Violet Eyes - the real review

Well y'know how I said Violet Eyes was SO GOOD? I was mistaken. It's okay. I mean it, the ending of a book can really steer how a reader sees the entire piece. Not to be an expert on the matter, I mean I am still a writer in progress. As a matter of fact, I hope that my work is more than naught. But really, if you see things the way I do, you'll probably want to read the sequel, Silver Eyes. I do want to read it. But also, if you see things the way I do, you'll probably think to yourself, "Wow if this book made it through the publishing process, Beautiful Sun should have no problem being successful."

Now don't get me wrong. The first 6 chapters of the book is very addicting. She does have a good hook. But there are just certain things that never meet together, besides the few (truly just a few) randomly placed sentences. I do have to admit, the whole thing with Wendy and Angel spending the night together, and the short conversation at the end of chapter 1 fit very nicely (once you've gotten thru chapter 12 or 13 it finally makes sense). But come on! If someone was super-human, perfectly intelligent - perfectly, how could a mere human match in smarts, wit or logic? Sometimes that really made me sick in the read of this book. It was like reading about how Superman was beat down by Billy Blanks or Hulk Hogan. I mean, in his day Hulk Hogan could've beat down most average guys because he was trained y'know. But honestly, he would've been no match for superhuman (alien actually) Superman. Even in his prime. Well I had this type of thought reading through those last chapters. Especially since I couldn't see anywhere how Michelangelo had shown any extraordinary intelligence (or extraordinary anything else) during the story.

One other thing that began to get on my nerves and I had to leave siding with Angel for 2 seconds and I sided with Mike on this - who could you believe? There was a lot of story cover up and I began to wonder, how do you trust anyone? Everyone was lying or had a hidden motive. I didn't know who to really believe, which I admit, made the mystery of the book very enticing. Yet, it got to a point where you began to wonder why were they doing what they were doing? Why did they care? They could've just escaped.

Overall, I still think it was a good book in an okay sort of way. If you are willing to suspend your belief in several instances and hold tightly to the loveable characters they are introduced as in chapters 1-7, you'll get through the book fine. The story is very varied which helps things to never get dull. And if you like mystery, it'll be all the more entertaining for you. But just don't get too comfortable with how the book begins because the setting and atmosphere created disappears and there is a change in the type of story you are reading. Which if it was a movie, I think would've been great. The plot is very well put together but yes, there are places where it seemed like the author forgot to say something so perhaps she was like "oh I'll just drop this here". lol - sounds like something I am guilty of doing a lot in my book too... but then again maybe not! It's hard for me to judge. So why don't you judge for me? DOWNLOAD STORY HERE.

Violet Eyes was certainly good enough to spark some thoughts in my mind about Boy Craze’s plot. Last entry I decided that my book is a fairly simple read with a pointed plot. Book 2 though could vary and include several storylines or at least one more. But I wasn’t sure what to do and I wanted to do something with Shawn. But I need help! Comment and let me know of some plot that would involve Shawn Tanaze. Perhaps one of you would give me something to go on; something that may very well change Book 2 back to a Shawn story! So Comment Comment Comment.

If I've sparked your interest about Violet Eyes by Nicole Luiken, you can probably find it at your local library or check out SimonSaysKids.com

Pocket It - the mini sun

My husband is editing my book - could anything be more nerve-recking? Him editing it has of course lead me to begin editing it again O_O How many times can someone edit their book? After re-write and revision over the past 2 years, I still am finding things. Fortunately, it's small things. I really feel like I will never be satisfied with the book completely and will always find something. Also, I'd like to know how it stacks up with someone who knows grammar better than myself. (or is it "better than I?")



I'm also revising the book size since it's currently weird size. But it's soon-to-be POCKETsized. Pocketsize makes me think of games and toys you can keep in your pocket like Polly Pocket. How cute and cool that idea was, and Digipets! Did any of you guys have this? They were so cute and cool. I think they were also known as Giga pets? I had 2 I think and I remember one weekend I got to pet-sit for a friend. I remember seeing people at school with 2 or 3 of them and they'd have them clipped on their bookbags or belt rings.

Crazy how things like this get popular then fall away

Unfortunately they fell out of popularity quick. But not pocket size books! I love reading paperbacks that are pocket sized and that's what I imagined for Beautiful Sun, except for the whole graphics and drawings. Now, that makes it harder because then I start thinking manga graphic novel and those aren't quite the standard pocket size. Anyway, I'm not sure how they'll work anyway since I didn't get the fullness of those art projects - NOT that I'm complaining. I'm super thankful to God and Vashti for her help. I think we both had the wrong notion going in and we both found out that it wasn't quite as we thought it'd be. But I also thought how fabulous it would be to offer all the art pieces in like a special edition book or later in a Beautiful Sun artbook! Wow, if I could get that going it'd be so good ^___^ I love artbooks for series I follow. But that's all in the Lord's hands.



Oh and while I'm thinking about it... was Pokemon before those Gigapets? I mean even over in Japan? That would be weird if it came after. But yea I guess Pokemon would fit into my pocketsized conversation here. sadly tho, since i don't like pocket monsters. but it's interesting how many things are going pocketsized still.. like cellphones are smaller and smaller and now they have mp3 players/podcasts and whole computers that fit in the palm of your hand and fit inside your pocket! I think they may have gotten the ideas from books tho, what do you think?



Once this thing is uploaded for pocketsize, the page count will drastically change. Meaning that the cost will also change. It's sad but true, I don't think the book will be less than $8.00. I'm really hoping it won't get above $10 though, because honestly I don't think it's worth more than $10 a copy! It's just a book and I don't like to pay more than about $10 for a book. I just don't. I would hate to put that on you guys. Yet, it's the way Lulu works and for now they are the ones who is packaging the books, even though soon enough it'll be available on Amazon and other places, Lulu will still be packaging and producing the material you'll hold in your hands. The story you'll get from the material is what's mine.



Y'know I've also visited a lot of YA author sites, like Laurie Halse Anderson, Maureen Johnson, and Jo Whittemore and I feel like I need to upgrade mine. I think it's fine and all but I would like to get it a bit more... y'know BETTER lol. I haven't even started looking for layouts or anything. Does anyone have any suggestions? Layout sites, content thoughts, host recommendations? Please!!! I do need the help. If you don't help, Saffire will have an anxiety attack right there in your living room!