Tag: Michael G D’Agostino

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Books FlashbackFriday

#FlashbackFriday: #Fantasy #Book Review: Breath of Air


Brought to you by, Michael G D’Agostino at A Life Examined, this is a time of the month (the last Friday) where you can republish an old post of yours that maybe didn’t get enough attention, you’re really proud of, or you think is still relevant, etc. I’ve chosen to share old book and movie reviews because those are always relevant.

Originally posted Friday, September 21, 2012.

Breath of Air (The Dryad Quartet), By Katie Jennings

I give this story a solid 4. Almost everything you could want in a story.

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This is the story of an orphan named Capri who discovers that her suppressed dreams are actually memories and that she does actually have a family. You’d think that finding out something like that would be enough to carry a decent story, but Breath of Air takes this heartwarming tale for a good old fashion thrill ride. This wild, funny, and sometimes scary journey opens Capri up to a world of mystical and mythological beings and helps her cope with the idea that she may just be one of them.

Not my usual read, but so worth my time. I’m used to more intensity and less romance, but this wasn’t too much or too little of anything. I’m still wondering what happened to the fairies. Were they real or did I overlook something?

The whole story was delivered in a laid-back Sunday afternoon kind of approach, but that doesn’t mean it was slow or boring in any way. It was beautifully descriptive, but very simplistic making for an easy and enjoyable read. It took me a while to warm up to Capri, but I think it’s because I’m more like the character of Blythe. Once I realized just how important Capri was to the whole dynamic of the relationships around her, I fell in love with her. She’s just the kind of person I’d love to have as a friend.

There were several prince charming types, a charismatic one and a brooding loner one, readily available for rescues and romance, but it was the plethora of diverse and dominant female characters that stole the show, so to speak. Always a fan of mythology, I loved seeing how the characters and story plot would play out in this world of Euphorea.

Get a copy of this book here.

Please visit the other participants in this hop and even join in if you’d like.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords

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Question of the Month

#Question of the Month: a #bloghop to think about. No. 12- What’s your advice on starting a blog?

A little while ago, Michael D’Agostino, of A Life Examined, brought up the idea of a new blog hop called Question of the Month. He thinks blog readers would like to know a little more about us, the bloggers. So we’re all gathering to show you guys who we are by taking part in the Question of the Month blog hop. On the first Monday of each month, we answer the question that gets posted here.

This month’s question is: “If a friend came to you looking for advice on starting a blog, what three pieces of advice would you give them?”

So, since we’ve been advised to stay away from some of the commonly applied tips of the trade such as: visit other blogs, write what you love, and link back to older posts from time to time, I’m going to try to think a bit outside the box.

Tip #1 – Find a niche. It doesn’t have to be something uber unique, just something that will help narrow your focus and tap into a specific audience. I, for one, have set myself up as a fan and contributor to geek culture. “Geek” has become so broad and popular as of late, that I’ve made a point to single out some of my specific interests, instead of trying to cover them all. I mainly talk about books and movies, but I’ll slip in some of my music interests from time to time.

Tip #2 – Embrace the culture. Many people don’t realize that blogging is a subculture and that within it, there are many micro-cultures to join in and become involved with. Joining blog hops and tours is a good way to connect to others who share your interests and learn from others. It’s important not to become overwhelmed by all the blogosphere has to offer. Many newcomers to the culture may feel the need to try everything all at once, but a little here and there should be enough to help someone find their place and feel like they are a part of something bigger.

Tip #3 – Plan and schedule. Don’t be afraid to think ahead whenever possible. Some blogs are designed to be spontaneous while others clearly work on a set schedule. In either situation, a bit of planning and scheduling can go a long way, even if it’s just setting up post for special occasions and or holidays. It’s always good to have a bit of wiggle room when posting to your blog so as not to turn the positive experience into a stressful one.

So that’s what I got. Hope it’s somewhat helpful.

Please visit the other participants in this hop and even join in if you’d like. I can’t wait to see what other tips will be shared.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords

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Question of the Month

#Question of the Month: a #bloghop to think about. No. 11- What’s your favorite thing that begins with C? (no A-Z for me)

A little while ago, Michael D’Agostino, of A Life Examined, brought up the idea of a new blog hop called Question of the Month. He thinks blog readers would like to know a little more about us, the bloggers. So we’re all gathering to show you guys who we are by taking part in the Question of the Month blog hop. On the first Monday of each month, we answer the question that gets posted here.

This month’s question is: “What’s your favorite thing that begins with C?”

Chocolate is probably my favorite thing that begins with ‘c’, but before I talk about why, I’d like to mention a few other C’s.

First, C is for challenge, as in the A – Z Challenge that many in the blogosphere are participating in this month. I am not participating, but I am following along. One day I’ll take on the challenge but not this time around. I am, however, enjoying many of the themed posts so far.

Second, C is for character. As a writer and reader of books, I appreciate good characters. Characters that feel real and make you love or hate them just can’t be beat. There are many aspects of fiction that make it my preferred overall genre, but I like the idea of becoming attached to a made up person, someone I almost wish was real.

Third, C is for convention. It’s convention season for me and I’m getting excited. I’ve already listed the countdown for RavenCon (see side panel) and will follow up shortly with a countdown for my local Tidewater Comicon. The geek in my can barely contain my excitement.

And before I get into my enjoyment of chocolate, I’d just like to mention one thing that begins with ‘c’ that drives me crazy. The ever so small yet daunting comma.

Finally, chocolate is my favorite thing that begins with ‘c’ because:
-it tastes great whether sweet, bitter, or spicy.
-it can be comforting and soothing.
-when in dark form it can be a healthier alternative to other sweets.
-I like the way it melts and can be molded.
-it goes well with many other flavors…

Seriously, I could go on, but I won’t. What’s your favorite thing that begins with ‘C’?

Please visit the other participants in this hop and even join in if you’d like.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords