Refer A Book Friday 2/27/09

Rules of Refer A Book Friday: To play all you have to do is recommend a book that you liked and post in the comments. Tell me why you liked the book or link to your review. I will pick a recommendation, then add it to my TBR pile and the person who recommended the book will get to win a book from this Pile of Free Books that I reviewed.
I usually post the Refer A Book Friday post at 12pm EST after I am done work. Each week I will post a new post for you to comment in.

Hint: Looking for a good mystery. Not too scary and not to violent .

Booking Through Thursday - Collectables

• Hardcover? Or paperback?
• Illustrations? Or just text?
• First editions? Or you don’t care?
• Signed by the author? Or not?

If I am looking for a classic I prefer hardcover but most of my books are paperback.

I like Illustrations with my classic hardcovers and most other book too.

I would love to have a first edition of any old book. But even if I did have one I wouldn't have a good place to keep it safe.

I collected signed books that are signed to me. I giveaway general signed books.

Write on Wednesday - Why do I do what I do?

How about you? How do you find positive things to write about in these troubled times? Do you think the written word has the power to effect positive change?

I tend to lean towards the negative when I write in my journal. When I write stories it is all positive. I don't reread what I write in my journal, usually, and when I do it like reading another person journal at times. Do I think what I write has any effect on any one. Not really. I have hard time thinking I have any effect on anyone. It is the kind of question that I have come to not think about often because it leads me to more questions then answers. I suffer from depression and low self esteem so when I think about why I do something leads me to ... I don't know why.... Which leads me to what is the point in doing it? I don't know why... I guess to make me happy. Does what I write here or anywhere make a difference to someone? I find it hard to believe that little old me makes difference but I guess that is the low self esteem. My husband says that what I do with this blog makes others happy who read it. I just know I do it because I like it (most of the time) and because it feels productive since I have alot of time in the day and it is better then sleep. Whether it effect you the reader ...well it would be nice if I did have a good effect on you but I kinda doubt whether I effect anything through out your day or your life.

Shannon's Review - Otis the Musical Owl by Joseph N. Chappelle

Title:: Otis The Musical Owl
Series:: None
Author(s):: Joseph N. Chappelle
Genre:: Children's Book
Summary: A owl in search of it's family finds friendship in humans, music and other animals.
Finished: 02/24/09
Pages: 49
Challenges: 20 Books in 2009(17)
Rating:









My Thoughts: This book is good until it switches perspective from a narrator telling the story about the owl, to the owl telling its own story. It's fine in the beginning, where it seems to be a tale set in something like real life. But then it gets plain weird. The owl is picked up by a family that thinks they are helping the owl, who they think is hurt. But the owl is really a baby and lost. Then the owl goes to a rehabilitation center, learns many things and comes back to where it was found to look for its family. I think I may be missing something in the story. Then all of sudden the Prince of Darkness and 41 Unicorns were mentioned... I had no idea what that was about.

About the Author: This is the first book by Joseph N. Chappelle. He also plays cello, and has served in the Peace Corps and in Malawi as an International Partner with Habitat for Humanity.asy, Children Book, 20 in 2009 Challenge, Free Book 4 Refer A Book Friday,

It's Tuesday Where Are You? 02/24

Event takes place at raidergirl3 An Adventure in Reading




(picture taken from Low -the film.com)


I am in the South of the U.S.A .
I am woman was kidnapped by two southern men who think I come from a well to do family. As I await the rescue from my husband I make friends with a young man who helped kidnap me. (A Decent Ransom by Ivana Hruba)

Shannon's Review - Scat by Carl Hiaasen

Title:: Scat
Series:: None
Author(s):: Carl Hiaasen
Genre:: Children's Book
Summary: Teacher goes missing, and two students try to solve the mysteries surrounding her.
Finished: 02/21/09
Pages: 304
Challenges: 20 Books in 2009(16)
Rating:









My Thoughts: This is the first book I've read by Carl Hiaasen, and I have to say I was not impressed. I liked some things in the book. For example the character Twilly, who apparently appears in one of Hiaasen's adult mystery books. I liked the character because he was smart, quiet and knew what he wanted out of life. I also enjoyed the side story about Nick and his father, who came back from the war in Iraq. You do not see books for children talking about the war that often, and I thought Hiaasen did well with the subject. But even though I felt the book had good funny parts and serious parts, the main story was too predictable.


About the Author: Carl Hiaasen is the author of many mystery novels, a few non-fiction books and 3 children's novels. He has had a few of his books made into movies, including Hoot and Strip Tease.

Shannon's Review - Zoe At Fairy School by Jane Andrews

Title:: Zoe at Fairy School
Series:: Zoe the Fairy series
Author(s):: Jane Andrews
Genre:: Children's Picture Book
Summary: It is Zoe's first day at fairy school and the queen of the fairies teaches the first lesson.
Finished: 02/18/09
Pages: 32
Challenges: 20 Books in 2009(15)
Rating:









My Thoughts: The story was only okay. Zoe goes to school and learns to wave her wand ... not much really happens. I guess the lesson in the book is to keep trying till you get it right, but then she turns the mean little elf that picks on her into a toad at the end. Turning the bully into a toad is wishful thinking I guess... The art is whimsical and quaint, but I really didn't enjoy the tale that much.

About the Authors: Jane Andrews has written 10 books in the Zoe the Fairy series and one not about Zoe.

Shannon's Review - The Dusk Fairy by Keith Faulkner

Title:: The Dusk Fairy
Series::
Author(s):: Keith Faulkner
Genre:: Children's Picture Book
Summary: A child's unkempt room attracts the dusk fairy, who decides to help clean the room.
Finished: 02/18/09
Pages: 12
Challenges: 20 Books in 2009 (14)
Rating:









My Thoughts: A short and sweet story about a fairy that comes and cleans up a little girl's room while she sleeps. I don't think it teaches kids anything, but that doesn't make the tale any less sweet. The artwork is beautiful and precise.

About the Authors: Keith Faulkner has written many children's books, most of which look like lift-the-flap books. He has no website that I know of.

Winner For RABF 02/21/09!

Congrats to BookWormz who recommend The Red Tent by Anita Diamant. I will email you tonight or tomorrow. I picked The Red Tent because it was more what I was looking for in historical fiction. I should have specified a little more in what I look for in historical fiction. I really do consider each book you guys recommend though. I go to amazon and good reads and read reviews along with the ones posted by everyone.

Melange - I didn't pick Highland Warrior by Monica McCarthy because the book seemed more of a romance and as I said I should have specified more that I wanted general fiction sorry

Janel - Death du Jour or The Spice Box where leaning too much towards mystery. Although The Trimuph of Deborah seemed interesting. Maybe another time for that one.

BookFool - The Terror by Dan Simmons . I have heard good things about him and it is a shame about Drood it looked interesting. Although I think The Terror might be too creepy for me to read right now.

Thanks for playing everyone. I should have some more reviews up today and the rest of the week. I want to add some books to the freebie pile. :-D

Refer A Book Friday 2/20/09!

Rules of Refer A Book Friday: To play all you have to do is recommend a book that you liked and post in the comments. Tell me why you liked the book or link to your review. I will pick a recommendation, then add it to my TBR pile and the person who recommended the book will get to win a book from this Pile of Free Books that I reviewed.
I usually post the Refer A Book Friday post at 12pm EST after I am done work. Each week I will post a new post for you to comment in.

Hint: Today I am looking for a good historical fiction. Whatcha got?

Booking Through Thursday - Storage

This week’s question is suggested by Kat:
I recently got new bookshelves for my room, and I’m just loving them. Spent the afternoon putting up my books and sharing it on my blog . One of my friends asked a question and I thought it would be a great BTT question. So from Tina & myself, we’d like to know “How do you arrange your books on your shelves? Is it by author, by genre, or you just put it where it falls on?”

I use to arranged my books by last name of author before I was married and have tried to do it after but we just have to many books it gets out of hand. So now I just put it where it falls.

Shannon's Review - The Suburban Dragon by Garasamo Maccagnone

Title:: The Suburban Dragon
Series:: None
Author(s):: Garasamo Maccagnone
Genre:: Children's Picture Book
Summary: On a rainy day 3 children are bored, until their mother gets captured by a dragon.
Finished: 02/15/09
Pages: 50
Challenges: 20 Books in 2009(13)
Rating:










My Thoughts: What is the best thing for bored kids to do on a rainy day? Use their imaginations! So these kids, as a pretty princess and two brave knights, imagine up a plan to save mom from a dragon. Great as a bedtime story or on any rainy day. The Illustrations are just as creative as the story, and they work very well together.


About the Authors: Garasamo Maccagnone has written three other books: The Affliction of Dreams, For the Love of St. Nick, and St. John of the Midfield. You can visit him at his Official Website

Winner For RABF 02/14/09

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!! This week's winner is Paradox who recommend Interworld by Neil Gaiman. Congrats Paradox. You know the drill so please email me with you pick.

Becky - I didn't pick the Book Thief because ... you recommend once already and I had picked it then. I was listening to it for a while but I ended up not liking it enough to finish it.

J.M. Snyder - The Lathe of Heaven sounds really good but I didn't pick it because well get a little personal books about things like this upset me a little because I had a nervous breakdown not to long ago and the paranoid thoughts that came along with the depression and anxiety cause me to freak out a little when I think about book like this. Maybe one day I will be able to handle stuff like this again.

Kristi - The Road is something I would have read before my breakdown as well but right now End of the World stuff is hard to get through.


Thank you guys for your recommendations. Sorry I am so picky with my book picked. Wish I didn't have to be sometimes.

Anyways hope you all have a HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! I am off to an Irish and Scottish Music Festival... sounds like I mixed up my holidays. lol

Refer A Book Friday 2/13/09!

Rules of Refer A Book Friday: To play all you have to do is recommend a book that you liked and post in the comments. Tell me why you liked the book or link to your review. I will pick a recommendation, then add it to my TBR pile and the person who recommended the book will get to win a book from this Pile of Free Books that I reviewed.
I usually post the Refer A Book Friday post at 12pm EST after I am done work. Each week I will post a new post for you to comment in.

Hint: Last week I asked for lesser known author. How about this week give me the better known authors and bestseller. FYI just in case some one is thinking JK Rowling or Stephanie
Meyer... I read all the Harry Potter and couple of the Stephanie Meyers the rest are already on my TBR pile.

My other Blog and an Esty Shop

I just want to give a head up to those of you who like my little drawings that I opened an Esty shop.


I will be adding more stuff soon. Like more boxes and hand painted t-shirts and possibly other stuff. I would love it if you guys could check out my other blog Confuzzled Designs and the Confuzzled Designs esty shop. I know there is not much up but I would love feed back.

What I plan on doing with the shop is have more Treasure boxes, T-shirts with Confuzzled Book and Confuzzled Designs logo (would anyone be interested in these) and more. If you wanted to be updated one the shope keep watch at Confuzzled Designs. I probably won't post any more here about it....probably.


Oh and if any one has any tip on how to promote Confuzzled Designs I would appreciate it. Thanks.

Booking Through Thursday - Author Blogs

Suggested by Barbara H.:
A comment on someone else’s BTT question this week inspired this question:
Do you read any author’s blogs? If so, are you looking for information on their next project? On the author personally? Something else?

I follow a few author blogs . Most of the time it starts out because I met them. Then it ends that they have such great personality that I enjoy reading what they have to blog about and it is a bonus that I get to hear about there upcoming projects.

Here are the authors I follow

Christine Norris - Blog - Website

Elaine Coridae - Blog - Website

Laurie Halse Anderson - Blog - Website ( I haven't met her yet just kinda came across her blog.)

It's Tuesday, Where are you?

Event takes place at raidergirl3's blog An Adventure in Reading

I am in Florida on swamp land. Looking for a missing teacher try to solve the mystery of an arson that one of my friends is accused of doing. (Scat by Carl Haaisen)

Shannon's Review - Return to Zandria by Christine Norris

Title:: Return to Zandria

Series:: Zandria Series

Author(s):: Christine Norris

Genre:: Young Adult

BookSummary: Ivy returns to the magical land of Zandria with a friend this time. She must go on quest with her friends to find the princess of Zandria and save the magical land.

Finished: 02/03/09

Pages: 228

Challenges: 20 Book in 2009(11),

Rating:

My Thoughts: This a great sequel that also stands on it own. It has been years since Ivy was last in Zandria, and she had forgotten all about it. After running into her fairy friend, Kaia, memories come back to her. I don't think you need to have read the first book, Tailsman of Zandria, to read this one, since it's a different time period in Ivy's life and she doesn't remember about Zandria until she returns to the magical land. As with Christine Norris' other novels, this one is action packed, but maybe a little more captivating and harder to put down.

About the Authors: Christine Norris is the author of Tailsman of Zandria, The Crown of Zeus and Return to Zandria. You can visit at her website and blog at http://www.christinenorris.com/

Weekly Geek - Book Covers

Judge a Book By Its Cover!

This week it's all about judging books by their covers! Pick a book--any book, really--and search out multiple book cover images for that book. They could span a decade or two (or more)...Or they could span several countries. Which cover is your favorite? Which one is your least favorite? Which one best 'captures' what the book is about?

Here are covers I liked. I picked book only about Faeries

1)Faerie Tale by Raymond Feist

2) Faerie Wars by Herbie Brennan

3) The Faerie Path by Frewin Jones

4) Faerie Lord by Herbie Brennan

5) The Faerie Queen by Edmund Spencer

These are the covers I didn't like of the same books listed above. That first one is really creepy.

Thorin's Review - To Reign in Hell by Steven Brust

To Reign in Hell: A Novel

Synopsis: "His classic novel of the revolt in Heaven," is what the book cover says. However, this is no biblical account. Like Milton in Paradise Lost, Brust tells a fictional story (perhaps heresy, from certain viewpoints) of what went on in heaven to cause the famous Fall.

Seven beings created themselves by battling against a ravaging chaos called "cocoastrum" -- the angels Yahweh, Satan, Belial, Raphael, Leviathan, Lucifer and Michael. They, specifically Yahweh, raise heaven as a haven from this chaos, but waves of cocoastrum overcome its walls at irregular intervals. While they battle to hold it off, more angles are created in their wake -- each generation far more numerous than the last, but equally less powerful. The waves destroy many angels and maim many more. Each wave is a war, and each war is a tragedy.

Yahweh hatches “The Plan” to create a place the cocoastrum cannot penetrate. But to do so, they must effectively cause the fourth wave, and all the angels must help hold it back or build this new place (yes, it's Earth). But if the angels do not help, it won't be possible. And some may choose not to. So is it right to make them all work on the plan for the greater good, even if they don't wish to risk their own lives?

Yahweh asks Satan to be responsible for making these angels comply, but Satan's not comfortable doing so. Not knowing if his friends, the first wave angels, will help, Yahweh gets nervous. More, a later wave angel, Abdiel, is terrified that he may have to die to execute the plan. So Abdiel begins manipulating Yahweh, Satan and the others to foment revolt, forcing Yahweh to create his own army, which Abdiel puts himself in position to lead. Events speed into full war, the creation of Yeshua (Jesus) and the sundering of Heaven.

My Thoughts

This is like reading a train wreck. Immensely interesting, but you know by the names (Yahweh, Michael, Raphael and Satan, Lucifer, Leviathan, Belial, Lilith, Asmodai...) that it cannot end well.

Brust does a great job of unfolding a very personal story of misunderstandings, betrayals, lies and stubbornness that's a portrait of crumbling group dynamics. This is not a story of good and evil or the typical huge egos. It's immensely personal and takes pains to show each player in their own light. Some, like Abdiel, work in their own interests, but for understandable reasons (Abdiel is a coward). Others, like the loving Lilith or the crippled Belial and Leviathan (forever maimed into the shapes of a dragon and sea serpent, respectively, thanks to their last brush with cocoastrum), tug on your emotions. Satan reads like George Washington with his faithful friend Beelzebub, who is himself maimed into the shape of a golden retriever. Yahweh is the kindly builder who wants nothing more than the safety of the friends he loves, but can bear the death of thousands to save millions in the future.

You watch as the disagreement over The Plan balloons into the most cataclysmic rift at the hands of selfish manipulators. The whole time you hope the first angels will just sit down and talk and understand each other. But, again, you know those names... The universe does explode over one angel's lie. (Whose lie is very interesting.)

The setting lets Brust get away with a few things he couldn't otherwise. For example, treachery has never been invented. There's never been a murder. The few lies told have only been mischievous… So when Abdiel -- aghast that he may die himself and more than willing to have others take his place -- begins manipulating the situation, you accept that Yahweh and the other angels are naive of such wiles. Likewise, when characters do foolish things in rage, you understand that this is a rage unseen before in Heaven. Brust uses a gentle touch, seldom straining your suspension of disbelief, but the setting makes certain aspects of the plot possible. It also adds an element of children's naiveté, of innocence, that solidifies your sympathy for the characters.

The overall effect is a very good read. But the end's a train wreck in its own right: a sudden stop that doesn't get where it was going. The final battle is too abrupt, nothing is resolved (which is expected), and it's unclear what the heck happened to half the angels you've come to care about. There is an epilogue, but it's equally opaque, as if the book were setting up a sequel that never happened. I also feel like Brust's writing style is a little too steeped in modern American English, a little too conversational, which makes the writing a little breezy. That's not a bad thing for readability, but it undermines the atmosphere. While the characters come to life, their universe does not; it feels like this story could just as easily be set in a Wal-Mart. That makes this "classic" less so than books like The Lord of the Rings, or contemporaries such as American Gods or the Harry Potter series. (On the book cover, Tad Williams says Brust "just might be America's best fantasy writer." Perhaps the Brits just do fantasy better?)

About the Author

To Reign in Hell was the second book of Steven Brust, who has so far written 19 novels -- including 13 books of the Vlad Taltos series, the Alexander Dumas-tribute Khaavren Romances, and a Firefly novel available for free on his home page (http://dreamcafe.com). He lives in Nevada, has recorded a solo album, and is an open “Trotskyist sympathizer.” He was also a member of the Scribblies, thinks of it as Minnesota’s equivalent of the J.R.R. Tolkien’s/C.S. Lewis’ Oxford Inklings.

Winner For RABF 2/7/09

Congrats to Jessica who is our winner for this week's RABF! She recommended Goose Girl by Shannon Hale. I know this suppose to be a retelling of a fairy tale which I love fairy tales. It has FAIRY in it. lol That is not the only reason it is the fact that I loved a retold fairy tale and hope to come up with one myself some day. Congrats again!

Janel - Jonathan Rand seems like a good author for those kids that love scary stories and I would have loved him as a kid. Unfortunately as an adult my marbles have gone quite lucid and takes anything (even the little things) scary and turn it into a big thing. So even though I am sure he is probably similiar to R.L. Stine's Goosebumps and probably more funny then scary. I can't do anything scary.

Jenny - CeeCee Wilkes by Diane Chamberlain looks like an interesting story but to be honest i checked some of the Amazon reviews and some of the negative ones made me question whether i would like it or not.

Kristen - The Red Queen by Margaret Drabble I had the same issues that I had with Jenny's book. The negative reviews at amazon turned me off. Although I was closer to choosing this one and it would have been my second pick.

Becky - Legend of the Wandering King by Laura Gallego Garcia something about this book seemed that I might find it boring. Yet there are some aspects of it I like. I don't know why but i also thought the same thing about Steinbeck's Ghost (even though I picked that lol) and I loved Steinbeck's Ghost. So I could be wrong about it.

BookWormz - Devil in the White City by Erik Larson seems like a good book but i don't know if i could handle the evil serial killer part of it. I get nervous just walking by the true crime area. That section give me the heebie jeebies. *shivers*

Refer A Book Friday 2/6/09!

Rules of Refer A Book Friday: To play all you have to do is recommend a book that you liked and post in the comments. Tell me why you liked the book or link to your review. I will pick a recommendation, then add it to my TBR pile and the person who recommended the book will get to win a book from this Pile of Free Books that I reviewed.I usually post the Refer A Book Friday post at 12pm EST after I am done work. Each week I will post a new post for you to comment in.

Hint: This week if you can think one. Recommend me one your local authors or not so well known authors. If you can't think of one I am open to anything this week .

BTT - Too Much Information

Have you ever been put off an author’s books after reading a biography of them? Or the reverse - a biography has made you love an author more?

I think the only author biography I have ever read was on Margaret Mitchell and I loved it. When I read Gone With the Wind I had to read everything about her and I did. Reading the biography didn't make me not want to read about her just the opposite. I haven't read many biographies I am about due for one it has been many years. In fact I can count the biography I have read on one hand. Mary Pickford, Charlie Chaplin, and Margaret Mitchell...not many huh? There are many I am interested in though.

New Signed Book Giveaway - Scat by Carl Hiaasen

Scat

That right if you were keeping track of the Twittering and tried to guess what the book is you would have figured out that Paradox guessed right. The new signed book giveaway is SCAT by CARL HIAASEN.

Carl Hiaasen also the the author of the children books Hoot and Flush. He also the author of quite a few adult mysteries.

His new book Scat is a children's mystery. Here's about the book from Carl Hiaasen's official website

"Mrs. Starch – fearsome biology teacher – never returned from a field trip to Black Vine Swamp.

The principal says she was called away on a 'family emergency,' but Nick and Marta don't buy it. They think Smoke, the class delinquent, has something to do with her disappearance.

And he does! But not in the way that they think. There's a lot more going on in Black Vine Swamp than any one player in this twisted tale can see. And Nick and Marta will have to reckon with an eccentric eco-avenger, a stuffed rat named Chelsea, a wannabe Texas oilman, a singing substitute teacher, and a ticked-off Florida panther before they'll really begin to see the big picture. "

That's life in the swamp, kids."

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO WIN A COPY OF SCAT BY CARL HIAASEN THEN PLEASE ENTER IN THE COMMENTS " ENTER ME" OR "I WOULD LIKE IT" OR SOMETHING OF THAT NATURE. OH AND PLEASE PUT YOUR EMAIL IN THE COMMENT AS WELL SO I CAN CONTACT YOU. THANKS :-)

Mystery Book Giveaway #3! Let the Twittering begin!

Starting at 6pm EST I will be Twittering about the new mystery signed book giveaway. I thought it be fun if I made up a post and you could guess what the book is.

I will be posting a sentence about each of the first 13 chapters that is half the book. I don't want to go more then half or I might spoil something.

Would you like a couple hints on the book? Okay maybe a few
1. The book was released last week.
2. It is not a fantasy book this time or about fairies.
3. It is a children's book

So if you would like to join in the fun you can follow me on Twitter or just come back.
If you don't have an idea what the book is just give me a little feedback on what you think of me promoting it with Twitter. Do think it fun or do just not have the time to follow?

Winner of the Signed Copy of The Crown of Zeus by Christine Norris

I picked the winner by going to Random.org and going to there random number generator. We had 18 people who wanted the book and I am happy the announce the winner was 12 which is Homemaker!

Congrats to Homemaker! I will be sending an email soon.

I will be on Twitter today and tomorrow promoting the new giveaway that will be announced tomorrow. You want to know what it is follow me on Twitter to find out!

Interview With Author Christine Norris

I had the pleasure to do an interview with author Christine Norris author of Tailsman of Zandria, Return to Zandria and The Crown of Zeus. Today is the last day for the giveaway of a signed copy of her book Crown of Zeus so if you would like a chance to win the book leave a comment here.

What are your favorite books to read and/or authors?
I love what I write - YA and MG fantasy. I don't have tons of time to read outside of books for my college classes right now, but I do have a pretty big TBR pile. Some of my favorites are Tolkien, JK Rowling (of course, I'm a total Potterphile. I admit it) and Tamora Pierce (who is a first-class lady!) I've discovered some new authors too, and I just read Jim Hines' Stepsister Scheme, which is really fun. I'm waiting for the next in that series. I also ADORE James Owen's Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica series. I buy those in hardcover and put them next to my Harry Potters. They are awesome. I'm waiting for Lisa Mantchev's Eyes Like Stars and Cyn Balog's Fairy Tale, which should be out this year. I read all the time, I always have a book with me. If I could afford a portable ebook reader, like a Kindle or a Sony, I'd have one, so I could carry hundreds of books with me.

Can you tell me little about what got you started in writing?
That's an interesting story. It was late summer 2001, before 9/11, when I finally caught up to the Harry Potter craze. I read the first three or four books like a starving person eats a meal. I loved them, but more than that it was JKR's story, which everyone knows now. I had always had this thought in my head that to be a writer and be published you had to go to school for it. But here was this woman, desperately poor, scribbling in a cafe. If she could do it, why couldn't I? I started on Talisman of Zandria in early September of that year, and finished it in mid-2004. I didn't write continuously for those three years though.

Do you have a routine with when you write?

Not really. My life is so crazy, I have to be flexible. In the summer, when there's no school, I do drop into more of a routine. But most of the time it's just fit it in wherever. As far as writing the story itself, I used to just have an idea and go with it. But I've become a bit more organized now, and I do more plotting before I write, take lots of notes. Saves time and energy in the end, and I can fit notewriting into the crevices of time that show up in my day.

Do you have any tips for a writer starting out?

Read. Read a lot. Enjoy what you read, but also really pick it apart. See what works, what doesn't. Write, even if it's just journal articles. Practice writing. Don't be afraid to try different things. There IS no right and wrong when it's just you writing it, so do something and if it doesn't work, take it out. Don't be afraid to write crap - everyone writes crap, but readers never see it. Do your homework when it comes to agents and publishers. There are a lot of people out there who want to take advantage of new writers, playing on their hopes.

We have a giveaway going on with you book The Crown of Zeus which is the first book in the Library of Athena series. Can you tell us anything about the upcoming books in the series?

When I know, you'll know. LOL. The next book will be out in paperback in late May - The Ankh of Isis. The books are sort of like urban fantasy with mythological elements, I guess. It's hard to classify them. But the next book uses Egyptian myths. The book I'm working on now takes the main character back to Ancient China. I PLAN to make the fourth book Celtic myths. The final book - well, I can't say. :) It's going to be fun.


Where did the idea come from to write the series?
At this point I don't remember - I thought of it five years ago. I think I wanted something different, outside the normal High Fantasy story. I had the idea of the magic library first, then everything else sort of came up later.

Do you have a favorite part in the books?
There are so many little bits that amuse me. Megan is the main character, but all her friends have so many little quips and great lines. I like when Megan and Rachel fly on the back of Pegasus - that was fun, and the Labyrinth. I can't choose a favorite part.


What is your favorite mythological creature?
I'm such a girl. Pegasus, unicorns, dragons are all cool with me. I'm not big on monsters. No Minotaurs or Gorgons at my party, please :).

Shannon's Review - Queen Vernita's Visitors by Dawn Menge

Title:: Queen Vernita's Visitors
Series:: Educational Series
Author(s):: Dawn Menge
Genre:: Children's Picture Book
Summary: Queen Vernita has 12 friends. Each comes to visit for a month of the year, and they spend each day having fun.
Finished: 02/02/09
Pages: 36
Challenges: 20 Book in 2009(10),
Rating:










My Thoughts: The illustrations are bright and colorful, wonderful for
children's eyes because that's just what they like. In this book, children
will learn the months and days of the week, which are repeated
continuously. For adults that might become a
little monotonous, but for children it might sound a little more
interesting in the right tones.

About the Authors: This is the first book for Dawn Menge. She has a Masters Degree in Special
Education and is working on a PhD. You can visit her here.

Shannon's Review - Chicken Soup for the Women's Soul by Various Authors

Title:: Chicken Soup for the Woman's Soul
Series:: Chicken Soup for the Soul Series
Author(s):: Various Authors
Genre:: Self Improvement
Summary: Short stories of strong women living out their dreams.
Finished: 01/28/2009
Pages: 367
Challenges:20 Book in 2009(9),
Rating:










My Thoughts: This book has good, inspiring stories of women who have done it all, from childhood memories to growing old and wiser. A couple of the stories had me tearing up.

I have a few favorites that stick out. One called "The Wind Beneath Her Wings" is a story about Jean Harper, one of the first three female pilots for United Airlines. The woman's dream was always to be a pilot, and first everyone told her she couldn't, or she didn't have chance. She Almost believed that, until one teacher told her to live the dream. Another one was "Mother's Day," about a woman who was in her 30's and thought she would never have children, but in her 40's did. It makes me feel a little hopeful about myself. All the stories definitely spark emotion in a person; I can't see how they could not.

About the Authors: This book has various author. I am not going to list them all because there are so many, but Chicken Soup for the Soul has a website you can go to, ChickenSoup.com

Award - Your Blog is Fabulous from Books by TJBaff

Thanks so much to Tamara at Books by TJBaff for giving me this awards. I am honored and excited that my blog was one of your picks. I swear I was following you blog and it kicked me off following some how. Well now I am a follower again. I recommend you visit Tamara's site she is very sweet.

the details of this award are simple just write 5 things that you are addicted to and name 5 other blogs to pass it on to.

1. My husband. Completely addicted to being with him talking to him. I am lost with out him. And he feels the same about me. 13 years and counting.

2. Collecting Books. I have two TBR piles and should really stop because I am running out of room.lol

3. Painting wooden boxes. I can't stop painting and also running out of room to put them. Maybe I will start selling them.

4. Coming up with new ideas of stuff to do. I am always thinking of something crafy or creative to do but I have to learn how to finish so of these things too.

5. Chocolate. I hoard it even from my husband some times. That's bad. lol


Pass along the award

1. J. Kaye's Book Blog - Love this blog. Aways updating aways coming up with new ideas to promote others.

2. I think Becky's Book Reviews is pretty well known among us book bloggers. I love her new look on her blog. It's looks like a present wrapped up for everyone.

3. Sally's Book Critiques is the place to be for some good giveaways and some wonderful Christian Book Reviews.

4.Janel's Jumble is the bloggings of another sweet person. She talks about books and some of her beading work.

5.This a blog I just found BookWormz. I love the idea she came up for bookmarkers. So smart and cute.