Mundie Moms

Thursday, February 24, 2011

We're chatting with Julie Kagawa TONIGHT!!!!

We are so excited to be chatting with Julie Kagawa tonight! We will be discussing The Iron Queen and YES there will be spoilers. There's just too much awesomeness about this book that we can't hold back and not talk about them.

*Our chat will start at 8 pm CST/ 9 pm EST. To join, hit join and enter a screen name.!

*We do our best to make sure all comments are published, but with the high volume of guests expected tonight, not all the questions may be answered in the hour time frame of the chat.

*In respect to our guest's time, we will only publish comments that pertain to their current writings, and book.

*We will not post any personal questions or comments.

* Any rude, disrespectful, or spam like comments will not be published.

*Thank you and we look forward to chatting with everyone tonight!

**No part of this chat is allowed to be used with out our permission**

Book Review- Death Cloud (Sherlock Holmes, The Legend Begins) by Andrew Lane


Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Released on February 1st, 2011
Source- ARC from MacMillan publishing to review
4 stars- It's A Great Read

It is the summer of 1868, and Sherlock Holmes is fourteen. On break from boarding school, he is staying with eccentric strangers—his uncle and aunt—in their vast house in Hampshire. When two local people die from symptoms that resemble the plague, Holmes begins to investigate what really killed them, helped by his new tutor, an American named Amyus Crowe. So begins Sherlock’s true education in detection, as he discovers the dastardly crimes of a brilliantly sinister villain of exquisitely malign intent (quoted from Goodreads).

Death Cloud is great introduction to readers who haven't yet read Sherlock Holmes and to those who are fans of the series. Andrew Lane has done a suburb job at bringing to life the start of Sherlock Holmes's career as a teenage boy.

This is my first Andrew Lane book, as well as my first time reading a complete Sherlock Holmes book and I was pleasantly surprised with how much I really enjoyed this book. I liked seeing Sherlock Holmes as a teen and how he put his intelligence to use in uncovering an evil plot to bring down the British army. Really, it was fascinating watching how Holmes grew from an curious teen age boy into someone who took it upon himself to solve two murders. Holmes isn't without some loyal sidekicks as he has, Matty, a teenager living on the streets, and Holmes's American tutor Amyus Crowe and his daughter Virginia, both of whom are wonderfully written. My favorite character is Virginia, as she not your typical 1800's female character. She's a fabulously strong female character who has learned how to be bold and stand up for herself from her father, something that takes Sherlock by surprise. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what, if anything develops between these two characters as the series progresses.

I love the setting. It was great "seeing" England from Sherlock's point of view, as well as having an Americans in the story and their reasons for being in England. Andrew Lane also brings in some history both with England's most recent war, and the mention of America's civil war. I can't say more about that without giving away some spoilers. This is a great historical fiction for YA readers, as they get to see society, the class structure and really what the way of life was like back then.

Death Cloud is the first book in what I think will be a great series. There's plenty of mystery, action and the characters have a fantastic dynamic that make the story engaging. I liked the ending there is both closure from Sherlock's first mission and a few unanswered questions that I'm hoping are answered in the next book. I look forward to reading more of this series and eagerly await to find out what adventures will be ahead for young Sherlock Holmes, Matty, Virginia and Amyus Crowe.

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Go here to read an excerpt and go here to find out more about the series.

Thoughtful Thursday- In Memory of L.K. Madigan


Yesterday we were saddened to find out that L.K. Madigan lost her fight with pancreatic cancer. You can read the heartbreaking post her agent wrote here. It seems like only a few days ago we read her blog post telling her fans that she was diagnosed with it. At that time we were so moved and so touched by her words, her bravery for fighting the cancer head on and her moving words about how she'd do anything to protect her son, and yet it would rob her little guy of his mother.

Being mothers ourselves and fans of L.K. Madigan's we were moved to tears. We've never met her, yet she's left her mark on hearts. From the mother side, I have no idea what it's like to have to say goodbye to my children, nor could I even begin to imagine what it's like to know you won't be there to raise them, to protect them, tuck them in at bed at time, teach them and do all the things mothers do. L.K. Madigan's words will always remain with us and she's given us a different, a new perspective on life. Life is short, it's sweet, it's heart breaking and it's a gift.

L.K. Madigan shared with us something personal and she's given all of a lasting impression of what it's like to live life to the fullest. Her words will continue to live on in her books Flash Burnout and The Mermaid's Mirror. Like the challenge Cindy Pon and the 2009 Debutantes did back in January (you can read the challenge here) after L.K. made her post about her fight with cancer, we encourage everyone to go pick up one or both of L.K. Madigan's books. Keep it for yourself, donate it or give it as a gift.

Our hearts, our thoughts and our prayers are with her family and friends.

L.K.'s husband posted on her blog about how much she loved her son and how we can make sure we keep her dream alive and help ensure her son is able to attend college. You can donate by sending a check here-(checks should be out to the Nathan Wolfson Trust)

Becker Capital Management, Inc.
Attn: Sharon Gueck/John Becker
1211 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2185
Portland, OR 97204

You can find out more and donate to help the fight in pancreatic cancer by visiting these sites here- http://www.pancan.org/ and http://pancreatica.org/

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