tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74567772044510113842024-03-12T22:44:21.721-05:00The Sisters' TaleShaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09720486518433036376noreply@blogger.comBlogger127125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456777204451011384.post-39915643491335163422013-07-27T15:51:00.000-05:002013-07-27T15:51:09.909-05:00Keeper of the Black Stones Blog Tour: Book 2 title reveal + sneak peak!<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
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I reviewed the totally awesome Keeper of the Black Stones <a href="http://thesisterstale.blogspot.com/2013/01/review-keeper-of-black-stones-arc-by-pt.html" target="_blank">back in January</a> and now I'm excited to reveal to you all a sneak peak of book two, and yes, the title! To kick things off, I will start with something fun. <b><span style="font-size: large;"></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="line-height: 200%;">Ten Things We </span><span style="line-height: 32px;">Didn't</span><span style="line-height: 200%;"> know About Tatiana</span></b></span></div>
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<b>1)</b> Tatiana speaks five languages (English, French, Spanish, Italian, and Romanian). She’s fluent in every language, and used to taunt her father in Romanian whenever she got mad at him.<p>
<b>2)</b> She’s practiced martial arts since she was five years old (tai-kwon-doe). She achieved black belt earlier than anyone else in her class, but did it quietly, because she doesn’t really believe in bragging. She does, however, love knowing that she could beat anyone else in the class.<p>
<b>3)</b> Since her mother’s death four years ago she’s been going to prep schools and living in dorms rather than living with her father or grandfather, who she doesn’t really like. She’s currently staying at KUA (Kimball Union Academy) in Plainfield, NH, where she’s studying languages, literature, history, and marshal arts. During vacation she has to travel home to Vermont to stay with her grandfather, but she spends most of her time away from him.<p>
<b>4)</b> Her favorite place in her grandfather’s home is the tiny room in the eaves of the barn. She found it when she was ten, and realized that no one used it for anything – it was full of old tack, grubby clothing, a wealth of cobwebs, and several very large spiders. She promptly cleaned it out and claimed it for her own. Since then she’s installed a small television, the most comfortable chair in her grandfather’s house, and a mini fridge. She’s also been steadily stealing books from her grandfather’s three libraries, and building her own. He’s never said anything, and she doubt that he cares. This is where she disappears for days on end. She calls it her Neverland.<p>
<b>5) </b>Favorite Movie: The Princess Bride. She won’t admit it, but she’s a romantic at heart, and cries whenever Wesley tells Buttercup, “As you wish.” She’s also kind of jealous that Wesley becomes a pirate. It’s on her list of things to do one day. <p>
<b>6)</b> Favorite dessert: cheese cake, with raspberries and chocolate syrup on top. She likes New York style, not that fluffy whipped kind. She likes to say that whipped cheese cake is for sissies. Her favorite restaurant, thanks to the cheese cake obsession, is Junior’s in New York City.<p>
<b>7) </b>She plays the clarinet, and she’s incredibly talented. She thinks it’s a girly thing to do, though, and doesn't tell many people. But she’s already been invited to join the New York City orchestra when she gets older.<p>
<b>8)</b> Favorite sport: riding horses. It’s one of the only things that makes her grandfather worth the trouble, in her opinion, because he buys her horses that no one else ever could. She’s been in state and national competitions, and done extremely well. One day she’d like to be in the Olympics. If she has the time. Her riding abilities have come in handy so far, considering she practically had to teach Jason how to sit on a horse.<p>
<b>9)</b> Tatiana keeps a journal, but she’ll never let anyone read it. It’s the only place where she’s truly honest, and it would make her extremely vulnerable for anyone to hear what she actually thinks.<p>
<b>10)</b> She was diagnosed with Lyme disease when she was three, and nearly lost her life. Now nothing scares her. She figures she almost died once, and it wasn’t that bad. Why would she worry about dying again?<b style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></b><p>
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And now here is a sneak peak from book two......<br />
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<b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">A Rebel’s Stone</b></div>
<span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>Have
you ever had a dream so real that when you woke up, for one brief
moment, you weren’t sure where your imagination stopped and reality
began? Where you forgot who you were and how you got there, and had
trouble remembering even your own name? </i></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>I
only ask, really, because that’s been happening to me a lot lately.
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<span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>I
realize this sounds crazy, but it’s not too hard to imagine when
you think about what I’ve seen over the past few weeks. God, has it
only been that long?</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>I
guess I should probably start at the beginning, for this to make any
sense at all. Months ago, John Fleming, an old friend of my
grandfather’s, introduced him to an archeological discovery. A
large stone, which looked more like a kitchen counter than the find
of the millennium. His son had found it on an archaeological dig, and
taken it to Dartmouth College to unravel its secret. </i></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>Fleming
showed the stone to my grandfather – Doc to me – because he was a
mathematician. See, the stone had hundreds of symbols engraved on its
surface, and Fleming thought he’d be able to read them. In the end,
of course, he did a lot more than that. He deciphered their meaning,
yes. And then he listened to their instructions. Turned out the stone
wasn’t just a dusty old relic carved out of granite by an ancient
civilization. Or rather, it </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">was</span></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>,
but it was also something a lot more. A portal, capable of doing the
impossible. Capable of transporting someone back in time, into the
very history of our books and stories. And it wasn’t the only one.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>Allowing
that journey, of course, means allowing us access to that history,
and the people that made it. And </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">that</span></span><span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>,
my friends, is the crux of the problem. </i></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>My
grandfather recognized immediately how dangerous the stone was. He
knew that going back in time would endanger history, and the fate of
the world itself. Unfortunately, Nicholas Fleming, John’s son,
looked past the danger and saw the fame and fortune that such a
discovery would bring. Unwilling to listen to my grandfather’s
warning, Nicholas armed himself with a weapon and his
twenty-first-century knowledge, climbed onto the stone, and went
merrily back to Old England, to reappear some five hundred years
before I was born. </i></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>My
grandfather, with his ability to read the stones, identified
Nicholas’ destination and went after him. His plan was to bring the
man home, to safety, but that goal was quickly overshadowed by what
Nicholas was doing. Because within days of finding him, Doc realized
that Nicholas’ ambition had gone far beyond money and glory. He had
decided to reshape history to his liking, starting with the War of
the Roses. And in changing history – for reasons that still escape
us – he was putting the entire world in danger. He had to be
stopped. </i></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>You
might be asking yourself how I got involved in all of this. Devine
intervention, coincidence, bad luck? Well, that’s the
million-dollar question that keeps me up at night. And I still don’t
have a good answer. Not one that would make sense to anyone other
than myself. The simple truth is that I also have the ability to read
the stones. And I can do it better than my grandfather. I can travel
back in time, yes, but I can also do more. Somehow, and I know how
crazy this sounds, I can talk to the stones. Learn from them. Use
them as the tools they actually are. And it’s all with one goal in
mind: to preserve our past. To maintain history and, with it, the
thread of time, and the world around us.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>How
do we do that? I have no idea. But I can say with a bit of pride that
we’ve already started. Doc and I, with the help of my friends,
Tatiana, Paul, and Katherine, and my recently acquired body guard
Reis, defeated Richard III at the battle of Bosworth, despite Fleming
taking his side, and thus helped to close the door on the Dark Ages.
We stopped Nicholas Fleming from throwing the world off balance by
changing the outcome of that one important war. So we’ve already
started our fight for history and the world.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>Unfortunately,
Nicholas Fleming, now known as Dresden, escaped. Doc believes that
Dresden has no true relationship with the stones, and therefore can’t
predict their line of travel. Based on that, he thinks that Dresden’s
last trip on the stones must have ended up at the bottom of the
English Channel, or atop Mount Everest under several feet of snow. He
doesn’t believe that Dresden survived his escape. He thinks that
we’re safe, now that Dresden has disappeared. </i></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>But
I know differently. I know what I saw when Dresden escaped, and the
stone he was on made sure I understood. In reality, Dresden was sent
to Germany in the year of 1939, right when the Nazis were coming to
power. He didn’t know where he was going, but I’m sure he made it
there safely. And I have to find him. No matter how much Doc tries to
convince me otherwise, the stones don’t lie. Dresden is still out
there, somewhere. And I have to find him and stop him, before he does
anything else to damage history.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>Because
the world won’t be safe until I do.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>Jason
Evans</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>Keeper
of the Black Stones</i></span></span><br />
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<b style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">About the Author</span></b></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
PT McHugh didn’t start out as a storyteller. He was, however, born into a family that encouraged imagination. He became a fan of history in school and then went to college to become a construction engineer, to build a world of straight lines, angles, and equations.
He was just as surprised as everyone else when he realized that he believed in magic, and might just know the secret of how to jump through time. Since then, he’s been researching the possibility and learning everything he can about history. Just in case the opportunity arises.
PT was born and raised in New Hampshire and currently lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with his wife, two daughters, and a dog named Bob, daring to dream of alternate worlds and cheering for his beloved New England Patriots.</blockquote>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10441563-keeper-of-the-black-stones" target="_blank">Add Keeper of the Black Stones via Goodreads </a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Keeper-Black-Stones-Stone-ebook/dp/B009YM8BCO/ref=sr_1_1_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1374951458&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Purchase Keeper of the Black Stones via Amazon</a>Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09720486518433036376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456777204451011384.post-66712090614686977772013-07-27T15:41:00.000-05:002013-07-27T15:55:55.760-05:00The Sisters Tale Gazette - Be Back Soon!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hey all! So, obviously our blog has been kind of,<i> really</i> quiet, the last several months. When we went on hiatus in early 2013, we never planned on it going this long. We thought maybe a month or two. And then, you know, somehow, time went by fast (as it usually does) and here we are and it's almost August. To be honest? This is exactly what we needed. We read just for fun, these past months and it was glorious. Our batteries are recharged and we are close to coming back and be the best blog we can be. We have thought of new exciting content for our blog and strategized up a way to write reviews that our not only our style but fun for us. To top it off, we have a beautiful new, clean layout that we are just thrilled with (though it's still being worked on). Our one year blogoversary is <b>August 31st</b>, so that's the date we are preparing to come back full force. Also, for that day, we are planning a huge giveaway, so be on the lookout. We wanted to thank our readers who have stuck with us through this long hiatus, we really appreciate it!<br />
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In the meantime, we'd love it if you could follow us on Bloglovin'!</div>
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<b>So, tell us what you've been reading lately? What are some of your favorites, new or old, that you've read so far this year? </b><br />
<br />Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09720486518433036376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456777204451011384.post-76148222157743144332013-06-26T00:03:00.000-05:002013-07-08T17:52:39.252-05:00Review: Trail of the Chupacabra by Stephen Randel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">THE REASON I READ THIS BOOK WAS BECAUSE... </i>I absolutely adored <u><a href="http://thesisterstale.blogspot.com/2012/10/review-chupacabra-by-stephen-randal.html">The Chupacabra</a></u>, the first book in the series, and I always said that if another book was written, I would read the next one as soon as possible. I love these characters and I just could not wait to see what happened next. This is why I chose to be apart of the blog tour, even though this blog is technically still on hiatus. I just had to make an exception!<br />
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<b><i>I WOULD DESCRIBE THE OVERALL PLOT AS...</i></b> a delightful, dark comedy-adventure told from multiple points of view and full of snappy, quotable dialogue. What starts as an "innocent" monster meeting ultimately leads the characters on a crazy adventure south of the Mexican-American border battling the cartels and the unforgiving desert. There was a pretty big plot twist in the middle that took me by surprise and I commend Randel for getting me on that one. The ending was earned and opens up the series for even more adventures [someone get these characters on television please!]<br />
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<b><i>THE WORLD-BUILDING/SETTING WAS.</i></b><b><i>..</i> </b>incredibly well-developed. Although this story is set in the "real world" along the Mexican-American border, Randel does a superb job at giving the Mexican desert that otherworldly feeling where perhaps finding the legendary chupacabra is indeed possible. There is so much tension and danger, that anything can happen to anyone.<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">I FOUND THE CHARACTERS TO BE... </i>classic archetypes with a modern twist, each with their own "unique" voice. A first glance, a majority of the characters tend to selfish and harsh caring only about their personal agendas. However, Randel always writes his characters as having depth and whimsy as opposed to being shallow and silly. They may do bad things, but their motivations are always interesting and deeply personal; for it is in their relationships with other characters that make them seem the most human. For example, Avery is an incredibly hard character to love, but he is an interesting character to follow. He's still that [un]lovable, paranoid, self-centered freak from the first novel, but manages to display a tiny dose of humanity for his best friend Ziggy (someone he does not treat well at all for most of the book). Another example is El Barquero ("The Ferryman") aka the Mexican Jack Bauer and his nearly mythic reputation. He may commit horrible acts of revenge (killing and blowing stuff up), but he shows vulnerability with his friend Cesar and in his thoughts of his deceased family. General X-Ray of militia STRAC-BOM wants to be an important leader so much (and avoid feeling like a failure), that he invented an enemy for his men to to fight. Even series villain El Padre shows a softer side with his "son", The Butcher. The characters' motivations are what grounds them in this "hyper-reality".<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">THIS BOOK IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE... </i>it showcases the very real violence along the Mexican-American border. Like in first book, the legendary chupacabra is a metaphor for this violence. While the beast is out for the blood of goats, much human blood is spilled in the on-going war with the cartels to stop their trafficking of drugs and weapons. The fictional militia STRAC-BOM may be hilariously inept, but real militias do exist and take matters into their own hands, posing even more problems for border agencies. Also, immigration policy is a hot-button issue, especially today and particularly concerning Mexican immigrants and their path to possible citizenship in the USA.<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">OVERALL, THE TRAIL OF THE CHUPACABRA IS... </i>an exceptionally, well-written sequel that is just as entertaining as <u>The Chupacabra</u>. It is a great summer read. I cannot wait to see what adventures are next.<br />
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<b><i>QUOTE: "You're a very strange man." </i></b><b><i>"Thank you. Genius is almost always misdiagnosed." </i></b><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Rating: 4/5</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17990602-trail-of-the-chupacabra">Trail of the Chupacabra: An Avery Bartholomew Pendleton Misadventure</a></i></b><br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">by <a href="http://www.stephenrandel.com/">Stephen Randel</a> </i>[<span style="color: #1a1a1a;">Stephen Randel, CFA, was born
in Houston, Texas. He is a graduate of Texas Christian University. Steve now
lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with his wife and their two rescue dogs].</span><br />
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<b><i>Summary: </i></b><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">Avery Bartholomew Pendleton is
back, and he’s just as crazy as ever. Avery is a paranoid loner obsessed with
global conspiracy theories who spends most of his time crafting absurd and
threatening letters to anyone who offends him. That means pretty much everyone. </span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">Still convinced of the
existence of the mythical Mexican chupacabra*, Avery enlists the assistance of
the Southwest Texas Revolutionary Armed Confederate Border Operations Militia
(STRAC-BOM) and their manic leader, General X-Ray, to help him invade Mexico.
Accompanied by Ziggy, a burned-out hippy, and an uncommonly large iguana named
Nancy, the group follows the advice of a New Orleans voodoo priestess and heads
straight into the Mexican desert. </span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">Unfortunately for the motley
gang of explorers, Mexico can be a dangerous place if you cross the wrong
people -- specifically, the Padre, a vicious drug cartel boss, and El Barquero,
a murderous gunrunner who has crossed Avery’s path before. </span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">What unfolds is a
laugh-out-loud dark comedy of insane humor, unforgettable characters, and
chilling thrills.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">*No chupacabras were injured
in the writing of this book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i>Pages: 348 </i></b><br />
<b><i> </i></b><br />
<b><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Trail-Chupacabra-Bartholomew-Misadventure-ebook/dp/B00CMJETVS/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1372220592&sr=1-2">Buy The Book @ Amazon </a></i></b><br />
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<b><i><a href="http://sagesblogtours.weebly.com/">Part of Sage's Blog Tour</a></i></b><br />
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<b><i><br /></i></b>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16083748648283109212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456777204451011384.post-47642163169544916902013-03-10T16:11:00.006-05:002013-07-08T17:56:53.577-05:00Excerpt: Persistence of Vision by Liesel K. Hill (Blog Tour)<blockquote>
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The men with Marcus had fallen back, leaving him out in front of them before the oncoming Trepids. The ground was littered with those they’d already killed, but the approaching wave of violence was gargantuan in comparison. Maggie’s heart quickened with fear and she wondered what they would do. Marcus, standing twenty feet ahead of the others, still holding that wooden staff, would surely be crushed.
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He stood perfectly still, staff in hand, as dozens of Trepids rushed toward him. It was an army, coming toward him like a moving wall. The other cave-dwellers were taking slow, tentative steps backward, toward the cave.
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“Joan, what’s he…?”
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Joan still held fast to Maggie’s wrist, but she gave Maggie a reassuring look.
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With the Trepids less than ten feet from him, Marcus finally moved. He hefted the staff in his left hand, tossing it up a few inches so he could get ahold of it further down. Then he took a knee while also slamming the staff into the ground. He timed it perfectly so that his knee and the butt of the staff hit the ground at the same time.
The wave of energy that radiated out from him was unlike anything Maggie had ever felt. She felt it in the ground below her. It came up through her shoes and into her body, spiking her heart rate and making her skeleton vibrate against her flesh. The very mountain quivered, as if from a seismic aftershock.
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Everything was moving in slow motion; the power radiating from Marcus had caught and absorbed everything around him. His warped bubble of energy had trapped them all and, for only a heartbeat, connected them…
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Then it was gone. Sudden vertigo made Maggie step backward with one leg to catch herself. It was like a dream where you feel like you’re falling until you kick yourself awake. The instant her foot hit the ground the dizziness was gone, and then there was only silence in the cave and Joan holding Maggie’s hand, looking at her speculatively.
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Maggie looked out to where the battle had taken place. Her mouth dropped open. All the Trepids who’d been coming—every single one of them, and there must have been close to a hundred—had fallen to the ground. The utter silence made Maggie’s breathing sound loud, and she knew they were all dead. He’d killed them all.
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Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16083748648283109212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456777204451011384.post-20280806408492857322013-03-02T10:02:00.001-06:002013-07-08T17:29:22.709-05:00Review: Hansel and Gretel by Brothers Grimm [Project Fairytale]<blockquote>
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Hansel and Gretel are both smart, plucky, and resourceful children. They are both proactive characters whose cleverness drive the story and are the villain's ultimate undoing (Hansel's ingenuity and Gretel's trickery). It can be tricky to give children a characterization without making them seem to perfect, but I thought these two siblings were portrayed well and without Stu-like tendencies.<br />
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The bond of the "blood" family is the predominant theme in this book. It is more powerful than "hunger": for food, for power, for lust...and like in many fairytales, love is wielded like a weapon to defeat evil. The children want to get back to their father so badly, that it motivates them to kill (granted it is in self-defense, but they still kill someone and that will change them forever). It is also interesting to mention that the step-mother in this story is portrayed in a negative light, further reinforcing the trope of "evil" stepmothers in fairytales. Perhaps this trope lives on to further push the idea that the bonds of blood can never be truly broken.
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It is interesting to note that Gretel is the only female to survive this story. This seems to be the case because Gretel values love over everything else. Both the step-mother and witch are shown to be selfish and power-hungry. This characterization leads ultimate to their deaths. Still, the females in this story tend to hold the most "power". While Hansel is a resourceful child, it is Gretel that defeats the witch by pushing her into the oven. Just like it is the step-mother who convinces her spineless husband (the father) to abandon the children in their "best interest"; just like it is the witch who lures children with sweets. The women's prerogative definitely drives this tale.
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Finally, I love the unique depiction of the witch in this story as a red-eyed, near-sighted, cannibal who has the same sense of smell as beasts. It just makes the villain that much more scary.
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4CYApPzHx1c/UGe71EM1kTI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/_ozJnbyMFMA/s200/01susan.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="48" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4CYApPzHx1c/UGe71EM1kTI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/_ozJnbyMFMA/s200/01susan.png" width="200" /></a>Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16083748648283109212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456777204451011384.post-67414193524261764262013-03-01T18:52:00.002-06:002013-07-08T17:50:34.782-05:00Feature and Follow Friday (23)<br />
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<span _idv_element_hash="17884128" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6em;">Hello everyone! It's another Feature & Follow Friday! It's been a blast meeting everyone and following so many blogs. We hope this week will be just as successful as last week! </span></h3>
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<b>Feature and Follow Friday</b> is a weekly meme hosted by <a href="http://www.alisoncanread.com/" style="color: #5c076f; text-decoration: none;"><b>Alison Can Read</b></a> and <a href="http://parajunkee.com/" style="color: #5c076f; text-decoration: none;"><b>Parajunkee</b></a>.</div>
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This week's question is...
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<b>Q: Confess your blogger sins! Is there anything as a newbie blogger that you've done, that as you gained more experience you were like -- oops?</b>
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I don't know that I messed up or anything, but I tend to get overwhelmed alot with everything and the blog takes a backseat. That was one of the reasons we went on hiatus because we needed to figure out more of a schedule. We're still working out the kinks, you know? Especially when you're active in other types of social media and have to read and have real life stuff. It's a real balancing act and one hopefully we'll get down pat real soon.
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Let me know what you think in the comments! Or if you want, you can just say hi!<br />
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Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16083748648283109212noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456777204451011384.post-53282146096751250892013-02-27T19:39:00.001-06:002013-07-08T17:44:52.741-05:00Review: A Tale Dark & Grimm [Project Fairytale]<blockquote>
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This middle grade novel tries too hard to be like Lemony Snicket's <i>A Series of Unfortunate Events</i>. It really wants to be super quirky and gross-out funny, but honestly it comes off as contrived. The main storyline follows Hansel and Gretel as they leave their own story and weave in and out of other fairytale re-tellings.
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Hansel and Gretel are pretty resourceful considering their young age, but they seem to purposely get themselves into trouble by doing "stupid" things. I realize they are children, but in other versions of this story (including the original), the children are exceptionally smart and tenacious.
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My favorite story by far was "The Three Golden Hairs". In this story, Hansel outwits the Devil in hell. It reminded me of the famous myths where the hero uses his wits to defeat the villain, free the oppressed and save the day. It was also the turning point of the larger, serialized story; armed with new found truths, Hansel emerges stronger than ever (just like the heros of mythos before him).
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On the other hand, the worst story by a mile is "As Red as Blood". Gretel, who should have been more street-smart at this point in the story, falls victim to a monster simply because he was gorgeous. I felt the storyline was incredibly offensive on so many levels considering Gretel is a child and should not be having a "love" story; even a negative one. It was gross to see a man pursue her and for her to think it was legit. I am assuming the author intended it to be a learning experience, but I felt like it went too far. In fact, this story was not needed at all. It provided nothing to the greater plot except to make the writer squirm.
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I did like how the larger story came together at the end. There is a clever twist with the last story featuring a dragon. The ending was really well-fought for by the two lead characters and definitely well-earned.
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Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16083748648283109212noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456777204451011384.post-8493527469960096822013-02-26T09:55:00.000-06:002013-07-08T17:57:42.761-05:00Interview: P.T. McHugh on Keeper of the Black Stones<br />
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PT McHugh didn't start out as a storyteller. He was, however, born into a family that encouraged imagination. He became a fan of history in school and then went to college to become a construction engineer, to build a world of straight lines, angles, and equations.
He was just as surprised as everyone else when he realized that he believed in magic, and might just know the secret of how to jump through time. Since then, he’s been researching the possibility and learning everything he can about history. Just in case the opportunity arises.
PT was born and raised in New Hampshire and currently lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with his wife, two daughters, and a dog named Bob, daring to dream of alternate worlds and cheering for his beloved New England Patriots.
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<b>1. So, I just wanted to start off by saying, I loved Keeper of the Black Stones. My first question would be, how long have you been a writer and do you have any advice for aspiring authors? </b>
Thank you for the kind words up front, I’m humbled and a little overwhelmed. I've been writing for fun for years, ever since college. I never really tried to get published, but with a lot of support from my family (especially my wife), I finally decided to give it a try. The result is the book you have in front of you. In regard to advice, the best I can give is “Just go for it.” I know it’s been said to death, but it’s true – the only way you can learn is to do it. Try to find time (for me it was always at night after everyone went to bed because I'm a chronic insomniac). Sit down and “find your own voice.” And don’t let detractors get you down. Even your own family and friends may be less enthusiastic than you would like, when it comes to your passion for writing. But that’s not the important thing. It’s up to you to keep pushing, keep learning, and improving. And enjoy the process. Don’t assume you’re going to complete your manuscript, sign a seven-figure deal, and retire on the beach somewhere. That’s not going to happen. Instead, be proud of your “hobby” and continue to improve on your skills. In the end, you never know!
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<b>2. Tell me about how you came up with the idea for Keeper of the Black Stones. What made you want to write a time travel story? Did any time travel stories (books, films or tv) inspire you? </b>
I simply love history. One day I asked myself a question: what would I do in that situation if I was there? Better yet, what would I have done if I was there when I was only fourteen? As a boy I loved A Connecticut Yankee in King Author’s Court, so I guess you could say that in some sense that particular book may have influenced me.
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<b>3. I was very impressed with you how handled the mechanics of time travel in your book. Was it challenging coming up with the idea of the stones and how they would work? </b>
It’s funny that you mentioned that, because honestly my editor and I (Carrie White, who was and is still of course amazing) spent several nights playing with the concept of how time travel would work. See, I wanted to make several hours in our time last weeks or months in the past, as far as a conversion goes, but we didn't exactly have a standard ratio. Carrie kept telling me, “Look, you have to KNOW that kind of thing, even if you never tell the reader, because at some point it will become important.” So in the diary sequence I spell out a formula I put together, knowing full well that in some cases it didn't quite work. And if you remember, Doc even states as much by saying, “The equation should work, but I'm missing a variable I can’t quit figure out.” It means we’re working on it. Carrie and I have a rough idea of what the translation is, but we've left plenty of room for it NOT to work. In the end, we have to be open to the idea that there’s NOT an exact formula. Jason might know, but he’s certainly not telling.
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<b>4. I really enjoyed Jason and his journey throughout the book. He was just a regular kid in the beginning but by the end, it's fair to say his life is never going to be the same. Did anyone in particular inspire Jason's character? </b>
Jason is a mixture of several of my friends growing up, and someone who I wished I could have been. I wanted Jason to be someone you could easily cheer for, but at the same time I didn't want him to be the stereotypical low kid on the totem poll – that’s been done to death. I wanted him to be full of doubt, curiosity, and wonder, just like most all teenagers. I started with a basic idea of who he was, and he grew from there to become who he is. Honestly, though, he wasn't that person when we first started writing the book. I guess all characters are probably like that.
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<b>5. I really LOVED the group dynamic in the book. It's refreshing because I don't see that enough in Young Adult Fiction. Besides Jason, what other characters did you enjoy writing the most?</b>
Tatiana was by far my favorite character to write. Ironically, she wasn't even in the original manuscript. Carrie told me up front that I needed a prominent female character, no buts about it. I argued, but I ended up writing her, and now she’s the girl I wish I knew in high school. Her personality and physical beauty is a composite of my wife and my two daughters. Beautiful, intelligent, stubborn, courageous, and terrifying if you cross her. She’s a riot to write.
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<b>6. Tell me a little bit about your writing process during Keeper of the Black Stones and what it was like having your story published. </b>
Honestly it was nothing like I thought it would be. In the movies you see a writer zip off the last page of his manuscript before lighting a cigar and pouring himself a glass of champaign. That wasn’t my experience, not by a long shot. First I wrote the first manuscript, was lucky enough to get it signed, and went into the editing process. You know when I knew I was done editing? (Long pause). My editor told me right, that’s enough, we’re ready, and sent the manuscript to the formatter. There were still a lot of things I would have changed, though I like what we came up with, but editing could have gone on forever. Seriously it’s a lot of hard work and dedication on all sides (publisher, editor, and author), and you could kill yourself going over it again and again. You learn quickly that it’s a team process; your editor is just as tied in to the story as you are. And lastly, you learn to keep writing, reshaping the story and writing it all over again … and again … and again. You’re not done when you think you are ,and when your editor finally says that you ARE done, it kind of catches you by surprise.
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<b>7. If you could summarize what Keeper of the Black Stones is about to you, what would you say? What would you like readers to get out of it ultimately? </b>
The story to me is about friendship, coming of age, and adventure. I wanted the reader to be engaged with the characters, and I wanted a story that was enjoyable to read for both adults and kids. I always wanted to create a story – or in this case a series – that made you think. I’m by no means a historian, but I am a very big fan of history, so that was a natural place for me to start. There’s just so much material there to work with – so many what ifs! I’m hoping that people learn to enjoy history a little more and perhaps go out on their own and learn more about a particular time period that interests them.
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<b>8. The ending made me want the next book RIGHT AWAY. The time period the story seems to be heading to next will be absolutely make a compelling read. Can you give readers out there any teases about what to expect with book number 2? </b>
Hm… well the plot’s much bigger in the second book, because it can be, now that we know the characters. They’re learning to work as a team now, and that brings both challenges and rewards. And Jason is getting even … well, bigger. He’s going to face tougher choices this time, and risk a whole lot more. I’m afraid that’s all I can give you right now.
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<b>9. How many books are there going to be? Is it going to be a trilogy? </b>
Currently we’re under contract for a trilogy. We’re knee-deep into the second book and outlining the third. Between you and me, though, there’s talk of seven books, perhaps even more.
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<b>10. Lastly, if time travel was possible, where/when would you go and why? </b>
Great question and a tough one. There are so many times and places that I’m crazy about experiencing, so it’s tough to select one. If I had too, I would say early 18th century. For some reason, the Napoleonic wars fascinated me. Of course if I lived through them I’m sure I would feel differently. But in the early 18th century so much changed throughout the world… it would be fascinating to take a simple glimpse up close. Maybe Jason will get that chance, which will give me the opportunity to live through him!
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<b>Thank you Patrick for that fantastic interview! Don't forget everyone, Keeper of the Black Stones comes out TODAY, so head on over to Amazon, etc and buy it, or request it at your library asap!</b>
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<br />Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09720486518433036376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456777204451011384.post-59846503538004635182013-02-11T21:06:00.003-06:002013-07-08T18:04:33.034-05:00Scooping The Screen (21)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QnPE91HDPgc/UdtEuwh2YuI/AAAAAAAACe4/4QGPgh7NQJo/s1600/sts.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QnPE91HDPgc/UdtEuwh2YuI/AAAAAAAACe4/4QGPgh7NQJo/s400/sts.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span _idv_element_hash="13038752" style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 20.78333282470703px;">Welcome to the </span><b>20th</b><span style="line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"> edition of </span></span><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;">Scooping The Screen</b><span _idv_element_hash="13039056" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;">, our own original feature in which books on television and in film will be spotlighted. This feature will be posted at varying frequencies, so please keep checking our site for further updates (although I hope to have it out at least once a week).</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"></span><b _idv_element_hash="95564576" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;">~BOOKS ON TELEVISION~</b>
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NBC has cancelled <i>Do No Harm</i> after two episodes. <i>Law & Order: SVU</i> repeats will fill the slot. [<a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/nbc-cancels-do-no-harm-417513">HR</a>]
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<i>The Walking Dead</i> returned with a series-high 12.3 million viewers for its midseason premiere on Sunday, February 10th. [<a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/walking-dead-ratings-season-3-midseason-premiere-420209">HR</a>]
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The CW has renewed <i>Supernatural</i>, <i>Arrow</i>, and <i>The Vampire Diaries</i> for the 2013-2014 season. [<a href="http://tvline.com/2013/02/11/cw-renews-supernatural-vampire-diaries-arrow">TVLINE</a>]
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CBS has released the first teaser promo for <i>Under The Dome</i>, premiering this summer. Amazon has also negotiated with CBS to stream the episodes four days after their air date on its Prime service. [<a href="http://www.deadline.com/2013/02/amazon-episodes-to-stream-4-days-after-premiere/">DHD</a>]
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HBO has released another teaser promo for <i>Game of Thrones</i> and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3-hlG6Nn1s">another in-production video</a> focusing on Iceland. Season 3 premieres March 31st. The first real trailer for the show is due to hit on-demand on February 25th. [<a href="http://winteriscoming.net/2013/02/season-3-trailer-to-hit-hbo-on-demand-on-feb-25/">WIC</a>]
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<b>Pilot News:</b> NBC <a href="http://www.deadline.com/2013/01/nbc-orders-%E2%80%98alice-in-wonderland%E2%80%99-sequel-pilot-from-%E2%80%98csi%E2%80%99-creator-anthony-zuiker/">has ordered</a> Anthony Zuiker's <i>Alice in Wonderland</i> sequel which <a href="http://www.deadline.com/2013/02/nbcs-drama-pilot-wonderland-to-shoot-off-cycle/">will be in contention for midseason 2014</a>; The CW's <i>Amazon</i> pilot will be <a href="http://www.deadline.com/2013/01/wonder-woman-cw-drama-amazon-rolled/">potentially shot off-cycle</a>; Lifetime's adaption of <i>Witches of East End</i> <a href="http://www.deadline.com/2013/01/lifetimes-witches-on-east-end-picked-up-to-series/">will have a 10-episode first season</a> to debut later this year; <a href="http://www.deadline.com/2013/02/emma-roberts-to-star-in-fox-drama-pilot-delirium/">Emma Roberts has landed the lead</a> in FOX's <i>Delirium</i> pilot;
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"><br /><b>THIS WEEK ON BOOKISH TV...</b>
<br /><i>(click on each poster for the episode preview; only new episodes are listed)</i>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"><br /><b>S U N D A Y, <i>February 10th</i></b>
<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZlF86mP8BU&" target="_blank"><img alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic" border="0" src="http://i49.tinypic.com/14e9sue.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cg7GU-Bz4yc" target="_blank"><img alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic" border="0" src="http://i47.tinypic.com/35d9eom.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.spoilertv.com/2012/12/the-walking-dead-episode-309-promo.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic" border="0" src="http://i50.tinypic.com/20kf61d.jpg" /></a>
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<br /><b>M O N D A Y, <i>February 11th</i></b>
<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_apAFnY1rc" target="_blank"><img alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic" border="0" src="http://i46.tinypic.com/fwi6e.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBlCez3bbPY" target="_blank"><img alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic" border="0" src="http://i50.tinypic.com/hv5jde.jpg" /></a></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oQomrb7ggM" target="_blank"><img alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic" border="0" src="http://i47.tinypic.com/351amw3.jpg" /></a>
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<br /><b>T U E S D A Y, <i>February 12th</i></b>
<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hB_NuYP76BE" target="_blank"><img alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic" border="0" src="http://i48.tinypic.com/2i088c7.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRCWIx6OMTo" target="_blank"><img alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic" border="0" src="http://i50.tinypic.com/2guiglf.jpg" /></a></span></center>
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<br /><b>W E D N E S D A Y, <i>February 13th</i></b>
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<br /><b>T H U R S D A Y, <i>February 14th</i></b>
<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTF8leIiirM" target="_blank"><img alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic" border="0" src="http://i45.tinypic.com/34pb0y0.jpg" /></a><a href="http://youtu.be/wOq4ihFlJqU" target="_blank"><img alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic" border="0" src="http://i47.tinypic.com/161jr04.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftZppTEylEg" target="_blank"><img alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic" border="0" src="http://i45.tinypic.com/qrd6hg.jpg" /></a></span></center>
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<br /><b>F R I D A Y, <i>February 15th</i></b>
<br /><a href="http://www.syfy.com/videos/Merlin/Promos%20%26%20Trailers" target="_blank"><img alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic" border="0" src="http://i46.tinypic.com/24zb281.jpg" /></a></span></center>
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<br /><b>S A T U R D A Y, <i>February 16th</i></b>
<br />Nothing scheduled</span></center>
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What are YOU looking forward to this week?
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<b>~BOOKS IN FILM~</b>
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#ShareMortalLove has released new images for <a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=427033630706716&set=a.356197297790350.82904.110520415691374&type=1">Simon</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/TheMortalInstrumentsSeries/posts/566372770041376">Isabelle</a>, and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/TheMortalInstrumentsSeries/posts/337384556378276">Alec</a> to celebrate the upcoming release of <i>The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones</i>. [<a href="http://www.facebook.com/TheMortalInstrumentsSeries">TMI FB</a>]
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An adaption of <i>The Book Thief</i> will begin production this month in Berlin. The film stars Emily Watson and Geoffery Rush and will be directed by Brian Percival. [<a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/book-thief-movie-geoffrey-rush-418001">HR</a>]
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<b>Development News:</b> <a href="http://www.deadline.com/2013/02/vampire-academy-film-takes-flight-mark-waters-directing-daniel-waters-script/">Vampire Academy</a> will be made into a movie starring <i>Ringer</i>'s Zoey Deutch and directed by Mark Waters; Australian director Scott Hicks will helm an adaption of <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/fallen-lauren-kates-ya-hit-417837">Fallen</a>; Charlize Theron will star in <a href="http://www.deadline.com/2013/02/berlin-toldja-charlize-theron-locked-for-dark-places/"><i>Dark Places</i></a>; <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/revenge-star-joining-marvels-captain-417526">Emily Van Camp will play</a> the female lead in <i>Captain America 2</i>; <a href="http://www.deadline.com/2013/02/chris-pratt-getting-guardians-of-the-galaxy-lead/">Chris Pratt will play Star-Lord</a> in <i>Guardians of the Galaxy</i>; <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/fantasy-author-julie-kagawa-sells-419678">Universal has picked up the rights</a> to Julie Kagawa's new supernatural book series; <a href="http://www.deadline.com/2013/02/fox-2000-chernin-team-to-acquire-john-roccos-caldecott-winning-book-blackout/">FOX 2000 has won the rights</a> to Blackout by John Rocco; <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/sony-developing-oliver-twist-imagining-420678">CBS Films</a> and <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/sony-developing-oliver-twist-imagining-420678">Sony</a> are both developing re-tellings of <i>Oliver Twist</i>
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<b>BOOKISH FILM TRAILER OF THE WEEK........</b>
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<b><i>Jack The Giant Killer</i></b>, based on the Cornish faiytale, will be released in theaters on <b>March 1, 2013</b>. The film stars Nicholas Hoult. [<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1opzWmr8NSU">x</a>]
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1opzWmr8NSU?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>
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Well, that concludes this edition of <b>Scooping The Screen</b>. I hope to have additional editions out regularly.
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Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16083748648283109212noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456777204451011384.post-24496914057327664232013-02-09T19:12:00.002-06:002013-07-08T18:03:12.816-05:00Feature and Follow Friday (22)<br />
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<span _idv_element_hash="17884128" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6em;">Hello everyone! It's another Feature & Follow Friday! It's been a blast meeting everyone and following so many blogs. We hope this week will be just as successful as last week! </span></h3>
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<b>Feature and Follow Friday</b> is a weekly meme hosted by <a href="http://www.alisoncanread.com/" style="color: #5c076f; text-decoration: none;"><b>Alison Can Read</b></a> and <a href="http://parajunkee.com/" style="color: #5c076f; text-decoration: none;"><b>Parajunkee</b></a>.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lqB94RZhfYA/UdtCNLy3R9I/AAAAAAAACeI/aT2fLfwDxD8/s1600/8474595901_873f4993f4_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lqB94RZhfYA/UdtCNLy3R9I/AAAAAAAACeI/aT2fLfwDxD8/s1600/8474595901_873f4993f4_n.jpg" /></a></div>
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This week's question is...
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<b>Q: Happy Mardi Gras! If they were throwing the HOTTEST books off of a Mardi Gras float -- what would you do to have them throw to you…?</b>
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Well, I'm not sure if I would recommend anyone throwing books at you off of anything. I mean...what if someone decided to throw a hardcover copy of Storm of Swords at me? Or Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix? I mean that might literally kill me...and as much as I love reading, I don't think reading should kill. *looks* But seriously, I'd just prefer getting books from the library and/or Amazon.
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Let me know what you think in the comments! Or if you want, you can just say hi!<br />
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Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16083748648283109212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456777204451011384.post-79474474952318035682013-02-02T12:02:00.001-06:002013-07-08T18:03:51.893-05:00Feature and Follow Friday (21)<br />
<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="background-color: white; color: #5c076f; font-family: Oswald, Arial; font-size: 22px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0.25em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 4px;">
<span _idv_element_hash="17884128" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6em;">Hello everyone! It's another Feature & Follow Friday! It's been a blast meeting everyone and following so many blogs. We hope this week will be just as successful as last week! </span></h3>
<div _idv_element_hash="11325568" class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-5081215914655247497" itemprop="articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;">
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<b>Feature and Follow Friday</b> is a weekly meme hosted by <a href="http://www.alisoncanread.com/" style="color: #5c076f; text-decoration: none;"><b>Alison Can Read</b></a> and <a href="http://parajunkee.com/" style="color: #5c076f; text-decoration: none;"><b>Parajunkee</b></a>.<br />
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This week's question is...
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<b>Q: What is the first thing you would do if you woke up to find yourself in your favorite book?</b>
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If I woke up in the Harry Potter books, the first thing I would do is find my way to Hogwarts and hope Dumbledore was still alive. I'd tell him my story and hope he would hire me as one of his teachers. Maybe he could open up another section of Muggle Studies? LOL. Then I would hope and pray Voldie wouldn't hear of me...but I would also befriend Harry, Ron, and Hermione as well. It would be fun times! :)
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Let me know what you think in the comments! Or if you want, you can just say hi!<br />
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Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16083748648283109212noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456777204451011384.post-8430593052763382342013-01-27T15:43:00.000-06:002013-07-08T18:01:28.957-05:00Scooping The Screen (20)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span _idv_element_hash="13038752" style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 20.78333282470703px;">Welcome to the </span><b>20th</b><span style="line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"> edition of </span></span><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;">Scooping The Screen</b><span _idv_element_hash="13039056" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;">, our own original feature in which books on television and in film will be spotlighted. This feature will be posted at varying frequencies, so please keep checking our site for further updates (although I hope to have it out at least once a week).</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"></span><b _idv_element_hash="95564576" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;">~BOOKS ON TELEVISION~</b>
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<b>Pilot News:</b> The CW has <a href="http://www.deadline.com/2013/01/the-selection-taylor-hackford-military-drama-get-cw-pilot-orders/">picked up <i><b>The Selection</b></i> (new version)</a> and <a href="http://www.deadline.com/2013/01/cw-orders-the-hundred-pilot-post-apocalyptic-drama/"><i><b>The Hundred</b></i></a> to pilot; Fox <a href="http://www.deadline.com/2013/01/fox-picks-up-four-comedy-pilots/">has picked up</a> <i><b>Delirium</b></i> and <i><b>Sleepy Hollow</b></i>; ABC <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/abc-orders-3-dramas-including-414679">has picked up</a> <b><i>S.H.I.E.L.D.</i></b> and <i><b>Venice</b></i>, based on Shakespeare's <b><i>Romeo & Juliet</i></b>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"><br /><b>THIS WEEK ON BOOKISH TV...</b>
<br /><i>(click on each poster for the episode preview; only new episodes are listed)</i>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"><br /><b>S U N D A Y, <i>January 27th</i></b>
<br />Nothing scheduled this week.
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<br /><b>M O N D A Y, <i>January 28th</i></b>
<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUDrb5wzBxQ" target="_blank"><img alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic" border="0" src="http://i46.tinypic.com/fwi6e.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFD5yzsgFmk" target="_blank"><img alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic" border="0" src="http://i50.tinypic.com/hv5jde.jpg" /></a></span>
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<br /><b>T U E S D A Y, <i>January 29th</i></b>
<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83XPE3-1C2o" target="_blank"><img alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic" border="0" src="http://i48.tinypic.com/2i088c7.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVC_AJFQc8M" target="_blank"><img alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic" border="0" src="http://i50.tinypic.com/2guiglf.jpg" /></a></span></center>
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<b>W E D N E S D A Y, <i>January 30th</i></b>
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<b>T H U R S D A Y, <i>January 31st</i></b>
<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoXwdxtJXLg" target="_blank"><img alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic" border="0" src="http://i45.tinypic.com/34pb0y0.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eFOkc-76wc" target="_blank"><img alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic" border="0" src="http://i47.tinypic.com/161jr04.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://www.spoilertv.com/2013/01/elementary-episode-113-red-team-promo.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic" border="0" src="http://i45.tinypic.com/qrd6hg.jpg" /></a><</span></center>
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<br /><b>F R I D A Y, <i>February 1st</i></b>
<br /><a href="http://www.syfy.com/videos/Merlin/Promos%20%26%20Trailers" target="_blank"><img alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic" border="0" src="http://i46.tinypic.com/24zb281.jpg" /></a></span></center>
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<br /><b>S A T U R D A Y, <i>February 2nd</i></b>
<br />Nothing scheduled</span></center>
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What are YOU looking forward to this week?
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<b>~BOOKS IN FILM~</b>
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CBS Films is adapting <i><b>Oliver Twist</b></i> by Charles Dickens. This modern-day version will be called <i><b>Oliver Twisted</b></i>. [<a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/olivia-twisted-picked-up-by-415147">HR</a>]
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David Fincher may direct the adaption of Gone Girl produced by Reese Witherspoon. [<a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/david-fincher-talks-direct-gone-414316">HR</a>]
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Ron Howard may possibly direct Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book as a live-action feature. [<a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/ron-howard-talks-direct-disneys-414344">HR</a>]
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<b>BOOKISH FILM TRAILER OF THE WEEK........</b>
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<b><i>World War Z</i></b>, based on the book by Max Brooks, will be released in theaters on <b>June 21, 2013</b>. The film stars Brad Pitt and Mireille Enos. [<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Md6Dvxdr0AQ">x</a>]
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Well, that concludes this edition of <b>Scooping The Screen</b>. I hope to have additional editions out regularly.
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Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16083748648283109212noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456777204451011384.post-27891043794841981512013-01-26T20:42:00.003-06:002013-07-08T18:05:07.919-05:00Feature and Follow Friday (20)<br />
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<span _idv_element_hash="17884128" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6em;">Hello everyone! It's another Feature & Follow Friday! It's been a blast meeting everyone and following so many blogs. We hope this week will be just as successful as last week! </span></h3>
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<b>Feature and Follow Friday</b> is a weekly meme hosted by <a href="http://www.alisoncanread.com/" style="color: #5c076f; text-decoration: none;"><b>Alison Can Read</b></a> and <a href="http://parajunkee.com/" style="color: #5c076f; text-decoration: none;"><b>Parajunkee</b></a>.<br />
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This week's question is...
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<b>Q: What is the last book that kept you up late into the night just to finish it? </b>
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The last book that kept me up late at night was Shades of Earth by Beth Revis. I stayed up pretty late on a weekday to finish the book even though I was risking a lack of sleep. But I just had too! Shauna had already finished it and I was tired of her secret glances of knowing what happened. So I MADE time to finish it. Sleep be damned! Speaking of Shades of Earth, we will be having a special co-review about this book soon! The series is special to both of us! So look out for that!
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Let me know what you think in the comments! Or if you want, you can just say hi!<br />
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Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16083748648283109212noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456777204451011384.post-50945426921354623552013-01-24T09:13:00.001-06:002013-01-24T09:15:57.785-06:00Review: Everbound by Brodi Ashton<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Title:</b> Everbound<br />
<b>Author:</b> Brodi Ashton<br />
<b>Page count:</b> 368<br />
<b>Publication date:</b> January 22, 2013<br />
<b>Source:</b> ARC won Pitch Dark Books<br />
<b>Goodreads rating:</b> 4.41<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Everbound-Everneath-Novel-Brodi-Ashton/dp/0062071165" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="52" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Vw9BnyFe5g/UOhwEoIy34I/AAAAAAAAB90/0bRki-HdPUU/s320/amazon.png" width="116" /></a>
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13115995-everbound" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="52" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KKNLGf1sflg/UOhwFA0iPXI/AAAAAAAAB-A/6yMz8cg15rM/s320/goodreds.png" width="159" /></a>
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*warning: spoilers below for <b>Everneath</b><br />
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Nikki Beckett could only watch as her boyfriend, Jack, sacrificed himself to save her, taking her place in the Tunnels of the Everneath for eternity — a debt that should’ve been hers. She’s living a borrowed life, and she doesn’t know what to do with the guilt. And every night Jack appears in her dreams, lost and confused and wasting away. Desperate for answers, Nikki turns to Cole, the immortal bad boy who wants to make her his queen — and the one person least likely to help. But his heart has been touched by everything about Nikki, and he agrees to assist her in the only way he can: by taking her to the Everneath himself. Nikki and Cole descend into the Everneath, only to discover that their journey will be more difficult than they’d anticipated — and more deadly. But Nikki vows to stop at nothing to save Jack — even if it means making an incredible sacrifice of her own.</blockquote>
<b><u>Review:</u></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Okay, so this is definitely
a strong case of “It’s not you, it’s me”. I really struggled with this review.
I contemplated and contemplated on what to rate this. Why such fickleness?? Here's
the thing. Truthfully, this is a good sequel and I really enjoy this series. In
fact, I just read </span><i style="font-family: 'Courier New';">Everneath</i><span style="font-family: Courier New;"> recently.
It was my last book of 2012, and I adored it. </span><i style="font-family: 'Courier New';">Everbound</i><span style="font-family: Courier New;"> on the other hand.... Like I said already, it </span><i style="font-family: 'Courier New';">is</i><span style="font-family: Courier New;"> a solid book, but I guess you could
say that my.... indifference to a certain character just really kind of
dampened my feelings on the book as a whole. One of my New Year’s resolutions
was to try and be as honest as possible with my reviews, especially when it
comes to criticism. I </span><i style="font-family: 'Courier New';">am </i><span style="font-family: Courier New;">a critical
person, but when I first started reviewing, I went a lot easier on books
because I hadn't read in so long and truthfully, as much as I read in the past,
the YA genre is way different now than when I was younger, so it was a whole
new world to me. But anyway, now I have been full on reading for about a year
now, I am much more confidant with what my likes and dislikes now and how to
approach writing my reviews. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New";">Okay, moving on. Right now I
want to talk about how <i>Everneath</i> ended. If you haven't read the first one yet
and don't want to be spoiled, <b>back away
now</b>. At the end of <i>Everneath</i>, Jack
sacrificed himself for Nikki, and went to the tunnels in her place. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New";">When the
sequel picks up, Nikki will do ANYTHING to find and rescue Jack, including her teaming
up with Cole. </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New';">So, yes, we finally
really <i>truly</i> see the Everneath ladies and gents. And it's pretty awesome.
Ashton weaves some incredible world-building. It's fascinating to see
how it all works down there. I have to admit that the first book was a much quieter, slower book,
but it touched my heart on a greater level. The world-building is significantly
grander, <i>better</i> in <i>Everbound</i> and there is tons more action. However, I didn't
feel </span><i style="font-family: 'Courier New';">that</i><span style="font-family: 'Courier New';"> emotional connection that I
had so much with the first book, and that made me sad, and sometimes feeling
indifferent. I’ll get to why I feel that way in a bit. Hang on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Since Cole and
Nikki are working together to find Jack, this obviously means they spend the
most time together in the story. This is both good and bad, for me. As a
writer, reader and lover of stories, I appreciate the fleshing out of a
character, and showing their layers and complexities and all that good stuff.
You learn a lot about Cole in </span><i style="font-family: 'Courier New';">Everbound</i><span style="font-family: Courier New;">.
You begin to understand what makes him tick, and why he is the way he is. I appreciate that he's a complex character, but I also find Jack to be as well, and I find him much more interesting. I'm pretty sure (?) I'm in the minority here but I just don’t really like Cole all that much. I tried, I really did,
and I was open and excited about learning more about him in </span><i style="font-family: 'Courier New';">Everbound</i><span style="font-family: Courier New;">, but even
with tapping into his deeper self, </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New';">I guess I find that I just
don’t really care all that much? I am more than anything bored of him, and
therefore, found myself unenthused about most of this story. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New";">However, here I was pretty bored, and then, BAM, the ending! </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New';">There's a twist and people, it's a dozy. I NEVER
SAW IT COMING. NOT ONCE. I was completely </span><span style="font-family: Courier New;">fooled! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New';">It was especially exciting because I am rarely surprised/shocked when it comes to twists
in books, tv shows or movies. It happens, but </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New';">less and less
these days, so I have to give major props to Ashton. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; text-align: start;">I was afraid that I wouldn't be that compelled to read the last book, but the ending, and the plot set up for the third book is downright thrilling, and not to mention unexpected. I feel like this series is good, but the next book has the potential to be mind-blowing. Bring on the next book now please!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Ultimately, If
you're team Cole, you are going to be happy with his expanded role as well as all his scenes with Nikki in the Everneath. </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New';">Fear not, Jack
lovers, because he does play a role in this book, albeit a much understandably smaller one
than in the first, but he's definitely there, and I don't think you will be disappointed. </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New';">Let me just
say that by the end of the book, the triangle gets REALLY complicated, and
I cannot say, even though </span><span style="font-family: Courier New;">I want to so badly,
in what way it gets complicated. Does this involve the twist I mentioned above?! You'll have to read and find out for yourself. :twirls
evil moustache: </span></div>
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<ul>
<li><b>Plot </b>B</li>
<li><b>Characters </b>B-</li>
<li><b>World-building/setting </b>A</li>
<li><b>Relationships</b> B-</li>
<li><b>Pace </b>B</li>
<li><b>Writing Style</b> B</li>
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Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09720486518433036376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456777204451011384.post-67721878622788088742013-01-23T14:46:00.001-06:002013-07-13T19:07:05.760-05:00WoW (16) - Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at <a href="http://breakingthespine.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Breaking the Spine</a>, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. <br />
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<b>Title:</b> Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt<br />
<b>Release Date: </b>March 26th, 2013<br />
<b>Page Count:</b> 320 pages
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10594356-going-vintage" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="52" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IXvdayjyCJU/UQBIkoEfMqI/AAAAAAAACNA/vdfucWJVKCo/s200/goodreds.png" width="159" /></a>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Going-Vintage-Lindsey-Leavitt/dp/1599907879" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="52" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RsGqOW_mhH8/UQBIpLf6R3I/AAAAAAAACNM/1TuBiLKw8yg/s200/amazon.png" width="116" /></a>
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When Mallory discovers that her boyfriend, Jeremy, is cheating on her with an online girlfriend, she swears off boys. She also swears off modern technology. Inspired by a list of goals her grandmother made in 1962, Mallory decides to "go vintage" and return to a simpler time (when boyfriends couldn't cheat on you online). She sets out to complete grandma's list: run for pep club secretary, host a dinner party, sew a homecoming dress, find a steady, do something dangerous. But the list is trickier than it looks. And obviously finding a steady is out . . . no matter how good Oliver (Jeremy's cousin) smells. But with the help of her sister, she'll get it done. Somehow.<br />
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<b>Why I need this book <u><i>now</i></u></b>:<br />
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First of all, ever since I read <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11721314-meant-to-be" target="_blank">Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill</a> last year, I "re-fell" in love with YA contemporary again. So, when I saw this one on Goodreads, it definitely caught me eye. The premise sound completely a d o r a b l e, and I'm obsessed with earlier time periods, so Mallory "going vintage" sounds like it's going to be a blast. Ah, I can't wait!<br />
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What book made your WoW this week!? Link us in the comment <3<br />
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<br />Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09720486518433036376noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456777204451011384.post-56113088697127117532013-01-20T17:50:00.001-06:002013-07-14T15:45:08.305-05:00Scooping The Screen (19)<br />
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<span _idv_element_hash="13038752" style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 20.78333282470703px;">Welcome to the </span><b>19th</b><span style="line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"> edition of </span></span><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;">Scooping The Screen</b><span _idv_element_hash="13039056" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;">, our own original feature in which books on television and in film will be spotlighted. This feature will be posted at varying frequencies, so please keep checking our site for further updates (although I hope to have it out at least once a week).</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"></span><b _idv_element_hash="95564576" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;">~BOOKS ON TELEVISION~</b>
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HBO has released two new behind the scenes looks at the upcoming season of <b><i>Game of Thrones</i></b>, premiering <b>March 31st</b>. You can watch the videos <a href="http://youtu.be/7VB0JA78wJ4">here</a> and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaedhISdshA">here</a>.
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"><br /><b>THIS WEEK ON BOOKISH TV...</b>
<br /><i>(click on each poster for the episode preview; only new episodes are listed)</i>
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<br /><b>M O N D A Y, <i>January 21st</i></b>
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<br /><b>T U E S D A Y, <i>January 22nd</i></b>
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<br /><b>W E D N E S D A Y, <i>January 23th</i></b>
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<br /><b>T H U R S D A Y, <i>January 24th</i></b>
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<br /><b>F R I D A Y, <i>January 25th</i></b>
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<br /><b>S A T U R D A Y, <i>January 26th</i></b>
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What are YOU looking forward to this week?
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<b>~BOOKS IN FILM~</b><br />
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<i><b>Jack Reacher</b></i>, starring Tom Cruise, is unlikely to get a sequel unless it does better business abroad, particularly in Asia. The first film was based on the books by Lee Childs. [<a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/tom-cruises-jack-reacher-sequel-412465">HR</a>]
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Paramount's adaptation of <i><b>Hercules<b></b></b></i> will premiere on August 8, 2014. [<a href="http://www.deadline.com/2013/01/hercules-movie-release-date-august-8-2014-paramount/">DHD</a>]
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<b>Development News:</b> Warner Brothers <a href="http://www.deadline.com/2013/01/warner-bros-moves-forward-with-space-bound-the-odyssey/">is developing</a> a re-imagined version of Homer's <i><b>The Odyssey</b></i> set in space; Fox 2000 <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/sundance-spectacular-director-boards-ya-413470">is adapting</a> <i><b>Pure</b></i> by Julianna Baggott
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<b>BOOKISH FILM TRAILER OF THE WEEK........</b>
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<b><i>The Great Gatsby</i></b>, based on the book by F. Scott Fitzgerald, will be released in theaters on <b>May 10, 2013</b>. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Cary Mulligan. [<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bOFVuWbyH0">x</a>]
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Well, that concludes this edition of <b>Scooping The Screen</b>. I hope to have additional editions out regularly.
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Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16083748648283109212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456777204451011384.post-64379918096018847022013-01-19T19:39:00.002-06:002013-07-13T19:09:56.470-05:00Feature and Follow Friday (19) <br />
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<span _idv_element_hash="17884128" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6em;">Hello everyone! It's another Feature & Follow Friday! It's been a blast meeting everyone and following so many blogs. We hope this week will be just as successful as last week! </span></h3>
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<b>Feature and Follow Friday</b> is a weekly meme hosted by <a href="http://www.alisoncanread.com/" style="color: #5c076f; text-decoration: none;"><b>Alison Can Read</b></a> and <a href="http://parajunkee.com/" style="color: #5c076f; text-decoration: none;"><b>Parajunkee</b></a>.<br />
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This week's question is...
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<b>Q: Who is your favorite villain from a book?</b>
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My favorite villain from a book is probably really predictable. I love Voldemort from the Harry Potter books. Voldemort aka Tom Riddle was a real villain who made no apologies about who he was. He was a three-dimensional character with a compelling past and character evolution. His character was never watered down either. He was evil. True evil. He was also incapable of love and therefore was immune to "that girl" trying to save him. I loved that JK Rowling kept him dangerous and truly evil without compromising his character until the bitter, bitter end. So many times these days, villains are watered down because they need to be thrown into a stupid love triangle. I'm glad Voldemort stayed true to himself throughout the whole seven books.
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PS: We also have a really cool giveaway going on right now! You can win an ARC of <i><b>Falling Kingdoms</b></i> by! <a href="http://thesisterstale.blogspot.com/2012/12/happy-holidays.html#comment-form">Enter the giveaway here</a>! Good luck!
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Let me know what you think in the comments! Or if you want, you can just say hi!<br />
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Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16083748648283109212noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456777204451011384.post-72825051248606725072013-01-16T10:56:00.000-06:002013-07-14T15:54:14.079-05:00Review: Keeper of the Black Stones (ARC) by P.T. McHugh<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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*Special thanks to Carrie from <a href="http://www.glasshousepress.com/">Glass House Press</a> for the Advanced Readers Copy.<br />
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Awkward in his own skin, shy around girls and worried about anything and everything, Jason Evans is just like a million other teenage boys in high school, with one very large exception: he has been given a gift that allows him to jump through time. A set of stones has fallen into his lap that gives him access to any place - and any time - that he chooses. But along with that gift comes the responsibility of stopping the man who is using those very stones to travel through time and change history for his own purposes. A man who is now holding Jason's grandfather hostage, and threatening the world's very existence. Jumping through time with his best friend and body guard, Jason must enter the world of Medieval England, learn its customs, navigate unimaginable danger, and help Henry VII win the Battle of Bosworth, in the name of finding his grandfather, rescuing a beautiful girl from the clutches of a corrupt church, and destroying the one man who pledges to turn history inside out.</blockquote>
<b><u>Review:</u></b><br />
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I've always loved time travel, and when I read the premise
for <i>Keeper of the Black Stones</i> – a boy who stumbles onto the fact that his
Grandfather has access to stones that allow people to travel back in time – you can imagine how excited I was when I got an advanced reading copy! You know
what's even more exciting?! When something you high expectations for, actually
lives up to them!<br />
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P.T. McHugh has spun an exhilarating tale about a young man
named Jason who discovers his destiny is greater than he ever could have
imagined. I was pulled into his story from the beginning. At the start, Jason is just your typical, shy
high-school student. He’s not bored of his life exactly, but it’s nothing
exciting either. It just <i>is</i>. By the
end of the book, Jason is forever changed and not just because he stumbles onto
some higher purpose. It always annoys me in stories where the main character is
special in some way but it is constantly said and <i>not </i>shown throughout the
story. However, Jason proves himself again and again throughout the story
showing the utmost level of bravery and loyalty. </div>
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<i>Keeper of the Black Stones
</i>is an action packed adventure set (mostly) in 15th century England full of
battles, chase scenes, an epic villain named Lord Dresden, as well as other
shady figures. History buffs, especially
those with a soft spot for this time period, will absolutely revel in all the
sights and sounds this story will evoke in you. Throughout the story<i>, </i>the sense of urgency is often, and there is a great need to keep
flipping the pages. Placing modern day characters
so far into the past cannot be an easy task but McHugh does it with ease. The plot is perfectly paced. Things happen
when they need to happen, and not a moment sooner or later. <i>Keeper of the Black Stones</i> is mostly
told from Jason’s point of view, though we do get some insight from other
characters, which make the overall journey even more compelling in my opinion. </div>
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When it comes to time-travel, it takes precision to use it
effectively in a story. More than anything it can’t be too complicated and
there has to be a level of plausibility to it, or readers may not be able to
buy it. At the same time, it has to keep readers engaged, and keep them
interested. In <i>Keeper of the Black Stones</i>,
the mechanics of time travel are cleverly done. What I loved about what McHugh
did in this story is that time travel is simple yet incredibly fascinating. I don’t want to give much away, but it's like
the stones are separate characters unto themselves, and you just want to peel
back the layers and uncover the mystery behind them, and how exactly Jason and
his grandfather are so connected to them. Actually, one of my ultimate favorite
aspects of this book is the unique connection between Jason and the stones, but
that connection, and the way the stones allow him to travel, is something every
reader should discover on their own. </div>
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The females in this book Tatiana, and Katherine - are
well-written and strong, albeit in different ways - as one is from present day
and the other is from the 15th century - but each are more than capable, and I
can't wait to see what's in store for them in future books. I enjoyed the
growing friendship between Jason and Tatiana, as well as the unique connection between
Jason and Katherine. What impressed me was that each relationship Jason had with both girls
was subtle, quiet, as well as undefined, leaving plenty of time for exploration in
the next book, and leaving the focus on the group dynamic, and their greater
mission as a whole.</div>
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I don't know about
anyone else, but in order for something to gel with me completely there has to
be humor. There <i>has</i> to be light to balance out the dark. McHugh is a master of
making the reader tense one minute wondering if our characters are about to get
caught, and then burst out laughing the next. Paul, Jason’s best friend has some of the best lines, and helps keep the mood up the story
up even when things look grim.</div>
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I think what grabbed me about <i>Keeper of the Black </i>Stones the most, is that it’s not just a time
travel story. I<i> love </i>time travel, but what spoke to my heart is that this is very much a story about the bonds
between friends and family. It’s about a boy loving his grandfather so much he
would jump back in time to save him. It’s about how one friend would follow his
friend back through time, without hesitation. It’s about how a man, who took
his vow as bodyguard so seriously, he followed two kids he barely knew through
time. This is also the story of two girls who have nothing left to lose, and found
friendship and comfort from people they least expected. Sometimes the bond between family and friends
can be pure and full of love but other times they can be much more complex or even ugly, and <i>Keeper
of the Black Stones</i> explores this flawlessly. In the end though, this is what <i>Keeper of the Black Stones is:</i> a story about a group of people trying to survive,
and survive together.</div>
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Obviously, I won't be giving away the ending, but THE ENDING. Book two, where are you?!</div>
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Ultimately, McHugh has crafted a clever and exciting tale that effortlessly blends history, fantasy, action-adventure, and humor. He is definitely an author you should be keeping your eye on! If you love time travel and history, this is for you. Even if those aren't really your thing, fret not, because it's so much more than that. I think everyone should give this a chance! I am so thrilled I discovered this series, and I cannot wait to see what happens to Jason in the gang in the next instalment. </div>
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<ul>
<li><b>Plot </b>A+</li>
<li><b>Characters </b>A</li>
<li><b>World-building/setting </b>A+</li>
<li><b>Relationships</b> A</li>
<li><b>Pace </b>A</li>
<li><b>Writing Style</b> A</li>
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PT McHugh didn't start out as a storyteller. He was, however, born into a family that encouraged imagination. He became a fan of history in school and then went to college to become a construction engineer, to build a world of straight lines, angles, and equations.
He was just as surprised as everyone else when he realized that he believed in magic, and might just know the secret of how to jump through time. Since then, he’s been researching the possibility and learning everything he can about history. Just in case the opportunity arises.
PT was born and raised in New Hampshire and currently lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with his wife, two daughters, and a dog named Bob, daring to dream of alternate worlds and cheering for his beloved New England Patriots.
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<a href="http://ptmchugh.com/patrick.html" target="_blank">website</a> - <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4640906.P_T_McHugh" target="_blank">goodreads</a> - <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/patrickmchugh4" target="_blank">twitter</a> - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Keeperoftheblackstones" target="_blank">facebook</a></center>
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Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09720486518433036376noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456777204451011384.post-68743915562579975582013-01-13T20:01:00.000-06:002013-07-14T15:56:06.555-05:00Scooping The Screen (18)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span _idv_element_hash="13038752" style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 20.78333282470703px;">Welcome to the </span><b>18th</b><span style="line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"> edition of </span></span><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;">Scooping The Screen</b><span _idv_element_hash="13039056" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;">, our own original feature in which books on television and in film will be spotlighted. This feature will be posted at varying frequencies, so please keep checking our site for further updates (although I hope to have it out at least once a week).</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"></span><b _idv_element_hash="95564576" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;">~BOOKS ON TELEVISION~</b>
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<div _idv_element_hash="160625440" style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">
CBS's<i><b> Under The Dome</b></i>, based on the book by Stephen King, will shoot its 13 episode series order in Wilmington, NC. Wilmington has played host to Dawson's Creek, One Tree Hill, and currently Revolution. The drama will premiere <b>Monday, June 24, 2013</b>. [<a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20130102/ARTICLES/13010995" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">Star News</a>; <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/big-brother-under-dome-unforgettable-411729" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">HR</a>]</div>
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<div style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">
Warner Brothers has settled its <i><b>Smallville</b></i> lawsuit and won its <b>Superman</b> lawsuit. [<a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/warner-bros-settles-big-smallville-407821" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">HR</a>; <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/warner-bros-wins-blockbuster-victory-410871" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">HR</a>]</div>
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<div style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">
NBC has released a new promo for the second half of <b><i>Grimm</i></b>'s second season. To view the trailer, click <a href="http://www.nbc.com/grimm/video/grimm-returns/n31189" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">here</a>. Grimm will also <a href="http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118064303/#.UO40hTMyFCY.twitter" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">have a webseries</a>. Grimm returns <b>Friday, March 8th</b>. [<a href="http://www.thefutoncritic.com/video/2013/01/06/video-new-grimm-trailer-359011/20130106nbc07/" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">TFC</a>;<a href="http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118064303/#.UO40hTMyFCY.twitterr" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">Variety</a>]</div>
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HBO has released another new teaser for <i><b>Game of Thrones</b></i> Season 3. You can watch it <a href="http://youtu.be/7O7k-ZPnsEI">here</a>. [<a href="http://grrm.livejournal.com/307978.html">GRRM</a>]
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Fox has renewed <i><b>Bones</b></i> for Season 9. [<a href="http://www.deadline.com/2013/01/foxs-bones-renewed-for-ninth-season/">Deadline</a>]
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Season 8 of <i><b>Dexter</b></i> will premiere on <b>June 30, 2013</b>. [<a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/showtimes-dexter-summer-homeland-premiere-411745">HR</a>]
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<b>Development News</b>: The CW <a href="http://www.deadline.com/2013/01/cw-eyes-vampire-diaries-spinoff-with-backdoor-pilot-starring-joseph-morgan-phoebe-tonkin-and-penned-by-julie-plec/">is developing</a> a <i><b>Vampire Diaries</b></i> spin-off starring Joseph Morgan and Phoebe Tonkin; Fox <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/m-night-shyamalan-bruce-c-409720">is developing</a> <i><b>Wayward Pines</b></i> with M. Night Shyamalan;
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"><br /><b>THIS WEEK ON BOOKISH TV...featuring MANY mid-season finales!</b>
<br /><i>(click on each poster for the episode preview; only new episodes are listed)</i>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"><br /><b>S U N D A Y, <i>January 13th</i></b>
<br /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aPB-H-3iZk" target="_blank"><img alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic" border="0" src="http://i49.tinypic.com/14e9sue.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZ2qqeIa7kc" target="_blank"><img alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic" border="0" src="http://i47.tinypic.com/35d9eom.jpg" /></a>
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<br /><b>M O N D A Y, <i>January 14th</i></b>
<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XfqjOimszI" target="_blank"><img alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic" border="0" src="http://i46.tinypic.com/fwi6e.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7456777204451011384" target="_blank"><img alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic" border="0" src="http://i50.tinypic.com/hv5jde.jpg" /></a></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.78333282470703px;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3bIsMonvrg" target="_blank"><img alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic" border="0" src="http://i47.tinypic.com/351amw3.jpg" /></a>
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<br /><b>T U E S D A Y, <i>January 15th</i></b>
<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hw16NpYBdoQ" target="_blank"><img alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic" border="0" src="http://i48.tinypic.com/2i088c7.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FGWet0mWpY" target="_blank"><img alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic" border="0" src="http://i50.tinypic.com/2guiglf.jpg" /></a></span></center>
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<br /><b>W E D N E S D A Y, <i>January 16th</i></b>
<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGrBN2VRUs0" target="_blank"><img alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic" border="0" src="http://i49.tinypic.com/1z4d3ph.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy9oEvrmKqU" target="_blank"><img alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic" border="0" src="http://i50.tinypic.com/smzwiq.jpg" /></a></span></center>
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<br /><b>T H U R S D A Y, <i>January 17th</i></b>
<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YHKob5LDm0" target="_blank"><img alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic" border="0" src="http://i45.tinypic.com/34pb0y0.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://www.syfy.com/videos/Haven/Promos%20&%20Trailers" target="_blank"><img alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic" border="0" src="http://i47.tinypic.com/2aanj86.jpg" /></a></span></center>
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<br /><b>F R I D A Y, <i>January 18th</i></b>
<br /><a href="http://www.syfy.com/videos/Merlin/Promos%20%26%20Trailers" target="_blank"><img alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic" border="0" src="http://i46.tinypic.com/24zb281.jpg" /></a></span></center>
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<br /><b>S A T U R D A Y, <i>January 19th</i></b>
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What are YOU looking forward to this week?
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<b>~BOOKS IN FILM~</b><br />
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<b>Development News:</b> Universal <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/universals-jurassic-park-4-hit-411594">is developing</a> Jurassic Park 4 (opening June 13, 2014);
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<b>BOOKISH FILM TRAILER OF THE WEEK........</b>
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<b><i>Oz: The Great and Powerful</i></b>, based on the book by Frank Baum, will be released in theaters on <b>March 8, 2013</b>. The film stars James Franco and Mila Kunis. [<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DylgNj4YQVc">x</a>]
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Well, that concludes this edition of <b>Scooping The Screen</b>. I hope to have additional editions out regularly.
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Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16083748648283109212noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456777204451011384.post-44679092166863297872013-01-13T13:45:00.000-06:002013-07-14T15:56:56.456-05:00Stacking the Shelves #9<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>Stacking The Shelves</i> is a meme hosted by <a href="http://www.tyngasreviews.com/" target="_blank">Tynga's Reviews</a> where you share what books you've acquired from various places throughout the week</div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7504625-shauna" target="_blank">Paper Valentine</a> by Brenna Yovanoff (Purchased)</div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14805480-shadowlands" target="_blank">Shadowlands by Kate Brian</a> (Purchased)</div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12558285-splintered" target="_blank">Splintered by A.G. Howard </a> (Purchased)</div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13549523-the-cadet-of-tildor" target="_blank">The Cadot of Tildor by Alex Tildor</a> (Purchased)</div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13115995-everbound" target="_blank">Everbound ARC by Brodi Ashton</a> (Won)</div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10441563-keeper-of-the-black-stones" target="_blank">Keeper of the Black Stones ARC by PT McHugh</a> (For Review)</div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10576365-the-darkest-minds" target="_blank">The Darkest Minds by Alexander Bracken</a> (Libaray Loan)</div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12294652-my-life-next-door" target="_blank">My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick</a> (Libaray Loan)</div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14812991-blood-kissed-sky" target="_blank">Blood-Kissed Sky by J.A. London</a> (Libaray Loan)</div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7140462-the-darkest-edge-of-dawn" target="_blank">The Darkest Edge of Dawn by Kelly Gay</a> (Gifted)</div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9510753-the-hour-of-dust-and-ashes" target="_blank">The Hour of Dust and Ashes by Kelly Gay</a> (Gifted)</div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12504228-shadows-before-the-sun" target="_blank">Shadows Before the Sun by Kelly Gay</a> (Gifted)</div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/69136.The_Book_of_Lost_Things" target="_blank">The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly</a> (Gifted)</div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7094569-feed" target="_blank">Feed by Mira Grant</a> (Gifted)</div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8429687-deadline" target="_blank">Deadline by Mira Grant</a> (Gifted)</div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11806716-blackout" target="_blank">Blackout by Mira Grant</a> (Gifted)</div>
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Kindle:</div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4447622-some-girls-bite" target="_blank">Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill</a> (Gifted)</div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16089202-florence" target="_blank">Florence by Ciye Cho</a> (For review) </div>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15982000-persistence-of-vision" target="_blank">Persistence of Vision by Liesel K. Hill</a> (For review)</div>
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So, we got some a m a z i n g books over the holidays! 2013 is promising to be an outstanding book year as I've already read some truly great ones and we're not quite even halfway through the month yet. </div>
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W<b>hat books did everyone get?! Link us in the comments! </b></div>
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Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09720486518433036376noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456777204451011384.post-42876701402889569692013-01-12T21:41:00.001-06:002013-07-14T16:02:03.832-05:00Follow and Feature Friday (18)<br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6em;">Hello everyone! It's another Feature & Follow Friday! It's been a blast meeting everyone and following so many blogs. We hope this week will be just as successful as last week! </span></h3>
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<b>Feature and Follow Friday</b> is a weekly meme hosted by <a href="http://www.alisoncanread.com/" style="color: #5c076f; text-decoration: none;"><b>Alison Can Read</b></a> and <a href="http://parajunkee.com/" style="color: #5c076f; text-decoration: none;"><b>Parajunkee</b></a>.<br />
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<span style="line-height: 1.6em;">This week's question is...</span></div>
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<b>Q: If you could choose one supernatural being/creature to really exists what would it be and why? ex. fae { submitted by @SeeingNight }</b>
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I wish wizards and witches were real like in the <i>Harry Potter</i> books. I wish Hogwarts was a real place and I could go there. I would love if objects were enchanted, Quidditch was a real sport, and people really flew hippogriffs. I would also love to be a witch in the Harry Potter world. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to teach at Hogwarts. I mean how cool would that be?! Seriously, I sometimes dream about it. ;)
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PS: We also have a really cool giveaway going on right now! You can win an ARC of <i><b>Falling Kingdoms</b></i> by! <a href="http://thesisterstale.blogspot.com/2012/12/happy-holidays.html#comment-form">Enter the giveaway here</a>! Good luck!
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Let me know what you think in the comments! Or if you want, you can just say hi!<br />
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Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16083748648283109212noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456777204451011384.post-26239874672405402482013-01-10T08:30:00.001-06:002013-01-10T08:30:58.817-06:00 Book Blitz - Release by Nicole Hadaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KY4eUt9V1b0/UO7NgWhslKI/AAAAAAAACBY/YqrxADtf8Nw/s1600/BannerReleaseBlitz.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KY4eUt9V1b0/UO7NgWhslKI/AAAAAAAACBY/YqrxADtf8Nw/s400/BannerReleaseBlitz.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Summary: </span></u></b><i>“The ends justify the means”... </i>For vampire Miranda Dandridge, using her supernatural abilities to rescue children from impossible circumstances is her means to be a part of the human world that she loves so much, despite the atrocities of WWII.
For doctor Ben Gongliewski, saving his fellow Jews from the horrific death camps is an end for which he risks his own life every day, hiding his Jewish heritage while feigning loyalty the SS.
Neither Miranda nor Ben expects to find love in World War II Europe, but that is exactly what happens as they work for the Resistance. When the war draws to a close, it seems like the vampire and the doctor are free to start a future together. But just how far the Nazis will go to further their own evil ends?
Desperate times make for ruthless men as loves and lives are threatened, but, Miranda and Ben know that their world cannot go to hell, not by any means…(cover by <a href="http://phatpuppyart.com/" target="_blank">Phatpuppy Art</a>)
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<b>Release date:</b> January 4th, 2013 by Visionary Press Cooperative
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<b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Release-Tales-Dandridge-Estate-ebook/dp/B00AWMYYMQ/ref=la_B004IVT6I4_1_1_title_0_main?ie=UTF8&qid=1357827061&sr=1-1">Purchase on Amazon</a></b>
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10139393-release" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kuGVTRnGPyI/UMUdqRUmiiI/AAAAAAAABh8/dShU6fZbakk/s1600/goodreads-badge-add-38px.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Excerpt</b>: <br />
There was no way Neil was going to get messed with tonight. He hadn't made it through this war, with its air raids, rations, and the threat of Nazi invasions only to meet his end by some crazy on a back street of London. No sir, not tonight. Especially not on New Year’s Eve.
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Neil made two moves at the same time. He turned to run – he was a pretty fast runner, and had kept in shape. He also pulled out his pocketknife, and opened up the blade. He didn't want to get into a fight; it had been ages since he’d been in one, and with his right hand, he was well aware of his handicap. But just in case…
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Neil’s foot had barely touched the pavement when he was stopped dead in his tracks again, as there was now another man, who must have been standing behind him this whole time. A blonde man this time, with pale skin, yet very dark, almost black eyes. A Nazi – oh my God, they've made it here! He thought in a panic. Before he could think of his next move, the man opened his mouth and, speaking English without any accent asked, “Hey Cray – how much longer? Daylight’s not too far away,” he called out.
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“Awww, Denny, relax! They’re on double daylight savings time here,” an amused voice called out from behind Neil.
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Neil heard a whoosh of air and before he could turn around, he felt a hand on his shoulder.
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He followed the hand on his shoulder, and found himself staring into pale blue eyes. Eyes that seemed to bore into Neil, forcing him to drop the knife, which he’d been holding out poised to strike. The man reached over with his other hand and took the knife, tossing it to the side, saying, “You won’t be needing this, friend. We've our own ways of getting your flesh and blood.”
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Neil knew he should have been afraid – he was afraid – but he couldn't move; for some reason, he was rooted to his spot. One side of his brain screamed fight, fight, fight! But another part of him just wouldn't allow it. Maybe it was because he knew the man was strong and he could feel that his shoulder might break from the crazy man’s grip.
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It did break. Neil heard a loud snap! and felt the pain shoot forth from his shoulder down his arm and across his chest. Through the pain, he thought he heard someone say, “Sorry chum, but I like it when the marrow gets into the blood, with the adrenaline. Makes it tastier.”
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Neil tried to scream, but something was at his throat, almost strangling him. He felt the fire of his shoulder meld with the burning at his throat. All he could do was look up, into the street lamp, and into the white light that quickly engulfed his entire body.
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<b>Trailer:</b>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NWJE_nLpawc/UO7PwKSy3WI/AAAAAAAACCU/BpQBf_gCiRI/s1600/nicole_e5092hf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NWJE_nLpawc/UO7PwKSy3WI/AAAAAAAACCU/BpQBf_gCiRI/s320/nicole_e5092hf.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>About the author:</u></span></b> As a lawyer, Nicole Hadaway knows all about bloodsuckers and deals with the devil. She currently lives in Texas where she pens such tales involving the supernatural, featuring her heroine, the vampire Miranda Dandridge. <span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://dandridgehouse.blogspot.ca/">website</a>|<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3100376.Nicole_Hadaway" target="_blank">goodreads</a></span></blockquote>
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<a href="http://www.xpressobooktours.com/2012/12/book-blitz-sign-up-release-by-nicole.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="82" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hnD2zM8LKh4/UMVzNA7GURI/AAAAAAAABkc/_o2Q80zM92M/s320/XpressoBannerTours.png" width="320" /></a></div>Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09720486518433036376noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456777204451011384.post-88291284190996115292013-01-08T13:53:00.002-06:002013-07-14T16:22:22.752-05:00TST Gazette (2) - Happy 2013!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>TST Gazette</i> features site news, updates, weekly monthly recaps, as well as what reviews & posts to expect from us each month.<br />
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Happy New Year everyone! We hope everyone's 2013 is off to a great start. Anyone read any good books so far?!<br />
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Here's a little preview of what to expect from us this month, review wise. Of course some of these are subject to change, but this is the plan:<br />
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<b>Reviews</b>:<br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10441563-keeper-of-the-black-stones" target="_blank">Keeper of the Black Stones</a> ARC<br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13115995-everbound" target="_blank">Everbound</a> ARC<br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11787733-bruised" target="_blank">Bruised</a> ARC (Mini-review, full length review closer to publication)<br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14805480-shadowlands" target="_blank">Shadowlands</a><br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12109772-paper-valentine" target="_blank">Paper Valentine</a><br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10345937-shades-of-earth" target="_blank">Shades of Earth</a><br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10929432-the-archived" target="_blank">The Archived</a><br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14325848-florence" target="_blank">Florence</a><br />
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We will have some other mini-reviews out, but we're not sure which ones will be reviewing for those yet, so stay tuned.<br />
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We figured with the new year, why not revamp our review system?! It's still based on a 5 star system but it's fairytale/high-fantasy themed that goes more with our layout, and we love it. Along with every rating, we will be indicating how high or low each book should be on your priority list. Also, for every review, we will be including a breakdown of the following categories:<br />
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1. Plot</div>
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2. Characters</div>
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3. World-building/setting</div>
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4. Romance</div>
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5. Pace</div>
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6. Writing Style</div>
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Each category will be judged by a letter grade. By breaking down the book by letter grade, we feel this helps make it more clear to potential readers what the strongest/weakest parts of the book are. </div>
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So an average rating for us will now look something like this:<br />
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1. Plot A-</div>
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2. Characters A</div>
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3. World-building/setting A+</div>
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4. Romance B-</div>
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5. Pace A </div>
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6. Writing Style A+</div>
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What do you think?! Let us know in the comments.<br />
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That wraps this edition up of <i>TST Gazette</i>. We hope everyone has a delightful week! ♥♥<br />
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<br />Shaunahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09720486518433036376noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456777204451011384.post-1790943897775218212013-01-05T13:03:00.001-06:002013-07-14T16:24:52.154-05:00Susan's Best of 2012 List<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I read 47 books this year; nearly triple the amount I read in 2011. I am incredibly proud of myself. I actually could have read more if I didn't waste so much time at the beginning of the year, but that's a mistake I can hopefully fix in 2013. My top ten are listed alphabetically by title because honestly it would be impossible to rank them. They are all incredible books in their own individual ways and I can't recommend them more. I read many 2012 releases, a few older books, and finally got around to read the incredible <b><i>Fever</i> series by Karen Marie Moning</b>. Why did I wait so long again?! Many of these books are probably on other people's favorites list too, so I just want to highlight two books that might have gotten overshadowed: <b><i>Midnight City</i> by J. Barton Mitchell</b> (<a href="http://thesisterstale.blogspot.com/2012/11/review-midnight-city-by-j-barton.html">5 star review </a>// <a href="http://thesisterstale.blogspot.com/2012/11/author-interview-j-barton-mitchell-on.html">author interview</a>) and <b><i>Burning Blue</i> by Paul Griffin</b> (<a href="http://thesisterstale.blogspot.com/2012/11/review-burning-blue-by-paul-griffin.html">5 star review</a>). Both of these are amazing gems that I desperately wish more people would discover, especially <i>Midnight City</i> (which would make an incredible television series or feature film). Regardless, I just want to encourage people to keep reading...and recommending. To 2013 and beyond.<br />
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Special thanks to <a href="http://www.literaryexploration.com/2013/01/favorite-books-of-2012-and-what-im.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FEvKBR+%28Literary+Exploration%29"><b>Anna @ Literary Exploration</b></a> for being the inspiration for this post! You rock!
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N7B3_pjbGXg/UOTgdJU6fNI/AAAAAAAAAUA/RTZPfBzWt8g/s1600/8235178.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N7B3_pjbGXg/UOTgdJU6fNI/AAAAAAAAAUA/RTZPfBzWt8g/s200/8235178.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AS4Kn-pJQyQ/UOTh8rrUoiI/AAAAAAAAAUY/LUp5O9hqoCo/s1600/13510479.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AS4Kn-pJQyQ/UOTh8rrUoiI/AAAAAAAAAUY/LUp5O9hqoCo/s200/13510479.jpg" /></a>
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<br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10644930-11-22-63"><b>11/22/63</b> by Stephen King</a>
<br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8235178-across-the-universe"><b>Across The Universe</b> by Beth Revis</a>
<br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13510479-burning-blue"><b>Burning Blue</b> by Paul Griffin</a>
<br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11235712-cinder"><b>Cinder</b> by Marissa Meyer</a>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--yaMAnwg5rA/UOTnc7bvYEI/AAAAAAAAAVk/VvTh2lasQWo/s1600/10215349.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--yaMAnwg5rA/UOTnc7bvYEI/AAAAAAAAAVk/VvTh2lasQWo/s200/10215349.jpg" /></a>
<br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7304203-shadowfever"><b>Shadowfever</b> by Karen Marie Moning</a>
<br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8442457-gone-girl"><b>Gone Girl</b> by Gillian Flynn</a>
<br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10215349-the-immortal-rules"><b>The Immortal Rules<b></b></b> by Julie Kagawa</a>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l4SrdK6fEfM/UOToyU0yWLI/AAAAAAAAAWY/-e0t0smdz4s/s1600/10507293.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l4SrdK6fEfM/UOToyU0yWLI/AAAAAAAAAWY/-e0t0smdz4s/s200/10507293.jpg" /></a>
<br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13494718-midnight-city"><b>Midnight City</b> by J. Barton Mitchell</a>
<br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12043771-this-is-not-a-test"><b>This is Not a Test</b> by Courtney Summers</a>
<br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10507293-the-selection"><b>The Selection</b> by Kiera Cass</a>
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Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16083748648283109212noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7456777204451011384.post-30715008232610117152013-01-05T12:43:00.001-06:002013-07-14T16:26:05.374-05:00Feature and Follow Friday (17)<br />
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<span _idv_element_hash="17884128" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6em;">Hello everyone! It's another Feature & Follow Friday! It's been a blast meeting everyone and following so many blogs. We hope this week will be just as successful as last week! </span></h3>
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<b>Feature and Follow Friday</b> is a weekly meme hosted by <a href="http://www.alisoncanread.com/" style="color: #5c076f; text-decoration: none;"><b>Alison Can Read</b></a> and <a href="http://parajunkee.com/" style="color: #5c076f; text-decoration: none;"><b>Parajunkee</b></a>.<br />
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This week's question is...
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<b>Q: What New Years Blogging or Writing resolution have you placed on yourself?</b>
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This is a great question! I have been thinking about this for a while and I have made a few for this year. I pledge to write my reviews immediately after I finish a book, so that I don't fall behind. I also want to create more original content for the blog. I'm thinking about writing articles and starting discussions. I also want to be a little more social on goodreads (more commenting!) and on other blogs.
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PS: We also have a really cool giveaway going on right now! You can win an ARC of <i><b>Falling Kingdoms</b></i> by! <a href="http://thesisterstale.blogspot.com/2012/12/happy-holidays.html#comment-form">Enter the giveaway here</a>! Good luck!
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Let me know what you think in the comments! Or if you want, you can just say hi!<br />
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Susanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16083748648283109212noreply@blogger.com7