Author: Dereana Murcia

The War of Two Queens by Jennifer L. Armentrout

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Let me start off my saying this book series is one of those, “I wish I could go back and reread it from the very beginning as if I’d never read a single word” series. I have CONSUMED the FBAA books like rapid fire over the past three months (I’m a mom of 4 so time is of the essence right now, so that’s fast for me at the moment.)

Let’s start with what I loved about this book.

  1. Talk about world building. If you read this through slow enough you can see everything very clearly. If you are a skimmer or have a hard time slowing down to read and visualize at the same time, you’re going to struggle. And, that’s a shame for you because Armentrout has built up this world in such a memorizing way with such beauty.
  2. Relationships. Moving through the series, there’s a lot of relationships that are built up, but a LOT of this book was spent on how Poppy uses her current relationships (love, platonic, friends, etc.) to help her build up others. However, I felt her relationship with her F-I-L fell short and was fast forwarded like Armentrout got bored writing that section and moved through it quickly.
  3. Kieran. FhhiiINALLY! This is the most epic enemies to lovers/more than friends relationship. We get all the romance from Poppy and Casteel and then she throws this amazing love story in behind the scenes. Amazing!

Now moving into what I didn’t like.

  1. Pacing. I know Poppy and Kieran had to build their relationship while Casteel was held captive by the Blood Queen, but it took me FOREVER to get through the first half of the book because their love story went down the drain. I’m here for the love story, like I’m sure several other readers are and she wiped it all out for what seemed like eons. Yikes!
  2. How the Blood Queen bit the bullet. She’s been the “evil” character for 4 books and Poppy offed her in 2 chapters, one was pretty short in comparison to every other chapter Armentrout writes. I wish there had been more of a gradual decline in her power and not just a rise in Poppy’s.

There are definitely more things that I loved about this book than hated, but it was NOT my favorite of this series by a long shot. Will I read it again… maybe skim or just skip the first 45 percent. Now that I’ve had my first pass at what’s out there, I do want to reread to really understand all of the primals, gods, etc.

The Rose Code by Kate Quinn

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I went into this book with very different expectations for what I was about to experience. I thought I’d dive into the bitter world of an heiress who was jilted by World War II and was forced into ciphering codes to survive.

I honestly couldn’t have been more wrong about my assumption.

Osla, the daring and fabulous socialite [I believe most everyone would expect to be the MAIN character] ends up being this incredibly personable and loving woman that I believe we all can relate to. We’ve all, at one point or another, been Osla. We’ve all been in relationships with someone whom we LOVE, but who we must protect, so we dive into work or other actives to distance ourselves from them. Not only does this leave us on our head, but also deep feelings of loneliness. We’ve also desperately tried to put ourselves out there so people love us, like us, or to some extent tolerate our wild chatter and over expressive retellings.

Mab, for the majority of the story, is who we all wish we were. She is stylish, has a killer sense of self, but also is willing to fall into love. I felt real, true loss toward the end and, through Quinn’s writing, could feel myself slipping into the sorrow Mab felt and the distrust she had toward Osla and Beth.

And Beth. The awkward, once self-deprecating young woman, who is the code cracking whiz. I don’t know if I’m alone, but I felt the pains of being expected to live one way, but wanting to fly free of the nest while chained to my bed. She was loved, I truly felt her Mother loved her, but she had been held under thumb her entire life and once she was out, she practically threw herself into the world that her family would NEVER approve of.

The Traitor… we know from the very beginning that Beth was betrayed and has been living in an insane asylum for YEARS. We also know she’s not the one that had been sharing secrets across enemy lines. However, as we back track through those war torn years, we still struggle to see who was the one who could have put Beth behind proverbial bars.

All in all, this was one of the most entertaining historical fiction reads I’ve ever read and had me hanging onto the edge of my seat toward the end. I agree with many reviewers who suggest this story could have been at minimum 100 pages shorter, but I didn’t mind all of the details and the depths Quinn took us into the story.

I give this story a 4.5/5 stars and suggest anyone who has an interest in World War II retellings to pick this one up.

Preventing Flashes

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So, while Jane is working on an assignment, I wanted to jump on here and talk a little bit about what happens when the ability to flash is taken away. [Jane gives Vincent a sidelong glance as she opens a psychology book and starts making notes. Vincent smirks, “I know you’d rather be doing this.” Jane turns to Vincent. “I’d rather be asleep.” Both laugh under their breath.]

[Deep breath – And here we go]

Although, I am sure there are going to be plenty of you out there who will think less of me after I’m through with this post… (Jane typing: don’t let his mistake cloud your judgement, he’s still a great guy.) But, when I did it, I thought it was for the best for Jane and Mele. [Gulp.]

So, when I found Mele in the 1960’s, I knew things needed to be different. Elie knew everything of course, because I also was discovering my own power. With Lilian I tried letting her know about the flashes, about everything, but we still had to be reborn. So, I thought maybe if I just let Mele have a normal life, I could do everything we needed to on my own, and she could live. [Gulp, again.] But, the problem was that I needed her help just as much as she needed mine and things ended up worse than the two times before, plus there was no trust in our marriage. Both ends of the candle were burned in that life.

So, how do you take someone’s ability to flash away?

Just like we showed in one of the previous posts, Jane’s lives overlap and as she spirals through a piece of parallel time, she relives her history. When we touch, skin to skin, all I have to do is think about crimping those connections, like a railcar passing into a new lane because the tracks are switched. When I touch her and think of that switch, she will no longer come across those tracks to her history, thus cutting off her ability to flash. (Jane typing: As a general note, when it happened a few weeks ago, it felt like what I figured amnesia would feel like. You know there’s something there, but you can’t seem to find it.)

But, the problem, which I quickly discovered with Mele, was that it’s not a switch that can be turned off and turned back on without consequences. Like Jane experienced, she would have had multiple flashes over the course of the night, but because I took that ability away and then gave it back, she had those flashes back to back. Her soul traveled over and over again in the space of just a few hours. (Jane typing: talk about exhausting – it’s like working for 24 hours without a break or watching a 24 hour movie marathon. Eventually, you really just want to sleep.)

[Vincent looks over at Jane. “Don’t you have enough work to do?” Jane narrowed her eyes and sneered. Vincent licks his lips and smiles. “I could’ve assigned more.” Jane’s head snapped back in my direction and she scoffed. “Is it not enough I only slept 3 hours last night?” Vincent nods, “My point entirely.”] For Mele, after all those years, I lost her once I gave her back the flashes and that truly was worse than death. Honestly, both experiences are not things that I’m proud of, but they happened and not only did I learn from them, but I know Jane is better off being able to flash.

I hope that doesn’t destroy how you all feel about me, I’ve really atoned for both actions, and I hope you see there is a part of me that’s a normal, mistake-making, troubled man.

Vincent

Freshman Life

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Hi there! Today I’m here with Gabby instead of Vincent. He suggested she be my co-writer since she and I probably had more relevant things to say on the topic of “Freshman Life”. (Gabby typing: Really this post is about life in general, we just happen to also be freshman…) [Jane turns to Gabby and points at the tray of Oreos sitting on the nightstand. Gabby narrows her eyes, “Seriously, you can’t wait another fifteen minutes?” Jane shrugs and smirks, as Gabby passes her a cookie. “Now can you write?”]

Anyway, it’s been almost three months [Jane looks at Gabby.] and all in all, I think things are going well. (Gabby typing: Things are going particularly well for Jane… 😉) [Gabby don’t type that, it’s his blog too…]

[Gabby stealing the computer from Jane…]

Life the past few months has been good, but honestly I haven’t gone on enough dates with the guys from Professor Clark’s class [Jane rolls her eyes and shakes her head, reaching across Gabby for another cookie.] and sleep is a thing of the past, so we’re at that point in normal “College Life”. Jane is also gone a lot which, as we’ve come to understand, is probably for the best, but I still miss her. (Jane typing: I miss her, too. And, I honestly am feeling as though I’d rather not be gone so often, but I’m naturally curious.) I do have some regular fiends (Hahah… they’re probably that, too) [Jane scoffs, “Gabby!”] friends that I hang out with when Jane is busy, but Jane brings a level of drama to my life, I wouldn’t want to live without.

[Jane stealing the computer back from Gabby…]

[Jane turns to Gabby and scowls, “I’m so glad you think my flashes and lives with Vincent are added drama…” Gabby shrugs her shoulders, her face becoming passive.] Unlike Gabby, she is my only friend that I’ve made since I’m either working on assignments or spending time trying to pull information out of Vincent, who vaguely hints at things while changing the subject as only a true expert avoider could. [Gabby turns to Jane and arches an eyebrow, gliding her tongue over her teeth.] I don’t know what Owen is, but a friend doesn’t make you want to toss your cookies every time they come around. [Gabby elbows Jane and shakes her head wildly, holding a half eaten cookie out in front of her. Jane laughs wildly, the computer sliding down to the other side of the bed. “I’m sorry. Gabby looks over at Jane and rolls her eyes.]

All in all, I think we can say Gabby has has a normal college experience and I, Jane, who’s name means “plain, ordinary” has had the most unordinary freshman life in history, I’m almost positive. (Gabby typing: And winner of the most ridiculous run on sentence in history…) [Jane scrunches her nose at Gabby and muses her teasing her.]

Until next time!

Jane and Gabby

Excerpt: Firewood & Flame

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It’s a funny feeling to close your eyes, even for a split second and open them in a completely different place. One second to be falling asleep in your new dorm room and the next feeling a gentle breeze hitting your face while a flutter of tall grass pushes against your thigh.

I looked around, turning as best I could, and realized I was alone in the middle of a tall grassy land. A tree stood in the distance, old, gnarled, and leafless.

As I trudged toward it, hoping that the area would be cleared, the grass appeared to bend out of my way, bowing in a somber retreat on either side of me. The movement scared me at first and I stopped, pausing to see if they’d attack. When the path ahead became cleared, all the leaves bending out of the way, I moved forward being careful to not step on a single blade.

I reached the tree and looked up at it. Seven thick, blackened branches hung from the trunk, which from them had thousands, maybe millions of spindly, twig-like branches. I reached up and took hold of one of the spindles, breaking off of the branch. For a second, the twig appeared to have a heartbeat, which suddenly stopped. Bringing the twig closer I watched the core fade from a brownish red to a dark brown before turning black.

“I killed it.” I yelled out, questioning what actually happened. The tree seemed to feel the despair with me as I watched the trunk’s core also fade from brownish red to black.

“No,” I held the twig back up pressing it into the spot from where I took it. I watched as the black twig seemed to bleed on my skin, the darkness creeping down my arm toward my chest. “From what was lost, regain anew.” The words came from my mouth, but they weren’t my own words.

Once the words were said, the tree took hold of the little twig and consumed it in fire, growing it back out of the branch, renewed again.

I watched as the heartbeat steadied and the twigs color changed from bright golden yellow to deep amber red. The little twig in an instant went off like a bomb and I was shot back into the embrace of the tall grass. When I looked up the entire tree was lit on fire and spreading toward me. Seven streaks of fire broke out, the grass leaning toward it, looking as though each blade wished to be consumed.

I closed my eyes and woke up in my bed, again.

Excerpt from Seventh Rays of the Sun.

All rights reserved©️2018 Dereana Murcia

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What’s up with Psychology?

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So, you probably think that Vincent’s and my interest in Psychology was “written in the stars” or “pre-approved” for us, but I think we like to think [I look over at Vincent and he nods] that deep down from the time we were both young, our minds worked differently and thus a spark of interest in psychology bloomed. [Looking over at Vincent, he skims through my sentence and winces.] Vincent typing: It’s like she enjoys run-on sentences. She does the same things in her research papers she writes for my class. Anyway, that is far from the truth, at least for me. 

When I was a Junior in high school, my science teacher had a whole unit on the brain and part of the lessons were about thinking like other people. I thought everyone imagined what other people’s lives were like,  until that day. When she said it was a special trait to be constantly considering what others were thinking, experiencing, and enduring, I knew I had to find out more and even possibly study it for myself. [Vincent wrapped his arm around my shoulders and started to rub his thumb against my shoulder. I looked up at him and he smiles over at me, nodding for me to continue.] 

Passing the computer to Vincent… 

My journey to the study of psychology was more centered around the developing brain. As a freshman in college, I took my first psychology course and knew from that moment forward I needed to learn more about the brain and human reasoning. I think my study really flourished from my upbringing – having controlling parents really affects the brain and your ability to process cognitively. I was adopted by my parents when I was young, but from that moment forward, they thought for me, fought my battles, and had high expectations for my scholastic studies. I honestly had no idea I would find Jane studying the same subject matter, but I guess two like minds think alike. [Jane leans over and kisses my cheek, nuzzling her nose into my sideburn.]

Passing the computer back to Jane… 

So, that’s why psychology for each of us, just thought we’d clear that up since it seems all too “easy”. But, really we didn’t plan it and as far as I’m aware, nobody else had either. [Vincent taps his watch and I roll my eyes.] Time to head back to campus! 

Jane and Vincent 

How things happened… Jane’s Adoption

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It’s me again… just me… [I look up at Vincent who is tapping a pencil on the edge of his desk as he’s scanning someone’s Psychology paper.] again…

So, I finally got him to confess that he agreed to creating a blog because he thought it would be good “introspective” time for me… what a professor. [I say “Professor” out loud just because I know it bothers him. Vincent looks up at me from the tops of his reading glasses and narrows his eyes.] So, back to my post, he thought I should talk about my adoption. 

My adolescent life, what I remember, was very simple. Until I was nine, I lived with other foster children in a shelter up in the Ozark mountains. I think my parents and I tried to wipe that experience from my mind because until I met Vincent and took a trip to visit the shelter, I didn’t remember anything from that time in my life. [I looked up at Vincent, who was still absorbed in the paper he was grading.] However, driving up to the house and seeing Marida, the shelter mom, brought back memories I had tucked away. I honestly think my Mom tried to bury them to prevent me from feeling as though I didn’t belong in the family. 

So, at age nine and completely freaked out, I was transported from the shelter to my Parent’s home. It was some time before I was ready to really join their family. But, just a few months later, Elixabeth came along and the pressure was on to connect with them. Although, we fought for many years, our interests changed and we weren’t so invested in annoying the other. Also, Elixabeth got an iPad when she was five, so YouTube became her new obsession and the only time she really annoyed me was when she found out she could send me videos… [Insert actual eye roll here…] I’ve never seen so many “Funny Cat” videos in all my life. Oh, and you better believe she checked that you watched every minute of it by talking about every single one and asking which was your “favorite”. I digress… 

For many years it was just the four of us. My Mom and Dad… look at their cute couples’ shot from when they got engaged. [Vincent looks up at me and I realize I’ve been staring at their picture for the past few minutes. He gulps and shrugs his shoulders. “I’m fine, just looking at my parents.” Vincent smirks and returns to the paper he’s grading.] They were married for about seven years before they adopted me. Dad called that time their, “Honeymoon. All seven years of it!” Although, I think my Dad controls the house a little too much, they do love each other and I know behind closed doors Mom lets him have it when she needs to.  She’s respectful, but I know she’s got some spice in her, too… 

The boys… well, they’re boys. We were all so excited when we found out that we were going to have twins in our family. On the other hand, we weren’t so excited about twelve weeks later when we found out they were both boys and then even later to top it off, identical. [Vincent put down the paper he was grading and came over to my side. “How much more do you have left? I am starving!” I turn to him and smile, winking instead of replying. He shakes his head and wraps his arm around my shoulders.] No matter how annoying they are or how crazy they act, we know they belong to us because they’re so similar to my Dad. I think he’s proud that they’re so much like him and so, he spoils them rotten. Since they’ve been sleeping in their own beds, he’s tucked them in and read them stories about dinosaurs and dump trucks. 

Although, I never felt like I was super attached to my family, I miss them. I miss waking up on Saturday morning with the boys running around and Elixabeth helping Mom make chocolate chip pancakes. I miss my family home life where you sit down in the living room and watch t.v. regardless if it’s cartoons or not. However, I think Vincent has tried to help give me a place similar to that by opening up his home for me. [Vincent typing: Technically it’s her home, too. So, I’m just giving her back the key.] Anyway, it’s been nice to have a place to escape when college begins to get too real. 

Jane & (One line: Vincent)

Tanglement of Disentanglement

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So, Vincent and I have been together, for what [I look over at him and shrug] two months? [He takes a deep breath and rocks his head from side to side, nodding.] Two months… hard to believe, but with school, time seems to be speeding on. 

Anyway, since I’ve been with Vincent, I’ve started to have flashes of my previous lives with him. Coincidence… I think not! [Vincent rolls his eyes and I smirk, turning to wink at him.] It turns out, Vincent has already figured this one out, so I’ll hand the computer over to him. 

Vincent Drake ladies and gentlemen… [I say with such gusto, he bursts into laughter instantly and kisses my forehead while taking the laptop from my hands.]

IMG_6266

Figure 1:1 – Jane’s soul’s built upon each other. See how Elie’s circle is closed? That’s because she never had a flash because this was her first life. 

So, what Jane was alluding to, it’s no coincidence that when we met she started having these weird out of body experiences. The truth is, for us it’s a very real concept. The best way I can describe it is like this. Say today is July 23, 2008 at 4:30PM. If something happened on July 23, 1934 at 4:30PM that was important for Jane to remember from Lilian, her soul will travel back to that moment in time and relive that piece of her life. [Jane typing: Nothing like a good ven diagram to really help drive that concept home – hope these graphics help you visualize what’s going on.]

IMG_6265

Figure 1:2  – Time in the continuum – What flashing twice looks like visually. 

So, back to this concept of traveling through time. I also think it’s good to talk about the time it takes to flash and how that can affect if you happen to flash into a flash, which has happened. [I look over at Jane and she arches one eyebrow and I turn back to the computer chastened.] So, if Jane flashes at 4:30PM back into Mele or Lilian’s body and while she’s there Mele or Lilian has a flash, Jane’s soul can only stay in that second flash for less or as long as she’s in the first flash. If for any reason she stays in that second flash too long, the portal can close and Jane’s soul would be lost in time, virtually impossible to find. 

If we look at the diagram Jane drew for us, you’ll see her present life and the portal to her previous life. Notice there’s a 15 minute window, if you will, which allows her soul to travel and live out any portion of those lives. 15 minutes total from the moment Jane flashes in her current life, approximately 2 minutes (give or take) of travel time to her first stop, 8 minutes to live (which can be spread out over now and when she comes back), 2 minutes (give or take) to travel to her second stop, 2 minutes (give or take) to live, 2 minutes (give or take) to travel back to her first stop, and 2 minutes (give or take) to return to her present body. [Looking back at Jane, her forehead is wrinkled and her lips are scrunched up – a deep look of confusion if I’d ever seen one.] Fine… let me show it in a different way – see below. 

On the way there: 2mins (travel) -> 8mins (life) – shared over now and on the way back (Mele, Lilian) -> 2mins (travel) -> 2 mins (life) (Lilian, Elie)

On the way back: 2mins (travel) -> 8mins (life) – shared over now and on the way back (Mele, Lilian) -> 2min (travel) -> Back in Present Life

Figure 1:3 – Time presentation going into a flash and time it takes to return back. 

Now you may notice that Jane can only double flash when she goes to Mele or Lilian’s bodies, why might you ask? Elie never had flashes (which Jane shows in Figure 1:1 above); therefore, she wouldn’t be able to double flash. The flashes started when Jane’s soul was reborn into Lilian’s body. Now, Elie had a special gift. I believe her senses were more keen and sharp than most, especially when it came to understanding when danger lurked close by. 

[Jane takes the computer back and Vincent gripes about wanting to finish his thought…] 

Well, now that all of our heads are hurting [Vincent rolls his eyes and puts his head into his hand], we’ll give you some time to mull over that thought! Until next time! 

Jane and Vincent

 

 

College Dorms

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Although, I rarely sleep in my dorm room anymore, Vincent thought it would be a good exercise for me to share my “personal” space with you. [I not so secretly think he’s just nervous about us starting a blog together, but he’ll deal…] 


First things first, my roommate is Gabby, who is more outspoken and talkative than anyone I’ve ever met. Although, she and I just met we’ve already unmasked some harrowing monsters from my past and she hasn’t left yet, so I think she’s a keeper. She’s from Cleveland, Ohio, but has absolutely zero interest in ever moving back. She’s told me on multiple occasions, that she has a wanderlust obsession board on Pinterest. I can imagine her traveling around the world and never actually planting herself anywhere – I think she get’s antsy being here in this tiny town all the time. Which is why she’s planning to come home with me during Thanksgiving – I promised her a trip to the nearest “big city”. [Don’t tell her, but there are no “big cities” in Arkansas… or at least not like what she’s expecting to see.]

I wish I were more like her, but I could have the confidence of all forty-three presidents of the United States and still be ten steps behind her. 

Now on to food, because you can’t live anywhere without having the essential midnight Red Velvet Oreossnack. Our favorite, can’t live without, will drive ten minutes to the nearest Walmart, is Oreos… I know hold your applause! [Vincent is sitting next to me rolling his eyes…] (Vincent Typing: This is ridiculous… Focus on the room, not the food.) Back to what I was saying – we can’t live without them and we did often have Oreo tasting nights. (Note to self: Remind Gabby we need to have another tasting night to try these) ——————————————————->

Fine, I’ll talk about my space since Vincent is sitting next to me, drumming his fingers annoyingly. (Vincent typing: We were supposed to start a movie thirty minutes ago, but she had to blog first.) [I turn to Vincent and sneer at the use of “she” in his statement.] (Vincent typing: Fine…. We were supposed to start a movie thirty minutes ago, but JANE had to blog first. I feel like I’m back in sixth grade grammar.) Okay, taking back the computer… I’ll carry on, slowly, like the slowest turtle to ever be entered into a race. [Vincent puts his hand up over his face and slouches further down into the couch.] 

My dorm room, well, it’s damp and dark and dungeonesk. [Vincent shakes his head and scoffs. “Dungeonesk… that’s not even a word.” I smirk back at him and turn back to my computer. “Any word can have “esk” added to it…” Vincent rolls his eyes and replies, “Seriously!”] Unfortunately, all of those words are correct. Gabby and I were put in the oldest building on campus and in the basement, doesn’t get any more dungeon like than that. Shower shoes are a necessity, but since all of the drains don’t work, it doesn’t do much good. Dorm Room Tapestry

Regardless, rooming with Gabby has been the best. I’d rather have her as a roommate than any of my siblings or friends from high school. She’s not as much of a neat freak as I am, but she is what I’d call an organized disaster. If I ask for glue, she’ll throw some at me in less than a minute. But my favorite part of our room is the tapestry Gabby bought. This is a picture from online since I’m not in our room to snap one myself, but it makes the room seem so much more light and we both love trees. Looking at this picture, I wish our room looked that clean, but I could bet you a solid fifty bucks that Gabby’s bed would be unmade and there would be at least one dirty bowl sitting on the nightstand. [Vincent turns to me and smiles. “I’ll take the bet.” He arched one eyebrow and I turned to him. “I’ll FaceTime her.” I replied and he shook his head, getting up and going into the kitchen.]

Well, I hear Vincent mixing something up in the kitchen, so I think I’ll speed this up and go see what he’s making. Cross your fingers, it’s pancakes…. 

-Jane