Wow. Just…wow.

The doorbell rang.

My stomach churned. It was about the time the UPS truck made the rounds, but I didn't want to get my hopes up. It wasn't supposed to come until tomorrow, anyway.

"Jessica!" Mom called. "It's for you!"

The package was from Amazon.

I felt a rush of excitement as I grabbed the scissors and tore the package from her hand. I still refused to think that it was it.

I opened it.

I screamed.

It's real.

100% real.

And I'm still in complete shock.

 

Happy Wednesday!

--Jess

P.S.
Only a little bit after I'd gotten my ARC, I think my sister realized how awesome writing books was, because she's picked up writing her novel again :)

AHHH!!!

Okay, so if you didn't see my post on Facebook, or didn't receive an email from me asking your opinion, then HERE'S THE NEWS.

I

GOT

MY

BOOK COVERS!

So, after running around the house, screaming "OH MY GOD… OH MY GOD…" then staring at my covers again, I had a choice to make.

There was a darker cover and a lighter cover, and I LOVED them both so much! I cannot describe how beautiful both of them were.

Honestly, I can't say how amazed I was with both of them. Both covers gave a beautiful face to my precious baby.

The first was definitely more sophisticated. I liked it better than the second, until I noticed a few details I hadn't seen before. And then, I was completely torn between both.

Believe me, it was the hardest choice EVER. People buy a book based on the cover, the title and the summary. So those three things had to be ACTPAP (as close to perfect as possible).

In the end, what made a difference was that the first, darker cover lost detail from farther away. So, I chose the colorful one.

Boom.

There you have it :)

Oh, in case you wanted to know, my new blog layout is based on the cover. So that should give you SOME idea as to what the cover looks like.

I just hope the rest of you love it as much as I do!

--Jess

P.S.
Now I just have to work on that dreadful back cover text…

P.P.S.
Also, I've been contemplating changing my URL so that my blog can be my website or something. Does anyone know if that would change who follows me? I know it would change for links, and stuff. Suggestions?

Mozart Under the Stars

First, some news.

I just cut out ten thousand words.

Like, I needed absolutely none of it.  I can't believe I actually wrote it all in the first place!  Besides making almost no sense at all, it was just plain embarrassing to read.  Sometimes I look at my writing and think to myself, "I actually wrote that!?"

So yeah, I'm feeling a little stunned.  I mean, it's not everyday you find ten thousand useless words.

Anyway, I had an awesome weekend!  We went to this amazing concert where we got to sit outside and have a picnic while we listened to the orchestra play Mozart songs.  It was absolutely beautiful!

Me and my siblings :)  Don't worry we're drinking ginger beer.

Concert playing at night.

The theater

We had a really great time, and it was so cool because when it got dark and we looked up at the sky, we could see all these stars and even caught a glimpse of what we thought was a satellite!

What'd you guys do over the weekend?

Happy Monday!

--Jess

King Arthur Book Review

Title:  King Arthur
Author:  Frank Thompson
Genre:  Fantasy/Historical Fiction

Summary:  King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table - and the chivalry, romance, heroism, and betrayal at the heart of the legendary tale - have gripped the imagination of the world for centuries.  In KING ARTHUR, young Arthur is given a seemingly impossible mission - to defeat a bloodthirsty Saxon conqueror and his army, a dozen times the size of Arthur's own.  Haunted by Merlin and tormented by the fact that his small band of knights has only a slim chance at survival, Arthur is determined to fulfill his duty to the Roman Empire, his family, and Great Britain.  In the midst of their mission, when Arthur and Lancelot, his greatest knight, rescue the exquisite Guinevere from captivity, the enchanting tale of the royal lovers begins.  KING ARTHUR is a story of catastrophic defeat, devastating victory and magical romance. -- (Goodreads)

Review:  I'll admit, at first I was confused.  When I think of King Arthur, I imagine a young, handsome boy pulling a sword from a stone.  I imagine battles with dragons and mythical creatures.  I imagine a hundred brave knights at a round table, dutifully serving Arthur, their righteous king.

Yet in the beginning, Arthur isn't a king.  He's merely a Roman knight who was taken from his family when he was a boy.  Taken to pay tribute to Rome, the conqueror of their country, Sarmatia.  While he's a commander, he fights many battles and becomes a legendary warrior.

During this time, he chooses one hundred knights to serve under his command.  And these knights join him at the round table.

At the time the story takes place, only seven knights remain of the original hundred and their fifteen-year terms of service for the Roman Empire have nearly come to an end.  But before they are released, they are sent on their final, dangerous mission.  A mission that will, when completed, either lead them to freedom or death.

Yes, I was confused, because this book differed from the actual story.

A few chapters in, I was finally clear with what was going on.  I realized that the tales of King Arthur we know were only 'tales' in this story as well.  I realized that this story was meant to be the real tale of the glorious king.

Don't let this minor confusion let you change your mind about this story, though.  This book is amazing.  No, it was much more than amazing.  Words cannot describe how much I loved this book.  It had me nodding, laughing, and on the verge of tears.  (I'm sure I would have cried, had my brother, sister and mom been somewhere else.  I don't cry in front of people.)

The story was so beautifully and wonderfully written.  There was a perfect balance between action, romance and comedy in the book.

You know those books that change you?  Those books that stick with you weeks, months, or even years after you've read them?  One of those books that you not only remember, but you want to own?  One you need to have in print and on your bookshelf to fully appreciate it?

Well then, you know how I feel about this book.  It's left me scarred for life, for better and for worse.

As soon as I get an Amazon Gift Card, I'm buying this book.

My Rating:  Five Stars.  If there wasn't a limit, I'd rate it an entire galaxy of stars.  This book is a must read.

Add it on:  Goodreads

Buy it on:  Amazon

Buy the:  Movie

Have a wonderful day!

--Jess