Saturday, March 20, 2010

Tell me tell me...

Tales of Whimsy is considering...
a full blog makeover.
*gasp*
I know I know.
Not again, right?
But first let me say, nothing will change for now.
I am thinking of a summer birthday splurge for my 34th birthday.
So (for now) I am brain storming and would like to open the floor to you (my lovely sweet supportive amazing followers).

Which blogs (besides your own) have the best body and sidebar layouts?
Do you prefer two or three columns?
Do you prefer the columns on each side or both to one side?

Please tell me what you think and please keep your eyes on my left-hand sidebar for upcoming polls.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Whimsy Interview


Got a minute?

Hope to see you this weekend at the
____
P.S.
Authoress Cleo Coyle is at it again with her fabulous Twilight Cauliflower recipe.

Friday 56 and Beginnings: Skylight Confessions

UK vs US
The Closest Book: Skylight Confessions
The Authoress: Alice Hoffman
Book Beginning: "She was his first wife, but at the moment when he first saw her she was a seventeen-year-old girl named Arlyn Singer who stood out on the front porch on an evening that seemed suspended in time."
Page 56 Sentence 5: "She was furious with her son, off working, leaving this poor girl to fend for herself. "I'll take care of everything here."
______________
THE CREDITS:
Book Beginnings on Friday is a meme hosted by Becky at Page Turners.
Anyone can participate; just share the opening sentence of your current read, making sure that you include the title and author so others know what you're reading.
&
The Friday 56 Rules:
* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of: Storytime with Tonya and Friends.
*Post a link along with your post back to Storytime with Tonya and Friends.
* Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.


Book Beginnings Friday was brought to my attention
by the very cool Aleksandra from Aleksandra's Corner.

The Friday 56 was brought to my attention
by the stupendous marvelous Cherry Mischievous.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

The Girl Who Chased the Moon | Book Review and Contest

Publisher: Bantam
Release date: March 16, 2010
Formats: Hardcover, Kindle
Genre: Adult Fiction

Tagline: "Emily has just moved to a town full of inexplicable mysteries..."

What they say: "Emily Benedict came to Mullaby, North Carolina, hoping to solve at least some of the riddles surrounding her mother's life. For instance, why did Dulcie Shelby leave her hometown so suddenly? Why did she vow never to return? But the moment Emily enters the house where her mother grew up and meets the grandfather she never knew—a reclusive, real-life gentle giant—she realizes that mysteries aren't solved in Mullaby, they're a way of life.

Here are rooms where the wallpaper changes to suit your mood. Unexplained lights skip across the yard at midnight. And a neighbor bakes hope in the form of cakes.

Can a hummingbird cake really bring back a lost love? Is there really a ghost dancing in Emily’s backyard? The answers are never what you expect. But in this town of lovable misfits, the unexpected fits right in."

My say: Like a glass of sweet tea on hot Southern day, The Girl Who Chased the Moon is refreshing, rich, and deliciously Southern. The day my book arrived I had reached a reader's plateau. Nothing seemed interesting. Then I arrived home to a tiny package. Immediately (with in moments of opening the parcel) I knew this was the book that would reignite my vigor for reading. Sarah Addison Allen doesn't write. She paints beautiful images with her words. The kind of words you can almost taste.
Characters: Perfectly flawed
Plot: Mysterious and engaging
Writing: Descriptive and scrumptious

My verdict: The Girl Who Chased the Moon is a magically infused tale of mistakes, forgiveness, and making peace with your past.

My recommendation: Go to your favorite bookseller and order this book right now. It is down right charming.

My star rating: 5 out of 5 stars; I LOVE LOVE LOVE this book and want a hardcover copy for my collection.

My meter readings:
  • Kiddie-o-meter: This tale is for grown girls and therefore features some mature themes that are best suited for older teens and adults. I hesitate to tell you what they are because I refuse to give away the mystery. Email me directly if you are itching to know.
  • Adult-o-meter: I can not think of a woman I would not recommend this book to.
My favorite quotes:
  • "It was like she was made of cake, light and pretty and decorated on the outside - with her sweet laugh and pink streak to her hair - but it was anyone's guess what was on the inside. Emily suspected it was something dark."
  • "It was one of life's great injustices, that you can move on and be accomplished and happy, but the moment you see someone from high school you immediately become the person you were then, not the person you are now."
My cover thoughts: I love this enchanting cover. It not only fits the story perfectly but it also comes from a passage in the book.

My notes:
Sarah Addison Allen has a beautiful web site that you simply must visit.
You can take a virtual tour of Mullaby or print recipes from the book like this one:

Southern Peach Pound Cake

1 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 cups white sugar
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 cups fresh peaches, pitted and chopped

Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well with each addition, then stir in the vanilla. Reserve 1/4 cup of flour for later, and sift together the remaining flour, baking powder and salt. Gradually stir into the creamed mixture. Use the reserved flour to coat the chopped peaches, then fold the floured peaches into the batter. Spread evenly into a 10 inch tube pan that has been buttered and coated with white sugar. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes in 325 degree oven, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. Allow cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, before inverting onto a wire rack to cool completely.

My contest: Want to win my ARC of The Girl Who Chased the Moon? Comment with your email address below. You must be a follower and resident of the US or Canada to enter. Contest ends one month from today on April 17th.

My final say: Sarah's writing snapped me out of my plateau. Has that happened to you recently? What author helped your snap out of your last slump?


Thank you to Pump Up Your Book Promotion for making this review possible.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Contest Winners: Donut Days and The Things That Keep Us Here

Good morning ladies!
Today I get to announce 3 winners.

Whoot!
The winner of my gently used hardcover copy of Donut Days is:
&
The winner of my gently used ARC of The Things That Keep Us Here is:
&
The winner of a brand new copy of The Things That Keep Us Here is:
Jenny from Take Me Away

Congratulations ladies!

I will be contacting the three of you for your mailing addresses. Thank you to everyone who entered. The winner was selected with help from Random.org. Please stay tuned and continue to check my right-hand sidebar for more upcoming contests.

Toodles! Happy LOST Day!

Click here to read my review of Donut Days.
Click here to read my review of The Things That Keep Us Here.

Monday, March 15, 2010

My Double Life | Book Review

Authoress: Janette Rallison
Publisher: Penguin
Release date: May 2010
Genre: YA Fiction | Chick Lit
Goodreads: My Double Life
Also known for: My Fair Godmother and Just One Wish

My summary: Alexa Garcia (and her hard working single mom) have always had to scrimp and save for every dollar. So when a pop singer offers her thousands of dollars to pretend to be her, Alexa pushes all rationale out the window and drops everything for the bright lights, big money, and a chance to meet her long lost father.

My say: I love Janette Rallison's writing. She always creates wonderful characters who have heart, a good moral compass, and a strong sense of family. My Double Life is a sweet fun journey of mistaken identity and self discovery. You will absolutely root for Alexa from start to finish.

My verdict: My Double Life is light, spunky, and heart felt.

My recommendation: All fans of Young Adult fiction should try Janette Rallison. Her books have never failed me.

My star rating: 5 out of 5 stars; I love this book and want a hardcover copy for my shelf.

My cover thoughts: Turns out the dyed blonde hair is accurate. I like the cover I just wish the model was more ethnic looking. Alexa describes her skin as, "olive toned". Therefore my suggestion for the cover is someone that looks a bit more like Jessica Alba or even Shakira.
My slices:
  • Kudos to Janette for nailing a Hispanic abuelita. I never stopped giggling at abuela's antics, telenovela inspired advice, and commentary.
  • My favorite abuela quote: "Somebody ought to smack that girl good and hard with a Bible." Leave it to my grandma to use the holy book as a weapon."
My meter readings:
  • Kiddie-o-meter: This story is safe for even young teens. There is no sex, social commentary, or foul language and only minor mentions to premarital sex.
  • Adult-o-meter: Adults will relate to Alexa, her journey to find her father, and her mother's struggles.
My contest note: Check back April 1st when I will be providing my followers the opportunity to win my gently used ARC of My Double Life before it's even available for purchase.

My final say: Have you ever been told you resemble someone famous? For the right amount of money would you impersonate a starlet or musician?


Thank you Penguin for making this review possible.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Sushi for One | Mini Book Review

Series: The Sushi Series Book 1
Authoress: Camy Tang
Publisher: Zondervan
Genre: Christian Chick Lit
Goodreads: Sushi for One
Formats: Kindle, Paperback, Audible

Tagline: "Sometimes romance needs a kick of wasabi"

My summary: Poor Lex has just months to find Mr. Right (or Mr. Right now) or her meddling grandmother is going to pull the funding on Lex's young volleyball team. Can Lex hold it all together, overcome her past, and find a good guy?

My say: Blogging my book reviews has taught me I am a character fanatic. My book love is directly tied to my ability to connect with the characters. I could not connect with sports enthusiast Lex Sakai. However I did love her stoic gentle love interest Aiden Young. My favorite sections in this book where when we briefly get to see things from Aiden's perspective. Some women write men and it does not seem believable. But Aiden's inner voice and urge to protect Lex felt earnest, natural, and true. I found my self eagerly expecting his take.

My star rating: 3 stars

My slices:
  • I appreciated Lex's struggle between her Christian heart and her mainly Buddhist family.
  • Make sure to check out the glossary of terms in the back!
My cover thoughts: SO cute and it fits Lex perfectly.

My meter readings:
  • Kiddie-o-meter: While there is no foul language or sex, Lex does struggle with the after effects of a violent crime she survived through many years before. Making this best suited for older teens and adults.
  • Adult-o-meter: Christian Fiction fans that appreciate real life pains and struggles in their stories will appreciate sassy Lex.
My final say: Camy if you are reading this, you are so good at the male perspective. I hope you one day write a novel that showcases more of that. Maybe one that alternates from chapter-to-chapter from the woman to the man.

Friday, March 12, 2010

Friday Blasts: March 12

Hey cats!
Welcome to my Friday Blasts!
What's Friday Blasts?
It's when I pop around Blogland and tell you
which blogs are serving up the good times today.
It's my chance to highlight my favorite blogs and Friday posts.

Here's what's cookin' this Friday:

At The Mystery Lover's Kitchen you will find Cleo Coyle's recipe for Shamrock Pistachio Muffins. YUM!
&
Blaize from Climbing Rose announced Confessions of a Teenage Psychic releases today. Check out her previous posts for sneak peeks and excerpts.
&
If you haven't checked out Flog It Friday at Book Soulmates...DO! Those girls are SO funny!
&
The fantastic girls at Reading Rocks want to know how books have influenced your life.
&
Rel from Relz Reviewz has an amazing recipe for Chocolate Pudding Cake compliments of Ann Shorey.
&
Heather at The Secret Adventures of Writer Girl supplied me with some afternoon giggles with a video called How Twilight Should Have Ended.

Wanna play?
Grab and post my Friday Blasts logo then make your own lists.
Make sure to leave a comment below so I can check out your favorites.


Friday Blasts was inspired by Cream-of-the-crop by NotNessie at Today's Adventures
and First Rate Friday's by Mel at He Followed Me Home....

50's Slang Terms:
Cats = A hip person
Blast = A good time

Friday 56 and Beginnings: The Dark Divine

The Closest Book: The Dark Divine
The Authoress: Bree Despain
Book Beginning:"Grace! You have got to see the new guy." April bounded up to me in the junior hallway. Sometimes she reminded me of the cocker spaniel I used to own--she trembled in excitement over just about anything."
Page 56 Sentence 5: "Asking for my help? When the song was over, I sat down in my seat with renewed resolve. It was too late to scrape the idea away. I knew what I had to do."

The Credits:
Book Beginnings on Friday is a meme hosted by Becky at Page Turners.
Anyone can participate; just share the opening sentence of your current read, making sure that you include the title and author so others know what you're reading.

&


The Friday 56 Rules:
* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of: Storytime with Tonya and Friends.
*Post a link along with your post back to Storytime with Tonya and Friends.
* Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.


Book Beginnings Friday was brought to my attention
by the very cool Aleksandra from Aleksandra's Corner.

The Friday 56 was brought to my attention
by the stupendous marvelous Cherry Mischievous.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

News Flash: Eclipse Trailer

Thanks to the super amazing girls over at Confessions of a TwiCrack Addict.
Here is the 10 second Eclipse Teaser Trailer:
Man, I love that Jacob!

UPDATE
3/11/10 9:30AM EST
Note: Wolf girls fast forward to 0:42
Here is the new trailer:
I think I actually, momentarily, stopped breathing when Jacob confesses.

Related Posts with Thumbnails