book review: children of the gods

On one level, Monica Millard's Children of the Gods tells the story about making the best of a situation when decisions are made beyond an individual's control. But it goes beyond that.

For as long as seventeen-year-old Reka Cushing can remember, she has watched her friends and her neighbors be stolen, their bodies used as hosts for the Halorans; an alien race that has come to earth posing as gods. For just as long, Reka has lived in fear of drawing the eye of a Haloran, keeping her head down, hoping not to be caught in their sights.

The only time she has ever been bold, tried to get what she wanted, a god, one more powerful, more dangerous than all others is watching.

Though not wholly new to science fiction -- I've watched films and TV shows in this genre for years -- I am still a novice when it comes to reading it. At about 130 pages, the story is not dense and bogged down with too much science. Instead, it focused more on character development, which I enjoyed.

I was most intrigued by the motives between the warring races, and the main character's inner turmoil. The conflict worked. Like Reka, part of me liked her captors while the other remained skeptical wondering what they had in store for her at any time. Millard also effectively uses characters from Reka's past to keep the story moving.

For the most part, the pacing worked. The beginning and ending especially were fast-paced and action-filled. Some moments in the middle did drag for me a little - but never enough to make me lose my interest. I'm mixed on my thoughts about the romantic elements of the story. Part of me thinks Reka falls in love (I'm not saying with who) too quickly. But then again, I just said it was a fast-paced book. Plot has to happen fast. And even if it was a little rushed for my taste, it did not take away from the rest of the story.

From page one until the last page, I never knew quite what to expect, which kept me guessing. This was an interesting, fast read for a basic newbie like me. I was hooked from page one. Overall, reading it was an eye-opener for me. It makes me want to branch out and try more genres and styles of writing.

Check back tomorrow for my interview with the author.

Rating: 4 of 5

About the Author

Monica was born and raised in Alaska. She doesn’t own a dog sled team, but has worked in a place where there are buildings with caged exterior doors to keep employees from being eaten by polar bears.

She lives in Wasilla, Alaska with all her critters, some four legged and others that stand on two. She writes Science fiction, fantasy, and Paranormal for young adults.

Connect with Monica

My blog: http://www.analaskangirl.blogspot.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/MonicaEmme
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/emmeandemme

Buy the Book
Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Children-Gods-Chosen-Novel-ebook/dp/B006PZFWQ6/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_t_1
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/117347
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/children-of-the-gods-a-chosen-novel-monica-millard/1108191398?ean=2940032960911&itm=2&usri=children+of+the+gods+monica+millard


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little house researchers gather this summer

Blogger's Note: As a long-time Laura Ingalls Wilder fan, I am pleased to be part of this year's Laurapalooza festivities. This will be my mom and I's first time attending the conference, and we are excited. If you are a fellow LIW fan, please check out this press release for more information.

Little House Researchers Gather in Minnesota This Summer

“Little House on the Prairie” fans have reason to celebrate beyond Melissa Gilbert’s competing on “Dancing with the Stars.” This summer, fans and scholars alike will gather to answer the question, “What Would Laura Do?” during LauraPalooza 2012. Sponsored by Minnesota State University, Mankato, and the Laura Ingalls Wilder Legacy and Research Association (LIWLRA), LauraPalooza will celebrate the author July 12-14, 2012.

Open to the public, the scholarly summit first held in 2010 showcases original research, speakers and panels related to Laura Ingalls Wilder, her family, her museums and the impact her books have had on American culture. Actors from the hit TV show “Little House on the Prairie,” which was loosely based on the book series, will also be on hand (including Alison “Nellie Oleson” Arngrim).

“We’re very excited to be hosting this gathering again,” says Dr. Amy Lauters, LIWLRA president who, as a professor in the department of Mass Media at MSU, is chairing the conference for the second time. “We have a number of fun activities and some fantastic speakers to look forward to, and I’m sure we’re offering something for every Little House and Laura Ingalls Wilder fan out there.”

Throughout the conference, attendees will enjoy demonstrations, research, entertainment and discussion taken from the pages of the books. Key guest speakers include William Anderson, the premier Laura Ingalls Wilder biographer for the past forty years, and Barbara Walker, author of the long-beloved Little House Cookbook, first published in the 1970s. Presentations deal with everything from 1880s weather to Laura-related dolls to the legal legacy of her books.

For the first time, young fans will also have an opportunity to join the fun with Camp Laura, a concurrent program intended for children K-6. The program will give children a hands-on look at the books and the history surrounding them. “Kids will step into the pages of the Little House books and experience pioneer life as Laura lived it, with the help of Wilder authorities and enthusiasts,” says Camp Laura Director Rebecca Brammer.

Centrally located to multiple settings from the series, Mankato will bring fans close to the story’s roots. Two hours southwest of Wilder’s birthplace in Pepin, Wis., and three hours east of De Smet, S.D., her childhood home, attendees will be within an easy distance of these sites.

“It was important to us that we hold the conference as close to ‘Laura-land’ as possible,” says Sandra Hume, author of the forthcoming “Little House Travel” ebook (available in June) and founding board member of the LIWLRA. “The Little House books are as much a sense of place as they are good stories. You can’t read them without wanting to go where they happened—and unlike in many other books, these places really exist.”

After the conference ends on Saturday, attendees will have the option of going on to Walnut Grove, Minnesota, the town Laura called home in the 1870s, which served as the setting for her book On the Banks of Plum Creek. Organizers from The Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum in Walnut Grove are preparing to welcome travelers and provide special activities just for them.

Even people who can’t attend LauraPalooza in person are invited to join in through videos, blog posts and social media at  Beyond Little House (www.beyondlittlehouse.com), its corresponding Facebook page (search “Beyond Little House” on Facebook), and on Twitter (@BeyondLitlHouse ).

Dorm-style housing is available for attendees who want to stay on campus; this housing rate includes all meals courtesy of the university dining hall, as well as a sit-down keynote luncheon where key players in the Little House literary world will be honored. For travelers who would rather stay in traditional hotels, a block of rooms has been set aside in local lodging.

The conference is being organized by the Laura Ingalls Wilder Legacy and Research Association. Board members of the LIWLRA contribute to the website “Beyond Little House” (www.beyondlittlehouse.com), the premier go-to website for all things Little House, and the Homesteader, the only full-color publication about Laura Ingalls Wilder and all of the museums that honor her (www.homesteadernewsletter.com).

For more information on the conference and this year’s presenters, visit www.beyondlittlehouse.com or contact Amy Lauters at amy.lauters@mnsu.edu or Sandra Hume at sandra.hume@gmail.com.

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book review: blame it on the fame

Award show junkies and cinema fans alike will find an entertaining and well-executed read in Tracie Banister's debut novel, Blame it on the Fame.

The ballots are in, and the story begins as Hollywood announces its nominees for the upcoming Academy Awards. Up for best actress are a golden girl with a careful image to mask her natural bitchiness; an unknown Brit who can't seem to stay away from her bad boy ex-boyfriend/co-star; an ex-model turned actress who loves parties, too much; the daughter of two past Oscar winners keeping a big secret from the world; and a comeback has-been warring a personal battle.

The nominees for best actress differ in their reactions, revealing their true colors to those closest to them. In the weeks that follow, each takes her own approach to campaigning for the award, developing rivalries and friendships along the way. From who is wearing what dress to what interviews they can do to kiss up to the voters, the action continues all the way to the big night.

While capturing the excitement surrounding the award season, what makes the story most interesting is each woman's personal story. It addresses complex issues, such as mental health, sexuality and addiction with enough care to be sensitive, but enough humor to keep the story fun. It also shows that it does not matter if you are a big-time Hollywood actress or reader, the most important part of life is finding people who love and care about you no matter who you are.

Banister effectively captures the voice and spirit of each woman throughout the story. Fast-paced, well-developed and an overall captivating story, the story keeps your interest and suspense as we wait to hear who will take home Oscar gold.

I hope to see more from Banister in the future.

Rating: 4.5 of 5

For more information about the author, visit her blog: http://traciebanister.blogspot.com/. 

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happy script frenzy!

It's April 1, which means aside from playing practical jokes on your friends, it's also time to start Script Frenzy. That means writing 100 pages in 30 days. Now go.

This will be my first time participating in Script Frenzy, and I have big goals. Using my experience from two consecutive successful National Novel Writing Month challenges, and my failures in both Camp NaNoWriMo sessions last year, I hope my plan will keep me on the path to finish those pages.

Last week, I shared a few of my planning devices. For both NaNoWriMo experiences, I started the process with a detailed working synopsis broken down by chapter. With the plot in place, all I had to do was write. During Camp NaNoWriMo, I started without plans. While I started both stories, I eventually got to a place where I had to stop and think about where I was going. It slowed me down and I completely lost my momentum. Having my plot already established, and several scenes imagined in my mind, I hope to spend the next 30 days just writing.

I also downloaded free screenwriting software, which is a big help. A screenwriter friend suggested Celtx, which is what I will use. We used Final Draft in college, but it is not in my price range at the moment. Why is screenwriting software important? It's much easier when it comes to formatting. Doing it on your own in a word processor can be a major time suck, and not entirely accurate. I'll let you know how this software works as I go.

For the next 30 days, I also have smaller goals I will work toward. I did this last year for NaNoWriMo, and it worked well for me. Even if I didn't reach that day or week's goals, it made reaching them seem more plausible. My goal this time is pretty basic: 25 pages each work. That means I hope to have 25 pages done April 7, 50 pages April 14, 75 pages April 21 and 100 pages April 28. That gives me two days of grace period, including one full weekend day, to play catch-up if I must.

With that, I'm off to begin my web series. I'll check in throughout the month with updates and lessons learned during the process. Best of luck to the rest of you participating.  Let the frenzy begin!

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book reviews: march 2012 recap

My Top Read of the Month for March: Suzanne Collins'
The Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mockingjay

Another good month of reading has come and gone. I had the opportunity to read and review several solid books ranging from chick lit to mystery to women's lit to dystopian young adult.

Having more variety on my bookshelf this month was a nice change of pace and an eye-opener. I discovered and enjoyed or loved books that might not have made it into my "read" pile. Trying something new is always a good thing. When you do it with books, you get new ideas, think differently and become an overall better-rounded reader, I think.

I also caught up with the rest of the world and read (or rather inhaled) the Hunger Games trilogy. If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook, or have had lunch/drink/dinner with me in the past few weeks, you are probably sick of hearing me talk about these books. I offer no apology and have no regrets -- these books moved me even more than they entertained me. Who knows how long my gushing will last?

With that, let's take a look back at the books I read and featured on the blog this month.

Chasing China by Kay Bratt
Rating: 4 of 5

A young woman learns about the the roots she does not remember and what it means to who she is now in Kay Bratt's Chasing China. Using the author's personal knowledge an insight about adoption and orphanages in China, the story is an informative and intriguing portrait of of the topic.

Favorable Conditions by Kathleen Kole
Rating: 4.5 of 5

When a devoted mom finds her nest empty and her life dull, she decides to take direction of her life and finds a few unexpected surprises along the way in Kathleen Kole's Favorable Conditions.

Write from the Heart by Heather Hummel
Rating: 4 of 5

In Heather Hummel's Write from the Heart, a woman takes a hard look at her life and what she wants from it after undergoing a break-up from her boyfriend and career.

Death on Heels by Ellen Byerrum
Rating: 4 of 5

Death on Heels, Ellen Byerrum's latest installment in the Crime of Fashion series, forces the main character to reconnect with her past as she attempts to find the truth about a string of murders after her ex-love is charged with the crimes.

Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (Top Read of the Month)
Rating: 5 of 5
(I'd give it a 6 if that wouldn't negate my whole rating system. The trilogy is that good.)

Collins built a captivating story about hunger, violence, war and above all else the potential for good in life no matter how bleak circumstances might seem. The books show that people are not always who they seem. That hate can destroy more than your enemies, and love will not not always protect your friends. That human life is precious and fragile. But no matter the outcomes, you have to hope life can be better and good to survive. Bonus: I started a three-week Hunger Games Reading in the Kitchen series yesterday with Peeta's Bread.

Death by Chocolate by Julie Anne Lindsey
Rating: 4 of 5

Julie Anne Lindsey's Death by Chocolate is a quirky story about what happens when a woman is pushed to far. Unexpectedly and unintentionally turned into a murder, the main character Ruby must rely on the help of her best friend Charlotte and son Michael to cover her tracks. Bonus: This one comes with a recipe.

Memoirs of a Mom on the Edge, Part One: Martinis & Menopause by Elizabeth Loan
Rating: 4 of 5

Elizabeth Loan gives a hilarious and relatable glimpse into her life as a mom of five in Memoirs of a Mom on the Edge, Part One: Martinis & Menopause.

Liars Guide to True Love by Wendy Chen
Rating: 4 of 5

Wendy Chen's debut novel Liar's Guide to True Love offers a funny and enjoyable read for wedding and romance addicts alike.

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the boy with the bread

Blogger's Note: This is the first in a three-week Reading in the Kitchen series covering foods from Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games. As indulgent as it seems to write about food from a trilogy so focused on hunger, I was intrigued by all the foods mentioned in it -- and there are a lot. Stopping at three hardly covers it. 

Read Katniss' Dandelion salad recipe here. 
Read Mellark Bakery's Apple and Goat Cheese Tart recipe here.

Even before the reaping that sent Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark to the 74th Annual Hunger Games, their lives were connected by a loaf of bread. Bread Peeta purposefully burned to give Katniss and her starving family even though it meant punishment for him.

Though they never exchanged words, Katniss always felt she owed Peeta for his gift. In her eyes this puts them at odds from the get go. Only one person can survive the games. How can she even consider killing the boy with the bread who saved her life?

Throughout the story, Katniss refers to Peeta as the boy with the bread. Other baked goods, wild game and gathered foods appear in the books, but this one was especially important. Katniss describes the loaves as hearty, with raisins and nuts in it. I imagined whole grains, raisins and walnuts, because it sounds super hearty. When I set out to recreate this dish, I kept that description in mind.

Confession: With all the baking I have done in my life, I have never made bread from scratch. I watched my mom do it, I watched our bread machine do it. But aside from quick breads, this was my first encounter with a rising dough. This meant I needed to research bread making or risk blowing it.

The first lesson I learned: If a recipe calls for bread flour, it means bread flour. All purpose does not work as a substitute. Bread flour has a higher concentration of gluten, which creates elasticity in the dough among other things. If you try subbing another kind of flour, you will not have the desired results. Plus, my mom told me I had to use bread flour to make bread. If Mom says it, it must be so.

Imagine my horror when I went to my local grocery store and saw how many options of flour there were. Up until a few months ago, I bought all purpose and only all purpose. Since taking on Reading in the Kitchen, I have branched out and tried others, but I am by no means a pro.

When I finally found a package labeled "bread flour," I was disappointed with it. Not only was it white flour (not what I imagined for this recipe), but it cost several dollars more than all purpose. That went against my instinct to spend as little money as possible to make these dishes. What Would Katniss Do? She'd look for a cheaper alternative.

Fortunately, I found it when Bob's Red Mill came to the rescue. This is by no means an endorsement, and I get nothing for saying it, but I have come to rely on these products lately. They have a lot of whole grain options and come in reasonable package sizes -- ideal when you are a single woman interested in portion control. Plus, while not the the cheapest options on the market, they are reasonable. I spent less than $3 on my flour, which was several dollars less than the alternative.

I settled on the Whole Wheat Bread Mix. In addition to containing wheat flour, sunflower seeds and dry molasses, it also came with a packet of yeast. You can buy these easily enough on their own, but it was nice to have. The rest of the shopping was easy. I picked up a bag of sun-dried raisins and chopped walnuts. Again, I went for the cheapest option in both of these - WWKD, right?

From there, it was easy. I mixed together the dry ingredients, added oil and then warm tap water. Make sure the water is warm, not cold or hot. It activates the yeast. Next, I kneaded the dough, placed it in a covered bowl and let it rise for 45 minutes.

Meanwhile, I placed a pizza stone in the oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit. That's another tip I learned in my research. When making loaves without a bread pan (which was how I imagined the bread in the book) the pizza stone helps bake the bread evenly. I was excited about this, because my parents gave my a pizza stone two Christmases ago, and I hadn't used it yet. I'm more of a frozen or take-out pizza gal, and I was saving it for a special occasion like this.

After 45 minutes, the dough doubled in size and was ready for baking. I decided to divide the dough into two loaves. When I did a quick search, I found it is best to split the dough before you let it rise. I cut it with a pizza cutter, and didn't have any problems. I formed two loaves and placed them on the pizza stone, which was already heated.

I let it bake for 30 minutes before checking on it. Now, this is the best tip I learned. In addition to giving the loaves a once over or using a food thermometer (which I most certainly don't have) you can also check it by slapping the bread. OK, technically everything I read said you can tap the bread to check, but I interpreted it my way. When you tap the bottom of bread, it will make a thud, like a drum, if done. I decided to cut myself some slack if it was overdone. After all, the bread Peeta gave Katniss was technically burnt.

Sure enough, I bitch slapped the bread and heard the thud. And it wasn't burnt. You can't even imagine how dorky and excited I was. My sister, who was over to try it, gave me plenty of looks that told me I was nuts. But I didn't care. The bread looked beautiful, it smelled fantastic and it was done.

We let the bread cool before digging in, and the effort was totally worth it. I found it delicious, and I hadn't been without food for days like Katniss. It tasted exactly as I imagined: hearty. And I'm glad I love it, because I'll be eating it for the next week. The bread itself was be good, but with the nuts and raisins, it tastes more like a special treat. I wasn't kidding about the heartiness, either. I ate a piece for breakfast yesterday, along with an egg and veggie sausage, and I wasn't hungry until early afternoon. Breads usually speed up my appetite, but not in this case.

Well worth the effort, making this bread was an interesting experience. Not only did I learn a little about the science behind the ingredients, but it gave me time to consider the significance the bread had in the book. Plus, I have a ridiculous crush on Peeta, so the teeny bopper inside of me was happy, too.

Peeta's Bread

Ingredients
19 ounces whole grain wheat bread flour
1 packet bread yeast
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup sun-dried raisins
2 tablespoons cooking oil
11 ounces warm tap water
Cornstarch (to cover surface)

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees and place pizza stone on top shelf. Mix together the dry ingredients. Add warm tap water to mix and kneed dough. Once it reaches an elastic state, cut into two equal portions. Place in large bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to rise 45 minutes, or until bread doubles in size. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool before serving. Makes two loaves of eight servings each (16 total).

Nutrition
(Per Serving) 177 calories, 26 grams of carbohydrates, 6 grams of fat, 6 grams of protein, 5 grams of sugar, 2 grams of fiber.

Don't forget to check back next Friday for another recipe from The Hunger Games.

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script frenzy prep

In a few days, the madness that is Script Frenzy begins. This is my first year participating, so I'm guessing it is madness. But after two National Novel Writing Months, I stand by my conjecture.

What does that mean for those of us who plan to crank out 100 pages in 30 days? It means we have three days, counting today, to plan and prepare for the task ahead of us.

I am confident with my approach to this upcoming challenge. I may not hit the 100-page goal, but I know I have a story to tell, and I know how I want it told. I'm a planner by nature. I plot out my stories before I write them, and this script is no different. I have large and small goals and a map to navigate the rocky terrain ahead.

With that in mind, I will share a few of my tips on preparing for Script Frenzy:

• Project folder. Just like it sounds, I created a physical folder to store all of my prep materials for writing. Being in a folder keeps everything in one place, offers organizational benefits and makes mobile operations easy. You just grab the folder and take it with you wherever you go. I stock up on folders at Back to School sales (along with a few other supplies) every year, which makes it an inexpensive tracking tool. I use this for all of my major writing projects, and it is the heart of my organization.
• Plot cards. Like with my NaNoWriMo book, I used my beloved note cards to create the story arch for this WIP. My upcoming project is a web series, so each note card (pictured above) represents an episode. On each card, I wrote a few sentences explaining the key plot elements I want reflected in the episode.
• Character sketches. Another great use for note cards, I wrote basic character descriptions, including personality and appearances, as a reference.
• Track ideas. Each day that comes closer to Script Frenzy brings me more ideas on how I want to set scenes or write dialogue. Whenever I get an idea I love and want to use, I write it down in the miniature notebook I carry in my purse. (Note, writers, if you don't carry a notebook or writing utensil with you wherever you go, you should start. Inspiration is seldom convenient, and won't wait for you to find a writing implement.)
• Research. In addition to doing some background research for the story itself, I have invested some time in reading TV scripts. The best way to learn any form of writing is by reading what others have done. I took a TV writing class in college, but that by no means makes me a pro. Neither does reading several scripts, but it gives me more confidence to consider how I will commit words to print. Here's a good tip: mix reading scripts for shows you have and have not seen. Reading the shows you have seen gives you a good idea of how it actually turned out. The shows you have not seen allow you to work that imagination.

What preparation do you like to make before beginning a writing project?

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