Books and Nails: Until I Die by Amy Plum

Books & Nails
show me yours
Paris themed nails to share...

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by Bridget Howard
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Until I Die
by Amy Plum
Just released: May 2012
I wish there was only today, just right now, and no forever. It seems fitting that I fell in love in Paris, the most beautiful city in the world. And if I pretend, I can almost believe that my life is normal and everyone I care about is safe. But as long as I'm with Vincent, 'normal' doesn't exist.

Gorgeous, charming, and witty, he's everything you could ask for in a boyfriend - but his destiny is so much more. Even more terrifying than his destiny are his dangerous enemies, enemies who will kill for immortality. How are Vincent and I supposed to be together forever if we're always in danger?

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by Bridget Howard
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~*~
* this is book 2 of the Die For Me series aka Revenants trilogy

* leave a comment to earn a point towards an event giveaway

* this is Bridget's entry for Anna and the French Kiss book giveaway here

-*&*- Paris at Noon schedule -*&*-

Books and Nails: Paris YA theme surprise

Books & Nails
show me yours
I hold in my hot freshly painted fingers a popular french-themed YA book up for grabs!

What people are saying about this book...

"Very sly.
Very funny.
Very romantic.
You should date this book."
--Maureen Johnson, New York Times bestselling author of 13 Little Blue Envelopes and Scarlett Fever

"Imagine a mug of rich, thick hot chocolate.
Now add a swirl of sweet whipped cream.
Yummy?
Oui.
Well, (this book - title reveal later) is richer, sweeter, and--yes--even hotter.

You're in for a very special treat."
--Lauren Myracle, New York Times bestselling author of Peace, Love and Baby Ducks and Let It Snow

"This lively title incorporates plenty of issues that will resonate with teens, from mean girls to the quest for confidence and the complexities of relationships in all their forms."
--Booklist

--~ Book Giveaway ~--
WIN a copy of this book! - front cover now revealed below!

Open to all.

Offer ends: July 31, 2012

TO DO:

1. Email me (vvb32 at yahoo.com) a picture of your Books (front cover) & Nails.

sample:

2. Tell me the title and author of the book.

3. Provide a description of your decorated nails (optional).

4. Leave a comment to let me know of your participation so that I will look out for your email.

Earn extra points:

- include a mini-review of book

- tweet about this giveaway

~*~
* participant entries will be incorporated in future posts for this meme

So far, entries received from:

Ashley of Happy.Pretty.Sweet

Bridget Howard

who's next???

* inspired to create this meme from The Fashion Planner's Burgers and Nails mention in her Things i Love Thursday post

* Front cover reveal of book giveaway...

Anna and the French Kiss
by Stephanie Perkins

-*&*- Paris at Noon schedule -*&*-

Books & Nails: Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick

Books & Nails
show me yours
MAD sent me her groovygravy zombie themed nails to share...

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by MAD of Mary Ann DeBorde Writes (and Reads!)
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Ashes
by Ilsa J. Bick
It could happen tomorrow . . .

An electromagnetic pulse flashes across the sky, destroying every electronic device, wiping out every computerized system, and killing billions.

Alex hiked into the woods to say good-bye to her dead parents and her personal demons. Now desperate to find out what happened after the pulse crushes her to the ground, Alex meets up with Tom—a young soldier—and Ellie, a girl whose grandfather was killed by the EMP.

For this improvised family and the others who are spared, it’s now a question of who can be trusted and who is no longer human.

Author Ilsa J. Bick crafts a terrifying and thrilling novel about a world that could be ours at any moment, where those left standing must learn what it means not just to survive, but to live amidst the devastation.

~*~

MAD says:

So. Finished up Ashes last night, 2nd half of book is better and apparently sequel on the horizon, but it's primary focus seems to be on interpersonal relationship crap than on the nitty gritty survival zombie *Changed* folk stuff.

Anyway though, it IS good and I did like how the first book ended, despite all the touchy-feely stuff ;P

So of course I'd better get the sequel as soon as it comes up for grabs hahaha

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by MAD of Mary Ann DeBorde Writes (and Reads!)
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How to play:
1. Email me (vvb32 at yahoo.com) a picture of your Books & Nails.

2. Tell me the title and author of the book you are reading.

3. Provide a description of your decorated nails (optional).

Anyone can join!

If you prefer, you can send me a pic with nails au naturel.

~*~
* fyi: head over to MAD's to win a neat-o bottle of anti-zombie pills!

* inspired to create this meme from The Fashion Planner's Burgers and Nails mention in her Things i Love Thursday post

=== October Zombies schedule ===

Books & Nails: Play Dead by Ryan

Books & Nails
show me yours
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by AimeeKay of How can you help?
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AimeeKay of has sent in this one especially for September Zombies...

Got the idea while making cakes this weekend and ended up with green colored skin from the food coloring. Hope you like it.

Play Dead
by Ryan Brown
In the sleepy town of Killington, Tex., the local high school's football team is having its best season in decades thanks to the efforts of quarterback Cole Logan.

Afraid of losing the district championship, the rival Elmwood team sends the Killington bus into a river, drowning everyone on the team except Cole and the coach.

Only local witch and football fan Black Mona can raise the players from the dead in time for the game, but if they keep stopping to eat people, they might miss it.

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by AimeeKay of How can you help?
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How to play:
1. Email me (vvb32 at yahoo.com) a picture of your Books & Nails.

2. Tell me the title and author of the book you are reading.

3. Provide a description of your decorated nails (optional).

Anyone can join!

If you prefer, you can send me a pic with nails au naturel.

~*~
*stay tuned: this book will be up for grabs during September Zombies event, Sep 20-30

* inspired to create this meme from The Fashion Planner's Burgers and Nails mention in her Things i Love Thursday post

=== September Zombies schedule ===

Books & Nails: Original Sin by Lisa Desrochers

Books & Nails
show me yours
Today I am featuring a hand model. My daughter's buddy, K, sports the latest DIY crackle design.

I gave K one of my latest reads which also is currently on the giveaway list this month...

Original Sin
by Lisa Desrochers
Luc Cain was born and raised in Hell, but he isn’t feeling as demonic as usual lately—thanks to Frannie Cavanaugh and the unique power she never realized she had. But you can’t desert Hell without consequences, and suddenly Frannie and Luc find themselves targeted by the same demons who used to be Luc’s allies.

Left with few options, Frannie and Luc accept the protection of Heaven and one of its most powerful angels, Gabe. Unfortunately, Luc isn’t the only one affected by Frannie, and it isn’t long before Gabe realizes that being around her is too…tempting. Rather than risk losing his wings, he leaves Frannie and Luc under the protection of her recently-acquired guardian angel.

Which would be fine, but Gabe is barely out the door before an assortment of demons appears—and they’re not leaving without dragging Luc back to Hell with them. Hell won’t give up and Heaven won’t give in. Frannie’s guardian exercises all the power he has to keep them away, but the demons are willing to hurt anyone close to Frannie in order to get what they want. It will take everything she has and then some to stay out of Hell’s grasp.

And not everyone will get out of it alive.

--~ Book Giveaway courtesy of author ~--
signup to win this book

How to play:
1. Email me (vvb32 at yahoo.com) a picture of your Books & Nails.

2. Tell me the title and author of the book you are reading.

3. Provide a description of your decorated nails (optional).

Anyone can join!

If you prefer, you can send me a pic with nails au naturel.

~*~
* thanks to K for letting me borrow her nails ;-D

* inspired to create this meme from The Fashion Planner's Burgers and Nails mention in her Things i Love Thursday post

Books & Nails: Flower Confidential by Amy Sewart

Books & Nails
show me yours
Not exactly a thriller or chiller kind of book, but oh-so-pretty!

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by AimeeKay of How can you help?
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Flower Confidential:
The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful in the Business of Flowers
by Amy Sewart
Does it matter that a bouquet of roses travels halfway around the world before it arrives at your supermarket or florist? Or that growers force tulips to bloom in December? Are we being tricked when a scientist engineers a lily that doesn't shed pollen?

For over a century hybridizers, geneticists, farmers, and florists around the world have worked to invent, manufacture, and sell flowers that are bigger, brighter, and sturdier than anything nature could provide. Almost any flower, in any color, is for sale at any time of the year.

Amy Stewart travels the globe to take us inside this dazzling world. She tracks down scientists intent on developing the first genetically modified blue rose; an eccentric horticultural legend who created the world's most popular lily (the 'Star Gazer'); a breeder of gerberas of every color imaginable; and an Ecuadorean farmer growing exquisite, high-end organic roses that are the floral equivalent of a Tiffany diamond. She sees firsthand how flowers are grown and harvested on farms in Latin America, California, and Holland. (It isn't always pretty).

What has been gained—and what has been lost—in tinkering with Mother Nature? Should we care that some roses have lost their scent? Or that most flowers are sprayed with pesticides? In a global marketplace, is there such a thing as a socially responsible flower? At every turn, Stewart discovers the startling intersection of nature and technology, of sentiment and commerce.
You'll never look at a cut flower the same again.

The nails :
I am terrible at doing my own nails so I have to go to a professional. I got them done by Holly at Sky Blue Nails. The nails are a simple white french tip, with a silver line. Then Holly did a flower on each ring finger nail to go with the book. She even put on extra clear coat so I might make it home to get a picture of the nails and the book cover without mussing the nails up. ( I am a super-klutz when it comes to not damaging my manicure)

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by AimeeKay of How can you help?
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How to play:
1. Email me (vvb32 at yahoo.com) a picture of your Books & Nails.

2. Tell me the title and author of the book you are reading.

3. Provide a description of your decorated nails (optional).

Anyone can join!

If you prefer, you can send me a pic with nails au naturel.

~*~
* inspired to create this meme from The Fashion Planner's Burgers and Nails mention in her Things i Love Thursday post

Books & Nails: The Dervish House by Ian McDonald

Books & Nails
show me yours
Woooooooot! I received this third guest post from Blodeuedd for my new Books & Nails meme.

AND, it's a thriller!

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by Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell
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The Dervish House
by Ian McDonald
Blodeuedd's review
It begins with an explosion. Another day, another bus bomb. Everyone it seems is after a piece of Turkey. But the shockwaves from this random act of 21st century pandemic terrorism will ripple further and resonate louder than just Enginsoy Square.

Welcome to the world of The Dervish House; the great, ancient, paradoxical city of Istanbul, divided like a human brain, in the great, ancient, equally paradoxical nation of Turkey. The year is 2027 and Turkey is about to celebrate the fifth anniversary of its accession to the European Union; a Europe that now runs from the Arran Islands to Ararat. Population pushing one hundred million, Istanbul swollen to fifteen million; Turkey is the largest, most populous and most diverse nation in the EU, but also one of the poorest and most socially divided. It's a boom economy, the sweatshop of Europe, the bazaar of central Asia, the key to the immense gas wealth of Russia and Central Asia.

Gas is power. But it's power at a price, and that price is emissions permits. This is the age of carbon consciousness: every individual in the EU has a card stipulating individual carbon allowance that must be produced at every CO2 generating transaction. For those who can master the game, who can make the trades between gas price and carbon trading permits, who can play the power factions against each other, there are fortunes to be made. The old Byzantine politics are back. They never went away.

The ancient power struggled between Sunni and Shia threatens like a storm: Ankara has watched the Middle East emerge from twenty-five years of sectarian conflict. So far it has stayed aloof. A populist Prime Minister has called a referendum on EU membership. Tensions run high. The army watches, hand on holster. And a Galatasary Champions' League football game against Arsenal stokes passions even higher.

The Dervish House is seven days, six characters, three interconnected story strands, one central common core--the eponymous dervish house, a character in itself--that pins all these players together in a weave of intrigue, conflict, drama and a ticking clock of a thriller.

My nails: Well underneath there is a layer of turquoise and on top a layer of dark blue graffiti nail polish. You paint it on top and it kind of cracks. The Base is called Depend and the top Cracked Effect by Depend.

And now I did not match it with the book, it just happened :)

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by Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell
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How to play:
1. Email me (vvb32 at yahoo.com) a picture of your Books & Nails.

2. Tell me the title and author of the book you are reading.

3. Provide a description of your decorated nails (optional).

Anyone can join!

If you prefer, you can send me a pic with nails au naturel.

~*~
* inspired to create this meme from The Fashion Planner's Burgers and Nails mention in her Things i Love Thursday post

* part of August Thrills-n-Chills event

Books & Nails: Everything Beautiful Began After by Simon Von Booy

Books & Nails
show me yours
YAY! my second participant in my new feature!

As you can see, long nails are not necessarily required to prettify them ;-D

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by Unabridged Chick
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Everything Beautiful Began After
by Simon Von Booy
visit Unabridged Chick to
signup to win this book
Rebecca is young, lost, and beautiful. A gifted artist, she seeks solace and inspiration in the Mediterranean heat of Athens—trying to understand who she is and how she can love without fear.

George has come to Athens to learn ancient languages after growing up in New England boarding schools and Ivy League colleges. He has no close relationships with anyone and spends his days hunched over books or wandering the city in a drunken stupor.

Henry is in Athens to dig. An accomplished young archaeologist, he devotedly uncovers the city’s past as a way to escape his own, which holds a secret that not even his doting parents can talk about.

...And then, with a series of chance meetings, Rebecca, George, and Henry are suddenly in flight, their lives brighter and clearer than ever, as they fall headlong into a summer that will forever define them in the decades to come.

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by Unabridged Chick
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How to play:
1. Email me (vvb32 at yahoo.com) a picture of your Books & Nails.

2. Tell me the title and author of the book you are reading.

3. Provide a description of your decorated nails (optional).

Anyone can join!

If you prefer, you can send me a pic with nails au naturel.

~*~
* inspired to create this meme from The Fashion Planner's Burgers and Nails mention in her Things i Love Thursday post

* detour during the rrRoad Trip event

Books & Nails: Cleopatra by Stacy Schiff

Books & Nails
a new vvb32 reads feature
I was inspired to create this meme from The Fashion Planner's Burgers and Nails mention in her Things i Love Thursday post.


So cute, eh?

While I love burgers, I thought it more appropo to swap out the burgers for books.

Won't you join me with some fun-making and participate in a future Books & Nails post? This will be a way to share our love of books with a twist.

How to play:
1. Email me (vvb32 at yahoo.com) a picture of your Books & Nails.

2. Tell me the title and author of the book you are reading.

3. Provide a description of your decorated nails (optional).

Anyone can join!

If you prefer, you can send me a pic with nails au naturel.

AND now, my very first participant...

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by The Fashion Planner
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I am reading Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff, which I picked up at a nearby library. The biography pieces together the few facts there are about Cleopatra and explains how she became one of the most famous women in history.


As for the nails, I am wearing Purple-Xing by Nina Ultra Pro. For the cupcake designs, I used Zoya Lo for the base, Pure Ice Super Star! for the frosting, Revelon Frankly Scarlet for the cherry, and Zoya Robyn and Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Mint Sorbet for the sprinkles. I topped off all of my nails with Nic's Sticks Top It Off Top Coat.

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by The Fashion Planner
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Cleopatra: A Life
by Stacy Schiff
The Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer brings to life the most intriguing woman in the history of the world: Cleopatra, the last queen of Egypt.

Her palace shimmered with onyx, garnets, and gold, but was richer still in political and sexual intrigue. Above all else, Cleopatra was a shrewd strategist and an ingenious negotiator.

Though her life spanned fewer than forty years, it reshaped the contours of the ancient world. She was married twice, each time to a brother. She waged a brutal civil war against the first when both were teenagers. She poisoned the second. Ultimately she dispensed with an ambitious sister as well; incest and assassination were family specialties. Cleopatra appears to have had sex with only two men. They happen, however, to have been Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, among the most prominent Romans of the day. Both were married to other women. Cleopatra had a child with Caesar and--after his murder--three more with his protégé. Already she was the wealthiest ruler in the Mediterranean; the relationship with Antony confirmed her status as the most influential woman of the age. The two would together attempt to forge a new empire, in an alliance that spelled their ends. Cleopatra has lodged herself in our imaginations ever since.

Famous long before she was notorious, Cleopatra has gone down in history for all the wrong reasons. Shakespeare and Shaw put words in her mouth. Michelangelo, Tiepolo, and Elizabeth Taylor put a face to her name. Along the way, Cleopatra's supple personality and the drama of her circumstances have been lost. In a masterly return to the classical sources, Stacy Schiff here boldly separates fact from fiction to rescue the magnetic queen whose death ushered in a new world order. Rich in detail, epic in scope, Schiff 's is a luminous, deeply original reconstruction of a dazzling life.

~*~
* inspired to create this meme from The Fashion Planner's Burgers and Nails mention in her Things i Love Thursday post