Update- writing and reading :) yeah!

Hey everyone! SO I figured since I am currently unattached to a book, and not posting a new review yet, that I would update about what I have been up to. If anyone has read my profile bio or who know me personally, you already know that I love to write. Currently I have been bouncing half a dozen ideas around in my head. I have two serious fan fics in the works (photo above is pages I've written for my Dark Angel-tv series- fan fic, other one is a Harry Potter fan fic but it's typed up on the comp) and one original novel still in the works(She Wolf- a paranormal romance). It's hard trying to share my attention between them all. Besides those, I also have several other less serious writing ideas that flash through my head sporadically. I have also been reading some fan fiction still. I have also re-read Inara Scott's Delcroix Academy: The Candidates (recently re-named; The Talents). I re-read it after I won a ARC (Advanced Readers Copy) of the next book of hers called The Marked aka The Watchers. I am planning on doing a blog about Inara Scott's study guide she has provided for readers on her website. I figured to compare my answers from reading it the first time to reading it a second time. We'll see how that goes. Anyways, I was SOOO excited when I won the ARC of The Marked because it had been announced that it's release date was being pushed back from August 2, 2011 to April 2012... *grumble grumble, tear* =( But I'm happy now since I won the ARC and I'll hopefully be receiving it in the mail in a couple of weeks so I can devour it. Between writing and read I have also been busy working my day job and getting things set up for going back to College this fall. My mind has been working over time, aka staying up way too late and getting up way too early. Also dealing with resisting re-reading several other books on my shelf. (The Magicians by Lev Grossman, HP series by J.K. Rowling, Matched by Ally Condie, Divergent by Veronica Roth, etc...) But I can't do that because I feel guilty that my TBR pile is still very large...

I haven't been able to put a dent in my TBR (to be read) pile. My TBR pile still contains: The Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin, The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett, The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters by Gordon Dahlquist, The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima, The Girl Who Heard Dragons by Anne McCaffrey, King's Dragon by Kate Elliott, Witch & Warrior-both by Marie Brennan, Dear John by Nicholas Sparks (actually started this at one point but wasn't into the genre at the time and put it down after a couple chapters), The Passionate Rebel by Helene Lehr, Move Heaven and Earth by Christina Dodd, Mr. Cavendish I Presume by Juila Quiin, Cherokee Storm by Janelle Taylor, Love Me Forever by Johanna Lindsey, The Dreaming Tree by C.J. Cherryh, The Shifter: The Healing Wars-book 1 by Janice Hardy, Cybele's Secret by Juliet Marillier, Skybreaker by Kenneth Oppel, Sapphique by Catherine Fisher, and Flora Segunda by Ysabeau S. Wilce. *Breathes deeply* *sigh* Yeah, it's a very long list. I don't get dents in it because I keep finding books in the story and reading them immediately. Anyways, what do you think I should read next? I'm open for suggestions even if they aren't in my TBR pile. I really enjoy YA sci-fi/fantasy/dystopian, epic fantasy, paranormal romance, historical romance. Anyways, please comment. I feel really stupid writing this when I'm not even sure anyone is reading my blog... Who knows maybe no one is reading... lol. I guess I've always enjoyed talking to myself anyways...*awkward laugh* *long silence w/ cheesy smile*


My TBR PILEs ↓ (not including Game of Thrones and Pillars of the Earth-only cuz I accidentally didn't get them into the pile *OOpps, sorry* =D

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Who are you? Are you honest? Are you intelligent? Are you courageous? Are you selfless? Are you peaceful? Or do you find you fit into multiple of these? Then you are DIVERGENT.

Divergent is set in a futuristic Chicago setting. We meet Beatrice Prior, whom is a member of the Abnegation (the selfless). She and her brother are 16 and getting ready to choose whether to continue on living their lives as an Abnegate or transfer to a new faction. They feel this heavy weight upon them as they are forced to choose between being who they really are, leaving their family behind or to stay,continuing on living their lives, unfulfilled.

Veronica Roth creates a believable futuristic society that has divided into factions of their beliefs. Beatrice "Tris", is a underdog to cheer for and Ms. Roth gets her readers rallying behind "Tris" for better or for worse. Through the trials "Tris" must face, the readers want to keep her safe, but at the same time we want her to grow stronger and push through this and prove to everyone how strong she is. As games of intrigue (Kristen Britain reference ;p) are being played in the background, we are unaware of them until it is nearly too late. Ms. Roth keeps her readers on the edge of their eyes. She gives her readers everything we could hope for; strong family bonds, surprises, intrigue, action, and romance. I put this book and the books of hers to follow, in category with Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games trilogy, Ally Condie's Matched, and Lois Lowry's The Giver. This is definitely a book to pick up and read. I could not put this one down. At 487 pages long, it only took me 9 hours to read. AMAZING! 5/5 Stars!!!

The Mage's Daughter by Lynn Kurland

The Mage's Daughter is the sequel to Star of the Morning, and I am currently now reading the 3rd book following this one, Princess of the Sword. At 378 pages long, this is a little long winded considering it's actual length. I found it enjoyable, but it was a bit slower paced throughout than Star of the Morning. Interesting enough though, to keep you reading on.

Neroche is under assault by a mysterious magic that has stripped its king of his powers and unleashed nightmarish creatures as weapons in a war of evil.

Duty bound to aid his king, Miach of Neroche is torn between what his responsibilities dmand and what his heart desires.

I love to give teases of the excerpt. Sometimes they just tell us more than we should know going into the novel. Anyways, I love how we move into more of the romance in this novel. It's hard not to be excited to see Miach go after his heart and leave his duties on the back burner. There are surprises and mysteries that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Characters will be killed. Others will be captured. It's all in a months work in Neroche. lol. This is the exciting, fun, romantic part of this story. It's definitely a must read for those who have read Star of the Morning. If you haven't read Star of the Morning, go read it first, then read this one. :) 5/5 Stars!!

Fire by Kristin Cashore

After being upset with Kristin Cashore after Graceling; that her next novel, Fire, was just a companion book and not a sequel, I refused to buy and read Fire. I would scowl at it when I'd see it in book stores, with it's beautiful cover art and striking name. I would pull out the hardcover book and read the synopsis of it and scowl and put it back, remembering it was only a companion book. Who was this Fire, and what did she have to do with Katsa? Nothing actually, except that she was the first to...well...never mind. I finally did give in to buying and reading Fire, as you can tell since I am writing a review on it now. LOL. What pushed me over was finding it finally in paper back and another blogger/review which got me to wanting to read it.
`
She has been hidden away. Now she is choosing to use her power.
It is not a peaceful time in the Dells. Young King Nash clings to the throne, while rebel lords, in the north and south, build armies to unseat him. War is coming. The mountains and forests are filled with spies and thieves.
This is where Fire lives, a girl whose startling appearance is impossibly irresistible and who can control the minds of everyone around her.
Everyone... except Prince Brigan.

I apologize to Kristin Cashore for doubting her so. Fire was an AMAZING read, just as Graceling was. Cashore introduces us to a new area, new characters, new warring people but these new things border the known. With an main female character that is so easy to love and connect to as a reader, Kristin Cashore definitely deserves a hug. LOL. She is easily one of my most favorite authors now. At 461 pages long, it took me way too long to read this, and I mean as in the time I wasted refusing to read it. LOL. It took me only 2 days to actually read this amazing tale. Thank you Kristin Cashore for another amazing read. xoxoxoxoxo 5/5 Stars!!!

Star of the Morning by Lynn Kurland

I would never had found this book except for this wonderful book reviewer who blogs on http://chachic.wordpress.com/ . She is the only book reviewer I actually read. She reviewed this book and it sounded good, so I picked it up when I saw it at the book store.

Legend has it that only the two magical swords held in trust by Neroche's rulers can defeat the evil in the black mage...and never have they been more needed, as the mage's assault begins to cover the kingdom in darkness.

It was very easy to become engrossed in this story. AT 327 pages long, it took me two days to read. Introducing the King of Neroche before his archmage brother was a very good move by Kurland. I would not have liked the King at all if I had met his brother first. I like how she uses this also with introducing the pair to the main female, Morgan. Morgan is a mystery to these Neroche men, as well as herself. Yet, in their travels, they learn about her as she also learns about herself. This book is the 1st of a series. I would consider this 1st book as, the journey. The next book, I'm sure will be, the plan. My only complaint would be that everything was too predictable up until the very end. The synopsis on the back of the book gives away too much of the story line and ruins the surprises that could have been throughout the book for the reader. That is why I did not recite the whole synopsis for you here. ;) Over all though, I consider this a very good fantasy novel. It has rich characters, a nice journey and a twitterpating romance. :)
I give this book 4/5 Stars! Missing 1 star because of the spoiling back cover synopsis and the predictability.

Matched by Ally Condie

I found this one randomly in the bookstore. The Green, modern looking cover turned me away at first, but I looked anyways.

In the society, officials decide. Who you love. Where you work. When you die.
Cassia has always trusted their choices. It's hardly any price to pay for a long life, the perfect job, the ideal mate. So when her best friend appears on the Matching screen, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is the one...until she sees another face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. Now Cassia is faced with impossible choices: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path no one else has ever dared follow--between perfection and passion.

Wow! What a glimpse that was. I had to have it. I can't resist a love triangle. LOL. At 366 pages long, it took me a day to read this because I couldn't put it down. At first the book screamed at me, The Giver by Lois Lowry. Then, later, the romance of it screamed at me, The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. Yet, by the end of it, it screamed to me, Matched by Ally Condie and also, GIVE ME THE NEXT ONE! LOL I always end up picking books that I think are single title stories that always turn out to be the 1st of a series. I won't complain though, except the wait for the next one to come out. It is brilliant how Condie pulls us in with a feel for the amazing Giver and then throws a romance at us that pulls like Edward and Bella. Then to end it in a way to make our imaginations soar in longing for what happens next... Ally Condie knows how to ensnare her audience. I recommend this to all and highly to those who are fans of The Giver and The Hunger Games trilogy. Matched receives 5/5 Stars from me. :)

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

So my friend, Laura, recommended this book for me. Finally after finding it in paperback I bought it and read it. I started at 7am this morning, reading this 374 page book, and finished tonight at 8pm. I had to stop several times through the day as well since I was working from 7am-3:30pm. My job allows a lot of down time though that I'm able to read in.

I must say that Suzanne Collins delivers a Lottery inspired tale with a bluntness that is shocking but intriguing. It was like reading the girl's, Katniss, personal diary. The Hunger Games, created by the government of Panem, to remind the districts under their rule that they do in fact still control them every bit. Katniss gets caught up in the games when her little sister gets picked from random draw to participate. Anyone with a younger sibling they love dearly can relate to why she chose to take her place in the deadly Hunger Games. What we don't count on though is a budding romance for Katniss that may not survive the arena and herself.

Amazing idea/story line, great characters, awesome scenery and hunger pains galore. 5/5 STARS!!!!

Into the Wilderness by Sara Donati

An amazing historical romance. Sara Donati wove magic through this tale of a school marm set on being a spinster.

Elizabeth Middleton left England with her brother to join their father in "Paradise", New York. The small village was like a seed planted in the middle of the forest. The seed of "town" wasn't the only kind of seed to take hold in this adventure. The villagers are all riled up about the Mohawk people who want to claim Hidden Wolf mountain. A great tale of love, survival, and prejudice. At 876 pages long, it took me three days to read. I could not put the book down or out of my mind. Plus there is promises of four more books in the series. Must read! 5/5 Stars!!

Belgarath the Sorcerer by David and Leigh Eddings

It's been a while since I have written a review on a book I'm reading. Not because I haven't been reading but just cuz I've been lazy about typing up the review after I'm done reading. I just kept plowing through from one book to another.

This is David and Leigh Eddings answer to many wanting the back story before the Belgarion and The Mallorean. This is told in first person by Belgarath. At first I thought that this could be read before the Belgariad, but then upon conclusion, decided otherwise. There are too many key things and names dropped by Belgarath during the telling of his story that would ruin the secrets of the Belgariad for a new reader. Over all it was immensely satisfying as a fan of the Belgariad and the Mallorean to read all this back story. It's also a plus that we get a small glimpse into the lives of the characters after the Belgariad and the Mallorean are finished. A great addition to my collection of books from this story line. 5/5 Stars!

I am including several book covers I have found. The first one is the same as the one I own, but the rest I just want to share because I love book cover art. :)

Rider's First Call by Kristen Britain

Resisting the call to be a green rider doesn't keep Karigan G'ladheon away long. The First Rider, Lil Ambriodhe, made sure of it. Karigan moves into service of the King of Sacoridia as a green Rider only to be thrown into a new adventure of great peril within her first couples years of service. The breach in the D'yer wall is loosing wild magic upon the Kingdom and strange happenings resulting from this is the least of their problems. The awareness beyond the wall is awakening more and more each day and it's calling out to it's old friends, servants...including Karigan...

Kristen Britain engulfs us in Karigan's story once more. We can only love Karigan more and more as we journey with her. Great adventure, deadly evil, preposturous betrayal, agonizing greif and forbidden love entrance us from page 1 to page 596 as with the last few pages we release a few tears for it all. I read this in about one day. It was AMAZING. To pass this book up would be ignorant. Ignorance is not bliss... Kristen Britain is. 25/5 Stars!!!!

Green Rider by Kristen Britain

In the Kingdom of Sacoridia, clans are united beneath one king. But it wasn't always so united and many clans were tainted with the evil from across seas. Mornhavon the Black, twisted, evil, magical...and still alive w/o embodiment after a thousand years being held behind The Wall of D'yer is reawakening with the help The Gray one, The Shadow Man.

Karigan G'ladheon, a merchant's daughter, runs away from school only to find herself faced with death, the death of a green rider bearing a message to the King. So, Karigan's journey begins as she is demanded to swear to deliver the message for the dying messenger.

Kristen Britain is a wonderful story teller. This book contains amazing adverture, dramatic magic, beautiful characters, bittersweet love and tons of courage. Unique in it's forms, I marveled in it. Usually in fantasy fiction you can detect the influence of other fantasy authors in the works, but here I found complete, amazing, great originality. I couldn't put it down. So easy to fall in love with the characters of good. Kristen Britain doesn't make the reader fret too much about what's to come by putting dreadful, obvious hints to things that are going to happen. She pulls us through with amazing story telling that just keeps the reader wanting more and more and more and more.... etc.. :) The story makes my hearts soar with happiness over the amazing creativity and passion behind the works, which Kristen Britain poured into this. A MUST READ!!!!! At 471 pages long, it took me about 3 days reading this on my vacation. I love Kristen Britain. She is now my favorite author. 25/5 Stars!!!!!! =D

A Hopeful Heart by Kim Vogel Sawyer

The cover on this book caught my attention. The girl pictured looked alot like Keira Knightenly. So I picked it up and found the location given for the setting to be; Barnett,Kansas. I'm not from Barnett, but I am from Kansas. So I picked up the delightful Christian historical romance.
K.V. Sawyer makes us fall in love with little Miss Tressa within the first three pages, technically pages 7, 8, and 9 because some how the page numbers 1-6 were skipped. :P lol. At 344 pages long (minus 6 pages that were missing), I read this book in one day. The wonderful story line of girls from the city heading out to go to school to learn to be ranchers' wives was unique and wonderful. We read about girls being boughten as brides in those days by ranchers and such. This is the first time I've read of girls going to learn to be ranchers wives and then being matched off. I liked this idea better than the buying of brides. Anyways, this book has wonderful mystery, some action adventure and a little romance. It wasn't nearly as romantic as I'd prefer, yet I still enjoyed it.
4/5 Stars! If you enjoy historical romances, then I recommend it for you!

Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier

"Five adventurous sisters...
Four dark creatures...
Three magical gifts...
Two forbidden lovers...
One enchanted frog...

Cross the threshold into the Wildwood, and enter a land of magic, daring, betrayal... and true love."

Very interesting, eh? I thought so. What a lucky find this one was while I was searching for hidden treasures at the 1/2 price book shop. I actually got this one for less than 1/2 the original cover price. It was well worth more than I paid. At 400 pages long, I read this book in about 15 1/2 hours give or take... It is so easy to become ensnared in this wonderful fantasy about five sisters and their frolicking to another world and dealings with witches, vampires, and other-worldling beings. Dear Jena is so easily loved, as well as her frog Gogu. As one of four sisters I loved the family togetherness, tightness, friendship shared between these five sisters; Tati- the beautiful, Jena- the leader, Iulia- the flirt, Paula- the learned and Stela-the child. We get to experience love, friendship, trust/betrayal, magic/reality-change. This is really, truley a wonderful coming of age story. The main character learns, grows and changes. For we all must change and accept change as life takes us on our own journies. My only complaint about the book that bugged me was the mis print at the beginning confusing the actual ages of the two older girls. At first the author says that Tati is in her seventeenth year and then later says she is only 16. This affects Jena's age because she is introduced as being one year Tati's junior. Then later they are said to be 16 and 15 instead of 17 and 16. To me that year makes a difference. 15 is quite young to be experiencing the love that the author writes about. Unrealistic but then I suppose that this book is aimed for young adult. Also, when telling one of my sisters about the book, she was put off by the romance between two first cousins. It didn't put me off from it only because I understood it to be told from a time when that was deemed acceptable, unlike today. All together, It was well written, easily read and most easily enjoyed. I loved it! Nearly crying in anguished joy at the end. 5/5 Stars!

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Decidedly in love with the newest film version of Pride and Prejudice (2005) staring Keira Knightley and Matthew MacFadyen, I could not resist finally delving into the literature which led to such a movie. First I must say that I had seen a previous version of Pride and Prejudice and found it confusing and uninteresting. The new version was easier to understand and with a wonderful cast and soundtrack, I fell in love. Jane Austen is amazingly witty, clever, romantic. I was so impressed by her writing that I started to think and want to speak in her dialect and wished for her wit so direly. There is not much more I can say of such a wonderful novel that hasn't been said yet to this day for the last 197 years. I had difficulty in adjusting to the dialect though since I haven't read much anything like it. At 334 pages long it took me about 3 days to read. 5/5 Stars! A must read for anyone.


I loved the dance scene the most in both book and movie. :) --->

Time Weaver by Shana Abé

I first started reading this series by Shana Abé a few years ago. The first book is Shadow Thief, followed by Dream Thief, then Queen of Dragons, and then Treasure Keeper. I definitely recommend starting at the beginning of this series before touching this book. I had a hard time reading Time Weaver, at only 325 pages long. It took me about a day to read this. It was hard for me to read this book because the main character is someone who we have seen and met previously in prior books and is made out to be someone evil, whom we don't like. Thinking about it reminded me of Christine Feehan's last book in her Dark series, Dark Slayer. The author takes a character whom they have twisted to their evil will and made their readers dislikes and tries to make them good again, in one book. Christine Feehan was successful in making the character of Dark Slayer good again and earned him a spot back in the readers' hearts. However, Shana Abé fails to do this for Honor Carlisle in Time Weaver. I trudged through the book, skimming several paragraphs without really reading them, just so I could get on with the story and find out if Honor ruined everything for everyone whom we have already falling in love with in the previous books. I'm hoping from the epilogue that Shana Abé will not return any future books' point of views to Honor or her beloved... I do hope though that she will continue on with more books about those whom we already love, or new characters we don't know yet. I love Shana Abé's books, and I forgave her instantly for writing this book. I knew it was necessary for her to, in order to answer questions and continue the overall plot carried on from one book to another. 3/5 Stars. A must read for anyone wishing to read this series... I'm sorry.

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

This amazing fantasy novel is definitely one to re read. Picked this one up at the book store to read while waiting for Dragonlight by Donita K. Paul to come in. (It came in yesterday!!!) I read Graceling by Kristin Cashore in about a day and a half. It is 471 pages long. It is one of the best single title books I have read in a little while. We get introduced to the fantasy land of The Seven Kingdoms. There we meet an interesting young lady, Katsa, distinguished from others by her one green eye and one blue eye and her reputation. Katsa is easily liked, she must survive the story telling in the readers' hearts, so she must be easily liked. :) Great adventure, great characters, great scenery. I wanted to be Katsa or even one of her close friends. Great romance, clever, funny, intriguing. I can't even count how many times during reading it that I exclaimed, "I love it! I love it! I love it!" while laughing. Definitely a must read. 5/5 Stars!!!

The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks

Nicholas Sparks is an amazing romance novelist. I have read A Walk to Remember and The Notebook written by him as well and he never fails in delivering a heart warming, lesson learned romance. He continues his well earned reputation with this wonderful novel. The Last Song has recently been made into a feature film staring Miley Cyrus. I wanted to read the book before watching the movie so I could enjoy the story even more when I watched the film because some many times they leave a lot out. The Last Song, at 463 pages long, took me two days to read. It's not a Nicholas Sparks novel if you don't have tears at least spring to your tear ducts at least once. However, that's no reason not to read them. Amazing amazing amazing.... Ronnie is so relatable. Steve is so ideal. Will is so swoonable. Jonah is so adorable. Blaze is so frustratable. Scott is so annoying. Marcus is so creepy.... A must read! Such great family values shown. Such amazing love shown. Such a mature understanding for love and family and life. God smiles down upon Nicholas Sparks as he is able to mass preach such good things to everyone without some of them even realizing it... lol. 25/5 Stars!!!! Go buy it now! It's definatly one to buy and keep on your book shelf.

Bitter Thistle, Sweet Rose by Ruth Glover

This book is #2 in a series called The Wildrose Series. I have not read any of the other books in this series... yet. This 206 page book was much too short for my liking. It took me maybe 4 hours to read this. I found myself skimming through a lot of parts of the book as the author seemed to go on way to long in description of the landscape and setting. I've never had that happen to me before. I was sorely disappointed with this book as the back of the book suggests that supposedly a young lady named Linn is the main character of this book. Yet, as the story went through it didn't seem to focus even mainly on her, only some. That annoyed me a lot since I had been attracted to read this book by the creation of her character and introduction of her on the back of the book. I am hoping that the 3rd book of this series will carry on about the ending of Linn's story because this book doesn't give a good conclusion for her at all. If you enjoy historic romances set back in pioneer/settler type days with the Christian moralities preaching throughout the book, then I recommend this one for you. This author reminds me of Lauraine Snelling or Janette Oak, but not quite as good. 3/5 Stars!

Golden Urchin by Madeleine Brent

I picked this little filly up at a garage sale. :) lol. It was a wonderful delight. I had never heard of this author before. I read this 375 page book in about a day. This book, I would say is a mystery romance. There was so much action and adventure in it as well. There is never a boring part. I loved the detailed plot that was twisted and confusing. I loved the amazing characters. I recommend this as a must read for any body! This is a story about a young girl, raised among people who treated her poorly and how she made her way into her own world. Meg is an amazing girl and sometimes I found myself longing to be her. 5/5 Stars!!!

The Treasure Keeper by Shana Abe

I re read this one last night. This is the newest book of the Drakon series I have read, about the romances between people that are dragons formed human. They face trials from humans wanting to kill them all and some of their own betraying them and learning to love each other along the way. This is my favorite of the series so far. We see miss Zoe Lane grow and learn about her amazing self, without her ever realizing how amazing she is til much later. She takes great risks for those she loves and is very courageous. At 310 pages long, it's much too short for my tastes, but it will continue on in another book. I anticipate that the next book in the series will probably be the conclusion. I highly recommend this book to read, but also highly recommend you start with the first book in the series and move forward from there. First is The Smoke Thief, 2nd is The Dream Thief, 3rd is Queen of the Dragons. 4/5 Stars for this one, only because I wished it were longer.