Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading.

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (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 & author, too, so that other Tuesday Teaser participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!



"Her features are more suggestions of features than anything sharp and clear. It must be the candle, the way it sheds light onto her face."
Light Beneath Ferns by Anne Spollen

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And now, for my Tuesday Teaser...For those of you who don't know, I do my Tuesday Teaser's differently (and yes, I add this disclaimer every time). Each week, I feature a teensy snippet of something I've written, leave it up all day, then remove it around 11 PM. You're welcome to comment on it, love it, hate it, or simply read it at your leisure...if you'd like, of course. This week's teaser is from my finished MS, Fire and Snow.



That's it...the Tuesday Teaser is down!

I swear there are new good new movies in the theatres lately! I think that's because everything good is releasing this week...Clash of the Titans and The Last Song anyone? I can't wait for those! Unfortunately, I have to...soooo I settled for a film I never thought I'd see this weekend...Repo Men.



In the futuristic action-thriller "Repo Men," humans have extended and improved our lives through highly sophisticated and expensive mechanical organs created by a company called The Union. The dark side of these medical breakthroughs is that if you don't pay your bill, The Union sends its highly skilled repo men to take back its property -- with no concern for your comfort or survival. Remy is one of the best organ repo men in the business. But, when he suffers a cardiac failure on the job, he awakens to find himself fitted with the company's top-of-the-line heart-replacement -- as well as a hefty debt. When he can't make the payments, The Union sends its toughest enforcer, Remy's former partner Jake, to track him down.
Taken from MovieTickets.com.

Ok, let me preface this by saying this isn't my normal cup of tea. Yes, I enjoy a good action flick, but I'm usually not so into the whole blood/guts/violence thing, unless I'm torturing myself with a psychological thriller. Repo Men was pretty much all of the aforementioned genres I avoid. The idea behind this film is really intriguing though, and it has good actors...Forest Whitaker and that douche bag slimeball morally lacking Jude Law. That said, any sort of amazing plot and premise was lost in a haze of meaningless violence and gore.

I wanted to enjoy this movie (probably only because I spent good money on it), but still, I tried. I really did. The good parts of Repo Men pretty much stopped at the premise though, and the ending really left me thinking "wtf in the world just happened and whhhyyyyyy did I spend my money?" There are a ton of plot holes, the story begins to drag, and there's just no payoff.

At best, I give Repo Men a 2 out of 5, and that's generous. There may be a few good visuals thrown in, but that's about it. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone, honestly, but if you're so inclined to see it, I'd recommend it only to very mature audiences. Below is the trailer.

Glorious is set against the backdrops of the Jim Crow South, the Harlem Renaissance, and the civil rights era. Blending the truth of American history with the fruits of Bernice L. McFadden’s rich imagination, this is the story of Easter Venetta Bartlett, a fictional Harlem Renaissance writer whose tumultuous path to success, ruin, and revival offers a candid portrait of the American experience in all its beauty and cruelty.

Glorious is ultimately an audacious exploration into the nature of self-hatred, love, possession, ego, betrayal, and, finally, redemption.
Taken from GoodReads

Glorious is the story of Easter Bartlett, living her life in the prejudice and hatred of the Jim Crow south, desperate to escape her horrific past life with her family. Her adventures take her across the US, teaching her different ways of life, learning how to live in a world where she's consistently put down because of her race, and discovering how to love herself. To live in a world where she doesn't exist, Easter writes stories, never hoping they'll published - just writes to know she's writing and alive. She marries, loves, loses, and lives just like everyone else, only to most - she becomes E.V. Gibbs, a writer, an author...but all the while inside, she's still Easterm, and the world is still unfair.

Glorious is the brainchild of Bernice L. McFadden, author of the powerful and moving, Sugar. It's the story of hope when everything else is filled with hatred and loss, and it is powerfully moving, albeit frightening. Easter saw terrible things - lynchings of pregnant women, murder of children, the disregard of rape. Yet somehow, later in life, Easter still clings to hope.

Strengths: Bernice L. McFadden is an incredible writer. Her portrayal of the world Easter lives in rings true and harsh. I actually looked up whether E.V. Gibbs was real because the character rang so true. It's moving, and it is incredibly powerful.

Weaknesses: This is a personal preference for me, but I don't like reading the N word in any context. Yes, it was relevant in the the story, but I find it cruel and crass, and it burns my conscience just to read it.

I give this book a strong 4 out of 5, and I would recommend it to more mature readers, as it is quite graphic. This book was given to me free of charge by the author in exchange for a review. This, in no way, influenced my opinion of this book.

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Now onto the good news...



The lovely Bernice L. McFadden has offered two (2) autographed copies of her book, Glorious, to my readers. Isn't that exciting?! Ok...the rules:

You MUST be a follower to enter.
You must leave a comment on this review with your email address included.
I will select two winners using Random.org.
This giveaway closes on Saturday, April 3, 2010 at midnight EST.
Good luck!

For those of you that follow me religiously, you know that I usually post my Friday Fix today. Because it's Friday. Naturally. Unfortunately, yet another Friday Fix has fallen through, so if I may - for those participating in my Friday Fix, please, please let me know if you're going to back out so I can plan something else! Thank you! Rant over.

I'm sure this might happen again, so in it's place, I've decided to do something I like to call Lyric Love. I'm going to post the lyrics of a song that mean something special to me at the moment...then you all can share the names of songs that mean something to you! Sounds fun, right? Hopefully! ;)




Walk on Water - Britt Nicole

You look around -
It's staring back at you.
Another wave of doubt
Will it pull you under?
You wonder...

What if I'm overtaken?
What if I never make it?
What if no one's there?
Will you hear my prayer?

When you take that first step
Into the unknown
You know that He won't let you go.

So what are you waiting for?
What do you have to lose?
Your insecurities try to alter you.

You know you're made for more,
So don't be afraid to move.
Your faith is all
It takes and you can
Walk on the water, too.

So get out,
And let
Your fear fall to the ground.
No time to waste.
Don't wait.
Don't you turn around and miss out.
Everything you were made for -
I know you're not sure,
So you play it safe...
Try to run away.

If you take that first step
Into the unknown
He won't let you go.

(step out)
Even when a storm hits
(step out)
Even when you're broken
(step out)
Even when your heart is telling you telling you to give up
(step out)
When your hope is stolen
(step out)
You can't see where you're going.
You don't have to be afraid.

So what are you waiting,
What are you waiting for?

So what are you waiting for?
What do you have to lose?
Your insecurities try to alter you.

You know you're made for more,
So don't be afraid to move.
Your faith is all
It takes and you can
Walk on the water...
Walk on the water, too.





This isn't my normal type of music, but the lyrics are just so powerful! So let me ask you....what songs are you loving right now?

“Dead girl walking,” the boys say in the halls.
“Tell us your secret,” the girls whisper, one toilet to another.
I am that girl.
I am the space between my thighs, daylight shining through.
I am the bones they want, wired on a porcelain frame.

Lia and Cassie are best friends, wintergirls frozen in matchstick bodies, competitors in a deadly contest to see who can be the skinniest. But what comes after size zero and size double-zero? When Cassie succumbs to the demons within, Lia feels she is being haunted by her friend’s restless spirit.
Taken from BookBrowse.

Lia and Cassie forged a friendship when they were just young girls. They weren't yet looking to fit in or stand out, but they had a bond that simply grew deeper and stronger over time. When puberty struck, Cassie found comfort in "Mia," while Lia found "Ana" to be her saviour. The two girls make a pact to be the skinniest girls in school - at all costs. That cost is dire though, when Cassie eventually succumbs to her disease, and Lia is left to either save the shattered pieces of her life, or suffer the same fate as her friend.

This book hit a little close to home. I've struggled with an eating disorder for many years, as I'm sure lots of girls out there understand. The pain of the internal commotion and the desire for perfection leaps from every page of this book. The problem is, and Laurie Halse Anderson captures this perfectly, there is no such thing as perfect. If we go for 80 lbs...when you reach there, the only way to go is down to 75. It's a battle every day, and Lia's struggle was portrayed accurately and truthfully.

That said, Wintergirls is not for the faint of heart. This book tackles serious issues of self-harm and the depth of this emotional and physical disease. I'll admit, reading it made me crave that thin, amazing feeling. Someone once said "nothing tastes as good as skinny feels," and Lia lives by that standard. It's written from her POV, a bit like an internal conversation/war, and there are a lot of crossed out phrases, seemingly indicating her need and desire for ultimate control.

I loved this book. I thought it was poignant, relevant, and well-researched. I think Laurie Halse Anderson did a great job portraying the endless fight of eating disorders. The only thing that I would change is making Lia a bit more likable up front. At first I thought she was just a snotty teen with issues. I did, however, grow to feel for her. I give this book a 4.5 out of 5, and I would recommend it to anyone seeking a poignant, powerful, and extremely emotional piece.

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, and spotlights upcoming novels we just can't wait for! We all know there are a ton of great books coming out this year, but this week, I'm particularly excited for...

Title: Tell Me a Secret
Author: Holly Cupala
Release Date: June 22, 2010



Tell me a secret, and I'll tell you one…

In the five years since her bad-girl sister Xanda’s death, Miranda Mathison has wondered about the secret her sister took to the grave, and what really happened the night she died. Now, just as Miranda is on the cusp of her dreams—a best friend to unlock her sister’s world, a ticket to art school, and a boyfriend to fly her away from it all—Miranda has a secret all her own.

Then two lines on a pregnancy test confirm her worst fears. Stripped of her former life, Miranda must make a choice with tremendous consequences and finally face her sister’s demons and her own.
Taken from GoodReads

You know, this isn't normally my type of book. I feel like a lot of authors use the premise of a teen pregnancy, but they don't always delve into the reasons and events that led the girls and boys to that position in life. Tell Me a Secret sounds refreshingly honest and a tad blunt, which I think is great. While I'm not too fond of the cover - I feel it's a bit ordinary in a sea of incredible covers - I think it fits the title.

What are you waiting on this week? Leave me a link, and I'll check it out! :)

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading.

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (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 & author, too, so that other Tuesday Teaser participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!



"My fingers reach through the screen and comb through the garbage until they find the home of the shrieking chorus, hungry girls singing endless anthems while our throats bleed and rust and fill up with loneliness. I could scroll through these songs for the rest of my life and never find the beginning."
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

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And now, for my Tuesday Teaser...For those of you who don't know, I do my Tuesday Teaser's differently (and yes, I add this disclaimer every time). Each week, I feature a teensy snippet of something I've written, leave it up all day, then remove it around 11 PM. You're welcome to comment on it, love it, hate it, or simply read it at your leisure...if you'd like, of course. This week's teaser is from my finished MS, Fire and Snow.



The teaser is down, my friends! Check back next week for more :)

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As a quick closing note...my lovely affiliate, Lea from YA Book Queen, is hosting an amazing contest! Click here for your chance to win a signed ARC of SHADE by Jeri Smith-Ready...but hurry...this contest ends Thursday at midnight!

There wasn't too much exciting releasing at the theatres this weekend, so I decided to see Avatar again to review it. I saw it back when it first released, and I was blown away, but I figured maybe a second go would allow me to be more critical.



When his brother is killed in a robbery, paraplegic Marine Jake Sully decides to take his place in a mission on the distant world of Pandora. There he learns of greedy corporate figurehead Parker Selfridge's intentions of driving off the native humanoid "Na'vi" in order to mine for the precious material scattered throughout their rich woodland. In exchange for the spinal surgery that will fix his legs, Jake gathers intel for the cooperating military unit spearheaded by gung-ho Colonel Quaritch, while simultaneously attempting to infiltrate the Na'vi people with the use of an "avatar" identity. While Jake begins to bond with the native tribe and quickly falls in love with the beautiful alien Neytiri, the restless Colonel moves forward with his ruthless extermination tactics, forcing the soldier to take a stand - and fight back in an epic battle for the fate of Pandora.
Taken from IMDB.

The film features an all-star cast from Sam Worthington as Jake Sully, Zoe Saldana as Neytiri, and Sigourney Weaver as Dr. Grace Augustine. Set on a distant planet, Pandora, Avatar is the story of our civilization's endless greed and conquest and another civilization's desire for basic survival. The Na'vi believe that Pandora has a life force that sustains them all, but the humans on Pandora are threatening their lives and homeland with relentless drilling. Dr. Grace Augustine created a series of Avatars to assimilate into the Na'Vi people, understand their ways, and convince them to leave peacefully, but the humans running the Avatars grow attached. They see the beauty of the Na'Vi ways, and they decide to help them at all costs.

Ok, as I said, this is the second time I've seen this, so I can finally organize my thoughts a bit better. I went in the first time not knowing what Avatar was about, but I'd seen the trailer and thought it looked incredible...not to mention all the hype surrounding this film. James Cameron, legendary director of Titanic brought this film to fruition. And, while I wasn't so much a fan of Titanic, I can honestly say I loved Avatar. It's a brilliantly tragic and heartfelt story, somehow merging reality and fantasy into a story and plot that is completely believable. I wasn't sure how I'd feel about blue people the first time I went to see this, but I can honestly say I wouldn't mind having an Avatar of my own!

I give Avatar a 5 out of 5 for the stunning visuals, amazing acting, and incredible portrayal of something I could never have imagined. The only thing I would have changed about this was the length...it is verrrrrrryyyyyyy long. I loved it, but I shouldn't have had a soda first! ;) Below is the trailer I first saw...the one that made me want to see Avatar, though I had no idea what it was about.

Percy Jackson isn't expecting freshman orientation to be any fun. But when a mysterious mortal acquaintance appears on campus, followed by demon cheerleaders, things quickly move from bad to diabolical.

In this latest installment of the blockbuster series, time is running out as war between the Olympians and the evil Titan lord Kronos draws near. Even the safe haven of Camp Half-Blood grows more vulnerable by the minute as Kronos's army prepares to invade its once impenetrable borders. To stop them, Percy and his demigod friends must set out on a quest through the Labyrinth-a sprawling underground world with stunning surprises at every turn. Full of humor and heart-pounding action, this fourth book promises to be their most thrilling adventure yet.
Taken from GoodReads.

This is the third installment in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, and we begin on the day of Percy's high school orientation - at yet another new school. It isn't even the new school year yet, but Percy's mother's boyfriend, Paul Blowfis, has finagled a spot at his school for Percy, despite his shoddy school record. Unfortunately, because Percy is Poseidon's son, the demons and empousai find him there anyway, creating havoc and threatening his shot at another school before the new year even starts.

That's not all though - Rachel Elizabeth Dare, the mortal girl who saved his life at the Hoover Dam in the previous book, The Titan's Curse is set to attend the same school. The bigger problem - she can see through the Mist and knows exactly what's really happening. Events force Percy, Annabeth, and Rachel to race back to Camp Half-Blood where they realize Kronos is far closer to waking than they knew, and the Labyrinth created by Daedalus might just be the key to the end of Camp Half-Blood.

This book was by far my favourite in the series since the first. The action was non-stop, it really developed the relationship between Annabeth and Percy, and it was so rich with imagery and fun splashes of humour thrown into the mix. I really love how clear Percy's voice is and how well each of the characters is developed. With a cast that big...it takes definite skill. Never would I have thought a book could combine satyrs, cyclops, Calypso, and evil tyrants for a truly engaging story, but somehow Rick Riordan has done it.

I give this book a 5 out of 5, and I wouldn't change a thing about it except, perhaps to draw out Poseidon's little chat with Percy a bit longer...and extend the book a few hundred pages. I recommend this book to anyone who wants an easy-to-read, fun, and enthralling adventure! This is the fourth book in the series, and I'm so sad there is only one left...The Last Olympian.

The Friday Fix is a takeover of my Friday blog post by other bloggers who have volunteered their time and energy to "star" in their very own guest post on Friday. Only one mandatory thing - you must answer five of the most random questions I throw your way. The rest is up to you. Remember, if you'd like to be featured on the Friday Fix, shoot me your email, and let me know! So, without further ado, here is Cate from Sparrow Review!



The Most Random Questions in the World...

1. How old must you be before one can say you died of old age?

Hmm... I'd say 70 is probably old enough to be considered


2. Who delivers the postman's mail?

Well, I imagine that he'd pick up his own post along the way. Unless he hired his own personal postman, which would be rather funny. "I'm Cate, and I'm the postman's postman." *chuckle*

3. If you were to soak a raisin in water, would that turn it back into a grape?

Haha! While that would be absolutely amazing, I have a feeling you'd end up with a rather soggy raisin.

4. Could you stare off into space if you're in space?

Absolutely! It's all the more convenient because you're actually in space. Plus the view would be amazing; all the stars and the planets floating around. I bet it'd be gorgeous. ;)

5. How important must one be before a murder is considered an assassination?

Well, the only assassinations we really her about are those of Presidents or royalty. So, I'd say you have to be in high governmental standing to be assassinated. Which is unfortunate, because each life is really as important as the rest.



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Cate's blog is definitely one of my favourites to visit, so I highly recommend you check her blog out! As a final closing note, friends...I have another contest coming up very soon, so get excited!!! It's a good one!!! :)

As I mentioned a couple of days ago, I was lucky enough to participate in a blog tour of the upcoming novel Claire de Lune, hosted by Liz from Cleverly Inked. Well, get ready...I finally have my review for you!

Hanover Falls hasn’t had a werewolf problem in over one hundred years. Seattle, Copenhagen, Osaka–they’ve had plenty of attacks. But when humans begin dying in Claire Benoit’s town, the panic spreads faster than a rumor at a pep rally. At Claire’s sixteenth birthday party, the gruesome killings are all anyone can talk about. But the big news in Claire’s mind is the fact that Matthew Engle–high-school soccer god and son of a world-renowned lycanthropy expert–notices her. And flirts with her. A lot.

That night, Claire learns that she is the latest in a long line of Benoit werewolves, and that contrary to popular belief, all werewolves are female. Killing humans is forbidden by the code of the pack, but a rogue werewolf has been breaking that law, threatening the existence of Claire’s new pack. As the pack struggles to find and fight the rogue werewolf and Claire struggles with her lupine identity, her heart and her loyalties are torn in two. Claire must keep her new life a secret from even her best friend–and especially from Matthew, whose father is leading the werewolf hunt…and with whom Claire is impossibly and undeniably falling head-over-paws in love.
Taken from author Christine Johnson's website.

Ooooh where to begin on this one?! Before I go any further, I'm going to do my very best not to include any spoilers. Ok, moving on. You know, I'd seen a lot of people waiting on this book, but I hadn't read too much about it before I received the book. For that reason, I can honestly say I didn't know what to expect besides just another werewolf story. I was wrong. This isn't just another werewolf story...this is what werewolf stories should strive to be.

Claire de Lune introduces a world where werewolves don't have to hide. People know there are werewolves, and it's a part of life. Claire, however, never knew it was a part of her life until her 16th birthday when the secret her mother kept from her since birth begins to unravel. Claire discovers she's a werewolf, must somehow manage to maintain her true sense of self, and balance her new life with the life she wants and has led.

What I loved most about this book is that Christine Johnson perfectly merged a coming-of-age tale with a supernatural story, and it made the both even richer for it. I also really enjoyed the world within Claire de Lune. I love reading books that allow you to lose yourself in them, and this book did not disappoint with a believable and intriguing world. That said, I have to admit I was a little disappointed with the action element of the story...I was hoping there would be more white-knuckled suspense. I hope the next book ups the ante a bit in that department.

I give this book a very strong 4 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to all those who enjoy a good-paced, easy-reading supernatural tale. (I can't wait for the sequel!) As this is an ARC, look for Claire de Lune to be released May 18, 2010.

Please be sure to check out Christine Johnson's next tour stop over at Cleverly Inked!

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, and spotlights upcoming novels we just can't wait for! We all know there are a ton of great books coming out this year, but this week, I'm particularly excited for...

Title: Faithful
Author: Janet Fox
Release Date: May 13, 2010



Sixteen-year-old Maggie Bennet’s life is in tatters. Her mother has disappeared, and is presumed dead. The next thing she knows, her father has dragged Maggie away from their elegant Newport home, off on some mad excursion to Yellowstone in Montana. Torn from the only life she’s ever known, away from her friends, from society, and verging on no prospects, Maggie is furious and devastated by her father’s betrayal. But when she arrives, she finds herself drawn to the frustratingly stubborn, handsome Tom Rowland, the son of a park geologist, and to the wild romantic beauty of Yellowstone itself. And as Tom and the promise of freedom capture Maggie’s heart, Maggie is forced to choose between who she is and who she wants to be.
Taken from GoodReads.

While this doesn't sound like the most original story, I never really tire of such a premise. I love the cover, too, and I think this sounds really sweet.

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading.

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (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 & author, too, so that other Tuesday Teaser participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!




"The good news: the left tunnel was straight with no side exits, twists, or turns. The bad news: it was a dead end."
The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan

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And now, for my Tuesday Teaser...For those of you who don't know, I do my Tuesday Teaser's differently (and yes, I add this disclaimer every time). Each week, I feature a teensy snippet of something I've written, leave it up all day, then remove it around 11 PM. You're welcome to comment on it, love it, hate it, or simply read it at your leisure...if you'd like, of course. This week's teaser is from my finished MS, Fire and Snow.



That's it, my friends...the Tuesday Teaser is down. Check back next week if you'd like to read more!

I totally meant to post yesterday, but with the whole "spring forward" nonsense, I just wasn't up to par, so I missed a day. Oops. I'll have to make up for it with this post...or I'll try, at the very least! This weekend, I managed to see Remember Me.



A romantic drama set in New York City during the summer of 2001, where Tyler, a rebellious young man, meets Ally through a twist of fate. Her spirit helps him heal after a family tragedy, though soon the circumstances that brought them together threaten to tear them apart.
Taken from IMDB.

Remember Me follows the stories of Tyler and Ally, both troubled, both with dysfunctional families, and both with an intense amount of baggage. When a dare leads Tyler to ask Ally out, it soon leads to a budding romance and a trust the two learn to rely on. Neither of their lives are perfect, and their drama is overwhelming, but the two forge a bond that connects them and carries them through the film.

You know, I thought long and hard about this one, and I'm still not quite sure how I feel about it. Tyler and Ally, played by Robert Pattinson and Emilie de Ravin, respectively, are not altogether endearing separately, but they work together. Their personalities balance one another, and their connection onscreen worked.

That said, I found the relationship between Tyler and his father, played by Pierce Brosnan rather trying. I felt the connection between Tyler and his sister Caroline, played by Ruby Jerins to be a heck of a lot more believable and endearing. I also discovered that Robert Pattinson can actually act. Please don't hate me, but his role in the Twilight Saga just doesn't do him justice. (Though yes, his hair still confuses me.)

The ending is honestly what I felt was completely unnecessary in this film. We felt the heartbreak already. We felt the angst between Tyler and Ally. We knew that although this movie moved at a snail's pace most of the time, there was a purpose to it. I don't feel incorporating a national tragedy was necessary to prove the point. That's just me though...the fact is, I left the theatre feeling downright hollow.

I'll give this movie a decent 3 out of 5 because, for the most part, I think the acting was extremely strong, though the plot was predictable. I'd recommend this only for mature viewers, and I'd urge you to remember, this is not a feel-good movie! Below is the trailer for those who've yet to see it.

A few weeks back, I was lucky enough to be invited to participate in a blog tour hosted by Cleverly Inked for one of the books we are all most excited to read...Claire de Lune! Since I'm currently reading it, I thought it would be fun to have a little interview with the author, Christine Johnson, so here we go!



1. How did you come up with the idea for Claire de Lune?

Idea questions are really tough to answer. Because - of course - when I come up with a book I have that one specific moment when I’m dusting the shelves or cooking pasta or staring at an email and I think “Hey! It would be really cool if there were a book about a girl who found out she was a werewolf! I should write that!” But in reality, the ideas come from the all-encompassing total of my experiences. Which is to say that whether I know it or not, everything I’ve ever read or heard or seen is rattling around in my brain like loose jigsaw puzzle pieces, and occasionally they join up in an interesting way and become an idea all their own. The other thing about getting an idea for a book is that (at least for me - I won’t be so foolish as to try and speak for all writers) they don’t come in a fully outlined and nuanced rush. Bits and pieces get added on, and they either stick or they don’t, and the idea gets transformed as I work on the book. I’m not really sure that answers the question, but it’s as close as I think I can get.

2. Did you ever, in a million years, think that you would be writing a book about werewolves?

Yes and no. I’ve always loved stories that were rooted in myth and legend, and werewolves certainly fit into that category. And I spent ages wanting to write books and dreaming of getting them published. But I hadn’t dreamt of writing a werewolf novel specifically. If I had, I would have written it sooner! This sort of goes back to the idea question. When I look at what I’ve written (and what I’m writing) it seems sort of familiar - like I kind of knew it was in my head all along but it just hadn’t formulated itself into a “tellable” story yet.

3. What, or who (if anything) inspired you to become a writer?

I think that the writers I love to read have inspired me to write. As a child, I *always* had my nose buried in a book. I needed books like other children need security blankets or teddy bears. Reading was such an integral part of who I was that the idea of creating something that could be read - adding to the shelves of books I so adored - was an inspiring thought. I was also encouraged to write by several of my High School literature teachers, which had at least as much to do with my writing as the inspiration did.

4. If werewolves went up against vampires, in your opinion, which do you think would prevail and why?

I so love this question! And I had to think about it for a long time. It makes sense that it’s a hard question to answer - vampires and werewolves are pitted against one another fairly frequently in the fantasy canon, which says that in many ways, they’re pretty evenly matched. And they both have variations in their legends/myths that could swing the balance one way or another, depending on how they were matched up. . . but I have to say werewolves. Because in most of the legends, vampires, though savage, are inhibited by the human form they maintain (putting aside the variants where they can shape shift, of course.)

Werewolves, on the other hand, are all about instinct and animal nature. They give themselves over so completely to it that they *actually* transform. I think there’s more raw, unbridled passion and violence in the werewolf world, and in the end, I think it would give them the edge they would need to prevail.

5. How long did it take you to write Claire de Lune?

The first draft took me quite awhile - maybe six months? I wasn’t on a deadline, and I kept tweaking and editing and taking my time with it. The edits took a few more months, and then there was copy editing and proof reading. The time from when Simon Pulse acquired the book to the publication date will be about eighteen months, all told.

6. Are you planning/writing a sequel to Claire de Lune?

Yes! The sequel is being drafted as we speak (well, not *exactly* as we speak, since I’m answering these questions instead of drafting,) and is slated for publication during the summer of 2011.

7. If you could only read one genre of book for the rest of your life, what would you choose and why?

Easy. Young Adult - and not just because I write them. Unlike “adult” books, which are segregated into literature and romance and horror and so on, YA is just . . . YA. So it’s all there. Everything from stories about the nature of life and the universe to romantic comedy to werewolf novels. No other genre would give me that much choice - and I can’t imagine being stuck with anything else forever!

8. Do you have a favourite character in Claire de Lune? If so, who and why?

Other than the obvious answer (Claire,) I really love Emily. She’s so genuine and funny. I hear her voice very clearly in my head, and I always love writing her scenes.

9. If you had to describe Claire de Lune in three words, what would those words would be?

Exciting. Twisty. Unexpected. (This is also a very hard question.)

10. Anything else you want to tell all your excited readers?

I’m as excited as they are - probably more! I’m so thrilled that there are people out there who want to read something I’ve written, and I hope they enjoy it just as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it. I also love hearing from people who’ve read Claire, and emails through my website (www.christinejohnsonbooks.com) or Twitter messages (@cjohnsonbooks) really make my day - knowing that I’ve actually connected with someone like that is amazing, and it makes all the long hours at the computer so worth it!

Thanks so much for having me “over” to your blog for a chat. I’ve had a really great time!



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Stay tuned for my review of Claire de Lune coming soon!

The Friday Fix is a takeover of my Friday blog post by other bloggers who have volunteered their time and energy to "star" in their very own guest post on Friday. Only one mandatory thing - you must answer five of the most random questions I throw your way. The rest is up to you. Remember, if you'd like to be featured on the Friday Fix, shoot me your email, and let me know! So, without further ado, here is Jenn from Book Crazy!



The Most Random Questions in the World...

1.What do you do if you see an endangered animal eating an endangered plant?

Not sure, I might recognize the endangered animal but the endangered plant yeah, I am so NOT a plant person - so I would probably not even notice.


2.If you put a chameleon in a room full of mirrors, what color would it turn?

That would be one confused chameleon! I can honestly say I have taken care of a chameleon before and they are TONS of fun, but if you stick them with all mirrors they just turn brown! Not terribly interesting!


3. Can a hearse carrying a body drive in the carpool lane?

You know, here a woman got pulled over for being in the carpool lane – she told the officer she was pregnant so there were 2 people in the car. He gave her a ticket anyway, which she fought and actually won stating that after the first trimester you are actually caring another person. Several days later, the same officer (who was probably paroling to see if he could find her again) pulled her over again. Only this time he gave her a ticket for having to many people in the drivers seat, the law is only one – and she had to pay the fine, since she'd just proved that the baby was technically a "person"! So...my guess is it probably would not work, because even if he got away with it once, the cop would probably find another reason to give him the ticket!

4. Why does pressing the start button shut down a computer?

And where is the “Any Key” - my BFF used to work in tech support, she would get calls all day long for people looking for the “any key!”

5. If you could only say one word for the rest of your life, what would you choose?

Thank God this is not real – I probably would pick SHH, you know so I can read LOL!

So with all these crazy questions that Melissa has asked – I got one for you...

I recently read a quote – I don't know who said it or where I read it – sorry. But it went something like this, “The people who say we only have one life to lead, obviously never picked up a book.”

Now, obviously I believe this is true, heck I read about 3 books a week...I feel like reading is my drug of choice, that it's an escape for me! So do that make me abnormal? Some might say yes, heck I think even my own family at times would...but honestly, I think I would rather be abnormal, what's normal anyway?

So here's my question – do you feel sorry for those people out there that don't know what there missing because they don't enjoy reading, as much as you do? Are you like me and try to convince someone that they should pick up a great book?

Just the other day at the book store, I was browsing, a girl came up to me, thinking I worked there, and asked for a recommendation. She went on to say that she HATED reading, but had a book report to do, and dreaded it, waiting till the last minute to even pick a book (hence the reason she was there).

WOW I thought to myself, here I am reading 3 books a week or more sometimes, and this girl, who looked to be about 15-16 was totally missing out on worlds that exist only in the imagination of amazing authors? Honestly my heart broke for her!

Though I told her I did not work there, I also said that I was an avid reader of Young Adult fiction and asked what she thought she might like...she said she had NO idea! My heart broke even more...

So, we browsed, I told her about stories I have read and loved, The The Body Finder came up, as did books like Fallen, Harry Potter and Twilight. She looked at me like I was nuts when I suggested Twilight, saying that the kids in school said it was totally fake and random. I looked at her and said, “That's the joy of reading, you get to enter a totally fake, random, beautiful world, leaving behind things like friends, bullies and parents! Honestly, what could be better than that?” Then I used the quote, “The people who say we only have one life to lead, obviously never picked up a book.”

Frankly she looked at me like I was nuts, but I went on...I told her what I felt like when I slipped into a story that things like eating became things I no longer thought about, or cared about! She then looked at me with a look I can only describe as gratitude maybe, she told me the only “real” books she's read were one's that her school had assigned, never thinking to pick something up for the simple pleasure of it.

I grinned, knowing exactly what that felt like – I after all felt the same way as a teen. So, she took my advice, picked up The Body Finder and left, with my email address and website in hand. Just last night she emailed me for another recommendation, she said she had “eaten alive” (her words) The Body Finder, and craved more!

That has to be one of the most gratifying things ever! Granted getting an email from an author or having another person thank me for an awesome review sends me over the moon – but hearing this girl who was so sure that this reading assignment was going to be the worst thing in the entire word, explain that she was now looking forward to the next report that would be due, as long as she got to choose the book! And asking for a recommendation from me for another book that was NOT for a school assignment! Yeah life does not get much better than that.

I know we can't change the world, but reading's brought so much into my life, I would feel lost if I could not share my passion with someone, so today was a good day and though I know the next book she picks up she might hate, and she might even return to her idea's that reading is nothing more than something they “make you do in school” I know that at least today, she found love in a story! And that, makes
me happy!



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Thank you so much, Jenn, and thanks for bearing with my incessant nagging! My friends, if you don't already follow her amazing blog, I suggest you do so right now...here!!!

A final quick note - one of my favourite blogs is hosting a contest to win a copy of Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran. The contest closes March 29th, so make sure you enter while you can!

As children, Eliza Blacknall and William Denton ran wild over the fields of southern Ireland and swore they would be friends forever. Then fate took Will away to England, while Eliza stayed behind to become a proper Irish countess.
Years later, Will finally makes his way home-as an English soldier sent to crush the Irish uprising. When he spies the lovely Eliza, he is captivated by the passionate woman she has become. But Eliza's passions have led her to join the Irish rebel cause, and Will and Eliza now find themselves on opposite sides of a dangerous conflict.
When Ireland explodes in bloody rebellion, Will's regiment is ordered to the front lines, and he is forced to choose between his duty to the English king and his love for Eliza and their Irish homeland.
Taken from GoodReads.

It's the end of the 18th century and Eliza, recently widowed, is an Irish countess devoted to the Irish Rebellion. Though her status demands she remain proper and stay in the place of a woman, Eliza secretly supports her political views, all while maintaining her good name and household according to social expectations. Her whole life plan is thrown into disarray when Will, her childhood sweetheart, returns. The two parted ways when Will decided to join the English Army and Eliza chose to support Ireland at all costs. The two have to face the decisions between right and wrong, and decided whether duty and honour are more important than love and family.

Countess of Scandal (The Daughters of Erin) is not my usual read. I will declare that outright, but I won it from a fellow blogger, and I thought it sounded promising. This book features an extremely strong heroine, and you get to know Eliza almost immediately, seeing into her mind and understanding what drives her actions. She's endearing, almost to a fault, but you get a strong sense of self from her that helps drive the plot and her relationship with Will.

The author, Laurel McKee definitely did her research for Countess of Scandal. I can honestly say I knew nothing very little about Ireland before this. That said, I'm not entirely sure that was the point of the novel. While I felt the plot of the book was strong, I often felt it was a tad overshadowed by facts and the descriptions of Ireland.

Either way, it was beautifully written, and Laurel McKee is a great writer. Countess of Scandal is the first book in the Daughters of Erin trilogy. While I'm not sure this is the type of book for me, it was an entertaining and sweeping read. I give it a fairly strong 3.5 out of 5, and I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys period romances.

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, and spotlights upcoming novels we just can't wait for! We all know there are a ton of great books coming out this year, but this week, I'm particularly excited for...

Title: This Gorgeous Game
Author: Donna Freitas
Release Date: May 25, 2010



I know I know I know I should be grateful. I should be grateful to have his attention. To have him take such an interest in me.

I should. I know I should.
I will. No, you are grateful, Olivia, I tell myself as if I am my self's imaginary friend, sitting across the table, giving advice. Start acting grateful then, she begs.

I have a gift. I have a gift from God, he says. So rare he hasn't seen it in all his many years. I'm the real thing, he says. I'm a once in a lifetime, he says. I'm special and it's his responsibility to take me under his wing, to make sure I don't waste my talent. It would be a sin not to help me, he says. It would be a sin for me not to take his offer of help.

But I swear to God . . . no . . . scratch that . . . I'll not be swearing to God . . . I swear to Who Knows What that his latest demand, this pile of typewritten pages he hands me with a face that says, Please, Olivia, oh please don't be difficult and just do this for me, is staring, no it's glaring at me from the coffee table like a monster that might eat me. I feel like if I touch it I will go up in flames or the pages might bite.

Am I making too much of this? Isn't it just a matter of grabbing hold of the stack and moving it in front of my eyes so my eyes will begin to scan those black marks on the page which will magically arrange themselves into words that my brain will recognize and understand and volia, I'm finished before I know it.

Then, when he asks, because he will ask, I'll be able to answer truthfully, "Yes, I read it. I did," and he will smile and I'll be Good Olivia again.

I wish I'd never won that stupid prize which is what got me noticed by him . . . no . . . what got my writing noticed by him which is what led to the initial introduction which somehow turned into communications and invitations and coffees and attending office hours and going to High Profile Events together--his words--even before the summer started.
Taken from GoodReads.

The combination of the excerpt and that passage are so haunting, and mesmerizing, and beautiful, that I simply can't wait for this one. It doesn't sound like a light fluffy read, or something that will necessarily make me feel very good, but it looks deep and heartfelt. This is definitely one book that I just cannot wait to get my hands on! Plus, I love the work of Donna Freitas. If you haven't read The Possibilities of Sainthood, I highly recommend it!

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading.

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (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 & author, too, so that other Tuesday Teaser participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!



"Eliza held up a candle, leading Will and her mother and sisters down the stairs. The tiny flame barely cast enough light to show them the way through the house, which was pitch-dark now in the in predawn gloom, but it had to be enough."
Countess of Scandal by Laurel McKee


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And now, for my Tuesday Teaser...For those of you who don't know, I do my Tuesday Teaser's differently (and yes, I add this disclaimer every time). Each week, I feature a teensy snippet of something I've written, leave it up all day, then remove it around 11 PM. You're welcome to comment on it, love it, hate it, or simply read it at your leisure...if you'd like, of course. This week's teaser is from my finished MS, Fire and Snow.



That's it, my friends...the Tuesday Teaser is down!

I've been waiting, and waiting, and waaaaiiittttinnnggg for a very important date with Alice in Wonderland, and I finally had it this weekend! I honestly think I've been waiting over a year, and it was totally worth the wait.



19-year-old Alice returns to the magical world from her childhood adventure, where she reunites with her old friends and learns of her true destiny: to end the Red Queen's reign of terror.
Taken from IMDB.

Now, if you don't know the premise of the infamous Alice in Wonderland, I must say I think you've been living under a rock for quite some time. If you read said link though, you might just have an idea of what you're in for. The original tale was imagined to occupy a trio of young girls while bored. Later re-imagined to incorporate more adventures, the true tale was born. That said, I'll admit, the story creeped me out a lot when I was younger.

Onto the film though...I. LOVED. it. Loved, loved, loved it! I knew it would be trippy going in because, as I'm sure many of you are aware, Tim Burton specializes in weird absurd psychotic adventures. His skill was exponentially expanded upon by his incredible cast, including Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter, Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen, and relative newcomer Mia Wasikowska as Alice, herself.

Visually, this film is incredible. It's not like some dusty old Disney flick you remember from your childhood. This movie is alive. The colours, the characters, all of it...it's an intense visual journey/trip from start to finish. And frankly, I wouldn't mind falling down a rabbit hole to find Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter, even though his hair and makeup was far crazier than that of Willy Wonka, which coincidentally, gave me nightmares. This film, however, did not.

The actors played their parts well, even Anne Hathaway (who I'm not too fond of), as the White Queen. I highly recommend seeing this in 3D if you can because it makes it that much more real and allows you to fully immerse yourself in the scenes. That said, I'm sure it's fantastic either way. I give this film 5++++++++++++++++++++ stars out of 5 , and I'll definitely be seeing this again! Below is the trailer for those who've yet to see it!

I've been slacking on my comments this week, so to all those I've missed in the past couple of days, I'm very sorry! I will return a lot of comments today! Unfortunately, I've been a tad under the weather, but I'm a bit more rested today, so I'll get back in the groove today, at least! Moving on...



In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren and features the books you've received during the week. Ok, so without further ado, this week I received:









For Review: A copy of A Season of Eden by J.M. Warwick















For Review: A tenth anniversary copy of Sugar by Bernice L. McFadden














Bought: A copy of Sugar by Rick Riordan


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The lovely Sarah from Book Reviews from Inside an Igloo is hosting her first contest for having over 30 followers, though today, she's over 40!!! You have the opportunity to win a book from The Book Depository (under $20). Please head over her way and show her some blog love! Congratulations, Sarah!!!

He's my teacher. I shouldn't be alone with him. But I can't help that he's irresistible. I let the door silently close at my back. He stared at me, and a taut quiet stretched between us. "I like hearing you play," I said, moving toward him. He turned, in sync with my slow approach. He looked up at me but didn't say anything. I rested my clammy hand on the cold, slick body of the baby grand. "May I?" The muscles in his throat shifted, then he swallowed. "Eden." My knees weakened, like a soft tickling kiss had just been blown against the backs of them. "Is it okay?" I asked. His gaze held mine like two hands joined. He understood what I was really asking. "Let me stay," I said. "Please." "You're going to get me in trouble," he said.
Taken from GoodReads.

The story follows Eden, a very popular high school student who could pretty much have any boy she wanted. The problem is, she wants Mr. Christian, the very young, very attractive music teacher, new to the school. As the two begin to develop a relationship and establish boundaries, Eden learns she must grow and mature to maintain such a relationship, and Mr. Christian must judge his own actions and values.

I received this book from Jennifer Laurens for tweeting about her current contest. It was a thin book, a fairly easy read, and one that I wanted to keep going with. I was a bit wary about the topic of a teacher falling for his student (and vice-versa), but I have to say that J.M. Warwick portrayed it all very classy and clean. There is a kiss, and a lot of energy between both Eden and Mr. Christian, but it's not some sexually explicit novel you'd be ashamed to read.

I felt it was a good coming of age tale, and I enjoyed watching as Eden grew less superficial and more mature as the story progressed. All in all, it was a fine read, and I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good romance, but wants a twist on the normal tale. I give this book a 4 out of 5 for sure!

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And now, for the winner of the signed copy of Hush, Hush...I placed all the entries and names in a hat last night, and the winner is...

Jami from YA Addict!!!

Jami, if you could send me an email with your mailing address, I will send out your book this coming Monday!

As for the winning title that was given to me, well, you'll just have to wait and see! As soon as my edits are finished, I will post new bits...along with the title...on my Tuesday Teaser, so come back and see! And yes, I did choose one of the names given!

The Friday Fix is a takeover of my Friday blog post by other bloggers who have volunteered their time and energy to "star" in their very own guest post on Friday. Only one mandatory thing - you must answer five of the most random questions I throw your way. The rest is up to you. If you would like to participate in an upcoming Friday Fix, feel free to shoot me an email, and we'll set up a day for your takeover! Without further ado...here's SB from Not Too Serious I Hope!



Here are the 5 most random questions in the world!

1. Why do people believe you when you say there are nearly 4 billion stars, but feel the need to check if you say the paint is wet?

Because the paint is tangible -- and right there -- so, much easier to check that than the number of stars...and it's simply fun to do!

2. If an escalator is frozen, does that make it stairs?

Oh totally it does -- and what's even funnier is when they close it off as though it's out of service -- and then you have to take the stairs!

3. If you live in a three-story house, and you're standing on the second floor, isn't it safe to say you're both upstairs and downstairs at the same time?

Indeed. Very democratic of you to notice!

4. Why is there a light in the refrigerator, but there isn't one in the freezer?

I never noticed that before...hm. stumped me.

5. If you're 'caught between a rock and a hard place,' does that mean the rock isn't hard?

It must...or else it's redundant...and that just won't do!

Thank you to Melissa for having me for tea at her blog! I appreciate the opportunity to meet her fellow peers. I am sharing with you a blog entry I wrote two weeks ago after my first month of trying to become a blogger in this crazy space known as the Internet. This is a sample of what happens at my blog, (which is a bit of a mish-mash of what it is to be in my head). My entries are what I think about as a mother, wife, teacher, reader, writer, friend -- I try to be light-hearted and fun...But sometimes it's more serious...whoops! It is a tendency of mine, which is why I entitled my blog Not Too Serious I Hope. L, observer. Life is too short to think too hard about -- or to consider too deeply!! ha ha!! I hope you like!



Last night, as I was staying up way too late to get my bloggy blog to look just so, my brain was a-whirling. I have become increasingly amazed at the time suck-age aspect of Internet Blogging. It can take hours to understand how to fix or create one thing. HOURS! And for what? Why? I think of it as a creative outlet, but it's so much more.

The Internet itself is a New Place to explore. It is a beyond the looking glass inversion of all things us. In it we can hear our inner voice - as we write, as we read; as we are in here and not out there.

Not only is it a place to extend our voices -- it is also a place to read others' thoughts. It's private, personal. There's something very intimate about reading another person's writings. And blog topics, too, can often be quite confidential. And we Bloggers let each other in - in here -- beyond the looking glass where it is safe. It is in our Wonderland where we can share and relate and be.

And so we all have together tumbled as Alice did: only we've ended up in this expansive and limitless place, hoping to share our voice, maybe make a friend. And certainly to capture moments; be suspended in time -- just like Alice.

But I haven't just fallen into the blogging/Internet abyss, I have catapulted myself -- and I'm stuck on the other side. I have become a bit lost in here...I have gone way beyond Alice's mirror and her rabbit hole: I am now a part of a very different world than her Wonderland. This is the World Wide WEB. And it is my Wonderland.

And. I. Am. Always. Late.

The most difficult part about my new Wonderland: my hubby and baby cannot cross and join; they just wait impatiently for me on the other side. They are here in spirit, but with them I cannot accurately share the great lessons I'm learning and adventures I'm traveling; at least not first hand. And the experiences get lost and blurred in the retelling. And so, my Wonderland remains mine (ours) as we all journey together.
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Like Alice's Wonderland, I am carried in many directions in here. And I get overwhelmed! This Internet is a very confusing, entangled place! Unlike Alice, I am definitely not playing a game of cards or chess. My Wonderland is NOT METHODICAL. I innocently try to move in one direction, attempting to create something new, and I end up caught in all the 'how to's'. And once I get out of that mess, and I feel composed once again, I turn around and become bombarded with streams of oncoming distractions: a 'comment' here, and a 'tweet me' there , and a 'follow me' now. AHHH! I become an ensnared mess!

And. Once Again. I. Am. Late.

The clock is ticking and I am hurriedly and busily trying to find that one end of the World Wide Web to unravel myself and continue in a straight, linear, concise and specific manner. I try desperately to find my footing and my focus. As the clock ticks, and I start to hear others from Beyond the Glass calling me, I need to get out of this webby mess and get myself back to my blog! Hopefully, having completed at least one. simple. task. Oh the journey!

As the voices get louder and I try desperately, frantically to get my one task accomplished, I pause for a moment, and look around the whirl-y mess: this is my Wonderland

And I. Am. Alice.

I am suspended in here.

Even when I am running late out there and I have to climb back through the hole and enter the other side of the glass...I am always still partially in here. With You.

But now, I have a Very Important Date.

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Thank you so much SB!!! Now...who's going to see this gem this weekend?!?!?!