Monday, January 30, 2012

Free eBook - Hollowland by Amanda Hocking


by Amanda Hocking

"This is the way the world ends - not with a bang or a whimper, but with zombies breaking down the back door."
Nineteen-year-old Remy King is on a mission to get across the wasteland left of America, and nothing will stand in her way - not violent marauders, a spoiled rock star, or an army of flesh-eating zombies.
(Description from Goodreads)

Download your copy HERE

Austenland by Shannon Hale

 





Hardcover: 208 pages 
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA; First Edition edition (May 29, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN: 1596912855 (ISBN13: 9781596912854)
SeriesAustenland #1
Setting: United Kingdom
Literary awards: Book Sense pick for June (2007), 
Wall Street Journal "notable book" for summer (2007)





Jane Hayes is a seemingly normal young New Yorker, but she has a secret. Her obsession with Mr. Darcy, as played by Colin Firth in the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, is ruining her love life: no real man can compare. But when a wealthy relative bequeaths her a trip to an English resort catering to Austen-crazed women, Jane's fantasies of meeting the perfect Regency-era gentleman suddenly become realer than she ever could have imagined. 

Decked out in empire-waist gowns, Jane struggles to master Regency etiquette and flirts with gardeners and gentlemen;or maybe even, she suspects, with the actors who are playing them. It's all a game, Jane knows. And yet the longer she stays, the more her insecurities seem to fall away, and the more she wonders: Is she about to kick the Austen obsession for good, or could all her dreams actually culminate in a Mr. Darcy of her own?

(Description from Goodreads)

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Austenland is a page-turner. It is not a book I would define great, but it leaves a sweet feeling. This is one of those books you want to read when you feel down and need your mug of hot cocoa (or your cup of tea!). 

Jane Hayes is in love with the character of Mr. Darcy. She knows that her quest to find a Mr. Darcy in real life is without hope. But one day she discovered her aunt left her a paid holiday at a private resort in England, Pembrook Park, a place for her to forget about the modern world and immerse herself in Jane Austen's world. Jane is convinced that this is the only way to be free of  her obsession with Mr. Darcy and get on with her life. However life does not work out the way you expect. Sometimes it works out even better.

If you are in the mood for something light and sweet (and if you're obsessed with Mr. Darcy like Jane!), read Austenland. 

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Also in the mood for a cup of tea with Mr. Darcy?


Like the man himself, this elegant, dark tea, grown in rich soil, with a bold beginning yet a smooth finish has a complexity of character that will leave you wishing to know more.

Distinctive notes of leather, chestnut and plum in this well respected Da Hong Pao Oolong. Each steeping introduces you to more of it's character. Good for 6 steepings Gong Fu style or 3 British style.


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Austenland is getting made into a movie!

Austenland” is produced by Stephenie Meyer ("The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1," "Breaking Dawn Part 2," "The Host") through Fickle Fish Films, the production company of Meyer and Meghan Hibbett, and Moxie Pictures’ Gina Mingacci. Executive Producers are Robert Fernandez and Dan Levinson of Moxie Pictures and co-producer is Jane Hooks (“Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll, “Bronson”). Jared Hess("Napoleon Dynamite," "Nacho Libre," "Gentleman Broncos"), Meghan Hibbett, and author Shannon Hale are associate producers.


Jerusha Hess, co-writer of Napoleon Dynamite and Nacho Libre, adapted “Austenland” for the screen with Shannon Hale.

(Description from Fickle Fish Films)

The Cast

Jane - Keri Russell (“Felicity”, “Mission Impossible II”,“Waitress”) 
Nobley - JJ Feild (“Captain America: The First Avenger)
Martin - Bret Mckenzie (the Emmy award-winning “Flight of the Conchords”)
Miss Charming - Jennifer Coolidge (“American Pie”, “Legally Blonde”)
Colonel Andrews - James Callis (“Battlestar Gallactica”, “Bridget Jones’ Diary”)
Mrs. Wattlesbrook - Jane Seymour (“Wedding Crashers”)
Mr. Wattlesbrook - Rupert Vansittart (“Braveheart”)


Sunday, January 29, 2012

The Pirate Balthasar - Two Year Anniversary Game


My awesome friend Deda is celebrating the Two Year Anniversary of Pirate Balthasar (don't know this fantastic pirate webcominc? Read my post about it HERE) with a fun game.  

(from Deda's blog)

The pirate Balthasar will turn two at the end of the month.
I can believe it's already been so long, it feels like yesterday to me.

I will be releasing the second artbook for the anniversary but I was thinking we should play a little game too.

I was thinking about a fan art/fan fiction/graphic design/photography contest and the award would be an original drawing of your favorite characters in full colors that I will personally ship to you via snail mail!

What do you say? Are you in?

Deadline: Valentine's day

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Take a sneak peak at the reward!

 
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This drawing of Wilson Kane is my entry for the contest.

Wish me Luck!

And if you decide to participate let me know. 
I would love to see your entries!

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Free eBook - Shadow of the Sun by Laura Kreitzer

by Laura Kreitzer

Gabriella's past is a mystery, but that never stopped her from achieving her goals. As a supernatural specialist, and far more intelligent than anyone her age, she has always been ignored by her peers. Because of the isolation she has always felt, she put her life and soul into her job. Being a supernatural specialist hasn't given her the divine intervention she always longed for, until one day a shipment arrives from Italy containing three dead bodies with an uncanny ability to regenerate. Gabriella is frightened and intrigued, but not as scared as she becomes when a dark creature attacks her.

As the bodies come back to life, the plot takes an unexpected twist that you won't see coming. The supernatural world only begins to unfold before her as angels appear, her dreams start to haunt her, and the very past she has forgotten comes back with startling clarity. Romance blooms, escape plans are made, an assassin is out to kill her, and death is only around the corner. But what is more terrifying than all of it is the fact she is the chosen one, the Illuminator, the one who will save them all.
(Description from Amazon.com)

Download your copy HERE

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore - Oscar-Nominated Short Film


Nominated for Best Animated Short in 2011 Oscars

Inspired, in equal measures, by Hurricane Katrina, Buster Keaton, The Wizard of Oz, and a love for books, The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore is a poignant, humorous allegory about the curative powers of story. Using a variety of techniques (miniatures, computer animation, 2D animation) award winning author/ illustrator William Joyce and Co-director Brandon Oldenburg present a hybrid style of animation that harkens back to silent films and MGM Technicolor musicals. Morris Lessmore is old fashioned and cutting edge at the same time. 

"Morris" is one of five animated short films that will be considered for outstanding film achievements of 2011 in the 84th Academy Awards.

(Summary from IMDb)


A book adaption is expected to be released in late 2012. YAY!


Thursday, January 26, 2012

Young Adult Giveaway Hop (Int)




Welcome to the Young Adult Giveaway Hop!

The Blog Hop runs from January 27th to January 31st.

Winners will be drawn via random.org and notified promptly.


The Prize is:


by Sara Wilson Etienne

Girl, Interrupted meets Beautiful Creatures in this fast-paced thriller 

When sixteen-year-old Faye arrives at Holbrook Academy, she doesn't expect to find herself exactly where she needs to be. After years of strange waking visions and nightmares, her only comfort the bones of dead animals, Faye is afraid she's going crazy. Fast. 

But her first night at Holbrook, she feels strangely connected to the school and the island it sits on, like she's come home. She's even made her first real friends, but odd things keep happening to them. Every morning they wake on the floors of their dorm rooms with their hands stained red. 

Faye knows she's the reason, but what does it all mean? The handsome Kel tries to help her unravel the mystery, but Faye is certain she can't trust him; in fact, he may be trying to kill her - and the rest of the world too. 

Rich, compelling writing will keep the pages turning in this riveting and tautly told psychological thriller. 

(Description from Amazon.com)


and... 


by Ian McDonald

Multiple-award-winning author making his YA debut

There is not one you. There are many yous. There is not one world. There are many worlds. Ours is one of billions of parallel earths.

When Everett Singh's scientist father is kidnapped from the streets of London, he leaves young Everett a mysterious app on his computer. Suddenly, this teenager has become the owner of the most valuable object in the multiverse—the Infundibulum—the map of all the parallel earths, and there are dark forces in the Ten Known Worlds who will stop at nothing to get it. They've got power, authority, and the might of ten planets—some of them more technologically advanced than our Earth—at their fingertips. He's got wits, intelligence, and a knack for Indian cooking.

To keep the Infundibulum safe, Everett must trick his way through the Heisenberg Gate his dad helped build and go on the run in a parallel Earth. But to rescue his Dad from Charlotte Villiers and the sinister Order, this Planesrunner's going to need friends. Friends like Captain Anastasia Sixsmyth, her adopted daughter Sen, and the crew of the airship Everness.

Can they rescue Everett's father and get the Infundibulum to safety? The game is afoot!

(Description from Amazon.com)

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In comments leave me your name and email and you're entered!
The only requirement is that you follow the blog.

One extra entry if you spread the word (link in comments).
Another extra entry if you follow me on twitter (@hatshepsut0011).


This giveaway is open internationally!


Good luck!


Saturday, January 21, 2012

Middle Grade March Madness Challenge 2012


A Month-Long Middle Grade Book Reading Challenge

THE BORING STUFF

  1. The last day to sign-up is March 7th.
  2. You may sign-up if you have a blog, goodreads, amazon, library thing, or Barnes and Noble account where you post reviews.
  3. Create a sign-up post that has in it: the challenge button and the level you hope to complete.


THE LEVELS

1. Citizen, Read 1-3 Books
2. Mayor, Read 4-8 Books
3. Congressman, Read 9-12 Books
4. President, 13+ Books

_______________________________________________________

I'm aiming for Congressman, as I own many interesting middle grade books I haven't read yet.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Young Adult Faeries & Fantasy Giveaway Hop (Int)




Welcome to the Young Adult Faeries & Fantasy Giveaway Hop!

The Blog Hop runs from January 6th to January 12th.


 Winners will be drawn via random.org and notified promptly.


The Prize is:


by Brian Froud
The Cottington Archive is pleased to announce that more information about Lady Cottingon has surfaced: a scrapbook compiled by the notorious fairy smasher herself of "actual" letters, Valentines, calling cards, and more that she received from luminaries Queen Victoria, Annie Oakley, Igor Stravinsky, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Andrew Lang, P.T. Barnum, Rudyard Kipling, Wendy Darling, Beatrix Potter, and more. All about fairies, these hilarious letters contain everything from wisdom to suggestions to chastisement. Lady Cottington has made notes in the margins not to mention smashed fairies throughout (will she EVER STOP this nasty habit?!). And the fairies!ah the fairies!they too have done their part, sprinkling magic and mayhem throughout. Lady Cottington's Correspondence, a facsimile reproduction of this original volume, combines the nutty artistry of the first two Lady Cottington books with the novelty components of Griffin & Sabine. Containing "actual" letters, invoices for "spiritual services," a fairy Valentine, an invitation from Alice Liddell to tea, and more, this newest, interactive addition to the Lady Cottington series is the most innovative to date. (Description from Amazon.com)



In comments leave me your name and email and you're entered!
The only requirement is that you follow the blog.

One extra entry if you spread the word (link in comments).
Another extra entry if you follow me on twitter (@hatshepsut0011).



This giveaway is open internationally!


Good luck!