Tell Me Something Tuesday

Welcome to another week of Tell Me Something Tuesday, the weekly meme where Cambria Hebert asks a question and bloggers get to answer and link up. :) This week's question is:

Tell me one book character you would like to spend the day with. What would you do with that person?

Surprisingly, this question turned out to by a lot easier than I thought it would be - it took me hardly any time at all to figure out who I would pick. Of course, all I had to do is look to a new favorite author and the answer was clear.

I want to spend the day with... Lola Nolan.

Lola is an awesome character! I loved her from the moment we met! LOL She doesn't believe in fashion... she believes in costumes. And boy does she come up with some good ones! My favorite is the Marie Antionette gown she makes (yes, she sews!) to wear to the Winter Formal. Of course, the dress wouldn't have been completed without the help from the boy next door. ;-) (but that's for you to read and find out why)

Here's my initial thoughts on Lola after reading this fantastic book: I love Lola! I love her costumes, her tenacity, her indecisiveness even when she knows what the right thing is to do. I love everything about her. And I loved going on her journey with her. She's a strong, well rounded character, one I would love to sit and chat with (while possibly helping her to design awesome outfits).

Besides chatting and designing, I would love to hang out with Lola at the movie theatre where she works (if only to run into Anna and her hot boyfriend!). Plus, I know we would hang out with Lola's boyfriend at some point, which would definitely be fun, too. It would be an amazing day, and give me the chance to see some of San Francisco. :-) Oh what fun we would have!

What's that? You haven't read this book yet? What are you waiting for?? LOL

So now it's your turn... what book character would you hang out with for a day and why?

Happy Tuesday!
EM

Charade Blog Tour - Book Boyfriends with Cambria Hebert

Hello, everyone! Welcome to my stop on the Charade Blog Tour, running May 14-June 14. Charade is the second book in Cambria Hebert's Heven and Hell series... And this book is highly anticipated by yours truly. Let me tell you a little more about it:

Dying at the hands of a psycho was a shock. Having my life returned to me by an angel was incredible. Being named a Supernatural Treasure and being given Sam as my guard was pretty darn awesome. Acquiring a debt for it all—well, I should have seen it coming.

Now here we are, fighting demons from Hell, caring for a boy that I just don’t trust, and traveling to faraway places to return a treasure to its rightful place. Nothing is as it seems. Everyone wears a mask; everyone puts on a charade. It’s up to us to separate the truth from the lies and reality from fiction. A hard task when my new reality involves fallen angels, witches and dragons… and did I mention Hell?

Anchoring me down through it all is Sam. Sam, who must face tragedies of his own and is put to the test again and again.

If we fail in our task, life as we know it—life as you know it—will end. Forever.

Sounds exciting, doesn't it?? Today, Cambria is here to talk about HOTNESS... and by HOTNESS, she means Book Boyfriends, those male characters that make us all swoon. Take it away, Cambria!

Today I am here to talk about Hottness. That’s right, hotness. What exactly is hotness, you ask? I will tell you. Hottness is when someone has the ability to make your heart race, your palms feel sweaty and your stomach feel like it has a million butterflies fluttering inside it. It makes you sigh, smile and giggle. Sometimes when you are reading a particularly good hotness you glance around guiltily to see if anyone knows what you are doing…

I am sure we have all experienced this at one time or another.

First loves, current loves… donuts. What? Like you don’t lust after those delicately fried concoctions that are dripping with sinfully, likable icing. Yeah, you know what I mean.

I myself experience the “hotness effect” every time I watch the Vampire Diaries on Thursday nights or every time I read a book with a good male character.

So I guess by definition Hottness = Book boyfriends

It’s a hot topic – DUH – because its full of hotness. But mainly because we all have a list of book boyfriends, movie boyfriends, real life boyfriends (lol) and food boyfriends (don’t even pretend you don’t).

So what makes a character into a book boyfriend? (note: yes, there must be book girlfriends… but I am a girl who likes guys so I’m talking about boyfriends)

As the author of a completely swoon worthy male character (say it isn’t so!) I think I can answer this question. Well, you be the judge of that.

Here to help me with my Book Boyfriend must have list is Sam himself. 

Let’s ask Sam himself why he makes a good book boyfriend. Sam?

Sam: You think I make a good boyfriend? Did you read Masquerade. I do some very bad things. I don’t think that makes me a good boyfriend.

Cambria: That’s exactly why you make a good boyfriend! Look at the naughty things you do all because you were trying to help the girl you love.

Sam: Naughty? That’s one way to put it.

Cambria: Okay, then. How about the gift you give Heven in Masquerade. Don’t you think that qualifies you as a book boyfriend?

Sam: Which gift? The whistle? I gave that to her for protection.

Cambria: Because you love her. How about the keys?

Sam: Those keys turn out to be a lot more than we thought.

Cambria: You are making this interview very difficult.

Sam: *Grins* That’s why I’m a good book boyfriend. I’m not agreeable.

Cambria: Yes, well. How about that first kiss with Heven?

Sam: A gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell.

Cambria: Awww. So you admit to being a gentleman?

Sam: *Laughs* Sure.

Cambria: Okay, then. Tell us what makes a great Book Girlfriend.

Sam: Be Heven.

Cambria: Be Heven? That’s your answer?

Sam: It’s the truth.

Cambria: *Sighs very loudly* There’s a Bubble Tea place across the street . You can go now. Your work is done.

Sam: *Grins* Want me to get you one?

Cambria: Sure. You choose the flavor.

Sam exits.

Frankly I am relieved he is gone, as cute and charming as he is. LOL. Do you see what I had to deal with while I was writing? Sam is most certainly the most difficult character I have ever written. He is very mysterious. I will let you all in on a little secret. When I first wrote Masquerade there was no Sam POV. I know it’s awful isn’t it?! Can you imagine a book without hearing his thoughts and feelings? But here’s the thing, when I decided to add him into the draft I realized I didn’t know him at all. I wrote an entire book about him and he still managed to keep himself a secret.

So I had to get to know him. And during that process I learned some qualities that make Sam a book boyfriend. Here are top picks of what makes a male character into a book boyfriend:

1.     Inner conflict. No one likes a guy who has it all. No one. Even if it appears a guy has it all there has to be something that they are conflicted over, something they have to overcome.

2.     Protective –ness. We all sign over a guy who will stand in the way of a killer or threat to the one they love. It’s romantic. A guy who will harm themselves so his love isn’t harmed.

3.     Stubborness. A book boyfriend doesn’t give up. Even when the cards are stacked against him.

4.     An empty stomach. Come on you know it’s true. No one wants to read about a guy who eats only salad and takes danty bites. We want a guy who can shove half a sandwich in his mouth and chew like no bodies business. It’s manly.

5.     Romantic. This embodies a lot of qualities and usually the best romantic moments are when the guy isn’t trying to be romantic. They are just trying to show someone how they feel and it makes us all sigh.

6.     HOTTNESS. Yup, he has to be hot. He has to look good. Muscles help. Nice eyes are a plus. I personally like wide shoulders and messy hair. LOL.  Feel free to look up at the Sam picture to refresh your memory of HOTTNESS.

7.     Mysterious. We want a puzzle to figure out. It’s a challenge.

So those are my top characteristics that make characters need to have to embody a good Book Boyfriend. Did I forget one? What is on your list?

Besides Sam let me tell you a few of MY favorite book boyfriends:

Riley from the Intertwined Series

Nick from the Need series

Asher from A Beautiful Dark

Jacob from Twilight

Damon from Vampire Diaries (I base this off TV because I haven’t read the books but he is at the TOP of my list)

Who are yours??

A big thanks to Erin for having me here today!!! Now if you will excuse me Sam just walked in with my Bubble Tea. He got me chocolate. Any guy who brings me chocolate definitely is worthy of a book boyfriend award. J

Thank you, Cambria (and Sam) for joining me today! I hope everyone has enjoyed this stop as much as I have. I also have to say that my Book Boyfriends include Jace Wayland, Dimitri Belikov, Fang, Ren LaRoche, and Damon Salvatore (book and show). ;-) Today you can also stop by Maria at http://anightsdreamofbooks.blogspot.com/.

Happy Sunday!
EM

Review - INHALE by Kendall Grey

Strangers in reality, inseparable in dreams…

After years of suffocating under her boss’s scrutiny, whale biologist Zoe Morgan finally lands a job as director of a tagging project in Hervey Bay, Australia. Success Down Under all but guarantees her the promotion of a lifetime, and Zoe won’t let anything—or anyone—stand in her way. Not the whale voices she suddenly hears in her head, not the ex who won’t take no for an answer, and especially not the gorgeous figment of her imagination who keeps saving her from the fiery hell of her dreams.

Gavin Cassidy hasn’t been called to help a human Wyldling in over a year, which is fine by him. Still blaming himself for the death of his partner, he keeps the guilt at bay by indulging in every excess his rock star persona affords. That is, until he’s summoned to protect Zoe from hungry Fyre Elementals and learns his new charge is the key to restoring order in the dying Dreaming. He never expects to fall for the feisty Dr. Morgan…nor does he realize he may have to sacrifice the woman he loves to save an entire country.

*This book contains graphic language, sex, and some violence. Not suitable for readers under the age of 18.

**The author will donate all profits from the sale of the JUST BREATHE trilogy to programs that educate people about whales and the challenges they face.


A little fangirling first...
There are so many reasons I love this book. I love that all profits from this trilogy goes towards Whale education and survival, something I know Kendall Grey believes in with her entire being. The rest of the things I love will come later in the actual review. ;-)

I've known Kendall for a little more than a year now. We met through a mutual friend a few months after I came out of my writer's closet and declared my intentions to be published and be taken seriously. Kendall was the first person to interview me and whom I talked about my upcoming novel with. We even had a Gavin-off. LOL I'll admit I was a little scared off from Kendall when I checked out her blog and saw all of the April's Fool Jackassery things on there - boy was it graphic for my virgin eyes! But I went back a few days later and am I glad I did. I found out that's only part of who Kendall is. Yes, she's loud and graphic, but she also has a heart of gold and I'm so glad to count her among my friends. :)

Onto the review...

First of all, I have to say... if you love Urban Fantasy and don't mind very "adult" novels, this is the book for you! There is a warning label on this book for a reason. But, all of it works together. The prose is amazing. The way Kendall writes grabs you by the throat and drags you in. I feel she did a great job at explaining the world she created in the Dreaming, Realis and the Elementals. There's even a glossary at the end for those who can't quite keep it straight. :) I fell into this novel from the beginning and got irritated every time I had to leave it.

Zoe Morgan is a great protagonist. Despite her extra Y-chromosone, which accounts for her awkwardness is social situations and dyslexia, she is a strong woman who's had a hard life recently. She knows what she wants and strives to get it. She loves the whales and has a preternatural connection to them, something she does whatever she has to to fight for their safety and protection. She has a great crew and friends in Adriene, Dani and Elizabeth.

Gavin Cassidy is a swoon-worthy hero. Though flawed by his years of debauchery and drinking, he steps up and becomes a man when needed. As the story goes on, we find out he's more than just a broken Sentinel and rock star. And Zoe is the one who can piece him back together.

I love the diversity of characters in this novel. Kendall did a great job on researching the various people (Aussies, Aboriginals, etc) and each character that is introduced stands alone as a strong individual. My faves other than the MCs are Scarlet and Sinnder. Scarlet is such a bitch, she's the perfect villain and Sinnder... well, really what more can I say? He's smoking hot! I can't wait to read the rest of this trilogy to see what happens with these characters next!

Overall, I would give this book more than 5 stars if I could. I've been waiting to read this book since meeting Kendall and it exceeded my expectations in every way! Like I said up top, if you love Urban Fantasy and don't mind graphic language and situations, this is most definitely the book for you!

You can buy INHALE here: Amazon and B&N. Add it to your Goodreads list here. Remember, all profits from this book goes towards a great cause! I hope you will enjoy it as much as I have! :)

Happy Reading!
EM

The Iron Fey - Meghan's Trilogy

I've decided to review all three books together because, as a writer, I've noticed quite a few incidents of things that happen in Iron King that correlate with Iron Daughter and Iron Queen. **THERE WILL BE SPOILERS! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED** This review/discussion will be the most in depth I've done in quite a while, hence the reason for the spoiler warning. If you have not read these books yet, I strongly suggest you bookmark this post until you have unless (unless you don't mind spoilers, of course). Now, having said that, let me being.

The World
Julie Kagawa brings us to the Nevernever, the land of faeries. When Meghan first goes through the door in her brother's closet, she steps into the Wyldwood, a forest in perpetual twilight that is the neutral ground for both the Summer and Winter courts. All kinds of creatures live here, making it a dangerous place to traverse if you don't know where you're going. Thankfully, Meghan first has Puck and then Grimalkin to help her to the Summer Court.

The Courts are amazing. The home of the Summer (Seelie) Court, Arcadia, is set in everlasting summer, warm and sunny with trees and flowers flourishing at every turn. Oberon and Titania hold Court in a beautiful courtyard surrounded by large oak trees. At the opposite end, Queen Mab, Queen of the Unseelie (Winter) Court, lives in a palace of ice. Her kingdom, Tir na nOg, is a beautiful winter wonderland - that is as dangerous as it is beautiful.

The Characters
Meghan Chase - Meghan is the main character of the trilogy and the person whose pov the books are from. Meghan starts out as a quiet, ignored nobody in high school, on the eve of her sixteenth birthday. Her only friend is her best friend, Robbie Goodfell, whose been in her life for as long as she can remember. Things go wrong for Meghan from the start, from seeing a metallic bug come out of a computer that humiliated her to further being humiliated on her sixteenth birthday by the boy she's secretly loved for years. Her birthday gets worse when she comes home to find her little brother has been replaced by a faery changeling. And that's when her adventure into Faery and the truth of her heritage begins. Meghan's journey through the Nevernever is as dangerous and inspiring as her character arc throughout the trilogy. There is danger at almost every turn. Meghan, upon accepting her role as the Summer Princess, finds out she can wield Iron Glamour as well and eventually becomes the Iron Queen, joining her two magics together. On her journey, whether it's to return the Scepter of Seasons, rescue her brother or finally defeat the Iron King once and for all, Meghan's confidence and self assurance grows. Her growth throughout the trilogy is the most inspiring and obvious of them all. I admire everything she went through in all three books to end up where she did.

Puck/Robin Goodfellow/Robbie Goodfell - Meghan's lifelong best friend turns out to be the infamous Puck (aka Robin Goodfellow) from Shakespeare's play, A Midsummer Night's Dream. He's the Summer Court prankster - and has been in love with Meghan for years. He defies his King to do anything for the girl he loves and adds humor to the adventure. He's sarcastic when he's not trying to get Meghan to relax, but has a serious side that comes out as the series progresses. He also has a viscous streak when it comes to fighting, especially when it comes to his arch rival (and former friend) Prince Ash of the Unseelie Court. He's a loyal friend to the end, someone all of us should have in our lives.

Prince Ash - Where do I begin with the cold, quiet Prince of Winter? He starts out curious and disdainful towards Meghan, the newly returned half-faery Summer Princess. He ends up in a contract with her to help her go into the Iron Kingdom to save her brother in return for her willingly going back to the Winter Kingdom with him. And in the Iron Kingdom, he falls in love. Ash has been hurt before, losing the first love of his life when he thought love wasn't possible (and the reason he and Puck are immortal enemies). In the Winter Court, emotions are used against a person, so Ash has a cool, carefully blank expression he uses when he shuts down. Meghan coming into his life turns it upside down as he experiences feelings for her (despite his best efforts not to) when he thought he never would again. Their love story is epic, going beyond the barriers of both their worlds, defying the laws of the Faery Courts. Ash gives up everything to be with Meghan - and becomes a better person for it. I enjoyed him most in Iron Queen, when he was more talkative and relaxed after being exiled to be with Meghan. His love knows no bounds, his oath to protect her when he became her knight melted my heart. But his upbringing in the Unseelie Court gives him the edge he needs to be a fierce warrior, deadly with or without his blade. Quite frankly, in my opinion, he's absolutely amazing and I look forward to reading his story, his final journey, in Iron Knight.
(One thing I want to point out about Ash's verbal tags is that 90% of them seem to be "mutter" or "murmur". I found that highly interesting seeing as Ash is very hard to get to talk, so when he does, he does so quietly.The writer in me enjoyed that immensely.)

Grimalkin Grim is a cait sith. A talking cat. I love that Julie Kagawa put a talking cat in this series. Grim is arrogant and likes to disappear without notice only to show up the same way, sometimes with embarrassing results. He's an infuriating know-it-all and only seems to hang out with Meghan because her humanity amuses him, but he's always there when he's needed, usually with an escape route already planned out.


Oberon, Titania, and Mab I can't talk about this series without talking about the three Faery rulers. Titania is a jealous b*tch. (it had to be said.) Oberon is a strong ruler, though he obviously doesn't know what it means to be a parent. And Mab... Mab pits her children against each other to win her favor (as is normal in the Winter Court). All of these rulers have strong opinions and roles within the series.


The Iron Fey I love the idea of the Iron Fey. I love that they originated with mankind's need for technology and the rapidly changing advances in technology. There are clockwork golems, metal bugs, a woman named Virus, a guy named Glitch... you get the idea. The idea of the Iron Fey is a very original one and I'm envious that I never thought of it. ;-) And the fact that Meghan, a computer genius btw, can control Iron glamour as well as Summer is very cool, too.


Overall Thoughts
I enjoyed these books immensely. And even though it wasn't the happily-ever-after ending I was looking forward to, I understand why Iron Queen ended like it did. I laughed, cried and ran the gamut of other emotions throughout these three books. The characters are real, whether they have a big part of small. The descriptions bring the world to life to the point that if you close your eyes, you find yourself in the twilight of the Wyldwood or the arctic cold of the Winter Court. They are very inspiring books and I will definitely be reading them again and again!

Have you read these books? What are your thoughts/opinions on them? Let's talk!

Happy Friday!
EM

PS - I'm currently in the middle of Iron Knight. I know how it will end since this is the HEA ending Julie Kagawa's editor/publisher wants, but I would appreciate no spoilers. I can host a discussion of that book when I'm finished if there is interest. :)

Writerly Wednesday - Meet J.C. Isabella

Hello, everyone, and welcome to another fun week of Writerly Wednesday, where I share some writerly knowledge, introduce you to authors I've met or tell you what's going on my writerly life. :) Today, I want to introduce you to J.C. Isabella. She's a self-published author whose third book, Chasing McCree, just came out on Sunday, April 15! I'm so excited for this book! I've read J.C.'s other two books and she is a phenomenal writer! So without further ado, I give you J.C. Isabella.

J.C. Isabella is the author of The Unofficial Zack Warren Fan Club and a romance novel junkie. Ever since she discovered the genera in high school, she has been a self proclaimed fan. This led to penning her first YA romance. When she isn't thinking up new recipes for the cookbook she hopes to one day write, she is brainstorming a new novel and listening to country music. She lives in the tropics of Florida with her big fat Italian family and ornery feline companion. Her next book, Chasing McCree, is due out April 15th. 

Tell us a little about Chasing McCree. Where did you get the idea for the characters and story?

Taylor Swift’s song, Only Me When I’m With You. I listened to it and I was like, this would make an amazing story! I looked up the lyrics and I read them and it just all clicked. I thought, what would the boy and girl in her song do to be together if someone were to try to keep them apart? Would they run away? Stand up to everyone who didn’t believe in them, saying that it would never work? It was obvious from the lyrics they would do anything for each other. If I could sum up the whole book, it would be the title of this song.

As for the rest of the ideas in the book, the people in Briar’s life weren’t hard to dream up. Growing up, I actually lived in a neighborhood very close to where Briar lives in the book.  Belleair Bluffs is a real city in Florida, full of well to do people that are very active in the community. Lots of doctors. I had a few friends from families like Briar’s. So her world is very real, though the characters are not. There is a scene in the book where they go to an outdoor movie theater on the beach. (not a spoiler:) It is called Sunset Cinema, and I go with friends every once and a while.

The Council has a very well put-together system of magic. How did you create that? Did you use mythology, wiccan/pagan/or other arcane knowledge bases?

I actually read up a bit on the English monarchy. It would have been the time of the Tudors, King Henry the VIII. It was the only familiar system of government to the characters. But having one king that might favor his kind and suppress the others had been a concern for them. So my idea was to have three kings, each working together with equal power, so each magical being is represented. They rule somewhat separately, though their people abide by the same laws, and they come together in times of need.

You said in your Q&A that you create character sometimes based on people you once knew or from characters in books you’ve read. Where did the inspiration for Henry and Venna come from? Briar and Chase?

Henry was a boy I once knew. He was very kind, and he had this light in his eyes when he smiled. I worked with him a few summers at camp and we went to the same church. Then one day I received news that he’d been killed in a traffic accident, hit by a car while riding his bike. Shortly after I started writing this book, I only saw him. I thought he deserved his happy ending.

Venna was a little harder to pin down, until I saw a movie called Accepted. It had been out for a couple years already, but I saw the girl playing the character named Rory. She had red hair, and a little bit of an attitude. I was like, that’s Venna!!

As for Chase, there wasn’t one person. He’s just my idea of the American cowboy. Sure, steady, and tough. He made himself, in a way. But I also listen to a lot of Josh Turner and Luke Bryan :)

Briar just kind of came to me. And I was thinking a little about Buffy too, lol. Here you have this cheerleader who is one person on the outside, but she really is so much more than a pair of pompoms and a high kick. She just needed the opportunity to become who she was meant to be.

Do you believe in magic or unseen phenomenon? Any personal anecdotes to explain why?

Uh, to be honest... I think there are things in this world we can’t explain. Is it magic, ghosts, parallel universes? I have no idea, and I can’t say that I believe or don’t believe. If there’s proof, I’ll jump on the bandwagon :) If not, then there are some really great stories out there to keep us guessing.

The Unofficial Zack Warren Fan Club revolves around a club Chloe started when she was in grade school and escalates into a monstrosity still in existence in college. When you were younger, did you begin your own fan club of some kind? If so, what was it?

I never was part of a fan club. Though I did watch the Mickey Mouse club on occasion.


Can you tell us anything about what is in store for Zack and Chloe or Henry and Venna in future novels?

Hmm, I can tell you you will be seeing all four of them again, though in their respective books. Venna and Henry’s story is complete. They will become secondary characters now, but they will make appearances from time to time. After Kyle’s book, there will be a final book featuring Zack and Chloe...but I’m not saying what is going to happen :)
[Author's note: there is a Zack and Chloe scene on J.C.'s blog in her "Book Extras" section that I highly recommend you read after reading the book! It takes place after the book ends.]


Fast Five
Favorite food? Oh God this is hard...I have to pick one??? Uh....okay, apple pie.
Favorite book? One For The Money by Janet Evanovich
Favorite vacation spot? St. Augustine Fl!
Hollywood crush? Chris Pine [great choice!]
Werewolves, vampires, zombies or witches? Werewolf....but only if he was a cowboy in another life :)


The Giveaway:
J.C. has been kind enough to offer up 3 e-copies of Chasing McCree through Smashwords. Just leave a comment before midnight tonight with your email address in the (at) (dot) format (ex: erindanzer(at)gmail(dot)com). Winners will be chosen sometime Thursday!


Where to buy J.C.'s books:
The Unofficial Zack Warren Fan Club: Amazon, B&N, Smashwords
The Council: Amazon, B&N, Smashwords
Chasing McCree: Amazon, B&N, Smashwords


Stalk... er, I mean, find J.C. online!
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/jcisabellabooks
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/JC-Isabella/249262975154372
Website: http://www.jcisabella.com/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5158465.J_C_Isabella
Tumblr: http://jcisabella.tumblr.com/

Good luck for the give away! I hope you will come to love J.C.'s books as much as I do!

Happy Reading!
EM

Tell Me Something Tuesday

Welcome back for another week of Tell Me Something Tuesday, the weekly meme hosted by Cambria Hebert where she asks the question and bloggers answer. This week's question:

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and could only bring five things, what would they be?

I have struggled with this question since reading it. Only five things? I'd asked Cambria, which of course she said yes to. ;-) Since I'm going to be stranded, meaning I don't wake up stranded, it might be a little easier... So, okay, five things...

My Kindle Fire. Even if I can't get internet on my desert island, I would still have plenty of things to read. I would just make sure to upload all my favorite, can't-live-without books onto it before leaving. :-) I love to read and it helps pass the time. My Fire also has a Quick Office app so I can continue to write books, which I will then release when I'm rescued from my island. ;-) (in my imaginary world where this desert island lives, electricity is not a problem lol)

A Water purifier. It can be a Brita pitcher or even one of those sports bottle things, but I'd need something that would purify the water surrounding my island so I could drink.

A Boy Scout-type guy. I am so not the hunter in my family; I'm more the gathering type. ;-) So I would need someone, preferably a strong, hot man to hunt and cook for me. He could also build me a shelter to keep us out of the sweltering heat of our desert island. Of course, having an amenity such as that, I may not want to leave the island. ;-)

My life-long BFF, Pam. She and I have known each other most of our lives. And since we currently live three states away from each other, this would remedy the problem of never seeing each other! ;-) Of course, I would make sure she brings her own 5 things so we would have more to do. LOL

And that's all I can think of. LOL Who would've thought I was worried about only bringing 5 things and now I can't even come up with a fifth one! Now it's your turn. What five items would you bring with you to a desert island?

Happy Tuesday!
EM

Tell Me Something Tuesday

Welcome to another week of Tell Me Something Tuesday, the awesome meme hosted by the lovely Cambria Hebert. I have to say that I've been waiting for this week's post since I saw the question last week. The question:

Who are your book boyfriends?

It took me a while to figure out which boyfriends would make the list. I even asked a few friends who would make their lists. Truth be told, like most women who read, I have tons of book boyfriends. So I've managed (somehow) to cut it down to five.... I think... ;-)

#1 - Jace Wayland from The Mortal Instruments

What can I say? I fell in love with him the first time Clary set eyes on him. He's snarky, a golden god, awesome with a weapon - or without - and hides a tender heart beneath an aloof exterior. I love his one liners throughout the series and can not wait for the first movie to come out (August 23, 2013!). I know Cassandra Clare got to see the audition between Lily Collins and Jamie Bower - I just hope he does Jace justice (though if Cassie is to be believed, he will blow us all away).
“I don't do what I'm told, but I might do what you want if you ask me nicely.” ~ Cassandra Clare, City of Ashes.


#2 - Dimitri Belikov - Vampire Academy series

He wears a long, brown leather duster and reads Western novels in his free time. He's known as a god among the dhampirs known as Guardians. He's lethal, whether when killing Strigoi or to Rose's heart. Even when he's turned Strigoi, he's completely bad ass.

"If you (Nathan) lay a hand on her, I will destroy you. I will rip your head off with my bare hands and watch it burn in the sun." ~ Dimitri Belikov, Blood Promise

#3 - Prince Ash - the Iron Fey series

I'll admit it, I've been Team Ash since first catching a glimpse of him in the forest surrounding Meghan's house. He's the epitome of "hot boy with a sword". He's had centuries of living in the Winter Court to conceal his emotions, though they start to show through upon meeting half-faery, Meghan Chase. I love how conflicted he is and the tender moments that do shine through. *swoon* (admittedly, I have only read the first two books of this series. that will be rectified as soon as possible.)

His breath hitched, and he regarded me hungrily. “You’re playing with fire, you know that?” 
“That’s weird, considering you’re an ice prin—” I didn’t get any further, as Ash leaned in and kissed me.” 
― Julie Kagawa, Winter's Passage

#4 Fang - Maximum Ride series

Fang was one of my first book boyfriends. I met him when he was 14 and I was a few years older than that. :) Fang is quiet, not having much to say even when he should, and has beautiful black wings (a result of being genetically engineered like the rest of his flock). He's the brooding type, though he gets the job done and protects his family above all else. He's also all for saving the world. What's not to love!

“There is one bright side to this," said Fang. 
"Yeah? What's that? The new and improved Erasers would mutilate us before they killed us?" 
He grinned at me so unexpectedly I forgot to flap for a second and dropped several feet. "You looove me," he crooned smugly. Holding his arms out wide he added, "You love me this much." 
My shriek of appalled rage could probably be heard in California, or maybe Hawaii.” 
― James Patterson, Max

#5 Gavin Clearwater - the Spiral Defenders series

picture drawn by Amanda Pfender

This is the best picture I have so far of my handsome hero. Yes, that's right; Gavin is the hero in my Spiral Defenders series. I have spent so much time with him that like some other authors I know, I have fallen in love with my hero. He's a tad annoying when Ronnie first meets him, pretty sure of himself to say the least, but even Ronnie falls for his charm. I look forward to sharing Gavin and the world I've created!

"Now what?" she cried. "What could you possibly want to torture me about now?"

Gavin raised an eyebrow and glanced down at his tray. "I'm getting lunch," he told her. "But if that tortures you, I won't eat." ~ Ronnie and Gavin, Into the Spiral

There you have it, my top 5. Please know that I have not necessarily ranked them in order of importance - truly, I love them all equally and they all rank #1 with me.

Now it's your turn. Who are your book boyfriends?

Happy Tuesday!
EM