Monday, March 31, 2014

Book Blitz & Giveaway! Uncovering Cobbogoth by Hannah L. Clark

Posted by BTS Rkive at Monday, March 31, 2014 0 comments


Uncovering Cobbogoth (Cobbogoth #1) by Hannah L. Clark
Publication Date: 05/13/14
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance


Synopsis from Goodreads
Norah Lukens needs to uncover the truth about the fabled lost city of Cobbogoth. After her archaeologist uncle’s murder, Norah is asked to translate his old research journal for evidence and discovers that his murder was a cover-up for something far more sinister.


When she turns to neighbor and only friend James Riley for help, she realizes that not only is their bitter-sweet past haunting her every step, but James is keeping dangerous secrets. Can Norah discover what they are before its too late to share her own.



Guest Post


Top 10 things to do in Iceland

I’ve never actually been to Iceland in real life, but I have been there many times in my imagination and through research—I think I’ve even been there once or twice in my dreams. If I could actually go there, however, these are the places I would visit.

  1. The Blue Lagoon. This is Iceland’s most famous geothermal pool, and you can bathe in it. It’s huge and is fed by mineral rich seawater that is heated by a nearby geothermal plant. http://www.bluelagoon.com/Geothermal-spa/
  1. Camp out in the middle of Iceland’s unpopulated tundra, away from all city lights just to watch the Northern Lights dance across the sky. http://www.iww.is/art/shs/pages/thumbs.html
  1. Visit Gullfoss, Iceland’s most famous waterfall. Take a picnic and hope for a rainbow to show up in the midst of the falls—better yet, get lucky and see a double rainbow, and then ponder about what it could possibly mean. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gullfoss
  1. Hike Mount Hekla and know once and for all what the “Gateway to Hell” really looks like. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hekla
  1. While in Southern Iceland, so close to Hella, visit Aegissida farm along the Ytri-Ranga river and check out the 12 Caves of Aegissida—yes they really do exist. These caves look like little houses squished up against a hill side, and were believed to be made by Irish monks before the Vikings even settled Iceland. There are even Celtic markings on the walls of the caves. http://www.nat.is/travelguideeng/plofin_hellar.htm
  1. While in Hella, stick around for the Icelandic horse races. Just southeast of town is a race course where Icelandic horses (mini-versions of our horses) race. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icelandic_horse
  1. If the thrill seeking type—which I am not—visit Iceland during a volcanic eruption. That could be pretty cool, and possibly life altering—literally.   http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/04/photogalleries/100419-iceland-volcano-lightning-ash-pictures/#/iceland-volcano-lightning-1_19113_600x450.jpg
  1. Visit the Black Volcanic beach in the town of Vik, located on the southern coast of Iceland. The black sand on the beaches is made from volcanic eruptions over the years, and the mountains close by the shore look incredible! http://www.flickr.com/photos/karnevil/513542117/
  1. Of course, one should definitely visit Iceland’s capital, Reykjavic. I hear it’s one of the coolest cities in the Northern Hemisphere with great music, happy natives, and some amazing Viking museums. http://www.visitreykjavik.is/desktopdefault.aspx
  1. Finally, I would check out some of Iceland’s cool elf rocks and their elf/troll museum in. I read an article once that Icelanders still believe that elves and possibly trolls exist, and that they live in the peculiar rock formations that have been created over years of volcanic eruptions and extremely harsh weather conditions. Apparently, if superstitious Icelanders come across one of these rock formations while building a road, they won’t blast through the boulder, or even move it; they’ll build their roads around them. I find that fascinating in today’s world. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHvOeiGHgfw

About Hannah L. Clark


Hannah L. Clark is the author of the YA fantasy-adventure "Uncovering Cobbogoth." It is the first book in a planned 7 book series. It will be released by Cedar Fort Publishing on May 13, 2014.

Hannah lives in Pleasant Grove, UT with her husband and son.




INT GIVEAWAY
Book Blitz organized by YA Bound Book Tours

Book Blitz & Giveaway! The Opposite of Nothing by Shari Slade

Posted by BTS Rkive at Monday, March 31, 2014 0 comments

The Opposite of Nothing by Shari Slade 
Publication date: March 31st 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N



Synopsis from Goodreads:
Callie Evans would rather hide out in her DJ sound booth than face the fact that she’s in love with her best friend, notorious campus hottie Tayber King.

Tayber turns hooking up into an art form–no drama, no commitment, no lies, and nobody gets hurt. Nobody but Callie, that is. When she sees an opportunity to explore his sexier side using a fake online profile, she grabs it. Now her uninhibited alter-ego ‘Sasha’ is steaming up the screen, and Callie is breaking all of Tayber’s rules.

As Callie and Tayber get closer, online and off, she knows she has to confess. And risk losing him forever.

**For mature readers, contains strong language and adult situations.**

INT GIVEAWAY

AUTHOR INTERVIEW


How long have you been writing?
I’ve been putting stories on paper for as long as I can remember. My first efforts were illustrated with crayon and affixed to the refrigerator with alphabet magnets. I spent several years seriously focused on poetry. All very emo. Why are you running away? Stop. Come back. I promise I won’t make you read it. I pricked my finger on the Happily Ever After three years ago and I’ve been under the romance spell ever since.

Where do you find inspiration?
All around me? Plot bunnies nibble my ankles when I’m eavesdropping in line at the grocery store, watching the news, skimming twitter or listening to a song on the radio. I’m always open to the potential for story.

Tell us about your book and how we can get it.
THE OPPOSITE OF NOTHING is a contemporary new adult novella full of dirty IMs, angst, and achy sweetness.

Callie Evans would rather hide out in her DJ sound booth than face the fact that she’s in love with her best friend, notorious campus hottie Tayber King.
Tayber turns hooking up into an art form–no drama, no commitment, no lies, and nobody gets hurt. Nobody but Callie, that is. When she sees an opportunity to explore his sexier side using a fake online profile, she grabs it. Now her uninhibited alter-ego ‘Sasha’ is steaming up the screen, and Callie is breaking all of Tayber’s rules.
As Callie and Tayber get closer, online and off, she knows she has to confess. And risk losing him forever.

You can find it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iBooks.

What are you working on now? What’s next?
I have a few irons in the fire. There’s a secret project I’m super excited about. It is smokin’ hot and will be announced very soon. I’ll also have a short story set in the Copeland College world included in a charity anthology available in June. The anthology, SUMMER RAIN, will benefit RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) and feature works from Ruthie Knox, Molly O’Keefe, Charlotte Stein, Cecelia Tan, Mary Ann Rivers, Amy Jo Cousins, Audra North, Alexandra Haughton and me. I’m so excited for this anthology it’s a wonderful cause and an amazing group of writers. Oh, yeah, and this fall, I’ll release another Copeland College novella. 

What is the best book you’ve read in the last six months?
That is such a hard question. I read so many amazing books that picking a favorite is nearly impossible. I recently read HE’S COME UNDONE by Theresa Weir and it just killed me. It deals with all the issues I love exploring: Identity, Mistakes, Awkwardness, Old Hurts. And it has so much humor. Laugh out loud funny is so hard to do, especially in the middle of an angst-fest. *hat tip*

About Shari Slade

Shari Slade is a snarky optimist. A would-be academic with big dreams and very little means. When she isn't toiling away in the non-profit sector, she's writing gritty stories about identity and people who make terrible choices in the name of love (or lust). Somehow, it all works out in the end. If she had a patronus it would be a platypus.


Blitz-wide GIVEAWAY
Book Blitz organized by Xpresso Book Tours

Saturday, March 29, 2014

March Kindle Fire Giveaway ($229 Value)

Posted by BTS Rkive at Saturday, March 29, 2014 0 comments
March 2014 Kindle 


Win a Kindle Fire HDX, Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash ($229 value)

This is a joint AUTHOR & BLOGGER GIVEAWAY EVENT! 

Bloggers & Authors have joined together and each chipped in a little money towards a Kindle Fire HDX 7".


The winner will have the option of receiving a 7" Kindle Fire HDX (US Only - $229 Value)


  Or $229 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)



  Or $229 in Paypal Cash (International)



March Kindle Fire Sponsors 
I Am A Reader, Not A Writer 
Feed Your Reader 
The Ripple Effect Romance Series 
Bound 4 Escape 
Fae Books 
Author Mary Ting 
Giddy Over YA 
The Loopy Librarian 
Bea's Book Nook 
Laurie Here 
Bella Street's Weird Romance 
Bonnie Blythe's Pure Romance 
Immortal Ink Publishing 
Owl Always Be Reading 
Author Alecia Stone 
Author Heather Gray 
Author Camelia Miron Skiba 
Author Kimber Leigh Wheaton 
The Reporter and The Girl 
Author Rae Z. Ryans 
The Storybook Kingdom 
Loren Secretts 
Elizabeth Woodrum 
Paige Ryan 
Lori's Reading Corner 
Author Melissa McClone 
Author M.A. George
Author Inger Iversen 
Lena Sledge 
Author David Pandolfe 
Andrea R. Cooper, Author 
Emily Hemmer, Author 
Author Jennifer Faye 
SA Larsen, KidLit Author 
More Than a Review 
The (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Something year Old Girl 
My Story That I Like Best 
Meredith & Jennifer's Musings
Ally Shields 
Author Carol Davis Luce 
Author Steven Brown 
Author Danielle Annett 
The Girl Raised by Books 
The Stubby Pencil 
The YA Buzz 
Author Ednah Walters 
Author DiDi Hendley 
Barbara Silkstone 
Addicted Readers 
Reviews from a Bookworm 
Amid Summer Night Dreams 
Hallowed Ink Press 
Jennifer Allis Provost 
Author Rosanne Rivers 
Author MK McClintock 
Elizabeth Parkinson Bellows 
DE Division of Energy & Climate 
Awesome Romance Novels   

Sign up to sponsor the next Kindle Fire Giveaway: 
http://www.iamareader.com/category/kindle-giveaway-sign-ups   

Giveaway Details 

1 winner will receive their choice of an all new Kindle Fire 7" HDX (US Only - $229 value), $229 Amazon Gift Card or $229 in Paypal Cash (International). 

There is a second separate giveaway for bloggers who post this giveaway on their blog. See details in the rafflecopter on how to enter to win the 2nd Kindle Fire HDX 7". 

Ends 3/31/14 

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the participating authors & bloggers. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. 



Follow on Bloglovin

Friday, March 28, 2014

$100 Blast Giveaway! Unplanned Motherhood

Posted by BTS Rkive at Friday, March 28, 2014 0 comments
unplanned motherhood
Unplanned Motherhood

Unplanned Motherhood is a non-fiction collection of short stories written by moms and dads about their funny inspirational or motivational journey as a parent. Unplanned Motherhood is based on the web series created by Lena Sledge.
Unplanned Motherhood is a comedy web series for perfectly imperfect families, starring Lena Sledge as Layla, a wife and mother of five that gives parenting advice on her real life mommy blog. Her unique parenting style contradicting with her perfect parenting advice lends to a distinct brand of humor. With each episode we see Layla teaching her kids life lessons as she discovers more about herself and the advice she gives to her readers. Unique to this web series is the actual blog that Layla writes where she gives the perfect parenting advice and after many of her posts, follows the tag line; to see how I really handled the situation watch this week's episode.
This web series is special because the viewers of the web series and the readers of the real life blog get to interact with Layla and let her know if her advice is on the money or share their own parenting advice. To follow the Unplanned Motherhood blog go to www.lenasledge.com. Stay tuned. Unplanned Motherhood debuts March 28th!!!!
If you'd like to submit a short story to be included in the book Unplanned Motherhood, send 500 words or less tosonnybrookfilms@yahoo.com. Short story must be clean, family friendly as well as funny, inspirational or motivational.
 
 
Sneak Peek:
   


Unplanned Motherhood Cast

Unplanned Motherhood Cast

Starring Morgan Hamilton as Sonny, Stefani Colvin as Brooke, Grayson Kilpatrick as Deacon, Aidan Heuer as Spoon, and Ari Heuer as Ari.  



Episode 1:
   




Lena
About Lena Sledge

Lena Sledge is an awarding winning author. Her first book, a collection of short stories called If I Had My Way, won the 2012 African American Literary Award for Best Short Story/Anthology. Her short film, Grandma's Hands, won 3rd place at the River City Film Festival in March 2014. Her most recent project, a comedy web series called Unplanned Motherhood debuts on March 28th on Youtube. Lena Sledge has collaborated on many literary projects as well as tv and film projects. She offers advice, resources, and tips on writing, navigating the independent film industry as well as reviews and highlights about upcoming books and authors. Lena Sledge also enjoys photography, you can view some of her photography work on her website as well as Flickr.



book blast button       

Blast Giveaway 

$100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash 

Ends 4/21/14 

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


 Follow on Bloglovin

Book Blitz & Giveaway! Sunset Rising by S.M. McEachern

Posted by BTS Rkive at Friday, March 28, 2014 0 comments

Sunset Rising by S.M. McEachern (Sunset Rising #1) 
Publication date: November 12th 2013
Genres: Dystopia, Young Adult



Synopsis from Goodreads
February 2024: Desperate to find refuge from the nuclear storm, a group of civilians discover a secret government bio-dome. Greeted by a hail of bullets and told to turn back, the frantic refugees stand their ground and are grudgingly permitted entry. But the price of admission is high.

283 years later… Sunny O'Donnell is a seventeen-year-old slave who has never seen the sun. She was born in the Pit, a subterranean extension of the bio-dome. Though life had never been easy, lately it had become a nightmare. Her mom was killed in the annual Cull, and her dad thought it was a good time to give up on life. Reyes Crowe, her long-time boyfriend, was pressuring her to get married, even though it would mean abandoning her father.

She didn't think things could get any worse until she was forced upstairs to the Dome to be a servant-girl at a bachelor party. That's where she met Leisel Holt, the president's daughter, and her fiancé, Jack Kenner.

Now Sunny is wanted for treason. If they catch her, she'll be executed. 

She thought Leisel's betrayal was the end. But it was just the beginning. 

Sunset Rising is Book One of a series.


SUNSET RISING EXCERPT

“Oh, Summer. If you weren’t so picky, you could have been married by now. But whenever a boy is interested in you, you’re suddenly not interested in him. I think you like flirting more than actually having a boyfriend.” 
“That’s not true. I just haven’t met the right one yet.”
“Though you do bring up a good point. You’re running out of time.”
Summer could have had her pick of any boy in the Pit. A full head shorter than me, her small stature and delicate limbs gave her an elegant, feminine quality. I always felt large and clumsy next to her.
“You know, we’re always talking about me,” Summer said. “How are you? How’s your dad?”
She might regret asking that question, but I gave her an honest answer. “Dad lost his job yesterday because he didn’t show up for work.”
“Oh, Sunny. What are you going to do?” 
I heard sympathy in her voice, and exasperation, too. My father had always been a little self-destructive. My mother had done a fairly good job of protecting me from it, but without her, I was on my own with him. “I told Reyes last night I couldn’t marry him until after the next Cull.”
“You’re postponing? Again?” she asked. “That’s a bit drastic. I’m sure your father can get another job. He’s had a lot of experience in the mines.” 
“He’s barely been eating since Mom left, and now he’s too weak to get out of bed.”
“But you’ve put your marriage on hold once before, and I can’t imagine Reyes is happy with postponing again. And you’re not getting any younger, Sunny. You’re almost eighteen. Aren’t you afraid Reyes is going to get fed up with waiting and move on to someone else?”
I had never thought about Reyes being with someone else. We had been together forever. And at our age, it was getting kind of late to go looking for a new partner. Of course he would wait for me. If I gave him enough time, he would eventually understand that my father needed me right now, and I couldn’t leave him. 
But there was wisdom in her words. At seventeen, I was middle-aged, and that didn’t bode well for getting approval to have a child. Population control in the Pit was getting stricter all the time. Reyes really wanted a child, but if I was being honest with myself, I didn’t. I guessed that was why I didn’t feel an urgent need to get married right away.

About S.M. McEachern


S.M. McEachern (also known as Susan) comes from the rocky shores of Canada’s East Coast.  As a resident of Halifax during her early adult years, she attended Dalhousie University and earned an Honors Degree in International Development Studies with a focus on ocean development.  Throughout her academic studies and early career, Susan had the privilege to work with many developing countries on resource management projects.  

Becoming an author has been a lifelong dream for Susan. “Sunset Rising” is her debut novel and the first of many she plans to write. 
                    Goodreads - Website - Twitter


INT Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 Follow on Bloglovin

Book Blitz organized by Xpresso Book Tours

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

My Favorite Kdrama OST 2013

Posted by BTS Rkive at Wednesday, March 26, 2014 0 comments
TOP 10 KDRAMAS is a feature here @ Jiha's file where I list 10 (or less) Korean dramas/Kdrama related stuff that I like.

I started watching kdramas during summer 2013, and haven't stopped since. Now that I've watched a fair amount of dramas, I thought I'd share my favorite OST from the ones I've watched in 2013.

This list is in no particular order.





















 



What are your favorite OSTs? Leave them in the comments down below. I love reading your opinions!

SIMILAR POSTS:

Review: Rescued by a Duke by Ruth J. Hartman

Posted by BTS Rkive at Wednesday, March 26, 2014 0 comments
Title: Rescued by a Duke
Author: Ruth J. Hartman
Rating: ★ ★ ★☆ (3.5)
Genres: Historical Fiction, Clean Romance
Format read: Smashwords, 55,960 words

Synopsis from Goodreads
Sasha Douglas has hit rock bottom. Literally. Left all alone after her brother's murder, she thought things couldn't possibly get worse. Until she finds herself trapped, injured, and frightened with no hope of escape after falling into an abandoned well.

Garrett Rothchild Cantlebury, the 5th Duke of Ravensworth, is shocked to discover a woman trapped in his abandoned well. The place that holds reminders of horrible loss for him. Determined to save the poor girl, he pushes those thoughts aside, refusing to dwell on them. But the rescued damsel in distress ends up making him face a darker truth. One that threatens both their futures.

Can Sasha and Garrett put family tragedy behind them and find love together?


My Review:

This is a sweet and pleasant love story about Sasha, a poor but charming woman, and the wealthy yet kind Duke of Ravensworth. These two meet each other under unusual circumstances; Sasha incautiously falls into a well and injures herself, but fortunately is saved by the Duke, hence the title Rescued by a Duke.
Even though the two meet during a singular incident, they are immediately attracted to each other.

The romance is really cute and heart-warming. I love how the Duke doesn't care that Sasha isn't a member of high society, he knows he loves her and that is all that matters.

The second half of the book is really good. It was intense with a bit of drama.

The story is quite predictable and a bit short for my liking, but apart from that I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to those who are looking for a sweet and clean romance story.

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Book Blitz & Giveaway! Twelve Steps by Veronica Bartles

Posted by BTS Rkive at Tuesday, March 25, 2014 0 comments

Twelve Steps by Veronica Bartles
Publication Date: 03/25/14
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Young Adult


Synopsis from Goodreads
Sixteen-year-old Andi is tired of being a second-class sibling to perfect sister Laina. The only thing Andi’s sure she has going for her is her awesome hair. And even that is eclipsed by Laina's perfect everything else.

When Andi’s crush asks her to fix him up with Laina, Andi decides enough is enough, and devises a twelve-step program to wrangle the spotlight away from Laina and get the guy. 

Step 1: Admit she’s powerless to change her perfect sister, and accept that her life really, really sucks. 

Step 4: Make a list of her good qualities. She MUST have more than just great hair, right?

Step 7: Demand attention for more than just the way she screws things up. 

When a stolen kiss from her crush ends in disaster, Andi realizes that her twelve-step program isn’t working. Her prince isn’t as charming as she'd hoped, and the spotlight she’s been trying to steal isn’t the one she wants.

As Laina’s flawless façade begins to crumble, the sisters work together to find a spotlight big enough for both to shine.


TWELVE STEPS EXCERPT

“Great concert, guys! We rocked it!” I skip into the room and casually brush one finger along the back of Jarod’s neck as I pass the table. He shivers at my touch and glances up at me. His jaw drops when he notices my outfit, but I pretend not to notice.

I fill the kettle with water, and then I set it on the stove to boil before I grab a package of Oreos from the cupboard and pull a chair up to the table between Jarod and Laina. “I don’t see how you can eat ice cream when it’s, like, fifteen degrees outside. What’s wrong with you two?” I shiver and my knee “accidentally” brushes against Jarod’s leg. I feel his body stiffen next to me, and I bite my lower lip to stifle a smile. “Don’t you guys know ice cream makes you colder?”

Laina laughs and reaches across the table to squeeze Jarod’s hand. “We always do this,” she says. “It’s tradition.”

“Do you remember,” Jarod asks, carefully avoiding my eyes, “when we were freshmen?” They launch into a story all about how they thought the juniors and seniors were going to the Dairy Shack for ice cream after their first concert, so they came back to our house to make ice cream sundaes. They thought they could tell everyone that they went out for ice cream and pretend they were a part of the cool kids, but then it turned out that everyone was really going out for brownies and hot cocoa instead.

The kettle whistles and I jump up to make my hot cocoa. I take a careful sip and return to my seat between them. “Really?” I ask. “You guys eat ice cream when it’s freezing out because you were stupid when you were freshmen?” I lift my steaming mug and stare at Jarod over the cup as I take a sip. “I think I’d at least put a warm brownie with the ice cream.” 

“Oh, we have brownies and hot cocoa every year after the spring concert,” Laina says. She’s barely paying attention, and totally oblivious to the real conversation taking place right in front of her. 

I pull my chair closer to Jarod, close enough that our legs are touching, and I eat the last bite of ice cream out of his dish. I lick my lips slowly, and then casually dunk an Oreo in my cocoa. “So the brownies and the ice cream are both because of Laina?” 

Jarod squirms in his seat and glances at my sister, but she’s a million miles away, absently rubbing at a sticky spot on the table with that vacant look on her face. 

“It’s just our thing,” he says. “Because we’re friends.”

I give him a you-must-think-I’m-a-freaking-idiot smile and trace a figure eight with my index finger on his leg. He reaches under the table to grab my hand and looks at me with thinly veiled terror. I laugh and cock my head to one side, as if I’m only making casual conversation. “So, you would never, ever, for instance, eat brownies and ice cream together because Laina wouldn’t approve?”

He blinks, and every trace of color drains from his face. His eyes plead with me to stop, and he squeezes my hand. But if he didn’t want me to say anything in front of Laina, he shouldn’t have avoided me all week.

“Or would the brownies and ice cream combination be a dangerous declaration that you wanted something way more than friendship?” 

Jarod gulps and looks at Laina, who is still tracing hearts with her finger on the table. She nods absently.

“That’s silly,” he says. “It’s a dessert. No symbols. No hidden meanings.” He drops my hand and slides his chair away from me.

I take a deep breath and exhale slowly, folding my arms across my chest. “So when you eat them separately, the brownies and the ice cream are symbols of your enduring friendship. But when you eat them together, they mean nothing?”

“Sometimes a dessert is just a dessert,” Jarod says.

I twist open an Oreo and slowly lick the cream filling. “What about kisses?” I ask. “Do those mean anything?”


About Veronica Bartles


As the second of eight children and the mother of four, Veronica Bartles is no stranger to the ups and downs of sibling relationships. (She was sandwiched between the gorgeous-and-insanely-popular older sister and the too-adorable-for-words younger sister.) She uses this insight to write stories about siblings who mostly love each other, even while they’re driving one another crazy.   When she isn’t writing or getting lost in the pages of her newest favorite book, Veronica enjoys knitting fabulous bags and jewelry out of recycled plastic bags and old VHS tapes, sky diving (though she hasn’t actually tried that yet), and inventing the world’s most delectable cookie recipes.  TWELVE STEPS is Veronica Bartles's first novel.


INT Giveaway!



Book Blitz organized by YA Bound Book Tours


Monday, March 24, 2014

You Who Came From The Stars ★

Posted by BTS Rkive at Monday, March 24, 2014 0 comments
You Who Came From The Stars 별에서 온 그대
My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★☆ 
Genres: Sci-fi, Romantic comedy
Episodes: 21
Original run: 18 December 2013 - 27 February 2014
Starring: Jun Ji-hyun, Kim Soo-hyun, Park Hae-jin and Yoo In-na

Synopsis from Viki

Can an alien understand a modern Korean woman? Do Min Joon (Kim Soo Hyun) is an alien in the form of a perfect human specimen who arrived on Earth 400 years ago during the Chosun Dynasty. While living among the inferior human species, Min Do has always been cynical toward his human neighbors. But in modern-day Korea, Min Do meets top actress Cheon Song Yi (Gianna Jun) and falls in love with her. Can the cross-species couple possibly have a future together? “You Who Came From the Stars,” also known as “Man From the Stars,” is a 2013 South Korean drama series directed by Jang Tae Yoo.

My Thoughts:

I was really excited and impatient for this drama to come out. As soon as I saw the promo, I was completely intrigued. Neadless to say, I watched this drama weekly instead of marathoning the whole thing once it finished airing (which is what I usually do).

I really like the idea that was used for You Who Came From The Stars even though it isn't original, this is still the first korean alien drama I've ever watched.

Do Min-Joon is an alien who's lived in our planet for over 400 years and is eagerly awaiting to go back to where he came from. Now, only 3 months are left and he has done a great job on being aloof, not getting involved with other people's lives. But when he meets Cheon Song-Yi an A-list actress, he can't help but be curious about her, as he discovers that she looks exactly like someone he's met back in the Joseon era.

Do Min-Joon has some pretty awesome abilities that I wouldn't mind having for myself. He can freeze time, move things with his will and he can also teleport to anywhere he wants within a blink of an eye (Yeah. I know. Just like Goku :P). However, he never uses these abilities to save or help people as you'd expect him to. He believes that a person's destiny is already written; if something's supposed to happen, it will. Though it's amusing to watch him use his powers whenever Cheon Song-Yi's in danger (the poor guy just can't help it).
On the other hand we have Cheon Song-Yi who's a funny and silly character. She's a top celebrity that keeps bragging about how "everyone" loves her when really no one does. In fact when she gets into a difficult situation only a few stayed by her side. 

There are a few unrequited love going on in this drama that I didn't really like. Lee Whi-Kyung and Yoo Se-Mi's one-sided love didn't seem believable. I think that when you've loved someone for so long and that person still doesn't love you back, you just have to let him/her go. You can always find someone else to love if you truly want to.

Aside from that, I think the side characters and the villain were pretty enjoyable to watch. What I really love though, was the romance between Do Min-Joon and Cheon Song-Yi. They are so cute and good together.

Even though it lacked of originality, this drama did an amazing job on mixing lots of different aspects that I like (the ET reference, the Twilight 'he moved at lighting speed and saved my life' thing and the teleporting like Goku).

Overall this is a good and enjoyable rom-com drama.



My rating: 4/5 stars


 

Jiha's file © 2014 - Graphics by Jiha's file

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...