Mundie Moms

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Lemniscate Blog Tour


The Lemniscate blog tour kicked off yesterday and I totally dropped the ball. I have had a lot on my mind since Wednesday afternoon (you can read my Thoughtful Thursday post to see why), and I was suppose to post a recap of my review for Lemniscate, you can read my full review which was posted last month here, and I didn't get it up. Really I didn't post anything that I personally had scheduled for yesterday. I apologize to Jennifer and to The Teen Book Scene for that. Today along with my interview with Jennifer I'm doing a recap of my review and why we enjoy this series.

Published by Lands Atlantic Publishing, LLC
Released on March 21st, 2011
4 stars- It's A Good Read

For Teagan, these last few months have been heaven on earth- especially now that Garreth, her boyfriend and guardian angel, is earthbound. But perhaps Garreth is becoming a little more human than either of them expected.
Now, Teagan must realize that her world is once again about to shift, as she questions the faith she held in others against those once considered enemies.
In this continuation of Angel Star, Lemniscate will draw you even deeper into the world of dark and light as Teagan realizes the angel who could possibly save them all is the one angel she feared the most (quoted from Goodreads).

Jennifer first introduces us to her characters, world and her unique angel mythology in her debut book Angel Star. In Lemniscate her characters Tegan, her guardian angel Garreth and Hadrian, the "bad boy" angel become more in-depth, her mythology richer and she throws in a lot more twists, which cause her characters to make some tough choices.

What I like about Lemniscate is how Teagan really grows as a character. Through the series she always has a choices to make, and I think with Lemniscate the choices she makes help her reach her full potential within the series. She's caught in the middle of a classic good vs evil war, and she's the one that has to choose which side she is on. Which is easier said than done since her heart is torn between the two guys/angels who stand on both sides of the war. I even found myself switching sides on which angel I ended up liking the most with this story.

Lemniscate has a few elements I really like in a good read.... love, redemption, second chances and of course heart break, which is caused by letting go of someone you love. This is a great series that I recommend picking up.


I'm so excited to have Jennifer with us today! Recently I was able to ask her a few questions about Lemniscate.

In three words how would you describe Lemniscate?
Dark, haunting, redemption

How would you compare and contract writing your sequel Lemniscate to writing your debut book, Angel Star?
I began writing Lemniscate the day I finished Angel Star so it was a natural progression into the next installment. I knew right away the book would be darker and edgier compared to Angel Star and I was really excited to dig a bit deeper, pulling that into my writing. Lemniscate also did not take as long to write – about three months worth.

I really enjoyed the richer mythology and getting to know the characters more. Did any of the characters surprise you in turns of the choices they make?
Thank you! To be honest with you, no, I knew the direction the characters would head in from the day I sat down at my computer. Maybe some things they said or little scenes here and there weren’t fully planned or anticipated but overall, I knew the outcome of the story right away.

We're a little torn between being team Garreth and team Hadrian. Who are some of your fictional angel characters in YA books?
I understand the feeling! As the creator of both characters of course I’m rooting for both teams. But to answer your question, I really haven’t read any other angel books. Can you believe that??

We've really enjoyed reading your books. Do you have any upcoming projects you can tell us about?
Well, my brain is very full of ideas! Hopefully some of those ideas will turn into books. I did currently finish a YA contemporary that I’m shopping and have proposed another idea to my current publisher. Still can’t spill anything yet – even I don’t know what to expect! But hopefully soon!

Thank you to Jennifer for being with us today and to The Teen Book Scene for putting the blog tour together.

Friday, April 29, 2011

The Faerie Ring Trailer

Kiki Hamilton posted the book trailer for her soon to be debut, The Faerie Ring, which is already one of my favorite reads for this year. I love this book.


What do you guys think? You can read my blurb for the book here and be sure to visit Kiki's site here. I'm so excited and honored that my blurb is on Kiki's book marks and on the ARC of The Faerie Ring. I can not wait to have Kiki on Mundie Moms later this year when The Faerie Ring is released.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Book Review- Through Her Eyes


Published by HarperTeen
Released on April 5th, 2011
Source- ARC received from publisher for review
4 stars- I enjoyed it

Every ghost has a story to tell.

The last place Tansy Piper wants to be is stuck in Cedar Canyon, Texas, in the middle of nowhere, with a bunch of small-town kids. But when her mother decides to move to the desolate West Texas town, Tansy has no choice but to go along. Once there, Tansy is immediately drawn to the turret of their rickety old house, a place she soon learns has a disturbing history. But it's the strange artifacts she finds in the cellar—a pocket watch, a journal of poetry, and a tiny crystal—that have the most chilling impact on her.

Tansy soon finds that through the lens of her camera, she can become part of a surreal black-and-white world where her life is intertwined with that of mysterious, troubled Henry, who lived in the same house and died decades earlier. It seems their lives are linked by fate and the artifacts she found, but as Tansy begins spending more and more time in the past, her present world starts to fade away. Tansy must untangle herself from Henry's dangerous reality—before she loses touch with her own life forever (quoted from Goodreads).


Jennifer Archer's writing is refreshing, poetic and realistic. It's one of those stories that makes you wonder if this town is real and if the ghost stories really happened. I think Jennifer's portrayal of a small TX town was spot on. I felt like I was apart of the story and the world in which Jennifer created.

I was really captivated with the way Jennifer wove together history with modern day and added that perfect paranormal twist to her story. I was so caught up in how Tansy, her grandfather Papa Dan, Tate and Henry were all connected, I couldn't put the book down. I needed answers. Tansy was a character I sympathized with. Though I personally don't know what it's like having a mother who's a well known writer and having to move from town each time she starts a new book, I felt I got to know what it's like getting to know Tansy. Tansy and her mother had a relationship that was a bit broken, but it wasn't one that lacked love. Mixed with Tansy's feeling of isolation and feeling friendless is Henry, the ghost who haunts the home Tansy, her mother and Papa Dan move into.

Jennifer's writing really allowed me to feel the emotions that Tansy and Henry felt and were feeling. It was no surprise they were drawn to each other, even though my motherly instincts wanted to grab Tansy and get her the heck out of there, I also found myself drawn to Henry and I wanted to find out what the historical connection he had with Tansy's Grandfather, Papa Dan. The setting also played a huge role with the emotions. Cedar Canyon is a tiny little town in the middle of now where and the old home Tansy moves into it is very haunted. I understood the emotions Tansy went through. Having moved from San Francisco the tiny town USA where everyone grew up knowing each other, Tansy has to worry about fitting in.

Tansy has a great cast of supporting characters around her. Each character had a roll to play and they did so well. I should say, each character was written true to life. Papa Dan was my favorite character, and surprisingly he doesn't have a lot of speaking roles, but it's his presence and his role in Henry's history that I found most fascinating. I loved the relationship he and Tansy had. It was unique, strong and one full of genuine love and concern. It really made me miss having my grandfather around. There's a great love interest with Tate. Through out the whole story I was back and forth with him. I liked it, but then I wanted to know what his ulterior motive was, then I wanted Tansy to fall for him, then I questioned his true feelings, much like Tansy was doing. I couldn't help but love his character, and my only compliant with the book was not having more scenes with Tate.

Through Eyes is a beautifully haunting, rich story. Jennifer's writing is so captivating. She brings her story to life in such a unique way. It's a ghost story with a rich history that takes place in modern day and will also transport you back in time, so you're not only getting to meet people in Tansy's life now, but those that were in her Papa Dan's life. There's a lot of elements to this story, mystery, romance, friendship, teenage life, small town life, and family relationships all wrapped up around a haunting ghost story. Let me just say, Jennifer Archer's setting makes me want to take a road trip up to the TX Panhandle. I recommend picking up Through Her Eyes. I'm looking forward to reading more YA books from Jennifer.

Don't miss Jennifer's Guest Post HERE where she shared her inspiration for her setting with us.

Wings Read Along Challenge Update


THANK YOU to everyone who participated in our WINGS Read Along! We had a lot of fun chatting about Wings with you. We have some shocking and exciting news...... WE WON!! We are still shocked we won, and we're so excited. We found out last week and we were going to keep it a secret until we received our personal video from Aprilynne and the exclusive short story, but we couldn't wait any longer. YAY!! Thank you to all of you for being apart of this. We're definitely planning some more read alongs here on MM's.

We'll be sharing the video and exclusive short story here on Mundie Moms just as soon as receive them. In mean time, be sure to pick up Spells and read that before May 3rd, when the third book, Illusions is released. You can visit Aprilynne's site here to watch the book trailer and read some teasers. THANK YOU to Harper Teen for putting the Read Along together.

Thoughtful Thursday- Run For Your Life & The Ovarian Cancer Foundation for Living



CANCER. It's that dirty word we all love to hate. Yes, I said hate, a word I can't stand but it's the only word I can think of to describe cancer. One day you can be fine and the next day you wake up and wham.... your whole is forever changed. It's the dirty word that robs life of some of it's brightest people. It doesn't matter if you're male, female, what you look like, what your age is, cancer knows no boundaries. Lately it seems it's effecting so many people I know. Now the fight against cancer has become a lot more personal for me.


Today's post is a little personal to me. It's not the first time I've posted about cancer on our Thoughtful Thursday post and it won't be the last. There's too many various forms of cancer that all need aid in finding a cure for. I had already planned on posting about Charlie Bewley's Run For Your Life, which is an Ultramarathon Run he'll be doing on May 1st to support The Lions Gate Hospital Foundation. Charlie's run is a personal one and he's running in memory of a friend he lost to cancer to this year. Please go HERE to read his touching story about his friend Jocelyn and why he choose to take part in this amazing charity. Go HERE to donate to help Charlie raise money for this amazing foundation.

You can also visit Myra McEntire's site HERE to read more about the race and find out what giveaways she's hosting to those who donate to Charlie's cause. What I've not mentioned is the amazing prize pack Summit is giving away to one lucky donator. Be sure to click on Charlie's link above to donate and to see what you'll be entered to win.


Along with Charlie's amazing cause, and seriously I envy the fact he's going to do an UltraMarathon, lots of positive thoughts to him in completing something so grueling, yesterday I found out a wonderful person, and friend of mine died of Ovarian Cancer. The most shocking part about it is she was diagnosed three weeks ago. To say it put things into perspective for me about how truly precious life is and how unimportant the petty things are, is an understatement. She was truly one of those people who lit up the room and made everyone around her feel better about themselves. She was a teacher and some one who's left a mark on everyone she knew. Cancer has claimed another amazing person and in memory of her, I am spot lighting The Ovarian Cancer Foundation for Living.

It doesn't matter if you can donate $100, $20, $1 or even 50 cents. Every little bit helps in finding cures for cancer. If you have a cancer foundation you donate to, please feel free to post it in the comments. Today, here's to celebrating life, and finding a cure!

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Book Review- Clarity

Published by Scholastic Point
Released on February 24th, 2011
Source- Book from publisher to review
4 stars- I enjoyed it

When you can see things others can't, where do you look for the truth?

This paranormal murder mystery will have teens reading on the edge of their seats.

Clarity "Clare" Fern sees things. Things no one else can see. Things like stolen kisses and long-buried secrets. All she has to do is touch a certain object, and the visions come to her. It's a gift.

And a curse.

When a teenage girl is found murdered, Clare's ex-boyfriend wants her to help solve the case--but Clare is still furious at the cheating jerk. Then Clare's brother--who has supernatural gifts of his own--becomes the prime suspect, and Clare can no longer look away. Teaming up with Gabriel, the smoldering son of the new detective, Clare must venture into the depths of fear, revenge, and lust in order to track the killer. But will her sight fail her just when she needs it most?

A fun, addicting, murder mystery with a twist.

I can't pin point exactly what it was about Clarity that made me devour the book in one sitting. I'm not sure if it was the murder mystery with a twist, Kim's engaging writing style, Clarity and the great cast of characters or the laid back setting of a small coastal town the sucked me in. I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this fun, quick read.

Clarity is written in such a fun way. She's quirky, snarky, witty, upbeat and a character I enjoyed getting to know. Not to mention she has a cool paranormal power, which just happens to run in the family. She's a psychic, her mom's a telepath and her brother Perry is a medium. I loved Clarity's family and their close knit relationship. They all work together and seem to always have each other's backs, especially when Perry becomes the main suspect in a murder.

I thought Kim did a great job in writing her murder mystery. I suspected everyone Clarity did, from the cheating ex-boyfriend, to the new hot, mysterious boy Gabriel, to the guys that have always picked on Clarity. I really liked the way Kim introduces each of these guys. Just as I think I figured out who the killer is, she reveals more about each character and then throws another twist into the plot. Along with my suspicions with who committed the murders, was who Clarity was falling in love with. I'll admit, as much as I wanted to dislike Justin, the ex boyfriend, the more I got to know him, the more I liked him. Than there's Gabriel who I still have my suspicions about, but it's not hard to like this bad boy. I can't forget the ending.... let me just say that while Clarity was able to solve the murder mystery, she hasn't solved who her heart belongs to. I'm just going to throw this out there that I'm all for Clarity falling in love with Nate, her brothers best friend. No that's not a spoiler, as there's nothing romantic between the two. Nate is a character I wanted to know more about.

This is a fun, fast paced read that I recommend picking up. There is some mentions of sex, but no graphic scenes. I think this is a book readers 14 yrs & older would enjoy. I am really looking forward to reading Perception, the sequel to Clarity.

Waiting on Wednesday- Shift

Published by Simon Pulse
To Be Released on May 3rd, 2011

Aura’s life is anything but easy. Her boyfriend, Logan, died, and his slides between ghost and shade have left her reeling. Aura knows he needs her now more than ever. She loves Logan, but she can’t deny her connection with the totally supportive, totally gorgeous Zachary. And she’s not sure that she wants to.

Logan and Zachary will fight to be the one by her side, but Aura needs them both to uncover the mystery of her past—the mystery of the Shift.

As Aura’s search uncovers new truths, she must decide whom to trust with her secrets…and her heart.

We are big fans of Jeri Smith-Ready and loved Shade. We're really looking forward to reading her sequel Shift, which releases NEXT WEEK!!! Next week we'll have Jeri on MM's for an interview, I'll also share my review of Shift and next month we're having Jeri on for a live author chat!!

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine.
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Mundie Moms is taking part in an awesome blog tour for Shift. Each stop will not only have a unique post, but will also be giving away 2 copies of SHIFT, plus an extra surprise gift!! Each blog who's hosting their own giveaway will end those giveaways 24 hrs AFTER they made their post. That's not all. There is an amazing Grand Prize to be won which includes annotated copies of Shade, Shift AND an ARC of the third book in the series from Jeri. Plus, an ipod shuffle! I know, AWESOME Grand Prize that one lucky person who follows the tour will get to win. To enter, and the reason why I'm posting this now is because the blog tour kicked off yesterday!! To enter, you need to comment on EACH of blogs on the tour.

Tuesday, April 26: For What It’s Worth – Kickoff, Guest post: presentation of Logan’s “Sucks to Be a Ghost (Sometimes)” playlist

Wednesday, April 27: Mountains of Instead – Guest post: All Things Scottish (especially Zachary)

Thursday, April 28: He Followed Me Home – Guest post: Deleted Scene from SHIFT

Friday, April 29: What’s on the Bookshelf – Guest post: Loving the Love Triangle

Sunday, May 1: Addicted 2 Novels – SHIFT review

Monday, May 2: Book Smugglers – Video guest post: Newgrange & the Mysteries of Ireland

Wednesday, May 4: Mundie Moms – Interview with Jeri

Thursday, May 5: Postmortem (Jackie Morse Kessler) – Death Interviews Logan

Friday, May 6: BBooks, Sweets and Other Treats – Group Interview with Zachary by the "Fab 4": Books, Sweets and Other Treats, Bookworms Haven, Booking it with Hayley G, and BrookeWorm

Sunday, May 8: Just Another Book Blog – SHIFT Review

Monday, May 9: YA Book Queen – Interview with Jeri

Tuesday, May 10: The Book Junkies – Guest post: SHIFT playlist and Writing with Music

Wednesday, May 11: For What It's Worth - Wrapup and grand prize giveaway
Special Events:

Tuesday, May 3: Bitten By Books – Launch Day party! Live author Q&A all day long, big prizes

Saturday, May 7: Twitter Chat on #UFchat, hosted by Ink Gypsy, 6-7:30pm Eastern


Rules:
1. Contest open to International entries
2. To enter the daily contests, simply comment on that day's post. After 24 hours, a winner will be drawn for the daily prize. All daily contest commenters will be automatically entered in the grand prize drawing.
Winner will be chosen for the Grand Prize Contest will be drawn using a random number generator.

3. Odds of winning depend upon the number of participants.
4. Names of daily winners will be posted on the hosting blog's page the next day. Follow their directions for claiming prize.

5. Grand prize drawing will take place Wednesday, May 11th, and will be announced in a blog post on Wednesday, May 11th on For What It's Worth. The winner will have one week to claim his or her prize by contacting me via e-mail at fwiw DOT kea AT gmail DOT com. If the winner does not contact me by that time, I will draw another name at random.
6. No purchase is required.

You can find all this information, HERE, which is where I quoted the tour schedule and rules from.

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