Sunday, March 25, 2012

In My Mailbox (#7)!


In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by amazing Kristi @ The Story Siren.

Last week, I told you guys that I won't add too much books on my Review shelf since my midterm is near. Now, it's practically banging on my door, screaming to me to start studying, and haunting me when I'm sleeping. No, I'm not being melodramatic. Well, okay... a little.

Let's take a look on books I received this week!




Many thanks to Harper Collins. Stargirl is a great book, and I love story about twin! :)








I've never read any YA book about changeling. Plus, the cover is really pretty!










Wanderlove is brilliant, so I have to read Kirsten Hubbard's debut! Hopefully it will be just as awesome!







I've been waiting so long to read this book! This seems like a great suspense read!








I received this as a gift from an Aussie friend. Yay! I can't wait to see what happens to Violet. Hopefully she has more fun in this book (and less grumpy)! :)




I can't wait to dive in and start reading the books! They all look like awesome read! Enticed's Aussie cover is really enticing, I love the model in the cover! And it has been so long since I read MG titles, so hopefully Jake and Lily would be a fun read! :)

Happy reading and have a wonderful week! I hope everyone has great books in their mailbox!

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Review: Charming by Susie Kaye Lopez


Sometimes love lasts beyond forever.

Sophie was never interested in guys and she think that would change when she got in college. However, she never dreamed that her dream guy would show up in the strangest way possible. A psychic tells her that there is a spirit beside her, and much to Sophie’s shock, the spirit is the guy whose face keep haunting her since she was little. The guy whom Sophie always draws in her sketchbook. The guy who must be the reason why she had never attracted to other guys.


Then the strangest tale comes unfold. In Sophie’s past, she was a girl named Lily and the spirit beside her is her fiancĂ©, Charlie. Sophie’s grandparents were her parents in the past, and Sophie’s best friend, Rylee, was Charlie’s little sister. Sophie starts meeting Charlie, or Charming as she calls him now, in her dreams. But do they have a happy ending ahead? There’s no guarantee that Charming will stay by Sophie’s side forever. Do they meet again in Sophie’s second lifetime, only to be torn apart for the second time?


Charming is a really cute story that will make you smile and giggle along the story. Charlie definitely earns his nickname, and he keeps saying sweet things that make you can’t help but wish for a guy like him. Sophie is a lovely character and I like it that she accepts all the recent things happening around her really well. I like the secondary characters in this book. There is a little plot about Rylee in the story when she finds her own soulmate, and it’s really cute. I find the whole storyline is fairly easy to predict.


I found this book unintentionally and finished it in really short time. I read too much books with twisted plots and conspiracy at that time so it feels nice to read something light, simple, and romantic. I think this book is perfect for Friday night when there have been too many things going on in life, and you need something light to cheer your day. Preferably with the company of a cup of hot chocolate.


“I love you, Sophie.”

“Forever?” I whispered.

“Beyond forever,” he replied. 

I rate this book:  
Four cups of tea. Amazing! Love the book, it’s simply awesome. I love the tea flavor!  A strong recommendation.


There are still 3 ebooks of Charming up for grab! Check it out here if you haven't entered yet! :)

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Interview and Giveaway: Charming by Susie Kaye Lopez

Today, I'm absolutely thrilled to welcome Susie Kaye Lopez in my blog. I read Susie's debut book, Charming, last year and completely hooked! The story is simple yet very romantic and engaging. Full review will be posted on Saturday!
 The interview
Charming is your debut novel (YAY!). Tell us, how did it feel when you read the first book review on Charming?

Reviews are interesting. My very first review was very positive, and it made me smile all day long! Luckily, nearly all my reviews have been good ones. It makes me so happy when readers take the time to let me know they enjoyed Charming and Sophie's story.


Where and how did you get the muse to write Charming?


Hard as it may be to believe, Charming was inspired by a real life experience. My daughter Morgan was having brunch with friends in San Francisco when a woman approached her and told her she had a spirit guide beside her. Thinking the lady was making it up, she forgot all about it until two weeks later. She was out in Los Angeles when another woman came up to her with the same message, there was a spirit present by her side. I decided it would make a great plot for a novel!

 
That's super cool! I think the answer is obvious, but which character gets the most of your soul?

That would definitely be Sophie. I spent a year telling a story through her, and it would be impossible for me not to have given her a piece of my heart and soul.


In Charming, we get to see Sophie meeting psychics that give her valuable information along the book. Have you ever meet a psychic and
get your future read?

No, but I would love to visit a psychic one day

 
What book has made you wish you were the one who wrote it?

Twilight, by Stephenie Meyer. I'm sure this isn't an original answer, but those books inspired me to write my own paranormal romance tale.


Twilight sure has its magic! What has been your best moment being an author so far?

My best moment as an author has to be when I saw the finished cover. It finally sunk in that I was a published author, and made it all feel real!

Imagination-escape round!
If you were a Greek Goddess, who do you think you would be?

I would be Psyche, Goddess of the Soul. She married Eros, the God of Love, and their myth is how the soul and love came together. I write about and believe in soul mates, so it's perfect!


You could ask for one thing in life, and it’s ANYTHING. What would you like to ask?


To have one of my books made into a movie!


It’s a beautiful and pleasant day like every day. Suddenly, your parents tell you that you’re not human (surprise!). What creature would you be?

 
Witch, but a good witch who uses her powers for good.

If you could live in a different time in history, what time would you pick?


I'd like to have been a teenager in the 1950s, complete with a poodle skirt and saddle shoes.


GOSH, that's Robert Pattinson in your picture!! Yes, REAL Rob! Wow, how did you get to meet him?? *me trying to find a way to stalk him*

How did I meet Rob? My daughter Megan knows him. Megan's boyfriend is the Bass guitarist for the Sam Bradley band. Sam Bradley and Rob are childhood best friends. The night I met him he was backstage after one of their LA concerts. He was really friendly and very gracious about taking this picture. I had finished Charming a day or two before so it was quite an amazing week for me! When I met him I was thrilled! I just said hello and "I'm going to embarrass my kids right now" and made my entire family take a photo with him! My daughter looked at Rob and said, "sorry about my mom" and he smiled and said that's okay! That picture was our Christmas card that year!

Oh wow, that's super lucky of you! Maybe we can picture Rob as Charming now! Thank you so much for taking your time doing the interview, Susie! Susie's next book, The Saddest Song, will come out this Summer! It is the story of a girl who loses her boyfriend in an accident and how she and his family learn to live without him. While it is not a sequel, all the characters from Charming are in it and we get to see Sophie and Charming in some special moments. Don't worry, you can still read the book even though you haven't read Charming yet!

A little bit about Susie: 
Susie Kaye Lopez lives in San Diego, Ca. with her husband, three children, two chihuahuas, and her fifteen year old cat. Susie's interests include reading, music, shopping, and a healthy obsession with all things "Twilight". "Charming" is her first novel.  





Grab your copy of Charming!
from Goodreads: Three psychics in two countries with the same message can't be wrong, can they? Sophie Lancaster is about to find out.

Going off to college is stressful enough without throwing in the revelation that someone has been watching you your entire life. This is Sophie's reality when she is informed that her soul mate from a former lifetime is by her side. A practical skeptic when it comes to love, Sophie refuses to believe this could be true. However, as the pieces of the puzzle fall into place, she finds it is becoming impossible to deny.

It is not until Sophie meets her soul mate in a dream and recognizes him immediately that she surrenders to the truth. He is the boy she has been sketching her entire life, the one she calls Charming. Suddenly in the midst of her own fairytale, Sophie soon finds herself in an impossible love that she'd do anything to keep. But are the soul mates destined to live their life together only in dreams?

And now, super amazing Susie is giving away three ecopies of her book, Charming! It's international so everyone can enter for a chance to win her amazing book!


This is my fist time doing the giveaway with Rafflecopter, so if there's something that doesn't work, please let me know! :) 


Opens until March 31. Winners will be notified via email. Good luck to all of you! :)

Monday, March 19, 2012

Monday Muse: Hunger Games ID Card!

Have you registered yourself as Panem Citizen and received your identity card?

Yes, you heard me right. Now you can register yourself as Panem citizen!
Citizens of Panem: your Capitol would like to remind you  to keep your District Identification Press up-to-date. If you have not yet registered, continue through the link below to complete the Citizen application process. May the odds be ever in your favor!

The awesome site: http://thecapitol.pn/

You will have the option to identify yourself via Facebook or Twitter. You also get to choose your own photo in the ID card. In the end, you should receive a card like this:


I know, I was really EXCITED when I saw the awesome ID cards too!

Just for head up, you CAN'T choose your district. And I get... *no, I don't need drumroll for this quiet announcement* 

District 3. Technology.

*sniff*

It's not like I hate District 3... I mean, Beetee and Wiress are from District 3! As we all know, Beetee plays a really important part in Catching Fire, and he's the one who makes Katniss' super cool bow later. So it's not like I despise District 3. If only, if only I get...

If only I get District 4.

I love Finnick too much. Yay.

This is my identity card. I slightly *cough* edit it:


At least I'm a Technical Support and the job sounds really cool. My friend tried this too and she got District 11. She becomes gardener. :P

Seriously, it feels a lot like sorted into different houses by Sorting Hat. Well, despite my rambling, I still think that the website is awesome! You really should check it out. So what are you guys waiting for? Go toour new government site and get your identity card! Then tell me what district and assigned occupation you got! :)

May the odds be ever in your favor, friends.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

In My Mailbox (#6)!


In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by amazing Kristi @ The Story Siren.

Since I don't do this meme last week, this edition is a wrap up for two weeks. My mid-term is getting closer (horror!), so I'm determined to limit my books until mid April. Finger crossed I'll still be able to finish at least two books a week! :)




























Ice by Sarah Beth Durst

Won from Mary @ Sweeping Me. Thank you so much, Mary! I LOVE fairytale retelling! <3




Yay! I can't wait to find a comfortable spot and begin reading these books (who cares about mid-term)!

Have you read any of these books? What's in your mailbox this week? :)

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Review: The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg


A heartbroken moment can turn deadly.

Brie’s life ends even before she has a taste of sweet sixteen. Her boyfriend, Jason, said the deadly words, “I don’t love you.” The shock in his words breaks Brie’s heart literally. Now Brie is a ghost, unable to rewind anything. She is determined to make Jason pay for his fault. Along with his new ghost partner-in-crime Patrick, Brie goes to visit Jason and take revenge on him. But things on Earth have been different after her death. Her family is torn apart, and Jason seems to have a special relationship with Brie’s best friend, Sadie.


Brie has to go through five stages before she can go to Heaven for real. She has to learn about forgiving… before it is too late and she can’t save people she loves anymore.


Even though The Catastrophic History of You and Me sounds like an incredibly funny and hilarious read (just take a look at the cover!), this book turns out emotional. Brie’s death, however surprising the cause is, is a shocking and sorrowful thing. Her father can’t accept her death and he’s obsessed to find the cause of her daughter’s death, even if it means abandoning his family. Jason is confused and lost, and I can tell that he’s feeling guilty of Brie’s death. I can’t hate any of the characters in this book, however wrong their decisions.


Sure, there were times when I frowned at Brie’s vengeful acts. It’s not easy for her to accept that she’s dead now, especially when everything around her world was perfect before her death. I can understand her confusion and anger perfectly. If you have a great life with all possibility in your future, wouldn’t you feel sad if you have to die in such young age? Brie is a completely relatable character. She’s only fifteen when she’s dead, so it makes sense that sometimes, she can be really egoistical and full of herself.


Other than the tearful part in this book, there are many funny lines and witty remarks thrown in the book. Patrick, Brie’s ghost partner-in-crime, is such an adorable and swoon-worthy character. He’s incredibly funny and he also plays really important part in the story. This book also got to surprise me in some parts, and the ending is really beautiful. I personally think that it’s a little too perfect for my taste, but I assure you, the ending really suits the story.


This is a lovely book and I’ll recommend this even for people who are no fan of sad story. The Catastrophic History of You and Me definitely crosses the line between fun and heartbreaking. 

“Love sucks, huh?” said Patrick.
 
I nodded. “Yeah. It does.”




I rated this book:

  Four cups of tea. Amazing! Love the book, it’s simply awesome. I love the tea flavor!  A strong recommendation.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Guest post: The Dawn of Angels by Vivienne Malynn and Sean Kade



Hello everyone! I'm so glad to have Sean, one of the co-authors of The Dawn of Angels, doing the special guest post in this book tour presented by Hollow Tours!



Why did I become an Indie author?

Let’s face it, every author dreams of seeing their book in Barnes and Noble on a large display at the front or at least sitting somewhat conspicuously on the shelf in the right section. I know I have. So why would one throw away a chance at that recognition to become an indie author. The easy answer is that I’m not good enough to be published by the big publishers, so why try.  While I admit this may be the case (the jury is still out), to use it as the only reason for a person to write indie, is not a fair representation of a growing sector of artists.
I was the ghost writer for a book that was published—a memoir. We even got a popular local publisher to publish it. For three months, they marketed it fairly well and we sold about 8,000 copies. Not bad for a small area publisher. For each book we got about a dollar, nothing to complain about until you see how much the customer had to pay. For every dollar we got, the customer paid at least twelve dollars, often more. This seemed ludicrous. Did it really take that much to put the book out? The really outrageous thing was the ebook prices, which were just as high. No one can argue printing costs for an ebook.
As an independent author, I can post my book at a price much lower. In my case, I will not sell a book above $2.99. I still get double the amount I would going through a publisher, but at a far reduced cost to the customer. Even with print on demand, I can provide a far greater savings. Granted the publishers do market the books and this can be costly. But this marketing last on average three months and then the book is thrown by the way side and forgotten in the avalanche of new books coming. It still does not justify the costs.
There is also a deeper consequence of mainstream publishing. Mainstream publishers tend to gravitate toward gimmicks and trends. They inhibit true creative expression that exists in other art forms by only forwarding those books that will make them a buck. For years this has been a detriment to writing as authors are forced to conform their styles of writing to that which publishers will accept. A similar affect has affected music, driving out true talent for the counterfeit kind found in the modern pop star.
The beauty of the internet and digital books is that it opens a new gateway of expression that circumvents that corporate skittishness that prevents them taking a risk on a new style of writing. Now an author can take those creative risks. Maybe it will work out, maybe it won’t. I know that I have not explored the ends of this open space with my writing, but I hope to in the future. My true hope is that others will take hold of the vision and explore its bounds.
Sure there will be a lot junk out there, but hopefully in the mix will emerge something truly amazing. That is the magnificence of the internet, out of its seeming chaos comes the most awe-inspiring innovations and creations. Who would have guessed that through social networks revolutions would be plotted and executed to take down dictatorships? Who would have guessed that an encyclopedia or learning resource could emerge completely on volunteer contributions? That is the nature of human interaction. It is both unpredictable and remarkable. It is the essence of art and the essence of what makes us human. It is the reason that I am an Indie author. 

by Vivienne Malynn and Sean Kade

Left by her mother at a young age, Kyra has grown-up in the foster system, leaving her angry and hateful towards the world. The only person she can trust is Hammond, her case worker who has watched over her since the time her mother left. When Hammond places Kyra in a foster home located in a small town, strange things begin happening and Kyra starts unraveling the mystery of her past. When Kyra’s life is threatened, she is saved by an angel, her guardian angel, Ashur, who falls from heaven to save her. Together, Ashur and Kyra must figure out why her life is in danger and stop a strange cult from bringing about the end of days.
   Website * Amazon

Thank you very much for taking your time writing for this guest post, Sean! Your view of technology and social network is amazing! I'm really speechless after reading this guest post. :)
PS: There is really cool giveaway going on, so you should check it on this Hollow Tours post!

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