Saturday, February 23, 2013

Book Blogger Love-A-Thon: Mini Challenge #5 ~ Best Blogging Moments


I am getting quite tired. But I wanted to do this post quickly because I think it is a great one. What are your top blogging moments and/or favorite posts?

Top Blogging Moments:
1. The Chapter Chicks following my blog!
2. Getting to post the cover for my first book, Thousands of Mornings!
3. Getting to post that I am publishing my poetry and photography collection. (Thousands of Mornings.)!
4. Getting nominated for the Liebster Blog Award!
5. Any time I get to interview authors! (Victoria Scott, Ami Blackwelder, Andrea K. Robbins!)
6. Getting to 25 followers.

So those are my top moments - so far. ;) What about you guys? And what do you think of my top moments so far? :)

<3 Amanda Leigh

Book Blogger Love-A-Thon: Mini Challenge ~ Book Playlist


I don't remember which number mini challenge this was, but I know it was earlier in the day and so this post is very late. But I really liked this challenge so I am going to take part in it. For this we have to make a playlist for something book related. 

I am going to do a playlist for the books in the first cycle in The Vampire Diaries series. Simply entitled The Vampire Diaries.There are four books in total in this series: The Awakening, The Struggle, The Fury, and The Dark Reunion.

This is a collective playlist for all of them. Here is my playlist:

1. I Want You by Kelly Clarkson
2. Never Let Me Go by Florence + The Machine
3. Save You by Kelly Clarkson
4. Haunted by Taylor Swift
5. Cut by Plumb
6. Beauty of the Dark by Madds Langer
7. Give Me Love by Ed Sheeran
8. If No One Will Listen by Kelly Clarkson
9. Dark Horses by Switchfoot
10. Sunsets and Car Crashes by The Spill Canvas

There you go! What do you think? Hope you guys like it! 

<3 Amanda Leigh

Book Blogger Love-A-Thon: Mini-Challenge Number 4 ~ Letter to My Younger Blogger Self


I have only been blogging for a little over a year. This challenge is to write a letter to your younger blogger self giving them advice if you can. Like I said, it hasn't been that long, but I'll give it a shot.

Dear Amanda (Me),
You are starting out on this blogging journey. I am you a year and three months later.You DO keep up with this blog. Unlike your other ones. Your first attempts. I expect that is because you have a stronger resolve this time. Now that you know that authors should try to create a strong web presence. 

Just be yourself. Don't worry about what people WANT to hear. Or what you think they want to hear. If you like a book, don't be scared to write that. Also, if you DON'T like a book don't be scared to write that either. Just go for it. And go with your blog post ideas. 

I'll tell you a secret. In about six months, you'll have your own poetry and photography collection to write blog posts about too. 

And just ask for advice and do research when you need to when it comes to the technological stuff. I know that's not your thing. But trust me, you can do it. And your blog looks pretty awesome, if I do say so myself.

Good luck! 

Love,
Amanda Leigh Morey (You)

<3 Amanda Leigh

Book Blogger Love-A-Thon: Interview with Orisi of Orisis's Blah, Blah, Blah


Hi! I am participating in the Book Blogger Love-A-Thon today! I am late to the party. But here is my interview with fellow book blogger Orisi from Orisi's Blah Blah Blah. I have an interview over at Orisi's blog as well! 

I've checked out Orisi's blog! It looks wonderful! It is very awesome and impressive! Besides books, Orisis also love movies. I particularly love the To-Read pile page over at Orisi's blog! Go check it out at oblahblah.blogspot.com 

Oh, love the blog's name too!

Unfortunately, there is this INCREDIBLY INFURIATING white box around some of the text that JUST WON'T GO AWAY!!! No matter how many times I try. And I've tried like...8 times. No joke. So, it was either not post the interview or post it with the damned white box! So I am so so sorry. I don't know what is going on!


1)How did you get into blogging?
Great question. I moved to Abu Dhabi a couple of years ago and wanted to have a place to document our adventures over here in the Middle East. It meant that our friends and family could keep up. So I started a blog for that very reason. I graduated from University with a degree in English (literature being the major in that) and so I've always read a lot... and always have a lot to say. A friend of mine (MabisMab @ www.mabismab.com) had a book blog and so I would cruise her blog and thought it was awesome. Every time I would finish a book (or even watch a movie) here in Abu Dhabi I would bombard my friends (who usually haven't read the book) with my opinions and annoyances etc etc until I realised it would just be better for all if I just started writing about my bookish thoughts in blog form. So that's how I got in to blogging and book blogging!!!

2)What is your favorite part about blogging?
My favourite part? I think the community makes it so worth-while, but the best part... and this may sound silly is that I am totally immersed in so many other book-blogs that I get to update my 'To-read pile' every week! It is awesome. There is always good stuff to read recommended by other bloggers!

3)What is your favorite subject to blog about?
Books, books and books. Although to be honest I love writing about movies too, but my favourite is books, especially discussions on genre!
  
4)Do you have a favorite “bookish” blog post you've done?
I really enjoyed writing my review on Macbeth: A Novel by AJ Hartley and David Hewson. 

5)What is your favorite book? Favorite author?
I really love Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.

6)Favorite book to movie adaption?
That would easily be To Kill a Mocking Bird. The book was brilliant and the film was amazingly done.

7)And now one for just for fun. If you were an ice cream flavor, which one would you be?
I'd be Mint Chocolate Chip - because I love to chew gum and I love chocolate, haha! A strange answer indeed!

Thank you Orisi for stopping by the blog!! And thank you for interviewing me!! Now go show Orisi some love!!

<3 Amanda Leigh

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Cover Reveal ~ The Truth About Letting Go by Leigh Talbert Moore

The Truth About Letting Go (The Truth)
Release Date: 02/21/13

Summary from Goodreads:
Ashley wants to smash everything in her once-perfect life.
Charlotte wants to walk in Ashley's seemingly charmed shoes.
Colt wants to turn Smalltown USA on its ear--with Ashley at his side.
Jordan wants to follow his heart... but Ashley is the one sacrifice he never expected to make.

Ashley Lockett has always followed the rules. She's always done the right thing, played it safe, gone to church. And then her ideal life is shattered when her dad dies suddenly.

Fueled by anger and grief, she vows to do everything opposite of how she lived before. She rejects safety, rules, faith,

and then she meets Jordan.

Jordan has big dreams, he's had a crush on Ashley for years, and he's a great kisser. But he's also safe.

Enter Colt. He is not safe, and he's more than willing to help Ashley fulfill her vow.

A companion to The Truth About Faking (not a sequel; the books can be read out of order), The Truth About Letting Go takes readers back to Shadow Falls, or more specifically Shadow Creek, with Ashley Lockett as she learns about real friendship, love, and letting go.

Get it today on:

Uploaded from the Photobucket iPhone App Uploaded from the Photobucket iPhone App Uploaded from the Photobucket iPhone App 


***Excerpt*** 

I feel Colt laugh, and he looks down into my face. That’s when he seems to realize what I’ve been acutely aware of for the last several minutes—our bodies are pressed together. “It’s awesome, yeah?” he says. “Adrenaline rush.” “Yeah,” I breathe. “I guess.” I’m not sure if he’s going to kiss me until he does. His mouth covers mine, and energy mixes with the alcohol flooding my body. Our tongues slide together, and I grip his shirt so I don’t collapse.  Every single bit of this is wrong, and there’s no way I’m stopping it. It’s back, that good feeling. The sadness has been pushed out again, and in its place is this rush, this rush of adrenaline like Colt said.  He pulls back and smiles at me. “We’re going to start dating. Now. You’re my partner in crime.”

Moore
About the Author
Leigh Talbert Moore is a wife and mom by day, a writer by day, a reader by day, a former journalist and editor, a chocoholic, a caffeine addict, a lover of YA and new adult romance (really any great love story), a beach bum, and occasionally she sleeps. -The Truth About Faking is her debut young adult romance (on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, and Kobo) -Rouge is her first New Adult romantic suspense novel (on Amazon). Leigh loves hearing from readers; stop by and say hello! Blog * Facebook * Amazon Author page * Goodreads * Twitter * Tumblr

Cover Reveal & a GIVEAWAY! ~ A Need So Insatiable by Cecilia Roberts

A Need So Insatiable
Release Date: Winter 2013!
Genre: Contemporary romance

Summary from Goodreads:

“I’ve never bowed or kneeled for anyone,” Rafael said. “Never thought I would.” Then he was on his knees. He slid his arms around my waist, tugging me closer and bowed his head.
“You own me, Sophie.” He looked up, his dark eyes hitting me with enough force to snatch the breath from my lungs. “You’ve owned me from the moment I walked into your life in that music room. Then I saw you slipping out the window like the wolves were after you and I knew I wanted you in my life. You’ve wrapped yourself in my heart and mind. I can’t get you out. I don’t want to.”

Graduate opera singer, Sophie Fisher’s life is on fire and it’s not her breathtaking voice lighting it, but the trail of debts her father left behind after he passed away a few months ago. If she’s not ducking around corners or slipping out of windows to escape the debt collectors and a slew of characters sent from hell, she’s dealing with her rebellious fifteen-year-old sister, Lilli, who is still coming to terms with their father’s death. And as if that’s not enough, Rafael Van Rees bursts into her life—literally—bringing with him a set of emotions she isn’t prepared to deal with and a life the public had no idea of.

Rafael Van Rees, Maestro extraordinaire, just wants to be left in peace to date whichever woman he feels like, have dinner with whomever he feels like, and just enjoy his life. Until he meets Sophie and his past returns to haunt him. And just when he thought he didn’t care about her, his history proves him wrong. He knows when it comes to her, it’s all or nothing. Besides, she makes him feel fuzzy all over.
Is Sophie’s fire hot enough to melt the ice coursing through his veins?


About the Author
Cecilia Robert lives in Vienna with her two children, has an incurable obsession with books, anything romantic, TV and medieval architecture. When not working in her full time job, catching up with her two children, writing or reading, she can be found, knitting or crocheting, taking photos of old buildings.


***GIVEAWAY***
1 Amazon Gift Card worth US $15 + Book of choice from book depository US $15

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, February 11, 2013

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?


It's Monday! What are you reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

Just Finished:

Face the Music by Andrea K. Robbins

Reading Now:

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Up Next:

As usual, I'm not sure. Maybe . . .


The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

<3 Amanda Leigh

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Saturday Snapshot #1

Saturday Snapshot is a weekly meme hosted by Alyce at At Home With Books.


Saturday Snapshot is a way to get a little peek into each other's lives. You can post some snap shots you or a friend or family member et cetera took and write a little bit about them.



 This is a cute close up picture of my cat, Princess Rose, I took this week.





My mom and I made a cake yesterday because I felt like baking. We had a boxed mix for Apple Caramel Cake. Here is the cake before it was baked,



And the cake after it was baked.



Keeping with the food theme, here is our dinner tonight. Asian Seared Shrimp, Avocado and Corn Salad with a Lemon Vinaigrette and Lemon Pepper Garlic Bread.



In writing news, this is the finished rough draft of My Heart is Yours. My mom used a machine at her job to bind it for me. And I designed a little cover type thing. (Not what would end up the final cover, just a little something to put on the copies of the drafts.)

How is your weekend going?

<3 Amanda Leigh

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Book Review + Interview ~ Face The Music by Andrea K. Robbins


Title: Face The Music
Author: Andrea K. Robbins
Release Date: June 14th 2012
Published By: Smashwords
Page Amount: 266 pages, ebook

Goodreads Blurb:
After losing her mother in a tragic accident, Allison Banks takes on the sole responsibility of caring for her little sister, her young niece, and her disabled grandmother. When her long-term boyfriend walks out, offering little in the way of explanation, Allison is left totally confused and utterly heartbroken. To cope, the 24-year-old closes herself off to any serious relationships and dives into her work as a graduate student.

Needing the extra income, Allison takes a job for the hot, new, reality TV show, Superstardom. Captivated by the competition’s front-runner, the mysterious and sexy singer, Chris Knots, Allison dismisses her attraction as nothing more than a silly, school-girl crush. But, when the hunky performer reveals an interest of his own, Allison must work through her reservations and decide if there’s room in her life for something more.


Review:

I really did enjoy Face the Music. This was my first time reading the New Adult genre. I think this was a good one to start with and I'm looking forward to reading more New Adult.

Obviously music is a huge part of this book. I loved all of the song references. I think I squealed when the band Hinder was mentioned. I was so excited to see one of my favorite bands mentioned in a book!


I was intrigued from the first page. But I won't say why. I don't want to accidentally give anything away.


The flirting between Allie and Chris was fun and I could tell he really liked and cared for her. The only thing I would have to say about it is that it was a little too drawn out for me. At points where a relationship could have been started, nothing happened. I think that was mostly the main character though; Allison Banks. (a. k. a. Allie.)


She really is one of the most hard-headed characters I have ever read about. At one point her and her younger sister have a conversation where her sister just about psychoanalyzes Allie. I think everything her sister had to say was true. Allie refuses to believe it; even though it makes perfect sense.


Really the only person who can get through to her is Chris. That's how I feel. Other people close to her make her wonder about what they say, but she always dismisses it. With Chris it may take a while (that's for sure) but he does get through to her. I think they need each other. Chris sees this almost from the very beginning. Does Allie ever see it? You'll have to read it to find out. ;)


Overall this was a satisfying read and I'm glad I contacted the author and I am glad I took the time to read it. 


I think  I'll give this one 3.75 quills! 


Now on to the interview!!

Interview:

Amanda: Do you consider Face The Music to be in the New Adult genre? Can you comment on the rising New Adult genre?
Andrea: I do. I think the MC's are at that transition point in their lives where they're no longer children but haven't yet figured out their adult roles in life. Personally, I love the New Adult genre; it gives a place for these twenty-something characters and their stories. Back in the early days of Face the Music (I was calling it Mariposa back then), an editor told me that I had to choose between Young Adult or Contemporary Romance and then adjust the characters and story to better fit the genre. She said that Allison and Chris were too old for YA, but the story line wasn't sexy enough for adult CR. I tried to explain that I was targeting a twenty-something audience and that I didn't want it to be YA or a steamy romance. When I first discovered the NA genre, I immediately knew it was where Face the Music belonged.

Amanda: What inspired Face The Music?
Andrea: My biggest inspiration came while watching Season 5 of American Idol. I had been thinking of writing a novel but had no idea what to write about. I was in love with Chris Daughtry back then (Could you tell from reading Face the Music?) and eventually had the idea of writing from a "behind the scenes" perspective. Of course I wanted the super-talented, drop-dead-gorgeous guy to fall for my plain-Jane heroine, and having her be the teacher for the school-aged contestants worked really well for creating the perspective I wanted. The first scene I wrote was the one of him coming into her classroom that first time.

Amanda: Have you always wanted to be a writer?
Andrea: Nope! I had never, not once, considered writing until I read the Twilight series. I was totally engrossed by them, and Meyer's style of writing was so enjoyable (and the story was so good) that I thought, why not? I can do this. I was totally ignorant going into it, though. After my first draft (about 70,000 words), I thought I was ready to go and started pitching to agents. I thought that all books got published (I mean, who would want to sit and write a book, after all? Surely those who do get immediately published). Boy, was I in for a rude awakening! After WAY too many rejections I hired an editor. She had a lot of helpful suggestions, and after lots and lots of rewriting, I again felt ready. I pitched to every agent I could find, but unfortunately no one wanted to commit to the project. After a lot of tears I swallowed my pride and decided to self-publish- what good was the story sitting as an unread file on my laptop? I'm really glad I did it. I've gotten a lot of positive feedback and had record sales (over 1,000 copies sold) last month (October). I'm excited to see where it goes from here.

Amanda:
Who are some of your influences?
Andrea: Let's see, probably Stephenie Meyer and Chris Daughtry foremost. She inspired me to actually write, and he inspired the story line. I'd also have to say all the amazing musicians mentioned throughout the book; Shinedown, Nickelback, Creed...

Amanda: Who are some of your favorite authors and/or favorite books?
Andrea: I'm a huge Jane Austen fan. My favorites are Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion. I also really enjoyed the Twilight series and have since been into the whole teenage vampire thing. The House of Night and Vampire Academy series were fun. Sookie Stackhouse books (who doesn't love True Blood?). Goodness, the list could go on and on!

Amanda: Do you listen to music while you write?
Andrea: Never. I find it way too distracting. I like to write in complete silence- no TV, no radio, no kids or hubby (all of which severely limit my writing time).

Amanda: Do you have a designated writing space? What does it look like?
Andrea: I don't have any particular spot, though I only write at home, and usually on the couch or while in bed (sitting upright with my laptop on a TV tray)

Amanda: Some writers have rituals they have to do while they are writing. Do you have any? If so, what are they?
Andrea: Not really. I tend to be a very sequential person and write in the same way. It's really hard for me to envision the ending without first having a good, solid start.

Amanda:
Can you tell us something about your writing process? Do you have a schedule, word count goals, etc.?
Andrea: I'm very picky about my writing. I'll read a single sentence aloud to myself several times before committing to it, and will often change it around in one way or another at least ten different times before calling it good. Then, the next time I go through it, I might change it back. Some days all I get done are a few sentences! I don't have a writing schedule. I'm a full time teacher, mother of two, and am taking graduate classes, all of which have to take priority over writing.

Amanda: Are you working on something new? Can you tell us about it?

Andrea: I am, though it has been very slow-going. I don't have a title yet, but it's about these twins, Gabriella and Gabriel (Gabby and Gabe). At age six, they watched their parents get arrested and then ended up in the foster care system, where they jumped from home to home and were subjected to all kinds of mental and physical abuse. Now in their early twenties, the twins are starting fresh by going off to college. Gabe, looking for a place to fit in, has joined a fraternity and is suddenly surrounded by all sorts of interesting characters (a few of whom show an interest in his firecracker-of-a-sister).   Gabby feels deserted and is none too happy about Gabe's decision to go Greek. She's decided she hates everything about the place. But then there's Matthew, the quiet yet confident, stormy-eyed chapter president... I've got the first little bit on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Andrea-K-Robbins/426617907358005 

Amanda: What is your advice for aspiring authors?
Andrea: Know what you're getting into before you start! Research the industry, and make sure that your time writing feels more like a hobby than a job.

Thank you so much Andrea for stopping by the blog! I'm looking forward to reading more of your work in the future! What you're working on now sounds very intriguing. I'd love to read that one day. ;)