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 = )

Release Week for Ghost Huntress: The Counseling!

Yay! We're celebrating the launch of Marley's new book, the 4th in her Ghost Huntress series. Release weeks rock because they usually mean giveaways, and Marley's series is so good!

I, too, loved the first three books and let's just say they were realistic enough to make me turn off the white noise app on my iPhone that I'd slept to for a year. I totally kept thinking some spirit was going to talk to me through it. Then again, I'm what you call a ghost-sensitive person. Which means, I can't wait to read The Counseling... with the lights on.

So, we've been talking about the hard choices we've had to make in order to find our own paths. Sometimes, though, the choices we make are in response to things we can't control. I know that's what's happened in my life during the last five years.

I sold my debut novel in the midst of a terrible break-up, which had me contemplating moving away from my job, friends, and hometown. I had had the choice to stay in the town where my ex lived, or to move back to the big bad city and start completely from scratch. I thought for awhile that staying in the town where my support systems (church, work, friends, neighbors) were would be the best choice.

But sometimes, life helps you out toward the decision you need to make.

First, I found out that more bad things were happening with the ex. Then there was a wildfire on the hill above my rental house which had me packing for an impending evacuation, and then, once the wildfire danger had passed, the owner of my rental home told me the house was about to be seized for tax issues. Um... universe? Were you trying to tell me something? I loaded up my broken down Hyundai with clothes, computer, and my manuscripts, and drove to the city with only $300 in my pocket and the promise of my sister's guest room for a few weeks.

I had no idea what I was going to do next, but leaving town was the right thing. Sometimes, life helps you out. Kind of like that old Alannis Morissette song - you know the one. And it all worked out beautifully in the end, just the way it was all meant to work out. My life is so much happier now, so thank you, disasters - you really did help.

So anyway, now it's time for you to enter to win a copy of Ghost Huntress: The Counseling --

In comments - tell me about a time where you were set to do one thing, but then the universe suddenly helped you to a different path. Or, just tell me if you're afraid of ghosts (that one's a lot easier).

Oh, after you comment, go over to Marley's website to enter more giveaways. Here's the link -- http://marleygibson.com

Hugs,


Heather
www.heatherdavisbooks.com
Wherever You Go - Harcourt Fall 2011
Never Cry Werewolf - HarperTeen Paperback - next week!
The Clearing - Houghton Mifflin Harcourt - Out now

Decisions, Decisions...

It is Day Two of our weeklong celebration of Marley Gibson's newest release, Ghost Huntress: The Counseling, which includes some book giveaways here on our blog, and a grand prize on her website, so be sure to check that out, and leave a comment here.


We are talking about finding our way in this world, and knowing you have made the right decision. Which brought me to thinking about my life, and then ultimately, the decisions I have made for my three kids...

In this day and age of parenting, there are so many opportunities out there--school, sports, clubs, camps, enrichment, spirituality. You almost wish you had a crystal ball to see where your kid would ultimately be happiest. Whether to let them join everything and risk being stretched too thin, join just the ones they seem called toward --or-- the ones their friends are in... Questions, questions! And the answers seem to come from talking it over as a family.

When it came to high schools, our community offered many choices. We analyzed the pros and cons for each child, and again, listened to our kids. So when our daughter presented us with reasons why she felt she'd do better at the public school, we enrolled her there, even though both her brothers went with private education.

Color me shocked when some years later, I was suddenly "attacked" by a woman I had just met for being a sexist who put my sons above my daughter.

“So," she charged, "you’ll fork out money for private education for your sons, but not for your daughter?”

Wow--them’s was fighting words! Numerous retorts came to mind, most of which would have lead a Dynasty-worthy Linda Evans/Joan Collins’ moment:


But all my instincts told me this woman was not worth my time or trouble, so I merely made a joke and backed away, let the friend who had just introduced us explain things (okay, put her in her place)!

These days, we try to let the kids make their own decisions (with occasional input from us). And let us not forget that when my husband and I are old and gray, the kids are likely going to be "in charge" of things. So let’s hope we set the right example...

How about you? Every faced a tough decision you had to make for someone else, like a child, parent or grandparent?

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

Book Launch of GHOST HUNTRESS: THE COUNSELING

Well...it's here! The big week of promo for my new book, GHOST HUNTRESS: THE COUNSELING. This is the fourth book in the Ghost Huntress series and I'm very excited that the time is finally here to talk about the book.



Kendall has just discovered who Emily really is, lost her boyfriend, and nearly died doing the thing she loves most–ghost hunting. It’s time to take a break and try to reconcile all the changes she’s going through. So Kendall heads to the Sierra Mountains, where there’s a camp especially for young people with gifts such as hers. It’s a time for reflection and self-discovery. But when she gets to California, she once again finds restless spirits–and the boy in her last vision. It may be the end of one chapter of her life and the beginning of a new one.

This week, we'll be talking about finding your own way in the world and making the best decisions for you. Each day, you'll be eligible to win not only copies of THE COUNSELING here on Books, Boys, Buzz, but I'll be offering a GRAND PRIZE on my website to be given away on September 15th. There's an awesome prize package on my website, so please be sure to check that out and spread the word.



To win a copy of THE COUNSELING, leave a comment in the trail about a huge decision you had to make that had a huge affect on you and your life. Again, those who leave a message (as many as you'd like), will be eligible to win a book.

Thanks for reading!

Hugs,
Marley = )

Winners!

Busy with copy edits for GHOST HUNTRESS: THE DISCOVERY, but wanted to poke my head in and announce a few things.

First off, starting Sunday, we will be back to our regular (non-summer) posting schedule, so we'll have something fresh every day for you now that all of our warm weather distractions have, sadly, come to a close.

Secondly, on Sunday, we will kick off the launch of the fourth book in my GHOST HUNTRESS series - THE COUNSELING, which is released on September 1st! We'll have a lot of giveaways and the chance to enter a GRAND PRIZE giveaway, so be sure to stop back by and get in on the fun!

Thirdly, on that note, I'm giving away an advanced copy, as per last week's contest, as well as some Silly Bandz. And the winners are....

MD - pack of Silly Bandz

brendajean - pack of Silly Bandz

Steph - copy of THE COUNSELING

Please contact me offline with your snail mail address and I'll get the prizes out to you - marley_gibson AT yahoo DOT com.

See you on Sunday!

Hugs,
Marley = )

Get spooked this fall!
GHOST HUNTRESS: THE COUNSELING - available September 1st!

New Cover!

Well...I was going to blog about my trip to Gettysburg and show some pretty pictures, but I was sideswiped by the cover to the next book in the GHOST HUNTRESS series. THE COUNSELING comes out in October 2010 and I have to say, I think this cover is my favorite so far! Check it out:



I geek out every time I see a new cover. I am totally blessed by the Cover Gods at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. My thanks to ilovedust in the UK and to Carol Chu for their awesome work.

Do you love it? Does it make you want to preorder it immediately? LOL!!

Hugs,
Marley = )