redwolf35

WHOA. And I say that as if I am Keanu Reeves and have just entered The Matrix, because I'm pretty sure my mind will never be the same after reading BLEEDING VIOLET. It is without a doubt the craziest and most original book I've ever read. It is absolutely insane, wildly imaginitative and quite possibly the work of a mad genuis. I guess the best way to describe the experience would be, well, have you ever woken up from a dream and you want to go back to it so you force yourself to go back to sleep and pick up where the dream left off, except when you do, it's not the same as it was before and it's kind of messed-up-crazy and it's even more amazing than it was originally? That's what BLEEDING VIOLET is like. WHOA.

Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves:

  Hanna is crazy. Really crazy. She only wears frilly, homemade purple dresses and has always been a weird girl. She takes a multitude of pills for her mental illnesses and she has hallucinations. She even hears her dead father's voice in her head. When she thinks that her aunt wants to put her away in a hospital, Hanna runs away to live with her estranged mother, Rosalee, in Portero, Texas in hopes of starting a new life. When she arrives at her mothers door, she is shocked to discover that she is not wanted, but Hanna will not back down. She is determined to prove that this can work and she will somehow fit into her mothers life. Little does Hanna know that she has just moved to the one place that is even more insane than she is. Crazy is about to take on a whole new meaning.

  On the first day at her new school, Hanna notices that everyone is dressed in black and they are not very friendly. Oh, and the windows are trying to lure people to their deaths. That's a big problem. Along comes Wyatt, a boy dressed in green who seems to know how stop whatever is happening. Hanna is intriguied and impressed by him and muscles her way into his life. It turns out that this little town in Texas is overrun with monsters and Wyatt is a member of the Mortmaine, a group of hunters that protects Portero. All the madness that was once inside of Hanna's head is becoming reality. Portero is the only place that has ever out-crazied her, and it's getting weirder and more dangerous by the minute. It's literally a fight or be eaten situation. With mosters, ghosts and evil sprits on the loose, it's a wonder how Hanna and Wyatt find the time to fall in love. This love could be what eventually saves Hanna's life, but being a badass helps a lot. Hanna is definitely a badass. A crazy badass in heels and a bloody, violet dress. 

You never know what will happen next in Bleeding Violet. At times it is brutal, but has it's share of touching moments. There are also moments that are bizarre, wild and absurd. This is definitely a head trip that is not for the faint of heart. It is brilliantly original and I can say with certainty that I never have and never will read anything else quite like it. At least not until Dia Reeves opens up her mind again. The only things that have ever come close would be some of the more freaky anime out there (like MELODY OF OBLIVION, FLCL, ELFEN LIED or SHADOW STAR NARUTARU). The longer I think about Bleeding Violet, the more I love it. My mind is changed forever. There is no spoon (Matrix reference).

*I recommend this for readers over 16 because of the more mature relationship between Hanna and Wyatt. There's also quite a bit of blood that gets spilled.  
 

This song reminds me of Hanna, "I'm So Sick" by Flyleaf. Rock on Hanna  \m/




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<3 Michelle

513? What does that mean?

Well, it's a crazy coincidence that I thought was some sort of sign. I read the books The Hollow by Jessica Verday and The Splendor Falls by Rosemary Clement-Moore back to back. When I was popping up reviews on goodreads for them, I noticed something weird. Both stories concluded on page 513. Spooky. So, I figured it meant that I should put them together, right here. They both came out in September of 2009. They actually compliment each other very well. And they both involve graveyards. Again. Spooky.


The Splendor Falls by Rosemary Clement-Moore:



The Splendor Falls is a gorgeously written Southern Gothic ghost story, rich in history and shrouded in mystery and magic. The atmosphere is hauntingly charming and fully imagined. I loved the book and I love Rosemary Clement-Moore. I was a fan of her previous books, and this one is completely diferent, but just as captivaing, if not more so. The Splendor Falls is a departure form her usual supernatural humor (PROM DATES FROM HELL, HELL WEEK and HIGHWAY TO HELL) and is more on the spooky and serious side. She did an excellent job transitioning and her style is still prevalent. Most of all, she is a wonderful story teller is able to create characters that instantly endear readers.

  Sylvie was a ballerina with a very bright future. That is, until The Accident. She broke her leg while on stage and in an instant her entire future as a famous dancer vanished. Her entire life is crumbling around her family begins to doubt her sanity. In order to get away from it all, her newly remarried mother arranges for Sylvie to leave her home in Manhattan and spend some time with her deceased father's family in Alabama. Talk about a whole new world. It's as if time decided to stand still and there are echoes of the past everywhere. Some of them are not quite pleasant though. Sylvie is convinced that she is seeing ghosts, but there is no way she can tell anyone. They already think she's going crazy. They are acting like when she broke her leg, her mind snapped with it. With all of the strange things going on, who knows? Maybe it did. Except that she knows these things are, or were, real and the only person who might believe her, Rhys,  is a visitor to the town himself. With his help perhaps Sylvie can uncover the mysteries of this small town before someone gets hurt. It doesn't help that she's being persued by a smooth talking Southern gentleman and his pack of Teen Town Council members and she's also made an enemy out of one it's most powerful members. At least Sylvie finds comfort in taking care of the garden by her Aunts house, but even that may have something to do with all the malevolent spirits she keeps running into. And this was supposed to be restful? Harldy. But it is interesting and promises quite an adventure and a  lesson in history and magic. She'll even learn a lot about who she is and who and what she can be in life as she puts to rest her own echoes of the past.

The Hollow by Jessica Verday:




I really enjoyed this book. I admit that I am a sucker for anything involving "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow", a graveyard and a mysterious and handsome young man. So I guess The Hollow was meant for me. It was spooky and mysterious but also very moving and romantic. I loved the characters and I really love Jessica Verday's writing. There is something about that is very real. It's hard to explain, but all I can say is that her words are a perfect fit for the inside of my head. That sounds kind of silly, but it's true. I am a fan. I look forward to the next book in the series, The Haunted, which will be released in August 2010.

  Abbey lives in Sleepy Hollow, New York. The same town that Washington Irving wrote about in his famous story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow". While most people think of "The Legend" as something spooky, Abbey and her best friend Kristen are proud of it and practically worship Washington Irving. They pay their respects to his grave every year and spend their days together in the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery dreaming of their futures. That is, until Abbey finds herself alone and Kristen becomes a permanent resident of the cemetery. One day, Kristin disappears by a bridge and is presumed dead. Drowned. That is how Abbey feels without her best friend near. She must somehow find a way to get through the heartbreak of losing Kristen. The emptiness inside of her is unbearable and moving on seems impossible. Making things even more difficult, talk in the small town turns to rumors and speculation about how she really died. People are saying that she killed herself and Abbey knows this can't be true. Kristen was so full of life and she would never do such a thing. Nobody knew her like Abbey, and they are all acting like they did. Abbey needs someone to help her handle her grief. Luckily, the mysterious and gorgeous Caspian shows up just at the right time and the two share an instant and urgent attraction. Caspian may have his secrets, but he helps to fill the hole in Abbey's heart. Together they begin to search for what really happened to Kristen, and Abbey discovers that there was a lot she didn't know about her best friend. Kristen was hiding things and the truth may be a lot more than she can handle. And there is also a lot more to the town of Sleepy Hollow and it's cemetery than she could have possibly imagined.


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<3 Michelle

2amtomorning
If you find yourself at the crossroads of insomnia and insanity, this is the place to channel those demons that keep you sleepless. Vivid pictures, poetry, ruminations, and confessions from the nether hours between dusk and dawn. Originally formed to celebrate the city at night, there's a strong urban theme.

green_future
Dedicated to promoting global sustainability, this community offers a forum for discussing current environmental news, research, and issues with tips on how to make positive, pro-active changes to reduce carbon impact. You'll also find information on how to get involved in eco-activism and learn about events near you (i.e., act local; think global). Offering a wealth of data on earth-friendly products and practices, you'll be inspired to don an organic bamboo cape and save the planet.

wtf_sexism
Self-described as "a little community with a lot of rage," you can soak up impassioned vibes and read blistering exposes detailing sexist attitudes in the news, pop culture, and science! A must-join community if you are, or love, a feminist. (NB: the topic of whether a "man" can be a feminist is outside the scope of this spotlight, but will probably wind up on the Writer's Block.)

Linger isn't due out until July, so I'm not going to write a very detailed review, but I'm so excited for this book that I just had to make mention of it.




In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other.  Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past . . . and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack.  And Isabelle, who already lost her brother to the wolves . . . and is nonetheless drawn to Cole.

At turns harrowing and euphoric, Linger is a spellbinding love story that explores both sides of love -- the light and the dark, the warm and the cold -- in a way you will never forget.

WARNING : Mild Spoilers for Shiver

It's going to be tough for me to read a book this year that I love more than this one.  I loved every word and didn't want it to end. Sam is so heartbreaking in his uncertainty of his cure and Grace has to battle her parents without losing what means the most to her. And Isabelle is still so frustrating, but I love her - Maggie has the ability to make people seem so real and she lets them act in ways that other authors wouldn't dare. And Cole is such a wonderful creation - dark and damaged and destructive. I can't wait for this book to come out so that I can talk to everyone about it.

This is a song Maggie mentioned in her journal and it perfectly captures that cold beauty of her writing - there are so many scenes of delicate, gorgeous description, that I reread them a couple of times:


And Shiver and the other other two books have been optioned by Warner Brothers to possibly be made into films. Who would you cast? My Sam choice is in my icon - Garrett Hedlund.

(Oh!  And if you want to learn more about the horns themselves, you can find 'em @ my Etsy store:  alternatevisions.etsy.com.)

And looking at these I've realized something:  I need to do some drawings of my kitties!  I've got pics of faeries and all kinds of other things, but no cats.  This needs to change. :)

Hope ya like!
♥
Nae

renaissance2010
Turning to photography as a creative outlet during a valiant fight with breast cancer at age 34, renaissance10 survived and set up a photo contest to help raise funds for the Lavender Trust, a nonprofit that provides information and support to younger women with breast cancer. In the first two years, the competition brought in over £65,000 (that's $107,260.73 U.S.!), with entries from 130 countries last year. Renaissance10 recently joined LiveJournal to meet other passionate photographers and find supportive friends.

curiouscupcakes
Holy buttercream frosting! If you have a sweet tooth for sugary goodness or a wandering eye for whimsical confection, this is pure ecstasy iced in deliciousness. Hailing the beloved cupcake as the artisinal canvas of choice, you'll enjoy recipes, photos, and bountiful tips to bake up a batch, whether your taste leans toward French classics or funky and flavorful.

mission101
With New Years in the offing, it's an ideal time to reflect on past accomplishments, make peace with disappointments, and refocus the lens on future goals. This community welcomes you to create a bucket list of 101 things you plan to accomplish in the next 1,001 days. Offering support, guidance, and inspiration, this is a great way to jumpstart those pesky resolutions.

This is a MUST READ for all. One of the years best!

And how amazing is the cover?

The Dark Divine by Bree Despain:




THE DARK DIVINE is absolutely stunning, amazing and yes, it is truly divine. Bree Despain has created a beautiful, dark and romantic masterpiece. The writing is gorgeous, the mysterious plot is enthralling, the characters are endearing and the love story is breathtaking. It is just phenomenal.

When the sexy, brooding and emotionally damaged Daniel Kalbi returns to his sometown in Minnesota, nobody is more thrilled than Grace Divine. After all, he was her childhood friend as well as her first love. A long time ago, Daniel was nearly part of her family. He was taken in by her father, pastor Divine, when his own father was abusing him. Daniel had finally found a place where he was loved, but it all ended when he suddenly disappeared under strange circumstances. Grace's brother Jude came home one night covered in blood and Daniel was never seen after that. Something happened and he had to have gone somewhere, but Grace never found out the truth.

When Daniel returns, Grace is still drawn to him, but the pull is even stronger and she doesn't know if she can control it. She knows that her brother now seems to hate Daniel and she still doesn't know why. Grace tried to keep her promise to Jude to stay away from him, but she's finding it more difficult to do this every day. The longer he's in town, the more she wants to be near him, even if it means breaking promises and rules. Grace knows that Daniel has had a rough life and she will not leave him alone with his problems. She could be risking more than her status as the pastors daughter because at the same time as Daniel's return, something else has made it's way to town. Something mysterious and sinister. People are disappearing and turning up dead, and there are rumors about monsters circulating. This has happend before but it stopped when Daniel left. Could Daniel be somehow be connected to it? Grace's love for him will either lead to his salvation or her own downfall when she finally discovers what really happened that fateful night years ago.

This story has plenty of twists and turns and it will keep you guessing at every one of them. The relationship between Daniel and Grace will leave you swooning and really hoping that love can conquer all. Daniel is pretty wonderful, too. What a fantastic story this is! It pulls you in, wraps you in softness, pulls at your heart, speeds up your pulse and drops you in a garden of angels and demons. Brilliant! Beautiful! Amazing! Darkly divine! Wow. Just... wow. 

Here is the book trailer:

...Would you die tonight for love?...



enjoy!

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<3 Michelle

I didn't plan on getting an entire package of toys 'just' for Frankenstein (not that I actually believed all four of them wouldn't attack) - really! But somewhere along the line 'her' color somehow became pink, so when I found a package of pink & black kitty toys I couldn't resist. We ended up with 4 packs of toys to be divided among 4 cats, so she's really not that spoiled...



♥ Frankenstein ♥

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