Pride's Prejudice

I love Jane Austen and I love this book by Misty Dawn Pulsipher!  It is a fun RomCom take on the classic Pride and Prejudice. Love the characters, the change up of the names and situations.

The writing, besides being believably fantastic, is what I would call steamy clean (or is it clean steamy?). For a novel you'd typically label as the bedroom door 'shut' we're in and out of a lot of bedrooms, not to mention the sleeping bags, but still there's really nothing going on in there but sleeping and a few kisses. Just struck me as funny.

Love all the twist ups!  (Did I mention that already?)

Okay, I'm gushing, I know. I think you get the point. I'd definitely read this one again. I need to go back and take notes on how to write steamy clean.

So glad this one came into my Austen loving hands! The rumor is Ms. Pulsipher may attempt another Austen twist up. I sure hope so! It will instantly go on my Nook! Plus, I'm hopeful about meeting this awesome author in the near future.

Anyone else got a good Austen knock off they recommend?

http://www.amazon.com/Prides-Prejudice-ebook/dp/B00CYQDTVK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383183845&sr=8-1&keywords=pride%27s+prejudice#_

Beth Pride really can’t stand William Darcy: he snubbed her at the Hartford College Children’s Benefit Auction; he has an infuriating propensity for pushing her buttons; his actions are frequently at odds with his words; and even his melting chocolate eyes and impressive physique don’t quite make up for his deficient personality.

Beth’s plan to avoid William backfires when her roommate falls for his best friend. As the unlikely duo are thrown together time and again, Beth begins to second guess her earlier assumptions about William.

Will Pride’s prejudice keep her from a happy ending, or will Beth discover that first impressions aren’t always what they seem?

The Last Airbender

This movie was painful to watch. The writing was not good. The acting was possibly even worse. I wanted to turn it off after the first 15 minutes. But I gave it to the end in hopes that just perhaps my initial reaction was unjustified. Sad, to say, it wasn't.

It's no wonder this film bombed at the box office or why there won't be any sequels.

To be fair, I haven't read the books or seen the tv series. Perhaps they are better. However, this film did nothing to give me a desire to bother with them.

I couldn't even get excited about the special effects because it was so miserable.

Worth a view? No.

Worth a buy? No.

Go see something better!

Afterparty Spotlight and First Three Chapters Giveaway!

About AFTERPARTY: A toxic friendship takes a dangerous turn in this riveting novel from the author of Where It Began.

Emma is tired of being good. Always the dutiful daughter to an overprotective father, she is the antithesis of her mother—whose name her dad won’t even say out loud. That’s why meeting Siobhan is the best thing that ever happened to her…and the most dangerous. Because Siobhan is fun and alluring and experienced and lives on the edge. In other words, she’s everything Emma isn’t.

And it may be more than Emma can handle.

Because as intoxicating as her secret life may be, when Emma begins to make her own decisions, Siobhan starts to unravel. It’s more than just Dylan, the boy who comes between them. Their high-stakes pacts are spinning out of control. Elaborate lies become second nature. Loyalties and boundaries are blurred. And it all comes to a head at the infamous Afterparty, a bash where debauchery rages and an intense, inescapable confrontation ends in a plummet from the rooftop...

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1442423242/simonsayscom

B & N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/afterparty-ann-redisch-stampler/1112033708?ean=9781442423244&itm=1&usri=9781442423244&cm_mmc=AFFILIATES-_-Linkshare-_-PwUJvmDcu1U-_-10:1&r=1,%201

Book Depository: http://www.bookdepository.com/Afterparty-Ann-Redisch-Stampler/9781442423244

Indiebound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781442423244

 

About Ann Stampler: Ann Stampler was the mild mannered author of literary picture books when she broke out, tore off her tasteful string of pearls, and started writing edgy, contemporary young adult novels set in Los Angeles, where she lives with her husband and writer’s-helper rescue dog – without whose compelling distraction she would have no doubt penned dozens of novels by now.

 Social media links:

Twitter: @annstampler

Facebook: www.facebook.com/whereitbegan )

The writing life blog: www.annstampler.com/ya

Novel in the Oven: Really Bad Writing Advice (among other things): www.annstampler.blogspot.com

 

Book on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15751652-afterparty

Author on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4949584.Ann_Redisch_Stampler

Tumblr/Pinterest/Etc:

http://www.pinterest.com/annstampler/boards/

The LINK to the first three chapters of AFTERPARTY by Ann Stampler: http://www.scribd.com/doc/183272047/Afterparty-by-Ann-Redisch-Stampler-Excerpt

 

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My Own Mr. Darcy

For those of us who love Pride and Prejudice and all things associated therewith, as women we all secretly long for our own Mr. Darcy and look for those Darcy characteristics in our beloved companion.

Karey White takes this idea and runs with it. Poor Lizzie is totally stuck on the idea of waiting for her own Mr. Darcy to appear and make her life romantically complete, in the meantime ditching every guy who comes her way after a mere date or two because he just doesn't measure up to the Matthew Macfayden version. (We could go into a whole discussion on Colin Firth versus Matthew Macfayden but we simply don't have the room or the time here on this blog! Personally I'm happy with both of them.) Her BFF cuts her a deal to go on 10 dates with the next go who asks her out (Chad) and Lizzie reluctantly agrees. Naturally, like 2 dates in, Matt Dawson, the real life Matthew Macfayden Mr. Darcy walks into the life and all things crazy ensue.

Personally, I spent the whole book waiting for Lizzie to get her head on straight and see that Chad was the best/perfect guy for her. I secretly pined and waited. I won't spoil the ending for you.

I thoroughly enjoyed the torture Ms. White put Lizzie through in deciding between these two men. The characters and dialogue are strong and if you are looking for a master class on how to describe food and clothing, Ms. White is your girl. I had to guess on some of the words because I was too lazy to look them up, but I could guess the gist pretty well from the context.

A fun rom com read.

Anyone have another stellar Pride and Prejudice knock off they recommend (that doesn't include vampires or other 'magical' elements)?

http://www.amazon.com/My-Own-Mr-Darcy-ebook/dp/B00DY6QP3I/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1382466752&sr=1-1&keywords=my+own+mr.+darcy

After being dragged to the 2005 movie Pride and Prejudice by her mother, sixteen-year-old Elizabeth’s life changes when Matthew Macfadyen’s Mr. Darcy appears on the screen. Lizzie falls hard and makes a promise to herself that she will settle for nothing less than her own Mr. Darcy. This ill-advised pledge threatens to ruin any chance of finding true love. During the six intervening years, she has refused to give any interested suitors a chance. They weren’t Mr. Darcy enough.

Coerced by her roommate, Elizabeth agrees to give the next interested guy ten dates before she dumps him. That guy is Chad, a kind and thoughtful science teacher and swim coach. While she’s dating Chad, her dream comes true in the form of a wealthy bookstore owner named Matt Dawson, who looks and acts like her Mr. Darcy. Of course she has to follow her dream. But as Elizabeth simultaneously dates a regular guy and the dazzling Mr. Dawson, she’s forced to re-evaluate what it was she loved about Mr. Darcy in the first place.

Now You See Me

Solid cast, solid concept, great visual effects, well paced, lots of fun.

This movie keeps you guessing until the end. Who is orchestrating it all? Will all the tricks work? How do the tricks work? Is the Eye real? Will the magicians escape?

You'll just have to watch it to find out.

Worth a view? Yes!

Worth a buy? Possibly. I'd certainly watch it again.

Do you have a fave magic movie?

Longing For Home

Longing For Home is the second book I've read by Sarah M. Eden. The first was Seeking Persephone which I thorough enjoyed. So, I had promising expectations for this book and wasn't disappointed.

We follow Katie, lately of Ireland, into the small town of Hope Springs, Wyoming to take up the position of a housekeeper, only to discover she's right in the middle of a town feud: Irish against non-Irish. Her Irish heritage gets her immediately fired by Joseph Archer and that's only the beginning of her troubles. On her already burdened shoulders is placed the hope that she can win the feud for the Irish. There's also her heart breaking past hanging over her and a guilt she can never remove. Then there's the problem of Tavish and the pull he has on her heart. Problems follow Katie wherever she goes, but Hope Springs didn't get its name by accident.

Love this girl. Both Katie and Ms. Eden. Katie is fiery, determined and just a bit broken. Perfect for a heroine.

Enjoyed all the Irish brogue and proverbs rife in the dialogue. Fun to hear about the Irish music. The environment is wonderfully crafted and the opportunity to enter Katie's world and heart is a tragic delight. These characters are alive and real and jump off the page.
Take a walk through Hope Springs and enjoy Longing For Home.

This can be read as a stand alone book, but I did notice a sequel is scheduled for next year. I do hope it comes out. I wish Ms. Eden good health, but should these prove to be her last books for a while, I'm grateful for all the words she's given us to enjoy. She's truly a talented and delightful writer and person.

Which of Ms. Eden's books do you recommend I read next?

http://www.amazon.com/Longing-Home-A-Proper-Romance-ebook/dp/B00DOAJ522/ref=pd_sim_b_5

“An engaging and heart-warming story.” —Julianne Donaldson, bestselling author of Edenbrooke

Though she was only a child during the darkest days of Ireland’s Great Famine, Katie Macauley feels responsible for the loss of her family’s land and the death of her sister. Now a woman grown, Katie has left Ireland for America and the promise of earning money enough to return home again and plead for her family’s forgiveness. She arrives in Hope Springs, Wyoming Territory, a town sharply divided between the Americans who have settled there, with their deep hatred of the Irish, and the Irish immigrants who have come searching for a place to call home. Her arrival tips the precarious balance, and the feud erupts anew. Even in the midst of hatred and violence, however, Katie finds reason to hope. Two men, as different as they are intriguing, vie for her heart, turning her thoughts for the first time toward a future away from Ireland. Katie must now make the hardest decision of her life: stay and give her heart a chance at love, or return home and give her soul the possibility of peace.

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The Great Gatsby

I read this book and saw the Robert Redford version of the film in high school and really don't recall too much of either other than I wasn't all that impressed.

So, while I didn't expect to be impressed with the story with the new Baz Luhrmann production starring Di Caprio, I did expect to be impressed by the sets, costumes and music and on those points I wasn't disappointed. He makes visually stunning movies. Totally Wow!

I can't say anything bad about the acting because the cast is so fabulous.

Is it worth a view? Yes.

Worth a buy? It's not one I'd watch over and over.

Actually, come to think of it, I have trouble watching any of Luhrmann's films over and over. They are just so emotionally deep. Except I didn't cry over anyone in this. Again, I think that's the story, not the presentation.

I'm always wanting Gatsby to get over Daisy and move on to someone else.

Do you love Gatsby?

Spy for a Spy

We're celebrating the launch of Spy for a Spy, sequel to I, Spy! Read on to get a cool spy tip for your daily life, free & discounted reads, and enter to win some great prizes! You can also find Spy for a Spy at the special $3.99 launch discount on Amazon, Kobo, Barnes & Noble and JordanMcCollum.com!

About the Book

Canada is probably the last place you’d expect to find an American spy. And it was the last place CIA operative Talia Reynolds expected to run into fellow operative Brand Copley. AKA her new boss. AKA her ex-boyfriend.

Just the guy every woman wants to face in the middle of planning her wedding. Once again, Talia’s lying to the man she loves, but this time, to protect his heart.

After Brand takes over Talia’s latest case and steals her newest agent, he assigns her to spy on her old boss—who’s suddenly giving her every reason not to trust him. With only weeks until the big day, planning falls by the wayside as she goes into damage control mode. But when Talia discovers Brand’s real motives, fighting him is the only option, no matter what the personal and professional cost.

More about Spy for a Spy | Add Spy for a Spy to your Goodreads to-read list!

Hone your spy skills

Spy skills can come in handy in the most unusual situations, like this one . . .



Further hone your spy skills by reading Spy for a Spy!

About the author

An award-winning author, Jordan McCollum can’t resist a story where good defeats evil and true love conquers all. In her day job, she coerces people to do things they don’t want to, elicits information and generally manipulates the people she loves most—she’s a mom.

Jordan holds a degree in American Studies and Linguistics from Brigham Young University. When she catches a spare minute, her hobbies include reading, knitting and music. She lives with her husband and four children in Utah.

Join the party & enter to win!

As part of the debut of Spy for a Spy, Jordan is co-hosting a launch party with Julie Coulter Bellon, author of Pocket Full of Posies. Join us November 12 on Facebook (Jordan's and Julie's pages) and Twitter (follow Julie and Jordan) for drawings throughout the day, and enter to win more fabulous prizes here!!

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Special deals!

Spy for a Spy is a sequel to the novel I, Spy, available for 99¢ at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Jordan's site this week only!

To save her country and her secrets, CIA operative Talia Reynolds will have to sacrifice the man she loves. More about I, Spy.

Also, as a free gift this week, Jordan is giving out free e-copies of a prequel novella, Mr. Nice Spy, on Amazon and her site!

Carol of the Tales

Carol of the Tales and Other Nightly Noels: An Advent Anthology, Volume 2

Christmas carols capture the spirit of Christmas, and Carol of the Tales and Other Nightly Noels brings beloved carols to life like never before. Throw your cares away with the tales from sweet silver bells. Find out how Santa Claus dabbles in time travel, and feel the redemption of a dying wife's parting Christmas gift. Experience all this and more in these heartfelt, entertaining tales donated by a team of authors from across the country, working together for a good cause. The proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated toward Autism research and advocacy.

Anthology authors include: Shirley Bahlmann, C. David Belt, Rebecca Carlson, Loretta Carter, Madonna D. Christensen, Danyelle Ferguson, C. Michelle Jefferies, Theric Jepson, Ryan Larsen, Angie Lofthouse, Betsy Love, J. Lloyd Morgan, Janet Olsen, Teresa G. Osgood, Brian Ricks, Jennifer Ricks, Peg Russell, and Michael Young.

Carol of the Tales is the 2nd book in the Advent Anthology series. Both anthologies are available in paperback and Amazon Kindle
formats from Amazon.com. 

Purchase “Sing We Now of Christmas”: http://amzn.com/1479266248

Purchase: “Carol of the Tales”:  http://amzn.com/1484145526

To kick off the release of the second anthology, a Christmas
concert will be held at American Fork Junior High on December 7^th,
2013. The concert will feature the Saltaires Barbershop Chorus. All proceeds from this concert will be donated to charity as well. Purchase: Tickets for the Concert: https://tickettool.net/en/index/eventpopup/b54dab4bd0a13fa6975068f4784dfaa5

Blog Tour Giveaway!

Use the rafflecopter below to enter to win wonderful prizes, such as tickets to the concert and copies of the anthology. 

 

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Other Blogs on the Tour:

Www.notesfromthewritingchair.blogspot.com

Www.causeisaidso.me

www.queenoftheclan.com

www.JohnWaverly.com

http://iamareader.com

http//:lisaswinton.blogspot.com

moniquebucheger.blogspot.com

http://mariahoagland.blogspot.com/

http://www.annadelc.com/blog

http://jlloydmorgan.blogspot.com/

www.franklycreative.blogspot.com

http://www.writermike.com

http://fringies.blogspot.com

http://www.saythiswrite.blogspot.com

http://debbie-peterson.blogspot.com/

http://thmazing.blogspot.com

www.renaeswritespot.blogspot.com

http://shelliproffitthowells.com/amusings/

http://www.annadelc.com/blog

www.meritaking.com

blessedinweakness.com

lynndparsons.blogspot.com

http://lisaswinton.blogspot.com

http://stephaniereadthat.blogspot.com/

www.renaeswritespot.blogspot.com

Wuthering Heights

I've never been a Bronte fan. I've read Jane Eyre and seen the film (although not the most recent one) and I just don't get the style of writing.

Many long years ago I scraped through the first 10 pages of this book and then shut it forever.

So, when I finally finished Season 3 of Downton Abbey *sob* there was a 1998 copy of Masterpiece Theater's film version of Wuthering Heights inside the case. I grit my teeth and sat down to watch it, while I folded laundry of course. I hoped by watching this classic I might gain some interest or insight to the Brontes but it wasn't to be.

It was painful. I couldn't get myself to care about any of the selfish characters in the story and didn't shed a tear when anyone died. What does Cathy see in Heathcliff? So don't get it.

I don't know if any of the other versions are any better, but since the story won't change, I doubt my opinion would.

The best thing about this film was Matthew Macfadyen, except he's only in it for about 10 minutes max.

Worth a view? No.


My apologies to you lovers of Bronte and their books. I don't think I'll ever be a fan.