Tag: funny

Out of the Box Blogs

The Charley Davidson Series by Darynda Jones

Les

This is an amazing series! Kar and I love it. She introduced me to this series and I can’t get enough of it. I get so excited when we get a new novella or new book. I actually met Darynda Jones at the Romantic Times Convention 2015. She was really sweet and probably thought I was a weirdo, since I was holding my own autographed copy of Eighth Grave After Dark to my chest like someone would try to steal it. I got it at the convention before it was released, so I was reluctant to read it because I knew I would have to wait so long for my next fix of Charley and Reyes.

For those of you who have not had the pleasure of meeting Charley yet, allow me to give you a little taste of what this series is about.

Charley Davidson is the grim reaper, and she is a crazy, caffeine addicted, witty, crazily bold girl. Her job is to help people cross over into the other side, Unfortunately sometimes they aren’t ready to go, or don’t believe they are dead. She is also a Private investigator, because she is in contact with the dead she can solve cases easier than by typical means. She has sidekicks that are funny and witty as well, as they have to be because Charley keeps everyone on their toes.

Enter big black, who is  probably the only incorporeal being Charley is afraid of even though he has saved her life before.I can’t reveal who it is, well because you know me I have to leave you hanging. Enter crazy stepmoms, sisters, uncles, and dead perverts and you have a well rounded story that will have you laughing and wanting more.

For those who have read this series, how excited are you for the new novella Brighter than the Sun?

So if you want to check out this series I will list the first three for you.

First Grave on the Right

Second Grave on the Left

Third Grave Dead Ahead

Go ahead pick it up, I don’t know how anyone could be disappointed in this series.

Peace out,

Les

Books, Out of the Box Blogs, Reviews

What’s too far in fantasy books?

Karen

I follow a few different fantasy and urban fantasy series and in the last year I’ve noticed an unfortunate trend, authors going too big with they’re characters and story lines. You see the beautiful thing to me about fantasy is that it can be anywhere and be about anything. So how does an author go too big? These are the things that have been series killers for me:

  1. Over complicated story lines. There is nothing quite like finding out that a great book you read is going to become a series. But when you get into books 3 and 4 and suddenly they completely change the story line or make the plot so complicated it’s ridiculous that’s frustrating to me as a reader. Listen if you, as an author, don’t want to write it anymore or just creativity can’t, then don’t. I know, I know, your saying but if it’s in the series you get guaranteed 5 stars from fans or maybe even you’re under contract. Think about this though what if I have someone read book four first then try to go back and read book one? Would they be confused with the stories even connecting? Sometimes you don’t even have the same characters. If you find that to be true then I’m probably going to stop reading your series.
  2. Unbelievable characters. Again this is fantasy, keep in mind readers do accept unbelievable things in fantasy. Want wings to suddenly pop out of your characters back? A-okay! But when the same character also breathes fires, is invincible and can be chopped in half by a sword and come back to life, come on. The worst is when they are horrible people treating everyone around them terribly why they themselves cry about being forgiven for every minor infraction. The result? Everyone loves them or wants to be them. I just threw up a little in my mouth. Honestly I’ve never wished for so many characters to die at the end of they’re books! But how, they’re invincible!
  3. Long, drawn out books. They’re are books I read that I never want to end, and in fantasy world building takes time so I get that some books will be a bit longer than others. But if the first book was 300 pages, with all the character intros and world building, and the new book is 800 pages some editing maybe required. There is an art in being able to tell a story in 300-400 pages and I appreciate those who do.
  4. Character addition. Stories will grow and with that characters are going to be added, I get that and support it. But when each book adds 5-10 characters and very few are being taken away, I’m starting to lose track. The main character is constantly talking to all these people I can’t remember and honestly it makes me start to lose focus on the story. When that happens I start to lose interest in the series.

I’m not an author so I can’t imagine how hard it is to keep a story line alive but I am a reader and I just can’t take it! Something different make you crazy? Comment. Don’t like my list, make your own…

Books, Out of the Box Blogs, Reviews

The Duff by Kody Keplinger, do you think she sold out with the movie?

Les

First, sorry for my late post. Yesterday wasn’t a good day.

So let’s get started. This is one of my all time favorite books, I have read it more times than I can count. As it turns out I absolutely love Kody Keplinger. I read all of her books, except the young tween book she wrote.

Anyway, for those who haven’t read the book, Bianca is a senior in high school, and lives at home with her dad. She is smart, bitchy, and always negative. I do not like her. Enter my favorite character, Wesley, he is rich, smart, a man whore,and a loner. His parents are never home so he does what he wants. These two meet at a teen club, where Wesley wants Bianca to talk to him, so he can hook up with one of her two hot best friends. She tells him to go away, but he asks her to cooperate and not to be upset about being the “DUFF” (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) in her friendship. She throws drink, and boom she hates him. Oh! Did I mention Wesley is a jerk.

So life goes on she and Wesley  get paired on a class project and things get better and better from there.

Ok, the movie is a far cry from this book. Don’t get me wrong if I separate this book from the movie it is enjoyable. However, knowing that it was tied to this  book killed my dreams of seeing it played out on the big screen. The characters in the movie are nothing like the book characters. They only similarities between the two are the names of some of the characters. My opinion is that Kody didn’t fight for enough say in this movie. Her book is 4 to 5 star material, the movie 3 star at tops, and only if you don’t know it is tied to the book.

So if you have only seen the movie and not read the book, please do yourself a favor and read it! You will see what I am going on about.

So here is the question. Did Kody sell out? What other authors do you think sold out for a movie deal?

Peace out

Les

Out of the Box Blogs

Confessions of a former Tom Cat by Daisy Prescott

Les

This is an amazing Story! I loved it! The characters are written well and they are believable as real people. Tom and Idaho are awesome.

Ok, so this is a very funny story about Tom a tomcat (playboy) who has no plans to settle down, and only does one night. While he is upfront about it, he can be a jerk and the girls still eat it up (like me, I love jerks). Enter Idaho, who is engaged to a douche bag and has always been one of the guys. Then it gets interesting and crazy. This book had me laughing literally out loud. I am glad I took a chance on this book, that was recommended to me. This is one of those rare finds with characters you believe they are real, and you are right there with them. Go read this book! Take a chance on this one, you won’t regret it.

So, if you read any of my other posts, you know I will never go into great detail, because I want you to experience the book through your own perspective, not mine.