After Reading: TIME'S CONVERT...and...THE GIRL WHO COULD MOVE SH*T WITH HER MIND

By: Meradeth Houston on 4:00 AM

Yeah, so, blogging...not been with it all that well of late. I need to remedy this. I also need to do about ten million other things, so we'll see how it all works out :) It's not that I don't enjoy writing here, it's more that I find it hard to get it accomplished every week. Habit, I assume, would help! Anyhow, I have been reading, as much as I possibly can, and have a few recommends:

On the battlefields of the American Revolution, Matthew de Clermont meets Marcus MacNeil, a young surgeon from Massachusetts, during a moment of political awakening when it seems that the world is on the brink of a brighter future. When Matthew offers him a chance at immortality and a new life free from the restraints of his puritanical upbringing, Marcus seizes the opportunity to become a vampire. But his transformation is not an easy one and the ancient traditions and responsibilities of the de Clermont family clash with Marcus's deeply held beliefs in liberty, equality, and brotherhood.

Fast-forward to contemporary Paris, where Phoebe Taylor--the young employee at Sotheby's whom Marcus has fallen for--is about to embark on her own journey to immortality. Though the modernized version of the process at first seems uncomplicated, the couple discovers that the challenges facing a human who wishes to be a vampire are no less formidable than they were in the eighteenth century. The shadows that Marcus believed he'd escaped centuries ago may return to haunt them both--forever. (Goodreads)

I have adored this series so much. The world building and characters and depth is lovely to get lost in. I've also started following the online community that are also fans and am blown away by the others who follow and think and daydream about this series--it's impressive! (Also, I'll admit, there's a part of me that hopes to someday have the same sort of following...wishful thinking to be sure!) Anyhow, I loved getting to see more of the characters beyond the previous books, to learn more about Marcus, and to understand more about their pasts. While there isn't a huge arc to this novel, I did deeply enjoy it, mainly because the world is just so much fun to exist in. Also, minor plug for the TV show, which is actually really well done and very fun!

For Teagan Frost, sh*t just got real.

Teagan Frost is having a hard time keeping it together. Sure, she's got telekinetic powers—a skill that the government is all too happy to make use of, sending her on secret break-in missions that no ordinary human could carry out. But all she really wants to do is kick back, have a beer, and pretend she's normal for once.

But then a body turns up at the site of her last job—murdered in a way that only someone like Teagan could have pulled off. She's got 24 hours to clear her name—and it's not just her life at stake. If she can't unravel the conspiracy in time, her hometown of Los Angeles will be in the crosshairs of an underground battle that's on the brink of exploding... (Goodreads)

Well, this novel couldn't be more different than the one above if it tried. Actually, there are some commonalities: good world building, great characters, and someplace I enjoy spending time. Honestly, in reading this, I felt like this novel was a whole lot more in line with what I write than anything else: tons of action, a lot of running for their lives, and a delightfully sassy MC who has a unique ability. Granted, this is about a thousand times better than what I write, but whatever. It's a fun romp and I am very excited that there will be more to the series! Also, kudos to the author for making note that GENETICS CAN NOT GIVE YOU PSYCHOKINESIS. Sorry, just doesn't work that way. Sure, some of the other things that Tegan's siblings deal with are possible potentially, but genetics is not going to allow you to move stuff with your mind ;) Anyhow, from this scientist, that was a solid thumbs up.