Dale Ibitz's Blog, page 14
October 20, 2012
Friday Fun
For all the animal lovers out there....
If I Didn't Have A Dog...Or Cat ......
I could walk barefoot around the yard in safety.
[image error]
My house could be carpeted instead of tiled and
laminated.
All flat surfaces, clothing, furniture, and cars would
be hair-free.
[image error]
When the doorbell rings, my home wouldn't sound
like a kennel.
[image error]
When the doorbell rings, I could get to the door without
wading through all the fuzzy bodies who beat me there.
I could sit on the couch and my bed any way I wanted,
without having to take into consideration how much
space several fur bodies need to get comfortable.
[image error]
I would have enough money, and no guilt, to go on
a real vacation.
I would not be on a first-name basis with 6 veterinarians,
as I put their yet unborn grandkids through college.
[image error]
The most used words in my vocabulary would not be:
"out," "sit," "down", "come," "no," "stay,"
and "leave it ALONE.
My house would not be cordoned off into zones with baby gates and makeshift barriers.
[image error]
I would not talk 'baby talk'. 'Eat your din din'. 'Yummy
yummy for the tummy'..
My house would not look like a day care center, with toys everywhere.
[image error]
My pockets would not contain things like poop bags, treats
and an extra leash.
[image error]
I would no longer have to spell the words B-A-L-L,
W-A-L-K, T-R-E-A-T, O-U-T, G-O, R-I-D-E, S-U-P-P-E-R,
And C-O-O-K-I-E.I would not have as many leaves INSIDE my house as
outside.
[image error]
I would not look strangely at people who think having
ONE dog/cat ties them down too much.
[image error]
I'd look forward to spring and the rainy season instead
of dreading them as 'mud' season.
If I Didn't Have A Dog...Or Cat ......
I could walk barefoot around the yard in safety.
[image error]
My house could be carpeted instead of tiled and
laminated.
All flat surfaces, clothing, furniture, and cars would
be hair-free.
[image error]
When the doorbell rings, my home wouldn't sound
like a kennel.
[image error]
When the doorbell rings, I could get to the door without
wading through all the fuzzy bodies who beat me there.
I could sit on the couch and my bed any way I wanted,
without having to take into consideration how much
space several fur bodies need to get comfortable.
[image error]
I would have enough money, and no guilt, to go on
a real vacation.
I would not be on a first-name basis with 6 veterinarians,
as I put their yet unborn grandkids through college.
[image error]
The most used words in my vocabulary would not be:
"out," "sit," "down", "come," "no," "stay,"
and "leave it ALONE.
My house would not be cordoned off into zones with baby gates and makeshift barriers.
[image error]
I would not talk 'baby talk'. 'Eat your din din'. 'Yummy
yummy for the tummy'..
My house would not look like a day care center, with toys everywhere.
[image error]
My pockets would not contain things like poop bags, treats
and an extra leash.
[image error]
I would no longer have to spell the words B-A-L-L,
W-A-L-K, T-R-E-A-T, O-U-T, G-O, R-I-D-E, S-U-P-P-E-R,
And C-O-O-K-I-E.I would not have as many leaves INSIDE my house as
outside.
[image error]
I would not look strangely at people who think having
ONE dog/cat ties them down too much.
[image error]
I'd look forward to spring and the rainy season instead
of dreading them as 'mud' season.
October 17, 2012
Book Review: The Portal, by Alan Zendell
The Portal
Alan Zendell
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Summary (from Goodreads):
Harry Middleton is born in an America staggered by a century of decline, a time of medical and technological marvels beyond the reach of most people in a shattered economy. Pessimism and despair are more common than optimism and hope, and a desperate government bets the future on space. The lunar and Martian colonies have not provided the hoped-for salvation, so despite an angry, disillusioned public, the first star mission will soon be launched.
Harry is a special child, smart, precocious, his only confidante an embittered grandfather. When the old man dies, Harry is lost, until he meets Lorrie. At thirteen, they bond, certain they’ll spend their lives together, but a year later, she disappears, and Harry is desolate.
With help from his friend Carlos, Harry begins a quest to find her, but he quickly learns how powerless he is. Even the police lack the resources to help. Harry and Carlos can only depend on themselves and each other. An unlikely duo, Harry is an academic prodigy while Carlos is a stud athlete. Realizing that school and baseball are their tickets out of the morass they’re caught in, they inspire each other to greatness in both.
Trying to move on with his life, Harry has a college sweetheart, but as long as Lorrie haunts him, he knows the relationship is doomed. He gains celebrity and wealth, but the thing Harry wants most, finding and saving Lorrie from whatever fate took her from him remains beyond his reach. And always, in the background, are the deteriorating state of the country and the coming star missions.
And of course, there's the Portal.
My thoughts:
This is an intriguing and well-written book spanning the life of Harry, from adolescence to old age. The future world that Mr. Zendell has built is believable and well-thought out. The characters are engaging, real, life-like. You follow Harry on his journey through life, the ups and downs, and get caught up in his ride. This is a novel that I would describe as character-driven rather than plot-driven, and while I typically don't get into character-driven novels, I was quite enthralled with this one. A character's life has to be *really* interesting to hold up in a character-driven novel, and Harry's was pretty interesting.
Was there some slow parts? Yeah, here and there. Especially toward the end when there is a lot of politicizing in the story, because this is a path Harry, as a character, takes later in his life. To me, the role Harry plays in the politics of the nation was a bit of a soap-box, though we do know that in real life people listen and heed stars' (whether film or athlete) political views. And some of those stars do use their celebrity status as a platform.
I was expecting more of a science fiction concept, but the star missions, and *especially* the portal, are far in the background. I admit I found that a little disappointing.I still consider this a good read overall, and recommend it.
Alan Zendell
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Summary (from Goodreads):
Harry Middleton is born in an America staggered by a century of decline, a time of medical and technological marvels beyond the reach of most people in a shattered economy. Pessimism and despair are more common than optimism and hope, and a desperate government bets the future on space. The lunar and Martian colonies have not provided the hoped-for salvation, so despite an angry, disillusioned public, the first star mission will soon be launched.
Harry is a special child, smart, precocious, his only confidante an embittered grandfather. When the old man dies, Harry is lost, until he meets Lorrie. At thirteen, they bond, certain they’ll spend their lives together, but a year later, she disappears, and Harry is desolate.
With help from his friend Carlos, Harry begins a quest to find her, but he quickly learns how powerless he is. Even the police lack the resources to help. Harry and Carlos can only depend on themselves and each other. An unlikely duo, Harry is an academic prodigy while Carlos is a stud athlete. Realizing that school and baseball are their tickets out of the morass they’re caught in, they inspire each other to greatness in both.
Trying to move on with his life, Harry has a college sweetheart, but as long as Lorrie haunts him, he knows the relationship is doomed. He gains celebrity and wealth, but the thing Harry wants most, finding and saving Lorrie from whatever fate took her from him remains beyond his reach. And always, in the background, are the deteriorating state of the country and the coming star missions.
And of course, there's the Portal.
My thoughts:
This is an intriguing and well-written book spanning the life of Harry, from adolescence to old age. The future world that Mr. Zendell has built is believable and well-thought out. The characters are engaging, real, life-like. You follow Harry on his journey through life, the ups and downs, and get caught up in his ride. This is a novel that I would describe as character-driven rather than plot-driven, and while I typically don't get into character-driven novels, I was quite enthralled with this one. A character's life has to be *really* interesting to hold up in a character-driven novel, and Harry's was pretty interesting.
Was there some slow parts? Yeah, here and there. Especially toward the end when there is a lot of politicizing in the story, because this is a path Harry, as a character, takes later in his life. To me, the role Harry plays in the politics of the nation was a bit of a soap-box, though we do know that in real life people listen and heed stars' (whether film or athlete) political views. And some of those stars do use their celebrity status as a platform.
I was expecting more of a science fiction concept, but the star missions, and *especially* the portal, are far in the background. I admit I found that a little disappointing.I still consider this a good read overall, and recommend it.
October 15, 2012
Book Review: Thoughtless, by Jacqueline Gardner
Thoughtless
Jacqueline Gardner
Star Rating: 2.5 Stars
Summary (from Goodreads):
When Bridget finds a dead cheerleader in the janitor’s closet, she becomes the killer’s next target. High school just got worse. It’s bad enough that she can hear the shocking truths that pass through her classmate’s heads. Now she has to worry about staying alive, and all clues point to the one person whose thoughts she can’t read - her boyfriend Terrence. Someone is taunting her, threatening to expose her secret. And when Bridget tries to single out her blackmailer, she’s nearly beaten to death by a mind controlled minion with fiery eyes.
But when Bridget finally comes face-to-face with the killer, suddenly a horde of brainwashed students programmed to destroy her life doesn’t seem so bad.
My thoughts:
First, I really like this cover, and the premise grabbed me immediately. Poor Bridget has an onslaught of thoughts running through her head, and they're not hers. It's especially hard in high school with aaalllll those hormonal boys with really only *one* thought on their minds. Hard to have a boyfriend. The plot was good for the most part...though I don't think I fully bought the reason Bridget felt like she couldn't tell anyone she'd found the dead cheerleader. Though Bridget works hard at keeping her mind-reading power a secret, to me that wasn't reason enough she had to hide...but of course I'm not a 17 year-old girl who just found a dead body. Maybe the right instinct is to run.
Bridget gains the aid and trust another student, and there's always her best friend, whom I'm happy to say both stick with her through the bad stuff that comes. Boyfriend Terrence is the stuff high school dreams are made of...um, a.ka. yummy.
Here's what brings down the star rating. Basically, the writing itself. In short summary:
1. The author is addicted to exclamation points. Readers will be more engaged if urgency and excitement are shown through actions and facial expressions...rather than a reliance on exclamation points.
2. There was a lot of telling. ...looking shocked. ... looked confused. ... I found myself getting nervous. ... Rory was nervously waiting. The thing is, sometimes these types of phrases were paired with action. The action itself was showing how the character felt...the statement of how the character felt is redundant.
3. The amount of the main character's internalization distracted from the story...especially when large chunks of internalization were mixed with dialogue. The dialogue doesn't snap or flow at a good pace. Let the story play out and trust the reader to come to his/her own conclusions. Especially when at the climax of the book; all that internalization slows down the climatic ending.
4. A bit of passive writing. I felt his hand grab my ankle. I could hear the sirens. Passive writing makes the reader feel like he/she is reading a story, rather than being immersed in the story.
This one was just okay for me.
Jacqueline Gardner
Star Rating: 2.5 Stars
Summary (from Goodreads):
When Bridget finds a dead cheerleader in the janitor’s closet, she becomes the killer’s next target. High school just got worse. It’s bad enough that she can hear the shocking truths that pass through her classmate’s heads. Now she has to worry about staying alive, and all clues point to the one person whose thoughts she can’t read - her boyfriend Terrence. Someone is taunting her, threatening to expose her secret. And when Bridget tries to single out her blackmailer, she’s nearly beaten to death by a mind controlled minion with fiery eyes.
But when Bridget finally comes face-to-face with the killer, suddenly a horde of brainwashed students programmed to destroy her life doesn’t seem so bad.
My thoughts:
First, I really like this cover, and the premise grabbed me immediately. Poor Bridget has an onslaught of thoughts running through her head, and they're not hers. It's especially hard in high school with aaalllll those hormonal boys with really only *one* thought on their minds. Hard to have a boyfriend. The plot was good for the most part...though I don't think I fully bought the reason Bridget felt like she couldn't tell anyone she'd found the dead cheerleader. Though Bridget works hard at keeping her mind-reading power a secret, to me that wasn't reason enough she had to hide...but of course I'm not a 17 year-old girl who just found a dead body. Maybe the right instinct is to run.
Bridget gains the aid and trust another student, and there's always her best friend, whom I'm happy to say both stick with her through the bad stuff that comes. Boyfriend Terrence is the stuff high school dreams are made of...um, a.ka. yummy.
Here's what brings down the star rating. Basically, the writing itself. In short summary:
1. The author is addicted to exclamation points. Readers will be more engaged if urgency and excitement are shown through actions and facial expressions...rather than a reliance on exclamation points.
2. There was a lot of telling. ...looking shocked. ... looked confused. ... I found myself getting nervous. ... Rory was nervously waiting. The thing is, sometimes these types of phrases were paired with action. The action itself was showing how the character felt...the statement of how the character felt is redundant.
3. The amount of the main character's internalization distracted from the story...especially when large chunks of internalization were mixed with dialogue. The dialogue doesn't snap or flow at a good pace. Let the story play out and trust the reader to come to his/her own conclusions. Especially when at the climax of the book; all that internalization slows down the climatic ending.
4. A bit of passive writing. I felt his hand grab my ankle. I could hear the sirens. Passive writing makes the reader feel like he/she is reading a story, rather than being immersed in the story.
This one was just okay for me.
October 1, 2012
Book Review: Playing Harry, by Nick Wastnage
Playing Harry
Nick Wastnage
Star Rating: 2.5 Stars
Summary (from Goodreads):
Harry Fingle’s brother is killed in suspicious circumstances. Harry, an acclaimed investigative journalist, is fired, for no reason. He vows to discover the truth. Two people are murdered, a pharmaceutical factory is bombed, and Harry’s loyal ex-girlfriend is stabbed. MI6 and the CIA pull him in to safeguard his life. They tell him he’s been the ball, while they’ve been the players.
Harry Fingle is trying to find his brother’s killer. On his brother’s computer, he discovers a mysterious encrypted file that he thinks contains a cure for HIV. Together with his ex-girlfriend, Amie, and six other tragically flawed strangers, he becomes immersed in a violent and disturbing international conspiracy, that unearths the criminal activities of two of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies, and exposes the American and British security services as having blood on their hands.
Playing Harry is the story of one man’s epic fight against powerful organisations. His terrifying journey brings him back into contact with his former partner, who never came to terms with their break-up; a successful career woman, grieving over the death of her teenage son; a sad, pathetic alcoholic, who’s continually trying to kick the habit; and a supposedly-reformed drug dealer, who can’t escape his past.
My thoughts:
This is a complex novel with a lot of players and a lot of moving pieces. This is a the type of novel that's difficult to write really well. The characters themselves are portrayed well, their motivations and emotions are clear and understandable.
I had a hard time getting into the story because it flashed quickly between points of view, and it took me a while to put the pieces together to figure out where the story was going. Nick himself is portrayed as kind of a dick, and the fact that he's been through a good amount of crap, doesn't make him any less of a dick in the way he handled the situation...especially to the ex-girlfriend. Granted, at the end he recognizes that he's been a dick, but I went through the whole story not really liking Harry all that much because, you know, he was a dick.
In fact, as well as the characters were portrayed, I really didn't feel much attachment to them.
The dialogue didn't flow well for me. Most of the speech sounded unnatural and robotic and extremely formal.
The biggest draw back for me is that the characters' movements were diagrammed to the point where there movements started appearing mechanical. It was really distracting.
I think I spent part of the time being confused, part of the time being annoyed, and part of the time being bored by this one.
Nick Wastnage
Star Rating: 2.5 Stars
Summary (from Goodreads):Harry Fingle’s brother is killed in suspicious circumstances. Harry, an acclaimed investigative journalist, is fired, for no reason. He vows to discover the truth. Two people are murdered, a pharmaceutical factory is bombed, and Harry’s loyal ex-girlfriend is stabbed. MI6 and the CIA pull him in to safeguard his life. They tell him he’s been the ball, while they’ve been the players.
Harry Fingle is trying to find his brother’s killer. On his brother’s computer, he discovers a mysterious encrypted file that he thinks contains a cure for HIV. Together with his ex-girlfriend, Amie, and six other tragically flawed strangers, he becomes immersed in a violent and disturbing international conspiracy, that unearths the criminal activities of two of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies, and exposes the American and British security services as having blood on their hands.
Playing Harry is the story of one man’s epic fight against powerful organisations. His terrifying journey brings him back into contact with his former partner, who never came to terms with their break-up; a successful career woman, grieving over the death of her teenage son; a sad, pathetic alcoholic, who’s continually trying to kick the habit; and a supposedly-reformed drug dealer, who can’t escape his past.
My thoughts:
This is a complex novel with a lot of players and a lot of moving pieces. This is a the type of novel that's difficult to write really well. The characters themselves are portrayed well, their motivations and emotions are clear and understandable.
I had a hard time getting into the story because it flashed quickly between points of view, and it took me a while to put the pieces together to figure out where the story was going. Nick himself is portrayed as kind of a dick, and the fact that he's been through a good amount of crap, doesn't make him any less of a dick in the way he handled the situation...especially to the ex-girlfriend. Granted, at the end he recognizes that he's been a dick, but I went through the whole story not really liking Harry all that much because, you know, he was a dick.
In fact, as well as the characters were portrayed, I really didn't feel much attachment to them.
The dialogue didn't flow well for me. Most of the speech sounded unnatural and robotic and extremely formal.
The biggest draw back for me is that the characters' movements were diagrammed to the point where there movements started appearing mechanical. It was really distracting.
I think I spent part of the time being confused, part of the time being annoyed, and part of the time being bored by this one.
September 27, 2012
Book Review: Undermountain, by Eric Kent Edstrom
Undermountain
Eric Ken Edstrom
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Summary (from Goodreads):
Two teens from from different worlds . . .
Danny Michaelson, sixteen, just wants a little time away from his troubled home in Nashville. So when he joins a group of teens in the Canadian Rocky Mountains for a ten day hiking excursion, he's primed for adventure.
Breyona Lewis, sixteen, is a beautiful rich girl from Chicago. Outwardly cheerful, she conceals a dark secret. One she denies even to herself.
. . . the encounter of a lifetime . . .
Danny and Breyona come face to face with a creature of legend--an eight foot tall beast they tag as "bigfoot." But it's no missing link, no mere animal. And it does not want humans knowing its secrets. Because there are thousands of them here on Earth, living in a hidden city deep beneath the mountains, waiting for the day humans are "ready."
. . . friendship, love, and loyalty . . .
Separated from each other and told they may never return home, Danny, Breyona, and the others race to escape. To survive.
One is made more than human, one is made less.
One must fight, one must surrender.
Both must face the truth of who they are.
My thoughts:
Okay, at first I was like, Bigfoot? Really? Can that be any way interesting in a story? Well, in fact, it kinda was. I liked the plot, I liked the characters, I liked the descriptions, and I liked the writing. I think the premise is unique and different. There's some humor in there (I love how Wa gets his nickname), there's a bit of romance (but just a tinge...perfectly acceptable for younger, male readers...seriously, not enough to gross them out), and there's a lot of growing up for these kids. I wanted to kick the bad apples in the butt, they were so irritating; and yes, that's a good thing. And best yet...the writing is solid.
The only real gripe I have is that one character is extremely intelligent. Good, good, I can take a smart kid. But this character's intelligence was portrayed through his speech...a lot of times relying on not using contractions. Geniuses use contractions when they speak. I would prefer a brainiac's dialogue supported by the substance of *what* is being said rather than *how* it's being said. It makes the character sound like he's trying to be smart, instead of portraying him as smart. And yes, this character did use contractions sometimes, but really, that's not how kids speak...even the brilliant ones. This character just didn't sound natural to me.
Other than that one very small thing, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I'm looking forward to the next installment.
Eric Ken Edstrom
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Summary (from Goodreads):
Two teens from from different worlds . . .
Danny Michaelson, sixteen, just wants a little time away from his troubled home in Nashville. So when he joins a group of teens in the Canadian Rocky Mountains for a ten day hiking excursion, he's primed for adventure.
Breyona Lewis, sixteen, is a beautiful rich girl from Chicago. Outwardly cheerful, she conceals a dark secret. One she denies even to herself.
. . . the encounter of a lifetime . . .
Danny and Breyona come face to face with a creature of legend--an eight foot tall beast they tag as "bigfoot." But it's no missing link, no mere animal. And it does not want humans knowing its secrets. Because there are thousands of them here on Earth, living in a hidden city deep beneath the mountains, waiting for the day humans are "ready."
. . . friendship, love, and loyalty . . .
Separated from each other and told they may never return home, Danny, Breyona, and the others race to escape. To survive.
One is made more than human, one is made less.
One must fight, one must surrender.
Both must face the truth of who they are.
My thoughts:
Okay, at first I was like, Bigfoot? Really? Can that be any way interesting in a story? Well, in fact, it kinda was. I liked the plot, I liked the characters, I liked the descriptions, and I liked the writing. I think the premise is unique and different. There's some humor in there (I love how Wa gets his nickname), there's a bit of romance (but just a tinge...perfectly acceptable for younger, male readers...seriously, not enough to gross them out), and there's a lot of growing up for these kids. I wanted to kick the bad apples in the butt, they were so irritating; and yes, that's a good thing. And best yet...the writing is solid.
The only real gripe I have is that one character is extremely intelligent. Good, good, I can take a smart kid. But this character's intelligence was portrayed through his speech...a lot of times relying on not using contractions. Geniuses use contractions when they speak. I would prefer a brainiac's dialogue supported by the substance of *what* is being said rather than *how* it's being said. It makes the character sound like he's trying to be smart, instead of portraying him as smart. And yes, this character did use contractions sometimes, but really, that's not how kids speak...even the brilliant ones. This character just didn't sound natural to me.
Other than that one very small thing, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I'm looking forward to the next installment.
September 24, 2012
Book Review: Jaguar Sun, by Martha Bourke
Jaguar Sun
Martha Bourke
Star Rating: 3- Stars
Summary (from Goodreads):
DECEMBER 21, 2012 Will that fateful day destroy our world, or did the Mayans have something else in mind?
Maya Delaney knows. Unfortunately.
Maya Delaney is just an average sixteen-year-old. She’s busy dealing with exams, her soon to be ex-boyfriend and fitting in.
But Maya’s got bigger problems. She’s hiding a major secret from her dad and having strange visions she can’t control.
In her struggle to figure out who she is, she learns that she is meant to fulfill an ancient Mayan Prophesy and bring forth a New Age on earth.
Will the spirit magic Maya wields be enough to defeat Toltec, an evil society bent on keeping her from her destiny?
Or will that destiny destroy her.
My thoughts:
First, this is a different cover than my version of the novel. I like this one much better.
I really latched on to the premise of this story; the whole issue of the Mayan calendar ending in December, 2012, is fraught with mystery, trepidation, and awe. I was eager to pick up a book that depicts one version of how the mystery is solved.
Maya is a like-able character who handles the changes she's going through marvelously well. She has good friends who stand by her, and a boyfriend who's not so like-able in the beginning but grows on you as he grows himself.
It wasn't really what I was expecting, I guess, and I don't want to say what kind of changes Maya goes through without revealing anything, but it's not usually the type of book I would pick up. With that being said, I did like the way this author approached those changes, and it actually didn't bother me all that much. There is also variety in this aspect, which again was unique...at least to me.
The book was both slow and fast; the story moved slowly, but the timeline and events moved very quickly. If that makes any sense. Let me try to explain myself. The story takes a long time to get started and the plot itself moves slow, yet doesn't take enough time on significant events and seems to rush from one event to the next...there were certain things I would have liked have seen fleshed out. This is especially notable in the first half of the book; the second half of the book seems a bit better paced.
There was much ado with the character (author) injecting little witty (sometimes) paranthetical thoughts while the story is moving. As the story gains speed, these parantheticals take a short hiatus, but then return at the end. They're okay if used occasionally and do inject some humorous thoughts from the character...but the over-use was over-done.
The author kept telling you when something was going to happen, rather than let the story play out. "That's when I saw it." "And it only got worse from there." And things were always happening suddenly. "Suddenly, all I could think about..." "Suddenly, I realized..." "Suddenly, I felt a wave of nausea..." It occurred often enough for me to take note of it.
Some of the concepts of the story are not fleshed out to my satisfaction. I can't go into too much detail without giving away parts of the story, but the changes Maya goes through seem to merge and blend bits of spiritual (?) and physical aspects (and the only way I can question this is: really, where do the clothes go and how do they magically re-appear?)... it made no sense to me. The ending, too, seemed anti-climatic. I'm not sure *what* Maya did means for the future of the world and humanity, because we don't really know what would have happened if Maya had been stopped from her mission. Her power seemed to be diluted from what we're lead to expect throughout the story. I guess I was expecting more, I don't know, BAM! And to that end, we don't know what it means for the future world and humanity now that Maya *did* complete her mission. It's vaguely referred to, but the whole conceptual future world is not mapped out in this book. It's hard to root for the character and her mission when you don't know what the consequences will be if she fails; not knowing removes the sense of urgency. What I got out of it was that life would go on as we know it (except I don't know where the bad players fit in); you can't get any more anti-climatic than that. Maybe we find out in the sequel, perhaps.
The series may have potential if some of these things are addressed.
Martha Bourke
Star Rating: 3- StarsSummary (from Goodreads):
DECEMBER 21, 2012 Will that fateful day destroy our world, or did the Mayans have something else in mind?
Maya Delaney knows. Unfortunately.
Maya Delaney is just an average sixteen-year-old. She’s busy dealing with exams, her soon to be ex-boyfriend and fitting in.
But Maya’s got bigger problems. She’s hiding a major secret from her dad and having strange visions she can’t control.
In her struggle to figure out who she is, she learns that she is meant to fulfill an ancient Mayan Prophesy and bring forth a New Age on earth.
Will the spirit magic Maya wields be enough to defeat Toltec, an evil society bent on keeping her from her destiny?
Or will that destiny destroy her.
My thoughts:
First, this is a different cover than my version of the novel. I like this one much better.
I really latched on to the premise of this story; the whole issue of the Mayan calendar ending in December, 2012, is fraught with mystery, trepidation, and awe. I was eager to pick up a book that depicts one version of how the mystery is solved.
Maya is a like-able character who handles the changes she's going through marvelously well. She has good friends who stand by her, and a boyfriend who's not so like-able in the beginning but grows on you as he grows himself.
It wasn't really what I was expecting, I guess, and I don't want to say what kind of changes Maya goes through without revealing anything, but it's not usually the type of book I would pick up. With that being said, I did like the way this author approached those changes, and it actually didn't bother me all that much. There is also variety in this aspect, which again was unique...at least to me.
The book was both slow and fast; the story moved slowly, but the timeline and events moved very quickly. If that makes any sense. Let me try to explain myself. The story takes a long time to get started and the plot itself moves slow, yet doesn't take enough time on significant events and seems to rush from one event to the next...there were certain things I would have liked have seen fleshed out. This is especially notable in the first half of the book; the second half of the book seems a bit better paced.
There was much ado with the character (author) injecting little witty (sometimes) paranthetical thoughts while the story is moving. As the story gains speed, these parantheticals take a short hiatus, but then return at the end. They're okay if used occasionally and do inject some humorous thoughts from the character...but the over-use was over-done.
The author kept telling you when something was going to happen, rather than let the story play out. "That's when I saw it." "And it only got worse from there." And things were always happening suddenly. "Suddenly, all I could think about..." "Suddenly, I realized..." "Suddenly, I felt a wave of nausea..." It occurred often enough for me to take note of it.
Some of the concepts of the story are not fleshed out to my satisfaction. I can't go into too much detail without giving away parts of the story, but the changes Maya goes through seem to merge and blend bits of spiritual (?) and physical aspects (and the only way I can question this is: really, where do the clothes go and how do they magically re-appear?)... it made no sense to me. The ending, too, seemed anti-climatic. I'm not sure *what* Maya did means for the future of the world and humanity, because we don't really know what would have happened if Maya had been stopped from her mission. Her power seemed to be diluted from what we're lead to expect throughout the story. I guess I was expecting more, I don't know, BAM! And to that end, we don't know what it means for the future world and humanity now that Maya *did* complete her mission. It's vaguely referred to, but the whole conceptual future world is not mapped out in this book. It's hard to root for the character and her mission when you don't know what the consequences will be if she fails; not knowing removes the sense of urgency. What I got out of it was that life would go on as we know it (except I don't know where the bad players fit in); you can't get any more anti-climatic than that. Maybe we find out in the sequel, perhaps.
The series may have potential if some of these things are addressed.
September 23, 2012
Book Review: Life of the Party, by Christine Anderson
Life of the Party
Christine Anderson
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Summary (from Goodreads):
Seventeen-year-old Mackenzie Taylor can't wait to be free; free from high school, the shadow of her perfect older sister, and her disapproving parents. The rebellious party girl has a perfect accomplice in best friend Riley, a boy from the wrong side of the tracks who scores them drugs, booze and under-age entry into the only club in town. But then everything changes. A traumatized Riley suddenly decides to give up the party life, and a wide-eyed Mackenzie meets Grey Lewis, a broodingly talented, gorgeous older man she falls instantly in love with. Though Riley warns her to stay away, the aspiring rock star's body and ample drug supply are too tempting for her to resist. Previously inseparable, Riley and Mackenzie go their separate ways.
When summer hits, Mackenzie has new friends, a new apartment and new drugs to mask the pain of Riley's absence. And of course, she has Grey. But despite the fierce, consuming passion they share, the mysterious bad-boy always leaves her guessing. Is Grey really a good guy? Or was Riley right about him all along? Mackenzie's in too deep to care. Unable to curb her mounting addictions, before long the lust-for-life teen totally loses control. She forgets Riley, forgets life, forgets everything but Grey and their next hit.
But luckily for Mackenzie...Riley has never forgotten about her.
My thoughts:
I really got into this book. Um, can I say the story's addicting? LOL The book is well-written. The characters are real, believable, and like-able. You are caught in the life of Mackenzie, feel her pain and confusion, understand her angst, dismayed as you watch her life spiral out of control. You want everything to work out for all of the characters, because you *like* all of the characters.
The ending is a twisted shocker, one that I didn't see coming. It's so real to life, though, it could hardly be unexpected...but it was. Books don't usually show the grit and the dirt and the underbelly of human emotion and addiction, and life isn't always happily ever after for everyone. And that's not how this book pans out. And that's what makes the story so believable.
What I didn't like so much? It was long. There are points along the way where I thought would have been a good place to end. Thinking back on it, however, I can't honestly say what I would have done differently to shorten it, because all of the moving pieces are essential for the ending, but there were chunks in the middle that probably could have tossed or shortened without losing the integrity of the over-all story. Moral here? It's not a quick read. Expect to spend a good amount of time to get through (and I'm not saying that's a bad thing either!)
The end got a little preachy for me. I understand the life-changing event for Mackenzie, and I understand what motivated her to change. I don't fault that. What I did fault was the pages of recited scripture; I felt like I was reading a sermon rather than a work of fiction. It took me out of the story, and seemed more like the author's platform rather than a part of the story. I don't fault religious platforms...if I'm expecting it. There is a whole Christian market out there, and I especially recommend this book to that audience. People might expect to hit upon scripture if the book is marketed as Christian fiction (I'm not sure it was), and to that audience that's probably expected and relevant. Not sure how the secular readers will respond to it.
With that being said, I highly recommend this book.
Christine Anderson
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Summary (from Goodreads):
Seventeen-year-old Mackenzie Taylor can't wait to be free; free from high school, the shadow of her perfect older sister, and her disapproving parents. The rebellious party girl has a perfect accomplice in best friend Riley, a boy from the wrong side of the tracks who scores them drugs, booze and under-age entry into the only club in town. But then everything changes. A traumatized Riley suddenly decides to give up the party life, and a wide-eyed Mackenzie meets Grey Lewis, a broodingly talented, gorgeous older man she falls instantly in love with. Though Riley warns her to stay away, the aspiring rock star's body and ample drug supply are too tempting for her to resist. Previously inseparable, Riley and Mackenzie go their separate ways.
When summer hits, Mackenzie has new friends, a new apartment and new drugs to mask the pain of Riley's absence. And of course, she has Grey. But despite the fierce, consuming passion they share, the mysterious bad-boy always leaves her guessing. Is Grey really a good guy? Or was Riley right about him all along? Mackenzie's in too deep to care. Unable to curb her mounting addictions, before long the lust-for-life teen totally loses control. She forgets Riley, forgets life, forgets everything but Grey and their next hit.
But luckily for Mackenzie...Riley has never forgotten about her.
My thoughts:
I really got into this book. Um, can I say the story's addicting? LOL The book is well-written. The characters are real, believable, and like-able. You are caught in the life of Mackenzie, feel her pain and confusion, understand her angst, dismayed as you watch her life spiral out of control. You want everything to work out for all of the characters, because you *like* all of the characters.
The ending is a twisted shocker, one that I didn't see coming. It's so real to life, though, it could hardly be unexpected...but it was. Books don't usually show the grit and the dirt and the underbelly of human emotion and addiction, and life isn't always happily ever after for everyone. And that's not how this book pans out. And that's what makes the story so believable.
What I didn't like so much? It was long. There are points along the way where I thought would have been a good place to end. Thinking back on it, however, I can't honestly say what I would have done differently to shorten it, because all of the moving pieces are essential for the ending, but there were chunks in the middle that probably could have tossed or shortened without losing the integrity of the over-all story. Moral here? It's not a quick read. Expect to spend a good amount of time to get through (and I'm not saying that's a bad thing either!)
The end got a little preachy for me. I understand the life-changing event for Mackenzie, and I understand what motivated her to change. I don't fault that. What I did fault was the pages of recited scripture; I felt like I was reading a sermon rather than a work of fiction. It took me out of the story, and seemed more like the author's platform rather than a part of the story. I don't fault religious platforms...if I'm expecting it. There is a whole Christian market out there, and I especially recommend this book to that audience. People might expect to hit upon scripture if the book is marketed as Christian fiction (I'm not sure it was), and to that audience that's probably expected and relevant. Not sure how the secular readers will respond to it.
With that being said, I highly recommend this book.
September 21, 2012
Friday Funnies!
Are you ready for a little Friday humor? Check out these signs....might get a chuckle or two.
Enjoy the weekend!
Enjoy the weekend!
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September 19, 2012
In the Hot Seat! with author Tom Sarega
Author Tom Sarega is taking a turn on the hot seat today! Tom is the author of a young adult dark fantasy, Dreamcatchers - After Darkness Light.
And you are in for a real treat today. Tom has recently revealed his new cover, which is pretty cool. Let Tom know what you think!
And the love doesn't stop there, my friends. Dreamcatchers - After Darkness Light is FREE on Amazon from 9/19 through 9/21, so hurry to Amazon and get your copy (see deets at the bottom of this post).
So, anyhoo...
I know this sounds like a cool read, and I'm very much looking forward to reading this myself!
Now, we'll get to the hot seat.
Dale: Tell us a little about Dreamcatchers - After Darkness Light.
Tom: Dreamcatchers – After Darkness Light is the story of five school
friends who are unwittingly drawn into the malice of an ancient
rivalry between two Mayan brothers, who feud over a dreamcatcher woven
by the gods.
The Mayan prophecies are nigh and the immortal Anunaki, a murderous
Mayan warrior, will fulfill them. He will unleash the dreamcatcher and
shroud the world in such darkness that none will survive. And if by a
miracle some do, they will pray every night that they had perished
also.
The only person who can stop him is his younger brother, Iktaniki, a
spirit guide - but not without the help of the five. There’s just one
problem. They don’t trust him....or his motives.
Dale: Where do you get your inspiration to write?
Tom: Interesting question Dale – well, I was into writing from a young age.
I wrote stories from about the age of ten but stopped when I started
my marketing career. However, I have always held onto one source of
inspiration and I remember it now every time I sit down to write. At
school one day, at about the age of fifteen or so, I was asked to stay
behind after class. My teacher asked me if the piece I had just
written for homework was autobiographical, so immersive were the
scenarios I had created. That has always inspired me to write.
Dale: What's the first book you read that made you catch your breath?
Tom: So many stories have moved me in so many different ways. I wouldn’t
say “catch my breath” but The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe by CS
Lewis was the first book to entrance me with its magic. I would say
that Rosemary’s Baby by Ira Levin was the first story to really scare
me and Farewell to Arms, by Ernest Hemingway, was the first book to
make me cry, so invested was I in his characters and their fates.
Dale: If you had a super-power, what would it be?
Tom: Another interesting question! Well it just so happens that in
Dreamcatchers, the five school friends have “dreaming abilities” in
their dreamworld - just like superpowers. My favourite would be
Ronnie’s ability, to “see” into the past through another person's
memories. Watch this space for Book Two though - it’s not only the
past that he can see into…….
Dale: If your book was to become a movie, what would the theme song be?
Tom: It would have to be "Run" - by Leona Lewis, for no other good reason
than I just love the song!
Dale: When you write, are you a plotter or a pantser?
Tom: I do find that if I sketch a plot outline then the story hangs
together but I do let the characters lead me as I write. I think it
allows for more believable characters.
Dale: When did you first realize that you wanted to become a writer?
Tom: I think I was about eight when my uncle asked me “what do you want to
be when you grow up?” Of course, I replied “an author”. I even wrote a
series of short stories called “The Adventures of Alex the Ant” that I
submitted to Walker Books but unfortunately I did not hear back from
them.
Dale: Do you listen to music when you write? If so, what music do you listen to?
Tom: No I don’t. I find that I have to write either in complete silence or
in a place where there is a constant hum of noise. I wrote
Dreamcatchers at the Christchurch University Library in Canterbury (in
England) and at Café Rouge along Canterbury High Street.
Dale: What process do you use to create your worlds?
Tom: Research, research and more research. I read a number of books about
Mesoamercian (Mayan, Toltec, Aztec etc) cultures and I studied their
wars, their weapons and their mythology in order to link the story of
the five schoolchildren and the Mayan prophecies together. In the real
world, dreamcatchers are from a separate culture to Mayan history.
However, as this is a fictional story, and as the dreamcatcher is so
important as a metaphor for something very relevant to today's world,
I found it enticing to base the story around it - I think it works
very well.
Dale: What inspired The Dreamcatchers series?
Tom: The idea for Dreamcatchers originally came to me in 2001. I was
searching on the internet for a Portuguese art shop named Destarte,
back in the days when the internet was nothing but a mass of blue
links.
I accidentally clicked a link to a website about dreamcatchers. On
that website there was a quote by Thoreau –
“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve
imagined.”
And then it hit me – what if you actually could travel through your
dreams? What if you were actually there? And the basic idea for
Dreamcatchers was born. Have a look – I think the website is still
there.
Dale: Hot seat questions:
a. Beach or mountains?
Beach! If I went up a mountain I’d probably never make it back!
b. Summer or winter?
Definitely summer. I’m British don’t you know? We hardly ever have summers!
c. White or dark chocolate?
Both of course!
d. Coffee or tea?
100% coffee. I live on the stuff. Hot Java Lava coffee is my favourite.
e. Favorite TV show?
Big Bang Theory
(Dale: Me too! Love that show!)
f. Favorite color?
Blue
j. Morning person or night owl?
Night owl – most of the time, when I was struggling to resolve plot
issues in the story, I would fall asleep and I would dream how it
should happen. More often that not, my subconscious wrote
Dreamcatchers!
Thank you Tom, for sitting in the hot seat and giving us view of your world!
So, pretties, now that you know a little bit about Tom, I have to show you how you can get your hot little hands on his excellent book, Dreamcatchers - After Darkness Light.
Amazon links:
http://www.amazon.com/DREAMCATCHERS-After-Darkness-Fantasy-ebook/dp/B008ENPD8O
http://www.amazon.co.uk/DREAMCATCHERS-After-Darkness-Fantasy-ebook/dp/B008ENPD8O
Goodreads and Library Thing:
http://www.librarything.com/work/12859405
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15725570-after-darkness-light
And you are in for a real treat today. Tom has recently revealed his new cover, which is pretty cool. Let Tom know what you think!
And the love doesn't stop there, my friends. Dreamcatchers - After Darkness Light is FREE on Amazon from 9/19 through 9/21, so hurry to Amazon and get your copy (see deets at the bottom of this post).
So, anyhoo...
I know this sounds like a cool read, and I'm very much looking forward to reading this myself!
Now, we'll get to the hot seat.
Dale: Tell us a little about Dreamcatchers - After Darkness Light.
Tom: Dreamcatchers – After Darkness Light is the story of five school
friends who are unwittingly drawn into the malice of an ancient
rivalry between two Mayan brothers, who feud over a dreamcatcher woven
by the gods.
The Mayan prophecies are nigh and the immortal Anunaki, a murderous
Mayan warrior, will fulfill them. He will unleash the dreamcatcher and
shroud the world in such darkness that none will survive. And if by a
miracle some do, they will pray every night that they had perished
also.
The only person who can stop him is his younger brother, Iktaniki, a
spirit guide - but not without the help of the five. There’s just one
problem. They don’t trust him....or his motives.
Dale: Where do you get your inspiration to write?
Tom: Interesting question Dale – well, I was into writing from a young age.
I wrote stories from about the age of ten but stopped when I started
my marketing career. However, I have always held onto one source of
inspiration and I remember it now every time I sit down to write. At
school one day, at about the age of fifteen or so, I was asked to stay
behind after class. My teacher asked me if the piece I had just
written for homework was autobiographical, so immersive were the
scenarios I had created. That has always inspired me to write.
Dale: What's the first book you read that made you catch your breath?
Tom: So many stories have moved me in so many different ways. I wouldn’t
say “catch my breath” but The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe by CS
Lewis was the first book to entrance me with its magic. I would say
that Rosemary’s Baby by Ira Levin was the first story to really scare
me and Farewell to Arms, by Ernest Hemingway, was the first book to
make me cry, so invested was I in his characters and their fates.
Dale: If you had a super-power, what would it be?
Tom: Another interesting question! Well it just so happens that in
Dreamcatchers, the five school friends have “dreaming abilities” in
their dreamworld - just like superpowers. My favourite would be
Ronnie’s ability, to “see” into the past through another person's
memories. Watch this space for Book Two though - it’s not only the
past that he can see into…….
Dale: If your book was to become a movie, what would the theme song be?
Tom: It would have to be "Run" - by Leona Lewis, for no other good reason
than I just love the song!
Dale: When you write, are you a plotter or a pantser?
Tom: I do find that if I sketch a plot outline then the story hangs
together but I do let the characters lead me as I write. I think it
allows for more believable characters.
Dale: When did you first realize that you wanted to become a writer?
Tom: I think I was about eight when my uncle asked me “what do you want to
be when you grow up?” Of course, I replied “an author”. I even wrote a
series of short stories called “The Adventures of Alex the Ant” that I
submitted to Walker Books but unfortunately I did not hear back from
them.
Dale: Do you listen to music when you write? If so, what music do you listen to?
Tom: No I don’t. I find that I have to write either in complete silence or
in a place where there is a constant hum of noise. I wrote
Dreamcatchers at the Christchurch University Library in Canterbury (in
England) and at Café Rouge along Canterbury High Street.
Dale: What process do you use to create your worlds?
Tom: Research, research and more research. I read a number of books about
Mesoamercian (Mayan, Toltec, Aztec etc) cultures and I studied their
wars, their weapons and their mythology in order to link the story of
the five schoolchildren and the Mayan prophecies together. In the real
world, dreamcatchers are from a separate culture to Mayan history.
However, as this is a fictional story, and as the dreamcatcher is so
important as a metaphor for something very relevant to today's world,
I found it enticing to base the story around it - I think it works
very well.
Dale: What inspired The Dreamcatchers series?
Tom: The idea for Dreamcatchers originally came to me in 2001. I was
searching on the internet for a Portuguese art shop named Destarte,
back in the days when the internet was nothing but a mass of blue
links.
I accidentally clicked a link to a website about dreamcatchers. On
that website there was a quote by Thoreau –
“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve
imagined.”
And then it hit me – what if you actually could travel through your
dreams? What if you were actually there? And the basic idea for
Dreamcatchers was born. Have a look – I think the website is still
there.
Dale: Hot seat questions:
a. Beach or mountains?
Beach! If I went up a mountain I’d probably never make it back!
b. Summer or winter?
Definitely summer. I’m British don’t you know? We hardly ever have summers!
c. White or dark chocolate?
Both of course!
d. Coffee or tea?
100% coffee. I live on the stuff. Hot Java Lava coffee is my favourite.
e. Favorite TV show?
Big Bang Theory
(Dale: Me too! Love that show!)
f. Favorite color?
Blue
j. Morning person or night owl?
Night owl – most of the time, when I was struggling to resolve plot
issues in the story, I would fall asleep and I would dream how it
should happen. More often that not, my subconscious wrote
Dreamcatchers!
Thank you Tom, for sitting in the hot seat and giving us view of your world!
So, pretties, now that you know a little bit about Tom, I have to show you how you can get your hot little hands on his excellent book, Dreamcatchers - After Darkness Light.
Amazon links:
http://www.amazon.com/DREAMCATCHERS-After-Darkness-Fantasy-ebook/dp/B008ENPD8O
http://www.amazon.co.uk/DREAMCATCHERS-After-Darkness-Fantasy-ebook/dp/B008ENPD8O
Goodreads and Library Thing:
http://www.librarything.com/work/12859405
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15725570-after-darkness-light
September 3, 2012
Cover Reveal! Whispers on the Wind
Check out the beautiful cover of Whispers on the Wind: Ari's Story (#1) by author Alison Davis!
Looks cool, right? Here's more information on Whispers on the Wind:
Synopsis: Haunted by the echoes of the past, Ari's finds love, sees death and saves one man from repeating his ancestors’ mistakes and takes it upon herself to catch him when he falls.
Ari moves to a small English coastal town and takes a job at the local library, she begins to fall in love and become embraced in the community.
Meanwhile under her house through a bomb-shelter under the cellar she discovers a natural cavern in the cliff face. The cavern contains a wealth of treasures and trinkets left behind by those who found it before her.
A wedding photograph and a set of letters become her obsession.
Ari does her best to uncover their stories, only to discover that history is repeating itself, every male descendant of Alexander has died on that cliff top since and now a new set of letters have appeared with the same seal and the same warning signs. Exerpt:
I stood in the cavern and looked about with a candle. I’d only been down in the hidden grotto a few times and hadn’t ever ventured beyond the first pillar. Even now I still didn’t go any further than that. There was no need; so many hidden treasures were right by the steps. I set the candle in the closest corner as always, and within its range I scanned the treasures. There were tiny figurines carved from wood set in some of the alcoves. They become mere silhouettes right on the edge of the pool of light cast by the flickering flame. Some small tin toy cars from the 1950’s were stationed into traffic queues, with a fire engine parked up by the pillar and a small police officer with his hand held up to the nonexistent drivers. There were more relics in the ‘garden’ above, some magazines from the 1970’s rotting in a corner, next to the bench. Even older relics were scattered about too, hair ribbons, earrings and even a photograph of a wedding from the early 1900’s.
On the back of it someone had penned a note.
My darling husband, You were mine for one short hour before you were taken to the battlefields. I waited. I wrote to you. For so long I waited to hear from you, a note, or a letter. Then I waited for a telegram. For the news you were not returning to me. Then I just waited. My family moved away. I stayed and waited for news. But it never came. Without you the world is grey, my heart is still, and day blurs into night. I feel as if I am Lot’s wife -with all the tears I have cried I shall surely turn to salt. You never returned to me my love and so I shall come searching for you
The handwriting had deteriorated gradually throughout the note and the ink was smudged, tears had stained the words. I had placed it on a ledge of a rocky alcove last time I was down in the cavern to stop the damp ruining it too much; but now I reached out and slipped the picture into my bag as the candle light began to dim and the flame died.
About the Author:
Alison has been writing from an early age, stories, poems, novels, prose. After a 3 year sabbatical from writing she returned to her passion to write Whispers on the Wind: Ari's Story.
Her first novel, Whispers on the Wind: Ari's Story, was published in August 2012 on Lulu.com. Hanging from the Family Tree: Tobias' Story, a companion/sequel to Whispers on the Wind, will follow soon.
And this beautiful creature is Alison, who looks busy at work:
And here's where you can do your stalking:Lulu.com: http://www.lulu.com/shop/alison-davis/whispers-on-the-wind-aris-story/ebook/product-20340948.htmlGoodreads Q&A:http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/76366-ask-alison-davisGoodreads Book: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15831053-whispers-on-the-windGoodreads Author: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6470944.Alison_DavisPreview Video: http://youtu.be/w0YPumXTIXM
.jpg)
Looks cool, right? Here's more information on Whispers on the Wind:
Synopsis: Haunted by the echoes of the past, Ari's finds love, sees death and saves one man from repeating his ancestors’ mistakes and takes it upon herself to catch him when he falls.
Ari moves to a small English coastal town and takes a job at the local library, she begins to fall in love and become embraced in the community.
Meanwhile under her house through a bomb-shelter under the cellar she discovers a natural cavern in the cliff face. The cavern contains a wealth of treasures and trinkets left behind by those who found it before her.
A wedding photograph and a set of letters become her obsession.
Ari does her best to uncover their stories, only to discover that history is repeating itself, every male descendant of Alexander has died on that cliff top since and now a new set of letters have appeared with the same seal and the same warning signs. Exerpt:
I stood in the cavern and looked about with a candle. I’d only been down in the hidden grotto a few times and hadn’t ever ventured beyond the first pillar. Even now I still didn’t go any further than that. There was no need; so many hidden treasures were right by the steps. I set the candle in the closest corner as always, and within its range I scanned the treasures. There were tiny figurines carved from wood set in some of the alcoves. They become mere silhouettes right on the edge of the pool of light cast by the flickering flame. Some small tin toy cars from the 1950’s were stationed into traffic queues, with a fire engine parked up by the pillar and a small police officer with his hand held up to the nonexistent drivers. There were more relics in the ‘garden’ above, some magazines from the 1970’s rotting in a corner, next to the bench. Even older relics were scattered about too, hair ribbons, earrings and even a photograph of a wedding from the early 1900’s.
On the back of it someone had penned a note.
My darling husband, You were mine for one short hour before you were taken to the battlefields. I waited. I wrote to you. For so long I waited to hear from you, a note, or a letter. Then I waited for a telegram. For the news you were not returning to me. Then I just waited. My family moved away. I stayed and waited for news. But it never came. Without you the world is grey, my heart is still, and day blurs into night. I feel as if I am Lot’s wife -with all the tears I have cried I shall surely turn to salt. You never returned to me my love and so I shall come searching for you
The handwriting had deteriorated gradually throughout the note and the ink was smudged, tears had stained the words. I had placed it on a ledge of a rocky alcove last time I was down in the cavern to stop the damp ruining it too much; but now I reached out and slipped the picture into my bag as the candle light began to dim and the flame died.
About the Author:
Alison has been writing from an early age, stories, poems, novels, prose. After a 3 year sabbatical from writing she returned to her passion to write Whispers on the Wind: Ari's Story.
Her first novel, Whispers on the Wind: Ari's Story, was published in August 2012 on Lulu.com. Hanging from the Family Tree: Tobias' Story, a companion/sequel to Whispers on the Wind, will follow soon.
And this beautiful creature is Alison, who looks busy at work:
And here's where you can do your stalking:Lulu.com: http://www.lulu.com/shop/alison-davis/whispers-on-the-wind-aris-story/ebook/product-20340948.htmlGoodreads Q&A:http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/76366-ask-alison-davisGoodreads Book: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15831053-whispers-on-the-windGoodreads Author: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6470944.Alison_DavisPreview Video: http://youtu.be/w0YPumXTIXM
