Book Tour (Review & Favorite Quotes) + Giveaway: Losing the Ice (Ice #2) by Jennifer Comeaux




Series: Ice #2
Release date: February 23rd 2015
Purchase: Amazon


Synopsis via Goodreads:
Courtney and Josh are in love and excited to finally compete as skating partners. When they take the ice for their first competition, they want to show everyone, especially Josh's family, they are the perfect pair.
But ice is slippery, and one misstep puts all their dreams in jeopardy. Now they must show each other both their love and their partnership are strong enough to survive.





I'm so lucky to have received Losing the Ice. The thing is, I absolutely adored Crossing the Ice and those six months were way to long to wait for th sequel. So getting it early was not only a pleasure but also a relief.

First off, Josh and Courtney were adorable as ever. It's hard to tell any more than that without spoilers, but I can disclose this much; their relationship changed. A lot. And it's not necessarily in an easy or positive way. However, in the end I was more than satisfied with how the difficulties morphed their romance into something more and, of course, the fluffiness just made. Me. Swooon.


The story was also exciting. Many bumps along the way and Ms Comeaux always sets the pacing so well. Both Crossing the Ice and Losing the Ice were unputdownable. Although, I did have one issue with Losing the Ice. While it was a great story, it felt more like a prequel. It was rather short and more or less revolving around the one main thread.

All in all, Losing the Ice didn't disappoint me. While I wish it had been a tad longer, I can't wait for the third book to come out. (Do we even have a title yet??)


Favorite Quotes:


"They made me want to run screaming into the hills." - Courtney

""If she starts giving you a hard time, we're out the door." "Then we should probably keep our coats on." - Josh and Courtney

"And you told me, 'You're not going to fall because I'll always protect you." - Stephanie

"What a gorgeous night." I tilted my head back to gaze at the sky full of twinkling light. "There must be a million stars out." - Courtney



About the Author
Jennifer Comeaux is a tax accountant by day, writer by night. There aren’t any ice rinks near her home in south Louisiana, but she’s a die-hard figure skating fan and loves to write stories of romance set in the world of competitive skating.
One of her favorite pastimes is traveling to competitions, where she can experience all the glitz and drama that inspire her writing. Jennifer loves to hear from readers!
jennifercomeaux.blogspot.com | TWITTER | FACEBOOK






Blog Tour: Shadow of Loss by Josefina Gutierrez












The Shadow of Loss
by Josefina Gutierrez
Release Date: 09/31/14

Summary from Goodreads:

Evelyn Gonzalez keeps losing people, which is always hard, but has she lost something much more? Has she lost her soul? Evelyn has a nervous breakdown and is institutionalized, after months of sorrow and pain she is thrust back into the world. The world of teenage angst and Calculus.

Can she trust people again? Especially after hurtful assumptions and judgments made her miss her junior year of high school. Evelyn is just trying to heal what she lost and graduate from high school.

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Buy Links:

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About the Author


Josefina Gutierrez is a Young Adult eBook author and a forever student currently working towards a Masters in Bicultural-Bilingual Studies at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Josefina writes Young Adult Multicultural, Sci-fi, and Fantasy literature in her free time when she’s not embarking on adventures with her son and gnomes Fitzgerald and Bartholomew.

Author Links:


WebsiteGoodreadsFacebook



EXCERPT:


Ever heard the expression it all went down in a pile of flames? Well shit, I didn’t think life was going to get all literal about it. Now I am quietly tucked away between four white walls and a twin bed, where I can touch opposing walls with my index fingers. I have been stuck with my thoughts in this box for months. I have been cut off from the outside world, because I went crazy. My own sister, locked me up, but I don’t blame her—I really don’t. Olive was trying to help me when everyone else abandoned me. She writes me letters every week. I guess it is another way to anchor me to the living. It’s not like I don’t see her on visiting days, but like she says, “Letters are better for communicating, they force you to realize what is important.”

“Miss Gonzalez, your sister has arrived. Please gather your personals and follow me,” the orderly tells me. She was nice, but firm. I’ve heard the opposite is usually true in these cases—so I was lucky. She introduced me to Stigmata.

“Yes ma’am,” I say and walk over to the desk. I was only allowed the basics. I was stripped of all the vital things that would keep me informed or busy. I grab my small travel bag and my copy of Stigmata, which is on loan. Stigmata did for me what others could not. Some might have chosen an entirely different genre or novel, but it was never a matter of deciding, I knew. Institutionalization was a no brainer.

I hand my personals to her and follow her to the front. I see her waiting for me. She was always the attractive one. She is pacing back and forth near the front desk. She doesn’t see me yet, but I wave anyway, hoping she can sense it. Her face looks swollen, she must have been crying. She also looks skinnier than our last visit. How is that possible? I saw her a few days ago. Tsk tsk, frozen dinners most likely.



GIVEAWAY:



Book Tour Organized by:

Book Tour (Review + Giveaway): The Book of Ivy (The Book of Ivy #1) by Amy Engel

The Book of Ivy (The Book of Ivy #1) by Amy Engel
Release Date: 11/04/14 by Entangled Teen

Summary from Goodreads:

After a brutal nuclear war, the United States was left decimated. A small group of survivors eventually banded together, but only after more conflict over which family would govern the new nation. The Westfalls lost. Fifty years later, peace and control are maintained by marrying the daughters of the losing side to the sons of the winning group in a yearly ritual.

This year, it is my turn.

My name is Ivy Westfall, and my mission is simple: to kill the president’s son—my soon-to-be husband—and restore the Westfall family to power.

But Bishop Lattimer is either a very skilled actor or he’s not the cruel, heartless boy my family warned me to expect. He might even be the one person in this world who truly understands me. But there is no escape from my fate. I am the only one who can restore the Westfall legacy.

Because Bishop must die. And I must be the one to kill him…

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Buy Links:

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Book Trailer:




REVIEW:

Over the past few months, I've had way too many awkward situations participating in book tours with reviews. Way. Too. Many. I didn't want to to the kind of blogger who only tosses up a promo post every single time they take part in a book tour (I have no qualms against promo posts, but you must see how convenient it looks to use them all the time), but ending up informing the organizer about the unfortunate affair of a three or lower stared book tour copy turned awkward quickly. I couldn't help, but commence considering whether book tours even worth it. Not this time, though. The Book of Ivy was so much more than I'd imagined!

It provides exactly what it claims to in the synopsis, but more. The dystopian world's building is rather intricate, setting up the perfect atmosphere to suck in the reader. It does make the book a tad slow, but I assure you, there're no wasted or excess parts here!

Ivy was a character I could seamlessly relate to. She was string and willful, however, that vulnerable side that can be found in everybody made her whole. Her struggles with who she was and what side she was supposed to be on, what would have been the right thing to do rendered her story even more realistic - and certainly more dramatic.

Bishop was ahhh ever so swoon-worthy. Typically my kind of book boyfriend - perceptive, smart, loyal, caring, but I'm sure almost anybody would find her at least attractive. I couldn't have adored their relationship more! The only con I can list is that the pages were dwindling way too fast and now there's a whole year of excruciating waiting ahead of us. It has a cliffhanger ending, - but even if it didn't - I NEED THE INSTALLMENT! At this very moment. (Please?) Still, it would have been a shame to miss it. It is a shame to miss it! ;)




About the Author


Amy Engel was born in Kansas and after a childhood spent bouncing between countries (Iran, Taiwan) and states (Kansas; California; Missouri; Washington, D.C.), she settled in Kansas City, Missouri, where she lives with her husband and two kids. Before devoting herself full-time to motherhood and writing, she was a criminal defense attorney, which is not quite as exciting as it looks on TV. When she has a free moment, she can usually be found reading, running, or shoe shopping. The Book of Ivy is her debut YA novel. Find her online at http://amyengel.net/ or @aengelwrites.


Author Links:

WebsiteGoodreadsTwitter


GIVEAWAY:



Blog Tour Organized by:

Book Tour & Giveaway: Raven (Chronicles of Steele #1) by Pauline Creeden




Series: Chronicles of Steele #1
Release date: October 2014
Publisher: AltWit Press
Purchase: Amazon | B&N

Synopsis via Goodreads:
This is the complete Steampunk Fantasy novel - all four parts of the serial in one volume! Also includes bonus features found in the episodes.

Human life has value.
The poor living in the gutter is as valuable as the rich living in a manor.
The scoundrel is no less valuable than the saint.
Because of this, every life a reaper takes must be redeemed.

Raven has lived by this first tenet since she was trained by her father to become a reaper. But since his death, she’s been spending years redeeming the lives she’s taken. By her count, she’s even and it’s time for that life to end. If she settles down and becomes a wife, she might just feel human again. But on the way to the life she thinks she wants, the baron of New Haven asks her to complete a task which she cannot ignore… Just when Raven decides to give up on her life as an assassin, she’s pulled right back in.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR


In simple language, Pauline Creeden creates worlds that are both familiar and strange, often pulling the veil between dimensions. She becomes the main character in each of her stories, and because she has ADD, she will get bored if she pretends to be one person for too long. Pauline is a horse trainer from Virginia, but writing is her therapy.


WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | MAILING LIST



Giveaway




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Who View (5) : S8 E11 & S8 12 - Dark Water & Death In Heaven

Title: Dark Water
Written by: Steven Moffat
Directed by: Rachel Talalay
Air Date (UK): 11/01/14

In the mysterious world of the Nethersphere, plans have been drawn. Missy is about to come face to face with the Doctor, and an impossible choice is looming... 'Death is not an end', promises the sinister organisation known only as 3W - but, as the Doctor and Clara discover, you might wish it was.




Title: Death in Heaven
Written by: Steven Moffat 
Directed by: Rachel Talalay
Air Date (UK): 10/25/14

With Cybermen on the streets of London, old friends unite against old enemies and the Doctor takes to the air in a startling new role. Can the mighty UNIT contain Missy?

As the Doctor faces his greatest challenge, sacrifices must be made before the day is won.





BEWARE! THE FOLLOWING REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS AS TO DARK WATER (S8 E11) AND DEATH IN HEAVEN (S8 E12). DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVE YET TO SEE THE EPISODE!


SERIOUSLY. IT'D BE MAJOR SPOILING.


I didn't review Dark Water last week not only because I kind of disappeared (more about it later), but because I've always meant to review the two of them together. Dark Water and Death in Heaven are basically one episode so I'll handle them as such.

Without further ado, I'll just go ahead and say it; this was, in my opinion, the best episode of the season. Best of the characters, best pacing, utmost action... However, it was far from being the best episode, or even the best finale out of all. Which, again in MY opinion, goes to whole season 8. It's not that I don't like Capaldi, heaven forbid. I do have some issues to hold against the script writing though. But more about it later.

I'll tell you how this will look like since I understand that this is getting a tad confusing.

  1. I do a short review about the finale part 1 and 2 melded.
  2. I place it on a top list of all season finales.
  3. I do a quick rehash of season 8.
  4. I rank the episodes of season 8.



Let's get started!


Dark Water & Death in Heaven review


In many aspects I adored both Dark Water and Death in Heaven. In some I didn't. I believe it's normal. It's very rare when every last detail of a TV show, movie or even a book suits. However, in this case, that tiny thing which I wasn't fond of not only took some enjoyment away, but also riled me up quite a bit.

For once, to get off with the good, I appreciated the characters the best in these two. I think, Clara was great. Finally, she resembled to her Impossible Girl self, ballsy and even in the middle of such a great deal of grief, living. In whole season 8, she seemed off and different. I'd go as far as saying helpless and irrelevant. Which being a Clara-fan pains me much. I never wanted to accept it when others have stated it, but I can't overlook the evidence; Danny appeared in this season and Clara changed in a bad way. Danny gets gone and Clara is likable again. I understand that people sometimes becomes different under the influence of other. Nevertheless, it shouldn't mean becoming an utterly different person. Losing our confidence, moxy and the capability of fending for ourselves. It's not his fault, though, nor is it Samuel's. No, he wasn't a bad Danny. If I had to, I'd blame it on the writing. That's all.

The Doctor was, too, in his brightest. Finally, he discovered who he really is and I like who he turned out to be. I just wish it had happened half a season ago. I would have lead to some great ClaraX12 moments.

Secondly, I was, for the first time in season 8, totally and fully pleased with the pacing. Not slow, not uneven, not rushed; perfect. Action all along, or at least something relevant happening. Thank you.

On the other hand, I feel like it's not even about drama or feeling anymore, but only crashing our emotions. Killing off people we dote on in succession is NOT drama. It is an exaggerated soap opera phenomenon and the best possible way to alienate the audience. Want to make us cry? Do something sad, but SENSIBLE. Murdering people like flies in NOT on that friggin' category, okay?Rose's departure was harrowing, but beautiful and contenting. Ever since Moffat all I feel is hurling our emotions and fandom love back and forth. Thank you for hearing out my hurt rant.

Now, let's see the top list


1. Doomsday
2. The Name of the Doctor
3. The Parting of the Ways
4. Journey's End
5. Death in Heaven
6. Last of the Time Lords
7. The Bing Bang
8. The Wedding of River Song


Season 8 Rehash


All together, this was one of the worst seasons in terms of script writing if not the worst. Virtually every episode feel flat for me apart from the finale and Clara was just out of it. I regret that Peter Capaldi's first season happened to be like this as I'm deeply impressed with his acting skills. Furthermore, I don't mind the older Doctor with the darkest era. If only it was indeed dark and not merely a carrion pool. Sorry, for the expression, but I'm still galled and probably will remain that way for a while. All in all, get it together, Moffat, I want to see Capaldi participate in something otherworldly. But something awesome will suffice. Just kidding. Kind of.


1. Death in Heaven
2. Dark Water
3. Listen
4. Deep Breath
5. Into the Dalek
6. The Caretaker
7. The Mummy on the Orient Express
8. Flatline
9. In the Forest of the Night
10. Time Heist
11. Robot of Sherwood
12. Kill the Moon



How would you rate season 8?


Catch Me When I Fall by Vicki Leigh: Blog Tour and Blog Hop (+ Guest Post)

Catch Me When I Fall, by Vicki Leigh
Genre: young-adult, urban-fantasy, paranormal-romance
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
Date of Release­­: October 23, 2014

About Catch Me When I Fall:

Recruited at his death to be a Protector of the Night, seventeen-year-old Daniel Graham has spent two-hundred years fighting Nightmares and guarding humans from the clawed, red-eyed creatures that feed off people’s fears. Each night, he risks his eternal life, having given up his chance at an afterlife when he chose to become a Protector. That doesn’t stop a burnt-out Daniel from risking daring maneuvers during each battle. He’s become one of the best, but he wants nothing more than to stop.
Then he’s given an assignment to watch over sixteen-year-old Kayla Bartlett, a clinically depressed patient in a psychiatric ward. Nightmares love a human with a tortured past. Yet, when they take a deep interest in her, appearing in unprecedented numbers, the job becomes more dangerous than any Daniel’s ever experienced. He fights ruthlessly to keep the Nightmares from overwhelming his team and Kayla. Soon, Daniel finds himself watching over Kayla during the day, drawn to why she’s different, and what it is about her that attracts the Nightmares. And him.
A vicious attack on Kayla forces Daniel to break the first Law and reveal his identity. Driven by his growing feelings for her, he whisks her away to Rome where others like him can keep her safe. Under their roof, the Protectors discover what Kayla is and why someone who can manipulate Nightmares has her in his sights. But before they can make a move, the Protectors are betrayed and Kayla is kidnapped. Daniel will stop at nothing to save her. Even if it means giving up his immortality.

Find Catch Me When I Fall Online:


About The Author:

Adopted at three-days-old by a construction worker and a stay-at-home mom, Vicki Leigh grew up in a small suburb of Akron, Ohio where she learned to read by the age of four and considered being sent to her room for punishment as an opportunity to dive into another book. By the sixth grade, Vicki penned her first, full-length screenplay. If she couldn’t be a writer, Vicki would be a Hunter (think Dean and Sam Winchester) or a Jedi. Her favorite place on earth is Hogwarts (she refuses to believe it doesn’t exist), and her favorite dreams include solving cases alongside Sherlock Holmes.

Vicki is an editor for Month9Books and Curiosity Quills Press, an intern at TriadaUS Literary agency, and is represented by Sarah Negovetich of Corvisiero Literary Agency.



Find Vicki Leigh Online:



Guest Post by Vicki Leigh: On Writing from the Male POV


When I first sat down to write Catch Me When I Fall and had to decide on point-of-view, I only knew one thing: I didn’t want to follow the trend of girl-discovers-paranormal-world-gets-involved-over-her-head. Now, don’t get me wrong: Those stories are great. I’ve read—and loved—many of them!

But I knew I wanted to write something different yet stay within my favorite genre. My solution: Write from the POV of someone already in the supernatural world, and make it a guy.

And that’s when I realized I had my work cut out for me.

First: I’m a girl, and, in case you didn’t already know, girls and boys are completely different species. Second: Most (not all) paranormal is written from a girl’s POV, which made it really hard to read the genre through male eyes. I knew I needed to research—and, thankfully, most of my friends are guys.

Here’s three things I learned from my guy friends. (Note: There are always exceptions. No guy is created equal!)


1) Boys don’t cry. Okay, they do, but it’s really, really rare. When they’re frustrated to the point when girls often cry, they beat things up. When someone hurts them to the point where girls often cry, they beat that person up. When they break a bone, they swear profusely and whine but somehow find a way to keep the tears in place. You get my point.

a) But there is a time a boy might cry: When someone they love dies. And this needs to be someone they really love. Not just a buddy on their baseball team, but a best friend, a parent, a sibling. The loss of someone that close to them will make them tear up.

b) How this effected my writing: Daniel rarely cries. In fact, I don’t think he does in my book, period. Do I have him beating his knuckles to a bloody pulp? Yes. Do I have him punching people? Yes. Do I have him getting emotional? YES. But you have to reign in the actual tears when it comes to boys.


2. Boy humor is a different breed of comedy. I mostly hang out with guys, so this wasn’t too hard for me. But boy humor really is different. It’s not just witty and comical but often gross, morbid, and sexual. If you want to make your bromances read realistically, you need to let yourself tap into boy humor.


3. Boys can have bromances with girls. I really had fun writing the friendship between Daniel and Tabbi, not just because she’s the total opposite of him, but because they have that friendship that’s almost a bromance. It’s familial. They’re “brothers.” And it really is possible for guys to think of girls this way—and not romantically—even if the girl is as gorgeous as a model.

Though writing from a male POV was challenging, it was exciting and eye-opening, and I’m so glad I chose to write Catch Me When I Fall through Daniel’s eyes. Not only did it fit the story, but I think the task of writing as a boy forced me to develop his voice more deeply and strengthened my writing. I couldn’t just have him cry in every scene; I had to show his emotions in different ways. And that definitely made my book stronger.

All in all, I love writing from the male POV, and I will definitely do so again. And if you have a chance to give it a try, I suggest you do so! You might be surprised how much fun it is—and how it can improve your writing.


My Worst Nighmare



I have always been prone to having either bad/stupid dreams or no dreams at all. It has been a rare occasion when I dream about flowers or pretty horses, I will rather dream about wars, ghosts, rabid animals, suffocating underwater, or some messed-up version of a cartoon. I don't know why, it's not like I lead a dangerous life or I'm terrorized, though I was bullied and it still haunts me daily. Either way, I'm seldom frightened by my nightmares anymore. However, there was one, just a few months ago that had me sleepless for the remaining of the night, praying for the sun to finally rise.

I've been afraid of ghosts since I was 11. One of my friends showed me this site, full of horrible and even more horrible ghost stories. I used to get scared very easily at the time, but as all children, I wanted to seem big and bold and I read all of them with her. I wish I could go back and tell myself to get my wits together. There are better ways to display maturity. To be accurate; there are ways to display maturity and this was not one of them. But it happened and I can't help now, but live with the consequences. The phobia has faded a lot over the past few years, but deep down I'm far from being over it. It hops in to say hello at the best times. Like, when I sleep at my friend's place, at their aged flat that tends to treat us with the oddest clicks and thumps. My friend topped it by saying how much she hated it and she was sometimes afraid alone. Now, this friend of mine is not the chicken type. She sits through the heaviest psycho thriller without so much as batting an eye. So I don't think I need to tell you how I felt at the comment. I even dreamed with it. I dreamed about a fuzzy, black spirit possessing me and coercing me to do things I didn't want to. To hurt other people, people I loved. He also terrorized me, talked to me about nasty stuff and threatened me. The whole nightmare is rather vague though, mostly I remember how terrified I was.

I woke up drenched with sweat and lay with open eyes for three hours - the longest three hours of my life -, until dawn, then fell back asleep for another half an hour.

I broke two records that day:

1) I endured my worst nightmare ever
2) and drank my grandest cup of coffee.

Haven't slept there ever since.


Geek Week Mixoleed (7) - Good bye October

October is over and so is the school break. Sad face on the last day of it. Tomorrow I'll be returning to school, but not without

  • having scored 1277 pages
  • 466 at one sitting
  • slept two nights by a lamp on because of Mara Dyer
  • freaked out over the first part of the season 8 finale of Doctor Who
  • participed in my first Twitter Party
  • danced around my room
  • and played through Dreamfall Chapters
  • wrote tons of Doctor Who fan-fiction
  • delved into animes & mangas
  • discovered new music

Maybe it's not what most people consider an eventful week. Maybe it's not socializing by a couple of shots of tequila or vodka. But maybe I enjoy this kind of racket more. 


This week on the blog:


Who View (5) : S8 E10 - In the Forest of the Night + Missy Dominance
114086501364356723206075



Book Haul:


13643567



Do you have any favorite animes? I'm in serious need of recs, here! :D

Mini Review for the Prequel: Tell Me My Name (Fated Stars 0.5) by Mary Fan

22742313Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Publisher:  Glass House Press
Publication:  October 14th, 2014
Formats: eBook
Pages: 52

Rating: 4/5

Add to Goodreads
Get your copy: Amazon Kindle  I  Barnes&Noble  I  Kobo  I  iTunes
In Mary Fan's second novella, a girl wakes up in an icy cell, alone and frightened. She has no memory of who she is or how she came to be there.

She does know that she must get out, at all costs. And that escape must start with remembering the simple things – her own name. Her place of origin. Her possible powers.
When a group of dark magicians reveal themselves to be her captors, she finds herself in the clutches of those who will stop at nothing to uncover the secrets locked within her lost memories. With her life fading under their merciless spells, the need to escape becomes dire.

But can she get out when she doesn’t even know who she is? Can she count on one unlikely ally for help? Or is it already too late for her, a girl without a name?

Tell Me My Name introduces the main characters in Mary’s new fantasy series, Fated Stars, with the first book, Windborn, due in 2015.

Coffee & Books




I might have mentioned once or twice that I'm a total and absolute coffee fanatic. I don't go without coffee for more than a week and even that is just because we don't own a coffee machine at home. (I'm negotiating for one for over a year. I won't be a lawyer I suppose.) Being on a budget, one, max. two coffee a week it is.

I especially love drinking coffee during the fall and winter when curling up with a book and having coffee meanwhile, it has a certain - rather pleasant - atmosphere to it. So the idea was born; Coffee & Books. (Very creative, I know.)

Let's see.


Espresso - A book that has a dark atmosphere


13644055Opposition by Jennifer L. Armentrout. Out of the Lux series, but even out of the YA book out there in general, this book has a very frightening atmosphere to it. Perhaps, it's just that I'm a wimp, but the beginning in particular freak the heck out of me.











Coffee Mocha - A book with layered world-building



22087268I'm admittedly not the biggest fan ever of this book, but it does showcase a rather rich variety of witchcraft and science combined.













Cappuccino - I book that made me all warm and fuzzy



22474762I'll have to go with this one. Crossing the Ice had such an adorable romance in it! Josh is the perfect combination of shy and masculine. Plus relationships - any kind - was very relevant all along and each of them was so very real.












Americano - A book that made me cry


20935171None. Absolutely none ever in my life. Though the one that brought me the closest to it was the end of this one to the right. ->













Chai Latte - An LGBT Book


22405819This is the most perfect book in every aspect. Though she attempted suicide and claims she is not a good judge of character, Paige's views on life and people are exquisite, and - as harsh as they might seem sometimes - are oh-so very real and neat. Oh, and she and her girlfriend just happen to make a most cute couple.












Espresso con Panna - A book that started out well but went downhills


27712I couldn't put it down for about 300 pages - which I think is a pretty impressive achievement at the age of nine. However, the last 96 pages were just a mess, in my opinion.













Flat White - A quick, light read


13101915The Selection brought me out from a dreadful reading slump at one time. I killed it in a couple of hours. It has an easy language and quite short as it is.














It isn't a TAG now, but it could be don't you think? I do. However, since I'm not one with a big blog, I'm not sure if anyone would notice or care. That's okay, but still, if you did, it would great so feel free to feel tagged and take it. And if so, you may leave your link to the post below in the comments because as always, I'm curious. :)

Who View (5) : S8 E10 - In the Forest of the Night + Missy Dominance

Title: In the Forest of the Night
Written by: Frank Cottrell Boyce 
Directed by: Sheree Folkson
Air Date (UK): 10/25/14

One morning in every city and town in the world, the human race wakes up to face the most surprising invasion yet. Everywhere, in every land, a forest has grown overnight and taken back the Earth. It doesn't take the Doctor long to discover that the final days of humanity have arrived.



BEWARE! THE FOLLOWING REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS AS TO IN THE FOREST OF THE NIGHT (S8 E10). DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVE YET TO SEE THE EPISODE!


No hate, please because I'm intending to be honest, sharing my candid opinion. I do not mean to be degrading, however, I do think the script writing's getting weaker and weaker. It started with the first episode which was, the way I see it, one of the meh-est openings of New Who. (I've never seen Classic Doctor Who therefore I can't talk about that.) Afterwards, it seemed to be clambering upwards a bit, only to head in the opposite direction again. I'm not saying I hate these episodes and into the dumpsters with all of them, but they don't get me as thrilled as the previous seasons. I don't feel this overwhelming urge to watch the episodes over and over again. It's not even the new Doctor. It's true his not my favorite - or at least not yet -, however, it's just my taste and at the same time, I do respect him and enjoy seeing him as the Doctor. He is a great actor and his quirkiness is brilliant.

On the other hand, besides the numerous deaths and a tad more "violence" in certain episodes, season 8 is shredding some controversial, yet rather relevant topics of real life. And it's doing it well! Trust - one of the main issues of the season - is important to people and Clara and the Doctor get a sample from every side of it - even betrayal. I've seen not one pretty wise views of theirs.




In this last episode, we had Maebh, a little girl whose sister had gone missing the year before and it inflicted a type of post-traumatic stress disorder on her; she had heard voices until she was given medication and the voices stopped. She appeared to be seeing things as well. I loved how the Doctor paid closer attention to her than anybody had the past year. That the tempered Doctor, who doesn't believe in fairy tales and such sillinesses is the single person who actually listens to Maebh. I also found the idea of the trees protecting us from the Sun Flares entertaining. It was a great one!


It was exciting to see Clara and Danny work together. We hadn't seen much of them over the past few weeks before In the Forest of the Night and I was curious where they stood. I'm beginning to agree with the people who say they are cute together. They really are. Moreover, Danny is not as crude or stupid and not even as weak as I used to think first. With Clara, I'm also starting to get him and his motives, but I'm still waiting for the big bum when we find out what action precisely made him quit the army and later cry. (Okay, crying is a bit of an exaggeration. Rather let a tear slip.)

Moffat also entertained the idea of Clara leaving the Doctor. I very much hope it's not an innuendo!

Overall, it was an okay episode for me. I enjoyed it, but nothing special.


And now, let's move on to Missy and the shocking next time trailer.


Missy graced the episode and to my astonishment, she seemed surprised! She always seems to be in control as if she's arranged everything ages ago. Maybe she has. And maybe this is what induces her advancement after so much time? That things have gone astray for her?

But here's an even bigger question: who the hell is Missy? Who? Who is she?



I've seen numerous theories since she first appeared on the show. Too many to type out all of them now, or even to search them back. However, fundamentally, there are people that think she's a female Master, there are people that believe she's the Valeyard (my personal opinion until Flatline), there are people that say she's a Time Lady or the Rani, and there are people that say Missy is Clara in some form. It varies whether it's a one of her "clones" when she became torn apart in the Eleventh Doctor's time vortex or Clara in the future. The only undivided opinion is that she gave Clara the Doctor's number back in the Bells of St. John. Personally, out of these hypothesis, I'm inclining towards her being a Time Lady. Who else would call the Doctor her boyfriend? Surely not the Valeyard a.k.a himself and it's unlikely that the Master thinks of him as such. Clara could do so if it one of her other selves or if it's her future self who has broken up with Danny at some point, but for some reason that doesn't seem very probable to me. In fact, I would say none of these. Or at least not entirely.


As for Clara's sudden change of heart, it's a common presumption that - again - it's one of her selves. Or that she's always been just a puppet for Missy. Here, my theory deviates completely. In the next time trailer, Clara mentions that time can be rewritten. What if Missy rewritten time and with it, she caused something in the past that affected Clara in this way? We know that Missy is quite out of ordinary, many think she has special powers hence it could be possible. The problem (with my own theory, what's that? o.O) is that it has nothing to do with the whole season's Missy-related actions.

Anyway, maybe I'm simply reading too much into nothing, but don't the flames and the color of the whole place look so similar to the ones in the Eleventh Doctor's time vortex? Even the smoke...


I would love to hear about YOUR Missy & Clara theories so let me know about them in the comments! ;)