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Irish Meadows by Susan Anne Mason

I know I’m supposed to post reviews on Mondays … but I’m a little behind in my schedule with several reviews and an interview schedules, so I’m going to be posting this one today.

Irish Meadows by Susan Anne Mason
Courage to Dream, Book 1

Irish immigrant James O’Leary has spent his life building Irish Meadows into a thriving horse farm and is not about to let hard economic times threaten its success. He intends for his daughters to marry prosperous men–ones who will secure the family’s rightful place in society, and at the same time, guarantee the future of Irish Meadows. Both girls, however, have different visions for their futures.

Brianna and Colleen O’Leary know their father expects them to marry well. Yet despite his wishes, Brianna, the quieter sister, dreams of attending college. Vivacious Colleen, meanwhile, is happy to marry–as long as her father’s choice meets her exacting standards. When stable hand Gilbert Whelan returns from college and distant family member Rylan Montgomery stops in on his way to the seminary in Boston, the two men quickly complicate everyone’s plans. It will take every ounce of courage for both sisters to follow their hearts. And even if they do, will they inevitably find their dreams too distant to reach?

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Irish Meadows by Susan Anne Mason was an interesting book. I loved the setting – a Long Island horse farm – and the time period – 1911. The Christian content was interesting and well-written. I loved the transformations of the characters. It wasn’t too much, either. Not too preachy, though I don’t mind that in books anyway.

The romance was a bit overdone at times, it seemed to me, and it annoyed me how the characters bent to Mr. O’Leary’s will. Gilbert especially … he came out wimpy. No man should bend that easily … especially when Mr. O’Leary was asking him to do somewhat questionable things.

What does he hold over their heads? Nothing. So why are they pampering his every wish? No reason! I didn’t think he was that intimidating, and he’s not rich or anything!

Brianna’s distrust of Gilbert also annoyed me. They went back and forth too long. It seemed like their story was prolonged far more than it should have been.

SOME MINOR SPOILERS!!!

At the beginning of the book, Brianna seems to think she doesn’t love Gil at all, even though it’s plain as the nose on her face that she does (and that he feels the same way). “Why do I feel so jealous when the other girls are hanging around Gil?” she wonders. Le duh! You’re in love with him! And you don’t even know it (which is sort of a pet peeve with me)!

Later on (and not very much later on), she realizes she loves him. “I’m in love with Gil! Anguish, anguish, anguish!!!”

Please forgive a little sarcasm.[image error] It was an amusing book over all, and I did enjoy reading it, though the Gilbert/Brianna story wasn’t my favorite.

END OF SPOILERS!!!

I definitely preferred Colleen and Rylan’s romance! It was wonderful. Rylan was an awesome character, and I liked Colleen a lot, even when she was supposed to be unlikable and messed up, because she amused me. Flirtatious vixens always do.

From Smelly Socks to Evolution

I know, I’ve been reblogging a lot recently. But everyone making such good posts … blame it on them, not me!

From Smelly Socks to Evolution — Post Swap With Hayley

I know, I’ve been reblogging a lot recently. But everyone making such good posts … blame it on them, not me!

Plot Construction 101: The Great Pyramid

I’m planning to give y’all a course on plot constructing. Today (Day 1), I’ll be introducing you to The Great Pyramid.

No, not that Great Pyramid! This Great Pyramid!

Interview with Rose Lawson

Today I’m going to be interviewing Rose Lawson, aspiring author and creator of Writing a World.[image error] You may also know her on YWP NaNoWriMo as Diz the Dizzy.

Glad to have you here, Rose! Now, for the first question:

What is your current writing project?

Currently I’m working on my Camp NaNoWriMo novel Selene of Doomsday which I’m not loving as much as I thought I would, but I have some other novel ideas but the plots are still very fuzzy for those ideas.

Can you tell us a little about Selene?

Selene starts out as an angry, tough teenager who lives on the street. She’s not very likeable in the beginning of Selene of Doomsday. She lives in an alley and has amnesia, so she has no idea where she came from, and she’s insecure about that, which adds to some of that harshness. But by the end of the novel, she softens up and is more caring and compassionate. Yet again, she’s still sort of tough by the end of the novel.

Will there be a sequel?

I have some vague ideas, but it depends on how this first one ends.

Would you consider yourself more of a plotter or a pantser?

Definitely a pantser.

Do you just grab a plot bunny and write away, or are there things you want to know before you start writing?

I grab the plot bunny, then sit down for about ten minutes and make a brief outline that I end up ignoring when I actually write. I usually need to know what drives the characters to make the decisions they make that effect the plot, but that’s normally the only thing. I’m trying to become more of a plotter, though.

What are your goals as a writer?

Well, first off to become published and well-known, which I think might be every writer’s goals. Second off, too create original and enjoyable stories that break stereotypes and clichés but aren’t that weird.

Do you have any goals as a blogger?

To write enjoyable posts and attract a wide range of followers.

What was the first book you ever wrote?

[I wrote a] short, 11,000 word novel called Mermaids when I was [around nine years old that was] about mermaids on the coast of South Carolina. It remains unpublished.

Do you think a version of Mermaids ever will be published?

Actually, for November’s NaNoWriMo, I’m taking some of the characters from Mermaids and rewrite it, while changing parts of the plot and whatnot. Its title is Where Sophie Swam, and I’m thinking about publishing, but will look more into it after NaNoWriMo.

If you ever try to publish, do you think you’ll try to do it traditionally? Or will you just start by self-publishing?

I think I might send a draft into a small publishing company that’s local to my state (and I can’t remember off the tip of my tongue) or self publish.

What’s your biggest challenge as a writer?

Probably making my sentences flow smoothly, and finding synonyms for the words “said” and “asked.” Oh, yeah, and writer’s block.

12 Things all Homeschoolers can Relate to

I’m sorry for the extra post today … but this just has to be shared.

March Character Studies

Morgan Dusky at Studies in Character, a wonderful blog written almost entirely by the author’s fictitious characters, hosts a monthly character study. You can find out more about it here. This month’s theme is Introductions.

And yes. I do realize that it’s April. I’ve been having a crazy week … actually, I’ve been having several crazy weeks … and there’s a lot of stuff I need to catch up on, this included!

Today I’ll be interviewing Miss Christina Chattoway, Alice’s aunt from The Dressmaker’s Secret. I’ll be using the questions from both part 1 and part 2, as I might never get around to doing part 2 if I don’t do it now.

Now, for the questions![image error]

What’s your name?  Do you have a nickname?  Is there any meaning behind your name or your nickname?

My name is Christina Chattoway. My friends and family call me Christy most of the time; Mama calls – called – me her ‘rosebud.’ I loved that nickname.

How old do you look?  Is that your real age?  How old are you, actually?

I’m always being told I look younger than I am; I’m twenty-four. Recently, I’ve been told I look about eighteen.

What’s your gender?

Female! Goodness, couldn’t you tell by my name? Who names boys “Christina”?

What’s your eye color?  How easy is to tell your eye color from a distance?

I have brown eyes. I think it’s pretty easy to tell my eye color from a distance. After all, they’re just brown. Rather dull, I know. They’re not specially dark or light; just normal brown eyes. Like mud. I don’t like my eyes. But who’s looking at me at all, even from a distance?

What’s your ethnicity?  Does anybody ever get it wrong?

I’m English, naturally. I was born and raised in Yorkshire, but I’ve lived in London since I was sixteen. Nobody ever gets it wrong as I never go out of country. And even if I did, I imagine they could tell. I have a nice, English school-girl look about me.

What’s your build?  How tall are you?  Are you strong?

My build is small and shapeless. And I mean it! I’m inches taller than Claire, my big sister, who stands about five foot seven inches. Maybe more like eight. And, no. I don’t think I’m strong. Why would a lady need to be strong?

What’s your foremost physical trait—the first thing someone will notice about your appearance?

My plainness? Well, really, I’m not plain. But Claire is gorgeous, and no one notices me next to her. So … let’s just say people wouldn’t really notice me in the first place.

What’s your favorite outfit, or what do you wear the most?  Why is that your favorite?

Bright clothes! They make me look and feel happy! I particularly like pink. Or maybe blue. Or maybe purple. Oh, but green is a pretty color, too! Ooh, peach-colored … who can resist peach-colored? As far as cut, I prefer stylish but simple. Unlike Claire, I don’t care to wear those ridiculous bustles (what are they for?), and I don’t know why people invented them in the first place!

 How do you usually introduce yourself to new people?

Walk up to them and say “Hello, I’m Christina Chattoway; who are you?” It’s a dreadful habit of mine which I’m trying to break. I’m too informal, and I have a bad habit of forgetting etiquette. And of gossiping. Though what would the world be without a little gossip? Dull as dishwater, that’s what!

What would you do if you were a pirate?

I don’t know if I could manage that! But I’d certainly like to try. I don’t think I’d be able to kill people, though. Or even make them walk the plank. And I know I’d be a terrible hand at swabbing.

How do you usually enter a room?

Behind Claire. If I enter a room, I try to make a dramatic entrance, of course. I’ve got to do something to make myself noticeable. If being immature and show-offish is the only way, well, that I must be. Not that anyone notices anyway.

How would you describe yourself in one word?

Vivacious? No, that isn’t quite fair. Ridiculous, maybe? Yes, I suppose that one works. Or maybe just “babyish.”

Three words?

Can we count of and the as one word? Thanks! “Baby of the Family.” I think that describes me pretty well. Yes, I get pampered, but I’m never allowed to do anything for myself and no one really trusts me. For instance, I’ve asked and asked for Claire to confide in me, but she won’t. I don’t think she ever will. And it hurts.

What kind of first-impression do you usually make?  Do you think it’s a good first-impression?

They probably think of me as a mindless, silly gossip. And, no, it’s not a good impression, though likely a million girls make it.

What kind of first-impression do you want to make?

I want people to value me for who I am. I’m no wit – I never was very intelligent, actually; that I’ll freely admit – and I’m not beautiful. I can’t even be perceived as such when always compared with my sister. But I know I have some stellar quality, and if people would only take a second glance, they’d see it! I hope.

How would your best friend describe you?

I don’t think I’ve ever had a best friend, really. Oh, don’t pity me! I have friends. But I just wouldn’t call any of them my “best friend.” I stayed at my parent’s estate, Starboard Hall, in Yorkshire, until I was sixteen, and I never really knew girls my age. I was close to my mother, though. She was a lot like a best friend. And I know she would have described me as the most perfect creature in all creation, false as that may be.

How would your enemy describe you?

Probably as “Miss Chattoway’s little sister.” Assuming they took that much notice of me. As I’ve said before, I don’t attract much attention, which is both a blessing and a curse. To be truthful, the blessing side outweighs a lot of the curse part.

Do you agree with either of those descriptions?  Why?

I agree with my “enemy’s” description. I am Miss Chattoway’s little sister. And that’s all I’ll ever be to the world. There are reasons I love God; one of those reasons is because I know He knows who I really am, even if no one else – including myself – does.

How do you usually exit a room?

Dramatically, when I can. How else?

If you were a flower, what kind of flower would you be?

A rosebud, of course. Perhaps I’d even bloom someday. That remains to be seen.

What do you think of my interview? Lovely, wasn’t it? I’d love to hear from you in the comments!

Photography Friday

Hello Friends,

As some of you know, I have been endeavoring to keep to a schedule for Reveries. Well, I’ve been pretty successful at getting a review or interview out every Monday and writing tip post out on Wednesday, along with my arbitrary weekend post, but I feel as if I’ve gotten lazy with my Friday post, which is supposed to be poetry.

My problem is doing it every week. Apparently, my mind was made for writing a poem every week, and I feel like writing about someone else’s poetry is just a flop. So, instead, Poetry Teatime will be happening once a month, on the last Friday.

I have yet to determine exactly what to do for the 1st and 3rd Fridays (suggestions would be appreciated, no matter how stupid they may sound! ;) Comment!). For the 2nd, I’ll be doing photography, another one of my hobbies.

Yesterday, I went down to our creek with my mom, brothers, sister, nieces, and nephew. Even now, in early April, the water level’s beginning to drop, but we had a fun time splashing around. And catching things. And playing in potentially harmful bacteria.

Epilogues: Finishing Her Up

Hello Everyone!

Some of my images have disappeared from various pages. *clears throat* I, um, accidently deleted them. So … some posts may be missing their images.

To Whisper Her Name by Tamera Alexander

To Whisper Her Name by Tamera Alexander
A Belle Meade Plantation Novel (#1)

Set at Nashville’s historic Belle Meade Plantation, the most influential thoroughbred stud farm in America’s history, To Whisper Her Name weaves the struggles of real people of the post-war South with the journeys of a man and a woman scarred by betrayal.

Olivia Aberdeen, destitute widow of a man shot as a traitor to the South, is shunned by proper society and gratefully accepts an invitation from “Aunt” Elizabeth Harding, mistress of Belle Meade Plantation. Expecting to be the Harding’s head housekeeper, Olivia is disillusioned when she learns the real reason Elizabeth’s husband, Confederate General William Giles Harding, agreed to her coming. Not finding the safe haven she expects, Olivia is caught off guard by her feelings for Ridley Adam Cooper, a Southern man who seems anything but a Southern gentleman.

Branded a traitor by some, Ridley Cooper, a Southern son who chose to fight for the Union, is a man desperate to end the war still raging inside him. Determined to learn “the gift” that Belle Meade’s head horse trainer and former slave, Bob Green, possesses, Ridley harbors secrets that threaten both their lives.

As Ridley seeks to make peace within himself for “betraying” the South he loved, Olivia is determined to never be betrayed again.

//

This was an amazing book! I loved the writing style, the plot, the characters, and the setting! I wanted so badly to give it five stars – and more! – but this book was not filled out to its full potential, despite its loveliness.

Plot

Amazing! That’s all I have to say. It was intricate, but not too difficult to understand, just exciting enough, and thoroughly engaging. I’d definitely recommend it!

A few things …

For one thing, the end was disappointing. We were built up and built up and built up … and then we got a somewhat anticlimactic end! It wasn’t that the end wasn’t what I wanted for the characters and the plot, it was just that it happened way to fast, as if the writer suddenly got sick of it and decided it was time to type “The End” with no further ado.

There were also several subplots that weren’t properly resolved, that just seemed to be dropped.

But, overall, an amazing plot that drew me in from page one on![image error]

 

Characters

Olivia Aberdeen:

I loved Olivia. She was a sweet, an somewhat funny, character who had quite a lot of spunk and sass. At first, she annoyed me a little bit (as I believe she was supposed to), but as time went on, I started to really like her. She underwent a nice, well-written transformation that I really enjoyed. I was rooting for her all the way!

Ridley Cooper:

Ridley was awesome.[image error] He was funny, and I loved how amused he was by Olivia. They were really cute together. He was a well-developed, likable character.

“Aunt” Elizabeth Harding:

Very kind … and surprising! I was disappointed by the way the book ended for her, though.

General Harding:

I don’t know why, but I really liked this guy! I kind of thought of him as Gerald O’Hara … who was another character I really liked (in the book Gone with the Wind, not the movie).

Mary Harding:

Nice character ark! Wish there had of been more about her, but it probably would have subtracted from the plot if there had of been.

Uncle Bob:

I WANT HIS JOB!!! Seriously, though, he was an amazing, well-developed, strong character.

Setting

I could go on about the complete awesomeness of the setting for hours! To begin with … IT WAS A HORSE FARM!!! THERE WERE HORSES!!! Second off, it was in the South, during the Reconstruction era! And the writing fit the setting perfectly. I can honestly say that I spent several days at Belle Meade Plantation.