Jason's Writing Corner: The First Edition Writing Contest

Jason's Writing Corner: The First Edition Writing Contest:

The rules can be found on "The First Edition Writing Contest" tab at the top of this page.

Basically, all you need in order to enter is write an original story [up to 7,500 words in length], centered around [and including] the phrase: "Listen closely to the unspoken words."

The contest will run from July 1 - 15, and the winner will be determind by yours truly. The winner will be announced on or before August 1, 2012.

The winner will have his or her choice of one of the following three FIRST EDITION, Hardcover novels:

   - "Tom Sawyer Abroad" by Mark Twain

   - "The American Claimant" by Mark Twain

   - "Frenchman's Creek" by Daphne du Maurier

Please refer to the Rules for all other information.

Happy writing, and good luck to all who enter!

Defining Life

How does one go about defining life? There are no black and white lines in said subject. The outcome is never as simple as yes, or no. These lines are a muddled grey, marred by tears in some places and worn by time in others. Is one alive if blood is coursing through their veins? What if this was not the result of their biology, but of a machine? A machine meant to save lives that thereafter, feigns life. Would this person be considered living, or deceased? Retaining body heat and  pumping blood are vital aspects of our existence ,but can such processes really define life? If we were to define life by amending the person must be cognizant, we would then automatically be forced to rule out comas and other vegetative states; and unless we are counting on resurrections when coming out of a coma, would they not be considered living? Though without the aid of machines the person will pass on in both cases. Perhaps the distinction between life and death is one of life’s most universal holons. Is it possible to be alive and dead simultaneously? Part of you functioning while the rest of you slowly fades away? Before one begins contemplating the meaning of life, it is vital to outline the parameters, to construct your own definition for what it means to be living…

This was something I wrote when Papa died.


What are your thoughts on this? Have you experienced something like this?

Blood & Light Review

Blood & Light by Rue Volley

Rue Volley has successfully accomplished giving vampires a legitimate twist. In the world of overplayed vampires, and sparkling vamps, these protectors are a breath of fresh air. They don’t have to drain their prey of blood if they don’t wish to. Simply brushing up against something and taking some of its life-force does the trick. Pretty nifty, and a lot less messy.

Rue Volley has depth and you can see why two guys would be after her in this case. She acknowledges their hotness, but doesn’t fawn all over them like a witless schoolgirl. The immediate characters are the most interesting to me: Rue, Kai, Sam, Josh, and Jonathan. There are plenty of other characters to be found in this story, but that quintet is my favorite.

This is really about Rue and Jonathan coming into themselves as protectors. It’s a lot to learn, but they have Sam and Josh to help them out. Kai is also going through changes and always trying to one-up himself with a delicious meal. Let’s just say that learning the ways of his race is an easier feat than making an edible meal. I loved that aspect…it gave the story a lot of realism.

A synopsis can be found next to it, so I don’t need to rehash that for you. (except here on my blog, I will add it.):

Enter into the world of 16 year-old Rue Volley...who, up until one fateful night, thought she was "normal" or as "normal" as she could be. But "normal" does not include being a vampire...a truth about herself that she will soon discover.

Rue Volley lives in the quiet little town of Calvary, Minnesota...nestled in the thick woods lining the Great Lakes. Rue, along with her brother Kai, have lived an otherwise calm life up until their Mother was commited into Rolling River Asylum, after she mysteriously stopped
speaking to anyone. Rue is convinced by her brother to attend a party on her birthday, and after she experiences something that she cannot explain, she and everyone in her world is thrown into madness. Join Rue on this epic journey, 6 books in all, as she struggles with grief, love, humor, old crushes, newfound infatuations, hot boys, AND vampires, lots and lots of them.

This first book in the series starts you on a journey that you will find hard to ignore and once you start reading you will be hooked...or perhaps bitten.

Keep in mind this is a very long novel. There are some likenesses in names- so make sure you pay attention. I like the Grace-Caine-William-Valon story arch, but I always find myself wanting to be back with Rue and the gang. 

I cannot wait to read the second in her six-book series, the first was well-worth the time invested. 

It can be found HERE

Book Review Rating System

When I review books I have a very convoluted system. Sometimes it doesn't even make sense to me. But for the most part this is how it goes.


A 1 or 2 star review is very rare, because if I think that little of a book I seldom finish it. 


A 3 star is a good read. Everything about it could be good. It could be the same level of good as a five star book, but if it doesn't leave me thinking or wanting more....it is a 3. 


A 4 and a 5 are very similar. 4's are the books I wish I didn't have to put down and 5's are the books I couldn't put down. 


In the next month or so I will be reviewing quite a few books.


Blood & Light by Rue Volley
Stolen by Catherine Stovall
Venn: Reborn by Roxanne Hunter
and a few more.


So keep an eye out for my book reviews.
If you would like me to review a book, 
or if you would like to review Sunny With a Chance of Homicide just email me at theresa.renee.stoddard@gmail.com


Sometimes life happens, and there can be delays. But rest assured, I will review it, eventually.


Which reminds me...
I also am going to review The Time Weaver by Thomas A. Knight.

Sunny With a Chance of Homicide now available for Kindle.

Sunny With a Chance of Homicide

On June 5th, my debut novel was re-released by Great Minds Think Aloud Publishing.

I am super excited for the paperback to come in a week or so.

You can find it Here

Synopsis:

Waking up in solitary confinement is never fun for anyone, and Randall is no exception. He is subjected to relive crucial moments from his past until he finds himself out on his own, free. He finds new love, but as always an old flame complicates things. His reality and fantasy worlds collide putting him in a very compromising position. Can he make it out with his relationships intact?

The Sky: The World Review

The Sky: The World by Jessica McHugh ***** five stars

Mysterious and Captivating

Everything about The Sky: The World drew me in: the cover art, the name, and the mysterious Doctor Azaz. I wanted to get to know Jack Racine and therefore it immediately jumped to the top of my “to be read” list. I have always been intrigued by the steampunk genre, but had yet to read anything in it. If they are anything like The Sky: The World, I will be sure to read more. The characters are engaging and believable, no character being all good or all bad. Egyptian Mythology is worked so well into the plot, you can almost believe that this world exists. Even while I wasn’t reading it, parts of the book were always in my mind. And to me, that is the mark of a good book. Something that not only makes you think, but something that makes you think of it long after you put it down.