Monday Getaway: Opposition

Today, my Monday Getaway is Opposition by Jennifer L. Armentrout. It's the fifth and final book of the Lux series. 

I originally started the Monday Getaway series with this series. The original blog post is HERE. You'll understand why I have a book crush on Daemon.

As always, it's bittersweet to end a series, but I'm glad she did it here and didn't prolong it unneccessarily, which it had started to seem at one point. As with most, it was hastily written and edited, so be warned. Please don't judge the book on this. Writers get very caught up in their careers--attending signings, making appearances, doing panels, and even writing other books. I can imagine the last book in a series is also the hardest to write for writers because you're essentially saying good-bye to characters and a world that you've invested so much time and affection. It has to be the hardest thing to write just as it's hard to break up with someone. Not that this is an excuse, just stating the facts.

The blurb for Opposition:

Don't miss Opposition, the fifth and final book in Jennifer L. Armentrout’s bestselling Lux series.

"A thrilling ride from start to finish," says RT Book Reviews.

Katy knows the world changed the night the Luxen came. She can’t believe Daemon stood by as his kind threatened to obliterate every last human and hybrid on Earth. But the lines between good and bad have blurred.

Daemon will do anything to save those he loves, even if it means betrayal. But when it quickly becomes impossible to tell friend from foe, and the world is crumbling around them, they may lose everything to ensure the survival of their friends…and mankind.

Lots of <3,

Monday Getaway: I NEED TO READ AGAIN

I know I've been MIA, but know I'm in the background, writing like mad. I've been exploring short stories and flash fiction to get ideas for things in the future. I've been forcing my hand in editing and improving my organization.

Also, the last few weeks, my Nook crapped out on me. I'm not dissing Nook. I loved my Nook HD+ tablet more than anything. But I was trying to make it do things it wasn't intended to do and had over 200 books on it and not to mention the 100 apps. So, I retired it as a writing device. It's become just an ereader now for my Little One, who loves the animated books on it. I bought a Surface for it's seamless connection to my computer and will start reading again, now that my Library App works again.

Monday Getaway: Walking Disaster

 If you've been following my blog, you know why I didn't post a Monday Getaway last week. This week, I'm struggling to get back in the swing of things this week.

Walking Disaster by Jamie McGuire is Book 2 of the Maddox Brothers Series. It's the same story as Beautiful Disaster, which you can read about HERE, except this one is written through Travis's perspective. It took me a little while to get into it. I guess it was just a mental thing that I didn't want to read a book that I've already read. But I'm so glad I did.

Monday Getaway: The End of Soul Screamers

I finished the main books in the Soul Screamers series by Rachel Vincent in the series last week. Finally! It was a decent series, but I have to say the ending was pure brilliance. How clever Vincent is. There are two novellas I didn't read, which were released after the end of the last book. I'll mention them here, but I didn't read them. I thought the series ending was satisfying enough. It did leave one arc unresolved, and from what I heard these shorts solve that. Maybe one day I will read it, but for now, I'm moving on.

There is a bonus of a Day in the Afterlife of Tod that's not in book form. It's not really even a story. Think of it more as a schedule--a little peek into what a typical day for Tod is like. Kind of sad and lonely. Read it: Here Then check out the blurbs for the rest of the series.

Monday Getaway: Soul Screamers Vol. 2

  I finished Volume 2, so I can present it as a whole for this Monday's Getaway.

Soul Screamers Vol. 2 by Rachel Vincent contains Books 3 and 4 and another novella: My Soul to Keep, My Soul to Steal, and Reaper. 

If you missed Soul Screamers Vol. 1, click here.

Monday Getaway: My Soul to Keep

Monday's Getaway is My Soul to Keep by Rachel Vincent, Book 3 in the Soul Screamers series. I read it from Volume 2 of the series. 

For some reason, this past week was difficult for me to read. It seemed every time I read I'd fall asleep after reading a chapter or two. Thus, I didn't finish Volume 2. I don't know why. Maybe I was more tired than usual, the fact that I read an entirely different series in between Volume 1 and 2, or this book was my least favorite of the series so far.

It wasn't bad, but I kept screaming throughout the whole book, "Just tell your father!" It's probably the adult in me who knew he could help. hehe

The Wednesday Writing Worktable: Turn Your Book Into A Diamond

So you've written a book. Where do you go from here?

If you're like me, writing the book is the easy part, so to speak. It's so much fun meeting new characters and letting them take you for a ride. I love writing new stories. I'm not such a big fan of editing. Not because I can't cut or rewrite or am afraid of the hard work. I'm not. It just bores me.

I'm trying my hardest to change my mindset. Here's my new take:

Editing is like a gem.  When they first uncover a gem, it's a hot mess, right? It's surrounded by rock and is dirty and cloudy. Then they remove it and polish it. Bam! You have a beautiful diamond. Who doesn't love and appreciate a diamond. That's editing. Your first draft is ugly. But after much work and polish, you get a beautiful treasure.

I love diamonds. Can't ever have too many? hehe How to get there? Many people finish their first drafts, but don't know where to go from here. I didn't just starting out. I wish I had a list like this. It would've saved me a lot of headaches. So, I'm sharing my experience with you.

What now?

10 Things You Need to Do:

Monday Getaway: Killer Frost

This week's Monday Getaway is Killer Frost, the final book in the Mythos Academy Series, by Jennifer Estep.

You were probably expecting Volume Two of Soul Screamers. Rest assured it's coming, but I didn't get to finish it this week.

Because I read so much, I couldn't possibly afford to feed my habit as much as I do. I'd go broke. Fast. And that includes the gift cards my wonderful family habitually give me. It's one of my fave gifts to be given.

"Because I read so much, I couldn't possibly afford to feed my habit as much as I do."

Monday Getaway: Lux Series

This new series, Monday Getaway, is all about escaping into books. I read so much. I've decided to share that journey with you. This will just be a short post every Monday. I won't be reviewing books just sharing what's currently open or just finished in my library.

“If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot. There's no way around these two things that I'm aware of, no shortcut.”
― Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

Happy Birthday, Meri! Giveaway

Today is Meridienne Drake's birthday, June 21. YAY! Happy Birthday, Meri! 

     To celebrate Meridienne's birthday, instead of her getting presents, Meridienne wanted to give some away.