Safe Haven Replayed

So you know that movie, Safe Haven?  The one made from a book by N. Sparks?  Well, I wanted to see the movie, but I have this thing about reading the books before seeing the movies.  It’s just one of those things I do.  So anyway, I kindle’d the book this weekend and dug right in.  Good story, nice writing, but it seems vaguely familiar. 

Woman runs away from home due to an abusive husband.  Everything was wonderful, then the honeymoon happened and all went to hell.  She runs and starts a new life with no money, no prospects, etc., etc.  Woman meets new guy….they fall in love.  Husband finds wife, if he can’t have her no one will. 

So what does this story remind you off?  Here I’ll give you a hint….

(I loved this movie by the way.)

So, being a writer, this brings me to the point of my blog – when are similarities more than just similarities and bordering on copying.  Now I have not completed my read of the book, Safe Haven, so maybe it will veer a bit, but at this point, if I were to outline it, it would have the same basic outline as Sleeping with the Enemy.  Just add in two children instead of the aging mother and voila, match made in literary heaven.  I have to say, as a fan of N. Sparks, I am a bit disappointed in this read. 

Any thoughts?  Have you had this happen to you before?  What do you think of story lines that run the same paths?

P.S. - Haven't seen the movie yet.  Not sure if I will or not at this point.  I can just pop in the VHS of Julia Roberts and be happy.  

The Raven Movie and Edgar Allen Poe.

I watched the movie, The Raven, over the weekend.  I didn’t know what to expect, but as I am a fan of both John Cusack and Edger Allen Poe, how could I go wrong, right? 

I should begin with I am a fan of Poe, and I have read so many of his stories that I can’t even begin to count them.  Let’s just say I have probably read almost all of them.  Maybe not the more obscure, but mostly.  Now even knowing that I am a fan of his work, I had never once actually looked the guy up. 

So, I did this weekend while watching the movie. First, he is a bit of a nondescript fellow. Nothing outstanding in his form or hair or eyes, however, he does have a bit of a sad face.  It's in his eyes.  Don't you think?  Not so much the turn of his mouth even, but something there as well. 

That was my first impression, then I read his bio and go figure, he was.  Poor guy.  Born January 19, 1809, in Boston.  We know him as a writer of short stories, but he was also a reviewer and harsh critic.  Hey!  Me too!  See how much we have in common?

His early years, were rough.  His father left to pursue his career as an actor, and his mother passed away when he was a small child, around 3 years old.  He was sent to live with family in Virginia, separated from his siblings.  Doesn't say why he was separated from the rest.  He grew and went off to college.  While away and gambling away his money, his fiancée, Elmira Royster, dumped him and became engaged to someone else.  Edgar was quite heartbroken over this.  He joined the military and went to West Point where he was kicked out after only about a year.  Some say he wanted to be kicked out.  This was in fact his plan.  The military not being for him after all. 

After leaving the academy, Edgar went to live with his aunt Maria Clemm and her daughter Virginia. His young cousin, Virginia, became not just his inspiration but his love interest as well. They were married in 1836 when she was only 13 or 14 years old.  IIIICK!  Don’t get me wrong I understand people were married young at this time, but 14 and his cousin?  Eww.

Moving on.  After the death of his beloved, Virginia to consumption in 1847, Poe was overcome by grief.  He continued to work and review and be a hard critic, he continued to suffer from poor health.  He also continued to be financially a wreck.  He drank…a lot.  He gambles…a lot. 

Then you have his final days on this earth that are to this day cloaked in mystery.  On October 3, 1849, Poe was found in Baltimore quite upset (raving mad). He was taken to Washington College Hospital, and four days later he died there, on October 7.  His last words are reported to have been, "Lord, help my poor soul."  He also appeared quite desperate by calling out the name, “Reynolds” over and over.  To this day, no one knows why.      

At the time, it was believed that Poe died of "congestion of the brain." But his actual cause of death has been the subject of endless mystery. Some believe that his alcoholism led to his untimely demise while others offer up several other theories. Rabies, epilepsy, carbon monoxide poisoning are just some of the conditions thought to have led to his death.

 What a wild and sad life he led.  Constantly struggling throughout his life for money, for fame, and for love.  It is said that both his mother and his wife died in his arms.  Oy!  How sad.  It is also believed by some that he was haunted by the stories he created and that was part of what lead to his severe alcoholism. 

Back to the Movie.  It was interesting in parts, and boring in parts, but a thriller it was.  If you have the time and enjoy a good dark story, this would be a good. If you are a fan of Poe you will like it.  If you aren't, you may find yourself a bit...bored.  

Now I am off to see if I can hunt down one of my many books filled with stories by Poe.  I could use a good spine tingler. 

Have a great week everyone.

The Dreaded: WHY?

According to The American Heritage Dictionary, the definition of the word “WHY” is as follows:  For what purpose, reason, or cause; with what intention, justification, or motive; 1.  The reason, cause, or purpose for which: 2. On account of which;  for which:

Seems pretty mundane a word, wouldn’t you think?  Well then you would be W R O N G.  I find continually that the word can cause perfectly calm people to turn into wild beasts of indignation in a span of one piddly second of time. 

Why is this?  I wonder it all the time.  For instance:  This weekend I had to stop into JP Morgan Chase to cash a check.  Now, I have been with this bank since before it was Chase and was in fact known as Bank One.  I have cashed many a check over the last..ahem….several years.  However this time, it was quite a different experience. 

As I wanted to be prepared so as not to hold up the line, I provided the check, signed on the back.  I provided my account number by way of my checkbook.  I provided my driver’s license to prove who I was.  I saw the account number keyed in.  The check was picked up and checked for signature.  My driver’s license sat untouched.  So I picked up my checkbook to put it away.  I picked up my driver’s license to do the same wherein I was snarled at:  “I’m not done with that!”  Well, pardon me.  She continued with, “I need to input your driver’s license number.”  Well, then I did the unthinkable.  I said, “Why?”

Oh my giddy aunt, the daggers shot at me over that simple question.  I was not questioning her authority, her place in the bank, her integrity, or her knowledge.  I was simply asking why they needed to add in my driver’s license number in order to cash a check on my own account when they know, who I am as provided by my license, and they have never that I am aware of done that before.  Why did she have to be so stinky and mean about it?  Why not just say, “Oh, that’s the new rule,” or whatever.  I just wondered.

The visit went down hill from there.  She processed my check without another word, stuffed the cash all in an envelope and shoved the envelope at me with a horribly scary smile and a fake and kinda mean sounding, “Have a nice day.”  Well, I was not impressed. 

I mean seriously, why?  I find this same experience to happen when dealing with educators.  No, not ALL of them.  Settle down.  Sometimes I just want to understand.  The stated “Do it this way,” usually causes me to say, “Why?”  Not because I have a better way, but because I want to know how that way was decided?  Or why is that way the ONLY way to do a task. 

So I guess what I am getting at people is that sometimes, why is just simply that:  Why?  Do we all get so defensive from that little word?  I admit that I have a time or two.  When I realize I have done it, I try very hard to back up, take a breath and lose the tude.  Why do we do that?  What is in us that hard wires us to freak out? 

On a separate note, I am on the last books within the Tressa Jayne Turner series, and I still am enjoying the reads.  I love that girl.  She is so…so…me.  Any hoo, just sharing in case anyone was on the fence as to whether or not to purchase or find the books.  Very fun reads. 

What Are You Reading?

What are you reading?

It’s a new year and with it comes new personal challenges of what books (too many to list) and how many to read this year (63).  I don’t know about you guys, but I love finding new books and new series to read.

Right now I in the middle of two books series. 

The first is The Giver:  The Giver

The book was very interesting. I picked it up because of a friendly recommendation (which I love btw) and could not put it down.  I didn’t realize the book was a series until I had trouble understanding exactly how this book ended.  I was confused even after reading the last chapter several times.  I went over to Goodreads and looked around the book boards to see what everyone else was saying about it.  Low and behold, it’s a series!  So now I understand why I was confused.  There is more to the story. 

The second is:  Tressa Jayne Turner: Tressa Jayne Turner Box Set

This series I picked up because it was recommended by Amazon and the whole set of six books was only $9.99!  (And it still is! I just checked!)  How could I pass that up.  No its not literary genius, but man, it’s a fun read.  I’m just starting book four at this moment.  It’s main story line is a snarky cowgirl, that finds herself in pickle after pickle surrounded by one hunky ranger, one hot State Trooper, and one big but buff and mysterious biker (this one is my favorite although I doubt she ends up with him, but then, who knows).  She is not picking easily as she is on a quest of self-discovery and make over.  Going from the dumb blond that she has allowed people to believe she is, to the real tomboy girl that she is inside.  This self-discovery includes dead bodies found in her truck, maniac clowns, ghosts, and now crimes by the booklist.  I am really enjoying this series.  The main character is a hoot.  She reminds me of someone…..

So what are you all reading?  Anything good?  As I said above, I am a sucker for a good recommendation.

The Forgotten by Mariah Deitrick

Today I am excited to announce that I have both the book, The Forgotten and it’s author, Mariah Deitrick, here at my blog this week.  First the book:

BACK COVER BLURB:

Addaline Walker is sentenced to death after being accused of a crime she didn’t commit. Determined to save herself, she makes an impossible deal with the man who wants her dead. Every time she fails to get him what he wants, he threatens to kill someone she loves. With time running out, Addaline must face her fears, swallow her pride, and allow help from Xander, a seventeen-year-old boy she was raised to fear.

As Addaline and Xander race through the guarded city to save themselves and their loved ones, Addaline uncovers horrifying secrets that will leave most of the city dead. With hundreds of lives on the line and Xander by her side, Addaline sets out to stop the man trying to kill everyone.

MY REVIEW:

I gave this book 5 Full Stars!

First I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  It’s high fantasy and romance all wrapped up together in a wild ride of a story.  Your first interaction with the main character, Addaline Walker, greets you with a life or death situation.  No build up, just right into the drama.  The story takes off from there and never lets you out of its grasp from that first word on.  From torture to escape, to bombs and potential kidnapping, this has it all.  You get to go on this life journey with Addaline and her partner in escape, Xander as they fight their way to a new life.  You fear for them at times.  You distrust them at others.  Such a fun read.  The dialogue was true.  The characters were full.  I can’t say enough about this book.  Fantastic job, Mariah.  When can we expect a sequel? 

If I have to say something in the negative, I would admit that one of the secondary characters, Addaline’s sister, could have used a bit more fullness.  She was the only one that I felt this way about.  She simply came across as a bit empty.  Maybe it’s only me though.  All the other characters came across as so full of life.  It could also be that I didn’t really like the sister all that much.  All in all that’s the only thing I can poke at.  The read was just that good.  I highly recommend it to teens and adults alike. 

AUTHOR

BIO:

Mariah Deitrick is a wife, mother of four, and writer. She’s a graduate from the Institute of Children’s Literature, and is the author of the adult novel, “Deadly Hunt,” with Undead Press, and the YA novel, “The Forgotten,” with Rogue Phoenix Press.

Her work has appeared in a variety of markets including, Spaceports and Spidersilk, Knowownder!, Super Teacher Worksheets, Stories That Lift, Story Teller Tymes, and Living Dead Press. A complete list of her work can be found at her website www.mariahdeitrick.weebly.com 

INTERVIEW:

1.         Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Thanks so much for having me! What can I tell you about myself…hmm. Well, I’m a stay-at-home mom of four wonderful kids, two cats, and a dog. In my spare time, I’m a writer.

2.         What are you currently working on?

Right now I’m plugging away at a YA paranormal. I don’t want to spill too much about this since it’s a WIP, but I’ll say, it’s hard to convince someone their dead when they’re walking around like any other living, breathing, human on Earth.

3.         If you could be any character from any book, who would you want to be and why?

Hermione Granger. She’s smart, confident, and can do magic.

4.         What inspired you to start writing?

When I was young, I struggled to read. In fact, I hated it because I couldn’t understand most of what was in the books. So, I turned to creating my own stories. Some of those stories landed me in big trouble too! Apparently, horror wasn’t appropriate for my friends. :)

5.         Do you remember the very first story you ever wrote? What was it about?

I don’t remember the first story I put on paper, but I do remember an early story I told one of my friends when I was about five.  She asked me where my dad was one day because she found out my mom was remarried. I told her this long, graphic story about how huge wolves ate him. Yeah, I know, it’s kind of weird. But hey, I never said I was normal.

6.         What resource has been most influential in helping you become a published writer and why? How often do you refer back to it?

Wow! This is a hard one. I use so many different resources while writing, but the book on my stand right now is On Writing Well by William Zinsser.

7.         What is the thing you enjoy the most about writing.

The reason I write is the same as why I read. I love the escape that both give me, from whatever is happening in my life. If I’m having a crappy day, I know I can pick up a good book or open a WIP and leave my worries behind for at least a few hours.

8.         What are you doing when you are not writing?

Spending time with my family, reading, and watching movies.

9.         Who is your favorite author?

This is a hard question. I love so many different authors. I guess I’ll have to stick with Stephen King.

A few fun questions that have nothing to do with writing:

1.            Chocolate or Candy?

Actually, I’m not big on candy or chocolate. I’d rather have some real food. :)

2.            Summer or Winter?

Winter.

3.         If you were trapped on a deserted island, what 3 things would you have to have with you to survive?

A box of sharpened pencils, a box of paper, and a box of books.

4.         What is your absolutely favorite movie of all time?

The Pursuit of Happiness. It’s very inspiring.

5.         What are your thoughts on ebooks vs. print books?

Though I’ll always prefer print books, I do enjoy the convenience of ebooks. 

~*~

Where can you find this book?

Amazon:  The Forgotten

 

 

Review - Nurse Blood

Today I am posting a review I completed for the book:  Nurse Blood by Rebecca Besser.  I have read many of Besser’s stories over the years, and this one does not disappoint.  Therefore, without further gilding of the lily, here it is:

Nurse Blood - Amazon

Back Cover:
Sonya Garret is a nurse at the local hospital, but she has a side job trafficking in human ‘parts’ – what she makes in blood pays more than any salary. Hearts and livers, bone marrow and brains; they all sell great on the black market.

Drunk men at bars, prowling for any willing woman, are easy pickings when she goes looking for victims to chop up and sell.

One lucky night she picks up a man with a rare blood type, and after her team cashes in on him, they decide to go for the big money and ‘harvest’ his entire family.

Will the F.B.I. – who is hot on the trail of Sonya and her team as they cross the U.S., leaving a trail in blood and death – be able to catch up with them in time to stop the ongoing slaughter? Or will Nurse Blood get her money…again?


My Review:
Nurse Blood, by Besser, is a thrilling read for all of us fans of the horror genre.  The story takes you deep into the sick and twisted world of body snatching and black market organ selling.  You meet and connect with Sonya, nurse by day, ruthless killer by night.  However, Sonya wants more out of her life.  So together with her “co-workers” one being the man she loves and the other being a man she admires, she goes after one last body harvest, one last big payout, all for the slim chance of that life she wants with the man she loves. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  How can you not?  I found myself connecting with the bad guy (woman) and then cheering her on, even though she is out there viciously murdering people all for money.  I wanted her to get even, and I wanted her to achieve her dream, all the while taking bets on who would be next to die and whether or not she’d get caught in the end.  It’s crazy fun from page one and I loved every moment of it.  Bravo. 

~*~

Next week I will have author, Mariah Deitrick on my blog to share with us her upcoming YA release.  

Happy New Year….A Bit Late.

I have survived our annual family vacation.  We made it back home just in time to be ready for school and work and all that comes with a new week, not just a new year.  As most of you won’t know, I had a pretty crappy 2012, so I am hoping for a bright and shiny new year with loads of luck and good fortune and the end of the overwhelming bad.

Here are my steps for a new and better year: 

1.         I am going to sluff off the bad vibes and get back into my writing.  I was feeling a bit depressed and over whelmed, so I have not been writing for…oh about 4 months now.  I am feeling better and ready to get back to it.  I have even figured out the “climax” for Leif’s upcoming story, which was what was holding me back a bit with starting it.  I have you now, Leif.  Hahahahaha.  As for my Angel story, I also have figured out my writer’s crap and how to move forward, so that is actually first on my list.  I want to get the first draft done, move on to Leif, and then go back and edit Angel.  That’s the plan.  That’s the schedule.  I am going with it.  Time to get a new project board.  Yay!

2.         I have two reviews that I will be posting, coming up within the next two weeks.  Come over and look for them.  Let’s do a bit of supporting for the hard working, underpaid, overwhelmed inde-authors.  We all need to support one another as best we can and as we can. 

3.         This year is looking very busy for me.  I will be trying very hard to stay up to date with my blog.  I will be posting on Mondays.  The posts will most likely publish either early in the morning or late at night.  I want to get back to visiting everyone’s blogs.  I have missed several of you very much and can’t wait to get caught up with all that is happening in your worlds.  I will be visiting blogs on Mondays as well and only Mondays.  I have to limit my online time otherwise I don’t get any work done.  So if you are a Thursday blogger that I visit, I will catch you on Monday.  I plan on getting writing busy this year and less blog busy. 

4.         I was recently asked if I was going to be replacing my Big Dog.  I have thought this question over for the last few weeks and I have decided that my Big Dog is irreplaceable and I don’t want to even try.  With my upcoming travel schedule it would not be fair right now to get a puppy. Plus my heart is still a little squishy over him.  So, no puppy.  When?  No idea, but for now, just no. 

That’s all I have for this week.  I am finishing up the reviews (see above) today and tomorrow.  Then I will be getting my notes in order to get back to writing.  Hope you all have a great start to the new 2013-year and let’s all have a grand and prosperous year.