Sunday, November 27, 2011

Untitled


Hey guys..I've written something up...and I need your comments and criticisms, whether i should delete this or go on with this..
Thanks..and still...this work is untitled..:)

P. S....this is unedited..just come out of nowhere, I guess..:)

Prologue

It was a perfect day and I’m buzzing with excitement to see the different places dad had promised us. It was one of our family traditions to go on vacation once a year and this time it is in Europe, Paris, France. Oh yeah, nothing can get better than this. I look at the clock hoping we wouldn’t miss the tour bus, it will leave at 9 am, and still my mom is in the shower at 8.

Mom, could you at least forget to be late just this once, were gonna miss the bus, and I will never forgive you for that”, I said tapping my feet impatiently at the doorway. 

“In a minute, hon”, my mom said from the shower. The splash of water and the scent of her favorite shampoo escalating in the air, clearly indicating, that it won’t be in a minute.

Ashley, it’s ok. The sight will never go, if the bus leave, so be it, we can rent a car, and you could go wherever you want”, my dad said from peeking away from his newspaper and giving me a knowing smile.

Nope, just this once, I want to experience the luxury of being a tourist”, I said a –matter-of-factly. In fact I was the one who insisted we should ride a tourist bus, I often see it in ads and it get the best out of me. Besides, my friends always said, that no matter where you are, no one could make you feel the place better other than someone, who know it well- there it is- a tour guide.

Aren’t going to another land, becoming a tourist?!” my younger brother said as if he just stated something written in the book of who-knows-what.

I turned to look at my brother lounging in the couch like he had all the time in the world. He has a remarkable translucent blue eyes and blonde hair, very well-like mom, a set of to-be-fine jaws and fine nose, except for his lips that’s contorted in a sneer. I ignored him instead, knowing that I could never reason with someone unreasonable.
After forty minutes of waiting, my gorgeous mom appeared at last. She has translucent-blue eyes and shoulder-length blonde hair with a hint of gray. With her slim figure, she could have been mistaken as my sister, of course no one would miss that this woman is overly concerned with fashion. She wears a yellow ruffled blouse and shorts just above her knee. Completing the look are here sunglasses, straw hat, and yellow stilettos. While I on the other hand donned my favorite jeans and a white t-shirt with the words “I love Paris”, very ordinary compared to my mom’s flamboyant display.

Bonjour! Welcome to Paris Tourist Guide. I am your tour guide Madeleine Belle. Thank you for choosing us to serve you while you’re here in Paris. We will make your vacation worthwhile, first stop is to,..”
Madeleine’s English with French accent turned to be awkward in my ears, but I guess I’m not the only one, because some look at here blankly, well, maybe they’re admiring such a beautiful woman. But I believe, it’s a tour guide’s requirement to be attractive in the first place.

She continued talking, but her words are lost to me as I watch the passing views in the window. Paris is truly a world-class city, not only is it the city of romance, but a city rich in culture, architecture and food. I would really like to see the Louvre, from what I’ve come up in the internet, all kinds of arts are there, paintings of great painters and artist, ancient things and so on. Luckily, it is our first stop, therefore, I would be actively listening to the tour guide, even if her flattering smile and flirty looks bored me.

I don’t really think Louvre’s director is a member of , of, what’s it called?, Albie asked looking sideways at me.

“Priory of Sion. And for everyone’s sake, it’s just a book, and well a movie, get a grip on yourself,” I chided, laughing at how he takes things too seriously, yet constantly makes my life a joke.

But why would Dan Brown said he’s saying the truth, and it was base on research and files,’ he argues back.

Well, it might be a way to sell his book you know, people sometimes believed when someone said it’s true, just by putting so-called facts”, I added bored with the cycle of conversation it always takes us when we argued about books.

Well, yeah I get that, but why would people read it, in fact every one I know had seen the movie and purchased the book, even if the church publicly announced to banned it,” he said, nibbling his thumb, a mannerism he got from dad.

Stop it, you’re gross!” when he smiled crookedly at me I continued, “All right, I don’t know, I’m not your personal encyclopedia ok, but I think when something is keep from people, it tends to create the opposite, they may claimed they hadn’t read it, but due to curiosity, they read it in secret,” I said with an air of being uninterested hoping this so-called-debate will end, I don’t want to be in a bad mood, especially today, when I’m at my dream place. If only I could get rid with him.

Whoa, look at that”, my brother gushed silently. But I still hear him, since he sit beside me, he won’t really let go of heated conversations no matter where we are, wait, he blushed? no way. I look at him and then look at where he’s looking. Opposite our sit, a pretty girl is unconsciously laughing with her friends. She looks like a princess in her chiffon dress (right, under the summer heat), with big brown eyes and auburn curls framing her face.

 Her friends raise an eyebrow at my brother’s direction and the princess suddenly looks at us. She’s even more beautiful with the sun shining in her face; it makes her look angelic and celestial. 

“Hi,” she said smiling.

I turned back to my brother and nudged him lightly. “Cat got your tongue boy?” I asked him teasingly. He seemed to recovered and muttered hello back at her. My brother leaned toward her and they set of from introductions to animate talking, completely forgetting who they’re talking earlier. I look back at the window, I’m not the kind who’s too nosy, Albie is 14, and he’s old enough to have his own privacy.

I notice we are now in the rural side of the city, which is full of forest and other greenery. I look at the front, trying to decipher where were going, though that seems to be impossible since I haven’t visited Paris until today.

Someone shouted that the steering wheel or something is not working and the driver hadn’t any control on the bus anymore. The people panicked, some started crying and screaming. My brother and I hugged each other, our parents at the seat in front of us look at us with terror. The bus then swerved on the opposite lane, just a 100 meter away from the curve. In a minute, I saw the 10-wheeler truck coming straight to us. The people started screaming. My mind and body seemed to have forgotten their functions, and I stared numbly while the giant thing is gonna smash us all. For the very first time in my life, I was scared.

My head aches when I regained semi-consciousness, someone is kneeling beside me, smoothening my hair and whispering over and over again, that I will be all right, everything will be all right. His hands are soft and strong at the same time. The stranger’s voice has its smoothing effect, calming and relaxing my senses, somehow, I heard that voice before. I turned to look at the road and watched in horror, the tour bus I’m seated with my family earlier is now a crumpled metal toppled upside-down. My vision blurs, but before darkness succumbed me, I saw my guardian angel’s face, looking down on me.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Thank you so much...In just a matter of 265 days.. this blog's visitor grew to 1000 and counting..
Thanks everyone..:)

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Voices Beckon


 As I always said, I love historical romance, and another wonderful novel drops in my hand..:)
  • Author: Linda Lee Graham
  • Format: Kindle Edition
  • File Size: 745 KB
  • Print Length: 381 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0983217513
  • Publisher: Repository Press, LLC; 1 edition (June 6, 2011)
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B0054R9BE0
  • Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars 
The year is 1783.  Passengers are swarming the bustling Bristol quay, anxiously awaiting the call to board. David Graham, a Scot indentured for the next six years to a Philadelphia printer, waits among them, as does Elisabeth Hale, a young Englishwoman making the passage with her father, and Liam Brock, an orphaned Scot with a dubious past.

Thrown together on a life-changing voyage, the three establish an unwavering bond of friendship, love, and loyalty--until Elisabeth is forced to make a choice, and her torn loyalties threaten to shatter their lives.
Voices Beckon spans seven years in the lives of David, Elisabeth, and Liam. Richly evocative of time and place, this sweeping romance chronicles their coming of age against the vivid backdrop of the emerging United States of America.
 
The story covers 7 years of Elizabeth, Liam and David’s life, and I’ll admit it took me sometime. Boring? No!

I find every detail worth reading and enjoying. The author writes thrillingly. You’re always on the verge of wondering what will happen next. I for example, hadn’t think about the situations the characters were in. when I though they were going to be fine now, something happens and again I don’t know what will happen next.

It quite remind me of a forbidden love, like sky and earth, where the girl’s family don’t approve of the guy, because he’s poor.

Even though, I’m not hail from England, I appreciate a lot the author’s use of their language, even making sure that the words used are in accordance with what they portray. This book is well-written and the characters would surely remain in your heart.

I love Elizabeth for her intellect, principle and unconditional love. I love David for he’s hardworking, gentleman, dreamer and loyal. I love Liam for his martyrdom, friendship and loyalty.

I think it would be much interesting if at the first or middle of the novel did Liam realize he’s falling for Elizabeth, when maybe, the time when David is not in Elizabeth’s side. That way, it would be more tragic, and dramatic. I’m so bad..:)

The book is already filled with drama, romance, friendship and loss.

‘Elizabeth, if there’s one thing ye learn from me, let it be that ti’s always better to ask forgiveness than to beg permission” -Liam

This quote would surely stay forever in my head. It’s funny, witty and possibly true. Well, you can find lots of witty remarks and inevitable little truths here.

I love the ending and the fact that Elizabeth stands her principle not to be bedded before her wedding even if their wedding is the day after.

Everblossom



  • Author: Larissa Hinton
  • Format: Kindle Edition
  • File Size: 123 KB
  • Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B005H5GKIY
  • Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Summary:
An anthology that will quench your thirst for more than the ordinary.


Everblossom is a journey through poems and short stories that may seem ordinary on the surface but dig a little deeper and the world not only shifts. It changes.


From the author who brought you Iwishacana/Acanawishi, she now brings you a dash of everything from dark fantasy to the paranormal to even romance. So prepare yourself to delve into the three stages of the flower from bud to blossom then back to seed, you'll go through them all with a whole new perspective on what it all truly means.

I am not so in with anthologies, but this one changes my opinion about it.

I love each of it, but I especially love those poems who could say a lot and would make you think,” yeah, that’s right”, and I like the short stories being presented.

I agree with the author that words held powers, she herself showed that one could paint with words and words are art.

I believe this author has a gift for short stories and she should pursue it. I like the stories a lot, it keeps me anticipating and figuring out how she would end the story. But, I guess, she might like the idea to make it longer, because from my own experience, I’m liking the story and then it just ends. It’s just that I wish for her stories to be turned into novellas. Each of it would make a good plot and definitely a good read, if we say so.

And I’d like to appreciate that in such short words she could say a lot, the characters are defined and the gist is well-delivered. 

She writes vividly or if not vividly, the words would transport you to what she wants to convey. It’s well-written and the anthologies are weighed thoroughly to be able to be part of this book.

Such a nice read, and I would watch out for this author.:)

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Escape from Verona



“So if anyone should think of Romeo and Juliet, think not of 2 love-sick children bent on destruction, think of 2 people who fought and learned and loved and grew, as real people do.”
           -Juliet Montague, Diary

  • Author: David Gray
  • Paperback: 496 pages
  • Publisher: FnArts (July 1, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0982812469
  • ISBN-13: 978-0982812464
  • Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  
Escape From Verona, Juliet's long-lost diary, begins where Shakespeare leaves off, explaining how she and Romeo fake their deaths and escape from the Capulet family tomb.
Their escape does not bring peace to Verona.They are accused of murder and witchcraft and are hunted by powerful forces, including the Papacy and the Venetian government. Their adventures require not only eluding capture, but they must also learn what it means to love one another without the backdrop of their family feud.
What sacrifices are required for a well-bred young woman and a proud young swordsman to survive together?
Is heedless passion enough to make their marriage last?
As the lovers flee across northeast Italy they encounter many other characters made famous in Shakespeare's plays, Petruchio, Shylock, Desdemona and Othello among them. Their efforts are further aided by many of the artists of the late Renaissance, including Palladio, Tintoretto, Veronese and Titian.
I’m a lover of history, especially when it’s mixed with Romance, who wouldn’t?

Escape from Verona by David Gray is a result of the author’s labor of love for many years. Along with his on research, Father Grigio’s 1700th research and Juliet Montague’s long lost diary, a wonderful book of the real story behind the ever-famous “Romeo and Juliet”.


I was overly excited and awed when the book arrived safely in my hands. I suddenly felt unworthy of having the opportunity and to give my opinion of something that intrigues literature and history and possibly the oldest and most-cherished of all love stories.

The book is fairly written, with enough explanations on some terminologies, which the reader might find difficult to comprehend. Maps were provided to better understand the story at that time and traced their journey. Also, there’s a distinction between Juliet’s diary and the Friar’s work.

To tell you from my heart, after reading the first pages, I think this might be a fraud. How could a reality as far as it goes, be fairytale-like, the plot seemed to have steamed up from an author’s mind and the fate they faced an dhow each time, they dodged doom, are beyond my understanding.

But because certain facts are given and that Capulet and Montague seemed to be like real people, and even the persons involved in this story are based on facts, so I guess this might be authentic. You know the feeling one gets, when you believe in something and then someone presented the facts that it’s not what it seems?, that’s how I feel right now ..:D..Guess, just really stubborn.

So, if you’re a Romeo and Juliet fan of just any hopeless romantic, and want to know what happened, if this is true or not, or reading my endless self-debate, then grab this book to dive into a world of love, romance, deceit, power, honor, friendship and history!

you could find your own copy here!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Prophecy of the Flame: Love's Dawning


  • Author: Lynn Hardy
  • Format: Kindle Edition
  • File Size: 1936 KB
  • Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
  • Publisher: Resilient Publishing; Kindle edition (March 8, 2008)
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B004KKXSNC
  • Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars 
In a blinding flash of light, five nondescript strangers are yanked from this world and thrust into a land of sorcery as they are granted the looks and abilities of the people they were playing. 
This band of wannabe heroes soon discovers that having the powers they have always dreamed of, does not make life a dream come true. 
The Crusaders of the Light struggle to form a cohesive band as they blend twentieth century technology with the supernatural powers of this new world, fighting to liberate the kingdom of Cuthburan from the evil horde threatening humanity. 
Battle is also waged within Reba, an ordinary housewife who has become the most powerful mage on the planet, as she struggles to remain true to her wedding vows. 
Drawn against her will to the arms of Prince Alexandros, Reba must choose marriage to a handsome prince in a magical world or returning to the husband she left behind.
I didn’t read this book right away because judging from the first sentences, it depicts gaming ( online games only physically), which means I have to deal with sci-fi and much worst gaming. But to my regret, after a month when I continued reading, I find this as exciting as a roller coater ride.:)
The book kinda reminds me of Harry Potter, only with demons and princes and princesses. The Archmage is present, a druid elf, a dwarf, a master healer and a prince charming. 

I fell in love instantly with the story, I don’t know why, some magic-themed books are not just striking, but this one had me at my heels.:)

I enjoyed reading each chapters, and am always eager to read on and on, the suspense keeps me going and the actions and spells just add spice to it. My appreciation for the wonderful rhymes too. And Frog kissin’ would be a hit, if it’s really a song.

Mrs. Hardy poured out her imagination and her feelings too on this one, it’s filled with magic, actions, adventure, romance and camaraderie, and also faith too.

One of the best thing I’ve read in this is when, the temple’s priest ask Reba to pay homage to his god but she refuses claiming that she will never kneel nor pay worship to anyone unless it was God. I almost cried at this point: (I edited, this the conversation/ actual words said only.)

“It is required that all who enter pay respects to Andskoti.”
“My beliefs do not allow me to kneel to any god but mine.”
“B-but, it is required of all who enter, regardless of their beliefs.” “You must kneel in respect. No homage is expected, purely acknowledgment.”
“I am not a child of your world.” “I worship God. He doesn’t allow me to bend a knee to any other god, not even in the giving of respect or acknowledgment.”

In addition, the book is a romance type to, I can’t wait to know if Reba and Szames could blossom, or would Alex triumph over Reba?, much worse , what about her husband?

I honestly love everything about this, except the fact that Reba is married on earth dimension. But maybe something will happen on the next book. But as I would want to end the book, I really hope ,she would be with Szames.

The cover isn’t that appealing, though of course it should contain flames. But overall , a really good book.

you can find your own copy here!


Missing a picture from your favorite scene? Sketches and graphic art that didn't make it into the book can be found at: LynnHardy.com

The saga of Reba, Szames, and Alex continues in Book Two - Love's Price.

Love Finds You in Humble, Texas




  • Author: Anita Higman
  • Paperback: 320 pages
  • Publisher: Summerside Press (January 5, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1934770612
  • ASIN: B003GAMZFY
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  
Career, Love, Family, Country Life all rolled into one.

Love finds you in Humble Texas is a novel by Anita Higman about:

Trudie Abernathy is a little inelegant and she’s never had much luck in love. To make matters worse, her thirtieth birthday is fast approaching and her sister, Lane, has decided to "treat" her to a makeover and a few blind dates. Trudie is about to protest, but then she meets the kind and handsome Mason Williamson. 

In spite of her humble manner, Mason finds her attractive, funny and smart. But Lane inexplicably pushes Trudie away from Mason and toward the other willing suitors.

The makeover has transformed Trudie from ordinary into stunning but she isn’t sure how she feels about all the attention from men. Can Trudie stay true to her humble self and find her heart’s desire in the process?

I enjoyed this book mostly because of how the author presents idea or writes the story. The words she used are intelligently chosen, and between those lines, you could get the idea of things worth reading and cherishing.

I like the way the characters are developed and presented. Each character that comes, had its own way of developing and their past or reasons that made them who they are. It’s also good that the author used the style of giving the main characters a way to tell the readers what’s going on in their minds. You hear all three of them Trudie, Lane and Mason in an exact timing.

I guess, the story is realistic, they’re really situations when siblings could fall in love with one man. The consequences of this are what you are about to read :0 Mrs. Higman writes this lightly and vividly described , letting the words come to real life.

I laugh and cried hard for this one, I really felt the pain when you want someone, but you can’t have them because someone close to you want them too, and whatever decision you make, someone’s got to be hurt.
The unpredictable behaviors and decisions of the characters prompt me to read on and on, and especially the funny but witty remarks scattered in this book..:D

I also loved the cover, something in it tells me, to grab and read it!

Recommended to all who wants to experience unconditional love without the necessity to be erotic nor hot, just true and sisterly.

Be prepare to follow your hearts desire and to love HUMBLY!

You could find your own copy here!

The Bucktail Brothers of the Fighting 149th


  • Author: William Robertson and David Rimer
  • Paperback: 212 pages
  • Publisher: Infinity Publishing (August 5, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0741467305
  • ISBN-13: 978-0741467300
  • Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  
Even if I hadn’t read the other series, I already know , they were all good.
Lieutenant Colonel Walton Dwight inherited the difficult task of whipping the green 149th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry into battle shape before the summer campaign of 1863. Through brutal drilling, he instilled in his raw Bucktails the discipline to withstand the horrors of the first day's action at bloody Gettysburg. Fearing Dwight more than the Rebels, the 149th held their ground despite relentless artillery cross fire and Confederate charges that decimated them for over two hours.

Among the ranks of Dwight's regiment were Henry and Willie Cole, farm boys who had as much to learn about being men as they did about being soldiers. Henry was too cocky for his own good, while his younger brother lacked assertiveness. Two dogged charges to the railroad cut near McPherson's farm changed all that as their comrades fell dead and wounded around them. Gettysburg was not only the crowning moment for the Fighting 149th. It also brought to age a contingent of brave lads who endured the lethal rain of bullets and canister to write a new chapter in the glorious history of the Pennsylvania Bucktails.

The story is readable and well-described. Life at the time of war are presented. The author proved to be skilled in this genre, transporting readers to a time, where the story exist.

Using pictures serves not only as an ice-breaker, but it also provides information and another sight on the book.
Using also the younger generation as the center of the story pulls a great impact to the younger generation. It enables them to connect to what the characters are really feeling at that time, how one feels under the pressure of life and death, and to grow and become a true person in the middle of a Civil War.
The book is more like an educational tool than entertainment, but they were both. I’m being informed and at the same time, I enjoyed reading.

This is an easy way to educate people about America’s history not by giving long and tedious lectures, but by letting them read a book/series/novel that would entertain them and keep them reading.

I recommend this to all historians or should I say educators out there. Since using this tool to teach kids would be enjoyable. And to teenagers too, who want to virtually experience the Civil War.

You can find your copy here!


Friday, November 11, 2011

Campaign Promises



Summary:

Comedy writer and award-winning novelist Laurel Osterkamp has written a funny and moving novella about life, love, and politics as seen through the unique lens of Lucy Jones, a quintessential girl-next-door who is obsessed with political campaigns. 
Liberal, idealistic, and struggling to find her way, Lucy has an easier time believing in causes than she does in herself. But in the midst of analyzing the mistakes made by past political candidates, Lucy attempts to figure out her own choices when it comes to both her private and public life. There's her high school sweetheart Jack, Monty, Jack's magnetic older brother, and her politician boyfriend, Drew. Can any of these men offer Lucy a campaign promise to believe in?

This 19,000 word novella (roughly 60 print-book pages) spans twenty years and offers five slice-of-life vignettes in the life of Lucy Jones:
--The Prom and John Bayard Anderson
--The Wedding and Gary Hart
--The Funeral and Paul Wellstone
--The Baby Shower and Pat Schroeder
--The High School Reunion and Michele Bachmann

 
Campaign Promises is a novella by Laurel Osterkamp, a story of a high-school girl Lucy and her humorous principles and ideas about politics and politicians, how she compare politics in everyday situations and how she grown up in the midst of politics, though she’s just in charge of the campaign.

The life of Lucy is rather insignificant compared to the life and opinions about the politicians presented in this novella. Lucy’s own story though, I appreciate the suspense of who she’s going to end up with, it develop rather fast or maybe just because this is a novella, that might be the reason. But as I’ve noticed the author writes stages of her life, making the story a fast-paced one, and jumping from one time to another, nevertheless, it’s defined clearly and well-written.

The characters develop well and most of life issues are tackled here, like family, death, break-ups, high school drama, first love, views about marriage, untimely pregnancy and elections. The words used have the power to make the readers believe and read more.

I honestly like this book and the idea it presented. Ms. Osterkamp writes clearly and has her own way of words to better communicate with the readers. I guess this novella, is more like a political analyst article than a story but the fusion is really great..:)
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