Heather Manning's Blog, page 17
February 12, 2014
Music Thursday: Postponed
Hi! I should hopefully have a post up here later for you. Sorry...I've had long rehearsals all week. Go listen to your favorite song. :)
February 11, 2014
Bible Verse Wednesday: Salvation
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.Acts 4:12
February 9, 2014
Book Review Monday: Saving Juliet
Last week, I got to see the play Romeo and Juliet, which was the first Shakespeare play I have seen live. I really enjoyed it, and I had not expected to like it so much.
Anyway, after I saw it, I remembered a book I head read a LONG time ago. It was called "Saving Juliet" and was written by Suzanne Selfors. I remembered that I owned it, so I dug through my room until I found the book. I reread it in two days.
Here's a little about the book, taken from Amazon: "Mimi Wallingford, Great Granddaughter of Adelaide Wallingford, has the life that most girls dream about, playing Juliet opposite teen heartthrob Troy Summer on Broadway in Shakespeare's famous play. Unfortunately, she has no desire to be an actress, a fact her mother can't seem to grasp. But when she and Troy are magically thrust into Shakespeare's Verona, they experience the feud between the Capulets and Montagues first hand. Mimi realizes that she and Juliet have more in common than Shakespeare's script-they are both fighting for futures of their own choosing. Mimi feels compelled to help her and with Troy's unexpected help, hopes to give Shakespeare's most famous tragedy a happily-ever-after-ending."
(My nails matched the cover!)
My Thoughts:The Idea:This is about a girl who is not happy where she is. Her mother is basically forcing her to continue her career in acting, although she has grown to dislike it and has developed a terrible stage fright. Then, she is launched into the world of fictional Verona, with none other than Troy, the pop-star who isn't a great actor but was brought into the production to bring in money. I thought this story was a fabulous idea. I love "time-travel" stories and I love acting, so this was right up my alley.
The Characters:Mimi is a headstrong girl who is trying to turn her life around into what she wants--to follow her passions. But her mother is set on keeping her on the stage. Her narrative was very clear, and I did find myself rooting for her.Troy was an interesting character, with many different sides that are revealed later on. He is more than just a self-centered pop star. There is also a cast of well defined characters including Romeo, Juliet, Lady Capulet, Friar Lawrence, Mercutio, and Benvolio, all from Shakespeare's play.
The Plot:The plot was interesting...I read it in two days, so obviously I found it entertaining. :)
The Setting:I loved the setting. Broadway and Verona. Isn't that fabulous? Also, medieval Verona was described very well. I enjoyed it.
Overall:I recommend it as a quick, fun read! It is especially fun after seeing a production of Romeo and Juliet. :)
About the Author:
Suzanne Selfors lives on an island near Seattle where it rains all the time, which is why she tends to write about cloudy, moss-covered, green places.
She's married, has two kids, and writes full time.
Her favorite writers are Kurt Vonnegut, Charles Dickens, and most especially, Roald Dahl.
You can visit her at www.suzanneselfors.com.
Anyway, after I saw it, I remembered a book I head read a LONG time ago. It was called "Saving Juliet" and was written by Suzanne Selfors. I remembered that I owned it, so I dug through my room until I found the book. I reread it in two days.
Here's a little about the book, taken from Amazon: "Mimi Wallingford, Great Granddaughter of Adelaide Wallingford, has the life that most girls dream about, playing Juliet opposite teen heartthrob Troy Summer on Broadway in Shakespeare's famous play. Unfortunately, she has no desire to be an actress, a fact her mother can't seem to grasp. But when she and Troy are magically thrust into Shakespeare's Verona, they experience the feud between the Capulets and Montagues first hand. Mimi realizes that she and Juliet have more in common than Shakespeare's script-they are both fighting for futures of their own choosing. Mimi feels compelled to help her and with Troy's unexpected help, hopes to give Shakespeare's most famous tragedy a happily-ever-after-ending."
(My nails matched the cover!)My Thoughts:The Idea:This is about a girl who is not happy where she is. Her mother is basically forcing her to continue her career in acting, although she has grown to dislike it and has developed a terrible stage fright. Then, she is launched into the world of fictional Verona, with none other than Troy, the pop-star who isn't a great actor but was brought into the production to bring in money. I thought this story was a fabulous idea. I love "time-travel" stories and I love acting, so this was right up my alley.
The Characters:Mimi is a headstrong girl who is trying to turn her life around into what she wants--to follow her passions. But her mother is set on keeping her on the stage. Her narrative was very clear, and I did find myself rooting for her.Troy was an interesting character, with many different sides that are revealed later on. He is more than just a self-centered pop star. There is also a cast of well defined characters including Romeo, Juliet, Lady Capulet, Friar Lawrence, Mercutio, and Benvolio, all from Shakespeare's play.
The Plot:The plot was interesting...I read it in two days, so obviously I found it entertaining. :)
The Setting:I loved the setting. Broadway and Verona. Isn't that fabulous? Also, medieval Verona was described very well. I enjoyed it.
Overall:I recommend it as a quick, fun read! It is especially fun after seeing a production of Romeo and Juliet. :)
About the Author:
Suzanne Selfors lives on an island near Seattle where it rains all the time, which is why she tends to write about cloudy, moss-covered, green places.
She's married, has two kids, and writes full time.
Her favorite writers are Kurt Vonnegut, Charles Dickens, and most especially, Roald Dahl.
You can visit her at www.suzanneselfors.com.
February 8, 2014
Bible Verse Sunday: Salvation
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.Acts 4:12
February 6, 2014
Writing Friday: I Have a Street Team!
It's already Friday and I've had a couple of snow days this week. I would say that makes it a pretty good week.
Also, I thought I would announce that I have a street team! I am pretty excited about that. It is basically a group of about 20 people who were awesome enough to agree to help me out with promoting my book. Every six months, they must do three things from a list I created to help me, and in return, every six months, I will give away a prize for them.
They even have a pretty button just for them that I created:
Would you like to become a member of the street team? Let me know!
Also, I thought I would announce that I have a street team! I am pretty excited about that. It is basically a group of about 20 people who were awesome enough to agree to help me out with promoting my book. Every six months, they must do three things from a list I created to help me, and in return, every six months, I will give away a prize for them.
They even have a pretty button just for them that I created:
Would you like to become a member of the street team? Let me know!
February 5, 2014
Music Thursday: The Mist
Have you read Bram Stoker's Dracula? It is my favorite classic novel. Anyway, did you know there was a musical made of Dracula? It is not incredibly accurate, but it does have pretty music. Here is the song "The Mist" from this musical. This takes place after Mina finds Lucy sleepwalking. February 4, 2014
Bible Verse Wednesday: A Lying Tongue
Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.Proverbs 12:19
February 3, 2014
Broadway Tuesday: In Summer
Hello, everyone! It is very cold here and snowing...so, what better song to share with you? Here is a little project I created in my computer class at school, inspired by Olaf in Frozen. Enjoy!
February 2, 2014
Book Review Monday: Embassy
Guys! It's actually February already! Isn't that crazy? I know everyone says this, but it really seems like January completely blurred by for me.
How are you doing? Have you read lots of books during the first month of the year? Do you have any favorites so far?
Just the other day I finished reading Embassy by S. Alex Martin. This book was not only great, but I am proud to say that I am friends with the author. I look forward to even more good things coming from S. Alex Martin.
Here's a little about the book from Amazon:
"When Arman Lance fell in love with Ladia Purnell, he made it his life's goal to find her after she left his planet. But amid tragedy and his obsession of Ladia, Arman struggles to fight the mental isolation he has built around him. He sees joining the galaxy's Embassy Program as only one step on his journey to Ladia, nothing more. Now he explores the Embassy, flies a Molter, and competes in the fast-action Hologis tournament. At last, Arman boards the expedition that will take him across the stars to Ladia, but the journey might change him in ways he would have never dared to imagine."
My Thoughts:The Idea:Especially compared to the genre of books I typically read, I thought Embassy had a very original idea. It is about Arman Lance, a guy who has built a mental barrier around himself ever since he fell in love with a girl a few summers ago. He joins the galaxy's Embassy program to get to the girl who lives many planets away. This book is about his mental journey to live in the moment rather than letting an obsession take over his life and make him miserable. There are sci-fi elements that make the story interesting, but not overpowering, as the plot is very character-driven.
The Characters:This story is about character growth. In the beginning, Arman is not extremely likable. He's a grown to be a but of a sourpuss. But that's the point of the story. It's about him learning to be a happier, better person. A character I particularly liked was Glacia. She went to Secondary school with Arman, and then joins him in the Embassy program. I really admired her, and her ability to bring out the best in Arman. There were many other characters, all of whom were well developed and played a part in the story.
The Plot:The plot was good. I could say it was slightly predictable, but I don't think there is anything wrong with that. I enjoyed it. The first part of the book took place on Arman's planet, Undil. The middle is on a spacecraft in outer space, and the last part is on Belvun, where he planned to reunite with his love, Ladia. I was invested in the characters and I am excited to read the next books in the series.
The Setting:Embassy had a very fresh setting. I don't typically read novels in a futuristic setting, but I thought this was very, very well done. The descriptions were spot-on. Even though it was such a unique setting, I understood everything. I particularly enjoyed the Hologis tournament in Embassy. Hologis is a very creative game that is like a mixture of dodge ball and laser tag in a maze arena. It was really cool! I kind of wish it was a real thing.
Overall:Embassy is a great novel by young author S. Alex Martin! I look forward to books in the future by him.
About the Author: S. Alex Martin grew up fascinated with astronomy and reading Harry Potter. He worships the Oxford Comma, argues that Coke is better than Pepsi (sadly, Coke is not the fountain soda sponsor at his college), and collects coffee mugs wherever he goes. He draws 30-foot long mazes, is a street hypnotist, and stands by the unwavering fact that the 10th is the best, but he can't wait to see how Capaldi fits in with the crowd. Alex is 21 years old.
Find S. Alex Martin and Embassy Online:Personal BlogBookish Blog
AmazonGoodreadsABC 27 Interview
How are you doing? Have you read lots of books during the first month of the year? Do you have any favorites so far?
Just the other day I finished reading Embassy by S. Alex Martin. This book was not only great, but I am proud to say that I am friends with the author. I look forward to even more good things coming from S. Alex Martin.
Here's a little about the book from Amazon:
"When Arman Lance fell in love with Ladia Purnell, he made it his life's goal to find her after she left his planet. But amid tragedy and his obsession of Ladia, Arman struggles to fight the mental isolation he has built around him. He sees joining the galaxy's Embassy Program as only one step on his journey to Ladia, nothing more. Now he explores the Embassy, flies a Molter, and competes in the fast-action Hologis tournament. At last, Arman boards the expedition that will take him across the stars to Ladia, but the journey might change him in ways he would have never dared to imagine."
My Thoughts:The Idea:Especially compared to the genre of books I typically read, I thought Embassy had a very original idea. It is about Arman Lance, a guy who has built a mental barrier around himself ever since he fell in love with a girl a few summers ago. He joins the galaxy's Embassy program to get to the girl who lives many planets away. This book is about his mental journey to live in the moment rather than letting an obsession take over his life and make him miserable. There are sci-fi elements that make the story interesting, but not overpowering, as the plot is very character-driven.
The Characters:This story is about character growth. In the beginning, Arman is not extremely likable. He's a grown to be a but of a sourpuss. But that's the point of the story. It's about him learning to be a happier, better person. A character I particularly liked was Glacia. She went to Secondary school with Arman, and then joins him in the Embassy program. I really admired her, and her ability to bring out the best in Arman. There were many other characters, all of whom were well developed and played a part in the story.
The Plot:The plot was good. I could say it was slightly predictable, but I don't think there is anything wrong with that. I enjoyed it. The first part of the book took place on Arman's planet, Undil. The middle is on a spacecraft in outer space, and the last part is on Belvun, where he planned to reunite with his love, Ladia. I was invested in the characters and I am excited to read the next books in the series.
The Setting:Embassy had a very fresh setting. I don't typically read novels in a futuristic setting, but I thought this was very, very well done. The descriptions were spot-on. Even though it was such a unique setting, I understood everything. I particularly enjoyed the Hologis tournament in Embassy. Hologis is a very creative game that is like a mixture of dodge ball and laser tag in a maze arena. It was really cool! I kind of wish it was a real thing.
Overall:Embassy is a great novel by young author S. Alex Martin! I look forward to books in the future by him.
About the Author: S. Alex Martin grew up fascinated with astronomy and reading Harry Potter. He worships the Oxford Comma, argues that Coke is better than Pepsi (sadly, Coke is not the fountain soda sponsor at his college), and collects coffee mugs wherever he goes. He draws 30-foot long mazes, is a street hypnotist, and stands by the unwavering fact that the 10th is the best, but he can't wait to see how Capaldi fits in with the crowd. Alex is 21 years old.
Find S. Alex Martin and Embassy Online:Personal BlogBookish Blog
AmazonGoodreadsABC 27 Interview
February 1, 2014
Bible Verse Sunday: Sawdust
Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? Matthew 7:3
