Goodbye 2010

2010 was a mix of good and bad.  Seems like most were either at the high or low end of the spectrum.  I guess it's better than humdrum boring? 

On the Good News and Highlights of the Year:
•    Owen:  My (so far) happy-go-lucky, smiling-with-his-eyes 2nd grandson was born on March 24
•    Making Christmas cookies with my great-niece and -nephew and the Grandbigboy
•    A 32nd year of happy marriage
•    Seeing the grandsons 2 days a week
•    Being Accepted into Odyssey's online class
•    A writing mentorship (I never really asked if I could announce it here, so I won't name her today, but I'm pleased with the results) I won in an online auction (proceeds going to a cancer fund -- a win-win situation for me).
•    FIVE short stories acceptances (although one is still tentative at this time)
•    A moving forward in the YA novel and lots of fun and good companionship and support in Liberty Hall's Midsummer Madness project
•    Son#2 landed himself a Job, in a year where finding one is difficult if not impossible.  I'm so proud of him because he found this job all on his own (he's previously only worked for his father, which was trying for both of them), and got hired all on his own.  Although I've heard from tons of other people what a difficult job it can be, he really enjoys it and is excelling at the challenge of accomplishing something all on his own.  He's thriving, I think, and that makes my momma's heart very happy, indeed.

Bad News
Well, let's not dwell.  Let's just say it was about the loss of some very dear friends.  And long, drawn-out sickness for me. 

So while the good was very Good, the bad was Very Bad, and on the whole, I'm happy to see 2010 depart, although I cringe at saying so, because one never knows what the next year can bring, and I don't want to jinx 2011. 

One thing I have learned in life, though, if there is anything approaching wisdom in my older age, is that troubles can only be met square on, and one deals with them because one must.  There's really no other choice.  And in troubles, one can always find strength and compassion they may have doubted they had.

A Review of Fur-Face, by Jon Gibbs

A Review of Fur-Face, by Jon Gibbs

I stink it up at writing reviews.  It makes me feel incompetent, especially when I read other in-depth, highly analytical reviews.  I guess, when I read, I just want to get lost in the story and not really pay attention to structure and symbolism and character development.  I do tend to notice prose for some reason, though, and that can draw me out of the story.  I want the characters to be believable and to act in ways that I expect, but most of all, I want to love the characters.  For me, reading is always about the characters, and the plot is secondary to that.  I can usually love the plot if I care about what the characters are doing. 

So that was my caveat about the poor quality of this review.  All you can expect from me is a basic, "Yes!  I liked it" or a "It was okay."  (I rarely hate a book -- I can probably count on one hand the number of books I did not finish because I couldn't get into them.  I guess I'm a book whore -- pardon my language.)  Now let's get on with it. 

I think I'm required by law to say here that I did win a copy of Fur-Face in a contest at jongibbs  LJ.  But that in no way has influenced my review, nor was I required to post a review.  So there.

Fur-Face was a lark.  (An um, no, I don't mean a bird.  I mean a fun little trip!)  Although technically a YA story, it will appeal to readers of any age.  One of the MC's is a cute little kitty!  Come on!  What's not to love about that!  And the kitty can talk!  Well, he can be understood by a lad who's courageous and brave, and just a little bit lonely.  Hijinks and dastardly doings abound, and together, our characters must solve the mystery as to who the real evil-doer is, and put a stop to it.  Upon the way, they're helped and hindered.  And I won't give any more away than that.  You'll enjoy Fur-Face.  I'm sure any young readers you have -- or young-at-heart readers -- will be enchanted with the story!



For more info, go visit jongibbs !

A Review of Cold Magic, by Kate Elliott

A Review of Cold Magic, by Kate Elliott

I stink it up at writing reviews.  It makes me feel incompetent, especially when I read other in-depth, highly analytical reviews.  I guess, when I read, I just want to get lost in the story and not really pay attention to structure and symbolism and character development.  I do tend to notice prose for some reason, though, and that can draw me out of the story.  I want the characters to be believable and to act in ways that I expect, but most of all, I want to love the characters.  For me, reading is always about the characters, and the plot is secondary to that.  I can usually love the plot if I care about what the characters are doing. 

So that was my caveat about the poor quality of this review.  All you can expect from me is a basic, "Yes!  I liked it" or a "It was okay."  (I rarely hate a book -- I can probably count on one hand the number of books I did not finish because I couldn't get into them.  I guess I'm a book whore -- pardon my language.)  Now let's get on with it. 

I think I'm required by law to say here that I did win a copy of an ARC of Cold Magic in a contest at kateelliott  LJ.  But that in no way has influenced my review, nor was I required to post a review.  So there.

Cold Magic is described in the product review at Amazon thusly (and I quote):  A bold new epic fantasy in which science and magic are locked in a deadly struggle.  It is the dawn of a new age... The Industrial Revolution has begun, factories are springing up across the country, and new technologies are transforming in the cities. But the old ways do not die easy.  Cat and Bee are part of this revolution. Young women at college, learning of the science that will shape their future and ignorant of the magics that rule their families. But all of that will change when the Cold Mages come for Cat. New dangers lurk around every corner and hidden threats menace her every move. If blood can't be trusted, who can you trust?

The book is heavy on history, which was necessary to explain this alternate time period.  But at its core, it's a fun romp with entertaining and unusual characters, struck into an intricate plot with enough twists and turns to keep any reader turning the pages as quickly as possible.  Most people know I'm a big Elliott fan, because her books are always about the characters, and that's why I read books in the first place.  I was happy with this book, and am looking forward to the rest of the series.