tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59380230873086564262024-03-19T00:16:19.185-04:00Reviews Abounda reviews blog for books, movies, TV shows, music, and whatever else strikes meJessica Sunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278267164524000685noreply@blogger.comBlogger138125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5938023087308656426.post-9421560960786311982014-01-15T00:00:00.000-05:002014-01-15T00:00:41.621-05:00What's In the Snow? Scavenger Hunt Event Wrap Up!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
NOTE: I HAVE MOVED TO <a href="http://www.flytofiction.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">FLY TO FICTION</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpG3pOVTC3nXOykskNLXq7CDEMT8w_7CrVSKUd_D0gQKKvGdwqXCzELNYLtYlinVQeVFlqp4rTM8HLXU4FyOP34eKtSH2MvoMzzha-oCozO1sLOLtpAvTEqbEtdq1hl4CPjxPZoedn2nd7/s1600/What%2527s-in-the-Snow-Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpG3pOVTC3nXOykskNLXq7CDEMT8w_7CrVSKUd_D0gQKKvGdwqXCzELNYLtYlinVQeVFlqp4rTM8HLXU4FyOP34eKtSH2MvoMzzha-oCozO1sLOLtpAvTEqbEtdq1hl4CPjxPZoedn2nd7/s1600/What%2527s-in-the-Snow-Banner.jpg" height="224" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hi everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday. I know, I know. We're long past that now. Sorry. But anyway! This wonderful event has sadly come to an end, at least for this year.</div>
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We had wonderful posts about holiday traditions, awesome winter-y books and food and crafts, and some fun stories. We had a bunch of really cool authors involved, and several bloggers got to feature authors, interview them, and ask them some seasonal questions (some of which were really creative!). I really hope you can find time to stop by each blogger's post at some point if you haven't. Everyone involved has been so great, and they all deserve a huge round of applause for all of their hard work and especially for their patience. (The schedule with updated links is below.)</div>
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We also had some really cool prizes up for grabs. Some winners have been notified (I promise I'll forward your information to the proper people ASAP), BUT there are still a bunch of giveaways going on! I'll embed the Rafflecopters below, so don't miss out!</div>
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And before we part, I just want to give a huge shout-out to four people/groups of people for making this the event that it is!</div>
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1) <b><i>Bloggers</i></b>--This event literally would not exist without your support, willingness to help, patience, dedication, and passion. This event has helped me meet so many wonderful bloggers, and it's been lovely to work with all of you. I look up to many of your blogs, and I wish you and your blogs continued success. If Cal and I put this together again next year, I sure hope you'll at least think about participating. Thank you!</div>
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2) <b><i>Authors</i></b>--Thank you for your kindness, patience, help and time. Before this event, I was always a little bit scared of emailing and talking to authors, but now I realize just how kind everyone is, whether they were participating or not. Thank you for making this event even better, and thank you for donating so many awesome prizes. It was so fun to read all the interviews and posts you were involved with. I hope that some of us can work together again next time/some other time!</div>
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3) <b><i>Donors</i></b>--You guys rock my socks. Thank you for donating a prize, no matter how large or small. Cal and I truly appreciate it.</div>
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4) <b><i>Last but definitely not least, Cal</i></b>--I am so glad that this event brought us together. I now have a new awesome friend. It's been so great to work with you on this little project of ours. Thank you for always being so patient with me, and thank you for handling things when I couldn't. This event would have been no where as big or awesome as it turned out to be if it weren't for you. Thanks for spreading the word and getting all of your blogging friends involved. Thank you for tolerating my email spam and forwarding messages. Thank you for just being such an amazing co-host and above all, friend. I really hope we can either do this next year or work on something similar sometime. Much love!</div>
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Now, without further ado, here's all the supplementary stuff!</div>
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">Schedule:</span></u><br />
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<u>December</u></div>
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15th--<a href="http://readbooksandlivegreen.blogspot.com/2013/12/whats-in-snow-winter-scavenger-hunt.html">Read Books and Live Green</a>; <a href="http://reviewsabound.blogspot.com/2013/12/welcome-to-whats-in-snow-scavenger-hunt.html">Reviews Abound</a> (Intro Posts ONLY)</div>
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16th--<a href="http://thenerdherdreads.blogspot.com/2013/12/whats-in-snow-scavenger-hunt.html">The NerdHerd Reads</a>; <a href="http://www.musingsofablogder.blogspot.com/2013/12/whats-in-snow-winter-themed-playlist.html">Musings of a Blogder</a></div>
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17th--<a href="http://theyabookbutterfly.blogspot.com/2013/12/whats-in-snow-winter-scavenger-hunt-stop.html">The YA Book Butterfly</a></div>
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19th--<a href="http://fictionthenewreality.blogspot.com/2013/12/whats-in-snow-scavenger-hunt.html">Fiction Is the New Reality</a></div>
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20th--<a href="http://booklovinghippo.wordpress.com/2013/12/20/whats-in-the-snow-scavenger-hunt-tellulah-darling-interview/">Book Loving Hippo</a>; <a href="http://mynookbooksnmore.com/2013/12/whats-in-the-snow-a-winter-scavenger-hunt-stop.html">My Nook, Books, and More</a></div>
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21st--<a href="http://www.sarcasticpalmtree.blogspot.com/2013/12/whats-in-snow-scavenger-hunt-christmas.html">The Sarcastic Palm Tree</a></div>
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22nd--<a href="http://icycoldreads.blogspot.com/2013/12/whats-in-snow.html">Icy Cold Reads</a></div>
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23rd--<a href="http://readingismytreasure.blogspot.com/2013/12/whats-in-snow-interview-with-robing.html">Reading Is My Treasure</a></div>
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27th--<a href="http://www.tween2teenbooks.com/2013/12/blog-hop-whats-in-snow-featuring-leanna.html">Tween 2 Teen Book Reviews</a></div>
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28th--<a href="http://frictiontofiction.blogspot.com/2013/12/whats-in-snowan-interview-with-jessica.html">Friction to Fiction</a></div>
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29th--<a href="http://italicbooks.wordpress.com/2013/12/29/whats-in-the-snow-scavenger-hunt-interview-with-christine-amsden/">In Italics</a></div>
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30th--<a href="http://mynookbooksnmore.com/2013/12/whats-in-the-snow-winter-scavenger-hunt-2nd-stop.html">My Nook, Books, and More</a></div>
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<u>January</u></div>
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1st--<a href="http://reviewsabound.blogspot.com/2014/01/whats-in-snow-event-stop.html">Reviews Abound</a></div>
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2nd--<a href="http://thelovelygrace.blogspot.ca/2014/01/whats-in-snow-scavenger-hunt-with.html">The Lovely Grace</a></div>
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3rd--<a href="http://lostineverafter.blogspot.ca/2014/01/whats-in-snow-playlist-giveaway.html">Lost In Ever After</a></div>
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4th--<a href="http://justanotherteenreading.blogspot.com/2014/01/whats-in-snow-scavenger-hunt.html">Just Another Teen Reading</a></div>
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5th--<a href="http://foreverliterary.blogspot.com/2014/01/whats-in-snow-interview-with-romily.html">Forever Literary</a></div>
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6th--<a href="http://thebookaviary.blogspot.com/2014/01/whats-in-snow.html" target="_blank">The Book Aviary</a></div>
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9th--<a href="http://bibliophilic-nerds.blogspot.com/2014/01/whats-in-snow-top-ten-holiday-goodies.html" target="_blank">The Bibliophilic Nerds</a></div>
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10th--<a href="http://www.beautyandthebookshelf.com/2014/01/whats-in-snow.html" target="_blank">Beauty and the Bookshelf</a></div>
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11th--<a href="http://bibliophilic-nerds.blogspot.com/2014/01/whats-in-snow-top-ten-snowy-covers.html" target="_blank">The Bibliophilic Nerds</a></div>
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12th--<a href="http://booklovinghippo.wordpress.com/2014/01/12/whats-in-the-snow-interview-with-emily-liebert-giveaway/" target="_blank">Book Loving Hippo</a></div>
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13th--<a href="http://www.readbooksandlivegreen.blogspot.com/2014/01/whats-in-snow.html" target="_blank">Read Books and Live Green</a></div>
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14th--<a href="http://reader.christiney.com/whats-in-the-snow/" target="_blank">Christiney Reads</a></div>
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15th--<a href="http://reviewsabound.blogspot.com/2014/01/whats-in-snow-scavenger-hunt-event-wrap.html" target="_blank">Reviews Abound</a>; <a href="http://www.readbooksandlivegreen.blogspot.com/">Read Books and Live Green</a> (Wrap Up Posts ONLY)<br />
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">Giveaways:</span></u><br />
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Rules:</div>
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Must be 13+ or have parent permission</div>
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Winners have 48 hours to respond to email or another winner will be chosen</div>
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Prizes are distributed on a first come, first serve basis</div>
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Mail items are US ONLY; eBooks are INT</div>
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/cfde4a3/" id="rc-cfde4a3" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a></div>
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/cfde4a4/" id="rc-cfde4a4" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a></div>
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/cfde4a10/" id="rc-cfde4a10" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a></div>
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/cfde4a7/" id="rc-cfde4a7" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script></div>
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<b>Note: There may also be some giveaways still running on certain blogs that Cal and I did not set up.</b></div>
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Again, thank you to everyone: participants, bloggers, authors, and Cal!</div>
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Jessica Sunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278267164524000685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5938023087308656426.post-36802660673852184012014-01-02T17:59:00.003-05:002014-01-02T17:59:33.131-05:00New BeginningsHey-o! Firstly, HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope 2014 is better for you than 2013 was, and I hope your holidays were lovely. :)<br />
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But moving right along, I have so BIG news. It's pretty exciting, really, even though most of you probably already know it.<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">I <strike>am moving</strike> have moved to another blog URL/another blog.</span></div>
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Yup, that's right! My motto thus far has been, "New Year, New Blog." It's quite exciting, as I mentioned. I'm doing this for a couple of reasons, despite how hard it sort of makes my (blogging) life. ;) All in all, I wanted a fresh new start, and I'm able to get that now. It's been a lot of work, but I'm really happy with it. If you go, you'll see that it looks fairly similar to this blog now, but I'm telling you, there will be differences. </div>
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I think this is the right decision for me, and I just want to thank you all for sticking with me. My 6 month blogoversary is coming up soon, but I'm celebrating it there. The last post here will likely be the wrap up post for the What's In The Snow? event.</div>
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If you have any questions, concerns, thoughts, suggestions, etc, please comment below and let me know!</div>
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Before I go, don't think I forgot to announce the new blog name/URL.</div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">My new blog name is: Fly to Fiction</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flytofiction.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Click here to be taken to the new blog.</a></span></div>
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Jessica Sunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278267164524000685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5938023087308656426.post-54834381545792853052014-01-01T02:21:00.000-05:002014-01-01T02:21:21.576-05:00What's in the Snow? Event Stop!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hey everyone! So today is my stop of the What's in the Snow? event, and I'm so excited! But first, I do have to direct you to both <a href="http://reviewsabound.blogspot.com/2013/12/welcome-to-whats-in-snow-scavenger-hunt.html" target="_blank">my introduction page</a>, as well as <a href="http://readbooksandlivegreen.blogspot.com/2013/12/whats-in-snow-winter-scavenger-hunt.html" target="_blank">Cal's</a>. On mine, you will also find the Rafflecopter for the 2nd BIG GIVEAWAY, with prizes ranging from a giftcard to a book to dinner with one of our featured authors! Thanks for checking out our event! (And sorry I'm posting this a tad later than I'd meant to.)</div>
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So! Let's talk about my holiday traditions. This ranges from Advent to Chinese New Year!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">1. Advent</span></div>
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This is like the semi-holiday that nobody celebrates. If you don't know already, I'm Roman Catholic. Not devoutly so, but I'm pretty firm in my beliefs (which are very liberal--ask if you must; don't assume, please). That being said, while I don't really celebrate Advent in any special way, I wish I COULD, so this is what that would entail.</div>
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When most people think of Advent, they only think about Advent calendars. I mean, hey, they're cool, but that's not what Advent is all about. For those of you that don't know, Advent celebrates the weeks leading up to Christmas, spanning 4 Sundays. There's an Advent wreath with four candles, 3 purple and 1 pink. One candle is lit each Sunday (similar to the lighting of the menorah, but over a longer time span), with the pink one being lit the 3rd week.</div>
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I won't go into the whole idea of Advent or how the readings work, but it's a celebrate nonetheless. If it were up to me, I'd have some form of an Advent wreath.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">2. Christmas Eve/Christmas Day</span></div>
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Again, if it were up to me, I'd celebrate Christmas a little bit differently from how I actually do. But here's how I actually celebrate it.</div>
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First, of course, there's the tree. I don't have a picture of my tree from this year, so instead here's a picture of the tree at Rockefeller Center.</div>
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My family and I usually go into the city (NYC) and walk around 1) Times Square 2) Rockefeller Center 3) Radio City Music Hall, but this year I wasn't able to.</div>
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I also have a small nativity set put up under the tree, as well as stockings (one for me, one for my sister) set up on a cabinet in our house.</div>
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And every year, we spend one of the days at my godmother's house, where she cooks awesome Brazilian dishes and awesome desserts, and where we listen to nice Christmas music, laugh, talk, and have an overall good time. On the other day, we go to my sister's godparents house. Again, a nice big dinner and some nice Christmas music. This also means that we open gifts before Christmas (usually the 23rd, but it depends), with the exception of our gifts from Santa. ;)</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">3. New Year's Eve</span></div>
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First, let me clear this up. My school sucks and as long as January 2nd is a week day, we almost always start school again that day, which is why I'm not including New Year's Day in this (it usually involves doing homework last minute).</div>
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Being a New Yorker, I, of course, watch the ball drop every year. At home though, not in Times Square, although I do hope to do that once in my life! I usually watch the performances, switching between NBC, ABC, and CNN (mostly those channels). And of course, I count down, starting at 60, not just at 10 or 20. And then I drink a bit of sparkling apple cider! My favorite part is always seeing the other celebrations around the world after the one in New York. It's quite amazing, and it's always funny to know that some countries have been in the new year for over half a day while the rest of us in the US/Canada/parts of South America and the Caribbean wait to ring in the new year.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">4. Chinese New Year</span></div>
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Now, this is the tough one for various reasons. Mostly that it varies every year, and that people celebrate Chinese New Year differently.</div>
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The main similarity between just about everyone that celebrates Chinese New Year is the giving (or receiving) of red envelopes.</div>
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Then there's all those Chinese superstitions. *mega sigh* These are just a few of them. (Sorry if they're wrong. I'm going off the top of my head, and I may be mixing things up.)</div>
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1. Can't wash your hair on the first day (it lasts for days, not just one day like in Western cultures)</div>
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2. Eat oranges and fish and noodles (don't cut them though!)</div>
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3. Wear new clothes!</div>
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4. Parents can't scold children.</div>
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5. If you cry on New Year's, you'll have a very bad year.</div>
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6. Clean BEFORE the New Year, not the day of.</div>
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7. When cleaning, you have to sweep a certain way (I want to say one way, but I'm not positive so)</div>
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8. Hang the character FU upside down.</div>
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9. Red. Just lots of red.</div>
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10. There are rules about which side of the family you eat with and when and a bunch of things you do on specific days in the New Year (I don't know because I don't have family here to do that with).</div>
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SO! That's a quick run-down of what I typically do for all these winter holidays! (Okay, the Chinese New Year one was a little lame because I don't do THAT much for it, so.) I hope it's an interesting post, especially since there's such a mix of culture.</div>
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Now, I'm sure you're looking for that pesky little clue so here you go:</div>
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Clue #14: A bird that can't fly and lives in a winter-y environment.</div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Giveaway</span></div>
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(Rules are listed in the Terms and Conditions on the Rafflecopter)</div>
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/cfde4a3/" id="rc-cfde4a3" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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Thanks again to everyone that's taken part in this event! Don't forget to keep</div>
Jessica Sunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278267164524000685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5938023087308656426.post-21366748315102846612013-12-31T00:00:00.000-05:002013-12-31T00:00:06.815-05:00A Month/Year In Review: December 2013I can't believe it's already the end of December! This is going to be quite a long post. First, I'm going to try to pick my top thirteen books of the year (not in order because no). Then I'll have my regular AMiR highlights. Then who knows?<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><u>Top Thirteen Books I Read in 2013</u></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><u>(In no particular order)</u></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMLfHB844acqprAYJvy-IPKcsklQHoUtZbxE8WEMuFG_bAuz4JFNJc1Lra3D6WW8tH6VzhCJXZikek2DRbbS68vy9Uz8OCfSfrkQVXLgcFRDqL65UoPTKYEC468HPU4q57dNitmkHpwhxW/s1600/Throne+of+Glass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMLfHB844acqprAYJvy-IPKcsklQHoUtZbxE8WEMuFG_bAuz4JFNJc1Lra3D6WW8tH6VzhCJXZikek2DRbbS68vy9Uz8OCfSfrkQVXLgcFRDqL65UoPTKYEC468HPU4q57dNitmkHpwhxW/s200/Throne+of+Glass.jpg" width="131" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS50tHIMD_1Ttp9TOjlUbUry7sMlhjHNmn0bGJTgoqodCCstTrCq4vBYe9PNP15s0Ul2m1fwHnjwL0kSeVzjS81kUnOTMbQ4Y6iAtwfSRHz5u_gVQNd9vkZR9TT1qmCEut3HV7QKkXa7Yt/s1600/This+Song+Will+Save+Your+Life.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS50tHIMD_1Ttp9TOjlUbUry7sMlhjHNmn0bGJTgoqodCCstTrCq4vBYe9PNP15s0Ul2m1fwHnjwL0kSeVzjS81kUnOTMbQ4Y6iAtwfSRHz5u_gVQNd9vkZR9TT1qmCEut3HV7QKkXa7Yt/s200/This+Song+Will+Save+Your+Life.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
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1. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas</div>
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Amazing characters, world building, suspense, plot, everything.</div>
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Made me remember how much I love epic fantasy and how little of the genre I've read recently.</div>
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2. This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales</div>
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This book just understood.</div>
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Mostly character driven and would mostly be enjoyed by those who've felt similarly.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh080AXQGiLCcAX_boGruiSWrGAC7XRmZZZLwrmZC1kjsbYD0_Vme81SQRglPLDfz8osEJ12sym7Su0KBpWubTJeOUYV5QMd4i3lbYK1kwwe2u8ZdjnE5oFy_M5b61MCaHQrrqyDORcOa7y/s1600/Perfect+Ruin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh080AXQGiLCcAX_boGruiSWrGAC7XRmZZZLwrmZC1kjsbYD0_Vme81SQRglPLDfz8osEJ12sym7Su0KBpWubTJeOUYV5QMd4i3lbYK1kwwe2u8ZdjnE5oFy_M5b61MCaHQrrqyDORcOa7y/s200/Perfect+Ruin.jpg" width="134" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUW8evoBObQWQdlCDakdquBrrwKleSZrSEpaS-bhtZLKggzKi4QyZaqeHbomAu3oawnu-SCGzqp4VlvnUNG5C3Bf2VoBfnLaoJR486pq_1WIc1psy0CuUsPhGSzruaKy7hukrSRVpauPvs/s1600/Crewel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUW8evoBObQWQdlCDakdquBrrwKleSZrSEpaS-bhtZLKggzKi4QyZaqeHbomAu3oawnu-SCGzqp4VlvnUNG5C3Bf2VoBfnLaoJR486pq_1WIc1psy0CuUsPhGSzruaKy7hukrSRVpauPvs/s200/Crewel.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
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3. Perfect Ruin by Lauren DeStefano</div>
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Amazing prose, lovely characters, intriguing concept.</div>
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Also one of the most physically beautiful books ever.</div>
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4. Crewel by Gennifer Albin</div>
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Interesting, new concept. Well-written characters. Really enjoyed it.</div>
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It was a can't-stand-the-wait-for-book-2 type book.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHU91Lc_g8LCdQ_DUIz_eWAzec9qL_xVA3LUQq4sBlOpW2X9IJivbhFK6Xt7UkztdBpa4ZQbG9Q4HlIWn5GMTjM4BJnR62dYuGue9jhDHc3iKgFuFiCu87O2utyRmY9iAhaHW_MtWivpCh/s1600/Fangirl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHU91Lc_g8LCdQ_DUIz_eWAzec9qL_xVA3LUQq4sBlOpW2X9IJivbhFK6Xt7UkztdBpa4ZQbG9Q4HlIWn5GMTjM4BJnR62dYuGue9jhDHc3iKgFuFiCu87O2utyRmY9iAhaHW_MtWivpCh/s200/Fangirl.jpg" width="131" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_G1CrC_nYgZNQIUJ5hul0s3kno2p24iQISX_NIm6rA5oK2ny5ycBc8y3DL-_nwKV7PNDEYZ6ExSfrzTXZhvhGERffxJEBWqddGis1mXpk6lgxvgtdaUqzsaIfxEmnki3odNQlgkcxOiWV/s1600/Out+of+the+Easy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_G1CrC_nYgZNQIUJ5hul0s3kno2p24iQISX_NIm6rA5oK2ny5ycBc8y3DL-_nwKV7PNDEYZ6ExSfrzTXZhvhGERffxJEBWqddGis1mXpk6lgxvgtdaUqzsaIfxEmnki3odNQlgkcxOiWV/s200/Out+of+the+Easy.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
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5. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell</div>
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Perfect for all fangirls/boys, especially Potterheads.</div>
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Well-written, relate-able, one of my top reads ever. </div>
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6. Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys</div>
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Reminded me of how much I love historical fiction.</div>
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Amazing characters, great character-driven plot, well-written historical fiction.</div>
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One of my top reads ever.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFlBrVIqQbo2GG0mA-CM8l3z5tJkQN_q37fqyvae2r9cD3hQz3Az-9Xun3czOVl4qjycBaSJbtOjaDnqfqsKMurLRxKyjOiZMVtZWgpTgcD2WSj2EObL_8BRSJif_7Nos2otX75cfi1FW/s1600/Once+We+Were.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFlBrVIqQbo2GG0mA-CM8l3z5tJkQN_q37fqyvae2r9cD3hQz3Az-9Xun3czOVl4qjycBaSJbtOjaDnqfqsKMurLRxKyjOiZMVtZWgpTgcD2WSj2EObL_8BRSJif_7Nos2otX75cfi1FW/s200/Once+We+Were.jpg" width="131" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnABG-SelORmLvpuFjSX8QMCz1g1vLShPWQPuXSc94wAuw-WxynDJ2jposY83cZ7cvFdy8n2L1B76pV0SJKQbPnzqwxmNyMT79n9OrKazkuC7On5DY-00DEwfUmSrhj8tu0EwrERlc2zCe/s1600/Something+Strange+and+Deadly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnABG-SelORmLvpuFjSX8QMCz1g1vLShPWQPuXSc94wAuw-WxynDJ2jposY83cZ7cvFdy8n2L1B76pV0SJKQbPnzqwxmNyMT79n9OrKazkuC7On5DY-00DEwfUmSrhj8tu0EwrERlc2zCe/s200/Something+Strange+and+Deadly.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
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7. Once We Were by Kat Zhang</div>
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Amazing prose, unique concept, well-written characters.</div>
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Left me needing book 3.</div>
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8. Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard</div>
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Lots of action. Great characters. One of my favorite heroines.</div>
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Zombies! Daniel! <3 Couldn't wait for book 2.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZdKoPjEWWWIPUVkhLNo9TwCYycvCMlxTvVZhPe_KLkh46lXqSIQsrJwwG2wJmSlW5objJCmS-rxYJPFyAFhcSdsYb7LehFYgXEuQaMErBhaPx4RgutzvClPOGBWwDI54oBo8qadpmGEN/s1600/You+Knew+Me+When.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZdKoPjEWWWIPUVkhLNo9TwCYycvCMlxTvVZhPe_KLkh46lXqSIQsrJwwG2wJmSlW5objJCmS-rxYJPFyAFhcSdsYb7LehFYgXEuQaMErBhaPx4RgutzvClPOGBWwDI54oBo8qadpmGEN/s200/You+Knew+Me+When.jpg" width="132" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMm-6yEExjuPohH0DM9tGZAB3d107ErN7ZmGfBlAStsQYLYQrzGvyV7m5n2qPyACey4yW44yH78tu7rZ18DVsmKF8wB-XfAFkQzD0RuwpA4GVBiDXOcTj4-oO_CenhV5_x-AaYfCc-WBK/s1600/Shadow+and+Bone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMm-6yEExjuPohH0DM9tGZAB3d107ErN7ZmGfBlAStsQYLYQrzGvyV7m5n2qPyACey4yW44yH78tu7rZ18DVsmKF8wB-XfAFkQzD0RuwpA4GVBiDXOcTj4-oO_CenhV5_x-AaYfCc-WBK/s200/Shadow+and+Bone.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
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9. You Knew Me When by Emily Liebert</div>
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Character driven. Not YA. Well written. Invested in characters.</div>
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Made me cry and laugh. Makes you want to hug your best friend.</div>
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10. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo</div>
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Love the concept. Love the setting.</div>
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Intriguing characters. Great plot. Lovely book, inside and out.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73_qabmetFVOb7ar1zXXPxlw6sKc1jAZy9g5yu3VJPYhPWYkYdJEuaNS5-1Fd8-WX3Am_Lp9cKdW86f_tPEexBMKrbHjE1N1bN0O1SQmKc1qRslIQjMw1ieMAoC4xPVzYsi-WkwgIMKq7/s1600/Fire+&+Flood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73_qabmetFVOb7ar1zXXPxlw6sKc1jAZy9g5yu3VJPYhPWYkYdJEuaNS5-1Fd8-WX3Am_Lp9cKdW86f_tPEexBMKrbHjE1N1bN0O1SQmKc1qRslIQjMw1ieMAoC4xPVzYsi-WkwgIMKq7/s200/Fire+&+Flood.jpg" width="129" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHtvu8venTDNm-W3OAJRsO7uiNoukzaMRlRb0Pv4n6zPgR-FZ0xvitRe4KEbCBF4nCXHWIn3Wau4HEjzEV0aJP4-Yol-qpvD5Lupr-ApYQtNeaek-oe9HaWe15paBYxKWcbnk8dZxYOI8h/s1600/Dash+&+Lily's+Book+of+Dares.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHtvu8venTDNm-W3OAJRsO7uiNoukzaMRlRb0Pv4n6zPgR-FZ0xvitRe4KEbCBF4nCXHWIn3Wau4HEjzEV0aJP4-Yol-qpvD5Lupr-ApYQtNeaek-oe9HaWe15paBYxKWcbnk8dZxYOI8h/s200/Dash+&+Lily's+Book+of+Dares.jpg" width="136" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6jm63AWZjQMeToTe9HWlKCWOJXI6zMpq_GgwQbWa1BePq38SBoWgb55rHJDrq9plhPIkpgQb6d3CSwEtoqy8C2pNfywP34i904UdDP61cABh8lO0-D2_-gWToBKBytv_oeuhm8sEg0l0J/s1600/Prodigy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6jm63AWZjQMeToTe9HWlKCWOJXI6zMpq_GgwQbWa1BePq38SBoWgb55rHJDrq9plhPIkpgQb6d3CSwEtoqy8C2pNfywP34i904UdDP61cABh8lO0-D2_-gWToBKBytv_oeuhm8sEg0l0J/s200/Prodigy.jpg" width="128" /></a></div>
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11. Fire & Flood by Victoria Scott</div>
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(This doesn't come out until next year, but I just finished reading it.)</div>
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Fast paced. Amazing main AND supporting characters. </div>
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Everything The Hunger Games wasn't (and more).</div>
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Also, Pandoras!</div>
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12. Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan</div>
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Cute. Quick read. Great for holidays.</div>
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13. Prodigy by Marie Lu</div>
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Much better than Legend.</div>
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Intense. Action packed. Plot twists. Well-written plot and characters.</div>
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Honorable Mention: </div>
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Sekret by Lindsay Smith (ARC), Altered by Gennifer Albin, What's Left of Me by Kat Zhang</div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><u>Top Five Movies/TV Shows I Watched in 2013</u></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><u>(In no particular order)</u></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0iVRrfzxQsDmApa-pABvl0DVQ_sxNGxoxpqbI0H2tAJ_hQOVtQRq66qdNYj3VIpiaQv-RwCRCA7ly5Kd9PLo5EuPTthCh6r1CUtIyFQhIaGoqKkfW6Zqlf2p6NVguQSPuZMGgpN2dgCvJ/s1600/Orphan+Black.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0iVRrfzxQsDmApa-pABvl0DVQ_sxNGxoxpqbI0H2tAJ_hQOVtQRq66qdNYj3VIpiaQv-RwCRCA7ly5Kd9PLo5EuPTthCh6r1CUtIyFQhIaGoqKkfW6Zqlf2p6NVguQSPuZMGgpN2dgCvJ/s320/Orphan+Black.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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1. Orphan Black (BBC America)</div>
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Fast paced. Intriguing. Clones.</div>
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Fantastic and extremely talented cast.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7tj-0-pL2k6lPLqA9zeTmLv3hWmtPZCONKESAI7glsCqZl_wQdMWL8kCjybagtpDX8Alh5GhjnHkttdeFmYAIOAXftjbwS1HO-pOMJg9DauAiNHLZYru4L40Q5oyOmFYeJ9lrE8hUu86/s1600/Frozen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7tj-0-pL2k6lPLqA9zeTmLv3hWmtPZCONKESAI7glsCqZl_wQdMWL8kCjybagtpDX8Alh5GhjnHkttdeFmYAIOAXftjbwS1HO-pOMJg9DauAiNHLZYru4L40Q5oyOmFYeJ9lrE8hUu86/s320/Frozen.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
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2. Frozen</div>
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Cute. Inspirational. Amazing soundtrack.</div>
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Unexpected ending. Exceeded expectations.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5z1HTyt8GrXJwzd36jY8wbkis1vR6Lgq3ew3foM6BE8zITHG4wo39Xgd7kQW1Q6rZcNWNoxYbhIkGoJJPRDdKQB8CpM1c7vp3OXpEmqf5GUFFA3654dLIsiXlpMar_gcnsZbOo9PdHOKb/s1600/Graceland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5z1HTyt8GrXJwzd36jY8wbkis1vR6Lgq3ew3foM6BE8zITHG4wo39Xgd7kQW1Q6rZcNWNoxYbhIkGoJJPRDdKQB8CpM1c7vp3OXpEmqf5GUFFA3654dLIsiXlpMar_gcnsZbOo9PdHOKb/s320/Graceland.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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3. Graceland (USA Network)</div>
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(I am admittedly a few episodes behind.)</div>
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Great cast. Interesting characters.</div>
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Great mix of talents, agencies, and plots.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbgchhtj8B-RcAyV87UVvXFipYxigUzEwzKjSiZfTz1Bwoo44BdX4uLwY5pxwLuAQX2p_vTBBJfDvF8iatE4z2U56ElZl47qxPQBp_1b8IAIGj7xkcYNWwpI0wBKjZ0mk9qak8h3Rqg6K/s1600/Catching+Fire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbgchhtj8B-RcAyV87UVvXFipYxigUzEwzKjSiZfTz1Bwoo44BdX4uLwY5pxwLuAQX2p_vTBBJfDvF8iatE4z2U56ElZl47qxPQBp_1b8IAIGj7xkcYNWwpI0wBKjZ0mk9qak8h3Rqg6K/s1600/Catching+Fire.jpg" /></a></div>
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4. Catching Fire</div>
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Better than the books (I'm not a fan of THG books as a whole).</div>
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Well done. For the most part, outstanding cast.</div>
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Cinna! Johanna! Finnick! Haymitch! 'Nuf said.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz86OKlg_fKJmgxqtxDo7jnu44A5NUmppAqJ0TvDwAdTNb4sNldEnClDZJ8_QQcRGIvk5sRRUX5YDZQMjL3PqI_5QwNz5RYHy6lnzdaZ3w8HLXFiot30-jrv6K83tRJzIIm_zw-RKF9Wcs/s1600/Fringe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz86OKlg_fKJmgxqtxDo7jnu44A5NUmppAqJ0TvDwAdTNb4sNldEnClDZJ8_QQcRGIvk5sRRUX5YDZQMjL3PqI_5QwNz5RYHy6lnzdaZ3w8HLXFiot30-jrv6K83tRJzIIm_zw-RKF9Wcs/s320/Fringe.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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5. Fringe (Fox)</div>
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Amazing series finale. Sad that it's over.</div>
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Fantastic well-rounded, diverse cast and characters.</div>
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Honorable Mentions:</div>
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NCIS:LA, Psych: The Musical and Psych's 100th episode, Elementary</div>
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<b>5 Blog Related Things</b></div>
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1) Cal and I kicked off the What's In the Snow? event!</div>
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2) I reviewed a picture book for the first time ever</div>
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3) I'm almost done with the new blog. Just a few things I need to fix/edit/add before the new year.</div>
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4) I got back into the blogging spirit</div>
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5) Preparing to wrap up my time at this URL</div>
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<b>5 Personal Things</b></div>
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1) Caught up on some shows; started watching some other shows</div>
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2) Started practicing typography (send me quotes if you'd like!)</div>
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3) Started planning a huge fundraising project</div>
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4) Got more bruises from dance than I could ever care for</div>
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5) I kind of can't remember much, but my aunt visited!</div>
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I suppose that's it for now. I hope you all had a wonderful month and year! Happy Holidays! The next time I post, it'll be about my move to a new blog URL! Make sure you stop by and check it out. (Actually, I'll have to post my What's In the Snow? post, so after that post!)</div>
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Jessica Sunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278267164524000685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5938023087308656426.post-88230173973125796422013-12-30T18:52:00.000-05:002013-12-30T18:52:12.566-05:00UpdateHey guys! As you can see, I haven't been posting lately. This is for a couple of reasons, mainly that I'm moving over to a new URL soon. I don't want to have to repost anything extra, which is why I'm not posting the reviews I have drafted. Those will go up, along with all the reviews that are already on here, once I switch over. I have yet to make a big announcement about the switch, but don't worry. It's coming. ;)<br />
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Anyway, thanks for being patient as I get ready to switch. I hope you all understand. I'm really excited for you guys to see my new blog, and I'm happy to start over on a clean slate, learning from what I've done here. I never intended for this URL to become permanent, so I'm glad to have finally figured something out that I like and that fits my blog a lot more.<br />
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That being said, please continue to check out the What's In the Snow? event. I KNOW I haven't been tweeting about it lately but PLEASE check it out (just click on the picture in the sidebar). <b>The second big giveaway has started, so if you're interested, check it out.</b> I hope to get back on track with tweeting about it, but I've been so busy. My apologies!<br />
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I love you all!<br />
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<br />Jessica Sunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278267164524000685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5938023087308656426.post-70116733827091403352013-12-20T00:00:00.000-05:002013-12-20T00:00:03.497-05:00Tour: Godsland Series by Brian Rathbone (Top Ten)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Welcome to my stop on the Godsland series blog tour! This is a YA epic/high fantasy adventure series by Brian Rathbone. The tour consists of reviews of all of the books and the audiobook, as well as guest posts, interviews and more. Be sure to check out the <a href="http://www.candacesbookblog.com/2013/09/tour-sign-up-godsland-series-blog-tour.html" target="_blank">tour page</a> with all the tour information and additional tour stops.</div>
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The books in the Godsland series:</div>
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<i>Call of the Herald</i> (Book One) - FREE</div>
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<i>Inherited Danger</i> (Book Two)- FREE</div>
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<i>Dragon Ore</i> (Book Three)</div>
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You can also find it in one bind up called<i> The Dawning of Power Trilogy Omnibus</i>.</div>
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Find the full list of titles and links at http://brianrathbone.com/ As this is only the first trilogy in the <b>World of Godsland series.</b></div>
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<u><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>TOP TEN:</b></span></u></div>
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<u>Top Ten Favorite Literary Characters</u></div>
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1. Tasslehoff Burrfoot - This lovable kender is my vote for most memorable character or all time.<br />
2. Will Ohmsford - Of all Terry Brooks characters, I related most with Wil Ohmsford.<br />
3. Fizban - The alter ego of the god Paladine, this Dragonlance character is the reason my wizard carving has a white feather attached to the top.<br />
4. Thomas Covenant - Donaldson made us hate Covenant for who he is and what he does, and then he makes us forgive. My wedding band is of white gold--just in case.<br />
5. Sioned - It's been many years since I read The Dragon Prince, but the name Sioned always bring back find memories.<br />
6. Fitzchivalry - Robin Hobb's assassin partly inspired my saying: a broken hero is still a hero.<br />
7. Arthur Dent - 42<br />
8. Belgarath - Awnry old devil.<br />
9. Mat Cauthon - I can't roll dice without thinking of him.<br />
10. Tyrion Lannister - For doing things I probably shouldn't talk about since the TV show isn't there yet...<br />
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<b>243 pages<i> </i></b> </div>
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Echoes of the ancients' power are distant memories, tattered and faded by the passage of eons, but that is about to change. A new dawn has arrived. Latent abilities, harbored in mankind's deepest fibers, wait to be unleashed. Ancient evils awaken, and old fears ignite the fires of war. When a Catrin Volker, a teenage horse trainer, inadvertently fulfills the prophecy of the destroyer, she becomes the most feared and hunted person on all of Godsland. With the help of her friends, she must convince the world that she wants only peace.</blockquote>
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<b><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1377794614098_48435">Godsland Book Two -
<i>Inherited Danger</i> </span></b></div>
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Leaving her homeland behind, Catrin Volker goes in search of knowledge and peace, unaware that she will face the greatest evil her world has ever known.</blockquote>
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<b>Godsland Book Three- Dragon Ore</b><br />
<b>268 pages</b><br />
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Dragon Ore is the exciting conclusion of The Dawning of Power trilogy. Clinging to life, Catrin Volker struggles to regain her strength as her foes go in search of even greater power. Ancient enemies threaten and forgotten alliances emerge.</blockquote>
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<b>Brian Rathbone started out as a professional racehorse trainer, but
he later transformed himself into a network engineer, programmer, and,
more recently, rural broadband specialist. One thing that never changed
was Brian's love of reading fantasy fiction. For years he would think of
story lines for his own stories as a way to keep from dreaming about
writing code. When the time came that Brian could concentrate on
writing, The World of Godsland became real.</b><br />
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<b><b>Author Sites:</b><br />
<a href="http://brianrathbone.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> | <a href="http://twitter.com/brianrathbone" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="http://facebook.com/worldofgodsland" target="_blank">Facebook </a>| <a href="http://goodreads.com/brianrathbone" target="_blank">GoodReads</a> |<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nK-GkDOI3RM" target="_blank"> Trailer </a>| <a href="http://worldofgodsland.com/" target="_blank">Free Web Game Feral Dragons</a> | <a href="http://grumpydragons.com/" target="_blank">Free Web Game Grumpy Dragons</a><br />
<b> </b></b><br />
<b><b>Books can be found at:</b> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/series/85680-world-of-godsland" target="_blank">GoodReads</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Godsland+series&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3AGodsland+series" target="_blank">Amazon </a></b><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> </b><a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d34746153/" id="rc-d34746153" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a></div>
Jessica Sunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278267164524000685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5938023087308656426.post-10809033027901056942013-12-17T00:04:00.000-05:002013-12-17T00:04:01.182-05:00Review: Catching Fire Movie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Before I start this review, I have to admit that I am not a Hunger Games fan at all. I never liked Katniss and still don't. There were certainly some aspects of the book that I liked, but it wasn't enough for me to a) finish Mockingjay and b) like the series (which is also evident from my ratings on Goodreads). However, Catching Fire was my favorite book of the two that I read, so I was a little bit more excited about this movie. I also have to say that this series is one of the rare instances where I think the movies are better than the books. But without further ado, my review.<br />
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I think the most important aspect to hit upon first is the characters/acting. I've been feeling very conflicted on this because the movie has changed some of my thoughts on the characters from when I read the book. But I'm going to break this down in some of the different characters. I suppose I should talk about Katniss first. Like I said above, I never liked Katniss. The movies have not changed that, and I'm not sorry to admit that. I certainly think Jennifer Lawrence is a great actress, but I've been wondering how much I've been enjoying her performance. In some ways, I was first thinking that this (and The Hunger Games) was one of her weaker performances on screen. But before you yell at me, let me explain. I saw Katniss to be very emotionless in the first half-ish part of the movie. I know a lot of you will argue with me about that, but that's how I saw it. Later on, I do think it got better, but there was still something that irked me. Jennifer Lawrence's performance didn't honestly help me at all. I still feel the same way about Katniss, and if anything, the movie reinforces how much I really don't like Katniss. I get why a lot of other people do like her, but I think the bad parts I see far outweigh the good that they see. And that's when I realized that maybe that made Jennifer Lawrence a <i>good</i> actress who has done a great job representing Katniss. What I mean is that for those who like/love Katniss, the movies have reinforced that, but for me, among the minority, it just reminds me of everything I don't like about Katniss. Lawrence's performance is good in that I guess she has done a great job playing who Katniss really is, for better or for worse.<br />
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Next, there's Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth. Let's start with Hemsworth first. I just...no. Sorry. Unlike many, I didn't mind Gale in the books (maybe because I never read past ~5 chapters of Mockingjay). But I don't think Hemsworth has captured the character's essence. Maybe part of it is the writing, but I think a large part of it is that he really seems unemotional, and that doesn't fit him, at least from how I interpreted Gale from the books. His performance has really made me dislike Gale. Who knows, maybe that's the point. Josh Hutcherson, on the other hand, I feel has done a great job. I don't even know why, but I was never fond of Peeta in the books, which is weird because in real life, I probably would like him. But I think Josh has done a great job of understanding and portraying Peeta, with a ton of emotions and expressions, and it's made me really like Peeta a whole lot more.<br />
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Haymitch and Effie are just as great in this movie, if not better (particularly Haymitch). Also, that mahogany reference? Perfect! Cinna is also still magnificent in this movie, and I'M SO SAD BECAUSE OF WHAT HAPPENS TO HIM LIKE WHY. (Just as a note, my favorites from the books were Haymitch, Cinna, Finnick, and <i>possibly</i> Johanna (I say possibly because I don't remember much from the books, so I don't know if I liked her).) Speaking of Finnick, MY GOSH SAM CLAFLIN. Yes, yes, yes, yes. He was so perfect as Finnick, and I just love him even more! And speaking of <i>loving</i> a character, Jo-freakin'-hanna! I fricking love that girl. Jena Malone, you are my favorite (not really but okay, maybe in this movie yes). Johanna was so beyond fantastic. I loved how snarky she was, and I loved her unique personality. You could definitely see the hatred she had towards the Capitol. And her attitude and personality and just everything just blew me away. I think Malone's performance was one of the best, if not the best, out of all of the actors.<br />
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On a last note about characters after that mini freak out, I don't know how I feel about how Mags was portrayed. I still loved her, and you could still understand her personality, but I didn't really like how she didn't talk. I know it was probably to get around the speech issue that I don't remember but was apparently in the books (you can see how much I didn't like the series in general...also it's been a long time).<br />
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Next, on to everything else. I loved the clock arena, and it was definitely freaky. I didn't really like that they didn't at least introduce all the tributes, which made it confusing when they showed the dead. I get that they weren't important, but I'm picky, and I couldn't stop thinking, "Did we ever see that person? Who is that?" I don't know if they were mentioned in the books, so maybe that's why, but still. But the arena was really well done in general. I also loved the Snow scenes, and the parts with his granddaughter were really well done. Caesar's scenes were hilarious as well.<br />
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I didn't really understand the huge jump in advanced technology. I get that it's the Quarter Quell, and I get that they had a much higher budget (the movie, I mean), but I don't know...it felt so weird to see such a vast difference in technology in, I believe, less than a year. I know it's not real and whatnot, and I do think that some of the technology did help to add to the movie and to make it look cooler, but I think the movie would have been just fine without that huge jump. Maybe I'm just being over picky.<br />
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The last nit-picky thing for me was the awkward scene cuts. It was definitely a lot better compared to The Hunger Games, but there were still a couple of times when this bothered me, particularly the one that cut abruptly from a dark scene to a light scene, making my eyes go WOAH NO.<br />
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In general, I really enjoyed this movie. As much as I'd hate to admit it, it's definitely one that I'd see again, and I think it was VERY well done. I would gladly freak out about the movie, as I have a bit already, just as long as you don't mention the book series to me (maybe Catching Fire is the exception but I don't really remember it) and push it in my face.<br />
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Basically, as a whole, I think the acting was phenomenal. Almost every actor brought something to their character, whether I personally enjoyed it or not. The pacing went well (if you don't mind that the arena lasted roughly 2 or 3 days and a lot of time was spent on everything before), and I loved the arena. The ending was perfect, and Katniss' facial expression? Awesome. Everyone really stepped it up a notch with this movie, and it really helped to make this epic. While I will never say that this is my favorite book-to-movie adaptation (despite its flaws, I'll always go with Harry Potter, and I'm not sorry about that. Argue with me all you want, but I will never let anything, especially THG, take over that spot. I'm stubborn that way), it's probably on my top ten list, as much as I'd hate to admit that.<br />
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Seriously, if you can, go watch it (if you haven't already). It will possibly almost blow your mind away by its greatness.<br />
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<br />Jessica Sunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278267164524000685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5938023087308656426.post-65215795024073651652013-12-15T00:00:00.000-05:002014-01-05T11:14:54.953-05:00Welcome to the What's In The Snow? Scavenger Hunt!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi everyone! I'm really happy to announce the start of the What's in the Snow? event that I'm co-hosting with <a href="http://readbooksandlivegreen.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Read Books and Live Green</a> (Cal)! We've been working on this for a few months now, as you may or may not have seen on Twitter. It's both of our first time hosting an event, and while it was a lot of work (and weren't exactly the best hosts at times), we're really excited to kick off this event!<br />
<br />
So I suppose I should start by telling you guys what this is all about. Basically, from <b>today (December 15th) til January 15th</b>, different bloggers will be posting winter-related posts. Many of these include some kind of author interaction. We have some great interviews coming up, as well as some awesome giveaways. Other bloggers are posting about various topics relating to winter and the holiday season. <b>The schedule will be posted below</b>, so please check out all the posts the wonderful bloggers involved are planning!<br />
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On to the fun part: giveaways! As I stated above, <b>many of the blog posts will have some form of giveaway, whether they be bookish swag, books, ARCs, or gift cards. </b>Most of these have been donated by the wonderful authors involved, so I want to thank them for not only participating and answering interview questions but also for donating some really awesome prizes. <b>Every 2 weeks, there will be a big giveaway (so there will be 2). You can find the Rafflecopter for those right here. There will be multiple winners, and the prizes are first come, first serve. </b><span style="color: red;"><i>(The Rafflecopter can be found at the end of this post.)</i></span><br />
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Now, I also need to explain the situation with our clues. <b>Each blogger has a different clue for their post(s). This clue will be included in their post somewhere. Where it is located in the post is up to the blogger's discretion. The answers to these clues are extra entries into the grand giveaways (so it's split half and half). </b>You don't have to enter in all the answers, but it'll give you more entries. It's up to you! (This may be confusing, so if there are any questions, just ask in the comments!)<br />
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Without further ado, here's the schedule! Be sure to check back every day (I will change the links as the posts are put up, so this brings you to the exact post) and see which clue and post is up! (NOTE: No posts will be posted on Christmas Eve, Christmas, or New Year's Eve.) <span style="color: red;"><i>(Also note that I am changing my blog name and URL in the new year! The event will still be hosted here though!)</i></span><br />
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<u>December</u></div>
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15th--<a href="http://readbooksandlivegreen.blogspot.com/2013/12/whats-in-snow-winter-scavenger-hunt.html" target="_blank">Read Books and Live Green</a>; <a href="http://reviewsabound.blogspot.com/2013/12/welcome-to-whats-in-snow-scavenger-hunt.html" target="_blank">Reviews Abound</a> (Intro Posts ONLY)<br />
16th--<a href="http://thenerdherdreads.blogspot.com/2013/12/whats-in-snow-scavenger-hunt.html" target="_blank">The NerdHerd Reads</a>; <a href="http://www.musingsofablogder.blogspot.com/2013/12/whats-in-snow-winter-themed-playlist.html" target="_blank">Musings of a Blogder</a><br />
17th--<a href="http://theyabookbutterfly.blogspot.com/2013/12/whats-in-snow-winter-scavenger-hunt-stop.html" target="_blank">The YA Book Butterfly</a><br />
19th--<a href="http://booksforbirdsblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">BooksForBirds</a>; <a href="http://fictionthenewreality.blogspot.com/2013/12/whats-in-snow-scavenger-hunt.html" target="_blank">Fiction Is the New Reality</a><br />
20th--<a href="http://booklovinghippo.wordpress.com/2013/12/20/whats-in-the-snow-scavenger-hunt-tellulah-darling-interview/" target="_blank">Book Loving Hippo</a>; <a href="http://mynookbooksnmore.com/2013/12/whats-in-the-snow-a-winter-scavenger-hunt-stop.html" target="_blank">My Nook, Books, and More</a><br />
21st--<a href="http://www.sarcasticpalmtree.blogspot.com/2013/12/whats-in-snow-scavenger-hunt-christmas.html" target="_blank">The Sarcastic Palm Tree</a><br />
22nd--<a href="http://icycoldreads.blogspot.com/2013/12/whats-in-snow.html" target="_blank">Icy Cold Reads</a><br />
23rd--<a href="http://readingismytreasure.blogspot.com/2013/12/whats-in-snow-interview-with-robing.html" target="_blank">Reading Is My Treasure</a><br />
27th--<a href="http://www.tween2teenbooks.com/2013/12/blog-hop-whats-in-snow-featuring-leanna.html" target="_blank">Tween 2 Teen Book Reviews</a><br />
28th--<a href="http://frictiontofiction.blogspot.com/2013/12/whats-in-snowan-interview-with-jessica.html" target="_blank">Friction to Fiction</a><br />
29th--<a href="http://italicbooks.wordpress.com/2013/12/29/whats-in-the-snow-scavenger-hunt-interview-with-christine-amsden/" target="_blank">In Italics</a><br />
30th--<a href="http://mynookbooksnmore.com/2013/12/whats-in-the-snow-winter-scavenger-hunt-2nd-stop.html" target="_blank">My Nook, Books, and More</a><br />
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<u>January</u><br />
1st--<a href="http://reviewsabound.blogspot.com/2014/01/whats-in-snow-event-stop.html" target="_blank">Reviews Abound</a><br />
2nd--<a href="http://thelovelygrace.blogspot.ca/2014/01/whats-in-snow-scavenger-hunt-with.html" target="_blank">The Lovely Grace</a><br />
3rd--<a href="http://lostineverafter.blogspot.ca/2014/01/whats-in-snow-playlist-giveaway.html" target="_blank">Lost In Ever After</a><br />
4th--<a href="http://justanotherteenreading.blogspot.com/2014/01/whats-in-snow-scavenger-hunt.html" target="_blank">Just Another Teen Reading</a><br />
5th--<a href="http://foreverliterary.blogspot.com/2014/01/whats-in-snow-interview-with-romily.html" target="_blank">Forever Literary</a><br />
6th--<a href="http://thebookaviary.blospot.com/" target="_blank">The Book Aviary</a><br />
7th--<a href="http://bibliophilic-nerds.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Bibliophilic Nerds</a><br />
8th--<a href="http://bibliophilic-nerds.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Bibliophilic Nerds</a><br />
9th--<a href="http://bibliophilic-nerds.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Bibliophilic Nerds</a><br />
10th--<a href="http://bibliophilic-nerds.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Bibliophilic Nerds</a>; <a href="http://beautyandthebookshelf.com/" target="_blank">Beauty and the Bookshelf</a><br />
11th--<a href="http://bibliophilic-nerds.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Bibliophilic Nerds</a><br />
12th--<a href="http://booklovinghippo.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Book Loving Hippo</a><br />
13th--<a href="http://www.readbooksandlivegreen.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Read Books and Live Green</a><br />
14th--<a href="http://reader.christiney.com/" target="_blank">Christiney Reads</a><br />
15th--<a href="http://www.reviewsabound.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Reviews Abound</a>; <a href="http://www.readbooksandlivegreen.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Read Books and Live Green</a> (Wrap Up Posts ONLY)</div>
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<b><u>GIVEAWAY</u></b></div>
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Rules:</div>
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Must be 13+ or have parent permission</div>
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Winners have 48 hours to respond to email or another winner will be chosen</div>
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Prizes are distributed on a first come, first serve basis</div>
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Mail items are US ONLY; eBooks are INT</div>
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/cfde4a3/" id="rc-cfde4a3" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script></center>
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/cfde4a2/" id="rc-cfde4a2" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script></div>
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Here are the buttons if you'd like to use them!<br />
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<img alt="What's in the Snow?" src="http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p673/FlytotheSky55/df9057a6-ee29-41d6-a6fd-a1eb14a41865_zpse5d719e3.jpg" title="What's in the Snow?" /></div>
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<a href="http://reviewsabound.blogspot.com/2013/12/welcome-to-whats-in-snow-
scavenger-hunt.html" title="What's in the Snow?"><img src="http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p673/FlytotheSky55/df9057a6-ee29-41d6-a6fd-a1eb14a41865_zpse5d719e3.jpg" alt="What's in the Snow?" style="border:none;" /></a></div>
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<img alt="What's in the Snow?" src="http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p673/FlytotheSky55/fabc8578-8992-46f8-a44b-cd1a8f0ef1d6_zpsce7c4af7.jpg" title="What's in the Snow?" /></div>
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<a href="http://reviewsabound.blogspot.com/2013/12/welcome-to-whats-in-snow-
scavenger-hunt.html" title="What's in the Snow?"><img src="http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p673/FlytotheSky55/fabc8578-8992-46f8-a44b-cd1a8f0ef1d6_zpsce7c4af7.jpg" alt="What's in the Snow?" style="border:none;" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://reviewsabound.blogspot.com/2013/12/welcome-to-whats-in-snow-
scavenger-hunt.html" title="What's in the Snow?"><img src="http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p673/FlytotheSky55/ca8b2306-93ea-4258-a9aa-fb1169607522_zpsf6ffb931.jpg" alt="What's in the Snow?" style="border:none;" /></a></div>
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<b>THANK YOUS:</b><br />
A huge thank you goes out to the authors involved, most of who have both donated their time to answer interview questions despite busy schedules, as well as some awesome prizes. As an extra thank you, I've put their Twitters as a giveaway entry for whichever Rafflecopter they're on. We couldn't have such a great event without the awesome authors we have involved.<br />
Secondly, a MASSIVE thank you goes out to all the bloggers that have joined the event. This would be nothing, literally, without you guys. Thank you for taking a chance on not one, but TWO, newbie bloggers that figured out this event. Thanks for all your patience and support and excitement. This wouldn't have happened if it weren't for all of you.<br />
Thirdly, a special shout-out to Klaudia (@ObservantGirl_) for being the one to basically get this idea rolling. Cal and I could never have come up with something this awesome without you, so thank you, thank you, thank you!<br />
Next, a huge shoutout to Arial and Emz for making the awesome banners and buttons we have for this event. They're all lovely, and they're much more creative than anything I could have made in Photoshop. Thanks a ton, you guys!<br />
Last but not least, I must thank Cal a hundred thousand times. This event would be nothing if it weren't for Cal. Thank you, Cal, for being the best co-host I could ask for. Thanks for taking a chance on another newbie that just wanted to put on a big event such as this one. I'm so glad we've gotten to become friends, and I'm so glad that sheer coincidence made this happen! Thanks for always giving me such great suggestions and ideas on how to make this thing happen. Thanks for always being so willing to email people or work on something last minute. And I really need to thank you for getting so many bloggers involved! Most of the bloggers here said they only heard about this through your Twitter! So thank you! I hope we can do this again, or at least something similar, and if not, at least I know I have one more blogger friend!<br />
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That being said, I hope you all enjoy this event, and we hope to make this an annual event (if we're successful!). Happy Holidays!</div>
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Jessica Sunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278267164524000685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5938023087308656426.post-53104642384796478782013-12-13T01:07:00.001-05:002013-12-13T01:07:35.283-05:00Review: Altered by Gennifer Albin (ARC)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV7Yl9zoBzDpNwvSjKGzdwUEIVPd3LzYHKyePc-1vwjAOk_KDmrrokeU7fg9VuQsf2tv8yxX9DZ6kR-TV5LN05O2qUKmRSNW7lYM8Zyu8S5MtNoCPhEKPgHcOAAcmdST6kO972jFJkl5WN/s1600/Altered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV7Yl9zoBzDpNwvSjKGzdwUEIVPd3LzYHKyePc-1vwjAOk_KDmrrokeU7fg9VuQsf2tv8yxX9DZ6kR-TV5LN05O2qUKmRSNW7lYM8Zyu8S5MtNoCPhEKPgHcOAAcmdST6kO972jFJkl5WN/s320/Altered.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<b>Altered by Gennifer Albin</b><br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Farrar, Straus, Giroux (BYR)<br />
<b>Release Date: </b>October 29th, 2013<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Life. Possibility. Choice.</i><br />
All taken from Adelice by the Guild—until she took them back.<br />
But amid the splendid ruins of Earth, Adelice discovers how dangerous freedom can be. Hunted by soulless Remnants sent by Cormac Patton and the Guild, Adelice finds a world that’s far from deserted. Although allies are easy to find on Earth, knowing who to trust isn’t. Because everyone has secrets, especially those Adelice loves most. Secrets they would kill to protect. Secrets that will redefine each of them. Torn between two brothers and two worlds, Adelice must choose what to fight for.<br />
In this thrilling sequel to Crewel, Adelice is about to learn how tangled up her past and future really are. Her parents ran to protect her, but nothing can save her from her destiny, and once she uncovers the truth, it will change everything.</blockquote>
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from a giveaway held by the publishing company. This does not affect my thoughts on the book.<br />
Reviewer's Note: I would also just like to add that it's been a while since I finished the book, and I'm terrible at remembering books and their plots, characters, etc, so bear with me.<br />
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I was so beyond excited to receive an ARC of Altered after being blown away by <i>Crewel</i>, the first book. I had high expectations, and while some of them were met, this fell short in many aspects. (Also, as a note, I now have both the ARC and a final copy, but since I read the ARC, I'm listing it as such.)<br />
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<i>Altered </i>picks up right after <i>Crewel</i> ended, with Adelice, Eric, and Jost falling down to Earth. We're then introduced to a bunch of new characters, including Dante, whom I'm still conflicted over. We also meet Kincaid, who's almost like the Cormac Patton of Earth. We also learn a lot more about Adelice's parents and what they were involved with, although the full truth only comes out later on in the story. There's a lot about the Cypress Project and the interesting man and scientist, Kairos. Don't worry, you'll learn more about all of that when you read the book. And one of the best parts, at least for me? Learning about what "The Agenda" is. If you've seen Albin's Twitter campaign and promotions, you'll find that she had a bunch of stuff set up relating to the book and using the hashtag #JoinTheAgenda (I also posted about it a few months back).<br />
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The plot was generally well-written, and there were a few plot twists that took me by surprise. Albin continues to weave a fantastic new world, leaving the reader captivated and generally engaged. There were a few times here and there where the plot moved a lot slower, but there was also a lot of character development and influential decisions that were made. It was interesting to see where all the characters were headed towards, even if it wasn't exactly what I would personally want.<br />
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But speaking of characters, I want to discuss that aspect in particular detail. I still love Adelice, but there was something about her that irked me at times. I think part of it may have been her stubbornness, though given her, ah, family, I can't say I'm surprised. Despite this, I can understand where she's coming from. Most of her emotions, feelings, thoughts, decisions, and actions are understandable. And it's wonderful that she's not strong all the time and that she's affected by her weakness.<br />
Jost, however, really bothered me. He seems to have turned into someone completely different, and while I understand the reasons why, I hate how he's turned into someone else. It feels almost icky, but I'm holding out hope that this will change when/if he finds his daughter and gets her back.<br />
I'm still stuck on Eric and Dante. Eric also seemed to be very different from how he was in <i>Crewel</i>, but there's still something that doesn't sit right with me. Dante...he's a very interesting, complex character, and I love that about him, but there was always a little part of me that was annoyed with him.<br />
I think that Albin is really pushing for that "love triangle" or whatever it's more appropriately called between Jost and Adelice and Eric and Adelice. But it all felt so unnatural and fake. None of the potential relationships seemed real to me anymore. I had been a pretty ardent Adelice/Jost shipper, but with Jost being all...weird...it didn't fit right anymore, but it also always felt like Eric was up to something. We'll see, I guess...<br />
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Yet despite all of this, I still did enjoy the characters in terms of their complexity. I feel like a lot of what I said above are personal opinions that have more to do with how I read and understand the characters than the characters themselves. They're all interesting and very three dimensional. They all have something that they want, and they're all willing to do what they can to get that. I think that this book highlights a lot of their individual characteristics. The decisions they make reflect where they are in THIS book, and I think it sets up well for <i>Crewelest</i>.<br />
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Also, can we talk about that ending?! I'm glad that Adelice made the decision, even though I kept shouting "NO!" I think it showed how much Adelice learned and changed throughout the book. I think that making such a big decision and an even bigger sacrifice is monumental to her as a character. But can I just say, [SPOILER] WHY AMIE?! [END SPOILER]<br />
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All in all, while I still enjoyed the plot and Albin's storytelling, the book suffered from Second Book Syndrome. I'm hoping that <i>Crewelest</i> will be even better though, especially the way that this book sets it up. I'm excited to read the final book to the series! And remember to #JoinTheAgenda! ;)<br />
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You can find Gennifer Albin on: <a href="http://www.genniferalbin.com/" target="_blank">Official Website </a>| <a href="http://genniferalbin.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Blog</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/genniferalbinbooks" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/GenniferAlbin" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/genniferalbin" target="_blank">YouTube</a> | <a href="http://pinterest.com/gennalbin/boards/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> | <a href="http://midnightinarras.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Tumblr</a></div>
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You can find Altered on: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Altered-Crewel-World-Gennifer-Albin/dp/0374316422" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/altered-gennifer-albin/1114317921?ean=9780374316426" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16140922-altered" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> | <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Altered-Gennifer-Albin/9780374316426" target="_blank">The Book Depository</a></div>
<br />Jessica Sunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278267164524000685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5938023087308656426.post-12957333708516770062013-12-09T18:10:00.000-05:002013-12-09T18:10:28.707-05:00Music Monday 12/9/13Yay! I'm so excited to start doing this again!<br />
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This week, I've been obsessed with a song many other people have been obsessed with recently. Check it out below, and see which song I've been belting out to for the past week.<br />
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You know what my favorite part of the song is (besides the lyrics and video and empowerment)? "My power flurries through the air into the ground/My soul is spiraling in frozen fractals all around/My thought crystallizes like an icy blast/I'm never going back. The past is in the past." I just think that this part really highlights how amazing Idina Menzel's singing is (I mean, it's all really amazing but especially the bridge).Jessica Sunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278267164524000685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5938023087308656426.post-72528344582838146102013-12-08T12:40:00.000-05:002013-12-08T22:31:51.194-05:00Review: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7896527-throne-of-glass?from_search=true" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZxBRHruoISk-pRaG2Ho-Msz7mF_sl7YfOC7xJOZjnIe8CWzQxb_kmQHAS1qd75Sz5gFM0zt-mkUpndx5EbfLlZIItd_Z07NOQ2UpYE-Bz7YEpIInFze5d4hR58y6vHhHIERZ-fwOMY-8/s320/Throne+of+Glass.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<b>Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas</b><br />
<b>Publisher: </b>Bloomsbury USA Children's<br />
<b>Release Date:</b> March 30th, 2012/August 7th, 2012<br />
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After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin. Her opponents are men-thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the king's council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she'll serve the kingdom for three years and then be granted her freedom.
Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilirating. But she's bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her... but it's the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.
Then one of the other contestants turns up dead... quickly followed by another.
Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.<span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></blockquote>
Where do I even begin? Before I started the book, I had kept hearing about how great this book was. Everyone seemed to just absolutely LOVE it. And rightly so! I'm just one more blogger that agrees.<br />
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I guess I'll start with the characters. They're all phenomenally written, and what I think Maas did best was that she made sure that all of the characters had flaws. Celaena, who is one of my favorite heroines of all time, was so well-written and so <i>real, </i>partially due to the fact that she wasn't perfect. She had her own moments of weakness, and getting to see both sides of her was great. (I also found it interesting to see how girly Celaena could be despite her, ah, profession.) And of course it wasn't just Celaena. There was also Chaol, Dorian, Nehemia, the King, and everyone! Maas builds up her characters extremely well, and they're all very well-rounded characters.<br />
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Next is the plot itself. I've always been a fan of epic/high fantasy, and Throne of Glass made me fall in love with the sub-genre all over again. The world building was beyond phenomenal. Of course, there's also a map at the front of the book. Awesome, right? Anyway, back to the plot. It felt perfectly paced, and it was suspenseful and intriguing enough to keep me interested and invested in the story through the entire book. I never wanted to put it down! If it were up to me, I would have spent the entire day reading it. Seriously, why didn't I read this book before??? I'm also really glad that although there was some light romance, it didn't overshadow the main plot. If anything, it enhanced it. And I personally thought there was enough in it for you to at one moment want her to be with Dorian and the other to be with Chaol (I was originally a Dorian fan, but I think I'm siding more towards Chaol now; thinking back on it now, especially having started Crown of Midnight, it's obvious she was never meant to be with Dorian, and they didn't seem to really come together naturally). It's interesting to see how the different relationships, all of which are very different (as in not just romantic relationships), affect the plot. I don't really know how else to describe everything I loved about this book. It was just everything!<br />
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What else do I talk about? (It's been too long since I've written a review, clearly.) Basically...intriguing, complex characters with compelling relationships, great character and world building, perfect pacing, extremely invested in the story, enjoyable style (at least personally), and a really well executed plot and story in general.<br />
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I kind of just love everything about the book, so I highly recommend it.<br />
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You can find Sarah J Maas on: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sarah-J-Maas/116910261657643" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="http://twitter.com/sjmaas" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="http://sarahjmaas.com/" target="_blank">Official Website</a> | <a href="http://sarahjmaas.com/sample-page/" target="_blank">Blog</a> | <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3433047.Sarah_J_Maas" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
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You can find Throne of Glass on: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Throne-Glass-Sarah-J-Maas/dp/1599906953/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336946233&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/throne-of-glass-sarah-j-maas/1108077808?ean=9781599906959" target="_blank">Barnes and Noble</a> | <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Throne-Glass-Sarah-Maas/9781599906959" target="_blank">The Book Depository</a> | <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781599906959" target="_blank">IndieBound</a></div>
<br />Jessica Sunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278267164524000685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5938023087308656426.post-58056465586623389982013-12-07T00:04:00.000-05:002013-12-07T00:04:19.472-05:00Review: My Yellow Umbrella by Chris Robertson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>My Yellow Umbrella by Chris Robertson</b><br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Xist Publishing<br />
<b>Release Date:</b> October 15th, 2013<br />
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Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author. This did not affect my review in any way.<br />
Reviewer's Note: Chris, I am so incredibly sorry that this is so late, but I've been so swamped. I hope you understand!<br />
To everyone else, this is the first time I've reviewed a picture book, and I have no idea how to do this well, so this will be very short.<br />
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<i>The Yellow Umbrella</i> is short, cute, and imaginative. The illustrations are very well done and go right along with the words. It's a truly inspirational read, and I think everyone can get something out of it, no matter how old one is. I definitely recommend this to parents to read to their children.<br />
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<br />Jessica Sunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278267164524000685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5938023087308656426.post-12420486781320147422013-12-06T17:34:00.001-05:002013-12-06T22:06:37.542-05:00I'm Back!!!Hello everyone! I'm back!<br />
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So the past few weeks have been really busy for me, but then again, what week isn't? So I'm not going to do a post to wrap up November because I've barely posted anything. But I did participate in NaNoWriMo! It was awesome, albeit stressful, and I finished with a word count of 50,800. The most exciting part of it was not actually winning though! It was the fact that I actually wrote it all the way to the end (okay, I skipped a part and just added an epilogue, but I'll revise all of that later). IT'S THE FIRST TIME I'VE EVER FINISHED A NOVEL (even though it's a WIP)!<br />
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As you can tell, I'm incredibly proud of this accomplishment, and I plan to somewhat revise and edit this story for once. It's tough because it's not really a priority right now and just because I think it sucks so much, but you know, whatever. I figured out where I really wanted my story to go, and I realized that I wasn't going to write in a romance and that that's okay. But I am continuing on with this, both for myself and for school.<br />
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The bad thing is that after reading a couple of books (not much, but still a lot considering how much work I've had), I'm now in a slight reading slump. I just finished Prodigy, and I have an ARC of Champion. I tried to start it and just couldn't get into it, no matter how much I wanted to. So I picked up Crown of Midnight again, which I started a while back. I also could not get into the reading, even though I really enjoy the book so far. I also have a couple of books I have to review this month, and I can't get into them either. I feel so stuck, and it's such a horrible feeling because it's not like I don't <i>want</i> to read the books because I do! Who knows...hopefully this will go away soon!<br />
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Anyway, I hope you've all been well! I want to remind you of the What's In the Snow? event that's coming up. You can find info on that if you click the picture in my sidebar. I still have to send out emails and fix everything, but I'm really excited! It's been a lot of work, but it's also been really fun, and Cal is an awesome co-host!<br />
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Lastly, here's just a quick list of what will likely be up on the blog sometime soon (you know, if life doesn't get in the way again, especially since I'm prepping for an MUN conference again):<br />
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<u>Reviews:</u> Throne of Glass, Altered, Shadow and Bone, Legend, Prodigy, Catching Fire movie, My Yellow Umbrella (Children's book; request), possibly NCIS/NCIS:LA/Elementary (not sure! I might just make a post about my general thoughts of recent episodes), Almost Human (may not be a formal review but rather a thoughts post)<br />
<u>Other:</u> Event Recap of Fierce Reads signing at Books of Wonder, discussion post about the 50th Anniversary Ep for Doctor Who, Liebster Award, return of features (HUGE STS/SS post if I remember what books I have/have not already made a vid for; Music Monday, etc)<br />
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Also! Many changes will be coming in 2014, including the fact that I'll be moving over to a different URL. Almost all my pages are the same, but I was never that fond of this URL, and it was meant to be temporary, so I found one that I like a lot better. I will probably start posting there on New Year's, but all the event posts will still be on here for convenience.<br />
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And lastly, I just want to thank everyone that slowly comes back on here. I know I had a long hiatus, and I'm so sorry about that! I know you all understand, so thank you for that! I appreciate all of your help and encouragement, especially those of you on Twitter. I know that since I was on Twitter, it almost didn't seem like I had stopped posting though I did. You all rock, and I'll try to put up a giveaway once I move over to the new blog. :)<br />
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<b>EDIT: I'm also aware that there's an issue with the comments thing for my posts and that you can't seem to see the comment link. If you'd like to comment, please just click on the title of the post, so that it'll bring you to the post page. I'm not going to bother to fix the comment issue because I'm focusing on my new blog. HOWEVER, it may factor into the giveaways for the WITS? event, so!</b>Jessica Sunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278267164524000685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5938023087308656426.post-36280932204376212502013-11-21T15:43:00.002-05:002013-11-21T15:43:25.716-05:00Tour: The Child of Denys by Nicole Gillette<center>
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<a href="http://theavidreaderbooktours.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo TheChildofDenysBanner2.jpg" border="0" height="202" src="http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z46/Clickguru/Blog/The%20Avid%20Reader%20Book%20Tours/The%20Child%20of%20Denys/TheChildofDenysBanner2.jpg" width="320" /></a></center>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16124349-the-child-of-denys" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;" target="_blank"><img alt="The Child of Denys Cover photo 1480299804_frontcover.jpg" border="0" height="320" src="http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z46/Clickguru/Blog/The%20Avid%20Reader%20Book%20Tours/The%20Child%20of%20Denys/1480299804_frontcover.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Title</b>: The Child of Denys by Nicole Gillete</span><br />
<b>Publication Date</b>: 10/31/2012<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">When Katie finds a cat hiding in her mother's garden, she has no idea the kinds of adventure that await her.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">A new kid appears in school at the same time Katie's friends and family begin having nightmares, and she begins to have amazingly vivid dreams. In her dreams this new cat speaks to her, telling of darkness that has invaded the Dream Realm and encouraging her to begin a journey to help save not only the Dream Realm but the real world as well.<br /> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Max, the new kid in school, has a dog that seemed to adopt him. Just as the cat had claimed Katie. Max's mom recently died in a car accident and his father had a very difficult time dealing with her death. That left Max alone and without any friends other than his new dog.<br /> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Katie, her family and her friends learn that a simple, caring gesture is sometimes all it takes to change the course of the world. Join Katie and Max as they learn the true power of our dreams and the importance of our friendships.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Child-Denys-Nicole-Gillette/dp/1480299804">Amazon (Paperback)</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Child-Denys-Nicole-Gillette/dp/1480299804">Kindle</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-child-of-denys-nicole-gillette/1113783146?ean=2940015904321">Nook</a> | <a href="http://books.google.com/books/about/The_Child_of_Denys.html?id=kTwnSmqt8QwC">Google Books</a> | <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-child-of-denyes/id575693197?mt=11">iBook</a></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">About the Author:</span></b><br />
<a href="http://www.mycreativechaoticlife.com/the-child-of-denys/" style="float: right; padding-left: 20px;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="Nicole Gillette Auhtor photo Picture15.jpg" border="0" height="300" src="http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z46/Clickguru/Blog/The%20Avid%20Reader%20Book%20Tours/The%20Child%20of%20Denys/Picture15.jpg" width="300" /></span></a>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Nicole Gillette (or Nikki to her friends and family) describes herself as a wife, mother, crafter, gardener, chef and whatever else is needed. She stays busy following her two children around to sporting events, creating amazing art pieces, writing, and running her online business "<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/CreatingAmidstChaos">Creating Amidst Chaos.</a>"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Growing up in Northern Michigan Nikki learned to appreciate spending time outdoors. She enjoys camping, hiking and fishing and collects memories and mementos on her trips to use in scrapbooks, crafts, art projects and writing. Nothing is off limits to use!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">As she began to explore different art techniques her friends and family encouraged her to teach lessons on scrapbooking and mixed media art. As a result she developed a series of written tutorials that are now available in e-book format.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In addition to the crafting tutorials she has written children's books that are engaging and entertaining for children and adults as well. Most of the inspiration for her writing come from the wonder she sees in the eyes of her children as they explore our world.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Nikki ensures us that as a 'Jack-of-all-Trades' you can be sure of only one thing. As time goes by she will develop and change so you can expect her projects and writings to do the same. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Author Links:</b><br />
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQkBb0-7603rSZeSYiWfQC29BVan8BJzJ1YYRVVNXZlxO1LOj4v" target="_blank"><img alt="Website Icon photo website.png" border="0" src="http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z46/Clickguru/Blog/Social%20Media%20Icons/website.png" width="48" /></a>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Giveaway:</b></span></div>
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/3baac818/" id="rc-3baac818" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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Jessica Sunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278267164524000685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5938023087308656426.post-80854022768871092392013-11-18T00:00:00.000-05:002013-11-18T00:00:05.030-05:00Book Blitz: Dark Musicals Trilogy by Laura DeLuca<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Phantom <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/97559-dark-musicals">(Dark Musicals #1)</a></b><b>by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4670048.Laura_DeLuca">Laura DeLuca</a></b><br />
<b>Summary from Goodreads:<br /> </b><b><i>The
“Phantom” was a musical phenomenon that Rebecca had always found enchanting.
She had no idea that her life was about to mirror the play that was her
obsession. When her high school drama club chooses “Phantom” as their annual
production, Rebecca finds herself in the middle of an unlikely love triangle
and the target of a sadistic stalker who uses the lines from the play as their
calling card.</i></b><br />
<b><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></b><b><i><b><i>Rebecca lands the lead role of Christine, the opera diva, and like her
character, she is torn between her two co-stars—Tom the surfer and basketball
star who plays the lovable hero, and Justyn, the strangely appealing Goth who
is more than realistic in the role of the tortured artist.</i></b></i></b><b><i><br /></i></b><b><i>Almost immediately after casting, strange things start to happen both on and
off the stage. Curtains fall. Mirrors are shattered. People are hurt in true
phantom style. They all seem like accidents until Rebecca receives notes and
phone calls that hint at something more sinister. Is Justyn bringing to life
the twisted character of the phantom? Or in real life are the roles of the hero
and the villain reversed? Rebecca doesn’t know who to trust, but she knows
she’s running out of time as she gets closer and closer to opening night. Only
when the mask is stripped away, will the twenty first century phantom finally
be revealed.</i></b></blockquote>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13569308-phantom?ac=1" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYwXisOifhusdZnfsJHgDpdNiH3DZZ_0MtGwqBVVUT_GZn3oQAr3HYyVMb422aO7HTPhI-yswJaC6mTRi4PbOnFfqv1BSm6vdLCTU7AYyO80SVykKMQbONCgoJcmBYFCRLtYIkbRlSo4/s1600/add+to+goodreads+black.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The orchestra tuned for
its virtuoso, and Justyn stood ready. But no one else was ready for the magical
performance he began. Beside her, Carmen was rambling on about something
mundane. Rebecca elbowed her to silence so she could listen to the perfectly
thrilling tenor. As she listened to the song unfold, the world around her
started to slip away. Gone was the high school auditorium. Gone were the rowdy
teenagers. The Gothic stranger on the stage had become the embodiment of Erik,
and Rebecca watched him in all his dark glory, belting out his tormented love
through the words of his song. And she was as breathless with wonder as
Christine herself must have been when the masked stranger serenaded her in the
candlelit labyrinth of the opera house. In that moment, Justyn wasn’t just
portraying the phantom. Justyn was the phantom.<span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> “Let the music
touch your soul.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Let the darkness make you whole.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Do not fear what is unknown.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Your true path has now been
shown.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Listen to the words I sing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Embrace the peace that night will bring.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> As he continued to sing in his deep but
somehow angelic voice, Rebecca found that she couldn’t tear her eyes away from
him. With every line, her heart began to beat faster. She truly felt the arms of night wrapping her
in a warm embrace. She could almost feel the hands of the phantom glide along
her body as the words poured forth. The music caressed her. It possessed
her—mind, body and soul. Each word left her longing, yearning for more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> She was gawking so obviously, it was
hardly surprising when Justyn felt her eyes on him and steadily met her gaze.
She realized her mouth was hanging open in stunned awe, and she quickly snapped
it shut. His lips moved into just a small hint of a smile. He never took his
eyes off her while he sang the final verse, making her cheeks flush to the point
that she felt almost feverish. But it wasn’t embarrassment but excitement,
arousal even, which was sending her mind spinning in so many directions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> When the song was over, and Rebecca had
recovered just a hint of her composure, she couldn’t help but burst into a
healthy round of applause. A few scattered people joined in, including Debbie
and Carmen after she nudged them in the ribs. But only Miss King seemed to
truly appreciate the brilliance of his talent as much as Rebecca did.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> “That was amazing, Justyn!” the teacher
gushed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> “Lord Justyn,” he corrected as he stepped
down from the stage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> A few others complimented him as well,
but he took in all in stride. In fact, his serious expression never faltered as
he stepped down from the stage. He seemed almost bored, like it was all he
could do to hold back a yawn, despite the smiles and words of encouragement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> But not everyone in the crowd was pleased
as Justyn glided down the aisle, so ethereal in his dark garments that he still
resonated the spirit of the Opera Ghost. Miss King might have been excited
about the newest male addition to her cast after being limited for many years,
but Tom and his group of boisterous companions glared at him as he passed them
by. Jay sneered and tossed a balled up
piece of paper in Justyn’s direction, but the Goth was quick, and caught it in
his hand without missing a beat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> “I think you dropped something,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> His speaking voice was no less melodic than
his singing voice, but something about his tone made Rebecca shiver. He tossed
the paper back at Jay, who was nowhere near as coordinated as Justyn. He
practically fell off his seat in his efforts to catch it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> “Hey vampire,” Tom called when Justyn went
to walk away. “Are you sure you can handle the competition?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Justyn smiled, a cool, sarcastic
half-smile, and crossed his arms over his chest. “Are you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Miss King didn’t notice the short
confrontation, and Justyn vanished from the auditorium as quickly and
mysteriously as he had appeared. Only Rebecca had noticed the very real tension
between the two boys. She wondered if it was a bad omen for them to start off
the production with hard feelings and envy. That could only lead to trouble.
The kind of trouble that could end with someone getting hurt. The kind of trouble that Rebecca would do
whatever it took to avoid.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlx-ZhrK27HzDW2NDqtZA1O4rU6snu7fJmbV3uZ9x2iOHfT4Ms-TeIPKlWMQ8BI-BZ_5HrSS2rl5Ms_xL7xrC-8u6pqo5j9UnI6FpzjJ9AsofUblR7ToQWs7AJmvcKVghuOYuBG974R4/s1600/demon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlx-ZhrK27HzDW2NDqtZA1O4rU6snu7fJmbV3uZ9x2iOHfT4Ms-TeIPKlWMQ8BI-BZ_5HrSS2rl5Ms_xL7xrC-8u6pqo5j9UnI6FpzjJ9AsofUblR7ToQWs7AJmvcKVghuOYuBG974R4/s320/demon.jpg" width="217" /></a></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Demon <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/97559-dark-musicals">(Dark Musicals #2)</a></b><b>by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4670048.Laura_DeLuca">Laura DeLuca</a></b><br />
<b>Summary from Goodreads:<br /> </b><b><i>When
Justyn and Rebecca set off to attend the New York School of Performing Arts,
they think their dreams are about to come true. To their dismay, they aren’t in
high school anymore, and the competition is steep. Rebecca must compete against
accomplished singers for a role in the production of Demon Barber, including a
stunning Gothic diva with her sights set on Justyn.</i></b><br />
<b><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></b><b><i><b><i>It doesn't help that things keep disappearing from their apartment or that
Rebecca's father refuses to accept that Justyn is an essential part of her
life. Yet, all this seems minimal in comparison to the serial rapist
terrorizing the campus.</i></b></i></b><b><i><br /></i></b><b><i>Consumed by fear and obsessed with revenge, Rebecca and Justyn start living the
story of Sweeney Todd—both on and off the stage.</i></b></blockquote>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17281364-demon" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3F8D1Yac9ZveAy5aZ6aKEm6KYpCza8lqrR9jFsibEoqryzNN_4zo4ZCg6aXDYQdr-T2tajYLBF48kji163D1bPDQGuBDV3l1Fm7m180GAIkBoeT1rF87Zhq-g2jmQROdYbIoIbN71xl4/s1600/add+to+goodreads+black.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjO8BbNgRrckrjTPh28YtDZNZxXdLSaTdiZBfqXp_Sw147Qu3EiuKy6XBmnK4AEI21qEQf5WfofRv-AbEs6WfTYJ9_QeYZWdRUmWHYDEsvrc9C2FeD3Sz2hYgF3VYSKb9r42d5xm-_z4/s1600/hyde.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjO8BbNgRrckrjTPh28YtDZNZxXdLSaTdiZBfqXp_Sw147Qu3EiuKy6XBmnK4AEI21qEQf5WfofRv-AbEs6WfTYJ9_QeYZWdRUmWHYDEsvrc9C2FeD3Sz2hYgF3VYSKb9r42d5xm-_z4/s320/hyde.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Hyde <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/97559-dark-musicals">(Dark Musicals #3)</a></b><b>by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4670048.Laura_DeLuca">Laura DeLuca</a></b><br />
<b>Summary from Goodreads:</b><b><i>Rebecca
Hope has looked death in the face twice and lived to tell her tale.</i></b><br />
<b><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></b><b><i><b><i>She and the love of her life, Justyn Patko, land a summer internship at a local
dinner theater, performing the musical Hyde. While they are excited about their
first paid acting gig, they soon find themselves surrounded by more experienced
cast mates, jealous of their success. As if the tension isn’t bad enough, they
soon discover that the business might be a front for something much more
sinister.</i></b></i></b><b><i><br /></i></b><b><i>When Justyn is accused of a crime that she knows he would never commit, Rebecca
must decide if she wants to follow her head or her heart. While trying to prove
his innocence, she makes a shocking discovery of her own.</i></b><br />
<b><i>Everyone has something to conceal in the grand finale of the Dark Musicals
Trilogy. Rebecca has to look beyond the façade to discover the true Hyde or
face her final curtain call.</i></b></blockquote>
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<div style="border: 1px solid red; padding: 5px;">
<b>About the Author</b>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b>Laura "Luna" DeLuca lives at the beautiful Jersey shore with her husband and three children. She has been writing stories for as long as she can remember. Old high school friends would tell you she was always scratching in her notebook instead of paying attention in class and the children she used to babysit for always loved to hear her scary stories at bedtime. In addition to writing fiction, Laura is also the sole author of a popular review blog called New Age Mama. She is an active member of her local pagan community, and has been studying Wicca for close to eight years.</b></div>
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<b><b>Author Links:</b></b></div>
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<a href="http://authorlauradeluca.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo iconwebsite-32x32_zps1f477f69.png" border="0" src="http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u367/nereyda1003/new/social%20icons/iconwebsite-32x32_zps1f477f69.png" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4670048.Laura_DeLuca" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo icongoodreads32_zps60f83491.png" border="0" src="http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u367/nereyda1003/new/social%20icons/icongoodreads32_zps60f83491.png" /></a> <a href="http://www.twitter.com/authorldeluca" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo icontwitter-32x32_zpsae13e2b2.png" border="0" src="http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u367/nereyda1003/new/social%20icons/icontwitter-32x32_zpsae13e2b2.png" /></a> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Laura-DeLuca/154535661259331" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo iconfacebook-32x32_zps64a79d4a.png" border="0" src="http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u367/nereyda1003/new/social%20icons/iconfacebook-32x32_zps64a79d4a.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>***GIVEAWAY***</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Geode, incense, gothic bracelet, gothic keychain,
sterling silver pentacle charm, mini Buddha figurine, lavender purification
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Jessica Sunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278267164524000685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5938023087308656426.post-41190295051760494412013-11-17T07:00:00.000-05:002013-11-17T19:48:42.225-05:00Tour: Fearsome by S. A. Wolfe (Review)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN8NPYugd5uPht7aOcoxsWcvqGB-EVWUbfkL8DgcaCONqWmC2vejRo06txzy5W9JcPRhgqO6DSziOhz5yB6hNQ8_7txnW72cIX5AsGdjY3FwNmzBbRZ1zHevw5tGNWUuPB9yDjV4dpj27a/s1600/Fearsome+Tour+Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="103" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN8NPYugd5uPht7aOcoxsWcvqGB-EVWUbfkL8DgcaCONqWmC2vejRo06txzy5W9JcPRhgqO6DSziOhz5yB6hNQ8_7txnW72cIX5AsGdjY3FwNmzBbRZ1zHevw5tGNWUuPB9yDjV4dpj27a/s400/Fearsome+Tour+Banner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>New Adult / Romance</b><br />
<b>Date Published</b>: 10/1/2013<br />
Jessica Channing’s big city life should be more exciting than sixty-hour work weeks and popcorn nights with her girlfriends, but it’s not. She has worked hard fulfilling her role as a child prodigy and graduating college years before her peers. She’s the good girl, the brilliant girl.<br />
Unfortunately, she’s also the dateless young woman.<br />
That all changes with one phone call. Jess’s rigid, predictable life upends when she must visit a small, obscure town to deal with a relative’s death. This isn’t just any little speck of a town, though. Long lost memories come crashing down on Jess’s world when two men, the Blackard brothers, seem to lure her in.<br />
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Dylan is cover model handsome, and pursues Jess the minute she comes to town. Then there is tall, dark and gorgeous Carson, who hides his own secrets behind his hardened reserve.<br />
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For someone who has been governed by her own obsessive behaviors and fears, Jess lets her guard down and jumps at the opportunity to have an affair with a man she actually finds attractive for a change.\<br />
There’s just one problem. Jess discovers that she can’t have a simple romantic fling because true passion does indeed come with some very big strings attached to it. She will have to own up to her own truths about love and face the two extraordinary men; both troubled in their own ways and both determined to have her.<br />
This novel contains graphic sexual content and strong language. It is intended for mature readers.</blockquote>
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Now available for $0.99</div>
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<a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/362988" target="_blank">Smashwords</a> | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fearsome-ebook/dp/B00FHN63I8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380457880&sr=8-1&keywords=fearsome+by+s.+a.+wolfe" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fearsome-s-a-wolfe/1117036774?ean=2940148581925" target="_blank">Barnes and Noble</a></div>
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<b>About the Author</b></div>
S. A. Wolfe lives with her wonderfully loud, opinionated children and husband. She is a voracious reader and passionate about writing, and when those two activities don’t keep her locked away in her room, she loves hiking mountains as much as she adores all the thrills New York City has to offer.<br />
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<a href="http://www.sa-wolfe.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sawolfe24" target="_blank">Facebook </a>| <a href="https://twitter.com/sawolfe_" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18461247-fearsome" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></div>
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<b>Giveaway!</b></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Review</span></div>
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Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book for the tour, and it did not affect my review or rating of the book whatsoever.</div>
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Let me start off by stating the obvious. I don't normally read NA, and I'm probably still a bit young to be reading NA, but the book did intrigue me, so.</div>
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In it's most basic form, the story isn't bad. A little predictable in some ways, perhaps, but in other ways, also very surprising. There were some revelations about characters that I was not expecting, and there was enough tension at the very least to keep me reading. The tension between Carson and Dylan was particularly interesting to read, and I liked seeing their relationship evolve. (And personally, I don't like sibling love triangle plots, so that was a bit of a turn off for me.)</div>
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But I did have a problem with Jess. I just could get myself to like her. I couldn't connect to her, and while I could sometimes understand where she was coming from, she wasn't someone that I liked very much. She was bearable enough to read the book, but there was something unsettling to me about her and the way she treats people. Her reactions seemed extreme most of the time and they didn't seem to fit who I thought she was at the beginning.</div>
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There were other characters, however, that I did like. I'm still a little hesitant on Carson, but I absolutely loved Lauren and Imogene. They were hilarious and fun. Perhaps they weren't as complex as I would have liked them to be, but I think that it balanced out Dylan, Jess, and Carson, who were all so complex that it almost overpowered everything else. Thankfully there was always Lauren and Imogene.</div>
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All in all, this was a decent read. I didn't particularly enjoy the apparent telling over showing, but it was more along a fine line than completely being too much. There were a few characters that I really enjoyed and some others that were decent and interesting enough to get me to finish the book. I don't know if I'd recommend it, but I definitely think it's a bit too erm...steamy for younger readers, even if they're my age.</div>
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Jessica Sunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278267164524000685noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5938023087308656426.post-81068141599276139322013-11-15T10:00:00.000-05:002013-11-15T10:00:02.364-05:00Book Blast: Sisters In White by Melissa Foster<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Danica and Kaylie Snow are about to celebrate the biggest day of their lives—their double wedding—on an island in the Bahamas. But no wedding is complete without a little family drama. The two sisters aren’t ready to face the father they haven’t seen since he divorced their mother and moved away to marry his mistress, and live with Lacy, the half sister they’ve never met.<br />
While Danica has exchanged letters and phone calls with Lacy, Kaylie has fervently tried to pretend she doesn’t exist. Lacy is sweet, fun, and nearly a mirror image of Kaylie. To make matters worse, not only is Lacy looking forward to meeting her sisters, but she idolizes them, too. As the countdown to the wedding date ticks on, their parents are playing a devious game of revenge, and there’s a storm brewing over the island, threatening to cancel their perfect wedding. The sisters are about to find out if the bond of sisterhood really trumps all.</blockquote>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18242157-sisters-in-white?from_search=true" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> ~ <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sisters-White-Love-Bloom-Contemporary-ebook/dp/B00FQYJPXS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384264223&sr=8-1&keywords=sisters+in+white" target="_blank">Amazon</a> ~ <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sisters-in-white-melissa-foster/1117118587?ean=2940148419204" target="_blank">B&N</a></div>
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<b>About the Author</b>
Melissa Foster is the award-winning author of four International bestselling novels. Her books have been recommended by USA Today’s book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the <a href="http://www.womensnest.com/">Women’s Nest</a>, a social and support community for women, the <a href="http://www.worldlitcafe.com/">World Literary Café</a>. When she’s not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on <a href="http://www.fostering-success.com/">Fostering Success</a>. Melissa is also a community builder for the Alliance for Independent Authors. She has been published in Calgary’s Child Magazine, the Huffington Post, and Women Business Owners magazine.<br />
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Melissa hosts an annual Aspiring Authors contest for children and has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Melissa lives in Maryland with her family.<br />
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Visit Melissa on <a href="http://www.womensnest.com/">The Women’s Nest</a>, <a href="http://www.fostering-success.com/">Fostering Success</a>, or <a href="http://www.worldliterarycafe.com/">World Lit Cafe</a>. Join Melissa and the <a href="http://www.yayawritergirls.com/">YaYa Writer Girls</a> at their annual in-person event. Melissa enjoys discussing her books with book clubs and reader groups, and welcomes an invitation to your event.</div>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/Melissa_Foster" target="_blank">Twitter </a>~ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MelissaFosterAuthor" target="_blank">Facebook</a> ~ <a href="http://www.melissafoster.com/" target="_blank">Website</a></div>
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<b>GIVEAWAY</b></div>
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e849f7678/" id="rc-e849f7678" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>Jessica Sunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278267164524000685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5938023087308656426.post-79488735731159788962013-11-15T01:23:00.000-05:002013-11-29T00:35:32.614-05:00Announcement: What's In the Snow? Scavenger Hunt!Hey everyone! So <b>I am STILL on hiatus</b>--I know, I'm sorry--but I wanted to make a long overdue announcement.<br />
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If you follow me on Twitter, you probably already know that I'm hosting a scavenger hunt (similar to YASH) event along with Cal @ <a href="http://readbooksandlivegreen.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Read Books and Live Green</a>. <a href="http://readbooksandlivegreen.blogspot.com/2013/10/whats-going-down-and-why-you-should-be.html" target="_blank">She actually posted about this event</a>, but there's some updated information.<br />
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So here's the basic breakdown:<br />
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<li>Month of December (Mid) and January</li>
<li>Winter themed but not exclusive</li>
<li>Will have mini giveaways on individual blogs (some), as well as a bigger giveaway every 2 weeks or so (this depends on the number of donations we receive)</li>
<li>We have some authors on board, and they are willing to post, guest post, be interviewed, etc.</li>
<li>You can basically pick any topic you'd like, preferably winter-related in SOME way</li>
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<li>First come, first serve</li>
<li>Just email either Cal or I to get it approved</li>
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<li>Official name is now: What's In the Snow? Scavenger Hunt (or something like that)</li>
<li>There will be a clue in each post (one per blogger since some will have multiple posts), which will be included in random places in the post at the discretion of the blogger</li>
<li>There will be a crossword puzzle at the end (hopefully) and each clue from each blog will correspond to a different word. The answers become part of your entry into our grand prize rafflecopter</li>
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If you're a blogger and you're interested in signing up, <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Fu3RzZpzlokDz1r--KLFs0YRY2s-48iAmI-I6gwjN5E/viewform" target="_blank">we still have room</a>! </div>
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If you'd be willing to donate some prizes (swag, books, gift cards, or otherwise--does not have to relate to your post or to the theme, though that's encouraged), <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/15hLlgTCrvNmTAAjMvS2CDA8d3pdhnTABrUsezieRdfM/viewform" target="_blank">PLEASE do</a>!</div>
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If you're an author and you're interested in participating in some way (we could discuss this further),<a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1S_hWCJVifSMBeFTxolEbjsW3EZpDyFQPD73Mk3gmCm0/viewform" target="_blank"> we still have lots of room</a>.</div>
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We would prefer if people that are donating or have swag or books to give away could send it to the winner directly rather than through either Cal and I. If that's an issue, just let one of us know.</div>
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And please, continue to spread the word! Although sign-ups for bloggers close within the next day or two, we'd be willing to allow bloggers to join later on (especially if you already have a set idea) as long as we're given enough notice in advance.</div>
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If you have any more questions or would like to sign up or contact us, my email is reviewsabound(at)yahoo(dot)com. Cal's email is readbooksandlivegreen(at)gmail(dot)com.</div>
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And if you think I've left out any info, please just give me a head's up! I'm tired, and this is way overdue.</div>
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Jessica Sunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278267164524000685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5938023087308656426.post-81313660959496940942013-11-15T00:16:00.002-05:002013-11-15T00:16:51.030-05:00Tour: Dead Dreams by Emma Right<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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(<a href="http://www.candacesbookblog.com/2013/09/tour-sign-ups-dead-dreams-by-emma-right.html" target="_blank">Tour</a>)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOqqtBGoVIXMxCagu0PGkF43kiepwKZs5HkA464Eys-kgLRf_mX-dHr9Q2SIUisj_ACPNiPtZv3SbdWPEtjMyUpUxm0IZbvOIFN5uach8Hjhwlh_w3pvjCDU8gv_MCwS1eRzjXYhF-Jxo/s1600/DeadDreamsBook1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOqqtBGoVIXMxCagu0PGkF43kiepwKZs5HkA464Eys-kgLRf_mX-dHr9Q2SIUisj_ACPNiPtZv3SbdWPEtjMyUpUxm0IZbvOIFN5uach8Hjhwlh_w3pvjCDU8gv_MCwS1eRzjXYhF-Jxo/s320/DeadDreamsBook1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Dead Dreams by Emma
Right</b>Eighteen-year-old Brie O’Mara has so much going for her: a
loving family in the sidelines, an heiress for a roommate, and dreams that
might just come true. Big dreams--of going to acting school, finishing college
and making a name for herself.<br />
She is about to be the envy of everyone she knew. What more could she hope for?
Except her dreams are about to lead her down the road to nightmares. Nightmares
that could turn into a deadly reality.</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dead Dreams, Book 1, a young adult psychological thriller and<br />
contemporary mystery.</div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Find the book</b>: <b><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18394146-dead-dreams?from_search=true">Goodreads</a>
| <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dead-Dreams-Book-Emma-Right-ebook/dp/B00ESVEVBQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383097854&sr=8-1&keywords=Dead+Dreams" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dead-dreams-book-1-emma-right/1116969032?ean=2940148371687" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> | <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/351526" target="_blank">Smashwords</a></b><br />
<br />
<div style="border: 1px solid red; padding: 5px;">
<b>About the Author</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsHn9vZuf121TPMMNE7Y6sJpIsvg5iJ8AusXMSKqoGWDpsZYSrBRnxnvQSkGePpsRDEFdfY_nPwgBpWOVlg_IpSUw1oQAd25XjXVmD2-bGFxCzq1W4qC-ZivmOStTCanDETFy_OGOx7l5/s1600/Emma+RIGHT+headshot+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsHn9vZuf121TPMMNE7Y6sJpIsvg5iJ8AusXMSKqoGWDpsZYSrBRnxnvQSkGePpsRDEFdfY_nPwgBpWOVlg_IpSUw1oQAd25XjXVmD2-bGFxCzq1W4qC-ZivmOStTCanDETFy_OGOx7l5/s1600/Emma+RIGHT+headshot+(1).jpg" /></a></div>
Emma Right is a happy wife and homeschool mother of five
living in the Pacific</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
West Coast of the <st1:place w:st="on">USA</st1:place>. Besides running a busy home,
and looking after their five<br />
pets, which includes two cats, two bunnies and a Long-haired dachshund, she
also<br />
writes stories for her children. When she doesn't have her nose in a book, she
is<br />
telling her kids to get theirs in one.<br />
Right worked as a copywriter for two major advertising agencies and won several</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
awards, including the prestigious Clio Award for her ads, before she settled
down to<br />
have children.</div>
</div>
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Find the author: <a href="http://www.emmaright.com/Home.aspx" target="_blank">Website</a> |<a href="https://www.facebook.com/DeadDreamsEmmaRight" target="_blank"> Facebook</a>
| <a href="https://twitter.com/emmbeliever" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7036571.Emma_Right" target="_blank">Goodreads</a>
| <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/111644513292318573575/posts" target="_blank">Google +</a> | <a href="http://pinterest.com/emmaright/" target="_blank">Pinterest |</a> </span></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>EXCERPT</b><br />
<br />
Chapter Four<br />
<br />
That evening, Sarah came home with a patch on her arm. I thought she looked pale.<br />
“What happened?” I asked, pointing at the tape on the inside of her arm.<br />
“Had to get to the doctor’s again. Just a blood test.”<br />
“You’re not super sick, are you?” Thoughts of cancer ran through my mind. My dad was a doctor and always brought home horror stories. “Have you been having hot flashes?”<br />
“Do I look menopausal?”<br />
“Hot flashes—that’s one of the symptoms of cancer. I saw you shivering the first day you came here. At the interview.”<br />
Sarah barked out a laugh. “Don’t be silly. I’m healthy as a horse. What did the cops want?”<br />
“The ones I met downstairs earlier?”<br />
“Did you speak with any others?”<br />
“No. Mrs. Mott thought she saw prowlers. They just want to see if I saw anything out of the ordinary.”<br />
“Just keep me out of it, whatever it is.” She slunk to her bedroom, but before she slammed the door, I hollered after her.<br />
“Don’t worry, the US government isn’t after you.” Paranoia runs in her veins, I mumbled to myself. But still, I was worried for her. If she was ill, with some blood disease or something horrible, would she tell me?<br />
Sarah glared at me as she turned and closed the door.<br />
<br />
Later that evening, as we wolfed down some sushi takeout, I persisted with the same meet-my-friends theme. “You should hang out with some of my friends.” Not that I had too many chums to boast of, or had I the luxury to socialize much with time being my enemy. “If you’re going to make the Bay Area your home, it can’t hurt to meet new people around here.”<br />
“I have enough friends.” Really? Who? I was going to ask, but didn’t.<br />
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<div>
<b>GIVEAWAY</b></div>
<div>
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Jessica Sunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278267164524000685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5938023087308656426.post-55558457955033682582013-11-12T16:58:00.000-05:002013-11-12T17:03:52.934-05:00Tour: Hudson Lights (Music Review)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.iamareader.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Hudson-Lights-Tour.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hudson Lights Tour" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-21985" height="213" src="http://www.iamareader.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Hudson-Lights-Tour.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.iamareader.com/2013/10/hudson-lights-blog-tour-sign-ups.html" target="_blank">Tour Schedule</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Hudson-Lights.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hudson Lights" class="alignleft wp-image-956" height="320" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Hudson-Lights.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<strong><strong><br /></strong></strong>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<strong>Hudson Lights</strong>
Composed of 4 vocal artists from the Rocky Mountains, Hudson Lights creates a fresh fusion of contemporary pop and jazz like you've never heard before! World-class harmonies and consummate showmanship make this an unforgettable music experience. Equal parts thrilling, inspiring, and effortlessly charming, Hudson Lights brings a classy edge back to mainstream pop.
</blockquote>
<br />
<center>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/HudsonLights"><img alt="Social Media Facebook" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-21986" height="40" src="http://www.iamareader.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Social-Media-Facebook1.png" width="40" /></a><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/hudson-lights/id733090715"><img alt="itunes" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-21987" height="40" src="http://www.iamareader.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/itunes.png" width="40" /></a></center>
<br />
<a href="http://deseretbook.com/Hudson-Lights/i/5110590" target="_blank">HUDSON LIGHTS</a> will release their self-titled debut album November 12, 2013. They released a single, “<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/good-to-me-radio-single-1/id704562706" target="_blank">Good to Me</a>”, on iTunes in September.
The group is composed of four male vocal artists from around the country: McKay Crockett, Keith Evans, Joseph Moore and Ross Welch. Together they create a fresh fusion of contemporary pop and jazz music.
The upbeat album features classic covers of legends like Frank Sinatra and The Beatles. They also have several original songs.
Bob Ahlander, director of music at Shadow Mountain Records, says “Hudson Lights fills a void in the music scene.”
They have already had some notable performances. They debuted at the Marriot Center during the BYU Women’s Conference Concert in May, and placed 2nd in a contest to open for Kelly Clarkson at the STADIUM OF FIRE in June.
On November 22nd they’ll perform for a crowd of 10,000 as part of Deseret Book’s “Time Out for Women” event at the Maverik Center. Tickets are available <a href="http://tofw.com/events/33" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hudson-Lights/dp/B00EIEPS1A?tag=blasttours-20" target="_blank"><img alt="amazon blog" class="size-full wp-image-876 aligncenter" height="50" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/amazon-blog.png" width="50" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Review</span><br />
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the CD to review for this tour.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Firstly, let me just say DAMN. These guys can sing, and they can sing WELL. Like exceptionally well. Their voices and their harmonies just blew me away. I was expecting something decent, but they were far more than exceptional. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The album starts off really strong. Hold On to Me was extremely well done, but I think one of my favorites was Brave. Perhaps part of it is that I love Josh Groban, but these guys also give so much to this song. There are so many times when they sound just like Groban! Beautiful Day is a very close second, and it was these three songs that took me right away. The latter songs are also fantastic. There is so much depth to their singing, and you can tell that they're giving it their all. Their harmonies flow so well together, and it sounds like something you'd hear in heaven.<br />
<br />
The one thing that I personally felt was that the first half was much more upbeat than the second half. It made me feel a little tired at the end, although their singing continued to be fantastic. Perhaps it's just me, and perhaps it was just poor track order. But nevertheless, upon hearing it for a second and third time, I really came to appreciate and love the last few songs too. Maybe it just takes a bit more of a push to get into it.<br />
<br />
The variety in the music also really highlights how talented this group is. It may sound like a strange mix at first, but it shows how versatile Hudson Lights is. They adjust to the song, but they execute it well. They can be soothing, upbeat, fun, sad, and plenty more. And they make the listener feel the same way! Really well done!<br />
<br />
Overall, I HIGHLY recommend this! I, for one, am going to be on the look out for their other stuff.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
"Call Me Maybe"</div>
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<strong><br /></strong>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Tour Giveaway</strong>
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 11/24/13
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Jessica Sunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278267164524000685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5938023087308656426.post-48002906697487571272013-11-08T00:00:00.000-05:002013-11-18T22:21:39.611-05:00Tour: Rook by Monica MacDonald (+Review)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36LsRNk9vXf9KMN5_4VyiG9EKiCX7aaMU5WF3J_x9VAJDY-Wg0C4xIIH6lW7x66xS1swL_1hMAVA4wKt391BVgjxXuKz2aDSlJkGxYZgeSbRiI5y9_iVJCzXoKJDnMCIQrba_BPJfLV7f/s1600/rook+(1).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36LsRNk9vXf9KMN5_4VyiG9EKiCX7aaMU5WF3J_x9VAJDY-Wg0C4xIIH6lW7x66xS1swL_1hMAVA4wKt391BVgjxXuKz2aDSlJkGxYZgeSbRiI5y9_iVJCzXoKJDnMCIQrba_BPJfLV7f/s320/rook+(1).png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(<a href="http://www.candacesbookblog.com/2013/08/new-cover-for-rook-by-monica-macdonald.html" target="_blank">Tour</a>)</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZ7ws2L9hT4LMThrBI-N-8LGr6WI-H3XQ20tvavk6EibQM0l4SkppXTJHse60JuzqMBbrXx4zgvBxjgR6JvGJAEoUKMwddSfGHJzVxEenLc07dhUsIOnM79lCYyYfGdm1BrE-x6JzVsbG/s1600/ROOK+COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZ7ws2L9hT4LMThrBI-N-8LGr6WI-H3XQ20tvavk6EibQM0l4SkppXTJHse60JuzqMBbrXx4zgvBxjgR6JvGJAEoUKMwddSfGHJzVxEenLc07dhUsIOnM79lCYyYfGdm1BrE-x6JzVsbG/s200/ROOK+COVER.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Rook by Monica MacDonald</b><br />
Could you be the monster to save who you love?<br />
Two women, separated by generations, must leave what they know to start a new life. Seventeen-year-old Kate's senior year is ruined when she's moved from the only home she's ever known. After an isolating month alone in her apartment, school starts, but neither her classmates nor her teacher are who they seem. Kali, a single mother living in the nineteenth century wilds of Montana, is stalked by a malicious past. She fights to keep her daughter safe while her freedom is threatened by her less than benevolent benefactor. Both find love, and with it hope, but that is quickly ripped away as one woman must learn the lessons of the other -- before it's too late to save either.</blockquote>
<div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18271067-rook" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> ~ <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rook-Timeless-Games-Monica-MacDonald-ebook/dp/B00GB2RI6A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383239148&sr=8-1&keywords=Rook+by+Monica+MacDonald" target="_blank">Amazon</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<b>About the Author</b>
<br />
<div style="border: 1px solid red; padding: 5px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrthgyukNRI51YAyD9_QPrL8A9rKF4aNRoNpLt8USAKmL9qjbz2iAGh7TUfR7qPvK1ZFiul38R-xxb6Xu6ziVcs7fXIESqlqabc3E3shFqxuY7Vwr8uYKPaEFhYJh3BD9Mcam7vml8piJ0/s1600/Monica+MacDonald.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrthgyukNRI51YAyD9_QPrL8A9rKF4aNRoNpLt8USAKmL9qjbz2iAGh7TUfR7qPvK1ZFiul38R-xxb6Xu6ziVcs7fXIESqlqabc3E3shFqxuY7Vwr8uYKPaEFhYJh3BD9Mcam7vml8piJ0/s200/Monica+MacDonald.jpg" width="132" /></a>Monica is a married graduate student with three boys. Utah is home right now, but the need to wander has extended beyond the fantasy world of writing and into real life. She's lived all around the US and even into the Middle East. The world is really a small place, only made bigger through imagination.</div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.memacdonald.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> ~ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/memacdonaldrook" target="_blank">Facebook</a> ~ <a href="https://twitter.com/memacdonald35" target="_blank">Twitter</a> ~ <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2765011.Monica_MacDonald" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Review</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book to review for this tour. It did not influence my rating or review in any way.<br />
<br />
The plot of this novel completely intrigued me. It was interesting to see all the pieces fall into place, and it was paced relatively well, albeit being a bit slow in the beginning. I don't want to give too much away, so!<br />
<br />
Next the characters were pretty interesting too. They each have very unique personalities and the interactions between the characters was fun to read. They each have their own issues, and even the characters that you shouldn't like, you'll probably like. The other great thing about the characters is that you can tell the difference between the past and present. Kate and Kali's voices are very distinct yet enjoyable.<br />
<br />
Yet, I also found myself finding it hard to concentrate while I was reading it. There was a lot more telling than even I normally enjoy. At the same time, there was quite a bit of description. While that's not necessarily a bad thing, I can personally never read too much description before I just start skimming and skipping sections. I don't think it really took anything away from the book, but I felt a bit guilty not reading everything.<br />
<br />
Additionally, I found the pace at the beginning to be a bit slow and dull, although there was a sense of foreboding. I knew something big was coming up involving the characters, and there were plenty of clues about the characters to make me suspicious of a few of them. But I think that the amount of telling also took away from it and made it less exciting.<br />
<br />
All in all, a very interesting book with a really thrilling plot. The characters are also spectacular and each is very unique.<br />
<br />
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Jessica Sunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278267164524000685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5938023087308656426.post-2674891531087530622013-11-05T07:30:00.000-05:002013-11-05T07:30:02.522-05:00Book Blitz: A French Girl in New York by Anna Adams<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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*<a href="http://reviewsabound.blogspot.com/2013/10/announcement-giveaway.html" target="_blank">I AM STILL ON HIATUS</a>*</div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>A French Girl in New York <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/108056-the-french-girl-series">(The
French Girl series #1)</a> </b><b>by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7064631.Anna_Adams">Anna Adams</a> </b><b>Release Date: 12/21/12</b><br />
<b>Summary from Goodreads:</b><b><i>Maude
Laurent is a spirited 16 year- old orphan who grew up in a small, provincial
town in the North of France with a passion for piano and a beautiful voice. One
day in Paris, she is discovered by an American music producer who takes her to
New York to live with him and his close-knit family while producing her first
album, with help from teen pop star, Matt. Maude will dive into a new
fascinating world discovering New York City, music, family, love and the truth
about her past.</i></b></blockquote>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17161874-a-french-girl-in-new-york?ac=1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYwXisOifhusdZnfsJHgDpdNiH3DZZ_0MtGwqBVVUT_GZn3oQAr3HYyVMb422aO7HTPhI-yswJaC6mTRi4PbOnFfqv1BSm6vdLCTU7AYyO80SVykKMQbONCgoJcmBYFCRLtYIkbRlSo4/s1600/add+to+goodreads+black.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Available FREE November 4-11!</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/French-Girl-New-York-Series-ebook/dp/B00ARPMIJE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383519193&sr=8-1&keywords=a+french+girl+in+new+york" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo B6096376-6C81-4465-8935-CE890C777EB9-1855-000001A1E900B890_zps5affbed6.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u367/nereyda1003/new/B6096376-
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KoboIcon_zps515cdc1a.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/french-girl-in-new-york-french/id685762415?mt=11" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo
iconitunesbooks_zps8d729d7e.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1064.photobucket.com/
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; size: 12.0pt;">Excerpt:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; size: 12.0pt;">“Okay, I’m done.
Now hurry!” the makeup artist cried out. “You’re up in two minutes. </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; size: 12.0pt;">Don’t you dare
mess up your makeup again!”</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; size: 12.0pt;">Maude ran out,
keeping her hands away from her recently rouged cheeks, and Matt </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; size: 12.0pt;">hurried behind
her.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; size: 12.0pt;">She stood right
behind the curtain and listened to the host’s cheerful voice, announcing </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; size: 12.0pt;">her. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; size: 12.0pt;">“Now ladies and
gentlemen, we have a new artist with us tonight. She’s spent her last </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; size: 12.0pt;">six months in
New York working on her first album. Her first single has been released and is </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; size: 12.0pt;">a huge hit . .
.”</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; size: 12.0pt;">“Maude,” Matt
whispered, tugging her sleeve. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; size: 12.0pt;">“Yes?” She
looked back at him, smiling. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; size: 12.0pt;">“I just wanted
to tell you . . . to let you know that you can always count on me.”</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; size: 12.0pt;">“I know, Matt,”
Maude smiled gratefully. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; size: 12.0pt;">“Her voice will
take your breath away, her music is amazing . . . ” <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; size: 12.0pt;">“No, I’m
serious. Our friendship has had its ups and downs, but I don’t want it to be
that <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; size: 12.0pt;">way anymore.” <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; size: 12.0pt;">Maude nodded. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; size: 12.0pt;">“I don’t care if
you’re with Thomas Bradfield. As long as you’re happy, I’m happy.”</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; size: 12.0pt;">Maude paused,
puzzled. “What? Thomas Bradfield—” <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; size: 12.0pt;">“Give a round of
applause for Maude Laurent!” the host cried. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; size: 12.0pt;">“That’s your
cue! Go!” Matt urged. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; size: 12.0pt;">Maude
reluctantly turned away from Matt and hurried on stage. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; size: 12.0pt;">The blaring
lights blinded her as she entered the stage and faced the cheering crowd.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; size: 12.0pt;">She had to
restrain her impulse to shield her eyes and continued steadily towards the dark
<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; size: 12.0pt;">Steinway. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; size: 12.0pt;">She had played
on it earlier but then, she hadn’t felt nervous. Her hands hadn’t been</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; size: 12.0pt;">trembling, and
her voice hadn’t been shaky. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; size: 12.0pt;">Maude sat on the
piano stool and looked towards the crowd. <o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<br />
<div style="border: 1px solid red; padding: 5px;">
<b>About the Author</b><br />
Born in France, raised partly in the United States and in France, Anna Adams grew up loving stories in French and English. Anna currently lives in Paris where she studies at la Sorbonne as a Law Student. She's the author of the French Girl series for which she is writing the final installment.
When she isn't writing, Anna is busy hanging out with friends in the Marais, going to the movies in the Bercy Village, checking out exhibitions at the Louvre, going to the Opéra de Paris and shopping on Haussmann Boulevard. When she isn't in Paris, Anna likes to travel in Europe and dreams of going to Asia and Africa.</div>
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<a href="http://annaadamsya.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Website </a>~ <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7064631.Anna_Adams" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> ~ <a href="https://twitter.com/ADAMSANNA1" target="_blank">Twitter</a> ~ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Anna-Adams/371951286233357" target="_blank">Facebook</a></div>
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Jessica Sunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278267164524000685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5938023087308656426.post-75407289180814096722013-10-31T18:16:00.003-04:002013-10-31T18:16:30.097-04:00A Month in Review: October 2013Hey everyone! It's been a while since I've posted something of substance hasn't it? I'm super sorry, but I'm still on hiatus! Once I get back though, I plan on scheduling a bunch of stuff (I currently have 5 drafts, plus a few upcoming blog tours, and then reviews of anything I've read or watched since the beginning of the hiatus), so stick with me a bit longer! But either way, here's a look at what happened this month!<br />
<br />
<b>5 Blog Related Things</b><br />
1) I was nominated for the Liebster Award (which I have yet to post about).<br />
2) I hosted my first giveaway!<br />
3) I figured out a potential new blog name.<br />
4) 3 month blogoversary!!<br />
5) I decided to go on hiatus.<br />
<br />
<b>5 Things Relating to Books</b><br />
1) I've received SO many new books. I'm already running out of room (and time)!<br />
2) I spent wayy too much money on new books.<br />
3) My parents decided to let me go to the Fierce Reads signing in Nov.<br />
4) I breezed through Unremembered.<br />
5) I STILL haven't finished my tour books. O.o<br />
<br />
<b>5 Things Relating to TV/Music</b><br />
1) I admitted to myself, once and for all, that NCIS:LA is now better than NCIS.<br />
2) I finally watched the Rings of Akhaten. One more episode closer to being caught up!<br />
3) I decided that I was going to start watching Breaking Bad...someday.<br />
4) Continued to fall in love with Snow Patrol.<br />
5) Am still eagerly awaiting The Wanted's new album!<br />
<br />
<b>5 Personal Things</b><br />
1) Decided to attempt NaNo this year<br />
2) Still freaking out about my MUN conference.<br />
3) A few really cool, awesome authors started to follow me on Twitter!!!<br />
4) Began to plan a cool blog event with Cal.<br />
<br />
<b>Here are some great posts you may have missed this month!</b><br />
<a href="http://reviewsabound.blogspot.com/2013/10/review-ncisla-bundle.html" target="_blank">NCIS:LA Review Bundle</a><br />
<a href="http://reviewsabound.blogspot.com/2013/10/talk-about-it-thursday-online-friends.html" target="_blank">TAIT: Online Friends and Why They Rock</a><br />
<a href="http://reviewsabound.blogspot.com/2013/10/announcement-giveaway.html" target="_blank">Hiatus Announcement!</a><br />
<a href="http://reviewsabound.blogspot.com/2013/10/review-this-song-will-save-your-life-by.html" target="_blank">This Song Will Save Your Life Review</a><br />
<a href="http://reviewsabound.blogspot.com/2013/10/my-songs-determination-is-good-thing.html" target="_blank">My Song, Determination (Is a Good Thing)</a><br />
<a href="http://reviewsabound.blogspot.com/2013/10/tag-50-random-facts-about-me.html" target="_blank">50 Random Facts About Me Tag</a><br />
<a href="http://reviewsabound.blogspot.com/2013/10/3-month-blogoversary.html" target="_blank">3 Month Blogoversary!</a><br />
<br />
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<b>How was your month? What would you like to see on this blog once I resume blogging again?</b></div>
<br />Jessica Sunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278267164524000685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5938023087308656426.post-24512583737205498802013-10-22T20:16:00.004-04:002013-10-22T20:16:44.981-04:00Tour: Twisted by KayCee R.<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/twisted-tour.jpg"><img alt="twisted tour" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-857" height="213" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/twisted-tour.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.iamareader.com/2013/08/twisted-blog-tour-sign-ups.html" target="_blank">Tour Schedule</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/twisted.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="twisted" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-698" height="300" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/twisted-245x300.jpg" width="245" /></a>
<br />
<blockquote>
<strong>Twisted</strong>
Cayden Rivers wants nothing more than to be normal, but we don’t always get what we want. For years he has been hiding a secret, afraid of being labeled a “freak”. Every day he goes to school, plays football, spends time with his girlfriend, and helps carry his drunken adopted father to bed. Nobody knows the truth about his unnatural speed and strength, including his life-long friend Camilla.
Suddenly, four strangers enter Cayden’s life, and not only do they know his secret, they also have one of their own. With their help, Cayden discovers there is more to his power, something much more dangerous. Something other people will kill to possess.
Camilla wishes her parents were around more. She gets lonely sleeping in her big empty house night after night. Sure, she has all the money she could ever need, but the only person who is there for her is Cayden. He has his own family and a girlfriend who takes up most of his time, so Camilla knows he won’t be there for her forever, and recently he’s been acting really strange.
Will Cayden be able to keep his secret and his friendship with Camilla, or will his new found power destroy everything, including his own life?
Switching between Cayden and Camilla's point of view, Twisted will leave you aching for more. </blockquote>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Twisted-ebook/dp/B00EVUG5D6?tag=blasttours-20" target="_blank">Amazon</a> * <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/twisted-kaycee-r/1116816565?ean=9783730946619" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
EXCERPT: </div>
"I don’t know how to explain how I am, what I am. Ever since I hit puberty, I’ve been different. I was thirteen when the changes started happening. I started getting incredibly fast and strong. It wasn’t normal. I wasn’t normal. I was turning into a freak. I could crumple a brick in my hand like it was a piece of paper. When I ran, I was passing cars on the freeway and that wasn’t even me running at full speed. When I was running at full speed I wasn’t much more than a blur to anyone else. I never understood how this happened, or why it happened to me."<br />
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<div style="border: 1px solid red; padding: 5px;">
<a href="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/kaycee.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="kaycee" class="alignleft wp-image-699" height="214" src="http://www.bookblasttours.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/kaycee-300x267.jpg" width="240" /></a><b>KayCee R</b>
KayCee is a 24 year old self-published author from Cleveland, Ohio. KayCee has always loved reading. After a re-occurring dream she decided to try writing about it. She wrote the first installment of Twisted when she was 20.
“I kept having this dream about these twins, and then I just decided to run with it. I wrote the beginning, the end, and then filled in the middle.”
KayCee finished the book in 8 months and then decided to share the book online. After seeing people get interested in the book and the characters, she decided to write another book and turn Twisted into a series.
KayCee has finished four novels in the Twisted series and is currently working on the fifth book.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://twitter.com/_KayCee_R" target="_blank">Twitter</a> * <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/KayCee-R/210287519011804" target="_blank">Facebook</a> * <a href="http://www.bookrix.com/-kayceer/" target="_blank">BookRix</a></div>
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<br /></div>
<strong>Tour Giveaway</strong>
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 11/4/13<br />
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/0a00961087/" id="rc-0a00961087" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
Jessica Sunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278267164524000685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5938023087308656426.post-70728584450618043672013-10-19T21:34:00.002-04:002013-10-19T21:34:16.762-04:00Summary Saturday 10/19/13I hope you all had a great week! This may or may not be my last Summary Saturday for a few weeks because I'm still on hiatus and probably won't be posting many reviews, just quick features or stuff like that (but don't even count on those; a lot of them are just already scheduled, so).<br />
<br />
Anyway, here's a look at this past week!<br />
<br />
Sunday<br />
<a href="http://reviewsabound.blogspot.com/2013/10/showcase-sundaysts-101313.html" target="_blank">Showcase Sunday/STS</a><br />
<a href="http://reviewsabound.blogspot.com/2013/10/tour-cerberus-by-pk-gallagher.html" target="_blank">Cerberus Tour</a><br />
<a href="http://reviewsabound.blogspot.com/2013/10/announcement-giveaway.html" target="_blank">Announcement and Giveaway!</a><br />
<a href="http://reviewsabound.blogspot.com/2013/10/summary-saturday-day-late.html" target="_blank">Summary Saturday</a> (b/c it was a day late)<br />
<br />
Monday:<br />
<a href="http://reviewsabound.blogspot.com/2013/10/book-blast-twisted-by-kaycee-r.html" target="_blank">Twisted Book Blast</a><br />
<a href="http://reviewsabound.blogspot.com/2013/10/music-monday-101413.html" target="_blank">Music Monday</a><br />
<br />
Tuesday:<br />
<a href="http://reviewsabound.blogspot.com/2013/10/book-blast-sisters-in-bloom-by-melissa.html" target="_blank">Sisters in Love Book Blast</a><br />
<a href="http://reviewsabound.blogspot.com/2013/10/tour-lila-shortcuts-by-sarah-alderson.html" target="_blank">Lila Shortcuts Tour</a><br />
<br />
Wednesday:<br />
<a href="http://reviewsabound.blogspot.com/2013/10/cover-reveal-sworn-to-conflict-by-terah.html" target="_blank">Sworn to Conflict Cover Reveal</a><br />
<br />
Thursday:<br />
<a href="http://reviewsabound.blogspot.com/2013/10/cover-reveal-elemental-enmity-series.html" target="_blank">Elemental Enmity Cover Reveal</a><br />
<br />
Friday:<br />
<a href="http://reviewsabound.blogspot.com/2013/10/guest-post-jamie-baywood.html" target="_blank">Jamie Baywood Guest Post</a><br />
<br />
Saturday:<br />
<a href="http://reviewsabound.blogspot.com/2013/10/comments-heads-up.html" target="_blank">Comments Heads-Up</a><br />
<a href="http://reviewsabound.blogspot.com/2013/10/review-ncisla-bundle.html" target="_blank">NCIS:LA Review Bundle</a>!!!<br />
<br />
I hope you all have a great week ahead of you! Love you all!<br />
<br />Jessica Sunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16278267164524000685noreply@blogger.com0