A Grimm Warning - Chris Colfer

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series.

It's not just the wonderful spin on 

favourite fairy tale characters

but it's also the well crafted characters

and story line.

A Grimm Warning

does not disappoint.

Alex Bailey now lives in The Land of Stories.

She's training to one day become

the Fairy Godmother

and taking over for her grandmother. 

Meanwhile, 

her twin, Connor,

goes on a school trip to Germany

to hear the unpublished story

by the Brother's Grimm

that was found in a time capsule.

Soon the twins find themselves on another adventure.

This time, 

they are trying to protect the land

from a 200 year old French Revolution Army.

Now, 

the last two books

have that lovely fairy tale ending.

You know,

happily ever after.

And when you pick up the next book

you feel like you're back with some old friends

and hearing their latest adventure.

But this time,

this time,

oh my!

Colfer leaves you hanging!

Yes, he leaves us with a cliffhanger.

An OMG-did-that-just-happen

cliffhanger.

And I have no idea

when he'll publish the next installment!

Yikes!!!

Blood Genesis - Tessa Dawn

I have loved this series

since the beginning.

So when I heard there was a 

prequel

I had to read it!

This did not disappoint!

Blood Genesis

gives a glimpse into the origins

of the Blood Curse.

We learn more about the brothers,

Jadon and Jaegar,

the patriarchs of these great vampire houses.

It's a story about 

Timaos and Jessinia

and their sacrifice.

If you haven't started this series yet,

this is a good,

short,

introduction!

The Sisters Grimm - Michael Buckley

I have a love for fairy tales.

So when a parent at school

told me about this series

I had to give it a try.

It is lovely!!!

Sabrina and Daphne's parents

mysteriously disappeared.

They have spent the last year

floating between foster families.

Then, 

they are told their grandmother wants them to go

live with her.

This surprises the sisters,

as they were told their grandmother was dead.

So Sabrina and Daphne meet 

their eccentric grandmother,

Granny Relda.

She informs them,

that they are descendants of the famous

Brothers Grimm

and that all these fairy tale characters

actually exist.

Not only do they exist,

but it's part of the Grimm's family job

to keep them in line.

Soon, 

the girls find themselves on an adventure.

There's a giant on the loose,

and he's kidnapped Granny Relda.

The mayor (Prince Charming)

acts awfully suspicious.

With the help of Jack

(as in and the Beanstalk)

and Puck

(yes Shakespear)

the girls are out to

save their grandmother!

My Dad

My dad was a little man,

with an extremely large heart.

His heart was made of gold.

He cared about everyone, 

and tried to help everyone.

He never judged.

My dad was an avid reader.

Something I inherited from him.

He instilled in me the love of books

and the power of the written word.

He was able to talk to me about any book I read as a child.

It wasn't until later I learnt,

that every night,

after having gone to sleep,

he would read the book I was reading

just so we could discuss it together.

My dad has a large family.

And family is important.

And while the four of us lived quietly in Ottawa,

vacations were spent with the family.

It was important to him

that we knew we had a support system.

My dad loved to travel.

He saw beauty wherever he went.

He was intrigued by the history and culture

of every place he visited.

He'd enthusiastically share with you

the hidden gems

and myths about every place he visited.

My dad believed my brother and I

could be anything we wanted to be.

And while we often mistook it to mean

we were a disappointment,

he always supported us in our choices.

He encouraged us to be better.

He knew we could do anything

and taught us to aim high.

My dad believed education

can get you anywhere.

I hated school

and was never any good at it.

But I am so grateful

I finally got my Masters

and got to see the shine in his eyes

when he realized

I always heard him.

My dad had a way with words.

He wasn't always able to express himself verbally,

but give him a pen and paper,

and wow!

He'd blow you away.

My dad was religious.
He believed in that God is gracious.
He believed there was a reason for everything.
I wish I had the same faith as he.

My dad was encouraging.
He saw the best in everyone
and encouraged it.
When Ethan was two,
he scribbled.
But then told my dad an elaborate story to match the scribble.
My dad went out and bought
pens, colors, paints and paper
to encourage this budding artist. 

My dad was a sensitive man.

He didn't like conflict

and tried to please everyone.

He was open-minded and tolerant.

Qualities I will teach Ethan. 

My dad was amazing.

He raised two incredibly independant kids

and had two amazing grandkids.

He will always be loved.

He will be missed.

I love you.