BOOKS ON SCREEN: THE BOOK THIEF, THE FAULT IN OUR STARS, PHILOMENA

The Book Thief

The story of a young German girl who steals books, her family and the Jewish boxer hidden in their basement as they struggle to survive in Nazi Germany. Narrated by Death, it's an unusual and affecting story, and was the top selling debut literary hardback of 2007, with sales of over 193,000 copies. Now a 2013 film  produced by 20th Century Fox. 

Review quotes

"Extraordinary, resonant and relevant, beautiful and angry." -- Lisa Hilton Sunday Telegraph 

'Unsettling, thought-provoking, life affirming... this is a novel of breathtaking scope, masterfully told.'  The Guardian 

PICTURING THE STARS - INTERVIEW WITH SARAH DUNN

Sarah Dunn directing The Hobbit cast

She meets and photographs the movie stars we all admire. She manages to capture very special smiles, looks, intense expressions and beautiful moments. Have you seen her photos of the Potter cast, the Hobbit cast, Tom Hiddleston, Benedict Cumberbatch,  Helen Mirren, Cate Blanchett, Tom Hanks, Jamie Campbell Bower, Shailene Woodley and more? Have a look at her site! I bet you've seen her photos on the covers of the most important magazines. 

I  did and thought: "Sarah Dunn must know things about those people which nobody else knows". I was so curious that... I dared ask. And Sarah Dunn was kind enough to answer. She was very professional, no gossiping!  Here's the interview. 

Well , Sarah, first of all thank you very much indeed for taking the time to answer my questions. Where to start an interview with you? What about a quote? Karl Lagerfeld said, “What I like about photographs is that they capture a moment that’s gone forever, impossible to reproduce.” 

What do you, Sarah, like in photographs?  

Drama and emotion

MOVIE REVIEW - THE HUNGER GAMES, CATCHING FIRE

(by guest blogger Paul Smith) 

Catching Fire is the second part of the Hunger Games trilogy, produced by Lionsgate and directed by Francis Lawrence. Based on Suzanne Collins' novel, this film was released in November 2013.  Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson played such main characters as Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark. It is a dystopian, science fiction movie with disturbing and uplifting plot at the same moment. The story is immensely emotional, dramatic and exciting. Many important political events and strategies are performed here. The various expensive special effects were used during film’s production in order to make it more engaging and attractive. The topic is of a real current interest, because everyday a lot of people become pawns in their lives as well as our heroes do. Catching Fire is much better than the first film. The director added more bright actors, unsurpassed action scenes and improved the quality of shooting.

BOOK BLAST - WARRIOR'S MOON BY JACLYN M. HAWKES + $ 50 AMAZON GIFT CARD GIVEAWAY

Warrior's Moon - Medieval Historical Romance by Jaclyn M. Hawkes 

Never in all the kingdom has there been a more brave and protective champion. Nor such a loyal and capable maiden. And they loved each other desperately. But is their love strong enough to withstand all their dark age holds—danger, feudalism, disease, and unfair oppression? Yes, they truly loved each other desperately. They loved their kingdom more.  

Amazon * Smashwords

Barnes & Noble

THE DREAM KILLERS - BOOK BLAST & GIVEAWAY

The Dream Killers 

 “The Dream Killers” is geared for fans of “Once Upon a Time”. The first season (2013-2014) consists of 6 novellas called episodes. It follows River as he tries to escape the pirate Captain Bo, the guardians of the Sea of Dreams, the runners, the elders, and the master mechanics. Captain Bo is after the dreamnet that River stole from him. He uses it to capture dreams to power devices for all those who sail the Sea of Dreams. 

ROOK BLOG TOUR - INTERVIEW WITH STELLA MAC DONALD & GIVEAWAY

Hello and welcome to my corner of the blogosphere, Stella.  Congratulations on your amazing book, Rook, and thanks for accepting to answer my questions. Since I used to dream of becoming a writer myself, my first  one will be: Have you always wanted to become a writer? When did you start writing?

Yes and no.  I always wrote, but never planned to be a writer.  It seemed to big, too hard.  I thought I should do more traditional jobs, like be a doctor or something – even went pre-med for awhile.  But, ultimately, writing keeps me sane, and I love it, so that’s what I’m going to do.

What did you like to read as a child or a teenager?  

I loved Christopher Pike, and moved on pretty young to Dean Koontz.  I read grown up books for a long time before returning to YA.

What do you like most of being a writer?  

Most of the time you don’t get to control anything major about your life.  Add to that being so busy that you don’t have a chance to really discover yourself.  Writing, I get to pick everything that happens to everyone, as well as the reasons why. When I wax the most philosophical, it doesn’t take long before I realize I’m really just talking about myself.  I learn tons about myself that way.

YA FAIRIES & FANTASY GIVEAWAY HOP

Announcing the 3rd Annual

Young Adult Faeries & Fantasy Giveaway Hop

January 8th to 14th

One lucky winner will get their choice of ANY Faerie or Fantasy ebook under $10 from amazon.com Kindle Store! This contest is open INTERNATIONALLY. 

Please share the title of the YA fantasy ebook you'd like to win in your comment and tell us why you want to read it. That would be  a precious occasion to learn about new interesting authors and their works. 

BOOK BLAST & GIVEAWAY - THE COLONY BY CAMI CHECKETTS

 The Colony by Cami Checketts 

To protect her sons from the mistakes of her past, Brinlee Trapper escapes to a secluded mountain home. But there are dangers lurking in the mountains she has never encountered. The little family is saved from injury by Jed, a mysterious hunter. Brinlee is drawn to him, but she worries about his involvement with a peaceful commune hidden deep in the mountains behind her property. Lance, Brinlee’s attentive neighbor, has his own troubled history. Between his obvious attraction to Brinlee and his developing love for her children, Brinlee finds it more than difficult to guard her heart against this tender intrusion. While Jed offers a life of excitement and freedom, Lance holds the key to the family Brinlee always wanted. When it comes time to choose, she learns that both men have secrets that could shatter her fledgling trust in men and the wrong decision could leave more than her heart exposed to danger.  

LET THE MUSIC COME ALIVE - MERCY RIVER BLOG TOUR & GIVEAWAY

On the heels of their hit album Higher, Mercy River is back with mesmerizing harmonies and upbeat vocal arrangements. Their new album features inspirational favorites and original songs that highlight the talents of this singing sisterhood. Sing It Out,  Speak Life, How Deep the Father's Love For Us, Walk You Through the Night, Who I Am, Holy Ground, Restless Reason, For the World,  Walking On Sunshine.

WORDS, WITCHES & WOES

A movie, a book and bits of my real life are the topics of my  first post in the New Year. Let's hope it is a good one, without any tears. What? ... Yes, those words are not mine.

1. A Movie: The Words 

Plagiarism, writing, life and fiction ...The Words. I've seen this movie a few times in the latest weeks since it is running on my satellite TV channels. I was attracted by the title first and started watching it without knowing much about cast and plot. Positively surprised at discovering it was about writing, writers and books, I went on watching,  discovering one by one its protagonists: Dennis Quaid, Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Irons and Ben Barnes.

I liked it very much! Have you seen it?