Review: Trinity by Ronie Kendig

Trinity by Ronie Kendig

A Breed Apart: Book One

Barbour / 2012

Find on: Amazon, Goodreads

About the book:

A year ago in Afghanistan, Green Beret Heath Daniel’s career was destroyed. Along with his faith. Now he and his military war dog, Trinity, train other dogs and their handlers. Though his passion is to be back in action, the medical discharge has forced Heath—and Trinity—to the sidelines. Military intelligence officer Darci Kintz is captured while secretly tracking the Taliban. Only one dog can handle the extreme conditions to save her. Trinity. Only one man can handle Trinity. Time is running out on the greatest—and most dangerous—mission of their lives.

My rating:

My thoughts:

Trinity is only the second book I've read by Ronie Kendig (the first being Firethorn), but I can already tell I'm a fan of her work! Trinity had a lot of action, intrigue, and was just an overall great military novel!

I loved Heath's dog, Trinity! She was so well trained and there were some scenes where I wish I could have seen the things she did. :) The characters were nice - I really liked Heath, Peter, and Timbrel (I am really looking forward to her book, as I found her character very interesting and even funny at times). The characters seemed very realistic (especially Heath).

One of the only negatives I had with Trinity was how hard it was to keep track of the characters at first - there were so many characters introduced, so quickly. It did get easier, though, to remember who was who. Also, the story got a little confusing sometimes, but most of my questions got answered in the end.

Trinity had some surprises, intense action scenes, and even some romance! The entire story was really good and I loved the ending. I look forward to reading the next book, Talon, as soon as I can. I definitely recommend Trinity if you enjoy suspenseful reads with military aspects.

*I received this book for free for my review. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

Was my review helpful? If so, please click yes on Amazon. Thanks!

YA Books Like Doctor Who

I figured I'd combine my two favorite things in this article and talk about (mostly) YA books that are like Doctor Who. Some of these I add I have read and some I've picked up hoping they are like Doctor Who and will find out with you. So check out my list of books that evoke some of my favorite aspects of Doctor Who.

If you like the romance time travel aspect:

1) The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

This is the perfect blend of romance and time travel. I've read it and not only is it amazing, it's one that will stay with you forever. It isn't exactly YA though.

2) Tempest by Julie Cross

The entire reason the main character time travels is to go back and save the girl he loves. If you like time traveling men, check this one out!

If you like the pure time travel aspect:

1) Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier

I haven't read this one but it sounds like an awesome read with a time traveling heroine.

2) Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren

This is another one I haven't read but comes highly recommended by KM over at One Page at a Time YA Reviews who has excellent taste in novels and is all about time travel.

If you like the sci-fi element:

1) Across the Universe by Beth Revis

This is an awesome book about space and romance. It is beautifully written and completely engaging. If you are looking to capture the wonder of a space adventure in Doctor Who, this is definitely one to read.

2) Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan

I haven't read this one but it sounds like a great space adventure!

3) Cinder by Marissa Meyer

This is another one I haven't read yet but it combines aliens and cyborgs which will defintely capture a Doctor Who episode!

If you like books about aliens:

1) I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

This book is all about a male alien trying to find a normal life on earth which is so very the Doctor (though the Doctor is only fascinated in normal and not so much longing for it). It defintiely captures the idea of aliens trying to befriend humans.

2) Obsidian by Jennifer L Armentrout

I haven't read this one but it comes highly recommended by basically everyone. It's got a good looking alien falling for a human girl.

So there are my suggestions to snag a little Doctor Who into your reading. If you can think of any others, please feel free to mention them below. I'm always happy to learn more about these genres and figure out how they could relate to the Who universe. Also, be on the look out for an international giveaway later today for one of these novels!

Q&A with Andrew Klavan + Book Giveaway!!

Find the book on: Amazon, Goodreads, Thomas Nelson

About If We Survive:

They came on a mission of mercy, but now they’re in a fight for their lives.

High schooler Will Peterson and three friends journeyed to Central America to help rebuild a school. In a poor, secluded mountain village, they won the hearts of the local people with their energy and kindness.

But in one sudden moment, everything went horribly wrong. A revolution swept the country. Now, guns and terror are everywhere—and Americans are being targeted as the first to die.

Will and his friends have got to get out fast. But streets full of killers . . . hills patrolled by armies . . . and a jungle rife with danger stand between them and the border. Their one hope of escape lies with a veteran warrior who has lost his faith and may betray them at any moment. Their one dream is to reach freedom and safety and home.

If they can just survive.

Q&A with Andrew Klavan, 

Author of IF WE SURVIVE:

Q:           You’ve had many successes as a best-selling novelist and screenwriter.  What do you hope to bring to the young adult reading audience with books like this latest release?
A:            I like to tell stories that move like lightning—and I like to read stories like that too.  I love video games, love them, and it sometimes seems to me that younger people aren’t being offered books that are as fast and as thrilling and involving as those games. That’s too bad because when a high-octane story comes at you off the pages of a book, it’s different, it’s special—it’s almost magic, because it’s like it’s happening inside your head. You know the character’s thoughts. You get inside his imagination and his story gets into yours. No game or movie can do that—only a book. So I figured if I used the skills I learned in creating thrillers for adults, I’d be able to introduce younger people to a kind of exciting reading experience maybe they haven’t had before or haven’t had enough.

Q:           As a screenwriter, do you envision your fiction on the big screen someday? 
A:            Well, look, it was a real thrill to see movies made out of my books. I mean, to have Clint Eastwood star in True Crime, Michael Douglas star in Don’t Say A Word—how cool is that? And, I’m really excited that the Summit Entertainment folks, who have had a ton of success with the Twilight films and Hurt Locker want to put The Homelanders series on the silver screen. But I’ve always been a book guy first and foremost. I love books and I love reading—so I don’t really think about the movies when I write. Sometimes, when a book is finished, sure, I’ll imagine about how it might look as a movie or which movie star might be in it. But while I’m actually writing the book, I never think about it at all. I try to pour all my energy into making the story and characters come alive on the page. Someday, a director and producer and screenwriter and actors may come together to produce their version of the story. But if you want to hear it first-hand, straight from the imagination that created the story, you have to read the book.


Q:           What kind of feedback have you had from readers about your young adult work?
A:            The thing I’ve heard repeatedly that I’m really, really pleased about is: I could never get my son—nephew—grandson—whatever—to read, but he can’t put this book down. I’ve heard it again and again and every time I hear it, I go into a room by myself, close the door, pump my fists and say, “Yes!”  …and then come out straight-faced as if nothing had happened.

~

Andrew Klavan's website: http://www.andrewklavan.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/aklavan

Twitter: http://twitter.com/andrewklavan

Book giveaway!

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Whovember: Top 5... Happiest Moments

Every Tuesday, I'm going to be making a Top 5 list of something Doctor Who related for the event Whovember: A Companion's Guide. Check out my topic and list of 5 and make sure to join in with your own thoughts and opinions!

Top 5 Happiest Doctor Who Moments

What better way to end these Top 5 lists than with my happiest Who moments to date? This list was surprisingly hard to make. I realize that most happy moments in Doctor Who are always tinged in sadness which always makes them memorable. It does make the good moments feel that much better.

5) "Everbody lives, Rose!" in "The Doctor Dances" from season 1- This starts my list because everytime I think of joy in Doctor Who, this scene always comes rushing back. Everyone called the 9th Doctor the grumpy Docotr but I actually think he might have been the one with the most joy about living. When he realizes that the nanogene have figured out the connection between mother and son and that they are going to fix everyone, he is so overcome that he jumps up and down and grabs the little boy. Lifting him up in the air, the 9th Doctor shouts "Everbody lives, Rose! Just this once, everybody lives!" The Doctor knows how rare these circumstances are and he celebrates. There is this wonderful bit of dialogue when Rose and the Doctor get back on Tardis and she says he is smiling like he's Father Christmas and he says "Who said I'm not, red-bicycle-when-you-were-twelve?" shocking her. I love watching them celebrate and we finally get to see the Doctor dance with Rose!

4) Vincent Van Gogh visits at modern museum in "Vincent and the Doctor" in season 5- I've talked about this scene several times and with many people because it is so perfect. Van Gogh was never appreciated in his time as an artist which is very well shown in this episode. Amy and the Doctor are worried for Van Gogh so they bring him to a modern museum which is home to a Van Gogh exhibit. Van Gogh walks through the exhibit looking at pictures of his face and his own artwork as people gather around to talk about how amazing it is and it brings tears to his eyes. He learns that not only is he not forgotten but that he is now a revered artist. It doesn't change the fact that Van Gogh still kills himself but it confirms that his work is worth while and that one day in the future it will mean something. Watching the raw emotion from the painter we've gotten to know so well in this episdoe is absolutely breathtaking and definitely earns its place on this list.

3) Donna and the Doctor reunite in "Partners in Crime" from season 4- Holy moly, when I think of some of the funniest stuff I've seen on t.v. this scene is one of the first one that comes to mind. The Doctor and Donna have been exploring strange happenings separately and finally see each other while trying to spy on the bad guy. The start to communicate through the windows to find out what each one is doing and speak for about three minutes until the camera pans out and shows that the bad guy has been watching this entire conversation too. The best part is even though they don't say a word, you can totally tell what they are mouthing because both actors are so expressive. Some of the faces both actors make are hilarious. This scene just makes me giddy which is why it's got a solid place on my list!

2) Rose gets her happy ending in "Journey's End" in season 4- Rose's happy ending is so amazing and so sad at the same time. What I love is that the human Doctor will be able to give her what the Time Lord can't... they'll be able to grow old together. He has all the memories of the Doctor and has mostly the same brain (with a little bit of Donna's sass thrown in) but it also means that the Time Lord Doctor had to let go of Rose. I also wonder if the human Doctor doesn't have the screwdriver or the Tardis if he really even is the Doctor anymore. But regardless, we finally get to see the Doctor answer Rose from back in season 2 when she told him she loved him and we get to see them kiss. I am so happy that Rose is going to get to be with her Doctor for the rest of her life and it makes me both happy for her and sad for the Time Lord Doctor at the same time. Seeing my favorite character strive to get back to the Doctor and rewarded with the best possible ending for her really does make me beyond happy. Plus, I love that both Piper and Tennant now have a chance to come back in the show for a few episodes with this ending!

1) Amy remembers the Doctor in "The Big Bang" in season 5- The moment I always think of when I need a little lift during my day is at the end of season 5. The Doctor has been erased from all of time and Amy's life has gone on as normal. She has a mother and a father and is getting married to the man she loves. As she is sitting at her wedding, she sees a glimpse of River Song and then Rory gives her a wedding present someone left which is Song's Tardis blue diary with blank pages. She starts to cry but doesn't know why thinking about the saying "something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue". This completely describes the Tardis and that story the doctor told her about right before he disappears. She jumps up on the table and stops the reception, yelling for her "raggedy man to get out there". Suddenly, we hear the Tardis's trademake noise and it appears in the middle of the reception. Out walks the doctor dressed in a little something he had laying around (a very nice tuxedo with a top hat) and they are able to dance the night away. Seeing the return of the Tardis after we just saw the Doctor completely erased from time is the most triumphant moment in all of television. It speaks volumes for how much Amy loves him that she can remember him into existance and makes their friendship so very special. I can't think about this moment without a huge smile on my face which is why it is ny number 1 moment.

Honorable Mention:

1) Idris tells the Doctore hello in season 6- This moment should totally get to be on my list too which is why I'm adding it down here. It's tinged in sadness because Idris (the human embodiment of the Tardis) is dying and she only has seconds left. She spent several hours with the Doctor and forgotten to say what she's always wanted to. Those words that the Doctor's magical blue box always longed to say? "Hello. Hello Doctor. It's so very, very nice to meet you." Of all the things the Tardis would say when it got a voice, it is those simple words that have the biggest impact. I pretty much hear her voice anytime the Doctor walks into the Tardis now and it makes me so happy!

I hope you enjoyed my list of happy moments on Who! Do you have moments of your own? Did you make a list of your own? Please let me know in the comments below! I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Review: Beside Two River by Rita Gerlach

Beside Two River by Rita Gerlach

Abingdon Press / 2012

Find on: Amazon, Goodreads

About the book:

A tale of love won and love lost, and the faith to find it again. 

From the banks of the Potomac to the misty moors of England, Darcy follows a path where the secrets of the past slowly rise to the surface in this dramatic saga that began in Before the Scarlet Dawn. She meets Ethan Brennan, an aspiring English horse breeder, who embraces her independent spirit and marvels at the simplicity of her faith. Ethan and Darcy fall in love, but are kept apart by a promise to another and a sworn oath to a dying woman whose long-hidden secret threatens Darcy’s and Ethan’s lives.

My rating:

My thoughts:

After reading Before the Scarlet Dawn (book one) earlier this year, I was a little nervous about reading Beside Two Rivers. While I really enjoyed book one, the ending was SO sad and I didn't know if I could take a repeat of that in this book. While there were some sad moments, overall I was happy with Beside Two Rivers and found it enjoyable to read.

A negative I had with Beside Two Rivers was that sometimes it was hard to follow the story and I found myself getting slightly confused as to what was going on. I really liked the characters and was glad to finally see some closure happen in their lives. I also liked the forgiveness aspect of the story.

Overall I think Beside Two Rivers was a good read with some sad and happy moments. While I don't think it's entirely necessary to read the first book before this one, if you do you'll more fully understand what had happened years ago.

*I received this book for free for my review. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

Was my review helpful? If so, please click yes on Amazon. Thank you. :)

Check out the complete blog tour over at Pump Up Your Book!

My Cheerleading Post

In college, pretending to be a cheerleader.

Any Nano participants out there?

If so, you're almost there! Keep going! Rah, rah, rah! I'm so personally and professionally proud of you!

I did Nano in November last year and LOVED it. Don't hate me for this if you've struggled (just keep reading), but I filled out my numbers every day and watched my little graph take off. It was so much fun, and by the end I had a very, very, very bad novel to show for it.

After almost a year of editing, I'm finally querying it. Success story, right?

I was ready to query back in October, and also ready to dive into a new project, so I decided to do Nano in October instead, with the wonderful Emily King as my fellow write-a-novel-in-a-month partner and cheerleader.

You guys, it was brutal. (Not because of Emily. Because of ME.)

And Emily kicked my bee-hind.

She was like at 800,000 words and I was still limping along at 200.

Okay, that's a tiny exaggeration.

It was SO HARD, though!

And for the first time in my life, I HATED WRITING.

*gasp*

I didn't want to sit down at my computer. I found other things to do. Usually I procrastinate doing lots of things in the name of writing, but now the tables were turned and I was spending time ... cleaning my bathtub!

I know, I know. Horrifying.

But, you know, I think Emily can attest to this, I kept plowing through. It was painful and hard, but I actually made it to something like 45,000 words and then I was so cross-eyed with the draft I decided to go back and start revising. I didn't want to finish the book right then because I knew certain parts of it were very wrong and I needed to get those right before I figured out the ending. (Pantser alert!)

Then November arrived and I began revising.

And, people, I was like a bird released from its cage. I started reading through my stuff and ... surprisingly ... I liked it, especially the beginning! And I fell in love with these characters again, and I made them even quirkier, and now I'm at 55,000 words and actually moving toward the climax and the ending.

I feel good. Finally!

All this to say, if you're Nano-ing it, and even if you're not Nano-ing it, but are in a tough spot with drafting or revising or whatever it is that feels like pulling teeth....

KEEP GOING.

It gets better. And someday you will have fun with it again.

Right? Of course, right! Please share in the comments about when you've had to push through a tough time. I know it's not always easy. And we've all been there. Let's share our joys and sorrows.

((GROUP HUG))

(And THANK YOU, Emily, for keeping me going!)

A Whovian Tale In Photos- 11th Doctor and Companions

A Whovian Tale In Photos is a play off another weekly post I do here on called A Fairy Tale In Photos. Each week, I pick a different theme and go on Deviantart to find you all the best photos and tell a story with them. For Whovember, I moved this feature to Mondays and will be having special Whovian themed posts.

Heartsfuzzhospital

~deadly-

~deadly-

~deadly-

MindFall

Roy-Ba

 ~deadly-

MindFall

MischiefsQueen

sley

CaptainImaginary

Cosplayequinox

CaptainImaginary

RealElphabaThropp

Which is your favorite?