What are you up to this weekend?
I hope you’re coming down to Maple Valley to support FreeValley Publishing at Maple Valley Days and get some great books!
Maple Valley Days
06/12/15 – 06/14/15
Cost: Free
More Info
FreeValley Publishing will host a booth at the 2015 Maple Valley Days from June 12-14, 2015. Come visit the FVP booth and check out other Maple Valley local favorite vendors.
Here is what I normally eat:
Here is the Goliath Challenge from last week:
Here are some stats on calories for you: Goliath Burger features:
• 1 1/3 lbs beef with diced fresh habaneros (1288)
• 1/2 lb barbecue pulled pork (~600)
• Bacon (~86)
• cheddar and pepper jack cheeses (~200)
• home-made habanero relish (??)
• 4 onion rings (~275)
• 1.5 lb fries (~1700 calories)
~4139 calories in the challenge, I was saving calories all day (only ate ~250 in preparation which consisted of a peach, matcha urban remedy tea, a bite of crème caramel urban remedy, and a few bits of granola as well as lots of water)
Keep in mind that a person my size, weight, and height only needs to eat 1700 calories per day.
I dressed up and made the challenge a meet up and invited anyone to come join or watch and two of my friends came, one even joined in the challenge.
Here’s how I did:
I couldn’t weigh the food beforehand because the scale only goes up to x weight but I weighed the plate with the remainders and subtracted the wight of an empty plate
Plate weighed: 2 lbs 14 5/8 oz.
Food weighed: 3.5 lbs.
My plate remainders weighed: 1.09375 lbs.
the other challenger left: 1.3125 lbs.
Girls Can’t Be Knights by Lee French
A Fantasy Novel published by Myrddin Publishing (06/12/15)
Summary:
“There’s no law that says a girl can’t be a Knight.” (Page 250).
Claire doesn’t let bullies get her down, she fights back. On school grounds fighting is cause for suspension, but that didn’t stop her from beating up the bully. She will probably be known for beating up a guy, but she won’t know because she’s not allowed to go back to school until her suspension is over. In the meantime, Claire is suddenly a target of all the neighborhood animals and at her wits end when a cat tries to claw off her face Justin arrives. He is a Knight. Literally. A knight. But he’s happily married with children, still, he must protect Claire from forces she never knew existed.
Keywords:
Spirit Knight, Fantasy, POV Change, Fighting, Responsibility, Unsafe, Group Home, Fire, Orphan, Adoption, Strange Things, Horse, Trust, Hope, Death, Memories, Problems
My Review:
The juxtaposition of Justin’s viewpoint and thoughts and Claire’s perspective and thoughts gives the book a rich variety in flavor as the two characters are very different. Justin is a young father of two girls. He only learned to be a father through a mentor and sometimes doesn’t always understand Claire. He wants to protect Claire and doesn’t mind killing Ur-phasms, hitting innocent people over the head, or stealing hats. Claire, on the other hand, doesn’t think too hard before taking action, is out to protect herself even when she isn’t always able, and follows the law until it would lead to her harm. She also doesn’t always understand Justin.
Claire fights at school and sticks up for herself, even when it gets her in trouble, yet when she’s faced with real problems and life or death fights, she wishes her knight would save her. After the first few times when he doesn’t immediately come to save her, she realizes she still must rely on herself to get out of the sticky situation, but still, her plans don’t always work out. Finally the knight saves her, but through her struggles to figure out what really happened to her father and what the heck a Spirit Knight is, she will learn that she actually can save herself.
Kids bully Claire at school. Adults tell her what to do and what not to do. The system dictates where she lives and who she lives with. And everyone who knows about the Knights tells her that Girls Can’t Be Knights. Every time. Sometimes they say it incredulously, because it’s never happened before while sometimes they say it disdainfully because they can’t comprehend a change in the familiar, a girl knight. Claire is convinced that she can be a knight and is glad to have been chosen. It gives her life a purpose.
Overall the story was interesting and fun to read while speeding along at a rapid pace. The concepts French introduced were intriguing and I loved her play on gender. If there is a second book I would love to see more on how the only girl who is a knight fits into a world of male knights.
This novel was published by Myrddin Publishing on June 12th, 2015 and is available on Amazon here.
TL;DR Star Rating: 4.00
Links for more information:
Unforgiven (The Unseen Trilogy Book 2) by Stephanie Erickson
A Young Adult Fantasy Novel published by Pickles Press (06/03/15)
Summary:
“The important thing is to never assume something isn’t possible. It can leave you open to attack. Tracy is right. In the world of the mind, anything is possible.” (Page 118).
Mackenzie is back, sort of. She’s a shell of her former vibrant self. Maddie’s death in the first book hit her so hard, she can’t seem to recover. Her main functions now is sleeping and moping, until Owen is able to part her from her bed. She must continue training. She must help the Unseen. She must, because she’s the only one who can. Her first real mission is reconnaissance on a scientist she had researched and she finds out something that breaks her from her grief. Now she has purpose. Now she knows what she must do. Now she knows what she’s fighting against. Now she’s out for revenge.
Keywords:
Mind Readers, Secret Organization, Friends, Terrorists, Leadership, Taking Responsibility, Helplessness, Depression, Sadness, Anger, Regret, Guilt, Revenge
My Review:
Erickson has a way of setting the mood, making you feel Mackenzie’s depression and grief. The whole mood of the book is rather dark and will pull you down with it into the depths of Mackenzie’s despair and then up and up into the madness of her angered revenge. This is not the book to lift your mood, this is a book of raging grief and emotions that will put its mark on your own mood.
The story itself didn’t feel connected to the main plot as much as the first book did. This second book in the trilogy followed the same main plot, but it was more about Mackenzie working through her grief and the aftermath of what happened in book one more than anything new. Mac already found her romantic partner in Owen in book one. Mac already knew who her enemy was from book one: the Potestas. Mac already figured out why she was special and started working for the Unseen in book one. So where can book two go? It doesn’t have as much purpose as the Unseen, though it does advance the plot and show the ultimate destruction the Potestas are capable of and ramp up tension for book three.
The book flowed easily and the pace was quite even throughout. Erickson explores the mind and her concept of mind reading in this book more. It is interesting the ways in which mind readers can control and delve into the mind. The ‘training’ Mac went through in trying to get past the mind’s defenses was fascinating and quite imaginative.
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This novel was published by Pickles Press June 3rd, 2015 and is available on Amazon here.
TL;DR Star Rating: 4.00
Links for more information:
Links to Purchase:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1Iv2OLc
iTunes: coming soon
Nook: http://bit.ly/1MHZ3U7
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1QLr9hD
Google: http://bit.ly/1HqxqyK
Mackenzie Day is reeling from the death of her best friend, Maddie. She’s lost her rock, her partner in crime, and her only family in one fell swoop. With that loss, Mac has lost track of herself, and the things she cares about, including her mind-reading abilities.
When the opportunity for vengeance arises, she becomes so blinded by her hatred that she no longer recognizes the person she’s become. As her empathy towards others slips away, even she can’t believe how far she is willing to go to claim justice for Maddie.
Without her moral compass and her sense of self, how can she possibly stop a group of mind-reading terrorists from killing tens of thousands of people? Can she see past her anger to care about anything besides retribution? How can she save her newfound family, when she can’t even tell the difference between herself and those who are truly unforgiven?
Stephanie Erickson has always had a passion for the written word. She pursued her love of literature at Flagler College, in St. Augustine, FL, where she graduated with a BA in English. She has received several honors in her writing career, including recognition in the 72nd Annual Writer’s Digest Competition.
After graduation, she married and followed her husband in pursuit of his dream. The Cure and The Blackout were written to reignite Stephanie’s passion, when she found the time. Now that he is settled in his career, it’s her turn to devote more time and energy into writing.
Stephanie currently has 4 projects planned for 2015. Unforgiven is book 2 in the Unseen trilogy. The trilogy will be complete in September with the release of Undivided.
Stephanie, of course, loves to read and write. She also enjoys living on the beach on the Florida’s Treasure Coast. Most of all, she and her husband are in love with their baby girl.
Enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card 18+, giveaway ends June 24th 11:59 pm EST.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Maple Valley Days
06/12/15 – 06/14/15
Cost: Free
More Info
FreeValley Publishing will host a booth at the 2015 Maple Valley Days from June 12-14, 2015. Come visit the FVP booth and check out other Maple Valley local favorite vendors.
Photos courtesy of Sheri J. Kennedy.
I’ve wanted to check out this local bar for a while, ever since finding out that they sponsor a food challenge… June 5th is National Donut Day. What does this have to do with Lucky 7 and a Burger Food Challenge? I’m writing a book with food challenges and donuts as themes and I’ve decided that Donut Day is the day I will publish the book (next year), but I wanted to do some research into a real food challenge. Come join me as I try out the challenge. Anyone’s welcome to join me in trying to conquer the Goliath. If you can beat the Goliath Challenge, I’ll even double your winnings. Lucky 7 also features a full menu, with pool, and darts.
The Goliath Burger Challenge
http://www.lucky7barandgrill.com/goliath/
non within 25 minutes by yourself and it’s on the house! (
Eat this 3.5 lb phenomenormally $25.00):
For centuries, man has conquered everything in its path to achieve greatness. From the engineering of the pyramids to landing on the moon, mankind has faced grueling obstacles and triumphed in every realm we have sought to subdue… that is until now. A new opponent challenges our reign in the ultimate showdown of hunger and perseverance. A fearsome warrior once defeated, Goliath has been resurrected in meat form to take his vengeance on all those who deny his omnipotence. He has no fear and knows no pain. Do you?
Goliath Burger features:
1 1/3 lbs beef with diced fresh habaneros
1/2 lb barbecue pulled pork
bacon
cheddar and pepper jack cheeses
home-made habanero relish
4 onion rings
1.5 lb fries
For event info: Facebook event description; Meetup event description; Blog event description
Come down after 6PM and join me or watch me suffer in burger and habanero!
Introducing For the Love of Donuts Series:
The Cure by Stephanie Erickson
A YA Sci-fi/Dystopian Novel published on amazon.com (11/27/2013)
Summary:
“I gladly sacrifice my life for the good of others. One life will make the difference, and that life could be mine. For this reason, I’m devoted to finding the cure.” (Kindle Locations 59-60).
In a world that is on quarantine from a disease that kills 75% of the population, the push for the cure also lowers life expectancies. It is only through human trials that the government thinks a cure can be found. “Sixteen was a big birthday, though. The year everyone got their date— the day when you would live or die, the day when you would endure the experiments to find a cure. Everyone was given a date that would not precede their twentieth birthday. The date was then effective for the rest of your life. Every ten years, you would endure the testing on that date, until your sixtieth birthday— if you lived that long.” (Kindle Locations 457-459).
Macey questions the system of dates. Is there really even a disease or is the Cure a way to keep the people in line and the population in control? Macey is an artist about to enter her final year of schooling when she finds out her date will arrive two years earlier than anybody else’s has. She feels gypped, that her whole world and all that she knows is in chaos. She ponders quitting school and starting an artist apprenticeship. She ponders politically incorrect drawings. She ponders life as those around her come up on their own dates and may never return.
Keywords:
Post-apocalyptic, Dystopian, Controlling Government, Disease, Cure, Testing, Art, Questioning Everything, Romance, Family, Love, Saving Lives, Sacrifice, Routine, Tradition
My Review:
Stephanie Erickson is able to build her world from the very first sentence. She evokes the time and the setting with those first words. I was shown right away a totalitarian society in a post-apocalyptic dying world and I knew I was going to love this book. Erickson lays out all the important information in the beginning of the story, but layers it throughout the interactions the main character Macey has with her world and environment.
I enjoyed the fact that Macey had one skill and one activity she liked above others. She was an artist and her world revolved around her art and the way she creatively viewed herself and her world. I have never been much of an artist or understood having that kind of skill, so seeing it through Macey’s eyes was exhilarating and eye-opening. On top of a good story with emotional draw, Erickson gave me something else to take away from The Cure.
After the initial setup for the plot and showing the condition the main characters lived in and how their world was set up, the plot began to meander and you’re just waiting for the other boot to drop. It is Macey’s date. Her date is significant. Will the book just end? What will happen? The reader isn’t given much information, just like Macey isn’t until she gets there.
I like how Erickson crafted the ultimate difficult situation for her main character and showed how Macey thought through her decision and the supposed consequences of each decision and how they would affect her life. It’s always fascinating to watch someone struggle with an important decision and to feel their anxiety and watch as they choose their paths in life. Erickson captured Macey’s emotional struggle in this novel.
This novel was published through Createspace Independent Publishing Platform 11/27/2013 and is available on Amazon here.
TL;DR Star Rating: 4.50
Links for more information:
The Dead Room by Stephanie Erickson
A YA Dystopian Novel published by Pickles Press (03/10/2015)
Summary:
“Civilization had crumbled at its own hands, and the islanders were the only survivors.” (Location 131)
Far few books have accurate book descriptions and the Dead Room is one of them. You get exactly what you read with the summary. This is why I’m not including my own summary of the book and suggest you read Stephanie Erickson’s book summary if you want to know what the book is about.
Keywords:
Apocalypse, Intrigue, Secrets, Inquisitive Main Character, Two Main Characters, Guarding Secrets, Survivors, Refuge, Political Subterfuge, Kept in the Dark, Jealousy, Power Hungry, Twists, Island, Mainland
My Review:
Right from the start, Erickson pulls the reader into her world. There are a plethora of post-apocalyptic books out there, but she puts her survivors on an island. The island is like the silos in Hugh Howey’s Wool, separate and apart from society in order to preserve humanity for future generations. Just like a silo, an island has limited space, creating tension and the necessity for law and order. The island is run by the elders who are not all men, thank you Erickson. Too many books repeat real life stereotypes and only place men in positions of power, but The Dead Room has several females as authority figures.
Erickson creates a unique world and describes it so that it is vivid in the reader’s mind. She sets up the plot efficiently and with tension between the main characters and what their goals are. “Questions were more Ashly’s department. Mason preferred a go-along-to-get-along attitude.” (Location 793). Ashley’s inquisitive nature immediately butts heads with the elders. Mason seems like he’s only along for the ride, until he’s pulled along by Ashley into a new world.
This story had a great hook and a great plot and solid storytelling…
But!
SPOILER ALERT
SPOILER ALERT
SPOILER ALERT
What’s wrong with you Stephanie Erickson? The plot was plodding along steadily, the buildup to where Ashely and Mason leave the island leaves the reader in great suspense and on the edge of the seat and then Wham! You kill Ashley. No, no, and no. You cannot kill your main character and then attempt to promote Mason. Suddenly Ashely is dead and the book takes a twisted turn, but the pacing is thrown off kilter and you’ve killed a character unnecessarily, the main one at that! There were so few important people in the book and Ashley moved the entire plot along, she was the inquisitive mind and the do-it-yourself to get-it-done girl, she can’t be gone! This death was way too abrupt and the rest of the book is left hanging and the entire narrative is left to Mason. He is not up to snuff, though he does his best. The book was about Ashely, you cannot just get rid of her. I very much do not appreciate this turn of events and have docked the entire book’s rating down from a 5-star to a 4-star because of this jolting uneven pacing.
This novel was published by Pickles Press 03/10/2015 and is available on Amazon here.
TL;DR Star Rating: 4.25
Links for more information:
They are great! In a grocery store chock full of ‘nutrition’ bars, Kind stands out. They are extra nutty and delicious. Cons: they are sticky and hard to eat without getting your fingers sticky too, pricing as always is more than many other choices. Pros: delicious, full of healthy fruits and nuts.
What is your favorite Kind flavor?
Hourglass by Pauline C. Harris
A YA Fantasy/Sci-Fi Novel published by Fire and Ice Young Adult Books (03/11/15)
Summary:
“A planet isn’t big enough for me. I need space and stars and nothing for light-years around.” (Kindle Locations 312-313).
“You know, it’s a shame. Growing up. I bet you regret it now.” (Kindle Location 1632).
Jude “Judy” Sprocket hates planets. She has to get off Earth. When her dad dies and wills her his ship “Hourglass” she decides to take it and get out of there. There is only one problem. She’s only 17 and without an adult present cannot legally take off. Her crew is full of underage and excited kids. Jacob Holden is her chief engineer at 16. Angelica Rivers is the Assistant Engineer and Salvager. Gregory Miller is a Salvager. Jacobson Keith is a salvager. Sylvia Smith is the medic. Judy is the Captain.
Nothing will stand in the way of the stubborn captain, they are pirates after all, and they don’t exactly follow the rules. Not far from Earth, though, they encounter an uncharted planet. There is no way a planet this close to Earth would remain unknown, but the crew disregards any common sense they might have regarding an unmarked planet, and set down to investigate. Then all nightmares break loose.
Keywords:
Space, travel, teens, kids in charge, Captain, exploration, nightmares, unknown past, sinister planet, leadership, friendship, loyalty, pirates, salvagers, dangerous, haunting past, vague memories
My Review:
I loved the concept of this book. Harris cleverly disguised the connection of the book to a well-known children’s story, but brought this connection to light in her before chapter quotes. Her usage of elements of the well-known story was intriguing and kept me hooked and searching for more similarities. But, this story was unique and all its own, even with the comparison story and similarities present.
The idea that there are space pirates who steal unwanted floating space junk is cool, especially when it is considered illegal. Harris took the hilarity of regulation and ridiculous government rules into space. Harris basically extrapolated what we know about travel and Earth and regulations and applied it to space.
Harris kept up the tension and intrigue throughout the novel and kept her twists and turns within the realm of possibility. The story was exciting and the descriptions were great. Judy was a good, solid main character with her own set of flaws and fears, but she had backbone when it counted.
The book also had an uncanny ability to translate the sense of creepiness, horror and dread the characters felt at times.
Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this story in exchange for my honest review.
This novel was published by Fire and Ice Young Adult Books March 11th, 2015 and is available on Amazon here.
TL;DR Star Rating: 4.75
Links for more information:
Rachel Author Barnard 