Book Blogger Con: 28 May 2010

Last Friday I had the great opportunity to go to the first ever Book Blogger Convention held in the Javits Center in New York City. The BBC was the brainchild of Trish from Hey Lady, Michelle from Galleysmith, Natasha from Maw Books and Nicole from Linus's Blanket. All of them did an amazing job and I was so glad that I went. Blogger Con kicked off on Thursday night with a blogger/author reception that was packed full of people! So many in the industry literally pounced on people when they learned you were a blogger as well. It was kinda weired to feel so in demand but cool at the same time. I met many great authors and publicists as well as some of my fellow bloggers as well. It was great to wander the room, eat some of the delicious cookies that were available and just talk about books and blogging in a relaxed atmosphere. The only draw back was that it was held after 2 days of running around like crazy and standing in long long lines that my feet hurt!! So I held many a conversation from the nearest chair offering up my apologies as I did to those I was talking to. When I was moving about my feet were fine, but the moment I had to stand still oy...they let me know they wanted to divorce me! lol

Friday morning kicked off the 1st ever Book Blogger Convention with a breakfast buffet that was filled with many delicious treats and lacking in coffee. Not sure if it was bad or just not there but there was a lot on twitter about it. Needless to say, I was glad to have made Alea stop by the Dunkin Donuts near our hotel to grab myself a cup of coffee before heading down to the Javits! During breakfast Alea and I met up with Deborah from Books, Movies and Chinese Food and we had such a great time chatting. It was like meeting an old friend and I loved hanging out with her throughout the day. The BBC then started off with a bang with Maureen Johnson giving the keynote speech. She had everyone in tears from laughter. That women has a gift...after all its not everyone who can make people laugh when they see a painting of nuns getting shot by Nazis's. That's talent people.

All in all I had an AMAZING time and if you are a blogger that was in NYC on the 28th but missed Blogger Con then you really did miss out on an amazing event. There were so many great panels and people to meet that I wouldn't have wanted to miss a moment of it. I am also really looking forward to the next Book Blogger Con because this one was just over way too soon!

One of my more memorable moments of the BBC was getting pitched a book in a bathroom. It was a strange place but its my own fault as I was wearing a shirt that said "Ask me what I'm reading" and she did. That questions led to a brief book discussion and a pitch for her book. I met a lot of great people with that shirt. =) Below you'll find a video in which I show off some of the great goodies that was in the BBC swag bag - which was far larger then I thought it was going to be. Thanks to everyone who donated I really appreciate it!

Books mentioned in the video:
Summer at Tiffany by Marjorie Hart (x2, didn't notice I already had one in BBC bag before grabbing one from table, oops!)
Secret Lives of Husbands and Wives by Josie Brown
The Girl Net Door by Selene Castovilla (x2, received one from Publisher prior to BEA)
The Outside Boy by Jeanine Cummins
The Secret Life of Prince Charming by Deb Caletti
Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson (audio)
Book Club in a Box: The Book of Negros/Someone Knows My Name
Think of a Number by John Verdon
Wild Roses by Deb Caletti (x2 - will trade for The Nature of Jade, preferably one with umbrella on cover)
Honey Baby Sweetheart by Deb Caletti



Some other great BBC moments:

Erica and I showing the love to Julie Kagawa and her fabulous book The Iron King.

Swag Bags galore!

Luggage Tags

Alea ran out of business cards and so decided to handmake some more!

Trish opens BBC and introduces Maureen Johnson

Slide from Maureen's Speech

Book Trailer Monday (34): Eternal by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Book Trailer Monday is where once a week I feature a trailer for a book that has captured my attention. This trailer might be for a book that is about to be published, or maybe its for a book that has already been released. There won't be any rhyme or reason to the trailer that I choose....the only common denominator will be that I liked it. That it made me stop or made me think or maybe it made me laugh. I do this mainly for my own enjoyment because I love book trailers. I find them fascinating and I hope that you enjoy the ones that I show here each week as well.

This weeks trailer is for Eternal by Cynthia Leitich Smith was released by Candlewick on 10 Feb 2009. I'm not sure what it is about this trailer that I love. Maybe its the imagery. Or maybe its the music. Both of which I find to be amazing. Either way I am drawn into this one and it makes me want to rush out and pick up this book. And here I thought that I was immune to this whole Angel phenomenon. What about you? What did you think of this weeks selection? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

If you know of a book trailer that you would like to see featured on Book Trailer Monday then please send me an email with a link to irisheyz_5 AT yahoo DOT com.

Character Interview: Maggie from Janet Fox's Faithful

Hello everyone today I have hopped in my handy dandy time machine and have gone back to the year 1904. 1904 was a big year some things that happened are: the US gained control of the Panama Canal, the Benfica soccer team was founded in Portugal, and Kaiser Wilhem II of Germany makes the first political recording using Thomas Edison's cylinder. There is also a huge fire in Toronto that destroys much of the city but had no fatalities. There is a tornado in Moscow and the 3rd modern olympic games opens in St Louis Missouri as part of the World's Fair. In Russia the Trans-Siberian railway is completed and the first underground line of the NYC subway opens. In November, Theodore Roosevelt is reelected President of the US and in December Charles Dillon Perrine discover's Jupiter's largest irregular satellite, Himalia and in NYC the first Times Square New Year's Eve celebration is held. This is the world that Maggie was born into where the modern age is really just beginning and taking off but that the old traditions of seasons and society are still holding on.

Full Name: Margaret Bennet
Nickname: Maggie
Age: 16
Favorite food: Trifle – it’s a dessert with layers of sponge cake, custard and fruit. Not that I can make it, but Cook does it wonderfully. It’s very rich and yummy. I have to let out my corset after I eat it.
Favorite color: Green
Favorite number: Seven
Favorite kind of music: The new thing called “ragtime.” But I wouldn’t tell Papa I listen to it – he’d disapprove. It’s too light-hearted for him.

Please tell us a little about you.

I’m still trying to find out who I am. I think I’m getting an idea – I like photography, now that I’m learning something about it from my friend Mrs. Gale. But what could I do with photography? Women don’t work after all, do they? I’m supposed to get married to the right man, have children, do charity work…but as I think about it, that sounds so boring. But I do like pretty clothes. I like being taken care of. I guess you could say I’m confused. Do I want someone to take care of me, or do I want to be independent?

Tell me about your parents. How well do/did you get along with them?

My father – Papa – he’s very depressed. We have a kind of wall between us. My Mama went away. Some people think she’s dead, but I don’t. I just want her to come home. We were very close. We used to spend time together, shopping and gossiping. But, when I think back, there was always something about her that I can’t put my finger on – some deep sadness. And Papa knew it. Oh, gosh, I think he loved her something awful, but he knew she wasn’t happy. When she left – disappeared – Papa went into a funk. I can’t get near him. I want Mama back so we can all be together again, like we were, happy, all three. Well, there. You’ve made me get emotional.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I like to ride. My horse – Ghost – he’s my first love. We understand each other. When I’m riding, Ghost and I are in our own world and nothing can touch us.

Could you share with us about your life in Newport before you made the trip out west?

Parties! Well, of course, there was school. I was decent student – not brilliant, but good. I worked even harder to please Papa after Mama left. But Kitty and I, we love parties. We were just coming into our season – when things really get lively – when I went west. When I look back, all those gorgeous dresses, the balls, the dancing…I do miss it.

What do you like the most about Montana? The least?

I love the landscape out west. The sky! It goes on forever – like a vast bowl stretched overhead. And the great mountains, with their snowcaps, and the rolling hills and the plains dressed with wildflowers. The animals, too, the elk with their towering antlers, and those foolish-looking moose. Except the bears – I could do without those. Yes, the bears scare me. Fascinate me, but scare me.

Is there anything else you might want people to know about you?

I’m not silly. I’m not like Kitty. Please don’t tell her I said that. But it’s true: I want to find out who I am and be taken seriously for who I am.

To learn more about Maggie and her journey west head to your nearest bookstore and pick up a copy of Faithful by Janet Fox.

This interview is cross-posted on YA Roundup, a website dedicated solely to promoting debut Young Adult and Middle Grade books and their authors.

Book Trailer Monday (33): Then Things I Love About You by Julia Quinn

Book Trailer Monday is where once a week I feature a trailer for a book that has captured my attention. This trailer might be for a book that is about to be published, or maybe its for a book that has already been released. There won't be any rhyme or reason to the trailer that I choose....the only common denominator will be that I liked it. That it made me stop or made me think or maybe it made me laugh. I do this mainly for my own enjoyment because I love book trailers. I find them fascinating and I hope that you enjoy the ones that I show here each week as well.

This weeks trailer is for Ten Things I Love About You by Julia Quinn which will be released by Avon on 25 May 2010. This trailer was first brought to my attention by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie and fell in love with it. I just love the animation. I also think that its quirky and fun and the trailer has sealed this books place on my must read soon list! What did you think of this weeks selection? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

If you know of a book trailer that you would like to see featured on Book Trailer Monday then please send me an email with a link to irisheyz_5 AT yahoo DOT com.

Lover Awakened by JR Ward

Publisher: Signet, an imprint of Penguin
Publication Date: 05 Sept 2006
ISBN: 0451219368
Format: Paperback
Pages: 464
Websites:
JR Ward - Official Site
JR Ward - Blog
JR Ward - Twitter

Place(s) Traveled to: Caldwell, New York

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Ever since first meeting Zsadist in Dark Lover I've been eager to read his story. Although since he is such a tortured character I didn't think that JR Ward would get to him so soon. But here is his story in the third book and I was thrilled.

At first.

I think that maybe I was expecting too much from Z's story. Maybe my expectations were too high. But instead of this strong, tortured character that had been seen in the previous books Z came across more broken than anything else. It became hard in some ways to read his story because the way he was portrayed didn't live up to the idea I had of him in my mind. And Bella....what to say about her? She was almost too good and selfless and she didn't seem real. Mary and Beth, the two heroines of the first too books, were both strong independent women. And Bella while not weak wasn't very strong either. Though she does have reasons for that. I also didn't like the weird lopsided triangle that was the relationship of Zadist, Bella and Phury. It was just awkward and weird.

I also wasn't thrilled with how much space John Matthew got in this book. So many pages were devoted to this character that I would have preferred to have been about the other members of the brotherhood. It was also hard to wrap my mind around John Matthew's age (mid-20s) with how all the people surrounding him treated him - which was as if was 12.

In all I wasn't as thrilled with this installment in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series but there was still much in it for me to enjoy. Like how Ward continues to bring the peripheral characters more to the forefront than in most romance books. Still I wanted to like Zsadist's story and I didn't. Rhage is still my favorite story and Vischous is my favorite character - what can I say he's a Red Sox fan - and I will continue to read these books quickly because they are crack. Heaven help me when I hit the end of the line.

Lover Eternal by JR Ward

Publisher: Signet, an imprint of Penguin
Publication Date: 07 Mar 2006
ISBN: 0451218043
Format: Paperback
Pages: 464
Websites:
JR Ward - Official Site
JR Ward - Blog
JR Ward - Twitter

Place(s) Traveled to: Caldwell, New York

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

After finishing Dark Lover just had to immediately start Lover Eternal which is the second book in JR Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series which is a whole new take on the vampire mythology. Lover Eternal is the story of Rhage and Mary and picks up not long after Dark Lover ends. Rhage was a really interesting character in the first book so I was glad that Ward got to his story right away. One thing to know about this series is that it needs to be read in order. Otherwise you'll miss important character history and introductions. While Ward will do some recaps here and there in order to get the full picture they need to be read as published.

In Lover Eternal were are introduced to Mary, Bella, John Matthew and Rhevenge all of whom will become important members of the cast in Ward's books. As this was the story of Mary and Rhage they are the main focus but as with Dark Lover you still get to see into the lives of the other members of the brotherhood. Which is something that I really liked. When the book focuses on more than just the love interests then it really fleshes out the world and makes it real. Well, as real as a book about vampires can be that is.

I enjoyed Rhage and Mary's story and found their romance to be realistic and believable. It was interesting to learn the history of Rhage's curse and how Mary helps him to deal with it. As with Dark Lover I found that I was sucked into this story and found that I was turning the last page shortly after I started. To me these books are serious book crack and since I keep learning little tidbits of the remaining members of the brotherhood I am even more eager to see where this series progresses.

Book Trailer Monday (32): One Dance with a Duke by Tessa Dare

Book Trailer Monday is where once a week I feature a trailer for a book that has captured my attention. This trailer might be for a book that is about to be published, or maybe its for a book that has already been released. There won't be any rhyme or reason to the trailer that I choose....the only common denominator will be that I liked it. That it made me stop or made me think or maybe it made me laugh. I do this mainly for my own enjoyment because I love book trailers. I find them fascinating and I hope that you enjoy the ones that I show here each week as well.

This weeks trailer is for One Dance with a Duke by Tessa Dare which will be released by Ballantine Books on 25 May 2010. One Dance with a Duke is the start of a new trilogy and I was excited for it ever since I first heard about it. But then when I found the trailer that excitement grew. I've said it before but I'll say it again, nothing beats an author made trailer. And Dare really proves this point. Using nothing more than her computer, a camera and toys from her children's room she has created this amazing trailer. One of the best that I've seen. What did you think of this weeks selection? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

If you know of a book trailer that you would like to see featured on Book Trailer Monday then please send me an email with a link to irisheyz_5 AT yahoo DOT com.

Before I Fall Contest Winner

Another long over due contest announcement! The winner of a signed Before I Fall and the butterfly necklace is

Lisa G

Congrats Lisa!

I'll be sending your prize out to you shortly.

Dark Lover by J. R. Ward

Publisher: Signet, an imprint of Penguin
Publication Date: 06 Sept 2005
ISBN: 0451216954
Format: Paperback
Pages: 416
Websites:
JR Ward - Official Site
JR Ward - Blog
JR Ward - Twitter

Place(s) Traveled to: Caldwell, New York

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

JR Ward first started writing the Black Dagger Brotherhood series in 2005 and as of this posting there are currently 8 books available. But it wasn't until a few weeks ago that I even knew they existed. I first heard of them on Twitter when two of my friends, Julie Kagawa and Wastepaperprose were talking about going to a JR Ward signing for her newest release Lover Mine. The two of them were so excited about it that it became a blip on my radar and I added the book to my wishlist. Then around that same time Sarah MacLean posted the third installment of her Read More Romance series for Paranormal Romance. The post was written by MacLean's sister and her number one choice was Dark Lover. This endorsement prompted me to buy the box set from my good friends at Amazon. But the book became a must read after reading Sarah's review.

I started Dark Lover that very night and finished it the next day. All 416 pages just flew right by. Although it didn't happen all at once. The beginning of the book was a slow but then around half way through something happened and before I knew what was happening I was done with the book. Even with the weird WTF moment that was the first sex scene in the story. That made me pause and think for just a moment if I wanted to continue or not. I was really glad that I did though. As I fell in love with all of the characters.

Dark Lover is more then a straight romance told from the POVs of the two main leads, Wrath and Beth. There are different story arcs involving the other members of the brotherhood as well as members of The Lessening Society, the ancient enemy of the vampires in this world. I love this world that Ward created and the new take on Vampire history and lore. With all the vampire stories that are out there, especially with the increased popularity over the last few years, I am always amazed when I run into a story that brings a fresh take to the mythology. And this story is a fresh take and I can't believe that it took me so long to discover it!

The names are a bit hard to deal with at first....the odd spellings and the like. But you do get used to them. Just as you start to fall for the very diverse and flawed group that makes up the brotherhood. I loved how Ward lets you see all the brothers in some detail in this first book. You get to know them all at the start and I like how Ward deviated from the traditional romance book set up. I liked going off with some of the other characters and learning about them. These little tangents made me look forward to their stories all the more.

Usually a romance book will focus 90% on the 2 mains, and while it may be a series you don't really see much of the ones who will take over the story in later books. Then in later books the mains that you fell in love with in book one start to fade into the background. But as I said Ward breaks this mold. All the stories start to interweave and build and grow on each other. Which creates a lush and detailed world that one can almost believe is real. I loved this story. Its a book that falls into a category that I call book crack and I am so glad that I bought the box set because after reading the first book I can not wait to dive into book two.

Craft Stash Giveaway Winner

Hey everyone sorry for the delay in this but the winner of the craft stash contest is

Yiling of Thinking Behind the Wall

Congratulations!

Please email me at irisheyz_5 AT yahoo DOT com with your address so I can mail out your prize.

Character Interview: Amelia from Rise of Renegade X

Today I am pleased to welcome Amelia Tines to my blog. Amelia is the half-sister of Damian Locke, who stopped by yesterday (you can read more about his visit here). I had hoped that Kat, Damian's girlfriend, but.....um.....well.....if you've read the story then you might know the sort of answer I got in response to my request. Fortunately though Amelia was more then happy to fill in for her.

First off, please tell us a little about you.

My name's Amelia Tines and I'm fifteen—almost fifteen and a half—and I'm a superhero. Oh, and I guess I'm Damien's half sister, but that better not be why you're interviewing me.
Um....no....that isn't the only reason why I am interviewing you. I swear. So um....moving on. What can you tell us about living in Golden City?

Golden City is great. Most superheroes go to specific schools where everyone's a superhero, but I go to regular school, so I'm the only hero. And everyone knows my dad's the Crimson Flash and has his own TV show, and my mom pretty much saved Golden City before I was born. Even though they should, nobody really pays that much attention to me at school, but I'm sure all of that will change next year, when I get my H and my flying power comes in.
If you could choose your superpower, rather then random genetics, which would choose?

Um, flying, duh. I want to be just like my dad.

What is the best thing about being a superhero? The worst?

The best thing about being a superhero is being someone everyone can look up to. People need superheroes, so if you are one, then you're automatically needed by everyone. The worst thing about being a superhero is having to wear spandex. It's not right for, um, every body type.
Its not just you Amelia. Spandex isn't right for anyones body type.

What are you most looking forward to about going to Heroesworth Academy?

Having superhero friends and impressing my teachers with really good grades. Also joining the flying team once my power comes in.

What’s it like to suddenly have an older brother…especially one who turns out to be a supervillain? What’s been the best part about meeting your new brother? The worst?

Ugh. I already have one brother—I didn't need another one. And I was the oldest before he came along. Now I'm like yesterday's chopped liver. It's a good thing he's not staying with us permanently. The best part about meeting him is what a loser he is. Even if they won't admit it, my parents can clearly see how much better I am than him. He doesn't even want to be a superhero or fly or any of that, and I'm really passionate about all of it. So having him around emphasizes all of my best qualities, since his are so awful. The worst part about having him around is him getting attention and also talking to my friends. Can't he just mind his own business?!

Unfortunately Amelia, you are learning just what pains older brothers can be. I have one as well and I know exactly how they can be. lol Well, thanks for taking the time to talk with me for a bit. Before we go, are there final words you’d like to say?

Yeah, I'd like to thank everyone for reading—you've been a great audience—and if anyone still has any questions about what it's like to be a superhero, especially one with famous parents, feel free to ask me tons of questions.

To learn more about Amelia Tine head to your nearest bookstore and pick up a copy of The Rise of Renegade X by Chelsea Campbell.

This interview is cross-posted on YA Roundup, a website dedicated solely to promoting debut Young Adult and Middle Grade books and their authors.

Character Interview: Damian from Rise of Renegade X

Hello Internet today I have a very special guest for you. It took a bit of tracking down as he is always on the move plotting evil plots and casing buildings....but after some plotting of my own I finally got Damian Locke to agree to sit down for a few minutes and answer some questions.

First off, please tell us a little about you.

I'm a supervillain, obviously. I've lived in Golden City my whole life, but I don't see why I'd want to be anywhere else. I mean, sure, this city has the highest population of superheroes in the U.S., but it also has the highest number of supervillains. Plus, having a few heroes around keeps things interesting. You have to have someone to mess with, right?

What can you tell us about living in Golden City?

Living in Golden City is great, if you don't mind the occasional raygun mugging or having to watch self-righteous superheroes like the Crimson Flash go around saving kittens out of trees. And, okay, if you were getting mugged by a supervillain with a raygun, he would prioritize that over getting kittens out of trees, but still. That's the kind of lame stuff that we have to put up with around here.

Rescuing kittens doesn't sound lame at all. But I guess it all depends on where your interests lie I guess. If you could choose your superpower, rather then random genetics, which would choose?

I would probably choose laser eyes, like my mom, so she'd think twice before using hers on me.

What is the best thing about being a supervillain? The worst?

The best thing about being a supervillain is getting ahead. I mean, if I'd been raised as a superhero, I probably wouldn't have even started Calculus yet. How can they expect to defeat anyone with those kinds of standards?

The worst thing about being a supervillain, for me, has been finding out I might not be a supervillain.

What are you most looking forward to about going to Vilmore? Or if you get denied admission due to your…um…unfortunate superhero parentage, what do you think Heroesworth Academy will be like?

Um, I'm SO not going to Heroesworth, so don't even ask that. What I'm most looking forward to about Vilmore—because I AM going to get in—is hanging out with my friend Kat and becoming an awesome troublemaking duo. We're going to be partners in crime, and I can't wait.

It must have been rough learning that you aren’t all supervillain and that you now have all these younger half-siblings, has the adjustment been hard since you grew up as an only child? What’s been the best part about meeting your new family? The worst?

Not only do I have three half siblings I never knew about, but they're all superheroes. (Go ahead and take a moment to gag. I'll wait.) They're all going to be able to fly, just like dear old dad, and they can't wait. Ugh. The best part of meeting them has been being glad I got raised by my mom and am nothing like them. The worst has been, well, everything else.

Thanks for taking the time to talk with me for a bit. Before we go, are there final words you’d like to say?

I'd like everyone to know that even though my dad's a superhero, I'm still all villain. So don't go thinking otherwise.


To learn more about Damian Locke and his struggles in learning of his mixed parentage head to your nearest bookstore and pick up a copy of The Rise of Renegade X by Chelsea Campbell.



This interview is cross-posted on YA Roundup, a website dedicated solely to promoting debut Young Adult and Middle Grade books and their authors.

YAR Author Interview: Chelsea Campbell, Rise of Renegade X

Today I am pleased to welcome the fabulous Chelsea Campbell to my little corner of the interwebs. For those who don't know Chelsea is the author of the newly released The Rise of Renegade X. Which is a simply amazing book and a must read! And after just a small amount of begging and Twitter stalking, Chelsea agreed to do an interview. =)

What is your writing process like?

While I'm writing, I have to have silence. Or mostly silence. If I'm already really into what I'm doing, a little noise is okay, but if I'm just getting started, then everything feels like an annoying distraction. Once upon a time, before my family had a computer, I wrote my novels on notebooks (a giant stack of them), but now that I'm used to the computer, I can't write them out longhand. I mean, technically I can still write things on paper, but my brain's not cool with creating on paper. I can't think properly about what words to put down unless I'm typing.

What was your worst subject in school? Your best?

My worst subjects in school were P.E. and Handwriting. At least in elementary school. I got Cs in both of them. Later, in jr. high and high school, it was P.E. and science classes. My best subjects were always English, Art, and Foreign Languages.

What was your first job?

I was an English tutor at my community college. It was a pretty okay job. I mostly got to sit and read, until someone needed help, and then it was mostly Japanese exchange students who needed help with little things like articles and prepositions. I could only work 16 hours a week there, though, and people kept being like, “Whoa, only 16 hours? You're going to get a 2nd job, right?” I lived with my parents and was in school full time, and writing like crazy on the side (though that never counts to the type of people who think you should have two jobs just because you can), so I was fine with only 16 hours.

What’s your idea of the best meal ever? What sort of foods do you like to eat when you are sick?

Oh, I'm so glad you asked this. I happen to know what the best meal ever is, because I have eaten it! It goes like this. A couple years ago, my parents came up for my college graduation and took us to Black Angus. And there was this big poster on the wall of a Father's Day special with steak, baked potato, a thing of King crab, and a freakin' lobster. I pointed to it and was like, “Whoa! Who needs all that food? Who do they think is actually going to order that?!” And then in true Chelsea fashion, I ordered it. And I ate every single bite of it—plus some potato skin appetizers my parents got, plus part of their baked Alaska for dessert—and every part of that meal was so delicious. I was afraid I'd get full and not be able to finish things, but what makes this meal the best ever isn't just that it all tasted awesome, but that I was able to eat everything I wanted to. I was on a roll.
What would your readers be most surprised to learn about you?

Hmm. Maybe not the most surprised, but pretty much every time I think the word “probably,” I also hear the Goose saying “probably-obably” in my head, as in, “You probably-obably could if you tried.”

If we were able to take a peek at your nightstand, what book(s) might we find there?

I very recently cleaned it (sort of), but up until a week or two ago, I had several lovely toppling stacks of books that included my ARC of The Rise of Renegade X, Bleeding Violet, a Latin textbook (Familia Romana, if anyone's curious), a book on Julius Caesar and one on Cicero, Roller Girl, Too Many Curses, Skullduggery Pleasant, and Before I Fall.

What is the book that you most want to read again for the first time?

Dragons of Autumn Twilight by Margaret Weiss and Tracy Hickman.

Are there any books that you might have lied about reading (we promise we won’t judge)?

I only lied about them in school! I would never lie about reading something in real life. But I may have not read the Iliad like I said I did. (I tried, though, I really did.) And I never finished Silent Spring back in high school. (I know; I'll pause a minute for you to gasp and be shocked.) It was the first book I didn't finish for school. I made it to the last 80 pages and then couldn't do it anymore. (If you haven't been forced to read Silent Spring, it's a non-fiction book about how DDT, a chemical sprayed to kill bugs, actually kills everything and gets into our systems and is awful. I don't think they use it anymore, because of this book, but being important doesn't make a book interesting.) We had a test on the book, or an essay or something (it was probably an essay) and I got away with just not mentioning the last 80 pages. But, I mean, that book is no page turner. I think getting that close to finishing is still pretty good.

What’s a book you’ve been a book bully for. (ie one you’ve liked so much that you practically beat people over the head just to get them to read it)

Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass, and the workbook that goes with it. These two books saved my life. They made me think about the conflict in my stories and if I was having the worst thing possible happen at exactly the worst time for it to happen. They made me think about larger than life characters and raising the stakes until they're as far as they can go. Writing the Breakout Novel makes you ask yourself the right questions about your stories and characters to make them the best that they can be. After reading them and doing the exercises in the workbook, my writing was ten times better. I wouldn't be the writer I am today without them, and I might not even be published. So for a while I was really insistent that all my writing friends NEEDED to read this book. They always just kind of look at me like, “So?” and I can tell they're never going to. But a couple of them have now! One read it in practically one sitting, while he was sick, and was just as affected by it as I was.

When you write, which comes first title, plot or character(s)?

Characters! I've tried starting with title or plot first, and it never works out for me. Plot on its own is too boring for me, and I have to have characters I want to write about first and build a plot around them.

The edit process can sometimes be hard on a novel, are there any story lines and scenes that didn’t make it into the book? And if so, which one was the hardest to cut? Can you share a bit of it with us?

During the editing process, I had to tweak the scene early on where Damien goes to visit Kat at her house. In the original version, Kat told him she was talking like a pirate today, and so they had a few lines throughout where they were talking like pirates, and I totally loved that. But in fleshing out some storylines, I had to make some tweaks that made the whole talking like a pirate thing seem irrelevant. It would have felt tacked on if I'd left it, even though it was there from the beginning. It was for the best, but I do miss them talking like pirates!




Thanks for stopping by Chelsea I hope that you had as much fun as I did.



This interview is cross-posted on YA Roundup, a website dedicated solely to promoting debut Young Adult and Middle Grade books and their authors.

Book Trailer Monday (31): Faithful by Janet Fox

Book Trailer Monday is where once a week I feature a trailer for a book that has captured my attention. This trailer might be for a book that is about to be published, or maybe its for a book that has already been released. There won't be any rhyme or reason to the trailer that I choose....the only common denominator will be that I liked it. That it made me stop or made me think or maybe it made me laugh. I do this mainly for my own enjoyment because I love book trailers. I find them fascinating and I hope that you enjoy the ones that I show here each week as well.

This weeks trailer is for Faithful by Janet Fox which will be released by Speak/Puffin on 13 May 2010. One thing that I love about this trailer is that it was made by Fox's son....I almost always think that author made trailers are the best because they just know the book so well....and the same can be said for family of the authors too. I love the music of this trailer and the blend of text, pictures and sound clips....its just filled of win. What did you think of this weeks selection? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

If you know of a book trailer that you would like to see featured on Book Trailer Monday then please send me an email with a link to irisheyz_5 AT yahoo DOT com.

A Very Faery Contest Winner Annouced

Well the boxing gloves really came out for this show down! Special thanks go out to Julie Kagawa for providing the materials for this contest. And also to my fellow captains and co-hosts, Erica (The Book Cellar), Nicole (WORD for Teens), and Stacy (Page Turners). Y'all did an awesome job with your portions of the contest.

In total I had 63 individual entries (this doesn't include all the additional ways one could win) and of those 46 voted for Ash, 13 for Puck and 4 were either for Grim or just plain undecided. But what do you care about that? you just want to know who is the happy winner of a signed Iron King and a painted Grim rock.....which have you seen it? Its totally awesome and I am so jealous of you winner!! So....without further ado the winner is.

***DRUM ROLL***








Karen from Karen's Addictions

Congrats on your win! Please email me your mailing address so I can get your prize out to you soon. You are also now entered to win an ARC of The Iron Daughter, which is the second book in the trilogy and won't be available in stores until August 2010. Check out Julie's blog for the announcement of that winner.

Thanks everyone for entering and casting your votes!

Rules of Attaction by Simone Elkeles

Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: 13 Apr 2010
ISBN: 0802720854
Format: Paperback (ARC)
Pages: 336
Websites:
Simone Elkeles - Official Site
Simone Elkeles - Blog
Simone Elkeles - Twitter

Place(s) Traveled to: Boulder, Colorado

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

I was first introduced to the writing of Simone Elkeles when I read her book Perfect Chemistry (click title for my review). Perfect Chemistry was being raved about on Twitter and I just had to check it out for myself and while I didn't fall in love with the book I was intrigued by the story. The thing that bothered me most about Perfect Chemistry was the out of no where unrealistic epilogue. And yet there was just something about that story that have me eager for the follow up, Rules of Attraction.

Rules of Attraction picks up a few years after Perfect Chemistry ends...the main story not including the epilogue. It is told from the point of view of Carlos Fuentes, Alex's younger brother, who is sent from Mexico to live with Alex who is going to school in Colorado. Seems Carlos didn't learn from Alex's troubled past and has been getting into some trouble of his own. So his mama sends him back to the states so that he can get straightened out. On the first day of his new school he is paired up with Kiara. A girl who is his opposite in every way and in much the same way that Brittney was the opposite of Alex.

There are many similarities in Rules of Attraction to Perfect Chemistry and the two follow the same formula. There is even an over the top hard to believe epilogue which I also didn't like. Although in this book the epilogue was more believable than in Perfect Chemistry but I still wish that it had been left out of the book. As a reader I would have preferred to come up with my own ending for Carlos and Kiara and not to have this oh so perfect one thrust at me. Another thing I liked more was the basic story. I just connected more with Carlos and Kiara I think than with Alex and Brittany - both of whom got annoying after awhile. The story in Rules of Attraction was more real and evenly paced. There were no sudden changes in behavior or unrealistic twists. Everything progressed in a natural way. The characters were all likable and there were several cute moments between Carlos and Kiara.

I'd say skip Perfect Chemistry and move straight on to Rules of Attraction if it wasn't for the fact that to fully understand Carlos and where he came from you need to read the first book. Just take my advice and stop reading when you see the epilogue. This goes for both books and most likely for the third installment that is currently in the works and which I assume will star Louis Fuentes, the youngest brother in the clan. All in all this is a book that I'd recommend if you are looking for a fun, light read without a ton of depth or substance. There is nothing deep, dark, or mysterious about these books. But they are fun and entertaining. A good way to pass a lazy afternoon or a day at the beach.

Book Trailer Monday (30): The Absolute Value of -1 by Steve Brezenoff

Book Trailer Monday is where once a week I feature a trailer for a book that has captured my attention. This trailer might be for a book that is about to be published, or maybe its for a book that has already been released. There won't be any rhyme or reason to the trailer that I choose....the only common denominator will be that I liked it. That it made me stop or made me think or maybe it made me laugh. I do this mainly for my own enjoyment because I love book trailers. I find them fascinating and I hope that you enjoy the ones that I show here each week as well.

This weeks trailer is for The Absolute Value of -1 by Steve Brezenoff will be released by Carolrhoda on 01 September 2010. I first learned of this book months ago when looking at the Tenners website and loved the sound of it then. The trailer was sent to me by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie and if I wasn't already deep in want of this novel then this would have pushed me over the edge! Everything about it is just so filled with amazingness! I love the drawings and the music is simply perfection. Both really complement each other. I want this book! C'mon September!! Hurry up and get here so I can buy it!!! What did you think of this weeks selection? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

If you know of a book trailer that you would like to see featured on Book Trailer Monday then please send me an email with a link to irisheyz_5 AT yahoo DOT com.