Review: The Unwritten Rule

Thou shalt not kiss thy friend's boyfriend

Sarah wanted Ryan first, but Brianna, who is more extroverted and aggressive went for him. As the three of them started hanging out together, it became obvious that there was a stronger chemistry between Sarah and Ryan. Something needed to be done about it. And soon. 

The Unwritten Rule is very repetitive despite it's short length. Brianna could be a charming girl and then turn into a terrible friend you wouldn't even wish on your worst enemy. This made it harder to root for the girl code. One wonders, how much deeper the book could have been, if Brianna had been the sweet girl next door.

On the plus side, the theme and situations (bowling dates, spending quality time with parents), made the story realistic. Elizabeth Scott also managed to give the ending a twist and provide the story with some great quotes on friendship and letting go.

Caught my arrow #23

Caught my Arrow is a meme similar to In my mailbox and  Stalking the Shelves featuring books that were purchased, borrowed or received that week.

Birthday Week! Received lots of unexpected goodies I will soon devour. As well as James Clyde and the Diamonds of Orchestra by author Colm McElwain.  

Received for review 

James Clyde and the Diamonds of Orchestra

Birthday Gifts I received

Vader's Little Princess

Grave Mercy

The Dark and Hollow Places

You Against Me

The Catastrophic History of You and Me

Casual Vacancy

Borrowed from Library

The Education of Hailey Kendrick

The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

H.G. Wells Steampunk Collection

What are you reading this week?

Feature and Follow Friday: Roll Camera!

Parajunkee / Alison Can Read

FEATURE & FOLLOW FRIDAY

Once you answer be sure to leave me your link so I can follow you back

Q: It is up to you to do a kickstarter campaign for your favorite book!! Who are you casting for the main characters?

Seven Star Pictures bought the rights to The Forest of Hands and Teeth in 2009. But since the casting hasn't yet started, I decided to give it a go myself. Here are my picks:

Isabel Burr as Mary:A teenage girl who wishes to learn what lies beyond the village. She is very curious about the ocean, which no one believes is real.

Colton Haynes as Travis:  The boy Mary loves. Though he returns her feelings, he won't marry her because his brother is in love with her. Instead, he asks Mary's best friend, Cass, to become his wife. He injures his leg one day, and later in the book is infected while trying to save Mary.

Beau Mirchoff as Harry: Travis's brother, who is in love with Mary though the feeling is not reciprocated. Nevertheless, Mary agrees to wed him to escape the Sisterhood. He soon develops feelings for Cass while Travis is recovering from his broken leg. 

Pixie Lott as Cass: Mary's best friend until a love-quadrilateral estranges them. Mary says she smells like sunshine.

(Characters descriptions taken from Wikipedia)

A Conversation with Author Jordan Elizabeth Mierek

I'm happy to be receiving author Jordan Elizabeth Mierek today to promote her upcoming anthology, 13 Haunted Tales.

              

Hi Jordan, thank you for being with us. Please do tell, what inspired you to write these three short stories?

It started with one short story, Amity.   I was looking for an agent for my manuscript Timelessness and I read on a writing website that it’s a good idea to have credits to your name, and a great way to get those would be by writing short stories.  I wrote Amity based on the graveyard by my house.  Plus, I’ve always had a love for the supernatural. I submitted it to online journals, but they weren’t interested in ghost stories.  Then, while browsing the Internet, I found that Wagonbridge Publishing wanted short stories for a ghost story anthology. Perfect! I was so excited to get an acceptance email.  I wrote two other short stories for the anthology: Candlestick Guilt and Yankee Inn.  The anthology will be titled 13 Haunted Tales and will be available on Wagonbridge Publishing’s website starting in October.

If you could have a diner party with two authors, who would you pick and what would you serve?

Wow, only two?  I’d love to invite all of my author friends and serve them fried tofu.  For one thing, I’d love to meet them, since I only know them through Facebook, email, and their stories.  For another, more people should be introduced to fried tofu, haha. 

Any advice for aspiring writers?

Don’t listen when people say, “You’re not there now; what makes you think you’ll ever get there?”  Just like with anything, you have to believe you can do it.  You have to strive for it.  Fight.  Do whatever you have to (without hurting others).  It isn’t about the naysayers.  It’s all about you and what you want.  The happiest moment of my life was when I signed with my agency, Belcastro.   I stared at the mirror behind my bedroom door with this goofy smile on my face and said, “I really did it.  My dream really did come true.  This is what it feels like.”  When I still think about that moment, that goofy smile returns. 

What are you working on now -- or would you rather surprise us?

I’m always working on something!  I wrote a steampunk/Wild West story that got too long, so I split it into two books.  I’m working on that sequel and a fantasy about a girl with a spirit panther.  I’m curious to see where she takes me in her world of snow and castles.

You can find Jordan Elizabeth Mierek on:

Website

Wattpad

Twitter

Facebook


Thank you for being with us Jordan, and good luck on all your future projects.

Review: Clockwork Prince

The Infernal Devices series maintains its gripping nature through Clockwork Prince.

This time the London institute, which took in Tessa after her brother Nate tried to sacrifice her, is under investigation. It appears Mortmain and the Magister are behind their troubles, forcing the gang to go after them before they loose their home.

Sure, the gang travels and searches for Mortmain in unthinkable places, but it is the love triangle plot behind Will, Tessa, and Jem that gives us the best diversion. Will's past reveals itself despite his attempt at keeping it hidden, making us see that maybe we judged him too soon. Perhaps Will is the best choice for Tessa after all?

Also, a few new characters are introduced, including the humorous Bridget Daly who enjoys singing mournful songs while cooking.

If you are looking for a book that packs action, romance, and a dash of steampunk, make sure to give Clockwork Prince a shot.