Review: In the Shadow of Blackbirds

Summary (from Goodreads): In 1918, the world seems on the verge of apocalypse. Americans roam the streets in gauze masks to ward off the deadly Spanish influenza, and the government ships young men to the front lines of a brutal war, creating an atmosphere of fear and confusion. Sixteen-year-old Mary Shelley Black watches as desperate mourners flock to séances and spirit photographers for comfort, but she herself has never believed in ghosts. During her bleakest moment, however, she’s forced to rethink her entire way of looking at life and death, for her first love—a boy who died in battle—returns in spirit form. But what does he want from her? 

Featuring haunting archival early-twentieth-century photographs, this is a tense, romantic story set in a past that is eerily like our own time.

Review: One of the best horror books I've read, In the Shadow of Blackbirds blew me away. Well written, Winters pulls readers in perfectly-- and keeps them captured so blissfully until the last page. Accompanying the superb writing are chilling real photos from the time, the white masks enhancing the terror of the Spanish flu. With fantastic characters, haunting photos, a perfectly executed plot, and so much more, readers will have delicious chills well after the last page is finished.

Thank you Amulet Books & NetGalley for providing me with a lovely ARC. 

Release Date: April 2, 2013 -- pre-order your book below!

Formats: hardcover

Senator Recommends:

A Real Runner

I've been sitting on this for a while. The week has passed, the heat has gone and been replaced with cool, sunny weather. The answer to, "What makes a real runner?" still evades me slightly.

I think the answer is different for everyone. And I still don't feel like a real runner because I haven't even completed a third week in a row (yet). For me, the feeling of being a real runner is, like everything else, about consistency. It doesn't matter how many miles I've logged, or how many races I've signed up for and completed... it's about the pattern of consistant, everyday self-care.

Thanks sportsclipart.com for the free use image

It's also about encouragement.

I was in a particular funk running one day and disgruntled about the monotony of my surroundings... missing the hills, suburbia, and green of my hometown -- really not liking city life, essentially. All while this was happening, my mental thoughts just trailing downward, I happened upon a nice little stretch of "suburbia" without many cars, and more friendly pedestrians.

Jogging towards me was a woman dressed in neon pink and black, her posture and stride clear to anyone that this was just another jog. Another day to do what she loved. And me, shyly looking at the ground, then up at her, puffing out as I start the running portion of my workout, hobbling ungracefully towards her. And yet, she smiled. Her smile was wide, inviting, encouraging without saying a word.

That to me makes a real runner.

She had no judgements towards me. She, a fit veteran, was inviting me into a not-so-secret club. She gave the impression that she loved what she did -- run -- and wanted anyone who wanted to try, to join in. It didn't matter I was no where near to her athletic ability, or stylish ensemble (which, oh my gosh I could drool over so many cute athletic gear), I was still a runner in her eyes.

Which helps me see that too.

Happy Running, 

Senator

Weekly Round-Up #3

1/21/13-1/27/13

Nothing too special about this week -- relaxing, actually. Onward!

Weeks Without Meat
3

Days Without Dairy
1 (I've officially had an intolerance attack -- time to put my big girl panties on and accept my fate!)

Miles Walked / Run
Wednesday = 1.46 mi (5 min warm up / 1.5 min run + 1.5 min walk x4 / 1 min run + 1 min walk x2 / 5 min cool down)
Friday =  1.73 mi (5 min warm up / 1.5 min run + 1.5 min walk x4 / 1 min run + 1 min walk x2 / 5 min cool down)


TOTAL = 3.19 MILES                                          TOTAL FOR YEAR = 8.46 MILES


Book(s) Read
I'm slightly amazing myself with how much time I must spend on books, reading this much...

Kundalini Meditation: The Path to Personal Transformation and Creativity by Kathryn McKusker (still reading. Thank you Walkins Publishing & NetGalley for this opportunity!)

Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause (re-read, still enjoying)

The Storyteller's Daughter by Cameron Dokey (re-read and completed, review to come)

The 13th Sign by Kristin O'Donnell Tubb (unfinished, meh.)

Running Within: A Guide to the Body-Mind-Spirit Connection for Ultimate Training & Racing by Jerry Linch, Warren Scott (rough start, still reading)

In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters (read -- LOVE, review to come. Thank you Amulet Books & NetGalley for an advanced read!)

What were you up to this week?

Happy Living,

Senator

Book Trailer: Etiquette & Espionage

So perhaps I'm a tad behind the times, as this trailer came out yesterday (to my knowledge) but it was just too darling to pass up and share.

What are your thoughts? Are you a Carriger fan? Do you think you will be after this book?

Review: Splintered

Summary (from Goodreads): Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers—precisely the affliction that landed her mother in a mental hospital years before. This family curse stretches back to her ancestor Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Alyssa might be crazy, but she manages to keep it together. 

For now. 

When her mother’s mental health takes a turn for the worse, Alyssa learns that what she thought was fiction is based in terrifying reality. The real Wonderland is a place far darker and more twisted than Lewis Carroll ever let on. There, Alyssa must pass a series of tests, including draining an ocean of Alice’s tears, waking the slumbering tea party, and subduing a vicious bandersnatch, to fix Alice’s mistakes and save her family. She must also decide whom to trust: Jeb, her gorgeous best friend and secret crush, or the sexy but suspicious Morpheus, her guide through Wonderland, who may have dark motives of his own.

Review: A wonderful recreation and new twist on the old classics. Dark, fast-paced, and beautiful, Howard has gifted readers with a stellar story. Alyssa is one of a kind and the journey she takes to find the truth of herself and save her family in Wonderland is truly unique. The re-imagined characters from Carroll's novels are so vivid and different that they entertain when the mystery is long gone. The ending, I felt, could use a little work. Much like an abrupt plane landing, Splintered flew high and dazzled, only to leave me disoriented and blinking to find my thoughts. Still quite enjoyable and would recommend to those who love adventure and fantasy.

Thank you Amulet Books for providing Bookstar, Studio City with a lovely ARC

Formats: e-book, hardcover

Senator Recommends:

Review: Millie's Fling

Summary (from Barnes & Noble): He's the best thing that ever happened to her. He's also the worst. He's Millie's Fling.

From one of the premiere contemporary authors in the UK, here is a fun and romantic tale that proves the road to matchmaking hilarity is paved with good intentions.

Bestselling novelist Orla Hart owes her life to her friend Millie Brady, whose rotten boyfriend has just left her. So Orla invites Millie to Cornwall, where Millie looks forward to a summer without any dating whatsoever. But Orla envisions Millie as the heroine of her next novel and decides to find Millie the man of her dreams. Except the two women have drastically different ideas about what kind of guy that should be.

With Orla and Millie working at cross-purposes, and a dashing but bewildered hero stuck in the middle, the summer will turn out to be unforgettable for all concerned... 

Review: Millie's Fling is the perfect antidote to any unpleasant day or week or if you just need a laugh. Mansell write sharp characters with just enough self-deprecation that any chick-lit fluff feels natural, like that bubble bath you desperately want and can have -- AFTER you've done the hard work of the day. Well written and riddled with laughter inducing moments, Millie's Fling is the perfect read for lounging in the summer sand and sun... even if it's just to pretend you are.


Formats: e-book, paperback

Senator Recommends:

Weekly Round-Up #2

1/14/13-1/20/13

For more inspiring photos and quotes visit
Active Happiness on Facebook

This week has been most illuminating, if not supremely taxing on my emotions. Oddly enough I made a LOT of advancements in my life and deep cleaning AND still keep a vague appearance of keeping it together. I couldn't have done it without my friends and my family, either. Thank you, if you're reading this. You guys mean more to me that I can express!

Days Without Meat
14

Days Without Dairy
0 (I've cut out most dairy though, especially cheese, for the last 3 days -- now to give up those trace amount of butter or milk IN the things I buy!)


Miles Walked / Run
Monday = 1.38 mi (5 min warm up / 1 min run + 1.5 min walk x6 / 5 min cool down)
Wednesday = 1.7 mi (5 min warm up / 1 min run + 1.5 min walk x8 / 5 min cool down)
Friday = 2.19 mi (5 min warm up / 1 min run + 1.5 min walk x8 / 10+ min cool down)

TOTAL = 5.27 MILES                 TOTAL FOR YEAR = 5.27 MILES


Book(s) Read
Fair warning, I was busy this week....

Valkyrie Rising by Ingrid Paulson (review can be found here)

Blameless by Gail Carriger (re-read and completed, just for fun)

Millie's Fling by Jill Mansel (re-read and completed, review to come)

Kundalini Meditation: The Path to Personal Transformation and Creativity by Kathryn McKusker (sill reading -- It's pretty amazing. Thank you NetGalley & Walkins for this opportunity!)

Splintered by A.G. Howard (completed, review coming soon. Thank you Amulet Books for providing Bookstar, Studio City with a lovely ARC)

Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause (re-read, still enjoying)

What are you grateful for this week?

Happy Living,

Senator