Saturday, June 15, 2013

Buffy, Bacon, and Shiny Things, OH MY!! (Season 1, Episode 3 - Come to the Shark Side)

So, today is my birthday!!! That's right, bitches, the day I was born!!! (And, this post is scheduled to post at 3:27AM, because I was born at 6:27AM on the East Coast, and am now writing this from the Seventh Ring of Hell - ahem, Arizona...where we're three hours off in the summer, and only two in the winter, just to keep it non-confusing) o.O And, for my birthday, here's a little present for you...


The K-E-L-L-Y Song from Cheers (A link in case the video doesn't come up)

Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah, I just wanted to write a short post, because today is not only my birthday, but it is also (non-coincidentally) Shark Bait's birthday!!! Shark Bait was released one year ago today, and I can't believe that it has been a year already!!! (I'm sure Jenn feels the same way.) SO, in honor of this momentous occasion, I thought that I would reveal a little known fact about the early drafts of Shark Bait (actually, this is something I'm hoping to turn into a semi-regular feature of my blog posts...but we'll see).

So, I went to go back through my email to find actual quotes from the beginning of all of this, and either I wasn't an email hoarder back then, or Gmail decided not to keep my emails back that far. Anyway, I could only get back to July of 2010, and by that time, Jenn and I were well into discussions on Book 2 (I know, right! 3 whole freaking years ago!!) However, clearly long before that, probably in January or March or I don't know when...way back when Jenn was first writing, things were a little different. See, ORIGINALLY, there were 3 Ramsey girls, Camie, Jillian, and Kimberly (I think that was her name). Yep, that's right, there was another child, and at some point in the draft process, Jenn decided that there wasn't really enough action to keep all three kids around for the entire series, so she proceeded to kill off, er, edit out #3. So there you have it. Author doesn't like you? BOOM, you're out of the book. Just like that...Shark Bait fun fact for the day.

And, as this wouldn't be a birthday episode without both some Buffy...


Happy Birthday, Buffy

And some Bacon...mmmm, that cake looks amazing! :)


Until next time, Bitches!
-- Kelly

Feature Contributor:

Kelly, Queen of Random Shit
Twitter | Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Goodreads

GYP in the Blogosphere - Birthday Special: Happy Birthday Shark Bait & Kelly!!!!



 

Today we have a VERY special GYP in the Blogosphere post because well...IT'S SHARK BAIT'S BIRTHDAY! Yes, the glorious creation that is Shark Bait was released 1 year ago today. And a little birdie also told me that Shark Bait shares its day with our very own Kelly! :)

Was this accident? Fate? 7 Degrees of Kevin Bacon? No, it wasn't merely coincidental - this is what Jenn has to say about the shared birthday...

"Yep! I planned it for that date specifically b/c it's [Kelly's] b-day & w/o her, it prolly wouldn't exist. And it would suck."


So it would appear ladies & gents that not only should we be wishing our dear Kelly a happy birthday but also giving her a wild round of applause for being instrumental in what is the greatness of Shark Bait! HAPPY BIRTHDAY KELLY!!!!!!!!



So here's a few things to honor not only Shark Bait, but also Kelly...and not to mention the evil genius herself, Jenn.

A buffy cake...


"Tristan"


...always come prepared!

Totally unrelated to GYP but awesome because I just found out Kelly is a Whovian:


So yeah, I don't have anything else to add except to give a big, huge, ginormous CONGRATULATIONS to Jenn on her one year anniversary of being a published author and another Happy Birthday shout to Shark Bait and Kelly!

Feature Contributor:
Allura, Unapologetic Twitter Whore

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Featured Grab Your Pole Review #2


This week's feature review(s) come from Jac at For Love & Books! I honestly couldn't decide between her original review and her re-review so I'm including both! I don't even know how to sum up how awesome these reviews are or how much they make me giggle without sitting here staring at the computer screen like an incompetent idiot so yeah...I'll just paste these babies in. Also, be sure to check out the reviews here: Original & Re-Review and leave some love! Oh and for Bacon's sake her husband bought her JAKE RYAN'S CAR. Yeah, just keep reading right along...

For Love and Books

Original Review:
My Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

A few days before reading Shark Bait, I was tweeting about another book and got into a conversation with Jenn Cooksey (which may have involved Peanut Butter Fudge Ice Cream!) and from there? She asked if I’d be interested in participating in her blog hop, so of course I said yes!! And immediately downloaded her book, Shark Bait.
From there? There was no turning back. None. I was in love. I have ZERO hesitation in saying that this is the best YA book I’ve read this year and has firmly grasped a spot on my top ten favorite books of all time!! And, if I could possibly? I would love to read it again for the first time. From page one, I was sucked in – I had absolutely nothing in common with Camie, the main character and fell on the other end of the spectrum in high school. (Re: I was so NOT innocent and trying to stay that way!) But I loved her, I found her endearing. And I felt so sorry for her starting school in the middle of the term in a new place, especially since her Mom’s cancer diagnosis flipped her life upside down.
And the rest of the cast? I could gush on and on for pages, but I’ll make it quick! (Because really, you NEED to read this book yourself.) Tristan? The boy-toy? Holy cow, every page he was on transported me back to high school and the bright blue lockers and the 2 years older than me hunk, Eric. (I’m sorry, I know Jenn said Taylor Kitsch, but in my mind? Tristan was totally Eric from my high school days.) And new best friend Kate? I loved how she pulled Camie out of her shell, loved ever scene with her! But my favorite supporting role? Definitely, hands down? Goes to Jillian, the little sister who has me wishing I could trade in my kid sister!!
Now, characters aside? This book is fabulous. Beginning to end. Jenn Cooksey captures the hell that is high school in a way that is so true, yet has you wishing you could go back and do it all again! And she leaves nothing out of the experience – so many YA books skirt around the party life of high schoolers, but not this one! (And from my experience? It was pretty accurate, not that I’m admitting to anything, I mean – my mom reads my blog!)
Jenn’s writing is fabulous, but what I possibly loved more? The many MANY references to John Hughes films and other 80′s phenomena that made me think maybe the 80s weren’t so bad after all! This book had me grinning like a fool and then laughing like a hyena the whole time, I can NOT wait until the next book comes out! (So far? Jenn has mentioned 4 books in the Grab Your Pole series! FOUR GLORIOUS BOOKS!)
I’ll quit gushing, and leave you with this. If you can remotely tolerate Contemporary YA? This book will turn you into a fan!! If you love Contemp YA? Then this book will keep you turning pages all night long! So go, pick it up! You NEED to read this book.
Re-Review:
In anticipation for ‘s release, I decided to re-read Shark Bait. It was easily my favorite read of 2012 – see my gushing review!  (Seriously – according to Amazon I purchased 5 copies! Yes, 5. Because I thought EVERYONE needed to read it – so I kept gifting copies. And I’m sure I’ll do more in the near future. )
So, I’ve anxiously been awaiting TOFitS and my good friend DeAnna (Mommy’s Reading Break) agreed to a read-a-long with me of both Shark Bait and TOFitS!!  Now, before I go further in this review I need to confess something. I don’t re-read books. Ever. (Shark Bait is only the third book I’ve ever re-read. The other two being The Stand and Anna and the French Kiss. My other two favorite books.) But this is my third pass of Shark Bait and I’m still falling more and more in love with each of the characters.
I have to tell you, Jenn Cooksey is a genius. (Seriously, not only is she hugely fun to tweet with – but she is one hell of a writer!) I love books that I can get lost in the characters – it’s why we all read, isn’t it?? Well… Jenn paints these fabulous pictures with her words. The Grab Your Pole gang has firmly planted itself in my heart, and they are so incredibly real to me in ways that I’ve never known characters to be before. Shark Bait is a truly magical book in that way.
If you haven’t read the book, let me sum it up quickly for you. Shark Bait is a love story. A real, gritty, honest to God love story. There are moments that hurt. Jenn literally rips your heart out and stomps on it. (And if I’m being honest, because Camie encourages it to Tristan in some of my favorite scenes, then I have to tell you I see so much of myself and my husband in Camie and Tristan. Right down to there knock out, drag down fights.) But then? (At least if you’re a child of the 80′s like I am…) She makes you fall in love all over again. (Ok, let’s be honest. I want my life to be a John Hughes film. I don’t hide that. So Tristan, aside from looking like Taylor Kitsch, is my perfect man because of his John Hughes references. AND his ability to quote Buffy. Because – once again? I grew up in the 80′s and early 90′s. And let’s face it… Buffy and Angel kick Bella and Edward’s ass any day!
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But beyond the love story? This is about friendship. And family. And finding yourself. And a million other insightful things, with a few F-Bombs, some weed (YAY Colorado!) and a pair of really cute kittens thrown in!
So if you haven’t read Shark Bait?? Do it. I don’t care if YA is your thing or not. Do it!!
(And just to prove how deep my love for John Hughes goes? My husband bought me Jake Ryan’s car…)
Feature Contributor:
Allura, Unapologetic Twitter Whore

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Buffy, Bacon, and Shiny Things, OH MY! (Season 1, Episode 2 - Where the Random Things Are)


Ok, I’m back for another fun-filled episode of Buffy, Bacon, and Shiny Things, OH MY!! (Or however many exclamation points that’s supposed to have…) Today, I bring you complete randomness, in the form of funny pics. These pics made me LOL. Literally. Yes, I actually laughed out loud. And I dare say, you will too…

So, here we go, item number one:
 There have been many a single-digit morning that I have felt this way…

But, never fear, because Bacon is here (oh, and if you haven’t figured it out yet, Bacon should ALWAYS be capitalized…always.)
So not sure how there’s anything left on that flyer, but who am I to judge? (Oh, who are we kidding…I’m totally judging…)

And, I promise not to have Twilight related stuff too often (I know, I know, we’re already way past that point), but when you’re researching Buffy stuff, sometimes it happens…
Oh, and also, this makes me think of Mickey Mouse…and now you’ll never be able to unsee that…

Finally, a little earworm for you this fine day, as I present you with:
Guaranteed you sang that. :)

Until next time, bitches! :)

- Kelly, Queen of Random Shit  (Question...do my initials (QoRS) spell out "curse"??? I need to know this...)


Feature Contributor:

Kelly, Queen of Random Shit
Twitter | Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Goodreads

Saturday, June 1, 2013

June Street Team Member of the Month — Erin Westlund


Street Team Member of the Month

June: Erin Westlund
Erin Westlund, June Street Team Member of the Month

My name is Erin Westlund and I am an indeterminate age(ha.)
I came across Shark Bait when I was scouring through the bowels of Amazon in September of 2012 thinking that I finally read everything there is to be read on Amazon when I found Shark Bait. It caught my eye and I took a gander at it and thought it sounded interesting so I bought it. I instantly got hooked and I don't think I put my iPad down til I finished the book. I have read the book countless of times since then and plan on reading TOFitS many times before the next one comes out. I can't get enough of Camie, Tristan and the rest of the gang. :)

You can find me at:
http://www.mereadalot.com (our book blog)
http://www.chemicalscream.net (my "personal site" although I really only use it to post bad parking job pictures and whatever other photos I take on my iPhone. haha)

This feature's purpose is to introduce you to each other. Members are selected randomly and will be contacted via email for permission to be featured here. If you happen to be chosen, we'll ask for what info you'd like to share, any follow links you'd like us to include, and a picture of you. For all you anonymous types, participation in this feature is completely voluntary and we will not publish any information without your permission.