Original Poem: Looking Back

Last Monday (July 23), I had dreams of someone that I haven't seen or spoken to in a very long time. When I woke up, I thought I would write a poem about it. Hope you enjoy, and please, DO NO COPY. If you want to share it, make sure it is credited to me.

Sorry if the photo is not the best quality. I just copied and edited it in Paint :)

Let me know what you think in the comments :)

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Movie Review: The Lincoln Lawyer

Wow, I really enjoyed this movie! The case was sick and disturbing at times, but the story itself was incredible! Matthew McConaughey was absolutely magnificent!

He is starting to become one of the actors that I look up to, but I still don't see why people are in love with him ;) In this movie, he was a very well-known, successful lawyer in Los Angeles. He seriously had a lot of connections and no one could touch him. Or so I thought.

He took on a new client who was wealthy and obviously could pay him good. At first, I thought he was just a greedy lawyer. However, as the movie progressed, Matthew McConaughey gave Mic Haller incredible dimension in his character. There was a point in the movie when the opposing lawyer asked him what side he was on. I totally agreed.

Without giving anything away, Mic Haller was in a tight situation between winning the case for his client or doing what he thought was right. At the end, I admired his power. I thought something tragic might happen or he might die, but thankfully, he was safe, even if he got shot before the movie ended.

Overall, I loved this movie and the way McConaughey portrayed the character. I know this was based on the book, but I don't think I would be reading it. I was satisfied with the movie.

Tell me in the comments, have you seen this movie? If not, do you plan on seeing it now after this review? I promise it is worth it ;)

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Pink Spotlight (6): So Many Free Books on Amazon

Seriously, isn't is awesome how many free books there are in Amazon? This week, I've got some more free reads, won an ARC, and received some awesome swags for being part of a street team. Check them out!

First, I won the ARC for Rift by Andrea Cremer from Mindy of Magical Urban Fantasy Reads. I really didn't expect to win, but when I got the email saying I did, I was ecstatic!

Next, I received an awesome swag package from Regency Rockstars for being part of the street team. The best part? The PINK tote bag with my NAME on it spelled correctly!!

The next 6 books are free on Amazon. Click the covers if you want your copy :)

That's it for now! Let me know what you've gotten this week in the comments below or if you've read any of the books mentioned here.

P.S. Sorry for posting this late. I've been so busy moving and I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed. Anyway, have a nice day!

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VBT Review + Giveaway: Blood and Whiskey by Clark Hays and Kathleen McFall

Title: Blood and Whiskey
A Cowboy and Vampire Thriller
Author: Clark Hays and Kathleen McFall
Release Date: May 1, 2012
Pages: 347
Buy Link: Amazon (Paperback) | Amazon (Kindle)

Blurb:

Wanted: Lizzie Vaughan, Dead or Alive. Relationships are always hard, but for a broke cowboy and a newly turned Vampire, true love may be lethal. After barely surviving an undead apocalypse in The Cowboy and the Vampire, Tucker and Lizzie hightail it back to quirky LonePine, Wyoming (population 438), to start a family.

But she's got a growing thirst for blood and he's realizing that mortality ain't all it's cracked up to be when your girlfriend may live forever. With a scheming Vampire nation hot on their boot heels and a price on her head, how far will Lizzie and Tucker go to protect their unlikely love?

Blending evolution, religion and an overly sensitive cow dog named Rex, Blood and Whiskey drags the Vampire myth into the modern west, delivering double-barreled action, heart-pounding passion and wicked humor.

POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT

This book was slow for me until I was probably about 200-300 pages in, when the "astronomers convention" arrived in town. Finally, the story picked up and things got going. Before then, I think it was safe to say that I hardly wanted to read the book. For this review, I thought maybe another character breakdown would be appropriate. If you haven't read my review of the first book, see The Cowboy and the Vampire.

Tucker - he wasn't as idiotic in this book, but he was just as whine-y. He was the kind of character who had something in his mind but then voiced something else out. I felt bad for him throughout the book though. He'd seen more than he probably cared to see in his lifetime. Too many deaths and the revelation that his girlfriend was a Vampire who needed to feed on humans to survive.

T: "Feel better?"
L: "I do."
T: "You got a little bit of some poor bastard right there on the corner of your mouth."

Lizzie - she was pregnant and as dead as the last book. However, in this book she was stronger and more resolved that she would take on the responsibility of being the new queen. Her strength and courage was admirable. Her humanity still stayed with her, which was probably something for Tucker to be grateful for.

L: "Do you ever, you know, take a look when I'm dead? Does it turn you on to have a naked corpse next to you?"
T: "Woman, don't be gross."

Elita - I loved her! Her cruelty was just purely entertaining. Becoming better than her kind definitely worked for her. I loved it when Tucker left her "presents" :) She was as feisty as ever.

Tucker: "You're all blood-suckers. What difference does it make what hrllish womb you popped out of?"
Elita: "Sorry, cowboy, I was hatched."

He scribbled a note on the back of a junk mail envelope and walked back to the bedroom, dropping it next to Elita's head: Sorry about them burns. Left you a present in the barn. Don't be gentle, they tried to kill you. Call when you're done. Lizzie is in trouble. Tucker.

Elite: "It's okay to scream. I enjoy the melody of terror when I feed. I have to say, it's been a long time since I've had a father and son. I'm practically orgasmic just thinking about your shared blood flowing into me." 

Rex - this dang dog was just adorable. He was tougher than any, and very loyal. He was like a K9 soldier next to Tucker. I loved that the authors personified him in the books. For example, he would always sit in the driver's side of Tucker's truck as if he could drive.

Tucker's Dad - he was the comedic relief of this book. Every time he spoke, he was just comical. I was hopeful that he would go through with the hand that he was dealt, but I was disappointed that he chose another path in the end.

Lizzie and Lenny listened in on the one-sided conversation.
Tucker: "Yes, I know what time it is...Yep, I know how old you are, too. Seventy-five. Although sometimes you bitch like you are a hundred...Yes, good manners would have been to quit trying after ten rings, but in all fairness, I learned my manners from you...Yes, you would be smart to cut me out of your will...Are you done yet? No? Okay let me know."

Lenny - he was mad at Tucker for a while, but then finally succumbed and made up with his friend. Seriously, this guy was the most resourceful in all the books I've read. Cayenne peppers in the frying pan and a gallon of water = explosives? Truly amazing.

Lenny: "Jesus, Tucker, you okay?"
Tucker: "You damn near diverted me into a pancake."

Overall, I liked the first book more, but this book had more of the action and roller coaster emotions.

As with the first book, I've decided to give away my copy for someone else to enjoy :) Click here if you would like to enter to win the first book. This giveaway will end at the same time, on August 10, 2012.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ABOUT THE AUTHORS 


Clark Hays grew up in Montana in the shadow of the Tobacco Root Mountains. In addition to his fiction work, he is a cowboy, a published poet and occasional food critic. Recently, he was nominated for Pushcart Prize for short fiction and not so recently for a Rhysling award for poetry. Clark brings a deep knowledge about the modern west, weaponry, country music and existentialism to his writing. 


Kathleen McFall grew up in the heart of Washington, D.C. She worked as a petroleum geologist and, later, as a journalist, and has published hundreds of articles about scientific research, energy and natural resources. An interest in the overlap of science and mysticism are an essential aspect of her fiction writing. She received an Oregon Literary Arts Fellowship for fiction writing. 


Learn more at http://cowboyandvampire.com/ and www.facebook.com/cowboyandvampire

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Cover Reveal: Lengths by Stephanie Campbell and Liz Reinhardt

If you follow my blog regularly, you know how much I LOVE Liz Reinhardt. Hearing that she co-wrote a contemporary adult novel, I couldn't pass up participating in the cover reveal. I definitely look forward to this book :) So, without further ado.....

Blurb:

Nineteen-year-old Whit Conrad leaves her conservative Pennsylvania home for sunny California, looking for independence, a fresh start, and a place to stash her grief. She promptly finds a job at a tattoo parlor, a craptastic first apartment, and one friend—Ryan—who is a little less friend, a little more benefits.

Deo Beckett is a soulful surfer with a passion for tattoos and beautiful women. On the eve of his twenty-second birthday, he finds himself living with his grandfather, recently unemployed, and seriously adrift. He doesn’t know much about what he wants out of life, but he does know his current situation isn't cutting it.

When Deo meets Whit, she’s all sexy makeup and fierce, smart-ass fun. It doesn’t take him long to see past her tough shell. And when he gets a good look at what's under all the superficial stuff that usually gets his attention, it leaves Deo wondering if there might be more to life than living fast and free.

Too bad Whit has a past she doesn't plan on sharing—no matter how hot Deo is. She might want him, but she knows better than to let her guard down.

Deo falls for Whit, and falls hard. But everything about her, down to that mysterious tattoo and the way she thrashes in her sleep, tells him that the girl he loves is hiding something. And the more he pushes for answers, the more Whit pulls away.

Having your guard up is one thing, but are the lengths Whit goes to to protect her secret worth throwing away the second chance she has at happiness with Deo?

LENGTHS  is a Contemporary New Adult Romance by Liz Reinhardt and Steph Campbell, to be released August 2012.

Cover by Todd Maloy, http://toddmaloydesign.com.

Tagline teaser:

The lengths we'll go to to hide from love can't compare to the lengths love will go to to find us.

Quotes to look out for:

Whit:

"Every single day Deo moves a little closer to my heart, and I try to block him with more defensive shields. One of us is going to press the other too far any day now."

Deo:

“You wanna tell me? You wanna talk?” I ask. She scowls in response. “Alright.” I pause in the doorway and turn to look at her, flopped over in the fetal position on the bed. “Call me if you need anything. I’m pissed as hell at you, but I…I love you, Whit. I mean that.”

Oh my, that quote by Deo is enough reason to read this book! Boy, oh boy! I'm excited for this book!!

Where to find the awesome authors:
Liz Reinhardt - Goodreads | Blog | Facebook | Twitter: @lizreinhardt
Stephanie Campbell - Goodreads | Blog | Facebook | Twitter: @stephcampbell_

Tell me, are you excited about this book? Will you go and read it when it comes out?

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Author Meetup: Kiersten White, Cynthia Hand, Marie Lu, Robin LaFevers

I was super excited to be going to an author meetup, but my friend misread the dates and had to bail out. Nonetheless, I ended up going because I really wanted to meet the authors and I wouldn't let a little change in plan get in the way of that. At the library, let's just say it was really awkward for me, I didn't know what to do, and even asking for an autograph and a picture was nerve wracking for me!

Anyway, here are some photos and notes I took from each author. The length are not, in any way, implications that I favor one over the other.. I just didn't start taking notes until after two authors were done talking and I realized, as a blogger, I really should be taking notes! So, anyway....

At the library, I look very geeky, why? Does anyone notice the super beautiful Hunger Games posters in the back? :)

Another blogger I met in person: Jessirae! She was quite popular with the authors!

At Barnes and Noble for the signing :)

Please Note: The quotes below are paraphrased by me and not the quotes verbatim from the authors, although I tried to get as close to it as possible.

Marie Lu

• Her book Legend was inspired by Les Miserables.
• "LA is already a dystopian city, so why not destroy it more?"
• Crying + Chocolate = Book 2
• Legend originally started as two teenage boys. Her boyfriend told her he would be more inclined to read it if there was a girl in the story. This was how June was born. As a result, her boyfriend now claims that June was his creation. Marie eventually named the dictator of the series after her boyfriend as tribute - although he really wanted to be the main character instead. "Primo is a dictator name, not a protagonist name."
• The second book in her series is called Prodigy. The original title was Patriot, and the original cover was blue with chevron in the front = not good.

Cynthia Hand

• She is a pantser. If you're like me who didn't know what that means, it means she doesn't outline her books. She writes as she goes. Which means she also has to revise more than if she would have outlined the book.
• She used to be a pre-law student because her parents wanted her to take something that would make her money.
• The draft for Hallowed was handwritten in a notebook. Now she writes all her drafts by hand, and then type the revisions.
• The third book in the Unearthly series is called Boundless.
• The original title of Unearthly was Angel Blood.

Kiersten White

• She wanted a career that would let her stay home with her children, hence, being a writer.
• When she was younger, she wanted to be a children's book illustrator...until she realized that to be an illustrator, she had to be good in drawing. NEXT!
• She started reading teenage books and thought it was really FUN!
• It took her two years to write a middle grade book by hand and it turned out exceptionally boring - "It takes skill to write something so boring."
• When she read Twilight and the sparkling vampires, she thought there was a lot of humor that went untouched in the books.
• The first book in her new series is called Mind Games - which she wrote... in NINE (9) days. *Cue Robin LaFevers shaking her head or sighing* This book was actually inspired by Marie Lu!
• All the readers read an excerpt from their books, and Kiersten was a very lively reader. I could picture her as Evie while she was reading.
• The original title of the second book was Extraordinary. The book designers didn't like it, so the title was changed to Supernaturally, which was originally the planned title for the third book.

Robin LaFevers

• She has THIRTEEN (13) middle grade books published.
• It took her 8 years to write Grave Mercy.
• Before Grave Mercy was chosen as the title of her book, the original idea was to call it Nightshade, until Andrea Cremer came out with her book. So, a new title was chosen which was Dark Mercy, until Melissa Marr came out with her book Darkest Mercy. Finally, Grave Mercy was chosen, and thankfully, no one else had chosen the title.
• Her first writing inspiration was the Chronicles of Narnia. This book was when she realized she could make stuff up in her books, and they don't have to be realistic.
• She mentioned that writing is a way for her to keep her sanity together. Hobbies? Writing. Pasttime outside of writing? Writing. Job? Writing.
• Grave Mercy is the first book in a trilogy of companion novels.
• The second book will be called Dark Triumph.

Finally, here is a short video of me asking a question to the authors :)

Thank you to all the authors for giving us such amazing books to read. I hope to meet you all again one day!

Tell me in the comments, have you met the authors mentioned above? If not, who have you met or who would you like to meet?

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VBT Promo+Giveaway: Blood Jewel by Georgia Cates

With the mystery of Chansey Leclaire and Curry Brennan’s connection solved, they are free to explore their newfound love for one another. Or so they thought...

When Marsala uses a witch and black magic to discover Curry’s whereabouts, he and Chansey are left with no choice. The newly engaged couple is forced to relocate away from their families at the new compound in Savannah, which causes some major changes in the plans for their upcoming wedding.

Relocating to Savannah might have saved Curry and Chansey from being discovered by Marsala, but it doesn’t stop her attempts to reach Curry or her efforts to harm Chansey through the use of black magic. As Marsala closes in, Curry faces the decision he never wanted to make. Will he keep Chansey human or condemn her to eternity as the thing he hates most?

As Curry waits for his hand to be forced, a newly turned vampire arrives at the Savannah compound in need of help. Not only is she a fledgeling in transition, she brings reports of escaping from a vampire cult still in possession of her sister, a human. Any attempt to save the captive human from a cult of vampires puts everyone in jeopardy. Can they risk entering a large cult to save one human being? And is so, how could they possibly do it successfully?

Love will grow. New mysteries will arise. A battle will ensue. A Blood Jewel will be found.

Buy here: Amazon (Kindle) | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

Ends August 10, 2012. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Teaser Tuesday: Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along. Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers!

Page 63:

I thought my part in this particular episode was definitely over, so I left them behind in the kitchen. I heard my dad say, "I'm going to kill all of them." And my mother said, voice full of tears, "Whatever, Tom."

The end. I probably needed to stop feeding the wolves.

The closer they got, the more dangerous it was for all of us.

I haven't got to this part yet when this post was made, but by the time Tuesday came along, I would know the reason behind this teaser. I heard this book is the best of all the books in the trilogy. I'm excited to find out what made it so good!

If you'd like to buy the book, click your preferred format:

Amazon (Kindle) | Amazon (Paperback)

Tell me, have you read this book/trilogy? Did you like it? Why did you like it? Try not to give me spoilers! :)

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Handwritten Q&A

I had forgotten how much I enjoyed my handwritten segments when I was starting out with my blog. So, when I saw Blair's blog post called A Little Glitter: Q&A Fun, I jumped at the opportunity and wrote down my own answers. Check it out below and tell me YOUR answers in the comments!

Oh gosh, that nickname was given to me when I was little. It was so embarrassing when my brother would call me that in public. It doesn't mean anything, it just sounds embarrassing.

Hope you enjoy and don't forget to leave me your answers in the comments!

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