Graphic Novel Review of The Trojan Horse by Ron and Justine Fontes

 

Synopsis: "For ten years, the battle raged. Thousands of ancient Greece's best warriors battled their enemies, the Trojans, in a desperate attempt to win back King Meneleus's beautiful wife, Helen. After a decade of fighting and thousands dead, the Greek forces suddenly fell back. Cautiously the Trojans ventured out of the city walls, where they discovered a giant wooden horse and a messenger. Should they accept this peace offering? Or is the gift horse too good to be true?"

My Review: I really enjoyed this graphic novel though the Trojan Horse was only a portion of it. It was a great overview of the Trojan War, though brief, from beginning to end. The artwork was great and suited the subject matter. All in all it was a great, and as said brief, overview of the war itself with some extra focus and the end result with the Trojan Horse.

 

My Rating: It was a brief over view of the progress and conclusion of the Trojan War but it accomplished a lot in a short graphic novel. I give it a rating of Three Paws and a Stump Wag.

 

 

Bedtime Story: Murray's First Book of Words by Heather Au

 

Synopsis: "Murray Monster walks down Sesame Street, pointing out words that describe what he sees -- spectacular, trash can, quilt, pool and garden."

My Review: This is a great book for little ones starting to read or recognize words. Munchkin isn't at that stage yet but had a blast looking for things I asked where they were. Not to mention Murray is one the best characters currently on Sesame Street, and is far to underrated! I look forward to reading this to Munchkin as he learns to recognize words and starts reading.

 

My Rating: This is a great introduction to sight words and with Munchkin's favorite character it is a soon to be favorite. We give it a rating of Three Paws and a Stump Wag.

 

 

Good Night! Sweet Dreams!

After Dark Review of A Storm of Passion by Terri Brisbin

I have added After Dark Reviews to my blog as a way of notifying you of a review of a book with Adult themes and scenes. From now on I will keep my reviews of all books I read that have explicit scenes in them for late night posts for those of you who prefer to avoid them or easy to find for those of you who seek them out ;)

 

 

 

Synopsis: "In the first of a breathtaking trilogy set against the stark beauty of medieval Scotland, one man discovers a surprising past, a remarkable gift--and a terrible destiny. . . Once, Connor believed that his ability to see the future would grant him everything. Instead, it landed him in a prison of his own making. Summoned by the Lord of the Isles to serve as his counselor, Connor gains wealth and prestige, but with every vision, his own sight dims. Even so, Connor doesn't grasp the terrible consequences of his gift until he's wounded by a young woman who blames him for her family's massacre. Moira curses herself for failing to kill the Seer--especially when she learns her punishment is to be given to him as a slave. Far from the proud, arrogant tyrant she imagined, Connor is a tortured man with a dark sensuality that tempts her night after night. But freeing him from a strange power that is spiraling out of control will mean forsaking her vow and risking her heart for the one man she has sworn to destroy."

My Review: This was exactly the book I was in the mood to read. I great mix of historical romance, steamy heat and touches of magic. I really enjoyed the characters and learning their strengths and weaknesses. At times the story got a little drug out and we didn't get as much into the political intrigue as was occurring around the characters as I would have liked. I think that would have added more to the story. I did however find the conclusion to be very interesting and introduces the characters from the next books beautifully. I will definitely be adding those to my to be read list!

 

 

My Rating: A very interesting book, I wasn't expecting it to be all that it was and was very pleasantly surprised.  I give it a rating of Four Paws.

Wednesday Writing

So Wednesday is my official writing update day. I have so many story projects going on and I need a push to get some done. So I will be trying to post each Wednesday about how my writing adventures are going (and I may need a swift kick in the pants by you guys sometimes).

Current Active Project:
 

Princess Bs - 34,317 words

A story about a woman, recently divorced and returned to her home town to figure out what is next. She encounters an old friend and spends a weekend with him and his daughters. Feelings that are long since buried are rising up again, but are her recent loss and his current life going to stand in the way of their happily ever after?

Other Works in Progress:

The New Old Home - 17,193 words

Everyone dreams of winning the lottery, but what would you do with that money? That is the question presented to Natalie, when she is at the lowest point in her life, she is presented with an opportunity to make any normal person's dreams come true, but all those winnings can't give her what she wants most.

Night Rider - 17,229

Alice is a recent high school graduate who is a very accomplished competitive rider in Hunter/Jumper, Dressage, and Western/Rodeo. Her parents had arranged for her to attend a private college on the east coast geared specifically to equine professions. However, Alice wants to focus on her studies in English Literature. When she arrives at the college she hides her riding abilities, but can she keep her talent and love of horses hidden?

The Last Mountains - 13,468 (handwritten) = 15,766 (typed)

A equine shapeshifting family is being hunted to near extinction and the young new leader must go against all her lessons and approach the elite council for aide. Will they help her? How will she keep her family's traditions and values alive, let alone her herd?

 

 

Olivia's Mountain Tale - 3,607 words

Olivia is left in the mountains by her uncle to guard the sheep grazing in the summer pastures.  This summer could change the course of her life.

 

 

Tamlyn Marie's Grace - 5,811

Think Cinderella only with a matchmaker ;)

Other Ideas Plotting:

Bloodsoar's Story

A pegasus struggles through life, ejected from the herd, near capture by humans.

The Assassin's Assassin

A student learns what the school is really teaching and sets out to destroy those who support the program.

Angel Story

Angels battle out an age old feud in a parallel world

All in the Company
A business that keeps to itself, employees marry employees and live on company property. Lissandra is ordered to marry Cody but both are always on business and don't know one another.

Little Wind Guides
Little Wind must lead her clan to new territory as the gods of the Fire Forest are cleansing their home with wrath.  Will they follow her while she holds so many secrets.




Draft Complete:

The Story of Things (previously titled Each Item a Story) - 50,052 words
A journal a woman keeps as she sorts through antique items and documents left in a home she purchased.

 

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I haven't gotten any official writing done this month, but I have managed to chat with the writing group and started jotting notes for my new Nanowrimo novel.  I must say I am so excited for this one, it is going to be fun to write and I may even end up laughing, which is totally out of my normal style. I hope to at least have little ideas jotted down and have most of the chapter titles down. 

Audio Review of Rider: Spirals of Destiny by Jim Bernheimer

 

Synopsis: "Forget everything you thought you knew about unicorns and maidens...

A unicorn is not supposed to survive the death of its rider, but Majherri did. Now he is a pariah, mistrusted by the Greater Herd. To reclaim his lost honor and status, he will entrust the remnants of his life to a new human female while unraveling the mystery of his continued existence.

Kayleigh Reese is not Battle Maiden material. She's three years older than any other recruit and has enjoyed a peaceful, nomadic life working with her artist mother. The rigors of joining the High-King's elite unicorn cavalry are clearly not for her. Now, with a bond to Majherri, she must overcome her mother's disapproval, the ire of her commanding officer and fellow trainees, and, most importantly, the secrets of her unicorn's past if she is to become a legendary warrior.

To prevail, they must quickly come together as a team and unlock the powerful and dangerous magic inside them."

My Review: This was an interesting book with some unique ideas and characters. There were some things I really enjoyed about it and a few that I definitely didn't, so I am a little on the fence with this one. I loved Kayleigh's character, she seems tough enough to work through issues but she definitely has her flaws. I didn't enjoy how the unicorns were overly humanized, yes they are intelligent and communicate using body language and bonds but occasionally they would put down one unicorn for using too human phrases but then they would turn around and use one just as human. I found it interesting how you don't find out who the true villain is until late in the book and it is obviously meant to lead you into reading the following book. I may or may not pick it up, I am not sure I am invested enough to put the second book as a priority over other books I already have on my shelves.

 

My Rating: It was enjoyable to read a good fantasy story but elements of it just didn't work for me. I am still debating whether to read the next book but it continues to nag in the back of my mind.  I give it a rating of Two Paws and a Stump Wag.

 



Monday Reading List

Its Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Shelia at Book Journey. Share what books you have finished in the last week, are currently reading and what might be coming up next!

Reviews Posted Last Week:

Links will take you to my review

Stay by Allie Larkin (Audio)
Love Letters by Debbie Macomber
Hard to Hold On To by Laura Kaye (After Dark)
Little Granny Quarterback by Bill Martin Jr. (Bedtime Story)
Fair Catch by Cindy Roland Anderson (Mini Review)
The Secret's in the Sauce by Linda Evans Shepherd (Mini Review)
Always Dakota by Debbie Macomber (Mini Review)

Books Finished Last Week:
Reviews will be posted at a later date

Rider

 

Currently Reading:

Mozart Season by Virginia Euwer Wolff - PB - on page 35 of 272
Cabin Fever by Diana Hunter - PB - on page 89 of 272
Buffalo Valley By Debbie Macomber - Kindle - 6%
My Heart to Yours by Michelle Zarrin - PB - on page 15 of
Enchanted No More by Robin D. Owens - PB - on page 32 of 425



 Books to be Read Soon:

 

Bella Tuscany by Frances Mayes
Behind You by Carly M. Duncan (Requested Review)


Interesting Tidbits from the Web:





 



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I thought I would have plenty of time to read this week but was sadly mistaken. It was an absolute zoo in the office and at home. I did manage to finish a couple of books and got a bunch of reviews done and scheduled on the blog.  I really needed to see how many books I would need to read and review ahead of going on vacation.

Unfortunately, my plans for a big Blogoversary are starting to fall apart.  May of the authors I have contacted have either been unresponsive or are too busy at this time.  I do have one or two interviews/guest posts planned but just not the magnitude I had hoped. I will continue working on it though and hopefully some of my favorites will be able to participate.

It is a holiday today and one where hubby is actually home so I am calling a need for some down time and asking him to take Munchkin out of the house or allow me to leave alone with a pile of books.

I hope you are all having wonderful reading adventures!

 

 

 

 

Mini Reviews of Fair Catch, Secrets in the Sauce, and Always Dakota

So with reading and reviewing so many books, I am running out of days in which to share them with you.  I am going to start posting Mini Reviews of books that I read through out the month but couldn't find the time to post on the last Sunday of each month.

 

 

I was looking forward to a good football romance to gear up for the season but was slapped in the face with religion and falsely naïve characters. One Paw and a Stump Wag.

Full Review

 

 

More judgmental Christian's trying to portray their perfect lives and religion. One Paw.

Full Review

 

 

 

 



A lot of characters but loosing its appeal. Two Paws

Full Review