Of things to come...

This next month is going to be pretty crazy for me. I just don't know how to say no sometimes. I think I am finally starting to realize that I am becoming over extended. Yes, being Not Quite Superhuman is catching up.

I registered at NaNoWriMo's website but have not written a single word. I just like my WIP too much to switch to another idea right now. Though I admit that I love this month because there is just soo much advice out there from writers, agents, and publishers. The fabulous Carrie Ryan, author of The Forest of Hands and Teeth, was at my library last month. She started out during NaNoWriMo and said community was the best thing she took from the experience. So for the moment I am going to follow along on the networks and lurk on the blogs for all the advice and ideas that can be found.

I have also started what I am calling the great coupon experiment. I am in month two of trying extreme couponing. So far I am spending the same amount of money each month, but my pantry is full and we have been going out to eat way less. This month will be the true test because even though it is just the three of us, we still spend more when there are holiday meals.

I also started reviewing over at No Flying No Tights which is a graphic novel review website. Yeah, finally a legit excuse to spend more time reading manga and watching anime.

I fully have plans to revamp this blog started prob in January with more of a defined schedule. Some features that I am toying with are more book reviews, discount deals, and crafts. I am not sure yet what the schedule will be or what names I will call the features, but in the mean time I will offer a peek at a great discount deal. Enjoy!

Head on over to NoMoreRack for great deals on electronics, clothes, and more. Deals are good just for either one day or when they sell out, whichever comes first. You can get some items for up to 80% off or more in some cases. Plus shipping is just $2 per item. Great for holiday shopping!

ARC Assembly

I am horribly horribly behind on my reviews. I know, I know...

So here is an assemblage of reviews for ARCs I have read from NetGalley.  (Have I mentioned just how awesome NetGalley is?!)

Title:		A Midsummer Night's Sin
SubTitle:		A Blackthorn Brothers Novel
Publisher:		Harlequin
Imprint:		HQNbooks
Pub Date:		11/29/2011
ISBN:		9780373776108

This is the second installment of the Blackthorn Brothers Trilogy by Kasey Michaels. The second book follows Robin "Puck" Blackthorn. A chance encounter at a masquerade ball throws Puck deep in the middle of a plot against the crown. Joining Miss Regina Hackett, Puck learns of the seedier side of London and a little more of just what his brother Jack does for the Crown. Puck may seem a mischievous sort, but this story shows that there is much much more hiding behind his jovial smile. Personally, I think this is the best book so far though I can't wait to read Black Jack's story in Much Ado About Rogues when it become available.

In Total Surrender

Title:
Publisher:		HarperCollins
Imprint:		Avon Books
Pub Date:		10/01/2011
ISBN:		9780062017314

Andreas Merrick wants revenge at whatever cost. Miss Phoebe Pace just wants her father's secret protected and her brother back home. When the two meet chaos ensues, literally. Phoebe proves to be tenacious in working her way under Andreas' skin. However, secrets about his past and his connection to her brother's disappearance might keep them apart. This was an enjoyable read with the best type of characters; the bad boy and the strong-willed heroine.

Title:		One Night in London
SubTitle:		The Truth About the Duke
Publisher:		HarperCollins
Imprint:		Avon Books
Pub Date:		09/01/2011
ISBN:		9780062025326

Here is another book series about brothers. While I was expecting the book to be about the older brother, I was surprised to find that it was actually the middle brother, Edward that this romance was about. Edward is the responsible one taking care of everything. So when it is discovered their inheritance might be in jeopardy, he immediately contacts the lawyers...the lawyers who just agreed to help Lady Francesca Gordon gain custody of her niece. Of course, the lawyers drop her case to pursue the more prestigious case. This causes Lady Francesca to place the blame squarely on Edward who finds himself agreeing to help her if she can staunch the new rumors. I admit to being curious about the other two brothers so I will definitely read the next books, but more than ever I hope there will be a book about Lady Francesca's niece when she comes of age. Should be interesting. 

Title:		No One But You
Publisher:		Dorchester Publishing
Pub Date:		10/04/2011
ISBN:		9781428511484

This Historical Romance takes place in the same world as Leigh Greenwood's Seven Brides series. I admit to really wanting to reread the series...if I wasn't so far behind on all my other reads. I love her books! Sarah Winborne needs a man to help take care of her land, only she can't pay him. The only option for her is to marry someone, but with two young children to take care of, she must be picky in her choice. She didn't mean to say the name she did, but her heart spoke for her. Wonderful book, but too bad that the seven brothers already have wives. This book takes place after Rose, but before the other brothers find wives...let's just say I thought Sarah's daughter would have made a good Randolph. 

Ditch the Onesie/Diaper Cakes!

If you have an upcoming baby shower, then forget those pink or blue baby booties or the onesie/diaper cakes. Give the lucky new parents something that will make them laugh and possibly feel that they are not alone during those moments at 3am when, yes, they are awake and so is the dear little one.

Go the F**k to Sleep by Adam Mansbach is a delightfully honest little book that only a parent could truly appreciate. While the artwork is a little odd, the prose is very endearing and just slightly profane. It reads just like a nursery rhyme or bedtime tale about a parent's love for a child, but this is one tale that is not to be shared. Mansbach says exactly what we as parents have all thought at one point or another, even if it might not have been those exact same words.

Survived and Conquered!

Special thanks to Elizabeth Muller for the nifty badge!

The A-Z Blogger Challenge is now over! It was a great experience and love all the new friends. I will admit that I am more of a silent lurker than a commenter, but I do stop by to visit.

What this means for the blog is that there might not be daily updates, but it will be more constant. My husband has challenged me to see how many words I have posted in the last month to see if they equal anywhere near novel length. Um, yeah, that means I need to get my butt in gear and make a dent in my WIP.

Stranger than Fiction (BTW that title so needs to change, but that is down the line when I have a little bit more worked out) is currently sitting at 4k words and I have decided to work on that one for a while. Plus, I have a whole bunch of digital ARCs sitting in my NetGalley inbox waiting to be read and reviewed.

Maybe the next challenge I will take up is the Delacorte Press Contest for a First Young Adult Novel. They should be announcing last year's winner soon. Wonder if anyone made the cut; it's the type of contest where sometimes no one gets the prized contract.

;)

Supernaturally Rocks

Being normal is so overrated.

As Evie, is beginning to learn, real high school is nothing like a high school tv drama. There are things like homework, PE, and oh, yeah, those lockers. Yes, those coveted lockers from the first book. Not to mention a long distance relationship with college-boy, Lend.

Confused? I am of course talking about Supernaturally by Kiersten White. This is the sequel to the oh so wonderful Paranormalcy. First thing I have to say is that I have some absolute cover love for these books. Fair hair and eyed Evie standing in her gorgeous dresses. I really hope that they don't change the cover when book two finally hits the bookstore shelves because it is absolutely gorgeous. Yeah, I know, don't judge a book by its cover, but I admit that and the title are what first caught my interest in Paranormalcy.

Book two continues Evie's story with her trying to adjust to a normal life outside of the International Paranormal Containment Agency. Well, maybe more like not adjusting. Her shapeshifting boyfriend is away at college and she isn't exactly fitting in with the whole normal high school girl scene except for missing said boyfriend and making plans to attend the same college on early admission. In the first book, it was a desire for prom and in this one the goal is Georgetown.

It is no surprise that Evie is seriously tempted by Raquel's request to help IPCA out again with a couple missions, but of course things don't always go so simply for her. However, hasn't she learned from all those episodes of Easton Heights that lying and boyfriends don't mix?

Mingled throughout the teenage drama, you have Jack the boy who just doesn't want to grow up, a paranormal hunting UberVampire, sneaky paranormal locals, and yes, ex-boyfriend faery drama once again. There is even NASCAR, but you will have to keep reading to find out how that fits in the mix (yeah, not exactly Evie's sparkly pink scene).

Did I mention that this book is all age teen appropriate? Yeah, those bleeping "bleeps" are so endearing. It kinda fits with a character that has a pink taser gun affectionately nickname Tasey.

Questions will be answered but even more will be asked so book three better not be too far away. So put on your hottest paranormal hunting heels with coordinating sparkly pink accessories and head to your closest bookstore to place your pre-order for the July 26, 2011 release.

Update on Twitter book reviews

Okay, the first Twitter book review is up. Remember that first does not always mean best (in other words, my example might suck a bit). Feel free to try your hand at the mayhem. Rules? Well, of course there are rules!
1. Give book title
2. Include hashtag #bktweetlet
3. Include hashtag #awesomeness, #sucks, etc to express your feelings on the book.
4. Remember you only have 140 characters to express this all, be creative!
5. Have fun!

I will try to collect some of the reviews to post on this blog as they start coming in.

Short and Tweet

One of my favorite authors, the wonderful Meg Cabot, recently posted this on her twitter feed: twitter movie reviews. They were short and they were sweet and yes they did peak my interest. Some of them were pretty funny. This sparked an idea in my head.

Some years ago, I did a program based on the book I Can't Keep My Own Secrets: Six-Word Memoirs by Teens Famous & Obscure. The lesson learned, it is hard to be creative when you are stuck to a word count parameter. 

Of course, that doesn't stop me from trying. Hence, my new idea: twitter book reviews. Twitter already limits the characters for each post you make. Add a hash tag and you are limited even more. This means you have to be creative.

So crack open those pages and get to reading. Let those twitter book reviews come flying in (yes, pun intended).

The only problem is what hashtag to use. Hmmmm.....

Got any suggestions?