Chick Lit Rocks! 12 May 2015 6:00 PM (9 years ago)
We all know chick lit rocks. You wouldn’t be here, reading this post if you didn’t think so, right? Well, you’re in luck because all of the blogs today are featuring playlists to go along with their awesome novels!
I’m featuring Honor’s Lark once again. This was a really easy post for me, since I already had a playlist made up for the book. Writing Honor was very natural, because I understand a lot of the issues she’s facing in her life – feeling lonely, unloved, unaccomplished. This playlist was the music I was listening to while writing, the music that spoke to me about those feelings.
The main song on the Honor’s Lark playlist is “I Choose You” by Andy Grammer. Andy is definitely my favorite male solo artist. My friends know him as my future husband! He has a stage presence that’s fun, energetic, and a little crazy (but not CRAZY crazy). At the same time, he can sing a love song with intense emotion. “I Choose You” is all about the idea that each individual has the option to choose the person that is right for them. As he says in the song, we don’t get to choose our heights or our ethnicity, but we do get to choose the person we love. This song was a huge inspiration for me when writing the book, because the world it takes place in believes the opposite: that who you love is destined and you have no say in the matter. Honor and Sedric are determined to have their say.
If this playlist were a soundtrack to the Honor’s Lark movie (which doesn’t exist, but totally should), this song would play in the trailer and during the climatic scene where… haha, I’m not going to spoil what happens!
Other songs on my Honor’s Lark playlist:
- “Everybody’s Got Somebody But Me,” by Hunter Hayes – If Honor’s Lark were a movie, this song would play over the opening credits.
- “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely,” by The Band Perry
- “Everyone is Gay” by A Great Big World – this song might not actually appear in the Honor’s Lark movie, but maybe in one of the sequels. I based my world on the idea that there is no concept of heterosexuality or homosexuality. Same-sex and opposite-sex couples are treated equally and respected equally by society.
- “Burn,” by Kat Robichaud (and The Design)
- “Where I Stood,” by Missy Higgins – this song would play when Honor dances for Sedric for the first time
- “Back Home,” by Andy Grammer – this song would play when Honor goes to visit her family
- “Drunk Last Night,” by Eli Young Band
- “Rockstar” by A Great Big World
- “Burn” by Ellie Goulding
- “I Choose You” by Andy Grammer
- “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” by Eli Young Band – this song would play when Honor has to make a choice about her career.
- “Kiss Me Slowly,” by Parachute – this song would play over the end credits
Honor is also a fan of classical music, because of her dance background, but since she lives in a different world/universe, her classical composers wouldn’t be the same as ours. Think of composers similar to Beethoven and Chopin. I didn’t add any to my playlist, but let me know in the comments if you have any favorites!
To listen to the entire playlist, check it out on Spotify!
Purchase Links:
Honor’s Lark on Amazon
Twenty-Five on Amazon
Twenty-Five on Smashwords
List of Participants & Links
What’s on Page 45 11 May 2015 6:00 PM (9 years ago)
Take the time today to hop around to the participating blogs to learn a little about each author’s books. We’re going to be describing, in the most titillating fashion we can think of, what happens on Page 45.
Twenty-Five‘s page 45 is awesome, of course, but I’m going to describe Honor’s Lark‘s page 45 for you, because Honor really needs some love. She’s had a rough year… or thirty rough years, really. If you’re interested in what happens, perhaps you’ll want to scoot over to Amazon and pick up a copy for yourself or a friend… or thirty friends, maybe?
*This description is from the page 45 of the paperback edition of the book. E-book pages will vary.*
Setup – Honor’s Lark is about a world where every individual is born with a birth mark that matches another individuals, i.e. their life mate. They have an instinctual pull that helps them find their mate. Poor Honor is looking at spinsterhood at the ripe old age of 30, having never found her mate and not sure why. A new man enters her life (her boss Sedric) who helps her begin to understand what love truly is.
On page 45, Honor and Sedric are having a drink at a bar. They are traveling for work and Honor’s just gotten some really great news that made her feel like crap. He’s trying to get her to open up; he wants to be her friend. They are really just feeling each other out. One of my very favorite quotes from the whole book is on this page:
Honor uses lies and sarcasm to shield herself from a world where she doesn’t feel she belongs. Sedric calls her on her bullshit. It’s fantastic, really 
This scene is the first time Honor feels empathy for another character in the book. She takes a long hard look at another person and realizes that maybe, just maybe, someone could understand her. So she tries to understand him.
And now it’s time for another GIVEAWAY!
One reader will win a one-pound package of caramels from Whitney’s Goodies. The winner will be able to choose their flavor from those listed below.
Unfortunately, this giveaway is open to residents of the USA only, but international readers we still love you!
Flavor Options:
- The Girl Next Door (Crème Caramels): A scrumptious, full-bodied caramel. Old fashioned, melt-in-your-mouth bliss!
- The Charmer (Chocolate Crème Caramels): This smooth, chocolate cream caramel will add panache to your day. An exquisite and elegant morsel, simply irresistible.
- The Movie Star (Orange Crème Caramels): A timeless treat that will satisfy caramel fans of all ages. “The stuff that dreams are made of!”
- The Bombshell (Lemon Crème Caramels): A bodacious bit of heaven with a bold citrus pallet. They will leave you satisfied and refreshed. Caramels are a girl’s best friend!
- Always a Lady (Rose Caramels): A delicate bouquet of rose essence infuses this lovely caramel: alluring, tantalizing and reminiscent of another era. They are perfect for weddings and bridal showers. A definite for ladies who lunch or breakfast at Tiffany’s.
HOW TO ENTER
To enter, answer the following question in the comments section below. In 4 or 5 words, why do you think Honor’s Lark would be a good read?
Entrants must leave their full name, along with an e-mail address (Make sure you underline, bold, and highlight this as we must have a way to contact the winner!) A winner will be chosen via Random.org on Tuesday, May 19th.
Make sure to visit all of the participating blogs for more chances to win!
Purchase Links:
Honor’s Lark on Amazon
Twenty-Five on Amazon
Twenty-Five on Smashwords
List of Participants & Links
Miss Chick Lit Pageant 10 May 2015 6:00 PM (9 years ago)
Hello all! In case you didn’t know, May is Chick Lit Month, so a bunch of my chick lit writer friends and I are celebrating this week with chick lit-themed posts and giveaways. My two e-books, Twenty-Five and Honor’s Lark, will be on sale for $0.99 all week, and on Friday, the other ladies books will also be on sale for $0.99.
Our first post is the Miss Chick Lit Pageant and my contestant is Honor Sandoval from Honor’s Lark!
Welcome, Honor! Tell us a little about yourself.
“I’m Honor Sandoval and I’m here representing Linhill*. I’m a 30 year old former ballerina with a love for baking and sarcasm. Not really sure what I’m doing here because I really don’t need anyone else’s validation.”
*Linhill is the city Honor lives in, in the fictional region of Belburn, in the Lark universe.
Swimsuit Competition:
Honor, what are you wearing at the beach this summer?
“I like clean and classic styles. I love this suit because it looks like something I could have worn when performing with the dance company.”
Talent Competition:
Honor’s talent is an original solo ballet she choreographed. Something along the lines of this:
Her dance is inspired by the range of emotions she went through when she injured herself and ended her ballet career, lost both her lifegivers, and met the love of her life, Sedric.
Interview:
Honor, which awesome fashion trend do you wish would make a comeback? And which awful fashion trend do you hope to never see again?
“Like I said earlier, I simple simple and classic styles. I love leggings and billowy tops & dresses that allow for maximum comfort. I hate anything binding. I don’t want to tie myself down in life, why would I in my clothes?”
Thanks, Honor! Good luck in the Pageant!
Now it’s time for a GIVEAWAY. You can be a beauty queen too with this $100 gift card!
In order to be entered, respond to the same interview question Honor was asked during the pageant: which awesome fashion trend do you wish would make a comeback? And which awful fashion trend do you hope to never see again?
Post your answer in your blog’s comment section, along with your e-mail address (Make sure you underline, bold, and highlight this as we must have a way to contact the winner!) A winner will be chosen via Random.org on Monday, May 18th.
The contest is open to international readers, so don’t hesitate to answer if you aren’t in the US. You can earn more entries by visiting all of the participating blogs (see list of links below). That’s 19 chances to win!
US/Canada winner – $100 gift card to Sephora
UK winner – £65 gift card to Lush Cosmetics
Australia winner – $125AUD to Mecca
Purchase Links:
Honor’s Lark on Amazon
Twenty-Five on Amazon
Twenty-Five on Smashwords
List of Pageant Participants & Links
“Z” is for Zack and Miri Make a Porno 30 Apr 2015 5:00 AM (10 years ago)
Watched: April 29, 2015 on DVD
Hashtag: #WatchingZackandMiri
Year Released: 2008
Genre: Comedy
Starring: Seth Rogan, Elizabeth Banks
Run Time: 101 minutes
Description (from IMDb): Lifelong platonic friends Zack and Miri look to solve their respective cash-flow problems by making an adult film together. As the cameras roll, however, the duo begin to sense that they may have more feelings for each other than they previously thought.
Obviously, this movie was stupid. So, obviously it was hilarious and I loved it. I didn’t realize until after I watched it and went on IMDb for my usual trivia check that Kevin Smith wrote and directed it. I should have, though, because “Jay” actor Jason Mewes was in it. And really, does Jay ever do anything without his hetero lifemate, Silent Bob?
This month, I’ve watched several romantic comedies, who woulda thought my favorite ones would be about abortion (Obvious Child) and porn?
I’m really proud of myself that I actually finished the A to Z challenge. I thought watching 26 movies, live-tweeting them, and writing a short review about each would be super easy, but it was hard (no pun intended). I didn’t always have the time planned to watch the movies, and some nights I didn’t have the energy to tweet. But, I managed it. It’s all done. Will I be this ambitious next year? Possibly, if I can think of another fun topic that sounds like it will be easy!
For all of my tweets about Zack and Miri Make a Porno, follow me on Twitter @RLHammAuthor and search for #WatchingZackandMiri
Full title, Zack and Miri Make a Porno is too long for a hashtag, sadly #WatchingZackandMiri
— Rachel L. Hamm (@RLHammAuthor) April 29, 2015
Miri’s rocking those granny panties, you ingrates #WatchingZackandMiri
— Rachel L. Hamm (@RLHammAuthor) April 29, 2015
There’s no such thing as free titties. #Truth #WatchingZackandMiri
— Rachel L. Hamm (@RLHammAuthor) April 29, 2015
This makes me really glad I don’t drink coffee #WatchingZackandMiri
— Rachel L. Hamm (@RLHammAuthor) April 29, 2015
uh oh, I’ve tweeted starting with “uh oh” too many times #WatchingZackandMiri
— Rachel L. Hamm (@RLHammAuthor) April 30, 2015
“Y” is for Young Frankenstein 29 Apr 2015 5:00 AM (10 years ago)
Watched: April 27, 2015 on DVD
Hashtag: #WatchingYoungFrankenstein
Year Released: 1974
Genre: Comedy
Starring: Gene Wilder, Teri Garr, Madeline Kahn
Run Time: 106 minutes
Description (from IMDb): Dr. Frankenstein’s grandson, after years of living down the family reputation, inherits granddad’s castle and repeats the experiments.
I had trouble finding a “Y” movie that I’d both heard of and hadn’t seen yet, so when I saw Young Frankenstein at the library, I decided to give Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder a second chance after the monstrosity that was The Producers. After all, I LOVE Robin Hood: Men in Tights, which is Mel Brooks, too.
This movie was definitely more my speed, but I don’t think it was as good as Men in Tights. There were certainly funny moments, but I think a lot of the humor was either over my head, or possibly just didn’t age well. The song and dance in the gif above was my favorite part, with Madaline Kahn’s Bride of Frankenstein hair at the end being a close second. I’d definitely watch again, and I have a feeling I’d get more of the humor out of it the second time around.
For more of my thoughts on this movie, follow me on Twitter @RLHammAuthor and search for #WatchingYoungFrankenstein
I don’t think that corpse has been properly preserved #WatchingYoungFrankenstein
— Rachel L. Hamm (@RLHammAuthor) April 27, 2015
the elbow shake, when you know its true love #WatchingYoungFrankenstein
— Rachel L. Hamm (@RLHammAuthor) April 27, 2015
I used to think about Friends and Phoebe’s mom when I thought of Teri Garr, but now all I can think is #PeenoNoir #WatchingYoungFrankenstein
— Rachel L. Hamm (@RLHammAuthor) April 27, 2015
hahaha, extra in the front of this scene looks like David Spade #WatchingYoungFrankenstein
— Rachel L. Hamm (@RLHammAuthor) April 28, 2015
very smart, Inspector Gadget. Taunt the monster and see what happens #WatchingYoungFrankenstein
— Rachel L. Hamm (@RLHammAuthor) April 28, 2015
“X” is for X-Men: Days of Future Past 28 Apr 2015 5:00 AM (10 years ago)
Watched: April 26, 2015 on DVD
Hashtag: #WatchingXMenDoFP
Year Released: 2014
Genre: Action / Superhero
Starring: Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Peter Dinklage, Sir Ian McKellen, Sir Patrick Stewart, Ellen Page, Halle Berry
Run Time: 131 minutes
Description (from IMDb): The X-Men send Wolverine to the past in a desperate effort to change history and prevent an event that results in doom for both humans and mutants.
I loved this movie. I’ve loved all the X-Men movies I’ve seen (with the exception of Wolverine), but this was definitely my favorite. I tend to enjoy time-travel and I really appreciated how it was handled in this film. The action scenes were great, as always, and I loved the focus on character relationships. Plus, the CAST. I mean, do you see the list above? All amazing actors, and not bad on the eyes. At one point I was distracted by all the pretty before me on the screen. Who do I love more, James McAvoy, Nicholas Hoult, Michael Fassbender, or Peter Dinklage? I can’t choose! I even love Peter with his terrible 70s style glasses and pornstache.
Can’t wait for Apocalypse in 2016!
For more of my thoughts on this movie, follow me on Twitter @RLHammAuthor and search for #WatchingXMenDoFP
asking the tough questions Professor. what is this, a comic book movie or philosophy class? #WatchingXMenDoFP
— Rachel L. Hamm (@RLHammAuthor) April 27, 2015
gratuitous ass shot. #thanksforthat #WatchingXMenDoFP
— Rachel L. Hamm (@RLHammAuthor) April 27, 2015
I am attracted to the entire cast of this movie and it is sorta distracting #WatchingXMenDoFP
— Rachel L. Hamm (@RLHammAuthor) April 27, 2015
those sentinels releasing from their cocoons is almost as scary as the Hun army appearing in Mulan #WatchingXMenDoFP
— Rachel L. Hamm (@RLHammAuthor) April 27, 2015
oh please tell me there’s some Beast/Raven love in the new future #WatchingXMenDoFP
— Rachel L. Hamm (@RLHammAuthor) April 27, 2015
“W” is for Warm Bodies 27 Apr 2015 5:00 AM (10 years ago)
Watched: April 25, 2015 on DVD
Hashtag: #WatchingWarmBodies
Year Released: 2013
Genre: Romantic Comedy / Paranormal
Starring: Nicholas Hoult, Teresa Palmer
Run Time: 98 minutes
Description (from IMDb): After a highly unusual zombie saves a still-living girl from an attack, the two form a relationship that sets in motion events that might transform the entire lifeless world.
Many of my friends recommended this movie to me and I had such high hopes for it, that I actually bought the dvd without watching it first. I’m not sure if my expectations were met or not. I certainly enjoyed parts of the movie – I thought the acting by the two leads was fantastic. Nicholas Hoult really inhabited his character and his voiceover was hilarious. When he was telling himself not to be creepy (see Gif above) or to say something human, I found myself relating so much. Because who doesn’t need to be reminded now and then to be human?
I know this film is based on a book and I’m now interested enough to want to read it. I wonder if there’s more explanation for certain things, like how the apocalypse started, and why “R” was so much more aware than the other zombies seemed to be. All and all, I’ll watch the movie again, if only to see if I like it better when giving it my full attention (live-tweeting certainly does divide my focus).
For all of my thoughts on this movie, follow me on Twitter @RLHammAuthor and search for #WatchingWarmBodies
I should admit straight off that I’m sorta in love with Nicholas Hoult #WatchingWarmBodies
— Rachel L. Hamm (@RLHammAuthor) April 26, 2015
He’s the only British guy I can think of who actually sounds BETTER with an American accent #WatchingWarmBodies
— Rachel L. Hamm (@RLHammAuthor) April 26, 2015
the actress playing Julie (or Jules?) is so pretty I want to cry #WatchingWarmBodies pic.twitter.com/eyVsabaCB0
— Rachel L. Hamm (@RLHammAuthor) April 26, 2015
I don't know if I'd want to play slaps with a zombie #WatchingWarmBodies
— Rachel L. Hamm (@RLHammAuthor) April 26, 2015
“V” is for Van Helsing 25 Apr 2015 5:17 PM (10 years ago)
Watched: April 25, 2015 on DVD
Hashtag: #WatchingVanHelsing
Year Released: 2004
Genre: Action Adventure/ Fantasy
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Kate Beckinsale
Run Time: 131 minutes
Description (from IMDb): The notorious monster hunter is sent to Transylvania to stop Count Dracula who is using Dr. Frankenstein’s research and a werewolf for some sinister purpose.
I’m a little late today, aren’t I? I’ve been so good up til this point of watching my movies and scheduling my posts at least a day in advance, but time finally caught up with me. But I do not concede defeat yet!
A friend of mine warned me that Van Helsing is a terrible movie, so I did not go in with big expectations. It’s probably a good thing. I went in prepared to make fun of it, which actually helped me to enjoy it. It’s a typical vampire/werewolf movie. Take from that what you will. There’s not much more to say, because there really isn’t anything else to it. It’s the type of movie I wouldn’t be opposed to watching again if there’s nothing else on tv, but I most likely will not seek it out.
For more of my thoughts on this movie, follow me on Twitter @RLHammAuthor and search for #WatchingVanHelsing
there really aren’t a lot of movies that start with “V”. And yes, I’ve already seen V for Vendetta #WatchingVanHelsing
— Rachel L. Hamm (@RLHammAuthor) April 25, 2015
the film opens on a shot of a guy who looks suspiciously like Lucius Malfoy, but sadly, is not #WatchingVanHelsing
— Rachel L. Hamm (@RLHammAuthor) April 25, 2015
burning down a windmill because you don’t like the creature in it seems wasteful #WatchingVanHelsing
— Rachel L. Hamm (@RLHammAuthor) April 25, 2015
why do some movies insist on a color palate so dark that literally nothing is visible? #WatchingVanHelsing
— Rachel L. Hamm (@RLHammAuthor) April 25, 2015
is van helsing just Logan before he meets Professor X? #WatchingVanHelsing
— Rachel L. Hamm (@RLHammAuthor) April 25, 2015
“U” is for Up in the Air 24 Apr 2015 5:00 AM (10 years ago)
Watched: April 22, 2015 on DVD
Hashtag: #WatchingUpInTheAir
Year Released: 2009
Genre: Drama
Starring: George Clooney, Anna Kendrick, Vera Farmiga
Run Time: 109 minutes
Description (from IMDb): With a job traveling around the country firing people, Ryan Bingham enjoys his life living out of a suitcase, but finds that lifestyle threatened by the presence of a new hire and a potential love interest.
This is another DVD borrowed from my mother. She’s got a thing for George Clooney. She thinks he looks like my dad. Not the other way around, not that my dad looks like George Clooney, but that George Clooney looks like my dad. Spoiler – he doesn’t. They are pretty close in age, though. Dad is about 2 weeks older than George.
Okay, sorry for that detour. My thoughts on this movie – I really enjoyed it! I thought Clooney’s acting in this movie was much better than in The Descendants, probably because he was really able to tap into his own experience. He played a man who didn’t really believe in commitment, and there was a scene where Anna Kendrick’s character was trying to convince him that relationships were important and didn’t he want to get married someday where you could almost sense him winking at the audience. After all, at the time the movie was made he was a serial bachelor.
But then, towards the end, he gets his heartbroken by the woman he wasn’t supposed to fall in love with, and you can see those walls he’d put up crumbling down. It was lovely. And as always, Anna Kendrick is Queen.
My one grip was the “cool girl” character. The put a twist on her at the end, but she was still annoying. Newsflash, saying you are not like “other” women is a shitty thing to say. All women are awesome. Implying that there is something wrong with the way “other” women act or think, but you’re cool because you act like a man, is horrid. Every woman should be proud of herself and love herself just the way she is. Don’t be like a man or a woman, just be you.
As always, you can check out all of my tweets from this movie by following me on Twitter @RLHammAuthor and searching for #WatchingUpInTheAir. Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of tweets from the later half of the movie, because my phone lost service 
WHAT??? Chris Lowell is in this movie? How did I not know that #teampiz #WatchingUpInTheAir
— Rachel L. Hamm (@RLHammAuthor) April 22, 2015
Clooney is flirting with Norma Bates by debating the merits of rental car companies #WatchingUpInTheAir
— Rachel L. Hamm (@RLHammAuthor) April 23, 2015
.@AnnaKendrick47 was totally hired for this crying scene alone #WatchingUpInTheAir
— Rachel L. Hamm (@RLHammAuthor) April 23, 2015
“T” is for Treasure Planet 23 Apr 2015 5:00 AM (10 years ago)
Watched: March 18, 2015 on Netflix
Hashtag: #WatchingTreasure Planet
Year Released: 2002
Genre: Animated – Kids
Starring: Joseph Gordon Levitt, Emma Thompson, David Hyde Pierce
Run Time: 95 minutes
Description (from Google): The legendary “loot of a thousand worlds” inspires an intergalactic treasure hunt when 15-year-old Jim Hawkins stumbles upon a map to the greatest pirate trove in the universe in Walt Disney Pictures’ thrilling animated space adventure, “Treasure Planet.” Based on one of the greatest adventure stories ever told – Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island” – this film follows Jim’s fantastic journey across a parallel universe as a cabin boy aboard a glittering space galleon.
The visuals in this movie were pretty stunning – Disney’s idea of space and flying ships and dying stars are just lovely. That’s about the extent of my positive feelings, though. The story felt clunky, the characters felt one-dimensional (Jim, Doppler, Captain Amelia, Sarah) or way-too-dimensional (John Silver). Most of my tweets throughout the movie were along the lines, “So the cyborg is a villain?” “Oh, wait, he’s not.” “Nope, he definitely is.” I can definitely see why this film hasn’t become a Disney classic in the vein of The Lion King, Aladdin, or The Little Mermaid. It was just missing the spark of magic. Also, the side characters, which Disney usually does so well, were annoying and added nothing to the plot. Hard pass on watching again.
this movie came out in 2002, so I was a little busy graduating from high school and starting college #WatchingTreasurePlanet
— Rachel L. Hamm (@RLHammAuthor) March 19, 2015
alright, now we’ve got a dude on a straight-up hoverboard, back to the future style #WatchingTreasurePlanet — Rachel L. Hamm (@RLHammAuthor) March 19, 2015
poor single mom, just trying to get by and her loser son wants to make things difficult #WatchingTreasurePlanet
— Rachel L. Hamm (@RLHammAuthor) March 19, 2015
“I’m fluent in flatulence, Jim. Took 2 years of it in high school.” sounds like every guy I know #WatchingTreasurePlanet — Rachel L. Hamm (@RLHammAuthor) March 19, 2015
are the crew on flying ships in space called spailors? #WatchingTreasurePlanet
— Rachel L. Hamm (@RLHammAuthor) March 19, 2015
If you want to see the rest of my tweets from this movie, follow me on Twitter @RLHammAuthor and look for #WatchingTreasurePlanet