Nerd Blast: 'The IXEOS Trilogy' by Jennings Wright

Welcome to the Nerd Blast for 
The IXEOS Trilogy by Jennings Wright

BOOK ONE OF THE IXEOS TRILOGY: IXEOS

The McClellands are enjoying a lazy summer vacation at the beach when they are lured from our world into Ixeos, an alternate Earth. Finding themselves lost in a maze of tunnels under Paris and surrounded by strangers, they discover that they have been brought to Ixeos for one purpose: to take the planet back from humanoid aliens who have claimed it. With the aid of the tunnels and a mysterious man named Landon, the teens travel the world seeking the key that will allow them to free Darian, the long-imprisoned rebel leader. But the aliens aren’t the only problem on Ixeos — the McClellands have to deal with brutal gangs, desperate junkies, and a world without power, where all the technology is owned by the aliens, and where most of the population has been killed or enslaved. The worst part? There’s no way home.

 BUY IXEOS BOOK ONE NOW!

BOOK TWO OF THE IXEOS TRILOGY: IXEOS: Rebellion

With rebel leader Darian free at last, the humans and outsiders on Ixeos must find a way to join forces and defeat the Firsts. The problem? All slaves are tracked with GPS, the Firsts are the only ones with power, and roving gangs hate the rebels just as much as they hate the aliens. As Darian and the outsiders from Earth travel the globe through the mysterious tunnels in Paris, they learn that the Firsts are preparing to launch another wave of biological warfare. With a transporter that will allow the aliens to target any city, anywhere on the planet, the rebels know they must stop them at all costs.

As things get more dangerous on Ixeos, the outsiders find that they’re pushed to their limit. Will they fight for freedom, no matter the price?

  

Born and raised in Rockledge, Florida, Jennings spent her early years reading anything she could get her hands on, when she wasn’t spending time in and on the water. She won a prize in the 6th grade for her science fiction stories.

Jennings attended the University of the South and the University of Tampa, graduating with a B.A. in Political Science, and almost enough credits for B.A.s in both English and History. She spent time over the years doing various kinds of script doctoring, business writing, editing, and teaching writing, but mostly having and raising her family, homeschooling her children, owning and running a business with her husband, and starting a non-profit to Uganda.

Thanks to a crazy idea called NaNoWriMo Jennings got back into creative writing in 2011 and hasn’t stopped since. She’s written four novels and a screenplay in less than a year, with more ideas on the drawing board. She currently lives in North Carolina with her husband, also a writer, and two children, and travels extensively.

The Giveaway
Ships to US Only | Must be 13+ To Enter

North Face backpack

Phase 10

GIANT jawbreaker

Paracord bracelet

water bottle

Bandana

pocket atlas

tiny flashlight

Fruit stripe gum

A deck of cards called “Don’t Die Out There”

The Book of Potentially Catastrophic Science: 50 Experiments

IXEOS

To come (not pictured):

IXEOS: Rebellion

IXEOS black long sleeve tee size L

Veronica Roth's 'Allegiant' Tour Contest!!! - UPDATED

Many booknerds are always looking forward to the next book signing/book tour of their favorite authors.  I am one of those!!! Well, guess what, Divergent fans, Veronica Roth will start the Allegiant Tour starting on October 22, 2013!!! But, we all know that going every where, let alone just the U.S., is a HUGE  ordeal...and is a HUGE undertaking to complete. 

Allegiant book cover

It was announced that instead of scheduling assumed tour stops, fans will have the chance to vote for tour stops in their respective states.  So Divergent fans get to the voting.

For a chance to meet Veronica Roth, author of the Divergent trilogy, vote for your Allegiant Tour stop now!!! Voting is open until June 25, 2013 in the U.S. only! 

Here's the current top 5 states:

California    15%

Texas         15%

Illinois         5.8%

Florida        5.7%

New York    5.5%

Vote here:  PICK YOUR STATE!

Enter the sweepstakes for a chance to meet Veronica Roth on the Allegiant Tour!

For more information about this contest, go to: divergentofficial.tumblr.com

Good Luck!!

ONE CHOICE VOTE CAN TRANSFORM YOUBRING VERONICA ROTH TO A BOOKSTORE NEAR YOU!

Vote for Veronica Roth’s ALLEGIANT tour stop!



UPDATE:

California is still in the #1 spot!!!

Votes: 3217 


C'mon!!! California keep voting!!!

Fangirl Designs at Etsy Shop by FangirlFeeels

Check it out awesome nerds!!! 

My friend Sylvia of Fangirlfeeels has opened an Etsy Shop!!! 

Yes, she currently has designed Divergent-themed handbags on her Etsy Shop. Moreover, she will be adding more items such as: t-shirts and other swag from other fandoms.  

The current Divergent-themed handbags are all hand sewn, painted and stenciled by Sylvia, the designer, herself...and, of course, made with LOVE!  

About our Fangirl designer, Sylvia:

She is an Art Major in hopes of becoming a Costume Designer. She learned how to sew at a young age and attended an Art High School. With her background and life in Art, Sylvia can promise that customers, followers and fans alike will receive quality swag.

The following are items that are currently available:

Divergent-themed handbags

Handmade Erudite Cross handbag

Handmade Candor Cross handbag

Handmade Amity Cross handbag

Handmade Dauntless Cross handbag

Learn more about Fangirl Designs at: 

FangirlFeeels

Visit Fangirl Designs at Etsy Shop at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/FangirlFeeels

Let's support our fellow fangirl!!!

NovelReality's Teen Wolf Season 3 Episode 4 - Unleashed Recap & Review

Check out NovelReality's recap & review of MTV's Teen Wolf Episode 4 - Unleashed

Subscribe & follow her for weekly recaps & reviews of MTV's hit TV show, Teen Wolf

http://novelreality.blogspot.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/EVHammond?feature=watch

My Thoughts:

Yeah, it's only going to get better! In the beginning of the episode, another person goes missing...yup! Another "sacrifice" happened...again! Even more questions...hmmm! Stiles (Dylan O'Brien) is just too hilarious! Now, he's freakin' out that he may be next...since he's still a virgin...LMAO!! Too funny! We can always count on Stiles for some humor. While training for cross country, that missing person is found...dead, of course. But, apparently, the twin alphas have an idea of what's happening since they give each other a knowing concerned look...hmmm! Makes one wonder what do they know! 

Now, there's more going on in Beacon Hills, not just the arrival of an alpha pack. What is it with Deucalion (Gideon Emery)! He seems to be some kind of fanatic who's power hungry...sheesh! We find out that he wants Derek (Tyler Hoechlin) to kill one in his pack...can we guess who!?! Haha!!! Really interesting...what is Deucalion's end game here...hmmm! 

Still wondering what's the deal with Lydia (Holland Roden)? What's her connection with these deaths? Hmmm... When Lydia finds herself in the music room and not knowing how she got there...huh, come to find out another missing person. Seems that the rule of "3" is starting again...yes, more sacrifices! Stiles goes to Dr. Deaton (Seth Gilliam) for answers...hmmm!!??!! Well, Dr. Deaton sure does know a lot about "stuff"! That means one more makes three!!! Guess who makes "3"...yes, Mr. Harris (Adam Fristoe), but did he know who's murdering all these people!!??!! It sure sounded like it when he was bound to the tree...hmmm! What's his connection...

Wow!!! Isaac (Daniel Sharman) and Allison (Crystal Reed) gets detention for "beating up" on of the twins (we all know that was a set up) and for sleeping, respectively!?! And, what is the deal with Ms. Morell (Bianca Lawson)! What is she up to!?! During detention, Isaac and Allison get locked in the janitor's closet...yikes! We all know that Isaac was traumatized when his Dad locked him up inside a freezer! Talk about claustrophobia! Luckily, Scott (Tyler Posey) opens the door in time before Isaac does any real damage, but Isaac did scratch Allison on the arm...uh oh!

Totally hilarious how Scott, Isaac and Allison gets back at the twin alphas...whoa!! But, Scott and Isaac got a surprise at the end when the twins combine...well, what did you expect! Scott and Isaac did mess with their bikes...haha!!! And, who saves the day...Deucalion! Hmmm!!! Huh...the look on Scott's and Isaac's faces...priceless! Awww...the twins got scolded by "Daddy" alpha...hahaha!!!!

Oh yeah!!! This season 3 is really getting intense! Can't wait to find out more with each episode! 

Check out the sneak peek to MTV's Teen Wolf Season 3 Episode 5

Deucalion is ready to test Scott and see what he's made of. 

Teen Wolf on Mondays at 10/9c on MTV!

Don't forget to follow me as I share my thoughts and experiences on my favorites: movies, shows & books!! 

Thank you!

An Evening with Khaled Hosseini w/ Guest Host Leland P. "Lee" Cowan of CBS

Khaled Hosseini, the #1 New York Times-bestselling author of The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns, has written a new novel about how we love, how we take care of one another, and how the choices we make resonate through generations. In this tale revolving around not just parents and children but brothers and sisters, cousins and caretakers, Hosseini explores the many ways in which families nurture, wound, betray, honor, and sacrifice for one another; and how often we are surprised by the actions of those closes to us, at the the times that matter most. Following its characters and the ramifications of their lives and choices and loves around the globe -- from Kabul to Paris to San Francisco to the Greek island of Tinos -- the story expands gradually outward, becoming more emotionally complex and powerful with each turning page. 

On Tuesday, June 25, 2013, my daughter and I traveled up to Pasadena for an exciting event with Khaled Hosseini. With the release of his new novel, And The Mountains Echoed, Hosseini was on tour promoting his new release and Pasadena was one of the stops. Fortunately, I was able to get the day off to get a chance to meet him...boy, was I excited! After getting off work that morning (working the graveyard shift), I took a short nap before driving out to the All Saints Church in Pasadena where the event took place. Luckily, traffic wasn't too heavy, especially when we were on the freeway after business hours and everyone was heading home...haha! 

Vromans bookstore set up for the event

Display of And The Mountain Echoed books

When we arrived, a good number of fans have already lined up to entire the building for the event. When doors opened at 6pm, we took our seats...more specifically pews...ha! Our host, Vromans Bookstore, had set up on the front lawn to provide Khaled Hosseini's books for purchase.  There were also quite a good amount of And The Mountains Echoed on the table that were pre-purchased and ready for pick up...my copies were among those that were pre-purchased. 

Fans entering and taking their seats

Fans patiently waiting for the event to start

As I looked around, a variety of people were already halfway through the book,while others had already read it. People were still walking in as the exciting hour of 7pm ticked closer. Before Khaled Hosseini and Lee Cowan took the "stage," a short video of what The Khaled Hosseini Foundation is about.

The Khaled Hosseini Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides humanitarian assistance for the people of Afghanistan. The Foundation partners with the United Nations refugee organization (UNHCR) to build shelters for refugee families. It also provides economic opportunities, education, and healthcare for women and children of Afghanistan.

After watching this touching video about the conditions that Afghanistan refugees endure every day, and the efforts of The Khaled Hosseini Foundation to provide shelter for them, the discussion with Khaled Hosseini and Lee Cowan was underway.

Khaled Hosseini and Leland P. "Lee" Cowan, CBS Sunday Morning News Correspondent

Khaled Hosseini, author of The Kite Runner

The event started with a discussion with a brief history for Hosseini's love for writing. It was fun to find out that he began writing for fun since he enjoys writing. Hosseini first wrote The Kite Runner as a short story which he then later expanded it into a novel. In 2004, The Kite Runner came out in paperback, Hosseini was surprised to see his book being read by a variety of people.  

Khaled Hosseini discusses his early days as a writer with Lee Cowan

Khaled Hosseini, author of A Thousand Splendid Suns

As stated during the talk:

Hosseini: In 2004, I started to see people at airports. I sat next to people on the airplane reading my book, um, so weird (audience laughs). Oh, I couldn't believe it, I was terrified...you know, what do I do...do I say something or not say something...

Cowan: Ask if she even liked it...

Hosseini: Well, I could tell she liked it, because she was like really into it...

Wow! So funny and enlightening to listen to Hosseini's anecdotes of when he first started as an author. Among all that laughter, he also stated that it was difficult to practice medicine and write at the same time. So, in 2004, when he started to write his second novel, he requested to go on sabbatical. 

It was also interesting to learn that being a doctor wasn't really his career fascination, but he felt useful, in his own way, to society...like he said, "I liked my patients, I just didn't like the fact that they were sick." That was hilarious since, after all, doctors treats sick people. Another anecdote that he revealed, was when he would go on rounds (in 10-15 minute slots) and see his patients; during that time, his patients were spending that short time asking him to sign the book. Too funny!! 

Khaled Hosseini also discussed much of the purpose of his foundation in helping and providing shelter for refugees in Afghanistan. He also revealed to the audience of his recent trip to Afghanistan in which the above video was made.  Hosseini particularly talked about two little girls that he met on that trip. These two little girls appear at the end of that video.

And the audience questions begins!

Khaled Hosseini listening to an audience question

After the intriguing and fascinating talk about Hosseini's early year, writing, career and his foundation, the time for audience questions began. Much of the audience questions began with their stating their admiration to Hosseini and his books. One person in particular asked how he learned how to write with an abundance of description. Hosseini stated that everything he knows about writing was "self taught" and "instinctive." Wow!!! That's amazing!! Despite the long line, audience questions was cut short due to time. We still had to get to the signing part of this amazing event.  

And the signing begins!!!

Only if there was more time, this event can go on and on.  I could go on and on about this amazing night! There's so much that Hosseini revealed to the audience, it was awe-inspiring! 

Learn more about author, Khahled Hosseini, at:

http://khaledhosseini.com/

Learn more about The Khaled Hosseini Foundation at:

http://khaledhosseinifoundation.org/index.php

Khaled Hosseini, author of And The Mountains Echoed

June 25, 2013 was an amazingly enlightening night about Khaled Hosseini's life, his writing and his foundation. It's always a fun learning experience when fans learn about the lives of favorite authors. I, for one, was determined not to miss this one...among the many other author events I have attended. I definitely have an added new appreciation of all the novels that these authors put out for many fans... be it aspiring writers and/or avid readers. Meeting Khaled Hosseini and learning about his humanitarian efforts to provide shelters for refugees in Afghanistan was such a memorable and inspiring experience. The only bummer part was there was no posed pictures allowed due to time. It would have been incredibly awesome to have gotten a picture with him. He is definitely an amazing author. It was so worth the drive out from Coachella!!

My books signed by Khaled Hosseini

To view the full album, go to my Facebook page: Movies, Shows & Books

Nerd Blast: 'Disneylanders' by Kate Abbott

Welcome to the Nerd Blast for

DISNEYLANDERS by Kate Abbott

Disneylanders by Kate Abbott

In Disneylanders, 14-year-old Casey Allison, on the brink of starting high school, struggles to find a new identity on her family’s annual summer vacation, but with the help of an outgoing boy she meets while waiting in line, she discovers that Disneyland is the one place where her overprotective parents let her have the freedom to grow up.

Casey looks forward to her family’s annual summer vacation to Disneyland to escape her anxieties about starting high school. This summer, however, her vacation forces her to confront her parents’ ancient attitudes, getting dumped by her best friend, an intense crush, and a pack of gum-snapping girls who seem intent on ruining her vacation.

Her parents won’t accept she’s no longer a little kid, but she can’t fathom growing up to be like the bra-strap girls who seem to be following her. Worst of all, she fears that in order be accepted as “mature,” she’ll have to not only display her underwear but stop going to her beloved theme park. As she explores Disneyland—and her first romantic relationship—with Bert, the charming high school sophomore she meets, she realizes that she can overcome her real-world insecurities only when she’s in the Magic Kingdom.

As Casey and Bert banter in line for rides, they find that confessing the secrets they couldn’t share with anyone back home lets them both discover their true selves. Although they spend time in Fantasyland, they confront their real-life issues…Bert’s flaky parents, his precocious grandmother, and why he wears a watch that hasn’t worked in two years; Casey’s ex-best friend, her secret passion for old-school film photography, and her cast member crushes. By the last fireworks show, after she’s been on a wild ride of a summer vacation, Casey rediscovers herself and takes home new self confidence, along with a sentimental souvenir.

WATCH THE BOOK TRAILER

Get a copy today for only $11.57!

Disneylanders is Kate Abbott’s first novel. She received an MFA in creative writing from UC Riverside, Palm Desert. Kate lives in Northern California with her husband, son, terrier, and tiny parrots.

 http://www.kateabbott.com

One lucky winner will get this awesome Disney themed gift pack from Kate Abbott, including:
Note card set
Mickey Bookmark
A copy of Disneylanders

Must be 13+ to Enter
US Shipping Only
No PO Boxes

Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters International Trailer

Check out the exclusive international trailer of Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters!

About

Based on the publishing phenomenon, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters continues the young demigod's epic journey to fulfill his destiny. To save their world, Percy and his friends must find the fabled and magical Golden Fleece. Embarking on a treacherous odyssey into the uncharted waters of the Sea of Monsters (known to humans as the Bermuda Triangle), they battle terrifying creatures, an army of zombies, and the ultimate Evil.

Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters

Whoa!!! Wow!!! Amazing!!! Those are the words that come to mind as I watched this new international trailer.

Who's excited!! From the looks of the trailers so far, I am pretty excited about watching this film.   

In theaters August 7, 2013