Cover Love: Cassandra the Lucky

Oh, yeah, as soon as I saw this cover I knew I had to share it!! 

Cassandra the Lucky comes out on December 3rd, 2013

Meet Cassandra, the newest student at Mount Olympus Academy! She has an amazing talent—but will her new friends believe her?

This Goddess Girls story is based on the myth of Cassandra, who has the gift of seeing the future—except no one believes her. Can Apollo, the god of prophecy, help his new crush?

But, before that on August 6th, Penelope the Daring

Book Review: Pheme The Gossip by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams

At First Sight: As the Godess Girl of Gossip and Rumor, Pheme sees it as her duty and job description to get into everyone's business and report on it, often before she thinks of the consequences of her tales.

Currently, Pheme is trying to get into Principal Zeus' good graces so he'll write her a recommendation letter so she can apply to a job in Teen Scrollazine, the hottest magazine around.

All she needs is a really good piece of information to take to Zeus. Good for her that she's the girl's floor hall monitor and gets to snoop around quite a bit in that capacity, even if she shouldn't exactly. 

Second Glance: If Pheme the Gossip proves one thing is that it's very hard to like a gossip, and I'm sad to say I never got quite there with Pheme.

See, when Medusa and Pandora - two girls that the original 4 goddess girls didn't have the highest regard for at the beginning of their books - took center stage, it took me but a couple of chapters to feel these waves of empathy toward both girls, to care for them. Medusa has had it pretty rough and more than mean, she lacks social graces and acceptance; Pandora can't help to be curious, but she honestly doesn't mean any harm by it.

Pheme can't help to gossip because... well, she likes being the center of attention. That's pretty much it. We get hints of her past story but it's never explored enough as it to actually make a difference. And, in the end, I kind of felt like Pheme was being rewarded without quite learning her lesson.

Bottom Line: *sigh* I guess I'm not meant to be friends with Pheme. Was it bad? not really. Writing was as light and fluffy as ever, and kept a brisk pace. I'm still a huge an of the series, and I'm still REALLY looking forward to Persephone the Daring and Cassandra the Lucky, but to me Pheme was a bump in an otherwise smooth road. 

1/2

Book Review: Pandora the Curious by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams

At First Sight: Pandora is without a doubt the most curious girl of Mount Olympus Academy - and one of the few mortals that go there. She's always asking questions and that doesn't make her very popular, but she can't help herself.

So, when she sees Titan boy Epimetheus walking around the academy with a mysterious box and later said box falls unexpectedly into her hands, Pandora opens the box, releasing nine mysterious bubbles into the campus and is left feeling a little disappointed that a) that was all there was inside the box Epimetheus guarded so much, and b) that no one believes her when she said it was really just full of bubbles. 

But soon, Pandora has other things on her mind, like the Science Fair that Zeus is organizing - and which she really wants to win to prove Poseidon that girls are good at science, even if it means working with Epimethus and his brother (who are even less popular than her) - and the fact that Athena is acting like a total Ditz lately... in fact, a lot of people are acting very weird ever since those bubbles were released.

And it might be up to Pandora to fix the whole thing.

Second Glance: Pandora the Curious is my new favorite entry of the Goddess Girls series, y'all! Pandora was so adorable and cute, and I loved how curious she was and how she learned it wasn't a bad thing.

I also liked the story, with the bubbles and their effects and how Pandora had to see if Epimetheus was worth her trust - and those two were so cute working together - and I enjoyed seeing a different side to the original goddess girls, I think the authors are doing a wonderful job at broadening the scope of the books and introducing the point of view of other characters. It worked really well with Medusa the Mean and I LOVED it with Pandora the Curious.

Honestly, the way that Pandora learns to being curious is awesome but that she needs to think before asking the questions was awesome, and that Epimetheus told her "I like that about you" was a huge vote of confidence for her because he got her in ways her friends didn't. 

Bottom Line: Pandora the Curious was such a cute, feel good book. I read it all in one day because I just couldn't stop. I love the world that Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams have created and I love their characters so much and, as I said before, Pandora is my new favorite. 

Cover Love: Pheme the Gossip & Persephone the Daring

Hey Guys! 

I want to start the year on a happy note so I want to share the couple for the 2 upcoming Goddess Girls Series. 

Yeah, I know I'm super obsessed with this series but its really cute, y'all! 

Pheme the Gossip (April 2)

As the goddess girl of rumor and gossip, Pheme prides herself on being “in the know” and having the most up-to-date info on anyone and everyone at Mount Olympus Academy. To make sure that people really get her VIP messages, her words tend to linger in cloud letters above her head—just in case people don’t catch what she says!

But not everyone is thrilled with Pheme’s insider knowledge on everything MOA—including the Goddess Girls. Can Pheme ever be trusted? Or will this “gossip girl” find herself on the other end of the rumors?

Persephone the Daring (August 6)

Mortal rock star Orpheus steals the spotlight in this Goddess Girls tale of love and lyres!

Orpheus is a mortal rock god, and the girls at Mount Olympus Academy are wild about him! With his lyre and singing voice, Orpheus can charm pretty much anything—even things like stones and trees. But Hades and the other MOA boys aren’t charmed. In fact, they are less than thrilled that the girls are so gaga over this guy.

His fans are especially excited about his latest song about the girl he loved and lost, Eurydice. Orpheus was devastated when he lost Eurydice to the Underworld, so he asks Persephone to help get her back. Though it means breaking some very serious Underworld rules, Persephone pushes Hades to return Eurydice to the living world. But restoring Orpheus’s one true love might jeopardize Persephone’s own chances with her biggest crush...

I'm really excited for these two books, I've loved the way Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams have handled integrating other girls into the series, aside from the original four, so I hope Pheme's book is just as good as Medusa's and Pandora's. And I LOVE Persephone, she's my favorite Goddess Girls and I love how cute she and Hades are. 

Anyway, happy first day of the rest of the year!! 

Book Review: The Girl Games by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams

At First Sight: After weeks of planning, the Girl Games - a Girls Only version of the Olympic games - are about to take place at Mount Olympus Academy, with goddess girls and special mortals for all over the world coming to visit, and Athena, Artemis, Persephone and Aphrodite are in the middle of things.

Athena is excited about the games, but with her crush, Heracles, away on a sports competition of his own, she feels a little lonely. And there is a little kid who keeps coming around Athena's Dad's winged horse, Pegasus. 

Artemis has taken upon herself to make sure everything goes as planned with the games, feeling that everything is her responsibility and is quite reluctant to ask for or accept help, which is stretching her quite thin. Plus, there is an Amazon named Penthe sniffing around Artemis's crush, and she's a great archer to boot. 

Meanwhile, Aphrodite and Persephone have to deal with their respective crushes wanting to whip them into shape for the competition and with the raising tension between them due to a kitten named Adonis that has stolen both their hearts. 

Second Glance: The Girl Games is the first ever Super Special of the Goddess Girls series and it features all four POVs of the original four goddess girls.

I have some pretty hard core love for these books and I love reading each of the girls's adventures, but I liked seeing all their perspectives in one single book too. I loved how each girl had her own thing to go through within the bigger frame of the Games.

It was adorable how the girls adapted the events to fit things that girls cared about and how they tried to make things girly while keeping the competition fierce.

Also, can I just say that I LOVE the boys? they really step it up in this book with their support of the girls. 

Bottom Line: I loved the idea of a Super Special with these characters and The Girl Games delivered. It had all the stuff I like about these books and the rotating perspectives kept the book moving fast. 

Favorite Quote: "Things don't have to go perfectly to work out great in the end." - Artemis

1/2

Girl Games Giveaway Winner!

Hello everybody!

Just writing a quick note to announce the winner of The Girl Games Giveaway.

I used Rafflecopter to pick the winner and the result was:

JUSTINE!!!

Congratulations

Winner has already been contacted and has 48 hours to answer.
If not, another winner will be picked.

Thanks to everyone who entered!

Love,

Alex.

The Girl Games Blog Tour - Character This or That and Giveaway!!!

Hello everyone!! On the occasion of the release of The Girl Games - the first Goddess Girls Super Special edition featuring Athena, Artemis, Aphrodite and Persephone all at the same time! - I'm happy to welcome Goddess Girl Artemis who's going to play This or That with us!

Without further ado, lets jump right to it. 

Artemis answers This or That

Dogs or Cats? Dogs, of course. I’ve got three of them: Amby, a beagle, Nectar, a greyhound, and Suez, a bloodhound. (Suez is Zeus spelled backward.) Aphrodite and Persephone might disagree with me, though. They’ve both fallen crazy in love with a black and white kitten named Adonis. They fight over him all the time. And they’re keeping him a secret from Principal Zeus. I do not see a good end to this.

Fruits or Vegetables? What’s a vegetable? No, seriously. I’m not fussy about food. I like everything. Except maybe broccoli. Apples are my favorite fruit. I’d try to shoot one off the top of Apollo’s head if he’d let me. He says my aim with a bow and arrow is good, but he still wouldn’t trust me not to miss. Humpf.

Hugs or Kisses? Usually I’m not a big fan of either. Only I wouldn’t mind a hug or kiss from Actaeon. So far we've only held hands a few times. I wish I knew how he really felt about me.

Sunrise or Sunset? Sunrise. Before everyone else is up. Out of one of the trails below Mount Olympus with just my dogs.

Half-Full or Half-Empty? I’m confused. Are we talking about my quiver here? It only needs to be half-full to hold my three silver arrows. Those are the ones I intend to use to beat that boyfriend-stealing Amazon, Penthesilea, in the archery event in the Girl Games.

Scream or Cry? Scream. Like this: “Back off. Actaeon’s my crush!” But I never do it out loud. Only inside my head. 

----

For a chance to win a Copy of The Girl Games and a (super cute) bookmark, use the form below, and remember: 
No need to be a follower to enter.
Must be 13 years old or older
Must have US/Canada Shipping Address. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Click HERE for further and previous stops of this tour!

Cover Love: Pandora the Curious

The other day I was messing about Good Reads and I found the cover for Pandora the Curious (10th book in the Goddess Girls Series) and I got so excited that I needed to share it. 

I'm so happy they have kept the theme of the covers through the series so far, and that the covers totally reflect what happens in the book without giving anything away. 

Summary (from GoodReads)

Pandora is quite an inquisitive Goddess Girl--but she could stand to be more cautious. Pandora is one of the few mortals at Mount Olympus Academy--and probably the most curious of all the students in school. Her quizzical nature is famous--not that she thinks there is anything wrong with being curious, of course

When a godboy named Epimetheus brings a mysterious and fantastical box to school, Pandora's curiosity is piqued. And when it unexpectedly lands in her lap--literally--she can't help but take a look at what's inside. What could be the harm in that? But little does she know that opening the box will open up more trouble than she thought....

Book Coming out in December, 2012.

But first we have The Girl Games on July 10th.

Book Review: Medusa the Mean by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams

At First Sight: As one of the few mortals allowed to attend Mount Olympus Academy, it could be said that Medusa Gorgon doesn't have it easy. And, even though she pretends not to care, she isn't above feeling both jealousy and longing for the perks that come with being immortal. 

And with Principal Zeus and Hera's wedding fast approaching, Medusa feels this longing more than ever, and she's just about to realize what lengths she's willing to go for immortality and popularity. 

To top it all off, 7 boys from MOA are elected to be groomsmen at the wedding, and they get to select whom the bridesmaids will be. Some have obvious choices - like everyone knows Hades will take Persephone - but some don't, and among them is Medusa's Super Crush since she was 8: Poseidon. 

Medusa will do whatever it takes to win that spot, even if is Dionysius - the boy she once danced with - who is the only one going out of his way to talk to her.  

Second Glance: Medusa has always been regarded as a bully at MOA, and her snake hair doesn't really help her rep. But what's really going on behind the snake-y hair and often sour disposition?

A lot of loneliness, shyness and just plain lack of social graces. 

In Medusa The Mean, we finally get to know Medusa and I have to say that I really quite liked her. She's actually a very guarded person, and she has reasons to be, but she also has a softer side to her - which often just comes out with her snakes, all of whom haver personalities. 

I really give kudos to the authors because while Medusa remains herself and certainly doesn't get a personality change, after reading this book I got to understand her and her actions a lot better. 

Bottom Line: Medusa the Mean was a great addition to the Goddess Girls series, and I love how the series is expanding to touch on different characters, aside from the original four. And I agree with Carrie @ In the Hammock that this is one of the best entries to the series, I think it's tied in second as my over-all favorite. 

2/3

Book Review: Artemis the Loyal by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams

At First Sight: Artemis has always been extremely close to her twin brother Apollo, only that lately they have been a bit at odds.

And now, Mount Olympus Academy is all a-buzz because of the Olympic Games, and Artemis would be excited too if not for the fact that, as a girl, she's not allowed to participate as the games are boy's only, which is simply not fair.

But Artemis is not one to suffer injustice quietly, so she and her friends Athena, Persephone and Aphrodite come up with a plan to right this wrong.

Second Glance: Artemis the Loyal is a great addition to the Goddess Girls series (it's the 7th book) but, as always, it can be read on it's own just as well.

Artemis isn't my favorite Goddess Girl, but I'm always surprised by how much I enjoy her books. I loved seeing more of her relationship with her brother in this book, seeing more of their bond.

And I loved the solution she came up with about the Olympic Games. I thought it was a perfectly lovely and fair solution - I swear, for a moment I was afraid I was gonna hate this aspect of the book on the same grounds I loathe Frankie Landau-Banks, but I should have know Joan and Suzanne are two authors I could trust because Artemis surprised me and I LOVED her plan. It was truly fair.

If I have a minor complaint is that the other goddesses really took a backseat in this story, and I thought they were less pressent than in other books of the series.

Bottom Line: Artemis the Loyal is a lovely book that made me grow to like Artemis more than I already did. I loved the message and the treatment of it. This is such a funny, sweet book.

Favorite Quote: "Well, at least you fought for what you believe in," Actaeon told her. "You tried to change things. I admire you for that."

"Really? Thanks," said Artemis, He was such a sweet boy. And cute. But no in a flashy way like Orion, her first crush, Sweet was way better than flashy, she decided"

1/2

Love,

Medusa the Mean Giveaway Winner!

Hey guys!!
Thanks so much for entering the giveaway!!

The Winner is....

Ashley!

I've already contacted her and I hope she answers me soon.

Thanks so much, again and I hope y'all get a chance to read the lovely Goddess Girls Series.

Medusa the Mean Giveaway

Hi guys!
I got awesome news today.

We are hosting a giveaway for a signed copy of Medusa the Mean!
All the details are bellow. Just click to enter!

Terms and Conditions:

• US/Can  Addy Please
• Must be 13 or older to enter
• No Need to follow but thanks if you do. 

Medusa the Mean Book Tour - Author Interview

I'm very happy to welcome back Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams, authors of one of my favorite series, the Goddess Girls.

Thanks for having us back again to celebrate the release of Goddess Girls 8: Medusa the Mean, Alex!

The Goddess Girls series has come so far! Did you always plan on writing so many books?

            Our original proposal was for four books—a tween spin on Greek mythology set at Mount Olympus Academy where Zeus is the principal. We didn’t know we’d have a chance to write beyond those, but we were hopeful. Medusa the Mean is #8, and we’ve got four beyond that for twelve in all. Mythology is a never-ending source of material, and it’s fun tweaking and updating it to suit our middle school setting.

What made you pick Medusa and bring her front and center?

            With that snaky hair, she’s one of the most well-known characters in Greek mythology. We loosely based the book on her most famous storyline, which involves Andromeda and Perseus. And on personal level, we really wanted to answer the question: Why is she so mean? To find out, we delved into her past a bit. Her mom and dad were a sea monster and a sea hog. They’ve always favored her two sisters and even discouraged Medusa from attending MOA. But nobody keeps Medusa down!

We have always seen Medusa from the other girls' perspectives, will we learn more about her in Medusa The Mean? Particularly about her relationship with her sisters?

            This book goes straight to Medusa’s heart. She wants two things: To become immortal and for her supercrush to like her in return. After all, her two sisters are immortal. That’s so unfair! Her relationship with them is typical of siblings—sometimes caring, sometimes teasing.

Will you be exploring other characters, like Pheme or Pandora?

            Wow! You read our minds. Next up is our first-ever Super Special, The Girl Games, which is told from the four main goddessgirls’ viewpoints, rotating by chapters. After that are Pandora the Curious (December 2012) and Pheme the Gossip (April 2013).

I love how you write these young goddesses, but I also love the boys! So I have to ask, do you have a favorite godboy? (Mine is Hades!)

            That’s great to hear, Alex! In Goddess Girls 12, we’re trying a new twist in which we’ll write from the viewpoint of both the goddessgirl and a godboy in one book. We’ll get to see how they each feel about what’s going on and about each other throughout the story in alternating chapters. The title is Persephone and Hades. We’ve had requests for a book about these two, and we’re really excited about tackling this one.

Medusa the Mean (April 3^rd)

The Goddess Girls series by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams, 

takes place at Mount Olympus Academy, and puts a modern spin on classic Greek myths.

Aladdin paperbacks ages 8 ~ 12. 

Thank you so much for visiting! And you have no idea how excited I am to keep reading this wonderful series.

For more Medusa the Mean Tour Stops, please visit The Teen (Book) Scene.

Book Review: Aphrodite the Diva by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams

At First Sight: Aphrodite doesn't like when people think she's all beauty and no brains, and she knows her getting a D on hero-logy isn't going to help matters, particularly after that small incident known as the Trojan war, which she helped to start.

So - and even though she really wanted to take a holiday with her friends during Hero Week - Aphrodite convinces Mr. Cyclops, the herology teacher, to let her work on a special project to bring her grade up. 

So she starts The Lonely Hearts Club, where she plans to use her skills as Goddess of Love to help mortals find love. But a small problem arises when her first case leads her to Isis - the Egyptian Goddess of Love - and soon she finds herself in competition with the other goddess girl, trying to find a match for one of the most annoying boys ever! much as she much rather like be Isis friend.

Second Glance: This was such a fun book to read. Not only because the Goddess Girls series is one of my favorite series, but because I like the road the authors start to take with Aphrodite the Diva. I love how they are starting to expand on the lovely world they have already created. 

Aphrodite is such a girly, adorable girl, and I loved how she wanted to prove she was more than just a pretty girl, that she was smart and a hard worker too - much as she would rather spend her time shopping, she still takes her job seriously. She's funny and loves her friends and honestly believe there is a crush for everyone.

Also, I love seeing the consistency throughout the stories, and how -while every book can be read on it's own - how the world of MoA keeps going and growing. 

Bottom Line: An adorable addition to an adorable series. Aphrodite the Diva is cute, it has heart and it's a lot of fun to read. 

Favorite Quote: "Just when you thought you had godboys figured out, you didn't!"