I Love New York
By Lindsey Kelk
This is the prequel to Kelk's I Love Paris. I didn't know it was a series, but I'm glad I found the first book.
This novel follows Angela Clark on her journey to finding herself again. She catches her fiance humping another woman in the backseat of their car, and she ruins her best friend's wedding reception by breaking her new husband's hand with stilettos! Devastated and feeling completely alone, she travels from London to NYC to escape the misery of her life. Chance would have it that the hotel concierge's admiration of Angela turns into friendship, and she (Jenny, the new friend) gives Angela a brand new look (at the expense of funds previously saved for Angela's life with her ex.)
While in NYC, Angela stumbles upon a blog job for The Look magazine, and is trying to adjust to the single life, juggling two hot suiters in the process. She is faced with several dilemmas, including choosing a new life in New York, or returning to the madness back in London, and deciding if she wants to enter another serious relationship.
This book was awesome. I really envy the freedom given to Angela by this experience, like she could do whatever the hell she wanted with whomever she wanted, and get paid for doing what she loved to do (write) all at the same time.
Not necessarily a book for teens, but great for twenty-somethings.
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Saturday, September 20, 2014
STEPPING OUT: FREELANCE WRITING
After a particularly long day at work, I sat down at my computer and tried to write, but I was so exhausted that the words (wherever they were) wouldn't come. I thought about how tired my body was, how my feet hurt, and how I hadn't spent but an hour with my husband that day, and I thought,
"Wouldn't it be nice to be writing for a living already?"
No clocking in, no being stuck in one building for 9 hours five days a week in a dull uniform. No dealing with angry customers trying to get privileges for things against policy, then blowing up on me for no good reason.
What if everyday, I woke up, saw my husband to work, then came home and put on the cutest OOTD I could create? I could take my time applying my make-up, even try new looks, and actually wear the other items in my closet outside of my uniform, and spend my day in the park, or at a coffee shop, or at the mall, or... anywhere! And my sole focus would be writing, reading, and doing whatever I pleased?
Thus the road to freelance writing began.
I've spent hours online looking for where to start, and found awesome advice about creating samples, finding your expertise, and getting new clients. I'm happy to say I've already started looking for opportunities and creating a blog of samples to send my future clients to. And I found three jobs to try for!
People make a living off of 1-2 post a day! A good living at that! My goal is that in 1 year, my writing will bring in enough to supplement my current income, and I'll have the option of letting the 9-5 world go.
I'm still going to be a novelist, but this is going to build a following who will support me once I'm published and it brings in money will I work on that endeavor.
Cheers!
Thursday, September 18, 2014
BOOK REVIEW: DELIRIUM BY LAUREN OLIVER
delirium
By Lauren Oliver
Somewhere in the future, man has created a neurosurgical solution that rids humans of desire: i.e. the cure. It is a government mandate by the age of 18 and people are taught from a very early age that it is necessary for true happiness, peace, and well being. After a strange evaluation of emotional health, you are paired with your mate, attend college, then marry that person, have the assigned number of children, work at the assigned occupation with an unchanging assigned salary, and live out a cookie cutter life, void of passion and ambition. Anyone refusing the cure, will have to forcefully submit, be thrown into prison (the Crypts) or be executed.
Lena thought that's what she wanted. A life full of structure and the promise of a simple life. That is until she meets Alex, a rebel (Invalid) who shows her the demonized world she had learned about in school is really the true definition of freedom.
Let me tell you, at first it was difficult to read this one. I found myself not liking the main character and falling in love with her best friend instead. But as the story progressed, I got to see Lena step out of her comfort zone, and brave the world where love wasn't seen as a disease.
I won't spoil the ending, but it caught me off guard, nail bitting and images burning in my brain, waiting to see what happened next.
Lauren Oliver gives a beautiful example how to build anticipation to the point where the story ends in climax at a level that leaves the reader thinking, "Damn, that was good!"
By Lauren Oliver
Somewhere in the future, man has created a neurosurgical solution that rids humans of desire: i.e. the cure. It is a government mandate by the age of 18 and people are taught from a very early age that it is necessary for true happiness, peace, and well being. After a strange evaluation of emotional health, you are paired with your mate, attend college, then marry that person, have the assigned number of children, work at the assigned occupation with an unchanging assigned salary, and live out a cookie cutter life, void of passion and ambition. Anyone refusing the cure, will have to forcefully submit, be thrown into prison (the Crypts) or be executed.
Lena thought that's what she wanted. A life full of structure and the promise of a simple life. That is until she meets Alex, a rebel (Invalid) who shows her the demonized world she had learned about in school is really the true definition of freedom.
Let me tell you, at first it was difficult to read this one. I found myself not liking the main character and falling in love with her best friend instead. But as the story progressed, I got to see Lena step out of her comfort zone, and brave the world where love wasn't seen as a disease.
I won't spoil the ending, but it caught me off guard, nail bitting and images burning in my brain, waiting to see what happened next.
Lauren Oliver gives a beautiful example how to build anticipation to the point where the story ends in climax at a level that leaves the reader thinking, "Damn, that was good!"
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
BOOK REVIEW: I HEART PARIS BY LINDSEY KELK
I Heart Paris
By Lindsey Kelk
Angela Clark is a blogger for The Look magazine, and an all around disaster. She's an English girl living in NYC and her rock star boyfriend Alex (an actual guitar player in a world renown band) has just asked her to move in with him.
By a stroke of luck, or so she thinks, Angela is offered an amazing opportunity to write an article for Belle magazine on the underground shopping scene in Paris, France, and this gives her an excuse to get closer to her boyfriend while he tours there for a week.
But the trip turns out to be a nightmare from her annihilated luggage, to black out drunk sessions, to getting a nasty black eye. Oh, and did I mention that Alex's beautiful Parisian rock star ex-girlfriend (also a real musician) is back in the picture to reclaim her lost love?
This book was awesome! Being a writer, I'm kinda obsessed with books that follow other artist and it makes me feel like my life is an adventure. I wasn't sure how the story would end until the very last minute, a quality I love in a good book, and I recommend it for anybody who likes comedic love stories.
By Lindsey Kelk
Angela Clark is a blogger for The Look magazine, and an all around disaster. She's an English girl living in NYC and her rock star boyfriend Alex (an actual guitar player in a world renown band) has just asked her to move in with him.
By a stroke of luck, or so she thinks, Angela is offered an amazing opportunity to write an article for Belle magazine on the underground shopping scene in Paris, France, and this gives her an excuse to get closer to her boyfriend while he tours there for a week.
But the trip turns out to be a nightmare from her annihilated luggage, to black out drunk sessions, to getting a nasty black eye. Oh, and did I mention that Alex's beautiful Parisian rock star ex-girlfriend (also a real musician) is back in the picture to reclaim her lost love?
This book was awesome! Being a writer, I'm kinda obsessed with books that follow other artist and it makes me feel like my life is an adventure. I wasn't sure how the story would end until the very last minute, a quality I love in a good book, and I recommend it for anybody who likes comedic love stories.
BOOK REVIEW: OH THE PLACES YOU'LL GO BY DR. SEUSS
Oh The Places You'll Go
By Dr. Seuss
This is book of encouraging words told in rhyme, the classic format found throughout his repertoire.
It is filled with descriptive illustrations accenting words of wisdom for dealing with life's challenges, including the ones we create for ourselves. Lots of people are handed this book when they reach a major milestone, such as graduation or starting some huge endeavor.
Even though I'm not currently experiencing any new endeavors, I found the book very effective. It reminded me that in life, stuff happens, and its up to me to overcome. I must admit, I read it to boost my confidence that I could complete this book challenge (It's only like, 20 pages) but it was wonderful all the same.
Go ahead, pick this one up and see if you aren't inspired.
BOOK REVIEW: THE ELITE BY KIERA CASS
The Elite
By Kiera Cass
This continues the story of America, as she braves her country's process for selecting the next princess of Illea.
This sequel has more action, as the palace is attacked several times, even resulting in a few deaths throughout the book. America is back to old ways and is sneaking away to see her childhood love, Aspen, in secret parts of the palace. She has yet to tell Prince Maxon that the very guard he assigned to protect her is his rival in trying to win her heart.
When America discovers some evil truths about how the caste classes were developed, she decides to expose it to everyone on live television! Maxon absorbs the wrath of the King on her behalf, and she is on the brink of being dismissed entirely.
If you like action mixed with romance, then this is a great option for you! I didn't expect to get sucked into the story, but it is a very good read. I'm a little on edge because in order to find out how this trilogy ends, I'll have to purchase the final book (it's not available through the Scribd or Oyster apps :( )
I love that this reading challenge has reopened my mental library and refueling my long lost love of allowing stories to consume my free time.
There's nothing like curling up with a good book.
By Kiera Cass
This continues the story of America, as she braves her country's process for selecting the next princess of Illea.
This sequel has more action, as the palace is attacked several times, even resulting in a few deaths throughout the book. America is back to old ways and is sneaking away to see her childhood love, Aspen, in secret parts of the palace. She has yet to tell Prince Maxon that the very guard he assigned to protect her is his rival in trying to win her heart.
When America discovers some evil truths about how the caste classes were developed, she decides to expose it to everyone on live television! Maxon absorbs the wrath of the King on her behalf, and she is on the brink of being dismissed entirely.
If you like action mixed with romance, then this is a great option for you! I didn't expect to get sucked into the story, but it is a very good read. I'm a little on edge because in order to find out how this trilogy ends, I'll have to purchase the final book (it's not available through the Scribd or Oyster apps :( )
I love that this reading challenge has reopened my mental library and refueling my long lost love of allowing stories to consume my free time.
There's nothing like curling up with a good book.
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
BOOK REVIEW: THE SELECTION BY KIERA CASS
As promised here is my first book review of my 30 day reading challenge.
The Selection
By Kiera Cass
This is a love story set in tomorrow, future years where the United States has transformed into the divided country of Illea, where castes (social classes) are created through birthright and the freedoms we enjoy today are scarce for anyone below a 3.
We meet America Singer, musician and performer by occupation, and she's just been sent a application to enter the lottery of lotteries. The prize? The hand of Prince Maxon Schreave an title as the new princess of Illea.
While her mother and neighbors are all beside themselves at such an opportunity, America has no interest in the matter.
She's a 5 deeply in love with a 4, Aspen, and no one knows they've been seeing each other secretly for the past 2 years.
When she finally agreed to enter for the sake of her mother, she had no idea that she's actually be selected to live in the palace. Her brokenhearted beau dumps her out of depression for the life he could never provide for his love, and America leaves to join the other candidates.
Despite herself, and the raids against the palace, America becomes infatuated with Maxon, and even starts to love him.
Everything changes when Aspen returns to her life as a palace guard.
Overall, I enjoyed reading The Selection. At first I thought it mirrored something similar to The Hunger Games because of the ranking of the social classes, but it truly has it's on unique spin on the lifestyles of the future Cass has created. It is a clean love story and the first of a three book series. If I was a teenager, I would have gobbled this book up overnight! I'm looking forward to reading Book Two.
As a writer, I was happy to hear the voice of another writer in each chapter. I could feel 'the vibe' she was going for, and hope that my own voice is heard in my work. I can't wait for the day my words are in print for the whole world to see.
The Selection
By Kiera Cass
This is a love story set in tomorrow, future years where the United States has transformed into the divided country of Illea, where castes (social classes) are created through birthright and the freedoms we enjoy today are scarce for anyone below a 3.
We meet America Singer, musician and performer by occupation, and she's just been sent a application to enter the lottery of lotteries. The prize? The hand of Prince Maxon Schreave an title as the new princess of Illea.
While her mother and neighbors are all beside themselves at such an opportunity, America has no interest in the matter.
She's a 5 deeply in love with a 4, Aspen, and no one knows they've been seeing each other secretly for the past 2 years.
When she finally agreed to enter for the sake of her mother, she had no idea that she's actually be selected to live in the palace. Her brokenhearted beau dumps her out of depression for the life he could never provide for his love, and America leaves to join the other candidates.
Despite herself, and the raids against the palace, America becomes infatuated with Maxon, and even starts to love him.
Everything changes when Aspen returns to her life as a palace guard.
Overall, I enjoyed reading The Selection. At first I thought it mirrored something similar to The Hunger Games because of the ranking of the social classes, but it truly has it's on unique spin on the lifestyles of the future Cass has created. It is a clean love story and the first of a three book series. If I was a teenager, I would have gobbled this book up overnight! I'm looking forward to reading Book Two.
As a writer, I was happy to hear the voice of another writer in each chapter. I could feel 'the vibe' she was going for, and hope that my own voice is heard in my work. I can't wait for the day my words are in print for the whole world to see.
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
READING CHALLENGE: 20 NOVELS IN 30 DAYS
I found this awesome app called Scribd where you have access to an endless supply of books for a subscription of 8.99 a month. Now most people wouldn't read enough to justify the expense, so its my goal to make the most of my investment in the beginning so that if I find myself slacking off, I won't feel as bad. Plus, I promised more teen novel reviews and this will help me put more texts under my belt.
First step is to subscribe to Scribd.
Second step is to set a deadline: Oct. 10, 2014
Third step is for you to join in!
If you love to read, this is an awesome way to dive into books you may have never considered and follow new authors. If you're a writer, its a great way to understand composition and the rules of writing, as well as see what your target market is committed to picking up off the shelf.
The best part is that the first 30 days are free!
So excited to start this! This blog is about to blow up!
Now, I do need to set some restrictions. If I only have 30 days, I'll have to limit the page number count if I want to reach it. I know for sure I could do 15 books in 30 days, but it's a challenge for a reason, right? So how about, no more than 200 pages? 250? I don't know. I've never done this before! Ah, well, that's part of the beauty in this journey.
Let's go!
First step is to subscribe to Scribd.
Second step is to set a deadline: Oct. 10, 2014
Third step is for you to join in!
If you love to read, this is an awesome way to dive into books you may have never considered and follow new authors. If you're a writer, its a great way to understand composition and the rules of writing, as well as see what your target market is committed to picking up off the shelf.
The best part is that the first 30 days are free!
So excited to start this! This blog is about to blow up!
Now, I do need to set some restrictions. If I only have 30 days, I'll have to limit the page number count if I want to reach it. I know for sure I could do 15 books in 30 days, but it's a challenge for a reason, right? So how about, no more than 200 pages? 250? I don't know. I've never done this before! Ah, well, that's part of the beauty in this journey.
Let's go!
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