ORANGE COUNTY CHILDREN'S BOOK FEST 9.30.12 @kidsbookfest #OCCBF

PLEASE JOIN ME TOMORROW!  

I will be on the Bloggers Panel.

2012 Teen & YA Stage

Orange County Children’s Book Festival

9:45am Panel: "On The PRE End of Teen"

Moderator: Derek the Ghost - Scary School Series

Shelley Moore Thomas - The Seven Tales of Trinket

Benny Alano - Hand Puppet Horror

Russ & Nancy Rodrigue - Hidden Mickey

10:15am EJ Altbacker - Shark Wars Series

10:30am Greg van Eekhout - The Boy At The End Of The World

10:45am Gitty Daneshvari - Monster High: Ghoulfriends Forever

This is a BRAND NEW Monster High Series, introducing 3 new characters!

11:00am Panel: "Suspense, Alternate Worlds and a Teen Wolf?"

Moderator: Nancy Holder - Teen Wolf Series

Lissa Price - Starters

Gretchen McNeil - Ten

Jessica Therrien - Oppression

11:30am Sarah Maas - Throne of Glass

11:45am Lisa Desrochers - Last Rites

Noon Panel: "School, Love & Honor!"

Moderator:  Jessi Kirby - In Honor

Jessica Brody - 52 Reasons To Hate My Father

Carol Tanzman - Circle of Silence

Janet Tashjian - For What It's Worth

Max Doty - Surviving High School

1:00pm Panel:  "Will Work For Books"

Local Teen & YA Book Review Bloggers

Moderator: Ishita The Reading Fish - http://omgitsfishy.blogspot.com/
Zareen - Reach for the Stars...and the Books! - http://reachforthebooks.blogspot.com/

Ashlyn - Teenage Reader - http://teenagereader.com/
Mary - BookHounds Young Adult - http://foreveryoungadult.blogspot.com/

1:30pm Jennifer Bosworth - Struck

1:45pm Andrew Smith - Passenger (Marbury Lens)

2:00pm Panel: eBooks - Keeping It Interactive!

Teen & YA Authors from Coliloquy Publishing

Moderator: Heidi R. Kling - Witches Brew

From - The Spellspinners of Melas County Series

Kira Snyder - Parish Mail

Jessica Ettling - Georgetown Academy

3:00pm A Very Steampunk High Tea & Book Signing

You are invited to a Tea Party with Steampunk Authors

Your hostess: Suzanne Lazear - Innocent Darkness

Nancy & Belle Holder - Furry Fantastic

Kailin Gow - Steampunk Scarlet series

FURday PhoDOGraphy

NO PRIVACY HERE AT ALL!

Don't forget to stop by FRIDAYS WITH FRED over at Mina Burrows blog

Giveaway BANNED BOOKS WEEK HOP Win your choice!

Welcome to the BANNED BOOKS WEEK Giveaway Hop! 

This hop is hosted by: 

I Am a Reader, Not a Writer (HERE) 

I Read Banned Books (HERE)

There are over eighty blogs participating and each has their own entry rules and geographic limits, so be sure to read the rules for each one.  This hop starts September 28th and and runs through October 6th,  midnight.

HERE IS WHAT I HAVE FOR ONE LUCKY WINNER:

Your choice of book from the Book Depository, up to $10 in value

Check out the list of challenged books HERE

Check out the reasons books are challenged at the ALA website HERE

WANT TO WIN YOUR CHOICE OF BOOK FROM THE BOOK DEPOSITORY?

Contest is open to anyone over 13 years old with a mailing address that delivers the free areas of The Book Depository or Amazon.

Contest ends on 10.6.12 Winner will be chosen by Random.org 

Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen.
Void where prohibited.  Duplicate entries will be deleted.

This giveaway is sponsored by me and ONE BOOK is available. Value up to $10.

Complete the below form 
Follow Me

Extra Entries

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+1 Be my Friend on Goodreads HERE

BOOK WINNERS @birdhousebooks @ilovetoclap @ReadingAddict17 @pmernick1 @hmbryan

Sorry, I am behind again -- I am on the second round of antibiotics!

AND THE WINNER IS:

What in God's Name by Simon Rich

Karen B.

Books to Movies

Trish

Web of Power  Fall into Romance 5 books!

THE WARRIOR by Margaret Mallory

BAREFOOT IN THE RAIN- by Roxanne St. Claire

AN HEIRESS AT HEART by Jennifer Delamere

WHERE ANGELS REST by Kate Brady

TOO DANGEROUS TO DESIRE by Cara Elliott

TWO SINFUL SECRETS by Laurel McKee

Heather

Under the Sea $10 to the Book Depository!

Lisa -- she picked Underwater Love by MaryJanice Davidson - one of my favorites!

Sinners on Tour Set by Olivia Cunning

Amber  H.

Fistful of Collars by Spencer Quinn

Patricia N.


Clean by Alex Hughes

Holly B.



An email has been sent to the lucky person named above
The winner has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.
Thanks to all who entered. 
PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPAM FOR THE EMAIL FROM BOOKHOUNDS @ HOTMAIL REQUESTING YOUR MAILING ADDRESS!

Waiting On Wednesday Interview with the Vampire: Claudia's Story by Anne Rice + Ashley Witter

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

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Book Description

Publication Date: November 20, 2012 | Series: Interview With the Vampire

A richly-illustrated adaptation of Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire, told through the eyes of the vampire Claudia, who was just a little girl when she was turned by the vampire Lestat. Though she spends many years of happiness with her two vampire fathers, she gradually grows discontent with their insistence upon treating her like a little girl, even though she has lived as long as any mortal man...and her lust to kill is certainly no less than theirs...

About the Author

One of America's most read and celebrated authors, Anne Rice is known for weaving the visible and supernatural worlds together in epic stories that both entertain and challenge readers. Anne's life experiences and intellectual inquisitiveness provide her with constant inspiration for her work. She has written over 30 novels and one autobiography. Her books are rich tapestries of history, belief, philosophy, religion, and compelling characters that examine and extend our physical world beyond the limits we perceive. She lives and works in California.

Details Hardcover: 224 pages Publisher: Yen Press (November 20, 2012) Language: English ISBN-10: 0316176362 ISBN-13: 978-0316176361

GIVEAWAY Concilium by Michelle Pickett WIN $50 to Amazon #BookBlast

Concilium by Michelle Pickett

A tale of deadly creatures and forbidden romance...

Leslee hit a strange animal with her car. Now she’s marked for death.

It was a simple car accident – the animal didn’t even die – but it drew the attention of the Cruor Imbibo. Driven by their insatiable need to feed, the secret society of Imbibo has devoured the dregs of civilization for centuries. Afraid Leslee will expose them, and put an end to their meal ticket, the Imbibo want her dead.

The Concilium is Leslee's only protection. Guardian of the ancient secret and the protector of humans, the Concilium fights to control the Imbibo and end their feeding frenzy. Miller works for the Concilium. Keeping Leslee alive is his next assignment.

Now Leslee is on the run, and the only thing between her flesh and the snapping jaws of the Imbibo is Miller. He and Leslee quickly form a bond, but will falling in love make Miller’s job more difficult? Because if he fails, Leslee will be next on the Imbibo menu.

The Cruor Imbibo are coming, and they're coming for Leslee.

Buy Links:   

MuseItUpPublishing * Amazon * Bookstrand * Omnilit * Smashwords * Kindlegraph

About Author Michelle Pickett:

Michelle has been an avid reader since a young child.  She began writing for personal enjoyment in college, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in accounting.  Deciding sitting in a cubical all day was her form of cruel and unusual punishment, she decided to do what she really wanted to—share her passion for reading and writing with others.
She wrote her debut novel Concilium in 2010.  It was released July of 2012 by MuseItUp Publishing.  The sequel, Concilium: The Departure will also be published by MuseItUp Publishing with scheduled release date of November 2012.
Her Debut young adult novel, PODs, will be published by Spencer Hill Press and is scheduled for release in paperback June 4th, 2013.  Milayna, a young adult paranormal romance, will be released through Spencer Hill Press March 2014.
Michelle was born and raised in Michigan.  She now resides in a small community outside Houston, Texas with her incredibly supportive husband, four wonderful children, a 125-pound lap dog, a very grumpy cockatiel and a cat that thinks it's queen.
Michelle writes adult and young adult Sci/Fi and urban fantasy romance.

Links and Contact Information:

Website: www.Michelle-Pickett.com

Email: Michelle@Michelle-Pickett.com

Blog:  www.Michelle-Pickett.com/blog

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/michellepickettauthor

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/michelle_kp 

Goodreads: http://goodreads.com/michelle-pickett

PODs: http://www.site.spencerhillpress.com/PODs.html

Book Blast Giveaway:
$50 Amazon Gift Code
Ends 10/2/12
Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent's permission. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

GIVEAWAY Q+A with AMBER POLO author of THE SHAPESHIFTERS LIBRARY @AmberPolo

PLEASE WELCOME AMBER POLO author of THE SHAPESHIFTERS' LIBRARY TO BOOKHOUNDS

Love dogs?  Love books?  Love libraries? Hate Book-burning werewolves?

Once long ago the Shipsfeather Academy was a training ground for an ancient race of dog-shifters whose mission was to protect the world’s knowledge. A powerful curse sealed these librarians in the basement of their building and gave the control of the town to a pack of book-burning werewolves.

Librarian Liberty Cutter watches in horror as the town’s public library goes up in flames and plans to re-establish the library in the abandoned Shipsfeather Academy building. 

Chronus, the Old English Sheepdog headmaster of the academy and leader of the dog-shifters, knows he must make some changes to continue to keep his pack safe. But even if he could persuade Liberty to believe in a talking sheepdog, how far can she be trusted? And will she ever be able to care for him as a man. He has to try, because Liberty Cutter and her staff of zany librarians may hold the key to the dog-shifters’ freedom…and the future of the town.

Amber Polo  

A love of books drew Amber Polo into a career as a librarian. A greater love turned her into a writer. The Shapeshifters’ Library series is an urban fantasy filled with books, librarians and dogs, and a library everyone will love. Reviewers are calling it a “cozy” fantasy.

The mystical side of Sedona, AZ became the paranormal setting for her first novel Romancing Rebecca. One day a plane flew past her office window and she turned her pen to her own airpark backyard and Flying Free was the result. In addition to her two novels and short romantic fiction, she is proud of her self-produced , Relaxation One Breath at a Time a CD that uses her voice to teach relaxation to calm your body and mind and/or help you fall asleep.

Relaxing the Writer: Guidebook to the Writer’s Highoffers hundreds of tips to help writers and readers relax. Sample her writing and see why Midwest Book Review called her work “quirky” and “profound” (is that profoundly quirky or quirkily profound?).

After living in seven states, she happily calls a small town in Arizona home.

To help writers and readers reduce stress, her Relaxing the Writer: Guidebook to the Writers’ High, offers suggestions and simple exercises. 



AND NOW FOR SOME QUESTIONS.....



1. What is the first book you remember reading by yourself as a child?

To cover up that I’m too old to remember, I’ll just say – never ask a librarian about books unless you have an hour or two to spare. 

2. What are you reading right now? 

The Map of the Sky by Felix J. Palma, an historical fantasy, Andrea Thalasinos’ An Echo through the Snow (about Siberian Huskies), and Ceridwen Terrill’s Part Wild: One Woman's Journey with a Creature Caught Between the Worlds of Wolves and Dogs.

3. How does your garden grow? 

Usually I’m transplanting cactus and bleeding or fighting the desert. Either no rain or too much. But seeing mountain on all sides makes up for everything. I am also the Queen of Rosemary. It grows and when it grows too much, pruning gives me a splendid high. 


4. What is the last thing you Googled?

 “U.S. Wolf Refuge” to get their email address to tell them about the blog post I wrote about them.

5. What makes you cringe? 

Thinking of how many books I want to read.

Be sure to check out Amber's social links!

 

Links -

Website

Blog Wordshaping

Goodreads

Face Book

Twitter

WANT TO WIN A Copy OF THIS BOOK?
This is open to all. Print for the US and eBook to all others. 

Complete the below form 

Contest is open to anyone over 13 years old with reliable mailing address 

(PO Boxes OK!) Void where prohibited.

Contest ends on 10.9.12 Winner will be chosen by Random.org 

Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen.

Only one winner per mailing address.  Multiple entries will be deleted. 

This giveaway is sponsored by the Author and ONE BOOK OR eBook is available.

Follow Me

Extra Entries
+1 Be my friend on Goodreads HERE

+1 for social networking this giveaway and leave me a link once daily per site

+1 Comment, you can do this daily, just leave an email address.

Extra Entries for Amber Polo

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Book Trailer Tuesday TAHEREH MAFI at Comic-Con @TaherehMafi @HarperTeen

Review LULLABY by AMANDA HOCKING @MacKidsBooks @amanda_hocking

Book Description

Release Date: November 27, 2012 | Series: Watersong Novels (Book 2)

Harper only wanted a safe, normal life. But when her younger sister Gemma runs off with a dangerous clique of beautiful girls, Penn, Thea, and Lexi, everything changes. Vowing to get her sister back no matter what the cost, Harper must face dangers unlike any she's ever experienced. Fortunately, she has Daniel by her side, a gorgeous guy who's devoted to helping her find her sister—and who's immune to the girls' dark powers. 

While Harper searches for her sister, Gemma struggles to adjust to her new life.  Gemma's powers are growing by the day, and the longer she lives with her new "sisters," the harder it is to resist entering their magical world.  It's a realm both dark and beautiful, and where she's plagued by strange hungers and unspeakable needs.  Just as she's drifting far away from her old life,  Harper and Daniel find her...but no one can deny how much she's changed.  All she wants is to return to her family and the mortal world, but how can she do that when she's become something else entirely—and will they still love her once they learn the truth?

Prepare to fall under the spell of Lullaby, the second book in the Watersong series from New York Times bestselling author Amanda Hocking.

About the Author

AMANDA HOCKING is the New York Times bestselling author of the Trylle trilogy and a lifelong Minnesotan. After selling over a million copies of her books, primarily in eBook format, she became the exemplar of self-publishing success in the digital age. This is the second book in her new Watersong series with St. Martin's Press.

SOURCE  AROUND THE WORLD ARC TOURS

MY THOUGHTS 
LOVED IT

****spoilers if you haven't read Wake****

This book picks up right after the ending of Wake.  Gemma has gone with the other three sirens since their leader, Penn, has threatened harm to her family and friends.  The story centers much more around her older sister, Harper, and Harper's quest to find Gemma and bring her to safety.  This one alternates between Harper and Gemma's point of view.  Penn is probably the most evil mean girl I have ever read about and again this story continues with  the Slasher Movie goodness.  There were a lot of "don't do it" and "something bad is going to happen here" type shouts from me.  I read this quick and easy read in about 3 hours, so yes, it really kept my attention!

I am glad I got to know Harper a bit better and Hocking does a wonderful job filling out her character.  Like all second books in a series, this one is a bit more quiet and not so full of action until I was left hanging at the end of the book.  Of course, that is just to keep me reading the rest of the series.
Even Gemma becomes more authentic in this installment. The boys surrounding the girls, Alex and Daniel try their best to help Harper out getting Gemma back home.  They may have a few gifts of their own that might help Gemma but those are only alluded to towards the end of the book.  

I also loved Marcy, Harper's coworker at the library and her snarky comments. Not everything works like she thinks it should and that is part of Marcy's charm.  Now, if Harper can get over the fact that she can't be responsible for Gemma any more than this series will take off.  I did miss Nathalie, the girls' mother, not having that strong in this one. I hope she makes more of an appearance in the next.   I think I enjoyed this one more than the first since the writing seemed to flow a bit better and it was as cartoony as the first.  Parents there is some heavy petting, mentions of alcohol, although no drinking and some violence.  

Details Reading level: Ages 12 and up Hardcover: 304 pages Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (November 27, 2012) Language: English ISBN-10: 1250005655 ISBN-13: 978-1250005656

Review UNRAVEL ME by TAHEREH MAFI @HarperTeen @TaherehMafi

Book Description

Release Date: February 5, 2013

tick, tick, tick, tick, tick
it's almost
time for war.

Juliette has escaped to Omega Point. It is a place for people like her—people with gifts—and it is also the headquarters of the rebel resistance.

She's finally free from The Reestablishment, free from their plan to use her as a weapon, and free to love Adam. But Juliette will never be free from her lethal touch.

Or from Warner, who wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible.

In this exhilarating sequel to Shatter Me, Juliette has to make life-changing decisions between what she wants and what she thinks is right. Decisions that might involve choosing between her heart—and Adam's life.

About the Author

Tahereh Mafi is a girl. She was born in a small city somewhere in Connecticut and currently resides in Orange County, California, where the weather is just a little too perfect for her taste. When unable to find a book, she can be found reading candy wrappers, coupons, and old receipts. Shatter Me and Unravel Me are the first two novels in a trilogy about Juliette.

SOURCE:  AROUND THE WORLD ARC TOURS

MY THOUGHTS
LOVED IT

****spoilers if you haven't read Shatter Me****

To avoid most of the spoilers, this is kind of a rambling review --just totally random thoughts about the book.

Sigh.  I didn't think a sequel could live up to a first book like Shatter Me, but this second effort by Tahereh Mafi was nearly as good.  The story balances dialogue with descriptive prose just perfectly.  Instead of feeling devastated while reading this one, I was filled with hope although I wanted to knock Juliette upside the head a few times or get her some Prozac.  This girl is seriously depressed and even though she has good reason for being down on herself, she really needs to get her life in order if she wants to save the world.  I realize that being held captive for about five years would do some serious damage but she really needs to snap out of it now that she is surrounded by acceptance.  Seriously, can't the Girls lay hands on her to fix this? They can fix physical ailments, so why not mental?  

Juliette is still building walls to keep people out, well, almost everyone except Adam.  She connects with him and he can touch her, but she is starting to notice that unlike Warner, Adam weakens around her.  The characters still remind me of the high school X-Men and everyone at Omega Point seems to have found a purpose except her.  The lines are drawn between The Reestablishment and of course war is imminent but with such a small group against a multitude, Juliette soon discovers that she is their secret weapon.  And that brings us back to Warner.

Without going into detail, she comes back into contact with Warner and discovers that he really has feelings for her, although they are not exactly what Juliette is looking for.  Yep, there ya go:  the dreaded love triangle.  There is something about Warner that I can't explain.  He seems just as damaged as Juliette.  Can he be rehabilitated or is he too far gone to have any good left in him?  At least Juliette is just as confused as I am about him.  Is Juliette really a weapon or is she a pawn?  Oh and dear Kenji?  Really?  I think everyone needs more Kenji in their lives, so  please Ms. Mafi, write a series just about him.  Can she get her life together by the time they need her?  Will she stop wallowing in self pity to realize that she is of worth and worthy of love?  Ok, these questions are answered by the end of the book, but I am still in doubt of her progress.  I need the last installment for conclusive facts.  

Details Reading level: Ages 14 and up Hardcover: 480 pages Publisher: HarperCollins (February 5, 2013) Language: English ISBN-10: 0062085530 ISBN-13: 978-0062085535

Friday PhoDOGraphy ENDEAVOUR SHUTTLE

We walked down to the beach to watch Endeavour fly over.  I couldn't believe how many people were on the beach.  They closed down the right lane of Pacific Coast Highway so people could stop and watch.  Unfortunately, fog delayed the Shuttle and it didn't fly over the beach like it was supposed to. You can see a little white blob right between the white and blue car, right where the yellow sign is.  Schatze had a great time at the beach since everyone was petting her!