what’s in a name?

I’m going to try (key word) to do this challenge next year, it looks fun.



So here's how it works: Between January 1 and December 31, 2010, read one book in each of the following categories:

1. A book with a food in the title: Clockwork Orange, Grapes of Wrath, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
2. A book with a body of water in the title: A River Runs through It, Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters, The Lake House
3. A book with a title (queen, president) in the title: The Murder of King Tut, The Count of Monte Cristo, Lady Susan
4. A book with a plant in the title: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Wind in the Willows, The Name of the Rose
5. A book with a place name (city, country) in the title: Out of Africa; London; Between, Georgia
6. A book with a music term in the title: Song of Solomon, Ragtime, The Piano Teacher

The book titles are just suggestions, you can read whatever book you want to fit the category.

I’ll post my list as I do it… to find out more or sign up, click here.

~Haleyknitz

awwwwwww :D

Here’s a cute video to make you smile :D I saw this at A Lovely Seashore Breeze.



~H

so close…

So if you didn’t win for the Winter contest, don’t worry—I just realized I’m at 95 followers. you’ll have a chance to win something fun (and hopefully book-related) for the 100 followers contest. :D which won’t be far away, now will it?

spread the word!

~H

Winners :D

I had 15 people enter, 195 points total (yeah it took a while to count that up… thanks though, guys!)

Brizmus!!!!!

and

Mary Ann DeBorde !!!!!!

You both won scarves :D Send me an e-mail at haleymathiot@yahoo.com before December 3rd and I’ll send them your way, hopefully you’ll get them by mid-December (so you’ll have some time to wear them. Which was sort of the point, right?)

Thanks so much guys, this was fun! And it’s definitely happening next year. Maybe by the I’ll learn to knit socks or something :D

~Haleyknitz

Contest is over, now the great comment-count…

Yay! so all together I had 15 people sign up :D Now I’ve got to count comments and points and stuff… So I’ll try (key word) to announce the winners tonight some time.

Meanwhile, Enter my contest for one of three audiobooks of LEADERSHIP SECRETS OF ATTILA THE HUN right here!

~H

Review: The Secret of Joy

THE SECRET OF JOY by Melissa Senate
Genre: Fiction, Romance
Rating: 5/5 



Summary: (From goodreads)

When twenty-something New Yorker Rebecca Strand learns (her father's deathbed confession) that she has a twenty-six-year-old half-sister she never knew existed, she can't wait to meet her. With her lawyer boyfriend's protests ringing in her ears ("She's just going to want her share of his million-dollar estate!"), Rebecca drives to a small coastal town in Maine with the 26 letters her father wrote to Joy every year on her birthday. All alone in the world, Rebecca knocks on Joy Jayhawk's door, having no idea what to expect.

Turns out Joy, the separated mother of a little boy (Rebecca has a nephew!), isn't very interested in the "father" who turned his back on her existence from day one–or her "sister." But Rebecca is so determined to establish family bonds with Joy that she doesn't go home . . . and finds herself being welcomed into small life by some very loveable, quirky characters, including a sexy carpenter named Theo . . .

Thoughts: This is such a sweet heart-warming story about life and love, and takes the drama of ex-wives and love-sick ladies to a whole new level, giving it life and plausibility at the same time. How did Melissa do it? No idea. But she won me over.

This book asks a lot of questions about marriage, relationships, and love. Does the author answer all the questions? Not really—but she answers the ones that she needs to, and as for others, she lets her readers decide the answers for themselves. THE SECRET OF JOY makes the reader think about what forgiveness really is, what it means to love someone, and the responsibility of loving them.

Characters: Joy was my favorite character. She was a rough-tough-don’t-mess-with-me-you-cant-make-me-cry kinda girl. She held her facade well (most of the time) but when she showed her true colors, she was a gem. Michael, Rebecca’s boyfriend, was a bit of a confusing character. At first I really liked him but as the story went on, I got fed up with him and kept thinking “Rebecca, dump him, please.” I almost cried when Rebecca’s dad died. These characters in this story will beckon you.

Writing: Melissa held me captive with her unique writing style. It was relaxed and smooth, and flowed well, something that could be read aloud without too much problem.

Content: There was only an occasional swear word, and some mention of sex, but no details.

Recommendation: Ages 14+ to anyone craving a light-hearted sit-by-the-fire-with-tea kind of book.

**Thank you to Sarah from Hachette for supplying my review copy!**

~Haleyknitz


Today is the last day you can comment for points in the winter contest! If you haven’t signed up, do it before December 1st!

A prayer

This was a prayer prayed by Billy Graham. I found this on my friend’s blog. This is amazing and hits it exactly on the point of what is going on in our country.

“'Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done.. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics.... We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and Set us free. Amen!'”

 

Yes?
Comment…

Does it really matter?

Does it really matter what I major in for school? No. It doesn’t.

What’s my long-term goal, you may ask. What do you want to do with your life, who do you want to be? here’s my answer: I want to glorify God and enjoy Him forever, and I want to be me—just… a better, nicer, more loving version of me.

So… where does school fall into that? idk.

So far here is my list of things I’m “interested” in (as in, I do some of this now and I like it, but I’m not sure if I really want to spend four years focusing on it and then get a job in it or not.):
--Writing (fiction)
--Literature
--Criminal Justice
--Home Ec.
--Interior design/sewing
--Exercise science/education
--Psychology
--Information Technology and Security
--Web Design

I do all of these things (except, of course, Criminal Justice and IT/S) and I like all of them—but I’m not good at them. As in, I’m not really good at one thing. Like my sisters, for instance. Hannah is an AMAZING writer, and will probably be published by the time she graduates High School. She can also paint like DaVinci. Carly can sing and write. And Carly… man, that girl can really sing.  My brother is an amazing musician, both with music and lyrics. He can sing pretty well too.

But what can I do? I can throw together a website in half an hour. I can knit a pair of leg warmers. I can take a lump of hard dirt, put it on a wheel, add water (and stir) and make a beautiful pot. I can sew curtains for the bathroom and fix my mom’s pants and sew buttons onto dad’s shirt. I can ride a bike at 26.9 miles an hour. (no, not downhill.) I can fit THIS MUCH STUFF into this much space. I can give my dad a back massage, and I can give my sister exercises that will have her weak ankles better in three weeks. I can clean a kitchen better than my mom (when I try). I can write stories that make people laugh, gasp, and cry within minutes of each other. I can fix ANYTHING with hot-glue.

And only job that describes is—you guessed it—a mom. Which is exactly what I want! I want to get married and have kids. But I don’t want to do that right out of college.

So I’m trying to figure out something that I can do, at least for a while, and live comfortably enough, before I get married. (mind you, I haven’t found a husband yet. And if I can’t find one that throws a major kink in the plan.) I want to live and be single and have a job and some girlfriends for a while before I give my life up for 25 or 30 years to raise children.

But what do I do.

Idk.

I’m trying not to freak out over it.

Advice? Prayer? thx.

~H

Review: My Unfair Lady

My Unfair Lady by Kathryne Kennedy
Genre: Historical fiction, Historical Romance
Rating: 4/5



Summary (from the back of the book):
HE CREATED THE PERFECT WOMAN… the impoverished Duke of Monchester despises the rich Americans who flock to London, seeking to buy their way into the ranks of the British peerage. So when railroad heiress Summer Wine Lee offers him a king’s ransom if he’ll teach her to become a proper lady, he’s prepared to rebuff her. But when he meets the petite beauty with the knife in her boot, it’s not her fortune he finds impossible to resist…
…FOR THE ARMS OF ANOTHER MAN. Frontier-bred Summer Wine Lee has no interest in winning over London society—it’s the New York bluebloods and her future mother-in-law she’s determined to impress. She knows the cost of smoothing her rough-and-tumble frontier edges will be high. But she never imagined it might cost her her heart…

Review: This book is so cute! The dialogue is lively, the characters are likeable (or in the case of the “bad ones”, hate-able), and the images and descriptions are clear and visible. I loved it by the end of the first chapter.

Summer was my kind of girl. She grinned when things were funny instead of trying to remain indifferent, she wasn’t afraid to show how she felt—but she could also throw a knife, shoot an arrow better than the woman champion of their day, and mount and ride a horse bareback (which I think is so cool!). She has a love for animals—and odd ones at that. She owns a three-legged dog, a dog with four legs but the size of a small horse, a monkey, a pocket-sized puppy, a fox, and a cat with no back legs (it sits in a cart and rolls around the room). She was raised by an Indian (one of those childhood dreams that I never quite left behind…) and he was the one who had taught her all that great stuff. Watching her try to settle into society was hilarious.

MY UNFAIR LADY has a lot of tension in it—both inner turmoil from poor Summer, and also sexual tension between the characters. However, it wasn’t overpowering because was so funny. I found that I laughed just as often as tension was built, so there was a constant, even balance. The end was very exciting, and I found it impossible to put down. Overall, reading this book was a hilarious and wonderful experience, and an unforgettable escape from reality. 

Plot: My Fair Lady (the movie) shows a girl who is transformed to a lady, then the man falls in love with her. I love the change that has taken place in MY UNFAIR LADY—The man doesn’t want to change her, because he loves her the way she is. I like this plot better than the first!

Writing: The writing was decent, acceptable, and more readable than a lot of newly published romances. Though it wasn’t Dante, it wasn’t hard to read either.

Content: Refreshingly, there was no language in this book. Summer has her own set of expletives, but they weren’t offensive (“Tarnation!”). As far as sex, let’s just say  there were several scenes (pages) in this book that I skipped completely, and just started reading again where the dialogue picked up. I didn’t miss anything important.

Recommendation: Ages 18+ to lovers of Historical fiction, Romance in general, or anyone who loves a girl who can shoot a gun, wield a knife, or use a bow and arrow better than a man!

**Thanks to Danielle at Sourcebooks for supplying my review copy!**

This book is released on December 1st—Click here to buy a copy!

~Haleyknitz


**Don’t forget—every comment you leave on any post dated October 9-November 30 gives one an extra point in my Winter contest—a giveaway where two people will win handknit scarves!!!!**

Bohemian Rhapsody, Muppets style

Here’s a funny link for you that I found on facebook today :D

~Haleyknitz

Review and Tour: The Magic Warble

THE MAGIC WARBLE  by Victoria Simcox
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Adventure
Rating: 5/5
Book 1 in a 3- or 4-part series

 

Kristina doesn’t fit in. She is teased at school, she hates her babysitter, and her only friend is her pet rat. But when her favorite school teacher gives her a gift for Christmas, she is transported to a magical world. Kristina is the “Chosen One.” She has to save this magical place and restore it to it’s former ruler, who is imprisoned by the evil queen. Can Kristina bare the trials and complete her mission? 

The Magic Warble is an enchanting story that will hold you from the first page. I loved the characters in the story and, even though I personally am older than them, I can still relate to them. I loved the talking animals and the mischievous fairies. 

Recommendation: Lovers of The Chronicles of Narnia, the Inheritance Cycle and other adventure fantasy. Children ages 8-15 will enjoy this beautiful story.

**Thank you to Dorothy at Pump Up Your Book for supplying my review copy!**



An Interview with Victoria and Pump Up Your Book:

Thank you for this interview, Victoria.  Do you remember writing stories as a child or did the writing bug come later?  Do you remember your first published piece?

I remember writing some stories as a child, mainly about gnomes and dwarfs. I’ve always loved fairy tales and grew up reading a lot of them. My mother who is an immigrant from Austria used to tell me very imaginative Austrian fairy tales. I loved that she did so, and it really helped me to develop a great imagination. The Magic Warble is my first published work.

What do you consider as the most frustrating side of becoming a published author and what has been the most rewarding?

The most frustrating part about being published is being told how good my story is and knowing not enough people know about it. The most rewarding fact is when I’m told by children how much they have loved my story and can’t wait for the next book in the series to come out, which by the way, I am two thirds finished.

Are you married or single and how do you combine the writing life with home life?  Do you have support?

I’m married and I’m a stay at home, home schooling mom. I write when ever I have a free moment. It probably adds up to about 2-3 hrs a day.  My husband is very supportive and even though my 3 kids are as well, they fight me for computer time. At least that’s how it used to be. Now we have more computers in our house to satisfy all.

What do you like to do for fun when you’re not writing?  Where do you like to vacation?  Can you tell us briefly about this?

I love to go to the movies especially children’s fantasy movies. I love the big bucket of popcorn soaked in butter and salt and a big ice cold diet coke. I don’t go that often, but when a good movie comes out I go with the kids. I also like to watch my two older kid’s band “A Well Known Stranger” (a youth Celtic band) play at their gigs. I have family in Austria and Europe and have been there 6 times and love going there to vacation.

If you could be anywhere in the world for one hour right now, where would that place be and why?

For 1 hour—hum? In Ireland in a smoke free Irish pub, listening to a great Celtic band.

Who is your biggest fan?

My daughter Kristina, who I named my main character in The Magic Warble after.

Where’s your favorite place to write at home?

In my bedroom at my computer.

What’s your favorite library and why?

Marysville WA library, because it’s big, the staff is very helpful and it’s close to home.

What’s your favorite bookstore and why?

Border’s. They have been a great support with giving me continuous book signings.

Do you have any pets?

Yes, a Chihuahua named Pipsy, a parakeet named Pauly and two cats, Frodo and Fritz

What are you reading right now?

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Tell us a secret no one else knows.

I watch The Office every night and can watch the episodes over and over. I find it to be the funniest comedy ever.

What’s the first thing you notice when you meet someone?

If they smile or not.

Have you ever won anything?

Yes a few drawing and coloring contests as a kid.

What’s on your to do list today?

Finish my second book and write my third one.

I understand that you are touring with Pump Up Your Book Promotion in Nov-Dec-09 via a virtual book tour.  Can you tell us all why you chose a virtual book tour to promote your book online?

The owner Dorothy had very good reviews and when I corresponded with her I really liked her and can tell that she genuinely wants to help me promote my book.

Thank you for this interview, Victoria. Good luck on your virtual book tour!

Thanks!

~Haleyknitz

**Don’t forget—every comment you leave on any post dated October 9-November 30 gives one an extra point in my Winter contest—a giveaway where two people will win handknit scarves!!!!**

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Turkey day!

~H

so I wrote this at 11:30 last night…

only problem is I'm not quite sure what it means. And it's not the first time that's happened. Sometimes I wish I could just understand what I write....

"Clarity Eludes"

            Clarity Eludes
words twist in and out
they form in funny patterns
                        in my head

          Sensibility
must be a lost art
that I forgot from my childhood
           or maybe never learned


*all that's in here
is empty
and all that's missing
is what I want
words and pages
turn and linger
start suddenly
end abruptly*


                          all's confusion
I know not what I want anymore
I don't want to try to find the words
                             to write it down

                   Hesitation
fear of loss, loss of love
loss of life, loss of mind,
                    loss of you
**



Anyway. Until next time.
~Haleyknitz

Only 5 days left!!!

Only five days left to enter my contest for 2 handknit scarves :D deadline is November 30th, there are lots of extra entries. a few of them are:

+5 Post my button on your blog,
+5 for referring someone
+5 post the link in a blog post,
+3 for old followers,
+1 for posting on any network—and you can do it every day
+5 for joining Library Ghosts before the end of the month (Book club)
and lots more :D

So spread the link around! make sure you enter here

~Haleyknitz