S.B. Niccum's Blog, page 7

The "Fallen" Bandwagon

As I was walking the YA isles of my local library, and appreciating the sight of my own book gracing its shelves, I came across the much publicized and beautifully covered Fallen Novel by Lauren Kate.

I picked it up and read the blurb. "Mm…sounds like a YA, looks like a YA…let's give it a try," I thought after I made sure my own book was slightly tilted for a better view. *wink*

I've had little time lately to read too many other books, though I am constantly reading, but my To Be Read and Reviewed pile is quite long. However I did want to put this issue to rest. I can't help wonder what makes a book so popular. I had not read any other reviews, all I knew was that it is a bestseller and the cover is beautiful.

So what did I think? Blah…not boo, just blah.
It was a page turner, I have to say that much. Corny at times, but the author did do a great job at making you turn pages. If you rate books that way, then I would have to give it a four. But the ending was less than satisfactory…much much less.

The ending is meant to leave you wondering and so curious that you'd want to buy the next book, but frankly I don't much care. I think I'll just get more of the same: Build-up without resolution. Their pent-up passion and love seemed to come out of nowhere. She spent too much time making Daniel be "not interested" and little time showing us his own struggles to keep away from her. Frankly when he finally came clean and showed her how much he loved her, it was corny and anti-climatic.

But who am I to judge! The book has sold millions of copies! So obviously I'm alone here.

A Litte Bit Off The Subject Here...

[image error]This post has nothing to do with my usual quips about writing, but it has to do with another subject very near and dear to me:  Beef. 
I grew up in meat loving Argentina, where beef is served with every meal and is cheaper thank chicken.  So needless to say, I love a good stake.  This love however, may need to be curved for the next year or so, due to the unparalleled drought that the great State of Texas and Oklahoma have been experiencing. 
Here's an article, that you might want to check out about the impact that this drought may have on meat prices and availability. 

It appears that due to the drought, lost of cattle has been slain because it was hard to keep them fed.  This will cause a temporary drop in prices.  But Ranchers are saying that they will nave no beef for 2012.  If big beef producers from Texas and Oklahoma run out, we will still have the ranchers from other states, but this will increase the price of beef considerably. 
If beef goes up, so will other meats like chicken and turkey and pork.  Why?  Simply because the demand will go up.

So if you like beef, or any meat for that matter, I will be so bold as to suggest you buy some and stick it in your freezer. 

You can thank me in 2012!

Harry Potter Claims Another Fan

Like a wise mother, I've been keeping Harry Potter for the right time for my now 11 yrs. old son.
The criteria I used had less to do with reading level as with eagerness.  I wanted him to want to read it, I mean, really, really want to.
I wanted his curiosity to be so peeked that letting him read the books would be like a rite of passage for him. 
I started six months ago by attacking from where he would feel it most: Legos.  We went to Lego.com and I showed him one of the biggest stets, the Lego Harry Potter Castle.  We told him that he could earn this castle if he did a whole school year worth of math in half a year.  Once he got it, he wanted to know what all those rooms and secret passages were.
He watched me take my nieces and nephews to the last movie, and he was so jealous that he didn't get to go--the big rule in my house being--read first then watch. 
Last week, I unleashed my son and let him check out the first book from the library.  It was a thing of beauty to watch a child with ADHD sitting...and reading...all day long!  He brought the book to the dinner table, he read in the car.  He stayed up late, skipped on whatever we happened to be watching on T.V!  Now he's done with the first book and begging me to take him back to the library for the second.
I have to admit, that part of me is a little sad, because I know that he will breeze through these books and then they will be over.... 
He will experience that lonely, disoriented feeling of, "what now?" 
He's read the Percy Jackson series, and really enjoyed those.  But I need more!  I need to keep that momentum going and I need new series to fill that void, and quickly! 
Please Help!

Chatting with Megan Frank

Today I'm visiting Meagan Frank's Blog Choosing To Grow Through Marriage where she has interview me and is doing a giveaway!  While you're there, check out her fabulous work!

Wickflicker~ By Teric Darken

Please come by The Chicks In Lit blog and read about a fascinating new release called Wickflicker. 
This story is on my TBR and has gotten great reviews. 
Meet Author Teric Darken while you're at it, and find out how he came up with that name and what this great story is about!

Put a Little Umbrella In Your Drink... and enjoy a book in your hand!

Stop by Put A Little Umbrella in your Drink  to read more reviews and for another chance to win Veiled. 

Also, I'm pleased to announce that for a limited time you can buy Veiled through my web site with no added shipping fees inside the U.S.! 

You Will Be Assimilated

I didn't post on the 22nd because I was having technical difficulties.  So late, as always, I'm posting today on this most awesome blog tour. 
I got into Star Treck when I was in college and by then The Next Generation was in full swing.  While I have to admit to knowing all those episodes by heart I have to say that TNG is not my favorite.  After watching all the Star Trecks ever made (a few times) I have to say that Voyager is my all-time favorite.  Why? The Borg and Seven of Nine. 
I loved her journey into humanity and her blunders as she tries to find her way back into de-assimilation. 
I also love how the metaphor of a whole culture being created by recruiting drones that all think alike. That is perhaps the main reason why I don't have cable and watch all my T.V. via Netflix! ...call me paranoid or crazy...I don't care.  But I will NOT BE ASSIMILATED!

  Who is your favoite Star Treck Character?

For The Love Of Books ~ Review and Giveaway.

I am very honored to be over at Nikki's blog For The Love Of Books where she has posted her review of VEILED and is giving away a Paperback or an E-copy of Veiled to one lucky commenter!
I would love it if you took a minute and stopped by!

Today's stop: Taking Time 4 Mommy

Taking Time 4 Mommy Magazine Is featuring Veiled today with a review for you to read and a giveaway! It's easy to enter, so if you would like an e-copy for your Kindle, Nook or any of your E-readers,this is your chance!!!

Today I'll be at Ashley's blog And The Little Ones Too&nb...

Today I'll be at Ashley's blog

And The Little Ones Too  

Stop by for another great interview, giveaway and review from Ashley!

Here's an excerpt from her review:

"So when I went into reading this book, I didn't know what to expect. I've read books about God before and christian fictions but not a Christian Speculative Fiction. But I went into this book without an prior knowledge of what it covered. I was loved the book from the beginning. I love the character of Tess. She is the main character in the book and a good person to explain things since she is a discerner. Even as a spirit, you can tell that her gift helps her and doesn't help her. I mean, she's just like you and me… she denies feelings sometimes even though she can tell. I think that's why I liked her so much.



"I was surprised by every turn; every chapter. Like I said, I didn't know what to expect. I made sure I hadn't read a single review or even the intro to the book before hand. I loved how she explained how Earth was made. It seriously made it real for me. Like I could see it in my head. It made me imagine about it like I was really there. That probably one of my favorite parts. I thought about every part of the book. It makes you think. I thought about everything covered in the bible. Another favorite part of the book is when Tess was an angel and helped people. It brought the bible alive for me. I thought about Angels helping in the past and currently, but never thought about it from their side. It was really cool."