Strings of Color by Marian L. Thomas

Title: Strings of Color

Author: Marian L. Thomas

Where I got the book: CLNB Blog Tours

Why I read it: I was asked to read it for the blog tour!

Rating: 5 stars

Where do I even start with this review??

First, let me explain that I was contacted by CLNB Blog Tours to join in the book blog tour to promote the book, Strings of Color. As you may have seen already, I did an author interview, as well as guest post with Marian. You can read that by going HERE.

So, onto the actual review of the book.

When I first started reading the book, I found myself taking forever to read it. I read the first few chapters, and kept saying days after, “I really need to continue that book.” As I sit and think about it, it didn’t have anything to do with the book itself, I was just being lazy. Haha!

One Saturday night, I was home alone all night and decided to sit down and read. I started reading page 107, and didn’t stop reading for FIVE HOURS STRAIGHT! I literally couldn’t put the book down. I wanted to keep reading it and reading it. I wanted to know what happened next to each and every character in that book.

While reading this story, I felt lots of different emotions. I felt confused because the characters were so much alike, I had a hard time keeping them all together. I felt sad for the things the characters were going through. I felt angry at what they were going through. I found my heart breaking for them at different times in the book. I felt myself wanting to jump into the book and hug some of these people. By the time I finished the book, I wanted to meet these characters in real life. Especially Mona.

I think my only complaint about the book is that there were so many important characters, It was hard to keep everyone straight and not get confused. There were also so many names that were alike, (Marian explained why in her author interview)  it was hard for me to know who the author was talking about, and when, etc. I found myself getting a little irritated at first, because I had to go back and reread something to see if I missed something important. As I kept reading the book though, I realized that Marian was writing the book sort of in a, backwards, for lack of a better word, way. She would write something, and it would leave you thinking, “Wait, what?” but if you kept reading, within in the next few pages or so, she would explain what that meant. So instead of explaining it right away, she just kept the suspense up, making you want to keep turning the pages to see what was going to happen. I must admit, she did the job well. I couldn’t put the book down!

The story line itself is VERY good. It’s entertaining, heartbreaking, alluring, keeps you wanting more and more with every turn of the page. When I woke up Sunday morning, the first thing I did was grab my book to finish it.

Another thing I like is that it’s an easy read. When I started reading the book that Sunday morning, I had 40 pages to go. It felt like only 5 minutes went by, and I had already read 26 pages! I felt like that throughout the entire book.

The end of the book was great. I do wish though that Marian has explained a little bit better what happened to everyone, but I see that she is writing another book called Colors that Bloom which will be released in the Spring of 2013. I cannot wait! I’m hoping that book will tie it altogether even more, and will help me understand what happened even more. I also learned that there were two other books, Color my Jazzmyne and My Father’s Colors that would tie this book together as well. I plan on reading both of these books very soon!

In the end, I highly recommend this book! The story line itself definitely deserves 5 stars out of 5! It’s a page turner!

Go out and get this book! Here are a few links on where to buy the book, the guest post and author interview, link to her website, etc.  If you do buy and read the book, please let me know what you thought about it! 

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Guest Post and Interview

Marian's Website

Marian's Facebook

Marian's Twitter

Author Interview and Guest Post with Marian L. Thomas!!!

Hi everyone! I am very excited to start this new adventure on my blog! I was contacted by CLNB Blog Tours to do a book review, guest post and author interview with Marian L. Thomas for her book, Strings of Color. After doing research on the book, I was ecstatic to do all of this! Marian is a Clean Fiction Author originally from Oak Park, Illinois, currently residing in Atlanta, Georgia. Marian has gotten her credit for being a great author by refusing to put sexual-explicit material, among other things in her books for the sake of book sales. She has written three books which include Color Me Jazzmyne, My Father’s Colors and Strings of Color. In this post you’re going to find my interview with Marian, as well as the guest post by her, talking about how she got her start in writing books! 

Guest Post with Marian L. Thomas

How did you get your first book deal? 

Finding a Publisher is Like Finding a New Pair of Jeans

by Marian L. Thomas

So there I was, walking into the clothing store with high hopes as I headed toward the jeans department of a major retail store.  As I reached the department, it suddenly occurred to me that I wasn't exactly sure which type of jeans I was looking for.  There were so many different types to choose from.  Did I want a pair that sat below the waist, bootcut jeans, flare jeans or low-riders that are also bootcut?  I almost wanted to turn around and go back home.

So it goes for many aspiring authors.  There are so many publishers out there in the big world of all things literary,  they simply aren't sure where or how to start the process.  How did I resolve my jeans dilemma?  I did some research.  True story.  Right there, in the department store.  I read the various tags found on different pairs of jeans, until I found a description for a pair that sounded like me.  Then I tried each of them on, until I was able to walk out of the store with a pair of jeans that felt as if they were meant for me — after I've lost a few pounds, of course.

Going back to the journey for aspiring authors and their quest to find the perfect publisher; I would tell you to do one very important thing — RESEARCH.  It's a waste of your time to blindly send out query letters to every single publisher out there.  Understand what genre your book falls into, and then research publishing companies who publish that genre.  Once you've found your list, look to see who the editor is that handles that genre.  This is important.  You want to be sure that you address your query letter to the right editor.

Now, before you send out that query letter, I need you to do something else quite important.  More research — on writing a "winning" query letter.  I want you to try out a few that you find, the same way you would try on jeans.  How?  Find samples of two or three that fit your writing style and your book.  Many well-known authors have published their winning query letters.  I have always believed that you don't always have to re-invent the wheel.  It's okay to use what is out there if it has proven to work.

Here is a website I used:  http://www.charlottedillon.com/query.html

Now I know it's tempting to want to send your entire manuscript with your query letter.  Fight the urge.  Please.  Keep in mind that most publishing companies only request the first three chapters of your work.

Here is the last thing you want to do before you submit your query letter and the first three chapters of your manuscript to that publishing company that is going to fit your book like a pair of perfectly-fitting jeans:  Have everything edited.  Not by your cousin, friend or Mother (unless they're professional editors in their current secular lives).  Remember, just like you want your jeans to "make a flattering and modest impression," so goes your query letter.

~~~

Awesome, Marian! I, for one, have always wanted to write my own book. I've written lots of shorts stories, I just wasn't sure how to go about finding an editor and publisher and all of that. This helps tremendously! 

The Interview with Marian L. Thomas

1.)  Who are some of your favorite authors? 
       I like Christina Schwarz, but I am always looking for others.

2.)  How long have you been a writer?

       I wrote my first book manuscript in high school.  I also did some writing in the sports and news fields during college, but didn't really put "writer" on my resume.  Then, 2009 hit and Color Me Jazzmyne was released.  Things began to change.  A thought I once had in high school became a dream.  The dream became a reality and that reality turned me into a writer.

How exciting! This just goes to prove that following your dream and putting your heart into anything and everything really does pay off!!! 

3.)  Did you always know you wanted to write? 

      The concept of writing was always in the back of my head — lingering there patiently.  The words "just get it done" were a phrase my old boss use to say to me whenever we discussed my finishing my book manuscript.  It felt great to finally say, "It's done."

4.)  What inspired you to write this specific storyline with Strings of Color? 

       Readers, and the fact that I didn't feel as if the main character had come full circle with her own inner feelings.  Sometimes, when a relationship ends, people need and want a sense of "closure."  I suspect book characters are no different.

I agree 100%! Closure is almost always needed when readers and characters come together.

5.)  What books are you reading now?

        I wish I were reading a book right now.  I have a few waiting for me on Kindle to "click" open, but I'm not there yet.  When you have a book getting ready to release, you don't find a lot of time for reading.  Marketing starts and stops with the author.  It's your book.  Your life.

6.)  I've always wanted to write my own Novel.  For myself, and others with this dream, what is some advice you could give? 

       Publish yourself first!  Build a solid platform.  Get your name out there via social networks, blogs and published articles.  Then write your book.

Isn't it great that we have these type of resources out there to establish our name? 

7.)  Just for fun, can you tell us at least one thing that's unique about you, or something you like to do? 

       Let's see… I love popcorn.  I eat it every day.  Seriously.

8.)  Do you have any writing rituals or special things you do to get the creativity flowing?

       I like to watch a movie.  Something dramatic that gets the emotions stirring.  If it gives me a good cry, then I might be able to write for hours.

9.)  Are the character names in your books important to you?  Without giving too much away, is there a reason you made the characters’ names so closely related? 

      They are extremely important and I love that question.  When I read a character's name, I like to think that the name given simply couldn't be anything else.  That it fits the character’s personality so well, that to change it—would be changing the character.  My character names display the depth of the connection within the family. When it comes to family, I think we sometimes forget how connected we really are to each other.

Connecting to family is very important. And knowing that you do this for your characters, shows how good of a writer you are!! 

10.)  Tell us about your writing environment.  Do you need it to be really quiet, or do you have to have background noise?  Are there any specific foods or drinks you need available? 

          No background noise.  At least that's what I keep reminding my hubby when I'm writing.  It's hard for me to stay focused, and any little thing tends to throw me off my writing game.  Did I mention that I like popcorn? 

11.)  When you're not writing, what are some other hobbies, or things you like to do? 

          I love to draw and paint.  One day, I would like to open a gallery that combines art by me and books by me.  Is that too much…me?  Maybe.  Then again, maybe not.

Definitely not too much you! I think it's a GREAT idea!! 

Well, folks, there you have it!! An amazing guest post and author interview by Marian L. Thomas. Make sure you check out her website, author bio, Facebook, etc. below! And come back to my blog on April 30th to read my book review on her book, Strings of Color!  

Thank you Marian for contributing and participating in this book blog tour! 

About the author: 

Marian L. Thomas is the best-selling author of two award-winning titles, Color Me Jazzmyne and My Father's Colors.  Her newest title, Strings of Color, released on April 1, 2012.  You can find more information about publishing and getting published on her blog: http://www.thewritersinkspot.blogspot.com

Marian's Facebook

Marian's Website

Marian's Twitter

Loving by Karen Kingsbury

Title: Loving

Author: Karen Kingsbury

Why I Read It: It's the last book in the Bailey Flanigan series, and I've read the first three.

Where I Got It: Target

Rating:  4 stars



Overview from Barnes and Noble:

The answers Bailey Flanigan once longed and prayed for are finally becoming clear. In Loving, the fourth and final book in the Bailey Flanigan Series by New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury, Bailey is planning a wedding and making decisions that will shape her future. Bailey enjoys the beginning of her new career and time spent with Brandon while Cody faithfully coaches his team on and off the field. Will she spend her life with Brandon Paul in Los Angeles, or will her heart draw her back to Bloomington, Indiana and Cody Coleman, her first love? Bailey has learned much and grown over the years, but the greatest challenges, the richest joys, and the deepest heartaches are still to come. Featuring members from Karen Kingsbury's popular Baxter family, Loving completes Bailey and Cody's story --- the finale thousands of fans have been waiting for.

Sadly, I have finished reading the last book in the Bailey Flanigan series by Karen Kingsbury. It's a bitter sweet moment. I was very excited to read this final installment. But, I am very saddened that its ended. I have a lot of unanswered questions. Not necessarily because of the way the book was written, but just because I want the story to keep going! 

Through out the series, we've wondered, "Who is Bailey going to choose? Brandon, or Cody?" There has been the ever popular, "Team Cody!" and "Team Brandon!" Like from the Twilight saga with Edward and Jacob. Everyone had who they wanted her to choose, and who they didn't want her to choose. I, for one, had one I was hoping she'd choose. Maybe I was right. ;-) 

I'll be honest though, the story line was sort of disappointing. After reading reviews from others, I found that I agreed with a lot of what people said. We all thought she was going to choose someone else, but at the last second, it was like Karen changed her mind and decided to change the story. The middle to the end of the story just didn't seem to go with the beginning of the story. To me, it kind of felt like it she had the same story, with two separate things going on. If that makes any sense. Characters stayed the same, but I felt like I was reading two different books. 

Karen did teach us something though, like she does in all of the books she writes. In the entire series, shes taught us that we can love again after being hurt. We can be happy again. I, for one, needed to be reminded me of that. She also taught us that God brings us to different seasons in our life. When one season in our life ends, there is always going to be another one soon. 

If you didn't know already, Karen Kingsbury is a Christian/Inspirational writer. All of her books have God and religion in them. Which is why I enjoy them so much! 

All in all, this was a pretty good book. I did enjoy it immensely, I was just disappointed in how it was written, disappointed that Bailey didn't choose who I wanted her to, and who a lot of other dedicated readers that she was going to, and that it seemed like two different books in one. I do recommend this book, but I would read the series from the beginning! That is really the only reason I give it 4 stars out of 5. 

If you've read this book, or will, let me know so we can discuss it! 

Sneak Peek of Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer

Hello everyone!! While surfing the web and Facebook this afternoon, I came across a post by Jodi Picoult, advertising her new book that she co-authored with her daughter Samantha. For Valentine's Day, these two ladies collaborated with Mtv.com and  gave us book worms a sneak peek of the book! I don't know about you, but I am so excited!

To see the sneak peek, you can go HERE.

The book is about a teenager named Delilah who has this dream to have the characters in her books to come alive. She has fallen in love with a character in the book she's currently reading, and he comes to life! So, who among us as book readers and book worms, hasn't ever had the fantasy that the characters you fall in love with, come alive? I know I have!! Many times!

I'm very excited about this book, and can't wait for it's release on June 26th! This is going to be a GREAT Young Adult book, and I think a lot of us are going to be able to relate to it. =-)

So, head on over to the site HERE and read more about the book, and download your copy of the first two chapters! I promise, you won't regret it!

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Title: Anna and the French Kiss

Author: Stephanie Perkins

Why I Read It: I've heard so much about this book, and read so many reviews that I just had to read it for myself!

Where I Got It: Secret Santa sent it to me! :D

Rating: 4/5 stars



Overview from the inside cover:

Anna is happy in Atlanta. She has a loyal best friend and a crush on her coworker at the movie theater, who is just starting to return her affection. So she's not too pleased when her father decided to send her to a boarding school in Paris for her senior year. But despite not speaking a word of French, Anna meets some cool new friends, including the handsome Etienne St. Clair, who quickly becomes her best friend. Unfortunately, he's taken--And Anna might be, too. Will a year of romantic near misses end with the French kiss she's been waiting for? 

First, I feel the need to say that I was a little disappointed in the book. I feel like all of the reviews I read made me so excited for this book, that it forced me into having a huge expectation to this being the best book ever read. Except, I had a hard time feeling like it was a good book. 

I went back and forth about how many stars to give it, and why I'd choose what I did over another rating, etc. I must say, the book was extremely slow going for me. It took me until way past the half point of the book to REALLY get into it. So, for that reason alone, I decided to give it 4 out of 5 stars. I was going to go ahead and give the book 3 out of 5 stars because it was slow going, took me a while to get into it, and I felt like there needed to be a lot more background information on Anna to REALLY get to know her. But, as I continued to read, and finally got into it to the point where I couldn't put the book down, I decided it was worth 4 out of 5 stars.

Now, onto the actual story line of the book. 

Anna is your typical teenage boy crazy girl. She has a crush on her friend Toph, who works with her at the movie theater. She finds herself drooling over him, and dreaming of spending the rest of her life with him. Then, suddenly, (and I'm not sure if it ever really said why), her Dad sends her off to School of American in Paris. Anna throws a fit that she has to go on the other side of the world for her SENIOR YEAR of school, leaving her friends and family behind. She's scared of new and bigger places, and most of all, she's scared that she doesn't know even a little bit of French. 

After her first day in the dorms, she meets her neighbor Meredith, who becomes her good friend right away. Meredith introduces Anna to her friends, St. Clair, Josh, Rashmi and a few other people. They all become fast friends, and become the "group". 

As the story progresses, we learn a lot about St. Clair and his girlfriend Ellie. We learn that St. Clair is liked by many, and all women. He's the type of guy girls chase after and drool over. Anna instantly finds herself becoming best friends with him, and slowly realizes that she likes him a little more than she should.

The book goes on and on with St. Clair and Anna site seeing around Paris, getting to know each other more, going to classes, doing homework, and all of the other drama of being in high school. We all know that type of drama! 

There were two things that were said in the book that stuck out to me. One being when Anna said, "Why do I always fall for the wrong guys?" Because don't we all? And the other being, "Because I was right. Home isn't a place, it's a person." 

All in all, it was a good book, with a good story line. I don't think it was as good as my expectations sought out it to be, but I would definitely recommend it to everyone who looks a decent Young Adult novel. 

I'm excited to read Stephanie's new book, Lola and the Boy Next Door! 

Longing by Karen Kingsbury

Title: Longing

Author: Karen Kingsbury

Why I Read It: It's the third book in the Bailey Flangian series. I've read the first two, so of course I needed to read this one.

Where I Got It: Target

Rating: 5/5 stars











Overview from Barnes and Noble:

While Bailey Flanigan wrestles with feelings for Brandon Paul, Cody Coleman's work coaching a small-town football team has brought him and his players national attention. In the midst of the celebration and success, Cody finds himself much closer to a woman who seems to better understand him and his new life. Even so, never does much time go by without Bailey and Cody experiencing deep feelings of longing for each other, longing both for the past and for answers before they can move forward.

Will an unexpected loss be the turning point for Cody? Will Cody and Bailey find a way back together again for the first time in more than a year? And if they do, will their brief time together be enough to help them remember all they've been longing for?

I'm sure that I've mentioned this time and time again about Karen Kingsbury as an author, but I feel like she is the best author to bring her characters to life. She makes you feel like you're best friends with the people she writes about. 

In this book, the third book in the series, Bailey is still in the broadway play in New York. She's working towards her dreams and goals, while still dating Brandon Paul, the famous movie star, and every once in a while, thinking about Cody Coleman and longing for him, wondering the "what if's" that no one ever likes to think about. Bailey struggles with her love for Brandon Paul, and the struggles of knowing what her and Cody had in the past. She continues to ask herself why things happened the way they did between the two of them.

Mean while, Cody is being more and more famous with the Football team he coaches at Lyle High School. The team is going to be featured on ESPN, as well as Sports Illustrated. Cody and Demetri have to fly to New York for both of these amazing accomplishments, while they're there, someone through Espn, has two tickets for them to enjoy dinner, and a Broadway show while in New York. Cody knows in the back of his head that it may or may not be the show Bailey performs in. He constantly thinks about it, and questions whether or not he can stand seeing her. 

The book flips back and forth between Cody and Bailey, and Bailey and Brandon. Brandon wants Bailey to read a script in LA so she may be able to be in a movie with him. While they're in LA, Bailey has to "get used to" all of the Paparazzi that chases Brandon constantly. When they're back in New York, Cody thinks about asking Bailey to marry him. Going as far as making a trip to the jewelry store. 

Cody goes through something intense personal issues with his friend Cheyanne, which leaves him questioning everything hes done in his life, including his faith. 

Again, Karen has the ability to make you feel like you know these characters in real life. She makes them seem so real, and you find yourself routing on each person, wanting to hold their hand during the tough times, and celebrate with them during the good times. Not very many authors can do that, and this is why I love Karen, and her books so much.

All of Karen's books are inspirational/Christian fiction. She has such a strong faith in God and religion, and she shows it in each and every book. I highly recommend this book, as well as the series and all of her other books. I promise you won't be disappointed. 

I enjoyed this book immensely, and cannot wait for the fourth, and final book to be released in a few months! 

New Year Resolutions

I know this post is a little late, considering we're 17 days into the new year! But, better late than never, right?

In 2010 I made a sort of resolution, or goal, to read 100 books, or more. Sadly, I didn't quite make it. I read 41 books. When 2011 started, I decided to make another goal, but not put a number on it and to just see how many books I could read. I did HORRIBLE. I listed only 12 books, but I know I read WAY more books than that! So, alas, here I am, a new year, with new beginnings. I decided to try a book reading goal again this year. I was going back and forth between the numbers of 64 books, and 75 books. I read 41 books in 2010, so to make the goal "realisitc", I'm going to stick with 65 books.

So, in 2012, I plan on reading 65 books.

I've also been slacking on my book review blog. Which makes me kind of sick to my stomach to think about. In all honesty, I feel like the reason I have been slacking is because I don't have a lot of traffic on my blog. I've got 66 "followers" but how many of those people actually FOLLOW me? I've only had a handful of people comment on my reviews, and other things I post. So, it's kind of frustrating. I've got my blog URL posted on social networking sites, including Goodreads and other Bookish sites. I try to participate in Meme's and other activities, but still don't see a lot of traffic. So, if anyone is reading this, my question to you is: How can I get more traffic, more people who are READ what I post, and who comment, on my blog? What has been YOUR blogs so popular?

Another resolution, or goal, I've made is to be more into my blog this year. No matter the amount of traffic, I'm still going to read, read, read and review everything. I will post a review for each book read. Traffic, or not.

So, those are my goals, and resolutions for 2012. What are some of the goals or resolutions you've made this year?