You're Invited!

What: An event for free and 99-cent clean ebooks - stories with no language, sex, or horror.  Think PG or, in the case of crime stories, PG-13 for violence only.

Who: The list of authors and genres is in the works, but Jenni James is the one who got the ball rolling!

When: Friday, September 13

Where: http://cleanauthors.com/  You can also find the group on Facebook and Twitter.

Moonlight, Magic, and Mermaids

What's your opinion of mermaids?

Specifically, mermaids in fiction.  I don't believe mermaids really exist - although, crazy as it seems, some people do.  But I completely adore mermaids in television, movies, and books.  As a writer I try to follow trends in the publishing world, and the popularity of vampires and zombies is waning.  Guess what's coming out as the next big thing?  Mermaids!  Excuse me while I squeal for joy.

Anyway, for research on books I'm writing, I like to see what's out there that's similar.  When I was writing Beila and the Griffin, my Beauty and the Beast retelling, I discovered one of my favorite television shows - CBS's Beauty and the Beast from the 80's.  When I moved on to my Little Mermaid retelling, The Rebel Mermaid, I discovered another show (though not as great): H2O: Just Add Water.

The first half of the first season is super cheesy, and as an American I found it harder than I expected to adjust to the Australian accents.  The whole show is aimed at middle schoolers and younger high schoolers.  It's little more than fluff and fun.  There's not a lot of depth and the show certainly doesn't require the concentration level that Doctor Who, my current favorite, demands.  But I completely love this show.

Once you get past the first few episodes, the characters are realistic.  They don't always get along, they are sometimes brats and sometimes heroes, and they're sort of diverse.  The relationships are great, too.  Teenage romance isn't shown as overly mature and passionate like it is in most television shows - but it's not shown as trivial like most adults view it, either.  Sometimes things work out and sometimes they don't.  There's happy moments and hard times.  Basically, people and teenagers in particular are portrayed honestly and realistically.  As a plus, when actors have to leave the show, their absence is explained rather than ignored, and in a way that's not super dramatic (like their character dying *coughBeautyandtheBeastcough*) and that fits with their character and the storyline.

H2O ended after three seasons.  As with any show viewers enjoy, knowing that's the end is disappointing, but it was a natural ending.  The actors - and their characters - were growing up and moving on in life.  A sequel or continuation wasn't really needed - but loyal viewers received a spin-off anyway.

As of writing this, I've seen the first three episodes of Mako Mermaids: An H2O Adventure.  I have to say that it starts out a lot stronger than the original show did.  It's rather obvious that the three main mermaids correspond with the three main girls from the first show - and I like that - but they're still their own characters.  I think it'll be awesome to see the whole mermaid magic experience I'm familiar with from the first show play out through the point of view of a guy this time - plus, BLUE TAIL!  The whole time I was watching the first show I wanted to see something other than orange.  The uniformity was nice and all, but really, blue is so much better for a tail anyway!  It is pretty nice that all the female mermaids still have the same original tails, though.

Besides the three main characters (who I already love) and Zac (who seems cool but we'll see - not sure anything will beat Lewis!), I really like the principal character.  I recognized her secret before the girls in the show did.  I think that's partly because, with the three mermaids corresponding to the original show's three girls, I figured there might be someone to replace the "strange old lady" from the first show as well.  This principal is obviously not going to be anything like the friendly, eccentric woman from the first show, but I think there's a lot of potential in her character for this show!  Oh, and the inclusion of a cafe similar to JuiceNet/Rikki's from the first show is really nice, too.  I haven't seen any name for the cafe mentioned so far, so I'd like to believe it's still Rikki's. ^.^  Speaking of Rikki, I think Zac and his friend's lifesaving supervisor seems an awful lot like Zane's dad... bleh.

The only thing that really bothers me about this show is the inconsistencies with the first show.  I've decided to come up with my own explanations for loopholes/open-ended portions like fans of Doctor Who tend to do sometimes, but I'd prefer to finish watching the full season before making my headcanon public. :)

Note to H2O Fans: I know, technically the original show had four girls if you count all three seasons.  But Emma was only in the first two and Bella was only in the last one, and for these purposes I refer to the group as a trio with Emma and Bella being interchangeable considering which season I'm thinking of.

My Imaginary Boyfriend, Episode Three: Blue

Any of you, my lovely readers, who hoped to see more of Rykel's and my story owe this new Saturday series to the clamoring of my mom and best friend who convinced me to finish.  Huge thanks to S.J. Aisling, actual author/creator of Rykel and his real story, Conductives.  S.J. and I are friends and she's not only agreed that this series is a good idea - she's willing to read the pieces before they're live and possibly throw in an installment or two of her own!  So, without further ado...

Episode three of My Imaginary Boyfriend, a Conductives fanfiction series by Emily Rachelle with help from the author, S.J. Aisling.

Previous episode: http://emilyrachellewrites.blogspot.com/2013/07/my-imaginary-boyfriend-episode-two-five.html


I laugh.  Considering how little I know about this tattoo-sporting, motorcycle-driving, secret-identity guy, I ought to be a little wary.  But something in Rykel's electric blue eyes grinning at me makes joy bubble through my heart.

He leans forward and sets his left elbow on the table, cocking one eyebrow.  I notice a few faded scars scattered along his hand.  Wonder what's up with those.  "Okay, hon, so.  Basically, I was born with this... problem."


I nod and take another bite of my noodles.  "Okay."  What does he mean?  Wherever he's going with this, I can definitely say it sounds interesting.

He ruffles his hair with his hand, flipping it off towards his ear.  I hold back a smile at the gesture.  He is incredibly good-looking.  "You've closed a car door and had that static shock before, right?"

"Sure."  Who hasn't?  I can't stand the feeling.

"Some people are born with this genetic... thing that actually causes them to store up that energy inside."

I nod.  "Okay."  Obviously he must mean he's one of these people.

He pauses and rests both hands on the tablecloth, seeming to wait for a further reaction.  I shrug.  "So?  I follow you."

"You believe me?"

"Why not?"

A slow smile stretches across his rough face.  "Alright.  The people eventually have to get rid of all that energy, so they do this thing called a Release.  Since they're releasing the energy and all."

"Cool.  Isn't that kind of dangerous?"  I glance at his hands.  The scars line both hands.

He laughs, and the scratchy sound touches that odd spot in my chest.  I look up at him.  "Yeah, babe, that it is.  There's explosions and power problems and a whole lot of problems like that, especially when they don't know what they're doing.  It's something you have to practice and learn control for.  You know?"

I smile.  "Makes sense."  I pause to eat another bite before prodding him on.  "So where is all this going?"   Just say it already.

He swallows and chuckles.  "See, actually, there's a whole group of these people.  They're called Conductives, and they study at this special school.  Honestly, it's more like a high-tech military base.  All the security and rules are insane."  He rolls his eyes.  "It is a pretty sweet place, just run by control freaks.  Anyway... well, I'm kind of... one of them."

I raise my eyebrows and laugh.  "Cool."  I look out the window to my right before looking back at Rykel.  "That's just... huh."

He nods, grinning wildly.  "It's pretty awesome."

"I'd say!  So, you're like a superhero?"

I didn't realize his grin could get bigger.  If he didn't have the physique of a hardcore Marine, I'd call it adorable.  "Yeah, pretty much."

"Do you guys have specific powers?  Or you just all do the same things with the energy?"

"Hey, I'm unique, sweetheart."  He glances around the restaurant and then leans in closer to me.  I giggle.  "Want to see?"

I nod and try not to squeal my answer.  "Yes!"  I grab my purse off the back of my chair.

He reaches into his back pocket to pull out his wallet.  "You can wait by the Indian while I pay."

"The what?"

He gestures towards the front of the restaurant.  "My motorcycle.  It's an Indian."

"Oh!  Okay."

It only takes a few minutes for him to join me in the parking lot.  He hands me the helmet and I strap it on and situate myself on the motorcycle seat behind him, wrapping my arms around his waist.  I lay the side of my head against his neck while he drives to shield myself from the cold night air.  He's so strong and warm.

He passes through a few intersections before reaching a gym that's been closed for almost a year and pulls into the parking lot.  I slide off the motorcycle seat and hang the helmet on the handlebar.  I bite my lip as I slide my purse back over my shoulder.  Is this safe?  I'm nervous and excited in the same breath.  He slides his fingers through mine and pulls me away from the motorcycle and the empty building.  I shiver and smile at him.

"You sure you ready for this, babe?"

I love his pet names.  "Yes.  I won't freak out."

He grins.  "Okay.  Oh, and one more thing," he adds, his smile suddenly gone.  "You have to promise you won't tell."

I nod, equally serious.  "Of course.  I promise."

The fun, grinning Rykel returns as quickly as it vanished.  "Here goes nothing!"

He lets go of my hand and snaps his fingers with his other hand.  In between his index finger and thumb, a little blue glowing orb floats in the air.  Like you might throw a pebble or a marble, he tosses the floating light away from us and it hits the parking lot.  A tiny explosion like fireworks goes off with a staticky noise when the orb hits the asphalt, then it fades with a sizzle.  Little black scorch marks streak the parking lot where the collision happened.

I'm sure my eyes are as wide as saucers.  Rykel is looking at me.

"Hey babe.  You okay?"

I shake my head to snap myself out of it and meet his worried gaze.  "That-"  I clear my throat and try again, knowing that my voice is barely above a whisper.  "That was freaking awesome."

"You don't look too great."

"I'm fine."  I give a small smile and glance back at the scorch marks.  "I just... it's a lot to take in."  I look back at Rykel and notice something on his hand.  "Hey, you're bleeding."

He covers the cut with his other hand and shrugs.  "It's no biggie."

I pull my gaze away from his hands and look back up at him.  "Is that how you got all your scars?"

Rykel shrugs again and wipes his hands on his jeans before taking mine and leading me back to the motorcycle.  "Why don't I get you back?  It's getting late."

I hold back my disappointment and sigh in assent.  "You're right."

The ride back to the coffee shop feels like an eternity but ends too soon.  Rykel helps me off the seat and squeezes my hand before releasing me.  I smile.  "I had fun tonight."

He smiles a little and slides his hands in his pockets.  "Yeah, it was cool.  So I'll see you around?"

"So I'll see you again?"  I try not to let myself show just how excited just being around him makes me.  I'm not sure if I'm successful.

"Sure."  He pauses before adding, with his smile fading, "Well, if nobody finds out about me.  I'm serious, you can't tell anyone - about me being a Conductive or the party tonight or that thing back in the parking lot - especially that."

I nod.  "Rykel, I promised.  You can trust me."  He doesn't grin or laugh, and it makes me uneasy.  "Really.  Rykel, whether or not we see each other again, I won't tell."

He smiles and my uneasiness flees.  "Okay then.  Night, sweetheart!"

I wave while he climbs onto his motorcycle and revs up the engine.  "Good night, Rykel!"  With a puff of exhaust and the squeal of his tires, he flies away, and I turn to walk back to school campus.

Book Review: Mars Burning

Mars Burning by Cidney Swanson

Amazon Page
GoodReads Page
LibraryThing Page
Author Website

My Review of Saving Mars

Amazon Summary:

Chancellor Lucca believes Jess and Pavel are dead, and now she's deadly determined to make certain Mars never interferes with her or her world again. Meanwhile on Mars, Mei Lo pleads with the Raiders to finish their second mission: disabling the Terran satellites. But the satellites aren't all that threaten the red planet. Cavanaugh Kipling makes plans to contact Lucca's government--without permission. Now Jessamyn must thwart villains on two worlds before it's too late to prevent the destruction of Mars.

My Thoughts:

Give me a minute to breath.

Okay... no, wait, another minute.  Look at that gorgeous cover while you wait.  Look at that beauty!

Just - just one more, please.

Whew.  This masterpiece really knocks the breath out of you.

Jess is running for her life, breaking rules, kicking butt and being her general all-out Mars patriot hero self - all while falling completely, totally in love with a boy from a world she never wanted anything to do with.

Nothing new there.  But man, this story never gets old.  She is awesome.  Pavel is amazing.  The Wallaces are hilarious.  Lucca is just cold-blooded, terrifying evil in bodily form.  Vladim Wu and Gaspar Bonaparte are freaky psycho minions who drive me nuts and make me cry.  But - dare I say this - Cavanaugh, at least in the level of hatred he drew from me, leaves them all way behind.  The evil, evil, evil traitor... I just have no words for how horrifyingly low the bad guys in this book fell.

The good guys, though - well, they're mostly the same people we've come to adore.  Jess is struggling with whether her rule-breaking streak is really ever a good idea; Kipper is coming to learn that not everything is black and white - while recovering from a whole awful lot; and Pavel is fighting to keep his love alive and well without compromising everything she lives for.  Meanwhile, Brian is just as feisty and Harpreet just as wise and gentle as ever, if a little less present in this book.  (Ironic, considering the group's all together on the run for most of it...)

The plot of this book is a little hard to explain.  Most books have a main plot with a ton of other events that move things along but don't fit in a simple summary.  As far as plot goes, honestly, the Amazon summary gives you almost everything - and that's not a bad thing.  Actions, events, and reactions come along at breakneck speed as the characters race through their crazy lives.  This is the most character-driven book I think I've ever read.

As usual, the writing from Cidney was just brilliant.  Just like the other Mars books, there's no actual language.  There's a little more romance than there's been in the previous Mars books - probably because, you know, the characters are actually with each other more this time - and the line definitely crosses into making out.  If I remember correctly, it's very similar to the kind of thing found in the Ripple series: heavy kissing, a lot of notice at physical aspects, and some sweet-and-literal-not-risque sleeping together.  There's nothing totally PG-13, per say, but be forewarned that it qualifies as sensual.

Four and a half stars and please Cidney hurry with book five! :D

I was provided a free copy of this book.  The author requested a review, but none was guaranteed.  All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Book Review: How to Make Friends and Monsters

How to Make Friends and Monsters by Howard Boward (With a Little Help from Ron Bates)
Some friends are just worth making.


Amazon Page
GoodReads Page
LibraryThing Page
Author Website

Jon's Previous Review

From Amazon:

For Howard Boward, science genius, making friends in middle school is hard. The other kids have more fun creatively expanding Howard's name than actually hanging out, as in How-weird or How-Lame. . So, why not actually make a friend? A little wonder putty, some DNA, a few accidentally spilled chemicals and---boom!---instant friend. Monster friend, that is. Franklin ends up being cool in middle school, and he helps Howard climb the uber-popular ladder, becoming How-Cool. But the new fame and friendship isn't exactly everything Howard hoped. Turns out real friendship might not be so simple, even when you create your own friends from scratch.

 My (Brother's) Thoughts:


What I Liked:  It was written from a kid's point of view and showed his sarcasm.  The descriptions were realistic.  I liked the plot of the story and the writing style.  Mainly, I just liked the way the author explained things in the book with detail.

What I Didn't Like:  Sometimes things were a childish perspective.  It was an okay book, not a great book.  It seems more targeted to readers younger than me.  (Emily's note: Jon is fourteen.)  I didn't dislike much about the book; it just doesn't seem like the kind of book for me.  Fantasy-reading kids might like it better.

My Favorite Part:  Probably when he first makes the monster.  It's kinda cool.

My Favorite Person:  My favorite person would be... Franklin, the monster.  He was cool.

About the characters:  There's the main guy, Howard Boward.  He was small, considered lame and geeky.  He was smart but not very popular.  Crystal was a bratty cheerleader, and Steve was an older bully.  Franklin was a monster with the personality of Howard but a whole bunch of animal DNA.  Crystal and Steve are higher up in middle school, both in age and popularity.  They think they're better than everyone else and they have a lot of friends.  Howard doesn't think he can get them to talk to them until he accidentally makes Franklin and brings him to school as an exchange student.  Franklin makes Howard popular.  The relationships and events are pretty realistic.  Franklin's like this big monster who can do anything.

About the plot: Howard makes Franklin.  Franklin grows, goes to school, and he and Howard part from each other.  Franklin runs away, so Howard makes more monsters - which gets him in trouble.

Stars:  Four and a half.  A pretty good book that just wasn't really for me.

A DJC Communications publicist gave my brother a free copy of this book in exchange for a review.  All opinions expressed are entirely his own.

Book Promo: Open {Giveaway!}

Recently, I received an email from Mike of PartnersHub, with some information about a book promotion he thought I might be interested in.  While that particular book didn't catch my eye, the next one he sent my way did.  (Yes, it might be partly due to my love of online quizzes.  Secret: I'm addicted to quizzes, especially the personality type!  What Jane Austen heroine am I?  Elinor Dashwood, all three times I took it!  What genre would I be?  Fantasy.  What fandom am I in?  Well, according to the quiz, The Hunger Games - and I am! - but I'm sure if I could see inside the quiz workings I would see I was also very, very close to Doctor Who!)

Anyway, I'll let Mike's expert and professional email do the talking, since I've somehow rambled off:

Get inspired and energized with this new, life-changing book, Open, by Craig Gross, available now wherever books and eBooks are sold.

Doesn’t it feel great when you find a book that really inspires you? Something that really gets you motivated to live and love better?


Author and speaker, Craig Gross, is helping men and women all over the country do just that.  In his new book, Open, Craig is letting you discover a life of freedom, confidence and success by being honest and transparent with people you truly hold dear.

How would getting more "open" benefit YOU in your life and relationships?

Hear why Craig believes this message of "openness" for FAMILIES is so important:

"Open" is for families because "Open" is for everyone. Yes, accountability is helpful for individuals; it can help men become better husbands and fathers and women become better wives and mothers, and accountability can help young believers grow into a more mature faith. But beyond showing the individual benefits of accountability, "Open" shows that an honest, forgiving, caring, consistent, and respectful dialogue within a group dynamic--including families--serves only to make that group stronger and closer together. Your family relationships are forever and will outlast all others--why not make them open?
- Craig Gross, author of Open

About the author:
Craig Gross is an author, speaker, pastor, and revolutionary. He shot to prominence in 2002 when he founded the website XXXchurch.com. Craig is the author of nine books. He currently resides in Los Angeles, CA, with his wife, Jeanette, and their two children, Nolan and Elise.

Endorsements Received for Craig Gross's book, Open:
"I don't say this often, but this book is a must read."
Jefferson Bethke

"Open is one of the most relative and practical books on accountability I've ever read. Craig takes many routes, through stories from pop culture and his personal journey to help lead you to a life thats Open."
Josh McCown
NFL Journeyman 





a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thomas Nelson supplied me with one copy of this book for a giveaway and one for me to read personally in exchange for this giveaway.

Heart Torn in Two {The Fun}

You can read Heart Torn in Two and follow to keep up with the latest chapters on Fanfiction.net.

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Susan

Caspian

The Girl

 The Boy

Two hearts. Two worlds. Two children. When Susan leaves Narnia the second time, she leaves much more than a lover behind and carries a great secret with her. Will her life ever be whole again? Caspian/Susan. Movie canon. Begins during Prince Caspian. Rated T to be safe.

Heart Torn in Two