Blogger Talk: Discussion & Giveaway for Purity by Jackson Pearce

Today Lisa (A Life Bound By Books) and I have shared with you our interview with Purity author Jackson Pearce and some of our favorite quotes from the book. Now, we are doing an open discussion of the book where we share some of our thoughts and give readers a chance to join in and discuss Purity.

Discussion for Purity

I first became interested in Purity because I thought the idea of a Princess Ball was so unique. I have heard about these events before but knew it would be fun to see it through the eyes of a young girl getting ready to go to one. I know they have to be stressful and not everyone would be willing to make such an important pledge. Had you heard of this type of father/daughter event before this book?

Oh yeah, I have heard of the Princess Ball before and since then  I've wanted to learn more about them in, if only for how akward they sound. Then when I heard about Purity, I couldn't wait to find out what would happen when a teen girl was faced with one. And Shelby's story has an interesting twist that made me even more intrigued because I knew her views would be somewhat skewed due to promises she made in the past. Speaking of those promises, how do you think Shelby handled them?

I'm not sure if I would have taken the promises so literal. I'm sure that if it came down to it, Shelby's mother would have rather her been more careful of her emotions (involving sex) than worrying about displeasing her father. I understood the deep connection she had with the promises to her mother, but I guess I just thought she would have been better off being honest with her dad. You?

I agree with you 100%. The promises put such a strain on her relationship with not only her father but everyone around her. It was sad to see how that happened and also I found that her views on sex were so... flippant, for lack of a better word. I didn't understand how anyone could read that far into the a promise and to be so relaxed about it all. I am glad about some of the choices she made, even it if took her awhile to get there in the end. The book deals with a huge subject matter - Sex - which is sometimes a taboo subject in YA. How do you think Jackson did?

I was happy to see such honestly for the subject. I know that some girls do have the attitude that they just want to get it over with. This really showed how sex can become the only thing a teen can think about once they hit a certain age. They feel pressure to do it from their friends, and not do it from their parents. It can really put a person in a bad place mentally because they are not really at the age to know what they want, or what the consequences may be. I was glad that Shelby had friends who supported her either way. Some people don't have that. What did you think of Shelby's dad?

I think that Jackson portrayed just how awkward and strained a a father daughter relationship can be. I'm not saying that they all are that way, but when the mom's gone I think there can be a huge disconnect. Especially when the mom's been gone since the child was young. It has to be hard on the dad for numerous reasons, but not having your wife (or husband) there to help raise a girl from such a young age has to be rough on both parent and child. What did you think of her dad?

I agree. I can only imagine how awkward those conversations would be between a father and daughter once she gets to a certain age. Especially when he has had no experience dealing with young girls and has no one to ask. I do think a lot of dads would just ignore the issues or hope that the girls friends would help her along the way. It can really break down the communication which is what we get to see between Shelby and her dad.

And it's sad that such a break down does happen with the, but I think it's honest. I know I never had any of these talks with my dad. I'm past my teen years and I'd still never have those kinds of talks with me. Or maybe it's just me and I'm really an awkward teen deep down inside?

What did you guys think? Please leave us (spoiler-free) comments and we invite others to reply and join in. If you haven't read the book yet, just tell us what really makes you want to read it. 
 

Prize: 

• 1 winner will receive a copy of Purity by Jackson Pearce. 

Rules:

• You must be at least 13 to enter. 
• Name and email must be provided and counts as 1 entry.
• Extra entries are possible and links must be provided.
• Contest is US Only and ends June 14th.
• Once contacted, the winner will have 48 hours to respond.
• The form must be filled out to enter.  

You will find this form on A Life Bound By Books as well. PLEASE only fill it out ONCE!  

We wanted to do this feature as a way to promote a new release and get people involved in discussing the book. One of the best ways to find out about a book is to read the reviews. 

 

We would love you to join the discussion about the book. Leave comments, tell us what you thought, tell us why you want to read it, or ask questions. PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE SPOILERS! We don't want to ruin it for others, but we'd love to see what everyone thought of the story.

Giveaway: Snow White and the Huntsman Prize Pack!

Who else is excited to see Snow While and the Huntsman? I remember seeing the first clips months and months ago and can't believe it's finally time for the movie release! 

In order to celebrate this film debut, Universal Pictures is giving one lucky reader the chance to win a fabulous prize pack! 

Prize:  

• One (1) winner will receive a SWATH Prize Pack:
  ·         Book
  ·         T-shirt
  ·         Necklace & Ring set
  ·         Cell Phone Mirror
  
  
  Giveaway open to US mailing addresses only
  Prizing courtesy of Universal Pictures

Rules:

• You must be at least 13 (or have permission) to enter. 
• Name and email must be provided.
• Extra entries are possible and links must be provided.
• Contest is US only and ends June 14th.
• Once contacted, the winner will have 48 hours to respond.
• The form must be filled out to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Links: 

Visit the official website

Follow @SnowWhite on Twitter #SWATH 

Visit Snow White and the Huntsman on Pinterest

About the film:

Synopsis:

In the epic action-adventure Snow White and the Huntsman, Kristen Stewart (Twilight) plays the only person in the land fairer than the evil queen (Oscar® winner Charlize Theron) who is out to destroy her. But what the wicked ruler never imagined is that the young woman threatening her reign has been training in the art of war with a huntsman (Chris Hemsworth, Thor) who was dispatched to kill her. Sam Claflin (Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides) joins the cast as the prince long enchanted by Snow White’s beauty and power.

The breathtaking new vision of the legendary tale is from Joe Roth, the producer of Alice in Wonderland, producer Sam Mercer (The Sixth Sense) and acclaimed commercial director and state-of-the-art visualist Rupert Sanders.

Cast: Kristen Stewart, Charlize Theron, Chris Hemsworth, Sam Claflin, Ian McShane, Bob Hoskins, Ray Winstone, Nick Frost, Toby Jones

Review: The List by Siobhan Vivian

The List by Siobhan Vivian
Publisher: Push (April 1st, 2012)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Hardback: 332 pages
Rating: 4 of 5 stars

An intense look at the rules of high school attraction -- and the price that's paid for them.

It happens every year. A list is posted, and one girl from each grade is chosen as the prettiest, and another is chosen as the ugliest. Nobody knows who makes the list. It almost doesn't matter. The damage is done the minute it goes up.

This is the story of eight girls, freshman to senior, "pretty" and "ugly." And it's also the story of how we see ourselves, and how other people see us, and the tangled connection of the two.

Review:

I had looked forward to reading this book for so, so long. There was just something about it that grabbed my attention. My expectations may have been a bit high, or maybe the book wasn't exactly what I expected it to be, but I still enjoyed it. 

The List is about a group of girls who just found out they are on this year's "list" AKA a paper with the prettiest and ugliest girl in each grade. For some this seems like great news, for others it's devastating.  Either way, it impacts the lives of each girl in very different ways. The hardest thing about this book was keeping up! This book is from the POV of 8 different characters! Each girl has her own story and it was difficult to follow it all. I often had to flip back and forth to the list to see which girl was talking. After a while I did get to know the characters enough to know who was who, but it took a while. Because of all the back and forth, I didn't feel that I really got to know any of the characters in depth. I think the book may have been better if it just focused on a few of the girls and they were more developed. 

Now, for the plus side. the idea of this novel is a great one. It's hard to believe a list coming out like this, but I know it does happen in high school. Even the girls who get picked as most popular, or prettiest may have negative effects from that experience. The girls in this book are a good example of that. It also shows how girls can be each others worst enemies. 

I loved how each girl had a different background and different personality. A few of them really stood out as favorites for me. It really shows the extent of "drama" some people have to put up with in high school. 

I really enjoy Siobhan's writing and direct way of telling a story. I think it would be easy for teenagers to relate to at least one of these characters. 

In the end, I didn't really feel like there was a resolution for many of the girls but I guess in high school that rarely occurs. Overall, many lessons are learned by this group of girls and friendships, family relationships, and personal beliefs are tested. 


Recommended: People looking for a quick, contemporary read.

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Blogger Talk: Interview & Quotes from Purity by Jackson Pearce

Title: Purity
Author: Jackson Pearce
Publisher: Little Brown for Young Readers, 218 Pages (April 24th, 2012)
Add to: Goodreads
Order here: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository

Synopsis: A novel about love, loss, and sex -- but not necessarily in that order.

Before her mother died, Shelby promised three things: to listen to her father, to love as much as possible, and to live without restraint. Those Promises become harder to keep when Shelby's father joins the planning committee for the Princess Ball, an annual dance that ends with a ceremonial vow to live pure lives -- in other words, no "bad behavior," no breaking the rules, and definitely no sex.

Torn between Promises One and Three, Shelby makes a decision -- to exploit a loophole and lose her virginity before taking the vow. But somewhere between failed hookup attempts and helping her dad plan the ball, Shelby starts to understand what her mother really meant, what her father really needs, and who really has the right to her purity.

Interview:

Hi Jackson, thank you so much for being part of May's Blogger Talk: Novel Exposed. We're excited to have you here and to help celebrate your new and first contemporary novel, Purity.

1. Purity is centered on an event known as the "Princess Ball" and these are pretty common. Have you ever attended one of these balls? Where did you go to for information about the process?

I've never attended one, but I had friends who did. I was always fascinated and a little horrified by them. I got all of my research from the websites of actual purity balls/the organizations throwing them. Nothing about them was invented, though I did combined elements of various purity balls together to create the Princess Ball Shelby attends.

Did your writing process change much if at all from when you work on fairy tale retellings to now your first contemporary novel? Was it hard to switch gears?

The writing process didn't change very much, but it was a little tricky to switch voices. I wrote the first draft of PURITY, then had to stop, set it aside, and write SWEETLY. It was tricky getting back into Shelby's head.

Were you afraid to tackle a book dealing with virginity and religion? What was the most difficult part?

Not especially, because I realized that it was the sort of book I wanted to read. I tried to be as honest as I could, and to not think of the people who were going to automatically judge the book on its subject matter.

Of all the characters in Purity, who would you say your personality resembles the most?

Ruby, easily. Sheís the closest I've ever come to putting myself in a story.

Could you describe your main character Shelby in 3 words?

Shelby is conflicted, loving, and loyal.

And lastly, if readers take one message way with them after reading Purity, what would you hope that message would be?

That nothing is as simple as it seems, especially when you're an outside observer.

Thanks so much for stopping by. It was great to have you on the blog again Jackson. You are always more than welcome to drop on by again and we hope that you will.

Quotes From Purity:

A couple favorite quotes from Jackson:

pg 62 - "My eyes scan over them, mind cluttering with words like intense and heated and tropical tropical? Is this a display of contraceptives or a line of fruity alcohols?"

p124 -"You know, Jonas finally says, his voice edged with relief as the cold air begins to flow toward the back of the car, "I'm beginning to think your dad is adopted. No way he's related to Kaycee. "
    Well, I say, there's always the possibility that Kaycee was kidnapped and raised by drag queens or exotic dancers."

A couple of Lisa's favorite quotes:

"What's so funny?"
"You won't think it's funny," he says, but when I fold my arms he grins sheepishly. "I dunno, Shelby. It's just kind of like a sitcom, thinking of you vowing your purity."
"Even the word purity freaks me out, " I answer in disgust.
"Exactly. It'd make the perfect sitcom plot." -- Pg. 28

"Oh!" he says, then looks sheepish, like he should have known that I'd be busy. "It's just... you know, only five weeks out. I was thinking it'd be a breeze...."
I sigh. "Okay, I'll help - but I've got to study. Maybe later?" I say, which is code for "Maybe after I've punched myself in the face fifty times." -- Pg. 37

"Yes, yes," Jonas mutters, and I can picture him nodding in agreement. "What about a 'no jackasses' rule?"
I muse over the idea. "I don't think that'll work. I've only got five weeks. If we throw out all the jackasses at Ridgebrook, we'll be left with, like... the drama club and a few people in the marching band." -- Pg. 39

 Jonas signs. "Lord, what fools these mortals be," he quotes as we break out of the cattle herd and emerge in the heat of the day. -- Pg. 49

A couple of My favorite quotes:

"I'm not sure who jumps first, but the next thing I know, the three of us sail through the air, blue sky sliding into green trees toward the lake. This is life without restraint; this is what Mom wanted for me."

"I don't want to vow anything that has to do with my lady parts," I answer quickly. The idea makes me shiver, which sends Ruby into a giggling fit"

"What about a 'no jackasses' rule?" I muse over the idea. "I don't think that'll work. I've only got five weeks. If we throw out the jackasses at Ridgebrook, we'll be left with, like... the drama club and a few people in marching band." -Pg. 39

*Jessica's quotes were taken from the e-ARC. My quotes were taken from a finish copy.

Find Jackson Online:

Website | Blog | Twitter | YouTube | Facebook

We wanted to do this feature as a way to promote a new release and get people involved in discussing the book. One of the best ways to find out about a book is to read the reviews.

Please feel free to link your review of PURITY that has been posted on your blog or Goodreads.

Rules: Please post ONLY your review of PURITY.
Please provide the direct link in the linky.
You can include your rating of the book.

Example of link: Confessions of a Bookaholic - Purity Review (4 stars)

Birthday Bash Giveaway: Crushed Seraphim by Debra Anastasia

Debra Anastasia is here today as part of her birthday bash for Crushed Seraphim. All you have to do is leave a comment below for a chance to win a copy!

Crushed Seraphim is One Holy hell of a year old! It’s been one year since I stayed up all night to watch my debut novel go live. When it finally popped up on Amazon, I peed my pants a little. I never knew I wanted to be an author, but holding that book was a huge tearjerker for me. I wrote this story as a way to tell the tale of a woman that was a cursing, smart-mouthed nightmare who also happened to have the courage to save the world. It was book one in the Seraphim Series and the conclusion, Bittersweet Seraphim, will be dropping in Fall 2012.

There was definitely a stand out gentleman from this book. His name is Satan Jack and in my head? He looks just like Johnny Depp. Jack even has his own Twitter (@Satan_Jack ) where he flirts with readers! He’s staked a claim in quite a few panties since his unveiling and he’s proud.



Here’s the summary:

How does a foul-mouthed angel end up as the last hope for all of Heaven and Earth?
When Seraph Emma is maimed and tossed from Heaven by a rogue angel who's taken charge, she fears she'll never be allowed to return. Tasked with the impossible job of showing the self-loathing (and not even human!) Jason his worth, Emma is sure she's doomed to fail.

Meanwhile, having wormed his way into Heaven, the corrupt Everett has trapped God in Hell and has designs on unleashing evil everywhere. Fortunately, if there's one thing Emma can't do (in addition to minding her language), it's give up. Determined to save Jason and get back to Heaven-even if it means going to Hell-Emma's plan is simple yet impossible: trick the Devil to save God.

What she doesn't count on is the devotion and, well, humanity she finds in Jason; the spirit, hidden compassion, and raw sex appeal within the Devil; and the vulnerability of her own heart. With the help of two unlikely allies, she'll wage the battle for Heaven. But will Emma be sidetracked by a new sort of heaven along the way?

What's truly more dangerous? Falling from Heaven, or falling in love?

Debra Anastasia has twisted a fast-paced tale of intimate relationships with literally universal impact. Rich with humor and electrified by attraction, this novel offers a playfully off-beat take on the good and evil that make up the world.

Here’s the trailer (featuring music by the insanely talented Ron Pope)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oifs13WO9AY


This One Holy Hell of a birthday party is being held from May 24th-26th and there are many chances to win a prize.

On this blog, leave a comment. One of the commenters will win an eCopy of Crushed Seraphim in the format of their choice.

On my blog, http://debraanastasia.blogspot.com/ you can enter to win the grand prize and get linked to an excerpt from Bittersweet Seraphim. Looking for a home are two print, signed copies of my books! Poughkeepsie will come with a matching set of temporary tattoos and crystal bracelet. Crushed Seraphim will come with an angel themed crystal bracelet and an exclusive fifteen-minute gChat with Satan Jack! That’s right, you can ask him anything.

So thank you to Jessica for letting me flash my goods here on this site today. Feel free to check out www.DebraAnastasia.com for more information on Crushed Seraphim.

Crushed Seraphim by Debra Anastasia
Publisher: Omnific Publishing (May 14th, 2011)
Paperback: 194 pages

How does a foul-mouthed angel end up as the last hope for all of Heaven and Earth?

When Seraph Emma is maimed and tossed from Heaven by a rogue angel who's taken charge, she fears she'll never be allowed to return. Tasked with the impossible job of showing the self-loathing (and not even human!) Jason his worth, Emma is sure she's doomed to fail.

Meanwhile, having wormed his way into Heaven, the corrupt Everett has trapped God in Hell and has designs on unleashing evil everywhere. Fortunately, if there's one thing Emma can't do (in addition to minding her language), it's give up. Determined to save Jason and get back to Heaven-even if it means going to Hell-Emma's plan is simple yet impossible: trick the Devil to save God.

What she doesn't count on is the devotion and, well, humanity she finds in Jason; the spirit, hidden compassion, and raw sex appeal within the Devil; and the vulnerability of her own heart. With the help of two unlikely allies, she'll wage the battle for Heaven. But will Emma be sidetracked by a new sort of heaven along the way?

What's truly more dangerous?

Falling from Heaven, or falling in love?

 Website     |       Twitter     |      Goodreads      |       Facebook      |      Blog

 Amazon      |       Barnes & Noble      |      Omnific

Just leave a comment (with your email address) for a chance to win an ebook copy of Crushed Seraphim!

Tour: Guest Post & Giveaway: Insanity by Lauren Hammond

Today kicks off the Insanity tour by Lauren Hammond. Lauren will be stopping by several blogs and some will be hosting giveaways. Lauren is here today to talk to us about "Using Psychology in Novels". Sign up below for a chance to win an ebook of Insanity.

Using Psychology in Novels

Thanks for having me!

This is such a great topic, so I’ll dive right in…

Here’s a line from Insanity that I believe will start this post off right.

The human mind can be a powerful weapon.

I truly, truly believe that and I think that’s why Insanity was so interesting for me to write.

I’ve always been fascinated by what makes people do some of the things they do. How they think? How their mind operates?

Insanity is rooted from what happens when you’ve truly lost it—your mind. What happens when that last marble you’ve been holding onto finally rolls away? And what happens when people reach their breaking point?

In all reality, it’s difficult to say.

Not one person thinks the same. Not one person reacts to specific situations the same way. While some are stronger and can handle difficult and tough situations, some are weaker and can’t.

With Adelaide, for example, she’s already a weaker character, her past being part of that, but she uses her mind as a shield to block out that past because in the back of her mind she knows that if she relives her past, well, Oakhill will become her permanent home. In all reality, people do do that. Reliving things that are too painful to bear is much harder than living in denial. Denial is easy. Pretending problems don’t exist is easy. It’s when you’re confronted with problems and pain that everything becomes difficult. Too hard.

All in all, I think I got across that the human mind can take a person anywhere they want it to if they allow themselves to believe in it.

This was such a great topic and I’m glad I got to talk about it.

If you’d like a twist of the mind read Insanity and check out the sequel, White Walls on June 19th!

Insanity by Lauren Hammond
Publisher: S.B. Addison Books (May 8th, 2012)
Reading Level: New Adult
Ebook: 190 pages
Series: Asylum #1

Sometimes love...can drive you crazy.

Adelaide Carmichael and Damien Allen couldn't be more opposite.

Adelaide's mother abandoned her when she was ten years old, leaving her to be raised by her abusive and alcoholic father.

Damien on the other hand came from a wealthy family, was a local celebrity, and seemed to have a bright future ahead of him.

Despite their differences, Adelaide and Damien were young, wild, and fiercely in love.

And they had a plan.

They were going to run away.

Be together forever.

And their plan was set in motion, until tragedy struck and for some reason, Adelaide wound up in The Oakhill Institution for the insane.

Adelaide has no idea what she did to wind up at Oakhill, but she knows one thing for sure...

She wants out.

And after Damien follows her there to aid her in escaping, Adelaide slowly begins putting together the pieces of her memory that are missing.

And it doesn't take Adelaide long to figure out that sometimes...

That one true love never dies.
Excerpt~

Shoving my feet off the side of the bed, new surroundings burn my eyes. Tan plaster walls instead of thick white padded ones. One oblong barred window. Two dressers. Two closets. Two beds.

They've moved me to a different room.

A gentle squeaking noise bounces off the walls and my eyes avert to my right. Oh crap. They put me in a room with a nut job.

They say I'm a nut job.

But not like this.

Not even close.

She rocks back and forth on her cot, knees to her chest, twisting a piece of her wiry, red hair between her fingertips. Her freckled arms are trembling. She sings with vibrato.

I am slowly going crazy. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six.

Switch.

Crazy going slowly am I. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six.

Switch.

I think about screaming again. I think about plugging my ears. Somebody turn her off.

She lifts her head slowly, a maddening look in her big, brown eyes, an eerie smile crawling across her pale, freckled lips. “Shh,” she whispers. “They're coming for us.”

“Who's they?”

She shakes her head and lets out a cackle laced with the deepest kind of crazy. I think they put her in here with me purposely. They're trying to break me. They think if they put me around truly insane people that I'll accept my place here.

Well...They are wrong.

Prize:  

• 1 winner will get an ebook of INSANITY.

Rules:

• You must be at least 16+ to enter. 
• Name and email must be provided.
• Extra entries are possible and links must be provided.
• Contest is International and ends June 8th.
• Once contacted, the winner will have 48 hours to respond.
• The form must be filled out to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 Website    |      Twitter      |      Goodreads     |     Facebook

 Amazon       |      Barnes & Noble

Tour Schedule

May 25th
Confessions of a Bookaholic    http://www.totalbookaholic.com
Me, My Shelf, and I          http://www.memyshelfandi.com/
Stuck in YA Books      http://lovesbooksreviews.blogspot.com/

May 26th
I Just Wanna Sit Here and Read        http://www.sithereandread.com/
Reading Angel    http://www.readingangel.com/

May 27th
Buried in Books    http://wwwburiedinbooks.blogspot.com/
A Purrfect Read    http://trh87books.blogspot.com/

May 28th
The Phantom Paragrapher        http://www.thephantomparagrapher.blogspot.com/
Novel Sounds    http://novelsounds.net/

May 29th
Me, My Shelf, and I        http://www.memyshelfandi.com/
Good Choice Reading    http://www.goodchoicereading.com/

May 30th
Book Flame        http://bookflame.blogspot.com/
Reading Teen    http://www.readingteen.net/
From the Shadows        http://www.fromtheshadows.info/

May 31st
A Diary of a Book Addict    http://adiaryofabookaddict.blogspot.com/
Once Upon a Twilight    http://www.onceuponatwilight.com/

June 1st
Confessions of a Vi3tBabe        http://confessionsofavi3tbabe.com/
Forever 17 Books        http://forever17books.blogspot.com/

June 2nd
Paranormal Wastelands    http://paranormalwastelands.blogspot.com/
To Read or Not To Read    http://www.2readornot2read.com/

June 3rd
I Live, Laugh, Love Books        http://livelaughlovebook.blogspot.com/
Paranormal Wastelands    http://paranormalwastelands.blogspot.com/

June 4th
Between the Pages        http://www.betweenthepagesreviews.com/
Books with Bite    http://www.bookswithbite.net/

June 5th
Reading Angel    http://www.readingangel.com/
The Bookish Brunette    http://www.bookish-brunette.com/

June 6th
Uniquely Moi Books        http://www.uniquelymoibooks.com/
Tina's Book Reviews    http://www.tinasbookreviews.com/

June 7th
Electrifying Reviews        http://www.electrifyingreviews.com/
A Tapestry of Words        http://atapestryofwords.blogspot.com/

June 8th
Stitch - Read - Cook    http://www.stitchreadcook.com/
A Life Bound By Books    http://alifeboundbybooks.blogspot.com/

Interview with Ned Vizzini

It's always so nice to have Ned Vizzini stop by. His list of accomplishments, and projects, never fails to amaze me! Now he is one of the wonderful writers of Teen Wolf on MTV and he is here to tell us a little about that and his other upcoming books and movies. 


Be sure to check out the giveaway for Teen Wolf (Season 1) on DVD, courtesy of Fox Entertainment.

1. You've been writing for Teen Wolf for this upcoming season. What is it like writing for a show? Is it difficult to write with an entire group of people?

The part of writing for a show that involves a group of people sitting in a room is called "breaking story." I would compare that to playing a role-playing game. It's group storytelling. There's a showrunner, or a pair of showrunners, who act as dungeon master. Then the writers are the players. You have to bring ideas to the table, but your most valuable skill is an ability to keep up with the story and add to it on the fly. You have to think on your feet.

2. Nancy Holder has written the novel, On Fire, based on the Teen Wolf tv show. Were you excited to find out about the book?

I'm very excited that Teen Wolf has inspired a novel. It makes sense because the show has a rich mythology that all the writers care about. Readers should expect a story that fits with and adds to that mythology.   

3. Can you tell us a little about House of Secrets? It is exciting to work with Harry Potter director, Chris Columbus?

The book is called House of Secrets, not House of Spoilers! I can't say anything other than what's been said. And that it's amazing working with Chris Columbus. And that if the world ends in before the book is published in 2013, I'm going to be pissed.  

4. Your next young adult novel, The Other Normals, will be released in September. Can you share a little bit about the book and the main character?

 

I'd be thrilled to tell you about The Other Normals. It's about a kid who is really into role-playing games (yes; I was really into them as a teenager -- that's why I already mentioned them twice in this interview). His name is Perry Eckert. He's 15. He has this bowl haircut that is based on the bowl haircut I had when I was his age. So once again I'm mining my own life for material. But then Perry goes to summer camp. And he meets a man with red skin and tail named Mortin Enaw. And Mortin shows him The World of the Other Normals, where Perry's the only hope to defeat an enemy that is plaguing the land. And the best way he can accomplish this by kissing a girl at his summer camp. But Perry's not good at kissing anything. And as he has to decide what to do, he has unexpected insights about drugs and race and monsters. The Other Normals comes out on September 25, 2012.

 

5. You even have another brand new project, Woogles. What can you tell us about this project, and the people you will be working with for it?

It's a movie; it's a super-fun idea; I'm going to write it with Nick Antosca, who also worked with me on Teen Wolf. We came out to Los Angeles as a writing team in 2010 and have really been accepted here. The producer is Max Landis, who wrote Chronicle and who recently inspired this incredible comic about his cat. Stay tuned! 

 6. You really have a lot going on! How do you keep up with it all?

I don't play video games.

Click here to watch the first ten minutes of Teen Wolf season 2! 

The Other Normals by Ned Vizzini
Publisher: Balzer + Bray (September 25, 2012)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 400 pages

Given the chance, fifteen-year-old Peregrine “Perry” Eckert would dedicate every waking moment to Creatures & Caverns, an epic role-playing game rich with magical creatures, spell casting, and deadly weapons. The world of C&C is where he feels most comfortable in his own skin, so when his parents ship him off to summer camp Perry is sure he’s in for the worst summer of his life.

Everything changes, however, when Perry gets to camp and stumbles into the World of the Other Normals. Perry’s new otherworldly friends need his help to save their princess and prevent mass violence. As they embark on their quest together, Perry realizes that his nerdy childhood has uniquely prepared him to be a great warrior in this world, and maybe even a hero.
Bestselling author Ned Vizzini delivers a compulsively readable and wildly original story about the winding and often hilarious path to manhood.

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Giveaway: Teen Wolf (Season 1) DVD

MTV’S CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED HIT SERIES

IS NOW THE HOTTEST DVD OF THE SUMMER

The Sexy, Supernatural Drama Comes to DVD May 22

With an Exclusive Extended Season Finale!

Discover the story of how one strange night forever transformed one teenager’s life, when MTV’s hit show “TEEN WOLF” Season 1 comes to DVD May 22 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.  Nominated for six Teen Choice Awards®, Season 1 is a must-own for every fan, with an exclusive never-before-seen extended season finale, deleted and extended content and behind-the-scenes extras with the sizzling, breakout stars of the show.  “TEEN WOLF” stars some of young Hollywood’s finest, including Tyler Posey (Scott McCall), Crystal Reed (Allison Argent), Tyler Hoechlin (Derek Hale), Dylan O’Brien (Stiles), Holland Roden (Lydia Martin) and Colton Haynes (Jackson Whittemore).  The series will return for a second season this summer on MTV.

MTV’s “TEEN WOLF” is a sexy, suspenseful drama about transformation set against the backdrop of contemporary teen life, with a forbidden, romantic love story at its core, making it a fresh and different take on the iconic movie.  Always an outsider and often unnoticed, Scott McCall yearns to be recognized in some small way that takes him out of his typical state of high school anonymity. When his best friend Stiles convinces him to go into the woods one night to join a police search for a dead body, Scott encounters a creature in the darkness. Narrowly escaping an attack with a vicious bite in his side, the next day brings strange surprises for Scott at school and his life will never be the same.

 DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:
Extended Version of Season Finale episode “Code Breakers”
Deleted, Alternate and Extended Scenes
Gag Reel
Special Featurette: Season 1 Shirtless Montage
Behind-The-Scenes Featurettes
- Following The Pack
- Love Bites
- Teen Wolf cast on the Red Carpet

Prize:  

• Teen Wolf (Season 1) DVD.

Rules:

• You must be at least 13 (or have permission) to enter. 
• Name and email must be provided.
• Extra entries are possible and links must be provided.
• Contest is US only and ends June 7th.
• Once contacted, the winner will have 48 hours to respond.
• The form must be filled out to enter.
  
   

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About Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, LLC (TCFHE) is a recognized global industry leader and a subsidiary of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, a News Corporation company. Representing 75 years of innovative and award-winning filmmaking from Twentieth Century Fox, TCFHE is the worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox film and television programming, acquisitions and original productions on DVD, Blu-ray Disc Digital Copy, Video On Demand and Digital Download. The company also releases all products globally for MGM Home Entertainment. Each year TCFHE introduces hundreds of new and newly enhanced products, which it services to retail outlets from mass merchants and warehouse clubs to specialty stores and e-commerce throughout the world.

About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, and interactive media. The company owns the world’s largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,100 titles. Operating units include Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Distribution Co., MGM International Television Distribution Inc., and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in domestic and international TV channels reaching over 130 countries. For more information, visit www.mgm.com.

About MTV

MTV is the world’s premier youth entertainment brand.  With a global reach of more than a half-billion households, MTV is the cultural home of the millennial generation, music fans and artists, and a pioneer in creating innovative programming for young people.  MTV reflects and creates pop culture with its Emmy®, Grammy® and Peabody® award-winning content built around compelling storytelling, music discovery and activism across TV, online and mobile.  MTV’s sibling networks MTV2 and mtvU each deliver unparalleled customized content for young males, music fans and college students, and its online hub MTV.com is a leading destination for music, news and pop culture. MTV is a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.  For more information, go to www.mtvpress.com.

Follow Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment on Twitter @FoxHomeEnt

Movie Review: This Means War

Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine and Tom Hardy Form the Perfect Love Triangle in this Action Packed Comedy Available on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Download May 22

They are the CIA’s best, trained for any situation…except one.  Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment plays the ultimate spy game as two best friends fight for the right of one woman’s hand in THIS MEANS WAR, coming to Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Download May 22.  Starring Academy Award® winner Reese Witherspoon* (Walk the Line), Chris Pine (Star Trek) and Tom Hardy (The Dark Knight Rises), the laugh-out-loud comedy gets even better on Blu-ray with three alternate endings that answer the question – what if she chose the other guy?

The world's deadliest CIA operatives, FDR Foster (Pine) and Tuck (Hardy), are inseparable partners and best friends until they fall for the same woman (Witherspoon).  Having once helped bring down entire enemy nations, they are now employing their incomparable skills and an endless array of high-tech gadgetry against their greatest nemesis – each other.

Review:

I am hard to please when it comes to movies, especially when it comes to comedies. This one blew me away. I seriously have not laughed so much during a movie in years. I adore Reese Witherspoon but this movie really let her shine in a new way. And Chris Pine and Tom Hardy, OMG, how cute are they?? I thought this movie would be okay and kinda funny but it was so so so much more than I expected. I watched it with my husband and he enjoyed it just as much. I had tears in my eyes I was laughing so hard. 

There's just something about the way these guys had such a bromance, but then turned on each other for this woman. They were completely evil to each other and I loved every minute of it! FDR was the 'bad boy" who was trying to show his soft side, while Tuck was the "good guy" trying to show he could be dangerous. Their job in the CIA gave them a little edge when it comes to ideas on how to ruin each other's chances during dates.

If you are looking for a new movie that will have you cracking up, get this one! It's perfect for guys and girls because the girls get some romance, and hotness, while the guys can enjoy the action and crazy-evil "boyness" between the 2 guys. You have the best of both worlds! 

Terrific movie that wasn't like many of the stupid, mostly nasty, comedies out there. This really reminded me of what comedies used to be like. Great ideas, funny storylines, fabulous characters that don't have to get raunchy in order to show humor. I highly recommend this movie! 

Check it out on amazon

Thank you to Fox Entertainment for allowing me to review this movie. 
The movie was provided in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

Movie: This Means War- Two men battle for one woman!

 IT’S SPY VS. SPY IN THE ULTIMATE BATTLE
FOR ONE WOMAN’S AFFECTION

 

Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine and Tom Hardy Form the
Perfect Love Triangle in this Action Packed Comedy
Available on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Download May 22


They are the CIA’s best, trained for any situation…except one.  Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment plays the ultimate spy game as two best friends fight for the right of one woman’s hand in THIS MEANS WAR, coming to Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Download May 22.  Starring Academy Award® winner Reese Witherspoon* (Walk the Line), Chris Pine (Star Trek) and Tom Hardy (The Dark Knight Rises), the laugh-out-loud comedy gets even better on Blu-ray with three alternate endings that answer the question – what if she chose the other guy?

The world's deadliest CIA operatives, FDR Foster (Pine) and Tuck (Hardy) are inseparable partners and best friends until they fall for the same woman (Witherspoon).  Having once helped bring down entire enemy nations, they are now employing their incomparable skills and an endless array of high-tech gadgetry against their greatest nemesis – each other.

FDR VS TUCK – COMPARISON FOR THE LADIES

In This Means War, Lauren had one big question looming on her mind – which is the right guy for her – FDR or Tuck?  In this feature, we will create a comparison of the two, just like she did with her bestie Trish.

FDR

• Has commitment issues
• Plenty of ex-girlfriends
• Has T-rex hands
• Tall
• Blunt
• Doesn't know much about art
• Spontaneous
• Uses pick up lines

Tuck

•  Sweet
• Has a child with an ex-wife
• Hasn't been on the dating scene in a while
• British
• Likes to plan
• Has manly hands
• Takes relationships slowly and more carefully - he's safe

FDR and Tuck

• Can wear a suit really well
• Live in really nice apartments
• Travel a lot
• Rich
• Can protect you
• Adventure-seekers
• Have a dangerous job

So, who would you choose? FDR, Tuck, or both? ;) Stop by later because I am posting my review of the movie!