Molly O'Keefe's Blog, page 33
August 3, 2012
The challenging heroine
It's been a really fun time for the drunk writers over the past six months. Molly's second book in the crooked creek trilogy came out this week, and Maureen is ramping up as her YA Deviant trilogy gets close to being released.
It's been a remarkable experience watching these books, emerge from idea to first draft to finished product and along the way as critique partners, guiding what we loved and what thought needed work (not that much was needed for either of these books)
And then Molly's first and second book came out to some truly enthusiastic reviews and I nodded my head sagely and patted myself on the back for seeing the awesomeness in these books early on, and then some criticism and truthfully, and there hasn't been a lot, but what there was has been about what I loved most about these books.
Truly, I love Luc and Molly's ability to create tension between her two leads, but I loved, loved, loved Tara Jean from the first sentence describing her, to her wry, sarcastic POV voice and how she grew throughout the novel. It stunned me that not everyone felt the same.
And then the second book, I adore Victoria. This mentally battered woman creating her own place in the world and finding love and a sisterhood of sorts, (My secret is, I think I love the second book more than the first) and again, stunned that not everyone loves her the way I do.
I love when writers challenge a genre and by doing so make it more layered and complicated and fun to read. See also Sherry Thomas and Laura Kinsale.
But I think that's whats fun about interesting books. Not everyone's going to love them, but everyone probably has an opinion and they are the books that remain on my keeper shelves.
It's been a remarkable experience watching these books, emerge from idea to first draft to finished product and along the way as critique partners, guiding what we loved and what thought needed work (not that much was needed for either of these books)
And then Molly's first and second book came out to some truly enthusiastic reviews and I nodded my head sagely and patted myself on the back for seeing the awesomeness in these books early on, and then some criticism and truthfully, and there hasn't been a lot, but what there was has been about what I loved most about these books.
Truly, I love Luc and Molly's ability to create tension between her two leads, but I loved, loved, loved Tara Jean from the first sentence describing her, to her wry, sarcastic POV voice and how she grew throughout the novel. It stunned me that not everyone felt the same.
And then the second book, I adore Victoria. This mentally battered woman creating her own place in the world and finding love and a sisterhood of sorts, (My secret is, I think I love the second book more than the first) and again, stunned that not everyone loves her the way I do.
I love when writers challenge a genre and by doing so make it more layered and complicated and fun to read. See also Sherry Thomas and Laura Kinsale.
But I think that's whats fun about interesting books. Not everyone's going to love them, but everyone probably has an opinion and they are the books that remain on my keeper shelves.
August 2, 2012
The Agony of Defeat
Ironically the title of this post has nothing to do with the fact that I didn’t win the RITA at this year’s RWA conference. That I was fine with and frankly rather relieved. And I got to wear my pretty sparkly shoes that I get to keep forever. (See below!)
No, I’m back in Olympic mode and of course loving every minute of it. And much like a good Molly O’Keefe novel (Can’t Hurry Love is out in stores now!) there are so many ups and down it makes the whole experience so amazing.
The other night for me it was the US women gymnasts. The girl coming into these Olympics considered as the best all around gymnast and a heavy favorite to win the gold, failed to qualify for the all around event. Why? Because only the top two gymnasts from each country can compete. Now I’m sure I understand why they changed this. They probably got tired of only a small handful of countries being represented each year when simply choosing the top scorers. But the result is the girl thought to be the best in the world will have to sit and watch other lesser gymnasts from other countries compete.
She’s heartbroken. She’s devastated. Pictures of her crying are everywhere as the cameras witness this. Bottom line, she just didn’t have her absolute “A” game that day. And another US gymnast did and beat her out.
And that’s the beauty of this story. One girl’s heartbreak and misery is another girl’s triumph.
The other girl came to play. She came to give it her all. She succeeded and now she gets a chance she didn’t think she was going to get. While one story is the worst I ever heard. The other is the best.
It’s why I love these games.
I watched on Tuesday night a girl who basically only does one thing – the vault – do something so amazing I had to rewind it like ten times. They told this girl to do one vault (they only get once chance in the team competition) and do it better than she’s ever done it before.
I thought it was perfect. The judges somehow found .297 in deductions – but still obviously thought it was pretty great. One event, one chance, in the Olympics with everyone watching, and make it your best. And she did it without hesitation.
These girls – these athletes – they are something else.
No, I’m back in Olympic mode and of course loving every minute of it. And much like a good Molly O’Keefe novel (Can’t Hurry Love is out in stores now!) there are so many ups and down it makes the whole experience so amazing.
The other night for me it was the US women gymnasts. The girl coming into these Olympics considered as the best all around gymnast and a heavy favorite to win the gold, failed to qualify for the all around event. Why? Because only the top two gymnasts from each country can compete. Now I’m sure I understand why they changed this. They probably got tired of only a small handful of countries being represented each year when simply choosing the top scorers. But the result is the girl thought to be the best in the world will have to sit and watch other lesser gymnasts from other countries compete.
She’s heartbroken. She’s devastated. Pictures of her crying are everywhere as the cameras witness this. Bottom line, she just didn’t have her absolute “A” game that day. And another US gymnast did and beat her out.
And that’s the beauty of this story. One girl’s heartbreak and misery is another girl’s triumph.
The other girl came to play. She came to give it her all. She succeeded and now she gets a chance she didn’t think she was going to get. While one story is the worst I ever heard. The other is the best.
It’s why I love these games.
I watched on Tuesday night a girl who basically only does one thing – the vault – do something so amazing I had to rewind it like ten times. They told this girl to do one vault (they only get once chance in the team competition) and do it better than she’s ever done it before.
I thought it was perfect. The judges somehow found .297 in deductions – but still obviously thought it was pretty great. One event, one chance, in the Olympics with everyone watching, and make it your best. And she did it without hesitation.
These girls – these athletes – they are something else.
August 1, 2012
Can't Hurry Love
No, you don't have to wait! ;)
Fans of Molly (i.e. everyone who's read her or met her) will be thrilled that CAN'T HURRY LOVE the second book in her new series is out now!!! It released yesterday. (Was so excited to wake up with it on my kindle. )
From award-winning author Molly O’Keefe comes a wonderfully written contemporary romance about second chances at life and at love.
Tori Baker, a penniless widow of a disgraced financier, is ready to stand up, be counted, and make a new life for herself and her beloved son in Texas. She’s taking over Crooked Creek ranch, her birthright, and turning it into something special. All that stands in her way is Eli Turnbull, a rugged, too-handsome cowboy who wants the land just as badly.
If Tori wants a fight, Eli will give her one. He’s devoted his life to Crooked Creek, and he’s not about to let some pampered city girl—even one as brave and beautiful as Tori—turn it into some silly spa. But all their anger and frustration seems to fuel heat of another kind: uncontrollable passion. And soon Tori and Eli come to realize that the person standing in their way is the one they can never do without.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What can I tell you... When I first realized that Eli, the uber-hunky and mysterious ranch foreman from CAN'T BUY ME LOVE was going to be the hero of her next book--let's just say I was excited.
*Critique partner inside information* I think Molly had Eli's character figured out before Luc's... so in the first drafts we saw of the first book, I fell in love with Eli before I fell in love with Luc. Of course, in the end, I wanted both, but just saying...
But when I realized she was setting up Luc's spoiled sister as the heroine with Eli, I was worried. Worried for about five minutes, because I know Molly can pull this shit off. I mean, her heroine in the first book was engaged to an old man and ended up with his son. This is one writer who can pull shit off.
And then once we started reading CAN'T HURRY LOVE it was like a lesson in how to make readers empathize with someone they might not have initially liked. And beyond the writing lesson: it was a human lesson in how we shouldn't judge before we walk in someone else's shoes.
Eli and Victoria's heat is smoking and they really fight hard for their love, which made me believe their love was real and would last. Proves... you really can't hurry love.
If you click the cover in the little widget on the right side of our blog, you can buy it now! No, you don't have to wait! You will not be sorry. :)
Fans of Molly (i.e. everyone who's read her or met her) will be thrilled that CAN'T HURRY LOVE the second book in her new series is out now!!! It released yesterday. (Was so excited to wake up with it on my kindle. )
From award-winning author Molly O’Keefe comes a wonderfully written contemporary romance about second chances at life and at love.
Tori Baker, a penniless widow of a disgraced financier, is ready to stand up, be counted, and make a new life for herself and her beloved son in Texas. She’s taking over Crooked Creek ranch, her birthright, and turning it into something special. All that stands in her way is Eli Turnbull, a rugged, too-handsome cowboy who wants the land just as badly.
If Tori wants a fight, Eli will give her one. He’s devoted his life to Crooked Creek, and he’s not about to let some pampered city girl—even one as brave and beautiful as Tori—turn it into some silly spa. But all their anger and frustration seems to fuel heat of another kind: uncontrollable passion. And soon Tori and Eli come to realize that the person standing in their way is the one they can never do without.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What can I tell you... When I first realized that Eli, the uber-hunky and mysterious ranch foreman from CAN'T BUY ME LOVE was going to be the hero of her next book--let's just say I was excited.
*Critique partner inside information* I think Molly had Eli's character figured out before Luc's... so in the first drafts we saw of the first book, I fell in love with Eli before I fell in love with Luc. Of course, in the end, I wanted both, but just saying...
But when I realized she was setting up Luc's spoiled sister as the heroine with Eli, I was worried. Worried for about five minutes, because I know Molly can pull this shit off. I mean, her heroine in the first book was engaged to an old man and ended up with his son. This is one writer who can pull shit off.
And then once we started reading CAN'T HURRY LOVE it was like a lesson in how to make readers empathize with someone they might not have initially liked. And beyond the writing lesson: it was a human lesson in how we shouldn't judge before we walk in someone else's shoes.
Eli and Victoria's heat is smoking and they really fight hard for their love, which made me believe their love was real and would last. Proves... you really can't hurry love.
If you click the cover in the little widget on the right side of our blog, you can buy it now! No, you don't have to wait! You will not be sorry. :)
July 30, 2012
Ode to Molly
How did I love Can't Buy Me Love? Let me count the ways.
I love your hero. Having had some experience with someone who survived a physically and emotionally abusive father with no one around to protect him, I can tell you that you hit that nail right on the head. That combination of toughness and vulnerability? So real and so complex and absorbing.
I love your heroine. Oh, Tara Jean Sweet with your stash of Mike and Ike's and your hopes and dreams. Who could resist you? I certainly couldn't. I would have loved to be there so I could have been your friend. I know you needed one and, quite honestly, I generally have lemon drops in my purse.
I love your family drama. Oh, the loyalties and the jealousies and the love and the shifting allegiances and all the tangled up strings that bind us together. You write them so damn well.
I love our love. I love the respect you built between Luc and Tara. I love their journey of discovery. I love that they heal each other.
So thanks, Molly, for a great read and your general awesome-ness. Smoochies.
I love your hero. Having had some experience with someone who survived a physically and emotionally abusive father with no one around to protect him, I can tell you that you hit that nail right on the head. That combination of toughness and vulnerability? So real and so complex and absorbing.
I love your heroine. Oh, Tara Jean Sweet with your stash of Mike and Ike's and your hopes and dreams. Who could resist you? I certainly couldn't. I would have loved to be there so I could have been your friend. I know you needed one and, quite honestly, I generally have lemon drops in my purse.
I love your family drama. Oh, the loyalties and the jealousies and the love and the shifting allegiances and all the tangled up strings that bind us together. You write them so damn well.
I love our love. I love the respect you built between Luc and Tara. I love their journey of discovery. I love that they heal each other.
So thanks, Molly, for a great read and your general awesome-ness. Smoochies.
RWA 2012
Oh, man. I have a conference hangover. And probably a hangover hangover. One of these years I am going to manage that Harlequin party like an adult - and not like a 13 year old kid.
Full disclosure - I threw up on Stephanie's shoes. Not the red RITA shoes, but still...my shame is powerful.
All in all this felt like a very low key conference. There was very little "the sky is falling, we're all doomed" vibe. And there also seemed - to me - a real pull back in the "you do it digitally, or you're a fool" conversations. Digital and traditional seem to be figuring it out and the smart authors are using both. That was my sense, or maybe it was just what I wanted to hear.
Harlequin seems to have a new commitment to it's lines, particularly Superromance. New distribution, new marketing efforts, amazing new covers. It feels very very positive and forward thinking.
I didn't hear much talk about the law suit, but I wasn't seeking the talk out. Anyone else hear about that?
I missed Eileen, running without her is no fun.
Stephanie looked AMAZING on the red carpet and though she didn't win, she was gracious and confident and a total knock out. Next time, Steph.
I am totally TOTALLY amazed by the generosity of some writers - Susan Andersen, RaeAnne Thayne - I am humbled by their enthusiastic support.
RWA feels like a different beast to me, and I'm still trying to figure out what I get from it. As a beginning writer it was all about information and light bulb moments. And not that I'm not still learning plenty - there were lots of great workshops on marketing and how to use GoodReads to best advantage, and Facebook. But it's just a different beast and I'm so pleased that RWA manages to create a conference that serves every aspect of my career.
What did you guys think?
Full disclosure - I threw up on Stephanie's shoes. Not the red RITA shoes, but still...my shame is powerful.
All in all this felt like a very low key conference. There was very little "the sky is falling, we're all doomed" vibe. And there also seemed - to me - a real pull back in the "you do it digitally, or you're a fool" conversations. Digital and traditional seem to be figuring it out and the smart authors are using both. That was my sense, or maybe it was just what I wanted to hear.
Harlequin seems to have a new commitment to it's lines, particularly Superromance. New distribution, new marketing efforts, amazing new covers. It feels very very positive and forward thinking.
I didn't hear much talk about the law suit, but I wasn't seeking the talk out. Anyone else hear about that?
I missed Eileen, running without her is no fun.
Stephanie looked AMAZING on the red carpet and though she didn't win, she was gracious and confident and a total knock out. Next time, Steph.
I am totally TOTALLY amazed by the generosity of some writers - Susan Andersen, RaeAnne Thayne - I am humbled by their enthusiastic support.
RWA feels like a different beast to me, and I'm still trying to figure out what I get from it. As a beginning writer it was all about information and light bulb moments. And not that I'm not still learning plenty - there were lots of great workshops on marketing and how to use GoodReads to best advantage, and Facebook. But it's just a different beast and I'm so pleased that RWA manages to create a conference that serves every aspect of my career.
What did you guys think?
July 23, 2012
Airplane movies
I watched three movies on the flights back and forth to Paris. There's definitely certain movies you do not want to see on an airplane. I once watched Pay It Forward on a flight and ended up holding hands with a total stranger across the aisle as we both sobbed uncontrollably at the end.
My sister told me she didn't see what the big deal about Avatar was and then I found out she'd watched it on an airplane. Totally not a small screen movie.
You need something that isn't dependent on special effects or huge panoramas. You need something about relationships. Something about dialogue and subtlety. Preferably not something so emotionally manipulative that you're going to end up embarrassing yourself publicly.
I watched 21 Jump Street.
No joke. All the reviews I read said that it wasn't as stupid as the critic expected. All I can say is that those critics must have had EXTREMELY low expectations. That was a spectacularly stupid movie with the exception of the Johnny Depp cameo. That few minutes was awesome.
I also watched The Descendants.
That was a very smart movie. It was kind of a perfect airplane movie. Interesting. Absorbing. Emotional, but not devastatingly so. What I don't understand is if that girl can act that well, why does Diary of an American Teenager suck so much? Do they direct her not to act well in that?
Last, but definitely not least. I watched Young Adult.
I'd been resisting that one. I don't tend to like movies where the main character is that unlikeable and make no mistake, Charlize Theron is very unlikeable in this movie. But the script was awesome in the way that it let you empathize with her and understand her even if you wanted nothing to do with her. Charlize Theron was awesome in how she made the character both sympathetic and emotionally hideous.
So those are my airplane movie reviews. Anybody else seen anything great on an airplane lately? How about you people flying to Anaheim? What you got?
My sister told me she didn't see what the big deal about Avatar was and then I found out she'd watched it on an airplane. Totally not a small screen movie.
You need something that isn't dependent on special effects or huge panoramas. You need something about relationships. Something about dialogue and subtlety. Preferably not something so emotionally manipulative that you're going to end up embarrassing yourself publicly.
I watched 21 Jump Street.
No joke. All the reviews I read said that it wasn't as stupid as the critic expected. All I can say is that those critics must have had EXTREMELY low expectations. That was a spectacularly stupid movie with the exception of the Johnny Depp cameo. That few minutes was awesome.
I also watched The Descendants.
That was a very smart movie. It was kind of a perfect airplane movie. Interesting. Absorbing. Emotional, but not devastatingly so. What I don't understand is if that girl can act that well, why does Diary of an American Teenager suck so much? Do they direct her not to act well in that?
Last, but definitely not least. I watched Young Adult.
I'd been resisting that one. I don't tend to like movies where the main character is that unlikeable and make no mistake, Charlize Theron is very unlikeable in this movie. But the script was awesome in the way that it let you empathize with her and understand her even if you wanted nothing to do with her. Charlize Theron was awesome in how she made the character both sympathetic and emotionally hideous.
So those are my airplane movie reviews. Anybody else seen anything great on an airplane lately? How about you people flying to Anaheim? What you got?
July 19, 2012
I Love you Aaron Sorkin... Call me!
I want to confess the reason I titled the blog this way is in the hopes that Aaron Sorkin has Google Alerts turned on and will see this. Then of course he'll come to the blog and try to contact me because he knows I'm probably his destiny.
But if that doesn't happen let me say out loud and to everyone reading this blog... that I think I found my "real" boyfriend. He's my brainy boyfriend who I want to spend time talking to all night long. I want to debate politics with him. I want to fix the world with him.
You know the saying - you don't know what you're missing until it's gone. I felt that way when Aaron Sorkin stopped writing for the West Wing (my favorite TV show of all time.) I still watched it of course but something was suddenly missing.
Now he's back writing for The Newsroom on HBO show and it's like being reunited with an ex-boyfriend without all the awkwardness. The familiarity of his voice. The themes he likes to use. The storylines - are different but similar too. "Can I help you?" He says that ALOT.
But more importantly I want to bathe in his writing. I want to let his dialogue run down over me like a hot shower. I could listen to him... just listen to the show and it would be more than enough.
In watching all the extras HBO offers on the shows many of the actors simply refer to what they're doing as "Executing Sorkin." "Speaking Sorkin." Like he's Shakespeare. Okay - I want go that far, but I do think he's one of the best script writers of my generation... and I love him.
Sorry Eric.
But if that doesn't happen let me say out loud and to everyone reading this blog... that I think I found my "real" boyfriend. He's my brainy boyfriend who I want to spend time talking to all night long. I want to debate politics with him. I want to fix the world with him.
You know the saying - you don't know what you're missing until it's gone. I felt that way when Aaron Sorkin stopped writing for the West Wing (my favorite TV show of all time.) I still watched it of course but something was suddenly missing.
Now he's back writing for The Newsroom on HBO show and it's like being reunited with an ex-boyfriend without all the awkwardness. The familiarity of his voice. The themes he likes to use. The storylines - are different but similar too. "Can I help you?" He says that ALOT.
But more importantly I want to bathe in his writing. I want to let his dialogue run down over me like a hot shower. I could listen to him... just listen to the show and it would be more than enough.
In watching all the extras HBO offers on the shows many of the actors simply refer to what they're doing as "Executing Sorkin." "Speaking Sorkin." Like he's Shakespeare. Okay - I want go that far, but I do think he's one of the best script writers of my generation... and I love him.
Sorry Eric.
July 18, 2012
I Want to be Blake Lively
Yes, she is pretty and yes, she has a great body the likes of which I only dreamed of even when I was her age... but I really want to be Blake Lively because she has sex with Tim Riggins, I mean Taylor Kitsch, in the opening scene of Savages.
And then, soon after, with the adorable Aaron Johnson. And both are okay with it. It all seems pretty idyllic.
Okay, correction, I only want to be Blake Lively during the first 10 minutes of the movie. And not just because of all the terrible things that happen later. I'd only want to be her for a short time, even if things had continued calmly.
I think my favorite line of this movie went something like: they love each other more than they love you, otherwise why would they share you?
And that, to me, was kind of the crux of her story and why her character, O, was an intereresting choice as a narrator. She's a pawn, a bystander, a prop in her own life. Almost a way for the two men to express their love for each other physically without, you know, actually having sex themselves. Ultimately this movie is a bromance. A story about two very different heterosexual men who love each other and complement each other, and ultimately both need to change to survive.
One could say that it's a story about them saving O, their mutual girlfriend, but really it's about them saving their business, saving their friendship, and saving their own lives. I keep changing my mind about who the real protagonist of this story was. Watching it, I thought the Aaron Johnson character, because he changed the most. But in many ways, watching his friend change, changed the Taylor Kitsch character too. It's almost like together they made one man, which maybe was the point of the story. That, and the not-so-subtle message that "savagery" is subjective, in the eye of the beholder. Both sides dismiss the other as, "Savages" more than once. I'm frankly still thinking about this movie and need to have drinks with Sinead to discuss, but in spite of all the violence, the story has a very romantic, almost sentimental feel to it.
Slightly spoilerish paragraph: The film has two endings. And I was rolling my eyes a tiny bit during the first ending. Or more accurate perhaps, I was thinking, "Really? Really? After putting me through all this, you're going to go all Romeo and Juliet on me???" But then we realize that's not the ending, it's only the way the very romantic and naive O wanted it to end, then the movie veers into a more Hollywood typical ending for this kind of story.
Bottom line: I liked this movie. Did I think it was the best movie I've ever seen? No. Will I see it again at some point? Definitely. Just to analyze it, mind you, not to see shots of Taylor Kitsch's ass and imagine I'm Blake Lively. Honest.
And then, soon after, with the adorable Aaron Johnson. And both are okay with it. It all seems pretty idyllic.
Okay, correction, I only want to be Blake Lively during the first 10 minutes of the movie. And not just because of all the terrible things that happen later. I'd only want to be her for a short time, even if things had continued calmly.
I think my favorite line of this movie went something like: they love each other more than they love you, otherwise why would they share you?
And that, to me, was kind of the crux of her story and why her character, O, was an intereresting choice as a narrator. She's a pawn, a bystander, a prop in her own life. Almost a way for the two men to express their love for each other physically without, you know, actually having sex themselves. Ultimately this movie is a bromance. A story about two very different heterosexual men who love each other and complement each other, and ultimately both need to change to survive.
One could say that it's a story about them saving O, their mutual girlfriend, but really it's about them saving their business, saving their friendship, and saving their own lives. I keep changing my mind about who the real protagonist of this story was. Watching it, I thought the Aaron Johnson character, because he changed the most. But in many ways, watching his friend change, changed the Taylor Kitsch character too. It's almost like together they made one man, which maybe was the point of the story. That, and the not-so-subtle message that "savagery" is subjective, in the eye of the beholder. Both sides dismiss the other as, "Savages" more than once. I'm frankly still thinking about this movie and need to have drinks with Sinead to discuss, but in spite of all the violence, the story has a very romantic, almost sentimental feel to it.
Slightly spoilerish paragraph: The film has two endings. And I was rolling my eyes a tiny bit during the first ending. Or more accurate perhaps, I was thinking, "Really? Really? After putting me through all this, you're going to go all Romeo and Juliet on me???" But then we realize that's not the ending, it's only the way the very romantic and naive O wanted it to end, then the movie veers into a more Hollywood typical ending for this kind of story.
Bottom line: I liked this movie. Did I think it was the best movie I've ever seen? No. Will I see it again at some point? Definitely. Just to analyze it, mind you, not to see shots of Taylor Kitsch's ass and imagine I'm Blake Lively. Honest.
July 16, 2012
PIMP MY READ! Fun new contest to win an ereader!
Pimp My Read is your chance to win one of four fantastic e-readers, as well as best-selling, super-sexy, fun contemporary romances by authors Ruthie Knox, Sarah Mayberry, Shannon Stacey, and Molly O’Keefe. This week, we four authors bedeck ourselves in (virtual) feathers and gold chains, climb on top of our Pimp Caddies, and sing the praises of e-readers and digital books at four fantastic romance review sites: Smart Bitches, Trashy Books, Smexybooks, Dear Author, and The Season for Romance. At every site, one of us is giving away an e-reader, as well as prizes for runners-up. If you’ve been on the fence about which e-reader to get, or even why you would get one—or if you love your e-reader to bits and are dying to convert a friend or family member to the digital side—this is the contest you’ve been waiting for!
The Prizes
Sarah Mayberry is giving away a Kindle Touch 3G at Smexybooks,
Shannon Stacey is giving away a Nook SimpleTouch with Glowlight at Dear Author,
Ruthie Knox is giving away a Kindle Keyboard 3G at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books,
and Molly O’Keefe is giving away a Kobo Touch at The Season for Romance.
The winner of each e-reader and two runners-up at each site will also receive Exclusively Yours, Undeniably Yours, and Yours to Keep by Shannon Stacey, Her Best Worst Mistake and Within Reach by Sarah Mayberry, About Last Night and Ride With Me by Ruthie Knox, and Can’t Buy Me Love by Molly O’Keefe.
How To Enter
To enter, leave a comment explaining either (a) why you want to win this e-reader for yourself or (b) why you want to win it for someone else. Please include your e-mail address in the appropriate comment field so we have a way of contacting you if you win. Your e-mail address will not be visible to the general commenting public.
The Fine Print
1. Feel free to increase your chances of winning by entering once at each of the four sites! But please, only one entry per site. Deliberate multiple comments on any individual e-reader giveaway post will get you disqualified.
2. The contest opens on each site when the post goes live and closes at 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, July 20.
3. Ruthie, Sarah, Shannon, and Molly will choose the winners from among the comments on the site where each posts. Feel free to entertain us or tug at our heartstrings — we’ll pick the winners whose comments most effectively sway us!
4. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 years of age or older to enter.
5. This contest is open internationally. The e-readers on offer will work in many, but not all, countries. Please be aware that geographical restrictions may affect your ability to use/enjoy your prize.
July 13, 2012
Savages
So I saw a movie, almost during opening week, perhaps even before Maureen (Maureen, did I?)
And I really enjoyed it. I generally enjoy Oliver Stone's movies, especially when he's not trying to make a point and just trying to enjoy himself, which he clearly was here. A lot of people have compared it to Natural Born Killers and it's not a bad comparison, and Stone clearly has always had a lot of love for his antagonists, and in the case of Natural Born Killers, his protagonists are also the antagonists.
Here Stone clearly loves his protagonists, they are beautifully shot, gorgeous actors and he gives them all the best motives, until they go up against the bad guys, who, except for Salma Hayek, are not gorgeous, but amoral, cold-hearted killers.
And it's fun to watch and it does have Taylor Kitsch, who is seriously beautiful in this movie, but it's too easy. What would have been more interesting would have been to have the main three roles played by the actors who played the villains. Benicio Del Toro is an amazing actor, but not the most gorgeous actor, but leaps off the screen here, as does John Travolta.
The movie would have been much more interesting had Taylor Kitsch and Aaron Johnson played cold-hearted, amoral killers.
Or maybe I'm looking for more reasons to root for the bad guys...
Anyone else seen it? I could see a lot of people being put off the movie by the violence, which was pretty gorey.
And I really enjoyed it. I generally enjoy Oliver Stone's movies, especially when he's not trying to make a point and just trying to enjoy himself, which he clearly was here. A lot of people have compared it to Natural Born Killers and it's not a bad comparison, and Stone clearly has always had a lot of love for his antagonists, and in the case of Natural Born Killers, his protagonists are also the antagonists.
Here Stone clearly loves his protagonists, they are beautifully shot, gorgeous actors and he gives them all the best motives, until they go up against the bad guys, who, except for Salma Hayek, are not gorgeous, but amoral, cold-hearted killers.
And it's fun to watch and it does have Taylor Kitsch, who is seriously beautiful in this movie, but it's too easy. What would have been more interesting would have been to have the main three roles played by the actors who played the villains. Benicio Del Toro is an amazing actor, but not the most gorgeous actor, but leaps off the screen here, as does John Travolta.
The movie would have been much more interesting had Taylor Kitsch and Aaron Johnson played cold-hearted, amoral killers.
Or maybe I'm looking for more reasons to root for the bad guys...
Anyone else seen it? I could see a lot of people being put off the movie by the violence, which was pretty gorey.
