Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Leap Year

A day that only comes once every 4 years, February 29th, is bound to bring about some strange traditions. It was added to adjust for seasonal shifts, but we have made so much more out of it.

According to Irish legend (there is even a movie made about it) women are allowed to propose to men on February 29th.

Sometimes it is called “Bachelor’s Day,” and men are expected to accept the proposal or pay a penalty, such as a sum of money.

In European upper classes men who refused a woman’s proposal were expected to buy 12 pairs of gloves. In this way the woman could wear the gloves to hide the embarrassment of not having an engagement ring.

I don't know why all of these have to do with marriage, but there you have it. Leap year is a holiday for the singles. Take that Valentine's day! *karate chop*

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Awaken Book Tour

 

  Awaken (The Patronus)

;Awaken (The Patronus) Lucy Donovan was supposed to have a weekend of fun in the sun, celebrating her upcoming graduation from college. In a split second, everything changed. A drunk driver ended Lucy’s mortal life.
Lucy opens her eyes to a world she never imagined possible and a new destiny: as a Patronus, a guardian of spirits. Adjusting to her new role and abilities while negotiating this confusing realm will test her limits and push her further than she ever dreamed she would go. From wayward spirits who don’t want her help to soul stealing vampires, and even a stuck-up British royal, Lucy must brave them all to save one spirit she can’t bear to lose.
Further complicating her confusing life is an inexplicable yet growing connection she feels to a member of her team, Max, whose mysterious behavior leaves her both confused and intrigued.
Waking up dead was just the beginning of her problems. Lucy’s death is about to become the greatest adventure of her life.

Buy it - Kindle, Paperback, Nook, and Smashwords



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Follow the Tour!

Feb 20 - Mandie http://ereadingonthecheap.com

Feb 21 - Adelina http://matterofcents.net

Feb 22 - Celeste http://organicmommytoday.com

Feb 23 - Anne http://www.upstateramblings.com

Feb 24 - Jessica http://www.crossroadreviews.com

Feb 25 - Jen - http://www.craftylife.net

Feb 26 - Lisa http://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com

Feb 27 - Christine http://more4momsbuck.com

Feb 28 - Shawnna http://www.cutthemcoupons.com

Feb 29 - Dina www.myunentitledlife.blogspot.com

Mar 1 - Laura http://daybydayinourworld.com/

Mar 2 - Emily http://emilysfrugaltips.com/

Mar 3 - Linette http://kidsfunreviewed.com

Mar 4 - Michelle http://moneysavvymichelle.com

Mar 5 - Laura www.wheelndealmama.com

Mar 6 - Cecile http://www.theshoppingduck.com

Mar 7 - Phaedra http://identitydiscovery.blogspot.com

Mar 8 - Mandie http://mommyreadstoomuch.com

Mar 9 - Felissa http://twolittlecavaliers.com

Mar 10- Theresa http://www.mymommysworld.com

Mar 11 - Olivia http://www.blog.thisnthatwitholivia.com

Mar 12 - Amber http://www.jadelouisedesigns.com

Mar 13 - Dawn http://www.alifeunscripted.net

Mar 14 - Susan http://www.susiebhomemaker.com/

Mar 15 - Karen http://practicalfrugality.blogspot.com

Mar 16 - Heather http://savingfor6.blogspot.com/

Mar 17 - Jessica http://sewcraftable.blogspot.com

Mar 18 - Stephanie http://beautybrite.com

Mar 19- Jessie http://momvantage.net

Mar 20 - Dawn http://www.slopswap.com

Mar 21- Kathy http://www.beentheredonethat.com/

Mar 22 - Melissa http://mychaoticramblings.info

Mar 23 - Terri http://www.terrislittlehaven.com

Mar 24 - Digna http://autumnbluesreviews.blogspot.com/

Mar 25 - Krista http://www.http://www.beentheredonethatwithkat.com/heavenlysavings.net

Mar 26 Brandy http://giveawayblogdom.com

Mar 27 - Mandie http://takingtimeformommy.com

Mar 28 - Erin http://www.forhimandmyfamily.blogspot.com/



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Friday, February 17, 2012

Choices Book 2 Guardian Trilogy Teaser


"So we're lost? Great! What kind of operation is this?"
"Guardians are never lost." Quintus flashed me his ridiculously deep dimples, but I felt no appreciation for them. There was only one smile I wanted to see—
Needing to keep moving, I trudged through the woods in the direction I was facing. I heard Quintus walking behind me. How could he come to get me without a better plan than this? How did I get stuck with the person who’d abandoned me to a demon? My afterlife sucked.

March

Monday, February 13, 2012

Movies as Chilling as the Weather Outside


Winter isn’t over yet no matter how much wishing and hoping I have been doing (let me assure you I have done my fair share). I don’t like snow, cold weather, or wearing coats. When the weather is cold and gloomy I prefer not to leave my house. All I want to do is bundle up in comfy clothes by the fire and watch movies.

So in honor of the frightful weather outside and the delightful fire inside, I bring you my:

 Top Five Bone Chilling Cinema

1.       The Shining. Every time it snows and there is the threat of cabin fever, this movie comes to mind. No other movie in the history of every horror movie I have seen has stuck with me like this movie. To this day I am still scared of Jack Nicholson (honestly, who isn’t?), I find long hallways in hotels creepy (and hope for no twins), avoid children who talk with their finger in a low voice (crazy little creepers), and am suspicious of all bartenders only I can see (though I appreciate the conversation). 


2.       The Thing. I am not really an alien fan, but this has elements of the truly creepy (poor dogs). What can you do when there is literally no way out and someone near you is the killer? It plays on similar themes as the Shining—being trapped and not being able to trust those closest to you—and uses them to terrorize you (just the way I like it). 

3.       Whiteout. This is a bit more actiony with an ax murder twist and a snow storm looming in the forecast. Good cast, somewhat predictable plot, but plenty of eye candy (Gabriel Macht and Alex O’Laughlin). If you aren’t looking for the next Silence of the Lambs, it is enjoyable. 


4.       30 Days of Night. This movie features one of my favorite things, vampires who actually kill people. What can I say, when it comes to these fanged fellows I am a purest. Again, not the best movie I have ever seen, but it has some worthy jumps and an interesting story. 


5.       Dreamcatcher. Another Stephen King movie with an excellent cast. I will say I really, really liked this movie for the first hour or so. Then it goes weird and loses a lot of the creepiness (a problem I have with a lot of horror movies. Strong starts and weak finishes). But the first hour is worth watching it.


What is your favorite winter movie to curl up with?      

Monday, February 6, 2012

Supernaturally Yours

What’s better than a hot demon on television or in a movie? 10 delightfully naughty demons right here is Bat Country. Yep, that’s right. Just because I love you guys I scoured the nine circles of the pop culture to find you the hottest of the hot—Dante would be proud.

Demons have been around for as long as people have been afraid of the dark. In most cultures demons are considered unclean spirits that can take over your body and not in a good way. Many demons in literature are fallen angels (who doesn’t like a bad boy *waggles eyebrows*). Some demons are portrayed as scary and vile (possibly fair), but you won’t find them here.

Nope today is all about temptation. So here are my

TOP TEN DEBONAIR DEVILS

1.       The Collector- Tales From the Crypt: Demon Knight - Oh Billy Zane. No man has looked so appealing without hair since Yul Brenner. This demon is mean, evil (that’s a given, and a little funny. Temptation is definitely in his bag of tricks, but saying I love you is a little out of his league.

2.       Balthazar- Constantine  - Gavin Rossdale might be a rock star in real life, but in 2005 he was the demon Balthazar who goes up against Keanu Reeves in Constantine. He is British, he flips a coin on his fingers like Doc Holiday in Tombstone, and he looks really good in a suit. Not a bad catch if you can get past the killing good guys thing.


3.       Balthazar aka Cole Turner- Charmed.  Julian McMahon was the demon sent by the triad to kill the Charmed ones. Like all who came before him, he fails time and time again, but the Charmed ones don’t vanquish him instead Phoebe dates him and who could blame her. It isn’t all smooth sailing on his reform to good, but he tries really hard and looks good doing it.


4.       Lucifer- The Prophecy-   Viggo Mortensen plays one of my favorite devils in this. He is creepy, oddly attractive and the king of the underworld. When Gabriel get a little rebellious who better to stop him than the father of rebellion?


5.       Azrael- Dogma-  Jason Lee is a demon who is tired of being a demon in one of my favorite Kevin Smith films. He manipulates two of the possibly dumbest earth bound angels into nearly destroying the world. He is funny, fights dirty, and has cute little horns.


6.       Crowley- Supernatural-  On a show where there is this much hotness (Hello, Dean and Sam) it is easy to overlook the other cuties. Mark Sheppard plays Crowley, the former crossroads demon and current king of hell, who may manipulate and always work his own agenda, but he is mostly the lesser of many, many evils. He is snarky and sort of just awesome.


7.       Lucifer- Supernatural- Lucifer tortures Sam, and he tries to destroy the world. But Mark Pellegrino nails this role as the misanthropic former angel. When he tells his side of things, it makes you actually feel bad for him. Quite the feat considering he had been picking on the brother’s Winchester all season.


8.       ZanKou- Charmed- Oded Fehr played this reoccurring demon on charmed before he was in the Mummy or Resident Evil. He is a very powerful demon who sets his sights on the charmed one, but they manage not to date this hottie. Too bad.


9.       Brendan Rowe- Charmed- Michael Weatherly wasn’t always Tony DiNozzo. He was also one of three demon brothers who were destined to be the evil equivalent of the charmed ones only Brendan is a hold out. This demon has extra depth in that he is renouncing his evil side and taking order as a priest. I like to root for the underdog.


10.   John Milton- The Devil’s Advocate.  Al Pacino. Really do I need to say anything else? A-mazing. And with a name like John Milton and a personality as big as his how could you not love him just a little.


Now I am not the only one who if bringing you supernatural hotties today. A lot of my friends also have posts from vampires to angels to elves and fae. Follow the links and keep enjoying the fun!
Cait Lavender's Werewolves
Elizabeth Sharp's Vampires
M.d. Christie's Ghosts
C.G. Powells's Elves
Sarah Ross' Angels
Stephanie Nelson's Witches
Melanie Ainsworth's Fae
Tiffany White's Warlocks

Supernaturally Yours,

Liz 

P.S.  Michael Fassbender who played the fallen angel Azarael in Hex completely deserved to be on this post and possibly number one. Thank you, Lena, for reminding me.

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Woman in Black Review

The Woman in Black is the new scary movie out this weekend. It is set in a remote village in England. A young lawyer, Kipps (Daniel Radcliffe), is sent to go through the papers in Eel Marsh when the firm’s client Mrs. Drablow passes away. As soon as Kipps arrives, the town is creepy and unfriendly. They will not give him the room his company arranged and at every turn someone is trying to make him go home. However, Kipps has financial problems and is already in bad standing with his firm, so he has no choice but to complete the job. When Kipps finally gets to the house, the haunting reveals itself almost immediately. The movie continues on with wonderful thrills right up to the very end.

The movie is a wonderful, creepy ghost story. Radcliffe does an excellent job playing the troubled Mr. Kipp. I only made a couple Harry Potter jokes while watching the movie. Mostly, I was so taken in by the story I didn’t even think about his most prominent role. In a time for horror movies when the majority of scares are driven by gore and over the top graphics, this was a refreshing ghost story that toys with your mind and sends chills down your spine.

By the way, there are tons of creepy ass dolls in the movie. Really creepy dolls.
My rating is 

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Blood Awakening by Wenona Hulsey #FREE today and tomorrow

For a limited time Blood Awakening will be FREE on Amazon.  This is the novelette that stared the Blood Burden (Nicole Keenan) series that everyone is talking about so grab it before this free offer is gone.

What are people saying about Blood Awakening?
"An awesome beginning to the series!" -Imaloud
"A Surefire winner by an author to watch!!" -Hotmaja54
"So, do I recommend this story? Darn right, I do!!" -JenniferS

Overview:
Evil starts the clock ticking, leaving Nicole's life changed forever....
Hidden powers, ancient grudges, romance and action that will leave you begging for more....
 
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