Story Snippet from New Witch On Campus

Here is a snippet from the first draft of my second book in my Witches of Coolersville series, New Witch on Campus. I'm having so much fun writing this and I've definitely turned up the drama level as this scene shows. Enjoy!

“You didn’t have to be so rude back there,” Tara continued. “You embarrassed me in front of my friends.”

“Oh, your new boyfriend?” Henry demanded.

“He’s not my boyfriend, you idiot,” said Tara. “You are. Michael’s just a friend.”

Henry let out a short laugh that sounded almost like a bark. “Oh, is he? He seemed to be getting pretty cozy over there. Applied for the same school as you. You and Marissa suggesting he work for your grandma. I saw the way he was looking at you. He’s got more than friendship on his mind. He might even be in love with you.”

Tara was taken aback at this statement. She tried to will herself to keep her expression indifferent but she felt the heat rise in her cheeks. “And, how do you know that, Henry James?” He winced when she used his first and middle name. “Are you psychic all of a sudden?”

“I know because it’s the same way I feel about you!” he shouted.

Tara glared at him. “Well, aren’t you just…” Suddenly what he said hit her. “Wait… what?”

Henry sighed. “That’s not how I wanted to tell you. But, I love you, Tara. And, I’m pissed at you at the same time.” He waited for a minute. “Well, don’t just stare at me. Say something, damn you!”

Tara just gaped at him. Her mind was screaming a thousand different things but she couldn’t get her voice to work. Henry rolled his eyes and turned to go and she forced herself to speak. “Don’t get mad at me. You freakin’ blindsided me! I don’t know what to say. You can’t blame me for that.”

“Whatever,” grumbled Henry. “Let me know when you have something to say. See you in class.” He walked away and she stood rooted to the spot for what felt like an eternity.

Book Review: The White Queen

Book- The White Queen
Author- Philippa Gregory
Goodreads Rating- 3 Stars
Actual Rating- 3.5 Stars

Oh, hey! This is my 100th post on my blog! Woo!

I love Philippa Gregory books so when I saw this series, nearly the whole thing, at Half-Price Books, I grabbed it and couldn't wait to read it. Her telling of historical events, obviously embellished because it's fiction has always interested me and the facts she uses gets me interested enough to research the time period more.

This first book in the Cousins War series was no exception. I have read and watched plenty of things about the Tudors but I just sort of glossed over the people before them and the story behind their rise to power. This first book focuses on Elizabeth Woodville, the mother of Elizabeth of York who became the wife of Henry Tudor or Henry VII. It's a beautiful tale with love and court drama and huge battles with a touch of fantasy. Elizabeth's family have a tradition in her mother's side where they believe they are descendants of a water goddess and practice magic. This, of course, is forbidden during this time but they pull it off by being discrete and the high position Elizabeth eventually rises to helps shield her from question... for the most part.

I read in the author's not that in Philippa Gregory's research, this was a fact and so she capitalized on it in her story in a way you'll have to read for yourself because I don't want to give too much away.

Elizabeth Woodville is a historical figure who seems to be a footnote in a lot of sources. I'm interested to read some more about her and find out why. I like the way she is portrayed in this story. A highly passionate, highly ambitious woman. She had a great love for her husband and her family. Much mystery still surrounds the fate of her boys, known now as the Princes of the Tower. This story mixed fact with fantasy enough to peek my interest in her and her family.

There were parts in this book that did get slow and boring. It took me a while to finish it. (I also started it around the holidays so that didn't help either) But, despite that, I am still interested enough to continue reading in the series and I can't wait to see what book 2 has in store.