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Wednesday, 4 April 2012

book review: children of the gods

Posted on 05:00 by Unknown
On one level, Monica Millard's Children of the Gods tells the story about making the best of a situation when decisions are made beyond an individual's control. But it goes beyond that.
For as long as seventeen-year-old Reka Cushing can remember, she has watched her friends and her neighbors be stolen, their bodies used as hosts for the Halorans; an alien race that has come to earth posing as gods. For just as long, Reka has lived in fear of drawing the eye of a Haloran, keeping her head down, hoping not to be caught in their sights.

The only time she has ever been bold, tried to get what she wanted, a god, one more powerful, more dangerous than all others is watching.
Though not wholly new to science fiction -- I've watched films and TV shows in this genre for years -- I am still a novice when it comes to reading it. At about 130 pages, the story is not dense and bogged down with too much science. Instead, it focused more on character development, which I enjoyed.

I was most intrigued by the motives between the warring races, and the main character's inner turmoil. The conflict worked. Like Reka, part of me liked her captors while the other remained skeptical wondering what they had in store for her at any time. Millard also effectively uses characters from Reka's past to keep the story moving.

For the most part, the pacing worked. The beginning and ending especially were fast-paced and action-filled. Some moments in the middle did drag for me a little - but never enough to make me lose my interest. I'm mixed on my thoughts about the romantic elements of the story. Part of me thinks Reka falls in love (I'm not saying with who) too quickly. But then again, I just said it was a fast-paced book. Plot has to happen fast. And even if it was a little rushed for my taste, it did not take away from the rest of the story.

From page one until the last page, I never knew quite what to expect, which kept me guessing. This was an interesting, fast read for a basic newbie like me. I was hooked from page one. Overall, reading it was an eye-opener for me. It makes me want to branch out and try more genres and styles of writing.

Check back tomorrow for my interview with the author.

Rating: 4 of 5

About the Author
Monica was born and raised in Alaska. She doesn’t own a dog sled team, but has worked in a place where there are buildings with caged exterior doors to keep employees from being eaten by polar bears.

She lives in Wasilla, Alaska with all her critters, some four legged and others that stand on two. She writes Science fiction, fantasy, and Paranormal for young adults.

Connect with Monica
My blog: http://www.analaskangirl.blogspot.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/MonicaEmme
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/emmeandemme

Buy the Book

Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Children-Gods-Chosen-Novel-ebook/dp/B006PZFWQ6/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_t_1
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/117347
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/children-of-the-gods-a-chosen-novel-monica-millard/1108191398?ean=2940032960911&itm=2&usri=children+of+the+gods+monica+millard


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Posted in blog tour, book review, chick lit plus | No comments

Tuesday, 3 April 2012

little house researchers gather this summer

Posted on 05:00 by Unknown
Blogger's Note: As a long-time Laura Ingalls Wilder fan, I am pleased to be part of this year's Laurapalooza festivities. This will be my mom and I's first time attending the conference, and we are excited. If you are a fellow LIW fan, please check out this press release for more information.

Little House Researchers Gather in Minnesota This Summer

“Little House on the Prairie” fans have reason to celebrate beyond Melissa Gilbert’s competing on “Dancing with the Stars.” This summer, fans and scholars alike will gather to answer the question, “What Would Laura Do?” during LauraPalooza 2012. Sponsored by Minnesota State University, Mankato, and the Laura Ingalls Wilder Legacy and Research Association (LIWLRA), LauraPalooza will celebrate the author July 12-14, 2012.

Open to the public, the scholarly summit first held in 2010 showcases original research, speakers and panels related to Laura Ingalls Wilder, her family, her museums and the impact her books have had on American culture. Actors from the hit TV show “Little House on the Prairie,” which was loosely based on the book series, will also be on hand (including Alison “Nellie Oleson” Arngrim).

“We’re very excited to be hosting this gathering again,” says Dr. Amy Lauters, LIWLRA president who, as a professor in the department of Mass Media at MSU, is chairing the conference for the second time. “We have a number of fun activities and some fantastic speakers to look forward to, and I’m sure we’re offering something for every Little House and Laura Ingalls Wilder fan out there.”

Throughout the conference, attendees will enjoy demonstrations, research, entertainment and discussion taken from the pages of the books. Key guest speakers include William Anderson, the premier Laura Ingalls Wilder biographer for the past forty years, and Barbara Walker, author of the long-beloved Little House Cookbook, first published in the 1970s. Presentations deal with everything from 1880s weather to Laura-related dolls to the legal legacy of her books.

For the first time, young fans will also have an opportunity to join the fun with Camp Laura, a concurrent program intended for children K-6. The program will give children a hands-on look at the books and the history surrounding them. “Kids will step into the pages of the Little House books and experience pioneer life as Laura lived it, with the help of Wilder authorities and enthusiasts,” says Camp Laura Director Rebecca Brammer.

Centrally located to multiple settings from the series, Mankato will bring fans close to the story’s roots. Two hours southwest of Wilder’s birthplace in Pepin, Wis., and three hours east of De Smet, S.D., her childhood home, attendees will be within an easy distance of these sites.

“It was important to us that we hold the conference as close to ‘Laura-land’ as possible,” says Sandra Hume, author of the forthcoming “Little House Travel” ebook (available in June) and founding board member of the LIWLRA. “The Little House books are as much a sense of place as they are good stories. You can’t read them without wanting to go where they happened—and unlike in many other books, these places really exist.”

After the conference ends on Saturday, attendees will have the option of going on to Walnut Grove, Minnesota, the town Laura called home in the 1870s, which served as the setting for her book On the Banks of Plum Creek. Organizers from The Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum in Walnut Grove are preparing to welcome travelers and provide special activities just for them.

Even people who can’t attend LauraPalooza in person are invited to join in through videos, blog posts and social media at  Beyond Little House (www.beyondlittlehouse.com), its corresponding Facebook page (search “Beyond Little House” on Facebook), and on Twitter (@BeyondLitlHouse ).

Dorm-style housing is available for attendees who want to stay on campus; this housing rate includes all meals courtesy of the university dining hall, as well as a sit-down keynote luncheon where key players in the Little House literary world will be honored. For travelers who would rather stay in traditional hotels, a block of rooms has been set aside in local lodging.

The conference is being organized by the Laura Ingalls Wilder Legacy and Research Association. Board members of the LIWLRA contribute to the website “Beyond Little House” (www.beyondlittlehouse.com), the premier go-to website for all things Little House, and the Homesteader, the only full-color publication about Laura Ingalls Wilder and all of the museums that honor her (www.homesteadernewsletter.com).

For more information on the conference and this year’s presenters, visit www.beyondlittlehouse.com or contact Amy Lauters at amy.lauters@mnsu.edu or Sandra Hume at sandra.hume@gmail.com.

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Posted in liw | No comments

Monday, 2 April 2012

book review: blame it on the fame

Posted on 05:00 by Unknown
Award show junkies and cinema fans alike will find an entertaining and well-executed read in Tracie Banister's debut novel, Blame it on the Fame.

The ballots are in, and the story begins as Hollywood announces its nominees for the upcoming Academy Awards. Up for best actress are a golden girl with a careful image to mask her natural bitchiness; an unknown Brit who can't seem to stay away from her bad boy ex-boyfriend/co-star; an ex-model turned actress who loves parties, too much; the daughter of two past Oscar winners keeping a big secret from the world; and a comeback has-been warring a personal battle.

The nominees for best actress differ in their reactions, revealing their true colors to those closest to them. In the weeks that follow, each takes her own approach to campaigning for the award, developing rivalries and friendships along the way. From who is wearing what dress to what interviews they can do to kiss up to the voters, the action continues all the way to the big night.

While capturing the excitement surrounding the award season, what makes the story most interesting is each woman's personal story. It addresses complex issues, such as mental health, sexuality and addiction with enough care to be sensitive, but enough humor to keep the story fun. It also shows that it does not matter if you are a big-time Hollywood actress or reader, the most important part of life is finding people who love and care about you no matter who you are.

Banister effectively captures the voice and spirit of each woman throughout the story. Fast-paced, well-developed and an overall captivating story, the story keeps your interest and suspense as we wait to hear who will take home Oscar gold.

I hope to see more from Banister in the future.

Rating: 4.5 of 5


For more information about the author, visit her blog: http://traciebanister.blogspot.com/. 

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Sunday, 1 April 2012

happy script frenzy!

Posted on 05:00 by Unknown
It's April 1, which means aside from playing practical jokes on your friends, it's also time to start Script Frenzy. That means writing 100 pages in 30 days. Now go.

This will be my first time participating in Script Frenzy, and I have big goals. Using my experience from two consecutive successful National Novel Writing Month challenges, and my failures in both Camp NaNoWriMo sessions last year, I hope my plan will keep me on the path to finish those pages.

Last week, I shared a few of my planning devices. For both NaNoWriMo experiences, I started the process with a detailed working synopsis broken down by chapter. With the plot in place, all I had to do was write. During Camp NaNoWriMo, I started without plans. While I started both stories, I eventually got to a place where I had to stop and think about where I was going. It slowed me down and I completely lost my momentum. Having my plot already established, and several scenes imagined in my mind, I hope to spend the next 30 days just writing.

I also downloaded free screenwriting software, which is a big help. A screenwriter friend suggested Celtx, which is what I will use. We used Final Draft in college, but it is not in my price range at the moment. Why is screenwriting software important? It's much easier when it comes to formatting. Doing it on your own in a word processor can be a major time suck, and not entirely accurate. I'll let you know how this software works as I go.

For the next 30 days, I also have smaller goals I will work toward. I did this last year for NaNoWriMo, and it worked well for me. Even if I didn't reach that day or week's goals, it made reaching them seem more plausible. My goal this time is pretty basic: 25 pages each work. That means I hope to have 25 pages done April 7, 50 pages April 14, 75 pages April 21 and 100 pages April 28. That gives me two days of grace period, including one full weekend day, to play catch-up if I must.

With that, I'm off to begin my web series. I'll check in throughout the month with updates and lessons learned during the process. Best of luck to the rest of you participating.  Let the frenzy begin!

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Posted in ScriptFrenzy | No comments
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      • book review: children of the gods
      • little house researchers gather this summer
      • book review: blame it on the fame
      • happy script frenzy!
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