Kat's Christmas Wish List 2012

It's that time of year again...

Time for me to unleash the horror that is Kat's Christmas Wishlist 2012 on the unsuspecting world. I always get stuck when people ask me, "What do you want for Christmas?". This year I'm playing it smart and directing them here to I Write, I Read, I Review. Want to weigh in on my most wanted? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

TV & DVD:

It's cold outside. I love to make some popcorn, a cup of tea and settle in with a good DVD. What are my top five choices? Read on to find out.

1. Ghost Whisperer, season #1
Price: $12 on Amazon.ca
Click here for Product Page

Why Do I Want This?:

I'm working on developing the plot for a new light paranormal novel called The Mansion You Stole, and my heroine can see and speak to ghosts. I recall watching and enjoying this show, so I figure going back to it for some inspiration--and to avoid unwanted repetition--might be a great idea.

2. The Mentalist, Season 4
Price: $49.99 on Amazon.ca
Click here for Product Page

Why Do I Want This?:

I have the first three seasons, so getting season four makes logical sense. I'm taking my time going through them, but I love the way Simon Baker's character behaves--he is so playful yet confident (and majorly cute! <3). I don't like having things incomplete, so this is a no-brainer for me.

3. Desperate Housewives, Season 1
Price: $16.50 on Amazon.ca
Click here for Product Page

Why Do I Want It?:

Remember I talked about hating incomplete series collections? Well, I have seasons 2-8 of this show, but Season One has somehow gone missing, and has been missing for years, so I know I need to replace it. Since it's not horrifically expensive, I don't mind that quite so much. 

4. Princess Tutu (Complete Collection)
Price: $34.99 on Amazon.ca
Click here for Product Page.

Why Do I Want It?:

I ended up hearing about this anime somewhat by accident and have kept hearing about it since. My original concept art for Sealer's Promise, back when it was still Moon Dance and didn't have a cover, was referenced from this show. Digging deeper, I've heard fabulous things and have wanted to check it out ever since. 

5. NCIS Season 1
Price: $17.99 on Amazon.ca
Click here for Product Page

Why Do I Want It?:

I watch this series when I go to visit my grandma, and she gave me her extra copies of seasons 2 and 8. As I keep saying, I like 'complete' things, and since I'm always coming and going from my visits to grandma, I've never gotten to see all of this in its proper order. I love the cast for this show and how the cases and their lives intermix, so that's something I would like to change.

Bath & Beauty:

This is generally not my forte, but there are a couple perfumes out that I like and I'd love to get one of them.

Lady GaGa FAME Perfume

I can't seem to find an easy way to order perfume online that isn't fragrancex and they are sold out. Tried this on at Shoppers' Drug Mart and loved the smell, but it's pretty pricey. 

Wonderstruck: Enchanted by Taylor Swift

The description sounds great and while I haven't been able to give this an actual spray, the little scent sheets they had out smelled nice. I'd be equally happy to get this or the original Wonderstruck, which is purple. I dunno what it is with me and perfume lately, but i enjoy it.

*What I DON'T want to find is three bottles of perfume. THat just seems kinda silly. Coordinate, people! :D

Books:

You have NO idea how hard it was to narrow this down to five books, especially since I have adult and YA stuff here. No Idea. But this way, I only have five books I can't race out and buy myself. Yes, there is method to my madness. What did I choose to ask Santa for?

Young Adult:

1. Black City 
by Elizabeth Richards
Price: $13.72 on Amazon.ca
Click here for Product Page.

Why Do I Want It?:

I've heard so many good things about this book, loved the sample I read earlier this year and have totally been dying to get my hands on it. Plus, I've heard people saying that it has a totally interesting take on vampires. As a longtime fan of this paranormal creature, I simply must give my two cents worth on this topic.

2. Meant to Be 
by Lauren Morrill
Price: $15.15 on Amazon.ca
Click here for Product Page

Why Do I Want This?:

Everyone is raving about this book. It sounds extremely sweet and romantic, has a leading guy named Jason (my boyfriend *loves* that) and apparently does a great job of portraying London, which is always a fantastic thing (when a city practically becomes a character) in contemporary YA. 

What Happens Next 
by Colleen Clayton
Price: $14.43 on Amazon.ca
Click here for Product Page

Why Do I Want It?:

As with many books I put on wishlists, I've heard so much good about this one. Yes, it definitely deals with a heavy issue, but the sample that I checked was great and I want to read it. 

Adult:

1. How to Lose a Demon in 10 Days 
by Saranna DeWylde
Price: $11.51 on Amazon.ca
Click here for Product Page

Why Do I Want This?:

Comical paranormal reads are few and far between, so when I hear something is funny that I already find interesting, I'm usually game for checking it out. I came across this book by accident when surfing for different stuff and now I really want to check it out. 

2. Backstage Pass
by Olivia Cunning
Price: $12.99 on Amazon.ca
Click here for Product Page

Why Do I Want This?: 

Truth: Ever since I finished reading Devoured by Emily Snow I've been totally obsessed with any type of romance where there is a musician involved. The other day another blogger did a post on this, and Backstage Pass is one of the books that was recommended. So I figure, as always, why not check it out? Since I'm writing a music-related romance, the obsession should still be going when Santa drops this under the tree. 

Well, there you have it guys! My Christmas list. :D

Feel free to let me know what you think. I hope this helps my family and friends find the stuff that I want, since half of it would be a pain to get local. No one can say I didn't try! :D

Apocalypse Tour Interview #5: Courtney Summers, Author of This Is Not A Test

On Saturday November 10th, 2012 I attended the Apocalypse Tour stop in Belleville, Ontario. There I got to meet five totally amazing authors, hang out with fellow bloggers, go shopping and have a totally awesome time.

If you couldn't make it to the event, I'm here to give you the next best thing: all week long I will be posting interviews with the five authors who came to the Belleville Chapters. You also have a chance to win some awesome swag by answering trivia from the videos, so make sure you watch them all as they go up!

Thanks again to Megan Crewe, Lesley Livingston, Maureen McGowan, Courtney Summers and Cheryl Rainfield for coming to Belleville Chapters, hanging out with us and taking the time to do these interviews!

Today's guest is Courtney Summers, author of This Is Not A Test. Before we get going, here's a quick look at the book.

Plot Summary:
(Add to your GoodReads)

It’s the end of the world. Six students have taken cover in Cortege High but shelter is little comfort when the dead outside won’t stop pounding on the doors. One bite is all it takes to kill a person and bring them back as a monstrous version of their former self. To Sloane Price, that doesn’t sound so bad. Six months ago, her world collapsed and since then, she’s failed to find a reason to keep going. Now seems like the perfect time to give up. As Sloane eagerly waits for the barricades to fall, she’s forced to witness the apocalypse through the eyes of five people who actuallywant to live. But as the days crawl by, the motivations for survival change in startling ways and soon the group’s fate is determined less and less by what’s happening outside and more and more by the unpredictable and violent bids for life—and death—inside. When everything is gone, what do you hold on to?

This Is Not A Test is one of the best books that I have read this year, and will no doubt be on my top ten list for 2012. I was extremely excited to meet Courtney at Apocalypse Tour last weekend. Want to see the interview I did with Courtney? Just click the play button below. 

Now that you've watched the video, you should be able to answer Courtney's question on the rafflecopter!

What book is Courtney working on now?

To make things super easy, here's the rafflecopter so you can keep your answers up to date:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for dropping by and checking out the interview with Courtney Summers! I'd like to take a moment to thank all of the authors who have been guests on my blog this week. It was great to meet you all!

<-- Click to go to my Apocalypse Tour Recap Post / Giveaway Start!

Cover Reveal: Suddenly Royal by Nicole Chase

Today it is my pleasure to reveal the cover for Nichole Chase's latest novel, Suddenly Royal. This cover was created by the talented Sarah Hansen of Okay Creations. So, without further ado, let's get to the good stuff! :)

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Isn't it pretty? I want her gloves, I love the model's expression and I love how the font and color of the word Royal totally pops against the rest of the cover. Totally fabulous!

Of course, a cover is only as good as the story that it contains. Ready to hear what Suddenly Royal is all about? Got you covered right here:

Plot Summary: 

Samantha Rousseau is used to getting her hands dirty. Working toward a master’s degree in wildlife biology while helping take care of her sick father, she has no time for celebrity gossip, designer clothes, or lazy vacations. So when a duchess from the small country of Lilaria invites her to dinner, Samantha assumes it’s to discuss a donation for the program. The truth will change the course of her life in ways she never dreamed.

Alex D’Lynsal is trying to keep his name clean. As crown prince of Lilaria, he’s had his share of scandalous headlines, but the latest pictures have sent him packing to America and forced him to swear off women—especially women in the public eye. That is, until he meets Samantha Rousseau. She’s stubborn, feisty, and incredibly sexy. Not to mention heiress to an estate in his country, which makes her everyone’s front-page news.

While Sam tries to navigate the new world of politics and wealth, she will also have to dodge her growing feelings for Alex. Giving in to them means more than just falling in love; it would mean accepting the weight of an entire country on her shoulders.

A reluctant royal.

A playboy prince.

Cinderella has nothing on Sam.

Coming January 2013

Dying to check it out? Add it to your to-read list on GoodReads!

You can find Nichole on her website and as @NicholeChase on Twitter.

Thanks so much for having me as part of your cover reveal, Nichole. Your new book sounds great and I am looking forward to checking it out.

Apocalypse Tour Interview #4: Cheryl Rainfield, Author of Hunted

On Saturday November 10th, 2012 I attended the Apocalypse Tour stop in Belleville, Ontario. There I got to meet five totally amazing authors, hang out with fellow bloggers, go shopping and have a totally awesome time.

If you couldn't make it to the event, I'm here to give you the next best thing: all week long I will be posting interviews with the five authors who came to the Belleville Chapters. You also have a chance to win some awesome swag by answering trivia from the videos, so make sure you watch them all as they go up!

Thanks again to Megan Crewe, Lesley Livingston, Maureen McGowan, Courtney Summers and Cheryl Rainfield for coming to Belleville Chapters, hanging out with us and taking the time to do these interviews!

Today's guest is Cheryl Rainfield, author of Hunted. Before we get going, here's a quick look at the book.

Plot Summary:

(Add to your GoodReads)

Caitlyn is a telepath in a world where having any Paranormal power is illegal. Caitlyn is on the run from government troopers, who can enslave, torture, or even kill her, or make her hunt other Paranormals. When Caitlyn settles down in a city, she falls for Alex, a Normal (someone without Paranormal powers), which is dangerous because he can turn her in. And she discovers renegade Paranormals who want to destroy all Normals. Caitlyn must decide whether she's going to stay in hiding to protect herself, or take a stand to save the world.

I had a lot of fun chatting with Cheryl at the Belleville stop for Apocalypse Tour. I have not read Hunted (yet), but I have read her novel Scars (and awarded it the Kat's Meow) and that has left me with very high hopes that Hunted will be awesome. Want to watch my interview with Cheryl? Check out the video below. 

Now that you've watched the video, you should be able to answer Cheryl's question on the rafflecopter!

What award does Cheryl tell us Hunted is up for? 

To make things super easy, here's the rafflecopter so you can keep your answers up to date:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for dropping by and checking out the interview with Maureen McGowan! Make sure you come back tomorrow, where you'll be able to watch an interview with Courtney Summers, author of This Is Not A Test!

<-- Click to go to my Apocalypse Tour Recap Post / Giveaway Start!

Click to go to my interview with Courtney Summers! -->

Apocalypse Tour Interview #3: Maureen McGowan, Author of Deviants

On Saturday November 10th, 2012 I attended the Apocalypse Tour stop in Belleville, Ontario. There I got to meet five totally amazing authors, hang out with fellow bloggers, go shopping and have a totally awesome time.

If you couldn't make it to the event, I'm here to give you the next best thing: all week long I will be posting interviews with the five authors who came to the Belleville Chapters. You also have a chance to win some awesome swag by answering trivia from the videos, so make sure you watch them all as they go up!

Thanks again to Megan Crewe, Lesley Livingston, Maureen McGowan, Courtney Summers and Cheryl Rainfield for coming to Belleville Chapters, hanging out with us and taking the time to do these interviews!

Today's guest is Maureen McGowan, author of Deviants. Before we get going, here's a quick look at the book

Plot Summary

(Add to your GoodReads)

In a post-apocalyptic world, where the earth is buried by asteroid dust that’s mutated the DNA of some humans, orphaned, sixteen-year-old Glory must protect her younger brother and escape the domed city that’s been her entire world.

Outside in the ruins, they’re pursued by the authorities and by sadistic, scab-covered Shredders who are addicted to the lethal-to-humans dust now covering the planet. Glory’s quests to transport herself and her brother to safety make up the thrilling and fascinating first volume of The Dust Chronicles.

I had a great time visiting with Maureen at the Ontario Blog Squad Meet, and it was great to see her again at Apocalypse Tour. Check out this video interview where she talks a bit about Deviants and shares how she would survive the apocalypse. 

Now that you've watched the video, you should be able to answer Maureen's question on the rafflecopter!

Name one of the books Maureen listed in her recommendations for our readers. 

To make things super easy, here's the rafflecopter so you can keep your answers up to date:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for dropping by and checking out the interview with Maureen McGowan! Make sure you come back tomorrow, where you'll be able to watch an interview with Cheryl Rainfield, author of Hunted!

<-- Click to go to my Apocalypse Tour Recap Post / Giveaway Start!

Click to go to my interview with Cheryl Rainfield! -->