tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83131443749855308972024-03-14T06:21:58.249-07:00ParadoxicalReading, Writing, and Randomness.Paradoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05079964912873947188noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313144374985530897.post-90433057747301411372009-10-11T21:07:00.000-07:002009-10-11T21:38:32.102-07:00In My Mailbox (October 4-11)<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The last week was another one of those weeks when I get a ridiculous amount of books (mostly because I went overboard at 2 library book sales on Saturday.)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">In My Mailbox:</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The Kindling of Greenfyr by Mark Freeman (Signed) - For Review</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick - I have no idea why I got this. I didn't win it and got no e-mails from the publisher or author, so I'm confused.</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Meri Strikes Back by M. Apostolina - Contest Win</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The Black Sheep by Yvonne Collins and Sandy Rideout - Contest Win</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">NurtureShock by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman - Contest Win</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Bought at Library Book Sales (It looks like someone got rid of all their Tamora Pierce books.):</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The Doppleganger Chronicles: The First Escape by G. P. Taylor</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Monster Blood Tattoo - Book One: Foundling by D. M. Cornish</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Love, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Contact by Carl Sagan</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Heartlight by T. A. Barron</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The Final Warning by James Patterson</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">By the Light of the Moon by Dean Koontz</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Odd Hours by Dean Koontz</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Spindle's End by Robin McKinley</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">2 copies (different paperback editions) of Midnighters: Blue Noon by Scott Westerfeld</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Midnighters: Touching Darkness by Scott Westerfeld</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Blasphemy by Douglas Preston</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The First Horseman by John Case</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Sorceress by Celia Rees</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Thwonk by Joan Bauer</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">White is for Magic by Laurie Faria Stolarz</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Warcraft - The Sunwell Trilogy: Dragon Hunt by Richard A. Knaak and Jae-Hwan Kim</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Inuyasha Volume 20 by Rumiko Takahashi</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Gilda Joyce - Psychic Investigator by Jennifer Allison</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The Tenth City by Patrick Carman</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Jumper by Steven Gould</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Dealing With Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Searching for Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Calling on Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Talking to Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">A Wind in the Door by Madeleine L'Engle</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">A Swiftly Tilting Planet by Madeleine L'Engle</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Many Waters by Madeleine L'Engle</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">An Acceptable Time by Madeleine L'Engle</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Circle of Magic - Sandry's Book by Tamora Pierce</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Circle of Magic - Tris's Book by Tamora Pierce</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Circle of Magic - Daja's Book by Tamora Pierce</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Circle of Magic - Briar's Book by Tamora Pierce</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Protector of the Small - First Test by Tamora Pierce</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Protector of the Small - Page by Tamora Pierce</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Protector of the Small - Squire by Tamora Pierce</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Protector of the Small - Lady Knight by Tamora Pierce</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The Circle Opens - Street Magic by Tamora Pierce</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The Circle Opens - Cold Fire by Tamora Pierce</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Lioness Quartet - In the Hand of the Goddess by Tamora Pierce (SIGNED!)</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Lioness Quartet - The Woman Who Rides Like a Man by Tamora Pierce</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Lioness Quartet - Lioness Rampant by Tamora Pierce</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Gifts from Family:</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Midnighters: The Secret Hour by Scott Westerfeld</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Midnighters: Blue Noon by Scott Westerfeld (hardcover, and yes, I am collecting them)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">If I counted right, that's 53 books!</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153); font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" ><br />*Paradox*</span>Paradoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05079964912873947188noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313144374985530897.post-34122909947180300642009-10-04T22:54:00.000-07:002009-10-04T23:04:36.129-07:00In My Mailbox (Last 3 Weeks)<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Sorry I haven't posted an IMM post in 3 weeks! Here are the books I got during that time (no pictures because of camera trouble, and finding all the covers online would take forever):</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">For Review:</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">- Defenders of the Scroll by Shiraz</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">- Molly Fyde and the Parsona Rescue by Hugh Howey</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">- Dreamhunter by Elizabeth Knox </span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">- Lockdown by Alexander Gordon Smith (ARC)</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">- Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">Contest Wins:</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">- Legacy by Cayla Kluver</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">- Immortal by Gillian Shields</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">- What Would Emma Do? by Eileen Cook</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">- Vampirates: Demons of the Ocean by Justin Somper</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">- Haters by Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">- 8th Grade Superzero by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovitch (ARC)</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">- Dark Harvest by Norman Partridge</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">- The Imposter's Daughter by Laurie Sandell</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">- The Blue Star by Tony Earley</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">- The Twilight Companion: The Unauthorized Guide to the Series by Lois H. Gresh</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">- Twilight Soundtrack (CD)</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">- Twilight Score (CD)</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">- 3 Twilight Bookmarks</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">- Signed Rampant Bookmark</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">*Paradox*</span></span>Paradoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05079964912873947188noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313144374985530897.post-13554295859476391362009-09-26T20:06:00.000-07:002009-09-26T20:10:02.708-07:00Awesome Contest I Found!<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Bloody Bookaholic is hosting a HUGE contest. In the Mega Palooza contest, there will be three winners. Winner 1 will win 7 books, winner 2 will win 3 books, and winner 3 will win 1 book off of a list of 20 books!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Here's the prize list (copied from the contest post):</span><br /><br /><div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">- Signed copy of Dreaming Anastasia + Goodies</div><div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">- Hardback Another Faust </div><div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">- Hardback Prophecy of the Sisters</div><div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">- ARC Eyes Like Stars + Backstage Pass Bracelet and some Theater-Theme Swag.</div><div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">- ARC The Dark Divine</div><div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">- ARC Hush Hush</div><div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">- ARC Give Up The Ghost</div><div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">- ARC Ash</div><div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">- ARC Behind Every Illusion</div><div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">- ARC Shiver</div><div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">- ARC The Demon's Lexicon</div><div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">- ARC Betraying Season</div><div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">- ARC Any Given Doomsday</div><div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">- Dead Until Dark</div><div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">- Gossip Girl 1st Book</div><div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">- The Black Tattoo + poster</div><div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">- Vampire Academy</div><div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">- Frost Bite, a Vampire Academy Novel. </div><div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">- Shadow Kiss, a Vampire Academy Novel.</div><div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">- Blood Promise, a Vampire Academy Novel.<br /><br />If you want to enter the contest, hurry because it ends tomorrow on the 27th! - <a href="http://bloodybookaholic.blogspot.com/2009/08/mega-palooza-contest.html">http://bloodybookaholic.blogspot.com/2009/08/mega-palooza-contest.html</a><br /></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">*Paradox*</span></span>Paradoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05079964912873947188noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313144374985530897.post-67960551509245926762009-09-26T18:19:00.000-07:002009-09-26T19:35:06.162-07:00Winners of Michelle Moran Contest!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I've picked the winners of my contest for Cleopatra's Daughter and The Heretic Queen by Michelle Moran!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The winner of Cleopatra's Daughter is:</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">MUM (Marie)!</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">EDIT: throuthehaze, the previous winner of The Heretic Queen has already won a copy in another contest, so the new winner of The Heretic Queen is:</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Donna!</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Congratulations! I am going to contact the winners right now. If they do not respond in a week, I will pick new winners.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">*Paradox*</span></span>Paradoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05079964912873947188noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313144374985530897.post-26479258193537151572009-09-13T21:53:00.000-07:002009-09-13T22:57:00.450-07:00In My Mailbox (Sept. 6th-13th)<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I got four books in my mailbox last week, and didn't buy or check out any from libraries.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Milestones by Samira Armin Hodges (Signed) - Contest</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2u0fk_xdBteM_UnomP8dsyD4aWq8uCHkEV0uOSLpoKdQWlSe-PPPmlygTHfcIIX02mqQOwzGH47PN8SP4Br6YafjK8gLCe7XlBTiOXzjBu4jM1SoTxL6qweOmgittqdxVVXgXSlVjTnc/s1600-h/Milestonesoption372-196x283.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 196px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2u0fk_xdBteM_UnomP8dsyD4aWq8uCHkEV0uOSLpoKdQWlSe-PPPmlygTHfcIIX02mqQOwzGH47PN8SP4Br6YafjK8gLCe7XlBTiOXzjBu4jM1SoTxL6qweOmgittqdxVVXgXSlVjTnc/s320/Milestonesoption372-196x283.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381196902642219986" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Fade to Blue by Sean Beaudoin (Signed ARC) - Contest</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BzqcFeGbGfxycU27p_e_sF5fJXTH58hPVc1rK-xtZ-e1RAnFXKjITA2zyZDehPtMM2w9jgTIFLyQU-XQzSoDwf5JJ9bSU_0eH14KP1FXIYGC6ZSIsrZsvG3QWxL_XzrZawQMmP0vSJ4/s1600-h/n297017.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BzqcFeGbGfxycU27p_e_sF5fJXTH58hPVc1rK-xtZ-e1RAnFXKjITA2zyZDehPtMM2w9jgTIFLyQU-XQzSoDwf5JJ9bSU_0eH14KP1FXIYGC6ZSIsrZsvG3QWxL_XzrZawQMmP0vSJ4/s320/n297017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381196794031601698" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Violet Wings by Victoria Hanley (Signed) - Contest</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnuAXxRyfxJLP_zHXnKWvK2EZroBK1e3MBaiUOFTfQmUfDcHJRDtwp8e1Wq1qnURisVx3tz-BBPV3jR6Pu2RKtUglWnwltCxPMHN42P8nZr2_vY4tl-w4RVKWGzJMq9iAKQj5ph7msTZY/s1600-h/51snok3uj6l.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnuAXxRyfxJLP_zHXnKWvK2EZroBK1e3MBaiUOFTfQmUfDcHJRDtwp8e1Wq1qnURisVx3tz-BBPV3jR6Pu2RKtUglWnwltCxPMHN42P8nZr2_vY4tl-w4RVKWGzJMq9iAKQj5ph7msTZY/s320/51snok3uj6l.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381196438678998594" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Dewey by Vicki Myron - Contest</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaU5LbBSVtHq3d5hYxt4HDVOP8IkXjF2gIaZMmjBT2P8fILz6lPLDqXhp8MhuORfE_6Y2MNxO_01sGDNNZW9DGVOxJi4IX1MZHb3E5JkziOBItCtiSbDZsRtvLcerxyKbcU2jt12l6LLs/s1600-h/Dewey+Cover-1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaU5LbBSVtHq3d5hYxt4HDVOP8IkXjF2gIaZMmjBT2P8fILz6lPLDqXhp8MhuORfE_6Y2MNxO_01sGDNNZW9DGVOxJi4IX1MZHb3E5JkziOBItCtiSbDZsRtvLcerxyKbcU2jt12l6LLs/s320/Dewey+Cover-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381196604299832898" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And thank you to </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.thestorysiren.com/">The Story Siren</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> for hosting the In My Mailbox meme!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" >*Paradox*</span>Paradoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05079964912873947188noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313144374985530897.post-31596568064979393402009-09-07T19:02:00.000-07:002009-09-07T19:17:00.597-07:00Contest for 1 of 9 YA Books!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I found this awesome contest where nine winners will get to pick a book from a list of 9 YA and MG books. The winners will be the entrants who are able to get the most points (by linking to the contest, subscribing to the blog, etc.)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >The List of Books:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">1. Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">2. Immortal by Gillian Shields</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">3. Masquerade by Melissa de la Cruz</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">4. The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">5. Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">6. The House of Dark Shadows by Robert Liparulo</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">7. My Bonny Light Horseman by L.A. Meyer</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">8. The Robe of Skulls by Vivian French</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">9. The Girls from Ames by Jeffrey Zaslow</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The contest ends on September 9th. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Click here --> <a href="http://readnowsleeplater.wordpress.com/contests/">http://readnowsleeplater.wordpress.com/contests/</a></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" ><br />*Paradox*</span>Paradoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05079964912873947188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313144374985530897.post-36364498178807845522009-09-07T13:11:00.000-07:002009-09-07T14:03:21.233-07:00How to Win Contests<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I just read the comments for my most recent In My Mailbox post, and noticed that many people commented on how many contests I win. Yes, I do tend to win a lot of contests. But it's not because I'm a lucky person. It's more about the sheer amount of contests I enter. I've decided that I'm going to give my readers a look at my personal method for finding and entering contests.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Step 1 - Be Prepared:</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> Follow a lot of book blogs and/or subscribe to them on Google Reader or a similar feed reader. Also, follow bloggers on Twitter (and those people that link to a lot of contests.)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Step 2 - Find Contests:</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> When you check the latest blog posts, open up all the contests you find. Set up a system (either a Word document, system of internet bookmarks, etc.) to organize the contests by the date they should be entered (usually the day of the deadline or before if you need more time to get extra entries.) I personally use a Word document where the contests are listed by month and day.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Step 3 - Enter Contests:</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> Open up your Word document or other organizational system. Find the contests for the current day (and the next days if you want to get ahead.) Open the links and comment with your entries (try to get a lot of extra entries, which is easiest if you have a blog and Twitter account.)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Step 4 - Win Contests:</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> Check back at your feed reader or Blogger dashboard every now and then to see if winners have been posted, and your e-mail you use for contest entries. If you entered a contest on a blog that you don't follow or subscribe to, check back to it using your list of contests. This step is largely based on chance, but if you enter enough contests with a lot of extra entries, you will win eventually.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Here is a sample of my list for this month (I update it all the time, so it will soon be outdated, but you may find these links helpful):</span><br /><br /><div style="height:500px; width:400px; border:1px black; overflow:auto;"><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:75%;">(September 7) http://www.eclecticbooklover.com/2009/08/interview-giveaway-janet-lee-carey.html<br />(September 7) http://www.kidsreads.com/funstuff/contests/0907-bedeviled.asp<br />(September 7) http://katiesbookshelf11.blogspot.com/2009/09/giveaway-give-up-ghost-swag-pack.html<br />(September 7) http://teralynnchilds.blogspot.com/2009/09/some-awful-title-ideas.html<br />(September 7) http://litbites.blogspot.com/2009/08/book-preview-black-is-for-beginnings.html<br />(September 7) http://litbites.blogspot.com/2009/08/school-of-fear-by-gitty-daneshvari.html<br />(September 8) http://lindagerber.blogspot.com/2009/09/freebe-friday-with-lauren-baratz.html<br />(September 8) http://www.kaycassidy.com/blog/2009/08/31/living-your-five-logo-contest-for-tac/<br />(September 8) http://angieville.blogspot.com/2009/09/interview-with-moira-j-moore-heroes-at.html<br />(September 8) http://www.revolutionsf.com/article.php?id=4625<br />(September 8) http://readnowsleeplater.wordpress.com/contests/<br />(September 9) http://bambookreviews.blogspot.com/2009/08/100-followers-contest.html<br />(September 9) http://theyabookblogger.blogspot.com/2009/08/upcoming-releases-contest.html<br />(September 9) http://libslibrary.blogspot.com/2009/08/imposters-daughter-giveaway.html<br />(September 9) http://reveriemedia.blogspot.com/2009/08/win-signed-shiver-by-maggie-stiefvater.html<br />(September 9) http://libslibrary.blogspot.com/2009/08/imposters-daughter-giveaway.html<br />(September 9) http://proudbookworm.blogspot.com/2009/08/author-interview-matthew-gasteier.html<br />(September 9) http://www.iheartmonster.com/2009/06/genre-irrelevant-summer-photo-contest.html<br />(September 9) http://travelingtoteenstours.weebly.com/1/post/2009/08/another-faust-contest.html<br />(September 9) http://shalondasblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/lipstick-apology-contest.html<br />(September 9) http://jessicaverday.blogspot.com/2009/08/r-u-haunted-by-hollow-contest.html<br />(September 9) http://melanies--musings.blogspot.com/2009/08/contest-time-again.html<br />(September 10) http://harmonybookreviews.wordpress.com/2009/08/22/prophecy-of-the-sisters-and-victorian-guys/<br />(September 10) http://readingrocks4me.blogspot.com/2009/08/james-patterson-prize-pack.html<br />(September 10) http://fantasyscifibookreview.blogspot.com/2009/08/giveaway-rosemary-and-rue-by-seanan.html<br />(September 10) http://www.luxuryreading.com/2009/08/review-giveaway-ravens-by-george-dawes.html<br />(September 10) http://yabookrealm.blogspot.com/2009/08/james-patterson-prize-pack.html<br />(September 10) http://stackedbooks.blogspot.com/2009/08/ripleys-seeing-is-believing-giveaway.html<br />(September 10) http://confessionsofawanderingheart.blogspot.com/2009/08/snap-review-giveaway.html<br />(September 10) http://aleapopculture.blogspot.com/2009/08/giveaway-how-to-steal-car.html<br />(September 10) http://shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com/2009/08/interview-giveaway-with-carol-snow.html<br />(September 10) http://shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com/2009/09/timothy-carter-interview-giveaway.html<br />(September 10) http://shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com/2009/09/guest-post-with-timothy-carter-extra.html<br />(September 10) http://brodiashton.blogspot.com/2009/09/free-book-friday-new-blog-tradition.html<br />(September 10) http://fantasticbookreview.blogspot.com/2009/08/win-another-faust-by-daniel-dina-nayeri.html<br />(September 10) http://shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com/2009/09/shana-norris-troy-high-interview.html<br />(September 10) http://butterflybookreviews.blogspot.com/2009/08/win-t-shirt-from-hollow.html<br />(September 10) http://lainahastoomuchsparetime.blogspot.com/2009/08/bookcase-giveaway.html<br />(September 11) http://www.bookworminginthe21stcentury.com/2009/08/300-followers-contest.html<br />(September 11) http://cutelittlecindy.blogspot.com/2009/09/in-my-mailbox-95.html<br />(September 11) http://katiesbookshelf11.blogspot.com/2009/09/giveaway-prize-pack.html<br />(September 11) http://ellzreadz.blogspot.com/2009/09/announcing-my-first-contest.html<br />(September 11) http://vvb32reads.blogspot.com/2009/09/ultimate-zombies-giveaway.html<br />(September 11) http://diaryofareaderjunkie.blogspot.com/2009/08/arcs-interwined-or-hush-hush-giveaway.html<br />(September 11) http://fantasticbookreview.blogspot.com/2009/08/win-tear-collector-by-patrick-jones.html<br />(September 12) http://ultimatebookhound.blogspot.com/2009/09/interview-giveaway-with-author-lois.html<br />(September 12) http://onlythebestscifi.blogspot.com/2009/09/signed-giveaway-in-ashes-lie-by-marie.html<br />(September 12) http://booksbytheircover.blogspot.com/2009/09/comment-contest.html<br />(September 12) http://thatchickthatreads.blogspot.com/2009/08/crank-by-ellen-hopkins-giveaway.html<br />(September 13) http://blackteensread2.blogspot.com/2009/09/next-giveaway-in-september-giveaway.html<br />(September 13) http://bookreviewsbyjess.blogspot.com/2009/09/contest-arc-of-dreaming-anastasia-by.html<br />(September 13) http://justyourtypicalbookblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/james-patterson-promotion-pack.html<br />(September 13) http://yathenaeum.blogspot.com/2009/08/james-patterson-max-promotion.html<br />(September 13) http://neverendingshelf.blogspot.com/2009/08/3-2-1-contest.html<br />(September 13) http://fantasticbookreview.blogspot.com/2009/08/vampires-werewolves-fairies-oh-my.html<br />(September 13) http://butterflybookreviews.blogspot.com/2009/08/contest-win-as-you-wish-signed.html<br />(September 14) http://bookluver-carol.blogspot.com/2009/08/james-patterson-ya-book-promotion.html<br />(September 14) http://stephsureads.blogspot.com/2009/09/ash-celebration-week-giveaways.html<br />(September 14) http://www.greenbeanteenqueen.com/2009/09/win-catching-fire-prize-pack.html<br />(September 14) http://readingisthespiceoflife.blogspot.com/2009/08/alice-i-have-been-contest.html<br />(September 14) http://presentinglenore.blogspot.com/2009/09/catching-fire-prize-pack-contest.html<br />(September 14) http://thebooksmugglers.com/2009/09/catching-fire-giveaway.html<br />(September 14) http://thebookowl.blogspot.com/2009/09/black-sheep-by-yvonne-collins-and-sandy.html<br />(September 14) http://www.thestorysiren.com/2009/08/catching-fire-contest.html<br />(September 14) http://www.melissacwalker.com/blog/2009/09/win-it_wednesday_graceling_by.html<br />(September 14) http://kidlit.com/kidlit-contest/<br />(September 14) http://bookloverreviews.blogspot.com/2009/08/max-promotional-prize-pack.html<br />(September 14) http://cornucopiaofreviews.blogspot.com/2009/08/100th-follower-contest.html<br />(September 14) http://stephsureads.blogspot.com/2009/09/ash-celebration-week-giveaways.html<br />(September 14) http://www.books-for-sale.net/1732/catching-fire-giveaway/?wscr=1680x1050<br />(September 14) http://wickedlovely.com/forum1/index.php?PHPSESSID=23844b6292d4d9d2eda62c4344173ed0&topic=1572.0<br />(September 15) http://www.libraryloungelizard.com/2009/08/awesome-contest.html<br />(September 15) http://sharonlovesbooksandcats.blogspot.com/2009/08/contest-stupid-cupid-by-rhonda.html<br />(September 15) http://annavivian.blogspot.com/2009/09/catching-fire-giveaway.html<br />(September 15) http://fallingofftheshelf.blogspot.com/2009/08/contest-new-blogger-layout.html<br />(September 15) http://www.5minutesforbooks.com/1752/catching-fire-giveaway/<br />(September 15) http://lushbudgetproduction.blogspot.com/2009/09/author-interview-and-giveaway-with-gena.html<br />(September 15) http://litbites.blogspot.com/2009/09/ban-this-win-this.html<br />(September 15) http://www.luxuryreading.com/2009/09/giveaway-catching-fire-by-suzanne.html<br />(September 15) http://butterflybookreviews.blogspot.com/2009/08/interview-with-jessica-packwood-of.html<br />(September 15) http://freneticreader.blogspot.com/2009/09/catching-fire-contest.html<br />(September 15) http://karinlibrarian.wordpress.com/2009/09/01/amazing-catching-fire-contest/<br />(September 15) http://omgbookreviews.blogspot.com/2009/08/contest-candor-and-15-amazon-gift-card.html<br />(September 15) http://www.luxuryreading.com/2009/09/giveaway-catching-fire-by-suzanne.html<br />(September 15) http://www.scifiguy.ca/2009/09/promotion-contest-catching-fire-by.html<br />(September 15) http://book-love-affair.blogspot.com/2009/09/giveaway-suzanne-collins.html<br />(September 15) http://aleapopculture.blogspot.com/2009/09/giveaway-catching-fire-swag.html<br />(September 15) http://scifichick.com/2009/09/01/giveaway-catching-fire-prize-pack/<br />(September 15) http://connected2christ.com/theblog/2009/08/daniel-x-watch-the-skies-by-james-patterson-givaway-3-winners/<br />(September 15) http://thebookbinge.com/2009/09/giveaway-catching-fire-by-suzanne.html<br />(September 15) http://confessionsofawanderingheart.blogspot.com/2009/09/barely-bewitching.html<br />(September 15) http://www.thediscriminatingfangirl.com/2009/09/01/giveaway-catching-fire-by-suzanne-collins/<br />(September 15) http://notenoughbooks.blogspot.com/2009/09/catching-fire-by-suzanne-collins.html<br />(September 15) http://www.kidsreads.com/surveys/2009-reader-survey.asp<br />(September 15) http://booknerds.net/blood-promise-contest<br />(September 16) http://booksaregolden.blogspot.com/2009/09/james-patterson-book-promotion.html<br />(September 16) http://bookslovejessicamarie.blogspot.com/2009/09/giveaway-day-falls-stood-still.html<br />(September 16) http://mariah-readingadventure.blogspot.com/2009/09/maximum-ride-promotion.html<br />(September 17) http://book-mac13.blogspot.com/2009/08/100th-posts-contest.html<br />(September 17) http://tvandbookaddict.blogspot.com/2009/09/maximum-ride-by-james-patterson.html<br />(September 17) http://fantasticbookreview.blogspot.com/2009/09/win-ash-by-malinda-lo.html<br />(September 17) http://aparkavenueprincess.blogspot.com/2009/08/fatal-encryption-debra-purday-kong.html<br />(September 18) http://fantasticbookreview.blogspot.com/2009/09/win-devils-kiss-by-sarwat-chadda.html<br />(September 18) http://wantmyya.blogspot.com/2009/08/promotion-big-james-patterson-giveaway.html<br />(September 18) http://orientaldesires.blogspot.com/2009/09/swag-giveaway.html<br />(September 18) http://gofita.blogspot.com/2009/09/pirate-week-and-giveaway.html<br />(September 18) http://takemeaway-jennala9.blogspot.com/2009/09/blog-tour-and-giveaway-nurture-shock.html<br />(September 18) http://bookreader4.blogspot.com/2009/09/james-patterson-maximum-ride-book.html<br />(September 18) http://firstnovelsclub.blogspot.com/2009/09/maria-v-snyder-guest-post-on-avoiding.html<br />(September 18) http://meghansbookblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/ash-contest.html<br />(September 18) http://thebookpixie.blogspot.com/2009/08/100-followers-giveaway-1.html<br />(September 19) http://casey62588.blogspot.com/2009/09/dreaming-anastasia-giveaway.html<br />(September 19) http://litbites.blogspot.com/2009/09/bea-swag-grab-contest.html<br />(September 19) http://booksbytheircover.blogspot.com/2009/09/comment-contest.html<br />(September 19) http://taste-life-twice.blogspot.com/2009/09/review-defining-twilight_06.html<br />(September 19) http://presentinglenore.blogspot.com/2009/09/cover-interview-and-mega-prize-pack.html<br />(September 19) http://lizdoglover.blogspot.com/2009/09/just-like-that-by-marsha-qualey.html<br />(September 20) http://ibteens.blogspot.com/2009/09/win-devoured-by-amanda-marrone.html<br />(September 20) http://bibliophilesupportgroup.blogspot.com/2009/08/promotion-celebration-for-maximum-ride.html<br />(September 20) http://sarahbear9789.blogspot.com/2009/09/paperback-book-of-choice-contest.html<br />(September 20) http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com/2009/08/james-patterson-ya-prize-pack.html<br />(September 20) http://heyteenager.blogspot.com/2009/09/win-100-voucher.html<br />(September 20) http://tickettoanywhere.blogspot.com/2009/09/happy-birthday-to-me-and-happy.html<br />(September 20) http://theelectricalbookcafe.blogspot.com/2009/08/giant-contest-happy-birthday-electrical.html<br />(September 21) http://sarahbear9789.blogspot.com/2009/09/signed-copy-of-vampire-academy-contest.html<br />(September 21) http://aflightofminds.blogspot.com/2009/09/interview-with-jess-c-scott-contest.html<br />(September 21) http://mustandlustforbooks.blogspot.com/2009/09/ruined-contest_04.html<br />(September 21) http://sarahbear9789.blogspot.com/2009/09/once-was-lost-by-sara-zarr-contest.html<br />(September 21) http://officiallymrs.blogspot.com/2009/08/contest-win-copy-of-girl-goddess-9.html<br />(September 22) http://laurenscrammedbookshelf.blogspot.com/2009/09/my-very-awesome-contest.html<br />(September 24) http://thebookcellarx.blogspot.com/2009/09/richelle-meads-signing-giveaway.html<br />(September 24) http://www.pureimaginationblog.com/2009/09/richelle-mead-book-signing-and-blood.html<br />(September 24) http://wickedgoodbooks.blogspot.com/2009/09/enter-to-win-set-of-james-patterson.html<br />(September 24) http://yabookrealm.blogspot.com/2009/09/catching-fire-book-giveaway.html<br />(September 24) http://www.alertnerd.com/?p=2546<br />(September 24) http://temppatt.blogspot.com/2009/09/james-patterson-prize-pack-promotion.html<br />(September 24) http://poppiesbloom.blogspot.com/<br />(September 25) http://katiesbookblog-katie.blogspot.com/2009/09/love-is-higher-law-giveaway.html<br />(September 25) http://the-book-vault.blogspot.com/2009/09/huge-max-promotion.html<br />(September 25) http://ceceliabedelia.blogspot.com/2009/09/dark-and-stormy-fairy-tale-giveaway.html<br />(September 25) http://tabwriter.blogspot.com/2009/09/september-book-giveaway.html<br />(September 25) http://readintothis.blogspot.com/2009/08/giving-away-nine-books.html<br />(September 26) http://booksbytheircover.blogspot.com/2009/09/comment-contest.html<br />(September 26) http://whatbrireads.blogspot.com/2009/09/giveaway-ruined-by-paula-morris.html<br />(September 26) http://bloodybookaholic.blogspot.com/2009/08/mega-palooza-contest.html<br />(September 27) http://bambookreviews.blogspot.com/2009/09/maximum-ride-prize-pack-promotion.html<br />(September 29) http://alainereading.blogspot.com/2009/09/win-fire-or-her-fearful-symmetry-or.html<br />(September 29) http://connected2christ.com/theblog/2009/09/chicken-soup-for-the-soul-extraordinary-teens-review-giveaway/<br />(September 29) http://theshadyglade.blogspot.com/2009/09/gift-card-giveaway.html<br />(September 29) http://windowpane-memoirs.com/2009/08/31/arcs-contest/<br />(September 29) http://www.bookworminginthe21stcentury.com/2009/08/september-comment-contest-august.html<br />(September 29) http://theshadyglade.blogspot.com/2009/09/random-contest-first-lines-contest.html<br />(September 29) http://themindfulmusingsbookblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/giveaways.html<br />(September 29) http://teddyree-theeclecticreader.blogspot.com/2009/09/win-hush-hush-or-fire-or-catching-fire.html<br />(September 30) http://sharonlovesbooksandcats.blogspot.com/2009/09/before-i-fall-contest.html<br />(September 30) http://thebookresort.blogspot.com/2009/09/win-6-pack-of-books.html<br />(September 30) http://lafemmereaders.blogspot.com/2009/08/my-200th-follower-giveaway.html<br />(September 30) http://theshadyglade.blogspot.com/2009/09/random-contest-cover-contest.html<br />(September 30) http://fallingofftheshelf.blogspot.com/2009/08/contest-new-blogger-layout.html<br />(September 30) http://www.greenfyr.com/<br />(September 30) http://theshadyglade.blogspot.com/2009/09/take-survey-win-prize.html<br />(September 30) http://www.yabookscentral.com/cfusion/index.cfm?fuseAction=home.ballads<br />(September 30) http://www.yabookscentral.com/cfusion/index.cfm?fuseAction=home.forest<br />(September 30) http://cherylrainfield.com/blog/index.php/2009/07/27/excited-author-videos-and-win-book-gift-certificates-and-books/<br />(September 30) http://theshadyglade.blogspot.com/2009/09/blogoversary-birthday-contest.html<br />(September 30) http://thehidingspot.blogspot.com/2009/08/contest-win-copy-of-snap-by-carol-snow.html<br />(September 30) http://confessionsofawanderingheart.blogspot.com/2009/09/september-giveaway-molly-harper.html<br />(September 30) http://www.mrsmagooreads.com/2009/09/giveaway-win-james-patterson-set.html<br />(September 30) http://alexia561.blogspot.com/2009/09/my-first-contest.html<br />(September 30) http://ajourneyofbooks.blogspot.com/2009/08/win-signed-copy-of-blood-promise.html<br />(September 30) http://wordforteens.blogspot.com/2009/09/spiderwick-september.html<br />(September 30) http://theshadyglade.blogspot.com/2009/09/september-comment-contest-win-copy-of.html<br />(September 30) http://thebookresort.blogspot.com/2009/08/win-copy-of-rampant-diana-peterfreund.html<br />(September 30) http://thebookresort.blogspot.com/2009/08/win-copy-of-hollow-jessica-verday.html<br />(September 30) http://runningforfiction.blogspot.com/2009/08/books-books-and-then-some-kidding-its.html<br />(September 30) http://www.wherethemountainmeetsthemoon.com/2009/06/party-contest-enter-drawing.html<br /></span><br /></div><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" >*Paradox*</span>Paradoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05079964912873947188noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313144374985530897.post-48269934618745611122009-09-06T22:00:00.001-07:002009-09-06T22:36:47.642-07:00In My Mailbox (Aug. 29th - Sept. 5th)<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I haven't done this in a long time, and it's already late to post an "In My Mailbox", but I got an insane amount of books since last Saturday (mostly from a library book sale), so I thought I'd share.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I can't get pictures from my camera right now, and it would take forever to find all the covers online, so I'm just going to list the books I got:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >In My Mailbox:</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Monster's Proof by Richard Lewis (Signed) - Contest</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Meridian by Amber Kizer (Signed) - Contest</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">One Butt Cheek at a Time by Amber Kizer (Signed) - Contest</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran - For Review</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Behold the Eye: Braumaru by Veronica Tabares - For Review</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Behold the Eye: Cerulea by Veronica Tabares - For Review</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Behold the Eye: Viridia by Veronica Tabares - For Review</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Geektastic by Various Authors (ARC) - Contest</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">My Name is Will by Jess Winfield - Contest</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Tricks by Ellen Hopkins (ARC) - Contest</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The Sweet Life of Stella Madison by Lara M. Zeises (Signed) - Contest</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Anyone But You by Lara M. Zeises (Signed) - Contest</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The Sentinels: Fortunes of War by Gordon Zuckerman (ARC) - Contest</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Refresh, Refresh by Danica Novgorodoff, Benjamin Percy, and James Ponsoldt - For Review</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >From a Library Book Sale:</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Peace, Love & Baby Ducks by Lauren Myracle (SIGNED!)</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Prom Nights From Hell by Various Authors</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The Darkangel by Meredith Ann Pierce</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Pretties by Scott Westerfeld</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Extras by Scott Westerfeld</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The Year of Secret Assignments by Jaclyn Moriarty</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Zipped by Laura and Tom McNeal</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Old Magic by Marianne Curley</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Rebel Angels by Libba Bray</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Tithe by Holly Black</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Nightrise by Anthony Horowitz</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Flawless by Sara Shepard</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Perfect by Sara Shepard</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Kare Kano Vols 1-3 Collection by Masami Tsuda</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The Hunt for the Seventh by Christine Morton-Shaw (ARC)</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Dangerous Girls by R. L. Stine</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Sovay by Celia Rees (ARC)</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Children of Orion: Book One by Robert Ipcar (Signed)</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cirque Du Freak by Darren Shan</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant by Darren Shan</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cirque Du Freak: Tunnels of Blood by Darren Shan</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cirque Du Freak: Vampire Mountain by Darren Shan</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Charlie Bone and the Castle of Mirrors by Jenny Nimmo</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Bone: The Great Cow Race by Jeff Smith</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Bone: The Dragonslayer by Jeff Smith</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Bone: Rock Jaw - Master of the Eastern Border by Jeff Smith</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Bone: Old Man's Cave by Jeff Smith</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Used Books from Elsewhere:</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Spellfall by Katherine Roberts</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The People of Sparks by Jeanne DuPrau</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Sunwing by Kenneth Oppel</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">If I counted right, that's <span style="font-size:180%;">48</span> books!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And thank you to </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.thestorysiren.com/">The Story Siren</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> for hosting the In My Mailbox meme!</span><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" ><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">*Paradox*</span></span>Paradoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05079964912873947188noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313144374985530897.post-87298810230074241752009-08-28T19:08:00.000-07:002009-08-28T20:11:36.360-07:00The Circle of Friends Book III...James by L. Diane Wolfe<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpEdFHngepbqucWfk-Qr_WLoj2BprBuRK6AslvechxgTs2cSIGycbcGpECeiD3P7LlOCV9pvFQ-gbsmQZyVzg3a2Z8YkD2YSELTY9acFQ09G2SMOavlluZEbeK8-q7KmT9riUpT6aCayQ/s1600-h/jamescoverforsite.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 357px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpEdFHngepbqucWfk-Qr_WLoj2BprBuRK6AslvechxgTs2cSIGycbcGpECeiD3P7LlOCV9pvFQ-gbsmQZyVzg3a2Z8YkD2YSELTY9acFQ09G2SMOavlluZEbeK8-q7KmT9riUpT6aCayQ/s400/jamescoverforsite.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375217937588537650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Review of:</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> The Circle of Friends Book III...James</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br />Author </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">– L. Diane Wolfe</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Genre(s)</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> – Realistic Fiction</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br />Pages</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> - 296</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br />Publisher</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> – Dancing Lemur Press</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Publication Date</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> - August 18, 2009</span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rating</span> -</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br /><br />Plot</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> - 26/30</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Writing</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> – 16/20</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Characters</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> - 19/20</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Creativity</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> - 17/20</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >The *Wow* Factor</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> - 7/10</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Grand Total</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> - 85/100</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br /><br />Grade</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> – B</span> <span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Summary (From Amazon)</span> -</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Haunted by a troubled past... The future appears bright for James Sheppard. Emerging from a troubled childhood, he is blessed with talent and a good work ethic. Excelling in his classes and at the campus newspaper, James's goal of editor appears within his grasp. However, years of abuse and loneliness have dampened his spirit. By the time Maria enters his world, James is nearing the breaking point. Her innocent love slowly fills the void in his life, boosting his confidence and giving him hope. When a crisis abruptly forces him into adulthood, James is saddled with more responsibility than expected. Struggling to cope with the situation, the past returns to haunt him. Will James find peace before the mistakes of his father destroy him completely?</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span> <span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Review</span> -</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Firstly, let me say that this is not they type of book I usually read. Even when I read realistic fiction, it tends to be more of the fast-paced, strange, multicultural, or highly-unlikely-yet-still-possible varieties. Reading this book was like looking in on the lives of real people as they go from being confused teenagers to adults. This had its downsides, yet still made for an interesting reading experience. I didn't give this book the best of ratings, but that's probably because I gravitate towards the epic and unusual. Even so, I enjoyed </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >The Circle of Friends Book III...James</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">.</span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">My main problem with this book was the slow pace. Some readers enjoy this, but I found it to drag in places.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" > </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This isn't to say it wasn't interesting, because I still appreciated the plot. James lived for a long time searching for meaning and happiness in his life, which he finds in Maria and their family and friends. He and Maria overcome obstacles in their lives and become independent. As others have, I found L. Diane Wolfe's writing to be very encouraging. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >The characters were where this novel truly shone. There were a lot of characters, which I usually find hard to keep track of when I read a book, but this was barely a problem with this book. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">They seemed like real people, and as I read I felt a connection to their lives and emotions, which were vibrantly expressed. I felt warm and fuzzy inside at the parts where where the characters feel happy or in love, and even found myself crying at the end, when a heartbreaking revelation is made. None of the characters seemed like stereotypes, and none were perfect, not even the main character. There were times where I liked and disliked each of them, which contributed to the realism of the book. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Overall, this book was very well written and believable, but there were a few things that annoyed me about its writing style. There were a few words that seemed to be overused, particularly "bubble" and "youngster." This went along with a slight overuse of synonyms. Some of the dialog seemed a bit awkward, but for the most part it seemed natural and flowed well. Also, some of the transitions from one event to another at a totally different time weren't always clear, so I had to go back a few times and look for the point where the time and location changed.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">In conclusion, while this was not my ideal book, it may be someone else's. I would recommend </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >The Circle of Friends Book III...James to readers who enjoy realistic fiction, especially about real-life coming-of-age. Reading this book would probably help those who feel scared about growing up, or need to remember that there is love and friendship in the world.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br />Book From (Review Group, Bought, Library, Publisher, Author, Contest, Etc.)</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> - Author</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" ><br /><br />*Paradox*</span>Paradoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05079964912873947188noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313144374985530897.post-79354382045394517422009-08-27T16:44:00.000-07:002009-08-27T18:37:28.527-07:00Win Cleopatra's Daughter or The Heretic Queen!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Author Michelle Moran has offered two signed books (one paperback of The Heretic Queen and one hardcover of Cleopatra's Daughter) for a giveaway on my blog! There will be two winners.<br /><br />Here are the summaries for the books (from the Barnes & Noble site):<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.amazon.com/Cleopatras-Daughter-Novel-Michelle-Moran/dp/0307409120/"><span style="font-size:130%;">Cleopatra's Daughter: A Novel</span></a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> -</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" > </span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdFshrF9wITFsYZmiYrty1T8rhn1Ysq8lnOmscg9vkqMk3ImwDj30oWFmu5ZF88D1FarZY14PPR5q3GR0lyItp8XH5IIRWjdWNZOSxHqGUtXWz8HRnQJgwQHMpOGyzqqaH6M9HeqLpMNA/s1600-h/cleoredtogacover2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 132px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdFshrF9wITFsYZmiYrty1T8rhn1Ysq8lnOmscg9vkqMk3ImwDj30oWFmu5ZF88D1FarZY14PPR5q3GR0lyItp8XH5IIRWjdWNZOSxHqGUtXWz8HRnQJgwQHMpOGyzqqaH6M9HeqLpMNA/s200/cleoredtogacover2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374800439527450434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">T</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">he marriage of Marc Antony and Cleopatra is one of the greatest love stories of all time, a tale of unbridled passion with earth-shaking political consequences. Feared and hunted by the powers in Rome, the lovers choose to die by their own hands as the triumphant armies of Antony’s revengeful rival, Octavian, sweep into Egypt. Their three orphaned children are taken in chains to Rome; only two– the ten-year-old twins Selene and Alexander–survive the journey. Delivered to the household of Octavian’s sister, the siblings cling to each other and to the hope that they will return one day to their rightful place on the throne of Egypt. As they come of age, they are buffeted by the personal ambitions of Octavian’s family and court, by the ever-present threat of slave rebellion, and by the longings and desires deep within their own hearts. </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />The fateful tale</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> of Selene and Alexander is brought brilliantly to life in </span><i style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Cleopatra’s Daughter. </i><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Recounted in Selene’s youthful and engaging voice, it introduces a compelling cast of historical characters: Octavia, the emperor Octavian’s kind and compassionate sister, abandoned by Marc Antony for Cleopatra; Livia, Octavian's bitter and jealous wife; Marcellus, Octavian’s handsome, flirtatious nephew and heir apparent; Tiberius, Livia’s sardonic son and Marcellus’s great rival for power; and Juba, Octavian’s watchful aide, whose honored position at court has far-reaching effects on the lives of the young Egyptian royals. </span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Selene’s narrative is animated by the concerns of a young girl in any time and place–the possibility of finding love, the pullof friendship and family, and the pursuit of her unique interests and talents. While coping with the loss of both her family and her ancestral kingdom, Selene must find a path around the dangers of a foreign land. Her accounts of life in Rome are filled with historical details that vividly capture both the glories and horrors of the times. She dines with the empire’s most illustrious poets and politicians, witnesses the creation of the Pantheon, and navigates the colorful, crowded marketplaces of the city where Roman-style justice is meted out with merciless authority. </span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Based on meticulous research, </span><i style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Cleopatra’s Daughter </i><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">is a fascinating portrait of imperial Rome and of the people and events of this glorious and most tumultuous period in human history. Emerging from the shadows of the past, Selene, a young woman of irresistible charm and preternatural intelligence, will capture your heart. </span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0307381765/"><span>The Heretic Queen: A Novel</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>-</span> </span><br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoEDhHyl6DfwINIPIBuszH7elkT9Ld8ARqi3y5aVbw1A8Mjrpqt2X8XGwxO6b4gfm9VaKKJyqIOG1SZP52P2AEdyLC3UtxlYHYIDiI6saIzvyyi8RIogXOSzoikCq3-VFa64Tbfqgb5Pg/s1600-h/HereticQueen320.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 130px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoEDhHyl6DfwINIPIBuszH7elkT9Ld8ARqi3y5aVbw1A8Mjrpqt2X8XGwxO6b4gfm9VaKKJyqIOG1SZP52P2AEdyLC3UtxlYHYIDiI6saIzvyyi8RIogXOSzoikCq3-VFa64Tbfqgb5Pg/s200/HereticQueen320.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374800230465333186" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The winds of change are blowing through Thebes. A devastating palace fire has killed the Eighteenth Dynasty’s royal family–with the exception of Nefertari, the niece of the reviled former queen, Nefertiti. The girl’s deceased family has been branded as heretical, and no one in Egypt will speak their names. Nefertari is pushed aside, an unimportant princess left to run wild in the palace. But this changes when she is taken under the wing of the Pharaoh’s aunt, then brought to the Temple of Hathor, where she is educated in a manner befitting a future queen.</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Soon Nefertari catches the eye of the Crown Prince, and despite her family’s history, they fall in love and wish to marry. Yet all of Egypt opposes this union between the rising star of a new dynasty and the fading star of an old, heretical one. While political adversity sets the country on edge, Nefertari becomes the wife of Ramesses the Great. Destined to be the most powerful Pharaoh in Egypt, he is also the man who must confront the most famous exodus in history.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">To learn more, here is the author's website: </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.michellemoran.com/">http://www.michellemoran.com/</a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment with your e-mail address (see rules):</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong></strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>To get extra entries:</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">- Name your favorite historical fiction book. (+1)<br />- Become a follower. (+1)</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">- If you are already a follower... (+2)</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">- Follow me on Twitter (@ParadoxRevealed) and leave your Twitter name. (+1)<br />- If you already follow me on Twitter. (+2) </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">- Mention my contest (with a link) on your blog or Twitter. (+3)</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">EDIT:</span> You can specify if you want to enter to win just one of the books. If you don't say which you want to win, you will be entered for both. All entrants who commented before this addition will be entered for both.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Rules:</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />1. Please mention everything you did in one comment. If you do more later, delete the old comment and leave a new one.</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">2. If you decide to enter by commenting here, you must leave your e-mail or blog address.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">3. If you don't want to comment to enter, you can e-mail me your entries at <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">paradoxicalblog (at) gmail (dot) com</span>.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This contest is international!</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I'm leaving the contest open until 11:59 PM on <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">September 25th</span>. The winner will be chosen in the next few days after that and contacted. I'll forward the winners' addresses to the author.<br /></span>Paradoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05079964912873947188noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313144374985530897.post-42298045955050468152009-08-26T16:33:00.000-07:002009-08-26T16:43:49.513-07:00Webcomic Wednesday (1)<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I’ve been planning to create a webcomic feature on my blog since I started it, and I’ve just finally gotten to it. You wouldn’t believe how many great comics you can read online for free! I want to share my love of online comics with my readers, so I’ll try to post links to at least three webcomics every week. Feel free to have your own Webcomic Wednesday as long as you credit me. I’d also love to hear about your favorite webcomics in the comments!</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Weekly Theme: My Favorites</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.gunnerkrigg.com/"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 40px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsqjOZkCMXajbL0roBd-REWKEputp9rkviw-VrFKOQK4vipO1JgdXPb9Hqw3bKzuQHAj4qWQkqTv23BM-QNek2-ALX01VPa6416hx1O3sJHSiInmJIzR3wYMeDdm4-4lbE_xALHvw5B4/s400/banner.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374422127364027458" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.gunnerkrigg.com/"><br /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><a href="http://www.gunnerkrigg.com/">Gunnerkrigg Court</a> –</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Gunnerkrigg Court is my absolute favorite webcomic. It is set in a mysterious boarding school (which is really part of a huge complex) and the forest across from it. It is a bizarre mixture of fantasy and science fiction that includes everything from robots and futuristic technology to gods, supernatural abilities, ghosts, and everything in between. The main characters are Antimony (Annie), a girl who is sensitive to spirits, and her inventor friend Kat. They discover some of the weirder things about their school and its history in a battle between magic and science. It’s a bit hard to explain Gunnerkrigg Court, but that’s part of the mystery. If you read any sf/fantasy webcomic, read this one.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span><a href="http://drunkduck.com/20_Galaxies/index.php"><br /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><a href="http://drunkduck.com/20_Galaxies/index.php">20 Galaxies</a> -</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />This one might sound a bit cheesy at first, but the art is gorgeous and there’s more to it than meets the eye. Basically, it’s one of those stories where a bunch of kids end up having to save the world. But it’s more of a science fiction story than fantasy. There’s definitely a pretty black and white sense of good versus evil, but it’s not actually the evil people that are threatening to destroy the Earth, but a galactic council who wants to destroy it for the greater good, unless the evil can be eradicated from it. If you like epics or stories where ordinary people end up with great responsibilities and supernatural powers, you’ll probably like 20 Galaxies. I’ll also venture to say that it’s a bit like Star Wars.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikI1qvE9qm0FRFKyPcWn7t1IrE8zzXWkHx4ZW4K0HfbLLIEIXC9tTZQKFVTyjGqUB7nlR_SUCyXg8R7NsKAc4bW-8d4mVcTIRywgj6Q8wrGpsLlsL-rjTAy9I_If5gsU-paZhor1zrTKc/s1600-h/buttonlink_2.gif"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 40px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikI1qvE9qm0FRFKyPcWn7t1IrE8zzXWkHx4ZW4K0HfbLLIEIXC9tTZQKFVTyjGqUB7nlR_SUCyXg8R7NsKAc4bW-8d4mVcTIRywgj6Q8wrGpsLlsL-rjTAy9I_If5gsU-paZhor1zrTKc/s400/buttonlink_2.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374421628152677442" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.venisproductions.com/angelmoxie/">Angel Moxie</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> -</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This webcomic is so hilarious that I’ve read it through two times (It’s completed.) It’s a magical girl (a Japanese anime/manga genre – think Sailor Moon) parody with an actual plot! If you are an anime or manga fan, you will love this.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.earthsongsaga.com/"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 51px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_nGFm386Q2bc-uV5B6PfKusTurrS3VaYlqmG4VWyZbrTsp6Mo0FB2Sj6ZLk7QfJr9V_ZGiM_Rc0axbBebTqHDlML6Nm7teAKU_aY9q9dISO6KDjtiBlWCWmiX3Fyhpo5oYmAYZxwVBc/s400/468x60nanashi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374420968876309570" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.earthsongsaga.com/">Earthsong</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> -</span></span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Earthsong is a bit hard to describe. It revolves around the idea that stars and planets are sentient beings, but they become lazy and the creatures on the planets’ surfaces start to die, and planets with them. Earthsong is a planet that takes in other planets’ “children” so they can be saved. The plot involves a battle between good and evil, and a question over the identity of Willow, the main character. Even if this confuses you, check this one out if only for the gorgeous art!</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">*Paradox*</span></span>Paradoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05079964912873947188noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313144374985530897.post-62302139303050901032009-08-25T19:36:00.000-07:002009-08-25T19:38:42.239-07:00Contest for an ARC of Magic Under Glass!<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: trebuchet ms;">This is the only contest I've seen so far for Tenner Jaclyn Dolamore's book Magic Under Glass</span><!--EndFragment--><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">! </span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.jaclyndolamore.com/"><img src="http://www.jaclyndolamore.com/Photos/MUG/MUGcoverS.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Coming 12/22/09 from Bloomsbury...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Nimira is a music-hall girl used to dancing for pennies. So when wealthy sorcerer Hollin Parry hires her to sing accompaniment to a mysterious piano-playing automaton, Nimira believes it will be the start of a better life. In Parry's world, long-buried secrets are about to stir. Unsettling rumors begin to swirl about ghosts, a madwoman roaming the halls, and Parry’s involvement in a group of corrupt sorcerers for whom the rules of the living and dead are meant to be broken for greater power. When Nimira discovers the spirit of a dashing fairy gentleman is trapped within the automaton, she is determined to break the curse. But even as the two fall into a love that seems hopeless, breaking the curse becomes a perilous race against time. Because it's not just the future of these star-crossed lovers that's at stake, but the fate of the entire magical world.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Want to win an ARC with original sketches from the author inside? See </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://fabulousfrock.livejournal.com/">http://fabulousfrock.livejournal.com</a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> for details!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">*Paradox*</span></span>Paradoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05079964912873947188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313144374985530897.post-18247784931359910452009-08-21T14:00:00.001-07:002009-08-21T14:00:05.224-07:00Intertwined Sweepstakes<script type="text/javascript" src="http://widgets.clearspring.com/o/4a54bf4186fa56af/4a8f0ad39f2b657b/4a8efb9c48717549/a0f203d9/widget.js"></script>Paradoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05079964912873947188noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313144374985530897.post-3829772168273916742009-08-16T20:01:00.000-07:002009-08-16T21:05:50.792-07:00New Fan Cover for Prophecy of the Sisters<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I just got my copy of Prophecy of the Sisters, so I decided to make another fan cover with some pictures I found when I was making the first. I knew I had to use them eventually because they looked so perfect!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Here's the new fan cover (click to see it full size):</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPf-RFVqxMOxe-aYW7a-e6TZZDtQPN5olBNBVYFGkzvRqccSi1WNFrvEFF8v5u_U3yDl1ZZtSk_nWNrGPLOnWWDddmOutNNdrOtdsSq0fgmqUNotqHL2Y3RJCR96fLdWOZ-c6VXDZwDks/s1600-h/potscover3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 264px; height: 390px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPf-RFVqxMOxe-aYW7a-e6TZZDtQPN5olBNBVYFGkzvRqccSi1WNFrvEFF8v5u_U3yDl1ZZtSk_nWNrGPLOnWWDddmOutNNdrOtdsSq0fgmqUNotqHL2Y3RJCR96fLdWOZ-c6VXDZwDks/s400/potscover3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370778336534869010" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Here is the other fan cover:</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyVtJSA8_5KoJgLYF9sTRy_Tv20viEHekKWVy6i1n29fRHwLcoW6MXWmrZ3s1z45uNARI0h5YJvqk7ZN7ZDC7mUqWlJcCK7cO0nLCliCJYKqpwdvuoyN4sgiR-8hjgbLvCpyDOtcU5-E/s1600-h/potscover2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 265px; height: 390px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyVtJSA8_5KoJgLYF9sTRy_Tv20viEHekKWVy6i1n29fRHwLcoW6MXWmrZ3s1z45uNARI0h5YJvqk7ZN7ZDC7mUqWlJcCK7cO0nLCliCJYKqpwdvuoyN4sgiR-8hjgbLvCpyDOtcU5-E/s400/potscover2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353665473747845682" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Here is the real cover:</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVM6t1dUCbZEIiY_dcMxI_DpVNosFgo6dTTpZU583GXTZIeWirpwDq0RuJo6gtZu69Qr93o9X1AuobJ3hmkKGZnPOSvfoOgnhu88gRPjC80hqnwavb_qtU9UjWuU1BtLgSJGp2PyTSVCQ/s1600-h/9780316027427_388X586.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVM6t1dUCbZEIiY_dcMxI_DpVNosFgo6dTTpZU583GXTZIeWirpwDq0RuJo6gtZu69Qr93o9X1AuobJ3hmkKGZnPOSvfoOgnhu88gRPjC80hqnwavb_qtU9UjWuU1BtLgSJGp2PyTSVCQ/s400/9780316027427_388X586.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353666809285803602" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Pre-order the book at Amazon: </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0316027421/">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0316027421/<br /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So, do you like the new one? Which of the fan covers do you think is better?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Here's a link to the post with four of my other fan covers: </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://paradoxrevealed.blogspot.com/2009/01/my-fan-art-book-covers.html">http://paradoxrevealed.blogspot.com/2009/01/my-fan-art-book-covers.html</a><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" ><br />*Paradox*</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Notes:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I have to include some stuff because of copyrights. Some images used in making the covers were released under these licenses, and derivative works (like the cover) must be released with the same licenses. They are:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">- GNU Free Documentation License (</span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU_Free_Documentation_License">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU_Free_Documentation_License</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">)</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">- Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License (</span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">)</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"><img alt="Creative Commons License" style="border-width: 0pt;" src="http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-sa/3.0/88x31.png" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">These works are licensed under a </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/">Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">.</span>Paradoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05079964912873947188noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313144374985530897.post-34383842372818114702009-08-12T17:06:00.001-07:002009-08-12T17:22:00.787-07:00Thank You!!!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I was shocked at how many people commented and e-mailed me with links to help me add a second sidebar to my blog! With their help I was able to do it!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Thank you so much! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">These are the people who responded:</span><br /><br /><span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >WillowRaven from <a href="http://redhousebooks.blogspot.com/">Red House Books</a><br /><br />Count Rebula/Rebrebs from <a href="http://countrebulacomments.blogspot.com/">Count Rebula's Concepts and Comments</a><br /><br />Kristen from <a href="http://www.bookworminginthe21stcentury.com/">Bookworming in the 21st Century</a><br /><br />La Coccinelle from <a href="http://theladybugreads.blogspot.com/">The Ladybug Reads</a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">If you were interested in adding another sidebar to your blog, here are the links they recommended:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">- </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://bguide.blogspot.com/2008/02/3-columns-step-by-step-guides.html">http://bguide.blogspot.com/2008/02/3-columns-step-by-step-guides.html</a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">- </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.bloggerbuster.com/2007/07/create-three-column-blogger-template.html">http://www.bloggerbuster.com/2007/07/create-three-column-blogger-template.html</a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">- </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/blog-secrets/145-how-to-get-a-3-column-template.html">http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/blog-secrets/145-how-to-get-a-3-column-template.html</a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">- Google search for blogger templates</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" >*Paradox*</span><br /></span>Paradoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05079964912873947188noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313144374985530897.post-53874044060111864932009-08-12T14:31:00.000-07:002009-08-12T14:36:21.237-07:00Help?<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">My sidebar is getting a bit crowded, so I've been thinking about adding a second sidebar on the left, but I want to keep the style of the blog. Does anyone know how to do this?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">If you can help, e-mail me at: </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">paradoxrevealed (at) aim (dot) com </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">-or-</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;">paradoxicalblog (at) gmail (dot) com</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">In return you'll recieve a public thank you on my blog and the knowledge that you've helped someone. Please?</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">*Paradox*</span></span>Paradoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05079964912873947188noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313144374985530897.post-34460550739345569802009-08-12T14:22:00.000-07:002009-08-12T14:30:48.261-07:00Awesome Movie Trailers<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >I've been seeing a lot of great movie trailers on blogs lately, so I decided to collect my favorites and post them here. Out of 4, only 1 is not a book-to-movie. I'm especially excited about the Percy Jackson movie because I LOVED the series and have been waiting for SOMETHING about the movie to come out for months!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;">Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief</span><br /><br /><object style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/i-rSzD1hmqg&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/i-rSzD1hmqg&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="340" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;">The Lovely Bones</span><br /><br /><object style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vUa4aAplaQE&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vUa4aAplaQE&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="340" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;">Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant</span><br /><br /><object style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-weight: bold;" height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2iPONeS5_ho&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2iPONeS5_ho&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="340" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;">The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus</span><br /><br /><object style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6jU3AimFaz0&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6jU3AimFaz0&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Is anyone else excited about these?</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" ><br />*Paradox*</span>Paradoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05079964912873947188noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313144374985530897.post-81895381341408020062009-08-01T18:05:00.000-07:002009-08-01T18:10:43.921-07:00Far From You by Lisa Schroeder<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHBJ9UMD4nQUeLgYBm4FjeEaxjVFzjSPt8RMqHzvg7IwVUNuhD5pbJ-YaXlrRDJDcB1UoDTDW3MF_omjAi1aPIkvUDjfB7g5YFVtA2obyCVooyOtx5rYyojYNL8ERlRDNQaWiJDA6yn0/s1600-h/51scCzsFg5L.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 228px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHBJ9UMD4nQUeLgYBm4FjeEaxjVFzjSPt8RMqHzvg7IwVUNuhD5pbJ-YaXlrRDJDcB1UoDTDW3MF_omjAi1aPIkvUDjfB7g5YFVtA2obyCVooyOtx5rYyojYNL8ERlRDNQaWiJDA6yn0/s320/51scCzsFg5L.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365167159664891762" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Review of:</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> Far From You</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br />Author </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">– Lisa Schroeder</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br />Genre(s) </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">– Verse, Realistic Fiction</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br />Pages</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> - 368</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Publisher </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">– Simon Pulse</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br />Publication Date </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">- December 23, 2008</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Rating </span>-</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Plot </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">- 26/30</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br />Writing</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> – 19/20</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br />Characters</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> - 18/20</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br />Creativity</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> - 17/20</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br />The *Wow* Factor</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> - 9/10</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br />Grand Total</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> - 89/100</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Grade</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> – B+</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Summary (From Amazon)</span> -</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Lost and alone...down the rabbit hole.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Years have passed since Alice lost her mother to cancer, but time hasn't quite healed the wound. Alice copes the best she can by writing her music, losing herself in her love for her boyfriend, and distancing herself from her father and his new wife.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">But when a deadly snowstorm traps Alice with her stepmother and newborn half sister, she'll face issues she's been avoiding for too long. As Alice looks to the heavens for guidance, she discovers something wonderful.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Perhaps she's not so alone after all....</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Review</span> -</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />I read this book a while ago, so I don’t remember all the details, but I remember my general impression of it. Far From You isn’t a book with a deep plot, which you wouldn’t expect from a verse novel, but I found that the emotions expressed in the book ring true. As I read, I felt angry along with Alice, or sad, or forgiving. It’s the kind of book that makes you feel all fuzzy inside, and is definitely worth a read.</span><br /><br /> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Far From You has a linear plot, but it has been written very well. But it almost seemed more like a short story than a full-length novel. Perhaps this is simply because it’s a verse novel, but I would have liked to see more. I believe that Far From You tells the story of Alice’s transformation well and I loved the slight hint at the supernatural.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Because Far From You is a verse novel, I never got to know the characters, even Alice, very deeply, but what I did see was more of a snapshot from the lives of realistic people, facing problems and emotions that could be real.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />As with most verse novels I have read, I found the poetry to be expressive, and in this case both beautiful and real at the same time. Verse novels aren’t my favorite thing to read, but even I recognize the beauty in Far From You, so I think that many people will also enjoy it. I recommend it especially for those who enjoy realistic fiction, poetry, and inspirational stories.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br /><br />Book From (Review Group, Bought, Library, Publisher, Author, Contest, Etc.)</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> - Publisher<br /><br /></span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153); font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" ><br />*Paradox*</span>Paradoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05079964912873947188noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313144374985530897.post-63228637058913537712009-08-01T00:16:00.000-07:002009-08-01T00:18:34.801-07:00Alternatives to "Once Upon a Time"<p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I recently entered a contest where I had to come up with alternative ways to start a fairy tale (masterminded by Heather of The Secret Life of WriterGirl), other than "Once Upon a Time." I thought I'd share my creations with you, in the hope that I'll get a few laughs.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">In the time of the flesh-eating fairies...<br /><br />Once, when the world was younger than the dinosaurs...<br /><br />When the rainbow still held a door...<br /><br />When humans were still young and fae folk ruled the realm...<br /><br />Once there was... oh, forget it.<br /><br />Once upon a particular position in the space-time continuum...<br /><br />It was a (insert adjective here) night and the the faerie eyes were glowing in the woods...<br /><br />If I tell you this tale I'll have to kill you, or at least leave you badly dismembered...<br /><br />These words are powerful, so listen well...<br /><br />Beware the cunning people who live where humans dare not go...<br /><br />Blood and guts. If this makes you feel squeamish, do not read on...<br /><br />It was a beautiful summer day and the zombies sat quietly decaying....<br /><br />If you're reading this now, it's probably too late...<br /><br />When the naiads had forgotten how to swim and the metal towers scraped the sky...<br /><br />If the fae folk touch you, call the priest and not the police...<br /><br />Once, before the sparkly glitter faeries attacked...</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">To read other people's entries, go to one of these links:</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">- <a title="http://thesecretadventuresofwritergirl.blogspot.com/2009/07/new-contest-wings-by-aprilynne-pike.html" mce_href="http://thesecretadventuresofwritergirl.blogspot.com/2009/07/new-contest-wings-by-aprilynne-pike.html" href="http://thesecretadventuresofwritergirl.blogspot.com/2009/07/new-contest-wings-by-aprilynne-pike.html">http://thesecretadventuresofwritergirl.blogspot.com/2009/07/new-contest-wings-by-aprilynne-pike.html</a></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">- You can vote for the winner here: <a title="http://thesecretadventuresofwritergirl.blogspot.com/2009/07/let-once-upon-time-voting-begin.html" mce_href="http://thesecretadventuresofwritergirl.blogspot.com/2009/07/let-once-upon-time-voting-begin.html" href="http://thesecretadventuresofwritergirl.blogspot.com/2009/07/let-once-upon-time-voting-begin.html">http://thesecretadventuresofwritergirl.blogspot.com/2009/07/let-once-upon-time-voting-begin.html</a><br /></p><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153); font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" ><br />*Paradox*</span>Paradoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05079964912873947188noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313144374985530897.post-73627475738964709432009-07-25T16:53:00.000-07:002009-07-25T16:54:17.126-07:00Candor Book Trailer<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Yes, this is related to the author's book trailer contest, but I've wanted to read the book ever since I first heard of it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Here's the trailer:</span><br /><br /><object style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/oyXkLnLobho&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/oyXkLnLobho&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Does it look good to any of you?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">And does anyone here have an ARC? Is it any good?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I think Candor sounds really interesting, so I'll definitely read it when I get a chance.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">*Paradox* </span></span>Paradoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05079964912873947188noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313144374985530897.post-56919922826232965402009-07-17T15:17:00.001-07:002009-07-17T15:21:34.777-07:00100 Followers!!!<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I've got 100 followers! Thank you everyone for following and reading my blog!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I'm planning a 100 Followers Contest, so expect it soon!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153); font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" >*Paradox*</span>Paradoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05079964912873947188noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313144374985530897.post-60069471211443749432009-07-16T19:50:00.000-07:002009-08-08T20:36:27.405-07:00Vamped by Lucienne Diver<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPkamwqKSqouXT8Jc2k_EEB1-Jy73-rV5CpIlKOGvzsdBttz63O2ZCF94xxzxLEBvR8r_kMvEfVqYXaxkcgyR-muYL3Bu0HmcAKMA4f1gKW5fM86oWhbEGQ2UPEUaMCR8sg0FssHFxDC4/s1600-h/vamped.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 207px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPkamwqKSqouXT8Jc2k_EEB1-Jy73-rV5CpIlKOGvzsdBttz63O2ZCF94xxzxLEBvR8r_kMvEfVqYXaxkcgyR-muYL3Bu0HmcAKMA4f1gKW5fM86oWhbEGQ2UPEUaMCR8sg0FssHFxDC4/s320/vamped.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359257465533235634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Review of:</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> Vamped</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br />Author </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">– Lucienne Diver</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Genre(s)</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> – Urban Fantasy/Paranormal</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br />Pages</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> - 240</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br />Publisher</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> – Flux</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Publication Date</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> - May 1, 2009</span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rating</span> -</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br /><br />Plot</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> - 24/30</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Writing</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> – 18/20</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Characters</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> - 19/20</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Creativity</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> - 18/20</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >The *Wow* Factor</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> - 8/10</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Grand Total</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> - 87/100</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br /><br />Grade</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> – B+</span> <span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Summary (From Amazon)</span> -</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br /><br />Gina Covello's Perks and Pitfalls of Vamp Life</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />1. Hello?! Eternal youth and beauty!</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />2. Free. Designer. Clothes.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />3. My hot new boyfriend Bobby went from chess dud to vamp stud.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />4. No reflection! First order of business: turn my own stylist to stop the downward spiral from chic to eek.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />5. Vampire vixen Mellisande has taken an interest in my boyfriend, and is now transforming the entire high school into her own personal vampire army. If anyone's going to start their own undead entourage it should be me.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I guess I'll just have to save everyone from fashion disasters and other fates worse than death.</span> <span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" > <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Review</span> -</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">First of all, Vamped was not what I expected it to be. I was expecting it to be set in a high school with a “mean girls” vs. protagonist plot, but with vampires. That has been done before, but Vamped definitely hasn’t. It mixes a lot of more traditional fantasy themes (such as prophecies) with the modern urban vampire story. This book and its upcoming sequel have a lot of potential to be a great vampire series, but there is some room for improvement.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The plot of Vamped where I had the most problems, but none were unforgivable, and loose ends can definitely be tied up in a future book. I was immediately drawn into Gina’s story and her emotions, but I also found myself feeling confused, especially since so many things about the different vampires and their motives were never fully explained. Everything seemed a bit rushed, and there was a distinct feeling that there was a lot going on in the background. My problem isn’t with the complicated world of vampires, which I actually found fascinating, but with the fact that, for the most part, Gina was cloistered away from it. I think Vamped could have been much better if Gina’s could have seen more than just a few locations in her town and Mellisande’s hideout, and if the book had been a bit longer than 240 pages. I would like to see more of the hidden vampire society in future books, as well as have some secrets revealed about Gina and Bobby’s fate. There is a prophecy and glowing stone involved, so this could get epic!</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />My favorite things about Vamped were the characters and writing style of the book. Gina narrated the novel, and I loved her voice and funny commentary. I often found myself laughing out loud at her thoughts and words. She was a lot of fun, and was a very original character. I also loved her habit of nicknaming people. And Mellisande was definitely a character I loved to hate. Besides being evil, she was also annoying because she was never generous when it came to revealing information about her plans, and those of other vampires. Bobby was also an interesting character; very kind, but somehow a part of Mellisande’s scheme. And the man-eating psychic completely creeped me out, and was definitely something I’d never seen before. Some minor characters seemed less developed and more disposable, but the main characters were very well done!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">In conclusion, Vamped was a fun beginning to a promising series, and I can’t wait for the next book, which I believe will be called Revamped. I think that any lover of vampire stories or urban fantasy will love Vamped, as well as those who love reading about a snarky heroine. And isn’t the cover awesome?!</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br /><br />Book From (Review Group, Bought, Library, Publisher, Author, Contest, Etc.)</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> - Author</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" ><br /><br />*Paradox*</span>Paradoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05079964912873947188noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313144374985530897.post-84177684974229509572009-07-11T17:59:00.000-07:002009-07-11T18:20:16.400-07:00Recent Release: Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This is not a review, but an announcement about an awesome book that just came out on the 7th, Eyes Like Stars (1st book in the </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Théâtre Illuminata series) by Lisa Mantchev</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">! Unfortunately, I haven't actually finished reading it yet (I have an ARC), but what I have read so far is incredible! Expect a real review soon. I couldn't find a book trailer for Eyes Like Stars, but I think the cover and blurb alone will speak for it well enough, because the cover of Eyes Like Stars is my favorite cover of 2009!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Soooo... Congratulations on your release, Lisa Mantchev!!!</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >In addition, a promise: </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I promise here to make a fan cover for Eyes Like Stars when I have completed it. If you want an example of what these look like, scroll down a few entries to see my Prophecy of the Sisters fan cover.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><br /><br />Here's the awesome cover of Eyes Like Stars:<br /><br /></span> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtcgZLyrgsgLHwY3bzzCTvH4IXpNhtkaok0CE7Mr8Ib7UtQGPnO8cCwssQevcMnqUS0OICxEuXjFNtby1rZohAjkvTDR-sR8oUQJac2SeQ9M7JwP-y9BnGvmSpuj-Nn53HBXRzx-M7YCk/s1600-h/eyeslikestars.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtcgZLyrgsgLHwY3bzzCTvH4IXpNhtkaok0CE7Mr8Ib7UtQGPnO8cCwssQevcMnqUS0OICxEuXjFNtby1rZohAjkvTDR-sR8oUQJac2SeQ9M7JwP-y9BnGvmSpuj-Nn53HBXRzx-M7YCk/s400/eyeslikestars.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357374818436387330" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Here's the blurb from Amazon:</span> <div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><p>All her world’s a stage.</p><p>Bertie Shakespeare Smith is not an actress, yet she lives in a theater.</p><p>She’s not an orphan, but she has no parents.</p><p>She knows every part, but she has no lines of her own.</p><p>That is, until now.</p><u>Enter Stage Right</u><br /><p>NATE. Dashing pirate. Will do anything to protect Bertie.<br /></p><p>COBWEB, MOTH, MUSTARD SEED, and PEASEBLOSSOM. Four tiny and incredibly annoying fairies. BERTIE’S sidekicks. </p><p>ARIEL. Seductive air spirit and Bertie’s weakness. The symbol of impending doom.</p><p>BERTIE. Our heroine. </p><p>Welcome to the Théâtre Illuminata, where the actors of every play ever written can be found behind the curtain. They were born to play their parts, and are bound to the Théâtre by The Book—an ancient and magical tome of scripts. Bertie is not one of them, but they are her family—and she is about to lose them all and the only home she has ever known.</p><p>Lisa Mantchev has written a debut novel that is dramatic, romantic, and witty, with an irresistible and irreverent cast of characters who are sure to enchant the audience. </p><u>Open Curtain<br /><br /></u></div><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);font-size:180%;" > <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Experience the awesomeness! Visit Lisa Mantchev's website for the series: </span><a href="http://www.theatre-illuminata.com/">http://www.theatre-illuminata.com/</a><br /><br /></span></span>*Paradox*</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">P.S. - If you are interested, yes, this is contest-related. But Eyes Like Stars is really a great book, from what I've read of it and the rave reviews I've seen. In fact, I haven't come across a single bad review for it.</span></span>Paradoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05079964912873947188noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313144374985530897.post-83745122738485033462009-07-08T21:53:00.000-07:002009-07-08T22:08:34.108-07:00Thirteenth Child by Patricia C. Wrede<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK7ngAmLOFfMlYZKcm1KieKDJEwaqxXE7mnM00vqjumUD_FRxapLsZL-BQNff9NaBix4pRPRRm9j8zly-kPKN5ZY2wcMGsQAfxv4paO3NLDn-U4CAJjEnDFEamvrTBa7VVNmb5vw5A8Ns/s1600-h/n292539.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 209px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK7ngAmLOFfMlYZKcm1KieKDJEwaqxXE7mnM00vqjumUD_FRxapLsZL-BQNff9NaBix4pRPRRm9j8zly-kPKN5ZY2wcMGsQAfxv4paO3NLDn-U4CAJjEnDFEamvrTBa7VVNmb5vw5A8Ns/s320/n292539.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356319932447553938" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Review of:</span> Thirteenth Child</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Author</span> - Patricia C. Wrede</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Genre(s)</span> – Fantasy, Alternate History</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pages</span> - 320</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Publisher</span> – Scholastic Press</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Publication Date</span> - April 15, 2009</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rating</span> -</span></span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Plot </span>- 27/30</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Writing</span> - 19/20</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Characters</span> - 18/20</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Creativity</span> - 19/20</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The *Wow* Factor</span> - 9/10</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Grand Total</span> - 92/100</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Grade</span> – A-</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Summary (From Amazon)</span> -</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Eff was born a thirteenth child. Her twin brother, Lan, is the seventh son of a seventh son. This means he's supposed to possess amazing talent -- and she's supposed to bring only bad things to her family and her town. Undeterred, her family moves to the frontier, where her father will be a professor of magic at a school perilously close to the magical divide that separates settlers from the beasts of the wild.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />With wit and wonder, Patricia Wrede creates an alternate history of westward expansion that will delight fans of both J. K. Rowling and Laura Ingalls Wilder.</span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Review</span> -</span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >I’ve seen a lot of reviews with varying reactions to this book, but I really enjoyed Thirteenth Child! I found it to be original, and it appealed to my interest in parallel worlds and alternate histories. It may be a bit slow for some readers, but I think that it will appeal to those who like books with this pacing, as well as fantasy lovers.</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >The world building for Thirteenth Child was incredible, and I enjoyed learning about this alternate version of 19th century America and the many types of magic and creatures. There were mentions of many historical figures from our world, but many events and people in power were different due to the existence of magic, and many country names were different. North America (or at least the US) was known as Columbia, and Europe was Avrupa. Many of these changes were fairly small, but they were different enough to draw my interest. The setting of Thirteenth Child was one of my favorite parts of the book. Some things weren’t perfectly explained, but Thirteenth Child is only the first book in a series, so it is likely that more will be revealed later.</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >I enjoyed the characters, who were mostly three-dimensional and interesting to read about, but sometimes I felt that there were too many to keep track of. Eff, the main character, had such a huge family and met so many people that it became confusing at times. But I suppose this is due to the fact that the book takes place over many years, from the time Eff is 4 to when she turns 18. I especially liked reading about Eff’s struggles to accept herself despite her extended family’s prejudice against “unlucky/evil” thirteenth children. Some of Eff’s relatives were infuriating, but that was the point. They were the characters that readers love to hate.</span> <span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" ><br /><br />The plot was a bit hard to pin down, which is why this book didn’t get an A. The first half of the book is mainly about Eff growing up, and is very episodic. This is the part that may be considered slow, especially since Eff does not cross the magical barrier until she is 18. It is after this that Eff is challenged to use all that she has learned growing up to solve a problem that is the climax of the book. Perhaps the next book will have a tighter plot.</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >There is some controversy over this book because it has no mention of Native Americans, and while this is a bit disturbing, I found some evidence in the book that they might be introduced later in some form or another. In one part of the book, a character who had gone west mentioned seeing smoke come from beyond the mountains (the Rockies.) And while there are three main systems of magic in the book (Avrupan, Aphrikan, and Hijero-Cathayan), it is mentioned that there are numerous other types, including some that are unknown to the Columbian settlers. SPOILER: Also, Eff is given a magical necklace by the same person who saw the smoke (a traveling magician), which supposedly has spells from unknown magic systems woven into it. So it is likely that this world’s version of Native Americans will show up in the next books, and if they do, they probably have their own systems of magic.</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >This book has been compared to Harry Potter, the Little House books (it did have a similar feel to them,) and the Monster Blood Tattoo books, but I’m going to add another comparison. I see lots of similarities to the Worldweavers books by Alma Alexander, which is set in the present time, but in a world that has always had magic. I’d recommend Thirteenth Child to anyone who likes these books.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Book From (Review Group, Bought, Library, Publisher, Author, Contest, Etc.)</span> - Library<br /><br /></span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">*Paradox*</span></span>Paradoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05079964912873947188noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313144374985530897.post-77375663943648413162009-07-06T18:06:00.000-07:002009-07-06T18:09:08.817-07:00Watch This Awesome Trailer for Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Isn't this incredible?! The author made it herself, and it's stop motion!</span><br /><br /><object style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QX82ggGCF7c&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QX82ggGCF7c&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">What do you think?</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);font-size:180%;" ><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">*Paradox*</span></span>Paradoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05079964912873947188noreply@blogger.com1