"Catching Fire" Review

As you know from my previous review of "The Hunger Games," I read all three books over the past few days and am reviewing each seperately.

BOOK 2 - Catching Fire

We were left off with Katniss dreading leaving Peeta to be on her own yet hating the fact that she's hurt him with being honest on how she feels...torn between her friendship with her handsome hunting partner, Gale, and her partner in the Hunger Games Area, Peeta.

The beginning of the story we're back in Katniss's head (not always a fun place to be) and its the dawn of the day the camera crews will show up at her house for the Victory Tour, so to speek, of she and Peeta to each of the 12 districts. Seeing as she and Peeta are estranged, though now living a house or two away from each other, we're stuck with only Katniss and her head of doom.

But, she's not far off. She receives a visit from the President, where they agree to no longer lie to each other and lay it all out on the table. Simply put, Katniss has to calm the districts down from her act of rebellion at the end of the games so as to not ensite a rebellion of the people of Panem. She must sell to the people of the country that she defied the gamemasters because she is in love with Peeta. She then realizes this means, "forever"...as in marriage, etc. There's a snag here of course, she doesn't want to get married, have kids, and so on...plus, she's still not sorted out her feelings for Gale or Peeta. Katniss is a little slow...we know, we know.

And so the story plods along...without much going on (except for the amazing visit to District 11). We have this GREAT concept of visiting the districts in front of us, yet Ms. Collins skips it (except for listing Katniss' amazing dresses, of course). She gives you District 11 and then skims the rest, mostly. Hell, I couldn't tell you what every district does and I've read all the books. She skims through that section with angsty Katniss and Peeta trying his best to bring us back to liking her when the unthinkable happens...

(WARNING: SPOILER ALERT!)

President Snow decides the 75th Annual Hunger Games (which they confuse you by calling it The Quell and for awhile you think it's something seperate) will be played by victors of other games in the past. So...you're going BACK into the arena with Katniss and either Haymitch or Peeta by her side.

Well shit. There's now way TWO can be the victors again so you're going to loose one of them...and damn it, you know it can't be Katniss if there's a book three. The only charater we actually like and connect with and there's a chance he's going to be gone. Crap.

Needless to say, you're tense...but...here's the great part...once they're thrown back together into the situation you spend more time with Cinna, Peeta, her sobbing prep team, Effie (gotta love a well rounded crazy character like her, right?) and now a new fave, Finnick Odair. I'll be honest...I laughed so hard at the humor in the second half of this book that I was loving Peeta, Cinna, and Finnick a lot. They were so "on fire" that they made Katniss seem much more bearable as well. I was enjoying her again. What an amazing relief!

Side Note: How, after seeing the mockingjay burned into bread and the mockingjay on the watch does she not see they are trying to show her they are with her...that they are part of the rebellion? Especially after seeing the watch. To have her thinking he was showing her his expensive watch is just plain ignorant. The fact that she can't put two and two together just make me want to choke her. Just sayin'.

Anyhoo...moving on...

So after Katniss has to watch Cinna get beaten horribly (my heart was broken), the games begin! And the idea for the Arena is brilliant, interesting, and scary. Plus, we get to hang out with AND get to know MORE of the Tributes this time around. Which is wonderful! As they die we hurt...not like we did with Rue. It's differnt, but still moving.

Like I said before, Ms. Collins can write fight scenes! The slow plodding of the first half of the book has been forgiven for how great the story is moving along now. I'm riveted. I'm tense. My heart breaks as Peeta gives her the pearl...it's just so well done...and then...

You guessed it...

It all goes to shit.

I won't spoil any further but I'll say this...Katniss is a crazy bitch. Her "jumps to conclusions" ideas and how to deal with them (I'm talking of the syringe, if you've read the books) is just ridiculous. Honestly. But, her anger at Haymitch for what he's done moves me and the news Gale gives her breaks my heart. Poor District 12. That's all I'll say.

I'd normally give the book 3.5 out of 5 stars because we have to wait so long for the goods to start...but because of the fun that ensues and the amazingness of the concept for the next set of games, I'll bump it to 4 out of 5 stars as my final score. Plus, you're DYING for book three...always the sign of a good book.

Happy Reading!

Tamsin :)

P.S. The title is again linked to the Wikipedia page of the characters list for all the books. In case you need them.

The Hunger Games Review (Book)

So, I've heard all the buzz about The Hunger Games Saga...and I'm a fan of YA Sci Fi/Fantasy...read a lot of it, actually. Own rows and rows of them in paperback still. :) So, a few weeks ago I purchased a 3 in 1 set of the Hunger Games for my Kindle Fire. Last week, I started to read the first book and finished the 3rd book last night. After I've had the night to sleep on my thoughts...I'm going to review each book.

Here we go...w/o any real serious spoilers either.

BOOK 1 - The Hunger Games

Brilliant concept! Love the layout of the post apocalyptic world. There is a lot of very clear, thought out imagination at play here that wraps you as a reader into the story. It's barbaric for sure. Who has children kill each other for sport? It's almost too hard to swallow that people would allow this...almost. Suzanne Collins paints a world for us where the people have so little, being kept at a point where they aren't even strong enough to fight back, that you can just barely see how this is tolerated/allowed by the people on Panem, aka North America many MANY years later from now. It held my attention from begining to end and I was invested. I was willing to read them all.

One of the things this book has that Twilight is missing is that Katniss, our leading lady, is self sufficient. She depends on no one and nothing, almost to a fault at times. She independant and though there are two men vying for her attention who she totally can't make up her mind on (isn't that always the way?), instead of needing them to save her, she is up to the task of saving herself, and them if needed.

But...and if you're so in love with Katniss you can't hear a bad word spoken, now is the time to go to the next paragraph...I have HUGE issues with how stupid this girl is other than her ability to survive. I can understand she's closed herself off to show no emotion...but if so, how can Peeta even be in love with her? How can he say, "She has no idea the effect she has on people?" If she shows nothing and has low social skills (which really is our only explanation for why she's totally ignorant to the reason Peeta does things for her) how does she trade in the HOB and work with people? I was so turned off by her inner rambling where she questions things, but never questions it in a well rounded manner, that I wanted to strangle her...often.

That said, I am in LOVE with what we'd call the "supporting cast." Cinna and Peeta being the faves. Do you know why they're the faves for most who read this book? Because they bring out actual personality and emotion from Katniss. THEY make HER look better. They make us care about her. The more we get interaction with them, the more we enjoy her. Added to that is of course Rue and Prim, but as we spend more time with Peeta and Cinna through out the first two books, they are who we connect to in order to like our leading lady.

I don't know about you, but I fell in love with Peeta. How does she not? You can't help but fall in love with him. He's such a good guy and he'd do anything for her. He's our hero, if not the typical one. And because of that, you love who he is. He makes every scene he's in carries a strength of emotion we don't receive from Katniss (unless her sister is involved). So you fall in love with him. My question is...how does she not? How can she not even question if she is? It never seems to occur to her that she's having feelings for him past the "I can't let him die, I owe him for the bread." My only 'tsk tsk' at him is that he's a wee bit too wrapped up in his love of her that he puts up with her cluelessness...but he's a teenage boy, so he's excused.

In the end, she breaks his heart and yours with her honesty...but you understand it's for the best. She honestly is torn between her budding feelings for Gale and her on screen love for Peeta that also is taking root in her heart, or so we hope. And you're left anxious to see who she will choose, what the world will do with the way the Games were won, and the fate of the boy you love so much.

Not so anxious with concern to Katniss herself though...she's likeable, don't get me wrong. Strong female characters are likeable and admired. I admire her. However, she's just not endearing enough to care about as much as Peeta. If he'd been our main character...my love for this book would've been much grander. But, as it's not him...I give the book 4 stars out of 5. AND...the boost from 3 to 4 comes from the imagination fo the world, the concept, and the amazing writing that comes into play during the games. This woman can write battles! Wow!

I recommend reading it! I am looking forward to seeing the movie. I know I'm going to cry my eyes out when the mockingjay's sing Rue's song. I will drink in Peeta's character and I pray to like Katniss more on screen than on paper.

I'll review the movie when I do! :)

Happy Reading!

Tamsin :)

P.S. If you click the title of this review, it'll take you to the character list on Wikipedia.

Hard Day's Night by John G. Hartness - A Review

Children are missing.

The police are stumped.

Halloween is coming, with an ancient evil on the horizon.

The vampires are the good guys.

This is not your ordinary fall weekend in Charlotte, NC. Vampire private detectives Jimmy Black and Greg Knightwood have been hired to keep a young client from being cursed for all eternity, but end up in a bigger mess than they ever imagined.

Suddenly trapped in the middle of a serial kidnapping case, Jimmy and Greg uncover a plot to bring forth an ancient evil into the world, and enlist the help of a police detective, a priest, a witch, a fallen angel and strip club proprietor to save the world. This unlikely band of heroes battles zombies, witches, neuroses and sunburn while cracking jokes and looking for the perfect bag of O-negative.


What a fun read! Well written with a great pace and hilarious yet endearing lead characters. Hard Day's Knight holds twists and turns that will surprise you over and over again.

As the book starts off you find yourself in the head of James Black (where you stay for the whole novel), vampire extraordinaire, who is in quite a predicament. He's been kidnapped! As my character Sean, from "The Betrayal," would say, "Now why did you go and let that happen?"

Have no fear, as it turns out, the kid who has taken James has an unusual request...which leads he and Greg (his spandex and cape wearing side-kick) to help the kid out. But what they thought was a simple curse...turns out to be so much worse. (Sorry, couldn't resist the rhyme).

As if vampires aren't enough, Mr. Hartness throw in some witches, a priest, evil/possessed children (as if there really are any other kind?...JK), demons, and even fallen angels! It makes for a fantastic adventure. You will find yourself saying, "Well it can't get worse than this"...oh, but it can and will! James and Greg will attempt to save the world, as only they know how to do. With witty banter, help from their friends, courage, and their devotion to what's right.

Something I love about this story is that these two guys are your average Joe's. They're not super pretty or suave...or sparkling (thank God)...they're comic book lovin, computer wizz'n, nerds who got stuck that way. Think of that guy from the movie "Revenge of the Nerds" as a vampire...and you're on the right track. It's a brilliant concept! And, instead of taking place in LA or NYC, it's in the Queen City herself, Charlotte, NC. I spent ten years there myself...and it's a perfect backdrop for this fun, witty, fast paced, story of friendship, love, courage, acceptance, and forgiveness.

The only bad thing I can say is that at only 176 pages, its over too soon, leaving you wanting more! Luckily, there is more! Go HERE for more on all three books in the series. The next two books are called Back in Black and Knight Moves.

In closing I want to say this, even if you're not a "vampire book" fan...you'll enjoy this book. It's a great ride you won't want to get off of. So jump on board! Click the title of this blog to go to Amazon to buy this book for your Kindle for ONLY 99 cents or check out John's website HERE for more about him and his different books!

Happy Reading!

Tamsin :)

Mental Health Day

On Wednesday I decided that if it was going to be 75+ degrees in NYC on Thursday, in March no less, and that it was going to get chilly and rainy over the weekend, that I needed a day in the sun with the dog. This pic would be me and said dog, my 12 year old (he'll be 13 in May) Border Collie/Black Lab mix dog, Keziah. ---For those who have read The Betrayal...in case you're curious, who came first, Phoenix Keziah or my dog...Phoenix did, actually. Yes, I started that damn book THAT long ago.---

Anyhoo...moving on... :)

I asked my boss for a day to help Lauren with headshots and was granted a mental health day. So, yesterday was a taste of what my life would be like, if I was a writer and could use my days as I wished.

Was up at 8:45am and was down in the West Village by 11am to meet up with Photographer, Alexis Daria, and my best gal pal, Lauren Steinmeyer, to do some headshots of Lauren seeing as she's graduating from New York Conservatory of Dramatic Arts in May and needs good pics that look like her.

By 2pm I headed home (though they were still doing a few more shots) because, to be honest, I'd originally taken the day off to...well...to take my dog to the park. This may sound strange but...its bloody March people...and almost 80 degrees! My old man of a dog deserved to see it too! And, seeing as they're calling for overcast skies with showers and cool temps ALL DAMN WEEKEND...I decided to snag the nicest day of the week and go sit in the sun with the dog.

See how happy he is?














Cause folks, it was THIS pretty out!
Do you know what building this is in the West Vil?)














We brought a blanket and treats...here he is beggin' for one...paw up. How am I supposed to say no to this?

And here's what I found out by taking a random day off to sit in the sun...

I'M A SMART GIRL!

I felt so great today, even toting all my crap to work and working on spreadsheets today hasn't ruined my mood. I need to take a "mental health day" more often. I think maybe, now that its warm, I should do this once every other month. I have to use a vacation day for it, and I'd prefer I did it on a Friday, but man...the difference I felt after getting some sun and fresh air with my friends and then the dog? CRAZY HUGE DIFFERENCE! I felt amazing...wired like I'd downed a JOLT COLA (You do remember that soda, right? Ha!) on the way to work.

So...if you have time available to you to use...I recommend you find a way to skip a day every now and again. You won't be sorry you did. Even if its in the middle of the week. Everyone needs to rejuvinate their body.

We New Yorkers tend to go go go...all time. Even on weekends. We need to pause every now and again. I hope now that its warm I'll get to do this more often.

Have a great weekend all! I know in NYC we'll be dropping back to the mid 50's and dealing with rain...so in the midst of running around town or starting that spring cleaning...find a few hours to hang with your pet or lay in bed reading...it may not be the sun at the park...but you deserve a few moments to relax and enjoy hanging out with a pet or a friend, seeing a movie, or just reading a book.

Remember...if you own an E-reader...you can visit the Independant Author Network for some great books to consider (if you are going to stay in and read)...or you can just get mine...ha ha!

Whatever you do, enjoy the weekend, and find time to yourself as soon as you can. I'm so happy I did.

xo

Tamsin :)

And stay tuned...I'll have pics that Alexis took of Lauren for you to see soon! :)

LDG1 Announcement....

I've been slack, I apologize. I've been busy doing that thing called "writing/editing" on Book Two of the LDG Series called, "Shattered."

See...NOW you forgive me, right?

Not yet?

What if I had good news? Would you forgive me then?

Okay...so here goes...

By the end of the month you will be able to read my book, "The Betrayal (A Living Dead Girl Novel)" IN PRINT!

That's right! If you don't have an E-reader and don't want to read it on your computer OR you are just old fashioned and like paper on a shelf (which is totally okay...I tend to want hard copies of some stuff myself) you'll be able to go to Amazon's PRINT ON DEMAND feature and pay for a copy.

Then...they'll print one copy just...for...you!

That's right!

SO...stay tuned here or on my Facebook page or my Twitter account...for as soon as I have the link for the printed version...I'll give it to you all!

It'll be at the end of THIS month!

Woot!

Have a great weekend!

Tamsin :)

Moon Over Manhattan News!

As some of you know, my writing is very visual and my characters are where I put my focus. That can be said even more so for Moon Over Manhattan, the sequel series to the Living Dead Girl books (the first of which is available through Eirelander Publishing via my website). It was so visually in my head, that even before I finished it, I did a photoshoot of the characters in Central Park in October of 2010 and then a few more in June of 2011. See Pics Here. Now, because of these facts, I've always liked the idea of doing Moon Over Manhattan as a graphic novel.

So guess what?

I will be! (Insert "Squee" here)

That's right! I am here today to tell you that my friend, the talented Ana Catris (Pictured Left), has "signed on" to work with me to make that happen! To say I'm "excited" doesn't really touch how I feel. I'm "bounce in my chair, scream to all can hear me" excited!!!! LOL!

She is also a published writer/artist as well. This is her book, and you can get it on Amazon HERE!














Here are some examples of her work that she's taking to a convention this weekend:














Here's a nice close up of one of the prints while on her computer:














If you were at my Book Release Party this past October you had the honor of meeting my loverly blue-haired, UK, lady. And if you follow me on Twitter I tend to RT her costumes and drawings a lot.

And before you ask, no, I do not have an offer from a publisher on this project...but once we have the first section of the book done, you can be sure we'll begin to shop it around. *Fingers Crossed*

Now, you may be asking, "Why not Living Dead Girl?" That's a good question. It comes down to the fact that LDG already has a platform, in print, with Eirelander Publishing. They own that story right now and even if they didn't, Moon Over Manhattan has a bit more punch...literally. More fighting (can you say sword and gun fight in Central Park to open it off with?), fewer characters, fewer locations, fewer perspectives (only two in this book), and a kick ass female character (Denika) that my Beta Readers say is one of their favorite female character they've ever read. She's based on a mix of three people: Me, my longest best-gal-pal (20 yrs) Angie, and some of my bestie in NYC, Lauren (who modeled for Denika), thrown in.

Ana will get to have fun drawing goth/industrial clothing & body art, goth/industrial clubs, sword fights, and NYC in all its glory...as well as those cool yet flawed characters. Characters who fight to figure out their own life while they save NYC from those who wish to start another war within the Clandestine World in 2010, a year after the LDG Series concludes.

So stay tuned for more news and samples of the work Ana and I will post here and on HER BLOG. You can also follow her on Twitter: @anacatris if you want faster updates to the project and other things she's working on.

Cheers!

Tamsin, out. ;)

One of my fave candid shots of me and Ana at my book release party (with Lauren as well in her long dark wig):

Writers Like to Eat

Have you noticed that?

We write, we munch, we write, we get up to get something from the fridge, we write some more...etc.etc.etc. At my Writers Group we almost always have something to pass, at our Write-Ins we bring food or we write somewhere where they sell it, and at our social gatherings...food is around also. And its good stuff! Our gal Marsha can bake! :)

Most writers also consume MUCH caffeine. WAIT! I'm not going to say DON'T drink it! If you need caffeine, by all means, drink it! I don't drink it often because I have a slight alergy to it (*waves away the sorrowful condolences*). I know, I know, it sounds like the end of the world to some of you, but I'm fine. If I'm not drinking tea I live on Orange flavored Crystal Light, Orange flavored Vitamin Water Zero, and Diet Sunkist. Do you seeing the pattern there? I have an addiction to Orange vs. Caffeine. Meh. It is what it is. And yes, Sunkinst has caffeine, as does my tea...so I can have only have one OR the other in a day. Not both. I tend to opt for the tea if its winter and the soda if its summer.

Anyway...moving on...

I'm here to talk about food. I just got side tracked there for a moment. Forgive my ADHD.

Over the summer I was getting my first book ready for publishing AND I broke my hand. Between the writing munchies and no exercise due to my hand I put on a bit of weight. Ten pounds to be exact. So now I'm doing WEIGHT WATCHERS. I'm even going to meetings. I need the accountability. Someone who looks at that scale with me and says, "You lost" or "You gained." In three weeks I've lost 4.6 lbs, btw. Yay me!

Now, because the new Points Plus plan has FREE foods I've found I truly am eating more fruit. Veggies were always free of points, but fruit? That's new. So, for instance, one of my late afternoon snack options (that I'm eating right now) is a banana and 1 Tbs of reduced fat peanut butter. Since the banana has NO points I just have to count the peanut butter. It used to be a serving of chips or a 100 calorie bag of something sweet.

Because of these better choices I've been making I don't get what I call the Blood Sugar Droops. You know, where you suddenly can't keep your eyes open and your head droops as you sit at the computer? You know what I mean, right? I'm not the only one, am I? O_O

My point is, I'm appreciating this lack of the droops. I hate becoming non-productive. Don't you? So, as I'm on this journey to lose those 10 lbs and another 10 for the health of it...I'm going to toss up any cool food ideas to you writers on here...to give you great ideas to snack on when you write.

Cause we writers like to eat. And we shouldn't have to stop.

xo

Tamsin :)