Wednesday, December 26, 2012

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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Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Advent Stories Day #25: Merry Christmas Little One

Welcome to the Advent Story event I am having here on Eastern Sunset Reads this Christmas season.
Every family has their own personal Holiday traditions, and many of them include those advent calendars that have the little chocolates or toys behind each door as you count to Christmas Day. Well in my family we had a Advent Candle instead. Each night we would light the candle and as it burned that day away we would read a special Christmas story or poem. So I decided to bring that tradition to all of you.
Most of the books will be Children's books as I share this tradition with Munchkin for the first time, but I will also have some After Dark specials and maybe a few fiction, romance and young adult books too as time allows. I will also feature a favorite Christmas song each day. So please join me and share some of your favorite traditions, songs and stories this holiday season!
 
We finally made it to Christmas! I hope you are all having a wonderful day with your loved ones!
 


 
Synopsis: "Christmas comes but once a year -
Time for magic, love and cheer.

Featuring sturdy lift-the-flaps, a puffy fabric Christmas tree on the cover, and a glittery finale, this newest addition to the Snuggle-Me Stories line follows in the best-selling tradition of Peek-a-Boo, I Love You! Sandra Magsamen celebrates Christmas in her signature style, with heartfelt rhymes and engaging illustrations. Babies and loved ones will merrily read and play along. A perfect way for little ones to celebrate the holiday season"


My Review: I enjoyed the simple rhyming of this book and Munchkin liked the bright images. He really liked the little puffy fabric tree on the front, the texture difference really caught his attention. While the description says the lift flaps are sturdy, I didn't find them to be so, they bent easily and with how Munchkin is still learning his coordination he could rip a flap off.        
 
My Rating: I give this book a rating of Three Paws and a Stump Wag.
 

Monday, December 24, 2012

Advent Stories Day #24: Food Fight

Welcome to the Advent Story event I am having here on Eastern Sunset Reads this Christmas season.
Every family has their own personal Holiday traditions, and many of them include those advent calendars that have the little chocolates or toys behind each door as you count to Christmas Day. Well in my family we had a Advent Candle instead. Each night we would light the candle and as it burned that day away we would read a special Christmas story or poem. So I decided to bring that tradition to all of you.
Most of the books will be Children's books as I share this tradition with Munchkin for the first time, but I will also have some After Dark specials and maybe a few fiction, romance and young adult books too as time allows. I will also feature a favorite Christmas song each day. So please join me and share some of your favorite traditions, songs and stories this holiday season!
 





Synopsis: "When a young couple's first Christmas dinner doesn't go exactly as planned, trouble ensues. The first fight is always the most important!"

My Review: A very good reminder that came at just the right time for me. The wife in the story tries so hard to make this Christmas dinner perfect, just like the newly weds had with their own families, only the husband comments that it tastes different than his own mom made. A fight ensues, food flinging included. It was a comedic break from the stress of the holiday and made me remember that my hubby and I are trying to create our own family memories and traditions and we don't have to do what our families did before.
 
My Rating: This was a fun short read but with a great reminder and message. I loved it. I give it a rating of Four Paws.
 

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

A Bad Kitty Christmas by Nick Bruel
Florence by Ciye Cho
Llama Llama Holiday Drama by Anna Dewdney
Diary of Mall Santa by Stewart Scott
Eragon by Christopher Paolini (Book v. Movie)
Spending Holidays with People I Want to Punch in the Throat by Jen (After Dark)
Raggedy Ann and Andy The Christmas Kitten
How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss (Book v. Movie)
The Gift of Hope by Pam Andrews Hanson
 


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

 Dark Rider by Kathrynn Dennis
The Gift of Hope by Pam Andrews Hanson
 


Currently Reading:

Cleo: The cat who mended a family by Helen Brown - PB - on page 124 of 292
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas - PB - on page 28 of 472
Royal Flush by Scott Bartlett - Nook - on page 62 of 206

 
Next Books to be Read:

Under Camelot's Banner by Sarah Zettel - Arthurian Legend Challenge
Soul of a Highlander by Melissa Mayhue - Mount TBR Challenge
 


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Wow! I have survived the craziness of December!! I hope you have enjoyed my Advent Stories Series, I have two more posts one for tonight and one for tomorrow.  Tomorrows will include an hour and a half of Transiberian Orchestra music to enjoy through your Christmas evening.

I hope you all receive plenty of books for next year's reading challenges and most importantly get to spend the day with those you love!!

Merry Christmas from me and all my family!

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Advent Stories Day #23: The Gift of Hope

Welcome to the Advent Story event I am having here on Eastern Sunset Reads this Christmas season.
Every family has their own personal Holiday traditions, and many of them include those advent calendars that have the little chocolates or toys behind each door as you count to Christmas Day. Well in my family we had a Advent Candle instead. Each night we would light the candle and as it burned that day away we would read a special Christmas story or poem. So I decided to bring that tradition to all of you.
Most of the books will be Children's books as I share this tradition with Munchkin for the first time, but I will also have some After Dark specials and maybe a few fiction, romance and young adult books too as time allows. I will also feature a favorite Christmas song each day. So please join me and share some of your favorite traditions, songs and stories this holiday season!
 
 
 

Synopsis: "Children's librarian Hope Randall has her hands full during the holiday season. She's directing the Christmas pageant, supervising the decorating of her small-town Iowa church, and hiding her growing feelings for widowed minister Noah Langdon.

Noah, who's struggling to be both mother and father to his young daughter, is afraid to love again. Will Hope be able to give him the gift of hope this Christmas?"


My Review: This was a lovely short story romance. It is very religious, based entirely around a minister, a Christmas Pageant and the church. I really enjoyed the characters and would love the chance to get to know some of them a little more. I think Noah has a lot more of a story to share (this is a Novella so I will have to check out the other books by Hanson). The story features a lot of patience, friends, and not leaving anyone to be alone on Christmas.
My Rating: I enjoyed this story, and it was nice and short but still full of great characters.  I give it a rating of Three Paws.