Month: May 2014

Divergent the MOVIE. 2014. DivergentTheMovie.com.

 

 

DIVERGENT is a thrilling action-adventure film set in a world where people are divided into distinct factions based on human virtues. Tris Prior (Shailene Woodley) is warned she is Divergent and will never fit into any one group. When she discovers a conspiracy by a faction leader (Kate Winslet)to destroy all Divergents, Tris must learn to trust in the mysterious Four (Theo James) and together they must find out what makes being Divergent so dangerous before it’s too late. Based on the best-selling book series by Veronica Roth.

I saw Divergent in theaters twice the first weekend it released and loved it! My book club friends and I went to the first showing. The release date was March 21st, but there was an 8pm showing the night before. It was so fun to go with my girl friends. Then I went that weekend on a date with my husband since he’s read all the books too.

When watching movies made from books I go with the mindset of seeing the characters I love come to life. I don’t get too worked up about ways the movie deviates from the book. But with that being said, Divergent stayed very true to the book and especially the characters which I appreciate as a book lover.

Veronica Roth made a brief appearance. It was fun to recognize her and think, “hey, I know her!” Shailene Woodley made the perfect Tris. When I saw the previews I wasn’t sold at first, but after seeing the movie I couldn’t imagine anyone else playing Tris. From the first time I saw Theo James in the trailers I thought he was perfect to play Four. Wow. He was perfect. I think he now has millions of teenage girl fans . . . any age female fan actually. 😉

I’m sorry this is such a late post, but if Divergent is still showing in your area go see it! If you loved the book you’ll love the movie.

Content Ratings: highlight between ( ) for details
Sexual: mild ( kissing )
Language: mild but I didn’t keep track ( some d*** and h*** I think )
Violence: moderate ( physical combat with training, blood, injuries, murder, guns, knives )

BOOKS BY VERONICA ROTH
As an Amazon Affiliate I receive a small portion of sales when you click then make a purchase from Amazon links on my blog.
 

Dear Book Friends,

I’m sorry for the dramatic title, but I wanted to get your attention so that you could be updated in my life.

How It All Went Down
On April 6th, the day after I turned 30, I got really sick. After being sick all day I woke up that evening feeling better. Turning on my phone I saw a few unread emails. Still feeling exhausted I opened the emails and found I couldn’t understand the words. I knew the letter names and sounds, but I couldn’t comprehend the word! It was crazy! Let me tell you, English is a difficult language. Sounding out words does not work AT ALL. Honestly looking back I think I was too tired to worry long before falling asleep.

After a week of doctor visits, blood work, and an MRI the doctor found that I had a “mass” on the left side of my brain. After seeing two neurosurgeons I was told that I have a low grade glioma which is a slow growing tumor that starts and stays in the brain. It’s on the left side which is the side of my language comprehension. Surgery is a possibility in the future, but we want to avoid it as long as possibly since it’s on the left side and has the risk of affecting my ability to read and understand words. There are ways to avoid those risks so I’m not too worried.

Where Do I Go From Here?
My Neurosurgeon said that I can go back to living my normal life. It took almost two weeks for me to feel completely back to normal, but I really do feel fine now.

I will go back in for an MRI in July to see if the tumor has grown and at what rate. I’ll have a biopsy in the fall with a possible surgery to remove some of the tumor.

What Have I Learned?
I am so grateful for my health. Things could be so much worse. I could have continued to have brain splitting headaches, but I don’t. I could have continued to fall asleep exhausted all day, but I don’t.

I am grateful for reading! I don’t think I took it for granted, but I know that reading is a part of my life I never want to give up. Writing and editing my Young Adult novel is also a part of my life that brings me so much joy. I teared up when I opened my word document to do some edits after more than two weeks of not being able to. The tears told me that this wasn’t just a hobby it is my passion. I hope everyone has a passion in life.

The time between finding out I had a mass in my brain and that it wasn’t the killing kind of cancer I thought it was possible that I was dying. No one can know how they will react to that thought, and I hope you never will.

For me, I felt peace. I know that my Savior Jesus Christ lived and died for me and was resurrected. He lives and loves us! I felt joy knowing that Jesus and God my Heavenly Father would be waiting to greet me in Heaven. Have I lived a perfect life? Nope, not even close, but I repent daily for my daily mistakes and try to live as Christ would want me to.

With this peace of leaving the earth came the thought I didn’t want to yet. I want to be here with my husband and to raise my four boys! My boys are 7, 5, 3, and almost 1 years old. The time we spend on earth is so short in the eternal perspective, but I want to spend as much time as I can here to help my boys come to know their Savior too.

Have you ever heard the country song Live Like You Were Dying by Tim McGraw? The song is about a man who had cancer. I found myself singing part of the chorus multiple times throughout the day. (found at metrolyrics)
And I loved deeper
And I spoke sweeter
And I gave forgiveness I’d been denyin’
And he said, Someday I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dyin’

 

I hope you don’t have to live like you were dying to know what’s really important while we’re on the earth. The two things that stood out to me were to build a relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and to build loving relationships with our family and friends. We all have difficulties, and I hope I can always learn and grow stronger because of mine.

In Conclusion
This was long, but I wanted to share with you what’s going on so you can know why I might continue to only post sporadically. Blogging is not the most important thing, but I do still enjoy sharing my love of books with all of you.

Love,
Kathryn

P.S- If you are interested to learn more about my religious beliefs visit these websites: lds.org and mormon.org

 

I am so happy to be apart of the blog tour for Uncovering Cobbogoth by Hannah L. Clark. Visit the other TOUR STOPS!

Uncovering Cobbogoth (Cobbogoth #1) by Hannah L. Clark. May 13, 2014. Cedar Fort. Goodreads.

Norah Lukens needs to uncover the truth about the fabled lost city of Cobbogoth. After her archaeologist uncle’s murder, Norah is asked to translate his old research journal for evidence and discovers that his murder was a cover-up for something far more sinister.

When she turns to neighbor and only friend James Riley for help, she realizes that not only is their bitter- sweet past haunting her every step, but James is keeping dangerous secrets. Can Norah discover what they are before its too late to share her own.

This was a great book!!! Everyone go read it. . . right now. Uncovering Cobbogoth took my emotions on a roller coaster ride. I was happy, sad, heart-broken, excited, betrayed, scared, nervous, angry, ecstatic. Norah was fun to follow as she learned more about the Cobbogothians.

I loved the mythical creatures. Some were awesome and amazing others were plain creepy and terrifying. Norah searched to learn more about herself and to keep herself and those she loved alive. Yes there’s a boy, his name is James. I won’t ruin your fun by giving any details away, but believe me you’ll enjoy it. And you will swoon.

Uncovering Cobbogoth was a fun and exciting read. I recommend it to those of you who love YA fiction and/or fantasy. I look forward to reading the other books in this series when they release.

Content Ratings: highlight between ( ) for details
Sexual: mild ( kissing )
Language: none
Violence: mild/moderate ( death, injury, blood )

I received the ARC eBook from Cedar Fort Publishing. I am not paid for my reviews. My reviews are solely my opinion.

BOOKS BY HANNAH L. CLARK
As an Amazon Affiliate I receive a small portion of sales when you click then make a purchase from Amazon links on my blog.

Hannah L. Clark lives with her husband and their son in the Rocky Mountains. She has always known she would be a storyteller. In 2006 she graduated from Utah Valley University with a bachelor’s degree in English, and immediately began writing Uncovering Cobbogoth.Hannah loves running, mythology, laughing, soulful bluegrass music, and growing things. Like her heroine, Norah, she is slightly inclined to believe that trees have souls.

To learn more about Hannah and the Cobbogoth series, visit http://www.cobbogoth.com.

 

NOW FOR A SWOONY EXCERPT!! ENJOY!

“Nor?” James rubbed the sleep from his eyes with the heel of his hand. One look at me, however, and he was wide awake. “What is it? Is it Gram?”

“No. No, not that,” I croaked, guilt rushing through me for causing him more worry.

The panic left his eyes, and he squinted at me.

I shuffled self-consciously. I knew I looked terrible. I’d been up crying half the night after my argument with Uncle Jack about James breaking my heart. Finally, I snuck out my window, climbed down my cherry tree, and headed to the fire station to see James.

“Hey, Riley! Cut the lights, man!”

James glanced back into the dark, communal bedroom where the rest of the night shift firefighters slept.

“Come here.” He took my hand, closed the bedroom door and, in stockinged feet, led me down the hall. A moment later, we were sitting side by side on the stairs. James still held my hand, and I hoped he’d never let go. I watched as he reached into his shirt pocket, fishing around until he found a piece of peppermint gum.

He offered me half. I shook my head, so he stuffed the whole thing in his mouth. Then he turned those kind, piercing eyes on me.

Growing warm under his gaze, I cleared my throat. “I-I’m so sorry to wake you up,” I started. “I hoped you’d still be awake. It’s just . . .”

James mindlessly ran his thumb in circles over my knuckles. I lost my train of thought. Blinking, I took a deep breath and plunged on. “My uncle . . . he wants me to stop spending time with you. I mean, I can still help with Gram and everything, he just doesn’t want us hanging out any other time.” I sucked in another unsteady breath. “But I—I can’t let that happen, James. You’re my only friend.”

James was quiet for what seemed like forever. I prayed he wouldn’t just shrug his broad shoulders and shuffle back to bed.

To my relief, he reached up, rumpling his chocolate curls with his free hand. “Did he give you a reason why?” he asked, avoiding my eyes. I shook my head. “I think he’s afraid you’ll end up hurting me—that you’ll break my heart. You know how protective he is.”

He was silent again, this time longer.

Stupid, Norah! Why had I come here? Why did I think James would even care about this—that it would upset him at all?

Finally, James let out his breath. And the next moment, he was pressing the back of my hand to his lips.

I swallowed my shock. I’d never imagined that his lips could be so warm and soft. The contact sent a shock straight to my heart.

“What do you think?” James mumbled a moment later, still contemplating my hand. “Do you think I could hurt you?”

I wanted to burst into tears all over again. “I don’t think, James, I know. But it would be worth it.”

James chuckled this time, resting his forehead against my temple. “Now that’s a compliment.”

I smiled. Having him so close—smelling the fresh peppermint on his breath—was a fierce mixture of agony and ecstasy. They were feelings I’d never imagined I could feel.

“I’d never hurt you, Nor,” James whispered at last, and his breath tickled my neck. “Not really.”