Thursday, May 30, 2013

A Random Shot: YA Anyone?

I have no idea who this kid is. He just caught my eye because I thought he looked interesting. As it turns out, he's not very photogenic. He looks much better in the flesh. I was curious about his ethnicity and I still haven't figured it out. I think he looks so classically YA, a teen of the moment...I tried not to be obvious taking the shot, but do you think he caught on? LOL...

Toodles, y'all!

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Star Trek: Into Darkness...my thoughts...

I went to see the latest Star Trek movie this Memorial weekend. I was happy to learn it was offered in 2-D because I hate paying a premium price for 3-D. It's such a rip-off. I remember when 3-D movies were regular price, then after the popularity of Avatar, the studios realized they could make a killing fooling people to think it was worth it to pay more for 3-D. It's not.

Anyway...I digress...let me get back to the matter at hand---Star Trek. I read several mixed reviews, some of which really skewered the movie. I was determined to see for myself because I really enjoyed the Star Trek movie in 2009 and was looking forward to the follow up. I really hoped these critics were wrong. Thank goodness they were. I had such a good time!! And this is coming from someone who is not a Trekkie. When Star Trek came on TV when I was a kid, I hated it. All that philosophical mumbo-jumbo went over my head. I was bored silly. It was only when I got older and saw the reruns that I could understand what was going on and the deeper meaning of the scenes.

I just don't understand what some of these reviewers are looking for. Some said the movie was boring and this couldn't be further from the truth. There were a lot of pulse-pumping, heart-stopping moments that had me and by the looks of it, a lot of people in the theater, at the edge of their seats. I was clutching my chest and practically gnawing my hand at some points...lol...People laughed out loud at the bromance between Kirk and Spock. All the actors channeled the old stars and their mannerisms of the characters so well. They stayed true to who the characters are, but still made the roles their own: Scotty, Sulu, Dr. McCoy...etc...And the new villian...Some reviewers said he was boring. Hello!! He's played by "Sherlock Holmes" himself, Benedict Cumberbatch. He was wonderfully drool, yet menacing in the role. I couldn't wait to find out what he was really up to.

Well, have I made myself clear?! I loved this movie, can't wait for the next installment and those critics don't know what they're talking about!

Of course, if you, dear reader didn't like the movie, I'll most definitely respect your opinion...Lol...

Toodles, y'all!

Monday, May 27, 2013

Monday Mailbox

I have to thank Entangled Publishing for being so generous. I was surprised to receive two more books from them this week. Relic by Renee Collins will be released in September. It has a creepy cover and it takes place in a unique setting---the Old West! It's full of magical creatures. I'm looking forward to learning how this all comes together.

I've already started reading The Fallen Prince by Shea Berkley. This is another magic-filled story. There's an interesting romance and the reader is thrown right into the action. I'm getting into it and really curious as to where this tale is going. It's filled with boys who ignite with fire and girls who babysit dragons when they're not making out!

Megan, the publicist for Gates of Paradise, the last book in the Blue Bloods series by Melissa de la Cruz, was kind enough to send it to me. An extra little addition is Blue Bloods, the graphic novel or as I would have called it back in the day, a comic book! Lol...of course this version is a lot more luxurious than the pulp paper version of the old days. I haven't read this series, so this graphic novel offers me the perfect opportunity to get a good, general overview of the story.

To happy reading, y'all!

Toddles.

Monday, May 20, 2013

And the Winner of UNWRITTEN by Charles Martin is...




Thanks for checking out UNWRITTEN. It sounds like a great story and I can't wait to read it. One of you won't have to wait long because you're the winner! And the winner is...Vicki!!! Congrats.

Please email me with your contact info, so I can pass it on to the publicist. If I don't hear from you in 72 hrs, I'll select someone else. The winner was chosen randomly.

Toodles, y'all

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Book Giveaway: UNWRITTEN by Charles Martin

Hi guys! I have UNWRITTEN by Charles Martin, but I haven't had time to read it yet. The cover really intrigued me. I love a beach setting. Plus, I think the author's cute...Lol...Then I read the description and really got pulled in. Check it out...


Charles Martin
 Martin is the author of eight novels known for their Southern settings and inspirational themes, including the New York Times bestseller Where the River Ends. The rights to another book, The Mountain Between Us, recently sold to 20th Century Fox; actor Michael Fassbender is slated to star in the film. His books have been translated into 17 languages.


The new novel, UNWRITTEN, tells a story that seems ripped from the headlines. Gifted actress Katie Quinn attempts to end her life by hanging herself from the balcony of her Miami apartment, the burdens of fame and a life-long secret taking the ultimate toll. But before she can jump, her priest, Steady, comes to her aide, along with a mysterious stranger known only as Sunday. Sunday helps Katie dismantle her life by faking her own death, and then hiding in the Ten Thousand Islands off the Florida coast where he has lived alone for years. But Katie believes that in order to truly be free, she must make peace with her past, which is buried in the countryside of France. Sunday reluctantly leaves behind his solitary existence to help Katie with her quest. Little does he know that in helping her, he will finally be able to confront his long-hidden demons.

UNWRITTEN is a moving story about the price of our culture’s celebrity obsession, and the power we all have to choose a happier life. You can read Martin’s blog and find out more about his writing at www.charlesmartinbooks.com

I love getting good books into your hands, so I asked the publicist if she'd be willing to send another copy to a giveaway winner. She said, yes! Thanks, Angela! So, if you're interested in a chance to win it, just leave a comment that includes your email. That's important. I want to be able to reach you if you're the winner!

Giveaway is open to residents of the US only, at publicist request.

Toodles, y'all!

Sunday, May 12, 2013

In My Mailbox...

Boy. It's been a long time since I did one of these posts. I have received some interessting books over the last few weeks. Take a look...






Entangled Publishing has been especially generous in sending me reading material. They are the force behind all the books above. I've only finished Dear Cassie so far. It's the companion book to Pretty Amy. If you haven't checked out the author, Lisa Burnstein, you should put her on your radar. The girl has serious writing chops.

My thanks to Ballantine Books for The Clover House. It goes back and forth between modern Boston and 1940's Greece. Family secrets are waiting to be revealed and I'm looking forward to finding out what they are!

Toodles, y'all!



Friday, May 10, 2013

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter--The Movie...My thoughts...

Now, I know I'm late to this party. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter came out almost a year ago, in June of 2012. I had an interest in seeing it, but never got around to it. It probably didn't help that the reviews were less than enthusiastic. Maybe that played a part in me not pushing myself to go. Last weekend I was channel surfing and came across it on HBO. It was 20 minutes into the show and caught my attention immediately.

I screamed, yelped and hid my face at the graphic violence of scene after scene. Even my husband,who's not partial to TV or movies, kept looking over to see what was going on. Since I didn't catch the show from the beginning, I didn't understand what was going on. I tried to watch it when it repeated, and again, caught it 20 minutes into the showing. I finally managed to see it from the beginning. And LOVED it!

I know it didn't get good reviews, but after watching it at lease three times, I'm impressed with the author's imagination. He not only wrote the book, but adapted the screenplay if I'm not mistaken. I thought he did a good job of transforming history to include this vampire lore. A lot of the reviews thought it was silly, but it took a highly creative mind to integrate that mythology into significant historical events like the civil war and the life of our sixteenth president.

Also, the more times I watched it, the violence wasn't as shocking, allowing me to process the storyline.
The Novel

It's not as bad or silly as the reviews made it out to be. I think it's pretty entertaining and well worth a look. If it comes on again, I'll probably watch it---again! Lol...Now I want to read the book!

Toodles, y'all.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

The Winner of Truth or Dare by Jacqueline Green is...

Thanks for dropping in girls to enter the giveaway. I wish I had a copy for each of you. And now for the good stuff. The winner of Truth or Dare,  by Jacqueline Green is...

Tiffany Drew!

Congrats, Tiffany. Please email me with your address so I can pass it on to the publisher. The book will be coming directly from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. If I don't hear from you in 72 hours I'll choose another winner.

The winner was selected randomly.

Until the next giveaway....

                                                                           
book one

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Happy Release Day! If I Should Die by Amy Plum

Book Three

If I Should Die is the final book in the unique Revenants trilogy by Amy Plum. Revenants are zombie-like creatures committed to dying, sacrificing themselves over and over again for the sake of the humans they are sworn to protect.

Seventeen-year-old Kate has forged a relationship with one: Vincent. They’ve endured a lot to be together, and then the unthinkable happened. Violette, one of his own, betrayed Vincent. He was killed and his body burned to ensure that he would be unable to reanimate.

Kate is not willing to let go. She is not going to accept that her beloved is doomed to roam the earth as a disembodied spirit—not if she has anything to do with it.

Kate goes in search of an ancient ritual that may or may not be true. It holds the only chance of bringing Vincent back to her. She finds herself positioned to give her all and if she should die . . . that’s the chance she has to take.

This last book does not disappoint. Each novel in the series ratchets up the action and the tension. Amy Plum is to be congratulated for her creation of the Revenants. It is a fresh and original mythology.

Ms. Plum manages to keep the romantic element alive even though, through most of the story, Vincent is in spirit form. It’s a credit to her skill at characterization. The author also strikes a good balance between the romance and the action of the story. If I Should Die is well plotted with a final twist that will keep readers on their toes.

I can't wait to see what Amy Plum will come up with next.

Book Two
Toodles, y'all!

Book One