Polishing and Monetizing

Not everything will be perfect tomorrow for the launch of this blog, but close enough.  You'll see the Laura Ingalls Wilder book on the right sidebar.  My intention is to feature a "cabin" each week from home builders and such and also books and magazines about cabins.  I don't have permission to do that yet and, anyway, The Little House in the Big Woods book deserves the honor of being first.
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Fair Warning:  I will be doing AdSense and other ads on this blog, so you will see ads once it gets going.  I don't particularly like ads and I'll try to make them as non-annoying as possible.  But, the fact is my husband is unemployed and every little bit helps.  So, please bear with me.
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We don't celebrate Halloween in our family, so, for today, I'll just say Happy Fall Festival!  I can't make costumes like I used to and I miss that.  Still, we've managed to put together a princess, a cat, a hunting guide, and the Tribute from District 9 and 3-Quarters (eldest combining costumes from Harry Potter and the Hunger Games.)

Connecting

Good morning!  Today, I'm working on connecting this new blog with Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.  Things have changed just a little in the year and half I've been out of commission, so it's a bit of work.

Tweaking

Join me next week for Time Machine Tuesday.  I'm working on one about the Great Depression.  Right now, I'm tweaking sidebars and such to get ready for my Launch Day.  That was Jacqueline Lichtenberg  suggestion to make sure you all can Follow in various ways.  You know, I had a dickens of a time learning to spell her name, but she helped me with my writing so much that I finally learned to spell it from emailing and asking advice and thanking her so much.  Some of my blog buddies are still around, like Nayuleska  and she's giving great advice too.  So, if you're here looking for something historical, check out this primer on the Great Depression-  The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Great Depression   Of course, you're not an idiot and that's why you want to learn more, 'cause, you know, the American economy stinks right now and their our helpful lessons to be learned from our greatest financial disaster.  Much love, Buds.

Writerly Wisdom

I'll be posting about other writers' wisdom, but I'll start with mine.
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Here's my Page on it from my authorly blog-   http://kimberansblog.blogspot.com/p/writers-resources.html
This is old, by the way.  I just checked all the links and they're good, but I will add that Bookends closed up shop.  They've left their blog posts up though and I encourage you to read all of them.  Also, I would like to add the personal website addy for Jacqueline Lichtenberg
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I say it's an old Page because I've been out of the writing/publishing loop for a year and a half and that's like eternity in this business.  That's one of the reasons I started this new blog.  Book Reviewing is the most fun way to get back into the writing groove I know of.  The other reason is I missed reviewing.  In any case, you know those little warning that come with your keyboard about being careful because repetitive stress can cause injuries?  Obey it.  Also, you need to be fast in this business, but I have learned that it can be very dangerous to do *too much too fast.*
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Just because I couldn't write for over a year, doesn't mean I couldn't keep learning about writing.  I couldn't be on electronic devices hardly at all, but the public library has many paper books to be checked out for free.  Also, you can find help in unexpected places.  I learned a lot just by watching the Bonus Features for the extended versions of the Lord of the Rings movies.   http://www.barnesandnoble.com/listing/2690678626770?r=1&cm_mmca2=pla&cm_mmc=GooglePLA-_-DVD-_-Q000000633-_-2690678626770 

  It started with J.R.R. Tolkien and talked about his life, education, experiences in World War I that inspired him, how he achieved publication and the Tolkien phenomena grew.  Also, the script writing and movie making process was extremely educational and inspirational too.  And Elijah Wood is just so gosh-darn cute.

  I've said it before.  I've observed that the best writers are the ones who never stop learning about their craft. 
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In addition to book reviewing, I will be *slowly* finishing the last novel in the Ophelia Dawson series, Sugar Crash.  The rights to first three ePublished books in the series are now mine again, so I can do whatever I want with them.  I just don't know what I want to do besides finish it. 
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Also, I have a post-apocalyptic story in the nagging stage, but it'll be several years before it sees the light of day.  It's called The Grizzly Bear's Child. 
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Finally, I've managed to sort out the story which first got me started down the path to publication, The Star Captains' Daughter.  See, the trouble with that one was that it's so huge in my imagination but I lacked the skills to sort it out into something comprehensible and enjoyable to other human beings.  This is because my greatest weakness as a writer is Structure.  I have to work very hard at it.  I'm still not there either, but almost.
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So there you have it and I'm hopeful there's cool new software to make my big comeback easier to.  Christmas is coming!  Much love.
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FYI:   NaNoWriMo is write around the corner.  Better check this out by Halloween.   http://nanowrimo.org/

Weekly Schedule

I've made some tweaks to the Weekly Schedule on the left-hand sidebar.  I remember how much readers liked hearing about Alaska on my old blog.  I'm not in Alaska right now.  I'm in Montana.  But, we haven't decided on which will be our permanent home yet.  I do love the Old West and such, so I thought I'd post about those things in addition to the Simple Life (hobby farming.)

This book is only mildly related.  It is a children's picture book which you must read with your best Texas accent.  Never fails to impress the PreK, Toddler, Baby crowd.

Connecting to Other Social Media

I have a personal Facebook page, as well as Goodreads, Twitter, and authorly Facebook page.  I've learned the hard way that I can't do it all.  But, I'm thinking it might be very worthwhile to have a Facebook page for Cabin Fever Book reviews.  I've tried connecting social media accounts so that was posts on my blog automatically posts on Twitter and Facebook and Goodreads.  Only the Goodreads account didn't get hacked or generate tons of SPAM.  Ponder, ponder, ponder.  Also, been checking out other book review blogs to see what's working for them.

Saturdays Will Be Fun Days - The King's Speech

Blog Hops, Guest Blogs, etc...  and also review of other things besides books, like movies.  Before you take one look at the picture and decide I have stuffy tastes in movies, you should know I enjoyed watching Zombieland  right before it.  I have exceedingly wide tastes.
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Last week I finally got to watch a movie called The King's Speech. 

Of course, I'm a history buff, so I know all about King George VI, father of the present Queen Elizabeth II.  He's my favorite British king ever and this movie demonstrates exactly way.  I was glued and I cried.  Here's the trailer-   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzI4D6dyp_o
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FYI:   Harry Potter fans will be delighted to meet up with some of their favorite British actors in this one, including the ones who played Bellatrix and Dumbledore.
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Most Americans just don't get it.  To them, British royalty is just a bunch of overpaid celebrities.  They don't get how the Royal Family is the living embodiment of British culture and history.  But, you're brilliant.  You're not like most Americans.  You're here to learn cool stuff, right?
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I think anyone who has a Special Need or loves anyone who has a Special Need must watch this movie, regardless.  You see, King George VI had a paralyzing Speech Impediment.  Since he was born a prince and wound up king when his elder brother abdicated the Throne, he was *required* to do public speaking.  You know, most of us suffer through at least one semester of Speech class.  Imagine enduring that horror every single day of your life!  And you probably have average speech ability.  He didn't.
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Good people suffer bad stuff.  We all know that.  One of the reasons Bad Stuff happens to Good People is so that they share their courage and strength with others later on.  That's the moral of the story.
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Right after all this crap happened to King George VI, World War II broke out.  After Hitler throttled mainland Europe, he went after England and it is a historical fact that the King's courage got his people through what would later be called "The Blitz."  For months and months, Hitler's planes bombed British cities.  The British held out and he finally gave up invading.  During the Blitz, people begged the King to flee Britain to safety in Canada.  One of my favorite quotes was by his wife, mother of the present queen, Elizabeth, "The children won't leave without me.  I won't leave the King.  And the King will never leave."  And so they stayed and the Battle of Britain was won.  This photograph was taken of the King and Queen visiting a bombed out site during the Blitz.  Buckingham Palace was even bombed.  After that, the Queen said, defiantly, "I'm glad we've been bombed.  Now, we can look the East End in the eye."   http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2009/sep/13/queen-mother-biography-shawcross-luftwaffe

For an enjoyable primer, watch the old movie 'Battle of Britain.'  You can probably find it on YouTube.  Oh, yeah, here's the Zombieland poster, just for a visual example of my wide tastes in storytelling.

'Everyday Angels' will be about...

...everyday folks who made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve the well-being of others.  For example, the teacher who died protecting his students during a shooting.   http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/10/21/21064166-slain-teacher-hailed-as-fallen-hero-after-school-shooting?lite
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John 15:13   “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." The Holy Bible, New American Standard

Fantasy Authors

Princes of the Golden Cage by Nathalie Mallet

Magic Lost, Trouble Found by Lisa Shearin

Romance Authors

These are past reviews I wrote for Enduring Romance as an example of the things I like.
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Contemporary Romance

Reining in the Rancher by Karen Templeton

Science Fiction Romance

Games of Command by Linnea Sinclair

I prefer the old cover art, found here-   http://www.linneasinclair.com/gamescover.htm
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Contact by Susan Grant

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Taming Her Irish Warrior by Michelle Willingham

Sadly, the cover art really doesn't do this one justice.

This would be Adult Fiction day

starting November 1st

FREE RANGE CHICKEN GARDENS by Jessi Bloom

BLURB:  

Many gardeners fear chickens will peck away at their landscape, and chicken lovers often shy away from gardening for the same reason. But you can keep chickens and have a beautiful garden, too! Fresh eggs aren't the only benefit — chickens can actually help your garden grow and thrive, even as your garden does the same for your chickens.

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In this essential handbook, award-winning garden designer Jessi Bloom covers everything a gardener needs to know, including chicken-keeping basics, simple garden plans to get you started, tips on attractive fencing options, the best plants and plants to avoid, and step-by-step instructions for getting your chicken garden up and running.

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For anyone who wants a fabulous garden where colorful chickens happily roam, Free-Range Chicken Gardens is the guide that will bring the dream home to roost.

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I've read, but haven't used the ideas in this book.  When I first got into chickens a few years ago, I imagined doing it something like this.  But, I never imagined it so well or so beautiful!  This is a great book to learn from, but it's also a great book to push away the Winter Blues with Springtime Dreams.  Can't wait to order my chicks!
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Turns out, Jessi Bloom is a organic gardener extraordinaire.  Here is her company website-   http://nwbloom.com/

School Violence, No Such Thing as the 'Good Ol' Days'

One of my pet peeves as a history buff is the tendency of people at around age forty to suddenly remember the 'good ol' days.'  As far as I can tell, there never were any good ol' days.  School Violence is a prime example.

Many of you have heard how a twelve year old boy just opened fire at a Nevada school, killing a teacher and himself, and wounding two students.

I'm sure nearly a year ago most Americans thought the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary was the worst massacre in our history.  It's not.  Twenty-eight souls perished on that terrible day.

Nearly a century early, thirty-eight souls, yes, that's 38, people died in the Bath School Massacre.  Look it up.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bath_School_disaster

Ever hear of Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of Little on the Prairie?  Her husband's childhood is chronicled in her book, the Farmer Book. 

In one chapter, some boys come to school intent on beating the teacher to death.  He defends himself with a bullwhip.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/farmer-boy-laura-ingalls-wilder/1100551152
So, you know, besides boring today's kids, you might want to think about historical accuracy the next time you're tempted to reflect on 'the good ol' days.'  Just FYI.

Much Love, Buds.

"Living It" on Sundays

On Sundays, I will be reviewing or showcasing books, films, and organizations which might help us by being an example of living the Christian values of compassion, generosity, hospitality, humility and authentic faith.  One of my favorite books along this line of thinking is ALMOST AMISH by Nancy Sleeth.   http://nancysleeth.com/

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A good example of an organization is Kids' Kitchen in Anchorage, Alaska which was started by a man who woke up to the words 'Feed the Children!'  http://www.kidskitchenak.com/

As a side note, I'm more inclined to believe in the authenticity of the spiritual experience if it brings glory to God, not the person who experienced it, and benefits other people. 
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I believe God is Love and Love is about Giving.  Not getting. 
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Lovely Sunday, Blog Buds!

Okay, Looks Like...

...I can post text on the sidebars and that's it.  (((sigh)))  Guess I'll work on other stuff while they fix that.

Hey, looks like I can fix the sidebar!

Think I'll work on the favorite authors link.
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Later...well, that didn't work.  Time to visit Blogger's help center.

My To Be Read Stack

Can't afford to buy new books right now and I haven't reestablished myself as a book reviewer yet, so that I can receive free ARCs from publishers.  So, I went to the library and I think I've put together a healthy stack.  I'll be adding more and I'll try to keep the reviews at least two weeks ahead of schedule.  Here we go in no particular order:
POPE JOAN by Donna Woolfolk Cross

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pope-joan-donna-woolfolk-cross/1100618910?ean=9780307452368
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RUNNING AROUND (and such) by Linda Byler

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/running-around-linda-byler/1115409142?ean=9781453275887

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CITY OF BONES by Cassandra Clare   (I know this one is old, but I wanted to read it before I see the movie.)

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/city-of-bones-cassandra-clare/1100329400?ean=9781416955078
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I WANT TO LIVE by Nina Lugovskay.  This one's supposed to be sort of like the Diary of Anne Frank, except it's set in Stalin's Russia.

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/i-want-to-live-nina-lugovskaya/1111666422?ean=9780618605750
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This is the one I've started reading.  It's Fantasy and so far it makes me wonder what it would be like written from a Science Fiction point of view, since, you know, Science Fiction is the geeky kid-sister of the Fantasy genre, which is, of course, a modern outgrowth of ancient mythology.

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hunted-kevin-hearne/1113247100?ean=9780345533630
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SCATTER, ADAPT, AND REMEMBER by Annalee Newitz.  This author was a founding editor over at http://io9.com/ 

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/scatter-adapt-and-remember-annalee-newitz/1112030620?ean=9780385535915
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So, this is a good start and should give you all an idea of what I'm after.  I'm only lacking a really good romance novel.  Here's one from my old blog-http://enduringromance.blogspot.com/2010/04/taming-her-irish-warrior-by-michelle.html

I don't really have a Science Fiction Romance up here either.  Hmmm...  Here's an old review of GAMES OF COMMAND by Linnea Sinclair.  She was one of my first authors at Enduring Romance.   http://enduringromance.blogspot.com/2007/04/games-of-command-by-linnea-sinclair.html

Ooohkay, so this isn't the cover art for Games of Command, but, um, caalose enough!

Gosh, where to begin?

That's always the hardest part of a new project, it seems.

Well, I thought I'd start with the Layout, post links to my old reviews of favorite authors, but Blogger just isn't functioning there right now.  Will try again later.

Books I Want to Review

Good morning.  If you're stopping in wondering what I will be reviewing here or wondering if I'd like to review yours, this is the post to read.  The reviews below were just practice.

Adult Fiction:  Pretty much anything, except Erotica or anything more graphic than Rated PG-13.

Young Adult:   Ditto

Besides that, I'm interested in anything having to do with History and Hobby Farming.

Pop over to my old book review blog, Enduring Romance, to get a better idea, but I'm hoping to be better organized this time.   Enduring Romance

November 1st

Good morning, Blog Buds!  I'm setting November 1st as my official start date.  In the meantime, I'll be tweaking this blog a little bit each day.