Book Review: The Pirate King Transitions II Drizzt Do’Urdan Series of books. By RA Salvatore.

In the black flesh?  The portly proprietor said as the drow came up to the bar, “What bring you back to Luskin after these long years?”  He extended his hand, which Drizzt grasped and shook warmly.

“Well met Arumn Gardpeck,” The dark elf replied, “Perhaps I have returned merely to see if you continue to ply your trade—take comfort that some things never remain the same.”

“What else would an old fool like me do?”  Arumn replied, “Have you sailed in with Deudermont then?”

“Deudermont?  Is Sea Sprite in port?”

“Aye, and with a trio of ships of a Waterdhavian lord beside her,” Arumn replied.

“And spoiling for a fight….”

This is the second book in the Transition series.  There are changes about in the world of Drizzt Do’Urdan and his friends.   The changes are major and everyone including the city of Luskin is in trouble. 

RA Salvatore’s writing is vivid with rich characters, great fighting scenes and a Forgotten Realm world.    If you haven’t been introduced to Drizzt Do’Urdan than you are truly missing a wonderful character and a great story. 

 

More from RA Salvatore. (In order)

DRIZZT DO’URDAN SERIES

Homeland

Exile

Sojourn

The Crystal Shard

Streams of Silver

The Halflings Gem

The legacy

Starless Night

Siege of Darkness

Passage to Dawn

The Silent Blade

The Spine of the World

Sea of Swords.

THE HUNTER’S BLADE TRILOGY

The Thousand Orcs

The Lone Drow

The Two Swords

TRANSITIONS

The Orc King

The Pirate King

The Ghost King

 

THE SPELLSWORDS

Servant of the Shard

Promise of the Witch-King

Road to Patriarch

THE CLERIC QUINTET

Canticle

The Sylvan Shadows

Night Masts

The Fallen Fortress

The Chaos Curse

I have read all except The Cleric Quintet series which is something I will do soon.  I find the changes in the Forgotten Realm drastic.  I love the characters of Drizzt Do’Urdan a dark elf, Catti-bri a human women, Wolfgar a Barbarian, Regis a Halfling, Brunor a dwarf.  And of course Guenhwyvar the black panther, friend to Drizzt Do’Urdan.   With each book I read I know at some point I will have to face the fact that Drizzt will outlive all of them, being an elf.  It seems the story is going in that direction.  The characters are leaving the storyline and new stories and characters are going to come in.  For that reason I have been reluctant to continue.  But because I know all things must come to an end, just a RA Salvatore and Drizzt know, the future will hold new and wondrous things.  

If you want to read this story, start at the beginning.  It is well worth it. 

Until next time. 

 

February Diligent Writers Critiquing Group.

I founded a critiquing group called The Diligent Writers Critiquing Group, they are held once a month on the third Saturday.  I had the group and wrote this post on Saturday even though I am posting it today.  

Having email the group reminding all of the upcoming meeting, but not receiving any RSVP yet, I arrived at the coffee house early.  I always arrive early to eat and set up before hand.  I expected to be the only one today.  I was armed with my laptop prepared to work on a few things for some of my writing exercises.  I noticed everyone around me was looking at me like, Oh you’re one of those.  You know the people that come to coffee house and use their Laptops.  The showoffs.  (Yep, I thought.)

At the appointed hour one person showed up.  This was good news.  (And she popped out her Laptop.)  We started our meeting reading and talking about our work.  Then she told me she was at a book club a few nights ago and told them about our meeting.   A few of them said they might show up. I was surprised and glad.   

After a bit a man from that group did show up.  He was a poet, an editor and a published author.  (He popped out his Laptop.  Now all three of us have laptops, it was great.) 

We had a wonderful discussion of our work. I told him about one of my exercises and how it came about.  It was a re-occurring nightmare I had when I was young, and how I turned the bad dream into a really unique story with a good ending.  I was very proud of it. 

Then we discussed his work and he read some of his poetry.  It was really good. His poetry was understandable and really good.  It showed dept, thought and feeling.  It was amazing to hear and read.  And I think he enjoyed sharing them. We also discussed a lot of really deep issues, issues that a writer can write about and delve into.  

The time came and went too quickly though, we all had other things to do.  But the time we spent together was fun, valuable and extraordinary.   

Each month the group gathers is a great opportunity to learn, grow and bond with others of like mind.  To get together is a wonderful experience and enriches your life.  If you have a hobby that you love, I recommend joining a group.  If you cannot fine one, start it, that’s what I did. 

At first I was scared but now I look forward to planning and holding them, however the group doesn’t need much planning.  The people enrich it enough to make the experience one to remember.   Until next time.  

Why I’ve been quiet lately:

I haven’t posted much lately except book reviews and a few other things.  It’s because I am writing.   I’m working on a short story. 

My latest work in writing is The Fiction Workshop book with over 100 exercises.  I’m working on number 5.  (I know, I know,  I’m not stuck and I have a long way to go.) 

The first chapter of the book discusses ways to get ideas to write.  Some of the exercises are to write about three different dreams, or three memories that happened in my childhood. 

Having had a bad childhood, this was not an easy task for me.  I started with a re-occurring dream I had for years.  However I was able to put a new twist on it and came up with something quite unexpected.  I’m really proud of the potential of that story. 

(Turning this one dream into a story changed the whole bad memory, something that would have never happened had I never explored the dream or the exercises.)

Another memory I had a dream crushed.  (NO, I’m not telling, as I said the dream was crushed.)  However I am taking the dream and adding another twist and adding lots of funny stuff to it and a big moral dilemma.  I’m still working on it.  I’m working with the characters back stories, personalities and plot twist.  I think the work in progress (WIP) will end up a novella.    (Novella is a short novel 50,000 words.) 

I also picked up a really good book on how to make the characters leap out of the page.  Of course I am applying the info to my work.  

Writing is a process and I am having a ball learning it.  I wonder how much I will have to face or write about in the future.  With 100 exercises I can only imagine, and I’m up to the task and journey.  Until next time.  

Book Review: No Mercy by Sherrilyn Kenyon

In the heart and in the soul.

Evil take it wicked toll. 

When moonlight shines

Like flowing blood,

Over the Earth,

The Daimon will flood.

Live fast, fight hard, and if you have to die, then take as many of your enemies with you as you can.  That is the Amazon credo and it was one Samia lived and died by.  Now in contemporary New Orleans, the immortal Amazon warrior is about to learn that there’s a worse evil coming to slaughter mankind than she’s ever faced before.

Shapeshifter Dev Peltier has stood guard at the front of Sanctuary for almost two hundred years, and in that time he’s seen it all.  Or so he thought.  Now their enemies have discovered a new source of power—one that makes a mockery of anything faced to date. 

The war is on and Dev and Sam are guarding ground zero.  But in order to win, they will have to break the most cardinal of all rules, and pray it doesn’t unravel the universe as we know it.  

The latest book in the Saga of the Dark Hunters.  Sherrilyn Kenyon continues to delve deep into mythology of Gods and Goddesses that reek havoc among the humans.  The Dark Hunters are ever facing enemies that are far greater than before.  Each book is filled with fascinating stories and characters that make you want more. 

More Books from Sherrilyn Kenyon

Fantasy Lover

Night Pleasures

Night Embrace

Dance with the Devil

Kiss of the Night

Night Play

Seize the Night

Sins of the Night

Unleash the Night

Dark Side of the Moon

The Dream-Hunter

Upon the Midnight Clear

Dream Chaser

Devil May Cry

One Silent Night

Acheron

Dream Warrior

Infinity

No Mercy

The League Novel Series

Born of Night

Born of fire

Born of Ice

Born of Shadows

To find out more about Sherrilyn Kenyon and her books click here: sherrilynkenyon.com

 

I’m trying to get some work done please.

There is a good reason why writers go to the Library or the local Coffee House to write instead of writing home.  Because at home with children or say, four cats, that interrupt you so often it is hard to get anything done.  This morning I am working on a writing exercise, one that I have had trouble with for days, and as you guess it.  The cats are interrupting me at every turn.  

They are jumping on the table where I am working poking around until I tell them to get off the table, I eat here you know, then another one is on the counter in the kitchen pushing something off the counter that is not down so they can play with it.   I stopped writing to pick up what they pushed off. 

Then another cat wants to take a drink, and looking at the bowl not sure if there is water put its paw on the edge and the next thing there is water everywhere, not to mention they knock over a few of the dishes of dry food that scatters over the kitchen floor getting soggy and ruined from the water.  That is money down the drain. 

After I take care of that, and get back to writing it doesn’t take long.  Braveheart is meowing loudly and spraying on the furniture.  I smell the pungent odor and have to get the OdorXit out and wash the area.  That is if I can find it. 

After a while the cats settle down, except one.  That one wants to sit on my lap.  Okay sit on my lap.  They cuddle and I type.  Only to have a loud noise scare both of us and cause the cat to dig sharp claws into my skin as they use my body to push off in their dash to get away.  I’m bleeding and in pain now. 

Another cat uses my furniture as a scratching post.  Two other cats start wrestling, making loud threatening noises and flopping around.  Then of course the dryer buzzes letting me know the clothes are dry and need folding.  I drop things, and then stub my toe.  “Ouch”

I throw my hands up in despair. What is a person supposed to do?  Next time I’m going to the coffee house.  (Sigh) Until Next Time. 

Book Review: “Captive Desires” By Diane Whiteside

Quiet Danae Livingston has two lives.  One is her lifeline, a career as a hardworking member of a top New York dance troupe:  The other is her secret passion.  Fanfic author who writes scorching tales about the haunting world of Torhtremer and about Alekhsiy, her favorite resident hero.  The only time her worlds merge is at GrifficCon, the summer’s largest science-fiction convention. 

There, an obsessed fan prowls the crowded convention halls, hunting for the one author who can rewrite Torhtremer’s saga to his own twisted liking and have the legendary villain Azherbhai win everything.

But Alekhsiy and Torhtremer are far more real than Danae or her devotees could ever imagine.  Knowing that danger from Earth threatens his home once again, Alekhsiy comes to GriffinCon to stop it, even if it means destroying the unknown dancer who’s saved his life so many times. 

Soon fantasy and reality will merge, swords and sorcery will cross, and the sensual world of one woman’s vivid imagination will be almost impossible to resist—or to escape.

This is my first time reading from this author.  While I enjoyed the story I have a few things to say regarding her writing.  First: at times I was unsure as to who was talking.  It wasn’t always clear.  At other time I was unsure as to what was happening and to whom.  A few times I was quite mixed up.  At those times I wanted to put the book down. 

Second:  during the sex scenes, the author used vulgar words that turned me off instead of turning me on.  Up until those words the scene was very good and sensual.  I almost put the books down during those times. 

I have read over 21 books from Sherrilyn Kenyon and in each she has about three sex scenes or more and in none of them does she put vulgar words that turn a person off. 

The words I don’t like in this book start with an F and a C, and they refer to the act of sex and a body part.  I am turned off by this writer.  It pains me to say this; where as I think writers are really cool people especially since I am one of them.  However I feel there are many ways to write sex scenes without becoming vulgar.  It is a great way to drive your audience away. 

Although I like the story, if I read another one of her books with vulgar language that turned me off it will be my last.  Some people may like that but I find it distasteful. 

Until next time. 

Meditation, Is this a Joke.

I received a comment on my post yesterday from an extremely young person.  They thought my article was a joke. 

I assure you meditation is not a joke.  At my age and after living through the amount of trauma I had in my life.  I have watched my entire life change over many years from the simple act of meditation. 

Countless books have been written about meditation and its benefits. 

Countless religions are based on it.  Exercise practices are based on it, such as Martial arts and Yoga.  It is real easy to say something is a joke when you haven’t been introduced to it or don’t know one thing regarding it.  Meditation has been around more than 5000 years. 

I challenge anyone who thinks this is a joke to meditate for 5 minutes everyday for 3 months.  Then tell me it’s a joke.  It you are not willing to do that simple thing...

There a many sentences I would like to add to that last part, however I cannot in good conscience put down another for ignorance. 

We all learn what is best for ourselves in our own time.  Hopefully you will find the joy and love you deserve, and may all your dreams come true.  That is my prayer for all.  Until next time.  

Picture from picture.com

The Peace Within: A life with Meditation.

There are many teachers with far more credentials in mediation than I.   I can only speak though my experiences of peace, guidance and love from my angels. 

When I sit down to meditate each day I look forward to that solace.  Like when you come home from a long trip.  It feel good to be surrounded by your things, you can take your coat and hat off, throw your shoes in the corner and relax on the couch.  

That’s what it is like for me.  When I calm myself and my mind from all the troubles of the day.   I let go of all my tensions and feel.  The feeling is indescribable.  But at the same time I feel connected to my soul.  That part of me that was so lost before is holding me like a child. 

To learn how to meditate is a worthwhile occupation yet one of the most difficult.  The outside world will forever be laced with turmoil but inside can be full of peace, guidance and love.  You will never know what astonishing thing you can accomplish by going within.  Nor can you understand what joy awaits you by doing so. 

Start your journey by calming those thoughts even for a moment. Try it.  See for yourself.  Experience something that is so beautiful, all the beauty of the world will pale in comparison. 

Close your eyes and take a deep breath, then another, and then another, calming down with each breath.  Upon the final exhalation just stay without the breath for as long as you can.  Don’t think, just feel.  Can you feel your heartbeat?  Listen to the rhythm of you body.  The heart.  The blood flowing.  When you need to take another breath, take it, and several more, then upon the final exhalation just feel the body again.   Try not to think during this.  Drop all thoughts.  Just breathe and listen to your heartbeats and body rhythm.

Do this often.  Then find a meditation teacher or group and learn more.   

Star Trek talked of the final frontier as being space travel.  I say the final frontier is inner travel.  The vast knowledge within contains all the knowledge we as a species could ever explore in space, and a lot more, even more then the human mind can contain or imagine.  Until next time. 

All photos are from pictures.com