When you hear the name Fiona McIntosh, you know you are in for one awesome ride and in Royal Exile (Book One in the Valisar Trilogy, she didn't disappoint. From the first line of the prologue to the promise of another book at the end, this new trilogy opens with a great battle that inspires hatred and sympathy. Like all good stories, we are weaved into the fabric of the lives of a lost king in search of his kingdom, his love interest, and a cast of other characters that you not only love to have, but also hate to love.
I am not a big epic fantasy reader, though I have read many of the big names in the genre including Jordan and Goodkind. The reason I recommend this book is that it has all the elements of an epic, without the enormous page length that a lot of those books tend to be. For me, with kids and life getting in the way, I love a good rich story that can be read and enjoyed within a few days. This is one of those wonderful books.
I would definitely recommend this book to epic fans and fantasy readers alike. It had good adventure, great action, and a twisting plot that left you salivating for the next. Royal Exile is a book great for a long winter's night spent indoors by a fire. So, step into the land of where a lost king sets out to find his kingdom and begins an adventure that will change his life and the world around him forever.

Miracles Still happen

Well, a small tornado hit our apartment complex and we didn't even get a warning. I thank God that it wasn't bigger. Scary as it was, my kids and hubby was upstairs and if it had been a big one, well, you don't need to be told as to what could have happened. Thankfully, we are all fine. We had some damage, a fence broken and a few holes in a couple buildings, but no one was hurt. For anyone not familiar with a tornado, it sounds like the washer on a spin cycle and you are in the middle of it.

On a sadder note, Monday was also the day my ball python, Angel died. He was twelve and I had had him for over eleven years. He will be missed.

With Christmas coming closer and closer, I figured I would do a few holiday book reviews to get people into the season. I love reading holiday books doing the month of December and one of my favs to read with my kids is the Legend of Holly Claus. It is a very cute story from the heart of a little boy who asks Santa what he wants for Christmas.

Born to the Clauses is their little girl, Holly, who becomes cursed with a heart surrounded by ice and forced to live her life very alone. With her friends a beautiful white wolf, a snowy owl, an Arctic fox and a cute little penguin, she begins a journey of love and excitement meant to warm the heart and ignite the soul.

My seven year old loves this book. It is well written with adorable and memorable characters that filled page after page with an enchanting princess story. Animal lovers will enjoy her companions as they travel along side, helping her and protecting her as the evil wizard tries hard to own her heart.

I recommend this to those who love Christmas and those with children who love to be read to. it is a nice size book with some beautiful pictures and easy to read dialogue. It is a welcome add to any one's collection.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING !!!!!!!!

Wishing you and yours a warm and food filled holiday!

From your friend at rabid hotdog.....

Cast of Characters Review

If you have ever read anything by Max Lucado, you will already know the man can write. He puts those hard to understand Biblical Principles into easy bite able pieces. One of my favorites by him is No Wonder They Call Him Savior, which gives a whole new look into our Savior, Jesus Christ. In Cast of Characters, he shows just how Human the heroes of the Bible really were.

Those familiar with his books will recognize stories like Peter, who even after denying Christ was told at the tomb he had been forgiven or Thomas, the man who doubted, but was one of the greatest men of God to have lived.

There are also new stories such as Moses, a fugitive on the run for killing a man, but was good enough to lead God's people from captivity or Matthew, a tax collector (imagine being friends with an IRS man) who became one of Jesus' posse. Ordinary men, who God found extraordinary...

Ever since I read my first book by Max, I fell in love with his storyteller style and fun sense of humor. He relates to the family with stories of his two daughters and wonderful wife and to the every day human with stories of hope in a world that tends to give up on it. Whether Cast f Characters is your first or just another one to add to your list, it will definitely not be your last. Pick it up and begin an adventure into the real life stories of God's chosen few.

Wall-E on Blu Ray

Well, we just purchased Disney's Wall-E on Blu Ray and have already watched it. LOL! My two year old is a BIG fan. The basic storyline is about a little robot named Wall-E, who is the only thing left on planet Earth, besides his faithful pet. The little robot reminds me of Short Circuit and ET with his best friend being a little roach who loves Twinkies. LOL!! His primary function is to clean up the Earth, but has become slightly human collecting things that he sees as special. Among them is an old VHS tape pf Hello Dolly, this being where he finds out what love is.

One fateful day a spaceship lands bringing with it a probe, which turns out to be the little robot's love interest, Eve. Thus, begins a romance and feel good story that will span the generations.

For those who have not yet seen Wall-E, it is a cute movie that not only teaches us a thing about love, but also about our desire to keep Earth clean. Yes, it has that environmental message, but it is one we all need to hear. My biggest thing about the movie is both little ones and big ones can enjoy Wall-E and his friends antics.

If you purchase the three disc blu ray, you will get the Digital copy for your computer. I like that feature because then when my hubby is playing or watching something on TV, the kids can still watch Wall-E. I also have Nightmare Before Christmas. Also on the DVD, is another short (the one with the magician and his rabbit is on there too and if you have not yet seen it, it is sooo cute) about a little robot named Burn-E. He would be the one that is stuck outside when Eve and Wall-E come in from their dance out in space.

If you have kids, love Disney, and just need a great movie to go with your popcorn, rent, buy, or even borrow this too cute little robot's story. You will not regret it.

Gears of War Aspho Fields Review

Marcus Fenix...Dominc Santiago....if these names are unfamiliar to you, then you probably have not played Gears of War on the Xbox 360. If that be the case, this book will introduce you to some memorable characters as well as a world plagued by war against humans as well as the creatures they call the Horde.

I was introduced to this game from Epic by my gamer hubby and have fell in love with the characters as well as the story. Liken a lot to Halo, Gears brings out a story line that is rich without taking away and this book just adds to the drama. Marcus is a loner who has been ignored by his very rich parents and is befriended by the brothers Santiago, Dom and Carlos. Knowing that his father will be disappointed, Marcus enlists in the COGs, Coalition of Ordered Governments, recognized by the COG tags on their necks.

This book takes place during the war against the Horde, but flashed back to the Pendulum Wars in which the battle for Aspho Fields takes place. Marcus has kept a secret from Dom that effects what happen to his brother and as things get heated in battle, the truth begins to emerge. Can their friendship survive?

I am always apprehensive with books like this. Though the game is awesome, I have learned that the movies and books lack the luster. This is not the case here. This books stays true to the story as well as the thrill of playing the game. I could hear the sounds of Lancer fire and the sound of the King Ravens overhead. So in short, if you are a fan of the game or just getting started, this book is a great read even for those who have never heard of Gears.

Dragons.....be they reptiles with wings or intelligent creatures of myth and legend, good books about them are gems that should be treasured. Eragon is one of those masterfully written wonders.
Open up to a fight over an egg, dark blue and gorgeous sent by magic to be found by a peasant boy looking to feed his family. Mix in the stories of an old man, of dragons that lit up the sky with their glorious fire and keep evil at bay. Add the most beloved Saphira, sapphire dragon who becomes bounded to a young Eragon and thrown into an adventure that only dreams can contain....
Paolini has given us a masterpiece when it comes to a classic novel, spinning a tale that even Tolkein and Lewis would be proud of. Do not base this book on what you have seen in the movie. It is not a book for younger kids. Violent and sometimes a bit disturbing, either read it first or make sure your child is okay with images like that. If you have read Harry, then this is about as dark and scary.

Relic Review

Take one part Jurassic Park, then add a bit of the scientific fun of the Fly, and finally, throw in a killer cast of odd characters that will have you longing for just another slice of "edge of your step while holding on to the book for dear life" pie. Enter Relic, the novel who introduces us to a cast of characters that have carried us through several more novels and I hope will continue as the years go by. Many may recognize this title from a movie that came out a little after the book was written, but besides a few bits in the story line, that is all they have in common. Set in the beautiful New York Museum of History (the movie was set in Chicago), the novel begins with the opening of the Gala event where Margo Green, a graduate student and her professor, Dr. Frock are preparing samples and idols for the museum's superstitions gallery. All is suddenly put on hold when a dead body is found mutilated with no head and the police come in to figure out who done it. Among these officers is Lt. D'Agosta, a seasoned cop with a love for finding his man. The one character the movie left out that is sooo important to the books is FBI agent, Pendergast. He is as secretive and mysterious as the nature of the murders that begin happening around the museum. And yes, there is a creature. For those who love horror and just a really good keep you up all night novel, this one is for you. Watch out though, because it will get you hooked into a world that these two creative geniuses have spun. So open the door to the Museum...good luck getting back...