At our 3rd annual Barnard Cider making extravaganza we made cider from all local apples/pears/grapes.
Anyone in the area know a great fruit tree we can pick from for next year? We’re always looking to source good trees.
Here is the finished product. It took us two juicers, one vitamix, and one apple press to get the job done. How do you make apple cider?
Flip (The Slip Trilogy Book 3) by David Estes
A YA Sci-fi/Dystopian Novel published by Amazon Digital Services (03/02/2015)
Summary:
“No one’s good,” she says. “We’re all just different shades of bad.” – Destiny (Kindle Location 3153).
The Destroyer should be called the Invincible, because although he can’t manage to catch Benson or keep Harrison in captivity, he does manage to survive again and again, becoming more and more cyborg with each act of violence. Benson and Harrison Kelly, along with their friends will try to stop Pop Con for good, but in a race with the Lifers and their more violent methods, who will shut down the branch of government enforcing deaths first? And how many will die to accomplish this shutdown?
Keywords:
Dystopian, Technology, Population Control, Allies, Rebels, Breaking Rules, Big Brother Government, Resource Management, Violence, Hate, Growing Up with Lies, Family, Friendship, Leadership, Fate, Weapons, Anger, Living on the Edge
My Review:
After reading David Estes’ Country Saga and Dweller Saga, I think the Slip Trilogy is far superior. I also think it is one of the best dystopian trilogies out there (and it’s one of my favorite genres so I’ve read a lot of them). The Slip trilogy is well written, highly interesting, focusses on the right parts of the plot and characters at the right times, will hold your attention throughout, and incorporates just the right amount of rebellion and uprising and government bullying.
Flip was a great ending to the trilogy, tying up all the loose ends with a satisfying finish. Everything makes sense in the bigger picture of the story and the smaller subplots between characters. For once I actually liked the epilogue Estes included for a year beyond all the main action.
I like how Estes communicates something positive through all his books, and the Slip Trilogy was no exception, “No one should have to feel like they’re not wanted, hated simply for being born. In the end, we’re all just humans, connected by things we can’t touch, like laughter and love and our fear of being left behind. Our fear of death. Of not being included in something we think is important and great but don’t really understand.” (Kindle Locations 4650-4652).
My only negative comment is disliking the plot element/helper introduced seemingly at random with Lola the dog. She was sprung on us for apparently no reason but was instrumental in moving the plot and accomplishing certain things plot wise.
This novel was published by Amazon Digital Services 03/02/2015 and is available on Amazon here.
TLDR Star Rating: 5.00
Links for more information:
Grip (The Slip Trilogy Book 2) by David Estes
A YA Sci-fi/Dystopian Novel published by Amazon Digital Services (12/01/2014)
Summary:
“You’re more than what the world says you are.” (Kindle Locations 668-669).
Pop Con continues to try to capture and terminate the Slip that is making headlines, showing how ineffective population measures could be. They sent in professionals. They sent in The Destroyer – a psychotic cyborg – and yet Benson Kelly still manages to escape their clutches. He has even come to symbolize the face of the rebellion against Pop Con and support the Lifers cause.
Keywords:
Dystopian, Technology, Population Control, Allies, Rebels, Breaking Rules, Big Brother Government, Resource Management, Violence, Hate, Growing Up with Lies, Family, Friendship, Leadership, Fate, Weapons, Anger, Living on the Edge
My Review:
Harrison has more of a role in book two of the Slip Trilogy. He really comes into his own. Harrison, who led a life almost completely opposite that of Benson, is quite impulsive but sticks to his guns when it comes to right and wrong. He may have been lied to his whole life, but he certainly sticks his neck out there for a Slip and what is right. Harrison is charming and witty and certainly thinks a lot of himself, but he doesn’t think twice about helping those he loves.
I liked seeing the twist with Destiny. Estes came down a little hard handed with her situation and her feelings towards what happens, but it was interesting seeing a character put through so much and seeing how she reacts and how she feels afterwards. Destiny can rival Harrison at ‘hovering’ and they are a great pair when evading capture together.
Janice is one of the most interesting people in the book. The things she says kinda sorta make sense but not really. She has the most fascinating insights and says the most odd things.
I loved all the action and fighting and character development in this second book of the Trilogy and can’t wait for book three and the epic finale I know is coming!
This novel was published by Amazon Digital Services 12/01/2014 and is available on Amazon here.
TLDR Star Rating: 5.00
Links for more information:
Slip (The Slip Trilogy Book 1) by David Estes
A YA Sci-fi/Dystopian Novel published by Amazon Digital Services (12/01/2014)
Summary:
Only through our positive thinking and actions do we become strong. Even the weakest person in the world can become the strongest in their own mind.” (Kindle Locations 3806-3807).
The world of Slip takes population control to a whole new level of meaning when unauthorized births are terminated, even if the child is a teenager. They are known as ‘Slips’ and they supposedly threaten the balanced lives of all other authorized citizens. The government agencies that plan out country resources will do anything to make sure all Unbees and Slips are caught and terminated. In this world was born many children who weren’t supposed to exist, but the Saint Louis Slip has managed to evade notice for sixteen years. When he pops onto the radar, he threatens the very existence of Pop Con and the reasons for all the stringent population controls, so the government will stop at nothing to find and terminate Benson Kelly and all who aid him.
Keywords:
Dystopian, Technology, Population Control, Allies, Rebels, Breaking Rules, Big Brother Government, Resource Management, Violence, Hate, Growing Up with Lies, Family, Friendship, Leadership, Fate, Weapons, Anger, Living on the Edge
My Review:
This book seemed to have two parts. There was Benson’s early childhood where he was the son with no name and the part where was a teenager living on his own. It was fascinating to get the story from young Benson’s perspective, where he doesn’t comprehend all that is happening around him, therefore the reader is only getting bits and pieces of the world outside the Kelly’s home. It is like you know they live in a dystopian like world but you don’t know how far it is from our world because we are given such a small view into it, until Benson crosses that divide and lives fully in that dystopian world.
What a world! David Estes and setting up the world for his characters will make you drool. He provides just enough fascinating differences to make you understand truly what it is like, but not enough to overwhelm you with a complete sci-fi world. Estes has technology similar to our own, but different and technologically advanced to the point where a government trying to control a population after major disasters might get to.
I love the language Estes uses. The slang and curse words are all his own and make for a great young adult book without the typical ‘obscene’ language. I think this is one of the things Estes does really well in all his books and series.
I adored the characters. There weren’t too many to keep track of. They all had their own personalities. They all had their own stories before becoming tangled in Benson’s struggles. They all had their faults.
This novel was published by Amazon Digital Services 12/01/2014 and is available on Amazon here.
TLDR Star Rating: 5.00
Links for more information:
Alas the end of summer is upon us and fondly I remember those sunny and warm days on the lake.
Undivided (The Unseen Trilogy Book 3) by Stephanie Erickson
A Young Adult Fantasy Novel published by Pickles Press (09/03/15)
Summary:
“I wouldn’t bury myself in that haze of depression ever again. I would take control of this situation, affect a change, and be Unseen.” (Kindle Locations 210-211).
In this exciting third book and conclusion to the Unseen Trilogy Mac is back, but so are the Potestas and their quest for power. Mac is developing new ways to use her abilities, but will she be ready in time before the Potestas make their big move with Zero, the chemical agent that kills without a care? Then a new player drops in on the action, claiming to save the world from Zero, but he may not be everything he claims to be.
Keywords:
Mind Readers, Secret Organization, Friends, Terrorists, Leadership, Taking Responsibility, Helplessness,, Sadness, Anger, Undercover, Save the World, Chemical Warfare
My Review:
This is the book where Mackenzie really embraces the Unseen and what it means to be Unseen. I liked this third and final book much better than book two because Undivided had a tone that was easier to embrace. Whereas book two was kind of depressing and had a negative mood, book three was where Mac came into her own and had the fighting spirit, giving this third book more hope and optimism than the other two books.
I liked Mac a lot more in book three than in books one and two. I like how she’s innovative and constantly challenging everything to find solutions to future problems. She puts herself out there and is willing to work hard and out of her comfort zone to save people’s lives.
Mac’s thought process for working through how things work related to mind reading and defenses is super fascinating. Like sci-fi of the mind. Whew, Erickson writes some fascinating mind reading/mind defending stuff.
I thought that those in power talked too simplistically and that there being an open job position right under the big boss seemed highly convenient.
I absolutely love the recurring theme of Gaspard de la Nuit.
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This novel was published by Pickles Press September 8th, 2015 and is available on Amazon here.
TL;DR Star Rating: 4.25
Links for more information:
Beta readers wanted! Signup on my blog to be a beta reader for my WIP Donuts in an Empty Field (For the Love of Donuts Book 1). Donuts will be available for first round of beta reading next week. You can also sign up for round two of beta reading later this year.
Donuts in an Empty Field (For the Love of Donuts Book 1) Description:
Letting go of anger is life’s greatest challenge.
Vanessa Smith hasn’t been the same since her father’s death. A hero until the end, he died saving a restaurant owner’s wife and son from a burning building. Nessa has always blamed the boy, Ben, for her loss, and her thoughts are consumed with ways to make him as miserable as she is.
Nichole Adams knows Nessa can never heal until she learns to let go of her hatred, but bringing back her best friend is proving more difficult than she could’ve imagined. In a last ditch effort to break Nessa’s obsession, Nichole hopes signing up for the local food challenge is just the thing to bust her out of her shell.
A single choice defines the road ahead for Nessa. Doing the right thing isn’t easy, but living with the consequences of doing nothing might be worse.
To be a Beta:
Here’s what I’ll need from you:
**You won’t hurt my feelings. You can tell me anything and everything. Better now than after it’s published, right?**
Here’s what you’ll get from me:
To signup: fill out the contact form below and I will add you as a beta reader and send you a copy in the format requested when it’s available, depending on the book(s) you chose.
Should you go to a tomato battle? The short answer: no. The long answer: if you don’t mind getting pelted in the face (ears, nose, cheeks, eyes, hair) and having dried fermenting/rotting tomato pieces all over your skin and hair, then maybe you might like the tomato battle.
Breakdown by:
price – The tomato battle started out around $29 for pre-registering. The price went up from there to end around $52 (day of). Then Groupon swooped in with a reduced price ($35). Even $29 is too much for this event. $29 is better spent at the ipic in Redmond or a live show at Laughs or The Village Theatre in Issaquah.
Time/Day/Date – This Battle fell on a boring Saturday (not much else going on) except for the fact that the weather kicked it up a gear and a full on windstorm was raging in the Seattle area. There were only around 500 people at the event (the website said 5,000 participants). The timing during the day was great, after lunch and before dinner. In the middle of any other thing you would have going on. Event started at 1PM. My buddies pictured above and below and I headed down to Seattle after 1PM and had an excellent meal at Pyramid Ale House (surprisingly no wait time) and meandered around back around 3:30PM in time to grab another beer/wine, check out the costume contest, chill and chat and spectate, and dance to a few songs.
Other entertainment – The music was not loud enough. The costume contest was rather lame (anything voted on by the audience who are somewhat drunk and non-serious is always, always super lame). The “beer” pong was impossible with the wind. I would not suggest showing up more than an hour before the battle as you will be impossibly anxious sitting (no seats so you’re standing) around waiting for the start time of the main event. I was glad that there was wine as well as beer for sale in the battle area.
Location – Pyrmaid Alehouse was a great central location in Seattle. There was plenty of cheap parking nearby (We paid $5). The alehouse was accommodating for our lunch date before the battle.
Would I do it again? No.
Would I do it had I known all this before? Probably. It’s a one time gotta do it type thing. Like skydiving… Who does that more than once?
The Miracle Girl by T.B. Markinson
A Romantic Fiction Novel published by T. B. Markinson (07/06/15)
Summary:
“My life was built on lies. When would it all come crashing down?” (Kindle Locations 725-726).
JJ Cavendish, after 25 years traveling and adventuring has come back to her hometown of Colorado. When she left all those years ago it was to the tune of an emotional and heartbreaking breakup with her sweetheart Claire. JJ, the Miracle Girl, is back and bumps into Claire at the new office. JJ never stopped loving Claire, but Claire now has a son and secrets she has to keep from her coworkers. Will JJ be able to pick back up where she left off with Claire?
Keywords:
Lesbians, Love, Romance, Adventure, Newspaper, Trending, Twitter, Blogging, Past Struggles, AA, Secrets, Heartbreak, Sex, Relationships
My Review:
Miracle Girl had a lot of the characteristics I enjoyed in T. B. Markinson’s other books. Markinson’s main character was female, most of the characters were female, the females had real jobs and power, the relationships were first and foremost in the plot, there was fun and clever banter between characters, and there was plenty of drama.
I didn’t feel as connected to the main character as I usually do with Markinson’s characters, as she was in a very different career than my own, in a very much different income level than my own, and of course in a very different type of relationship than my own. Normally, I love seeing how new things play out, but this story left me wanting for a little more to latch onto for similarities to my own situation, lifestyle, and personality. Markinson has created a character with deep flaws, a former addict, who has left her past behind her, but it catches up to her.
If you like an easy, fast read with some woman on woman action and a whole lot of little story bits and well-thought out characters, then Miracle Girl may be just the read for you.
This novel was published by T. B. Markinson July 6th, 2015 and is available on Amazon here.
TLDR Star Rating: 4.0
Links for more information:
So much greenery! Don’t mind the thumb…
A peach from my dad’s garden. It looked like a peach, felt like a peach, but tasted like a sour apricot.
Our biggest producer: the zuchini
A pear from a neighbor’s tree.
How does your garden grow?
Rachel Author Barnard 