Long Time, No See: The Shadow Book Review

Hello, my lovely readers and fellow writers!

Image taken from http://www.whiskeyriff.com/where-have-you-been/

You don't have to tell me how long it has been because I know that it has literally been YEARS. So much has happened in my personal life that has caused me to take an extended hiatus from blogging and writing. There will be a more in-depth blog post (with pictures) but here are the highlights:

1. Graduated College - two bachelor's degrees in French and English-Creative Writing

2. Met and married the love of my life - Michael <3

3. Graduated with my Masters of Arts in Teaching

4. Now have a big girl job teaching English Language Arts to the best kids in the world. I currently teach American Literature and Composition to Juniors in the Gwinnett County area. AND. I. LOVE. IT.

Taken from https://www.hercampus.com/after-college/15-thoughts-every-girl-has-while-looking-job 

So, those are my four excuses for leaving you all in suspense. However, I do have some great news. The third and final book in The Forget Me Not Trilogy is almost done. Over halfway finished before it is sent to the editor. I promise, as soon as I get information on the publication, you will be the first to know.

But moving on. I am here to review one of my favorite authors and good friends, Marianne Curley. Marianne has published the fourth book in the Guardians of Time Series, entitled The Shadow.

The image is taken from Marianne Curley's Website

If y'all know me at all or remember me from when I used to post on the regular, then you know how much I love Marianne Curley. Not only as an author but as a person. She is truly one of the most humble, kind, and talented young adult novelists that I have had the pleasure to read growing up and to have as a friend now that I am also an author. Even if we live several continents away from one another.

Her latest novel, The Shadow, picks up where the last in her trilogy, The Key, left off. Now, this review will not contain specific spoilers, but if you haven't read this novel or any other books by Marianne Curley, then stop reading now. Seriously. Stop. Go buy them. Read them. Love them.

Marianne Curley takes the reader on a beautiful journey back through the characters she created many years ago. We see all of our favorites: Ethan, Isabel, Arkarian (we know most people read just to see what our favorite blue-haired ageless mentor is doing), Matt, Dillon, Neriah, and many others. Marianne also brilliantly weaves in new characters that seem they have been there the whole time. While most continuation to series can leave the reader empty or wanting more, Marianne Curley successfully and seamlessly brings this world back to life and transports readers to another world where The Named and immortals are real and protect our world from the powers of chaos.

To be honest, I wasn't sure if The Shadow would live up to the last three novels in this series, The Named, The Dark, and The Key, but it surpasses all of my highest expectations. This novel is true to the characters and to the story of The Named. Marianne Curley's prose takes the reader on a roller coaster ride of emotion - from sorrow to hope to suspense to laughing out loud (Legit, I love that Ethan and the others refer to using their wings as "wing out.") to absolute happiness. Readers new and old will not be disappointed by this novel. It is one of my absolute favorites and one I will read and read again.

The Shadow by Marianne Curley can be purchased on Amazon, both in print copy and via Kindle download. Links to Marianne's website and her latest novel are below! GO BUY IT!

Image is taken from Goodreads.com 

BUY BOOK

Marianne Curley's Website

*This review is not sponsored and all opinions are my own.*
* All images are copyrighted to their proper owners found via Google search*

I Leave in T-Minus 3 days, 1 hour, 9 minutes...

I can't even believe it! I'm only days away from going on my European adventure! While I am so excited for this amazing opportunity, I am also nervous and a little scared. This isn't my first time to France, but it is my first longterm stay in a foreign country. Yet, I have many exciting goals and opportunities while I am there.

First, I am hoping to be inspired and get some writing done on book three of the Forget Me Not Trilogy (yes, my lovely readers, I have not forgotten you!). With the long plane ride, different train rides, and days where I can sit in a French café  with un café crème, a croissant, and my laptop, I will have time to type away!

Secondly, I get the opportunity to research a famous 18th century French writer and her personal letters in Vire, France with my lovely French professor. Jeanne-Marie Le Prince de Beaumont was a French author who is best known for penning the original "Beauty and the Beast." And I get to read, translate, and catalog the original, physical, real copies of her personal letters. Like in my hands. I get to hold them. And smell them.

I will be doing better at keeping my blog up to date as much as possible! Please follow me on Instagram, Vine, Twitter, and Facebook for more updates and pictures!

Instagram: apblanchard1218

Vine: Allison Blanchard

Twitter: @apblanchard

Facebook: www.facebook.com/allisonblanchardbooks

Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I travel and move throughout Europe for the next four weeks! And thank you to my readers for all your support. It means the world!

Lack of Blog Posts: Send Complaint Letters to School and Finals Week

Well, it has been quite awhile. And a lot has happened since I last wrote. A. Lot. 

I have finished up my junior year of college and now I only have one year left. Just one. And while I'm thrilled to be so close to my degrees, I can't help but think it's gone by too fast. I can't imagine saying goodbye to all my friends I have made these past three years. But thinking about saying goodbye to my best of friends, reminds me of another heart wrenching goodbye that is going to happen fairly soon.

Now that finals are over and I have most of the summer to write (I'll explain why it's only most of the summer - keep reading!), I must now get back to finishing up The Forget Me Not Trilogy. Meaning I must say goodbye to Adeline, Cole, and all of those characters from that world. I think I have been procrastinating writing book three (at the annoyance of my best friend, sorry Kelly!) because once it's written, it is done. Now, I'm not saying there will never be another book about Adeline and Cole. I'm not writing off that idea completely, but as of now, the story must come to an end. And it breaks my heart. 

Yet, I'm excited at the same time. While I'm sad the story must end, I'm thrilled to share it with everyone who has been on this journey with me since I was first published a year and a half ago. I can't wait to see what you all think - book three is going to be a crazy ride!

Now, speaking of exciting things, the reason I only have most of the summer is because I am going to France for a little over a month in June and July! 

In 38 days and 3 hours I leave for France and I am beyond excited. I'm studying abroad in Strasbourg and Paris where I get to do some research on this 18th century French woman author, Madame Beaumont. But more on that later. 

I'm going to be posting specific blog posts about my travels on this blog for your reading pleasure. Plus I know that I am going to need to a place to upload pictures and pour out my excitement. EEKK! So more posts are to come (I promise!!) on writing book three and packing for France/living in France! 

This last summer before my senior year will be busy, but exciting. And I look forward to sharing it all with you. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for sticking with me. 

Cover Reveal....LOOK AT IT!

Dun dun dun! Here is the beautiful, magnificent, lovely, wonderful, gorgeous cover for Morning Glory. I am so excited to share it with you all and hopefully this will help you forgive me for my lack of posts?! Yes? Maybe? Well, here it is anyway!

I am so excited to share this next novel with you all and it should be released within the next few days. EEEKKKK!!!!!! As soon as it is released, I will post buy links for you all!! :)

Blogger Book Fair Day Four: The fabulous and amazing A.E. Howard

I am honored to have had the chance to interview A.E. Howard! I hope you all enjoy the interview and be sure to check out her books!

My Review of Flight of Blue:

I was luckily enough to be able to read Flight of Blue and I have to say, it's wonderful. I enjoyed the fantasy and adventure elements that Howard brings to life through her setting and characters. I was instantly transported to a different world that could exist within our own reality. This middle grade fantasy novel is perfect for readers of all ages, but especially younger readers who are hungry for action and adventure. Kudos to A.E. Howard and her first novel for bringing reading to life for not only myself, but for the many young readers out there who are just learning how fun reading can be. I personally loved this novel with all of its fantastical elements from a magical talking opossum to the larger than life settings and scenes that Howard creates. I look forward to the next book in this series!

Now, on to the interview! 

First things first, why do you write?

To silence the voices in my head... That came out creepier sounding than I meant... But really, I have these characters that live up there and they want their stories told, so I write.

What do you do to prepare before you actually begin writing? Music, tea, coffee, etc.? 

Coffee, sometimes music. Clean desk when possible.

Do you have a writing routine/schedule? 

I write when my son naps.

What’s your favorite part of the creative process? 

The spark, the new story suddenly winking into existence in the back of my head.

What are the books that you are promoting? 

I have a middle grade fantasy series called the Keeper of the Keys Chronicles. The first full-length novel, Flight of Blue, came out last year. There’s also a spin-off novella told from the viewpoint of the curmudgeonly Opossum sorcerer, Reginald, called Reginald’s Tale currently available. Book 2, The Guardians, will be available Sept 3rd. The series in one sentence goes something like this: With the fabric of the world disintegrating, one boy must stand between the Darkness and everyone he loves.

Flight of Blue

When a wounded Opossum on the side of the road speaks, Kai’s view of the world is shattered. With the help of his friend, Ellie, he embarks on a journey to return the Opossum to his home. But a cursed traffic light, a rip in the fabric of the world, and an injured sorcerer on a quest for revenge means their journey only leads to more questions. As the Realm of Darkness threatens to push through and make his world vanish, Kai must uncover his parents' past to find a way to close the rip between the Realms. But truth is more dangerous than illusion. As Kai struggles to wield his newly discovered magic, he must choose between accepting a role he hates, but was born to play, and abandoning everyone he loves.

Who is your favorite character from your novel? 

Reginald the Opossum sorcerer. (I have to say that or he’ll curse me).

Why do you write for the Middle Grade audience? 

Because it’s what I like to read and this series in particular, because I like kids and like giving them stories where compassion, loyalty, courage, and friendship can stand in the face of great evil, and overcome.

Any advice for aspiring authors who would like to be published?   

Keep writing, don’t give up, consider Indie publishing, but don’t sacrifice quality for ease of publishing.

 Is there anything that you are working on currently that we can be expecting? 

Besides finishing book 3 of the Keeper of the Keys, I’ve got part of a first draft written on the first book of a young adult dystopian trilogy called Obliviate. In the first book, two teens, a boy and a girl, and a young girl of about six or seven wake up with no memory of anything before that moment. They are taken in by a community with a strict and strange views and try to find their place. Called only First, Second, and Third at the beginning, they are told they will be assigned names as they are assigned places, but they can't help but wonder, is there more? And where are they, and what happened to the world they came from?

There’s also an epic fantasy in the works. That one’s looking like a trilogy as well. What can I say? Apparently I scheme in three-book story arcs :-)

 Since your second book is coming out this September, is there anything you can let readers know about this one?

The Guardians: His parents are trapped. The Guardians are missing, and without them, rips are opening all over the world. Stalked in his dreams by a sinister figure known only as the Dream Walker and pursued by Name Monsters who have teamed up to fight them, will Kai and his friends be able to outwit the forces arrayed against them and free the Guardians in time to close the rips before the Realm of Darkness spills out in the Middle Realm? And will Kai be victorious in the war being waged for his mind while he dreams?

Quick Fire Questions:

           

            1. McDonalds or Burger King? No thanks :-)

            2. Coffee or Tea? Coffee. Lots and lots of coffee.

            3. Book or Kindle? Depends on my mood. Love a real book, feel, smell, and all that, but I love the ability to carry a ton of books on one skinny tablet. And I especially love how the kindle has made it possible for me to read a ton of awesome Indie authors!

            4. Romance or Thriller? Fantasy, Adventure, or Sci Fi please :-) Romance and thrills on the side.

            5. Favorite book? Books. I love them. Not all of them, but far too many to be exclusive.

            6. Favorite movie? Same with movies. You caught me, I’m a book and movie polygamist for sure.

            7. Favorite author? Madeleine L'Engle, C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, J.K. Rowling.

            8. iPhone or Android? iPhone.

            9. Favorite color? My goodness. All this commitment. I’ll commit to my current favorite color scheme: Mustard and grey with dark turquoise accents. Other colors I’m consistently drawn to are most colors of the earth, sea and sky (blues, turquoises, greens, greys and browns, with pops of yellows and reds and burnt oranges).

            10. Salty or Sweet? Salty after sweet, please. What’s that you say, this was a quick fire round? You wanted one-word answers? Oops. Too late now ;-)

           

Where can we find you? 

Author Site | Mailing List | Facebook Author Page | Twitter | Blog

Where can we buy your beautiful books? 

Flight of Blue Amazon (paperback) | Kindle | Barnes and Noble (paperback)

Reginald’s Tale Kindle

Blogger Book Fair Day Two: Sydney Logan and her Lovely Novels

I feel so honored to host such a lovely author and person, Sydney Logan! Today, Sydney has graciously allowed me to post an excerpt of second novel, Mountain Charm. Please check out the links below to learn more about this beautiful writer and her works.

The beautiful Sydney Logan

Bio:

Sydney Logan is an Amazon bestselling author and holds a Master’s degree in Elementary Education. With the 2012 release of her first novel, Lessons Learned, she made the transition from bookworm to author. Her second novel, Mountain Charm, was released in July 2013. She is also the author of two short stories: “Mistletoe Magic,” available exclusively on Amazon Kindle, and “Stupid Cupid,” which is featured in the Romantic Interludes compilation.

Sydney has a very unhealthy obsession with music, and her iPod is filled with everything from Johnny Cash to Eminem.  When she isn't reading or writing, she enjoys playing piano and relaxing on her front porch at her home in East Tennessee with her wonderful husband and their very spoiled cat.

Please visit her on the web at www.sydneylogan.com.

Purchasing Links:

Website: http://www.sydneylogan.com/2013/06/buy-books.html

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sydney-Logan/e/B0096LZK90/

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/sydney-logan

TWCS: http://ph.thewriterscoffeeshop.com/authors/detail/41

Also available through iTunes, Kobo, & Books-a-Million

Social Media Links:

Website: http://www.sydneylogan.com

Goodreads:http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5787300.Sydney_Logan

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SydneyLoganAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SydneyALogan

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sydneyalogan/

Now, without further waiting, here is an excerpt of Sydney Logan's latest work, Mountain Charm.

 Mountain Charm Blurb

“True love and sweet whispers, till death do us part;
Send someone to love my Appalachian heart.”

At the age of thirteen, Angelina Clark followed in the footsteps of her ancestors by casting an Appalachian love spell, which promised she would blossom into a beautiful and gifted woman who would find her true love. A young Angelina had been thrilled to participate in the sacred ritual, but through the years, her father’s untimely death and her mother’s failing health have shaken Angelina’s magical faith to its core. As her twenty-first birthday approaches, she refuses to practice her supernatural gifts and no longer believes in the love charm.

That is, until Dylan Thomas arrives on her front porch.

Dylan, a Nashville writer, travels to the mountain town of Maple Ridge to unearth the family’s supernatural secrets. While her clairvoyant mother is convinced that Dylan is her daughter’s soul mate, Angelina refuses to see the nosy reporter as anything more than a nuisance.

Despite their constant bickering, sparks fly.

Dylan admits he feels strangely drawn to Angelina and is in no hurry to leave Maple Ridge or publish his magazine article. Fearful that his emotions are being influenced by the spell, a stubborn Angelina struggles to fight her own budding attraction to the reporter.

The two inevitably grow closer just as her mother’s health begins to deteriorate, and Angelina is faced with the possibility of selling the family’s music shop to pay the mounting medical expenses. Desperate to help the woman he loves, Dylan explores his own family tree and finds support from an unlikely source. Can he finally prove his love is real—spell or no spell?

A story filled with love, friendship, family, and just a hint of Appalachian magic, Mountain Charm will leave you spellbound.

Mountain Charm Excerpt

“It’s your birthday?” Dylan asked.

“Yes, and it was blissfully uneventful until you showed up.”

“Beautiful and infuriating,” Dylan muttered. “Look, Angelina, I was just given this assignment yesterday. I don’t have a clue about Appalachian magic tricks or devil-worshipping or whatever it is you do up in these mountains, but I have a story to write. Just let me interview you and your mom, and I’ll be back on the interstate before you can say abracadabra.”

Instead of pointing out just how ignorant he sounded, Angelina decided what he truly needed was a strong dose of fear.

“Actually, I do have something you need to see. A family heirloom. Wait here?”

Excited for any useful information, Dylan’s eyes lit up and he nodded enthusiastically. Once again, those good manners kicked in, and Dylan opened the door for her. 

Angelina raced inside the house. She hadn’t touched it in years, but she still remembered where her father kept the key to the case. She grabbed what she needed and quickly made her way back out to the porch, letting the screen door slam behind her.

Dylan jumped out of his chair. “What the hell?”

Angelina lifted the rifle and pointed it straight at him. He didn’t need to know the safety was on—or that the chamber was empty.

“This is a Remington, passed down from my father and his father, also known as an Appalachian magic wand. Just watch. It’s going to make you disappear.”

Angelina thought it was almost comical, hearing him curse and watching him leap off the porch. All the commotion caused her dog to chase after him, which only made Dylan sprint faster until he reached the sanctuary of his vehicle.

“Are you insane?” Dylan yelled.

“I tend to get a little crazy when someone trespasses on my property. Leave my family alone and don’t come back!”

He slammed the door and had to do some fancy maneuvering to get around her car, but within seconds, the only sounds Angelina could hear were Dylan’s squealing tires, her dog’s noisy bark, and her mother’s hearty laughter.

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