Merry Christmas Everyone!

 

ONE AND ALL!

 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.- John 3:16

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Description:

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, Tris also learns that her secret might help her save the ones she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

My Opinion:

My. Oh. My.
This was an extremely captivating book and had me hooked from the very beginning. I have never read anything like it! The thought of everyone in our society being broken up into 5 factions that they would devote their lives to outstands me. I had heard about the concept of this book, but never really cared or thought it was that important until I dived in.

"Faction before Blood."- That is what everyone lived by. In their society, the families were not the most important thing. They were to obey, respect, and breath their faction. Nothing and no one else really mattered. So, for someone at the age of 16 to change factions was basically betrayal. Betrayal to their family, but more importantly, everyone they knew. This interested me because our society is definitely not like that, always in my mind family has come first, but what would it be like if it were different?

Their society didn't used to be like that either, but after years of living in their kind of government it became a competition. Who had the best faction? Which would get the most new-initiates? 

This ultimately lead to control. Which faction had the most control? Power?

Then, on top of that is a whole other issue. The Divergents. I'm not going to go into that though because I don't want to give anything away. All I'm going top say is that it's pretty cool!

On another note this book was clean. No Sex, but it does mention the topic sometimes and their are some extreme make-out sessions. I would recommend this to older teens+, no one younger than 17.

P.S. You know you're into a book when you're walking through the grocery store and categorizing what factions people would be in based on what they are wearing. Apparently today I am Abnegation! :)

***Check out my last post***

My last post was a (male) character casting for a series called River of Time by Lisa Bergren. I casted 3 male characters based on what actors/celebs I thought could portray them if it was ever a movie! Click HERE to go to the post and check out some Hotties!

Also, click HERE to see my pinterest board for the book series!

Thank you for visiting, and Merry Christmas!!!

Fancy Friday- The River of Time series *MALE* character casting

SO, for this week I have decided to take a break from updates on the ABC show Once Upon a Time. I have recently decided on the three men I would choose to pick Marcello, Lord Greco, and Luca from the River of Time series by Lisa Bergren. If you have not read this series I HIGHLY recommend it! It is one of my favorites! Here is a little back ground summary of the first three books.

Book #1: Waterfall
 Most American teenagers want a vacation in Italy, but the Betarrini sisters have spent every summer of their lives among the romantic hills with their archaeologist parents. Stuck among the rubble of the medieval castles in rural Tuscany, on yet another hot, dusty archaeological site, Gabi and Lia are bored out of their minds...until Gabi places her hand atop a hand-print in an ancient tomb and finds herself in fourteenth-century Italy. And worse yet, in the middle of a fierce battle between knights of two opposing forces.

Suddenly Gabi's summer in Italy is much, much more interesting.

  Book #2: Cascade
Gabi knows she’s left her heart in the fourteenth century and she persuades Lia to help her to return, even though they know doing so will risk their very lives. When they arrive, weeks have passed and all of Siena longs to celebrate the heroines who turned the tide in the battle against Florence—while the Florentines will go to great lengths to see them dead.
But Marcello patiently awaits, and Gabi must decide if she’s willing to leave her family behind for good in order to give her heart to him forever.

  Book #3: Torrent

Gabi and Lia Betarrini have learned to control their time travel, and they return from medieval Italy to save their father from his tragic death in modern times.

But love calls across the centuries, and the girls are determined to return forever—even though they know the Black Plague is advancing across Europe, claiming the lives of one-third of the population. In the suspenseful third book of the River of Time series, every decision is about life … and death.

Cast:

Marcello Forelli aka Henry Cavill

   

***Bonus***

Here's some pictures of how I picture him as Marcello. (same person)

 

I have recently discovered Henry Cavill and right away I fell in love with the way he looks. *Swoon* He is gorgeous! After I found these pictures of him from a movie he played in a few years ago I knew that, in my book, he was perfect for Marcello! He is almost exactly like how I pictured him and his voice is nice and deep too! I have seen him in a few movies, he plays: Superman from Man of Steel (2013), Albert Mondego from The Count of Monte Cristo (2002), and Theseus from Immortals (2011). He is a really good actor!

Lord Greco aka Justice Joslin

 

This guy, I don't know much about. I know he is a model, not an actor. I came across him one day on pinterest and in my head he would play a good part for Lord Greco. At least looks wise. I knew that whoever I picked for Greco had to be able to compete looks/brawn wise with Marcello, and this guy looks pretty big as well.

Luca Forelli aka Bradley James

 

Bradley James is a British actor and is best known for his role as King Arthur in the television show Merlin on BBC. I have not seen every episode but I have completely watches the first 4 seasons. It is a pretty interesting show and it brings Bradley's acting to its full potential. He is quite the character on the show and has a funny personality that I believe would fit the part of Luca very well. 

***NOW I NEED YOUR HELP!***

If you have read the River of Times series by Lisa Bergren I would be so happy if you would help me find women to play the roles of Gabi, Lia, and Alessandra. I have been having such an extremely hard time finding women who I believe would be right for the roles. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE! I am thinking about giving away a book, probably The Frontiersman's Daughter by Laura Frantz, if someone impresses me enough with their character choice... so, keep that in mind. I would give away one from this series, but sadly I don't own any of them, and if I did I wouldn't be able to get myself to give them away. If I do giveaway a book it will be for U.S. ONLY!

***IMPORTANT NEWS***

Keep an eye out for the cover reveal of the last book in the series, Deluge! Lisa has mentioned that it should be done soon, and she might even reveal it on Christmas! EEP!

***FOLLOW ME ON PINTEREST***

I have a board on pinterest dedicated to The River of Times series and it is still growing. As of now it has close to 200 pins!!! I would love for you to check it out! :)

Click HERE to view it!

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Roses have Thorns by Sandra Byrd

Description:

 From the acclaimed author of To Die For comes a stirring novel told that sheds new light on Elizabeth I and her court. Sandra Byrd has attracted countless fans for evoking the complexity, grandeur, and brutality of the Tudor period. In her latest tour de force, she poses the question: What happens when serving a queen may cost you your marriage—or your life?

In 1565, seventeen-year-old Elin von Snakenborg leaves Sweden on a treacherous journey to England. Her fiance has fallen in love with her sister and her dowry money has been gambled away, but ahead of her lies an adventure that will take her to the dizzying heights of Tudor power. Transformed through marriage into Helena, the Marchioness of Northampton, she becomes the highest-ranking woman in Elizabeth’s circle. But in a court that is surrounded by Catholic enemies who plot the queen’s downfall, Helena is forced to choose between an unyielding monarch and the husband she’s not sure she can trust—a choice that will provoke catastrophic consequences.

Vividly conjuring the years leading up to the beheading of Mary Queen of Scots, Roses Have Thorns is a brilliant exploration of treason, both to the realm and to the heart.

My Opinion:

Wow. I knew this was going to be an emotional book because the first two were, but this is the first book out of the series which I experienced over 20-25 years of the Heroine's life. Throughout, she had amazing ups and devastating downs.

I don't know if I could be in a Queens service for so long, or at least I wouldn't feel as loyal and devoted as these kind hearted heroine's were. Helena was almost willing to risk anything for her Queen. Even though I knew it hurt her to do so, she was willing to put just about anything on the line for her new Queen and country. A lot of the times I thought she risked to much, but I suppose it's just the way things worked back then.

Working in Elizabeth's service for so long started to destroy even Helena's personal life with her family. She had no time for a Husband or raising children, but she had them anyway. She didn't even know she could trust her husband because she was never around to talk with him. Neither of them being there for each other lead to an estranged marriage where neither one of them knew if it would work out.

I learned from this that, if I ever do get married, I always need to make time for my husband. I also need to trust him and not be curious of what he is doing all hours of the day. I need to trust God that he will keep us close, but I also have to take action of my own and keep communication and love flowing through our marriage.

James 2:17

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

 

Fancy Friday- Emma Swan and Neal? Or Emma Swan and Captain Hook? ***SPOILERS***

***SPOILERS*** Read at your own risk!!!

Ooooooooo... Tough choice! This Fancy Friday is going to be really hard to not give a lot away about the show. IF you really want to know a lot about these characters then continue to read! IF not, then just skip to the bottom and see if you can answer my question. :)

Emma Swan starts out as a mystery. She's not from Storybrooke, but she is connected to the people living there in a very important way.

Emma Swan

Before the Curse:

Prince Charming and Snow White had a baby and they called her Emma. When Regina made the curse, Emma, along with everyone else, was not safe. Prince Charming and Snow White decided to send Emma to a land without magic, that way, someday she could save everyone and restore magic!
 

After the Curse:

Emma grows up throughout the United States- always moving because she is in foster care. When she is 18 she grows up to be a thief and meets a guy named Neal, who is also a thief. They become partners, and close friends in crime. Eventually, their relationship grows into more and they make some mistakes. Emma becomes pregnant and on one of their crime deals Neal ditches her. She goes to jail for 11 months and never sees him again. Did Neal have a reason for what he did?

Emma knows she's not ready to be a mother, and puts her baby into the foster system. About 11 years later a boy comes to her apartment- claiming to be her son.

Baelfire aka Neal Cassidy

Before the Curse:

Neal's real name was Baelfire growing up, and his father was Rumplestilskin. He was from the other world. He was a boy of honesty and integrity, always wanting to do the right thing. He didn't like that his father had a reputation of being a killer, so he made a plan for him and his father to go somewhere else. Somewhere without magic where no one would know who his father was. His father finally agreed to leave, but when it came time to do so, chickened out. Baelfire ended up on Earth, without a dad. Many more things happen, but I won't go into detail. I will only say that something happened to him that changed exactly how he valued life.

After the Curse:

If you read what I wrote in his 'Before the Curse' you know that Neal has a very shady past. He ended up meeting Emma and they formed a relationship. He got her pregnant and planned on staying with her forever. But someone visited him and told him disturbing things about Emma's past that not even she knew. Something that pushed Neal away. He left her on one of their crime sprees, but he thought he had a reason- he thought he was protecting her.

Now, 11 years later. They are accidentally reunited through destined events, and Neal has NO plan to leave this time. He wants a new start, but will Emma give it to him?

Killian Jones aka Captain Hook

Before the Curse:

Killian Jones started as a soldier on a ship with his brother, the Captain. They were sent on a mission, by the King, to Neverland to find something that would help them defeat their country's enemies. While they were there, Killian's brother was killed almost instantly by what they were supposed to bring back. Killian was furious! Not only because his brother was dead, but because his King lied to them! The object was supposed to make the playing field even, not unfair for the other side.

Killian met Peter Pan who told him that there was a secret fountain that would save his brother, but all magic comes with a price- His brother could NEVER leave Neverland. Killian got water at the fountain for his brother and saved him, but he did not heed Peter Pans words. On their way back home, Killian's brother died a second time. 

Killian was furious at the crown, and now as Captain he petitioned the whole crew to rebel and become pirates- to live a life in defiance. In his new life, Killian met a woman named Milah and fell in love with her. However, she was already married. She left her first husband to go with him. About a year later, her husband found them and cut one of Killian's hand's off and killed Milah. Killian was heartbroken and in his NEW state he vowed to get revenge on Milah's first husband- Rumplestilskin. That is the day he took to being called his new name- Hook.

After the Curse:

Some people were not affected by the curse. Regina's mother, Cora figured out a spell that would shield a certain amount of land from the curse. Hook was allies with Cora at the time and therefore was protected by the curse. He did not end up in Storybrooke, and he did not lose his memories. He also never lost his desire for revenge.

28 years after the curse took affect, Hook and Cora find a way to Earth. While on his mission to find and kill Rumplestilskin, he met Emma. At first they are enemies, but then in a fight against Peter Pan they become reluctant allies. Hook begins to have feelings for Emma. However, their is one thing in the way- Neal, who is back in Emma's life.

Which one do you prefer?

Neal and Emma?

or Hook and Emma?

Leave a comment!

Which SHIP (team) are you? Personally, as of now, I want Neal and Emma together. I believe he deserves a second chance and he has shown no reason not to get one. Sure, I like Hook, but give Neal a second chance Emma! PLEASE!

Julie Lessman *CONTEST* Get a character named after you in her next book!!!

Julie Lessman is throwing an AWESOME contest where you can have one of her characters named after you in her next book! I don't know about all of you, but I find that to be a HUGE honor! Here is the information you will need if you are interested:

FYI- On Wednesday, Dec 4th. Julie Lessman's book Love at Any Cost will be FREE to Download!

Click HERE to go to her latest post. Then go straight to the bottom to see the information/rafflecopter!!!

 

*** This video is VERY IMPORTANT in the contest! Watch it and SHARE it!***

While you're there, stay for awhile! Look into her and the books she has written! Your time will not be wasted!