Thursday, July 30, 2009

Harlequin TEEN Blog Tour

Harlequin TEEN is doing a very awesome blog tour! Check out this week's blog at YA Book Nerd and see how the imprint got started, how they aquired their new authors, and a short description of their new books. It's quite fascinating. (Oh, and I'm mentioned too, of course.)

http://yabooknerd.blogspot.com/2009/07/introducing-harlequinteen-guest-blog.html

Puck: Hey, how come I'm not mentioned? Meghan is mentioned, even ice-boy is mentioned. How come I'm not in there?

Meghan: I'm sure they wanted to put you in, Puck, they just ran out of space.

Ash: Or you're just not that important.

Puck: Psh, you wait. When the book launches, I'm sure to get much more fan mail than you, Ash. I'll be swimming in letters of admiration. You'll be lucky if you get a post-it note.

Ash: You wanna bet on it?

Puck: Oh, you're on.

Meghan: *shakes head in disgust* Boys.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Mondays with Meghan: Thoughts on Eyes Like Stars



Meghan: Okay, so technically its Tuesday, but I was busy yesterday. Someone put purple hair dye in my shampoo, and now my head looks like an easter egg. I guess its tragically fitting for today's review.

Ash: I think its kinda cute, actually.

Meghan: *sigh* Thank you. Is Puck still locked out of the house?


Ash: Yes.

Meghan: Good. I hope it rains. Moving on.

So, this isn't going to be a true review, just my thoughts so far on Lisa Mantchev's EYES LIKE STARS. There were lots of positive reviews circulating the internet, so I thought I'd see what all the fuss was about.

So far, I'm up to page 118, and it seems the plot is starting to pick up. In the beginning, it was a little confusing with all the stage scenes and changes, and I was left wondering what was going on. But now the real plot has been revealed, and I'm eager to see what happens next.


Bertie is a likable heroine; mischeiveous, daring, a little on the brash side. (Reminds me of someone I know actually, *coughPuckcough*). She's always into some sort of trouble, usually of her own making, and always has some plot up her sleeve. Nate the pirate is a likable guy, a good character, and a solid love interest, but the four crazy, hyperactive fairies are easily my favorite part of the story. Though I do feel sorry for Bertie now and then. I know how it is, Bertie, I know how it is.

Thumbs up so far. Now, back to reading.

Ash: I think I saw lightning.

Meghan: *snickers and ignores frantic pounding on door*

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Wonderland movie




I'm sooooo excited about the new Alice in Wonderland movie. *Grumbles because she can't find a link that hasn't been taken down.* Depp looks amazing as the Mad Hatter, and the scenery is just awesome. I love the weird, creepy feel they've got going.

I must see it!

Grimalkin: I met Lewis Carroll once.


Me: What?! You did not.


Grimalkin: Through the Looking Glass? Vanishing Cheshire Cat? Please. If he was going to write a book about his trip to Faeryland, he should have disguised it better.


Puck: What are we talking about?


Grimalkin: Lewis Carroll.


Puck: Oh yeah, I think I remember him. I was a rabbit at the time, and he tried to chase me out of his garden, or was that someone else ...


Me: I am walking away now and pretending this conversation never happened. *Puts hands on ears, walks away singing Lalalalalalala.*


Puck: Hey, did you check out the new Wonderland movie? Doesn't it look good?


Me: LALALALALALALALAAA ....







Sunday, July 19, 2009

Delayed covers and new chairs

So, first, some sad news. I won't get to see my cover for The Iron King until November. :( That means I probably won't get ARCs until November, either.

Phooey.

But, I did get a new office chair today. And my husband set me up a space for my computer and desk, so I actually have a corner where I can work instead of just plunking my laptop on a table. This makes me very happy. And my new chair is soooo comfy and has that "new chair smell."

Puck: Oooh, a new chair. Can I sit in it?

Me: No.

Puck: Awwww, why not?

Me: Because you will either spin around in it until you get sick, or you will challenge Ash to a "chair race" down the hall.

Puck: Yeah, so?

Me: Go away, Puck.

Puck: Fine. But you can't sit there forever. Sooner or later, you're gonna have to sleep.

Me: *wonders if wrapping barbed wire around chair is enough to keep faeries out of it.*

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

My favorite Bishonen

Here's something for all my fellow otakus out there.

Was bored today, so I made a list of my top-ten favorite bishonen. Hard list to compile (so many cute bishies out there!), and I know I forgot a few, but anyway ... Here are my favorite boys of anime.

10. Chrono (Chrono Crusade): Most adorable devil you'll ever see.

9. Oda Takanaga (Wallflower): The only one of the four with any sense, it seems. And super cute with his girl, when he finally gets the guts to make a move.

8. Van (Escaflowne): He has wings. Nuf said.

7. Son Goku (Saiyuki): The mischeiveous, always hungry Monkey King. Loud, gregarious, and over-eager, but whose heart and loyalty are unmatched. And I get shivers everytime he turns into his evil self.

6. Kenshin (Rurouni Kenshin): A master swordsman with a dark past, Kenshin is sweet and goofy most of the time, but threaten his loved ones and watch out. He wasn't called the Manslayer for nothing.

5. Vash the Stampede (Trigun): Another bishie with a dark past (do I sense a pattern?), Vash is less evil and more "bad things just happen when he's around." Sweet, clumsy, goofy, lecherous, pathetic, dangerous, and frightening all describe Vash, one of the many reasons I love him. ("Love and PEACE!")

4. Uchiha Sasuke (Naruto): I like ninja. I like bad boys. Sasuke happens to be both.

3. Sesshomaru (Inuyasha): Okay, so he's a villian in Inuyasha. But he's got a certain charm to him as well. Here's this super powerful demon who hates humans, letting a pesky human girl tag along with him as well. Sesshomaru walks his own road, and doesn't let anyone tell him what to do. Plus, I love villians with long silver hair. (Ah, Sephiroth)

2. Heero Yuy (Gundam Wing): I normally don't watch Mecha. The only reason I watched Gundam Wing was for the characters, mostly the four Gundam Pilots, and MOSTLY because of Heero Yuy, the Perfect Soldier. Watch as he turns that intense glare on you and see if you don't get shivers.

And, my number one favorite Bishie of all time ....

1. Tamahome (Fushigi Yugi): "Miaka!" "Tamahome!" "Miaka!" "Tamahome!" Okay, so that could get a little tiring. But if there's one bishie who could make me melt into a puddle of happy goo, it would be Tamahome. Fushigi Yugi still stands as my favorite anime, one that could make me cry and laugh hysterically, the anime that I hold all others in comparison. And the sometimes goofy, sometimes miserly, sometimes stubborn but always loyal and willing to to anything for his friends Tamahome is still my favorite anime boy of all time.

Bonus: Favorite video game character: Squall Leonhart (Final Fantasy VIII): I couldn't complete this without listing another bishie who isn't anime or manga but who holds the same spot as Tamahome. Squall goes from a cold, uncaring jerk to someone who realizes how much his friends mean to him. His journey is inspiring, as you watch the emotionally scarred orhpan and soldier at the beginning of the game turn into a warrior, a commander, and a knight. Plus, he's total eye-candy.

Well, that's my list. I realize its uber fangirly, but I don't care. Who are your favorite bishies, the ones that make you sigh and wish they were real? If you could bring one character out of an anime/video game, who would it be?

Monday, July 13, 2009

Mondays with Meghan

Puck: "Mondays with Meghan?" Sounds totally cheesy.

Meghan: Go away, Puck. The Writer said I could do it. Unlike you, sneaking your posts in when she's not looking.

Puck: Keeps my skills up. So what are you going to talk about? Hair and lipstick? Ohmygod, like, this Serene Autumn Mist is to die fo--OW! *rubs head, glares at Ash.*

Meghan: Thank you, Ash.

Ash: Anytime.

Meghan: I was actually thinking of starting a book blog, to review the books I like. Or don't like. They don't have to be ARCs or new books, they can just be books on my shelf or the ones I get at the library. And I can finally talk about them without someone making snoring sounds every two seconds.

Puck: Zzzzzzzzzz ... oh, sorry. Were you talking about books again?

Meghan: *goes back to typing while Ash grabs Puck and throws him out of the room*

Ash: *coming back* So what book are you reviewing today?

Meghan: I thought I'd start with POISON STUDY, by Maria V. Snyder. It has a dark, stoic assassin type character that reminded me of someone I know.

Ash: Hn.

Review: POISON STUDY


About to be executed for murder, Yelena is offered a reprieve. She'll eat the best meals, have rooms in the palace, and risk assassination by anyone trying to kill the Commander of Ixia. And so Yelena chooses to become a food taster. But the chief of security, leaving nothing to chance, deliberately feeds her Butterfly's Dust, and only by appearing for her daily antidote will she delay an agonizing death from the poison. As Yelena tries to escape her dilemma, disasters keep mounting. Rebels plot to seize Ixia and she develops magical powers she can't control. Her life’s at stake again and choices must be made. But this time the outcomes aren’t so clear!

Meghan: This was a great book. I loved the world Maria Snyder created. The descriptions of the poisons were fascinating, and Yelena's daily fight for survival made for one of the most intriguing books I've ever read.

But mostly, I loved Valek, the dark, mysterious assassin, and Yelena's employer.

Ash: Hey.

Meghan: Only because he reminded me of you, Ash.

Ash: ....

Meghan: Sigh. Jealous faeries aside, Valek was easily the most interesting character of the book, besides Yelena herself. Their relationship, as it grew and changed, was my favorite part of the story, though the constant danger at every turn kept my interest until the very last page. Maria V. Snyder has created an epic story with characters to root for and fall in love with. Highly recommneded.

Ash: So, what about Valek reminded you of me?

Meghan: *facepalm*

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Chatzy madness!

Wow, talking with all the YA bloggers in the Tenner's chatroom was crazy fun! My head is still spinning from trying to keep up with nineteen conversations at the same time. It was like a oratory rollercoster. When can we do it again?

A good day so far

Hmmmm, the writer left her laptop unattended again. How unfortunate. Mwahahahahaha!

Things I did today:

1. Turned into a squirrel and taunted the dogs through the sliding glass door.
2. Replaced the sugar in the container with salt.
3. Turned into a raven and dropped things on Ash until he caught on and threw a dagger at me.
4. Left a spider in the bathtub. (Sorry, Meghan)
5. Ate the last cookie. Okay, maybe the last four cookies.

I love it when the day is so productive. :P

Puck/Robin Goodfellow