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10.31.2011

Author Interview & Giveaway

Today I would like to welcome author Louise Caiola! 
Thank you for taking to time to answer some questions for us!


Bio: 

Louise Caiola is a writer, mother, and Jill of all Trades, working hard to become a master of the author-world. She’s crafted an extensive collection of short stories appearing for years in the online magazine Faithhopeandfiction.com. She is represented by Terrie Wolf at AKA Literary. WISHLESS is her debut novel. Please stop by her FB page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wishless/232063146839096 and join the festivities. She also invites you to check out her website at www.louisecaiola.com and drop a line. She loves hearing from her readers.

In one sentence only, why should we read your book? 

Reading WISHLESS will ignite all of your senses, indulge your need for entertainment and introduce you to people you won’t soon forget.


What inspired you with the idea for this Book?
 
The inspiration for this story came to me in bits and pieces – inspired by several things - a line in a song, a name, a random scenario popping in my head when I least expected it. I’m a big shower-writer. Lots of my stuff shows up while I am mid-shampoo.

How did you get interested in writing this particular genre?

I think being a young adult is such a difficult and fascinating thing, particularly now. It’s a period of awakening, a time of growth and coming into yourself. It is rife with material to write about and I am really drawn to exploring these stories.


What was/is the easiest/hardest part about writing this book?

The easiest part of writing this story was giving life to the characters. They came to me, so alive and vivid. It was just a matter of providing them a chance to be heard. Hardest part was the editing. I never felt as if I were finished. In fact, I’m still making changes, in my mind, anyway!

Is there anything you wish was different about the book? 

There were a couple scenes I deleted during the editing phase. They involved Chessie visiting Logan in Louisiana and meeting her family. In retrospect I might have enjoyed including them however they didn’t really serve in moving the story along so my editor and I chose to cut them.


What's a typical working day like for you? When and where do you write? Do you set a daily writing goal? 

6:30 am: Rise and shine. Write for 20 minutes, give or take.
6:50 am – approximately 9:00 am: Attend to house details, kids, dog, personal grooming ritual. Rush out the door, 20 minutes late. Oops.
9:00 am – 5:00 pm: Work minutiae. Lots of it.  Decide I desperately need a vacation.
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Errands, dinner, laundry, e-mails, phone calls, etc. Life x 100. Still desperately need a vacation.
7:00 – 9:00 pm: Lock myself away from family and any/all distractions. Write. Churn out the early workings of a bestseller. Or a few pages of fluff. Write either way, no matter what – unless a fire breaks out or I become severely dehydrated.
9:00 pm – I crash:   Read.  Read some more. Close my eyes. Thank God for another perfect day.


What’s the best thing about being an author?

Stumbling upon a new and exciting way of saying the same old thing is what I consider to be one of the high points of being a writer. Coining a fresh, original phrase just never gets old. I also love connecting to other people through my words.

Do you have any favorite authors or favorite books?

My favorite book is usually the one I’ve just finished reading. However, I do think every respectable bookshelf must contain a copy of To Kill a Mockingbird.
There are so many incredible writers out there. I would run out of paper listing those I admire. To mention a few:  Nicholas Sparks, Laurie Halse Anderson, Anne Brashares, Steven King, Lauren Myracle,
JK Rowling, Maya Angelou.

If you could jump in to a book, and live in that world... Which would it be?


I always wanted to hang out in Whoville. I hear they throw a crazy holiday party.

What's one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?

Golden Rule #1: Read as much as you can, in every genre. Mandatory. You can’t write if you don’t read.  It’s really that simple.

Any other books in the works?Goals for future projects?

My second novel, an older, contemporary YA entitled Girls like HER is currently with my agent, Terrie Wolf of AKA Literary. I am about halfway through the first draft of my third project, a YA mystery still seeking its rightful name.

If your book was to be a movie, what would be your dream cast?

Wishless the Movie…starring:


Selena Gomez as Chessie Madrid
Keke Palmer as Logan Matthews
Jeremy Sumpter as Johnny Lauten
Josh Hutcherson as George Benson
Jennifer Lawrence as Meg Lauten
Josh Holloway as Mark Madrid
Kathy Bates as GG
Lauren Graham as Anne Darrow Madrid
Red carpet here we come…;)


Great Cast! Thank you so much for stopping by! 

We also have an eBook copy of Wishless to giveaway today! All you have to do is enter in the Raffelcopter form below! 


10.30.2011

Show Gratitude for Books




Beth Revis is having a HUGE giveaway over at her blog. One person will win 19 signed YA books plus swag! All you have to do is make a blog post telling what book you're most thankful for. So here we go.









The book I am most thankful for is Delirium by Lauren Oliver. I absolutely love that book. Love is such a strong word. It makes the world go around. With out it everything would be so dull, there wouldn't be anything to live for, no reason to get out of bed.







That's the book I'm thankful for. What book are you thankful for? Don't forget to enter in this amazing giveaway!

Review: Envy


Title: Envy
Series: Fallen Angels
Author: J.R. Ward
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format: Paperback, 480pp
Source: Bought: GC - 5 Alarm Book Reviews

Connect with the Author
Buy The Book
Amazon | B&N 

Synopsis

A man and a woman tread the lines of danger, desire, and deliverance in the new novel of the Fallen Angels from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series.
As the son of a serial killer, homicide detective Thomas "Veck" DelVecchio, Jr., grew up in the shadow of evil. Now, on the knife-edge between civic duty and blind retribution, he atones for the sins of his father- while fighting his inner demons. Assigned to monitor Veck is Internal Affairs officer Sophia Reilly, whose interest in him is both professional and arousingly personal. And Veck and Sophia have another link: Jim Heron, a mysterious stranger with too many answers... to questions that are deadly. When Veck and Sophia are drawn into the ultimate battle between good and evil, their fallen angel savior is the only thing that stands between them and eternal damnation.


Warning: This review may contain some spoilers if you have not read book 1 2.


Review

It took me a couple chapters to get back into the flow of things. This book pretty much starts where Lover Unleashed leaves off. Which is kind of nice. I always like to see the Brothers and the angles in each others stories.


I can't stand Devina. She always acts like a baby when she doesn't get her way. And I thinks it's unfair that Devina already knows who the next person is, but Jim has to figure it out on his own. Oh well, it's still a great series! I wonder who the vampire is at the end of the book? I think I know.. But we'll just have to wait and see!



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10.28.2011

Review: Wishless


Title: Wishless
Author: Louise Caiola
Genre: YA
Format: eBook, 220pg
Source: Author, Requested Review

Connect with the Author
Buy The Book
Amazon | B&N

Synopsis

Can strangers become sisters, a long-lost father become a dad, and can love really conquer all? The challenge is extreme-the stakes have never been higher.
The fortune cookies tease her. You will lead a long and happy life. Those dumb things are never right.
Chessie Madrid wants to fall in love, she wants to fly airplanes, and most of all she wants to live longer than 6752 days. With a fatal disease camped inside of her wreaking havoc since she turned sixteen, the doctor's predictions are far more sinister. Preparing for death is a total drag.
Instead, Chessie makes a list of her deepest desires, keeping her impending demise a secret, and being pretend-well. When the list suddenly starts to come true, sending Chessie's life and everything in it reeling, it's a case of being careless what you wish for.
With a new sister she's always dreamed of, a father who's a nightmare, and a lesson in love arriving all at once, Chessie makes her last wish the one that will matter most of all-to live or die trying. 


Review


It all started with a fortune cookie. "You will live a long and happy life." But everyone knows Fortune Cookies can't tell you your future. Same goes for Chessie. She had a disease, The Big S. as she calls it. The out come isn't looking good for her. She has kept this hidden for over two years. She swore her grandmother to secrecy. So she makes a wish list. It may just be coincidence, but all her wishes start to come true.

This was a very good book. I really liked Chessie's character, until she started hooking up with Johnny. She knows what it's like to be a victim of cheating, and she does that very thing to his girl friend. Even though she can tell he doesn't really love her. She does things with him so he will notice her. I really liked Logan, I was hoping to get more of her story. I'm glad Chessie finally got to tell Mark Madrid how she really felt about him.

I think I've given away to much already, so go out and buy your copy now! You wont be disappointed!


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10.25.2011

Review: For Always

Title: For Always
Author: Danielle Sibarium
Genre: YA Romance
Format: Paperback, 256pp
Source: Author, Requested Review

Connect with the Author
Buy The Book
Amazon


Synopsis

You never really get over your first love. Such is the case for fourteen-year-old Stephanie Barrano, self-proclaimed misfit and death magnet. A freshman in high school, Stephanie is befriended by Jordan Brewer, a hot, in-demand senior, who pulls her from the outer circle of obscurity into the realm of acceptance. Jordan quickly works his way into Stephanie’s heart. He’s her everything. And the only person she trusts with the truth about her father’s death. But he won’t act on the strong feelings he has for her. Stephanie vows to wait for him, knowing in time she’ll win his heart.

Two months before her eighteenth birthday, Jordan serves as an impromptu prom date. After sharing a magical evening, Jordan leaves Stephanie with the promise of a future together. Then tragedy strikes. Jordan not only shuts Stephanie out, he also blames her for what happened. Feeling broken and beaten, will she try one last time to get through to Jordan or will she lose him forever? 


Review


I love this book! I was sucked in from the very first chapter. You can feel the love Stephanie has for Jordan in every word. 

Stephanie thinks she causes death where ever she goes. So she makes it a point to not get close to anyone. Except Maria, her best friend. When upperclassman Jordan starts to notice her, she doesn't believe it, but it makes her days in high school so much better.

Stephanie knows Jordan is the one for her, but he has a problem with their age difference. So she vows to her self she will wait for him, no matter how long it takes. And she does just that. I don't want to give away any details, so you need to go out and buy this book right now! You wont regret it, I promise!

This story takes you on a few emotional roller coasters, so be sure you have some tissues handy. Any one who loves romance will love this book.


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I love when a book mentions a song. I feel like I can listen to it and get closer
to the characters. Stephanie says Arms by Christina Perri was the song her and
Jordan danced to at prom and she thought it was written specifically for them.
I think it fits perfectly!

10.24.2011

In My Mailobx #13


Hosted by Kristy at The Story Siren,  inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie.
Where we post about books we have received 
during the week via mailbox, local library, or store bought, etc.
_______




For Review
Shadows on the Sand by Gayle Roper
Amplified by Tara Kelly
For Always by Danielle Siabarium
Just Your Average Princess by Kristina Springer
So Silver Bright by Lisa Mantchev
Slayers by C.J. Hill


Won

I won a $30 Amazon Gift Card from Stephanie over at 5 Alarm Book Reviews here's what I got! 
Ascension by Caris Roane
Envy by J.R. Ward
Tempted by Elisabeth Naughton
Falling Under by Gwen Hayes
Halo by Alexandrea Adornetto ( My Review)

I also won 
Eve by Anna Carey
From Sara over at Babbling Flow


Bought

Guardian by Claire Delacroix


Phew! What did you get in your mailbox?
Leave a link in the comments, I would love to check it out!


TBB Fun Fact: As well as this being my IMM 13, This is also my 113 post!

10.10.2011

Review: Halo


Title: Halo
Series: The Halo Series
Author: Alexandra Adornetto
Genre: Young Adult
Format: Paperback, 502pp
Source: Amazon.com

Connect with the Author:

Facebook | Twitter


Synopsis

Three angels are sent by Heaven to bring good to a world falling under the influence of darkness: Gabriel, the warrior; Ivy, the healer; and Bethany, the youngest and most human. They work hard to conceal their luminous glow, their superhuman powers, and their wings. Then Bethany meets Xavier Woods, and they are unable to resist their attraction to each other. But the angels’ mission is urgent, and dark forces are threatening. Will love ruin Bethany or save her?


Review

I have been meaning to pick this book up for some time now, and I am so glad I did! This was a fairly quick read despite the number of pages. It was action packed, there was never a dull moment. I'm not a very religious person, but the way Alexandra weaves the story so well, it will make you question it's truth.

I love the relationship between Bethany and Xavier. They fall completely in love and they aren't afraid to show it. Although, it does kind of bother me that she is completely head over heels for him and he kind of seems like he's just watching over her, just trying to protect her. After prom it changes though.Their love is the kind that gives you butterflies in your stomach!

There wasn't much mystery. It seemed like everything was laid out so you knew ahead of time what was about to happen. I still had fun reading it.

Over all it was still a fantastic read, and I'm so glad I picked it up!


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10.05.2011

My fourth winner never replied to my e-mail, so that means I have to pick a new winner.


The new winner is..


You are the new winner for prize pack #3! 
I'm sending you an email now. You have 24 hours to get back to me or I will pick a new winner. 
Thanks for entering!

10.02.2011

Blogoversary Winners!




Sorry for the delay. This has been one busy weekend. 

I would like to thank each and everyone of my followers! with out you this wouldn't be possible.
I have had so much fun this past year! I hope to keep blogging for many years to come. 
Alright, on to the winners!

I used Random.org to generate 5 random numbers. 
I will post the numbers in the order they were chosen.
First winner gets first pick, Second winner gets second pick ect. 

Here we go!


Winner #1

Random.org picked number three which is..



Winner #2 
Random.org picked number eleven which is..



Winner #3

Random.org picked number six which is..



Winner #4
Random.org picked number one which is..

 J-9


Winner #5
Random.org picked number nine which is..
 

 
 Phew! Okay, I am sending out an e-mail to our first winner now!
Please be patient with me, getting to all of the winners might take a couple days.
Thanks again to everyone who entered!




IMPORTANT: The Blogging Book Disclosure

In accordance with the new FTC Guidelines for blogging and endorsements, I would like everyone to know that the books featured / discussed on this blog were either provided to the reviewer by the publisher or the author for free OR were purchased by me. The ones I receive for free DO NOT influence my opinion of the book/author -- The Blogging Book
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