Monthly Archives:: January 2010
We Have Buttons
Hip Hip Hooray! Special thanks to Jean at Fallen Archangel for all of her hard work. She just rocks… Check out our two angel buttons on the sidebar and feel free to grab them. They will link to Heather’s Etsy shop with YA jewelry, photography, our music CD and journals.
Now we just need a button with code for our Fire and Ice logo with the words written on it and small enough to fit on the side bar.
We absolutely love the ones already posted on the sidebars at Mundie Moms http://www.mundiemoms.blogspot.com/ and Past Times Geneaology
http://pasttimesgenealogy.blogspot.com/Thank you!!!
If anyone out there could write us the codes for these and send them on we will be forever grateful!
Here is the photobucket account some photos uploaded, but we are always up for new design ideas! http://s669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/zahngardner/Blog%20Buttons/
So, we are giving away a free copy of Jessica Bendger’s new book “The Seven Rays” to anyone who would like to make us new buttons with code. Comment below to win.
And if you add one of our buttons to your site, let us know…we will send you something special in the mail 😉
Caster Girls BC Ridley Contest
Caster Girls is giving away some great Ridley swag from the book “Beautiful Creatures” by Kami Garcia dn Margaret Stohl.
You can win: a 5×7 Ridley Print from VLC Photo, BC bracelets and dog tag, Pink Hair clips, Ridley’s candy, and Ridley’s shoes signed by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl!
Click here to enter http://castergirls.com/ridley-kicks-a-contest/
Contest ends February 1st.
Open to USA only.
Frozen Fire Giveaway
Winner of the Southern Schools Book Award 2009
“In this atmospheric, British supernatural thriller, a stranger comes to town. Fifteen-year-old Dusty first hears his voice on the telephone, and she is startled by his words—last said to her in similar language by her long-missing older brother, Josh. As snow falls on the remote English countryside where Dusty lives, she searches for the mysterious boy, and the closer she comes to him (and he to her), the more danger surrounds her. Bowler’s writing chills, both in the way the author heightens the tension, chapter by terrifying chapter, and through his descriptions of the relentless snow beating down, brightening and frightening—the frozen fire of the title. Sometimes the descriptions burden the story, because readers will be anxious to get back to the compelling interplay between Dusty and the boy. Both spectral and powerful, the boy sends messages (by phone, in person, even through the snow) that propel Dusty forward, always hoping the boy will lead her to Josh. The tension doesn’t wane until the last possible moment.”
Waiting on Wednesday "Shadow Hills"
“Shadow Hills” by Anastasia Hopcus
details Hardcover, 400 pages
isbn 1606840835
Synopsis from Goodreads: ” Since her sister’s mysterious death, Persephone “Phe” Archer has been plagued by a series of disturbing dreams. Determined to find out what happened to her sister, Phe enrolls at Devenish Prep in Shadow Hills, Massachusetts—the subject of her sister’s final diary entry.
After stepping on campus, Phe immediately realizes that there’s something different about this place—an unexplained epidemic that decimated the town in the 1700s, an ancient and creepy cemetery, and gorgeous boy Zach—and somehow she’s connected to it all.
But the more questions she asks and the deeper she digs, the more entangled Phe becomes in the haunting past of Shadow Hills. Finding what links her to this town…might cost her her life.
Visit Anastasia’s website at http://anastasiahopcus.livejournal.com/
Or follow her on twitter @anastasiahopcus Here she is wearing one of our Patch black wing necklaces inspired by the book “Hush, Hush”- Becca Fitzpatrick http://twitpic.com/wufnr Anastasia found our blog and was the winner of our first Twilight giveaway. Ever since then we have been huge fans! We can’t wait until July and the release of “Shadow Hills.”
Click here for a chance to win the first chapter of Shadow Hills plus Brightly Woven at her blog
http://anastasiahopcus.blogspot.com/2010/01/brightly-woven-contest-as-promised.html#comment-form
Bree Despain’s Launch Party
Brodi Ashton and Cam Ballou, guests and friends of Bree
Here are Bree’s upcoming events as listed on her website
“1. On January 5th, I will be the special quest on the “Book and a Chat” show on BlogTalkRadio.com. You can listen online, and even call in and ask me questions.
2. On January 6th, l8bloomeronline.blogspot.com is hosting a group chat in honor of TDD. Come chat with us and ask me your questions.
3. I’ll be doing a reading and signing at the West Jordan (Jordan Landing) Barnes & Noble on January 16th at 2pm.
4. I’ll be participating in an Authorpalooza at the Sandy B&N on February 6th. This is a great opportunity to meet several local authors at once, and pick up great V-day gifts for your friends and family.
5. On February 13th I will be signing books at the Orem B&N. Come get a signed TDD for the special someone in your life–just in time for Valentine’s day.”
Sweethearts by Sara Zarr
Pub. Date: February 2008
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Format: Hardcover, 224pp
Age Range: Young Adult
ISBN: 0316014559
Synopsis
As children, Jennifer Harris and Cameron Quick were both social outcasts. They were also each other’s only friend. So when Cameron disappeared without warning, Jennifer thought she’d lost the one person who would ever understand her. Now in high school, Jennifer has been transformed. Known as Jenna, she is popular, happy, and dating—everything “Jennifer” couldn’t be. But she still can’t shake the memory of her long-lost friend.
When Cameron suddenly reappears, they both are confronted with memories of their shared past and the drastically different paths their lives have taken.
Sweethearts is a story about the power of memory, the bond of friendship, and the quiet resilience of our childhood hearts.
From Sara Zarr’s website :
Honors
•2008 Cybil Awards Finalist
•Oprah Book Club Kids Reading List
•American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults
•New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age
•Utah Book Award Finalist
•TX Tayshas Pick
Reviews
•“…dark and engrossing, thanks to Zarr’s full-bodied characters and creative storytelling.” – Publishers Weekly, starred review
•“Zarr’s writing is remarkable.” – Booklist, starred review
•“…subtle, beautifully written…” – VOYA, starred review
•“…an engrossing novel.” – The New York Times
•“…wistful prose and skillfully layered characters.” – The Horn Book
About the book:
The story of Jenna/Jennifer and Cameron was inspired by a friendship I had as a child with a boy, Mark, who came back into my life when we were both adults. When Mark and I got back in touch, I was surprised at what a strong bond we had despite having not seen nor heard from one another since third grade. I started asking myself—what if Mark and I had been reunited in high school? What if our lives had taken divergent paths? Would we still be loyal to each other, based on that childhood friendship, even if we wound up in different social circles and with different destinies? If so, why? What kinds of emotional and practical challenges would that bring? Though the details of what happened to Jennifer and Cameron were all made up, I did my best to be as emotionally truthful as I could with their story. I continue to be been blown away by reader response to this book, and how many people out there have Jennas and Camerons of their or their own.
I met Sara Zarr soon last month after completing her book “Once Was Lost” at the “Beautiful Creatures” release party. She was sitting on the couch and I knew no one else around, as our friend Brodi had not yet arrived. I went up and introduced myself in a Jennifer Harris moment of my own. I tried to spark up conversation about my opinions of her book and in the process made a complete fool of myself. Sara was down to earth and genuine. Meeting her made me want to read more of her work.
Sweethearts was so realistic and heart warming for me personally. Cameron Quick is the kind of friend you want for all of your life, despite his understandable walls and ability to disappear. I could relate to much of their life story which is I think why I was pulled completely into the pages. I finished it in 24 hours and it left an impression I am sure I won’t forget. Having worked for several years as a child protective service and foster care worker for the State, I see so many of Sara’s descriptions as real-life struggles for teens seeking independent living and seeking to break the cycles of their childhood.
Sara tackles every day issues in today’s world like abuse, single parent homes, popularity, school bullies, religion, compulsive eating, and teenage relationships. She leaves you hopeful that there are every day heroes and loves that endure the bounds of time and space. Five out of five stars for “Sweethearts.” I think it would be an excellent book to explore in the classroom.
Watch a fan made trailer on Youtube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CM8gfCJUTMs
Fallen by Lauren Kate
Excerpt From Goodreads: published December 8th 2009 by Delacorte Press
details: Hardcover, 452 pages
characters :Lucinda Price, Daniel Grigori
isbn: 0385738935 (isbn13: 9780385738934)
“There’s something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.
Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price’s attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He’s the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.
Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce–and goes out of his way to make that very clear–she can’t let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her.
Dangerously exciting and darkly romantic, Fallen is a page turning thriller and the ultimate love story.”