Who R U Really? by Margo Kelly

Who R U Really?
by Margo Kelly

Find out more about this book and author:
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The Book Depository | Merit Press
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Book Excerpt
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Twitter @margoWKelly

Published: September 18, 2014
Publisher: Merit Press
Genre: YA
Hardback: 240 pages
Rating: 5

Thea’s overprotective parents are driving her insane. They invade her privacy, ask too many questions, and restrict her online time so severely that Thea feels she has no life at all. When she discovers a new role-playing game online, Thea breaks the rules by staying up late to play. She’s living a double life: on one hand, the obedient daughter; on the other, a girl slipping deeper into darkness. In the world of the game, Thea falls under the spell of Kit, an older boy whose smarts and savvy can’t defeat his loneliness and near-suicidal despair. As Kit draws soft-hearted Thea into his drama, she creates a full plate of cover stories for her parents and then even her friends.

Soon, Thea is all alone in the dark world with Kit, who worries her more and more, but also seems to be the only person who really “gets” her. Is he frightening, the way he seems sometimes, or only terribly sad? Should Thea fear Kit, or pity him? And now, Kit wants to come out of the screen and bring Thea into his real-life world. As much as she suspects that this is wrong, Thea is powerless to resist Kit’s allure, and hurtles toward the same dark fate her parents feared most. Ripped from a true-life story of Internet stalking, Who R U Really? will excite you and scare you, as Thea’s life spins out of control.

My two-bits:

Quite a statement (scary one) in regards to internet predators, despite precautions and safety measures parents may take to protect kids.

This story creates the awareness for all who are new and naive to the internet world. It got me thinking of online identities those real and fake.

And got me thinking of how I use and interact on the internet. How important is it to be connected through it?

Beware and be careful when online.

Guest post:

Introducing Kit from Who R U Really? by Margo Kelly

One of the most significant characters in Who R U Really? is Kit.

He is the endearing boy that the main character, Thea, falls for in the story. Kit is short for his online user name, Kitsuneshin, which is a Japanese term meaning young fox. In theory, Kit is a sad teenager seeking out friends in an online role playing game. However, Kit is a figment of online imagination. He is basically a puppet, and the puppeteer is someone we should all be afraid of … or at least consciously aware of … because the puppeteer is manipulating the situation and as a result, manipulating the other players in the game, especially Thea.

While this character in the story is a work of fiction, the inspiration for him came from a real life event that happened to my own daughter.

The plot of Who R U Really? offers up several fictional characters for readers to suspect as the puppeteer behind Kitsuneshin, and I won’t give away the details of that story here. But I will tell you that in real life, this guy had convinced my daughter (who was eleven going on twelve at the time) that he was a nineteen-year-old boy who needed a friend. In fact he was about three decades older.

Who R U Really? is primarily a work of fiction, but the essence of the plot is what happened when my daughter was nearly abducted. This book was born with the hopes of helping others spot and unmask internet predators.

READ more about Kit...

--~ Blog Tour Giveaway ~--signup to win this book
~*~
* review copy and giveaway courtesy of book tour - check out the other stops here for more details on this book and goodies sponsored by I Am A Reader.

Pemberley Ball: Drawing Room

Follow the sounds of laughter, cheers and jeers into the Drawing Room.

A-ha! The tables have been set with different card games at play.

Mr. Darcy's cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam is seated at one of the tables partnered with Miss Maitland. They are currently ahead in their game against Mr. Bingley and Jane Bennet.

Here is a little intro to Miss Maitland...

Honorable Miss Sophia Maitland is the sole child of Viscount Eversley of Sabre Woods in Northumberland. Papa has left me a sizeable dowry and the townhouse in London though his title and the family estate will go to my cousin.

Papa and Aunt Felicity, my chaperone, will accompany me to the Darcy ball so I may meet eligible gentlemen.

He wishes me only to be happy.

~*~

Jane Austen Playing Cards
by Prospero Arts
details and order here
Jane Austen Playing Cards includes Favorite Characters & Quotes
Illustrators featured in this deck are Hugh Thomson & Chris Hammond

The card suits correspond to these novels:
Hearts ~ Pride & Prejudice
Diamonds ~ Sense & Sensibility
Clubs ~ Emma
Spades ~ Persuasion

Perfect for playing the classic English game, Whist.

~*~

Colonel Fitwilliam Darcy
played by Tom Ward
Death Comes to Pemberley (2013)
based on Pride and Prejudice
Col. Fitzwilliam wants to know…

Which card table would you like to play a few hands?

Whist
Vingt-et-un
Piquet
Loo

~*~
* image source: P&P silhouette, gown for Honorable Miss Sophia Maitland (aka Sophia from Delighted Reader), Mr. Darcy

~~- Pemberley Ball schedule -~~

Bookish Games: Ready Player One edition

Bookish Games: Ready Player One edition
hosted by Oh, The Books!
details here
starts October 25, 2014
About Bookish Games:

The Bookish Games is a feature that Asti started while blogging at A Bookish Heart. It combines various books (usually YA) and Mafia to create an online interactive bookish game that takes place every couple of months.

Basically, there are the good guys and the bad guys. The bad guys have a smaller team but have the advantage of knowing the identity of their teammates. The good guys have a larger team, but know nothing other than their own personal identity. Each “Day” all players, good and bad, get together as one group and vote for one person to eliminate from the game. (The bad guys use this as their opportunity to sway the good guys to voting off one of their own, while the good guys use this time to try and figure out which side everyone is on based on what they say and how they vote.) Then, each “Night”, the bad guys get another chance to wreak havoc by communicating in a private chatroom and targeting one person to kill off in the game. more details here

~*~
THIS edition is based on the book...

Ready Player One
by Ernest Cline
Amazon | Goodreads | Website
In the year 2044, reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he's jacked into the virtual utopia known as the OASIS. Wade's devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within this world's digital confines—puzzles that are based on their creator's obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them.

But when Wade stumbles upon the first clue, he finds himself beset by players willing to kill to take this ultimate prize. The race is on, and if Wade's going to survive, he'll have to win—and confront the real world he's always been so desperate to escape.

~*~
My two-bits:

Thought I would try something new in the internet world that was bookish related. This will be my first time at a role play sort of game. I will post below on some commentary on how it goes.

I hope I don't get knocked out too early during its run. Wish me luck ;-)

Oct 25-29, DAY 1:
Folks checked in with hello's. I put in my first comment. Players are required to post at least twice. And, I randomly voted someone off for the heck of it. Also, to see what happens when the process of elimination begins.

Decided to cancel my first vote - going on a gut feeling.

Voted for a person that was not commenting to see if that person would come forward in defense. But, not a peep from that person. Could be that person forgot about the game or decided not to participate. Curious.

Not much talk about the book. One person threw out the question of favorite characters. I said James Halliday (excluding Wade, the protagonist, an automatic like for me).

Oct 25-29, DAY 1:
Whew! I survived DAY 1. Yay, me.
Can't get too comfy though because apparently the first day is mostly due to random votes. And, I think non-commenters tend to get voted off as a couple people followed suit and voted for the same person.

Nov 1-5, DAY 2:

My character was voted out.

I found out that I was: Poltergeist, Team Gunters, Townie.

Now I am relegated to the dead zone and can chat with other offed characters about the game in play.

Nov 6-12, DAY 3:

I plan on keeping tabs to see how the game progresses. Mostly curious as who turns out to be on the mafia team.

Nov 12-29, DAY 5:

I have been undercover as another player. As two of the players were disqualified due to inactivity I was asked if I wanted to rejoin the game as a replacement. I entered the fray as Claire.

I did better and managed to live through today final ending in which I came out to be one of the winners. Wooot!

My character was revealed to be Amadeus, Team Gunter. And, I was given a special artifact after the Day 5 day killing, Fyndoro’s Tablet of Finding (Tracker - able to investigate one person each Night to determine who that person targeted, if any). But as the game ended, I didn't get to try out my superpower.

~*~

Bookish Games: Ready Player Two
hosted by Oh, The Books!
details here
starts December 6, 2014
As the game ended faster than normal with a triple kill session. The gamemaster is offering to reboot the game if enough contestants enter.

Although stressful at times, it was interesting to see how everything played out. And, I am curious to give it another go. So, I signed up for another bout of the Bookish Games.

Please sign up if you think this might be a fun diversion for the holidays as signups are currently open with 3 more slots to fill.

Dec 13-17, DAY 1:

I posted my first comment on the 14th. A bit late due to the weekend holiday frenzy. Looks to be quite lively this round with extra long comments and people already defending themselves.

Dec 20-24, DAY 2:

My character was voted out. And my Team Sixer, bad guy character, was revealed.

Unplug & Play! 50 Games That Don't Need Charging by Brad Berger

Unplug & Play! 50 Games That Don't Need Charging
by Brad Berger

Visit Brad:
Amazon
Website
Facebook
Goodreads
Pinterest
Twitter

Just released: January 2014
Publisher: Keller International Publishing Corp
Genre: Games
ebook: 100 pages
Rating: 5

When technology invaded the 21st century the world quickly went silent. People who once spoke to each other turned to electronic devices as their loving companions, and engagement and meaningful communication between each other ceased. The interruption of technology has become an epidemic among youth and adults alike. America’s obsession with connectivity is out of control, until now.

With 50 games that only require a pen and paper, people of all ages can enjoy one another’s company again without the interruption of technology. Armed with only creativity, humor, an ability to communicate, pen and paper and this book, for five minutes or five hours, you will be unplugged.

My two-bits:

The actual book felt more like a booklet rather than usual paperback. Meaning the cover was paper rather than the thicker paperback cover. However, the innards are great.

As the title suggests, no electronics are used for this brand of fun. It really forces the group of people to devote time to actually "be" together and away from phones and internet.

At most, paper and pen are used for some of the games and to keep track of points earned.

What makes this set of games interesting is the dialogue and conversation that can be generated from topics presented by individuals.

~*~
* review copy courtesy publisher

Ghostly Game

~*~
One of my favorite authors, Neil Gaiman, has created a game, Wayward Manor. It includes loads of ghostly encounters.

FIND out more about it here...

PeekInside:



There’s something to be said for shrouding endeavors in mystery, but some of you might desire proper context for what you’re looking at. Based on an original tale by Neil Gaiman, Wayward Manor is a new game for PC, Mac and tablets, due to be released Fall 2013.

Set in a 1920s Victorian Gothic pastoral estate, Wayward Manor focuses on the plight of a ghost whose hope of a peaceful after-life is interrupted by a remarkable cast of intruders. Awoken from his post-mortem slumbers, our ghost must find ever-more inventive and brilliant ways to scare them away. As the ghost learns more about the living characters, he also learns more about his own death and after-life, and the danger they are all facing.

As a prelude to the game’s release, this limited-time store has been conceived to offer the game for pre-order, as well as a multitude of unique products and experiences. Think of it as a pop-up shop, not only for Neil’s devoted fans, but also admirers of idiosyncratic gaming experiences.

Wayward Manor has been crafted through a collaborative effort of:

NEIL GAIMAN is…well, you probably already know who he is. Best-selling author, world-renowned thinker, wearer of black apparel. He is the recipient of numerous literary honors, including the Locus and Hugo Awards and the Newbery and Carnegie Medals. His past works include The Ocean at the End of the Lane, Neverwhere, American Gods, The Sandman series of graphic novels, and Coraline, just to name a select few.

THE ODD GENTLEMEN is an award winning independent video game studio based in Los Angeles, California. Debuting with The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom, and most recently releasing the Apple Editor's Choice Game, Flea Symphony, the studio strives to master unique and memorable gaming experiences. Purveyors of fine video gaming, they focus on games that are humorous and charming with fantastical worlds, quirky characters, and compelling stories that highlight creative and innovative gameplay.

MOONSHARK is a mobile game publisher start-up, co-founded by Creative Artists Agency (CAA), the world’s leading entertainment and sports agency. Their previous titles include Stan Lee’s Verticus and DancePad, released with Jennifer Lopez. Moonshark™ funds, produces, markets and publishes app concepts developed in partnership with creative talent and independent developers. Once they find a fourth team member, they’ll thankfully have enough to form a curling team.

More details about the game are here.

~*~
* I am not much of a gamer, but this one is tempting to try out. How about you?

* image source: Athletic Ghost excerpt from 100 Ghosts by Doogie Horner

~~o)o Ghostly Ghosts schedule o(o~~

Zombie Game: Eaten by Zombies!

Eaten by Zombies!
GO here: to order this and for more details

In the new game Eaten By Zombies! players strive to survive as the horde of the living dead make it their goal in Death to force you to join the crowd. You must work with or against the other survivors to be the last one standing. No not standing, cowering in the corner crying for their mommy.


This game was developed in the spirit of AMC's "The Walking Dead", the movie "I Am Legend", and all those classic zombie movies.

Eaten By Zombies takes you into a dark world of eventual death (undeath actually).

Every turn you must venture out from your safehouse and scavenge for Swag. But not so fast, the Undead have other plans for your brains.

Every day a Horde of fresh zombies will be waiting for you, and over time the threat gets greater. Now it's time for your "Fight or Flight" instincts to help you to survive just one more day. Using the swag you've got on you (ie cards in you hand) you must survive any way you can.


If you can get away or kill the Horde, you may scavenge the remains of the desolate suburbs for any Swag the neighbors may have left behind.

With the right stuff and a few good friends to out run, you may just make it through this alive... well, no probably not. But being the last one to die a slow, painful death means you can claim sole victory!

PeekInside:



~*~
* this zombie treat was sent to me from Freda of Freda's Voice

=== September Zombies schedule ===

Maze: Mirror

Alice turns the next corner in the maze and happens upon a mirror.

She looks in and sees herself with her trusty vorpal sword.

BUT it is a darker self.

In a dark world.

Alice
Madness Returns
by American McGee
Alice: Madness Returns is a video game for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360, released on June 14, 2011, in North America, June 16, 2011, in Europe and June 17, 2011, in the United Kingdom. It is the sequel to the 2000 Windows and Mac video game American McGee's Alice. McGee, who designed the original game, returns to design the sequel after EA partnered with McGee's studio Spicy Horse.

Alice: Madness Returns takes place immediately after the events of its predecessor.

Alice was released from Rutledge Asylum for the Wayward and Lost Souls at the end of the original game and now lives at an orphanage in Victorian London under the care of a psychiatrist named Doctor Angus Bumby, where she is still traumatized with memories of her parents' deaths.

While heading to a Highstreet chemist, Alice follows a cat to an alley, where, after being confronted by monstrous half-human, half-Jabberwock creatures, she meets up with Nurse Witless from the asylum. Witless implies that Alice has revealed secrets about her family's demise while in the asylum and believes Alice is still very unstable. While at Witless's place, Alice suddenly has a vision of her appearing in Wonderland and the Cheshire Cat appears and tells Alice a new law reigns on Wonderland.

Now back in Wonderland, Alice begins to uncover her submerged memories of the fire.

The Duchess gives Alice her Pepper Grinder and asks her to retrieve Pig Snouts for her. Afterwards, Alice continues on to the Mad Hatter's realm, as she and the Cheshire Cat believe that Hatter may have something to do with the ruin destroying Wonderland.

Arriving in Hatter's realm, Alice discovers that the now-monstrously mechanized March Hare and Dormouse have violently taken over the land, dismantling Hatter into individual limbs and enslaving the Dodos. After finding his head and torso in a junkpile, the Hatter requests Alice help him recover his lost limbs...

READ the rest of this storyline at wikipedia.


Excerpt from Revolver: McGee Talks About His Video Game, Marilyn Manson by Kory Grow

REVOLVER: As twisted as Carroll’s book can be at points, it’s still a children’s fairytale. Why has it had such a huge impact on this particular horror game and, in your opinion, horror and hard-rock music in general?

AMERICAN McGEE: The original books provide an amazing wealth of ideas for characters, setting and story. Alice herself has appealed to generations of readers, and by virtue of her new storyline, now also appeals quite well to horror game enthusiasts. The Alice character everyone knows from the books is appealing because of her fantastic imagination and curiosity; with the games we’ve turned that imagination into a sort of psychological super-power and used curiosity to drive her towards overcoming sometimes horrific obstacles.

What was the inspiration for turning this fantasy into something terrifying? Are there any other horror games or movies that inspired this vision of Alice?
McGEE At the moment of inspiration for the game, I was listening to “Trip Like I Do” by the Crystal Method. Back at my desk it was Rob Zombie’s “Living Dead Girl” and various tracks by Manson, NIN, Tom Waits and more that really drove a lot of the initial tone for story and characters in the game.

Games didn’t so much inspire the core ideas as inform me as to what I didn’t want to do—having come from a background of development on games like DOOM and Quake, I badly wanted to move away from the “Space Marine” horror theme—and Wonderland offered a great opportunity to explore really surreal environments and characters.

READ the full interview here.

PeekInside:



~*~
* the visuals really grab. if I were a gamer, this would definitely be one stuck in my game console

* image source header game screen

~>~ gyre and gimble schedule ~<~

Pirates and Monkeys

Pirate Mysteries
online game

Description from Big Fish:
Save Mary’s father from the demon that possesses his body and escape the deserted island in Pirate Mysteries: A Tale of Monkeys, Masks, and Hidden Objects!

After trying to fulfill his dream of becoming a pirate, Mary’s father’s brand new ship has crashed into an unknown island!

With the rest of the crew dead, it’s up to Mary to save the day and rescue her father!

- Hilarious gameplay
- Fantastic action
- Save Mary’s father!

PeekInside:



Sampler: play it free for an hour here.

~-~~-~ ...and a bottle o'rum schedule ~-~~-~

Pirate Legos

Here be a tale for ye...

Rising the flag on the masthead
The sails and the ropes' holding tight
The gunners are eager to fire
Well prepared for the fight

Fight, flee or surrender
Defeat you can't deny
Better give up in the first place
Or drown in the blink of an eye

Gold, jewels and diamonds
The price we'll have to claim
Noble rogues are standing
We'll never quit in the game

We gonna ride the sea, we pray to the wind and the glory
That's why we are raging wild and free

Come sing along with the pirate song
Hail to the wind, hooray to the glory
We're gonna fight 'til the battle's won
On the raging sea

No way to move your deadlocked
Nailed down by feu-eclair
Lead is carrying fire
Victory's noble and fair
-Running Wild

~*~
AND something to treat the eyes...

Pirate Movie by LEGO Mindstorm:



~*~
oo, oo, ooo, you can get a pair of female pirate lego head stud earrings at etsy...



~*~
* pirate song lyrics source Running Wild

* image source LEGO pirates from LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean: The Video Game

* first spotted pirate movie at geekologie

~-~~-~ ...and a bottle o'rum schedule ~-~~-~

Village: The Fool

Description from Big Fish:
Who said that only brave knights on white stallions can become Heroes? Help The Fool become a hero and save the beautiful princess Catherine from the jaws of a terrible dragon! Travel across the kingdom and explore different locations as you set off on an epic journey in this fun Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure game. Discover that a Hero lives in every one of us in The Fool!

PeekInside:


Sampler: play it free for an hour.

***~*~* Fairy Tales in Bruges (the sequel) schedule *~*~***

Game: Zombie Shooter

Zombie Shooter
online game

How about working on some of those shooting skills?

Description from Big Fish:
A secret research base has been invaded by evil zombies, who are now threatening the entire world!

Wipe out the zombie threat as you take part in a great battle to rescue humanity in Zombie Shooter.

Blast your way through this fun Shooter, as you upgrade your weapons and navigate through an infested laboratory.

Destroy the menace to protect the planet from this overwhelming threat.

Discover the cause of the zombie infestation and save Earth!

Warning: Contains graphic images.

Sampler: play it free for an hour.

=== zombie survival schedule ===

A Zombocalyptic Quiz for you

The Ultimate Zombie Apocalypse Survival Quiz
created by zomboid

Take the quiz HERE.

Come back and tell me your results in comments along with your email and you will be entered to win a zombie surprise ;-D

- offer ends April 10, 2011

=== zombie survival schedule ===

keyhole: wonderland

When Alice peeks through this keyhole she finds a scene of her adventure in Wonderland...

Alice in Wonderland
online game
Description from Big Fish:
Explore a new world as you meet your favorite characters, and hunt for clues to free Alice and decide the fate of Wonderland!

An abandoned house holds the key to the secrets of Wonderland!

Hidden Objects and tantalizing puzzles abound as you journey beyond imagination.

Meet the Mad Hatter, Cheshire Cat and many others as you try to save the day in Alice in Wonderland!

- Wonderous atmosphere
- Hilarious characters
- Save Alice from Wonderland!

PeekInside:



Sampler: play it free for an hour.

~^o^~ Alice in WhoLand schedule ~^o^~

Paranormal Play: Tamara the 13th

Tamara the 13th

Description from Big Fish Games:
Tamara McNamara discovers she’s a 13th generation witch in the suspenseful Puzzle Adventure, Tamara the 13th. Her mother is kidnapped; in order to rescue her, she must master her innate magical powers and restore order to realms devastated by an ancient evil witch. Can you help Tamara use her newfound abilities to solve puzzles and confront her mother’s captor?

Sampler: play it for free here.

PeekInside:


~* paranormal play in ya schedule *~

Werewolf Jigsaw Puzzle

Some werewolf holiday fun... Try the puzzle here. ~*~ * if your play, let me know how you like it * image source by richardcetrone43160

Dark Tales: Edgar Allan Poe’s Murder in the Rue Morgue

G A M E S
F O R
H A L L O W E E N

Here's a game you can try to get in the spooky mood...

Dark Tales:
Edgar Allan Poe`s Murders in the Rue Morgue

Description from Big Fish Games:
A dreadful murder and kidnapping has occurred in the Rue Morgue and only you can solve the dark crime! Follow the clues to find the killer and the missing family. Become the apprentice of the famed C. Auguste Dupin and solve the devious puzzles to find the hidden clues that will lead you to the monstrous murderer.

Based on Edgar Allan Poe’s most acclaimed murder mystery, Dark Tales: Edgar Allan Poe’s Murder in the Rue Morgue is a fantastic Hidden Object game full of suspense and excitement.

PeekInside:



-+0+o+ Discount Giveaway +o+0+-
Dark Tales:
Edgar Allan Poe`s Murders in the Rue Morgue
Regular price: $9.99
Sale: $2.99 with coupon: scary

Open to all.

Offer ends: October 27, 2010, tonight-midnight PST

You can also, test it out for an hour for free here.


~*~
* image source

* The Murders of the Rue Morgue by Edgar Allan Poe - is free online: read it here or listen here

-+0+o+ October Trix-n-Treatz schedule +o+0+-

Mish Mosh: Mystic

M I S H - M O S H
Aww, c'mon. Do tell. Did you ever?

The ouija board above is the version I grew up with. I tried it out with a couple of my cousins at age 10 but we never got anywhere with it. I'm glad though, because I probably would have been freaked. eek!

What was fun though, was having it around and the idea that spirits could be contacted if we got down and dirty about it.

-+0+o+ Blogosphere Giveaway +o+0+-
The Mystic Eye Board Game
at Read All Over Reviews
signup for giveaway here
offer ends: Nov 6, 2010
The Mystic Eye Game Board is a spirit board divination system based on a magnetic pendulum

The Mystic Eye can be used to spell out messages like a Ouija Board, or to indicate quick answers like a pendulum! The board contains many more things than the usual letters and numbers found on the typical talking board -- there are elements, directions, conditions, and the ever-popular Yes! and No!

~*~
* image source ouija board


-+0+o+ October Trix-n-Treatz schedule +o+0+-

Mystery: Woman in White

M Y S T E R Y
Here's a treat for you gamers...

Victorian Mysteries: Woman in White

Who is this Woman in White and where did she come from? Walter Hartright, a poor drawing teacher, finds himself in the middle of an inexplicable mystery.

Somehow his future is intertwined with an elusive woman who harbors a dreadful secret. A secret so damaging her life is in danger!

Explore Victorian mansions finding Hidden Objects, search for clues, uncover diabolical plots, root out the lies, and discover the truth in Victorian Mysteries: Woman in White.

Try it for free here.

PeekInside:



-+0+o+ October Trix-n-Treatz schedule +o+0+-