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Archive for the ‘Fantasy literature’ Category

At the end of every year thousands maybe millions of people sit down and think about a New Years Resolution.  Why is it so important that we make a New Years Resolution?  I know it is supposed to mean that you are making a positive change in your life, but really who actually sticks to their Resolution?  People talk about loosing weight, (which is the most popular one) quitting smoking, eating healthy and so on.  The Resolution talk lasts for about a week and then after that first week is over all the buzz is over.  So the real question is why is it so hard for us to actually stick to our Resolution?  I will tell you why.  The reason is because we do not set realistic goals in order for us to accomplish the Resolution.  Do you really think you can quit smoking with the snap of a finger?  Or cut out hamburgers and fried foods the minute the ball drops?  And lets not talk about drinking.  Now don’t get me wrong I am not trying to deter anyone from making their Resolution come true, but I am just trying to be realistic, which is something that everyone should be when considering the steps they need to take to make their Resolution a success.  Since I am a planner, it is about planning it out and making that life change in gradual steps.  Write down your resolution, and then make a list of pros and cons that will contribute to your resolution.  The pros are obviously all the positive things that will benefit you in the long run and the cons are all the negative things and obstacles that get in your way of accomplishing your goal.  The next thing you should do is make a list of those obstacles and describe how you are going to face and defeat them.  These suggestions are only for those people who are serious about having a successful resolution but just need a little help in getting started.  As for me I do not have a New Years Resolution, but a list of things that I would like to accomplish in the year 2012.  I am currently working one number one right now.  So for everyone that plans on executing a New Years Resolution Good Luck and be strong in your efforts to reach your goal.  Never lose hope and always know that as long as you believe in your self you can accomplish anything your heart desires.

Number One

Become a successful Published Author!!!!

Have a Happy and Healthy New Year That is filled with Creativity!!!

Happy Reading and Writing

XOXO L.L.

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The Holidays are always a busy time in many people’s lives.  With the hustle and bustle of hunting for the perfect gift to traveling on the road near and far, this time of year can be very stressful.  I think that as time goes on and our lives continue to evolve, we as a society in general have lost the true meaning and purpose of what the holidays really mean.  A generation or two ago the holidays did not mean going out and standing in line to wait for the Apple Store to open so you could purchase one item for four or five hundred bucks.  It wasn’t about competing to catch the earliest Wal-Mart sale or bumbrushing others to get the last Playstation 3 in Toys R Us.  Christmas was not about having our husbands and boyfriends planted on the sofa all day watching a bunch of men try to make a touchdown.  The Holidays were a time for family to gather around, fellowship and reconnect with each other, to go to Mass or what ever services you attend, to serve, worship and sing praises to God.  The Holidays were a time to truly be thankful for what you have spiritually.  It was not about showing off, or shoving money to a charity just because you had to for tax reasons. The holidays meant sharing and giving to those in need and making it last all year round not only during Christmas.  The world has lost so many things but actually believes that we are heading forward instead of backward.  We need to get back to our roots and rediscover the true meaning behind  “The Holidays”.

Happy Reading and Writing!

Merry Christmas

Happy Hanaka

Happy Kwanza

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My News!

I know it has been a while but a lot has been going on.  First and foremost I have very important news.  My husband and I are expecting our first child in June.  Overjoyed and excited I have also been experiencing all the perks that pregnancy comes with.  Becoming a mother is something that thrills and scares me at the same time.  It has always been just me and my husband.  Now things will be very different and I will be responsible for this tiny little person.  I have always dreamed of being a mother and now it’s really going to happen.   It’s amazing how life works.  I already started making plans and trying to make an attempt to organize the room that will be the nursery.  I finished most of my Holiday shopping but still need to get a few more things.  My house is very festive and I even managed to get my Christmas cards out in enough time.  Progress on my debut novel is going well.  I have my last two chapters to edit and then I will be rereading it.  Book Two is also coming along nicely.  I am currently writing chapter seven, rolling into chapter eight.  I am looking forward to my time off from work so that I can fully concentrate on my writing.  Lately I have been going to bed so early that I have not had the opportunity to pick up any of my other books to read.  Hopefully I can finish both and start a new one on the Holiday break! smile

Until Next Time

Happy Reading and Writing!

 

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I miss blogging.  I have been so busy lately that I can’t hardly find the time to blog anymore.  I am still working on edits for book one in my series “Swept Into the Darkness.”  I just made it to chapter nine.  I think I am making good progress considering that I have a personal time line to be finished.   My mom and husband think I am rushing it and putting too much pressure on myself but I don’t think I am.  I am just anxious to get moving with my project.   I am writing chapter five of book two which has some interesting developments.  I am introducing new characters and my main character is definitely going through some major changes.  With Christmas break coming up, I actually hope to finish book two and at least start book three.  “Swept Into The Darkness” ended up being over 270 pages and way over 80,000 words, so for the next two books I am shooting for at least 60,000 words.  If I go a little over, no big deal, but I can’t make the next couple of books so lengthy.  I would rather stretch out the series before I make them too long.

Until next time my friends

Happy Reading and Writing!!!

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      AMC’s The Walking Dead, midseason finale was a spectacular episode.  So far the gang has been to hell and back trying to seek refuge in a world filled with zombies.  Their journey from the CDC in season 2, left them heart-broken and hopeless and now as they embark upon a new journey as guests at on an old Vet’s farmland, the somewhat comfortable life they thought they could get used to has been shattered with shocking new developments.  As Lori struggles to deal with learning that she is pregnant, now worries settle in regarding if she really wants to bring up a child in an apocalyptic world, not to mention that she really does not know who her baby’s father is.  I adore Rick but there is no doubt in my mind that the baby is Shane’s.  I was wondering how long it was going to take for Lori to spill the beans about  her and Shane.  To my surprise Rick took it pretty well.    But I do understand the circumstances.  Her quick decision to take the morning after pill was out of sheer panic.  I would panic too in a situation like that.  On the edge of my seat when my boy Daryl almost got killed, I could barely pull my self to gether.  Happy to see him recovering his determination to find and rescue Sophia touched my heart.  Not living up to the self-centered redneck bastard that his brother wanted him to be just shows that goodness in others can always push through no matter how dark they may try to appear.    Glenn is trying to be a nice guy and experience love, but his new farm girl crush keeps pushing him away.  A night of potential passion leads to shock when Glen learns that Walkers are in the barn only a few yards away from the main house.  Troubled by keeping secrets he lets the cat out of the bag to Dale.  Dale then approaches the old man, and tries to talk some sense into him which does not work.    Andrea and Dale’s relationship slowly is in the process of rebuilding.  Andrea surprisingly has a sexual encounter with Shane while he is teaching her how to shoot.  Dale does have a fatherly intuition and knows things before anyone even opens their mouth.

The search for a missing Sophia continues, and the next thing you know Glenn tells everyone about the Walkers in the barn.  Uncomfortable over the news, Rick confronts the Old Man about making the place safe and pleading his case to let them all stay.  Viewing the Walkers as people the Old Man does not change his mind about the zombies.  Persistent in the concept that Rick and the gang can hold their own out in the world, he eventually tells Rick that he will think about his decision more.  Everyone on edge, the Old man gets word that “it’s happened again.”  Curious about what his son meant, I know all audience members wanted to know what the heck was going on.  Rick is led into the woods by the Old Man and his son, only to find that two Walkers are stuck in a stream struggling to get out.  Neighbors as the Old Man looks at it, instructs Rick to help lure them back to the property.

Shane and Dale have an unusual encounter in the woods when Dale makes the stupid decision to try to hide the guns.  I am not really a fan of Shane’s but I do like how he operates.   He thinks logically.  After retrieving the guns and having words with Dale he is quickly back on the farmland.   Trying to convince everyone that the place is not safe, he feels that they all must do what they can to survive.  Each member of the group that shoots a gun has one in their possession.  They all notice that Rick and the Old Man is approaching with two Walkers.  This is the point where I lose it.  Shane looses it as well.  I could not believe that the Old Man was willing to go any lengths to see where Rick’s loyalty lied.  As they approach the barn Shane goes ballistic shooting a Walker, trying to show the Old Man that they are not people.  He breaks open the doors to the barn and Walkers spill out one by one getting shot in the head.  As the last one falls to the ground the sound of one final Walker slowly emerges and it is the missing now fleshing eating zombie Sophia.  Stunned over the shock of the girl, mouths are dropped and tears flow.   Squirming in my seat, my eyes widened the moment I heard the sound and I knew it was Sophia.

I could not believe that the Old Man caught the girl and was well aware that she was in the barn.  What was his purpose for doing that?  Giving Carol a false sence of hope?  I just do not understand that.  Daryl almost lost his life going on a wild goose chase.  Maybe he really did think there was a cure for them.  I know that Carol is heart-broken and so is Carl.  Sophia was the only other child he has been around.  The whole gang is distraught over this and I know they have many questions for their host.  Betrayed in the worse way I wonder how the gang is going to get over this?

I am looking forward to seeing the continuation of the season, I just hate that we have to wait for February.  I saw the book in Barnes and Noble, maybe I will pick it up the next time I go….

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  Breaking Dawn Part One directed by Bill Condon and starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner explores the adventure of love evolving into something deeper than what lies on the surface between main characters Edward Cullen and Bella Swan.  The movie opens with Jacob Black terribly distraught over receiving a wedding invitation from the newly engaged couple.  The fast-moving movie then proceeds to bring the wedding and exotic Brazilian Honeymoon to a place that is truly magical in its own right. (Please note, for you fans and future Brides out there please don’t consider purchasing a replica of Bella’s gown.  It was not all it was cracked up to be.  It was not a gown I would have expected her to wear.  Her shoes should have been the gown.)  After an evening of dancing the night the away with her new husband, the night is complete when Jacob unexpectedly shows up to pay his respects to Bella on her wedding day.  The private conversation they share ends up getting intense when Bella explains to Jacob that she has delayed her decision to become vampire.  Of course Edward pops and the two supernaturals get into a little snit.

Off on their Honeymoon officially, Bella is reluctant to sleep with Edward in the very beginning.  But before you know it they end up in bed for a moment that every young woman dreams of having for the first time in her life.  Edward does everything in his power to be gentle but in the process he breaks the bed and practically destroys the bedroom.  I actually want to see to deleted love scenes because I feel that the director came up short when putting it together.  For me the scene lacked passion.  The passion I wanted to see was something shared like Bill and Sookie for season one of True Blood.  The bed only broke because he grabbed on it.

Within no time Bella discovers that she is expecting on her honeymoon which she thought was impossible.  Immediately heading back home she makes up a story to tell her dad so she can avoid seeing him.  As time goes on, the abnormally rapidly growing baby slowly sucks out the life of Bella.  In a frantic frenzy Jacob storms over to the Cullen’s and learns that she is carrying Edward’s Baby which angers him more.  In the process of the pregnancy Bella and Jacob get close again, and now Jacob struggles to stay true to his pack.  The so-called demon child that she carries is a major threat to the pack and they feel that they must kill Bella before the baby is born.  As Bella slowly comes closer to her death she decides that she is ready to meet her fate.  Unwilling to let her go Edward tries his best to hold on to Bella.  Jacob distances himself and no longer is part of pack.  He stays true to Bella and the Cullen’s and eventually is an ally.  He warms the Cullen’s about the future attack on Bella and the Vampires go on high alert.

Severly malnutritioned, Bella results in drinking blood to nourish the baby inside her and soon finds herself ready to deliver under the direction of Carlisle, but before the C-section is preformed Carlisle, Emmette and Esme must feed.  This is the turning point in the movie when Bella is slipping away and Edward can not wait any longer for Carlisle.  Under attack by the Wolves, the Vamps return just in time to defend Bella and their home.  Rosalie makes an incision but can not stand the blood so Edward forces her departure and does the unthinkable to get the baby out.  Bella lasts long enough to hold her baby and is gone.  Jacob stands up to the wolf pack and the Vamps support him while watching his back.  Edward tries to bring Bella back by injecting her with his venom.  Hopeless in his efforts he bites her in several places and there is no sign of life.  The wolves back down and later Jacob makes a plan to vanquish the baby, while Rosalie looks after it.  He is deterred from the execution when suddenly a flash from his past encourages him to retreat.

The family and Jacob have come to the conclusion that Bella is gone for good and is lost in their sorrow .  Then without any warning the electrical impulses in her body began to heal and boom, her eyes open.  After her eyes open and the credits roll, a final scene comes on showing the Volturi receiving word that Bella is a vampire but now they see the baby as a threat and a reward and will do everything they can to claim her.

Over all the movie was good, but lacked some major elements that make it an urban fantasy.  I do not like the idea of the saga having different directors every time a movie is proposed.  I see the lack of vision in this world, and within the writing I hate to say.   The makeup and hair styling for Kellan Lutz and Nikki Reed was terrible.  Especially Kellen, he did not look like the Emmette I know.  It’s strange to see some of the inconsistencies among characters.  For example Bella’s deathly transition was great while the so-called flash back of Edwards dark past was not convincing enough for me.  I hope Breaking Dawn part two will be better and take me to places that I have never been in the world of urban fantasy.  It is a must see because fans must stay true to the series.  I give this movie three stars.

The movie poster is credited to IMDb.com

 

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If you really had the ability to magically change the world in a way that would positively impact our global society, what would you change?  Now this is really tough.  There are rules to doing something like this.  You must only pick one thing and that one thing has to be for the benefit of all human kind.  You can’t sit on this either.  You only have a twenty-four hour period to make your decision.  So many thoughts have already ran through my head as I think of my own answer.  I realize that I must choose my words wisely as well, and also think of any type of possible negative reactions that may contribute to my decision.  So what are the main problems that our global society faces every day?  Wow the list is indeed long.  Hunger, weak economies, unbalanced global infrastructure, war, disease, the fact that our planet is slowly dying, and so much more.  This is a hard thing to do especially knowing that it is not just your life that you will impact, but it is everyone’s life that you will impact, even babies that are not even born yet will feel the impact upon your choice.  As I think about my decision I have come to believe that I would change the world by increasing human intelligence on a level that would cause a domino effect in us starting the process of really healing the world in ways that each and every person on the planet could see and feel directly.  With us being extremely highly intelligent, the problems of the world would be solved and we could live  in complete peace and harmony with each other all as successful human beings.  I believe that I made a good decision with my choice.  I feel that with that choice I would be bringing us back to a level that connects us in so many different ways.  With our new-found intelligence we would appreciate each other more and would actually make a change instead of just talking about change like we do now.    So do you think I made the right choice?  What would you choose for the world and why?  Remember the possibilities are endless.

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               Everyone knows that the supernatural community is crawling with hundreds of various races of creatures.  All of them unique in their own way but the truth is, the most popular consists of the Vampire and Werewolf.  If this world actually had those type of creatures in it, which one would you rather be?  So many people already would trade places to be one of them in a heartbeat without truly examining their way of life and consider the costs of such a transition.  I too would want to be one, but which is the real question.  We all have a pretty decent knowledge of both races through various literature, and other forms of entertainment such as movies and even music.  Our society has created this attractive world where they both dwell and shaped it in such a way where all we desire in our dreams is to be someone and thing else. 

            Lets start with the luscious Vampire.  He or she is an immortal being, (pretty much immortal)  Forever young, beautiful, sexy, dangerous, interesting and most definitely intelligent.  The abilities they demonstrate are superhuman.  They have the opportunity to do what they will and learn lifetimes of information from traveling the world.  The are dark and mysterious, convincingly erotic and extremely sexual.  Everyone wants to be this.  The modern world is obsessed with looking young and staying young.  Everyone knows someone who has had plastic surgery or some type of cosmetic enhancement, even Botox or  even your self considered it.  I thought about it a few times but never made that call to make an appointment.   Smile!  There are lots of people who join groups and go on excursions for adventure and danger.  Some of us, create characters and act out roles to be that dangerous vampire.  Some of us also have to take pills to enhance our libido. Natural death and disease no longer haunts you  Think about how your life would be once you were turned.  Would it be all fun and games? 

            I can answer that.  First if you made the choice to be a Vampire, did you even realize that you have to give up sun light.  The sun will be become a deadly enemy to you.  You will fear wood, peering over your shoulder watching out for anyone that has a grudge against you that wants to drive a stake into your heart.  Ladies forget about those pure silver ear rings.   Toss them away.   You are now a Blood drinker.  Can you even stand the sight of blood?  Do you think you could drink it without gagging?  Your body can no longer handle solid foods.  Living in a society that practically worships burgers , fries and fine dining the life of  the Vampire is not always what it seems.  Let’s not even think about your blood lust and deadly intentions.  Every Vampire has it in their genetic make up.  The blood of humans will make a Vampire do just about anything.   How could you handle having killed for your blood lust?   Giving up your family may be the most difficult part.  There is no way you can live with them and be a member of the undead.  The thirst for blood is always a risk for them.

          Now the Protective Werewolf, having two forms has its advantages.  Whether human or wolf, he or she is, fast, strong, determined, intense, and very charming.  They have the opportunity to lead normal lives, start and maintain families and social relationships.  They are not limited with the interactions of the outside world.   They do not have to give up or sacrifice anything.  These hot-blooded creatures are very sexy, and more relatable.  Overall they can lead a very normal life.  They have the power to change at will, but for the most part the shifts happen automatically when the moon is full.  They love to run and packs and are in tune with the elements of nature.  Not bad.

        So after much consideration and thought, living for a little over thirty years,getting married, moving out, having a career, growing up “IS” hard to do.   The challenges of life, and the threats of disease and death are all around us.  With age comes both and I have to admit that those things frighten me terribly.   The life of the wolf is tempting and desired but  I would choose to live the life of the Vampire, despite the sacrifices I would have to make I would turn my family and we would live as immortals walking the earth as creatures of the night.

PS.  We would not be killers.  Hopefully the market would produce a substance like “TrueBlood”

WHICH ONE ARE YOU?

HAPPY READING

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