Farewell

Hey friends,
I am finally going to leave blogger. It's not because I don't like it, but I want to try wordpress. It seems better from what other people say. I've been learning how to use it these past few weeks and I'm liking it so far. I won't delete this site, it's a big part of me. This is where I started talking more and more about books, this is where I connected with some authors, reviewed their books. For the authors that sent me their books, I still have them and I will try my best to read and review them soon, but I won't make any promises. Thank you to all who have been reading my posts here. If you want to check my new blog, here's the link: www.cchellereads.wordpress.com

I hope you all have a wonderful December,

Happy Holidays!

xoxo
Rochelle

Nanowrimo & other things

Hi,
Things has been really hectic this past few days, I don't know how I'm still alive. On the positive note, I started writing Eventide (My story for Nanowrimo) and I have a beginning that could potentially be something bigger, but I am not planning on continuing it anytime soon, due to finals (of course). With that said, I won't be continuing Nanowrimo for the second year in a row. I also started to write this other story when I didn't have much inspiration for Eventide. I'm really proud of it and will continue writing whenever I can.

I kind of wish I wrote a book review on A Court of Thorns & Roses, I don't remember why I didn't and I regret it. I'm going to start reading the sequel which is huge by the way. It's the only book I'm planning on reading for the #TomeTopple Readathon and also for the rest of the semester.

I'm going to start setting up goals for next year. I know I don't always complete all those goals/challenges, but I'll make a list anyway.

That's it for now,

x
Rochelle A.

Book review: The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson

Genre: YA Fantasy
Publication date: July 8th, 2014
Publisher: Henry Holt
Pages: 492
Rating: 3/5

GR Summary:
A princess must find her place in a reborn world.

She flees on her wedding day.

She steals ancient documents from the Chancellor's secret collection.

She is pursued by bounty hunters sent by her own father.

She is Princess Lia, seventeen, First Daughter of the House of Morrighan.

The Kingdom of Morrighan is steeped in tradition and the stories of a bygone world, but some traditions Lia can't abide. Like having to marry someone she's never met to secure a political alliance.

Fed up and ready for a new life, Lia flees to a distant village on the morning of her wedding. She settles in among the common folk, intrigued when two mysterious and handsome strangers arrive—and unaware that one is the jilted prince and the other an assassin sent to kill her. Deceptions swirl and Lia finds herself on the brink of unlocking perilous secrets—secrets that may unravel her world—even as she feels herself falling in love.

My review:

Let me start off by saying that the reason I did not read this book when everyone was talking about it is that I was scared that I might not enjoy it because of all the hype. Before I decided to read this book, the high expectations were pretty much still present. I didn't think I'll ever get rid of them, so I just read the book. 

To be honest, it was a little hard to get into the story. What I mean by that is it didn't give me the feeling to want to know what happens next. It didn't make me flip the page. I constantly stopped reading. But I really wanted to finish it and I heard that the end is mindblowing, so I thought maybe the end will make me want to read the next book which might be better than this one. Unfortunately, the ending did not change my opinion about this book. 

I had a hard time connecting with the characters, especially Lia, the main protagonist. That's a huge problem for me because if I don't connect with the hero, I can't really enjoy the story a lot. 

Surprisingly, I did not hate the love triangle. I find that it was alright and I didn't not favour one over the other. They are both pretty much on the same level. 

Again, I wanted this book to make me want to know who she'll end up with, but it didn't.

I wanted to see more of the bad guys of the story, but I guess I will get that in the next books. However, as of right now, I don't really feel like reading the sequels.

I'm disappointed, for sure, but I don't blame the writing style or the author. This book is loved by so many and my review does not mean it's a bad book. I really wanted to like this novel because like I said, a lot really enjoyed it.

For my overall rating, I give this book a 3/5 stars.


                                              About the author: 
I suppose I have always been enamored with story and character. My mother tells me I could be the most annoying little kid, waking up each day as a new character. Every morning she would have to ask me "who" I was for that day, because unless properly addressed I refused to answer anyone. 

One time when I was about four years old, my parents were out shopping at Sears. They each thought the other had me by the hand when in fact I was exploring my own aisle (translation: I was lost!) Two salesladies found me and sat me on the counter, asking me my name so they could page my parents. I remember their consternation when I would only answer "Little Red Riding Hood." They couldn't shake my real name out of me no how, no way. I knew the value of persistence even then. My parents say they nearly fell over, when over the loud speaker they heard, "Would the parents of Little Red Riding Hood please come claim their child?" They knew exactly "who" was lost. These days I mostly wake up as myself, though I do seem to hang out with a lot of "characters" during the day.

Usually when people mention their education in their bios they only mention their college degrees, but to me, it is just as important what happened way before that. Wow--second grade! I will never forget Mrs. Alsenz. Boy, could she tell a great story! She would make them up and pretty soon have a classroom of wiggly kids exuberantly telling stories right along with her. And then there was Mrs. Bonsey in fourth grade. She always praised my writing and made a shy little girl feel like she might actually excel at something. And finally in twelfth grade came Mr. Kirk, crusty on the outside with a heart of gold on the inside, who loved the English language and taught his students to do the same. (Hey, Mr. Kirk, do you see me waving at ya?)

Later I went on to get a BFA from Long Beach State University in art. I worked for a time as an artist then started the most challenging job of my life--motherhood. Holy smokes, no one told me there would be no coffee breaks. But it is the most rewarding job I have ever had (watch out--I'll start dragging out the pictures) 

Still later, I went to San Diego State University where I received my teaching credential. I went on to teach many different grades but it was my second grade students who pushed me back into writing. During Writing Workshop I would sit with them and write, loving the process, loving the stories, and lo and behold deciding I would love to return to my first love. That's a whole lot of lovin' going on and luckily for me I was able to do just that. Not that writing is easy. I have a huge stack of rejections to prove it, but I still have enough of that Little Red Riding Hood persistence in me to keep on going.

Now I write full time from my home in San Diego. My books to date are The Adoration of Jenna Fox, A Room on Lorelei Street, Scribbler of Dreams, and David v. God. More are definitely on the way. 

REFUSED TO REIGN [EXCERPT] by Constance Phillips

Today is the release day for Refused to Reign by Constance Phillips. I am so excited to share this paranormal romance with you. Check it out and enter her giveaway today!  

 





About Refused to Reign: After his father’s death, Reider relinquished reign of the wolf pack to his brother Geoff, leaving everything—including Sable—behind, but refused to let go of the one thing his father ever gave him: the amulet that symbolized leadership. Six months later, Geoff is missing and the Conclave has called him to the Hotel Paranormal. They want him to take control of the Great Basin pack or hand over the amulet reserved for the alpha of the Great Basin Pack. Reider quickly learns the amulet is coveted by many. Can Reider unravel the mystery and find his brother or will he submit to Sable and the Conclave and reclaim his reign.  








Get your copy today! Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Refused-Reign-Paranormal-Constance-Phillips-ebook/dp/B01LIB95W8/ref=sr_1_1?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1475596332&sr=8-1&keywords=refused+to+reign 
Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/refused-to-reign-constance-phillips/1124621954?ean=2940153515717
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/refused-to-reign
ARE: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-refusedtoreign-2115820-140.html  


About Constance Phillips:  Constance Phillips lives in Ohio with her husband, daughter, and four canine kids where she writes contemporary romance novels and paranormal romance novels. ​ When not writing stories of finding and rediscovering love, Constance and her husband spend the hours planning a cross-country motorcycle trip for the not-so-distant future…if they can find a sidecar big enough for the pups.  
Connect with Constance:
Website: http://www.constancephillips.com
Blog: http://www.blog.constancephillips.com
Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/ConstancePhillipsRomanceAuthor/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cmphillips1967/?hl=en
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/CPhillips
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/phillipsconnie/
Tumblr: http://constancephillips.tumblr.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6470282.Constance_Phillips Newsletter sign up: http://eepurl.com/o_c6f    
Enter Constance’s Giveaway: a Rafflecopter giveaway       

Release Day Launch: Refused to Reign by Constance Phillips

Refused to Reign:

After his father’s death, Reider relinquished reign of the wolf pack to his brother Geoff, leaving everything—including Sable—behind, but refused to let go of the one thing his father ever gave him: the amulet that symbolized leadership. Six months later, Geoff is missing and the Conclave has called him to the Hotel Paranormal. They want him to take control of the Great Basin pack or hand over the amulet reserved for the alpha of the Great Basin Pack. Reider quickly learns the amulet is coveted by many.

Can Reider unravel the mystery and find his brother or will he submit to Sable and the Conclave and reclaim his reign.

Constance Phillips Bio:

Constance Phillips lives in Ohio with her husband, daughter, and four canine kids where she writes contemporary romance novels and paranormal romance novels.

​

When not writing stories of finding and rediscovering love, Constance and her husband spend the hours planning a cross-country motorcycle trip for the not-so-distant future…if they can find a sidecar big enough for the pups.

  

Giveaway Details:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Refused-Reign-Paranormal-Constance-Phillips-ebook/dp/B01LIB95W8/ref=sr_1_1?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1475596332&sr=8-1&keywords=refused+to+reign

Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/refused-to-reign-constance-phillips/1124621954?ean=2940153515717

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/refused-to-reign

ARE: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-refusedtoreign-2115820-140.html

Links:

Website: http://www.constancephillips.com

Blog: http://www.blog.constancephillips.com

Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/ConstancePhillipsRomanceAuthor/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cmphillips1967/?hl=en

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/CPhillips

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/phillipsconnie/

Tumblr: http://constancephillips.tumblr.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6470282.Constance_Phillips

Newsletter sign up: http://eepurl.com/o_c6f

Nanowrimo 2016

I'm participating in this year's NANOWRIMO. Let's just hope I can write 50,000 words since I didn't make it last fall. My month will be busy as usual because of school, but you know what? It doesn't matter because I really want to write this story I have in mind. For the first time ever, I'm not writing a contemporary romance. I have ideas in that genre, but I'm just really tired of contemporary because I feel like whatever I write is so typical and cheesy and I don't like either of those things. I also want to step out of my comfort zone. The novel that I will write this November is a zombie apocalypse type of story. This novel is inspired by, of course, The Walking Dead. It is not a fanfiction because the only things I took from the tv series are the zombies and the way zombies are killed. Anyway, this is the current cover of the story I will write. I do not know the girl in the picture. I just found this photo on Pinterest. The title is "EVENTIDE" which means "evening". I called it that because something happens every evening/night in the story. That's all I could say for now. I can't wait to start writing!
For those who are participating, GOOD LUCK! <3

Reading(s)

Currently reading:

• The Lord of the Rings (Almost done with the Fellowship of the Ring)
• The Awakening by Kate Chopin
• Wold Girl and Black Prince Vol. 5
• Folk & Fairy Tales

I'm really liking TLOTR, but I wish I could take my time reading it because there is so much info. Right now, I have to rush a little bit because I have an essay and an exam on the first book soon. It's so annoying!!!

One thing that bothers me is that every time I read, I always think about the movie and what's even more annoying is when some of the characters I like in the book are not in the movies (e.g. Tom Bombadil and Glorfindel) Another thing that bothers me is that Frodo is old in the book and in the movies, he is young (It's not really a major spoiler, but if it is for you, I let you to get mad at me rn). Overall, it's really interesting.

My prof said that The Awakening is a "page turner". I don't completely disagree because the chapters in this book are relatively short which is GOOD, but it's not a page turner for me. After I read a chapter, I'm not curious to find out what's going to happen next because I find it kind of predictable. Based on the introduction talking about Kate Chopin's life and how the main character in the book is, I kind of knew what's to come. Nevertheless, I don't hate this book at all.

Wolf Girl and Black Prince, I just don't have much time for it which sucks because I really want to finish this series. I already finished watching the entire anime, but I want to read all volumes too. Hopefully SOOON!

I'm currently on the Sleeping Beauty part of this fairy tale book and I'm loving it. Sleeping Beauty is not my favourite princess, but after reading all these different versions, I had this great idea earlier today that I want to write my own version. I think I'm going to write that during Nanowrimo. Yeah? Yes.