Author Archives: rachelauthorbarnard

Nano ’14: Day 14 Update

by in NaNoWriMo, Rachel Barnard and tagged

Word count for the day: 3,297

Total word count:40,296

Total Words to Write to be on track: 23,333

Word count on Day 13: 0

Word count on Day 12: 721

Ah for being sick! Look what it did to my productivity! Splat and leveled off! Bah, time to catch up my writing friends.

In other news, I’ve wrapped up my goodies for December events! Grab your pre-wrapped copies of Ataxia and the Ravine of Lost Dreams, At One’s Beast, or Wandering Imagination by Rachel Barnard at the following wonderfully fun-filled winter events:

Si View Community Center Holiday Bazaar
12/06/14 10 A.M. – 3 P.M.
Cost: Free 
More info

Gifts for Geeks at the AFK Elixirs and Eatery in Renton
12/13/14 2 P.M. – 9 P.M.
Cost: Free 
More Info

Book Reading and Release Party for FreeValley Publishing Anthology
12/18/14 7 P.M. – 9 P.M.
Cost: Free 

all ataxia aob

 

For more information on these December events, visit the news and events page here or stay posted for more information on the events as it gets closer to December.

Book Review: Moonlight by David Rose

by in Book Review and tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Moonlight by David Rose

A Short Story Romance published by David Rose (04/13/14)

 

Summary:

 Tadao and Yuzuki spent three years together as the best of childhood friends, brought together by the wandering cat Gekkō-san and their loneliness. It is not until Tadao must leave the city with his parents at the age of 14 that he and Yuzuki realize they were more than just friends. The two young kids make a pact by the moon, that in seven years they will meet again in their special place on the beach. “And then, too soon, we were parted, with nothing to sustain us but faith and moonlight.” (Location 419).

 

Keywords:

 Romance, Short Story, Japan, Young Love, Enduring Love, Magical Realism, Cat

 

My Review:

Moonlight is an adorable short novel at just around 50 pages and the entire time I was reading it I was reminded of an animated short. Moonlight has a wonderfully delightful twist to the romance that involves what I would call magical realism. In order not to spoil the book, I will not go into further detail but I will say that it was a well-executed twist that gives the story more depth and meaning.

Moonlight involved a cute story of a romance between two of the sweetest characters. Unfortunately because it was such a short book, the reader is not given much information about the characters as individuals, although I believe the story stands alone solidly without the need for more background or description. Personally I would have liked more information, but that’s because the story was so well-rounded and easy to read that I wanted more of it.

David Rose gives us something a little different with Moonlight and I was thoroughly delighted with this short romance story set in Japan.

 

I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys short stories, cute romances, stories set in other countries such as japan, or animated shorts.

This novel was published by David Rose April 13th, 2014 and is available on Amazon here.

 

TLDR Star Rating: 4.5

 

Links for more information:

Goodreads

Smashwords

Book Review: Marionette by T.B. Markinson

by in Book Review and tagged , , | 4 Comments

Marionette by T.B. Markinson

A YA Novel published by T. B. Markinson (11/01/13)

 

Summary:

 Paige is a troubled freshman in college who is trying to start fresh. She is continuously held back by her family’s sordid secrets and the way her past binds her and drags her back into it. When she tried and failed to commit suicide, Paige is forced to deal with her conflicted feelings, and upon the insistence of her girlfriend Jess, promises to see the college counselor once a week. From her homophobic Catholic roommate to her girlfriend’s misguided mission to help everyone around her, Paige will have to learn to deal with who she is and what happened in her past. In learning who she is, Paige will discover the most juicy, horrific secret of them all.

 

Keywords:

 Suicide, Intrigue, Lesbians, College-Life, LGBTQ issues, drama, friendship, loyalty, teen issues, dark secrets

 

My Review:

From the very beginning through to the very end, I was hooked. The opening was wonderfully executed by introducing a fluid and fantastically intriguing writing style. The end was one of those one liners that is so satisfying as the final sentence of a novel.

Paige is such a dynamic character. She may talk about herself as having specific characteristics and personality traits, but her character has depth. The narrative style reminds me of the style used in the movie Warm Bodies. T.B. Markinson and the Warm Bodies screen writer Jonathan Levine employ continuously running inner-dialogue that is amazingly interesting and spot on for the character. I am in love with Paige and how she tells her story. Her thoughts are juicy, spicy, and vivid. This would make a very good audiobook.

This book had me laughing as much as the Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion. The main character Paige is one for a witty comeback that makes for such a fun read. Her unintentional humor as a person makes these situations even more funny. One of my favorite lines was Paige’s response to one of Liddy’s comments about how Liddy doesn’t do her job for the money. Paige says to Liddy, “I suppose prostitutes could say the same thing.” (Location 462).

I recommend this book for anyone who enjoyed the witty comments in Warm Bodies, wants a book that integrates the LGBTQ community without being obvious about it, or would like a dynamic YA book featuring a troubled college-aged female protagonist.

This novel was published by T. B. Markinson November 1st, 2013 and is available on Amazon here.

 

TLDR Star Rating: 5.0

 

Links for more information:

Goodreads

T.B. Markinson’s website

Nano ’14: Day 7 Update

by in NaNoWriMo, Rachel Barnard and tagged

Word count for the day: 3,766

Total word count: 28,773

Total Words to Write to be on track: 11,667

Total words on Day 6: 25,0007

It’s time to come clean. I’ve been writing my socks off, just not on the novel I meant to. I got scared. Afraid I wasn’t ready and that I hadn’t planned adequately I was getting stressed as the days disappeared before Hallonanoween. I had joint pain and headaches. Then I had an idea and I got excited about NaNoWriMo again. Yes, it’s a young adult novel. Yes, it’s in familiar territory. Yes, it’s something I know and love. Yes, I started planning just days before November 1st. Yes I’m a pantser this year. And yes, it’s been going quite wonderfully. Check out my word counts if you don’t agree. I’ve been getting really into the idea and yesterday I had an epiphany on how to make the novel into the best ever! I know I need to work on oonphing up the plot and creating better character development. Hello editing in December! Now I know exactly how to do that, though and I’m very, very excited!

Here is the novel I’ve already written over 25k words of (too late to back out now and pretend I’m still writing the Geocache Killer):

Mark on the World by Rachel Barnard is a novel that lies somewhere between John Green and Suzy Vitello.

Vanessa was a shy, introverted girl before she found out she wouldn’t live to graduation. It had always been her best friend Nichole who dragged her out of her shell, but now it’s Vanessa with her list of Challenges who is learning to pull Nichole along. From sneaking into strip clubs, construction areas, and into trouble Vanessa learns to cope with death and dying. When everything falls apart in a school shooting showdown Vanessa will have to give up herself completely to save those she loves. Will this be the mark Vanessa is hoping to leave on the world or will she be forgotten in the aftermath of the tragedy?

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