Teaser Tuesdays #11

Meme by Should Be Reading!

*Grab your current read
*Open to a random page
*Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
*Be careful not to include spoilers!
*Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Ribba hopped onto my shoulder, her green lips pressed together. "They used to be a couple back in their theater days," she said.
"But after Crong joined the League, they were always on different sides of the kingdom. He still talks about her all the time."
I couldn't stop staring at the couple. It was the weirdest pairing I'd ever seen. One misstep from Halga, and Crong would be crushed.

p. 41, My Very UnFairy Tale Life by Anna Staniszewski

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link to your own Teaser Tuesdays post, or share your ‘teasers’ in a comment here (if you don’t have a blog). Thanks! :)

Seeing Cinderella by Jenny Lundquist

Seeing Cinderella by Jenny Lundquist

Expected publication: March 20th 2012
Publisher: ALADDIN M!X
Format : Paperback
Pages: 240
Source : For review from the author
Buy : Amazon | Book Depository

Calliope Meadow Anderson wishes her life could be more of a fairy tale—just like the stories she writes. Her best friend, Ellen, is acting weird, her parent's marriage is falling apart, and to top things off, she found out she needs hideously large and geeky glasses.

But Callie soon learns they aren't just any glasses—they are magical and let her read people's thoughts. For the first time ever she's answering all the questions right in math class, and gets a glimpse of what goes through people's minds all day, including what Ellen—and her longtime crush—really think of her.

As if dealing with these crazy glasses weren't enough, Callie tries out for the lead in her school's production of Cinderella and actually gets the part. Instead, Callie chooses to let Ellen have the lead and be Ellen's understudy—just like she has done for their entire friendship.

Add in a new girl who has something to hide, a secret admirer, a best friend stealer who isn't what she seems, and Callie's year just went from ordinary to extraordinary.

Can this supporting actress learn to be a leading lady in her own life? Or is she destined to stay in the background forever—even with her super-freaky-magic glasses?

*MAY CONTAIN SOME SPOILERS*
Calliope is kind of a loner and she likes to write stories. She's kind of geeky, and it certainly doesn't help that she'll need glasses.
That's when her sort of fairy godmother steps in, and that's when Callie receives her magical glasses. And they're magical because they let her see people's hidden thoughts. And she realizes that nothing's like she thought it was.

I really don't want to spoil too much, because this is such a wonderful story to read! Basically she learns that nothing's what it seems and everyone has hidden secrets, even the friends you think you know the best. Or your parents. And the one you think is the bad guy, isn't always. The motives behind people's actions might not be what you think they are. And, the most important thing I should've known when I was growing up: What ever you think about yourself, it may not be what the others thinks.

I have to say that I absolutely adore the picture of Jenny the 7th grader (can be found on her homepage)!
It's about excactly the same as mine! I'm few years younger than Jenny, so in my 7th grade picture I'm not wearing polo shirt, but a flanel shirt. Orange. And brown. And my glasses were a little smaller, since it was year.. umm.. seriously, I can't remember and I'm too lazy to count.
But anyway. I was the girl with the frizzy hair (I do have frizzy hair still, but now I know how to use straightening iron...). I was also 10 cm's (4 inches) taller than any other boy or girl in my class. So yeah, I feel the pain. 

I also had louzy best friend, who made me and this other girl compete for her attention, until she found a boyfriend, and me and the other girl became friends. So it was kind of painful to read this book, but painful only because it reminds us, the girls with frizzy hair, what it was like to be that age. Especially when you didn't have magical glasses! Just ordinary ones. And nearly braces *shudder* It's nice to see how someone excactly like you, or me, survives it. 

This is the book for all those frizzy haired girls who survived, or will survive, their lives even without the magical glasses!

Huge thanks to Jenny! I couldn't be happier! :)

Jenny Lundquist grew up in Huntington Beach, California, wearing glasses and wishing they had magic powers.

They didn't, but they did help her earn a degree in intercultural studies at Biola University. Jenny has painted an orphanage in Mexico, taught English at a university in Russia, and hopes one day to write a book at a café in Paris.
Jenny and her husband live in northern California with their two sons and Rambo, the world's whiniest cat.




Goodreads | Facebook | Homepage

Musing Mondays #13

I'm back again! My daughter had her 5th birthday this weekend, so I spent my time baking, cleaning, cooking and so on. But it's Monday again, and time for the Musing Mondays!

Musing Mondays is hosted by Should Be Reading!

This week's musing asks…

Why do you think that the Young Adult genre is so popular with even the adult readers? Do you read YA books, yourself?

Well this is a tough one! Even though I do read mostly YA.

Why I like them myself is mostly 'cause they're so full of life. Usually there's teenage problems, they're easygoing, many times there's also some comedy included.
There's always new love, full of excitement. And with that you also get that rush of adrenalin, cause it's just so exciting!
They're also quite easy to read, which is quite pleasant, considering I only use English when reading books (and writing here, right! Oh, and commenting. And emailing. Okay, so I use lots of English, just not IRL).
There's also amazing storylines, everything is possible!

So I guess the main reason for me reading these books is that I'm still quite young at heart (even though I'm old at face, I mean, age) so it's nice to experience those teenage feelings without having to live them through again. When I was a teenager, it was matter of life and death just when I didn't get to see my friends. Geez, dramaqueens!

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link to your own Musing Mondays post, or share your answer in a comment here (if you don’t have a blog). Thanks!

Sorry!

.. for the silence! My little sister came to visit me few days ago with her one year old son, so there's been lots of stuff to do! And today we drove to her place (took only 4 hours..), and we'll go back home Saturday. But I'll try my best to get to internet, even though I'm, again, in the middle of nowhere.

On My Wishlist #11

Meme hosted by Book Chick City!

A Demon Made Me Do It (Demonblood #1) by Penelope King


Some girls share clothes, a bathroom, or a bedroom. Seventeen-year-old Liora Greyson has to share, too. Only she shares her body--with a demon.

Liora just wants to survive her final year of high school unscathed, her dark secret intact. But the walls she’s carefully constructed to keep people away crack wide open once she meets the sexy and mysterious Kieron, and he lights her world on fire. She can’t let him know she transforms into a demon named "Lucky" at nightfall—a demon with an entirely separate personality who passes out Torment, Justice, and Revenge like Halloween candy.

Turns out Kieron is the one who should be afraid once Lucky discovers his true identity and motivations. Liora wants to love him, but Lucky thinks he’s public enemy number one. And having a demon with a vendetta show up during a romantic date puts a serious crimp in any relationship.

Fighting your demons is one thing. Having one that fights back, messes with your guy, and leaves you with nasty hangovers is quite another.

Being bad has never been so good...

Interview & Giveaway (INT): Veronica Blade

Thanks again Veronica, for this interview! She's also hosting a givewaway for her latest novella, A Bite's Tale, and there will be two lucky winners!

Hi Veronica! Thanks for joining us at Mind Reading? today!

My pleasure. Thanks for having me!



Please introduce yourself and your latest book, A Bite's Tale.

I’m a YA paranormal addict who loves to write. It’s my very favorite thing to do. My hubby will attest to how grumpy I get when I miss a day.

A Bite’s Tale is about werewolf girl (Cinderella) who desperately wants a normal life, especially after her werewolf alter ego physically hurts the boy she's fallen for. Since she’s afraid she’ll hurt someone again, she closes herself off and no matter how hard she tries, she can’t forget the boy she loved.



You've written some paranormal romance now. Is there a reason you chose that genre?

Because I love it! For the most part, it’s all I read. When I do occasionally veer off, it’s to write chick-lit (like Blind Date, Checkmate) which is super fun as well.



Would you mind telling us what you're currently working on?

Blind Date, Checkmate has been doing so well that I got inspired to write another Chick Lit. From Fame to Shame (temporary title), a YA novella, will be released in a few weeks. This is about twin sisters — one a starlet and the other a good girl — who switch places. With lots of romance, of course, but no vamps or anything.

However, this coming spring, My Wolf’s Bane will be available, if anyone's itching for another of my paranormals. My Wolf’s Bane is about a teenage shifter who’s caught in a centuries-old battle between her kind and werewolves. Of course, as with anything I write, it’s more about the romance and less about the werewolves, vamps or witches.



Both Something Witchy This Way Comes and A Bite's Tale have very unique titles, how did you came up with them?

I agonize over my titles. I’ll think on it for days or weeks before I come up with something I really like. Then I survey my friends, family and beta readers. A Bite’s Tale was originally attached to a different novel, but the title worked so well for the Cinderella story, I stole it and renamed the other book Icing on the Stake (vamps and witches – this will probably be released in the beginning of summer).



I'm sure you love all your characters, but who's your favorite from A Bite's Tale?

I like Dunston. Yeah, I know I’m weird, but I just love how he’s an ancient vampire, possessing all the scariness of someone who has that much power, yet he’s still capable of loving our hero, Remy, to the point of doing anything to protect him.



Which is cooler, vampire or werewolf?

I go back and forth on that, depending on what I’m writing. Right now, I’d say werewolves, because I’m in love with Zack from My Wolf’s Bane. And I don’t even care that he’s too young for me.



If you'd have to become any kind of creature from paranormal genre, which would that be?

Shape shifter. Why be limited to turning into a wolf? And why be a vamp who can only drink blood? I like real food.



Ever visited, or even heard about, Finland? (Something I have to ask from everyone :))

I’ve heard of it, of course! I’m not big on traveling, but I’ve seen pictures. Beautiful!



What's the best book(s) you've ever read?

I’m a bit of a book whore, so picking a favorite is like choosing between children. But if you had a gun to my head, I’d say Jemima J by Jane Green or Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater. Totally different genres, but both are so good! I had the honor of reading Susan Hatler’s upcoming release, Shaken, which was gripping. Y’all probably shouldn’t expect a nice relaxing read on that one.



Free word, anything you would like to say to my readers?

You rock for having me on your blog and stop by my Facebook page to say hi — I love hearing from readers!

Thanks again Veronica! :)

Some links
A Bite's Tale in Amazon
A Bite's Tale in Goodreads
Veronica's homepage

And now, the giveaway!

RULES
Giveaway is open internationally

There will be two winners; US winner will win a paperback copy of "A Bite's Tale" novella; international winner will win an ebook copy of "A Bite's Tale" novella

Entries are verified.

Contest ends Feb 3th 2012

Here's the FB pages mentioned in the first question:
Veronica's FB page and
FB page for Something Witchy This Way Comes

Giveaway is over!

The Time Will Come #17

The Time Will Come is a meme hosted by Books for Company!

The Rules
* Pick a book from your bookshelf that you've had for a while and really can't wait to read, but haven't managed to get to yet.
* Put the details on your blog and head back over to Jodie's blog to fill in the Mr Linky.
* Go and visit some other bloggers who are joining in.

The Summoning (Darkest Powers Trilogy #1) by Kelley Armstrong


After years of frequent moves following her mother’s death, Chloe Saunders’s life is finally settling down.
She is attending art school, pursuing her dreams of becoming a director, making friends, meeting boys. Her biggest concern is that she’s not developing as fast as her friends are.

But when puberty does hit, it brings more than hormone surges. Chloe starts seeing ghosts everywhere, demanding her attention. After she suffers a breakdown, her devoted aunt Lauren gets her into a highly recommended group home.

At first, Lyle House seems a pretty okay place, except for Chloe’s small problem of fearing she might be facing a lifetime of mental illness.
But as she gradually gets to know the other kids at the home–charming Simon and his ominous, unsmiling brother Derek, obnoxious Tori, and Rae, who has a “thing” for fire–Chloe begins to realize that there is something that binds them all together, and it isn’t your usual “problem kid” behaviour.

And together they discover that Lyle House is not your usual group home either…

CAN'T-WAIT-TO-READ!

STOP CENSORSHIP.

What is SOPA? SOPA explained here. And why I have problem with it? Here and here are few good reasons.

“It’s obvious that the US has too much influence on the internet and the world’s politics. SOPA/PIPA is one of many newer laws that is passed in the US but really is in effect outside of their borders. The UN and other bodies should actually fight back and say that this is not OK, ” the insider said.

“The internet is a global infrastructure and can’t be run in one single country. Besides fighting SOPA, we must also take away the possibility for a single country to rule over the global infrastructure.”

The Pirate Bay: PIPA/SOPA Won’t Stop Us!

...Still doesn’t sound that bad, but consider this: Any site that allows users to post content is “primarily designed for the purpose of offering services in a manner that enables copyright violation.” The site doesn’t have to be clearly designed for the purpose of copyright violation; it only has to provide functionality that can be used to enable copyright violation.

This means that YouTube, Facebook, Wikipedia, Gmail, Dropbox and millions of other sites would be “Internet sites…dedicated to theft of U.S. property,” under SOPA’s definition. Simply providing a feature that would make it possible for someone to commit copyright infringement or circumvention is enough to get your entire site branded as an infringing site.

Why SOPA Is Dangerous

Waiting on Wednesday #13

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

If I Lie by Corrine Jackson

Expected publication August 28th 2012


A powerful debut novel about the gray space between truth and perception.

Quinn’s done the unthinkable: she kissed a guy who is not Carey, her boyfriend. And she got caught. Being branded a cheater would be bad enough, but Quinn is deemed a traitor, and shunned by all of her friends. Because Carey’s not just any guy — he’s serving in Afghanistan and revered by everyone in their small, military town.

Quinn could clear her name, but that would mean revealing secrets that she’s vowed to keep—secrets that aren’t hers to share. And when Carey goes MIA, Quinn must decide how far she’ll go to protect her boyfriend... and her promise.

Why?
Sounds intriguing and mysterious :)

WWW Wednesday #15

WWW Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Should be Reading.

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions… * What are you currently reading? * What did you recently finish reading? * What do you think you’ll read next?

What are you currently reading? The Anti-Social Network (The Start Up #2) by Sadie Hayes Have to read this now. Can't stop reading.

What did you recently finish reading? The Start-Up (The Start Up #1) by Sadie Hayes This was so good and had a huge cliffhanger in the end, so I had to start the second book immediately!

What do you think you'll read next? The Beautiful Code (The Start Up #3) by Sadie Hayes I'll start this as soon as I've finished with the second book. And as soon as I receive this from Sadie, of course! :)