Archive for February, 2008

February 28, 2008 • 10 Comments

I went to see Juno last week and….. WOW….. what an awesome movie. I totally LOVED it.  Made me laugh, cry and come over all warm and fuzzy. Ellen Page was simply amazing, I really wanted her to win the Oscar.

Talking of Oscars  (I bet you’re impressed by that seamless link)  it was on in the afternoon over here and I managed to catch the good bits. And didn’t Katherine Heigl look gorgeous? I love her work. Especially in Greys.

Talking of Greys (I bet….. ok, not funny the second time) this season rocks. I think it’s my favorite program  (and that’s saying something)…. with Dirty Sexy Money coming a close second. I’m not counting Idol because…. well, because I’ m not.

My writing is fun at the moment. I’m just doing a last run through of my Tween/Middle grade book before shipping it off to my agent, and have a YA proposal I’m working on.

It’s crazy busy time at the moment in the motel…. lots of weddings, events, tourists and our regular corporate clientele.   It’s a good job I don’t need long uninterrupted hours to get my writing done, or I’d be screwed!

February 20, 2008 • 10 Comments

I was so thrilled to find out about a review of Suzy by Chelsea from Young Adult Book Central… here it is:

The Second Virginity of Suzy Green by Sara Hantz

Suzy Green is completely memorable.
a review by Chelsea, 2008 Teen Demi-GoddessThe death of the near perfect Rosie left a pretty big impact on her sister, Suzy Green. Now that Suzy is moving, she wants a fresh start at life – she doesn’t want to be her old reckless self anymore. She wants to be more like Rosie. So she puts her black, semi-gothic clothes in the back of her closet in exchange for more pastel colors. And she locks up her old wild and party-crazed attitude for a chance at straight A’s and a good education.

Trying to fit in, she joins the Virginity Club, which is a pretty popular thing for the posh school that Suzy is now attending. The problem is, Suzy doesn’t exactly meet the requirements, so she throws lies in others faces to try and make herself seem like someone she’s not. It’s not like anyone knows she’s not truly a virgin. That is until Ryan, Suzy’s ex-boyfriend shows up. If Ryan exposes her lies to the public, she could lose everything she’s worked for at her new school.

This book contains so much more than what I had anticipated. Suzy is such an amazing character that I felt like I knew her on a personal level. She seems so vulnerable and yet tough at the same time, making me feel both sympathy and admiration towards her. And the background characters weren’t lacking either; they were all unique in their own way. Ultimately, this book blew my expectations out of the water and replaced them with a touching story about a girl trying to be someone she’s not, while still holding on to part of herself.

February 14, 2008 • 12 Comments

I’ve found another TV program to watch…… how exciting is that????

Dirty Sexy Money… with the guy from Six Feet Under… it’s so over the top and funny, I just love it.

Kids finally gone (well one may be back for a short while) and yes it’s peaceful. The downside…. I don’t get to put the dishwasher on every day…. and we all know my about my dishwasher obsession.

February 10, 2008 • 3 Comments

Since the beginning of November we’ve had a pretty full house (motel) with both kids at home. Which is great….. and noisy…. especially when friends come to stay. And why wouldn’t they, we’re situated right in the middle of town and are an excellent place to crash after a night out.

Well…… next week, my son starts college in the South Island and the week after my daughter goes back to Uni in Wellington. Will I miss them??? Of course. Will I miss the TV being on all day, the extra meals I have to cook, fighting over my favorite chair in the evenings,  someone jumping on my computer the minute I get up to do something, the overcrowded feeling…… what do you think????

I’ve also discovered something else to occupy my time (like I have so much time on my hands), Jacketflap. It’s an amazing site for anyone interested or involved in writing for children. Check it out. and while you’re there don’t forget to friend me!

I’m very excited, because yesterday I found Sophie Kinsella’s latest book Remember Me in KMart. I knew it was coming out and had planned on ordering the hardback online because I didn’t think it would get here so soon. I can’t read it yet, as I have to finish reading my Rita entries. But it’s on my dining room table and I keep reading the back cover blurb as I walk past it.  I just know I won’t be disappointed.

February 3, 2008 • 5 Comments

If you pop over to Teen Fiction Cafe you’ll see that my very good friend Amanda Ashby is giving away a copy of The Second Virginity of Suzy Green (don’t you just love that girl). And all you’ve got to do is leave a comment - how hard is that!!!!

I’m also very excited at the moment because all my favorite TV programs are coming back. Tonight we have Ugly Betty and Greys; tomorrow Desperate Housewives and Pushing Up Daisies (ok, so that’s new but I just know I’m going to love it). On Thursday Criminal Minds. AND on Friday and Saturday……. omg I can barely contain myself….. IDOL. My life is totally complete!!!!