Rescued Series - Updates, Website!

Good morning everyone! I know, and I am sorry for not posting in a while. It has been a busy week or so, and I have been doing a lot of work on my review blog.

The reason for this post is simply to make you all aware of my upcoming plans for The Rescued Series (short stories). I have already made this announcement somewhere, but I am going to announce it again.

I am thinking about working to get this miniseries published. (Hold your horses! I'm not done yet.) And I would have all the stories in one BIG book, which would be called Rescued. The title is significant, you will see why later in the series. Yes, that is what I have been thinking. I have been listening to this cool pod-cast over the week, and it has been very helpful. Nothing set in stone . . . YET.

You all know that I have been working very hard to get the stories in the Rescued series going. Well, the other day, my creative mind decided to have a brain-fart, and I went and made a whole website, surrounding the series. There I will be posting updates, sneak peeks, and maybe even a few spoilers . . . *sinister grin* Yes, that is what I have done. If you would like to check it out, please CLICK HERE

You know that I go graphic(s) crazy when I am inspired. Well, I have just spent most of the morning making a book-jacket for the series, of what I envision it to look like, should it ever be published. Of course, it is JUST AN IDEA, because of permissions and all that, but yeah.

I am not quite solid about the description, but it is an IDEA.

Please feel free to comment your thoughts, and tell me what I can change, or anything! Those kinds of comments are always helpful to me.

Well, that is all for now. If you are a new reader, click my follow button. I update my blog weekly, if not three or four times a week. Be sure to check out the Rescued website, and my review blog (which has bee hopping, because I post a new review every few days, as well as book blitzes, book-blog tours). I will see you all next time. Ciao! God bless!

I might not be around for a while . . .

This week has been very busy. so much so, that I have rarely been on any of my blogs, or anything. This morning was a little slower, so I have been able to catch up. Do not be alarmed, I shall return later this week, and my schedule will be back to normal. 

Many thanks to everyone who has been reading and passing by my blog(s). Thank you, you're beautiful, and don't let anyone try to convince you otherwise. :)

Imagine . . .

Imagine you are having this conversation with a guy. He can be anyone (a guy best friend, a BF etc.). What would be going through your mind at that moment? How would you respond? Would you go? I made this a couple years ago, with intentions of making it into a short story. Which I never got around to doing, because I felt that I needed to have actually experienced it in order to write about it. But in truth, if this were an actual book, I would totally buy/read it. I like books like that. I think that is what I was aiming for, because I write stories that I want to read. I don't really look at the ratings/numbers. I just like to write, and I write to improve. Well, I hope you liked this little spark of inspo, I will see you next time!

The First Time I . . .

Be truthful! You know you only started read this post because of the title ;D LOL. Well, I just thought I would share what I am currently reading. My sister (you know who you are!) has owned Sophie Kinsella's Remember Me? book for a LONG time, and I decided to try and read it. . . Again. You see, the first time I read it, was when I was . . . sixteen, and I NEVER read books that were adult-themed. At that time in my life, every time the subject arose, I would drop the book and never go back to it again. The content made me uncomfortable, and I just felt it was better to stay away from it. Now, nearly five years later, I am running out of books to read. I don't want to re-read my 'middle-grade' books, and I want something new. I took a look at my sister's metal book shelf, and it was staring right at me. 'Might as well,' I said to myself, and I picked up the book. I asked my sister to loan it to me, and I am just passed the midway point. I do not remember anything about the from the first time I read it, so this has been quite the experience. And spoiler, I am relating to the main character's mother and her dogs! \o/ Dead serious! It's a nutty thought, but I totally relate to her. Anyways, back to the book. I will be posting my thoughts on this book (maybe) tomorrow, because I have not put the book down until now. Well, that is all for now. Happy reading!

It's That Time Again . . .

I just finished the final part of my short story (prequel) Believe, and I am starting the next short story. I was going to call it 'Found', but then I heard this song for the first time, and I realized it fit. Yes, I only just heard 'All Of Me' by John Legend, but I heard the cover by Collabro. I see the song as and audio version of what my new story is, and I already had the layout before hearing the song. So, with that in mind, I take my leave. New cover for the story, which is below. God bless you, and see you next time!

Sneak Peek At My Next Book Review!

 Last night I was at Costco with my parents, and a few siblings. While waiting for my parents to meet back up with us, we were reading some of the books. I was trying to see if there would be anything interesting for me to read, and have it in mind when I got home. 

This book was too good to put down, and I had the money on me. So I bought it, and I am really enjoying it. It has been a long time since I last read any thrillers. So, think of this post as a sneak peek at what is coming to my review blog this week (or whenever I finish reading, because I have not been able to read for longer than ten minutes). 

Who doesn't love a book about conspiracies and men in uniform? ;)

[This post will also be live HERE]

Imagine . . . A Game (Writing Inspiration)

Imagine you are reading one of your favorite books. You are so engrossed into it, that you are not noticing anything else, except for the words on the page. Suddenly, you realize that you forgot to check your social-media. You go through you normal routine, when you notice a DM (or a PM, IM etc.). You open it. You find a beautiful GIF of a rose blooming. What do you do?
Think about this for a moment. Think of it as a story in the making, and ask yourself these questions:

1) What is the character thinking?

2) What do you think should happen after the character opens the message?

3) Who is the message going to be from?

Comment below your ideas for this short story. Create it and share!

You are probably wondering why I am writing this post. Answer: I am very creative, and that is why I always NEED to have my notebook in my hand. I don't want to forget the great ideas that come to mind.
I am going to give you a challenge, (for you frequent readers). For the next few hours (or days, if you wish), carry a notebook and pen with you. Every time a new, great idea comes to you, write it down, and write down the place you came up with the idea.
I started doing that a long time ago, and it helps me to go to my "idea chamber". It works for me. Might work for you too. :)

See you next time!

Current Book Favorites

My favorite book(s) list has recently expanded. I did not exaggerate my love for the Cherry Hill series, by Ron Estrada, and I am not exaggerating when it comes to the recently added books. I was going to post this on my other blog, but the theme does not really involve much of a "review". Here goes . . .

The Infinite Books, by R. J. Larson

I had gotten a copy of Prophet on my Kindle app (like last Fall), and I had tried to start reading it several times. My life was quite busy, and I just could not sit still and read it for a time. I opened it yesterday, and was determined to read it. And, WOW! I was not disappointed. I felt it was worth the read, it left me wanting to keep going (which I cannot do because I do not have the 2nd and 3rd books yet). I so badly want to know what happens to Ela and Kien. I loved their characters, and the plot sucked me right in. And the covers! \o/ I love the artwork/photography used for the covers. The cover for Prophet is what called my attention to get the book in the first place (and the description, because I was looking for Christian themed books). Also, it had a pinch of romantic feel. What good book does not have a little romance in it? (I actually am planning to buy print copies of these books as soon as my dad pays me back the money he owes me. BookDepository has them for a good price and free shipping! Was not told to say that. That is coming from my soul.)

Speaking of Romance . . .

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
(Not the cover of my owned book)

I love this book. I have read it over a dozen times. It has never left my favorites list, but I never really gave it an official spot. Here is why: I have yet to read the unabridged version. The copy I have was an old library book, and it was abridged, shortened. Every time I read this book, I feel like I am transported to that era. I start speaking like them, I start using the big words. Everything. The story is so bittersweet and Jane, though "plain", is an ideal character role model. I don't know why. I admire her will-power. I love that, even though she was so little known to men, she was steadfast and faithful. Her whole heart was in the matter. 

Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare

I love the 2013 (movie) version of this play. Before watching the movie, I borrowed my sister's copy of the book, to become familiar with the story. Such a well loved, tragic romance. It made me wonder if Shakespeare wrote his plays, reflecting his life. I am not entirely familiar with the playwright, so my thoughts could be wrong.

Nicholas Sparks novels!

I only own three of Sparks' novels, but they definitely land a spot in my favorites list. I have said this before, and I will say it again. I saw the movies before reading the books, and I wish that I didn't. There were some details that I enjoyed in the book much more than I did in the films. I have yet to catch up on reading the books, because I have seen more than 3 of Sparks' movies.

Twelf Night (Or What You Will), by William Shakespeare

I read (like a mini) graphic novel of this play, and fell in love. Don't know why. I even cried at the end when brother and sister are reunited. I can kinda of relate to the reunion scene that takes place between the brother and sister characters. Probably because I was in a similar situation when I was a little girl, and being reunited with your brother is quite a . . . yeah, not going to get into it.

I have not read these books, nor do I possess a copy of them yet. I am just in love with the cover design, and the plot(s) intrigue me. I recently entered a writing contest to try and win a copy of Siren's Fury, and it's been a couple weeks since the entry deadline. I am on the edge of my seat! I just want to have these books to make my invisible book shelf look pretty. *shrugs* 

Great Expectation, by Charles Dickens

Do not ask me how I managed to read such a complicated book, but I did. And I enjoyed it. My mother gave me such a look a couple months ago, when she saw me with the book in the living room. Like Romeo and Juliet, I read the book to become familiar with the story before seeing the movie. (The one with Jeremy Irvine. . . *sighs*)  I actually prefer both of Dickens' endings. I do not feel for one over the other. Both endings were excellent. The film actually used the second ending, and it was well played.

So this has been my current book favorites. I recommend all of the books mentioned, except for the ones I have not read yet. BUT if you were to read other bloggers' reviews and recommendations on them, I am sure they are highly recommended. What are some of your current book favorites? Recommend some to me in the comments. I would like to see what you guys are reading.

(I am about to not act my age) *Bob the Tomato voice* God made you special, and He loves you very much! Bye!

  

New Bookstagram!

I have thought it over, and I have created myself a bookstagram! - https://instagram.com/haddies.haven/ - I figured it would be necessary, as long as I only posted everything related to books, writing, and my review blog(s). I don't know how often I would be able to post, considering I borrow my parents' phones to make the posts. But I am sure that there is an iPod Touch in my near future. Then I will be able to read all my Kindle books and post on instagram! I am planning a new book review this weekend. I do not know when I will get around to it, but I have already started to read the book. I am also trying to get an ARC for this book that will release in September. I hope to hear from that publisher/author this week. But that is if I am one of the bloggers chosen to receive it. If I don't receive it, that's okay. I still have 450+ books on my Kindle app I could review. 

Well, that is all for now. I will see you next time! Ciao!

My Dogs' New Den

I love my dogs, I love the puppies. My mom recently got fed up with the dogs living in our garage, and made them a temporary fence on the far side of the yard. They have been there for two mornings now, and it is kind of a bittersweet feeling. Because I would much rather have them in my bedroom, if I had one of my own (which I do not, at the present time). Okay, I can understand the feeling with Spike, who is just here as a favor to a friend of my dad. But Bella, Bruno and the puppies, they are family. Why must we "follow the norms" of dog housing.
We are supposed to be getting some dog training videos to watch, but the training my mom is looking for DOES NOT EXIST. Reason why? Because people have their dogs mainly IN their homes, not in a house in the yard. Its like, most people let their dog live inside, and are "let outside" when they need exercise or to do their stuff. I guess it takes the "noise" away. Call me lazy, but now that they are over on "that" side of the yard, I don't want to have to walk fifty feet to greet them.

Well, see you next time. Bye!

Favorites and Current Updates

Good morning! I apologize for not posting much in the last . . . 72 hours? I don't know, but a lot has been going on in the offline world. I thought I would just take the time to tell you guys what is going on and share some of my favorites lately.

Current favorite books series: The Cherry Hill Series by Ron Estrada. I did a review on the first two (2) books, and they are amazing! If you would like to read those, they can be found on my book review blog - http://haddieshavenblog.blogspot.com 

The next thing I would like to share with you is not sponsored. I just would like to share this with you. I am subscribed to a daily newsletter that sends me E-Book reading deals. Daily E-mails with ten (10) E-book offers of all kinds of books. I've been subscribed for a month now, and I have purchased nearly 400+ E-books! I started out with maybe 10-20 E-books in my Kindle app, and now my list is 450+. I limit the amount of E-book purchases I make because not all the offers are in my preferred genres. Some of these offers go from cook books, to basic "Writing for Dummies" titles (no lie). If you would like to subscribe to this newsletter, then go to this website. - http://www.readingdeals.com

I subscribed to that newsletter, in hopes of expanding my reading list, and to have content for my new review blog. I also was inspired to start that blog because I read a blog recently that was giving information on how to start such blogs. I stumbled onto that post, I don't know how I ended up there. Anyways, it got me thinking "You can do that. You've been blogging a while. You know how to read and write review; you did it in school."  I believe I have a button, from the blog I read on that subject, on my make-shift blog/website (can be found here - http://hadassahharper.wix.com/haddieshavenblog )
Well, that is all for now. I have to make lunch. God bless you, and I will see you all next time. Ciao!

Proud Big Sister

The joys of being a big sister. I cannot stress enough how proud I am of my brothers and sisters. I've shared this video before (I don't remember where) but never hurts to share it again. Also, Phil Wickham is one of my favorite Christian singers. 

REPOST POST

Now I Knew You by Ron Estrada
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is amazing!

A full review will be posted here - http://hadassahharper.wix.com/haddies...

Okay, so here are my precise thoughts about this book . . . I have never enjoyed a book this much! What intrigued me the most was that this story is Christ-centered, or Christian fiction. It is so eye-opening, funny, and heart warming. The characters are so vivid; I literally was seeing it as a movie in my head! (Directors and producers! You have got a winner right here!) This is book has several chapters posted on Wattpad.com, but I have a copy on my Kindle app.

Plot: Partially unpredictable. Every time I thought I would guess what would happen next, I got a curve-ball. The story was so well thought out. There were parts that reminded me of 'Heaven is for Real', by Todd Burpo. But that alright, because if I had not known about that book before reading this one, it would just confirm everything if I read it for the first time.

Characters: As previously stated, the characters were so vivid. You become fond of many characters as they are introduced, and each one of them leaves an impact, in their own ways. You feel their emotions; their pain, their gladness, everything.

I cannot say anything that I have not already said. This book is, WOW! I am so glad that I read it that I want to read it over and over. So do yourselves a favor and check this out!

View all my reviews

The Door Of Haddie's Haven Has Opened? o.O

Or here - http://haddieshavenblog.blogspot.com 

So, I have decided to start a blog, where I will be reviewing books that I read. Now, most of the books I will be reviewing are going to be the ones I already own. I know there are lots of reviewers who receive books from publishers in exchange for a review. I don't think I am that good anyway, so the books that I have right now work for me. They might be "out-dated" and not what everyone is reading right now, but I don't care. Someone once told me to work with what I already have, it is good enough. So, that's what I plan to do. I plan to review Wattpad books as well. I've already posted a couple reviews to get it started. (You can click the image above to see the "fancy blog" or the link to see the "simple blog". Either way, they are both the same blog.)

So, yeah, that is the dealio. I hope you are all well, see ya!

Cover Reveal - Nora and Kettle by Lauren Nicolle Taylor

Hello lovely readers! I am super excited for today's post. And you know why?

Because I will be posting the epilogue of 'Scarred Hearts', AND I am participating in this fabulous cover reveal, and is this not a beauty!!

Nora and Kettle

by Lauren Nicolle Taylor

Release Date: 02/29/16

Clean Teen Reads

Summary from Goodreads:

What if Peter Pan was a homeless kid just trying to survive, and Wendy flew away for a really good reason?

Seventeen-year-old Kettle has had his share of adversity. As an orphaned Japanese American struggling to make a life in the aftermath of an event in history not often referred to—the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II and the removal of children from orphanages for having “one drop of Japanese blood in them”—things are finally looking up. He has his hideout in an abandoned subway tunnel, a job, and his gang of Lost Boys.

Desperate to run away, the world outside her oppressive brownstone calls to naïve, eighteen-year-old Nora—the privileged daughter of a controlling and violent civil rights lawyer who is building a compensation case for the interned Japanese Americans. But she is trapped, enduring abuse to protect her younger sister Frankie and wishing on the stars every night for things to change.

For months, they've lived side by side, their paths crossing yet never meeting.But when Nora is nearly killed and her sister taken away, their worlds collide as Kettle, grief stricken at the loss of a friend, angrily pulls Nora from her window.

In her honeyed eyes, Kettle sees sadness and suffering. In his, Nora sees the chance to take to the window and fly away.

Set in 1953, NORA AND KETTLE explores the collision of two teenagers facing extraordinary hardship. Their meeting is inevitable, devastating, and ultimately healing. Their stories, a collection of events, are each on their own harmless. But together, one after the other, they change the world. 

About the Author

Lauren Nicolle Taylor lives in the lush Adelaide Hills. The daughter of a Malaysian nuclear physicist and an Australian scientist, she was expected to follow a science career path, attending Adelaide University and completing a Health Science degree with Honors in obstetrics and gynecology. 

She then worked in health research for a short time before having her first child. Due to their extensive health issues, Lauren spent her twenties as a full-time mother/carer to her three children. When her family life settled down, she turned to writing. 

She is a 2014 Kindle Book Awards Semi-finalist and a USA Best Book Awards Finalist.

Author Links:

   



Be sure to check out all of Lauren's social media, follow and share the love! I am looking forward to the release of this book. I will DEFINITELY be picking up a copy when it comes out.
Well, that is all for now. 'God made you special, and He loves you very much! Bye!'
(Totally repeating my childhood favorite - Veggie Tales)

Levi the puppy says 'Hello!'

I am just sitting here, writing the epilogue to 'Scarred Hearts', and one of the puppies was crying. I knew who it was. You see, Levi is a bit of a momma's boy, and all he wants is to know someone is there. Yes, his brothers and sisters are there, but he is looking for comfort. My mom would kill me if she knew I did this. But I had to let Levi sit in my lap. He's sleeping, and he's not crying anymore. :)

As I was saying, I am working on the epilogue for 'Scarred Hearts', and you guys are going to love it. The story, as I have previously mentioned, is entered in the Wattys2015, and it gave me the boost I hoped for to get the story finished. I do have a book trailer in the making, I am just waiting on the trailer maker to send me the link. I do know how to make book trailers, so if worse comes to worse, I will just do it myself. I was just lacking the inspo to do it myself (and my video editor was being a bugger). I love how this story turned out. I mean, I did start it, like, three years ago, and I had put it on the shelf (so to speak). Bringing it back out definitely has been quite an experience, and I am so glad that I did. There is a possibility that the epilogue will be posted tonight. That is I hope I post it tonight. I like to multi-task . . . Which is just a "fancy" word for "distracted". I am easily distracted. 

For instance, I am playing a game of chess (and winning) with my sister while writing this post. Yeah, I may be a bit of an amateur when it comes to the life of an author, and I might lack some focus. But hey! I get the job done.

Yeah, that is all for today. I hope you enjoy the epilogue when I post it, and see you next time! God bless! Ciao! 

14 Days = 2 Weeks

(I am writing this post on July 4th, but posting it July 5th)

It has officially been two weeks (Sunday) since the puppies were born. They are so cute, it is going to be so hard for me to let them go. I mean, yes, they will be with someone my family sees often, so they won't be with strangers. I just have a huge love for puppies, and dogs in general. Anyways, they will be going to their new home sometime in August, or even in September. This depends on when they are weaned. Most dog owners give away their puppies right when they start eating puppy food. But that actually interferes with their development and brain cells. (Yes, I did my research) I don't want to give away puppies that are under developed. Bella was actually slightly under developed. She had trouble learning and catching commands. She was two months old when we got her last year. People don't want a dog like that. They want a dog that is trainable. 

I am thinking that when I get a bit of $$, I should create a domain, and I should start getting into the book side of the net. I mean, everything I post is book related, with the exception of mentioning my dogs. SO yeah, I should make my YouTube channel book-related. BookTube, here I come! 

Thank you everyone who takes the time to read these blog posts. I appreciate it. 

I am still waiting to hear from PointlessBlog about his Vlogging Giveaway. I have commented a few times on that video, not that it would give me a greater chance of being chosen. He giving away three (3) vlogging cameras, along with an SD memory card (1 each) to help them start their channels. I would love to be one of those three. It would give me the boost I need to go with my channel.

Bump #1: The camera is the first bump in the road that is stopping me. (I mention this a lot) the camera I was planning to use, is actually my sister's, so it limits me to the time I can film and stuff. 

Bump #2: The other bump in the road is TIME. I mean, I have been able to make time to film, but then it just goes down the drain because of Bump #1.

Bump #3: the other bump is that I am the "go-to girl" in my house. Anytime someone needs something done, they come to me, because I get it done on the spot. (Which is not a bad thing. I like that they can rely on me).

Well, that is all for now. I think this is my longest post yet (or one of them). Thank you for stopping by. May God bless you in your whereabouts today. and I will see you next time. Happy Independence Day to America. Ciao!

STORY UPDATES

Hello! So here is an update on some of the stories I will be updating! 

The covers below are my new series of short stories, Rescued. You all know about "Saved", and a lot of my readers have been begging me to continue the story. I did try to make the story go longer, but it did not work out. But in my drafts I had saved a project that would make the story continue. I have already posted the first part of Believe, and I am nearly done with Part Two. ("Saved" and "Believe" are linked, so you can click them to go to the stories. Links for the other covers will be coming in a later post.)
So, yeah! What do you guys think? 
If you are not familiar with the story, click the cover for "Saved", and you will get my thought.  

 First in the Rescued Series I have always been the type to keep to myself. But there came a day when I couldn't take it any more, and did the one thing I never would've done. I accepted Christ into my life. "I tried to save him.....But in reality, Daniel saved me."

 SAVED PREQUEL (Rescued Series)

I've always watched her from afar, not because I liked her in any particular way. I just knew that she, one day, would meet Jesus and accept Him in her life. I did not know how God was working in her life, and I did not want to step in and mess with His plans. But if God sent me to step in, I would.

The following covers are not in any particular order, as of yet. I plan to work all those details out when I start writing them. I do believe that I will put "His Princess" and "Her Prince" at the end of the series. Because it just works in my head, and that is why they are kind of separated from the others. Comment below and tell me which story (title/cover) should go after "Believe". That is all for now! God bless you and see ya!