Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Holiday Book Promo for my books Careful, Almost 5'4" and Short Stuff


 
Choose a book any book! I'm hosting a big holiday book promo for my USA reads for my books Careful, Almost 5'4" and Short Stuff, starts now and ends 1/3/13
 
$15.00 for a personalized/signed copy includes shipping in USA
 
(Please sure sure to send me an email through my website letting me know who to sign the book for.)
 
I'll be traveling over the holiday and orders made before the 14th willl most likely arrive before Christmas, those afterward will arrive right after the New Year starts.
 
The first 10 orders recieve a free writing journal, daily I use a journal to craft my writing projects and goals and it's an important creative tool for my work and I hope you enjoy it!
 
Choose a book here:

 


Read more about my books and the Careful, Quiet, Invisible book series on my website www.isobelladreams.com

Happy Holidays!
Isobella

Monday, November 19, 2012

Baby Phoenix meets Victoria's Secret Angels at Herald Square store 2012


Happy-almost-two months!! Baby Phoenix got to meet Victoria's Secret models tonight at the Herald Square store! He made such a scene. He's such a ladies man already! :) The girls were cooing over him and Adriana Lima mentioned how she has a 2 month old baby and Lily Aldridge has a 5 month baby. They were so sweet! We will save this picture for Phoenix to share with his friends when he's a teenager, awww.

 
 
 
P.s: On the way the heel of my bootie broke! I ended up quickly going into Steve Madden right by Victoria's Secret and getting some cute booties which I think I can manage while pushing the stroller (I'll post them later as favorite little thing and my favorite VS picks for the holiday).
 

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Happy Halloween pics from the Pumpkin Fest in Central Park


Halloween delight! Here we are by the Sailboat pool and Bethesda Fountain in Central Park today. Loving the fall foliage, it's too bad hurricane Sandy might blow all the leaves away. This was Phoenix's first time in the park, he sort of slept through it but we all had a nice afternoon representing Disney characters.
 
 


 Belle, Captain Hook and Micky Mouse made a scene in Central Park today, was bummed not as many parents dressed up, wth, we got some fans though and should have charged $10 a photo. :)


Captain Hook feeding baby Micky Mouse

Friday, October 12, 2012

Relationships: The foundation of love, values and respect

I was talking to my Mom about relationships the other day and how easy it is for people to give up these days. How sad that makes me. Communication is so important and knowing how to communicate in the right ways with your significant other can keep a relationship goes strong. The foundation of love, values and respect are what keep a relationship blossoming even through the rough patches. And simply noticing what you DO have and being mindful that life is short and to choose your battles wisely. Before untying the potential of a relationship remember that although it will take effort and work that doesn't mean it can't work, be careful when deciding what your breaking point is, and I put it like this, "you might get a bag of clothing that doesn't fit perfectly, but you can still work with the fabric and create something that does." ~IJ

Favorite Little Thing: Lush Halloween Collection


Here I am rocking my Joe Fresh orange skirt and Favorite Burberry denim coat at the LUSH store yesterday. So love the Halloween collection at LUSH, I was told today at LUSH in Herald Square that the collection will be there on the 13th and I'm sure it will sell out fast!


Jacko (spicy soak) is so very cute!

 

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Favorite Little Thing: Wacoal B-Smooth seamless bralettes



While recovering from having my beautiful baby boy, I'm experiencing that comfort is so important, especially after feeding the baby, not feeling restrained by my bra but still having support, for me these Wacoal B-Smooth seamless bralettes are the perfect thing. I have three of them. I'm wearing them now in these early weeks with the baby instead of typical nursing bras.

Aspiring and working models would also find them a great fit for body-related photos for their portfolios ( for a body shot that would be classy and show your curves) and as a comfortable option to wear every day on-the-go to model castings and go-sees.


~Isobella

Saturday, October 6, 2012

I'd like you to meet my baby boy, Phoenix Curtis was born September 27th!


Hey! Guess what! I've shared posts and photos during my pregnancy and I'm happy to now share that my baby boy, Phoenix Curtis, was born September 27th 2012, at 1:24 a.m, at 7lbs 9oz!
 
I'd like you to meet him, here are some photos from his entrance into the world and our first week together. I loved being pregnant, and I'm so happy and ready to be a mom, and so in love with my son. 
 
~Isobella
 
 
 
 





 

We got home from the hospital on Sunday, September 30th, in the afternoon and I'm happy Phoenix has settled in beautifully. Here he is in the crib for the first time.

 

 
 
This is a photo from Phoenix's first stroller ride to his pediatric appt, of course it rained! But it was good practice for crazy NY weather. We know the stroller can manage big puddles now!


 
 More pics and adventures with Phoenix soon!

~Isobella

P.s: In the hospital the nurses were saying how Phoenix is a rock star name. So you might wonder: Why the name Phoenix? I love the symbolism and also it's the name of the town my Dad lived in before he passed away. BTW, in my new YA novel Careful, the boy Estella has a crush on is also named Phoenix.
 

Monday, September 24, 2012

Find signed copies of Careful in NYC Barnes and Noble stores


Here is a list of Barnes and Noble stores in New York City you can find signed copies of my YA novel Careful.



Barnes and Noble Booksellers
Address:
555 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10017

Find signed copies of Careful downstairs on the Teen section on the table by the elevator.



Barnes and Noble Booksellers
Union Square
33 East 17th Street
New York, NY 10003
Find signed copies of Careful in the Teen section.




Barnes and Noble Booksellers Citigroup Center
160 E 54th Street
New York, NY 10022
Find Signed copies of Careful in the Teen section upstairs.

Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 86th and Lex
150 East 86th Street
New York, NY 10028
Find Signed copies of Careful downstairs in the teen section on the round table.

 



 

Here are other BN stores to find Careful. Love lives on! ~IJ

P.s: you can also get Careful as an Nook Book for $2.99, enjoy!

Saturday, September 22, 2012

I hope you Submit to the Careful book giveaway!




Hey Girls,

Today is the last day to submit to the Careful book tour giveaway, the giveaway includes 5 signed copies  of Careful and 5 ebooks so it's a great giveaway to be a part of and goodluck!

You can follow the tour here and also check out previous posts, features, reviews and excerpts from Careful:

More reviews and free excerpts from Careful:

Ali's Bookshelf
http://alisbookshelfreviews.blogspot.com/2012/09/review-careful-by-isobella-jade.html

http://kissedbyink.com/2012/09/22/blog-tour-careful-by-isobella-jade/

http://adreamwithindream.blogspot.com/2012/09/careful-tour-review-giveaway.html

http://michelleshoutsrandom.blogspot.com/2012/09/blog-tour-excerpt-giveaway-careful-by.html

http://abbeyannsbookland.blogspot.com/2012/09/blog-tour-careful-isobella-jade-giveaway.html

http://mrbookwonder.tumblr.com/post/31781721408/blog-tour-excerpt-and-giveaway-careful-by-isobella

http://www.petitemodelingtips.com/2012/09/why-i-included-sex-in-my-ya-novel.html

 
Yes, there's meaning behind the "e" charm necklace on the cover, it was Estella's necklace, you'll see how the charm makes an appearance in the book! Enjoy!  Careful is available in print and also is $2.99 as an ebook, available for the Kindle, Nook Book and in the iBookstore and others.
 
 

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Careful's Blog Book Tour Updates and Giveaway-only couple more days!



 
 
I hope you've enjoyed keeping up with the Careful book blog tour going on now, reviews, features and the giveaway. Make sure you submit to win a signed copy of Careful or an ebook! The giveaway through the YA Bound Book Tour includes 5 signed copies and 5 ebooks! Only goes until the 22nd so submit now!


Check out some recent reviews of Careful here:

http://paranormalreadsreviews.blogspot.com/2012/09/careful-blog-tour-review-giveaway.html


http://kaidansseduction.blogspot.com/2012/09/careful-careful-quiet-invisible-series.html


And




And

http://iheartyabooks.blogspot.com/2012/09/blog-tour-review-giveaway-careful.html?spref=tw

 
 
Playlist: Songs that show up in Careful:
http://abbeyannsbookland.blogspot.ca/2012/09/blog-tour-careful-isobella-jade-giveaway.html
 
 
 
Here's an interview based on my writing process and what inspired Careful:
http://melissaseclecticbookshelf.blogspot.com/2012/09/interview-with-isobella-jade-author-of.html
 
Melissa Eclectic Bookshelf
 
 
 
Visit Careful's GoodReads page here and post your review too.
 
 
Follow the tour, see you on the blog trail!
http://www.yabound.blogspot.com/2012/09/blog-tour-kick-off-careful-by-isobella.html
 
 
 
~IJ
 
 

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Why I included sex in my YA novel Careful





 

Jett grabbed for his waist and pulled him closer to her.

He rushed to put on the Trojan condom. Watching Kyle lying on top of Jett, I wondered what the weight of a man would feel like. It was a type of pressure my now shapeless body wouldn’t get to ever understand. Once he put the condom on, Jett’s coy expression became flushed and sensuous. She fell into a state of a pleasure I would never know, and I couldn’t help but feel jealous. ~excerpt from Careful
 

In my new YA novel Careful, the first book of the Careful, Quiet, Invisible series, Estella dies a virgin. She watches her best friends in intimate situations with their boyfriends, she isn't voyeuristic but she's curious because she'll never have those moments now. Perhaps it was a bit blunt to share Estella 'watching' like this, but teens are having sex, and its real life. It's happening right now and we hope that teen girls wait and not rush into it, but it's likely that teen girls will face and have to deal with those intimate feelings and decide what to do. Hopefully they will have the strength, a strong self-worth and confidence in themselves instilled to wait until they are really emotionally ready.

Purposely the guys wear a condom in Careful and I really wanted safe sex involved, and I hope that is also a reminder of the importance of safe sex for teen readers. If they are having sex, to at least be protected! As a teen girl buying condoms can be uncomfortable and awkward, I mean how many of us walked up into CVS and bought a pack in high school? Girls might think it's the guy's job to carry a condom for their own protection but that doesn't mean they will. Girls can feel uncomfortable being the one to carry the condom in their purse, and in that case if you do feel uncomfortable, you should not be having sex in the first place, and if the person you are intimate with doesn't have a condom then don't accept that! Treasure yourself, your body, your health, your future, your life!
 
I lost my virginity at 14, very young and although I felt I was ready at the time and we used a condom, I wasn't ready. I do wish I waited. It was emotionally straining. Not only did I hope for much more than the guy could give me during the experience and afterward but also I didn't understand my body or how to relax and really enjoy it anyways. The guy wasn't emotionally ready to have the type of relationship I wanted from him and he became distant after and then moved away to another state a couple months later. I felt alone about it, unsure about myself and didn't know if I even liked the experience. It wasn't until I was much older that I really began to "understand" myself better and that being that close with someone felt totally right, your feelings might be curious or ready but that doesn't mean you're body, mind and soul are ready.

In the book Estella isn't watching her friends go at it to be turned on, in fact she discovers that her friends aren't exactly enjoying the 'moment' and that being intimate without being emotionally ready can put a damper on the physical side of things and can make a person feel low, depressed and stressed. It's best to think twice, three times, think a lot, before you give yourself to someone, and especially to someone who might not value your feelings and how the 'experience' feels for you or doesn't really care about you and your well-being. Just because you're "in the mood, or you're told you're loved or at 'that stage' in your relationship, doesn't mean it's a good idea or going to be a good experience."  It's okay to say no and wait.
Estella questions what her friends are doing and if they are doing the right thing. And I hope my teen readers also think about their own choices.

It pleased her that she had pleased him. His eyes were full of admiration as he zipped up his jeans, fished for his keys, and started the car, but as she put her jeans back on there was quietness about her, an unfulfilled craving that still wanted to be reached and released. It seemed like part of their routine; her feeling of enjoyment always took second place. ~excerpt from Careful
 
While Estella watches her friends have sex she notices different emotional elements hiding under the surface about each of them.

Eva is giving herself to a guy who doesn't appreciate her. She wants to please him but when they are not intimate together and at school he doesn't treat her so well, she doesn't want to accept that she is just being used.

Jett is having a secret relationship with an older guy, which I think is realistic considering how teens have crushes on musicians and actors who are in their 20's, although they are at different stages in their life he is kind hearted and cares about her and when they are intimate Jett feels comfortable with him in ways that make Estella feel that Jett is so much more advanced when it comes to guys than she is, and she wishes she'd have the chance to have a loving, intimate relationship.

Zara has a steady boyfriend but their intimacy feels routine and her boyfriend doesn't seem to care about really pleasing Zara and how she feels during it and she is left feeling unsatisfied because of his selfishness, but she stays with him thinking it's just the way it is.
 
All of this makes Estella think about the choices her friends are making.
As an author we have the opportunity to provide a message within our work, to leave the reader thinking, and if they wonder about their own life and choices while reading the book and the story seeps into their heart, then you've accomplished the ultimate author dream.

It was a choice I debated about to include sex within the Careful, Quiet, Invisible young adult novel series, but the answer was yes because I've been there, I was that girl. Being a teenager is a complicated time that springs a lot of emotions and self-reflection, and although Estella can't ever have those intimate experiences in life, like any teen girl she wonders about what it would be like.

~IJ

P.s:  And ever since my Dad died, just in case he's spirit pops by for a visit, I always shut the door if my husband and I are in the bedroom to let him know "we're busy" and to come back later. :)

Learn more about the Careful, Quiet, Invisible series here.
Watch the book trailer of Careful here.