Mundie Moms

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

YA Spooktacular Story 1, Part 12: Darkness

We are so excited to be apart of the YA Spooktacular hosted by onceuponareview.com & frenzyofnoise.blogspot.com.

What is YA Spooktacular? It's 7 days filled with 2 great stories and A LOT of prizes!!!

How Does It Work? There are 2 spooky YA stories being told in 13 parts. Each part is written by a different author and their stories are posted on a different blog each day. At the end of each story, you will have a chance to enter to win a prize pack!! To enter, you must comment on each blog that the story is posted on.

That's not all, there will also be Trick or Treats posted on some of the blogs, which means more chances for you to win. While you don't have to leave a comment on all the blog to enter the Trick or Treats, you do need to follow the intructions on how to enter, to be eligible to win the prizes.

Be sure to go HERE to find the list of bloggers & authors participating and the complete list of rules & more.
Darkness Story One, Part 12 by Christine Johnson

Jeremy froze. It was so horribly similar to that other night - the night he’d seen the demon slit his beloved’s throat. He battled with the panic that rose in him, struggling for control. He snuck toward the pair, his eyes glued to Anna’s prone body. She lay on top of a grave, her beautiful face in the shadow of the headstone. It wasn’t until he was close enough to smell the stink of the demon that he saw the dark stain that marred the far side of her dress. It was blood - her blood - and it was spilling rapidly from a wound her side in a way that made Jeremy’s breath seize in his lungs.

“No - “ His voice sounded strangled. Airless.

The demon turned to face Jeremy, an amused disdain dancing in the fire of his eyes. He laughed. It was a short, bitter sound.

“Well, you’ve arrived at the last possible second. There’s nothing to be done, of course. She’ll move out of this incarnation any moment now, but if you’re quick, there might be time to say goodbye. Again. Go ahead.” The demon raised a knife that seemed to materialize in his hand. It’s edge shone red with blood, but without even bothering to wipe it, the demon started to clean beneath his broken fingernails with the tip, utterly unconcerned by the despair in front of him.

Jeremy dropped to his knees, crawling the last few feet to Anna’s side. He reached out a shaking hand and brushed the hair from her forehead. With a finger, he gently traced the shape of her unnaturally cold lips.

“Oh, my love,” his whispered. “Why?”

He turned to the demon, the question still on his lips. “Why?” he demanded. “It wasn’t enough to kill her once?”

The demon shrugged. “What good was she to me after that? Your . . .kind. . . . claimed her as their own.” The fire in his eyes became redder, hotter. “Which made it all the more complicated to make her mine. Finally and eternallymine.” He glanced down at Anna’s bleeding form. “With her as a vampire, I need not just my blood, but the blood of another vampire to create my little demon companion.Your blood will make it that much sweeter - the strength of the bond you shared with her still lurks in her veins. It will mingle with mine, strengthening her when she transforms.” He grinned. “She’ll be a marvelous companion to me. Now. Are you going to give me your arm willingly, or shall I cut you by force?”

Jeremy’s head swam. He’d thought he’d lost Anna forever, but he hadn’t. Not yet, at least, but if he couldn’t find some sort of solution, she really would slip though his fingers. His nightmare would come true. Again.


Be sure to go to Good Books and Good Wine TOMORROW (Friday) for the final chapter in this story, written by Heather Brewer here http://www.goodbooksandgoodwine.com/

Don't miss the part 12 of Story 2 on Reading Teen http://www.readingteen.net/ by Jennifer Murgia


A TRICK! Make a video telling your own part of the story ! Be creative. Tell the story. Sing the story. Act the story. There are no limitations... (+4 entries.) To enter, be sure to go here http://tinyurl.com/2cqk3nf and fill out the entry form.

**Please be sure to enter the giveaways via the links provided, as we not giving anything away on the blog.**

Book Revew: The Chronicles of Vlad - Eighth Grade Bites


Written by: Heather Brewer
Publisher: Dutton Childrens Books (Penguin Group USA)
Released: August 16, 2007
Source: Purchased
5 stars: I loved this book and highly recommend it!

Synopsis (from Penguin Group): Vlad has to keep his vampire urges under control while dealing with the pressures of middle school.

Thirteen-year-old Vladimir Tod really hates junior high. Bullies harass him, the principal is dogging him, and the girl he likes prefers his best friend. Oh, and Vlad has a secret: His mother was human, but his father was a vampire. With no idea of the extent of his powers, Vlad struggles daily with his blood cravings and his enlarged fangs. When a substitute teacher begins to question him a little too closely, Vlad worries that his cover is about to be blown. But then he faces a much bigger problem: He’s being hunted by a vampire killer.

Two confessions: I love a good vampire story that doesn't take itself seriously. And I had to wrestle this book away from my 6th Grade son.

You see, my son's school requires him to read a book and complete a four page report on it every two weeks. Generally, I try to read his selections first. I'm one of "those mamas" who wants to make sure I know what my children are reading at all times. But I didn't pre-read Eight Grade Bites so there was a bit of a tug of war and many exclamations ending with, "Mama, you can read it while I'm in school!"

But, let me talk about the book itself and why it created that tug-of-war. First there's Vlad. An orphaned vampire living with his Aunt Nelly and trying hard to fit in with his Eighth Grade classmates. Feel free to conclude that he doesn't. Fortunately, he has a best friend, Henry, who knows his secret. And Aunt Nelly's job as a nurse keeps Vlad stocked with bags of almost-expired blood, which every growing vampire needs. So really, how bad can Vlad's life be?

Well, things take a turn for the worse when a beloved teacher disappears and a substitute teacher, Mr. Otis, shows up. And he's not your typical sub. He wears a top hat and seems to pick on Vlad. I mean, he gives him an assignment where he has to do a presentation on, what else but, vampires?!?!

What I adored about the book was the voice of Vlad. He is one strong kid, determined to understand his heritage and determined to keep the bonds of family and friendship. He is also extremely funny (from p. 147):
"We need to feed, Vlad."
"On a...person?" Vlad's stomach lurched as the last word passed over his tongue. It was all he could do to keep from puking. Blood was tasty but these were his neighbors. And just think of the looks he might get at the next block party if he got caught. Pointing accompanied by frantic whispers. Isn't that the kid who ate Billy. No way.
Book 5 of the Chronicles of Vlad: Twelfth Grade Kills is in stores now. I ran out and bought the remaining four. Because, well, there are more book reports. My son is already 40 pages into Ninth Grade Slays and this Mundie Mom needs to catch up.

If you like a well written vampire tale that slowly introduces a much bigger mythology through the eyes of a very sympathetic character, pick up The Chronicles of Vlad and join us in reading them. Oh, and why yes, my son did get an "A" on his report. Somehow, I know that Vlad, who likes doing English reports, would love to know that.


Waiting On Wednesday- Darkest Mercy

By Melissa Marr

Published by Harper Teen

To Be Released on February 22nd, 2011

The Summer King is missing; the Dark Court is bleeding; and a stranger walks the streets of Huntsdale, his presence signifying the deaths of powerful fey.

Aislinn tends the Summer Court, searching for her absent king and yearning for Seth. Torn between his new queen and his old love, Keenan works from afar to strengthen his court against the coming war. Donia longs for fiery passion even as she coolly readies the Winter Court for battle. And Seth, sworn brother of the Dark King and heir to the High Queen, is about to make a mistake that could cost his life.

Love, despair, and betrayal ignite the faery courts, and in the final conflict, some will win…and some will lose everything.

The exhilarating conclusion to Melissa Marr’s New York Times bestselling Wicked Lovely series will leave readers breathless.

Quoted from the Wickedly Lovely site: About the Cover-

It is assumed that Donia plays a large role, as she is the cover model. Darkest Mercy is the last book in the Wicked Lovely series, and Melissa has said that it concludes the story arc that started in Wicked Lovely, focusing on Ash, Seth, Keenan, and Donia.

You can find out more about Darkest Mercy from Melissa's site here http://www.melissa-marr.com/

___________________

I am a huge fan of Melissa Marr and I am really looking forward to this last installment to the Wickedly Lovely series.

Austin Teen Book Festival Winner!!



Thank you to everyone who entered our Austin Teen Book Festival Giveaway. Our winner is:

#85- Rose Cook

Congratulations Rose! I'll be sending these out to you shortly. There's more chances to win some great reads and signed books. Be sure to visit our giveaway section in our right hand side bar to enter.

Enter to Win A SIGNED Copy of The Magnificent 12: The Call

By Michael Grant
Published By Harper Collins Children
Released on August 24th, 2010
Source- The Publisher
4.5 Stars- A Wonderful New Read

Twelve-year-old Mack MacAvoy suffers from a serious case of mediumness. Medium looks. Medium grades. Medium parents who barely notice him. With a list of phobias that could make anyone crazy, Mack never would have guessed that he is destined for a more-than-medium life.

And then, one day, something incredibly strange happens to Mack. A three-thousand-year-old man named Grimluk appears in the boys’ bathroom to deliver some startling news: Mack is one of the Magnificent Twelve, called the Magnifica in ancient times, whatever that means. An evil force is on its way, and it’s up to Mack to track down eleven other twelve-year-olds in order to stop it. He must travel across the world to battle the wicked Pale Queen’s dangerous daughter, Ereskigal—also known as Risky. But Risky sounds a little scary, and Mack doesn’t want to be a hero. Will he answer the call? (quoted from the book's jacket).

This is a brilliantly written, laugh out, adventure that is sure to be a must have for many middle school age readers. Mack's voice is one of wit, and laugh out loud sarcasm, as he comes to terms with being a leader of the Magnificent 12. The only problem is, he's got to find the other 11. If that wasn't bad enough, this true to life character knows how to work his away around the bullies who target him at school, but if he thought his life was weird, it's not until he saves the life of Stefan, does this "captain" of all bullies now become an allie on his quest to stop the unimaginable and save the world. The unthinkable happens more than once to Mack.

Head over to Mundie Kids to read the rest of the review and enter to win a SIGNED copy of The Magnificent 12 here http://tinyurl.com/27rkr8a

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