Mundie Moms

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Author Chat with A Million Suns author Beth Revis

We've taken the last two months off from our chats, but now we're back in full swing and kicking off this year's Author Chats with BETH REVIS!! This Thursday night we'll be talking to Beth about her newest release:


This will be a spoiler filled chat! Come join us on Thursday night as well talk about all things Godspeed related. As always, if you can't join us the chat transcript will be here on the blog. You can sign up for a reminder for the chat below (which is also the same way you'll enter the chat).


* Our chat will start at 8 pm CST/ 9 pm EST. To join, hit join and enter a screen name.

* We do our best to make sure all comments are published, but not all the questions may be answered in the hour time frame of the chat. Even if your questions and comments are not published, we and our guest can still read them.

* The reason why we moderate our chats is to allow our guest(s) to be able to come on and chat with their fans with out feeling overwhelmed by everyone talking to them at the same time.

* In respect to our guest's time, we will only publish comments that pertain to their current writings, and book.

* We often times have other author guests who join out chats, but we only publish questions pertaining to the author who is chatting with us tonight.*We will not post any personal questions or comments.

* Any rude, disrespectful, or spam like comments will not be published.

* Thank you and we look forward to chatting with everyone tonight!

** No part of this chat is allowed to be used with out our permission**

*** this chat post will moved the night of the chat to be at the top of our blog.

Book Review: Balthazar by Claudia Gray


Published by: Harper Teen
Released on: March 6th, 2012
Source: ARC from publisher to review
4 stars: I Really Enjoyed It!
Purchase from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Haunted by memories from his first days as a vampire, Balthazar has spent hundreds of years alone—without allies, without love. When he emerges from his isolation to help Skye Tierney, a human girl who once attended Evernight Academy, Balthazar has no idea how dangerous it will be. Skye’s psychic powers have caught the attention of Redgrave, the cruel master vampire responsible for murdering Balthazar and his family four centuries ago. Having learned of Skye’s powers and the remarkable effect her blood has on vampires, he plans to use her for his own evil purposes. As they stand together to fight the evil vampire, Balthazar realizes his lonely world could finally be changed by Skye...just as Redgrave realizes that he can destroy Balthazar once and for all by taking her for his own.

In a story filled with forbidden love and dark suspense, one of the most beloved characters in Claudia Gray’s New York Times bestselling Evernight series will captivate readers with his battle to overcome his past and follow his heart.

I've not read the entire Evernight series yet, but the couple of books I have read from this series I really enjoyed and Balthazar's story was no different. Claudia Gray has written a book that fans of both her Evernight series and Balthazar will love. She's written his story in such a way that it ties nicely into the series and also works perfectly as a stand alone. This book is full of action, romance, and plenty of back history that will have fans swoony over this fabulous character.

This story starts off with an action packed scene and a fabulous encounter with Skye and Balthazar. I really enjoyed these two and the way in which they both compliment each other as characters. They got each other, they helped each other and of course their falling for each other was my favorite part of this story. These two characters were written in way that made them realistic, they were flawed and I liked being able to understand them. Claudia allowed me to understand what drove them, and what made them make the decisions they did, and in Balthazar's cause what was holding him back.

I loved the historical parts of this story that came in the form of Balthazar's flashbacks. They worked well for the story and it gave me a glimpses into the person he used to be and what made him the character he is now. Not to mention it also provided the history of Balthazar, his sister and the other characters that are in this story who are after Skye. Skye's unique power also played a huge role into the flashbacks. Through everything that happens in this story between Skye and Balthazar, I loved the way they learn to trust each other, help each other and the way they fall in love with another. I felt like everything was well paced and flowed perfectly for this book.

The romance was awesome! It was snarky, hot, and sometimes hilarious. Skye can definitely hold her own and dish it to the often times stubborn Balthazar. He also dishes it back in a different way and I seriously loved the interaction between the two of them. Their relationship was at times sweet, hot, and other times completely enjoyable to watch how it grew. No matter what they said or how they acted it was obvious to there was more than just flittering going on between the two. Their choices and their actions spoke volumes in what they were both willing to give up for the other. Their love for each other was well written and really just a sweet romance.

Fans of Evernight will definitely enjoy spending time with their favorite vampire hottie, Balthazar! This is not only a book I'd recommend picking up for fans of this series, but for anyone looking for a good paranormal book to read. If you've not read the Evernight series and want to read this book I say read it! Claudia wrote this book in a way that fans of both the series and those who haven't read it will totally enjoy it. If you enjoy an action packed story with romance, historical references and well written characters I recommend picking up Balthazar.


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Don't miss Claudia on TOUR!! You can check out her tour dates here.

Thoughtful Thursday: 5 Middle Grade Books Inspired You To Read

Today's Thoughtful Thursday is "5 Middle Grade Books Inspired You To Read". This post stemmed from a conversation I had a with a couple friends talking about Middle Grade books that inspired us to read or left a lasting impression on us. I didn't grow up with the impressive collection of MG books there is now. When I was growing up there wasn't a MG or a YA section in my Middle School library. Stephen King books sat next to the choose your own adventure books, The American Girl series (which was just starting), Sweet Valley High and the Babysitter Club books that were extremely popular then. Of course these series were ones I loved and devoured in 4th and 5th grade, but there's some other MG books that also captured my attention and made me realize that there were all sorts of different kind of books out there and each one inspired me in some way.

Here's my list of 5 Middle Grade Books that Inspired Me:


The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

This is one of the first books that left a memorable impression on me. I remember reading this book in 3rd and wishing I had a closet that I could walk through and visit Narnia and any other world in. Both the story and the world building fascinated me.



Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

This was on the first MG books I owned and I lost count at how many times I read this book growing up. The whole concept of talking animals and a spider who saved the life of a pig fascinated me. It's still a beloved favorite of mine.



Gentle Ben by Walt Morey

This was a classic when I was growing up (it's still currently a Penguin Classic), and it's not a story that I hear much about any more, which is sad. It's a book that still part of my MG collection and one I hope my kids end up reading. His book inspired a tv series and a movie. It's not just the story that impressed me, but Walt himself. Walt not only lived in the same small town I grew up in, he was good friends with my grandparents and one of the first MG authors I ever meant.



The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank

This story not only moved me, but it was one of the first books I read that emotionally connected with the main character. This is a story that both inspired me and horrified me. For the longest time it was one of my favorite story's, not because of the horrid things Anne had to deal with, but because of Anne herself. What an amazingly strong girl is was.



Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

I don't know what it is about this book, but it's still one of my all time favorites. I first read this book in 5th grade when I had the chance to meet Gary Paulsen when he came to my school. Before meeting him I had no idea who he was, but after meeting him and listening to him talk about his books and what inspired the story of Hatchet, I couldn't read his books fast enough. I still have my signed copy of Hatchet on my bookshelf. This is one of those awesome outdoor adventure books that both boys and girls will enjoy reading.

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I swear I'm not as old as I may seem, many of these books were already classics when I started reading. I'm curious, what 5 Middle Grade Books inspired you to read or left a lasting impression on you? Did you grow up having a MG section in your school library? If you're a MG reader now, what are some of your favorite books?

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