The Nerd's Wife

Review: The Replacement

Tuesday, August 31, 2010 / By Arena Blake

The first time I saw the cover of The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff, I was intrigued.

I mean, it is creepy, creepy, creepy.

Now, I am *not* much of a horror person.

In fact, I *hate* scary movies. So, I was a little afraid to pick up this book.

But I am *really* glad I did.

“Mackie Doyle seems like everyone else in the perfect little town of Gentry, but he is living with a fatal secret – he is a Replacement, left in the crib of a human baby sixteen years ago. Now the creatures under the hill want him back, and Mackie must decide where he really belongs and what he really wants.

A month ago, Mackie might have told them to buzz off. But now, with a budding relationship with tough, wounded, beautiful Tate, Mackie has too much to lose. Will love finally make him worthy of the human world?”

– Description from GoodReads

This is a really unique story. The world that Brenna Yovanoff creates is so creepy and dark.

A town where infants are replaced with changelings, half-dead creatures that can’t survive in the human world, in exchange for the town’s prosperity?

It’s a very original concept in a genre permeated with stories of supernatural beings trying to come to terms with their individual destinies.

Yovanoff has taken that same, tired story and given it a fresh edge that readers won’t soon forget.

I loved that this was told from a boy’s perspective. Mackie is a likable character. And Yovanoff does good job of portrayed a guy in a realistic way — yes, he stares at boobs now and again, but at least he doesn’t want to talk about his feelings while sipping Cosmos.

It’s amazing to me how everyone in the town seemed to know what was going on, but just wanted to ignore it. It’s very telling of human nature.

This was a fast read that was easy to immerse myself into. I lost myself in the world of Gentry and turned the final page wanting more.

There was a very Sleepy Hollow-like vibe that drifted throughout the story and made it even more interesting.

Brenna Yovanoff has a gem in this debut novel about dark destiny in a creepy small town.

It’s Book #4 in my 2010 Debut Author Challenge.

The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff will be released Sept. 21, 2010.

You can pre-order it from Amazon here.

**Disclaimer** An Advanced Reading Copy of this book was provided to me for review by Razorbill, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group.

Thanks to the publisher for the chance to read and review this book early!

Categories: Reading

Skydiving With the Golden Knights

Tuesday, August 31, 2010 / By Arena Blake

Last week, my dad had the chance to go skydiving with the U.S. Army Golden Knights, but the weather didn’t cooperate.

So, they rescheduled the jump for two days later.

And this time, it was on like Donkey Kong.

After hanging around and watching some other folks jump, it was time to get suited up.

Doesn’t he look dashing in his bright yellow jump suit?

Pretty soon, it was time to fly!

They went up in this plane…

And floated down to the ground!

Please forgive the glare in many of these photos. The sun was so bright and scorching hot — it was so hard to take good photos!

Here they are coming in for the landing.

Dad kept the form (Legs up! Back arched!) all the way to the ground.

Soon, they were nestled safely among their parachute.

Each jumper received a DVD of footage of themselves being interviewed before and after jumping, and footage of their freefall.

Doesn’t he look elated? He had such an adrenaline rush!

Here’s dad with his tandem partner, Jon, and the Golden Knights commanders, LTC Joe Martin and SGM Stephen Young.

They were a lot of fun and we had a good ol’ time.

Here’s Dad with the Army recruiter for his school, Sgt. Nguyen, and the GK commanders.

You may remember Jon from the Texas Rangers Game early last week. We’re glad he was ok!

Too soon, it was time for the suit to come off and the fun to be over.

I know Dad had a great time, and we’re so thankful to the Golden Knights for giving him the opportunity to do this!

Thanks for looking!

Categories: Living

Review: Chalice

Monday, August 30, 2010 / By Arena Blake

One of the first Sci Fi/Fantasy books I read (and loved!) was The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley.

I was immediately swept away into the story and couldn’t get enough.

That was 10 years ago.

I’ve devoured her books since then.

Chalice is one of the best I’ve yet read.

“As the newly appointed Chalice, Mirasol is the most important member of the Master’s Circle. It is her duty to bind the Circle, the land and its people together with their new Master. But the new Master of Willowlands is a Priest of Fire, only drawn back into the human world by the sudden death of his brother. No one knows if it is even possible for him to live amongst his people. Mirasol wants the Master to have his chance, but her only training is as a beekeeper. How can she help settle their demesne during these troubled times and bind it to a Priest of Fire, the touch of whose hand can burn human flesh to the bone?

Robin McKinley weaves a captivating tale that reveals the healing power of duty and honor, love and honey.”

–Description from Goodreads

McKinley has such an amazing way with words. She assumes you know the logistics of the world from the beginning. Even though you have no idea at first what’s going on, you soon catch up as she flawlessly weaves details about the backstory in with what’s currently happening.

I was immediately drawn into Mirasol’s world, where bees are friends and citizens have a relationship with the land.

I could understand Mirasol’s love for the land, because I had experienced her memories as they were told in her dreams. McKinley doesn’t *tell* you what’s going on — she throws you in the mix and expects you to keep up. But she doesn’t leave you empty-handed. She gives you the information you need, without force-feeding it to you.

I love that. It is so refreshing, especially in Young Adult literature.

There’s not a lot of action, but enough intrigue and mystery to move the story along.

You’ll truly enjoy this story. I know I did!

Chalice by Robin McKinley is available from Amazon.

Categories: Reading

Peanut Butter Cookies

Friday, August 27, 2010 / By Arena Blake

I have a love/hate relationship with Peanut Butter Cookies.

I’m not the biggest fan of peanut butter, so I don’t particularly care for the flavor. I’ll eat them, I just don’t *love* them.

But, I do like the chewy texture of peanut butter cookies. It reminds me of the impossible chewy texture of Sugar Babies candy bars. Remember those? I haven’t had a Sugar Baby in forever.

All that’s to say that I love the texture that this recipe produces: Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies. Mmmmm.

Peanut Butter Cookies

Source: Amanda’s Cookin

Ingredients:

1/2 c shortening

3/4 c creamy peanut butter

1 1/4 c firmly packed light brown sugar

3 tbsp milk

1 tbsp vanilla

1 egg

1 3/4 c all-purpose flour

3/4 tsp salt

3/4 tsp baking soda

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Cream the butter, brown sugar, shortening, vanilla and milk in a large bowl.

Add in the egg and mix to incorporate.

Stir together the flour, baking soda and salt in a separate bowl.

Slowly add the flour mixture to the batter and mix to combine.

Scoop batter by the teaspoon and roll into a small ball, placing two inches apart from other cookies.

Use the tines of a fork to flatten the cookie and add a criss-cross pattern to the top.

Bake for 7 to 8 minutes. You want the middles to still look a bit undercooked — that’s where the chewy texture comes from.

If the edges start to brown, you’ve overcooked them.

Serve with a GIANT glass of milk, or if you’re lactose intolerant like me and The Nerd, an icy glass of Dr Pepper.

Enjoy!

These Peanut Butter Cookies are soft and chewy — you’ll need a big glass of Milk to wash them down!

Categories: Cooking, Recipes

Fragment Friday: Infinite Days

Friday, August 27, 2010 / By Arena Blake

Happy Friday everyone!

That means it’s time for Fragment Friday, a weekly event hosted by Book Chic Club where we read passages from books that we’re currently reading or that we love!

Check out my pick:

Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel

*****

It’s time for the Book Blogger Hop from Crazy for Books!

Today’s question:

Do you use a rating system for your reviews and if so, what is it and why?

I do — it’s a five star rating system. You can see it over there —–>

Click on the different ratings and you’ll get a list of books that have each rating.

I chose this system because it’s similar to the system used by Goodreads.

It makes it easier for me to categorize books in my head.

Most of my ratings are four- to five-star ratings. Why? It’s not because I’m easy on the books, but because I specifically select books to review that interest me. If I choose a book to review, I’m probably going to like it.

*****

And Follow Friday from Parajunkee!