Broadway Tuesday

You may be familiar with the musical Wicked.

If you are, you know that it is a story of "what happened before Dorothy" from the Wizard of Oz and is about the Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda the good witch.

You also probably know the song "What Is This Feeling" which is performed by the two enemies when they are assigned to be roommates.

This song has a whole new twist when two "Fiyeros" sing it. Here are Norbert Leo Butz and Aaron Tveit.

Book Review Monday

Hey everyone! What are you reading right now?

I just finished reading Petticoat Ranch by Mary Connealy.

You all probably know by now how much I LOVE Mary Connealy. She is absolutely one of my favorite authors. Everything she writes is heartfelt, awesome, and HILARIOUS.

Petticoat Ranch, her first published novel, is no exception.

Sophie Edwards and her family of four young daughters have a very nice life, living in hiding in a thicket outside town--they even have a disguise Sophie wears whenever they have "visitors" so everybody thinks a crazy old woman lives there.

Everything changes one night when a mysterious man who is being chased comes riding through their little home. He is thrown from his horse into a flooding river and Sophie and her girls rescue him.
What shocks the girls is that, once he is cleaned up, he looks exactly like Sophie's dead husband. Exactly.

Clay McClellan turns out to be Cliff's twin brother, a brother whom Cliff himself did not know about. Clay decides it is his duty to marry his brother's widow to support her, and he does just that.

Clay buys back his brother's ranch and moves the family back. He finds himself stuck in a world full of females--unlike any other he has seen before. When the bad guys who killed Sophie's first husband returns, a lot of great action ensues.

I struggled to put this book down. It is a must-read.

Bible Verse Sunday

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:21

Writing Friday

Okay, as I promised you all a while ago, I am going to do some blog posts this month about my two main characters in the last book of my trilogy. (Read more about my trilogy here.)
I will give you the opportunity to leave somem questions for my character to answer in next week's post.

Aimee Dawson has been friends with Ivy and Eden since they were tiny girls.

With golden blond ringlets of hair and emerald green eyes, she truly is one of the most beautiful, eligible young ladies in all of London. She typically wears her hair in the most ellaborate coiffure her or her servants can acheive each day--she cares about her appearance very much. She is nineteen years old.
I imagine her looking somewhat like Hayden Panettierre, but I like this photo of a model to represent her.

Aimee is sweet, generous, and strong. 

She lives in England, slightly spoiled by her four older brothers and parents. Her father is English and her mother is French. They suprisingly met during a war and married each other despite their countries being enemies. Eden truly is like a sister to Aimee because after Eden's mother died, Mrs. Dawson helped Eden to become a proper young lady.

During Swept to Sea, she goes on an expedition with Ivy to find their friend, Eden.

So, now you have been introduced to Aimee Dawson!

What do you think of her? Please leave her some questions in your comments and she will answer them on next week's post!

Music Thursday

Everybody knows how awesome I think Hadley Fraser is by now.

So, in case you didn't know how awesome I think Hadley is, I will share him singing a very cute Christmas song.

Bible Verse Wednesday

The Lord your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17

Broadway Tuesday

Since lately I have been going with the theme of "miscast" actors, I thought I would share another video with you.

Odds are that Ramin Karimloo will probably never play Coalhouse in Ragtime, but here he is singing "Make Them Hear You" from Ragtime.

Book Review Monday

I am a member of this awesome writers community which is led by authors Sephanie Morrill and Jill Williamson.
Together, Stephanie and Jill wrote a book to help teen writers with their journeys. The book is called Go Teen Writers: How to Turn Your First Draft into a Published Novel.

This book is exactly what its title says. It is filled to the brim with priceless information for all authors, not just teen authors.

"The question we hear most from new writers is, “How do I get published?”
And the answer is: Respect your dream

Every writer’s journey is different, yet as we’ve reflected on our experiences and those of the writers around us, we've seen time and time again that those who are successful are the ones who had the patience and endurance to stick with this writing thing. They didn't look for shortcuts (at least, not for long), nor did they quit after five, ten, or one hundred rejections.

We can’t make the process easy for you, but it’s our hope that this book will be a tool you can turn to time and time again when you’re thinking, 'Okay … what’s next?'

Includes tips for:
-Getting published
-Finding the right agent
-Book surgery
-Thicker plots
-Deeper characters
-Richer settings
-Weaving in theme
-Dealing with people who don't get your writing"

Go Teen Writers includes this and so much more. I took notes the entire time I read it, and I am positive I will go back to it countless times during my writing process.

This has helped me edit my work-in-progress novel and will help me in the future when I want to try to get it published. 

Also, some writers books tend to read a little like a textbook. This is not the case for Go Teen Writers. Jill and Stephanie use a fun tone in their writing and talk to the reader as a fellow writer.

If you are interested in writing or learning more about the writing process, I recommend you get this book.

Bible Verse Sunday

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39

Writing Friday

Hi everyone..

Today I thought I would share something fun...
This site has some cute "doll makers" which are basically a technological form of a paper doll.
Well, the other day I saw that they had one based on The Hobbit so I decided that I just had to turn my characters into hobbits...

Here are the results...

Complete with big, hairy feet and pointy ears! Do you like them? I had fun creating the costumes.

From left to right: Eden Trenton, Caspian Archer, Ivy Shaw, Gage Thompson, Aimee Dawson, and Matthew Emery. (Aimee and Matthew have not been interviewed on the blog yet)

I just thought it would be fun to share a "picture" of them all for you today. I hope you liked it!

Music Thursday

Last week I shared a video from 2013's Miscast benefit concert. 

This concert is one that is usually done every year, where Broadway stars perform songs they will likely never be cast to sing. I think this is really fun!

Here is Jonathan Groff performing "Anything Goes".

Bible Verse Wednesday

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
John 16:33

Broadway Tuesday

Everyone now knows Aaron Tveit as Enjolras from the latest Les Miserables movie, but did you know he was in the musical of Next to Normal?

Here he is singing "I'm Alive". Isn't he awesome?

Book Review Monday

Did you know that 101 years ago today, the RMS Titanic sunk?

I am obsessed with anything related to the Titanic. Seriously. I did a Social Studies fair project and paper on it in middle school and I wrote a screenplay about it.
So instead of giving you a whole speech related to all of the history of to it, I will share some fictional books set on the Titanic.

First is a Dear America book called "Voyage on the Great Titanic". I read this a long time ago, but I remember I enjoyed it very much. I think it was one of the first things that got me interested in the Titanic.

"Five years ago, Margaret Ann Brady's older brother left her in the care of an orphanage and immigrated to America. When the orphanage receives an unusual request from an American woman looking for a traveling companion, Margaret's teachers agree that she is the perfect candidate to accompany Mrs. Carstairs on the TITANIC, so that once Margaret arrives in New York she will be free to join her brother in Boston. But the TITANIC is destined for tragedy, and Margaret's journey is thrown into a frozen nightmare when the ship collides with an iceberg."

This book is geared toward younger readers (I was probably in 5th grade when I read it) but it is a good book and includes lots of true history. I loved it.

Next is "Distant Waves" by Suzanne Weyn. I read this a while ago, also, but I read it about six times in a row because I liked it so much. Again, a large chunk of it takes place on the Titanic. I like that it also includes a lot of information about the awesome inventor Tesla.

"The destinies of five sisters all converge on board the Titanic.Daughters of a famed clairvoyant, the five Taylor sisters have moved to turn-of-the-twentieth-century Spirit Vale, where their mother makes a living talking to the dead. The future, however, is something even she cannot see clearly.
The sisters are not meant to stay in Spirit Vale for long. All seem poised to move in different directions--science, society, fame, even the spirit world--but all of their destinies converge on board the Titanic. A transatlantic voyage that promises great wonders soon turns into a fight for survival that not everyone will win...or can they?"

I just love all of the elements in this book. I think there is definitely something for everyone in it. This is for a slightly older reader group, probably young adult. I still love it though!

Last is "Queen of the Waves" by Janice Thompson. I have not read it yet, but I bought it because I love the Titanic so much. It looks interesting to me!

"Two families on opposite sides of the globe are shaken by the rise and fall of the Titanic, 'queen of the ocean.'
When pampered Jacqueline Abington secretly elopes with the family gardener, she asks another woman to take her place on the much-anticipated maiden voyage of the Titanic. Tessa Bowen hails from a poor corner of London but has been granted the opportunity of a lifetime -- a ticket to sail to America aboard a famed vessel. But there's a catch: she must assume Jacqueline's identity. For the first time in her life, Tessa stays in luxurious quarters, dresses in elegant gowns, and dines with prestigious people. Then a wealthy American man takes an interest in her, and Tessa struggles to keep up the ruse as she begins falling for him. When tragedy strikes, the game is up, and two women's lives are forever changed."

So, what do you think of the Titanic? Have you read any fictional books related to it? Have you read any of the books I mentioned? 

Also, feel free to ask me questions about the Titanic. I love answering them!

Bible Verse Sunday

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalm 46:10

Writing Friday

Hello everyone...
First of all I want you to take a look at my beautiful header at the top of my blog generously made by my friend Leah. (click on her name to visit her blog!)

Instead of writing a blurb about one of my characters, this week I wanted to show you where I am in my writing.

Currently I am working on editing "Swept Away" (read more about it here)

This is what a little bit of my editing looks like...

I love my sticky notes and red ink!

At the same time, I am writing the sequel to "Swept Away" starring Ivy and Gage.

And right now, I am reading a great book by Stephanie Morrill and Jill Williamson called "Go Teen Writers".  It is helping me learn a lot about writing!

Music Thursday

Many of us have heard the song "Stars" song by Javert in Les Miserables. But have you heard Fantine and Phantom of the Opera star Sierra Boggess sing "Stars"?

Bible Verse Wednesday

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."
John 6:35

Broadway Tuesday

Today I am going to share a couple of scenes from Les Miserables. The video is kind of long, so skim through it if you want, but it is worth listening to! Pay close attention to the gal playing Eponine...she is Sutton Foster!

Book Review Monday

As I promised last week, today I am going to share with you a review of Mary Connealy's Swept Away.

Here's a quick description that I posted last week while I was still reading the book.
   "Swept away when her wagon train attempts a difficult river crossing, Ruthy MacNeil isn't all that upset at being separated from the family who raised her. All they've ever done is work her to the bone. She prayed for a chance to get away, and then came the raging flood. Alive but disoriented, she's rescued by Luke Stone...so unfortunately, there are more chances to die in her immediate future.
Luke is heading home to reclaim the ranch stolen from his family. But the men who killed his father are working hard to ensure Luke doesn't make it alive. He has no choice but to keep moving. Still, he can't just abandon Ruthy, so she'll have to come along.
   His friends--a ragtag group of former Civil War soldiers--take a fast interest in the pretty gal. Luke thinks that's rather rude--he's the one who found her. And the more time he spends around the hard-working young woman who is a mighty good cook, the more he finds himself thinking beyond revenge and toward a different future. For the first time in a long time, Luke is tempted to turn from his destructive path and be swept away by love."

On to my thoughts:
First of all, I really like the title. I was thinking of naming my own work-in-progress novel "Swept Away" purely coincidentally, before I had ever heard of this book. Interesting, huh?

Anyway, on to the actual book.

Ruthy is swept away in a flood, separated from her "adoptive" family, who she is better off separated from anyway. She is lucky to survive the flood and is found by Luke, a man who is returning home to take his ranch back from the man who killed his father and stole it.
Having no other place to go, Ruthy stays with Luke all the way to his town of Broken Wheel, Texas, where he meets up with his best friends, the Regulators. The Regulators are a group of men who worked together in the Civil War. Dare is a doctor, Vince is a lawyer, Big John is a Texas Ranger, and Jonas is a preacher man. I loved all of these characters!
Luke calls Ruthy "Rosie" because when he found her she had a sunburn that matched her red hair.
Once in Broken Wheel, Luke and Ruthy have to stay at Dare's house and hide so that Flint Greer, the man who took Luke's ranch doesn't find out he has returned.
Luke and the Regulators' plan to take back the ranch becomes even more important when they realize they need to also rescue Greer's wife whom he abuses.
I really like that all of Mary Connealy's books are connected somehow, and this is connected to the Kincaid Brides Series.
I loved this book so much! It was hilarious, romantic, and full of adventure just like every other Mary Connealy book I have ever read.

Have you read any Mary Connealy books? What are you reading now?

Bible Verse Sunday

The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders,
the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.
Psalm 23:9

Writing Friday

Last week you met my character Adam Douglas. If you missed the information I gave about him, click on his name to see the post.
My lovely readers helped me write this post by giving me questions of theirs to ask Adam in an interview. Thanks everyone!
On to the interview.

1. Do you ever regret having run away from home? (from Cortney)

No, I do not regret running away from home. I will stick by my decision. Besides, I have been pretty happy living away from England. I much prefer the adventure of living at sea and the beauty of the Caribbean. 

 

2. What kind of work would you like to get? (from Cortney)

I would like to work on a ship as a first mate. I would enjoy working on a privateering vessel sometime because they seem so much more exciting than a simple merchant ship. Some day, probably not in the near future, I'd like to become a captain. Right now, however, I don't feel ready for that at all.

3. Do people not want to hire you when they see your scar? (from Cortney)

Since the fire, I have only gotten work in sailing, and there is no way I would rather have it be. I think that sailors are already most of them hardened men, and they do not segregate me because of my scar.

4. What do you like best about the sea? (from Cortney)

There are many things I love about the sea, but my favorite is that the sea can take you practically anywhere you set your mind to. I like to have the ability to go wherever I want whenever I choose to do so.

5. What is your favorite drink? (from Nathan)

I find myself drinking tea the most often out of any other drink.

6. Do you ever miss England - and if so, would you ever go back or do you enjoy the New World instead? (from Nathan)

I find that I do not miss England itself--my only regret is that I did not say a proper farewell to my friends and family before I left. Other than that, I love every second of the New World.

7. What's your favorite color? (from Eden)

Red. 

8. Adam why was your home unhappy as you were growing up? (from Sandy)

My parents had an arranged marriage and the house was always filled with arguing. My father always had high expectations for me and I always seemed to fail at everything he wanted me to succeed in. Other than that, I don't like to talk about it.

9. Did/do you have any siblings? (from Sandy)

Yes, I have a little sister whom I adore. She is the only reason I regret leaving England.

10. What does your father do for a living? (from Sandy)
He is part of the Parliament. In my opinion, all he does is sit around all day being pampered and ordering servants around constantly.

There's the interview! What do you think of Adam? I have two more interviews scheduled (one month worth of posts) and after that, we will see about doing a different type of post on Fridays. Let me know what you think!

Music Thursday

Surely by now you have noticed that I LOVE Hadley Fraser and Ramin Karimloo.
So, it is only appropriate that I share them singing this song together as part of their band "Sheytoons".

Aren't they just adorable in their matching shirts and everything?

Bible Verse Wednesday

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
John 14:6

Broadway Tuesday

I told you I would post this today! Sorry it took me so long.
Enjoy "Underground" from Memphis the musical!

Please excuse the lack of a post...

Sorry about that. I will get a post up this afternoon for today, I promise!

Book Review Monday

Happy April!
As you saw a couple weeks ago, I have a VERY large to-read list and I haven't made a lot of progress on it yet.

I am halfway done reading Swept Away by Mary Connealy. As with all of this author's books, I am LOVING it!

I won't give you a review today because I am not done reading it, so I will just give you a description of the book.


"Swept away when her wagon train attempts a difficult river crossing, Ruthy MacNeil isn't all that upset at being separated from the family who raised her. All they've ever done is work her to the bone. She prayed for a chance to get away, and then came the raging flood. Alive but disoriented, she's rescued by Luke Stone...so unfortunately, there are more chances to die in her immediate future.
Luke is heading home to reclaim the ranch stolen from his family. But the men who killed his father are working hard to ensure Luke doesn't make it alive. He has no choice but to keep moving. Still, he can't just abandon Ruthy, so she'll have to come along.

His friends--a ragtag group of former Civil War soldiers--take a fast interest in the pretty gal. Luke thinks that's rather rude--he's the one who found her. And the more time he spends around the hard-working young woman who is a mighty good cook, the more he finds himself thinking beyond revenge and toward a different future. For the first time in a long time, Luke is tempted to turn from his destructive path and be swept away by love."

This is a great description and the book is even better! I can't wait to finish it.