Monster Truck Fun

A Book and a Chat With Kyle Borland

Just wanting everyone to tune into 'A Book and A Chat' with Storyheart(Barry Eva) today, right now. 6:30pm Eastern Time to listen in to an interview with Kyle Borland. Kyle is a great friend of mine and a fellow writer from Goodreads and a collaborative writing group.


Please tune in.


http://www.blogger.com/goog_1263857404914
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/across-the-pond

Playing in the Dirt with his Cousin

Photos of Yet Another Trip to the Snow...I Think It's Fair to Say That We Love It!!

Book Review: Betrayal by Jaimey Grant

Book Title: Betrayal

Author: Jaimey Grant (http://www.jaimeygrant.com/)

Pages: 170

Publisher: Smashwords

Genre: Historical Romance

(Scale Explanation: 1) Meaning awful, 5) Meaning not good, but not bad, equal, 10) Meaning wonderful)

PLOT - 10

CHARACTERS – 9

BEGINNING - 10

ENDING - 10

FLOW - 9

OVERALL – 9

What I liked about this book: I really enjoyed the story as a whole. The plot was a great idea and Jaimey had a wonderful way of letting all of the information make itself known. The characters were all very in-depth and in the time that you read the story, they each make their pasts known. I enjoyed the character of Raven, she was very different from the rest of the characters, though in one way the same. I really enjoyed Conner, because he brought a brightness to the story, especially his relationship with his wife.

What I disliked about this book: The only things that I didn’t like about this book were attributed to how I viewed one particular character. The lead character on the female side, Bri, was annoying at times. I could see how one would really grow to despise her. But do not fear, the way she is, is central to the story, so all in all, I can’t say that I didn’t like her, because she had to be this way for the story to come together so well. I did feel for her for what she had to go through as it was very rough to read about her problems, but it made her character stand out above the rest as well. And it also helped the reader close in on why she acted the way she did at certain times. The only other issue I had, it may be because I read it very fast, was that there was a discrepancy, at least, as I remember in the ending chapter. In the beginning of the book, it seems as though the female lead has known the male lead for a while, seeing as how she knew his name and she spoke to him like they were old acquaintances, then in the last chapter they are speaking to one another and she says something along the lines of if my family hadn’t hired you to find me, we would have never met. This struck me as odd, but I will consult with the author to see if I missed a detail.

Who I would recommend this book to: Anyone that enjoys historical romances. Anyone that enjoys stories with a dark plot or flow.

What I felt the book was about: Bri has been running from her family and her title. She is the Countess of Rothsmere, though she doesn’t want to be. He family is a disgusting vile bunch of creatures that intend to marry her off to a scoundrel of a bastard, then a man who supposedly holds a family secret, just so that they have her money. She gets rescued by Adam Prestwich, a rake with a LOT of hidden and not-so-hidden secrets that make him quite a cynical rescuer. He finds a way to nurse her back to health, using his exotic Ebony Swan mistress to take care of her. He enlists the aid of his dear friend Conner, the Marquess of Beverly. Bri tried to get him to allow her to escape before he takes her to her family, she confesses that they had her institutionalized and he is insensitive of the matter, due to the fact that he believes women are only good for one reason and they aren’t to be trusted. He takes her back to her family anyway, then regrets the choice very soon after, finding that she is all he can think of. Bri is having problems herself as she is set up to marry another man, the one mentioned above as having a dirty little secret of the families that he is black-mailing them with. He rapes her and beats her along with her family beating her, so she is in pain and refuses to ask for help, but everyone can see that she wants help because her eyes give her away. It finally comes about that Conner finds out about her rape and Bri’s only friendly relative wants to fight to get her out of the situation, Levi, the Earl of Greville, her cousin. He goes to Conner for help, and they call upon Adam who is busy preparing for his wife from the past to die at his estate in Cornwall. No one knew about the estranged wife. It just so happens that his estranged wife that is dying was lured to bed by Steyne, the man that is set to marry Bri. So, Adam has a problem with the man already. He comes back to help Bri, and so he beats up a few people and Conner, his wife Verena, Adam, and Levi get her out of her estate. She stays with Conner and Verena for a while, but then they are attending a musical and on Adams way to the event, he is pulled into an alley and beat within an inch of his life. Once Bri finds out about the problem she confesses to Adam that she loves him and can’t live without him while she thinks he is passed out. After he is on the mend, Bri insists that he see is his wife before she dies so that he can truly be at peace before Bri even tries to get him to marry her. They go to his Cornwall estate, all of them, and eventually, Adam sees his dying wife who confesses to him that the first time she slept with Steyne was the only time she truly wanted it, and the other times, he had threatened her life and Adams. This makes Adam a little less cynical knowing the whole story, and it also allows him to move on, which he had already done, but in this case without most of the hurt. Then as she dies, she confesses something about her daughter, but doesn’t finish before she dies. Adam is distraught, ordering his relative to care for the child, but that he is never to see her. Bri forces him to see her and wonder of wonders, she looks exactly like him. They go back to London and Adam is the most peaceful that he has ever been, everything is happy and great, though everyone is wondering why he hasn’t proposed to Bri yet. Finally, he does and they confess their love for each other and the ending is very happy.

Favorite excerpts or quotes from the book: “Connor glanced at Adam. “There have been very trying times, as you know very well, but the good times have more than made up for them. I recommend marriage to any man with the courage to fight for what he loves.” He threw a meaningful look at Adam and strode away, calling over his shoulder, “My wife expects a dance with you, don’t forget.”” – Page 75

Upcoming Book Review: Goddess of the Hunt (Goddess Trilogy #1) by Tessa Dare

This was such a fun book to read and the characters were awesome! I can't wait to post the review for this one. And I can't wait to read the other two books in this trilogy.

Excerpt from back of the book:

Ever the bold adventuress, Lucy Waltham has decided to go hunting for a husband. But first she needs some target practice. So she turns to her brother's best friend, Jeremy Trescott, the Earl of Kendall, to hone her seductive wiles on him before setting her sights on another man. But her practice kisses spark a smoldering passion-one that could send all her plans up in smoke.
Jeremy has an influential title, a vast fortune, and a painful past full of long-buried secrets. He keeps a safe distance from his own emotions, but to distract Lucy from her reckless scheming he must give his passions free reign. Their sensual battle of wills is as maddening as it is delicious, but the longer he succeeds in managing the headstrong temptress, the closer Jeremy comes to losing control. When scandal breaks, can he bring himself to abandon Lucy to her ruin? Or will he risk his heart, and claim her for his own?

Visit http://www.tessadare.com/ for more info.

Book Review: A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

Book Title: A Clockwork Orange

Author: Anthony Burgess(http://www.anthonyburgess.org/)

Pages: 213

Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company

Genre: Fiction

(Scale Explanation: 1) Meaning awful, 5) Meaning not good, but not bad, equal, 10) Meaning wonderful)

PLOT - 10

CHARACTERS – 10

BEGINNING - 9

ENDING - 10

FLOW - 9

OVERALL – 10

What I liked about this book: I really loved the made up slang after I got used to it. It somehow was a better way to convey the violence that the droogs see as being good and normal. I loved that society tried to reform Alex, but failed miserably, they just made him feel terrible, and when he was released, he had no one to go to. I love it that in the end, Alex, chose to move on and grow up himself. That was the best part of the book, to me. I really loved the extra tidbit that was included in this edition, an introduction from Anthony Burgess, where he was angry that most Americans in the beginning of the publishing of this book, never got the last chapter. It was very fun to read his thoughts on that.

What I disliked about this book: The first few pages were hard to understand as Alex and his droogs speak in a made up slang that shows their brutal nature. It took me reading through the first few pages a few times to understand it entirely. After that, the book rocked!

Who I would recommend this book to: Anyone that enjoys a good philosophical book from one person’s point of view. Anyone that enjoys cult classics. Anyone that enjoys Anthony Burgess.

What I felt the book was about: Alex and his droogs are vicious gang members in a futuristic world where crime is not as easily taken care of. After leading on many different crimes, he finally does the ultimate crime, he kills a woman. He gets sent to jail and there is a groundbreaking new therapy that the government is willing to try on Alex, letting him out in just two weeks time. The therapy is awful, forcing Alex's eyes open to watch violence and rape scenes, while playing some of his favorite music. After a few days, he develpos a sickness to violence, so that anytime he sees it or thinks of it, he gets violently sick. He is released and everyone that he knew before doesn't want anything to do with him. He is left alone and gets beaten up by cops that used to be his droog members. He walks along an old country road for a while when he stumbles upon a cottage. He knocks on the door and the owner lets him in. He nurses Alex back to health, and Alex feels that the house is familiar. Alex finally remembers that he and his droogs had once stormed this house, beat the owner up, and raped his wife. The owner had already recognized Alex, but he and a few of his friends are fighting the government to stop the reforming process that Alex has gone through. Though the owner wants his revenge on Alex. He ends up taking Alex to an apartment in London and blasts music, the same music that Alex had to listen to while he was in the therapy sessions into the room. It makes Alex the sickest ever and he tried to commit suicide by jumping out the window. He survives and it seems that the therapy was abolished from his brain with the damage that was caused from the jump. He is back to his old droogie self. He goes back to his violent ways, only not participating in the crimes himself, he leads a group of young droogs until it dawns on him that he is done with the gangster life, he wants to grow up, get married and have a child. He leaves the droogs and one of them in charge and goes to a local coffee shop where he meets one of his old droogs from before the prison time, he sees that he is married and happy. This is the turning point for Alex, letting us know that people tend to grow up on their own with time, in most cases.

Favorite excerpts or quotes from the book: "My son, my son. When I had my son I would explain all that to him when he was starry enough to like understand. But then I knew he would not understand or would not want to understand at all and would do all the veshches I had done, yes perhaps even killing some poor starry forella surrounded with mewing kots and koshkas, and I would not be able to really stop him. And now would he be able to stop his own son, brothers. And so it would itty on to like the end of the world, round and round and round, like some bolshy gigantic like chelloveck, like old Bog Himself (by courtesy of Korova Milkbar) turning and turning and turning vonny grahzny orange in his gigantic rookers." - Page 211

Upcoming Book Review: Betrayal by Jaimey Grant

I really enjoyed this e-book that I got from the author, Jaimey Grant.

I can't wait to post the review. Watch for it later today.

Excerpt from Smashwords.com:

England 1816. Bri has been running for years. Just when she thinks she may have escaped those pursuing her, she finds herself thrown into Newgate Prison...where Adam finds her. Hired by Bri's family, he is determined to return the heiress posthaste. When it becomes clear that her family does NOT have her best interests at heart, she must accept Adam's help, something her pride will not allow.

Look for it soon!
For more info, Visit: http://www.jaimeygrant.com/

Exploring the Nearby Mountain Range

Over the last few days, my family went and adventured the nearby mountains. We had a blast and I just wanted to show some of the beautiful pictures that I took while on our driving trip. All taken with my new camera! :)

Book Review: The Heart of Christmas by Mary Balogh, Nicola Cornick, and Courtney Milan

Book Title: The Heart of Christmas (A Handful of Gold/The Season for Suitors/This Wicked Gift)

Author: Mary Balogh(http://www.marybalogh.com/), Nicola Cornick(http://www.nicolacornick.co.uk/), and Courtney Milan(http://www.courtneymilan.com/)

Pages: 378

Publisher: Harlequin Historical

Genre: Historical Romance/Christmas

(A Note on this book: This is a collection of three novellas, I will review each one separately.)

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Novella Title: A Handful of Gold

Author: Mary Balogh (http://www.marybalogh.com/)

Pages: 125

(Scale Explanation: 1) Meaning awful, 5) Meaning not good, but not bad, equal, 10) Meaning wonderful)

PLOT - 7

CHARACTERS - 8

BEGINNING - 6

ENDING - 9

FLOW - 7

OVERALL - 8

What I liked about this novella: I really liked the female lead character. She was doing what she had to do for her family, that was her focus. She put on another persona entirely. I thought that the situation became slightly comical when she went to the hunters lodge with her male companion. I like how the rake went after her after falling in love with her and found her. It was a sweet romance that started on ugly terms.

What I disliked about this novella: This novella started slow, and stayed pretty slow throughout. It was a good story, it just seemed to take longer to get to the point. The plot was simple, but I don’t believe that the author did a very good job in letting the reader know the past of the rake in this story. He just seemed to be angsty almost, not like he had gone through any horrible things, he was just a spoiled brat almost.

Who I would recommend this novella to: Anyone that likes the author. I shall give something else that she has written a try, because I don’t know if this novella would be the best judge of her talent. Anyone that like historical romance that includes a lot of religion and talk of Christmas cheer.

What I felt the novella was about: Viscount Folingsby is a rake and his family wants him to marry. He gets a letter from his friend inviting him to his hunters box for a week during Christmas. He includes that Folingsby should bring a lovely companion for a long week of debauchery as his friend is bringing his mistress. It is supposed to be the getaway for Folingsby before he is to wed the woman that he would rather throw mud at. Verity is a dancer for the opera theatre and many men have tried to get her to be their mistress. She had never accepted because she would rather marry than be a mistress. But her sister’s illness has forced her into this career choice. With her sisters medical bills adding up, she had no other choice than to accept the next gent’s offer. Viscount Folingsby takes her to dinner and offers her 500 pounds to go with him for the week. She accepts knowing that it is the only way to save her sisters life from the illness. After the first day at the hunters box, Folingsby kisses Verity only to find out that she has never kissed before, so that leads him to conclude that she is a virgin. He is angry and decides to sleep on the floor rather than take this womans innocence. The next few days are filled with activities as Verity makes everyone decorate the house for Christmas and have a jolly time. A reverend and his family crash a few miles away from the lodge and a few of the servants bring them back so as not to be stuck out in the cold. The reverends wife is pregnant and they also have two little boys. They have a jolly good time singing carols and attending a service put on by the Reverend in the sitting room. The Reverends wife goes into labor and Verity has to deliver the baby. After Verity leaves on her own accord, Folingsby figures out that he loves her and searches for her back in London. It takes him a while, but voila happy ending.

Favorite excerpts or quotes from the novella: “”I fancy,” he said, “that some artist must once have mixed his paints with care and used a fine brush in order to produce the particular color of your eyes. It is unusual, if not unique.” – Page 29

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Novella Title: The Season for Suitors

Author: Nicola Cornick (http://www.nicolacornick.co.uk/)

Pages: 114

(Scale Explanation: 1) Meaning awful, 5) Meaning not good, but not bad, equal, 10) Meaning wonderful)

PLOT - 8

CHARACTERS - 9

BEGINNING - 8

ENDING - 8

FLOW - 8

OVERALL - 8

What I liked about this novella: The background story of the rake was very nicely done. I really liked the conversations between the two lead characters, they were very witty. I enjoyed the descriptions of the landscapes. The story ended up being very comical and sweet in the end.

What I disliked about this novella: I don’t know what it was that angered me about reading this novella, but it seemed as though the sentences that described what a person was doing or something in the background was very bland, so I would have to read the sentence a few times over for it to register. I wish I know what made me feel that way.

Who I would recommend this novella to: Anyone that likes the author. I shall give something else that she has written a try, because I don’t know if this novella would be the best judge of her talent. Anyone that likes historical romance that includes Christmas cheer.

What I felt the novella was about: Sebastian, the Duke of Fleet is a disgusting vulgar rake and everyone knows it. He has no intention of ever marrying. Clara Davencourt has been in love with Sebastian for two years now even though he rejected her proposal of marriage back then. She assumed that she was over him and needs some advice and help. She is scared that some other fool or rake will find a way to compromise her and force her into marriage. She calls on Sebastian and he agrees to help in a weird way. He is actually in love with Miss Davencourt, but refuses to give in to it. They kiss a few times and constantly have to tell Miss Davencourts older brother that nothing happened. Hilarious. Then, Miss Davencourt is ice skating one morning as Sebastian had just made travel plans to leave the continent. He is riding by when he sees the ice crack underneath her and she falls in. He doesn’t think, he just acts and saves her life. This brought about a lot of sadness for Sebastian because he lost his younger brother many years ago because he wasn’t fast enough to save him from the ice water, the same way that Clara fell in. So, his depression is more understood, he just hasn’t moved on. Clara goes to see him later and he refuses her again. She goes to leave, but the servants urge her to try again because they don’t want to be out of the job if Sebastian is gone. Right on schedule, Sebastian calls his butler to call his carriage to take him to the bar. He goes and gets drunk and Clara gets him from the bar. As they are walking out to the carriage, he confesses exactly how he feels about her and tada happy ending.

Favorite excerpts or quotes from the novella: “Clara glared at him. “You like me-but not enough to marry me.” “You are mistaken. I like you far too much to marry you. I would be the devil of a husband.””– Page 151

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Novella Title: This Wicked Gift

Author: Courtney Milan (http://www.courtneymilan.com/)

Pages: 121

(Scale Explanation: 1) Meaning awful, 5) Meaning not good, but not bad, equal, 10) Meaning wonderful)

PLOT - 9

CHARACTERS - 10

BEGINNING - 9

ENDING - 10

FLOW - 10

OVERALL - 10

What I liked about this novella: Courtney Milan is an amazing writer. I will always get anything that she writes. She is just so talented. Anyway, other than that, the story was wonderful. It is about William White, a minor character in Courtney’s other book that just came out, Proof by Seduction. I really liked the character of Lavinia, she is very strong and never does anything for herself. She is all about family. She has an adorably bratty younger brother that she takes care of and I really enjoyed their relationship. I love that she had a huge crush on Mr. White before he approaches her for her wicked gift. I love that Gareth Carhart makes an appearance in this story and we got to see how he was before he became the Marquess. I have a mild crush on his character.

What I disliked about this novella: Though, it’s a main part of the story, I don’t like how William bashes himself over what he has done to Lavinia even after she had cleared things up, or at least, they should have been cleared up, but it is essential to the story.

Who I would recommend this novella to: Anyone that likes the author. Anyone that likes historical romance that includes Christmas cheer.

What I felt the novella was about: Lavinia Spencer took over the family Library when her father became ill. He brother goes and does his own thing and gets into a bit of trouble. He has taken her stash of money to buy a nice Christmas dinner and loses it with a scoundrel at the docks. William White has frequented the library for a year now and is secretly in love with Lavinia, or at least he wants her. He could never imagine marrying her because he doesn’t feel as though he is worthy. He over hears Lavinia talking to her brother about the money that he lost. That’s when he decides to take action. He gets Lavinia when she is alone and snatched an address from her hand, the address to the scoundrel that took her brothers money. He tells her that he will take care of it and if she wants to know how he did to meet him at one the next day at his house. She meets him and he has purchased the debt that her brother owes the scoundrel. White doesn’t know that Lavinia’s brother won’t get into trouble for the debt and so he offers to settle the debt if Lavinia gives him her body. She does, but it is of her own accord. He then, bashes himself over and over hoping to get someone to be angry with him over what he had done. Even after Lavinia explains to him that she wanted what happened to have happened. He finally does something good at work for the Marquess of Blakely’s heir, Gareth Carhart. And he gets a new job balancing his accounts. Makes more money and finally realizes that he could afford Lavinia. In the end, Lavinia explains that he wouldn’t have to afford her and that they love each other. But I’m not going to spill the lovely details. Happy ending number three.

Favorite excerpts or quotes from the novella: “”That gesture,” Lavinia said, “must be William Q. White for ‘Dear Lord, she’s given me a rabid compliment! Run away before it bites me!”” - Page 338

Fun Photos

I just thought that I would share a few photos I took recently. Enjoy.

For some reason, when I tell him to smile, he shuts his eyes and tries to spread his smile from ear to ear. It is so cute, but hard to get a really good picture.

Here are some photos of the sky taken a few weeks ago.

Upcoming Book Review: The Heart of Christmas by Mary Balogh, Nicola Cornick, and Courtney Milan

This was an lovely book to read around the holidays. Please look for my review of all three novellas soon.


Excerpt from the back of the book:

A Handful of Gold
A love story from New York Times bestselling author Mary Balogh
Not only is Julian Dare dashing and wealthy, but he's the heir to an earldom. So what do you get a man who has everything? Innocent and comely Verity Ewing plans on giving Julian her heart-the most precious gift of all.

The Season for Suitors
A captivating romance from Nicola Cornick
After some close encounters with rakes in which she was nearly compromised, heiress Clara Davencourt realizes that she needs some expert advice. And who better for the job than Sebastion Fleet, the most notorious rake in town? But the tutelage doesn't go quite as planned, as both Sebastian and Clara find it difficult to remain objective when it comes to lessons of the heart!

This Wicked Gift
An original romance from Courtney Milan
Lavinia Spencer has been saving her hard-earned pennies to provide her family with Christmas dinner. Days before the holiday, her brother is swindled, leaving them owing more than they can ever repay. Until a mysterious benefactor offers to settle the debt. Innocent Lavinia is stunned by what the dashing William White wants in return. Will she exchange a wicked gift for her family's fortune?

Upcoming Book Review: A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

I have a special one coming up, one of those philosophical novels that just gets under your skin and in fact has a cult following.

Excerpt from back of the book:

A vicious fifteen-year-old droog is the central character of this 1963 classic. In Anthony Burgess's nightmare vision of the future, where the criminals take over after dark, the story is told by the central character, Alex, who talks in a brutal invented slang that brilliantly renders his and his friends' social pathology. A Clockwork Orange is a frightening fable about good and evil, and the meaning of human freedom. And when the state undertakes to reform Alex to 'redeem' him, the novel asks, 'At what cost?'

This edition includes the controversial last chapter not published in the first edition and Burgess's introduction "A Clockwork Orange Resucked."

It was such an interesting read, I can't wait to share my review.

Goodreads/Writers Review and Short Story Contest/December 2009 Short Story Contest Winner/Amelia with Scarlet Christmas

Goodreads Website

Writers Review and Short Stories Group

December 2009 Short Story Contest Winner

Amelia with 'Scarlet Christmas'

Genre: Flash Fiction/Suspense

Word Count: 1,134

(December's Genre was *author's choice*, the topic was *Holidays(Anything pertaining to a holiday or holiday activity)*. The word count minimum was 300 words and the maximum was 3000 words.)

Here is a link: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/249093-december-2009

Here is the story:

I opened my eyes to a haze of scarlet, it was everywhere. I was lost in a sea of blood. I jerked my head to the side. Blinking, some of the scarlet went away, not all of it though. My body shrieked in protest. Then I remembered where I was. The cracked windshield was splattered with my blood. I glanced down to see the steering wheel, twisted at an awkward angle. I turned to the empty seat next to me.

Charlotte.

Where was Charlotte?

The passenger door hung open. I looked at the empty seat again.

She was dead. Charlotte was dead. There was no way she could live with all of that blood soaking the seat.

I grunted in pain as I removed my seatbelt. I took inventory of my injuries, the ones I could anyway.

I was in agony, but all my limbs functioned. I had a gash on my forehead and another on my stomach.

I rolled myself out and fell into the snowy slush. I hadn’t realized how it cold it was.

That’s when I saw her.

Charlotte.

At least, I thought it was Charlotte. All I saw was a red heap of gore on the side of the road. Then my eyes latched onto the black tennis shoe. The one Charlotte had put on before we left her house.

“Charlotte?” I pushed myself up on all fours, immediately falling back down into the freezing slush.

I heard a soft gurgling sound. I lifted my head to see her body convulsing. I had to do something. Anything.

“It’s ok Charlotte. I’m coming just hold on.” I slowly lifted myself back onto my hands and knees. My brain swam around in my skull and I nearly fell over again. I began the slow, torturous crawl to the other side of the road. I was about halfway over when my arms slid on the slick asphalt and I collapsed. Nausea rose from my stomach to my throat in a fierce wave. There was a faint whirring noise. I looked to my right to see a car off in the distance. It was coming towards us, fast, too fast.

Would they see my car and slow down? Would they see me in the road? Would they hit me? I tried lifting myself up again but only succeeded in retching. I slumped back down onto the muddy asphalt.

I heard the gurgling again and my heart squeezed tight in my chest. I thrust out my arms and started dragging myself across. The asphalt was unforgiving on my battered body and brought my agony to new heights as it grated my skin.

I was blinded by bright lights as the car rounded the bend in the road. Terrified but too tired to do anything else, I curled my legs up and balled into the fetal position.

Brakes ground together hard and tires squealed. They must have seen me. God please let them have seen me. The lights swung left as the car flew off the road. I winced as metal tore into the trees and glass flew everywhere. It seemed to go on forever. I tensed as silence doused all of the noise. Were they dead?

A blood curdling scream tore into the night. I opened my eyes to see the small SUV on its roof. A woman wailed in the backseat while a man hung, unmoving, in the front. The woman was wild, sobbing and shrieking in turns, her words running into one another.

I uncurled myself to see Charlotte lying still a few feet away. I couldn’t hear the gurgling anymore. It was too dark to see if her chest was moving up and down. I prayed it was. I closed the distance between us and grabbed her arm.

No response.

“Charlotte?” As I looked closer, her eyes were wide and staring, sightless, into the night sky, as snowflakes fell on her bloody face. My heart exploded in my chest as I turned to the side and heaved into the grass.

“Hello? Is anyone out there? Help me please!”

My voice managed to scrape its way out eventually.

“I’m here.” I wasn’t sure she heard me until she started shouting again.

I stared into the sky like the corpse beside me. The corpse that used to be my best friend. The one I’d convinced to come to the Christmas party with me. The one I’d killed when I’d taken the bend too fast.

“Please help me. Please.” The terror in the voice brought to back to my surroundings.

“I’m coming, just calm down. I’m coming.” By pure will, I forced myself to sit up. I could do this. I bent over and put one limb in front of the other as a crawled over to the SUV. I had no idea how I was even conscious. Blood ran into my eyes turning my vision scarlet again. My stomach gushed the dark warm fluid with every movement. I approached cautiously as the gas fumes stung my nostrils.

“I’m here.” I took a quick glance into the front. The man hung upside down still strapped in by his seatbelt. I sucked in a deep breath, the metallic smell and taste of blood assaulting my senses and threatening to make me heave again. I climbed in through the shattered window, the jagged glass bit into my skin. I reached out and felt around his throat in the darkness. Giving up on finding a pulse, I held my hand in front of his face to feel any breath. There was none.

I fought the panic rising in my gut and made my way to the woman. I crouched down and looked around for a way to get her out while she groaned and panted in misery. I paused as my eyes landed on her pregnant belly.

“I’m going to get you out. Ok?” I didn’t wait for her response. I started kicking at the door with all the strength I could. On the fifth kick it gave way.

I couldn’t feel my feet or hands at that point. I somehow managed to get her back to the other side, her anguished screams battering my ears the whole way. My legs finally gave out and I crumpled down next to her.

I closed my eyes as the SUV went up in flames. Casting bright oranges and pinks across my eyelids.

She shrieked her grief and agony to the stars. I reached out, grabbing her hand. It was the only comfort I could give her. We lay there for what seemed like years; Her, hysterical with desperation and pain, me, silent, with the numbness creeping up my body. I couldn’t feel anything at all now. Not even the cold. I heard the sirens right before I slipped away.

Boog Review: Across the Pond by Storyheart

Book Title: Across the Pond
Author: Storyheart (http://www.across-t-pond.com/)
Pages: 114
Publisher: Xlibris
Genre: YA/Romance

(Scale Explanation: 1) Meaning awful, 5) Meaning not good, but not bad, equal, 10) Meaning wonderful)

PLOT - 10
CHARACTERS - 9
BEGINNING - 10
ENDING - 9
FLOW - 10
OVERALL - 10

What I liked about this book: I really enjoyed this book. I know the author and decided it was time that I read his book since it had been out for a while. I read it months ago, but I didn’t have my blog then, so I read it again so that I could post a review on this blog for all to know how great this book is. The British language difference was entirely humorous and fun. The young love shared between the two main characters was that that would bring anyone to smile, it was just that sweet. I used to be obsessed with anything British back in my junior high days, so that book had an extra effect on me, many memories rushed to the surface of my mind and I found myself reminiscing several times as I read. What woman doesn’t like a British accent?

What I disliked about this book: I can’t say that there really was anything that I disliked about this book. All of the events that take place are very interesting and have the appeal of what a real person would do. Very realistic. I’d have to say my only problem was that this is only the first book of well, I don’t know how many he is going to write, so the ending left it up to the reader to imagine what would happen next. It wasn’t a bad ending, it was wonderful, but I remember wishing I could read book two immediately. Although, I was lucky that I know the author because he has shared a bit of the story with me. For that I am truly grateful!

Who I would recommend this book to: Anyone that likes YA, with a bit of romance intertwined. Anyone that enjoys differences in languages, however minor they may be. Anyone that enjoys reading books that deal with some of the hardships of young love.

What I felt the book was about: Fred Squire is sent to America to stay with some family friends while his parents take a vacation. He is instantly taken aback by the daughter of the family friends, Brit. She is spunky and pretty and just his age. She makes him feel welcomed and invites him to hang out with her and her friends. He meets Stephan Harris, a mean bully kid that has been terrorizing all of the girls that are Brit’s friends and lastly, he has scared Brit. This infuriates Fred and he makes a new mission to beat up Stephan Harris. Fred attends a baseball game with Brit’s family and catches a famous baseball which causes even more a ruckus for Fred. Through all of this there are many instances where Fred’s language, i.e. correct English, is at odds with American English. There are many funny differences that are humorous. Eventually, both Brit and Fred admit that they love each other and there is a BBQ where all of the teenagers get to scheme against Stephan Harris and his disgusting Aunt, who is from across the pond like Fred. The baseball that Fred caught is eventually given to the rightful owner, meaning the player that hit the ball, it was one that he would want forever, a career changing ball. Before Fred goes back to England, he fights Stephan Harris and makes life better for Brit. It is a sad goodbye as Fred leaves to go back to England, but there is promise that they will soon see each other again in the future.

Favorite excerpts or quotes from the book: “Brit started to close the door. “Good night, my English knight.” Fred turned and opened his own door, the last comment hitting his heart like a giant sledgehammer. Her knight-she called him her knight. That night he went to sleep with his lips still tingling from Brit’s kiss and a smile in his heart.”

Now, go out and read it.

New Year's Eve: The Beautiful Moon

I couldn't help it, I had to take some pictures with my brand new Nikon camera! I was so excited when I purchased it yesterday, that when I got home, I had to start snapping away. The first pictures I took once the rechargable battery charged were these beauties of that gorgeous moon that brought us all into the the New Year. Gorgeous!!

Book Review: To Desire a Devil (The Legend of the Four Soldiers, Book 4) by Elizabeth Hoyt

Book Title: To Desire a Devil (The Legend of the Four Soldiers, Book Four)

Author: Elizabeth Hoyt (http://www.elizabethhoyt.com/)

Pages: 340

Publisher: Hachette Book Group
Genre: Historical Romance

(~A Note about this book: Due to some legal action that is posted on Goodreads, I have to express that I won this book as an ARC on http://www.Goodreads.com through their First Reads Giveaway System, gotta love free books!!!~)

(Scale Explanation: 1) Meaning awful, 5) Meaning not good, but not bad, equal, 10) Meaning wonderful)

PLOT - 10
CHARACTERS - 9

BEGINNING - 10

ENDING - 10

FLOW - 10

OVERALL – 10

What I liked about this book: This was a very good book. Plain and simple, Elizabeth Hoyt has a way with stories. The plot on this story was so deeply woven and had so many details. I really enjoyed how the main lady character was already tied to the male lead character. It set up a really interesting meeting for the first meeting. There were parts that were full of suspense and even very sad parts as the male lead told about his life. The love story was slow, but it blossomed beautifully. All in all, this book was well worth the read.

What I disliked about this book: Nothing really. The only reason why I gave the characters a nine instead of a ten was because I had a hard time keeping track of all of them, because there were so many. Perhaps, if I had read the series from book one to book four, I would know all of the characters easily.

Who I would recommend this book to: Anyone that is a fan of historical romance, and likes to have suspense and a nice deep historical story woven in.

What I felt the book was about: Beatrice Corning is in love with a man in a painting(Reynaud, Lord Hope) in her uncles(Uncle Reggie) home, her uncle is high up in British society, inherited because the young man in the painting died at war in America. One day, during a political tea party, the assumed dead soldier comes back and storms the party angry as can be. From there, she begins to try to get through to the man and see if he is the same man that she fell in love with, meaning if he can have the same look as his painting. She finds it eventually and he gets his title back from her uncle and there are so many twists that made the book exciting. There are murder attempts on the returned soldier and even a kidnapping by a traitor from the time when Reynaud was captured by Indians in America. It held some very interesting, very witty conversations. Some that would make a person go from laughing, to smirking, to crying, to feeling extreme happiness. Beautifully done.

Favorite excerpts or quotes from the book: “”No.” He strolled toward her, implacably confident. “You belong to me, and I intend to demonstrate that fact to you.””

I had many more favorite quotes, but the object is to choose just one. Hopefully, you will read the book so that you can find your favorite!

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