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Showing posts from August, 2012

Feature Follow #15

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The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee’s View and Alison of Alison Can Read . Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it’ll allow us to show off more new blogs! Thank you for stopping by my blog! I will follow back, just leave your link in the comment box! Have an awesome Friday! Q: Best cover? What is the best cover of a book that you've read and loved?   A. OH man... There are SOOOO many to choose from. But Ill just list a FEW of my favorites. Dont forget to comment and let me know if you are a new follower so I can come follow you back :) And Dont forget to enter my first  giveaway  if you havent already. Its still open, but not for much longer...    

Things Ive learned from Beta Readers and CPs

Things Ive learned from my AMAZING Beta Readers and Critique Partners and why they are SO valuable and amazing . 1.        The obvious reason: having an extra pair of eyes look at your work. When you write something, and read it 1 million and 2 times, you skip over things and miss things that just having a fresh pair of eyes can catch on the first round. Just helping you realize and fix all the tiny grammatical errors… a.        Examples: "I searched in the spot in knew his mind was..." word correction there. b.       "I opened my eyes to see look at him," extra word? c.        "She always claimed she was a morning person, though I have to witness that." Missing the yet?  d. "I could see his lips twitch the slightest but down." slightest bit down? 2.        Then they offer you advice and tips on how to make your work better. When you are writing, sometimes you KNOW what you want to say, and how you want the story to go, but so

Review: City of Bones

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Title: City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments Book One) Author: Cassandra Clare Summary: When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder -- much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing -- not even a smear of blood -- to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy? This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes li

How to Find a Good Editor and Do you even need one?

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How to find an editor for your book  As a self-published author, one of your biggest tasks will be finding a good editor for your book. You are going to be trusting what you have written in the hands of someone that does not know you or your work. This is not only emotionally scary , but is a very a  serious investment. So... how do you find one. Below I will list a few ways: Editorial Freelancers Association The Editorial Freelancers Association  is a well-respected group based in New York. It has been around for years. You can submit a job posting as well as search for an editor in a geographic area or with a particular expertise (developmental, line editing, proofreading). Hiveword This writers’ resource is courtesy of Jane Friedman (a former publishing exec and a brilliant blogger on the future of publishing). Check out Hiveword results for book editor.  LinkedIn Put freelance editing or a variation thereof in the search box for groups. You will find the 

Review: Tribe of the Teddy Bear

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Title: Tribe of the Teddy Bear Author:  J. Joseph Wright   Summary: Welcome to the Tribe! Ten-year-old Jack James has a secret. He’s found a teddy bear he swears is really a mysterious animal with supernatural abilities. Soon he discovers its name is Takota, a Tanakee on the run from some ruthless and sinister forces. After a storytelling enchantress teaches them of a centuries-old bond between humans and Tanakee as well as an ancient evil bent on destroying the entire universe, Jack and Takota are thrust toward their shared fate. On their journey for survival, Takota must conquer strong inner turmoil and learn the true nature of his emerging mystical powers, while Jack has to help harness a revolutionary device invented by his father in the hopes of rescuing them all from certain extinction. Recommended for ages 9 and up. Review: I received this book free from the author for an honest review. This book was such a delight to read. Though I rarely read younger, midd

Facebook!! Do you REALLY not have a page yet???

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Ok, so I  have finally set up my Author Page- MrsTheresaJones , since Im FINALLY getting close to publishing my books! SO... this will be short and sweet- PLEASE go LIKE my Facebook page And Dont forget to enter my first  giveaway  if you havent already. Its still open, but not for much longer...

Feature Folow #14

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The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee’s View and Alison of Alison Can Read . Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it’ll allow us to show off more new blogs! Thank you for stopping by my blog! I will follow back, just leave your link in the comment box! Have an awesome Friday! Q: Worst cover? What is the worst cover of a book that you’ve read and loved? A.Delirium by Lauren Oliver! I really liked the book, BUT I never liked the original Cover! The new one, is way better!      Remember to comment and let me know if you are a new follower so I can come follow you back! :) AND Dont forget to enetr my first Giveaway - 100 followers giveaway

POWER- Update on my First BOOK

OK- So… its time for an update! As you may (or may not-if you haven’t been a follower for long) know- I am writing some books. My first series, The Descendent Trilogy is what my focus is on right now, and then I have a fairy series that will come next. I have finished POWER, the first book in my trilogy and am currently working on HOPE , book #2. I still need to go back and revise/edit POWER book #1, one more time, but I need to wait until my fabulous beta readers get all their feedback/advice back to me. SO- in the meantime, I am working on book # 2. You see... I have been reading SO MUCH ( read this blog !) on Traditional Publishing versus Self-Publishing, and Im not going to wait around and get rejected time and again to get $20,000 for selling 179,000 books (OMG-Harlequin Fail post 1 , 2 , 3 ) If I was lucky enough to sell 179,000 books through self publishing I would get at least $300,000+, depending on the price I set for the books... Anyways, thats a WHOLE other topic

Review- Wither

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Title: Wither (Chemical Garden Trilogy, Book 1) Author: Lauren DeStefano Summary: By age sixteen, Rhine Ellery has four years left to live. She can thank modern science for this genetic time bomb. A botched effort to create a perfect race has left all males with a lifespan of 25 years, and females with a lifespan of 20 years. Geneticists are seeking a miracle antidote to restore the human race, desperate orphans crowd the population, crime and poverty have skyrocketed, and young girls are being kidnapped and sold as polygamous brides to bear more children. When Rhine is kidnapped and sold as a bride, she vows to do all she can to escape. Her husband, Linden, is hopelessly in love with her, and Rhine can’t bring herself to hate him as much as she’d like to. He opens her to a magical world of wealth and illusion she never thought existed, and it almost makes it possible to ignore the clock ticking away her short life. But Rhine quickly learns that not everything in her new hu

Cover Look-a-Like #3

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Its that time again when I notice covers that use the same photo- with some minor changes. Just take a look.

Which Kindle is best?

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So... if you follow me on  Twitter , than you know that my Kindle recntly broke...  *Cries uncontrollably* I know, I know... its very sad! Anyways, now I have to buy a new one. BUT there isnt just one kindle anymore... and how do you know which kindle is best?? Well here you go: Amazon Kindle Fire The Kindle Tablet The  Amazon Kindle Fire   is Amazon's competition to the  Apple   iPad .  The  Amazon   Kindle  Fire has a color touch screen which means you can now watch movies and view pictures on your Kindle device. Also, it is wonderful for children who still read picture books as the pictures are now in color. If you have an Amazon Prime account then you can also watch over 10,000 movies and  tv shows  that Amazon has available for streaming on their website.  The other thing I like about the  Kindle Fire  is that you can now read magazines that are in color. The Amazon website has offered Kindle magazines in the past, however, their were not par

Review- the Iron Knight

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Title: The Iron Knight Author: Julie Kagawa Summary: Ash, former prince of the Winter Court, gave up everything. His title, his home, even his vow of loyalty. All for a girl… and all for nothing. Unless he can earn a soul. To cold, emotionless faery prince Ash, love was a weakness for mortals and fools. His own love had died a horrible death, killing any gentler feelings the Winter prince might have had. Or so he thought. Then Meghan Chase—a half human, half fey slip of a girl— smashed through his barricades, binding him to her irrevocably with his oath to be her knight. And when all of Faery nearly fell to the Iron fey, she severed their bond to save his life. Meghan is now the Iron Queen, ruler of a realm where no Winter or Summer fey can survive. With the (unwelcome) company of his archrival, Summer Court prankster Puck, and the infuriating cait sith Grimalkin, Ash begins a journey he is bound to see through to its end— a quest to find a way to honor his sol

Feature Follow #13

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Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee. This week's question is... Q: What blogger inspires you? It can be any kind, it doesn't have to be a book blog. A. I would have to say, Misha Gericke at My First Book . This is because she updates her blog regularly and I am able to follow her as she tries to get published! I am hoping she will get published soon!! :) Also... Jade Varden at Jade Varden Official Blog  because she posts almost EVERY day about how to write better and great books and EVERYTHING is sooo helpful and amazing!! And the 2 Book blogs I love most are Lee at Rally The Readers  and Jessica at a GREAT read  because both of these blogs have the bestest reviews of all the best books and I have to read them!! :)   DONT forget to let me know ifyou are a new follower so I can follow you back. And you can check out my 100 Follower giveaway too!!!

Review- Bane

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Title: Bane (Coven Series #2) Author: Trish Milburn Summary: To protect those she loves from herself, Jax will leave them all behind. She’ll risk everything in a desperate search for answers. Her past put them all in danger, forcing a confrontation with the dark covens. In a life-and-death battle to save those she loved from the covens, Jax gained staggering power. Power so intense, so dangerous, she fears the darkness that now dwells inside her like a living thing. If she can’t control the power, she may yet become as evil as the witches she conquered. With her cousin Egan, Jax leaves all she’s built and heads for the one place that might hold the answers she desperately needs to hold back the darkness—Salem, Massachusetts. Her research unearths a shocking discovery: the Bane, a secret group of witches dedicated to thwarting the covens. Jax desperately needs their help in her fight against the covens, but finding the Bane is easier said than done and takes all her ski

Review- Untraceable + Giveaway of a Signed Copy

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Title: Untraceable (Nature of Grace #1) Author: S.R. Johannes. Summary: Grace has lived in the Smokies all her life, patrolling with her forest ranger father who taught her about wildlife, tracking, and wilderness survival. When her dad goes missing on a routine patrol, Grace refuses to believe he's dead and fights the town authorities, tribal officials, and nature to find him. One day, while out tracking clues, Grace is rescued from danger by Mo, a hot guy with an intoxicating accent and a secret. As her feelings between him and her ex-boyfriend get muddled, Grace travels deep into the wilderness to escape and find her father.  Along the way, Grace learns terrible secrets that sever relationships and lives. Soon she's enmeshed in a web of conspiracy, deception, and murder. And it's going to take a lot more than a compass and a motorcycle (named Lucifer) for this kick-butting heroine to save everything she loves.   Review: So… I rarely will read a

100 Follower Giveaway

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OK- I know Im not YET at 100 followers , BUT almost.  A nd Im hoping Ill get to 100 pretty quickly now. ANYWAYS - this is my FIRST giveaway ! I will have MANY more in the future!   Prizes: 1. Signed Copy of Untraceable by SR Johannes, along with a signed bookmark (This is not open internationally)   2. Any book from the Book Depository $10 (US dollars) Or less. ( This is open internationally , as long as the Book depository ships to your country!) Just fill out the little rafflecopter below

Review: The Iron Queen

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Title: The Iron Queen (Iron Fey #3) Author: Julie Kagawa Summary: My name is Meghan Chase. I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it. This time, there will be no turning back. Review: OMG. This book was perfect! It was everything I wanted and more!!!

Netgalley + Spa Day

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So... I finally did it. I have signed up with Netgalley in the hopes of getting ARCs to review! this is very exciting because... I have ALREADY received TWO ARCs for review!! And one of them is a sequel to a book I read a while ago that I really enjoyed!! SUPER exciting! Thats all I have for today. Ill spend the rest of the day reading, mostly! Actually... 

Review- The Iron daughter

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Title: The Iron Princess (Iron Fey #2) Author: Julie Kagawa Summary: Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her. Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart. Review: Again, the action starts right away. This book starts right where the first stopped and continued Meghans journey in finding and destroying the Iron Fey. The problem: No one believes they are real. The read was fast paced and fun.

Feature Follow #12

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Follow Friday is a weekly event hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read . This week's Question is:     Q.What would you do if you were to start your blog from scratch again?    A. Well... This is easy because I just BARELY started my blog a few months ago. And really, any mistakes Ive made, I dont even know about yet. Everything seems to be great. I might have had a different name or different URL- something pertaining to books. But since I plan to be a published author one day, I chose to just use my name... So... I dont know what I could have/should have done differently. That being said, if I were to start my blog over again, I would do it all the same.     Make sure to let me know if you are a NEW follower so that I can come follow you back.

Review:The Iron King

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Title: The Iron Key (Iron Fey #1) Author: Julie Kagawa Summary: Meghan Chase has a secret destiny; one she could never have imagined. Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home. When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change. But she could never have guessed the truth - that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faery creature dare face; and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart. Review: SO… I finally started reading this series. I know EVERYONE else has already… a LONG time ago. But oh well. Here

How to Create a Book Cover

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After my searches of Book Covers that look the same… I have decided that I will probably create my own book cover. (That is, if I can’t get published the traditional way and decide to self publish) That being said, I have put together a list of HOW to create a GREAT book cover ! 1.        The VERY FIRST thing you must do is know your market. Go to a bookstore and look at all the books that are on display. Go to Goodreads and browse books in the genre your book is. Look at what is popular and what the covers look like. a.        This is important because it gives you a starting point, an idea of HOW books look NOW. 2.        Figure out what your book is about. Who is the main character? Does he/she have any specific characteristics you might want portrayed on the cover? Is he/she somewhere unique or specific? What about the bad guy? Is there a specific item that is important in the story? Figure out the MAIN issue in your book and figure out how you can make that a pictur

Cover Look-a-Like #2

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So... Im doing this because last night when I was half asleep nursing my son, I was browsing Goodreads and I noticed a cover that looks exactly like another cover . Unfortunatly... I cant find that book now (did I fall asleep? Maybe... But Im pretty frustrated I cant find it now!!) Anyways ... even though I cant find THAT one... Here are some different books that look the same as the another.

Review: Under the Never Sky

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Title: Under the Never Sky Author: Veronica Rossi Rating: 4 Stars Summary: Since she’d been on the outside, she’d survived an Aether storm, she’d had a knife held to her throat, and she’d seen men murdered. This was worse. Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland—known as The Death Shop—are slim. If the cannibals don’t get her, the violent, electrified energy storms will. She’s been taught that the very air she breathes can kill her. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He’s wild—a savage—and her only hope of staying alive. A hunter for his tribe in a merciless landscape, Perry views Aria as sheltered and fragile—everything he would expect from a Dweller. But he needs Aria’s help too; she alone holds the key to his redemption. Opposites in nearly every way, Aria and Perry must accept each other to survive. Their unlikely alliance forges a bond that will determine the fate of all who live under the

Review: The Selection

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Title: The Selection Author: Kiera Cass Rating: 5 stars Summary: For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon. But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks. Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined Review: WOW! I only picked up this book because the cover was pretty and I had seen it on a few blogs… MAN was I in for a

Feature Follow #11

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Follow Friday is a weekly event hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read . This week's Question is:   Q: Do your reading habits change based on your mood? Do you read a certain genre if you are feeling depressed or happy?   A. SOMETIMES they do... but usually my reading habits are always the same. I tend to read a lot of paranormal romance. Now... I might read something more adult romance if Im I feel like my husband is being lame. Or I might read something darker and edgier if Im angry... but usually its always the same.   What about you? Make sur eto comment and let me know if you are a new follower so I can follow you back  

Review: Silence (hush, hush #3)

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Title: Silence (Hush, hush #3) Author: Becca Fitzpatrick Rating: 4.5 Stars Summary: Nora Grey can't remember the past five month of her life. After the initial shock of waking up in a cemetery and being told that she has been missing for weeks - with no one knowing where she was or who she was with - she tried to get her life back on track. Go to school, hang out with her best friend, Vee, and dodge mom's creepy new boyfriend. But there is this voice in the back of her head, an idea that she can almost reach out and touch. Visions of angel wings and unearthly creatures that have nothing to do with the life she knows. And this unshakable feeling that a part of her is missing. Then Nora crosses paths with a sexy stranger, whom she feels a mesmerizing connection to. He seems to hold all the answers...and her heart. Every minute she spends with him grows more and more intense until she realizes she could be falling in love. Again. Review: THANK YOU, Becca F

Review: Crescendo (hush, hush #2)

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Title: Crescendo (Hush, hush #2) Author: Becca Fitzpatrick Rating: 3.5 Stars Summary: Nora Grey's life is still far from perfect. Surviving an attempt on her life wasn't pleasant, but at least she got a guardian angel out of it. A mysterious, magnetic, gorgeous guardian angel. But, despite his role in her life, Patch has been acting anything but angelic. He's more elusive than ever (if that's possible) and what's worse, he seems to be spending time with Nora's arch-enemy, Marcie Millar. Nora would have hardly noticed Scott Parnell, an old family friend who has moved back to town, if Patch hadn't been acting so distant. Even with Scott's totally infuriating attitude, Nora finds herself drawn to him - despite her lingering feeling that he's hiding something. If that weren't enough, Nora is haunted by images of her murdered father, and comes to question whether her Nephilim bloodline has anything to do with his death. Desperate to

Review: Hush, Hush

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Title: Hush, hush Author: Becca Fitzpatrick Rating: 3.5 Stars Summary: For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. At least, not until Patch came along. With his easy smile and probing eyes, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment. But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora’s not sure who to trust—she can’t decide whether she should fall into Patch’s arms or run and hide from him. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth more unsettling than any feeling Patch evokes. For Nora stands amid an ancient battle between the immortal and those who have fallen—and choosing the wrong side will cost her life. Review: So… Im a little torn in this review. Before reading Hush, hush, I read several reviews on it, some that said this books is more than amazing, and some that said it was supporting sexual harassment and stuff. So going into it, I was a little weary. Now that I have read it, I have no idea what