I'm taking a short break!

So my conscience has finally gotten the better of me and I have to tell all of you that I'm taking a break until August! I'm perfectly fine but I'm in the process of creating a schedule and upping a lot of things I hope to be done by August so I can start posting again by then. (I also hope to have the first episode of my podcast done by then....) I know I haven't answered any of the comments in the last two posts, and I will do that soon! But I just wanted to let you know.

ALSO

Two great friends of mine and me started a book blog called Southern Belles' Book Club and we would be so grateful if you went to check it out! There aren't any reviews up yet, but I'm working on one! Thank you all!

~Ceci <3

Another Period Drama Tag {Tag}

Let's not even think about how long ago I was tagged for this..............The important thing is, I'M DOING IT NOW

Rules:

#1: Answer the questions (I've always wondered why this is a rule...like someone wouldn't be doing this post if the didn't mean to answer the question...)
#2: Link back to the person who tagged you. Thank you, Elanor, for creating this tag eons ago and tagging me
#3: Tag at least one other blogger to do the tag *reaches out into the internet and tags random blogger*

Meaning,

this is up for grabs

1.  What was the most recent period drama you watched?  Share what you thought of it.

I was watching Downton Abbey last night. Yes, I've finally joined that fandom. What did I think of it???? Well, I was pretty heartbroken when my OTP was TORN APART DRAMATICALLY IN SEASON THREE. I STILL SORTA SNIFFLE WHEN I SEE A CERTAIN CHARACTER (who happens to be my favorite character) WHO SURVIVED LOOKING SAD. (if you know what I'm talking about....shoot me a message and we can commiserate together) 

2.  Do you generally prefer period dramas in the form of a movie or a TV series/mini-series?  Why?

Mini-series. Why? Because there's more of it.... :P

3.  What is your favorite musical period drama?

Um.....Les Mis?

4.  Read the book first or watch the movie first?

Well, half of these period dramas I've seen before reading the book so watch the movie?? Although I generally like to read the book (if there is one) before I see the movie

5.  What is a valuable life lesson you learned from a period drama?

That things are out of your control and all you can do is learn to live with what life hands you.

6.  Which period drama hero would you be likely to fall in love with in real life?

....
.....
....
*hiccups*
Tom Branson :PPP

7.  Do you ever like to binge-watch a period drama series?

Is the sky blue?
Of course!! I could binge watch all the time if that was a healthy practice

8.  What things go best with watching a period drama?

A nice bed with plenty of blankets to wrap yourself in

and a box of tissues if you're watching Downton Abbey after a certain tragic event

9.  Which period drama do you think you would fit into best?

Um.......
*forty million years of silence*
Either Lark Rise to Candleford or Cranford???? Idk....I feel like I would be that person in the background that serves no purpose except to BE there

10. If you could have any period drama character for a best friend, who would it be?  And why?

Definitely Sybil -Branson-. She's not afraid to stand up for herself and yet she's amazingly sweet and thoughtful

11. Show us a picture of a period drama costume you wish you could wear in real life.

12. Are there any period dramas you like to watch during a particular season or holiday?

Not really.....

13. Which period drama has your favorite soundtrack?

Definitely Victoria on Masterpiece. The soundtrack

Is

Amazing

14. Dream cast your favorite actor and actress in a period drama of your choosing; tell which parts they would play and why.***

Hm, I would cast Shane Harper as Ryland in  A Noble Masquerade (which is a hilarious book, read it) and Dove Cameron as Miranda from the same book. I think they could play the parts well and they look to what I imagine those characters to look like

Shane Harper as Ryland, Duke of Marshington 

Dove Cameron as Lady Miranda Hawthorne

15. Are there any period dramas you like more than one version of?

I like both the movie The Young Queen Victoria and the Victoria on Masterpiece (coughmaybethetvshowalittlemorecoughcough)

16. What are the top three period dramas that you haven't seen on your to-watch list?

Return to Cranford (saw this at the library)
This version of Jane Eyre (also saw it at the library)

The remaining seasons of Downton Abbey that I haven't seen yet

17. Show a picture of your favorite period drama hairstyle.

I love Sybil's hair like this

18. What was your favorite wedding in a period drama?

I know what WOULD HAVE BEEN MY FAVORITE WEDDING IF THEY HAD SHOWN IT- Sybil and Tom's -but I'm going with Cosette and Marius's from Les Mis

19. What is your favorite biographical period drama?

Victoria on Masterpiece

20. Which historical novel will you forever recommend to anyone and everyone?

Jane Austen

***14. Side note: deceased actors do count


And now that I finally have that off my chest, I bid you adieu

ALSO

DID YOU KNOW THAT THEY'RE MAKING A DOWNTON ABBEY MOVIE??? MY MOM TOLD ME

Throwing In the Towel + Book Tour

Before we go any further, let me make clear that I'm talking about just not working on a story anymore and not totally quitting writing altogether.

Everyone feels uninspired sometimes with their writing. They wouldn't be human if inspiration pumped 24/7. But we all get past those writer's block.

What if that block stayed there?

For over a year.

I honestly thought that since I had already finished the novel, the rest wouldn't be so bad. I knew that editing was going to be hard but this was torturous.

I had ideas.

I had commitment.

I just hated it.

I loved my characters to itty-bitty pieces (I had started this novel when I was around eleven) and even though the writer is awful I could see potential in it.

Then why did I itch to write something else every time I sat down to edit it?

Why would I rather be dreaming up a whole new novel instead of working on my baby?

"You just have writer's block," I told myself, "It'll pass. Just keep working on it."

But I had to stop.

I would have hated the whole thing if I didn't. I wouldn't be able to find potential in it if I carried on. I wouldn't be able to look at it as the pride of my childhood.

So I stopped.

It's still in it's four small notebooks, never to see the light of day again.

I'll admit that I'm a bit sad to see what has happened. I remember dreaming of signing a publishing contract for it, casting the movie, and writing sequels for ages to come. But that book is what got me started on my writing journey. I doubt that I would be writing at this time if it hadn't been for that book.

I thought I was going to miss the characters, but then I had an idea: I was going to save it.

No, I'm not going to keep working on that first draft.

I'm just taking some of the characters, the time period (Civil War), and converting it into a whole new story. Because I am so invested in my main character. I hated her in that story but I loved her apart. And she will see the light of day.

What about the rest of the story?

Maybe I'll show it to my future descendants and say, "I never saved this story, but it started me on this whole voyage."

Now, a very dear friend of mine is self-publishing a book, and she's asked me to help her organize a book tour. So, if you're interested, just scroll down to my "Contact Me" gadget and shoot me a message!

Have you ever had a story that you just had to stop? How did it make you feel? Are you interested in doing the blog tour?

The Orphan's Wish {Book Review}

From New York Times bestselling author Melanie Dickerson comes an inspired retelling of the beloved folk tale Aladdin.

Orphaned and alone, Aladdin travels from the streets of his Arab homeland to a strange, faraway place. Growing up in an orphanage, he meets young Lady Kirstyn, whose father is the powerful Duke of Hagenheim. Despite the difference in their stations, Aladdin quickly becomes Kirstyn’s favorite companion, and their childhood friendship grows into a bond that time and opposition cannot break.

Even as a child, Aladdin works hard, learning all he can from his teachers. Through his integrity, intelligence, and sheer tenacity, he earns a position serving as the duke’s steward. But that isn’t enough to erase the shame of being forced to steal as a small child—or the fact that he’s an orphan with no status. If he ever wants to feel equal to his beautiful and generous friend Kirstyn, he must leave Hagenheim and seek his fortune.

Yet once Aladdin departs, Lady Kirstyn becomes a pawn in a terrible plot. Now, Aladdin and Kirstyn must rely on their bond to save her from unexpected danger. But will saving Kirstyn cost Aladdin his newfound status and everything he’s worked so hard to obtain?

An enchanting new version of the well-known tale, The Orphan’s Wish tells a story of courage and loyalty, friendship and love, and reminds us what “family” really means.

Sorry I that I have two book reviews in a row but I needed to get this out...writerly post on Thursday!

I love how their relationship progressed. It wasn't SNAP YOU'RE IN LOVE MWAHAHAHAHA (although insta-love can work in some cases)(coughthesirencoughcough). But I really love romances that start with the characters being best friends first because, honestly, isn't that who you should be looking to marry? Your best friend? Anyways, like all of Melanie Dickerson's books, the romance is totally swoon-worthy!

All of the side characters are really good! Herr Kaufmann, Grethel, Abu, everyone! (not counting cameo appearances here because they will get their own section!) Everyone was well done and quite believable! Although Herr Kaufmann was really weak-minded whenever his son was around and Grethel sometimes got on my nerves because, YA KNOW, SHE WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A SHIP.

The plot also had me hooked! Although it happens over a greater extent of time than most of the other Melanie Dickerson books (maybe the Golden Braid was over a greater period of time...) It also wasn't as action-packed as say, The Captive Maiden. It was still very enjoyable!

This may be one of my favorite aspects of Melanie Dickerson's books, but I ABSOLUTELY LOVE HOW THEY'RE ALL LINKED. OH MY GOODNESS. FANGIRL MOMENT. BUT. I'VE MANAGED TO LINK THE HAGENHIEM SERIES TO THE MEDIEVAL ONE!!! (that part in The Golden Braid when Gerek says that he would go all the way to Thornbeck if needed. DO YOU KNOW WHO'S IN THORNBECK??? A CERTAIN GROUCHY MARGRAVE THAT I LOVE!! (yes, I do admit to loving Reinhart more than Jorgen, and Steffan comes in a close second BUT THAT'S A DIFFERENT STORY)) So if you want to get little inside jokes and things, I would suggest reading them in order!

So I think that this book had the weakest plot out of all of them. It reaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaally dragged in the beginning, then it picked up, then it dragged again, AND THEN YOU KNOW, SOMEONE FOUND SOMEONE ELSE AND YOU'RE LIKE YAY!!! IT'S ALMOST OVER!! but then you see that there are like a hundred more pages and you're just like wut.....I think that Melanie Dickerson did drag a lot on this book, and so that's kinda a downside for me.

The villain was rather unbelievable. I know that villains are SUPPOSED to be evil and have evil intentions but this guy was rather ridiculous. Like, no one is going to believe your lie about Aladdin, so why do you rest everything on that?

Random things peeve me, and one of the things that did that for me in this book was Kirstyn's treatment to Aladdin when they got back to Hagenhiem. Honestly, I think Kirstyn (besides Odette) is my least favorite of Melanie Dickerson's heroines.

There is some kissing, but that's towards the end, and it really isn't that much. I'm trying to think of anything else but that's all that comes to mind.

One of the side-characters is physically abused (not very detailed) by the villain and it's clear that she's trapped in a bad relationship with said villain.

And some minor descriptions of injuries.

Ever since I read the rest of Melanie Dickerson's books, I've been wanting to read this one. Was it worth the wait? I think so. That's why I'm giving it a............

4-star rating!!!!

Have you read any of Melanie Dickerson's books before? Which one was your favorite? Who was your favorite hero? Heroine? Did you think that this plot dragged out a little bit also?

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”