Happy Publication Date PIP

Just a quick heads up for those of you who are looking for a fast, fun read!

Be sure to check this one out!!!

Click HERE to go to my review.

Teaser Tuesday!

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted at Should Be Reading.

My teaser this week comes from: Goddess With A Blade by Lauren Dane.

Teaser:  "I'm not here for a tea party, Scion. In case it hadn't occurred to you, I have a murderer to find and stake before the cops find him and suddenly I have to deal with the body count and the television cameras."

Amazon Product Description:

Rowan Summerwaite is no ordinary woman. Physical vessel to the Celtic Goddess Brigid and raised by the leader of the Vampire Nation, she's a supercharged hunter with the power to slay any vampire who violates the age-old treaty.

A recent string of murders has her at odds with Las Vegas's new Scion, the arrogant and powerful Clive Stewart. The killings have the mark of Vampire all over them, and Rowan warns Clive to keep his people in line—or she'll mete out her own brand of justice.
Though her dealings with Clive are adversarial to say the least, Rowan is intensely aware of her attraction to him. But she can't let it distract her from her duty—to find and battle the killer before more women die.

Review: A Tale of Two Castles by Gail Carson Levine

A Tale of Two Castles by Gail Carson Levine

I got this eARC from NetGalley free of charge, they encourage reviews.

Amazon Product Description:

Newbery Honor author of Ella Enchanted Gail Carson Levine weaves a spellbinding tale about a clever heroine, a dragon detective, and a shape-shifting ogre.

Newly arrived in the town of Two Castles, Elodie unexpectedly becomes the assistant to a brilliant dragon named Meenore, and together they solve mysteries. Their most important case concerns the town’s shape-shifting ogre, Count Jonty Um: Someone is plotting against him. Elodie must disguise herself to discover the source of the threat amid a cast of characters that includes a greedy king, a giddy princess, and a handsome cat trainer.

Readers who loved Ella Enchanted and Fairest will delight in this tale of a spirited heroine who finds friendship where she least expects it and discovers that goodness and evil come in all shapes and sizes.

My Thoughts:  
Once again Gail Carson Levine has created a masterpiece!  This is an amazing story!  The characters are fantastic and the story is clever and intriguing.  Elodie is a wonderful heroine.  
Meenore is incredible. Count Jonty Um is more human than most, especially for a shape-shifting ogre.  The King is awful (but he's supposed to be).  
This is a story of courage, friendship, misconception, misdirection, and the value of goodness and honesty.  My favorite thing about this story is that it shows that every once in awhile when life takes an unexpected turn and you end up somewhere you didn't think you wanted to be, what you find there is home.

2011 Summer Romance Reading Challenge

Hosted by Book Chick City!

Link to 2011 Summer Romance Challenge HERE!

The goal is 8 books! Mine are here!

1. Danann Frost Embraces the Dark by Joanne Valiukas - currently reading

Blog Tour: The Misadventures of Phillip Isaac Penn

 Welcome to The Wormhole and my day to host:

Click here for the Blog tour link.
Please welcome author Donna L. Peterson!

? When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I first realized that I wanted to be an author when I was 7 years old.  I wrote a silly story about a lonely Christmas tree who still lived in the forest.  My mother shared it with all of our relatives that Christmas, and after they applauded I knew I wanted to be a writer.

? How many jobs did you have before you became a writer?

I've had a variety of jobs throughout my lifetime, most of them have had something to do with writing.  In my current job I help teach children writing skills.  Prior to this 12 year full-time job I used to write a weekly newspaper column for many years.  It was a humorous column about motherhood, called Kaleidoscope.  Before that I used to write real estate ads about the houses for sale.  Have you ever seen one listed as a "Cozy Cottage"?  I've also written many articles as a freelance writer for magazines.

? How long does it take you to write a book?

It usually takes my entire summer to write a children's chapter book.  I'm fortunate to have off summers since I work for a school.  The editing and re-editing I make myself do, takes a few more months.  The entire process takes about 6 months. However, the novel I've been working on in private, is a work in progress that has already been a few years of research and editing.

? What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

Hmmm.  My most interesting writing quirk might be that I have to start out writing my books in a spiral notebook before I can enter them into the computer.  I think best with a pen in my hand!  I also have my best ideas in the middle of the night.  Come to think of it, I probably have quite a few quirks!!!

? Do you have a routine that you use to get into the right frame of mind to write?

The only routine I use to get into the right frame of mind is getting out my spiral notebook and putting a pen in my hand.  After that, the words basically write themselves.

? Where do you get your ideas or inspiration for your characters?

For my children's book characters I've had a lot of inspiration.  I've worked as a governess in Norway, a pre-school teacher and now I've worked for the public elementary and intermediate schools for the last 12 years.  I've learned that children everywhere go through many of the same problems and must deal with a multitude of different personalities throughout their childhood.  And most children probably feel as if they are the only ones getting picked on.  It truly isn't easy being a kid!!!

? How do you decide what you want to write about?

I  really don't decide what to write.  Ideas just present themselves to me, and I write about them.

? What books have most influenced your life?

The books that influenced me early on were: Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl,  which inspired me to keep a diary through my teen years.  I also love all of the Anne of Green Gables  books, and hope to someday visit Prince Edward's Island.

? What do you like to do when you are not writing?

When I'm not writing, I'm reading a book, making jewelry, camping/fishing, and enjoying photography (I used to have my own darkroom where I developed my pictures, but now I've gone digital and my darkroom is my office).

? What is your favorite comfort food?

I  love to make my grandma's recipe for Swedish meatballs.  They are delicious!

? What do you think makes a good story?

Many things help to make a "good story", but I've always felt interesting characters are the number one best way to hook readers.  For novels, I think a good setting also helps set the mood and generate interest.

? Who would you consider your favorite author and why?

I  have far too many favorite authors.  For young readers I adore L.M. Montgomery.  For a more mature audience I'm crazy about Janet Evanovich and her Stephanie Plum books.  Both of these authors make you feel as if you know their characters personally.

? What book, if any, do you read over and over again?

Besides the Bible, I like to read the humorous stories of Erma Bombeck, like: If Life is a Bowl of Cherries What am I Doing in the Pits?  I laugh every time I read one of her books.

Fun random questions: 

·        dogs or cats?  Cats

·        Coffee or tea?  Iced tea

·        Dark or milk chocolate? Dark chocolate

·        Rocks or flowers?  That's pretty easy...Flowers.  Although, if the rock is a diamond, that would be different. 

·        Night or day?  I'm a night owl!

·        Favorite color?  Blue

·        Crayons or markers? Markers

·        Pens or pencils?   Pens (they glide faster when I'm writing)

Thanks for stopping by! 
Don't forget to check out the rest of the tour.

Other hosts for today are:

For What It’s Worth and Marjolein Book Blog

The next hosts are: 

June 6

Manga Maniac Cafe and Fire and Ice

Click HERE for my review!

Here are some links for this fun book:

Facebook Fan Page - www.facebook.com/misadventuresofpip

Goodreads page - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11010453-the-mis-adventures-of-phillip-isaac-penn

Poster page - http://www.misadventuresofpip.com/
Find The MIS-adventures of Phillip Isaac Penn by Donna L. Peterson at the following spots:
Amazon
Powell’s Books
Indiebound
Goodreads

Spring into Summer Read-a-thon!

Can't wait to take 2 days just to read!  Maybe I can get caught up on some reviews!

Click HERE to sign up - - - Click HERE to get to Squeaky Books

This is where I will list the books I get read and the links to their reviews!

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