No Tricks, All Treats ~ Movies That Put the “Happy!” in Halloween

30 Thursday Oct 2014

Posted by Elizabeth Fais in Holiday, Humor, Magic, Movies, Paranormal

Tags

Corpse Bride, Elizabeth Fais, Halloween, Helena Bonham Carter, Johny Depp, Joss Whedon, Nicole Kidman, ParaNorman, Practical Magic, Sandra Bullock, Tim Burton, witchcraft, Witches, Zombies

If you’re a die-hard (pun intended) fan of dark-and-scary, you might want to skip this post. I’ve seen my share of white-knuckle horror films, but I’m a happy-haunts kind of gal. Which is why I’m putting a light-hearted spin on a haunting holiday with the following movies…

ParaNorman

This hilarious stop-motion marvel is about a small town that comes under siege by zombies. The only person who has a ghost of a chance at saving the town, is a misunderstood boy named Norman. Norman isn’t the usual stuff heroes are made of. His only qualification for the hero job is that he can see and speak with the dead.

Unfortunately, zombies aren’t the only supernatural riffraff that Norman’s thrown up against. He also has to take on ghosts, witches and, worst of all… moronic grown-ups, to thwart a centuries-old curse.

A la Joss Whedon, ParaNorman gets dark, scary, and then throws in the humor. At its core, ParaNorman is a heartfelt zombie comedy (ZomCom) with an added dash of macabre for spice. You can watch the trailer here.

Corpse Bride

Tim Burton’s quirky stop-motion tale about one wedding … two brides … and a grave misunderstanding.

Meet Victor, our accidental hero, who lives in a small European village in the 19th century. He’ been pledged to Victoria in a marriage arranged by his parents, and meets his bride-to-be for the first time the day before the wedding. Understandably nervous, Victor botches the wedding rehearsal on a nerdastic scale.

In hopes of improving his performance on his wedding day, Victor goes for a walk in the woods, practicing his vows along the way—not that it helps. When he reaches the part of ceremony where they exchange rings, Victor slips Victoria’s wedding band on what appears to be a tree branch, sealing his fate. You see, Victor unwittingly put the ring on the skeletal finger of the enchanted Corpse Bride, binding himself in matrimony to her for eternity.

To Victor’s shock and dismay, his new bride whisks him off to her dark and mysterious netherworld–the land of the dead. Terrified, Victor’s predicament goes from bad to wickedly worse as he realizes he actually loves the real-live fiancée he left behind. Victor’s desperate to return to the world of the living to be with his true love, but sinister forces stop at nothing to block his escape.

This dark comedy comes full circle, delivering a well deserved happy ending that glows with compassion and redemption. You can watch the trailer here.

Practical Magic

“What’s Halloween without witches,” you ask? My point exactly for picking this classic tale of merry magic and spells gone deadly wrong.

The wry, romantic comedy follows the Owens sisters, Sally and Gillian, as they struggle to use their innate mystical gifts to overcome the obstacles in finding and keeping true love.

The Owens sisters always knew they were different. After their parents’ deaths, they went to live with their two eccentric aunts who gave them chocolate cake for breakfast and taught them how to use their magical skills for practical purposes.

Not everything about their magic was good, however. The Owens’ mystical birthright came with a price—some called it a curse:

Any man an Owens woman falls in love with is doomed to an untimely death.

The sisters learned how real the curse is when Sally loses her husband and Gillian her lover. The sisters efforts to reverse the curse result in supernatural forces retaliating and threatening their lives. The quiet Sally and the fiery Gillian must use all of their wits and dig deep into their powers to ward off the evil bent on destroying them all.

This movie gets a little dark, but never scary. And there’s plenty of fun to swing the scale into delightful. For one, these witches know how to rock a happy haunt. Sneak a peak at their midnight margaritas dance party, if you don’t believe me…

Have a Happy Halloween everyone!

What are your favorite Halloween movies (scary or not)?

Heart, Soul, & Humor in “Forever and Ever, Amen” by Liv Rancourt

16 Monday Dec 2013

Posted by Elizabeth Fais in Books, Family, Paranormal, Romance

≈ 13 Comments

Tags

angels, Demons, Elizabeth Fais, Family, Forever and Ever Amen, Liv Rancourt, Matt Haig, The Radleys, Vampire

Today, I am super excited to have friend, and illustrious author, Liv Rancourt here to share the inspiration for her latest novel, Forever and Ever, Amen.

Liv Rancourt writes paranormal and romance, often at the same time. She lives with her husband, two teenagers, two cats and one wayward puppy. She likes to create stories that have happy endings, and finds it is a good way to balance her other job in the neonatal intensive care unit.

You can find Liv on:
her website (www.livrancourt.com),
her blog (www.livrancourt.com/blog),
Facebook (www.facebook.com/liv.rancourt), and Twitter (www.twitter.com/LivRancourt).

It’s All About Family

Hey Elizabeth, thank you so much for having me as a guest on your blog! I really appreciate the chance to connect with your readers. We’re all plowing through the holiday season, and to me that means one very important thing.

Family.

Over the years, my family’s make-up has changed, from the sisters I was born with to the friends I chose to the home my husband and I have created for our children. In our house, it’s not the holidays without the Steven Colbert Christmas special and The Klezmonauts Christmas CD, “Oy To The World.” It’s not Christmas unless our circle of close friends is seated around our dining room table with all the leaves put in so everybody fits.

Real-Life Inspiration + Angels, Demons, and a Vampire

Family influences my writing, too. My paranormal romance Forever and Ever, Amen is the story of a single mom who is trying to raise her teenagers while dealing with some pretty extraordinary challenges. It wasn’t enough that Molly had to face some tough times after breaking up with her husband. She got marked by a demon, and had to face three trials or risk losing her soul.

The thing is, though, the basic premise came out of my real-life family’s story. A couple of years ago I flew to California to visit my aunt right before she died of cancer. All her life she had tremendous difficulty dealing with anxiety, and as I waited at the airport for my flight home, I started thinking about how much respect I had for the way she faced her fears. Then I made a list of the things that scared me most.

Then I decided to make a character experience those very things.

But because the seed of the story came from real life, I decided to make it a contemporary romance that happened to include angels and demons. Oh, and a vampire. I mean, what story isn’t improved by the presence of a vampire?

In part, I was inspired by The Radleys by Matt Haig. For those of you who haven’t read this book, it’s basically a family drama…involving a family of vampires. Mr. Haig tells the story of Peter and Helen, a couple who have been married for fifteen or twenty years, and their two teenage children. Peter and Helen are abstainers – sort of the vampiric equivalent of vegans – and they never mention the whole ‘blood thirsty undead’ thing to the kids until a thick-skulled young man tries something creepy with their daughter and awakens her true nature.

Oops.

The thing is, the truth of The Radleys lies in the family dynamic, the way Peter and Helen cope with raising teenagers and keep their marriage fresh. The vampire element just raises the stakes. It also makes for some seriously entertaining moments – especially when Uncle Will shows up.

I’ll let you figure that part out for yourselves.

With Forever and Ever, Amen, I tried to dig into that same territory. The heart of the story is love: the love of a mother for her kids and the fear she feels when her children are threatened. Molly has to learn some things, too, like, it’s possible for a guy to love her without turning her into a trophy on his shelf. And it’s possible for her to stand on her own two feet and do what she thinks is right.

There’s not a lot of blood and fireworks in Forever and Ever, Amen. Instead, there’s angels and demons, heart and humor. And a vampire.

What more could you want?

Thanks again, Elizabeth. I hope you and your readers have a peaceful holiday season, and that you experience your most important and memorable traditions.

Peace,

Liv

Thank you, Liv!

If you’re looking for a spicy holiday read…
bite into a copy of Forever and Ever, Amen.

11th YAppiest Giveaway! “Pivot Point” by Kasie West

15 Sunday Sep 2013

Posted by Elizabeth Fais in Book Reviews, Giveaway, Paranormal, Romance, YA, YAppiest, Young Adult

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

Elizabeth Fais, Kasie West, Paranormal, Pivot Point, Romance, Split Second, suspense, swoony, YA, YAppiest Day on Earth, YAppiest Giveaway, Young Adult

17 YA AUTHORS + DISNEYLAND = THE YAPPIEST DAY ON EARTH!

If you couldn’t make The YAppiest Day on Earth, never fear! The YAppiness keeps rolling with epic read giveaways by each of the 17 authors.

This is the 11th YAppiest Giveaway! for Pivot Point, by Kasie West. For a chance to win a FREE copy of this book, see the “Here’s How” section below. For a complete list of upcoming giveaways, go here.

Knowing the future doesn’t always make a choice easier

Addison Coleman is gifted, like everyone else in the paranormal compound that’s been her home since forever. But her gift is unique—she’s a Searcher. Someone who can look into the future and see the outcome of a choice that she’s faced with. A clairvoyant automatically knows when something is going to happen, which is so not Addie. Otherwise, she would have known about her parents’ divorce before being blindsided with the news.

Addison thought her gift was the ultimate insurance plan against disaster. That is, until she’s forced to pick which parent she wants to live with. That’s when she discovers that knowing what will happen sometimes makes her choice harder.

Addie doesn’t want her life to change, so her decision should easy. Should. One Search, six weeks into the future proves it’s not.

Her father is leaving their paranormal compound to live among the “Norms.” In that potential future, Addie is the new girl in a Norm high school outside the Compound. She meets Trevor, a cute guy with loads of artistic talent who totally understands her. She falls for him. Hard.

Her mother is staying in the compound, amid the life Addie has always known. In that potential future, Addie is pursued by the hottest guy in school. And even though she never wanted to have a quarterback for a boyfriend, for some reason she loses all sensibility whenever she’s with Duke.

Trouble comes with a murder in the Compound that threads through both of Addie’s potential paths. Her father—who’s gift is lie detecting—is called in to consult on the investigation, without knowing Addie and her best friend are in danger of becoming the next victims.

No matter what path Addie chooses, there’s loss…

It all comes down to which reality she’s willing to live through … who she can’t live without.

Smart, Swoony, & Suspenseful

In alternating chapters we follow Addie along the two paths of her search. One living with her father, going to a normal high school outside the Compound. The other living with her mother, staying at the same high school with her paranoramlly gifted friends. Both paths end with severe consequences.

What I liked most about his book is the seamless finesse with which we become part of Addie’s world. We experience Addie’s choices as they unfold, the suspense of the mystery quietly building. The power of the mystery and the choice Addie finally makes is in the relationships that are affected by it, the people Addie cares about. The characters are authentic in a way that put me in their shoes each step along the path.

Addie is forced make a hard choice, and accept the immediate consequences. But we’re left with the hope that Addie’s best friend, Lailia, may be able to wipe away the resulting damage by extending the power of her paranormal gift. If she can learn how to master that power. The sequel, Split Second, will be available February 2014, and I can’t wait to find out what happens next.

Here’s how to win…

NOTE: The FREE giveaway of a copy of this book is open to residents of the United States only, due to shipping costs. My sincere apologies.

Leave a comment on this blog–explaining WHY you want to read this book— by midnight, September 22nd (1 entry).
Tweet about this giveaway, including #yappiest in your tweet (1 entry).

I’ll tally the entries and choose a winner, then announce it on this blog on Tuesday, September 24th. Good luck!

Stay tuned for more YAppiests Giveaways!

Ghost Buddy ~ Zero to Hero by Henry Winkler & Lin Oliver

26 Monday Aug 2013

Posted by Elizabeth Fais in Book Reviews, Ghosts, Middle Grade, MMGM, Paranormal

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

Book Reviews, Elizabeth Fais, Ghost Buddy, Ghosts, Hank Zipzer, Henry Winkler, LA13SCBWI, Lin Oliver, Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday, Middle Grade, MMGM, Paranormal, SCBWI, Scholastic, World's Best Under-Achiever, Zero to Hero

Billy Broccoli is starting middle school at the same school where his mother is the principal. As if that’s not bad enough, he’s also dealing with a new step-father, a bratty older step-sister, a new house—that’s really old–a new neighborhood away from his old friends.

What were the chances things could go that wrong? Apparently, a lot. Because they get worse.

His step-sister took the best room in their new-old house, leaving Billy with the lavender and pink bedroom. He soon discovers that the rainbow and pony wallpaper is the least of his worries, when a ghost materializes insisting it’s still his room, and that he’s Billy’s personal ghost.

You can see me because I’m your ghost. To everyone else, I’m invisible.”

“You’re not my ghost! I never asked for a ghost. I asked for an iPod, I asked for my own cell phone, I asked for a red BMX bike with black trim. But never, on any list, at any time, anywhere, did I ever ask for a ghost,” said Billy.

“Lucky you. I show and you didn’t even have to ask. You hit the jackpot, ducky.

Hoover Porterhouse II is a fourteen year-old ghost—going on 114—with a tweaked sense of humor and a whole lot of attitude. So much ‘tude, he’s failed his celestial progress reports for 99 years. The thing is, if he doesn’t clean up his spirit-ual act fast, he’ll be haunting the same plot of ground for eternity. And the Hoove would rather die again than let that happen.

So when an obnoxious school bully sets out to trash Billy’s reputation, the Hoove swoops in with an action plan for revenge. The Hoove helps Billy find the courage to set things right, and the Billy shows the Hoove the honorable way to stand up to a bully. In the end, the Hoove’s grade in Helping Others shows improvement, Billy rules the school, and it all comes down to the Hoove’s Rule Number Forty-Two: Stay cool.

Wholesome Hilarity & A Lot More…

They had me at Ghost Buddy, and Zero to Hero clinched the deal. I had to read this book. Since I’ve already ~~gushed~~ written a lot about this story, I’ll keep this briefer. Here’s what makes this story special:

The quirky characters: The cast of secondary characters are as quirkily fun as Billy and the Hoove. There’s the geeky dentist step-father with his “teeth ties”, the diva older step-sister with her own rock band, and the school-bully neighbor who has a secret you won’t believe.
The family conflicts: The interactions between Billy, his mother, step-father, and step-sister all ring true. It’s easy to empathize with Billy and his adjustment to the new family dynamics and his new neighborhood, home, and school.
The blast-from-the past culture clash: The colloquial language gap between the Hoove—who turned 14 ninety-nine years ago—and Billy adds an amusing layer of texture.
The gender-neutral fun: Billy’s anxieties and dilemma’s will be as appealing to girls as they are boys. I bought this book for my eight year-old niece, and I know that she’ll love it.
The lesson without a lecture: This story does an amazing job of addressing the topic of bullying—along with the appropriate way to stand up to a bully—with ease and grace.

Luckily, we don’t have to wait to find out what happens next…

About the Authors

Henry Winkler and Lin Olver are the New York Times Bestselling authors of the Hank Zipzer: The World’s Best Under-Achiever series.

Lin Oliver and Henry Winkler have accomplished some amazing things in their exceptional careers, but they’re most proud of the books they write for young readers.

They gave a workshop on Writing Humor at the recent Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Annual Summer Conference, that I’ll do a blog post on soon. Promise! In the mean time, you can read the Official LA13SCBWI conference blog here. [Photo by moi]

7th YAppiest Giveaway! “Let the Sky Fall” by Shannon Messenger

15 Monday Jul 2013

Posted by Elizabeth Fais in Book Reviews, Paranormal, YAppiest, Young Adult

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

Book Review, Elizabeth Fais, Let the Sky Fall, Paranormal, Romance, Shannon Messenger, Sylph, YA, YAppiest Day on Earth, YAppiest Giveaway, Young Adult

17 YA AUTHORS + DISNEYLAND = THE YAPPIEST DAY ON EARTH!

If you couldn’t make The YAppiest Day on Earth, never fear! The YAppiness keeps rolling with epic read giveaways by each of the 17 authors.

This is the 7th YAppiest Giveaway! For a chance to win this awesome book, see the “Here’s How” section below. For a complete list of YAppiest Giveaways, go here.

“Let the Sky Fall” by Shannon Messenger

VANE WESTON is tired of everyone telling him he’s lucky. Lucky not to have died in the category five tornado that killed his parents. Lucky to have survived without a scratch. But how is it lucky that he can’t remember anything about his parents or his life with them before the tornado ripped them away? All he remembers of that dark day is the captivating face of a dark-haired girl. The girl who’s whispered on the winds of his dreams ever since. How is it lucky to be in love with a girl who’s probably just a hallucination, when he hopes against hope that she’s real?

AUDRA is real, and she lives under the weight of a dark secret. She’s not human, but that’s why she’s driven toward atonement. She’s responsible for the death of Vane’s parents, and her father who was their guardian. Her guilt and sense of duty drove her to take over her father’s duty of protecting Vane’s life, as his guardian. She’s a sylph, an air elemental who walks on the winds, understands its songs, and manipulates its powers.

As a Gale Force guardian, Audra gave up everything to protect Vane. But then in an instant of panic, Audra unwittingly reveals Vane’s location to the enemy who murdered their families and has been hunting them ever since. The Stormers are on their way, and Audra can’t bear to fail again.

Audra makes hard choices, to prepare Vane for the impending battle. However, in the process of awakening his sylph powers, their love sparks to life. For Audra, giving in to her desire would brand her as a traitor and an outcast.

A Gusty Romance Charged with Adventure

Let the Sky Fall is a captivating romance set in the desert region of California’s Coachella Valley. The intense climate accentuates the volatile game our heroes have been thrust into, while mirroring the volatile nature of their emotions for one another. I grew up not far from Coachella Valley, and can attest to the authenticity of the world through which Shannon Messenger so deftly weaves the supernatural elements of this story.

Vane and Audra are as authentic and engaging as their world. Vane’s laugh-out-loud teenage snark is the perfect balance for Audra’s intense Type-A determination. The story is told from the alternating points of view of Vane and Audra, giving us an intimate look into their beliefs, motivations, and conflicts.

Vane is seventeen, snarky, and kind of lazy. His troubled dreams of a strange girl interfere with his connecting with any girl he tries to date. So he is blown away (pun intended) when Audra appears in his bedroom, obviously real–if a little creepy:

Now I just have to deal with the passed out, scantily clad girl on the floor of my room who’s most likely a supernatural creature.
Riiiiiiiiiight.
No clue what to do about that one.

Audra is seventeen, and older than her years from the burden of responsibility. Against all odds she convinces Vane of his sylph heritage and destiny, but as his powers emerge, so do Vane’s memories. Memories Audra is afraid he’ll recover, because then he’ll know she was responsible. Responsible for alerting the Stormers who killed his parents and her father.

The climatic fight turns a surprising conclusion and an unexpected hope for Vane and Audra. I can’t say any more without risking a serious spoiler, that you’ll hate me for later.

What I can tell you is this…

After reading this story, you’ll never think of the wind as “just wind” again. You’ll catch yourself listening for its song, and trying to interpret its call. You’ll wonder if the Gale Force guardians are out there protecting you, or if the Stormers are on their way…

I’m already waiting for the next book in this series–Let the Storms Break (March 2014)–to find out what lies in store for Vane and Audra.

Want to win an Author Signed Copy and SWAG?

For one lucky winner… an author signed copy of Let the Sky Fall and exclusive SWAG!

Here’s how…

NOTE: The FREE giveaway of a copy of this book is open to residents of the United States and Canada only, due to shipping costs. My sincere apologies.

Leave a comment on this blog by midnight, July 21st (1 entry).
Tweet about this giveaway, including #yappiest in your tweet (1 entry).

I’ll tally the entries and choose a winner at random, then announce it on this blog on Tuesday July 23rd. Good luck!

Stay tuned for more YAppiests Giveaways!

Famous Haunts in Historic Hotels

31 Wednesday Oct 2012

Posted by Elizabeth Fais in Ghosts, Historic, Paranormal

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

Celebrity Haunts, Famous Hauntings, Frank L Baum, Ghosts, Historic Hotels, Hotel del Coronado, Jack Lemmon, Kate Morgan, Marilyn Monroe, Roosevelt Hotel, Some Like It Hot, Tony Curtis, Wizard of OZ

Beneath the glitz and glamour of some of the ritziest historic hotels, a spectral current runs deep. The Hotel Del Coronado and the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel both have legendary haunts that are more famous than their living residents.

A Victorian Ghost at the Hotel Del Coronado

The Hotel Del Coronado (The Del), located in sunny Coronado, California, has been a destination spot for the rich and famous since it opened in 1888. Frank L. Baum, lived at The Del while writing The Wizard of OZ. Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon stayed at The Del during the filming of the famous screwball comedy, “Some Like it Hot“. Presidents and royalty have also frequented the luxury resort over the years. But…

The most famous resident of the Victorian resort is a ghosT:

Kate Morgan checked into the resort on November 24, 1892, and never checked out. Ghostly happenings in the room where she stayed have been reported ever since.

You can read the ghostly details in the book dedicated to this famous Victorian ghost: Beautiful Stranger: The Ghost of Kate Morgan and the Hotel del Coronado.

Kate Morgan’s suicide at the Hotel del Coronado in November 1892 generated publicity throughout the state. Little was known about her identity, so she was dubbed the “Beautiful Stranger”. It was later discovered that Kate had checked into the hotel under an assumed name, increasing her mystique. She became instantly famous. People everywhere wondered why she had traveled to the Hotel del Coronado only to kill herself. To this day, her story is famous at The Del. [image credits: Wikipedia]

Celebrity Haunts at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel

The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel is the historic Spanish-style hotel located at 7000 Hollywood Boulevard, in Los Angeles, California. Its doors opened on May 15, 1927, and immediately became the meeting ground for the brightest stars in Hollywood. Some of whom stayed on long after their deaths.

Take Marilyn Monroe…

Marilyn Monroe regularly stayed in room 246, which overlooked the pool. A mirror which once hung in her room, is said to be haunted by her spirit. In December 1985, a maid was dusting the mirror when she saw a blonde woman standing directly behind her reflected in the glass. She turned to speak to the woman, but no one was there. When she turned back, the reflection was again behind her. [image credit: Wikipedia]

Marilyn’s Monroe’s ghost doesn’t appear to be limited to haunting the mirror that once hung in her room, however. Numerous people have reported spotting her spectral image in the Blossom Ballroom dancing or posing.

Don’t believe me? Check out the video.

Or better yet, pay a visit to the Roosevelt Hotel and meet Marilyn yourself.

have you Ever had a spectral encounter?

Do tell!

We’re dying to know.

YA Paranormal Scary-Fun GIVEAWAY!

22 Monday Oct 2012

Posted by Elizabeth Fais in Paranormal, Young Adult

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Fabio Bueno, Hex Hall, Kiersten White, Meg Cabot, Paranormalcy, Rachel Hawkins, Scary Fun, The Mediator, YA

Today I’m hanging out with the illustrious Fabio Bueno for YAmondAY, and we’re having some scary fun with YA paranormal reads.

Stop by for laughs, chills, and thrills. After all, ’tis the season… Halloween is just around the corner!

A Treat of a GIVEAWAY!

Leave a comment on today’s YAmondAY blog before MIDNIGHT Friday, October 26th for a chance to win a FREE copy of one of the following books … YOUR CHOICE!

No tricks, only treats. Promise!

Pushing the Zombie Envelope with “ParaNorman”

13 Thursday Sep 2012

Posted by Elizabeth Fais in Animation, Paranormal, Zombies

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

Animation, ParaNorman, Zombies, ZomCom

You don’t become a hero by being normal…

A misunderstood boy, takes on ghosts, zombies and grown-ups to save his town from a centuries-old curse.

OK. I admit that logline sounds like a dozen other stories in both film and fiction. But I assure you. ParaNorman it’s not normal, in any sense of the word.

I may not be a zombie aficionado, but from what I’ve seen and read, most zombie stories aren’t “delightful”. Which is how one writer friend described ParaNorman. And I totally agree.

Most zombie stories aren’t meaningful in a heartfelt way either. ParaNorman most certainly is, with a dash of macabre for spice. Add a little Joss Whedonesque humor. Toss. Let rest for five minutes before serving. And voila! A Zombie Comedy with heart.

Yes, a Zombie Comedy, or ZomCom. A new genre. Now that’s what I call pushing the envelope!

Five delightful things about ParaNorman:

A sympathetic hero with a HUGe problem: No one understands Norman, except the ghosts he sees (that no one else does). And it’s his special talent that makes him next one in line to prevent the dead from rising when his uncle dies suddenly, before telling Norman how to save the town.
Quirky sidekicks: Gotta love ’em, especially the ones in ParaNorman.
A surprising plot twist or two: No spoilers. But the twists add depth to the story. They’re not just for shock value.
Get dark, get gruesome, then get funny: Joss Whedon we love you for setting this precedent.
It means something: Again, spoiler free. Let’s just say that the theme is acceptance and forgiveness. When was the last time you felt all warm and fuzzy after watching a horror film? ParaNorman was a first for me!

Zombie Aficionados Speak Out!

What’s your favorite zombie story … film or fiction?

Inquiring minds want to know!

Devil’s Kiss Giveaway!

30 Friday Mar 2012

Posted by Elizabeth Fais in Badass, Knights Templar, Mystery, Paranormal, Sarwat Chadda, Templars, Vampire

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Devil's Kiss, Knights Templar, Mystery, Paranormal, Sarwat Chadda, Vampire, Young Adult

In honor of all the badass heroines ever, this week’s giveaway is a signed copy of Devil’s Kiss, by Sarwat Chadda. Billi SanGreal is a truly awesome heroine and badass demon slayer!

Review Redux ~ by The Ravenous Reader

Devil’s Kiss, by Sarwat Chadda

As the youngest and only female member of the Knights Templar, Bilquis SanGreal grew up knowing she wasn’t normal. Instead of hanging out at the mall or going on dates, she spends her time training as a soldier in her order’s ancient battle against the Unholy. Billi’s cloistered life is blasted apart when her childhood friend, Kay, returns from Jerusalem, gorgeous and with a dangerous chip on his shoulder. He’s ready to reclaim his place in Billi’s life, but she’s met someone new: amber-eyed Michael, who seems to understand her like no one else, effortlessly claiming a stake in her heart. But the Templars are called to duty before Billi can enjoy the pleasant new twist to her life. One of the order’s ancient enemies has resurfaced, searching for a treasure that the Templars have protected for hundreds of years—a cursed mirror powerful enough to kill all of London’s firstborn. To save her city from catastrophe, Billi will have to put her heart aside and make sacrifices greater than any of the Templars could have imagined. (Goodreads Synopsis)

Click this link for The Ravenous Reader’s awesome review of Devil’s Kiss!

Enter the FREE Giveaway! Here’s how to win…

Enter a comment on this post to have your name entered once.
Enter a comment on this post and tweet the link to this post including — #BilliSanGreal — to have your name entered twice.
The deadline is Sunday, April 1st at 12:00 NOON Pacific Daylight Time (no joke!).
I’ll draw a name at random and post the winner on this blog next Wednesday, April 4th.
You must live within the continental United States to qualify. Sorry, but international postage rates make shipping outside the USA cost-prohibitive.

In case you were wondering … this book was signed by the awesome Sarwat Chadda at Kepler’s Books, in Menlo Park, California.

Good Luck! May the baddestass win!

Buffy vs. Edward

28 Wednesday Mar 2012

Posted by Elizabeth Fais in Paranormal, Supernatural, Vampire

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Edward Cullen, Slayer, Twilight, Vampire

Buffy the Vampire Slayer versus Edward Cullen

Sorry Twilight fans (I’m a fan too. Honest). No disrespect intended. This is just funny. A fight to the finish with the badass who blazed the Femme Phenom trail…Buffy the Vampire Slayer…doing what she does best!