Bedtime Story: One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

For Bedtime Story this week I decided to read One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish to get ready for my baby shower tomorrow with the same theme this weekend!

Synopsis: "This nonsensical romp through a gallery of imaginary creatures introduces beginning readers to a variety of rhyming letter combinations. Meet the Yink, who likes to wink and drink pink ink. Or the Yop, who hops from finger top to finger top. Then there is morose Ned who doesn't like his little bed. The short anecdotal poems have just the right combination of humor and the fantastic to enrapture readers"

My Review: This is another Dr. Seuss book that doesn't really follow a story line but is more for rhyming.  It is actually pretty long for a bedtime story with an impatient child but maybe for someone a little older might like it. I did find it funny how you started out with fish and moved on to other creatures throughout the book.  I think Dr. Seuss set out to tongue tie all parents who read out loud to their kids (note to self practice a lot more)!

My Rating: A fun book full of rhymes and illustrations to look at but a little long.  I give it a rating of Three Paws and Stump Wag.

Good Night, Sweet Dreams!



Review of Song of the Sparrow by Lisa Ann Sandell

Synopsis: "The year is 490 AD. Fiery 16-year-old Elaine of Ascolat, the daughter of one of King Arthur's supporters, lives with her father on Arthur's base camp, the sole girl in a militaristic world of men. Elaine's only girl companion is the mysterious Morgan, Arthur's older sister, but Elaine cannot tell Morgan her deepest secret: She is in love with Lancelot, Arthur's second-in-command. However, when yet another girl -- the lovely Gwynivere-- joins their world, Elaine is confronted with startling emotions of jealousy and rivalry. But can her love for Lancelot survive the birth of an empire?"

My Review: Loved loved loved this book! There aren't a ton of books about the Lady of Shalott and I really enjoy Arthurian legend books so this was a must read for me. It is written in verse so may not be for everyone, the thing to keep in mind when reading when reading verse is that they don't have to rhyme and there doesn't have to be a set cadence, its all about the flow and rhythm. I found the flow of Song of the Sparrow fantastic, it just pulled you in and felt so natural. The story itself was also fantastic, a tiny bit of love and romance but it wasn't overwhelming and the characters personalities really stood out. The story moves along quickly and between that and the writing style, this book turns into a major page turner that you can't put down.  Did I mention that I love this book and you need to read it?!

My Rating: I honestly can't believe this book has been sitting in my TBR pile for a year or two!! If you have it or its in your TBR list, I suggest reading it! I don't think I can even properly put into words how much I loved this book other than give it a rating of Four Paws and a Stump Wag!

This book counts towards my Mount TBR Challenge and my Arthurian Legends Challenge for this year!



Review of Its Not Him, Its You! Relationship Game Changer for Woman by Neko Cheri

Synopsis from Amazon: "Getting straight to the point about relationship choices, The Truth is: It’s not Him, It’s You. Inside you will find ten concise and simple commandments that all women should abide by in order to discover and enjoy fulfilling and satisfying relationships. Within each riveting and stimulating chapter of The Truth is:
It’s not Him, It’s You, the Relationship Game Changer, women will be enlightened and their passion for understanding romance will be ignited. This book is about getting back on track and avoiding future and current friction and tribulation. Once the trifecta the feminine trinity of emotional, physical, and spiritual equilibrium is maintained, women can be free to enjoy healthy and happy relationships with the man of there dreams. Over 110 pages that include real life relationship scenarios that will touch your core. For any woman looking to have a healthy relationship, this is a must read."

My Review: I have been trying a lot of new books lately, and with authors, marketing professionals and publishers I have gotten to try those new genres.  Unfortunately, I don't think this was the right one for me.  I will do my best to give a fair review.  This book is more for a woman who has had difficulty finding and staying in a good relationship, which is part of the reason I think this book didn't mesh with me, I was lucky enough to find an amazing man.  All that aside, I did find it to be a bit negative and really down on men.  The chapters go through and pick at different negative personality traits and resulting failed relationships, which could be helpful if it weren't so negative. If I was reading this while on the hunt for "the one" or even a good, lasting relationship, I don't think I would find it because I would nit pick at any flaw the man displayed and end the relationship before it had a chance to fail. Neko Cheri, states that she wrote this book "to encourage women everywhere" but honestly I found it a little discouraging.

I also found a lot of the points she made to be a common sense for me, maybe it was because I was raised in an area where women respect and value themselves just as highly as men. I was raised to believe I could do anything a man could do and I could do it without one, so again I don't think it was the right book for me.

One the plus side the last chapter was very positive, I kind of wish that the whole book was written in that tone. I think it would have been a lot more effective to bring people up rather than beat them down. Show them things can work out rather than all the negative things that can ruin a relationship.

My Rating: Unfortunately, I am having a hard time rating this book since it really wasn't meant for reading by someone like myself; however, it could be useful to someone else out there.  But I rate books here on Eastern Sunset Reads depending on my reading experience so I have to give it a rating of One Paw and a Stump Wag. Its saving grace for me was the final positive chapter.

This book was sent to be by Neko Cheri's Marketing Partner Jamar James for review.

If you are interested in trying it for yourself you can find

It's Not Him, It's You! Relationship Game Changer for Woman

at Amazon.com for your Kindle.

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:

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?

Tamlyn Marie's Grace -

Think Cinderella only with a matchmaker ;)

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.

Princess Bs - 32,131 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?

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?

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

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So, while reading one of my favorite author's, Kristin Cashore, blog, I found some great editing advise.  I am hoping to get to that stage in my writing soon and I know a few of my fellow writing pals are also in that stage I wanted to share it with you.

So check out Kristin Cashore's Revising Tips, she has some great advise to make your revising and editing a little less overwhelming.


I also got a super amazing package from Jessica from Thoughts at One in the Morning filled with writing and other goodies! I will have to take some pictures to share with all of you! She is so awesome and such a great friend. Thank you hun!!



Unfortunately, the rest of my vacation got so busy I couldn't get any more writing done :( but with new inspiration from Jessica, my fingers are itching to get back to work!

Monday Reading List & Meet Me On Monday

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!

What I Read Last Week:

Links will take you to my review

Impeccable Petunia Part 1 by Katie Christine

The Kitchen Witch by Annette Blair (After Dark)

The Sneetches and Other Stories by Dr. Seuss (Bedtime Story)

The First Zombies by Josh Atkins

Frost Kisses by Kailin Gow

Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss (Bedtime Story)

Currently Reading:

The Brotherhood of Piaxia by Michael Drakich - digital - on page 26 of 340

Song of the Sparrow by Lisa Ann Sandell - pb - on page 32 of 394

Next Books to be Read:

Liberty: A Lake Wobegon Novel by Garrison Keller- Mount TBR Challenge

Under Camelot's Banner by Sarah Zettel - Arthurian Legend Challenge

Soul of a Highlander by Melissa Mayhue - Mount TBR Challenge

 

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Meet Me on Monday

So I found this fun little meme I thought would be great to add so people get to know me a little better (and discover my strange little quirks). Meet Me On Monday is hosted by Acting Balanced where 5 questions are posted each week for us to answer about ourselves and share with all of our readers.

 

And now for this weeks Questions:

1. What is your favorite movie quote or song lyric of all time?

                           Gosh I really couldn't pick, it varies all the time, especially with music!

2. If you had to choose a novel for a book club to read and discuss, which one would you pick?

                           I usually choose the books for my bookclub since no one else seems to want to, but I think my best pick would be the Island of Dr. Moreau by HG Wells. So many points of view could be discussed with that one, and its one of my favorites!

3. When was the last time you danced? What brought you to it?

                           Must have been at one of my friend's weddings last year, I don't get many other opportunities to dance and for some reason I can't seem to let loose enough to dance around my own house anymore.

4. Do you typically remember your dreams?

                          A good portion of them I do remember, that is where most of my writing ideas come from, but I am sure there are a lot that I forget.

 

Number 5 is for you all to answer . . . . Do you make music playlists for different things, like writing or chores?

 

 

 

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Wow, how is my vacation already over?! I got almost no reading done this last week :( and my list of things to do (well at least what is left of it - Niko ate a whole page LOL) still has so many things that haven't been crossed off yet!  At least my hubby was a little more successful in getting his to do list done! AC is fixed, the electrical work is finally done and the finishing touches on the bathroom are done! We just have to move some furniture around and then its time to work on the nursery!!

 

Well I guess I better get caught up here at the office so that I can get back to my reading!

 

Hope you all had a great week last week and have an even better one this week!