Body and Soul Blog Tour! Author This or That!

Body and Soul 
Author: Stacey Kade
Series: The Ghost and Goth, #3
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
Release: May 1, 2012
Reading level: Ages 12 and up
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH

Buy this Book! Amazon 

Book Summary:

The Ghost --I’ve been trapped in the body of Lily “Ally” Turner for a month now. Talk about a fashion crisis on an epic scale. What worries me more, though, is sometimes I catch Will looking at me like he thinks I’m Lily...or that he wishes I were. Without the good looks of my former self, I don’t know who I am, or if who that is is good enough. I need out of this mess. Now.

Will and I have been looking for a solution, one that would separate me from Lily without killing her. But it’s not going well. Then, when it seems like things couldn’t get any worse, we run into Misty, my former best friend and boyfriend-stealer extraordinaire, who claims she’s being haunted...by me. Seriously?

I’m determined to get to the bottom of who’s pretending to be the spirit of Alona Dare (while I’m pretending to be someone else) and then get the heck out of this body. Or die trying...

The Goth --I’ll admit it. It’s really weird to look at Alona but see Lily. I do know the difference, though, contrary to what Alona might be saying. And Alona is more than a pretty face to me, not that she would believe that.

Our one lead for some help in this messed up situation might be a page torn from the yellow pages-—the “Psychics” section-—I found in my dad’s stuff. One of the “fakes” seems a bit more real-—and odd-—than the others. Before I can investigate further, though, Alona is off and chasing a ghost that’s probably nothing more than a figment of Misty’s guilty imagination. Now Lily’s family is freaking out because she didn’t come home, my mom is ordering me to stay out of it, and something is definitely wrong with the person formerly known as Lily “Ally” Turner...

Author This or That! 

Welcome to Rex Robot Reviews, Stacey! Please tell us which of the following you prefer over the other- we look forward to getting to know you better :)

Vampires or Werewolves?
Hmmm. Vampires. (Though if we’re speaking about specific stories, I much preferred Jacob to Edward, but that was personality thing.)

TV Shows or Movies?
TV Shows…I think. This is a tough one.

Soda or Lemonade?
Soda

Flip Flops or Sneakers?
Flip Flops

Dogs or Cats?
Dogs

Paperback or Ebook?
Paperback

Harry Potter or Percy Jackson?
Harry Potter

Beach or Lake?
Beach

Romance or Urban Fantasy?
Urban Fantasy

Mustard or Ketchup?
Ketchup

In Honor Blog Tour! Character This or That!

In Honor By Jessi Kirby
Genre: Contemporary Young Adult
Reading level: Ages 14 and up
Hardcover: 240 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Release: May 8, 2012
Buy this Book: Amazon

Book Summary:

Hours after her brother’s military funeral, Honor opens the last letter Finn ever sent. In her grief, she interprets his note as a final request and spontaneously decides to go to California to fulfill it.

Honor gets as far as the driveway before running into Rusty, Finn’s best friend since third grade and his polar opposite. She hasn’t seen Rusty in ages, but it’s obvious he is as arrogant and stubborn as ever—not to mention drop-dead gorgeous. Despite Honor’s better judgment, the two set off together on a voyage from Texas to California. Along the way, they find small and sometimes surprising ways to ease their shared loss and honor Finn’s memory—but when shocking truths are revealed at the end of the road, will either of them be able to cope with the consequences?

Character This or That: Honor!

Welcome to Rex Robot Reviews, Honor! Please tell us which of the following you prefer over the other- we look forward to getting to know you better :)

Werewolves or Warlocks
Werewolves—as long as they’re as buff and shirtless as Jacob

Italian Ice or Ice Cream
Ice cream. The Italians have nothing on Ben & Jerry

Paperback or Ebook
Paperback. Always.

Beach or Mountains
Gah, this hard! It’s close, not an easy choice…but beach.

Green or Pink
Neither? I don’t think I own anything in either of these colors.

Romance or Urban Fantasy
Romance

Day or Night
Day. Morning

Puppies or Kittens
Puppies. I have no use for cats—or kittens. Ever.

Mac or PC
PC and proud.

Soda or Lemonade
Soda—Coke, to be specific

The Vicious Deep Blog Tour! Author This or That List!

The Vicious Deep

By Zoraida Cordova

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal

Reading level: Ages 12 and up
Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Release: May 1, 2012

Buy the Book: AMAZON!

About The Vicious Deep:

For Tristan Hart, everything changes with one crashing wave.

He was gone for three days. Sucked out to sea in a tidal wave and spit back ashore at Coney Island with no memory of what happened. Now his dreams are haunted by a terrifying silver mermaid with razor-sharp teeth.

His best friend Layla is convinced something is wrong. But how can he explain he can sense emotion like never before? How can he explain he’s heir to a kingdom he never knew existed? That he’s suddenly a pawn in a battle as ancient as the gods.

Something happened to him in those three days. He was claimed by the sea…and now it wants him back.

 

This or That List with Zoraida Cordova!

The Little Mermaid or Splash?

The Little Mermaid! 

Italian Ice or Ice Cream?

Ice cream 

Beach or Lake?

Beach

Green or Blue?

Blue

Morning or Night?

Night

Soda or Lemonade?

Lemonade

Ketchup or Mustard?

Ketchup

Romance or Fantasy?

Fantasy

Rain or Snow?

Rain

Twitter or Facebook?

Twitter! I love tweets :)  

Follow Zoraida Online!

Blog * Goodreads * Twitter * Facebook

 

Love & Haight Blog Tour! This or That List!

About Love & Haight:

It’s 1971, and seventeen-year-old Chloe and her best friend MJ head to San Francisco to ring in the New Year. But Chloe has an ulterior motive—and a secret. She’s pregnant and has devised a plan not to be. In San Francisco’s flower-power heyday, it was (just about) legal to end her pregnancy.

But as soon as the girls cross the Golden Gate, the scheme starts to unravel amid the bellbottoms, love-beads, and bongs. Chloe’s secrets escalate until she betrays everyone she cares about. MJ, who has grave doubts about Chloe’s plan. Her groovy aunt Kiki, who’s offered the girls a place to crash. Her self-absorbed mother meditating back in Phoenix. And maybe, especially, the boy she wishes she’d waited for.

BUY THIS BOOK! Amazon

  

This or That List

[This or That list filled out by author Susan Carlton with the brilliant main character's (Chloe) preferences!]

Werewolves or Witches?
Witches—in the hippie-trippy sense. Chloe’s aunt Kiki is pretty mystical, though the hallucinogenics of 1971 help.

Italian Ice or Ice Cream?
Ice Cream, especially at Swenson’s in San Francisco, home to the grooviest French Vanilla.

Beach or Lake?
Actually, bay. Nothing better than sitting near the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge and looking north over San Francisco Bay.

Green or Blue? 
Blue. And green. And orange. Hey, it was the ‘70s.

Morning or Night?
Morning—as in morning after, morning sickness.

Soda or Lemonade?
Soda. Tab, specifically.

Ketchup or Mustard?
Both, with a side of guacamole.

Blondes or Brunettes?
Chloe’s is auburn-ish so I’d say brunette—plus, the boy she wishes she’d waited for has shiny long brown hair.

Romance or Fantasy?
Romance, most definitely, especially with a really good kisser.

Giveaway! The Book of Wonders by Jasmine Richards!

About the Book:

Sorcerers, Cyclops, Djinnis . . . Magic.

Thirteen-year-old Zardi loves to hear stories about fantastical beings long banned from the kingdom of Arribitha. But anyone who is caught whispering of their powers will feel the rage of the sultan—a terrifying tyrant who, even with his eyes closed, can see all.

When her own beloved sister is captured by the evil ruler, Zardi knows that she must risk everything to rescue her. Along with Rhidan, who is her best friend, and an unlikely crew of sailors led by the infamous Captain Sinbad, Zardi ventures forth into strange and wondrous territory with a seemingly impossible mission: to bring magic back to Arribitha and defeat the sultan once and for all.
 

This or That List with 

Author Jasmine Richards! 

Hi, nice to be here on your blog. Thanks for having me!

Werewolves or Warlocks?

Zardi, my heroine in the Book of Wonders, is fascinated with magic. She loves hearing stories about enchantments even though the mere mention of magic could get you in serious trouble, even killed. The sultan, when he first came to power, executed anyone who could cast spells or knew magic. Therefore, if Zardi was to be confronted by a werewolf or a warlock – she’d most definitely go for the warlock. She’d be very intrigued by the idea of magic. Also, as an author, I have a soft spot for warlocks. I’ve actually written about them in another book which is published under my pen name JD Sharpe. You can check it out here or on the website.

Italian Ice or Ice Cream?

I think Zardi would definitely prefer Italian Ice as this is closest to her sister’s recipe for sherbet. This is a fruity ice dessert that her sister promises to make her for her birthday.

Paperback or Ebook?

I think Zardi would be attracted to ebooks as she likes all that is novel and exciting. New horizons excite her.

Beach or Mountains?

I would definitely say beach because it is near the sea and Zardi loves the sea. In fact, at the beginning of the book, it is clear that Zardi’s lifelong ambition is to become a sailor. However, it is only when her sister is imprisoned by the sultan that she sets sail on a quest to bring back magic to her kingdom in an attempt to defeat the sultan.

Green or Pink?

I would definitely say green. Pink is far too girly for Zardi!

Romance or Urban Fantasy?

Urban Fantasy. Zardi is a girl who likes action, action, and then a bit more action! So I would say urban fantasy. I also think she would be intrigued by the setting and would love hearing about a world that was very different to hers.

Day or Night?

I’m going to say night as The Book of Wonders was inspired by the collection of stories called Arabian Nights, also known as 1001 Nights. In this collection of stories, the wazier’s daughter Scheherazade must tell stories for 1001 nights to keep her head [you see, the sultan has a habit of executing young women]. I loved these stories when I was younger, especially the Seven voyages of Sinbad the Sailor and Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. However, I never the liked the idea that the sultan got away with beheading lots of other young women before meeting Scheherazade who melts his heart. The Book of Wonders is my way of giving another story to Scheherazade and sultan. A version where he doesn’t get away with murder. . .

Puppies or Kittens?

In The Book of Wonders Zardi is described as a kitten by the sultan and although this is meant as an insult the sultan is more right than he knows because Zardi’s names means Lion-born. It is the perfect name for her because she has feline agility and is super fierce.

Mac or PC Mac?

I think Zardi would go for the mac because it seems more sleek and powerful - words that Zardi would like. I write on a PC though!

Soda or Lemonade?

I think lemonade. The sharpness fits with the fact that The Book of Wonders will at points make you draw breath but is, I hope, refreshing! Thanks for the questions!

About the Author:

Jasmine Richards was born in London, grew up in a library, and was the first in her family to go to university. After graduating from Oxford, and following a brief stint at New Scotland Yard, Jasmine chose a career in publishing over being the next Sherlock Holmes. Today she's a senior editor at a leading British publishing house. She now lives in Oxfordshire with her husband in an old wool mill. The Book of Wonders is her first novel and she would love to know what you think about it.

Blog Tour: A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron

A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron

About the Book:

This is the remarkable story of one endearing dog’s search for his purpose over the course of several lives. More than just another charming dog story, A Dog’s Purpose touches on the universal quest for an answer to life's most basic question: Why are we here?

Surprised to find himself reborn as a rambunctious golden-haired puppy after a tragically short life as a stray mutt, Bailey’s search for his new life’s meaning leads him into the loving arms of 8-year-old Ethan. During their countless adventures Bailey joyously discovers how to be a good dog.

But this life as a beloved family pet is not the end of Bailey’s journey. Reborn as a puppy yet again, Bailey wonders—will he ever find his purpose?

Heartwarming, insightful, and often laugh-out-loud funny, A Dog's Purpose is not only the emotional and hilarious story of a dog's many lives, but also a dog's-eye commentary on human relationships and the unbreakable bonds between man and man's best friend. This moving and beautifully crafted story teaches us that love never dies, that our true friends are always with us, and that every creature on earth is born with a purpose.   

Author This or That List! 

Soda or Lemonade?

Lemonade is probably better for me, but I pick soda.

Large Dogs or Toy Dogs?

I like dogs so big that when I walk them down the street people run into their houses and lock their doors.

Comedy or Horror?

Nothing is more horrifying than bad comedy, and nothing is better than good comedy. I pick good comedy.

Paperback or Ebook?

I like holding a paperback so that people will come up to me and talk to me about what I’m reading, as in, “aren’t you a little old to be reading that?”

Superman or Batman?

I’d like to BE Superman, but I’d like to hang out with Batman and cruise around in the batmobile, maybe go out for tacos.

Ketchup or Mustard?

Ketchup almost always, but not on hotdogs. Parents give their children ketchup for their hotdogs to exert total mind control over them and we must

fight this or the species will be lost.

Beach or Mountains?

I prefer the mountains because I look really bad in a bikini.

Shopping or Hiking?

Shopping, because if you go shopping you can buy a new TV to watch a hiking show on.

Mac or PC?

I had one of the very first computers, the kind that ran on firewood. I’ve got both now but still prefer a PC because of how often it crashes.

Meat or Veggies?

Meat! I only eat food that eats food.

Visit W. Bruce Cameron's

Website    Goodreads

Giveaway & This or That List with Sophie Jordan!

Vanish by Sophie Jordan

Series: Firelight, #2

Publisher: HarperCollins

Release: September 6, 2011

Buy the Book: Amazon

About the Book:

To save the life of the boy she loves, Jacinda did the unthinkable: She betrayed the most closely-guarded secret of her kind. Now she must return to the protection of her pride knowing she might never see Will again—and worse, that because his mind has been shaded, Will’s memories of that fateful night and why she had to flee are gone.

Back home, Jacinda is greeted with hostility and must work to prove her loyalty for both her sake and her family’s. Among the few who will even talk to her are Cassian, the pride’s heir apparent who has always wanted her, and her sister, Tamra, who has been forever changed by a twist of fate. Jacinda knows that she should forget Will and move on—that if he managed to remember and keep his promise to find her, it would only endanger them both. Yet she clings to the hope that someday they will be together again. When the chance arrives to follow her heart, will she risk everything for love?

In bestselling author Sophie Jordan’s dramatic follow-up to Firelight, forbidden love burns brighter than ever.

About the Author:

Sophie Jordan took her adolescent daydreaming one step further and penned her first historical romance in the back of her high school Spanish class. This passion led her to pursue a degree in English and History.

A brief stint in law school taught her that case law was not nearly as interesting as literature - teaching English seemed the natural recourse. After several years teaching high school students to love Antigone, Sophie resigned with the birth of her first child and decided it was time to pursue the long-held dream of writing.

In less than three years, her first book, Once Upon A Wedding Night, a 2006 Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Nominee for Best First Historical, hit book shelves. Her second novel, Too Wicked To Tame, released in March 2007 with a bang, landing on the USA Today Bestseller's List.

Sophie's This or That List

Werewolves or Warlocks

Werewolves! I’m really digging the new Teen Wolf.

Italian Ice or Ice Cream

Mmm, ice cream. I like it too much! Especially dipping dots.

Paperback or Ebook

Both! I’ll never give up a hold-in-your-hand book, nor can I deny the coolness and convenience of an ereader.

Beach or Mountains

I love both!

Green or Pink

Green.

Romance or Urban Fantasy

Oh, romance. I like reading a plot (especially paranormal) where the romance is the core of the story.

Day or Night

Night. I’ve always been a night owl. My energy is better at night. Much writing occurs then.

Puppies or Kittens

Oh, puppies – hands down. I admire cats, respect them … just don’t want to own one.

Find Sophie Online:

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Vanish Swag Pack Giveaway!

Fill out the form after the jump to enter! You only have to do one thing to enter, or you can do all of them!

Here Lies Bridget Tour: This or That List!

Here Lies Bridget
by Paige Harbison
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release: January 18, 2011
Buy the Book: Amazon

About the Book:

What do you do when the five people you meet in limbo all want you to go to hell?

Bridget Duke is the uncontested ruler of her school. The meanest girl with the biggest secret insecurities. And when new girl Anna Judge arrives, things start to fall apart for Bridget: friends don’t worship as attentively, teachers don’t fall for her wide-eyed “who me?” look, expulsion looms ahead and the one boy she’s always loved—Liam Ward—can barely even look at her anymore.

When a desperate Bridget drives too fast and crashes her car, she ends up in limbo, facing everyone she’s wronged and walking a few uncomfortable miles in their shoes. Now she has only one chance to make a last impression. Though she might end up dead, she has one last shot at redemption and the chance to right the wrongs she’s inflicted on the people who mean the most to her.

And Bridget’s about to learn that, sometimes, saying you’re sorry just isn’t enough.…

About the Author: 

Paige Harbison grew up on the outskirts of Washington D.C. and is the daughter of New York Times Bestselling author Beth Harbison. Paige is currently working toward her Bachelor's Degree at Towson University in Baltimore, MD.

Anna's This or That List

Anna is one of the main character's in Paige's novel HERE LIES BRIDGET. 

Soda or Lemonade

Soda—now that I’m dead I can drink as much as I want and not worry about the “pound a year” thing or whatever it is.

Vampires or Shifters

Well…I’m kind of a shifter. So I guess my allegiance has to lie there. Even though in essence vampires are hotter.

Comedy or Horror

Horror is comedy to me now that I have nothing to fear.

Paperback or Ebook

Paperback. I like the teetering piles of books.

Superman or Wolverine

Wolverine is more flawed, and thusly more interesting.

Harry Potter or Percy Jackson

Harry Potter. No explanation necessary.

Beach or Mountains

Mountains. Strange thing about dying—you can’t get tan, and the beach becomes less interesting.

Shopping or Hiking

Shopping. I’ve never understood hiking.

Mac or PC

Mac. They’re just cooler.

Kittens or Puppies

Puppies. In fact, a big room full of fluffy puppies is my heaven. A room with one cat in it is pretty close to my hell.

Find Paige:

Website

Twitter

Goodreads

Facebook

This or That List with Author Sonia Gensler!

The Revenant by Sonia Gensler
Publisher: Knopf Books
Release: June 14, 2011
Buy the Book: Amazon

About the Book:

When Willie arrives in Indian Territory, she knows only one thing: no one can find out who she really is. To escape a home she doesn't belong in anymore, she assumes the name of a former classmate and accepts a teaching job at the Cherokee Female Seminary.

Nothing prepares her for what she finds there. Her pupils are the daughters of the Cherokee elite—educated and more wealthy than she, and the school is cloaked in mystery. A student drowned in the river last year, and the girls whisper that she was killed by a jealous lover. Willie's room is the very room the dead girl slept in. The students say her spirit haunts it.

Willie doesn't believe in ghosts, but when strange things start happening at the school, she isn't sure anymore. She's also not sure what to make of a boy from the nearby boys' school who has taken an interest in her—his past is cloaked in secrets. Soon, even she has to admit that the revenant may be trying to tell her something. . . Courtesy of Goodreads.com

About the Author:

Sonia Gensler is a former high school teacher turned full-time writer living in Oklahoma with my husband and cat. Her debut novel, THE REVENANT (Knopf 2011), is a ghostly mystery set at a Cherokee girls' school. 

Find Sonia Online: Website & Goodreads

 

Sonia's This or That List: 

Vampires or Werewolves? Hmmm . . . I’d say vampires, but only if I can specifically choose Damon from Vampire Diaries.

TV Shows or Movies? I love them equally! But if I HAD to choose one . . . I guess it would be movies. No! TV. Oh, I can’t decide.

Soda or Lemonade? Soda. Diet Coke to be specific. (Though I’m trying to cut back.)

Flip Flops or Sneakers? Sneakers. I like to go on long walks, and flip flops just don’t cut it.

Dogs or Fish? Can I choose cats? If not, I guess I choose dogs. Particularly the wiry little terriers with funny faces.

Paperback or Ebook? Though I appreciate the advantages of eBooks, I will always prefer the feel (& papery smell) of an actual book in my hand.

Harry Potter or Percy Jackson? Harry Potter. Magical English boarding school FTW!

Beach or Lake? Tough choice, but I might pick a lake. Particularly one in England. Lake Tenkiller in Tahlequah (setting of The Revenant) is also very nice. My writing group has a retreat there every year.

Romance or Urban Fantasy? Romance, definitely.

Mustard or Ketchup? I hardly ever use either, but sometimes I love ketchup on my fries, so I’ll go with that.

This or That List with Author Sarah Mlynowski!

About the Book:

2 girls + 3 guys + 1 house – parents = 10 things April and her friends did that they (definitely, maybe, probably) shouldn't have. 

If given the opportunity, what sixteen-year-old wouldn't jump at the chance to move in with a friend and live parent-free? Although maybe "opportunity" isn't the right word, since April had to tell her dad a tiny little untruth to make it happen. But she and her housemate Vi are totally responsible and able to take care of themselves. How they ended up "Skipping School" (#3), "Throwing a Crazy Party" (#8), "Buying a Hot Tub" (#4), and, um, "Harboring a Fugitive" (#7) at all is kind of a mystery to them. 

In this hilarious and bittersweet tale, Sarah Mlynowski mines the heart and mind of a girl on her own for the first time. To get through the year, April will have to juggle a love triangle, learn to do her own laundry, and accept that her carefully constructed world just might be falling apart . . . one thing-she-shouldn't-have-done at a time. 

About the Author: 

Sarah is the author of BRAS & BROOMSTICKS, FROGS & FRENCH KISSES, SPELLS & SLEEPING BAGS and PARTIES & POTIONS—all in the YA ‘Magic in Manhattan’ series, as well as GIMME A CALL and the upcoming TEN THINGS WE DID (AND PROBABLY SHOULDN'T HAVE).

Sarah's books have been translated into twenty-one languages. Originally from Montreal, she now lives and writes in New York City.

April's This or That List

April is Sarah Mlynowski's super fun character in Ten Things We Did (And Probably Shouldn't Have.)

Physical or Electronic Books? Physical. You can’t take an eBook into Hula (our hot tub). Wait. Can you?

Werewolves or Vampires? Vampires. I am a compulsive Vampire Nights fanatic. All the way, everyday.

Beach or Lake? The Long Island Sound, since that’s what’s outside our house. Although my history with the Sound hasn’t been perfect. First, drunken mermaid impressions, then swimming in Vi’s dress on my birthday.

Ketchup or Mustard? Ketchup and mustard and mayo. The more sauce the merrier.

Hero or Heroine? How about a Hudson? Swooooon.

Cats or Dogs? Cats! Of course. I'd do anything for my little snookums. Love you, Donut!

Fruits or Vegetables? Ice cream with chocolate sauce. Oh. Was that not an option?

Lemonade or Ice Tea? Anything other than wine coolers.

Wendy's or Burger King? Chipotle.

Pizza or Spaghetti? Pizza for a night in, spaghetti for a night out.

Romance or Urban Fantasy? Romance.

TV Shows or Movies? Vampire Nights forever!

Giveaway! 

One lucky winner will receive Ten Things We Did (And Probably Shouldn't Have)!

Rules: 

US Only!

Winner has 48 hours to respond

Mandatory Entry: 

Leave a comment answering the following question:

Name one thing you did (but probably shouldn't have.)

WINNER!
Winner #24 - Melissa C.

This or That List with Author Shawn Odyssey!

About the Book: 

Oona Crate was born to be the Wizard's apprentice, but she has another destiny in mind.

Despite possessing the rare gift of Natural Magic, Oona wants to be a detective. Eager for a case, she is determined to prove that logic can be just as powerful as wizardry. But when someone attacks her uncle--the Wizard of Dark Street--Oona is forced to delve even deeper into the world of magic.

Full of odd characters, evil henchmen, and a street where nothing is normal, The Wizard of Dark Street will have you guessing until the very end.

 

About the Author:

For eight mysterious years Shawn Thomas Odyssey labored extremely long hours in a 140-seat professional theatre in Santa Barbara, California. There he worked as an actor, a musician, a stagehand, a set builder, a scenic painter, casting coordinator, and was the person they sent into the dank, dark underbelly of the theatre to find rusty old props and spider infested wigs.

Upon his perilous escape from this life of daring stagecraft, he began an equally death-defying career as a music composer for film, television, and video games, creating scores for HBO’s Deadwood, and the Activision/Dreamworks video game Kung Fu Panda.

As if these daunting careers were not enough, he sought out even more fearsome territory by writing all kinds of treacherous stories, plays, and books, and acquired a tireless obsession for research into a subject he likes to call “the Dark Street phenomenon.” He is married to a mysterious dancer whom he met while working at the haunted theatre, and along with a passion for collecting magic wands, he enjoys playing unusually dangerous music in a band whose name to this day remains a tightly held secret.

This or That List!

Physical or Electronic Books? Physical. Give me paper…Give me glue…Give me ink…And I’ll show you…Double, double toil and trouble… Fire burn, and cauldron bubble…(Oh, sorry about that. Don’t know what came over me)…ahem. Physical.

Salt or Pepper? I’m going to go with salt, and here’s why. While pepper can add a certain amount of “pep” to just about any savory dish, I like the overall philosophy of salt. While it’s true that salt can make things taste overly salty, if used correctly it will simply bring out the natural flavor of whatever you are cooking with: the food’s inner soul if you will. (Have I been watching a little too much Food Network? Maybe so, but I still say salt).

Beach or Lake? Beach. I lived by the ocean for most of my adult life, until I moved to the Sierra Foothills. Now I’m strictly a river man, and I need my fix daily!

Ketchup or Mustard? Mustard. And lots of it! Have you ever tried it on toast with almond butter? Huh? What? Yeah, you heard me right. Why not get your adventure on and give it a try? You just might be pleasantly surprised.

Hero or Heroine? At the moment I’ll go with Heroine. And after reading The Wizard of Dark Street, I’m hoping you’ll feel the same. (Insert book plug here: available in bookstores everywhere, etc…)

Cats or Dogs? My wife is insanely allergic to cats (which is too bad because I do love them so), so I’ll go with dogs. You can’t take a cat down to the river for a swim. Or, well, maybe you could, but I don’t think they would like you as much afterward. RRRAAOOOWWW!

Fruits or Vegetables? Personally I’d rather be a little crazy than catatonic…but if it’s food where talking about, then…hm…I’d still go with fruit. It’s summer time after all, and there’s very little that can compare with a summer peach.

Lemonade or Ice Tea? Ice tea. A little ice, a little tea. What’s not to love?

Wendy's or Burger King? What, no Del Taco?

Pizza or Spaghetti? Pizza! Pizza! Pizza! My mom made spaghetti so much when I was growing up I think I’ve had enough for four lifetimes. So once again: Pizza! Pizza! Pizza!

Romance or Urban Fantasy? Urban Fantasy. Give me some serious street magic any day.

TV Shows or Movies? TV shows. I’ve been saying this for years. It didn’t use to be like this, but I believe that lately TV has surpassed movies on many levels, not the least of which is the ability to create deep, complex characters that change over an extended period of time. With the advent of the DVD box set and Netflix, instead of spending just two hours with a few characters that we’re just beginning to get to know, we’re in for dozens of hours, and in the case of certain long lived masterpieces, such as one of my personal favorites (can you say Buffy?) were in for hundreds, and that make-a-me-do the happy dance!

The Wizard of Dark Street is available in bookstores nationwide and online in both hardback and eBook formats.  Please visit: http://www.thewizardofdarkstreet.com

This or That List with Mari Mancusi!

About the Book:

The final battle is brewing between Vampires and Slayers. But for Sunny McDonald, the true war is being fought over her heart.

Though now officially back in the arms of her vampire boyfriend Magnus, Sunny finds she still can't forget the gentle mortal Jayden who once saved her life. And when the darkness threatens to steal his humanity, Sunny finds herself with a choice. Stay true to Magnus and the Blood Coven or defy them in a desperate attempt to save Jayden’s soul.

Meanwhile, the Blood Coven is gearing up for its toughest fight yet--going head to head with a splinter group of Slayer Inc who's regrouping in Tokyo, Japan, still determined to take over the world. In dark blood bars and hidden temples, it'll be Vampires vs. Slayers in a showdown that could cost Sunny not only her heart...but also her very life.

About the Author:

Mari Mancusi used to wish she could become a vampire back in high school. But she ended up in another blood sucking profession --journalism -- instead. Today she works as a freelance TV producer and author of books for teens and adults.

This or That List with Sunny!

Sunny is Mari Mancusi's brilliant character from her Blood Coven series and she is here today to answer a little bit of This and That with us!

Romance or Urban Fantasy?

Oh romance--definitely. I like the happily ever afters. Urban Fantasy is too action-packed for me--reminds me too much of my real life. Sometimes I just want to escape in a book and know everything is going to turn out okay in the end.

Puppies or Kittens?

Puppies. Especially the ones Jayden works with at the Pet Comedy Theater in Vegas. They are so fuzzy and cute and can do such amazing tricks. Actually the cats can too--whoever said you couldn't train a cat has never seen these kitties! Sadly, though, I think I'm destined to be pet-free forever, as cats and dogs don't really like vampires. All that dead meat walking around--it's confusing, to say the least.

Sun or Stars?

Sun of course! I'm not named Sunshine for nothing, you know! To be honest that's one of the reasons I don't think I could ever deal with becoming a vampire. I couldn't bear never seeing another sunrise. Not to mention I'd have to forgo cruises to the Caribbean for all eternity. Boo!

Mustard or Ketchup?

Neither. I'm anti-condiment. Plain Jane all the way.

Vampires or Fae?

While some of my best friends are vampires (not to mention my sister and my boyfriend), I personally would not want to become a creature of the night. Sure, there are some benefits--immortality, riches beyond belief, etc. etc. But for me, being a fairy princess trumps all of that. For one thing, I can go out in the sun anytime I choose. And I get to survive on sweet, delicious nectar, instead of disgusting syrupy warm blood. Plus I can fly. Sure, I'm usually a little too afraid to use that power to its fullest extent. But it's saved my butt a few times. Oh and did I mention I can shapeshift? Yeah. Being a fairy rocks.

Lemonade or Iced Tea?

Ice tea--for the caffeine. My life's busy. And my boyfriend's nocturnal. A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

Paperback or Ebook?

Paperback. My sister Rayne is the high tech one in the family. I like curling up with a real book. Something about the smell. The feel of the pages on my fingertips. I can't imagine getting that same sensation from a computer.

Fruit or Veggie?

Fruit. Satisfies my sweet tooth. Strawberries, raspberries, peaches---mmm.

Batman or Spiderman?

Batman. He has to work hard for the money. He has no built-in superpowers. It's easy for Superman to save the world with all his Krypton given gifts. Plus Christian Bale is sooo hot!

Pop Tart or Toaster Strudel?

Pop Tarts. They're classic. And delicious. And sweet. Rayne always used to hide a box in her bedroom so when my mom decided to "cook" (and we use the term loosely) we wouldn't have to go to bed hungry.

This or That List with Alissa Grosso!

About the Book:

Meet the clique that rules Fidelity High: Olivia, Zelda, Nordica, and Shelly, each one handpicked by über-popular Hamilton Best. You know you're "in" when you make the guest list for one of Hamilton's parties. And in the thralls of senior year, everyone wants to get noticed by Hamilton.

But Hamilton's elite entourage is coming apart at the seams. Olivia fantasizes about finally having a boyfriend, Zelda dreams of ditching high school, Nordica wants to be alone with her photography, and Shelly's plotting to dethrone Hamilton. Lies and secrets are ripping away the careful ties that have kept them together for years. But Hamilton has the biggest secret of all, one that only her boyfriend Alex knows. If the truth got out, it would shock everyone and destroy Hamilton's fragile world—and she'll do anything to protect her secret and keep her clique together.

 

About the Author:

Alissa Grosso’s first novel, Popular, will be published in May 2011 by Flux. At various points in her working life she has been a tavern wench, a term paper writer, a newspaper editor and a children’s librarian. She owns very few garments that aren’t covered with cat or dog hair. She lives in New Jersey.

This or That List
1. Soda or Lemonade- Soda, unless we're talking about strawberry lemonade.
2. Vamps or Weres - Weres
3. Comedy or Horror - Comedy
4. Paperback or Ebook - Paperback
5. DC or Marvel - I'll have to turn in my nerd card, because honestly I don't really know the difference between DC and Marvel.
6. Harry Potter or Twilight - Harry Potter.
7. Wii or Xbox - Honestly, all I've ever used is a Playstation because my dad owns one.
8. Kindle or Nook - No clue, see number 4 above.
9. Mac or PC - PC, reluctantly.
10. Cats or Dogs - Both. If I answered that incorrectly someone might leave me a nasty surprise in my shoe. Actually, one of the cats might still leave me a nasty surprise.
11. Beach or Lake - Lake. I love the trees and the tranquility.
12. Flip Flops or Sneakers - Sneakers. I'm not into showing off my toes.
13. Orange or Apple - In fruit form, apple. In juice form, orange.
14. Blonds or Brunettes - Brunettes

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This or That List with Rebecca Ryals Russell!

This or That 

with the author of Odessa - 

Rebecca Ryals Russell!

Puppies or Kittens? 

Kittens, without question. We currently have 5 outside cats and 1 inside. One of the outside cats, barely out of kittenhood, is pregnant, so we’ll soon have many more. We’ve tried the puppy thing about seven times while the kids grew up. It never worked for us. They ate the wall of the utility room, pulled ponytails on little heads, barked constantly, pooped everywhere. We finally figured we were just meant to be cat people.

Beach or Lake? 

I grew up in Fort Lauderdale, watching beach sunrises with my boyfriend and burning to a crisp all summer. But I never liked the sand or salty water. I love staring out at the waves and horizon, though. I won’t go swimming in lakes because of the brain-eating amoebas. Ewww. But I love to sit on the bank and watch the fish or just enjoy nature. So I don’t think I can choose one over the other.

Paperback or Ebook?  

Oooo, big debate in my house right now. My teens/young adults prefer to hold a ‘real book’ and smell the paper. My hubby loves his iPad. I think, even though my own book is eBook, I still prefer the paper kind. I make notes throughout books when I’m reading and it’s a lot harder to do that to an electronic gizmo.

Soda or Lemonade? 

Never been one much for lemonade-and I don’t drink a whole lot of soda. I’m a Green Tea gal.

Green or Blue? 

Red. All the way. Every small appliance in my kitchen is red. Any time something is available in red-it’s in my hands or on my body. I love red. If I HAD to choose between green or blue—green because it means growth and prosperity, but it’s also beautiful to look at out my window in the country.

Werewolves or Vampires? 

Ouch. Both are deadly, dangerous and scary. I’m not a romantic when it comes to either of these. I believe in the 30 Days of Night Vamps. I’d rather never encounter either and don’t know what I’d do if I did. Probably die. If I HAD to choose- Werewolves, because for most of the month they are normal and can be reasoned with. Vamps are always blood-thirsty and dangerous.

Romance or Urban Fantasy? 

Both, combined. I’m reading the Cassandra Clare series The Mortal Instruments right now and loving it. I’m not usually one for Urban Fantasy – prefer Fantasy Worlds, but she’s done an awesome job combining genres. As for straight Romance— no thanks. Too much drama.

Mustard or Ketchup? 

Mustard. I’ve never cared much for ketchup. Too salty and ketchupy. I substitute barbeque sauce on my burger and fries. Yum.

Day or Night?  

Both are useful. I love Day for the bright sunshine that makes the colors in Florida brilliant and striking. I can’t get a lot of work done because of the family obligations (4 kids and a hubby). Night is useful for writing and catching up on my Promo/Blogs and such. I’m usually up until 2am.

This was fun and hard. Thanks for the tough questions.

Rebecca Online: 

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