Guest Post: Trisha Leigh, author of The Last Year series

Today, in honor of her newly released book, Betrayals in Spring, author Trisha Leigh is chatting with us about who she would cast as her characters if her books were made into movies.

When Shelby asked me to do a guest blog, I was mostly excited but also kind of oh dear what shall I write about – until she mentioned that she heard I review television and movies, and perhaps I’d like to talk about who my dream cast would be for The Last Year if it were turned into a movie or a television series.

Not only do I review televisions and movies for Poptimal, I have a degree in Television and Film Production from Texas Christian University (go Frogs!). Even though I haven’t put that degree to any real use in my life, I adore television and movies, and would one day love to find a way to integrate my passion for them and my passion for writing fiction.



Nicola Peltz



At any rate, today I’m going to tell you who I would cast in Whispers in Autumn, and also give you a little sneak preview into who I would cast in Winter Omens and Betrayals in Spring, when we meet a few new characters. Some of my cast is impossible to find actors for since, well, they don’t appear human – for them I’ll let your imagination run wild. I’m sure it’s much more wonderful than anything I can come up with, anyway. So here goes.



Jonny Weston



First up, Althea. I’ve waffled between two different actresses, but keep coming back to Nicola Peltz. She’s an interesting blend of fierce and reserved that fits Althea perfectly. Her hair would have to be a darker red, but other than that, she’s perfect.



J.D. Pardo

Next, Lucas. For a long time, Freddie Stroma was my choice for Lucas, but then I asked readers to choose between him and Jonny Weston – and Jonny won by a landslide. So, we’ll go with Jonny Weston. For one, he looks like Lucas – blond curls, blue eyes, wiry build – but he’s also got a sweetness about him that does remind me of Whispers in Autumn’s leading man.

Kim Bum



Pax, from Winter Omens, gives me a bit more trouble. Or at least he did until I saw J.D. Pardo on Revolution and thought THAT’S PAX. Pardo is hot, obviously, and muscled. More importantly (kind of), he’s capable of carrying off a moodier, less emotionally involved character. Pax may not remain that kind of guy by the end of the series (teaser!), but he certainly starts off that way.



Cassie Scerbo



Deshi is a complicated figure that I can’t really explain for fear of spoilers. But in case anyone is out there wondering, I’d cast Kim Bum.

In Winter Omens I introduce a pair of twins, Griffin and Greer. They’re playful to the point of being cruel, at times, and consider themselves not only more beautiful than humans (they aren’t human), but also stronger, faster, smarter – you name it, they are better at it. If you ask them. My choices are Cassie Scerbo and Chris Zylka. Because they’re both blond and beautiful, and both proved in previous performances that they know how to be snotty know-it-alls.

Chris Zylka



Evil brother and sister Zakej and Kendaja – Tom Felton and Elle Fanning.

The most evil Prime Other – David Lyons. Mostly because I want to meet him again. J

I don’t really have anyone in mind for minor characters Brittany or Leah, and would love to hear your suggestions, if you have any. Actually, I’d welcome thoughts and suggestions on any of my choices!



Tom Felton



Thanks for playing along today; it can be fun to find people that remind us exactly of the characters the way they are in our heads, but of course, everyone sees them a little differently and that’s why casting directors have such a hard job. When they get it wrong, in the fans opinion (think Jamie Campbell Bower in The Mortal Instruments), people can get really angry. When they get it right (Jennifer Lawrence in The Hunger Games, as well as pretty much every single character in Harry Potter), we all cheer.



Elle Fanning



I think we all just want to see the vision on the screen line up as closely as possible with what’s in our heads when we read. Once the vision is out there and filtered through a director/casting director’s brain, though, it’s bound to look a little different. And that’s okay. They’re actors, so their job is to become these characters, no matter what physical traits they do or don’t share.



David Lyons



What do you guys think? Do you like this new trend of YA fiction being snapped up for adaptations in Hollywood? Or would you rather the stories stay pristine and untouched in your mind?

I’d love to hear about it in the comments.

Connect with Trisha in these places:

Blog ~ Goodreads ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Tumblr ~ Pinterest

Rouge (Cheveux Roux #1) by Leigh Talbert Moore

Published: November 11^th, 2012 (S/P)

Pages: 300

Rating: 2/5

Goodreads ~ Amazon

Trapped in the underground theater world of 1890s New Orleans, Hale Ferrer has only one goal: escape. But not without Teeny, the orphan-girl she rescued from the streets and promised to protect.

Freddie Lovel, Hale's wealthy Parisian suitor, seems to be the easy solution. If only his touch could arouse her interest like Beau's, the penniless stagehand who captures her heart.

Denying her fears, Hale is poised to choose love until an evil lurking in their cabaret-home launches a chain of events that could cost her everything.

Hale Ferrer has always wanted to be freed from the confines of her run-down theatre home, but not for her own good. Not her future, but the future of her “adopted” charge, Teeny, is what she fears. Untalented girls, girls unlike Hale, girls much like Teeny, are sent to a much darker place than center stage. But when the new stage hand gets Hale’s attention, her focus is shifted and her heart is split between doing what she wants and doing what she knows she must do. Distraction from her mission is the last thing she needs.

Little does she know the battle for safety may cost her her heart.

 I am so, so, so divided on this book. The historical element was fantastic; I loved getting to experience New Orleans during this particular time period. I’ve visited the city once and absolutely fell in love with it. The culture seeps out of every seam, and it’s the same way with this book. The theatre/cabaret setting, while somewhat provocative, is an interesting one- one I’ve never read about in a book before. And thank God- Hale, the protagonist, was relatable, which is something I don’t see much of in self-published books. She had depth, as did many of the other characters. I adored her romance with Beau, though it seemed to spawn out of absolutely nothing. Sadly, I’d have to diagnose it as a mild case of insta-love, but as shallow as their relationship was, I still loved it.

So, you might be asking, “If you enjoyed Rouge so much, why are you so riven over it? What’s not to love?” Well, read on, my friend.

Unfortunately, there was a colossal amount of sexual content that marred the story for me. While this is New Adult, and therefore has more of that type of content, there’s still quite a hefty amount. I might not have been so bothered by it had it not been for the raping going on. That’s really what crossed the line for me. I don’t recommend this book if you think you’d be bothered by that. If you’re wary, check the Quick Content Review below. Like I’ve stated there, nothing much is left out of those scenes, and I feel that was entirely unnecessary.

In the end, I guess I have a love/hate relationship with Rouge. I love the history, the characters, the romance. I abhor the lack of discretion when it comes to the sexual content. I simply wasn’t expecting *that* much of it. Fortunately, now you know, and can make a personal decision as to whether to read Rouge or not. To read or not to read…that is the question. But if you ask me, I’d probably say no.

Quick Content Review: *may contain spoilers*

Language: Mild (a couple d-words)

Violence: Heavy (rape)

Sexual: Heavy (Rape, described. A love affair between two characters; sex described.)

Blog Tour: For What It's Worth by Karey White (Guest Post + Giveaway)

Today author Karey White has stopped by in honor of the For What It’s Worth Blog Tour to discuss the hard work that’s called book writing, and why it’s all worth it.

Writing a book is hard work. I have a hard time writing when my house is a wreck, so it requires that I be more organized than is my nature. It requires that I carve out time to write, even when other things might be more enjoyable or interesting. I don't ever turn on the television during the day. I try to go to bed with my housework in a manageable condition.

Even though there are some challenges when it comes to writing, there are also great rewards. I've always had to be creating. I've owned my own wedding cake business and my own clothing design business. I've done a lot of scrapbooking and paper crafts. I've gone through phases of embroidery, cross stitching, crocheting, felting, jewelry making and painting. If I saw something creative and felt the itch to try it, I usually did. Writing is great because it gives me my needed creative outlet with much less mess than any of the other things I've done over the years.

Another reward is the thrill of seeing something that I wrote on a bookshelf. Knowing I put all those words together to create a story that people are enjoying is a thrill. And when I receive emails or phone calls or letters from some of those people, telling me how much they enjoyed it or how touched they were by it, I feel humbled that God has given me a talent and an idea that means something to people. It's a privilege and a blessing to be able to write.

For What It's Worth by Karey White

Twenty-four year-old, Abby Benson has dreams of owning her own wedding cake shop. An inheritance from her aunt gives her the ability to make those dreams come true. She hires Dane, a handsome contractor, to help her get the bakery up and running and soon they’re moving toward their own happy ending.

Unsure what to charge for her cakes, Abby has a crazy idea to let the customer decide what they think their cake is worth. This plan has its ups and downs, but the novelty of the idea makes her a local celebrity. When she is interviewed on television about the unusual idea, business booms and Abby has cake adventures she never dreamed possible. But as her fame grows, Abby is swept up in a whirlwind that threatens everything she values. With the challenges that face her, will she be able to determine what is worth the most?

Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble

Check out the book trailer:

About the author

Karey White grew up in Utah, Idaho, Oregon, and Missouri. She attended Ricks College and Brigham Young University. Her first novel, Gifted, was a Whitney Award Finalist.

She loves to travel, read, bake treats, and spend time with family and friends. She and her husband are the parents of four great children. She teaches summer creative writing courses to young people and is currently working on her next book.

Connect with Karey here:

Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

~Giveaway~

$25 Amazon Gift Card + A Copy of For What It's Worth (Paperback available to US only, E-book Available Internationally)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Open to anyone 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's permission. 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. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
Be sure to check out the other stops on the tour here!

Book Blast: Christmas Ever After by Elyse Douglas (Excerpt + Giveaway)

Christmas Ever After by Elyse Douglas

Can 26-year-old Jennifer Taylor overcome her past—the death of her fiancé that has left her bitter and angry? Will she accept the gift of an adventure from a mysterious woman before it’s too late: a trip to New York City on Christmas Eve, where she’ll meet three men who will change her life forever?

Excerpt:

Suddenly, everything seemed to happen at once, and in slow motion. Mrs. Stanton stepped in front of the shop, stabbing away at the snow with her cane.

Jennifer’s back tires slid away into chaos. It was as if the world was spinning away from her. She frantically fought for control of the car, but the steering wheel became useless. She was slipping away toward the east wall of Cards N’ Stuff.  Jennifer held her breath.

Just then, Mrs. Stanton’s left foot found an unfortunate old patch of ice beneath the newly fallen snow. She felt it give way, and her cane, which should have been a support, slipped from her hand and sailed away into a snowdrift. Jennifer watched in horror as Mrs. Stanton’s body lifted from the earth and rose like a great bird above the spread of undulating snow. She seemed suspended in time. For a brief hopeful moment, Jennifer had the irrational belief that she could somehow scramble from her car and rescue Mrs. Stanton, as one would rescue a priceless fragile vase falling from a great height.

But there was no rescue. There was no one to catch Mrs. Stanton and there was no one to stop Jennifer’s car from its collision course with the garbage cans in the alleyway, and the inevitable impact into the side of the building.

Mrs. Stanton’s body finally hit the snow, like a massive meteorite striking the earth. The impact threw up a plume of whiteness. The crater was deep and impressive. Mrs. Stanton let out an almighty howl that scattered chirping sparrows into the trees. Her yell was eclipsed by Jennifer’s car slamming into the garbage cans, and colliding into the side wall of Cards N’ Stuff.

Then there was silence. But only a brief one.

From somewhere, close by, came a low rumble. It was a foreboding sound, like the low moan of fate in the apprehension of an imminent catastrophe.

Cards N’ Stuff began to shimmy and quake. Icicles snapped and fell. Fractures formed on the roof. Sliding snow whooshed down in avalanches, crashing to the ground.

Mrs. Stanton was frozen in fear, looking bug-eyed, hearing a roar, like the sea.

Jennifer managed to shove open the jammed car door and roll out, falling into a mound of snow. She heard the frightening sound, struggled to her feet and staggered away from the building, running, stumbling and gasping.

There was a terrible, miserable groan as the roof buckled and plunged down into the shop in a storm of wood, roof-tiles, dirt and snow. In violent hammer-like blows, it shattered snow globes, jewelry boxes and porcelain figurines. It smashed glass displays and chopped through shelves, burying Christmas angels, Santa Clauses, Christmas cards and delicate earrings. The window Christmas displays were blown into oblivion; the Victorian town demolished; the electric train flicked away and buried by a powerful cascading shaft of dirt and ice. The family around the piano was pummeled and destroyed.

In a final act of destruction, sprinkler pipes ruptured, shooting streams of water into the air like geysers, flooding the place. Books, CDs and DVDs floated by, little boats navigating a chaotic space.

When it was finally over, an uneasy silence settled in, like a warning.

Purchase Christmas Ever After here:

Amazon * Barnes and Noble * Smashwords

Check out the book trailer:

About the Authors

Elyse Douglas is the pen name for the husband and wife writing team of Elyse Parmentier and Douglas Pennington. Elyse's mother was a painter and her father a textile consultant. Elyse began writing poems and short stories at an early age, and graduated from Columbia University with a Master's Degree in English Literature. Douglas grew up in a family of musicians, astrologers and avid readers. His grandfather was a gifted humorist and storyteller from Kentucky.

Elyse Douglas' four novels include: The Astrologer's Daughter, Wanting Rita, The Christmas Diary and Christmas Ever After. They live in New York City.

Links

Twitter * Facebook * Website

Book Blast Giveaway: $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash (Ends 12/16/12)

*You need not enter your twitter name for each entry. Simply enter it when you follow Elyse and leave the others blank.

Open to anyone 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's permission. 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. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal: Hover (The Taking #2) by Melissa West

Today we’re celebrating the cover reveal of Hover, the second book in The Taking series by Melissa West (if you’re like me, you’re more familiar with the title of the first book, Gravity). Take a peek at the epic, brand-spanking new cover below:

Hover (The Taking #2)

By Melissa West

Release Date: 2013

Published by Entangled Teen

400 pages 

Summary from Goodreads:

Book two in the heart-stopping new series by Melissa West. The follow-up to the acclaimed Gravity, Hover is another thrilling dystopian romance and is perfect for fans of Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games, Veronica Roth's Divergent, and Marie Lu's Legend.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16032322-hover

I adore this cover; very eye-catching and…um, spacey. The single question on the front makes it all the more intriguing. It’s definitely one I’d display proudly on my shelf. What about you?

Gravity (The Taking #1) by Melissa West 

Release Date: 11/20/12 by Entangled Teen

Paperback/e-book

400 pages

Summary from Goodreads:

In the future, only one rule will matter:
Don’t. Ever. Peek.
Seventeen-year-old Ari Alexander just broke that rule and saw the last person she expected hovering above her bed — arrogant Jackson Locke, the most popular boy in her school. She expects instant execution or some kind of freak alien punishment, but instead, Jackson issues a challenge: help him, or everyone on Earth will die.
Ari knows she should report him, but everything about Jackson makes her question what she’s been taught about his kind. And against her instincts, she’s falling for him. But Ari isn’t just any girl, and Jackson wants more than her attention. She’s a military legacy who’s been trained by her father and exposed to war strategies and societal information no one can know — especially an alien spy, like Jackson. Giving Jackson the information he needs will betray her father and her country, but keeping silent will start a war.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12844575-gravity

About the author…

Melissa lives in a tiny suburb of Atlanta, GA with her husband and daughter. She pretends to like yoga, actually likes shoes, and could not live without coffee. Her writing heroes include greats like Jane Austen and Madeleine L'Engle.

She holds a B.A. in Communication Studies and an M.S. in Graphic Communication, both from Clemson University. Yeah, her blood runs orange.

Connect with Melissa here:

Website- http://www.melissawestauthor.com

Blog- http://m-b-west.blogspot.com/

Twitter: @MB_West

Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/MelissaWestAuthor

Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5287439.Melissa_West

You can pre-order Hover at any of these places:

Amazon- http://www.amazon.com/Hover-The-Taking-Melissa-West/dp/1620610930/

Chapters- http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Hover-Melissa-West/9781620610930-item.html

Book Depository- http://www.bookdepository.com/Hover-Melissa-West/9781620610930

 Enter the giveaway below to win a copy of Gravity!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/nh7rsd2yn/