

2011-10-05T21:35:00.000-07:00

Duwop has these adorable eyeshadows commemorating Pirates of the Caribbean. They come in sea shell compacts. I really want greedy - the purple and green are both colors I'd wear a lot. $25.00

Zales sells this pink topaz and diamond ring for $179. I really want a heart ring with a pink stone. It doesn't matter to me if it's pink sapphire, pink topaz or pink tourmaline. It doesn't have to be this expensive either, just showing this one as an example.

Made by Sam at Etsy makes customizable necklaces that would make perfect gifts for your bridesmaids or just someone special in your life. I love this starfish necklace $42.98 because it reminds me of home.

Scrabble is my favorite game, and Amazon has it in Pink. How cool is that? $33.65 They also have pink versions of Life, Monopoly, and Uno.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (10/3/2011)

2011-10-03T13:07:00.000-07:00

Finished this week:
All four books in the Celestra series (so far) by Addison Moore including Ethereal, Tremble, Burn and Wicked.

Currently Reading:
Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves
Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris

Up Next:
Torment by Lauren Kate
Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

12 credit hours plus 50-60 hour work weeks is really cutting into my reading time this last month, but our EMR is finally in and we've been trained so my weeks should go back down to 40 hours. October should be a better month for reading.

In My Mailbox (10/2/11)

2011-10-02T13:06:00.000-07:00

Purchased from Amazon:
Red Hair, Red Hair Too and Red Hair Three by Charlotte St. John
The Fallen Star (Kindle book) by Jessica Sorenson and Ray Villegas
Deep Blue Secret (Kindle book) by Christie Anderson

Ethereal (Celestra #1) by Addison Moore

2011-10-02T12:39:00.000-07:00

Ethereal by Addison Moore $0.99 only for Kindle

GOODREADS SYNOPSIS: Skyla Messenger is a dead girl walking.

When her newly remarried mother moves the family to Paragon Island, to a house that is rumored to be haunted, Skyla finds refuge in Logan Oliver, a boy who shares her unique ability to read minds.

Skyla discovers Logan holds the answers to the questions she’s been looking for, but Logan’s reluctance to give her the knowledge she desires leaves her believing Logan has a few secrets of his own.

Skyla’s bloodlines may just be connected to the most powerful angelic beings that roam the earth, and the more she knows, the more danger she seems to be in.

Suddenly an entire faction of earthbound angels wants her dead, at least she still has Logan, or does she?
MY THOUGHTS: I was thrilled to discover that this was an actual full length book, and not just a short story, like my past, disappointing encounters with $0.99 Kindle books. When I started in on Ethereal I was hooked. The prose in the preface drew me in and kept me wanting more:

"Falling in love is a lot like death. It chooses you. It decides the moment and the chain of events that will preclude the precise intersection of life in which it occurs...Love. My world blooms with its beautiful never-ending ache...It is that time in my life-a time for love and a time for death. Fate had intertwined the two, bereaved of any mercy. It is the architecture of my being..."

That being said, I could relate to Skyla's situation, her father died, her mom remarried and moving them far from everything they know. Rather than hating her new living situation Skyla falls in love with the spooky island of Paragon and it's inhabitatants, especially cousins Gage and Logan. Logan sounds great, but I'm rooting for Gage. Skyla finds out that she is one of the Nephilim, a class called Celestra. Gage and Logan are also Nephilim - Logan is a Celestra like her, and Gage is a Lovatio, who tells Skyla he has seen the future and they are married. As Skyla finds out more about herself and the different faction of angels (nephilim) including the Counts who want Celestra dead. Sklya tries to figure out who her enemies are. The book ended with me wanting more and I immediately bought books 2 and 3. This has quickly turned into my new favorite YA series.

**** Four out of five stars.

Holiday Lush

2011-10-01T22:20:00.000-07:00

Sorry to be posting so much tonight, but I just stopped by the Lush website to see if the Halloween items are out yet since I'll be going there next week, and to my surprise and pleasure the Christmas items are out. I'm majorly geeking out about that. Here is a sampling of some of my favorites (or what I think will be a favorite):

MAGIC WAND:
"Where do we start with the Magic Wand? There are just so many things to love about it. Let's start with the looks, a sweet pink star atop a wand with ribbons and bell. The beloved cotton candy fragrance is borrowed from our seasonal best-seller Snow Fairy. Then, there is the pure genius of being able to use it over and over for many baths. With Helen's invention of the amazing multi-use Bubble Bar mixture, this one can be swirled around in the tub to make mass amounts of bubbles, then put aside to dry for the next bath. Magic! For lovers of all things Snow Fairy! Each Magic Wand creates multiple candy-scented bubble baths. It may not come with whistles, but it certainly comes with bells and ribbons! " (From the Lush site)

ABOMINABALL "Seeing as The Boog Bath Bomb isn't returning this year, we just had to have another snowman bomb one way or another. Abombinaball it is then! He rattles when you shake him. “What's inside?”, we hear you cry - you'll have to drop him in the tub to find out! We will tell you he's got a stunning vanilla, peppermint and sweet orange oil fragrance, and a bit of a froth in his fizz, making him bob gently around in the tub to comfort and delight you on a cold winter night."

ROCKETEER:
"For an out-of-this-world bathing expedition, pop a Rocketeer Bath Bomb in the tub. The blue rocket pack shoots around your tub, leaving a wake of froth, fizz and the sweet scent of candy sticks. Watch the water change from blue to yellow to green as the yellow “flames” push the rocket around the tub. We made this one to entice our little ones into the tub for an exciting adventure, but it turns out (as usual) we like using it ourselves too!"

STARDUST GIFT:
"Sprinkle a touch of Stardust over someone's Christmas by presenting them with this fetching parcel of seven limited edition, sugary bath and shower products. This gift is extra special this year as it includes one of our most exciting new inventions, the Magic Wand re-usable Bubble Bar, which shares the cotton-candy scent of Snow Fairy Shower Gel and (as the name suggests), can be used again and again. If you happen to be a fan of all things fruity and sweet, you may want to buy this box for yourself! For those who love all things pink, sparkly and sweet. "

CHRISTMAS STAR GIFT: "Six bathing beauties are to be found inside this gorgeous, re-usable gold box. Christmas Star is a gift we've had for many Christmases here at LUSH, but it's always so popular that we keep bringing it back! This year's incarnation contains three of our returning Christmas favourites, and three of our newest inventions. It's sure to brighten up the holidays for the shining star on your gift list."

Old Favorites like Snowcake and Snowfairy are back this year too!

Saturday Snapshot (10/1/11)

2011-10-01T19:35:00.000-07:00

This is my cousin, Valerie's, cat Lola. She is modeling a sombrero that I bought on a 2008 cross country trip out west with my parents and my neice, Nikki. I got this and a pink sombrero in New Mexico. As you can tell, Lola isn't exactly pleased about wearing it.

October Book Giveaways

2011-10-01T19:26:00.000-07:00

The Month of October (my favorite month!) has an abundance of book giveaways. I am hosting one on my blog (see sidebar for info) but I thought I would share all of these other book giveaway hops (meaning there's a whole slew of bloggers giving away books for each of these events) with all of you that get as excited about book giveaways as I do.

October 1st to 31st
http://www.totalbookaholic.com/2011/09/haunted-halloween-2011-updated-posts.html

October 7th to 10th
http://www.fangswandsandfairydust.com/

October 8th to 14th

http://readingromances.wordpress.com/

October 13th to 15th
http://tristipinkston.blogspot.com/

October 15th to 19th
http://leeswammes.wordpress.com/

October 15th to 31st
http://booktwirps.com/new-release-giveaway-hop/october-new-release-giveaway/

October 22nd to 29th
http://smallblogsbiggiveaways.blogspot.com/p/host-next-edition_05.html

October 24th to 31st
http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/p/giveaway-hop_17.html

October 26th to 31st

http://abookloversdream.com/category/giveaways/

October 28th to 31st

http://paranormalwastelands.blogspot.com/2011/08/zompacolypse-2011-halloween-hop.html

If you know of another big book giveaway going on in October let me know and I'll add it here.

Top 100 Most Popular YA Books

2011-10-01T18:29:00.000-07:00

I borrowed this from Pages Turned Lessons Learned. The books I've read are in pink and the books I have on my shelf waiting to be read are blue.

1. Alex Finn – Beastly
2. Alice Sebold – The Lovely Bones
3. Ally Carter – Callagher Girls
4. Ally Condie – Matched
5. Alyson Noel – The Immortals (1-4)
6. Anastasia Hopcus – Shadow Hills
7. Angie Sage – Septimus Heap
8. Ann Brashares – The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
9. Anna Godbersen – Luxe
10. Anthony Horowitz – Alex Rider
11. Aprilynne Pike – Wings (1)
12. Becca Fitzpatrick – Hush, Hush (1)
13. Brandon Mull – Fablehaven
14. Brian Selznick – The Invention of Hugo Cabret
15. Cassandra Clare – The Mortal Instruments (1-3)
16. Carrie Jones – Need (1, 2, 3)
17. Carrie Ryan – The Forest of Hands and Teeth
18. Christopher Paolini – Inheritance (1)
19. Cinda Williams Chima – The Heir Chronicles
20. Colleen Houck – Tigers Saga
21. Cornelia Funke – Inkheart (1 & 2)
22. Ellen Hopkins – Impulse
23. Eoin Colfer – Artemis Fowl
24. Faraaz Kazi – Truly, Madly, Deeply
25. Frank Beddor – The Looking Glass Wars
26. Gabrielle Zevin – Elsewhere
27. Gail Carson Levine – Fairest
28. Holly Black – Tithe (1-3)
29. J.K. Rowling – Harry Potter (1-7)
30. James Dashner – The Maze Runner
31. James Patterson – Maximum Ride (1-5)
32. Jay Asher – Thirteen Reasons Why
33. Jeanne DuPrau – Books of Ember
34. Jeff Kinney – Diary of a Wimpy Kid
35. John Boyne – The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
36. John Green – An Abundance of Katherines
37. John Green – Looking for Alaska
38. John Green – Paper Towns
39. Jonathan Stroud – Bartimaeus
40. Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl – Caster Chronicles (1-2)
41. Kelley Armstrong – Darkest Powers (1-3)
42. Kristin Cashore – The Seven Kingdoms
43. Lauren Kate – Fallen (1)
44. Lemony Snicket – Series of Unfortunate Events (1-13)
45. Libba Bray – Gemma Doyle
46. Lisa McMann – Dream Catcher (1-2)
47. Louise Rennison – Confessions of Georgia Nicolson (1-3)
48. M.T. Anderson – Feed
49. Maggie Stiefvater – The Wolves of Mercy Falls (1)
50. Margaret Peterson Haddix – Shadow Children
51. Maria V. Snyder – Study
52. Markus Zusak – The Book Thief
53. Markus Zusak – I am the Messenger
54. Mark Haddon – The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
55. Mary Ting – Crossroads
56. Maureen Johnson – Little Blue Envelope
57. Meg Cabot – All-American Girl
58. Meg Cabot – The Mediator
59. Meg Cabot – The Princess Diaries
60. Meg Rosoff – How I live now
61. Megan McCafferty – Jessica Darling
62. Megan Whalen Turner – The Queen’s Thief
63. Melina Marchetta – On the Jellicoe Road
64. Melissa de la Cruz – Blue Bloods
65. Melissa Marr – Wicked Lovely (1-4)
66. Michael Grant – Gone
67. Nancy Farmer – The House of the Scorpion
68. Neal Shusterman – Unwind
69. Neil Gaiman – Coraline
70. Neil Gaiman – Stardust
71. Neil Gaiman – The Graveyard Book
72. P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast – House of Night (1-6)
73. Philip Pullman – His Dark Materials (1)
74. Rachel Caine – The Morganville Vampires (all so far)
75. Rachel Cohn & David Levithan – Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist
76. Richelle Mead – Vampire Academy (1)
77. Rick Riordan – Percy Jackson and the Olympians
78. Rom LcO’Feer – Somewhere carnal over 40 winks
79. S.L. Naeole – Grace
80. Sabrina Bryan & Julia DeVillers – Princess of Gossip
81. Sarah Dessen – Along for the Ride
82. Sarah Dessen – Lock and Key
83. Sarah Dessen – The Truth about Forever
84. Sara Shepard – Pretty Little Liars
85. Scott Westerfeld – Leviathan
86. Scott Westerfeld – Uglies
87. Shannon Hale – Books of a Thousand Days
88. Shannon Hale – Princess Academy
89. Shannon Hale – The Books of Bayern
90. Sherman Alexie & Ellen Forney – The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
91. Simone Elkeles – Perfect Chemistry
92. Stephanie Meyer – The Host
93. Stephanie Meyer – Twilight Saga (1-4)
94. Sue Monk Kidd – The Secret Life of Bees
95. Susan Beth Pfeffer – Last Survivors
96. Suzanne Collins – Hunger Games
97. Suzanne Collins – Underland Chronicles
98. Terry Pratchett – Tiffany Aching
99. Tonya Hurley – Ghost Girl
100. Wendelin Van Draanen – Flipped

I have read 34 if you count the pink lines (which include a whole series as one book) and if you count all the books in the series I have read 91.

How many have you read?

October RAK

2011-10-01T17:53:00.000-07:00

It's RAK sign up time again. Unfortunately with my surgery last month, time slipped away from me and I didn't send out any books (or get any) so I will be skipping the September wrap-up post.

Here is a recap of the RAK rules:

1. Sign up at Book Soulmates if you would like to participate - which means SENDING books as well as receiving.
2. Show your participation by putting the button on your blog (found at booksoulmates)
3. Make a wishlist of books that you want and keep it updated as you recieve books.
4. If you send out a RAK, email the person for their address.
5. If you receive an RAK send and email to rakbybooksoulmates @ gmail . com letting them know.
6. At the end of the month post what you've sent and received.

Happy RAK for October!

My main wishlist can be found here and includes bargain books and cheap kindle books as well as other books I'm interested in, and I'm open to new or used hardback or paperbook.

Book Log 2011 - January to August

2011-09-27T20:41:00.000-07:00

January

1. "Radiant Shadows" by Melissa Marr 340 pages
2. "Wintergirls" by Laurie Halse Anderson 278 pages
3. "Tempted" by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast 319 pages
4. "Vampire Academy" by Richelle Mead 332
5. "Once Dead Twice Shy" by Kim Harrison 232 pages
6. "Grave Secret" by Charlaine Harris 306 pages
7. "Dead in the Family" by Charlaine Harris 311 pages
8. "Dreamfever" by Karen Marie Moning 388 pages
9. "Fear Nothing" by Dean Koontz 391 pages
10. "Paranormalcy" by Kiersten White 335 pages
11. "Dark Song" by Gail Giles 292 pages
12. "A Bone to Pick" by Charlaine Harris 222 pages LP

February
13. "The Hunter's Moon" by O.R. Melling 283 pages
14. "The Night Bookmobile" by Audrey Niffenegger 40 pages
15. "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls 288 pages
16. "The Reckoning" by Kelley Armstrong 391 pages
17. "The Final Warning" by James Patterson 256 pages

March
18. "The Haunted" by Jessica Verday 467 pages
19. "Real Murders" by Charlaine Harris 230 pages LP
20. "The Dark Divine" by Bree Despain 372 pages
21. "Beautiful Darkness" by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl 503 pages
22. "Spider Bones" by Kathy Reichs 302 pages

April
23. "Somewhere Inside" by Laura Ling and Lisa Ling 470 pages LP
24. "Sisters Red" by Jackson Pearce 324 pages
25. "Glass Houses" by Rachel Caine 256 pages
26. "Dead Girls Dance" by Rachel Caine 256 pages

May
27. "Shadowfever" by Karen Marie Moning 608 pages
28. "I'm Looking Through You: Growing Up Haunted" by Jennifer Finney Boylan 267 pages
29. "Seize the Night" by Dean Koontz 443 pages
30. "The Eyes of Darkness" by Dean Koontz, 384 pages
31. "Grave Sight" by Charlaine Harris 293 pages
32. "Dare to Surrender" by Lilli Fiesty 342 pages
33. "An Ice Cold Grave" by Charlaine Harris 280 pages
34. "The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening" by L.J. Smith 272 pages
35. "The Vampire Diaries: The Struggle" by L.J. smith 256 pages
36. "The Vampire Diaries: The Fury" by L.J. Smith 309 pages
37. "The Vampire Diaries: Dark Reunion" by L.J. Smith 312 pages
38. "Dark Visions: The Strange Powers" by L.J. Smith 230 pages
39. "Dark Visions: The Possessed" by L.J. Smith 224 pages
40. "Dark Visions: The Passion" by L.J. Smith 224 pages
41. "Daughters of the Moon: Goddess of the Night" by Lynne Ewing 294 pages
42. "The 8th Confession" by James Patterson 342 pages

June
43. "Just Kids" by Patti Smith 320 pages
44. "City of Bones" by Cassandra Clare 485 pages
45. "City of Ashes" by Cassandra Clare 496 pages
46. "Midnight Alley" by Rachel Caine 256 pages
47. "Feast of Fools" by Rachel Caine 242 pages
48. "Smashed: Story of a Drunken Girlhood" by Koren Zailckas 342 pages
49. "Lord of Misrule" by Rachel Caine 244 pages
50. "Carpe Corpus" by Rachel Caine 241 pages
51. "Fade Out" by Rachel Caine 237 pages
52. "Kiss of Death" by Rachel Caine 241 pages
53. "Prom Nights From Hell" by Meg Cabot, Kim Harrison, Michele Jaffe, Stephenie Meyer, Lauren Myracle 184 pages
54. "The Frenzy" by Francesca Lia Block 122 pages
55. "Secret Circle: The Initiation" by L.J. Smith 320 pages

July
56. "Hot Six" by Janet Evanovich 350 pages
57. "Nightshade" by Andrea Cremer 289 pages
58. "Vacations from Hell" by Libba Bray 156 pages
59. "Nightfall" by L.J. Smith 359 pages
60. "Fallen" by Lauren Kate 452 pages
61. "Plum Lovin" by Janet Evanovich 164 pages (AUDIO)
62. "Ghost Town" by Rachel Caine 353 pages
63. "My Horizontal Life" by Chelsea Handler 214 pages
64. "Hush, Hush" by Becca Fitzpatrick 391 pages
65. "Early to Death, Early to Rise" by Kim Harrison 247 pages

August
66. "Angelfire" by Courtney Allison Moulton 297 pages
67. "Plum Lucky" by Janet Evanovich 166 pages (AUDIO)
68. "Captivate" by Carrie Jones 273 pages (AUDIO)
69. "Plum Spooky" by Janet Evanovich 345 pages (AUDIO)
70. "The Secret Circle: The Captive" by L.J. Smith 320 pages
71. "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" by Mitch Albom 196 pages (AUDIO)
72. "The Secret Circle: the Power" by L.J. Smith 310 pages
73. "Entice" by Carrie Jones 264 pages (AUDIO)
74. "Cloaked" by Alex Flinn 341 pages (AUDIO)
75. "Finger Lickin' Fifteen" by Janet Evanovich 308 pages
76. "Twelve Sharp" by Janet Evanovich 320 pages (AUDIO)
77. "Jez and Morgead's Night Out" by L.J. Smith 59 pages
78. "Bonnie and Damon - After Hours" by L.J. Smith 32 pages
79. "City of Ashes - Kissed" by Cassandra Clare 5 pages
80. "City of Ashes - Because it is Bitter" by Cassandra Clare 5 pages
81. "City of Ashes - Deleted Scene" by Cassandra Clare 3 pages
82. "City of Glass - Deleted First Chapter" by Cassandra Clare 20 pages
83. "Lean Mean Thirteen" by Janet Evanovich 310 pages (AUDIO)
84. "Delerium" by Lauren Oliver 441 pages
85. "Bite Club" by Rachel Caine 340 pages
86. "Beastly" by Alex Flinn 304 pages
87 "Dream Dark" by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl 76 pages
88. "First Frost" by Jennifer Estep Kindle ebook
89. "Nevermore" by Kelly Creagh 543 pages
90. "Visions of Sugar Plums" by Janet Evanovich 240 pages
91. "Goddess Boot Camp" by Tera Lynn Childs 224 pages

Books I'm Most Anticipating the Release Of

2011-09-27T20:27:00.000-07:00

Enshadowed by Kelly Creagh - the follow up to Nevemore set to come out maybe next August. I recently read Nevermore and I absolutely loved it.

Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl the wrap up to the Caster series. Already Pre-ordered it - ships out October 18th. I can't wait for the conclusion.

Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick - the next installment in the Hush Hush series due out October 4th.

Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer, the next in the Nightshade series due out Januaury 24th.

Last Breath by Rachel Caine the next installment in the Morganville Vampire series, which I've also pre-ordered ready to ship out November 1st.

What are some of the books everyone else is waiting on?

Back to the Books Giveaway - WINNER!

2011-09-09T20:16:00.000-07:00

The winner of my giveaway is entrant 41 Bekka Follow @engelsigh on Twitter

Option: Follow @engelsigh on Twitter

Extra Info: PrttyDdlyRvwsTime: Fri Sep 2 00:00:00 MST 2011.

I have emailed her, and she has 48 hours to accept her prize before a back up winner is chosen!

Thank you to everyone that entered!

Metaphysics in YA Fiction by Guest Blogger Rhiannon Paille

2011-09-09T19:58:00.000-07:00

Metaphysics in YA Fiction

We all read books with metaphysical, supernatural or paranormal elements these days. It’s really hard not to unless you’re a contemporary or dystopian exclusive fan. Most stories have some element to the characters that falls under the umbrella of metaphysics.

And I think that’s really cool, except when it goes too far.

There’s a big difference between making the metaphysics believable, and making them satirical and making them unbearable.

I’ve read books in all three of those categories and as a Metaphysical Therapist, I have to tell you, most of the YA Authors out there are doing an awesome job. Most notable is one of my favorites, Cassie Clare.

The reason I loved The Mortal Instruments so much is because I treated it more like contemporary fiction than urban fantasy or paranormal romance. Reason being? I know people who can teleport stuff from grocery stores too. (Magnus Bane and the coffee) While there are no blue sparks when they do it, I have been happy to benefit from the few small things that have appeared out of nowhere. (And this is about the most I can tell you about the top secret world of me, sorry!)

Other authors have gone part of the way, halfway or all the way and I love them for it. Only a few have gone to cheesy places or completely inaccurate places and I still love them too.

I think what everyone has failed to realize is that LOTS of teenagers and young adults are actually experimenting with their own psychic abilities, or metaphysical nature. Some of them are waking up to past life memories where they were an elven or a therianthrope (shapeshifter) or a faery or mermaid or some other creature. Others are learning how to see auras, sense energies, and use their natural healing abilities. Other still are on forums talking about their empathic nature, or their clairvoyance, or astral projection capabilities.

I’m definitely not the only one out there reading YA and thinking that these books are more like reality than they’re intended to be.

And that’s why I put a contemporary spin on my metaphysics. You heard me, CONTEMPORARY SPIN. Contemporary books don’t have metaphysical elements right?

Well that’s where I’m going with this.

In The Ferryman and The Flame I combined metaphysics, the supernatural, the paranormal, and even some magic. I went with what I know, so for the most part my characters have abilities they can’t control. When I was a teen I had abilities I couldn’t control. My characters are lucky to have mentors where I didn’t, and they’re lucky to have natural abilities. They’re also lucky to live on a hidden mystical island that has magic of its own.

I stayed away from the impossible as much as possible, and I made the characters struggle with their abilities. I made sure that they didn’t just get cool abilities, but that they gained wisdom from having those abilities. I also made sure that the story could still exist WITHOUT the metaphysical, paranormal or supernatural elements.

You’re right, I could have wrote this as a contemporary story and stripped it of everything that made it enchanting, alluring, intriguing, and mystical. You think it would have nothing if I did that, but it would still have passion, drama, and tragedy. I’ve always thought of the metaphysics as an additive, not as the main focus of the story.

And I hope you like what I did with it, because while it’s normal to go over the top with the metaphysics in fiction, it’s not normal for me to go there. I like to keep it real with the metaphysics, the supernatural, the paranormal and the magic. I like to write about things that can actually happen in reality . . .

It makes the thought of me writing an urban fantasy kind of scary because readers would never know which scenes came from real life experiences of mine, or just from my creative mind.

Then again, who says The Ferryman and The Flame isn’t a true story?

Author Bio: Rhi was never a normal girl. She tried, but she couldn’t get rid of the visions, the voices in her head, and the hallucinations. When she was on the edge of crazy someone pulled her back and explained it all. She wasn’t insane. She was psychic, really psychic, too psychic. Her life was an urban fantasy wrapped in a paranormal romance and served with a side of horror. To escape her everyday weirdness she began writing fantasy. She frequents twitter and facebook, but if you really want to get to know her you should visit her site: http://www.rhiannonpaille.com/

Her book FLAME OF SURRENDER (The Ferryman and The Flame #1) Comes out November 1st, 2011. Check it out here: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11841693-flame-of-surrender

Author Contact Info:
Rhiannon Paille

http://www.rhiannonpaille.com/
http://rhiannonpaille.blogspot.com/
www.liveperson.com/rhiannon-paille
Twitter: @RhiannonPaille
Facebook: Rhiannon Paille
*Rhiannon is my pen name*

August RAK Wrap Up

2011-09-01T20:30:00.000-07:00

I once again participated in Random Acts of Kindness hosted by Book Soulmates. If you love giving and receiving surprise books, sign-ups are taking place now.

I went a little crazy in August...I'll start with the books that I sent out:

1. to Vanessa at Book Soulmates. (Mailed this the 31st so she probably doesn't have it yet).

2. to Cat the Librarian

3. to Crystal at Elegantly Bound Books

4. to Andra at Unabridged Andra

5. to Grace at Words like Silver

This month I received:

from Ashley at Into the Hall of Books as a return RAK for the book I sent her last month. Thanks again Ashley!

Happy RAKing in September everyone!

Back to the Books Giveaway

2011-08-31T22:33:00.000-07:00

I am taking part in the Back to the Books Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am A Reader Not A Writer and Buried in Books. There are 305 blogs giving away books or book related items. Please be sure to check out some of the other hosts when you are done entering my giveaway.

The winner of my giveaway will receive a book of their choice from either Amazon or The Book Depository valued at $15 or less. This giveaway is open to residents of the US and any country where the Book Depository ships. Please check their website before entering to make sure they ship to your country. Entrants must be 13 or older to enter.

There are 6 ways to enter:

1. Follow me on google friend connect

2. Follow me on twitter

3. Tweet about the giveaway

4. Let me know what book you would choose if you win (you can change this later)

5. Suggest a book for me to read

6. Comment on any of my other blog posts and come back here and let me know which post you commented on.

You must leave me some way to contact you should you be chosen as a winner. You can leave your email in a format similar to rasberryswrlgirl(at)hotmail(dot)com if you are worried about spammers. Twitter name will also be acceptable.

I do check all entries. My contest runs from September 1, 2011 to September 7, 2011 at Midnight. Winner will be chosen via random number generator and notified via email or twitter. Winner will have 48 hours respond before a backup winner is chosen.

Don't forget to check out the giveaways on the other blogs:

Free Fragrance Oil Duo with Purchase & Candle Raffle

2011-08-11T20:19:00.000-07:00

I am an independent demonstrator for Gold Canyon Candles. I started selling because my demonstrator stopped selling and I love them and some of my other coworkers do too. Gold Canyon isn't just candles; we also carry body & spa products, scent pods (like a tart warmer but way better - less mess), oils & the scentmate (similar in theory to the scentbugs at Bath and Body Works), natural cleaning products and more. They even have a line of soy candles. Gold Canyon is the original 2 wick candle.

I love Gold Canyon Candles because they actually smell good when you burn them. The scent fills the whole house. Better yet, the candles burn evenly!

The summer product line is only available until the end of this month. Here are some of the best of the summer line:

Pod warmers with magna charms that you can mix and match. Pod warmers plug in (no need for a tealight) and can be set on a timer. There is none of the muss and fuss of traditional tarts as you simply set the pod on the warmer, and take off the lid. When you want to change scents, just take that pod off and put a new one on. There is none of the freezing and scraping and wax mess you would find in a traditional tart warmer.The Support our Troops Candle in Warm Welcome Scent. Every catalog Gold Canyon Candle's chooses a cause and a candle to support that cause. A portion of the sales from this candle goes towards Operation Homefront, an organization taht provides assistance to our service members and wounded warriors.

More of the summer pod warmers, you can personalize these cubes with your own photos.

Scent pods in fun summer colors.

Fragrance oils for use with scent mate, oil warmers, and Scentmate

My favorite of the summer! These colorful candles come in 3 layered scents with a cute starfish charm.

Scentmate and Scent It! Rock Garden

Please visit my website www.mygc.com/JenniferGolub for more information on these products or to place an order. Currently all orders over $65 get a free scent duo of their choice (2 full size bottles of fragrance oil).

Now for the raffle: All orders placed on my website between now and August 31st will be entered into a drawing for a free 16 oz Heritage Candle in the scent of their choice (this will be from the holiday scents!!! coming soon). Winner will be chosen via random number generator and announced here September 1st.

Thank you for taking the time to look and please let me know if I can ever help you with your home fragrance needs.

My Wishlist - Boot addition

2011-08-09T22:11:00.000-07:00

In no particular order, these are the boots on my wishlist:

1. Shining Star Boots by Lucchese $319 Rods Western Wear

                                                      2. Ugg Sundance II in chestnut $250 Zappos

3. Destiny Boots by Corral $249 Rods Western Wear

4. Gabriella Rocha Getts $84 Zappos

Cover Reveal - FLAME OF SURRENDER

2011-08-09T17:55:00.000-07:00

ABOUT THE BOOK:

FLAME OF SURRENDER (The Ferryman and The Flame #1) by Rhiannon Paille

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.

Good Reads Link Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11841693-flame-of-surrender

Look for my review sometime in the next week

The Power by L.J. Smith

2011-08-08T19:40:00.001-07:00

The Power by L.J. Smith

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Power is the final book in The Secret Circle series by L.J. Smith. With the support of the coven Cassie stands against enemies old and new. Black John seems to be one step ahead at all times. Is there a traitor in the coven? Portia and her brothers return in this stunning conclusion to hunt the members of the coven. Despite all of her struggles, Cassie becomes a stronger witch and in the end, defeats evil.

I love L.J. Smith's books now as much as I did in my preteens. They are fun, exciting, quick reads, and a nice way to wind down after a long day. The characters are likeable and we can all find something of ourselves in each of them.

View all my reviews

The Captive by L.J. Smith

2011-08-08T19:30:00.000-07:00

The Captive by L.J. Smith

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Captive is the second book in The Secret Circle series by L.J. Smith. Cassie briefly met Adam in The Initiation and felt and instant connection. Then Cassie moved to New Salem and discovered that she is a witch. At her initiation ceremony into the coven Adam arrives back on the scene and Cassie discovers that Adam belongs to her best friend, Diana. Diana's dark cousin, Faye, discovers the connection between Cassie and Adam and uses it against Cassie, blackmailing her to do things for her, including voting for her as coven leader over Diana. In the end will Cassie do the right thing? Will the coven still support her?

Cassie and her friends are easy to relate to. Smith's books often have an underlying moral, and the soul mate principal so common in her Night World books makes an appearance here as well. I enjoyed reading the Captive and continuing the series. Smith's books are well-written, quick reads. I highly recommend her stories to anyone teen or adult.

View all my reviews

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (8/8/11)

2011-08-08T19:10:00.000-07:00

FINISHED:
"Early to Death, Early to Rise" by Kim Harrison
"Angelfire" by Courtney Allison Moulton
"Plum Lucky" by Janet Evanovich
"Captivate" by Carrie Jones
"Plum Spooky" by Janet Evanovich
"The Captive" by L.J. Smith
"The Five People You Meet in Heaven" by Mitch Albom
"The Power" by L.J. Smith

CURRENTLY READING:
"Guadrian of the Gate" by Michelle Zink
"Entice" by Carrie Jones
"No Angel" by Jay Dobins
"Cloaked" by Alex Finn
"Shadow Souls" by L.J. Smith
"Flame of Surrender" by Rhiannon Paille

NEXT UP:
"Darkest Mercy" by Melissa Marr
"Spells" by Aprilynne Pike
"Origins" by L.J. Smith
"Torment" by Lauren Kate

Summer Giveaway Hop Winner

2011-08-08T18:31:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all who entered my Summer Giveaway Hop. I had 453 entries. My blog has over 140 new followers. I may have to do a follower giveaway soon.

The books recommended to me the most were "The Help," "Hourglass," and "Blood Red Road." The most requested books were "Hourglass," "Divergent," and "Wolfsbane."

My winner, chosen via random number generator is:

Here are your random numbers:

399 Timestamp: 2011-08-09 01:14:48 UTC

Entrant number 399 is Ruthhill74. I will be emailing her shortly, and she will have 48 hours to contact me before I choose a back up winner.

Congratulations Ruthhill74!

Revamping

2011-08-05T10:20:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

My blog needs some major revamping. I don't know how to make a header or put the tabs at the top to seperate special posts categories (Like Book Soulmates for example). So I need some suggestions or pointers on that.

I also plan to start doing a giveaway a month, more book reviews, maybe some etsy reviews and possibly some guest bloggers.

What is everyone interested in seeing more of? I don't want to keep my blog soley to books. I love books, but when school starts I don't always get to read as much. I like book challenges... but I also love etsy, bath products, candles, recipes and more.

So, this is me, asking for suggestions. What do you like? What needs spruced up? What can I change to keep people interested?

Thanks for the feedback!

Jenn

RAK August Sign ups and Giveaway at Book Soulmates

2011-08-01T18:04:00.000-07:00

Sign ups for the August Random Acts of Kindness is now open at Book Soulmates. They are also offering a giveaway for a $20 Amazon gift card.

If you love sending and receiving books you should check it out. It's a lot of fun.

Summer Give Away Hop

2011-07-31T15:04:00.000-07:00

I am taking part in the Summer Giveaway Hop hosted by I am a Reader Not a Writer and Bookhound. There are over 300 blogs participating in the giveaway, so after you enter my giveaway check out the rest of the blogs.

I am giving away a book of your choice up to $15 in cost from The Book Depository. This giveaway is open to anywhere that The Book Depository ships.
The Mandatory Entry is that you must follow my blog with google friend connect. Please leave a comment with your gfc name, and an email address to contact you if you are the winner.

Bonus entries: You will get 1 extra entry each for doing any of the following things (Please be sure to leave an email address where I can contact you if you win:

1. Follow me on twitter @engelsigh and come back here and post commnet.
2. Tweet about my giveaway and comment with a link to your post.
3. Leave a comment telling me what book you'd like to get if you win (don't worry, you can change it later).
4. Leave a comment suggesting a book for me to read.

The giveaway runs from August 1 to August 7th. Winner will be selected by random number generator on August 8th. I will notify the winner via email. Winner will have 48 hours to accept their prize before a back up winner is chosen.

Check out the other giveaways:

RAK - July Round Up

2011-07-31T15:02:00.000-07:00

It's the last day of the month, so it's time to showcase my RAK activity for the month. This was my first month, and though I didn't receive any books this month, I sent out four.

Copies of the Hunger Games were sent to:

Sana at Breathing Books

Asheley at Into the Hall of Books

Chey at The Hollow Cupboards

and

Kati at Jagged Edge Reviews

Signs ups for next months RAK begins tomorrow at Book Soulmates.

In My Mailbox 7/31/11

2011-07-31T15:00:00.000-07:00

In My Mailbox is a weekly event hosted by The Story Siren. It's a place to list all the books you've received this week.

From the Goodwill Half Price Sale
Fingerlicken Fifteen by Janet Evanovich
Marley and Me by John Grogan
Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi
Uglies by Scott Westerfield

From Blogfest 2011 Giveaway (from Rikki's Teleidoscope)
A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers by Xiaolu Guo

From the Library
Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton
Spells by Aprilynne Pike
Darkest Mercy by Melissa Marr
Origins by L.J. Smith
Shadow Souls by L.J. Smith
The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff
Torment by Lauren Kate
Plum Lucky by Janet Evanovich
Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich
Entice by Carrie Jones
Captivate by Carrie Jones

Random Acts of Kindness

2011-07-30T19:46:00.000-07:00

Every month, Book Soulmates hosts a fabulous book event for people that love giving and receiving books.

Rules
• Sign up each month you'd like to participate in.
• Show off your participation! Grab one of the buttons available :)
• Create a wish list and post it in the Google Doc located in each R.A.K post for the month. {Post on your blog, Amazon, where ever as long as there's a link to it.}
• If you choose to do a R.A.K for someone, check out their wish list and contact that blogger for their address.
• At the end of the month, SHOW US YOUR R.A.K!
Make a post saying 'Thank You' to whoever granted one of your wishes and share it with us :)

OPEN TO EVERYONE!
Let's keep our International bloggers in mind and in our hearts.
Remember, there's always the Book Depository and they offer FREE shipping!

My wishlists can be found Amazon and The Book Depository.

Reading Challenges updated

2011-07-26T21:06:00.000-07:00

I've gone in and updated my 2011 reading challenges with the books I've read. I'm doing well in all but the Classic challenge and the 2011 Debut author challenge. Looks like I have some catching up to do on those. I'm on book 66 on my 100 book challenge. I'm trying to get as many books read as I can between now and August 29th when classes start for me again. Once school starts I have no time for reading for fun. I've bottomed out under 80 books the last few years and I really want to make it to 100 this year. Happy Reading!

Summer Giveaway Hop Starts August 1st

2011-07-26T19:42:00.000-07:00

I am taking part in the Summergiveaway Hop hosting by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & Bookhounds. Please check back on the 1st to enter my giveaway. Be sure to check out the other blogs hosting giveaways. There are over 300 other blogs giving away prizes.

Correction - Gold Canyon Candles

2011-07-25T17:41:00.000-07:00

The deadline for ordering summer products is not July 31, 2011 as stated in my last post, but runs through August. For ordering please visit my site at www.mygc.com/JenniferGolub

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

2011-07-25T16:56:00.000-07:00

It's Monday! What are you reading is hosted by One Person's Journey Through Books. Each week we spotlight the books we are reading, planning on reading or just finished reading.

FINISHED
"Fallen" by Lauren Kate 452 pages

"Plum Lovin" by Janet Evanovich 164 pages (AUDIO)
"Ghost Town" by Rachel Caine 353 pages
"My Horizontal Life" by Chelsea Handler 214 pages
"Hush, Hush" by Becca Fitzpatrick 391 pages

CURRENTLY READING
"Plum Lucky" by Janet Evanovich
"Early to Death, Early to Rise" by Kim Harrison
"No Angel" by Jay Dobyn

NEXT UP
"Plum Spooky" by Janet Evanovich
"Need" by Carrie Jones
"Bite Club" by Rachel Caine

Last Chance for Summer Products

2011-07-24T18:56:00.000-07:00

The last day to order summer products is July 31, 2011. Go to my Gold Canyon Candles website to place your order on such products as:

Support Our Troops Candle - The popular Warm Welcome fragrance has been colored yellow and fittingly used in the Support Our Troops candle. 10% of the retail value from each candle sold will be donated to Operation Homefront in the U.S. and CFPFSS in Canada. $17.98

Grey Rustic, Grey Genie and Blue Genie Scent Pod Warmers with Magna Charms. Curious children or pets and workplace rules sometimes prevent the use of burning candles, but you can still enjoy some of our most popular candle fragrances without the use of any wicks or flames. Our patent-pending Scent Pods® and Warmers provide a clean, easy-to-use home fragrance alternative. These pods are magnetic and can be decorated with Magna charms. Pod warmers $34.98 to $36.98. Magna Charms $6.98

Scent Pods - for use with pod warmers. $5.98 each.

Sunset Speciality Candle, Sunrise Specialty Candle and Beach Scented Specialty Candles - Sunset - Pineapple Coast + Beach + Coconut Lime Verbena. Sights, sounds, smells ... Lie on the sand as you take in the most beautiful sunset. Instantly travel to your vacation getaway. $16.98 Sunrise Sliced Watermelon + Spa + Pool Towel. Grab your crisp, clean pool towel and head to the beach at sunrise for much-deserved peace and tranquility. $16.98 Beach Specialty Candles - This set includes three 2 oz. Beach fragrance candles and three holders, each with a magnetic porcelain starfish that can be used on most metal surfaces. Reusable glass fits votives, tealights and the Iron Votive Centerpiece. Limited quantities available. $20.48

Summer Scents that will be going away: beach, spa, storm, watermelon slice, coconut mango breeze, strawberry shortcake, cranberry flirtini, coconut lime verbena, kumquat and pool towel.

On My Wishlist

2011-07-23T16:41:00.000-07:00

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where I list all the books I desperately want but haven't actually bought yet.

I've been desperately waiting for the follow up to Sirens, Undercurrent.

Summary from Goodreads:

"Nothing has been normal since Vanessa Sands learned that her sister was murdered by sirens—femme fatales of the watery depths—and that everything she believed about her family was a lie.

Her boyfriend Simon’s been the only person Vanessa feels she can really trust. But now there are some secrets she can’t tell even him. And when Vanessa finds herself in the sights of Parker, Hawthorne Prep’s resident charmer, she needs someone to confide in more than ever. Doubting her relationship with Simon, unsure of Parker’s intentions—and of her own—and terrified by what she’s learned about herself, Vanessa has never felt so alone.

But personal problems must be put aside, because the Winter Harbor sirens are back for revenge. Now, Vanessa must face her past and accept that she is just like her enemies—every bit as alluring, every bit as dangerous.
The eagerly anticipated second novel of the Siren trilogy, Undercurrent is a seductive paranormal romance that will leave you breathless. "

Also, the sequel to Nightshade is about to be released and I can't wait to read it.

Summary from Goodreads:

"When Calla Tor wakes up in the lair of the Searchers, her sworn enemies, she’s certain her days are numbered. But then the Searchers make her an offer—one that gives her the chance to destroy her former masters and save the pack—and the man—she left behind. Is Ren worth the price of her freedom? And will Shay stand by her side no matter what? Now in control of her own destiny, Calla must decide which battles are worth fighting and how many trials true love can endure and still survive."

In My Mailbox

2011-07-11T21:27:00.000-07:00

Today, from the Book Depository I received:

From Amazon I received:

In My Mailbox

2011-06-24T21:47:00.000-07:00

This week, my books came from Barnes & Nobles and Walmart. My finds for the week are:

Last Night's Dinner

2011-06-13T20:13:00.000-07:00

Last night for dinner we had one of the best things my man knows how to make, sherried beef.

Ingredients:
2 pounds of beef steak, cut into cubes
1 large can of cream of mushroom soup
1 packet of Lipton Onion's soup mix
3/4 cup of Sherry

Instructions:
Preheat over to 325 degrees

In a deep casserole dish place the beef and the mushroom soup.

Sprinkle the meat mixture with the onion soup mix.

Add the sherry and stir everything together.

Cover and bake for 3 hours.

Serve with rice or egg noodles.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

2011-06-13T19:11:00.000-07:00

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by One Person's Journey Through A World of Books. Each week I'll spotlight the books I'm reading, recently finished, and plan to read this work.

Finished:
"Just Kids" by Patti Smith 320 pages

"City of Bones" by Cassandra Clare 485 pages
"City of Ashes" by Cassandra Clare 496 pages
"Midnight Alley" by Rachel Caine 256 pages

Reading:
"Smashed" by Koren Zailckas
"Feast of Fools" by Rachel Caine

Up Next:
"Virals" by Kathy Reichs
"Hot Six" by Janet Evanovich

City of Bones (Mortal Instruments #1) by Cassandra Clare

2011-06-12T12:53:00.000-07:00

Goodreads says:

"When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder - much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing - not even a smear of blood - to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know....

Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare's ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end."

My Rating:

***** 5 Stars

My review:

I absolutely love this book. In my opinion it's the best teen series since Harry Potter. The book has strong characters, a well written storyline that sucks you in, and before you know it you've finished the book.

Clary witnesses a murder while out at a dance club. From that moment on her life is never the same. This story is filled with demons, vampires, werewolves, faeries and those that hunt them.

In My Mailbox

2011-06-08T18:33:00.000-07:00

I have been reading Once Upon a Twilight blog for almost a year now. Every week they do a post entitled "In My Mailbox" which is hosted at The Story Siren. The purpose of the post was to give books recognition as neither blog can review every book that they read. This week I'm giving it a try.

Over the weekend I hit up the half price day at Goodwill and scored some amazing books (23 for $17 and many of them hardback - some are for my stepdaughter so they won't be listed).

*The Host by Stephanie Meyers
*Bound by Light by Anna Windsor
*The Final Eclipse by Lynne Ewing
*My Horizontal Life by Chelsea Handler
*If You're Reading This It's Too Late by Pseudonymous Bosch
*Faerie Wars by Herbie Brennan
*Smashed: Story of a Drunken Girlhood by Koren Zailckas
*The Accidental Werewolf by Dakota Cassidy
*Stolen by Kelley Armstrong
*Nightime is My Time by Mary Higgins Clark
*Run for Your Life by James Patterson
*Little Bee by Chris Cleave
*Virals by Kathy Reichs
*The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud
*Inkspell by Cornelia Funke
*Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
*Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

New Layout

2011-05-30T12:53:00.001-07:00

I have decided to try out a new layout. I thought that the pink was way too much. I'd love anyone's input to tell me how I can make my blog better (without paying for a layout - I'm kind of tapped in the money department).

School's Out for Summer

2011-05-26T18:10:00.000-07:00

School is finally out, and I'm not taking any summer classes. The reading binge has already begun. I've updated all my reading challenges with my current stats.

I've added my good reads button to the side profile.

1001 Books to Read Before You Die Challenge 2011

2011-01-01T19:59:00.000-08:00

I am taking part in the 1001 Books To Read Before You Die Challenge. The goal is to read 15 books from the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die List. I will post my books here as I read them.

Mystery & Suspense Challenge 2011

2011-01-01T19:49:00.000-08:00

Book Chick City is hosting a mystery and suspense reading challenge. The goal is to read at least 12 mystery and suspense novels in 2011. I will list my books here as I finish.

1. "Grave Secret" by Charlaine Harris 306 pages
2. "Fear Nothing" by Dean Koontz 391 pages
3. "A Bone to Pick" by Charlaine Harris 222 pages LP
4. "Real Murders" by Charlaine Harris 230 pages LP
5. "Spider Bones" by Kathy Reichs 302 pages
6. "Seize the Night" by Dean Koontz 443 pages
7. "The Eyes of Darkness" by Dean Koontz, 384 pages
8. "Grave Sight" by Charlaine Harris 293 pages
9. "Dare to Surrender" by Lilli Fiesty 342 pages
10."An Ice Cold Grave" by Charlaine Harris 280 pages
11."The 8th Confession" by James Patterson 342 pages

Back to the Classics Challenge 2011

2011-01-01T19:45:00.000-08:00

I'm taking part in the Back to the Classics Reading Challenge hosted by Sarah Reads too Much. The challenge ends in June 2011. I will update as I meat the goals.

The goals to complete:

1. A Banned Book
2. A Book with a Wartime Setting (can be any war)
3. A Pulitzer Prize (Fiction) Winner or Runner Up: a list can be found here
4. A Children's/Young Adult Classic
5. 19th Century Classic
6. 20th Century Classic
7. A Book you think should be considered a 21st Century Classic
8. Re-Read a book from your High School/College Classes

Horror & Urban Fantasy Challenge

2011-01-01T19:34:00.000-08:00

I'm taking part in the Horror and Urban Fantasy Reading Challenge hosted by Book Chick City. The goal is to read 24 Horror and Urban Fantasy books in 2011. I will post here as I read them.

1. "Radiant Shadows" by Melissa Marr 340 pages
2. "Tempted" by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast 319 pages
3. "Vampire Academy" by Richelle Mead 332
4. "Once Dead Twice Shy" by Kim Harrison 232 pages
5. "Dead in the Family" by Charlaine Harris 311 pages
6. "Dreamfever" by Karen Marie Moning 388 pages
7. "The Haunted" by Jessica Verday 467 pages
8. "The Dark Divine" by Bree Despain 372 pages
9. "Beautiful Darkness" by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl 503 pages
10. "Sisters Red" by Jackson Pearce 324 pages
11. "Glass Houses" by Rachel Caine 256 pages
12. "Dead Girls Dance" by Rachel Caine 256 pages
13. "Shadowfever" by Karen Marie Moning 608 pages
14. "The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening" by L.J. Smith 272 pages
15. "The Vampire Diaries: The Struggle" by L.J. smith 256 pages
16. "The Vampire Diaries: The Fury" by L.J. Smith 309 pages

17. "The Vampire Diaries: Dark Reunion" by L.J. Smith 312 pages
18. "Dark Visions: The Strange Powers" by L.J. Smith 230 pages
19. "Dark Visions: The Possessed" by L.J. Smith 224 pages
20. "Dark Visions: The Passion" by L.J. Smith 224 pages
21. "Daughters of the Moon: Goddess of the Night" by Lynne Ewing 294 pages
22. "City of Bones" by Cassandra Clare 485 pages
23. "City of Ashes" by Cassandra Clare 496 pages
24. "Midnight Alley" by Rachel Caine 256 pages
25. "Feast of Fools" by Rachel Caine 242 pages
26. "Lord of Misrule" by Rachel Caine 244 pages
27. "Carpe Corpus" by Rachel Caine 241 pages
28. "Fade Out" by Rachel Caine 237 pages
29. "Kiss of Death" by Rachel Caine 241 pages
30. "Prom Nights From Hell" by Meg Cabot, Kim Harrison, Michele Jaffe, Stephenie Meyer, Lauren Myracle 184 pages
31. "The Frenzy" by Francesca Lia Block 122 pages
32. "Secret Circle: The Initiation" by L.J. Smith 320 pages
33. "Nightshade" by Andrea Cremer 289 pages
34. "Vacations from Hell" by Libba Bray 156 pages
35. "Nightfall" by L.J. Smith 359 pages
36. "Fallen" by Lauren Kate 452 pages
37. "Ghost Town" by Rachel Caine 353 pages
38. "Hush, Hush" by Becca Fitzpatrick 391 pages
39. "Early to Death, Early to Rise" by Kim Harrison 247 pages

Off The Shelf Reading Challenge

2011-01-01T19:23:00.000-08:00

I am taking part in the Off the Shelf Reading Challenge. My goal is to read 15 books from my bookshelf that were purchased prior to today. I will list my books here as I read them.

1. "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls 288 pages
2. "Sisters Red" by Jackson Pearce 324 pages
3. "Seize the Night" by Dean Koontz 443 pages
4. "The Eyes of Darkness" by Dean Koontz, 384 pages
5. "Grave Sight" by Charlaine Harris 293 pages
6. "Dare to Surrender" by Lilli Fiesty 342 pages
7. "An Ice Cold Grave" by Charlaine Harris 280 pages
8. "The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening" by L.J. Smith 272 pages
9. "The Vampire Diaries: The Struggle" by L.J. smith 256 pages
                                         10. "The Vampire Diaries: The Fury" by L.J. Smith 309 pages

                                         11. "The Vampire Diaries: Dark Reunion" by L.J. Smith 312 pages
                                         12. "Dark Visions: The Strange Powers" by L.J. Smith 230 pages
                                         13. "Dark Visions: The Possessed" by L.J. Smith 224 pages
                                         14. "Dark Visions: The Passion" by L.J. Smith 224 pages
                                         15. "Daughters of the Moon: Goddess of the Night" by Lynne Ewing 294 pages
                                         16. "The 8th Confession" by James Patterson 342 pages
                                         17. "Just Kids" by Patti Smith 320 pages
                                         18. "City of Bones" by Cassandra Clare 485 pages
                                         19. "City of Ashes" by Cassandra Clare 496 pages
                                         20. "Midnight Alley" by Rachel Caine 256 pages
                                         21. "Feast of Fools" by Rachel Caine 242 pages
                                         22. "Smashed: Story of a Drunken Girlhood" by Koren Zailckas 342 pages
                                         23. "Lord of Misrule" by Rachel Caine 244 pages
                                         24. "Carpe Corpus" by Rachel Caine 241 pages
                                         25. "Fade Out" by Rachel Caine 237 pages
                                         26. "Kiss of Death" by Rachel Caine 241 pages
                                         27. "Secret Circle: The Initiation" by L.J. Smith 320 pages
                                         28. "Hot Six" by Janet Evanovich 350 pages
                                         29. "Fallen" by Lauren Kate 452 pages
                                         30. "Ghost Town" by Rachel Caine 353 pages
                                         31. "My Horizontal Life" by Chelsea Handler 214 pages
                                         32. "Hush, Hush" by Becca Fitzpatrick 391 pages
                                         33. "Early to Death, Early to Rise" by Kim Harrison 247 pages

Book Vixens YA of the 80s and 90s Challenge

2011-01-01T19:15:00.000-08:00

Book Vixen is hosting a challenge to read YA books written in the 80s and 90s. I plan to read at least 5. I will post my books here as I read them.

1. "The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening" by L.J. Smith 272 pages
2. "The Vampire Diaries: The Struggle" by L.J. smith 256 pages
3. "The Vampire Diaries: The Fury" by L.J. Smith 309 pages

4. "The Vampire Diaries: Dark Reunion" by L.J. Smith 312 pages
5. "Dark Visions: The Strange Powers" by L.J. Smith 230 pages
6. "Dark Visions: The Possessed" by L.J. Smith 224 pages
7. "Dark Visions: The Passion" by L.J. Smith 224 pages
8. "Secret Circle: The Initiation" by L.J. Smith 320 pages

Vampire Challenge 2011

2011-01-01T19:05:00.000-08:00

I'm taking part in the Vampire Reading Challenge hosted by Parajunkee's View The goal is to read 20 books with a vampire as the main character. I will post my books here as I read them.

1. "Tempted" by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast 319 pages
2. "Vampire Academy" by Richelle Mead 332
3. "Dead in the Family" by Charlaine Harris 311 pages
4. "Glass Houses" by Rachel Caine 256 pages
5. "Dead Girls Dance" by Rachel Caine 256 pages
6. "The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening" by L.J. Smith 272 pages
7. "The Vampire Diaries: The Struggle" by L.J. smith 256 pages
8. "The Vampire Diaries: The Fury" by L.J. Smith 309 pages

9. "The Vampire Diaries: Dark Reunion" by L.J. Smith 312 pages
10. "Midnight Alley" by Rachel Caine 256 pages

11. "Feast of Fools" by Rachel Caine 242 pages
12. "Lord of Misrule" by Rachel Caine 244 pages

13. "Carpe Corpus" by Rachel Caine 241 pages
14. "Fade Out" by Rachel Caine 237 pages
15. "Kiss of Death" by Rachel Caine 241 pages
16. "Nightfall" by L.J. Smith 359 pages
17. "Ghost Town" by Rachel Caine 353 pages

Outdo Yourself in 2011 Challenge

2011-01-01T19:01:00.000-08:00

I'm joining the Outdo Yourself in 2011 Challenge hosted by The Book Vixen. The goal is to read more books than I read in 2010. I read 80 in 2010 so I need to read at least 81 in 2011. I will post my books here as I read them.

1. "Radiant Shadows" by Melissa Marr 340 pages
2. "Wintergirls" by Laurie Halse Anderson 278 pages

3. "Tempted" by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast 319 pages
4. "Vampire Academy" by Richelle Mead 332
5. "Once Dead Twice Shy" by Kim Harrison 232 pages
6. "Grave Secret" by Charlaine Harris 306 pages
7. "Dead in the Family" by Charlaine Harris 311 pages
8. "Dreamfever" by Karen Marie Moning 388 pages
9. "Fear Nothing" by Dean Koontz 391 pages
10. "Paranormalcy" by Kiersten White 335 pages
11. "Dark Song" by Gail Giles 292 pages
12. "A Bone to Pick" by Charlaine Harris 222 pages LP
13. "The Hunter's Moon" by O.R. Melling 283 pages
14. "The Night Bookmobile" by Audrey Niffenegger 40 pages
15. "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls 288 pages
16. "The Reckoning" by Kelley Armstrong 391 pages
17. "The Final Warning" by James Patterson 256 pages
18. "The Haunted" by Jessica Verday 467 pages

19. "Real Murders" by Charlaine Harris 230 pages LP
20. "The Dark Divine" by Bree Despain 372 pages
21. "Beautiful Darkness" by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl 503 pages
22. "Spider Bones" by Kathy Reichs 302 pages

23. "Somewhere Inside" by Laura Ling and Lisa Ling 470 pages LP
24. "Sisters Red" by Jackson Pearce 324 pages
25. "Glass Houses" by Rachel Caine 256 pages
26. "Dead Girls Dance" by Rachel Caine 256 pages
27. "Shadowfever" by Karen Marie Moning 608 pages
28. "I'm Looking Through You: Growing Up Haunted" by Jennifer Finney Boylan 267 pages
29. "Seize the Night" by Dean Koontz 443 pages
30. "The Eyes of Darkness" by Dean Koontz, 384 pages
31. "Grave Sight" by Charlaine Harris 293 pages
32. "Dare to Surrender" by Lilli Fiesty 342 pages
33. "An Ice Cold Grave" by Charlaine Harris 280 pages
34. "The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening" by L.J. Smith 272 pages
35. "The Vampire Diaries: The Struggle" by L.J. smith 256 pages
36. "The Vampire Diaries: The Fury" by L.J. Smith 309 pages

37. "The Vampire Diaries: Dark Reunion" by L.J. Smith 312 pages
38. "Dark Visions: The Strange Powers" by L.J. Smith 230 pages
39. "Dark Visions: The Possessed" by L.J. Smith 224 pages
40. "Dark Visions: The Passion" by L.J. Smith 224 pages
41. "Daughters of the Moon: Goddess of the Night" by Lynne Ewing 294 pages
42. "The 8th Confession" by James Patterson 342 pages
43. "Just Kids" by Patti Smith 320 pages

44. "City of Bones" by Cassandra Clare 485 pages
45. "City of Ashes" by Cassandra Clare 496 pages
46. "Midnight Alley" by Rachel Caine 256 pages
47. "Feast of Fools" by Rachel Caine 242 pages
48. "Smashed: Story of a Drunken Girlhood" by Koren Zailckas 342 pages
49. "Lord of Misrule" by Rachel Caine 244 pages
50. "Carpe Corpus" by Rachel Caine 241 pages
51. "Fade Out" by Rachel Caine 237 pages
52. "Kiss of Death" by Rachel Caine 241 pages
53. "Prom Nights From Hell" by Meg Cabot, Kim Harrison, Michele Jaffe, Stephenie Meyer, Lauren Myracle 184 pages
54. "The Frenzy" by Francesca Lia Block 122 pages
55. "Secret Circle: The Initiation" by L.J. Smith 320 pages
56. "Hot Six" by Janet Evanovich 350 pages

57. "Nightshade" by Andrea Cremer 289 pages
58. "Vacations from Hell" by Libba Bray 156 pages
59. "Nightfall" by L.J. Smith 359 pages
60. "Fallen" by Lauren Kate 452 pages
61. "Plum Lovin" by Janet Evanovich 164 pages (AUDIO)
62. "Ghost Town" by Rachel Caine 353 pages
63. "My Horizontal Life" by Chelsea Handler 214 pages
64. "Hush, Hush" by Becca Fitzpatrick 391 pages
65. "Early to Death, Early to Rise" by Kim Harrison 247 pages

Support Your Local Library Challenge 2011

2011-01-01T18:42:00.000-08:00

I am once again taking part in the Support Your Local Library Challenge hosted by Home Girl's Book Blog (formerly J Kaye's Book Blog). My goal is to read 50 books borrowed from my local library. Last year I surpassed my goal and hope to do so again this year. I will post my books here as I read them.

1. "Radiant Shadows" by Melissa Marr 340 pages
2. "Wintergirls" by Laurie Halse Anderson 278 pages
3. "Vampire Academy" by Richelle Mead 332
4. "Once Dead Twice Shy" by Kim Harrison 232 pages
5. "Grave Secret" by Charlaine Harris 306 pages

6. "Dead in the Family" by Charlaine Harris 311 pages
7. "Dreamfever" by Karen Marie Moning 388 pages
8. "Fear Nothing" by Dean Koontz 391 pages
9. "Paranormalcy" by Kiersten White 335 pages
10. "Dark Song" by Gail Giles 292 pages
11. "A Bone to Pick" by Charlaine Harris 222 pages LP
12. "The Hunter's Moon" by O.R. Melling 283 pages
13. "The Night Bookmobile" by Audrey Niffenegger 40 pages
14. "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls 288 pages
15. "The Reckoning" by Kelley Armstrong 391 pages
16. "The Final Warning" by James Patterson 256 pages
17. "The Haunted" by Jessica Verday 467 pages
18. "Real Murders" by Charlaine Harris 230 pages LP
19. "The Dark Divine" by Bree Despain 372 pages
20. "Beautiful Darkness" by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl 503 pages
21. "Spider Bones" by Kathy Reichs 302 pages
22. "Somewhere Inside" by Laura Ling and Lisa Ling 470 pages LP
23. "Glass Houses" by Rachel Caine 256 pages
24. "Dead Girls Dance" by Rachel Caine 256 pages
25. "Shadowfever" by Karen Marie Moning 608 pages
26. "Seize the Night" by Dean Koontz 443 pages

27. "The Eyes of Darkness" by Dean Koontz, 384 pages
28. "Grave Sight" by Charlaine Harris 293 pages
29. "Prom Nights From Hell" by Meg Cabot, Kim Harrison, Michele Jaffe, Stephenie Meyer, Lauren Myracle 184 pages

30. "The Frenzy" by Francesca Lia Block 122 pages
31. "Nightshade" by Andrea Cremer 289 pages

32. "Vacations from Hell" by Libba Bray 156 pages
33. "Nightfall" by L.J. Smith 359 pages
34. "Plum Lovin" by Janet Evanovich 164 pages (AUDIO

100+ Reading Challenge 2011

2011-01-01T18:34:00.000-08:00

I am once again aiming to read 100 books in 2011. I have gotten close the last two years but failed (I need to spend a little less time on the computer and I might actually make 100). The challenge is being hosted & the rules to the challenge can be found on Home Girl's Book Blog (formerly J Kaye's Book Blog).

1. "Radiant Shadows" by Melissa Marr 340 pages

2. "Wintergirls" by Laurie Halse Anderson 278 pages
3. "Tempted" by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast 319 pages
4. "Vampire Academy" by Richelle Mead 332
5. "Once Dead Twice Shy" by Kim Harrison 232 pages
6. "Grave Secret" by Charlaine Harris 306 pages
7. "Dead in the Family" by Charlaine Harris 311 pages
8. "Dreamfever" by Karen Marie Moning 388 pages
9. "Fear Nothing" by Dean Koontz 391 pages
10. "Paranormalcy" by Kiersten White 335 pages
11. "Dark Song" by Gail Giles 292 pages
12. "A Bone to Pick" by Charlaine Harris 222 pages LP
13. "The Hunter's Moon" by O.R. Melling 283 pages
14. "The Night Bookmobile" by Audrey Niffenegger 40 pages
15. "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls 288 pages
16. "The Reckoning" by Kelley Armstrong 391 pages
17. "The Final Warning" by James Patterson 256 pages
18. "The Haunted" by Jessica Verday 467 pages
19. "Real Murders" by Charlaine Harris 230 pages LP
20. "The Dark Divine" by Bree Despain 372 pages
21. "Beautiful Darkness" by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl 503 pages
22. "Spider Bones" by Kathy Reichs 302 pages
23. "Somewhere Inside" by Laura Ling and Lisa Ling 470 pages LP
24. "Sisters Red" by Jackson Pearce 324 pages
25. "Glass Houses" by Rachel Caine 256 pages
26. "Dead Girls Dance" by Rachel Caine 256 pages
27. "Shadowfever" by Karen Marie Moning 608 pages
28. "I'm Looking Through You: Growing Up Haunted" by Jennifer Finney Boylan 267 pages
29. "Seize the Night" by Dean Koontz 443 pages
30. "The Eyes of Darkness" by Dean Koontz, 384 pages
31. "Grave Sight" by Charlaine Harris 293 pages
32. "Dare to Surrender" by Lilli Fiesty 342 pages
33. "An Ice Cold Grave" by Charlaine Harris 280 pages
34. "The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening" by L.J. Smith 272 pages
35. "The Vampire Diaries: The Struggle" by L.J. smith 256 pages
36. "The Vampire Diaries: The Fury" by L.J. Smith 309 pages
37. "The Vampire Diaries: Dark Reunion" by L.J. Smith 312 pages
38. "Dark Visions: The Strange Powers" by L.J. Smith 230 pages
39. "Dark Visions: The Possessed" by L.J. Smith 224 pages
40. "Dark Visions: The Passion" by L.J. Smith 224 pages
41. "Daughters of the Moon: Goddess of the Night" by Lynne Ewing 294 pages
42. "The 8th Confession" by James Patterson 342 pages
43. "Just Kids" by Patti Smith 320 pages

44. "City of Bones" by Cassandra Clare 485 pages
45. "City of Ashes" by Cassandra Clare 496 pages
46. "Midnight Alley" by Rachel Caine 256 pages
47. "Feast of Fools" by Rachel Caine 242 pages
48. "Smashed: Story of a Drunken Girlhood" by Koren Zailckas 342 pages
49. "Lord of Misrule" by Rachel Caine 244 pages
50. "Carpe Corpus" by Rachel Caine 241 pages
51. "Fade Out" by Rachel Caine 237 pages
52. "Kiss of Death" by Rachel Caine 241 pages
53. "Prom Nights From Hell" by Meg Cabot, Kim Harrison, Michele Jaffe, Stephenie Meyer, Lauren Myracle 184 pages
54. "The Frenzy" by Francesca Lia Block 122 pages
55. "Secret Circle: The Initiation" by L.J. Smith 320 pages
56. "Hot Six" by Janet Evanovich 350 pages

57. "Nightshade" by Andrea Cremer 289 pages
58. "Vacations from Hell" by Libba Bray 156 pages
59. "Nightfall" by L.J. Smith 359 pages
60. "Fallen" by Lauren Kate 452 pages
61. "Plum Lovin" by Janet Evanovich 164 pages (AUDIO)
62. "Ghost Town" by Rachel Caine 353 pages
63. "My Horizontal Life" by Chelsea Handler 214 pages
64. "Hush, Hush" by Becca Fitzpatrick 391 pages
65. "Early to Death, Early to Rise" by Kim Harrison 247 pages

80 Books Read in 2010

2011-01-01T17:57:00.001-08:00

January
1. "Breathless" by Dean Koontz 337 pages
2. "Back Roads" by Tawni O'Dell 338 pages
3. "The Tenth Circle" by Jodi Picoult 387 pages
4. "The Lovely Bones" by Alice Sebold 328 pages
5. "Sandcastles" by Luanne Rice 336 pages

February
6. "Intoducing Jung" by Maggie Hyde and Michael McGuinness 171 pages
7. "Scarpetta" by Patricia Cornwell 579 pages
8. "Promise Me" by Harlan Coben 487 pages
9. "The Scarpetta Factor" by Patricia Cornwell 492 pages
10. "Eclipse" by Stephenie Meyer 629 pages

March
11. "Breaking Dawn" by Stephenie Meyer 754 pages
12. "Evermore" by Alyson Noel 306 pages
13. "Relentless" by Dean Koontz 356 pages
14. "Marked" by PC Cast & Kristin Cast 306 pages
15. "Four to Score" by Janet Evanovich 338 pages
16. "High Five" by Janet Evanovich 317 pages
17. "Betrayed" by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast 310 pages

April
18. "Dead and Gone" by Charlaine Harris 312 pages
19. "Wake" by Lisa McMann 210 pages
20. "Wings" by Aprilynne Pike 294 pages
21. "Pretty Dead" by Francesca Lia Block 195 pages
22. "Ink Exchange" by Melissa Marr 325 pages
23. "Blue Moon" by Alyson Noel 289 pages
24. "Chosen" by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast 307 pages
25. "Dark Angel" by L.J. Smith 240 pages
26. "The Chosen" by L.J. Smith 224 pages

May
27. "Soulmate by L.J. Smith 240 pages
28. "Wicked Lovely" by Melissa Marr 328 pages
29. "Uninvited" by Amanda Marrone 204 pages
30. "The Summoning" by Kelley Armstrong 390 pages
31. "Wondrous Strange" by Lesley Livingston 327 pages
32. "Evernight" by Claudia Gray 327 pages
33. "Beautiful Creatures" by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl 563 pages

June
34. "Need" by Carrie Jones 306 pages
35. "Divine Misdemeanors" by Laurell K. Hamilton 333 pages
36. "Huntress" by L.J. Smith 240 pages
37. "Black Dawn" by L.J. Smith 240 pages
38. "Bite Me" by Christopher Moore 309 pages
39. "Rose and the Beast: Fairy Tales Retold" by Francesca Lia Block 229 pages
40. "The Gum Thief" by Douglas Coupland 275 pages
41. "Darklight" by Lesley Livingston 310 pages
42. "Untamed" by P.C Cast & Kristin Cast 338 pages
43. "Shadowland" by Alyson Noel 339 pages
44. "Flirt" by Anita Blake 171 pages
45. "Stargazer" by Claudia Gray 329 pages

July
46. "The Awakening" by Kelley Armstrong 358 pages
47. "The Hanged Man" by Francesca Lia Block 137 pages
48. "Wasteland" by Francesca Lia Block 150 pages
49. "Guarding the Moon" by Francesca Lia Block 182 pages
50. "Violet & Claire" by Francesca Lia Block 169 pages
51. "The Waters & The Wild" by Francesca Lia Block 113 pages
52. "Ruined" by Paula Morris 309 pages
53. "Fade" by Lisa McMann 248 pages
54. "RV There Yet?" Diann Hunt 309 pages
55. "Artemis Fowl: The Lost Colony" by Eoin Colfer 385 pages
56. "Most Love Black" Kelly McClymer 167 pages
57. "Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List" by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan 256 pages

August
58. "Hunted" by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast 323 pages
59. "Bullet" by Laurell K. Hamilton 368 pages
60. "Oh, My Gods" by Tera Lynn Childs 264 pages
61. "Tell All" by Chuck Palahniuk 179 pages

September
62. "Maximum Ride: Schools Out Forever" by James Patterson 412 pages
63. "Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment" by James Patterson 440 pages
64. "Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life's Greatest Lesson " by Mitch Albom 224 pages
65. "Fragile Eternity" by Melissa Marr 389 pages
66. "You Say Tomato I Say Shut Up" by Annabelle Gurwitch and Jeff Kahn 261 pages

October
67. "Tithe" by Holly Black 320 pages
68. "Valient" by Holly Black 313 pages
69. "Tantalize" by Cynthia Leitich Smith 311 pages
70. "Ironside" by Holly Black 323 pages

November
71. "Her Fearful Symmetry" by Audrey Niffenegger 401 pages
72. "Grave Surprise" by Charlaine Harris 295
73. "She's Not There: A Life in Two Genders" by Jennifer Finney Boylan 300 pages
74. "Maximum Ride: Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports by James Patterson 405 pages
75. "Shiver" by Maggie Stiefvater 392 pages
76. "Hourglass" by Claudia Gray 339 pages

December
77. "Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side" by Beth Fantaskey 354 pages
78. "Siren" by Tricia Rayburn 344 pages
79. "Prophecy of the Sisters" by Michelle Zink 343 pages
80. "Half Broke Horses" by Jeannette Walls 272 pages

Saturday Snapshot 12/18/2010

2010-12-18T20:11:00.000-08:00

Gingerbread Fun house and Carousel

Every year the resort in town hosts a gingerbread house contest. This one was my favorite.

What I Want

2010-12-17T21:07:00.000-08:00

I've been meaning to do some kind of wish list here, but with work and school and the kids I haven't had the time. So now, even though Christmas is less than 10 days away, here is my list:

Hot Topic has this cute hat/scarf/mittens all in one at their shops, but I don't see it online. They have buffalo, dogs, bunnies, etc, but I love the leopard. Fun AND practical. $34.99

Bath and Body Works These cute socks are infused with shea (which smells amazing) and peppermint. They're also available in other scents and infused with lavender or vanilla. A steal at $5.

Homedics Squishy Pillow
I love these pillows. My last one ran into an tragic accident with the vacuum and I haven't been able to find another Homedics brand until now. They're $9.99 at Bath and Body Works and only $8 with the 20% off coupon Bath and Body Works always sends in the mail.

Barnes and Noble

I love making lists and I love music. It seems like my life has a soundtrack. This book looks like a lot of fun. $16.95.

Alice in Wonderland is one of my favorite books. I'm trying to convert all my paperbacks into nice books like the ones in this collection that Barnes and Noble has. Last year I got the works of Jane Austen. This year I want Alice. $19.99

Lush

$34.95 a sparkling gold star filled with 6 of the Christmas bath bombs. I got one a few years ago and the star was silver then. I've kept it and I'd love to have the gold to match. Not to mention the bath bombs are the best!

I'd also like a ceramic hair straightener but I don't know much about them and I'm open to suggestions on which brand is good.

That's my wishlist for this year. What are you hoping to find under the tree?

2011 Debut Authors Reading Challenge

2010-12-17T19:43:00.000-08:00

In 2011 I am participating in the Debut Authors Challenge hosted by The Story Siren. I plan to read 12 books by debut author’s with books that come out in 2011. For full details on the challenge and a list of books coming out by new authors in 2011 check out The Story Siren blog.

The books I am planning to read are:

1. Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

2. Vesper by Jeff Sampson

3. Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

4. Wither by Lauren DeStefano

5. The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney

6. Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton

7. Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton

8. Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs

9. Vicious Little Darlings by Katherine Easer

10. The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

11. Half-blood by Jennifer Armentrout

12. The Coven’s Daughter by Lucy Jago

I will update here as I read the books.

One more day of school....

2010-12-16T21:15:00.001-08:00

One more day of classes for this semester and then I will be on to update with my reading challenges for 2011 as well as some other fun posts. In case I don't get on before Christmas, Happy Holidays everyone.

waiting on sunday to drown

Young Adult Book Giveaway

In My Mailbox (1/18/2011)

Guest Author Post: Writing by the seat of your pants – hold on, this may be a bumpy ride! by Vincent Tuckwood

GUEST AUTHOR POST: 10 Things you didn't know about Key of Sea by Mary Stella

Huge Sale at Gold Canyon Candles!

2011 Book Log

December RAK Wrap Up

My Bookworm Secret Santa Wrap Up

Guest Post: How to Promote Online by Debra Burroughs

10 Things I Didn’t Know Savvy Diva’s Take On…44 Days of Random Thoughts & Observations By Guest author Jahzara, the Savvy Diva

2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge

Finish the Series 2012 Reading Challenge

Gift Card Giveaway Hop!

Do You Remember Your First 'Big Issue' Moment? by guest author Kath Russell

Winter by Tori Amos

CAN THE WORST OF TIMES MAKE FOR THE BEST OF LINES? by Guest Author Aaron L.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (12/5/2011)

Mount TBR Reading Challenge 2012

Free Reads 2012 Reading Challenge

YA-AHOLIC's 2011/12 New Year's Giveaway Hop

Get to Know me (12/1/11)

Flame of Surrender Trailer

YA SCAVENGER HUNT GOING ON NOW!

Most wanted new releases

November RAK Wrap Up

December and January Giveaway Links

Black Friday Giveaway Bonanza

Tap Dance and massacres

Know Me Better (week 2)

Getting to know me (week 1)

November Giveaways and Giveaway Hops

October RAK Wrap Up

Review of Shattered by Sophia Sharp

Spooktackular Giveaway Blog Hop Winner

Reading Goal Met & Questions for my Readers

Spooktackular Giveway Blog Hop Oct 24th - 31st

Wicked (Celestra #4) by Addison Moore

On My Wishlist

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (10/3/2011)

In My Mailbox (10/2/11)

Ethereal (Celestra #1) by Addison Moore

Holiday Lush

Saturday Snapshot (10/1/11)

October Book Giveaways

Top 100 Most Popular YA Books

October RAK

Book Log 2011 - January to August

Books I'm Most Anticipating the Release Of

Back to the Books Giveaway - WINNER!

Metaphysics in YA Fiction by Guest Blogger Rhiannon Paille

August RAK Wrap Up

Back to the Books Giveaway

Free Fragrance Oil Duo with Purchase & Candle Raffle

My Wishlist - Boot addition

Cover Reveal - FLAME OF SURRENDER

The Power by L.J. Smith

The Captive by L.J. Smith

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (8/8/11)

Summer Giveaway Hop Winner

Revamping

RAK August Sign ups and Giveaway at Book Soulmates

Summer Give Away Hop

RAK - July Round Up

In My Mailbox 7/31/11

Random Acts of Kindness

Reading Challenges updated

Summer Giveaway Hop Starts August 1st

Correction - Gold Canyon Candles

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

Last Chance for Summer Products

On My Wishlist

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox

Last Night's Dinner

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

Top Books I Want to Read Soon (in no particular order)

City of Bones (Mortal Instruments #1) by Cassandra Clare

In My Mailbox

New Layout