Follow Friday #2

Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee. Love it!!

This week's question:

The magic book fairy pops out of your cereal box and says "you and your favorite character (from a book of course!) can switch places!" Who are you going to switch with?

Ok, well obviously my first thoughts were Mac and Cat. I mean, hello! They have got to be the most kick-ass chicks with the yummiest men ever! But you know what? I figured soooo many people would pick to trade places with them (who wouldn't?) so I decided to go a different route. So I decided on Scarlett O'Hara from Gone With The Wind. Sure, she is a bit of a spoiled brat, and the times aren't really the best...but she has got to be the orginally kick-ass chick. I mean, she has the awesome house and the cool man (even though he might not have been her first choice, I was a little in love with Rhett Butler) and she takes care of so much. From the war, to Atlanta burning, to her beloved Tara, to the loss of her own child...Scarlett can deal with it all while keeping her Southern cool and always looking like a lady in those awesome (but probably VERY uncomfortable dresses). Yeah, Scarlett rocks. I would totally be her for a day.

So who is your pick?

Super Secret Giveaway

Yeah, I did it, I had a Super Secret Giveaway and didn't tell anyone except my Tweeps. I'm totally random like that.

What brought it on? Well, the other day I noticed that my little blog here had passed 50 followers and I said to my self "Self (that's what I call myself when I talk in my head. It's more personal that way), I wonder if I can get to the big 100 before the day is out?" So, being the excellent coversationalist I am, I said "You know what? I think I can. And to make it an occasion, I will do a few tweets about it and give away a prize if I make it.". Out of this conversation in my head, the Super Secret Get Me to 100 Giveaway was born! (I like the name...it works for me, and it's fun to say :D)

I didn't quite make 100 before the night was through, but I got to 99 and said to myself "Self...screw it, it's close enough!". So I randomized some numbers, and got a winner!

Congrats to Lisa (The Gifted Ones) on winning her $10 Amazon.com Gift Card and being my Super Secret Giveaway Winner!!! Yay!!!

If you don't wanna miss a chance that I'm going to be totally random again, doesn't hurt to follow on Twitter. Lots of fun stuff going on there! Just click on the fun little Twitter banner on the right sidebar!! I re-follow often!!! Hope to see ya there :D

Phobic Dawn

My Rating: 4 Stars ****

At first I was wary about reading this book. The storyline was great, but I am not a huge sci-fi fan, so I almost didn’t pick it up. So glad that I did!

Ben is not your typical hero. Is he tortured? Sure. Does he have a deep, dark secret? Absolutely! Does he seek out a woman that needs to save him so that he can live and love like man needs? Naturally. What makes him different from any other hero you read about? HE ASKED FOR HELP!!! I loved this about Ben! He wasn’t sitting around moping about his phobias (well, ok…he was for a while, but that is understandable given his HUGE secret….yeah, I’m not going to tell you that part. You need to find that one out for yourself.) he took the initiative and the chance that he could get caught, and he sought help. You gotta give the man credit for that one. Most men would rather be shot than ask someone (let alone a woman) for help. I don’t understand why…I just think that men are men and, well, they have serious issues in the asking for help department.

Snakes. Yes, snakes. They play a big part in the story and I found this absolutely fascinating. There are bodies of young women being found all over the world. Oe thing these bodies have in common? Besides the way they were killed, they all were covered in snakes. Ick, Ick, Ick!! Oh, and what just happens to be Ben’s big phobia? That’s right – snakes! Hell of an investigation for this man to be on, isn’t it?

This all brings us to Lucy. American. Rebel. Beautiful. Dangerous. What a combo. Ben found Lucy when looking for psychologists to treat him, but he needed someone who wouldn’t repost him to M18…these people basically own him and would terminate him if there was the slightest problem with him. Fun guys to work for, huh? Lucy seems like the perfect woman to help Ben with his phobic needs. The problem? She doesn’t treat men. She doesn’t trust them and refuses Ben at first…and second. Eventually, Ben tells her the big, bad truth about his past and about why it is so important that she doesn’t report him…no matter how bad his situation might be. (Still not giving the jaw-dropping secret away. Hee hee) Lucy feels bad for him, drawn to him…and decides to treat him and help him in his investigation as well. Tortured hero in need of help + beautiful woman with a Black Belt in Aikido who distrusts men? This so equals a match made in heaven!

Enough about the characters though (even if I thought they were great. I love a good book with awesome characters). What did I think of the whole book? I loved it. There was action, there was crime, there was a love-hate relationship to die for. I loved the plot and the jaw-dropping secrets that come out (what good bok doesn’t have something that makes you go…”wow, never would have guessed that?”). Granted, this book might not be for everyone. There is a lot to it. Cyborgs, ritual killings, deep-rooted phobias. Not everyone will enjoy it. Although, I didn’t think I would like it as much as I did…my opinion…give it a chance even if it seems a bit out of your comfort zone. I didn’t regret it at all.

To check out Katy Walters and for more information about her book Phobic Dawn and other works, check out her website here.

Guilty Pleasure #1

Guilty Pleasures is hosted by C.J. Duggan and I LOVE it!!! If you haven't checked it out...do so NOW! Wednesdays will never be the same again.

My Guilty Pleasure this week:

“All right stop, collaborate and listen.” Anyone who grew up in the 80’s knows what’s coming next. My Guilty Pleasure is Vanilla Ice’s “Ice Ice Baby". I don’t know what it is, but everytime I hear this song I have to blare the stereo and sing at the top of my lungs. I blame it on high school. See, in my little high school we used to have these Spirit Weeks. During this week at the beginning and end of every year, a bunch of guys would get together, put on a pair of parachute pants and some over-exaggerated bling, and get up on stage before the entire school and perform our “school theme song”…that’s right…”Ice Ice Baby” was rocking my school. Which is actually kind of funny because this was in the late 90’s and Vanilla Ice was long-since un-cool. Doesn’t matter though, it was tradition and I loved every moment of it and still do. “Will it ever stop? Yo, I don’t know” but I can still see me rocking it to this song long into my wheelchair days in a nursing home while I tell my grand-children about the white rapper that threw this oh-so-catchy tune out for the whole world to love.

So there it is. I feel so much better getting that off my chest. Whew, what a relief. And now for your listening pleasure (and so you all can hate me later for getting this stuck in your head) I give you “Ice Ice Baby”!!!

Top Ten Tuessday #3

It's Tuesday again! Yay!!! That means it's time for my favortie weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

Top Ten Book Settings

One of the things I think I do not do enough of is traveling. Why? Simple...my poor bank account just will not allow it. Seriously, I think we all should just be able to go wherever we want, whenever we want but I guess life doesn't work that way. Oh well, at least I can go to tons of worlds before I die by reading about them in books. It's practically free and I don't have to worry about packing that way. Here's my list:

The Highlands - Mostly from KMM's Highlander series. Honestly, if I'm going to go visit the Highlands...I want THESE Highlanders there to greet me...Yumm!

Narnia - Who doesn't want to go there? The Chronicles of Narnia are great stories with amazing characters. Aside from the fact that all the giant talking animals might freak me out at first, I will wanna go.

Rivendell - I wasn't a huge fan of The Lord of the Rings books, but who would not want to go to a beautiful place like Rivendell with all the elves?

Barrons Books and Baubles - Yes. Barrons amazing bookstore from KMM's Fever. I could LIVE in that place. Barrons would be an added bonus ;)

Ireland - Have you read P.S. I Love You? That book made me want to go to Ireland so bad. Love me a gorgeous Irish setting and to-die-for Irish men.

Hogwarts - Come on...seriously...you know you wanna go there. Even if you don't care for Harry Potter much, Hogwarts is definitely a must-see.

Georgia/Atlanta - Gone With the Wind. Yes, this was a tough time to live in, but I would still love to be there. Even if it's just to wear the cool (but probably annoying) dresses. I love books set in this period and would love to go back...just for a day.

OZ - What little girl did not fantasize about being picked up in a tornado and waking up in the Wonderful Land of OZ? I know I was dying to meet the Scarecrow, put it to the Wicked Witch, and wear those awesome ruby red slippers. The Wonderful Wizard of OZ was definitely my childhood classic.

Wonderland - Oh, to be Alice and fall down that rabbit hole. I have always been facinated with her story and Wonderland is definitely the place to visit.

Verona - From Shakespeare's classic Romeo & Juliet. Since the first time I read this play, I have always dreamed of seeing the setting for one of the greatest tragedies made. Someday, someday.

So there's my list.  Sure, a lot of these places I will never see no matter how many times I win the lottery. Let's face it...most of them are made up or need a time machine to get to, but that is the joy of reading. I would love to be able to live in those times or just see the inside of a Wizard school for one day. Nothing wrong with dreaming.

What's on your list?

Small Blogs, Big Giveaways!!!

37 Books + 11 Gift cards = 48 PRIZES
Read the full list of prizes and all the information here!

**Be sure to check out the mini-game at the bottom of this post for an additional entry!!

WOW, amazing giveaway, right?! And this is very simple, all you have to do to win some of these great prizes is to sign up using the inlinkz and…That’s it! If you want extra entries, please go to our hosts and see what you can do to win them! I bet you’ll find some amazing new blogs and follow them to show support! Please READ THE RULES!

HOSTS:

Organized by: Reading Romances(+5 is the number of extra entries you may get here) Leave a comment, Become a follower, tweet/blog or link about the giveaway. Will be hosting a giveaway on June 17th.

A Bookish Affair (+1)

A Little Sun Shy:(+3)- Also giving away for the EU readers, a hardback copy of the latest Sookie Stackhouse novel, Dead Reckoning!

A Simple Love of Reading (+2)

Addicted to Books (+1)

Alexa Loves Books (+3)

Books For The Insomniac (+3)

Book Savvy Babe: (+5)

Curiosity Killed The Bookworm (+3)Also hosting the pre-loved giveaways !

Gabrielle Bisset: A Writer’s Blog : (+4)

Kindle Fever (+1)

Laurie’s Thoughts and Reviews (+5)

Let’s Book It (+4)

Love, Laugh and Read (+3)

My Book & Me (+5 entries)

My Chaotic Ramblings: (+3)

Proud Book Nerd: (+5)

Read Me Bookmark Me Love Me (+5)

Reads With Wreckless Abandon (+4)

Reading Lark (+3)

Reading Rendevous Reviewz (+3)

Release Notes (+3)

Romancing the Darkside (+3) Also hosting: Save My Soul Blog Tour: Excerpt & Giveaway – June 9th

Sweeping Me (+5)

So Many Books, Here’s Mine (+3) Also hosting: Sizzling Summer Setting Writing Contest.

The Magic Attic (+5) Will also be hosting blog tours during june 6-13!

Rules:

1.Sign up using the inlinkz tool(you only need to do that once for the big giveaway, the SAME inlinkz will appear on all blogs).

1.2 Go on each blog and find how you can earn more entries. Then use send your entra entries by filling out the form.

1.3 Read the blog rules to know how to sign up for the prizes other blogs might be providing.

2.This is an INTERNATIONAL giveaway

3.You must be at least 18 years or older, or of legal age in your country.

4.The contest will end on JUNE 13th at 11:59 pm GMT and winners will be posted after they have been selected.

5.Winners will be selected using Random.org

5.1 The winners will be notified by email and announced on all hosting blogs.

5.2 The winners will have THREE days from the date they are posted to provide a mailing address. If you do not contact me within three days a replacement winner will be selected. NO EXCEPTIONS.

6. Each blogger will be responsable for mailing the prize they provided. No replacements will be made. Your email address will not be saved or used for any other purposes then to contact the winner in the contest for their mailing address.

6.1 Love, Laugh and Read is not responsible for other prizes that are not honored, distributed in a timely manner, lost, stolen, or damaged during transit.

7. All giveaways are subject to change/cancellation without prior written notice.

Winners:

The more participants we get, the more prizes we’ll give!

The first winner will choose 13 items (including the maximum number of 2 gift cards)

The 2nd will choose 12 items after the 1st winner has chosen(including the maximum number of 2 gift cards)

The 3rd will get 10 items after the 2nd winner has chosen (including the maximum number of 2 gift cards)

The last 2 books will be given to one of our lucky hosts – who’ll be selected using random.org! In case any gift cards remain, they’ll also be awarded to our hosts.

If we reach 50 sign ups I’ll select one random lucky winner to receive one of the gift cards listed!

If we reach 100 sign ups I’ll select another radom lucky winner to receive one of the gift cards listed!

If we reach more than 200 sign ups, by the end of the event I’ll select THREE random lucky winners to receive one of the gift cards listed each!

How you can get Bonus Entries HERE:

1. +1 entry for leaving a comment

2. +2 entries for becoming a follower (networked blog, twitter or RSS)

3. +3 entries for tweeting about the giveaway/blogging about it/ linking via your sidebar (don’t forget to share the link!).

Mini Game!!

I want to know your favorite quote from your favorite book. Could be anything, anything at all! Just leave a comment telling me the quote and the book, and why you like it sooo much!! That easy to get an extra entry!!









How do you get extra entries from Love, Laugh & Read you ask? Simple:

+1 Follow via Twitter (right sidebar)
+1 Follow via Google Friend Connect (left sidebar)
+1 Answer my mini-game question (see above)

That simple! And don't forget to tally up your entries and check them off using the form below:

Send your extra entries by filling out this form!

Think you might want to get in on the action for the next giveaway? Sign up to host the 2nd edition by filling out this form!

Interview with Katy Walters

Recently I had the opportunity to ask new author Katy Walters some questions about her up-coming sci-fi crime novel, Phobic Dawn, set to release on July 4, 2011.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I live on the Coast with my husband and golden retriever.  My family
are grown and flown which leaves me time to write full time. I have a
B.A. Hons in Psychology and another B.A. in Engl. Lit and Creative
Writing I also have an M.A. in Mysticism and the Religious Experience.
Some years ago I was awarded an Hon. Dr. Sc. In Pain control and
Complementary Medicine.

I started off as a singer but the continual touring took me all over
Europe and it meant so much time away from home and my husband. So I
went back to University and studied psychology which became my passion.
I called on my psychology and research on Artificial Intelligence for
Phobic Dawn.

What inspires you to write?

I am drawn to themes that involve psychology, artificial intelligence
and the advent of the cyborg. I ask myself what feelings are involved in
the evolutionary development of the android and the cyborg.  The
supernatural and paranormal are also fascinating. In the past I have
tried to write an historical story, but mysticism, ghosts or robots,
always find a way to creep into the novel very early on. So now I just
sit back and enjoy writing on these themes.

Ben is not a typical hero, which I love about him. Did you have

someone in mind when you wrote his character? If so, who?

In a way yes but only some facets of that personality. I do take parts
of my characters from people I know, whom I admire or find interesting.
I then develop the character to include the themes in the book.

How much research went into writing this book?

A lot.  When I was writing this I spent hours, days on each chapter in
research. This included archaeology, research on interplanetary travel,
asteroids  and so on. Then I read up on neurology, genetics, robotics
and cyborgs.  I think most writers who are involved in near future Sci
Fi do an awful lot of research.  Also involved was Herpetology, the
study of snakes and how ancient civilizations used their venom as
hallucinogenic drugs

 What do you need when you write? (ie. quiet room, music, favourite snack)

I need a really quiet room. I have a study at the side of the house so
I am well away from any activity.  I love to have hot coffee in the
mornings followed by tea in the afternoons.  I do like sweets now and
again.  If I hit a sticky patch I will often play Tchaikovsky, Carl
Jenkins or the Black Eyed Peas.

 Any advice for inspiring writers?

Yes, write from the heart. If you can feel the words, e.g. the
character’s feelings, happiness, sadness, fear or anger then you’re on
the right track.  Also study some of the contemporary techniques of
novel writing.

 Are you working on anything new at the moment?

Yes, I am writing a paranormal novel (a Trilogy) of The Famine in
Ireland in 1846 and the present day, together with The Merrow – mermen
and mysticism. The idea came over two years ago now when I visited a
museum on the Famine in Ireland. Since then I have been researching on
and off.  That too though has required quite bit of research into Celtic
Mythology. I started writing it four months before Dam Good Publishing
approached me with an offer to publish Phobic Dawn.  So when I have
finished it, I shall start the sequel to Phobic Dawn.  – Phobic Abyss.

I want to take the time to thank Katy for answering some questions for me, and also allowing me to check out her new book, Phobic Dawn (review coming tomorrow...be sure to check it out!).

For more information about Katy, you can stop by her site here or you can also check her out at Dam Good Publishing here. Also, if you are just hanging around on Twitter this week, you can join the Dam Good Party in celebrating the upcoming release of Kay's book. There will be chats, games, prizes, and Katy may even pop on by to say hello. Just use the hashtag #Damgoodparty to join in. Hope to see you there!!