So, I've written quite a lot in the last few months. I'm planning to start publishing my heart series in October 2019! I'm nervous and excited about the undertaking!
Just wanted to share the... nerve wracking excitement!
Me Being Me. For Real.
This is my Writing home. My number one fan has known I was a writer for most of my life. It's funny that I always knew I was a Mother even before I had children because I only recently realized I am also a writer for real. May you enjoy your stay here with me. Let me know what you like and what you'd like to see!
Newsletter for All Pen Names
Wednesday, December 19, 2018
Monday, June 18, 2018
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The Infernal Devices Book 2, Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare
The Infernal
Devices Book 2, Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare is an
interesting Story. Somehow when I checked it out from my library, I
didn't realize it was the second in a series. I think it would be
even more interesting had I read Clockwork Angel! There are some
references to it. I might go back and read it so I can better
understand those, but right now my TO READ stack is pretty good
relative to my time available for reading! So, we'll see.
I did like this
book. There were not nearly so many inappropriate subject and scenes
in this as in the other Clare book I read: The Dark Artifices, Lady
Midnight. You can read my review of that book HERE. I was hoping to
continue reading the Dark Artifices series because it is very
interesting even though I wouldn't let my girls read it yet.
However, my library seems not to have them, so I chose Clockwork
Prince.
Although this book
is significantly less troubling than the other, I have not given my
girls permission to read it because there are more mature subjects
and issues broached. And I believe it is my right and duty to
shelter my children. One way I do this is to guide them in their
reading choices so that they are not exposed to scenes that are
troubling or overly sensitive or sexual in nature. Not because they
don't know about the things presented therein, but because the
presentation of information I have almost always exposed them to is
significantly different when read from the point of view of a
character. Therefore, I guide them to read fiction that is more
suited to their age, maturity, and temperaments.
I did like this
story and the next in this series is in my TO READ pile as I write
this.
Have you read any of
the books in the series: The Infernal Devices by Cassandra
Clare? How about Clockwork Prince? What did you think of
any/all of them?
Monday, June 11, 2018
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Alis by Naomi Rich, a book review
Alis by Naomi
Rich is an interesting book. I'm definitely not giving permission to
any of my children to read this book until they are significantly
older. I do and have spoken with them about most, if not all of, the
situations presented in this book, but reading about it from a
character's perspective is a significantly heavier thing than having
a very removed conversation with one's mother about the same.
Alis is told she
must marry a man who could easily be her father, by age. She is
horrified by this direction and seeks a way to escape this outcome.
This story is the result of her choices. It is really interesting
and quite a good story. I do like it and do recommend it to readers
who are either much older teens or very mature. I consider my eldest
daughter mature… even very mature, yet I will have her wait to read
a book like this. Just as so you know.
One reason for my
decision is the presentation of an near rape scene. Also, the idea
of running away as a resolution to problems is tremendously
problematic to me as a Mama of 4 daughters. I would rather not
encourage such thinking!
I found the
resolution of the story interesting and satisfying.
Have you read Alis
by Naomi Rich? What did you think of it?
Monday, June 4, 2018
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Beyonders, A World Without Heroes by Brandon Mull, a book review
Beyoners, A World
Without Heroes by Brandon Mull is a good youth fantasy. My eldest
two daughters were 10 and 13 when they read and loved it. They super
highly recommend it! I liked it, but wasn't as head over heels in
love with it as they were as quickly as they were. It took me a
little longer to really enjoy it. I definitely do recommend it for
younger readers. Guys would probably love it as well as my girls
because it is action packed.
The main character
is a guy, Jason. He is joined by a girl, Rachel, but it really is
more his story than hers. And he does go through some good changes,
wherein he improves and grows.
By the end of this
first book in the series, something unexpected happens which is a
really great cliff hanger. I'm totally curious how the characters
and author are going to bring things back around with the way the
first book ended!!
I enjoyed the
variety of experiences and characters in this book and look forward
to getting to know the characters better and see how resolution of
the problems presented come about.
Have you read
Beyonders, A World Without Heroes by Brandon Mull? What did
you think of it?
Monday, May 28, 2018
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The Dark Artifices, Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare, a book review
The Dark
Artifices, Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare is an interesting
book. I did like a lot about it, but only recommend it with many
reservations.
First, sex is
represented in such a way as to suggest most, if not all, of the
characters have loose morals where it is concerned, and low regard
for the sanctity of it. This along is troubling enough for me to set
this one in a pile of books my girls will not be allowed to read
until much older. Because of other subjects and the manner in which
they are handled, it is a story I will not really encourage my
children to read. Any topics covered in a good way aren't worth the
problems.
Another problem is
the representation of sexuality… although I recognize that
bisexuality and homosexuality are becoming more socially acceptable
and are often visible, I find it troubling to find it represented as
completely acceptable in youth literature. I know I'm on a very
unpopular side of this subject.
There are a couple
homosexual couples and one of the more major characters is bisexual.
Also, for many
fundamentalist Christians (and some others), the amount of and
representation of magic would be problematic. This is a lesser issue
in my mind, honestly. Definitely something to be aware of, though!
So, the romance part
of the story… basically, this girl and this guy are linked
magically and forbidden by law to fall in love. They do anyway and
are planning to just hide their relationship. But then the girl
finds out why the law forbids it and takes matters into her own
hands.
The rest of the
story is all about how these two figure out who is behind a series of
murders, including the girl's parents, and stopping the murderer from
fulfilling an evil plan.
It is an interesting
premise and story. I did like it. I do not think it is
appropriately shelved in the area for teens and YA, though. I guess
I'm a bit more conservative than many these days.
Have you read The
Dark Artifices, Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare? What did you
think of it?
Monday, May 21, 2018
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The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill, a book review
The Girl Who
Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill is a good one. My two eldest
daughters enjoyed it thoroughly as well. Definitely appropriate for
readers from 10 (possibly younger if they read and comprehend well)
and up.
Basically, this
story is about a witch who saves babies because of a city that
believes they must sacrifice them in order to stay safe as a result
of lies they've been told by another powerful person who desires to
maintain power. Normally, she saves them and feeds them magically
as she brings them to their new home. Inadvertently, though, she
feeds the main character with the light of the moon instead of the
stars and the result is a magical little girl that the witch decides
to raise since she, herself, knows that it's like to be magical and
can teach the girl how to use the power she has. I want to share
more, but it would be a bit of a spoiler to do so as far as the
premise is concerned.
I appreciate how the
main character is basically kept from self-knowledge until she's a
teen and then begins to learn in a very fast and uncomfortable way
who she really is. All set in a fantastic sort of reality with magic
and dragons and other fantastic sorts of things.
This was an
enjoyable read for me as well as my daughters. I do highly recommend
it for any reader. Very good conversation starters herein as well.
Have you read The
Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill? What did you think?
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Happily Ever After by Kiera Cass, a book review
Happily Ever
After by Kiera Cass is not what I was expecting. I thought I'd
checked out the story about the daughter of the couple who got
together in The One, but it is not. If you'd like to read my book reviews of that series, you can find them here, HERE, and here.
This is a
compilation of stories from the perspective of others who were not
really a focal point in the main series. Once I realized what it was
(and wasn't), I really enjoyed it for what it was. Definitely
interesting to see some of the same things from different characters'
perspectives!
I particularly
enjoyed knowing more about the thoughts, feelings, and interactions
of those lesser characters represented in these short stories.
I do recommend this book, but really only for older teens and adults... and probably ladies. I mean, if a guy likes romance, then he'll love this too!
Have you read
Happily Ever After by Kiera Cass? What did you think of it?
Monday, May 14, 2018
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Lyonesse, Dark Solstice by Sam Llewelllyn, a book review
Lyonesse, Dark
Solstice by Sam Llewellyn is the continuation and conclusion of
Idris Limpet's story, which is also loosely based on the King Arthur
legend. In this book Idris gathers his knights of the table round.
It's interesting to see a way that this iconic table may have come to
be among the Arthurian knights.
Idris travels with
his companions, his knights, to find and rescue his sister Morgan and
bring her back to prove to other kings that they should help him
reclaim his throne. He accomplishes his goal. His reclamation isn't
quite what he had in mind, though. Saying more would really give
away too much. It's a good enough story that you really should just
read it yourself!
So, obviously, I
recommend this book. My two eldest daughters read (at least once) it
and love it!
Have you read
Lyonesse, Dark Solstice by Sam Llewellyn? What did you think
of it?
Monday, May 7, 2018
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Lyonesse, Well Between The Worlds by Sam Llewellyn, a book review
Lyonesse, Well
Between The Worlds by Sam Llewellyn is not what you may go in
expecting if you knew this is loosely based on the King Arthur story.
In fact, though, it is!
Idris Limpet is just
a poor boy from a poor family in a city near the shore. He has grown
up the son of a fisherwoman and a soldier. Nothing spectacular.
Until you realize he has a pet seagull. And then you learn that he
can see what the gull can see. Cool, right?
But completely
unacceptable, in general, in his culture. Thankfully, right before
he was killed for being different, he was saved and rushed away from
everything and everyone he knew to begin a new life among complete
strangers and learn new skills… to become a monstergroom.
Monsters are the
fuel of the day and monstergrooms tend the monsters which move the
gears of this world's machines. That's just the way it is.
Idris learns to
question the way things are and begins to imagine a better way.
Thankfully, by
nature of his true parentage, he may just be in a position to do
something about it!
I enjoyed and
recommend Lyonesse, Well Between the Worlds. It caught my
attention and held it, even though at times it felt very much like I
was in a dream world while reading. I enjoyed it. My two eldest
daughters really love it, too. My second daughter said she liked it
as much as another series that has been her favorite for a while now.
Have you read
Lyonesse, Well Between the Worlds by Sam Llewellyn? What did
you think of it?
Monday, April 30, 2018
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Thrice Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris, a book review
Thrice Upon a
Marigold by Jean Ferris… Edric, how we love to laugh at your
silly sayings! And Marigold… stop it with the elephant jokes!
Please! Seriously, though, we love Thrice Upon a Marigold as much as Once Upon a Marigold and wish our library had the middle book in this series! (I haven't read or reviewed that one because our library doesn't have it yet and I don't have a budget for buying fluff as yet.) You can read my review of Once Upon a Marigold HERE.
Marigold has a baby.
Baby is stolen. Mama and Daddy and some new characters team up to
retrieve baby. This is the story!
It's a good one. My
two eldest daughters and I thoroughly enjoyed it and I highly
recommend it. If you can, I'm sure reading the one that comes right
before it would also be totally enjoyable based on our enjoyment of first and third. I'll make sure to share
once I'm able to read it myself!
Have you read Thrice
Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris? What did you think about it?
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