Books With Love Hop

Welcome to my blog and the Books With Love Hop hosted by Good Choice Reading!! I'm so excited for this giveaway because it's one of my favorite books. Just look at my Slideshow at the top of my blog!! My Valentine's Day is not going to be filled with love because teenage boys suck.....But this interview with the wonderful Beth Fantaskey and a giveaway of her book, Jessica's Guide to Dating On The Dark Side, is helping my wounded spirits!!

Interview:

So, pretend we're in school and have to do one of those annoying ice-breakers, what are a few things you'd tell us to get to know you better?

Hmm... I’ve been in a doctoral program for about eight years now, studying mass communication. I am fiercely competitive at the gym. If you run fast on your treadmill, I will run FASTER. And I have two – soon to be three – daughters, so I spend a lot of time waiting at school bus stops. That’s about it!

Did you name Lucius by his name becuase he's so luscious?? lol

Actually, I picked that name because it sounds a little bit wicked, like “Lucifer,” but actually means “light.” So along with seeming very masculine to me, it also suited a vampire who struggles with the light and dark aspects of his nature. The fact that it’s close to “luscious” didn’t strike me until I had one of his classmates nickname him “Luscious Lucius.”

In Jessica's Guide, what kind fo research, if any, did you do to write such a wonderfully romantic book?

The research part wasn’t very romantic. I mainly looked up things about Romania, Romanian food, vegan recipes, etc. Very practical stuff. One of my favorite things to research was “The Little Red Riding Hood” story that Lucius quotes near the end of the book. I was so happy to find that the original tale was very grim, which fit my story line very well!

Do you have a comfort book? You know, one of those books you pick up when you need to feel better? If not, what do you do for a pick me up?

When I feel sad, I read James Thurber’s “My Life and Hard Times.” It always makes me laugh, and gives me this wonderful sense of comfort and family. My copy, which I’ve had since high school, is completely falling apart.

What one book would you recommend to every reader?

“The Count of Monte Cristo.” I think a lot of people look at it and go, “Ancient classic... yawn!” But it’s incredibly gripping, and the hero is so dark and funny and charismatic. I love that book.

As an aspiring author and reader, I've always wondered if authors are inspired by their favorite authors?

I am more intimidated than inspired. I don’t even pretend to try to live up to my favorite authors. I just read them with awe and appreciation, then go about doing my own thing as best I can.

How long did it take you to start writing your novels after you got the idea formed in your head?

I wrote Jessica’s Guide as soon as the idea hit. I was on a long car ride from Georgia to Pennsylvania, and I started developing the story, scribbling notes on all of these napkins my husband keeps stuffed in his car’s glove compartment. When I got home, I started writing the next morning.

What was your reaction the first time you saw your book in a store?

It was strange. I was so excited, and yet almost intimidated. It’s hard to explain. You’re standing there thinking, “Gee, this is real. I hope some people like it.”

Do you have any future plans for anymore YA or adult novels?

I’m working on one more YA paranormal romance right now. After that, I have no idea what I’ll be doing... aside from waiting at bus stops!

Just a few quickies:
Favorite Movie: A tie between Harold and Maude and The Princess Bride

Favorite Book: The Count of Monte Cristo

Favorite Band: Ooh, toughie! Probably Coldplay

Favorite TV Show: America’s Next Top Model is my guiltiest pleasure

I saw this question on the 30 Days of Insight posts I participated in and loved it. A memory that never fails to make you laugh: Oh, gosh, there are so many! I’m going to randomly say the time my sister opened a jar of chocolate malt powder and it inexplicably exploded all over her face. There was a big “poof,” and a cloud of chocolate, and when she turned around, she was covered in fine, brown dust. Stuff is always funniest when it happens to your sibling, right?

All you have to do is:

1. comment on the interview below
2. comment on any of my posts before today (+1)
3. be a follower (+1)
4. Spread the word in any other way

Interview and Giveaway with Laura Whitcomb!!!

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I'm so excited to be interviewing Laura Whitcomb, author of one of my favorite books of all time, A Certain Slant of Light! She's also generously giving away a SIGNED copy! I'm so freakin' jealous of whomever wins this one-- good luck guys!

Interview:

So, pretend we're in school and have to do one of those annoying ice-breakers, what are a few things you'd tell us to get to know you better?



I adopted a newborn a year ago – his name’s Robinson, but I call him Binny. His nursery is decorated like an elfin forest. We have a MinPin pup named Maximus. I host monthly Supernatural Tea Parties where friends gather (actors, storytellers, magicians, writers) and eat finger sandwiches and sweets and drink Earl Grey tea while discussing subjects like ghosts, fairyfolk, myths and legends, ESP, time travel, UFOs, magic, and the like.

Why did you decide to make A Certain Slant of Light a young adult novel when it could have easily been an adult novel?


My agent said it might sell to YA or to adult – she sent it to both kinds of editors and it sold to Graphia, a YA imprint of Houghton Mifflin. But as soon as I knew it would be YA, it made perfect sense to me. Helen and James deal with the high school lives of the teens they possess. It makes them accessible to YA readers, I think.

Do you have a comfort book? You know, one of those books you pick up when you need to feel better? If not, what do you do for a pick me up?


I’ve read the Princess Bride many times – every time I pick it up I think I’m only going to read one of my favorite parts, but I end up reading scores of pages before I even realize I’ve done it. It’s so charming.

What one book would you recommend to every reader?


Too hard to choose just one. I love The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart, Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie, C. S. Lewis's Narnia series, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle and so many others that they get stuck trying to get through the door of my brain at the same time.


As an aspiring author and reader, I've always wondered if authors are inspired by their favorite authors?

While I was writing A Certain Slant of Light I had recently read Janet Fitch’s White Oleander and both Poisonwood Bible and Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver – I wanted to write as beautifully as those two women. I would reread passages. Once I even blindly opened Fitch’s book and photocopied pages at random then highlighted every phrase or sentence that was unexpected and brilliant. She could be original on average a couple times per page. With the same highlighter in hand I went through my own rough draft of Slant and made sure I had at least two phrases or sentences per page that I felt were beautiful or fresh (or both.). If I found a page with no highlights in my book, I would work on that page until I liked it better.


How long did it take you to start writing your novels after you got the idea formed in your head?

That ranges quite a bit – I wrote twenty unpublished novels before I broke in. Sometimes years, sometimes days. With Slant I just started writing not knowing if it would be a short story or a novel. I didn’t have it all worked out in advance.

What was your reaction the first time you saw your book in a store?

I was a thrilled dork and had my sister take a picture of me next to it.

Do you have any future plans for anymore YA or adult novels?

Right now I’m writing the sequel to A Certain Slant of Light. It’s also kind of a prequel. So a sprequel. (My editor calls it a companion novel.) I also have an idea for a series to write after that which would also be YA supernatural. I also have ideas for a couple of adult novels, too. But I don’t talk about my stories in advance. I’m funny that way. Private. No, more like shy. Nervous if I talk about an idea I’ll kill some of it’s energy.
Just a few quickies:

Favorite Movie: One of my faves is Gosford Park.

Favorite Book: As I’ve said, one of my favorite books would be The Princess Bride.

Favorite Band: Flight of the Conchords.

Favorite TV Show: One of my favorite shows is 30 Rock. But I also love Medium, Treme, Boardwalk Empire, Luther, Being Human (UK version), Nurse Jackie, and So You Think You Can Dance.

I saw this question on the 30 Days of Insight posts I participated in and loved it: A memory that never fails to make you laugh: Once when I was in about the fifth grade my family was taking a walk around the neighborhood together and my mom was quietly walking without stepping on the lines in the sidewalk. When my dad noticed, he tried to force her onto a crack. By the time he succeeded, they were both laughing and she stopped and jumped up and down on the lines in a kind of “I meant to do that” fashion. They both died in 2005, but I bet Heaven is full of just that kind of sweet silliness.

Thanks so much Laura! And now drumroll please....time for the amazing giveaway!! All you have to do is:

1. comment on the interview below
2. comment on any of my posts before today (+1)
3. be a follower (+1)
4. spread the word in any way (+4)

The giveaway ends February 14th at 11:59 PM in honor of Valentine's Day!!!

CSN Stores $25 Gift Certificate!!

I'm so honored that CSN stores contacted me and offered me a giveaway or a review I could do. And...of course I chose a giveaway for my awesome followers! Yay! They have so awesome stuff-I just ordered 3 things from them, I'll show you guys in a future post-like modern dining room furniture, shoes, bookshelves, and tons more!

I honestly wish I owned my own house so I could decorate it with their beautiful shtuff!

Here's the Low Down on the Giveaway:

• just comment below with what you think you'll buy
• extra point if you tweet or blog about the giveaway
• ends January 9th

Yay for the Gratitude Giveaway, hosted by I Am a Reader, Not a Writer. There are 185 blogs participating in this event in response to the awesomeness to their wonderful followers so you have a ton of other chances to win some prizes for being the coolest followers ever!!

It runs from Wednesday, November 17th to Sunday, November 28th!!

Thanks to all my 57 followers, the last time I checked, so this is what I'm giving you a chance to win some great books sent to me from the very generous Tundra Books:

Tryanny by Lesley Fairfield

Call Me Mimi by Francis Chalifour

Just leave a comment below with a reason you like my blog and your email address! Good luck!

Chronicle Books Happy Haul-idays Giveaway!! READ THIS!

Chronilce Books is having an amazing giveaway: make a post with up to $500 of their books and you AND one lucky commentar will win ALL of the books!! How cool is that??

My picks(can I get 2 of each?? lol):
The True and the Questions: A Journal by Sabrina Ward Harrison
Prisoners in the Palace by Micahela MacColl
Blue Plate Special by Michelle D. Kwasney
The Space Between Trees by Katie Williams
Love and Lust by Susie Bright
642 Things Top Draw
Our Love Is Here to Stay 15 Postcards of Affection
Spinning Out by David Stahler Jr.
Up by Jim LaMarche
Thirteen O'Clock by James Stimson
Scary Stories by Barry Moser
In My Forest by Sara Gillingham
Eric Carle Decorative Prints by Eric Carle
Just Like A Baby by Jaunita Havill
Out of Sight by Pittau & Gervais
Eight Winter Nights by Laura Krauss Melmed
Vunce Upon A Time by J.Otto Seibold and Siobhan Vivian
The Halloween Kittens by Maggie Kneen

Most of these books are for my 2 little cousins, my baby sister, and the Child Development Program/Class at my school but I have a few on their for myself too! It'd be awesome to be able to share my love of books with other kids, so wish me good luck-and yourself-good luck!

Just A Little Update On My Giveaway

My Awakened Giveaway was originally set to end TOMORROW but I've been told by many people that it was too short.....so I'm extending it to Thursday November 18th!!

So please spread the word around!! Thanks!

My New Plan.....AND a giveaway!!

Oh gosh. Can someone be embarassed over the computer? I'm so ahsamed for not keeping up with my neglected blog! I'm sorry blog...my life is so hectic. I know I'm making excuses but if you knew my life...you'd understand. Well, my mom finally got a new internet usb thingy, so I'm all good to go. For real this time, promise.

I know I seem all hunky dorey now, but I was thinking of ending my blog :'(
Not because I wasn't enjoying it, but because I haven't been blogging and reading, like at all. School is so much, not hard but I just don't have enough time to read. Junior year is supposed to be hard and...it's not that my classes are any harder, even though I'm taking AP Psychology, but there's a different aura this year. It might also have to do with my newfound self.

I've maybe hinted on it in some posts, but I do suffer from depression. I won't go into details but ever since I've been on anti-depressants, and they work!, I've been feeling a lot more better. I actually socialize a lot more at school, have no problem with presentations, and feel overall a lot more confident with myself.

But, unfortunately, my reading addiction began when I first became depressed about 4 years ago. And now that it's...well, not gone but not as severe, I'm focused on other things than just reading. I still enjoy reading but I just have to get my groove from the summer back.

SO thanks for reading my post, and hopefully my future ones, and as a BIG SORRY I want to do my first giveaway!! I'm very excited but I'm starting small. And I want to thank Pill Hill Press for providing Awakened by Ednah Walters! I'm gonna end this giveaway Tuesday, Novemeber 9th to celebrate the end of the first marking period at my high school!!

Most teens turn sixteen and get the license to drive, Lil Falcon gets the license to kill demons, but no one told her she is not supposed to fall in love with one.

Orphaned as a child and raised by an eccentric grandfather, Lil is concerned with surviving high school and is unaware she's a Guardian—a being with super powers charged with killing demons and protecting humanity. But when she meets Bran, a mysterious boy with amazing abilities, his psi energy unlocks her latent powers.

But Bran has a secret that can destroy their growing relationship. He's part demon. But in her heart, Lil knows Bran is not evil. So when her grandfather is kidnapped by a powerful nature-bender and Bran is the only one who knows where he's being kept, Lil convinces the other Guardians to trust him, not knowing her grandfather is just the bait. And the truth that she discovers in the demonic enclave may just destroy everything she believes in, unless she makes the right choice—love and sacrifice.




Good luck!!

Back To School + Giveaway @ Reading Teen!!

I got my schedule in the mail yesterday, so I feel like school is more real than ever. I start my junior year Sept. 7th, which means I have a WEEK to do ALL of my school work for the summer.... I know, I should've been more responsible but...I'm just not. I know I can knock out my summer reading and history shtuff, I just don;t know how long it'll take me to do my PA Pych stuff. Probably not too long I hope- I need to read! Unfortunately, I think I'm not going to be able to post as much as I want because of school. And it's not because of school work, it's because I'll be living with my mom instead of my dad and I don't know how much access I'll have to a computer. Plus, I'm hoping I get a job....It's so bittersweet.

Buutttt, to make going back to schoola little easier for everyone, Reading Teen is hosting a Back to School Giveaway Bash!! Yay! Here's what's up for grabs:

The Duff by Kody Keplinger

The Eternal Ones by Kirsten Miller

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Pegasus by Robin McKinley

You by Charles Benoit

Halo by Alexandra Adornetto

Other by Karen Kincy

Grace by Elizabeth Scott

Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia, Margaret Stohl

Ascendant by Diana Peterfreund

The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney

Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler

Immortal Beloved by Cate Tiernan

Dark Song by Gail Giles

Kiss Me Deadly Anthology multiple authors

You can go enter Here! Good luck!