A writers life WIP

I just had to write an insanely hard to write chapter. Well, really it was just the ending of the chapter that had me so irrate. I am trying to sooth myself by explaining, yes to myself, that it was a realistic decision my Heroine made.
I always have to ask myself while writing, "Casse, would you ever make that choice and is it realistic?" In this case I had to say HECK NO I would never make that decision but quickly had to tell myself that it was a realistic choice. Though this heroine has a lot of my qualities...we aren't the same. Our fears drive us to do completely different things and because we are so much a like on somethings its harder to get in her head.
Truth is, I would make a horrible romance novel heroine. Even though I have some of the traits (don't laugh at what follows. Well, go ahead its pretty hilarious.) I am a sexy bookish nerd who is shy but head strong but has no idea how truly gorgeous she is. I am smart but insecure but that is where good rom heroine trait ends. I have a smart mouth and I hate being told what to do. I don't take much crap and I am boring as hell. So yeah no novel would ever be written about me.
Cheers!
Casse

Fade by Lisa McMann Review

I am always weary about starting the next book of a series I love. What if it is terrible and it ruins it? Rarely does follow ups live up to an awesome series debut.


Janie and Cabel were perfect in Wake by Lisa McMann. But in Fade I felt the spark of what they were but they were not those characters anymore. Janie was strong but didn't make you want to set check her. Now she just does shit just because Cabel doesn't feel comfortable with it. Cabe went all bitch on me. And became not quite alpha not really beta but some lukewarm washy-version them both.

But the story was good. I love McMann's style of storytelling. It fits the story. I love how she doesn't do too many BIG twist and surprises. I like the teacher aspects and I like the way Janie played it up until the actual event. She annoyed the hell out of me then. But still I guess it was a normal and natural way to handle the situation and realistic.

Janie and Cabel's relationship, I just don't get why the drama. It seemed manufactured to give the story another sub-plot but it made absolutely no sense and was pointless except to drive a story and try and force emotion from readers.

I still enjoy the dream catcher series and will look forward to reading Gone. Janie and Cabel are no longer my book ideal couple. Its fine but this is prime example why I am hesitant and scared to read 2nds in the series.

Lisa McMann is still one of my favorite writers.



Keep reading,

Casse.

Troy High by Shana Norris Review

A week or so back I read Troy High. I heard about it on Jeri Smith-Ready's Blogtober fest in October. It was a cute little modernized re-telling of The Trojan war.

Two High schools the Trojans and The Spartans have a gigantic football rivalry. Cassie and Greg are best friends that met at a band camp and connected. Each one goes to the rival school.

Cassie has two brothers who are the Trojan football stars and Greg's brother is the football star on Spartan's team. Elena, who is Greg's brother's, Lucas, girlfriend is forced switch to the rival school due to zoning. And becomes infatuated with Perry...Cassie's annoying brother. She is the "Helena" in the story.

Mythology makes my geek-ness tingle so I dove right in. And though I didn't love this novel it was okay. And though it wasn't lackluster it just was alright to me. It was a solid re-telling but I never really connected with the characters. Cassie needed a backbone, Perry needed to be molly whopped, Greg- dude man up and grow some. Hunter was my favorite. Not because he was likable. But he reminded me of my oldest bro. The fact that he was believable had me getting involved with his character.

I say this was a good book to read and despite the fact that I am not raving about it. And despite it took me weeks to even bother with this review, its not a bad story. I think I just like series because its almost impossible to wrap up a novel to my liking in one book. Same with Give up the Ghost by Megan Crewe.

Give it a read,

Casse

I've got mail & She's got swaaaaag

I've got class of 2K10 swag.  Bookmark and Post Card.   On the back of each has the list of the class members.  I have to say it's a class full of cool kids!  (@classof2k10) They are on twitter.

This is the prize I won from Shannon Delany (@shannon_delany) http://13-to-life-a-werewolf-tale.blogspot.com/

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker--his classmate and crush--who committed suicide two weeks earlier. On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list.

Through Hannah and Clay's dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers. (via Jay Asher's website)

I can't wait to read this book.  I think I will relate to this book.  I was very agnsty, to say the least, as a teen and considered committing suicide numerous of times.  It's an issue I hold close to my heart.  So YAY!

Thanks SHANNON!  She also sent 2 window decals, chocolate which are gooone!  Myco-workers were all over it.  And a mini post-it pad...I laughed so hard at it.  Its a joke.  I completely love Shannon Delany, who is part of the class of 2010 with her debut book 13 to Life: a werewolf's tale

I also won this in a contest at LibraryThings.com and St. Martin Press sent it to me! Yaaay!  I am a valentine's baby so I loooove cupid books. :-}  Truly, Madly by Heather Webber (Heather Webber)

I also got some scecksea swaaaag from Katie MacAlister

One of my favorites for obvious reasons ;-p

Hope you enjoyed my swaaaag.

Casse

Book Blogger Holiday Swap/Secret Santa

I received my gift from the looovely WilowRaven (redhousebooks.blogspot.com)

I have been wanting this book but you know how it is...so many books you want and small book budget.  Eventhough I lack a lot of self control, there is no way I can buy them all and this book always seemed to fall through the cracks so. HUGGIES to Emily!

I also received another book on my wishlist but fell through the cracks list from Meryl (Mybitofearth.net)

Thank you sooo much ladies.  Have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Tis the season,

Casse

Check what other people got...book blogger holiday swap-age

Library semi-fail

So I hate to admit but my city's library is pretty lame. Selection-wise. They don't have any of the books that we bloggers are talking about. So once a month I feel it's my duty to send in my new release and sometimes not so new but insanely popular book request. Then for the next I watch the emails roll in. Saying they are getting such and such book I requested. They should really hire me or go to the list of book blogs I suppy them with when they order books for the library. It is so embarassing. And then the good books they have they get only 1 copy so the hold list is insanely long that I end up just ordering the thing. But that said, I did find some good books to check out.

I guess I should list them okay starting from the top.

Devoured by Amanda Marrone-Rising high school senior Megan has been haunted by her twin for ten years, but now Remy is trying to warn her about terrible danger surrounding Megan's summer job at an amusement park called the Land of Enchantment.

Angel Time by Anne Rice

A kiss before the Apocalypse & Dancing on the head of a pin : a Remy Chandler novel  by Tom Sniegoski

Storm Glass & Poison Study by Maria V Snyder

Once aWitch by Carolyn MacCullough-Born into a family of witches, seventeen-year-old Tamsin is raised believing that she alone lacks a magical "Talent," but when her beautiful and powerful sister is taken by an age-old rival of the family in an attempt to change the balance of power, Tamsin discovers her true destiny.

Time of the Witches by Anna Myers-Orphaned Drucilla finds a home with the beautiful but troubled Mistress Putnam as accusations of witchcraft start to swirl in Salem Village.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan-Through twists and turns of fate, orphaned Mary seeks knowledge of life, love, and especially what lies beyond her walled village and the surrounding forest, where dwell the Unconsecrated, aggressive flesh-eating people who were once dead.

Darkborn by Alison Sinclair

Not Pictured: Fade by Lisa McMann-Using her ability to tap into other people's dreams, eighteen-year-old Janie investigates an alleged sex ring at her high school that involves teachers using the date rape drug on students.

I also got Under the Dome by Stephen King The small town of Chester's Mill, Maine, is faced with a big dilemma when it is mysteriously sealed off by an invisible and completely impenetrable force field. With cars and airplanes exploding on contact, the force field has completely isolated the townspeople from the outside world. Now, Iraq war vet Dale Barbara and a group of the town's more sensible citizens must overcome the tyrannical rule of Big Jim Rennie, a politician bent on controlling everything within the Dome. On audio but my mommie snagged it for her commute to work.  She is the one who turned me on to King as well as Anne Rice.   Which see the new book by her in the picture.  Angel Time.

Ciao,
Casse

Resolutions 2010

It's almost the New Year so I have been thinking a lot about the future and the future of this blog and my career. I will be 27 in February so I desided {see update} to devote a lot more time working on my writing career and this blog. [*updated* I also DECIDED to learn how to spell! jeeze] I want it to grow. So expect to see a lot of me in 2010 and if you like it share it please. Thank you. I have to get back to agent researching so I can submit my manuscript. Wish me luck. Next week I will do a lot more reviews and a calendar of Class of 2k10 releases. And every month next year I am posting the next months releases. So look for January's next week. I have been reading my tail off, that's the only thing procrastination is good for, reading time!

God Bless yall and keep reading good books.

Give up the Ghost by Megan Crewe REVIEW

Give Up the Ghost by Megan Crewe is a solid story of an outcast turned vigilante bent on revenge. It is filled with a bunch of likeable characters and I found the ghosts more interesting than the living characters but then again so did the protag Cass.
Cass was pushed out the popular ranks by her middle school bestie Danielle after a fit of jealousy. And when she starts outing everyone’s secrets the school begins to wonder about her. They can't figure out how she is getting her info. Maybe she is psychic.

When class popular Vice Prez starts spending time with Cass they think she has put a whammy on him. Cass tries to find it in her heart to socialize with what she hilariously calls breathers.

I thought this book had a lot of potential. Not that I didn't enjoy it but it was sort of lukewarm all the way through. It wasn't cold but neither did it heat up. I was hoping it would venture into 'freeing' some ghost and helping them 'go into the light' ghost whisperer style but it mainly focused on her inability to connect with the living. Which isn’t a bad thing it just could have added more layers.

Cass was the kind of teen I was sans the angst but a misfit who has a huge chip on her shoulder and socially awkward. I found it easy to be on her side and cheer her own even when she was being rude-ish because heck I was her again sans the ghost.

I think this was a solid novel and think it would be enjoyed by everyone. Not too heavy and not too light. Goldilocks style it was just right.
Cheers,
Casse

Wake by Lisa McMann REVIEW

I will admit, I am very hard on heroines. It takes a lot for me to like one. I liked Janie right away. She wasn't perfect but she was real and believable as a person.


Lisa McMann has a fast passed style of writing that grew on me after my initial distraction. I liked the passing and flow because it was an easy feel and pace for a super light yet entertaining story.

Wake is unique and not the cliché stories that we are use to getting nowadays. I also love how McMann took the time to grow Janie and Cabel's relationship and romance. Its one of the rare YA that you could feel the connection and not have to read that these two are liking each other. In Wake, we are showed the relationship growing into what it is and we see why they would feel that’s way. There are a lot of butterfly moments and I cannot wait the read book 2 Fade.

Wake has a lot of plot and a lot of twist that make you say I didn't see that coming awesome. I loved this book. It was never predictable. Which is a very good thing. I was compelled to read it to the end. And it never got too heavy and cumbersome. It reads quick passed and it leaves you refreshed when finished.

I don't think any YA readers will be disappointed when they read this book.

Cheers,

Casse