Identity Discovery: February 2012

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

New Disney's Avengers Trailer at 9AM!

A new Avengers trailer is being released at 9AM this morning! If you love comics and can't wait to see this movie, check it out!

***MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS new trailer on Apple: http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/***

“Like” MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MarvelsTheAvengers

Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/avengers

MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS hits theaters on May 4th!

Wordy Wednesday: Magical Creations

Title: Magical Creations
Series:
Author: Nicola E. Sheridan
Publisher: MuseItUp PublishingEternal Press
Description:Dreams are free, so free your dreams... Sometimes freedom comes with a painful price. Omar is a 'masterless' Genie and freedom has given him an Achilles heel no enemy can miss. When desperation drives him to search for services of a Nephilim-with the ability to see, touch and take souls-Omar finds the sassy Antigone Watson who is running from demons of her own.

With magic a commodity to be governed, sold and stolen just like any other, the Magical Mafia are always on the look-out for new talent and soon the hunt is on. Together, Omar and Antigone realize that weakness of the flesh can be remedied by strength from the soul and true love can be born of dreams...

Review: WOWOWOW! I could not put this book down. I read it in a record breaking 2 and a half days and that was with taking care of my son a visiting my mom for about 8 hours. What a unique story and interesting characters. My question to you is, do you get tired of reading about the same paranormal creatures all the time? If you do, "Magical Creations" is definitely great book to break up that monotony. I LOVE werewolves and enjoy vampires, but Nephilims, Demonspawn, and Genies are a very pleasant change of pace. Now if you are like me, you probably are wondering what a Nephilim is. The word seemed familiar, but I didn't know what it was exactly. It's a half angel. Nicola Sheridan takes on the idea that Nephilims can see souls and even move them around. Antigone (the nephilim main character) has always avoiding doing anything with souls until she is suddenly forced into servitude with the Magical Mafia. In order to not be killed by a Naga, Antigone swears allegiance to the MM and is trained in all aspects of souls. Many of her tasks would break any normal person, but she is strong willed and has a strong desire to be set free with Omar the Genie. They have an unspoken bond from the beginning of the book and both Omar and Antigone can think only of getting the other safe and free. They are separated when they become part of the MM, but time and space can't separate two destined hearts.

The only thing that could destroy the growing love between our main characters is the one creature that can control a nephilim...A demonspawn. Lucien is the half human half demon that has the power to control Antigone's body and make her do things she hasno desire to do. When Omar sees a video of the things Antigone is forced to do, he is faced with reliving his past and trying to understand how Antigone could claim she loves him while sleeping with someone else. Obviously the video can't show Omar how it is that Antigone ends up in Lucien's arms, but is the how really important when you claim to love each other? This is the dilemma that faces Omar as he comes to grips with his extreme emotional attachment to a woman he barely knows. I absolutely loved this story!

Buy the Book:
Barnes and Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/magical-creations-nicola-e-sheridan/1106699970?ean=9781615725113&itm=1&usri=magical+creations

Amazon.com - http://www.amazon.com/Magical-Creations-ebook/dp/B005TJUX0E/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1329970299&sr=1-1

Wordy Wednesday: Mind Over Matter

Title: Mind Over Matter
Series: Anderson Security Inc. Series
Author: S.J. Clark
Publisher: MuseItUp Publishing
Description: For three years, Rebecca McKenney grieved the loss of her daughter. Now, a vision showing Sabrina three years older, suggests her baby is still alive, and the FBI agent who gave up the search is the only one who can help find her. Rebecca once witnessed a psychic connection between Agent Cooper and her daughter. She only hopes their fragile bond remains – and that the coward has the decency to pursue it.

Special Agent Dan Cooper, haunted by a tragic mistake made early in the investigation, agrees to help Rebecca to ease his conscience, if nothing else. Together they fight inner demons, all too real bad guys, and an attraction neither wants to admit to. Each step closer to finding her daughter unearths widespread deception and an evil so vile it threatens to break Rebecca's spirit. The thought of having her daughter back in her arms is all that keeps her going. Until she learns the horrifying truth – her daughter is scheduled to die in mere days.

Review: This story really gave me a lot to think about in the beginning. At the start, you are faced with Rebecca, a mother who lost her daughter three years ago, approximately. She was going through the motions of life, living as if her daughter were with her, but always reminded of her absence. She stayed in contact with all the authorities in order to keep the hope alive that some day she would be reunited with Sabrina (also called Bree). I was a little confused at first because she switched back and forth with referring to her daughter as Sabrina and Bree. It took a couple chapters for me to figure out they were the same person. Once that was clear, all I could think of was how horrible it must be to lose your child. I will be honest that there were moments when I had to stop reading because thoughts of losing my own son and then my marriage falling apart would drive me to tears. My heart was breaking for Rebecca as I read about her devotion to her child. What was more surprising was that her devtoion is to an adopted child. Sabrina is not hers by blood, but Rebecca loves her as if she were. That's not the case with her ex-husband and part of the reason he is her ex.

The story, if you couldn't tell from the first paragraph, moves quickly into the meat of it. There isn't a lot of time describing the characters or their past. That can be a positive and negative depending on how you like stories to flow. I liked that it jumped right in, but I was left confused at times trying to figure out what was happening. I will say that you do get enough information as you keep reading to figure it out. Everything is explained in due time. For instance, you do not find out what the "tragic mistake" is than Dan Cooper made until about 2/3 of the way through. He is very willing to help Rebecca immediately and you feel like it is mostly the physical attraction they have for each other, but his real motivation comes later. I won't tell you what that motivation is because it is a shocker worth finding out when reading. You will be amazed at who the culprits are and why they are kidnapping small children. Sabrina was just one of many.

You are probably wondering where the supernatural comes in. Rebecca has visions and is considered to be psychic. It turns out Sabrina is too, but she did not get that from Rebecca. This is really the only supernatural you will encounter in the story except for a brief glimpse of a ghost.

Overall I really enjoyed the story. It was a quick read. I read it in about 12 interrupted hours. If you enjoy reading about families that are separated and brought back together, this is definitely for you. There is a wonderful happy ending that will definitely make you smile.

Buy the Book:
Barnes and Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mind-over-matter-sj-clarke/1106820766?ean=9781927085967&itm=6&usri=mind+over+matter
Amazon.com - http://www.amazon.com/Mind-Over-Matter-ebook/dp/B0062A3P1I/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1329969973&sr=1-2
Smashwords.com - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/116221

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

BeeSavy Founder To Be Guest on LTDMom Radio

BeeSavy Founder To Be Guest on LTDMom Radio Thursday at 10AM EST

We’ve been talking a lot lately about BeeSavy.com, a new approach to cash back sites that rewards you for referring your friends with referral cash back. BeeSavy is really catching on within the deal space and mainstream media alike. If you’ve been wondering what BeeSavy is all about, be sure to tune in to Living The Dream Mom Radio with Nina Frye this Thursday, March 1st at 10am EST. Nina is going to have BeeSavy founder Robert Honer as her special guest. Topics will include how to use BeeSavy, how it works, and how to earn money referring others to BeeSavy. In addition, listeners will be able to call in live and ask questions on the air.

To learn more about BeeSavy and to join this blog’s BeeSavy team, please visit www.beesavy.com.

To tune into the show on Thursday at 10am EST, please visit LTDMom Radio.

There will also be a small giveaway to be awarded during the show.

Disney's Brave AND Trailer

BRAVE (In Disney Digital 3D™)
DISNEY•PIXAR
Website & Mobile site: Disney.com/Brave
Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/PixarBrave
Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/disneypixar

Genre:	Animation/Comedy/Adventure
Rating:	TBD
U.S. Release Date:	June 22, 2012
Voice Talent:	Kelly Macdonald, Emma Thompson, Billy Connolly, Julie Walters, Kevin McKidd, Craig Ferguson, Robbie Coltrane
Directors:	Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman
Producer:	Katherine Sarafian
Composer:	Patrick Doyle

Since ancient times, stories of epic battles and mystical legends have been passed through the generations across the rugged and mysterious Highlands of Scotland. In “Brave,” a new tale joins the lore when the courageous Merida (voice of Kelly Macdonald) confronts tradition, destiny and the fiercest of beasts.

Merida is a skilled archer and impetuous daughter of King Fergus (voice of Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (voice of Emma Thompson). Determined to carve her own path in life, Merida defies an age-old custom sacred to the uproarious lords of the land: massive Lord MacGuffin (voice of Kevin McKidd), surly Lord Macintosh (voice of Craig Ferguson) and cantankerous Lord Dingwall (voice of Robbie Coltrane). Merida’s actions inadvertently unleash chaos and fury in the kingdom, and when she turns to an eccentric old Witch (voice of Julie Walters) for help, she is granted an ill-fated wish. The ensuing peril forces Merida to discover the meaning of true bravery in order to undo a beastly curse before it’s too late.

Directed by Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman, and produced by Katherine Sarafian, “Brave” is a grand adventure full of heart, memorable characters and the signature Pixar humor enjoyed by audiences of all ages. The film takes aim at theaters on June 22, 2012, and will be presented in Disney Digital 3D™ in select theaters.

Notes:

Director Mark Andrews served as story supervisor for the Disney•Pixar films “Ratatouille” and “The Incredibles,” and was Oscar®-nominated as the co-writer/co-director of the Pixar short “One Man Band.” He also contributed to the screenplay as co-writer and served as second unit director for the 2012 Walt Disney Studios film “John Carter.” Director Brenda Chapman directed DreamWorks Animation’s “The Prince of Egypt” and was story supervisor for the Disney classic “The Lion King.” Producer Katherine Sarafian produced the Pixar short film “Lifted” and served as production manager for “The Incredibles.”
Actress Kelly Macdonald stars as Margaret Schroeder on HBO's "Boardwalk Empire," and as Ravenclaw's ghost, The Grey Lady, in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.” Her film credits also include “No Country for Old Men,” “Gosford Park” and “Trainspotting.”
Appearing in the movies “Men in Black 3” and “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2,” Emma Thompson is an Oscar®-winning actress (“Howards End”) and screenwriter (“Sense and Sensibility”) who most recently starred in, wrote and executive produced “Nanny McPhee Returns.”
Scottish comedian Billy Connolly most recently served as narrator for the Walt Disney Animation Studios short “The Ballad of Nessie” and appeared in “Gulliver’s Travels.”

A grand adventure full of heart, memorable characters and signature Pixar humor, “Brave” uncovers a new tale in the mysterious Highlands of Scotland where the impetuous Merida (voice of Kelly Macdonald) defies an age-old custom and inadvertently unleashes chaos, forcing her to discover the meaning of true bravery before it’s too late. Opens June 22, 2012, in Disney Digital 3D™ in select theaters.

Monday, February 27, 2012

Monday Memories

Welcome to Monday Memories. Last Monday I gave you two kits to download and today you have a single kit. This kit is available only today. Tomorrow the link will point to a different kit. This is because (as I have come to understand) that the links are updated Mondays and I just happened to pick Monday to be the day I hand them out. I haven't quite decided how to handle this. What is probably going to happen is that I have a Monday Memories post every other week instead of each week. That single post will have all three kits just because I want to make sure everyone has ample time to download the kit. Maybe the opposite Mondays of the kits will be a project I come up with for those kits. This will make things easier on me by giving me two weeks to put something together. Now that I am getting more things to review for my blog, I find I have little time to scrapbook much. I like this idea...Now that I have talked it out, that will be the plan. Also a reminder, no more Share the Memories Giveaways on Saturdays (unless I get something really special to share).

So here's today's preview for the kit:

Just to recap what you will be getting in this Monday Memories download:

These are compressed files and do not install automatically.
Each package consists of .png files.
They can be used in ANY software that supports .png files.
Includes 2 Quick Pages and all of the papers and elements used in creating them.
The papers (different from Quick Pages) are in .jpg format.
Quick pages are added to a project like you would add Pictures in the My Memories software. Use them like layers.
Quick pages are designed as a two page layout to be used side by side.
The files can even be used for customizing your blog or webpage.

HERE's your download link for Kit 1 and HERE's your download link for kit 2. Have fun creating!

As always, here is the list of new freebies on MyMemories.com. Remember that this list is for kits used in the My Memories Suite Software. If you do not have the software, you can purchase it using the code STMMMS15347 at checkout and you will get $10 off your final purchase of the software only. I recommend you copy and paste the code just to make sure you don't put it in incorrectly! Please use the code if you buy the software because it tells them that I referred you!

I received one or more of the products mentioned (my original My Memories Suite Software) above for free using Mom Blog Society. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Sign Up for Our 2012 “Werewolves” Reading Challenge

I love werewolves. It started with the Alpha and Omega series with Patricia Briggs. After I read those, I moved to the Mercy Thompson Series. I realize that Mercy Thompson isn't a werewolf, but her neighbor Adam is the leader of her local pack. The werewolves of his pack end up in every book. Ever since, I have looked for werewolf books and loved most of them. Since I read any werewolf books I can get a hold of, I am joining the Werewolves Reading Challenge for 2012. As part of the agreement for this, I have to have a page for you to sign up too! I took most of this from the original post at Read All Over Reviews, which you can see HERE.

How to Sign Up

If you have a blog, you will need to create a sign-up entry on your blog and link that below in the comments to participate.
If you do not have a blog, you are welcome to link your GoodReads, LibraryThing or Shelfari account in the comments (if you make a shelf/tag specifically for this event [e.g., Werewolves-Challenge-2012], please link directly to that so everyone can see what books you’ve chosen to read). Reviews posted on retail websites will not count.
Those with no online presence – be it blog or other – can still participate by commenting below with a message like “Hi, I don’t have a blog or account but I’ll be reading along with you guys!”. However, you will not be eligible for the grand prize since you have no venue to post your review.

Rules

The challenge runs from March 1, 2012 – December 31, 2012. Only books read (and reviewed, if you choose to do so) during this period will count.
At a minimum, you must read at least five books in order to complete the challenge.
Fiction and nonfiction can be read.
Your fiction book choices can be contemporary or historical, but they must absolutely deal with werewolves – and not in a peripheral sense, but in the lead storyline.
No other varieties of shifters, please; wolves only.

Grand Prize

A winner will be chosen at random from the link-up post (this will be a separate post – do not link reviews below please) once the Challenge is over and receive a mystery Werewolf book!

JOIN AT THIS LINK

Something Sunday: John Carter in Theaters March 9th

Website and Mobile site: disney.com/johncarter
Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/JohnCarterMovie
Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/DisneyPictures

Genre:	Action-Adventure
Rating:	PG-13
Release Date:	March 9, 2012
Running Time:	131 minutes

Cast:	Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, Samantha Morton, Mark Strong, Ciaran Hinds, Dominic West, James Purefoy, Bryan Cranston, Polly Walker, Daryl Sabara, with Thomas Haden Church and Willem Dafoe
Director:	Andrew Stanton
Producers:	Jim Morris, Lindsey Collins, Colin Wilson
Screenplay by:	Andrew Stanton & Mark Andrews and Michael Chabon
Based on the story “A Princess of Mars” by:	Edgar Rice Burroughs

From Academy Award®–winning filmmaker Andrew Stanton comes “John Carter”—a sweeping action-adventure set on the mysterious and exotic planet of Barsoom (Mars). “John Carter” is based on a classic novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, whose highly imaginative adventures served as inspiration for many filmmakers, both past and present. The film tells the story of war-weary, former military captain John Carter (Taylor Kitsch), who is inexplicably transported to Mars where he becomes reluctantly embroiled in a conflict of epic proportions amongst the inhabitants of the planet, including Tars Tarkas (Willem Dafoe) and the captivating Princess Dejah Thoris (Lynn Collins). In a world on the brink of collapse, Carter rediscovers his humanity when he realizes that the survival of Barsoom and its people rests in his hands.

Notes:

Edgar Rice Burroughs was born in Chicago and is best known for writing and creating Tarzan—still one of the most successful and iconic fictional creations of all time. “John Carter” is based on Burroughs’ first novel, “A Princess of Mars.”
Academy Award®–winning director/writer Andrew Stanton directed and co-wrote the screenplay for “WALL•E,” which earned the Academy Award® and Golden Globe Award® for Best Animated Feature of 2008. He was Oscar® nominated for the screenplay. He made his directorial debut with “Finding Nemo,” garnering an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay and winning the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film of 2003. He was one of the four screenwriters to receive an Oscar nomination in 1996 for his contribution to “Toy Story,” and went on to receive credit as a screenwriter on subsequent Pixar films “A Bug’s Life,” “Toy Story 2,” “Monsters, Inc.,” “Finding Nemo” and “WALL•E.”
The award-winning below-the-line team includes Production Designer Nathan Crowley, Oscar®- nominated for both “Dark Knight” and “The Prestige,” and Costume Designer Mayes Rubeo, whose work is showcased in “Avatar” and “Apocalypto.”
Michael Chabon, who won the Pulitzer Prize in Literature for his novel “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay,” is a co-writer on the screenplay.
Award-winning composer Michael Giacchino has received numerous accolades for his work on previous Disney•Pixar films “Up” (Oscar® winner, Best Original Score; BAFTA winner, Best Music; Golden Globe® winner, Best Original Score for a Motion Picture; GRAMMY® Award winner, Best Score Soundtrack Album), “Ratatouille” (GRAMMY Award winner, Best Score Soundtrack Album; Annie Award winner, Best Music in an Animated Feature Production; Oscar nomination, Best Original Score) and “The Incredibles” (Annie Award winner, Best Music in an Animated Feature Production; GRAMMY nomination, Best Score Soundtrack Album).

Saturday, February 25, 2012

BeeSavy Getting National Attention on Fox Business

If you follow this blog regularly, you know I've been telling you about an innovative new cash back site called BeeSavy for a few months now. Well, it looks like the mainstream media is catching on as BeeSavy was just featured in an article on Fox Business. You can read the Fox article here. And remember, you heard it here first!

If you’re not using BeeSavy yet for all of your online shopping, you’re missing out on valuable cash back. Even better, BeeSavy is the only cash back site that lets you actually earn money every time your friends shop online! Start earning money today by signing up at BeeSavy.com. And remember to refer your friends before they refer you!

Tim Burton's next Movie Frankenweenie

Website and Mobile site: disney.com/frankenweenie
Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/FrankenweenieMovie
Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/DisneyPictures

Genre:	Animated comedy
Rating:	TBD
U.S. Release date:	October 5, 2012
Running time:

Voice Cast:	Winona Ryder, Martin Short, Catherine O’Hara, Martin Landau, Charlie Tahan, Atticus Shaffer, Robert Capron, Conchata Ferrell
Director:	Tim Burton
Producers:	Tim Burton, Allison Abbate
Executive Producer:	Don Hahn
Screenplay by:	John August
Based on an original idea by:	Tim Burton

From creative genius Tim Burton (“Alice in Wonderland,” The Nightmare Before Christmas”) comes “Frankenweenie,” a heartwarming tale about a boy and his dog. After unexpectedly losing his beloved dog Sparky, young Victor harnesses the power of science to bring his best friend back to life—with just a few minor adjustments. He tries to hide his home-sewn creation, but when Sparky gets out, Victor’s fellow students, teachers and the entire town all learn that getting a new “leash on life” can be monstrous.

A stop-motion animated film, “Frankenweenie” will be filmed in black and white and rendered in 3D, which will elevate the classic style to a whole new experience.

In Tim Burton’s “Frankenweenie” young Victor conducts a science experiment to bring his beloved dog Sparky back to life, only to face unintended, sometimes monstrous, consequences.

NOTES:

When Tim Burton originally conceived the idea for “Frankenweenie,” he envisioned it as a full-length, stop-motion animated film. Due to budget constraints, he instead directed it as a live-action short, released in 1984.
“Frankenweenie” follows in the footsteps of Tim Burton’s other stop-motion animated films “Corpse Bride” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas”—both of which were nominated for Academy Awards®.
Over 200 puppets and sets were created for the film.
The voice cast includes four actors who worked with Burton on previous films: Winona Ryder (“Beetlejuice,” “Edward Scissorhands”), Catherine O’Hara (“Beetlejuice,” “The Nightmare Before Christmas”), Martin Short (“Mars Attacks!”) and Martin Landau (“Ed Wood,” Sleepy Hollow”).
Several of the character names—Victor, Elsa Van Helsing, Edgar “E” Gore and Mr. Burgemeister— were inspired by classic horror films.

Friday, February 24, 2012

Winners!

Custom Wholesale Keychain - 02/20/2012

Sue Bunting for liking Identity Discovery on Facebook

CrindelStar Story Card - 02/23/2012

Tim Lintz for following @gigidelugo on Twitter

CONGRATULATIONS!!

LEGO KidsFest is coming to Cincinnati!

LEGO KidsFest is coming to Cincinnati, March 23-25, 2012! LEGO KidsFest brings all of the creative hands-on, minds-on fun of LEGO building and experiences together in one activity- and entertainment-packed family event for children of all ages and builders of all skills and interests.

Feature Friday: HootSuite

Are you a social media junkie? Do you have a blog and run giveaways? Do you find that you just don't have enough time to post to all you social media in a day? Well I know that ALL of that describes me. I want to tell you about a website that I use to help me out when I need to post to twitter and Facebook at the same time. When I set up a giveaway, I like to tweet about the giveaway at least three times a day to try to make sure people see my tweets at different times of the day. I also like to have it automatically post to Facebook towards the middle/end of the giveaway. Well I cannot be on my computer all the time to do this. The answer: HootSuite. With the free account of HootSuite you can connect to four different social media. I am connected to Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, and LinkedIn. You can also connect (instead of the four I am connected to) to Ping.fm, WordPress, MySpace, and Mixi. After you have set up your connections, you can set up timed posts that will go up at the scheduled time in the future (or at the current time) and the post can go to multiple social media at the SAME time. The only downside is that with the free account, you have to set up each and every post one at a time. It can be time consuming, but if you are like me, you will do all your giveaway tweets at one time and then forget about them until the giveaway is over. If you PAY for an account, you can schedule a single tweet or post to go live at multiple times. One and done. Fast and simple. I am trying to convince myself to shell out the money just to save myself time. However, since this blog doesn't actually make me any money, it is hard for me to justify it.

You can also add other media to your dashboard by visiting their App Directory. The only one in the list that I would find useful is YouTube, but I already am connected to 4 social networks...I wonder if the apps count towards your limit? Woo! It doesn't count against me. So now I have 5 networks connected.

I am sure after you look at the list, you will think "Where's Google Plus?" Well they are negotiating with Google to add it, but right now it appears to be in beta with only the paid members. I think you might even have to be a business owner to get it.

I just wanted to share a little about this wonderful site. It can make your blogging like and social media connections a little simpler!

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Thumbnail Thursday

My family. A LONG time ago. =)

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Wordy Wednesday: Fearless

Title: Fearless
Series: King Series
Author: Tawdra Kandle
Publisher: Amazon; 1 edition (December 9, 2011)
Format: ARC [eBook]

Description: Tasmyn Vaughn didn't expect much when her dad’s job moved them to a small town in Florida; it was just another new school. But there is more to King than meets the eye, and soon Tasmyn’s ability to hear other’s thoughts is the least of her worries. Entangled in a web of first love, quirky and secretive townsfolk, magic and blood rituals, she discovers the town’s secrets aren’t just bizarre, they’re deadly.

Review:I will tell you that I struggled at first to get into the book, but that is not because of the story. It was a HUGE shift from the book I read before it. That being said, it was a wonderful story. Tasmyn is the main character, a junior in high school. She's been moved around a lot due to her father's job (no she's not a military brat) and she has struggled to have anything that resembled a friendship due to both her gift and moving around. She has learned to tune out the thoughts of others. What I mean by that is that she hears people's thoughts as if they are talking to her. This means that like someone who really is talking to her, she has to concentrate not to hear those thoughts. What this means is that she appears aloof and uncaring of what others are actually saying to her because she is actually focusing on their spoken words instead of thoughts. It's a catch 22. People think she isn't listening to what they say because she has to concentrate so much on exactly what they are saying. It results in very little friendships until she moves to King, Florida. This town is full of old mysterious history which actually is a good thing for Tasmyn. She fits in without even knowing that she does.

One of the aspects of the story that I really liked was that Tasmyn falls in love for the first time with Michael. Michael has a family history of the male line falling in love with a girl and never falling out. They love only one and really don't pay attention to girls until they meet that one. Love at first sight is their curse/blessing depending on how you want to see it. Luckily Tasmyn falls in love right back. Like teenagers, they move fast and admit their feelings very quickly. However, unlike most teenagers, they do not consummate their love. I really liked how Tawdra Kandle (author) hints at what they could be doing, but then makes a point that they actually are not doing it. Both Michael and Tasmyn avoid situations where they could get themselves in trouble and both respect each other enough to not jump into a physical relationship too quickly. Now-a-days teenagers get physically involved very early (I was one of them) and it can have devastating results. I feel like this story gave a really good positive example for how a loving teenage relationship can be without that physical intimacy. I applaud Tawdra's ability to write a paranorml romance without the steamy scenes since her story is one a teenager is likely to want to read.

So if you are interested in reading a light paranormal romance, this is definitely a good book for you. I say light paranormal just because there aren't any vampires, werewolves, or other shape shifters. That's not to say that there won't be further along in the King Series, but this book does not contain them. It is strictly an empath and witchcraft. This is definitely a great book for your teenagers if they are into the paranormal.

Interview with Tawdra:

Where did your inspiration for “Fearless” come from? Like most books, I think, inspiration came from many bits and pieces. Tasmyn's lifelong ability to hear minds came at least partly from a rueful joke between my sister and me, about how it seemed our babies could 'hear' us think about them in the middle of the night and thus wake up. That prompted me to wonder what that would look like: raising a child with this unique a gift would definitely be a challenge. Tasmyn's family history of moving all the time is reminiscent of my own childhood. And when I was in school, I certainly knew my share of unpleasant girls, though none whom were witches. . as far as I know!
Why did you call it “Fearless” when it seemed like most of the characters were pretty scared most of the book? I mean that even in the simplest form of Tasmyn and Michael falling out of love. I had already written most of the book without a title (earliest drafts were just called "Tasmyn") when Taylor Swift's album Fearless was released. I heard the title track, and it reminded me of Tas and Michael. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that the series as a whole is about Tasmyn's movement away from her fear-driven life toward freedom. The first book chronicles just her opening, baby steps in this direction, so yes, there is still a lot of fear. . .although Tas choosing to trust Michael and accept him, his family and friends into her world is a huge leap for her. As for Michael and Tas being afraid of falling out of love, what Tasmyn worries about is Michael changing his mind, and that is something that will be explored in the third book.
Do you believe in love at first sight or destiny? What about witchcraft and other supernaturals? I do think that love at first sight happens. I don't know that I believe in destiny so much as I think there is a plan in our lives. I also absolutely believe that some people possess what we might call supernatural gifts; we know we're only using a tiny portion of our brains, and who knows what abilities lie there? I think witchcraft probably goes on, even in our modern world, but I wonder how much of it is simply a connection with nature and how much is a true quest for power. I'm not a witch, but without doubt there is more under the sun that is dreamed of in our little worlds!
Is Tasmyn really an anomaly or does she have someone else in her family tree with special abilities? That is something that will be explored a little more in Breathless. She is not related to a King first family, as far as I know.
My parents met in high school and were married before my mom graduated. I used to believe that I was meant to be the same way and tried to make a relationship work way past its expiration. What made you decide that Michael’s family would be blessed to fall in love once and it be for real? This was something that began as a small plot point and then developed more than I expected. I needed to move the relationship between Tas and Michael to a fairly intense place pretty quickly. A lot has to happen in Fearless, and if I had allowed their love to develop more 'naturally', the book would have been even longer than it is. I actually considered dropping this family trait idea during some late edits, but I realized this family expectation was an integral part of Michael's character. Interestingly, it's one of the things readers comment about frequently. I think people love the idea of a soul mate. Also, one of the themes of the King series is that gifts come in many different forms. This little quirk in Michael's family might not be as startling as what Tasmyn can do, but in its own way, it's still a supernatural gift.
I loved that you did not include “real” physical intimacy in the story. Too many girls give in too early (I was one) and I feel like your story encourages teenagers not to jump the gun. What made you decide not to include it? Well, it would have been very out of character for Tasmyn to jump into anything like that, no matter how intense her feelings for Michael. I also believe that a physical relationship should not outpace the emotional intimacy between two people, and that's reflected in these books. Michael will address that more fully in the fourth book!
Will Tasmyn and Michael get married? I rather expected him to propose and was surprised when he didn’t. No proposal! There will be talk about a future marriage; Michael clearly wants Tasmyn to know that he plans to be with her forever. But no weddings in this series. . .although there will be something at the very end of the fourth book that I think will answer any questions about their distant future. Unlike--ahem!--some other series, there is no pressing imperative for these two to jump the gun and get married before they're ready.
Where did you get the name Tasmyn? I am an unusual name junkie and I really like that name a lot. I might be tempted to use it one day if I ever have a girl. ;) I began the story with her name as Tamsyn, but it just wasn't ringing. I switched the letters and liked it better, and then later, when I learned the meaning of the name, I realized how perfect it actually is for this character and this story! I like it, too. If you ever do you use it , be sure and let me know!
I realize that the next book “Breathless” will be out soonish, care to give a brief idea of what we should expect? Sure! Breathless picks up at the beginning of Tasmyn's senior year, so almost a year has passed. Michael goes away to college, which is very hard on her. We'll get better acquainted with Ms. Lacusta. . .Cara's dad becomes suspicious about Tasmyn's abilities. . and there is an interesting new character whose view on supernatural powers gives Tas an alternate perspective. How Breathless ends sets up the third book, which, I must say, might be my favorite one. Stay tuned and keep reading!

You can purchase "Fearless" from Amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/FEARLESS-King-Series-ebook/dp/B006KHWEKQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1329921487&sr=1-1.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Heat Up Your Valentine's Day Winner

BeeSavy Heat Up Your Valentine’s Day Winner Announced!

Congratulations to Cathy from Surrey, British Columbia! She was the winner of the Amazon Kindle Fire Tablet in our Heat Up Your Valentine’s Day Giveaway. We will be announcing our next giveaway very soon right here so please check back often!

Monday, February 20, 2012

Awaken Book Tour Starting today! #awaken

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.

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