Julia Karr's Blog, page 18
December 14, 2011
The 2K12 Days of Christmas Party - Sarah!!!
Rocks On!!!
Look who's here! It's the uber-fabulous Sarah Tregay!!!
(Things are definitely going to heat up now!)
Hey Sarah! Most of my guests haven't met you. Tell us a little about yourself, okay?
"Hi Julia! Well, I was raised without television, so I started writing my own middle grade novels after I read all of the ones in the library. Then I discovered YA books... I never did make it to the adult section. When I'm not jotting down poems at stoplights, I can be found hanging out with my "little sister" from Big Brothers Big Sisters. I have both a Bachelors and Masters of Fine Art in graphic design, and my obsession with typography and layout naturally translates into formatting poetry on the page. I live in Eagle, Idaho with my husband, two Boston Terriers, and an appaloosa named Mr. Pots."
That is all so cool, Sarah! I can see we have a lot in common, from reading all the kids books in the library to writing poetry and loving horses! (Mr. Pots!!! Okay - I am the teeniest bit jealous that Sarah has a horse! That's been a lifelong dream of mine... well - I'm also super-happy for her!!!)
I know you wrote this amazing book (that has nothing to do with being cold, like the last couple of books!) Can you tell us about it? *party goers crowd around to see the cover and to hear* (Isn't this an awesome cover?!!!)
*Sarah pulls out notes* *reads*
"About Love and Leftovers:
My wish
is to fall
cranium over Converse
in dizzy, daydream-worthy
love.
When her parents split, Marcie is dragged from Idaho to a family summerhouse in New Hampshire. She leaves behind her friends, a group of freaks and geeks called the Leftovers, including her emo-rocker boyfriend, and her father. By the time Labor Day rolls around, Marcie suspects this "vacation" has become permanent. She starts at a new school where a cute boy brings her breakfast and a new romance heats up.
But understanding love, especially when you've watched your parents' affections end, is elusive. What does it feel like, really? can you even know it until you've lost it?
Love and Leftovers is a beautifully written story of one girl’s journey navigating family, friends, and love, and a compelling and sexy read that teens will gobble up whole."
OMG! Ro-Mance!!! I love a good romance novel - and when you throw in a few issues (and who doesn't have a few of those?!) it makes it all the better. Because, we all know the course of true love never runs smoothly! (Where would all the books be if it did? Huh?)
Sarah, your MC has more than a bit of turmoil going on in her life. What do you think she might want for Christmas?
"Marcie, the main character in Love and Leftovers, wants to fall in love. This is her birthday, Christmas, and Valentines Day wish."
(I think I'd like to fall in love, too! tee hee!) What's your favorite thing about the holidays, Sarah?
"My favorite thing about the holidays are the wonderful window paintings around Boise. The streets and shops turn into temporary art galleries, and every year the artists seem to create something even more wonderful than the year before."I love creative traditions! And that one sounds beautiful! Well, Sarah, please go - mingle - and get yourself some punch and munchies while I handle a few details. And, thank you so much for coming!
Guesties, today's party favor is an ARC of Truth! Leave a comment! And - remember, I’ll be tallying comments after the party, and donating the corresponding dollar amount (up to $150) to The Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, TN. And check back tomorrow after 6 a.m. to see who will be getting the bracelet!
Oh - and some commenters are forgetting to leave contact information! If you don't I won't be able to get in contact with you! So, please leave a trail - thank you!
Now, here's all of Sarah's contact info so you can be sure not to miss getting info about Love and Leftovers!
Links:
http://www.sarahtregay.com
http://www.facebook.com/sarahtregaybooks
LOVE AND LEFTOVERS, HarperCollins, January 2012
sarahtregay@yahoo.com
www.sarahtregay.com
December 13, 2011
The 2K12 Days of Christmas Party - Robin!!!
Woo Hoo!
Day 3 and the Party’s Hoppin’!!!
The 2K12 Days of Christmas Party !
Enter the fabulous Robin Bridges! I feel like she must be as mysterious and exotic as Katerina, her main character! At the very least, she has these mysterious and exotic thoughts that she puts on paper to make amazing tales! But seriously - I see mystery in this face!
So, I’ve ‘known’ Robin for awhile online - actually, a pretty long while I think. And, I’ve read some of her work and can attest that she’s a really creative and talented writer! Here’s a little bit about Robin.
By day, she’s a mild-mannered writer of fantasy and paranormal fiction for young adults. By night, she is a pediatric nurse. Robin lives on the Gulf Coast with her husband, one soon-to-be teenager, and two slobbery mastiffs. She likes playing video games and watching Jane Austen movies. THE GATHERING STORM is her first novel.
I love that Robin loves Jane Austen movies! YAY! And, mastiffs! Which reminds me of Mr. Rochester in Jane Eyre! (The Timothy Dalton version for me!) (I know it's not a mastiff, but... I really liked Pilot, too!)
Okay - back to Robin and her book!!! THE GATHERING STORM! (I seriously cannot wait to read this book!)
Beautiful! So very beautiful! And... Mysterious! And... COLD! (Can you tell I’m not a big fan of winter?) You know - this cover is very Dr. Zhivago-ish! Don't you think so?
Back in the day - I was not a huge fan of DZ - However - I've read parts of THE GATHERING STORM - and I am caught - hook, line, and sinker! What do you think of this description?!
A royal court steeped in magic.
A dark prince with a hideous plan.
A young girl with a forbidden power.
St. Petersburg, Russia, 1888
As she attends a whirl of glittering balls, royal debutante Katerina Alexandrovna, Duchess of Oldenburg, tries to hide a dark secret: she can raise the dead. But when she uses her special skill to protect a member of the Imperial Family, she finds herself caught in a web of intrigue.
An evil presence is growing within Europe’s royal bloodlines—and those aligned with the darkness threaten to topple the Tsar. Suddenly Katerina’s strength as a necromancer attracts unwanted attention . . . including from two young men.
The time has come for Katerina to embrace her power, but which side will she choose—and to whom will she give her heart?
Intrigue, special powers, and hot guys! In the Russian Court. OMG! This is a must-read!
Before we go on, I'm freezing! Hot cider anyone? Aaah... much better!
Now... Robin, does Katerina celebrate Christmas? Just what might she want?
Katerina’s family definitely would have celebrated Christmas, with sweet treats like fruit pies and honeyed gingerbread. The Christmas tree would be kept hidden from the children until Christmas Eve when they were allowed to see the lit tree surrounded by tons of presents. I think Katerina would be happiest if she found some cozy warm mittens under her family Christmas tree. A girl can get chilly sneaking around Saint Petersburg at night.
(See? I wasn’t the only one getting cold!) “And, what about you, Robin? What’s your favorite part of the holiday season?”
The lights! Blinking or flickering. White or multi-colored. On trees, on houses, on tabletops or in windows. The church I went to as a child always had a candlelight Christmas Eve service. And even though I burned my fingers on melting wax every year, my favorite part was when the candles were lit and the overhead lights were turned off and the congregation sang Silent Night. There is something warm and comforting about filling up one of the darkest nights of the year with hundreds of tiny lights.
I totally agree about Christmas lights and candles! Yes - filling up the darkness with light! Love it!
So, honored guests, for the 3rd day... I have another elephant bead bracelet and more bookmarks! And - a reminder, I’ll be tallying comments after the party, and donating the corresponding dollar amount (up to $150) to The Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, TN. So be sure to comment! And check back tomorrow after 6 a.m. to see who will be getting the bracelet!
Oh - and some commenters are forgetting to leave contact information! If you don't, and Random Number Generator picks you - I won't be able to get in contact with you! So, please leave a trail - thank you!
Now, because after hearing about Robin and The Gathering Storm, you’ll need this info! Here’s how to buy it (being released on January 10, 2012 - which is none to soon!)
http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780385740227 Indiebound
http://www.amazon.com/Katerina-Trilogy-Vol-Gathering-Storm/dp/0385740220/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1" Amazon
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Katerina-Trilogy-Vol-I/Robin-Bridges/e/9780385740227/?box=0385740220&pos=-1&ugrp=2" Barnes and Noble
http://www.bookdepository.com/Katerina-Trilogy-Vol-I-Gathering-Storm-Robin-Bridges/9780385740227" Book Depository
http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Katerina-Trilogy/Robin-Bridges/9780385740227?id=5185929708347" Books-a-Million
And, find Robin at http://www.robinbridges.com/
And, The Katerina Trilogy on Facebook (thank goodness there are 3 books!)
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Katerina-Trilogy/159461857486442
December 12, 2011
The 2K12 Days of Christmas Party continues!
Woo Hoo!
More Peeps at the Par-Tay!!!
The 2K12 Days of Christmas Party !
Today’s special party girl is Caroline Starr Rose! (link to http://www.carolinestarrrose.com/Caroline_Starr_Rose/Home.html ) (With a name like that, you know she’s destined to be a STAR!)
Let’s do a little party mingling with Caroline. A good hostess always asks questions! “So, Caroline, what were you like as a kid?”
“I spent my childhood in the deserts of Saudi Arabia and New Mexico, camping at the Red Sea in one and eating red chile in the other. I danced ballet, raced through books, composed poetry on an ancient typewriter, and put on magic shows in a homemade cape.”
(I can see that Caroline and I would’ve been great friends!) “What did you do when you grew up?”
“I taught both social studies and English in New Mexico, Florida, Virginia, and Louisiana. I tried to instill in her students a passion for books, the freedom to experiment with words, and a curiosity about the past.”
“Where are you now?”
“We, my husband and two sons, recently returned to Albuquerque, New Mexico.”
“Very cool!”
Now - on to Caroline’s book! May B. (link here http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781582463933 ) is scheduled to release on January 10, 2012! (Not too long to wait - YAY!)
What a great cover! And, here’s more about May B.
“Mavis Elizabeth Betterly, or May B. as she is known, is helping out on a neighbor's Kansas prairie homestead, “Just until Christmas,” says her Pa. Twelve-year-old May wants to contribute, but it's hard to be separated from her family by fifteen long, unfamiliar miles.
Then the unthinkable happens: May is abandoned to the oncoming winter, trapped all alone in a tiny snow-covered sod house without any way to let her family know and no neighbors to turn to. In her solitude, she wavers between relishing her freedom and succumbing to utter despair, while trying to survive in the harshest conditions. Her physical struggle to first withstand and then to escape her prison is matched by tormenting memories of her failures at school. Only a very strong girl will be able to stand up to both and emerge alive and well.”
Wow! Oh... wow! I’m getting cold just thinking about reading this - but I can hardly wait anyway!
Now... back to some cocktails & hors d’vores & small talk...
“So, Caroline, what would May B. want for Christmas?”
“What May Betterly wants for Christmas is to be with her family again.”
"I'm sure!" (Can't wait to read and find out if she gets home!) “What do you, Caroline, think of Christmas? What are your favorite things about the season?”
“I love Christmas, and a lot of the things that are special to me are unique to New Mexico (or at least the Southwest). Luminarias (paper lunch sacks filled with sand and a candle) are traditionally set out December 24 and 25, to light the way of the Christ child. Then there are the tamales and posole -- two comfort foods I crave as soon as the weather turns cold. From here in Albuquerque, you can see the snow in Santa Fe's Sangre de Cristo mountains to the north, Mount Taylor to the west, and, here in town, the Sandia and Manzano mountains. It's gorgeous and exactly the way Christmas is supposed to be.”
You know, my sis lives in New Mexico and I’ve been there at Christmas to see the luminarias in Tularosa. This is an interesting article about that! http://forums.cnet.com/7723-6130_102-222879/christmas-eve-in-tularosa-new-mexico/ I can attest, the luminarias are beautiful! What do you think?
Oops! I feel like I’ve been ignoring you guys - my other guests! We can’t have that! I have another elephant bead bracelet (like yesterday’s and some book marks for one lucky commenter!
A reminder, I’ll be tallying comments after the party, and donating the corresponding dollar amount (up to $150) to The Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, TN. So be sure to comment! And check back tomorrow after 6 a.m. to see who will be getting the bracelet!
And - here's all of Caroline's contact info:
Book title: MAY B.Publication date: January 2012Publisher: Random House Children’s Books (imprint = Schwartz and Wade)website ~ blog ~ facebook ~ goodreadshttps://www.facebook.com/MayB.book
December 11, 2011
The 2K12 Days of Christmas Party begins!!!!
Thanks so much for dropping in for
The 2K12 Days of Christmas!
Our first featured author is the fabulous Patrice Lyle!
Patrice's book, Lethally Blonde, is scheduled to be released on Valentine's Day!
Is this not the most awesome cover??? Wouldn't MC, Morgan Skully, be some kind of valentine?
Here's a peek at her story...
"If Elle Woods were a teenage demon, her name would be Morgan Skully. Morgan is the world's only blonde demon girl, and she's got a brand new, very unusual after school job. Spying for the Devil. She'd much rather use her cloak-and-dagger skills to spy on hottie-licious Derek with her friends, but the Devil won't take no for an answer. Luckily for Morgan, her new boss is kinda hot. Her assignment is simple: find out who at Pitchfork Prep is funneling secrets to the Russian Werewolf Council. If she succeeds, pedicures and platinum highlights are just the beginning. But if she fails, she'll be expelled before she can woo Derek into asking her to the Brimstone Ball!"
Can't wait to read more of this girl's story!
Now - on to the party - where a good hostess (which I hope I am!) finds out more about her guests. Since it is almost Christmas, I asked Patrice what Morgan would want for Christmas (and, although demons may not celebrate Christmas, I think they love presents - just like we all do!) Here's what Patrice told me, "Morgan doesn't really celebrate Christmas since she's a demon (she celebrates Demon Fest!)" (see, I was right!) "but if she did, she would want a sparkly pink fitted shirt with matching sandals. Oh, and a gift certificate for a manicure, pedicure and highlights!"
Morgan sounds like a demon who knows what she wants!
Then I asked Patrice what is her favorite part of Christmas, and she said, "I do celebrate Christmas and my favorite part is our traditional Finnish (I'm a quarter "Finn") Christmas Eve dinner with smoked salmon, meatballs, rutabaga casserole, cream of rice with fruit soup, and a few other traditional Finnish dishes, including some to die for cookies! My grandmother was 100% Finn and she started us on this tradition and we still carry it on. And tied for my second favorite part of Christmas is Christmas music ... my favorite Christmas album is the Peanuts one my mom got me! And the lights. I love love love Christmas lights! I hope everyone has a fab holiday season!!"
Now I am officially HUNGRY! (and have a sudden urge to watch A Charlie Brown Christmas!) But - let's get on with the party!
I've got a nice party favor for one lucky commenter! AND - (edited to add) Patrice is offering up an ARC of Lethally Blonde, too! So there you go - one lucky party-er will be going home with a bracelet and a book! Thank you, Patrice!
As y'all may remember from the invite - I'll tally comments and then donate the corresponding dollar amount (up to $150) to The Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, TN. And tomorrow morning at 6 a.m. EST, I'll run the comments through Random Number Generator and the lucky guest will get this awesome handmade elephant bead bracelet!
So, please leave your contact info in the comments - and let the 2K12 Days of Christmas Blog Party begin!!!
And - after the party, find Patrice at:
Website: www.patricebooks.comTwitter: @Patrice_LyleFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/patricebooks
Congrats!
Anna Popenhagen
Tara Werner
and
Brenda Ronnebaum
You won the ARCs of TRUTH!
Thanks to everyone for entering!!!
Cheers!
Julia Karr
December 9, 2011
The Friday Five - All about Elephants & the Class of 2K12
One thing I'm going to be doing during the party is tallying up the individual comments every day and then making a donation to one of my favorite charities - The Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, Tennessee. I was thrilled when I discovered that one of the 2K12 authors - Lynne Kelly - has a book about an elephant! Chained.
Anyway - today on my Friday Five I thought I'd share five facts about elephants!
1. Elephants really DON'T forget! Read about the remarkable reuinion between Shirley and Jenny!
2. Elephants have self-recognition, a trait only found (so far!) in humans, great apes, and dolphins - and now elephants!
3. Elephants make friends outside of other elephants - fast, life-long friends! Tarra & Bella! (Sadly, Bella was recently killed by a pack of coyotes. Even in death, Tarra proved to be a faithful friend - read that story here - and have a hanky at the ready.)
4. Sadly, elephants suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome in much the same way people do. I mean, wouldn't you be a mess if your family was killed in front of you when you were young and then you were taken away from your natural life? Read more here.
5. And, lastly - on an upbeat note! Elephants love to swim!
So - hope to see you at The 2K12 Days of Christmas Party! (Come as often as you like & stay as long as you want!) There will be some fun random gifts & a whole passel of new & talented authors for you to meet!
What's up with you this lovely Friday? I'd love to know!
December 8, 2011
What's happening?
The 2K12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS!!!
A Holiday Blog Party!!!
When: December 11th through the 24th
Why: To celebrate the debut authors of The Class of 2K12
What: A Blog Party with fabulous debut authors talking about their upcoming books... and GIFTS!!!
What else: comments on the blog during that time will be tallied and a donation will be made to The Elephant Sanctuary based on the number of comments
Who's coming to the party?
Megan Bostic - Never Eighteen - http://meganbosticbooks.com
Kimberly Sabatini - Touching the Surface http://kimberlysabatini.blogspot.com/
Caroline Starr Rose - May B. www.carolinestarrrose.com
Robin Bridges - The Gathering Storm www.robinbridges.com
Lynne Kelly - Chained http://www.lynnekellybooks.com
AC Gaughen - Scarlet www.acgaughen.com
Patrice Lyle - Lethally Blonde www.patricebooks.com
Sarah Tregay - Love and Leftovers http://www.sarahtregay.com/
Kathryn Burak - Emily's Dress and Other Missing Things Kathryn Burak
J Anderson Coats - The Wicked and the Just http://www.jandersoncoats.com/
Lynda Mullaly Hunt - One for the Murhpys http://www.lyndamullalyhunt.com/
Sarvenaz Tash - The Mapmaker and the Ghost www.sarvenaztash.com
Suzanne Lazear - Innocent Darkness http://www.suzannelazear.com
Gina Rosati - Auracle http://www.ginarosati.com/
So put that date on your calendar - follow my blog - and don't miss The 2K12 Days of Christmas!
Let's have us some Happy Holidays!!!
December 2, 2011
Friday Five - What's coming up? A Christmas present maybe?
1. Being a debut author is the scariest, most exhilarating ride in the universe!
2. When something like debuting a novel is on the horizon, you really need a support group - because there will be terrors, tears, and triumphs - and you want peeps in your corner who will "get it" and be right there with you!
3. It's great to have past 2K Classes to see what worked and what didn't - and to know they are encouraging you to break new ground!
4. Being part of a 2K Class means you get to do things that many debut authors couldn't pull off on their own. (And it's always more fun to do things with your friends!!!)
5. And... being a member of the Class of 2K12 means that on this blog, you get to be a part of....
*drum roll*
*drum roll*
The 2K12 Days of Christmas ! ! !
Deets will be forthcoming! But, for now - hie thee over to The Class of 2K12 and get acquainted with the next batch of incredible debut authors and their books!
November 29, 2011
Tuesday Travels or Where on the Web am I?
And... the fabulously talented Nova Ren Suma, author of Imaginary Girls and Fade Out (formerly titled Dani Noir) invited me to talk with her blog followers about what inspires me! (It is no secret that Fade Out is one of my favorite books ever!!!) And, while you're on Nova's blog, check out some of the inspiration of other amazing writers like Sara Zarr, Mike Jung, and Veronica Roth (just to name a few!)
So - have fun - visit these blogs & let me know what you think (here or there!) xo
November 22, 2011
Thoughts on a Tuesday
Not too long ago I saw comparison photos online of a young actress who'd had a nose job. Funny, but I can't remember who - and the article actually was the explanation of why I can't remember her. The plastic surgery reduced her to looking just like every other aspiring starlet in Hollywood. Before, she had a recognizable face - now she is one of many. I think Jennifer Grey before and after is a perfect example. She's even said that her nose job ruined her career, which is really sad.
Imperfection is natural. The Japanese art of Wabi-Sabi celebrates this recognition of beauty in imperfection.
Long before I knew anything about wabi-sabi, I was appreciating the beauty of the imperfect (as I'd imagine many of us do!) My first boyfriend had a big nose, a crooked smile, and was far from the accepted norm of "handsome," but I thought he was hot! (Actually, back then it would have be "cool," - but the differences in slang will have to wait for another post!)
But, it wasn't (and still isn't) just about people who aren't perfect - it's everything. My house is over 100 years old, and although much of it was updated about twelve years ago (plumbing, electrical, etc.) the wood floor is the original. It is worn, scuffed, gouged, and altogether imperfect! A friend of mine who does carpentry told me he "aged" a new wood floor for a client and they paid huge amounts of money to have their floor imperfected! Why? Because it's beautiful - it tells a story - it's much more interesting and compelling with all its flaws.
Which, oddly - or not so oddly - enough, reminds me of writing. I'm not saying our writing shouldn't be perfect (although true perfection is probably unattainable, but learning to write better is the journey we're all on) - but our characters need to be anything but perfect! Unless perceived perfection by a character is the issue to be resolved (i.e., learning that not being perfect is all right!)
We all know that imperfect heroes/heroines are those who are most endearing and the ones for whom we root the loudest - those we admire, admonish, cajole, cheer on, and cry with as we read their stories. Their imperfectness is their humanness (even if they aren't human characters!) That is what we love about our dearest and most cherished characters/books - how we are able to identify with those characters and in that identification, learn to accept and appreciate our own imperfections.
Who are some of your favorite imperfect characters? I'd love to know!
