SittieCates Loves Stories

#Review: The Attic of Sand and Secrets by Medeia Sharif

noreply@blogger.com (SittieCates) — Mon, 5 Jan 2015 09:06:00 -0800

What I liked about this book is it's sense of magic and adventure. It comes covered with a warm blanket of hopeful expectancy to solve a mystery of a missing loved-one.

Its pages took me to the world of Lily and showed me how important finding her mom was to her. Her struggles became part of the reader--in this case, that's me, of course. :-) But--unbeknownst to her--within the heart of her struggles lies the key to learning where her mother was.

I enjoyed reading it. It was a lovely tale.

Rating: 4 stars

P.S. I received a complimentary copy of this book from BookBloggers.

#Review: The Insecure Writer's Support Group--Guide to Publishing and Beyond

noreply@blogger.com (SittieCates) — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 23:54:00 -0800

The Insecure Writer's Support Group: Guide to Publishing and Beyond

Hope you're having a lovely holiday season.

If you're an author or you're aspiring to be one, you may want to check out this book by Alex J Cavanaugh and the rest of the IWSG (which I'm happy to be a part of ) who've contributed. (I've got a piece there on magazine markets, by the way.)

I've read what everyone contributed and I loved it! Highly recommended!

This book is a comprehensive useful guide to writing, publishing and marketing one's work. It's a place of comfort and inspiration. It's one of the best books a writer or a newbie to the craft would be delighted to have. It's free so do grab a copy.

Rating: Of course, 5 stars! :-)

This would be my last post for this year. I'll see you next year. Happy New Year to everyone! Virtual *hugs*!

#Review: Judgement Day by Jane Jensen

noreply@blogger.com (SittieCates) — Tue, 23 Dec 2014 23:42:00 -0800

This was one of my Dad's books and I wished I read it sooner when he was still alive. I could have shared my thoughts with him then. Anyway, I guess it was one of his favorites. Now, it's mine, too. :-)

My reading experience for this one? Absolutely spectacular! Kept me up for hours! Highly recommended!

Rating: 5 stars

#Review: Palace of Darkness by Tracy L. Higley

noreply@blogger.com (SittieCates) — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 22:48:00 -0800

I received a free copy of this from BookLook Bloggers. And here is my unbiased review. Please know that this is based on my own reading experience, which may or may not be similar with yours.

This engaging tale brings you back to 106 A.D. where Cassia, who lived an impecunious and battered life with her husband, hopes to fully embrace a sense of freedom and safety for herself and her son. Her interminable hope for freedom takes her and her child to an ancient city called Petra.

I find the book cover truly appealing.

The novel's sense of history is divinely described that I am taken into its mystery and beauty. Tucked in its pages is a vivid picture of a mother's love -- strong and unparalleled. It's one of the qualities that I liked in the book.

A startling revelation comes in as the tale takes me elsewhere, to Petra, the City of Stone. I drink in its scenes and prod the characters on, hoping Cassia would truly find the freedom she hopes to have.

Good and evil come to play here. And that revelation I mentioned sits heavily within the plot. How the characters--in the first few scenes and the next--battle the odds was really interesting to see. I enjoyed reading it.

It would be nice to tell you more, but, sorry, no spoilers. :-)

Rating: 4 stars

#Review: 30 Seconds by Chrys Fey

noreply@blogger.com (SittieCates) — Mon, 8 Dec 2014 02:33:00 -0800

30 Seconds by Chrys Fey

This one's for adults.

Short, fast-paced and captivating.

A potent mix of romance and suspense that will keep you turning the pages.

Rating: 5 stars

#Review: Snip, Snip Revenge by Medeia Sharif

noreply@blogger.com (SittieCates) — Thu, 4 Dec 2014 02:25:00 -0800

I received a complimentary copy of this from BookBloggers and here's my review:

This book written by Medeia Sharif depicts a good portrayal of a typical teenager who would hold unto a seemingly simple yet false source of strength--for this book, that would be her hair, her crowning glory--to assuage and replace the hurtful feelings of being unloved and ignored by her family.

I liked how Tabby Karim, the headstrong and vengeful character in the tale, faced her challenges and emerged stronger in the end.

I enjoyed reading it!

I'm sure a lot of teenagers would enjoy this book, too.

Rating: 5 stars

#Review: A Tiny Bit Marvellous by Dawn French

noreply@blogger.com (SittieCates) — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 23:44:00 -0800

This was lent to me. Here are my thoughts about the book:

Dawn French's book is written in a 'Dear Diary' format and different voices take center stage on each chapter. As a whole, it's about a dysfunctional family--the Battles--who have their own battle to face while also struggling to live with each other. Narrated mostly by Mo (the child psychiatrist mother) and her two children, Dora and Oscar (Peter), I found this book to be refreshing and entertaining because, as a reader, it felt like being presented with a psychiatrist's notebook and getting to see the true personalities that are laid bare in its pages.

Each page captures a vivid impression of their frailties, their problems, how their minds work, how they perceive each other's faults while also trying to keep themselves sane as they struggle with themselves and each other. The father here is often quiet, often in the background but acts when things needed to be done.

Yes, I have to admit that there were a few parts in the novel that dragged the pace a bit, but it didn't lessen my interest because its individual voices were waiting to be heard. (I particularly liked how Oscar/Peter talks and find him to be a very interesting character.)

For me, the Battles are mirrors of how some families are in real life. Perhaps, their individual problems may seem trivial to some readers. But the novel's close tie to reality is what made this book a delight to finish in one day.

Rating: 4.5 stars

#Review: A Lady’s Honor by Laurie Alice Eakes

noreply@blogger.com (SittieCates) — Thu, 6 Nov 2014 01:52:00 -0800

This book is from BookLook Bloggers (formerly, BookSneeze). In exchange of the free copy, here’s my review.

Initially, I thought this one’s about a very young lady since I thought that was what the girl on the cover looked like. (The cover is nice, by the way.) But at the first part, I saw it was about someone older.

At the beginning of the tale, I was mulling on the idea on why the main character—Elizabeth “Elys” Trelawny—had to flee, hoping that she’ll be free and home at last. While it was nice to see some action take place at the start of the book, its reason for being was rather confusing. I kept thinking: What’s the rush? Why does she need to be free? Free from what or whom?

As the tale moved on, I felt rather detached from the story characters. There were a lot of instances in the book that I felt happened a bit fast or was introduced too early in the tale.

As a whole, the book is a nice read since it’s based on the manner of life as it was long ago. I also liked how the main character often held on to the Trelawny’s motto to remember who they were, and that dictated and guided her actions. But then, some conversations went on and on, carrying the reader from one emotion to another, and I found it rather difficult to be emotionally pulled and pushed in this manner. But as I said, it is a nice tale of an interesting life as it was lived long ago.

Once again, this review (like most reviews of mine) is based on my own reading experience. Your reading experience may be different from mine. So, if you’re interested in reading this book, I encourage you to do so.

Rating: 3 stars

#Reviews: Books for Children and Teens that I’ve Read

noreply@blogger.com (SittieCates) — Wed, 1 Oct 2014 01:22:00 -0700

I often read books in the genre that I hope to tackle next. It pays to study a lot of books and see the various ways it is presented to a reader.

As I often say whenever I do book reviews, please know that my comments written below are based on my own reading preferences which may or may not be the same as yours.

Ratings below coincide with the Goodreads rating standards.

The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett

It’s wonderful to read award-winning books and see why these have earned recognition.

Terry Pratchett’s, “The Wee Free Men”, is so delightful and funny. I loved it!

Rating: 5 stars

Hat Full of Sky by Terry Pratchett

Thank goodness there’s a second book! The main character is older and a new adventure brings readers to an exciting, funny and engaging tale that most children and children-at-heart would love.

Rating: 5 stars

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor

I enjoyed reading this book because the characters were richly portrayed. I agree with its review that it’s a powerful novel. It truly is. Written in a somber tone, it carries the weight of a world heavy with social injustice. It is a rich tale of survival.

Rating: 4 stars

Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume

A writer friend of mine suggested this to me when she saw that I wrote a children’s book with a (nearly) similar title. I was intrigued so I looked for this.

Judy Blume’s book is for pre-teens and teens, and is about growing up. There were snatches of funny scenes. It was a delight to read it.

Rating: 4 stars

Willow (A Novel by Wayland Drew, A Film from a Story by George Lucas)

This one’s based on a film. I enjoyed reading it. It’s action-filled, fast-paced style makes for a engaging magical tale for children.

Rating: 4 stars

Lord of the Nutcracker Men by Iain Lawrence

I liked the cover of this novel. The story was a nice read. However, I felt that it had a staggering feel; its actual tale was mentioned at a latter part. I was curious about its title, and that made me continue reading it ‘til the end.

Rating: 3 stars

Smashed Potatoes: And Other Thanksgiving Disasters by Carol W. Murphy

When a well-meaning child tackles matters in her own hands by thinking of a surprise, and endeavors to fulfill it, things sometimes go wrong. The tale is interesting and I like the character of Megan Alexander in the tale.

Rating: 3 stars

S.W.I.T.C.H. (Serum Which Instigates Total Cellular Hijack): Bug Battle by Ali Sparkes

Very entertaining! An exciting read. And also funny. This one’s part of a great series for children. I really like this short tale. I’m sure a lot of kids would love this.

Rating: 5 stars

Gargoylz: Make Some Noise by Burchett & Vogler

This is part of a series. It’s a nice short tale that’s filled with an adventure with friendly ‘gargolz’ bearing special abilities. I like it.

Rating: 4 stars

New Videos Uploaded for My Books

noreply@blogger.com (SittieCates) — Mon, 22 Sep 2014 21:48:00 -0700

Just a quick blog post... :-)

Here are three new videos I've uploaded:

Book Trailer: "Sleepyhead? Not!" (A Picture Book)

This one's for the new edition of the picture book, "Sleepyhead? Not!"

Reading the First 2 Pages of the NEW EDITION of "Sleepyhead? Not!"

And this one's where I read the first two pages of the new edition of the picture book.

Hidden Fear of an Author: What if No One Wants to Read Your Book - A Narration

And this one's a narration of the first part of the short book I've written for aspiring authors.

That's it! See you next post! :-)

Book Review: Boy’s Life by Robert R. McCammon

noreply@blogger.com (SittieCates) — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 01:22:00 -0700

I bought this because I was intrigued by the back flap’s promise of a very good tale.

This coming-of-age tale is so beautifully written. If I would fall in love with a book, I’d definitely choose this one. This is the first book of the author that I’ve read and I should say that I’m hooked. I bought the book at a book sale, and fell in love with it from the first page to the last.

This has all the elements of an engaging, gripping and unforgettable tale that I’m sure not only children would love, but adults (who feel nostalgic about a past, and hope they could revisit it if only for a breath of a moment), too.

I don’t often reread fiction books, but I find myself drawn to this one every time I see it. Each time I open it and flip its pages, I happily sink into its wonderful depths of magic, wonder and an unforgettable past filled with exciting adventures and sub-plots that touch the heart.

This novel by Robert McCammon deserves more than five stars. It deserves a hundred. Or even more than that.

After reading the novel, I can say that I know now why Robert R. McCammon is a favorite of many. For me, he is one of the best storytellers, and I’m really glad I bought his book. I understand that he writes horror stories. I hope he’ll write more books like this one.

I’m sure that this will be one of the timeless reads that will find its way into the hearts of those who seek a tale that’s superbly told and one that is unforgettable.

I really loved it!

Rating: 5 stars

(Note: Rating coincides with the Goodreads rating standards.)

The Seven Deadly Sins Tag

noreply@blogger.com (SittieCates) — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 22:12:00 -0700

ImaVee of the Blah Blah Notebook tagged me for The Seven Deadly Sins Tag. When I learned about it, I thought, Hmmm… Interesting.

Now, on to the Q’s and A’s…

Greed

1. What is your most inexpensive book?

The Waterborn by J. Gregory Keyes. I got it from the nearby BOOKSALE store for PhP 5. Imagine that! I think that’s their lowest price offer for some books or perhaps I just got lucky that day. :-)

Wrath

2. Who’s the author with whom you have a love/hate relationship with?

Love/hate relationship? I guess that would be Max Lucado. I particularly liked his children’s book, You Are Special. But when I got another book of his for review—hoping I’d get the same level of reading enjoyment that I’ve felt with that first book I’ve read—I didn’t realize that I wouldn’t like the story that much. There were a lot of confusing parts that seemed disjointed from the whole tale. (The film was better though.)

Gluttony

3. What book have you devoured over and over again with no shame?

For non-fiction, that would be Lynn Grabhorn’s Excuse Me, Your Life is Waiting and Dr. Wayne W. Dyer’s Real Magic (Creating Miracles in Everyday Life). I gain strength, and friendly and witty advice from these books. Since I often turn to these books, the paperback versions are nearly tattered. Its eBook versions, though, are kept safe as part of the files of my desktop.

For fiction, I’m so in love with Boy’s Life of Robert R. McCammon. I simply cannot resist reading it over and over again whenever I see it.

Sloth
4. Which book have you neglected reading due to laziness?

I received all the books of the Artemis Fowl series as a birthday gift from ImaVee. (Thanks again, sis!) I only read the first book, though, because I have a large backlog of books yet to be perused and reviewed.

Pride

5. What books do you talk about most in order to sound like an intellectual reader?

The book/s that I talk about most to sound like an intellectual reader? I never noticed if I sound like an intellectual reader when I speak of—or write about—the books I read. I just do it because I like the book so much or I want to share some information about it. But if others think that I sound like one… Thanks! LOL!

Anyway, perhaps, this question could be turned around to correlate to the sage advice and interesting factual information I’ve found in most self-help books and non-fiction reads, and that I willingly share to those who want to know more about those books.

For that, I’d say I am perpetually in awe of these books:

Self-Help Books

Excuse Me, Your Life is Waiting by Lynn Grabhorn

You’ll See It When You Believe It by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

Real Magic (Creating Miracles in Everyday Life) by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

General Non-fiction Reads

(These are good research-based stuff if you’re into these topics. These were originally my Dad’s. I guess he’s still reading books up there ever since his spirit has left its earthly abode.)

The Tutankhamum Prophecies (The Sacred Secret of the Mayas, Egyptians and Freemasons) by Maurice Cotterell

The Stargate Conspiracy by Lynn Picknett and Clive Prince

Lust

6. What attributes do you find attractive in a male or female character?

For children’s books, that would be a funny or highly curious character.

For YA, I am drawn to protagonists who have a go-getter attitude and inner strength.

For Chick-Lit, I feel an innate sense of empathy towards characters that start out as weak and funny, but end up surviving his or her challenges.

Envy

7. What book would you like to receive most as a gift?

Hold on. I have to think about this Q for a few moments. It’s hard to choose only one. Lemme see… Hmmm. OK. I got it.

I’d like to receive…

The second book of Miss Peregrine’s House for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Jenny Colgan’s The Good, the Bad and the Dumped

(See? I told you. It’s hard to think of only ONE book. For the person who would eventually decide to give me a book, you can see that I’m offering a lot of choices here. LOL!)

The second book of Kathleen Duey’s A Resurrection of Magic trilogy

the third book in that trilogy (A Resurrection of Magic)

I could go on and on for this last question, but it’s time to tag someone else. I was told that there is no limit to the people you want to tag for THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS TAG. So, I’ve decided to tag two people. I’m tagging…

Michelle Wallace of Writer in Transit

Medeia Sharif

I hope to read their thoughts on this soon.

To ImaVee, thanks! Had a great time answering this. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’d better get back to writing and revising stories, and reading more books.

Oh, and to the rest who’re reading this, I’ll see you next post. Sending virtual *HUGS* to you! You may want to keep yourself updated for new blog posts through my RSS feeds, by liking my Facebook page, following me on Google+ or other social networks. (Various means of connecting with me are on the right sidebar of this blog. Just click away. Thanks!)

Versatile Blogger Award: Delighted to Receive it!

noreply@blogger.com (SittieCates) — Tue, 9 Sep 2014 00:37:00 -0700

This Versatile Blogger Award is really way overdue. I received this on the same month a few years back, but have never published this post because the initial piece that I’ve written for this award was saved at my other USB and it got lost. I guess the delay served a purpose though because I’ve discovered a lot of new blogs since then which, I think, deserve this award.

Aileen of I Heart Good Health sent this to me, and informed me that I was part of her list of awardees. Thank you so much, Aileen! Oh, to those who are reading this, you may want to see her blog at http://www.iheartgoodhealth.com/.

Let’s move on to the rules of this award.

THE RULES TO FOLLOW FOR THE RECIPIENT

OF THE VERSATILE BLOGGER AWARD

1. Thank the person who nominated you with a link back to them. (See above.)

2. Tell 7 things about yourself. (See below.J)

3. Pass this award to 15 newly discovered blogs and let them know that they have received the Versatile Blogger Award.

7 THINGS ABOUT MYSELF

1. When I’m not plotting, writing or revising my own stories—or reading books of other writers—I like to experiment in the kitchen and cook new dishes. These are often easy and quick recipes so I could easily go back to what I was doing.

2. I love the peanut M&Ms! Oh, and Toblerone (the white one) and Butterfinger. Yum!

3. There are so many books that I like. But the books that sit at the top of my list include (First) J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, (Second) Suzanne Collin’s The Hunger Games series and (Third) Robert R. McCammon’s Boy’s Life.

4. I had an article, a poem and two short stories for kids published at different local magazines. I was so young and still at school at that time when those got published. You can imagine how elated I was when I learned about it. This was before I landed employment in the publishing industry (for newspapers and magazines).

5. I love to wear T-shirts, jeans and rubber shoes most of the time. But, during special occasions, you may expect to see me wearing something formal or semi-formal. Still, I can’t wait to wriggle out of that attire as soon as I get home.

6. I like to walk—a lot! Sometimes it’s a leisurely stroll where I just empty my mind and enjoy the time. Other times, it’s a quick jaunt to a store to buy groceries. Or, I’d engage in brisk walking at a nearby park when the weather is permissive for such an activity.

7. And what else? Ah, yes… If I had a choice between going out to the mall or staying at home, I’d choose the latter. I’d be cooped up in my room, plotting/writing a new story or reading a new book, unless, of course, if I’d be heading straight to the bookstore. If that’s the case, then, I’d go to the mall. Hehehe… ;-)

My 15 Nominees & Awardees

for the Versatile Blogger Award

(In No Particular Order)

Michelle Wallace of Writer in Transit

Medeia Sharif

Alex J Cavanaugh

Lynda R of W.I.P. It.: An Author's Journey

Crystal Collier

Jennifer Chandler of The Cup and Page

L. Diane Wolfe of The Circle of Friends

ImaVee of The Blah Blah Notebook
Rachna's Scriptorium

Julie of Empty Nest Insider

Diane Burton

E.E. Giorgi of Chimeras

Kim Van Sickler of The Swagger Writers

Mary Aalgard of Play Off the Page

Hollie Moncrieff of A Life Less Ordinary

Now, I’ll be informing those who received this and I’ll share the link of this blog post on the official site of The Versatile Blogger Award.

Congratulations to my fellow awardees! Three cheers for you! Yay (3x)! ;-)

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A Short Note to the Reader: If you’ve missed my IWSG post for this month, do check it out at my first blog, The Musings of a Hopeful & Pecunious Wordsmith, SittieCates. Here’s the link for that blog post: #IWSG Post: Just Continue to Write with Your Heart and Soul.

Book #Review: Captives – A Must-Read

noreply@blogger.com (SittieCates) — Fri, 4 Apr 2014 01:08:00 -0700

Captives (Book One of the Safe Lands series) by Jill Williamson

‘Captives’ is the first book of The Safe Lands series. The tale opens with a Prologue, where one is given a glimpse of the “Safe Lands”. I felt like I was looking through a character’s eyes—which, I must say, is a good thing for a reader to experience—as the character moved from one place to another, and I was given a good idea of the surroundings.

The story revolves around the Elias tribe, the Safe Lands and the people governing that place. It is about family, home, loyalty, ambition and what one has believed to be right—subtly urging you, in the end, to look at your own life in a different way.

One of the things that kept me reading this book was its well-formed and believable characters. Hour after hour, I found myself guessing each character’s fate. I perused each page until I realized that it has kept me up for more hours than what I initially expected.

I also love the book’s emotional appeal. At certain scenes in the book, I’d feel a strong pull of emotion tugging at my heartstrings and stretching it to unbelievable distances. I find myself sharing the burdens of the story characters in the tale as if they opened up their hearts and willingly whispered their secrets to me.

The only thing that I didn’t like was its string of conversations from some leaders at the beginning that didn’t show a reader much of what was happening. Thankfully, that was cut short by one of the characters, and I could see and feel the story again.

As a whole, it was a thrilling ride that I want to experience again in the next book of the series.

‘Captives’ is a compelling read that will leave you wanting for more. I highly recommend this to YA readers.

Note: I received a free copy of this book from BookSneeze which is now BookLook Bloggers and I have written my honest opinion about it.

#Book #Reviews: Love Beyond Time, XO and Neti the Yeti Saves His Mountain

noreply@blogger.com (SittieCates) — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 06:27:00 -0700

Love Beyond Time

For me, one of the appealing features of this book is its time travel. It was exciting to see how the characters from two worlds met. I like how the conversation was written to particularly show how different folks converse using their own language. It was easy to see who was talking and from what era that character is. Nicely done!

However, I didn’t favor some scenes because they were a bit steamy for my tastes. When it comes to that, I prefer things to be hinted at. But as I said this is an interesting love story that’s best for adults who like reading romance books with a time travel adventure.

Note: I’ve received this for free and have written my honest opinion about it.

Neti the Yeti Saves His Mountain

I think some middle-graders, especially boys, will find this a nice read. The story carries a lesson on requiring less but getting more in return through a collaborative effort in saving Neti’s mountain.

Note: I’ve received this for free and have written my honest opinion about it.

An Interactive Novel

Its touch on the paranormal was interesting—featuring two complete strangers of different cultures finding themselves involved in a mystical connection. The mental tie is tinged with a hopeful prayer for survival. It
was nice to observe the characters and see how some of them were intricately connected despite the barriers of cultures, language or race.

There were some paragraphs that were thrown in to provide related information, but I felt a bit lost while reading the material. I hope the info was introduced in a different manner to make a reader feel that the tale is a complete whole—one that blends its facts in nicely without any obtrusion from its actual story.

Note: I’ve received this for free and have written my honest opinion about it.

#Book #Review: The Emperor’s Edge by Lindsay Buroker

noreply@blogger.com (SittieCates) — Fri, 21 Mar 2014 06:21:00 -0700

The Emperor's Edge

A lovely tale with an interesting mystery to solve and filled with loads of action and endearing characters. Humorous parts were injected at the right time. Truly enjoyed reading it!

Adding this book to my favorites.

Book #Review: Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children

noreply@blogger.com (SittieCates) — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 06:00:00 -0700

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

This book deserves more than 5 stars. I wouldn’t mind giving it more. It’s so easy to fall in love with this book, its unusual characters and its weird vintage photographs.

It was a very enjoyable ride; I was completely enthralled for one and a half day by Ransom Rigg’s realistically described peculiar world. (I would’ve finished it in a day if I didn’t start reading it a few hours after dinner.) It is now one of my favorites. (I can’t wait to read the second book soon!)

I highly recommend it to fans of Harry Potter books, paranormal books and those who love anything peculiar.

#Book #Reviews: The Tegen Cave, Vril Codex II and Princesses Don’t Get Fat

noreply@blogger.com (SittieCates) — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 05:19:00 -0700

Note: The authors of these respective books graciously gave me a free copy of their works in exchange for honest reviews.

Tegen Cave

I like how the story presented mysterious incidents that took place at the beginning and at certain parts of the book. But with regards to one of the main character's predicaments that she can't seem to control, I wish she had shown more willpower to fight it.

Detail-wise, something in the plot made my stomach act up a bit. Thankfully, it was done sparingly—enough to make me continue and momentarily forget that I was getting kind of queasy. I can’t tell you much about that because if I do, I would be adding some spoilers here. You’ll just have to find out for yourself.

Vril Codex II

While I like the first book more, this second book of Vril Codex was also enjoyable. Errors aside, the tale presented certain twists that enticed me to read on. It was nice to see some images included in the book, but I would've preferred to see them at the end of the tale or before the story begins. As a whole, the tale was interesting.

Princesses Don’t Get Fat

This is a very cute story that I think young ladies (middle graders and tweens) would enjoy. The main character’s thoughts and reactions to the situations she found herself brought into were interesting to read. I also like it because it is a feel-good tale which weaved in the lesson of learning what makes one special and the realization that there are people who'll accept you for who you are.

Book #Review: Real Magic by Dr Wayne Dyer

noreply@blogger.com (SittieCates) — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 23:23:00 -0700

See the book on Amazon

Real Magic

By Dr. Wayne Dyer

There are books that are not meant to be read in one sitting – mainly because they leave you plenty of room to ponder on the helpful information it includes. Real Magic is one of those books.

I often like learning about how our lives are not set in stone and that we can actually do something about it. The tips within its pages are beneficial and should be taken with a grain of salt and a broad perspective. Just like Lynn Grabhorn’s “Excuse Me, Your Life is Waiting”, which is one of my favorite self-help books, Real Magic is insightful, informative and definitely one of the books that I won’t hesitate to read again when I feel the need to do so.

(This isn’t the first book of Dr. Wayne Dyer that I’ve read. I’ve also read “You’ll See it When You Believe it” a few years ago and that had interested me to read more of the author’s books in the future.)

Book #Reviews: Finished Reading 8 Books—Again?

noreply@blogger.com (SittieCates) — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 03:47:00 -0800

Some people may think that I’m on a book reading marathon because of the number of books I read. That’s an interesting thought, but no, I’m not. It’s just that I am so addicted to books. Bring me to a library or a bookstore, or send me books with a bouquet of roses and I would love you forever. Hehehe… Well, actually, this addiction ranks next to writing and coffee.

To the authors of these books I’ve read and have written reviews for, I hope that these reviews would help spread the word for your work. I often say this part: I cherish every book, but I hope that you’re quite aware that there would be some that would be among my favorites and some that may not sit that well with my reading preference.

Here are some of the books I’ve read:

See the book on Amazon

This is the second book. I didn’t receive the first one.

The tale started off with the fox searching for remaining relics and—quite unexpectedly—have come to learn of some disturbing news that he wasn't sure his human friends, Katie and Perry, would've been prepared to hear. The hint of adventure starts there.

I like it because it is nicely written. But I find the long statements, carrying the thoughts of the fox, to be a bit tiring. The actual dialogue started at a later page, but was quickly followed by the long string of thoughts again.

Note: I've received this book from a giveaway for early reviewers and have written my honest opinion about it.

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Delightful, colorful and carries a valuable lesson that most parents would like their kids to learn on their own.

Note: I've received this book for free and have written my honest opinion about it.

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At first I thought this book was going to be filled with gory scenes that most stories of this genre had. I'm glad I was mistaken.

I really enjoyed reading it. I like it because it has a great sense of mystery, a touch of adventure, paranormal stuff and factual research all rolled into one novel. While there were a few rough spots, the novel—as a whole—proved to be a splendid read and kept me highly entertained. A good page-turner!

Note: I received this book from the author and have written my honest opinion about it. This short book review for this novel has initially been posted on Shelfari and on a virtual book retailer.

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Written from a man's perspective, I find myself smiling as I am taken into the deep recesses of a male's mind – showing me what he wants, what he fears, and what he totally detests in his life.

The tale has this honest feel to it and there were some parts that made me laugh out loud. It’s a crazy tale for adults and its zaniness (that has its obvious hold on reality) will keep you stuck in the tale. Best for those who would—as the author suggested—would have a broad perspective on things and not be deterred by the use of rough male language spoken by the character who’s obviously bitter about his life.

However, I had to move out from the tale from time to time because I find its tone of pessimism to be a bit suffocating.

Note: I've received this book for free and have written my honest opinion about it.

See the book on Amazon

I love this book! I'm glad that this was one of the books I’ve garnered from a giveaway.

Just reading its first paragraph piqued my interest and prodded me to continue. I like it so much because it is fast-paced, poignantly written, and the characters are well-formed.

One thing that I would like to see more, though, is a heightened pace of drama and action during the main character's fights to make me feel those particular scenes more. Other than that, I really like the book and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

Note: I've received this book from a giveaway and have written my honest opinion about it.

See the book on Amazon

The first two chapters can be confusing, but it led to a very interesting adventure. It would’ve been better if the change of perspective began per chapter so as to lessen the confusion on whose point of view is actually running the story within a particular chapter.

While there were a few errors, this book offered an exciting story that's best for middle graders and those who like venturing into a beautiful, magical world.

Note: I've received this book for free and have written my honest opinion about it.

See the book on Amazon

I’m sure that teens and tweens would love this book. It’s an action-packed tale that readers at this particular age would go for. The factual information of Egypt and its artifacts was also a delight to learn about.

I just hope that the bulk of information of its mystery was discovered by the kids instead of the other characters merely informing them of these things at the beginning and at the climax of the book. But as I’ve said, this is a delightful read for teens and tweens, and I enjoyed reading it.

Note: I’ve received this for free and have written my honest opinion about it.

See the book on Amazon

There were subtle touches on previous novels that had hit worldwide popularity: The problem of unexplainable headaches reminded me of Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort. A sister and the presence of land mines brought back images from The Hunger Games. There was even a scene in the book that reminded me of Peeta Mellark telling Katniss Everdeen to run to safety even though it was presented in a slightly different manner.

It would’ve been nicer to see a totally different tale.

Nevertheless, it was a very enjoyable read with a good, brisk pace. I particularly like how the main characters’ thoughts were told on a per chapter basis – showing me two different perspectives that added a good touch to the tale.

Note: I’ve received this book from a giveaway and have written my honest opinion about it.

Book Review: Andi Unexpected by Amanda Flower

noreply@blogger.com (SittieCates) — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 01:58:00 -0800

See the book on Amazon

Andi Unexpected by Amanda Flower was one of the books I’ve read recently.

Here’s how the story goes…

The untimely death of their parents led Andora “Andi” and her sister, Bethany, to Ohio to stay with their aunt Bethany. It would’ve been like any ordinary transfer where grieving children would be staying with a relative. The house that they were to reside in was old and dusty, but special. It had been the humble abode of their family’s lineage for years. Little did Andi know that their stay in Ohio would bring her to something unexpected… Something where a touch of mystery would eventually help assuage her grieving for her parents and make her learn some helpful lessons along the way.

Andi Unexpected would be a nice read for pre-teens. Written in simple literary style, the story brings mystery and adventure to young minds aching for a seemingly similar take of the Nancy Drew mystery stories.

The story's concept is OK. Personally, I would’ve wanted to see a tighter plot since I’m sure it would do more for the book. There were some parts in the book that didn’t flow well as I had hoped. Nevertheless, as I’ve mentioned, younger readers looking for an easy read would find this book appealing.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for free from BookSneeze. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Reviews: 8 Books, Various Genres (Part 2)

noreply@blogger.com (SittieCates) — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 10:52:00 -0800

As I've mentioned in the first part of my self-imposed reading challenge for this year, my reviews may or may not readily coincide with your own perspective and literary taste in books. I have done this to thoroughly study each book I receive from the book sites I've joined last year, and, of course, to also enjoy the book's special literary flavor as I digest its words and peruse its tale.

I love to schedule things in advance. This is why most of the books that I plan to read for this year have already been scheduled for January up to March. I have set free days so I could easily add the other books that I hope to get from the book sites and also those that I plan to buy at a nearby bookstore. I've also scheduled a few months of rest. However, as a bookworm, I'm not sure if I could steer away from books (whether online or store-bought) for a whole month. So, that schedule for the book-free months for this year is still tentative -- as of now. That's the only schedule that I'm planning to tweak. :-)

Although I often cherish the books I've read, and appreciate the efforts the authors put in, just like most readers, I have my own (unbiased) views for each.

Here are my reviews for this post:

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Heidi C. Vlach’s Render (A Story of Aligare) is OK. However, it started off in a slow, dragging pace. The words somehow depicted a heavy, somber tone. It made me feel a little lost as I try to decipher the images and relevance of the characters, its motives, its meaning. There were some dialogues that the story can do away with to make the plot tighter, more effective. (I received a free copy of this book from the author as a LibraryThing giveaway that I won. I have written my honest opinion about the book.)

See the book on Amazon

As I read Daniel Kelley's World's Apart, written from the third person POV, it seemed as if I could hear the thoughts of an invisible narrator and none of the story characters. “Show” rather than “tell” would’ve been a nice touch to help readers step into the tale without much effort, and allow the author to keep them there. (I received a free copy of this book from the author as a LibraryThing giveaway that I won. I have written my honest opinion about the book.)

See the book on Amazon

C.S. Ulyate's Seasons is all right. However, the thread of events in the story kept me totally detached. Although written simply, it was a bit hard to grasp the tale through the character’s eyes. Nevertheless, the promised adventure is good. (I received a free copy of this book from the author and have written my honest opinion about it.)

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Feng Shui 2014 by Pierre Mak is a very simple collection of what to do and what not to do for the Chinese New Year. There were a few errors; the author was straightforward in admitting these things. This book reads like a blog post and is filled with helpful tips to take note of. (I received this book from StoryCartel and have written my honest opinion about it.)

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Sleep Soundly: Natural Cures for a Goodnight Sleep by James A. Voketaitis and Dr. Mitchell G. Proffman is filled with interesting information and helpful advice. It's an easy read. Anyone who suffers from insomnia would find this book valuable. (I received this book from StoryCartel and have written my honest opinion about it.)

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When I saw The Pledge by Kimberly Derting, I was immediately drawn to its cover and its description. As I took a peek inside, the Prologue provided a good hook for me to continue reading. However, beyond that, my interest waned a bit. While some parts were strong, I was hoping to read tight and gripping scenes from the beginning to the story's end, be introduced to situations and words that can be felt and mentally seen in a reader's mind. It can be a good choice for those who are looking for dystopian novels that are easy reads. (I read this for free on Pulseit, Simon & Schuster's site for teen books.)

See the book on Amazon

You Are Special by Max Lucado is a charming book that kids (and their parents) will like. Its length is perfect for its age group that it is intended for; not too long, not too short. I bought a paperback version of this from a bookstore. My daughter, my niece and I loved this. The lesson it carries is not overtly explained. Rather, it is implied and inserted into the tale well.

See the book on Amazon

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher is a poignant, riveting read. While I wasn't bent on the idea of what one of the main characters was planning to do, I'm glad I read it because the ending held a valuable lesson that sticks in your mind even after you close the book. A must read for teens and YA book lovers. (I read a store-bought version that was lent to me and I've written my take on the story.)

That's it for this post. Hope everyone's having a wonderful book-filled month. See you next post!

---- NOTE:
Some book reviews would be posted individually as per the condition/s of the sites where I get them from. Others would be done in groups (such as this).

Book Reviews: 8 Books, Various Genres

noreply@blogger.com (SittieCates) — Sat, 11 Jan 2014 09:57:00 -0800

For the past few days, I've had my nose buried in various genres. Some books provided a most welcome literary escape to an exciting world; others were studied thoroughly for their plots and other story elements. I'm writing a short review for each of the books I've read - starting from the latest (which I finished last night) and the ones before that.

This post would be divided into two parts. This one shows the most recent ones I've read.

I shall not include a lengthy description of the book anymore. Rather, I'm focusing more on my own reading experience which would include what I've felt and what I've learned -- details that may or may not be similar to what your sentiments may be.

Let's start with the one I finished last night, shall we?

See this book on Dan Brown's Official Site

Having read and watched Brown's The Da Vinci Code, I was eager to learn this book's secrets. But I guess my late father would've been more eager than me to read Dan Brown's Angels & Demons since his tastes tend to lean more on stories that carry religious matters, ancient history and controversial topics.

I finished this last night. I must say that it was a thrilling reading experience. Although I felt somehow detached from its characters, I enjoyed reading the book because it is fast-paced and filled with precarious situations that make you want to continue reading (even though it's already way past your bedtime and half of your mind is almost asleep). Now that I'm done with the book, I look forward to seeing it on film.

See this book on Amazon

The Waterborn (Chosen of the Changeling, Book 1) by Gregory Keyes (who writes as J. Gregory Keyes and Greg Keyes) is a story of magic, fantasy and the gods that govern its land. I like its book description when I saw this at a bookstore. So, I immediately bought it and brought it home.

Its sense of anthropology is good. Its writing is simple and, at some parts, somehow confusing. While there were scenes in the book that do not do much in moving the story forward, its hold on its mystical essence lets you stay on whatever page you're on and lets you move on to the next.

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Life is a Circus Run By a Platypus by Allison Hawn is filled with biting humor and wise antics. It brings us to the author's world and proudly exposes her thoughts on situations in her life that bordered on the uncanny side of things. However, some parts felt a little bit forced. I'm more of a stickler for humorous lines in a book that effectively reveal itself in the most unexpected pages in the story and done in a sparse manner. Nevertheless, it's a good read. (I received a free copy of this book from the author and have written my honest opinion about it.)

See the book on Amazon

A lot of readers looking for contemporary romance books may like Sue Lee's Nerd Girl While the main character is too chatty and it carries a predictable plot, the writing is good and some people may even be able to relate to its story. (I received this for free and have written my honest opinion about it.)

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Desert Rice is flawlessly written. Somewhat disturbing, but also emotionally captivating. (I received this for free and have written my honest opinion about it.)

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Albeit short, The Memory Lights is equipped with strong dialogues. I felt drawn to the story and was able to connect with the characters. (I received this for free and have written my honest opinion about it.)

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The illustrations of Bubbles Day is cute. Very colorful and appealing to the youngest members of one's family. The story is simple. While this is designed for kids ages 0 to 3, I was hoping to find something more within its pages. (I received this for free and have written my honest opinion about it.)

See the book on Amazon

Patrick Heffernan's Greywalker is a good read. Greywalkers wander in and out of worlds - where light and darkness reside. That was Amos Garr's life. The book's language is rough -- but you can feel the character's emotions. It reads like a journal, and brings you deeper into the story of battles between worlds, and of the main character's journey in his life as a Greywalker. (I received a free copy of this book from the author and have written my honest opinion about it.)

That's it for this post. The second part would be posted soon.

* * * * * JUST A SHORT NOTE* * * * *

8 Books. Various genres. First part of my self-imposed reading challenge for this year and of my burning desire to mix literary pleasure with intensive and reflective hoarding of vital information to help me with my own writing plans for 2014.

I buy my own books when time and funds allow. I also have free copies. Very few come from the author themselves. I receive most of my free copies from various sites, including BookSneeze. Recently, I got accepted to do reviews for First Look of WorthyPublishing, too.

Currently, I have two books to read for this week. I also have a handful waiting to be read for this month and the next two months. I usually schedule things in advance so I already gathered the number of books that I'll be reading.

Author Interview: SittieCates Interviews Author Allison Hawn

noreply@blogger.com (SittieCates) — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 22:55:00 -0800

Allison Hawn

Author of Life is a Circus Run by a Platypus

SittieCates: Could you tell us a bit about yourself, Allison?

Allison Hawn: Well, I grew up moving around the United States with my musician mother and younger twin brothers. I have spent a vast majority of my life vacillating between wanting to become a pirate or velociraptor. Unable to fulfill those two vocational goals, I eventually settled for social worker, self-defense instructor, author and adventure collector.

SittieCates: A pirate or a velociraptor? Interesting goals when you were younger. I wonder what would happen if you were able to pursue that.

You've mentioned being a social worker. Which brings me to my next question: On your author biography online, it was indicated that you hold a degree in psychology. Why did you choose to embrace the writing career path while also being involved in working with the homeless population, victims of domestic violence and other worthy causes?

Allison Hawn: Writing has been a part of my life since I figured out how letters worked when I was four (though, sometimes the letter “Q” still confounds me). It’s always been there for me, like some strange persistent friend who insists I pay attention to it by poking me in the eyeball and demanding I hang out with it. As I got into social work and began working with situations that were often disheartening, writing became more than that persistent friend. Writing has become something on which I can rely on to bring me out of myself for a little bit. It helps me help others by making me less of a nutjob at work.

SittieCates: What inspired you to write and publish your first book, "Life is a Circus Run by a Platypus?"

Allison Hawn: Have you ever had a story that all of your friends find so entertaining that they beg you to tell it over and over again? “Life is a Circus Run by a Platypus” is the result of having so many of those types of stories that it was simply more practical for me to write them and let people read them instead of verbally telling them repeatedly. Plus, I had a few friends who said that if I didn’t start writing some of the crazy things I’ve done, seen and been a part of, they might shoot me.

SittieCates: I understand that you admire the works of Patrick F. McManus, Dave Barry and Agatha Christie. What qualities in their works have managed to creep in your work, your writing skills or practices?

Allison Hawn: Patrick F. McManus and Dave Barry both had a wonderful way of taking everyday life and making it entertaining. Both authors took situations that most people would find “kinda-funny” or “odd” and turned them into stories that inspired side-splitting riots of laughter.

While my writing style is… shall we say, a bit more surreal than either McManus or Barry, I find myself often viewing everyday life in a perspective of, “What makes this unique?” Agatha Christie’s writings taught me many things. Probably the most important lesson that her books taught me is that anyone can be interesting, you just have to find what makes them interesting.

SittieCates: Thanks for sharing that, Allison.

Moving on to my next question...

Every author has their own writer's voice. Could you tell us more about your own writing voice and why you're most comfortable in using that?

Allison Hawn: I prefer first-person pirate speak. However, my publisher wasn’t really on board with that idea. My stories tend to read just like I would actually verbally tell them in real life, so there’s a good mix of first, second and third person narrative throughout. Several readers have told me that they can actually picture having a conversation with me as I tell these stories.

SittieCates: I'm sure most of the readers would love to know more about your first published book. Would you kindly share some information about it?

Allison Hawn: “Life is a Circus Run by a Platypus” is a collection of true, bizarre, short stories taken from my life. My friends like to call me a “Magnet for Weird,” as it seems that no matter where I am or what I’m doing, I will be the person who ends up mysteriously wearing an orange boa, at eight in the morning, bestowed upon me by a drunk transvestite. My stories are provided due to my utter lack of shame and my desire to make people smile.

SittieCates: It'll be 2014 in a few short days. I'm curious. What's in store for next year? Is there another book in the making that you want your readers to know?

Allison Hawn: I am currently working on a second book. When it will be done, who can say? If you can say, then I have several other future events I would like to know about as well, you mind reader, you.

SittieCates: Lucky guess, I think.

Is there any message/s that you would like to share with followers of the blog and interested readers of your work?

Allison Hawn: I guess the messages I want people to take away from my life and my book is; don't take life too seriously and always make room to laugh at yourself. The person who can turn a string of bad luck into a funny adventure, as bizarre as it may be, is the one who will never be short of friends and will never cease to have a little bit of magic in their lives.

SittieCates: Those are lovely messages, Allison.

One last question. Where can readers find you?

Allison Hawn: If you're interested in “Life is a Circus Run by a Platypus” it can be found on:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Life-Circus-Platypus-Allison-Hawn/dp/0615810950

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/life-is-a-circus-run-by-a-platypus-allison-hawn/1115658836?ean=9780615810959

If you want more information about me, you can follow me on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/platypusringmaster

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AllisonHawn

My Blog: http://circusplatypus.blogspot.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7085837.Allison_Hawn

SittieCates: Thank you so much for sharing the links, Allison. I had a lovely time interviewing you. Best of luck to you!

Book Review: Stealing the Show (Such Sweet Sorrow Trilogy, Book One)

noreply@blogger.com (SittieCates) — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 16:30:00 -0800

I love how the first few pages of this book instantly connected with me as I perused it. The writing flows beautifully. The author, Baker Lawley, has written it with impressive attention to details, and filled it with effective dialogues that will allow you to step into the tale and make you want to stay there until you finish it.

For the benefit of the readers and followers of this blog, here's the book description taken from Amazon:

Lewis Champion is in love--total, hopeless, unrequited love--with Jubilee Marshfield. Which is complicated, because she's his best friend. And even though his other best friend Shoe, and his awesome grandfather, Paps, are both rooting for him, Lewis can't get up the courage to tell her how he feels. He's always been a wallflower, watching people and making theories rather than acting on his feelings. In a last-ditch effort for her affection, Lewis acts in a play alongside his two friends, and he discovers a talent hidden within himself. But when Paps suddenly dies and leaves in his will a most mysterious task for Lewis, he must find a way to follow through. And along the way, he discovers the secrets of stories, the courage to say what he feels, and a whole new meaning to the word "acting." The only question is, will his best friend feel the same way, or will he lose her when he tells her?

Reading the book made me feel totally involved, totally connected with the feelings, thoughts and experiences of the lead character, Lewis Champion.

As I've mentioned earlier, this is one of those books that will make you want to read it through in one sitting. I'm sure most YA readers would love this one. :-)

I'll see you next post.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have received this book for free and have written my honest opinion about it.