Emma Michaels's Blog, page 67
March 29, 2011
Teaser Tuesday: The Serious Kiss
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 was speechless. I wanted to be a catcher, his catcher. I longed to communicate silently with him, with my hands and my eyes. I wanted to drown out all the background noise and concentrate on his every move.
The Serious Kiss by Mary Hogan – Page 67
• 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 was speechless. I wanted to be a catcher, his catcher. I longed to communicate silently with him, with my hands and my eyes. I wanted to drown out all the background noise and concentrate on his every move.
The Serious Kiss by Mary Hogan – Page 67
March 21, 2011
MY SECOND NOVEL IS BEING RELEASED!
Okay, so a lot of you are probably wondering why I have been MIA compared to my normal post everyday self. Now I can finally announce why! I can't release the dates or much info yet but I can tell you that slowly over the next few months through blog posts, my upcoming/ already started e-tour and more, you will be getting the facts as they are able to be released. What I can say now is that my next novel is being released later this year!!! Stay tuned and you will get to see the reveal of the cover, sneak peaks, exerts, giveaways and more!!!!
*Happy Dance*
Let me know if there is anything you would like to see as a part of the eTour or if you are not already a part of the team and would like to be feel free to e-mail me at: Emma_Michaels@hotmail.com or Emma@Emmamichaels.com
With all the joy in my heart,
Emma
For those of you who haven't seen or read the first novel yet:
OR Your can get the e-book for only 2.99!!!!!
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/21195
Yes it is all ebook types!
A list of all available locations is in my sidebar >>>>
*Happy Dance*
Let me know if there is anything you would like to see as a part of the eTour or if you are not already a part of the team and would like to be feel free to e-mail me at: Emma_Michaels@hotmail.com or Emma@Emmamichaels.com
With all the joy in my heart,
Emma
For those of you who haven't seen or read the first novel yet:
OR Your can get the e-book for only 2.99!!!!!
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/21195
Yes it is all ebook types!
A list of all available locations is in my sidebar >>>>
March 13, 2011
Review: Dark Visions Series by L J. Smith
Novel: Dark Visions: The Strange Power, The Possessed, The Passion
Author: L.J. Smith
Pages: 752
Genre: YA (Fantasy)
(<<
GIFTED AND CURSED
Kaitlyn Fairchild has always felt like an outsider in her small hometown. Her haunting eyes and prophetic drawings have earned her a reputation as a witch. But Kait's not a witch: She's a psychic. Tired of being shunned, Kait accepts an invitation to attend the Zetes Institute, where she can have a fresh start and study with other psychic teens.
Learning to hone her abilities with four other gifted students, Kait discovers the intensity of her power -- and the joy of having true friends. But those friendships quickly become complicated when Kait finds herself torn between two irresistible guys. Rob is kind and athletic, and heals people with his good energy. Gabriel is aggressive and mysterious, a telepath concealing his true nature as a psychic vampire, feeding off of others' life energy. Together, Rob and Gabriel's opposing forces threaten the group's stability.
Then one of the experiments traps the five teens in a psychic link. A link that threatens their sanity and their lives. And Kaitlyn must decide whom to trust...and whom to love.
(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 did enjoy this book. There were some parts I had a hard time getting through but overall it was almost addictive. I got it from the library and started reading and next thing you know I am having a hard time stopping. I had to be bribed to get to sleep and even then it didn't work very well until I was completely finished with the book. I love the differences between Gabriel and Adam and I love Anna's character. Overall each of the five main characters in the link are so lovable in their own ways. Lewis is adorable! Anna tends to keeps her emotions to herself making her the person who Kaitlyn can truly count on because she always puts Kaitlyn first. It is an entirely new twist on Vampires in some ways and on witches.
Rob is amazing and there are many parts where you start to feel the same things as Kaitlyn for a moment before catching yourself and trying to force yourself to breathe again ("It's okay… it is only a book…. It is only a….*flips page*) I will warn you though that this book is darker than some of L.J. Smiths others. Part of the reason it is so much darker is simply because of the premise and because of just how believable the characters are. I hope you will enjoy this book because I did.
Would I suggest you read it:
Yes! All L. J. Smith fans are bound to love this novel and Gabriel's dark personality that contrasts to Adam's so well.
Author's Website:
http://www.ljanesmith.net/
March 3, 2011
Review: The Sleeping Beauty by Mercedes Lackey
Novel: The Sleeping Beauty
Author: Mercedes Lackey
Pages: 336
Genre: FICTION - ADULT: Romance: Other
With signs and traditions pointing to an all-out war set to break out among the kingdoms, Rosamund, the king's daughter, is "playing dead" as two princes show up at the palace intent on waking her with a kiss. But, as the two of them start to fight it out, Rosa's godmother cuts them all short and takes charge. Now, with two princes competing for the hand of Sleeping Beauty-one of them, the one with roving hands (Prince Leopold) probably "should" be her prince, while the other (Prince Siegfried) doesn't seem to belong here at all-more complications occur. The king dies and the neighbors start looking at Rosa's kingdom. But with the palace filling with young and old princes intent on winning Rosamund's love, invading the kingdom and putting those young men in peril would mean incurring the wrath of thirty other countries!
(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.)
This novel was full of surprises. I had never read one of the Tales of the Five Hundred Kingdoms before and now am definitely going to have to look into the other four installations in the series. I think there may have been a few details I was not able to understand because of not having read the previous four novels but I look forward to read them and then re-reading this novel because it is amazing and I really feel that I sold myself short. Wonderful concept and a rollercoaster of emotions, mostly laughter. Sleeping Beauty was filled with twists and turns that had me laughing until I could hardly breath. Definitely a great book for anyone who needs a more humorous book to read that still has more to it than meets the eyes.
4 Stars!
Would I suggest you read it:
Yes! I would suggest this to anyone who is a fan of Mercedes Lackey, romances with humor, old stories with a new twist or if you just love princess novels.
(This novel was received through netGalley. This does not change my stance, opinion or effect my views in any way.)
February 28, 2011
Teaser Tuesday: Vesper by Jeff Sampson
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 or more) "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 was officially grounded.
I know in the grand scheme of things, especially considering all the insanity of the past few days, being grounded should have been the least of my problems. But here's the thing: I had never once been grounded in my entire life.
Vesper by Jeff Sampson - page - 135
• Grab your current read • Open to a random page • Share two (2 or more) "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 was officially grounded.
I know in the grand scheme of things, especially considering all the insanity of the past few days, being grounded should have been the least of my problems. But here's the thing: I had never once been grounded in my entire life.
Vesper by Jeff Sampson - page - 135
February 24, 2011
Review: Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink
Novel: Prophecy of the Sisters
Author: Michelle Zink
Pages: 352
Genre: Young Adult
In Michelle Zink's debut novel, orphaned twin sister Lia and Alice Milthorpe are yoked together in an ancient prophecy that makes them enemies and could destroy them both. If Lia can break this familial curse, she can not only save her relationship with her beloved boyfriend; she can finally resolve the mystery behind her parents' death.
(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.)
The Prophecy of the Sisters is both stunning and haunting. It was an absolutely amazing read that I don't think I will be forgetting any time soon. I want The Guardian of the Gate now! I am almost tempted to get the e-book even though I don't have an e-reader just because it will be a while until I will be at a book store but I want it now! There is an intoxicating depth to the story that fills you and leaves you feeling completely different. The plot only adds to that story, especially when the lines between fact and fiction are so close to blurred. There are moments in the book where a story fact will arise that you know isn't true in our world but it is so close that you can almost believe it without even realizing, making Lia's story all the more real to the reader.
At first it is a bit slower but give it time to seep in and it will. Then next thing you know you are sucked in and hardly able to force yourself to stop turning the pages. I had this book with me on a flight back from a signing in California and when I got home I was only part of the way finished but was so busy I didn't get to pick it up for a few days. Let me tell you, the longer I waited the more I wanted to read it! Finally, I took an unplanned day off and went through the entire book and now want the next!
I am so thrilled that I read this novel and would definitely suggest it to anyone! I am really impressed with Michelle Zink and will be keeping an eye on the shelves for all of her future novels.
5 Stars!
Would I suggest you read it:
YES YES YES YES YES!!!! I can't say it enough. I loved it!
February 20, 2011
Project to Published: Why Those First Few Pages are Important
Project to Published
Why Those First Few Pages are Important
This is one area I agonized over when I was writing my first novel. The first ten pages of a book are very important because agents, publishers and readers will use those pages to decide if they want to keep reading. They must contain a hook, something interesting and a story that will shoot their eyebrows straight up to the ceiling.
No pressure, right? Ha.
Getting through that first chapter was really difficult for me. When I reached the second chapter, however, I noticed writing became easier, more fluid. The more I wrote, the easier it became. So, naturally, I turned back to my first chapter once I felt this way and tried to iron it out. Return of the frustration.
Pursing my lips, I turned back to the depths of my manuscript and kept writing. The fluidity returned and I tried again with that first chapter. Same situation. I finished my final chapter and edited my draft before returning once again to that infuriating first chapter. At this point I was beginning to imagine little gremlins of frustration that would pop out of my closet to agitate my mind solely for those few pages.
I did the best I could with the chapter and then I began writing my query letter. Still, I couldn't help feeling as though that first chapter was not as good as it could be. What didn't help is that I began receiving standard form rejections from agents who stated they were accepting manuscripts on their websites but had 'auto-away' messages that sent automatic responses to anyone who sent an e-mail.
Out of frustration and a small growing sense of despair, I grabbed the whole chapter, shredded it and started anew. To help my creative juices flow and to make me feel better, my fiancé made me chocolate chip pancakes (I don't have a chocolate addiction - honest!) and asked me why I had tossed those first few pages away. I did my best to explain it to him and that logical mind of his that makes my eye twitch pointed out that if I wasn't enjoying those pages, then I could hardly expect anyone else to be either.
Biting my tongue as he had just been very sweet with the pancakes, I acknowledged his point but further explained that I felt I couldn't get those first few pages right. He played with his fork for a moment before asking me why I was stressing out about my writing on those pages when I had written an entire novel that he felt, bless his heart, was already a best-seller.
As I raised my finger to explain about the hook and why it was so important, I suddenly realized his point. I had written another novel! Sure, it was a few pages off, but I had done what part of me had doubted that I could do. Once I realized that, and how writers are merely observers, that it is the story that tells itself, I just knew how the story should begin.
For those of you who are agonizing about those first few pages - STOP! Stop, take a step back, take a deep breath and remember what you are there to accomplish. You know inside of you what you need to say on those first few pages, how to capture the hearts and minds of agents, publishers and readers. Don't think about it - just do it. Craft those pages the way you know how to and then put a surprising twist in them that even you didn't see coming. Let your story take the driver's seat and those first few pages just might start to become clearer in your mind. I know mine did!
Sincerely,
Emma Michaels
Why Those First Few Pages are Important
This is one area I agonized over when I was writing my first novel. The first ten pages of a book are very important because agents, publishers and readers will use those pages to decide if they want to keep reading. They must contain a hook, something interesting and a story that will shoot their eyebrows straight up to the ceiling.
No pressure, right? Ha.
Getting through that first chapter was really difficult for me. When I reached the second chapter, however, I noticed writing became easier, more fluid. The more I wrote, the easier it became. So, naturally, I turned back to my first chapter once I felt this way and tried to iron it out. Return of the frustration.
Pursing my lips, I turned back to the depths of my manuscript and kept writing. The fluidity returned and I tried again with that first chapter. Same situation. I finished my final chapter and edited my draft before returning once again to that infuriating first chapter. At this point I was beginning to imagine little gremlins of frustration that would pop out of my closet to agitate my mind solely for those few pages.
I did the best I could with the chapter and then I began writing my query letter. Still, I couldn't help feeling as though that first chapter was not as good as it could be. What didn't help is that I began receiving standard form rejections from agents who stated they were accepting manuscripts on their websites but had 'auto-away' messages that sent automatic responses to anyone who sent an e-mail.
Out of frustration and a small growing sense of despair, I grabbed the whole chapter, shredded it and started anew. To help my creative juices flow and to make me feel better, my fiancé made me chocolate chip pancakes (I don't have a chocolate addiction - honest!) and asked me why I had tossed those first few pages away. I did my best to explain it to him and that logical mind of his that makes my eye twitch pointed out that if I wasn't enjoying those pages, then I could hardly expect anyone else to be either.
Biting my tongue as he had just been very sweet with the pancakes, I acknowledged his point but further explained that I felt I couldn't get those first few pages right. He played with his fork for a moment before asking me why I was stressing out about my writing on those pages when I had written an entire novel that he felt, bless his heart, was already a best-seller.
As I raised my finger to explain about the hook and why it was so important, I suddenly realized his point. I had written another novel! Sure, it was a few pages off, but I had done what part of me had doubted that I could do. Once I realized that, and how writers are merely observers, that it is the story that tells itself, I just knew how the story should begin.
For those of you who are agonizing about those first few pages - STOP! Stop, take a step back, take a deep breath and remember what you are there to accomplish. You know inside of you what you need to say on those first few pages, how to capture the hearts and minds of agents, publishers and readers. Don't think about it - just do it. Craft those pages the way you know how to and then put a surprising twist in them that even you didn't see coming. Let your story take the driver's seat and those first few pages just might start to become clearer in your mind. I know mine did!
Sincerely,
Emma Michaels
February 17, 2011
Review: The Ghost of Crutchfield Hall by Mary Downing Hahn
Novel: The Ghost of Crutchfield Hall
Author: Mary Downing Hahn
Pages: 160
Genre: 9-12 (YA or Independent Reader)
When twelve-year-old Florence boards the crowded horse-drawn coach in London, she looks forward to a new life with her great uncle and aunt at Crutchfield Hall, an old manor house in the English countryside. Anything will be better, she thinks, than the grim London orphanage where she has lived since her parents' death.
But Florence doesn't expect the ghost of her cousin Sophia, who haunts the cavernous rooms and dimly lit hallways of Crutchfield and concocts a plan to use Florence to help her achieve her murderous goals. Will Florence be able to convince the others in the household of the imminent danger and stop Sophia before it's too late?
(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 love ghost stories and this was definitely a great one. It was a short easy read that gave just the right dose of everything. You have amazing concepts that gives a new spin on things, you have an evil girl you wish weren't a ghost so you could slap her into her senses and you have an amazing family where each character really has their own lovable personality that pulls you towards them. You know when you were at a family dinner and everyone had their own strange flaws that you all know about or their own virtues you know and you look around and see then for who they really are but love them anyways? This novel has that. Mary Downing Hahn really managed to pull that off. The main girl is quiet a special young girl to me. She had a great deal on her plate and she managed to stay herself and not let herself get lost along the way. I loved this novel, absolutely wonderful ghost story that I look forward to hearing more opinions about!
5 Stars!
Would I suggest you read it:
Yes. If you love ghost stories, new spins on spirits or simply want a short read that can help you escape your life… go for it!
(This novel was received through netGalley. This does not change my stance, opinion or effect my views in any way.)
February 11, 2011
FMBBF!!!
To join the fun and make now book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:
1. Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Host { Parajunkee.com + http://www.crazy-for-books.com/} and any one else you want to follow on the list
2. Follow our Featured Bloggers - http://www.loganeturner.com/
3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing.
4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say hi in your comments
5. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can
6. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
7. If you want to show the link list, just follow the link below the entries and copy and paste it within your post!
8. If your new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!
Happy Follow Friday!
Follow it up with your twitter address if you want to get that one out!
*********
Stop by the host sites for the lists!!!
What is your favorite romance hero-type? Stereotype wise. Do you like the strong silent type or the brute macho man?Neither! I just can't fall for a character who doesn't have some emotional depth!
February 8, 2011
Teaser Tuesday: The Tales of Beedle The Bard
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:
"Pitying each other, the three women agreed that, should the chance befall them, they would unite and try to reach the Fountain together.
The sky was rent with the first ray of sun, and a chink in the wall opened."
The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling –
P.S.- I thought it would be a great idea to re-read it before the next Harry Potter movie comes out on July 15th! Anyone else looking forward to it? Or fans of only the books?
• 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:
"Pitying each other, the three women agreed that, should the chance befall them, they would unite and try to reach the Fountain together.
The sky was rent with the first ray of sun, and a chink in the wall opened."
The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling –
P.S.- I thought it would be a great idea to re-read it before the next Harry Potter movie comes out on July 15th! Anyone else looking forward to it? Or fans of only the books?
