Ups, Downs, Ins and Outs

Featuring Chrissy Peebles - Part 3

2011-12-07T10:01:00.001-07:00

For this lastpart of the Blog Feature that Chrissy and I have worked on for the last fewweeks. This is the end of road for the feature but even though we’ve got to go our separate ways again, both of us – Chrissyon The Purple Brick Road and myselfhere on this blog – will be busy with our work and a number of exciting postover the next weeks and months. But before we’re really done we’ve got a couple more things to sharewith you!!

If you’ve managedto make the jump over to Chrissy’s blog you’ll have noticed that she’s got acouple of her own published books listed and featured there. So today we’re going to look atChrissy’s books and then I’ll finish up by sharing with you the last couple ofquestions from our interview.

So I asked Chrissy to tell me about herbooks and this is what she told me…

[Chrissy] My first book is called Agartha’s Castaway. The genre is youngadult fantasy, adventure, and light sci-fi. It’s about three teenagers who areshipwrecked on what they presume is a strange tropical island. Here’s theblurb.

Dinosaurs, abduction, and a hidden civilization were never part ofseventeen-year-old Casey Smith’s vacation plans. That is, until a freak stormtossed her and two best friends, Mike and Jack, out to sea. When they wash upon what they presume to be a mysterious tropical island...they soon discoverthat being lost...is the least of their troubles. In a jungle that teems withimpossible creatures, UFOs, and an unworldly landscape, the three friends needto team up to fight danger...without letting their emotions tear them apart.Can they find a way to survive the harsh jungle…and its deadly inhabitants?

Here’s thebook trailer: http://youtu.be/viwT0M8Ms_g

***

I think what makes the novel unique and different is the way it crossesdinosaurs with UFOs. It’s kind of like Jurassic Park MEETS IndependenceDay with Twilight-like romance. I’m pleased to announce that Agartha’sLast Hope (book 2) was just released November 12th.

Also I am ¾ of the way through a newadventure fantasy called, Eternal Vows. It’s about a twenty yearold girl named Sarah Larker who returns to a cave where her sister disappearedfive years earlier. She walks through a portal and is mistaken for a runawayprincess on the run by a dangerous Immortal king in medieval times. Her plan isbold as well as daring—become this princess, wed the king, and slip on anancient wedding ring that will unlock the portal. Then find her sister and runas fast as she can out of Dodge. But taking on the identity of Princess Gloriacomes along with dangerous consequences; and slipping on the ruby ring comeswith an even higher price.

I don’t know about everyone else but I’m certainlyfascinated by these story lines and have already added the Agartha books to my TBR pile.

After reading about her books, and seeingthe trailer, I wondered about and asked Chrissy one more question – acompletely random but fun question – about the books.

If your books were to be made in to amovie or TV series, who would like to see play your lead character(s)?

[Chrissy] I’d have Sterling Knight from the Disney channelbe Mike! (but before he cut his hair) He’d be perfect! He’s hot, funny, and alittle conceited! Yeah, he’s Mike all the way. And maybe Joe Jonas could beJack. (of course when he has the shaggy hair going) Since I’m stuck on theDisney channel, I’m going to say Victoria Justice for Casey.

And then I asked her one lastquestion. Is there any particularadvice you would give to other new and aspiring writers?

[Chrissy] Itcan be overwhelming to a new writer when they share their work for the veryfirst time. Every writer pours out their heart and soul onto the pages. It canbe frustrating and the criticism can be harsh. Not to mention, you don’t getpaid a whole lot either. But let’s face it, negative comments hurt all the waydown to the inner core of your being. My advice would be to write the best thatyou can, never ever give up, and always be proud. Keep working on writingtechnique, character development, plot, voice, dialogue, flow, style, and pointof view. But most of all, have fun with your writing. Put on your favoritetunes, crack open a Pepsi, pop some Hershey Kisses into your mouth…and then tapaway. That’s what it’s all about.

Thanks so much Chrissy! I’ve had a lot offun putting this together and finding out more about you, your books andeverything.

[Chrissy] Thank you forhaving me here today on your lovely blog. I enjoyed it so much and for anybodywho tuned in, I’d love to connect with you online.

And one last timefor all of you who have stopped by to see this, here are all the places onlinewhere you can find and connect with Chrissy:

Chrissy’s Blog: http://chrissypeebles.blogspot.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/chrissy.peebles1

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/ChrissyPeebles1

Featuring Chrissy Peebles - Part 2

2011-11-30T03:00:00.000-07:00

So last week Iintroduced you to YA Author Chrissy Peebles and her blog The Purple Brick Road. You got a little bit of information about who Chrissy is, and what herblog is about. This week I’m goingto share more of the interview I did with Chrissy – share with you more abouther, her writing, and her life.

All I can say is:Enjoy.

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So Chrissy, why did you [always] want tobe a writer?

It’s hard to explain…but there’s this writingpassion deep down in your soul…and it can’t be quenched. I think only anotherwriter can understand it, because friends and family sure can’t. (at [not]least mine)

And what genre do you write in?

Fantasy.

What made you choose this genre?

I knew I had to writewhat I loved…and to me there’s no greater genre than fantasy. I also love thatin fantasy I can push the envelope outside normal boundaries. I can stretch myimagination and develop a whole new world, create quirky characters, and justhave fun.

Have you ever considered, or tried writingin another genre? Even just for fun?

Hmmm. I’d love to write a chick lit book! I lovethe personal, sarcastic, and humorous tone to the books. I reallyadore how humor is a strong point in chick lit. That’s what separates it fromwomen’s fiction.

How long were you writing before you werefirst published?

[For] a few years.

Did you have any/many rejections beforegetting your first ‘yes’?

I had many rejection letters and let me tellyou…they make GREAT paper airplanes!

So where or how do you come up with yourideas?

Ideas just come to me like water pouring from afaucet.

Alright then, would you say you’re aplotter or a pantser?

Writing is like ballet. It looks so easy andgraceful until you try it yourself. Writing is definitely a process.

*smiles*

And yes, I have mine.

I get an idea. I get super excited. Ibrainstorm like crazy and jot down ideas like a crazy woman. I’m like the madscientist of writing. Then I just write as I go. I don’t use outlines or anystructure. I’m a “fly by the seat of my pants” girl. At this stage, I don’tthink about word-count, grammar, spelling and punctuation. All I do is keepwriting!

Finally my 1st draft is done. It isn’tpretty, but it’s like a diamond in the rough. I keep revising and revising untilit’s perfect, using the A.R.R.R. (Adding, Rearranging, Removing, Replacing)approach.

Once my script meets my standards, I gothrough an aggressive editing phase. My “inner editor” drives me crazyand sometimes won’t even let me sleep.

But no one gets it right the first time. Ittakes multiple drafts-like 20!

And then don’t forget the most importantpart, run it through a critique/writing group and use an editor. Never everskip these steps!!!!!!! I can’t stress that enough.

How much time do you spend writing eachday?

Notmuch. I’ve been working on editing issues and my new blog and other socialoutlets. Throw in a husband, needy kids, a hectic work schedule…and oneunderstands. I really need a clone, that, or 4 more arms! Wait! I need to rephrasepart of that last bit. …kids and a NEEDY HUSBAND. Yeah, I think he’s worse thanthe kids, but I love him anyway.

What are some of the titles that you’vewritten, or are working on?

Myfirst book was Agartha’s Castaway. Mysecond book was the sequel. And my third book is ~~The Ruby Ring~~ (sorry) now titled Eternal Vows. It’s still a work in progress.

Is there anything you would change aboutyour books, stories or characters now that you’ve finished writing them?

No, I’m pretty happy.

Now lets talk about something besideswriting, shall we… What do you do to relax?

Relax? I’ve never heard of that word. Does thatreally exist for moms? Hee, hee, hee. I’m making a last minute mad scramble to make sure my kids havematching clothes, lunches, and backpacks on, and then I’m running out the doorhalf-dressed, a pop tart in one hand, and the phone in the other? And it’s notmy cell phone! Shoot. I have to go back. And the rest of my day isn’t any lesshectic. The tight-rope act between balancing work, writing, and family isdifficult. (but worth it) I think on a day off, I love toread a good book curled up on the couch with a cuddly blanket next to thefireplace in the winter. And when it’s summer, I go down to the beach and throwdown a blanket and just read until I have to come home to get the kids off theschool bus.

If you could go anywhere in the world tovisit or live where would you go?

I’d love to go scuba diving under the GalapagosIslands. Can you imagine swimming with giant mantas, turtles, dolphins, tuna,and sea lions? And let’s not forget about the 32 species of sharks! White tipreef sharks, whale sharks, bull sharks, and large schools of hammerhead sharksswim throughout the clear waters. Am I scared? : ) Nope. I think I’m morelikely to be killed by lightning or a bee sting than by a shark attack. I thinkit would be incredible! Mind-blowing! And totally cool!

What are your favorite comfort foods?

Chicken and Dumplings! Fried Chicken and mashedpotatoes. Meatloaf. Yum… And I love French fries. I eat as many as I wantbecause they’re vegetables. Right? (At least until they hit the hot oil)

LOL! So here’s a random question: if youcould pick one celebrity to meet and have a 5-minute conversation with – whowould it be and what’s one thing you would ask them?

I’d pick super sexy vampire hunk, Damon Salvatorefrom The Vampire Diaries. (played by actor Ian Somerhalder) I love hisbeautiful black hair and those piercing blue eyes. I just hope he doesn’t have “bat”breath. I’d ask him this: Why doesn’t he dump his feelings for Elena and justdate me? I won’t play games like her. LOL.

And I have to ask this because I couldn’tlive without my coffee each day, and I hardly ever write without my mug rightthere beside the keyboard… so it’s a truly personal question: coffee or tea?

Neither. I’d rather have a Pepsi.

LOL, again! I guess I can’t really dockyou there because if I’m not drinking coffee, chances are there is Pepsi orDiet Coke in my cup…

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Thanks so muchfor stopping by Ups, Downs, Ins and Outsand thanks for reading this blog post featuring Chrissy Peebles and herblog. Again you can find Chrissyonline in any of these three places!

Chrissy’s Blog: http://chrissypeebles.blogspot.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/chrissy.peebles1

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/ChrissyPeebles1

Tuesdays Tunes: Wish You Were Here

2011-11-29T10:16:00.001-07:00

Today I miss myhusband, who has been working away from home for the last 8 months. He’s going to be home soon (within thenext 2 weeks) but as the time stretches on I miss him a bit more every day, andmore and more I just wish that he were here. Not precisely the reason for the sentiment in the song butthe message is the same one way or another.

Avril Lavigne ‘Wish You Were Here’

Chrissy Peebles & The Purple Brick Road

2011-11-23T01:00:00.000-07:00

The Purple Brick Road is a visually dynamic blog run by Chrissy Peebles, which features notonly her own writing but also author interviews and book reviews. The blog is full of fun facts, great reviewsand recommendations, and highlights the genre that Chrissy loves most.

I recently did an e-mail interview with Chrissy and for thisfirst part of the Blog Feature I’d like to share with you a brief snippet fromthat conversation.

Hi!Thanks so much for talking with me. So just so that we’re all introduced to one another, could you tell usyour name, or your penname if you use one?

Thanks so much for having me today on your lovelyblog. My name is Chrissy Peebles. Speaking of pennames, I should probably comeup with some long exotic penname. Because anything has to be better than“Peebles”? Right? Hee, hee, hee.

Idon’t think there is anything wrong with Peebles it’s who you are. But now that we’ve got that out of the way though, let’s get onto somemore questions.

What doyou do in ‘real life’?

I stand tall and proud wearing white tennis shoesand scrubs with my stethoscope strategically draped behind my neck. Yep! Youguessed it. I work as a nurse for a local rehabilitation center. Being a nurseis awesome because I love people so much.

How didyou come up with and/or decide on the title for your blog?

I love fantasy so I knew that I wanted a fantasytheme. I thought of The Yellow Brick Road, but I wanted to be more unique thanthat. So I made it The Purple Brick Road. Because in fantasy you can dowhatever you want. I’ve tried something new on my blog, which is really takingoff. I started up “FUN” interviews. Authors are asked a series of questionsthey pick that show the fun, creative side of the author. I incorporate it withlots of pics. When it’s done, it showcases a “FUN” side of the author.

Who arethe authors that you like to read best?

There’s so many that it’s hard to put down a fewactual authors. It’s like choosing between my children. How can I?

What isyour favorite novel? Or novels?

It’shard to narrow it down, but I’ll try. Here are a few. Touched By An Alien by Gini Koch, Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton, and The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong.

What areyour favorite movies?

Jurassic Park, The Neverending Story, and StarWars.

So there you have your brief introduction to Chrissy and herblog The Purple Brick Road. As I mentioned before, Chrissy can alsobe found on Twitter and Facebook. I think you’ll find that she’s always got something on the go - from‘FUN’ interviews and blog tours, to book reviews and promotion of otherIndependent Authors. Of course shealso shares information about her own writing and books as well. Honestly her blog is just a reallyinteresting spot to land while cruising through blogs, and the content isalways ‘FUN’ to read!

Tuesdays Tunes: Hush

2011-11-22T00:00:00.000-07:00

So remember acouple of weeks ago when I put up the Marianas Trench song All To Myself? I toldyou that one of the big reasons that I loved the song was because the videomakes me giggle every single time I watch it. What I didn’t mention was that another of the reasons why Ireally like that song, the band and all their music is because of JoshRamsay. It’s immature reasoning,maybe; it’s silly, absolutely. Buthonestly, can you blame me? He’s justsuch a cutie!

Why am I babblingabout Josh Ramsay and his bona fide cutie-ness?

It’s because ofthe song Hush that he sings with Emily Osment, another super cutie whois possibly best known for her role as Lilly/Lolaon the Disnesy TV series Hannah Montanawith singer/actress Miley Cyrus.

The song is suchan upbeat, catchy tune that once you hear it you just can’t help wanting tohear it again. And then it’s stuckin your head all day, making you smile – at possibly the most inappropriatetimes. LOL! I hope you likeit!

'Hush' Emily Osment and Josh Ramsay

And if you’reinterested in getting this song for yourself – it is available on iTunes…Unfortunately, I think that it’s still only available for purchase on iTunesCanada.

November Reading - Take One

2011-11-18T09:25:00.001-07:00

Linda Lael Miller

Holidayin Stone Creek

(Includes:A Stone Creek Christmas and

AtHome in Stone Creek)

This was just afun read for me. I’m a big fan ofMiller’s McKettrick series and whilereading them, that series crossed over into the Stone Creek series with Meg McKettrick and Brad O’Ballivan. Once I read their story and met Brad’ssisters, then I had to read the StoneCreek series – at least the newer, contemporary ones. For those of you who are interested thecontemporary O’Ballivan’s of Stone Creek also cross over with Miller’s Creed [Cowboy] series. The Creed’s too are connected (asreally distant cousins) to the McKettrickseries but so far we’ve only seen them interacting with Meg McKettrickO’Ballivan.

All of theseseries are nice reads – all three of these series now follow multiplegenerations of the families involved, which gives the reader a really goodexperience. After all, how manytimes have you finished a book and thought to yourself “I wonder what happensnext?”

Stephanie Laurens

ViscountBreckinridge to the Rescue [new]

InPursuit of Eliza Cynster [new]

Devil’sBride

Rake’sVow

Scandal’sBride

Rogue’sProposal

ASecret Love

AllAbout Love

With the releaseof the new volumes in Stephanie Laurens’ Cynster series, I’ve found myselfswept back into the Regency period in London and all that implies. Keep an eye out for my next post whereI’ll be introducing a new short discussion series about Laurens’ Cynsters,connections and the men and women who fall in love with them.

Tuesdays Tunes: History In The Making

2011-11-15T09:53:00.000-07:00

I can’t remember where it was that I sawsomething about him recently – maybe just on the program guide on my TV orsomething – but I saw his name and I instantly thought of this song. Hope you like it.

Darius Rucker ‘History in the Making'

Can I just say…

The ULTIMATEwedding song.

Okay, seriously though, this is one of thesweetest songs I’ve ever heard. It’sfull of emotion, yes; it makes you think about your life, sure. But really, it’s just a beautiful song aboutthe moments in your life that should be held precious and close.

“Thiscould be
Oneof those memories
Wewant to hold to, cling to
Theones we can’t forget”

And really thatsays it all right there. Every moment,every memory, it is all just “history in the making.”

Winner of the HBH Blog Feature Contest

2011-11-09T12:23:00.000-07:00

Over the Halloween weekend (October 28-31) Iparticipated in the Halloween Blog Hop hosted by Jeremy Bates. It was a fun and busy weekend of checking outother peoples blogs, reading the ones that really drew my attention and meetingnew people. Over the course of thatweekend everyone who visited me here on my blog and left a comment or messageanywhere on the site was entered in my contest to win a 3-part blogfeature.

I want to thank everyone who did visit – whetheryou left a comment or not – and give a special ‘nod’ to all those who didcomment and/or join the site!

Now, it is my great pleasure to announce thewinner of the HBH Feature Contest…

Chrissy Peebles – author, mom, nurse andblogger, and I’m sure a vast array of other things!

Her blog "The Purple Brick Road" can be found at – http://chrissypeebles.blogspot.com/

You can follow her on Twitter - https://twitter.com/#!/ChrissyPeebles1

And even ‘friend’ her on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/chrissy.peebles1

Keep an eye out over the next few weeks as Ispend some time featuring Chrissy as a blogger, reviewer, author and find outjust what makes her tick.

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And don't forget that we're doing the Writer Wednesday Blog Hop again today! You can link up by clinking on the badge to the right and filling in the form! See you around!

Tuesdays Tunes: Feel This

2011-11-08T05:00:00.000-07:00

Bethany Joy Galeotti ‘Feel This’

So the song originally comes from her husband’sband Enation, who have done severalversions of this song – including an acoustic version – but personally I thinkthat Bethany Joy’s heartfelt, emotion drenched version is the best of themall. The video here isn’t actually avideo, sorry, it’s just a picture while audio plays. There wasn’t a real, official video made,though you can see her perform the song as her character Haley James Scott onOne Tree Hill during the USO concert that they put on during (http://youtu.be/xYLe0-tdLlc) what I think,was season 7…

As for the song itself, I love it. It’s one of the songs that can go oncontinuous repeat sometimes while I’m writing, or when I just feel like singingalong with the music. It’s beautiful.Bottom line. And it makes me think oflove - like its one long, complicated definition of the feeling. A three minute explanation of what you feel,when you feel love. And that’sbeautiful, no matter how you look at it.

Review: Lucan by Susan Kearney

2011-11-07T10:56:00.001-07:00

LUCAN

SusanKearney

Book 1: ThePendragon Legacy

ISBN:978-0-446-54331-6

(printedSeptember 2009)

I had never read any of Susan Kearney’s work before pickingup this book, something I did because of the link to Arthurian myths, and Ihave to admit that I was pleasantly surprised. Obviously I’m a fan of nearly all paranormal romance that I come acrossbut not all of the books I read are as entertaining as I found Lucan to be. There have been several authors who haveattempted to use the tales of Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table aspremise for a fictional plot. Many ofthem are good, interesting, entertaining stories and Lucan and the PendragonLegacy are fine examples of the (sub)genre.

With a futuristic timeline, space travel, mythicalcreatures, and various technologically advanced races (of human or humanoid-types)this story truly is an interesting and thought provoking twist of a classic.

Lady Cael is a strong lead female character, though in thebeginning of the story her confidence seemed a bit shaky. At the heart of her is a very lonely woman;one who was raised to believe that she could never truly be happy. She loves her family and her people butbecause of who and what she is, no matter how they may care for her, they areall terrified of her. In many ways, Ithink, she’s terrified of herself as well and of what she could do if she’s notconstantly on her guard.

Then in a quirk of fate, she gets herself stuck in a ventand the only person around to help is the only person who doesn’t fully realizethat he “shouldn’t”. Hailing from Earth,and a people who are slowly dying as a species, Lucan doesn’t understand thesocietal rules that hold Cael separate from the rest of the Pendragonpopulation. In the time that he hasknown her, he has avoided her for the simple fact that he is attracted to her,but doesn’t want either of them to be hurt when he must inevitably return tohis home. Rescuing her from an airshaftcertainly wasn’t in his plans. Befriending her though, made all the difference.

It was only because he got close to her that he truly sawher necklace for what it was and the symbols on it which he was able todecipher to bring down the shield of Avalon. Being attacked and accused of heinous crimes forces them to be alonetogether, allows them to become intimate and leads them to fall in love withone another.

But can these two people, from two planets, light-yearsapart, find a way to be happy? Can a dragon-shaper and a human man be togetheras a couple? The answers are in thebook. The means to reaching happinessand being able to be together are not, however, what you would expect. Lucan and Cael’s path holds many things –pain, compromise, change, heartbreak, betrayal, love, loss and faith.

Like their lives together, this book is only the beginningof the journey for us. Our next stopalong the way comes in Rion (thesecond book of the trilogy) where we learn more about the dragon-shaper malewho helped Lucan and Cael find their own happiness. On Earth, Rion must find a life and a living,and he must continue to help his friends to accede the Pendragon Legacy, while also fulfilling his own destiny.

The Writer's Wednesday Blog Hop

2011-11-02T09:57:00.002-06:00

This post is just a quick update, and it’s going across theboard to all my blogs…

It’s that time of the week again!

I’d have more to say but I’m super short on time thismorning and I’m already crunched with writing and work. So this is really just super quick-

Hello and Welcome to all Writer’s Wednesday Blog Hoppers!

And if you’re not part of the WWBH and would like to join us– you can enter your information on either Nicole’s page or Diane’s page, thisweek they are co-hosting so a special thanks goes to them!

See you around the hop!!

The Latest from Sherrilyn Kenyon

2011-11-01T14:49:00.000-06:00

Have you been waiting for a new novel in the Dream-Hunters (Dark-Hunters) series? Haveyou been anticipating, thinking about, dreaming about and wondering what wasgoing to happen next? Then get ready D-H and Sherrilyn Kenyon fans because The Guardian hit shelves today!

As aDream-Hunter, Lydia has been charged with the most sacred and dangerous ofmissions. She’s to descend into the Nether Realm and find the missing god ofdreams before he betrays the secrets that could kill all of them. What shenever expects is to be taken prisoner by the Realm’s most vicious guardian.

Seth’s timeis running out. If he can’t hand over the key to Olympus and the heart of Zeus,then his own life and soul will be forfeit. No matter the torture, he hasn’tbeen able to break the god in his custody. But when a rescuer appears, hedecides to try a new tactic.

When thesetwo lock wills, one of them must give. But Lydia isn’t just guarding the gatesof Olympus, she’s holding back the darkest of powers. If she fails, an ancientevil will roam the earth once more and no one... [from www.sherrilynkenyon.com]

We’ve been waitingfor it since the summer when Retributioncame out and we were immersed in Sundown and Abby’s story, anxious andimpatient to discover what else was happening in the world that Sherrilyn makesfor us. Now with The Guardian coming out we are again given a glimpse into therealms and worlds of SK’s imagination and the mythology, history, and currentworld that we find.

I, for one, will begrabbing my copy as soon as I can. Becauseof all the paranormal and fantasy series that I read, SK’s Dark-Hunters, Dream-Hunters and Were-Hunters are the closest to myheart and the most deeply entrenched in my imagination.

Paranormal Reading in October

2011-11-01T10:44:00.000-06:00

Kresley Cole

A Hunger Like No Other

No Rest for the Wicked

Wicked Deeds on a Winter’s Night

Dark Needs at Night’s Edge

Dark Desires After Dusk

Kiss of a Demon King

Pleasure of a Dark Prince

Demon From the Dark

Dreamsof a Dark Warrior

All these titles are part of the Immortals After Dark series. There are a couple more titles that flush outthe list but these are the 9 books from the series that I myself own. It’s an amazing series. Each of the stories are incredibly done andby themselves are great… Within the whole, and following the over-arching storyline, they’re unbelievable- in all the best ways. With Valykrie, Demons, Vampires, Werewolves,Shapeshifters, Witches, Sorceri and more, Kresley Cole has created a world ofundeniably amazing characters, interesting plots complete with twists andturns, and through it all wonderful love stories.

Thea Harrison

Dragon Bound

Storm’s Heart

Serpent’sKiss

Ifound Dragon Bound awhile ago, shortly after it first came out I think. From the moment I started reading I wasfalling in love with the world of the Elder Races that Harrison wascreating. I knew that I was going tohave to keep my eyes open and watch for the books that would follow. Recently I tracked down the second and thirdbooks and I’m still reeling.

Theworld and Otherworld’s that Thea has used and created for this series is socolorful and rich, and the mythology that she’s incorporated into the story –without strictly using the mythology as a base – makes these stories just thatmuch more interesting for me. I reallydo recommend these books (and any more that might be slated to come out) toeveryone who like reading paranormal/fantasy stories. With dragons, gryphons, thunderbirds, Fae,elves, vampires, medusas, oracles, witches, ghouls, goblins, trolls and other fantasticaland mythological creatures, these stories are stellar picks that I don’t thinkreaders will be able to help but love.

Jessica Andersen

The Lord of the Wolfyn

Thirdin the Harlequin Royal House of Shadowsseries, Andersen tells a wonderful story about a lost prince transformed, adisheartened woman looking to belong, a kingdom in need of saving. With Showalter, Monroe and Singh, the Royal House of Shadows series isbecoming just as amazing as was advertised. Which you know, is awesome and makes me impossibly happy. As always I recommend the books in thisseries because they tell beautiful stories and I promise, you will not bedisappointed.

Check back with me in a few days when I’ll beannouncing the winner of the Halloween Blog Hop contest. Have an awesome day and I hope that Novemberis as friendly to us as October was.

Tuesdays Tunes: All to Myself

2011-11-01T09:05:00.000-06:00

The first thing I want to say is that I hopeeveryone had a really awesome Halloween and that you all survived the candyrush and sugar high that comes with the holiday! Now on to other things….

TuesdaysTunes!!!

I love this song. I really do.

But this week’s Tuesdays Tune comes to you, not in the form of an awesomely thoughtprovoking song, or a song laden in emotion and suppressed desires… No thisweeks TT comes to you because, honestly, since the first time I saw this video(and this was ages ago) every time Ihear the song, see the video or really even think about Marianas Trench, I haveto giggle.

And okay, so maybe that’s not the best reason tospout my opinions of music, life or whatever at you, and yeah really it’s not,but seriously people WATCH THIS VIDEO and then tell me that you don’t giggletoo.

It’s the very ending that gets me everytime. You have to watch it to get why Isnicker and laugh like a lunatic.

Or maybe I just do that cause I’m crazy?…

What ever the case may be, I hope you like thisweek’s Tuesdays Tune:

Marianas Trench‘All To Myself’

And to check out more Marianas Trench videos andawesome music, whether it makes you giggle or not, hit up the YouTubeMarianasTrenchVEVO channel.

http://www.youtube.com/user/MarianasTrenchVEVO#p/u/8/GRH7stOrezg

Welcome Halloween Blog Hoppers!

2011-10-29T13:54:00.000-06:00

Welcome to all the Halloween Blog Hoppers!!

I can’t wait to check out all the blogs that areinvolved with this blog hop and meeting all the bloggers, writers, reviewers,etc., that are participating. I hopethat you’ll find something of interest here on Ups, Downs, Ins and Outs andthat you’ll follow and keep coming back to see what I’ve got going on aroundhere. There are going to be some newhappenings starting up in the next couple of weeks/months, including monthlycontests and book giveaways.

Image via WikipediaHave a Happy Halloween and I’ll see you aroundthe Hop!

~everyone who leaves a comment between October27th and ~~October 31~~ November 1st will be entered into a contest – the winner will be chosen atrandom and their blog will be featured here on this site… (Some lovely crosspromotion for your blog and all you have to do is leave a comment that includesyour blog’s URL!)

Hopping off –

Lacey

~this Halloween also known as Medusa~

Tuesdays Tunes: The Day Doesn't Die

2011-10-25T06:00:00.000-06:00

“Forgive, forget.  

That's a lesson 

That we haven’t learned yet.”

Theseare powerful words.  Whether you hearthem in a song, read them in a book or see them in a movie or on TV, these arewords that are going to make you think about… well, they’ll make you thinkabout everything.  But what’s more thanjust the fact that they’ll make you think? 

They’ll make you remember.

There are lessons to be learned everywhere - inthe supermarket, at the post office, at school and even standing on the sidewalkat the corner of a street.  Some of themyou’re acutely aware of, others are completely subconscious.  I really like this song, because I think it’ssort of like one of those subconscious lessons… There’s a story to it, meaning,and without even realizing that you’re hearing it, you’re absorbing what it isthat the song is trying to tell you.

And of course now you’re wondering right? Whatis the song trying to say?  And that’sthe beauty of it.  It makes you thinkabout the message that it’s portraying, but the most important message it tellsyou is something only you can know, and something you have to figure out.

After all, the thing you need to know most… wellit’s that thing you “haven’t learned yet.”

So take a few minutes and listen to this great song... It's by Classified and it's aptly called "The Day Doesn't Die." 

Review: A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole

2011-10-20T08:00:00.000-06:00

A Hunger Like No Other

Kresley Cole

ImmortalsAfter Dark Series: Book 1

ISBN-13:978-1-4165-0987-5

ISBN-10:1-4165-0987-9

What happens when the Lykae King mates with ahalf-Valkyrie, half-Vampire beauty? Well… trouble ensues, chaos erupts, and yep– fangs are flashed! In this first novelof the Immortals After Dark series,Kresley Cole introduces us to a world that exists beyond our imagining butnestled (for the most part) comfortably within our own. Balanced on the brink of the Accession,all the factions of the Lore are gearing up for war but before the real battlesbegin, alliances will be made.

After being imprisoned and tortured for morethan a century by the Vampire Horde, Lachlain MacRieve – king of the Lykae –escapes when he scents his mate somewhere close. Maddened from the pain of his torture he isastonished and suitably horrified when he discovers that his mate is in fact avampire. Yet he can’t let her go becausehe realizes, even then, that she’s likely his only means of healing.

When Emmaline Troy left the safety of her covenand traveled to Paris with hopes of finding out who her father was and whetherhe is still alive, she never dreamed that she would be more-or-less abducted bya raging werewolf. Even more unlikely,she never would have expected to be so drawn to him, or so attracted to him… atleast during his moments of sanity. Havingalways been known as Emma the Co-ed and Emma the Coward, Lachlain’s briefwindows of madness terrify her. Untilshe realizes that even in the deepest depths of his darkness he wouldn’t hurther, she constantly wonders when he’s going to strike and whether she’ll beable to survive his attack.

Then what has always been forbidden comes to herand she discovers within herself a strength and power that she never believedthat she could possess. Lachlain watchesas the seemingly timid vampire becomes the powerful Halfling that is his truemate. As they become closer, thequestion of who her father was becomes more and less important to them both andthey all – Emma, Lachlain, and her Valkyrie aunts – wonder just who the vampiresseem to be searching for; for the Valkyrie have always kept her existence asecret from the vampires, and yet those creatures continue to search for somemysterious “her.”

Is it Emma that they look for? And who exactlyis looking – Demestriu (the crazy King of the Horde), Ivo (the vampire who seeksto take his place), the Forebearers (an opposing faction of vampires made ofturned humans that don’t drink blood directly from the flesh), or some otherfaction that they don’t even know of…

The Accession a period of time thatoccurs roughly every 500 years, where Lore-beings stand against Lore-beings inwar… a ‘built-in’ population control. (from the Book of Lore glossary in thisnovel) “And a time shall pass that allimmortal beings in the Lore, from the strongest Valkyrie, vampire, and Lykaefactions, to the phantoms, shifters, fairies, sirens… must fight and destroyeach other.”

And if you're interested... Check out this fan-made video, featuring the main characters of the first 9-10 stories of the Immortal After Dark series.

Tuesdays Tunes - Gym Class Hereos

2011-10-18T08:00:00.000-06:00

You’ve wondered about the bands name (Gym Class Hereos? Really?), heard thecatchy tune, and caught yourself singing along to the lyrics… Stereo Hearts is just one of those songsthat when you hear it makes smile and, if you let it, will stick with youthroughout your day. With Adam Levine(of Maroon 5, The Voice and just allaround awesome music) this particular song is yet another one that has come toremain almost permanently on my personal playlists. And if it also happens to be one of the songsthat gets cranked up and used for some iCarlylike ‘random dancing’ around the house with the kids…. Well that should provejust how cool everyone in my house thinks StereoHearts is!

It’s sort of strange but one part of this song(see below) totally makes me think of AmericanPie by Don Mclean. I’ve alwaysbelieved that music, like any art form, is about emotion. Not just telling what emotion the artistfeels when they sing it, or what the songwriter felt when they wrote it, butwhat the song can make you feel, think about and become part of. This song, Stereo Hearts, it’s cute buts it strong too because I think withoutyou even realizing it, the song makes you consider who you’d play it for, whowould change your mind…

“Ionly pray you'll never leave me behind (never leave me)
Because good music can be so hard to find (so hard to find)
I take your hand and hold it closer to mine
Thought love was dead, but now you're changing my mind”

Paranormal, Fantasy and Sci-Fi Reading This October

2011-10-17T10:39:00.000-06:00

This October, seeing as how it’s the month ofghouls, goblins, witches, vampires and all things scary and out of the ordinary, I decided that I’dfocus my reading on stories of fantasy, sci-fi and, of course, the paranormal. And so the first half of October saw mereading some old favorites – catching up with old friends – and finding sometruly wonderful new material. So take alook at my list and tell me what you think!

Jacquelyn Frank

SeduceMe in Dreams

SeduceMe in Flames

Gena Showalter

Lordof the Vampires

Jill Monroe

Lordof Rage

Sherrilyn Kenyon

Bornof Night

Bornof Fire

Bornof Shadows

Bornof Ice

Fireand Ice

The Three Worldsnovels by Jacquelyn Frank (both titles listed above) are amazing stories. Like her Nightwalkers,Shadowdwellers, and Gatherersseries, these stories feature strong alpha-type hero’s and women with thepower, beauty and confidence to perfectly match them. Her stories are always worth the cost, timeand effort to read and for those of you who decide to pick up one of her books,no matter what the title or series that it comes from, you will not bedisappointed.

It’s a very rare day that I pick up a SherrilynKenyon novel and not like the story. The League series, of which all theaforementioned SK titles belong to, is one that I particularly enjoy becauseit’s completely different from the other stories that she’s written, (at leastso far as I’ve read thus far!) and yet they still manages to capture a reader’sattention and interest almost immediately. Unlike her Dark-Hunters,Dream-Hunters, Chronicles of Nick, Brotherhood of the Sword, and Lords of Avalon series, The League is completely fantasy basedwith no ‘Earth’ link, which is something that I don’t often find in the genre’sthat I read but that I always seem to like just for the awesome alternativesthat it offers. The next book in thisseries is Born of Silence, featuring ‘DarlingCruel’ the beloved and quirky character that we’ve seen in almost every other League story, and is slated to come outin April 2012.

The other two books listed – by Gena Showalter andJill Monroe – are the first two books in the Royal House of Shadows series being published by Harlequin thisfall. Books three and four, by Jessica Andersen and Nalini Singh respectively, will be available in November (#3) andDecember (#4) and like the first two are highly anticipated by readers, fansand critics alike. Based on the firsttwo books I would say that the series, when complete, is going to be a verycool accomplishment and set of works by some of paranormal romances bestauthors. (A full review of these booksand the series will come in December, once all the books have been released…and read by Moi!)

Check out this video trailer for the entire series– originally from the Paranormal Romance Blog’s source page for this series… Ipromise, it is awesome as it looks!

The Halloween Blog Hop

2011-10-13T16:54:00.000-06:00

For more information and rules about the Halloween Blog Hop -- check out this link!! Free Book Reviews

And then over Halloween weekend (Oct. 28-31) hop through the registered list of blogs and comment about your favorite monster movie or book and what your Halloween costume is this year! And notice - we're #26 on the list this year!

If you've got a blog that you want to add to the Hop, you can do that by clicking on the link below (under the list at the bottom of the page) and filling in the needed info!

Trick, Treat, Tweet and Hop this Halloween!!

Feehan's Dark Carpathians - Part 6

2011-10-13T11:39:00.000-06:00

DARK CHALLENGE

Christine Feehan

Book 5: Dark Series

ISBN-10: 0-8439-6196-1

ISBN-13: 978-0-8439-6196-6

JulianSavage has always been a loner. He hasalways pushed the bounds of acceptable behavior, for humans and Carpathian’salike. He has always looked up to themost powerful of their people – Mikhail, Gregori, Gabriel, Lucien, and severalother Ancients from his youth. It wasthis envy, this hero worship of males with great power that cost him a goodpart of his life, his youth, his every dream and hope for a future. Blood-bonded to a vampire, in his youth he isforced to do many horrible things – including setting traps that nearly killhis twin brother (Aidan – Dark Gold). Knowing that he could be used to spy on thePrince or the other Hunters, Julian withdraws from Carpathian society. Over the centuries he has occasional, randommeeting with others of his kind, but for the most part he spends the endlessyears wandering the Earth hunting the undead, studying, and doing other varioustasks (i.e. guarding Savannah during her years doing magic shows – Dark Magic). When Gregori asks him to warn a woman who ison the “societies” hit list, Julian accepts the task with the knowledge thatafter he has given the warning, he will seek the dawn.

And then heenters a crowded bar and hears music of pure golden and silver notes and hisentire world is changed. In those firsthours (and the previous days) he assumes Desari is human, despite her magicalvoice, the band’s (the Dark Troubadors) pet leopards and her strangely alertbodyguard. To save her, he gives her hisblood before even sharing his name, and acting on instinct alone ties her tohim with the ritual binding words.

But Desari,and all the other members of the Dark Troubadors, are in fact Carpathians. They had escaped Europe during the Turk warsafter all of their parents were killed; six children ranging in age from 6months (Desari) to 6 years (Darius), and they made it to Africa before theysettled down and struggled to survive. For hundreds of years Darius has led them, guided them, and protectedthem, but in all the years that they have travelled and entertained people,they have never encountered any other Carpathians. Due to their youth when they escaped Europeand their lack of contact with their own people, the Troubadors know close tonothing of traditional Carpathian life – the hierarchy, common mental pathways,lifemates and why males becomevampires. They have always existed asthough they were the only ones of their kind that survived. It causes some friction between Desari andJulian (neither knowing what the other expects initially) and between Julianand the men of the Troubadors. It’sactually an intriguing perspective because we’ve never had a female lead withfamily protectors, and so we’ve never had the chance to see the ‘in-law’ dynamicsof Carpathian courtship. A lot of thetime it’s actually quite amusing.

One thingthat has stood out in this book, each time that I’ve read it, is thedescription Julian gives Desari of the life of an (unmated) Carpathian male.

“You are the only reason I am stillliving… I was empty without you. Andthat kind of emptiness eats away at you, consumes you until your soul is darkand ugly and all that matters is sating your hunger. But nothing fills the void. Nothing. Year after year you endure the emptiness until life itself is a cursehardly to be borne. And all the whilethe darkness, the beast in you whispers, an insidious whisper, promising powerfrom the kill, promises that wear away your belief in God, in all the thingsthat are right and ture and good. Themonster inside you, so black and hungry for life, grows and grows until it hasconsumed everything you ever were. Thatis the curse borne by Carpathian males…”

I think thispassage is an amazing insight into Feehan’s unmated male Carpathians, into whatmakes them who they are, what they are and why some of them choose to give uptheir souls and become vampire. In allthe previous books, in all the books, we get varied and good explanations ofwhat lifemates are and what they are to each other. It’s refreshing to get a different view of itall. And Julian’s words? Well, they drive the point home and they makeyou feel them. (Don’t they?)

DarkChallenge is just one more example of Christine Feehan’s brilliance, of her waywith words and her genius of the paranormal. Stay tuned for the next review in this series when we talk more aboutthe Dark Troubadors.

Tuesdays Tunes - Adele

2011-10-04T16:28:00.002-06:00

I just love all of Adele’s music so when I thought about asong to share this week, naturally, I looked to her.  I’ve loved all her singles – “Rolling in theDeep,” “Rumors,” “Turning Tables” – but right now one of my favorite songs is “SomeoneLike You.”

So check out this video of Adele's 

"Someone Like You!" 

It’s such a moving song. And the video, while simple, is very effective.  Really it’s just perfect.