Friday 56: 8/31/12

This weekly meme is hosted by Freda's Voice!!!

Rules:

• Grab your current read

• Turn to page 56

• Find any sentence that grabs you

• Post it

• Add your URL to her Linky!

"He looked exactly the same- tall and golden-haired, with the same friendly, happy grin, the same sparkling blue eyes, his entire personality as clear and sunny as a summer afternoon. 'Legs!' he said. It hurt Allegra to hear that old nickname a little, and to hear him use it so easily."
Pg 56, Lost in Time by Melissa De La Cruz
 

WOW: 8/29/12

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine! It showcases books that we can't wait on to come out!

This week I am waiting on Cursed by Jennifer Armentrout. 

Dying sucks--and high school senior Ember McWilliams knows firsthand. After a fatal car accident, her gifted little sister brought her back. Now anything Ember touches dies. And that, well, really blows.
Ember operates on a no-touch policy with all living things--including boys. When Hayden Cromwell shows up, quoting Oscar Wilde and claiming her curse is a gift, she thinks he’s a crazed cutie. But when he tells her he can help control it, she’s more than interested. There’s just one catch: Ember has to trust Hayden's adopted father, a man she's sure has sinister reasons for collecting children whose abilities even weird her out. However, she’s willing to do anything to hold her sister's hand again. And hell, she'd also like to be able to kiss Hayden. Who wouldn't?
But when Ember learns the accident that turned her into a freak may not've been an accident at all, she’s not sure who to trust. Someone wanted her dead, and the closer she gets to the truth, the closer she is to losing not only her heart, but her life. For real this time.

Cursed comes out on September 18, 2012. 

Cover Reveal: Vengeance Bound

The Goddess Test meets Dexter in an edgy, compelling debut about one teen’s quest for revenge…no matter how far it takes her.
Cory Graff is not alone in her head. Bound to a deal of desperation made when she was a child, Cory’s mind houses the Furies—the hawk and the serpent—lingering always, waiting for her to satisfy their bloodlust. After escaping the asylum where she was trapped for years, Cory knows how to keep the Furies quiet. By day, she lives a normal life, but by night, she tracks down targets the Furies send her way. And she brings down Justice upon them.
Cory’s perfected her system of survival, but when she meets a mysterious boy named Niko at her new school, she can’t figure out how she feels about him. For the first time, the Furies are quiet in her head around a guy. But does this mean that Cory’s finally found someone who she can trust, or are there greater factors at work?

As Cory’s mind becomes a battlefield, with the Furies fighting for control, Cory will have to put everything on the line to hold on to what she’s worked so hard to build.

Wanna preorder the book? Click here!

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13643222-vengeance-bound

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Vengeance-Bound-Justina-Ireland/dp/1442444622

BN: Not up yet

Indiebound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781442444621

*This reveal is hosted by AToMR Tours!* 

Teaser Tuesday: 8/28/12

This lovely weekly feature is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading!

Rules:

• Grab your current read!

• Open to a random page

• Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page!

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS

• Share the title and author!

"'Cairo- Al-Qahira- literally translates to mean victorious.' The victorious city. The victor's city. She told Jack as her heart beat in excitement, 'The gate is in Cairo.'"
Pg 18, Lost in Time by Melissa De La Cruz
 

Blog Tour: Interview with Jennifer Laurens + Giveaway

PC: First, I want to thank you for being a guest here on Paper Cuts! I love your writing and think your an awesome author! JL: Thank you :)


PC: How did you come up with the idea for Grace Doll?

JL: Years ago I worked in the motion picture industry. I was a stand in for "Julie" on The Love Boat and for other stars on shows like Dallas, Dynasty, in movies and in commercials. I met lots of interesting people there--one was a makeup artist who I became friends with. He had a son who worked with me, and along with all of the other fascinating facts about filming, behind the scene politics and the personalities of famous people and the people who 'made' them, the idea for Grace Doll was born.

PC: What did you find challenging when you were writing Grace Doll? The easiest part?

JL: The most challenging part was Grace's character. She's a person who's lived a loooooong time but she's still a teenager. Very difficult to create the nuances of a wise person and yet keep them cloistered in the body of a teenager. The easiest part was choosing my aunt's name: Grace Doll for my main character.

PC: What was the most interesting thing you had to research?

JL:The aspect of eternal youth. A neighbor happens to be a brilliant scientist / doctor in that field and he shared his findings on the subject to help with reasonable credibility.

PC: Is Grace Doll going to be apart of a series? Or a stand alone?

JL: At this point, stand alone. It depends on the feedback I get -- personally, I'd love to see more of Grace's life after Solomon discovers her.

PC: How did you discover your passion for writing?

JL: I wrote when I was in elementary school and then as a teenager. always loved reading and writing.

PC: 5 reasons to read Grace Doll?

JL:

• There's no other book out there like it. 

• It's a peek at the studio system that was prevalent in the Golden Age of Hollywood. 

• The characters are complex. 

• The story takes place over a few days.

PC: 5 of your favorite quotes from Grace Doll?

JL:

• They wait for me, the crowd, like savages awaiting a sacrifice.

• The rasp in his voice rolls into the room like a mystical carpet, inviting and dangerous. 

• The area is mature, gorged with trees and year-round flowering shrubs fleshing out the affluent area like an aging actress clinging to beauty.

• A parched desert dares to bloom.

• My tone is his Grace's tone: milky seduction with enough little girl lost to urge his lust.

• "Sizzle, darling, sizzle."

PC: Any upcoming projects you would like to share?

JL: I'm taking a break.

Quickfire!
Chocolate or Vanialla? always chocolate.

M&M's or Skittles? M&Ms

Ebook, Paperback, or Hardback? ebook!

Theater or at home? BOTH!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Authors are Rockstars: Mirand Kenneally + Giveaway

Guys! I am so excited to be apart of Authors are Rockstars host by Fiktshun and Two Chicks on Books!

I am so honored to be featuring Miranda Kenneally and her top ten quotes from Catching Jordan, Stealing Parker, (EEEEEEE!!!!!!) and her new book! :)

But first, I need to tell you why I think Miranda is a rockstar. She is a rockstar because she has opened a whole new spectrum of reading. Guy Sports + girls usually isn't something you read about. It's usually the girl falling for the quarterback, not the other way around! Yet, in Miranda's books you read about those kinds of things. She shows you that girls can play ball and be one of the guys, but still be a girl who can fall in love and be what every girl wants to be. Miranda shows you that it is okay to be who you want to be, not matter the stereotypes People will still love you no matter what you do with your life, and Miranda has showed me that. That is why she is a rockstar in my book!

From Catching Jordan:
1. One thing I learned a long time ago is that even if you think you're meant to be with someone, that doesn't necessarily mean you get to be with them.

2. But what happens when you don't find that right person? Do you just spend the rest of your life in a relationship where the conversation isn't great, everything isn't perfect, but it is nice and sweet?

3. “Not only can I teach you math, I can teach you math in bed, Jordan. You know, I'll add the bed, you subtract the clothes, you divide the legs, and I'll multiply.”

4. I spot the principal walking with this incredible looking guy in tow. Suddenly I have the first knee problems of my life: They turn to rubber.

5. How did I never realize that girls can have just as much fun, and have the same kind of fun, as guys do?


From Stealing Parker:

6. Maybe all friendships don’t fizzle. Maybe, like the kaleidoscope, the colors just change.

7. I say “Ommmm. Ommmm,” under my breath, because Cosmo says that helps center your core.
“Parker,” Brian calls out. “C’mere.”
I jog to the other side of the dugout.
“What were you doing over there?” he asks.

“I was Ommm-ing. You know, centering my core?”

“Okay, Obi-Wan, take this lineup to the press box.” He waves a scorecard.

8. His touch zaps my senses and a jolt runs up my arm and down through my body to my toes and between my legs. Sin lightning. Or something.

9. “As a house elf, would you rather be responsible for combing Hagrid’s beard or washing Snape’s greasy hair?” he asks me.
“Gross! Uh, I’d rather comb the beard because I might find interesting animals or food in there. I might even find mini bottles of Butterbeer or something.”

10. “I’m thinking of suggesting a Ho Down Prom. We’ll tell all the girls it’s a farm theme, you see, but really all the guys will dress in drag. Like hookers. Get it? A Ho Down?”



Two Bonus Quotes from my new book coming out in spring 2013!

1. Him putting the doors on his Jeep is kind of like giving me flowers

2. “So what do tacos have to do with kissing?” I ask.
“Besides the fact I absolutely love both?” he replies.


*I'm just guessing that this is what the book is!*

Giveaway:

Miranda is kind enough to offer a ARC copy of Stealing Parker and she's willing to ship it INT!!! Must be 13 years or older! :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Miranda Kenneally is the author of CATCHING JORDAN, STEALING PARKER (October 1, 2012) and THINGS I CAN'T FORGET (April 2013). Miranda is the co-creator of Dear Teen Me. The Dear Teen Me Anthology will be published on October 31, 2012. She enjoys reading and writing young adult literature, and loves Star Trek, music, sports, Mexican food, Twitter, coffee, and her husband. Follow her on Twitteror Facebook. Miranda is represented by Sara Megibow at Nelson Literary Agency.

Review: Silver

Title: Silver
Author: Talia Vance
Published: September 8, 2012
Source: eGalley

Synopsis:
An Irish heritage, Celtic myth, and deadly beauty
In eighth grade, Brianna did something so dreadful she was suspended and homeschooled. No one could explain what happened that night . . . except Brianna's Irish grandmother, who gave her a silver charm bracelet and told her to wear it until she turned seventeen. Ever since she slipped it on, Brianna has felt like she's invisible. People stare right past her as if she doesn't exist. And that includes Blake Williams, the one boy she can't resist.
But everything changes in one frozen, silver moment when Blake sees her--and recognizes what she's been hiding. Brianna is descended from Danu, the legendary Bandia of Celtic myth. Yet before she can fully understand who or what she is, Brianna accidentally binds her soul to Blake--whose tribe has spent the last thousand years hunting Danu's descendants to protect humanity.

Review:

I loved Silver! Every second of it just drew me in and I was reading as fast as I could to finish it and get to the ending. There were a few slow parts where I found myself bored, but they were quickly replaced by amazingness. I loved it! J

Cover:

The cover has a sort of mysterious air to it. It is breathtaking though.

Plot/Writing:

As I mentioned earlier, the plot was pretty fast paced. Sometimes it seemed a little too fast. One page she would still be trying to grasp the situation, and the next she would be kicking butt with powers she has no idea that she has. I sat there think I would be in shock if this happened to me, but your just accepting it like it’s no big deal.. Okay? The writing was okay too, there were a few mistakes that could easily be looked over, but other than that it was a good book.

Characters:

Brianna just rolls with the punches and anything else that is thrown at her. She just seems fine with everything, when a normal person would be freaking out over everything that is happening to her. It was a little unnerving. She was an amazing character, don’t get me wrong, but she also seemed a little too easy going and then too headstrong. I felt like she was bipolar a lot throughout the book, you never knew how she was going to react to anything.

Blake was hawt. Yes I went there. He was also sweet and caring, but got on my nerves at certain points. He was a confusing character to grasp because he knew more about Bri then he was letting on, but he thought she knew everything he knew so he let stuff that shouldn’t go on, continue. Bipolar characters... can’t live with ‘em can’t live without ‘em.

All in All:

I did enjoy Silver, even if it had some bipolar characters! Ha-ha, if you’re looking for your next witch book, look no further than Silver! J

Blog Tour/Review: Evergreen + Giveaway!

Title: Evergreen
Series name and #: Mer Tales, Book #2
Publisher: Obsidian Mountain Publishing
Release date: 7/29/2012

Synopsis:

A kingdom on the brink of war.
A king on the fringes of insanity.
A family running for their lives.
Ash and Fin’s only desire is to be together and dive into their happily ever after, though their conflicting worlds work to pull them apart. Neither is ready to convert to the other’s life: become a human or a mer. Little do they know that somewhere in Natatoria a secret holds the fine fabric of everyone’s lives together. If the truth is discovered, Ash and Fin will no longer have the luxury of waiting. They’ll be forced to choose. But will it be for loyalty or love? Or will someone else make the choice for them if they can’t decide?
Enter the watery world of treachery, greed, and the binding mer kiss as the story continues with Evergreen, book two of Mer Tales.

Spoilers for Everblue!

Review:

Epic. That is all I have to say about this book. It was epic. I loved it. I was thrown a new surprise every couple pages and I just loved it. Though there were parts that I was sitting there thinking why am I still reading? It’s just Ash all sad and lonely, but then it would become epic again and I would love it all over again!

Cover:

I like the cover. I don’t really like the close-up aspect of this one. The make-up was too much and it just didn’t seem to fit the book. I think it would have been a little better to be like the cover of Everblue a lot more. It just seemed to fit, and this one didn’t seem to.

Plot/Writing:

Oh. My. Word. Talk about a roller coaster ride. You had one twist after another and you barely had time to catch your breath. I like how she continued the story and added new characters without making them seem to be invading on the story and not distracting from the main point, but helping it and propelling it forward. Beware, if you hate cliff hangers, then well… You’re kinda screwed cause this one ends on a major cliff hanger and I was about to throw the book across the room.

Characters:

I wanted to strangle Ash most of the time. She was just being reckless and a liar for a good part of the book. Why couldn’t she just tell the truth and make do with what happened? But no, she didn’t and well the whole stinkin’ book was her fault! Okay, end rant. She was more confusing and indecisive in this book then the last one, she knew what she wanted but wouldn’t go after it. She snuck around and hid from the people she loved. I wasn’t proud of her until the very end. Then she became the Ash we know and love.

I love Fin. I adore Fin. I was annoyed with Fin. He just seemed to not be doing much in this book. You get to see things from his perspective and it just felt wrong. Sure it gave you more to the story and explained things, but I didn’t seem to want to see that. I wanted him with Ash and them to live happily ever after and swim off in the sun set. (Metaphorically speaking, of course.) I just couldn’t get into Fin’s character all that much in this book, but the stuff that he did made me happy and swoon! J

All in All:

I really did enjoy this book, the characters got on my nerves but that was for just little stuff and that is just me ranting. If you haven’t yet you should pick up Everblue and continue on with the epic tale of Ash and Fin!

 

Purchase Evergreen:

Barnes & NoblePrint | Barnes & Nobleebook

Brenda’s Links:

Brenda Pandos’ Website: http://www.brendapandos.com/

Blog: http://brendapandos.blogspot.com

Goodreads Page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3449368

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/brendapandos

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/brendapandos

Author Bio:

Brenda Pandos lives in California with her husband and two boys. She attempts to balance her busy life filled with writing, being a mother and wife, and spending time with friends and family. Working formerly as an I.T. Administrator, she never believed her imagination would be put to good use. After her son was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder her life completely changed. Writing paranormal romance became something she could do at home while tending to the new needs of her family, household, and herself.Three years later, Brenda now has five books published, The Talisman Trilogy: The Emerald Talisman, The Sapphire Talisman, and The Onyx Talisman, and Mer Tales: Everblue and Evergreen. She is currently working on the third book of Mer Tales, Everlost, coming February 2013.

Giveaway:

Brenda has a giveaway going on on her blog and you can win a $50.00 gift card to Amazon, a signed set of Everblue and Evergreen, and 3 vials of Essence necklace!

http://brendapandos.blogspot.com/2012/08/evergreen-blog-tour-aug-20-sept-7th-50.html

Also, if you comment on this post with a question or comment she will give you a ecopy of her book! :)

Ends August 31!

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Friday 56: 8/24/12

This weekly meme is hosted by Freda's Voice!!!

Rules:

• Grab your current read

• Turn to page 56

• Find any sentence that grabs you

• Post it

• Add your URL to her Linky!

"Tears blurred Luce's eyes, and she tried to fight them down. She shifted her position in the water. Just a few feet to start, being careful to keep herself where he could look into her face."
Pg 56, ARC of Waking Storms by Sarah Porter

Austin Teen Book Festival!!

          

  It’s that time of year again, the Austin Teen Book Festival! This year brings big changes and big names! We are thrilled to have Neal Shusterman as an opening speaker and Libba Bray closing us out. We will also have the entire event center for the fest! We count on book lovers and promoters like you to help spread the word and get everyone excited for the festival. For your efforts, we have set up a MEDIA area in which you can conduct interviews with the attending authors. Below you will find details on the fest, how you can help promote, and how to obtain access to authors.

*Please keep in mind that the festival is intended to connect teen readers with authors and to inspire teens to read. We love our adult readers and are thrilled you promote the fest and drive great distances to be with us!

***The festival is free and open to everyone***

Date: Saturday, September 29, 2012

Time: 9:30am – 5:00pm

Location: Palmer Events Center

                    900 Barton Springs Road

        Austin, TX 78746

Keynote Author(s): Opening - Neal Shusterman; Closing - Libba Bray

Panels & Authors:

Where We’re Going, We Don’t Need Roads - Neal Shusterman, Marissa Meyer, Rachel Cohn,  Jeff Hirsch, Dan Krokos, and Greg Leitich Smith (moderator)

We’re Not In Kansas Anymore - Libba Bray, Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl, Leigh Bardugo, Rae Carson, and Sarah Rees Brennan (moderator)

Creature Comfort - Scott Speer, Anna Banks, Gina Damico, Tara Hudson, Martha Brockenbrough, and Sophie Jordan (moderator)

Real Life Happens - Jesse Andrews, Elizabeth Scott, Guadalupe Garcia McCall, E.M. Kokie, Jessica Lee Anderson, and John Corey Whaley (moderator)

The Thrill Of the Chase - William Richter, Lex Thomas (Lex Hrabe and Thomas Voorhies), Eliot Schrefer, Ally Carter, and Jennifer Lynn Barnes (moderator)

What Would You Do For Love? - Ally Condie, Kresley Cole, Jessica Shirvington, Tamara Ireland Stone, Jessica Khoury, and Tracy Deebs (moderator)

Mission: Fostering a community effort to celebrate and promote reading by connecting teens to local and award-winning authors, whose writing spans across genres and interest levels. 

Goals of the Festival:

Connect teen readers to local and award-winning authors

Bring together teens who enjoy reading

Encourage struggling readers

Support, promote, and celebrate recreational reading

Promote life-long reading

How You Can Promote the Festival:

            Like us on Facebook - Austin Teen Book Festival

            “Share” our posts and pictures on your Timeline

            Follow us on Twitter at @AustinTBF (use #ATBF12)

            Include our partners @BookPeople and @APLFF in Tweets

            Follow the authors and include their handle and @AustinTBF in Tweets - we’ll RT!   

            Add the event and the site link to your blog          

            Blog/vblog about the festival - who you can’t wait to meet, book recommendations, etc.

            Create book trailers for attending authors and post to YouTube & your blog

            Visit our website, www.austinteenbookfestival.com

Panels & Authors: Where We’re Going, We Don’t Need Roads - Neal Shusterman, Marissa Meyer, Rachel Cohn, Jeff Hirsch, Dan Krokos, and Greg Leitich Smith (moderator)

We’re Not In Kansas Anymore - Libba Bray, Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl, Leigh Bardugo, Rae Carson, and Sarah Rees Brennan (moderator)

Creature Comfort - Scott Speer, Anna Banks, Gina Damico, Tara Hudson, Martha Brockenbrough, and Sophie Jordan (moderator)

Real Life Happens - Jesse Andrews, Elizabeth Scott, Guadalupe Garcia McCall, E.M. Kokie, Jessica Lee Anderson, and John Corey Whaley (moderator)

The Thrill Of the Chase - William Richter, Lex Thomas (Lex Hrabe and Thomas Voorhies), Eliot Schrefer, Ally Carter, and Jennifer Lynn Barnes (moderator)

What Would You Do For Love? - Ally Condie, Kresley Cole, Jessica Shirvington, Tamara Ireland Stone, Jessica Khoury, and Tracy Deebs (moderator)

36 amazing authors on 6 panels! There will be FOUR opportunities to see authors speak so plan ahead! (click pic to enlarge)

Festival Schedule:

Austin Teen Book Festival 2012 Schedule
Time	Event	Location
9:30 - 10:00	Book Sales	Downstairs 1
10:00 – 10:45	Opening Keynote Neal Shusterman	Downstairs 2
10:55 – 11:35	Group #1 Panels: Real Life Happens We’re Not In Kansas Anymore Where We’re Going, We Don’t Need Roads	Upstairs Downstairs 2 Downstairs 1
11:35– 12:35	Lunch Book Sales Exhibits	Downstairs 1 & 2
12:35-1:15	Group #2 Panels: The Thrill Of the Chase Creature Comforts What Would You Do For Love?	Upstairs Downstairs 2 Downstairs 1
1:25 – 2:05	Group #1 Panels: Real Life Happens We’re Not In Kansas Anymore Where We’re Going, We Don’t Need Roads	Upstairs Downstairs 2 Downstairs 1
2:15 – 2:55	Group #2 Panels: The Thrill Of the Chase Creature Comforts What Would You Do For Love?	Upstairs Downstairs 2 Downstairs 1
3:00 – 3:40	Closing Keynote Libba Bray	Downstairs 2
3:40 – 5:00	Author Signing Book Sales	Downstairs 1

Tips:

Get here early for the Opening Note presentation at 10am from Neal Shusterman

Plan ahead to visit the four panels of authors you want to see

Bring a camera and water bottle

Books will be sold throughout the day from Book People - CASH or CC accepted

Book signings are at the end of the day - most books will be PRE-SIGNED, but you can wait       in line for personalizations 

You may bring up to 3 books from home for every 1 book purchased at the festival

There will be two concessions open all day with areas to eat inside or out on the lawns

Parking is $7

     

Volunteer:

The Austin Teen Book is the largest teen book festival in the country and it would not be possible without its devoted volunteers. We are always looking for help and would appreciate a hand during fest day with signing lines, volunteer check in, etc. If available, send an email to ATBFvolunteer@gmail.com and let us know how you can assist.

Questions?

Please visit www.austinteenbookfestival.com or email ATBFmedia@gmail.com with questions.

  

Jen Bigheart

ATBFmedia@gmail.com

PR & Media - Austin Teen Book Festival

Go Jen! This is all so amazing! I know I cannot wait to go and see some of my favorite authors! :) I am looking forward to this event! Come check it out if your in the Austin area! :)