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Hello All....I am Giving You play By Play From The Red Carpet Premier Of New Moon In LA!

Hi all! sorry I've been away, but I have some sweet stuff for all of you who could not make this momentous occasion. I am going to personally be updating my blog daily direct from the streets of LA while out here waiting for the New Moon Premier. Stay posted because I will be having a contest this week for a sweet give away with items autographed from the cast. (I will update after the premier of what autographs I have acquired.) So my loyal followers here are some pics of this mornings crowd!













We're all here having a blast enjoying our common interest.
Also, Tomorrow Sunday November 15, 2009 I will be having breakfast with the authors of Beautiful Creatures! A Lush Budget Production and I will have the pleasure of meeting with these two most talented authors. I will keep you posted.

OOOH! LA LA LOOK AT THAT COVER

Well....you're probably wondering why I didn't post my Waiting On Monday..
The reason is that the mailbox was empty. Yes EMPTY! AHHHHH! I checked the calender to make sure it wasn't Friday the 13TH.
But, because of the lack of books I received this Monday I am able to catch up on the piles that have accumulated on my little shelf, so in the end all is well.

An Evening with Kristin Cashore
We've been anxiously awaiting the sequel to last year's hit GRACELING since we turned the last page. Finally, FIRE is here -- and the wait was worth it! Come meet the amazing Kristin Cashore herself for what is sure to be a wonderful evening for fantasy book lovers!

Location:

Books Inc. in Palo Alto
Town & Country Village##74
Palo Alto, California 94301
October 7, 2009
7:00pm-?

Holy Hell Had To Post These....No Reason Other Than Their HOTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!

ENJOY!

Moonlight

By Rachel Hawthorne

Brief Synopsis(Barnes&Noble):
I see him and know what this turmoil inside of me means: He's the one. My forever.

kayla is the nature lover, the all-American beauty who can't understand why she's so drawn to distant, brooding Lucas. Adopted as a young child, she has no way of knowing that she's inherited a terrifying—and thrilling—gene that will change her life forever.

lucas is dangerous, gorgeous . . . and a werewolf. As leader of the Dark Guardians, shape-shifters who gather deep within the state park, he has sworn to protect his pack. But when Lucas finds his true soul mate, his love could put them all in harm's way.

As Lucas and Kayla struggle with their feelings for each other, a greater danger lurks: Humans have discovered the Dark Guardians and are planning their destruction. Kayla must choose between the life she knows and the love she feels certain is her destiny.

Review:

So the last book I read was neither bad, nor good, I felt completely under stimulated by it, and a little disappointed. But after I completed it, I decided to start a series again, and let me tell you, the first book in this series was very cute, well written, and captivating. Though there were not many twists you could not predict, and some parts were very simplistic, those little characteristics did not effect the overall reading material. Never once did I think "Ugh I can't possibly finish this book". I stayed up well passed my bedtime, and was never disappointed by any parts of it whatsoever.

The main character Kayla is completely strong willed, her draw to the forest is a mystery to her, considering what horrible event took place there. Yet she's still enthralled by the beauty of it all, losing herself in the vastness of the territory in which she finds she has always been a part of.
The relationship between her and Lucas is complicated, but very intense, and though Lucas frightens her, she can't deny that he may have something she desires. I honestly did not think their was a surreal depth to their relationship, and despite whatever thoughts I had, the description of the way Lucas stared at her, and the way he felt the need to take "control" of her and the situations surrounding her, made the read that more entertaining.

I don't want to give too much away, but there's a light weight love triangle that comes in to play, and the intentions behind it are wicked and cruel. Ignorance is bliss, but being oblivious can be torture. And I'll leave this review on that note.

4/5

Waiting On Wednesday!

So In case You don't know (which I'm sure you do) Cassandra Clare has been opted to write a fourth installment in the Mortal Instruments Series, and though I was content with how City Of Glass ended, I am quite excited to see where she goes with the next one "City Of Fallen Angels". Oh Simon, what will you do now?

Brief Synopsis:

City of Angels takes place after the events of City of Glass. It shifts its focus from Jace and Clary to Clary’s best friend, Simon, and how he adjusts to life as a vampire. From the press release: “Love, blood, betrayal and revenge — the stakes are higher than ever in City of Fallen Angels. Simon Lewis is having some trouble adjusting to his new life as a vampire, especially now that he hardly sees his best friend Clary, who is caught up in training to be a Shadowhunter—and spending time with her new boyfriend Jace. Not to mention that Simon doesn’t quite know how to handle the pressure of not-quite-dating two girls at once. What’s a daylight-loving vampire to do? Simon decides he needs a break and heads out of the city—only to discover that sinister events are following him. Realizing that the war they thought they’d won might not yet be over, Simon has to call on his Shadowhunter friends to save the day — if they can put their own splintering relationships on hold long enough to rise to the challenge.”

City of Fallen Angels is set to be released in March, 2011.

So Much To Blog, With So Little Time...

So first and foremost I feel the need to apologize to everyone, I've been very, very busy and haven't posted since Thursday. I hope to have my posts together by this afternoon.
I will try to catch up on my commenting as well. Bare with me please, time has gotten the best of me. Sorry again people.

Mail Box Monday

Alas, my mailbox was borderline collecting cobwebs and dust...sad but true. However I did manage to scrounge up a few reads to get me through the week, and here they are in no particular order:

Hush, Hush By: Becca Fitzpatrick
Graceling By Kristin Cashore
If I stay By: Gayle Foreman
the Everafter By: Amy Huntley
Slept Away By: Julie Kraut

My day Is A Lot Brighter!

So I'm sure to a lot of you think blog awards are no big deal, but I just received a few and it feels AWESOME!
When you start sites like this you hope that people will show interest in what you're writing, and that all is not for nothing. You hope people like what you have to say, and are interested in your topics, and views. Wow I'm making this a huge deal, you'd think I was making a speech at an academy award show, whoa. Anyway, Thanks Misty for your interest, and I hope to keep doing what I'm doing. :)
(Misty's page is: bookrat-misty.blogspot.com check her out. I'm always entertained.)

Waiting on Wednesday....STILL!.... GRRR!

So I know anticipation for a book adds an extra bit of excitement when your book is finally revealed, all nice it's awesome cover, with pages and pages of awesomeness...
But...
WHAT TO DO TIL THEN?!!!
(we apparently wait.)
okay I'm calm now. So on with my post.

Unfortunately there is NO information on the content of this book yet.
All I know is it will be release March 2010.
I got awhile, but as you know(I hope you do) this will be
the third installment in the Evernight Series.

Teaser Tuesday People!
So I just adopted this from "Should Be Reading", and I hope I can tantalize you!

To participate:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
  
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Excerpt: chapter1 page1:

"They're always the same. Always at night, in the forest, looking for Drea. The sound of his body lurking somewhere behind me. Branches breaking. Leaves crackling. Wind whirring in my ears, watering my eyes. And the pain in my stomach-sharp, raw, scathing, real.
My nightmares make me dread sleep."

Blue Is For Nightmares By: Laurie Faria Stolarz

Bones Of Faerie

Brief Synopsis (Barnes&Noble):
The war between humanity and Faerie devastated both sides. Or so 15-year-old Liza has been told. Nothing has been seen or heard from Faerie since, and Liza’s world bears the scars of its encounter with magic. Trees move with sinister intention, and the town Liza calls home is surrounded by a forest that threatens to harm all those who wander into it. Then Liza discovers she has the Faerie ability to see—into the past, into the future—and she has no choice but to flee her town. Liza’s quest will take her into Faerie and back again, and what she finds along the way may be the key to healing both worlds.

Review:
This story was very interesting, to me it was Science Fiction meets Fantasy Fiction. It started off great, very dark, a beginning that made me want to continue. The main character Liza is beaten, and not just physically, but emotionally too, by a father who is dead set in maintaining an order in their village, to keep it safe, not just from what remains of the world from before, but from themselves as well.
The writer sets the stage for adventure, and sorrow, loss, and discovery, but as the story continued it lost me. A journey takes place, Liza and her friend Matthew (whom set out after her upon her departure) venture into the woods at night, where the only goal to reach, is to get as far away from home as possible.
I found it hard to continue reading. As the story began to unfold, the "action sequences" began to dwindle in their intensity. I had to re-read certain parts, because I was unaware that I read past a pivotal point in the story. I was not very impressed by the introduction of characters, though their names stuck with me through out the story, their personalities were not evident. When I reached the last sixty pages of the book, the story picked up it's momentum, and it was hard to put down, I wanted to know the reason for these visions, and how they pertained to the world Liza lived in. Though I found I struggled to finish this book, I found the ending was done quite well, and my only hope was that the writer would have distributed the edge she showed toward the end, throughout the entire book.

Rating: 2/5

Waiting On Wednesday.....

I am waiting for a lot, it seems to me as soon as I get to the end of one series (or so I thought was the end) I find there's another book, but here's the catch, it's not out til next year! ugh, but I love a little suspense, so for my waiting on Wednesday I chose:

Shadowland By: Alyson Noel

Vampire Diaries Omnibus
The Awakening & The Struggle Available Here free online until April 14

Mail Box Monday! In My Mailbox

This weekend was very lovely, I attended an awesome vampire tour on Saturday in S.F, and scored some awesome books (on loan of course) from my good friend Nancy. Here's what I got:

Blue Bloods-Melissa De La Cruz
Masquerade-Melissa De La Cruz
Revelations-Melissa De La Cruz
Solstice-Simon Holt
The Graveyard Book-Neil Gaiman (Thanks for the suggestion Misty)

New Moon Trailer #3




The Waiting Is Killing Me!

Ash Book Launch In S.F
I recently attended the Ash book launch @LGBT Center in S.F, Ca.

Books Inc. did a fabulous job organizing this event, the refreshment table
had a nice assortment of yummy things..

Melinda briefly spoke of the obstacles she had to overcome
while writing this book, and how long it actually took to complete.
Her bubbly personality, and great sense of humor had the crowd eating
out of the palm of her hand.
When she felt the crowd had had enough she began to read
her chosen excerpt from the book, and from what I heard it was amazing!

At the beginning of the evening we entered our names in a drawing to win
some great ARC's by other YA authors, which coincidentally
also tackled some controversial topics.
I am sad to report neither me nor my friend won. Boo!


Finally it was time to get autographed!
All in all this was a very successful launch, Books Inc. did an excellent job.

Waiting On Wednesday...

Among other books I'm waiting to get my greedy paws on, this one happens to be at the top of my list. I'm sure some of you are familiar with the Morganville Vampire Series (those who aren't you really need to get with the program, it's awesome no lie.) Anyway the 7th installment in the series Fade Out, is releasing online@ Barnes&Noble November 3,2009 (Pre-sale).





Barnes&Noble Synopsis:
Without the evil vampire Bishop ruling over the town of Morganville, the resident vampires have made major concessions to the human population. With their newfound freedoms, Claire Danvers and her friends are almost starting to feel comfortable again...

Now Claire can actually concentrate on her studies, and her friend Eve joins the local theatre company. But when one of Eve's castmates goes missing after starting work on a short documentary, Eve suspects the worst. Claire and Eve soon realize that this film project, whose subject is the vampires themselves, is a whole lot bigger—and way more dangerous—than anyone suspected.

The Graveyard Book

I haven't read this book yet, but misty over at Book Rat did such an awesome review that I'm actually considering reading it. If you want to check out her review click HERE

Thanks my Ravenous Reader For Tantalizing us all!

Books Arts Jam 2009
8th Annual Regional Celebration
Of The Book Arts & Paper Arts

October 17, 2009
Saturday, 10:00am-4:00pm

Foothill College
12345 El Monte Rd.
Los Altos Hills, Ca

Admission: Free
Parking: 2$
Breakfast&Lunch available@fresh&Natural Cafeteria until 3pm

MAIL BOX MONDAY!

In My Mailbox: 09/07/09

Hello all, unfortunately I did not pick up too many books this week.
but what I do have I look forward to reading. I did not make a dent in the stack I currently have, so until then I'm managing my book intake.(Just a little bit.)
The four books I have are:
(refer to pic on right.)

New Moon Volturi Poster!!
Oh I am sooper excited now!! gets my pulse racing!

Waiting On Wednesday...
Jill over at Breaking the Spine started this, I happened across it @Lushbudgetproduction, and I believe it's a great idea. This blog post is to alert those that visit about the book we're dying to get our claws on. My stack of books are beginning to dwindle, and the waiting has begun to continue on with the series I've started. I can't wait to see what your "waiting" for.

"Tempted"- By P.C & Kristin Cast The sixth installment in the House Of Night Series.
Release Date: October 27, 2009

August/September Giveaways!

Immortal by: Gillian Shields&Ash By: Melinda Lo To enter click HERE

ASH BOOK LAUNCH!!
(S.F BAY AREA)
Signing, Door Prizes & Special Treats For All!
September 10, 2009 From 6-8PM
For More Info Click Here

Smart Chicks Kick It Tour Coming To S.F Bay Area!


Yesss!!!!

I got a text from my good friend Nancy at 11:00PM letting me know that this is OFFICIAL!!!!
The tour is coming to San Francisco! And, yes, they'll add more eastern & northern US stops. Soon!! Right now the date is not set but when it is I will let you know.

To check and see if they are coming to your city, click here

Never Cry Werewolf

Brief Synopsis(Barnes&Noble):

Moonlight can totally change your life.

And it all starts so simply.

You. Him.

The moon.

You're toast.

Okay, so maybe Shelby has made a few mistakes with boys lately (how was she supposed to know Wes had "borrowed" that Porsche?). But her stepmother totally overreacts when she catches Shelby in a post-curfew kiss with a hot senior: Suddenly Shelby's summer plans are on the shelf, and she's being packed off to brat camp. It's good-bye, prom dress; hello, hiking boots.

Things start looking up, though, when Shelby meets fellow camper (and son of a rock star) Austin Bridges III. But soon she realizes there's more to Austin than crush material-his family has a dark secret, and he wants Shelby's help guarding it. Shelby knows that she really shouldn't be getting tangled up with another bad boy . . . but who is she to turn her back on a guy in need, especially such a good-looking one? One thing's for sure: That pesky full moon is about to get her into trouble all over again.

Review:

The main character in this story seems to have gone through a lot. Losing her mother, gaining a superficial stepmother, her father growing distant from her. As the story trails on I came to the conclusion that the story was good, but the plot was very predictable. So, as I read, I took into consideration that this is a young adult novel, and some young adults may be surprised by the twists and turns this novel has to offer. I mean, a character who is apparently the son of a tabloid magazine owner, who is hell bent on finding out the truth about Austin, may draw younger readers into it. A camp counselor with a big gut and a huge heart, may draw others in, I don't know! I haven't been a young adult in awhile. What I do know, is the writing was good, the read was fast, and it was a very cute book. As for mystifying me....it did not. but I'm sure my twelve year old niece would enjoy it.


3/5

In My Mail Box-9/31/09:

So I'm new to this, but from what I've learned, in my mail box allows you to see the books that I acquire on a weekly basis. I chose Mondays to post my "In My Mail Box" because...well...I'm a mom, and I do my best reading when my son's at school.
If you are interested in participating as well you may click here and join. Enjoy.

This week was slow, I had little chance to finish my stack, but I was very lucky to have borrowed some very interesting books, by some very awesome writers from my friend Nancy. (www.LushBudgetProduction. blogspot.com, totally name dropped.) Anyway, here's what's in my mailbox:


In The Forests Of The Night By:Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
Never Cry Werewolf By: Heather Davis
Strange Angels By:Lili St. Crow
Vampire Kisses By: Ellen Schreiber
Prophecy Of The Sisters By: Michelle Zink
Full Moon By: Rachel Hawthorn
Moonlight By: Rachel Hawthorn
Deadly little Secret By: Laurie Faria Stolarz
Bones Of Faerie By: Janni Lee Simner
The Summoning By: Kelley Armstrong


I'm currently reading Never Cry Werewolf, and so far so good. It's caught my attention, and I hope it'll continue to be an interesting read.

What's In Your Mail Box?

Blood Promise: A Vampire Academy Novel

Brief Synopsis
(Barnes&Noble):

How far will Rose go to keep her promise?

The recent Strigoi attack at St. Vladimir's Academy was the deadliest ever in the school's history, claiming the lives of Moroi students, teachers, and guardians alike. Even worse, the Strigoi took some of their victims with them. . . including Dimitri.

He'd rather die than be one of them, and now Rose must abandon her best friend, Lissa—the one she has sworn to protect no matter what—and keep the promise Dimitri begged her to make long ago. But with everything at stake, how can she possibly destroy the person she loves most?




Review:

The story takes place in Russia, Dimitri's homeland, which means new characters come in to play, and all just as interesting as the one's from the previous novels.
Rose has taken the responsibility of hunting Dimitri to keep her promise to him, only to find that Russia isn't as easy to navigate as she had hoped it would be, and the language barrier makes things even more difficult, but Rose's resiliency and her strength to complete the task at hand, forces her to trudge forward with her plans.
Rose's character in past novels has always seemed to be a realist, and at times she was perceived to lack optimism. In this book, not only is she optimistic, but towards the end she becomes naive. It's a Rose we haven't seen, as strong as she may seem at times, she really has tender moments, and moments of weakness. Through out the book there were times when Rose had flash backs of moments spent with Dimitri, moments that weren't written in Shadow Kiss. Though this was very interesting, it did border a little redundant, but luckily it did not slow the story's momentum. I enjoyed the book thoroughly, I finished reading in record time, and was quite satisfied at how it ended. I especially enjoyed the last chapter, and to be more specific the last two pages. Cliff hangers seem to be Rachelle Mead's specialty, and she does them so well. I can't wait to see what the future will hold for our pal Rose, and her friends.


5/5

The Immortals Series Book 1

Brief Synopsis
(Barnes&Noble): For fans of P.C. Cast and Stephenie Meyer, a paranormal young adult novel about a psychic girl who falls in love with an immortal boy.
Review:
Evermore is quite dramatic. Our main character, Ever, endures a huge tragedy, that not only forces her to relocate and rebuild her life in a completely different environment, but she realizes soon after that she has gained a special gift that allows her to hear the thoughts of others. Though we all imagine at one point or another we could read minds, in Ever's situation it is quite painful, and she wants nothing to do with it. In the tradition of good YA (Young Adult)books, a mysterious young man comes into town, and is drawn to Ever. Though at first sight she is not comfortable with his staring, and the strange way he seems to transport, so as to always be one step ahead of her. He is strangely familiar, and so the puzzle begins. Who is Damien? and Why does Ever have a feeling that knowing him is an understatement? This story is never what you imagine it to be. I had so many thoughts running through my head as to what secret Damien was hiding, and not once was I right. I was totally surprised in the end, and with young adult novels I can usually see what's going to happen next. The twists the writer adds makes it almost impossible to put down. The relationship between Ever and her friends is carefree and normal, as far as they know, but aside from them your attention can't help but fall on the mysterious connection between Ever and Damien. You crave them more and more as the details and secrets begin to unravel, and just when you think you've figured it out, another twist, and you're wrong again.
I was captured by this book, and it's beautiful cover, that only makes sense once you've read the book. I was completely engrossed by Alyson Noel's writing style and Bought the second book in the series not too long ago. I look forward to the rest of the series.
3/5