Fairy Tale Giveaway Hop

Fairy Tale Giveaway Hop
hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer
The Book Rat &
A Backwards Story
April 22 - May 3, 2014
Those of you who love fairy tales with talking animals (and other objects) will definitely get a treat from this story.

Watching the characters interact and tell their stories was the engaging and enjoyable part of this book. Didn't want the journey to end as I loved the banter and bonding between the character.

--~ Book Giveaway ~--

Down the Mysterly River
by Bill Willingham
illustrated by Mark Buckingham
Amazon | Goodreads
WIN a copy of this book!

Open to US only.

Offer ends: May 3, 2014

TO DO:

Please answer the following question in comments.

1. May I send you an email invitation to a future virtual book event on my site?

IF so, which of the following themes would you be interested in coming to?

Jane Austen
Mystery
Paranormal
Steampunk
Zombies

IF no, just leave a lovely comment.

AND, leave your email.

* note to authors: feel free to contact me directly vvb32@yahoo.com if you are interested in being featured in one of the virtual book event themes listed above

* What is a virtual book event? a celebration of books and authors that are in keeping with a theme which may include guest posts and giveaways. Audience participation is encouraged and most welcome. (see past events here)

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Contest has ended - winner is here

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Now hop-a-long for more fairy tale goodies...

Participant list here.

In My Mailbox - 9.25.11

Bought:

In the Dead:
Volume 1
by Jesse Petersen

For Review & giveaway:

Cold Faith and Zombies
by Sean Thomas Fisher
courtesy of author
Thanks Sean!
signup for giveaway here

For September Zombies giveaway:

Zombie Magnet
courtesy of Neatorama
Thanks Alex!
sooo zombie cute, and bigger than expected!
signup for the nom nom challenge
to win this!

Surprise:

Down the Mysterly River
by Bill Willingham
-a final copy
courtesy of publisher
Thanks Alexis!
stay tuned: will be giving my ARC away in October

Free from Netgalley: got mine, get yours!

Z: Zombie Stories
edited by J.M. Lassen

~*~
Bookie Brunch schedule
Now follow me to the Bookie Brunch meeting for a bit of chit chat at Snowdrop Dreams of Books

Bookie Brunch Question of the day: Discussion of all things magical within the book world (would like to take time to include ‘Random Magic.’).

Participate in discussion at Snowdrop Dreams of Books and be eligible for the Bookie Brunch giveaway: Cute and colorful tote bag, wraps up into small fish for easy carrying on key chain or backpack. Blue.

~*~
* get a heads up on free or discounted ebooks from Books on the Knob

* per usual, check out the sidebar for my current giveaways to you

* image from Leafcutter Designs - world's smallest postal service and you can get a letter kit at Chronicle Books

* In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Culture Junkie. A post where we share books acquired via mailbox, library, store, etc.

Down the Mysterly River by Bill Willingham

Down the Mysterly River
by Bill Willingham
illustrated by Mark Buckingham

Published: September 2011
Publisher: Starscape
Genre: Action, Fairy Tales, Fantasy
Hardback: 336 pages
Rating: 5

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Down the Mysterly River is the children’s book debut of Bill Willingham, the creator of the #1 New York Times bestselling graphic novel series Fables. Complete with illustrations by Fables artist Mark Buckingham, it is a spirited, highly original tale of adventure, suspense, and everlasting friendship.

Max “the Wolf” is a top notch Boy Scout, an expert at orienteering and a master of being prepared. So it is a little odd that he suddenly finds himself, with no recollection of his immediate past, lost in an unfamiliar wood. Even odder still, he encounters a badger named Banderbrock, a black bear named Walden, and McTavish the Monster (who might also be an old barn cat)—all of whom talk—and who are as clueless as Max.

Before long, Max and his friends are on the run from a relentless group of hunters and their deadly hounds. Armed with powerful blue swords and known as the Blue Cutters, these hunters capture and change the very essence of their prey. For what purpose, Max can’t guess. But unless he can solve the mystery of the strange forested world he’s landed in, Max may find himself and his friends changed beyond recognition, lost in a lost world…

Amusing quote:
What did I say that was so bad? McTavish asked. I'm just trying to contribute to the discussion. You all said something, so I thought it was my turn to speak. This business of having friends is still new to me, but isn't that what friends do in a friendly conversation? We each take turns saying stuff, right? So I said stuff.
- page 137, chapter 12

My two-bits:
In-a-word(s): friends
Those of you who love fairy tales with talking animals (and other objects) will definitely get a treat from this story.

Watching the characters interact and tell their stories was the engaging and enjoyable part of this book. Didn't want the journey to end as I loved the banter and bonding between the character.

~*~
* review copy courtesy of publisher

* part of gyre and gimble event

The Friday 56: Down the Mysterly River

The Friday 56 is a weekly meme hosted at Freda's Voice.

If you want to play along, here are the rules:

Grab a book, any book.
Turn to page 56.
Find any sentence that grabs you.
Post it.
Add your (url) post in the Linky at Freda's Voice.

~*~

Down the Mysterly River
by Bill Willingham
Release date: September 2011
sign up to win this book
-ends July 31

PAGE 56:

On my worst day, blink in both eyes, with three broken legs, busted teeth, and a bad case of runny-butt from eating too much rotting carrion, I could still beat a pretty-boy like you, all the while sparing enough attention to compose love songs for each of my three dozen mistresses.

~*~
* If it's your first time here, WELCOME!
and feel free to signup for my other current giveaways on my sidebar -->

Maze: ends

Whew!

Our Alice makes it out of the maze adventure without further incidents.

She decides to rest awhile by the river bank.

Let's follow her and skip rocks across the Mysterly River...

--~ Book Giveaway courtesy of publisher ~--
Down the Mysterly River
by Bill Willingham
Release date: September 2011
Down the Mysterly River is the children’s book debut of Bill Willingham, the creator of the #1 New York Times bestselling graphic novel series Fables. Complete with illustrations by Fables artist Mark Buckingham, it is a spirited, highly original tale of adventure, suspense, and everlasting friendship.

Max “the Wolf” is a top notch Boy Scout, an expert at orienteering and a master of being prepared. So it is a little odd that he suddenly finds himself, with no recollection of his immediate past, lost in an unfamiliar wood. Even odder still, he encounters a badger named Banderbrock, a black bear named Walden, and McTavish the Monster (who might also be an old barn cat)—all of whom talk—and who are as clueless as Max.

Before long, Max and his friends are on the run from a relentless group of hunters and their deadly hounds. Armed with powerful blue swords and known as the Blue Cutters, these hunters capture and change the very essence of their prey. For what purpose, Max can’t guess. But unless he can solve the mystery of the strange forested world he’s landed in, Max may find himself and his friends changed beyond recognition, lost in a lost world…

~*~
Win an ARC of this book!

Open to all.

Offer ends: July 31, 2011 -->extended to Aug 14

TO DO:
Explore Bill's site and tell me something interesting you found there.

AND, leave your email (if I don't already have it)

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Contest has ended - winner is here

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* image source maze

~>~ gyre and gimble schedule ~<~

In My Mailbox: 6.05.11

Bought:

The Ballad of the Pirate Queens
by Jane Yolen
illustrated by David Shannon
signup to win this book

For Review and giveaway:

The Apothecary
by Samantha Jillian Bayarr
courtesy of author
Thanks Samantha and Bels!
signup for giveaway

Raven's Kiss
by Toni LoTiempo
courtesy of author
Thanks Toni and Bels!
signup for giveaway

Fae Eye for the Golem Guy
by Robert Roman
courtesy of author
Thanks AimeeKay and Robert!
signup for giveaway

Boyfriend from Hell
by E. Van Lowe
courtesy of author
Thanks E!

Down the Mysterly River
by Bill Willingham
courtesy of publisher
Thanks TOR!

Android Karenina
by Leo Tolstoy and Ben H. Winters
courtesy of publisher
Thanks Quirk and Eric!
signup for giveaway

for Alice in WhenLand in October...

The Disunited States of America
Crosstime Traffic
by Harry Turtledove
courtesy of publisher
Thanks Leah!

Between
by Cyndi Tefft
courtesy of author
Thanks Cyndi!

Free from Netgalley: got mine, get yours!

Pirate of My Heart
by Jamie Carie

A Midwinter Fantasy
by Leanna Renee Hieber, L. J. McDonald, and Helen Scott Taylor

A Rope of Thorns
Volume Two of the Hexslinger Series
by Gemma Files

Agatha H and the Airship City
by Phil Foglio and Kaja Foglio

~*~
* get a heads up on free or discounted ebooks from Books on the Knob

* per usual, check out the sidebar for my current giveaways to you

* image from Leafcutter Designs - world's smallest postal service and you can get a letter kit at Chronicle Books

* In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Culture Junkie. A post where we share books acquired via mailbox, library, store, etc.

Armchair BEA: YA New Releases

Lani Taylor
author of Daughter of Smoke and Bone

If I were at BEA today, this is one session I would not want to miss:

BEA (Young Adult) Editors Buzz

Insightful and passionate, this intimate editorial exchange will provide you with an editor’s perspective on some of the Fall’s new YA discoveries and potential breakouts.

Editors participating:

Courtney Bongiolatti, Editor, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing with Michelle Hodkin’s UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER
-release date: September 2011

Margret Raymo, Sr. Executive Editor, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt with Joe Schreiber’s AU REVOIR CRAZY EUROPEAN CHICK
-release date: October 2011

Alvina Ling, Executive Editor, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers with Laini Taylor's DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE
-release date: September 2011

Susan Chang, Sr. Editor, Starscape Tor / Macmillan with Bill Willingham’s DOWN THE MYSTERLY RIVER
-release date: September 2011

Erica Sussman, Sr. Editor, HarperCollins Children’s Books with Leigh Fallon’s THE CARRIER OF THE MARK
-release date: October 2011

TakeApeek: BEA 2011 agenda

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Today at Armchair BEA is a Giveaway Galores! day. Head over there to see the different offers and signup for my YA pirate-themed one on this post.

--~ Book Giveaway ~--
The Pirate Captain's Daughter
by Eve Bunting
just released: March 2011
Open to all.

Offer ends: May 29, 2011

TO DO:
Tell me which new YA book release above appeals to you.

AND, leave your email (if I don't already have it)

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Contest has ended - winner is here

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Armchair BEA
Book Expo America
May 23-27, 2011
a virtual event
(for those of us who could not make the trip to New York)

Today's BEA happenings:

Talking e-books with PicPocket Books and Carisa from Digital Storytime

AND

Head over to Armchair BEA to check out the Giveaways Galore!

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* image source of Lani Taylor used for creation based on ALA Celebrity READ posters

-o- vvb's Armchair BEA schedule -o-

Fables: War and Pieces by Bill Willingham

Fables, Vol. 11:
War and Pieces
by Bill Willingham
illustrated by Mark Buckingham

Published: 2008
Genre: Graphic Novel, Fairy Tale
Paperback: 192 pages
Rating: 4

Description from wikipedia:
Fabletown and the Empire go to war.


My thoughts:
In-a-word: skyship

I started reading this graphic novel series last year and it is one that I absolutely enjoy.

What is fun about it is how the author incorporates all these fairy tale and folk tale characters into his stories with interesting twists.

It's a treat to figure out who's who. Some characters are just images in the background like Alice in Wonderland's deck of cards preparing for battle.

And some characters fall in love with unlikely characters. i.e. Snow White and the Big Bad Wolf

The story of good vs. bad Fable characters continue in this volume.

Battle scenes galore in different parts of the world and even in the sky. It got steampunky for me when a skyship captained by Prince Charming came into play.

I liked the beginning of the volume that featured Cinderella in top form as a hot kickin' super secret agent spy getting medieval.

Onward to volume 12 for me...


Series:
Fables Vol. 1: Legends in Exile
Fables Vol. 2: Animal Farm
Fables Vol. 3: Storybook Love
Fables Vol. 4: March of the Wooden Soldiers
Fables Vol. 5: The Mean Seasons
Fables Vol. 6: Homelands
Fables Vol. 7: Arabian Nights (and Days)
Fables Vol. 8: Wolves
Fables Vol. 9: Sons of Empire
Fables Vol. 10: The Good Prince
Fables Vol. 11: War and Pieces
Fables Vol. 12: The Dark Ages

Blogosphere bit:

According to imdb, a tv series is being made of this. The cast has not yet been revealed.

*source of Cindy

*part of October read-a-thon

*part of my Once Upon a Week