The Savage Fortress

13 Friday Apr 2012

Posted by in Badass, Book Reviews, Sarwat Chadda

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Here’s an Unexpected Castle filled with mystery, monsters, and heroes … Ash Mistry and the Savage Fortress. Created by none other than Sarwat Chadda, author of the Devil’s Kiss and Dark Goddess series…

Ash Mistry and the Savage Fortress

Varanasi … Holy City on the Ganges…
In this land of ancient temples, insense and snake charmers…
Where the monsters and heroes of the past come to life…
One slightly geeky boy from our time…
IS GOING TO KICK SOME DEMON ASS.

Debut Review ~ by The Book Zone (For Boys)

Ash Mistry hates India. Which is a problem since his uncle has brought him and his annoying younger sister Lucky there to take up a dream job with the mysterious Lord Savage. But Ash immediately suspects something is very wrong with the eccentric millionaire. Soon, Ash finds himself in a desperate battle to stop Savage’s masterplan — the opening of the Iron Gates that have kept Ravana, the demon king, at bay for four millennia! (Synopsis)

Click this link to read the review by The Book Zone (For Boys)

Want more? Check out the Ash Mistry web site!

A Real Magic Castle!

11 Wednesday Apr 2012

Posted by in Castles, Magic

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Hollywood’s Secret Magic Castle

Yes, a real Magic Castle nestled against the Hollywood hills … a private clubhouse for the Academy of Magical Arts, Inc. It’s secret because you have to be as talented as Houdini to get in, or know someone who is. Seriously. You have to be a professional magician or know one to be admitted to the mystical fortress … which is actually a vintage Victorian, but whatever. The strict admission policy is a reflection of the professionalism of an organization devoted to the advancement of the ancient magical arts. No sideshow amateurs here. This is the real deal folks. Trust me on this one. I’ve been inside!

How did I rate an invite to this exclusive club?  Nothing as glamorous as befriending a magician, I’m afraid. I stumbled upon the Magic Castle before I was old enough to get in (21 because alcohol is served), and was obsessed with the place ever since. Finally, I discovered a local  B&B who’s owner was a member at the Magic Castle and he treated his guests to reservations. I couldn’t believe my luck! The price for the elusive invite was well worth it. The magicians I saw perform were AWESOME! The seating for all the shows is intimate … and it was all MAGIC!

The B&B changed hands, but now there’s a Magic Castle Hotel just a couple of blocks from the castle that can hook you up with a magical invite when you stay there. As easy as Bibbity-bobbity-boo!

A Glimpse of Magic…

Those of you who won’t be dashing off to Hollywood can still sneak a rarified peak inside one of Hollywood’s best kept magical secrets…

What’s magic for you?

Come on, spill. You know you want to!

Sound Bender

06 Friday Apr 2012

Posted by in Book Reviews

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Here’s an awesome story that’s all about the Mystical Power of Music … the middle grade novel, Sound Bender, by Lin Oliver and Theo Baker.

Review Redux ~ by YA Books Central

Sound Bender, by Lin Oliver & Theo Baker

After their parents’ plane goes down over the ocean, Leo and his brother Hollis are forced into the custody of their rich and enigmatic uncle Crane, a dealer of rare and probably illicit antiques. But almost as soon as he’s settled–or as close to settled as he can get in the bleak Brooklyn mansion, surrounded by his uncle’s dubious staff–Leo receives a mysterious package his father put together long ago, to be opened on his 13th birthday. With the package, Leo discovers he has an amazing ability. He can hear the history of any object by touching it. But when Leo finds a strange helmet buried among his uncle’s artifacts, and hears a pained cry coming from it, a mystery unravels as to its origin. (Goodreads Synopsis)

Click this link to read the awesome review by YA Book Central.

Have you read any books  that focus on the mystical power of music?

If so … do tell!!!

Blog Awesomeness … Spreading the Liebster Love!

05 Thursday Apr 2012

Posted by in Awards, Elizabeth Fais

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Last week I received the most awesome blog love EVER from Ellen Gregory. She presented me with the  auspicious Liebster Blog Award. I am truly honored. *blushes* Thank you, Ellen!

I learned of this age-old tradition from the wise and awesomely literary Mike Schulenberg…

According to legends that come to us from antiquity, the Liebster is meant for blogs that motivate, inspire, and have 200 followers or less. Its apparent purpose is to summon new followers like some sort of mystical talisman, increasing the power of those of us who are just beginning. — Mike Schulenberg

And now it’s my turn to pass on this honor of great good fortune, continuing the tradition of spreading the Liebster Love!

The Liebster Blog rules:

  1. Thank the person who nominated you on your blog and link back to them.
  2. Nominate up to 5 others for the award.
  3. Let them know by commenting on your blog.
  4. Post the award on your blog.

The envelope please … Ladies and Gentlemen … the latest Liebster Blog awesomeness goes to…

…DRUM ROLL…

Music Magic … and a Giveaway WINNER!

04 Wednesday Apr 2012

Posted by in Andre Rieu, Dancing, Music, Sarwat Chadda, Waltz King

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In keeping with the Mystical Force of Music I talked about in my previous post, these videos of Andre Rieu and his orchestra show the true Magic of Music. The ability to make us smile…

Yackety Sax and All That

One toe tappin’ time!

Colonel Bogey … You try NOT whistling…

The people in the audience aren’t the only ones having fun here!

Get Down with Glenn Miller

WARNING: This video has been known to result in serious Smiling and Dancing!

Devil’s Kiss Giveaway WINNER!

And the winner of the signed copy of Devil’s Kiss by Sarwat Chadda is…

…DRUM ROLL…

Tami Clayton

Please step up and send me your snail mail information!

*** Tosses Confetti ***

Devil’s Kiss Giveaway!

30 Friday Mar 2012

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

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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 in Paranormal, Supernatural, Vampire

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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!

And the “Out of Sight, Out of Time” WINNER!

…DRUM ROLL…

The winner of last week’s “Out of Sight, Out of Time” giveaway is …

Maya Sabrina

*Throws confetti!*

Please send me your Snail Mail information and I will get the signed copy of “Out of Sight, Out of Time” into the mail to you pronto!

The other entrants  will be automatically entered in this  Friday’s giveaway … a book with a badass protagonist you’ll truly love. Promise!

Thanks for playing!

A New Breed of Badass

25 Sunday Mar 2012

Posted by in Badass, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Elizabeth Fais, Emmie Mears, Femme Phenom, Paranormal, Supernatural, The Matrix, Vampire, Young Adult

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Badass looked like this…

That is, until Buffy the Vampire Slayer!

Buffy was a new breed of badass … the Femme Phenom. (As in, phenomenal. Come on people, keep up.) Joss Whedon created Buffy, because he was tired of the  pathetic female characters in horror films who maybe screamed before letting themselves get killed.

So not Buffy. She saved the world. A lot. And always did it with a witty quip, while rocking the hottest fashion. She wasn’t just tough, she was feminine and had depth of character. Buffy continues to save the world, as Emmie Mears so aptly points out.

I mean, would there have been a Trinity (of The Matrix series) if Buffy hadn’t blazed the Femme Phenom trail? Not to mention the other terrific Femme Phenoms, in fiction and film?

Take Katniss Everdeen of the Hunger Games (the heroine of the uber-popular book series, now a movie), an awesome Femme Phenom. She’s strong physically, mentally, and emotionally. She has to be to survive the horrific Hunger Games. Check out May the Odds Be Ever in Your Favor, if you haven’t read the books or seen the movie.

So… in honor of Buffy, Trinity, Katniss, and all the other hot badass chicks, I declare this National Femme Phenom Week! And to celebrate, I’ll be hosting a phenomenal giveaway! A book with a truly badass Femme. You won’t be disappointed. Promise!

Sign up to follow this blog so you don’t miss out!

Badass is the New Awesome…

At least … during National Femme Phenom Week!

So, tell us … who’s your favorite badass … in film or fiction?

And for the record, badass guys are a total hot commodity in my book.

Out of Sight, Out of Time

23 Friday Mar 2012

Posted by in Ally Carter, Author, Mystery, Spy, YA, Young Adult

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There’s Still Time to Enter the SPY-TACULAR Giveaway!

It’s easy and FREE! Click this link and enter a comment! You could win a copy of “Out of Sight, Out of Time” signed by Ally herself!

Review Redux ~ By Mundie Moms

Out of Sight, Out of Time
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Release Date: February 12, 2012

Synopsis: With more than a million Gallagher Girls books sold, a legion of fans have fallen in love with the New York Times best-selling spy-girl series, and the fifth book delivers the most nerve-wracking, high-stakes adventure yet.

The last thing Cammie Morgan remembers is leaving the Gallagher Academy to protect her friends and family from the Circle of Cavan—an ancient terrorist organization that has been hunting her for over a year. But when Cammie wakes up in an alpine convent and discovers that months have passed, she must face the fact that her memory is now a black hole. The only traces left of Cammie’s summer vacation are the bruises on her body and the dirt under her nails, and all she wants is to go home.

Once she returns to school, however, Cammie realizes that even the Gallagher Academy now holds more questions than answers. Cammie, her friends, and mysterious spy-guy Zach must face their most difficult challenge yet as they travel to the other side of the world, hoping to piece together the clues that Cammie left behind. It’s a race against time. The Circle is hot on their trail and willing stop at nothing to prevent Cammie from remembering what she did last summer.

SPY-TACULAR Gallagher Girls Giveaway!

21 Wednesday Mar 2012

Posted by in Ally Carter, Author, Mystery, Spy, Young Adult

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Out of Sight, Out of Time, by Ally Carter

It’s time for the SPY-TACULAR Gallagher Girls Giveway! The fifth book in the Gallagher Girls series, Out of Sight, Out of Time, signed by Ally Carter.

Oh, and if you haven’t stopped by the Gallagher Girl Academy web site yet, you totally should. It’s AWESOME!

Rules of Engagement

Here’s how it works:

  • 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 — #SpytacularGG5 — to have your name entered twice.
  • The deadline is Sunday, March 26th at 12:00 NOON Pacific Daylight Time.
  • I’ll draw a name at random and post the winner on this blog next Wednesday, March 28th.
  • You must live within the continental United States to qualify. Sorry, but international postage rates make shipping outside the USA cost-prohibitive.

Good Luck! And may the best spy win!