Disney Acquires Marvel!

Source: http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=22747

UPDATE 8:30 AM PDT - There have been a number of developments since the initial press release about Disney’s acquisition of Marvel went out. Disney held a conference call with investors that just finished to discuss the deal and while much of it was focused on the financial aspect of the deal – with regards to both current and future opportunities – there were a number of comments concerning publishing and Marvel’s film slate that are of interest. The bullet points are:

• Existing licensing and distribution deals should remain where they are.
• Disney believes there’s real opportunity with the Marvel catalog of characters and will work on where those opportunities are greatest and how best to leverage them across the existing Marvel and Disney infrastructure.
• Disney executives went to great lengths during the call to make the point that they don’t pretend to be more expert than Marvel is in handling their characters, citing the hands-off relationship Disney has had with Pixar since the acquisition of that studio. Disney said Marvel manages the properties from a business perspective very intelligently and trusts them to make the right decisions for these products for a long time to come.
• Disney said the deal was attractive not just because they’re buying great characters, stories and brand, but about working with people who know these characters best and how best to work with them in other media.
• Again, referencing the Pixar deal, Disney finds working as one company with Marvel removes friction and creates value that’s very compelling. Licensing offers very attractive opportunities, but nothing is better than being one. International expansion of Marvel properties through Disney was cited as a potential growth area.
• Cable channel Disney XD is currently running about 20 hours a week of Marvel content and Disney has been looking to license more Marvel content and this deal gives them that opportunity as well as the opportunity to expose these characters internationally.<.li>
• With regards to video game publishing, Disney praised Marvel’s licensing agreements with some of the best video game producers and publishers in the business and said moving forward they will consider what’s best for each individual property as each licensing deal comes up for renewal and that there would likely be a blend of licensed and self-produced/self-distributed titles.
• With respect to Paramount’s distribution deal with Marvel and the Iron Man franchise, Disney has every intention to respect the deal that’s in place, but noted that it’s in their best interest, overtime, to become the sole distributor of Marvel films.
• Will Disney3D be used for Marvel movies? That will be determined by those who are in charge of producing Marvel’s theatrical films.
• When asked if there was potential for cross-polination between Marvel and Pixar, Disney said that Pixar’s John Lasseter has met with key Marvel creative executives recently and the group got “pretty excited, very fast.” Disney will look at all opportunities and thinks there are some exciting product that could come from this sort of partnership.
• Disney said this deal is expected to benefit Marvel’s retail efforts, being able to leverage Disney’s shelf space and relationships with major chains and distributors.
• The deal began when Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger reached out to Marvel Chief Executive Ike Perlmutter earlier this year. Again, Disney noted that they believe in the creative team at Marvel and see no reason to upset that applecart.
• Disney has not made any real estate decisions and sees no reason to move Marvel Studios from their headquarters in Manhattan Beach, California. No mention of Marvel Publishing’s offices in New York City was made.

In addition, Marvel Editor-In-Chief Joe Quesada has been twittering this morning and has made some comments on the deal:

“G' morning, Marvel U! Welcome to this moment in history. Everyone relax, this is incredible news and all is well in the Marvel U.”

“Everybody take a deep breath, all your favorite comics remain unchanged and Tom Brevoort remains grouchy.”

“If you're familiar with the Disney/Pixar relationship, then you'll understand why this is a new dawn for Marvel and the comics industry.”

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

I wonder what's going to happen now...
How is this going to affect the rides in Universal Studios?!
Your thoughts?

Wicked Wednesday 9.2.09

Wicked Wednesday Giveaways is back...with a vengeance! Haha!

Sept 2 - Sept 16
We have 2 wonderful SIGNED books to give away thanks to the wonderful Michelle Moran!
*1st Book*
Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran
* Publisher: Crown Publishing Group
* Pub. Date: September 15, 2009
* ISBN-13: 9780307409126
* 448pp
Synopsis: The marriage of Marc Antony and Cleopatra is one of the greatest love stories of all time, a tale of unbridled passion with earth-shaking political consequences. Feared and hunted by the powers in Rome, the lovers choose to die by their own hands as the triumphant armies of Antony’s revengeful rival, Octavian, sweep into Egypt. Their three orphaned children are taken in chains to Rome; only two– the ten-year-old twins Selene and Alexander–survive the journey. Delivered to the household of Octavian’s sister, the siblings cling to each other and to the hope that they will return one day to their rightful place on the throne of Egypt. As they come of age, they are buffeted by the personal ambitions of Octavian’s family and court, by the ever-present threat of slave rebellion, and by the longings and desires deep within their own hearts.

The fateful tale of Selene and Alexander is brought brilliantly to life in Cleopatra’s Daughter. Recounted in Selene’s youthful and engaging voice, it introduces a compelling cast of historical characters: Octavia, the emperor Octavian’s kind and compassionate sister, abandoned by Marc Antony for Cleopatra; Livia, Octavian's bitter and jealous wife; Marcellus, Octavian’s handsome, flirtatious nephew and heir apparent; Tiberius, Livia’s sardonic son and Marcellus’s great rival for power; and Juba, Octavian’s watchful aide, whose honored position at court has far-reaching effects on the lives of the young Egyptian royals.

Selene’s narrative is animated by the concerns of a young girl in any time and place–the possibility of finding love, the pullof friendship and family, and the pursuit of her unique interests and talents. While coping with the loss of both her family and her ancestral kingdom, Selene must find a path around the dangers of a foreign land. Her accounts of life in Rome are filled with historical details that vividly capture both the glories and horrors of the times. She dines with the empire’s most illustrious poets and politicians, witnesses the creation of the Pantheon, and navigates the colorful, crowded marketplaces of the city where Roman-style justice is meted out with merciless authority.

Based on meticulous research, Cleopatra’s Daughter is a fascinating portrait of imperial Rome and of the people and events of this glorious and most tumultuous period in human history. Emerging from the shadows of the past, Selene, a young woman of irresistible charm and preternatural intelligence, will capture your heart.

*We have 1 Signed Hardcover Available*

*2nd Book*
The Heretic Queen by Michelle Moran
* Publisher: Crown Publishing Group
* Pub. Date: September 01, 2009
* ISBN-13: 9780307381767
* 416pp
Synopsis: In ancient Egypt, a forgotten princess must overcome her family’s past and remake history.

The winds of change are blowing through Thebes. A devastating palace fire has killed the Eighteenth Dynasty’s royal family–with the exception of Nefertari, the niece of the reviled former queen, Nefertiti. The girl’s deceased family has been branded as heretical, and no one in Egypt will speak their names. Nefertari is pushed aside, an unimportant princess left to run wild in the palace. But this changes when she is taken under the wing of the Pharaoh’s aunt, then brought to the Temple of Hathor, where she is educated in a manner befitting a future queen.

Soon Nefertari catches the eye of the Crown Prince, and despite her family’s history, they fall in love and wish to marry. Yet all of Egypt opposes this union between the rising star of a new dynasty and the fading star of an old, heretical one. While political adversity sets the country on edge, Nefertari becomes the wife of Ramesses the Great. Destined to be the most powerful Pharaoh in Egypt, he is also the man who must confront the most famous exodus in history.

"Nefertari tells her story simply, humbly, and in a clear voice that will attract readers."–Romantic Times

*We have 1 SIGNED Paperback Available*

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

{Special Note: Please Read}
Dear Friends,
If you're one of the lucky winners of any giveaway we've hosted and you have not received an email from us, please feel free to just send us your addresses via email to booksoulmates[at]gmail[dot]com. We know you'll be understanding when we say that we haven't gotten around to emailing everyone! We love hosting the giveaways and feel, being the book lovers that we are, that we're sharing something special with you all. As you all know, besides maintaining this fabulous blog, we're either going to school, work, with our families, or reading :) We DO try to get to everyone as fast as possible but sometimes life just gets in the way. So we'd really appreciate it if you'd be kind enough to just forward your addresses to us.
Thanks for understanding!
Your Book ♥ Soulmates :)

Rules {Please Read Carefully}
• To enter the giveaway you must leave a comment. Please leave your email address otherwise we will not be able to get in touch with the winners.
• Books will be delivered directly from the publishers so the giveaways are only available for U.S. and Canada residents. No P.O. boxes please.
• Winners will be drawn Wednesday, September 16 at Noon and posted soon thereafter. The winners will have until Sunday, September 20 to contact us via email with their mailing addresses. If the winner has not contacted us by the due date, we will be randomly choose another winner as this is only fair to the other participants.
• Alternate winners will be drawn by Sunday at Noon.
• Winners will be chosen using random.org!

Ways to earn extra entries:
+1 for being a follower
+1 for following us on Twitter
+1 for following us on Blogged
+1 for subscribing via email or RSS reader
+1 for comments on other posts throughout the week
(Please reference which other posts you've commented on.)
+1 for twittering or posting about this giveaway on your blog/site
(Please include a link to the post.)

♥ Feel free to contact us via email at booksoulmates[at]gmail[dot]com if
you have any questions ♥

Good Luck!

Blog Tour & Giveaway: NurtureShock by Pro Bonson

Wicked Wednesday Blog Tour Sept 2 - Sept 9

Nurture Shock by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman
* Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
* Pub. Date: September 2009
* ISBN-13: 9780446504126
* 352pp
Synopsis: In a world of modern, involved, caring parents, why are so many kids aggressive and cruel? Where is intelligence hidden in the brain, and why does that matter? Why do cross-racial friendships decrease in schools that are more integrated? If 98% of kids think lying is morally wrong, then why do 98% of kids lie? What's the single most important thing that helps infants learn language?
NurtureShock is a groundbreaking collaboration between award-winning science journalists Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman. They argue that when it comes to children, we've mistaken good intentions for good ideas. With impeccable storytelling and razor-sharp analysis, they demonstrate that many of modern society's strategies for nurturing children are in fact backfiring—because key twists in the science have been overlooked.
Nothing like a parenting manual, the authors' work is an insightful exploration of themes and issues that transcend children's (and adults') lives.

*We have 5 Copies Available*

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

{Special Note: Please Read}
Dear Friends,
If you're one of the lucky winners of any giveaway we've hosted and you have not received an email from us, please feel free to just send us your addresses via email to booksoulmates[at]gmail[dot]com. We know you'll be understanding when we say that we haven't gotten around to emailing everyone! We love hosting the giveaways and feel, being the book lovers that we are, that we're sharing something special with you all. As you all know, besides maintaining this fabulous blog, we're either going to school, work, with our families, or reading :) We DO try to get to everyone as fast as possible but sometimes life just gets in the way. So we'd really appreciate it if you'd be kind enough to just forward your addresses to us.
Thanks for understanding!
Your Book ♥ Soulmates :)

Rules {Please Read Carefully}
• To enter the giveaway you must leave a comment. Please leave your email address otherwise we will not be able to get in touch with the winners.
• Books will be delivered directly from the publishers so the giveaways are only available for U.S. and Canada residents. No P.O. boxes please.
• Winners will be drawn Wednesday, September 9 at Noon and posted soon thereafter. The winners will have until Sunday, September 13 to contact us via email with their mailing addresses. If the winner has not contacted us by the due date, we will be randomly choose another winner as this is only fair to the other participants.
• Alternate winners will be drawn by Sunday at Noon.
• Winners will be chosen using random.org!

Ways to earn extra entries:
+1 for being a follower
+1 for following us on Twitter
+1 for following us on Blogged
+1 for subscribing via email or RSS reader
+1 for comments on other posts throughout the week
(Please reference which other posts you've commented on.)
+1 for twittering or posting about this giveaway on your blog/site
(Please include a link to the post.)

♥ Feel free to contact us via email at booksoulmates[at]gmail[dot]com if
you have any questions ♥

Good Luck!

Harlequin Celebrates with Free E-Books!

Thanks to the wonderful world of Twitter, we found out that Harlequin was celebrating their fab 60th with free eBooks for its readers! *YAY! We're jumping up and down too!*

If you think THAT's cool, after you download a story you can create your OWN story. All you have to do is simply type in your name and some general info and voila! You're in your very own Hot and Steamy Novel! LOL!

Here's Vanessa's story:
He was a poor, simple boy. She was a wealthy, carefree young lady. Though they were worlds apart, their innocent friendship bloomed into a mutual admiration. Then suddenly Edward was wrenched from Vanessa's life.

Now, years later, he has returned to the unknown reaches of Mars society as an influential adventurer, determined to seek revenge on Vanessa's father—and Vanessa herself. But she is no longer the spoiled schoolgirl Edward remembers. She is an adventurous young award-winning writer of conviction and faith, raising a son on her own. Now Edward must look deep into his heart. For only in abandoning his thirst for revenge can he finally become the man most worthy of her love.
***Ohhhh I love it!!***

Here's Isalys's story:
International Jet-Setter Isalys has no intention of buying into Paris, the City of Lights's absurd werewolf legends. Until she rescues an ordinary dog shot with a silver bullet, and meets his military man owner, Philip.

A founding member of the Alpha Force on a nearby military base, Philip has developed an elixir that helps werewolves control their shape-shifting abilities. Phillip has always tried to keep his distance from the civilian population, but Isalys's brainy nature soon wears down his defenses. With attacks on people and animals in the area mounting, can their innocent attraction withstand their toughest challenge?
**Ohhhh I love it too!***

Here's one of the books we downloaded. Sounds good huh?!

Death cocktail is what the vampires call a witch’s blood. It’s poisonous—a drop will destroy a vampire within minutes. Nikolaus Drake is the rare vampire who has survived his first taste. Now he’s on the hunt for the witch who almost brought him to his demise—Ravin Crosse.

A witch who spends her nights hunting vampire tribes, Ravin has three obligations to fulfill to set her soul free. One of those obligations—crafting a love spell—twists her world upside down when Nikolaus draws the spell from her veins. Natural enemies rarely make the best bedfellows—but is it possible their intentions are really, truly the same? Can Nikolaus’s tribal loyalty survive if he surrenders to desires far darker than his own?

Tuesday's Teasers 09.01.09

New releases for September 1, 2009:


And Vanessa is extra super excited about :)

And finally:

*Note: We will be hosting a blog tour for this book starting tomorrow. Come back to enter to win your own copy*
Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading and it asks us to...

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other Teaser Tuesday participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers!
  

Here is Vanessa's teaser for this week:
"I will have to travel from District to District, to stand before the cheering crowds who secretly loathe me, to look down into the faces of the families whose children I have killed."
~p. 4 from "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins

Here is Isalys's teaser for this week:
"I needed to remember him as the man who'd loved me and held me in bed. I needed to remember that that man would not want to stay a monster."
~p. 76 from "Blood Promise (Vampire Academy 4)" by Richelle Mead