beautiful darkness

I've always thought it would be great fun to write a book with a friend. I've read books from hubby and wife writing teams. I've also read one that had a 'ghost' writer.  The Caster Chronicles, I believe, are the first books I've read from two friends.  I had the pleasure of being at our local library when Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl visited to promote the first book in this series, "Beautiful Creatures."  You could tell they were long time friends and they obviously had fun writing the book.

I enjoyed the first novel. They did a really good job capturing teen voices and creating a very interesting world where magic coexists with the rest of us. Setting it in the South allowed for a nice infusion of local color and custom.

This second book, "Beautiful Darkness" is an okay story. At times I felt the book included too much. Too many extra characters, too much teen angst, too much...well...stuff.  It almost read like they were trying too hard. The plot seemed to labor under a heavy load of extras.

My oldest has read the first book and when I commented to her my impressions on this current novel, she said that is how she felt reading Beautiful Creatures.

Whatever my impressions, I most likely will read the next installment. Garcia and Stohl left us hanging with two of the teen characters and I will want to see how their stories unfold.

Christmas Eve

The long awaited day is here....Christmas Eve.  I believe we are ready for the festivities to begin. I've enjoyed a lovely week of baking, spending time with the kids and relishing in a slower pace. We attended hubby's office carry in lunch yesterday and enjoyed good food and good conversation. Today everyone is home and we will have our traditional meal before attending Mass tonight. The gifts are ready to be opened. The food is purchases and ready to be cooked. The camera is ready for its work. We are as prepared as we can possibly be!

I did manage to read another book this week. I snapped up Lili St. Crow's third Strange Angels novel, "Jealousy" and plowed through it. The oldest is now set to read it.  St. Crow is awesome as always. Gosh, can that woman write one mean story. Up next is "Beautiful Darkness" the second book from the duo of  Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. I had the pleasure of meeting these two gals when the visited our library last year. Fun ladies and great presenters. The book starts off quickly and given more time, I'd be tearing through this one at a fast clip also.

I returned and then checked back out the Judith Rock novel, "Rhetoric of Death" and plan on reading it next weekend after our company departs. We are looking forward to my brother and his family visiting for a few days.

Merry Christmas to all!  May Love fill your hearts all year long and may tonight and tomorrow remind us all how important Love is.