Personal Demons – YA Novel by Lisa Desrochers

Bailey here again –

I’ve been totally wrapped up in my latest read, Personal Demons, by Lisa Desrochers. While the main character, Frannie Cavanaugh,
deals with actual demons from Hell and angels from Heaven, her own personal demons are of another kind. But no spoilers here.

As for the demons and angels, Luc, an actual demon from Hell – and a sexy one to boot – is sent to tag Frannie’s soul for Hell. And let me tell you, Luc is hard to resist. But Heaven has its own plans and sends sexy angel Gabe to thwart Luc’s plans and tag Frannie for Heaven. Gabe is also impossible to resist. Caught between two hot guys, and not knowing exactly what they are, is where Frannie’s fun begins.

You’ll have to read the book to find out why Frannie is SO important to both Heaven and Hell. And you’ll never be able to guess it.

I won’t spoil the story for you, but there are so many twists, turns and surprises in this book. I didn’t see most of them coming, which makes for a great read.

I can’t wait to dive into the sequel, Original Sin, and then the third installment, Last Rite, to be released in May 2012!

Check out more about Personal Demons and Lisa Desrochers at http://www.lisadwrites.com

Lifehouse Rocks

Bailey here –

Another one of my favorite bands is Lighthouse. Lead singer, Jason Wade, has that gruff, sultry voice that goes with their edgy tunes I love so much. The band is like a close knit family that loves to be on the road together. And they tour A LOT. It’s said that other bands would’ve gone insane with the tour schedules Lifehouse imposes on themselves. But they seem to thrive on it.

Band Members:

Jason Wade, Lead Vocals, Guitar

Rick Woolstenhulme Jr., Drums

Bryce Sonderberg, Bass Guitar

Ben Carey, Lead Guitar

Albums:

No Name Face – 2000

Stanley Climbfall – 2002

Lifehouse – 2005

Who We Are – 2007

Smoke & Mirrors – 2010

Out of their five albums, my favorite is Who We Are. My personal favorite song is Disarray. I don’t know why, I just love it. The way he’s looking for something. He’s not sure what, but he knows he’s going to find it someday. Sometimes I feel like that.

Disarray

• Someday I’m gonna find it
• Wish I knew what I was looking for
• Inside the disarray
• I woke up this morning
• Don’t know where I’m going
• But it’s alright
• Wouldn’t have it any other way

I also love the song Broken, alsso from the album Who We Are. Who hasn’t had their heart ripped out and felt like they were barely hanging on? These words hold all that pain and say it like it is.

Broken

• I am damaged at best
• Like you’ve already figured out
• I’m falling apart
• I’m barely breathing
• With a broken heart
• That’s still beating
• In the pain
• There is healing
• In your name
• I find meaning

Jason is very cute, although I have to say I liked his hair MUCH better when it was brown with blond highlights, as opposed to all white blond. I just think he looks hotter that way. Hope he goes back to it someday.

Check out all the latest Lifehouse news, events and music videos at http://lifehousemusic.com

Mockingjay – The Boy with the Bread

Spoiler Alert –

“You’re not very big, are you? Or particularly pretty?” – Peeta

“Later, there’s a lot of kissing. Didn’t seem very genuine on your part. Did you like kissing me?” – Peeta

Peeta laughs again, coldly, dismissively. “Well, you’re a piece of work, aren’t you?”

I couldn’t believe the boy with the bread talked that way to Katniss. Rocked my world. It was horrible. The old Peeta was gone and I didn’t like the new one. At all. Although it was strangely satisfying how he told Katniss the truth as he saw it. I figured she kind of had it coming. At least from him.

I didn’t like the deal with Finnick. I’d rather it’d been someone closer to Katniss. I wanted more for Annie and the baby. I worried the whole time that Katniss would have to watch Gale or Peeta be killed and then she’d finally figure out who she loved.

As it was, Katniss never had to make that decision.

I don’t know about you, but the assassination was very satisfying. To even suggest a new hunger games was despicable and evil. Even more so than the predecessors because it didn’t have to be that way. They should’ve learned.

I liked how hope bubbled up at the end. I can’t live without hope, but Katniss didn’t have much of it in her life. The ‘book of goodness’ she started was wonderful.

One thing is for sure, you can’t read the Hunger Games trilogy without feeling something.

Reading Catching Fire

Spoiler Alert –

Bailey here –

I’m reading Catching Fire, and I have to admit I’m kind of depressed. I’m not all the way through, but I can’t believe Katniss and Peeta have to go back into the arena, just one year after they escaped it. I can’t believe all the victors have to go back in and fight each other. It’s sick. Of course it all had to be orchestrated by President Snow.

I can’t wait for the uprising. I can’t wait for someone to off President Snow. Hopefully Katniss. And I hope Cinna lived through his beating. Not Cinna! Please not Cinna. I love him. And I can’t believe the victors are actually killing each other. I thought they’d band together and refuse to fight. I’m very disappointed. Very. If anyone could start – and help – a rebellion, it’s those people.

Another thing – why don’t I know who Katniss likes better, Gale or Peeta? Shouldn’t she have some idea of who she loves/likes? I know she lives an entirely different life than I do, but come on. Here are two hunky guys who are desperately in love with her. Does she feel nothing? I don’t care what the life circumstances are – love always bubbles up. So what’s up with Katniss?

Haymitch said it best. “You could live a thousand lifetimes and not deserve him.” – Catching Fire

Just Eat Healthy – To Fuel Your Body

Bailey here again –

Many girls at my school worry about every little thing they eat and count every single calorie – even gum. Please. I couldn’t be bothered with all that, and neither could Jazz (my best friend). Yuk. Boring. But I guess Jazz’s mom – Mrs. Creek – didn’t know where we were with it, so she sat us down today.

She told us that we have amazing, beautiful bodies, and that we should always treat them well by giving them good food and exercising. She knows Jazz and I run a few times a week to keep in shape for basketball and track. We also ride our horses all the time, and go river rafting, and skiing in the winter. We’re active and never worry about counting this or that.

We told Mrs. Creek we don’t want to be skinny. Yuk. We want to be strong, so we can kick butt in basketball and track. Who wants to be so skinny that all you can do is sit around all day trying not to eat? Boring.

What we do think about is giving our bodies good fuel so we have plenty of energy to do all the fun things we want to do. That means eating lean proteins, whole grains, milk, fresh fruits and veggies. Don’t get me wrong – we’re normal teenagers and like junk food, too. But we try to keep it to a minimum. Not because we’re worried about getting fat, but because that stuff doesn’t build your body up, it tears it down. We can’t afford to tear down our bodies. There’s way too much fun to be had.

Now I’m no rail, but I’m not heavy either. Will I make the cover of a magazine? Probably not. Do I care? Not. I’m strong and healthy and love all the activities I can do. I don’t have as many curves as I’d like – my chest is on the small side – but I figure you get what you get. Besides, it makes it easier to run without all that extra weight on my chest. Ha ha!

Mrs. Creek said we should always focus on the positives – all the amazing things our bodies can do, as well as what we like about our bodies. She said if we’re so busy being thankful for what we have, we won’t have time to be unhappy about what we don’t.

I thought it was pretty good advice, even though I figure Jazz and I are already there.

But what do you think? Are you one of those calorie counters? Do you eat healthy, or do you struggle with choosing good things to eat? Let me know.

I Finished It – The Hunger Games!

SPOILER ALERT – SPOILER ALERT – SPOILER ALERT

Bailey here –

Wow, I’ve never read a book quite like The Hunger Games before. Now I have to read Chasing Fire and Mockingjay. I was addicted to Hunger Games even while I was appalled at the way human beings were treated. The hunger, pain and desolation most of the people lived with day in and day out was staggering. It made me very thankful for my family, my home and my life. It also made me realize I have no real problems.

I loved Katniss from the beginning, but fell all the more in love with her as she showed her courage, cleverness and will to survive – in addition to the compassion she showed to Peeta and Rue. Rue has a special place in my heart, and I loved how Katniss stayed with her, sang to her, and decorated her with flowers.

I absolutely loved Cinna and I want to know his story. Why did he pick District 12, why is he so different from everyone else in the Capital, and how did he develop such compassion?

The most horrific part of the story for me was the mutations. Not only did these Tributes have to die again, but their families and friends had to watch them die again, too. How utterly disgusting and wicked of the Capital.

But now The Hunger Games is going to be made into a movie! Jennifer Lawrence has been chosen to play Katniss. I think she looks like a good Katniss in the picture above. Lenny Kravitz has been chosen to play Cinna, and I can’t wait to see what he does with the part.

Liam Hemsworth is going to play Gale – WOW. Josh Hutcherson is going to play Peeta – NICE. And oh my gosh, Woody Harrelson is going to play Haymitch – did not picture him this way. But he’ll be good. Alexander Ludwig will play Cato – WAY too cute to play Cato. I don’t want to see him go the way he did. Ugh.

Check out the rest of the cast, as it stands, at: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1392170/

I CAN’T WAIT FOR THE MOVIE!!!

The Hunger Games – Amazing Book

SPOILER ALERT – MAY GIVE AWAY THE HUNGER GAMES STORYLINES

Bailey here again –

I’m reading this amazing book and just had to write about it. The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins, is the first book in The Hunger Games dystopian trilogy. Catching Fire is book #2 and Mockingjay is book #3.

• Dystopian fiction  –  a futuristic society that has degraded into a repressive and controlled state. Has underlying cautionary tones, warning society that if we continue to live how we are, this will be the consequence. A dystopian society is often characterized by widespread poverty and brutal political controls such as a large military-like police.

I just started The Hunger Games, but I already love Katniss – the main character. She’s strong, resourceful and courageous. And her story is heartbreaking. I pride myself on being a strong teenage girl, but Katniss blows me out of the water.

Katniss lost her beloved dad when she was eleven years old. Then her mom went into a severe, debilitating depression. It fell to Katniss to feed and take care of her younger sister, Prim, as well as herself and her mother. Not an easy task in a town where almost everyone is starving and desperate for food.

The grief of losing her father still slams Katniss in her quiet moments. And her anger at her mother for abandoning Prim and herself when they needed her the most seethes just below the surface.

But Katniss loves Prim more than anything in the world. More than herself. She absolutely adores Prim and will do anything to protect, feed and clothe her. Even if it’s illegal in the unforgiving, dictatorship society in which she lives. Even if it means putting her life in immediate and brutal danger.

What I don’t understand is how Katniss AND Peeta are going to make it out of the Hunger Games alive. If there’s a Team Peeta and a Team Gale, then Peeta must survive, right?

My heart aches for Katniss.

Read more about The Hunger Games Trilogy on Suzanne Collins’ website: http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com

60’s Series Ford Mustangs – My Favorites!

Bailey here –

My favorite car in the whole world is the Ford Mustang. And the older the better. The 1960’s series Mustangs are the coolest, with their beautiful lines and throaty voices. There’s flat out no other car that looks – or sounds – that good. Yes, I’m a girl, but my heart thumps when I see one of these beauties driving down the road.

Ford released the first Mustang at the World’s Fair on April 17, 1964. That first Mustang is lovingly known as the 1964 1/2. What followed was the most successful car launch in history – 22,000 Mustangs sold in the first week, and over a million Mustangs sold in the first two years. As far as I’m concerned, the best-looking Mustangs were made from 1964 through 1969. They come in a coupe, convertible, or a fastback. I can’t make up my mind which I love most.

The first car I ever drove was a gorgeous ’67 coupe with a custom maroon paint job. It had dual black racing stripes that ran down the hood, around and along the doors, and up and over the trunk. Oh, it was something. I wish I had a picture to share, but I don’t. I don’t even know where that car is now, but I hope she has a good home.

I don’t own a Mustang – YET. So I go around taking pictures of them whenever I see them. It’s a sickness, I know, but it’s fun and doesn’t cost anything. The pictures I share with you here were all taken by me. Now tell me they aren’t gorgeous!

The new Mustangs are cool, too, but I want an old one. My dad says I can’t have an old one because they need lots of maintenance. And they didn’t come with air conditioners, power steering, or air bags – some didn’t even have seat belts. What’s a young girl to do? What I’d really like is for Ford to make a new Mustang that is *really retro.* Then I could buy one in a few years.

I mean, Dodge did it with the Challenger. Look at those cool retro lines. Gorgeous. Come on, Ford! Step up to the plate and give us a new *retro* Mustang. They would sell. Oh, yes, they would sell!

The Southern Ute Indians

Bailey here – 

So you know I live in Durango, Colorado, but I bet you didn’t know that the Southern Ute Indians are the oldest continuous residents of Colorado and the Durango area. Long ago, the Southern Utes were hunter/gatherers and exceptional artists.

They made gorgeous pipe bags and horse bags beaded with beautiful sacred symbols. And they shaved amazing pictures into animal hides to decorate personal and ceremonial dwellings. The Southern Ute headquarters is now located in Ignacio, Colorado – about 25 miles from Durango – on the Southern Ute Reservation. 

One of the things I love about the Southern Ute Tribe is that they still hold traditional ceremonies and festivals – like the Bear Dance, the Sun Dance, and the Pow Wow. And I hope they always do. I love watching the Native dancers, and hearing the drums and the singers. I love the old ways, the old language and the traditions. They’re so beautiful. 

The thing I love about different cultures is, well, they’re different. I don’t want everybody to be the same. How boring. For instance, I for one would love it if all Native guys still wore their hair the traditional way – long. Come on, girls love that. So, Native guys, grow your hair! Wear it flowing over your shoulders, back in a band, or in traditional braids – I’m not picky. I just love long, dark hair. 

For me, Durango wouldn’t be the same without the Native influences. Nor would it have its rich and colorful history. Next time I’ll talk about the Southern Ute Bear Dance, Sun Dance and the Pow Wow.

In the mean time, feel free to check out the outstanding Southern Ute website at: http://www.southern-ute.nsn.us/

Taylor Swift

Bailey here again –

I’m all over the map when it comes to music. But there’s so much great stuff out there – why would I limit myself? I don’t care what anyone else thinks. No matter who it is, or what type of music it is, I listen to whatever I like. And I love Taylor Swift.

Yes, she’s young, and some people think it isn’t cool to like her anymore. But I think she’s an incredibly talented singer/songwriter. This always amazes me. I can understand being able to sing. And I can understand being able to write lyrics. But to be able to do both – well – always astounds me. AND Taylor plays the guitar, while she’s singing the lyrics she wrote. What an amazing amount of talent for one person to possess.

At age 14, Taylor was the youngest staff songwriter of the Sony/ATV Tree Publishing House. And at age 15, she was signed by Big Machine Records. Taylor’s albums are:

• Taylor Swift (2006)
• Fearless (2008)
• Speak Now (2010)

One of my favorite Taylor songs is Breathe from the album, Fearless. Have you ever felt this way before?

• And we know it’s never simple, never easy
• Never a clean break, no one there to save me
• You’re the only thing I know like the back of my hand
• And I can’t breathe
• Without you, but I have to
• Breathe
• Without you, but I have to 

So agonizing. So true when you’ve lost someone you love – or maybe when you don’t know where they are. Ugh. Gut wrenching.

Taylor says on her website, “. . . love is unpredictable and it’s frustrating and it’s tragic and it’s beautiful. And even though there’s no way to feel like I’m an expert at it, it’s worth writing songs about — more than anything else I’ve ever experienced in my life.” 

Taylor’s moving – and sometimes heartbreaking – lyrics are inspired by her life. She says listening to her songs is like reading her diary. Her songs are so relatable because we’ve all had good and bad relationships, tough breakups, or that elusive love who doesn’t know we exist. What’s different about Taylor is she’ll go and write a song about it – even using names – and put it out on public radio. So boys, beware. If you cross Taylor Swift, you WILL end up in a song.

Read more about Taylor Swift at http://www.taylorswift.com.