Teaser Tuesday [23] - Air Ignites Fire

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers.

Catalyst (Tethered #1) by Jennifer Snyder

Teaser:

"Probably, but I don't drink enough to really find out. One and done, as they say." God, I sounded like an idiot.

Goodreads Summary:

Sometimes who we really are lies buried just beneath the surface…

After learning she’s inherited a house in the beachside town of Soul Harbor, Georgia, Addison Harmon and her best friend decided to take a much needed vacation before the pressures of life after high school suffocate them too heavily.

But what Addison finds isn’t a chance to recoup from a bad break up and hang out with her best friend while she decides what she wants to do with her future. What she finds is Kace Sullivan—a sexy guy she can’t seem to get enough of—someone who with one touch reveals a seductive world full of magick and secrets Addison isn’t sure she’s ready to be a part of.

Sunday Cover Scramble [49]

Let's have some fun! I am going to post covers on here every Sunday that are scrambled up graphically, making it hard to tell what cover it is. I would like your guesses on what cover you think I've posted. I won't answer you until the next day to let you know if you are right, allowing other to guess as well. Some will be hard, and others may be easy. If you need hints, I will only post covers of series talked about on my blog previously. Also, let me know in the comments if you'd like some more hints and I'll offer some more throughout the day if no one guesses it correctly. Here we go:

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Sidekick Showcase [56] - Giveth and Taketh Away

Sidekick Showcase, previously known as Sidekick Saturday, is a weekly bookish meme, hosted here by Jaclyn at JC's Book Haven. There are many secondary characters that are as great as the primaries. In some cases, the sidekicks actually steal the show and you like them better than the heroine or hero. Maybe they didn't have enough page time for how great they were. Anyone can play along! I will post my Sidekicks on Saturday, then whichever day during the week that you would like to post yours, you can put your link in on my page. Just do the following:

• Choose a sidekick *or someone other than the hero or heroine* that you would like to put in the spotlight that fits in the week's topic
• Share a picture (if you can) and information about the character
• Give the title and author of a book the character can be found in
• Please don't include too many spoilers when describing why the character is such a great sidekick
• The day of your post, put your link in below and grab the code for your post so you can see the others that post their's throughout the week as well

January 4th - Party-Animal

I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas! I had such a great one. I am still trying to catch up on emails and everything though.

My choice is Professor Minerva McGonagall
Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling

Professor Minerva McGonagall picture created by Jaclyn Canada

I couldn't do a Christmas themed month without including Harry Potter. Every time Christmas rolls around, I get nostalgic for the HP movies. I'm guessing it's because of the score to the films, or the fact that each one has a Christmas scene in it filled with floating candles and magic. I chose Professor McGonagall because I think about gifts when I think about her. She gave Harry his first racing broom and a spot on the Quidditch team. I love this part of the story because it shows her love for the game and also takes away from the imposing, strict teacher persona she has. Later in the series though, Harry receives another racing broom and she immediately takes it away from him. There's someone after Harry so she's worried that since it was sent anonymously that the broom could be spelled to hurt him. Harry doesn't approve naturally of losing the best broom on the market to have it checked out for spells. McGonagall is loyal, smart, powerful, and she also turns into a cat. What's not to love?

Quotes:

“Well, usually when a person shakes their head,” said McGonagall coldly, “they mean ‘no.’ So unless Miss Edgecombe is using a form of sign language as yet unknown to humans...”

---

“Bad news, Harry. I've just been to see Professor McGonagall about the Firebolt. She – er, got a bit shirty with me. Told me I'd got my priorities wrong. Seemed to think I cared more about winning the Cup than I do about staying alive. Just because I told her I didn't care if it threw you off, as long as you caught the Snitch first.”

---

“Harry witnessed Professor McGonagall walking right past Peeves who was determinedly loosening a crystal chandelier and could have sworn he heard her tell the poltergeist out of the corner of her mouth 'It unscrews the other way.”

---

“He will not be single-handed!” said Professor McGonagall loudly, plunging her hand inside her robes.
“Oh yes he will, Minerva!” said Dumbledore sharply. “Hogwarts needs you!”

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I love Christmas!!

Merry Christmas everyone!! This is my favorite Christmas song:

Zane and I made enchiladas like we do every Christmas Eve. We are watching Christmas movies (my favorites are The Santa Clause(s) and Zane loves The Polar Express) and will have our cup of hot chocolate. Zane will open one present tonight and have the rest of them tomorrow.

I hope you are all enjoying your holiday and traditions. Merry Christmas!

Sunday Cover Scramble [48]

Let's have some fun! I am going to post covers on here every Sunday that are scrambled up graphically, making it hard to tell what cover it is. I would like your guesses on what cover you think I've posted. I won't answer you until the next day to let you know if you are right, allowing other to guess as well. Some will be hard, and others may be easy. If you need hints, I will only post covers of series talked about on my blog previously. Also, let me know in the comments if you'd like some more hints and I'll offer some more throughout the day if no one guesses it correctly. Here we go:

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Sidekick Showcase [55] - Scrooge

Sidekick Showcase, previously known as Sidekick Saturday, is a weekly bookish meme, hosted here by Jaclyn at JC's Book Haven. There are many secondary characters that are as great as the primaries. In some cases, the sidekicks actually steal the show and you like them better than the heroine or hero. Maybe they didn't have enough page time for how great they were. Anyone can play along! I will post my Sidekicks on Saturday, then whichever day during the week that you would like to post yours, you can put your link in on my page. Just do the following:

• Choose a sidekick *or someone other than the hero or heroine* that you would like to put in the spotlight that fits in the week's topic
• Share a picture (if you can) and information about the character
• Give the title and author of a book the character can be found in
• Please don't include too many spoilers when describing why the character is such a great sidekick
• The day of your post, put your link in below and grab the code for your post so you can see the others that post their's throughout the week as well

December Themes are Christmas related. Your choice! Something like jolly, giving, Angels, Elves, Grinches, Santa-Like, etc. You can choose anyone you feel that is somehow related to a Christmas theme each week in December. There's a lot of freedom there, but if you have any questions, just let me know.

My choice is Mimi Force
The Blue Bloods Series by Melissa de la Cruz

Mimi Force picture created by Jaclyn Canada

This week I'm going with a Scrooge-like character. Mimi is a young socialite that has a lot of wealth and as much selfishness to go with it. Through the whole first book with her character it was all 'me, me, me' and if there wasn't status or power attached to it, she didn't want it. Over time though, she is the character that had the most growth in the series. She became strong, resilient, brave, sacrificing, and was even able to give up what meant the world to her for the 'greater good' and those she loves. I haven't read the last book in this series yet, but I'm assuming she just becomes more fierce and likable. To be honest, she went from the character that I liked the least in the first book to the character I liked the most.

Quotes:

“Maybe she'd been drinking too much of the super-sweet Mexican Coca-Cola they had down here. Or maybe she was just tired, alone, and far from home. Because somewhere in the brittle, concrete center of [her] dark heart, something was melting.”

---

“Mimi walked out of church, knowing that if she ever saw Jack again, she would have to kill him.”

---

"Trinity turned to give Mimi her last words of motherly advice: 'Walk straight. Don't slouch. And for heavens's sake, smile!'"

---

Here goes nothing. As if in a daze, Mimi took his arm, Jack's words still echoing in her head. She walked, zombie-like, down the aisle, not even noticing the flashing cameras or the murmurs of approval from the hard-to-impress crowd.

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More Christmas Love

This is one of those Christmas songs that is not overplayed so every time I hear it, it holds the fun. I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I do.

Last year, we went to go see Rise of the Guardians. It was added to my list of Christmas movies that are must-see each year. It follows the main character of Jack Frost who is needed by the rest of the holiday guardians. It features colorful versions of Santa, Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, and Sand Man (even re-naming some of them). I love everything about this film so if you haven't seen it, I really hope you do. It highlights all of the Guardians in unique and exciting ways and the plot line is different, funny, and emotional.

Sunday Cover Scramble [47]

Let's have some fun! I am going to post covers on here every Sunday that are scrambled up graphically, making it hard to tell what cover it is. I would like your guesses on what cover you think I've posted. I won't answer you until the next day to let you know if you are right, allowing other to guess as well. Some will be hard, and others may be easy. If you need hints, I will only post covers of series talked about on my blog previously. Also, let me know in the comments if you'd like some more hints and I'll offer some more throughout the day if no one guesses it correctly. Here we go:

A clearer version:

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Sidekick Showcase [54] - President No

Sidekick Showcase, previously known as Sidekick Saturday, is a weekly bookish meme, hosted here by Jaclyn at JC's Book Haven. There are many secondary characters that are as great as the primaries. In some cases, the sidekicks actually steal the show and you like them better than the heroine or hero. Maybe they didn't have enough page time for how great they were. Anyone can play along! I will post my Sidekicks on Saturday, then whichever day during the week that you would like to post yours, you can put your link in on my page. Just do the following:

• Choose a sidekick *or someone other than the hero or heroine* that you would like to put in the spotlight that fits in the week's topic
• Share a picture (if you can) and information about the character
• Give the title and author of a book the character can be found in
• Please don't include too many spoilers when describing why the character is such a great sidekick
• The day of your post, put your link in below and grab the code for your post so you can see the others that post their's throughout the week as well

December Themes are Christmas related. Your choice! Something like jolly, giving, Angels, Elves, Grinches, Santa-Like, etc. You can choose anyone you feel that is somehow related to a Christmas theme each week in December. There's a lot of freedom there, but if you have any questions, just let me know.

My choice is President Coriolanus Snow
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

President Snow picture created by Jaclyn Canada

President Snow may look like Santa and have a nice wintry name, but that's where the comparison ends. He is a Grinch if I've ever seen one. He hands out poison, death threats, and mandatory entry for kids to battle for their lives once a year. That rose he wears on his lapel? It covers up the smell of blood on his breath. This is one bad Mamba Jamba.

I love President Snow because he IS what brings the political nuances and the strong resolve for change. For people that have read this series, it is one that I can have deep conversations about every aspect. I haven't seen Catching Fire yet, but in Hunger Games, Donald Sutherland's portrayal was amazing. I especially enjoyed the letter he wrote in the special features on the DVD. If you'd like to read it, you can check it out here.

Quotes:

“Oh, my dear Miss Everdeen. I thought we had an agreement not to lie to each other.”

---

“I can hear President Snow's voice in my head. 'On the seventy-fifth anniversary, as a reminder to the rebels that even the strongest among them cannot overcome the power of the capital, the male and female tributes will be reaped from their existing pool of victors.”

---

“In my mind, President Snow should be viewed in front of marble pillars hung with oversized flags. It's jarring to see him surrounded by the ordinary objects in the room. Like taking the lid off a pot and finding a fanged viper instead of stew.”

---

“But the only thing that distracts me from my current situation is fantasizing about killing President Snow.”

---

"President Snow rubs a spot over his left eyebrow, the very spot where I myself get headaches. Do you have any idea what that would mean? How many people would die? What conditions those left would have to face? Whatever problems anyone may have with the Capitol, believe me when I say that if it released its grip on the districts for even a short time, the entire system would collapse.

I’m taken aback by the directness and even the sincerity of this speech. As if his primary concern is the welfare of the citizens of Panem, when nothing could be further from the truth. I don't know how I dare to say the next words, but I do. 'It must be very fragile, if a handful of berries can bring it down.'”

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Christmas Songs and Books

So now every time I listen to this song, it really has to be the Zooey Deschanel version just because I adore her and it makes me think of Elf. Her singing in the shower and him joining in the song had to be one of my absolute favorite parts of the movie.

Has anyone read The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson?

I'm curious what your thoughts are on it if you have. I haven't read it, but Zane's reading it at school.

He is also working on a very neat project where he was given a country and was asked to research how that specific country celebrates Christmas. He was given Spain. I just love getting to know more about different cultures, religions, and the holidays that everyone celebrates. I'd love to hear about what traditions you have for this time of year.

Sunday Cover Scramble [46]

Let's have some fun! I am going to post covers on here every Sunday that are scrambled up graphically, making it hard to tell what cover it is. I would like your guesses on what cover you think I've posted. I won't answer you until the next day to let you know if you are right, allowing other to guess as well. Some will be hard, and others may be easy. If you need hints, I will only post covers of series talked about on my blog previously. Also, let me know in the comments if you'd like some more hints and I'll offer some more throughout the day if no one guesses it correctly. Here we go:

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Sidekick Showcase [53] - Sleigh Driver

Sidekick Showcase, previously known as Sidekick Saturday, is a weekly bookish meme, hosted here by Jaclyn at JC's Book Haven. There are many secondary characters that are as great as the primaries. In some cases, the sidekicks actually steal the show and you like them better than the heroine or hero. Maybe they didn't have enough page time for how great they were. Anyone can play along! I will post my Sidekicks on Saturday, then whichever day during the week that you would like to post yours, you can put your link in on my page. Just do the following:

• Choose a sidekick *or someone other than the hero or heroine* that you would like to put in the spotlight that fits in the week's topic
• Share a picture (if you can) and information about the character
• Give the title and author of a book the character can be found in
• Please don't include too many spoilers when describing why the character is such a great sidekick
• The day of your post, put your link in below and grab the code for your post so you can see the others that post their's throughout the week as well

December Themes are Christmas related. Your choice! Something like jolly, giving, Angels, Elves, Grinches, Santa-Like, etc. You can choose anyone you feel that is somehow related to a Christmas theme each week in December. There's a lot of freedom there, but if you have any questions, just let me know.

My choice is Artemis
Percy Jackson Series by Rick Riordan

Artemis picture created by Jaclyn Canada

So Artemis popped in my head because this goddess drives a chariot across the night sky and it is even compared to Santa's sleigh in the book. She can look however she would like, but she chooses to often appear the same age as her "Hunters" which are a group of young maidens that have sworn off men and live a life of hunting. She is the twin to Apollo who is "so hot" which is in sharp contrast to what appears to be her cold nature even though by the end of the series the reader finds out that this goddess may just be the one who has the highest regard for mortals and will go to extreme lengths to keep her people safe. She is the goddess of the hunt, the moon, chastity, animals, and the wilderness.

Quotes:

“Brother,” Artemis chided. “You do not help my Hunters. You do not look at, talk to, or flirt with my Hunters. And you do not call them sweetheart.”

---

“Stars," she whispered. "I can see the stars again, my lady."
A tear trickled down Artemis's cheek. "Yes, my brave one. They are beautiful tonight."

---

“Boys are usually forbidden to have any contact with the Hunters. The last one to see this camp…” She looked at Zoe. “Which one was it?”
That boy in Colorado,” Zoe said. “You turned him into a jackalope.”
Ah, yes.” Artemis nodded, satisfied. “I enjoy making jackalopes…”

---

“Number eight, the silver one, belongs to Artemis. She vowed to be a maiden forever. So of course, no kids. The cabin is, you know, honorary. If she didn't have one, she'd be mad.”

---

“Artemis must be present at the solstice," Zoe said. "She has been the most vocal on the council, arguing for taking action against Kronos's minions. If she is not there, the gods will decide nothing. We will lose another year of war preparations."

Are you sugesting the gods have trouble acting together, young lady?" Dionysis asked.

Yes, Lord Dionysis."

Mr.D nodded. "Just checking. Your right, of course. Carry on.”

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A Touched Girl Series Has New Covers!!

A Touched Girl Series Cover Reveal Blog Hop

Soul Walker and Soul Bender have brand new covers, and we are celebrating!

Published: December 9, 2012

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Goodreads Summary: 

"I need to get you to the hospital." He was taking responsibility for me. Only my parents had that job. I stretched my hand out in protest, but the lack of depth perception had my trembling fingers grazing his overheated neck. I swore his whole body shook.

When five-year-old Anna Pierce is offered a chance to have nightmare-free nights for the small price of her voice, she jumps at it. Silence has to be better than all-consuming dreams about blood and death and fangy monsters. The bargain she strikes comes with a secondary benefit, visions of a person's future potential. The combination of visions and silence changes her very nature and soon she's diagnosed with autism. Twelve years of living in her head comes to a screeching halt the moment Peter Davis pulls her out of an icy river. 

Her new life has her twirling, tiptoeing, and crashing through unfamiliar territory, one filled with a cranky grandma, a knocked up cousin, an unpleasant cousin, a bunch of mostly good vampires, and the boy who rescued her.

To top it all off, the deal she made at five is no more. Anna is expected to talk, to figure out her resurfacing nightmares, and to control her ever-growing powers. And she'd better get it done soon because if the good vamps want a piece of a living, breathing Touched girl, the evil ones simply want. They'll take Anna for their very own.

Soul Walker is the first book in the Touched Girl Series. It's approximately 91,000 words.

Get it today at Amazon - 99 Cents

Published: March 11, 2013

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Goodreads Summary:

How much can a soul take before it breaks? 

Anna Pierce has a vampire boyfriend, a driver's license, real friends for the first time since she was five, and now she faces one of her biggest challenges, senior year at a mostly all girls Catholic high school. Sure, she's a member of the talking crowd now, but she'll never be like everyone else. How can she when the first of her kind has camped out in her dreams? 

Little dead girl Emily decides Anna's destiny can wait no longer. It's time for this generation's Touched girl to hunt. Trained in a virtual dream landscape to destroy all in her path, Anna must choose between her destiny, the one beat into her on a nightly basis, and her legacy, the one instilled in her by her parents. 

Along the way, old enemies remain dutifully obsessed, new foes lurk in the shadows, and odd Little Duckie Anna Pierce sets out to be social. 

Get it today at Amazon - $2.99

*Covers created by Jaclyn @ JC's Book Haven

About Robyn Jones:

I laugh when people fall down. It's a glitch in my programming, but even my mom has suffered this quirk. I have a BA in Studio Art from the University of Puget Sound. My boys make me laugh every day. I steal pens; I try real hard not to. I collect those free bookmarks at the checkout counter at libraries. I've had more stitches than anyone I know. I love stories; writing them, reading them, watching them. You can email me at robgirlbooks@gmail.com.

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Sunday Cover Scramble [45]

Let's have some fun! I am going to post covers on here every Sunday that are scrambled up graphically, making it hard to tell what cover it is. I would like your guesses on what cover you think I've posted. I won't answer you until the next day to let you know if you are right, allowing other to guess as well. Some will be hard, and others may be easy. If you need hints, I will only post covers of series talked about on my blog previously. Also, let me know in the comments if you'd like some more hints and I'll offer some more throughout the day if no one guesses it correctly. Here we go:

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