Marissa my oh my oh Meyer!

 First off, aren't they just so pretty.  I do so love a book.  I will admit that I read a lot on my Kindle but there is nothing that can ever replace the beauty of a hard bound or paper back book.

 Anyhoo......

I had the tremendous pleasure of meeting Marissa Meyer last night at Politics and Prose in D.C.

No, sadly I can't remember exactly what she was saying here but I have no doubt she was hilarious!  You can tell from her books and the personal stories she shared last night in regards to writing them that she is an amazingly funny, genuine free spirit and  I thoroughly enjoyed meeting her and hearing about her journey into writing. 

Just a few tidbits from her talk last night that I really enjoyed and wanted to share with all of you:

~She was inspired to write at the age of 14 by the anime cartoon Sailor Moon. After signing up for a writing contest (which she informed us she came in second out of...two, lol) and choosing the fairy tale category so wrote a futuristic piece on Puss and Boots.  This ultimately lead to her decision to write an entire series of futuristic fairy tales and we all thank that wily cat in high heeled boots for that.

~Her favorite non-romantic (she couldn't pick a favorite romantic couple and who could blame her) couples to write are:
Cinder and Thorne, she loves their brother/sister type relationship.
and
Cinder and Ico's best friend relationship, and seriously who doesn't love Ico?

~Speaking of, also at the event was Rebecca Solar, who is the narrator for The Lunar Chronicles.  Why does Ico make me think of her, because she does a fabulous Ico voice!  She had us all rolling as she read an excerpt from Scarlet.  I will admit now I have actually never listened to an audio book, but after listening to Ms. Solar read from Cress and Scarlet last night I think I could easily get hooked.  It was amazing!

~The movie rights to The Lunar Chronicles have been sold, there is a script and they are looking for a director.  Marissa said while this is exciting what she would really love to see happen is action figures!  How awesome would that be, seriously!


And because I can not leave out these beautiful fellow readers and bloggers:

 Jessica from Step into Fiction, Steph from Cuddlebuggery, and 'She really does know everyone' Hannah from The Irish Banana.  It was wonderful seeing you all last night, I can't wait to see you at the next event.

OH stop what you are doing it is a Gena Showalter cover

I don't even know how to start this.  I was seriously just sitting here typing up a different blog post when a piece of beauty rolled across my screen and I had to stop immediately to share it with you!

Gena Showalter, EVERY SINGLE TIME!  Her covers are like magic sprinkled with fairy dust and covered in chocolate!  They make me want to pet them, to snuggle up under a blanket and just stare for hours.  I want to slowly crack the book open so I can take in every moment of its gorgeousness before I start reading because I know once I start reading I won't see the cover again until I have finished the whole thing.  

I know, I know, stop talking and show it to us already.  Are you sure you want to see it?

Are you sure you can handle it?

Are you.....OKAY!  Here it is:

THE QUEEN OF ZOMBIE HEARTS by Gena Showalter

Can you stand it?  I am so beyond giddy and she's right We are all mad here, madly in love!  I seriously can not wait

Release date: September 30, 2014

Trust me you want this and if you haven't read books Alice in Zombie Land or Through The Zombie Glass in the White Rabbit Chronicles go snatch them up now and get to it, you will not be disappointed! 

Sqqqquuuuueee!

Let the Fan-girling commence 

 So here I am watching the weather channel non-stop (okay, maybe I check on the Olympics every now and then) and praying that the snow holds off as long as possible Why you ask? I have plans, big plans! Plans that involve me driving to Politics and Prose in DC so I can meet the wonderful Marissa Meyer, the author of The Lunar Chronicles.

 

 If you love YA you will love this re-take of some of your favorite fairy tales. Expect lots of gushing from me and pictures tomorrow or if the weather keeps me home bound lots of grumbling about this winter that never ends!

*Stay warm and be safe out there everyone!*

"We Can All Be Heroes"

Mom Mondays:

I've decided to start each week with Mom Monday this will be the day that I review children's books.  Anything between picture books and middle grade.  Being a mom to two beautiful girls I end up reading a lot of Children's books and there are so many out there that are amazing I just want to take a bit of time to share the joy of them with you.

Author: Brad Meltzer

Publication Date: January 14th 2014
Publisher: Dial
Genre:Children's Biography
Age Recommendation: 4 to 10
Rating: 5 Stars

Look at those adorable covers!  As a home schooling mom with a history degree they called to me.  They said pick me up, open me, buuuuuy me!  These books are wonderful introductions to history and biographies for our younger readers, and have I mentioned how cute the illustrations are, because ah, I could look at them all day!  

I am Amelia Earhart takes us on the journey of Amelia finding her passion, over coming fear, fighting against social norms, and reaching for your dreams.  It is a story about trying and never giving up.

"Never let anyone stop you.  Whatever your dream is, chase it.  You will find it.  It is the nest lesson I can give you."


In the book I am Abraham Lincoln we learn that Abraham was a great reader from childhood.  He was an advocate to animals and people.  It is a story of fighting for what you believe in and for the people you believe in.  This book is a great opprotunity to learn about being corageous in the face of bullies.

"Sometimes, the hardest fights don't reveal a winner - but they do reveal character."

 There is a third book releasing in June of 2014, I am Rosa Parks, and if the above two are any indication it will be a fabulous addition to our family library and yours.

Keep in mind the audience these books are intended for.  I know that facts are missing, that some of the harshest moments of their lives are left out.  But I believe there is a good reason for that.  These books touch on the most basic facts because they are meant to simply be a primer for our young readers.  They are meant to spark an interest in history and the world around them  They are wonderful tools to promote a love of learning and reading, to encourage children to follow their dreams and stand up for others.   These books are meant to give them just a glimpse into the lives of historical figures, about how they became the people that they did.  Once that flame is ignited in their minds, search out more detailed books on the people and histories they find most interesting.  This is a wonderful place to start, with fabulous illustrations that will draw their attention and stories told so that they stay captivated through the entire book. 

At the end of each book the author has placed several wonderful photographs that will give your readers a glimpse at the real life heroes described in the story.

I hope soon that we will have many more historical figures added to this wonderful series. 

My love of YA has been redeeemed!

Author: Tahereh Mafi

Publication Date: February 4, 2014
Publisher: Harper Collins
Genre:Young Adult Dystopia
Age Recommendation: 16 and up
Rating: 5 Stars


   So, it wasn't that long ago that I read a certain series finale that put me off reading YA and finale's in general out of fear for my emotional health, then along came Ignite Me and all became right in my world again.  Thank you  Tahereh Mafi, thank you so much.

   How do I even begin to describe to you the fabulousness that is Ignite Me!  For years now I've wanted to give our dear Juliette a shake, but Anderson beat me to it and while I must hate the man for an eternity I can thank him for creating the Juliette we see in this book.

"My head is spinning, thoughts knocking into one another, but I swallow back the tears.  I clench my fists and try not to scream and I tuck away my friends in my heart and revenge I think has never looked so sweet."   -Juliette

So with out giving away too much what exactly happens you may wonder, well...
Someone becomes as badass
Someone has me laughing out loud and breaking my heart all at the same time
Someone is a jerk, yet somehow you can't stop loving him.
And someone, oh, good night, someone just went to the top of my book boyfriend list!

   This book turns into everything you hope it will be and strangely not entirely what you were expecting.  Tahereh continues to enthrall me with her style of writing, her words are more often then not like poetry and leave me in constant awe, constantly looking back and taking them deep into myself to process.

"Words, I think, are such unpredictable creatures.  No gun, no sword, no army or king will ever be more powerful than a sentence.  Swords may cut and kill, but words will stab and sty, burying themselves in our bones to become corpses we carry into the future, all the time digging and failing to rip their skeletons from our flesh." -Juliette 

There are so many things I want to say about this book, but every piece is so integral to the story that I fear giving it all away and it is so hard not to talk about , so very VERY hard.  I want to talk about how all of Tahereh's characters grow into these beautiful and amazing people.  About the love and friendships shared between them all, about the jealousy and anger, the tears and the laughter.  About how much I want Kenji to have his own story and how I really really didn't want to see this end.  It took three books and 2 novellas but I love each of these characters with such a ferocity that they will stay with me for an eternity.  This will easily go down as one of my all time favorite series 

In the end though I can sum this book up with one word: Warn.......er, I mean one word would never be powerful enough to explain all the feelings I have for this book.  Amazing, Wonderful, Magnificent, (as a friend from upstate NY said) Wicked,  Marvelous, Beautiful, Emotional, Tremendous....you get the idea, I could go on and on and I guess that is the point.  This book is just so good, I want to talk about it to everyone!  So hurry up and read it so we can talk!  

Start the Countdown

OH MY,

Look!  Look over there 

-------------------->>>>

I am so excited I can barely contain myself!

Sweet Reckoning by Wendy Higgins, the third and final installment *cries* in the Sweet Evil Trilogy releases April 29th.  81 freaking days folks, 81!  This red head is totally going to be rocking a pink gown to the D.C. Author event 

https://www.facebook.com/events/333625060111458/

and the Sweet Reckoning Release Party!  

If you haven't picked up Sweet Evil or Sweet Peril yet now is the time, go snatch them up!  You have 81 days to get them read and I promise you won't be disappointed, ahem Kaidan Rowe, *swoons*!

Here is the description from the back cover, I KNOW, now go pre-order it!

Embrace Your fate
It's time.
Evil is running rampant, and sweet Anna Whitt is its target. Nobody knows when or how the Dukes will strike, but Anna and her Nephilim allies will do anything necessary to rid the earth of the demons and their oppressive ways.
The stakes are higher than ever, and Anna is determined that the love she feels will be her strength, not a liability. But trying to protect the ones she loves while running for her life and battling demonic forces proves to be perilous—especially as faces are changing and trust is fleeting. When the Duke of Lust sends Anna's great love, Kaidan Rowe, to work against her, Anna must decide how much she's prepared to risk.
In the most sensual and fast-paced installment yet, Sweet Reckoning brings all the beloved Neph together one last time to fight for their freedom.

The King is coming, The King is coming!

GO, GO, GO

The Virtual Signing for JR Ward's upcoming release in the Black Dagger Brotherhood, The King is now OPEN!!!   

They will sell out fast!  The website was crashing, I know, I know I panicked too, but just keep trying you'll get it! 

Now RUUUUNNNNNNNN

http://shop.wardenvs.com/

I looked at my Kindle and I swear I heard angels sing

It's Tuesday!!!  

  A day of celebration in my little book loving world. A day when I wake up at midnight to see what beauties have magically appeared on my Kindle and usually stay awake to start reading  A day I wait by the windows watching for that little white mail truck to come tearing through my neighborhood.  A day I have been known to say "Sure Sweetie" to my children even though I have no idea what they just asked me and then find them later immersed in my makeup draw looking like...well let's just not go there.  Some Tuesday's are a little more exciting then others. Some Tuesday's are Tuesday's like today where the excitement can barely be contained!

 

So throw your TBR list out the window, just try not to hit your beloved postal carrier with it as they bring you your new beauties, grab your cuppa and curl up with one of these must reads and when you are done with the first go on and start the next one you know you want to.

Sooooo After the long wait here they are, my two current OMG's they've been RELEASED!!!!!

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout writing as J. Lynn
Publication Date: February 4, 2014
Publisher:William Morrow Paperbacks
Genre: Contemporary New Adult
Age Recommendation: 18 and Up
Rating: Currently Reading

Book Description:

Teresa Hamilton is having a rough year—she’s in love with her big brother’s best friend, but he hasn’t spoken to her since they shared a truly amazing, mind-blowing, change-your-life kiss. She got out of a terrible relationship. And now an injury is threatening to end her dance career for good. It’s time for Plan B – college. And maybe a chance to convince Jase that what they have together is real.

Jase Winstead has a huge secret that he’s not telling anyone. Especially not his best friend’s incredibly beautiful sister. Even though he and Teresa shared the hottest kiss of his life, he knows that his responsibilities must take priority. He certainly doesn’t have time for a relationship. But it doesn’t help that all he can think about kissing the one girl who could ruin everything for him.

As they’re thrown together more and more, Jase and Tess can’t keep denying their feelings for each other. But a familiar danger looms and tragedy strikes. As the campus recovers, the star-crossed couple must decide what they’re willing to risk to be together, and what they’re willing to lose if they’re not…

Author: Tahereh Mafi

Publication Date: February 4, 2014
Publisher: Harper Collins
Genre:Young Adult Dystopia
Age Recommendation: I am going to go with the standard 12 and up...but talk with your young Pre/Teens!
Rating: Currently Reading

Book Description:

The heart-stopping conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Shatter Me series, which Ransom Riggs, bestselling author of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, called "a thrilling, high-stakes saga of self-discovery and forbidden love"

Juliette now knows she may be the only one who can stop the Reestablishment. But to take them down, she'll need the help of the one person she never thought she could trust: Warner. And as they work together, Juliette will discover that everything she thought she knew-about Warner, her abilities, and even Adam-was wrong.

In Shatter Me, Tahereh Mafi created a captivating and original story that combined the best of dystopian and paranormal and was praised by Publishers Weekly as "a gripping read from an author who's not afraid to take risks." The sequel, Unravel Me, blew readers away with heart-racing twists and turns, and New York Times bestselling author Kami Garcia said it was "dangerous, sexy, romantic, and intense." Now this final book brings the series to a shocking and climactic end. 

Reads All The Books Birthday

Where to even start?  Wow!!!

I can't believe the day is finally here.  While it seems like this has all happened relativity quickly, the fact is the idea for this blog has been hovering around in the back of my mind for several years now.  It took the push of my dear friend Tracy who told me to "turn my someday into today" and to Lisa from Lisa Julia Photography ( https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lisa-Julia-Photography/44018709750), who took the amazing photographs.  I kid you not I squeeeeeed like the fan-girl I am when I saw them. To Amy who worked behind the scenes and over the phone, pointing me in the right direction, fixing things I messed up, and making sure I was ready for today. To Stephanie and Lisa R. who let me rattle on and offer amazing words of encouragement. Finally to my husband (I love you) who has stood quietly by, offering assistance when asked and occupying the girls, even during the Super Bowl, while I learn my way around this 'beast'.  I wouldn't be here without each of them and I owe them more thank you's than I will ever be able to repay. 

So what's this all about then?  Simply, it is about my love of books and my desire to share that love with all of you.  There is a lot out here in the blogging world that is scary and I continually pushed my thoughts to do this aside out of my fear of failure or of the criticism that might come my way.  But not that long ago I woke up in the middle of the night, the name of my blog on the tip of my tongue and my friends words "turn your someday into today" in my mind and I knew now was the time.  What ever happens I did this for me, I am doing this in hopes of inspiring others to read, inspiring them to branch out into other genres, and to help so many amazing authors continue to do what they love, write for us, their readers! 


I do hope you will take a bit of time and look around.  Scroll down and check out three of my favorite books from this last year and enter the drawing to help me celebrate Reads All The Books Birthday.  Thank you for stopping by, get some tea, take a seat, and I hope you enjoy your visit, I am so happy to have you here!

 


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Crestlane County Stole My Heart

It’s impossible to focus on college biology when your family believes doomsday is imminent and the government is out to get you. All Pete Wilson’s ever wanted is to become a veterinarian, but those dreams are going up in flames. Commuting to an urban college and helping his parents with their apocalyptic prepper crap is more than he can handle. Worse, Pete’s asshole neighbor is stirring up trouble, his family’s stockpile has been destroyed and farm animals are turning up dead. Lindsey Linger is the tomboy sister of his best friend. Now a sexy spitfire, she and Pete are liable to set the barn ablaze as their romance finally heats up. But she’s hiding a terrible secret, and rural life isn’t all bonfires and hayloft romps. That becomes clear one icy winter night when the survival of everyone Pete loves hangs in the balance. Can Pete be the hero they need, or will this be the end of the world as he knows it?

Author: Stephanie Lawton
Publication Date: November 12, 2013
Publisher: IJP Press
Genre: Contemporary New Adult
Age Recommendation: 17 and Up
Rating: 5 Stars

Stephanie Lawton has a way about her writing that sends her characters on a true journey of discovery and enlightenment. She cuts through the fluff and hits at the heart of some tough subjects, she doesn't shy away and she doesn't back down. She lays down some pretty challenging story lines in Shelf Life and her a character development is spot on.  All her books make you think and this one is no different. I walked away my heart simultaneously aching and rejoicing, the question What would you do at the forefront of my thoughts.

"We all know the world has shifted among the three of us - Something horrible has been unleashed that I'm afraid will never be fixed or forgotten...or forgiven." - Pete

Who is Pete (our protagonist) Wilson?  He's a teenage boy on the cusp of being a man. A boy who longs to escape the confines of his family and community.  He's a boy afraid to see the life in front of him, a life where his family is ridiculed for their choices, where he has to face the uncertainty of everyday with a father who has come back from war suffering with sever PTSD and life with a sister he can barely tolerate.

  He's a boy who wants to find love and acceptance. Ignored in high school except for when being bullied by the winner of the title 'biggest class jerk ever', Jay.  He hangs out, when not working the farm, with his best friend Lewis and his secret crush, Lindsey, Lewis's Sister.

"My palms are sweaty, but then I kick myself because it's just Lindsey.  This is the girl who shot milk out her nose at my dinner table and built forts with me and Lewis.  Of course she is also the girl who kissed me on the lips behind her dad's tool shed.  We were twelve, but still" - Pete

In one night, one horrifically disturbing incident brings his world crashing down around him and his coming of age journey begins.  The choices he makes are tough to handle at times, but that is coming from a reader with years of insight under her belt.  His reactions to the situations dealt are what you would expect from a young man learning where he stands and what is important in life. 

So the question remains when you've finished the book.  What would you do?

Shelf Life is a story that will touch your heart and leave you wanting to know more about the people of Crestlane County.