The Dirtiest Word

Guilt.

You guys, I am wracked with guilt on a daily basis.

Guilt that I'm constantly multitasking. Jack drew a picture of me for school. I had orange hands connected to what looked like a small tombstone. I thought it was Halloween related. But no, it was a computer. I immediately added an extra $100 to Jack's Psychotherapy Fund.

Guilt that I don't have time to read every single amazing book written by every single amazing author that we've interacted with on Twitter.

Guilt that we don't have time to respond to all of your awesome comments on our blog. You should know I respond to every single one IN MY HEAD. Too bad Steve Jobs didn't come up with a mind reading app before he died. Stupid cancer.

Now I feel guilty that I made a glib comment about Steve Jobs and he's dead.

So. Much. Guilt.

The problem is that I'm a mom. I'm a wife. I have friends that aren't on Twitter. I have a day job. And I desperately want to be a successful writer. And all of those jobs leave very little time for all of the stuff listed above. Intellectually I know that it's not a big deal. I'm sure you guys understand when it takes us forever to respond to your emails and you know that even though we try REALLY hard to reply to every single Tweet we get, sometimes we miss stuff.

Even though I know this, I can't stop the guilt. It just keeps coming.

So, how do you guys deal with balancing busy lives and writing and GUILT? Tell me your secrets in the comments. Please? I know I haven't really done much for you lately, but I'm BEGGING. Help a Roecker Sister out.

Tell The Truth Tuesday

Ok, ok, I'll admit it. I gasped out loud when I heard the news of Kim Kardashian's divorce yesterday.

Gasped.

Audibly.

I'm so embarrassed.

If you have no idea what I'm talking about, go here.  Just make sure you don't take a big swig of Diet Coke before reading, because it's hilarious and Diet Coke really stings when you snarf it. Sadly, I speak from experience.

What's your shameful truth this Tuesday? Bet nothing's worse than mine.

Halloween Costume or Bad Wardrobe Decision - You Be the Judge

The sisters Roecker have had many Halloween costumes over the years ranging from adorable to abysmal. Sadly, we've had far more questionable fashion decisions than actual costumes. In celebration of Halloween we're going to post a random assortment of pictures and let you decide which were costumes and which were REALLY bad outfits. 

Happy Halloween!!!

Celebstalking by LiLa

I watched Hereafter this week and I have to say the movie only made me love Matt Damon even more. He just seems like a quality individual. I mean, how often do you see A-list celebs hanging with their dad?

Every time Leann Rimes smiles an angel loses it's wings. Or maybe it dies. Yup, that sounds about right. Every time Leann Rimes smiles an angel dies.

On behalf off women across America can I just say, "Aw, HELL no." Seriously George? A pro-wrestler best known for DANCING WITH THE STARS? What has the world come to?

Speaking of the apocalypse, what's that I spy at the end of Blake Lively's long ass legs? UGGS. Suck on that Loretta Nyhan. Uggs are warm and comfortable and the preferred footwear of A-list celebrities everywhere. It just so happens I'm wearing a pair right now. They're grey and hideous and I love them.

Happy Friday!

The Bookanistas: Winner Announcement and PAST MIDNIGHT Series Giveaway!!!!

It's a big day around these parts. First of all, we are excited to announce the winner of THE WHITE ASSASSIN giveaway from last week. Congratulations Corey Schwartz--you are the proud new owner. Email us your address ASAP and we'll pop it in the mail, lucky girl!

Second of all, it's almost Halloween. Halloween is taken VERY seriously in Laura's household. If you remember from last year, Lydia dressed up as Mickey Mouse and her husband rented a full out Donald Duck costume, tights and all. Well, this year Lydia has chosen to be Rapunzel from Tangled and hubs is taking on Flynn Ryder, her romantic interest, which is wrong on many levels and will embarrass Lydia to no end when she's old enough to understand. Pictures to follow--just know the costume involves some controversial leggings that Laura is rallying to have replaced by khakis. The neighbors will thank her.

In honor of Halloween, we're excited to offer yet another giveaway on the blog, this time with THREE of Mara Purnhagen's SIGNED books from the PAST MIDNIGHT series. Mara is absolutely fabulous and the series is not to be missed (especially around this time of year) so even if you don't win, definitely check them out.

PAST MIDNIGHT:

Let me set the record straight. My name is Charlotte Silver and I'm not one of those paranormal-obsessed freaks you see on TV…no, those would be my parents, who have their own ghost-hunting reality show. And while I'm usually roped into the behind-the-scenes work, it turns out that I haven't gone unnoticed. Something happened on my parents' research trip in Charleston—and now I'm being stalked by some truly frightening other beings. Trying to fit into a new school and keeping my parents' creepy occupation a secret from my friends—and potential boyfriends—is hard enough without having angry spirits whispering in my ear. All I ever wanted was to be normal, but with ghosts of my past and present colliding, now I just want to make it out of high school alive…. 


ONE HUNDRED CANDLES:

It's taken a long time for me to feel like a normal teenager. But now that I'm settled in a new school, where people know me as more than Charlotte Silver of the infamous Silver family paranormal investigators, it feels like everything is falling into place. And what better way to be normal than to go on a date with a popular football star like Harris Abbott? After all, it's not as if Noah is anything more than a friend….

But my new life takes a disturbing turn when Harris brings me to a party and we play a game called One Hundred Candles. It seems like harmless, ghostly fun. Until spirits unleashed by the game start showing up at school. Now my friends and family are in very real danger, and the door that I've opened into another realm may yield deadly consequences.


BEYOND THE GRAVE:


I can't move forward with my life, until I know my demons are confined to the past…

Being Charlotte Silver, the daughter of famous paranormal investigators, means my life isn't like that of other teenage girls. Especially after what happened to my parents. Things changed. I missed prom and deferred my big college plans. But I still have my boyfriend, Noah. He's everything I could want—if I can figure out what's up with him. Suddenly Noah is secretive.

I fear it has something to do with what happened to us three months ago. The bruise Noah suffered during a paranormal attack has never completely faded. Now I've learned Noah is researching demons. And when he disappears, it's up to me to find him—before something else does.


To win, tell us about any ghost encounters of your own in the comments. GOOD LUCK!

And check out what the other Bookanistas are up to this week:

Elana Johnson cheers for Crossed

Christine Fonseca reveals books she cannot wait to read

Beth Revis interviews My Very UnFairytale Life author Anna Staniszewski

Shannon Whitney Messenger interviews Skyship Academy-Pearl Wars author Nick James & agent Jennifer Rofe – with giveaway

Jessi Kirby twirls for Audition

Shana Silver burns for Circle of Fire

Carrie Harris devours Deadly

Stasia Ward Kehoe travels to The Day Before

The Best and Worst Thing About Being a Writer

Opening up a brand new document and starting a new manuscript is scarier than a Paranormal Activities trailer.

But then you get to type in the brand new, absolutely perfect title of your WIP. 

You hit the enter key once.

And type these words:

By Lisa and Laura Roecker

A tiny, little thrill races up the back of your spine and makes you sit a little bit straighter as you type, "Chapter 1."

And so it begins....

Tell The Truth Tuesday

1. I just ate 2 caramel apples and I'm still kind of hungry. In my defense, the apples were technically my dinner. Yeah, that's not really a good defense is it?

2. There are Twitter feeds I read for the sole purpose of being annoyed. I realize this makes zero sense.

3. This is the funniest video I've seen IN MY LIFE.



4. Even though I'm in desperate need of yoga pants, I refuse to purchase them from Old Navy lest they think their horrific advertising campaigns are working. So, if you're an Old Navy marketing executive and you happen to stumble upon this blog post, your advertising campaign has successfully PREVENTED me from purchasing your merchandise. Congratulations.

5. Jack got Super Mario Brothers for his Nintendo DS after getting a good report card and I play it sometimes while he's asleep. He thinks I'm a hero because I still remember some of the tricks. Let's chalk this up to mother/son bonding, shall we?

What's your dirty little secret this Tuesday? The jucier the better. Spill your guts in the comments.

Things That Make Me Happy

1. This book. THIS BOOK. You guys need to read this book.



I started this Friday and did not put it down until I finished it on Saturday. Plot, gorgeous writing, exotic settings, characters who make me long for the next book in the series - Daughter of Smoke and Bone has it all.


2.  These boots. And Zappos shoe videos. (AKA Shoe Porn)

All kidding aside, these videos are SUPER helpful when ordering shoes online. And Loretta Nyhan will be pleased to know that I purchased these in black to replace my beloved Uggs and I love them. So much.


3. Pumpkin spice coffee. This is the best birthday present I've ever gotten. EVER. I'm so....alert.

4. Caramel apples. The kids and I spent the day with The Regulator and we made caramel apples. Delicious and fun. This is why I love the Fall.

5. Two amazing manuscripts on my Kindle. Just waiting for me to read them. Bliss.

What's got you happy this lovely Monday morning? Leave a comment and I'll send you a virtual latte.

Celebstalking by LiLa

 

Happy Friday!

The White Assassin Blog Tour and GIVEAWAY!!!!



THE WHITE ASSASSIN
Book II of the Nightshade Chronicles
October 2nd, 2011

We are absolutely honored to help spread the love for Hilary Wagner's latest book, THE WHITE ASSASSIN, book 2 in the Nightshade Chronicles, on the blog today. If you're anything like me, you struggle with gift ideas for those tricky tweens--especially tricky, male tweens. Struggle no more, my friends, struggle no more. This book along with NIGHTSHADE CITY (which is now out in paperback, although it's definitely the kind of classic book you want in hardcover on your shelves) make a fabulous gift that is sure to keep kids entertained for hours.
About the THE WHITE ASSASSIN:

Book II in the Nightshade Chronicles begins three years after Juniper and his rebel band of rats liberate the Catacombs and defeat their oppressors.

A sense of peace has settled over Nightshade City, but it is a false one. Billycan, the white assassin, has been found. Deep in the southern swamps, he now rules a primitive horde of savage swamp rats eager to overrun Nightshade City and claim it for their king. With the help of an ancient colony of bats and an uneasy alliance with the swamp snakes, Juniper and his Council set out to thwart Billycan’s plans. When an old secret is revealed—one so shocking it shakes both Billycan and Juniper to the core—the fate of Nightshade City and the life of Juniper’s only son depend on Juniper’s decision: should he help his mortal enemy? The past resurfaces with devastating impact in this exciting sequel to Nightshade City, a dark tale of intrigue, deception, and betrayal.

Nightshade City, Book I of the Nightshade Chronicles is a CBC Best Book of 2011 and a Crystal Kite finalist.

About the Author:

Hilary Wagner was born and raised in Chicago. She graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in fine art. Her paintings have appeared in galleries and exhibitions in New York City and in the Chicago area, where she lives with her husband and two children. Her first book, Nightshade City, launched the Nightshade Chronicles and received wide critical acclaim. Nightshade City is a CBC Best Book of 2011 and a Crystal Kite Finalist. Hilary also writes for National Geographic School Publishing and has just finished Goblin Shark Rising, a new adventure novel, set for publication in fall of 2012. You can find Hilary on Twitter and Facebook, and keep up with all her latest news by following her blog.

If you're still not convinced, check out this incredible review from Kirkus. Oh...and Hilary's already racking up five star reviews. And we're not at all surprised. These books are unique, entertaining, well-written and loads of fun. Happy reading!

PS: One lucky commenter will win a copy of THE WHITE ASSASSIN. Good luck!

Check out what the Bookanistas are up to this week:

Christine Fonseca  celebrates How to Save a Life

Shana Silver shivers for Shatter Me

Stasia Ward Kehoe applauds Virtuosity

Veronica Rossi  is ensnared by Girl of Fire and Thorns

Shelli Johannes-Wells delves into Ditched

SO close....

Um, you guys, we're ALMOST THERE. Our epic round of edits is almost done. I just sent Laura my final edit to the very last line of THE LIES THAT BIND and now I must go collapse.

Today: We send the document to our fabulous editor and major agent.

Tonight: Fancy b-day dinner with the sisters Roecker to celebrate finishing this beast.

Tomorrow: We'll be back to our normal (highly randomized) blogging style.

HOORAH!!!!