Speaking of new TV Shows...

You may not remember this, but not counting PBS, there used to be only three main networks -- ABC, NBC, and CBS.  Those networks had kind of a set schedule season for TV shows.  New series premiered in the fall (always with a splashy fall preview show) and then the summer was filled with re-runs and other stuff.  TV was pretty lame back in the day.

Then came MTV and other cable networks.  TV got better!

And then, FOX came on the free TV scene and things totally changed.  There were more choices.  And then, FOX and other new networks, cable and free, started to premiere their own series when they wanted. 

Now, many years later, we get to see new shows almost year-round...

Bravo always seems to be cooking up great new reality shows (and franchises of successful shows) and of course AMC has MadMen and other great shows coming and going. 

But here's what I'm really excited about -- MTV is going to have a werewolf show!

Teen Wolf premieres this Sunday, June 5th.  It looks like a pretty serious werewolf drama -- nothing like the Michael J. Fox comedy from the 1980s.

Tyler Posey is the star.... he's super cute, even with his moonlight eyes.


Are you guys going to watch it, too? 
If not, what other new shows are you going crazy for?





Ahooooooh!


Heather

www.heatherdavisbooks.com

Sometimes by Moonlight: A Novella - Just Released!
Never Cry Werewolf - HarperTeen
The Clearing - Houghton Mifflin Harcourt - 2011 RITA finalist
Wherever You Go - Harcourt November 2011

WINNERS!

Thanks to everyone for helping celebrate the paperback release of Never Cry Werewolf this week! And thanks to all the readers who commented for their chance to win a signed copy of the book.

And the winners are:

Ladytink_534
brendajean
Steph
Jessie Oliveros
Jenny N.

Please email me at heather(at)heatherdavisbooks.com with your mailing info.

Ahooooh!

Heather
www.heatherdavisbooks.com

Second Time Around: Book to Movie

What a great week...we're shouting out about the of the paperback release of Never Cry Werewolf by our own Heather Davis.



And, because of the second release, we're talking about something we loved even more in its second incarnation than the first.

For me...it's BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY by British author, Helen Fielding. I read this book in 2000 and it changed my life. It made me laugh, it made me cry, and, most of all, it made me want to quit talking about writing a book some day and make some day happen. This is the book that got me writing until I hit "The End."



It was because of the voice, the energy, and the characterization in this book that had me glued to the computer working on my own novel about a quirky, fun, friendly heroine.

Imagine my excitement when I found out the book was being made into a movie!



And not just any movie. A blockbuster! A hit! An iconic film for our time. I laughed all over again. I cried all over again. I watch it time and time again with fresh eyes each time. Renee Zellweger WAS Bridget. Colin Firth WAS Mark Darcy. And, Hugh Grant WAS Daniel Cleaver. Brilliantly brought to life on the big screen for my enjoyment.

The actors literally brought to life the already vividly written scenes like Bridget's dinner party with the blue soup, showing up at the Tarts and Vickers party as a Playboy bunny, her dieting, her friends, her bad habits...but my favorite scene that was brough to life was Mark and Daniel fighting over Bridget in the streets of London. CLASSIC.



And, of course, books made into movies are never really the same, so it was like getting another version of the book...still with the happy ending.



What's your favorite book-to-movie? Leave a comment to be eligible to win one of five (5) copies of Heather's book, NEVER CRY WEREWOLF that she's giving away.

Finally...the winners of last week's GHOST HUNTRESS: THE COUNSELING giveaway are:

petra
elaing8
donnas
chelleyreads
Louise
Kari
Lora1967

Please e-mail me at marley_gibson AT yahoo DOT com with your full name and mailing address. CONGRATS!

And congrats to Heather!

Hugs,

Marley = )

Second Time Around: Columbia

Hooray to Heather for the paperback release of her debut novel, Never Cry Werewolf. Because this is her book's second time around in the publishing world, all week we're talking about things that we loved even more the second time we experienced them. (Heather's also giving away books, but more on that later.)

When I first left for college in New York City, I was a few days shy of my 18th birthday. At just 17 I was ready to take on the big apple, to get an Ivy League degree and forge a path into whatever future I desired. For a while everything was great. I had awesome friends my freshman year, I (mostly) loved my classes, and had wonderful experiences in the greatest city in the world.

A few months into my sophomore year, so much had changed. I had a single room and suddenly my friend all felt too far away. I took the first class in my architecture degree, and I hated it. And then, after a fateful trip to the Dartmouth campus--beautiful, perfect, picturesque Dartmouth--I suddenly felt trapped by the city. I wanted fresh air and escape and trees. Lots and lots of trees.

Shortly after that I withdrew from Columbia and eventually transfered to the University of Colorado at Boulder. Fast forward a couple of years, and I'm applying to graduate schools. The one that floats to the top of the pile is, once again, Columbia. (Partly because they were the only school that accepted me, but that's another matter.) Once again, I packed my bags and headed to New York.

This time, though, things were different. I would only be there for two years--just a semester longer than I'd lasted the first time. I was a bit older and far more experienced, especially socially. I was studying a very specific field that I loved. I could tailor my classwork to my personal preferences. I had a fair amount of free time to explore museums and attend shows, often as part of my thesis research. In short, it was a wonderful experience.

Not that I didn't love New York the first time, but I definitely learned to appreciate the city and what it has to offer even more. And I now consider New York to be one of my hometowns--along with Boulder and Houston, all the places where I made the most progress on becoming myself.

Your turn to share. Have you ever done something that started out great, went a little wrong along the way, but then wound up awesome in the end? (FYI, I feel that way every time I write a book!) Comment for your chance to win one of five (5) copies of Never Cry Werewolf that Heather is giving away this week.

Hugs,
TLC

teralynnchilds.com
@teralynnchilds

Second Time Around: Vacation

In celebration of the paperback release of Never Cry Werewolf by Heather Davis, we are talking are "the second time around" this week, or something we have loved even more in its second incarnation.

Which brought to mind this picture of me, taken the summer of '07, in Oahu:


If you look closely, you can see I am holding a copy of my critique partner, Kelly Parra's, book, Graffiti Girl, which I had brought along to reread.

That was my first time to Hawaii. Because I am not naturally a bathing suit wearing island girl, I had put the 50th state low on travel list, and only pretty much went because it interested my family. Well...of all of us, I think I was the one most blown away by the gorgeous beaches, rolling hills, sunsets, laid-back atmosphere, and adding becoming a total fangirl for LOST, I have been bugging my husband ever since to take me back.

And since next month we are celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary, can you think of a better place for a get-away? Maui, here we come!

How about you? Is there a vacation spot you've visited once that you're itching to return to? (Or barring that, a place you're dying to go to?)

A comment below will make you automatically entered to win one of FIVE copies of Heather's paperback release!

Tina

Tina Ferraro
The ABC’s of Kissing Boys, 2010 Rita® Finalist
How to Hook a Hottie, 2009 Rita® Finalist
Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress
www.tinaferraro.com

Release Week for Never Cry Werewolf in Paperback!

Hello and ahhooooooooh!

It's Sunday, and that means is the kick-off day for my first book Never Cry Werewolf's paperback release!

I'll be giving away five signed copies of the paperback, so please comment on each Buzz Girl's post and we'll each announce winners at the end of the week.
Contest is open to US and Canada residents, 13 and over.

So, the theme of this Release Week is the second time around. What did you enjoy or appreciate better the second time you experienced it?

For me, this one is so easy! It's all about food.

Just last night, I had one of my favorites - beets. I can remember totally hating them when I was younger and first encountered the ruby-colored beauties. My dad was from farm country in Kansas and he'd boil up beets on the stove for pickling. The whole house would get this earthy, then vinegarey smell that made me go, ugh! I was so not into boiled beets.

Then, years later, I encountered beets of the roasted variety. Roasted beets on a yummy salad of argula and goat cheese. Swoon! They were drizzled with olive oil and balsamic, not overly sugarey and tasted like earth in a good way. This was definitely not the horrid vegetable I had once despised. I fell in love with beets at second bite and we've never parted since. And now, I know there are golden beets, too - which are also super yummy.

So how about you? Did you hate a food when you were younger that now delights you? Please post in comments to be entered to win a copy of the book!

Ahoooooh!

Heather

http://www.heatherdavisbooks.com/

Never Cry Werewolf - HarperTeen 9/7/10

The Clearing - HMH Graphia - Now

Wherever You Go - Harcourt Fall 2011

It's Almost Here!

^{It's been a busy week as I gear up for the release of The Clearing next Monday.}

^{The funny thing with this book, as opposed to Never Cry Werewolf, is that the publisher shipped the book early – so it’s in stores already and available at Amazon. On release day for Werewolf, I had to persuade the bookseller at B & N to look in the back for the unopened box of books. This release day, my book will already be on shelves.}

It was super excited to see the book for real. Here’s a picture of my mom by my two novels at my local indie store, Queen Anne Books, which is hosting my launch party on April 16th. It was really cool to see The Clearing on the table with Werewolf. I feel so lucky to have two books out there in the world. In fact, I still can’t believe it.

When I first had the idea for The Clearing, I was living in a mountain town of four hundred people. The mist in the field next door to our property was where the book began. Some days the mist was so thick the big red barn at the end of the field would nearly disappear. And then one day, Henry Briggs came walking out, a boy locked in an endless summer. It was several years before I wrote the book, but the genesis was right there in that field.

The official date of the release is Monday, April 12th. So, in honor of the release – we will be having a special giveaway week. Check back in on Sunday for details…

So, I’m wondering if you guys think it makes a difference whether or not a release day is a firm date or not. In some ways I’m glad the book is shipping, but on the other hand, I wonder how it affects the buzz for the book. What do you guys think?

Hugs,

Heather

^{www.heatherdavisbooks.com}

Never Cry Werewolf – HarperTeen

The Clearing – Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Wherever You Go – Fall 2011 Harcourt

Our New Bee Wendy's High School Memories!

Happy Thursday!

A little housekeeping before we get into our daily celebration of Wendy Tolliver, our new bee – the winner of last week’s Favorite Things giveaway – is HEATHER M. Please email me at heather(at)heatherdavisbooks.com with your mailing address so I can send you delicious chocolate-orange fondue, gummy bears, and a signed copy of my book, Never Cry Werewolf.

And now – without further ado, I’m so very lucky to get to interview our brand-spanking-new Bee, Wendy Toliver! Since most of us YA authors relive the high school years on a daily basis in our writing, I thought it would be fun to dig into Wendy’s memory of her formative years.

Q: Hey, Wendy! Welcome to the Buzz Girls. To start, please tell us what kind of kid were you in HS?

A: Hmm, good question. I played basketball and soccer, sang in concert choir and school musicals, played piano, took Honors and AP classes (though art class was my favorite), and was active in my church's youth group. I had a best friend who I did everything with and was completely boy crazy. I drove a humongous and totally unglamorous Ford LTD we called the Banana Boat, and my wardrobe was pretty Gap-ish. My favorite lunch was Cheetos, a poppy seed muffin, and a raspberry New York Seltzer. I loved The Simpsons, Depeche Mode, and going to dance clubs and Nuggets basketball games.

Q: Whew—my stomach is hurting for Teenage Wendy! Tell us, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A: A news anchor or a psychiatrist.


Q: As a YA author, have you used any incidents or memories from HS in your novels?

A: Not directly, but definitely as far as feelings and the daily in-and-outs of high school.


Q: Inquiring minds want to know -- did you have a secret HS crush?

A: Oh yes, many many, many crushes. And they changed almost daily, ha ha! I tended to like guys who were athletic, funny, handsome, and taller than me (I'm 5'9"). I went to a school with about 2,000 students and worked at a grocery store with a lot of other teenagers, so guys were plentiful in my life. Unfortunately, I didn't really have much reciprocation, so whenever I wanted to do something couple-ish, I resorted to having people fix me up with guys who went to different schools. I think the biggest secret crush I had was a guy named Shane who worked at the grocery store with me. He had a girlfriend, though, so I never told him.


Q: Did you have a nickname in HS?

A: Yes I did! Fergie (My last name was Ferguson before I got married) and Prancer amonst basketball team-mates (I don't know if this came from my tiny feet that looked like hooves in my basketball high-tops, or if it's because of the way I ran. Either way, kind of funny.)

Q: Who were your best friends in HS?

A: Amy Uppinghouse (in picture with Wendy at right) and Tonya Monson. I met them both in junior high and we're still close even though we went to different colleges and live in different states. Another of my best friends was Emily Bateman, who went to a different high school but we became friends way back in second grade!


Q: Do you have any regrets about your HS experience?

A: Of course I do! I don't think I was terrible to anyone, but I do remember being less than nice to a few people and I feel bad about that. Let's see, one of the major dances was a total bummer because I asked a guy-friend and he ended up being a total jerk, not even dancing with me, so I had to hang out with my friend and her boyfriend the whole night. I regret volunteering to play the piano for the school's big choir concert because the instructor yelled at me which only made my hands shake and I messed up even more. I was literally praying the entire song, just wanting to get through it. But overall, I LOVED my high school years and am so thankful to have gone to such a great one.


Q: Have you gone back to visit your HS now that you are a YA author?

A: I went there for my 10 year reunion but that was before I became an author. However, I did go back and do an author visit at my old junior high which was cool. Only a few of the teachers I had were still there and they look the same!


Q: What advice would you give kids in HS now?

A: I hate it when a teenager gets so wrapped up in her boy- or girlfriend that he/she ends up losing a part of him/herself. Think of the relationship as fun and exciting, but make sure you still make time for your friends and family.


Q: Any funny story you want to tell about HS that we haven’t already covered?

A: Once my friend Amy and I went to watch "Fiddler on the Roof" at another high school because some people we knew were in it. We brought a bag of Cheetos to munch on. Of course, food wasn't allowed in the theater but we thought we might get hungry. Then one of us dropped the bag, and it slid all the way down the sloped floor, bright orange chips scattering loudly en route to the base of the stage. I'd say we were mortified, but all I can remember is laughing and not being able to stop, yet another live-production no-no.

Thanks, Wendy! Be sure to check out Wendy’s awesome books -- The Secret Life of a Teenage Siren and Miss Match – on shelves now. And her super-cool sounding next book, Lifted will be a summer 2010 release from Simon Pulse – so keep your eyes peeled for that, too. You can read more about Wendy at http://www.wendytoliver.com/

So Buzz Blog readers -- do you have any more questions about high school for Wendy? Post your question or comment on your own HS experience and you’ll be entered to win a $10 Borders gift certificate all week long!

Hugs,


Heather
http://www.heatherdavisbooks.com/
The Clearing – April 2010 - Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Never Cry Werewolf –2009 - HarperTeen

My favorite thing revealed...

So what are my favorite things?

Last week I gave you two choices, my cat Harper Lee and chocolate, but since I’m not sending Harper via priority mail any time soon – the winner is chocolate!

I’m especially fond of dark chocolate – even better if it is in the form of luscious brownies, gelato or cakes. I even love mole sauce (which has ground chocolate in it) on my chicken.

In honor of both chocolate and New Year’s Eve – I am giving away a fabulous jar of gourmet chocolate/orange fondue (just microwave and dip!) along with a signed copy of my book Never Cry Werewolf – and I’ll even throw in one of Shelby’s favorite candies featured in NCW -- gummy bears!

To win – in comments please describe your favorite chocolate treat and who you would share your chocolate fondue and gummies with.

I'll announce the winner NEXT Thursday during our welome the Mystery Bee Week on the blog. Aren't you dying to know who the new bee will be?

Happy New Year!!

Heather
http://www.heatherdavisbooks.com/
The Clearing – April 2010 Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Never Cry Werewolf – Sept 09 HarperTeen

My Favorite Things & Christmas Eve

It's Christmas Eve, and I'm reflecting on my favorite things for this special week of giveaway previews.

Hmm... favorite things -- how can you even decide on just one?

Well, here are two -- a homemade chocolate cake (my almond yule log) and Harper, looking like she might like a slice.

Next Thursday, I'll be giving away a copy of my debut - Never Cry Werewolf - along with a special bonus item related to my favorite things. I hope you'll join us all week long for festive giveaways - -books and goodies each day on the blog.

For now, I'll wish you and your families happy holidays... it's time to eat that cake!

Love and Light,

Heather

http://www.heatherdavisbooks.com/

Never Cry Werewolf - Harperteen 09/09

The Clearing - HMH 04/10