Life and Death By Stephanie Meyer

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By Susan Elliott

Perhaps I will lose the fantasy world's respect by admitting this, but I love Twilight. In fact, I picked up my first copy of Twilight after I saw the movie poster. The image was so striking that I had to get my hands on the book.

I read the first three books within two weeks, and had to wait an unbearably long time for the last book to come out. (A month!)

I loved the characters and the writing. I was drawn into the story and I really had to know more. Stephanie Meyer took me through a gambit of emotions, and I truly love the world she created. As a writer, I know creating a believable fantasy world is not easy. (Writers and gamers check out: Fantasy World Building 101)

Aside from the story, one reason that this series will always be special to me is because it helped my daughter learn to read. She had refused to read much of anything, and by the time she was in fourth grade, she was still barely reading. That is until I handed her Twilight. It took her a full month to read the Twilight book, but after finishing it her reading speed nearly doubled, and within a couple of months she had read every one of the books. I can't tell you how happy that made me!

About a year after she had read the books, we had the opportunity to go hear Robert Pattinson speak at a business meeting. I remember getting her up at 3:00 a.m. so she could get ready.  She made such a cute fan girl! I thought she would die when he walked right by us.

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So, what's my point -- other than sharing wonderful memories, and trying to get you hooked on the Twilight Saga?

The other day I was at the store and saw that Life and Death had finally hit the market. Of course, I didn't think twice before I bought it. Unfortunately, I was in the middle of reading a book club book -- Sandi Rog's Out of the Ashes -- for my other blog Church of Christ Women Authors (which was phenomenal by the way), so I couldn't start reading it right away. However, I have finally started it, and I really am enjoying it. I think I'll be through with it by the end of the weekend -- I would be done with it already if I didn't have a thousand other things to do besides reading. I know there are some great surprises in store in Life and Death and I can't wait.

If you get a chance to read it, I would really recommend it. And, if you haven't read the The Twilight Saga you are missing out on a great series of books. You really should check them out. Forget the hype of the Hollywood actors. Forget the fan girls. Check out the story. It is fantastic!

Marvel's Avengers Age of Ultron: Can You Say YES!

I am so excited that the Marvel's Avengers: Age of Ultron is finally out on blu-ray! I don't know how they keep doing it, but it seems each Avengers movie is better than the one before it. As soon as I left the movie theater, I wanted to go back in and watch it again.

I won't give any spoilers away incase you haven't seen it, but wow!

Age of Ultron was directed by Joss Whedon, of course I am a huge fan of Whedon's work so I'm not surprise the movie is phenomenal.  Oh, don't forget to watch the Easter egg at the end of the credits. IT'S AWESOME!

Movie synopsis from the case: "Good intentions wreak havoc when Tony Stark unwittingly creates Ultron, a terrifying A.I. monster (There's the first mistake A.I. ALWAYS a problem!) who vows to achieve "world peace" via mass extinction." It's really no surprise Ultron goes all crazy, how many characters have decided that the only way to achieve peace is through murder? But, even though this plot concept is familiar, the movie is fantastic.

All of your favorite Avengers are in here too, and I really loved getting to know more about Black Widow and Hawkeye. If you haven't seen Avengers: Age of Ultron, get a copy today. I found mine at Wal-Mart. I bought the package that included the Blu-ray, DVD, Blu-ray 3D, and Digital HD versions, and it was less than $20 bucks! (I always get the one with the Digital HD, because I love VUDU.)

What are your thoughts on the Avengers: Age of Ultron?