Mastiff: Book Review

Mastiff

by Tamora Pierce

The Legend of Beka Cooper gives Tamora Pierce's fans exactly what they want—a smart and savvy heroine making a name for herself on the mean streets of Tortall's Lower City—while offering plenty of appeal for new readers as well.

Beka and her friends will face their greatest and most important challenge ever when the young heir to the kingdom vanishes. They will be sent out of Corus on a trail that appears and disappears, following a twisting road throughout Tortall. It will be her greatest Hunt—if she can survive the very powerful people who do not want her to succeed in her goal.

Moments Divine:
"All this torture of a little boy for a bloody chair and the ability to tell others what to do!  Who among the sane would want such a life?  ho would want the burden of so many lives and decisions?"
--------------------------------------------------------------------
"I don't like it, either. Mama says it helps if I imagine them all in their loincloths."
The thought horrified me. Folk don't look nearly as good unclothed as they think they do.  "Does it help?" I asked him.
"No, but I tell Mama it does so she can be happy," he explained

I have waited for this one so long I had forgotten why it was I wanted to read it so much.  That and the fact that is near 600 pages really made me want to reconsider my choice of reading material.  Well, 600 pages later I am quite happy I persevered.  I absolutely love the characters, the world, the language, the action, and just about everything in this set of books.  Beka's dirty mouth cracks me up.  I even went through the effort of reading the glossary at the end.  I found myself using many of the same words when talking about something in reality.  I didn't realize it until I received a blank look from my husband.  Then he would point out that I had just used a word that either didn't exist or was totally new to him.

As far as the length of the book, I kept trying to figure out what could have been removed to trim it down.  But over and over, I just craved every piece of detail.  All of that intricate detail made it possible for the book to draw tears from me on two occasions.  The romance in this book was just sweet.  And that is on two parts.  It seems love has the power to build us up and also destroy.  A good lesson that came at a cost to some.  I most definitely recommend reading this book.  You will love meeting Beka and dogging her step by step.

Bout of Book Readathon: TBR Pile Picture and Search

 This is my physical TBR pile.  A bit larger than it usually is.  I have been going through a series bout of book addiction.  And I know there are ten books still on their way that should be on this pile.  It was much larger but the last readathon helped me trim off eight books.  Maybe this one will help as well.

This is my eTBR pile on the Nook.  Yep, I broke down and got myself a Nook for Christmas.  It is so much better than my old ereader (Kobo), which I might be giving away in the near future.  Can't decide yet.

I feel fairly confidant that I won't get all of these off the list.  But hopefully if I am very lucky I will get one for each day.  The really sad news is that I know as I look over each of your TBR piles I will be hit with even more envy and wish I was your neighbor and best friend.  Do you think we could work something out?

Fracture: Book Review (Abroad)

So I started to do a few reviews over at Fire and Ice.  What can I say.  I am a bit lonely.  I thought I would branch out for awhile and try to make friends or something.  So anyway, without further ado. . .

Presenting my first review abroad. . .

Fracture 

by Megan Miranda

Check it out.

Bout of Books: Readathon (Update)

I swear I participated in this before.  But things are sort of jumbled in my mind.

Books:

Rae of Hope by W.J. May

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead
Forgotten by Cat Patrick (Just over half done)

Blood Red Road by Moira Young (About 2/3 through)

Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton

If I Die by Rachel Vincent

Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey

That is my optimistic one a day sort of super goal.  So more like half of that will happen.  The books might change though since some of these will get read before we even start.

Goals:

Meet new bloggers 

Tweet 

Participate in challenges

Waterfall: Book Review

Waterfall

by Lisa T. Bergren

Most American teenagers want a vacation in Italy, but the Betarrini sisters have spent every summer of their lives among the romantic hills with their archaelogist parents. Stuck among the rubble of the medieval castles in rural Tuscany, on yet another hot, dusty archaeological site, Gabi and Lia are bored out of their minds...until Gabi places her hand atop a handprint in an ancient tomb and finds herself in fourteenth-century Italy. And worse yet, in the middle of a fierce battle between knights of two opposing forces.

Suddenly Gabi's summer in Italy is much, much more interesting.

Wow, this was everything it has been built up to be.  I loved this book and can't wait to see what will happen next.  How long will I have to wait?  I don't know if I will make it.  Maybe, if I time traveled to the future I wouldn't have to wait too long.  But then again I might run into a few problems.  Am I really prepared?

The story was excellent.  Lisa Bergren has taken the subject of time travel and made it a delight to read.  I didn't think it could be done.  So glad to be proven wrong.  Somehow even having read several not so great books about time travel this one has caught my attention as well as my heart.  

The characters are so absolutely fabulous.  The question guide at the back asks a question about which male character you would give your heart to if you could be in Gabrielle's place.  I honestly couldn't choose for once.  I loved all the male leading good side characters.  They each have flaws but hearts of gold.  It is a good thing they are safely tucked away in history so as to not be in the realm of possibility (wink, wink).  I also completely agree with another review I have read that Lisa has done a super job of making Gabrielle's reactions to the time transfer completely believable.  I must agree that when I read too many Austen books in a row I start to speak a bit more like they do.

There are so many great conflict and danger riddled throughout the book as to keep you turning pages late into the night.  The ending of the book, to my mind, should have been a real let down.  Astoundingly, I am not left downhearted but completely hopeful.  The ending feels just right, I might even say perfect.  Hooray!  I totally recommend this book.

Waiting on Wednesday: A Million Suns

Hosted by Breaking the Spine.

A Million Suns

by Beth Revis

Publication Date: January 10th

From Goodreads

Godspeed was fueled by lies. Now it is ruled by chaos.
It's been three months since Amy was unplugged. The life she always knew is over. And everywhere she looks, she sees the walls of the spaceship Godspeed. But there may just be hope: Elder has assumed leadership of the ship. He's finally free to enact his vision - no more Phydus, no more lies.
But when Elder discovers shocking news about the ship, he and Amy race to discover the truth behind life on Godspeed. They must work together to unlock a puzzle that was set in motion hundreds of years earlier, unable to fight the romance that's growing between them and the chaos that threatens to tear them apart.
In book two of the Across the Universe trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Beth Revis mesmerizes us again with a brilliantly crafted mystery filled with action, suspense, romance, and deep philosophical questions. And this time it all builds to one mind-bending conclusion: They have to get off this ship.

I haven't actually read the first one yet.  But I know for a fact it is under the Christmas tree.  So it is only a matter of time.   And what are the odds I won't like it?

The Book Thief: Book Review

The Book Thief

by Markus Zusak

It’s just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. . . .

Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak’s groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau.

This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul.

Reviewed by Womble Dean

In rating a book with a number of stars, I usually have to round up or down.  This book was not rounded in any degree;  It really is a full five stars as far as I'm concerned.  There aren't many books this perfect.  Everything I can say about it will fail in describing its true beauty.  Set in Nazi Germany, the story revolves around a young girl and her family and friends in a poor neighborhood.  It's one of those stories that shows the brilliant sheen of character development and incredible relationships that are forged in the furnace of brutal hardships.   Warning, you may cry if you read this book.  I listen to books on CD while I'm at work as an animator and my eyes were getting runny at many points during the story.  My co-worker sitting a few feet away from me might have thought that it was the cute little puppy I was animating that was making me get all emotional, but it really was the book, honest.  I don't like giving much away in a book review, it spoils the surprise.  If you like being reminded that you have a heart somewhere deep inside you, read the damn book!

Oh, I should also mention that there's a lot of swearing in case you have sensitive ears.  Most of it is in German, but they give you the translations too, so it's a lot of fun.  Nothing too nasty.  Trust me, I looked up the list of German swear words online because I wanted to use the German word for "damn" above.  Surprisingly, I couldn't find it on the list that seemed to scroll down forever!  I think I need to wash my eyes and brain out after reading all of those. 

Wolfsbane: Book Review

Wolfsbane

by Andrea Cremer

When Calla Tor wakes up in the lair of the Searchers, her sworn enemies, she's certain her days are numbered. But then the Searchers make her an offer, one that gives her the chance to destroy her former masters and save the pack and the man she left behind. Is Ren worth the price of her freedom? And will Shay stand by her side no matter what? Now in control of her own destiny, Calla must decide which battles are worth fighting and how many trials true love can endure and still survive.

I have to vent a bit of frustration.  The ending not my favorite.  In fact, I think it may have turned me off to finishing out this series.  Those last few paragraphs just leave a horrible feeling inside me.  I don't think I can read such a thing coming to pass.  Yuck!  That is not to say that Andrea Cremer won't somehow turn the next book into a fabulous and stunningly awesome read.  But I won't be picking it up until I hear some stellar praise that helps me overcome my wariness.

Other than the ending this book was a great read.  Plenty of action, turmoil, sadness, love, heartbreak, betrayal, growling, and so much more to keep the pages flying by.  

Spoiler Section:

I am so on Shay's team on this one.  Sorry, Ren.  You have a great name and plenty of other stuff.  But love should win out at the end of the day.  Shay and Calla both love each other.  If you had your way it would be one sided and that would be a miserable lie.  Move on heal and find another, sheesh.

Wrapping Up 2011 Readathon: Wrap Up

Alright here is the wrap-up.

Here were my terribly opptimistic goals:

Shadowcry by Jenna Burtenshaw

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

The Silver Sea by Julia Golding

Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Legend by Marie Lu

Twisted by Gena Showalter
If I Die by Rachel Vincent

Runaway by Meg Cabot

Mastiff by Tamora Pierce

Blood Red Road by Moira Young
Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness and Siobhan Dowd
Bloodlines by Richelle Mead
The Fox Inheritance by Mary E. Pearson



I added one book to the list that wasn't there in the first place.  But I only got about half of the way through it.  I wonder if I should have counted those pages as well.

So eight books or eight and a half.
3028 pages or 3168 pages (depends on how you look at it)

This was fun.  Although, I might need a small break from reading.  Too bad there are too many great books still clamoring for my attention.

HBRC: Top 11 of 2011

 11. Tiger's Quest by Colleen Houck

Review

10. Dark Mirror by M.J. Putney

Review

 

9. The Merchant's Daughter by Melanie Dickerson
Review

 

 8. Tempestuous by Leslie Livingston
Review

7. Dragonfly by Julia Golding
Review

 

6. Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

Review still to come

 

5. Divergent by Veronica Roth
Review

 

4. Bargains and Betrayals by Shannon Delany
Review

3. Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren

Review still to come

 

2. The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

Review

1. ?????? by ??????

What will it be? Come back tomorrow and see.

Bloggiversary: One Year

(Making the best of what could be a bad moment)

Officially, yesterday was my one year mark in the book blogging world.  I am nowhere near where I thought I would be.  I had grand visions of grandeur.  It was a spectacular sight to see.  So I guess I wasn't taking into account the reality of myself.  Yep, not the most social on my best day.  Why do you think I am so addicted to books?  These fictional characters make such low maintenance friends.  I have had in mind a sweet way to celebrate that I have managed to survive this long.  I have heard it said that most bloggers give up in their first year.  Yea!  I am above average, especially since I have posts planned out for almost the next month.  But looking back it hasn't been an easy road.  

1. Pregnancy comes along with motion sickness sparked by simply running your eyes across the lines of a page repeatedly.  It made reading impossible unless I wanted the books covered in bile.

2. Pregnancy makes you so very tired not even the best of books could keep you awake.  Not to mention the less than best have no chance at all.

3. Pregnancy makes you uninterested in just about everything.  Therefore, I had a lack of books read and subsequently next to no blog posts.

4. Pregnancy affects memory.  Now where did I put that book again?  I could swear I just had it in my hand.

5. No blog posts means no one comes to your blog anymore and good old friends disappear off to greener pastures.

6. Pregnancy hormones make you want to weep that all your months of hard work and hopes putting a blog together have been destroyed in a trimester of nausea.  Is it even worth trying?  Especially, when no one is there anymore?

7. Labor and Delivery can be a nightmare.  Sometimes you get to be the rare complication that really messes up your life and those around you.  Yep, I was one of those rare once in a decade major complications that really set me back.  And not in a way that gave me reading time.

8.  A Toddler and a newborn make reading a nigh impossibility.  I think I read the same sentence four or five times before I get enough time to finish a whole paragraph.  My readathon goals have shrunk to something along the lines of "finish one page in the next ten minutes."  I am so happy to get one book finished in a week.  Well, not really happy since I know I could do better if I could only find better focus.

9. Did I mention Pregnancy and Motherhood seemed to have sapped my brain cells?  I wish that were the only thing killing of my brain.

Anyway, as I was saying before I got sidetracked.  I have been thinking about doing a contest giveaway thingy.  There are even books or possibly a larger prize I have my eye on.  But as hinted at above, I am rather space cased and have been slow getting around to it.  So hopefully, I will get my act in gear and get it set up soon.  It sure doesn't help that I am participating in two time consuming challenges right now.  But at least one of them is helping me get through an insane pile of books.  So don't go away until you can celebrate with me belatedly.  And thanks for checking up on me(well my blog really).  It means a lot when I get comments and I know that someone can hear my ramblings about books.  I promise the great giveaway fun is coming.

My next year of blogging goals.

1. Keep reading

2. Keep posting

3. Review some books that take me out of my comfort zone

4. Help other bloggers

5. Try not to fall too far behind in the blogging universe of technology

6. Try to get a few ARCs

Yep, I am basically going to "TRY."  What else can a girl do?

HBRC: Day 14 Collage of Books I've Read in 2011

So I just threw 134 books together in a miss mash and here you go.  Some of the books have completely disappeared under the monster pile of pictures.  It looks like chaos.  I wonder if that is what my brain looks like as well after having read all of these books.  I know I don't remember the details of all of these books anymore.  But I vaguely remember the covers.  It is a good thing that I have goodreads to keep track of all of this.

2012 Kick Off: Challenges

So I have looked over a lot of challenges and in past have joined a good many that I haven't followed up with. Sounds far too much like news years resolutions. Well, the pressure has been mounting to join at least one of the many challenges flooding the blogging sphere. The problem is that I know I can't follow up well. I tried the DAC last year and couldn't remember who was a debut and who wasn't. For some reason I just couldn't figure it out easily enough to work out for me. Not to mention if I did bother to get a qualifying book read I would forget to link my review. Yeah, too much trouble for this absentminded girl. I mean I would rather read for the love of it then to worry if I qualifies for something or other. Keeping up with my reading pile is already a challenge. So, when I came across this challenge I thought now this is one I can understand and get behind. I always know what books are still waiting in the wings to get read. So it should be easy enough to keep track of.  So onto my hopes for this challenge.

A Sweet Kiss (21-30)

This is very reasonable.  I am sure I have at least 30 books on my TBR that qualify for this challenge.  And since I have been working on cutting my TBR list down with various readathons I should already be in a great habit.  Maybe I will even get more than 30 read, who knows?

Is your interest piqued?  Well, here are a bit more details.(right from their post)

Welcome to 2012 TBR PILE Reading Challenge!!!

We all have those books. We buy them, win them, they're gifted to us.. Then we put them up on a bookshelf and there they stay, collecting dust, waiting for the time when we'll finally decide to pick them up..

Join us on a quest to dust off your TBR Pile and read all the books you've been telling yourself you'll read next time you'll get a chance.. This is your chance! And we've got PRIZES!!! :D 

So for more information head over to their blog and maybe even sign up.

P.S.  Here is a link list of other Challenges I have come across.  Help yourself, but don't get too carried away.  If you want me to add a challenge I missed just let me know.

2nds Challenge 2012

1st in a series Challenge

100 Books In A Year Reading Challenge 2012! 

Read Dystopia Challenge 2012

Zombie Challenge 2012

Horror & Urban Fantasy Reading Challenge 2012!

150+ Reading Challenge for 2012 

2012 Debut Author Challenge

The 2012 YA/MG Fantasy Challenge

The Sophomore Reading Challenge

The Completely Contemp Challenge

Finishing the Series Reading Challenge 

Cruisin' thru the Cozies Reading Challenge 2012

Why Buy the Cow? Reading Challenge

Reading Romances Challenge 2012

My Bookish 2012 New Year's Resolutions Challenge 

2012 Award Winning Reads Challenge 
2012 ABC Reading Challenge

The Dig: Book Review

The Dig

by Audrey Hart

Zoe Calder has always been an outsider. Stashed away in boarding schools since her parents died, Zoe buries herself in the study of ancient worlds. Her greatest thrill is spending her summers with her archeologist aunt and uncle on digs around the world. And one day, while investigating a newly unearthed temple in Crete, Zoe discovers a luminous artifact that transports her to ancient Greece.

As Zoe quickly learns, the Olympian Gods are real, living people—humans with mysterious powers… Powers that Zoe quickly realizes she has come to possess, as well. However, when the people of ancient Greece mistake Zoe for an Olympian, the Gods must restore the balance of the ancient world… No matter what.

Zoe is forced to play a confusing and dangerous game as Hera rallies the gods against her—all except for Zeus, the beautiful, winged young god who risks everything to save her.

Out of time and out of her element, teenager Zoe Calder finds herself in ancient Greece, battling against the power of the Olympians and the vengeance of a scorned goddess—all for the strange and mysterious boy she has come to love.

This book just didn't work for me.  I really wanted it to work but, alas, it was not to be.  I got interested in reading this book after reading the prologue.  Greek mythology has always been a favorite of mine and I once wanted to memorize a see all the constellations.  This interest was only fed by the recent Percy Jackson series.  So with this in mind I set out to read this book.  I think the biggest factor that ruined it for me was my near hatred of the main character, Zoe.  Which is sad since Zoe is one of my favorite names.  Well, the problem was that she was just plain annoying.  Here is the thing, everyone has an inner dialogue that would drive anyone nuts.  The key is we don't broadcast every thought to those around us.  Otherwise no one would like us.  Filtering is a good thing.  So this is a crucial idea to keep in mind as an author.  How much is too much and how much would be just right.  This is something you see frequently in movies, especially if you watch the deleted scenes.  They don't show every inane detail but give you just enough that you understand and or identify with the character.  Your imagination will fill in the gaps.  So the problem is that her insecurity was just shoved down my throat far too often. 

I really feel Audrey was trying to be the Stephenie Meyer of Greek Mythology.  She was trying to reinvent Zeus and all his cronies.  I am not saying it wouldn't work but it just didn't the way the book played out.  I think she had the right ideas but somehow it all got jumbled and didn't quite make it.

Spoiler Section:

A hair monster, really?

Waiting on Wednesday: Dragonswood

Hosted by Breaking the Spine.

Dragonswood

by Janet Lee Carey

Publication Date: January 5th

From Goodreads

Wilde Island is in an uproar after the recent death of its king. The uneasy pact between dragons, fairies, and humans is fraying, and a bloodthirsty witch hunter with a hidden agenda whips villages into frenzies with wild accusations. Tess, a blacksmith’s daughter from a tiny hamlet near the mysterious Dragonswood, finds herself caught in the crosshairs of fate when she is accused of witchery and has to flee for her life along with her two best friends.

Not even Tess’s power to see the future can help the girls as they set off on their desperate journey, but she keeps having visions of a man wielding a sword. And when she finally meets him, Tess has no idea how to handle the magnetic attraction she feels for him, or the elusive call she hears from the heart of the Dragonswood.

In this epic romance, an ancient prophecy comes true in a way neither dragon, fairy, nor human would have predicted.

I like dragons and the cover is just sweet.  What else is there?

Mid-Week Meet N' Greet: 12/28

How it will go down:  You bring along a fictional character and a food they would eat.  We all share in the feast while we read your answer to the completely random question.  Yep, that is pretty much it.  Feel free to comment your stuff below or link up your post.  No pressure.  Never mind, I mean tons of pressure.  We are all counting on you don't let us starve intellectually or in our bellies.

This week I brought Pietr Russacova from Bargains and Betrayals.  Pietr has brought along a freshly killed elk.  Lucky us!

So onto the intellectual stimulation.

If you were asked to make a "Top Ten" list of the people you regard as the all-time greatest Americans, whom would you rank in the third, second, and first spots?

Pietr says he doesn't care about most Americans.  He only can think of one really important person and that is Jessie. 

In some ways Pietr and I think alike.  I am not familiar with a load of popular Americans.  So I would have to go with my own little family of three.  I have two absolutely great daughters and a stellar husband.  They are the greatest in my world.  A bit cheesy, perhaps, but still true.

For those of you not taking this seriously, Pietr is a werewolf.  Need I say more?

Sweet Giveaway

Bloody Bookaholic is celebrating another great year in the book world.  She is giving away 40 books divided out between three winners.  Go throw your name in the pot with the rest of us.

Top Ten Tuesday: Favorites

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Top Ten Favorite Books I Read in 2011

By rating-

Crossed by Ally Condie, my review

The Merchant's Daughter by Melanie Dickerson, my review

Dark Mirror by M.J. Putney, my review

Bargains and Betrayals by Shannon Delany, my review

Divergent by Veronica Roth, my review

Damned by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie, my review

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa, my review

Summer's Crossing by Julie Kagawa, my review

Chime by Franny Billingsley, my review

Vanish by Sophie Jordan, my review

Off the top of my head there are some anomalies- (The rating doesn't always guarantee if it is my favorite book)

All things Tiger Saga by Colleen Houck, my reviews (Tiger's Curse and Tiger's Quest)

Tempestous by Leslie Livingston, my review

All things Iron Fey by Julie Kagawa, my reviews (Summer's Crossing, The Iron Knight, and The Iron Queen)

Angel Burn by L.A. Weatherly, my review

Die for Me by Amy Plum, my review

All things 13 to Life by Shannon Delany, my reviews (Bargains and Betrayals and Secrets and Shadows)

Divergent by Veronica Roth, my review

All things Firelight by Sophie Jordan, my reviews (Firelight and Vanish)

Damned by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie, my review

Dark Mirror by M.J. Putney, my review

Other mentionables-

The Demon's Surrender by Sarah Rees Brennan, my review

Drink, Slay, Love by Sarah Beth Durst, my review

Bargains and Betrayals: Book Review

Bargains and Betrayals

by Shannon Delany

Locked away at Pecan Place, Jessie finds her situation to be even more dangerous than she feared. While she struggles to maintain her sanity and discover answers about the group that seems less and less like any legitimate government agency, Pietr fights to keep their relationship alive. But very aware that his mother’s time is running out, Pietr makes a deal he doesn’t dare tell Jessie about. Because the deal Pietr’s made could mean the death of far more than his tenuous relationship with the girl he loves.

Moments Divine: "Oh, please, Jessie. Forget all the wacky crap going on around here for a minute or five. Pass me the comics."
"I don't think there are--"
"Of course there are comics. They're the only redeeming feature to the newspaper. without comics, newspapers would be crap, crap, and more crap."
"And sports," I said.
She rolled her eyes and said, "See above. Crap." --------------------------------------------------------------------
"Some company that may or may not be potentially affiliated with the CIA wants the werewolves to be their dog soldiers. The Russian Mafia wants them, too, for some scheme to eventually overthrow the government of Russia. I know, I know. It sounds like some crazy plot cooked up by a housewife-turned-author. But that saying Truth is stranger than fiction? Dead on. And, because we can stop the werewolves from being werewolves, both groups would like us dead."

I was supposed to be reading a different book but didn't have it on me so I picked up this one.  I didn't intend to read it for more than a few minutes.  But much like the other books in this series, I got hooked.  I would definitely label this series a surprising find.  I picked the first up because I was a bit desperate for reading material.

I think it helps that I am a sucker for werewolves.  What is not to love?  Pietr is just stellar and it sure doesn't hurt for him to sprinkle Russian words here and there.  I am just a sucker for fictional accents.  It really does work.  I feel Shannon Delany has created such a believable world and characters that they are nearly real.  I swear I can hear Pietr's voice.  The ending of this book was sweet!  The pages are full of drama and excitement.  Don't judge this by the cover, which I felt is average.  Go read this, you aren't likely to be disappointed.

HBRC: Day 11

Hosted by Edifying and Edgy

Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon

"I was six. Mom and I had gone to see my grandmother, . . ."