Coat of Arms (Please Vote)

My favorite author is hosting another contest that of course I had to participate in, especially since it was a call for creativity. She asked her fans to design a coat of arms for a prickly middle aged character that is known for putting everyone, including Napoleon Bonaparte, in place with her sharp-edged umbrella.

The only requirement was to have two crossed umbrellas, the rest was up to us.

You can see the other entries, and mine, here: http://www.laurenwillig.com/news/2012/10/02/pick-miss-gwens-coat-of-arms/

And if you decide to comment, I would appreciate if you mention that you like #4 the very best.

I won third place last year for a similar contest, but I'm just as eager to win another ARC copy of Lauren's newest book The Ashford Affair.

Weekend Update

Friday, Melissa had some friends over and we sat around and talked for a little while, but then they left to attend a concert. Melissa and I were trying to come up with something to do, but both of us were fairly exhausted. We didn't want to be lame by going to bed at 9:00 p.m. on a Friday night, so we read from A Compendium of Kisses. Really, Melissa was sleeping and I was cracking up over my inability to read out loud. Butchering words led to more laughter, which led to Melissa waking up long enough to see tears running down my face and her gasping and me wheezing... and finally we decided that we had enough and it was time for bed.

Saturday I woke up for a RS breakfast. We had French toast, which I sort of have a weakness for. And then I didn't do much until I headed up to South Jordan to meet up with Lauren. We went to an improv comedy show. I like improv, and I respect people who are able to be funny on the spot. That's not an easy thing to do. Provo has Comedy Sports, which is big on BYU/LDS culture and has a very defined theme and set up. It has its own venue. Push My Button is not as organized. They perform in a small coffee shop. They rely a little too much on audience participation, which led to some pretty strange and too elaborate prompts. There were some really funny parts, but for the most part, it wasn't that entertaining. They roped me in to "playing a game for prizes", and I won the Halloween trivia (answering 5 out of the 6 questions quicker than my opponent). Only... they gave the runner up a gift card to Applebees, and the winner got two free tickets to their next show.

...Ok.

Anybody want two free tickets to see Push My Button next month? Let me know.

Utah roads are an absolute mess right now. And on my way home from South Jordan, I had to navigate my way through all the detours and orange barrels. It was confusing and frustrating. They had closed the on-ramp to I-15, so I had to go up and around on a road that wasn't clearly marked as the detour, and I was only guessing where I needed to turn. Luckily, I guessed correctly. When I made it to Utah County, they had closed down the highway to one lane, and all I saw was red brake lights, so I decided to get off at American Fork and go down State Street. Unfortunately, I think I picked the worst exit to get off. There were two detours to take you to 500 East and back to the freeway. Then, because of the Haunted Forest, there were hundreds of cars wherever there weren't orange barrels. I got temporarily lost, guessed my way to State Street, and headed home... of course, that took a bit of time because State Street is down to one lane as well. Sigh.

Sunday we had stake conference. Both Melissa and I dragged ourselves there. The first meeting was fairly unremarkable, except, one of the speakers (the wife of one of the high councilmen that serve in our stake, approximately 45-years old) decided to talk to just the girls; she said that she was sad that the guys seem to get ripped in to every general conference, and that they were all great and wonderful and stuff like that. The girls needed a little constructive criticism; according to her, we need to "be less picky and more submissive". She didn't explain enough to know if that is what she actually meant -- if she actually wanted us to go back 200 years before women had rights and were imprisoned in insane asylums for speaking against their husband's ideals (I'm reading a book on one such case right now) or if she just wanted us to.... what? I don't know.

The usher didn't have a hunchback, or a droopy eyelid.

 

 

 

 

The second session was better in way of speakers, but worse in the fact that there were a whole lot more distractions. The first meeting met in an auditorium. The second in a double chapel with hard folding chairs and an overheated gym. There was an usher who reminded me of Quasimodo from The Hunchback of Notre Dame...he had really crazy, buggy eyes. And he just walked up and down the gym floor, hunting anyone down who wasn't in a seat and making sure we were packed in there like sardines. We had sad next to a bigger guy from our ward, and spaced the chairs perfectly, and along comes Quasi, and he makes us move down, making everyone uncomfortable and then continued to patrol the area so that we were afraid to move again. We did, though, during the intermediate hymn, finding our original places much more comfortable. He was so distracting, though. And every time he walked by, we wanted to punch him.

The speakers were better this time around. I really do like our stake presidency. They are good men. One of them is actually my mom's old seminary teacher from high school! Crazy, right? He's my favorite. And our stake president is Canadian, and really funny. He stands up and tells us how grateful he is to have his "first wife" in the audience. Then, he had to clarify that she is his only wife. He told us about this weird, old many that used to live in his ward boundaries that they used to make fun of. "We all have trials," he said, "some of us are heavy and weird and that's our trial." He then went on to say that this man moved to be close to the temple in Cardston, Canada, and did some 200,000 ordinances before he died in his early 80s. President Hatch talked about how this man, who didn't have a lot of friends and family on his earthly life, was probably heralded in to heaven by the 200,000 souls he did temple work for. The amount of awe and respect in President Hatch's voice was enough to know that he regretted having made fun of this strange individual, who obviously amounted to much more.

President Hatch also talked about the people that go in to talk to him before they get married, or as individuals, and express fears about the future. I guess it isn't surprising that my peers are all worried about what the world has to offer them. They are afraid to have children because the moral standard of the world continues to decline; the economy is never stable; divorce rates continue to rise; etc. etc. etc. He told us, "You have the brightest of futures of anyone on the history of this earth. You have more good and more joy to look forward to. Yes, there will be trials. But, miracles are born out of trails and sacrifice."

The whole time I was listening to his talk, though, I was thinking that I'm not scared to get married. I'm not scared to have children. I am not worried about how I would support a family -- I know that God sustains us. I am scared about the future, though. Because I'm scared of having a future where I am alone. For some reason, a lonely future sounds neither bright or joyful.

After conference, I went home and made pumpkin pies. They turned out delicious. I know, because I had some for breakfast. I'm pretty pleased with the crust, which we all know is one of the hardest things to pull off, and I didn't over or under bake them. Now, I just have to decide if I am going to share, or if I am going to devour them all up myself.

Drawing for The Garden Intrigue

Emma, Grand Inquisitor for Poetic Excellence from The Garden Intrigue

One of my favorite authors (Lauren Willig) is having a contest in order to pass out ARC (advanced reader's copy) for her newest book The Garden Intrigue, that isn't actually due out until February. Naturally, I want my grubby little hands on a copy because I've been dying to read it since the second I finished reading The Orchid Affair.


The contest was to create something that could be sold in the Pink Store. Initially, I wanted to recruit a guy in our ward who is an illustrator. I had this idea in mind, that would have gone perfect with the types of illustrations he draws, but the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to try my hand.

I've always been jealous of my cousin Camille's creative ability. She paints. She photographs. She's just always been better at crafts and artistic expression. I remember being a little girl and her telling me it was just because she had more experience. The truth is, she has more experience, more training and more talent. But every once and a while, I am a little bit pleased with what gets churned out when I try to be creative.

I'm not saying that the above sketch is a work of art, because it isn't. And if I had photoshop, I know it would look BETTER, but I have to work with what I have, and that leaves a lot of things to be desired sometimes. So aside from the fact that you can't really read the writing, and there are a lot of scan marks that I couldn't get out, I am pretty pleased with Emma from The Garden Intrigue, the Grand Inquisitor for Poetic Excellence. I can't wait to read what she does with Augustus.

When I emailed it to Lauren, she sent me a quick reply back.

I love it!  That's gorgeous-- and so very, very Emma!

All best,Lauren

So there you go! Some validation from the author, herself!

The Ancient Maiden's Lament

I have a mouth for kisses / No one to give or to take / I have a heart in my bosom / Beating for nobody's sake.

-- The Literature of Kissing as printed in A Compendium of Kisses: Facts, Quotes and Curiosities by Lana Citron, p. 72

 

Drawing Challenge Day #6

I don't think I've ever really been able to choose my favorite book. And now they want me to choose my favorite character from my favorite book!?

I have a sneaky suspicion that whoever wrote up this list assumes that everyone's favorite book is Twilight and everyone will be drawing Edward - or Jacob.

But I got over my Twilight obsession years ago.

Anyway, I was going to draw Peeta from The Hunger Games. But I'm still mad about the casting decision and I didn't want to try and draw somebody that looked better than who they cast, because as we can already see, my drawings really don't amount to much.

My newest favorite series is by Lauren Willig and my favorite hero is Turnip from The Mischief of Mistletoe. I started rereading it the other day, and I just love him. He's so great! So I tried to draw him and his ridiculous waistcoat, and got the above picture.

(If you haven't read the Pink Series yet, I suggest you do...just saying.)

Wanted: New Authors

I have a series of authors that I've read everything they've put out, and now... I am at a loss of what to read. I want something good, something witty and fun and romantic. It doesn't have to be romantic. I just wouldn't know how to choose a good fiction book that didn't have romance in it, because that's what I've always read. But my authors just don't produce books as fast as I read (obviously!) and I need some fillers in the downtime.

For instance, I've been blacklisted by MLM.

Iva Ibbotson passed away last year. (SAD!)

Wonderful, Lauren Willig just released her newest book. I devoured it in less than 24 hours, and now I have to wait a whole year until Pink IX comes out. It's going to be a torturous wait, though, I am pleased that she has decided to provide a "Teaser Tuesday", which might help.... a little.

Deeanne Gist hasn't anything set to come out in the near future, though her blog says that she is working on writing more, so hopefully in the near future... but in author-speak, that could mean a year from now, too.

Stephenie Meyer is too busy relishing the billions of dollars she made with Twilight that it looks like she may never finish the Host trilogy. Or mess with mermaids, as I once read she intended to do. And why would she? She's made so much money that her grandchildren's grandchildren are probably set for life. Although, I don't think her writing will ever get better if she doesn't practice more. And who better to practice on then a bunch of teens who will buy anything she puts out? The only problem is, those teens are growing up and they may not be interested in the next thing she puts out if it takes her 15 years to do it. Sigh.

Diana Gabaldon has been writing her series for some 20 years, and she has seven books in her series. Which means it takes almost three years to write. So I have two more to go.

And then there's Julia Quinn.... but we'll just leave her out of this.

So anybody have any suggestions? I'm not really lacking on reading material. I've got a biography, nonfiction and way-out-there fiction in my queue that I've been reading a few pages at a time. But it's not the kind of fluff reading I like to finish really quick...

Goodreads.com

I've been a member of goodreads.com for over two years now, and I really love it. It's a way to keep track of the books I've read, the ones I want to read, the ones I'm going to read, and the ones that I never want to read. Other users go and post reviews for books and it allows you to see what others are saying about popular books and books you've never heard of.

Basically, it's a social network for readers. Which is totally cool.

And, it's a way to get authors all defensive about their work when you slander it. And then you become infamous, and they don't want you to buy any more of their books for fear of what you will say... all because of Goodreads!

But Goodreads is also a way for an author to get their name out. And so I uploaded my book as a goodreads.com book, and I'm hosting a giveaway for a few copies of the published book. So those of you who are not logged into goodreads.com, you should consider it.

There are literally hundreds of giveaways on Goodreads. So that's really cool, because free books are awesome! Since it is a way for authors to get their book out to readers, who will hopefully give their book a good review, thus inspiring many other readers to check out that particular book, many authors offer one to several copies that they mail out.

I recently won a giveaway. I should have read the description better, because it was for a book that is probably not of interest to me - although I can't say that I'm surprised I won it, literally seconds after I hit "enter giveaway" - it's a gay romance. Hahahahaha. Yeah. Whoops. Since I never win things, I'm pretty excited about this. There were 576 different people who tried to get this book, and yet I'm the one who won. (Becca, you see the significance of this, right?)

On the right hand side of my blog, you can see where to go to enter the giveaway for Unrealized Dreams. I have three copies, and I'm excited to send them out. Even if there are an exorbitant amount of errors and typos in this first edition.
Never fear! That is what future editions are for - to fix things like such as. 

If you have any questions, let me know.

The Road

"The Road is the most depressing book you'll ever read."
"There were parts that made me want to gouge my eyes out."
"You'll never get through it."
"Best book I've read in a while, but Shelli, YOU'LL NEVER, get through it/like it/be able to read it."

The great reviews listed above are the reasons I secretly committed to reading The Road by Cormac McCarthy. The cute guy down the street was the reason I actually borrowed it from someone and started to read it. The unadulterated shock that came from some, Joe telling me to, "stop now before you commit a blasphemy against McCarthy" kept me going.

In the end, I just really liked the book.

It doesn't seem like a book that I would like. I guess I can see why people were shocked. The fact that it didn't have chapters and quotation marks really bothered me at first. But when I looked past that, and saw the brilliance in McCarthy's writing, I began to really enjoy the rhythm of the conversations between father and son.

The HEA isn't as obvious to some as it is for an idealist, romantic like me. But it's there. And I think that is the best thing about the way McCarthy wrote the book. Because under all the depressing, post apocalyptic wasteland that really is savage and heartbreaking, there is this hope and push to survival and in the end, a perfect ending.

*spoilers*

"But the dad dies!" Meghan said as she shook her head. She still can't understand how or why I like this book when I can't get through Henry James (I still haven't completely... OK, I've sort of given up on him, but I have a book that maybe when I'm desperate enough....not the point). And yes, the dad dies. But, that's foreshadowed throughout the whole book. I mean, for heaven's sakes! he's coughing up bloody phlegm the whole time - of course he dies! But he doesn't die in a really tragic way. He's shot by an arrow, which no doubt aided to his death, but he was sick anyway and starving and exhausting himself by never really sleeping and then pushing himself too hard and trying to sacrifice everything for his son.

I really loved the son, because even when his dad tried to give him more food, he always insisted that his dad partake too. He wouldn't let his dad kill himself for him.

In the end, it was inevitable. And in the end, he left his son in the perfect position to be discovered by the good guys who happened to have two children around his age. And considering that throughout the whole book, the boy is worried about other children being around, I think it shows that there is promise for a new generation. Not everyone was eating their babies in order to survive. The boy instantly has a new best friend and further down the road, a potential love interest. And, the last paragraph is talking about trout. If that isn't promise for the future, then I don't know what is. Or at least, that's how I interpreted it.

Really, after the "most depressing book you've ever read" it's great to read a paragraph of complete optimism and hope. But I don't think it was the most depressing book I've ever read.

I would and do recommend this to anyone to read. (Maybe not children, it might give them nightmares.)

Journal Writing

I am an advocate of journal writing, which is one of the reason I have a blog. Blogging is one of the best ways to journal where I can post my thoughts, feelings and happenings of my life and people can read it...or not. Even if no one read my blog, I would still write on it faithfully, the same as I write in my journal. I'm not great at writing in my journal, after all, it's usually about 1 a.m. when I'm climbing into bed and my eyes can't stay open long enough to ensure I'm writing between the lines and I'm so exhausted or laying in a weird position that my handwriting is barely legible. Still, I do it, because I know that there is some importance in keeping a record of my life here on earth.

I write my journal entries as though I know someone will one day find them interesting enough to read. That means, of course, that I don't always confess things straight out, or I have to take extra time explaining something that I would know instantly. Still, I'd be mortified if someone came into my room and just picked up my journal and started reading. Despite what some may think, I do actually censor this blog for who I know is reading. My journal, however, is different.

That of course doesn't stop me from flipping through and reading old journal entries. I wish I would record happier things. I've noticed that this latest journal (one that my old roommate, Maria, made for me for Christmas with a picture of things that we enjoyed when we still enjoyed living together) which spans almost 2 years, has basically the same themes in each entry. Apparently, I am using my journal as a way to scold myself. As if I don't get enough scolding from friends and family who love me dearly. The biggest difference of course, is that I'm mean. I berate and belittle and name-call and write things in my journal that I would never give voice to anyone else but myself. It's disheartening to think that really if someone did read my journal, they would think not so well of me because my journal portrays me as a fat, lazy, unmotivated slob who isn't able to take control of her life or make changes. There are vows and commitments that have been abandoned by the next entry - mostly because I had forgotten that I had even written down that goal by the time I close the book. Occasionally there is mention of a boy that I hate - hate, because I secretly liked him and he never noticed -- or worse, did notice and then ignored me still - and a date sporadically. Other times there are great testimony builders and recorded scriptures that meant something to me. And in the end, I think i am the only person who will treasure my journals.

The whole reason I've even been thinking about my journals at all is because I just finished reading These Is My Words by Nancy E. Turner. It's probably one of the better books I've read recently. And it is written in the format of a journal. The journal of Sarah Agnes Prine who write the tales of her life as a pioneer woman living in the Arizona territory just before the turn of the century. She write about the Indian wars and shooting guns and losing a father, a brother, two husbands, children and all sorts of calamities and mishaps with the land and its people. I read her journal entries (it's fiction, but very well researched from what I can tell) and think that her life is by far more interesting than mine will ever be. Not that I'd want to lose my brother to a rattlesnake bite or discover a man who had been trapped under the rotting carcass of his horse for a few days... But even when she talks about mundane things like doing laundry, or the cistern running low on water or making a trip to town or the passion she had for finding a wagon full of books I was so enthralled with the life that she was living. I can't imagine anyone caring about the TV shows I like to watch or the fact that I've been working on one class for six years of my life or how I desperately need money to accomplish the things that I am quite certain I will never be able to accomplish.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction. This has everything. Romance, Indians, shootouts, death... etc. I may have even welled up once or twice.


But still, I continue to write. Because one day, maybe our world will become like the Jetson's, and people will wonder what it was like to drive down I-15, yelling and cursing Utah drivers instead of cruising through the atmosphere like it was nothing. Who really knows?

Open Bookshelf

I have a small, pleasantly full bookshelf sitting in my room. It is one of my favorite things. I love that I have books. Not so much when I move...but any other time, I really love that I have my own library. I've read 94% of the books that are on my shelf. There are just a few exceptions where I haven't gotten to them or I had to stop reading them because they bored me to tears or because they are text books. Regardless, I love them.

I love them so much that I often say, "feel free to borrow _________ when ever you'd like." And then I realize that no one seems to like the same books I do. With the exception of my text books and few travel books, small bit of classics, Latin dictionaries, etc. I have a very specific taste in novels and they litter my bookshelf. I think they are very attractive. All matching and organized by author and genre. But others do not really like the idea of my books.

My bookshelf also finds itself to be full of the same author. I love finding an author that I can trust. One that will deliver each and every time. And when I do, I tend to go crazy and buy all the books that that particular author has put out.and that is what my bookshelf reflects right now.

I wish I had a bookshelf that were bigger and fuller of different things. I would buy more classics. I would definitely buy more church books. I would complete my Outlander series. I would have room to fit the 20 odd books that I accidentally won on Ebay yesterday for so cheap... all by the same author. Actually, I could probably do all those things if I had more money, not necessarily more space on my bookshelf.

Regardless, I am always open to sharing my books, if anyone is interested.

Death of an Era

Some three years ago I started reading an author that I quickly became obsessed with. I had been introduced by my aunt who asked, "Do you like sappy - I mean, really sappy - as in, I'm almost embarrassed to give this to you, sappy?"

YES.

That was always my answer. Because I love sap. I love cheesy. I love romance! As long as it was a happily ever after, I was happy. I signed up for this author's updates and promptly ordered the books I had read. Every time I visited my aunt, I devoured as many of the books as I could - and then bought those as well. Soon, I had read everything this author had put out. I was still craving more.

I introduced everyone I thought could stomach the sappiness to these books. And then tried to discuss them - as if we were reading some poignant plot points or fabulous symbolism.

The truth was - I knew the writing wasn't the most fabulous I've ever encountered. And I figured this author self-published. There were too many typos for there to be a real editor on board. But I didn't care. I liked the stories. And I didn't care that the heroes were always the same. Everyone always seemed so self-conscious (lack of confidence is a very real problem in relationships, after all).

As different friends read these books, I was introduced to new perspectives. I started reading other romances. I stopped reading other romances. I was still devoted to this author. And then there started a decline. I don't know if it was because I was outgrowing sappy, or if I finally recognized that I shouldn't be reading such mediocre writing. Still, I clung on. I continued reading the books. And then I read one that I was impressed with. Surely this meant that they were going to continue to get better. But it was just a small hill on a slippery slope down.

I've given up. I've ordered my final book - and I won't be reading any more of this author. I am removing myself from the update list. I am ending my relationship with this author. I just can't take it anymore. I don't know what has happened. But I suspect that the writing has gotten worse. I will read those few that I truly loved and see whether or not it is me or the author. But regardless of the findings - we're through.

It's been a good run. I truly did like those first few that set off a fever. But I can't let this continue. I think this quote probably shows exactly why...

Ridge smiled—his strength suddenly rejuvenated for the sake of his loving want.
Gently—yet boldly—he aggressed—taking Ember in his arms—shifting his weight so
that he hovered over her dominantly.
Embers smiled—weaving her fingers through Ridge’s soft, dark hair.
“I love you, my pretty mermaid,” he breathed a moment before his mouth
demanded hers respond to him.
“I love you,” Ember breathed between impassioned kisses, “my beloved treasure
of the sea.”
And the tide’s soft caress kissed the moonlit shore…

A Crimson Frost - Review

A Crimson Frost by Marcia Lynn McClure

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
A Crimson Frost is quite possibly Marcia Lynn McClure's best story in her whole collection. (Do not confuse this with Broderick being the best hero - I still hold a soft spot for Ryder and Ransom and Mason...)



Set back in the days of kings, queens and valiant knights, A Crimson Frost follows the Crimson Knight and Scarlet Princess as they discover their secreted love for one another while living in exile when war breaks out with a neighboring kingdom.



The style of writing is similar to Born for Thorton's Sake. Her characters are likeable. Not as witty as Ryder - but then, Ryder wasn't dealing with war and threats on the life of his love. There were parts that were a bit redundant - but easily enough played off.



I really enjoyed A Crimson Frost, and felt that it was 1000x better than The Time of Aspen Falls. A Crimson Frost stays true to the reason why I started reading Marcia Lynn McClure in the first place.


View all my reviews.

Death to the Classics

When my brother and sister have a book report it is hard-pressing to actually get them to read the book before doing the report. At Brad's age (16) I had read all the Sweet Valley High books, along with hundreds of pages on WWII and the holocaust. I read every book ever assigned to me in high school (not counting text books) except the ones I found morally offensive. Those were replaced by something else.

Today, my friend (and much grander master-reader than I) sent me this article.

As a result, many 19th-century texts, such as Dickens' "Great Expectations," are disappearing completely from classrooms, deemed "too long, too hard" for attention-deficient teenagers of the 21st century. "Teachers are giving up," Jago says.
-Melissa Slager

The article says that teachers have gotten so desperate for their kids to read, that they are allowing them to read that has anything with a front, cover and inside pages. Not caring whether or not the book is considered a classic or is just pathetic writing in general. I say, that's a good start - but they need more.

Reading breeds better readers (imagine that). So for anyone who gives me the excuse that they are poor readers - it is frustrating. Because the only way they will ever remedy that, is by actually reading.

Authors

I'm one of those people that like once I've ordered something from a restaurant and love it - I hardly ever stray from that one thing. I love yellow curry. I am sure that Thai offers other delicious dishes, but I can't give up my yellow curry! YUM!

The same principle applies to authors. Whenever I find an author that I like, I can't help but go and check out every book that that author has written. This, of course, includes the authors that have written series and sequels. This year, nearly all my authors are releasing new books! I'm so excited. In fact, I used my points from doing surveys on harrispollonline.com to order a couple of them!! (Nothing better than FREE books!)

Anyway...

Stephenie Meyer hasn't written anything new since Breaking Dawn. And I haven't heard any news that she is going to release anything else in the near future. Though she has mentioned something along the lines of mermaids. I'd almost like to see a sequel to The Host. Look, I realize that she is not a brilliant author. But her story ideas are original, interesting and highly entertaining. I love her characterization. Breaking Dawn was admittedly disappointing. But one bad book is not going to sway me from being a fan. I'm loyal.

Eva Ibbotson is hard to find in the U.S. She has written over 20 titles, but not all are available to us Americans. The few that I have found, however, are all on my bookshelf. She specializes in historical fiction that takes place in Europe (mostly) and lots of detail. Normally I have a hard time with paragraphs of detail, but Ibbotson does such a captivating job that I rarely get annoyed. More, she is either completely brilliant, or incredibly talented with research. Her books explore all sorts of careers (zoology, botany, music, etc) and the way she describes the flora and fauna of Brazil would make it seem like she was there in the 1920s. It's rather incredible. I just recently ordered her new book A Reluctant Heiress. I'm very excited.

Diana Gabaldon's books are the longest I've been able to read in quite some time. I haven't gotten into her John Gray series, because frankly, I'm not interested in reading about a gay British officer from the 18th century. However, the Outlander series is AMAZING. I love Jamie Fraser and Claire Beauchamp Randall Fraser. Again, the research that had to go into Gabaldon's work is incredible. Further, Outlander does not just skimp around basic details and facts. Rather, they go into incredible detail of what dentistry or even just personal hygiene would have been like during the Revolutionary War. With books over 800 pages long, you can't help but fall in love with the characters. The story line is fantastic - even if there is a bit of black magic and time travel. And the love stories real. There isn't a lot of fluff, but real fights and general putting up with each other. I can't wait until An Echo in a Bone is released in August. I'm stoked.

Marcia Lynn McClure was first introduced to me by my aunt who warned me of her fluffy, almost corny writing. I read Dusty Britches in a night. Finished Shackles of Honor next; and continued to read and collect until I owned every one of her published books and e-books. The last few releases I've bought on the day of their release. To say that I'm obsessed, well, it might not cover it. MLM and I had a little bit of a tiff after her last book that was released. While not my favorite, it is hard to kill my interest in her "clean romance" novels. It is hard to find romance novels that leave out the raunchy love scenes, but don't focus on God and forgiveness and stuff like that. (Not that I disapprove of God - quite the contrary. However, I don't always want to read this puffed-up Christian novels that quote Bible verses and stuff like such as.) Anyway, the point is - I'm a sucker for the type-cast gorgeous, manly men with morals and chivalry. Most of MLM's heroes make me giggle and I can't help but love that. I recently pre-ordered her newest book A Crimson Frost. And despite the horrible taste her last book left in my mouth - I'm very happy with this soon-to-be purchase. I'm weak.

Julia Quinn created a world in regency London that I haven't gotten sick of yet. I love her Bridgerton series. I have read everything that she has put out on the shelf. (Except some of her e-books, which are not as good as her regular books.) I love the bantering between the characters. I love their personalities. I love how funny these books are, and how English they are. I love that she mentions some of the characters from other books in newer ones, and makes references to things that happen - but not in a way that would confuse you if you hadn't read the other books. She releases a new book in June. I'm thrilled.

Deanne Gist is sort of the author that I already said I didn't like with regards to the romance and the pushy-Christian philosophies. But Gist does a good job of mellowing out her characters. They mention God, forgiveness and the like. They quote Bible verses and worry about "saving" the hero or heroine. But not like others that I've read. Besides that, she's sort of funny. And if not funny, interesting. I love the history and, again, the research she puts throughout the books. Usually her books focus on areas where brides are scarce. I really enjoyed her To Measure a Lady. I like that these are truly clean books. She is also releasing a new book, A Bride in the Bargain, this summer. I'm already planning for it.

J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series was something I tried to avoid. I actually wanted nothing to do with it. I could not understand the obsession with the boy wizard. But last summer, I gave in. I read them all, books 1-7 within a couple of months. I was surprised by the amount of emotion invoked upon my person. How much I hated Delores Umbridge and how much I adored Neville Longbottom. Rowling's story is amazing in itself. I haven't read the books that she has produced since Deathly Hollows. And I don't know that I will - unless I reread the series again, and don't actually want to leave the Harry Potter world. It is incredible the wizard world that she created! And though the movies have little to do with her as an author, I have to say that I saw the trailer for the Half-Blood Prince in the theater last night and: I'm so excited! (I was going to post a picture here too...but I clicked on a pic and it scared the poo out of me when it looked like it was downloading worms, viruses and trojans. Nice. I have given up on a picture for this particular author.)

Of course, there should be some others listed on here too, classics like Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, Charles Dickens, Louisa May Alcott, etc. I'll have to admit, I have not read all of their works - even if I do like the books that I have actually read.

A Year in Provence Review

A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars



View all my reviews.

Self-Discoveries While Studying

A large homework assignment is a great way to learn a few things about yourself. Writing my research paper (due tomorrow) has been no exception. And here's what I've learned:

1. I am more than easily distracted. I am in a perpetual state of distraction.
2. Whenever I get on a roll, it scares me. It's time to take a break and check Facebook, eat or find a roommate. (See #1)
3. I'll lose a lot of weight when I don't have big projects and tests like this. Homework makes me want to stuff my face. Continually. I'm insatiable when I'm studying.
4. Al Capone's Son, Sonny, went to school with Dezi Arnez in Florida. Mary Todd Lincoln was clinically insane, and abused poor Abe (who had lots of his own health problems) Turns out, had Abe not been assisinated, he probably would have died of cancer within the next year, anyway. John Wilkes Booth may have just done our President a huge favor.
5. Bras are uncomfortable. Especially if your skin is of a lobster-ish condition.
6. Eric Clapton is good study music.
7. Just because you are on page 8 of 12 - does not mean you will be done in a mere hour's time. Turns out, those last 4 pages will kill you. Literally.
8. I still have my presentation to go.

Did I mention how glad I will be when this is all over?

Material Girl

It's always the things that we can't have that dominate our thoughts the most.

This is probably the reason I like to read "romance" novels; why I crave chocs and sveets and FOOD every time I think about dieting; and why, oh why, I want to just spend money like crazy ever since I lost my job.

I am lucky I don't have to work right now. This semester I have enough money from a loan that will pay for all my expenses, as long as I keep it closely budgeted and do not spend money on excess or luxury items. Crap.

As soon as I start working again, I am going to go on a shopping spree. And this is what I am going to buy:

1. A trip. I want to get on a plane and go somewhere. Maybe California. Maybe somewhere East. I don't care where - I just want out of Utah.
2. Shoes. Oh, shoes! I need shoes. I want to waterproof my boots. I want to buy a cute pair of black, pointy-toed flats. I want some cute heels that are totally impractical. I want goulashes.
   
3. Clothes. I need clothes, too. I need jeans. I need shirts. I need... I can't have. But I am not going to be worrying about the price when I go shopping. If I want to spend $245 on a cute dress, maybe I'll actually do it... I don't think I could spend that much on a dress. But still. I want to go shopping for clothes and not worry about how much I am paying.
   
4. A camera! Two camera. An SLR and a regular digital camera. Mine is broken and it is very sad.
5. MUSIC! I want to go onto a website and download a bunch of music, legally. But that costs money. I will wait.
6. Books. I could spend a lot of money on books. I already spend more than I should. I would spend more if I could.
7. Pedicures. Heaven on earth, need I say more?
8. New kitchen stuff. In the past weeks I've lost a cake decorating tip, a can opener, and a beer glass. My pots are ruined, and we eat Teflon-peppered food on a regular basis. I would love to change this.
9. A gym membership. Yes, that's right. And one that I would use too.
10. Furniture. Like a bed frame. And a dresser. A side table and a lamp. Oh the possibilities of making my new room CUTE! I don't want plastic furniture anymore.

*Sigh.* Someday. Someday soon I will be able to have a little bit of extra cash. But until then, keep me out of the stores!

Aspen Falls Review

The Time of Aspen Falls by Marcia Lynn McClure

The Time of Aspen Falls is a plotless love story set in modern day Albuquerque, New Mexico. It revolves around Aspen Falls, a twenty something book store clerk and her ultimate dream guy, Rake Locker, who happens to be the very essence of what a real man should be. If the storyline redeemed the choice of names, I would have forgiven MLM, but there simply is no story.


Aspen and her best friend Gina are supposed to be twenty-something-year olds who seem to have their own apartments and jobs, but still spend time sitting in a tree that they have played in since they were little girls. They are ridiculously silly and their dialogue is reminiscent of speaking to my 91-year old grandmother. They enjoy watching Leave it to Beaver, who as a 23-year old, I have never watched a full episode and doubt very much that my peers would enjoy such a show. This horrible habit of Marcia Lynn McClure's, that is mentioning song titles and TV shows, is perhaps a personal preference, but I like my stories to be timeless. And when such specific mention of Actresses, current fads, etc. are mentioned, it bugs me. Not to mention that Aspen and Gina were drooling over an 80-year old man (who turns out to be Rake's grandfather) and Sean Connery. The current 20-something-year old, especially the younger versions, probably do not even know who Sean Connery is! Other mentions of iPods, Angelina Jolie, and Stephenie Meyer's Twilight books were not only unnecessary, but oftentimes ridiculous.


If I had been able to read the Author's Note before purchasing the book, it might have changed my mind as to whether or not I paid for it. Marcia admits that there is much of herself put into the story. I don't have a problem with that, except Marcia isn't 20-something, and it shows through her characters that she doesn't seem to know how a real 20-something-year old actually speaks and what their interests are. Her use of the word "cool" was just silly at times, and trust me, there was a lot worse. The obsession with the Balloon Fair was over done, the mention that Rake wears white underwear made me throw up a little in my mouth, and Gina's fetish with UPS guys was completely unfathomable and uncomfortable.


MLM's hero and heroine is patented. They are basically all the same in all of her books. There is a reason I have read all of her books - it works. However, in The Time of Aspen Falls, Rake was just too perfect. Except his name. Rake Locker. Rake Locker? I wanted to throw my book across the room in disgust when I read his name. And unfortunately, I came across that feeling more than once as I read. The costume party where he dresses up as "Rochester Darcy - the vampire" made me want to scream at somebody. The fact that he was a Victorian Cowboy (professional rodeo champion, by the way), that wore Nike (again with the modern-day mention of a brand) basketball shoes while running, was the perfect physique and still had perfect manners, morals, and standards, was too too much. Not to mention is was a Master Clockmaker, and a pretty successful one at that. Of course he was. His family was perfect. He was perfect. He disgusted me.


Their relationship was something incredibly perfect as well. Apparently they were mutually attracted to each other for weeks - from the moment they laid eyes on each other, they knew that they were going to fall in love. It took a crazy phobia attack to get them to finally meet, but then after that, it all moved so quickly. They were immediately in love, even though they didn't really know each other. Throughout the story there is mention of past heartbreak, a name attached to it even, but no real explanation for any of it. Gina's story is even more ridiculous - it leads to a make-out session on the day she MEETS her dream guy.


Over all, I wasted a few hours of my weekend reading this book. Worse, I wasted money I didn't have buying this book. I knew that The Time of Aspen Falls was going to be cheesy and typical. But I enjoy MLM's Westerns and Regency books (at least they leave Donny Osmond, UPS, and Edward out of it)and have liked a FEW of her modern ones; though, they tend to get increasingly worse. If she would leave out her personal convictions and work on developing the characters, while allowing for a little flaw in her hero and a little more confidence in her heroine, she would do a lot better.

Trench Coat Flasher

As I walking up the steps that lead to our hot tub and inevitably my warm apartment, I had just finished a book that wasn't something that I needed to dwell on - it was full of fluff. You don't dwell on that sort of thing, especially when you don't participate in your own life. There is something about reading for a couple hours and then snapping your head up and realizing that you are back in real life. But you're still in transition mode, you put the car in drive and it seems like you are on auto-pilot until you get home. And then you start thinking.

I was thinking, as I climbed the stairs, that it was cold. Dang cold. But I was grateful, for once, that I was not in Ohio - because I hear that it is even colder in the midwest. Still, I was anticipating getting back inside, or wishing that I had never left the warmth of my car. And then I thought, "At least my boots match my coat." I'm not sure how that justified the cold, but it did. Because I hadn't taken my coat off all day. In fact, I had completely forgotten what I had chosen to wear yesterday because I had not seen the outfit all day. So I thought, "Heck, why do I dirty my clothes then? I could just wear absolutely nothing under my coat - save my self the chore of doing laundry (which I hate) and spending money on laundry detergent and softner and bleach." I contemplated that for a full 10 seconds and further realized that I have to wear clothes underneath, if simply for the layers. Layers are what make the coat work after all, I think. Whether or not that is true, you are advised to wear layers in the cold. So dang, guess I won't be going freestyle under my coat.

In related news, I found a cute jacket that I bought last year, maybe the year before, but I haven't worn it since I bought it. Because it was in the truck of my car, I had forgotten about it. I finally pulled it out, washed it, and now I am wearing it. Too bad that I'll leave my house, put on my coat, and no one will see it until spring.

I am grateful I'm not in Ohio right now...it's freezing there. Or at least, that is what I keep telling myself.

The Awesome Things You Learn in College

The following is a list that has been compiled over the first week of school of amazing things I have learned...gosh, I love school! I will most assuredly be updating this list.

1. "From the point of view of the mythical Grim Reaper, Americans are most elusive at ages 10 and 11 when only one in every 5,000 people dies, and most vulnerable at age 122 when virtually everyone is harvested." - Population: A Lively Introduction*. Population Geography**
2. "The effect of the weather on the inhabitants of Provence [France] is immediate and obvious. They expect every day to be sunny, and their disposition suffers when it isn't. Rain they take as a personal affront, shaking their heads and commiserating with each other in the cafes, looking with profound suspicion at the sky as though a plague of locusts is about to descend, and picking their way with distaste through the puddles on the pavement. (If he weren't talking about the French, he most certainly would be talking about our apartment...) If anything worse than a rainy day should come along, such as this sub-zero snap, the result is startling: most the population disappears... But what did everyone else do? The earth was frozen, the vines were clipped and dormant, it was too cold to hunt. Had they all gone on holiday?...It was a puzzle, until we realized how many of the local people had their birthdays in September or October, and then a possible but unverifiable answer suggested itself: they were busy indoors making babies. There is a season for everything in Provence, and the first two months of the year must be devoted to procreation. We have never dared to ask." -A Year in Provence, Peter Mayle. Travel Geography
3. My teacher, Dr. Hardin, is the "best darn apologizer in the world!" -GEOG 211 Syllabus. Map Use and Analysis (I thought I had a list of things from the syllabus that I thought was hilarious, but I think it was just what he told us in class.)

*I am not going to properly cite everything. Take the title. If you want more information, you can contact me, but I doubt very much you'd be interested in reading full articles, text books, and various hodge-podge material that I am studying.
**This is the class that I was doing homework for when I encountered these gems of knowledge. Just for proof that I am studying ALL of my classes, whether I like them or not.