The Character Connection

The Character Connection is hosted by Jen over at The Introverted Reader. It's all about posting about the characters we love or the ones that made a big impression on us.








Perhaps my all time favorite book love, is Acheron Parthenopaeus of Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter series.
So far, my other book crushes have been YA. This set of books are very much not.
Ash is a staple in all of the Dark Hunter books. It wasn't until book 12 of the series that Ash got to tell his own story. And let me tell you, it was one hell of a story. It rips you to shreds and then makes you squee in pure delight. Words can't express how I love this character, so I'll do my best...


Although he is actually eleven thousand years old, he still gets carded at bars. He is the first ever dark hunter (and their leader of sorts), a demigod and the Final Fate. His entire life as a human he was abused in the most horrible ways imaginable. For most of his immortal life he was tormented and abused by a jealous goddess. His story is quite sad, and yet, somehow sweet little Ash prevails. And, it doesn't hurt that he is also super hot. Oh, Ash, what can't you do?
He hates that he is so attractive (to both males and females) and prefers to fly under the radar. Read his story to find out why. He dyes his hair all sorts of crazy colors, likes to wear leather, has piercings, rides a motorcycle and has the coolest "daughter" demon ever. The exchanges between the two of them are hysterical and sweet. Oh, and did I mention that he volunteers to help under privileged kids?
The best part is, that despite how awful his eleven thousand years have been, he still manages to find love in the unlikeliest of places.
It's definitely worth reading the series to get to know Ash. Now...if only he were real!

The Character Connection

The Character Connection is hosted by Jen over at The Introverted Reader. It's all about posting about the characters we love or the ones that made a big impression on us.

***Warning! Spoiler Alert! If you haven't read The Host, this post could be a mild spoiler!***





This weeks character crush is Ian from The Host by Stephenie Meyer.
I will admit that I am a Twilight series fan. I will also admit that I was one of the people that was eagerly awaiting anything by Stephenie Meyer that I could get my hands on. I was desperate for Breaking Dawn's release and in the meantime, I satisfied my craving with Stephenie's other book, The Host. Yes, this was a while ago, but I still think of Ian from time to time. I don't want to say too much about this book in case you guys haven't read it yet.
It did take a few chapters for me to really get into it, but once I did, it was hard to put down. Ian is the kind of character that just sort of sneaks up on you. You think you like him, but you're not sure you should, and then he proves you were right all along. I love the unexpected love interest!
Read it if you haven't, but be prepared to wait a few chapters for the action to really pick up.

Wonderful Booky Things...and a Hand

Did you ever have a book that you absoutely loved as a child? Not a book as famous as something like Alice in Wonderland or Green Eggs and Ham, but one that perhaps was a little more subtle in it's popularity. I loved to read, even as a kid. There are several books that come to mind that made enough of an impression on me then that I still think about them to this day. In fact, there is one in particular that I've been thinking about a lot lately.
The strange part? Well, apparently the author of said book is a client at the office where I work. I knew he was a writer. I didn't know he was that writer! I guess my childhood memory only goes so far. I remember the book titles and what they are about (mostly) and I remember loving them, but I didn't always remember the author's name. This is one of those cases.
Now I'm getting to the good part. He was in the office yesterday. This is a small office of four employees. I've spoken to him many times during the years that I've worked there. Never about books. My boss just so happened to mention to him that I am working on a kid's series and a YA novel. And he just so happened to want to talk with me. He told me that when he was just starting out, he had the pleasure to meet a very wealthy and well respected children's mystery writer. One day, the writer sat him down and told him he'd like to extend a hand and help in any way possible on his journey to get published. He worked for this writer for a time. And the writer did indeed help him. He went on to publish 13 children's books of his own and won countless awards, including a Newberry book award! He too had become a well respected children's writer.
He looked at me once he was done telling his story and he held out his hand, "This is me extending my hand."
I couldn't believe it. This wonderful man, and wonderful author, was offering me something I never imagined. Advice. Help. Anything I needed. He was confident in me even though he'd never read a word I'd written. He was giving me a chance.
I was, and am, deeply touched by this. So, what did I do? I cried.
I'm still grinning like an idiot...

The Character Connection

The Character Connection is hosted by Jen over at The Introverted Reader.
It's all about posting about the characters we love or the ones that made a big impression on us.







This weeks favorite character crush is Sam from the absolutely gorgeous book Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater. I am in love with Maggie's writing - as well as a few of her characters. But we'll save the others for another post...
Today it's all about Sam. He is the kind of guy that you just can't help but have a crush on. Where was this kind of guy when I was a teen? Once again, I find myself crushing on the guy with the tortured past, the ones that need love but think they don't deserve it.
There is something achingly familiar about Sam. Grace has met him before, but when she finds out where and how, she is pulled in to a world she didn't know existed.
I highly recommend reading this book. The next in the series, Linger, is due out this July. This is the book that I am most anticipating so far this year! So, if you haven't already, pick this one up and fall in love...