Beautiful Creatures Movie vs. Book

                So if you remember back when I reviewed Pitch Perfect I first saw the trailer for this movie and was super excited.  I have driven so many people crazy listening to me go on and on about it.  I even took the 14th off so I could see this and Die Hard of course, but then I found out while on lunch on the 13th my local theatre is having a 10pm showing of it and I don’t get off till 11pm.  Yep I left early, that much of a nerd but really it was only an hour and a half early so no biggie.  I even made it there in time to see the 'first look' formerly and forever to me known as 'the 20'.

                 I was so excited I was practically bouncing in my seat as I waited through all the amazing previews.  Then it started.  Now I should also mention that in preparation for the movie I re-read the book from start to finish and had just finished it while on lunch the same day so it was FRESH.  So within the first 10 minutes of the movie the book was thrown out the window.  Now I didn’t expect it to be exactly the same by any means but every other movie at least stayed closer to the book. 

                 I was shocked, hurt, and disappointed.  Here is the convoluted part though I liked the movie.  I'm a movie-aholic and a book worm.  I love the book and am horribly disappointed that the movie was not for me a very good adaptation but on the other hand if I think about it as simply a movie then I really enjoyed it.  So for me it was just looking at it without my adoration of the book.  It's a bit hard to do but as I've taken a week to process it I am feeling better about it.

                Real quick the reason it wasn't a good adaptation for me is that too much was different.  I don't just mean hair or eye colors were off.  I mean huge plot points that well frankly don't make any sense if you think about the series, there is no plot for the other books with this movie changes.  Now we didn't get to see as much of some people as we did in the book, which I expected to be cut down but they went so far as to even completely erase one character all together by combining Marian and Amma.  We did get to see more of Viola Davis with that and I like her and I think she did a great job but with the book now it doesn't make sense. 

                Now as a movie on its own as best as I can do I really enjoyed it.  The cast was wonderful.  I liked that they put relatively unknown people in the leading roles and much larger supporting cast with Jeremy Irons as reclusive Macon and as mentioned Viola Davis playing Amma, Emmy Rossum as the siren Riddley, and Emma Thompson as Mrs. Lincoln the crazy leader of the community with a few screws too tight.  Now the story does center around the unknowns but I didn't notice they weren't big names.  I really enjoyed them and not having seen them in anything else I also didn’t have any misconceptions of them they were completely Ethan and Lenna.  Also deserving quick mention is Ethan's best friend Link, who when I first found out about the movie didn’t know him but the week before I did see Hansel & Gretel:  Witch Hunters and he was in there also and worth mentioning as he didn’t get much screen time along with most of Lenna's family which was a shame as they were a huge part of the book but they each were memorable that’s for sure. 

               

                Everyone did a top notch job and the leads had good chemistry which for a romance story is, well I'd say rather important.  Now I've read a few reviews where people bash the southern accents being over the top and the depiction of the south and their beliefs.  Well living in a small south town with more churches than gas stations, places to eat, and red lights combined, though to be fair there were only 4 red lights in the county).  Where the first questions 85% of new people you meet ask are, "how long have you been here?", clearly they should have heard of you by now if you’ve stayed under the radar, "who are you related too?", they may know some family member by which they will then know if you are someone they like or dislike, and most importantly, "which church do you attend?" and that defines you.  At least until some other juicy tidbit comes along and they can add in there.  Not everyone is like that, I know I wasn’t and there were a lot of people who weren't but I'd feel confident 85% of the community was.  When I was let go of my old position and was interviewing for a new job with people I'd never met before they knew all about me and my experiences so of it so off the wall I fought hard not to laugh at them and this town was small but larger than Gatlin we did at least have a BK and a McD's.  So I myself found the depiction perfectly okay and even the accents, trust me I have heard so many, thankfully I didn’t pick it up (unless I'm talking to certain people then apparently my 'southern twang' can pick up).  Now I can't account for the reenactments I knew a few people who liked to dabble but it wasn't that much.  So just saying found all the 'unbelievable' comments a bit off.

                My by far favorite part of the whole movie were the visual effects.  The thing I did enjoy most about the book being brought to life was the house, the entrance that changed to suit their mood.  It was beautiful and I loved it.  The rest of the set designers were nice but the simplest things to the writing appearing and changing on different formats, lightning, spinning dining room, tornadoes  see through ceilings, everything was beautiful.  I wanted to be there.  It was a feast for the eyes.  I cannot begin to do it all justice so I will just say see it for yourself. 

                Even with my disappointment on the book worm side I really enjoyed this movie.  I give it 4 Caster Moons, because the book is a 5 and I know it had more potential.  I'm ready and willing to watch a sequel should they make one.  If you haven't read the books yet my reviews are here (thought I just realized I never reviewed the rest of the series...bad me), but I would suggest you watch the movie first and then read if you like the trailer or my thoughts.

                So tell me what you think?  Did you like the movie or the book?  Thoughts on the changes.  Thoughts on movies being made from books we love.  Share below I've been dying to talk to someone about this without having to keep explaining things.

The Holders by Julianna Scott

Celtic lore, special abilities, good vs. evil, and the beautiful castle on the Emerald Isle.  Sounds great right?  Then buckle in for The Holders.  This book comes out March 5th this is a review of the ARC as always thanks to NetGalley and Strange Chemistry.

                We follow Becca to St. Brigid's where she can help Ry settle in and make sure she approves of it.  Then there is the attraction to the handsome, sweet, man who convinced her to give this place a shot.  She is drawn to him and she doesn't know why, okay minus the obvious, she thinks it a silly crush, but he is a good man to give her answers. 

                I really liked Becca.  I frequently forgot how old she was as she is very mature.  It was refreshing to see a character like her, who is only 17 but is very well put together in a way that seems real.  Now she does have her moments, most of which involve her father, Jocelyn, who skipped out on them when Ry was born. Understandable daddy issues, but the rest of the book she is very engaging and takes things in stride but she is also vulnerable. Real.

                The rest of the cast are great as well and really play well with one another.  I loved the bickering between Mr. Reid and Mr. Anderson, the girlish fun with Chloe, the grandmotherly affection of Min, the aloof and abrasive Jocelyn, and so many others.  Alex, and his compassion and good heart, he is a central player and I fell for him.  Each play their own parts but they are each memorable and rounded. 

                This story has a little of everything really.  You have your drama, your adventure, your supernatural elements, some action, and oh my favorite a beautiful and believable romance angle.  The characters bring the story to life, which I admit is slightly predictable for the most part but done in such a way its more about seeing how they get to that point than what that point is.  The story does center around discovering a new reality, that there is a thing called Holders and everything that their world entails.

                Along with the new world of Holders we also get to visit the Emerald Isle.  Always been a place I've wanted to see and this sparked more ticket pricing on my end.  Now we don't get too see much of the country itself but the pieces we get as well as the school itself are amazing.  Must take this chance to mention I also have a thing for castles oh the history, the stories, and dare I say it the possibility of secret passages.  Sorry school girl moment.

                I honestly cannot think of anything I dislike about this book.  A little more explanation on certain areas sure, but as this is a series I figure some things were left vague on purpose.  Becca and the reader can only take so much at a time.  I will say this surprised me.  I admit I've been shocked on more than one occasion but I was expecting one thing and got something else, which was way better than I was thinking.  More like hours not being able to sleep dreading it was more accurate.  So happy I was wrong, though in hindsight the way it worked out, so much better the way it was.  Plus you know if I get that worked up over something that MIGHT happen then clearly I'm invested in the characters.

                The Holders will hold you, pun intended, and not let you go until the last page and then you want more.  I did just think of a dislike, I hate to wait as usual.  So if you like mystical powers in faraway lands with good characters fitting a great story check out The Holders, by Julianna Scott, March 5th.

               

                Already read it?  Tell me your thoughts.  Questions, comments on the book, me, life, castles, super heroes, anything, leave them below.

Dualed by Elsie Chapman

                Hello again my readers!  I have for you as the title might have given away a review for Dualed by Elsie Chapman.  This book I got courtesy of NetGalley and Random House Children's Books.  Thank you.

                This book takes place in a city of Kersh, a safe haven of sorts.  It's a safe haven from the war but it comes at a high cost.  Everyone has a genetic Alternate, a twin raised by another family, and to live in this safe haven you have to kill your Alt before your twentieth birthday, 30 days after activation.  So to live a life and have a life or even a family of your own as an adult you must murder a form of yourself in a way, 'You or Your Alt, Only One Can Survive' is the tagline and it is compelling.

                We follow the story of 15 year old West who has trained as a fighter, in her school classes and on her own but she is by no means able to afford the high priced schooling offered.  She prepares but a tragic misstep shakes her confidence.  Stricken with grief and guilt, she is no longer certain that she's the best version of herself and worthy to be the one to survive.  If she has any chance she has to stop running from everything, her life, her Alt, and love, because it has the power to destroy her.

                West is a strong female character for this story, she has strength but she is also very vulnerable.  She has a lot to deal with and she has very human and very natural emotions.  She's strong and fierce until her confidence is shaken and she is left questioning everything in her life.  That is some pretty heave stuff for a teenager, even if you grow up in this world and learn how to kill in school, it's still a harsh reality. 

                I've read some of the reviews and am shocked that some people didn't get as into it or felt it was too bogged down.  I read this book and really enjoyed it.  My main issue, only dislike, was that the chapters are pretty long and that's nothing against them just that I tend to like the shorter chapters as I can sit down for a spare 10 mins at work or while doing other things and say just one chapter.  Or my more likely, just one more chapter…8 chapters later…just one more really.  It's easier to do that with short 10 page chapters, but these not as easy and I was left having to leave off in the middle of things which is very unnerving for me.  This by no means too away from the story.  Just a reading preference of mine.

                The story in itself was compelling.  How do you cope in a world where you are forced to kill before the age of 20 or die?  What is right or wrong?  Who says the better one lives?  I liked the ideas in the book and I was compelled to read through it as quickly as my schedule would allow.  I wanted to know what was happening with West, would she face her Alt?  Would she survive?  Then you have the Chord who I adore.  How can you look at someone the same when their face is not only the friend you've known for so many years but now also the one that took away something precious?  On the reverse, how do you make up for it?  What is done because of a promise, what is done for ones own will?

                I loved being inside her head.  She has a very rational train of thought, it gets clouded by everything else of course but it starts off rational.  I know I have these moments all the time. I start with a clear and defined plan that makes perfect sense but then…well the things you can't account for mess with your game plan.  I liked seeing that, I'm also using it as proof that I'm not crazy.  So we have a good story, so great action that is thought out and very impactful.  I could see each move in my head as it happened like a mini movie. 

                Anyone who was a fan of sci-fi action YA enjoy this book.  There is major violence, if the blub wasn't clear enough but I give it a solid 4.5 Knives.  Dualed comes out February 26th, check it out and let me know what you think.  If you had an Alt…would you survive?

Fractured Light and Fractured Soul

                Another book review, two really, I’m hoping to stay strong and not only meet my reading challenge goal of 2013 but exceed it.  So funny story here is that I read the description of Fractured Soul, on NetGalley before requesting it.  Well normally I don’t request sequels and I always double check them but apparently I overlooked that.  When I went to add it to my goodreads pages the day I went to start reading it is when I saw it listed as ‘book 2’ and thought drats.  Thankfully book 1, Fractured Light, was at a great price on Amazon.  So I bought it and started it instead and no you get two book reviews for the price of one.

                So be warned spoilers will be in the 2^nd half of this review for the first book, I will clearly mark them for everyone.  I’m doing them as two separate reviews and if you don’t want any spoilers for book 1 then only read part 1 of the review…making sense?  I hope so.  Now for you who don’t mind a few spoilers, yes you crazy folks out that, enjoy the whole thing.  Oh and thanks again to NetGalley, Cedar Fort Inc., and of course the wonderful Author for bringing the books to life Rachel McClellan. 

~PART 1~ Fractured Light

                Llona is a  girl in her senior year of high school.  She is practically invisible, just the way she likes it.  Her motto, just survive.  Sounds like most people in high school right?  Wrong she doesn’t care about high school so much as her life because she is different.  She’s not human, she’s an Aura.  She has a light inside of her, Light that evil creatures of darkness, Vykens, want to kill her for.  See not your typical teenage worries.

                She keeps her life isolated never making any friends accept for one, May, who is friends with everyone but not particularly close to anyone just the kind of friend she needs.  Until a new guy starts to pay attention to  her and she feels maybe she can have a normal life.  Strange things start to happen, things that startle and scare her, things that would normally have caused her to uproot and move again but with her Uncle finally starting a life and her new found friends she decides to stick it out.

                Why does all of this start happening and why is this mysterious stranger so interested in her and seem to know her.  Is he interested in her or does he just want to be her friend?  Can he be trusted?  I really liked this book.  I read it pretty quickly and was almost late for work one day because I sat to read for 15 minutes and next thing I know I had 8 minutes to get ready and be out the door some 45 minutes later.  I like the internal conflict within Llona.  She as a being of light, wants to help others but doing so goes against her desire to survive and be invisible.  Something else that maybe just speaks to the giddy girl in me is the way that boys and matters of the heart can sometimes totally seem more serious that life and death issues.  Who can you trust?  With your life and with your heart?

                Now you think being Light is difficult, more so when you are different.  Light means peace and equality, no competitions, no games, and definitely no fighting.  It goes against their long years of history.  Then why does she enjoy sports so much?  Why does she have a desire to learn to fight, to wield the Light inside of her to protect herself instead of sitting around waiting to die.  Does light need to be peaceful or does it want to fight and everyone has just forgotten how?

                This last part I really liked because it brought up other debates, is defending yourself really fighting?  The obvious answer, to me anyways, would be NO.  Then again I know some people who feel violence, even self defense classes to be continuing the cycle of violence.  Personally I feel if everyone learned to defend themselves and there were no more ‘easy victims’ maybe the bullies of the world would back off and lose power.  That though is a topic for another time.  I did like that part as a subplot though it gave me more to think about as well. 

                That is where I leave you for the first part of this review.  Now again I warn you from here on out there will be spoilers for Fractured Light, in PART 2 for Fractured Soul.

~PART 2~ Fractured Soul

                Fractured Soul is book 2 in the series by Rachel McClellan.  Now I'm writing this a few days after reading because it took some time to…calm myself down.  I'm one of those readers who gets seriously into books.  I get all up in arms on the characters behalf, or for them, or anything that I feel is bad or giddy like a school girl for good things.  People laugh at me while I read and I am okay with this.  This book got me all worked up to say the least and as much as I want to blurt out a major spoiler I won't.  So I will simply say be prepared  and I suggest have tissues available.

                We pick up with Llona and May arriving at Lucent Academy, the school for Auras.  A safe place for them to learn the history of what they are, though May isn't an Aura they also have a few people like her there to help her as well.  The school is a place for Auras to safely learn to use their abilities and how to make things beautiful and such.  Llona is more interested in learning things she is way behind on, so she can get out of there.  Plus after her attract keeping her Uncle safe seems like a good idea too.  Though she learns that Light might make you good by natures but teenage girls are still teenage girls and they can be vicious.   She fits in less in a school full of people like her than at a normal school.  Her reputation has proceeded her.  Then again with her new found darkness, she is different.  Can she battle the darkness surrounding her, inside her, or will it destroy her light?

                Now even though this book made me cry my eyes out it was a great read.  Clearly I got invested in the characters and the story.  We have some wonderful new characters to get to know as well as a new place.  Some to like, some to hate, but that's the fun.  We also get to see through Llonas eyes how things are for most Auras.  She realizes that not only did their kind stop fighting, but they stopped taking care of themselves.  Waited on by Lizens, creatures she'd never before heard of, and finds there is yet again more she did not know.

                As she is at Lucent Llona stumbles into something evil, that maybe even she isn't strong enough to defeat.  As with the other book I really liked the characters and story but also the way McClellan is able to weave in subplots that have larger and deeper meanings.

                So with that in mind, I highly recommend these book. Both I give 5 Light Balls.  Have some tissues ready and be prepared to wait for the 3rd book, which you get a sneak peek of.  So yes check them out.  Fractured Soul comes out February 12th.  Already read them?  Tell me what you thought (any discussion on major spoilers feel free to e-mail me or IM me on Goodreads.com) I am always willing to discuss a good book.

Rating:  5 Light Balls

Surrender by Rhiannon Paille

                Another book thanks to the wonderful NetGalley.  This is the first in a new series by Rhiannon Paille.  Surrender is a mystical tale of Kaliel and Krishani, both different than the others of their land, both unsure of what their prophesy mean for their future, and what love can do in a world where it is nothing but a long forgotten tale.

                So first this cover is not drop everything amazing but it is quite bright and noticeable.  Kaliel, or who I assume, standing holding purple flowers with the title above.  Not new but her striking appearance, so pale and  radiant with her white/blonde hair and a foresty background that matches her eyes and the hint of pointy ears tell of another world.  It made me curious anyways and the description of a great tree laying out your future is always intriguing.  Is everything predestined or do we make our own destiny?  That to me is a great idea and depending on the store I can go on either side or fall in the middle.

                Characters are a great part in the story as well and though I admit I sometimes found things a bit melodramatic, I still enjoyed it.  Don't worry it's not too over the top, more I liked how it played within the story.  Though from seeing both points of view it can be really frustrating when you know both sides and with they only knew what you knew.  Kaliel is a elfin girl who is awkward and different, which I think no matter how many times you see it is always something the general population can relate to.  She is scared of her future and after meeting Krishani, quite by accident, she finds herself with feelings she is unaccustomed to, as no one in Avristar is meant to fall in love.  Krishani on the other hand is a noble soul who is part of a brotherhood with a great prophecy hanging over his head, yet he never exceeds at anything.

                For me they both represent something within us all.  High hopes and pressure to live up to expectations of others, not knowing what your future holds, uncertainty of everything, even the one thing that makes you feel whole.  Good themes for me anyways.  Along with characters there is this new world of Avristar which was like its own character.  A word with its own creatures, rules, history, and most important a voice.  Some things are left unanswered, okay a lot, but it was only book one and I can see where it will show more as the story continues. 

For some reason it is called Flame of
Surrender on Banrnes and Noble
So here is the other cover I just saw.

 The romance and love in this book was innocently sweet.  A world where the people don't love, you marry the land and go to the Lands of Men to fight in the war.  You only take a mate if the land provides one.  SO when a chance encounter leaves two young ones caught in a web of mixed feelings and confusion.  When they meet again it is impossible to stay apart even with the best of intentions to stay true to their duties.  I liked the pull between them.  You have to wonder if no one loved and you only knew what you felt it would be a completely new experience with no one to really ask about it .  On top of that you are both already different from the others which adds to the magnetic connection.

Now aside from the having to wait aspect I also have one other little tidbit of concern.  I did receive the ARC of this and am unsure if the published copy (It came out Dec 4th), had this or not but I had an alternate ending on mine  Don't get me wrong the idea is intriguing but when there is another book to follow I'm not sure which one it will go from thus my slight concern.  I'm just going to go with the original ending and wait for book 2.

                Surrender is out and is for me a 4 purple flower book.  I liked it and would recommend it if any of the above sounded interesting to you, and am patiently waiting for the sequel.  Now have you already read it?  Want to read it?  Tell me what you think below.

Guardian by Heather Burch

                I received this book from none other than NetGalley.com and Zondervan.  Guardian by Heather Burch is the sequel in the Halflings saga (Book one: Halflings), so be warned if you plan to read that then there are spoilers.

                This story picks up where the last left off.  Nikki Youngblood is an orphan who is under the protection of Angel Will and his 3 Halfling charges: Mace, Raven, & Vine.  Now this is well and good but when two of the Halflings are struggling with intense feelings for her, feelings that could end up costing them their shot at heaven things get messy.  Mace, steady and reliable and deeply in love wants to protect Nikki whereas Raven is more of a pusher who loves her strength urging her to be wild and free, be independent.  She knows she shouldn’t be with either of them, to not be the cause of any problems between them or risk their souls but still the heart wants what it wants.  Then again choosing between two different men who each represent something she desires, two sides of a coin, two sides to her, matters get even more complicated. 

                Yep, a love triangle to damn the souls to hell and oh yeah Nikki's godfather Damon Vessler, also a pillar of evil in his own right is still trying to win back her affection by whatever means he can.  And let me just say he uses some pretty despicable offers.  Will he be able to take advantage of her vulnerable state?  What is his real purpose?  What does he want with Nikki?  Can her guardians come together and save her?  Or is this her path to walk alone good or bad? 

                I have to say I enjoyed the first book, it didn't blow my socks off in astounding wow way but it was interesting and left me wanting more.  I have to say this book was even better.  Yes I love the angst even when I'm yelling at the screen of my kindle telling them how much trouble could be saved if people just talked and didn't assume.  You know when you assume you make an ASS our of U and ME.   Then again you see why they don't talk, they manage to talk themselves out of it sure that instead of a logical explanation they would hear things that would hurt them more, though as a reader you know how silly that is.  When your world is turned upside down whose to say you wouldn’t be a little crazy too.

                Either way Guardian came out October 9th and is worth checking out, after reading Halflings of course or I admit you might not fully value what is going on.  I enjoyed it and give it 4 stars!  Have you read it?  Is it on your 'To Read' list?  Let me know what you think below.   

My Wildest Moment

                Wow have I waited until the last minute or what?  I didn't do it in purpose though I swear.  I thought I would be able to do this in no time but as I sat down to write about something I always came up blank.  Crazy with some of the things I've done right?  They are wild.  Maybe.  Or maybe they were just crazy and there is a different.  Were any of them life changing?  Sad as it was to admit nope.  Sure I might have learned to not twirl the broom while walking through the door again, that just because it happens on the movies doesn't mean it is safe to try at home, that cars really can sail through the air but they shouldn't, or that not sleeping more than 2-4 hrs in 72 hours will give you a bad set mood swing from grumpy to giggly. 

                Truth is I'm 24.  I live in a relatively small area, slightly larger since my move but still no big city, and I'm a shy person.  I'm a creature of habit.  I like the same things, sure new things can be great but when in doubt stick to safe reliable choice.  All of my 'moments' of craziness I first thought of as wild were pure luck, unfortunate timing, my clumsiness, or just seemed like a really good idea at the time.  I'm shy.  Really I am.  People who know me shake their head in disbelief but it's true.  Sure when I'm with a friend or someone I'm comfortable with I'm way more out there and open than when I'm alone.  Meeting new people, doing new things scares me.  I don't know why I just get this whole panicky thing and want to fade into nothingness.  Now, I have gotten better over the years.  I've been working up to it really and some of my more 'out there' friends are to credit for that. 

                I've sadly never been in love.  Never even been in real like before and that is really sad and depressing to me when I think about it too long.  I want to find someone but either my mother is right, and God help me I hope she isn't, and I scare men away because I'm too stubborn and intimidating, which fyi if I am maybe it's her fault for raising me to be that way haha though if you ask me again I'll never admit to being like her (long story).  Or maybe I'm just oblivious to other guys liking me and they are shy like me, which is a strong possibility due to my randomness, apparently I need a bright flashing sign.  Then again who knows this is not the point of my post, my wildest moment is. 

                Now no love here.  Well none of the kind that makes you all warm and fuzzy reading about like Kate and Arland.  But there are all types of love and that is sorta what I'm talking about.  Now many of you know I've talked about this before that a TV show of all things got me back into reading and writing (which I had given up on years ago).  Well that same show also made me some amazing friends.  We would chat on phone, messenger, e-mail, text, whatever.  If we go a few days without hearing from one another we grow concerned and someone sends out an 'everyone okay' message.  It's great that we are so close and this is from a show in '07-'08.  One single season of a show. 

I'm in the middle, even with red eye reduction I get it...sigh

                That show did change things for me yes but my wildest moment I'd have to say is going to meet my new friends.  I haven't met all of them, but one of the two who I e-mail daily and just got off the phone with I hoped on a plane for my birthday the year before last and flew from Florida to Vegas.  I stayed for like 4-6 days, it was all so much fun and sorta a blur too.  I was staying at one of the casinos of course and during the day part of the time my friends (I made another friend through her as she was working on a book and we also talk back and forth regularly) had their jobs so I would busy myself with sleeping in of course and seeing the town some.  I was surrounded by so many people it is crazy, that place is like my biggest nightmare alone but I managed to have a great time.   We got to hang out and be tourists (I really was one) and see things but mostly just hang out which when you live 2 time zones apart is really nice.  They also through me a little birthday party (something no one else has ever done for me) and it was amazing.  I got to play the games, see the sights, and meet these wonderful women I have grown to know. 

                To me that doesn't seem that wild but when other people learn that I went to Vegas to meet people I met online they are astounded.  Why?  Sure there are dangers, I used to work 911 and I have watched way to much true crime TV to ever doubt that but I'm a pretty smart individual and can employ common sense and jazz.  I have to admit the reason some people, like my grandparents, freaked out was because it was a 'vampire' show and grandma was convinced I was going to be killed and have my blood sucked out or something.  So there you have it, my wildest moment was conquering my fear of large crowds and unfamiliar settings alone, or at least setting it aside, to completely enjoy my time seeing my friends.  Taking that leap.  We still talk daily and I can't imagine not going and that is still my best birthday is so long and I don't think they know how special it was to me.   

That Salvatore Sandwich I was talking about ;)

                This also helped me gather some good character information for my story, some characters there for sure, and gave me some confidence that allowed me to do 2 writing conventions, and a Vampire Diaries one as well but I admit that one probably didn't help me with my writing just my fan girl side, oh the 'Salvatore Sandwich' sigh.

                Now it's too late to enter yourself but go ahead and check out the others in the blog hop below, I'm only halfway through them but they are all pretty great stories.