Sunday, November 30, 2014

Holiday Christmas Cash Giveaway

Holiday Cash Giveaway

An Amazing Group of Authors & Bloggers have come together to bring you 1 fabulous prize

1 lucky winner will receive $300 Cash!

 

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Giveaway Details

$300 Paypal Cash

Ends 12/21/14

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author, bloggers and publishers on the sponsor list. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Reviews for The Glister Journals: Bronze

More Glister Journals info at the book's website here: theglisterjournals.com

The Glister Journals: Bronze can be purchased through any bookseller, or purchase now at Amazon.com

Note: All original text and materials by or commissioned by B. B. Shepherd are copyright 2012-2014 to China Blue Publishing.

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving came early to my house this year. As both my daughters work in retail, getting the same day off is a miracle in itself. This year my older daughter, Elizabeth, was able to come and stay a couple of nights. She came on Sunday so we had our family dinner on Monday. Mary, my younger daughter who lives with me, had to work. Fortunately, she worked early so was able to be home for dinner. Unfortunately, she began feeling feverish Sunday night and by the time she got home from work on Monday, she didn't feel up to eating much.

I'd been cooking all day. I usually try to get some things prepared the day before, but what with one thing and another (cleaning!), I didn't. We stay pretty traditional with our holiday meals, but some of that tradition is very English. Dinner was roast turkey, stuffing with sausage (casserole), roast potatoes and parsnips (covered in butter/marmite), roast carrots and yams (in an herbed oil), cauliflower and broccoli, and home made apple sauce and gravy. Apple crumble and custard for dessert. Yum!

I was also supposed to skype with my son and his family (in Washington) but we didn't get to it. We keep saying we will do this skype thing, but it never happens. Either things get too busy on this end or his internet's down. So today, actual Thanksgiving Day, I hope the stars are aligned and I'm able to see and spend time with my son and his family.

Late on Monday we learned of the violence breaking out in Oakland, uncomfortably close to where Elizabeth lives and works. I have no opinion on the right or wrong of the actual incident - I am completely unqualified to judge the tragedy that incited the violence - but empathize with the feelings of outrage, oppression, helplessness. I don't empathize with the violence, property damage, and fear the "protestors" are subjecting innocent local people and businesses to. That's not the way to gather support for anything. You become the thing you hate and are despised and mistrusted in return. Where's the sense in that? I was glad that Elizabeth was right here with me, but I had to take her home, a small minority member in her neighborhood, while violence was still happening just streets away. I'm always praying for her safety, but have never had so much cause.

The shame is that the genuine protestors are probably not the ones doing the damage. Just like the ridiculous mobs and vandalism after the Giants won the World Series. It's doubtful the real fans were a big part of that. It's opportunists taking advantage of any excuse to damage and steal the property of others. It's nothing to brag about or be applauded for. It doesn't matter how unjust the issue is. You're just hurting more of the people you claim to be protesting for. The people in your own neighborhood. Your family.

Which leads me back to Thanksgiving.

I am most thankful for my family. My three children. Life isn't always easy - can be downright brutal at times - and I have lots of other reasons to be thankful, but they are the most precious to me. I'm thankful everyday for them. Twenty-four-seven. We've been through a lot together. I want to be here for them; they are always there for me.

I'm thankful that after years and years of very hard times, things are going pretty well for everybody. My son spends most of his time being a full time dad and working on music and online business. My grandson, Odin, will be two early next year and is adorable and healthy. So is his lovely mom. Both my daughters just transferred to brand new stores (different stores, same company) and are guaranteed full time - no mean feat in this economy. The oldest is now a supervisor but both hope to work into management. I hope that, regardless of how they all earn a paycheck, they are able to exercise their creativity. They're all extremely talented, but also probably all affected, to one degree or another, by autism.

It's challenging, but I'm not complaining. I'm extremely thankful.

I'm also extremely thankful for the people who have taken interest in my writing and befriended me online. I don't really know you, but your opinions and support are important and encouraging to me. Thank you! And yes, Book Two really is coming. I promise.

So whether you have religious or cultural reasons to celebrate today, or don't celebrate at all, I wish you a peaceful day and hope you can focus on the things you can be thankful for. And as is my Thanksgiving blog tradition, here's some Switchfoot. Happy Thanksgiving from California!



Reviews for The Glister Journals: Bronze

More Glister Journals info at the book's website here: theglisterjournals.com

The Glister Journals: Bronze can be purchased through any bookseller, or purchase now at Amazon.com

Note: All original text and materials by or commissioned by B. B. Shepherd are copyright 2012-2014 to China Blue Publishing.

Friday, November 14, 2014

Gratitude Giveaway Hop

Gratitude Giveaway 2014

This is a simple giveaway to say THANK YOU to you, readers and followers. All you have to do is leave a short comment here letting me know how you're following - Facebook, Twitter, Google, Goodreads, blog, etc. My giveaway is for a $15.00 gift card to the book store of your choice. Thanks so much! (And please, don't leave your e-mail in the comments!)

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Reviews for The Glister Journals: Bronze

More Glister Journals info at the book's website here: theglisterjournals.com

The Glister Journals: Bronze can be purchased through any bookseller, or purchase now at Amazon.com

Note: All original text and materials by or commissioned by B. B. Shepherd are copyright 2012-2014 to China Blue Publishing.

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Review: Cinder

It's been a while since I read these books, but as I hope to read Cress (the third book in the series) soon, and Fairest (the fourth book) is out in about three months, I figured I should get to it! Marissa Meyer's Lunar Chronicles series is set in a futuristic/alternative reality earth. Although the books are re-imaginings and intertwinings of very familiar fairy tales and characters (Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, Sleeping Beauty--at least the evil queen!) the settings and story lines are firmly in science fiction territory and YA accessible. Which is all kinds of awesome. I love Marissa's writing (with one exception - see Scarlet), her characterizations, and stories.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

I wasn't initially drawn to this book. Much as I adore science fiction movies and shows, I'm not crazy about robots/androids/cyborgs/etc., so the cover actually put me off. I didn't want to start a book I already had doubts about (as far as liking the main character). Silly me.

First of all, I need to talk about Marissa's world. That's what drew me in and changed my mind as soon as I began reading. Due to my uncertainty, I got it from the library first. I was immediately thrown into a busy futuristic marketplace with a fusion of high and low technology and predominantly Asian atmosphere a la Whedon's Firefly (not as dark and brooding as Blade Runner). By the time I was halfway through the book I was sold on Marissa's writing and the series and had to have my own copy.

Linh Cinder is a part human, part robotic teen girl who works in the marketplace of New Beijing. She is famous for her expertise in mechanics and does a good trade there, helping to augment her family's meager income. That family is, of course, a step mother and two step sisters. They and all the residents of New Beijing are struggling to function and make a living through a deadly plague of unknown origin with no known cure.

As the story opens, she is tending the stall in the marketplace and brooding about her foot. She has outgrown it. The accident that left her in need of robotic parts happened when she was a small girl and she hasn't been able to find - or afford - replacement parts to keep up with her physical growth.

Enter Prince Kai. He has come to the marketplace, undercover, seeking her renowned expertise to repair a family droid. His reasons for secrecy, beyond not wanting to get mobbed by his adoring subjects, remains obscure for a while but makes sense later on. Her reason for hiding her foot - and her cyborg physiology - is the crush she has on him, just like every other female subject including her adorable android sidekick.

Hanging over all is the threat of invasion by the mysterious Lunar queen and her forces if diplomacy fails. And diplomacy insists on marriage.

Although I found some of the plot and back story (not necessarily related to the original fairy tale) a little predictable, I enjoyed the read immensely and look forward to the rest of the series.


Currently writing: TGJ Book 2 Chapter 27.

Listening: All of the musics.

Reading (finishing): Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater

Watching: Downton Abbey



Reviews for The Glister Journals: Bronze

More Glister Journals info at the book's website here: theglisterjournals.com

The Glister Journals: Bronze can be purchased through any bookseller, or purchase now at Amazon.com

Note: All original text and materials by or commissioned by B. B. Shepherd are copyright 2012-2014 to China Blue Publishing.