Saturday's News and Coffee.

This is something I am gonna try to do all Saturdays.To try and keep you people informed and happy I am going to find interesting pieces of information and post them on Saturday. Since its 12:33 am it is, technically, Saturday already so here it goes.

We know the economy is bad. Most companies are going bankrupt and people are loosing jobs now more than ever. We are all going though economy hell, nobody is being able to get a job, so basically everything is going to bloody hell. But, what about our local bookstores? What is going to happen to them? People don't have money for about nothing these days, so how are they going to be able to afford books? How are our local bookstores going to keep breathing?

Here is a little piece of information I found about this...

http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/02/20/opinion/edbeam.php

Where have all the bookstores gone?

An Authors Whisper

Hello and welcome to An Authors Whisper. Today we have with us the lovely Lisa Mantchev author of Eyes Like stars, her coming out novel. Let me talk a little about the author before the interview.

Lisa Mantchev grew up in the small Northern California town of Ukiah. She can pinpoint her first forays into fiction to the short stories she thumped out on an ancient typewriter. Her senior year at UCI, she wrote Seeking Therapy, which was produced through the playwright's class. Lisa also won the Chancellor's Award For Undergraduate Research in Drama her senior year while studying in the Campuswide Honors Program.

After graduation, Lisa taught English at the Lycée Internationale de Los Angeles and created their Drama After School Program. In between report cards and drafting scripts for Winter and Spring productions, she returned to writing fiction.

She makes her home on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington state with her husband Angel, her daughter Amélie and four hairy miscreant dogs. When not scribbling, she can be found on the beach, up a tree, making jam or repairing things with her trusty glue gun.

Just so you know this is my first interview, I hope you like it. Leave comments and tell your friends about it, everybody is welcome to be a bloody bookaholic.

Why did you decided to write Young Adult?

I didn't actually set out to write a Young Adult novel... I'd been writing short stories and getting them published for about five years before I decided to tackle a novel, and some of those short stories featured young protagonists. A lot of times, I think "YA" is a catch-all term for books that feature teenage main characters.

Is your main character influenced by your own teenage experience?

They say your first novel is the most autobiographical, and that's certainly the case here... Beatrice Shakespeare Smith has a love of theater, which I certainly did. She's a bossy, smart-mouthed, cupcake-loving coffee-swilling drama queen... that's all me. But there are differences. I didn't start dying my hair until I was in college. *G*

Who is your favorite character?

In my book? I really do love the fairies. Their energy is absolutely manic, and I can write REAMS of their dialogue without pausing for breath.

What made you write about fairies?

The book started with the fairies, actually, although it's not a "Fairy" book the way that Tithe or Wondrous Strange is a fairy book. These four are minor players from A Midsummer Night's Dream; because they are characters from a play, I had all the leeway in the world to make them into whatever I wanted.

Are fairies your favorite legendary creature?

I couldn't ever pick a favorite... there are too many fabulous legends, too many years of mythos, and I find them all equally fascinating.

Are you very interested with the mystical, supernatural or the folklore?

Absolutely. Those are the doorways to the imagination, in my opinion.

What inspired you to write this book?

The opening line popped into my head one day: "The fairies flew on wires despite the tendency to get tangled together." So I wrote it as a short story, but it just wouldn't stay short.

We all know the basic idea of the book, but could you go a little more into the story?

Beatrice Shakespeare Smith was left on the doorstep of the Théâtre Illuminata as an infant. Her bedroom is a set onstage. She gets her food from the Green Room and her clean clothes from Mrs. Edith in the Wardrobe Department. She spends her time sword fighting with the pirates and cavorting with the fairies, until the day comes when she has to find her place there or be cast out forever. This book is very much Bertie's journey to find out who she is and where she belongs.

How much time did it take you to write the book?

I started it in July of 2006 and finished the draft in September. The book went through several major revisions after that, though!

Will there be sequels?

It's the first book in a trilogy. I just finished drafting the second book and outlining the third.

Do you think of the fairy world as an escape from reality or actually is it our world enveloped in metaphors?

I prefer my escapes from reality. Neverland, Narnia, fairy kingdoms... I want them nicely set aside from our own world, because then I can get there. If you need me on Tuesdays, take the second star on the right.

If you were to give advice to the young writers of today, what would you say to them?

Do two things every day: Write, and read. You need to treat it like a job, putting in the hours, putting the words on paper. Complete the stories. Edit them to the best of your ability. Then start write something else. And read everything you can get your hands on.

Oh and I just had to ask, can you give us a little preview of the next book? anything?

I would, but the fairies have threatened to leave a big dead fish in my bed if I give anything away....

Extra:

Favorite fictional character:

Anne Shirley, from Anne of Green Gables

What do you like to do besides writing? Hobbies?

I love putting together costumes, visiting Disneyland, dancing to old swing music, watching movies... I also do super-domestic stuff like make my own bread and jam.

Can you give us a list of like 5 of your ultimate you-have-to-read-because-they-are-so-awesome books?

Seriously, I'd rather have the fairies pull my toenails out with pliers than answer that question. I've read brilliant books and funny books and sad books, well-written and boring, sloppily written and fascinating... I go through phases when I read nothing but new material and others where nothing but the books I read as a kid will do. People are free to visit my MySpace page... I have a list of authors there if you want a better idea of what's on my nightstand.

And the To Read pile? Is going topple over and squash me flat one of these days.

Ky: I just love a person who can quote Peter Pan =]
Taschima: And I just love a very good author that takes her time to talk to the little people. I'm anxious to read Lisa's book, as a lot of you surely are.

If you want to learn more about Lisa, and her upcoming novel, go to her website www.lisamantchev.com, or you could visit her myspace page www.myspace.com/lisamantchev.

Eyes Like stars comes out in July 7, 2009, but you can pre-order it right now! at
http://www.amazon.com/Eyes-Like-Stars-Lisa-Mantchev/dp/0312380968

Almost there...

Another day and I post the interview. You excited? I know I am ^^. Try to tell as many people as you can, this book is a very interesting book and the promotion is not bad you know? So it can sell even more =].

Anyways enough about that, how was your day guys? anything interesting? met any supernatural creatures? taken any tests? Same old stuff? I got a new book, a children's book actually, its called Little Vampire. A friend of mine was trying to find this book that I read as a little child, but sadly this one was not it. But still pretty sweet uh?


PS; Does anybody know how to do a poll here? MAYDAY!!HELP!!! AYUDA!!

YA Review: The Luxe by Anna Godbersen

Title: The Luxe
Author: Anna Gobbersen
Series: The Luxe
Book #: 1
Pages: 433
Reading Level: YA
Book Rating: 
Goodreads Rating: 3.69
Published: Nov. 20, 2007
by HarperCollins

"A cold snap had greeted all of New York that morning, rendering the sky above an unfathomable gray. It was as if God could no longer imagine beauty now that Elizabeth Holland no longer walked his earth"

Beautiful sisters Elizabeth and Diana Holland rule Manhattan's social scene. Or so it appears. When the girls discover their status among New York City's elite is far from secure, suddenly everyone—from the backstabbing socialite Penelope Hayes, to the debonair bachelor Henry Schoonmaker, to the spiteful maid Lina Broud—threatens Elizabeth's and Diana's golden future.

With the fate of the Hollands resting on her shoulders, Elizabeth must choose between family duty and true love. But when her carriage overturns near the East River she is swallowed by the rough current. As all of New York grieves, some begin to wonder whether life at the top proved too much for this ethereal beauty, or if, perhaps, someone wanted to see Manhattan's most celebrated daughter disappear...

Taschima's POV:

This book is compelling, enchanting, a wonderful story about love, and being true to yourself.A tell about choices, dreams, and just how far are you willing to go to make them come true, but also about a world of luxury and deception, where appearance is what matters the most and breaking the social code means running the risk of being ostracized forever.
It was pretty hard for me to get into this book, but after a few pages you get quite into it. I loved the ending, I think it was great, probably my favorite part of the book. It lets you wondering, and begging for more.

Favorite Character: Diana

Although she may be a little childish at times she has everything I like in a character, which is someone who can think outside of the box, bright but who is also a bit of a rebel, indeed, Diana Holland will capture your interest, if not your heart.

Happy Valentines! or, for the more cynic like myself, Happy National Suicide Day!

Happy valentines day guys! I sure hope you and your honey are not reading my blog right this instant but are going out on a date, a full out all day date, aren't those the best? and if you don't have a honey this valentines day don't worry I DON'T EITHER! isn't it swell? I know! But I do have a valentines day date, in fact I have two! My mother and my BF Ky, I mean what more you could ask for right?

Talking about happier stuff, you remember that interview I was gonna have? Well it is not a POSSIBLE, we ARE going to have an interview with Lisa Mantchev about her "coming out" new book Eyes Like Stars: Theatre Illuminata. Since I am a nice person, I'm gonna take pity on your soul and tell you a little about the book.

Enter Stage Right.

All her world's a stage.

Beatrice Shakespeare Smith is not an actress, yet she lives in a theater.
She's not an orphan, but she has no parents.
She knows every part, but she has no lines of her own.
Until now.

Welcome to the Théâtre Illuminata, where the characters of every play ever written can be found behind the curtain. They were born to play their parts, andare bound to the Théâtre by The Book--an ancient and magical tome of scripts. Bertie is not one of them, but they are her family--and she is about to lose them all and the only home she has ever known.

Pretty cool uh? I KNOW! Its going to be an awesome interview about an awesome book! So tell your friends and tell everybody you know! The interview has just a little touches I need to finish and then its a go-go!

YA Review: Switch by Carol Snow

Title: Switch

Author: Carol Snow
Series: No
Book #: 1
Pages: 215
Reading Level: YA
Book Rating: 
Published: Sept. 09, 2008
by HarperTeen

Claire Martin has some serious body issues.

Not much happens in Claire's sleepy beach town, but that's okay. All she wants is to hang out with her best friend, make the high school swim team, and convince Nate, the guy of her dreams, to stop calling her "Dude." And, oh—she'd really, really like to stay in her own skin.
Ever since Claire hit her teens, electrical storms have been making her switch bodies. Usually she's back to her old self in no time. But when something goes terribly wrong, she finds herself stuck as another girl. And not just any girl, but the icy beauty who has caught Nate's eye.

Suddenly Claire goes from being Miss Average to Miss Gorgeous—the model-thin blonde that every girl wants to look like and every guy wants to date. Will she ever figure out how to get back to her old life? More importantly, will she want to?

Taschima'c POV:

This is a "Be careful what you wish for" kinda novel. Claire the typical girl with shoulders as wide as the sea gets switch with the amazonian beauty that's called Larrissa. This is not her first switching, she has switch before during storms and a freaky experiment in science class, but it is the first time when she, herself, did not want to leave back all that is being given to her. What will Claire do? Be stuck for ever in the body of an amazonian goddess and leave its former owner to wander for eternity? or is she just gonna deal with it and leave all this perfect world behind?

Now this is my question, if a person loves you, shouldn't they see beyond the surface? This is a good novel that gets you thinking about people being superficial, even Claire borders at superficial at times, is just something that humanity apparently has implanted in their brains, its even worse when you are a teenager x].

On another note my day sucked and I did nothing this weekend, besides watching buffy. Isnt Spike hot? I think he is, hes my favorite character besides Willow. Keep reading people, maybe you wont get stuck in Sunnydale as moi.

Eternal Grand Prize Giveaway Package

I love a goodgiveaway, I mean its just amazing, the aroma of free books is just...tantalizing. In celebration of the Feb. 10 release of Eternal (Candlewick), author Cynthia Leitich Smith is giving away several prize packages, some including signed copies of the novel, tie-in T-shirts, finger puppets, stickers, guardian-angel tokens, and more!

A little Inf about the book
Eternal is the second book in a three-set of companions that also includes Tantalize (Candlewick, 2007) and Blessed (Candlewick, TBA). The novels are set in a multi-creature-verse that includes vampires, shapeshifters, angels, ghosts, etc. In Eternal, we find out that the vampire hierarchy is located in Chicago. In Blessed, which the author is writing right now, we may go to the U.S. Wolf pack.

Book description

At last, Miranda is the life of the party: all she had to do was die. Elevated and adopted by none other than the reigning King of the Mantle of Dracul, Miranda goes from high-school theater wannabe to glamorous royal fiend overnight. Meanwhile, her reckless and adoring guardian angel, Zachary, demoted to human guise as the princess’s personal assistant, has his work cut out for him trying to save his girl’s soul and plan the Master’s fast-approaching Death Day gala. In alternating points of view, Miranda and Zachary navigate a cut-throat eternal aristocracy as they play out a dangerous and darkly hilarious love story for the ages.

About the Author
Cynthia Leitich Smith is the acclaimed author of TANTALIZE and several other books for young readers. A member of the faculty at the Vermont College MFA program in writing for children and young adults, she lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband, author Greg Leitich Smith.

Anyways here is the link:

http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=163318678&blogID=468996771

Start writing away =]

Pulse Spring Fling contest!

To enter, simply send an email to pulsespringfling@gmail.com with the words Pulse Spring Fling! in the subject line and answer the question, "Who is your favorite fictional couple?" in the body of the email.

One entry per person, US residents only. Contest begins January 1, 2009 and ends February 14, 2009. Winners will be announced Monday, March 2nd, with prizes delivered mid-March.

Stephen King's mayor critic

I was just at Reviewer X's Blog and she came across this critic from Stephen King towards Stephenie Meyer, where he says that Stephenie can't write worth a darn. Here is the link:

http://omg.yahoo.com/news/stephen-king-on-twilight-author-stephenie-meyer-can-t-write-worth-a-darn/18406?nc


I dont know but if this is right what does it mean? That you do not need to write very well to become one of the most popular authors in the world and be an pop culture icon? Do you only need to tell a good story to become a major author? Well it was a cold slap for Stephenie, but in part SK is kinda right. Anyways, what do you think about this? Pro SK or not?

1st in Series Challenge 2009

Thoughts of Joy hosted this cool challenge this year. By the time I'd heard about it, it was too late in the game to join. I had planned to sign up in 2009, but found out that Joy will no longer be hosting challenges after this year. Although I understand why, she will be sorely missed. As you know, she has been the Queen of Book Challenges. :) So as not to let this challenge die, I'd like to host this challenge in 2009. I'll be listing a couple other challenges that she hosted in a bit. First this one.

Guidelines for 1st in Series Challenge 2009

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.

2. Read 12 books that are the first in any series. You may read & list your chosen books any time during the year.

3. Challenge begins January thru December, 2009.

4. You can join anytime between now and December 31, 2009.


When you sign up under Mr. Linky, put the direct link to your post where your 1st in Series books will be listed. If you list just your blog’s URL, it will be removed.

1. Rainbow High by Alex Sanchez

2. The Luxe by Anna Godbersen

3. Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev

4. Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

5. Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston

6. If Angel Burn by Lynn Viehl

7. Ghostgirl by Tonya Hurley

8. A Vampire Huntress Legend by L.A. Banks

9. Evermore, the Immortals by Alison Noel

10. Minion by L.A. Banks

11. The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong

12. Another Faust by Daniel & Dina Nayeri

2009 Young Adult Book Challenge

Guidelines for 2009 Young Adult Book Challenge

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.

2. Read 12 Young Adult novels. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.

3. Challenge begins January thru December, 2009.

4. You can join anytime between now and December 31, 2009.

This is an amazing challenge since I pass my time reading YA books. I think I may do more than it is required but then again I always do.

My list:
1. Uninvited by Amanda Marrone
2. Rainbow High by Alex Sanchez
3. Switch by Carol Snow
4. The Luxe by Anna Godbersen
5. Eyes Like Stars: Theatre Illuminata by Lisa Mantchev
6. Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston
7. City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
8. Midnight Alley by Rachel Caine
9. Stargazer by Claudia Gray
10. Rumors by Anna Godbersen
11.
12.

Review: Lover Unbound by J.R.Ward

Title: Lover Unbound

Author: J.R.Ward
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood
Book #: 5
Pages: 528
Reading Level: YA
Book Rating: 
Published: Sept. 25th, 2007
by Signet Eclipse

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there’s     a deadly war raging between vampires and their slayers. And there exists a secret band of brothers like no other—six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Now, the cold heart of a cunning predator will be warmed against its will… 

Ruthless and brilliant, Vishous son of the Bloodletter possesses a destructive curse and a frightening ability to see the future. As a pretrans growing up in his father's war camp, he was tormented and abused. As a member of the Brotherhood, he has no interest in love or emotion, only the battle with the Lessening Society. But when a mortal injury puts him in the   care of a human surgeon, Dr. Jane Whitcomb compels him to reveal his inner pain and taste true pleasure for the first time- until a destiny he didn't choose takes him into a future that cannot include her.

Taschima's POV:

I love this book, in fact I love the entire series, it was awesome and everybody should read it. Its one of the books that you only wish the story could go on and on. This is the story about V, the ruthless and brilliant brother. Life has not been fair to V, and that is even more evident when he gets shot. Has live gotten worse than it already was? or have things change for the better as he meets Doc. Jane Whitcomb? Guess you will have to find out...