tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55172585834449352852024-03-04T22:35:04.340-06:00Renae MercadoRenaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08190361875174742351noreply@blogger.comBlogger216125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5517258583444935285.post-54204941622149151232018-01-16T15:05:00.000-06:002018-01-16T15:08:29.493-06:00New Releases<br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It's Tuesday and you know what that means...new book releases! 2018 is off to an amazing start with some fantastic new titles. Let me tell you we are starting the new year off with some amazing books! The weather has also rewarded me with some much needed reading time. I mean, who wants to get out in the cold? So here are the new releases we have for today.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><br /><span style="font-size: large;">You Won't Know I'm Gone</span></b></span><br />
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<a class="greyText" href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/173277-the-black-angel-chronicles" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">(The Black Angel Chronicles #2)</span></a></h1>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="by smallText" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 14px;">by</span> <span itemprop="author" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><a class="authorName" href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14155920.Kristen_Orlando" itemprop="url" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 19.8px; text-decoration-line: none;"><span itemprop="name">Kristen Orlando</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span id="freeText2752140222537619445"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Going rogue in an effort to rescue her kidnapped parents has cost Reagan Hillis her automatic ticket to the Training Academy. But becoming a Black Angel is the only way Reagan will be able to exact revenge on her mother’s merciless killer, Santino Torres.<br /><br />When Reagan is given a chance to prove that she’s worthy of training to be a Black Angel, she also gets the first chance she’s ever had to be her true self. No aliases. No disguises.<br /><br />But when her friend Luke joins her at the Black Angels training compound, Reagan finds herself once again torn between the person she was and the person she wants to be. Reagan has to prove that she's as good as her parents trained her to be, because she’ll never find Torres without the Black Angels’ help.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #333333;">Poison's Cage </span><a class="greyText" href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/181028-poison-s-kiss" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: black;">(Poison's Kiss #2)</span></a></span></h1>
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<span class="by smallText" style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 14px;">by</span> <span itemprop="author" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><a class="authorName" href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13582922.Breeana_Shields" itemprop="url" style="color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 19.8px; text-decoration-line: none;"><span itemprop="name">Breeana Shields</span></a> </span></div>
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<span id="freeText636503532865267022"><b>A single kiss could kill. A single secret could save the kingdom.</b><br /><br />Iyla and Marinda have killed many men together: Iyla as the seductress, Marinda as the final, poisonous kiss. Now they understand who the real enemy is—the Snake King—and together they can take him down. Both girls have felt as though they were living a lie in the past, so moving into the King's palace and pretending to serve him isn't as difficult as it sounds. But when you're a spy, even secrets between friends are dangerous. And each girl has something—or someone—to lose. Does every secret, every lie, bring them closer to the truth or . . . to a trap?</span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #333333;">Zenith </span><a class="greyText" href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/222793-the-androma-saga" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: black;">(The Androma Saga #1)</span></a></span></h1>
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<span class="by smallText" style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 14px;">by</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "lato" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"> </span></span><span itemprop="author" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><span itemprop="name" style="line-height: 19.8px; text-decoration-line: none;"><a class="authorName" href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15100575.Sasha_Alsberg" itemprop="url" style="color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 19.8px; text-decoration-line: none;">Sasha Alsberg</a><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "lato" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"> and </span></span></span><a class="authorName" href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5805483.Lindsay_Cummings" itemprop="url" style="color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 19.8px; text-decoration-line: none;"><span itemprop="name">Lindsay Cummings</span></a><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "lato" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span id="freeText1810271352094196511">Most know Androma Racella as the Bloody Baroness, a powerful mercenary whose reign of terror stretches across the Mirabel Galaxy. To those aboard her glass starship, <em>Marauder</em>, however, she's just Andi, their friend and fearless leader.<br /><br />But when a routine mission goes awry, the <em>Marauder</em>'s all-girl crew is tested as they find themselves in a treacherous situation and at the mercy of a sadistic bounty hunter from Andi's past.<br /><br />Meanwhile, across the galaxy, a ruthless ruler waits in the shadows of the planet Xen Ptera, biding her time to exact revenge for the destruction of her people. The pieces of her deadly plan are about to fall into place, unleashing a plot that will tear Mirabel in two.<br /><br />Andi and her crew embark on a dangerous, soul-testing journey that could restore order to their shipor just as easily start a war that will devour worlds. As the <em>Marauder</em> hurtles toward the unknown, and Mirabel hangs in the balance, the only certainty is that in a galaxy run on lies and illusion, no one can be trusted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #333333;">Iron Gold </span><a class="greyText" href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/117100-red-rising-saga" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: black;">(Red Rising Saga #4)</span></a></span></h1>
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<span class="by smallText" style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 14px;">by</span> <span itemprop="author" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><a class="authorName" href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6474348.Pierce_Brown" itemprop="url" style="color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 19.8px; text-decoration-line: none;"><span itemprop="name">Pierce Brown</span></a> <span class="greyText" style="color: #999999;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span id="freeText11925937070055909414"><i>They call him father, liberator, warlord, Reaper. But he feels a boy as he falls toward the pale blue planet, his armor red, his army vast, his heart heavy. It is the tenth year of war and the thirty-second of his life.</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;">A decade ago, Darrow was the hero of the revolution he believed would break the chains of the Society. But the Rising has shattered everything: Instead of peace and freedom, it has brought endless war. Now he must risk everything he has fought for on one last desperate mission. Darrow still believes he can save everyone, but can he save himself?</span><br style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;">And throughout the worlds, other destinies entwine with Darrow’s to change his fate forever: </span><br style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;">A young Red girl flees tragedy in her refugee camp and achieves for herself a new life she could never have imagined.</span><br style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;">An ex-soldier broken by grief is forced to steal the most valuable thing in the galaxy—or pay with his life.</span><br style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;">And Lysander au Lune, the heir in exile to the sovereign, wanders the stars with his mentor, Cassius, haunted by the loss of the world that Darrow transformed, and dreaming of what will rise from its ashes.</span><br style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><i style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Red Rising</i><span style="font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"> was the story of the end of one universe, and </span><i style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Iron Gold</i><span style="font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;">is the story of the creation of a new one. Witness the beginning of a stunning new saga of tragedy and triumph from masterly </span><i style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">New York Times</i><span style="font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"> bestselling author Pierce Brown.</span></span></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Love, Hate & Other Filters</span></h1>
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<span class="by smallText" style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 14px;">by</span> <span itemprop="author" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><a class="authorName" href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8345582.Samira_Ahmed" itemprop="url" style="color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 19.8px; text-decoration-line: none;"><span itemprop="name">Samira Ahmed</span></a> </span></div>
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<span id="freeText14872902323507665769">A searing #OwnVoices coming-of-age debut in which an Indian-American Muslim teen confronts Islamophobia and a reality she can neither explain nor escape--perfect for fans of Angie Thomas, Jacqueline Woodson, and Adam Silvera.<br /><br />American-born seventeen-year-old Maya Aziz is torn between worlds. There’s the proper one her parents expect for their good Indian daughter: attending a college close to their suburban Chicago home, and being paired off with an older Muslim boy her mom deems “suitable.” And then there is the world of her dreams: going to film school and living in New York City—and maybe (just maybe) pursuing a boy she’s known from afar since grade school, a boy who’s finally falling into her orbit at school.<br /><br />There’s also the real world, beyond Maya’s control. In the aftermath of a horrific crime perpetrated hundreds of miles away, her life is turned upside down. The community she’s known since birth becomes unrecognizable; neighbors and classmates alike are consumed with fear, bigotry, and hatred. Ultimately, Maya must find the strength within to determine where she truly belongs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #333333;">Truly Devious</span> <a class="greyText" href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/176421-truly-devious" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: black;">(Truly Devious #1)</span></a></span></h1>
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<span class="by smallText" style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 14px;">by</span> <span itemprop="author" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><a class="authorName" href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10317.Maureen_Johnson" itemprop="url" style="color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 19.8px; text-decoration-line: none;"><span itemprop="name">Maureen Johnson</span></a> </span></div>
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<strong><em>New York Times </em>bestselling author Maureen Johnson weaves a delicate tale of murder and mystery in the first book of a striking new series, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie and E. Lockhart.</strong></div>
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Ellingham Academy is a famous private school in Vermont for the brightest thinkers, inventors, and artists. It was founded by Albert Ellingham, an early twentieth century tycoon, who wanted to make a wonderful place full of riddles, twisting pathways, and gardens. “A place,” he said, “where learning is a game.”</div>
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Shortly after the school opened, his wife and daughter were kidnapped. The only real clue was a mocking riddle listing methods of murder, signed with the frightening pseudonym “Truly, Devious.” It became one of the great unsolved crimes of American history.</div>
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True-crime aficionado Stevie Bell is set to begin her first year at Ellingham Academy, and she has an ambitious plan: She will solve this cold case. That is, she will solve the case when she gets a grip on her demanding new school life and her housemates: the inventor, the novelist, the actor, the artist, and the jokester. But something strange is happening. Truly Devious makes a surprise return, and death revisits Ellingham Academy. The past has crawled out of its grave. Someone has gotten away with murder. </div>
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The two interwoven mysteries of this first book in the Truly Devious series dovetail brilliantly, and Stevie Bell will continue her relentless quest for the murderers in books two and three.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Blood and Sand </span></h1>
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<span class="by smallText" style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 14px;">by</span> <span itemprop="author" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><a class="authorName" href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15262213.C_V_Wyk" itemprop="url" style="color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 19.8px; text-decoration-line: none;"><span itemprop="name">C.V. Wyk</span></a> </span></div>
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<span id="freeText12825624366249518310"><b>FORGED IN BATTLE...<br />FROM THE DUST OF THE ARENA...<br />A LEGEND WILL RISE</b><br /><br />The action-packed tale of a 17-year-old warrior princess and a handsome gladiator who dared take on the Roman Republic―and gave rise to the legend of Spartacus...<br /><br />For teens who love strong female protagonists in their fantasy and historical fiction, Blood and Sand is a stirring, yet poignant tale of two slaves who dared take on an empire by talented debut author C. V. Wyk.<br /><br /><i>Roma Victrix</i>. The Republic of Rome is on a relentless march to create an empire―an empire built on the backs of the conquered, brought back to Rome as slaves.<br /><br />Attia was once destined to rule as the queen and swordmaiden of Thrace, the greatest warrior kingdom the world had seen since Sparta. Now she is a slave, given to Xanthus, the Champion of Rome, as a sign of his master’s favor. Enslaved as a child, Xanthus is the preeminent gladiator of his generation.<br /><br />Against all odds, Attia and Xanthus form a tentative bond. A bond that will spark a rebellion. A rebellion that threatens to bring the Roman Republic to its end―and gives rise to the legend of Spartacus...<br /><br />The story continues in <i>Fire and Ash</i>, coming in 2019 from Tor Teen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All That Was</span></h1>
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<span class="by smallText" style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 14px;">by</span> <span itemprop="author" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><a class="authorName" href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/81866.Karen_Rivers" itemprop="url" style="color: #333333; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 19.8px; text-decoration-line: none;"><span itemprop="name">Karen Rivers</span></a> </span></div>
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<span id="freeText8167496960439830040">Piper and Sloane were best friends. They grew up together, from childhood to first love, and in spite of how different they were, their friendship was supposed to last forever. That is, until Piper caught Sloane kissing her boyfriend—and just days later, Piper was found dead, washed ashore on a beach. Sloane was torn with grief and guilt. How do you make amends for hurting someone you love, if that person is no longer around? And how can you ever move on and love again?</span><br />
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That's all I have for today. Lot's of reading to do, so I'm off to finish my book. Happy reading!</div>
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Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08190361875174742351noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5517258583444935285.post-55899168564466324252018-01-05T06:00:00.000-06:002018-01-05T06:01:01.674-06:00Mad World at Swoon Reads<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here's something I'm trying...</div>
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During one of my searches to find yet more books to read, I stumbled across the website SwoonReads. Not only did I find some upcoming releases to add to my Wishlist, but I learned that writers could submit their manuscripts for a possible book deal with Macmillan. Basically, writers submit unpublished works for readers to read, rate and comment on. If the writer receives enough reviews, the manuscript is considered for publishing. I thought this was pretty amazing.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;">From the </span><a href="http://www.swoonreads.com/faqs/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">Swoon Reads “FAQ” page</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;">: </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>“Swoon Reads publishes young adult and new adult romance novels. Writers can submit their original, unpublished manuscript to the Swoon Reads website, and readers who sign up can rate and comment on manuscripts to help us [editors] choose which titles we want to publish. Swoon Reads is an imprint of Macmillan publishing under Feiwel & Friends and was founded by Jean Feiwel.”</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Swoon Reads is all about finding swoonworthy titles, so I decided to submit MAD WORLD. Below you'll find the description along with the first chapter. If you find yourself intrigued, I hope you'll visit the </span></span><br />
<a href="https://www.swoonreads.com/m/mad-world-2/"><span style="color: magenta;">MAD WORLD page</span></a> and continue reading. It's totally free!<br />
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Ruby Grismer has been raised in the shadows. Kept hidden from the world in order to keep her safe. And to keep others safe from her. <br /><br />All Ruby wants is to be like everyone else. Normal. Human. So one night Ruby sneaks out. And she is seen. Her innocent outing leads to her first meeting with Sebastian Blackwell. The handsome new boy in town with a family secret of his own.<br /><br /><div>
A secret that could destroy Ruby.<br /><br />Like a moth to a flame, she can’t stay away from Sebastian. Torn between her safety and the need for his company, Ruby must decide...will she continue to walk with danger? Or will she fight the pull toward this boy and ultimately sacrifice her heart?<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<br /><br />There is a large picture window in my house. It is located upstairs, centered at the end of the hallway. Everyday, while my guardian, Drusilla is napping; I sit at that window and stare at people as they walk by. Some straight to their homes if they are close, others to their cars, which dot the street. Regardless of their means of transportation, I watch them. Wishing that I too could escape the confines of home each day and mingle among them.<br /><br />But I don’t. I can’t.<br /><br />Drusilla says I’m different. Special. She home-schools me and insists that I learn much, much more than I would at the local high school. So I settle for sitting at the window, curled up like an old house cat, staring outside. Seeing others while remaining unseen. <br /><br />Today is a dark day. The usually casual saunters are more purposeful as they break for shelter. The sky opens up and releases its worst. The rain glitters against the passing car lights. And then, just as quickly as it all begins it is over. The streets are once again still and all is quiet. Save for the lone clap of thunder and the splashing of raindrops against the lawn. My stomach quivers with excitement. How I long to run outside and tip my head toward the sky. To feel the rain against my skin just once. But I am not allowed outside. <br /><br />Ever.<br /><br />Movement in the mirror catches my eye. My breath tangles in my throat and a teardrop of cool fear races up my spine. I step closer, squinting in the half-light cast across the room from the window. The figure moves with me. I breathe out a sigh of relief. <br /><br />It’s only me. <br /><br />I look toward the glass knowing what I will see. Bright burgundy blinks back at me through porcelain skin. An off sort of eye color, but then again what do I have to compare it with? Thick ribbons of raven black hair twist from the crown of my head down to the middle of my back. Not a scratch can be found. Not a hair is ever out of place.<br /><br />Perfect. Just like Drusilla expects. <br /><br />A stirring in the hallway reaches out and swipes my attention. Drusilla is coming. My time is up sooner than I would like. Just like every other day. I bolt away from the window, swiping my copy of Grimm's fairy tales from the small table as I drop into my designated armchair. <br /><br />The one located beyond the reach of the window. <br /><br />Drusilla appears at the end of the hall. Her face is pinched into a forced smile; her hair is as it always is. Long locks, smoothed to perfection. One side is tucked behind her ear. No nonsense. She is wearing a plain white blouse secured in smart black trousers. The only adornment visible is the emerald-green pendant thrumming at the hollow of her throat. A separate entity, yet something she is never without.<br /><br />“You should be finished with your reading.” She doesn’t ask if I am ready, simply turns on her heel and expects me to follow.<br /><br />I do.<br /><br />It’s the same routine every day. She leads me back to my room, just like I’m a small child that needs to be watched at all times. From their photos on the wall, her ancestors’ eyes follow my every step. I’m an unwelcome stranger in their beloved daughter’s life. The occasional sconce lights our way as we continue. Drusilla remains silent. <br /><br />After a few beats she turns to me and smiles. It’s that same far away, head in the clouds smile she gets sometimes. It can be a little frightening. “Do you like your new reading area? I thought it would be a nice change for you to get out of the basement.” A small giggle escapes her lips. “It has been days now and you have not said a word.” She doesn’t seem right. Something small that I can’t quite put my finger on seems to be off about her today. <br /><br />I count to three and shake it off.<br /><br />One. Two Three.<br /><br />“I love my new space,” I begin. She doesn’t understand. I can’t remain locked up. Not anymore. “It’s so dark in the basement…I wish--”<br /><br />“What darling?”<br /><br />“I wish I could stay out all of the time. Have a room upstairs? I need fresh air, sunlight, other people--” I realize my mistake the moment the words tumble out of my mouth.<br /><br />All manner of calm is gone now. Siphoned from the air. Drusilla reels on me. Her face is that of a ghost. Pale and pallid. Her hands find purchase on my own. She squeezes. Hard. The heat of her skin on mine should be a welcome change from the customary chill. She never touches me. And when she does-it’s like this…suffocating. At the same time intoxicating. The edge of her anxiety scrapes at my sanity. I can’t bear it.<br /><br />But her grasp is relentless. “Did you go outside?”<br /><br />“No, Drusilla.”<br /><br />“Go to the window?”<br /><br />“Of course not.” <br /><br />A sigh escapes her and the color returns to her face. Her eyes soften and her cheeks brighten. “I’m sorry to be so bothersome, my darling, really. But you have no idea what dangers lurk outside the walls of this house. Not one single clue. Were something to happen to you--” She rubs at her temple. “I cannot even think about the consequences were someone to find you.”<br /><br />“I know –you’ve told me.” Repeatedly. I lower my eyes. I don’t dare look at her. I hope I’m convincing. She can’t find out that I have broken one of her cardinal rules. I must remain hidden away like some skeleton in her closet. A deep dark secret that would ruin her if I was to be discovered. <br /><br />I wish I knew why.<br /><br />We resume our forward movement and arrive at the staircase. After wrapping my fingers around the wrought-iron banister, I place one foot in front of the other. Nice and steady. Just like I’ve been taught. Drusilla follows a few beats behind me. Always watching.<br /><br />“I hope you know how very important you are to me. I couldn’t bear it if anything were to happen to you.”<br /><br />Lucky me, I’m as important as an antique doll tucked away in a cabinet. “Nothing’s going to happen to me.” <br /><br />“Of course not because you will stay inside at all times. No matter what.”<br /><br />“Yes, Drusilla.” <br /><br />I risk a glance behind me. Her head is shifted to the side. A thoughtful expression clouds her face. “That’s my good girl.”<br /><br />Before I know it, we reach the bottom of the stairs. The door to my bedroom lurks in front of me. Large wrought iron and dark chocolate oak that blends with the rest of the castle-like ambiance of the house. With a curt nod Drusilla beckons me forward. <br /><br />“Go on now. I need to run to the store,” she urges, tossing me a pasted on smile. “I’ll see you at supper.”<br /><br />She waits for me to step over the threshold. I only have time to set one floor on the ground beyond before the door closes behind me and the sound of the lock sliding home echoes off of the walls.<br /><br />She just wants to keep me safe. That’s all there is to me remaining under lock and key. Safety first. <br /><br />Right. <br /><br />I can’t rid myself of the feeling that there is more to her actions. Some method of obsession I’m unaware of. Not all girls are hidden away from the rest of the world like a stain on the good linens. <br /><br />I look around the large expanse of my room. I know Drusilla cares because it’s adorned with the finest of everything. Lavishly decorated like something I would see in the pages of my favorite magazine. My room boasts beautiful satins and silks in various shades of purples and plums that drip from the ceiling and surround my bed. There is even a small seating area with plush couches covered with beaded throw pillows. On the wall rests a huge flat screen TV surrounded by built in bookshelves, displaying rows and rows of poetry books as well as novels by my favorite authors. I cannot ask for more.<br /><br />And still. I do-want more. So much more. I fall down onto the couch, chewing at my nail. A nasty little habit that Drusilla has vowed to break. Though she does not mean it, her actions are cruel. Does she actually think she can just lock me away in the basement? Only letting me out when she wants company?<br /><br />I curl up in a ball and close my eyes as the loneliness sets in once again. It’s an awful feeling that bites away at me. Makes me feel empty. It’s as though someone has taken some sort of sharp instrument and hollowed me out.<br /><br />I just want a friend. Someone to talk to. <br /><br />Time moves slowly here. How long I remain in my pathetic cocoon I can’t say. But enough is enough. Desperate for a distraction…an end to my little pity party, I separate myself from the couch. <br /><br />Crossing the room I begin by straightening my books. They’re already in perfect order, faced even across the entire shelf. Each one exactly where it should be. And that is how they must remain, along with everything else in my room. A place for everything and everything in its place. I can’t function otherwise. <br /><br />I move on to my small workspace. The shell of a necklace I have been working on lays flat against its bed of velvet. Each jewel has already been hand-selected and waits nearby to be placed in its new home. It’s an odd little hobby, but aids in the long passing hours when I’m locked away in my room. Creating something beautiful also calms my jagged little nerves when the devil inside threatens to run astray. Thank goodness Drusilla is more than happy to indulge me. <br /><br />My workstation is located in the far corner of my room. It’s nothing fancy. But I have everything I need whenever inspiration hits. My eyes glance over the desktop and I notice my sketchpad is shifted the wrong way. I straighten it, along with the pastels that sit next to it. It’s not until I reach the jars housing my crystals that I notice it. My bedroom door. There is just the smallest sliver of light peeking through. To me it’s like a gleaming beacon welcoming me home. How is this possible? I am certain Drusilla locked the door.<br /><br />Quiet feet lead the way. The door creaks as I open it. Just a little, but enough to make me think twice. The promise of freedom, however short-lived far outweighs the risk of being caught at this point. I keep going. Up the dark stairs I go until I reach the top. It’s there that I wait. And listen. <br /><br />Silence.<br /><br />Golden, gleaming silence.<br /><br />Drusilla is gone. Thunder claps and the rain continues to taunt me. With hope fluttering in my chest, I head for the back door. I grasp the handle, turn it and smile.<br /><br />Unlocked.<br /><br />Just as I had hoped. Drusilla’s confidence in her ability to keep me locked away is working to my advantage-beautifully. The door swings open with a soft groan. I pull in an anxious breath and step over the threshold. <br /><br />At first I stand under the canopy of the lower deck, happy to enjoy what this experience has to offer. And then I throw caution to the wind and walk to the middle of the yard. Raindrops whisper against my cheeks, coil down my arms, like newly found acquaintances excited that I have finally come out to play.<br /><br />The air out here is ripe with moisture, filled with the heady perfume of rainfall. I have only caught glimpses of the fragrance and those tiny snippets didn’t do it justice. <br /><br />I throw my arms out to my sides and let my head fall back. My hair is nearly drenched at this point, but I don’t care. A giggle escapes my lips and I spin around and around until my legs threaten to give way.<br /><br /> “Didn’t your mother ever teach you not to play in the rain?”<br /><br /> A cry leaps from my chest. I turn and hit a wall-no I run into the owner of that voice. It’s like nothing I’ve ever heard-rich and velvety. The ground rushes up fast and furious. My hands splay out to break my fall, but just as I brace myself for impact, strong hands twine themselves around my waist and pull me to my feet. It’s like being attached to some sort of bungee cord. One second I’m heading toward the ground and the next I find myself back on my feet. <br /><br />Where his hands touch me a trail of sizzling heat sears straight to my core. The trees and everything around them turn to smears as a dizzying buzz resounds in my head. I pull in a ragged breath. Release it. The world rights itself and he comes into view. <br /><br /> He is huge. Thick muscle cords his arms where my hands are clutching on for dear life. At well over six feet tall, he towers over my measly five foot three frame. A force not to be reckoned with. And yet there is something sweet in his demeanor. His eyes are kind. Soft chocolaty brown. Lovely. He continues to stare. A lazy, crooked smile that could melt ice-caps spreads across his face. Oh my goodness. There are dimples. Heaven help me he is perfect.<br /><br />His beautiful, handsome face. His cheekbones and jawline are sculptured to perfection and his lips are full and dark pink, the bottom one slightly larger than the top. “Are you okay?” I’m unable to formulate words. I’ve never seen another living being-not this close. Aside from Drusilla. <br /><br />Fear surges then blends with my curiosity as I stare up at him and nod. I know I should turn and run back to the house before this creature has the chance to hurt me. Forget this ever happened. But as I turn to leave I cast another glance at the stranger. Something in me changes. It’s small, unrecognizable but altered all the same. He is just so pretty.<br /><br /> “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you. I just-my family just moved to town and when I saw you out here--”<br /><br /> His words jar something loose. Drusilla. She will be home soon and here I am soaked to the bone talking to a stranger. A--a boy! “I--I have to go.” <br /><br /> “No wait-please.” He reaches for me and I cower away. <br /><br /> “I’m sorry,” I say. I move back toward the house with erratic haste. What started out as a small infraction of the rules has now blown up into a full-fledged disaster. Drusilla is adamant that no one finds out about me. The consequences could be disastrous. So she says.<br /><br /> Slipping back into the house, I pull off my shoes and lock the door. Weakness in my knees forces me into a kitchen chair. My head falls against the table and I pull in several ragged breaths. Wait for the beating of my heart to slow. When it does, I stand, creep back to the window. I peel back the curtains, just a crack-and stare into the yard, hoping to catch one last glimpse of the beautiful stranger. He’s gone. A dark abyss of loneliness creeps into my subconscious. <br /><br /> It’s for the best I tell myself. <br /><br /> Careful not to tread any water on the wood floors, I return to my room where I ready myself for dinner with Drusilla. All the while hoping that this little mishap does not come back to haunt me. Even though I would give anything to see him again. Consequences be damned.<br /><br />Drusilla follows the same routine everyday. Dinner. Wine. Bed. <br /><br />Dinner is a scheduled event in which I am required to attend. I do not complain because it is one of the few times I am permitted to leave my room. And I do enjoy Drusilla’s company. The food is always amazing too. The downside is the wine. Oh, my goodness the wine-her sauce as I like to call it, is to numb the pain or stress of some unseen burden Drusilla has yet to share. And of course bed will follow. Once she has had her fill of both food and drink there is no other course.<br /><br />So every day we follow the script. Always in that order. Never deviating in the slightest. I have watched her. And waited. Waited for the moment when I’m certain I can get away. Not to be missed. Undetected. <br /><br />At least for a little while.<br /><br />I enter the room and take my seat at the long dinner table. Just like yesterday. And the day before that. Drusilla enters the room. She’s a vision in lavender. The dress she wears fits her perfectly. Just like the clothes she chooses for me.<br /><br />She takes her seat and the wait staff begins to serve. Dinner is delicious. As usual. The salad arrives first. There are bits of fish and slivers of almond with a hint of creamy dressing.<br /><br />We talk of current events and she fills me in on the bits of her day that I’ve missed. Inside me the battle of loyalty and jealousy surges on. I do love this woman that has cared for me, but a part of me cannot help but feel that slight twinge of envy when she talks about her little outings to the book store, the mall, and for goodness sake coffee. If I didn’t know any better I would swear she was purposefully trying to hurt me.<br /><br />But I do know better and she would not be so callous.<br /><br />Before I realize, the final course has been cleared and dessert has arrived. Double chocolate cake. Like a sweet, creamy dream, it melts in my mouth, pulling a smile at my lips. I don’t dare eat the entire piece. It would not do to lose my girlish figure. <br /><br />Whatever. Who is it that I need to impress? Soon I will be escorted back to my room. The moment the last dish is cleared. The last morsel of food eaten I will be returned to my cage for the remainder of the evening. The thought sends a shudder down my spine. The bite of cake I’ve just taken tastes like ash in my mouth souring my mood.<br /><br />Drusilla’s forehead wrinkles. “Is everything okay?” Her fork hovers in the air mid-bite.<br /><br />I nod. A customary response. “I’m fine. Just a little tired.” <br /><br />“Are you sure? I had cook make this cake especially for you.”<br /><br />As if that alone could chase away my loneliness. I will not be consoled by food. The sudden urge to be away from her slashes through me like a razor. “Can I be excused?”<br /><br />She watches me. Really watches me as if my face holds every answer she is seeking. “Okay,” she says with uncertainty. “Goodnight.”<br /><br />“Goodnight, Drusilla.” I throw the comment over my shoulder as I exit the room. I don’t look back as I hold tight to the railing and descend the stairs to my room. Without a second thought, I throw myself onto the bed and cry myself into a hazy stupor.<br /><br />Sometime during my fit I must have fallen asleep. I open my eyes and my sheets are all askew, my clothes a mess. Pushing myself out of bed, I cross the room to my closet. Might as well put on something more comfortable.<br /><br /> When I get to the closet I notice something off. It escaped me at first because I just didn’t look that way, but after a second glance I see it.<br /><br /> The door to my bedroom, open. Again.<br /><br /> I smooth my hair into a low pony as I walk. With innate caution I move. The only sound in the vast stairwell is the rustling of my hoodie and the scuff of my shoes against the ceramic tile. When I reach the top of the stairs I find the house dark, uninviting even. Not a thing is out of place. This alone should bring me comfort. But something is not right. <br /><br /> I amble through the living room taking in every insignificant knick-knack. Every ornamental frame. Not one single picture of me exists in the entire house. There are pictures of every other relative Drusilla has ever had. Pets. Her dad even. But not one single picture of me. It should not bother me. But it does.<br /><br /> I shake off the feeling of neglect that has webbed its way through my veins and move toward the stairs. As customary I grip the rail with all my might. Walking I have down pat, stairs however are another chapter in my unfinished book.<br /><br /> By the time I reach the top and relinquish my grip, my knuckles are a morbid white. Drusilla’s room is the last door on the left. Slowly, slowly I creep down the hall. The door is cracked open and the muted light from the television echoes on the walls. For a minute, all I do is listen. When all that greets me is the mumbling of an infomercial and silence, I push the door open and slip inside. <br /><br /> Drusilla is in bed. Fast asleep. Her hair, which is usually scraped into perfection, is cast wildly across her pillow. A sheet of ebony ribbons draped in a haphazard manner. The peace that shrouds her beautiful features makes the shame in my heart ghost over me. I wonder how I could ever have such selfish thoughts about this woman.<br /><br /> The guilt almost drives me back to my room where I should have stayed. I know better than to wander the house unchecked. Drusilla is after all only looking out for my best interests. But as I look between the open door and the sleeping form before me, an idea fires to life in my mind. Small at first, but gaining momentum as the seconds tick by. <br /><br /> I could slip out again. Go for a short walk this time and return before I’m missed. Drusilla would never dream me capable of doing such a thing. There lies the beauty of this very rare and intriguing situation.<br /><br /> Do I dare? Excitement gurgles in my stomach, tingles clear to the tips of my fingers. Yes. I think I do.<br /><br /> Crossing the room, I grab a spare down comforter from the divan. Drusilla often speaks of growing cold in the night and her covers have already been kicked free. Piled on the floor like silken rubble. I spread the blanket over her and move to the door. Sparing one last glance at my creator, my caregiver before I progress into the hall and pull the doors closed behind me. There is a whisper and a click and I’m as good as alone. My hand rests against the oak grain of the bedroom door. <br /><br />“Sleep well, Drusilla,” I whisper.<br /><br />The excitement in me mounts as I walk down the hall toward the front door. Momentary freedom is so close I can taste it. The lock slides free with silent effort. Thank goodness. I slip over the threshold and into the night. 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<b>Want to know what happens next? You can find all of MAD WORLD on <span style="color: magenta;"><a href="https://www.swoonreads.com/m/mad-world-2/"><span style="color: magenta;">my page at Swoon Reads</span></a>. </span>I will be forever in your debt if you leave a rating and a review! </b></div>
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Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08190361875174742351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5517258583444935285.post-83927960091125391142018-01-02T06:00:00.000-06:002018-01-02T08:03:09.734-06:00New This Week...<br />
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It's Tuesday and you know what that means...new book releases! Let me tell you we are starting the new year off with some amazing titles! The only downside? We go back to school this week which cuts into my reading time. But enough about my sad story, here are the new releases I stumbled across for today:<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Cruel Prince </b><span style="font-weight: normal;">by Holly Black</span></span></h3>
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From Amazon:<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">By #1 <i>New York Times</i> bestselling author Holly Black, the first book in a stunning new series about a mortal girl who finds herself caught in a web of royal faerie intrigue.</span></b></div>
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Of course I want to be like them. They're beautiful as blades forged in some divine fire. They will live forever.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And Cardan is even more beautiful than the rest. I hate him more than all the others. I hate him so much that sometimes when I look at him, I can hardly breathe.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Jude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">To win a place at the Court, she must defy him--and face the consequences.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In doing so, she becomes embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, discovering her own capacity for bloodshed. But as civil war threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Everless</b> <span style="font-weight: normal;">by Sara Holland</span></span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">From Amazon:</span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Sara Holland is a fierce storyteller. <em>Everless</em> gives new and terrifying meaning to the phrase running out of time." —Stephanie Garber, <em>New York Times</em> bestselling author of <em>Caraval</em></span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the kingdom of Sempera, time is currency—extracted from blood, bound to iron, and consumed to add time to one’s own lifespan. The rich aristocracy, like the Gerlings, tax the poor to the hilt, extending their own lives by centuries.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">No one resents the Gerlings more than Jules Ember. A decade ago, she and her father were servants at Everless, the Gerlings’ palatial estate, until a fateful accident forced them to flee in the dead of night. When Jules discovers that her father is dying, she knows that she must return to Everless to earn more time for him before she loses him forever.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But going back to Everless brings more danger—and temptation—than Jules could have ever imagined. Soon she’s caught in a tangle of violent secrets and finds her heart torn between two people she thought she’d never see again. Her decisions have the power to change her fate—and the fate of time itself.</span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Fans of Victoria Aveyard, Kendare Blake, and Stephanie Garber will devour this lush novel's breathtaking action, incredible romance, and dangerous secrets.</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><strong>A Conspiracy of Stars </strong>by Olivia A. Cole</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">From Amazon:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong>Enter the vivid and cinematic world of Faloiv in the first book of this dazzling YA sci-fi/fantasy series, perfect for fans of <em>Carve the Mark, Red Rising, </em>and </strong><em><strong>These Broken Stars.</strong></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Octavia has always dreamed of becoming a whitecoat, one of the prestigious N’Terra scientists who study the natural wonders of Faloiv. So when the once-secretive labs are suddenly opened to students, she leaps at the chance to see what happens behind their closed doors.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">However, she quickly discovers that all is not what it seems on Faloiv, and the experiments the whitecoats have been doing run the risk of upsetting the humans’ fragile peace with the Faloii, Faloiv’s indigenous people.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As secret after disturbing secret comes to light, Octavia finds herself on a collision course with the charismatic and extremist new leader of N’Terra’s ruling council. But by uncovering the mysteries behind the history she’s been taught, the science she’s lived by, and the truth about her family, she threatens to be the catalyst for an all-out war.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Pretty Dead Girls </b>by Monica Murphy</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">From Amazon:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Beautiful. Perfect. Dead.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the peaceful seaside town of Cape Bonita, wicked secrets and lies are hidden just beneath the surface. But all it takes is one tragedy for them to be exposed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The most popular girls in school are turning up dead, and Penelope Malone is terrified she's next. All the victims so far have been linked to Penelope—and to a boy from her physics class. The one she's never really noticed before, with the rumored dark past and a brooding stare that cuts right through her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There's something he isn't telling her. But there's something she's not telling him, either.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Everyone has secrets, and theirs might get them killed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><strong>You'll Miss Me When I'm Gone </strong>by Rachel Lynn Solomon</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">From Amazon:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A moving, lyrical debut novel about twins who navigate first love, their Jewish identity, and opposite results from a genetic test that determines their fate—whether they inherited their mother’s Huntington’s disease.<br /><br />Eighteen-year-old twins Adina and Tovah have little in common besides their ambitious nature. Viola prodigy Adina yearns to become a soloist—and to convince her music teacher he wants her the way she wants him. Overachiever Tovah awaits her acceptance to Johns Hopkins, the first step on her path toward med school and a career as a surgeon.<br /><br />But one thing could wreck their carefully planned futures: a genetic test for Huntington’s, a rare degenerative disease that slowly steals control of the body and mind. It’s turned their Israeli mother into a near stranger and fractured the sisters’ own bond in ways they’ll never admit. While Tovah finds comfort in their Jewish religion, Adina rebels against its rules.<br /><br />When the results come in, one twin tests negative for Huntington’s, and the other tests positive.<br /><br />These opposite outcomes push them farther apart as they wrestle with guilt, betrayal, and the unexpected thrill of first love. How can they repair their relationship, and is it even worth saving?<br /><br />From debut author Rachel Lynn Solomon comes a luminous, heartbreaking tale of life, death, and the fragile bond between sisters.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Well, that's it for today. As you can see I have a lot of reading to do. And this is just the beginning! I'll be back next week with more new releases.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Have a great day everyone!</span></div>
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Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08190361875174742351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5517258583444935285.post-52954385252779457292018-01-01T13:24:00.001-06:002018-01-01T13:24:36.528-06:00Happy New Year!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's hard to believe another year has gone by and we have arrived at 2018. Time has a way of sneaking away from us. As most of you know, it's been quite some time since my last post. You could say I let life get in the way. But, I won't bore you with the details. I'm just happy to be back, posting about two of my favorite things, books and writing!<br />
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Now, I'm not big on making resolutions, (I always break them) I did however, set a goal to write. Sweet and simple. No more excuses, whatever is going on, I will make time to write. That means I will definitely dedicate time to blog about all the amazing books coming out in 2018! <br />
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That's all I have for today. I'll be back tomorrow with a list of new releases I can't wait to read! In the meantime, what about all of you? Have you set any goals for the new year? I'd love to hear them!<br />
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Happy New Year everyone!Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08190361875174742351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5517258583444935285.post-44983112189291259812012-03-05T06:22:00.008-06:002012-03-05T06:50:16.938-06:00In My Mailbox<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCXTSm-07ZTU73TQ4s5AxCPRBMqo76Q4fCcyCCQxvZ14OxzMDm5gwge3_CT7jpgY3bZkeBLHceFd6Lm9nr_ZkS3rug5EHUKw3gw9KDzvtHcyvwzptsoE4RV_p8ntrvjOh3Rm6a0c8hn3Y/s1600/IMM.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 296px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565726222254739090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCXTSm-07ZTU73TQ4s5AxCPRBMqo76Q4fCcyCCQxvZ14OxzMDm5gwge3_CT7jpgY3bZkeBLHceFd6Lm9nr_ZkS3rug5EHUKw3gw9KDzvtHcyvwzptsoE4RV_p8ntrvjOh3Rm6a0c8hn3Y/s400/IMM.jpg" /></a><br /><br />In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. Anyone can <a href="http://www.thestorysiren.com/" target="_blank"></a>participate in IMM and you are not limited to only sharing books that arrive via your mailbox. You can als<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPPnUfZrTjgHfmT2HGOaz4X1mvCkjuSOIiXqAmMbVxTv5UzUOXZYgeJQbzjEd_aALsWzgTRqnVt6sQFEp4kylRIvoWEH92MMBNUDEGEIlbMVlkIdSsuh1n6Xz-9tPjOgWSmftELZMqHAb/s1600/small+ca.jpg"></a>o share books that you've bought or books that you've gotten at the library. You can find more information on how to participate in the In My Mailbox meme by visiting <a href="http://www.thestorysiren.com/p/in-my-mailbox.html">The Story Siren.</a><br /><br />This week In My Mailbox...<br /><br /><strong>A Touch Morbid </strong>(A Touch Trilogy #2) by Leah Clifford <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixN_Lbpkk6aI4IFl1Z5v9NvDdkjKwYE6B_1B7PZ7dTFZFgx00ewPHMIA7Y9apZvg8MhApWaRfbkHOLR49Cnap93FwQR_jDQyc01sRJac8Mxf-bc6lpeuAbn6ItCmdl-11z00rfqP8tUkjo/s1600/morbid.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 264px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixN_Lbpkk6aI4IFl1Z5v9NvDdkjKwYE6B_1B7PZ7dTFZFgx00ewPHMIA7Y9apZvg8MhApWaRfbkHOLR49Cnap93FwQR_jDQyc01sRJac8Mxf-bc6lpeuAbn6ItCmdl-11z00rfqP8tUkjo/s400/morbid.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716393568770242866" /></a><br />Goodreads Description:<br /><em>Eden won the battle-she saved her true love from the darkest evil. But the war has only just begun. With secrets swirling around her, powerful allies unraveling, and life-and death-as she knows it eroding, Eden and those she loves tread dangerous ground. Can she trust anyone? Will her unearthly powers be her salvation or her downfall? A sweeping, dark, and sexy paranormal romance that will haunt readers with an inventive mythology and a cinematic New York City filled with shadows and longing.</em><br /><br /><strong>Pandemonium </strong>(Delirium #2) by Lauren Oliver <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIp4nL4Spn0_oqE3HUoCopscpIMMm14GnOP3ARNTkMKO8fMlC1sOLBKglZxe0lp_fjyK6BhjwNMqdXfptoh3ymB7fwe61xwiq1lGEEvznBDUQUnDt9qt-sel_gXSxbAtqrcOe8lcemE0On/s1600/Pandem.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 264px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIp4nL4Spn0_oqE3HUoCopscpIMMm14GnOP3ARNTkMKO8fMlC1sOLBKglZxe0lp_fjyK6BhjwNMqdXfptoh3ymB7fwe61xwiq1lGEEvznBDUQUnDt9qt-sel_gXSxbAtqrcOe8lcemE0On/s400/Pandem.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716393562128210498" /></a><br />Goodreads Description:<br /><em>I’m pushing aside the memory of my nightmare, <br />pushing aside thoughts of Alex, <br />pushing aside thoughts of Hana and my old school, <br />push, <br />push, <br />push, <br />like Raven taught me to do.<br />The old life is dead.<br />But the old Lena is dead too.<br />I buried her.<br />I left her beyond a fence,<br />behind a wall of smoke and flame. <br /><br />Lauren Oliver delivers an electrifying follow-up to her acclaimed New York Times bestseller, Delirium. This riveting, brilliant novel crackles with the fire of fierce defiance, forbidden romance, and the sparks of a revolution about to ignite. </em><br /><br /><strong>Faery Tales & Nightmares</strong> by Melissa Marr <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Wo83A8vUMXPC-gqJt31xfbbYto7rl5Cawv-Jd2JmHoSix-OiZCQk2RDvnCLkSD8Nae6FrdR6KQvHQ6xQZJYiSfQ-fVwM7sY2-PnQZsz8tC8satQrnCD9VS-Uk1MlKkjjb9_DUqkMMeYG/s1600/marr.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 271px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Wo83A8vUMXPC-gqJt31xfbbYto7rl5Cawv-Jd2JmHoSix-OiZCQk2RDvnCLkSD8Nae6FrdR6KQvHQ6xQZJYiSfQ-fVwM7sY2-PnQZsz8tC8satQrnCD9VS-Uk1MlKkjjb9_DUqkMMeYG/s400/marr.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716393591940952146" /></a><br />Goodreads Description:<br /><em>Dangerous promises and beguiling threats swirl together in a dozen stories of enchantments dark and light by New York Times bestselling author Melissa Marr. Uncanny and unexpected creatures appear from behind bushes, rise from beneath the seas, or manifest from seasonal storms to pursue the objects of their attention—with amorous or sinister intent—relentlessly. <br /><br />From the gentle tones of a storyteller’s cadences to the terror of a blood sacrifice, tales of favorite characters from Marr’s Wicked Lovely novels mix with accounts of new characters for readers to fall in love with...or to fear. <br /><br />Lush, seductive, and chilling, Melissa Marr’s stories revel in the unseen magic that infuses the world as we know it. <br /><br />Table of Contents: <br />"Where Nightmares Walk" <br />"Winter's Kiss" (Fairy Tales) <br />"Transition" (Vampires) <br />"Love Struck" (Selchies) <br />"Old Habits" (WL World) <br />"Stopping Time" (WL World) <br />"The Art of Waiting" <br />"Flesh for Comfort" <br />"The Sleeping Girl and the Summer King" (WL World-ish, the short story that started the series) <br />"Cotton Candy Skies" (WL World) <br />"Unexpected Family" (WL World) <br />"Merely Mortal" (WL World)</em><br /><br />So I did get a Kindle for Christmas and don't get me wrong, I love it. But with such gorgeous covers, how could I pass these up? I'll find room somewhere on the bookshelf for them. So tell me...what's in your mailbox? I'm always looking for new reads!Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08190361875174742351noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5517258583444935285.post-59073382049318194362011-11-10T19:56:00.015-06:002011-11-11T08:54:17.491-06:00String Bridge by Jessica Bell<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><strong></strong><br /><a style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 1em; FLOAT: right; MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; CLEAR: right" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_OuNlEe0bvjb1L7x-GCs3RcMuKF2OkqR7cS-_-NMO8Qkxn5o5iUrMMQmvb3nCVlAU0L9IMKMRzYeK4UryqLUWKWD6-SPGAH-v_rcRnX8fQsPbOj3z9iRdTqJSU38ptoeoyaG2P5T_J5o/s1600/Melody+Hill_front.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_OuNlEe0bvjb1L7x-GCs3RcMuKF2OkqR7cS-_-NMO8Qkxn5o5iUrMMQmvb3nCVlAU0L9IMKMRzYeK4UryqLUWKWD6-SPGAH-v_rcRnX8fQsPbOj3z9iRdTqJSU38ptoeoyaG2P5T_J5o/s200/Melody+Hill_front.jpg" width="200" height="200" /></a><span lang="EN-GB">Today is <b>THE </b>day to help <a href="http://www.thealliterativeallomorph.blogspot.com/">Jessica Bell's</a> debut, <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 /><st1:place st="on"><a href="http://www.stringbridge.com/"><st1:placename st="on"><b>STRING</b></st1:placename><b> <st1:placetype st="on">BRIDGE</st1:placetype></b></a>,</st1:place> hit the bestseller list on Amazon, and <b>receive the all-original soundtrack</b>, </span><b><i><a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playlistId=465313522">Melody Hill: On the Other Side</a>, </i></b><span lang="EN-GB">written and performed by the author herself, <b>for free</b>!</span><br /><span lang="EN-GB"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span lang="EN-GB">All you have to do is <b>purchase the </b></span><b><span lang="EN-US">book</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span></b><span lang="EN-GB"><b>today </b>(paperback, or eBook), November 11th, and then email the receipt to:</span><br /><br /><span lang="EN-GB" style="color:#0b5394;"><i><b>jessica.carmen.bell(at)gmail(dot)com</b></i></span><br /><br /><span lang="EN-GB"><b>She</b></span><b> will then email you a link to download the album at no extra cost!</b><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span lang="EN-GB">To purchase the <b>paperback</b>:<?xml:namespace prefix = o /><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" dir="ltr" class="MsoNormal" trbidi="on"><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/String-Bridge-Jessica-Bell/dp/0984631747/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_p?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1320037590&sr=1-1">Amazon USA</a></span></b></div><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB">To purchase the <b>eBook</b>:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/String-Bridge-ebook/dp/B005Y48DF6/ref=sr_1_1_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1320037590&sr=1-1">Amazon USA</a></span></b></div><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/String-Bridge-ebook/dp/B005Y48DF6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1319370801&sr=8-1">Amazon UK</a></span></b></div><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span lang="EN-GB">To listen to samples of the soundtrack, visit <b><a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playlistId=465313522">iTunes</a>.</b></span><br /><br /><span lang="EN-GB">If you are not familiar with <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on"><i>String</i></st1:placename><i> <st1:placetype st="on">Bridge</st1:placetype></i></st1:place>,<br />check out the book trailer:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><br /><iframe height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Rv-hRMA0kqQ" frameborder="0" width="425" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /></div></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br /><b><span lang="EN-US">Rave Reviews for <i>String Bridg</i>e:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOc5axwqqEKZtMM2b-t6k457vu8X9IsnfuJMy_9Dz_RIskrIuzLsDUQ-Dno56dPQfjDwPLZBTa5HYYc5DC97o_aH0Kit0SdCRLczOMFLiZ5pIQWEHFN2HrDA3bYmF-RF03TkEjKZ_AiOE-/s1600/11502954.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 264px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673568953787761762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOc5axwqqEKZtMM2b-t6k457vu8X9IsnfuJMy_9Dz_RIskrIuzLsDUQ-Dno56dPQfjDwPLZBTa5HYYc5DC97o_aH0Kit0SdCRLczOMFLiZ5pIQWEHFN2HrDA3bYmF-RF03TkEjKZ_AiOE-/s400/11502954.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" dir="ltr" class="MsoNormal" trbidi="on"><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; CLEAR: both" class="separator"><br /><span lang="EN-US">“</span><span lang="EN-GB">Jessica Bell’s <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">STRING</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">BRIDGE</st1:placetype></st1:place> strummed the fret of my<br />veins, thrummed my blood into a mad rush, played me taut until the final page,<br />yet with echoes still reverberating. A rhythmic debut with metrical tones of<br />heavied dark, fleeting prisms of light, and finally, a burst of joy—just as<br />with any good song, my hopeful heartbeat kept tempo with <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Bell</st1:place></st1:city>’s narrative.</span><span lang="EN-US">” <b>~ Kathryn Magendie, author of <i>Sweetie</i> and Publishing Editor of <i>Rose & Thorn Journal</i></b> <o:p></o:p></span></div></div><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br /><br /><span lang="EN-GB">“Poet and musician Jessica Bell's debut novel <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on"><i>String</i></st1:placename><i> <st1:placetype st="on">Bridge</st1:placetype></i></st1:place></span><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><span lang="EN-GB">is a rich exploration of desire, guilt, and the difficult balancing act of the modern woman. The writing is lyrical throughout,<br />seamlessly integrating setting, character and plot in a musical structure that<br />allows the reader to identify with Melody's growing insecurity as her world<br />begins to unravel …</span><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><i><span lang="EN-GB">String Bridge</span></i><span lang="EN-GB"> is a powerful debut from a promising writer, full of music, metaphor, and just a hint of magic.” <b>~ Magdalena Ball, author of <i>Repulsion<br />Thrust</i> and <i>Sleep Before Evening</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" dir="ltr" trbidi="on"></div><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" dir="ltr" class="MsoNormal" trbidi="on"><br /><span lang="EN-US">“</span><span lang="EN-GB">Jessica Bell is a brilliant writer of great skill and depth. </span>She doesn't pull back from the difficult<br />scenes, from conflict, pain, intensity. She puts it all out there, no holds<br />barred, no holding back. She knows how to craft a scene, how to develop<br />character, how to create suspense. This is an absolutely brilliant debut novel.<br /><span lang="EN-GB">I look forward to reading her next novel, and next and next.” </span><span lang="EN-US"><b>~ </b></span><span lang="EN-GB"><b>Karen Jones<br />Gowen, author of <i>Farm Girl</i>, <i>Uncut Diamonds</i> and <i>House of Diamonds</i></b></span><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" dir="ltr" trbidi="on">And for a very special treat, a word from the author herself:<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" dir="ltr" trbidi="on">Check out my interview with Jessica...</div><br /><strong>Was there ever a time when you felt like giving up?</strong><br /><br />Actually no. I’ve never ever wanted anything so much in my life. Not even music. When I discovered I wanted to write, something clicked. I finally had a goal I was so passionate about that I finally stopped sticking my fingers in too many different pies. When I was younger, I couldn’t decide what I wanted to do. I loved to sing, play guitar, play piano, dance, make jewelery, study archaeology, and plus some. There were so many things that I wouldn’t spend enough time perfecting any one craft. I finally found the craft I wanted to perfect and so I pushed forward with everything I had and didn’t let anything stop me.<br /><br /><strong>What have you learned about promoting books in your publication journey?</strong><br /><br />That you sometimes have to bite the bullet and toot your own horn no matter how intimidated you feel. Gosh, I’m loving the clichés today …<br /><br /><strong>What has worked well for you?</strong><br /><br />Hmm, I think I’m going to keep the clichés going and say … the fact that being with a Small Press meant that the promotion ball was pretty much in my court. Of course, I had to keep my nose to the grindstone, but having such an amazing support system full of people like yourself, Renae, really helped me shoot for the moon and all that jazz.<br /><br /><strong>Aww, you are too sweet! Now was there anything that was a waste?<br /></strong><br />Absolutely nothing. All is as good as gold!<br /><br /><strong>Fantastic! So tell us...what is your perfect writing situation?<br /></strong><br />Beats me … any place, any time, really, as long as I’m not banging my head against a brick wall.<br /><br /><strong>Do you have any pearls of wisdom for aspiring authors?<br /></strong><br />Oh look, you got a cliché in there too! Awesome! Let’s see, pearls of wisdom … Batten down the hatches, lower the boom, raise the mizenmast: full speed ahead!<br /><br /><strong>Ha! I just had to work my own in didn't I? Now, since I'm always looking to add to my TBR pile, what upcoming releases are you dying to get your hands on? </strong><br /><br />I’ll be all bent out of shape if I don’t get the latest releases written by Marilynne Robinson, Margaret Atwood, Anne Lamott and Raymond Carver … wait, he’s dead … wanna help me dig him up? Because I’m having minimalist withdrawals …<br /><br /><strong>You are too funny! Okay now tell us something about yourself that would surprise us. </strong><br /><br />There aren’t any clichés in String Bridge. Seriously …<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br />She's right people...and let me add that String Bridge is amazing! Thanks Jessica for answering my endless stream of questions!<br /><br /><b><span lang="EN-US">To Connect further with Jessica</span></b><b><span lang="EN-GB">:</span></b><br /><br />String Bridge: <a href="http://www.stringbridge.com/">http://www.stringbridge.com/</a><br /><br />Goodreads: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/jessica_bell">http://www.goodreads.com/jessica_bell</a><br /><br />Website: <a href="http://www.jessicacbell.com/">http://www.jessicacbell.com/</a><br /><br />Blog: <a href="http://thealliterativeallomorph.blogspot.com/">http://thealliterativeallomorph.blogspot.com/</a><br /><br />Facebook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/author.jessica.bell">http://www.facebook.com/author.jessica.bell</a><br /><br />Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/MsBessieBell">http://www.twitter.com/MsBessieBell</a><br /><br />Publisher: <a href="http://www.luckypress.com/">http://www.luckypress.com/</a><br /><br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">Please TWEET and/or FACEBOOK this post using #StringBridge!</span></b></div><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br />Let's all help author, Jessica Bell, top the Amazon charts today with her debut novel String Bridge, and receive the soundtrack, Melody Hill: On the Other Side, for free! Visit her blog for more details: <a href="http://thealliterativeallomorph.blogspot.com/">http://thealliterativeallomorph.blogspot.com/</a><br /></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" dir="ltr" trbidi="on">Good luck Jessica and thanks everyone for stopping by!</div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" dir="ltr" trbidi="on"></div></div>Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08190361875174742351noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5517258583444935285.post-31999262335096516142011-10-25T21:14:00.011-05:002011-10-26T06:31:22.026-05:00String Bridge by Jessica BellAmazing. Gripping. Poetic. Heartbreaking.<br /><br />These are just a handful of words that come to mind when I think of how to describe Jessica Bell's debut novel String Bridge. Now I have to admit I'm not good at venturing outside of my young adult comfort zone, but let me tell you that I am so glad I did. <br /><br />From the moment I began reading String Bridge I was hard pressed to put it down. That's how I measure the quality of a good book. If I walk around my house attempting to multitask while still reading, then I know it has to be fabulous.<br /><br />Jessica has created a raw and relatable character in Melody. The roller coaster of emotions this character goes through leaves the reader breathless and begging for more. What starts out as a story of a woman striving to reach a lifelong dream soon swerves into something much, much more than the reader can even possibly imagine.<br /><br />Not convinced yet?<br />Here's a little snippet...<br /><br /><br />String Bridge by Jessica Bell (Goodreads Author) <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJRbbn_bSysNx7VDGvmUv5mGUhj9XBDa1oiEuFW06rl22XLO5tiK0SQKytRVditWTAHfvyPDWWJoogZfXpYufDsulwcN2SIo-mE7y73RwoVeH3Yv9BNNlPDmBlqiuZd-NKbAaRIdNQa6Y/s1600/11502954.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 264px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJRbbn_bSysNx7VDGvmUv5mGUhj9XBDa1oiEuFW06rl22XLO5tiK0SQKytRVditWTAHfvyPDWWJoogZfXpYufDsulwcN2SIo-mE7y73RwoVeH3Yv9BNNlPDmBlqiuZd-NKbAaRIdNQa6Y/s400/11502954.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667618921528075714" /></a><br />Goodreads Description:<br /><em>Greek cuisine, smog and domestic drudgery was not the life Australian musician, Melody, was expecting when she married a Greek music promoter and settled in Athens, Greece. Keen to play in her new shoes, though, Melody trades her guitar for a 'proper' career and her music for motherhood. That is, until she can bear it no longer and plots a return to the stage--and the person she used to be. However, the obstacles she faces along the way are nothing compared to the tragedy that awaits, and she realizes she's been seeking fulfilment in the wrong place.</em><br /><br /><br />Dying to read it yet? You should be. You <em>need</em> to read this book. But you'll have to wait a little while longer. the official release date for String Bridge is Tuesday November 1st. I know, I know I hate teasing, but I just couldn't wait to share. <br /><br />To learn more about Jessica you can visit her website <a href="http://www.jessicacbell.com/">here</a> or her amazing blog <a href="http://thealliterativeallomorph.blogspot.com">here</a>.Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08190361875174742351noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5517258583444935285.post-19845686234402227692011-09-26T06:20:00.003-05:002011-09-26T06:20:32.781-05:00In My Mailbox<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCXTSm-07ZTU73TQ4s5AxCPRBMqo76Q4fCcyCCQxvZ14OxzMDm5gwge3_CT7jpgY3bZkeBLHceFd6Lm9nr_ZkS3rug5EHUKw3gw9KDzvtHcyvwzptsoE4RV_p8ntrvjOh3Rm6a0c8hn3Y/s1600/IMM.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 296px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565726222254739090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCXTSm-07ZTU73TQ4s5AxCPRBMqo76Q4fCcyCCQxvZ14OxzMDm5gwge3_CT7jpgY3bZkeBLHceFd6Lm9nr_ZkS3rug5EHUKw3gw9KDzvtHcyvwzptsoE4RV_p8ntrvjOh3Rm6a0c8hn3Y/s400/IMM.jpg" /></a><br /><br />In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. Anyone can <a href="http://www.thestorysiren.com/" target="_blank"></a>participate in IMM and you are not limited to only sharing books that arrive via your mailbox. You can als<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPPnUfZrTjgHfmT2HGOaz4X1mvCkjuSOIiXqAmMbVxTv5UzUOXZYgeJQbzjEd_aALsWzgTRqnVt6sQFEp4kylRIvoWEH92MMBNUDEGEIlbMVlkIdSsuh1n6Xz-9tPjOgWSmftELZMqHAb/s1600/small+ca.jpg"></a>o share books that you've bought or books that you've gotten at the library. You can find more information on how to participate in the In My Mailbox meme by visiting <a href="http://www.thestorysiren.com/p/in-my-mailbox.html">The Story Siren.</a><br /><br />This week In My Mailbox...<br /><br /><strong>Glow </strong>(Sky Chasers #1) by Amy Kathleen Ryan <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfbyM8F4bHbeelVWMXUKq-vHs5iT-TtlZ3faLdhsTISnUIFP0F-5khIaVbAel_domEoDr5KHE-vCd_89a0Tc0tbPtpcNqFQEoAKALAOHEEUNqhqwxUHZfDaq9MIJD9_MUuElx0zdzuv_o/s1600/glow.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfbyM8F4bHbeelVWMXUKq-vHs5iT-TtlZ3faLdhsTISnUIFP0F-5khIaVbAel_domEoDr5KHE-vCd_89a0Tc0tbPtpcNqFQEoAKALAOHEEUNqhqwxUHZfDaq9MIJD9_MUuElx0zdzuv_o/s400/glow.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656489842806215506" /></a><br />Goodreads Description:<br /><br /><em>What if you were bound for a new world, about to pledge your life to someone you'd been promised to since birth, and one unexpected violent attack made survival—not love—the issue? <br /><br />Out in the murky nebula lurks an unseen enemy: the New Horizon. On its way to populate a distant planet in the wake of Earth's collapse, the ship's crew has been unable to conceive a generation to continue its mission. They need young girls desperately, or their zealous leader's efforts will fail. Onboard their sister ship, the Empyrean, the unsuspecting families don't know an attack is being mounted that could claim the most important among them... <br /><br />Fifteen-year-old Waverly is part of the first generation to be successfully conceived in deep space; she was born on the Empyrean, and the large farming vessel is all she knows. Her concerns are those of any teenager—until Kieran Alden proposes to her. The handsome captain-to-be has everything Waverly could ever want in a husband, and with the pressure to start having children, everyone is sure he's the best choice. Except for Waverly, who wants more from life than marriage—and is secretly intrigued by the shy, darkly brilliant Seth. <br /><br />But when the Empyrean faces sudden attack by their assumed allies, they quickly find out that the enemies aren't all from the outside.</em><br /><br /><strong>Hades </strong>(Halo #2) by Alexandra Adornetto <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmnggoscwyavPR2_8bjx1NR4NejZooZesHR-BU_hKReRQTgvrcw41jba3evFZGFXeXv3VJb3haUBK_jiy8JSgcS3qhVXfIeJbGoGBT78PIKoQR4Jvl3QiHnXqqwL6A4dxF-GaK_LTBsNj/s1600/hades.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmnggoscwyavPR2_8bjx1NR4NejZooZesHR-BU_hKReRQTgvrcw41jba3evFZGFXeXv3VJb3haUBK_jiy8JSgcS3qhVXfIeJbGoGBT78PIKoQR4Jvl3QiHnXqqwL6A4dxF-GaK_LTBsNj/s400/hades.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656489846962205058" /></a><br />Goodreads Description:<br /><br /><em>Heaven Help Her.<br /><br />Bethany Church is an angel sent to Earth to keep dark forces at bay. Falling in love was never part of her mission, but the bond between Beth and her mortal boyfriend, Xavier Woods, is undeniably strong. But even Xavier’s love, and the care of her archangel siblings, Gabriel and Ivy, can’t keep Beth from being tricked into a motorcycle ride that ends up in Hell. There, the demon Jake Thorn bargains for Beth’s release back to Earth. But what he asks of her will destroy her, and quite possibly, her loved ones, as well. <br /><br />The story that Alexandra Adornetto built in her New York Times-bestselling debut, Halo, comes alive in action-packed and unexpected ways, as angels battle demons, and the power of love is put to the test.</em><br /><br /><strong>The Girl of Fire and Thorns</strong> (Fire and Thorns #1) by Rae Carson <br /> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxrXcMCrgvXvf3MA3LMeI5Lzj58dk0uMwhXUMH-NjRJ-q5ZJFWyvdNTZNfhLPlv9pm3ASg8V5Y7PS2joLPzRjuwnqlg5k6iYOzhngpejmcN4Wz1S-_hYdDGHrnu1mZj14GhzWrAUw8k_Cj/s1600/thorns.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 262px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxrXcMCrgvXvf3MA3LMeI5Lzj58dk0uMwhXUMH-NjRJ-q5ZJFWyvdNTZNfhLPlv9pm3ASg8V5Y7PS2joLPzRjuwnqlg5k6iYOzhngpejmcN4Wz1S-_hYdDGHrnu1mZj14GhzWrAUw8k_Cj/s400/thorns.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656489848491055394" /></a><br />Goodreads Description:<br /><br /><em>Once a century, one person is chosen for greatness. <br /><br />Elisa is the chosen one. <br /><br />But she is also the younger of two princesses, the one who has never done anything remarkable. She can’t see how she ever will. <br /><br />Now, on her sixteenth birthday, she has become the secret wife of a handsome and worldly king—a king whose country is in turmoil. A king who needs the chosen one, not a failure of a princess. <br /><br />And he’s not the only one who needs her. Savage enemies seething with dark magic are hunting her. A daring, determined revolutionary thinks she could be his people’s savior. And he looks at her in a way that no man has ever looked at her before. Soon it is not just her life, but her very heart that is at stake. <br /><br />Elisa could be everything to those who need her most. If the prophecy is fulfilled. If she finds the power deep within herself. If she doesn’t die young. <br /><br />Most of the chosen do.</em><br /><br />That's it for this week everyone. Feel free to share what's in your mailbox! I'm always looking for new reads!Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08190361875174742351noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5517258583444935285.post-43588084373855267292011-09-19T06:18:00.012-05:002011-09-19T07:56:22.719-05:00Dealing With Rejection Step 7Last week I blogged about rejection. We all face it. No matter the stage in our journey. <br /><br />Little did I know however, that waiting in my inbox was a whopper of a rejection. And it stung. Bad. It was one of those make you want to go back to bed and curl up under the covers kind of rejections. <br /><br />But then I started getting comments on my post. My friend <a href="http://theqqqe.blogspot.com/2011/09/love-movement.html">Matthew MacNish</a> had an amazing concept that made me feel so much better. He is blogging about it today. Be sure to check it out!<br /><br />Oh and then later in the day I opened a message from my amazing crit partner <a href="http://isabellamorgan.blogspot.com/">Lindsay</a> to find this:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJyXEkuISzYAtHpnHnZf9XIHFGX9W0mIpapR2_161gnP7YrjxUahQyNmsk70rKT1St54qi4iWgdGe0Ng52PWI0mSwdiY7HahAI0JA0pMiSA0nDNQ_llR_Wxt7b75CqbG0gCDQsvqFWsD2-/s1600/Cuocakes+from+Linsday%2521.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 244px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJyXEkuISzYAtHpnHnZf9XIHFGX9W0mIpapR2_161gnP7YrjxUahQyNmsk70rKT1St54qi4iWgdGe0Ng52PWI0mSwdiY7HahAI0JA0pMiSA0nDNQ_llR_Wxt7b75CqbG0gCDQsvqFWsD2-/s400/Cuocakes+from+Linsday%2521.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654052786800115218" /></a><br />Cupcakes help with everything, just in case you didn't already know!<br /><br />So what does all of this have to do with rejection? <br /><br />Let me introduce you to step 7:<br /><br />Rely on your support system. My family is amazing. They always encourage me to keep going and not to give up. But there is something about leaning on your fellow writers that really helps with things (like rejection) that other non-writerly folk might not understand. I received the best advice and encouragement last week and this week I am diving headfirst back into my WIP. And the feedback I received I can look at now and recognize how helpful it is going to be!<br /><br />Have a great Monday everyone! (I am so trying to put a positive spin on the fact that it's Monday!)Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08190361875174742351noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5517258583444935285.post-68748077433859454272011-09-16T06:13:00.013-05:002011-09-16T06:34:02.052-05:00On My Wishlist<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBebY1o_HS6-WGnYWq2e0mhCjSzPJz4JZlTX0xJw2zLGOu2MrAJCGnvvJs5ln5rbocNmaNQJ700Z_7O2MM51OClvkT0-MyqCfAtTkAn9mu96Igs-Apc29hdZ8QAi2fmBoKriMfIUxyD9Op/s1600/On+My+Wishlist.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 106px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522907170730725778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBebY1o_HS6-WGnYWq2e0mhCjSzPJz4JZlTX0xJw2zLGOu2MrAJCGnvvJs5ln5rbocNmaNQJ700Z_7O2MM51OClvkT0-MyqCfAtTkAn9mu96Igs-Apc29hdZ8QAi2fmBoKriMfIUxyD9Op/s400/On+My+Wishlist.jpg" /></a><br />On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by <a href="http://www.bookchickcity.com/"><strong>Book Chick City</strong></a>. It's where you can list all the books you desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. Mr Linky is always at the ready for you to link your own 'On My Wishlist' post. If you want to know more click <a href="http://www.bookchickcity.com/2010/07/on-my-wishlist-31.html"><strong>here</strong></a>.<br /><br />This week on my wishlist...<br /><br /><strong>The Hidden </strong>(The Hollow #3) by Jessica Verday <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2n5us3VFQ-r0Dc49esA2cBR8T8f3Z0xmFf8t9o3sGzxxAq_8h-4nVW-5Oktq4BhyWcWjbO_BkCEJproNSyb2AZ6NimgzCaFe2MF4EBb4WexoRWZlqHvf5CicPu6ldisAglzw1Zh3vD2hZ/s1600/hidden.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2n5us3VFQ-r0Dc49esA2cBR8T8f3Z0xmFf8t9o3sGzxxAq_8h-4nVW-5Oktq4BhyWcWjbO_BkCEJproNSyb2AZ6NimgzCaFe2MF4EBb4WexoRWZlqHvf5CicPu6ldisAglzw1Zh3vD2hZ/s400/hidden.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652917450415966706" /></a><br />Goodreads Description:<br /><em>A love that knows no bounds. <br /><br />Abbey knows that Caspian is her destiny. Theirs is a bond that transcends even death. But as Abbey finally learns the full truth about the dark fate that links her to Caspian and ties them both to the town of Sleepy Hollow, she suddenly has some very hard choices to make. Caspian may be the love of her life, but is that love worth dying for? <br /><br />Beautifully spun, emotionally gripping, and irresistibly romantic, The Hidden will leave you breathless.</em><br /><br /><strong>The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer </strong>(Mara Dyer #1) by Michelle Hodkin <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmuQIky7Odj7sejaLOjzXWJduW5Aicba5DQXRgnc2G1-zHGSwKUG4trIOditdLB3QKe_i_k7GAvjv8cAxCCinqDQ8nGErMSKL_ESGJHgrC-ifkOQqeYTtx-UzDvjqA7zDztpH8AZbI9zEI/s1600/mara.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmuQIky7Odj7sejaLOjzXWJduW5Aicba5DQXRgnc2G1-zHGSwKUG4trIOditdLB3QKe_i_k7GAvjv8cAxCCinqDQ8nGErMSKL_ESGJHgrC-ifkOQqeYTtx-UzDvjqA7zDztpH8AZbI9zEI/s400/mara.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652917453491568226" /></a><br />Goodreads Description:<br /><em>Mara Dyer doesn't think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.<br />It can.<br /><br />She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.<br /><br />There is.<br /><br />She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love.<br /><br />She's wrong.</em><br /><br /><strong>Fateful</strong> by Claudia Gray <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJFcglbSu0rgbGzaQ9Edqr1e6qG1JmyxS6_vSld_cLwXfXzjmoyKOmLfC6HIUGjSEHGjqWHnXJZP0-_XW1iKDLwhVnOyIrVJN0kPjGXLn_6XeKHIAWiA3GaiEn0QkPJb5lVbB1yNu2ET3V/s1600/fateful.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 263px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJFcglbSu0rgbGzaQ9Edqr1e6qG1JmyxS6_vSld_cLwXfXzjmoyKOmLfC6HIUGjSEHGjqWHnXJZP0-_XW1iKDLwhVnOyIrVJN0kPjGXLn_6XeKHIAWiA3GaiEn0QkPJb5lVbB1yNu2ET3V/s400/fateful.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652917450415847250" /></a><br /><br />Goodreads Description:<br /><em>It's about a servant girl named Tess in 1912, who wants to escape from the house where she works, and most particularly the lecherous young lord of the manor. But that's not her biggest problem. While on a voyage to America, where she plans to escape and start a new life, she meets Alec, who's ruggedly handsome, fabulously wealthy, intelligent and yet so clearly troubled that she'd rather not fall for him, but she does. That also is not her biggest problem. Alec, it turns out, is a werewolf ... one cursed to change every night, unless and until he surrenders his independence and joins the Brotherhood, a pack of violently misogynistic werewolves who have been tracking him for months. You'd think that would be their biggest problem, wouldn't you? <br /><br />But no. Their biggest problem -- though they don't know it yet -- is that they're aboard the RMS Titanic.</em><br /><br />That's all I have for this week. Have a great weekend everyone!Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08190361875174742351noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5517258583444935285.post-61655739270726174572011-09-14T06:23:00.003-05:002011-09-14T06:26:35.353-05:00Dealing With RejectionRejection. It's one of those words that no human being alive wants to have uttered in t<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihmbzu7IjR_EV8LSY_NULkXMtqX6a83XQyafeQmzQJcRwjHk-09QWWjBYhjBY1R6M273o65JkEk6F8X36vprVvtP-DISAKrLOoXVl8hMDvfuZCRgMiXCQzAK6S3ftF4m4bs5DNVc95ZlMc/s1600/thumbnailCAFJ59WY.jpg"></a>heir direction. I mean it's just a wretched, wretched word. But is there something better to call it?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4yz7dJwtRgego9ObrdEnhfuf_cowZnzRsqp-bVxkXu5zZTz8uuiKbBoNoGTpK2M_AyeVrfjwZW3QAIlmVz_rEBRnFdPM2KU2V-McOpTcduMf2N2YyGhpQT4AKLtB_Pd7xpItKDX8pDrhi/s1600/thumbnailCAFJ59WY.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 160px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 108px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519528723712975122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4yz7dJwtRgego9ObrdEnhfuf_cowZnzRsqp-bVxkXu5zZTz8uuiKbBoNoGTpK2M_AyeVrfjwZW3QAIlmVz_rEBRnFdPM2KU2V-McOpTcduMf2N2YyGhpQT4AKLtB_Pd7xpItKDX8pDrhi/s400/thumbnailCAFJ59WY.jpg" /></a><br />How about the brush-off or maybe cold shoulder. No, those aren't any good. Lets try dismissal or exclusion. Do any of those make you feel any better. No? Okay I've got it-kick in teeth, no dice, no go, no way, slap in the face, thumbs down or veto. Okay, I'll stop, you get the point. To be denied or refused something you've worked so hard for...no one wants that.<br /><br />But when you're a writer, rejection takes on a whole new meaning. Whether it's a form rejection letter or a detailed description of why your work isn't the right fit, rejection hurts. But everyone gets rejected...and everyone has to find a way to deal with it and move on.<br /><br />So how is this task achieved you ask? Well I will admit that I am no expert and I have in no way mastered this myself. But here are a few tips that have helped me through the horror that is rejection...<br /><br /><strong>Step 1</strong>- Acknowledge that anyone can be rejected, no matter who they are. You must also acknowledge your own rejection in this step as well. You may not want to face that you got rejected, but you did. Remember everyone goes through it.<br /><br /><strong>Step 2-</strong> Laugh, cry and get mad. But don't fight your feelings. Work through them and use them to your advantage. Whenever you feel this roller-coaster of emotions ready to boil over, sit down and write about it.<br /><br /><strong>Step 3</strong>- Learn from your rejection. Yes, form letters are customary. But there are times when you get helpful advice from your rejections. I combed through each and every reply looking for the slightest hint of insight. Then I used that advice to perfect my query letter.<br /><br /><strong>Step 4</strong>- Keep writing. Don't give up. The way some writers avoid rejection is to just quit writing. While that would result in putting a screeching halt to the rejections, it would also put the brakes on your dream of one day getting published. The right agent is out there. This business is subjective and all it takes is one yes!<br /><br /><strong>Step 5</strong>- Keep your cool. Yell, scream, cry...whatever it takes. But do it in the privacy of your own home. Don't shoot out a reply to that agent that has just sent you a rejection. At the end of the day the publishing business is a very small world. Agents are human and they do talk. Don't shoot yourself in the foot. Keep a cool head and move on.<br /><br /><strong>Step 6</strong>- Comfort food. This most important and final step in the process is a deal breaker. Whether it be chocolate, fried chicken or Ben and Jerry's ice cream. Or maybe all three...give yourself a small indulgence then plunge right back into the thick of things.<br /><br />Remember each rejection brings you closer to your dream agent...if you'll let it. I used to hate it when people would say that to me. But it's the truth. The right agent is out there for everyone.<br /><br />So what about all of you out there? How do you cope with rejection? Do you have any helpful tips that I've missed? I'd love to hear them!Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08190361875174742351noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5517258583444935285.post-9683107888229167582011-09-12T06:13:00.002-05:002011-09-12T06:14:53.927-05:00In My Mailbox<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCXTSm-07ZTU73TQ4s5AxCPRBMqo76Q4fCcyCCQxvZ14OxzMDm5gwge3_CT7jpgY3bZkeBLHceFd6Lm9nr_ZkS3rug5EHUKw3gw9KDzvtHcyvwzptsoE4RV_p8ntrvjOh3Rm6a0c8hn3Y/s1600/IMM.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 296px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565726222254739090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCXTSm-07ZTU73TQ4s5AxCPRBMqo76Q4fCcyCCQxvZ14OxzMDm5gwge3_CT7jpgY3bZkeBLHceFd6Lm9nr_ZkS3rug5EHUKw3gw9KDzvtHcyvwzptsoE4RV_p8ntrvjOh3Rm6a0c8hn3Y/s400/IMM.jpg" /></a><br /><br />In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. Anyone can <a href="http://www.thestorysiren.com/" target="_blank"></a>participate in IMM and you are not limited to only sharing books that arrive via your mailbox. You can als<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPPnUfZrTjgHfmT2HGOaz4X1mvCkjuSOIiXqAmMbVxTv5UzUOXZYgeJQbzjEd_aALsWzgTRqnVt6sQFEp4kylRIvoWEH92MMBNUDEGEIlbMVlkIdSsuh1n6Xz-9tPjOgWSmftELZMqHAb/s1600/small+ca.jpg"></a>o share books that you've bought or books that you've gotten at the library. You can find more information on how to participate in the In My Mailbox meme by visiting <a href="http://www.thestorysiren.com/p/in-my-mailbox.html">The Story Siren.</a><br /><br />This week In My Mailbox...<br /><br /><strong>Bloodlines</strong> (Bloodlines #1) by Richelle Mead<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0pex-w4Vf89Npc_8iX4fMosqq4w0fxj3H1u-jlg2GsULyR-Q2hYJNzwPcWJ4XEDJyETaJRzXzQQUQRkBehXy5aLywPtCXKF9Ob91STmsLAAs-tuAE83vjn47zPl9q5GUCfEHJ9OAcEa9/s1600/bloodlines.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 265px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646070008417589234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0pex-w4Vf89Npc_8iX4fMosqq4w0fxj3H1u-jlg2GsULyR-Q2hYJNzwPcWJ4XEDJyETaJRzXzQQUQRkBehXy5aLywPtCXKF9Ob91STmsLAAs-tuAE83vjn47zPl9q5GUCfEHJ9OAcEa9/s400/bloodlines.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Goodreads Description:<br /><em>The first book in Richelle Mead's brand-new teen fiction series - set in the same world as Vampire Academy.<br /><br />When alchemist Sydney is ordered into hiding to protect the life of Moroi princess Jill Dragomir, the last place she expects to be sent is a human private school in Palm Springs, California. But at their new school, the drama is only just beginning.<br /><br />Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, Bloodlines explores all the friendship, romance, battles and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive - this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone's out for blood.</em><br /><br /><strong>Fury </strong>(The Fury Trilogy #1) by Elizabeth Miles <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhAL7NnUqnE7xFbPaOuSSYjQRUq9SqlqXVX3Aymnkp5TAvni7sLlDuNUthvV0HqZnyZyXm5zoO5DH7ztxjfyZrmi4-mzROV4OpiCvjTuamshQtsgte60eyCSFKOD5S_851s8hWF4ruNbi/s1600/fury.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 264px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhAL7NnUqnE7xFbPaOuSSYjQRUq9SqlqXVX3Aymnkp5TAvni7sLlDuNUthvV0HqZnyZyXm5zoO5DH7ztxjfyZrmi4-mzROV4OpiCvjTuamshQtsgte60eyCSFKOD5S_851s8hWF4ruNbi/s400/fury.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651159920664112210" /></a><br /><br />Goodreads Description:<br /><em>Sometimes sorry isn't enough....<br />It’s winter break in Ascension, Maine. The snow is falling and everything looks pristine and peaceful. But not all is as it seems...<br /><br />Between cozy traditions and parties with her friends, Emily loves the holidays. And this year’s even better--the guy she’s been into for months is finally noticing her. But Em knows if she starts things with him, there’s no turning back. Because his girlfriend is Em’s best friend.<br /><br />On the other side of town, Chase is having problems of his own. The stress of his home life is starting to take its toll, and his social life is unraveling. But that’s nothing compared to what’s really haunting him. Chase has done something cruel...something the perfect guy he pretends to be would never do. And it’s only a matter of time before he’s exposed.<br /><br />In Ascension, mistakes can be deadly. And three girls—three beautiful, mysterious girls—are here to choose who will pay.<br /><br />Em and Chase have been chosen.</em><br /><br /><br /><strong>Vanish </strong>(Firelight #2) by Sophie Jordan <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcut3qC0r1S_8-2IM8IvN-1KkaDepEa-r4CYx14SEixI43JqSz-m3Jny19yphB7ExTt_kQbLE_8Nnm2lFhyQBk1Kcyf0ruaND8jlt-QUAB5TQJjErF2l6G4Tc3MT4fO0ZFY3lFG1U8zVmZ/s1600/vanish.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 264px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcut3qC0r1S_8-2IM8IvN-1KkaDepEa-r4CYx14SEixI43JqSz-m3Jny19yphB7ExTt_kQbLE_8Nnm2lFhyQBk1Kcyf0ruaND8jlt-QUAB5TQJjErF2l6G4Tc3MT4fO0ZFY3lFG1U8zVmZ/s400/vanish.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651159923533546210" /></a><br /><br />Goodreads Description:<br /><em>To save the life of the boy she loves, Jacinda did the unthinkable: She betrayed the most closely-guarded secret of her kind. Now she must return to the protection of her pride knowing she might never see Will again—and worse, that because his mind has been shaded, Will’s memories of that fateful night and why she had to flee are gone.<br /><br />Back home, Jacinda is greeted with hostility and must work to prove her loyalty for both her sake and her family’s. Among the few who will even talk to her are Cassian, the pride’s heir apparent who has always wanted her, and her sister, Tamra, who has been forever changed by a twist of fate. Jacinda knows that she should forget Will and move on—that if he managed to remember and keep his promise to find her, it would only endanger them both. Yet she clings to the hope that someday they will be together again. When the chance arrives to follow her heart, will she risk everything for love?<br /><br />In bestselling author Sophie Jordan’s dramatic follow-up to Firelight, forbidden love burns brighter than ever.</em><br /><br />That's all for this week. Of course this is probably a good thing now that the school year is in full swing. I really need my TBR pile to remain under control. (Yeah right!) Now it's your turn to share the contents in your mailbox.Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08190361875174742351noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5517258583444935285.post-43921411072993748482011-08-15T08:01:00.003-05:002011-08-15T08:04:08.386-05:00WriteOnCon...Are You Ready?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lvtYChF4YKUzDxTgmGjFkteskFDgpjOVyvLfOmTn9pAm4ukXZzR5-_NWptI3AwtA1ztJOEDkvI6ulSbWH6Ot63nbcZoz05752ewprNS9S6_t480sYxZAmx2yO2xXoA2d5c1cSa2UEWgV/s1600/untitled.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 370px; height: 117px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lvtYChF4YKUzDxTgmGjFkteskFDgpjOVyvLfOmTn9pAm4ukXZzR5-_NWptI3AwtA1ztJOEDkvI6ulSbWH6Ot63nbcZoz05752ewprNS9S6_t480sYxZAmx2yO2xXoA2d5c1cSa2UEWgV/s400/untitled.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640935063101495010" /></a>
<br />So WriteOnCon starts tomorrow. That's right August 16th is already here. I can hardly believe it! Not only do I have to go back to work next week, but I have about a thousand other things to do to get my kids ready for school.
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<br />But that's next week.
<br />
<br />This week is dedicated to this amazing online conference! Living smack dab in the middle of nowhere-land, I never get the chance to attend writing conferences. That is until WriteOnCon. These ladies are amazing! They have authors, agents and editors...it is going to be fabulous.
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<br />Not signed up yet? Don't worry there's still time. (But not much!)
<br />Just visit their home page <a href="http://writeoncon.com/"><strong>here</strong></a>. Get yourself signed up, have a look around and then get a good night's sleep.
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<br />But before you crash for the day be sure to check out the brand new Query Ninja's...
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<br />From the WriteOnCon website:
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<br /><em>This program will take place in the forums–so you must be registered and using the forums to participate.
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<br />Here’s what you’ll do:
<br />1. Post your absolute best, polished query letter or writing sample in the appropriate critique threads in the forums. (Please look carefully and ask questions if you’re unsure about where to post, and make sure you follow all our forum guidelines)
<br />2. Don your thick dragon skin, cross your fingers, and keep checking your forum posts, because our Ninja Agents will be sneaking around, leaving feedback on whatever strikes their fancy–which could very well be YOUR QUERY.
<br />3. Pray you’ve perfected your work enough to generate a request. Some agents may be requesting from the posts they read.
<br />4. Remember your manners. Please don’t engage in hurtful behavior toward an industry professional because of feedback they might leave on your query. Remember, publishing is SO SUBJECTIVE.
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<br />That’s it. That’s all there is to it. All you have to do is use our forums the same way you should be using them anyway (because they’re AWESOME) and you could have a super-cool Ninja-Agent critique your work. And even if they don’t comment on your work (they promise they will try to comment/critique on as many as they can) you can learn SO much from the comments they leave for others.
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<br />So how do you know when to look for them?
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<br />Watch the @WriteOnCon twitter feed for when we tweet: “A Ninja Agent just entered the forums!” That’s how you’ll know exactly when they’re there. But really, the best part about the forum is that you can go read the feedback whenever your schedule allows.
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<br />What the Ninjas will do:
<br />1. Each Ninja Agent will be in the forum for at least one hour (some have multiple slots). You won’t know who, and you won’t know when…that’s the beauty of a ninja. They strike when you’re least expecting it.
<br />2. Ninja Agents have been encouraged to leave feedback—as detailed or as vague as they want—on as many queries as they can. They can also request from the queries they read.
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<br />We are announcing who the Ninja Agents are, but not when they’ll be Ninja-ing.
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<br />Our Ninjafied Nunchuckatorians are:
<br />Michelle Wolfson, with Wolfson Literary
<br />Natalie Fischer, with Bradford Literary
<br />Michelle Andelman, with Regal Literary
<br />Kathleen Ortiz, with Nancy Coffey Literary
<br />Ammi-Joan Paquette, with Erin Murphy Literary
<br />Jessica Sinsheimer, with Sarah Jane Freymann
<br />Roseanne Wells, with Marianne Strong Literary
<br />Joanna Volpe, with Nancy Coffey Literary
<br />Mary Kole, with Andrea Brown Literary
<br />Suzie Townsend, with FinePrint Literary
<br />Carlie Webber, with the Jane Rotrosen Agency
<br />Alyssa Eisner Henkin, with Trident Media
<br />Marietta Zacker, with Nancy Gallt Literary
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<br />The Ninja-Agent Program is open for business starting on Monday, August 15, one day before the conference begins. That’s when we’ll open the main conference forums and let you start posting your work. This will give you time to get your writing in tip-top shape and in the forums before Tuesday, when our first Ninja will arrive.</em>
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<br />Like I said these ladies are amazing! I won't keep you...go sign up! Post your queries and I'll hopefully see everyone at the conference.Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08190361875174742351noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5517258583444935285.post-48181690934869204932011-08-01T14:47:00.008-05:002011-08-01T15:08:23.037-05:00In My Mailbox<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCXTSm-07ZTU73TQ4s5AxCPRBMqo76Q4fCcyCCQxvZ14OxzMDm5gwge3_CT7jpgY3bZkeBLHceFd6Lm9nr_ZkS3rug5EHUKw3gw9KDzvtHcyvwzptsoE4RV_p8ntrvjOh3Rm6a0c8hn3Y/s1600/IMM.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 296px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565726222254739090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCXTSm-07ZTU73TQ4s5AxCPRBMqo76Q4fCcyCCQxvZ14OxzMDm5gwge3_CT7jpgY3bZkeBLHceFd6Lm9nr_ZkS3rug5EHUKw3gw9KDzvtHcyvwzptsoE4RV_p8ntrvjOh3Rm6a0c8hn3Y/s400/IMM.jpg" /></a> <br /><br />In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. Anyone can <a href="http://www.thestorysiren.com/" target="_blank"></a>participate in IMM and you are not limited to only sharing books that arrive via your mailbox. You can als<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPPnUfZrTjgHfmT2HGOaz4X1mvCkjuSOIiXqAmMbVxTv5UzUOXZYgeJQbzjEd_aALsWzgTRqnVt6sQFEp4kylRIvoWEH92MMBNUDEGEIlbMVlkIdSsuh1n6Xz-9tPjOgWSmftELZMqHAb/s1600/small+ca.jpg"></a>o share books that you've bought or books that you've gotten at the library. You can find more information on how to participate in the In My Mailbox meme by visiting <a href="http://www.thestorysiren.com/p/in-my-mailbox.html">The Story Siren</a> <br /><br /><strong>Wolfsbane</strong> (Nightshade #2) by Andrea Cremer <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSudcPOu-9wvwZo0Hjxw744OLnN-uLZtj8lyZ-EGa4A-tOoWvIMG3O2fjCEAk7nVGE5RpLvLDlIS-zyecUF0rMb_RygqkKF7goxf9UJUnQuL_SvU2cNlIys4bWMHc9dYnJ0HODUCU4RiAo/s1600/7263429.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSudcPOu-9wvwZo0Hjxw744OLnN-uLZtj8lyZ-EGa4A-tOoWvIMG3O2fjCEAk7nVGE5RpLvLDlIS-zyecUF0rMb_RygqkKF7goxf9UJUnQuL_SvU2cNlIys4bWMHc9dYnJ0HODUCU4RiAo/s400/7263429.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635980983354007970" /></a><br />Goodreads Description:<br />When Calla Tor wakes up in the lair of the Searchers, her sworn enemies, she’s certain her days are numbered. But then the Searchers make her an offer—one that gives her the chance to destroy her former masters and save the pack—and the man—she left behind. Is Ren worth the price of her freedom? And will Shay stand by her side no matter what? Now in control of her own destiny, Calla must decide which battles are worth fighting and how many trials true love can endure and still survive.<br /><br /><strong>Forever </strong>(The Wolves of Mercy Falls #3) by Maggie Stiefvater <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg8ISvzLXyn7ccTnDLuzJs4hpH-ftczPRbVcYQOmezb9n-0aespGAxnhuD7-jPuvwfeAswb8ie27oLJeYnM8gVp60_4Xtf2F9EXhnPv0MbqUdDjGeuG-KVL_qLlkkfgoSQhicpn6WuVUal/s1600/9409458.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg8ISvzLXyn7ccTnDLuzJs4hpH-ftczPRbVcYQOmezb9n-0aespGAxnhuD7-jPuvwfeAswb8ie27oLJeYnM8gVp60_4Xtf2F9EXhnPv0MbqUdDjGeuG-KVL_qLlkkfgoSQhicpn6WuVUal/s400/9409458.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635980979427128050" /></a><br />Goodreads Description:<br />The thrilling conclusion to #1 bestselling Shiver trilogy from Maggie Stievater<br /><br />In Maggie Stiefvater's SHIVER, Grace and Sam found each other. In LINGER, they fought to be together. Now, in FOREVER, the stakes are even higher than before. Wolves are being hunted. Lives are being threatened. And love is harder and harder to hold on to as death comes closing in.<br /><br /><strong>Supernaturally </strong>(Paranormalcy #2) by Kiersten White <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFohvhrIR6_aQfV7qqUvEVSNEnp6iIHQO2oGIKUTYCPxjs7H919-fPIHEigFrnWg7DZbsB3b8DXSgb_L3wK1lYghQ_my-k_jR0Fjk0z_8nQ26katpVrLBY1tfLGpzvyvEdNWKtxw8cbTr/s1600/8581936.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 272px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFohvhrIR6_aQfV7qqUvEVSNEnp6iIHQO2oGIKUTYCPxjs7H919-fPIHEigFrnWg7DZbsB3b8DXSgb_L3wK1lYghQ_my-k_jR0Fjk0z_8nQ26katpVrLBY1tfLGpzvyvEdNWKtxw8cbTr/s400/8581936.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635980978347959810" /></a><br />Goodreads Description:<br />Evie finally has the normal life she’s always longed for. But she’s shocked to discover that being ordinary can be . . . kind of boring. Just when Evie starts to long for her days at the International Paranormal Containment Agency, she’s given a chance to work for them again. Desperate for a break from all the normalcy, she agrees. <br /><br />But as one disastrous mission leads to another, Evie starts to wonder if she made the right choice. And when Evie’s faerie ex-boyfriend Reth appears with devastating revelations about her past, she discovers that there’s a battle brewing between the faerie courts that could throw the whole supernatural world into chaos. The prize in question? Evie herself. <br /><br />So much for normal. <br /><br />Well that's it until next week. In the meantime...tell me what's in your mailbox?Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08190361875174742351noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5517258583444935285.post-91857924115396609362011-07-15T05:00:00.000-05:002011-07-15T05:00:08.079-05:00The End Is Here...<em>"I had an idea for a boy who had magical powers but didn't really know what he was."</em><br />J.K. Rowling<br /><br />It's almost impossible to believe the series that stemmed from that one idea. That single thought. It's been a wild adventure that I have thoroughly enjoyed and I am sad to see it all come to an end. <br /><br />If you're like me and are being forced against your will to wait just a little longer, here are some awesome photos to ease your suffering.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiacljB5hXjnGqTqzm0Pg9O4Lq28pVi5mdGCNWckqZIYKIuKwjv77_BnN-oV98kaYaUHKPrAAuLig3fYk7UEgc68XiqvTeKiQM-FNSl4Et7dmH4Vosg4DcSd06W-PMahDUzQrHv8LdJJsa/s1600/potter7final.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 146px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiacljB5hXjnGqTqzm0Pg9O4Lq28pVi5mdGCNWckqZIYKIuKwjv77_BnN-oV98kaYaUHKPrAAuLig3fYk7UEgc68XiqvTeKiQM-FNSl4Et7dmH4Vosg4DcSd06W-PMahDUzQrHv8LdJJsa/s320/potter7final.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541050383206630386" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisuaG1GQYvswWF6mwjUnfLBd6K5gAyxbPDNlvnME__RFEv17qkqQYDA3L0c7V7p9pqZi2RrUkURlwCMrHY1tsgTsHD8RL-x7lxatNh0bYLYaTdz3KeZAm97mGYll-n3GTW_zH-PxBM6LXG/s1600/dragon.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisuaG1GQYvswWF6mwjUnfLBd6K5gAyxbPDNlvnME__RFEv17qkqQYDA3L0c7V7p9pqZi2RrUkURlwCMrHY1tsgTsHD8RL-x7lxatNh0bYLYaTdz3KeZAm97mGYll-n3GTW_zH-PxBM6LXG/s320/dragon.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541050380497533106" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SM4ae-lsl0PL4_V8_3d-etco6AtCRVRx4p9B-DlnGOCuUJY9IOpIPvM74VwoxLqOXAaUb4n4dMAoDs3PCxQspuUzKeXCX1bq1G_pInO8XJnLRGoBQJ4hlMI5RdmuEdDnMnviNcunXBn6/s1600/Harry-Potter-and-the-Deathly-Hallows.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SM4ae-lsl0PL4_V8_3d-etco6AtCRVRx4p9B-DlnGOCuUJY9IOpIPvM74VwoxLqOXAaUb4n4dMAoDs3PCxQspuUzKeXCX1bq1G_pInO8XJnLRGoBQJ4hlMI5RdmuEdDnMnviNcunXBn6/s320/Harry-Potter-and-the-Deathly-Hallows.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541049967666338066" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPniQXj3NQi6Z0o9yMlNZvNHP2auLm1ttyzA5vPraOZWfmcibv0OW7h3zkE9xdgKhxHquzHN6OhPi5laMmKR002SeZWBCkOSeBhtoDmxVIB0uZ6zaVuXT6SDdGwfLsawwx76a_xsFH4Vr2/s1600/Deathly_Hallows_Wallpaper_by_agreatershadow.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPniQXj3NQi6Z0o9yMlNZvNHP2auLm1ttyzA5vPraOZWfmcibv0OW7h3zkE9xdgKhxHquzHN6OhPi5laMmKR002SeZWBCkOSeBhtoDmxVIB0uZ6zaVuXT6SDdGwfLsawwx76a_xsFH4Vr2/s320/Deathly_Hallows_Wallpaper_by_agreatershadow.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541049963564493842" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-dmSoE0sS3tO6bOatFHXU9tuIv-qdDhMVgpvlQ5XS3nMzPzW9aCljm5whyjunA-nGCJt_hlJZV7Fe4bOLsKS0aJLIr4D8rQEZ9lR0Q00maYzjBFuYTj5pz12x5YUOh6Xu0uVQ4YluyTmc/s1600/hogwarts.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 232px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-dmSoE0sS3tO6bOatFHXU9tuIv-qdDhMVgpvlQ5XS3nMzPzW9aCljm5whyjunA-nGCJt_hlJZV7Fe4bOLsKS0aJLIr4D8rQEZ9lR0Q00maYzjBFuYTj5pz12x5YUOh6Xu0uVQ4YluyTmc/s320/hogwarts.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541049990687482946" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_g_52rabWDiwWOHNUqWA8_g5VojSspGdLjiRFHXCqCJYhvaLstc59cc2RakZGpQbQcl6oAp2yUO4lQxVUwLFaEhynhfXPi1GAaxUuA0asjuVn20zH0_Z261BddgMoi13MZMyOeue9ufE/s1600/Harry-Potter-and-the-Deathly-Hallows-Part-2-Banner-blam.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 156px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_g_52rabWDiwWOHNUqWA8_g5VojSspGdLjiRFHXCqCJYhvaLstc59cc2RakZGpQbQcl6oAp2yUO4lQxVUwLFaEhynhfXPi1GAaxUuA0asjuVn20zH0_Z261BddgMoi13MZMyOeue9ufE/s400/Harry-Potter-and-the-Deathly-Hallows-Part-2-Banner-blam.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629029721861327522" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKB34cn1X2uv5StXUXAUvUWpaEQ8YoDL1H5XYkGXk4vohf7qqes5lX6i6JGy8xt8o7Yxiz0QKdO2ZPXtqcSGv8rkVuc2tbmT6_vdwBe3dhkkL8ABT03fQKdoVgor8bEkvt931VrBJmvnlw/s1600/hpdh6132011new1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 253px; height: 375px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKB34cn1X2uv5StXUXAUvUWpaEQ8YoDL1H5XYkGXk4vohf7qqes5lX6i6JGy8xt8o7Yxiz0QKdO2ZPXtqcSGv8rkVuc2tbmT6_vdwBe3dhkkL8ABT03fQKdoVgor8bEkvt931VrBJmvnlw/s400/hpdh6132011new1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629029714767146178" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr8NX_SNLvFIDeV5aLrvQJ5B_f747pZ3EY8WUITwxzgzxZptREvPKDt12RkEV5DjvtqKjQ-UKByxVCIdlckkHLof1cw1mdJ5vO2nzokNxPJK1_3ch5V_Octbt9S1ECD7dqeeGL6Rbh6VjK/s1600/Harry-Potter-and-the-Deathly-hallows-Part-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr8NX_SNLvFIDeV5aLrvQJ5B_f747pZ3EY8WUITwxzgzxZptREvPKDt12RkEV5DjvtqKjQ-UKByxVCIdlckkHLof1cw1mdJ5vO2nzokNxPJK1_3ch5V_Octbt9S1ECD7dqeeGL6Rbh6VjK/s400/Harry-Potter-and-the-Deathly-hallows-Part-2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629029710936663922" /></a><br />Okay, now I'm even more excited...Be sure to visit my partners in crime for one final dose... <br /><a href="http://jennifer-daiker.blogspot.com/">Jennifer Daiker</a><br /><a href="http://writing-art-and-design.blogspot.com/">Michael Di Gesu</a><br /><a href="http://laurelgarver.blogspot.com/">Laurel Garver</a><br /><a href="http://lisagalek.blogspot.com/">Lisa Galek</a><br /><a href="http://abbyminard.blogspot.com/">Abby Minard</a><br /><a href="http://cejourney.blogspot.com/">Colene Murphy</a><br /><a href="http://www.melissasarno.com/">Melissa Sarno</a>Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08190361875174742351noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5517258583444935285.post-74108553963283718872011-07-14T07:54:00.005-05:002011-07-14T10:33:29.827-05:00Everyone Loves A Good VillainThere cannot be light without the dark...you cannot have good without the balance of evil. And oh, how I love the evil that oozes out of my favorite Harry Potter villains. So many love to hate characters made it almost impossible to choose my favorites. Almost. But, I managed to narrow it down to my top five. Though in the end some turned out to be good in their own right, they earned their status with past deeds.<br /><br />So without further deliberation I give you my top five villains:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_VXsAdBc9hWNM1p_osrpNydAgv6MAiS759ZqxZuXLJIg-TdkTyRqcdiE6KveSquJfGRVhmX3z85LXIoAs6ZuKukfhycTaIOPkHfbQZ7YIO9VfjUtqlGRrGDFbQdIdAia6VQwTUMuPhSND/s1600/thumbnailCAI49D79.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 108px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_VXsAdBc9hWNM1p_osrpNydAgv6MAiS759ZqxZuXLJIg-TdkTyRqcdiE6KveSquJfGRVhmX3z85LXIoAs6ZuKukfhycTaIOPkHfbQZ7YIO9VfjUtqlGRrGDFbQdIdAia6VQwTUMuPhSND/s400/thumbnailCAI49D79.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629028117162282434" /></a><br />#5 Draco Malfoy<br />From the moment they arrive at Hogwarts and Harry turns down his friendship, Draco becomes a bane in Harry's existence. Eager to please his father, Draco is vile and cruel to all muggles and anyone associated with them. The apple didn't fall far from this tree my friends.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIPU6JdaAEZmvHiWjFgaaABgJYFvafe2lXqK95mWt2X17GoffjpPtKVwv4O66shsIBkcD3afTMTS_kbyVQnfSX6c6NpbvaTPxEI8ONEh0Vjn3jRpc4YL4pM2NgZLVhbH-zM-yBDd4Rs90r/s1600/thumbnailCA7QXJGI.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 99px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIPU6JdaAEZmvHiWjFgaaABgJYFvafe2lXqK95mWt2X17GoffjpPtKVwv4O66shsIBkcD3afTMTS_kbyVQnfSX6c6NpbvaTPxEI8ONEh0Vjn3jRpc4YL4pM2NgZLVhbH-zM-yBDd4Rs90r/s400/thumbnailCA7QXJGI.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629028125901914322" /></a><br />#4 Lucias Malfoy<br />Rich, powerful and utterly full of himself, Lucias Malfoy is any dark lord's dream come true. Why? Because he will do anything to stay close to those in power and step on anyone who gets in his way.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFy43_3xQAoQ7nq8wCt_SM4ADM8oOgxp7ZSVh_pfWKmrINh-TssTN9kuwle0qwQGTL3CraRKoJ1t9RfZNVdooy0rp_-9gCsn-cpa-9-YNEKDOyoh4IpmdL-7Gh0jjvtoqRrXX3ANA7XzDU/s1600/thumbnailCAKH8MMY.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 107px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFy43_3xQAoQ7nq8wCt_SM4ADM8oOgxp7ZSVh_pfWKmrINh-TssTN9kuwle0qwQGTL3CraRKoJ1t9RfZNVdooy0rp_-9gCsn-cpa-9-YNEKDOyoh4IpmdL-7Gh0jjvtoqRrXX3ANA7XzDU/s400/thumbnailCAKH8MMY.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629028128445921938" /></a><br />#3 Bellatrix Lestrange<br />Proud member of the noble house of Black, Bellatrix has a heart to match her family name. Devoted to Voldemort through and through, Bellatrix kills her own family member Sirius Black when he comes to Harry's aide.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWPH2FiajnGvOYjXhew3Bpc5nJH-JBme1nQ5NQYhx3DuN1oUVbDKkirbgt9Erq1oG_n78QdA4hZYeW4M3ZEyyGujVDIsHGuIcQfRqvV3rp8QZaPoqWWIyhFo-9qy-X9s5S6c_RqwSRGYTy/s1600/thumbnail.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 108px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWPH2FiajnGvOYjXhew3Bpc5nJH-JBme1nQ5NQYhx3DuN1oUVbDKkirbgt9Erq1oG_n78QdA4hZYeW4M3ZEyyGujVDIsHGuIcQfRqvV3rp8QZaPoqWWIyhFo-9qy-X9s5S6c_RqwSRGYTy/s400/thumbnail.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629028132798074466" /></a><br />#2 Severus Snape<br />From the moment of his arrival at Hogwarts, Snape has been a thorn in Harry Potter's side. Whether it be ten point from Gryffindor or Occlumency lessons, Snape never passes up the chance to torment The Boy Who Lived.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjntlYkZREQZ24Z-BhEbmPxkXcjrB2UqL-Z_czssNWnN4YaPes11p_xofrqnO6Rucyu_YKXWjOeJ41NyWJYxvsk7WteEleQ0UXjCg7i6mB2stN_TNWxlCvIUJ54x1G2RX0XHrfuBq5K7u4j/s1600/thumbnailCAGIQEYI.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 108px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjntlYkZREQZ24Z-BhEbmPxkXcjrB2UqL-Z_czssNWnN4YaPes11p_xofrqnO6Rucyu_YKXWjOeJ41NyWJYxvsk7WteEleQ0UXjCg7i6mB2stN_TNWxlCvIUJ54x1G2RX0XHrfuBq5K7u4j/s400/thumbnailCAGIQEYI.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629028137982347522" /></a><br />#1 Voldemort<br />Can you possibly be surprised? Since Harry was just a baby, this dark lord has been vying to kill him. Voldemort has single handedly raised an army wiping out those Harry loves with the flick of a wand. Yes, Voldemort is my number one villain.<br /><br />So who's your favorite? Go ahead and spill...you know you have one!<br /><br />For more Potter fun be sure to stop by these amazing blogs:<br /><a href="http://jennifer-daiker.blogspot.com/">Jennifer Daiker</a><br /><a href="http://writing-art-and-design.blogspot.com/">Michael Di Gesu</a><br /><a href="http://laurelgarver.blogspot.com/">Laurel Garver</a><br /><a href="http://lisagalek.blogspot.com/">Lisa Galek</a><br /><a href="http://abbyminard.blogspot.com/">Abby Minard</a><br /><a href="http://cejourney.blogspot.com/">Colene Murphy</a><br /><a href="http://www.melissasarno.com/">Melissa Sarno</a>Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08190361875174742351noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5517258583444935285.post-3111395118887579392011-07-12T05:36:00.003-05:002011-07-12T05:40:52.007-05:00Potter Mania Continues...Potter mania continues today with a few of my favorite quotes. And be sure to visit these other fabulous bloggers for their installments today as well.<br /><br /><a href="http://jennifer-daiker.blogspot.com/">Jennifer Daiker</a><br /><a href="http://writing-art-and-design.blogspot.com/">Michael Di Gesu</a><br /><a href="http://laurelgarver.blogspot.com/">Laurel Garver</a><br /><a href="http://lisagalek.blogspot.com/">Lisa Galek</a><br /><a href="http://abbyminard.blogspot.com/">Abby Minard</a><br /><a href="http://cejourney.blogspot.com/">Colene Murphy</a><br /><a href="http://www.melissasarno.com/">Melissa Sarno</a><br /><br /><br />"It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live."<br />— J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone)<br /><br />"What happened down in the dungeons between you and Professor Quirrell is a complete secret, so, naturally the whole school knows."<br />— J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone)<br /><br />"I'll be in my room, making no noise and pretending that I don't exist."<br />— J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets)<br /><br />"Why does it have to be follow the spiders! Why can't it be follow the butterflies!"<br />— J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets)<br /><br />"You foul, loathsome, evil little cockroach!"<br />— J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban)<br /><br />"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."<br />— J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban)<br /><br />"Remember, if the time should come when you have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy, remember what happened to a boy who was good, and kind, and brave, because he strayed across the path of Lord Voldemort. Remember Cedric Diggory."<br />— J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire)<br /><br />"Numbing the pain for a while will make it worse when you finally feel it."<br />— J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire)<br /><br />"You're the one who is weak. You will never know love or friendship. And I feel sorry for you."<br />— J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix)<br /><br />"We've all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That's who we really are."<br />— J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix)<br /><br />"We're all human, aren't we? Every human life is worth the same, and worth saving."<br />— J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows)<br /><br />"Every second he breathed, the smell of the grass, the cool air on his face, was so precious: To think that people had years and years, time to waste, so much time it dragged, and he was clinging to each second."<br />— J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows)<br /><br />Have a great day everyone and I'll see you tomorrow. Now off you go!Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08190361875174742351noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5517258583444935285.post-12801051088024922932011-07-11T08:19:00.010-05:002011-07-11T08:46:59.548-05:00My How Things Change...To kick off this week of Harry Potter mania I decided to compare pics of some of my favorite Potter characters then and now. Take a look below, it's amazing how much they have changed since the beginning!<br /><br />Draco Malfoy...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccSp-zkMFDUEWP6i9DsxR7zr3k3LIeaNiXob7dmF9pKivqV3HFms_yUIhjc-Jmce_1dXZAnbP80oJczHlcZykoJxYoteKGH7BN2FF9qt1m24ji83x-acx0hJsJsJaatbO8QAbjEu6dbj8/s1600/draco1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccSp-zkMFDUEWP6i9DsxR7zr3k3LIeaNiXob7dmF9pKivqV3HFms_yUIhjc-Jmce_1dXZAnbP80oJczHlcZykoJxYoteKGH7BN2FF9qt1m24ji83x-acx0hJsJsJaatbO8QAbjEu6dbj8/s320/draco1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628084759758226690" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3mC7uIJkdZhGnsntxEf7bQt_N7C-s5YWb1CKsJQ9eBiuPhH5iCPxE46z-UzKCUCm0_D2ji5aT9HvxjSPNiSiKCFwsvmW4W0E2A5SzKW-Xz-Fw3bk_vmeq9o2eVaChMX5jdiY_Klywm2y/s1600/draco+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 194px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3mC7uIJkdZhGnsntxEf7bQt_N7C-s5YWb1CKsJQ9eBiuPhH5iCPxE46z-UzKCUCm0_D2ji5aT9HvxjSPNiSiKCFwsvmW4W0E2A5SzKW-Xz-Fw3bk_vmeq9o2eVaChMX5jdiY_Klywm2y/s320/draco+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628084768497925602" /></a><br /><br />Ginny Weasley...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqbwHVkfsDERryyfxOm-tH6xTyMi2mYXzSzWqO7D73tWiRLnwGQsscXJPmp4YHg6f-rGk6mKjPx-DegiWJ_cCIgQmN42AQ2QOw7MSN0K38KQZK5kd9b0TgWsjVLEmJPnxGgtlJF_90TUh6/s1600/Ginny-weasley-harry-potter-9478699-331-500.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqbwHVkfsDERryyfxOm-tH6xTyMi2mYXzSzWqO7D73tWiRLnwGQsscXJPmp4YHg6f-rGk6mKjPx-DegiWJ_cCIgQmN42AQ2QOw7MSN0K38KQZK5kd9b0TgWsjVLEmJPnxGgtlJF_90TUh6/s320/Ginny-weasley-harry-potter-9478699-331-500.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628086612903515602" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIx4jAjmENJKv73h4ELMOnd0-yUKJUa9t5Nim32Unk5bMumo_lw7YJr4787eoD4312xP-t9be_SxmllHV5azuq9sCt5dzlVPzYeDpnFvcD9nViVQOgiN-tAUFZE03dhTYeL9n8DnI3Gs-S/s1600/hpdh-ginny-weasley.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIx4jAjmENJKv73h4ELMOnd0-yUKJUa9t5Nim32Unk5bMumo_lw7YJr4787eoD4312xP-t9be_SxmllHV5azuq9sCt5dzlVPzYeDpnFvcD9nViVQOgiN-tAUFZE03dhTYeL9n8DnI3Gs-S/s320/hpdh-ginny-weasley.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628086626359352194" /></a><br /><br />Neville Longbottom...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JFYiECFTd1O7v6MaDGOc3S3nVWnIH0n-KH4KtEvSGIOz5PYn43r_VFcqkendshR_ndSdDsaCoZUxoF-QAtUIAAlJRCWS3eirPG40V0Uz1kkOnEQCVxe0KirilNdNTcc2Hy_XP4AmmVd9/s1600/untitled.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 135px; height: 144px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JFYiECFTd1O7v6MaDGOc3S3nVWnIH0n-KH4KtEvSGIOz5PYn43r_VFcqkendshR_ndSdDsaCoZUxoF-QAtUIAAlJRCWS3eirPG40V0Uz1kkOnEQCVxe0KirilNdNTcc2Hy_XP4AmmVd9/s320/untitled.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628086600700406754" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihup7G2F-DoAsnC4agzAHI-iIc8KqUZuTWA9Or3lHffLV5kqk3RsVJqV8O1W608yDNsG1XzrlVwNuUrbYPPhABCD-iWDMFqbyvw49ozoTDAL7YpnQvWK034KmQB0D83xu3X6GQPFYpexM9/s1600/imagesCAVCLKIX.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 184px; height: 273px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihup7G2F-DoAsnC4agzAHI-iIc8KqUZuTWA9Or3lHffLV5kqk3RsVJqV8O1W608yDNsG1XzrlVwNuUrbYPPhABCD-iWDMFqbyvw49ozoTDAL7YpnQvWK034KmQB0D83xu3X6GQPFYpexM9/s320/imagesCAVCLKIX.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628086600929137378" /></a><br /><br />Fred and George Weasley...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZdBuPuyEE7uPWBBnTFdNOTp4M7v2LyOEqQRynWqoPYKaA2cjAeNEdeop3Ry2Uuc6LyAXJoFyar1Rj925Hhmf-DgQ_nLe39uQgVJ9QMAf_jHlkE6PMGQRetVjg5bCjxWUahrY0blEm3KU/s1600/hc84LZ516k61k0qozwI5SnP1o1_400.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZdBuPuyEE7uPWBBnTFdNOTp4M7v2LyOEqQRynWqoPYKaA2cjAeNEdeop3Ry2Uuc6LyAXJoFyar1Rj925Hhmf-DgQ_nLe39uQgVJ9QMAf_jHlkE6PMGQRetVjg5bCjxWUahrY0blEm3KU/s320/hc84LZ516k61k0qozwI5SnP1o1_400.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628085870794193554" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiELFH9XAgearktDlX9a1zABFxUHDf1SySt96gyv3Y2ls7H5yqz8mNWH-DQ8fyNh3rGNHqqn9RkH9Ihy1lbPiWsQIpzH0gbHcj_PH9xy9nEXioEjpkcfhSDBVfBdsCuJ6nedqGg2t_mdoEb/s1600/Harry-Potter-and-the-Deathly-Hallows-Part-2-Weasley-Twins-fred-and-george-weasley-22697549-441-657_large.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiELFH9XAgearktDlX9a1zABFxUHDf1SySt96gyv3Y2ls7H5yqz8mNWH-DQ8fyNh3rGNHqqn9RkH9Ihy1lbPiWsQIpzH0gbHcj_PH9xy9nEXioEjpkcfhSDBVfBdsCuJ6nedqGg2t_mdoEb/s320/Harry-Potter-and-the-Deathly-Hallows-Part-2-Weasley-Twins-fred-and-george-weasley-22697549-441-657_large.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628085871585554994" /></a><br /><br />Ron Weasley...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqgbuODLI2_E-N5jZrcqJ5nx91777b7AiHUZ-clJjcTH-ah9e83myyM8E0-Fpi8wtsJ9BTAgOeFOgyNvCU1kIgjUuW4d2bfRA_WvPywDz8NXPZoz7xZyatrW6KMea3I9lqoMaBS9SP6wvP/s1600/ron1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 226px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqgbuODLI2_E-N5jZrcqJ5nx91777b7AiHUZ-clJjcTH-ah9e83myyM8E0-Fpi8wtsJ9BTAgOeFOgyNvCU1kIgjUuW4d2bfRA_WvPywDz8NXPZoz7xZyatrW6KMea3I9lqoMaBS9SP6wvP/s320/ron1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628084776551881250" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDVZTdLRYZYAL4c1Cko9sWSbxqBw9oicn5xIJlewiWhD96FvOvthdpL_E3qFSMUfK6huvHnagve4lDk9k8A5HSxOhRYAB6sK0x6gy0UqDYtK5yLZZ2KqDVUHEQOz8q79ZIdRNe62D1oY0/s1600/ron+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 184px; height: 273px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDVZTdLRYZYAL4c1Cko9sWSbxqBw9oicn5xIJlewiWhD96FvOvthdpL_E3qFSMUfK6huvHnagve4lDk9k8A5HSxOhRYAB6sK0x6gy0UqDYtK5yLZZ2KqDVUHEQOz8q79ZIdRNe62D1oY0/s320/ron+3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628089771393822594" /></a><br /><br /><br />Hermione Granger...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1riyOCgsqOvfNUKfOX5CaQP0K5gc89OGDnPEhf8z_mPWINqMOxlNmyMdSOl1NkcAqEyPusF1HrCnfhHNGZfwB3VH17vbkPOkN7U_Djd_HIknRc2In_GvANU03dJ9FIsPO4_Iyn8eKoGyj/s1600/hermione-granger.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 289px; height: 289px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1riyOCgsqOvfNUKfOX5CaQP0K5gc89OGDnPEhf8z_mPWINqMOxlNmyMdSOl1NkcAqEyPusF1HrCnfhHNGZfwB3VH17vbkPOkN7U_Djd_HIknRc2In_GvANU03dJ9FIsPO4_Iyn8eKoGyj/s320/hermione-granger.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628084786615494402" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcxK3T4-EsFtu2bd6RXtofHm_j9EmrpfLCO7F40Su1Jvh0pwOUJcqEWxl5EWxxEQfBWB_gV-g8-6F9H_bRRo9cP3G5hbtOb6aE0ukCD7KHel8jvei4HF0-pX_p6dirv6MTXiN7_pDeQnwA/s1600/hermione+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 184px; height: 273px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcxK3T4-EsFtu2bd6RXtofHm_j9EmrpfLCO7F40Su1Jvh0pwOUJcqEWxl5EWxxEQfBWB_gV-g8-6F9H_bRRo9cP3G5hbtOb6aE0ukCD7KHel8jvei4HF0-pX_p6dirv6MTXiN7_pDeQnwA/s320/hermione+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628085856328311794" /></a><br /><br />And last but certainly not least Harry Potter...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WD8N96Y0DwjEWHDp4wO__x0AhWuZrs8_gI1nAsoMqViV0R-mWZPDb4bi1aej65C1htVnnWan5QlzRndkj1c1rffLhG3QerLaCN-eRteek3H1U6JfMWsVhyveP3s9rEWWzdsoqmET97uo/s1600/harry+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 198px; height: 131px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WD8N96Y0DwjEWHDp4wO__x0AhWuZrs8_gI1nAsoMqViV0R-mWZPDb4bi1aej65C1htVnnWan5QlzRndkj1c1rffLhG3QerLaCN-eRteek3H1U6JfMWsVhyveP3s9rEWWzdsoqmET97uo/s320/harry+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628084777157905842" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTWIKMBE1WjO53dqVeTEW-qcRu0GNMXHZ60zNCr7kitPfrut8cQddM2F3XNug5mzTy9mTvYvwAbPwFQBraxa-jzODUF8xRXcf_ts3X62neKro7sZIDR74xFTm2JI8HhhmYxZ1z1RESUJO/s1600/harry+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 185px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTWIKMBE1WjO53dqVeTEW-qcRu0GNMXHZ60zNCr7kitPfrut8cQddM2F3XNug5mzTy9mTvYvwAbPwFQBraxa-jzODUF8xRXcf_ts3X62neKro7sZIDR74xFTm2JI8HhhmYxZ1z1RESUJO/s320/harry+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628085859896349826" /></a><br /><br />Hard to believe how much the cast has grown since the very first movie. Well that's it for today...but be sure to visit my partners in crime for their amazing posts and stay tuned for more Potter fun throughout the week!<br /><br /><a href="http://jennifer-daiker.blogspot.com/">Jennifer Daiker</a><br /><a href="http://writing-art-and-design.blogspot.com/">Michael Di Gesu</a><br /><a href="http://laurelgarver.blogspot.com/">Laurel Garver</a><br /><a href="http://lisagalek.blogspot.com/">Lisa Galek</a><br /><a href="http://abbyminard.blogspot.com/">Abby Minard</a><br /><a href="http://cejourney.blogspot.com/">Colene Murphy</a><br /><a href="http://www.melissasarno.com/">Melissa Sarno</a>Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08190361875174742351noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5517258583444935285.post-72972675726463069462011-07-08T07:38:00.007-05:002011-07-08T08:02:27.161-05:00On My Wishlist<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBebY1o_HS6-WGnYWq2e0mhCjSzPJz4JZlTX0xJw2zLGOu2MrAJCGnvvJs5ln5rbocNmaNQJ700Z_7O2MM51OClvkT0-MyqCfAtTkAn9mu96Igs-Apc29hdZ8QAi2fmBoKriMfIUxyD9Op/s1600/On+My+Wishlist.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 106px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522907170730725778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBebY1o_HS6-WGnYWq2e0mhCjSzPJz4JZlTX0xJw2zLGOu2MrAJCGnvvJs5ln5rbocNmaNQJ700Z_7O2MM51OClvkT0-MyqCfAtTkAn9mu96Igs-Apc29hdZ8QAi2fmBoKriMfIUxyD9Op/s400/On+My+Wishlist.jpg" /></a><br />On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by <a href="http://www.bookchickcity.com/"><strong>Book Chick City</strong></a>. It's where you can list all the books you desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. Mr Linky is always at the ready for you to link your own 'On My Wishlist' post. If you want to know more click <a href="http://www.bookchickcity.com/2010/07/on-my-wishlist-31.html"><strong>here</strong></a>.<br /><br />This week on my wishlist...<br /><br /><strong>Supernaturally </strong>(Paranormalcy #2) by Kiersten White <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZYftziYvB8kSpm5HS9njqCqZuV_9Rit-q4bIJxMP_Jv7D3hZv8n3XQuS1TJkTb0psPk0RrZi-upEfhCKbnykKWlZifjUhafUQdXguGWk-06XJZ2y-lCm_m58qmeGboLeFWSjVHBpYBvn/s1600/8581936.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 272px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZYftziYvB8kSpm5HS9njqCqZuV_9Rit-q4bIJxMP_Jv7D3hZv8n3XQuS1TJkTb0psPk0RrZi-upEfhCKbnykKWlZifjUhafUQdXguGWk-06XJZ2y-lCm_m58qmeGboLeFWSjVHBpYBvn/s400/8581936.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626964838572533554" /></a><br />Goodreads Description:<br /><em>Evie finally has the normal life she’s always longed for. But she’s shocked to discover that being ordinary can be . . . kind of boring. Just when Evie starts to long for her days at the International Paranormal Containment Agency, she’s given a chance to work for them again. Desperate for a break from all the normalcy, she agrees. <br /><br />But as one disastrous mission leads to another, Evie starts to wonder if she made the right choice. And when Evie’s faerie ex-boyfriend Reth appears with devastating revelations about her past, she discovers that there’s a battle brewing between the faerie courts that could throw the whole supernatural world into chaos. The prize in question? Evie herself. <br /><br />So much for normal. </em><br /><br /><strong>Hades </strong>(Halo #2) by Alexandra Adornetto <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0mPCDN7nzDL8V8GafCOsbO-CF_r8Q7w6Yd_5oxJjanwgHiirjzrDI5T-jIZJ3qIrAoFo564dSLKjN5LKF3i2sZ9ecL1F-TZGh8ZvL_u_WvgoNvijlPOlIgua_N_fPGDYhu-h9592LFna0/s1600/9666812.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0mPCDN7nzDL8V8GafCOsbO-CF_r8Q7w6Yd_5oxJjanwgHiirjzrDI5T-jIZJ3qIrAoFo564dSLKjN5LKF3i2sZ9ecL1F-TZGh8ZvL_u_WvgoNvijlPOlIgua_N_fPGDYhu-h9592LFna0/s400/9666812.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626964857796536290" /></a><br />Goodreads Description:<br /><em>Even the love of her boyfriend, Xavier Woods, and her archangel siblings, Gabriel and Ivy, can’t keep the angel Bethany Church from being tricked into a motorcycle ride that ends up in Hell. There, Jake Thorn bargains for Beth’s release back to Earth. But what he asks of her will destroy her, and quite possibly her loved ones as well. Can he be trusted in this wager? And what does Jake have Xavier believing about Beth’s fate that may result in an act of betrayal that will leave Bethany – and readers – wondering if Xav is so good after all?<br /><br /></em><strong>Starcrossed </strong>(Starcrossed #1) by Josephine Angelini <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpepnVa5RSVDbiOdtMeBkU6rmm_7ZEtdjhvUVItbCfn5-KXHbCLjgNBJJukwhjJf3yHiWJXSqM7i2pfYFicYekxdAPlRZC4QuYU95CUiM7nNaaFiICw5Lvx5jz2sPCWmeUV1oaI3cj8nwg/s1600/9462795.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 264px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpepnVa5RSVDbiOdtMeBkU6rmm_7ZEtdjhvUVItbCfn5-KXHbCLjgNBJJukwhjJf3yHiWJXSqM7i2pfYFicYekxdAPlRZC4QuYU95CUiM7nNaaFiICw5Lvx5jz2sPCWmeUV1oaI3cj8nwg/s400/9462795.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626964846455359490" /></a><br />Goodreads Description:<br /><br /><em>How do you defy destiny? <br /><br />Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history. <br /><br />As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart.</em><br /><br />That's it for this week. So tell me...what are all of you reading? Have a great weekend!Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08190361875174742351noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5517258583444935285.post-9468830173007021502011-07-06T07:53:00.010-05:002011-07-06T08:24:24.475-05:00Accio Contests!As promised my fellow Potter cohorts and myself have been plotting and scheming to celebrate the release of the final Harry Potter movie. Next week posts will be all Potter so stay tuned...<br /><br />To kick things off Lisa Galek is having an amazing contest over on her blog.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://lisagalek.blogspot.com/2011/07/accio-contests.html"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHC-mmkF04iO0waTXtfOHaKtQ2nCw4IpcQk7gDXf1PcgdbwOe-_rN_2ahAPDUnzlRCFCg5Yjr-42r65OwP0A62S6CY6ZhIrtkPgTIdP1VLwMigWgC0ICBpgthm5KzYNu11z6DnuwNQ5EI_/s1600/securedownload.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHC-mmkF04iO0waTXtfOHaKtQ2nCw4IpcQk7gDXf1PcgdbwOe-_rN_2ahAPDUnzlRCFCg5Yjr-42r65OwP0A62S6CY6ZhIrtkPgTIdP1VLwMigWgC0ICBpgthm5KzYNu11z6DnuwNQ5EI_/s400/securedownload.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626221925808764274" /></a></a><br /><br />Here's a list of the fabulous prizes she has for you:<br /><br /><strong>Gryffindor</strong><br /><br />Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them<br />Quidditch Through the Ages<br />Harry Potter Coloring Book<br /><br /><br /><strong>Hufflepuff</strong><br /><br />The Gospel According to Harry Potter by Connie Neal<br />The Magical Worlds of Harry Potter by David Colbert<br /><br /><strong>Ravenclaw</strong><br /><br />The Science of Harry Potter by Roger Highfield<br />The Tales of Beedle the Bard<br /><br /><strong>Slytherin</strong><br /><br />The Great Snape Debate<br />Barry Trotter and the Shameless Parody by Michael Gerber<br /><br />You can also enter the The "Happy Birthday, Harry!" Fan Fiction Contest. <br /><br />The prize for the winner will be something fabulous that Lisa picks out from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.<br /><br />So what are you waiting for? Head on over to <a href="">Read. Write. Repeat. </a> for all of the details.Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08190361875174742351noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5517258583444935285.post-8812375403851281552011-06-23T07:50:00.012-05:002011-06-23T08:47:51.872-05:00Thestral GazetteI'm not here today...I'm posting over at <a href="http://www.laurelgarver.blogspot.com/">Laurel's Leaves </a>for The Thestral Gazette. Feel free to stop by and check it out.<br /><br />But I can't leave you empty handed...since you made the trip have a look at these images I stumbled across:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8906Re6p7ZghxJdZs4R-qZr0Z2JUbuBpgMUC2vLd3ReL7HwHtaaqDrTXsd-S8BMkaBe1LHMd0zFyPpibGelZW43eoM0dwH-E4RsHVBkGNbZyQpp8Za7zaSEAnbqbsE707tzJ70EZ-j_Y/s1600/Harry-Potter-And-The-Deathly-Hallows-Part-Ii-Movie-Poster.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8906Re6p7ZghxJdZs4R-qZr0Z2JUbuBpgMUC2vLd3ReL7HwHtaaqDrTXsd-S8BMkaBe1LHMd0zFyPpibGelZW43eoM0dwH-E4RsHVBkGNbZyQpp8Za7zaSEAnbqbsE707tzJ70EZ-j_Y/s400/Harry-Potter-And-The-Deathly-Hallows-Part-Ii-Movie-Poster.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621401650195778722" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfBhc_ylSD38Z4Ix7r-ry8hwXsOIqLe_jVzn7pCh5SVfz5EoLanUj3oPLHP_0rsOfrG_3Egnik7VUiRgkbij3hrj6skvE54tU1VS0-ltlmqT-rXjXCksr-0uRbq4FuVjoWoi-RWYUt_kS/s1600/Harry-Potter-and-the-Deathly-Hallows-Part-2-Banner-blam.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 156px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfBhc_ylSD38Z4Ix7r-ry8hwXsOIqLe_jVzn7pCh5SVfz5EoLanUj3oPLHP_0rsOfrG_3Egnik7VUiRgkbij3hrj6skvE54tU1VS0-ltlmqT-rXjXCksr-0uRbq4FuVjoWoi-RWYUt_kS/s400/Harry-Potter-and-the-Deathly-Hallows-Part-2-Banner-blam.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621401640052698018" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiktrkFnBYMihBHRNb8Leq9kDKhPLr4x6LTi0VrM0OYD3ThM6diUM8vcsPfA8z-SP1EIAybY7o677X6zZCsFexx0MHwbnDPN36m332_p4zpTf1y6HAjIIwvaxrCP-6MOpvZuK6ACJl2hKv7/s1600/Harry-Potter-and-the-Deathly-hallows-Part-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiktrkFnBYMihBHRNb8Leq9kDKhPLr4x6LTi0VrM0OYD3ThM6diUM8vcsPfA8z-SP1EIAybY7o677X6zZCsFexx0MHwbnDPN36m332_p4zpTf1y6HAjIIwvaxrCP-6MOpvZuK6ACJl2hKv7/s400/Harry-Potter-and-the-Deathly-hallows-Part-2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621401641641169698" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip805wjcmWU1YB1QDLjaEwHUWMncd4nOVNu9rmQyc4w1gpRRkeASeEzLSHmQvggiofx0ycTwfcYcIq14UGh1B-MQoQ4RxSb0fJ8t4m11POOsJdtByfW89E7i3nvz8qnBR1jpNXtdhXtReF/s1600/hpdh6132011new1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 253px; height: 375px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip805wjcmWU1YB1QDLjaEwHUWMncd4nOVNu9rmQyc4w1gpRRkeASeEzLSHmQvggiofx0ycTwfcYcIq14UGh1B-MQoQ4RxSb0fJ8t4m11POOsJdtByfW89E7i3nvz8qnBR1jpNXtdhXtReF/s400/hpdh6132011new1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621401639341414594" /></a><br /><br />Hope everyone has a great day!Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08190361875174742351noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5517258583444935285.post-22941333264822331602011-06-22T07:19:00.008-05:002011-06-22T07:28:34.795-05:00And So It Begins...You knew it was coming, so don't even pretend to be surprised to see this post! As you have probably guessed, me and my fellow Potter cohorts have been plotting and scheming once again. This is the very last movie in the series people so did you expect anything less from us?<br /><br />To start things off I just had to share this trailer I stumbled across. If you have not seen it I just have to say it gave me chills. Yes, I admit it my Potter obsession is insane...but at least I'm in good company.<br /><br /><object width="640" height="390"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VG32Wog8sAk&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VG32Wog8sAk&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390"></embed></object><br /><br />Now if the trailer didn't get you salivating for the movie, I can't help you. For those of you who simply can't wait...perhaps a good laugh would help? If so check out the Thestral Gazette <a href="http://thestralgazette.blogspot.com/">here</a>. I promise you will not be sorry!<br /><br />Okay...that's it for today, but be sure to stay tuned for more Potter fun.Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08190361875174742351noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5517258583444935285.post-8240876866326387082011-06-20T07:20:00.007-05:002011-06-20T07:31:51.355-05:00In My Mailbox<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCXTSm-07ZTU73TQ4s5AxCPRBMqo76Q4fCcyCCQxvZ14OxzMDm5gwge3_CT7jpgY3bZkeBLHceFd6Lm9nr_ZkS3rug5EHUKw3gw9KDzvtHcyvwzptsoE4RV_p8ntrvjOh3Rm6a0c8hn3Y/s1600/IMM.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 296px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565726222254739090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCXTSm-07ZTU73TQ4s5AxCPRBMqo76Q4fCcyCCQxvZ14OxzMDm5gwge3_CT7jpgY3bZkeBLHceFd6Lm9nr_ZkS3rug5EHUKw3gw9KDzvtHcyvwzptsoE4RV_p8ntrvjOh3Rm6a0c8hn3Y/s400/IMM.jpg" /></a> <br /><br />In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. Anyone can <a href="http://www.thestorysiren.com/" target="_blank"></a>participate in IMM and you are not limited to only sharing books that arrive via your mailbox. You can als<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPPnUfZrTjgHfmT2HGOaz4X1mvCkjuSOIiXqAmMbVxTv5UzUOXZYgeJQbzjEd_aALsWzgTRqnVt6sQFEp4kylRIvoWEH92MMBNUDEGEIlbMVlkIdSsuh1n6Xz-9tPjOgWSmftELZMqHAb/s1600/small+ca.jpg"></a>o share books that you've bought or books that you've gotten at the library. You can find more information on how to participate in the In My Mailbox meme by visiting <a href="http://www.thestorysiren.com/p/in-my-mailbox.html">The Story Siren</a> <br /><br />This week in my mailbox... <br /><br /><strong>Passion</strong> (Fallen #3) by Lauren Kate <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmcpTpe4l9qRs-T22sOghDJBOlAvMfeV7Js4qj6p9rUvOoS3LsT-gTf-dpJTBtMYDwEWabpu6X7jaK3CVXh90pgnA50Uc_t3lXBvvAgLuoNqzEv-4yirDIRfqGr2alVREpWHNQRWaYiEhyphenhyphen/s1600/passion.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 264px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmcpTpe4l9qRs-T22sOghDJBOlAvMfeV7Js4qj6p9rUvOoS3LsT-gTf-dpJTBtMYDwEWabpu6X7jaK3CVXh90pgnA50Uc_t3lXBvvAgLuoNqzEv-4yirDIRfqGr2alVREpWHNQRWaYiEhyphenhyphen/s400/passion.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620278051819113362" /></a><br />Goodreads Description:<br /><br /><em>"Every single lifetime, I'll choose you. Just as you have chosen me. Forever." <br /><br />Luce would die for Daniel. And she has. Over and over again. Throughout time, Luce and Daniel have found each other, only to be painfully torn apart: Luce dead, Daniel left broken and alone. But perhaps it doesn’t need to be that way. . . . <br /><br />Luce is certain that something—or someone—in a past life can help her in her present one. So she begins the most important journey of this lifetime . . . going back eternities to witness firsthand her romances with Daniel . . . and finally unlock the key to making their love last. <br /><br />Cam and the legions of angels and Outcasts are desperate to catch Luce, but none are as frantic as Daniel. He chases Luce through their shared pasts, terrified of what might happen if she rewrites history. <br /><br />Because their romance for the ages could go up in flames . . . forever.</em><br /><br /><strong>Everlasting </strong>(The Immortals #6) by Alyson Noel <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJXyI1PliGGgmnXAQWXq0fsp7wsOftXEFtVAbWj0rtETyUUvpNBkAK8DI4oO23Tx63vGNiiUmVNTeWj9hxDEWuXAYbMzYxXCyZdBG2DGOV6AZZzIMwjHk0RqIPrVS_Mjk8MK-4jTMGTf3/s1600/ever.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 264px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJXyI1PliGGgmnXAQWXq0fsp7wsOftXEFtVAbWj0rtETyUUvpNBkAK8DI4oO23Tx63vGNiiUmVNTeWj9hxDEWuXAYbMzYxXCyZdBG2DGOV6AZZzIMwjHk0RqIPrVS_Mjk8MK-4jTMGTf3/s400/ever.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620278058043717058" /></a>Goodreads Description:<br /><br /><em>Everlasting is the sixth and final installment of the epic love story that has enchanted readers across the world. Ever and Damen have spent centuries facing down bitter rivals, jealous friends and their own worst fears-all in the hope of being together forever. Now in Everlasting, their destiny is finally within reach. <br /><br />Will they be united-or torn apart forever? Readers will finally discover the truth in this anxiously awaited conclusion!</em><br /><br />Is it any wonder I've accomplished nothing since school has been out? With all of these amazing books who can blame me. Now it's your turn to add to my pile...what books have you picked up that are absolute must reads?Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08190361875174742351noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5517258583444935285.post-8507480008510610682011-06-07T07:56:00.006-05:002011-06-07T08:20:17.126-05:00The Wait Is Over...Today is the day...Possession by the fabulously talented Elana Johnson is finally in the wild! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjrSA_zqdmWjKPs9SGYze-_vqTZbl8giUGQ5qzYpVm7nuupQZCgxDonisckyKGWt9vkOs_lCn2L9qlaxP94r_ezxNCHBXYMYATYJWU2zpgPmRaA3CnP9nehZewKVIZqw3pjlM_aHqdYvsv/s1600/8337087.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjrSA_zqdmWjKPs9SGYze-_vqTZbl8giUGQ5qzYpVm7nuupQZCgxDonisckyKGWt9vkOs_lCn2L9qlaxP94r_ezxNCHBXYMYATYJWU2zpgPmRaA3CnP9nehZewKVIZqw3pjlM_aHqdYvsv/s400/8337087.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615465322104593442" /></a><br />Possession is a beautifully crafted story with amazing characters that will pull you in and hold you captive until the very end.<br /><br />But don't take my word for it...see for yourself:<br /><br />Goodreads Desciption:<br /><br /><em>Vi knows the Rule: Girls don't walk with boys, and they never even think about kissing them. But no one makes Vi want to break the Rules more than Zenn...and since the Thinkers have chosen him as Vi's future match, how much trouble can one kiss cause? The Thinkers may have brainwashed the rest of the population, but Vi is determined to think for herself. <br /><br />But the Thinkers are unusually persuasive, and they're set on convincing Vi to become one of them...starting by brainwashing Zenn. Vi can't leave Zenn in the Thinkers' hands, but she's wary of joining the rebellion, especially since that means teaming up with Jag. Jag is egotistical, charismatic, and dangerous--everything Zenn's not. Vi can't quite trust Jag and can't quite resist him, but she also can't give up on Zenn. <br /><br />This is a game of control or be controlled. And Vi has no choice but to play.</em><br /><br /><br />So, I've been to the gym, had my soy protein shake and now I'm off to the bookstore to get my very own copy. You should do the same...trust me you will not be disappointed.Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08190361875174742351noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5517258583444935285.post-23768063012593732952011-06-03T07:27:00.008-05:002011-06-03T07:45:43.837-05:00On My Wishlist<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBebY1o_HS6-WGnYWq2e0mhCjSzPJz4JZlTX0xJw2zLGOu2MrAJCGnvvJs5ln5rbocNmaNQJ700Z_7O2MM51OClvkT0-MyqCfAtTkAn9mu96Igs-Apc29hdZ8QAi2fmBoKriMfIUxyD9Op/s1600/On+My+Wishlist.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 106px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522907170730725778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBebY1o_HS6-WGnYWq2e0mhCjSzPJz4JZlTX0xJw2zLGOu2MrAJCGnvvJs5ln5rbocNmaNQJ700Z_7O2MM51OClvkT0-MyqCfAtTkAn9mu96Igs-Apc29hdZ8QAi2fmBoKriMfIUxyD9Op/s400/On+My+Wishlist.jpg" /></a><br />On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by <a href="http://www.bookchickcity.com/"><strong>Book Chick City</strong></a>. It's where you can list all the books you desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. Mr Linky is always at the ready for you to link your own 'On My Wishlist' post. If you want to know more click <a href="http://www.bookchickcity.com/2010/07/on-my-wishlist-31.html"><strong>here</strong></a>.<br /><br />This week on my wishlist...<br /><br /><strong>Clockwork Prince</strong> (The Infernal Devices #2) by Cassandra Clare <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_b-6Ewu5ImDsgy_b_tY3OROLiTt780Cxj5oibyGXAdpjMigGG7DXJ7xALoPcpRaWwh5uY_v3eYPAWbl2SsoDROjDRvySOSjf7__vaS6LZ8-ubzLNnedMvscoX0flZsevFkSIT0N31Nf6L/s1600/prince.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 263px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_b-6Ewu5ImDsgy_b_tY3OROLiTt780Cxj5oibyGXAdpjMigGG7DXJ7xALoPcpRaWwh5uY_v3eYPAWbl2SsoDROjDRvySOSjf7__vaS6LZ8-ubzLNnedMvscoX0flZsevFkSIT0N31Nf6L/s400/prince.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613972192666743090" /></a><br />Goodreads Description:<br /><br /><em>In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street—and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa’s powers for his own dark ends. <br /><br />With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister’s war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move—and that one of their own has betrayed them. <br /><br />Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, but her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will—the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do? <br /><br />As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.</em><br /><br /><br /><strong>Wolfsbane</strong> (Nightshade #2) by Andrea Cremer <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcTsq1RrxhHGu9uMsfrLSfpEFUmlAm9AjeRLO9cCDoXfmhn9hXct2mh0sajsWYBjHcEeBCcOsbg88dtQWvaAeW9Sn9bLCdG9O6J96KLatJLQybG2XiHdkK5kI9C34JnCVHOY-HN7bF8Ftu/s1600/wolf.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcTsq1RrxhHGu9uMsfrLSfpEFUmlAm9AjeRLO9cCDoXfmhn9hXct2mh0sajsWYBjHcEeBCcOsbg88dtQWvaAeW9Sn9bLCdG9O6J96KLatJLQybG2XiHdkK5kI9C34JnCVHOY-HN7bF8Ftu/s400/wolf.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613972188878263570" /></a><br />Goodreads Description:<br /><br /><em>This thrilling sequel to the much-talked-about Nightshade begins just where it ended–Calla Tor wakes up in the lair of the Searchers, her sworn enemy, and she's certain her days are numbered. But then the Searchers make her an offer–one that gives her the chance to destroy her former masters and save the pack–and the man–she left behind. Is Ren worth the price of her freedom? And will Shay stand by her side no matter what? Now in control of her own destiny, Calla must decide which battles are worth fighting and how many trials true love can endure and still survive.</em><br /><br /><strong>Vanish</strong> (Firelight #2) by Sophie Jordan <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_rN_1sQ9JRPN46DmGEmnWBqxWSwZ3uWyPU3261tmwnAQD_ypM2D4B9UOwUHkrS5EKpSRe1bSbq-jccYZP6KU7m8gmttzGCW0hMqC6UUpDEWwWV-TuhLP3QnWpgkGvhHM64WR9EevCzXQ0/s1600/Vanish.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 264px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_rN_1sQ9JRPN46DmGEmnWBqxWSwZ3uWyPU3261tmwnAQD_ypM2D4B9UOwUHkrS5EKpSRe1bSbq-jccYZP6KU7m8gmttzGCW0hMqC6UUpDEWwWV-TuhLP3QnWpgkGvhHM64WR9EevCzXQ0/s400/Vanish.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613972186860149954" /></a><br />Goodreads Description:<br /><br /><em>To save the life of the boy she loves, Jacinda did the unthinkable: She betrayed the most closely-guarded secret of her kind. Now she must return to the protection of her pride knowing she might never see Will again—and worse, that because his mind has been shaded, Will’s memories of that fateful night and why she had to flee are gone. <br /><br />Back home, Jacinda is greeted with hostility and must work to prove her loyalty for both her sake and her family’s. Among the few who will even talk to her are Cassian, the pride’s heir apparent who has always wanted her, and her sister, Tamra, who has been forever changed by a twist of fate. Jacinda knows that she should forget Will and move on—that if he managed to remember and keep his promise to find her, it would only endanger them both. Yet she clings to the hope that someday they will be together again. When the chance arrives to follow her heart, will she risk everything for love? <br /><br />In bestselling author Sophie Jordan’s dramatic follow-up to Firelight, forbidden love burns brighter than ever.</em><br /><br /><strong>Passion</strong> (Fallen #3) by Lauren Kate <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWXWqM17Wd0DHW938ur2OBeGFx9pKqWFmdRepqAiviH4Sd5yodKW1GvZrtg0M6lW1EEM_AvkG-TYSP45xkaL4RZgOGvha9ns5gBmQV-4DnVt3fsAR6ko5IDna1AAc5CmZPQWHExHGMGbT/s1600/passion.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 264px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWXWqM17Wd0DHW938ur2OBeGFx9pKqWFmdRepqAiviH4Sd5yodKW1GvZrtg0M6lW1EEM_AvkG-TYSP45xkaL4RZgOGvha9ns5gBmQV-4DnVt3fsAR6ko5IDna1AAc5CmZPQWHExHGMGbT/s400/passion.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613972180621720738" /></a><br />Goodreads Description:<br /><br /><em>"Every single lifetime, I'll choose you. Just as you have chosen me. Forever." <br /><br />Luce would die for Daniel. And she has. Over and over again. Throughout time, Luce and Daniel have found each other, only to be painfully torn apart: Luce dead, Daniel left broken and alone. But perhaps it doesn’t need to be that way. . . . <br /><br />Luce is certain that something—or someone—in a past life can help her in her present one. So she begins the most important journey of this lifetime . . . going back eternities to witness firsthand her romances with Daniel . . . and finally unlock the key to making their love last. <br /><br />Cam and the legions of angels and Outcasts are desperate to catch Luce, but none are as frantic as Daniel. He chases Luce through their shared pasts, terrified of what might happen if she rewrites history. <br /><br />Because their romance for the ages could go up in flames . . . forever. <br /><br />Sweeping across centuries, PASSION the third novel in the unforgettably epic FALLEN series hits stores Tuesday 14th June 2011.</em><br /><br /><br />These are installments from some of my favorite series and I can't wait to get my hands on them. So what's on your wishlist? You know how I love to have an out of control reading pile!Renaehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08190361875174742351noreply@blogger.com3