Isabelle Joshua's Blog, page 10
August 13, 2016
Review: Drums of Autumn
Drums of Autumn by Diana GabaldonMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
A very good book and continuation of Jaime and Claire's story
The point of view changes and dates were at times hard to keep straight. It was in Claire's 1 st person POV but also 3rd person for Jaime, Roger, Brianna and possible others. very interesting story that keep me wanting to read and know what happens next.
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Review: Bennett
Bennett by Seraphina DonavanMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
The writing was good and the storyline was interesting. I've never read this author before and I will check out her other books as a result. It was a fast read and the characters were believable. I just saw two or three copy errors, but nothing too glaring.
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Back at it...
After spending the last three months studying for the Texas Bar Exam, I finally have time to do some writing and reading. I won't know my results until early November and in the meantime, I will be looking for a job as well as spending time with my kiddos before school starts in late August. I realize that I haven't been on here in about a month despite having the last fifteen days off. I have read about five books and swam a lot.
Now, I am spending some serious time on the sequel and smaller book in the Caged Beauty Series. Instead of writing the sequel and then writing one of the smaller books, I have been writing them concurrently. Since they deal with a similar timeline of events, the larger book is from the perspective of Kathryn and the smaller book is from Alex's POV. I find it interesting to write from a male perspective, and I hope to humanize Alex so that he is still considered great but less perfect and has some depth of character as he deals with the situation he is in.
I had some moments in The Swallow that Alex was jealous and got angry when Kathryn explained about her relationship with Evan, but some beta-readers said he was too angry. So I toned it down some, and although I love him in the book, he does seem wonderful, but it is really from Kathryn's POV, and she is smitten with him from their first meeting.
But I've written a considerable amount in each book that I am contemplating putting them together and using both POV. There are other books that I've read that have done this, and I personally like it in a secondary book, but I struggle with deciding if the reader will want to read the Alex's POV after or before.
I wonder about the first book being from just Kathryn's POV and then switching it up in the 2nd book. I know it has been done by other successfully, but I need to figure out if I should keep them separate or merge the two story.
Together they are roughly the size of the first book, but I am not finished writing The Bluebird, which is the second book in the series. I know that other series are usually three books, but at this point, I can't see dragging it out much longer. The Swallow was originally written as one book, and I broke it up because I changed the story dramatically to add more conflict. It got boring for me, and I just didn't see getting it all in one book any longer.
Anyway, I will try to update more frequently as I write and read. Enjoy the rest of your summer and keep reading!
Isabelle
Now, I am spending some serious time on the sequel and smaller book in the Caged Beauty Series. Instead of writing the sequel and then writing one of the smaller books, I have been writing them concurrently. Since they deal with a similar timeline of events, the larger book is from the perspective of Kathryn and the smaller book is from Alex's POV. I find it interesting to write from a male perspective, and I hope to humanize Alex so that he is still considered great but less perfect and has some depth of character as he deals with the situation he is in.
I had some moments in The Swallow that Alex was jealous and got angry when Kathryn explained about her relationship with Evan, but some beta-readers said he was too angry. So I toned it down some, and although I love him in the book, he does seem wonderful, but it is really from Kathryn's POV, and she is smitten with him from their first meeting.
But I've written a considerable amount in each book that I am contemplating putting them together and using both POV. There are other books that I've read that have done this, and I personally like it in a secondary book, but I struggle with deciding if the reader will want to read the Alex's POV after or before.
I wonder about the first book being from just Kathryn's POV and then switching it up in the 2nd book. I know it has been done by other successfully, but I need to figure out if I should keep them separate or merge the two story.
Together they are roughly the size of the first book, but I am not finished writing The Bluebird, which is the second book in the series. I know that other series are usually three books, but at this point, I can't see dragging it out much longer. The Swallow was originally written as one book, and I broke it up because I changed the story dramatically to add more conflict. It got boring for me, and I just didn't see getting it all in one book any longer.
Anyway, I will try to update more frequently as I write and read. Enjoy the rest of your summer and keep reading!
Isabelle
July 13, 2016
Review: The Pursuit
The Pursuit by Janet EvanovichMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Once again, I love this Fox and O'Hare book. The cliffhanger is quickly resolved and the romance between them that we've been anxiously wanted to happen finally does. O'Hare's morals and personal convictions are tested more and more. The book has funny and sweet moments and great action. I can't wait for the next one. Nicholas Fox might be the best criminal for O'Hare!
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July 9, 2016
Finale
I just watched the finale of my favorite show, Outlander. I cried buckets and immediately rewatched a pivotal scene that was simultaneously sweet and heart-wrenching. All the episodes have become a favorite of mine to rewatch. I bought them immediately and plan to rewatch them just like I do with Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Gone With The Wind, and so many other wonderful love stories and great epic stories that drag me into the story.I know other Outlander fans will probably disagree, but I wasn't crazy about Sophie Skelton as Brianna. Maybe her portrayal will improve but then again even when I read Dragonfly in Amber, I wanted to skip ahead so I could read about Claire and Jaime. I am not as fascinated with Brianna and Roger as so many others are. I like that they have a romance, but the first part of each of Diana's books starts off slow for me and until Claire either goes through the stones or starts telling about Jaime again, I am just itching to get past what I am currently reading and get to "the good stuff."
When I first read Outlander, I had no idea what to think because I knew nothing about the book. All I saw was this good looking dirty redheaded guy holding a beautiful brunette, and I was interested. I've always been a sucker for romance. But I did read part of a review, and it gave me an idea that she travels in time and meet someone so while I was reading the first 100 pages or so, I was chomping at the bit to get to the part when she crossed over the stones. I was very bored with her life or the vacation with Frank and later I could understand why Jaime would be the love of her life and the life she lived with him was more appealing than the one she did with Frank, he was boring. Yes, he loved her, and he was sweet, but he was condescending and arrogant. I didn't get the impression that she was on equal footing with Frank in their relationship. But with Jaime, she was, and he loved her so much. Diana did such a good job of holding out who the love interest would be though when she first crosses over, or I'm an idiot because Claire didn't make it clear immediately that she thought Jaime was attractive, and she talked about him as a boy or young man.But it changed, and the slow romance and her feelings grew for him, and then to realize that he had loved her all along and only due to pride and the situation they were in at the time of their marriage did he hold back from telling her. Talk about great story telling.
I long to write a character like Jaime. Maybe one day I will.
July 5, 2016
Review: Call Me Irresistible
Call Me Irresistible by Susan Elizabeth PhillipsMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
I just re-read this I think for the 3rd time and each time I love it. I love Meg's character and her spunk and she isn't intimidated or scared of any of them. She speaks her mind and is honest. Ted at first is such a jerk to her but it is funny because he makes things so difficult for Meg. I think my favorite part is the when she is his caddy for the first time and all the mistakes she makes. Meg stayed true to herself and became the successful, independent women she was always meant to be as well as bagging the hottie that is a sweetheart. It cracks me up that Ted hasn't experienced anyone that isn't smitten with him when he meets Meg. Funny and sweet and hot book. One of my favorites.
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June 23, 2016
Review: The White Princess
The White Princess by Philippa GregoryMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
*Little Spoiler*
The intrigue and the plotting of the court were ever present. Elizabeth of York was either plotting but only in her heart and never acted against her husband the king except to not be completely truthful with him. It was hard to witness the love that Henry had for her and the love that she didn't reciprocate for a long time and then it was dashed because of all the distrust. It was very good, but I was always hoping for Elizabeth to act differently. Obviously, Henry could have acted differently, but she was much better than him in every respect and could have been a help to her husband more. But that is really just the romantic in me because I always want romance to win out. This was a compelling book, and I finished within 18 hours with almost no sleep.
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June 22, 2016
Why Not?
Why not spend time answering these questions instead of studying for the bar? Hope I don't have to shamefully admit all my distraction ended with me failing it...Yikes.
@robinhillwrites tagged me to answer 11 questions. She's a writer of erotic romance novels.
Started by: Erica Lynn
“The Sunshine Blogger Award is a “get to know the writer better” type of blogging exercise, with a couple of rules attached:
Answer all 11 questions asked by the blogger who nominated you.
Nominate eleven bloggers in return and write eleven (possibly fiendish) questions for them to answer.”
Here goes...
Best Halloween costume you’ve ever donned? I went as a sexy doctor in college. I wore fishnet pantyhose, stilettos, a White lab coat (borrowed from Biology major friend), stethoscope, and black bra and panties and a name tag "Dr. Love" When’s the last time you did something really stupid? hard to pinpoint because I probably do something stupid each day. Especially if math is involved.Who do you stalk on social media? not really stalk but love reading about and seeing new stuff about @SamHeughan and @OutlanderWhat book would you like to see made into a movie? Well, because while writing my book The Swallow, I saw it play out as a movie in my head, I would love that. But other book I've read that I'd like to see as a movie is Big Girl Panties. I love Holly's transformation and the hottest guy ever to play Logan. Sexy and funny and sad. F&ck, marry, kill: Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, —or— Chandler, Ross, Joey? Joey, Chandler, RossJim Morrison, Van Morrison, or no Morrison? Jim Morrison, only because I saw the movie "The Doors" and he was played by Val Kilmer. nothing more to say.Favorite place you’ve traveled? GermanyLast book that turned you to mush? Queen of Always (Stolen Empire, #3) by Sherry D. FicklinLast book you wanted to throw across the room in a heated rage? Ladies Night by Mary Kay Andrews. I got to chapter 6 and I couldn't go on. So frustrating and unrealistic. Her husband locks her out of the house and community after she catches him cheating. So many issues that could be resolved in a simple way, but the main character must be an idiot! Hated it.Favorite book cover? Outlander but the one with Jaime on it, not the original one. It's the reason I read the book.Favorite book by a new writer?! Big Girl Panties by STEPHANIE Evanovich (not the other famous and prolific Evanovich). LOVE LOVE this book. I've read it twice now and I can't say enough about my love for Logan Montgomery and sweet funny Holly.
Okay so here are my 11 questions for the authors to answer?
What are you top five favorite TV shows right now? What is the book that you've re-read the most? If you could take your next dream vacation where would it be? What are your favorite genres to read? Do you work when you aren't writing and if so, what do you do? What are you scared of? Five words to describe your personality? What was the inspiration for your first book and latest book? What is your guilty pleasure? What is one thing you wish you could change about yourself? What makes you laugh the most?
Tagging Eleven People:
Jessika Fleck @jessikafleck Kelly S. Marsden @KSMarsden Mercedes Fox @MercedesFoxBook Rochelle Jackson @locherre RG Kerr @rgkerrbooks Caille Fox @CailleFox Lacey London @thelaceylondon Suki Sather @SukiSather Darren Deegan @DDeeganAuthor Aspen Bassett @achickadee9 John J Higgins @JohnJHigginsEsq
@robinhillwrites tagged me to answer 11 questions. She's a writer of erotic romance novels.
Started by: Erica Lynn
“The Sunshine Blogger Award is a “get to know the writer better” type of blogging exercise, with a couple of rules attached:
Answer all 11 questions asked by the blogger who nominated you.
Nominate eleven bloggers in return and write eleven (possibly fiendish) questions for them to answer.”
Here goes...
Best Halloween costume you’ve ever donned? I went as a sexy doctor in college. I wore fishnet pantyhose, stilettos, a White lab coat (borrowed from Biology major friend), stethoscope, and black bra and panties and a name tag "Dr. Love" When’s the last time you did something really stupid? hard to pinpoint because I probably do something stupid each day. Especially if math is involved.Who do you stalk on social media? not really stalk but love reading about and seeing new stuff about @SamHeughan and @OutlanderWhat book would you like to see made into a movie? Well, because while writing my book The Swallow, I saw it play out as a movie in my head, I would love that. But other book I've read that I'd like to see as a movie is Big Girl Panties. I love Holly's transformation and the hottest guy ever to play Logan. Sexy and funny and sad. F&ck, marry, kill: Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, —or— Chandler, Ross, Joey? Joey, Chandler, RossJim Morrison, Van Morrison, or no Morrison? Jim Morrison, only because I saw the movie "The Doors" and he was played by Val Kilmer. nothing more to say.Favorite place you’ve traveled? GermanyLast book that turned you to mush? Queen of Always (Stolen Empire, #3) by Sherry D. FicklinLast book you wanted to throw across the room in a heated rage? Ladies Night by Mary Kay Andrews. I got to chapter 6 and I couldn't go on. So frustrating and unrealistic. Her husband locks her out of the house and community after she catches him cheating. So many issues that could be resolved in a simple way, but the main character must be an idiot! Hated it.Favorite book cover? Outlander but the one with Jaime on it, not the original one. It's the reason I read the book.Favorite book by a new writer?! Big Girl Panties by STEPHANIE Evanovich (not the other famous and prolific Evanovich). LOVE LOVE this book. I've read it twice now and I can't say enough about my love for Logan Montgomery and sweet funny Holly.
Okay so here are my 11 questions for the authors to answer?
What are you top five favorite TV shows right now? What is the book that you've re-read the most? If you could take your next dream vacation where would it be? What are your favorite genres to read? Do you work when you aren't writing and if so, what do you do? What are you scared of? Five words to describe your personality? What was the inspiration for your first book and latest book? What is your guilty pleasure? What is one thing you wish you could change about yourself? What makes you laugh the most?
Tagging Eleven People:
Jessika Fleck @jessikafleck Kelly S. Marsden @KSMarsden Mercedes Fox @MercedesFoxBook Rochelle Jackson @locherre RG Kerr @rgkerrbooks Caille Fox @CailleFox Lacey London @thelaceylondon Suki Sather @SukiSather Darren Deegan @DDeeganAuthor Aspen Bassett @achickadee9 John J Higgins @JohnJHigginsEsq
June 14, 2016
Speech
All of my children have had to attend speech in school. They inherited their mother and father's poor childhood speech delays. Currently, my four-year-old (is absolutely adorable by the way) makes many incorrect speech pronunciations. My favorite is "I'm just killing mommy." I repeat it back to her "killing," and she shakes her head, "No, mommy I said kid-DDing."
I correct her at times but others I let go because I love it. I love the mistakes, the mispronounciation of words, the way an adult phrase sounds coming out her little sweet mouth. She astounds me with the little sayings and things she says. I know I'm gushing because she's my last. She will be the last child of mine that I can reveille in the "lup, mommy" instead of "yup." I make video recordings of her and my others when they comply so I can capture their cute innocence while it lasts.
She is also a chatty Cathy; this little girl talks to everyone and nonstop. I spend most days with her all day while the other kids are in grade school, so I do my best to engage but many times I find myself asking her, "Can you play the quiet game?" (with herself) and she gladly responds, "Yes, mommy I'll be a sneaky ninja." She kills me with her cuteness. My husband jokes that I'm partial, but I know I'm not, it is just that she's the last, and she's at that adorable age of four that all of my children went through, and you just want to eat them up because they're precious.
I just came across a video of my older daughter that is now six-years-old. In the video, she was four. She is just as adorable as my current four-year-old. She was telling me about why she doesn't like to sweat and get yucky. It is also so fitting that my youngest was talking in the background nonstop even then and eventually started yelling because I wasn't paying attention to her as I was filming my older daughter. Not much has changed...
I correct her at times but others I let go because I love it. I love the mistakes, the mispronounciation of words, the way an adult phrase sounds coming out her little sweet mouth. She astounds me with the little sayings and things she says. I know I'm gushing because she's my last. She will be the last child of mine that I can reveille in the "lup, mommy" instead of "yup." I make video recordings of her and my others when they comply so I can capture their cute innocence while it lasts.
She is also a chatty Cathy; this little girl talks to everyone and nonstop. I spend most days with her all day while the other kids are in grade school, so I do my best to engage but many times I find myself asking her, "Can you play the quiet game?" (with herself) and she gladly responds, "Yes, mommy I'll be a sneaky ninja." She kills me with her cuteness. My husband jokes that I'm partial, but I know I'm not, it is just that she's the last, and she's at that adorable age of four that all of my children went through, and you just want to eat them up because they're precious.
I just came across a video of my older daughter that is now six-years-old. In the video, she was four. She is just as adorable as my current four-year-old. She was telling me about why she doesn't like to sweat and get yucky. It is also so fitting that my youngest was talking in the background nonstop even then and eventually started yelling because I wasn't paying attention to her as I was filming my older daughter. Not much has changed...
June 10, 2016
Reading slump
Have you ever experienced a reading slump? I am in one right now. Because of my personal obligations, I can't be reading every day like I normally do and it won't let up until August. But when I have read a book it's just been okay or "eh" and I want to fall in love with a book. I've tried some authors that I loved in the past and the current books just wasn't as great. I know that this happens but if you read my reviews there have been like five books in a row that I gave a 3-star to and that's a low score for me. That means I got through it, and it was okay. If I can't get through it which happens on occasion, I'll give it a one or two stars and I'll rant about why I didn't like it. So I've had to go back and re-read some of my favorite books to get through this reading slump.
I also have times of a writing slump when I just don't want to write, or I am bored with the story, usually because I want it to be done. I get somewhat impatient with writing, and I speed through and write lots for a week or two then don't touch it again for a few more weeks.
Right now, I just feel blah because I'm not able to do what I want but rather have to finish some obligations that take almost all of my time. The obligations are taxing, and I don't feel good about the situation, but they must be done. So I must get back to it as I've spent the last few minutes writing this on an unscheduled break.
I also have times of a writing slump when I just don't want to write, or I am bored with the story, usually because I want it to be done. I get somewhat impatient with writing, and I speed through and write lots for a week or two then don't touch it again for a few more weeks.
Right now, I just feel blah because I'm not able to do what I want but rather have to finish some obligations that take almost all of my time. The obligations are taxing, and I don't feel good about the situation, but they must be done. So I must get back to it as I've spent the last few minutes writing this on an unscheduled break.
