The Prometheus Project: Captured Douglas E Richards

As you may or may not remember from my review of book 1 of this series (The Prometheus Project: Trapped) I e-mailed the author to ask him some questions. He was impressed enough with the review that he sent me copies of Trapped and its sequel, Captured.

I enjoyed Captured even more than Trapped! I already knew Ryan and Regan Resnick. I knew how clever they are and how well they work together. In Captured the alien city under Brewster, Pennsylvania is invaded by an as yet unknown and unidentified being. There are even more challenges and puzzles for the siblings to overcome and solve. I don’t want to give away too much of the plot in this review. I just hope that Mr. Richards will continue with this series at some point.

Right now I’m reading Philippa Gregory’s The Boleyn Inheritance at night. During the day I’ll be reading What Your Mother Never Told You by Richard M Dudum.

Six Random Things About Me

Tracee at Amateur de Livre tagged me! I’m not sure who I’ll tag in return yet, but I’m sure I’ll figure something out. =)

1. I had my first child at 17. Given my behavior at the time, she truly saved my life. She is 14 now, in 8th grade but taking 9th grade level classes. She is an excellent artist and that’s not just her mom talking.
2. I make some of the best Oatmeal Raisin Cookies on the planet.
3. I’m fairly obsessed with certain TV shows. Lost, 24, Bones, all the Law & Orders, just to name a few.
4. I am finding this meme very difficult.
5. I am surprisingly (or not) disorganized. I am always looking and trying to change this about myself; tips?
6. I am an extremely sarcastic person in real life. I try to lay off the sarcasm on-line since it’s so difficult to tell where inflections are, etc.

Okay, it’s time to tag six other bloggers.

• Rhonda at Rhonda’s Corner of the World
• Lori the book pimp at Lori’s Reading Corner

I really don’t know who else to tag… =(

Here are the rules:

• Link to the person that tagged you (hello, it’s me)
• Post the rules somewhere in your meme
• Write the six random things
• Tag six people in your post
• Let the tagees know they’ve been chosen by leaving a comment on their blog
• Let the tagger (hello, it’s me) know your entry is posted

That’s all folks!

The Daughter-in-Law Rules by Sally Shields

The full title of this 4 star book actually is The Daughter-in-Law Rules: 101 Surefire Ways to Manage (and Make Friends with) Your Mother-in-Law! and there are some really smart ones! I don’t have any major issues with my fiancé’s mother, but if I ever do, I know just where to go for help.

The Daughter-in-Law Rules is broken up into very easy to navigate Parts: The Newlywed – On House and Home – Her Beloved Son – Before and After the Baby – Most of All. Each Part has its own smaller sections with pertinent rules. Best yet, it’s battle-tested. According to the Foreword (written by the author herself) this book was born “whenever a bothersome incident would pop into my head, I jotted down longhand, on the back of napkins and any other scraps of paper I could get my hands on, a new strategy for dealing with my MIL. … Though this exercise started off as a tongue-in-cheek coping mechanism, once I began putting a few of these rules into practice, I noticed that my MIL’s attitude started to shift. I began to see her softer, gentler, more agreeable side …”

The Daughter-in-Law Rules should be given to all brides-to-be by their own mothers or their maid/matron of honor. Preferably when said Mother-in-Law is NOT looking! The book can be purchased most anywhere (Barnes and Noble & Amazon just to name two).

Little Miss Smarty-Pants by Suzanne Kopoulos

Little Miss Smarty-Pants is first the memoir I have laughed my way through most of. Suzanne Kopoulos really lets it all hang out. She didn’t hold much, if anything, back. As you might expect, she did change the names. I give her a lot of credit. Granted I didn’t have as diverse a life as Suzanne, but I couldn’t sit down and write about my life like she has. Give Suzanne Kopoulos a gold star for guts!

She may be about 10 years older than I am, but I could relate to a lot of what she talks about in Little Miss Smarty-Pants. From a high-school boyfriend she calls Joe Trailer, whose only perceivable ambition in life was to own a double-wide trailer, to dying her hair the same orange-red as Lucille Ball. Suzanne develops a close friendship with a guy, Jack aka Pookie, while in her first year of college in 1982; a friendship that lasts to this day.

Giving this book 5 stars was easy. A book that keeps me reading until well past 10pm (I didn’t close the book until 1:30am the first night/early morning) is rare. Suzanne made me cry, feel her pain (Dr. Love), laugh and a few other emotions all in 320 pages. Please give this book a chance!

You really get a taste of her sense of humor in some of these answers. Here is her interview:

~Kylee’s Book Blog: Do you have any superstitions or rituals when you’re writing? Is there anything in particular that inspires you?
Suzanne Kopoulos: I don’t have any superstitions, but I DO need to have all of my chores done. I can’t write unless the kids (Sadie Mae, Gumbo and Flipper Mae) have been fed, I’ve worked out (running, swimming or weight lifting) and any other daily chores have been completed. I don’t like to have any outstanding tasks hanging over my head when I write.

I wouldn’t actually say that I get inspired but ideas do pop into my head in the strangest places such as the shower, while walking the dog, or driving to the grocery store. I have notebooks stashed EVERYWHERE! Dialog seems to come to me while I’m in the shower. That’s really inconvenient. I’ve lost count as to how many times I’ve actually gotten out of the shower and tiptoed to the study in search of a notepad while dripping water all over the floor.

KBB: If you had to describe your writing to someone in only 3 words, what would they be?
SK: funny, irreverent, heartfelt

KBB: What does your family think of your writing?
SK: My parents are proud of me. They’ve always wanted me to write. They have NO idea where my storytelling ability comes from. It makes them scratch their heads but they’ve both encouraged me to keep it up. However, they do wish I’d try writing fiction next time! My husband had been suggesting that I return to my journalistic roots by writing for our local newspaper. That didn’t really appeal to me. I didn’t want to write on anyone else’s schedule. But he brought up the subject often enough that I guess it stuck in my head. When I said I wanted to write a book, his only request was that I limit my musings about our home life. He does not want to be the star of my next book!

KBB: What kind of TV shows do you watch? (comedies, dramas, etc)
SK: I watch TV as an escape. I really liked Pushing Daisies this year. It had just the right blend of humor, whimsy, and romance for me. I am also devoted to What Not To Wear. Clinton and Stacy are my idols. I’ll do whatever they say. All of my friends know that I can’t dress myself…not without a lot of help! I will also watch just about any gardening or home decorating show. And, I’ve recently become a BBC America freak. I really enjoyed Hex a few years ago and now I’m a big fan of Torchwood.

KBB: What is one item that you could not live without? What is your favorite junk/comfort food?
SK: I cannot live without some sort of lip color whether it’s tinted lip gloss or lipstick. This girl needs some color on her face! Without it, I’m completely washed out. As for junk/comfort food, I’m a Mac & Cheese gal. I’m actually thinking about blogging about my obsessive love of mac & cheese.

KBB: Where can my blog readers buy your books?
SK: Your readers can find my book at Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and booksamillon.com. They can also ask any local bookseller to order it for them. I’m hoping to have the book stocked in a few local, independent stores in Chicago, but my publisher has to work out some issues with its distributor before that can happen.

KBB: Are you working on anything currently? If so, would you tell me about it?
SK: I have a few ideas rattling around in my head. A lot of people expect a follow-up to Little Miss Smarty-Pants. That’s always an option. I definitely have plenty of material. Heck, I could write a book about the behind-the-scenes adventures of writing a book at this point. But I also have two ideas for fiction novels. Nothing too heavy. That’s not my style. I’m most comfortable writing about friendships…with an alternative twist. There’s a good chance I may begin spending an inordinate amount of time in Chicago’s drag clubs!

KBB: Any other plug you would like me to give? (plugs are good!)
SK: If readers like Little Miss Smarty-Pants, please consider writing a review on Amazon.com and/or GoodReads.com. For a first-time writer from a small publishing company, friendly reviews from fellow readers are like gold!

Jaclyn’s Ghost by Dorlana Vann

Jaclyn’s Ghost is a very well written love story about Jaclyn Jade and Logan Smith. At the beginning of the story Jaclyn realizes, with the help of Logan, that she is dead. More specifically, she’s a ghost. Logan died in the 1920s when the site of Sunset Apartments was a hotel. Dorlana Vann lends a great twist to the question of “where do we go when we die”. “Hell” is really Earth, were we repeat our past mistakes or learn from them with each subsequent life. I really liked this take on it, of course I already think that our souls live more than one life on this planet. I’ve given Jaclyn’s Ghost ‘only’ 4 stars out of 5 because with the paranormal and mystery elements it’s not for everyone.

“Jaclyn stared at the stranger. Nothing made sense. He wore a black jacket over a double-breasted vest and dress pants. Clearly bought off the rack, but still, it was a bit much for a burglar. She wondered why he hadn’t left when he had the chance.”

Dorlana Vann was kind enough to let me interview her. Here are my (probably silly) questions and her answers. Nothing was cut or edited in any way except (!) where I have things written in [ ]s. That is stuff I have added as I typed this. =)
~Kylee’s Book Blog: I read in your interview on Studio 3B Author Spotlight that you get a good chunk of your writing done in the early mornings. Do you have any superstitions or rituals when you are writing? Is there anything in particular that inspires you?
Dorlana Vann: All I need is a cup of strong coffee and complete quiet. My inspirations simply come from the types of stories that I like; I enjoy adventures, fairy tales, love stories, the supernatural, suspense ancient civilizations and treasure hunts.

KBB: If you had to describe your writing to someone in only 3 words, what would they be?
DV: Quirky, Supernatural, Fun

KBB: What does your family think of your writing?
DV: They are my biggest fans and my biggest critics. I can always count on them to tell me exactly what they think – even if it isn’t pretty. They are very supportive and helpful.

KBB: What kinds of TV shows do you watch?
DV: I’m kind of a reality show junkie: American Idol, American’s Next Top Model, Hell’s Kitchen, Kitchen Nightmares and The Apprentice are my favorites. My all time favorite TV show is Angel – vampires and great dialogue, what more could you ask for? I hated to see it go.

KBB: What is the one item that you could not live without? What is your favoite junk/comfort food?
DV: At this point it would have to be my computer. I know it’s the obvious anwer, but so true. And I love dark chocolate and cake… any kind of cake.

KBB: Where can my readers buy your books?
DV: http://www.fictionwise.com/eBooks/eBook66597.htm?cache [to make it easier, I have linked the image of Jaclyn's Ghost in this review to this address]

KBB: What are you working on currently?
DV: I’m working on my next book, Passage to Mesentia. It is another paranormal mystery, but it is a little darker than Jaclyn’s Ghost. It will be released in ebook Jan 2009 and then will be in a 2 volume print book under Tease Publications Dark Tarot Series for the Death Card around March 2009. Here is a blurb:

After Wade and Bella find Bella’s archaeologist parents murdered, they are approached by a mysterious stranger who is searching for an amulet. He claims Bella’s parents smuggled it out of Cairo for him and convinces them to follow her parent’s clues to its whereabouts before its ancient curse is used for evil.

KBB: Any other plug you would like me to give? [I think all new writers deserve a lot of chances to advertise their groups and such]

DV: My writers group, Humble Fiction Café, has just release our first anthology, Split. You can find all the information and read one of my short stories from the book on my website – www.dorlanavann.com

Visit my blog (www.dorlana.blogspot.com ) Supernatural Fairy Tales, to read fairy tale inspired short stories, poems, and articles.

What are you paranormal and mystery fans waiting for? Click and buy!

The Seventh Tower: The Fall Garth Nix

I actually gave The Fall two different star ratings. 3 Stars for anyone 13+ and 4 Stars for kids 9-12. I was a little bored by it; the book couldn’t hold my attention. I’m also way outside the target. I think any 3rd to 6th grader would like this book. I think the back of the book describes The Fall better than I could.

From the back:

Tal has lived his whole life in darkness. He has never left his home, a mysterious castle of seven towers. He does not see the threat that will tear apart his family and his world.

But Tal cannot stay safe forever. When danger strikes, he must desperately climb the Red Tower to steal a Sunstone. He reaches the top…

… and then he falls into a strange and unknown world of warriors, iceships, and hidden magic. There Tal makes an enemy who will save his life – and holds the key to his future.

You can find out more about the books on the Scholastic site. Garth Nix has a trilogy that seems to be a YA series. I think I’ll try the first of those because I really did enjoy his writing style.

“Eats, Shoots and Leaves” Lynne Truss

Yes, that’s right, 5 Stars for a book about proper punctuation. I fully expected to get through this book only for my 2008 Challenges. In my mind’s eye I saw myself reading a page or two and then falling sound asleep from boredom. I could not have been more wrong.

Not only does Lynne Truss make punctuation interesting, she makes it funny. She knows just were little punctuation puns fit. Who knew there were 17 proper uses for the apostrophe?! There was, at onetime, a movement to have a special mark to indicate a rhetorical question. As is stated on the front flap, “Through sloppy usage and low standards on the Internet, in e-mail, and now “txt msgs”, we have made proper punctuation an endangered species.” (not to mention proper spelling)

I’ve given this book 5 Stars not only because I enjoyed it, but because I think all of us who have been out of the classroom for 10 years or more could use a refresher. Before I go I want to share with you part of what is on the back of “Eats, Shoots & Leaves”.

A panda walks into a cafe. He orders a sandwich, eats it, then draws a gun and fires two shots in the air.
“Why?” asks the confused waiter, as the panda makes towards the exit. The panda produces a badly punctuated wildlife manual and tosses it over his shoulder.
“I’m a panda,” he says, at the door. “Look it up.”
The waiter turns to the relevant entry and, sure enough, finds an explanation.
“Panda. Large black-and-white bear-like mammal, native to China. Eats, shoots and leaves.”

So, punctuation really does matter, even if it is only occasionally a matter of life and death.

Right now I am also reading, “The Fall” by Garth Nix. It’s a children’s book so I should finish it today. I have updated 2 links: 2008 Challenges and Books I’ve Finished in 2008. What are you reading?