Mundie Moms

Friday, December 7, 2012

Cassie Reveals a Sneak Peak at one of the Shadowhunter's Codex Illustration

Earlier today Cassie posted this stunning illustration, which is featured in the Shadowhunter's Codex. 


Cassie said this real life, huge oil painting, which features the TMI characters was done by Rebecca Guay. She says, "this book is going to be so pretty! (Wait till you see Charles Vess' illustration of the Infernal Devices characters....)". 

WOW! What a beautiful illustration! The Shadowhunter's Codex will be out next November and I'm already counting down the days!

Flashback Friday - Dash and Lily's Book of Dares

Written by: David Levithan and Rachel Cohn
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf (Random House) Date Published: October 26, 2010
Source: Purchased
Buy: Barnes and Noble | IndieBound | amazon

Rating: 5 starry stars - I loved it!!!

Synopsis: “I’ve left some clues for you.
If you want them, turn the page.
If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.”

So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the bestselling authors of Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions?

Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have written a love story that will have readers perusing bookstore shelves, looking and longing for a love (and a red notebook) of their own.

Okay I'll admit it, I begged Katie to do a Holiday Edition of Flashback Friday mostly because I've collected a number of holiday themed YA books and yes, I was dying to read them. If  you're anything like me you love this time of year and you look forward to that quiet moment during the day where you can pour some tea into your holiday themed mug and read. Maybe I'm too sentimental, but if an author sets their story in December and throws in a bit of potential romance, well helloooo, I'm there.

David and Rachel have created two of my favorite quirky, smarty-pants characters. Neither Dash nor Lily are having a perfect holiday season -- think absentee parents, an older brother who's preoccupied with his new boyfriend and lots of memories of awkward, painful Christmases past. But when Dash peruses the shelves of a bookstore and finds a red Moleskin notebook tucked next to one of his favorite books, the adventure begins.

Their challenges are sweet and poignant. The resulting whirlwind of tasks involves friends and family and one of the best Cinderella moments ever (no spoilers, I know, I know). I adored meeting all the characters which were realistic and dysfunctional enough to be part of pretty much anyone's family. And the setting? New York at Christmastime? There's nothing better than muppet making at FAO Schwartz or dancing the night away at an obscure but omgsogood club. The entire time I read it, I kept wanting Dash and Lily to meet up. The notebook exchanges were getting to me and finally, well, yeah okay NO SPOILERS.

Treat yourself to a present this holiday season, pick up Dash and Lily's Book of Dares. I promise of you a few hours of snark, laughter and a story about two people trying to find what they really need. I agree with Lily's use of the adjective "sensational" at the end of the story. Sensational, indeed.

Get Your Vote on for Our Favorite Shadowhunters!


VH1 wants to know who your favorite Supernatural Character from 2012. Of course our favorites Magnus Bane, Jace, and Will are listed as favorites!  Be sure to go get your vote on HERE

Currently the rankings are:

 Magnus is in 1st place

 Jace is in 3rd place (he's behind Edward from Twilight, and I don't think that's something he's too happy about)

Will is in 4th place. 

Don't let our boys fall to Edward. No offense Edward. You were the first, but I just love these other guys a tad lot more. VOTE HERE

*photo credit goes to TMI Source

Drake Chronicles Scavenger Hunt: Guest Post / Giveaway


I'm excited to be the last stop on the Drake Chronicles Scavenger Hunt! This week there’s plenty of hunting going on in the Drake Chronicles by Alyxandra Harvey! Humans, Hounds, Vampires...

 And with the last book in the series, Blood Prophecy, coming out Alyx & Co. thought they’d let you do some hunting of your own.  In fact these past two weeks you might have seen some quote cards flying around. Have you been collecting them?


If not, you still have time to collect the ones already out. Then come back to this blog and the other 4 blogs to collect the last cards remaining.  We have exclusive content from the characters in the series just for you! In the letters or poems or journals from these characters you’ll find links to the rest of the quote cards. 

Collect the cards we’ve already posted, the ones hidden in the letters and email them to Alyx at alyxandraharvey (at) yahoo. ca to be entered to win a Kindle Fire.



Confused? Want to play? Check out the details on Alyx’s websiteAlyxandra is also giving away a set of signed books and other goodies.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


The RULES
US, UK and Canada Only
Must be 13 years of age
Contest for Kindle Fire ends Monday Dec 10th.
For the set of books it ends Dec 17th

The Books:
To buy the books or pre-order Blood Prophecy: Barnes & Noble | Amazon | IndieBound 

And for a limited time Hearts at Stake will be $0.99 as an ebook from Nook and Kindle. Also, the first omnibus of the first three books in the Drake Chronicles, Ruling Passion is  $1.99 for the ebook. What a steal! Pick up the first copy and join us at the end of January for a video chat with the author!

Visit these other blogs this week for more fun goodies!
Tuesday: The Story Siren 
Wednesday: Ellizie Books 
Thursday: Novel Thoughts 
Friday: Mundie Moms 

All you Isabeau fans, this is for you! And it's a long one! 


 A Moment Under the Stars.
                                    Alyxandra Harvey

I am on a rocky ledge overlooking the Blood Moon encampment. There are canvas tents, painted banners, torches, and a vast weight of stars above us. It reminds me a little of the country fairs in France centuries ago when I was little. It’s the same feeling of celebration and community, edged with the threat of violence.[http://stepintofiction.blogspot.com/] We used to worry about the guillotine; here we worry about the Chandramaa Blood Moon guard. Well, the other vampires worry. As a Hound, I am living in the caves. The Cwn Mamau don’t play well with others, even when we are on our best behaviour. And I am not convinced the other vampires even have a best behaviour.
            It has a certain beauty I suppose, but only with my back pressed to the cold stone of the mountain. I trust stone, blood, dogs. I do not trust vampires, even though I am one. Perhaps especiallybecause I am one.
            Logan Drake has managed to breach my defenses in his frock coat and combat boots. He has the manners and dress of the boys I knew at court, before the Revolution changed us all. He claims to have loved me since the first moment he saw me staking a guard outside the royal caves.
            I do not believe in love at first sight.
            He says that make us even since he never used to believe in magic either.
            He is lying on the hard stone beside me. He has been lying there so long and so still, my dog Charlemagne licks his ear inquiringly. Logan opens one eye, green as moss. “I don’t think this is working, Isabeau.”
            “You must be patient.”
            “I am patient,” he grumbles. “You’ve met Lucy, right? And my brothers?”
            “Yes,” I reply, drily. “In fact I think I see Quinn down there surrounded by belly dancers.”
            He smirks. “They follow him around. He’s terrified Hunter will get the wrong idea.”
            “She knew who he was before she chose him.” I shrug. I do not understand the dramatics people, both alive and undead, feel compelled to play, nor do I care to. You love, or you do not.  Anyway, I cannot say anything about it. I know very well that the vampires at the gathering below do not think a Hound, even a Shamanka’s handmaiden such as me, is good enough for a Drake brother. But we have greater worries.
            Solange is wrong.
            And I’m still not entirely certain how, which is infuriating.
            More infuriating is the fact that I do not need to throw the bones to know that it will get worse. And that Logan will get caught in the crossfire. He needs to learn new ways to defend himself, and cement his ties to my tribe. Magic is how he will accomplish both.
            “I thought I was already an honourary Hound,” he says, opening his other eye. “I distinctly recall having my ass handed to me for the privilege.”
When he looks at me, I could swear he is touching me, even when he is not. Something in my expression must give me away for his smile is slow and wicked. “You know, it occurs to me that we’re wasting a perfectly good moment under the stars.”
            He pushes himself up on his elbow. I rest my boot on his chest and push him back down, but I am smiling too. “Kissing me won’t save your life.”
            His hand closes around my calf. “Shows what you know.”
            “Be serious, Logan,” I say, mostly because I want to kiss him as much as he wants to kiss me. [http://www.alluringreads.com]
            “What makes you think I wasn’t being serious?” He settles his head back down on the uncompromising ground. “But fine, show me how to go all Harry Potter on those undead asshats.”
            “You’ve dreamwalked with me before,” I say.
            “Accidentally,” he reminds me, closing his eyes again. I move my foot off his chest.
            “You just have to let go,” I tell him again. “I’ve given you magic to do the rest.” There is a dog bone wrapped in copper wire at his head and another at his feet. I’ve scattered mint, cloves, peppercorns, and other herbs. The dog tooth amulet around his neck is the real tool though. It has been dipped in silver and accented with garnets and bells so that I can track him if anything goes wrong. I push my own magic at him showing him where he must let go.
            I feel the exact moment when Logan relinquishes the fetters that bind his spirit to his body. It is an odd disorienting feeling at first, a cross between falling and flying.
            He sits up slowly, though his body remains stretched out beside Charlemagne. The only reason I can see him is because I am trained in such things. He is leaking light around his edges, like paper catching fire. He will be exhausted when he returns to his body. It takes considerable practice not to squander one’s magical energy that way. And it takes concentration to force yourself away from the safety of your body. The spirit wants one of two things always: to return or to travel further than is wise.
            But never let it be said that, as a Drake brother, Logan is anything but reckless and unique. He floats towards me, grinning that charming grin that is so very difficult to resist. I have never told him so. He would use it as ruthlessly as I use my sword.
            Already he is at my side, his lips on the back of my neck. I only feel them lingering because I have felt them before when he is flesh. It tickles. He laughs softly.
            “Oh go on,” I turn away with my own smile. “Kissing is not a weapon with which you require more practice.”
            “But it’s so much more fun.” He winks and drifts away, dangling over the precipice of the mountain. His hands clench, betraying his nerves. It is a primal fear that burns in the veins when you first leave your body. He is doing well. I should not be surprised. He is often underestimated. He says it’s the lace cuffs he wears.
            Lace cuffs or sharpened sword, neither will protect him from the Bloodsingers.
            There are two of them, drifting toward him, glowing bright as moons. They have long since learned the trick            of dreamwalking and they do not leak even a spark of light. They are vampire witches who work magic like my own tribe, only they use it for money and personal entertainment. They specialize in blood magic of course, and sell their spells to the highest bidder.
            We do not get along.
            They must have arrived recently since I have been down to the camp and I did not notice their magic. Now it is all I can smell, the stink of copper, mint, and blood to particular to their work. The bloodstones and garnets they wear flash and pulse with energy. They smile at Logan, fangs delicate and sharp. He does not smile back, but he does not move either.
            He cannot.                  
            Logan has no experience in this kind of fight; only enough to know that weapons are useless on a dreamwalk. They will drain his essence before he knows to be on his guard, and then he will be lost forever. I need to bring him back. It is simple enough, I only have to whisper his name three times in his ear.
            A lot simpler when there aren’t more Bloodsingers floating down the side of the mountain, fangs flashing. Floating is a cheap parlour trick. But it hides a multitude of more dangerous charms. There is an older lady, a girl, and a boy who does not look old enough to shave.
            “He is mine,” I say, sword in one hand, dog-tooth amulet in the other. Charlemagne growls.
            “There is only one of you, dog,” the older lady taunts. “And if you stay out of our way like a good little girl, we might even let you keep what’s left of his spirit.”
            I smile grimly, baring my set of double fangs. The fleu-de-lys tattoo on my neck and the Celtic dog on my upper arm flare briefly in warning. The boy blanches. “She’s a handmaiden,” he whispers.
            “And he’s a Drake,” the girl snaps. “Do you have any idea how much his blood is worth?”
            I have Charlemagne bite her first on principle. A flick of my fingers and he stands over Logan’s body, hackles raised and jaws snapping. Logan’s spirit is more vulnerable, and the two Bloodsinger girls are circling him now, like a sinister child’s game. Around and around they go, faster and faster, until he begin to blur at the edges. His essence is being stolen, that leaking light wavering like summer heat.
            Magic snaps the air like a whip. It slaps at me, recoiling and returning with painful precision. My shields burn brightly, shooting off elf-darts of energy. The boy is the first to fall, bristling with darts and bleeding from several bites. I stab at the others with the dog-tooth amulet. It leaves a trail of sparks which they try to avoid.
            Logan’s spirit has lost its phosphorescence entirely. He no longer glows but hangs grey and pale as a body on the gallows. Only his eyes are alive, flaring like green fire. I know what he was trying to tell me.
            But I will not abandon him.
            A lash of energy tightens around my wrist, a vitriolic acid-yellow that sears down to the bone. It sends lines of that same yellow along my veins. I throw a stake but a yank on the ropes hampers my aim. It misses the heart and slams into the lady’s shoulder, just under the collar bone. It’s not enough to stop her. The ropes leave welts of dark energy that only I can see. My fingers go numb, and the dog-tooth amulet clatters to the ground.
            “Non,” I order Charlemagne, torn between protecting Logan as I commanded and myself. More ropes of light bind me until I am a fly in a spider’s web. The lady tugs and I fall to my knees, on fire with pain.
            Finally, a bit of luck.
            I sprawl forward as though I am too weak to stay upright. I turn my head, the rock digging into my cheek. “Logan,’ I whisper. “Logan.”
            The spirit-girls screech when he twitches. The lady brings her dagger down on my head. I jerk out of the way and it scrapes the stone between us. Sparks flare. Behind his lids, his eyes are moving frantically.
            “Logan!” I call his name one last time, flipping to my feet. There are still ropes of Bloodsinger magic lashed around my ankles, left wrist, and throat. But all of my weapons have been rubbed with salt and crushed bloodstones. They will cut through spirit as well as flesh.
            Logan’s eyes open abruptly. He is too drained to fight properly but he is also more than just a weapon forged by circumstance and family history. He pulls the dog-tooth amulet from around his neck and slashes at the ropes tightening around me. He can’t see them now, but he would have seen them before he returned to his body. He remembers were they are. They sever slowly, throbbing with thorns and shards. I am bleeding energy.
            But finally, finally, they fall away.
            Freed, I abandon stakes for my sword. The Bloodsingers will expect stakes, will protect their hearts out of instinct. They expect a killing blow, especially from a savage Hound vampire with an extra set of fangs.
            I am happy to oblige. 
            Only death wears many faces. Any vampire can tell you that.
            I lunge, thrusting with my sword as though it is a slender epee in a fencing hall. I avoid the obvious targets. They are so busy protecting hearts and throats that they don’t notice what I am really aiming for. Their amulets shatter. Bloodstones crack, garnets spill like seeds across the stones.
            With their talismans broken, they are just vampires. Their magic is not a natural thing and it cannot last without a container. They have never learned how to make their entire bodies a vessel for magic, as I have.
            I toss the girl over the side of the mountain. The boy flees, still prickly with elf-darts, before I even glance in his direction. The lady is better with spells than swords. It only takes a single cut across her arm to break her. Her blood wells to the surface, a precious commodity that will have the other Bloodsingers turn on her if she does not bind it with special herbs. To do that, she has to run as far from them as possible. She is a blur of pale skin and broken bloodstones.
            Logan is trying to prop himself up. “Behind you!”
            The two spirit-girls press down on me, snarling.
            I launch into a dreamwalk, even though I am still covered in magical wounds from the ropes. They are taken my surprise. It takes them the same kind of preparation as it took Logan to dreamwalk. My hands are full of glowing dog teeth. I whip them and they fly like angry hornets. Then I gather every last ounce of magical power inside me and fling it out of my body until I am a falling star, a comet, a moon bursting in the sky. Light shoots off me like arrows and daggers.
            The spirit-girls fall back, seared blind. They dart away, clinging to each other. I do not know if they will make it back to their bodies. I do not care. I might not even make it back to mine. There is almost nothing left of me.
            I have been here before.
            Logan whispers my name three times.
            I collapse back into my body, utterly drained. When I open my eyes, he is shielding me with his body, even though he barely had the strength to shift himself into position. He lips brush mine when he speaks.
            “I told you kissing was more fun.”

The Face on The Milk Carton Blog Tour: Janie Face to Face Excerpt

I remember back when I was in middle school reading a new book that had come out called The Face on the Milk Carton. I still remember how this book effected me as a young reader. What I didn't realize was this book is part of a 5 book series. Recently Random House Kids announced a ebook sample for the entire Janie Series. This ebook sampler is a new refresher for those of us who have read one or more of the books years ago. You can read the press release at the end of this post.


Today I'm excited to share with you the 1st chapter of the final novel in this series, Janie Face to Face. You can read the chapter by selecting the highlighted link. 

About the Book:

In this riveting and emotional conclusion to the thriller-romance Janie series, that started with The Face on the Milk Carton, all will be revealed as readers find out if Janie and Reeve's love has endured, and whether or not the person who brought Janie and her family so much emotional pain and suffering is brought to justice.

By: Random House 
To Be Released on: 1/13/13
Purchase from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble


Here's the 10/23/12 press release from Random House


REDISCOVER BESTSELLING AUTHOR CAROLINE B. COONEY’S
THE FACE ON THE MILK CARTON AND THE ENTIRE JANIE SERIES
WITH THE RELEASE OF THE JANIE SERIES EBOOK SAMPLER

Sampler to include excerpts from all four original books in the series, as well as an exclusive excerpt
from the soon-to-be released Janie Face to Face, the final book in the Janie series

New York, NY (October 23, 2012) — Delacorte Press is pleased to announce the release of a 120-page ebook sampler featuring excerpts from all five thrillers in Caroline B. Cooney’s bestselling Janie series. In THE JANIE SERIES EBOOK SAMPLER, fans and new readers can revisit the original titles The Face on the Milk CartonWhatever Happened to Janie?, The Voice on the Radio, and What Janie Found, as well as get an exclusive sneak peek at the electrifying conclusion, Janie Face to Face, on sale January 8, 2013.

The release of the ebook sampler refreshes fans’ minds and once again introduces them to Janie Johnson, the teenage girl who uncovered a dark and unforgettable secret when she saw her own baby picture on the back of a milk carton. A major marketing and publicity campaign is currently under way for the Janie series, which includes the May 2012 release of the ebook original short story, What Janie Saw. In addition, the first four books in the series have been repackaged with brand-new covers, and both the series and Janie Face to Face will see print and online advertising, social media coverage, a blog tour with the author, and a book club chat on Twitter.
Since the initial publication of The Face on the Milk Carton in 1990, the Janie series has sold over 4.2 million copies. A Lifetime movie version of The Face on the Milk Carton was released in 1995 and introduced Cooney and the novels to a new group of fans. With the publication of Janie Face to Face, Cooney has come full-circle to show readers what ultimately happens to Janie—and whether she’s able to put together the pieces of her past to create her own future.

CAROLINE B. COONEY is the bestselling author of many young adult books, including the million-copy-plus bestseller The Face on the Milk Carton, the first volume in the Janie series. Caroline B. Cooney lives in South Carolina. Visit her online at carolinebcooneybooks.com/.

Delacorte Press is an imprint of Random House Children’s Books (RandomHouse.com/teens), the world’s largest English-language children’s trade book publisher. Random House Children’s Books is a division of Random House, Inc., whose parent company is Bertelsmann AG, a leading international media company.



Labels