Friday, February 28, 2014
End Of The Month
Well, February's just about over. How did the writing goals go? Did you learn anything new along the way? I'll be honest and say I partially achieved the goal I set earlier this month. The one where I was going to find a home for one of my short stories. I've found a potential home for it, but I'm trying to cut down on the word count so it'll fit in the word count set by the magazine's guidelines. If you didn't complete your goals, are you going to carry them over into March? Or simply start on a new goal?
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Topaz Heat Review
Topaz Heat - Book 3 in the Jewel Anthology
Sarah Thomas grew in a loving family, so consequently, she doesn't share her sisters' view on men . . . except when it comes to Derrick DiNuzio, a young man Tony picked up off the streets and took under his wing. Even though it'd been ten years since Derrick entered Sarah's life, and he's managed to clean up very nicely, all she sees is a tattooed covered young man who used to pick locks for a living. This time, it's not something from her past that threatens to ruin a potential relationship, but something from Derrick's past that threatens to ruin his future and ends up putting Sarah in danger. How will Sarah handle being thrust out of her comfort zone and into a world similar to what she left years ago? And will she finally stop seeing Derrick as he used to be and see him how God sees him?
Sarah has definitely grown over the past two books from a younger sister who sometimes comes across as judgmental, to a young woman finding her own way in life. As well as her own relationship with the Lord. Yes, she grew up in a Christian household, but she learns that she has some more growing up to do. It was almost a repeat of Robin's story, only minus the constant wall between the female main character and the lead male character. Make sure you add this to your collection to complete the set.
Sarah Thomas grew in a loving family, so consequently, she doesn't share her sisters' view on men . . . except when it comes to Derrick DiNuzio, a young man Tony picked up off the streets and took under his wing. Even though it'd been ten years since Derrick entered Sarah's life, and he's managed to clean up very nicely, all she sees is a tattooed covered young man who used to pick locks for a living. This time, it's not something from her past that threatens to ruin a potential relationship, but something from Derrick's past that threatens to ruin his future and ends up putting Sarah in danger. How will Sarah handle being thrust out of her comfort zone and into a world similar to what she left years ago? And will she finally stop seeing Derrick as he used to be and see him how God sees him?
Sarah has definitely grown over the past two books from a younger sister who sometimes comes across as judgmental, to a young woman finding her own way in life. As well as her own relationship with the Lord. Yes, she grew up in a Christian household, but she learns that she has some more growing up to do. It was almost a repeat of Robin's story, only minus the constant wall between the female main character and the lead male character. Make sure you add this to your collection to complete the set.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Emerald Fire Review
Emerald Fire - Book 2 in the Jewel Anthology
Doing something on the spur of the moment is nothing new for Robin's half-sister, Maxine. Getting married wasn't any different. Like Robin, the men in Maxine's life were only takers and left her scared of getting into a serious relationship. However, there's something different about Barry Anderson. He makes her feel safe, unlike the other men in her life who made her feel scared. When Maxine says "I Do," instead of Barry continuing to make her feel safe, his mistrust in God replaces her newly found peace with frustration and doubt. What will it take for her to keep the peace she's finally found? Or was this 'spur of the moment marriage' the worst decision she's ever made?
This one was a little more like a traditional romance novel. However, Maxine's feisty and determined nature added a little more spice to the story. Her journey, although similar to Robin's, is one of love and determination. The lessons she and Barry learn together are ones that can be applied to real life situations. What kind of lessons you might ask? Well, go ahead and pick up this novel and add it to your collection.
Doing something on the spur of the moment is nothing new for Robin's half-sister, Maxine. Getting married wasn't any different. Like Robin, the men in Maxine's life were only takers and left her scared of getting into a serious relationship. However, there's something different about Barry Anderson. He makes her feel safe, unlike the other men in her life who made her feel scared. When Maxine says "I Do," instead of Barry continuing to make her feel safe, his mistrust in God replaces her newly found peace with frustration and doubt. What will it take for her to keep the peace she's finally found? Or was this 'spur of the moment marriage' the worst decision she's ever made?
This one was a little more like a traditional romance novel. However, Maxine's feisty and determined nature added a little more spice to the story. Her journey, although similar to Robin's, is one of love and determination. The lessons she and Barry learn together are ones that can be applied to real life situations. What kind of lessons you might ask? Well, go ahead and pick up this novel and add it to your collection.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Greater Than Rubies Review
Greater Than Rubies - Book 1.5 in the Jewel Anthology.
Robin Barlett not only has finally found the peace she's been searching for, but she's also permitted a man to penetrate the barrier she put around her heart. She's said "Yes" to one of the richest men in Boston and now she has to plan the "wedding of the century." She's overwhelmed with the task of planning the wedding and trying to live up to her new high society status. On top of that, her father's legal problems become her problems, causing nightmares from the past to return. Will all this mayhem cause Robin to lose her peace and rebuild the wall around her heart? Or can she trust that God will work it all out?
Again, you're going to have to pick the book up for yourself and find out what happens. A definite page turner. The review for this novella was kind of tricky to write, since I didn't want to give anything away. It's kind of like a modern day Cinderella, if you will. Though, Cinderella probably didn't panic as much as Robin did when it came to wedding planning. I highly encourage you to add this book to your collection, and allow Robin's journey of faith and trust to help you on whatever journey you may be taking in life. Oh, and like the last book, be sure to pay attention to 'unimportant characters.' And still keep that Italian translation dictionary nearby.
Robin Barlett not only has finally found the peace she's been searching for, but she's also permitted a man to penetrate the barrier she put around her heart. She's said "Yes" to one of the richest men in Boston and now she has to plan the "wedding of the century." She's overwhelmed with the task of planning the wedding and trying to live up to her new high society status. On top of that, her father's legal problems become her problems, causing nightmares from the past to return. Will all this mayhem cause Robin to lose her peace and rebuild the wall around her heart? Or can she trust that God will work it all out?
Again, you're going to have to pick the book up for yourself and find out what happens. A definite page turner. The review for this novella was kind of tricky to write, since I didn't want to give anything away. It's kind of like a modern day Cinderella, if you will. Though, Cinderella probably didn't panic as much as Robin did when it came to wedding planning. I highly encourage you to add this book to your collection, and allow Robin's journey of faith and trust to help you on whatever journey you may be taking in life. Oh, and like the last book, be sure to pay attention to 'unimportant characters.' And still keep that Italian translation dictionary nearby.
Monday, February 10, 2014
Sapphire Ice Review
Sapphire Ice - Book 1 in the Jewel Anthology
Robin Bartlett has always been an independent woman who doesn't want help from anyone in life . . . especially men. To her, men have always been takers and manipulators. Life hasn't been easy for Robin, so consequently, she's built a wall around herself to keep others out. However, she's constantly unhappy, no matter how hard she tries to find peace. Tony Viscolli first enters the restaurant where she works before trying to enter her life. She refuses to let him penetrate the barrier she's constructed around her heart. Things in her life start to turn upside down, leaving her to wonder if keeping the wall up is really worth it. Is it?
Ah, that's where you're going to have to pick up this book and find out for yourself. It's definitely worth adding to your book collection. There's enough twists and turns to keep it from being predictable. Be sure to pay attention to side characters that seem unimportant, because as I said, this is the first book in the Jewel Anthology. There are more books to come. Also, make sure you have an Italian translation dictionary handy, in case Tony doesn't bother to translate something he said in his native Italian.
Robin Bartlett has always been an independent woman who doesn't want help from anyone in life . . . especially men. To her, men have always been takers and manipulators. Life hasn't been easy for Robin, so consequently, she's built a wall around herself to keep others out. However, she's constantly unhappy, no matter how hard she tries to find peace. Tony Viscolli first enters the restaurant where she works before trying to enter her life. She refuses to let him penetrate the barrier she's constructed around her heart. Things in her life start to turn upside down, leaving her to wonder if keeping the wall up is really worth it. Is it?
Ah, that's where you're going to have to pick up this book and find out for yourself. It's definitely worth adding to your book collection. There's enough twists and turns to keep it from being predictable. Be sure to pay attention to side characters that seem unimportant, because as I said, this is the first book in the Jewel Anthology. There are more books to come. Also, make sure you have an Italian translation dictionary handy, in case Tony doesn't bother to translate something he said in his native Italian.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Upcoming Reviews
Okay, I recently finished reading this awesome series and I'll be posting reviews about each book over the next few days. It's called 'The Jewel Trilogy.' Really, in my humble opinion, it can't be called a trilogy anymore, because a fourth book was added. But like I said, that's my humble opinion. It was called 'The Jewel Trilogy' long before the fourth one came along. It's a romance series about three sisters who come from a broken past and their journeys to finding the meaning of true love and peace. Both spiritually and physically. Oh, and as an added bonus, Hallee Bridgeman, the author, has agreed to do an interview with me! So, be sure to be looking for her interview in the next few weeks.
Here's a picture of the book that contains all four stories. With each review, I'll post a picture of the book I'm talking about on that particular day.
Here's a picture of the book that contains all four stories. With each review, I'll post a picture of the book I'm talking about on that particular day.
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
New Month, New Goals
February's here! Though, I'm sure with all the snow and cold temperatures, it feels like January. What new writing goals do you have for this month? How are you going to go about trying to achieve those goals? My goal for this month is to find a 'home' for a short story I wrote a few years ago. I know I probably won't have an answer to my submission by the time February ends. But I thought I'd at least find a magazine to submit it to and go from there.
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