Sunday, October 30, 2011

In My Mailbox #33

 Still a Good Girl
IMM #33


IMM is a meme hosted by The Story Siren, anyone participate telling about what they bought, borrowed or received.

Won
I won this eBook from Fiktshun's contest, thanks Rachel

Bought
I bought this book at the Emerald City Writers Conference at the public book signing on Saturday. This was my only purchase, of course I wanted to buy more, but I only allowed myself 1 one and this was my choice. <signed>

For Review
I was given this ARC for review from Inara while at the event. Thanks Inara I'm looking forward to read the book. <signed>

Lots of Free Swag
I got lots and lots of misc swag from different author. I also got a signed graphic novel Anne Elisabeth's Pulse of Power, it is also signed. 

Authors That I Got to Meet and Get Books Signed
Yasmine Galenorn
Cherry Adair
Meljean Brooks
Sherrilyn Kenyon
Inara Scott
Christine Warren
Gwen Hayes

I didn't get any pictures with them since it was really crazy and some where positioned in a long line of table. The event was a lot of fun and I had a friend attend it with me which made the event even more fun.

My Review
Also Touch was released early and you can get it at a fantastic price on Amazon at 40% off. You need to read this book, it is amazing!!

Bookography

Reading List
1) Dragonswood (currently reading)
2) The Probability of Miracles
3) The Candidates
4) The Marked
5) Falling Under

I really hope I can get around to reading. I have been really busy lately with trying to figure out what camera and lens to buy. I also have a baby blanket to make for a friend, this is my first ever sewing project.

What did you get in your mailbox this week?
Please feel free to leave a link below.
<3Books

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Touch Review

Touch

Summary
When a strange boy tumbles down a river embankment and lands at her feet, seventeen-year-old adrenaline junkie Deznee Cross snatches the opportunity to piss off her father by bringing the mysterious hottie with ice blue eyes home.
 
Except there’s something off with Kale. He wears her shoes in the shower, is overly fascinated with things like DVDs and vases, and acts like she’ll turn to dust if he touches her. It’s not until Dez’s father shows up, wielding a gun and knowing more about Kale than he should, that Dez realizes there’s more to this boy—and her father’s “law firm”—than she realized.

Kale has been a prisoner of Denazen Corporation—an organization devoted to collecting “special” kids known as Sixes and using them as weapons—his entire life. And, oh yeah, his touch? It kills. The two team up with a group of rogue Sixes hellbent on taking down Denazen before they’re caught and her father discovers the biggest secret of all. A secret Dez has spent her life keeping safe.

A secret Kale will kill to protect.

What I Loved
Characters
Kale: I absolutely love him!! He is now one of my favorite boys of the YA genre. He is completely naive in the ways of our society and it is so cute when he discovers something new to him. Kale is also very fierce, protective and the perfect wounded bad boy. I completely fell in love with his character and especially those intense ice blue eyes.
Deznee aka Dez: She is an decent character, I typically don't care much for slutty reputation characters but she does have a fierce rebellion streak. She did come really close to pissing me off, but she snapped out of it just in time to right her almost worst mistake of her life. I do give Dez major points for being stubborn and not giving up when the situation gets bad.   
The Sixes
This book has all the different type of powers with the ones with powers trying to escape from those who would use, abuse and control the Sixes. I love books (and movies) that have this theme of the power wielders and the ones wanting to control them, it always makes for great entertainment and I was entertained throughout the entire book.
Pushing the YA Genre
I do love it when a YA books push the content to be for the more mature young adult audience (like the VA series, you can tell Mead writes adult books as well) and Touch pushes the content boundaries. The door isn't completely thrown open, but it has the perfect amount of romantic passion that is more mature. 
Top of the List
This book easily made it on a few favorites list. Kale is now my favorite YA male and I would easily put him with some of my favorite adult males as well. He competes with All of Kendra Leigh Castle's boys, Curran, Adam from Mercy Thompson series and Camille's husbands from the Otherworld series by Yasmine Galenorn. Touch is also on the favorite YA list now.

What I Didn't Like
Writing this review, I didn't do the book justice. The book was AMAZING!

Recommendation 
GET IT NOW! Don't argue with me just get it.

Available now in paperback and eBook through: Amazon / B&N

Information
Denazen series
Touch
Toxic out Spring 2012
Book 3
& 2 novellas will also be written within this series

Jus will be doing a blog tour from November 1st to November 22nd with 19 different blog stops, I think it is safe to assume that probably a few will be holding a giveaway for the book. You should check out the tour dates and places on her Appearances & Reviews page. Sadly I'm not a tour stop, but I will be checking out the stops to see if I can learn any extra tidbits about the series.

If you could have a power what would it be?


<3Books

Bookography (13)

Bookography

s a fun new way to share the beauty of books with photography. Take a picture with the book being the focus or inspiration and share the picture(s) you have created for the week.

Book
Masquerade by Melissa De La Cruz

 Masquerade

Last night when was looking at my books I initially had no idea what I was going to do for this weeks picture. When I came across Masquerade I remember my Halloween mask I had years ago and I went straight to my closet and I hoped it was with the other Halloween costumes, thankfully it was. I actually think the mask is perfect, if you remember the cover the mask it has the same swirls and antique look. I didn't think I was going to put my mask over the eyes, but when I did and realized it the was perfect size I had to get a picture with the eyes showing through the mask. This actually took some work with playing with the light and shadows (I really could have used a little softer light, but I don't have that), I was working with an awkward lamp.
I am actually very pleased with how this turned out.

I changed the coloring to an antique sepia, it is a preset in Lightroom. I did use a new tool that I learned how to use last night in class, the gradual light tool. I the end of the title was a little over exposed and it couldn't been seen to easily. 

Class Update
Last night was the end of my 1st class The Art of Photography: It's Not All About the Camera. This class was amazing, it really helped me to understand what makes a photo, how to find the subject and create the photo to be the best. 
Last week I started my other class Level 1 Camera Functions, this class is all about the equipment, learning how to use and control past the auto mode.
I now even more want a better camera with more control and more options, I'm shopping around and trying to find the best camera for my uses.

If you would like to participate please do. I will try to post my Bookography post each week on Wednesdays. I would love if you would link back to my blog and share your own link in the comments.


<3Books

Saturday, October 22, 2011

In My Mailbox #32

 Didn't Buy Anything
IMM #32


IMM is a meme hosted by The Story Siren, anyone can participate telling about what they bought, borrowed or received for the week.

Won
I won this from her website and it is signed. This originally was suppose to be an ARC that I won, but she had just received the finished copy so she sent me the finished copy instead. Thanks Jus. I have finished it and I loved it, I will be posting my review soon.

Free eBooks
free on Amazon
free on Amazon
free on Amazon

My Review

Bookography

Nikki @ A Backwards Story oops Book Most Wanted

I was good this week and didn't buy any books. I am very proud of myself. Although I have figured out the camera I would like to buy and that is one pretty penny. 

What did you get in your mailbox?
Please feel free to leave you IMM link


<3Books

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Bookography (12)

Bookography

s a fun new way to share the beauty of books with photography. Take a picture with the book being the focus or inspiration and share the picture(s) you have created for the week.

Book
Harvest Hunting by Yasmine Galenorn

Harvest

I didn't do too much to this picture. Toned down some of the colors and did a little crop. I wish I could have added a knife to put into the picture to add the hunting part, but the only knives we have are kitchen knives and that wouldn't look good in the picture. I did have this set up on my counter like this for a few days waiting for the right light and setting.

If you would like to participate please do. I will try to post my Bookography post each week on Wednesdays. I would love if you would link back to my blog and share your own link in the comments.


<3Bookography

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

A Kiss in Time Review

A Kiss in Time
By Alex Flinn

Summary
Talia fell under a spell...Jack broke the curse.
I was told to beware the accursed spindle, but it was so enchanting, so hypnotic...
I was looking for a little adventure the day I ditched my tour group. But finding a comatose town, with a hot-looking chick asleep in it, was so not what I had in mind.
I awakened in the same place but in another time—to a stranger's soft kiss.
I couldn't help kissing her. Sometimes you just have to kiss someone. I didn't know this would happen.
Now I am in dire trouble because my father, the king, says I have brought ruin upon our country. I have no choice but to run away with this commoner!
Now I'm stuck with a bratty princess and a trunk full of her jewels...The good news: My parents will freak!
Think you have dating issues? Try locking lips with a snoozing stunner who turns out to be 316 years old. Can a kiss transcend all—even time?

What I Liked
Sleeping Beauty
I do enjoy new versions of fairy tales. This version takes the old story and puts a modern spin on things. Making the princess sleep for 100 years and the boy be anything but a charming prince, more like a selfish modern day boy. The heart of Sleeping Beauty still remains within the story, a curse, pricked by a spindle, sleeps for a long time, awakens by loves 1st kiss and than things get a little different.

Not My Favorite
Characters
Princess Talia: Spoiled, selfish brat and she stays this way for a long time, Only when she it taken away from the castle and people don't know she is a princess does her attitude finally change and she becomes a more likeable character.
Jack: I would consider him a privileged kid that is crying out of attention by causing issues. He likes to party and is obsessed with his ex-girlfriend who cheated on him. He too also makes a turn around when he realized he is responsible for Talia's safety. 

By The End
I did come to like the characters and I was rooting for them to be together. I enjoyed the new twist that was added and I like how everything turned out. 


Original 
Was published in 1697 by Charles Parrault in French La Belle au bois dormant "The Beauty sleeping in the wood"
In 1812 The Brothers Grimm version was titled Little Briar Rose

Disney's Sleeping Beauty
I love this version, the animation is beautiful and the characters are so loveable.


Other Sleeping Beauty Books I Have Read
Beauty Sleep by Cameron Dokey

Enchantment by Orson Scott Card

 Night's Rose by Annaliese Evans

Do you have a favorite version of Sleeping Beauty?


<3Books

Sunday, October 16, 2011

In My Mailbox #31

Books for Events
IMM #31


IMM is a meme hosted by The Story Siren, anyone can participate telling about what they bought, borrowed or received for the week. 

(sorry I didn't take any pictures of the books, I have started to put away all my books from the last 4 events. My shelves are a mess)

Won
I won this from Yasmin's giveaway on her site. I love her books and I really want to start reading this book soon. Thanks Yasmine

Bought
For the Pitch Dark: Dark Days signing

Bought
For the Pen Fatale signing


I only bought a few books this week, but they all were for signings. Hopefully after this I won't be buying anything for a week or 2.

Event Recaps
I did go to 2 events this week
Pitch Dark: Dark Days Fall 2011 Event recap
I was the official event blogger, appointed by Harper Teen. I am also hosting a giveaway to 1 winner for all 5 books (unsigned) to a US resident (being sent from the publisher) Enter Here

Pen Fatale Event recap

My Reviews


Bookography

Reading Pile
1) ? not sure, I'm so burnt out with all things books from this last week. Possibly Night Veil
2) The Probability of Miracles (ARC)
3) Dragonswood (ARC)

What did you get in your mailbox this week?
Please feel free to leave your IMM link so I can check it out

<3Books

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Pitch Dark: Dark Days Fall '11 Event Recap

Pitch Dark
Dark Days Fall 2011 Tour


with Claudia Gray, Amy Garvey, Kiersten White, Anna Carey & Jocelyn Davies (which I didn't get to meet)

I arrived very early to the event, an 1 1/2 early. I wanted to make sure I got the right seat for recording and I also wanted to beat traffic as well since I was going to be driving through Seattle at prime traffic time, not fun.

The freaking cutest chairs for the event. They only use these for the YA and younger events. The adult events get regular size chairs.

Since I was really early they hadn't even set up yet and I just took a seat near where the signing was going to take place. Once the event coordinator started to set up I decided to help with a few things. I helped to pre-flap the books and set them up on the wall.

Once the seats and author table were all organized I still had to figure out what recorder I was going to be using the camcorder or the flip camera. I decided on the camcorder because of the size of the frame.


The Arrival of the Authors
Introductions made by the Barnes and Noble coordinator
(Sorry about cutting off the introductory speaker, I didn't want to fidget with the camera and potentially cut out Claudia)

They first started off with telling about their books
 Claudia Gray and Amy Garvey

Kiersten White

Anna Carey

The Q&A Portion
 (Some of the videos have 1 or 2 questions that was because of editing and converting issues)

1) Who was your favorite character to write?

1) Favorite horror movie?

1) How much research did you do?
2) How long does it take you to write a book?

1) Of your characters who would you shag/snog, marry and kill?

1) Do you have any book/movie/media that you have to have when it comes out?
2) Kiersten, how tall are you?

1) Have you ever been reading through a book and found that your idea was used? Idea Envy
2) Who likes Dr. Who?
Thank you, ending

The Signing Line Mob
There wasn't much of a line, so I just decided to stay back and let everyone else go through and take pictures.


The lady with the book is a soon to be 1st time published author and Kiersten had actually read her book and really loved it (title is Storybound).



 From left to right
Me, Claudia, Anna, another fan, Amy and Kiersten

 The two girls in the middle are two other fans that came together.


Signing Stock
I didn't get Claudia, she went over to the cafe to sign her stock and Anna was already done by the time I had decided to take pictures of this.



I do really love group events, the energy of the author all together is so much fun. They joked with each other and you can tell how much of a blast they were having.

Before I went to the signing I was able to read:
Eve my review
Paranormalcy my review
Supernaturally my review
Fateful my review

I didn't get the chance to read Cold Kiss before the event, this was the book that I purchased at B&N to support the hosting store.

I am doing a giveaway for a copy of all 5 of the authors. Ends October 19th, US only (being sent from publisher), not signed but they are beautiful hardback copies of the books. For more information and to enter go HERE


<3Book Events

Pen Fatale Event Recap

Pen Fatale Tour
Lynnwood WA
7pm October 13th 2011

with
Alyson Noel, Jessica Brody, Mary E. Pearson and Gabrielle Zevin

I did get to the event an hour early and I got one of the front row little green seats, not very comfortable. They each told a little about their books and than went to the fun Q&A part. I did take notes during the event so I could remember how they answered. It was actually really helpful and I will be doing it from now on, much better than trying to remember as many questions and answers as possible.

*Answers are summarized*




Q&A
What inspired your books?
Brody: The show Hills, Jessica thought they made really bad decisions and she thought she could make better decisions for them.
Pearson: She almost lost her daughter to cancer, lucky she had a curable cancer, but if she had been sick 15 years earlier she would have lost her.
Zevin: When she writes a book she likes to be able to answer a question in the book. She wanted to answer the question can we overcome a legacy of violence.
Noel: Lost a few people in her life in a very short time span, she wanted to explain death.

When did you start writing and why?
Noel: At 12 due to parents discord she started writing "bad poetry". During high school she started writing short stories. She got her short story read out loud during class and it changed her whole outlook on life and made her feel like she wasn't a loss cause. Faking 19 was the teacher that inspired her to write.

Brody: When she was 7 years old she wrote the Puppy and the Kitty. It was bound and she was so proud and wanted to be published. You can see the bound book at the bottom of her Bio page.

Pearson: She was in character form when she was little. Her parents even had to refer to her as her character name otherwise she wouldn't respond to them. One day when she was at a store she got separated from her parents. The retail worker kept asking her what her name was and Mary kept insisting her name was Little Red Riding Hood. The worker became exacerbated after continually asking her, so she went over the speaker asking "The parents of Little Red Riding Hood your daughter is looking for you"

Zevin: Guns & Roses, boyfriend... and I missed the rest of it while I was taking notes.

What is your favorite color?
Noel: Purple, she even wore purple pants to one of the Dark Days stops
Brody: Purple like her cover and matching marker to sign with
Pearson: Aqua like her scarf she was wearing
Zevin: Black, she likes to wear black but her house is all white

Zevin, how did you decide what to make illegal?
A chocolate store moved into the neighborhood and she ended up having a dark chocolate induced migraine. She also found it interesting that chocolate is graded like alcohol, 20%, 50%, 90%.

Brody, who made your book trailer?
She actually made it herself, well called in some help from her friends since she use to work in the movie production business. The process is long, stressful and lots of fun "labor of love", this was also her 1st time directing. 

Noel, what inspired Haven's character?
Haven is a congealment of many different people Alyson knew in her life. Haven and Ever can never be truly best friends because Haven is jealous of Ever. Haven is prickly, a difficult person who wants someone to love her. Alyson always felt sorry for Haven regardless of what she did to her character. 

Pearson, what made you come up with putting their minds in black boxes?
Research is great procrastination. Scientists are trying to stay alive long enough to scan their minds in 20 years to save themselves. The mind is the last frontier and it is so complicated and unknown.


This was another fun event, the 4 girls had lots of fun giggles and they loved the group of 4th graders that came to the event for Alyson Noel.

I hope they will all one day come back to Seattle, we loved having them.

<3Book Events

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Pitch Dark: Dark Day Fall '11 Giveaway

*CLOSED*
Pitch Dark
Dark Days Fall 2011
Giveaway
*CLOSED*
Kicking Off the 1st Day of the Tour

I am hosting a giveaway for all 5 of the books
 Fateful
Supernaturally
Eve
Cold Kiss 
A Beautiful Dark

All to 1 Winner in the US
(sorry coming from the publisher)

Rules
 Enter by filling out the form
Must be 13 or older
Reside within the US ONLY
The winner will be announced on this blog post at the conclusion of the contest
Winner will be notified and you have 72 hr to reply back, otherwise I WILL pick another winner
*Note: I'm not responsible for lost or stolen packages*

*CLOSED*
WINNER IS NIKKI @ BOOKS MOST WANTED 
CONGRATULATIONS NIKKI
Ends
Wednesday October 19th

Fill out the form HERE

Keep an eye out over the next few days, I will be posting my recap of the event. I will have videos and lots of pictures. Also on twitter using #pitchdarkdays I will be posting about random tidbits and some photos during the event tonight (Wednesday).

Tour Schedule 
Wednesday, October 12th < my event>

7:00 PM
Barnes & Noble
19401 Alderwood Mall Parkway
*Lynnwood, WA*
with Claudia Gray, Kiersten White, Amy Garvey, and Anna Carey
http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/event/73460

Thursday, October 13th
7:00 PM
Barnes & Noble
7881 Edinger Avenue
*Huntington Beach, CA*
with Claudia Gray, Kiersten White, Amy Garvey, and Anna Carey
http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/event/73465

Friday, October 14th
7:00 PM
Tattered Cover
9315 Dorchester Street
*Highlands Ranch, CO*
with Claudia Gray, Kiersten White, Amy Garvey, and Jocelyn Davies
http://www.tatteredcover.com/event/

Saturday, October 15th
1:00 PM
Barnes & Noble
2999 Pearl Street
*Boulder, CO*
with Claudia Gray, Kiersten White, Amy Garvey, and Jocelyn Davies
http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/event/73456

Sunday, October 16th
2:00 PM
Anderson’s
123 West Jefferson
*Naperville, IL*
with Claudia Gray, Kiersten White, Amy Garvey, and Jocelyn Davies

Good Luck

<3Book Events

Bookography (11)

Bookography

s a fun new way to share the beauty of books with photography. Take a picture with the book being the focus or inspiration and share the picture(s) you have created for the week.

Book
Firelight by Sophie Jordan

Firelight

I have never played with using a candle as lightening before. It is really tricky. I would like to play some more with it and see what else I could do with candle light. I did very little to the photo. I added a little more black and I changed the saturation so the red and yellows weren't as vibrant. Of course I also cropped it as well.

Original

I also just made a flickr site, this will contain some of the photos that I took for my photography class. Please go and check those out, the widget is on the left side bar. I will be adding photos on the weekend since my photos for class are due on Monday evening.

If you would like to participate please do. I will try to post my Bookography post each week on Wednesdays. I would love if you would link back to my blog and share your own link in the comments.

<3Bookography