New York City Trip-- DAY 2

Britney & I

Jackie & I

Tracy & I

Laura, Tracy & I 

 On Saturday morning I met a few ladies in the hotel lobby where we talked & took pictures. We decided on our "game plan" for the day which included taking the subway to SoHo to shop and find DASH Boutique & Central Park.

      Taking the subway to SoHo!!!

                                   .... This picture is the PERFECT explaination for our day! LOL.
                                                          We got so lost on the subway.

 We Found DASH!!! Store was WAY too expensive for me, but I found some awesome sequined legging haha.

 

Plaza Hotel 

(right) picture of The Oak Room entrance: which is in the movie Remember Me starring Rob Pattinson.

 CENTRAL PARK- it wasn't the most beautiful day. Rainy, chilly weather but that didn't stop us from seeing The Alice & Wonderland statue which is also featured in Remember Me.

Tracy & I


After Central Park we made our way back to the hotel. Tracy stayed to rest up while I went to find a Barnes and Nobel with Laury & Britney. I bought Reese's VOGUE magazine. It was raining, so we did some walking around and sight seeing, but not much. Afterwards we went back to the hotel to freshen up before the Water For Elephants Cocktail party... 

New York City Trip-- DAY 1

 ALMOST TO NYC!!!!
I flew in from Indianapolis, switched flights in Detroit and then landed at LGA early afternoon on Friday.

 I met Laury & Britney at the Hilton where we were staying. We walked around Times Square & scoped out the Ziegfeld Theater which was right around the corner from our hotel.

 The view of the Ziegfeld Theater (where the Water for Elephants Premiere took place) from our room!!

 We went back to the hotel where I met Tracy, my Twilight Sister ;-) !!!!  We roomed together this past weekend along with her friend Laura who also stayed with us. For dinner we ate at Planet Hollywood so that we could see ROB HANDS!! and the Twilight Prom dress and Tuxedo.

 

Tracy & I 

 After more sight seeing, we took a Taxi to SoHo where I met about 18 other girls from Twitter (who are all Twi and/or Robert Pattinson fans) for dinner at Lombardi's

PIZZA TIME!!

Get to Know Author Diane Chamberlain - Interview!

Diane Chamberlain was nice enough to take time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions. 

A little about the author: Diane is the best-selling author of 20novels published in more than a dozen languages. Her complex stories combine intrigue and suspense with engrossing family drama. Diane was born and raised in Plainfield, NJ, but now resides in North Carolina with her partner, photographer John Pagliuca and her shelties, Keeper and Jet.

http://www.dianechamberlain.com/index.htm
 

Hope you enjoy this interview as much as I enjoyed conversing with Diane!! 

-Andrea 




Did you always want to become a writer?

I loved writing as a child, but frankly forgot about it when it was time to go to college. I didn’t think it would be possible to make a living as a writer, so instead I went into social work. I have no regrets. Being a social worker and psychotherapist was a great background for creating believable characters and infusing my stories with emotion.

Were you influenced by any writers growing up?

Oh, yes. Of course I read all the Nancy Drews and other books that were popular when I was growing up, but I really got hooked by the Gothic writers such as Victoria Holt. I loved the atomospheric darkness of their stories and the deep relationships they wrote about and I know they greatly influenced my own writing.

What are some of your "inspirations" for writing a novel- in particular The Midwife's Confessions?

Often a newspaper article or an overheard conversation will spark a story idea, but the seed for The Midwife’s Confession came to me in a dream. In the dream, a few friends learned something terrible about another friend and they had to decide whether or not to tell her. When I woke up, I really liked the idea of a friend having that sort of dilemma and began to imagine what the secret might be. My imagination did the rest.

How long (on average) does a novel take you?

It takes me a year to write a novel, but my contracts only give me ten months! So I make it work.

Are you currently working, or piecing together, ideas for a new novel?

My next novel, which still has no title, is due in two weeks, so I’m deep into revisions right now. Once I finish it, I’ll turn it in to my editor who will probably have a bunch of suggestions. Then I’ll be revising again while I’m thinking about an idea for the novel after that. I hope to squeeze a vacation in there sometime, but it’s not going to be easy!

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Read, of course! I also play a little guitar and enjoy fiddling with photography, but I like spending time with my family and friends (and dogs) the most.

Some of your novels take a turn at the end (which by the way I love!!) How do you decide a characters fate? Or the outcome of a certain situation?

I carefully outline every story. . . and then when I actually begin writing, the characters take over and it’s often then that the twists and turns appear. If you’re surprised by something in my story, you can be pretty sure I was surprised myself.

Series Books seem to be more and more common, have you ever considered writing a Book Series?

Maybe some day, but I generally like writing a fresh story with fresh characters each time. I’ve written one trilogy, which I loved, and I’m excited that my publisher is reissuing it. As a matter of fact, the first book, Keeper of the Light, was just published this month. The two other books will come out in the fall and spring.

Be Sure to check out MY REVIEW on Diane's newest book, The Midwife's Confession which will be out at the end of April. 
http://bookmarkedmemories.blogspot.com/2011/04/review-midwifes-confession-arc-by-diane.html 

 

Review: The Midwife's Confession (ARC) by Diane Chamberlain

 I have been a long time fan of Diane Chamberlain, her books are very compelling. Lots of drama, insight and emotional connections between characters that are relate-able. After talking with Diane, she offered to send me an ARC of The Midwife's Confessions to rate and review. I was more than thrilled. This is my first ARC and I am glad that I was able to read a book from one of my favorite authors.


Take a look at the Synopsis and My Review below. The Midwife's Confession is available on April 26th 2011 in paperback and May 1st 2011 for ereaders.


The Midwife's Confessions (ARC)
Author: Diane Chamberlain
Pages: 416

Synopsis (from Goodreads): 'I don't know how to tell you what I did.' The unfinished letter is the only clue Tara and Emerson have to the reason behind Noelle's suicide. Everything they knew about Noelle - her calling as a midwife, her passion for causes, her love for her family - described a woman who embraced life. But they didn't know everything. Because the unaddressed letter reveals a terrible secret...and a legacy of guilt that changes everything they thought they knew about the woman who delivered their children. A legacy that will irrevocably change their own lives - and the life of a desperate stranger - forever. Diane Chamberlain gets to the heart of the story



My Review: 
Diane Chamberlain did it again, she NEVER disappoints!!!
I found myself reading The Midwife's Confessions into the wee hours of the night, I simply could not put it down. I was particularly excited about reading this book because as a psychology student, I have an interest in the topics that are being addressed; suicide, guilt, medical complications, etc. 
         I have always been a fan of books where a read gets to read about several different character's viewpoints and that is exactly what Diane did with The Midwife's Confession. She takes us deep inside a characters thoughts, feelings and emotions towards the events that are rapidly taking place in their lives. Somehow, and I don't know how she does it, Diane is able to carefully interweave these characters lives and stories into one; although they may not know it, their lives are all connected in one way or another. There is a bit of mystery added; I found myself trying to continuously guess at what events may take place or which characters may be involved. 
       All in all, The Midwife's Confessions is a must read for those of you who are interested in Adult Fiction with strong characters, psychological events, emotions, and a page turning plot! 



Take a look at Diane Chamberlain Website and Blog: http://www.dianechamberlain.com/index.htm
And the Trailer for the book The Midwife's Confessions via YouTube
 



  
 

       

Review: Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann

Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann

Synopsis: The community of Cryer’s Cross, Montana (population 212) is distraught when high school freshman Tiffany disappears without a trace. Already off-balance due to her OCD, 16-year-old Kendall is freaked out seeing Tiffany’s empty desk in the one-room school house, but somehow life goes on... until Kendall's boyfriend Nico also disappears, and also without a trace. Now the town is in a panic. Alone in her depression and with her OCD at an all-time high, Kendall notices something that connects Nico and Tiffany: they both sat at the same desk. (Taken from Goodreads.com)  

My Review:  Why is it really difficult to talk about a book that you really love? Cryer's Cross is just too amazing for words. I was literally speechless after I closed the last page of the book.

I have never read a book so fast in my life; I was sucked in right from the beginning and refused to put it down. I neglected everything for a few hours and finished Cryer's Cross in one setting.


The author, Lisa Mcmann, knows how to capture her readers. This book had a mix of everything: from death, loss, love, psychosocial issues, happiness and suspense- a very good balance. I loved the mysterious feel that this book leaves you with; it is creepy but not scary. I'm usually not a fan of mysteries because I just freak myself out, but I just loved the level of suspense Cryer's Cross held. I wanted to know everything that was going on in this small town and I found myself not being able to read and turn the pages fast enough!  It took turns that I never saw coming- 


It will have you guessing and answering the question, "what in the world happened to these two missing teens?" Although my thoughts & guesses were off, I love books where they have my mind thinking even after I set the book down. 


The tie-in quotes from "WE" are just brilliant, and makes Cryer's Cross complete. Although at the time of reading these passages they don't make a whole lot of sense, they eventually bring the  following chapter together.


As a psychology student, I really enjoyed the connection that Lisa made with the main character's Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and outcome of storyline. Sometimes it is hard to being a character who has a mental illness feel real and believable on a piece of paper, but she does an excellent job at bringing the 'OCD' Kendall to life. 


Another idea that I really enjoyed in this book was the idea of Kendall being afraid to 'move on' with her life without Nico. He was all she knew and was very dependent on him, so when he disappeared her thoughts were disheveled. When another boy, Jacian comes along that she develops a friendship with as the story goes on, Kendall is faced with a hard decision; does she move on or does she keep her life on hold in hopes that her best friend/boyfriend, Nico's mysterious disappearance will be solved. 

Overall, I loved this book!! I would give Cryer's Cross a 5 out of 5 stars.
It is categorized as YA book, but considering some of the content, I would suggest this book be aimed more towards older teens and up. Great captivating storyline and fast paced read!

Amazing Hunger Games Fanart Created By Laura ( @totally_dazzled )

Now that we have confirmation from Lionsgate that Jennifer Lawrence has been casted as Katniss Everdeen in the movie The Hunger Games, fan art has been flying around the web. My ETS, Laura made these fabulous fan art pictures of Jennifer as Katniss. 
ENJOY!!! 
-Andrea

Book Review: Beastly by Alex Flinn

Book Review: Beastly by Alex Flinn

Synopsis:
I am a beast.
A beast!
Not quite wolf or bear, gorilla or dog but a horrible new creature who walks upright. I am a monster.
You think I'm talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City. The time is now. It's no deformity, no disease. And I'll, stay this way forever ruined unless I can break the spell.
Yes, the spell, the one the witch in my English class cast on me. Why did she turn me into a beast who hides by day and prowls by night? I'll tell you. I'll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, and the perfect life. And then, I'll tell you how I became perfectly...beastly.



  My Review: Beastly is a modern day version of The Beauty and the Beast. I usually am not a fan of fairytale remakes. I enjoy fiction books in which I do not have an idea as to what the ending may hold; I like to be surprised. But there was something about Beastly that I thoroughly enjoyed; many fairytales are seen through the eyes of the "princess", in Beastly though, a reader gets to understand what goes through mind of Adrian- formerly known as the conceited, Kyle Kingsbury- the Beast. For me, it was nice to get inside the Beasts mind; a reader can sense the drastic change in character that Adrian makes as he realizes what he needs to do.

Kyle is the immature high school guy with a huge ego that everybody wants to hate, but for some reason... they don't. Therefore, bringing more attention to him only makes his ego fly higher.To Kyle, looks matter most. To the point where he is cruel to those who may not be perfect. Sure enough, Kyle is confronted by a witch, Kendra who wants to teach him a lesson by turning him into a hairy beast. In the end, Kyle (Adrian) has to get past his looks and find someone who will do the same and love him back.

There are always underlying meanings in novels, but I felt that in this particular story, the message of "looking past outer beauty and loving someone for who they truly are on the inside" was magnified. And I really enjoyed that aspect.


There is always one character in a story whose sticks out to me. And in Beastly, it was Kendra the witch. Every time she made an entrance into the book, I had a different reaction. Sometimes she would seem harsh, other times she was rather sentimental or nice, and other times she would surprise me! I always enjoyed reading her responses to Adrian's comments and questions to her- you never know what you may get. All in all, her intentions to change Kyle into an ugly beast were good- to teach him a valuable life lesson. 


I was a little disappointed that Lindy, the young lady that Adrian finds himself in love with,  didn't come back to look for him. I had this huge scene planned in my head where she would come back right at the last second saying how much she loves him despite him being a beast...blah blah blah...

In the end, everything comes together to make this fairytale... Happily Ever After ;-) 


Light, easy read... I would recommend Beastly for anyone who enjoys a good love story.