Darkness Surrenders – AJ Spencer

AngelaLeave a comment

The third book in the Darkness Trilogy was fantastic! AJ Spencer once again delivered a great book that I could not read fast enough.

Darkness Surrenders Cover Image

Natasha Stoltz has learned the identity of the Serial Killer known as Grimm. What she does with that information will change her life forever.

The first two books were like a game of cat-and-mouse, with Grimm always one step ahead of her. Always taunting, and always getting away.

Natasha will go from FBI agent to living in a world much different than she could have ever expected.

Thought about? Yes. Expected? Never.

This book will have you in its grip right through to the very last page. I personally think it is a wonderful trilogy, but also feel there is an opportunity for some of the characters in these stories to weave their own new stories for us to read.

(The violence in this book is kept to a bare minimum compared to the first two books in the series. It does contain graphic sexual content, so enter at your own risk. But you really want to enter!)

Do I Use an “A”, or Do I Use “An”? And Does It Really Matter?

Angela9 Comments

Yes, it really does matter. Especially to whomever is reading your writing.

Store Image Pictures 002

One of the most common errors I see when reading online comments, stories, blog posts, etc. is the incorrect use of “a” and “an”.

A very simple rule can help you remember which one to use when. If the word following it starts with a consonant, you use “a”. If it starts with a vowel, you use “an”. Simple enough, right? Except for if the word starts with a consonant that is silent, so the word sounds like it starts with a vowel.

Are you still with me? Good. It will all look clear in a minute. 

Such as, “I will be over in an hour.” Or, “I would like an honest answer.”

This also makes sense: “Can I have a pencil?”

Saying “Can I have an pencil?” is painful to read. And yes, I have read this very sentence.

In a book.

That was published.

An editor can be your best friend 🙂 (Did you see what I just did there?)

But then there is also the issue of initials and numbers. In that situation, you will choose “a” or “an”, depending on the way it is sounded out.

“An FDA employee arrived.” The sound of “ef” is why you would use “an”.

“A United States tour.” The sound of “yoo” is why you would choose “a.”

“He gave me a $50.00 bill.” It is the same rule here. You want to choose based on how it sounds, not necessarily how it is spelled.

The more you see these being used incorrectly, the easier it is to tell when you are using it correctly.

What are some issues you have with the very difficult English language and writing rules? Is there something you would like me to address here? Let me know and I will get a post put up covering your questions and concerns!

Until next time…happy writing, and happy reading!

Go Set a Watchman: Chapter One – Harper Lee

Angela1 Comment

Am I the only one anxiously waiting for this new book to come out on Tuesday? It has been a long time since I waited for a book release. Like Harry-Potter-midnight-lines long time.

The Guardian has published the first chapter to this new story, and you can read it here: Go Set a Watchman Chapter One.  (If my link will not work for you, like it is not working for me, copy and paste this: http://www.theguardian.com/books/ng-interactive/2015/jul/10/go-set-a-watchman-read-the-first-chapter )

photo courtesy of http://pastemagazine.com
photo courtesy of http://pastemagazine.com

There is a major spoiler, or update from To Kill a Mockingbird, right from the start of this story. So if you do not want to know what that is until you have the book-in-hand, avoid anything online related to this story.

Hoping your Saturday is full of good weather, good memories, and great stories!

In The Unlikely Event – Judy Blume

Angela4 Comments

014

I think it has been about 20 years since I have read a book by Judy Blume. As always, she did not disappoint. I will be honest and say it took a few chapters before I really began having a vested interest in the characters and plot, but once I got to that point, it was difficult to put it down.

This is a fictional story, with the main action of the story revolving around real events that happened in Elizabeth, New Jersey, where Mrs. Blume grew up. There were 3 airplane crashes within a span of 58 days during the 1951-1952 school year, and Judy was an 8th grade student at the junior high school when these crashes took place.

She easily pulls together a story that spans 35 years, and many characters are introduced that play a significant role from beginning to end. The main characters are Miri, Henry, Natalie, Mason, Rusty, Irene, and Corinne, just to mention a few. Okay; just to mention several.

There is drama, suspense, romance, fighting, and all of the struggles that boys and girls go through as they become adults. No spoilers as usual, but it is definitely a story worth investing a few days of reading on.

Have you read it already? Let me know what you thought!

Punctuation Overload? Or: Maybe Not? Okay; Slightly.

Angela7 Comments

Have you read a story with more punctuation in it than actual words? I myself am guilty of abusing the very basic comma. You have likely noticed me doing this in my posts. Every. Single. One. I like using periods to emphasize how I am feeling as well.

You see what I did there, right? Oh; I did it again, just now.

Okay. Sorry. I am really done now.

But as I have watched, and continue to watch, my 4 daughters go through school, it is beyond obvious that the emphasis on basic grammar and language structure is nowhere near what I stressed about. They do not even have to read the books that my 3 siblings and I had to read. I am positive none of my girls have any idea what “The Scarlet Letter” is.

So I am about to unleash some random Proper-English-Etiquette-If-You-Care-To-Use-It posts.

I am pretty sure we are all going to have fun with this one 🙂

Do You Like Your Editor?

Angela7 Comments

I hope you love your editor 🙂

I have been seeing some posts and discussions about people who have been led astray by their editor.

I have a few simple rules for books I edit.

1) We speak the same language

2) We understand the same dialect and slang (different from #1)

3) I will correct all of your English-Language-Rule mistakes, but when you get mad at me because your 6th grade English teacher taught you nothing; I am out

4) I will always provide proof to the correct way of saying/stating something, if you require it

5) We are friends! You want to publish the best book ever, and I want you to do that

So if you feel your editor is a bit harsh on you; it may be okay.

If you absolutely cannot get along and your editor stresses you out; absolutely find a new editor

Under Construction, Again…

Angela5 Comments

Okay, so my rafflecopter refuses to work, so I am looking for a new platform for my give-aways. I am hoping to have that straightened out soon, quickly, asap, etc.

So as I am trying to find a theme that supports the menus I need as well as my store, and video blogs.

B&O Logo PNG 1

I am heading to the zoo today, for a much needed get-out-of-the-house-and-enjoy-the-sunshine staycation. I have a couple of new books to start tonight, with reviews to be posted shortly.

Wishing you a fantastic sunshine-filled day! Read at the beach if you are able; it does not get much better than that!

It Is About Time For A Give-Away!

Angela5 Comments

I have been so busy with everything (life), that I did not realize I have not done a give-away since Christmas.

So, on Tuesday, I will be posting some stuff, everything book, and just sign your name and grab it up. I am not going to make you follow me, share and like, etc. Just sign into rafflecopter.com, and I am giving away some amazing book bags, bracelets, and key chains.

B&O store items 6-28-2015 002 B&O store items 6-28-2015 006 B&O store items 6-28-2015 010 B&O store items 6-28-2015 012