Top 10 Book Covers of 2011

Top 10 of 2011 is hosted by Jessica and Lisa, Jaime & Patricia from Two Chicks on Books and Rachel from Fiktshun. It is a week of looking back from the year that has been and looking forward for the next year. Today's Top 10 is Top 10 Book Covers in 2011.

Picking the Top 10 Book Covers of 2011 is really hard for me just for the fact that I don't want to be biased. I tried to pick the books that is not on my Top 10 Books I've Read in 2011, I mean I really tried but the love of the book also comes with Cover Love so I present you my Top 10 Book Cover of 2011.

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

Who could resist this cover? I was drooling over this when it was revealed. But I'll be honest, don't throw anything at me for this but... I'm Team Puck! that's why I'm delighted that this book has Puck on the back :) I haven't got a chance to read this book but I think everybody knows Megan is for Ash, just like I always say at least I have Puck all by myself or that's what I think lol

Wither by Lauren DeStefano

Wither is as BEAUTIFUL as it's cover! One of the best cover I've seen lately, I was starting at the cover for reals. The shade and hue of purple is just an amazing color and the cover model? what can I say is definitely beautiful. But I just want to stress that SHE DOES LOOK LIKE MANDY MOORE :) I really love this book from start to finish, though there are points where I don't want to read it anymore, haven't got a chance to review it because I might gush and say how I like and hate this book at the same time.

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Ohh James! how beautiful you truly are! I can't hide how biased I am in including this cover but I just love all the covers of Cassie's books, ohh scratch that I didn't love CoFA's cover well maybe the least favorite among the covers. I just want to say that I NEED TO READ THIS BOOK NOW! My copy has been shipping around the country and dang I don't want to wait till next year! that's why I'm spoiling myself with the Audiobook! talk about Ed Westwick lol

Die for Me by Amy Plum

Another book that I'm really really biased about is this one, I definitely love Die for Me the story, the characters, the author, the writing ahh how I love and adore this book. I love Paris, it's my dream to visit Paris someday. Ok getting off topic, I love the cover no doubt about that, I love the swirling lines the cover model is just perfect for Kate, and the cover yes I definitely love Red and the Eiffel Tower, also love the blurb "Would you risk your life for love?" My love for this book is growing every minute.

A Long Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan

This is one book that mesmerized me by it's cover, it's just simple yet has a very dramatic feel. With just looking at the cover I just see beauty, just like the rose represents but with roses beauty comes with the thorns that makes it dangerous. I haven't read this book but heard good things about it, I don't know what the story is all about but I'll definitely pick this one up just because of the cover.

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Shatter Me is just one book that I admire inside and out. The story is just an amazing read for me, I just can't get myself off this book after finishing it. Cover wise I definitely love it, but I think it didn't suit much on the story. I don't remember Juliette ever wearing a dress like that or I guess it was mentioned on the finished copy which I have not read. I think beyond that I can say that I love the cover, the slashed title, the blurb "MY TOUCH IS LETHAL MY TOUCH IS POWER" the background, need I to say more?

The Princess Curse by Merrie Haskell

My inner Middle Grade persona just came out when I picked this one. But I think it's no doubt that the cover is definitely beautiful? Who said not? If you do then I guess you can't please everybody as they say. I haven't got a chance to read this book but if I given a chance I'd definitely read it. The cover reminds me of little red riding hood or maybe not. I definitely love the cover art and the font.

The Demon Lover by Juliet Dark

I definitely love this cover, it reminds me of the cover of Die for Me but with a blueish hue instead. I haven't read this novel yet but I've heard no very good things about it that makes me slack off and not read it. But cover wise it's definitely awesome it's just that I wish that when a book has a good cover it best suits an awesome story.

Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber

I just started reading this book recently and I found myself into it. I love the story and definitely love the cover. I think the cover is a big giveaway when picking up this book. It shows in the cover that the girl is going through the painting, I think the book is intriguing specially the cover. The title I'm not very sure about it. But when it comes to cover love I definitely love this cover aside that I'm really enjoying the book.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Angel Burn by L.A Weatherly

The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence

Whats your Top 10 Book Cover of 2011?
Let us know in the comments!
Tomorrow's list would be Top 10 Book Boyfriends in 2011
make sure to come back! *waves*

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[Blog Tour] Farsighted by Emylyn Chand

Announcing the Farsighted Social Media Whirlwind Tour!

As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of the Farsighted eBook edition is just 99 cents this week.

What’s more, by purchasing this fantastic book at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes, including lots of Amazon gift cards (up to $100 in amount) and 5 autographed copies of the book. Be sure to enter before the end of the day on Friday, December 30th, so you don’t miss out.

To Win the Prizes

1. Purchase your copy of Farsighted for just 99 cents on Amazon or Barnes & Noble
2. Fill-out the form on Novel Publicity to enter for the prizes
3. Visit today’s featured event; you may win an autographed copy of the book or a $50 gift card!
4. BONUS: If you leave a comment on this blog post, you have another chance at $100!
5. DOUBLE BONUS: If I receive more comments than any other blogger, *I* win $100.

...And I can win too!

Over 100 bloggers are participating in this gigantic event, and there are plenty of prizes for us too. The blogger who receives the most votes in the traffic-breaker poll will win a $100 gift card as well. So when you visit Novel Publicity’s site to fill-out the contest entry form, don’t forget to say that I referred you, so I can get a point in the poll.

The Featured Events include:

Monday, a guest blog on Novel Publicity! Emlyn kicks off the tour on the Novel Publicity Free Advice blog by discussing her brightly burning passion for books in a guest post entitled “My journey through the pages and toward a life-long love of reading.” One commenter will win an autographed copy of Farsighted. Don’t forget to enter for the other contest prizes while you’re over there!

Tuesday, Twitter sharing contest!A tweet is tiny, only 140 characters. But on Tuesday, it could win you $50. Send the following tweet across the twittersphere, and you just may win a $50 Amazon gift card. An autographed copy of Farsighted is also up for grabs. The winners will be announced Wednesday morning. Here’s the tweet: Looking for a fun read to round out your holiday break? The paranormal YA hit Farsighted is just 99 cents! http://ow.ly/81Dt1 #whirlwind

Wednesday, Google+ sharing contest! Yup, there’s yet another awesome opportunity to win a $50 Amazon gift card, and this time it just takes a single click! Visit Google+ and share Emlyn Chand’s most recent post (you’ll see the Stay Farsighted book cover included with it). On Thursday morning, one lucky sharer will be $50 richer. An autographed copy of Farsighted is also up for grabs. Two chances to win with just one click! How about that?

Thursday, Facebook sharing contest! Stop by Novel Publicity’s Facebook page and share their latest post (you’ll see the Farsighted book cover included with it). It’s ridiculously easy to win! On Friday morning, one lucky sharer will be $50 richer. An autographed copy of Farsighted is also up for grabs.

Friday, special contest on the author’s site! Are you ready for some more fun? Take a picture of yourself with your copy of Farsighted either in paperback or on an eReading device, then post it to Emlyn Chand’s Facebook page or email a copy to author@emlynchand.com. You just way win one of three Amazon gift cards! A $100 prize will go to the photo with the most interesting setting (so put your holiday travel time to work for you). Another $50 will go the funniest photo, and one more prize of $50 will go the scariest photo—this is a paranormal YA book after all. An autographed copy of Farsighted will go to one randomly selected entrant. For more details about this contest, please visit www.emlynchand.com.

Remember, it’s all about the books!

About Farsighted: Alex Kosmitoras may be blind, but he can still “see” things others can’t. When his unwanted visions of the future begin to suggest that the girl he likes could be in danger, he has no choice but to take on destiny and demand it reconsider. Farsighted is the winner of the 2011 Dragonfly eBook Awards. Get it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

About the Author: Emlyn Chand has always loved to hear and tell stories, having emerged from the womb with a fountain pen grasped firmly in her left hand (true story). When she’s not writing, she runs a large book club in Ann Arbor and is the president of author PR firm, Novel Publicity. Emlyn loves to connect with readers and is available throughout the social media interweb. Visit her on her website, Twitter, Facebook, or GoodReads.

Now please enjoy this exciting excerpt from Farsighted...

“Did Dad tell you? A new tenant moved into the old pharmacy next door.”

“Really?” I ask, not letting on I already know. If I feign ignorance, Mom’ll divulge all the details. “What is it?”

“It’s a psychic shop,” Her voice crackles with excitement like a fire that’s just beginning to burn. “The All-Seeing Miss Teak. Isn’t that cute? Miss Teak, Mystic. Ha, I wonder if that’s her real name.”

I laugh. “That is funny. Never had a psychic in town before. What’s she like?”

“Oh, she’s very friendly. Why don’t you go over and say ‘hi.’ I’m sure she’d like to meet you.”

“Okay, I think I will.” I’m incredibly intrigued, because first off, it’s a psychic shop—how weird is that?—and second, its presence made Dad super uncomfortable—also very cool. I waste no time heading next door to check out the scene.

As I step cautiously into the new shop, a recording of soft, instrumental music greets me. I can make out chimes and a string instrument I don’t recognize but for some reason reminds me of snake charmers. The smell of incense fills my nostrils, which explains the burning I detected earlier.

“Hello?” I call out into the otherwise quiet room.

Nobody answers. I walk in deeper, sweeping my cane out in front of me in a metronome fashion. This place is new to me, so I need to be especially careful while moving around.

Thump! Despite my precautions, I stub my toe on something hard, big, and made of wood. Just my luck to stub the same toe twice in one day. I reach down to press my fingers into my throbbing foot to alleviate some of the pain. Something teeters before rolling off of the chest and across the floor; the sound it makes indicates a curved path. Suddenly, the object stops. Somebody’s stopped it.

“Hello?” I call again.

“Hello,” a deep, feminine voice responds, placing more emphasis on the first syllable than the second.

“I- I’m sorry I knocked that thing over. I didn’t mean to…” I hope she’s not angry. Probably not a good idea to get on a psychic’s bad side.

“That wasn’t just a thing, it’s a crystal ball,” she says as she walks over, sending my blood pulsing through my veins. I sense her looking at me for a moment before she places the ball back on top of the chest.

“Can it see the future?” I ask, allowing my curiosity to outweigh my uneasiness.

“No.” After a pause lasting several beats, she continues. “But I can see the future sometimes when I look into it.”

“Oh, okay.” I tighten my hand around my cane and turn to leave. It may not be the most polite thing to do, but all of this hocus-pocus stuff is freaking me out more than I would’ve guessed.

The psychic lady speaks again, stopping me cold. “Don’t run away, Alex Kosmitoras.” She must’ve spoken to Mom earlier today. That must be how she knows my name.

“I’m not running away,” I say meekly. “I’m just going back over to Sweet Blossoms.”

“Don’t run away,” she repeats—this time she speaks louder and with more energy. “Don’t run away from your abilities. They are gifts.”

“What?” I ask in confusion. What abilities is she talking about?

“You already know. Watch. Listen. Be open to your gifts.”

I turn to face Miss Teak, but find she’s already gone, returning to wherever she was before I got there.

Is it safe to leave? I trail my fingers across the wooden box I ran into earlier; a thick coat of dust clings to the tips as I pull away. If this shop just opened, why is it already so dirty? I wipe my hands over my shirt to get the gritty substance off. Shivers rock my whole body. Something about this place is wrong, and I’m not sticking around to figure out what. Tapping my cane along the floor, I’m able to find the exit without knocking into anything else.

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Top 10 Books I've Read in 2011

Top 10 of 2011 is hosted by Jessica and Lisa, Jaime & Patricia from Two Chicks on Books and Rachel from Fiktshun. It is a week of looking back from the year that has been and looking forward for the next year. Today's Top 10 is Top 10 Books I've Read in 2011.

Ok before I start counting down my list I just want to say that it's been a hard decision picking just 10 books to list down, I've thought about it, contemplated about it but it's really hard. You may not agree with me with the books in the list but according to me they are an awesome read. So I made a little video over presentation over here mind watching? *I wanted to do a video blog but no thanks well maybe in time*

 

And according to my Goodread challenge I read 80 books this year! So it's a struggle to pick which book made it to the list.I can't imagine other people's list.

2011 Reading Challenge

Jayjay has completed a goal of reading 80 books in 2011!

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80 of 80 (100%)

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Whats your Top 10 Books You've Read in 2011?

Let us know in the comments!

Tomorrow's list would be Top 10 Book Covers of 2011

make sure to come back! *waves*

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Merry Christmas to everyone!

As we all know today is Christmas Day and we're celebrating the birth of Our Savior Jesus Christ. That's why we would like to greet you all a Merry Christmas! I believe that Christmas is not only for the kids or for the young at heart. Here's a little gift from our favorite authors...

Merry Christmas!!!

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[Review] The Juliet Spell by Douglas Rees

The Juliet Spell
by Douglas Rees
Publication Date: September 27th 2011
Publisher: Harlequin Teen

I wanted the role of Juliet more than anything. I studied hard. I gave a great reading for it—even with Bobby checking me out the whole time. I deserved the part.

I didn't get it. So I decided to level the playing field, though I actually might have leveled the whole play. You see, since there aren't any Success in Getting to Be Juliet in Your High School Play spells, I thought I'd cast the next best—a Fame spell. Good idea, right?

Yeah. Instead of bringing me a little fame, it brought me someone a little famous. Shakespeare. Well, Edmund Shakespeare. William's younger brother.

Good thing he's sweet and enthusiastic about helping me with the play...and—ahem—maybe a little bit hot. But he's from the past. Way past. Cars amaze him—cars! And cell phones? Ugh.

Still, there's something about him that's making my eyes go star-crossed....

This was an absolutely wonderful story! The Juliet Spell was not exactly what I was expecting but I wasn’t even disappointed. In fact, I was very much entertained with its concept of a hilarious and innocent love story.

Douglas Reese has crafted a fantastic tale that I could not let go. It was the way it was written that you would keep on reading until you ran out of pages. Well sometimes, you don’t want pages to run out if it’s that beautiful. I think it’s also because of those characters that you wouldn’t be able to resist. You would just love them.

Miranda wanted to be Juliet so bad. But she did not get the role so she had this so called spell of becoming Juliet casted. In turns out that she summoned Edmund Shakespeare, William’s younger brother, into the present time from Elizabethan England. Edmund was hilarious. Well he is very innocent. And Miranda was always there beside him. Even when Edmund was being fascinated by everything and everyone around him and kind of also annoying, Miranda doesn’t abandon him. For some reason of course since she’s crushing on him. I really think that they’re both cute. Edmund is so charming and you’ll fall for him. Because I mean who wouldn’t?

It was lovely really. I sometimes wonder how awesome it would be to actually travel in time. When I was reading this book, I was so hyped up that I felt like I’m an adventurer as well. And I guess I am one of those silly readers who couldn’t help in smiling while reading this book. I’m not exactly the conscious type of how I look while I read but sometimes I just couldn’t help but feel ridiculous that a book could get me into beaming so much. It was just funny. I really like the exceptional humour of this book. It was so innocent and I just love it.

RATINGS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

"I was born on October 19th, 1947 in the hospital at March Air Force Base just outside Riverside, California. My father, Norman, was a career sergeant who'd served as an aircraft mechanic and infantryman in the Philippines campaign early in the war and was taken prisoner on Bataan. My mother, Agnes, was a nurse at the hospital where he was sent to recuperate after the war was over. Until I was fifteen, I lived on or near a number of Air Force bases in this country and in Germany. My sister, Patricia, was born in 1950 at Travis AFB. Until I was six, I wanted to be a fireman. Between six and twelve, I wanted to be a paleontologist. When I was twelve, I decided I wanted to be a writer. I still haven't outgrown that. I made some occasional stabs at writing and submitting manuscripts in my twenties and thirties. When I turned forty-seven, I decided to start writing things more regularly. I've been doing so ever since."
~Douglas Rees

Official Website | Blog | Twitter | Goodreads

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Pimp My Cube Contest

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Contest Factory. All opinions are 100% mine.

Pimp My Cube Contest by Contest Factory is looking for the worst, most horrid and messy cubicle or office that may have bad furniture, unorganized, filthy and some other disgusting things that make things uneasy at work…

They want people e to upload a video showing their cube/office/workspace while t hey explain the details about why it is horrible and why it is so important that Contest  Factory com e in and “Pimp” their cubicle.

Once your video is entered, you can invite your friends, family, coworkers to vote for your video. You also get sweepstakes entry points for registering, voting, commenting and inviting others to register for the contest.

Awesome Prizes await s t he winners!  The grand prizes of your cube being pimped will be selected by Contest Factory based on different criteria including for the most votes, best (most horrible) video and most compelling story.

Prize is to update your office/workspace/cube with one of three prize packages:

o New high end computer system
o New Desk, Chair and Decorations
o New Entertainment Package with high end stereo, espresso machine etc.

It is easy to upload video to the site to enter from your phone or webcam.

Video should be fun and witty – anything goes!! The better the story, the funnier the video – better chances of winning.

A second sweepstakes prize of a $200 gift card will be awarded to the registered user chosen by random drawing at the end of the contest period.

The contest period is from 12/5/11 at 12:00PM to 1/31/12 at 12:00PM.

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[Review] Legacy by Cayla Kluver

Legacy
by: Cayla Kluver
Publication Date: June 28th 2011
Publisher: Harlequin
Format: Paperback, 496 pages

I noticed his eyes. They were blue, sharp and intense. Despite the youthful glows of his suntanned face, his eyes were cold and unfriendly, suggesting he had great experience in the world and was now expecting the worst.

In her seventeenth year, Princess Alera of Hytanica faces one duty: to marry the man who will be king. But her father's choice of suitor fills her with despair.

When the palace guard captures and intruder—a boy her age with steel-blue eyes, hailing from her kingdom's greatest enemy—Alera is alarmed…and intrigued. But she could not have guessed that their clandestine meetings would unveil the dark legacy shadowing both their lands.

In this mystical world of court conspiracies and blood magic, loyalties will be tested. Courage won't be enough. And as the battle begins for everything Alera holds dear, love may be the downfall of a kingdom.

Amazon | Book Depository | Barnes & Nobles

I had a good read of Legacy. It was a pretty wonderful world Cayla Kluver created. 

This is a debut book of a very young author that I came to admire because she was able to actually publish something at a very young age. I have high regards for Kluver because she had shaped this nice story of a princess who’s about to be queen. But as much as I would want to praise it, I have a thing or two against this book.

There was just not much of action. I mean there sure to be something tougher when I’m dealing with kingdoms of some sort but well apparently there was none in this book. This was all in the princess’ point of view so it is to be expected that we will be reading a perspective of a pampered and protected beauty. I have nothing against it of course, but I mean come on, as much as cliché-ness goes, we all love a bad ass heroine, don’t we?

There was Alera, Princess of Hytanica, who is the eldest of the two daughters of the King thus she will be the next queen. She will be turning 18 so she is pressured to get married because the current King wanted to step down from his thrown already. Alera is the type who would like to be part of anything that involves the safety of the kingdom. She is really fit to be queen. But her father, the king, only wished her to marry the one he approves, but unfortunately, the one she does not love. And there was a mysterious young man who was thought to be Cokyrian (a native of Cokyri, the rival kingdom who has always wanted to invade Hytanica). They captured the young man, Narian, only to find out that he was the one of the many Hytanican infants who were abducted  more than 16 years ago by the Cokyrians only to be returned as corpses. But apparently, there was one Hytanican baby that the Cokyrians did not return. And this young man who was thought to be Cokyrian was actually that Hytanican infant. As Alera wanted to know more of what it was like in Cokyri and how they live their lives there, she was drawn to him. He appeared inexplicably mysterious to her she couldn’t help herself but wonder. She couldn’t keep away even if she wanted to.

There were wars mentioned. There were kingdom feuds. But I just couldn’t quite put a finger as to where I got so thrilled because something really exciting happened... because there was none. I was hoping something like really getting into the heart of the war or something of that sort but I have failed to find any.

There was an intriguing tale in the historical part of this book that would make you curious. It did make me curious. Thanks to this intriguing tale that might have saved this whole book into ruin. I think that was what I liked about this the most. Narian and Alera’s story was a little challenging in a way. Maybe that is the only thrill there is to it. That there love story wasn’t exactly the approved kind of pairing. Not that that was very original but it would do. At least there was the issue that we’ll be dying of knowing the outcome of. Of course I like Narian as well. He doesn’t talk much but well an enigmatic hero is a dazzling one as well. It’s nice at some point and because I know and I’m expecting that there will be more action in the next book, I think I will continue to read the trilogy. There’s this nagging inside me that says I have to know what happens with Narian and Alera’s story considering that Alera is in a really very difficult state already. We’ll see how this goes in the next books.

Ratings

About the Author

"I was born in Wisconsin on October 2nd, 1992.  I have an older sister named Cara, a younger sister named Kendra, and a supremely spoiled cat named Nina.  Cara's an actress, Kendra's a freaky super-genius like Reid from Criminal Minds, and Nina is my muse." ~Cayla Kluver on her official website

Official Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Tumblr  

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Waiting on Wednesday #18

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Vengeance Born
 by Kylie Griffin
Expected publication: February 7th 2012 by Berkley Trade

Synopsis from Goodreads

There is no mercy in the demon realm. No escape. In this place of desperation and conflict, anyone who is not pure bred is virtually powerless. Until an unlikely champion is born...

Annika, half-blood daughter of the Na'Reish King, longs for more than her tormented life among her father's people. Conceived in hatred and bred as a tool of retribution, she's gifted with a special talent that can heal as well as destroy...

With the Na'Reish vastly outnumbering them, Kalan, a Light Blade warrior, knows the future of humankind depends on him alone. Incursions into human territory and raids for blood-slaves by the Na'Reish Horde have increased. As Chosen-leader, he faces the task of stopping the demons-and convincing the Council of aging Light Blade warriors that change is necessary for survival.

When Annika learns Kalan is a prisoner in her father's dungeon, her dream of escape seems within reach. She agrees to free him in exchange for his protection once they reach human territory. Now, marked for death for helping him, Annika must learn to trust Kalan as they face not only the perilous journey to the border but enemies within the Council-and discover a shocking truth that could throw the human race into civil war...

The Iron Wyrm Affair
by Lilith Saintcrow
Expected publication: August 7th 2012 by Orbit

Synopsis from Goodreads

Emma Bannon, Prime sorceress in the service of the Empire, has a mission: to protect Archibald Clare, a failed, unregistered mentath. His skills of deduction are legendary, and her own sorcery is not inconsiderable. It doesn’t much help that they dislike each other, or that Bannon’s Shield, Mikal, might just be a traitor himself. Or that the conspiracy killing registered mentaths and sorcerers alike will just as likely kill them as seduce them into treachery toward their Queen. In an alternate London where illogical magic has turned the Industrial Revolution on its head, Bannon and Clare now face hostility, treason, cannon fire, black sorcery, and the problem of reliably finding hansom cabs.

The game is afoot…

 Kissing Shakespeare
by Pamela Mingle
Expected publication: August 14th 2012 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers

 Synopsis from Goodreads

Miranda has Shakespeare in her blood: she hopes one day to become a Shakespearean actor like her famous parents. At least, she does until her disastrous performance in her school’s staging of The Taming of the Shrew. Humiliated, Miranda skips the opening-night party. All she wants to do is hide.

Fellow cast member, Stephen Langford, has other plans for Miranda. When he steps out of the backstage shadows and asks if she’d like to meet Shakespeare, Miranda thinks he’s a total nutcase. But before she can object, Stephen whisks her back to 16th century England—the world Stephen’s really from. He wants Miranda use her acting talents and modern-day charms on the young Will Shakespeare. Without her help, Stephen claims, the world will lost its greatest playwright.

Miranda isn’t convinced she’s the girl for the job. Why would Shakespeare care about her? And just who is this infuriating time traveler, Stephen Langford? Reluctantly, she agrees to help, knowing that it’s her only chance of getting back to the present and her “real” life. What Miranda doesn’t bargain for is finding true love…with no acting required.

What's your "waiting on" pick this week?
Let us know in the comments~

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