Emma Michaels's Blog, page 64
June 14, 2011
Teaser Tuesday: Pretty Little Liars
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
My Teaser: I watch the TV series so I just have to try the books!
"Aria breathed heavily. She couldn't speak even if she wanted to. So she turned and ran for the door. As her hand turned the doorknob, something screamed past her, bounced off the wall, and landed next to her foot."Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard - page 261 
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
My Teaser: I watch the TV series so I just have to try the books!
"Aria breathed heavily. She couldn't speak even if she wanted to. So she turned and ran for the door. As her hand turned the doorknob, something screamed past her, bounced off the wall, and landed next to her foot."Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard - page 261
June 9, 2011
Book Trailer Thursday: The Graveyard Book
Here comes Book Trailer Thursday!
Every Thursday we (all who wish to join and the wonderful host http://quillcafe.blogspot.com/) welcome everyone to join us in celebrating the awesomeness that is book trailers.
To participate, on a Thursday you post an entry in your blog with an embedded book trailer of your choice (note: the trailer can be fan made but please no movie trailers of book adaptations) with your thoughts and comments underneath. It can be a book you have read, want to read or have never even come across before.
My book trailer for this week is...
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
I just love the beautiful animation for this one. It is just so irresistible that I couldn't help but share.
Every Thursday we (all who wish to join and the wonderful host http://quillcafe.blogspot.com/) welcome everyone to join us in celebrating the awesomeness that is book trailers.
To participate, on a Thursday you post an entry in your blog with an embedded book trailer of your choice (note: the trailer can be fan made but please no movie trailers of book adaptations) with your thoughts and comments underneath. It can be a book you have read, want to read or have never even come across before.
My book trailer for this week is...
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
I just love the beautiful animation for this one. It is just so irresistible that I couldn't help but share.
June 7, 2011
Teaser Tuesday: The Predicteds
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
My Teaser:I grabbed this book at BEA and decided to share the very first line because it was part of what really got my attention (awesome cover right?):
"Attention: There has been a shooting on school grounds. The building is currently under full lockdown. Please check back here for updates. -Quiet High website"
The Predicteds by Christine Seifert - page 3 (first of ch 1 and not prologue)
Yes, that is seriously how it starts. As you can imagine, while it wasn't the book I planned on reading first after my haul it ended up becoming first after that line. I just couldn't help myself!
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
My Teaser:I grabbed this book at BEA and decided to share the very first line because it was part of what really got my attention (awesome cover right?):
"Attention: There has been a shooting on school grounds. The building is currently under full lockdown. Please check back here for updates. -Quiet High website"
The Predicteds by Christine Seifert - page 3 (first of ch 1 and not prologue)
Yes, that is seriously how it starts. As you can imagine, while it wasn't the book I planned on reading first after my haul it ended up becoming first after that line. I just couldn't help myself!
June 3, 2011
Review: Guardian of the Gate by Michelle Zink
Novel: Guardian of the Gate
Author: Michelle Zink
Pages: 352
Genre: Young Adult
The ultimate battle between sisters is nearing, and its outcome could have catastrophic consequences. As sixteen year-old Lia Milthorpe searches for a way to end the prophecy, her twin sister Alice hones the skills she'll need to defeat Lia. Alice will stop at nothing to reclaim her sister's role in the prophecy, and that's not the only thing she wants: There's also Lia's boyfriend James.
Lia and Alice always knew the Prophecy would turn those closest to them against them. But they didn't know what betrayal could lead them to do. In the end, only one sister will be left standing.
(I will not be posting any spoilers! Only opinion for the sake of those of us who love to have our first look at a book be untainted by foreknowledge.)
I absolutely loved Guardian of the Gate and Michelle Zink's writing style is hauntingly beautiful. I was on a plane ride and ended up taking a break from the book because of traveling, (I can't read on a plane or in a car) by the time I got home I could hardly wait and instead of unpacking I ended up on the bed reading. The story is told so beautifully that I can't help being swept off my feet. I want the next book!!! All of the characters grow in different ways, some ways you will be proud of, others you might be ashamed. One of the points to this book that I love was hearing more about both sisters than only one. I am always curious about the other side of things and am looking forward to finding out more. I also LOVE Demitri, he is seriously yummy and another reason I can hardly wait for the next novel! Gimme, gimme, gimme! Thank goodness I only have to wait until September!
5 Star!
Would I suggest you read it:
Yes! I love the Michelle Zink novels. This series is definitely worth your time. It has a very unique feel to it because of the wonderful writing style!
June 2, 2011
Book Trailer Thursday: Elixir
Here comes Book Trailer Thursday!
Every Thursday we (all who wish to join and the wonderful host http://quillcafe.blogspot.com/) welcome everyone to join us in celebrating the awesomeness that is book trailers.
To participate, on a Thursday you post an entry in your blog with an embedded book trailer of your choice (note: the trailer can be fan made but please no movie trailers of book adaptations) with your thoughts and comments underneath. It can be a book you have read, want to read or have never even come across before.
My book trailer for this week is...
Elixir by Hilary Duff
The trailer is what really got me interested in this book. It was just enough to catch my interest and make me consider trying to get this novel. So here is to hoping I get my hands on it and like it!
Every Thursday we (all who wish to join and the wonderful host http://quillcafe.blogspot.com/) welcome everyone to join us in celebrating the awesomeness that is book trailers.
To participate, on a Thursday you post an entry in your blog with an embedded book trailer of your choice (note: the trailer can be fan made but please no movie trailers of book adaptations) with your thoughts and comments underneath. It can be a book you have read, want to read or have never even come across before.
My book trailer for this week is...
Elixir by Hilary Duff
The trailer is what really got me interested in this book. It was just enough to catch my interest and make me consider trying to get this novel. So here is to hoping I get my hands on it and like it!
May 31, 2011
Teaser Tuesday: Dead Beautiful
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
My Teaser:
I laughed. "Are you implying that Dante Berlin is dead?"
Nathaniel blushed and looked at his plate, from which he had barely eaten anything. "I… don't know. It was just an observation."
Eleanor smiled, twirling a ringlet of hair around her finger. "Dead Beautiful."
Dead Beautiful by Yvonne Woon – page 152
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
My Teaser:
I laughed. "Are you implying that Dante Berlin is dead?"
Nathaniel blushed and looked at his plate, from which he had barely eaten anything. "I… don't know. It was just an observation."
Eleanor smiled, twirling a ringlet of hair around her finger. "Dead Beautiful."
Dead Beautiful by Yvonne Woon – page 152
May 26, 2011
Book Trailer Thursday: The Sweet Far Thing
Here comes Book Trailer Thursday!
Every Thursday we (all who wish to join and the wonderful host http://quillcafe.blogspot.com/) welcome everyone to join us in celebrating the awesomeness that is book trailers.
To participate, on a Thursday you post an entry in your blog with an embedded book trailer of your choice (note: the trailer can be fan made but please no movie trailers of book adaptations) with your thoughts and comments underneath. It can be a book you have read, want to read or have never even come across before.
My book trailer for this week is...
The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray
This is my all time favorite book trailer. It has everything I love in a book trailer, it actually talks mildly about plot while creating suspense, it is actual video instead of stills which is always a plus, the characters are actually matched with the acting and overall it is visually stunning. Plus, the characters don't look studio perfect, they look like everyday people you could imagine having gone to school with making it feel different than so many book trailers where every character shown is stereotype picture perfect. Overall, my very favorite book trailer and one that while older is still ahead of its time. This trailer fascinated me and by doing so really made me able to believe that book trailers have a serious future in the publishing industry. Let's face it, most of us love YouTube giving it the possibility to be a priceless tool for publishers.
Every Thursday we (all who wish to join and the wonderful host http://quillcafe.blogspot.com/) welcome everyone to join us in celebrating the awesomeness that is book trailers.
To participate, on a Thursday you post an entry in your blog with an embedded book trailer of your choice (note: the trailer can be fan made but please no movie trailers of book adaptations) with your thoughts and comments underneath. It can be a book you have read, want to read or have never even come across before.
My book trailer for this week is...
The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray
This is my all time favorite book trailer. It has everything I love in a book trailer, it actually talks mildly about plot while creating suspense, it is actual video instead of stills which is always a plus, the characters are actually matched with the acting and overall it is visually stunning. Plus, the characters don't look studio perfect, they look like everyday people you could imagine having gone to school with making it feel different than so many book trailers where every character shown is stereotype picture perfect. Overall, my very favorite book trailer and one that while older is still ahead of its time. This trailer fascinated me and by doing so really made me able to believe that book trailers have a serious future in the publishing industry. Let's face it, most of us love YouTube giving it the possibility to be a priceless tool for publishers.
May 25, 2011
Review: Psion Beta by Jacob Gowans
Novel: Psion Beta
Author: Jacob Gowans
Genre: YA (Dystopia)
Sammy, a 14-year-old fugitive, accidentally discovers he has the powers of a Psion.
Plucked off the streets, he is thrust into the rigorously-disciplined environment of Psion Beta headquarters. As a new Beta, Sammy must hone his newfound abilities using holographic fighting simulations, stealth training missions, and complex war games. His fellow trainees are other kids competing to prove their worth so they can graduate and contribute to the war effort.
But the stifling competition at headquarters isolates Sammy from his peers. Learning to use his incredible abilities powers is difficult enough, but when things go horribly wrong on a routine training mission, he must rely on the other Betas to stay alive.
The Silent War is at a tipping point; even one boy can be the difference.
But to do so, he must survive.
There are so many dystopias coming out of the woodworks but this one is one of my very favorites now. I will be anxiously awaiting book two for the next few months until it is hopefully released! Normally, when you see a book that is self published and marked at a low ebook price it is a mix of emotions. You see this great price and then there is that ultimate question of will the book live up to your standards and be something you can enjoy. This book went above and beyond for me. It was great! Amazing Dystopia read, great characters, great overall plot and a new twist of the dystopias that have been coming out recently.
It gives a militaristic twist and the fantasy aspect has a science to it that gives it a more realistic feeling. The main character is very different than most of the character I read about. He was born and lived in Africa before being recruited and the way he thinks is something I think that either gender can relate to. He isn't perfect and neither are any of the other characters giving them more character depth. Overall, I would suggest it to anyone interested in dystopias. Great book for anyone trying to find something for a younger guy who it might be hard to keep interested or any and all fans of The Hunger Games series.
(Check out the Kindle version, it is SUPER affordable! Last I checked it was only $2.99!)
May 24, 2011
Teaser Tuesday:Psion Beta
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
My Teaser:
Sammy opened his eyes. All six Shocks lay on the ground. Their scattered guns cast points of light in all directions.
He looked at his hands and back to the motionless shocks. "What happened?"
Psion Beta by Jacob Gowans - Page 27
( The Kindle book is only $2.99 and well worth it!! )
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
My Teaser:
Sammy opened his eyes. All six Shocks lay on the ground. Their scattered guns cast points of light in all directions.
He looked at his hands and back to the motionless shocks. "What happened?"
Psion Beta by Jacob Gowans - Page 27
( The Kindle book is only $2.99 and well worth it!! )
May 22, 2011
Project to Published: "You are a Mustang"
Project to Published advice for other authors, writers and lit lovers"You are a Mustang"
You are a human, not a machine. I keep hearing about writers who are quitting or thinking of quitting because they can't force themselves to sit down and write when they want to. Here is the thing, you are not a horse that is meant to be broken and saddled. You are a mustang.
While my fiancé and I may not own horses or be avid horse riders there is something so beautiful about a horse that neither of us can help but admire. Something so free about their spirit but the most beautiful sight he or I have seen when it came to horses was when they were wild. When their spirits drove them where they wanted to go and they danced in dust storms and ran as fast as their hooves could take them simply because they wanted to.
You shouldn't be trying to force words from your mind with such monotony that the words stop flowing completely. I know I say to keep a schedule and to keep working at it because writing is a muscle that has to be exercised but you also need to remember that you are not a horse that needs to be broken and saddled. I don't really think that a broken horse is what most leading publishers are after. They don't want a horse where they have to find a worn road and send them trotting along with people always riding their backs, they want a mustang that will follow the paths they find and when they run out of path, they make one.
Your writing shouldn't be like running in circles in a training ring, it should be dancing in dust storms and running as fast as your legs can take you because believe it or not, that is what your writing is, it is freedom. You have a blank page you can do anything with. That person you imagine being, the person you want to be, that blank page can make you that person if you let it and before you know it, you aren't in a ring riding in circles, you are dancing in the wind and the words are flowing just as fast. That feeling you feel when you let yourself go and your hands fly across the keys faster than you even realize until that moment when you look down and suddenly, you have pages written. Never forget that feeling.
Hold that feeling in your heart as your own little secret with yourself because that feeling is a writers true freedom. In that moment you aren't just a writer, you are a mustang.
You are a human, not a machine. I keep hearing about writers who are quitting or thinking of quitting because they can't force themselves to sit down and write when they want to. Here is the thing, you are not a horse that is meant to be broken and saddled. You are a mustang.
While my fiancé and I may not own horses or be avid horse riders there is something so beautiful about a horse that neither of us can help but admire. Something so free about their spirit but the most beautiful sight he or I have seen when it came to horses was when they were wild. When their spirits drove them where they wanted to go and they danced in dust storms and ran as fast as their hooves could take them simply because they wanted to.
You shouldn't be trying to force words from your mind with such monotony that the words stop flowing completely. I know I say to keep a schedule and to keep working at it because writing is a muscle that has to be exercised but you also need to remember that you are not a horse that needs to be broken and saddled. I don't really think that a broken horse is what most leading publishers are after. They don't want a horse where they have to find a worn road and send them trotting along with people always riding their backs, they want a mustang that will follow the paths they find and when they run out of path, they make one.
Your writing shouldn't be like running in circles in a training ring, it should be dancing in dust storms and running as fast as your legs can take you because believe it or not, that is what your writing is, it is freedom. You have a blank page you can do anything with. That person you imagine being, the person you want to be, that blank page can make you that person if you let it and before you know it, you aren't in a ring riding in circles, you are dancing in the wind and the words are flowing just as fast. That feeling you feel when you let yourself go and your hands fly across the keys faster than you even realize until that moment when you look down and suddenly, you have pages written. Never forget that feeling.
Hold that feeling in your heart as your own little secret with yourself because that feeling is a writers true freedom. In that moment you aren't just a writer, you are a mustang.
