Book Review: Crossing by Andrew Xia Fukuda

This book was fantastic.  Upon reading the first chapter I was hooked.  The writing is fresh, the pictures in my mind clear and the suspense was out of this world.  The ending of the book will leave you thinking long after you’ve turned the last page.

That last line was on the book, I agree with it full heartedly.  This was my first time reading this authors work and I really enjoyed his story telling.  I just cannot say enough without giving the whole thing away.  Must read. 

To find out more about the author Andrew Xia Fukuka click here for his website.  Crossing by Andrew Xia Fukuda

Book Review and Review of The Greater Cleveland Writers Group

The Silent Blade, by R.A. Salvatore.  As some of you might know from previous blog posts one of my favorite authors is RA. Salvatore.  The first book I ever read from him was The Silent Blade.  I was introduced to his beloved character called Drizzt Du'Urdan.  A dark elf.  The book was in a collection of four books in one volume.  After reading all four books, I became interested in finding out more about Drizzt and his world.  I also found out there was a lot of books before this one. I endeavored to read all of them, from the day of his birth and young life to present.  Now I am re-reading The Silent Blade again. What a difference in understanding of the characters and their motivations.  Now the book makes perfect sense.  If you love to read fantasy fiction with magic, monsters and wicked sword fights this series is it, and of course to read about five friends who grow together and lead fascinating lives these books are wonderful.  Pick one up today at your favorite book store or Library. 

FYI- In reading RA Salvatores bio, he states that in writing the Drizzt Du'Urdan's journey, it required him to go through a personal journey of his own.  Upon hearing this, I look forward to my own journey as I write the story of my own beloved characters of Maria Thompson and Wren of New Haven, as well as the characters of Three Ordinary Lives blog storyline.  My only hope is that you love them as much as I do.

To find out more about RA Salvatore, the link will be provided at the end of the blog.

The Greater Cleveland Writers Group Review:
What a wonderful group of talented and fascinating people this group has.  I arrived early; the parking lot was empty except one car.  As I walked towards our meeting location, which is a boat, I was intercepted by someone who was new, a young women.  She asked a few questions, which I informed her that she found the correct place.  I escorted her to the boat, only to find the group host didn't get the key in time to open the doors.  We were to have our meeting outside on the upper deck.  So we climbed over locked chains and strategically placed chairs on the side and ended up on the outside deck. 

I thought nothing of doing this, I didn't realize the impact of how this would be perceived from our new guest.   Anyway we began to move the outside furniture into a round group with the chairs around them.  by this time a few other had arrived and we were all talking and moving tables and chairs and making quite a bit of noise and chaos.

My reason for attending the meeting was two fold.  One, to promote my new Diligent Writers Critiquing Group and two, to read a short story I had prepared.  I had already placed an ad to the larger group regarding my smaller subgroup.  A girl approached me during this time and asked me about the smaller group.   I answered her questions and we agreed she could join, but all the time I'm seeing the new girl all alone sitting across the way.  I didn't mean to leave her but I was unable to leave until all the questions had been answered.

A gust of wind blew around us, then I saw one of the lighter lawn chairs lift up, fly a short distance, and land next to the new woman.  She grabs her things and makes a b-line off the boat and to her car.  When I caught up to her she was already in her car and backing up when she saw me, she stopped and rolled down her window. 

She explained that too much seemed weird.  The fact that there was no bathroom facilities, due to no key,  and the host kept saying everyone who needs to use the restroom to go around the boat to relieve themselves.  The climbing over the chains as if we really didn't belong there and the chaos of moving table and chairs.  I understood.

I explained that right now she is seeing the weird stuff.  Once the group starts and she is introduced to everyone it will get better.  Reluctantly she decide to try it. I stayed with her and introduced her to people, got her food and a beverage, and sat with her throughout the meeting.  She agreed the meeting was really good and the people talented and fascinating.  

What Happened After the Meeting:  
The meeting was cut short because non of us could see, it had become so dark.  So I asked a few friends if I could read my short story to them and they agreed.  I got maybe one paragraph when another woman came up.  She started talking to one of my audience and interrupting my reading.  She didn't even acknowledge me or the other women standing next to me. Just acted like we weren't even there.  He answered her few questions that said he would be with her in a few moments, and gestured for me to continue.  But now I have a problem.  My story builds in suspense.  Having the woman come up and disturbed the momentum, my story was lost at that point.  A point I knew I couldn't get back.  I started where I left off.   I read a few more paragraphs and another woman came up to me, while I'm reading, looking at my paper and speaking, she begins to talk to me.  I look at her incredulously, I told her I'm reading as we speak.  She left after a few more words but by then the momentum of my story was gone.  Irritated beyond belief I finished the story, but the ending didn't feel as it should have upon the last word. Suspenseful.

Both liked the story and we discussed it afterward.  I just don't understand why someone would come into a group that is talking or doing whatever and just interrupt. Oh well. 

I still have work to do on my short story thanks to the feedback I received from the two that listened.   I still had a great time and enjoy these meeting greatly. The newest member gave me a thank you and a hug for all I helped her with during the meeting.  I hugged her back, saying my pleasure.   Every good deed has its reward.

To share your thoughts or stories email me or comment.  We would love to hear from you.  Share, laugh, cry, grow and bond with other women.  Until next time.

RA Salvatore Link.  http://www.rasalvatore.com/

Book Reviews:

I'm half way thru the second reading of Succubus Shadows by Rochelle Mead. Book 5 in the Succubus series. I am beginning to understand the book now. Sometimes just one reading isn’t enough to understand a story therefore not a good way to judge. I read most books two or more times to really get a story and to study all the work and its complexities.

The Succubus, Georgina was captured and made to dream. In those dreams sequences she is shown all her mistakes throughout the years. She is left with pain and shattered hopes.

It is during those dream sequences that I begin to understand her better and her motivations for doing what she is/was/ has been doing all her long life. She’s immortal. It also makes sense as to what could come in her future.

I also finished another RA Salvatore book:
One of my favorite characters in a book is Drizzt Du’Urdan. A Dark Elf.  I have finished six books in the series and have ordered another 3 from the Library. The last one I finished was called The Halfling’s Gem. It was really good. I could barely put the book down. Of course it had all the wonderful creatures and the favorite beloved characters and lots of crazy, weird, wonderful fantasy fiction that I love so much. Also I got to understand more about the characters and how their lives play out. Makes me wonder how much more those guys and gal can go thru and how much more they will grow. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I purposely don’t tell you much about the story because then it wouldn’t be such a surprise if you were to read it. (So there!)

Injury from My Bike Accident:
I think I may have injured my wrist when I fell face first on the sideway , I flung my arm and wrist to stop the fall, during my bike accident. My whole arm is aching especially my wrist. I need to see the doctor soon anyway regarding another matter so I will just ask him about this injury.

I am having a hard time typing. The only way it feels better is when I have my arm in a sling around my shoulders. Sometimes this happens, an injury won’t show up for a bit then later will come to haunt you.

I found a way to sling my arm up and brace it last night. It felt better when I went to bed. (I will baby it for quite a while I think. Maybe even get some sympathy at work or something.   Not.)

Working on the Fictional Story:
The story line that I am working on will be fictional. All three characters will be normal regular people dealing with everyday life. Any likeness to any real person or situation is unintended. It will be writing practice, fun and a learning experience for me. Soon I will start the blog and link it to mine, so the only way to get it will be through my blog.  Hope you like it. 

For those that want to leave comments:
I have it set up were the comments have to be review first. The reason is because I don’t want any spammers putting dumb stuff on the comments. We get enough of that elsewhere, we don’t need it here. I check the blog every day and all comments will be posted the next day. They are appreciated. Thank you to those that read. I don’t know how many are reading but you are very important to me.

If anyone would like to share their experiences or how you overcame a tough spot you are welcome to do so. We all can learn, grow, share and bond from them. By for now.

Book Reviews – Updates on What’s Up.

Book Review:
Just finished another book from one of my favorite authors, Richelle Mead. She is the author of the extremely good Vampire Academies. She also has another book series out called Succubus. The Succubus storyline is about a succubus names Georgina. It is very interesting and has lots of sex in it. Good stuff. I am on the fifth book of the series. In truth the Succubus series is not as good as the Vampire Academies Series, but the characters are still dear to my heart.

(When Harry Potter was in full force I always wondered how I would go on. I am grateful I have found other heroes and heroines to keep track of.)

The name of this book is called Succubus Shadows. Since this is the fifth in the series the book is winding down to the end of the story. And while the writer is keeping true to putting their characters through the wringer, I have to say this book is a little confusing. I don’t mean the writing is not good, it is extremely good. What I am saying is the book is written in the point of view of the first person, Georgina, the succubus. The turn of the book is where she is captured and tortured. While the torture is going on which the writer lets us into, there is a lot of stuff going on in the background that we only get a glimpse of. The premise of the book is that while the torture is going on Georgina will not be able to tell truth from lies. As the reader we can’t either. Since we have a little of Georgina long life background from subsequent books, in this book when she is meant to re-live all of her mistakes and worst things in her life, that tears her apart, we as the reader, trust me feel for her, and yet can’t distinguish the truth and lies either.

Normally I read a book at least twice. I have read this one only once this time before I started writing about it here. I will read it again, maybe on the second reading I can get a better sense of what the writer is trying to accomplish.

What do you think about the oil spill?
This is something that is making me sick. Every time I get an update on the news or somewhere else, I get frustrated. I know you feel the same. While our government and BP are trying to get their heads together to fix it, what is happening in the rest of the world? What I mean is, when there is a disaster somewhere else in the world. We, America, our government and the people pull our resources and money together and help. Have you seen or heard of any other country stepping up to the plate to help us in this situation? I haven’t.

No one can tell what the long term consequences of this disaster is going to be, but I can see it will affect others, including some other industries. I just find it funny, sarcastic funny, that when others need help America helps, but when we need it, no one helps us. (What do you think? Am I wrong? Tell me about it so I and others can learn more.)

Question:
Has anyone seen the movie, “Letters to Juliet” yet? If you have how was it? I want to see it so badly. But when you do comment please don’t tell me the ending. I still may get a chance to go. Thanks

Have you read any good books lately? Can you recommend another fiction story or author?

Update on Weight:
Well I started back at Zumba, I missed everyone, and they told me they missed me. I had a good time again as usual. The instructor, Lisa, had some new interesting moves and more work with the weights. She works us very hard. I came home tired and sweaty. But I’ve had a headache for three days that will not go away. I am not sure if it is sinuses or something else. It hurts though.

When I had dinner I had a big bowl of green beans and Balsamic marinated chicken. I should have had strawberries for desert but had two pieces of toast instead. Oh well, next time I will have the fruit. (Hitting my hand now in punishment, “bad girl”.)
 Update on Writing:
Once again I am having fear of how I am going to finish the book. This is my first book and the biggest project I have ever done. I keep having fear problems. The good news is I’m about to stop all TV and reading to get it down. I owe it to my characters to finish their story.

Would anyone like me to introduce my characters to the blog? I am thinking about it. Just a small write up on each of them. Let me know.

One last piece of news: Well it not good news for me.
The man who owes the house I reside in has sold it. Now I have a new owner who has just informed me I have to move in a few months. The old owner put in a few months into the agreement with the new owner to protect me and give me enough time to move. (That is very sweet.) So now I have to find a new place to live for me and my cats.

What do you think and feel? Is there anything that you want to talk about or discuss? Or anything that you want to say about what I wrote. Share, laugh, cry, love, and bond with other women. Join in the discussion. Until next time.