Wednesday, April 27, 2016

"Waiting On" Wednesday - The Hidden Oracle

"Waiting On"  Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm waiting on...


The Hidden Oracle by Rick Riordan

* Book will be released May 3, 2016
Check out the description from Goodreads:

"How do you punish an immortal? 

By making him human. 

After angering his father Zeus, the god Apollo is cast down from Olympus. Weak and disorientated, he lands in New York City as a regular teenage boy. Now, without his godly powers, the four-thousand-year-old deity must learn to survive in the modern world until he can somehow find a way to regain Zeus's favour. 

But Apollo has many enemies - gods, monsters and mortals who would love to see the former Olympian permanently destroyed. Apollo needs help, and he can think of only one place to go . . . an enclave of modern demigods known as Camp Half-Blood."


I adore Riordan’s take on Greek mythology. I’m really looking forward to this book especially since it should be a very different point of view then we’re used to with these books. Can't wait to be in this world again.

Monday, April 25, 2016

My Life as a Fictional Librarian: The Interview

My Life as a Fictional Librarian
All was pretty normal until things started to get a little bit fictional. I know sounds like a tagline for a bad romantic comedy or action movie, but believe me this is no normal library.

I had of course heard of special libraries but this was a special squared kind of library.



The Interview: When I walked in the room, there was a large table with five rather unique souls sitting around it. The first was a man in a full suit of armor, the second was a woman who seemed to be actually glowing a bit, the third was a very short man with a tremendously full beard, the fourth was a lady who seemed to be covered in a variety of flowers, and last but not least was a large man who I swear seemed to be made out of stone.

For a second I thought maybe I’d eaten a bad sandwich or something but then the stone guy stood up and introduced himself as the Director of the Library, Gregory Goyle. I am apparently very good at keeping a poker face or I went into a kind of trance because I started answering all their questions without batting an eye.

Friday, April 22, 2016

Rambling about Reading

Are you listless, tired, about to throw that book right out the window? Maybe it’s time for you to SWITCH THAT GENRE. If you’re stuck in a reading rut, I’ve found that it can be best to switch it up to something brand new. I’ve found that is much more entertaining and less brain deadening to read a little bit of everything.

Don’t go getting stuck on age or genre either. Sometimes there is nothing more entertaining than reading a great Children’s book that is chock full of jokes or puns like Fart Squad by Seamus Pilger (I dare you not to smile or at least laugh out loud when reading about fart based super powers.) This recommendation is courtesy of me, a thirty year old library assistant who loves to read. :) No matter your age sometimes it’s just fantastic to laugh.

I read everything from comic books, Children’s Books, YA, Paranormal Romance, etc… If a book has a great premise, then I am more likely to want to read it ASAP no matter whether it’s fiction/nonfiction.

Don’t stick with the same old same old. If you do, then you might never find characters that will continue to speak to you no matter what age they were originally meant for. I know I’m thankful that I read a bit of everything when I discover characters like Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Sabriel, and many more.

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Crafting Time

Here are some of my latest projects. The water guns are originally from the Dollar Tree and the eggs are from Target’s Easter clearance. I usually prime them and then I paint Metallic Lustre on them all.






Monday, April 18, 2016

Rachel Reviews - A Chance Beginning by Christopher Patterson

A Chance Beginning by Christopher Patterson


* This book was free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
* 3.5 out of 5 gnomes

Summary:
Erik, his older brother Befel, and their cousin, Bryon, are leaving farm life behind on a quest to find fame and fortune. Along the way they learn, the hard way, that not everyone can be trusted and not everyone is kind.

Review:
This book has a lot of familiar fantasy elements. You have dwarves, giants, magic, treasure and war. The story, itself, is fairly typical as well, young men seeking their fortune for different reasons. What makes this book different, for me, is Erik and the message of cooperation over division. I’m used to wars between the races in fantasy novels so to read about dwarves trying to better human-dwarven relations and groups of gypsies trying to change the negative stereotypes associated with their kind. The spirit of cooperation is strong in this book.

Then, there is Erik, the honest man, also continuously called the naïve boy. His good, honest nature was a welcome contrast to Bryon’s self-centered, judgmental pessimism. I seriously wanted to smack Bryon several times in this book. Fortunately, Erik’s nature kept me from getting overly frustrated while reading. He is the kind of character that you want things to go well for. He inspires good feelings in other characters and gets them to do the right things. As the Messenger of the East says, “Your honesty, young Erik, is a little refreshing I think.”

There were some scenes centered on other characters that I’m not sure why they were put in the book. Possibly for world building, probably to give exposition for the rest of the series. You get a glimpse at the powers behind the war in Golgolthul that was initially the draw for the main characters seeking their fortunes. In this one book, though, I felt the extra scenes were distracting from the main story. I preferred hearing the stories of the Ion Gypsies. Though I do appreciate the scene at the end with the character who put the boys in harm’s way to begin with.

Overall, this is a pretty typical high fantasy adventure, albeit more of an optimistic tale than most I’ve read. There is still blood and death, but the overall theme of changing minds about stereotypes and the rarity of a truly open minded human are pleasant to read.

Thursday, April 14, 2016

WALK THE EDGE Preorder Sweepstakes GRAND PRIZE aka I won, I won, I can't believe I won

I’m going to have a character named after me in the third book of the Thunder Road series!!! :) :) :)

I'm thrilled because I really love this series and McGarry's other books too.

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

My Favorite Quotes/Lines - Walk the Edge

Walk the Edge by Katie McGarry

* Received from NetGalley for Review


“THERE ARE LIES in life we accept.”

“I’d like to somehow find the courage to be on the outside who I am on the inside.”

“Dad says the worst indigestion to have is from a girl.”

“Army boys do buy drinks and they are glorious dancers.”

“Are you smiling?” Chevy asks. “Shit, you’re smiling again. That’s the second time in days. Gotta admit, that scares the hell out of me.”

“The world has such a double standard and girls are on the bottom of this filth-ridden pond.”

“On the inside, I’m smiling like an idiot. I may also be smiling like an idiot of the outside.”

“I’m sorry about what everyone has said about you, and I’m sorry everyone’s words made it worse.”

“The boy everyone sees but nobody knows is with the girl who everybody knows but nobody sees.”

“People take their insecurities out on the thing or person that makes them feel threatened.”

“Sweetheart, you’re all black sheep.”

“The innocence of her statement is like a hug and an ache at the same time.”

“It’s a million things in one brief moment and it’s something I don’t understand and never want to live without.”

“Warmth settles into my heart—saving people is what Razor does.”

“Once something’s in our brain, it doesn’t stop.”

“Don’t let your fears create walls or define you.”

“I never knew that being fearless could be so terrifying.”

“Killing yourself doesn’t solve your problems. It just hands them to somebody else.”

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Review - Walk the Edge

Walk the Edge by Katie McGarry

* Received from NetGalley for Review


5 out of 5 gnomes

McGarry has become a go to author for me. This series is so dramatic yet fun to read.

The Reign of Terror motorcycle club has a myriad of unique characters and I love reading about them all.

This book is Razor and Breanna’s story. They really are an unexpected pair but they sure do work well together. Both of them have their share of problems and hectic home lives.

It’s great learning more about Razor and what makes him tick. He’s not just the crazy one, there’s a very good reason he’s the way he is.

Breanna had an interesting story of her own. She has a huge family and is always known as the really smart/good gir. Let’s just say that people don’t want to see her differently.

The mystery in this story was well done. There are many twists and turns. I like the whole thing where Olivia has left tasks for all the kids to do too.

I really wanted some resolution to Breanna’s friend Addison’s story. Here’s hoping she might get her own story.

The ending was sweet and promises an intriguing future for the couple and the Terror.

Monday, April 11, 2016

Sentence Sneak Peek - Walk the Edge

Walk the Edge by Katie McGarry

* Received from NetGalley for Review


The first sentence from each chapter of Walk the Edge, it's a mini summary of what you can expect to read.

“THERE ARE LIES in life we accept.”

“I HAD BUTTERFLIES.”

“THE WORLD ZONES out as if I’m in a long tunnel encircled by darkness.”

“I KNOW THAT the capital of Bolivia is Sucre.”

“HER FACE IS white against her raven hair.”

IS THAT WHY you brought up the twenty dollars?

“THE WATER BEATS down from the showerhead and steam rises around me.”

“THERE’S A PICTURE on the fridge Mom and Dad had taken of the kitchen when they moved into the house.”

“IT’S A HUMID NIGHT.”

“YOUR SISTER HAS officially joined civilization.”

“OZ AND I mount our motorcycles at the same time, but I block his path forward with my bike.”

“THIS IS GOING to be the best night of our lives,” announces Reagan.”

“WELCOME BACK, SENIORS.”

“WE BYPASSED MY curfew of ten hours ago.”

TEAR TRACKS MARK Breanna’s face and mascara smudges near her eyes.

“RAZOR’S TALKING, BUT the words aren’t registering.”

“WEIRD?”

“MY BRAIN.’

“LAST PERSON I expected at my house was a middle-aged woman in a pair of tight jeans and a thick-strapped black tank cooking over the gas stove.”

“KEEPING IN MIND the most frequently used letters in the alphabet, I’m toiling my way through the Caesar encryption method.”

“Cyrus: I have something for you.”

“THE WORLD HAS an unusual fuzziness to it.”

“HOW’S LIVING WITH CYRUS?”

“IT’S ONLY THE third day of my senior year and today already ranks as one of the worst three days of my life.”

“THE BRAGGER MESSAGES are like taunts from a drunken frat boy begging to be punched: Jenny @cutekitten · 30 s Like she’s a catch.”

“ARE YOU INSANE?”

“Breanna: Apples.”

“I AM NEVER using public Wi-Fi again.”

“BREANNA COVERS HER face with her hands.”

“I’VE FORGOTTEN HOW to breathe.”

“IT’S MONDAY AND I’m playing a mixed-up version of hide-and-seek.”

“MY MIND WHIRLS and my hand can barely keep up with my racing thoughts.”

“I’D GIVE MY left ball if I could flip onto my side, but the fire shooting down my arm whenever I try stops me.”

“ME: I’ve figured out the second code.”

“YOU MOVE LIKE an old man.”

“I’M COLD.”

“I NEVER WOKE UP.”

“WHEN RAZOR MEETS my eyes again, there’s a hunger in them I’ve never seen before.

“BREANNA SITS CROSS-LEGGED at the end of the bed looking completely sexy and adorable.”

“I’M HIS GIRL.

“I’M IN A CAGE and it pisses me off.

“THE DEFINITION OF AWKWARD: riding home with a girl who knows my boyfriend better than I do and yet we have absolutely nothing to talk about on the twenty-minute drive.”

“BREANNA IS STRANGLING my hand so tightly she could rival a tourniquet.”

“HIS DOG.”

“I’M IN THE BACK of the clubhouse and I have a line of guys willing to buy me a beer.”

“PAPER PLATES WITH the remnants of our dinner are stacked at the end of the picnic table, and there are enough red plastic cups on the table that I’ve lost track of which one is mine.”

“EMILY’S SITTING IN Cyrus’s recliner, and her eyes are puffy.”

“I FLY INTO the open space near the clubhouse going double what I normally do.”

“THROUGH THE PROPPED-OPEN back door to the Barrel of Fun, the cool autumn breeze rushes through the trees and a waterfall of vibrant leaves falls to the ground.”

“We need to talk about Kyle as soon as you get back.”

“MOM WENT TO WORK and so did Dad.”

“BREANNA GLANCES AROUND my house.”

“I’VE BEEN DRAWN to Razor— like a possessed moth to an inferno.”

“CLOSE TO NAKED and tangled with me in my bed, Breanna’s head is on my chest and she tells me everything.”

“RAZOR’S GOING TO tell his club.”

“I WISH I HAD Breanna’s mind.”

“I’M SITTING ON the front porch again, my head between my knees.”

“WAITING.”

“LIAM’S ENGINE WHINES when it hits forty-five, so I’ve kept the speedometer to under forty.”

“ELI’S EDGY AND that causes my skin to crawl along my muscles.”

“THIS GIRL IS smarter than me.”

“WE PARK AT what appears to pass as a convention center in this small town between Louisville and Lexington.”

“I CAN’T STOP touching Razor.”

“THE FIELD FEELS lonely without Breanna, and because of that, I had promised myself I wouldn’t come unless she could join me, but I’m on a mission for someone I loved before Breanna.”

Friday, April 8, 2016

Discussion Time - What do you think of the White Trash Zombie Series?

I really enjoy this series a lot. Angel is nowhere near perfect but she continues to grow as a person/character. I like that she is flawed and not your normal run of the mill paranormal woman. The dynamics between her and a lot of the other characters have a great realistic quality to them (you know it even makes the whole zombie thing feel like it could happen.) 

The zombies of this world are fascinating and their mythology continues to expand over the series. These are in no way normal zombies, they can do some incredible things and their society is really interesting. I like that even five books in now that you never know what's going to happen next, it really keeps things exciting.

Thursday, April 7, 2016

My Favorite Quotes/Lines - White Trash Zombie Gone Wild

White Trash Zombie Gone Wild by Diana Rowland

“All was right in my world. Time for a sandwich.”

“Life was too short to hold more than a handful of grudges.”

“’Sides, I’m the only one who gets to say how creepy weird you are.”

“It was like being on Mr. Rogers’ shit list. You had to fuck up like a champ to get there.”

“It was the best goddamn hug in the history of hugs.”

“I’d know that ass anywhere.”

“Old mail and miscellaneous trash littered a floor that had never known the sweet kiss of a vacuum.”

“Fuck yeah, science!”

“...and I had a black belt in redneck pissed-off-bitch dirty fighting.”

“Don’t kill yourself for someone else’s dream. Fuck that noise!”

““You’re my best friend. You know that, right?”

“This was a mess wrapped in a shitstorm and stuffed into a clusterfuck.”

“You’re also a judgmental bitch, so fuck you.”

“Second off, I’m already going to hell, and I’d rather not grease the slide.”

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Review - White Trash Zombie Gone Wild

White Trash Zombie Gone Wild by Diana Rowland

5 out of 5 gnomes

Expect the unexpected from this series. I love how this series and the zombies in it continue to evolve. This version of zombies is always entertaining and Angel is one heck of a character.

Angel continues to grow, yet she does have some of her old behaviors creep back up in this book. Saying that though, I do like how the problem is dealt with.

This book was great because you got to see more of Angel and a lot less of Marcus. I’m not the biggest fan of Marcus so this was a major plus for me. You get to see what she can do without a lot of the others to rely on. She finds ways out of most bad situations very well.

You get to see more of Randy too and the zombie movie that filmed in town. Randy is of course again not the most stable guy but he’s still a friend.

Doctor Nikas is my other favorite character besides Angel. He helps her a lot in this book and the lab is always coming up with something new.

The other great part of this story was learning more about Nick. He and Angel have a unique relationship that is fun to read about. Between Nick and another character from the morgue where she works, there are many surprises/twists.

That ending, wow not that I did not see coming. It sets up what promises to be a very intriguing future where hopefully Angel’s ideas turn out well.

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Sentence Sneak Peek - White Trash Zombie Gone Wild


The first sentence from each chapter of White Trash Zombie Gone Wild, it's a mini summary of what you can expect to read.


“Blood and fat greased the thick needle as I fought to work it through the slab of flesh.”

“The half-dose of V12 was enough to keep me from obsessing about the meeting with Allen.”

“Normal food-hunger jabbed at me as I climbed back into my car, informing me that I needed to get my ass to Alma’s Café before I starved to death.”

“Between stalking Marcus, chatting with Randy, and schooling Judd, I managed to burn enough of my break that I had to settle for a pre-made sandwich to-go from Alma’s.”

“The rest of my shift whizzed by without a hitch, and I happily clocked out at two p.m. on the nose.”

“Humming under my breath, I damn near skipped down the corridor to the Head Room.”

“The Kreeger River boat launch was my go-to sit and think spot, and I drove there in a numb, sparkly fog.”

“The population of St. Edwards Parish included a variety of ethnic groups, income levels, religions, political views, and sexual orientations, but one thing everyone agreed on was that the Royale Cinema in Tucker Point was hands down the best movie theater in the entire parish.”

“The shrilling of my phone jerked me out of a dream of being chased by zombies in Mardi Gras masks as they groaned Throoww meee sooommethinggg misssterrr.”

“Heart pounding, I stared at the cigarette butt as if the thing was a water moccasin about to bite me.”

“The V12 had me nicely chilled out by the time I got home, yet resentment stewed despite the effects of the mod.”

“I swiped my ID card and slipped into the morgue.”

“Though Tucker Point was the primary hotbed of Zombie Fest hoopla, the site of the Fifth Annual Deep South Zombie Fest was about fifteen minutes east of the city on sixty acres of former farmland owned by Ms. Charlotte Glaspy.”

“The crawfish things were gone, but in their place were cream cheese and salmon rolls.”

“I had a few hours to kill before diving in to clue-hunting, since I wanted to be certain the boys would be occupied with the evening hunt while I snooped.”

“I sat in my car for several minutes, nerves jangling as I struggled to process the entire incident.”

“My phone vibrated seconds after I settled into my car.”

“After I left Coy’s garage, I drove around aimlessly to do some serious thinking.”

“It was almost nine a.m. by the time I dragged my sorry ass out of bed after lousy nightmare-filled sleep.”

“My VIP pass got me past the lines and through the gate of the Zombie Fest in nothing flat.”

“Rain from a sneak-attack Louisiana shower splattered my windshield and sent less adventurous Fest goers scurrying to their cars.”

Randy said to tell you it’s in the place y’all fixed a wheelbarrow after the river dried up.”

“Lock Three” was local slang for the area at the end of Hickory Horn Road by the Kreeger River’s third river-control lock.”

“Every breath sent lava through my veins.

“Jangly music cut through my sleep, pushy and obnoxious.”

“The instant the door closed, I tossed the clipboard onto the receiving desk and ran for the bathroom.”

“And they use this for zombie wound care in the Central African Republic?”

What the hell, Angel?

Dante Rosario wanted to kidnap me, but this wasn’t my first let’s-get-stalked rodeo.”

“I snapped fully awake, primal instincts shrieking so loudly I expected to find a serial killer standing over me with an axe.”

“The weather was lovely and perfect, which meant the streets of New Orleans were guaranteed to be packed to bursting with Mardi Gras day revelers.”

“Bear had all sorts of gizmos, including high-power binoculars strong enough for me to see every pore in Rosario’s face from my hiding place behind the Bear’s Den booth.”

“MegaSuperZombiePowers.”

“Angel.”

“I can walk.”