Thursday 21 July 2016

Twinepathy Blog Tour


Hello Readers! 

Today I have a special guest, the author C.B.Cook  to celebrate the release of her new book, Twinepathy

Albany York has a secret.

Albany and her twin sister, Brooklyn, have spent years successfully hiding their telepathic connection. But when a girl falls unconscious at their doorstep, the girls learn that they might not be the only people in the world with extraordinary powers and that a memory thief is on the loose. As the twins try to help the girl find her memories, they discover that the superhero world might be bigger—and more dangerous—than they ever imagined.

C.B. Cook is just a girl trying to find out where her King is guiding her, while writing the stories of the people she creates, the worlds she wants to live in, and the adventures she dreams about. Also known as a mysterious creature called an "author". She's a Christian and a home school graduate dedicated to changing others’ lives through the power of the written word.



You can find C.B. at her blog, The World of the Writer
And now for an interview with the author herself! 

1. When did you start to write? 
I started to write when I was in fourth or fifth grade. My first story that was more than a few pages was actually a horse story that was very cheesy and will probably not see the light of day.

2. What is your favourite part of the writing process? 
Definitely exploring the characters. I love to see how their pasts and their current situations affects their personalities, and it's always intriguing when you factor in superpowers to the mix. 

3. What is your favourite genre? 
While I'm new to the superhero genre, both reading and writing, I have to say it's a new favorite of mine. But before I found that, I'd have to say my favorite genre was spy stories or mystery. Both of those are ones that I love to read!

4. Who is your favourite character to write? 
This is a hard question! I have to say, I really enjoy writing about Jen. She's a really complex character, and her power's really intriguing.

5. Tell me about a tea party with ten characters (yours or other peoples). Ohhhh! This is one of the best questions ever!!!! Okay, let's see... I would invite Blaze and Maddie from Twinepathy, for sure. Westley from The Princess Bride would be invited, and so would Thorne from The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer (certainly one of my favorite characters ever). Then I'd invite Aragorn and Sam from The Lord of the Rings, and also Sherlock Holmes for sure. And then some Brandon Sanderson charries: David from Steelheart and Kelsier from Mistborn. And, finally, I'd bring along Jen (from Twinepathy) for some sanity.

And how it would all go down? After everyone arrived (with Thorne fashionably late), I'd serve the tea and tea cake cookies and such, with extra for Sam, of course, since hobbits have such big appetites. Of course, I'd bring donuts for Blaze. I'm sure he and Thorne would get into a snark war, with David throwing in some terrible metaphors about pandas or something, with Sherlock Holmes on the side making snide observations until they gang up on him. Westley and Aragorn might get into a sword fight, which I would definitely encourage (I'd just want to see it!), and I can imagine Maddie throwing something at Blaze with her powers and Kelsier asking her if she's a Misting. And then the two of them would probably start messing with the others by moving their drinks or stealing their food. And the whole time, Jen would just be smirking and commenting on the scene to me.

I'd just be laughing my head off in a corner. :D

Thanks so much for these great questions, Jemma!!! I really enjoyed answering them, especially the last one. :D


Thank you C.B!

Blog tour schedule:



Thanks for reading! 

Thursday 7 July 2016

Bookish Book Lover Tag

                 


Hello dear readers!  
Recently I was tagged by the fantastic Blue at To be a Shennachie for the Bookish Book Lover Tag. Thank you!


1) What Book Are You Currently Reading?
  I am currently reading Sourcery by Terry Pratchett. A book about a hopeless wizard called Rincewind. It's not my favourite so far, but it might improve.
  I'm also reading the Ghostfaces by John Flanagan, but I'm not really enjoying it


2) What’s The Last Book You Finished?
  The most recent book I finished would be The Woman Who Died a Lot by Jasper Fforde. 
It was very cleverly done if a touch confusing at times. 


3) Favorite Book You Read This Year?
  *Sweating* I don't know how to choose! A Tale of Two Cities maybe?  My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry? Or maybe one of the two Jackaby books? I simply can't decide!

4) What Genre Have You Read Most This Year?
  Probably either Fantasy or Mystery. I'm not entirely sure.


5) What Genre Have You Read Least This Year?
   Non-Fiction. I only read one, Wartime Princess.


6) What Genre Do You Want To Read More Of?
   Mystery :) . Even though I've read a lot, I'd still like to read more.


7) How Many Books Have You Read This Year, And What’s Your Goal?
  I've read eighty-one books this year, not counting re-reads. Altogether I've probably read around one hundred and twenty. I plan to read one hundred and fifty new books this year.


8) What’s The Last Book You Bought?
  Stars Above , a collection of short stories by Marissa Meyer. It's set in the Lunar Chronicles universe. Some stories were great, others a bit repetitive.


9) What Book Are You Saving Up To Buy Next?
  I'm not actually saving to buy anything at the moment. I have some Amazon credit burning a hole in my pocket and I'm thinking of a book to buy. I might get the first book in the Wingfeather Saga. It looks rather amusing and I've been meaning to get it for a while.


10) How Many Books Did You Check Out Last Library Visit?
   Three; Roald Dhal's Dirty Beasts, Sourcery and Moving Pictures.


11) What’s A Book You Can’t Wait To Read?
  Five Magic Spindles (so soon!), and Ghostly Echoes (not soon enough :( ). 


12) What’s A Series You’d Recommend to Everyone?
  The Chronicles of Narnia, The Tales of Goldstone Wood and Artemis Fowl. 
  (I don't know if The Lord of the Rings counts, but I recommend that to!)


13) Who’s An Author You’re Hoping Writes More?
  A E Stengl and K. M. Shea. And myself, but I stubbornly refuse to write. Silly me. 


14) A Few Books Your Heart Adores?
  The Tale of Desperaux, and the Chronicles of Narnia. (I have so many favourite books that I'm taking this question to mean sweet books that I love)


15) What Series’ Coming Conclusion Makes You Sad?
  The Discworld series by Terry Pratchett. Luckily I still have a couple left to read. There's another one to but I simply can't seem to remember it. 


16) What Books Are On Your Wish-List?
  I believe the list is around a hundred books, but featuring majorly are those of question eleven and anything by A E Stengl. 


And now we come to a close and I must tag some others. I will tag Alison, and as I am not entirely sure who else is reading, I invite you to tag you self and tell me in the comments.

The rules are: 
Use the banner,  answer the questions, use lots of book covers, tag your bookish friends!

Thanks for reading! And thanks again to Blue 





Thursday 2 June 2016

1 year of blogging

Hi everyone!

This post is about 3 weeks late. I meant to write it on the 21st of May, my birthday. I didn't (as you can probably tell).

I have now had this little blog for a year! The Sherwood Storyteller is named after my love of Robin Hood and writing. Thank you everyone who's commented!

I can't believe it's June already! May was a busy month, practically all the birthdays in our family are all in the same month.

I purchased an awesome series of books and read them in two days. A series called Jackaby, which is a mix of humour, mystery and is awesome. I'd recommend it to anyone around 14+ (the murders are rather gory).

I also went to see a screening of The Shakespeare Tribute from Stratford-upon-Avon, were lots of famous British actors led by David Tennant acted out scenes from plays.

Have a good month!

Wednesday 13 April 2016

The Earth is full tonight...

Hello readers!

Recently I've been re-reading one of my favourite series, The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer. (Thank you Ghost Ryter for introducing me!)
I was in one of those moods where there's only one book you feel like reading. So I got out my kindle, reserved a few at the library and got to work. After hours of reading I've re-read Cinder, Cress (twice) and Winter. Me and Mum are still waiting for Scarlet (She's reading them for the first time :D)           (     Update: Mum just bought Scarlet! Thank you!          )

Now with a severe case of book hangover I shall attempt to review them.


Cinder (book 1, Cinderella) 

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl.

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

Cinder shows excellent writing skills with an intriguing plot. Set in Beijing after the fourth world war, the book has a very futuristic feel. The rich drive 'hovers' and there are androids for every need. Well, nearly every need. Marissa Meyer does a great job of making you feel in the city with the characters, despite the fact that it's centuries into the future. I couldn't exactly relate to Cinder, but she's in pretty extra-ordinary circumstances and was still an awesome character. (I loved Iko and Peony :)) The romance part was well done and didn't gross me out at all :). It was a bit quick but not so much to be ridiculous. Luckily, unlike the original fairytale, the whole point of the story is not the romance. It's a story of a brave mechanic dealing with a despicable stepmother and a manipulative queen attempting to destroy the peace of the world.  




Kai and Cinder




Friday 25 March 2016



John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Isaiah 53:5

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.  




Image By AntanO (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons



Wednesday 23 March 2016

A Branch of Silver, A Branch of Gold




For six hundred years I have dwelt in this prison. Trapped. Helpless. Unliving and undying.

For six hundred years I have watched as cursebreakers come and go. Brave young women all, gifted with powers beyond mortal understanding.
I have watched them die. I have watched them wish to die.

Once again the Family of Night invades this country to claim its dues, and this generation’s
cursebreaker has her chance to break the endless chain of torment. To save me. To save her sisters.

But how can a peasant child scarcely fourteen years of age discover the three-part key and
liberate the captives? Will she too be doomed to join the Death Dance binding us all to the
Family of Night?



A Branch of Silver a Branch of Gold is a retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses by Anne Elisabeth Stengl. It's not part of her main series, The Tales of Goldstone Wood, however, it is set in the same world with one or two characters in common.



Anne Elisabeth has created a book with amazing characters. I couldn't help liking all the main characters, hating the despicable ones and feeling sorry for others.
The plot was intriguing and unputdownable. A bit creepy at times, but I like that.

All together, it was an excellent book and probably my favourite by the author.

Thursday 25 February 2016

The Great Game

Hi Readers!

I hope you're having a great week! Today I have a story for you that I wrote yesterday.
Be warned, it is rather peculiar.




The Great Game

By Jemma Tainsh

On a hill covered in scraggly pines, a kangaroo was having an earnest discussion with his son. The road nearby was mostly clear, the only occupant being a squashed fox. The trees glowed in the orange light of the setting sun, and there was an occasional glint of light of a battered mailbox. “Son,” announced the kangaroo, “The time has finally come for me to tell you of-“   He paused for effect, “-The Great Game!”
Awed by the capitals, his son gazed into his eye, “Wow Dad!” he exclaimed, “It must be wonderful!”
“It is, son, it is” His misty-eyed father assured him, “all Joeys learn it as soon as they have left their mothers pouch! I remember when your grandfather taught it to me!”
“How do we play it dad?” the young Joey asked enthusiastically
“Well,” replied his father, almost reluctant to hurry the conversation, “You know the great Cars of the humans? They are majestic beasts and go by many names”
“Sure I know ‘em Dad”
“What we do is, we go down to the edge of their territory, The Road, and we watch carefully for Cars; my favourite is the bold Toyota, and we dash across the Road in front of them!” The kangaroo was practically hopping from excitement, his son however, was sceptical
“Why do we do that Dad?” he inquired, “Wouldn’t we die?”
“Ah,” said his father, a crafty look in his eye, “But we don’t, we speed across, swift and hoppy, it feels amazing! Dancing with the great beast of the Car! Such prestige in the roo community! The Most Important High Roo has hundreds of Cars under his belt!
“I see…” murmured the Joey thoughtfully, “I suppose it would be fun!”
“And that’s not even the best part!” squealed the older roo in delight, “Now listen carefully son, many wallabies died to bring us this news.”
‘I’m listening Dad!”
It’s The Country Music Festival!” His father whispered as enthusiastically as you can whisper
“What does that mean Dad?”
“Why son, have you not learned anything!?” he exclaimed, “The Country Music Festival is when Cars from all over Australia come to visit our town! That means plenty of opportunities! Holdens! Toyotas! Mazdas! It’s the most amazing time of the year!
His father’s excitement began to rub of onto his son, “Wow Dad! Can we go have a go now!?”
“We sure can!” Hollered the jumping kangaroo, “Look! There’s one now! I'll show you how it's done!”

Greg drove along the road thinking about his sandwich. Soon he’d home and able to eat in peace. Something caught his eye. One those blasted kangaroos. It even had a Joey. Funny, it almost seemed to be pointing at his car. Suddenly the older kangaroo hopped wildly across the road. “What on earth!?” yelped Greg, “stupid kangaroo” he muttered, feeling slightly guilty as he hit it. “Oh, well.” And he went back to thinking about his sandwich.

‘Dang...’ Thought the younger kangaroo, ‘oh well, it happens. He’ll be much honoured by the community.’






I am absolutely certain kangaroos actually do this. 

By for now! Thanks for reading and have a nice week!

Monday 15 February 2016

Studies and Crochet

Hello good Readers

How goes your day? 

I have been busy. Recently I enrolled in a sample university course called The Law Student's Toolkit.
There are assignments. I did not expect them to be so hard. Last night I stayed up well past my bedtime to finish my assignment on 'Enforcing Monetary Judgments' on time.

However, I feel that I have to long left my blog be, so I bring to you pictures of some projects I've been working on.



Mr Minion, my first commission! I made him to the Librivox version of Great Expectations

I did not invent this pattern, you can find it Here


And this is Hadrian, a Loch Ness Monster I made for a friend's birthday.

His pattern can be found on Ravelry Here


Pictures soon to come include my latest instalments to my crocheted Avengers, another birthday present and a little Groot


Last month we designed 'school uniforms' with fabric markers. Here is the result








See you later Readers! Have a nice week!


Tuesday 5 January 2016

2016

Hi Readers

Can you believe it, it's 2016 already! 5/1/2016. Wowzers.
I have not written a blog post since last year! (sorry, I had to say that)

2015 was a busy year, I read books. Lots of books. How exhausting.

In January I watched the Lord of the Rings for the first time (Ok, it was censored, I haven't actually watched it in full)  I loved it! Legolas, Sam...

From March to April I read Les Miserables, a truely amazing book. I even found the history of the french sewers interesting. (Perhaps not the history of french slang though).
Jean valJean was such a good character!!

In May I turned 13, my first year as a teenager! Time to start stinking and grunting.
I also got a blog! The Sherwood Storyteller, named for my obsession with Robin Hood and writing.

In June I read my first Sherlock Holmes, The Hound of the Baskervilles, Needless to say, I loved it.

September was mainly full of a huge holiday in North Queensland, we went snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef and walking in the Daintree Rainforest. It was a pretty good holiday!

In November I came second place in a short story competition with The Woes of Sir Clankyteapot and the Dragon of Raven Mountain. (I still haven't posted it yet....)
I also watched my first Marvel movie, the Avengers, I was very excited about that.

In December I kinda paniced as I realised that 2015 was almost over, I mean, it only just started didn't it? For Christmas we went up to Queensland again where we stayed in a street with the best Christmas lights in Brisbane. One of them was probably the best in AUSTRALIA! It was that amazing! We had a few great parties and we even watched StarWars 7 in the cimema's for our Uncle's birthday. It was great.

And now it's 2016 and we're trying to get our schoolwork organised for the next term.
I'll be doing Legal studies and Australian Political History.

What are you doing this year dear readers? Did you have fun over New Year's?

Thanks for reading!