At last, my novel has a face!

Hey readers!

I know I'm going about this all backwards and that I should have a bunch of fellow bloggers release this at the same time with lots of pomp and fanfare and confetti, but since the rules are more like 'guidelines' - I have something VERY SPECIAL to show you.

Drum roll please....

INTRODUCING- 

The cover for my novel, ASHBURN. 

I designed it myself. 

(comments, thoughts... do you like it?!? I DO!)

Release date coming soon! I'll be in the final editing process for the next few weeks, but I am self-publishing this book to Kindle and CreateSpace on Amazon in paperback form. After a lot of procrastination, the time has come to share it with the world!

If you are a fellow blogger and are interested in an interview or a review copy of my book, (Or want to splash my pretty book cover on your blog or website!)... please let me know. I would greatly appreciate any support and help to spread the word about this exciting story. :)

Also, I'm pretty sure I want to hang out a shingle as a graphic designer and start doing book covers and other projects for real, live customers. More info on that coming soon as well. :)

Delightedly yours,

Season of Change - A Book Review

The Story of Two Young Stepsisters Comes to a Bittersweet End in the Final Book in the Sisters in All Seasons Series

“Anybody who’s in a blended family and has a daughter who’s 12, 13, or 14 years old really needs to read these books.”—Lynne Ford, WBCL-AM “Mid-Morning”

Brought together by their parents’ marriage two years ago, Diana and Stephanie have overcome a near fatal car crash, school suspension,  wild wolves, and even helped solve a crime—all while “trying” to appreciate each other’s distinct differences.

In SEASON OF CHANGE (Zonderkidz; May 2013; $10.99), things have finally settled down for the teens. Their friendship has strengthened, and the usually reclusive Diana has finally begun to open up to Stephanie. So when they discover their parents are going on a mysterious weekend getaway to “work on their marriage,” they worry that their now happy union will be tested.

While staying at Diana’s grandparents’ lake house, the teens decide to take their minds off family turmoil and focus on having a good time together.

Their plans are foiled, unfortunately, when Stephanie’s mom shows up unexpectedly to pick her up for the weekend.  Meanwhile, Diana struggles to make sense of a crush she’s developing for a boy she thought was just a friend.

With the sisters apart and their parents’ marriage possibly on the rocks, the two learn that they care for each other more than they realized. What will become of their friendship if their parents split?

Kline concludes this charming saga with a bittersweet ending that will have devoted readers reaching for tissues and hugging their families a little tighter. SEASON OF CHANGE is proof that the bond between sisters is truly unbreakable.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Lisa Williams Kline has written several books, including the first three books in the popular middle-grade series,Sisters in all Seasons—Summer of the Wolves, Wild Horse Spring, Blue Autumn Cruise and Winter’s Tide. She also authored Write Before Your Eyes, the Princesses of Atlantis, and Eleanor Hill. The latter earned the North Carolina Juvenile Literature Award. Kline is the mother of two grown daughters and lives in Mooresville, North Carolina, with her husband. www.lisawilliamskline.com

What I thought:

This story was the last in a series, so some of the references to past events escaped me, but it wasn't too hard picking up where the other books left off. I didn't love this book but it wasn't awful either. I liked reading the scene about Stephanie learning to knee-board behind her step-grandpa's boat, it reminded me of the time I learned how to knee-board with some friends of ours in Florida. :) This story was mild enough for most teens to read, with nothing overly objectionable, although I didn't really enjoy reading about all the dynamics of these blended families... though I realize this is the unfortunate norm in many households these days. I did not think the author did a super job of wrapping everything up (especially considering this is supposed to be the last book in a series!) but the writing style was smooth and engaging.

Blessings,

Man on a Mission - Book Review

A New Book on the Inspiring Life of Astronaut and Physician David Hilmers Teaches Young Readers to Aim for the Stars

Tween-aged readers will embark on an incredible journey through space and beyond in renowned astronaut and physician David Hilmers’ autobiography, MAN ON A MISSION: The David Hilmers Story (Zonderkidz; $6.99; May 2013).

Co-written by Rick Houston, Hilmers, 61, recounts his extraordinary life story– how a young boy from Iowa became a rocketeer and man of medicine and was able to travel to places far beyond those he ever imagined.

Chronicling a bumpy, yet steady, road to success, Hilmers shares never-before-seen pictures of his childhood, his family, mission trips around the world, and his memorable space shuttle flight aboard the STS-26 Discovery in 1988. 

The well-known figure also touches on personal aspects of his life about which even his most dedicated fans may not be aware —the grief he feels for his friends lost in the fatal 1986 Challenger flight and his life-threatening fall down Macchu Picchu.

Through good times and bad, Hilmers has fiercely held onto his faith. He reveals how space travel and reaching out to those in need here on earth invigorated him in a way he never thought possible. “I became aware of how big God was and always will be,” he reflects in the book.

Moving, spiritual, and at times thrilling, MAN ON A MISSION will inspire young space enthusiasts and anyone interested in the life of an astronaut.  It will also provide a deeper look at a man revered by many, a man of God. Together with Houston, Hilmers captures the finest details of his exceptional life, bringing the American hero and his fans that much closer.

****

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Rick Houston planned to become a minister before he began his career as a journalist. With more than 20 years as a full-time writer under his belt, Houston has authored five books and covered a variety of articles—from NASCAR to NASA. He is also a deacon in his church and regularly contributes to Stand Firm, a men's devotional magazine published by LifeWay. He lives in Yadkinville, North Carolina.

ABOUT DAVID HILMERS: David Hilmers is a retired NASA astronaut who served between the years 1980 and 1992. A former U.S. Marine, he received a B.A. degree in Mathematics from Cornell College and a M.S. degree in electrical engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. He later earned a Doctor of Medicine from the Baylor College of Medicine and a M.S. from the University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center. As a Colonel for NASA, Hilmers flew in four missions to space, including the STS-26 Discovery, which was the first flight after the Challenger flight of 1986 resulted in seven lives lost. He currently serves as a faculty member of the Medicine/Pediatrics department of the Baylor College of Medicine. Born in Clinton, Iowa, he now calls Houston, Texas, his home. Hilmers has two grown sons.

What I thought:

This was a good book overall, I found it interesting to read about Mr. Hilmers' life and he seemed like a very dedicated, hardworking man. The details about the space programs and techniques were also interesting. I don't read a lot of non-fiction but this book held my interest until the end. I thought it very admirable that this man turned to medical efforts and helped poor people in missions work. The only thing that I was not impressed with was the fact that Mr. Hilmers and his wife divorced after many years of marriage - and it sounded like he put all his work before his family. For that, he gets a thumbs-down from me. :(

I would recommend this book to anybody interested in astronauts! :)

Captives by Jill Williamson - A Review

Imagine the year is 2088. Your world and everyone you know and love has been stolen from you in one catastrophic moment.

Such is the case in Jill Williamson’s heart-pounding new novel, CAPTIVES (Zondervan; $9.99; April 2013). The Replication author delivers an enthralling account of what happens to seventeen-year-old Mason, his younger brother, Omar, and their older brother, Levi, who live in the humble village of Glenrock.

With the intriguing plot of CAPTIVES, Williamson continues to display her ability to take on a multi-layered futuristic narrative filled with suspense, philosophical messages and teenage candor similar to that in the popular Hunger Games trilogy. She deftly pens a tale that it will stay with readers long after the last page.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Alaska-born Jill Williamson is an award-winning novelist. Her debut novel, By Darkness Hid, won the 2010 Christy Award and was named one of VOYA’s Best Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Books of 2009. In 2012, she released the popular futuristic novel, Replication. Williamson also hosts blog tours for other YA authors, and conducts writing workshops at libraries, schools, camps, and churches. She lives in John Jay, Oregon, with her husband and two children. www.jillwilliamson.com 

What I thought:

I was looking forward to trying out a Jill Williamson book after hearing so much about her writing. While I found Captives to be quite well-written and edited, the plot didn't grab me like I thought it might. I suppose it's because apocalyptic-type stories just aren't my favorite genre. I did find that this book was 'clean' enough to read and if one was looking for an alternative to The Hunger Games, this might be a much better option. (I have not read the Hunger Games trilogy and do not plan to.)

This was not a very satisfying story in regards to inspiring faith. The characters pray and wonder aloud what they should do, but one does not really see them following the Lord's leading or seeing his work in the storyline. I found the characters mildly interesting but they didn't strike me as absorbing or gripping. A lot of the book was lengthy descriptions about the surroundings - which was neat to read, but I prefer a book to be story-centered and character-driven, not focused on the atmosphere.

I would not recommend this book to readers younger than 16 due to references to futuristic counterparts of drugs and alcohol and the immoral lifestyle portrayed in the Safe Lands city. I was a little surprised to find that in there, actually, as there wasn't any hint of it in the book description. But it seems like a lot of books aimed at young people these days include these elements, which I think is sad. This book did portray them in a negative light, but still... :(

The ending kind of leaves you hanging, too! If you are going to read this book, be aware that there isn't really an ending that wraps up the loose ends. I realize this is part of a series and that the story continues in the next book, but it would have been nice to have some resolution near the end of this one.

I would probably read the rest of the series if given the chance to do so for free like at the library, but otherwise I would probably decline.



I was provided with a free copy of this book for review by Zondervan. These are my own thoughts on the book. :)

Perfectly Unique: A Review

Author Annie F. Downs Presents a Book for Young Women About the Power of their Individuality

Author Annie F. Downs is passionate about today’s young women. So much so that she has channeled her enthusiasm in her thought-provoking debut book, PERFECTLY UNIQUE: Praising God from Head to Foot (Zondervan; $9.99; September 2012), which aims to help young women ages 13 to 18 build their self-esteem, value their individuality, and worship their Creator with the qualities He gave them.

Citing examples from her own life and drawing from the experiences of friends and other loved ones, Downs injects empathy and candor into her writing, establishing a connection to her audience by using a unique mix of engaging personal anecdote and honest discussions about life, resulting in a book that feels like a conversation with a best friend.

What I thought:
I don't read much non-fiction, but I was expecting this book to be just another echo of the self-help books out there that are written for teen girls. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this book was refreshingly different and I loved Annie's down-to-earth, practical, but hilarious writing voice.

I want to go through the book again with a highlighter and use this alongside my other Bible studying program. I've personally never had a problem with loving myself (my issues tend more towards pride, sadly) but there are sound truths laid out in an easily digestible buffet in this friendly little book.

Besides all this, there are fun goodies in the back of the book - delicious recipes for the author's fave snacks! I can't wait to try a couple of those. :D

I would highly recommend this book to any of my gal-friends - that part of the text up there I highlighted in pink is exactly the truth. This book reads like a conversation with a fun friend.

Blessings!

Like Moonlight at Low Tide - A Review

Here I am, back again with another review of a new Zondervan title!
Like Moonlight at Low Tide, by Nicole Quigley.

Here's some information about the book:

In LIKE MOONLIGHT AT LOW TIDE, Missy returns to her hometown of Anna Maria Island, Florida, where she was once referred to as the ugliest girl in school. After spending three years in Pennsylvania, unbeknownst to herself, Missy has blossomed. It takes the romantic attention of her childhood crush for her to realize that she’s not the “Messy” Keiser who used to be greeted by barks in her middle school hallway.

Finally catching a glimpse into the alluring world of high school popularity and parties she never dreamed of attending, Missy becomes entangled with three boys who will change her life: handsome and confident jock Sam King; her elusive neighbor, Josh, who has a quiet confidence and unwavering faith; and her rebellious brother, Robby, who struggles between obtaining the life he wants and settling for the life others expect him to have.

With everyone noticing the new Missy, her skewed self-perception slowly begins to heal in a raw and honest story about what happens after the bullying stops.

 

Quigley reflects, “You can’t read the papers these days without seeing stories about school-age bullying, but not many people talk about what happens afterward. How do you ever feel right after being told you’re all wrong for so long?”

 

Set in her hometown, Quigley captures the ethereal essence of Anna Maria Island, a barrier island off the Gulf coast of Florida, where skim boarding and pool hopping are the activities of choice and the temperature hovers mostly around eighty degrees.

 

With magnetic prose that reads like poetry, LIKE MOONLIGHT AT LOW TIDE is an emotional page-turner that will be sure to hook lovers of YA fiction from page one through to the climactic close.

 

“I think this book will resonate with a wide range of readers,”Quigley adds, “because everyone has experienced some form of bullying and reacted to it for better or worse, whether they realized it or not.”

MY THOUGHTS:

Overall consensus - it was a book with a powerful message, one I think needs to be heard by today's average teen. I was impressed with how the book brought everything around to the point where the main character, Missy, finally decided to trust her life to God and make the right choice. :) It was very real and believable.
 Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this book to any of my blog readers younger than 16 because of some of the characters and situations portrayed in the book, and references to drugs and alcohol. :( I thought it was handled with great tact, and although I didn't enjoy reading those parts of the book, I think the rest of the story and writing voice made up for it.

What I loved:

I loved the setting, first off. I used to live in southern Florida, although it wasn't on an island like Anna Maria. The scenery and details and 'feel' of the book are SPOT ON... Which must come from the author having grown up there. (Write what you know, people, it works!) :D The way the author wrote this book was masterful, and something I appreciated as a fellow writer. The scents and sounds and expressions and colors all feel like you're watching a movie play in your head. I was completely immersed in the book while reading this story, which I do not often feel. Well done, Ms. Quigley!

I loved the characters. While some of the people in the book were not very 'savory' people, everyone in the book just jumped off the page and came to life. I felt like I knew them. I could picture the kid's faces and stances.

*slight spoiler alert* - I loved Josh Durham, the boy-next-door. He was so great. I loved the way he acted Christlike without being preachy or pushy in the least, and the way he cared for Missy in a selfless manner after a tragedy struck her life, and showed her a better way, and what faith means. Really, what's not to love about a guy who leaves a flower on your windowsill every day? ;)

Also... I could really relate to Missy in the area of the kids around her. I was looked down on and left out a lot when I was a young teen, although the kids I was 'friends' with were Christians, so it wasn't as mean and outright name-calling as the secular public-school kids in this book were. It was interesting to see what happened to Missy when she came back to her school after being gone for a few years and was suddenly treated better because she was 'cute' now and had grown up.

What I didn't like:
I did not like some of the scenes in this book involving the school kids - a third of the way through the book I was thinking "okay, if this gets any worse, I'm putting it down" - but it never quite got to that point, and while Missy was in some potentially 'dangerous' situations, it turned out all right.
___________________

I think this book would be a great outreach tool for the average secular teen, and help kids who have been struggling with rejection. I don't think it would be as good of a read for the average sheltered young homeschooler.
I am looking forward to Nicole Quigley's future books, because her writing was amazing. Though I didn't like some of her story's setting, I would be very interested in reading another book by her and savoring the crisp, immersing voice of her writing. :)

I hope you enjoyed this review!



I was provided a free review copy of this book by Zondervan. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my own thoughts on the story.

Interrupted by Rachel Coker: A Book Review

Note: I was not interrupted by Rachel Coker, the book she wrote is titled Interrupted. ;)
Just teasing!

Description:

Can love really heal all things? If Sam Carroll hadn’t shown up, she might have been able to get to her mother in time. Instead, Allie Everly finds herself at a funeral, mourning the loss of her beloved mother. She is dealt another blow when, a few hours later, she is sent from Tennessee to Maine to become the daughter of Miss Beatrice Lovell, a prim woman with a faith Allie cannot accept. Poetry and letters written to her mother become the only things keeping Allie’s heart from hardening completely. But then Sam arrives for the summer, and with him comes many confusing emotions, both toward him and the people around her. As World War II looms, Allie will be forced to decide whether hanging on to the past is worth losing her chance to be loved.

About Rachel Coker:
I am a sixteen year old homeschool student from way-out-of-the-way Virginia. When I was younger, I loved to read so much that the taking away of library privileges was a go-to punishment for my parents. Especially since I loved the library so much that I once concocted an entire plan to run away and live there among the books….

When I was in sixth grade, I wrote my first fiction short story for a school assignment and things pretty much rocketed from there. My mom signed me up for writing lessons for about a year, and I completed my first full length YA novel when I was fourteen. It is scheduled to come out with Zondervan in 2012.

I came to Christ when I was in my early teens, and am eager to discuss reformed theology with anyone who comes my way! Albeit, I am a bit of an arguer, but I try to keep a cheerful spirit! I love my Savior and enjoy learning more about Him and sharing what I have learned with others.

Rachel blogs here: http://rachelcoker.wordpress.com/


My Thoughts:

What I liked....

First of all, I was quite impressed that this book had been written by a fourteen-year old teen girl. :) The writing flowed nicely and drew the reader along without any pauses or boring lapses in the storyline. I thought the characters were interesting and likeable, (although I didn't really like the MC until near the end of the book) and seemed like they could have been real people. I particularly liked Charlie (However, I wish she had stuck with Charlotte instead of the nickname) ;) and Russell Wilkinson and his mother Debra. And Irene, Allie's new adopted "older sister".

I enjoyed the time period, although I think a little more description could have been added about clothes, cars, etc. that would have made it seem a little more like the WW2 era.

I liked the sayings Beatrice said throughout the book! (i.e. "I've always said that a girl who does chores has a future that soars.") I found them very amusing.

The description in the book is wonderful. You feel like you're really there, along with Alcyone, as she experiences the story. I loved Beatrice's house, especially. And the beach descriptions. (But then, I'm biased, being a beach girl myself and having grown up in Florida).

Overall opinion: I enjoyed the book!

What I didn't like...

- The bitterness. I found the beginning of the book depressing. The mental struggles her mother went through were sad... and I'm not sure if a brain tumor/cancer growth would have caused that? I don't know much about that type of illness though.

- The rejection. It seemed to me like Allie was mean to Sam for absolutely no reason, after he was so sweet to her. It made me really dislike her right up front. She was downright surly. I'm glad she finally straightened out in the end... but I won't say any more, for fear of spoiling it! ;)

- The holding-on. Alcyone was very distrustful of her new 'mother' and guardian because she was a Christian and Allie was told to distrust Christians by her mother, because her father had supposedly been one, and deserted them. Okay. I can understand that, although I think Alcyone would probably have formed her own opinion, not adopted her mother's opinion. What I didn't like was that there seemed to be no warming-up or transitioning on Allie's part whatsoever towards Beatrice (her adoptive mother) for an exceedingly long time. Maybe I was being impatient as I read the story. :D

But I would recommend this book, and I am looking forward to more stories from Rachel Coker. I hope she continues to write! :)
Blessings,


(I received an advance copy of Interrupted by Rachel Coker in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to write a favorable review.)

FUN Literary Tag

I found this tag over at Austenitis and immediately knew I had to try it!

I'm so glad I did, it was SUCH fun!

You should try it too.

Really.

First name 12 literary characters and then answer the questions.

Okay, so here are mine...

1. Mr. Darcy (Pride & Prejudice)

2. Polly Milton (Main character in An Old-fashioned Girl by Louisa May Alcott)

3. Doctor Dolittle (the Doctor Dolittle series by Hugh Lofting)

4. Robin Hood (The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood)

5. Rose Campbell  (Eight Cousins by Louisa May Alcott)

6. Black Beauty (haha, it doesn't say the characters have to be human)

7. Willy Wonka (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory)
8. Emma Woodhouse (Emma)

9. Reginald Bridgewater (One of MY literary characters in my novel... Lissie)

10. Diana Barry (Anne of Green Gables)

11. Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock Holmes books)

12. Cynthia Coppersmith (from the At Home in Mitford series by Jan Karon)

There, that looks like a fun group of people! I tried to pick a really random assortment to see what unusual adventures would ensue. :D But like Charity suggested, you could do 12 characters from a Jane Austen novel, or several of her novels, or all Anne of Green Gables characters! It would make the results totally different.

Questions...

1. Who would make a better college professor, 6 or 11?
Black Beauty or Sherlock Holmes? Uhhh... well, Black Beauty is a horse. So anybody would make a better college professor than him... but wow, Sherlock Holmes would make an awesome college professer! I want his class! "Deduction and Observation" ;)

2. 12 sends 8 out on a mission. What is it? Does it succeed?
Cynthia Coppersmith sends Emma Woodhouse.... to.... try and make a match for her with Father Tim, but Emma only ends up muddling the poor priest's mind and frightening him away. But thankfully we all know what happens in the end. (That is, if you've read the At Home in Mitford series)

3. What is, or what would be, 9’s favorite book?
Reginald Bridgewater! My character! Hmm... well, despite his impulsive, outgoing temperament, Reginald is actually quite intelligent and well-educated, so he reads well even if he would rather be riding his horse over the beautiful grounds of Swanwick Hall. I think his favorite book would have been one of Miss Austen's novels, since they were published during his lifetime... probably Northanger Abbey.

4. Would it make more sense for 2 to swear fealty to 6 or the other way around?
Again, poor Black Beauty can't speak the King's English. But then again, I have a hard time imagining the sweet, sensible Polly Milton swearing fealty to a horse. I think Black Beauty would have sworn fealty to Polly, especially if she was his dear owner.
5. Number 5 is looking for a roommate. Should s/he room with 9 or 10?
Rose Campbell would definitely room with Diana Barry over Reginald Bridgewater. Actually, I think Rose and Diana could have been fast friends.

6. 2, 7, and 12 are going out to dinner. Where are they going, and what do they discuss?
Polly, Willy Wonka, and Cynthia Coppersmith? Hmmm... They don't have much in common! I think they would go to the Wonka factories and dine on chocolate soup... and they would probably discuss candy, as it would be everywhere and I can imagine Willy Wonka dominating the conversation... ;)

7. 3 challenges 10 to a duel. Who wins?
The amiable Doctor Dolittle would never challenge Diana Barry to a duel! He was too much of a gentleman! But he would have won, because Diana would never have picked up a sword... she'd have fainted first.
8. If 1 stole 8’s most precious possession, how would s/he get it back?
Hahahaha! I cannot imagine Mr. Darcy stealing anything from Emma Woodhouse. But since her most prized possesion would be Mr. Knightley... Emma would probably pay a ransom to get him back, since she was very wealthy.

Or then again, perhaps she would have just taken careful aim...

9. Suggest a story title in which 7 and 12 both attain what they want.
Wow. Willy and Cynthia again. I think Cynthia wants a happy life with Father Tim, but what does Willy Wonka want? An heir to his chocolate factory? A golden elevator, instead of a great glass one? *thinking...* THE GREAT GOLDEN ELEVATOR, inside of which Cynthia is proposed to by Father Tim. Wow.... can't get much odder than that, can you?

10. What kind of plot device would you have to use to get 1 and 4 to work together?
Mr. Darcy and Robin Hood? *Swoon*
Well, Mr. Darcy would need a time machine, or Robin Hood could find the fountain of youth and live until Jane Austen's era... and then they team up together riding the countryside on great black horses wearing sweeping capes, searching for Elizabeth Bennet and Maid Marian, who are imprisoned in a tower owned by the Sherriff of Nottingham... ;) Hey, sounds good to me!

11. If 7 visited you for the weekend, how would it go?
Willy Wonka? I suspect I would gain weight if he brought any of his delicious chocolate with him. And he's a little weird for me to spend that much time with!
12.  If you could command 3 to perform any service or task for you, what would it be?
Doctor Dolittle - Well, I would dearly love to know how to speak the chicken language so I could communicate with ours. I would ask him to teach it to me. Although, come to think of it, they seem to already understand me.....

13. If 2 had to choose sides between 4 or 5, what side would s/he choose?
Polly Milton choosing between Robin Hood or Rose Campbell? Well... since she and Rose were both created by Louisa May Alcott, she would probably pick Rose.

14. What might 10 shout out while charging into battle?
Again, I really cannot imagine Diana Barry charging into battle! Unless Anne Shirley was leading the charge, in which case she might cry "Anne, let's stop imagining this now, you'll tear your dress!"

15. If you had to choose a song to best describe 8, what would it be?
Emma Woodhouse. Hum. This is hard. Perhaps "I'm not who I was" by Brandon Heath? Emma being no longer a busybody and matchmaker? It's a stretch at best.



16. 1, 6, and 12 are having a dim sum at a Chinese Restaurant. There is only one scallion pancake left , and they all reach for it at the same time. Who gets it?
Mr. Darcy, Black Beauty, and Cynthia Coppersmith? Goodness, I have no idea. I suppose Black Beauty, the other two would have had better table manners...




17. What would 5 most likely be arrested for?
Rose Campbell? The soul of innocence? Probably for being an unknowing accomplice to something her mischeivous cousins had done.

18. What is 6’s secret?
Black Beauty... Hmmm. I can't think what. That he actually prefers oats to barley mash?

19. If 11 and 9 were racing to a destination, who would get there first?
Sherlock Holmes and Reginald Bridgewater! "The Game's Afoot, my dear Reginald." I think Sherlock would probably win as he's so experienced at chasing down badguys, especially if they were racing through London. But Reginald is definitely a man of action, nonetheless.

20. If you had to walk home through a bad neighborhood late at night, who would you be more comfortable walking with, 7 or 8?
Willy Wonka or Emma Woodhouse? Both would be practically useless... I guess Willy, he might have some kind of secret candy weapon up his sleeve, like a gun that shoots exploding gumballs.

21. 1 and 9 reluctantly team up to save the world from the threat posed by 4's sinister secret organization. 11 volunteers to help them,but it is later discovered that s/he is actually a spy for 4. Meanwhile, 4 has kidnapped 12 in an attempt to force their surrender. Following the wise advice of 5, they seek out 3, who gives them what they need to complete their quest. What title would you give this fiction?

Mr. Darcy and Reginald Bridgewater (My stars, what a handsome pair) team up to save the world from Robin Hood (GUFFAW - actually, he did have a secret organization, the Merry Men).
Sherlock Holmes volunteers to help them, (His help would indeed have been invaluable, I can't see Robin Hood evading Holmes as easily as the Sherrif of Nottingham)
...but it is discovered that he is a spy for Robin. (Hmm, come to think of it, he had a sympathetic streak, did Sherlock. He might have seen Robin's side of the issue.)
Robin Hood kidnaps Cynthia Coppersmith (Oh dear! But just the thing to spur Father Tim to action, at last...) Following the wise advice of Rose Campbell (Who must have been acquainted with Doctor Dolittle... maybe he was friends with her seafaring Uncle Alec) They seek out Doctor Dolittle.... who gives them... um, a translated message from a deer living in the Greenwood forest, who tells them the whereabouts of a secret glen where Cynthia is hidden?
Sheer craziness, but so enjoyable to imagine. Now, for a title...

THE ZANY ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD, as related by Doctor John. H. Watson.

I'm Thankful for... Books

Today I am thankful for books!

I have always loved books. I learned to read when I was 3. And I am so thankful to be able to read, as well! :D I've been reading as much as I could ever since. :)

 Seriously, the thought of owning a library  makes me drool... :D (Figuratively, of course!)

 I love poring over piles of books at the thrift store... searching for hidden treasures that someone has left for me to find and claim. ;) It's the best of treasure hunts. :D

A good book, and a cup of tea... (Or in my case, some delicious fruit juice of some kind...) :) What a wonderful way to relax from the cares of the day.

I am thankful for good books! :)

Still being blessed by the 30 Days of Thankfulness Challenge! :)

What books are you reading right now? I'm working through a book of short stories by Lori Wick - not too impressive, "Voices from the Titanic" by Jim Walker - exciting, even though it's my 4th or 5th time through the book... and about to re-read "The Centurion's Wife" and "The Hidden Flame" by Janette Oke and T. Davis Bunn. We found them at the thrift store. *score*! :D

Have a lovely day!

Newest Family Photo

Hey Friends!
Life has been full and rich for me the past few months. It's been wonderful! Unfortunately, I haven't been blogging very often. :( I've been doing more real-life activities instead of being at the computer. Which is good in some ways but not so great in others. So, a few news snippets before I share the newest family picture (The impatient reader will have already scrolled down to see it by now...) Yes, I've got you pegged. :D

News Snippet 01:
I'm writing a book. Not like I haven't always written little stories here and there, kept a journal since I was 11, and blogged for 2+ years, but this time it's.... different. I have the whole framework already written out in notes, and all that remains is to fill in the nooks and crannies and flesh out my creation.

The book is about a young woman named Felicity living in the 1800's in Derbyshire, England. My story was hugely inspired by none other than Jane Austen. I've loved her work for a long time, and then one day I thought, "Hey, what if I tried writing my own Jane Austen story?" and... Lissie was born.

I wrote one third of the book just thinking I was doing it for my own pleasure and would never actually share it with the outside world. But then I mentioned it to a few friends, and the response was so enthusiastic that I decided that I just 'might' publish it in e-book format once the whole thing is complete.

So that's where that news snippet ends. I'll let you know when I'm done with the book. (I currently have about a hundred pages written and it's going to be a full 350+ page novel, so I'm about one-third of the way there). :)

News Snippet 02:
We have baby chicks! Well... actually, they'll be a month old this saturday, but they're still small and adorable compared to our huge adult hens. We ordered a whole batch of Buff Orphingtons after getting one in a mix of chickens and loving it the best. They have a sweet disposition and are excellent for either meat or egg chickens. (Ours will be kept for the eggs!!) :D And, they should be laying by this spring.

News Snippet 03:
My mom and I have joined the local Fitness Center (our ladies' gym closed about a year and a half ago... sniff!) and we are both getting back into a regular workout routine. I am already seeing a big difference in muscle strength, and mama has been more flexible recently after swimming in the pool. Yaaaay! :)

News Snippet 04 - The Picture!
I took this family picture yesterday with the timer on my new camera on Sunday afternoon (Before we'd changed out of our church clothes) and we are going to send it along with a letter to our little orphan boy in Thailand that we've supported for ten years. It's a pretty great picture, so I thought I'd share it with you! :)

Awww... I love my family. :)

DISCLAIMER: The height is actually not accurate in this picture, because the kids are standing downhill. I am taller than Mom, and the boys are a couple inches taller than Daddy. :D

I wuv it, regardless! :)

We Need Ideas ... and some of my life ramblings

My dear parents are celebrating their 20th anniversary on June 10th - and we are looking for suggestions as to how to make it 'memorable' for them. Do you have any ideas for making this special day a wonderful memory? If so please leave me a comment and tell me! :)

My life has been busy the last few days - no, make that weeks.... ;) We had some car trouble on Friday and our van is in the shop. We are praying that it can be fixed easily and that it will not be a burden on our finances.

I found an exercise DVD at a garage sale for 75 cents, decided to try it, and I love it! I didn't realize it until I played it at home but one whole section of the DVD is all exercise moves taken straight from ballet. I was thrilled. I've missed my ballet classes since moving here to GA and now I can do my own ballet at home! :)

Last Sunday we attended a delightful birthday celebration for one of our friends, and they had a 'golf-cart scavenger hunt'. That was extremely fun. They divided our large group up into teams of about 5 or 6 people and sent us out with a list that had over 100 items on it that we had to photograph with our digital cameras to prove we'd seen it. Some of the items were activities to do, such as spelling out a word using your team members as the letters.
My team ended up winning with 527 points. I'm not sure how many things we had crossed off our list, but it was a 5-page list and on each page there were only 1 or 2 things we had not found or done... so that means we found about 95 out of the 100. :) In two hours, no less, driving all around town.

I've been busy with my etsy banner shop, my etsy jewelry store, and writing for Meditations of His Love, a young ladies' devotional blog.

And with all else that's going on in my life right now I read the Viking Quest series by Lois Walfrid Johnson, one of my very favorite children's book authors. The books are easy for me to read, as I am used to delving through complicated works like The Complete Sherlock Holmes collection and G. A. Henty's historical fiction, but the Viking Quest series is compelling and so interesting that I was on the edge of my seat through the whole series. :) Especially in the last book.

I have changed my background yet again :D but this time I really like it. I designed the header myself and this look will be here for quite a while. (really! :D)

Love & Hugs!

5 Practical Tips for Guarding a Maidenly Heart

Mrs. Stacy McDonald has given me permission to share something with you from her wonderful book, Raising Maidens of Virtue.

These 5 tips have been very helpful to me, and since most of my readers - well, the ones who comment, anyway - are young women, I thought this would be appropriate and possibly even help or encourage you, as it has me. :)

5 Practical Tips for Guarding Your Maidenly Heart

1. Read God's Word and pray every day. Specifically ask God to help you guard your heart. Pray for your father to make wise decisions regarding your future.
2. Avoid romance novels or discussions with other maidens regarding boys. When discussing your future role as a wife and mother, focus on preparing yourself biblically for your vocation. Keep away from discussions about romance, wedding fantasies, or eligible young men (whether they are godly or not).
3. Avoid being alone with a young man. It is best to fellowship while under the protection of your parents, within the environment of the home and family.
4. Avoid fantasizing about who might be "Mr. Right". Stay on guard, especially when you sense that you may be attracted to a young man (or that he may be attracted to you). Remember your goal is to stay pure for the one you marry, both physically and emotionally.
5. Talk to your parents about your feelings. Let them know when you need prayer in a specific area. God has placed them over you for your protection - trust them and Him.

What are your thoughts on this subject? Have you ever had a difficult time guarding your heart?

I hope this was helpful! :)

The Enchilada Tag

:)

Well, actually, this has nothing to do with enchiladas, but I found it on Joelle's blog, and she said she was tagging "all the enchiladas who live in this sphere", So I thought I'd do it. :D

1.Favorite Food?- Hmm. Right now I'm quite fond of dried cranberries, but all-time favorite would be Ghiradelli chocolate.(if that counts)
2. Favorite Animal?- I love baby animals, but most especially bunnies and kittens. However, I can't stand a cat with an attitude.
3. Favorite Song?- I don't think I can pick one... I love Celtic music and Christian music...and I love listening to very talented guitarists.
4. Favorite Singer?- Again, I don't think I could pick just one... there are a lot of talented musicians out there. But I really like Steven Curtis Chapman, Casting Crowns, and Chris Tomlin.
5. Favorite Book?- (Assuming this means fictional...) Right now I'm reading "Beric The Briton" by G. A. Henty, which is really interesting ... but actually I have a ton of favorite books. Maybe my all-time favorite would be #5 of the Million-dollar mysteries by Mindy Starns Clark.
6. Favorite TV Show?- I rarely watch TV, when I do it's an NFL football game. Go NY Giants! :)
7. Favorite Number?- It's funny, but however old I am is always my favorite number. Right now I'm 17.
8. Favorite Holiday?- Probably Thanksgiving.
9. Favorite Color?- I love aqua, have a great fondness for light peach, adore pink, ...I like a lot of colors.
10. Favorite Things you like to do?- I have a long list of things I like to do. Foremost among them are dancing, singing, jewelrymaking, blogging, emailing, and photography.
11. Do you like Long hair or short hair?- Long! Some people look really good in short hair, but I think long hair is beautiful. Especially if it's curly...as I wish mine was.
12. Do you like this tag?- Yes, but it's not very interesting.
13. Do you like the Person who Tagged you?- Technically I wasn't tagged, but I like Joelle (whose blog I found this on)-a lot. She's neat. :)
14. Do you like rings?- only on my pinky fingers.
15. Do you like makeup?- Just underneath my eyes. And chapstick.
16. Do you like animals?- Yes!
17. Do you think this is long?- yes. :P
18. Who are you going to tag?- Everyone who wants to be tagged! :)

Julia

Jane Austen Heroes

All right, readers, you only have 31 more days to vote on my sidebar for your favorite Jane Austen Hero! So far Mr. Darcy has an outrageous lead with 60% of the votes... See my sidebar for the poll!

Julia

A Newsy Little Post #2

Fall is in the air! The leaves in the persimmon trees around about my log home are turning red! The post oaks shall soon follow with a burnished coppery brown, and the yellow tulip poplars are turning a pretty lemon yellow. I love it. Autumn is one of my favorite seasons!
My little brother's birthday is on Friday! Steven is turning 13, and with this birthday comes the fact that all of us kids are now teenagers. I'm 17, Mark is 14, and Steven will be 13! Wow - time flies when you're having fun!
I have been reading Family Driven Faith by Reverend Voddie Baucham Jr. It is an excellent book! I highly reccomend it to anyone interested in a biblical perspective of family life.
Today my brothers and I went down to a local park and played Frisbee. It was good practice, which should be helpful because we're going up to our friend's house on Friday to play Ultimate Frisbee! I can't wait!
I'm currently in the process of re-doing my room slightly. I found a very cute polka-dot bedspread while shopping in North Carolina and now I'm trying to match some other things in my room to it. (I'll try and post a picture soon)
I would just like to take a moment to thank you, dear readers, for leaving all your wonderful comments! I so enjoy them! I have had to put comment moderation on so that I can ensure everything is pleasant and that this is a safe blog, but do not fear, I will not neglect your delightful comments!
Blessings to all of you,
Julia

Happy Labor Day!

Goodbye, Summer and white shoes!! :) Down in Florida, where I was born, you can wear white shoes all year round, but in the normal states you can't wear white shoes after Labor day. (Why, I wonder?) :)

The results for the friend test so far are quite interesting! I'm not giving any hints out as to what the answers are (Except for the one in the previous paragraph)

Anyway... Time for the Simple Woman's Daybook post! By the way, if you want to participate, link here to the Simple Woman's blog every week and on your post add the sentences in bold and then your own answers.

For Today, September 1, 2008, Labor Day...

Outside my window... Here, let me show you!

Pretty, is it not? :)

I am thinking... That I am excited about our upcoming camping trip to the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, in North Carolina.

From the learning rooms... We're taking the day off of school because my Dad is home for Labor Day and we love spending time with him.

I am thankful for...My Bath & Body works 'Warm Vanilla Sugar' shower gel that is oh-so-sweet and bubbly. (That sounds like a silly thing to be thankful for, but it's true, so there you have it) :)

From the kitchen... Quiet, since we devoured delicious hotdogs grilled by Daddy for lunch and then cleaned everything up.

I am wearing... Khaki shorts, red t-shirt, my very long hair up in a bun and my bare feet with light purple nail polish on the toes. And cubic zirconia earring studs. (I am usually wearing some kind of earrings)

I am reading... Sherlock Holmes aloud to my two 14 and 12 year old brothers. (Our family enjoys reading stories aloud) We just finished "The Hound of the Baskervilles", one of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's most famous stories. I'm also reading a book by T. Davis Bunn. (Not sure if I want to reccomend that yet...I have to see how it ends)

I am hoping...To finish some major schoolwork this week

I am creating... Well, I created earrings to sell at a Yard Sale last week, look here!

I am hearing... Mark and Steven are in Mark's room which adjoins our loft office, absorbed in and talking excitedly about a new computer game called "Civilizations" where you create your own empire...something they are very talented at, apparently! So far they've nearly conquered the world...(wait until they're all grown up!)

Around the house...The boys are in the next room, I'm here at the computer, My dad is outside, Mama's taking a well-deserved afternoon nap in her room.

One of my favorite things... my iPod, which comes in handy when working out...it's excellent motivation. (I like moving to music)

A few plans for the rest of the week... To download some songs to my iPod, keep up the habit of riding the excersise bike every day for 30 minutes, clean my room, do my school, the usual. :)

Some things I accompolished since last week... Making a habit of excersising every day for at least 30 minutes, blogging more often, reading stories to Mark and Steven, helping Mama run the Yard Sale last Saturday which was an immense success... the usual! :) (okay, the yard sale wasn't usual - that's the first time we've had one in 3 years!)

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Baking cookies! Mmmmm... can't you just smell them...white chocolate chip, my favorite!!

Julia

Jane Austen Heroine Poll Results:

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Well, this is very interesting. I know it's a very very hard choice to choose one favorite from all of Jane's wonderful ladies, but the results were amazing! Of course I only got 20 votes, so I may re-do the poll.

Elizabeth Bennet 12 (60%)

Jane Bennet 0 (0%)

Emma Woodhouse 3 (15%)

Fanny Price 0 (0%)

Elinor Dashwood 5 (25%)

Marianne Dashwood 0 (0%)

Anne Elliot 0 (0%)

First place was Elizabeth Bennet, with 12 votes. Dear Lizzie! She's actually my favorite heroine, why, I have no clue. I very much enjoyed both versions of the movie P&P and watching Lizzie portrayed by Jennifer Ehle and Keira Knightley. I thought Jennifer Ehle looked more like my ideal Elizabeth Bennet, but Keira was fascinating as well. (Such expressive eyes!) And Matthew Macfayden was great as Darcy!! (More on that later, when I post about the guys...)

Second place goes to Elinor Dashwood, with 5 votes. I love Elinor too, I've seen two versions of Sense and Sensibility, the one played by Emma Thompson and the one shown on the PBS Masterpiece theater. I've also read the book, (I've read all the Austen books!) Which I actually didn't enjoy as much as the movies...it was a bit too drawn-out, although I did like reading it. Anyway, getting back to Elinor, We could all learn a valuable lesson from her example in patience, gentleness, and kindness in the midst of a very exasperating situation.

Third place is Emma Woodhouse with 3 votes! Oh yes, she did know everything, didn't she? :) Or at least she thought she did. How nice of Mr. Knightley to love her in spite of her abominable attitude towards her acquaintances! I've not yet seen the movie with Gwyneth Paltrow, but I did watch the version that played on Masterpiece theater once. I have read the book, which I liked! :) There's something amusing about Emma's struggle with her pride...I'm glad she got everything sorted out in the end.

Poor Jane Bennet, Fanny Price, Marianne Dashwood and Anne Elliot all are at the bottom with 0 votes! Now, I didn't particularly fancy Fanny or Anne, but I love Jane and Marianne!! Don't we all love Jane Bennet's sweet goodwill towards all humankind? I love the scene in the Keira version of P&P where Jane and Lizzie are giggling under the covers after the first ball...what a perfect picture of sisterly affection! I actually didn't like the Jane in the Jennifer Ehle version, I thought she wasn't quite as pretty as Lizzie and her breathy voice got on my nerves. (Although I profess to like both P&P versions equally!)

And Oh, pity upon our romantic Marianne Dashwood! What a scoundrel Willoughby is! True, Marianne shows a deplorable lack of common sense but still, our hearts go out to this poor, imaginative maiden! Thank goodness for a heroic Colonel Brandon who most gallantly comes to the rescue. (Even though he's much much older than Marianne, if you stop to think about it)

And how can we forget Fanny. The meek country cousin who falls in love with Edmond. I haven't read this story recently but I do remember that I liked the book way better than the movie adaption I saw...according to several reviewists there has not been a good Mansfield Park movie yet! There's a lot going on in this Jane Austen story....And I'm sorry but I don't have time for an extensive review at present! (Maybe later...)

And lastly Anne Elliot. Again I liked the book better than the movie, in the book Anne's meekness and gentleness come across as desirable virtues but in the movie we are not quite convinced. Thankfully Captain Wentworth arrives on the scene and after a bit of shilly-shallying which causes Anne much heartbreak he writes her a note telling her he hasn't lost his love for her, though it's been 8 years since he left for the sea after she was persuaded to spurn his marriage proposal.

If you didn't get a chance to vote please tell me your favorite Jane Austen Heroine! I'd love to discuss them with you. :)

AND .....to vote for your favorite Jane Austen Hero, see the poll on the sidebar!

Julia