/* Alan Rickman and Professor Snape /*

In the words of Dumbledore, "Today, we acknowledge a really terrible loss."

My husband was actually the first person to introduce me to the great Alan Rickman. Watching Dogma and seeing him as Metatron was a unique experience, if you know what I mean. *giggles* But it was his voice I thought was so intriguing. Back in 2000 there weren't many actors who had such a unique baritone voice - that stuck out to me. Since then I became a fan of his.

But it was his portrayal of Severus Snape that I became an admirer of his. He played that part amazingly well. It's like he jumped out of my head and spoke, acted, and looked just as I imagined him to. When I learned about his passing Thursday morning, I was devastated. I was at work and just stared at my phone and began crying in the lounge. I couldn't believe that such a wonderful person, an amazing talent, had left us. My condolences to his family, to his friends, and to all of his fans. Especially to his Potter fans. Nobody will ever replace him. He will always be our one and only Snape. Always.

My return!!

I can't believe I've been absent from my page for a year. But, you know, life happens. I decided I'm going to try to update this blog often and try to keep at it. Sort of a New Years Resolution - although I think they're silly, I want to do this for me... and my potential readers. I've already read seven books out of the 100 I pledged to read this year (2016). So that's something, right? I would also like to do a couple of book giveaways and maybe even some reading swag! I really want to get things up and running. 

I hope everyone has had a great start to this year. Any reading resolutions or otherwise that you've made? Every year I pledge to read a certain amount of books and this year I hope to read more than the previous years. Now that my daughter is getting older and I've fallen into the rhythm of my job I really think I'll have time to read to my hearts content. I'm so excited!

"stocking stuffer"

I know, I know.  I have been gone for some time now. I blame my job. Plus, being an awesome mom and wife takes a lot out of my time. Anyway, Beth Fantaskey posted a nice little "stocking stuffer" and is giving us a little more Jessica and  Lucius for the holidays. Here's a little sneak peak and the link to the remaining story. Enjoy!

Snapshot captured from Star Shadow Blog :)

Call of the Vampire by Gayla Twist

Author: Gayla Twist
Title: Call of the Vampire (#1)
Series: Vanderlind Castle
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Release Date: March 18, 2013
ISBN: 1482669285
Authors website: gaylatwist.blogspot.com

Kindle was very adamant about selecting this read for me. I even added it to my TBR list. The book cover just didn't do it for me and the synopsis wasn't too appealing for me either. But the good reviews outweighed the negative ones, so I gave it a shot. 

Aurora is a young seventeen year old girl who is easily persuaded by her heedless best friend, Blossom.  One day, Blossom wheedles Aurora to crash a party at the exclusive and captivating Vanderlind Castle and this is where the girls meet both the cad and Aurora's confused love interest. 

From the beginning I thought the characters names were all off and it really irked me. Aurora, although a very beautiful name, just seemed like it should belong to an older woman. Say, a deceased aunt? Jessie, a boy of noble blood, is such common name; more like a nickname. And Blossom? I know the ditzy friend should have a low-key name. But blossom means something to grow in a healthy manner and Blossom (the bff) definitely is not a healthy choice for Aurora. The names are all wrong. I believe that names are a large part of a story. They carry a weighted meaning for each character and I don't think this amateur author thought this through. I think she picked names that were pretty and not in connection for a story that should be dark and mysterious. 

Other reviews stated this was a fresh new storyline and the characters were so likable. I disagree. Completely. It read like the Twilight series. A whiny teenager not being able to function because her crush doesn't show up to her bedroom. The Bishops are the oldest vampire family who keep their secret sacred - read: Voltori. And there really isn't any connection that caught between Aurora and Jessie. I never felt those sparks between them. Nothing ever happened between them to create a bond other than Aurora's likeness to her dead Aunt Colette, rather, Lettie (another terrible nick/name). And she thought it was alright when Jessie kept calling her by his past loves name after a kiss or embrace. Uhh, no. Aurora was such a pushover. 

Then there's the element of this book being so preachy (again!, Twilight-esque). When I started reading things like you should never do this, my mom told me not to do that, my mom knows what she's talking about, my mom put me in self-defence classes, my mom... *turns off Kindle*  I started thinking this was a book targeted for junior high kids, not high school to college. I believe the author could have gone around the mini sermons and maybe elaborated more on the story at hand. 

This novella was sparse in story-line information, connections between characters, character building, and nonsensical ramblings about Jessie's gray eyes, porcelain skin and statuesque body (another Twilight reference), and Aurora's very short and deficient dreams.

I really want to read the second book in the series. Yes, you read that statement correctly. Mainly just to see if Ms. Twist can redeem herself and her story. 

But the book cover isn't even cohesive to the story. The girl pictured on the cover is the complete opposite of what Twist described within the book. And the castle from book one to book two isn't even the same! The author should have put a little more effort in making this series presentable and more enjoyable. 

I'm really not anti-author! I think bringing an idea to life and taking the time to write is amazing! I wish I had the time and chance to do that with my own personal stories. My review is not an attack on the author personally. Instead, I think it's the execution of the whole package. I'm sure the author will develop her composition skills and find her true voice. 

Rated 1/5 owls

Vanderlind Castle Series:

Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead

Author: Richelle Mead

Title: Silver Shadows

Series: Bloodlines; spin-off from Vampire Academy

Publisher: Razorbill

Release Date: July 29, 2014

ISBN: 1595143211

Author's Site: www.richellemead.com 

...and we not only have a date, blurb, and title, we finally have a cover! I'm loving it so, so much! Sydney looks completely pissed. Look at her face! Her lips aren't even pursed anymore; she has a determination to fight back. And that fire in her eyes, Adrian in the background.... AHHHH! 

Ahem, sorry. Fangirl moment.

I'm so late to the party. Mead's Goodreads page was update a couple of weeks ago. No matter, I'm truly excited!

Do not read Silver Shadows if you have not read the four books preceding this one. Especially book four, The Fiery Heart. An amazing amount of events percolate through relationships, friendships, and ideas. I'm in the process of writing a few short reviews (Fiery Heart being one of them) and I can tell you that it was by far the best book in the series. It's non-stop!

I'm definitely looking forward to book five. I just know there's going to be some sort of war brewing in the Alchemist world with Sydney at the forefront frighting not only for her love or even the freedom to love, but the freedom to love all people and beings; yes, beings. This has got to be packed with action - both mentally and physically. There's no doubt about it. Whether it's a physical battle or metaphysical (without a doubt both), Silver Shadows is going to be great. Mead never let's us down. And I'm sure she's going to prove just once again.