Series Sunday (2) The Vampire Academy Series

The Vampire Academy Series.

Where do I even begin? Rose - one of my top heroines. Dimitri - my favorite book love - I cannot honestly say that - he is. Wonderful plot line - 6 books and I hate everyone of them up.

A sum up - Rose Hathaway is a damphir who is bound to Lissa, a Moroi. They are best friends and have a very deep friend and an even deeper bond. Rose however, is a smart ass, bad ass, who is irrational and loyal to a fault. But her wild ways get her matched up with the Russian heart throb - Dimitri. I said Rose was bad ass, yeah there is not a word for how awesome he is.  The plot line involves murder, deception, bad choices, and a revolution for the damphirs and moroi.

Rose and Dimitri - wow are there some steamy scenes between the two of the dhampirs - like - Book 4? All of book 4 - Oh MY Lanta. But for as many ups as they have, they have equally the same amount of downs, and I mean downs - like Dimitri becomes a bad guy, Rose dates some else, Dimitri refusing to be with her.

Rose and Adrian - there are some people who prefer Adrian over Dimitri and I can understand why. Adrian is a lot like Rose in his irrational ways and smart ass ways. He is also so faithful and loyal to Rose, even when she turns from him. I will say there is a part that Mead writes, won't tell you which book, where my heart honestly broke for him.

Rose and Lissa - A true friendship - enough said.

Some of my favorite quotes:
"What's up?" I asked.
You tell me," he said. "You were the one about ready to start making out with Adrian."
It was an experiment," I said. "It was part of my therapy."
What the hell kind of therapy are you in?" 

"I don’t belong to anyone. I make my own choices."
"And you’re with Adrian," said Dimitri.
"But I was meant for you." 

"Don't blame us," said my mother. "We didn't blow up half of Court, steal a dozen cars, call out a murderer in the middle of a crowd, or get our teenage friend crowned queen."

"Don't touch her," he growled.
There was a note in his voice that would of scared me if it had been directed toward me. He shoved me behind him, putting his body protectively in front of mine with my back to the table. Guardians came at us from all directions,and Dimitri began dispatching them with the same deadly grace that had once made people call him a god." 

"I loved you!" he yelled. He jumped up out of his chair so quickly I never saw it coming. "I loved you, and you destroyed me. You took my heart and ripped it up." 

Have you read it? What was your favorite quote? Who is your favorite character? And- hey - did you see the casting - sigh!

Series Sundays (1) The Hunger Games

What brought on my Series Sunday? I teach middle school and my counterpart in 7th grade taught The Hunger Games last year. So after the ELA exam, I was like Catching Fire it is! With the full intent of re-reading The HUnger Games. Well, I read HG, then CF and well, you can't stop there. I finished MockingJay. And that got me thinking of all the great series I have read and am waiting for.

So requirements for being part of Series Sunday. Has to be a series and has to be a completed series. 

All readers needs to be aware that there is no way to talk about a series without spoilers. 

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is a dystopia novel where the country of Panem is the US made up of (originally) 13 districts. They are governed by the Capitol and the evil (but truely awesome character) President Snow. And each year, each district, must send in one boy and one girl into what they call the Hunger Games where kids from the ages 12 to 18 will have to fight to the death until there is one victor. 

Along comes, cold-hearted (accept to the weak) Katniss, who ends up in the games with Peeta - her soon to be lover in the eyes of the Capitol. They are the first pair to make it out of the Games, and boy does this piss off President Snow. 

He comes at them full force in CF. He sends them back in to the Games as a means to eliminate the all the winners of the Games. Why do you ask does he want to do this? Because, a rebellion - what dystopia doesn't have a rebellion.  And then the rebellion ensues. 

So why do I love this series - a lot of reasons - number one - I HATE PRESIDENT SNOW! A great story is only as good as the antagonist. President Snow is conniving, he keeps it together in front of the cameras, he's smart, and he's ruthless. He doesn't care who he has to kill to keep his government, his power in control. 

Also - Katniss - she's not your fairy princess, your weak, no confidence, hopelessly romantic girl. In fact - she is the opposite of all of those qualities. She's capable of murder. She really doesn't want to get married. She's not stereotypical in any way!

A few of my favorite quotes:

"Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor."  Effie Trinket - best airhead ever!

"Well, don't expect us to be too impressed. We just saw Finnick Odair in his underwear." 

"You know, you could live a thousand lifetimes and not deserve him."

"Fire is catching! And if we burn, you burn with us!" 

"Ally." Peeta says the words slowly, tasting it. "Friend. Lover. Victor. Enemy. Fiancee. Target. Mutt. Neighbor. Hunter. Tribute. Ally. I'll add it to the list of words I use to try to figure you out. The problem is, I can't tell what's real anymore, and what's made up." 

Some of my favorite quotes:
"Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor." Effie Trinket - best airhead ever

"Ally." Peeta says the words slowly, tasting it. "Friend. Lover. Victor. Enemy. Fiancee. Target. Mutt. Neighbor. Hunter. Tribute. Ally. I'll add it to the list of words I use to try to figure you out. The problem is, I can't tell what's real anymore, and what's made up." 

"Fire is catching! And if we burn, you burn with us!" 

"Well, don't expect us to be too impressed. We just saw Finnick Odair in his underwear." 

"You know, you could live a thousand lifetimes and not deserve him."

 

Indie Author Visit - Jennifer Phillips Russo

My school district had the great pleasure of having Jennifer Phillips Russo come to our school and give a presentation. Jennifer was vivacious, articulate and had a great message for our students. She really pushed that no matter what you want to achieve, you can do it. She told an antidote about her kids. They told her that they couldn’t fly. She told them that they could invent jet fuel packs that could make them fly. This was great for all our kids. I also have several students who want to be writers and have started writing their own books – I know – a teacher’s dream. She was very inspirational.

And my students? They were engaged. We went to a Q and A portion, and there was a brief moment when I was like: Please no crickets! But Jennifer had fully engaged them. They asked questions until the bell!

So what does Jennifer write? Middle Grades fantasy.  Here is her blurb!

Eleven year old boy, Giovani, feels smothered by three younger sisters and drowning in their Sea of Pink. Bored with ordinary life, his only escape is to journey into imaginary adventures, while longing for real companionship away from all things frilly. On his twelfth birthday, his eccentric Aunt bestowed upon him a mysterious gift that she thought he was finally old enough to handle; it changed his life forever. Immediately he was thrust into a curious world that has always been there in the shadows, protecting him, so that one day Giovani might help protect them. For over one thousand years, his bloodline has been part of an elite order that has fought against evil, and now, ready or not, it was his turn. His new reality full of adventures with dragons, elves, and magic await his arrival. Evil forces threaten his family’s existence and have already killed others. The Order needs his help. It is his birthright; his duty. How will he handle his new found responsibility and quest? Will he rise to the challenge or sink back into the Ordinary?

Sweet Peril! by Wendy Higgins

Anna Whitt, the daughter of a guardian angel and a demon, promised herself she’d never do the work of her father—polluting souls. She’d been naive to make such a vow. She’d been naive about a lot of things.

Haunted by demon whisperers, Anna does whatever she can to survive, even if it means embracing her dark side and earning an unwanted reputation as her school’s party girl. Her life has never looked more bleak. And all the while there’s Kaidan Rowe, son of the Duke of Lust, plaguing her heart and mind.

When an unexpected lost message from the angels surfaces, Anna finds herself traveling the globe with Kopano, son of Wrath, in an attempt to gain support of fellow Nephilim and give them hope for the first time. It soon becomes clear that whatever freedoms Anna and the rest of the Neph are hoping to win will not be gained without a fight. Until then, Anna and Kaidan must put aside the issues between them, overcome the steamiest of temptations yet, and face the ultimate question: is loving someone worth risking their life?

As some of you may know- I am a huge Wendy Higgins fan. Like terribly huge. Like counted down the release of Sweet Peril after I read Sweet Evil, the first day it came out. So if you haven't read Sweet Evil, go get on it. Seriously - you're going to meet the lusty Kaiden Rowe and love him. 

On to my review! 

The novel picks up about 6 months after the first. Anna has half-heartedly embraced the substance abuse side of her. She has changed her reputation around from the sweet innocent of her high school to the full-fledged party girl, but after each party she wakes up the next morning scared to death she has ruined someone's life. The innocent that allows her to hold on to the hilt remains. 

Her dad, plays a bigger role in this novel, as the big gruff dad, but ultimately he's a great dad - Yeah - OK so he has a substance abuse problem. Her father sets Anna to go on, what I will call, missions. She travels the world completing her missions and working toward the ultimate goal and I mean ultimate. 

My gripe with this book: Kaiden is missing. I mean he appears for a few pages and then is gone.  I got frustrated because he's it for me. I want to see him be redeemed. I need to see his "colors" for Anna. But don't worry - half-way through Wendy comes through for me and delivers. Thank you Wendy! 

On a side note - I'm getting married in 113 days and my last name is going to be Rowe. I actually loved Kaiden so much - I tried to convince my fiance to put that name into our baby pool of names. He didn't go for it - but I haven't given up yet! 

What did you think of it? 

NEW NEW NEW Falling for Hadie!

You might have seen this over the last day or so and I am happy to share it with you for the first time or the second time. You will find my dear friend Komal's NEW cover design for her NEW novel Falling for Hadie, a steamy contemporary novel with a heartbreaking twist. Yeah, literally heartbreaking! 

Here's the NEW blurb and the NEW cover!!!

“Sometimes there is a single moment that changes your life forever.”

 

Hadie Swinton is giving up on boys.

After a disastrous relationship, she is convinced that all males are the same—arrogant, self-assured, and complete jerks.

Lincoln Bracks is giving up on his old life.

After moving to a new town to escape the problems plaguing him, he is set against ever getting close to anyone again.

When Hadie and Lincoln’s worlds collide, their intrigue for one another leads them to open up to each other against their better judgment. Despite the attraction that is pulling them together, insecurities, secrets, and shattered hopes stand in the way of them ever being together.

At a time when darkness consumes their lives, Hadie and Lincoln learn that hope and love can still be found in the most unlikely place.

I LOVE IT! Komal - I'm so proud!

Prodigy by Marie Lu

Prodigy- sequel to Legend - heartbreaking end. 

June and Day arrive in Vegas just as the unthinkable happens: the Elector Primo dies, and his son Anden takes his place. With the Republic edging closer to chaos, the two join a group of Patriot rebels eager to help Day rescue his brother and offer passage to the Colonies. They have only one request—June and Day must assassinate the new Elector.

It’s their chance to change the nation, to give voice to a people silenced for too long. 

But as June realizes this Elector is nothing like his father, she’s haunted by the choice ahead. What if Anden is a new beginning? What if revolution must be more than loss and vengeance, anger and blood—what if the Patriots are wrong?

In this highly-anticipated sequel, Lu delivers a breathtaking thriller with high stakes and cinematic action.

The novel picks up quickly after the first one ended and I was quickly back with June and Day. (Though how I have Day pictured in my head is very different than how he is described.) The world is a great dystopia world. The unrest, the government, the ways of the life, it's clear. I don't have questions unanswered. I think this can be a problem for dystopias, but not for this one. 

June and Day are assigned new roles on the "right" side. Sadly, they are separated for a time. Each dedicated to the mission, each one's emotions about the other shaken and tested. This happens in most novels; it worked for this novel because the reason they were "shaken" is because of who they are, not just some pretty face walking by. 

Day and June, well June first, and then Day, figure out the "bigger picture." What side they need to be on, who is the enemy and how they should move forward.

The ending - oh - so sad. Wow, didn't see it coming. Some one tweet me or email me to talk about it. I need the next book. 

Lark Giveaway

Hi everyone!
I know I've been absent but I am reappearing to do a great giveaway for my dear friend Erica. Erica released her first novel, Lark, and I love it. She also agreed to do an interview for me! So - here is the blurb!

The last time she checked, Mia Carrington was pretty sure that she was a normal girl with a completely ordinary life.

She goes to high school, has a crush on the gorgeous and mysterious new boy in town, and has strange dreams that she can’t help but feel are real somehow.

Okay, so maybe she’s not all that normal after all.

A freak accident changes Mia’s life forever when she is thrown into another world and left to deal with the revelation that she is the daughter of the King of the Light Elves. Throw in an ominous prophecy predicting that Mia will break a curse unleashing the Dark Elves on the world and well, things don’t look too good.

There is danger lurking at every corner in this strange world and Mia isn’t sure who she can trust…
The only thing she is certain of is that the Dark Elves know about her, and they will stop at nothing until they have her.

And here is me - picking her brain!

1.What inspired you to write Lark?

 I woke up from a dream and couldn’t go back to sleep until I wrote it all down. The next day I couldn’t stop thinking about what would’ve happened before and after the events of that dream so I started writing it down!

2. What was the biggest hurdle you had to overcome during the writing process?

Growing thicker skin! I’m a naturally sensitive person and I knew that as soon as I released LARK that I was bound to get negative feedback, simply because that’s just the way it is. There is no one book out there that everyone loves and I had some serious anxiety over it. But I just remind myself to focus on the positive and not let the negative get me down.

3. What's your perfect writing atmosphere?

I need complete and total silence to really get into the zone. But life with the three Blondies is hardly quiet so I spent a lot of late nights working on LARK because it was the only time I could really focus. I would put them all to bed at 8pm and immediately go sit at my desk. I would be there for hours! I

4. Who is your favorite character and why in your book?

 Jacoby is pretty much my ideal guy so I guess he would be my favorite though I’m really rather fond of all of my characters (even the not so nice ones!).

5. Who is an author that inspires you and why?

Oh gosh, that’s tough because I have so many favorites! But if I have to pick one, I’d say JK Rowling just because she created such a vivid world in the Harry Potter books. I can only hope to be that imaginative!

6. Can you tell us anything about the sequel?

I can tell you that I’m working on it right now….. and I can give you a teeny tiny (completely unedited)  sneak peek of Chapter 1:

Grey and I walk silently side by side to my locker. He stays with me until I gather all my books and then he walks me to my first class.

            “I’ll see you later,” he says softly.

            “Yeah, see ya.” I turn to go, but he suddenly grabs my arm to stop me. “What?”

I turn to face him and his eyes are narrowed at something or someone behind me. I   follow his gaze and shock hits me like a Mack truck.

            He is back.  

Who could it be?? J

7. What is your ultimate goal as a writer?

Realistically? I’d like to be able to write full time someday…..but if we are talking, like in-my wildest-dream goal, I think it would be absolutely the coolest thing ever to have a book turned into a movie. Or at the very least be a guest on The Ellen Degeneres show. J

8. What's the best piece of advice you got while writing your book?

A friend of mine told me to join a “crit group”. She had joined one (through Yahoo I think) and while I didn’t go that route, I did get some awesome people to help me with the editing/revising process of Lark and they were all amazing! They really helped me mold my story into what it is and for that I’m immensely grateful!

Thanks for the great questions, Michelle! It was fun!

And on to the giveaway!

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