Mundie Moms

Sunday, May 31, 2015

Tales From The Shadowhunter Academy Snippet — Malec


Shadowhunter fans, have you read the latest snippet from Takes from the Shadowhunter Academy, that Cassie has shared? Cassandra Clare treated fans with the snippet last night. 


You all have been especially awesome lately so … skipping ahead a bit in Tales From, the story Born to Endless Night, in which Magnus and Alec visit the Academy, find an abandoned warlock baby, some students get crushes on Magnus, and Alec makes some tough decisions.

“Vampires are gross and dead, werewolves are gross and hairy, and fairies are treacherous and would sleep with your mom,” said Julie. “Warlocks are the sexy Downworlders. Think about it. They all have daddy issues. And Magnus Bane is the sexiest of them all. He can be High Warlock of my pants.”

“Uh, Magnus has a boyfriend,” said Simon.
There was a frightening glint in Julie’s eye. “There some mountains you still want to climb, even though there are ‘No Trespassing’ signs up.”

Simon collapsed at his lunch table. “I just walked in on Alec and Magnus … you know.”
“What? Where? When? How? Did Magnus seem like an athletic yet tender lover?” Julie demanded.
“Julie!” said Beatriz.
“Thank you, Beatriz,” said Simon.
“Don’t say a word, Simon,” said Beatriz. “Not until I have acquired a pen and paper so I can write down everything you say. I’m sorry, Simon, but they are famous, and celebrities have to bear with this interest in their love lives. They’re like Brangelina.”
“They are not like Brangelina,” Simon said. “What would you even call that? Algnus? That sounds like a foot disease.”
“Obviously, you would call it Malec,” said Beatriz. “Are you stupid, Simon?”
“I will not be distracted!” said Julie. “Does Magnus have piercings? Of course he does, when would he miss an opportunity to shine?”

“I just thought…” Alec said. “Well, I guess I never expected anything like this to happen before we got married.”
“What?” said Magnus.
Alec just stared up at him. One long, strong archer’s hand was dangling into the baby’s crib, but Alec was intent on Magnus, his dark blue eyes darker than ever in the shadows, one look from Alec more important than a kiss from anyone else. Magnus saw he meant it.
“Alec,” he said. “My Alec. You have to know that’s impossible.”
Awww..... Magnus and Alec.

Saturday, May 30, 2015

JOYRIDE by Anna Banks | Blog Tour: Author Interview


Hello & welcome to today's JOYRIDE blog tour stop. I'm so thrilled to have author ANNA BANKS on the blog today. She's stopped by to talk about her upcoming release. Before I share my interview with her, here's a little bit about Joyride, which will be out this Tuesday, June 2nd!

ABOUT THE BOOK


By: Anna Banks
To Be Released on: June 2nd, 2015
Published by: Feiwel & Friends
Pre-Order it from: Amazon | B&N
Add it to Goodreads

A popular guy and a shy girl with a secret become unlikely accomplices for midnight pranking, and are soon in over their heads—with the law and with each other—in this sparkling standalone from NYT-bestselling author Anna Banks.

It’s been years since Carly Vega’s parents were deported. She lives with her brother, studies hard, and works at a convenience store to contribute to getting her parents back from Mexico.

Arden Moss used to be the star quarterback at school. He dated popular blondes and had fun with his older sister, Amber. But now Amber’s dead, and Arden blames his father, the town sheriff who wouldn’t acknowledge Amber's mental illness. Arden refuses to fulfill whatever his conservative father expects.

All Carly wants is to stay under the radar and do what her family expects. All Arden wants is to NOT do what his family expects. When their paths cross, they each realize they’ve been living according to others. Carly and Arden’s journey toward their true hearts—and one another—is funny, romantic, and sometimes harsh.


My Interview With Anna


Hi Anna! Welcome to Mundie Moms, and congratulations on your upcoming release, JOYRIDE. If we were to ask your main character Carly, how to describe Joyride in 5 words or less, how would you describe it?

Risky, fun, romantic, heartbreaking, shocking.


Carly and Arden's relationship tackles some harsh realities, but it also has humor, and some romantic moments to it. Which of these three elements did you have the most fun writing?


The humor was the most fun writing. I needed it, and I felt the reader needed it because of the harsh realities. And more than that, the characters needed it. I remember writing some scenes in JOYRIDE where I felt like cuddling up in bed and crying afterward, because life is truly that difficult for some people and it sucks to contemplate. So I had to add something to balance that out, which is where the Bonnie & Clyde aspect came in.

Carly and Arden both deal with a lot in Joyride.  One has to deal with family members whom get deported, and another deals with a sibling who never receives some much needed help for their mental illness. Were these (important) topics something you always knew you'd write about in the story, or was it something that just happened?

I knew from the beginning that Carly would be dealing with the overwhelming loss of her deported parents. It’s a story I’ve wanted to write for a long time, because it’s a story that not many of us are familiar with, and it’s a story I think we need to become familiar with because so many people go through it. With Arden, he needed troubles of his own, and at first I didn’t know what they were, but then I tried to envision him as an only child and couldn’t—someone helped shape who he is, but who? And after I developed his sister, I knew she had to be taken away, and since I was already touching on such devastating realities in life, I decided I would also represent how mental illness can affect teens and families and friends. 

Whom would you had been friends with as a teen, Carly, Arden or both of them? Why? 

I wasn’t one of those teens who would approach someone like Carly and try to pursue friendship with her. In the beginning of the story, she projects this “stay clear of me” presence, and I would have probably been like, “Okay, will do.” I don’t know if I would have been friends like Arden or if I actually was Arden as a teen. I dealt with loss as a teen and I was quite the devious prankster, so I feel I have a lot in common with Arden. 

 If I were to ask both Carly and Arden, what is one thing they each admire about each other, what would they both say?


Carly would want Arden’s free and easy going nature. She’s jealous of how he can take things in stride and not get worked up over them. Arden admires Carly’s strength and her hidden fearlessness, traits that even she didn’t know she had.

Do you have a favorite line from the book you can share with us?


When Arden says, “Do you have me like I have you?”

If you didn't have a care in the world, and could hop in the car and take a road trip to anywhere, where would you go and why?


I would go EVERYWHERE. Because I truly believe that life is not about the destination, it’s about the journey in getting there. The flat tires, the emergency gas station bathroom breaks because you ate lunch from a food truck in the middle of nowhere, the laughing so hard you spit your drink all over the dash. All these things are just as important as seeing the Smithsonian (which is where I’d go first).

What is one "writing must have", you need when writing?


My desk has to be completely cleared off or I can’t write a single word. It sucks. It’s like my mind gravitates to the things on my desk instead of the manuscript. Also, coffee when editing, and wine when writing. 


____________________________

Author Links/Info

Full Blog Tour Schedule


May 12- Xpresso Reads
May 13- WhoRU Blog
May 19-Fiktshun
May 27-Dana Square
May 29-Paper Riot
May 30-Mundie Moms

Friday, May 29, 2015

LION HEART by A.C. Gaughen | Blog Tour: Author Guest Post & Giveaway


Hello and welcome to today's LION HEART blog tour. I am so thrilled to have author A.C.Gaughen on the blog today to talk about her ending her series. This is one of my favorite series, and if you haven't yet, I highly recommend adding LION HEART to your TBR lists. 



The end of an era – Saying goodbye to the Scarlet series.
So there’s this girl I know.  I met her in 2007 during my MLitt (a Scottish MFA) in St Andrews.  I met her when I was frustrated, and angry, and needed someone to vent to.  She was there for me, and then we just didn’t really talk for a while.  To be honest, I forgot about her.  I moved back to the States; I moved back to Scotland.  I moved back to the States, for good this time.  
It wasn’t until I was working in this god-awful retail job where my 19 year old boss was alternating between regaling me with the merits of breast implants and forcibly reminding me of the correct way to hang clothes on a hanger that I heard from this friend again.   She just walked into the store one day while I was working, and it was like no time had passed.  
I had no idea how much I needed her;  I was at the end of my rope.  I was tired and frustrated and nothing felt like it was working.  I was broke and living with my mom and I just felt like I was sitting by and watching as other people got the things I wanted, and I didn’t understand how to change.  
But then she came, and we would go to Panera together, and we’d talk for hours.  Hours and hours.  She told me her story, and I started to write it down; I wrote so much and so long and so fast that when I would leave, I found myself talking like her.  She had wrapped herself around my bones, and my heart.  
Forgive the extended metaphor, but that friend was Scarlet.  She was there for me, waiting with nervous glee as I got the call from my agent.  She was there through my first edits, my first copy edits, my first pass pages.  She was there for my first launch party, and when I needed to talk again, she was there to help me write Lady Thief, and then Lion Heart.  
I felt like SCARLET had been a book that I discovered—I wasn’t sure how I wrote it, and usually it just felt like it appeared from thin air.  My launch party and the time leading up to it kind of felt like a lie—I’m such a fake and I don’t deserve this—and then the real work started.  Lady Thief and Lion Heart—they were work.  With each book I had to learn how to write again.  I had to learn that I am a writer, not just someone who got smacked with the story stick.  
By the time I was halfway through Lion Heart, I missed my friend; I felt like we weren’t talking, I felt like she wasn’t telling me what I needed to know about her story.  And then, this one day, we finally connected again, and she sat me down with this sweet smile and told me that the problem here was that the story wasn’t about her any more.  I was confused—this sounded like a bad thing, and she said it like it was good.  And then she said that the story wasn’t Scarlet’s because somewhere along the line, I found my story, my voice, my something.  
And in the end, I knew that something had to be called Lion Heart.  


Scarlet has carried me for many of my days, but she also showed me how to walk on my own.  And now I carry her with me, and I always will.  I don’t know if that counts as goodbye.  


ABOUT LION HEART 

Scarlet has captured the hearts of readers as well as the heart of Robin Hood, and after ceaseless obstacles and countless threats, readers will finally find out the fate of the Lady Thief.

Imprisoned by Prince John for months, Scarlet finds herself a long way from Nottinghamshire. After a daring escape from the Prince's clutches, she learns that King Richard’s life is in jeopardy, and Eleanor of Aquitaine demands a service Scarlet can’t refuse: spy for her and help bring Richard home safe. But fate—and her heart—won’t allow her to stay away from Nottinghamshire for long, and together, Scarlet and Rob must stop Prince John from going through with his dark plans for England. They can not rest until he’s stopped, but will their love be enough to save them once and for all?
 


About A.C. Gaughen

I am shamelessly addicted to staying up far too late (it feels like stealing time), diet coke (it burns so good), Scotland (stupid country stole my heart and won't give it back. Interpol has been ineffective for prosecution) and thieves (so I guess I'm not that mad at Scotland). 


ENTER TO WIN


3 complete sets of the SCARLET series. US Only. Copies will be sent out from the publisher at the end of the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Shadowhunters TV News: Cassandra Clare Shares Her Thoughts on Jon Cor's Audition for Hodge



Cassandra Clare shared a sneak peak into her thoughts on the audition for Hodge. Jon Cor was just announced as the newest cast member to join The Shadowhunters TV Series. He has been cast as Hodge. Read the announcement here.

In talking to Cassie about his casting, she had this to say:

John Cor's audition really worked for me. It brought home a different aspect of Hodge than the movie. I really saw the man who had been in school with Jocelyn and Valentine. One of his lines was that Jocelyn was one of his best friends in high school, and I could believe it. I loved Jared but I think this is going to illuminate the Hodge who was once a young man with promise that went terribly wrong.

Yep, I can definitely see how Jon will illuminate the younger Hodge. I can't wait to see Jon bring Hodge to life on TV. Read the official press release from ABC FAMILY here

Shadowhunters TV Series News: Jon Cor Has Been Cast As Hodge Starkweather

Shadowhunters, we've got more exciting cast news! ABC Family announced this afternoon that Jon Cor has been cast as Hodge Starkweather!


Say hello to Hodge! What do you guys think? I've not seen anything Jon has been in, but I'm looking forward to seeing how he brings our TV series Hodge to life. Check out their official announcement below.

ABC FAMILY HAS CAST JON COR AS HODGE STARKWEATHER
FOR THE SAGA SERIES “SHADOWHUNTERS”

Burbank, CA (May 28, 2015) – ABC Family has cast Jon Cor (“Dark Matter”) as Hodge Starkweather. It was announced today by the network. Cor will be a recurring guest star on the series.

Based on the bestselling young adult fantasy book series The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare, “Shadowhunters” follows 18-year-old Clary Fray, who finds out on her birthday that she is not who she thinks she is but rather comes from a long line of Shadowhunters – human-angel hybrids who hunt down demons. When her mother, Jocelyn, is kidnapped, Clary is thrown into the world of demon hunting with mysterious Shadowhunter Jace and her best friend, Simon. Now living among faeries, warlocks, vampires and werewolves, Clary begins a journey of self-discovery as she learns more about her past and what her future may hold.

Hodge Starkweather is the weapons trainer at the Shadowhunters New York Institute and a former Circle member.

“Shadowhunters” is produced by Constantin Film and executive produced by Ed Decter and McG. McG will also direct the first episode. The network has previously announced Katherine McNamara as Clary Fray, Dominic Sherwood for the role of Jace Wayland, Alberto Rosende as Simon, Emeraude Toubia as Isabelle Lightwood, Matthew Daddario as Alec Lightwood, Isaiah Mustafa as Luke Garroway Harry Shum Jr. as Magnus Bane and Alan Van Sprang in the recurring guest star role of Valentine.    

The Artisans by Julie Reece | Blog Tour: Book Review & Giveaway


Welcome to today's THE ARTISANS blog tour! Today I'm thrilled to share my review for this brand new release from Julie Reece. Be sure you enter to win below!


ABOUT THE ARTISANS:

By: Julie Reece
Published by: Month9Books,LLC
Released on: May 12, 2015
Purchase from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | kobo | TBD
Add it to Goodreads 
Source: ebook from publisher to review
Rating: 5 Stars - I Loved It

They say death can be beautiful. But after the death of her mother, seventeen-year-old Raven Weathersby gives up her dream of becoming a fashion designer, barely surviving life in the South Carolina lowlands.

To make ends meet, Raven works after school as a seamstress creating stunning works of fashion that often rival the great names of the day.

Instead of making things easier on the high school senior, her stepdad's drinking leads to a run in with the highly reclusive heir to the Maddox family fortune, Gideon Maddox.

But Raven's stepdad's drying out and in no condition to attend the meeting with Maddox. So Raven volunteers to take his place and offers to repay the debt in order to keep the only father she's ever known out of jail, or worse.

Gideon Maddox agrees, outlining an outrageous demand: Raven must live in his home for a year while she designs for Maddox Industries' clothing line, signing over her creative rights.

Her handsome young captor is arrogant and infuriating to the ninth degree, and Raven can't imagine working for him, let alone sharing the same space for more than five minutes.

But nothing is ever as it seems. Is Gideon Maddox the monster the world believes him to be? And can he stand to let the young seamstress see him as he really is?

An electrifying retelling of Beauty and Beast with a hauntingly good twist. Julie Reece's new release was addicting, to say the least. It has the right amount of intrigue, romance, suspense, and great character chemistry that made it impossible to put down. I ended up reading it in one sitting. 

I love fairytale retellings. Julie Reece's retelling is fantastic! It's unlike anything I've read before. She blends together so many elements to create unique story that is one part mystery, one part romance, and one part suspense. I'll admit, at the beginning I almost lost interest, but it didn't take long for the story to really pick up and hook me. I ended up liking that Reece gives readers a brief history into Raven's current predicament, which how the story begins. It allows readers to understand what's going on and why. 

I love how Reece mixed the romantic element and the paranormal element into the story. It worked well with the two main characters, Raven and Gideon. Can we talk about the friction, and that chemistry these two had?! There is a lot going on behind the scenes with Gideon that we only start to understand towards the end of the book. I loved it. Raven on the other hand, this girl is an open book. I loved her strength, and her not taking crap. She's fiercely loyal, and will do anything for those she loves, which is what got her in her predicament with Gideon in the first place. I love her fashion sense. 

One of the things I loved about Gideon and Raven's relationship is the fact that these two could push each other's buttons. They don't have a love at first site relationship, though they definitely have an attraction at first site. Raven's inner monologue during some of her moments with Gideon is hilarious. There's more to the story than Gideon and Raven's relationship. I liked the history, and the deadly twist that comes with getting to know more about Gideon, and his family. Mixed into that history is magic, paranormal elements, and a dangerous secret. That twist in the story is one I didn't see coming. Though looking back at the beginning of the story, Reece did a great job at setting up her twist. 

There's some great secondary characters, whom added a lot to the story. I enjoyed getting to know them. Especially Raven's closet friends, and Cole. Another thing I liked about the story is the realistic elements Reece included in her story, and the different struggles her characters had. They each come from different walks of life, and the things they each deal with have made them into some pretty amazing characters. Though reading about what they have dwelt with is a little heartbreaking. 

I really enjoyed Reece's writing, so much so that I am totally buying this book.  I read this as an e-book, a format I rarely read from. While reading it I kept thinking 1) I need this book on my bookshelves 2) This would make a great movie. While I loved the book over all, there were a few minor things that I may have cringed at while reading the book. This comes from reviewing numerous books over the past few years. I've noticed I knit pick a lot more, but luckily this story was written in a way that it was extremely easy for me to over look those things. There are a lot of other things going on in this book, that kept me reading. I was hooked. Over all this was a fantastic read, and one I would most likely read again.


ABOUT JULIE REECE:


Born in Ohio, I lived next to my grandfather’s horse farm until the fourth grade. Summers were about riding, fishing and make-believe, while winter brought sledding and ice-skating on frozen ponds. Most of life was magical, but not all.

I struggled with multiple learning disabilities, did not excel in school. I spent much of my time looking out windows and daydreaming. In the fourth grade (with the help of one very nice teacher) I fought dyslexia for my right to read, like a prince fights a dragon in order to free the princess locked in a tower, and I won.
Afterwards, I read like a fiend. I invented stories where I could be the princess… or a gifted heroine from another world who kicked bad guy butt to win the heart of a charismatic hero. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that? Later, I moved to Florida where I continued to fantasize about superpowers and monsters, fabricating stories (my mother called it lying) and sharing them with my friends.
Then I thought I’d write one down…

Hooked, I’ve been writing ever since. I write historical, contemporary, urban fantasy, adventure, and young adult romances. I love strong heroines, sweeping tales of mystery and epic adventure… which must include a really hot guy. My writing is proof you can work hard to overcome any obstacle. Don’t give up. I say, if you write, write on!

Connect with the Author:  Website | Twitter | Facebook Goodreads

ENTER TO WIN:

Five (5) winners will receive a digital copy of The Artisans by Julie Reece. Open Internationally.

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Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Spirits and Thieves by Morgan Rhodes | Waiting on Wednesday #248



By: Morgan Rhodes
Published by: Razorbill
To Be Released on: June 23rd, 2015
Pre-Order from: Amazon | B&N
Add it to Goodreads

Modern-day sisters discover deadly ancient magic in book 1 of this Falling Kingdoms spin-off series!

Worlds collide in this suspenseful, page-turning Falling Kingdoms spin-off series, which explores a whole new side of Mytica—and an even darker version of its magic.

Crystal Hatcher, Modern-day Toronto: It’s a normal afternoon in her father’s antique bookshop when Crys witnesses the unthinkable: her little sister Becca collapses into a coma after becoming mesmerized by a mysterious book written in an unrecognizable language.

Maddox Corso, Ancient Mytica: Maddox Corso doesn’t think much of it when he spots an unfamiliar girl in his small village. Until, that is, he realizes that she is a spirit, and he is the only one who can see or hear her. Her name is Becca Hatcher, and she needs Maddox to help get her home.

Farrell Grayson, Modern-day Toronto: Rich and aimless Farrell Grayson is thrilled when the mysterious leader of the ultra-secret Hawkspeare Society invites him into the fold. But when he learns exactly what he has to do to prove himself, Farrell starts to question everything he thought he knew about family, loyalty, and himself….

Fate has brought these young people together, but ancient magic threatens to rip them apart.
 


I LOVE Morgan's Falling Kingdoms series, and I am really looking forward to reading this book! I really like the new cover for it. The ARC cover is different. I plan on starting it this coming weekend. Later this week I'll be hosting a giveaway for an additional arc I received. Be sure to visit MMs later this week. What book are you waiting on? 

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