Dear John by Nicholas Sparks Book Review

Last spring during my mother's biannual visit, she gave me the book to read. I have read Mr. Sparks' previous title, A Walk to Remember, and I listened to his story, The Choice on audio book. My husband and I have also seen the movie Message in a Bottle.

So I knew enough to know what I was walking into a very emotional story. It's one of the reasons why the book stayed in my to-be-read pile. It was finally time. I didn't find this book as emotionally wrenching as A Walk to Remember probably due to the fact I struggle to connect with the main character, John. By the middle of the book, I was curious and interested in the story line. The twist in the book is a surprise I didn't see coming. No spoilers, just in case you're like me and running behind on your reading list. Well written and a good read.

A Bit of Fall Color

During our family hike this weekend, we saw this first sign of fall colors. But don't touch!!! Itchy, Itchy!

Ice Cold, A book Review

During our recent vacation to visit family in Michigan, my husband watched cable with his widowed, elderly mother. He saw an advertisment for a new series that started in July on TNT. By the ads, I'm sure you guessed it, Rizzoli & Isles. Unfortunely, at this time we have choosen not to have satellite or cable. In July, we tried to watch it at TNT.tv and it wasn't available.

So, I put the book series on my to-read list. Unfornately, I didn't do my homework well. I started with Ice Cold, the latest in the series. Late last night or early this morning depending on your defination of four a.m., I finished Ice Cold. It is a fast paced enjoyable read of a horrific crime mystery. Maura Isles leaves her Boston home to travel to a medical conference. She becomes missing, dead, missing again and a fugitive to an exciting climax. Even reading this book out of series order, I never felt confused by references to previous cases (books). Check out Ice Cold, if you like murder mysteries.

In my research for this blog entry, I checked out TNT's website about the series. At this time, they have the first episodes of Rizzoli & Isles available to watch on line at their website http://www.tnt.tv/series/rizzoliandisles/ . They have games and an online story available, as well. According to several websites, TNT has also pickup the series for an additional thirteen episodes. We will definately be checking out the TV series soon.

Enjoy,

Leann Holland

Anniversaries

Anniversaries are an important marker of time. We can have anniversaries for all kinds of events in our lives. Some are good and some are bad or painful. This week, my husband and I will celebrate a happy event in our lives, 19 years of marriage.

We had several years where our marriage was in danger of not surviving. Ten years ago, we started to rebuild our marriage. Young children, at least for us, put a great strain on our relationship. I started and completed three pregnancies in less than five years. We love our kids and are very proud of them. We wouldn't change anything. We learned a lot about ourselves and each other during those difficult years.

Work, a word no one really wants to hear about marriage and love. It's supposed to be like movies and books, a fairy tale. Every day filled with flowers and romance not budgets, chores and work. Marriage is both romance and work. Finding the balance will allow marriages to flourish. Different seasons in life demand ratios to change. Don't take your marriage or mate for granted. Chins up! Keep working!

Happy Anniversary, Honey!!!!
  

Trying To Soar

I've heard writers talk about how hard it is to send your writing out there into the unknown world of magazines, newspapers, and book publishing. Several have compared it to sending their babies to Kindergarten. As we decided to homeschool our children when our first was just two and half years old, I don't have the experience to compare to that analogy.

Today, I submitted my first story to True Experience. I have submitted a couple of stories to it sister publications without any success. I am taking a class "Airing Dirty Laundry" by Marilyn Puett through Heart of Dixie RWA. Using the information gained so far, this weekend I rewrote and edited a story for the submission call by True Romance and True Experience for fall stories.

Thanks to my class, I have more confidence that my writing will have a better chance at publication. But it's still hard letting my baby fly.

Reaching for the stars,

Leann

Kindle Giveway - Hurray 6/14/2010

Through one of my coupon bloggers I found a giveaway for the Kindle. I don't know a writer or reader out there who wouldn't like a chance to use one of these babies.

So, hurry over to http://www.momsneedtoknow.com/2010/06/08/dads-rock-giveaway-bash-kindle-dx/

Good Luck,

Leann

Struggling with Emotions

Last Rose of Summer - Class Reunion of '85 book series. The idea was filled with potential. Potential time bombs, I realized. Why do we like to torture ourselves with the past?

Unresolved issues with people we will never see again, unless you are a facebook fan. Two decades ago, my DH and I moved seven hundred miles away from our hometown leaving all those ghost and emotions behind. Or so we thought. Now with facebook, they can find you. Do you hear that eerie music?

LOL! No, not those creeps. Just the friends who didn't like your boyfriend during your senior year. The friends of friends who didn't want to share their friends. The list goes on and on.

Then there are the family members who made bad choices. They have made peace with the family in the hometown. But I'm stuck in a time machine where this all seems surreal.

Great stuff for writing if I can get my emotions channeled into the characters.