Si, Se Puede--Yes, you can!

1. This week I've been catching up with not only my writing but reading some fab Cybils nominated books. I'll try to share some teasers every Friday of some of the nominated books. 2. TIN STAR Really enjoyed this story of Tula, who is beaten and left for dead on a space station.  She has to learn to deal with the aliens there but what's different is she's really the alien as she's the only human there. Can't wait to read the next book to see what happens next! 3. NOGGIN What happens if you find out that an experiment to replace your head on a healthy body does in fact work? Love the voice of this story which takes place five years after sixteen-year-old Travis finds himself alive with a new body.  Listening to the audio and totally loving! 4. The whole Ferguson verdict left me so angry and upset.  An OC writer friend sent me this link to an upcoming rally to unite in protest of how Black & Brown youth are profil...

1. Hate when some think because I'm a parent that I don't know about the educational system. What happened is it was picture day at the student center.  So we got to the center only to find out that the photographer 'left' for the day.  The email said he'd be there from 8-1pm.  We got to the center around 10:20ish. You'd think the office would have said, "Sorry, but here's the card and you can call or they'd reschedule." No. The one aide was very abrupt with me and said it might have been a typo to "Call the director about it." Well, the director showed up yesterday and I told her what happened and how I was frustrated and that it wasn't dealt with well.  That aide then proceeded to say she never said any of those things to me and even said that they were giving cards out on that day. I came back at her, angry that she was basically calling me a liar. Her story though didn't pan through as someone else in off...

Congrats to Princess12250 for winning the Atlantia giveaway which included two awesome necklaces and a galley of the book! Thanks to everyone who commented and entered the contest!

1. Let's start with the good news first: Cybils books are a coming! Love this part of being a Cybil's panelist! 2. Received GRIM: So far loving this anthology of short YA tales that have a dark twist off of the Grim stories we heard as children.  THE STEPSISTER'S TALE: A twist on Cinderella. **See a theme here? 3. Last Friday went with son's Spanish class to Olvera Street.  Loved going as my bisabuela's family lived there at the tail end of the 1880s. **A restored mural that had been 'whitewashed'.  Artist was a friend of Diego Rivera. Couldn't resist this Frida coin purse! Also found a Latina t-shirt.  Had to get! Here's what the shirt says: Cool, huh? 4.  Also can't wait to read SALVAGE: Loved Beth Revis's ACROSS THE UNIVERSE and Beth highly recommended SALVAGE.  Plus, heard it has one stro...

1. Week started out really awlful.  Had a 504 meeting with middle school counselor(a sub as the other one is on maternity leave).  Once again I tried to get them to give son some extra help for his learning disability.  But they told me(again) that he doesn't have one as it's not bad enough.  Then they dropped a big whammy on me.  "If son is wanting to go to tradition high school, he needs to go next year."  Uh, what? See, we had decided to wait till tenth grade and work more on being responsible and all. His ES then told me she agreed with this counselor, who is a sub and not that old.  I was shocked and then very angry. To make matters worse, they pressured me right there to make the decision. NO. 2. Add to that, my ear ached enough that I had to stop a few times on my usual power walk.  Not good.  Went to doctor and found out I have static liquid behind my ear and with allergies/cold, it can cause one mother of an ear ache. Love...

First off: Feliz Dia de las Brujas!  Happy Halloween! 1. Just in time for the Halloween spirit: Morganville: The Series is up online!  Loved the books and really enjoying this web adaption.  Plus, Amber Benson, (you know Tara on Buffy the Vampire slayer) is fab playing the badass Founder of the town.  So far there are 5 episodes up.  Check them out! **Here's a little teaser on the series: 2. Really enjoying PERFECTED by Kate Jarvoik Birch: Think of a future where the very elite can purchase human 'pets' for their pleasure.  Loving the voice and twist on HANDMAIDEN'S TALE where girls are 'breed' to be accessories for wealthy clients. 3. Really excited to read COMPULSION: I've been wanting to read this since I read the 'teaser' a while back.  A curse and three plantations.  Check out the trailer. 4. Love Dia de los Muertos-Day of the Dead.  It's the day after Halloween.  In Mexican culture it's a da...

1. Went to Comic Quest on Wednesday to get the latest issue of BTVS and found this:  So yeah, I totally HAD TO GET!!! **Yes, I'm such a Buffy geek! 2. Here's my revision that has so much marched on it.  Yes, I'm being brutal this time around. 3. Finished reading this: Loved the voice of this new paranormal series that has wereanimals that are out to find the murderer of a friend.  Lots of diversity in this story too! 4. Grabbed this book at Kidlitcon as I loved the first book by this author.  This book got me on the first chapter.  Win! Blurb from Goodreads: With New Agey parents and a Pakistani heritage, it might have been difficult for Sunny Pryce-Shah to fit in. Thankfully, she had her older, popular cousin Shiri to talk to—until now. Shiri’s shocking suicide brings heartwrenching pain and grief, and also seems to have triggered a new and disturbing ability in Sunny: hearing people’s tho...

Literary agent and author Regina Brooks tells you everything you need to know about writing and publishing the next big YA best-seller in her new edition of WRITING GREAT BOOKS FOR YOUNG ADULTS  which covers everything from choosing a topic to finding the right agent.   To celebrate WRITING GREAT BOOKS FOR YOUNG ADULT’s October release, Sourcebooks is sharing a spotlight excerpt from the book: “Five Rules for Engaging Readers of Young Adult Fiction,” and giving away a copy of WRITING GREAT BOOKS FOR YOUNG ADULTS  (US and Canada only) any day in October. Just comment here and RT on FB and Twitter for a chance of winning a copy! Writing Great Books for Young Adults October 7, 2014 By Regina L. Brooks ISBN: 9781402293528 ● Trade Paperback/$14.99 Five Rules for Engaging Readers of Young Adult Fiction Before you even start putting pen to paper (or finger to keyboard), there are some issues that need to be addressed. A lot of writers ou...

1. Had so much fun at #kidlitcon!  If you didn't read my last post, I had a blast and it was so fun to finally meet bloggers, publishers(Chronicle books you rock), and the Cybils head people in person! Love this photo with me and Sheila Ruth, who is over the Cybils YA Speculative panel. And do check out blogger Blanca Welsh and her blog sitehttp://twinjabookreviews.blogspot.com Blanca and her sister Libertad were so energetic and enthusiast.  Loved so much! 2. LOVED the iced tea Chai and mochas at Temple Coffee House in downtown Sacramento: 3. And the foyer of the Citizen's Hotel on J street had me picturing Stephanie's next haunting: **Got to hear #Weneeddiversebooks panel and received on of their pins which is on my handbag! 4. Yes, I did read too! Picked this galley up at Kidlitcon.  Stayed up till 3am reading this tale of a boy that goes to hell and then 'takes' this one...

Today is the last day to nominate books for the Cybils! Here's some more books that have slipped under the radar: Love Metcalf's writing and this one is no exception! I usually don't nominate sequel books but this one is a must read: Bewitching tale of Ink and Joy!  Loved! 2. REBEL BELLE is totally fun! YA Books Central: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/16784-rebel-belle Teaser:  A great new series from Rachel Hawkins sure to appeal to Buffy fans. Humorous with a bit of Southern charm this story will worm it's way into your heart. Great romance and coming of age story with a touch of magic. I want more!!!! 3. THE FALL YABC review:  http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/17226-the-fall Teaser:  Fast-paced action had me turning the pages, not wanting to stop until I found out the fate of Madeline and her twin. There's hints of other grisly things that go on inside the Usher house. Madness is shown through...