Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkings Book Review

Hardcover, 323 pages
Published March 2nd 2010 by Hyperion Book CH
ISBN -1423121309 (ISBN13: 9781423121305)
edition language  English
original title  Hex Hall
Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European warlock--only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters. By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire student on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.
As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.
 --------------
 My Review -

Let me start by saying that the cover sells the book alone.  Many times I caught myself grabbing the book upside down.  Love the artwork.

Book One from the series is one of the best books I have read in a long time. I absolutely love witches and the fact that this book was about them caught my attention.  Hex Hall has witches and so much more! I was not able to put down the book until I read the last page.



Sophie is a teenage witch and just like any other normal teenager has a hard time fitting in.  While trying to help a suffering friend she casts a spell that goes terribly wrong in front of the whole school.  She is sentenced to Hecate High School as school for prodigium students that had problems living among humans.


It is a captivating story with evil witches, love interest, suspense and unexpected twists and turns.


If you want to find out more about the author you can follow her on:
http://www.rachel-hawkins.com/

December 2011 YA BOOK Release dates

Uptown Dreams by Kelli London (1)
Hot Zone by Catherine Mann (1)
Wild Thing by Robin Kaye (1)
Brazen by Margo Maguire (1)

Wintertown by Stephen Emond (5)

Melody Burning by Whitley Strieber (6)
That Old Black Magic by Michelle Rowen (6)
Fix Me by Rune Michaels (6)
Surrender (Haunting Emma, #3) by Lee Nichols (6)
Deadly Little Voices (Touch, #4) by Laurie Faria Stolarz (6)
Clockwork Prince (Infernal Devices, #2) by Cassandra Clare (6)
Ruthless (Pretty Little Liars, #10) by Sara Shepard (6)

Illuminated by Erica Orloff (8)
Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey (8)

Beswitched by Kate Saunders (13)

Flyaway by Helen Landalf (19)

Dating the Undead by Gena Showalter (20)
All Fall Down by Megan Hart (20)
The Player by Jessica Bird (20)
Still Waters by Emma Carlson Berne (20)
Double Date by Jennifer Echols (20)
Legacy by Molly Cochran (20)

The Secret Sisterhood of Heartbreakers (27)
Kiss Crush Collide by Christina Meredith (27)
Every Other Day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (27)
The Savage Grace (The Dark Divine, #3) by Bree Despain (27)

Veronica Roth Answers about Divergent becoming a movie

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Beatrice "Tris" Prior has reached the fateful age of sixteen, the stage at which teenagers in Veronica Roth's dystopian Chicago must select which of five factions to join for life. Each faction represents a virtue: Candor, Abnegation, Dauntless, Amity, and Erudite. To the surprise of herself and her selfless Abnegation family, she chooses Dauntless, the path of courage. Her choice exposes her to the demanding, violent initiation rites of this group, but it also threatens to expose a personal secret that could place her in mortal danger. Veronica Roth's young adult Divergent trilogy launches with a captivating adventure about love and loyalty playing out under most extreme circumstances.


Summit Entertainment has purchased the rights to make Divergent into a movie.  In honor of Dystopian Week Hollywood Crush has interviewed Veronica.  Here is one of the answers to the Q & A.

Veronica -

You know, I think that's how I write naturally. I think we sometimes imagine what it looks like and all the surroundings —  all the things people think about when they're filming a movie, and then I just write it down, so nothing has really changed, not really. I think it would be different if they cast people while I was writing, because then I wouldn't be able to separate them in my mind but, right now, it's still all my imagination.
I think it wouldn't be terrible, but I'd rather keep them the way they are and not yet what's happening in the real world. Just what's happening in my fake world.
Veronica Roth 
 
If you would like to read more please visit  http://www.nextmovie.com/blog/divergent-movie-veronica-roth/

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Hunger Games - #HeadForTheSquare

Do you remember that hash tag at the end of The Hunger Games movie trailer.  If you search for on twitter you will find more information about the movie and characters.


The movie site is posting cool pictures and gadgets from the movie. You can also follow in facebook http://www.facebook.com/District10PN?v=app_289540311078337.

Enjoy


Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Breaking Dawn Part 1 - Review

Every Twihard fan has already seen the movie and perhaps more than once.  I am scheduled for a second viewing with friends. So why would I go see it again?

It is the best installment of the saga so far.  Special effects, visuals, music, acting has gotten far better than before.  I guess the actors are more comfortable and familiar with their characters.  My favorite part (even though I am Team Jacob) is the honeymoon scene (swoon)  it is amazing.  Here is hoping that the dvd will have the original uncut scene.

The wedding was absolutely breath taking, the dress beautiful and those speeches hilarious.  Don't hate Jessica!  It was truly what I envisioned when reading the book.

So far I cannot wait to see what comes next and there have been some rumors that during the Hunger Games we will see a preview of Breaking Dawn part 2.  Also I have heard some rumors that there will be a Part 3???

So give me your thoughts on this?

Tammy




Thursday, November 17, 2011

Breaking Dawn Part 1 Premiere

Every time a Twilight movie premieres I have been able to go to the midnight screening, unfortunately this year I was unable to assist.  The only reason I am not hyperventilating is because tomorrow I will go see it anyway.  Thank God!  So in honor of those who are viewing the movie right at this moment I have found twilight inspired tutorials.


Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Young Adult Novel Discovery Contest

YOUNG ADULT NOVEL DISCOVERY CONTEST


Writing Great YA Fiction
No query? No pitch? No problem!


Serendipity Literary Agency, in collaboration with Sourcebooks and Gotham Writers' Workshop, is hosting its third Young Adult Novel Discovery Competition for a chance to win a one-on-one consultation with one of New York's leading YA literary agents!

If you've written a novel for young adults—or have an idea for one that you would like to write—we invite you to enter our contest. Simply submit only an enticing title along with the first 250 words from the opening of your original YA novel.


GREAT PRIZESThe Grand Prize Winner will have the opportunity to submit an entire manuscript to YA literary agent Regina Brooks and receive a free, 10-week writing course, courtesy of Gotham Writers' Workshop, plus a collection of gourmet teas from Possibiliteas.co.

The Top Five Entrants (including the Grand Prize winner) will receive a 15-minute, one-on-one pitch session with Regina Brooks, one of New York’s premier literary agents for young adult books. They will also receive commentary on their submissions by editors at Scholastic, Harlequin Teen, Random House, Viking, Disney, Roaring Brook Press, Sourcebooks, and Kimani Tru and receive a one-year subscription to The Writer magazine.

The First 50 Entrants will receive a copy of Writing Great Books for Young Adults by Regina Brooks. (Shipped only to addresses in US and Canada.)

JUDGING YA literary agent Regina Brooks and a select group of readers will read all of the entries and determine the top 20 submissions. These submissions will then be read by Rachel Griffiths, Editor at Scholastic; Nancy Mercado, Executive Editor at Roaring Brook Press; Leah Hultenschmidt, Executive Editor at Sourcebooks; Viola Krista, Editor at Dial (Random House); Evette Porter, Editor at Kimani Tru; Natashya Wilson, Senior Editor at Harlequin Teen; Abby Ranger, Editor at Disney (Hyperion); and Kendra Levin, Editor at Viking (Penguin). These judges will whittle the top 20 down to five, and each of the five winners will be provided commentary on their submissions.

NOVEMBER IS NaNoWriMo
In honor of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo.org)—an international event where aspiring novelists are encouraged to write an entire novel in 30 days—entries for the YA Novel Discovery Contest will be accepted from 12:01am (ET) November 1 until 11:59pm (ET), November 30, 2011.

IT IS EASY TO ENTER!
The contest is open to writers 14 years of age or older. Entrants will be judged solely on the title and the first 250 words of their YA novel—no additional material will be accepted. For an inside look at what the judges will be looking for, participants can refer to Writing Great Books for Young Adults by Regina Brooks. There is no minimum word count for the submission. Only online entries accepted. And only one submission per person. If more than one entry is submitted, only the first will be judged and the others will be discarded.

https://secure.writingclasses.com/ContestPages/Account.php

Mirror Mirror Trailer - What do you think?

When Snow White's beauty wins the heart of the prince that she desperately pursues, the Queen banishes her to the forest, where a ravening man-eating beast hungrily awaits. Rescued by a band of diminutive highway robbers, Snow White grows into an indomitable young woman determined to take back her realm from the treacherous Queen.















 

New Books available today

Today two amazing books are available for purchase.  If you have visited my blog you had seen the countdown widgets.  These books are a must read.

The Pledge

In the violent country of Ludania, the classes are strictly divided by the language they speak. The smallest transgression, like looking a member of a higher class in the eye while they are speaking their native tongue, results in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina has always been able to understand the languages of all classes, and she's spent her life trying to hide her secret. The only place she can really be free is the drug-fueled underground clubs where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. It's there that she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy named Max who speaks a language she's never heard before . . . and her secret is almost exposed.

Charlie is intensely attracted to Max, even though she can't be sure where his real loyalties lie. As the emergency drills give way to real crisis and the violence escalates, it becomes clear that Charlie is the key to something much bigger: her country's only chance for freedom from the terrible power of a deadly regime.

----

A dark fairytale with a dash of fantasy and a dystopian setting, The Pledge is the latest offering from Body Finder author Kimberly Derting, and marks her first foray into the increasingly popular YA genre of dystopian fiction. 


Shatter Me

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days. The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old-girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.  

----
In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi presents a world as riveting as The Hunger Games and a superhero story as thrilling as The X-Men. Full of pulse-pounding romance, intoxicating villainy, and high-stakes choices, Shatter Me is a fresh and original dystopian novel—with a paranormal twist—that will leave readers anxiously awaiting its sequel. -Goodreads


Monday, November 14, 2011

Breaking Dawn Premiere - Black Carpet Pictures

This evening has been all about the Breaking Dawn Part 1 premiere.  All the stars gathered at the black carpet meeting fans and granting several interviews.  I have gathered some of the tweeted pictures from attendees to provide a quick updated on who was there and what they wore.








Hunger Games Movie Trailer

Once in a while you read a book that you love so much the characters will forever live in your mind.  With me there have been a few,  Twilight, Iron Fey Series, House of Night and Hunger Games.  I have just watched the official full length trailer of the Hunger Games and let me tell you I balled my eyes out the tree times I have seen it.

It brings back those scenes I read that were so touching and endearing and for the first time it looks like the director of the movie has caught those scenes with the perfect actors to do them.

I cannot wait for the movie I am sure it will become a phenomenon.


There is a hashtag at the end of the trailer and it has caused mayhem on twitter.  We are to stay tuned for more information from the capitol.

 http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/lions_gate/thehungergames/



Saturday, November 12, 2011

The Pledge by: Kimberly Derting

In the violent country of Ludania, the classes are strictly divided by the language they speak. The smallest transgression, like looking a member of a higher class in the eye while they are speaking their native tongue, results in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina has always been able to understand the languages of all classes, and she's spent her life trying to hide her secret. The only place she can really be free is the drug-fueled underground clubs where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. It's there that she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy named Max who speaks a language she's never heard before . . . and her secret is almost exposed.

Charlie is intensely attracted to Max, even though she can't be sure where his real loyalties lie. As the emergency drills give way to real crisis and the violence escalates, it becomes clear that Charlie is the key to something much bigger: her country's only chance for freedom from the terrible power of a deadly regimen.


I am so looking forward to reading this book.  If you are interested you can buy the book here

BUY THE BOOK
Amazon
IndieBound
Barnes & Noble

YALLFEST Interview - Kami Garcia


 

ALLFest Interviews Kami Garcia

What were you like as a teen?
I wore a lot of black, and rings on every finger.  I spent a lot of time writing poetry in spiral notebooks.  I still have a giant tub full of them in the garage.  I wasn’t completely fringe and I did have friends, but I always felt different and it was hard to fit in.

What were favorite books as a teen?
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger and Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien.

If you had one wish what would you wish for?
For my family and friends to be healthy and happy.

What musicians have influenced your writing?
Black Sabbath, The Smiths, The Cure, AC/DC, The Killers, Soundgarden, My Chemcial Romance, Neko Case and Stevie Nicks

What are you looking forward to about YALLFest?
I can’t wait to see so many of my favorite authors all in one place.  And I would be lying if I didn’t say that I was planning to work my way through the city one slice of pie at a time. 
What is your favorite kind of pie?

Tollhouse Cookie Pie, Coconut Crème and Coca-Cola Cake (It should be a pie!).

If you would like to find more interviews please visit http://yallfest.org/

YAIIFEST (YA Festival for 2011)

I am suffering - yes suffering because I am in Florida while all the authors I love are in the Charleston Young Adult Book Festival.   Please come to Florida I would love to have you all here.

If you would like to find out more information about the event please visit
http://yallfest.org/




Thursday, November 10, 2011

If I Die Book Review


If I Die (Soul Screamers, #5)

If I Die (Souls Screamers #5) by:Rachel Vincent

Paperback, 342 pages
Published September 27th 2011 by Harlequin
ISBN
0373210329 (ISBN13: 9780373210329)
edition language
English
 
The entire school's talking about the gorgeous new math teacher, Mr. Beck. Everyone except Kaylee Cavanaugh. After all, Kaylee's no ordinary high-school junior. She's a banshee—she screams when someone dies.

But the next scream might be for Kaylee.

Yeah—it's a shock to her, too. So to distract herself, Kaylee's going to save every girl in school. Because that hot new teacher is really an incubus who feeds on the desire of unsuspecting students. The only girls immune to his lure are Kaylee and Sabine, her boyfriend's needy ex-girlfriend. Now the unlikely allies have to get rid of Mr. Beck…before he discovers they aren't quite human, either.

But Kaylee's borrowed lifeline is nearing its end. And those who care about her will do anything to save her life. 


My Review - 

This story has it all, suspense, love, lust and a lot of cliff hangers that will leave you wanting more.  I finished the book in two days and let me tell you it is not disappointing at all.


Kaylee is fighting to understand the way she feels as an unexpected event (I won't give out spoilers) has made her realize that she might not be happy with her current life status.  She has been forced to open up her eyes are and see things the way they really are.  New possibilities are up ahead but is it too late to change.  Is it even worth it.


Is she meant to continue living her life the way she has used to until now? or should she listen to her heart or what her intuition tells her.


This book deserves 5 out of 5 hearts and strongly recommend you place it in your to read file.


If you want to follow the author you may do so at

http://rachelvincent.com/


You can buy this book at 


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0373210329?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwgoodco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0373210329&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2

Snow White & the Huntsman

Have you seen the new trailer for Snow White and the Huntsman.  It is AMAZING!


Are you ready ... for the Hunger Games Trailer

Finally the moment we've all been waiting for.  The Hunger Games trailer will hit the screen on Monday!!! yes Monday on the Good Morning America show. 

Here's to hoping that this trailer is not too short  or too much of the woods.

If you want more information please follow the link below
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1674119/hunger-games-trailer.jhtml?xrs=share_twitter



Wednesday, November 9, 2011

I love book trailers

Don't you love book trailers?  Lately we have seen a book trailer trend. Nearly every book launch promotion has had a book trailer.  These mini movies are amazingly done and fuel our imaginations.


If you are a fan of Cassandra Clare you must have heard of Vania Stoyanova. She is a talented  book trailer designer that has teased us with bits and sneaks of the upcoming trailer for Clockwork Prince.  She has created excellent book trailers and amazing photography.  If you want a sneak peek of her work feel free to visit her website http://www.vlcphoto.net/

http://www.youtube.com/user/VLCPhotoProductions

 

Shut Out Book Trailer by Kody Keplinger

 
Revenant by Sonia Gensler




Wither by Lauren Destefano

And my favorite so far ...




Saturday, November 5, 2011

Hungry for more Hunger Games?

I apologize for neglecting my blog.  I have been busy with writing deadlines, writing my nights and days away.  I wanted to post some interesting and yummy looking Hunger Games inspired food.

These are all great ideas for birthdays and the upcoming holidays right!




Katnis's favorite dish was Lamb Stew with Dried Plums, hungry anyone?



You can go to fictionalfood.net they have a lot of the dishes described in the series.  This is truly inspirational.

Tammy 


Thursday, November 3, 2011

Want to sneak peak a book

November to Remember Sampler from Penguin teen

http://www.scribd.com/doc/69295336/November-to-Remember-Sampler


Must Read - If I Die by Rahel Vincent

 
The entire school's talking about the gorgeous new math teacher, Mr. Beck. Everyone except Kaylee Cavanaugh. After all, Kaylee's no ordinary high-school junior. She's a banshee—she screams when someone dies.

But the next scream might be for Kaylee.

Yeah—it's a shock to her, too. So to distract herself, Kaylee's going to save every girl in school. Because that hot new teacher is really an incubus who feeds on the desire of unsuspecting students. The only girls immune to his lure are Kaylee and Sabine, her boyfriend's needy ex-girlfriend. Now the unlikely allies have to get rid of Mr. Beck…before he discovers they aren't quite human, either.

But Kaylee's borrowed lifeline is nearing its end. And those who care about her will do anything to save her life.

Anything.


Wednesday, November 2, 2011

LAST BREATH official book trailer - Rachel Caine


New Yorks Best Selling author Rachel Cain has released the new trailer for the newest book in the seires - Last Breath.

Morganville Vampire by Rachel Cane With her boss preoccupied researching the Founder Houses in Morganville, student Claire Danvers is left to her own devices when she learns that three vampires have vanished without a trace. She soon discovers that the last person seen with one of the missing vampires is someone new to town—a mysterious individual named Magnus. After an uneasy encounter with Morganville’s latest resident, Claire is certain Magnus isn’t merely human. But is he a vampire—or something else entirely?



http://www.youtube.com/user/rachelcainewriter

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Dark Eden Book Trailer

Fifteen-year-old Will Besting is sent by his doctor to Fort Eden, an institution meant to help patients suffering from crippling phobias. Once there, Will and six other teenagers take turns in mysterious fear chambers and confront their worst nightmares—with the help of the group facilitator, Rainsford, an enigmatic guide. When the patients emerge from the chamber, they feel emboldened by the previous night's experiences. But each person soon discovers strange, unexplained aches and pains. . . . What is really happening to the seven teens trapped in this dark Eden? Patrick Carman's Dark Eden is a provocative exploration of fear, betrayal, memory, and— ultimately—immortality.

National Novel Writing Month

Will you join? November is the National Novel Writing Month if you are interested in finding out more information check out http://www.nanowrimo.org. 

NANOWRIMO is a writing challenge of thirty days in which you meet up with people near you to achieve fifty thousand words in a month.  You write your brains out and drop anything that comes to mind about your idea and then after you achieve this goal, you edit the heck out of that novel.

This is a great opportunity to meet people with the same interest and goals and to get professional advise from published authors, agents and fellow writers.

So come on what are you waiting for aim for the sky and write, write, write until November 30th.

Follow this link to find out how to write a fight scene.  It's called fight scene 101

http://www.nanowrimo.org/forums/writing-101/threads/16679




House of Night - Destined Book Trailer