Mundie Moms

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Crush Tourney Round 2: VOTE for WILL

Hi Guys! It's Katie from Mundie Moms, and Alyssa w/ TMI Source, and we are thrilled to be back to help promote Will in another round in the YA Crush Tourney. We realize how tough today's competition is, which is why we've called in re-enforcements. You heard from us during Will's first round why we thought you should VOTE for WILL, so today we have a few re-enforcements with us. Jace felt the need to stop by and tell you why he feels you should VOTE FOR WILL.



From Jace:

Jace Lightwood--reigning YA Crush Tourney champ--here to enlighten you on why Will Herondale is also worthy of the honor.

There's no need to tell you that--obviously--good looks run in the family. We Herondale men are lookers. It’s one of our many appealing qualities, along with our snark. Now some people have said that William could give me a run for my money when it comes to snark. Clearly they've suffered from some kind of head trauma as that obviously isn't true.

I've heard he's an avid reader. Now that's not my thing, but apparently it's a quality that some girls simply swoon over. To each their own, I guess.

But he's smart. He's quick with a seraph blade--just not as quick as me. And he doesn't trust a duck--smart man, that Will. He might even have a more messed-up childhood than me--shocking, I know. I appreciate and respect his love and dedication for his parabatai, Jem Carstairs. It’s a bond that words cannot describe.

Like myself, Will has a difficult time dealing with emotions and expressing himself at times. We’ve both had a troubling childhood that has scarred us emotionally.

I’ve got some advice for Will. If you find someone you love, don't be a fool and let her get away like I almost did. That seems to be a trend for the Herondale men.

Since you can't have me--as my YA Crush Tourney title prevents me from competing from here on out--you should settle for Will. And I mean that in the most loving way. He is family.

********
Just in case Jace wasn't enough, maybe a few of these CP quotes will help, along  with some quotes from some of Will's biggest fans.
* He's romantic- Will & Tessa
“He bent to put his cheek against hers. His breath against her ear made her shudder with each deliberately spoken word. "I have wanted to do this," he said, "every moment of every hour of every day that I have been with you since the day I met you.”

* He's loyal and bond by that loyality-
"Our souls are knit. We are one person, James.” 

 * He's a guy who knows what he likes and doesn't like-
“Trains are great dirty smoky things," said Will. "You won't like it."
Tessa was unmoved. "I won't know if I like it until I try it, will I?"
"I've never swum naked in the Thames before, but I know I wouldn't like it."


* He can SING-
“Demon pox, oh demon pox
Just how is it acquired?
One must go down to the bad part of town
Until one is very tired.
Demon pox, oh demon pox, I had it all along—
Not the pox, you foolish blocks,
I mean this very song—
For I was right, and you were wrong!" 

* He LOVES literature/books- you guys know this one will definitely win you over!

“We live and breathe words. It was books that kept me from taking my own life after I thought I could never love anyone, never be loved again. It was books that made me feel that perhaps I was not completely alone. They could be honest with me, and I with them.”  

From a few Fans: This past weekend Alyssa and I asked TMI fans why they love Will and would vote for him. We totally agree with what they said. Here's a few of their responses:

- @Alesil99 said, "Will is so fragile, so strong, so romantic, so sarcastic, but above all so deeply sad... the only one for me."

- @Miss_Herondale said, "Will is the most unselfish person and he'll literally give his life for the ones he loves. He's also one of the strongest characters ever. Many would have turned bad believing what he did, but he stays strong." 

- @EmilyBookaholic said, "He's the greatest friend anyone could ask for."

In closing: We're going to wrap up our post with a quote from CP, God knows we’re all drawn to what’s beautiful and broken.” We all know how drawn we are to this beautiful, broken boy. 


Book Review: Rift by Andrea Cremer (spoiler free)


Published by: Philomel Books
To Be Released on: August 7th, 2012
Source: ARC from publisher to review
5 stars: I LOVED It! 

Chronicling the rise of the Keepers, this is the stunning prequel to Andrea Cremer's internationally bestselling Nightshade trilogy!

Sixteen-year-old Ember Morrow is promised to a group called Conatus after one of their healers saves her mother's life. Once she arrives, Ember finds joy in wielding swords, learning magic, and fighting the encroaching darkness loose in the world. She also finds herself falling in love with her mentor, the dashing, brooding, and powerful Barrow Hess. When the knights realize Eira, one of their leaders, is dabbling in dark magic, Ember and Barrow must choose whether to follow Eira into the nether realm or to pledge their lives to destroying her and her kind.

With action, adventure, magic, and tantalizing sensuality, this book is as fast-paced and breathtaking as the Nightshade novels -quoted from Goodreads

With her beautifully crafted historical setting, delicious dark plot, and sensual romance, Andrea Cremer once again provides her fans with a storyline that they'll want more of once they finish this book. 5 stars don't even do this book justice. I seriously LOVED everything Andrea gave me in RIFT and I want more!!

Andrea Cremer become one of my favorite YA paranormal authors with her Nightshade series, but she upped everything I loved about her writing in RIFT. Her talent for weaving together my favorite elements, and creating a story that's both authentic and addicting has my wishing the sequel to RIFT was already in my hands! Would it be wrong to say I'm in love with Andrea Cremer's writing? Honestly, I am. I love it when I sit down to read a book, and not only do the characters come alive, but the setting does as well. That's exactly what happened when I read RIFT. The setting felt like a character to me. It's complex, beautiful, and plays such a huge role in this book. It sets the perfect tone for Ember's story, as does the believable history and rich culture.

Oh Ember. I loved this girl from page one! She's a girl after my own heart, as she's a nobleman's daughter, and yet she would rather spend her days sword fighting and being outdoors, than inside spinning. I totally got her yearning for adventure, to accompany the boys on their quests, and being out doors. I admired her for wanting to push the envelope a bit. She's not a girly girl who can't defend herself, and yet because of her birthright, she's forced to act and behave a certain way. Well, her time period also restricts what women do, but Ember isn't a girl to sit back and do all that she's told to do. She finds ways around the things she's expected to do, and I loved her for that! She thinks for herself. She's also a character who stands out amongst the well written heroines I've read about this year, and has found a spot with other favorite protagonists.

Knights, Nobleman, Lords, and plenty of action await readers in this story. Let me just say, Andrea provides plenty of hot boys with swords, and heroes in this story to match Ember's yearning for independence and her sassy nature. Oh how I loved the character chemistry and slow burning romance in this story! While there's not a love triangle, there is a fabulous love story/romance that takes place. Alistair, the loyal best friend who wants more than just friendship, and the swoon-worthy Knight, Barrow Hess are two men who are well suited for the job of fighting for Ember's heart. One of the things I loved about the relationships between these three, is how evident Ember's feelings are towards both men in the story. I LOVED what transpires between Barrow and Ember. I could quite possibly write an entire post about the romance that transpires in this story, but I'll save that one for another day.

RIFT is a story that's rich in historical lore, and culture. It's a story that introduces readers to in-depth characters that develop perfectly as the story continues to unravel. In true Andrea fashion, she gives her readers just enough twists, action, secrets, and romance to keep you reading more. She doesn't give you everything at once, but with a pace that keeps you engaged and yearning for more, you find yourself unable to put this book down. With an epic battle, well written action scenes, a good vs evil theme, characters you want to read more about, and a romance that will leave you yearning for so much more, RIFT is a book you want to pick up!

For those worried about how this prequel will fit in with the Nightshade series, you can put your fears aside. This book stands out all by itself, while at the same time compliments the series beautifully. You guys know how much I love the Nightshade series, and I can honestly say I love this book even more! I feel it's Andrea's best book yet and I HIGHLY recommend picking it up!

Twitter Tuesday - Cassie Clare on Magnus and Whitewashing

Godfrey Gao - a perfect Magnus
Cassie posted this a few days ago on her tumblr and I thought it was one of the best responses I've read to casting/fan-casting in general. I know we've seen a number of whitewashed covers on some of our favorite books and frankly, that disturbs me. So here's Cassie's thoughts on the subject, particularly re: Magnus:

This is an old post of mine, but I thought it bore reblogging (especially now that we do have a Magnus, and he is, as I hoped and prayed and insisted, going to be played by an Asian actor. A really talented, really handsome, really awesome Asian actor.)...

(Cassie's original post)
Okay, although I admit I am confused about the confusion. They want an Asian actor to play Magnus because Magnus is Asian. (Technically, Magnus is biracial. I would be perfectly happy with a biracial actor playing him — but otherwise the option is an Asian actor, not a white actor. It doesn’t matter if any of Magnus’ background is white. Casting him white would erase that part of his background that is Asian. And important. There are plenty of roles out there for white actors. Most roles are for white actors. This is not one of them. There is very little I have control over as regards casting. I cannot pick an actor for Magnus. I don’t have that ability. But I can say, and say strongly, that I want them to cast an Asian or half-Asian actor, and I did. It is pretty much the one ironclad demand as regards casting that I have made, i.e. : if you don’t cast an Asian actor, I’ll never talk about this movie again, nor will I see it.)

You can read Cassie's full post here and I encourage you to do so. In the mean time, I'll just keep googling images of Godfrey because boy, did the movie people cast him perfectly. I can see him with outrageous outfits and glitter and I can see him fighting with those he loves. Can't you?

Cover Reveals, Introduction to Month 9 Books, and A Giveaway!


I'm excited to be apart of today's blog tour, as I get to introduce you guys to a new publisher, reveal the rest of Lisa M. Basso's angel series, and host an awesome giveaway. 



Book Synopsis:
A SHIMMER OF ANGELS by Lisa M. Basso
A teen girl's attempt to stay out of the mental institution she's made her on-again-off-again home, for the past three years, comes to a halt when she begins seeing things she cannot possibly confess to, for fear of being sent back. But when the things she sees provide clues to recent school murders, Rayna must put aside her fears of being labeled insane, and reveal what she knows in order to save lives.
Change in Release Date:
Month9Books has decided to move the release date of A SHIMMER OF ANGELS by Lisa M. Basso to January 29, 2013. Because of the charity anthology, TWO AND TWENTY DARK TALES: DARK RETELLINGS OF MOTHER GOOSE RHYMES, releasing in October, it is important to Month9Books that the single author titles do not become overshadowed by the anthology’s release. Month9Books believes each title deserves its own moment in the proverbial sun, and strives to make that happen for each author and each book.”
Author Bio:
Lisa M. Basso, author of the ANGEL SIGHT Series, was born and raised in San Francisco, California. She is a lover of books, video games, animals, and baking (not baking with animals though). As a child she would crawl into worlds of her own creation and get lost for hours. Her love for YA fiction started with a simple school reading assignment: S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders. When not reading or writing she can usually be found at home with The Best Boyfriend that Ever Lived ™ and her two darling (and sometimes evil) cats, Kitties A and B.
About Month9Books:
Month9Books is a speculative fiction young adult and middle grade imprint.
Speculative fiction is an umbrella term that encompasses the following genres:
•             Science Fiction
•             Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, High Fantasy, and Urban Fantasy
•             Horror
•             Supernatural
•             Paranormal
•             Super-Hero, Villain, and Anti-Hero
•             Utopian and Dystopian
•             Apocalyptic and Post-Apocalyptic
•             Alternate History
Month9Books will also publish Steampunk, Cyberpunk, Techno-thriller, and Action-Adventure-Fantasy.
Formed in 2011 by speculative fiction writer Georgia McBride (also founder of YALITCHAT.ORG and #yalitchat on twitter), each year, a portion of the proceeds from our anthologies will be donated to a charity we admire. We are however, NOT a charity publisher.
Our first anthology is scheduled for publication in October 2012 and features: Michelle Zink, Lisa Mantchev, Sarwat Chadda, Nina Berry, Leigh Fallon, Suzanne Young, C. Lee McKenzie, Angie Frazier, Georgia McBride, Jessie Harrell, Francisco X. Stork, Gretchen McNeil, KM Walton, Heidi R. Kling, Nancy Holder, Sayantani DasGupta, Karen Mahoney, Leah Cypess, Suzanne Lazear, Pamela van Hylckama Vlieg and Shannon Delany with Max Scialdone.
In addition to our charity anthologies, we seek to publish 9-11 additional titles annually. 
We are distributed by Small Press United, a division of IPG.
Links:
Month9Books Website | Twitter | Facebook | GoodReads 
A SHIMMER OF ANGELS Amazon | Barnes & Noble
The Giveaway:
Thank you to Month9Books, I have a signed A SHIMMER OF ANGELS ARC, a 5 Fl Oz Love Spell Shimmer Body Lotion from Victoria’s Secret Fantasy line, and A SHIMMER OF ANGELS bookmark to giveaway to 1 lucky winner! This giveaway is open internationally, and will run for 72 hrs. To enter, please fill out the form below:

**rafflecopter is currently down, I'll fix the code when it's back up**
Blog Tour Schedule:
Be sure to follow each stop, as each blog will be revealing a different book(s)/series, as well as hosting a different blog tour at each stop. 
July 24-Mundie Moms
July 27-Hypable.com

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