Book Review: Proof by Seduction by Courtney Milan

Book Title: Proof by Seduction
Author: Courtney Milan
Pages: 345
Publisher: HQN Books
Genre: Historical Romance

{Scale Explanation: 1) Meaning awful, 5) Meaning not good, but not bad-equal, 10) Meaning wonderful}

PLOT - 10
CHARACTERS - 10
BEGINNING - 10
ENDING - 10
FLOW - 10
OVERALL - 10

Can you tell I loved this book?

What I liked about this book: It was amazing how Courtney was able to bring it all together. I loved the details, the descriptions of what the different characters saw in the other characters eyes at any given time. Eyes can say a lot about a person. I love the witty arguements that the two main characters exchanged often throughout the book. I enjoyed the dilema that learning about themselves brought upon the two main characters and how that affected the multi-faceted lives they lead. And of course, the love scenes were very sensual and very romantic. Oh, and the male leading character reminded me of myself so much.

What I disliked about this book: Absolutely nothing. This book seemed to be everything that I never knew that I would like in a book. This was my first venture into historical romance and I will continue to explore the genre in the future. Especially anything that Courtney Milan writes.

Who I would recommend this book to: Anyone that likes historical romance books, or would like to venture into this genre. Anyone who loves to read a good love story, and anyone that is very scientific as you will relate to the male lead character as I have done.

What I felt the book was about: A love story, clear as that. Of course, there is much deeper things throughout the story than just the love story. Madame Esmeralda is a fortune-teller, but she has only chosen this profession because she refuses to join society int he oonly roles she could ever fill with her social status. She has been consulting Ned Carhart for two years, and they have grown close, just about as family members, but Ned's cousin, the Marquess of Blakely, Gareth Carhart wants to prove Madame Esmeralda a fraud by scientific experiments with her fortune-telling abilities. He wants to prove her a fraud to teach Ned not to be so trusting and to try to make Ned like him. He is a cold man, with no room in his life for love, or friendship. Meeting Madame Esmeralda turns his life upside down in his mind, making him question everything about himself and how he view people and the world. But at the same time, Gareth makes Madame Esmeralda question who she really is and why she has chosen this path for her life. Through all of this, there are witty arguements, interesting conversations and situations, and a few silly humiliating tasks that Madame Esmeralda gives to Lord Blakely. In the end, oh wait, I don't tell anyone the ending. You just have to read it, because you will love it. :)

Favorite excerpts or quotes from the book:
""Fun?" He raised one eyebrow. His tone disparaged the preposterous. Magic? Killer unicorns? Fun?!" - Page 103
That's just my favorite, but there are so many more, but if I put them on here, it will ruin the story for anyone that intends to read it, so read it! :)

Thank you

Upcoming Book Review: The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury

Hopefully, by tonight or by tomorrow, I'll have my review up for this wonderful science fiction masterpiece by one of the most gifted and strange authors of all time.

Excerpt from back of book:

A skillfull blending of fancy and satire, terror and tenderness, wonder and contempt by the author of THE ILLUSTRATED MAN. A glimpse of things to come-A glance at the past. Here is ay Bradbury's sometimes eerie, sometimes poetic fantasy about the colonization of Mars. The story of familiar people and familiar passions set against the incredible beauties of a new world.

Photos From Snow Storms Past

First Snow of the Season

I'm so giddy about this, but just a few days ago we had our first snow storm of the season. With many more on the way, told by the weather lady in this area, there should be many photos of snow posted to my blog. I've posted a few pictures from last years snow storms.

Excitement Over a Holiday Toy

So, this commercial featuring a race track for Lightning McQueen and Mack from the Disney/Pixar movie Cars, aired a week ago and my son reacted so crazy the first time through, that we rewound it and allowed him to watch it again, video-taped of course.

The First Day of NaNoWriMo Freedom

So, all of the NaNo writer's out there must be feeling some sort of relief at this point. The month of November is over, you have either written a lot of words, or completed a 50,000 word novel, or for those over acheivers out there, a few of my friends included, you have doubled the 50,000 word count and went into 100k territory.

Congratulations!
You have achieved something that most of us only dream about, or think is impossible.
Guess what, we all have a novel inside us and it's just a matter of getting it out, so if you didn't finish with NaNo, keep going, maybe it will take you a few months, a few years, a few weeks, a few more hours, several decades. No matter what, the satisfaction of finishing a novel is within you, so go for it. It's like nothing you've ever felt.

Also, I'd like to tell everyone that now is the time to release that big breath of air you took in on November 1st, relax!
You can now take showers, eat, spend time with your family that's wondering if you died in your room. Re=connect with your brain, and go outside. Winter is the best time of year, enjoy the cool breeze and fall colors that are washing away.
You deserve it.

Just one more month and 2010 will be here.
What are your goals?
Share in the comments section or write them down for yourself, but keep track of them.

My goals are to finish a novel, submit stuff for publishing, even if it is through literary magazine's, complete Scriptfrenzy, Complete NaNo, teach my son everything that I can, lose 50 pounds, read, read, read, write, write, write, and enjoy life.

Hope to see you all around here soon. Maybe a contest is in the works for next year.

:)

NaNoWriMo 2009 Winner

Well, today, I completed the task of completing a 50,000 word novel in the month of November for the NaNoWriMo challenge.

I'm so happy that I was able to do this, but boy am I done with writing for at least a month. I'm off to read, my hands don't want to type anymore. LOL

I'm so proud of everyone that completed the NaNoWriMo challenge and those that participated, even if you didn't complete a novel, you tried and that in itself is a great personal challenge.

Thank you.

NaNoWriMo 2009 Progress

Grand total so far: 35,946.



I am making great progress, my only problem is that I know what I am to write, but I just have to make myself sit down and type. I will do it, I just have to focus.



Congratulations to all of my friends that have already finished their NaNoWriMo novels, or at least have passed the 50,000 word mark:



Ilana Wilson


Jayda Harrison


Brigid Gorry-Hines



If I find out more of my friends have finished, I'll add their names here as well. Such a great accomplishment to accomplish!!!


Great job everyone!

Upcoming Book Review: Proof by Seduction by Courtney Milan

Well, I have already read this book, but I am working on the review. Let me tell you this book was amazing. Just wow! Anyway, I received a free advance copy via Visual Bookshelf from Facebook and read the whole book in a matter of hours. Could not put it down. Possibly going to post the review today. Look for it!

Excert from back cover:

She is his last chance at happiness...

Jenny Keeble has never let her humble upbringing stop her. She's made her way in the world as a fortune teller, one who convinces her clients her predictions are correct by telling them what they most want to hear. Business is good... until she meets her match in the form of Gareth Carhart, the Marquess of Blakely, a scientist and sworn bachelor.

He just doesn't know it yet...

Broodingly handsome, Gareth is apalled to discover his cousin has fallen under the spell of 'Madame Esmeralda,' and he vows to prove her a fraud. But his unexpected attraction to the fiery enchantress defies logic. Jenny disrupts every facet of Gareth's calculated plan-until he can't decide whether to ruin her or to claim her for his own. Now, as they engage in a passionate battle of wills, two lonely souls must choose between everything they know... and the boudless possibilities of love.

A Fun and Exciting Program

Wow, just wow. I had such a blast yesterday on the blog talk radio show hosted by Storyheart. Thirty minutes is just not enough time to get everything out, though it was a very fun chat. If you would like to listen to the show, please visit the websites I have below.

To check out the show, with past guests go to

http://www.blogtalkradio/Across-the-Pond

To check out the show where I was a guest go to

http://www.blogtalkradio/Across-the-Pond/2009/11/09/A-Book-and-a-Chat-Paige-Ray

For an mp3 file of the show visit

http://www.romance2read.com/show-paige.mp3

To visit Storyheart's blogs go to

http://www.acrossthepond-storyheart/blogspot.com

http://www.stpryheart52.wordpress.com/

http://www.storyheart52.livejournal.com/

For Storyheart's Book Website go to

http://www.across-t-pond.com/

For the Amazon.com reviews of Storyheart's book, please visit

http://www.tinyurl.com/o7sokp

For YouTube video's featuring Storyheart visit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2hn1q0DZ34

You can also follow Storyheart on:

Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/storyheart

Twitter

http://www.twitter.com/Storyheart52

Thank you and I hope that you can listen. It was such a blast to do and I really enjoyed chatting with Storyheart for the show.

NaNoWriMo 2009 Progress

I feel like a molten ball of fire circling the sun. I have been going like a writing madman. Oh wait, writer's are mad men. LOL JK

Anyway, I wanted to share with all of my fellow NaNo'ers that I have reached 13,046 words as of 1:30am last night.

I hope that I don't slow down, I'm just so excited about actually doing this. I have to finish this challenge, to complete my first novel. I have so many, too many stories/novels that are 36,000 words or less and abruptly stopped and I cannot continue. Hopefully, this will fuel the desire to finish something.

Good luck NaNo'ers. Day 6 is tomorrow and word counts should be at roughly 10,000 to be on track to meet the 50,000 word goal by November 30th.

A Book and a Chat with Paige Ray

A Book and a Chat with Paige Ray

I'm going to be the guest on a blog talk radio show on November 9, 2009 at 6:30pm EST.

Here is the link to the radio show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond

The blog talk radio show is hosted by Storyheart, the author of the popular YA novel, Across the Pond. I have posted an image of his book to the left.

Here is the link to his book: http://www.across-t-pond.com/

Here is the link to his blog: http://www.acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/

He has a few other blogs that you can follow if you go to his blog that I have posted.

Also, you can purchase his book from his website and even get an autographed copy for a little extra. You can purchase from Amazon and as of a June 2009 press release from Storyheart's website, you can pick it up at any local bookstore. Bravo, Storyheart!

I am in the process of completing a review for my blog about his book so that I can help get the word out to YA enthusiasts and book reader enthusiasts period that this is a great book to read. I truly enjoyed reading it.

I always have his blog talk radio show widget on the side of my blog for all that want to listen.

I'm so excited and I hope that everyone tunes in.

NaNoWriMo 2009 Progress

I am so happy. I reached 9,004 words last night. I averted much sleep, but I am on a roll. Hopefully, I can get to 20,000 before the end of this week. If I finish this challenge, I will have written my only 50,000 word novel and I will have written my only finished novel. Maybe after NaNo is over, I can get back to my other novel that is a meekly 36,000 words. LOL

Good luck to all of the NaNo writers out there. We are just a few days in and this challenge is great!

NaNoWriMo 2009 Finally Here

WOOHOO!!! 2,764 words so far today.

NaNoWriMo has officially started.

I am so excited. Good luck to all of the participants!

Happy writing!

Our New Pet: Steve The Spider

Against my better judgement, I had agreed to let my husband bring this guy home. If you have any idea what kind of spider, Steve may be, please let me know. I have searched all over the internet with no luck. The video is slightly blurry, but he is brownish tan, kind of yellowish, with a few black spots on his abdomen and a large Y on his abdomen in the center. He is wearing black socks and he is very hairy, like an elderly man hairy. He eats moths like crazy, they are his favorite, but he also likes other spiders. He has shiny black fangs or the appendages that the fangs are attached to and his venom glands behind his fangs are shiny red. I will not hold this thing. He stays in his container, but let me know if you know what type of spider he may be. Thank you.

My Writing on Goodreads.com

Well, I have decided to take down most of my writing from the Goodreads website. It was a choice that I made with regrets. I loved reading the comments that people had posted about my writing. It's the kind of thing that makes you feel like you actually have some talent. But in my ventures to try to get some of my stuff published, I just had to take most of it down. Maybe if I get some things published, I will post links or the actual story on my blog. Whatever is ok legally. I sure do hope that I can get some things published to start building my writer's resume.

Wish me luck!

NaNoWriMo 2009

Oh my goodness!! I am so excited. NaNoWriMo starts in just a few days. This will be my first year participating and I sure hope that I can beat the challenge.

As you can see, I have already made a book cover for my tentative title of my new NaNo novel. We will see how it progresses and what I end up with.

I am so happy that I already have my character bios and my outline ready to go. I just need November 1st to roll around so that I can start writing.

Good luck to everyone that is participating.

My NaNo screen name is: PaigeRay23. Add me if you haven't already.

Goodreads/Writers Review and Short Stories/September 2009 Short Story Contest Winner: Marley with 'Late Nights'

Goodreads Website

Writers Review and Short Stories Group

September 2009 Short Story Contest Winner

Marley with 'Late Nights'

Genre: Realistic Fiction/Romance

Word Count: 923

(September's Genre was *author's choice*, the topic was Night Activities. The word count minimum was 300 words and the maximum was 3000 words.)

Here is a link: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/204775-september-2009

You can view the other participants here as well.

Here is the story:

The door slams shut at 1 in the morning. Every night, he never fails to be on time, he never needs to make up an excuse, and I think he genuinely wants to be here. The city is quiet and he has abandoned it, after all the entire town is his office. He is my man in uniform, even though, I'd rather see him without it. He sneaks out of it and sits down onto the bed next to me and whispers.

"Honey, I'm home." In a joking tone.

"I noticed. Why the whispering, we are the only ones here." I whisper back. The TV illuminates the room. It flashes by on mute.

"It fit the mood. So how was your evening?" He says smiling and taking his shoes off.

"Lonely, it always seems that way. But only a week left of these late night shifts, correct?" I say, grinning at the thought of spending actual time together, instead of just night time chats. We had only gotten married two months ago, and it was already harder than expected.

He winces at this, his face contorted in an irritated way. "Well..." The word trails off as he walks clumsily into the kitchen and brings back a plate of leftover lasagna. He sits on the bed again, and picks at it nervously.

"There's a problem." He says, disappointed. I should have seen this coming.

"Really?" I say, in a slightly pained tone. "And that problem, does it lead to more of these late nights?"

"Yes." The word stumbles out of his mouth.

"And is this another impossible to turn down offer? I mean, is the pay that spectacular?" I say, biting at him. I'm trying not to be angry.

"Relax. I'll turn it down. If it means that much to you. I just thought we could use it. We needed to get back on our feet. I mean, we did want to buy a house. I know that might be looking far ahead, but one day, it will be time to move." He says. I agree in my mind, but no way am I going to show him that.

"You make the decision. Don't go by what I say. You're your own person. I just..." I struggle to find words that sound hopeful, "don't want this to fall apart."

"I understand, and it won't. I personally like the night. Don't you feel like you're the only person around? Like the world is all yours. I mean, we could do anything right now. There are still places to be. In fact, get your coat." He says, putting his clothes back on.

"Are you insane, it's past one!" I mumble as he drags me out of bed, and shuts off the TV. The remote misses the bed, and clatters to the ground. I am skeptical about what he is doing, but laugh at his bad aim, and put on a dress and sandals.

"Yes, quite insane, but you asked for it." He says, leading me out the door.

I slip my coat on as we walk down the stairs; he begins to walk towards the center of town.

"So, what do you want to do first, my dear?" He says, stopping by a bench in the town square. I look at the assortment of bars and closed cafes. I look for a way to torture him. Then I see the perfect outlet for my frustration.

"Karaoke." I say, pointing a bar across the road. "Consider it your punishment for taking more late shifts."

"Does that mean I am taking the job?" He says with a look of slight enthusiasm for winning the fight.

"Depends how good your singing is." I say running before a car. We enter the bar to drunken off-key duets being shoved off the stage.

We flip through a book of songs, bickering over which would be best to perform. Finally deciding on an old Seether song featuring a femal artist. Which, though quite depressing, worked out perfectly, or we thought it did, as the drunks seemed to clap graciously. He bowed in mock grandeur, making a fool of himself, and I followed him off the stage, and to the bar, where we were promptly served a drink.

"Ha, I feel sort of absurd. That was nerve-wracking." He says before downing a drink.

"It's just a house full of crazy people, the one place you don't have to worry about making a fool of yourself. Never be embarassed of things like this, they'll have forgoten how flat your notes were by tomorrow." I say.

"And here I was thinking I was a prodigy, how blunt you are." He responds.

"You are far too old to be a prodigy!" I say, finishing up my drink. "But, I'll take you even though you lack musical talent."

"Speaking of taking, can I take you home now? I think I have proven there are thrills at night. I mean, my stomach is still twisted, and my heart is still pounding, so to me that was thrilling." He says, I nod, and take his hand, pulling him out the door of the shabby bar.

"You better sleep, you have a long day of work tomorrow." I say. "And another late night. What a shame."

"Well, it can't be helped." The walk home is peaceful, it seems as though the world is empty, and we are all alone.

In a way, I like this feeling. I mean, I could do anything at night, couldn't I?

END STORY

Thank you Marley for your wonderful contribution to the monthly short story contest.

Lake Exploration

Hiking at the River

Monthly Short Story Contest

In the Writer's Review group on Goodreads.com, we have a monthly short story contest. The contest for September is going on right now and as of today, we only have one entry. Thank you Lorna for you entry. We would like to have more so that we can vote for a winner. Remember the winner will be placed on my blog here and on the main moderator Kyle's blog for display. Please enter the contest if you are interested.

Here is the link:

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/204775-september-2009

The Giraffe Experience: A New Obsession

A New Friend at the Zoo

The Zoo Trip

A Note About Book Reviews

As I read through my book review last night, it ocurred to me that by my description, it may not seem as though I have actually read the book. Please do not be alarmed. I read like a mad man. I just don't like my reviews to give too much information about the book away. I don't want someone to go pick up the book right after they have read my review and already know everything that happens in the book.

So, my reviews might be a little vague, but I just prefer not to give too much valuable information away.

Thank you.

Book Review: Galapagos by Kurt Vonnegut

BOOK REVIEW

Book Title: Galapagos

Author: Kurt Vonnegut

Pages: 295

Publisher: Doubleday

(Scale Explanation: 1) Meaning awful, 5) Meaning not good, but not bad, equal, 10) Meaning wonderful)

PLOT - 8

CHARACTERS - 9

BEGINNING - 7

ENDING - 7

FLOW - 6

OVERALL - 7

What I liked about this book: This book was the starter of my Vonnegut reading crusade. Although the ending wasn't the best ending to a book that I have ever read, it drew me into Vonnegut's writing. The whole way that this book is written creates a different kind of flow than what 'normal' readers would want. It's slightly choppy, yet completely characteristic to Vonnegut's work. He ends up telling you all about his characters at different points of the book, there is no information dump. I liked how you get a few details throughout the book here and there about what has happened to the human race and how he gives you little foreshadowing details about each characters coming actions. I was very intrigued with Vonnegut's writing from reading this book.


What I disliked about this book: The only thing that I would say that disliked about this book was the choppiness, but some people like that, as I have grown to like that by reading other Vonnegut books. He gives choppy writing a sense of organization that I have never seen done by any other author ever to have existed. It's wonderfully organized chaos.


Who I would recommend this book to: Anyone who is a fan of Vonnegut's writing or wants to get a feel for different styles of writing.


What I felt the book was about: Basically, I understood that this book was being written by a man who was a ghost a million years into the future from 1986. The narrator briefly explains his life from time to time so that you get a feel for him, but he also explains each characters lives and what their lives will become as the book proceeds. The narrator has seen what caused the human apocalypse and explains what happened to humanity in the course of that million years that he has been waiting for Heaven to open up and allow him to enter for the last time. Apparently, humanity has taken a turn for the life of a water dweller seeing as how the narrator explains certain aspects of human nature in the end of his term of living as a ghost on earth. The big part of the Galapagos in this book is to say that the group of humans that were set to go on the 'Nature Cruise of the Century,' a tour of the Galapagos islands on a boat, these humans had to escape the chaos that was beginning on the main continent of South America. Unfortunately, they ended up being stranded on one of the Galapagos Islands where they became the founders of the new humans that came to live on the Galapagos Islands. It was a very strange work of fiction, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.


Favorite/Hated excerpts or quotes from the book: I was unable to choose my favorite before I had to check the book back into the library, but I will update as soon as I get it back.



Thank you!

Book Reviewing Format

I decided to just post a little example of what my book reviews will look like. (A note: I will post the scale with every book review so that you don't have to look back at this post in the future.)

EXAMPLE BOOK REVIEW:

(There will be a photo of the cover of the book with each review.)

Book Title: Blah Blah Blah

Author: Noname Nobody

Pages: 368

Publisher: The Publishing Company
Genre: Fiction

SCALE EXPLANATION: Scale is 1-10: 1) Meaning awful, 5) Meaning not good, but not bad, equal, 10) Meaning wonderful

Rated on:

PLOT - 1-10

CHARACTERS - 1-10

BEGINNING - 1-10

ENDING - 1-10

FLOW - 1-10

OVERALL - 1-10

(A note: Characters rating is based on the actual character personalities and actions throughout the book, how well the author established their characters.)
(A note: Beginning is based on how well the first chapter of the book grabbed attention.)
(A note: Ending is based on how well the last chapter or the actual last page of the book went with the plot, and if it would coerce me to read another book by that author.)


What I liked about the book: blah blah blah blah...

What I disliked about the book: blah blah blah blah...


Who I would recommend it to: blah blah blah blah...

What I felt the book was about: blah blah blah blah...


Favorite/Hated excerpts or quotes from the book: blah blah blah blah...




And that is it. There will be a few new book reviews up this weekend. Hope you enjoy. Thank you!

Writing Progress Updates: September 5, 2009

So, I have been thinking of some things to add to my blog to make it more interesting. The following idea may not be that interesting, but I thought it would be a fun thing to add.

I have decided to start adding my writing progress updates as often as possible to keep me writing. It should be a great way for me to push myself to write more.
I'll go ahead and start with the total that I have written since the beginning of September since it's always great to start something at the beginning of a month. :)


Sept. 1 - Sept. 5, 2009
Word Count: 2,400
From: Worked on development for my NaNoWriMo story, Character bios for a screenplay, editting on Portland, and a short story entitled 'The End of Summer' for Weekly Story Contest group on Goodreads.

Links to Great Stories: Paige(Tink)

Ok, here is another author that I greatly wanted to showcase.

She has the same name as I do so that makes her cool already, but the great thing about Paige(Tink) is that she was the first person that I ever had interactions with on Goodreads. I was reading through some of the writing that was on the website and I saw Paige(Tink), and was interested to see what another Paige would write. So, I read her story, Soulfire, and I messaged her telling her how great I thought the story was and how I enjoyed it greatly. She then invited me to join a group called Write in 2009. Which is a great group, by the way. There are a lot of encouragements in the group. Anyway, Tink also has a Weekly Short Story Contest Group that I am a part of and I actually won a contest recently. YAY! There is great fun in that group as well. Unfortunately, she has taken Soulfire down as she submits it to Publishers, which is great. But she is writing on the second book in the series entitled Heartfire, which I would recommend to anyone. There are also other stories by Paige(Tink) on her profile.

Please visit her writing and let her know what you think.

http://www.goodreads.com/story/list/868779

INTERVIEW

P: Why do you write?

T: I write because it's the one thing that's mine and mine alone, the world I control. With a few words, I can change anything. I can believe in happy endings and I can be cynical. I can be whoever I want to be, and no one's there to judge me or to tell me that I'm not fooling anyone. Writing is also my release, my escape from the real world. I write, therefore, I live.

P: Who is(are) your favorite author(s)?

T: My gosh, so many, J.K. Rowling, Stephenie Meyer, Rick Riordan, Alyson Noel, Cassandra Clare, P.C. Cast + Kristin Cast, Lisi Harrison, Michael Buckley, on and on and on. I could never pick just one.

P: What do you plan on doing with your life?

T: Well, right now Plan A goes something like, get Soulfire published, finish my trilogy, hopefully be successful, move to Seattle, write as a career, live happily ever after. Will I write more books after this trilogy? I don't know. I just let my fingers fly across the keyboard and go where it takes me.

P: What is your favorite type of writing to write?

T: I like urban fantasy, which is kind of like a blend of realistic fiction and fantasy. It's usually set in modern time, but has something in it that doesn't exist in real life, like say, people with paranormal powers. Or tough chicks who set things on fire. :)

P: What gave you the idea to write Soulfire?

T: I was actually sick when I started Soulfire and when an idea popped into my head, I just started typing. I finished nine chapters in one day, and then all of a sudden, I went Hey! This isn't bad! And then went on from there. My characters are very real to me, and it's hard to believe that they only exist in my mind. The always seem so alive.

Thank you.

NaNoWriMo Coming Up!

Ok, I just wanted to share that NaNoWriMo is coming up and I am extremely excited for it this year. This will be my first year of participation in this event.

Here is the link to the website:

http://www.nanowrimo.org/

My screen name on the NaNoWriMo website is: PaigeRay23

Be my friend, the more the merrier.

I sure hope that many people decide to do this endeavor. It seems to be great fun.

Links to Great Stories: Lorna

Ok, here is another excellent writer to showcase.

Her name is Lorna and I just met her in Goodreads about a month or two ago. I know I don't really keep track of time. Anyway, I read some of her work and I was amazed. She is a great writer and I am so thankful that she decided to share her writing with Goodreads so that I was able to read it. Please visit her writing below.

http://www.goodreads.com/story/list/1935279

INTERVIEW:

P: Why do you write?
L: I write simply because it's fun. Hmm...I've just read what I wrote and it's all true, but I think there is something else. I need an escape ALL the time, when I can't read, when I'm doing the shopping, at work, etc. When I'm writing a story, it gives me something to emerse myself in when I need it the most. It's a distraction I can use no matter where I am or what I'm doing. Maybe that's why people think I'm ditzy! It's not because I'm clumbsy or forgetful, it's that I'm inventing, picturing, changing, planning my story!

P: Who is(are) your favorite author(s)?
L: Anne Rice is my absolute favorite. I also admire J.K. Rowling, Joanne Harris, Jane Austen, Gary Kilworth, John Marsden, Jean M. Auel, Douglas Adams, Anne Holme...among others.

P: What do you plan on doing with your life?
L: I am studying to be a copyeditor, and after that I hope to be an editor, maybe with my own business. Then when I'm rich enough (lol), I'd like to open a new and used book shop.

P: What is your favorite type of writing to write?
L: Period, some fantasy. Adventure, mostly.

P: What is Australia like to you?
L: Hot, and unwelcoming. It is a beautiful country, but I don't feel I belong here. Sounds silly, but I miss the country I was born in even though I don't remember it. I want to move back there (Scotland) in the hopes that I will acquire some sense of belonging.

Thank you.

Poetry

Links to Great Stories: Kyle

Ok, yet another showcased author.

Kyle is a writer on Goodreads, like all of the other authors I have met. He is an excellent fantasy writer and he was recently published in an arts magazine out of Davis, California. He is a very nice, easy-going person and I feel as though his writing somewhat refelects that characteristic. Please, check out his writing.

http://www.goodreads.com/story/list/2183713

INTERVIEW:

P: Why do you write?

K: I write because it gives me a creative release. Ideas flow in my head constantly and leaving them there would drive me crazy so they have to go onto the paper.

P: Who is(are) your favorite author(s)?

K: My favorite authors are Maria V. Snyder, James Joyce, Richelle Mead, and Fitzgerald to name a few.

P: What do you plan on doing with your life?

K: I hope to be a writer, but if I can't do that, I want to be a teacher or a pediatric physical therapist, jobs to have before I hopefully become a writer.

P: What type of writing do you like to write"

K: I love Urban Fantasy, but Young Adult is also fun because I think it's good to write a story that other young adults would find interesting. Also, Realistic Fiction is a passion on mine.

P: What is your favorite season?

K: Fall because of the changing of the leaves, and the cool weather is very inspirational, not to mention, that's also when football starts. :)

Thank you.

Links to Great Stories: Davis

Ok, here is another great writer to showcase.

He is on Goodreads, and his writing is fabulous. He is very opinionated and sometimes to the certain type of person a bit over-bearing and overly outspoken, but he is an amazing writer. It is so hard to believe how young he is when you read his writing. It's very inspirational for authors that want to write in another genre or are thinking about trying a new style of writing. Anyway, here is a link to his writing and I hope you enjoy.

http://www.goodreads.com/story/list/2160575

INTERVIEW:

P: Why do you write?

D: I just feels natural. I love language, and playing with it, which writing clearly allows me to do. I've always had an active imagination, so writing fiction allows me to explore that. I'm very outspoken, so through essays, I am able to eloquently express my views. I could prattle on about this question for days.

P: Who is(are) your favorite author(s)?

D: John Steinbeck, David Foster Wallace, and James Joyce are my top three, usually. I'm recently into John Blarth, Pynchon, and some of the other post-modernists. John Updike is a recent love of mine, an idol really. He was so prolific! Mark Twain, of course, the American Bard, as they say. F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gatsby is one of the greatest pieces of fiction of all time. Hemingway, grace under pressure, great stuff. Charles Bukowski, the poet from the gutter. Great, raw stuff. He really is very, very, very under-appreciated. Kerouac, On The Road really inspired me to start writing. Of course, the Russians, Tolstoy and Dostoevsky. Kafka, because he was post-modern when Modernism was just getting started. My guilty pleasure would have to be Pat Conroy. Prince of Tides is an amazing book, everyone should read it.

P: What do you plan on doing with your life?

D: Hopefully, complete an English Ph.D program at a prestigious East coast college. and then write for a living.

P: What is your favorite type of writing to write?

D: It's a tie between the short story, critical essay, and free verse poem. I love all of them.

P: Who is your idol?

D: David Foster Wallace, without a doubt. Steinbeck, Joyce, and Updike(for the sheer volume of work he produced) as well.

Thank you.

Upcoming Book Review: Galapagos by Kurt Vonnegut

I just read this book a few weeks ago and I tell you, it was amazing. But I still have to put together the actual review for it. I should have this up in the next week.

Links to Great Stories: D.B. Pacini

Once again, here is a link to a writer.

D.B. Pacini is an excellent writer. I haven't read her book The Loose End of the Rainbow as of yet, but I have read a few things that she has written and I am in the process of reading The Loose End of the Rainbow. Here are a few links to her, her writing, and her blog.

http://www.astarrynightproductions.com/

http://www.astarrynightproductions.com/creative/creativeartisits.html

http://www.goodreads.com/dbpacini

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2920536.D_B_Pacini/blog

Thank you.

Link to Great Stories: Marley

As promised, here is my first link to a great writer.

I met her on Goodreads and I have loved every bit of her writing from the first time that I have read any of it. Her screen name for goodreads is Marley and her writing is full of emotion. It takes great talent to be able to write with such emotion. Her writing makes you feel what the character is feeling. I absolutely love her random, emotional writing. I can't wait to see what she does with her writing in life, because she is a true talent. She has oked the use of the link to her writing for anyone to read. Please feel free to read her writing and post a comment about it.

http://www.goodreads.com/story/list/1715064

INTERVIEW:

P: Why do you write?

M: I write because, sometimes I think things that are to strange too say out loud. I am far too nervous to just say how I feel, so the only other way to let it out is to put pen to paper. When I am writing fiction, it is to get away from my own reality, and being myself in another one...

P: Who is your favorite author?

M: I am not very sure of this. I like Sarah Dressen when I am in the mood for a romance book. When I am feeling naive, I read Jerry Spinelli, though they are much too short for me. My favorite book of his is 'Milkdweed.' I enjoy reading anything and everything that interests me.

P: What do you plan on doing with your life?

M: At the moment, I am considering being a teacher, teaching what else but my favorite subjects, Reading and Language Arts. Though, over time, I may change my mind.

P: What is your favorite type of writing to write?

M: I love to both read and write realistic fiction. But I am even more likely to write poetry.

P: Do you like spaghetti?

M: Every once in a while, with some nice cheese on top it's good. Ravioli and Tortellini are better though, as far as pasta goes...

Thank you.

Links to Great Stories

I have read so many great stories on the website goodreads.com. I have decided that I would like to post links to those great stories and any other stories that I find on goodreads, that I like. I will make sure to get author permission and maybe even do an interview for the blog. Look for links in the future to great writing.

Thank you.

A Disappointing Trip to the Library

So, I had it planned that my son and I were going to go to the dinky library here. Well, about ten minute before we were about to head out the door, it dawned on me. A new schedule was put out for this month on the county library system. Yeah, so Mondays are the furlough days for library employees. Just great! My son was so disappointed. So, instead, we went to the grocery store and as we were walking into the front doors my son said, "Mommy, this the book store?" I felt so bad. Oh well, daddy is off tomorrow, so we get to go to the library as a family. Kachow!!! My son wanted more dinosaur books as that is his current fad, although, I'm sure he would go for the Lightning McQueen books if he didn't already own every one every created.

All in all, we got out of the house, which can be good for us...sometimes. :)

Upcoming Book Review: Thus Spake Zarathustra by Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

In the very near future, I will post a review of the incredible book, Thus Spake Zarathustra by Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche. This book has really made a difference in the way I think. It has been one of those books that you read that leave you questioning everything. Look back in the next month for my review on this book.

As a preview, here is what the inside jacket of the book says:

"A masterpiece of philosophy and of literature. Thus Spake Zarathustra is the fulfillment of Nietzsche's belief that 'the object of mankind should lie in its highest individuals.' In his thirtieth year Zarathustra-the archetypal Ubermensch representative of the highest passion and creativity-abandons his home for the mountains, where he lives, literally and figuratively, on a level of experience far above the conventional standards of good and evil. His poetic testimony is a vivid demonstration of the genius of Nietzsche's thought and language."

Upcoming Book Review: Hocus Pocus by Kurt Vonnegut

Oh, this book has been amazing so far. I absolutely love Kurt Vonnegut's writing. Stay tuned to my blog for the updated review once I have finished this book. I have a feeling that a lot of Vonnegut's narrators of his stories are along the same lines of person. Since this is only my second of his books that I have read, I can't quite be sure yet, but it seems as though the narrator of Galapagos is very close to the narrator of Hocus Pocus.

Here are a few comments regarding this book:

"Vonnegut's touch is light, but his satire weaves a web of black humor that almost startles you by the gathering force..." -Seattle Times

"Every bit as humorous as Cat's Cradle, Slaughterhouse-Five, Breakfast of Champions, or any of Vonnegut's other comic masterpieces...Vonnegut envokes the cynical chortle, the knowing grin, the inner laughter that soothes our troubled reflections...He's mad as hell and laughing all the way to the apocalypse." -Playboy

Upcoming Book Review: Consider The Lobster by David Foster Wallace

I'm really looking forward to posting the review for this book. It has so far been quite an interesting read and David Foster Wallace was that genius that nobody knew about. Too bad he is long gone. Look for it in the coming month. David Foster Wallace, "Consider The Lobster."

The back of the book:

"Do lobsters feel pain? Did Franz Kafka have a funny bone? What is John Updike's deal, anyway? And what happens when adult-video starlets meet their fans in person? David Foster Wallace answers these questions and more in essays that are enthralling narrative adventures. Whether covering the three-ring circus of a vicious presidential race, plunging into the wars between dictionary writers, or confronting the World's Largest Lobster Cooker, Wallace projects a quality of thought that is uniquely his and a voice as powerful and distinct as any American letters."

Upcoming Book Review: A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce

Probably in the next month, I will put up a book review for James Joyce's "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man." So far, I am really enjoying his style of writing. It's like nothing that I have ever read. Look for the review.

The back of the book:

"A masterpiece of modern fiction, James Joyce's semiautobiographical first novel follows Stephen Dedalus, a sensitive and creative youth who rebels against his family, his education, and his country by committing himself to the artist's life. 'I will not serve,' vows Dedalus, 'that in which I no longer believe...and I will try to express myself in some mode of life or art as freely as I can.' To Dedalus, the artist is like god-one who 'remains within or behind or beyond or above his handiwork, invisible, refined out of existence, indifferent, paring his fingernails.' Joyce's rendering of the impressions of childhood broke ground in the use of language. 'He took on the almost infinite English language,' Jorge Luis Borges once said. 'He wrote in a language invented by himself...Joyce brought new music to English.' A bold literary experiment, this classic has had a huge and lasting influence on the contemporary novel."

Book Reviews

Ok, I have also decided that I will put up reviews for all of the books that I read also. It seems like something I can do for fun and it might help others in deciding which book to read. I will start by placing some old reviews of books that I have read recently and when I start on a new book, I'll keep it posted where I'm at and how I like it and that the full review will be coming soon.

Goodreads is Awesome!

I joined a website a long time ago. One of the best websites that I have had the pleasure of frequenting. Please visit if you have a chance. www.goodreads.com


Also, here is a link to some of my writing if you're are so inclined.
http://www.goodreads.com/story/list/2300728

Thank you!

Poetry

Poetry

Ok, so I don't know how to write any form of poetry, but I like to write short little spurts of random words every so often and so I will post them too, because they are weird. LOL Anyway, I'll start posting them tonight.

Snazzy Little Man

My son was the ring baring kiddo in a friends' wedding recently. The girl he is standing with was the flower girl.

Rants

Unveiling of Rants From a Disgruntled Desert Dweller

I'm going to post my rants on here of living my life in the unrelenting California desert community of Lake Isabella. Oh, how I hate it. My rants are devised to be a sort of stress reliever from having to endure living here. I will post all of the ones that I have created so far, then after that, if I write a new one, I will post it on the date of the rant.
Thank you. :)

The Start of Something Beautiful

Ok, here goes. I have finally created a blog for everyone, because I know that everyone wants to know what I'm up to, to follow me. :) I'll post some writing on here, so that you can read, if you are so interested. Thank you for visiting.

First, I'll post a picture of my family, because well, I'm really into my family and I just wanted to show them off.