Review: Quest for the Swords of Healing

They are caught in a storm while on set for a movie. During this storm, their studio is blown up. Eight teenagers find extraordinary things, both about themselves and about other, strange things. They are sent on a quest to find ancient items that can aid them in their new found war with the Dark Lord: the swords of healing. They have no idea of where they are or what they look like, so, forced to trust God with everything, they embark on this daring escapade. Through many trials and dangers, the teens grow and develop into young men and women who are warriors for God.

Quest for the Swords of Healing, by Trista Vaporblade is an riveting tale that will keep the readers on the edge of their seats the entire time. It includes humor and a variety of personalities to appeal to everyone. Trista Vaporblade does an excellent job showing the power of God throughout the story, and the reader is left with a reminder of His power at the end of the book. The characters come alive, and the reader must fall in love with at least one of them. The story is clean and a good read for all ages.

You can buy her book here

Character Tag

Lylyss from the Underground tagged my characters with a few questions, and I decided to answer them here instead of on my Underground writing thread.
Hank and Rachel are brother and sister, but they answered these questions without knowing each others answers.

First, some background for you:

What's your age?
Hank: Ten.
Rachel: Eleven

What's your favorite animal?
Hank: Horses.
Rachel: Can I just say all of them?

Favorite color?
Hank: Red-brown.
Rachel: Green

Favorite food?
Hank: Macaroni and Cheese.
Rachel: Lasagna.

Now, we get on to the interview:

1. What's your family like? How d'you feel about them?

Hank: I really don't know my dad, and my mom doesn't like me very much. I do love my sister. She's the only thing that keeps me from running away or...or worse.

Rachel: I haven't seen my dad for four years. I'm a little mad at him for not trying harder to win us in court. My mom is an alcoholic, and she's never around. I have to spend all my time with her around just trying to keep her calm.

2. What are your pet peeves?

Hank: One thing that really annoys me is small talk. I can't stand that, and another is when people try to engage me in conversation.

Rachel: Um, I guess people not telling me what's going on is a pet peeve. Especially when it's because they're trying to protect me. I mean, sure, I appreciate it, but I can take care of myself.

3. How would you like to be thought of by others?

Hank: I guess, just as a person. Most people think I'm a freak.

Rachel: Compassionate and caring mostly.

4. Any dreams or fears?

Hank: Dreams? Becoming a champion in horse showing. Fears: Uh, Never being loved by someone.

Rachel: Hopes. Well, I'd say having my parents get back together, and Mom and Hank could get along. Fears...hmm, I can't think of any right now.

5. What do other people immediately notice about you?

Hank: I'd say my eyes. Rachel's told me that when you look straight into my eyes, that it seems I can see rght through you.

Rachel: Um, I welcome new people.

6. What's your worst trait?

Hank: I guess I could be more social.

Rachel: I can be a little bossy at some times, and I don't take things seriously enough.

7. What's your best trait?

Hank: Discernment.

Rachel: Compassion.

8. What disturbs you?

Hank: Disturbs me? When people fall for a trap and to me it's obvious.

Rachel: When someone is left out.

9. What trait do you admire most?

Hank: Definitely courage.

Rachel: Loyalty.

10. What trait do you despise most?

Hank: Partiality.

Rachel: Backing out when you should stand alone.

Wow, Ly. Some of those questions really made me dive into their personalites. Good job :)

Review: The Dark Wolf

  My friend was published, and asked me to write a review for his book on Amazon. I'm still trying to figure Amazon out (707), so I'll just put it here until then. So yeah, I haven't forgotten about this

Darvir has no knowledge of who he is, and no memory of what happened before a fateful day in his life. He is plagued by wisps of information that leads to these lost memories, and as far back as he can remember, he has never known love. Elaine has a thirst for truth that has not been satisfied, and her searching has cost her nearly everything. Together, because of unexpected circumstances causing them to join forces, they discover the things they have always searched for. Something to fill what’s missing in both of them. Something to set them free.

JM Christian weaves together a masterful tale in The Dark Wolf. The reader feels and empathizes with what the characters feel as they go through their struggles. Christian’s development of his characters allows the everyday person to completely relate to them. The entire world comes to life with breathtaking realness. Prepare to be transported to another world by the magic only a skilled author can create...and there are not many of them.


The book can be found on Amazon.

5 Common Misconceptions About Homeschoolers

My apologies for being so unfaithful about blogging. Since my blog is read mostly by UGers I know I'm writing to a crowd of mainly homeschoolers...or at least people were at one time. =P As I was homeschooled for nine years, I know the ins and outs to being a homeschooler. Now, after transferring to public school, whenever I tell someone that I used to be homeschooled, I hear the things that they had always thought about homeschoolers.

Please note that this is NOT to put down those who have been or are public schooled, and by no means does every kid in public school think these things! And while these things may be what some homescholers do or are, for myself and the ones that I have known, they are not.


Homeschoolers don't have a social life
While talking to a mom whose child was in public school, she asked, upon hearing that I was homeschooled, "But don't homeschoolers have no social life?" Hmm, when I was homeschooled, I did get out of the house to be with other kids nearly every day :)

They are socially awkward
When I was shadowing at a high school last year, a girl said, "I heard that homeschoolers have no social skills." There are many homeschoolers that I know...and have been so for all their life, who are totally amazing with people. Just as much as the kids in public schools.

They are incapable of having a schedule
Another idea that has irritated me is the expectation that homeschoolers don't know how to or are unable to follow a schedule. When I was homeschooled, I had a schedule that I followed everyday...and with no trouble at all!

They get to wear pajamas to school
One misconception that always annoys me to no end is that, every day, homeschoolers go to school in their pajamas. Neither I nor any other homeschooler that I know have gone to school in our pajamas. If we ever have, certainly not every day!

They get to sleep until noon...whenever!
And finally, the most agitating saved for last: homeschoolers get to sleep till noon whenever they want to. Not I, nor my fellow homeschoolers, have slept till noon whenever we felt like it. On school days, I have almost always been up between six-thirty and seven-thirty. Now I know seven-thirty is late on a school day, but it's nowhere near noon, which is the thing that I'm discussing.



Hmm, I really need to blog more, but I never know what to blog about. If you guys have any requests or suggestions, feel free to ask...and yes, I'm willing to do some research. Some. Nothing too unknown to me. Please. XD