Mundie Moms

Monday, February 15, 2010

Birthday Bash GIVE AWAY with Michelle Zink


We are so excited to bring you our 1st Mundie Moms Birthday Bash Give Away with Michelle Zink!! Michelle will be giving away a beautiful hard cover copy of her book Prophecy of the Sisters AND an Audio Book.
Here's a little bit about Prophecy of The Sisters-An ancient prophecy divides two sisters-

One good...

One evil...

Who will prevail?

Twin sisters Lia and Alice
Milthorpe have just become orphans. They have also become enemies. As they discover their roles in a prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other, the girls find themselves entangled in a mystery that involves a tattoo-like mark, their parents' deaths, a boy, a book, and a lifetime of secrets.

Lia and Alice don't know whom they can trust.

They just know they can't trust each other.

You can read more about Prophecy Of The Sisters in our review. It's definitely a MUST read.
Here's a peak at the beautiful German Cover-


To enter you need to leave a comment letting us know how many entries you get, along with a valid email address. ONE entry per person. You need to be a forum member OR/and a blog follower to enter-
+2 being a blog follower
+4 for being a forum member
+1 for following Michelle Zink on Twitter
+1 for following us on Twitter
+2 for tweeting about this contest
+2 for leaving a comment on Michelle's Guest Author Post below

This contest will end on March 1st at midnight CST and the winners will be announced the following day on the blog and Twitter. Winners will be drawn using Random.org. One winner will receive the audio book and one winner will receive hardcover copy. This is open to our international followers and members as well. GOOD LUCK!!

Passion, Enthusiasm, and the Mundie Moms

Looking back on my debut year, one of the things I loved most was the TIME I had. Of course, it didn’t seem that way then. As I prepared to promote Prophecy of the Sisters while also working on book two in the series, Guardian of the Gate, I FELT busy. But looking back, I had time to guest blog, research, check all my favorite blogs regularly, and most importantly, breathe.

That all ended sometimes around July of 2009. Ever since, I’ve been in a sort of fugue state promoting, touring, answering emails, visiting schools, writing book three, revising Guardian of the Gate, working on a short story for an anthology - oh! And taking care of my four children ages 10-17 because, as most of you know, I’m a single mother.

None of that is a complaint! My life is filled with the BEST of all things, and I feel blessed on a daily basis to have a life so overflowing with everything that matters to me.

But one of the hardest parts, really, has been that I feel so much less connected to many of the bloggers, readers, and reviewers that I love so much. I used to have time to attend online chats, sit on Twitter for an hour, and guest blog whenever I was asked. More and more, though, I find myself scrambling for a small piece of time just to write. Now, it’s more than the fact that writing sustains me. That it keeps me sane and grounded and calms my always-busy mind. Now, I actually have deadlines and people who depend on me, so sometimes, I have to say no when I’m asked to guest blog even when I want to say yes.

But I just couldn’t say no this time! And that’s because the Mundie Moms are a daily reminder of all the reasons why I feel so fortunate and blessed to be a part of the incredible community of online readers, bloggers, and writers that currently exist. From their start as a fan page for Cassandra Clare’s fantastic The Mortal Instruments series, the Mundie Moms have become a cornerstone of the online YA community.

It’s not just they hold chats, promote books, review new releases, and make a point of keeping their finger on the pulse of the YA blogosphere.

It’s that the Mundie Moms have PASSION. They didn’t start their blog because someone asked them to or because they had an incentive or because they had any stake at all in doing it. They started it because they were excited about something they read. Because they wanted to share that excitement with other readers. And while it may have started with The Mortal Instruments, they continue to share that passion for great books with all of us.

Which means that for me, they represent everything wonderful and right and true about the blogosphere.

And THAT is an inspiration.

So Katie and Sophie, I just want to take this moment to wish you a very Happy Blog Birthday. I want you to know how very much your enthusiasm and energy contributes to the online world that has become so much a part of my life. I want you to know that I smile when I see your Tweets and that my heart is a little warmer when I “see” you on Facebook.

Most of all, I want you to know that you make my days (and loooong writing nights) brighter and that our online community is so much richer for your presence.

Happy Birthday and here’s to many, many more!
<3

Michelle Zink

Book Review: Fairy Tale by Cyn Balog



Book Review: Fairy Tale by Cyn Balog

Published by: Delacorte

Release Date: June 2009

5 stars


Summary from Author’s Website:

Morgan Sparks and Cam Browne are a match made in heaven. They’ve been best friends since birth, they tell each other everything, and oh yeah- they’re totally hot for each other.

But a week before their joint Sweet Sixteen bash, everything changes. Cam’s awkward cousin Pip comes to stay, and Morgan is stunned when her formerly perfect boyfriend seems to be drifting away.

When Morgan demands answers, she’s shocked to discover the source of Cam’s distance isn’t another girl- it’s another world. Pip claims that Cam is a fairy. No, seriously. A fairy. And now his people want Cam to return to their world and take his rightful place as Fairy King.

Determined to keep Cam with her, Morgan plots to fool the fairies. But as Cam continues to change, she has to decide once and for all if he really is her destiny, and if their “perfect” love can weather an uncertain future.

What is Everyone Saying?:

“Morgan’s distinctively funny voice and the touching three-way romance will make this a popular addition to the urban fairy romance market.” — Booklist

“A fantastic debut that will consume you and hold you captive.” — Ravenous Reader

“This book is good . . . A compelling, romantic, surprisingly funny story.” — Kidliterate

My Thoughts:

What would you do if you woke up one morning and your perfect life was starting to unravel? Everything that you thought would always be a constant is ripped away from you in a single instant. This is exactly what happens to Morgan Sparks on the eve of her 16th birthday. She thinks this is supposed to be a magical day and in truth it will be, but not in the way she wants because Morgan finds out that her long time boyfriend, Cam, is a fairy king. Morgan is determined to not let this come between them, but does she have a choice? To make things even more confusing Pip enters the picture. Pip is the baby that was born to the Browne family, but he was stolen by the fairies and Cam was left in his place. Pip has lived his entire life amongst the fairies and has a lot to learn about humans. Morgan is given the task of helping him make the transition so that he can take Cam’s place. Does she have the strength to do that? Can she truly let Cam return to the land of his birth? This story is one of how heartbreaking and romantic first loves can be.

I loved this book. It is now on my list of favorites! I loved watching the characters of Morgan, Cam, and Pip evolve. The choices they all have to make are so difficult. I don’t know that I would have been able to decide when the right moment came, but Morgan shows her strength in that moment. Does she choose to let Cam go or hold onto him forever? I suppose you’ll just have to read it to find out.

Book Review: Something, Maybe by Elizabeth Scott



Book Review: Something, Maybe by Elizabeth Scott

Published by: Simon Pulse

Release Date: March 2009

4 stars

Summary from author’s website:
Everyone thinks their parents are embarrassing, but Hannah knows she's got them all beat. Her dad made a fortune showing pretty girls--and his "party" lifestyle--all over the Internet, and her mom, who was once one of her dad's girlfriends, is now the star of her own website. After getting the wrong kind of attention for far too long, Hannah has learned how to stay out of sight...and that's how she likes it.

Of course, being unknown isn't helping her get noticed by gorgeous, confident Josh, who Hannah knows is her soul mate. Between trying to figure out a way to get him to notice her, dealing with her parents, and wondering why she can't stop thinking about another guy, Finn, Hannah feels like she's going crazy. She's determined to make things work out the way she wants....only what she wants may not be what she needs.


My Thoughts:
This book does an amazing job of establishing a teen voice that is relatable and real. Hannah is embarrassed by the lifestyles of her parents. What teen isn’t embarrassed by their parents at some point? She doesn’t quite fit in at school due to her parents crazy careers. It’s pretty difficult being the daughter of a Hugh Hefner top and one of his former “girls”. Poor Hannah doesn’t stand a chance against the taunts of high schoolers.

She spends her days talking to her best friend, Teagan, suffering through her classes, and working at the Burger Town Call Center with Josh and Finn. Josh is the cute, artsy boy who makes Hannah’s pulse quicken while Finn is a big joker who drives Hannah insane.

Can Hannah finally find the place where she fits? Can she finally learn to accept her parents for who they are? Will she find love?

I fell in love with these characters and their stories. This is one of those books that I was seriously sad when it ended. I wanted to know more about the characters and what would happen to them in the future. I also have to admit I have a literary crush on Finn now.

What do Others Have to Say?:
"The best love story I've read in ages." -- Sarah Dessen, bestselling author of Lock and Key and Just Listen

"Quiet-yet-sassy Hannah finds herself crushing on two boys: sensitive, gorgeous, perfect Josh and awkward, funny Finn. Which boy to choose, however, becomes the least of Hannah's problems when her dad calls in an attempt to rekindle their relationship. Through crushes and fights, Hannah comes to a deeper understanding of what it means to love. Hannah is neither too witty nor too empty but nicely normal, and Scott shows an understanding of the many stages of teen romance, from infatuation to breakup. This classic girl-meets-boys story will capture the whole spectrum of girl romance readers." -- Kirkus

"Scott's portrayal of Hannah's situation is subtle and convincing. Readers will understand without being told that Hannah and her mother love one another, but that Hannah is as much parents as she is child...teen girls will enjoy it." -- School Library Journal

Mundane Monday #21

Happy Mundane Monday!! I don't know about you guys, but this whole conversation with Jace and Clary makes me laugh. Enjoy your Monday!

"Your friend's poetry is terrible," he said.
Clary blinked, caught momentarily off guard. "What?"
"I said his poetry was terrible. It sounds like he ate a dictionary and started vomiting up words at random."
"I don't care about Eric's poetry." Clary was furious. "I want to know why you're following me."
"Who said I was following you?"
"Nice try. And you were eavesdropping, too. Do you want to tell me what this is about, or should I just call the police?"
"And tell them what?" Jace said witheringly. "That invisible people are bothering you? Trust me, little girl, the police aren't going to arrest someone they can't see."
-City of Bones, Jace & Clary pages 40-41

Enjoy this nice fan made video of Jace and Clary-

Book Review-Chasing Brooklyn

By Lisa Schroeder
Published by Simon and Schuster
Released January 5, 2010
Source: from Simon and Schuster
5 stars

Chasing Brooklyn
Restless souls and empty hearts.

Brooklyn can't sleep. Her boyfriend, Lucca, died only a year ago, and now her friend Gabe has just died of an overdose. Every time she closes her eyes, Gabe's ghost is there waiting for her. She has no idea what he wants or why it isn't Lucca visiting her dreams.

Nico can't stop. He's always running, trying to escape the pain of losing his brother, Lucca. But when Lucca's ghost begins leaving messages, telling Nico to help Brooklyn, emotions come crashing to the surface.

As the nightmares escalate and the messages become relentless, Nico reaches out to Brooklyn. But neither of them can admit that they're being haunted. Until they learn to let each other in, not one soul will be able to rest.

Chasing Brooklyn is a haunting, emotionally gripping, beautiful written love story. I have never read a book in verse before and WOW! Lisa Schroeder's amazing style of writing allowed me to be whisked away in the story of Brooklyn, who's dealing w/ the death of her boyfriend, Lucca and Lucca's brother Nico. Both of them have been dealing with the grief of Lucca's passing for a year, when another close friend of theirs', Gabe dies. Now both Brooklyn and Nico are brought together in their grief and dealings with the haunting of both Lucca and Gabe, but neither of them can tell the other they're being haunted.

What ensues is an amazing love story for both Nico and Brooklyn, as they learn to let each other in. I love how Lisa wrote in the point of view of both Brooklyn and Nico. The writing is done in a journal entry style, and the verse just pours off the pages. I sat down to read the book and before I knew it, I was done. Not only did I feel their pain and sorrows, but I felt hope for both Brooklyn and Nico as they helped each other heal. I connected with each of the characters in the story. In the wake of tragedy, comes love in a different way.

Chasing Brooklyn has an amazing theme of love. Love doesn't end with death, as both Gabe and Lucca try to reach out to Brooklyn and Nico to help each them, help each other. Neither of them can rest, until they know Brooklyn and Nico will be okay. As Brooklyn and Nico learn to open up and trust each other, their love begins to grow. I really liked how Lisa made their story so real. They didn't rush into love. Through Nico's haunting of Lucca, he reaches out to Brooklyn and a friendship is formed. Both are able to help each other with the pain of losing someone they love. As they continue to grow as friends and the more they open up, the more they realize it's okay to fall in love. There's so many different layers to love through out the book, which is why it was picked as one of our favorite Valentine's Day reads.

You can follow Lisa here-http://twitter.com/lisa_schroeder and visit her site here to learn more about her amazing books and find out about her next release-http://lisaschroederbooks.com/
Don't forget about Powell's Books $5 off any order. It's a great opportunity to buy Far From You and Chasing Brooklyn. The coupon code is good through tonight at 11:59 PST http://tinyurl.com/yckuc5l

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