The Fairytale Nerd: Giveaway: The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa (Pre-Order)

The Fairytale Nerd: Giveaway: The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa (Pre-Order):

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Giveaway: The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa (Pre-Order)

I know October is more than a month away. But that month is a very special month for me. For one, it's my birthday month, and secondly, it is the month when the IRON KNIGHT by Julie Kagawa will be released! (October 25, 2011 to be exact.) For this reason, I have decided to conduct an Iron Knight (pre-order) giveaway!

I love the Iron fey series, I cannot express how much. I have read them over and over and over again, and I just can't get enough of Ash, Meghan, Puck, and Grim, and I want people to get addicted to these books too! So, I will pre-order for the winner one paperback copy (or digital copy, whichever the winner prefers) of one of the most anticipated books of the year...

THE IRON KNIGHT

by Julie Kagawa

Ash, former prince of the Winter Court, gave up everything. His title, his home, even his vow of loyalty. All for a girl… and all for nothing.

Unless he can earn a soul.

To cold, emotionless faery prince Ash, love was a weakness for mortals and fools. His own love had died a horrible death, killing any gentler feelings the Winter prince might have had. Or so he thought.

Then Meghan Chase—a half human, half fey slip of a girl— smashed through his barricades, binding him to her irrevocably with his oath to be her knight. And when all of Faery nearly fell to the Iron fey, she severed their bond to save his life. Meghan is now the Iron Queen, ruler of a realm where no Winter or Summer fey can survive.

With the (unwelcome) company of his archrival, Summer Court prankster Puck, and the infuriating cait sith Grimalkin, Ash begins a journey he is bound to see through to its end— a quest to find a way to honor his solemn vow to stand by Meghan’s side.

To survive in the Iron realm, Ash must have a soul and a mortal body. But the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible. At least, no one has ever passed to tell the tale.

And then Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that turns reality upside down, challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.


Note that I will give the winner seventy-two hours to respond to my email informing him or her that he or she has won. The winner must accept, and must give me his or hercorrect mailing address. I will pre-order the book for the winner a day after the winner responds, but the book will be delivered to the winner AFTER the book's release on October 25. Please read my contest policy.

My review of the Iron Knight (ARC)

Ash is also My Book Boyfriend #1!

My reviews of the other books in the series:

Iron King

Iron Daughter

Iron Queen

Giveaway Rules:

Open to persons 13 years old or older.
Only one person per entry please. Those exceeding one will not be considered.
This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL, or as long as Book Depository delivers books to where you live for free. Please check here.
Contest ends on OCTOBER 1, 2011.


Requirements (a MUST):
- leave your email address so I will have a way of contacting you if you win (please double check)
- follow my blog The Fairytale Nerd (Google Friend Connect)
- follow me on Twitter

Extra entries:
- add me on FaceBook (+1)
- tweet about this awesome giveaway (+2)
Just tweet this:

Pls RT #Giveaway: Pre-order of THE IRON KNIGHT by Julie Kagawa athttp://thefairytalenerd.blogspot.com/2011/08/giveaway-iron-knight-by-julie-kagawa.html

- blog about this giveaway (+3)


For a more detailed information on the contest rules, please read theContest Policy.

Also, take a look at my other giveaway: Thin Air by Lynn Seresin. What are you waiting for? Fill out the form now! Good Luck!

Top 5 YA Alpha Heroes: Dimitri Belikov, Prince Ash, Jace Wayland, Will Rutledge, Sam Roth

CHELSEA MUELLER

The Vampire Academy: Frostbite by Richelle Mead

Young adult paranormal romances line the shelves these days, and while the protagonists may be in their late teens, don’t think you can’t relate. Better yet, add a powerful, protective alpha hero into life-or-death drama and make that person a first love? The emotions spike and those steamy interactions, while less graphic, will have you biting your lip.

Here are five YA heroes who stand out as having all the alpha hero qualities sure to have adult paranormal romance readers swooning:

1. Dimitri Belikov

From Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy Series comes this Russian “god.” Dimitri is dedicated, loyal and a fierce warrior. Plus, at 6’7” he meets thehero height requirement.

As one of the leading Guardians for the “good” vampire Moroi, he comes to St. Vladimir’s Academy and helps train Rose to fight and defend her people.

She’s 17. He’s 24.

They’re working closely together, and the chemistry is palpable. Their relationship ramps up over the course of the series, but even in the first book the element of forbidden love is hot and heavy. In Dimitri’s own words:

“… you and I will both be Lissa’s guardians someday. I need to protect her at all costs. If a pack of Strigoi comes, I need to throw my body between them and her.” [...] “No. If I let myself love you, I won’t throw myself in front of her. I’ll throw myself in front of you.”

The Iron Fey: The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

2. Prince Ash

Julie Kagawa gives us the quintessential ’Hot Boy with Sword’ in the Iron Fey series with her Winter Prince. He’s the bad boy. He’s got an attitude. Plus, he has that whole tall, dark and handsome thing going on.

The youngest of the Unseelie Court princes, Ash still has centuries under his belt. All those years in the Winter faerie court have forced him to fight his emotions, to be cold and calculating.

And one girl can change all that. He makes it difficult, but when Meghan connects with him, it’s enough for him to ditch his crown, his family and his world if it keeps her safe. A warrior through and through, he’ll fight to the very ends of the world for a half-faerie girl. When he realizes it, his exact words are: “You made me feel alive again.” (Makes me think of Bella saving Zsadist in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series.)

Also, there’s a common agreement that he looks like Ben Barnes. How can that be bad?

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

3. Jace Wayland

The Shadowhunter from Cassandra Clare’s The Mortal Instruments series is snarky, hot-tempered and seriously conflicted. Kind of a hot hero trifecta. He’s the type of hero you’d picture spending time with Acheron, Bones, et. al. (If he weren’t sworn to kill their kind, of course.)

He’s the troublesome golden-haired guy with tattoos – sure they’re functional marks, but I have a thing for tattooed hotties – and he definitely has the moves when it comes to time alone with Clary.

It may be YA, but Clare brings the heat. You can read this hot Jace point-of-view deleted scene from City of Glass to understand this boy’s sexual prowess. You want to make-out with him. There’s no shame in that. Really. (OK, another excerpt for a little more Jace convincing.)

Firelight by Sophie Jordan

4. Will Rutledge

Sophie Jordan gives us star-crossed lovers in Firelight, the first in her Draki series. Will hunts dragons. (Yep, dragons.) His whole family will head out to try and take down the elusive creatures. On the last round they were sure they’d cornered one. Will went into the cave and saw her. Beautiful. And he pretended not to have found her. That dragon was Jacinda.

Cue Jacinda and her family moving to the same desert city where Will and his family live. He doesn’t recognize her in human form at first, but she sure remembers him. And sparks fly. Will is up for doing what’s necessary for Jacinda. He’ll protect her from his family and he’ll fight the other dragon she’s promised to. Plus, his kisses ignite a literal fire in Jacinda.

Plus, Will’s a determined sort. And there’s something to be said for a guy who isn’t willing to give up.

“Why do you care? I’ve ignored you for days.”
His smile fades. He looks serious, mockingly so. “Yeah. You got to stop that.”

Wolves of Mercy Falls: Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

5. Sam Roth

There’s something appealing about a hero willing to fight his nature—need for blood, to fight, etc.—that’s always appealing. That’s the case with Sam from Maggie Stiefvater’s Wolves of Mercy Falls series. In the first book, Shiver, Sam meets Grace. Things get hot with one of the better YA sex scenes. These two are connected. The hitch here is Sam is a werewolf and he shifts to wolf in the cold weather. That means he’s only human in the summer. As fall sets in, he does whatever he can to avoid being in the cold to extend his time with Grace.

“I’d found heaven and grabbed it as tightly as I could, but it was unraveling, an insubstantial thread sliding between my fingers, too fine to hold.”

He finally has happiness and isn’t willing to let his nature stop him from maintaining it. Sam gives us both the strength we want and the emotional depth we need.

Have you read any YA romances? Are there any heroes who would top your book boyfriend lists? Prince Ash and Dimitri are right alongside Zsadist, Bones and Terrible for me.

That Kind of Love

Ever wanted that kind of love that makes you have premature ventricular contractions (makes your heart skip a beat)

The kind of love that makes your leg shoots up when you get kissed

The kind of love where you spend all day talking and end up falling asleep while you on the phone with each other

The kind of love where even complete and total silence is welcoming cause you are with your love

The kind of love where she pouts and sulks over nothing so that you are coaxed into telling her how you feel

The kind of love where you find everything about the other person cute

You know the snoring when they sleep as you stay up and watch them sleep,

The lil drool that’s left on the pillow when they wake up

That one unruly hair that just won’t stay in place

The kind of love where you check your phone every two minutes to see if they texted or called (even though you can clearly hear the ringtone when they do)

The kind of love where you call at random times to say the most random of things that only makes sense to the two of you

The kind of love where you leave sticky notes all over the place so that wherever they look or go reminds them of how you feel

The kind of love where you get mad and angry over the smallest of things and all it takes is a smile from them and everything just seems alright

The kind of love where everything could be going wrong in your life but you have the love to fall back on and it softens the blows and cradles you into bliss

The kind of love where she comes to you crying, you hold her and ask her, “Whose ass am I kicking?”

The kind of love where you’d walk through the rain to get airtime just to answer a text

The kind of love where just a mere thought of the person puts a smile in your heart

The kind of love where the grass seems greener, the sky looks bluer and even the air tastes sweeter

The kind of love where you miss them before they even leave and you get nervous and anxious right before you see them again

The kind of love where you text them and write lil notes even though they right next to you

Where you still get a bit shy around each other

Giggle for the smallest of things and act like a bunch of three years kids

The kind of love where your poetry is better than Shakespeare’s

Your voice sounds better than Luciano Pavarotti

The kind of love where it’s so enclosed in itself and so vain like when Narcissus first saw his reputation

The kind of love where that has a beauty that would make Aphrodite mad to her core

The kind of love where even when you out with your boys or girls or you clubbing you still texting and talking about them

The kind of love where you show your people those sweet messages that just touch your heart

The kind of love where it’s so intimate that you end up spooning and snuggling with your clothes on and yet it’s so very intense

The kind of love where they are the only one who can get you hot and bothered under the collar

The kind of love where you clueless to all the others trying to get with you cause they just don’t measure up

The kind of love where almost anything and everything reminds you of moments you spent with them

The kind of love where you daydream and fantasize the future

The kind of love where after lil intoxication you profess your feelings to whoever is in earshot

The kind of love where you blow off the boy or girls to spend time with you’re loved on

The kind of love where even when you have plans they seem to evaporate when you have the chance to be with the one you love

The kind of love where you could be in the middle of playing the latest Call of Duty and you would pause the game to text back or in the middle of a shopping spree

The kind of love where you worry when the texts take too long to be answered or when the phone calls isnt answered

The kind of love where you spend all day and night doing nothing and not even feeling hungry just fed by each other’s presence

The kind of love where it like you back to those high school days

You know that kind of love where you tell your friend to tell the person you like how you feel

The love that fills you up completely

I love 'Letters to Juliet'

Dear Claire,

What and If are two words as non-threatening as words can be. But put them together side-by-side and they have the power to haunt you for the rest of your life: What if? What if? What if? I don’t know how your story ended but if what you felt then was true love, then it’s never too late. If it was true then, why wouldn’t it be true now? You need only the courage to follow your heart. I don’t know what a love like Juliet’s feels like – love to leave loved ones for, love to cross oceans for but I’d like to believe if I ever were to feel it, that I will have the courage to seize it. And, Claire, if you didn’t, I hope one day that you will.

All my love, Juliet

(I love this letter. Even though it's for a stranger, Sophie put all her heart writing this one. So sweet and sincere of her )

Tyra Banks. She's my idol. She's beautiful and very straight forward. She's not afraid to tell what's on her mind. She doesn't care what other people think. This video(rather, the episode) is one of the reasons why I look up to her.

What is sexy? Emma Watson and I shared the same PoV

I find the whole concept of being ‘sexy’ embarrassing and confusing. If I do an interview with photographs people desperately want to change me - dye my hair blonder, pluck my eyebrows, give me a fringe. Then there’s the choice of clothes. I know everyone wants a picture of me in a mini-skirt. But that’s not me. I feel uncomfortable. I’d never go out in a mini-skirt. It’s nothing to do with protecting the Hermione image. I wouldn’t do that. Personally, I don’t actually think it’s even that sexy. What’s sexy about saying, ‘I’m here with my boobs out and a short skirt, have a look at everything I’ve got?’ My idea of sexy is that less is more. The less you reveal the more people can wonder.

- Emma Watson

Well said. Honestly, people nowadays think that being sexy means that you have to wear revealing clothes, put make-up on, have that 'perfect' body to show, wearing stilettos, and more. Yes, I put on make-up (actually just powder and gloss :D) and wear heels, but it doesn't mean that I want to be viewed as 'sexy'. It's just me and LOL, people doesn't see me as 'sexy' but rather 'cute'. But you see I KNOW a lot of girls who think that they can't be themselves without wearing those. All I would say is "If you're comfortable then go. It's how you express yourself". Luckily, here in our country, there's no cases of bullying because you don't look good in their eyes. But a lot of girls here, tend to look up in their favourite actresses, singers, tv personalities and those trend-setters,and try to imitate them. I'm not saying that it's wrong but what I want to say is that, they have their own personalities, why opt to change it just to imitate your idol? Also, they said that guys tend to like girls who are thin or 'sexy'. What about those girls who are just healthy in their own ways? Just because they're like that, people would already say that they're 'fat' and even 'obese'. It's because, they're used to seeing girls who are as thin as a stick and deemed them as beautiful. 

Media, I should say, is one of the suspects on why our view in beauty changed greatly. A lot of girls suffers from bullying, anorexia and bulimia just to lose weight and to be deemed beautiful. We should be thankful and contended in our looks. Show everyone that you're confident on how you look, it would gain a positive effect not just on you but also for them. When you think you're beautiful, everyone will think of you as beautiful. Do not mind those people who say that you're ugly or hideous, they're just jealous at you and even insecure. Love who you are and be proud of yourself.

I'm no stranger when it comes to that. I'm plump and small, but I always think that I'm beautiful. Everyone who looks at me tells me how beautiful I am and I'm thankful. I've got a lot of haters too but I don't mind them. They're not a vital part of my life so whatever they say about me, I just don't mind it at all. My family and friends are always there to support me. So I may not be beautiful but I'm greatly blessed with all of those things.

Korean High School (Documentary Preview) by Kelley Katzenmeyer

In sixty short years, South Korea went from being one of the poorest countries in Asia to having the world’s 13th largest economy. Korean students have some of the highest test scores in the world, and a higher rate of acceptance into American Ivy Leagues than any other foreign country. But Korea also leads the world in two not quite so stunning ways- the highest rate of plastic surgery per capita, and a higher suicide rate than any other developed nation. 



So. What’s life like for a Korean student? In one of the most competitive societies in the world, how does one find their place? What does it take to achieve your aspirations and goals? Our documentary will take a look at the lives of five Korean teenagers on the verge of either reaching- or losing- their dreams. The film will follow the students during the most stressful time of their lives- their last year of high school. After studying for roughly sixteen hours each day, their futures boil down to one last exam. On November 10th, 2011, thousands of high school seniors will take a nine hour test that for many, will determine their economic and social status for the rest of their lives.


Korean High School Documentary (just click the link)


(I think this is worth posting. it's not only in Korea, I think it's happening in other Asian countries as well. I'm not really fond of Korean things and stuff but after watching this video I found myself pitying them in my own way because for them, being beautiful greatly differs from our own perspective, and to be beautiful, it means that you have to go under some surgeries just to achieve the look of those actresses or singers they like. )

Former Johnny’s members Yamashita Shoon & Leon revive their activities

Former Johnny’s members Yamashita Shoon & Leon revive their activities

Yamashita Shoon & Leon

On August 19th, former Ya-Ya-yah member Yamashita Shoon and former Johnny’s Jr. Yamashita Leon held an event titled, “SHOON commu’presents NO LIMIT in Puroland“, at Sanrio Puroland. This marked the revival of the brothers’ activities after leaving their last agency.

As Shoon got on stage, he shouted, “I’m back!“, and expressed his happiness with, “It is an amazing thing that we met.” Leon also claimed, “I’ve gained a lot from the support of people around me. I’m happy I get to meet everyone today.” They sang their original song, “NO LIMIT“, before Shoon stated, “I want to be active with songs that will unite us with our fans. I also want to make a CD debut.”

At the end of the event, Shoon and Leon presented their ‘guts pose’ and said, “We want to become versatile, so we can work with all genres. We also want to act.”

The Yamamoto brothers are scheduled to attend the “DANCE STAGE PROJECT” event, which will also be held at Sanrio Puroland. Additionally, they will make an regular appearance as presenters on TVK’s new variety show, “~Teen Age Garden~Kime! Shitsuji“, starting October 14th at 9:00 PM.

Source: Oricon

(Now,,,that's the best Birthday gift ever! I really love Shoon. I love his voice and personality. I love him with my Ichiban, Okamoto Keito, Now just let him go back to Johnny's or go to another agency. He will surely be successful!)

"August 19 Birthday Astrology" Since it's my birthday :P

TLC Family "August 19 Birthday Astrology"

Leos born on August 19 enjoy pushing themselves to the limit, both physically and mentally. They may have some awkward years before they decide how to focus their energies, but once they put it all together there is no stopping them. They seek to focus their energy on great achievements.

Leo Information for August 19 You should embrace:Restraint, sincerity, original vision You should avoid: Temper tantrums, mood swings, petulance

Friends and Lovers

People tend to be drawn to the charismatic personality of August 19 individuals, wanting to bask in the sunniness of their nature. Although they are generally appealing, they may have problems in love matters. They don't always meet their perfect mate until later in life.

Children and Family

August 19 folks often have a great deal of responsibility thrust upon them at an early age. Because their own experience as children is often less than satisfying, they are careful to give their own youngsters a considerable sense of security.

Health

August 19 individuals have a big appetite for good food. Unless they have an extremely active lifestyle, these men and women can expect to put on weight as middle age approaches -- or even before. That's an unpleasant development. They need to be motivated in order to commit to a regular exercise plan.

Career and Finances

August 19 individuals are intelligent people with enough savvy to know how to make the best of their abilities. They have the canniness to understand that their personality can take them anywhere. Money has the potential to be a problem in their lives. They need to learn the lessons of thrift and good financial stewardship.

Dreams and Goals

August 19 people know they are talented individuals, but parlaying that talent into success may not be easy because of circumstances arrayed against them. But these individuals are tough and will work ceaselessly toward goals. Once they achieve their dreams, they may be at a loss to find something to replace them.

That Whole J-Pop in the Philippines Issue « The Life of a Storm Chaser

002. That Whole J-Pop in the Philippines Issue « The Life of a Storm Chaser

That Whole J-Pop in the Philippines Issue

Disclaimer: This blog entry does not mean to offend any parties. If you do not agree with my opinion and do not want to leave any constructive opinion, then I recommend that you don’t comment.

A couple of days ago, a Facebook friend of mine shared a link to Universal Records Philippines. I was surprised that URF was making a poll, asking if we want them to officially release J-Pop albums in the Philippines. I’m surprised because this is the first time that record agencies in the Philippines have made such an announcement about J-Pop.

Probably a few hours later, URF released a statement, saying that “We are still in the process of education [and] preparation [for J-Pop]…”

A couple of days later, the news reached aramatheydidnt, one of my favorite sources for Japanese entertainment news. It seems that a lot are against mainstreaming J-Pop in the Philippines. There’s even a Facebook fan page against it.

I, for one, am okay with it. Not to mainstreaming J-Pop in the Philippines, but at least to have the music readily accessible.

I buy J-Pop CDs straight from Japan, with the help of CDJapan and YesAsia. However, I can’t buy them as often as I want to. Aside from the expensive price, there’s the shipping fee to worry about. Whenever my favorite artist would release an album, it’s either I would nearly starve myself to save up for the CD or I would just give up buying altogether because I have other expenses to worry about. Back then I was still relying on my parents’ allowance (and we aren’t a rich family, mind you), and I had school expenses to worry about. As much as it pains me, I would end up downloading the album online.

If J-Pop becomes available in the Philippines, then I wouldn’t have to worry about paying for the shipping fee. I would help my favorite artist by buying their work instead of ripping it online, for free. At least those sales would help the artist long-term.

I understand the fears of the other fans—some are worried about the quality of the J-Pop releases here, others are worried about the poser fans and the jejemons. Here are my two cents.

I can’t really say anything about the quality of J-Pop if ever they do release CDs here in the Philippines. I think we should still support our favorite J-Pop artists nonetheless. Well, if you really want a better quality, then you could still choose to buy the Japanese releases, if you’re willing to pay the shipping fee. For fans who couldn’t afford it, I guess the Filipino release is just fine.

As for those poser fans and those jejemons? I think that’s an unavoidable part of a fad in the Philippines. I’ve seen the Meteor Garden and the F4 fad, and I’ve seen a bit of the K-Pop wave here. There will always those poser fans and jejemons that will pop up in any fandom. Be grateful that you’re a genuine fan, at least. No need to spread the hate or hate on people for that.

If you see that a J-Pop song is being copied and localized? Exercise your right as a fan. If you think that a J-Pop song’s copyright is being violated? Report it to the record company or, if you can, the agency itself. You’ve seen how Johnny’s takes down those YouTube videos faster than the speed of light. I bet you that Johnny’s and other J-Pop music agencies will take quick action.

For the whole J-Pop vs. K-Pop war that will ensue when J-Pop gets released? I don’t really get the wars, really. J-Pop and K-Pop are two totally different things. K-Pop did not copy J-Pop and vice-versa. One genre is not better than the other. Let’s just let the other fans appreciate what they want to listen to and stop hating on what the other fans want to listen to. It’s as simple as that.

(My Tumblr and Twitter friend said that the Philippines is lucky. At least J-Pop gets that much exposure, unlike her hometown in Australia.)

I’m not saying that J-Pop will become a wave in the Philippines. My point is, I want the music to become accessible just so that I can give small contribution can help my favorite artists, to help them earn and live on.

Besides, if we get lucky, we might even see our favorite J-Pop artists on familiar shores. Now that will be a sight to see.