Showing posts with label Guest Blogger. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Guest Blogger. Show all posts

Blogger Group Chat: Jenny Pox by J.L. Bryan

Photobucket

Below is our FINAL ROUND of our Blogger Group Chat featuring:
Isalys / Book Soulmates
Ashley / The Bookish Brunette
Amy / Book Loving Mom
Smash / Smash Attack Reads!
Loretta / Between The Pages 

GENERAL COMMENTARY:
I’m not even really sure where to start with this one...lol.

This was my first Indie rodeo!  Before "Month of Indie Epicness", I hadn’t read any.  I purposely stayed away but I’m glad I finally got over that because I’ve read some amazing books.  Jenny Pox blew my friggin’ mind (for like the 16th time).  Agreed. Not to sound like Indie authors don’t deliver, because um, obviously they do, but I really was not expecting what I received! I was really, really impressed with this entire series.

I’m getting excited for Tommy Nightmare.  If Jenny was that good, I know Tommy will be too! Isa, it is amazing. As well as the last one! I want so much more. I want more books!!  Ya hear that J.L.?  You better get crack-a-lackin’ =P

Ohhh! The social worker in me came out gunnin’ during Tommy’s story! Do we see more of Ashleigh in Tommy’s book? Oh hell, that hooker is with us through it all. {Dammit! Hated that ho...damn good villain though!}  We get new people each book, however, and they are all intricately connected. It’s a seriously wicked plot of epic proportions. The whole thing is quite brilliant, really! As I said in my Jenny Pox review, “Just when you think this book is about three people with paranormal abilities, the author kicks up the lore and story into high gear, and presents the reader with a serious expansion of the world the likes of which will have your jaw hanging low.” ← THIS  I will just make comments on your stuff since I didn’t read it. I really suck!! Fail on my part. When you finally read it, I will be cheering you on via Twitter! I will be sure to update you ;) We need to get Isa on books 2 and 3 now! Yes Amy. It is amazing! *sigh* & YES, Isa, the next 2 books are JUST as freaking amazing!

So this is easily one of my top TWO favorite books EVER. Just throwing that out there ;) Dude, if I didn’t have like 30 things I NEED to read, I would read it right now.  Yes! I loved these books so much!!! All of them! Especially Jenny Pox. I mean it was the 1st so it is sorta special. lol Me too! I loved all three... but Jenny Pox will always hold a SUPER special place in my heart!

The series is awesome to say the least. I was like WOW! What the…fuck. Agreed!!! I’ve read good and bad indie books, but J.L. Bryan’s Jenny Pox was BEYOND amazing! Seriously, BLEW me AWAY. He is a really awesome person too. I love chatting with him on twitter.  What the...fuck? is RIGHT!

CHARACTERS:
ABOUT JENNY: So what did everyone think about the characters? My heart went out to the characters, especially Jenny. The sorrow and sadness and what-did-she-do-to-deserve-this-shit was palpable. Jenny BROKE MY HEART!!! I cried and CRIED. I FELT Jenny’s pain. I FELT her isolation. I needed to hug her. Save her from everything. ← Yes! This. I cried on the 1st PAGE!  Another book that is going to break me?! I am still gathering my heart back up from the last book I read. This series will get ya! It has very touching moments and very Dat Bitch! moments, too! Yes! These books will fill you with so many emotions! They will leave you thinking about the characters long after you finish the last book. I still want MORE.  Jenny didn't start off strong which would normally annoy me but considering her circumstances, it's completely understandable and it makes you feel so much empathy for her.  She just cannot touch anyone. Nothing. Until she meets someone of course, it was just so hard on her. She had only ever gotten love from one person and it was still from a distance. It's so hard to imagine that kind of loneliness. *sniffle*

NOW ABOUT ASHLEIGH: If we’re going to talk about Ashleigh next, then I should leave. My language may offend. Offend who? Oh, the readers of the lovely blog post that will come of this chat. Oh I hated her! Yeah, I will not be very lady like.. like I ever was.. but you know.. Ashleigh was not a character I liked AT ALL. Me either dude. She was a fucking c*nt. Hated her with a fiery passion. Swear I would have beat that bitch down and gave her the pox just for the fun of it!  Ashleigh provided such stellar drama to the story! She WAS a GREAT character, I just HATED her. But not to the extent that I hated the STORY bc she was a whore. Or... not actually. LOL I said the same thing in my review, then corrected myself because the slut is a virgin! It really doesn’t fit her character, which confuses the shit out of you, which is good! Home girl has manipulation down to a fuggin science, yo. She played a good EVIL BITCH, that's for sure. She had that damn role down.  Sounds like I am going to hate her with a passion. Especially if Ashley hates her. She usually likes the ones I hate. ;) Yes, Ashley hates Ashleigh! YOU WILL TOO!! lol  I’m still not convinced that Ashleigh isn’t the anti-Christ cuz girlfriend fit the profile to a motherfuggin’ T!  HAHA!  I could not agree one ounce more. She is a true piece of art wrapped up in a pretty package. Which is what makes her such a great villain...she’s so manipulative and deceiving!  Like I said in my review, people thought she was "sugar and spice when she's really venom and claws."
AND LE SETH:
*sigh* Here Jenny finally finds someone she can ‘touch’. Oh my my my!!  Ooooh... I LOVED Seth. He SAVED Jenny. Wait! I gotta go find my favorite part:
“Will you keep me safe?” she whispered. -Jenny
“I promise.” -Seth
“Then I’ll go anywhere with you.” -Jenny  

Oh, homeboy made me swoon! That is super swoon worthy!! I must read and find out more about this Seth...he sounds like he will melt my heart. YES, he will!  THAT quote STILL gives me chills! Oh dear lawdie. I have that quote as my top fav. *sigh* Seth surprised me. He really did. I was extremely in love? Ha! But yea, I was extremely smitten with Seth’s sincerity and honesty. Me too! I thought that Seth was an amazing character! He was great to Jenny!  But Ashleigh really did some work on poor Seth. MANIPULATION. I deal with it daily, but that ho was a master. I felt so bad for him, and then I was like C’MON. Break out of it. I wanted to smack them, lol. But, alas that is what Ashleigh was good for. I adored that we didn't get to meet the REAL Seth until he met the REAL Jenny.  As individuals, they were a reflection of their respective worlds (manipulation and isolation) but together, they were something else altogether!  (Ooh, look at me w/ my fancy words...someone needs to hand me a degree now please!)

THE CLIMATIC FINALE:
Did we talk about the ending yet?  Cuz g’damn...that one scene with Seth and the people and stuff. Yeah, I had to yell at J.L. for that one!  LOL. Girl, that mayhem was EPIC. The visualization while reading the book was great. I could picture all of the sick twisted shiz that was happening. I love when an author pulls you in like that. Attached. Ohhh I love when I get really attached to the characters and feel like I know them for real. Oh, you will love Jenny and Seth, and want to pitch Ashleigh into a raging forest fire. Characterization was strong. Awesome. I love when an author has the ability to make the characters real. I was completely DUMBSTRUCK. The entire book was like... great... then the last 20 or so pages was like... BAM!! FUCKING EPIC. OMG right! My mouth was like =O Holy hell. What the what. That was an amazingly epic ending for sure!!  That one chapter left me STOOPID! I could not believe what was happening and even though it was all a mess, I was proud of Jenny for finally growing a pair. And when she grew that pair, all hell broke loose. She didn’t grow a pair, she snapped. Like the crazed, beaten, bruised soul she is. But she heals, and it’s lovely.  Yeah, snapped is a better word for it.  I hated the scenes where she felt she had to walk with her head down...broke my heart and frustrated me at the same time. It’s not a fun thing to witness. You want to shake her and hug her simultaneously. She sounds so broken :( She is. The people at her school, Ashleigh + her minions were just so horrible to her. It was so sad to read. So the ending was just so gratifying. I have a feeling I am going to totally want to beat the shit out of Ashleigh. Get in line, lol!  She really sounds like an evil bitch!!  Drop everything. Read it tonight! I feel like I need to. Like, screw everything else for another day or two, lol

CONTENT:
Ok, the bigotry and racism drove me effing  bonkers!  Me too! That stuff was insane. *gag*  But, people are still like that. Shameful but true. It worked well for the purpose of the story, but to think that shit like that still exists is sickening. I’m all for Christianity but the holier-than-thouness was not cool!  

OMG! You just made me think of Jenny’s dad. Her dad really was sweet!  The drinking was bothersome, but he never hurt her and he had his own grief to drown so I let it slide. I actually really adored him. He obviously had his own shit to deal with (in an unhealthy way) but he loved her unconditionally. Yes!  He sounds like a really interesting character too. He was just a really good dad...and that makes happy because cruel/hateful parents make me want to break things...like their faces! LOL. I am both laughing and crying at your statement. FML.  *high five* NOW *hug* lol  Seriously though, you deal w/ this shiz daily...I know “dad” must have tugged at your heartstrings. Fo sho.

Thsi is not your “normal” YA. It is like MATURE RATED 'R' YA.  Amazing!  Uh yeah, that other scene...ya know the REALLY naughty one...I was like, o_O "Oh my!"  It’s not REALLY YA at all... it does HAVE younger adults IN IT, but I classify it as horror/paranormal/EPIC.

Ladies, thank you for recommending this book because it really was EPIC and EPIC is the best way to end our "Month of Indie EPICness".  Love ya bitchez!

Blogger Group Chat: Descended by Blood by Angeline Kace

Photobucket

Below is ROUND 2 of our Blogger Group Chat featuring:
Isalys / Book Soulmates
Ashley / The Bookish Brunette
Amy / Book Loving Mom
Smash / Smash Attack Reads!
Loretta / Between The Pages

Isalys: So first things first, we need to rock, paper, scissors or some shit for who gets Mirko! LOL 

Ash: No! There ain’t no rock, paper, scissors biotch!!! He’s ALL mine! #ZombieQueen fact.

Smash: I told you that hooka would resist, Isa! ←- She knows me well... I know, I know...but dude, sharing is caring!! Since when have I been the “sharing and caring” type when it comes to lickable boy toys? Just sayin. ←-She speaks truth. Regardless, I want to pretend I have Saturday mornings and Thursdays after dinner... Well, if he suddenly disappears on Friday nights, don’t look at me *whistles & looks away* Lying looks bad on you, chic. He will be otherwise PREOCCUPIED on Fridays and every other day.  ← with me! =) BAHAHAHAHA!!! *cough*bitch*cough* Oh I love your face! I LOVE YOUR FACE more!

Loretta: No, seriously. He is not all yours! Um... He’s totally mine! *YUM* ← Now, now... Don’t make me pull out the “I love you whore, but...” haha! Oh my! But, seriously. =) I think #ZombieQueen means business lol! Dude we can share!! ;) ← Amy has a point. Listen to AMY! *waves flag around* Right?! There’s totally enough Mirko to go around!! He’s totes man enough!  I have absolute faith that he can handle all us sexy bitches ;) Holla! Oh, yeah! *YES*

Ash: No... I shan’t (HEY!! Grammar Nazi... is this a word?? hehe) share. Mine. I want to mess up his bed. *snort*  That line was a major WIN!! Right? I stole it from the book... Remember But of course ;)

Smash: So. What else was this book about...? Haha!! You know...Brooke, and Jaren vampires and such stuff. There’s another dude and a BFF and some vampires right?

Loretta: So how did you all like... Jaren? Jaren who? ← I didn’t NOT like Jaren... I just liked Mirko WAAAY more! ßThis He was sweet at times, and I totally think he didn’t mean to be a jerk... I think he was in SHOCK and like WTF?!  At first, yes...and then he became a jerk! Annoying dude. Brooke was having a hard time deciding who to pick. WHAT? I mean... BROOKE COME ON. Jarren is a … chump! Agreed...I liked him until he was all “I just can’t accept you even though you saved my life.”  And then he was making all googly-eyes at the vamp chick...bad Jaren, very bad! Right. Then he is all like, I need some time.. apart. ugh. He was annoying.. OMG!! I thought Jaren was such a tool!! and YES, a tool, AMY!  Like seriously dude, make up your friggin mind. You can’t seriously expect her to just take you back every time you change your mind!!  But hold on because girlfriend was not ready to let go!  You got all hunky-manmeat Mirko asking you to “choose him” and the answer should be DUH! ←-- Seriously!! WTF is wrong with her not jumping all over that!! I understand that he was her first love, but I’m not the type of girl you scorn and I’ll take it so I have a hard time relating to characters who do that. For real, it was like he only wanted her back once he knew his competition was super freaking yummy!! And it drove me bonkers that he was freaked out by Brooke being a vamp but then he was all flirty-flirty w/ the southern chick. Excuse me?! Do you think maybe hobag was using the whatsitcalled? The glamouring thing. YES!! I think she was totally using her vamp tramp powers on Jaren!!!! LMAO!! Vamp tramp!! So true and awesome!! If I were a vamp, I’d be a tramp. #JustSayin Duuuude, who says you gotta be a vamp? ;)  My husband, and then my kitties, and finally my women parts. :) Meh. Details, details...  

Smash:I loved Jaren in the beginning. The insta-love was a bit much but he was sincere, it seemed. I really connected to the conversation he had with Brooke about their absent fathers. And then, he flipped out, which I can’t blame him and decided he needed time apart, but then wanted to stake a claim when Mirko came on the scene. Um, hells to the no. And to this I say, damn skippy! It was like the whole Gale vs Peeta debacle...Jaren wanted his toy back when another boy wanted to play with it. Awwww! Poor Gale. *sniff*

Smash: So...Brooke? I have to admit the opening scene with the mountain lion was kinda er, too unbelievable for me. I know it’s a paranormal fantasy book, but they didn’t bat an eye during that opening scene. If I would have stared down a mountain lion (who ran off, mind you), I think I would have swiftly fainted, and followed it up with a stiff drink. lol 


Isalys: I actually agree! I pretty much thought the same thing.  I wasn’t sold on that scene and for her to go all David Copperfield on the lion without so much as wondering WHY it happened...? 

Ash: But she SAW that guy in the trench coat thing and KNEW something was up... not saying I wouldn’t have been UBER creeped out and like shitting my pants, but I think after she saw that dude- she knew something crazy was up... Like HE was responsible for the mountain lion and calling him off.  
Smash: I understand her seeing creepy dude, but I don’t recall any worrying or freaking out or Say what? afterwards. ← This.  How did she even know she could communicate w/ the lion though?  Was it instinctual and why wasn’t she like, “Damn, that’s new!”? LOL. Picturing Isa saying this IRL is so much win! :D Haha! Total win!!  I think it was total like ‘basic instinct’... she did it without thinking, without even understanding WHAT she was doing until it was over. You know? I fully agree with you! I definitely think it was just a basic instinct thing. I mean, we know she kinda freaks out when she finds out what she is. (That’s not a spoiler is it?) Nah! Nooo... it happens at the VERY beginning... so it’s not like we’re spoiling the PLOT.  The opening scene rocked it for me. I was in that book. The creepy ass dude, it was freaky.  Then she whooped his ass! *Killed it* I can kinda understand Brooke because she saw the dude, but Kaitlynn was just like, too not freaked out about it. They were so chill about it, like, well that was weird. Call you later!! I think I definitely would have pissed myself and passed out lol!!  Yea, where the hell was Kaitlynn in that moment? Painting her toenails? lol Dude. I LOVED Kaitlynn!! She is TOTALLY me dude... Just out there, like, “whaaat?” ;)  Oh, I heart Kaitlynn.  She’s an awesome friend...funny, supportive and loyal til the end! Totally agree with you both. Kaitlynn was absolutely awesome. ←This!! Kaitlynn was great. A friend anyone would want to have. I will leave my issues with her parents allowing her to leave for an extended amount of time with little explanation out of this. It’s the social worker in me. :) Bahaha! HAHAHA!!!!

Smash: On to a more awesome aspect of Brooke. I loved how meek, mild, tame, nervous she was in the beginning. She couldn’t speak up in class, or approach Jarren. But then, give chic a hot instructor, light her hormones up like the 4th of July, hurt some people she cares about and BAM! How ya like me now!?  Dude, I love you!!  That was awesome and accurate!  One of my numero uno favorite aspects is character growth and I was so impressed with Brooke’s :) I agree! She ends up being so badass and I love it! It takes her a while, but that’s why it’s so great. She grows into it. She does. She takes her legacy and goes with the flow, like a scary ass rapids going over a waterfall. :)  She had a hard time w/ it at first but that’s understandable and having Mirko to be like, “yo, it is what it is so deal” helped! Well, I would pretty much do anything Mirko told me to, so ya know! ;) ← Right.. especially when he says.. “Will you mess up my bed with me” Damn right boo!! I for sure will. =) RIGHT? That was one of my FAV lines EVER!!!!

Smash: I love that she stands up to him though! Mostly because it makes him burn 10x brighter and Holy Charred Retinas, Batman! but yea, she gives him personality and attitude back. Makes for a much steamier story. teehee. Hellz to the yea! I’m sure Mirko appreciates a feisty woman ;) Feisty is my middle name, after all...I love that he was so accepting of her...granted, he’s the same “species” but you get me.  (Damn...we always end up back at Mirko.  This is Angeline’s fault =P) It ALWAYS goes back to Mirko for me... Not even JOKING. He is SOOOO uber effing HOT. #MoreMirko. #MoreMirko. #MoreMirko That’s my new favorite hashtag! EPIC WIN!!

There was a plot and bad guys too, right? lol Sure, secrets and all sorts of action stuff lol! OHHHH. You just made me think of the ENDING! *gasps* Yeah dude!  Serious friggin’ nail biter! Right?! That ending has me needing Enemy Within! I needed it like right when I read the last page! ←Totally left me wanting book 2! I wonder what will happen? I wonder also, who will Brooke choose!! It better be Mirko. Well... Not BETTER be.. but.. Yeah! I would want to smack her if she doesn’t choose Mirko! I just don’t think Jaren is nearly good enough for her.  I hope that kiss at the end (if you recall which one I’m talking about) was GOOD-BYE kiss *wink wink*nod nod* EXACTLY! I HOPE FRIGGIN SO! Book 2 ASAP for this Brunette... seriously. I feel so bad, I always ask Angeline how book 2 is coming. I know she is super busy though. Hell, Brooke can leave Mirko in the dust! I am quite fine with her leaving him on my doorstep. #MoreMirko Well YEAH!!  haha. True! #MoreMirko for us! Who said I was sharing? ← You don’t get him. He’s ALREADY with me. Remember?? Oh snap, here we go again, lol! *facepalm*  

#MoreMirko #MoreMirko #MoreMirko LOL ← Totally AGREE!!! I need MIRKO like HARD. HA!!!! I bet you do *DIES* Dude. Don’t even THINK I wouldn’t. Hard, slow, soft, sideways, backward, whatever yo. #SluttyBrunette Oh hell. “You’ve just tuned in to Fantasy Book Porn, where your hosts forever wave their slut flag for their favorite fictional men. Thanks for joining us tonight. We have a live bunch in the studio...” ←--Hahaha!! Seriously dying at this!! You know we can’t help it. ;) We have creative minds and awesome fantasies!  OMG, that *needs* to be our intro from now on!  


And with that, we end week # 2 of "Month of Indie Epicness". We hope you had fun and that you return next week for week # 3 =) 


Blogger Group Chat: Exiled by M.R. Merrick

Photobucket

As we mentioned on our "Month of Indie Epicness" launch post, every Friday we're going to feature an awesomesauce blogger chat where Isalys and some other fabulous bloggers get together to discuss the "indie book of the week".  Here's our EXILED chat:

COLOR LEGEND:
Isalys / Book Soulmates
Ashley / The Bookish Brunette
Amy / Book Loving Mom
Smash / Smash Attack Reads!
Loretta / Between The Pages

Isalys:
So ladies, help me get this party started.  What did you think of Exiled?

Amy:  I think Exiled was epic!! I love me some action, and this book is full of it. I have been really enjoying male protagonists too so I loved that about it. I also love how ALL of the characters are great. The focus is obviously on Chase, but we really get to know the other characters well too.

Loretta: I really loved Exiled. I thought that M.R.Merrick’s writing was amazing. I really felt like I was in the story. I loved how throughout the book the characters grew as individuals. I loved how the book focused on the story. And not “romance”. Rayna is of course bad ass, and Chase is an amazing MC.

Amy:  I totally agree about the characters growing as individuals. I liked how even as they grew as individuals though, they also grew as a group. I so love Rayna. She is completely bad ass!!

Loretta: Rayna is very bad ass! She means business, and gets the job done.

Isalys: Rayna has become one of my favorite characters. She definitely has a vulnerable side but still knows how to kick ass and take names.  I just started Shift and don’t wanna get ahead of myself, but I’m liking the sparks between her and Chase ;)

Amy: OMG, Shift is freaking amazeballs. I thought I loved Exiled, but Shift is even more awesome! Anyway, back to Exiled, I also really love Willy. He is one of my favorite characters. I liked the friendship that he forms with Chase.

Ashley: Vincent is my FAV. He rocks my FACE off. Exiled & Shift BOTH received EPIC Crowned reviews from this Brunette. By far two of my favorite reads ever!

Loretta: VINCENT is amazing. I loved him as a character as well! He was hilarious.

Isalys: Vincent is “no holds barred” and it cracks me up.  Is that how that saying goes? lol

Loretta: Also Willy! I think that Willy is a terrific character. He is so “there for you” but, scared shit-less! Shift is beyond amazing. I love where that story went, and yes... the “sparks” of tension between Rayna and Chase is killing me! Looking forward to see where Matt takes it in the next installment!

Smash: You ladies and your colors are hilarious! I was wooed by the cover of Exiled, and I did not know what I would find within its pages. I was so very impressed with the world-building and characterization. Plus, the story is just damn heart-breaking and ass-kicking.  Matt’s writing grows incredibly between Exiled and Shift. Mucho impressed!

Ash: I think Matt’s writing was amazing in both Shift and Exiled... but this is not the first time I’ve heard of his “writing growth” so it’s possible that I just have no idea what I’m talking about! ;)

Smash: Nah chic. His writing had to be good to bring us all back for seconds. ;) I could feel the growth, see it, taste, envision it. Chase was a completely different person, the action scenes, the plot, the romantic tension, all of it was just better. There is always room for improvement. :D

Ash: Chase had been completely devastated by the tragedy at the end of Exiled, and I think that had to do with his personality differences... He was obviously angrier... well not ANGRY... what’s the word? Maybe...

Smash: Vengeful? Out for blood? lol  

Ash: No... like not MAD... sad... grieving... although he was all those. More... just, “I’m DONE.” Quick to react...

Smash: Anger is usually the surface emotion shown when one feels grief, sadness, etc. And yea, he was hella impulsive.

Ash: IMPULSIVE!!! That’s what I was trying to think of!

Smash: Hot temper and all. heh.

Ash: This is going to turn into an Ash & Smash show... lol

Smash: I just told those hookers to get in here, if they are available...

Isalys: I’m here and I love that you just called us hookers...waddup foo?! Gotta catch up on the convo.

Ash: Alright, so Vincent...  I want to talk about how he ROCKED my face off and why no one else likes him! He’s totally my FAV! I swear we were separated at birth!

Amy: I like him,  just not as much as some of the other characters. I found interactions with him entertaining.

Smash: You ladies go ahead and gush. He is not a favorite, though he is humorous! And yea, you were separated at birth, Ash...totally. *snicker*

Ash: Dude, we were. Take no prisoners, take no shit. Kill or be killed yo. He’s an EPIC win.

Loretta: I loved him! I think they he was a fantastic character. Hilarious.
 
Ash: RIGHT????

Amy: Agreed!!

Smash: Did anyone love little Rai as much as I did? I need a Rai in my life! ♥ *crickets* LMAO 

Ash: OMG!! I totally loved Rai! She rocks dude! I totally think she could wipe out the zombie horde all on her own!

Amy: Haha! Yeah she could!!
Smash: ZOMG! A Rai zombie killa!
Amy: Epicness!!!!

Ash: Shhhyea it is!!! Okay, okay... here’s my Vincent quote, I LOVED this!!!
“My god you should have that… condition looked at. Just hearing your voice makes me want to rip off my own ears… or your throat.” ~Vincent 

Isalys: Best quote!

Loretta: hahahah! Yes, that shit was EPIC! Poor Willy.

Smash: YES! (ref: Vincent) That is one of his best lines. His snark and cold-ass, dry humor was great.

Amy: Hahaha!! Loved that line.

Ash: Oh I know! I felt so bad for Willy!!! But I mean REALLY... It’s clearly obvious that Vincent steals the show! lol

Loretta: Me too. Willy was such a great little scaredy pants. He was a good FRIEND though.

Smash: A damn good friend, though torn by his "new" family in Shift. Willy certainly changed, personality-wise. I was hella blown away.

Amy: It’s so hard to not feel bad for him. I definitely was cheering for him in Shift though!

Ash: Dude, Willy KICKED ass toward the end though!!!! And SERIOUSLY- I am FREAKING the EFF out with that ending!!!! DYING to know what happens next!!!! Oooh I have another quote... ONE more sec!! Gotta grab my kindle and possibly some skittles..

Loretta: <my god I am eating them #FTW> Ash: #SkittleVamp FTW

NOTE: Before we continue, I have to warn you that this is where our train derails and we all go chat crazy and to this I say, “Two drops in a bucket…fuck it!”  ENJOY!

YES He did. He rocked that shit. Me too! From Willy, to Chase & Rayna... My god, will they just hook up already! (*Wink*) ← DYING for some Rayna/Chase action... SERIOUSLY. *dies*  ← Exactly!! ←Wait?  So no YA nookie in Shift? No! My god. They need to in book 3. I mean really! Just FREAKING HAVE SEX ALREADY! I mean the books are really freaking amazing without all the relationship junk. but seriously. we want it. Rayna is already bad ass... Can you imagine them, if they you know.. release some of that built up crap. =)

The tension between those two was OUTSTANDING in Shift. Just the perfect level of UMPH. :D I’m still in the beginning of Shift and I was all excited for the almost kiss and then “hello interruption” *facepalm* I cursed LOUDLY at Matt for that scene! Good!!! lol

Def. They have some major tension going on in Shift. They need to umm, well, never mind ← No. They DO. Screw being YA. Cross genre this shit!!! That’s what I’m saying!!! Give us some good stuff. Besides, there’s nothing wrong with them having sex, I mean they’re old enough. It doesn’t need to be all uber-graphic but the “almost kiss” was NOT enough! There are plenty of YA books where the characters have sex and it’s not all in your face lol! Agreed!  Hey Matt, take notes *wink wink* Lol!! RIGHT?!!! That’s what I was thinking too. ;)

Personally, I wouldn’t mind teaching Chase the ropes *whistles* oops. Did I say that outloud? I’ve already look like a major cougar over this dude. Wait.... Dude, you are SOOOOO sharing chase with me if you plan to show him the ropes. #JustSayin. ← hahahaha! Yes, yes! This sounds like it’s getting a bit kinky. RAWR!!! *snort* We’re a bunch of dirty bitches, yo! lol ← hey what can I say. We all must love the sex scenes. ;) Dirty bitches FTW! Who doesn’t love some good sex scenes?

I wanna kick back and have a beer with Rayna...that chick is way cool! Me too!! Girls night!!! Rayna is epic. She is just an amazing kick ass character. Takes no shit. Chic is fierce with a capital F. She is uber confused aboutf who and what she is, and she has an attitude to back up all that anger and resentment. I adore how she and Chase first meet, and how their relationship grows from there on out. It’s beautiful and funny to witness. Absolutely! I love that they start off so rough around the edges because it makes reading about their growth that much more fun! Ooooh, Rayna is such a badass! She so is! I love kick-ass heroines.  The whiny ones annoy me!

No one has mentioned Tiki.  I haven’t finished Shift yet but based on the scene at Revelations, he’s got some alien swagger going on, lol. Tiki is hilarious! I find his newfound love of clubbing (not seals, but dancing) hysterical, but his character makes me tear up a bit at times. I didn’t get ‘alien’ vibes. What about when his DEMON comes out dude?!?!?! HOLY... Holy is right!!  Not alien like little green men, alien as in not human, lol.  Should we call it Demon Swagger? LOL Well, he was a half demon... Shifter. You know?  Shifter Swagger? Eff it, we’ll just say knows how to put the moves on a lady ;-) Right? Just NOT ‘alien’... I don’t like other planet ‘aliens’... *cue Smash yelling*  ← ha! “ET, phone home”

Tiki is hot. WELL "my" Tiki is, more so I think!  Matt tried to steal my Tiki character I made on tour. He was yummy =) Tiki totally didn’t ‘do it’ for me in the super hot dept.  Like I LOVED his character...but I didn’t want to do ridiculously illegal things to him like I want to do to Chase... hehe LMAO! HAHA. Chase was do-worthy. Very do-worthy. Just the Tiki I "made" was do-worthy, haha I just picked a hot guy and gave him orange eyes, but shit.. Tiki seems.. like he could be fun too.. I liked Tiki too!! He is pretty freaking funny sometimes! And besides, the dude doesn’t like clothes very much and I’m all about that. (Right? *wink*) I like Tiki as a character, but not a book boyfriend!  I keep picturing him w/ linen pants and a rope belt and I’m like, "NO NO NO!" (← OMG, hilarious) Rayna is SMART for wanting to take dude shopping. Yeah I don’t think of him in a want to jump his bones way either. I just thought his character was fun. Not that I want him without clothes, I just respect it that he doesn’t like them much. Did anyone else think of Night at the Roxbery with that first clubbing scene where he’s sporting an animal print shirt? LMAO Hahaha!  Now that you say that... I totally am imagining that.

Omg yes Isa!! hahah that is hilarious!! hold on. Is Isa blue? Yes :) Hi! Hello darling! =)

Only we would turn Month of Indie Epicness into soft core porn. Yes...THIS is truth! We are just awesome like that!! Soft Porn!! Yes, we are epic! Right he is going to be like WTF... this is all about.. getting it on.. (You damn right, make it happen MATT!)

I can’t wait til Matt reads all this! I could only imagine what he’ll think of our conversation, lolI’ve already professed my love for Chase and said inappropriate things about him. Whatevs.  Matt will totally love this!! He already knows how epic we all are, so I don’t think he would expect anything less from us.  Never. He better not think anything less.. kick his ass. He would never go up against all of us. He wouldn’t stand a chance!!  Right!! You guys totally underestimate Matt... He’d totally take us all on... Not that he’d win- but he’d TOTALLY give it a go! lol You can't mess wit dis posse!

Smash: So, let’s talk Chase! What a rockstar. He starts off a wild card, not knowing how to reign in his intense emotions (and believe me, this young man has every right to feel these emotions), but by the end of Shift, I was left going “Who was that guy?” His growth is incredible. So much so that I no longer see him as a broken young man searching for any semblance of family, but as a strong young man who has made his own damn family. All he is missing is a wife...*le sigh*

Loretta: He did grow a lot throughout the book(s). I thought is was a great aspect to his character.

Isalys: I love how strong he is in spite of his circumstances! I’m really impressed with how he’s able to stand up to Riley as much as he has! He internalizes a lot but it’s all understandable and he seems to be opening up a lot to Rayna & Marcus which is good! Yes. He needs therapy and they can provide the outlet. :) LOL. But seriously, dude has been through a LOT. Yeah he has. I know if I went through all that shit, I would have had a complete breakdown.

Amy: OMG yes!! The character growth Chase has is amazing. Despite everything he goes through, he stays strong. I like how in Shift he learns to not hold it all in. He does a fantastic job at dealing with everything. And the things he went through at the end of Exiled, really shaped him as his character in Shift. I totally agree. He has a lot to deal with mentally, but he doesn’t lose himself. Right. He really finds himself. His growth was a great thing in Shift.

Smash: All in all, this series is really, REALLY good. It’s got action, interesting characters with growth, wicked world-building, heat-felt (heat-felt? yeah, there were some of those too *snort*) LMFAO. Ok, HEART-felt scenes and heart-breaking moments, plus so much more. And it has Chase. *Schwing* *giggle* Freudian slip? Me, have a Freudian slip? I own Freud, yo.

Loretta: For me The Protectors series has been amazing. No other way to put it. I think that Matt Merrick has really created such fantastic characters that have so much personality. I feel so connected to them. And I love learning new things about them, and seeing them grow. Matthew’s writing style is fabulous. You could imagine everything perfectly, never being overwhelmed. I was constantly turning the pages, wanting to know, having to know what was going to happen next. I cannot wait for the next installment in this series. As I know, Matthew will deliver us with so much more epicness that our socks will get blown off.. completely.

Amy: This series just totally blew me away!! I love action, and this had so much of it, but didn’t lack character connection. I find that with a lot of books it’s one or the other, but this is the whole package!! Great story, great characters, and leaves you dying for the next book.

Ash: Dude... this series, is MIND blowingly EPIC. It’s an action/adventure, fantasy, paranormal, young adult blend of AWESOME! The characters are completely and utterly fabulous, each with their own unique personality and super fabulous traits that totally set them apart from each other. The fight scenes are some of the BEST I’ve ever read... All in all- The Protector series belongs among the BEST of the BEST.

Isalys: FYI - I love how one minute we’re all smexing Chase and drinking beer w/ Rayna and the next we’re like professional reviewers again, LOL! Hehe!! So true!! We got it all out of our systems... now, time for professionalism.. *let’s begin*.. again ;)

Ash: I never claimed to be a professional reviewer... ;)

Smash: I’m still smexing up Chase! Always and foreva! ← Freak =)

Really makes you want to read EXILED and SHIFT now, doesn't it?  Well, you can visit our GIVEAWAY post and enter here for your own e-copies of each :)

That was seriously fun and now you know why I love ALL these girls like whoa!! 
Next week we'll be discussing DESCENDED BY BLOOD by Angeline Kace so stay tuned :)

A Cuban Christmas...at EBTP

The very cool Lori from Escape Between The Pages invited us to participate in her "Tis The Season" holiday event.

We decided that it might be fun to take you guys on a tour of a typical Cuban Christmas in Miami.

Tis The Season - Guest Post with Book ♥ Soulmates

So if you have a few moments to spare, stop by Escape Between The Pages and check out our post.  Let us know what you think about our traditions and tell us a bit about yours!

Guest Blogger: Halloween with Paranormal Haven

Every Monday this month, we welcoming a Guest Blogger(s) to Book ♥ Soulmates.

This week we asked the lovely and very witty ladies from Paranormal Haven to tell us all about how they like to celebrate Halloween with the kids!



We want to thank Isalys & Vanessa for inviting us to join them during their Halloween celebration. Since our Halloweens are dedicated to Athenna's little ones (who are Stephanie's godchildren) we would like you to join us as we crack open the photo album and take a trip down memory lane. We wanted to show off past Halloween costumes worn by 4 of Athenna's 5 (yup 5) kids. Be warned, our sense of humor may seem a bit off.
Gabriel as Andy (2005)

Stephanie: I had no say in this costume. In fact, I was against it. It looks like Gabriel was too.

Athenna: I liked it and they both would have looked cute if they didn't cry when I put it on them.

Stephanie: There are no known pictures of Adrianna in her costume. She REALLY hated it!

Athenna: And she will probably thank me for that when she's older.

Gabriel as Donald Duck (2007)

Athenna: He was done with trick or treating. He decided to just take the whole bucket.

Stephanie: Ya, good luck getting this kid to share his candy.

Athenna: He learned his food sharing skills from you.

Stephanie: Yes, Stephanie does not share her food. (Fans of Friends got that one)

Cayla and Adrianna as angels (2008)

Stephanie: Ooohhh, how adorable! This is when Adrianna was 3. If I was to dress her now she would be wearing a lil' devil costume.

Athenna: If I remember correctly she said she got her attitude from you.

Stephanie: No comment!

Gabriel as a greaser (2008)

Athenna: Watch out John Travolta. You've got nothing on him.

Stephanie: The tattoo was a nice touch.

Gabriel Captain Hook (2008)

Stephanie: Costume looks perfect....until you get to the shoes.

Athenna: He didn't want to wear the boot covers and they didn't fit him.

Stephanie: That's right he is abnormally small like his mother.

Athenna: Just because he is foot shorter than everyone in his class doesn't make him abnormal.

Jayden as Mickey (2008)

Athenna: That was the best part of the costume, the little Mickey butt.

Stephanie: He could not have been less interested in taking pictures. Apparently grass is more entertaining than us.

Adrianna as Minnie Mouse (2008)

Stephanie: If she only would behave as adorably as she looks.

Athenna: She is really cute. We might have to lock her up during her teenage years.

Jayden as an old man (2008 or year of many costumes)

Athenna: Look at my little old man. Great last minute costume.

Stephanie: The bow tie and hair do really make the costume.

Athenna: You can't see them but I liked the penny loafers the best.

Adrianna as Little Red Riding Hood (2009)

Stephanie: I picked this one. Another adorable pick on my part :-)

Athenna: I still think she would have made a cute Marilyn Monroe!

Stephanie: Right. Dress her up as a sex symbol *rolls eyes*

Jayden Robin (2009)

Athenna: He really did like that costume

Stephanie: I bet you didn't know Robin wears Thomas the Tank Engine sun glasses

Athenna: If not, Robin should because he looks super cool

Thank you for enduring our humor and we want to thank our lovely hosts here at Book ♥ Soulmates for having us over.

Thank you ladies for stopping by and hanging out with us.  Athenna, I bet you have your hands full {I don't know how you find the time to blog too, lol} but your kids are absolutely adorable!  

If you'd like to see more pictures including what they will dress up as for Halloween this year, then make sure to check out their special Halloween post on October 31st!


Guest Blogger: Movies with Tasha

Every Monday this month, we're going to welcome a Guest Blogger to Book ♥ Soulmates.

This week we asked Natasha from A Great Book Is The Cheapest Vacation to tell us all about her fave Halloween movies :)


It's no secret that I'm a Halloween lover. I love ALL things Halloween. There's nothing better than laying down on a spooky fall night and watching a good Halloween movie. When the girls at Book ♥ Soulmates asked me to choose a Halloween related movie to do a guest post on, I was stumped. So I'll list a few of my favorites first.

Here's a few of my favorites:
Evil Dead 2, Halloween, Nightmare Before Christmas, Edward Scissor Hands, The Witches of Eastwick , Death Becomes Her, Trick 'r Treat, The Bride of Frankenstein , 30 Days of Night, Texas Chainsaw Massacar, Interview with a Vampire, Screem, Hocus Pocus, Creepshow, The Shining, 28 Weeks later (any Zombie movie really) and much, much more.

I'd be here all day if I had to name them all. Although I love all of those equally, I choose to do my post on Beetlejuice for many reasons. My number one reason for doing Beetlejuice is because it's one of my favorites since I was very young. I watch it a few times a year, and always around Halloween. Beetlejuice is directed by Tim Burton, and stars Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice himself.

Here's the film's synopsis: {From Amazon.com}
Before making Batman, director Tim Burton and star Michael Keaton teamed up for this popular black comedy about a young couple (Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin) whose premature death leads them to a series of wildly bizarre afterlife exploits. As ghosts in their own New England home, they're faced with the challenge of scaring off the pretentious new owners (Catherine O'Hara and Jeffrey Jones), whose daughter (Winona Ryder) has an affinity for all things morbid. Keaton plays the mischievous Beetlejuice, a freelance "bio-exorcist" who's got an evil agenda behind his plot to help the young undead newlyweds. The film is a perfect vehicle for Burton's visual style and twisted imagination, with clever ideas and gags packed into every scene. Beetlejuice is also a showcase for Keaton, who tackles his title role with maniacal relish and a dark edge of menace.
--Jeff Shannon

Beetlejuice was made in 1988 and runs 92 minutes.

Betelgeuse is what how his name is really called, so noone will say it three times and unleash him. But of course it happens, and the magic starts!

The secondary characters in this movie were also what made the movie such a hit.  Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Catherine O'Hara, Jeffrey Jones and most importanly Winona Ryder. She was the backbone for this movie. From her rebellious, dark clothing to her curiosity and attitude, Beetlejuice wouldn't be as good a movie without her as Lydia. Winona really fits the part well. She always seems to be cast in Tim Burton's movies, along side of Johnny Depp, but although I'm in love with Johnny, I'm glad that Michael Keaton was cast for Beetlejuice. He really was a hoot!

Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice!!!

Thank you Isalys & Vanessa! You girls rock! Happy Halloween Everyone!
**BOO**

Isalys: I am soooo with Tasha on this one!! Beetlejuice is one of my all-time fave movies so I've lost count of how many times I've seen it. Every time I come across it on TV, I have to stop and watch it and my husband always rolls his eyes and says, "how many times are you going to watch this?" and I always reply, "as many times as I want bitch!" {yes, I actually call him a bitch, lol}

 Oh and please tell me you all remember the cartoon!  I was obsessed with it as a kid!

Here's a little 90's cartoon throwback for ya :)



Thanks for joining us Tasha!!  You're a doll ♥
Now go check out her blog people!

 
Blog Design by Use Your Imagination Designs The Artists' Faeries Lovely Papers by Lorie Davison