Writtled: January 2012

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Borrowing Abby Grace: Top of the Class: A Review

Hello all,

I'm back again, as promised. I love when things work out. I hope everything is going swimmingly (<3 that word) for you all, and I even have another review up my sleeve for this week, so stay posted.

Today's review is for the next installment of Kelly Green's series entitled Borrowing Abby Grace. If you haven't read the first two reviews, you can find them here. And here's the third; enjoy!

Blurb (from Amazon: below) and picture (from Goodreads: above) do not belong to me; I'm using them for review purposes only.

Blurb:

Abby finds herself in a boy’s body for the first time, where she has to fumble her way through a secret love affair, while getting to the bottom of a grade-tampering scandal that could send her to jail.

Title: Borrowing Abby Grace: Top of the Class

Author: Kelly Green

Publisher: Backlit Fiction, LLC

Publication Date: 2011

Source: Copy given in exchange for an honest review

Genre: YA Novella/Episodic Mystery

Cover: <3 I just like these covers. They obviously have a common thread (the same top half), and the bottom changes depending on what this novella/episode will be covering. Great idea, and it still would grab my attention.

Plot: Again <3. The plots keep getting better in this series. Admittedly, the first book was cute in my opinion, but the second one got even better. Green has upped the ante once again in this one, and I dig it. This one had high stakes, risqué elements, and lots of forward momentum.

Romantic Element: Things are a-brewin’, and I’m liking the direction that the series is taking. Also, by nature of the series, the second episode and this one lend themselves to have internal romantic drama. Gotta love it. (Psst. Parents, this one is more heavy PG-13, not because anything is graphic, just because of the content and subject matter.)

Overall: Mysteries are growing on me, and I’m thanking Green in part for this development. The episodes are short but complete, cute but interesting, and I’m enjoying the ride. Bring on the next episode!

<3 <3 <3

Find Kelly Green online:

<3 <3 <3

Sooo? What do you think? Would you read it? Let me know below!

P.S., I've been thinking about how the "Songs to write to" could mesh with the reviews, and I've concluded that from here on out, I am going to give the author the wheel and let them choose what song should go with their review. I think it'd be interesting to see what they'd pair. Do you agree? Let me know below!

Happy reading and writing, y'all

And HUGE thank you to Urania for giving me The Versatile Blogger award. You can check out Urania's blog here :)

Monday, January 23, 2012

FEYLAND: The Dark Realm: A Review

Hello all,

Here's the first review, as promised, and I should have another one up tomorrow, work willing. Soooo, without further ado, a review :) (<3 rhymes....)

Blurb (and picture above) from Goodreads (I do not own them but am using them for review purposes only):

WHEN A GAME…

Feyland is the most immersive computer game ever designed, and Jennet Carter is the first to play the prototype. But she doesn’t suspect the virtual world is close enough to touch — or that she’ll be battling for her life against the Dark Queen of the faeries.

TURNS REAL…

Tam Linn is the perfect hero — in-game. Too bad the rest of his life is seriously flawed. The last thing he needs is rich-girl Jennet prying into his secrets, insisting he’s the only one who can help her.

WINNING IS EVERYTHING…

Together, Jennet and Tam enter the Dark Realm of Feyland, only to discover that the entire human world is in danger. Pushed to the limit of their abilities, they must defeat the Dark Queen… before it’s too late.

Title: FEYLAND: The Dark Realm

Author: Anthea Sharp

Publisher: Self

Publication Date: 2011

Source: received copy from author in exchange for honest review

Genre: YA Fantasy/Gamer (as in video game) Romance

Cover: The cover definitely makes sense for the content. I think how you feel about the cover will dictate, in my opinion, how you’ll feel about the book, within reason of course. This book is heavy on the gamer/fantasy/folk lore element and that’s definitely reflected in the cover choice.

Plot: This book was new territory for me. I hardly ever choose fantasy-ish titles, but I like changing it up every once in a while. There’s mystery, romance, and epic journey/battles, and I think that could appeal to anyone who leans to the more fantastical side of things. And, as a side note, I thought Sharp handled different family dynamics in an thought-provoking way too.

Romantic Element: I thought Sharp handles this in an interesting way. The focus of the story is definitely more plot driven, but there’s enough of this to satisfy the more sentimental kind of readers. And for any parents out there, the romantic bits are very PG and appropriate, in case you were wondering.

Overall: I think this book could appeal and would be good for those who like a fantasy tilt to their YA and regular reading. The fact that Sharp had this very cool gamer (video game) element really made the whole thing more exciting, while also making the stakes higher. So, if you find yourself liking quests, journeys, danger, and gaming, with a little romance thrown in. And, if you get hooked, you’ll have a sequel to look forward to as well.

Find Anthea Sharp online:

So? What do you all think? Something up your alley? Lemme know below!

Psst, thanks for all the great comments last post too :)

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Contrary to evidence, I still blog...

Hello world,

It’s been a while since I’ve been on here, but of course, I’ve kept this blog and all the awesome blogger people I’ve met in my thoughts constantly. Today, I just wanted to stop in and make a list of things running around my brain as of lately.

1. I’ve really been getting into Big Bang Theory lately. I had never watched it before, and now, I’m partially in love. Anyone else?

2. I made a promise a long time ago to talk about my Nanowrimo experience last year. I can pretty much say it was an epic fail because I wasn’t mentally committed, but my goals this year are to up the writing and the reading to astronomical levels. Wish me luck

3. I have TWO, count them TWO, book reviews being posted this week AT LEAST. Those two are already done, and hopefully I’ll have time to read and write more.

4. I really want to up the book review factor on my blog. I’ve had some great people ask me for book reviews lately (self-published and traditionally published), and I’m really excited to read the material from them. Keep them coming! (Romance is still key for me, fyi.)

5. I’ve been musically deprived lately. Sad but true, but I plan on using my iHeartRadio app to rectify that situation. I’m on the lookout for new favorites.

6. Music and reading recharge my batteries. As does sleep.

7. I’m very much into lists lately. And you can see it’s followed me here in this post.

8. I missed American Idol this week because of work and sleep and business. I normally don’t watch the show, but I did want to see the auditions. Ah well. I KNOW I’ll be watching The Voice if nothing else.

9. I’m setting bigger and bigger goals for myself, so I’m expecting great things for my future. You know, positivity brings positive results and all that jazz.

10. I’m obsessed with hot pink lately. Like bright, loud, fuchsia pink. I’ve recently gotten two sweaters and a random knit hat. Very much the opposite of the high school me. Funny how we change :)

So what about you all? How has the new year been treating you?

And I also want to leave you with a song to write by, which I may or may not have used before (but that doesn’t matter because I heart it): “Tomorrow” by Chris Young