A Little Stardust in Your Life

This was not the original post I had planned for today, I'll be honest.  I was going to give you a nice comparison of Geisha, A Life and Memoirs of a Geisha, but that's just going to have to wait until later this week because I have to tell you about the Stardust Series by Autumn Reed and Julia Clarke.

The Stardust series is five books and a novella, and just finished up last week.  I was late on my reread, so I just finished the fifth book today.  I'm really glad that I did reread, though, because there are a lot of really beautiful moments in the book, and a lot of moments that make you laugh.  The series centers around Haley Jones and Team Jaguar of Zenith.  There's even a pretty awesome Golden Retriever who is named after a James Bond character!  There's one thing you have to know, however:  these books are a slow burn reverse harem.  that means, in the end, Haley is going to end up with more than one guy.  Don't let that turn you away from giving the books a try!

In the first book, Phoenix, Haley has just turned eighteen and learns that she and her father are in hiding from a pretty terrible man.  Just after Haley learns this revelation, her home, a secluded cabin in Coleville, blows up.  Haley is saved, and her dad, Brian, gets away, don't worry!  Haley is rescued by Ethan, Chase and Knox, who end up taking her to Santa Cruz to keep her safe (I won't tell you how, but it's pretty funny).  Once in Santa Cruz, Hayley meets Theo, Liam, and Jackson.  These six guys, Team Jaguar, become Haley's closest friends.  They help her find a job, and keep her busy while she tries to find her father.  The case that spins out over the five books is not the search for Haley's dad, but for evidence against the man who sent the Jones' into hiding in the first place.  During the course of the books, Haley also develops feelings for the guys in the group.  When one of them leaves, she blames herself and runs from the team, and the events of those months are chronicled in Chamaeleon, the novella that falls between books three and four.

In the fifth book, Polaris, everything finally comes together, and not quite in the way that I imagined.  A character that we meet a few times in the other books turs out to do something rather misguided, but with his heart in a decent place.  It definitely causes some friction, and made me second guess a few of the other characters, not going to like!

It's really hard, sometimes, to write these posts about series.  I don't want to give too much away about the plotline or the character development, because I do want you to go and read the books.  I want you to experience things for the first time, not expecting them.  There's nothing worst than being excited for a book and having it ruined because you know ever bit of what's going to happen. 

What I really love about these books are the characters themselves.  Haley has doubts and fears, and her life is not normal, but she rolls with the punches.  She spends some time wishing she had a normal life, but accepts that it just isnt' to be.  She's strong and fearless, but vulnerable when she needs to be.  Each of the guys also has their own stories, their own foibles, that make them see so real.  If you hadn't guessed, I like characters that aren't perfect.  When your character has a flaw, they become real. 

Haley's relationship with each of the members of Team Jaguar is also very believable.  They don't have the same relationship, it's not cookie cutter, and each of the guys takes their situation very differently. Some are okay with it right off starting line, but it takes some of the others time to adjust.  It actually takes Haley the longest time to come to grips with it

I also love that there's a happy ending, even if the ending is unconventional.  It comes with it's difficulties, and there are issues that need to be worked out, but the characters take the tiem to do that.  It's not a happy ever after to be a happy ever after, it's earned. 

Anyway.  I really suggest that you go read the Stardust series!  Autumn and Julia have done an amazing job, and I can't wait to read more from them!  (The Raising the Stakes series is next on my list!) 

My First Author Interview!!

Okay guys, this is cool!  Kathleen Brooks' newest book, Forever Hunted, comes out on May 8!  (Follow the link to preorder)  Between this release and a little birdie (okay, Kathleen herself) sharing that there's going to be a new spin-off-ish series from Keeneston, I asked if Kathleen would be willing to answer a few questions, and she said yes!  (Which never ceases to amaze me.  She's awesome and SO great with her fans/book junkies.)  So I came up with some questions that hopefully aren't typical "ask the author questions" and you can read the answers down below!  (I've rearranged the order a bit from the way I asked to her.)

ME:  Between the Bluegrass books, the Web of Lies series, and the Women of Power series, you have amazing storylines.  What’s the inspiration for them? 

KB:  I have different inspiration for each series. The Bluegrass series started as I remembered visiting my cousins in upstate New York as a child. They thought Kentucky was so foreign and full of stereotypes. The idea came to me to have this big city attorney coming to Kentucky and feeling out of place, but finding all the hidden treasures we have. The inspiration of the Women of Power was actually a History Channel show called The Men Who Built America. I watched the history of Vanderbilt, Rockefeller, and Ford, and thought, women are powerful too. We can build America too. We can run these major companies and be women full of emotion, love, and determination to succeed. Along the same lines, the Web of Lies was inspired by James Bond. Woman can fight for our country, save our country, and operate in the shadows as the best of spies. I actually wrote two of the books before the United States election and couldn’t believe how timely they were, which was really fun to explore.  (The first book in the Women of Power Series is Chosen for Power, and the first Web of Lies book is Whispered Lies)

ME:  Readers seem to be drawn to Keeneston for a variety of reasons, but what keeps you coming back to the town?  

KB:  I think what keeps me writing Keeneston books are the same things that keep readers reading them. These characters are part of my family and I miss them if I’m not writing in their world every so often. Bluegrass State of Mind was supposed to be one book only. But then I fell so in love with the town, the characters, and the community that I couldn’t stop writing. I may take a break to write other series, which to me are just as wonderful as Keeneston and all have the same feel you’ve come to expect from me, but I always come back home. (It's true.  Keeneston is home to me, and so many other readers.  Even if you love where you live, Keeneston is amazing.)

ME:  1.     Who is your favorite character to write and why?  Also, who is the hardest character to write and why? 

KB:  I’ll stick to secondary characters, because I could never choose a favorite main couple! For Keeneston the Rose sisters are always a hoot to write. As the series as moved onto the new generation in Forever Bluegrass, the older generation is passing the baton and Aniyah has picked it up. I want to be her best friend! I just love her and her big heart. In the Women of Power series, it’s hands down Shirley. She’s like the dirty minded version of Miss Violet! And in the Web of Lies series Alex made me chuckle as I explored my inner “dude-ness”, but I really enjoyed Humphrey. I liked how he grew from a snoring breaking and entering teacher to a confident man who the group all depended on. 

ME:  As a part of the Café, I see a lot of people making predictions about pairings and what they think is going to happen/has happened with characters.  Have any of these predictions made you change what was going to happen?  

KB:  I love seeing everyone’s predictions! Kathleen’s Blossom Café group on Facebook is such a great group of readers. I love seeing pictures posted of who they envision as characters and talking about what’s next, who the panty droppers are, who’s going to be pregnant next and how the father’s are going to act. However, I usually have everything planned out in advanced, so the pairings, the panty dropper and so on has already been decided before I even wrote them in the first time. However, where it’s helpful for me was especially in the Web of Lies series. I wanted to make sure I was keeping everyone in suspense since it was an ongoing plot line.  (I'm not explaining the panty dropper.  If you're curious, GO READ THE BOOKS.  You'll thank me later :) )

ME:  Anything to share on upcoming Bluegrass books, or your new series, set in Shadows Landing? 

KB:  Next up is Piper Davies’ story in Forever Guarded. I already love this book so much. I hate to step away from the computer at the end of the day. It’s also fun bringing in a Brit as the hero. I can tell you the story starts off with a bang and that Piper is going to grow a lot. She’s struggling with what she perceives as failure. She’s also different from other characters like Layne and Sophie, as she’s not trained in anyway by Special Forces fathers like her cousins were. But she’ll find her footing and her confidence along her journey. And there will also be a few cameos of past characters. As for Shadows Landing – I cannot wait to start this book! The characters have already been speaking to me so much that I’ve had to start their own notebook to write it all down. The things we love about Keeneston – small town community, quirky characters, love, togetherness and support even if you rib on each other – it’s all there in Shadows Landing too. It’s a small coastal town where everyone knows everyone and the biggest conflict is which BBQ you like the most. Until a woman washes up on shore after someone tried to kill her. And now trouble has come to Shadows Landing.  (We just got introduced the the Faulkner characters in Forever Devoted, and they all seem so much like their Davies cousins, except a little less Special Forces-ish.  Darn that Mother Faulkner for keeping them all apart!)

These next two questions I couldn't keep myself from asking.  I didn't think I'd get a straight answer out of Kathleen, and I didn't really.  I'll admit, I teared up a bit at the answer to the second one.

ME:  Will we ever actually find out how John Wolfe and/or DeAndre know everything in town? 
KB:  Where’s the fun in that? 

ME:  How exactly are the Rose sisters going to become immortal so we never lose them? 

KB:  I honestly don’t know. I know at some point they will need to pass on, but I just can’t bring myself to do it yet. I’ve joked that I’ll turn them into vampires so they can live forever, but that would need to be a different series! Can’t you see it? Miss Violet sees this handsome man and pulls her to her bosom… “Oh my!” Don’t worry, I’m not going to actually turn the Rose sisters into vampires! 


Check out Forever Hunted  on May 8!!

The hunt is on...

Carter Ashton had always been close to the entire Davies family. Until he decided he wanted to bring his relationship with Reagan Davies out of the shadows. As tempers flare, Carter must stand his ground or lose the love of his life. But when an old family friend asks for help, Carter unknowingly brings danger to the doorstep of the woman he loves.

 Reagan Davies has been hiding her relationship with Carter from her father and everyone else in Keeneston. It had just been a fun fling . . . until it became something much more in a very public way. And just when things couldn't possibly get any tougher for Reagan, she finds herself thrown into a dangerous game of life or death. Now instead of worrying about an over-protective father, Carter and Reagan find themselves in a fight for their lives. The person pursuing them has everything to lose if Carter and Reagan make it out alive, and will stop at nothing to hunt them down.

After that will be Forever Guarded, which does not have a confirmed release date yet!

A guarded heart is a lonely heart . . .

Piper Davies is a leading researcher in the fields of viruses and nanotechnology. All she ever wanted was to help save lives. But her newest creation has the potential to be manipulated to kill a single person, as well as launch a global pandemic if it ever landed in the wrong hands. And unfortunately, someone knows what she's created and will stop at nothing to get it. Piper's family hires someone to protect her when the threats become dangerous.

Security specialist Aiden Creed knew all to well what someone would do to get their hands on Piper's viral nanotech creation. His time in the British Army's Special Air Service exposed him to the true evil that hid throughout the world. What he didn't count on when he accepted this assignment was the danger Piper posed to his heart.

* * *  AND INTRODUCING  * * *

SAVING SHADOWS

Gavin Faulkner was the only doctor in the small South Carolina inner coastal town of Shadows Landing. He was used to patching up everything from fishing lures stuck in skin to gator bites. Nothing could surprise him anymore—except when he found an unconscious woman partially submerged on his beach after a fierce thunderstorm.

Ellery St. John’s last memory was of a bat swinging toward her head. The next thing she knew, she was cold, wet, and a sexy man was pressing his lips to hers. Too bad it turned out to be CPR instead of a passionate kiss.

Gavin thought Ellery would be safe in the small town where BBQ wars were the biggest danger, but he was wrong. Now it was up to him to help Ellery put the pieces together in order to discover who had tried to kill her and why before they both ended up at the bottom of the ocean.

I also want to say, to my faithful readers, I don't know how Kathleen does it!  She was awesome and shared the Saving Shadows blurb and cover with me Monday, before it was officially released.  It was wicked hard not to go dancing through the Café typing "I know something you don't know!!!"

Focus On Yourself Once In A While

Hey guys!  I have another guest post today, this one from a woman that I've known since high school and recently reconnected with!  She's an awesome person!

Hey!  I'm Alexa Racine, a fifth generation entrepredur who finally has my drem job of working from home running not one but two of my own businesses.  I'm a photographer who loves weddings & engagements because I'm a hopeless romantic.  I'm also a virtual health and fitness coach who helps women live happy and healthy lives while focusing on self-love and confidence.  Both of my jobs are so rewarding and give me a sense of purpose.  They also allow me to stay home and be with our dog, Lacey and our new baby who will be here in September.

Part of my job as a coach is spending time each day in personal development. I usually carve out 30 minutes in my morning routine to do this.  My favorite personal development is books about confidence and self-love.  My two favorites are You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero and Mastering Your Mean Girl by Melissa Abrosini.  Both books are written in a fun, flowing way that keeps you engaged and turning pages.  I always feel like I am talking ot a friend while reading these books because of the playful way it's written.  Specifically Jen Sincero uses humor and the occasional curse word in her writing, which helps me relate more making it feel like she's my BFF telling me what I need to hear.  Both of these books focus on limiting negative self-talk. boosting confidence and using affirmations to get you in the right state of mind.



I'm about to finish another book by Jen Sincero this week and already have my next book ready to go!  I have not read it yet but know fellow coaches who are currently reading it and I can't wait to start it!  My next book will be Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis, which features Holli's honesty, humor, and direct, no-nonsense advice--just like the other books I enjoy reading!  From what I hear, this book takesthe lies Hollis used to believe that made her feel crummy and helps women stop the limiting mind-sets that destroy our self-confidence.


Me again!  I actually have both of these books, but I haven't read them yet!  I'm starting Mastering Your Mean Girl on Monday.  You know, with all the other things I've got going on in my life! 

Go read a book, and enjoy the wonderful weather that we are FINALLY starting to get!

A Naked Runner in LA

I have been a bit under the weather, which means I'm behind on my blog posts!  I'm sorry to my loyal readers.  It also took me a little longer to finish today's book, Wonder Valley by Ivy Pochoda.  As I'm writing this, I'm still not quite sure what I think of the book. 

Wonder Valley is the story of six people who have oddly interconnected lives.  Unfortunately, I wasn't overly interestedin most of the characters.  I thought the story had a lot of potential, but it might be that it just wasn't my kind of book.  Anyway--One morning in LA, trafficis stopped by a naked runner.  He's never caught and nobody seems to know who he is.  Well, there's a few people who know, and they're some of the characters in the story.  The timeline is a little skewed, with some of the characters stories beginning years before the year of the naked runner.  There's a lawyer, Tony, who is unhappy with is life, who seems to have no point but to complain and help Britt find the runner, who is someone that she knew years ago.  He doesn't even help her without complainging.  Britt, on the other hand, I saw as a whiny kid who never seemed to take responsibility for her own actions.  She claims responsibility for someone else's murder, thinking it will make her feel better.  Blake is a con on the streets who is selling pills and wants to hunt the runner down for another reason all together.  Owen and James are twins on their father's weird chicken farm/cult, and they're both unhappy for different reasons.  I found Ren's story to be the most interesting, but his story seemed ot have nothing to do with any of the others.  He was loosely connected to the other characters.

This is really the first book that I've written on here that I'm not sure if I would reccomend it or not.  It definitely wasn't my type of book. I feel like the story was never finished, or even begun.  It didn't feel resolved in the end.  I'm sure there are people out there who think it's a fabulous book--and the writing is very good--but it just wasn't my type! 

How Do You Know When You Love Someone?

I read Eleanor and Park in about a day after grabbing it from my local library.  I grabbed it on a whim because it keeps showing up on "You Should Read These Books!" lists, and I wondered if it was as good as everyone kept insinuating it was.  It is a great book, but not one I closed at the end with a grin .  It's good in the way that it makes you sit and think about your relationships.  What are the people you're close to you hiding?

Eleanor is hiding a lot.  She's just been able to move back in with her mother, her mother's husband, Richie (NOT a good person), and her four younger siblings. Richie is a wife-beater, his children are terrified of him, and he's already kicked Eleanor out once--she landed on a friend of her mother's couch for a year.  Her clothes are obvious hand me downs and thrift store (nothing wrong with it!) but she wears who she is well.  Her most distinguishing feature is the crazy red hair she has.

Park, on the other hand, has a pretty nice family.  His mom is Korean, his father a small giant, and his younger brother seems to be following after his father.  There are a few fissures in the family too, but all in all, their life is smooth.  He's been in taekwondo since he was in kindergarten and he wears a lot of black.

On her first day of school, Eleanor ends up sitting next to Park.  They spend weeks sharing a bus seat but not talking.  Park notices Eleanor reading his comics, and their friendship, then their relationship starts.  It's a secret relationship, though, as Eleanor is afraid of what will happen if her mom and Richie find out.  While Park's mother is initially not entirely thrilled with rEleanor, they end up building a friendship of their own.  And when Eleanor is in trouble, she runs to Park.

The book makes several allusions to young love in the first few chapters, especially with their English teacher discussing Romeo and Juliet, which stays fresh in a reader's mind as their relationship is unfolding.  But there's a bigger question, I think, that comes out of the book.  How do you know, especially as teenagers, that you love someone?  I think the way that Eleanor and Park's relationship played out is a good version.  They didn't move particularly fast--I've seen snails go faster-- but it was steady and strong.  When Eleanor told Park everything, his first instinct was to help her, because he cared that much about her.

It makes a girl want a good relationship of her own.

Ah well.  When it's supposed to happen it will!  Go read a book (maybe this one?) and have a great weekend!  I'm already working on next week's books!

Charlotte

I took the last few days off from blogging--I got told I have mono and a sinus infection, so I've been doing a lot of sleeping.  But I did pull an old classic off the shelf to focus on for today.  I am not a fan of spiders, but who can help but love Charlotte's Web?  EB White's classic is more about the love of friendship than it is about spiders, thankfully! 

Wilbur is born the runt of his litter, saved by eight-year-old Fern.  She pleads with her father, a farmer who is going to put the poor thing down, and he relents.  Fern hand raises Wilbur for about a month, then sells him to her Uncle for six dollars.  Wilbur grows and thrives at Zuckerman's farm, but as he grows and gets plump, he begins to worry about being killed for bacon in the winter!

Wilbur also desperately wants a friend, and he finds one in Charlotte, a grey spider who lives in the barn with him.  When he worries, she comes up with a scheme to protect him.  "Some Pig," she writes in her web.  Wilbur becomes famous.

But the sad part, which is also comforting, is the end.  Charlotte lays her egg sack and dies, but Wilbur is determined to protect all 514 babies within.  The next spring they hatch and leave him alone again, except for three. 

There's no deep message coming from me tonight.  I just want you to dig back into some classis, and enjoy this beautiful story.  It won't take you long to read, I promise!