Music Thursday

Okay...again, in honor of the Phantom's 25th anniversary, I'm going to share another scene from it.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this song, and these actors are truly amazing, and probably my favorite Christine, Phantom, and Raoul.  Here are Sierra Boggess, Ramin Karimloom and Hadley Frasier performing the Final Lair scene from Phantom.

Bible Verse Wednesday

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
James 1:2-3

Broadway Tuesday

"Masquerade! Paper faces in parade... masquerade...hide your face so the world will never find you...."

Did you know that this Saturday was Phantom of the Opera US's 25th anniversary?

 It was, and Hugh Panaro, the man I saw as Phantom announced that he will be leaving the production sometime this summer, I believe. 

Here is a video of "All I Ask of You" which is from last year's 25th Anniversary concert which was celebrated in the UK.  This is Hadley Frasier and Sierra Boggess.

These two are SO cute together....

Book Review Monday

Right now I am re-reading one of my favorite books by the lovely author MaryLu Tyndall. I have probably read The Redemption at least five times, if not more.
This book is about Lady Charlisse Bristol who takes off on a voyage to search for the father she never met. The ship she is in, however, goes down in a terrible storm, and Charlisse finds herself washed up on the shore of a deserted island.
After weeks of fending for herself in the wilderness, she is finally rescued by a pirate who is stopping on the island with his crew to careen his ship.
The pirate is Captain Edmund Merrick. He offers to take her to her destination as she wishes, until he finds out that her father is none other than Edward the Terror, a cruel pirate who Merrick led a mutiny against a few years ago.


Like I said, this is one of my favorite books. I really enjoyed MaryLu Tyndall's writing style and she portrays emotions very well. I also loved the characters and adventure in this story. This book is an awesome read and the first of a trilogy called "The Legacy of the Kings Pirates".

Bible Verse Sunday

So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
Genesis 1:27

Writing Friday

First, I want to mention that I have chosen a working title for my manuscript. I will call it Swept to Sea. Anyway, today my male main character, Captain Caspian Archer, will be answering the questions some of my readers posted last week
If you missed the description of this character, check it out here.

Here is the interview!

1. Why is your ship called Dawn's Mist? Did you name it? (from Cortney)

I named my ship Dawn's Mist because of my late wife, Isabelle. Almost every single morning, we used to go outside and watch the sunrise. I especially loved to watch the sun rise over the ocean from the bow of my ship when it was a foggy day, and I enjoyed the mysterious sight of the mist creeping over the water.

2. What's your favorite color, Caspian? (from Eden)

Hmmm. I suppose I have not given much thought as to having such a thing as a favorite color. I suppose I like blue a lot, since it is the color of the ocean and it comes in so many different shades.

3. What is your favorite place to visit? Is it a country, an island, a building, etc.? (from Eden also)

I suppose my favorite place to visit would be the island of Jamaica, but my very favorite place to be is anywhere on my ship. There is nowhere I would rather be than on Dawn's Mist, having the freedom to go where ever I please whenever I please, with the ocean beneath me and the wind guiding me. Aye, my ship is my favorite place to be.

4. Who is the person you admire or look up as a role model? (from Nathan)

I look up to Isabelle, my late wife, because she was everything that I never was. I wish I had her here with me to help me raise our son, for I fear that I am doing a terrible job of it.

5. Why do you take your son with you if you plan on killing the man who murdered your wife and your son's mother? (from Sandy)

Egad, you are just as bad as Lady Trenton bothering me about the way I raise my child! I understand that I am probably not doing what I should with the boy, but I do not need strangers telling me I am wrong in their opinion. I take Reed with me on all of my voyages, as he has no other place to stay. He knows nothing other than life at sea, and I know that some day he will make a great captain. I attack other vessels, including other pirates, regularly, as it is my occupation as a privateer for the King's Navy. To me, this is no different than any other voyage, and Reed is safer with me than with a stranger at some port.

Thank you so much for your questions, everyone, and thanks, Caspian! 

Sorry that Caspian got a little rude in that last question...he is very touchy when it comes to the subject of how he treats his son. :)

Thanks again for your participation, everyone. What do you think of Caspian's responses?

Music Thursday

This is an amusing song from Love Never Dies. "Devil Take the Hindmost".

Bible Verse Wednesday

1 Thessalonians 5:17
Pray continually.

Broadway Tuesday

Today I'll share a pretty song from the interesting musical "The Pirate Queen." Hadley Frasier (from Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera, who is AWESOMENESS) sings "I'll Be There". Excuse the poor video quality for the first few seconds...it was the best recording I could find.

Book Review Monday

As of yet, I have not quite finished the book that I was going to review today, so I will just share with you what it is about.
Doctor in Petticoats by Mary Connealy is a fun read!
Here's a description: "Doctor Alex Buchanan is a wanted man--a deseter from the army stalked by a bounty hunter--but he'd rather be dead than inflict any more pain on his patients. Beth McClellan is idealistic, believing the nursing training she received will be enough to help her serve as doctor to her home town in West Texas. When Alex and Beth meet in a stagecoach accident, they find that they work well together. But are his demons and her dreams too deeply rooted for either of them to pay the price required for a future together?"

So far, I am loving this book! I will give you a full review next week. Until then, what are you reading? Are you enjoying it?

Bible Verse Sunday

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
Galatians 6:7

Writing Friday

In the last two weeks you learned about my main character Lady Eden Trenton, and even got to interview her.

Today, you will learn about my male main character, Captain Caspian Archer. 

You may remember that Eden stows away aboard a pirate ship ... well, that ship she stows away on belongs to Caspian!

Caspian has dark, almost black curly hair that falls down just below his chin. His eyes are a light, clear crystal blue and his skin is tanned dark from years working on the decks of his ship. He is about twenty-four years old.

He has a five year old son, Reed, and he is the captain of the privateer ship, Dawn's Mist.

Caspian has spent the last five years of his life searching for the man who  murdered his wife in a battle at sea. He wants to exact revenge and then continue ridding sea of pirates since he is a privateer. He will stop at nothing to kill the man who wronged him.

Caspian is a born leader and his crew respects him. He hates not being able to protect those who he cares about, and he worries if he is raising his son right without the boy's mother.

He was raised in the American colonies and his mother died at a young age. He grew up with Henry, his older brother, and Gage, a boy who his family took in and who is now his first mate. Caspian's father has always been harsh with him, and was displeased with his dreams of a life at sea. He married Isabelle at the age of eighteen and she died shortly after. He is convinced her death was entirely his fault, and he has not forgiven himself for not being able to protect her.


So, what do you think of Captain Caspian Archer?

I would like to interview him next week like I did with Eden last week, so please post a question or multiple questions for him to answer next week! Thanks, and have a great weekend.

Music Thursday

Seasons of Love from Rent.

Bible Verse Wednesday

My people, hear my teaching;
listen to the words of my mouth.
Psalm 78:1

Broadway Tuesday

Imagine a musical where all of the most popular fairy tale characters live in the same world and their stories interact with one another's!

Into the Woods is just that.  

In this photo are many of the characters: Little Red Riding Hood, Jack from Jack and the Beanstalk, the baker and his wife (Who aren't from any particular fairy tale) and the witch who is the witch in many fairy tales. This musical also involves Cinderella, and Cinderella.

Here is a fun song from the musical called "Your Fault" where all of these characters argue over whose fault it is that there are giants in the land.

Book Review Monday

It's Book Review Monday, so today you will get to read about Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren.
This book was different than many I have read, but I enjoyed it!
Here is the book's "tagline" that I found on the back of the book, "What do you do when your knight in shining armor lives, literally, in a different world?"

It may seem like all of my reviews are good reviews, but I have mainly been reviewing books I liked, and here is another one!

The Betarrini sisters, Gabi and Lia, go to Italy every summer with their parents to archaeological sites. One day, when the girls are very bored, they wander into an ancient tomb and Gabi places her hand atop of a hand print inside. Gabi has suddenly been transported to fourteenth century Italy, in the middle of a battle.
Her sister Lia is nowhere to be found.

Gabi is taken in by a knight named Marcello, who takes her back to his family's castle. She becomes a major help to the family--between her giving medical advice, helping with their fights, and brandishing a sword--but she is also a threat to the family's enemy, Lord Paratore.
 Gabi also finds that her sister was taken by Lord Paratore, and she will do anything to save her and return back to the right century.

This book was an amazing read and I think it would be awesome for a wide range of people to read, no matter what their tastes!

Bible Verse Sunday

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28

Writing Friday

First of all, I wanted to share with you something one of my awesome readers, Cortney drew for me! This is a picture of Eden, and I absolutely love it!!!! Thank you!
Anyway, on Writing Friday I am going to interview Lady Eden Trenton, who you met last Friday. If you missed my description of her, you can find it here.

Okay, these questions come straight from my readers, so here we go!

1. What do you think of the new window tax in your country?  (From Cortney)

 I have heard my father complaining about the window tax. He says that the King is charging two shillings for each house, and four more shillings if we have more than ten windows, and eight more if a house has over twenty windows! I personally think the king should be taxed for all of the windows in his castle, but I suppose there is nothing I can do about it.

2. What is the thing you miss most about your brother? (From Cortney)

I miss most that Adam was always there for me, telling me funny stories whenever I was worried to get my mind off of whatever was bothering me. I miss his adventurous spirit and being able to see him every day.

3. If there were one place in the world you'd like to visit, what would it be? (From Nathan)

I would love to visit the Caribbean and hint for my brother, Adam there. Besides, I hear it is beautiful there! Sandy beaches, glistening water, clear blue skies, lush green trees...that would be a nice change of scenery compared to rainy, gray London!

4. First, why did your parents name you Eden? (From Eden, who is not Eden Trenton and whose name I love!)

My parents named me Eden because my mother loved the Bible. She insisted on naming me Eden after the garden of Eden, and she also named my brother Adam after Adam in the Bible.

5. What's your favorite food? (From Eden)

I enjoy variety of foods, but one of my favorites are oranges. I love how sweet and tangy and refreshing they are, and I have always been very excited when a new ship comes to town with a supply of the exotic fruits.

6. Is there a famous person you would love to meet (even if they're from a different time than you)? (From Eden)

There are no famous people I would really want to meet, but I would give anything to meet my dear brother, Adam!

7. Do you find the sea and ships interesting? (From Sandy)

I have always enjoyed Adam's stories about the sea, but now I am somewhat frightened of the whole idea. Everything is so unpredictable, and the battles can be terrifying! However, I love standing out on the deck of a ship at night, watching the stars and the inky waves. It has become one of my favorite things to do.

Thanks Eden! Those are all the questions she will answer today. Next week, we will learn about my male main character, Captain Caspian Archer.

What do you think of Eden's answers?

Music Thursday

Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess in the 25th Anniversary concert of Phantom.

Bible Verse Wednesday

Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.
Proverbs 28:26

Broadway Tuesday

Has anyone noticed how many musicals that were made by Disney? Quite a few were, in fact. These musicals are called "Disney Theatrical Productions" and "Disney on Broadway". I think it is nice that Disney does this, because it encourages children and other fans of Disney to support live theatre. I have friends who discovered they enjoyed musical theatre when they saw their first Disney musical.

The first made was Beauty and the Beast. I saw that once, and it was pretty entertaining. 

The next created was The Lion King, which I also saw live.

Another is Tarzan, which is a great movie, but the musical didn't seem to run for very long. 

The next was The Little Mermaid, one of my favorite Disney movies of all-time.

 Others include Mary Poppins, High School Musical, Newsies, King David, Aida, and Peter and the Starcatcher.

Which are your favorite Disney musicals or movies?

Book Review Monday

Today I a going to continue reviewing the Montana Marriages trilogy by Mary Connealy by reviewing Wildflower Bride.

This book, as I expected, was amazing.

It follows the tale of Wade Sawyer, who we saw in the past two books. He has spent the winter living in a shack in the mountains near an Indian village. The last summer, he a saved a woman, Glowing Sun , from men who were trying to kidnap her from her tribe. He watched her ride off with her Indian fiance and has stayed near that area ever since, devastated that she left him.

Wade wakes one morning to the sounds of a struggle and rides to the village to discover a massacre has occurred  A  group of men have attacked the village, leaving few alive and trying to take Glowing Sun, who was unharmed. Wade and Glowing Sun fight the men off finally, but the one remaining survivor of the tribe tells Glowing Sun she no longer belongs with them because she caused the massacre.

You see, Glowing Sun is a white woman, named for her beautiful blonde hair. She was taken in by the Indian tribe when her family all died, abandoning her when she was barely ten years old.
Glowing Sun remembers that her white name is Abby and insists she is called that from now on.

Wade takes Abby in when her Indian family abandons her, and he receives word that his father s on his deathbed. He has had a horrible relationship with his tyrant of a father, who beats and berates him every chance he gets.
Abby insists he go to his father, as she has no family left and wants Wade to see his one last time.

Wade goes back to the Sawyer ranch, and employs Abby as a helper on the ranch to care for his father, who has broken his back in a horsing accident.
His father is his usual self, screaming at everyone who doesn't so his bidding or read his mind exactly when he wants something.
Abby and Wade soon discover that something is amiss on the Sawyer ranch, and the same men who killed Abby's tribe are terrorizing the Sawyer ranch.

This book also features appearances by Silas and Belle Tanner, and Cassie and Red Dawson, the main characters of the previous two books.
It was filled with action, romance, tons of humor, and anything else you would want in a great novel.

What are you reading? Does this book sound interesting to you?

Bible Verse Sunday

May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.

Psalm 20:4

Writing Friday

You may have noticed that today's title is different than what I usually do on Fridays. This is because I am going to start writing about my writing on Fridays. I may end up occasionally reviewing books on Fridays also, but I am going to talk about my writing for a little while.


Have you seen my new poll on the right? PLEASE vote in it!!!

This week I am going to tell you a little bit about my heroine of my current work in progress, Lady Eden Trenton. First of all, it is set in 1696 in England, on a ship, and in the Caribbean.

Lady Eden Trenton has curly umber hair that she typically wears in a loose bun at the nape of her neck. She has coffee colored eyes and creamy, ivory skin. She is about nineteen years old.

Eden has spent her entire life running away from things; some as simple as arguments with friends or turning the other way when she passes someone she doesn't want to talk to on the street.

She finds herself running yet again, only this time the stakes are much higher. She is running away from her home and all she knows to escape marriage to a man she hates: her abusive fiance, Lord Clive Rutger.

Eden dresses as a man and stows away aboard a pirate ship, risking everything she knows to find safety.

She chews on her bottom lip when she is nervous.

Eden was raised in a wealthy household by her father along with her older brother, Adam. Eden and Adam used to spend most of their time together, Adam spinning wild tales of adventure at sea for her, until one day he boarded passage on a ship as a cabin boy against their father's wishes. He returned home once, a year later, already a first mate and loving every minute of his life at sea. Eden has not seen or heard from him since and she worries about her beloved brother's fate.


So, there's a brief (Okay, not so brief) description of my main character.


For next week, I want to do an interview with Lady Eden, and I want all of you to give me a question to have her answer in next Friday's post!
Post your question you want Eden to answer, and she will for next Friday!

Post any type of question (I don't care; like what's your favorite food, color, when is your birthday, what is your middle name, what is your favorite thing about yourself) ANY question; I don't care. Just please post a question!

Thanks! Have a great weekend.

Music Thursday

Today I will share Aaron Tveit singing "One Song Glory" from Rent. Also, I have a banner I made that you can see below...I think I properly installed it and you can see it on the right by my "Share this" and "Follow by email."

My New Look

You may have noticed my blog has a new look...and a new name!

What do you think of the changes? Do you like them, or miss the old look of my blog?

I just wanted to give my blog a new, and hopefully improved, appearance. I'm eager to hear your opinion!

Bible Verse Wednesday

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Psalm 147:3

Broadway Tuesday

Today for Broadway Tuesday I am going to share pictures of productions of Les Miserables. Happy New Year to everyone!