TBR Pile #1

For my birthday and Christmas (they're close to each other), I received several books I've been SO excited to read. Unfortunately...I haven't had time to read them. Such is life. 

But one day this year, I. Will. Read. These. Books. 

 Last summer, I read all of the Percy Jackson series, Heroes of Olympus series, The Hidden Oracle (TToA), and the first book in the Magnus Chase series, The Sword of Summer. 

I fell head over heels into book love. And I fell deep.

My aunt--who works for BAM!--helped host a signing for Rick Riordan last fall. It will forever be on my list of regrets that I wasn't able to go. BUT, she got both me and my sister (who's also a super fan) signed copies and Hotel Valhalla t-shirts. So all is well.

Speaking of my sister, we are also big Potter-heads. 

*points at self* Hufflepuff pride.

We were late (as usual) coming into the Harry Potter fandom. But just like with Percy, we fell hard and fast for Rowling's world. So you can imagine how ecstatic we were when we actually had a chance to see a new Potter-verse film in theaters. 

So it was natural for my sister to get me this and a Newt Funko Pop! for my birthday,

Can I just say how GORGEOUS this book is in person? I just keep stroking the cover like the book nerd I am.

For the last couple years, me and some girlfriends have had a book exchange at Christmas. This year, I received these two fairy tale retellings.

Violet Eyes is a Princess and the Pea retelling, and Red Riding Hood, well, that one's pretty self-explanatory, isn't it?

These two books come highly recommended by a couple of my closest friends, so I look forward to reading them!

Besides these gifts, there have been a few books that have released the last couple months, or I picked up from the library, I've been dying to read.

I've been a fan of Ally Carter ever since I read her Gallagher Girls books. To be honest, while I liked the first book in her Embassy Row series, it didn't blow me away or capture me like her other books. However, when I read the second book, See How They Run, I was onboard! That ending, man...


Not mention, these covers are sooo pretty. 😍😍😍

I'm a new fan of Kasie West, but I love her bubbly, sweet style. It's like standing in a puddle of sunshine, closing your eyes, and just soaking it in. Just for a moment.

Did any of y'all read the book Help! I'm a Prisoner in a Library by Eth Clifford? I did when I was in elementary school and decided if I was trapped anywhere, a library would be ideal. Books, snack machines, and a bathroom. what else could you need?

Not...that being trapped anywhere would be ideal, but...you get my drift.

So, needless to say, this story's premise of a "good girl" and a "bad boy" getting stuck in a library caught my attention. Intrigued.

I've read Stephanie Morrill's books before, and I especially liked the book she co-authored with Jill Williamson Go Teen Writers: How to Turn Your First Draft Into a Published Book. But I'm not gonna lie. I was drawn to this book mainly because of the synopsis. It's rare to find a good historical fiction YA novel, and I have a feeling this book will be just such a one. 

So stoked about this book. You have no idea. And is it weird how enamored I am with the title font? 

This one has been on my radar for quite a while. It's one of those that keeps popping up in my recommendations or other authors have been lavishing it with praise. I'm bound and determined that I'm going to read it this year. I've already read the prologue and my Good Book Senses are tingling.

Not to mention, it's an absolutely beautiful book. The cover, the inside details, the prose. So, so lovely. Can't wait to read more!

Have you read any of these? Did you like them? 

And what books are in your TBR Pile?

The Return of the Reviewer

Several years ago, I decided to start a book review blog. It was great. I got connected with a terrific book review group "Novel Teen," was sent ARCs, got to interact with some of my favorite authors, and connected with some wonderific bloggers and reviewers. (I know, I know. "Wonderific" isn't a dictionary-approved word. Yet. But let's just go with it.) Well, then life happened, and for various reasons, I had to step back from blogging and reviewing to focus on other things.

In that short amount of time, Tumblr happened, Reddit happened, Instagram happened, BookTube happened. Now twiddly little blogs like this seem old-school.

Good thing I'm an old-school kinda girl.

Also, in that short amount of time, my first novel, Breathe, was published, and I had the amazing opportunity of working with other local creatives on the web series, See Blue Run.

Now, I've finally decided to return to My Story Shelf. Why now, you may ask? My passion for blogging is returning. It's a new year. I'm working on more projects I'd like to share with others. And simply, I have ideas and I've had thoughts. About books, about tv shows, about movies, about music, about creating, and I just need a place to write them down. What better place than my cozy, little blog I love so dearly?

WHAT TO EXPECT:

I'm still feeling out what I want this blog to look like and how often I can post, so please bear with me through the process. In fact, I'd LOVE to hear your input on what you'd like to see. Below, I'm listing topics that interest me and will definitely pop up at one point or another. Let me know what interests you most!

Book Reviews/Discussions: This one is a given. But how I share these book reviews may vary. I might fluctuate between brief teaser reviews (hitting the highlights) and long, in-depth reviews. What do you like to see in book reviews? Ratings, etc.?

Other Reviews/Discussions: This includes reviews and discussions of movies, tv shows, and Broadway soundtracks.

TBR Pile: These posts will give you a glimpse of my to-be-read pile. Maybe you'll find some books that interest you too, and we can discuss!

Cover Love: It's pretty much a lie if I said I don't judge a book by its cover. I totally do. These posts would involve me sharing some of my favorite covers of old and upcoming releases. What makes these covers so interesting? What do I think the book is about? Does it do a good job at conveying the feeling of the story? And so on.

Updates on my current projects: These would be small talks about my writing projects and film projects. Behind the scenes stuff.

Miscellaneous Ideas: Seasonal Reads List (best books to read during the Summer, best Valentine's Day books, etc.), slow burn books vs. instalove books, classic lit series (my thoughts on certain classic stories well-known and obscure), author interviews, interviews with other creatives, etc.

Any other ideas? Shoot me a comment below!

Follow Me on Social Media:

Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

Also, check out my newly updated Goodreads page! I read an exorbitant amount and at a fast rate, so sometimes I miss rating or reviewing some books. But I'm trying to be faithful about updating my bookshelves!

Book Review: Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay

 

Dear Mr. Knightley,

I thought about you last night and stayed up reading Emma. I adore her, though she's out of my reach. Can you imagine such confidence and assurance of your own significance? Do you know anyone who would dare declare that he or she "cannot really change for the better"? I'd like to believe that--even for a moment.

Lizzy Bennet. Jane Eyre. Edmond Dantes. All fictional characters, but all real, constant friends to a girl who grew up in the foster care system after being taken away from her neglectful and abusive parents. Now grown up, Samantha Moore still has trouble connecting in relationships. Why trust the real world when the perfect companions are readily available in her beloved books? When all seems lost, Sam is given the opportunity to gain her Master's degree in journalism (though literature was her first choice, of course), but there's one catch. She must keep her anonymous benefactor informed with how her studies are progressing through letter-writing. So Sam reveals not only the details of her studies but her life to the silent but dependable person whom she only knows as as her Dear Mr. Knightley.

Except for the last chapter, Dear Mr. Knightley, Katherine Reay's debut novel, is comprised entirely of Sam's letters to Mr. Knightley. This format took a little time to get used to and the story began a bit slow, but a third of the way in I was captivated, halfway through I was completely invested, and by the end, I loved the characters and Sam's story dearly. Though written in first person, all of the characters--Ashley, Kyle, Alex, Father John, Professor Muir and Mrs. Muir--and the situations come across achingly raw and authentic. I only felt a bit jarred at the end when I had to get used to seeing the world in third person, outside of Sam's intensely personal perspective. I suppose that's how our main character felt when she was forced to look up from her novels, encounter the real world, and discover herself as well.

Like Sam did with her first copy of Pride and Prejudice, I want to read this book until the covers wear thin and I'm forced to buy another copy. Heart-breakinglyly honest, brilliantly hopeful, and sweetly romantic, I believe Jane Austen would approve.

Genre: Contemporary/Romance/Coming of Age
Pages: 297 (ebook version)
Age Range: 15 and up
Publication Date: November 2013

A Dose of Encouraging and Inspiring Quotes

Courage isn't a matter of not being frightened, you know.

It's being afraid and doing what you have

to do anyway. -The 3rd Doctor

 

 

 

 

 

I sought the Lord and he answered me and delivered me from

all my fears. -Psalm 34:4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Times change and so must I.

We all change. When you think about, it we’re all different people all through our lives and that’s

OK. That’s good. Gotta keep it moving, so long as you remember all the people that you used to be.

-The 11th Doctor

 

 

 

Beginnings are usually scary, endings are usually sad, but it's

 what's in the middle that counts. So when you find yourself at

 the beginning, just give hope a chance to float up. And it will.

 -Steven Rogers, Hope Floats

 

 

Just keep swimming! -Dory, Finding Nemo

If you want to get warm you move near the fire. If you want joy, peace, eternal life, you must get

 close to what has them. -C. S. Lewis

 

Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. -A. A. Milne

 

I am still learning. -Michelangelo

Captives Giveaway Winner!

Thank you to those who participated in the giveaway! I wish I could give a copy to each of you (I really do!), but there can only be one winner this time. I still recommend the book even if you didn't win!

 

 

Since I'm an old-fashioned type of girl, I had my sister pull the name of the winner out of a hat. So the hat-picked winner of Captives by Jill Williamson is...

Courtney Renee

 

Congratulations, Courtney Renee! :D

 

I will email you today for your info so that the

paperback copy of Captives can be mailed to you.

Enjoy!

Novel Teen Blog Tour and *Book Giveaway*: Captives by Jill Williamson

 

 

In the village of Glenrock, during the year 2088, life is fairly simple, almost old-fashioned. But the lives of three brothers and their family and friends are about to change. The eldest, Levi, is handsome and a natural leader who is about to be married to his one, true love, Jemma. The middle child, Mason, is practical, smart, and dreams of being a doctor, much to his father's chagrin. And the youngest, Omar, is an artistic, rebellious soul who is restless under his father's constant disapproval, which leads him to make a heart-breaking choice. When those in Glenrock are taken captive and brought to the Safe Lands--a modern, futuristic society enclosed by formidable walls and security--the brothers are torn apart, but their individual journeys just might make it possible to bring those who survived back together again.

 

With so many dystopian stories flooding the fiction scene, Captives by Jill Williamson stands out with its fresh take on the ancient tale of the Israelites taken captive by the Babylonians. The first part of the book rolled along steadily with character and world building taking the forefront. And what a world! It was colorful, compelling, and jumped straight off the page. The second half though is when I felt the story really pick up speed as the action grew more intense. I was flipping pages to see what would happen next until I suddenly realized I was at the end. 

 

Captives explores delicate subject matter through the characters facing tough situations and makes one contemplate seriously about the future of our society. Even though the topics are serious, there are still moments in the book that make me smile, especially the Princess Bride quotes interspersed throughout. Which leads me to end this review with a quote--just for fun--from the Princess Bride that I feel will compliment Captives very nicely (though the giant and monsters bit depends on your point of view ;) ).

 

The Grandson: A book?...Has it got any sports in it?

Grandpa: Are you kidding? Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants

monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles...

The Grandson: Doesn't sound too bad. I'll try to stay awake.

Grandpa: Oh, well, thank you very much, very nice of you.

Your vote of confidence is overwhelming.



 

Genre: Dystopian/YA

Ages: 15 and up

Pages: 400

Publication Date: 2013

 

*I would like to thank the author and publisher for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

 

BOOK GIVEAWAY!!!

 

To win a free paperback copy of Captives by Jill Williamson,

just put your email address in the comment section below to

enter yourself into the drawing.

The winner will be announced on Friday, May 31st, 2013.

 

*Giveaway is only valid in the USA.

 

Book Trailer

 

 

Captives' Pinterest Page



 

Team Novel Teen is a group of bloggers dedicated to spreading the word about clean teen fiction. Check out other posts about Captives by Jill Williamson by clicking on the links below, and click here for more information about Team Novel Teen.

 

ADD Librarian • Blooming with Books • Bookworm Reading • Chris Kolmorgen • Christian Book Review Blog • Christian Bookshelf Reviews • CTF Devourer • Emily Rachelle Writes • Heavenward Reviews •  Labor Not in Vain • The Life of a Teenage Writer • The Maniacal Bookworm • Mrs. Southern Bride • Oh, Restless Bird • Pages from My Journal • The Pen and Parchment • Rachelle Rea • The Ramblings of a Young Author • Realm of Hearts • Shadow Writer World • A Simple Life, Really?! • Surrendering All of Me • Terri Harr • Verbosity Book Reviews • Who YA Reading? • Worthy2Read • The Writings of Rosie

 

Novel Teen Blog Tour: Chasing Jupiter by Rachel Coker

 

Our family seemed so cracked lately. And I was the only glue keeping us together. Juli was defiant; Grandpop Barley was erratic; Cliff was well, Cliff; and Mama and Dad seemed dangerously close to breaking.

I was nowhere near being ready to fly.

Most families have their troubles and quirks, but Scarlett Blaine's family seems to be overloaded with them. From her parents financial struggles and sister Juli's eccentric hippie lifestyle, to Grandpop Barley's obsession with peanut butter and her little brother Cliff's collection of random Spanish trivia he casually drops into conversation, Scarlett often feels overwhelmed and under-appreciated. But during the summer of 1969 when her family seems to be unraveling at the seams, one promise she makes to Cliff--to build a rocket to Jupiter--will serve as a turning point that will change all of their lives forever.

Rachel Coker (Interrupted: Life Beyond Words) has a gift of creating not just one or two but a whole cast of three-dimensional characters. Each character is written in a realistic and touching manner that makes you care about each and everyone. From the high moments to when tragedy strikes, Chasing Jupiter tugs at the heartstrings and makes you long for a happy ending when all seems lost. I like how Coker dealt with various circumstances in a realistic way and showed how when viewing things through God's eyes, peace will come.

*I'd like to thank the author and publisher for providing me with a free copy of the novel in exchange for my honest review.

Genre: YA/Historical Fiction/Coming of Age
Ages: 12 and up
Pages: 216
Publication: January 2013

Team Novel Teen is a group of bloggers dedicated to spreading the word about clean teen fiction. Check out other posts about Chasing Jupiter by Rachel Coker by clicking on the links below, and check out www.NovelTeen.com for more information about Team Novel Teen.

ADD Librarian • Becoming More Like You • Blooming with Books • Bookworm Reading• Christian Book Review Blog • CTF Devourer • Gillian Adams • Jill Williamson • Labor Not in Vain • Rachelle Rea • The Ramblings of a Young Author • A Slightly Nerdy Bookworm • Shadow Writer World • Surrendering All of Me • Worthy to Read

Book Review: Courting Morrow Little by Laura Frantz

 

Forgiveness was one thing. Falling in love was another.

 

Morrow Little's return home to the Kentucky wilderness after two years in Boston society is fraught with old worries and fears. When she was a young child, her mother and baby sister were killed in an Shawnee raid, and her brother, Jess, was captured. It's been just her and her father for years, and now that he's ill, her future is a bit uncertain. It's assumed she will marry, but her prospects range from farmers who want a marriage of convenience to an officer who's just a bit controlling and obsessed--to say the least. And then there's her confusing emotions of hatred and fascination toward a half-blood Shawnee whom her father has befriended. As tensions between the Americans and the Indians come to a head, Morrow has to make a decision whether to hold onto her fear and prejudice or allow herself to move forward with her life.

Laura Frantz 's style reminds me of Francine Rivers, where everything in the story is gritty, real, poetic, and achingly felt. One of my favorite parts of Courting Morrow Little was the heroine. She was weak physically and emotionally, whereas many heroines I've read about are already strong, spunky, and able. To me, Morrow was realistic, and I enjoyed reading about her journey to maturity and strength. My favorite character though was Red Shirt. I loved his chivalry and subtle wildness. Totally swoon-worthy. ;-)

Courting Morrow Little by Laura Frantz is a beautiful historical novel thick with romance, suspense, and twists that had me holding my breath. It's very rare I find myself tearing up when I read a book, but there were a couple scenes that I found my vision mysteriously blurry. I also had several cheesy grins when I read some really sweet scenes. This story is filled to the brim with emotion that carries the reader through an incredible journey of a young woman who learns what it means to truly live in courage and forgiveness.

Genre: Historical/Romance/Christian
Ages: 16 and up
Pages: 362
Publication Date: July 2010

Words

Words have weight.

 

It's so important to understand what we're saying to people.

 

What we read.

 

What we write.

 

Words can truly "start a fire in your heart."

 

My greatest hope is that my words are the words God speaks through me that reveal His true character.

 

Words have weight.

 

 

Happy New Year!

Happy 2013!

 

I hope everyone had a wonderful 2012 and hope you have a very beautiful 2013! For those of you joining me from my old blog page (mystoryshelf.blogspot.com) and those who are new, thank you for coming! Parts of my new site are still under construction, but my blog is up and running and will churn out new reviews, updates, and special posts.

 

2012 was a crazy and big year for me--graduating from college, self-publishing a children's book, and a myriad of other things!--and I have a feeling 2013 is going to be pretty amazing too. I mentioned a few months ago that a YA novel of mine is getting published, and I couldn't be more thrilled! *happy dance* :D It's tentative title is Shattered. More details and fun extras will be released in the coming months. Also, under my "Books" tab, I posted the summary and cover of a children's book I wrote last year. It was a fun project, and you just need to click on the cover for more purchase info.

 

Ugh! I'm so eager and excited to share every detail of my new story with everyone, but I have to force myself to be patient and tease you with tantalizing tidbits like every good author does! Haha! ;-)

 

In the meantime, keep an eye out for more updates, book reviews of stories that have really touched my heart, and some random blog posts just to keep things interesting! To end this post, I want to share a video with you. It's called The Inheritance by Graham Cooke, only seven minutes long, and it never fails to give me chills and completely bless me because it's so amazingly, mind-blowingly true! So be blessed and Happy New Year!

 

 



 

 



Merry Christmas! And Team Novel Teen's 2012 Top Ten List!

Merry Christmas!!!

 

I hope everyone is having a beautiful Christmas, and I have some recommendations for those of you who are eager to spend their Christmas money and gift cards!

 

Team Novel Teen, a group I'm a part of that promotes clean teen fiction, cast votes recently for their favorite YA books released during 2012.

 

Here's the top ten list:

 

Team Novel Teen's Top Ten YA Christian Books of 2012

 

Enjoy! :-)

 

 

Recipe: Pumpkin Cupcakes

I feel really bad about not posting in a while (been sick and sooo busy), and it'll be probably another week or two before I'm able to post another book review (and I have some great books I want to share!). In the mean time, if anyone remembers way back last year, when I first started this blog, I said I'd probably have some posts about food, which I have yet to do. So I've decided to share a favorite recipe a friend of mine gave me last year around this time:

 

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting and Crystallized Ginger

Here's what you'll need:

4 eggs
1 2/3 cups of oil
2 cups flour
16 oz. canned pumpkin (slightly more is okay)
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Place liners in cupcake pan.
Mix it all together.
Fill cupcake liners about 3/4 full or a little more if you like them slightly rounded and full.
Bake about 20 minutes.

When cool, frost with:

8 oz. cream cheese (room temp.)
1/2 cup unsalted butter (salted is okay)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 cups powdered sugar
Mix together.

If desired, top with a few pieces of chopped crystallized ginger.

This recipe is really yummy and a perfect Thanksgiving dessert! I like to eat mine with a mug of hot tea. Mmm...

Book Review: "Spooky" by Crystal Mazzuca

"You have no identity. Legally, you don't exist. On paper, your parents died seven years before you were born. They joined the CIA and gave up their identities--their lives. And you were born into that. But that's not you anymore. You have to be somebody now."
She looked back, speaking through clenched teeth, "I was somebody."
"No," he whispered. "You weren't. Now you are."
 

Stephanie Pookay isn't her real name. In fact, according to the government, she doesn't even exist. She's a "spook." That all changes when a CIA mission goes awry and Stephanie, or whoever she is, suddenly finds herself orphaned and stranded by the CIA at a fancy boarding school. All her life, Stephanie, or as her new--maybe goth, maybe not--roommate dubs her, "Spooky" has been told who to be and what to do. Now Spooky has to figure out exactly who she is.

Finding something to do, however, won't be a problem. There's something not quite right about Chambers Academy. There's a mysterious janitor roaming the halls, hidden rooms, cameras in strange places, and a school club labeled the "Icarus Project" that doesn't seem to fit the standard after-school extracurricular activity. Spooky is determined to do some snooping around, but without the CIA's help, will she find herself in over her head?

Crystal Mazzuca's Spooky is a light and fun read with quirky characters I loved and felt for. Full of laughs, intrigue, and tender moments, this story ends satisfactorily with plenty of mystery left at the end to dive into another adventure.

Genre: YA/Mystery
Ages: 12 and up
Pages: 231
Publication Date: 2011
 

Support an Author: Jill Williamson

 I've decided to start something new on my blog. Authors survive in the writing world not only because of their terrific story-telling skills but because of readers. Especially in this new world of publishing that's changing by leaps and bounds, and most authors have to market themselves without a huge marketing team behind them. So, on a regular basis, I'm going to choose a great author I admire and love and have a "Support an Author" day.

 Today's author:



                     Jill Williamson

Author Bio:

Jill Williamson is an author of all things weird. She grew up in Alaska with no electricity, an outhouse, and a lot of mosquitoes. Her Blood of Kings trilogy won two Christy Awards, and she recently released Replication, a science fiction teen novel from Zonderkidz. Jill lives in Oregon with her husband and two children and a whole lot of deer.


Jill is the fearless leader of Team Novel Teen. It's an amazing group of authors and readers who promote clean, teen fiction. Jill also has recently released a young adult spy series called "The Mission League." Read my review of the first book The New Recruit here.

Now, how do we support Jill, you ask? There are some really simple and quick things you can do (besides going out and buying her books and reviewing them, of course!).;-)

1. "Like" Jill's author page: http://www.amazon.com/author/jillwilliamson



2. From Jill's author page, you can then "like" ALL of her books by clicking through to each of their pages (paperback AND Kindle).




3. "Like" Jill on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jwilliamsonwrites

4. (For Goodreads users) Mark as to read or rate or review: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16000072-the-new-recruit

 

Huzzah! You just supported an amazing author! Good for you!

*gives a virtual pat on the back*

For your general "likeableness" today, here's a special treat
for those of you who haven't read any of Jill's books and
would like to sample some of her writing (and for
those fans who just like re-reading her awesome stories!)
The first chapters of each of Jill's books:

By Darkness Hid
To Darkness Fled
From Darkness Won
Replication: The Jason Experiment (podcast)

New Recruit: Chapter One

 



Book Review and Scavenger Hunt Contest: The New Recruit by Jill Williamson

But I had to stay in. My mother had died for this loony organization.
I'd do whatever it took to live up to her sacrifice,
 at least until I found out who "they" were.
And made them pay.

 

Spencer Garamond has been recruited into a super secret spy agency known as the Mission League. You'd think, hey, any fourteen-year-old guy would be thrilled to be a spy-in-training, but Spencer was more or less forced to become spy by none other than his grandmother to keep him out of trouble. It was either join the Mission League--a Christian spy organizaton--or be shipped off to military school. So Spencer joins the Bible geeks, who he thinks are just a little off their rocker, if you know what I mean.

 

But then, his perspective of the Mission League changes when he discovers his parents, whom he never met, were spies, and his mother died for the cause. Combine this revelation with encountering an odd gang of Russian boys and mysterious woman named Anya who's been haunting his dreams for years, and Spencer discovers maybe he should be taking this Mission League thing a bit more seriously.

 

The New Recruit by Jill Williamson is a fresh twist on a spy tale full of intrigue, humor, and touching moments. One of the best aspects of the book for me was the viewpoint of a non-Christian character in a primarily Christian setting. Spencer's view of various characters' beliefs and actions that provoke misunderstandings and Christian culture clashes is eye-opening and I believe important for other Christians to know about. Spencer and the other characters' paths toward understanding each other is slow but believeable. Add in the over-arching, suspenseful mystery in Moscow, and The New Recruit is a fun and thought-provoking read.

 

Genre: Christian/YA/Suspense

Ages: 14 and up

Pages: 399

Publication Date: October 2012

Part of a Series: The Mission League (Book 1)

 

*I would like to thank the author and publisher for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

 

Visit these awesome bloggers who will be reviewing and hosting book giveaways of

The New Recruit all this week:

 

(10/8) Life with a Mission

           Labor Not in Vain 

(10/9) Writings of Rosie

(10/10) Endless Antique

Christian Bookshelf Reviews

(10/11) Life of a Teenage Writer

(10/12) The Ramblings of a Young Author

(10/13) Karen DeBlieck

 

--Check out the website for the Mission League. It has character details, sketches, the book trailer, classified terms, a map of Moscow, and even summaries of the next books in the series.

 

--Read Chapter One of The New Recruit.

 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Go Undercover Scavenger Hunt 

 

To celebrate the release of The New Recruit, the author, Jill Williamson, is hosting

a very fun spy contest!

 

--The Grand Prize is a $100 Barnes and Noble gift card--

(Soooo worth it for all of us Nook impulse buyers!)

 

--The 10 runner ups will receive Mission League spy kits--

(Sooo worth it for all of us who duck around corners

while humming the Mission Impossible theme song...

wait, am I the only one who does that?)

 

For more info about the contest just click the banner below:

 

 

And just for grins and giggles, here's Jill--or, ahem, Jill's uncle from some

foreign country that prides itself in growing fantastic mustaches and eyebrows--

explaining the rules of the contest:

 

 

So come join this undercover mission and unleash you inner spy!

 

covertly glances in both directions and ducks around the corner while humming

"duh duh...duh duh duh"

 

 

Book Review: Guardian by Heather Burch

 

"You have to know the nature of the one you serve. We have no promise of tomorrow. But we know the character of the One. Our ability to do what we do is rooted in our faith in him."

Nikki looked down... "I've never had faith in anything except what is tangible. I doubt I ever will."

 

Nikki Youngblood's life has been turned upside down. Her parents are dead and she's abandoned her guardian, Damon Vessler, to stay under the protection of the guardian angel, Will, and the Halflings-- Mace, Raven, and Vine. Unfortunately, Nikki is in love with both Raven and Mace, which is only made more awkward by the fact that all of them are going to be on a small boat bound for Europe with half a dozen other Halflings. Excuse the pun, but Nikki definitely feels like a fish out of water.

 

Besides the tug-of-war feelings between Nikki and the guys, she's also struggling with her newly-discovered role as a Seer and trying to embrace faith, which is crucial for her journey. Pulled in many different directions, Nikki makes a decision that changes the course of her life entirely, and not for the better.

 

Several reveals in Guardian by Heather Burch I saw coming, but the way they were revealed I didn't expect. The start of the book was a bit hard to wade through at first, mainly, because I'm not a huge love triangle fan and the beginning was very heavy on the painful feelings between Mace, Nikki, and Raven. However, the way Burch adds a couple twists later balances the book enough for me to be satisfied.

 

The twists involving Nikki were especially heart wrenching, but I believe they helped in deepening her character. I'm anxious to see how her story pans out in book three, Avenger (which is aptly named, by the way). Also, I actually liked Mace and Raven better in Guardian than in Halflings. Mace's character felt a bit more fleshed out and three-dimensional, and Raven's conscience and vulnerable side were more evident in this installment. Some of my favorite characters though were the minor ones, especially sarcastic and awesome Zero. I mean, can we have a novel just about him?

 

The only thing I found a bit confusing and frustrating was trying to understand the fate of the Halflings. I'm curious to see how Burch will approach this in the conclusion of the series. Guardian is a bit darker than its predecessor, but I liked it even better. The character arcs are a bit deeper and the story is gaining an almost breathless momentum. I'm looking forward to discovering more answers in Avenger to the many questions that arose in Guardian, including two majors ones: What is the character of Nikki, and who will she serve?

 

Genre: Young Adult/Contemporary Fantasy/Romance

Ages: 15 and up

Pages: 320

Publication Date: October 2012

Part of a Series: Book 2 (Halflings series)

*I received this book courtesy of Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Read my review of Book 1, Halflings here.

 

Extras:

 

Check out the FREE ebook, A Halflings Rescue, that takes place between Halflings and Guardian. It's a fun story!

 

In this free illustrated short story from the popular Halflings series by Heather Burch, Nikki and the Halflings team intercept important information regarding the kidnapping of Hollywood's hottest teen celebrity, Mandy Mosen. Will they be able come to the young starlet's aide in time, or is Mandy's fifteen minutes of fame about to end? Includes a bonus first chapter from Guardian, the next full novel in the Halflings series!

Trailer:



Book Review: "There You'll Find Me" by Jenny B. Jones



"It's beautiful," I said, my voice clouded with embarrassment.

"It's more than that." He watched the ocean below. "It's like God painted it himself, then spun it into motion." Beckett angled his head toward me, took his aviators off, and let his eyes burn into mine. "This is Ireland, Finley. It's rough. It's wild. And it is holy."

 

Finley Sinclair is trying to make a new start as a foreign exchange student in Ireland. But the past is deeply entwined with her present as she uses her deceased brother's journal to follow his time in Ireland years before in the hopes that she can rediscover the same closeness to God Will had when he was alive.

 

Beckett Rush is a distraction Finley doesn't need. A famous and ridicuously good-looking movie star, Beckett offers to help Finley retrace her brother's steps--if she helps him rehearse lines for the movie he's starring in. Along with Beckett, Finley soon finds her life entwined with a dying old woman who needs peace, a wise nun, a classic mean girl, and the love and warmth of her host family. Stress and a myriad of tiny pressures begin to weigh Finley down, from drama with Beckett to unsuccessfully trying to compose a piece of music based on Will's life for her audition with Julliard. She tries to cope the best way she knows how but it leads her down a dangerous road. Can she find her way back?

 

There You'll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones is in my top ten favorite books, and I don't see it moving any time soon. Finley is a phenomenal main character who's emotions are felt deeply as if you are inside her head. There are so many great lines in this book I wish I could list them all, from the poignant moments, like in the prologue, to the hilarious moments between some of the characters that had me laughing out loud. All the characters are three-dimensional, complex, and played critical roles in Finley's character growth. The setting is described in rich detail that made me feel like I was actually in the small village of Abbeyglen or in Galway or wherever Finley and Co. went. I wanted to buy a ticket to Ireland after I finished reading!

 

I actually passed by this book several times in the bookstore before buying it. I saw the cover and thought it looked interesting. The second time, I picked it up and read the synopsis and the prologue, thought it sounded good, but I didn't want to spend the money. Finally, after a few times of being drawn to the book like a magnet, I bought it, read it, and was changed. There You'll Find Me dove deeper than I thought it would and beautifully displayed the dark truth of earthly struggles but also the light that's the truth of God's never failing love.

 

Genre: Contemporary Christian/Coming of Age/Romance

Ages: 14 and up

Pages: 303

Publication Date: October 2011

Part of a Series: Spin-off of Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones

 

Book Review: The Orphan King by Sigmund Brouwer

 

My prayer was to watch you grow into a man and become one of us, one of the Immortals. You will help us destroy the circle of evil.

 

The oath Thomas gave his mother on her deathbed to one day understand and destroy the evil that forced them into exile now directs his life. Smart and handsome, but young and a bit naive, Thomas escapes from the monastery where he's spent his entire life to accomplish this purpose.

 

On his journey, he encounters several people who play significant roles in his life: William, an ex-Knight Templar, who becomes a grudging mentor; John, a percocious boy with surprisingly helpful pick-pocket skills; and two mysterious young women, the mute Isabelle and the scarred Katherine. One has captured Thomas' attraction; the other, his heart. Finally, an old man who keeps appearing and disappearing seems to know more about Thomas' purpose than he does, but what exactly does he want? As Thomas draws closer to the first stage in his plan--capture the impregnable castle, Magnus--intrigue entwines around him, and he discovers not everything, nor everyone, is what it seems. And who exactly are the Immortals?

 

My recent fascination with Camelot, King Arthur, and Merlin caused me to buy this book. While The Orphan King by Sigmund Brouwer is set after the Age of Camelot, several references to Arthur and Merlin hint that the classic legend will influence this new story, which is legendary in its own right. While the first half of the book felt a little slow to me, the second half flew by. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough (or tap the pages since I got the ebook). It's the kind of book that slowly unwraps layer by layer different aspects of each character and elements of the story that hint at something big beneath the surface that's trembling to break through.

 

Apparently, some events in The Orphan King appear in Brouwer's books, Magnus and Wings of Dawn, which he released twenty years ago, but he wanted to approach the story with new perspectives. I haven't read the original books, but The Orphan King is great on its own. Swirling with mystery, it's a coming-of-age tale that thrusts you into a time and place that lingers, even after you set the book down.

 

Genre: Historical Fiction/Adventure/Coming of Age

Ages: 12 and up

Pages: 224 (Paperback), 171 (ebook)

Publication Date: July 2012

Part of a Series: Book 1 (Merlin's Immortals)

 

 

 



An Update

Okay, so this summer has been way crazier than I thought it was going to be but in a totally good way! I haven't been able to post as many reviews of some fabulous books I've read over the past few months, but don't worry, those will be coming soon as well as a couple more great blog tours. So keep stopping by!

The reason this summer has been so crazy (especially the past month) is because some amazing writing opportunities have landed in my lap. It's been kind of a dry season figuring out some things related to my writing career, but as they say: when it rains, it pours! So here's what's going on:

--I'm self-publishing a children's book! The story was adapted into a ballet this summer and was a great success. The proof for my review is in the mail, and when it's officially published I'll post more information, including the story behind the story. It's been so much fun! Here's a picture of the two main characters, Casper and Vanessa, dancing in one of the scenes --->
Lovely, huh? :-)


--Second, I'm hopefully publishing an e-novella in the next few months! It's a fairytale that's been loads of fun to dive into, and it's just the kind of story that keeps me smiling as I write. ;-) Will share more info when it's closer to being released.

--And, drumroll please...I'm getting published! Officially! *does happy dance* :D Next year, a YA novel of mine will be released. It's a story that's close to my heart and will hopefully bless others. And, again, I will try to share as much information with everyone as soon as I can about this project. I'm just so excited about this opportunity!

So that's what's been going on recently and has consumed much of my time! Please keep stopping by for posts about these new works and, of course, reviews of some great stories!

Character Interviews and Book Review: Bourne and Tributary by Lisa T. Bergren

I'm very excited, because today we have Gabi and Lia, the heroines of the River of Time series by Lisa T. Bergren, and their handsome and chivalrous knights, Marcello and Luca, answering a few questions. Enjoy!

We'll start with the guys.

Luca and Marcello, have Evangelia and Gabriella attempted to teach you English yet?

Luca: Nay. They speak passable Italian. *Lia hits him playfully*

Marcello: We have no need of the English tongue here in Toscana.

Now onto the girls.

Gabi and Lia, if you hadn’t landed in beautiful medieval Italy and fallen in love, what other time or place would you have liked to visit via the nifty time tunnel?

Lia: Seriously? I'm so homesick for modern times I don't think I could go anywhere, anytime.

Gabi: Victorian. More cool dresses. :-)

Oohh, yes, Victorian dresses are lovely! Personally though, medieval dresses are my fav. ;-)

Gabi and Marcello, family is obviously very important to you. How would you define “family”?

Gabi: I define family as those you love most and could never be without.

Marcello: Anyone for whom I would die to save, which includes several of my friends who are like brothers to me.

I completely agree. Perfect definition.

Luca and Lia, could you each describe your relationship in three words?

Luca: Passionate, playful, intoxicating

Lia: Irresistible, fun, intriguing

*smiles really big* No words...just... *continues smiling*

This last question is for all four of you. When each of you were young, what was your biggest dream, and how has it changed since then?

Gabi: You know I'm only just 19, right? I think I didn't start dreaming until I got here. Seriously. I just lived my life day to day, rather than really digging in DEEP, you know?

Lia: I dreamed of college, getting married, having kids, a career, maybe as a graphic artist or something. And yeah, you could say my dreams have changed a bit...

Marcello: *looks at Luca and smiles* You people of Normandy have far too much time on your hands. Who has time for dreaming of the future. The day is full enough....

Wow, yeah, gives one alot to think about. Thanks so much, you guys, for visiting today! Now I suppose you must return to your full and crazy lives we love hearing so much about. Yes, definitely do that, and maybe we'll get more wonderful stories from all of you! :-)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now on to the review of Bourne and Tributary, the latest installments in the River of Time...

 

 

*Warning! May contain slight spoilers for those who haven't read the previous three books in the River of Time series!*

 

Bourne picks up right where Torrent left off. Our main characters are having to deal with the aftereffects of the recent battle. Gabi is drawn deeper into the lives of the Sienese people as she feels their deep pain for losing their loved ones. Marcello has been injured and everyone fears for the lord of the castello. Lord Greco is wracked with guilt for betraying Firenze and is conflicted (as usual!) to such an extent that he begins making rash choices that endanger his life and the lives of others. Luca takes on more responsibility while Marcello is injured, and we see a different--more warrior and leader--side of our usually funny sidekick. This only endeared him to me more. And, finally, we get to see events unfold from Lia's point of view, which I absolutely loved!

 

The quieter of the two sisters, Lia has a more sensible and even-keeled approach to different situations. However, in Bourne, she is thrust out of her comfort zone when, once again, danger is afoot. The secret brotherhood Marcello, Luca, and Greco have been apart of for years is not so secret anymore and each of the secret brothers have been targeted by assasins. When Lia and Luca go to warn those in danger, they find themselves in a mess of their own.

 

Bourne feels more like the ending of Torrent than a story on it's own, which I suppose that's why it's labeled as #3.1 rather than #4. But it's still filled with the adventure, romance, and intrigue we all love.

 

Tributary begins a year after the events of Bourne. There's a restless sort of peace between Siena and Firenze that's put in jeopardy when a young Firenze woman, Alessandra, is injured in a hunting accident involving Gabi and team. This novella is told from various point of views: Gabi and Lia in first person; Luca, Alessandra, and Greco (I know!) in third person. I honestly want to read Greco's point of view more often because it was so interesting!

 

Alot happens in Tributary that bring changes to our beloved characters physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Lia is still struggling with being stuck in medieval Italy. She hasn't even picked up her bow in a year. Greco finally has to come to terms with his inner struggles. Gabi and Marcello face a change they weren't prepared for. Luca is suspicious of the newcomer at the castello and desperately wants to protect Siena and the ones he loves. And, finally, Alessandra becomes the center of the new conflict between Siena and Firenze, and she discovers not everything is as black and white as she believes.

 

To me, Tributary had a slightly different feel than the rest of the series, but I'm not complaining at all. Though last in the series (just for now I hope!), it seems to start a whole new chapter in story where the characters are growing older and continuing to discover what it truly means to live life everyday, one day at a time.

 

Genre: Romance/YA

Ages: 15 and up

Pages: Bourne (116), Tributary (163)

Publication Date: Feb. and June 2012

Part of Series: #3.1 and #3.2 River of Time series

 

Both enovellas seemed too short, in my opinion, but now they are available together in paperback. Here are the links to the seperate ebooks and the combined paperback:

 

Bourne Kindle enovella (also available on Nook and Smashwords)

 

Tributary Kindle enovella (also available on Nook and Smashwords)

 

Bourne/Tributary paperback

 

Check out my review of the first three books Waterfall, Cascade, and Torrent here.