Rainy Day Ramblings

Friday Forecast Week of July 1st-7th

I am away today in Idaho visiting family and friends but I couldn't leave you all without the Friday Forecast! This next week in the U.S. is the 4th of July holiday...time for fireworks, parades, get togethers and good eating! One of the best holidays of the year.  There are some good titles on the horizon as well.  Here are the highlights of the upcoming releases and the forecast from Idaho Falls, Idaho where I am currently staying.  Tell me what you are buying and how the weather is where you live!

Forecast for July 1-7

I am totally getting Even White Trash Zombies Have the Blues! 

Weather Forecast for Idaho Falls, Idaho

Saturday: H  L                                                                              Sunday: H  L  

Okay everyone that's it from here! I am on vacation so my blog will be on break next week. I will see you all back on July 9th! Have a great week everyone!

Married With Zombies Final Week

Week1: Chapters 1-5 (June 1st) - Jen @ In the Closet With a Bibliophile

Week2: Chapters 6-10 (June 8th) - Ashley @ The Bookish Brunette
Week3: Chapters 11-15 (June 15th) - Loretta @ Between the Pages
Week4: Chapters 16-20 (June 22nd) - Tina @ Tina's Book Reviews
Week5: Chapters 21-26 (June 29th) - Missie @ The Unread Reader

You can check out the awesome prize packs on their blogs. 

For my posts and pictures, I will be featuring my kids because it is hard to take pictures of yourself with the stuff and second they are cuter. 

 

1.  In Chapter 21, David and Sarah venture into a grocery store to try to find some essentials. Show us a picture of the top three items you consider your essentials when you go shopping. 

At our house considered staples that we buy every week or make sure we have on hand are, eggs, milk, bananas (fruit), cheese and macaroni and cheese.  Of course, bread and coffee are two other must have items.

 

2. Sarah and David travel quite a distance to "visit" a family member. Show us a picture of your most recent family vacation (or staycation). Who did you visit and where did you go?

We are actually right now on vacation in my home state of Idaho.  Visiting family and friends for the fourth of July holiday. I guess you will have to wait until I get back for pictures.

 

3. Sarah refers to David's sister as the Martha Stewart type because she likes to make things from scratch. Show us a picture a hobby or home project you get enthusiastic about making/doing.

Before kids, I was super crafty.  I used to love making jewelry, cross stitching, candle making and glittering and embellishing things with crystals.  Since the kids came, my time is limited so for the most part, my crafting stuff is put away for a later date.  Here is a photo of some my creations. 

4. David and Sarah decide to start up their own Zombie exterminators business, and even come up with a name and slogan for it, “S and D Zombie Extermination. We take care of your undead issues.” If you opened up your own zombie killing business, what would you call it, and what would your slogan be?

Hmm if I were to start my own Zombie business I would call it Zombie Stab and Slab 'Em or Dead the Undead. 

 

 

5. What were your favorite/least favorite parts of Married with Zombies? Aside from David and Sarah, who was your favorite/least favorite character?

My favorite parts of Married with Zombies were the altercations between David and Sarah, all the petty arguments that over time went away.  I also enjoyed watching them work together and rekindle their failing marriage.  The sarcastic commentary was funny. The chapter titles were hilarious and creative! I also liked the scene with the stripper zombies and the casino zombies playing the slot machines.

The pair spent very little time in the company of any other characters aside from their air headed neighbor Amanda, who was my favorite character.  She is dense and clueless and provides some memorable laugh out lines. I was even glad that David got so he liked her at the end and felt bad when she died. I was indeed disappointed by her demise. 

6. What do you think is coming up next for David and Sarah? Which do you think has a better chance of survival, their marriage or their humanity? Will you continue reading this series, and if so, what do you hope to see happen in the next book?

For David and Sarah I think they will continue to work together and reignite the lost flames between them.  I think at this point their marriage has a much better chance of surviving.  Things are looking grim for humanity. Yes, I would like to continue this series.  It is full of snark and zombies and at times flat out funny.  In the next book, I would like to find out more about the zombie plague, how did it come to be?  Is there any cure? I would also hope that David and Sarah somehow make it to safety and do find a way to start their zombie exterminator business.

Ok that is a wrap folks!  I hope you had fun on the read along.  A big thanks to the lovely hostesses for putting on this fabulous event.  If you are worried where you are going to get your next read along fix....fear not!  The First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones read along is coming in August.  Get your books now.  Sign ups will be on July 19th on this blog and the other host's blogs.  Hope to see you all there! 

 

Dark Companion by Marta Acosta Guest Post Giveaway and Review

I am super excited to have on the blog today, Marta Acosta author of the upcoming book Dark Companion.  A myterious, gothic tale that will astound you!  To celebrate the release of her book, I am hosting Marta here today to tell us about one of her favorite summer activities.  Be sure to stay tune at the end of her post for my review of Dark Companion and an exciting giveaway! You don't want to miss it!

 

Here is Marta on Girl's Lunch:

When I was in high school, a friend and her mother lived in a lovely cottage among a stand of redwoods. Her mother collected antiques and I loved the femininity of the place – quite a contrast from my home with three large brothers tackling and slugging one another as amusement. I’d often retreat into my room with my books to escape the mayhem – and the female characters, like Jane Eyre, became my companions. 

So naturally, my time with girlfriends is very special to me, and I really enjoy having girls’ only lunches in the summer. I set out the girly things that I like – flowers from my garden in pottery vases, vintage linens and glassware. I go to the Farmer’s Market and buy fresh fruits and vegetables. I like to serve French rosé, because of the pretty color and because it reminds me of having lunch with my girlfriends at a sunny, white-washed restaurant in St. Germain.

We give each other little presents, relax, and catch up, and there’s always so much to share – and I’m happy to steal away a great phrase for later, such as when my best friend described a scandalous incident as “the icing on the sin cake.” I used that for a chapter title in one of my Casa Dracula books. We take out calendars and schedule when we’ll get together with the guys, but those occasions will be different...and definitely louder!

I tried to bring a little of that feeling, that wonderful female friendship, into Dark Companion, my new Young Adult Gothic, which is set at an exclusive all-girls school. Jane Williams knows how to excel academically and how to hide her rage at the world, but she’s severely emotionally damaged. Most people see the well-behaved girl she wants them to see, but a few others, including her irrepressible classmate, Mary Violet, realize there’s something beneath the surface. Mary Violet gives Jane the affection and love she so desperately needs to begin to heal from her tragic past.

Thanks, Heidi, for having me here at Rainy Day Ramblings!

A huge thanks to Marta for being here today and to Alexis at Tor Teen Publishing. Please be sure to visit Marta on her blog, Goodreads, Twitter and Facebook. 

And for the Giveaway...Marta is offering a hardback copy of her new novel Dark Companion to one lucky winner.  This contest is open internationally.  Fill out the Rafflecopter form to enter.  See Contest Policies for details and good luck! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My review of Dark Companion by Marta Acosta

When foster teen Jane Williams is invited to attend elite Birch Grove Academy for Girls and escape her violent urban neighborhood, she thinks the offer is too good to be true. She's even offered her own living quarters, the groundskeeper's cottage in the center of the birch grove. Something's not quite right about the school -- or is it Jane? She thinks she sees things in the birch grove at night. She's also beginning to suspect that the elegant headmistress and her sons are hiding secrets. Lucky is the gorgeous, golden son who is especially attentive to Jane, and Jack is the sardonic puzzling brother.The school with its talented teachers and bright students is a dream for a science and math geek like Jane. She also loves her new friends, including hilarious poetry-spouting rich girl, Mary Violet. But the longer Jane stays at Birch Grove, the more questions she has about the disappearance of another scholarship girl and a missing faculty member. Jane discovers one secret about Birch Grove, which only leads to more mysteries. What is she willing to sacrifice in order to stay at this school...and be bound to Birch Grove forever?
 Hardback 386 pages 
Expected Publication: July 3rd 2012 by Tor/Macmillan 

Four Stars: A mysterious, dark, compelling read full of surprises.

Jane is leaving the squalid neighborhood known as Hellsdale.  She has spent the last few years living in Hell as she fights to survive the brutal streets, avoid prostitution, drugs, shootings and all the evils that plague those living in this run down neighborhood.  The death of her best friend spurred her to apply herself and earn her way out of the poverty.  Her studious habits and hard work have finally paid off.  Jane is the lucky recipient of a full scholarship with room and board included at an elite all girl's school.  For a girl like Jane who has known nothing but pain and suffering, it is a dream come true.  She bids her friends goodbye and turns her back on the hellish foster home.  Free at last! She is an emancipated minor on her way out of here.  Once she arrives at the beautiful, old prep school, she soon begins to feel like something is a bit off.  The town, school and people surrounding her seem like they are hiding something.  Is the offer too good to be true? What exactly is going on at Birch Grove?

What I Liked:

• This book opens with a bang...a gripping scene with a young girl racing to hide trying to escape a faceless monster and then a reprieve and rescue by an unexpected source.  I was astounded by the beginning of this book. 
• I loved the way Ms. Acosta creates an atmosphere thick with suspense as she carefully takes her time notching up the tension, building and building to a big reveal.  I love finding a book that relies on a mystery that is slow to unfold and heavy on the intrigue, and that is what I found with this book.
• I appreciated the time that the author takes to introduce the reader to Jane. She is a complex girl, one who has known a difficult life filled with pain, sorrow and little affection.  She is fierce, determined, untrusting and emotionally frozen.  After a lifetime of burdens, she finally seems to have a bit of good misfortune and the reader watches her tentatively taking those tiny steps into her new life, unwilling to open her heart and let anyone get too close, too soon.  Not only does Ms. Acosta take her time sculpting and fleshing out Jane, she also creates a superb cast of secondary characters that were just as fascinating as Jane, from the tousled Jack, the tragic teacher, the lost Wilde, the bubbling, enthusiastic and totally lovable Mary Violet to the solemn and commanding presence of 2Slim and the prim and proper head mistress of Birch Grove.  I was pleased to find an excellent set of characters in this book.
• I loved that this book kept me in the dark with its gothic setting and creepy atmosphere.  On the surface everything appears to be in order, but the reader gets these little flashes and niggles that something is just a bit off.  You have no idea what is going on for the longest time and then when you finally start uncovering the secrets, it is not what you expect.
• I appreciated that Ms. Acosta takes a supernatural entity and gives it yet another make over, providing a new and interesting take on well known lore and legend.  
• I loved the mysterious trees, they are always in the background, waving and whispering in the wind, making the reader wonder if there is a paranormal aspect to the simple birch trees. I was fascinated and excited to run across a different and refreshing paranormal element in this book.
• I appreciated that this book has a nice, neat resolution.  It appears to be a stand alone novel, but the author definitely leaves a few lingering story strands that could easily be gathered and spun into a new story.
• The writing is engaging and compelling!  

And The Not So Much:

• As I mentioned earlier, I loved the way Ms. Acosta took her time to acquaint the reader with Jane, and I totally felt like I got her and knew what made her tick, until she gets tangled up with Lucky.  Once she becomes enamored with this spoiled, pretty boy, she wavers.  At this point, I lost a bit of respect for her as she meanders down a path that made me shake my head in disapproval.  I was unhappy as this fierce girl let herself fall into a situation where she was being used and taken advantage of...It seemed to go against every fiber in her being, and yet, I understood why she acted like she did.  In her desperate attempt to feel love and self worth, something she had only known when her friend, Hosea, was alive, she falls into the trap.  As much as this disappointed me, I got it.  Jane is quite the conundrum!
• Unfortunately, this book tries to introduce a love triangle but it never quite stands tall in a three angled shape.  Instead, there are hints from the first meeting with one of the boys that he is totally into Jane with his antagonistic behavior, but Jane always brushes him off and doesn't take his advances seriously.  She affixes her sights on the golden boy, who in turn does not see her as a romantic interest, he only wants her for is own twisted desires. So you end up with a triangle that never completely forms, which is a good thing.
• I wasn't satisfied with how quickly Jane flips her affections.  Granted it was staring at her in the face the whole time, but her sudden change of heart felt a bit hurried to me.  I think because she tends to make most of her decisions so carefully and methodically that this quick turnabout caught me a bit off guard.  I would like to have seen her work through it a little more.
• I was a bit put off by the whole discussion on the Companions.  Granted, it is a unique twist, but I just wasn't thrilled reading all the details.  Less is more.  This is a personal preference and I am sure it won't be an issue with most readers.
• I was so excited to find something new in the paranormal genre, but I was a bit disappointed in that the birch trees didn't end up playing a more prominent role.  I was hoping that they would be a predominant feature, but alas they were just a tiny part of this engrossing tale.

Dark Companion is an interesting book that blends a gothic setting with some paranormal aspects that are unique and refreshing.  This book takes its time laying out intricate story threads that will entangle the reader and pull them into the intricate web of   story lines.  This novel is one that will keep you on your toes and in the dark until the final pages.  If you like a read thick with tension and suspense, pick this one up.

Favorite Quotations:

“On the night that I die, a storm rages, and the thin glass of the cheap windows shudder as if beaten by fists, and the wind howls like someone calling come away, come away.”

“I tugged away that memory as if I was tugging at a loose thread, little knowing that I was unraveling the entirety of my brief existence.  Because who are we without our memories?”

“When our bodies decompose, it doesn’t matter if we were rich, poor, smart, stupid, good-looking, or ugly....None of that matters, because our chemical components are all the same.  In death, we’re all equal.”

“He had a pleasant smile, but I could tell that it was like mine, something he was wearing to please others.”

“Are we afraid of what is outside lurking in the night, or do we dread the darkness of our own souls?”

“Art isn’t alive unless it’s seen and loved.”

“Money doesn’t solve loneliness, Jane.  It makes it harder for me to figure out who my real friends are.”

“She smiled innocently, and my heart broke.  She was like someone lost on the highway who keeps taking the wrong turns and getting farther and farther away from her destination.”

“I came to accept my past; I didn’t want to limit my experiences to the interior of a snow globe, no matter how pretty it was.”

“I wouldn’t forget where I came from, and I wouldn’t stop exploring unknown territories because others feared there might be dragons.”

I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review courtesy of Tor Teen Publishing. 

 

 

Tell Me Something Tuesday #27

Wow! It is already the last Tuesday in June! As always I have another fun question courtesy of Cambria Hebert.  If you want to participate in TMST be sure to visit Cambria's blog, link up and pick up next week's question. 

Today's question:  

Do you buy books based on the book cover?

As much as I would like to say no, I buy books strictly based on content; I can't.  I admit, like everyone else I am drawn into checking out a book by the catchy covers.  It is no secret that as humans we are driven by our senses, our sight especially.  It is all about presentation.  Billions of dollars are spent each year by advertisers wooing with enticing images from food to clothes to cars....all these items are packaged with the most flattering and eye catching images, all in order to seduce you the consumer into purchasing these items.  Obviously, these tactics work, otherwise why would we be inundated with all these scintillating images?

Books are no different.  Think about it when you are browsing the shelves of the library or
your favorite book store, what books call to you and beg you to pick them up?  Is it the ones with the plain boring covers or is it the book with a gorgeous, colorful cover?  I know that I am not alone in having picked up a book that is mediocre all because of the cover.  Even worse is overlooking an outstanding book all because the cover did not grab my attention.  

However, as beautiful and lovely as some of these covers are, they often cannot hide or makeup for a poor book underneath.  It is often a terrible trap, an alluring cover on a mediocre or bad book.  Last year in 2011 we were deluged with books featuring beautiful dresses.  

So far 2012 has been more dresses:

Mermaids:

And Masks:

So now that I know many of these covers are just a mask, how do I decide what to spend my hard earned money on?  Will I wander aimlessly through the aisles succumbing to the lure of the pretty cover, or will I search for solid content? I am all about content after falling victim to the cover ploy.  These days, I make my selection based on reviews on Goodreads and from my trusted blogger friends.  One case of a book that I almost overlooked based on appearance was Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo.  The existing cover is rather dull and unappealing, but I can tell you this is a fantastic read.  One I would have missed out on had I not read the reviews.

So bottom line, buyer beware.  The  next time you plan on purchasing some books, be prepared and do your research before you walk the aisles.  Don't let those enticing covers trick you into purchasing a subpar book.  Make sure that book with the pretty cover is indeed a book you are going to enjoy.    

So tell me...how do you feel about the beautiful covers?

 

Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson

Before Peter Pan belonged to Wendy, he belonged to the girl with the crow feather in her hair. . . .Fifteen-year-old Tiger Lily doesn't believe in love stories or happy endings. Then she meets the alluring teenage Peter Pan in the forbidden woods of Neverland and immediately falls under his spell.Peter is unlike anyone she's ever known. Impetuous and brave, he both scares and enthralls her. As the leader of the Lost Boys, the most fearsome of Neverland's inhabitants, Peter is an unthinkable match for Tiger Lily. Soon, she is risking everything—her family, her future—to be with him. When she is faced with marriage to a terrible man in her own tribe, she must choose between the life she's always known and running away to an uncertain future with Peter.With enemies threatening to tear them apart, the lovers seem doomed. But it's the arrival of Wendy Darling, an English girl who's everything Tiger Lily is not, that leads Tiger Lily to discover that the most dangerous enemies can live inside even the most loyal and loving heart.From the New York Times bestselling author of Peaches comes a magical and bewitching story of the romance between a fearless heroine and the boy who wouldn't grow up.
Hardcover, 292 pages
Expected publication: July 3rd 2012 by Harper Collins Children's Books

 1/2

Four and a 1/2 Stars: A heartbreaking tale of a lost love in Neverland.

Tinkerbell might be a small fairy but she is able to witness and tell the haunting tale of Tiger Lily and her lost love.  Tiger Lily has traversed a difficult road her whole life, starting with the day her adopted father, Tik Tok, found her as an abandoned infant hidden under a tiger lily.  She was reared as a member of the Sky Eaters tribe, but she has never been accepted.  She was tormented and teased, but she never showed any sign of emotion while being bullied.  Then a strange thing happened to one of her tormenters, the girl choked and died.  A crow was seen near the body and the tribe saw it as an omen.  From that point on, Tiger Lily wore a crow feather in her hair. The rest of the tribe keeps her at an arm's length, especially after she rescues a shipwrecked Englishman on the beach.  The tribe feels it is time to rein her in and halt her wild behavior.  She is betrothed to an odious man, Giant.  One day Tiger Lily wanders into the forest to escape her evil-mother-in-law-to be, and encounters the elusive and supposedly dangerous  Peter Pan.  Even though she promises to never come see him again, for once she falters and breaks that vow and returns to meet Peter and the rest of the Lost Boys, time and time again.  Somehow she manages to open up and lose her heart to this wild boy.......

What I Liked:

• I loved this retelling of the classic, Peter Pan.  This story is told through the eyes of Tinkerbell.  Tink for whatever reason is drawn to the strange maiden and spends her days following Tiger Lily.  Through Tinkerbell's eyes, we witness the joy and heartbreak of Tiger Lily.  I liked that Tinkerbell was the narrator because she is able to fly through Neverland and read the thoughts and emotions of those she encounters.  I thought this was a creative way to relate the events.  Don't expect Tinkerbell to be like the Disney version you are used to. 
• I liked the way that Ms. Anderson takes the known elements and refashions them.  In her vision, Neverland is wild and dangerous.  For the the most part, all the magical elements are removed, no magic wishes, flying, etc.  The only bit of magic that remains is the inhabitants of Neverland at some point in their lives stop aging, and the inclusion of the mythical creatures, mermaids and fairies.  Everything else is realistic and believable. 
• I enjoyed Ms. Anderson's versions of the famous characters.  Peter Pan is the charming, roguish boy we all love, but he is also hiding his fear of the pirates.  Captain Hook is actually not that villainous, he is a drunkard and almost a bit tragic.  Tiger Lily is stoic, fierce, wild and haunting.  I thoroughly enjoyed all the characters in this book, especially Tik Tok, Tiger Lily's wise and eccentric father. Try to set aside your preconceived notions as you go in, and it will make it a much more enjoyable read.  Again, this is nothing like the Disney Peter Pan we all grew up watching. 
• This book is haunting and sad, but I liked that about it.  Tiger Lily's story will tug at your heart strings, for she is a young girl that has never experienced happiness.  Her life is full of heart break and disappointment, and yet, through it all she holds her head up high, remains strong and shoulders her burdens.  I couldn't help but to admire and cheer for her, and yes, I hoped in my heart that somehow the story would change and she would win Peter's heart.....but alas that is not the way the story is written.  This is a novel that got in my head and stirred my heart, and clung in my mind as a picked up the next book.  I love books that keep speaking to you for days after you finish reading them.  Tiger Lily was one of those books for me.  I loved it!

And The Not So Much:

• Wendy does not appear in the book until the final chapters.  She flits in and steals Peter's heart behind the scenes, it is fast and abrupt.  I felt that it happened too quckly in comparison to the rest of the story.  Wendy's character, in contrast to the other characters, felt shallow and underdeveloped.  I wish that she was introduced a bit earlier and that somehow we could witness the development of the relationship between her and Peter in more depth.
• I was a bit disappointed that Captain Hook played such a small role in this story.  I did enjoy learning a bit of his back story, but I was expecting him to be the villain in this tale and he is not.  There was not even a single scene where Peter Pan and Captain Hook meet face to face and square off in this book.  
• I was a bit confused over one of the mermaid's actions.  She ends up somehow betraying Peter to Smee and I was unclear on all of her motives. Was she driven by jealousy alone?

Tiger Lily was one of my most anticipated titles for summer 2012, and I can say this book does not disappoint.  It is a refreshing look at the famous tale of Peter Pan told by the two other girls who lost their hearts to this wild boy, Tinkerbell and Tiger Lily.  It is haunting and sad, yet beautiful.  I loved this book, and Tiger Lily has certainly won my affections.   

Favorite Quoatations:

“I’m not a stranger to your love of lost causes, dear one.  But you have to be careful who you meet,” he said, stoking a pipe thoughtfully.  “You can’t unmeet them.”

“But you’re a girl.  Someday you’ll want to be a prisoner to someone other than yourself.”

“The bad things are some of my favorites.”

“Human hearts are elastic.  They have room for all sorts of passions, and they can break and heal and love again and again.”

“You think you know that someone sees you one way, and barely at all, and then you realize that they see you in another.  That was the night I realized Tiger Lily had seen--really seen--me all along.”

“How can I describe Peter’s face, the pieces of him that stick to my heart?”

“To love someone was not what she had expected.  It was like falling from somewhere high up and breaking in half, and only one person having the secret to the puzzle of putting her together.”

“Things hurt, and don’t hurt, and then hurt again.”

A big thanks to Cindy and Harper Collin’s publishing for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sunday Post 3rd Edition

The Sunday Post is weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer.  It is a chance to share news and highlights of your blog during the past week and feature upcoming posts for next week.  

June is hurriedly winding to a close and here in the Pacific Northwest we are anxiously waiting for the rains to finally recede and leave us with those perfect, golden summer days.

On Rainy Day Ramblings, it was another busy week!

On Monday I reviewed and hosted a tour stop for Spectral by Shannon Duffy. 

Tuesday, I answered and discussed a hot topic these days....should YA titles have ratings?  Check out my post and weigh in, how do you feel about this issue?

Wednesday I reviewed Shirley Marr's Preloved and managed to get locked out of my house for an hour, when my almost two year old son went inside the sliding glass door and locked me, my daughter and dog outside.  He had a great time trashing the house.  It was an anxiety filled hour until my husband came home and rescued us!

Thursday was my birthday...a fun day and I hosted two of my favorite bloggers, Stephanie and Jess from The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow.  Make sure to check out their blog for great reviews for middle grade readers. I also shared a fun post on how to make glittery sneakers.

Friday was a crazy day! I posted Friday Forecast, the fourth Married with Zombies post and a tour post for Enslaved by Tigris Eden.  

This week I kicked off five giveaways:

Click on the buttons to enter.      

I am failing miserably at cutting down my book intake! I picked up three Kindle freebies:

 

Purchased for my Kindle three books.  Each title is under $2.99.  Grab Anew by Chelsea Fine while it is $.99! 

For review I received some fantastic books:

A Big thanks to the authors and publishers for these fantastic reads!

Next week I have another crazy week:

Monday: Tiger Lily by Jody Lynn Anderson review.

Tuesday: On Tell Me Something Tuesday I will be discussing how books covers influence book sales.  Stop by and add your thoughts.

Wednesday: Guest Post, Review and Hardback giveaway for Marta Acosta's Dark Companion.

Thursday: I have a guest post on how to write romance books by author Adrienne deWolfe.  

Friday: I have a terrific Friday Forecast and the final Married with Zombies Post. 

It is sure to be a busy week especially since I will be leaving on vacation on Wednesday.   After next Saturday my blog will be on vacation until Monday July 9th.  I will see you all back here then! Have a great week everyone.   

 

Enslaved by Tigris Eden Blog Tour

I am excited to be a part of the Enslaved Blog Tour hosted by PJV Tours. Today as part of the tour I have for you a deleted scene from Enslaved.  Make sure you follow the rest of the tours by clicking on the banner to see upcoming dates and stay in touch via twitter #shadow unit. Stick around for a chance to win and ebook copy of Enslaved by Tigris Eden. Now here is a deleted scene exclusive for the tour!

Here is a deleted scene from Enslaved. (un-edited) In the beginning I thought this would be a good thing to throw in, but thought better of it.  Solon will be a huge character obviously in the next book for those who are reading Enslaved.  It’s a bit of a “spoiler” of things to come for Royce and his brother. 

The agency had him by the balls. He’d only agreed to this assignment because it would free him from their grasp once and for all. Tracking down the two had proven tricky. He’d even gotten waylaid by the beautiful honey eyed beauty. But his instincts were never wrong before. It taken him five years to position himself, he’d gladly wait another five if it meant he could prolong their death a bit more.  Gods he was a lucky bastard. It wasn’t every day that opportunity knocked on your door.  He’d followed her and she’d led him straight to the pay load. Well half of it anyway. Who knew where the other brother was.  He’d eventually find him too.  He’d worked for her ex-husband. He’d been told by the Agency that her husband was to be followed at all times. He’d taken an immediate liking to Jes. She was strong in the beginning and although there wasn’t much he could do to help her he’d sent her the coordinates to the house where the others had been taken. 

It was the least he could do. He’d even been there to witness the birth of her daughter.  He never over stepped his bounds when around her and he kept his distance. His main reason for being there was to watch over Marcus’s movements and get a bead on the Red Sun Organization. Being a merc had its advantages. He could come and go as he pleased, but when the Agency had given him the assignment to end the life the heirs to House Romulus how could he turn it down.  They’d promised him a full pardon for his past crimes and ultimately had given him back his freedom. 

His target and the woman he’d admired from a far were now inside the diner. She’d walked past and headed straight for the Juke box. Time to put your dancing shoes on. He’d dance with her and endure the pain it would cause him. He’d cause her pain as well, because he’d have to kill Draven if he ever wanted a chance in hell at killing Royce and his animal of a brother Ronin. 

For every copy of Enslaved In Shadows sold during the first two weeks of release 50% of sales will go to National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. 

Thanks for having me on your blog! 

TIGRIS ♥

A huge thanks to Tigris Eden and Rachel at PJV Tours for allowing me to host.  Be sure to grab a copy of Enslaved and help support the victims of Domestic Violence.  For more information you can check out Tigris' blog, follow her on twitter, Goodreads and Facebook.  Purchase her book Enslaved on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and wherever else books are sold. Remember a portion of the sales will go to the NCADV.

For one lucky winner I have an ebook copy of Enslaved by Tigris Eden to giveaway.  Fill out the Rafflecopter to enter.  See Contest Policies for details.  Good Luck! 

 

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Friday Forecast June 24th-July 1st

Here we are the last week of June! Still waiting for the rain to finally go away and give us days and days of warm sunshine.  I won't complain...if I were still living in Phoenix it would be 110 or hotter.  I will take the cooler weather.  As always I have the highlights for next week's new releases along with the weather forecast for Portland, Oregon. Tell me what book is a must for you?  How hot is it where live?  Click on the covers for more detials.

Book Releases June 24-July 1st

 

A great bunch of books! What are you buying this week?

Weather for Portland OR:

Saturday: H64  L50 Showers                          Sunday: H70  L 52 Partly Sunny Showers 

Married With Zombies Read Along Week #4

Week1: Chapters 1-5 (June 1st) - Jen @ In the Closet With a Bibliophile

Week2: Chapters 6-10 (June 8th) - Ashley @ The Bookish Brunette
Week3: Chapters 11-15 (June 15th) - Loretta @ Between the Pages
Week4: Chapters 16-20 (June 22nd) - Tina @ Tina's Book Reviews
Week5: Chapters 21-26 (June 29th) - Missie @ The Unread Reader

You can check out the awesome prize packs on their blogs. 

For my posts and pictures, I will be featuring my kids because it is hard to take pictures of yourself with the stuff and second they are cuter. 

 

1. In chapter 16 David and Sarah are attacked by freezer zombies in chef attire. Despite its rotten food and disgusting kitchen, lets think about what it could of been before the attack, give me a picture of your dream kitchen or a pic of you cooking your favorite food in your own kitchen... or both!!! 

I am very content with my current kitchen it is big and spacious and it has a killer view of
the forest..At our house macaroni and cheese at dinner has become a staple.  I cook up a pot at least once a week.  Toddlers are picky, pain in the rear eaters and macaroni is one thing they both consistently want to eat.  Here is photo of Risa cooking macaroni.

She loves to cook and bake whenever she gets the chance....now if I could only find the trick to getting her to eat better. Any ideas out there? 

2. In Chapter 16, David winds up killing those freezer zombies with a blank show me your best one....and yes it must be yours!!!!

Another apocalyptic weapon I do not possess. Adding machete to my list of emergency items.... So, I improvised and took a picture of all the sharp dangerous stuff in my kitchen and in the interest of safety I decided not to photograph my children next to the cutlery :) 

 

3. In Chapter 17 David and Sarah find themselves with some cult like people and wind up trapped. How would you escape? Ropes? Blankets....show me your best.

After reading the way they escaped by sliding out the window on sheet ropes and the
subsequent rope burns... I am not too keen on trying this anytime soon.   I certainly wouldn't use ropes unless I was wearing thick gloves.  I decided that in the event I need to escape via this method I would try one of our fuzzy, fleece blankets, maybe it wouldn't burn as much. 

 

 

 

 

4. In Chapter 19 David and Sarah find a surprise in the car they stole...in the midst of crazy its a nice welcome. Now whip me up your favorite one and share......you can include recipes!!

I am more of a casual drinker but when I do imbibe, I love a good margarita or a screwdriver.  Simple but delicious! A vodka blueberry martini is also nice! Here are the recipes for my two favorite drinks. 

 Margarita on the Rocks

The original and true Margarita recipe. The orange liqueur it contains being the only sweetness.

 

 

Ingredients 

2 oz Tequila

1 oz Cointreau

1 oz Lime Juice

Method: Prepare in shaker

Glass: Margarita

Recipe: Prepare your glass by rimming with salt. First rim the glass with a lime wedge so that the salt can stick to the rim of the glass afterward.

Fill your glass with ice to keep it cold.

Mix the tequila (quality tequila - 100% blue agave - makes all the difference) and Cointreau (or Triple sec) and lime juice in a shaker filled with ice.

Strain into a Margarita glass

The Screwdriver

Classic orange juice and vodka cocktail

2 oz Vodka

5 oz Orange Juice

 

Method: On the Rocks

Glass: Highball

Recipe:

Add the orange juice and the chilled vodka in a highball glass filled with ice.

Stir (with a screwdriver or just a regular spoon)

Bottoms Up! Cheers!

Recipes courtesy of My Best Cocktails.com

5. In chapter 20, Sarah gets to kill a zombie with a cash register, bringing back memories of her worst retail job ever....so tell me whats the worst job you've had......if you can include pictures in your uniform I will die laughing.....or a picture of the place you worked will be good too...:).

While in high school I suffered through the inevitable minimum wage job working at a fast food restaurant in my town known as Arctic Circle.  It is fast food burger joint that serves thick ice cream milk shakes in a variety of flavors with a vanilla wafer on top.  Let me tell you these milk shakes are a pain in the behind to make and at the end of a busy day my uniform was always splattered with icecream.  I don't believe I ever had my photo taken in this hideous uniform, thank god! So, I am not going to be able to indulge you all with a good laugh.   

That's it everyone. Next week is the finaly week of the Married with Zombies Read Along and Scavenger Hunt! See you then!

The Secret DMS Files of Fairday Morrow Review, Guest Post and Giveaway!

Today I am excited to introduce you to Stephanie and Jess.   They are the authors and brilliant minds behind the book and blog of the same name, The Secret DMS Files of Fairday Morrow.  I love visiting their fun little blog.  It is geared toward middle grade readers.  Every week they have a theme that kicks off on Monday with a fun little riddle. On Tuesday the answer is revealed and then the topics for the rest of the week usually refer back to this riddle.  They review mostly middle grade books and occasionally books for younger readers.  I am always popping over there finding book ideas for my little ones.  If you have a young reader in your house, you must check out this blog.  It is so much fun!  l love it!  I have Jess and Stephanie here to answer a few interview questions.  After that I have included a fun how to project perfect for the little glamour girl and glimmer goddess in all of us grownups.  The book features a pair of glittery red, ruby encrusted high heel sneakers.  Awesome, right? I totally want a pair. So I did the next best thing, I found a way to make your own.  You can read the how to directions following the interview. Make sure you enter the giveaway as well.  Now here are Jess and Stephanie (Steph is on the left, Jess the right) to answer a few questions:

How did you start your writing career?

Jessica: I have always loved stories, for as long as I can remember. I would say after I got over the devastation that I was probably not going to be an astronaut (terrible at math) becoming a writer was the only other thing there was for me to be.

I started looking for a literary agent for my children’s story, Ruby Begonia and the High-Heeled Sneakers about five years ago. Since the story has transformed into the middle grade book, The Secret DMS Files of Fairday Morrow, the pursuit has become much more involved.

Stephanie: Since I was a little girl I have loved reading and creating stories.  When I was younger I thought I would be a teacher during the year and spend the summer writing books (yes, that is plural).  I obviously didn’t understand how much time teaching and writing would actually take. Ever since Jessica asked me to co-author The Secret DMS Files of Fairday Morrow with her I have been actively pursuing my dreams of being a writer.

 What was one of the most surprising things you learned while writing your books?

Jessica: I learned a lot about myself and about discipline in writing. I am sort of a free-form writer, and it is absolutely essential to keep everything in tune and orderly to progress. Stephanie is the master of organization, so I am very lucky to have her as my co-author. Most of the time, instructions and lists sound to me like the adults in Charlie Brown, whoh, whoh, whoh. However, after working on this with my awesome writing partner, I embrace the list : ) 

Stephanie:  I have been surprised by the amount of time Jessica and I spend discussing Fairday and her friends and coming up with ideas.  Most of our conversations now center around our writing and blog.  I never knew how much fun it would be to write a book with someone else who shares my same vision and makes work fun. Also, I have been pleasantly surprised to find support for my book in places I never expected. Thanks to all of our supporters. 

 Tell us about a favorite character from a book. 

Jessica: Morpheus & Death from the Sandman series. Neil Gaiman twists his stories and  characters into the fabric of myth and folklore, bringing them to life in a new way. I think that The Sandman is wonderfully original. 

Stephanie: Harry Potter. I loved seeing the magical world through his voice. I had a connection to his story, and felt like I was right there with him every step of the way.

What is the inspiration behind the red sparkly jewel encrusted shoes?

Jess: My grandfather, actually. When I was a kid, I spent a lot of time at my grandparents’ house in Ridgefield, CT. It was somewhat of a spooky place, and there were times when it sounded like someone was walking around upstairs, when everybody in the house was clearly downstairs. My grandfather told me that it was Ruby Begonia in her high-heeled sneakers. Instead of being scared of a ghost, my curiosity was ignited and I went on the hunt to seek out this mysterious woman sneaking around from room to room in a crazy pair of sneakers. My imagination filled in the gaps, decorating the sneakers with rubies and diamonds, coloring them bright red, and then giving them extraordinary powers. Stephanie and I had a blast working out all the ins and outs to these magnificent sneakers as we worked on the book together. 

 Were you interested in solving mysteries as a kid? If so what items did you have in your detective kit?

Jess: I did enjoy solving mysteries. However, there always had to be something magical involved- a somewhat illogical aspect to the situation that could add to the adventure. I always carried a compass. Actually, I still do. 

Stephanie:  I loved solving mysteries when I was a kid.  I devoured Nancy Drew books and wanted so much to have a mystery of my own. I always kept a notepad with me to jot down clues. Binoculars were a favorite of mine, and I used them every chance I got.  Most of the mysteries I solved were imaginary- but they were still quite exciting.  

I love the phrase: "Fear Not the Unexpected" how did you come up with it?

Jess & Stephanie: The phrase found its way into the story because we both try to live our lives keeping that notion in mind : ) 

What would you do if you came face to face with a real ghost?

Jess:  I have been waiting for that to happen for as long as I can remember, peering into the windows of old, abandoned houses and carefully watching around the corners in historical buildings- lol! It still hasn’t happened though, and I have absolutely no clue how I would react. I always tell myself that I would be slick about it, but most likely it would be more like me yelling hysterically,“Look, everyone, there’s a ghost!” : )  

Stephanie:  Hmmm... I like to think I would remain pretty calm. I would jump at first, but then I would try to rationalize the situation. I know I would try to talk to the ghost so I could find out what was going on. I guess part of my reaction would depend on what the ghost was doing when I encountered it.  I would prefer a happy ghost that was dancing a jig or gliding along peacefully. 

How do you think you would have reacted if your parents told you that you were moving into an eccentric, run down possibly haunted house when you were ten?

Jess: I would have been excited at the prospects of finding something mysterious and thrilled at the notion of actually running into a real ghost : ) 

Stephanie:  I would have been sad and annoyed at leaving my friends. The prospect of living in a cool house with secrets and hidden passages would have helped win me over. I was always fascinated by houses with a lot of character and hoped to find hidden staircases, dumbwaiters, and all types of mysterious surprises.  Without out a doubt I would have explored the house from top to bottom!

Quick questions in honor of summer:

Favorite flavor of ice cream?

Jess: Chocolate Chip

Stephanie: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Favorite summer food?

Jess: Corn on the cob and garden tomatoes

Stephanie:  Fresh fruit and vegetables- especially from a farmer’s market.  

Favorite summer activity?

Jess: Swimming

Stephanie: Swimming or reading

What is your dream destination for a summer vacation?

Jess: A private lake house in Vermont

Stephanie:  I love Nantucket and the relaxed atmosphere there or a driving trip cross country (I still have four states left to see).

What is the perfect summer temperature for you?

Jess: 85 

Stephanie: 83- with low humidity

Favorite summer read?

Jess: Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Stephanie: I read the Harry Potter series over again every summer. 

Favorite type of footwear?

Jess: Flip Flops

Stephanie:  Sandals

Thank you so much ladies! Now as I mentioned I am in love with the red, sparkly sneakers and I thought  I would share with you how to make your own:

Glittered Shoes 

Tools and Materials

• Masking tape
• Mod Podge
• Glitter
• Craft stick
• Fine art paintbrushes
• Craft knife (optional)
• Gemstone embellishments
• E-6000 multipurpose adhesive
• Metallic silver Sharpie marker

Glittered Sneakers How-To

1. With masking tape, mask edges of each shoe, being sure to cover the rubber soles as well as the toe area.
2. To create glitter mixture, add one part glitter to two parts mod podge and mix thoroughly with a craft stick.
3. With a fine art brush, paint a layer of glitter mixture onto each shoe and let dry 10-15 minutes.
4. Paint on additional coats of glitter mixture until each shoe is completely covered and no white space is showing. Let dry completely.
5. Once dry, remove all tape and use a craft knife or the edge of your fingernail to scrape dried glitter from grommets and soles.
6. Use E-6000 adhesive to adhere gemstone embellishments to toe area.
7. To finish shoes, use a metallic silver Sharpie marker to color in the grommets and then lace them up.

Resources

Coarse glitter in Rose Quartz and Florentine Gold and Basic Brush Set available from Martha Stewart Crafts; mod podge available from Plaid or most crafts-supply stores; gemstone embellishments available from M&J Trimming; E-6000 multipurpose adhesive available from most crafts-supply and hardware stores; plain canvas sneakers available from Vans. 

You can make these any color you want.  Martha Stewart glitter is definitely the best. For crystals a great resouce I have found is The Rhinestone Shop, they have fantastic prices and free shipping in the U.S. I would highly recommend before you put on your crystals spraying your shoes with a polyurethane coating to protect the glitter and prevent it from rubbing off. You can find it at the craft store, usually sold in aerosol cans.

See full article on Martha Stewart.com

My review of The Secret DMS Files of Fairday Morrow

   

Fairday Morrow is less than happy about moving to the quiet, country town of Ashpot, not to mention, utterly cheerless at the prospect of living in the crumbling, creepy old manor known as Begonia House.Nevertheless, that's exactly where she's headed.Strange music coming from behind a padlocked door leads Fairday up a spiral staircase and into a secret room, where and ancient mirror, a brass key, and a strange picture of a red-haired lady are the first in a series of clues that will take Fairday and her friends in the Detective Mystery Squad, more commonly known as the DMS, on an amazing adventure that will challenge them in ways they never thought possible.As the investigation gears up, it becomes plainly obvious to Fairday that the danger is deadly serious. With a little help, which is found in some very odd places, the twisting tale begins to unfurl. Will the DMS be able to piece together the puzzle before it's too late?
Paperback, Limited Edition, Author Illustrated Copy, 271 pages

 

 

Four Stars: An enjoyable middle grade novel with mystery, adventure and more!

Fairday stares out the car window, dreading the move.  She is stuck in the car with her parents and baby sister, headed to her new home.  Her mother purchased a run down mansion on Craig's list.  As an interior decorator, her Mrs. Morrow is eagerly looking forward to renovating and redecorating the run down Begonia House.  Fairday is already missing the city and her best friend, Lizzy.  She and Lizzy are young mystery detectives.  They even have their own little agency called the D.M.S. short for Detective Mystery Squad.  Armed with their backpacks and detective gear, the pair is out to solve mysteries.  Sadly, the duo is split up since Fairday is moving to the country.  At last, the Morrows arrive at the Begonia House.  It certainly is an eye sore!  During the exploration of the mysterious, old house, Fairday swears she hears bagpipe music, but that couldn't be possible, right?  Soon the family is settled and Fairday quickly learns that the old house is brimming with secrets, mystery and even a possible murder...This is definitely a case for the D.M.S. Can Fairday unravel the mystery behind the Begonia House and find out what happened to the missing bride?

What I Liked:

• Every once in awhile it is refreshing to read a middle grade book and let your imagination run wild.  That is exactly what happened when I picked up the DMS Files.  This is a book geared toward middle grade readers and it is perfect for this age range. At the heart of this book is an intriguing mystery that will keep readers young and old guessing until the final pages. There are riddles, magic and sparkly shoes and much more to entertain you along the way.
• I adored both Fairday and Lizzie.  They are precocious ten years old who have a keen sense of adventure.  What I admired the most with these young ladies was the way they both were able to diffuse sticky situations...meaning they stood up to bullies and mean kids and handled themselves in a classy manner.  I loved this about both of them.  The way they addressed the mean comments was awesome.  I also appreciated that they were comfortable in their own skins.
• The secondary characters were just as fun and interesting as the protagonists.  For instance, the strange curmudgeon, Mr. Lowell, while he may appear to be a grumpy old man, in reality he is a kind hearted, helpful guy with a sparkle in his eye and a spring in his step.  A true case of looks can be deceiving.  Lizzie's parents Mr. and Mrs. Morrow were fun as well.  Her dad is always popping up with funny, notable little quotes and quirky behavior.  I really enjoyed how fleshed out and entertaining all the characters are in this book. 
• Finally, the main plot of the book revolves around the mysterious Begonia House and the secrets hidden within its walls and mirror for that matter. The theme of the book is "Fear Not the Unexpected" which I was particularly fond of.  Indeed, Fairday and her pals find plenty of unexpected and mysterious findings, even a pair of jewel encrusted sneakers (I want some sparkly sneakers!).  This book has a magical twist and a big reveal at the end.  I think young readers will enjoy this mystery.

And The Not So Much:

• This is an issue that will not bother young readers at all, but for me I was a bit confused by Margo, Fairday's younger sister.  She is supposedly two and a half but her behavior was more in line with a young baby more along the lines of a one year old.  Again, this is not a big deal just an observance, I guess I am more in tune since my little boy is almost two and his behavior is far beyond Margo's.
• At the end of the book I had a couple of lingering questions....Who enchanted the willow and why?  What was the deal with all the ghostly figures, were they shadows of the past or something more? 

The Secret DMS Files of Fairday Morrow was a nice change from my normal reading fare.  It was nice to pick up a book for a younger audience and be swept away with a fun and imaginative story.  A nice break from love triangles, emotional upheaval and cliffhangers.  This is an enjoyably and engaging read that is sure to entertain readers of all ages.  Hey, it even has pictures!  I am looking forward to reading the next installment of the DMS Files to see what new mysteries are in store for the junior detectives.

Favorite Quotations:

“Fairday knew most of the time, the really mean kids were just insecure, and if you didn’t let them get to you, they usually left you alone.”

“Bullies were only triumphant when they made other people feel smaller than they, themselves actually felt.”

“She always said that her daughters eyes reminded her fondly of the wicked, though hauntingly beautiful weather that was sometimes kicked up onto the sandy shores of the small island.”

“Fairday and Lizzy both shared the belief that, as long as you are true to yourself, and happy with who you were, no one could hurt you with their words.”

“Remember, young lady, you have to think beyond what you know to be real, you have to see with your mind, as well as your eyes.” 

“Fear not the Unexpected.”

A huge thanks to Stephanie and Jess for the review copy and for the guest post.  The book is in limited release if you are interested in a copy please contact Steph or Jess on their blog: The Secret DMS Files of Fairday Morrow. The two lovely ladies have allowed me to give away one copy of their book for U.S. Residents only.  To enter fill out the Rafflecopter! Good Luck!

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