Thank you! And what I learned...Nanowrimo

I wanted to share a few things on Nanowrimo.  Yeah, I know you all are probably tired of hearing about it.  So, I will try to not mention it again after this.  Okay?  (note I said "try") :)


So, where do I begin?


First and Foremost, I have to THANK a few very special people who helped me during Nanowrimo.

I don't know where to start, so I'm just going down the list...

Jackie of My Ever Expanding Library and @seolmara on Twitter.  If you follow me on twitter you know her and I where in this eyeballs deep together.  We cheered each other on and sprinted together.  Yes, sprinted - going for 20 minutes (or 15) straight none stop, not looking back, to see who got the most words.  I say we tied. ;)

Melissa of He Followed Me Home... Can I Keep Him? and @hefollowedme on Twitter.  She was our cheerleader through out the process. :) She helped us keep our spirits up when we where ready to say we couldn't do it....back in the beginning when we where trying to get started.

Skyla Dawn Cameron (her blog) and @skyladawn on Twitter.  She has really helped keep me going.  Being a published author and all she still had time to give me the peep talks and busts I needed to keep going at the beginning and through it all.  She doesn't know it but she was the one to keep my word count going in the beginning.  I'm just glad she was working on 3 books at once.  I have this streak in me that I don't like to give up and definitely don't like to loss.  Which kept me going but tracking my word count daily against Skyla's helped keep me going.  She is a quick writer and I wanted to keep up, a little healthy competition for me.  (don't tell her)

Another author that doesn't even know she was helping me as I watched her word count jump by leaps and bounds and wanted to keep with here was Elaine Corvidae.  She is found on twitter @ElaineCorvidae and on her blog.  In the end she took off with the word count and no I couldn't keep up with her, but I loved the rush of trying to do it. :) And she was another to help cheer me on as well.

 Love these authors!  It's amazing how kind they are. ;D And suffer the same worries and troubles as I did, even with me just starting and them being veterans.

Melissa of Books & Things... @BooksThings on Twitter She did not need the whip.  But she did threaten me with it a few times.  And I jumped!  That thing is deadly, let me tell you.  Spikes and all.  She is viciously accurate with her aim as well.  LOL!  She is one of the many followers how stuck with me through the month here and gave me all sorts of support to keep going. :)

Bastard Books.... @BastardBooks on Twitter... well, what can I say to someone with a name like that?  lol.  He helped pick (along with a few others) a book to read on the side lines that kept me going.  Then he was the devil on the late nights when I was saying on Twitter I was heading to bed but still had thoughts to get out.  By devil I mean that voice that tells you to keep writing, keep going, who needs sleep? lol. Yep he held up to his name. ;D But in all that, I got some great stuff out that I probably would have forgotten about by the time I got home the next night to write.

Sadly, I know there are others to acknowledge, but I'm brain dead!  I'm sorry if I missed you.

Thank you all for the boost all month to keep going.

A few things I Learned and Found I liked...

1)  The Sprints.  I was scared to death of these, but found they helped me push forward and not worry on each word at that moment.  Yes, I'll have loads of clean up but they pushed me through the thoughts with quickness.  I really loved this.

2)  Friends are HUGE!  It is great to have friends help keep you going, whether through friendly competition or a shoulder to cry on.  It makes all the difference in the world.

3)  So much support!  I felt going in no one would want to support me; I'm new, never finished a book thought, blah blah blah... All true about me, except I was so wrong about no one wanting to support me.  I was pleasantly surprised and tremendously grateful!  Even established authors have the same worries and trials as a newbie like me.  That alone helped make me feel more comfortable along with being so kind and inspiring.  AND my followers!  You all kept coming around all month cheering me on.  Just stopping by to say hello to me made me feel better. :) Thank you all!!!

4)  When in doubt, Kill your character.  Or at least try.  Every time I got stuck, I tried to kill my characters... okay so there might be a lot of fights as I tried it a lot... but in doing that it kept my fantasy read going, made me think on the world and other characters around.  And those darn characters with a hero complex came to the surface.  Ha!  And the chickens hide.  You learn a lot about the characters that way.

5)  When stuck, DON'T STOP.  Push through with something, you can always fix it later.  Skip to another scene and fill the gap another time.  If you ask, it will come... just maybe later.

6) FIX IT LATER! - I can go back and rewrite it, fix it, add to it, delete it, whatever later.  But get the thoughts out now while they are there.  You just never know where those thoughts might lead to, so use them.  You can fix it later.


Now for the hard part... rewriting and revising. :) Will you all help me? lol. Thank you!!

Who? What? Where? (44)

Who are you with? Where are you at? What's happening?

Share with us just a little bit of what is happening in the book you are reading, right where you are now.

Just a tiny taste of what's happening, remember try to not give spoilers of the book.

(This is a new meme I'm going to try and will tweak as I go. And please don't laugh at my lame attempt at drawing. ;D )


I'm back! :) All ready to get back in so I just started a book, more an anthology and only in the first story.

I'm with a rock and roll star, Gorge, as he just finished an interview and found a dragon pixie spying on him.  The other fey are curious to see what he has planned, and so am I!  He's got big plans for tonight with his new rising song.  I'm curious to see what it's to do for him since he's exiled.

Bad-Ass Faeries
Just Plain Bad

Way of the Bone
By:  James Chambers

Monday's Beginnings (118) Vlog Style

It's Monday!  After a long weekend... am I more refreshed or tired?  It's a toss up.

Reviews:
Movie Review:
Transformers 3

I posted a cover and synopsis release, go check it out:  Exhumed by Skyla Cameron Dawn
Now I have LOADS to catch up on around here; reviews, posts, and new ideas.

Nano Update:
I'M DONE!!!! Well, with the first step and finishing a thought. I'm a winner, if you see my winner badge there in the corner. I finished with over 50,000 words.  I think the Nano counter says 50,104 words.  Yeah!! :) I was so excited when I finished last night.  This was a huge accomplishment for me as I hit the number needed for Nano and I finished a whole thought, or got through one book.  Now by far it is NO WHERE near being complete, but the bare bones are here to work with.  I'll come back to it in January or February to start touching up, or throwing away... we shall see. :)

My WANT List... I've added 2 books to the want list last week.  But I have an excuse... I was busy with Nano, eating, and shopping. ;D Oh, now that I'll be back to blogging I'm sure you all will blow this number out of the water.

Books Received:
For Review:

Goodreads Synopsis:
Shelby Nichols is an average woman who is married to the only guy she ever fell for. Her life is organized and predictable, revolving around her husband and two children. All that changes the day she stops at the grocery store for some carrots. As the cashier rings up her purchases, a gunman is busy robbing the bank inside the store. When a customer grabs the robber's mask, he is shot and everyone runs for cover. Everyone except Shelby, who finds herself face to face with the killer. The next thing she knows, she's lying on the floor with a bullet wound to her head. Luckily, the bullet only grazes her scalp, and she doesn't suspect any lasting affects until later, when she suddenly 'hears' what people are thinking. With this uncanny ability, her life takes on a whole new dimension. Her kids think she's bossy and too old to understand them, but that's nothing compared to her husband. He says he loves her, but what is it about the redhead at work that he doesn't want her to know? As if that isn't enough, the gunman knows she can identify him, and he's out to silence her forever. In her fight to stay alive, she is saved from certain death by a handsome hit-man with ties to organized crime. This pulls Shelby even deeper into danger, where knowing someone's thoughts can not only hurt your feelings, but get you killed.

Short Stories (Novella's) as a gift:
In Ebook form
Goodreads Synopsis:
Champion of the Sidhe: Part 1

The day Lugh, Champion of the Sidhe, has long fought for finally manifests; all Sidhe unified under one Court. No more Light versus Dark. No more wars. Brothers, one and all. But on the day that should be celebrated as their greatest triumph, treachery brings his world crashing down, literally. Now if he can’t find a way to stop it no fey will survive.
#

Champion of the Sidhe is one of the interlacing story lines, that makes up The Sidhe saga. Each thread can be read alone, but if you read them together in the suggested order, you will get the full experience. 

Length: short story (5,000 words)

Goodreads Synopsis:
The fey are Fading. Extinction is inevitable. Lugh, one of the few fey to survive the Collapse, is already beginning to suffer the effects. Only a long shot quest to recover the artifacts might be able to restore the source of fey magic. And the first artifact Lugh seeks is dead in the heart of wizard territory.
##

Length: Short Story (7000 words)

Goodreads Synopsis:
The Rise of the Unseelie: Part 1

The day the Mounds collapsed Jhaer, leader of the Unseelie Elite, sacrificed his strength, his magic, and his very life to save his world.

It wasn’t enough.

He thought that was the end of his story… Instead it is the beginning.
#

Rise of the Unseelie is one of the interlacing story lines, that makes up The Sidhe saga. Each thread can be read alone, but if you read them together in the suggested order, you will get the full experience. 

Length: novelette (9,000 words)

Goodreads Synopsis:
Touched: Part 1

As a private investigator specializing in paranormal problems, London Eyer thought she could handle working for the Sidhe. They couldn’t be any worse than vampires or werewolves or wizards, could they? Oh, how wrong she was. One ‘Touch’ of Sidhe magic and she was cursed. Her only chance to survive is to serve the creep that cursed her against the vicious Changelings out for his blood.
#

Touched is one of the interlacing story lines, that makes up The Sidhe saga. Each thread can be read alone, but if you read them together in the suggested order, you will get the full experience. 

Length: novelette (10,000 words)

Purchased:

Goodread Synopsis:
I think the fire changed us – me and Dom. I think that’s how the goblin-boy was able to see us. Though he’d been there for every summer of our childhood, we’d only been stupid boys until then. Stupid, happy, ignorant boys. And what in hell would he have had in common with two stupid boys? But after the fire we were different. We were maybe a little bit like him. And so he saw us, at last, and he thought he’d found a home…

I haven't a clue what I'm going to do this week. lol. I didn't get much reading done last week, with Thanksgiving running and Black Friday shopping.  I have so much to catch up on around here and reading wise.  I don't even know what book to start with now either.  I'll get there.

So, How does your week look?

Here's to hoping you have a wonderful week in words and pages.

With completing Nano I feel like Celebrating... with Celebration! ;D You going to dance with me?  Come one!  Lets fill the dance floor with all of us... hee hee...

For those of you still chopping away at the word count, this one is for you!  Every word is one more closer finishing and one more than you had just a short time ago.  Keep up the great work.  We are all Champions!

Get More: Queen, We Will Rock You/We Are The Champions (LEGO Rock Band), Free Music Videos

Cover & Synopsis Release!!

As many of you know I've been enjoying this series, the first two books of it: Bloodlines (with short story Thrall** in end of book) and Hunter (with short story Malice** in end of book).  I am "patiently" (ha ha!) awaiting for the third book to be released, Lineage.  But I've been hounding Skyla Dawn Cameron (and her tormenting me) wondering when the cover for this book would be available along with the synopsis.
**Note, the short stories are EXCELLENT additions to series.  They are in all print books, but for Ebooks they are ONLY in version bought FROM Mandania Press.

So it's finally here!  YEAHH!!!  I'm enjoying the characters Skyla creates, but I just love Zara.  She's witty and tough.  She kills and doesn't think twice about it, unless it's going to ruin her clothes. ;D  But I'm looking forward to teaming back up with her again here to see what troubles she gets into and who's arse she kicks to get out of them.

Synopsis:
Zara Lain, narcissistic vampire and assassin, cleaned up after a crazy warlock tried to build a vampire army, made some cash when the North American covens were left in shambles, got away when framed for the murder of a Demon Hunter, and dealt with some idiots who tried to jumpstart Armageddon. None of that could prepare her, however, for the moment when her lover of the undead persuasion awakens...

Old enemies are back to put a cramp in her love life, ruin a good pair of heels, and just maybe end the world. An apocalypse is nigh...and it gets a lot worse than having nothing to wear to the occasion.

(a fuller length blurb will become available in February, but this is right on with what's to come!  Only a itsy bitsy tiny clue will be added. hee hee.)

Movie Review: Transformers 3

Transformers 3

Release:  2011

Rated:  PG-13

Recommendation:  Maybe, we'll talk.  But good to relax with if you liked the Transformers.

IMDb Synopsis:
Autobots Bummblebee, Rachet, Ironhide and Sideswipe led by Optimus Prime, are back in action taking on the evil Decepticons, who are eager to avenge their recent defeat.  The Autobots and Decepticons become involved in a perilous space race between the U.S. and Russia, to reach a hidden Cybertronian spacecraft on the moon and learn its secrets, and once again Sam Witwicky has to come to the aid of his robot friends.  new villain, Shockwave, who rules Cybertron, is on the scene while the Autobots and Decepticons continue to battle it out on Earth.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Optimus Prime learns there is a hidden craft, main reason for our visit to the moon, one that carries the one who could change everything with dealing with the Decepticons.  The Prime before Optimus who officially deserves the title to rule (in Optimus's mind).  But he had and has ulterior motives, and it's not good for human kind.

The movie starts out slow, building why Sam is now with Carly - and not the last girl - her character and their relationship, as this is a big key to reasons of actions in the movie.  Sam is struggling, knowing what he does but not allowed to work with his friends, the Autobots.  And he realizes how broke he really is.  The Decepticons come back in full force, taking over the city and sending the Autobots away.  Sam goes into the abandoned ruined city for the love of his life, finding old friends and fights to save earth and humankind.

It's not a bad movie, just didn't live up to the other Transformer movies for me.  I do still love seeing the graphics involving the Transformers, when they fight or transform.  Just neat to see on screen after growing up with the cartoon.

This movie has action once it gets going.  Lots of running, as how do humans with soft skin fight robots the size of the empire state building?  Yeah.  So buildings fall to rubble and humans run trying to get their good shot.  Again, not a bad movie.  Enjoyable and once the action started it was much better.  If you liked the transformers and remember the old stories you might enjoy it for that, but I wouldn't pay loads of money to see it.  This was a RedBox $1.00 special for us.  Liked it.

The men of the house agreed.  A good movie to watch if you've enjoyed the Transformers, but was a slow starter.

Looking Forward To...(77)

There are so many amazing books already on the shelves and new ones coming out.

For a list of books yet to be released I'm looking to get, you can also look on my right Sidebar at the ever growing list titled Desired Reads - just scroll down. Of course there are tones of other new books to come out that are amazing as well, but these ones are part of series I have already started or for one reason or another caught my eye (and haven't seen much on other blogs yet). But I will highlight one here each week.

(mentioned in order of Release Date then Alphabetical if there are more than one book coming out on the same date.)

Next Book Is...

Head Rush

The Disillusionist Trilogy #3

By:  Carolyn Crane

Due Out:  Audio book ~ Out, Ebook ~ December 6, 2011, Print ~ 2012

I know, I've listened to this one on audio book.  But I WANT the print copy as well to go with the books I have already.  I have to have the complete set!  lol.  And I've enjoyed this trilogy thus far.

Goodreads Synopsis:
JUSTINE JONES FACES HER ULTIMATE ENEMY: HERSELF! 

Book Three in The Disillusionists Trilogy 

In an attempt to put her unhappy past behind her, Justine Jones throws herself into nursing school and planning her wedding to Otto Sanchez, the man of her dreams. But something is off. Random details aren’tadding up…and is it her imagination, or are her friends and fiancé keeping secrets from her? And what’s with this strange sense of unease, and her odd new headaches? 

Justine tries to stay upbeat as Midcity cowers under martial law, sleepwalking cannibals, and a mysterious rash of paranormal copycat violence, but her search for answers leads her into the most dangerous mindgame yet. 

With the help of unlikely allies, including her paranoid dad and best frenemy Simon, Justine fights her ultimate foe…and unravels the most startling mystery of all. 

Throwback Thursday (43)

Let's talk about those books already on the shelves, yours or the stores.

I have a post for books I'm looking forward to coming out;

Looking Forward To...

But what about all those wonderful books that are ALREADY on the shelves.

Whether it be on your shelf waiting to be read or on the shelves in the stores waiting for you to give it a good home.

So, I thought I would share a book a week that is just waiting for me to travel through it's world.

Now... where do I start? Lets go by Published Date on the books...

This Week:

I bought this one as it sounded like a good series to me and one my son might enjoy as well, with all the reading for school he has to do.  So, I got it.  And I think my son's wanting to read this one soon for school.  Another book he will beat me to!

Goodreads Synopsis:

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls.

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight. And every 30 days a new boy has been delivered in the lift.

Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers. 

Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind.

Monday's Beginnings (117) Vlog Style

It's Monday!  And a short week with a Holiday! Eep!

I got to gabbing on again.  Sorry!  And Sheba makes her first video appearance!

Nano Update:
I'm up to 40,115 as of yesterday! :D YEAH!  I'm cruising along.  I think there is a good chance of finishing this week, but with the holiday I don't want to make any promises.  I'll wait and see where the week goes.

Sorry no reviews up last week.

My WANT List...I only added 1 book.  Well, I've been busy writing.... What else can I say. ;)

Books Received:
For Review:

Sorry, I mentioned this one was getting ready to release.  It's out already! My head needs to be straightened out a little I think. ;D
Goodread Synopsis:
There is a cancer at the heart of the mighty Cerani Empire: a plague that attacks young and old, rich and poor alike, marking each victim with a fragment of a greater pattern. Anyone showing the marks is put to death. That is Emperor Beyon's law . . . 


But now the pattern is reaching closer to the palace than ever before. In a hidden room, a forgotten prince has grown from child to man, and as the empire sickens, Sarmin, the emperor’s only surviving brother, is remembered. He awaits the bride his mother has chosen: a chieftain’s daughter from the northern plains. 


Mesema travels from her homeland, an offering for the empire’s favour. She is a Windreader, used to riding free across the grasslands, not posing and primping in rare silks. She finds the Imperial Court’s protocols stifling, but she doesn’t take long to realise the politicking and intrigues are not a game, but deadly earnest. 


Eyul is burdened both by years and by the horrors he has carried out in service to the throne. At his emperor’s command he bears the emperor’s Knife to the desert in search of a cure for the pattern-markings. 


As long-planned conspiracies boil over into open violence and rebellion, the enemy moves toward victory. Now only three people stand in his way: a lost prince, a world-weary killer, and a young girl from the steppes who once saw a path through a pattern, among the waving grasses. 


Mazarkis Williams pieces together a complex mosaic of personality and ambition in a brilliant work of magic and mystery set in a richly imagined world, the first book in a fantastic new series.

Purchased:

Goodread Synopsis:
In the aftermath of a recent battle, Callista has become the sole guardian of the relic, a powerful crystal full of darkness. She hopes to use it to turn the shadowbeasts back into the men they once were, but so far, has not been successful. Unless she can change them, she will have to kill them, and that is not an option she is willing to face.

Left on her own in the Ruins of Belton, she realizes the relic is growing more powerful. For each day that passes, it becomes more difficult to keep that power under control. Desperate to find the answer that will ultimately destroy it, she seeks the origins of the relic in the Eastern Province.

As Justin battles a deadly enemy, Callista is caught in a personal fight between the forces of good and evil. The relic is the key to unleashing an even darker power that will ruin everything, and Callista's determination to destroy it is the only thing that will save them all.

The epic conclusion to Flame of Destiny

So, how does your week look?  Hope you all have a wonderful week in words and pages.

This week has a holiday in it for US residences, Thanksgiving.  So I'm feeling pretty lazy this week at work, even thought I've got so much to do to make up for 2 days off.  But this sounds sounds like it fits for the day. :)

Looking Forward To...(76)

There are so many amazing books already on the shelves and new ones coming out.

For a list of books yet to be released I'm looking to get, you can also look on my right Sidebar at the ever growing list titled Desired Reads - just scroll down. Of course there are tones of other new books to come out that are amazing as well, but these ones are part of series I have already started or for one reason or another caught my eye (and haven't seen much on other blogs yet). But I will highlight one here each week.

(mentioned in order of Release Date then Alphabetical if there are more than one book coming out on the same date.)

Next Book Is...

Killing Rites

The Black Sun's Daughter #4

By:  M.L.N. Hanover

Due Out:  November 29, 2011

I read the first two books of this series thus far and have the third here.  It's not one of those series that's outstanding and brand new with ideas or out of the ordinary ones, but one that I enjoy because it's what I like and I know it.  I'm comfortable reading this series, one to curl up by the fire with and let the hours go by.  So, I'll keep reading this series as it's what I want.

Goodreads Synopsis:
JaynÉ Heller has discovered the source of her uncanny powers: something else is living inside her body. She's possessed. Of all her companions, she can only bring herself to confide in Ex, the former priest. They seek help from his old teacher and the circle of friends he left behind, hoping to cleanse JaynÉ before the parasite in her becomes too powerful.

Ex’s history and a new enemy combine to leave JaynÉ alone and on the run. Her friends, thinking that the rider with her has taken the reins, try to hunt her down, unaware of the danger they’re putting her in. JaynÉ must defeat the weight of the past and the murderous intent of another rider, and her only allies are a rogue vampire she once helped free and the nameless thing hiding inside her skin.

Throwback Thursday (42)

Let's talk about those books already on the shelves, yours or the stores.

I have a post for books I'm looking forward to coming out;

Looking Forward To...

But what about all those wonderful books that are ALREADY on the shelves.

Whether it be on your shelf waiting to be read or on the shelves in the stores waiting for you to give it a good home.

So, I thought I would share a book a week that is just waiting for me to travel through it's world.

Now... where do I start? Lets go by Published Date on the books...

This Week:

I bought both the first and this book as well.  I liked the sounds of the world here.  And need to still get to the first book. *hang head in shame*  My son's even read the first book.  Yes, I'm just behind.

Goodreads Synopsis:

It is not a peaceful time in the Dells. The young King Nash clings to his throne while rebel lords in the north and south build armies to unseat him. The mountains and forests are filled with spies and thieves and lawless men. 

This is where Fire lives. With a wild, irresistible appearance and hair the color of flame, Fire is the last remaining human monster. Equally hated and adored, she has the unique ability to control minds, but she guards her power, unwilling to steal the secrets of innocent people. Especially when she has so many of her own. 

Then Prince Brigan comes to bring her to King City. The royal family needs her help to uncover the plot against the king. Far away from home, Fire begins to realize there's more to her power than she ever dreamed. Her power could save the kingdom. 

If only she weren't afraid of becoming the monster her father was.

Monday's Beginnings (116) Vlog style (3)

It's Monday...

Okay, so I was trying to make this one short.... I like to gab I think. ;)

I'm reading Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews, which was sent to me by Melissa at Mel's Random Reviews! Thank you! And after a fun ribbing I got from Bastard Books, Skyla Dawn Cameron, Dina James and the author. :)  Thank you all for the push in the right direction!  I knew I needed to see the light! :D
What's Happening in Books While I'm Off?  What am I Missing!?!

Reviews Posted:
Movie - Fast Five

Nano Update:
As of yesterday I'm at 29,012 words toward the 50,000 total! I am rocking it. ;D I'm ahead at the moment but I'm not counting my lucky stars just yet.  I know Thanksgiving is coming and we do loads of running.  Then Black Friday, yes I'm one of those crazy shoppers.  He don't knock it!  I get loads of great deals that day and things for people they wouldn't get from me on a normal day because of it.

My WANT List... Well, for not making visits to blogs like normal I still added 3 books to my WANT List! Yeah!

Books Received:
Purchased:
I preordered this one for myself and a copy for my friends son... Now to find time to read it.

Goodreads Synopsis:
Not so very long ago, Eragon—Shadeslayer, Dragon Rider—was nothing more than a poor farm boy, and his dragon, Saphira, only a blue stone in the forest. Now the fate of an entire civilization rests on their shoulders.

Long months of training and battle have brought victories and hope, but they have also brought heartbreaking loss. And still, the real battle lies ahead: they must confront Galbatorix. When they do, they will have to be strong enough to defeat him. And if they cannot, no one can. There will be no second chances. 

The Rider and his dragon have come further than anyone dared to hope. But can they topple the evil king and restore justice to Alagaësia? And if so, at what cost?

This is the much-anticipated, astonishing conclusion to the worldwide bestselling Inheritance cycle.


I ordered this one as my 10,000 word gift to myself.  Yes, when I broke 10,000 words on Nano I went and purchased a book I've been wanting, with a coupon I got too. ;)

Goodreads Synopsis:
Sorcerer Marla Mason has never been afraid of a fight, but she's about to face her greatest challenge: herself. Or, at least, an alternate-universe version of herself, a woman who succumbed to the evil power of a cursed artifact and become a monstrous villain. Now this dark doppelganger is loose in Marla's world... and she has an agenda even more terrible than Marla can imagine.


But I like the Kindle cover better... --->






So, how's your week looking?  Does it look to fare well in reading and/or writing for you?

I'm not getting much reading done, but I'm working at hitting that Nano total.

Here's to hoping you have a wonderful world in words and pages.  Let me know what the week looks like for you!

Another song for you?  This is an older one, but fun.  An upbeat tune.  Hope you enjoy!

Whats Happening in Books While I'm Off?

So, what popped up over the book blogosphere while I've been off?  I missed a lot of stuff, I know I did.  Come share with me any big highlights you heard.  I'm not even half-way through November yet, and I'm jittery about missing out.  I hate missing out!  So share with me any and all big book news. :) Pleeeease!

I did hear a few little things, not much though. 

My tidbits:

1.)  New books in series - Skyla Dawn Cameron - You remember her right?  I have enjoyed her 2 books of Demons of Oblivion series thus far.  Well, she has announced another 3 books in the series has been approved! Yeah!!  The series was for 5 books, now has bumped up to 8. Woo. Congrats Skyla!

2.)  Newly released - Michael J. Sullivan - Yes, you've head of his books here several times.  A wonderful fantasy series I've been enjoying over the last 2 years.  His books were picked up by Orbit Books and the first book, Theft of Swords which includes the first 2 books in one, is NOW AVAILABLE!  You really should go get it.  It's sooooo very worth it.  Congrats Michael!  Best wishes to you and Royce and Hadrian.

3.)  An family emergency - Ilona Andrews - Yes, I just started reading Kate Daniels series since I buckled like a whimpering baby under the pressure... Okay, so I've wanted to read it and just needed the kick in the right direction.  They had a serious family emergency and with doing what every normal parents does, tend to the most important first.  You can visit their quick post.  *hope all is going well for you*  But, the books release dates will be pushed back.  I'm good with this and I'm SURE all of you are as well.  Sending all the love, hopes, and wishes your way Ilona & Andrew.

Looking Forward To...(75)

There are so many amazing books already on the shelves and new ones coming out.

For a list of books yet to be released I'm looking to get, you can also look on my right Sidebar at the ever growing list titled Desired Reads - just scroll down. Of course there are tones of other new books to come out that are amazing as well, but these ones are part of series I have already started or for one reason or another caught my eye (and haven't seen much on other blogs yet). But I will highlight one here each week.

(mentioned in order of Release Date then Alphabetical if there are more than one book coming out on the same date.)

Next Book Is...

Inheritance

Inheritance #4

By:  Christopher Paolini

Due Out:  November 8, 2011

Yes, this one is out.  I got behind in my dates with to many books in one month on the list.  But that's okay.  I've pre-ordered this one.  I started reading when I started this series.  It kind of got me into books.  And I enjoyed them.  So I want to know how it all ends.  I need to read this one.

Goodreads Synopsis:
Not so very long ago, Eragon—Shadeslayer, Dragon Rider—was nothing more than a poor farm boy, and his dragon, Saphira, only a blue stone in the forest. Now the fate of an entire civilization rests on their shoulders.

Long months of training and battle have brought victories and hope, but they have also brought heartbreaking loss. And still, the real battle lies ahead: they must confront Galbatorix. When they do, they will have to be strong enough to defeat him. And if they cannot, no one can. There will be no second chances. 

The Rider and his dragon have come further than anyone dared to hope. But can they topple the evil king and restore justice to Alagaësia? And if so, at what cost?

This is the much-anticipated, astonishing conclusion to the worldwide bestselling Inheritance cycle.

Movie Review: Fast Five

Fast Five

Released:  2011

Rated:  PG-13

Recommendation:  Oh yes!  You will laugh and enjoy the fast action in the cars and with fists.

IMDb Synopsis:
Former cop Brian O'Conner partners with ex-con Dom Toretto on the opposite side of the law.  Since Brian and Mia Toretto broke Dom out of custody, they've blown across many borders to elude authorities.  Now backed into a corner in Rio de Janeiro, they must pull one last job in order to gain their freedom.  As they assemble their elite team of top racers, the unlikely allies know their only shot of getting out for good means confronting the corrupt businessman who wants them dead.  But he's not the only one on their tail.  Hard-nosed federal agent Luke Hobbs never misses his target.  When he is assigned to track down Dom and Brian, he and his strike team launch an all-out assault to capture them.  But as his men tear through Brazil, Hobbs learns he can't separate the good guys from the bad.  Now, he must rely on his instincts to corner his prey... before someone else runs them down first.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Brian, Dom, and Mia (Dom's sister & Brian's girl) are on the run from the law since breaking Dom out.  They find themselves in Rio de Janeiro where Dom is to meet up with Brian and Mia at an old friends house, Vince. Vince talks Brian into a job as Brian is broke and needs to replenish funds to go on.  This job goes strange and our trio notices and adjusts, which puts them right dead center of the radar of a rotten and rich business man.  Now, Dom and Brian figure the only way out is to go full blast forward against this business man and the bonus is taking his money to cushion them for their lives.  Dom and Brian bring in their crew of top drives and brilliant in their own areas.

I loved this movie!  It was a wonderful addition to The Fast and the Furious movie series.  We laughed.  Oh did we laugh.  This movie had my heart beating wondering who next they would go against, wanting to know how they will pull this off, and which of the two hunting them would find them.  Yet with all that I had a blend of enjoyment for the fun in it as well.  Yes, suspense and laughing.  Don't sound right, but it really was that way for me.  And FULL of high speed action.  In the car and with their fists.  Now I have to mention as I said it when the movie started... We have two actors here with arms the size of tree trunks, Vin Diesel and The Rock (or you may know him as Dwayne Johnson).  Okay, it has to happen.  They HAVE to go fist to fist.  I expected it.  I wanted it.  And I got it! :D

I loved seeing some of the old characters revisiting here and showing off their talents in the racing and thieving world.  What is great is the variety of cast and characters played.  They bicker, they are fun, they give views from all sides.  They work wonderfully together.

This was another family movie, with my men.  All three of us loved this one!  We all laughed through out the movie and enjoyed the action.  Of course the boys loved this one.  What isn't there to love?  Especially for the men.  Pure fun.  Pure adrenaline.  Full of testosterone (not in a bad way).

There is also a little scene after the credits.  Yes I almost missed it, but boys caught it and played it for me.  So there will be another The Fast and the Furious to come it seems... We will be waiting!