I met HER!

Thursday was a good day.

A VERY good day.

Why?  You ask.

Because I met her, that's why...

Who is her?

That's right!

I got to meet THE PIONEER WOMAN!

Wow.

 

Her cookbook is SO her!  If you read her blog, you'll 

know what I mean by saying that.

The cookbook is her through and through.

It is the most interesting cookbook I have ever

read.  And the first cookbook I have looked through

and laughed out loud.  Great stuff!  I highly

recommend it!  I can't wait to make some of the

recipes in there, especially the Prune Cake.  :)

I got her book at the bookstore she was signing at.

Waited 4 hours, and had her sign mine.

We talked.  We laughed.  I told her where my Oklahoma family lives.

She knew where they lived.

In fact, my grandparents live 30 minutes or so from her ranch!

Awesome!

Earlier that day, I made her a couple camera strap slipcovers.

I mean, come on!  You all know she takes amazing photos!

I hoped that she liked them...

She said she doesn't have anything like them!

She said they were great.

She asked if I have an Etsy shop.

Wow.

Truth... Miss Ree Drummond [The Pioneer Woman] 

was fantastic!  Very down to earth, and SO Okie!  

Meaning that she is INCREDIBLY nice!  

I was born in Oklahoma.

I have been there many times.

I have YET to meet a mean Okie.

I loved The Pioneer Woman.

SO worth the 4 hour wait!!

*Shey*[B] SALE for limited time!!

Hey everyone!  

Just stopping in to let you all know that 

I am currently at 1,394 sales in my Etsy shop!

THANK YOU!!!

So... to celebrate ALL OF YOU. . . 

the next 6 people who purchase will get 

10% off!!

Plus, I just listed this camera strap slipcover again . . .

But. . . there are ONLY 2 left!!  Get one while you can!!

Go to my shop by clicking HERE.

**Scroll down to read my most recent book review**

Book Review - Hush, Hush

I literally JUST finished this book, and had to open my laptop right away and write a review.

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Simon&Schuster
• Release Date: October 13, 2009 [OUT NOW!]
  
• Language: English

Book Synopsis:

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along.

With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life. 

****

Here is the Hush, Hush book trailer...



****

My Thoughts:

First of all.  LOOK AT THAT COVER!  I have the ARC copy, but when I was at the bookstore the other day, I found Hush, Hush on display, and the cover is even more beautiful!  This cover would draw anyone in!  It's just fantastic.

 

I started Hush, Hush yesterday, and finished it this evening.  I brought it with me to The Pioneer Woman's book signing, and was so glad I did!  Hours of waiting turned out to go rather quickly while my nose was in this book.   

Nora Grey walks into her Biology class one day to find the her Biology teacher has suddenly decided to change the seating chart in class.  So instead of sitting with her best friend, Vee, as she always has, she is now sitting next to the new transfer, Patch.  Patch is a looker to say the least.  He is also dark, mysterious and at first rarely says anything.  Patch does end up teasing Nora a lot.  Along with teasing he acts like a jerk.  Which immediately puts Nora off.  Nora is very unsure of Patch, and goes to great lengths to get her Biology teacher to switch their seats.  

Soon into the book, weird things start happening to Nora.  She starts getting the feeling that she is being watched.  She sees a hooded figure almost everywhere she goes, calls the police several times reporting things she has seen, but the things she sees aren't actually there.  Or are they?

Due to Patch's vague past, and how incredibly mysterious he is, Nora almost immediately begins suspecting Patch is behind all of these things, but as time goes on, she begins wondering if it might actually be someone else . . . but who could it be?

 

This book was an incredible read!  It was incredibly mysterious to the point that you don't get complete answers about Patch until the last 50 or so pages.  But I didn't mind that.  That is just one aspect that kept me addicted to this book.  I was drawn in immediately and did not want to put this book down!  For being a debut novel, Becca Fitzpatrick rocked it!!

I give Hush, Hush 5 out of 5 stars!!  

GO GET IT!

 

*I also wanted to note something, because it's getting really irritating.  I read a couple of other reviews about Hush, Hush and in the review, the reviewers talked about how this book was very similar to Twilight.  Let me be clear here.  I do like the Twilight series.  A lot.  But, it does get quite tiresome to hear people *always* comparing this book or that book to some similarities in Twilight.  I mean, give me a break... just because this book starts off in a Biology class, and there is a love interest there, albeit extremely resistant on Nora's part, that DOES NOT make it like Twilight.  Like I said, Nora was *not* into Patch at first.  Yes, she was drawn to him, yes she thought he was "hot".  But.  She wanted to have nothing to do with him.  No matter if she had to lie to herself about the attraction she felt towards him.  There was more mystery in this book than Twilight.  There was less "love scenes" in this book than Twilight.  But it didn't matter.  This book was just as good without it, if not better.  All I am sayin' is that Twilight is NOT the end all of books.  The Twilight Saga is definitely not the best series out there.  I agree with another book blogger... the Twilight train has arrived, but it so needs to leave now.  Again... I liked the Twilight series A LOT!  I was quite obsessed with it for a long time.  I read the series 5 times.  In a row.  LOL!  But, I have read SO many books since then that Twilight is not usually at the forefront of my mind.  Ok.  I will get off my soapbox now.  Sorry you guys!  Just tired of hearing everything compared to Twilight.*

 

 

Giveaway With Bite!

Many of you are watching the CW series, Vampire Diaries as I am, right?  

Well... have you read the series yet?  

You haven't?  How would you like to get started?

HarperTeen is offering ONE lucky winner a copy of the first book!

The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening.

You will get it with the NEW CW characters on the front too!

Lucky you!  Getting to look at Paul Wesley!

 

 

Can I just say how much I love HarperTeen? 

I do!  They're fantastic!  

 

 

Do you want to win?  

Thought so.

Here's how to enter...

Leave a comment for each one!!

Remember!  You do not have to answer every question, but the more you answer, the more chances you have at winning.  :)

And PLEASE remember to check back here to see if you have won! If you win, you must send me an email claiming your prize.

1. Leave a comment.
2. Go visit HarperTeen.  Come back here and tell me what other book you'd love to read.

4. Follow HarperTeen on Twitter.

5. Blog about the giveaway.

6. Tweet about this giveaway.

7. Tell your incredibly huge amount of Facebook friends.

8. Follow Me on Twitter.

(Two options: here or here.)

7. Follow my blog.
8. Join The Benner Daily Ornament Swap!  See here to see what I'm talking about.

Good luck!!

This giveaway ENDS next Wednesday...  time? ... you'll see.  ;)

New Ideas & Stuff Coming To The Blog

 I have been thinking a lot lately, and have decided on adding some weekly installments to my blog.  I was going to do a new blog, but after much thought, and encouragement, decided to keep it all on this blog.  Might as well, right?  ;)

OK, so first off.  I am going to be doing a weekly inspiration post. 

For this post, I am hoping to have all of you email me projects you have completed

so that I can feature you!  Maybe some of you can provide tutorials as well.

The thought of this came to me simply because so many of you are creative geniuses

who are willing to share your amazing ideas, projects, and tutorials with us!

I will be adding a "Featured on The Benner Daily" button to my blog for those of you who

are featured.  You can add this button to your blog. 

How this is going to work is simple.  Just email me your projects with "Feature Me" in the subject line.

I will pick 1-3 people to be featured each week.  The number of features depends on, A. if you're project includes a tutorial, B. if you have more than 1 project that relate to each other, and C. what I am in the mood for.  ;) 

These projects aren't going to be categorized, so it doesn't matter if your project has to do with Christmas, Valentines Day or Summer time, etc.  Although, I may end up featuring more Christmas items as we get closer to Christmas.  We will see.

What do you all think?  Do you like this idea?  I figured that we all love some good inspiration, so why not inspire each other on The Benner Daily.  Featured posts will be every Thursday.  The posts will be called "Inspire Me Thursday". 

So, if you're interested in being featured, send me you projects, tutorials, etc starting now. 

Email me here: shealynn AT gmail.com

I seriously look forward to the inspiration ahead!

****

The other thing I want to do is an ornament swap.  Must be handmade, of course. 

If you're interested in the ornament swap, please just comment on this post.  I will post more information in the days to come.  :)  Along with a button, of course!  There will be a deadline to sign up, and I will let you know all that information by the end of the week.

Hope you're having a fabulous Tuesday!!

Book Review - Hourglass

Hourglass

By: Claudia Gray

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: HarperTeen
• Release Date March 9, 2010
• Language: English

__________________________________________________________________________

As with Gone [scroll down], I will not be doing a summary.

Hourglass is the 3rd book in the Evernight series.

I do not want to ruin anything for anyone.

OK, I changed my mind.  I will do a summary, but I will not say anything about Hourglass in my summary, but I will give you a small summary about the characters themselves.  It will be very vague like I was reviewing the first book in this series, Evernight.

Bianca is the main character.  She often feels like an outsider.  In the first book, you learn why she feels this way.  And in a shocking way I might add.  :)

Lucas soon becomes another main character.  Like Bianca, he also feels like an outsider, but he prefers it that way.  He and Bianca end up falling in love.  But Lucas is hiding something that is potentially devastating.

Balthazar is also in love with Bianca.  He is handsome, intelligent and caring.  At times Bianca thinks she should be with Balthazar, but would he be the best choice for her?

Raquel is Bianca's best friend and roommate at Evernight Academy.  But, Raquel has yet to learn the biggest secret of all.

I will give you my thoughts as I did with Gone.

____________________________________________________________________________

My Thoughts:

As I said, Hourglass is the 3rd book in the Evernight series.

If you haven't read the Evernight Series, you need to.

I loved the series quite a bit.

I think you will too.

I read Hourglass in a day and a half.  It drew me in right away.  There was so much action in this book, which made it hard to put down.  This book was constant.  There was always something happening, which I loved!  So much more is learned about Bianca.  So if you have read the first 2 in the series, just wait!  You will learn a lot more in Hourglass!

There is so much I want to say, but I can't.  :o(  Sorry guys!  Like I said, there will be no spoilers.  I hate spoilers, therefore I will not give them.

Bianca's character becomes more evolved due to everything she goes through in Hourglass.  And man does she go through a lot!

Lucas is with her throughout this book as are Balthazar, Raquel, and so many others from the first 2 books.

I have to admit... I was very surprised at the turn this book took!  But, with that turn came answers.  So many answers that were left unanswered.  But, it leaves you with a cliffhanger!  So there are still so many questions I am dying to have answered in the next book as well!  I can't wait until the 4th book comes out!!

I love Balthazar.  He is so caring, and always there for Bianca when she might need him.  His love for her is evident, but he never lets it get between them, which I love as well.  He is just an all around good guy.

Raquel... hmmm.  I have mixed feelings about her.  That's all I will say.

Sometimes I wish Lucas would GET A CLUE.  He is one of my favorites too, though.  His love for Bianca is completely romantic, as well as unconditional.  He is much manlier than Edward from Twilight.  ;)  To be frank, Lucas as well as Balthazar are badasses.  Excuse my language, but it's true.  LOL!

Now.... go out and get Evernight and Stargazer!  Hourglass comes out in March!

I give Hourglass 4 our of 5 stars!

Book Review - GONE

Gone

By Lisa McMann

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Simon Pulse
• Release Date February 9, 2010
• Language: English

___________________________________________________________________________

This is the 3rd and last book in the Wake and Fade series.

I can't tell you a lot, because I don't want to give ANYTHING away.

So, I won't be doing a summery. 

But I will tell you my thoughts... with NO spoilers.

___________________________________________________________________________

My Thoughts:

First of all, I LOVED Wake and Fade.  Loved them a lot! 

Book clubbers, we will be reading this series... so do not read Wake and Fade just yet...

Everyone else... GO GET THEM!  Now.  ;)

Lisa McMann is lovely.  If you recall, I MET her a couple of weeks ago.

My friend, Jenn and I were over the top excited to meet her. 

And man was she super nice! 

Anyway. 

First off.  I want to mention Lisa McMann's writing style.  It's likely a lot different than you're used to.  It's written in the third-person present tense.  It took me about 4 pages to get used to.  LOL!  I actually found her writing style very refreshing, and I so hope you do too!  

Wake, Fade and Gone are easy reads that will have you up late furiously reading.  I remember being up late into the night reading Wake and Fade.  When I got Gone to review, I knew better.  LOL!  I made sure to finish it before I wanted to get in bed by midnight, and I did.  

Janie is the main character.  She has an ability to be sucked into people's dreams.

Cabel is Janie's boyfriend.  He is the love of her life, her support system and biggest supporter.

I was so addicted to Gone!  I could not put it down.  I really could feel for Janie in this book.  I knew how I wanted this book to end, since it is the last in the series.  I will not say if it ended the way I wanted to.  I feel like that might spoil it.  But the conflict that Janie goes through in this book had me going through many feelings.  Confusion.  Thinking, why would she do that?!  Anger.  Thinking, why DID she do that?!  Happiness.  Thinking, I am SO glad she did that!!  Fear.  Thinking, I hope she DOESN'T do that!  Sadness.  Thinking, I wish she didn't have to go through that!  Relief.  Thinking... I Can NOT tell you that!  HA HA!  Sorry.  I can't.  It would spoil it.  ;)

I was sad to say good-bye to Janie and Cabe.  I feel like when I series ends it's the end of a friendship.  Is that weird?  I don't know.  You get to know these characters so well, it's almost as if you know them.  

Lisa... you wrote another GREAT GREAT book!  Thank you so much for the ride!  I cried, I laughed, I rejoiced, and I yelled.  I was that into the ENTIRE series.  

Thank you for the adventures for my mind!  You ROCK! 

 

I give Gone 5 out of 5 stars!

Also... just because I didn't get ARC's of Wake & Fade is not going to keep me from giving them star points...

Wake I gave 4 out of 5 stars

Fade I gave 5 out of 5 stars.

This series is seriously in my top 5 favorite book series'.  And you all know I have read a lot of book series'!  LOL!


P.S.  Lisa McMann actually took the picture on the cover of the chair!  She took it with her CELL PHONE!  How rad is that picture?!

 

Book Review - The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove

The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove

By: Lauren Kate

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Razorbill
  
• Release Date: November 12, 2009
  
• Language: English

 _________________________________________________________________________

Natalie Hargrove is a senior at Palmetto High.  She is popular, and dating a very nice looking and popular Mike King.  They are the perfect couple... or so you might think.

Natalie's one biggest care in the world is becoming the Palmetto Princess, and her boyfriend, Mike becoming Palmetto Prince.  Being the Palmetto Princess/Prince gives you a heads up in life. It gives you high status, and a guaranteed successful life.  Who wouldn't want to be Palmetto's Princess/Prince, right?

Natalie soon finds out she and Mike have competition.  This competition's name is Justin Balmer.  And, it just so happens that Justin and Natalie have a history... but it's not a good history.  Natalie has kept this history with Justin a secret.  In fact, a lot of Natalie's past is a secret, and she doesn't want that secret to get out.

At an annual party, Natalie and Mike decide to play a prank on Justin.  A prank that can not be taken back.  A prank that changes the lives of many, and throws Natalie and Mike into a huge downward spiral they can't get out of.  What was supposed to be a prank turns out so wrong.  Pranks are just a joke right?  Right?

_______________________________________________________________________________

My Thoughts:

I was unsure about this book when I first got it, but of course didn't let me unsureness get in the way!  The back summary intrigued me a lot.  And I am so glad I sat down with this book.  It was a good one.

Stuck up, superficial, materialistic.  Those were my first thoughts about the main characters, Natalie and Mike.  While those things were definitely true, I soon learned that there was so much more to them than that.  Natalie has a "forbidden" past.  If her peers and elders found out where she came from, she would be shunned.  Or worse.  When I began getting to know Natalie's character, I really couldn't blame her for putting on a show.  Because while she was a snob, she was also very insecure.

Mike came off less stuck up, superficial and materialistic, but you still get a hint of it upon first impression.  But quickly, you will learn that there is more to Mike than that.  Mike is genuine, caring, thoughtful, and a darn good boyfriend to Natalie.  Maybe he was a little "too" good to her.  But, I felt that maybe he should have thought about himself a little more. 

This book took me on a snobby roller coaster ride through Natalie's and Mike's life, especially after the prank they pull.  The deceit was incredible in this book, and I found myself yelling at Natalie in my head.  I kept wishing she would have come clean.  But she doesn't, which then leads to a very shocking ending.

I give The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove 3 out of 5 stars.