Interview + Giveaway: From What I Remember!

Hi, everybody! :)

Last week, I was lucky enough to recieve a copy of From What I Remember by Stacy Kramer and Valerie Thomas... and I loved it so much that I wrote a review for it ASAP! (You can read my review HERE.) It was fun, and hilarious, and sweet, and everything you could ever want in a contemporary book. I would recommend it in a heartbeat!

So I'm really ecstatic that the two amazing, sweet, quirky, and brilliant authors are offering up two SIGNED copies of From What I Remember for you guys! It's international, so anyone can enter. :) And Stacy also agreed to play a last minute game of THIS or THAT with me!

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From What I Remember
By Stacy Kramer and Valerie Thomas
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | The Book Depository

KYLIE: MEXICO WHAT? I should be putting the finishing touches on my valedictorian speech. Graduation is TODAY, and is this a wedding band on my finger??

MAX: It all started with Kylie's laptop and a truck full of stolen electronics. Okay, it was kind of hot, the way she broke us out like some chick in an action movie. But now we're stranded in Tijuana. With less than twenty-four hours before graduation. Awesome.

WILL: Saving Kylie Flores from herself is kind of a full-time occupation. Luckily, I, Will Bixby, was born for the job. And when I found out she was stuck in Mexico with dreamy Max Langston, sure, I agreed to bring their passports across the border -- but there's no reason to rush back home right away. This party is just getting started.

LILY: I just walked in on my boyfriend, Max Langston, canoodling with Kylie Flores, freak of the century. Still, I can't completely hold it against him. He NEEDS me. It's even clearer now. And I'm not giving him up without a fight.

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THIS or THAT interview with Stacy Kramer

Chocolate or vanilla?

Chocolate all the way. Not a vanilla girl, I'm just not drawn that way.

Paperbacks or ebooks?

Ebooks.

Summer or winter?

Summer.

School or work?

Work.

Good boys or bad boys? 

I married the good boy. I dated the bad boys.

Books or movies?

Hmmm. I really can't choose here. I write movies and books. It's like asking me my left arm or my right. 

Paranormal or contemporary?

Contemporary. The awful truth is i really don't get paranormal. 

Best friend or soul mate? 

Soul mate.

Spaghetti or lasagna?

Neither. Sorry, I'm going to have to bail on this one too. I'm not a pasta girl. I'll take a good loaf of bread and a hunk of cheese over pasta any day.

Going to graduation or being kidnapped to Mexico? ;)

Kidnapped to Mexico. You never know what will happen. ;)

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Giveaway

Now it's time for the giveaway! Two people can win a SIGNED copy of From What I Remember. And because they're even more awesome, they're willing to ship internationally! (I would beam if one of the winners lived in Mexico LOL ♥)

If you haven't read this book before, then why wouldn't you enter?? This book is absolutely worth having on your shelf — I'm SO happy to have this book on my shelf! And if you've already read it... why wouldn't you want to own a beautiful signed copy? :')

Just fill out the form below: 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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And that's everything! A million thanks to Stacy Kramer for taking the time to answer my (very random) questions and for the lovely giveaway. And thanks to Valerie Thomas for co-writing the book with Stacy as well —they both rock so much! :)

Have an amazing weekend, guys! I hope you don't get kidnapped by random thugs and get taken over to Mexico without your passport like Kylie and Max did... yet at the same time, wouldn't that be SO COOL?? :') ♥

-Mimi

Cover Reveal and Giveaway: ReAwakened by Ada Adams!

HI EVERYONE :) ♥

If you've read my review of ReVamped, you'll have to know how much I loved it and Ada Adams! She's honestly one of the sweetest girls/authors/actresses who has a black belt in karate (cool, right?) that I've ever talked to. (She's also Canadian, which only makes her exponentially more awesome!)

That's why I'm so honoured to be able to take part in the cover reveal for the second book in the Angel Creek series, ReAwakened!

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ReVamped (Angel Creek #1) 
By Ada Adams
Release Date: February 20, 2012
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Chapters | B&N | Mimi's Review

A simple mission turned deadly.

Nineteen-year-old vampire Dawn has led a sheltered life within the confines of her father’s presidential headquarters. Upon being sent on a mission to revamp four goofy misfits into guardians of a peaceful little town of Angel Creek, Dawn believes that all her dreams have finally come true. What starts off as a simple task, turns into something unexpected, changing Dawn’s life forever and leading the action-loving, thrill-seeking vampire teen on a path of mystery, danger and intrigue.

When a human girl is kidnapped by a group of rogue vamps, Dawn discovers that there is more going on in Angel Creek than meets the eye. And it all connects to Ethan, the cute newcomer who seems too perfect to be true, Sebastian, the mysterious vampire with a turbulent past, and even Dawn herself. Dawn must not only succeed in revamping the troubled recruits, but must also prevent the vampire race from being overtaken by a malevolent villain who has a strange and obsessive fascination with her. As threat escalates, romance blooms, and ghosts from her past begin to surface, Dawn is sure of only one thing: her life will never be the same.

Here's a snippet from my review to remind you of the awesome: 

With a fantastic cast of characters, a fun yet mysterious storyline, and vampires you'll wish lived in your world, ReVamped is a refreshing new take on the supernatural creatures we all know and love! I could never stop smiling at the vampire lore Ada Adams created. It was creative, fun, original, AWESOME. Definitely a novel you'll finish in one sitting! 

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And to reveal the gorgeous cover for the second book...

ReAwakened (Angel Creek #2) 
By Ada Adams
Release Date: Fall 2012
Links: Goodreads

No summary available yet. 

MY THOUGHTS: I'm soooooooooooooo super-duper excited for this!!! I know that the first book was a fun and fantastic take on vampires, but Ada promised us that this one is darker, sexier, bloodier, and a whole lot more serious... which sounds great to me!

And this cover.... I LOVE IT! Don't you? The theme is blood, as you can probably tell by the colour choice! ;)

Plus, Ada has been sharing a bunch of teasers on her website about ReAwakened, and apparently there's an appearance by a whole new guy! I just wanted to share this one snippet with you in case you haven't seen it yet, and boy did I swoon :')

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Teaser:

     “You finally understand what I’m saying, right? Or should I demonstrate the no clothes part for you?” he asked mischievously. My pulse quickened under his intense gaze.
     “No demonstrations,” I ordered, looking around the car for an escape route. “I’d rather jump out of a moving vehicle than see you naked.”
     “Don’t lie to yourself, Dawn. I know for a fact that you’ve enjoyed the show at the pool. And I was only shirtless. Can you imagine—”
     “No. I can’t. Nor do I want to,” I snapped, trying to keep my thoughts from drifting to the memory of that night. “Anyway, you don’t have to worry about Sebastian and me. There will be no nudity on either of our parts.”
     “You say that now, but you won’t be able to resist your carnal urges.”
     “I’m not getting any urges. Trust me.”
     “Hmm…Is it because you’d rather get carnal with someone else?” He winked, smiling impishly.
     I groaned, partly annoyed by XXX’s cockiness, partly worried about the possibility of “getting carnal” in general. “Why don’t you pull over and let me out of the car. I’ll run the rest of the way home.”
     “Are you sure?”
     “I’m sure. I need to let off some steam.”
     “I bet you do,” XXX smirked. “Meet us at the house. Feel free to take a shower when you get in. I’d advise that it be a cold one.”

Oh my goodness!! *fans self* Apparently revealing his name is a spoiler, so Ada just calls him XXX for now. Are you as excited to figure out who this XXX guy is as I am??

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Giveaway:

Because Ada is awesome, she's offering one ARC of ReAwakened for a random person who comments on a cover reveal post! So if you leave your thoughts, you're automatically entered into the draw. And as a girl who loved the first book, I really think you're going to want to get this sequel in advance! ;)

For those of you who don't win the ARC, I think ReAwakened will be available on Netgalley in September if you're interested. So look out for that! :)

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About the Author:

Ada Adams - Goodreads | Website | Twitter

“Many people sing in the shower. I write scenes in my head and act them out.”

At the age of five, Ada read her first chapter book—Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren. Ever since that moment, she developed an intense passion for stories and characters found within the pages of literature.

In her career as an actress and a writer, Ada currently spends most of her days immersed in imaginary worlds. Much like the characters she enjoys playing and writing about, Ada is a martial artist with a Black Belt in Shotokan Karate. She is also a big proponent of lifelong learning, and has attained a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (it aids in creating characters with unique quirks!) as well as a Master’s of Science in Education.

Ada strives to bring a fresh voice and perspective to fiction. She has been writing creatively for many years, and is an editor of a global fashion/literary magazine called VEUX. ReVamped is her debut novel.

She lives in Toronto, Canada, and enjoys adventurous nature hikes with her adorable puppies Cara and Oreo.

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And that's all! Ada is also doing an hour-long Tweet-chat about everything related to her writing, Angel Creek, characters, non-spoilery parts, and etcetera on July 5th (today!!) at 5 p.m. EST. So it would be awesome if you dropped by and said hello (or hi, since I've always thought hello was a little too formal for me!) ;)

I hope that all my Angel Creek gushing is convincing you guys to start this series if you haven't already!

Have a wonderful day, you guys! ♥

-Mimi

School's Out Giveaway!!

Hi, everyone!

I can't believe it's summer break already, but I CAN believe how relieved I am! No more early mornings, no more homework, and definitely no more exams... Even though I still have so much planned for the summer — including a job, trips to the cottage, and many different friends' sweet sixteen parties — I think I'll still have more time to blog than during the school year! :)

So, to celebrate, I decided to post a School's Out Giveaway!

The Rules:

1. There will be one winner. 
2. Giveaway ends on July 20, 2012 @ 12:01 a.m.
3. Be a follower (through GFC or RSS).
4. Be 13 or older.
5. Live anywhere that The Book Depository ships to (which is basically everywhere!)
6. Fill out the Rafflecopter form.

The Prize: 

One winner will get to choose any one book of his/her choice from the list of anticipated summer releases below. And trust me, there are A LOT of amazing books coming out this summer! But if you would like another book that releases around this time instead, I could definitely substitute that in as long as it's under $20 (USD). :)

(Covers link to Goodreads.)

OR: Any other summer release book of your choice under $20 (USD).

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Just enter through the Rafflecopter widget below: 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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And that's everything! I'm so excited to be able to have the summer off. If you're school-free like me, I can't wait to see what you're up to next with your new free time! But if you're working through the summer anyways (also like me), I'm still hoping to see a ton of you while I cheer from the sidelines ;)

Enjoy the beautiful beach weather, guys! ♥ (And to those of you on the other side of the hemisphere — because I won't forget my lovable Aussies and such ever again — have a brrrrrrrilliant winter!)

These adorable pictures are courtesy of chibird! TYSM, Jackie :)

-Mimi

Before I Wake Blog Tour: Character Interview + Giveaways!

HELLO, ALL OF YOU WONDERFUL PEOPLE! :) ♥

I don't think I can even tell you how excited I am to be a part of the blog tour for Before I Wake by Rachel Vincent, hosted by the amazing Kismet Book Tours! The Soul Screamers series is one of my all-time favourites (a lot because I'm in love with sarcastic reaper-boy Tod, but also because Rachel knows how to write an amazing world), and this book? SO. DARN. EXCITED!

Soooo, without further ado... I would like to introduce you to two of the most realistically well-written brothers around: Tod and Nash Hudson! One is a bean sidhe and the other is an undead reaper. Great mix, huh? ;)


(May contain minor spoilers from previous books.)

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Meet the Brothers, Tod and Nash

Mimi: Hi, guys! I seriously can't be any more excited to be able to have you here today!! Because everyone deserves to know how awesome you are, can you introduce yourselves? :)

Nash: I'm Nash. This is my brother, Tod. He’s dead, but that doesn't stop him from taking whatever he wants, whenever he wants it, even though he shouldn't still be in the world. Also, he kills people for a living. Make of that what you will.

Tod: I don't murder people. I'm a grim reaper, not an assassin. I reap the souls of those scheduled to die. And I stick to that schedule, the vast majority of the time. My record is practically spotless. Practically.

Mimi: *whispers to audience* Nash is kind of harboring a grudge at his brother right now, if you can't tell... *back to the boys* Would you be embarrassed to admit to your human friends that you're bean sidhes (banshees)?

Nash: Everyone who matters already knows.

Tod: I'm never embarrassed. But most people have no idea I exist, so that question doesn't really apply to me.

Mimi: I guess that's true! (Does that mean all of us readers matter, since we know?? Yay! I mean, focus, Mimi. Next question.) How would you describe Kaylee?

Nash: Ex. Lost. Liar. Pain.

Tod: Kaylee is everything that matters most. *turns to Nash* It’s not fair to blame her for what happened.

Nash: Totally fair to blame you, though, right?

Tod: Oh. You meant… *frowns* I thought you were talking about that other thing that happened… I was going to blame fate and the forces of evil, but whatever.

Mimi: *to audience again* Correction: Nash is harboring a grudge on everyone right now — but it's totally justified, and I love him anyways! *back to the boys again* Just wondering: If you figured out you had only one day left to live, what would you spend it doing? (You know, assuming you were still alive, Tod. :P)

Nash: Making amends.

Tod: Changing fate.

Mimi: I'd eat cookies, but I like your ideas better. :') Do you have anything you've always wanted to confess to each other?

Nash: I'm sorry I couldn't save our dad. I tried. If you'd been there, I'm sure you could have made Mom cooperate. Also, since we’re opening up, I feel like I should confess that you're a huge pain in the ass. 

Tod: I have a couple of things I should tell Nash, but none anyone else needs to hear. Except that he's a huge pain in the ass. Must run in the family.

Mimi: I totally beg to differ! (But maybe that's just because I have a major crush on you both, so let's skim over that haha...) Tod, do you like your job as a reaper? What are some pros, cons, or random quirks you think we should know?

Tod: You already know more about me than you should. However, in the spirit of this deep personal invasion... I hate my job, but I've recently come to love the spare time it gives me. Now that I have use for spare time.

Nash: *growls*

Mimi: Kaylee is so lucky!! *blushes wildly* If it's any compensation, Tod's also a pizza delivery guy on top of reaping souls so I think that counts for something. ;) But Nash, what would you say to being a reaper like your brother?

Nash: No. Hell no. Not for anything the world. When my time to die comes, I won’t hang around just to make everyone else miserable.

Tod: *looks away*

Mimi: Aww. *heart breaks* So much of what you guys have been through happened after you met Kaylee. Do you ever regret meeting her?

Nash: Never.

Tod: Never.

Mimi: I'm  glad. :) If you could go on a dream vacation anywhere in the world with any one person you know, where would it be, who would it be with, and why?

Nash: I hear Betty Ford has nice beds. It’s Sabine’s turn to visit me in an institution…

Tod: I’d go with Kaylee. The place doesn’t matter. No one would see us anyway.

Mimi: Is there anything you'd want to change about being a bean sidhe?

Nash: Everything. Being a male bean sidhe sucks. You can make people do whatever you want them to do, but then people hate you for it and you wind up hating yourself even more.

Tod: But you can save people’s lives.

Nash: Not without ending someone else’s. Whose bright idea was it to put that kind of decision in the hands of a teenager?

Tod: *thinks* He’s right. That sucks.

Mimi: Let's say that your awesome lives are (finally) being turned into a movie! Which actor/model/random guy off the street would you choose to play you? :)

Nash: I don’t care.

Tod: It doesn’t seem fair to saddle some poor guy with that kind of responsibility. I mean, imagine the blow to his ego when he fails to capture all of this on screen?

Mimi: Agreed, Tod! That's a lot of pressure on the pour guy. My friends are pining for Max Irons as Nash, but we've all agreed that it's impossible to cast you. x) Pretending that some brilliant author is documenting your crazy life adventures in a 7-book series, what would your pitch be to convince people to read it?

Nash: The first four books are awesome. After that, the story changes direction and it goes down hill.

Tod: Kaylee’s in it.

Mimi: Did I mention that there's a small grudge between brothers? :') 

AND SOME THIS OR THAT QUESTIONS:

Mimi: Summer or winter?

Nash: Summer.

Tod: Spring.

Mimi: Blue eyes or brown eyes?

Nash: Blue.

Tod: Blue.

Mimi: Books or movies?

Nash: Movies.

Tod: Both.

Mimi: Bean sidhe or reaper?

Nash: Human.

Tod: Both.

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Even when one brother is not-so-happy with the other at the moment, I really, truly, and honestly have given my heart to these boys from book one! ♥ Everything that Rachel Vincent has put them through just breaks my heart. You will love them too, guaranteed! :)

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Giveaways

There are two giveaways for today! The first giveaway is a daily one for the chance to win a copy of Before I Wake (in all its gorgeous pink glory). To enter, all you have to do is fill out the rafflecopter form below. It's open to US/Canadian residents only. (Sorry, international followers!) You can see the full contest rules here. 

http://www.rafflecopter.com">a Rafflecopter giveaway

Grand Prize

The second giveaway is for a grand prize of a GORGEOUS pink iPod nano engraved with "Soul Screamers"! The Grand Prize winner is chosen from all of the daily entries, so you can enter at all of the other tour stops as well for more chances to win! :)

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About

About Before I Wake by Rachel Vincent:

Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, Indiebound

I died on a Thursday — killed by a monster intent on stealing my soul.

The good news? He didn't get it.

The bad news? Turns out not even death will get you out of high school...

Covering up her own murder was one thing, but faking life is much harder than Kaylee Cavanaugh expected. After weeks spent "recovering," she's back in school, fighting to stay visible to the human world, struggling to fit in with her friends and planning time alone with her new reaper boyfriend. But to earn her keep in the human world, Kaylee must reclaim stolen souls, and when her first assignment brings her face-to-face with an old foe, she knows the game has changed. Her immortal status won't keep her safe. And this time Kaylee isn't just gambling with her own life....

About Rachel Vincent

Website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, YouTube

A resident of San Antonio, Rachel Vincent has a BA in English and an overactive imagination, and consistently finds the latter to be more practical. She shares her workspace with two black cats (Kaci and Nyx) and her # 1 fan. Rachel is older than she looks-seriously-and younger than she feels, but remains convinced that for every day she spends writing, one more day will be added to her lifespan.

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You can follow the rest of the tour below or on the Kismet Book Touring Website:

Monday, June 11th- Fiktshun 

Wednesday, June 13th - Harlequin Paranormal Blog 

Friday, June 15th- All Things Urban Fantasy 

Monday, June 18th - I'm Just Sitting Here and Read 

Tuesday, June 19th Book Birthday - Book Soulmates 

Wednesday, June 20th - Late Bloomer Online 

Friday, June 22nd - Mimi Valentine (YOU ARE HERE ♥)

Monday, June 25th - Tynga's Reviews 

Wednesday, June 27th - The Page Turners 

Friday, June 29th- A Cupcake and A Latte

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TA DA! *jazz hands* Are you not as crazy excited to read Before I Wake as I am?? (If your answer is no, then that must only mean that you haven't started this series yet, in which I have to ask: Why not? Here's a link to the full series HERE.) If it's anything like the previous book, If I Die (which is my favourite) then we're all in for a major ride!

(I love Rachel's books for the pure reason that she's never afraid to put her characters through hell and back. It makes me grow so much closer to them! ♥)

So what do you think: Would you rather be a bean sidhe or a reaper? :)

-Mimi

Summer Essentials Blog Tour: Guest Posts + Giveaways!

Don't you just love blog tours? I think that they're so much fun! :) You get to learn a bit more about books that are coming out or have just released, and there are usually super-cool giveaways too. So I'm excited to be apart of The Summer Essentials Blog Tour today!

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First, here's the most adorably fun guest post ever by Stacey Graham, author of The Girls' Ghost Hunting Guide! I've looked through my ARC of it, and the tips and quizzes and tidbits of information are so fun that I know it's going to be a blast to read. I'll be trying out a few of the recipes next week so I can write a proper review of it! :)

And this fun little package that Stacey created is super sweet too! Want to read it (and I'm sure that you do)? Click on the link below: 

THE PHANTOM PARTY PACKET & EVENT GUIDE

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The Girls' Ghost Hunting Guide by Stacey Graham
Goodreads | Amazon | The Book Depository

What was that noise? The cat? The wind?
Little brother stealing a peek at your diary?
Or is it a ghost?

The Girls' Ghost Hunting Guide will help you identify the creepy crawlers from the spooky spirits, the howling winds fromt he haunting phantoms. And with this guide you can learn from real experts how to investigate and contact your very own ghosts!

Everything a girl needs for a night full of fun, including:
• Spooky urban legends to set the mood
• Must-have stuff for your ghost hunting kit
• Pointers for leading the best-ever ghost hunt
• Tips for writing your own ghost
• With fun quizzes, games, recipes, and more!

So gather your friends if they are brave enough, grab a flashlight, and go investigate!

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Top Five Summer Splashin’ Activities
By Hélène Boudreau

Discover Hélène’s favorite summer activities – all involving water of course. Make sure to get your swimsuit ready!

I grew up on a small island surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean so splishy-splashy summer activities are some of my favourite things to do.  Here are my top five summer splashin’ activities!

1. SURFING

I am so bad at surfing and have only ever managed to stand on my board about three times in my life but it is so much fun to get out there and catch a few waves even if you’re like me and all you can manage is getting up on your knees. This day, it was only 13 C/ 55 F and the water was even chillier. Thank goodness for wet suits!

2. SAND CASTLE BUILDING

My family and I stay at an ocean side cottage every summer and try to schedule our stay during the annual Sandcastle Building Competition. We came in FIRST last year and plan on defending our title again this summer. Jade the mermaid has even been known to make an appearance!

3. WHALE WATCHING

Creatures of the sea have always amazed me (obviously!) so if you ever get the chance—don’t pass up an opportunity to go whale watching. It’s so magical!

Last time, we even discovered a sea cave. I wonder what’s hiding in there…

4. RACE!

I joke that I once came in 141^st in a race with 140 competitors and that’s not very far from the truth. I am slow. VERY slow. But I love competing in races at least once a summer. These days I usually do walking half marathons (my best time is 3:01 hrs—a glacial pace) but I’ve also been known to do short triathlons. Swimming is probably my worst leg of the race but it’s a great way to cool down for the biking and running part. This is my ‘I’m so glad THAT’S over’ face.

5. SNOWBALL FIGHTS

Yup, you read that correctly. When you live within driving distance of a dozen hockey arenas like I do, there’s nothing like loading up the back of the truck with Zamboni snow and dumping it in your front yard for an instant pile of chilly summer fun. Snowball fight!

ADDITIONAL INFO:

You can find Hélène on Twitter, Facebook and on her Website.

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Real Mermaids Don't Hold Their Breath by Hélène Boudreau
Goodreads | Amazon | The Book Depository

Jade begins her summer confused. Yes, there's that whole "will this be a leg-day or a tail-day" kind of confusion, but Jade's got even bigger problems: It's been three weeks since Mom returned to the ocean with no news of her whereabouts. Plus, it's been twenty-one days since Jade first kissed her mer-boy Luke and now-nothing.

Will Mom find the enchanted tidal pool that will allow her to become human? And why is Luke acting so weird? 

The SEAquel to Hélène Boudreau's critically acclaimed Real Mermaids Don't Wear Toe Rings is as energetic and fresh as a salty sea breeze.

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Giveaways

The awesome people at Sourcebooks are giving one lucky person a chance win a copy of both The Ghost Girls' Hunting Guide and Real Mermaids Don't Hold Their Breath! It's only open to people who live in the US or Canada. (So sorry, international followers! Next time it will be international for sure!)

Just fill out the form below:

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And that's all for today! I usually don't read middle grade books, but you have to admit that these ones sound super-fun!

Stacey shared her sleepover tips and Hélène shared her summer activities. What do YOU guys like to do at sleepovers or during the summer? :) ♥

-Mimi

This Is Not a Test Blog Tour: Interview + Giveaway!

Hi, everyone! 

What do you think of this: Zombie Friday? Staying in and watching a good zombie movie, reading a good zombie book, and thanking all things holy that the zombie apocalypse hasn't happened yet... Wouldn't that be super cool? x)

Okay, so maybe that's not a thing yet. But I'm still lucky enough to be a part of a mini Canadian tour for the zombie book, This Is Not a Test by Courtney Summers, organized by the ever-amazing Crystal at Raincoast Books! I finished (and loved) this book not too long ago, and trust me when I say you don't want to miss it! :)

So without further ado...

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Interview with Courtney Summers

Quick! If a zombie came knocking on your door, what would you do?

I wouldn't answer it, I can tell you that much!  If a zombie came knocking on my door, probably a search for firearms would quickly commence.  :)

If you had to be stuck in a school with 5 other people during a zombie apocalypse (like what happens in your book) and you could choose them, who would they be and why? 

Instead of picking close friends or family members — lest I offend anyone I don't include — I shall choose celebrities, instead!  I'd pick Louis CK, because he's funny, but not the kind of funny that ends up grating.  It's so important not to lose your sense of humor during the zombie apocalypse!  I think after that, I'd pick Jeff Probst because he probably knows survival tricks from Survivor and also he's Jeff Probst.  Florence Welch because that girl can sing and while I don't know how useful that would be in the zombie apocalypse, it'd make being stuck in a school more entertaining.  Ed Begley Jr. because I think he is awesome and finally, Paula Deen because I bet she could make cafeteria food pretty tasty, though probably not very healthy.  But healthy eating would likely be the least of my concerns during a zombie apocalypse.  I also like how I just assume these people would all perform and/or cook for me to make the experience more bearable.

Who was your favourite character to write in the book?

Sloane, because I couldn't have written from her POV if she hadn't been.  But a very, very close second to Sloane was Trace.  I really liked writing him because he was brash and angry.  I think he could've said anything and gotten away with it and I always like characters like that.

Do you think you could survive trapped in a school for weeks?

If there was food and running water, probably.  Otherwise, probably not!

And for everyone who wants to know (and I think that everyone who reads your book definitely will!): Will there be a sequel to This is Not a Test?

At the moment, I have no plans for a sequel though I can't rule out the idea of revisiting zombies someday.  :)

Thanks so much for having me on your blog, Mimi!

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This Is Not a Test by Courtney Summers
Release Date: June 19, 2012
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon CA | The Book Depository | Chapters

It’s the end of the world. Six students have taken cover in Cortege High but shelter is little comfort when the dead outside won’t stop pounding on the doors. One bite is all it takes to kill a person and bring them back as a monstrous version of their former self. 

To Sloane Price, that doesn’t sound so bad. Six months ago, her world collapsed and since then, she’s failed to find a reason to keep going. Now seems like the perfect time to give up. As Sloane eagerly waits for the barricades to fall, she’s forced to witness the apocalypse through the eyes of five people who actually want to live.

But as the days crawl by, the motivations for survival change in startling ways and soon the group’s fate is determined less and less by what’s happening outside and more and more by the unpredictable and violent bids for life—and death—inside. When everything is gone, what do you hold on to?

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Giveaway

And because I loved This Is Not a Test so much — it's one of my FAVOURITE zombie books to date! — I'm going to be giving away a beautiful finished copy of it to anyone who wants the chance! The giveaway is open internationally (as long as The Book Depository ships to you). It will end on June 19th which is when the actual book comes out so you can get it as soon as possible! :)

Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below: 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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And this is why I think that Canadian authors are some of my favourites! Michelle Rowen, Kathleen Peacock, Ada Adams, and now Courtney Summers... They're all authors worth reading something by! Didn't her zombie-awesome answers make you smile? :)

My review for This Is Not a Test should be up sometime next week, if you're interested. (And just so you know: It's amazing!) Have a fantastic weekend, you guys! ♥

-Mimi

Dark Kiss Blog Tour: Character Interview & Giveaways!

Hi, everyone! Last month, I was extremely lucky to be able to read and ARC of Dark Kiss by Michelle Rowen, and I absolutely L-O-V-E-D loved it — I can't even begin to tell you how much! Except, you know, if you went to read my review here. ;)

And I'm even luckier to be a part of the awesome blog tour hosted by the amazing Kismet Book Tours for Dark Kiss! Today, I have two of my new favourite book boys here to chat: Bishop (an angel) and Kraven (a demon). I don't want to spoil anything big but... Oh gosh, if I love these guys anymore than I already do, it wouldn't exactly be healthy!

*Please note that there may be minor spoilers in this interview.*

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Meet The Boys

Hi, guys! Thank you so much for doing this interview. For all of those very, very unlucky people who haven't met you yet, can you tell us a little bit about yourselves? ;)

KRAVEN: Well, sweetness, thanks for asking. I’m tall, built, and gorgeous. Women love me because, really, who can resist a bad boy?

BISHOP: (rolls eyes)

KRAVEN: I’m sorry, did I just get an eye roll?

BISHOP: Yeah. I don’t think anyone could love you more than you love yourself. Just a random observation.

KRAVEN: And let me introduce the insipidly named Bishop, here. He’s an angel who’s currently going insane because he hit his wittle head weally hard when he landed here in the city. And he’s supposed to be our leader in this ridiculous team-up of angels and demons to kick the butt of soulless things that threaten the existence of Heaven and Hell. And yes, I said “team up of angels and demons.” Because someone, somewhere thought that was a brilliant idea. Ha. Suuure.

BISHOP: And Kraven here is a demon who covers up his unhappiness and misery with enough snark to drown a whale. We can all see through your games, demon. You’re not fooling anyone.

KRAVEN: Bite me.

BISHOP: I’ll do worse than bite you if you keep pushing me.

KRAVEN: I’m just waiting for you to lose your brain power completely. Do you think they’ll cart you off to a rubber room when that happens?

BISHOP: (glares) Back off. I’m fine.

KRAVEN: Oh, hooray. I’m so glad to hear it.
MIMI: Is it hot in here or is that just me? (fans self)

What's the deal with being an angel and a demon? Besides the tattoos on your backs, you don't seem that different!

BISHOP: Oh, we’re different. Don’t worry about that.

KRAVEN: Way different. Like, stratospherically different.

(They exchange an unfriendly look)

BISHOP: Angels are essentially good and work for Heaven, demons are essentially bad and work for Hell. Simple.

KRAVEN: That’s right. I’m bad—as in badass. Bishop here’s a saint, all priestly and pure of heart. Aren’t you?

BISHOP: Was that sarcasm?

KRAVEN: Yes. Yes, it was.

Is there anything specific you look for in a girl?

BISHOP: I’m not looking for a girl right now—I’m supposed to be focused on my mission and I have enough difficulties associated with it already. The fate of the entire world is in my hands. Girls, especially a certain one I recently met, are...distracting.

KRAVEN: Dude, lighten up. It’s just a fun interview. My kind of girl? Is she breathing? Sign me up.

What was your first impression when you met Samantha?

BISHOP: Beautiful girl...the kind who doesn’t realize she’s beautiful. Aggravating as hell, challenging, likes to push my buttons, asks a ton of questions I can’t answer. She’s big trouble for me, that’s for sure.

KRAVEN: My first impression? Does “wanting to kill her” sound bad?

Bishop, Samantha's touch is the only thing that can clear your mind. Do you think that's why you're attracted to her?

BISHOP: I wish I knew. My head, it’s all messed up from leaving Heaven and entering this city—didn’t expect that. Also didn’t expect that Samantha’s touch would somehow be able to clear my thoughts and help me do my job, even if it’s only for a little while. My connection to her...it’s hard to explain...

KRAVEN: So spare us the details. I’m feeling gaggy here.

BISHOP: (glares) I know somebody like you wouldn’t understand.

KRAVEN: Don’t want to. Don’t need to. Next question, please.

Kraven, you're kind of jerkish to Samantha in Dark Kiss. (Not to say that it isn't charming, but still...) Why? And do you ever think that will change?

KRAVEN: Jerkish? I’ll take that as a compliment, sweetness. Bottom line, gray girl’s something we’re supposed to be fighting against, not swooning over. I mean, there’s nothing all that special about her that I can see. Will it change? You mean, me falling over backwards to be nice to someone the angel is all over? Unlikely. I am who I am. Deal with it.

BISHOP: What if we don’t want to deal with it?

KRAVEN: Deal with it anyway.

If you could say one thing to each other, what would it be?

BISHOP: Probably that if he focuses on his job, and not being an ass all the time, things would go way smoother.

KRAVEN: Bite me. That’s what I’d say. Bite Me.

From a bookworm to two supernatural(ly hot!) guys, do you like to read at all? Or listen to music? If yes, what?

KRAVEN & BISHOP: Rolling Stones.

(They glare at each other)

BISHOP: That’s my favorite band. Always has been.

KRAVEN: Yeah, well, forget it then. It’s not mine. I’m a huge, uh...Led Zeppelin fan. Yeah. That’s real music. And books? I don’t have time for books. Bleh.

BISHOP: I make time for books. Between missions I read fiction, nonfiction, whatever I can get my hands on.

KRAVEN: Well, aren’t you *&$% special?

Let's say... hypothetically... there was an author writing your every move. *cough cough* Is there anything you'd want to say to her?

BISHOP: I’d ask the author to get rid of demons who give me a hard time and make the mission more difficult for everyone involved.

KRAVEN: Dream on, angel. I’d say—hey, author lady, thanks for making me so awesome and good looking.

MIMI: It's like you read my mind, Kraven! I really want to thank Michelle... I mean, this hypothetical author... for that too! ;)

And just because I was wondering... Do you think I could make it as an angel or a demon? x) 

KRAVEN: Sweetness, you have the words ‘delicious demon chick’ written all over you. I’d be happy to personally give you the tour if we ever finish this lame mission.

BISHOP: Ignore him. You’re definitely angel material—dedicated, devoted, and can kick butt for the greater good.

MIMI: Hahahahahahahaha, I seriously love you both! ♥

AND SOME THIS OR THAT QUESTIONS:

Chocolate or vanilla?

BISHOP: Chocolate.

KRAVEN: Chocolate and vanilla.

Boxers or briefs?

BISHOP: Boxers.

KRAVEN: Commando.

Blondes or brunettes?

BISHOP: Brunettes.

KRAVEN: Don’t know. What color is your hair?

MIMI: Eeeeeeee! I'm a brunette (Well, hi there, Bishop!) but I'd gladly dye my hair rainbow for you, Kraven!

Angels or demons? :P

BISHOP: Hilarious.

KRAVEN: She’s funny, isn’t she?

MIMI: (blushes) Thanks, I think...? Haha :')

Okay, well I better let you guys get back to your mission to eliminate some grays! Thanks so much for taking time out of our busy schedules to chat with me. I really look forward to meeting you guys again in Wicked Kiss!

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I said it before and I'll say it again and I'll continue to say it until I've convinced you, but I absolutely LOVE these boys! ♥ Even though there's no love triangle in this book, trust me when I say that this is one where you actually want one! (Yes, I totally just quoted my own review.) Didn't Kraven's snarky badboyness make you blush like crazy? And Bishop's sweet broodiness? I'm as red as a tomato! x)

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Giveaways:

There are two giveaways for today! The first giveaway is a daily one for the chance to win a copy of Dark Kiss. To enter, all you have to do is fill out the rafflecopter form below. It's open to US/Canadian residents only. (Sorry, international followers!) You can see the full contest rules here. 

http://www.rafflecopter.com

Grand Prize:

The second giveaway is for a grand prize pack: HarlequinTEEN Goodie Bag!  All entries into the daily giveaway count toward the grand prize as well as all daily entries for all the other stops too, so you might want to plan on following the tour if you haven't already!

Inside the HarlequinTEEN Goodie Bag are:

Dark Kiss by Michelle Rowen (Harlequin TEEN) | Harlequin 60th anniversary bag | Spellbound by Cara Lynn Shultz (Harlequin TEEN) | Inside by Maria V. Snyder (Harlequin TEEN) | Crave by Melissa Darnell (Harlequin TEEN) | 1 pair of black Harlequin socks | Large ‘Barnaby Moon’ notebook | Small ‘The Dark Page’ notebook

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About

About Dark Kiss - Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Indiebound

I don't do dangerous.

Smart, über-careful, ordinary Samantha — that's me. But I just couldn't pass up a surprise kiss from my number-one unattainable crush. A kiss that did something to me... something strange. Now I feel hungry all the time, but not for food. It's like part of me is missing — and I don't know if I can get it back. 

Then there's Bishop. At first I thought he was just a street kid, but the secrets he's keeping are as intense as his unearthly blue eyes. If he's what I think he is, he may be the only one who can help me. But something terrifying is closing in, and the one chance Bishop and I have to stop it means losing everything I ever wanted and embracing the darkness inside me...

When angels and demons must work together, something beyond evil is rising...

About Michelle Rowen - Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Michelle Rowen knows a book she’s working on is going well when the characters start talking to her when she’s not writing. She likes to believe this is a sign of a creative mind…and not something to be worried about. While she loves to read, spend time with family and friends, and travel, she also watches way too much reality TV for her own good. A prolific author of novels for both young and not-so-young adults, Michelle lives in Southern Ontario in a sky-high condo with two delightful cat familiars.

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You can follow the rest of the tour below or on the Kismet Book Touring Website:

Monday, May 28th - Alice Marvels 

Tuesday, May 29th - Harlequin Paranormal Blog 

Wednesday, May 30th - Good Choice Reading 

Friday, June 1st - Mimi Valentine (YOU ARE HERE ♥)

Monday,June 4st - Mundie Mom's 

Tuesday, June 5th - Unabridged Andra  

Wednesday,June 6th - Endlessly Bookish 

Friday,June 8th - The Unread Reader

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That's all the awesomeness we can handle for today, everyone! Michelle officially made my list of Authors I Want to Meet with this (on top of the fact that she's an awesome Canadian girl like me)! I hope you have a great weekend and enjoy the rest of the tour. And while you're at it, why don't you pick up a copy of Dark Kiss too? ;)

-Mimi