Important Notices

Special Announcements

Giveaways:

There is nothing in this category at the moment.

Other:

There is nothing in this category at the moment.

Monday, February 21, 2011

City of Bones

Title: City of Bones
Author: Cassandra Clare
Release date: 2007
Rating: 5/5
Publisher: McElderry Books (Simon & Schuster)
Book Summary (back of the book):
When Clary Fray heads out to Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder. Much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered in odd markings. This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons--and keeping odd werewolves and vampires in line. It's also her first meeting with gorgeous, golden-haired Jace. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with vengence, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in an ordinary mondane like Clary? And how did she suddenly get the sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . .


WARNING: There may or may not be spoliers in this review. Just saying, if you haven't read the book then, yeah, don't read this.

On to the review;

Wow. This book was good.

I started reading this in B&N one day, and like after that I couldn't stop thinking about Clary and Pandemonium. Then for Christmas this book was one of my gifts. (: I think this was like the best gift I got. I was that excited. It took me a while to start it.

Anyway, when I did. I couldn't put it down.

It was AMAZING.

Jace = <3

I so wish that thing with the thing, with the thing during that time didn't happen that prohibited this person from being with this other person because that thing with the thing just got me all sad and mad.

*cough*

The plot was great and it really had me hanging for some parts. I mean, poor Simon! I got so scared. "/

There was a lot of action (which I enjoyed), romance and Shadowhunter kick butt stuff!

I cannot wait to follow Clary and the Shadowhunters into the next book, (:
~M.A.Chase♥
Review:

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Laura Kreitzer Guest Post: Human Trafficking

Hello Literary-Folk!

My name is Laura Kreitzer, and I’m the author of the Timeless Series and the Summer Chronicles. This week I would like to alert everyone on a colossal crisis that’s gone unnoticed in the world: human trafficking. That’s why I’ve asked hundreds of blogs to be involved with spreading the word on this issue that’s become close to my heart.

As an author, and someone whose life is put in the spotlight, I keep most people at a distance. Only a handful of my friends know the whole me and the events from my past. But this week I’d like to share with you a part of myself that the outside world doesn’t see (and a part of me I don’t like to share). I was emotionally abused for five years by someone I thought loved me, my mind beaten into submission. Though the turmoil I went through doesn’t penetrate as deep as someone forced into slavery on the worldwide market for human trafficking, I can sadly relate in some ways: imprisoned, my life dictated down to what I wore, ate, where I went, whom I spoke to, where I worked, when I slept, bending to his every whim. He did not sway, even when I cried through some of the more traumatic things he had me do. I was a slave in my own home. In my desperation for freedom, I held out a gun and asked him to just end my suffering. I was desperate.

I can’t even imagine how many women (and men) in the world are in a similar situation. What’s even worse, I had it mild compared to the children that are sold for labor or sex. Surprisingly, the good ol’ U.S.A. is reported to be the host to two million slaves. Did you know this? Because I certainly did not; not until I was preparing to write my newest novel: Phantom Universe. The main character, Summer Waverly, was stolen as a child and sold as a slave to the captain of a modern-day pirate ship. From a loved child who only knew “time-out” as punishment, to being whipped into silence was something I knew nothing about. So I researched deeply into human trafficking and the psychological effects of torture of various types that one would endure in these circumstances. I felt shaken at my findings and knew I had to tell Summer’s story. (Read a sneak peek here.)

A storm began to brew in my mind; transforming, morphing, twisting, and expanding into this massive, black cloud. I had to bring this tragic atrocity to the forefront. My own emotional experiences, mixed with the research I did on human trafficking, made me feel an intense connection with Summer, and to all women who’ve been through this kind of brutality. The cloud ruptured and rained all over my computer one day. It took one month to write Phantom Universe, the first in the Summer Chronicles. I was so consumed by the story that I wrote nearly nonstop, only breaking for necessary tasks like eating, showering, and occasionally—very occasionally—sleeping.

Though the book I’ve written would be classified as Science Fiction, or as I’d like to call it, Dystopian, the emotions and psychological aspects are not Science Fiction—they're real. Reviewers have said many amazing things about Summer, this character who is so real in my mind and who I cried along with as the words poured from my soul onto my screen.
“I admired Summer's strength and ability to adapt,” says CiCi’s Theories. “I felt tied to her emotions,” Jennifer Murgia, author or Angel Star admits. And Tahlia Newland, author of Lethal Inheritance, remarks, “Summer is strong and smart in mind [. . .]”
Through her overwhelmingly horrendous past, Summer goes on more than just a physical journey in Phantom Universe, she goes on a psychological one as well; growing beyond her mute state to persevere and survive in a new world beyond the whip she’s so frightened of.

Now that the release date is here, I’m excited and terrified to share this story with everyone. I’m emotionally tied in every way to the words I’ve written, because they’re more than words. More than just a story on a page. Beyond the fictional aspects, there’s a real issue that needs to be addressed: human trafficking must be stopped. We shouldn’t sit idly by while this continues to plague us. Our world’s children—our nation’s children—are being affected. It’s time we take action!

Earlier this month Phantom Universe hit Barnes and Noble’s top 100 Best Selling list. I’ve decided to donate 10% of my sales from Phantom Universe, until the end of February, to the DNA Foundation.
“DNA hopes to help abolish modern day slavery, deter perpetrators, and free the many innocent and exploited victims. We are committed to forcing sex slavery out of the shadows and into the spotlight.

Freedom is a basic human right and slavery is one of the greatest threats to that freedom. No one has the right to enslave another person.”

—From DNA Foundation’s Website
I ask that you spread the word to everyone you know. Look around on the DNA Foundation website and find a way to get involved in ending human trafficking. Take action today. Everyone has a voice—you have a voice. Will you have the courage to use it?
___________________________________________________________________________

Thank you Laura for the encouraging and inspiring words that you've given us. Spreading awareness about human trafficking helps those two million people that are forced into slavery in the United States.

~M.A.Chase♥

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

I Am Number Four!

I Am Number Four!

I got it for my birthday and since I've just finished City of Bones I thought, "Hmm, let's pick up this book and start reading it before February 18th"

Why before February 18th? Wait, you don't know? WHAT ROCK DO YOU LIVE UNDER?! *cough* Just kidding. Anyway, February 18th is the day that I Am Number Four is coming out to theatres.

I wanna read the book before I watch the movie. Sure, the book is always better than the movie. I know. I learned my lesson with Harry Potter and Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief. I wanna read the book though. I mean, come on the trailers look pretty good.

Besides I wanna know what I'm going to go watch BEFORE I actually go and watch it. For some reason it gives me a sense of tranquility to think that I'm not going to watch the movie FREAK OUT then read the book and picture the actors as the characters. (I tried reading Twilight after I watched the first movie, Robert Pattinson is now always in my head when I think of Edward. . .yeah, that's bad).

Anyway, here is a summary of the book from the jacket. Enjoy:

Nine of us came here. We look like you. We talk like you. We live among you. But we are not you. We can do things you dream of doing. We have powers you dream of having. We are stronger and faster than anything you've ever seen. We are the superheroes you worship in movies and comic books--but we're real.

Our plan was to grow, and train, and become strong, and to become one, and fight them. But they found us and started hunting us first. Now all of us are running. Spending our lives in shadows, in places where no one would look, blending in. We have lived among you withough you knowing.

But they know.

They caught Number One in Malaysia.

Number Two in England.

And Number Three in Kenya.

I am Number Four.

I am next.

Isn't that a bone chilling jacket summary? It makes you wanna pick up the book and read it, huh? Well DO IT.

Thank you. Have a nice night!

~M.A.Chase♥

Monday, February 7, 2011

Extension date for the Shadow of the Sun Giveaway

So, there is now an extension for the Shadow of the Sun giveaway!

I'm changing the date to March 1st because frankly I have VERY low entries. There is still so much room for you guys to enter.

http://www.tinyurl.com/SOTSgiveaway < That's the link to the giveaway post.

The form link is also on there!

Good luck and have fun!

~M.A.Chase♥

Review of "The Forest of Hands and Teeth" by Carrie Ryan

Title: The Forest of Hands and Teeth Author:  Carrie Ryan Release date:  July 1, 2009 Rating: 2.5/5 Publisher:  Gollancz Book Summary: ...