Cover Reveal! The Shadow, Sylvain Reynard’s sequel to The Raven!

It’s here!  At long last we finally know the title of Sylvain Reynard’s new book! We also get a peek at the beautiful cover!

The Shadow is the highly anticipated sequel to The Raven and is the second book in Reynard’s thrilling Florentine Series, due out February 2, 2016. Read on for juicy details and links to order your copy!

New York Times bestselling author Sylvain Reynard presents the hotly anticipated, intoxicating follow-up to The Raven…

Raven Wood’s vampyre prince has returned, pledging his love and promising
justice for every wrong done to her. In the wake of their reunion, Raven is faced
with a terrible decision—allow the Prince to wreak vengeance against the
demons of her past, or persuade him to stay his hand. But there is far more at
stake than Raven’s heart…

A shadow has fallen over the city of Florence. Ispettor Batelli will not rest until he
uncovers Raven’s connection to the theft of the priceless art from the Uffizi
Gallery. And while the Prince hunts a traitor who sabotages him at every turn, he
finds himself the target of the vampyres’ mortal enemy.

As he wages a war on two fronts, he will need to keep his love for Raven secret,
or risk exposing his greatest weakness…
Click below to pre-order your copy of The Shadow!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25476303-the-shadow

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-shadow-sylvain-reynard/1121863842?ean=9780425266502&itm=1&usri=9780425266502&cm_mmc=AFFILIATES-_-Linkshare-_-GwEz7vxblVU-_-10:1&r=1,%201

http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780425266502

http://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Florentine-Sylvain-Reynard-ebook/dp/B00X593E5G/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=

http://www.bookdepository.com/Shadow-Sylvain-Reynard/9780425266502?&a_aid=goodreads

A Few Notes on Disney’s Tomorrowland

I had the pleasure of seeing Disney’s Tomorrowland this past Friday.

Going into the movie, I had a vision of what I thought the movie was about based upon the special extended preview I saw at Disneyland (complete with rumbling floors…after all, this was the same Tomorrowland theater that housed Captain EO and Honey I Shrunk the Audience back in the day…)

The next day my issue of Entertainment Weekly arrived and I was thrilled to read Jeff Jensen’s article on how he came to be a part of the film.  Jensen and Damon Lindelof worked “together” on Lost.  (Jensen wrote Lost recaps for EW, and Lindelof was a creator, so yes, they worked together…)  The fascinating thing about this article is that it discusses the origin of the film and the changes it underwent through the creative process.  Now I want nothing more than to read the original script. I love the idea of seeing more mythology; I already have the book on order. As much as I appreciated the movie and its messages as they are, part of me wishes that we could see Tomorrowland as Jensen and Lindelof envisioned it, in those early stages of development. Even so, the movie is still awesome as-is. (Full review to follow)

You can read Jeff Jensen’s article here.

And, for fun, here’s an article that details some of the Disneyland Easter Eggs in the film.

New Snippets of Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Anyone at Disney’s California Adventure on Thursday was treated to a preview of the new World of Color show hosted by Mickey Mouse and Neil Patrick Harris.

During the show, the most famous rides at Disneyland are featured in a brilliant display of colored water, plumes of fire, and new screens on the ferris wheel and California Screaming.

During the feature on Star Tours, we see Poe Dameron in his flight suit, and we see a black-gloved hand reach out to touch R2-D2.  We also see the much beloved BB8. 

There was an audible gasp from Star Wars fans in the crowd as they saw the new footage, even if it was just a few moments’ worth.

Disneyland’s 60th Celebration

We’re coming to you live from Disneyland today as the final preparations are being made for the most magical celebration this decade–Disneyland’s Diamond Jubilee.

Believe me, Disneyland is going to give Queen Elizabeth a run for her money!

Spiders. Enough Said.

This says it all:
http://artbell.com/baby-spiders-fall-from-the-sky-cover-the-ground-with-angel-hair/

There are no words….

Wayward Pines: Quick Thoughts

For American Horror Story fans, I believe that Wayward Pines might fill the void until AHS returns. With equal parts X-Files, Twilight Zone, and Twin Peaks, M. Night Shyamalan’s foray into television promises creeps and thrills, and enough mystery to keep us coming back for its ten week run.

There is an existential quality to the show:

“How do I get out of here?”
“You don’t.”

I’ll have more thoughts soon.

What did you think?

Kittens at 4 Weeks: Happy Mothers Day

Mama Pippa had a busy Mothers Day keeping track of her two rambunctious kittens.  We’re now about 95% certain that Orange Tabby is a boy and White Kitten is a girl.  (Despite what the experts say, we have had 3 female orange cats in our family so being orange doesn’t mean anything…)

The kittens are so full of energy and curiosity that I have been changing their play area two to three times daily to give them new things to explore. Despite their size and seemingly advanced intellect, they’re still too young to meet the rest of the family, though their cat uncles and their dog uncle sit outside their door and listen to them.

For all the mothers out there, Pippa hopes you had a relaxing day. She’s hoping for sleep soon…

Disneyland Hotel Wallpaper

My family has a long history of staying at the Disneyland Hotel. We first stayed there when I was 3, in 1983. In 1985 our brand-new Toyota van was smashed when the valet mistook the gas pedal for the break and drove into the Audi in front of him. Needless to say, we were upgraded to a suite during that trip.

After a long hiatus, I have a Disneyland Annual Passport once more, and ever since the Star Wars Celebration I have been reacquainting myself with my old friend. 

The Disneyland Hotel has been remodeled and upgraded, and my beloved koi pond and waterfalls have been removed. The Bonita Tower is now the Frontier Tower, the Sierra Tower is now the Adventure Tower, and the main tower is now Fantasy Tower.

I discovered that it’s worth making a trip to the bathrooms in each of the towers’ lobbies.  The wallpaper is fantastic, and a must-see for Disney enthusiasts.

Frontier Tower:

Adventure Tower:

Fantasy Tower:

The End of the World (According to “World of the Psychic with Dr. Peter Venkman”)

I was watching Ghostbusters 2 today.  During the taping of Dr. Peter Venkman’s “World of the Psychic” his guest Elaine shares her prediction for the end of the world.

Elaine:  According to my source, the end of the world will be on February 14 in the year 2016.

Venkman: Valentine’s Day.  Bummer.

Isn’t it funny that the world is going to end before the July 2016 release of Ghostbusters 3?

Kittens at 3 Weeks

Pippa and her babies are doing great. I’m pretty sure my kittens are the most advanced kittens on the planet. 

The picture is deceptive because the Orange Tabby is huge.  We think it’s a boy, and it’s not certain if White Kitten is a boy or girl.

They don’t fuss and they love to be held. In fact, Mama Pippa appreciates it when we give her a break every now and then…