Heven And Hell Tour - Charade

Hi everyone. So is finally my day of this AMAZING tour and is my pleasure to have the awesome author here to tell us all about her new book and answer all my very important questions *giggle*. Oh, and we get a treat from Charade too. Some really cool postcards from Italy. *sigh*

First of all I need to say some things about CamCam (we are friends LoL).

Look how pretty she is

I started to read her books because of her. She is so cool and adorable. Is like my bff from the other side of the globe. And her accent, oh my gosh, is soooooo cute. LoL

Don’t believe me? Well, see it for yourself. Here is a video of hee teaching how to make bubble tea.

And beside the looks and the super duper cute accent, she’s also a great writer and if you have any taste in books you will run to get one of her books in the first book store you find it.

Look how pretty the covers are

For more of Cambria and her wonderful books go to her FAB site cambriaherbert.com.

Now that I babblished about CamCam *giggle* I’ll leave you all in her wonderful hands.

I am so excited to be here today during Tour of Italy for the Charade Blog tour. Charade is the second book in the Heven and Hell series and in this book the main characters travel to Italy on a school trip… and because Heven and Sam have a mission to complete.

For today’s Tour of Italy post we have some special treats for you!

First up is a mini entry from Heven’s travel diary.

Dear Diary,

Italy is amazing. The people, the food, the culture. Sam won’t stop eating and I can’t blame him, the Italians savor their meals and their food.

As I write I am sitting at this little café table outside a coffee shop. Sam is a little disappointed that there is no Bubble Tea here, ha ha ha. But I can’t wait to try how the Italians make coffee. Since we have been here I have learned that the Italians don’t like to have coffee WITH their meal. They think that coffee should be savored on its own. I actually agree.

So when our group was given a bit of free time to explore what better thing to do than sit outside among this incredible architecture and savor some coffee?

Here comes Sam with our cups now…

I’m back! Sam got us Café con Cioccolato which translates into Italian coffee with chocolate. Leave it to Sam to find some chocolate. Sam watched them make it… he says it’s basically strong coffee with hot cocoa in it and whipped cream on top. There is also grated orange peel sprinkled on the whipped cream.

It’s different than American coffee but I really like it. I think I will sit here and sip it, not worry about anything (like attacking demons) and write a postcard or two to home.

Me and Sam’s postcards:

         

I think I will send this one to my Mom in thanks for letting me come here.

           

What a great day in Italy!

Heven

Want to try the coffee Heven and Sam drank while writing postcards? The recipe is super easy!

Recipe for Café con Cioccolato

Ingredients:

2 cup hot strong coffee
2 cup hot traditional cocoa
1 whipped cream
1 grated orange peel



how to make:
Combine 1/2 cup coffee and 1/2 cup cocoa in each 4 mugs. Top with whipped cream; sprinkle with orange peel.

(Recipe thanks to: From Sheila Buff & Judi Olstein, "The New Mixer's Guide to Low-Alcohol & Nonalcoholic Drinks." Published By HPBooks, Inc., 1986, ISBN 0-89586-458-4.)

And now for more fun an interview with the author!

                                                                                      

Interview with Cambria

1)      In Charade we go to Rome, place of love and romance. *sigh* What made you pick this city in particular?

I actually picked this city because it is known for its religion and history. It is the perfect setting for the characters to take an ancient scroll created by God. I love the history and the creepiness of the catacombs… it all just seemed to fit with the Heven and Hell series. 

2)      Speaking of love *raising an eyebrow* tell us a little about how you met your Bo. Was it love at first sight? *resting my chin on my hands and looking up with googly eyes* How was your first kiss? When did you know he was “the one”? Tell me, tell me, tell me. Pretty please, with a cherry on top. *batting my lashes*

Lol. Well, since you asked so nicely I will tell you. I can’t say for sure if it was love at first sight when I met my husband but I do know that the very first time I saw him my first thought was “that’s the guy I’m going to marry”. I just knew. No, I am not making that up either. We met at the beach (first kiss was on the beach too). My Grandmother used to rent a house on the beach every year for the whole family to go to. My aunt was stationed in the same town (she was in the Marines) and called him and introduced us… we have been together ever since. At first it was a long distance thing but then he got orders to another state and asked me to go with him. I did. It’s kind of odd because a couple years before that a friend of mine and I were talking and I told her that I always felt like the man I would marry would either be from North Carolina or Maine… (I lived in Maryland). Then I met Shawn… he lived in NC but he grew up in Maine. I’m not making that up either. Our ten year wedding anniversary is on the 17^th of June.

3)      Wow, ten years? That's like a lifetime. Congratulations CamCam. Ok, so, in Masquerade Heven get powers, you know, like X-man and stuff. If you could chose between the two, who do you think is a better kisser, Sam or Cole and why? Is it the technic or the whole package? LoL

I’m going to go with Sam. Sam is just… well he’s Sam. He is hot, he is mysterious and he seems to feel things really deeply, probably because of everything he has been through. I think that would make him a fantastic kisser and he has a head of hair that I would love to run my hands through. Cole is great too, but he isn’t quite as dangerous, he’s a little more laid back.

4)      Yeah, yeah, we all know how hot Sam is, now back off. *gritting my teeth* I don't want to get all Kim up in your face. So, lets talk about other stuff. Once I've read that to be a writer is to have multiple personalities, and each of the characters is one side of you hidden from the world. If that is true, what part of you is China? Do you really hide a bitchy demon inside? LoL Oh, and, if that is true, can I please talk to Sam? Sam? It’s me. Love yah! *wink*

Well, my husband definitely thinks that I have multiple personalities… and you know I guess I would agree. Is there a China inside me… yup there is. LOL. There’s a little of China in everyone... ha ha ha. But, I try not to let the China in me out very often cause she is nasty… course I would never go as far as her. I think there might even be a little of Sam in me somewhere, if you could talk to him what would you say?


Oh, that's easy I would say something like, I'm just a girl, standing in front of a boy. asking him to love her. LoL That was totally Nothing Hill rip off. LoL It would be that or something more, physical IF you know what I mean *raising my eyebrows meaningfully*. LoL

5)      Now, the really hard question. Mocca, Latte or Capuccino?

Latte. Hands down, no questions asked. I get a latte every single time I get coffee. And if I could get it with a swirl of caramel that would be fabulous.

About the Book!

                                     

Dying at the hands of a psycho was a shock. Having my life returned to me by an angel was incredible. Being named a Supernatural Treasure and being given Sam as my guard was pretty darn awesome. Acquiring a debt for it all—well, I should have seen it coming.

Now here we are, fighting demons from Hell, caring for a boy that I just don’t trust, and traveling to faraway places to return a treasure to its rightful place. Nothing is as it seems. Everyone wears a mask; everyone puts on a charade. It’s up to us to separate the truth from the lies and reality from fiction. A hard task when my new reality involves fallen angels, witches and dragons… and did I mention Hell?

Anchoring me down through it all is Sam. Sam, who must face tragedies of his own and is put to the test again and again.

If we fail in our task, life as we know it—life as you know it—will end. Forever.

Links to Purchase:

(Paperback and Ebook)

Amazon

Barnesand Noble 

Smashwords 

Review: Love and All That

Charade by Cambria Hebert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Reviewed on 06/03/2012

Ok, guys, this book has a lot going on and like 80% of it is gonna grab you by the bolls and spin you so fast that you’ll forget your own name. I say this in the best sense of the expression. This is something good, even though it sounds terrible, you know, with the bolls and all. But, trust me, it's a really good thing. I love when a book surprise me this way. But, unfortunately, I’ll have to keep a lot of the things in secret, cose the fun about it is in find out for ourselves. But, I’ll try say all I can about it, so you can understand how I feel about this book and all you can expect to find in it.

The Plot - Heven is something like a big shot in this book. Sam is like her body guard and has to keep her save from all the demons that are after what she is caring. They have to take it to where it belongs. Where is it? In freaking Italy!!! Heven and Sam are teenagers working for minimal wagers. I wander how that’s gonna happen. LoL

The Characters - Lets start with Heven.

She is different now, more confidant and strong. Is like she can walk with her head upright and face what the future brings instead of hiding like she used to do in the first book. I like her better now.

Sam.

He is strong, hardworking and so, so, so dreamy. What more can I say? *sigh* I love him.

.

The Writing - Cambria writes in little details. What do I mean by that? Well, she likes to makes us see and feel every little detail of everything in the story. This can be a little slow moving and since, as you all know, I have the attention span of a 5yo, it can be a little distracting sometimes. But if you like lots of details and long talks, this book is for you.
1º peeps POV, always a pleasure, of course. From Sam and Heven. If you think about it, it’s a win – win situation. I get to see trough Sam’s eyes and when is Heven, I get to enjoy the better view of my one and truly. S2

Consideration - The fate of human kind is in jeopardy and all the hell is breaking lose. How would you feel if demons would pop up from everywhere to attack you? I would surely shit my pants seven ways till Sunday, that’s for sure. The lizard guy? WTF was that? If that type of hell is what is in your mind, Cambria, I shudder to think about how your nightmares must be like.
Ok, so now is the part where I say to all : GO READ THIS BOOK! But Why? You may ask. Well, lets see if I can get this right.


This book is for you if:


• You like very descript writing
• You like romantic and adorable relationships
• You like angels
• You like hellhounds
• You like Italy
• You like seen a girl kicking a guy’s ass
• You like creepy demons that can get inside your dreams *double creepy*
• You love the cover of this book
• You like surprises
• You are a good person
• You don’t want me to kick you in the bolls
• That’s IT, GO READ THE BOOK!!!!!!



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Married With Zombies: Week #1

Let me start this post saying that I'm a big fat chicken when it come to scary things, specially zombies. Really pee in your pants scared. So, when I've heard of this read -a-long I was like: No way! But then, my bff Heidi told me about the book and I was like: Way! Cose, even though this book is about zombies, and it has some pretty eww stuff, it also have some really funny stuff in it too. Besides, I can't pass up those fun questions we'll have every week. And pictures, lets not forget the pictures people.
Speaking of questions, lets get to them. Yeyyyyyy.

Questions Week 1

1. In chapter 2 Sarah has to put her marriage therapist "to rest" with a letter opener. Let's see your weaponized letter opener in mid-action! No letter opener? Think fast! You need to rescue your friend/significant other! What are you going to use when no actual weapons are available? No knives, no guns! Show me what you've got!  

I don't have a letter opener, but this little baby is really handy in times of need. If you've watched the movie Casino and remember the Danny Devito scene, you know what I'm talking about. *evil laugh*


2.  In chapter 2 Sarah is wrestling with Dr. Kelly and David can't seem to find a weapon to help his dear wife with. Until...Sarah yells at him to use something on Dr. Kelly's body, which he grabs and smashes into her head. I want to see your most killer pair of this item!

Say what? Heck NO! No heels will touch these delicate feet of mine. I wear these babys:

 They may seen harmless, but a week or two without changing socks and they will turn out a deadly pair. LoL


3. In chapter 3, Sarah hears an unexpected noise in the bathroom while she's nervously peeing. She grabs "the closest thing there was to a weapon in the room". I want a picture of the same type of item that is closest to you....no soft edges people. They won't do the brain damage necessary to kill the living dead. 

I don't have a camera. Sorry. But if I did, this would be my picture:

This is my most lethal one, and biggest and heavier too.


4. At the end of chapter 5, Dave gives Sarah a weapon just before they are leaving their apartment to pay a little visit to Jack & Amanda's apartment. Let's see a picture of yours (same type of item).

As I said before, I don't have a camera, but even if I did, I don't have a flashlight. Sorry. When the lights go out we use candles, so I guess I can show you this instead:

Pretty bad ass, right? LoL


5.  How do you feel about the book up to this point? Any thoughts you want to share? 


I'm really liking it so far. The jokes are the best kind, I love dark humor. LoL


Ok, peeps, this was the first week of this awesome read-a-long. Can't wait for next week. if you feel like, you still can join us in this super fun read-a-long. Just click in the banner on the top of the post.




XoXo and C Yah next week.

Love In Bloom Giveaway Hop: Winner

Hello everyone,

I'm here to announce the name of the winner of this awesome giveaway hop. After a long and hard process, the winner is........ Zara!!!!!!

Congrats Zara.

In sent you an e-mail with the instructions. All you have to do is reply and wait for your prize to come to you.


Thanx everyone and C Yah next giveaway!!!

XoXo

Review: Love, Fate and Brit Accents

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. SmithMy rating: 4 of 5 stars

Statistics:

• 73% of the chick lit books are read by girls
• 49% of all relationships end up in marriage
• 87% of population says that the first kiss is the most important kiss EVAH
• 25% of guys calls the next day
• 68% of population believes in love at first sight
• 54% of the readers will think these statistics are bogus
• 100% of them will be right, I just made the whole thing up :)


So, lets get to the review…

The Plot: Simple and not very authentic. Is not authentic at all, actually. Girl is forced to travel to attend to her dad’s wedding to a women that she never met and she is sooooo not happy about it. But, fate works in mysterious ways and the trip turns out to be sooooo not what she expected. It’s sweet and romantic. I really like it.

The Characters -

Hadley

She is nice and I can relate to her feelings. I’m too a broken home child. She is seventeen and a lot of things aren’t as clear as she want them to be so, she has lots of inner monologs and question. She is sweet and I like the way she acts all naïve sometimes. It made me feel like I was seventeen again.


Oliver

*sigh* he is soooooo sweet and crazy. I love the crazy talks between Oliver and Hadley. The way they mix the really hard stuff with the goofy stuff. Her mom doesn’t appear much, but it gives us the vibe of a good mom. Her dad, he seems nice, in the end at least. I’m still not sure how I feel about him after all I’ve heard. So, the characters are really relatable, to me, at least. I can say they feel real and touchable. Each of them with its unique way and mind. I like these characters very much.

The Writing - It’s third person narrative. Not my fave and that’s maybe why I couldn’t rate it higher. I like the way this author writes, but the part I like the most is the dialogs. Man, they are so effortless and real. Is like they were real people talking to each other and that made it real easy to lose myself in the story. It’s a really good writing.

The audiobook - This girl is really good. Even though, she doesn’t make the voices, It was easy to know who was speaking. The only real change was in the brit accent, which was simply adorable. The tone, the pace and the interpretation were all very nice and pleasant. Since I spend over 5h straight listening to it, I can say it was really good. LoL

Considerations - This book would be a great movie. Really. It has a lot of action and I could see in my mind all the scenes. That’s how good I think this book is.
Ok, before you go ahead and read this book based on this review, I need to make some things clear. When I read a book, descriptions of places, objects, politics and history is not my main focus. What make me love a story is the human side of it. Mind games, inner struggle, life change decisions, human behavior and *sigh* love. So, if you like that, this book is for you.


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