I’m learning how to solder!  A family friend taught my mom and I the basics last week and I made this necklace.  Since I loved it so much, I just got a soldering set as an early birthday gift from my mom.  YAAAAY!  Because I don’t have enough crafts that I do!  haha

But isn’t the necklace awesome?!?!  I’m so stoked – I finally have a Mommy Necklace that is my style!!  Pictured are my daughter Yue and son Nick.  Now I can carry them by my heart always.  :P

Stop by the following blogs and join in the giveaway hop!  Enter for your chance to win some free books.  There are tons of authors participating (including me!!!).

Making Connections:  http://makingconnectionsgroup.blogspot.ca/2012/04/amazon.html

Booked Up:  http://boookup.blogspot.com/2012/03/indie-giveaway-hop.html?zx=f05265945a64209b

Shut up and Read:  http://shutupandreadgroup.blogspot.ca/2012/04/indie-blog-hop-giveaway.html

Alana’s Blog:  http://darkobsessionchronicles.blogspot.ca/

My Blog M/M Romance Blog:  http://mmromancebookreviews.blogspot.ca/

Tana’s Blog:  http://tana-someofmyfavoritebooks.blogspot.ca/

The screech of tires on pavement is more terrible than the heavy, burning rubber smell that fills my nose and lungs.  I know what is coming.  My scream vibrates my whole being, tip to toes.  Blink and it is done.  The blood seeps out in two distinctly concentric circles, one at his head, the other underneath his back.  Not a single muscle moves, making him look more like a discarded rag doll than a child.  A flurry of obscure colors rushes past me.  Passersby.  Not one able to actually help.  The ground falls out from underneath me as horrible realization explodes inside me and I vomit in the street. 

My eyes flew open.  I blinked a few times, staring at the far wall of my poster-filled bedroom until I was certain of where I was.  Musicians, actors, and artsy flowers (done by Mom, of course) stood sentinel around my room as I sleep.  But even the army of my latest obsessions couldn’t prevent the memory from twisting its way back into my nocturnal escape.

I ran a hand over my eyes.  Dry again.  I hadn’t cried in months.  Maybe I was getting better?  I made the Sign of the Cross and whispered a quick prayer to Saint Nicholas of Myrna, patron saint of children.

Willing the thoughts away, I tossed my comforter aside and headed for the bathroom.  A cool shower would help wake me up fully and wash off the remnants of the dream.  After showering, I made my way to my closet.  The night before, I had spent an hour choosing the perfect First Day of Senior Year outfit but as I stood examining my choice, disquiet bubbled in my belly.  The shirt was a tomato red number with black ribbon edging, pretty and brand-new but the color made me uncomfortable.  The dream still seared in a dark corner of my mind.  Realizing I was being ridiculous wasn’t enough to convince me to wear that shirt.  With a small shudder, I put it back in the closet.

I threw on a new lavender cami and electric blue tee that I thought made my hazel eyes really pop.  An old pair of jeans and black ballet flats made me feel more complete, steadier.  I pulled my shoulder-length auburn hair up into a messy ponytail.  It was too hot to wear it down, I knew already.  August in Brayburn, Pennsylvania was so hot and miserable, just walking to and from your car was torture.

“Krista!”  I heard Mom call up the steps.  “Are you awake honey?  It’s already seven-thirty.”

I spun around yanked my cell phone out of its charger.  Craaaaap.  Stupid alarm!  I brushed my teeth at record pace.  Cell in hand, I bolted down the steps and headed for the door.

“Krista!  Aren’t you going to eat something?”  Mom called from the kitchen.

“No time Mom.  I love you and I’ll see you later.”  I slid my backpack over one shoulder and took the keys off their hanger.  Rushing to leave, I had just placed a hand on the front door knob when Fenn’s photo on the wall of our entryway caught my eye.  I kissed my lips and gently laid the kiss on his forehead.  “Love you big guy.”

His grin stared straight back at me, slightly lopsided and ketchup stained on one side.  Whoever chose to have the fourth grade photos taken right after lunch obviously wasn’t thinking of kids like my little brother who usually ended up wearing more of their food than actually consuming it.  With a last glance at his portrait, I opened the door and headed for school.

Ever want to hang with the pretty girls to feel pretty too?

Me neither.  They scare the sh*t out of me.

-A. G., out

Gathered dandelions today and started the tea for jelly-making tomorrow!  This will be my experimental recipe – my own creation.  I’ll update when I make it.  Here’s hoping it turns out well!

In case you missed it, here is the article that’s blowing up on Goodreads right now:  

http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/03/28/the-power-of-young-adult-fiction/adults-should-read-adult-books

This is how it starts:  

“The only thing more embarrassing than catching a guy on the plane looking at pornography on his computer is seeing a guy on the plane reading “The Hunger Games.” Or a Twilight book. Or Harry Potter. The only time I’m O.K. with an adult holding a children’s book is if he’s moving his mouth as he reads.” 

I don’t know who Joel Stein is but he comes across as a pompous ass. Literature doesn’t have to have “issues of identity, self-justification and anomie” to be considered well-written or enjoyable. He sounds elitist in his attitude. I am an adult and I read not because I’m trying to show the world how educated, intelligent, and deep-thinking I am. I read because I love to read. Period.  Several Adult authors are very dear to me and probably always will be.  But so are several Young Adult authors.  Does that mean that I am wrong for enjoy a good book because it is…I don’t know…a good book?!?!  

I write Young Adult fiction!

Does that mean I should be embarrassed?  I think not.  

Reading is a personal experience and one that hopefully will stick with you for a lifetime.  It is beautiful and real.  And in this digital age, if a book or series of books gets people away from the tv (or computer) for a while then something positive has occurred. 

By the way, I’m over educated. I’m almost finished my 2nd Master’s degree and studied at the Defense Language Institute. But you won’t hear me saying that adults should only read “adult” fiction.  This guy needs to get off his high horse and enjoy life, not tear down those who don’t read only “high literature”. 

Thoughts from the peanut gallery???

I’ve finally finished the blog &website updates!  Yes!!!  So if you have been around my page lately you will notice that so much has changed.  When I first set up the blog, it was intended to be a temporary piece to get a web presence going.  But now that I’ve got more going, I decided it was time to update and make this official.  So now I have changed the layout, colors, pictures, and added soundtracks!  Whew, I’ve been busy.

And….. my page is now annalisegrey.com!!  I’m a .com!!!  Oh joyous day!!

-Anna, bouncing

Congratulations Kim, the winner of Spring into Books Giveaway!  She has won a copy of

Mind Over Matter by Sandra J. Clarke

Enchantment by Charlotte Abel

Taken by Charlotte Abel

Magical Creations by Nicola E. Sheridan

& Howl by yours truly!!!

Hope you enjoy!