Mundie Moms

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Blog Tour- Delirium by Lauren Oliver, Meet Hana

We're excited to be the 3rd stop for Lauren Oliver's Delirium Blog Tour. Today we're introducing you to Hana. Before we do, here's a little bit about Lauren's soon to be released book, Delirium.

Ninety-five days, and then I'll be safe. I wonder whether the procedure will hurt. I want to get it over with. It's hard to be patient. It's hard not to be afraid while I'm still uncured, though so far the deliria hasn't touched me yet. Still, I worry. They say that in the old days, love drove people to madness. The deadliest of all deadly things: It kills you both when you have it and when you don't (quoted from HarperTeen).


Hana
I’ve known Lena forever—at least it feels that way. Even though we look completely different, we like to joke that we’re twins separated at birth. I’m an only child but I’ve always wanted a sister, even though Lena says it’s not that great. She hardly ever sees her sister, Rachel, any more. And when she does, Rachel just sits there with her lips folded all tightly like she’s got a stick wedged up her butt. Don’t tell Lena I said that—she wouldn’t like it. See? That’s what I like about Lena. She thinks about other people’s feelings, you know? She’s thoughtful that way. Sometimes I swear she can read my mind.

Now that we’re graduated from high school we’ve got one summer. One summer to do it right—one summer to do it our way, before they slice open our brain like a pork getting filleted. My mom hates it when I talk about the procedure that way, and of course they don’t really cut it open, but still. It’s hard to find anything fun around here, though. Portland’s as small as a pimple when you’ve been here your whole life, trust me. I’m not sure if it’s better anywhere else, though…I mean, it’s not like I’m some big expert on other cities. At least I have Lena. We always have fun, even if we’re not doing anything. One more summer…

Be sure to visit Lauren's site here http://laurenoliverbooks.com/

You can grab Delirium's widget and read an excerpt here

Watch a video of Lauren talking about Delirium here-

Don't miss Lauren's upcoming tour for Delirium! I'm so excited she's coming to AUSTIN!! You can find Lauren's tour dates here http://tinyurl.com/46rngr9

Thank you to HarperTeen, we have a fantastic giveaway for you.
We are giving away 1 copy of Delirium!!! To enter, please fill out the forum here-


Be sure to follow the rest of the tour by visiting these blogs here-

Tuesday: Books Complete Me - Delirium Excerpt
Wednesday: A Good Addiction - Meet Alex
Thursday: Mundie Moms - Meet Hana
Friday: Page Turners Blog - Meet Lena


Book Review- Second Hand Charm

By Julie Berry
Published Bloomsbury Teens
Released on October 12th, 2010
Source- Bloomsbury
5 Stars- It's a Book I'll Be Reading Again

In a secluded village, magic sparkles on the edges of the forest. There, a young girl named Evie possesses unusually strong powers as a healer. A gypsy's charms—no more than trinkets when worn by others—are remarkably potent when Evie ties them around her neck. Her talents, and charms, have not escaped the notice of the shy stonemason's apprentice. But Evie wants more than a quiet village and the boy next-door. When the young king's carriage arrives one day, and his footman has fallen ill, Evie might just get her chance after all . . . (quoted from Goodreads)

I adore Secondhand Charm and the wonderful journey it took me on. Julie Berry wrote a fabulous story with fantasy, romance, and love. I loved being whisked away on Evie's journey as she learns the truth in who she is and power that lies within her. Julie's serpentina myth and the leviathan creatures that she introduces are what gave the the story it's unique appeal.

I really enjoyed getting to know Evie, as she is one of those all around wonderful characters who's compassionate, smart, sweet, intelligent and lives with her Grandfather. She is following in her father's footsteps and is practicing medicine, even though she's young. She accepts the gift of a life time when the King invites her to leave behind her simple life in her small village and study at the University.

It's on Evie's journey there that she discovers who she really is. One of the things I enjoyed about Secondhand Charm is that I was pleasantly surprised by all the little things that kept happening to Evie, as characters she meets a long the way turn up later on in the story's plot twists. Normally this is the part of my review where I rave about the love interest, and don't get me wrong, I do love Aiden, as he's the boy Evie grew up with and he accompanies her on her journey, but my favorite characters from the story are Evie and her leviathan, Clair. I absolutely love the unique element that Julie added to her story with the serpentina's and their bonds with the leviathan. Evie & Clair's love and bond they have for one another is beautifully written, and romantic in the chivalry kind of way. I really enjoyed reading Clair and Evie's scenes together.

Secondhand Charm is a refreshing story, as it has a wonderful mythology, a beautiful, setting as it's both in a coastal community and on the sea, and great characters. It's a story that I would definitely recommend to tweens, ya readers and adults. While I love where the story left off, I'm hoping Julie will have a sequel for Secondhand Charm, as I'm not ready to leave this world behind. Really I want to read more of Evie and Clair and get to know more of their story together. I recommend picking up Secondhand Charm, as I adore this story as much as I adore Shannon Hale's Goosegirl series.

Thoughtful Thursday- Getting To Know You, MM's Moderator/Book Reviewer

With the start of the year, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity for you to get to know the Mundie Moms Admin Team & our fantastic moderator/book reviewer. These ladies are truly amazing and I appreciate everything they do to make Mundie Moms what it is, and I'm excited for you to get to know them better.

She's our hard working Book Of The Month/Book Forum Moderator and one of our great Book Reviewers. She's a wonderful friend and I enjoy meeting up with at various central TX author tours and other get togethers. The first time we met in person was a couple years ago when we met Rob Pattinson who was in town to promote his movie How To Be (before Twilight was released). I'd like to introduce you to Cynthia!


How would you describe yourself in 2 sentences or less?
29 year old wife and stay at home mother of two that loves to bake to release stress and finds an escape from life by reading YA fiction. Can also come across as a very quiet person because she's very socially awkward and shy.

Who's your favorite TMI or ID character and why?
Jace all the way!!! Love his sense of humor and his snarky attitude, plus he's hot. =D In the ID series is Tessa, because she's strong and I love that. I haven't been able to pick a team yet between Will and Jem, I love them both.













If you could have any rune, which one would you pick and why?
The Fearless rune, I need that one so I can stop being such a wimp when it comes to talking to people and authors.















If had to choose only one book to take with you somewhere, which book would that be?
Oh man, that's a hard one. I love The Mortal Instruments series but I don't want to pick the same thing Sophie picked so I would take Dash & Lily's Book of Dares because it's soooo funny and it will keep me happy and entertained even if I'm stuck in an island or something like that.

What was your favorite book to read growing up?
I didn't have one favorite book that I kept rereading but I did have a favorite author and it was Stephen King, I used to love reading anything by him when I was in middle school and high school.

What author got your interested in reading?
I think a lot of people already know this about me I mentioned it so many times and constantly tell people about it. Lois Lowry's The Giver was the book that made me fall in love with reading.

If you could spend the day with a fictional character, who would it be and why? (remember this is a family friendly site so you have to keep it clean *coughs*) LOL
I would love to spend the day with Etienne from Anna and the French Kiss in Paris. Because he knows all the good spots and he's just so charming. =)

Aside from reading, what do you enjoy doing on your down time?
I love to bake with my kids and going to the movies, I love movies!

Who's the most memorable author you've met? (I know this is an unfair question. Pick more than one if you'd like)
Wow, this one is hard. I think it was Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl because they were sooo sweet and nice to their fans all three times I met them this last year. Yes! I'm an author stalker. =)

Just for kicks, what boy band music do you secretly still listen to (don't lie)?
Oh man! I actually don't listen to any boy bands anymore but I really want to go to the NKoTB & The Backstreet Boys concert when they go on tour. =/

Thank you so much Cynthia for the fun interview!

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