Unsettled

Review: Unearthly

2012-01-15T10:49:00.002-05:00

Goodreads Blurb:

In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees . . . .

Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.

Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place—and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.

As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make—between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

Unearthly is a moving tale of love and fate, and the struggle between following the rules and following your heart.

My Take:

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Unearthly is one of those books that actually took me by surprise. Something fresh and intriguing at the same time. Clara is not your average teenager and when she finds her purpose, her family uproots and moves to the town in which is closest for her to fulfill her purpose.

The images are so vivid in her mind and all she can think about is her purpose and the boy she is sent to protect. What she doesn’t expect is having feelings for someone other than her purpose – Christian.

All she thinks about is Christian and when her purpose will come calling for her to save him, that she becomes very obsessed with him to the point where she thinks that she is falling in love with him. He is very polite and very handsome. Someone that you just can’t take your eyes off of.

When he goes out of state to take an internship for the Summer, Clara becomes lonely and knows that he is safe for now until he returns. While Clara is sulking through her summer vacation from school the unexpected happens. Her feeling develop for someone that she least expected and when it comes time to fulfill her purpose she feels torn on who to rescue…her purpose or her love?

Clara risks so much for her own happiness that it could be too late to fulfill her destiny. Watch things unfold for her as she watches her family evolve before her eyes as well and discovers some secrets that her mother refused to tell her.

YA Paranormal recommended.

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Review: Replication: The Jason Experiment

2012-01-15T10:41:00.002-05:00

Replication: The Jason Experiment by Jill Williamson

Goodreads Blurb:

When Your Life Is Not Your Own

Martyr---otherwise known as Jason 3:3---is one of hundreds of clones kept in a remote facility called Jason Farms. Told that he has been created to save humanity, Martyr has just one wish before he is scheduled to 'expire' in less than a month. To see the sky.

Abby Goyer may have just moved to Alaska, but she has a feeling something strange is going on at the farm where her father works. But even this smart, confident girl could never have imagined what lies beneath a simple barn. Or what would happen when a mysterious boy shows up at her door, asking about the stars.

As the reality of the Jason Experiment comes to light, Martyr is caught between two futures---the one for which he was produced and the one Abby believes God created him to have. Time is running out, and Martyr must decide if a life with Abby is worth leaving everything he's ever known.

My Take:

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I got the opportunity to review this book from Net Galley and instantly became enthralled in Martyr’s life. He is such a charismatic person or clone as he is and is becoming more of his own human than they imagined that he would. Being the best candidate, J:3:3 also known as Martyr is very special.

When Martyr takes it upon himself to see the sky before he expires for the greater good, he risks his live to go to the outside only to find that it is nothing that he could have ever imagined it to be. Martyr takes a journey into the world that he was not meant to experience. There, he meets Abby. When Abby first comes into contact with Martyr, she is thrown because of his resemblance to the high school hunk that has been hitting on her, J.D. Kane.

It amazes Abby how different Martyr is from J.D. Besides both being incredibly adorable, that is where the similarities end. Martyr is sensitive, kind, and gentle while J.D. is pushy, arrogant and mostly a jerk. It is hard for Abby to let Martyr go once she has decided to help him find a new purpose.

Both Abby and Martyr risk their lives to do the right thing and pray that they end up together. This book is highly recommended for YA lovers of a dystopian/Sci-Fy nature.

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Review: Vesper

2012-01-15T10:30:00.002-05:00

Vesper by Jeff Sampson

Goodreads blurb:

Emily Webb is a geek. And she’s happy that way. Content hiding under hoodies and curling up to watch old horror flicks, she’s never been the kind of girl who sneaks out for midnight parties. And she’s definitely not the kind of girl who starts fights or flirts with other girls’ boyfriends. Until one night Emily finds herself doing exactly that . . . the same night one of her classmates—also named Emily—is found mysteriously murdered.

The thing is, Emily doesn’t know why she’s doing any of this. By day, she’s the same old boring Emily, but by night, she turns into a thrill seeker. With every nightfall, Emily gets wilder until it’s no longer just her personality that changes. Her body can do things it never could before: Emily is now strong, fast, and utterly fearless. And soon Emily realizes that she’s not just coming out of her shell . . . there’s something much bigger going on. Is she bewitched by the soul of the other, murdered Emily? Or is Emily Webb becoming something else entirely— something not human?

As Emily hunts for answers, she finds out that she’s not the only one this is happening to—some of her classmates are changing as well. Who is turning these teens into monsters—and how many people will they kill to get what they want?

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

My Take:

I love the way Emily is slowly transforming from a geek into something more and not realizing what is going on at the time. It seems like it is a teenage thing when they go through stages but when she develops more of an attitude and carefree persona, she is really becoming worried. There are times that she find herself trying to leave her house without realizing why or where she intended to go.

There are terrible things happening around her small town and she has no idea what is bring all the death. When she becomes her most defiant, she finds that she is searching for one of her own because there is such a magnetic pull toward him that she is sure that he is considered her mate. She goes to all lengths to find him even stalking around his house.

What she also finds out is that she is not alone in her transformation process and that there are more students with some special qualities different from hers. Emily also discovers that someone is out there taking them out one by one. With her new surge of power, she is determined that she will be the one to take out the bad guy(s). As Emily finds her destiny and her hunters, she teams with the other Deviants as they are labeled and begins a new quest.

Highly recommended for YA Paranormal lovers.

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Review: The Unidentified

2012-01-01T15:59:00.003-05:00

The Unidentified by Rae Mariz
Goodreads Blurb:
Kid knows her school’s corporate sponsors not-so-secretly monitor her friendships and activities for market research. It’s all a part of the Game; the alternative education system designed to use the addictive kick from video games to encourage academic learning. Everyday, a captive audience of students ages 13-17 enter the nationwide chain store-like Game locations to play.

When a group calling themselves The Unidentified simulates a suicide to protest the power structure of their school, Kid’s investigation into their pranks attracts unwanted attention from the sponsors. As Kid finds out she doesn't have rights to her ideas, her privacy, or identity, she and her friends look for a way to revolt in a place where all acts of rebellion are just spun into the next new ad campaign.

My Take:
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this new book with such a great story line. It is another one to add to your read list if you enjoyed Matched or Possession. This is a rather intriguing situation that Kid has landed herself in.

Imagine if going to school were a game and your fashion, style, friends, interests and hype all determined your scores. If you get enough attention, you could even be sponsored. Most of the teenagers would love to be branded by a sponsor, but few get the opportunity.

Kid isn't one to stand out among the rest of the school's population but after something dramatic happens that she believes is the work of an outsider. Her investigation along with her best friend Mikey uncovers more than she bargained for and could potentially be a hazard to her health.

It is not until she meets the leader of the Unidentified does she start to get some answers and confusion along the way. She is being watched closely by the sponsors and a lot is at stake.

YA Dystopian Recommended
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Guest Blogger Jennifer Murgia

2011-12-11T06:00:00.013-05:00

My blog is being hosted by the lovely Jennifer Murgia. LEMNISCATE is the sequel to her debut ANGEL STAR. The tour, hosted by Mundie Moms Book Reviews, runs from December 9 - 18th. Take it away Jennifer.

3 Key Important Steps to Creating Your World

Ahh . . . a good book, there’s nothing like losing yourself in it, right?

To me, creating a world requires three important steps: believable characters, plausible issues, and “grab you-suck you in-keep you there” world building.

(Okay, fine, I’d add a fourth - which would be writing in the hot bad boy of the story, but I was

only asked for three. Tee hee!)

Let’s start with the first, shall we?

Believable characters - They should be relatable, interesting, sometimes the type you wish you could smack over the head and beg to listen, because after all, you’re the reader, and you can totally see what’s coming, right? Uh huh, that’s where it gets interesting. Sometimes, the best characters are the ones who don’t listen; the ones who tell YOU what’s going to happen, and if you don’t like it, too bad. Just like real life: annoyingly believable.

My personal favorite is the type I like to call the “human onion”. Little by little, you peel a layer back, and see what’s hiding underneath. I usually like my characters to have a secret by the time the last layer is pulled away, because more often than not, that secret is what makes the character three dimensional. It gives validity to their initial behavior throughout the story, and perhaps a taste of something yet to come.

Plausible issues – nothing like a good hurdle to split your brain open! Allowing your characters depth is number one. Give them life. Let them feel, let them bleed, let them lash out and then think about what they’ve done. Pull today’s issues into the plot – bullying, love, jealousy.

Today’s hottest books are Dystopian. Shelves are full of futuristic, one ruling government, coming of age, rebelling for all the right reasons type of stories. I can’t get enough of them, and I’m finding rather quickly, that this might be my favorite type of YA book at the moment. Are they plausible? Are they fantasy? Hmmm. Honestly, I’ve always wondered if the entertainment industry has something over us. Take a look at movies that depict end of the world, apocalyptic settings. What are they REALLY preparing us for? Since most of humanity relies on being entertained in one way or another, could this be a subliminal way to reach us? To help us plant that seed of “what if” in our heads?

Lastly, the “grab you-suck you in-keep you there” world building! World building reminds me of a tea bag. You drop the tea bag into the water and slowly, the infusion begins. It builds, stretching and taking over until the entire mug is consumed. Every element must be included: sounds, smells, emotions, character quirks, movements, thoughts. I remember reading The Hunger Games and closing the book, feeling Panem was a REAL place. The arena was vivid and alive.

Ultimately, let what you write teem with life. Give it breath and become it – chances are, while you’re writing, if you become immersed, your readers will too.

I want to thank Jennifer for stopping by my blog to give us some great advice. Now, if you haven't already, by all means go and check out her books and pick them up. Please visit Mundie Moms Book Reviews for more information on the tour.

You can visit the Lemniscate webpage or you can go to Amazon | Barnes and Noble to purchase these books.

Here are the blog tour dates and sites so you can go and check them out.

12/9- Mundie Moms, tour kick off

12/10- Reader Girls, review & giveaway

12/11- Regina-Unsettled, guest post

12/12- Confessionofavi3tbabe, character interview

12/13- Clean Fiction, review & giveaway

12/14- ReaderBenj, guest post

12/15- A Blog About Nothing, excerpt

12/16- Pager Turners Blog, review

12/17- The Book Vortex, author interview
12/18- Mundie Moms, mini character & author interview

Meet the Author Jennifer Murgia. You can follow Jennifer on Twitter and Facebook, and visit her site here.

Giveaway:

During the duration of the tour, be sure to enter Jennifer Murgia's Be An Angel, Give A Book Contest. Purchase a copy of Angel Star or Lemniscate during the month of December and email your receipt to jennifermurgia8@gmail.com for your chance to be "an angel". Both books in the name of the winner randomly chosen will be donated to that winner's choice of library. ALL those who enter, will be entered to win a Goodie Basket of Lands Atlantic books. That winner will be announced on Jan. 2nd, 2012 on Jennifer's site.

Praise and Advice

2011-11-03T12:06:00.000-04:00

So…this is my first year in trying NaNoWriMo. I have watched many of you either pound through it or struggle at times, but I have always thought you to be the boldest, bravest people I know. I salute you and now, you have forced me to put on my big girl panties and deal with it.

Thankfully I have not totally stalled yet on this project. I know we are only a few days in, but sometimes finding the time to write is not always ideal. I squeeze what I can in when the moments present themselves but those are few and far between.

I have gained knowledge and strength in reading and watching you (my peers) through your different life stories and processes to get a handle on all the things that you multi-task in your lives. I am grateful for the life I have and the people in it.

If it weren’t for those people, then I would have drowned by now. Among you are some really great life preservers and I am thrilled to be part of your community. So I pose this question to you about writing.

Do you give them what they want, or do you give them what they need?

I guess that I want to know if you follow the trends that people are eating up right now or are you giving them something off the chart to mix it up a bit? I am always involved in so many projects at home that I don’t know which way is up, so I have a little bit of everything.

Also, since this is my first NaNoWriMo year, does anyone have any advice or suggestions? What has been the most beneficial for you during this process?

Change is coming!

2011-11-01T15:01:00.000-04:00

There have been many unforeseen circumstances that have kept me away from this wonderful place for so long. I am working on some new and hopefully exciting things to post. My family continues to heal gradually and are striving to conquer the black cloud that has been looming overhead.

I have found some new inspiration and hope to share that as well. Glad that everyone is still hanging out and wondering who all is signed up for NaNoWriMo this year? This is my fist year so if anyone has some advice, I'd love to hear it.

Best wishes.

Glow (Sky Chasers #1) by Amy Kathleen Ryan & a Giveaway!!

2011-09-09T12:31:00.001-04:00

Here is the Goodreads Blurb:

What if you were bound for a new world, about to pledge your life to someone you'd been promised to since birth, and one unexpected violent attack made survival—not love—the issue?

Out in the murky nebula lurks an unseen enemy: the New Horizon. On its way to populate a distant planet in the wake of Earth's collapse, the ship's crew has been unable to conceive a generation to continue its mission. They need young girls desperately, or their zealous leader's efforts will fail. Onboard their sister ship, the Empyrean, the unsuspecting families don't know an attack is being mounted that could claim the most important among them...

Fifteen-year-old Waverly is part of the first generation to be successfully conceived in deep space; she was born on the Empyrean, and the large farming vessel is all she knows. Her concerns are those of any teenager—until Kieran Alden proposes to her. The handsome captain-to-be has everything Waverly could ever want in a husband, and with the pressure to start having children, everyone is sure he's the best choice. Except for Waverly, who wants more from life than marriage—and is secretly intrigued by the shy, darkly brilliant Seth.

But when the Empyrean faces sudden attack by their assumed allies, they quickly find out that the enemies aren't all from the outside.

Here is my Take:

Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a Goodreads First reads win for me.

If you adored Across the Universe by Beth Revis then you will enjoy Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan. It is a breathtaking journey across space with fifteen year old Waverly and her soon to be husband and Captain in training Kieran.

Come to find out that there are two identical ships launched one year apart, the New Horizon and the Empyrean. Each crew is different. One crew is religious and finds that it is lacking the ability to reproduce. They have delayed their mission to New Earth to wait for the Empyrean to aid them in their research to help them develop ways to remedy this but it is too late when they find out that the New Horizon have an agenda of their own.

Waverly finds crucial information that helps her understand how the New Horizon was plagued with their problems and who was responsible and also the conditions that the Empyrean was left in when she was taken to help the New Horizon with their fertility problems.

It is up to Waverly to decide if she wants to free Seth to help her set the Empyrean free from Kieran and another attack from the New Horizon.

This book is highly recommended to those who love YA Science Fiction

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Giveaway time. Guess what? I have an extra copy of this ARC....who wants it? Yeah, I know it is being released next week, but hey. Free book anyone?

RULES:

Must be a GCF

Must fill out this form below.

Giveaway deadline is September 16, 2011!

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Famished by Lauren Hammond

2011-09-02T16:37:00.000-04:00

I loved this book from the moment I started reading it. It makes me want to know more and making me crazy with the unknown. So if you haven't gotten a chance to pick up this book then please go do it now. I don't think that you will be disappointed at all.

Here is the Goodreads Blurb:
There is no United States. There is no world. An asteroid has destroyed what the human race knew as earth and The Great Famine has wiped out most of the surviving human population. For the few remaining survivors, food is scarce-- precious--a luxury. A luxury that most humans can’t find.

Seventeen year old Georgina Carver is fortunate. She’s survived the destruction. She eats three times a day while the rest of humanity is plagued by The Great Famine. And she’s safe, hidden away in an underground colony with her family and several other families of survivors.

All of that changes the day she’s randomly selected to be a gatherer. Georgina must leave her safe yet simple world and venture out into a world unknown. A vast, dangerous, destroyed world that could literally eat her alive.

After Georgina is severely injured, her life begins to fall apart. She can’t remember how she got home or what happened to her while she was on the new earth. The boy she is crushing on avoids her and she keeps having visions that involve an unknown person with violet eyes.

As Georgina begins to unravel the truth, it doesn’t take her long to figure out that maybe her safe yet simple life isn’t that safe at all.

My Take:
Famished by Lauren Hammond
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wowza. I loved reading this book so much I did it all at once. I couldn't stand not knowing what was going to happen next. Craving Hunger Games from Suzanne Collins? Yeah, then you will eat this series up. It will leave you FAMISHED and wanting more by the last page.

I won this book from Lauren and am so happy I got the chance to read it. A wonderful story about a colony living underground trying to survive. Georgina is one tough young lady and has heroine written all over her.

When her name is drawn from the lottery and she is paired with her long time crush, Colin, things are looking really hot and steamy. When they get to the surface to look for supplies things go from bad to worse. They have two separate lists to shop from and have to try to dig through rocks, dirt and debris for what they need.

Once they leave each others side, the adventure begins and unknowingly Georgina will meet an ally that will help her survive. A small mixture of a love triangle is in the desolate air.

Recommended for all YA lovers of dystopian times.

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Spread The Love Contest: The Sky is Everywhere

2011-08-24T12:14:00.000-04:00

First I need to apologize for the lengthy absence I have shown on my blog lately. I have had a very trying month. My father suffered a stroke on August 4^th and we are still trying to get him back on track at home. My mother was also just diagnosed with breast cancer. She is have a mastectomy on August 31^st. I have been dealing with those medical emergencies but am glad to say that I have a great opportunity for you all. I am a couple weeks late on getting this posted so here goes.

I just finished THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE by Jandy Nelson. It was poetic, romantic and full of raw emotion. Here's the blurb:

Seventeen-year-old Lennie Walker, bookworm and band geek, plays second clarinet and spends her time tucked safely and happily in the shadow of her fiery older sister, Bailey. But when Bailey dies abruptly, Lennie is catapulted to center stage of her own life - and, despite her nonexistent history with boys, suddenly finds herself struggling to balance two. Toby was Bailey's boyfriend; his grief mirrors Lennie's own. Joe is the new boy in town, a transplant from Paris whose nearly magical grin is matched only by his musical talent. For Lennie, they're the sun and the moon; one boy takes her out of her sorrow, the other comforts her in it. But just like their celestial counterparts, they can't collide without the whole wide world exploding.

I loved Lennie, and I really connected to her. I know that if you read this, you will not be disappointed.

Now, on to the fun part! Casey Mccormick @ Literary Rambles started this contest back in February and it is still going strong! I won my lucky copy from Eliza Tilton and now it's time for one of my followers to win theirs.

Here are the rules:

Since this is a pay-it-forward contest the winner must agree to hold the same contest on their blog, preferably within two weeks. All you need to do leave a comment below. If you tweeted or Facebooked the information, let me know that as well. Deadline is next Friday, 9/9. USA only.

Athena's Curse by Stacey Darlington

2011-07-25T06:00:00.008-04:00

Goodreads Blurb:
Is it a curse or a gift of the gods?

Thirteen-year-old Asudem has a hard enough time having snakes instead of hair but now her eyes have a burning new power that turns living things into stone. She sets out across the most dangerous part of Lower Olympus to learn how she got this infuriating ability. Her best friends, Drella the Goddess of Chaos and Vanity and Pretal the Lion Goddess, join her as she battles past the most terrifying monsters of Greek mythology on her journey to find the answers. Can she discover where she fits in this world of gods and goddesses?

My Thoughts:
Athena's Curse by Stacey Darlington
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Middle Grade novel

Pages 144

Published by Bedazzled Ink Publishing and their Dragonfeather book imprint

www.dragonfeatherbooks.com

Cover Design by: Deborah Davidson

Let me start by saying that I love, love, love this amazing cover. It is vibrant and fun and stunningly beautiful. This is a story of coming to age with thirteen-year-old Asudem on a journey of self discovery. She's thirteen, her head is covered with 14 beautiful and individual snakes. Each one has their own name and personality. Her eyes burn red and can turn living objects to stone with a heated glance.

Asudem is accompanied by her friends Drella and Pretal. They are very detrimental in Asudem's quest to find her destiny. They make an equal amount of friends and enemies during this adventure and it will keep you wondering what is going to happen next.

Asudem's journey would not be as fun, adventurous, or enlightening without all the help and guidance she receives along the way. This book is a great read for those looking for a new adventure into mythology and the Gods. Very clever read.

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Hot Seat with Cally Jackson!

2011-07-21T00:00:00.002-04:00

Today I am being ~~Roasted~~ Hosted over at Cally Jackson's blog at Cally Jackson Writes so I please visit over there as I am away steeping in my ice bath trying to recover. If your feeling up to it, sign up with Cally for your turn in the Hot Seat. It is a blast and she is a wonderful hostess!

This the the HOT SEAT, come sit and have a chat with Cally!
I also have some Google+ invites I can hand out. Let me know if you need one and send me your email address!

Left, Right, … no, go Straight!

2011-07-18T20:52:00.001-04:00

Image by jimmyharris via Flickr

Way back when I was a teenager, I used to play a game with my friends on the weekends. We would jump in the car and play left, right, straight. Once we start driving we would take turns telling the driver which way to go.

Yes, you can get lost out in some really awesomely spooky country settings this way but it is totally hilarious and fun. Many times we would be indecisive on where to go so this was always a fun way to spend our time and find new adventures.

I sometimes relate this to my writing because when you are in a scene and getting ready for another chapter you may not know where to take it. So it is similar to playing this game. You might make them turn left into some obstacle or right to find some wonderful adventure. But you can also keep them on the straight and narrow to keep the story on track to build the story a little more.

Everything that we do with our writing is sort of this game of chance to see where we will end up. I love the adventure and will always be willing to play along. The surprises of turning off course once in awhile always surprise me in the most unexpected ways and lead my characters and stories down paths that I would have not normally plotted out for them.

It is my joy of being a punster because I don’t make any definite decisions for where my story will go and it will flow as I turn or stay on course. And yes, occasionally I get lost, but it is finding my way back that completes my journey.

Have you had anything like this happen to you or can you relate your writing to? Tell me what your writing is like.

Also look for me Thursday over at Cally Jackson's blog. I landed my tush in the HOT SEAT! Read how I sweat it out.

Werewolf Descent by Elizabeth J. Kolodziej

2011-07-15T08:30:00.002-04:00

Werewolf Descent by Elizabeth J. Kolodziej

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Well now I am on the edge of my seat again. We last left Faith with Trent recovering from a butt kicking journey of her discovering her heritage of becoming a witch, being stalked by slayers, her mother revealing more than Faith wanted to know about her father's death and an uncertain fate.

Now just when Faith and Trent think that they can start building their new relationship, a new man moves to town. Vincent -- a psychic vampire, who is obsessed with Faith and is likely to move in on Trent's territory. But the problem is, Faith feels the surge of energy too when she is with Vincent. He cannot be ignored. But the question that begs to be answered is will she?

Faith's connection with Zou Tai is tested when they find that the werewolf pack is being hunted and the werewolves are being murdered. She is willing to do what she can to protect him and help his family from being kidnapped and slaughtered. Faith soon realizes that her powers will be tested when she is up against a powerful alchemist.

Friendships, bonds and futures are strained, bent and tested through this magnetically charged novel as Faith and her team go up against deadly forces, deceptive gods and love. This book was very seductive and alluring making it a tough choice for Faith.

Elizabeth surprises me again and has me wanting more as I am yet again salivating over her latest creation!

You can also read my review of her first book Vampire Kisses here.
If you want more information on Elizabeth and her work go here.

View all my reviews

The Lake - Banana Yoshimoto

2011-07-10T21:12:00.000-04:00

I got the chance to read this from NetGalley

Goodreads Blurb:
A major literary sensation is back with a quietly stunning tour de force about a young woman who falls for a cult escapee.

While The Lake shows off many of the features that have made Banana Yoshimoto famous—a cast of vivid and quirky characters, simple yet nuanced prose, a tight plot with an upbeat pace—it’s also one of the most darkly mysterious books she’s ever written.
It tells the tale of a young woman who moves to Tokyo after the death of her mother, hoping to get over her grief and start a career as a graphic artist. She finds herself spending too much time staring out her window, though ... until she realizes she’s gotten used to seeing a young man across the street staring out his window, too.
They eventually embark on a hesitant romance, until she learns that he has been the victim of some form of childhood trauma. Visiting two of his friends who live a monastic life beside a beautiful lake, she begins to piece together a series of clues that lead her to suspect his experience may have had something to do with a bizarre religious cult. . . .
With its echoes of the infamous, real-life Aum Shinrikyo cult (the group that released poison gas in the Tokyo subway system), The Lake unfolds as the most powerful novel Banana Yoshimoto has written. And as the two young lovers overcome their troubled past to discover hope in the beautiful solitude of the lake in the country- side, it’s also one of her most moving.

What I thought:
The Lake by Banana Yoshimoto

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Chihiro becomes distant from her father and sees her dead mother. She is very much and introvert and loves watching out her window until she finds that she is has something in common with another neighbor in the apartment complex who window watches as well.

Chihiro befriends her window watching neighbor Nakajima and begins an intimate relationship but doesn't know how much of a commitment either one can have. Nakajima has some traumatic past experience that Chihiro is trying to figure out.

It took me awhile to get into this book. It was a good read but it didn't have me right away.

View all my reviews

Rules of Attraction - Simone Elkeles

2011-07-10T20:56:00.000-04:00

Goodreads Blurb:

When Carlos Fuentes returns to America after living in Mexico for a year, he doesn’t want any part of the life his older brother, Alex, has laid out for him at a high school in Colorado . Carlos likes living his life on the edge and wants to carve his own path—just like Alex did. Then he meets Kiara Westford. She doesn’t talk much and is completely intimidated by Carlos’ wild ways. As they get to know one another, Carlos assumes Kiara thinks she’s too good for him, and refuses to admit that she might be getting to him. But he soon realizes that being himself is exactly what Kiara needs right now.

What I thought:

Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This doesn't leave off where Alex and Brittany did in Perfect Chemistry. Instead it focuses on his younger brother Carlos. He comes back to live with Alex while Alex is in college. A rival gang of Carlos' in town is looking to recruit him into their new family.

However when Carlos gets busted with drugs, he is forced to go and live with friends of Alex's and starts to develop a strange friendship with Kiara. Kiara is the daughter of the professor that Carlos is staying with and she doesn't want to admit that she is falling in love with Carlos.

Carlos is in over his head with El Diablo is threatening his family if he doesn't join them. Kiara strains the boundary of their friendship and pushes the limits of their passion.

This book is highly recommended for those who love YA contemporary.

View all my reviews

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

2011-07-07T11:58:00.000-04:00

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I cannot even begin to tell you how much fun I had reading this book. Since I read all formats on all devices, I will tell you I read this one on my iPhone through my Kindle App. This book had it all, fun, mystery, romance and quirky YA sardonic undertones.

When school pop-princess, Brittany Ellis is paired with macho gang member Alex Fuentes in their Chemistry class, all hell breaks loose. I almost fell out of my chair and truly laughed out loud when I read their partner introductions. That brought me back to high school in a big way. Assigned seating and getting a short Q & A with your new lab partner and then having to introduce them to the class.

All of Alex’s sarcastic and perverted advances to Brittany during Chemistry fail. His hatred of everything she stands for makes him do the unthinkable. Alex makes a bet with one of his friends to seduce Brittany Ellis and win a car.

The only thing that Alex doesn’t count on is falling for her. Brittany has many challenges that she faces in her home that not everyone is aware of. Her sister Shelly has Cerebral Palsy and doesn’t communicate well. Britt’s parents expect her to be perfect, but she can’t and goes into total rebellion when her parents decide to send her sister away.

Alex is in the Blood to protect his family. His mother and two brothers that were left behind after his father was murdered. Alex is man of the house and must find balance between both his and Brittany’s worlds. Alex is plagued with more trouble when he goes around questioning his father’s murder. He finds more than he bargains for.

They both make enemies and unexpected allies along their path or romance. I would highly recommend this book to everyone. Especially those drawn to YA contemporary.

View all my reviews

Next I am reading Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles.

Books Galore!

2011-06-29T13:10:00.001-04:00

Wow, there are so many wonderful things going on right now that it is so hard to keep up.

I have also been making some huge headway on some of my projects. I have completed over 16,000 words on my new WIP and am taking under advisement critique information from my partners on my first book. There are a lot of ideas and help coming from them. I am so appreciative.

On my book obsession front, I am getting rained on with books lately by winning contests and such. This is my lucky month. Books I recently got were

The Warlock: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel #5 Mind you that I have not read this series yet, so I have a lot of catching up to do. That is happening to me a lot lately.

I won the ebook Dirty Blood – by Heather Hildebrandt from Nightly Reading, which I have already read. J See my review here!

Courtesy the author via Goodreads – First Reads

Pig Boy by J.C. Burke

Glow: Sky Chasers #1 by Amy Kathleen Ryan

I have won two other books this way. Love these opportunities.

City of Fallen Angels UK Copy – Courtesy Afterglow and Jen Daiker who you know from Unedited!

So it looks as if I need to acquire the Cassandra Claire series so that I can actually reap my reward. Can’t read it until I read the other three. Tsk, Tsk…This happened to me with Carrie Ryan’s books as well.

Dance with a Vampire by Ellen Schreiber Courtesy Beth Fred Again this is the 4^th book in the series. I need the other three.

Honey! I need to go to the bookstore! I just need to fill in the gaps. I only need 10 books. Argh! I can never keep up, but I love it!!

Recently Read:

Solstice by P.J. Hoover
Let me tell you something about P.J. She is AWESOME!! Psst. I also have those awesome trading cards see here. Yup. They’re mine and I am not giving them away. She also wrote me a really sweet note. Like I said, she is really great. If you haven’t looked into Solstice yet, do it. It is a really exciting book!! Show her some love!

I also just spoke to a friend of mine who has a Nook and we are discussing experimenting with the lend feature…I know. I am really excited about this. I haven’t implemented it yet but think it is an interesting idea.

So what are you reading? Looking forward to reading?

Rule Breaker, Rule Breaker -- Oh so naughty!

2011-06-07T07:00:00.011-04:00

In honor of the release of POSSESSION by Elana Johnson, (eek) I am to tell you about the time I broke the rules. I must clarify that this post is intended for fun only and not to incriminate myself and be held accountable for things that happened during my teenage years. All names and places have been changed to protect the ~~crew~~ innocent people that participated in said event. J

So the year was 1991 and it was one of those lazy, humidly staggering days. Some of my misfits that choose to accept me were hanging out playing a very challenging game of basketball at one of the local parks. As evening loomed over the hoop at us, we notice some really--what we at the time would call HOT guys coming to join us.

My girls—A, B and C were drooling over said boys in the group and were very excited to play some b-ball with some full contact horseplay. Delightful. Young lust. Sweating profusely, we were ready to cool off, however, it was really late and too late to wander to one of our swimming reservoirs without injury.

So one of us (me) gets this stupid idea of going swimming at the pool which is closed because it was approaching midnight. Yeah, so what did we do? We scaled the fence and jumped in the public pool. A few of my girlfriends (A & B – you know who you are—but I still love ya) were skittish about this plan and declined immediately. I couldn’t be deterred. C went with me and we enjoyed a quick dip with some fantastic guys. I think I did it more to impress the boys than I did to cool off. That is one of my color insights to break the rules!!

Disclosure: If you are one of my children and you are reading this – this is a totally fictitious story and mommy would never do anything like that in her life. DO NOT, I repeat…DO NOT act like the yahoos in the story above.

If you are one of the local law enforcement officers of that town where that particular pool would happen to reside… no damage was done to the public property. The grass floating all over the place was already there, I swear! The only damage was handsome 1 ripped his shirt on the fence in our hasty exit. Tragic!

Winner of Skylight Confessions!

2011-06-02T13:17:00.000-04:00

I just want to thank everyone who participated in my 100^th post giveaway contest to win Skylight Confessions by Alice Hoffman.

We all as aspiring and published writers it is important for us to support one another to achieve our maximum potential. The outreach and support is what keeps me going. I love to try to do whatever I can to help out other writers…beta reading, critiquing, or just listening when they are troubled or having a bad day.

Everyone I meet in life through my journey impacts my character and so many people have helped strengthen my character.

So without further ado…our wonderful winner is:

~Tanya Reimer~

Tanya is a wonderful blogger/writer who can be found at : Life's Like That

Tanya, I have emailed you and am waiting to get your information so that I can sent it out to you!

If you haven’t stopped by to congratulate her on her win and check out her blog, you should!!

Again, thanks for all of those who participated or just dropped by to congratulate me on my 100^th post. You are all fantastic and wonderful people!

100th Post is a Contest!

2011-05-20T20:33:00.001-04:00

Since I have made it this far in my blogging career and March was my one year bloggiversary, I think that I need to have another contest! So enough is enough. This is going to be short and sweet.

So I have a bunch of books to read because I have got some new ones and noticed that I have two copies of one. So one of you lucky participants are going to have the opportunity to win this delightful little gem. I just think that the cover is beautiful.

Goodreads blurb:

"Achingly beautiful and filled with heart-wrenchingly real characters: one of Hoffman's best." -Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Writing at the height of her powers, Alice Hoffman conjures three generations of a family haunted by love. Cool, practical, and deliberate, John is dreamy Arlyn's polar opposite. Yet the two are drawn powerfully together even when it is clear they are bound to bring each other grief. Their difficult marriage leads them and their children to a house made of glass in the Connecticut countryside, to the avenues of Manhattan, and to the blue waters of Long Island Sound. Glass breaks, love hurts, and families make their own rules. Ultimately, it falls to their grandson, Will, to solve the emotional puzzle of his family and of his own identity."Hoffman's shimmering, multigenerational melodrama bewitches with supernatural imagery while imaginatively dramatizing all-too-common heartaches." -Booklist"Alice Hoffman has written her most spellbinding, accomplished novel yet. . . . Although this is Hoffman's nineteenth book, it feels utterly fresh.Her voice-touched by the cadences of fairy tales-buoys us through the novel's saddest currents."

So all you have to do is fill out THIS FORM and I will be closing the contest on June 1st at midnight and picking a winner! Best wishes to all of you!

If you are following me and I am not following you back yet, drop me a comment and I will remedy that quickly!!

Mental Constipation...are you a sufferer?

2011-05-20T20:13:00.000-04:00

Hello all of my wonderful lovelies! And how have you been lately? I have been silently stalking and have seen that after the A to Z Challenge that most of you participated in, you have still been keeping very busy. Me...yeah, well, ya know.

So this is me lately!! :( I have been suffering from mental constipation in the writing department. I remember it used to be volcanic, like verbal diarrhea coming out of all directions of my brain and not it is there but when I want to write --nothing wants to come out --CONSTIPATION!!

Has this ever happened to you? I can barely stand it. It drives me nuts. I think that is the brunt of all of my migraines these days. I have NO release valve for this retention that won't come out. So I need to tap into it or find some type of laxative to coax all of it out!

So anyway, I have a new obsession besides reading (a ton) and some writing that leaks out with much straining, I love to watch Camelot on Stars.

(Aurthur is played by Jamie Campbell and his sister who is vying for the throne is Morgan played by Eva Green pictured above)
For those of you who don't watch it (some really smoldering actors and actresses) acting out in the realm of King Aurthur. My favorite is Merlin....

Need I say more. This man played by Joseph Fiennes is wicked sexy and he is everything that you would want Merlin to be. He is the epitome of magic in my opinion. Watching him gives me shivers....see, right there, did you feel that. Wowza! It is on every Friday night and I just adore it! This character is brilliant. The thing with Merlin is that using his power costs him...it puts a toll on his mind and body. He must choose wisely what to use his powers on and when. Morgan is disgustingly dark but beautiful. Eva Green is fantastic.

So anyway, that's me. I have also decided to quit taking my migraine medication because the side effects are more troublesome than having a migraine. I think I can handle a headache compared to some of the problems I have been facing due to the side effects. Which could be causing some of my mental constipation.

Any suggestions on fixing my mental constipation...who has the laxatives?

Solid: Book Review

2011-05-10T20:53:00.001-04:00

Solid by: Shelley Workinger

I want to thank Shelley Workinger for sending me a free copy to read in order to give a review in light of the release of the second book in the series Settling coming out July 4, 2011.

Solid is a captivating tale of a group of teenagers brought together by the mere fact that they were unknowingly genetically altered at birth for military use. They are brought to a military base camp and told about their possible mutations and start to make bonds with other characters through out the book.

Our main character is Calliope Kaid or Clio as she is called by friends. She is socially awkward and doesn't always say the right things around cute boys like Jack Vallard. Clio and the rest of the group of teens soon find out weather or not the genetic altering has given them any abilities and they learn to utilize them.

I am really looking forward to continuing the journey with Clio and her friends by reading Settling. This book really will appeal to those who enjoy YA paranormal.

Photography to Writing

2011-04-26T12:58:00.001-04:00

Image by Brian Auer via Flickr

When I was in high school I used to be the yearbook photographer and go to games and all other events to take pictures, so I was really good at people watching. So here I sit now with this wonderful passion to write. Today the thought struck me how much writing is like photography. Well, not today’s digital photography, but before digital.

First there is the picture: You look around to see what captivates you and gets your heart fluttering to make you think, I want to capture that moment.

The same is for your story idea. You find something you are passionate enough to write about.

Both of them need focus and great detail. They also can be determined by speed. The slower or faster the speed can determine the impact your photo or story makes.

You will be able to throw all kinds of options at this point: filters, angles, exposure.

The most important step is that they both need developed. (First draft)

Then you will get your negatives (bones of your story) and need to make some prints. From there you will want to put it into your enlarger (start editing). You will crop, angle, contrast, resize, dodging, burning in, use toner, angle and choose your paper. (colored pens, beta readers, cutting/adding scenes, favorite candies/snacks and all the other ways we edit!)

Now you have your photo (rough MS). Now that you have worked it to how you want it to look it is time to develop it. You will first soak it in the developer. (Go through and fix all the things that you corrected during your edit). Then it is time to put it in thestop bath. Which stops the developing solution. (Let the new changes sit for a little bit). Now it is time to run it through the fix. Once is in the fix, it is set and you will really see what is there. (Finished manuscript).

Now the great thing about pictures is that you can process as many as you want until you get them just the way you want. (Re-write your MS as many times as you need to until you like it).

So that is how I relate something that I used to do to something that I do now.

How about you? Is there anything that you used to do that you can relate to your writing now? I want to know.

What's your muse boost?

2011-04-17T21:10:00.002-04:00

So...so....so...sorry that I have been gone for so long if any of you wonderful people missed me. I have been working really hard on a couple of projects and Murphy has me busy every night when I come home. One night we will be splitting wood. Yes, catching up from all the wood that we cut in the past season and crafting the logs to fit into our wood burner. Or if I come home I get to help spread mulch. Murphy has already put down 16 truck loads. Our yard is looking amazing. Next we have to finish painting the upstairs to put in the water baseboard heaters to prepare for next year. So there are still so many things that need to be done.

I was also interviewed on the lovely and wonderfully talented Michelle Merrill's blog Perfecting the Craft Friday. Yeah, you know, the one with the AMAZING EYES! Totally jealous. She made me sound oh so glamorous.

Anyway, if you are in the mood to check me out then please feel free to head over there and shoot me a comment. Michelle is wonderful.

Short note. Today I took an adventure my back yard and walked through the woods for some inspiration and found a little more than I was looking for. I found this little grey sponge.

Here is some of the mystic inspiration that I found in my back woods as well. I have read so many post about faeries and nymphs that it just made me think of all of them running around in my woods. Also my Murphy bought me a voice recorder. I was very happy to have it because I have some of my best ideas when I am moving.

So tell me...where does some of your inspiration come from? Where do you go for a muse boost?

Also I set up a Facebook Fan Page and of course you have to have 25 likes to keep your name. So if any of you are feeling generous, then please click on the black Facebook link to the right and Like my page. If you don't want to...no worries. Thank you!

The Possession Show the Love Tour!!

2011-03-30T21:30:00.001-04:00

REPOST:
Oh Yeah Baby! I can no longer hold it in. I have to let you all know. I was one of the chosen. One of the what? One of the chosen. The one and only wonderful Ali Cross gave the me awesome opportunity to read the ARC of Elana Johnson's debut novel POSSESSION!

Here is a taste of what the book is about by what is posted on the author's page:

Vi knows the Rule: Girls don't walk with boys, and they never even think about kissing them. But no one makes Vi want to break the Rules more than Zenn...and since the Thinkers have chosen him as Vi's future match, how much trouble can one kiss cause? The Thinkers may have brainwashed the rest of the population, but Vi is determined to think for herself.

But the Thinkers are unusually persuasive, and they're set on convincing Vi to become one of them...starting by brainwashing Zenn. Vi can't leave Zenn in the Thinkers' hands, but she's wary of joining the rebellion, especially since that means teaming up with Jag. Jag is egotistical, charismatic, and dangerous--everything Zenn's not. Vi can't quite trust Jag and can't quite resist him, but she also can't give up on Zenn.

This is a game of control or be controlled. And Vi has no choice but to play.

My take:

Don't get me started about how amazing I thought this book was...okay do! :) So meet Violet, this girl is wicked cool and quirky. She lost her sister to a society she doesn't understand, a father who went MIA and a mother who doesn't care for her. Violet (Vi) is matched with Zenn whom she has known as her soul mate for years. Control or be controlled is the premise of this book. Duty or Death!

Vi has many choices to make and they weigh heavy on her. Insert another hottie hunk here (Jag), who throws a few curves into Vi's life. Some sizzling connections and a power hungry monster and a few intriguing people from her past lie in Vi's path, forcing her to make choices she doesn't want to make.

Anyone who is interested in reading about people who can use mind control, voice influence, can sense technical power sources, see premonitions and all the latest tech gear than you really want to either pre-order or go and pick this one up. It hits stores on June 7, 2011.

Show Me The Voice Blogfest

2011-03-21T20:09:00.000-04:00

Name: Regina Linton
Title: Winter's Gift
Genre: Paranormal Romance

The forest was a dark and damp obstacle course. The trees became a menacing blur as I raced passed them, their small branches scraping my face. I took a moment to stop and lean against a moss covered tree to catch my breath, my body teetering from exhaustion before I staggered and then pushed forward.

My seemingly harmless walk in the woods had turned into a tormenting fight for survival from what was stalking me just beyond the deep dark shadows and thick trees surrounding me. Frightened by the quickened pace, I didn’t feel like I was putting any distance between myself and who or what was coming after me. Terrified, I looked for somewhere to take refuge.

My skin began to crawl as if it were covered with thousands of ants on their way to a feeding frenzy. The hair on the back of my neck was standing on end when chills immersed my entire body causing me to jolt to a sudden stop.

I frantically turned to see who was approaching, but couldn’t see anything but shadows in every direction I looked. The darkness seemed to be moving… surrounding me, closing in at an alarming rate.

These weren’t like normal everyday shadows; these were darker and more sinister. My head was clouded in confusion and plagued by uncertainty as my thoughts ran wild. ‘What’s happening? Go away, please just go away. Someone please help me!’ My mind chattered.

Do you love books? Well do ya?

2011-03-12T20:47:00.000-05:00

So I was trying to read through all of your wonderful blogs this weekend and I came across this wonderful blog post by Beth Revis. She has just made this fabulous contest available and I suggest that everyone get over there A.S.A.P. to get signed up for it.

Aren't they all lovely?? Go to her blog HERE and see what she has to say about each one of these books and sign up. It is a really fantabulous opportunity. I've been there, why haven't you. Now come on if you love books...(with best Yoda voice) Go now you will!

Have a great weekend and I hope I get to read about one of you winning these awesome books!!

The Unruly Muse!

2011-03-07T13:22:00.000-05:00

First and foremost. Hello to all my new followers and fellow crusaders. You are all wonderful and I am slowly making my way around to all of your wonderful blogs.

Do you ever feel like when your on your on and when your off ….your way off? That is how I have been feeling lately. My writing is suffering due to work conditions that will greatly improve by mid-April. We are short handed where I work which has caused me to pick up some more responsibilities and slack. I have also had to travel an additional 500 miles a month because of these changes. Not only does this put me out of the office more, but it really wears me down too and by the time I get home, I am already so far behind that I am playing catch up and never feel like I can get anywhere.

I am so far behind on revising my manuscript that I had hoped to have done by now and have several others that I have had to stop production on because of other scheduling conflicts that have arisen putting me at war with my muse, Chaos. She is viciously mad and has every right to be, she lashes out at me in my sleep more than normal with ideas for writing when she knows that I can't get to them. Just yesterday she taunted me while I was painting my son's bedroom that has to be finished in order to put in base board water heaters and carpeting. I was so exhausted last night from painting when I fell asleep that I didn't want to dream. But Chaos was not happy about that. She kept nudging the bed with new ideas until she woke me and made me go and jot things down.

So today my but is dragging again and I cannot wait until the 18th when we leave to go on Spring Break to warmer weather and get some time off so maybe she will let me get caught up. I will be away from work which will be nice and relaxing in its own right. But if I know Chaos, she will have a plan of her own.

What do you do with an unruly muse?

Big Reveal of Crusade Challenge and an Award

2011-02-25T21:21:00.000-05:00

Okay...so the lie was that I had never considered going under the blade. Tis true. This challenge was so fun and I enjoyed it so much. I am still working my way around to all the blogs and reading all the posts that I am enjoying meeting all the new people. What a great opportunity.

I also got a super wonderful award from the wonderful Tanya Reimer at Life's Like That awhile back and need to pay it forward. Thank you Tanya. I did not forget, but wanted to make sure I put enough into it.

With the prestigious award you must list seven (7) about yourself and then give it away to fifteen (15) newly discovered bloggers. That should be easy peasy since I am now a crusader and there are so many new bloggers to choose from right?...right? Okay, about me.

1. I am the youngest of three sisters and have no brothers but have always wanted one. Does anyone want to be my faux bro? I could use brotherly advice from time to time. Really. I'm serious. :)

2. Music is my down fall. I listen to it at all times. Even when I am at work...it doesn't even matter what it is. Seriously. Does it make me a bad person when Flyleaf's "I'm So Sick" is like my theme song when I'm writing?

3. I can't stand it when my feet are cold. It can be 76 degrees in the house and I will still put my house slipper on because I can't stand it. Sometimes the tile floor is still cold on my feet. Murphy thinks I'm nuts. But it is just me.

4. It is true that my brain does not shut off and my muse tells me a million secrets. She is pushing me in a million different directions and she makes it hard to follow one when I am ADD most of the time. I am not dissing anyone who truly has this diagnosis. I really do too. Not diagnosed by a doctor but it is the most logical explanation. I have a son with ADHD. I know all too well how he feels. Music controls me, helps me focus.

5. I have a strong addiction to Dove chocolate of any kind. Milk, Carmel, Dark, Almond...it doesn't matter as long as it is DOVE! Oh Yeah Baby!

6. I literally read a book a day. When I am in the mood. Really. I have read over 27 so far this year. If they are novellas I can sometimes read three to four. Since I can't sleep due to not being able to shut down, I pass the time with books and my Nook. I am crazy sometimes like that.

7. I totally dig meeting new people on here doing all the blogfests...It rocks.

Now for the fun part. Worthy bloggers to pass this along to and for others to go and check out.

Christi Corbett
Catherne Russell of Composing Cat
Susan Antony of Each Head Is A World
Samatha Sepulveda of Sepulveda
Shelly Arkon of The Life of A Novice Writer
Carla White of The Waters Edge
Mary Waibel of Waibel's World
Kelley Vitollo
Lisa Vandiver
Devin Bond of Devin's Musings
Susan Fields
Michelle Merrill of Perfecting the Craft
Julie Musil
Rebecca Enzor of Sticky Note Stories
Nicole MacDonald of Damsel in a Dirty Dress

I know that there are so many more wonderful people out there that I didn't mention, but this award is going around so I know that everyone is going to have one soon! Yeah!

First Crusaders Challenge

2011-02-24T10:02:00.000-05:00

Well, well, well…today I am participating in my first Crusader Challenged. Dum…dah…dum…dum… So we were supposed to post in 300 words or less a little bit about ourselves including:

*one secret

*one lie

*one interesting quirk

*one annoying habit

*one of your best character traits

*one of your favorite things in the whole world.

In any format of your choosing but MUST include the random words, “bloviate,”, “fuliguline”, “rabbit”, and “blade”. So here goes about me…

Did you know that time will fly and beauty will fade?

I must confess I’ve considered a time or two going under that shiny blade.