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Tea at Trianon: Priest Holes in English Houses

2012-01-18T05:15:00.000-06:00

We interrupt this blogging about Jean Auel's series to send you over to Tea at Trianon: Priest Holes in English Houses.

You know how I love history from different times and places and blogs about them. Thus it will come as no surprise that I stumbled across this blog and fell in love...and I haven't read one of her books yet!

Wait till you see the travel tea case Marie-Antoinette carried!

For those of us who a) will probably not be going to England or b) probably would not have the time to visit and see all the priest holes, you have to read the entire posting (it will take you to another) where you will see not only stills but videos of them as well as get some good historical information along the way!

Go quickly my friends and enjoy yourselves as much as I!

2012-01-10T04:02:00.000-06:00

The Plains of Passage by Jean M. Auel

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

They said:

Ayla and Jondalar set out on horseback across the windswept grasslands of Ice Age Europe. To the hunter gatherers of their world--who have never seen tame animals--Ayla and Jondalar appear enigmatic and frightening.

The mystery surrounding the woman, who speaks with a strange accent and talks to animals with their own sounds, is heightened by her control of a large, menacing wolf. The tall, yellow-haired man who rides by her side is also held in awe, not only for the magnificent stallion he commands, but for his skill as an artificer of stone tools, and for the new weapon he devises that makes hunting less perilous.

In the course of their cross-continental odyssey, Ayla and Jondalar encounter both savage enemies and brave friends. Together they learn that the vast and unkown world can be difficult and dangerous, but breathtakingly beautiful and enlightening as well.

I thought:

I should see what others have thought about this book. Boy howdy, was I surprised by some of the comments! One comment was about her repeating things from an earlier book. Stop a moment and look at the different publishing dates. If you read the first one and then had to wait for the next one, you might appreciate the repeats so you remember what was going on from the last one. An then there are people like me who might find one copy but it is later in the series...those retells would put you right into the story without you having to go back to the first book to find out what is going on and who's who.

Sex. Yes, and people what to know about what might have happened in the past and if everyone is in the cave, everyone knows what is going on. So how did they handle the situation. How was the act different among the Clan than the Others? What we might consider rape today, might have been normal for one group. That's one of the things you are learning about as Ayla grows up and moves from one group to another. It is not gratuitous or even as graphic as some writers might have made it.

Wonder Woman and Superman? Ayla and her lover are compilations of the Others. The Clan shared a common memory and did not like change much. The Others did not have the memories so were more adaptable to change and building on one another's ideas and sharing for the good of all. She was both a shaman and a healer. I want to know what they used for medicine, did they ever do surgery, how did they deal with wounds? So all information and advancements were attached to Ayla. Many people of today are have the ability to pick up languages quickly...but there remain traces of their original accents, just like Ayla. Of course she is alway gathering things...they were 'hunter/gatherers. It was important that she find fresh food and well as food that will store well for winter and many of the foods that she ate while living with the Clan would not be available from one territory to another. She would have to find out what new things were safe to eat in the new areas. The same thing would have to be done with her herbal medicines...some she would figure out for herself but some she would find out when they visited in different camps.

Written or spoken, I really like this series!

2012-01-06T03:43:00.000-06:00

The Mammoth Hunters by Jean M. Auel

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The cave lion has taken off to start his own family, the filly has given birth to a colt, and the young blond man and Ayla have fallen in love. The are traveling to his home until they meet the mammoth hunters and are invited to stay with them through the winter. While visiting them, Alya rescues a wolf pup. People of the hunters are unsure of their safety but gradually become accustomed to him.

As we follow Alya, her lover, and the critters, we learn more about the land and the life of the people of the region. It is not an easy life but very interesting as is the continuation of Alya's story.

But now we must go on to the next volume! I am having so much fun with my marathon thanks to Audible.com!

2012-01-06T02:50:00.000-06:00

The Valley of Horses by Jean M. Auel

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Alya has left the cave and the clan behind and finds food in the form of a horse. Unfortunately, the mare has a defenseless filly. She cannot leave this baby to die. She takes the filly back to her cave to raise with a baby cave lion she later finds. As she raises these animals she learns from them and how to use them. As the filly reaches the right age, Ayla learns to ride and the filly learns to help her by pulling things. This last is beneficial when Ayla and her horse are out searching for food and herbs when they come across two young men..."others". One blond like Alya who is close to death; while the other man is dead. She buries the latter and takes the former with her back to the cave.

Of course the story is much more complicated than what I have summarized, besides the story line, the above does not cover the her learning as she gets ideas and tries things. The learning is a condensation of what and how people of her time may have progressed, such as riding horses instead of eating them.

The oral story is very well narrated.

Now on to the next volume! (What great fun!)

2012-01-06T01:04:00.000-06:00

The Clan of the Cave Bear (Earth's Children, #1)
by Jean M. Auel, Sandra Burr (Narrator)

At one time I had most all of this series of books but what with lending them to this or that person, I ended up with only one (1), of the hard backed books! So I started collecting them on Audible.com. Once I had them all, I held a marathon wherein I listened to the whole series, one after the other! It was a blast!

In the Clan of the Cave Bear we meet Ayla, who survives an earth quake that takes the 5 year old's mother. Alone, wounded, and sick, she is recused by the healer of the clan of the cave bear's healer. As a child of 'the others', the 'flat heads' take her in even though they find her ugly and ignorant as she has none of the memories. Ayla heals and is adopted and loved by the clan as much as she loves loves them. As she grows, we, the readers, learn about the clan and their ways. I tell a lie, there is a member of the clan who hates her deeply! This one will one day be the head of the clan. When he does, Ayla is forced to leave as he has marked her as dead to them.

One of my joys with this series is that you can read them as stand alones...though reading them in tandem (or marathon) is so enjoyable.

The author has done great research with people well known in the study of man so far back in time. So if you like ancient history with solid research along with a good story...pick this one up!

2012-01-04T21:15:00.000-06:00

A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin
narrator, Roy Dotrice

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

THEY SAID

A comet the color of blood and flame cuts across the sky. And from the ancient citadel of Dragonstone to the forbidding shores of Winterfell, chaos reigns. Six factions struggle for control of a divided land and the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms, preparing to stake their claims through tempest, turmoil, and war.

It is a tale in which brother plots against brother and the dead rise to walk in the night. Here a princess masquerades as an orphan boy; a knight of the mind prepares a poison for a treacherous sorceress; and wild men descend from the Mountains of the Moon to ravage the countryside. Against a backdrop of incest and fratricide, alchemy and murder, victory may go to the men and women possessed of the coldest steel...and the coldest hearts. For when kings clash, the whole land trembles.

©1999 George R.R. Martin; (P)2004 Books on Tape, Inc.

I THOUGHT

I still don't like serialized books that have to be read in order but I must admit their necessity for some stories...like this epic. Last season, a video of book 1 was shown on HBO which was entertaining and interesting from the point of taking 33 hours of listening and condensing it to 10 hours of viewing. The cast of characters is huge! But fear not, the important ones will stick in your brain, so well are they written. As in real life, no one is all good or all bad so you can't totally like or dislike them...well, except for one!

I liked the book better than the video on the last one and feel the same will hold true of the new season which should be starting soon as HBO is currently rerunning the first season. Oh, don't get me wrong, the HBO series is up to their standards! What is missing is all the little connectors which add so much color to the book! Mostly I miss the way Mr. Martin links together his words. As this was one of my Audible.com books, hearing those words were pure pleasure! The narrator, Roy Dotrice, did such a terrific interpretation...how he managed to come up with so many diverse accents and speech patterns was just such an addition to the book.

WARNING: This is an adult only book! Not for language but nudity, graphic sex, and violence.

UPDATED

2011-12-19T16:09:00.001-06:00

The Blood of Flowers by Anita Amirrezvani

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What? How can you have listened to the book and it be on your TBR list? Sandy, don't you think you need to fix your shelves?

NO. This was one of my Audible.com choices. Unfortunately, there is an oops in the recording that therefore messed up the download. The end of the two parts are cut off. It didn't bother me so much on Part 1 but was at a crucial moment in Part 2! (GRRRR!) Naturally I called Audible.com immediately! They are going to fix it and then alert me, so I can get the rest of the story! The question is how long will it take them to fix it! You know how some of us are when we are so into a book that we just have to know, can't wait to know the rest of the story! I'm one of those! What do you do then? ORDER THE BOOK!

Publisher's Summary:

"In 17th-century Persia, a 14-year-old woman believes she will be married within the year. When her beloved father dies, she and her mother find themselves alone and without a dowry. With nowhere else to go, they are forced to sell the brilliant turquoise rug the young woman has woven to pay for their journey to Isfahan, where they will work as servants for her uncle, a rich rug designer in the court of the legendary Shah Abbas the Great.

Despite her lowly station, the young woman blossoms as a brilliant designer of carpets, a rarity in a craft dominated by men. But while her talent flourishes, her prospects for a happy marriage grow dim. Forced into a secret marriage to a wealthy man, the young woman finds herself faced with a daunting decision: forsake her own dignity, or risk everything she has in an effort to create a new life.

©2007 Anita Amirrezvani; (P)2007 Hachette Audio"

And that is where it cuts off! Decision time!

It should have taken just a bit over 13 hours to hear the entire story that is narrated by the rich voices of actress Shohreh Aghdashloo who is originally from Iran. Her voices add so much color to enjoyment of this book! I feel in love with her voice, accent, laugh, and intellect the first time I saw her on the Craig Ferguson show.

Maybe I need to expand a bit. When I read I hear the story in my head. When I read a book, I also hear it in my head with whatever accent is appropriate. I've heard German, French, Irish, Scottish, Russian, Spanish, Chinesse, Janpanesse, and the variety we have in America and India. The voices of the middle eastern countries have not added their music to my ears enough to remember them.

One thing is learned quickly...the role of this woman in 17th century Pursia wasn't any better than that of women in Europe in the same socioeconomic levels.

Anita Amirrezvani has not only told us the story of a gutsy young woman but bits about rug making from dye to design to finished product. She also gives us some short folk tales of the period.

I am giving you my review how because I cannot see the review changing much with reading the hard copy. It's been out for a while so you should be able to find it in most of your usual haunts! It's almost Halloween, so go haunting those places for this book in any format you like!

UPDATE:

I have now finished both the book and the recording. Sure enough, it was as wonderful as I expected! I loved all the characters in the book because of what they added to not only the understanding their motivation, but also the flavor of the peoples of the time whether good or bad. There is a richness to this book that makes me anxious to see what she comes up with next!

The conversation between the author and narrator at the end of the recording is most interesting!

Who should read this book? I would have gotten a lot out of this book about the age of 13 or 14 so young women, mothers and daughters, people who want to know a bit more about the run making process and their makers, people who love myths and legends! Lovers of historical fiction.

This is definitely on my favorites for 2011!

2011-11-24T08:28:00.000-06:00

The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I know I am strange but this is again a movie I saw and had to read the book. Thus started my love of all books Jean M. Auel. This is the start of the author's vision of what happened "way back when" as cultures intermix and travel up through time. Get hooked on the first and you will want to travel along. Unlike a lot of serialized stories, each book stands alone, so if you manage to find one before another, it won't hurt.

I now have it in audio format from Audible.com, as apparently I 'lent' my book copy. I have really enjoyed listening to this as I do the mundane! Sandra Burr does a grand narration of the first people.

EXCLUSIVE Amazing Juggling Finale

2011-11-19T11:11:00.001-06:00

Easy serve and clean up for football event

2011-11-18T08:30:00.000-06:00

For the recipe go to the Pioneer Woman Cooks.

Source: thepioneerwoman.com via Sandy on Pinterest

2011-10-27T01:19:00.000-05:00

Harvest by Tess Gerritsen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Narrated by George Guidall
Length:12 hrs and 30 mins
Release Date:04-22-11

You should know that my dad was an Army doctor and I have probably spent almost as much time in them as out! We were both mystery lovers so this had to be one of my Audible.com choices.

It got my husband and I a bit confused with some of the scene changes and who is or isn't there but that is kind of the fun of a mystery. Will it all come together in the end? While we figured out who was what and why, there was a bit of worry and OMG at the end.

I can't code this one as a cozy mystery .. it leans closer to nail biter. If I promise you that the confusing bits will make sense, will you stick with it and give this one a chance? We (DH and I) were glad we did!

BOB

2011-10-21T15:14:00.000-05:00

BOB from Jacob Frey on Vimeo.
For full enjoyment, watch past the credits! WARNING! DON'T DRINK AND WATCH!

2011-10-20T17:23:00.001-05:00

Source: flavorwire.com via spvaughan on Pinterest

Famous Places of the World Photographed in Soap Bubbles. Photo credit: Tom Storm. Dlugi Targ, Gdansk, Poland

Somehow I don't think this is the right size

2011-10-20T15:41:00.001-05:00

Source: weheartit.com via Sara on Pinterest

Why aren't new state laws fought?

2011-10-17T14:10:00.001-05:00

Black men were given the rights to vote through the 14th and 15th amendments. The 19th gave equal rights to women.

With these amendments, why isn't the federal government doing something to stop states from making it hard to impossible for many individuals to exercise their rights?

Why aren't state citizens voicing their objections? Why isn't the federal government getting into this?

They think they will hurt one party but what about people of their own party? Don't they know those people will also be stopped?

I don't know who is running for office in my state this year, but trust me, if they support these laws? or restrictions, they will not get my vote! It is, for me, a show stopper because I truly think it is anti American and illegal as hell!

2011-10-17T13:50:00.000-05:00

Sterling Biographies: Frederick Douglass: Rising Up from Slavery by Frances E Ruffin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
UNABRIDGED
Narrated by Cornelius Jones
PUBLISHER Audible, Inc.

Summary:

"From slave to freedom fighter: that was the long and hard journey taken by Frederick Douglass. Douglass was America's first great civil-rights leader, and he threw off the physical, mental, and legal chains of slavery to become one of America's greatest champions for human rights. It was said that his life was proof that once black people could read and write about their injustices, they would have the power to end slavery.

Frances E. Ruffin explores this inspiring figure in all his complexity, and captures the hardships, prejudice, and violence Douglass endured as he fought for justice.

©2008 Sterling; (P)2009 Audible, Inc."

At about 3.5 hours, this is not a long biography. It could be easily stopped if you are sharing with a child. If you want to listen in one go, easy. Not only did I learn much about Mr. Douglas that was never taught in high school and college. I also learned much about the history after the war.

He lived an amazing life, not only through the Civil War, but after, before the Jim Crow laws, the beginnings of the rights for woman's right to vote.

If you feel your history was a bit vague or you are a home schooler who wants to give your kids more information about the war and its aftermath, I recommend this book to people of all color.

2011-10-14T20:04:00.000-05:00

The King of Lies by John Hart

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ah, Audible.com, you have so dented my pocketbook! Between the sales of different kinds one almost on top the the other were just too good good tales to resist!

The King of Lies is a murder mystery taking place in midevil history. Adelia is a doctor but has to use a unic as a beard...otherwise, she would be labeled a witch and suffered the consequences. Who sends her on a mission to ensure the safety of his daughter? The King of England, Henry II! Among the company is her lover and father of her daughter, the Bishop. O, I almost forgot...a sword, "Excaliber". Lastly is the unnamed shadowy creature who want her life to end because the doctor killed lover, Wolf.

So there you have it! Just think of what kind of murder and mayhem can result from this cast of characters!

You don't have to be a lover of historical fiction to enjoy this book. Any mystery lover will want to snap this one up! Even my husband gave this one high marks!

2011-10-14T18:38:00.000-05:00

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë

My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I think I made a bad choice spending my Audible.com credit on this one.

To start with, I don't like the narration of the first part. It seemed so patterned. Looking past that impediment, I really did not like the character himself. I could not see him married to anyone other than the most desperate! And when he dropped to the use of physical violence, I just could not buy it! AND HE GETS AWAY WITH IT!

Having resolved this couple to her satisfaction, Ms. Bronte goes on to another...but it does not flow well from on to another which caused me some confusion. It might have been better if she had written these as short stories held together by the hall or the relationships.

I am forced to admit that with the switch to the new couple, I kept getting so bored, I fell asleep. I wish I could tell you this might be a better book if read but...

Maybe you should ignore me as I have never appreciated Weathering Hights either.

But I have loved Jane Eyre in all its formats!

I know...visit your local library and read the first part. If you like it, then spend your money to add it to your library.

2011-10-14T17:27:00.000-05:00

Dial "L" For Loser by Christy English

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If this was a movie, it would fall into the category of "Chick Flick". It is a fast fun read about a girl who could be in a Rubin's painting. She works in a bank with her two best friends. One minute she is foot loose and fancy free and thinking about giving up on the other sex completely! Two seconds later, she's tangled in the lives of 3 young men! The "L" can be wiped away! But have you ever tried to date 3 guys at one time? I tried juggling 2 and it got really dicey, really fast.

Who should read this book?

People studying for a huge test that need a break from study. People who have been reading so much historical fiction that they need something that will bring them back to today. People who always wanted to know what it is like to date 3 guys at one time. Ok, there are other people but you get the idea!

If I had a chuckle meter, it surely would have been in the red zone!

2011-10-14T16:42:00.000-05:00

Bloody Jack: Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy by L.A. Meyer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Narrated by Katherine Kellgren
PUBLISHER Listen & Live Audio

You grew up fast as an orphan in the streets of London. Being in a group of other kids helped all survive. That's how Mary "Jacky" Faber did it until it all fell apart. What was she going to do? If she survived until puperty, she knew she would probably end up as street walker which she knew was wrong. Ah, then she spotted a ship in the harbor looking for boys to serve. If she cut her hair, she could pass; she was sure of it! It must be remembered that young boys of 8 or 9 often were taken on board. That is how our "Mary" end up as "Jacky, ship's boy".

Now, we know this charade cannot go on forever! That's what the rest of the tale is all about; how she keeps up her illusion, what it was like being a "ship's boy"; how she got "found out", etc.

I heartily recommend this book to both sexes who love the stories about the tall ships from 8 to 66 (hmmm, I know my mom would have liked this one as much as I, so I should make that last number 92).

I must thank Audible.com for exposing me to this story when they had a lovely sale of so many series "first".

2011-10-14T15:22:00.000-05:00

Hood by Stephen R. Lawhead

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Narrated by Adam Verner

PUBLISHER Oasis Audio

Length:12 hrs and 20 mins

Did you ever read or watch any of various Robin Hood stories? I did! I don't think I missed any one of them starting with Errol Flynn. I loved all with their slight changes here and there. The characters of Hood are a different but underneath I see the influence of Robin's story.

Mr. Lawhead's writing is delightful and colorful that made the scenes vivid in my mind. 'Makes me wish I had a young one to share with whom I could share (or would that be an excuse to listen again). And Mr. Verner? His reading was such an addition. He read quickly and clearly catching me up in the story. 'Not in haste but with action.

If you want to listen to this before sleeping, don't be surpassed if you find yourself finding it hard to shut it off! It is good company if you are in for a long car ride for Thanksgiving or Christmas.

2011-10-08T20:35:00.000-05:00

Picture Perfect by Jodi Picoult

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Narrated by Sandra Burr and Bruce Reizen

Unabridged 14hr, 19 min

A policeman from the reservation moves to LA. He discovers a woman who has lost her memory. Turns out she is an anthropologist married to a well known Hollywood star. The couple looks "picture perfect". But all is not perfect. Her husband sometimes goes off and becomes abusive. She stays with him. Why does he suddenly become violent when he loves her? Why does she stay with him? Why does she leave him? Why...so many 'whys'.

This is not the type of book I normally read. That said, I must admit to quickly becoming involved in it and wanting to see, perhaps understand why a woman with her 'smart' would stay with this man and how it would be resolved at the end.

For a long time we listen to the voice of Bruce Reizen, so I felt a bit disrupted when suddenly Sandra Burr starts talking at chapter 19, part one. It goes back to Bruce on part 2, chapter 7 through the story's end. Both people have excellent narrating abilities but I felt disrupted with the change back to Bruce Reizen. I still don't get it, which is why I could not give the story 5 stars.

2011-10-08T17:47:00.000-05:00

Born in Fire by Nora Roberts

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Narrated by Fiacre Douglas

LENGTH 9 hrs and 5 mins

PUBLISHER Brilliance Audio

Maggie views of marriage is tainted by that of her parents. She has sworn she will not follow in their in footsteps; she will never marry. As much as she adored her father, she resented her mother. As her father was dying, she promised to care for her mother and beloved sister. She is a very talented glass blower who will used the money from sales of her works to keep her promise. Her resentment is increased by her mother's constant demands on her sister. Maggis is as stubborn as can be expected by a red headed Irish lass. She is independent and outspoken having no time to waste on self sensor. She dresses without care as the work calls her. Not only is she talented in her working of glass, she is passionate about it to the point that at times she forgets eating or sleeping. Phones are a bother that she totally ignores.

Then Rogan Sweeny discovers her work. He wants to show Maggie's work to the world as he sees it as it and its creator as an Irish treasure. With his tenacity, he will finally get her to work with him. She will try his patience to the nth degree.

Now you know that as this is love story, these two will end up together. What you don't know is how they will get there. Remember, Maggie is not the most receptive person to ideas of love and/or marriage.

Fiacre Douglas's accent when not speaking for a character, has a lightly accented voice which does intensify when needed for the native ones. I wonder if he enjoyed the conflict dialogs as much as i did!

I would recommend this story to all who love to hear the sounds of old Erin...who love characters who challenge each other mightily, as well as the interpersonally relationships between Margaret Mary, her sister, and mother.

PS The is one of those sale books from Audible.com that I went wild about!

2011-10-08T16:17:00.000-05:00

Witch and Wizard by James Patterson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Narrated by Spencer Locke, Elijah Wood

5 hrs and 41 mins

AUDIBLE RELEASE DATE 12-14-09

PROGRAM TYPE Audiobook

PUBLISHER Hachette Audio

It was a football Sunday for him. I had NO interest. My choices were take a nap (too wide awake), read a book (the stack is fairly high but nothing there attracted me), read an ebook (no, no titles grabbed me), or listen to an audio book. On line I went and low and behold, I found this one in my Audible.com library. It sounded kind of fun. It was YA. Who cared! There are no laws that after a certain age you can only read these books!

The publisher's summary said it best:

"The world is changing - the government has seized control of almost everything and kids are disappearing.
For 15 year-old Wisty and her older brother, Whit, life turns upside-down when they are hauled out of bed one night, separated from their parents, and thrown into a secret compound for no reason they can comprehend, except that the new government is clearly trying to suppress Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

Imprisoned together in a decrepit cell, Wisty and Whit cling to the only things they have left - a blank book, a drum stick, and each other. While searching for ways to escape, both begin exhibiting strange abilities. Maybe there is a reason they were singled out!
Can Wisty and Whit, a witch and a wizard, master their skills in time to save themselves, their parents - and maybe the world?

From James Patterson, the creator of the best-selling Maximum Ride and Daniel X novels, comes Witch and Wizard, his most terrifying and awe-inspiring series yet."

It was perfect! Just the right length to get me through football. Perfect company was I weeded out all my duplicates in Ancestry! And it had 2, yes TWO narrators! What great fun it was to hear the back and forth of male and female voices! I didn't expect the effectiveness that two different voice would have on a book. And the story? The story was equally entertaining. Lesson, were there lessons young people should learn from this book? Probably but who wants to look for lessons when they just want to escape for a while. Not me!

So do I think this is a good hollowed book to share with kids and grandkids. YEP! It's a bit scary...the eyes widening kind, not the hide under the bed kind. But then I loved Peter and the Wolf and Three Billy Goats Gruff too.

OH NO! I WON!

2011-10-08T16:06:00.002-05:00

Sandy, you've lost it again!

No, you just don't understand. I know a wonderful fine artist who uses both acrylics and oils as her mediums of choice. (She also dyes the most wonder colors of yarn!) She had a Friday contest where in the winner gets to choose a print of one of her paintings. I won! I whooped! I twittered about it! Joy! Excitement! I raced to her site! AND THEN IT HIT ME! I love her work (L C Neill)! How do I choose?

Places is adorned with sun rises...I love sun rises and sets and the way they color the clouds in the sky!

People...walking dogs. Lost in thought while seemly stareing at a wall. Walking in the rain. Reading a book. People just doing things I see people doing all the time. I feel their movement or stillness.

Things has so many things! Curling ribbons with crisp edges and turns. Flowers...just their faces and in a clear container where you can see how glass and water changes the way stems look. Scrabble tiles that look so real and have a bit of whimsy as you notice the words they spell out!

And I, I have to pick one, just ONE. Want to guess how I have spent the past 3 hours? Yes, opening each thumb nail picture to try and ascertain which one should come live at my house!

Thank you L C Neill for giving me such a lovely chore!

Go here and see some of the pictures I have been talking about... http://bit.ly/o8EFXu.

2011-10-07T17:40:00.000-05:00

The Blood of Flowers by Anita Amirrezvani
Narrated by Shohreh Aghdashloo

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What? How can you have listened to the book and it be on your TBR list? Sandy, don't you think you need to fix your shelves?

NO. This was one of my Audible.com choices. Unfortunately, there is an oops in the recording that therefore messed up the download. The end of the two parts are cut off. It didn't bother me so much on Part 1 but was at a crucial moment in Part 2! (GRRRR!) Naturally I called Audible.com immediately! They are going to fix it and then alert me, so I can get the rest of the story! The question is how long will it take them to fix it! You know how some of us are when we are so into a book that we just have to know, can't wait to know the rest of the story! I'm one of those! What do you do then? ORDER THE BOOK!

Publisher's Summary:

"In 17th-century Persia, a 14-year-old woman believes she will be married within the year. When her beloved father dies, she and her mother find themselves alone and without a dowry. With nowhere else to go, they are forced to sell the brilliant turquoise rug the young woman has woven to pay for their journey to Isfahan, where they will work as servants for her uncle, a rich rug designer in the court of the legendary Shah Abbas the Great.

Despite her lowly station, the young woman blossoms as a brilliant designer of carpets, a rarity in a craft dominated by men. But while her talent flourishes, her prospects for a happy marriage grow dim. Forced into a secret marriage to a wealthy man, the young woman finds herself faced with a daunting decision: forsake her own dignity, or risk everything she has in an effort to create a new life.

©2007 Anita Amirrezvani; (P)2007 Hachette Audio"

And that is where it cuts off! Decision time!

It should have taken just a bit over 13 hours to hear the entire story that is narrated by the rich voices of actress Shohreh Aghdashloo who is originally from Iran. Her voices add so much color to enjoyment of this book! I feel in love with her voice, accent, laugh and intellect the first time I saw her on the Craig Ferguson show.

Maybe I need to expand a bit. When I read I hear the story in my head with the appropriate accents. When I read a book, I also hear it in my head with whatever accent is appropriate. I've heard German, French, Irish, Scottish, Russian, Spanish, Chinesse, Janpanesse, and the variety we have in America and India. The voices of the middle eastern countries have not added their music to my ears enough to remember them.

One thing is learned quickly...the role of this woman in 17th century Pursia wasn't any better than that of women in Europe in the same socioeconomic level.

Anita Amirrezvani has not only told us the story of a gutsy young woman but bits about rug making from dye to design to finished product. She also gives us some short folk tales of the period.

I am giving you my review how because I cannot see the review changing much with reading the hard copy. It's been out for a while so you should be able to find it in most of your usual haunts! It's almost Halloween, so go haunting those places for this book in any format you like!

View all my reviews

BOOK REVIEW The Confessions of Catherine de Medici by C.W. Gortner

2011-10-05T15:25:00.000-05:00

The Confessions of Catherine de Medici by C.W. Gortner

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As I loved his "Last Queen", so did I love this book! And it only cost me one credit from Audible.com!

As with "Last Queen", Catherine de Medici becomes more than a by-word for 'evil'. Her early life is one that today's accused would blame for whatever they did in the present, so deeply was she hurt. Her times were hard for women, especially for women of intelligence. As they effected her, the 'times' and 'places' are also characters in the story.

C. W. Gortner showed me a very complex and deeply emotional woman, both strong willed and determined. Oh how she loved her family! Maybe too much. She was every bit "The Queen"! The Ruler! She who would have her way come hell or high water! As I listen to Cassandra Campbell's narration, I felt compelled to listen until the wee hours of the morning. I had to find out more about her and what she would do and why.

Cassandra Campbell voice was perfect for C. W. Gortner's grand story about this woman!

2011-10-05T12:49:00.002-05:00

White Sister by Stephen J. Cannell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

They said it well:

Leaving L.A.'s Parker Center, Shane Scully and his wife, Alexa, agree to meet at home in one hour. Shane gets there; Alexa doesn't. In the middle of the night, he's called to a crime scene on Mulholland Drive: The African-American victim, who appears to be a Crip gangbanger, has been executed gangland style. Shockingly, the body is in Alexa's car and her gun is found nearby. But Alexa is missing. Shane's frantic investigation into his wife's disappearance soon takes him inside a bitter and violent feud between two rival hip-hop record companies.

At the center of this war is one of the most lethal adversaries he's ever encountered: Stacy Maluga, a trashy, beautiful Lady Macbeth-like white woman raised in Compton, married to a multi-millionaire rap mogul and known in the gangsta hip-hop world as the White Sister. Shane is no stranger to big trouble, but this time he's met his match in a powerful and media-savvy enemy who could put him in jail, order a hit on him, or utterly destroy his reputation. Worse, Shane fears that his wife may be dead and that the White Sister is behind it.

My thought:

The description caught my interest so I snarfed it up from Audible.com after listening to the snippet they had and liking the voice of Scott Brick. I was not disappointed in Mr. Bricks narration or Mr. Cannell's writing while staying up late to continue the story!

So why not 5 stars? I have been listening more than reviewing and am trying to catch up. This one, I could not remember until I read the first sentence above...then it all came flooding back!

I do so dislike abridged versions of books and according to the ratings at Audible.com, this one ranked low on those who got that version. I can guess why. There is so much color to characters and so much action, that to cut it would be such a travesty.

2011-09-30T21:48:00.001-05:00

Still Missing by Chevy Stevens
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Product Description

On the day she was abducted, Annie O’Sullivan, a 32-year-old realtor, had three goals—sell a house, forget about a recent argument with her mother, and be on time for dinner with her ever-patient boyfriend. The open house is slow, but when her last visitor pulls up in a van as she's about to leave, Annie thinks it just might be her lucky day after all.

Interwoven with the story of the year Annie spent as the captive of a psychopath in a remote mountain cabin, which unfolds through sessions with her psychiatrist, is a second narrative recounting events following her escape—her struggle to piece her shattered life back together and the ongoing police investigation into the identity of her captor.

Still Missing is that rare debut find--a shocking, visceral, brutal and beautifully crafted debut novel.

My thoughts

I found listening to her thoughts while captive were very insightful. 'Made me wonder how I would deal in the same situation. Could I do what she did to escape? Would life after be better or worse than what she went through? Who was the man who kidnapped her? Why did he take her?

As I realized the way the book was going to end, there was a part of my mind saying, "NO NO NO NO!"

This such a good book to read or listen to (with a great narrator!) that is almost too realistic.

BOOK REVIEW: Memoirs of a Cotswold Vet by Ivor Smith BVSc MRVCS

2011-09-30T12:33:00.001-05:00

Memoirs of a Cotswold Vet by Ivor Smith BVSc MRVCS
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Did you ever read the Dr, James Herriot books like All Creatures Great and Small or watched the series on PBS as I did? (Well, you should!) If you enjoyed them, you will also enjoy Dr. Smith's stories which will touch on all your emotions. That's ok as I love critters and the way they open me up to all those things.

Yes, I do recommend this book to ALL lovers of critters!

I listened to them using my credits from Audible.com.

O, you need to know that the reading is perfect for the book!

BOOK REVIEW: Juliet by Anne Fortier

2011-09-22T20:50:00.000-05:00

Juliet by Anne Fortier
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

They saiid:
Twenty-five-year-old Julie Jacobs is heartbroken over the death of her beloved aunt Rose. But the shock goes even deeper when she learns that the woman who has been like a mother to her has left her entire estate to Julie’s twin sister. The only thing Julie receives is a key—one carried by her mother on the day she herself died—to a safety-deposit box in Siena, Italy. This key sends Julie on a journey that will change her life forever—a journey into the troubled past of her ancestor Giulietta Tolomei. In 1340, still reeling from the slaughter of her parents, Giulietta was smuggled into Siena, where she met a young man named Romeo. Their ill-fated love turned medieval Siena upside-down and went on to inspire generations of poets and artists, the story reaching its pinnacle in Shakespeare’s famous tragedy. But six centuries have a way of catching up to the present, and Julie gradually begins to discover that here, in this ancient city, the past and present are hard to tell apart. The deeper she delves into the history of Romeo and Giulietta, and the closer she gets to the treasure they allegedly left behind, the greater the danger surrounding her—superstitions, ancient hostilities, and personal vendettas. As Julie crosses paths with the descendants of the families involved in the unforgettable blood feud, she begins to fear that the notorious curse—“A plague on both your houses!”—is still at work, and that she is destined to be its next target. Only someone like Romeo, it seems, could save her from this dreaded fate, but his story ended long ago. Or did it? From Anne Fortier comes a sweeping, beautifully written novel of intrigue and identity, of love and legacy, as a young woman discovers that her own fate is irrevocably tied—for better or worse—to literature’s greatest star-crossed lovers.From the Hardcover edition.

I think:

This a hard book for me to rate. It bounces back on forth between the middle ages and today about two different Juliets. The old story is set in Sienna as is the story in current times.

I started this book with some people from my local library who I still have not met. After checking it twice, and still not finishing, I bought a copy for my Kindle. In my mind, I think of the book in three parts.

Part 1: I loved it and sped right along. There are so many, many great lines I had to stop and share with my husband!

Part 2: It was OK but for whatever reason, I just sort of drug myself through it. It was good with lots of action. But I found myself listening to lots of audio books instead. I just was not pulled back to the story.

Part 3: This part rocked with twists and turn and suspense enough to pull me gleefully along.

So how do rate it? It has to be above good because of parts 1 and 3. Probably most people would not have the problem I had in the middle - maybe it was because I no longer had bits I wanted to share with my husband and I missed them. The last part was such a delightful roller coaster ride!

I'm going to go eat dinner and when I finish I hope to have my answer.

Book Review: The Sleepwalkers by Paul Grossman, reviewed by C.w. Grotner

2011-09-16T11:20:00.000-05:00

As a member of GoodReads, I read lots of reviews (which is why my wish list gets longer every day). Obviously, many are very good or my wish list would be shorter. A couple of days ago I read one posted by C. w. Gortner that blew me away. I complemented him on the posting and indicated my desire to put it up here (not expecting a reply, any less a positive reply). Yesterday I got a very positive response enabling me to share this with you! (O, fyi, he is an author I follow at GoodReads because I enjoy his story telling.)

Thank you C. W.!

The Sleepwalkers
by Paul Grossman

C.w. Gortner's review Sep 13, 11

Read in September, 2011

One of my favorite periods in 20th century history is pre-Nazi Berlin; a fragile time before the rise of an era of unspeakable darkness, when the city was a fabled cosmopolitan smorgasbord full of vibrancy- an international magnet for artists, bohemians, eccentrics, and the curious. The Berlin we know today is very different from the Berlin of before World War II and Paul Grossman’s THE SLEEPWALKERS offers us a superb evocation of that city’s pathos and tragic hedonism in the weeks leading up to Hitler’s ascendancy, even as a resolute Jewish detective hunts for a killer.

As the title suggests, this is more than a novel about a series of bizarre murders that Grossman’s hero, Detective Willi Krauss, is trying to solve. All of Berlin appears to be sleep-walking, seemingly oblivious to the endemic violence lurking under the surface, epitomized by Nazi thugs and opportunistic politicians scheming to rescue Germany from decades of penury and shame. Krauss, however, senses these fearsome undercurrents, even as he is swept up in a labyrinthine quest to discover why a young woman pulled from the river was subjected to horrific medical experiments. Revered for his recent capture of an infamous serial killer yet haunted by personal loss, Krauss is now beginning to experience a subtle but pervasive fraying of his impermeability. His keen observations of the shifting world around him anchor the novel’s dark, fascinating trajectory into both the high-ranking offices of a crumbling government and Berlin's seamy underworld.

The supporting cast of characters includes an enigmatic prostitute, an extravagant hypnotist, an earnest cadet, a jaded aristocrat, and a street hustler. While some of the characters conform to established clichés, Grossman handles them with sensitivity and style, while his villains— including a terrifying, buck-toothed Josef Mengele—display the sociopathic tendencies which became a Nazi blueprint and are all the more unsettling because they are not fictional. Fast-paced action sequences interspersed with Krauss’s uneasy awareness that the life he’s always believed in is turning to quicksand under his feet give the novel a brooding, unstoppable feel that kept me reading far into the night. Though Krauss fights with every part of his being to halt the shadow sweeping over him, and everyone he loves, we know the inevitable outcome; it is a testament to Mr. Grossman's talent that despite this, we still find ourselves rooting for his idealistic, damaged hero, caught up in circumstances far beyond his control, like so many thousands of Germany's inhabitants.

It's me again! This book is available in all formats and lots of places! And no, I am not getting compensated by any one! Ok, maybe by me.

Trip Time!

2011-09-06T03:33:00.000-05:00

If you have followed my for any time, you know how I love to take vicarious trips via my friends. Sometime the trips are just snaps....ok, most times...so this time it is a special trip to the California coast. Special? You bet 'cha! The pictures are spectacular! And they are in video mode! And the video is set to music!!! A wonderful photographer from Dunsworth Studios took the pictures which the graphic artist put together with music!!

Huh? You get the excitement of pictures set to music but why all the exclamations?

Ok, I have been working on Ancestry.com for quite a while. One of the people who has shared our common family members (we are cousins on my father's side) is Ms. Louise Ross-Martinez who was not only the graphic artist on this project but has also done one on our family! Now I ask you, how cool is that?!? (More on putting family on video later.)

Now my friends, grab your favorite beverage, sit back, and take a trip with me (and Louise and Jeannie) on a coastal ride on the California Coast!

Book Review: The Moon is Down by John Steinbeck

2011-08-26T19:07:00.000-05:00

The Moon Is Down by John Steinbeck

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The first thing you need to know is how much I dislike reading Steinbeck (yes, I know I am in the minority)! Except for this story about a little village in Norway that gets taken over by the Germans.

I first saw it as a movie on Panamanian TV, complete with subtitles. The characters were relatable from the newly widowed lady to the village doctor and gentle mayor, to the lonely German soldier and his commander, to the villager who help the Germans during and after the invasion. I was so impressed with the movie that I had to find the novella when I returned to States. Again I was impressed. Again I cried.

So why write a review of a book I read over 40 years ago? Because I have found it available in electronic format and am trying to decide if I want it from Amazon.com for my Kindle or Audible.com as my copy was 'loaned' away eons ago. Yes, it was propaganda of the early 40s. Yes, it was damn good propaganda as it gave a humanity to all of the characters. Read or listen to the story for yourself and see if you can understand why I want it back in my library!

Looky at what I got!

2011-08-24T20:12:00.001-05:00

Little...younger sister sent me a wonderful check for my birthday which allowed me to indulge myself with something on my wish (but doubtful) list.
It came from Teavana and is called a "Amandine Decanter".

Want to see what it looks like?

Ok, look:

Isn't it lovely?! Can you imagine how lovelier it will look with one of my flowering tea bulbs in it?

Don't you wish you had a loving, enabling sister like mine?

Book Review: I Gave You My Heart, but You Sold It Online by Dixie Cash

2011-08-14T21:01:00.001-05:00

I Gave You My Heart, but You Sold It Online by Dixie Cash

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

They said:

If you love smart, sassy fiction with some downhome Texas humor, you'll love this smashing follow up to Dixie Cash's hardcover debut, MY HEART MAY BE BROKEN, BUT MY HAIR STILL LOOKS GREAT.

Fans of Mary Kay Andrews won't be able to resist Dixie Cash. Description: Debbie Sue Overstreet and her best pal Edwina––the Domestic Equalizers––have one motto: don't get mad, get evidence! So when these hairdressers/private eyes get wrapped up in a new mystery you just know there's going to be trouble. Quint Matthews, an old beau of Debbie Sue's and a heart–breakin' rodeo rider, comes to town asking for their help––his identity's been swiped by a woman he met on the internet. They agree to get to the bottom of things, and get into a whole heap of trouble. As for Quint, he's never one to learn a lesson. He's got a date in Salt Lick, Texas, with a woman he met, yep, online––but what he doesn't know is she was put there by her own daughter!

Hearts are about to get broken all around Texas, but not before Debbie Sue and Edwina make things right for everybody.

My thoughts:

The girls are at it again! And I laughed as much as I did the first one!

That Audible.com sale was really irresistible...i bought lots of books by Dixie Cash!

Book Review: Ceremony in Death by J. D. Robb

2011-08-14T17:53:00.000-05:00

Ceremony in Death by J.D. Robb

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I may have a bit of bias here as I really like J. D. Robb's writing in this series which is just a little sic-fi but a lot of good old fashioned action mystery. I also like the main characters. Dogged detective Eve Dallas is a bit OCD as she has to get to real conclusions. Off 'the streets' she is the Walmart woman rather than the fashonesta...I would bet she has mostly jeans and sweats.While she has many make friends (well, she is a cop!), she is very distrustful of anything beyond...well, until Irishman Roake invaded her world.

Roake is a rich, handsome rogue with more than a shady past. With his insitfulness and intelligence, a well as his pals from the past, he is her equal who helps out with some of her sleuthing. He sees inside her ostrich thick shell and 'handles' her gently and persistently. Think Nick and Nora Charles of The Thin Man movies only make it more Nora and Nick as persue the bad guys as well as a lusty romance.

Dallas has new partner who always calls her 'Sir'. Roake has his disdaining butler.

Along with a good mystery there is much dry humor.

Am I reading these in order?

Of course not! For which I must thank author Robb who makes each story come to a conclusion with no cliff hangers! (Yes, the romance aspect not conclude, who cares? I think it's like when a friend tells you about what happened yesterday and then as you talk, remembrances are interjected.

Listen to it as you drive to the beach or while you are watching the kids play. The reader is great with voices clearly detected!

Damn Audible.com and the great summer sale!

View all my reviews

Summer Cleaning

2011-07-31T15:39:00.000-05:00

I want to read more, listen more, and watch more. I also have become a doctor follower and you know those guys, they like tests and stuff.

Therefore, I am narrowing my rss following if I a) am on your email list b) I follow you on twitter, c) I follow you an facebook, d)goodreads. All others will remain on the list.

Please don't let your feeling be hurt! If I follow all, there is much repeating and I am going mad trying to read all sites and still have room for other things. I really do not know how people who follow thousands of people on all sites do it!

Movie Review: For Colored Girls

2011-07-31T14:53:00.001-05:00

A new premium channel came to the line up with a sampling of what they were going to offer. One of the movies I selected was Tylor Perry's For Colored Girls.

Parts of it sounded like a Greek chorus. All of it was poignantly powerful.

The casting was perfect and all the women were believable. I've known, heard or read similar stories of women of different ethnicities but this is the best of the lot.

I don't think I could read the book, if there is one, as I know if I did it would depict even more than my heart could handle.

So why am I recommending this movie to you?

If I could give out Oscars, each of these women would get one for best actress. As would Tylor Perry. As would the writer. I would recommend this to aspirering actors, writers, and directors, people who like to watch great movies/stories that may make you hit you hard. Who like strong acting. People who want to leave a movie with their minds and hearts imprinted, as mine is right now.

For Colored Girls is for girls/women of all colors, races, and creeds as we are all parts of the rainbow of the sisterhood.

Book Review: By Fire, By Water by Mitchell James Kaplan

2011-07-29T15:22:00.001-05:00

By Fire, By Water by Mitchell James Kaplan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

While reviewing what I should read next, I realized I never read or reviewed this book because it never arrived. Feeling most embarrassed, I contacted Mr. Kaplan to explain why I had never written the review. Nice man that he is, he asked if I still wanted to read it. Silly man. To save us both time, I suggested he send me an electric copy as I have both Nook and Kindle loaded on my Mac. Within 24 hours it was on my computer and ready for reading!

Less than 36 hours later, it was finished (who needs sleep when you have a good book!)

"Good book"...so inadequate a phrase to describe this book! Time: just before Christopher Columbus sets off to the new world. Place: Spain during the riegn of Queen Isobel and King Ferdinand. Subject: The early beginnings of the Spanish Inquisition and its effects on the Muslims and Jews (both converted and unconverted) and maybe some answers to "why".

The historical value of By Fire, By Water was tremendous as this was an area of my knowledge base filled only by movies. Again I had my computer set up so I could quickly check facts and gain a bit more information.

There is such a reality to the characters (both real and imaginary)! I had no difficulty moving from on character's point of view to the other.

While lots of questions arose as I read, at its completion I found myself comparing those times to times of today. What answers did I come up with? We'll discuss that after you've read By Fire, By Water and come to your own conclusions first.

Now this may seem trivial to others but I must give the author koodos for giving me translations when writing dipped into another language! That is one of those knit picking things that has driven me nuts for puppies years!

Mitchell James Kaplan, I must thank you for giving me the chance to read and review your novel! It's now one of my "but have you read this one!" list. I know it has been out for a while and can only hope this small review reignites interest! You took a chance that I might be the one person who didn't like it and would say so.

PS I went and searched for this in my blog and could not find it...sorry for the delay...so rush back to GoodReads and copied it out so I could post it here!

Update on Mommy

2011-07-29T14:54:00.001-05:00

She fought the cancer with everything within her and the results of her last tests were there were no cancer cells anywhere to be found! That was the grand news!

The sad but good news was she got pneumonia less than a week later which took her away in 3 days.

What's good about that!??

She did not want to live so long that she had to live in a nursing home. Her mind was clear up to the last moment of life. My most wonderful niece-in-law took up some whiskey so they could all have a last toast...her own hail and fairwell. Well, my mother decided that one toast was not enough so whenever any came in the room, she toasted them (no matter how many times they came in). And that, my friends was the good news...she left in good spirits...still full of love and laughter!

Yes, I miss her a lot but I have such a boatload of memories!

So if you are sipping some wine or beer or other beverage, give her a toast and she will send you a smile of thanks.

Book Review: One Thousand White Women: The Journals of May Dodd by Jim Fergus

2011-06-26T06:28:00.000-05:00

One Thousand White Women: The Journals of May Dodd by Jim Fergus

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Publisher's Summary

One Thousand White Women is the story of May Dodd and a colorful assembly of pioneer women who, under the auspices of the U.S. government, travel to the Western prairies in 1875 to intermarry among the Cheyenne Indians.

The covert and controversial "Brides for Indians" program, launched by the administration of Ulysses S. Grant, is intended to help assimilate the Indians into the white man's world.

Toward that end, May and her friends embark upon the adventure of their lifetimes.

Author Jim Fergus has so vividly depicted the American West that it is as if these diaries are a capsule in time.

©1998 Jim Fergus; (P)2006 BBC Audiobooks America

What the Critics Say

"Fergus lets his imagination go wild and creates a journal of one of his ancestors who became one of those brides in 1875. Laura Hicks renders this imaginative work splendidly. She is vivacious and expressive as May Dodd." (Audiofile)

My Thoughts

I stumbled onto this one in Audible.com. I read the above and listed to a snippet. I knew I had to know this story as it was a bit of history I knew nothing about.

The narrator was a grand voice for Mary Dodd.

What heroic women these were to agree to the plan and travel so far to meet and marry Indians for two years. When you think about the time and the articles in newspapers about the 'red man', how, why would they even consider such an adventure?

I not only learned about the women but also about life in one Cheyenne village.

This is indeed a book I would recommend to anyone else who doesn't know the history behind it, who wonder about some of the roles of women in the west, and life of a group of Indians of the plains! I think this would be a good book for teachers and home schoolers to recommend to students or school book clubs.

Even my husband found it intriguing.

Book Review: Captive Queen: A Novel of Eleanor of Aquitaine by Alison Weir

2011-06-26T02:00:00.000-05:00

The Captive Queen by Alison Weir
Unabridged
Narrated by Rosalyn Landor

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book dove tailed nicely as the first book I read about Eleanor of Aquitaine as it was of her early life up to her meeting with the man who would be her second husband (Henry, Duke of Normandy, King of England).

Publisher's Summary

Renowned for her highly acclaimed and best-selling British histories, Alison Weir has in recent years made a major impact on the fiction scene with her novels about Queen Elizabeth and Lady Jane Grey. In this latest offering, she imagines the world of Eleanor of Aquitaine, the beautiful 12th-century woman who was queen of France until she abandoned her royal husband for the younger man who would become king of England.

In a relationship based on lust and a mutual desire for great power, Henry II and Eleanor took over the English throne in 1154, thus beginning one of the most influential reigns and tumultuous royal marriages in all of history. In this novel, Weir uses her extensive knowledge to paint a most vivid portrait of this fascinating woman.

My thoughts

As the oldest of only two girls, her father raised her to be able to rule after her he died. Thus she was not only a great beauty but intelligent and well educated but a desirable mate for most men of rank. One look between Eleanor and Henry and they were in lust. A bit more and they were in a love match that while contentious lasted for most of the rest of their lives in one form or another. Read the book for the expansion of the story.

I listened to this one from Audible.com using my monthly credits.

Book Review: The Sugar House by Laura Lippman

2011-06-23T20:13:00.000-05:00

The Sugar House by Laura Lippman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Their summary:

Jess Monaghan's life is back on course. She is beginning to make a name for herself as a PI, she's even banking good money. And then her father asks her a favour: to investigate the death in prison of a friend's brother convicted of killing an unidentified girl, otherwise known as 'Jane Doe'. Tess's search leads her to 'the Sugar House', a brutal institution where she discovers Jane Doe's real identity. And then Tess's father begs her to drop the case ...It is not until her parent's house is set on fire and a body pulled from the wreckage, that she realises that her life may have taken a very wrong turning indeed - one from which there is no going back.

My thoughts:

Is there a series of books based on the character of Jess Monaghan? Of course there is!

Have I read any others in the series? Of course not?

Why no? Because Audible.com had this one on sale and something about it made curious. For some reason, it reminded me of visit I had one week in Arkansas when I read every single Nancy Drew book! What a joyful experience it was! And so was reading The Sugar House. Jess is more mature but she manages to have some of those 'oops moments'! And then too, this is set in today's time and today's issues.

Why the comparison to Nancy? Because she is not getting shot at all the time or knocked out or hard drinking like some of the other mysteries that are out now.

Whoray for the author! She get added points for writing a book when I don't really need all the back story and bringing to it to a nice conclusion!

PS: DH liked the book as well!

Book Review: Scent of Danger by Autumn Dawn

2011-06-23T04:59:00.000-05:00

Scent of Danger by Autumn Dawn

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A friend suggested we read it together. I agreed. We got our copies from Amazon.com for our Kindles.

If you find yourself in need of a good romance (romances?), with nothing too scary, pick it up and enjoy. It's a light, fun, fast read that had me wanting to keep reading to the end.

I do have to give the writer koodos as you know how I feel about series books that leave you hanging, waiting for the next book which probably won't be out for a year.

You might want to read the others in the series but if this one is your first, don't panic! I liked the beginning and the clean end. Think of this as a fairy tale where boy meets girl, problems occur, boy saves girl and they live happily ever after! Or maybe a modern take on one of Shakespere's comedies.

Would I read the other books in the series? Yes!

Would I suggest it to my husband? No!

Grace took me to Thailand!

2011-06-23T03:11:00.000-05:00

It has been so long ago, I don't know when I started following Grace's blog: Sandier Pastures. She is an expat (someone who is from one country who lives and works in another country). What's more, whenever she goes somewhere, she takes her camera to accessorize the words about her trip.
This is her posting from Thailand. If all the pictures don't come through, click on the blog name to zip over there...in Dubai. Without further ado, take it away Grace!

201120Jun

by GRACE

** This is a part of a series of posts about my blog trip to Thailand. **

Day two and we are still in Hua Hin, Thailand. After our visit to the Hua Hin Train Stationand Flintstone Hill, we went to Wat Huay Mongkol. In our itinerary it says, “home of the sacred Luang Pu Thuad statue revered by the locals” – of course we don’t have any idea what it means till we got to the place.

Wat Huay Mongkol houses the largest statue of Luang Phor Thuat in Thailand in a park-like setting. From far, the size of the statue is already obvious, much so when we got near.

And nearer:

There were lots of visitors there, including foreigners like us and local Thai people.We all went up the stairs to get nearer. I was curious what the people were doing there.

The Luang Pu Thuad statue sits on a pedestal with four other smaller images in niches where the faithful pastes gold-leaf in honour of the monk. Here are the people with thin pieces of gold leaves pasting it on one of the the smaller statues.

An excerpt from Luang Pu Thuad’s life story and as told by our tour guide:

Luang Pu Thuad became famous during the 16th century when he saved the people from draught. There was the time where there was not enough drinking water, and the weather deteriorate day after day. According to an account related by villagers, a monk was sighted in a small boat which moving along the river. He was in deep meditation and prayer. After he’d finished chanting, he lowered one of his legs into the river, and within short while, the river is filled with clear and clean drinking water. A miracle had happened. This bit of good news spread throughout the province and to other parts of Thailand. The monk was no other than Luong Pu Thuad himself. The people highly respected and graciously revered him from then on.

Also, it is said that amulets in the likeness of the monk (with varieties impossible to count) bring great protection and good luck. If you are amulet collector, dont forget to buy the amulet there. I didn’t buy any because I was not listening to the guide regarding the protection and good luck part. I could have bought one to keep. Maybe next time!

Going down again, there’s this three headed elephant at the foot of the statue where people walk under. Locals say walking under the three headed elephant will make some of your wishes come true. I do remember, walking underneath it wishes for a baby soon.

Little did I know I was already with child here! Anyway, Thailand really loves elephants, even the water fountain has got elephants on it. How cute are these?

We saw a monk in meditation in the shelter nearby. Local people gathered around him but I have no idea what they were doing. They must be praying?

At the other side, there are statues where people paste the gold leaves.

A golden statue.

Up next: Hua Hin Hills Vineyard for wine tasting and lunch. Yes, there’s a vineyard in Thailand!

* Photos taken using Canon EOS 550D and Canon PowerShot SD960IS

Book Review: Harry Bosch Box Set by Michael Connelly

2011-06-08T21:24:00.000-05:00

Harry Bosch Box Set by Michael Connelly

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Would you believe the box set was on Audible.com!? AND they were spring cleaning so bought it as Charlie and I love his books...and this was 3 in one! Especially the character of Harry Bosch! He's a really good cop who won't give up on a case even if everyone else in the department has. And don't mess with his daughter or he will 'hunt you down'!

The thing I like about Mr. Connelly's books are you can read them in any order, as they all have a beginning, murder, and an ending.

Yes but what about the back story?

The salient parts are there to add to the character of the man, so what if you know something is going to happen to the family in the future...the important thing is how Bosch is going to solve the mystery!

Yes, I do highly recommend this trio of books if you like a good mystery!

Book Review: The Seventh Son

2011-06-06T18:23:00.000-05:00

Seventh Son by Orson Scott Card

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm stuck! I've lost the words...which you know is abnormal for me!

There is a seventh son with special abilities, a watchful guardian (sort of) who also has abilities, a hell fire and damn nation minister, and a wondering story teller. I tend to think of Seventh Sun as mystery (well, there are a lot of dead people), then paranormal.

I found the book to be very compelling with many lessons; some of which linked the past and present. It's a good story even if you don't get the lessons and links I felt.

The ending is clean but I did wonder what will happen as this boy grows up. (Good news, there is a follow up!)

I want to tell you more about the story but every time I start, I feel I'll give away too much! My best advice is to read the summary anywhere you can find it. Reading the summary and listening to a snippet on Audible.com was enough to use a monthly credit for it.

I really do recommend this book!

I got two funnies today, so you get them too!

2011-06-05T14:30:00.000-05:00

From YouTube,

George Lucas Strikes Back {HD Trailer}

From KSki,

Thought this was interesting...

The Year 2011, is the year of Feng Shui and Luck.

The month of July this year has 5 Fridays, 5 Saturdays and 5 Sundays. This combination arrives only once every 623 years. The Chinese call this phenomenon “The Sacs of money” .

If you pass on this message, Chinese tradition says you will receive money in 5 days. And according to Feng Shui, those who do not pass on this message will have financial problems for the rest of the year.

This year is a bit special. We will have 4 unusual dates:

1/1/11, 11/1/11, 1/11/11, 11/11/11

...and that is not all.

Take the last two digits of the year of your birth and the age you will have or have this year, add them, and the sum for everyone is 111 !

Ex: 63 + 48 = 111

This year is the Year of Money and Wealth. The month of October will have 5 Saturdays, 5 Sundays and 5 Mondays ! This combination arrives only once every 823 years ! These years are called the years of Gain.

Book Review: To Be Queen: A Novel of the Early Life of Eleanor of Aquitain

2011-05-30T00:13:00.000-05:00

To Be Queen: A Novel of the Early Life of Eleanor of Aquitaine by Christy English

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Can you imagine my surprise when Christy English asked me if I would like to review her book? I was leaping up and down inside but had to rail myself in as I warned her she must expect a honest review...she expected nothing else. Now all I had to do is wait for the book to arrive!

Who would I meet? Would it be the lady depicted in "Becket" who was not beautiful in her brief appearance as a shrewish looking and acting woman surrounded by a passel of young children. Or it be the strong, Eleanor of "Lion in Winter" (but a younger version)?

As I read "To Be Queen", I saw Katherine Hepburn's Eleanor, the child and young woman of "Lion in Winter". She was smart, quick child who adored her instructor father who taught her more than reading and writing. He taught her statesmanship, as she would one day be the ruler of his vast estates. She was taught critical thinking as well as controlling her facial expressions.

Her father's home was one of "courtly love" with troubadours who sang songs in tribute to a woman's attributes as well as did most men. The court was lively with music, dancing, and innocent flirtations (well, ok, some were not so innocent). What better muse could there be but the duke's daughter, Eleanor (think of the young Elizabeth Taylor's startling beauty).

As Eleanor was to be his inheritor, it was important to father and child that a great marriage be arranged. What greater prize for the largest land holder than Louis of France (future King Louis VII)! Their goal will be obtained, but at what price?

Louis, unlike his queen, was not raised to rule. He was raised by very devout catholic churchmen to be the most devoted of the devout. They therefore were his most trusted advisers; necessitating Eleanor to practice all the lessons learned at her father's knee. Though he loves her, Louis's catholic guilt is most strong in the bedroom causing him to visit there infrequently.

If Aquitaine is brightness, freshness, joyous, and musical, Paris is its opposite! It is gloomy and smelly. Between the priests and the court, Eleanor must be on constant guard as they would all destroy her if they could. In many cases, it is more than dislike and disapproval, it is hate.

Yes, this was the Eleanor I wanted to meet! The woman of strength and passion who will leave her husband, the King of France, to marry the future King of England, Henry, a man who saw her as an equal in all things.

There is so much more to this story but I don't want to spoil it for you! It is well worth you time!

Book Review: The Neon Rain by James Lee Burke

2011-04-25T13:23:00.000-05:00

The Neon Rain by James Lee Burke

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

UNABRIDGED

Narrated by Will Patton
Length:8 hrs and 22 minutes

Audible.com is addictive! Especially when they have sales!

Publisher's Summary

"New York Times best-selling author James Lee Burke's Dave Robicheaux novels began with this first hard-hitting entry in the series.

In The Neon Rain, Detective Robicheaux fishes a prostitute's corpse from a New Orleans bayou and finds that no one, not even the law, cares about a dead hooker."

Will Patton gave Robicheaux that Micky Spilane type voice of a gruff, tough, hard bitten cop, while James Lee Burke words gave the detective intelligence and doggedness. This is a cop who still "gives a damn" about all victims when others, do not.

Na'alens (New Orleans, for those who have not heard the natives) is characterized as a multifaceted city.

Put these two main characters together with a murder and you are in for mystery fun!

View all my reviews

Book Review: A Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1 by George R.R. Martin

2011-04-25T12:03:00.001-05:00

A Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1 by George R.R. Martin

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Narrated by Roy Dotrice, 33 hrs and 53 minutes, Unabridged

Normally a 2 credit book on Audible.com but available for just 1 (can you say 'sale'?) AND coming to HBO as a series, I snatched it up!

There is a wee irritation that cannot be blamed on the narrator or the author but the editing. When a book is recorded, it is generally done in many sittings. Several times the start was not dubbed over the last sentence or started with the next but rather repeated.

Roy Dotrice did a grand job with well defined vocal characters which helped the listener know who was speaking. There's a HUGE cast!

If you like lots of plots and subplots; good guys that lose, bad guys who lose; the evolution of characters as life changes; people who are sometimes good, sometimes bad, sometimes deluded then insightful...OH, AND wolfs, dragon eggs, spell casting, and some undead, you might enjoy this one as much as I did.

Remember while it is 33 hours and 53 minutes long (probably a thick book but faster read), it did hold my attention the whole time!

NOTE: This is fantasy for ADULTS ONLY as there are explicate violence and sex scenes!

The British Babes Book Brigade

2011-04-22T16:13:00.003-05:00

Look at what I just found on Facebook!

The British Babes Book Brigade!

It's the place to meet, learn, enjoy writers of British fiction! And if you are really lucky, you might win a book by one of your favorite writers or find a new one!

Yea, Source Books!!!

Book Review of Ashes to Water by Irene Ziegler

2011-04-22T15:05:00.000-05:00

Ashes to Water by Irene Ziegler

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I obviously had enough time to finish my "patient" book (one you carry around to read while patiently waiting). A perfect book it was too, as the story left such an impression that it was not necessary to go back a page or two to remember what was going on.

What a cast of characters! A young woman preparing for her wedding, talking to her mother who committed suicide. Her intended and his manipulating daughter and, by extenuation, his ex-wife. Her murdered father and his wife (who is accused of his murder). Her beautiful troubled sister with a controlling boyfriend. Her first love who is the appointed council for the stepmother. A powerful judge who has an extremely mentally challenged son who likes to play with matches. The town sheriff and deputy; hard drinking reporter; the sexy owner of the popular eatery/tavern and staff; heroic fire fighter; tribal Indian chief; murderer; arsonist. And the sleepy little town itself in the state of Florida.

There is a book before this one but I didn't feel the loss as the characters were complete. If there is another following book, I hope Irene Ziegler follows with the same clarity of characters as this one and makes it (or them) have the same ability to stand alone!

If you think that reading the cast of character you know story and how it will go and who "done it", guess again! There are plots within plots! This would probably be a faster read if read uninterrupted but I have strict rule about my "patient" books,ie, they are to stay in the purse and not removed unless "waiting"!

I bought this book on Amazon for my Kindle but it is available in other formats and places...well, not as an audible. But I have told the author I hope it does appear in that format!

The Eagle and the Raven by Pauline Gedge

2011-04-09T05:42:00.000-05:00

Spanning three generations, this historical novel tells the tale of Boudicca, the most famous warrior of ancient Britain, and Caradoc, the son of a Celtic king, who sets out to unite the people of the Raven and lead them against Rome. Caradoc's objective is not easily accomplished as the Roman army advances into Britain, raping Celtic women and burning villages to the ground. His efforts are also met with fierce opposition from Aricia, the vain queen of a northern tribe who swears allegiance to the Romans after Caradoc slights her, and from Gladys, Caradoc’s warrior sister who falls in love with her Roman captor. Unfortunately, Caradoc’s endeavors are left unresolved when he is taken prisoner, but Boudicca, a strong-willed woman, ultimately takes up the cause that was Caradoc’s legacy.

Has been added to my Wish List

Flashback by Nevada Barr

2011-04-09T04:22:00.000-05:00

Flashback by Nevada Barr

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I think I want to give this a higher rating but not.

It is a good book braiding two stories together...one in the present, one in the time just after the Civil War but both taking place in the same location and both involving murder.

"Anna Pigeon takes a post as a temporary supervisory ranger on remote Garden Key in Dry Tortugas National Park, a small grouping of tiny islands in a natural harbor seventy miles off Key West...

...Here, on this last lick of the United States, in a giant crumbling fortress, Anna has little company except for an occasional sunburned tourist or unruly shrimper. When her sister, Molly, sends her a packet of letters from her great-great-aunt who lived at the fort with her husband, a career soldier, Anna's fantasy life is filled with visions of this long-ago time." *

In the present, another Ranger is missing and a boat has exploded.

It's not the fault of the narrator who does such a good job!

So why can't I give this book a 4 or 5 star rating? I just don't know. Maybe you should read or listen to it and tell me where you would rate it.

*This is a quote from the book summary.

Ashes to Water by Irene Ziegler

2011-04-09T03:25:00.001-05:00

This is a perfect "patient" books. A "patient" book is one you take with you to help you forget how long you are having to wait...wait to be called into the room where you will see the doctor...wait for the doctor to come in...wait to have your blood drawn...wait for to be called for this test or that test...wait for the van to get its fill of gas...wait for...

My Kindle doesn't care if how windy it is, it's ready to open to the page I want.

The story is easier to pick up than to put down. I'm already 24% into it in just one day of hurry up and wait.

2011-04-06T17:37:00.000-05:00

Wizard's First Rule by Terry Goodkind

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

We have watched the ongoing series based upon this series and enjoyed it. But I gotta tell you, having found this audio book, we (hubby and I) agree this much better! I do love fantasy mixed with paranormal!

New York Dead

2011-04-01T10:03:00.001-05:00

New York Dead by Stuart Woods

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What is this world coming to! A well educated man who would rather be a cop than a lawyer? And then a lady falls off a balcony several floor up and lives? And then he has to become the lawyer he never wanted to be? Audible.com caught me with this one! I think I have become a follower!

Don't Make Me Choose Between You and My Shoes

2011-04-01T10:00:00.001-05:00

Don't Make Me Choose Between You and My Shoes by Dixie Cash

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I don't know that you need to be a Texan to enjoy this as my Scottish born husband and I had to stay up until it was finished! Maybe you just have to enjoy laughing.

What we have is two lady investigators/beauticians who have been invited to New York City as guest speakers at a conference for professional investigators or those who think they might want to enter the field. And in the city, we have a killer of prostitues.

Now how can you mix this up to be funning? I won't tell but I will recommend you get a copy! ('just beware of drinking while consuming or you may spew!)

ps I changed editions just so you can see the cover!

A Bone to Pick

2011-04-01T09:58:00.001-05:00

A Bone to Pick by Charlaine Harris

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I do so enjoy this author's works and this series of mysteries---no vamps or ghosts, just good characters and a good story.

Dog on It

2011-04-01T09:56:00.001-05:00

Dog on It by Spencer Quinn

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OK, I love dogs and observing them so this one is dear to my heart. Why? Because this mystery is from the dog's point of view and Quinn seems to have really gotten into the strange workings of doggie brains. If you have a muttly you will recognize our primary character as he tries to help his best friend solve the mystery without getting himself into too much trouble. It's a light, fun read!

Lust, Loathing and a Little Lip Gloss

2011-04-01T09:54:00.001-05:00

Lust, Loathing and a Little Lip Gloss by Kyra Davis

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The story is very good BUT the reader is not; which is why I cannot give this a higher rating....soooooo, get the book in any format you can find but skip the audio! A different narrator could make this fun mystery such a verbal joy!

The Lovely Bones

2011-04-01T09:51:00.001-05:00

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

after seeing the movie and listening to the book...i like the audio best. someone said they had a problem with the reader which i did not.

The Bone Doll's Twin

2011-04-01T09:49:00.003-05:00

The Bone Doll's Twin by Lynn Flewelling

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OH dear! Looks like I need to add 2 more books to my wish list!

The Chase

2011-04-01T09:48:00.001-05:00

The Chase by Clive Cussler

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

kept my mind on its toes!

Across the Nightingale Floor

2011-04-01T09:46:00.003-05:00

Across the Nightingale Floor by Lian Hearn

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Excellent but keep hankie nearby!

Orchid Beach

2011-04-01T09:45:00.003-05:00

Orchid Beach by Stuart Woods

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

From the military to small town chief of police searching to find out who killed the man who hired her---This is a goody!

The Target

2011-04-01T09:44:00.001-05:00

The Target by Catherine Coulter

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I do love this series! As per usual, a really good mystery with lots of romance (clean) and action with enough twists to keep you occupied!

The Nazi Officer's Wife: How One Jewish Woman Survived the Holocust

2011-04-01T09:42:00.004-05:00

The Nazi Officer's Wife: How One Jewish Woman Survived the Holocust by Edith Hahn Beer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It is absolutely amazing what people will do to survive and live! And so far, no two stories are the same with the exception that some will live and some will not. But it does make you think...what would I do in similar situations? could I survive? could I even handle the daily stresses?

Wizard's First Rule

2011-04-01T09:41:00.001-05:00

Soulless

2011-04-01T09:35:00.001-05:00

Soulless by Gail Carriger

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What great fun entertainment with ghosts and weres and a fun mystery! I found myself needing to finish it! And don't you just love the cover?

O, HI

2011-03-28T00:17:00.001-05:00

How are ya?

Me, ok.

My mom just finished her last chemo treatment and now we have to do some more tests and see where we are. They say the "chemo brain" should start going away in a couple of weeks. She's 92 as of February. And that "older" dog she was going to get resulted in a red poodle (Rett Butler) who is not even a year old. Mothers! They are so hard to bring up properly.

My work on Ancestry.com is engrossing. I got stopped with my mom's father's side after the initial grandfather arrived from Scotland. Her mother's side is not that much better. I think I have found a brother of her grandfather who fought in the war between the states ('can't say civil war without my mother's eruption: "THERE WAS NOTHING CIVIL ABOUT IT!") Anyway, he was caught and imprisoned, exchanged, and when back to Richmond for new orders. After the war, he and his wife went to Argentina (as did many confederates at the invitation of that government). Some stayed but some came back to their native soil. In his case, he came back with his wife and a child only to eventually get shot by some "carpetbagger".

While I have found many who fought for the new country, I have finally found a Tory who with one of his sons was thorting the rebels any way he could by stealing horses and making counterfit money. His story does not end well as he was spotted, caught, and hung. All of his sons (but the one) are recognized by the DAR for their war efforts.

Well, looks like it is time to put on another book and go back to see who else I can dig up.

Y E A H

2011-01-09T14:03:00.000-06:00

Snowing like all buggery in the Dallas/Fort Worth area! Those beautiful fat snow flakes are racing to the ground!

Testing, 1, 2, 3, 4, Testing

2011-01-09T09:09:00.000-06:00

SEMI-OLD PEOPLE'S MEMORY TEST

This is not a pushover test. There are 20 questions. Average score is 12. This one will be very difficult for the younger set Have fun, but no peeking!

1. What builds strong bodies 12 ways?

A. Flintstones vitamins
B. The Buttmaster
C. Spaghetti
D Wonder Bread
E. OrangeJuice
F. Milk
G. Cod Liver Oil

2. Before he was Muhammed Ali, he was...

A. Sugar Ray Robinson
B. Roy Orbison
C. Gene Autry
D. Rudolph Valentino
E. Fabian
F. Mickey Mantle
G. Cassius Clay

3. Pogo, the comic strip character said, 'We have met the enemy and..

A. It's you
B. He is us
C. It's the Grinch
D. He wasn't home
E. He's really me an
F. We quit
G. He surrendered

4. Good night David.

A. Good night Chet
B. Sleep well
C. Good night Irene
D. Good night Gracie
E. See you later alligator
F. Until tomorrow
G. Good night Steve

5. You'll wonder where the yellow went...

A. When you use Tide
B. When you lose your crayons
C. When you clean your tub
D. If you paint the room blue
E. If you buy a soft water tank
F. When you use Lady Clairol
G. When you brush your teeth with Pepsodent

6. Before he was the Skipper's Little Buddy, Bob Denver was Dobie's friend...

A. Stuart Whitman
B. Randolph Scott
C. Steve Reeves
D. Maynard G Krebbs
E. Corky B. Dork
F. Dave the Whale
G. Zippy Zoo

7. Liar, liar.

A. You're a liar
B. Your nose is growing
C. Pants on fire
D. Join the choir
E. Jump up higher
F. On the wire
G. I'm telling Mom

8. Meanwhile, back in Metropolis, Superman fights a never ending battle for truth, justice and...

A. Wheaties
B. Lois Lane
C. TV ratings
D. World peace
E. Red tights
F.. The American way
G. News headlines

9. Hey kids! What time is it?

A. It's time for Yogi Bear
B. It's time to do your homework
C. It's Howdy Doody Time
D. It's Time for Romper Room
E. It's bedtime
F. The Mighty Mouse Hour
G. Scoopy Doo Time

10. Lions and tigers and bears...

A. Yikes
B. Oh no
C. Gee whiz
D. I'm scared
E. Oh my
F. Help! Help!
G. Let's run

11. Bob Dylan advised us never to trust anyone...

A. Over 40
B.. Wearing a uniform
C. Carrying a briefcase
D. Over 30
E. You don't know
F. Who says, 'Trust me'
G. Who eats tofu

12. NFL quarterback who appeared in a television commercial wearing women's stockings...

A. Troy Aikman
B. Kenny Stabler
C. Joe Namath
D. Roger Stauback
E. Joe Montana
F Steve Young
G. John Elway

13. Brylcream.

A. Smear it on
B. You'll smell great
C. Tame that cowlick
D. Grease ball heaven
E. It's a dream
F. We're your team
G. A little dab'll do ya

14. I found my thrill...

A. In Blueberry muffins
B. With my man, Bill
C. Down at the mill
D. Over the windowsill
E. With thyme and dill
F. Too late to enjoy
G. On Blueberry Hill

15. Before Robin Williams, Peter Pan was played by...

A. Clark Gable
B. Mary Martin
C. Doris Day
D. Errol Flynn
E. Sally Fields
F. Jim Carey
G.Jay Leno

16. Name the Beatles....

A. John, Steve, George, Ringo
B. John, Paul, George, Roscoe
C. John, Paul, Stacey, Ringo
D. Jay, Paul, George, Ringo
E. Lewis, Peter, George, Ringo
F. Jason, Betty, Skipper, Hazel
G. John, Paul, George, Ringo

17. I wonder, wonder, who..

A. Who ate the leftovers?
B. Who did the laundry?
C. Was it you?
D. Who wrote the book of love?
E. Who I am?
F Passed the test?
G. Knocked on the door?

18. I'm strong to the finish...

A. Cause I eats my broccoli
B. Cause I eats me spinach
C. Cause I lift weights
D. Cause I'm the hero
E. And don't you forget it
F. Cause Olive Oyl loves me
G. To outlast Bruto

19.. When it's least expected, you're elected, you're the star today..

A. Smile, you're on Candid Camera
B. Smile, you're on Star Search
C. Smile, you won the lottery
D. Smile, we're watching you
E. Smile, the world sees you
F. Smile, you're a hit
G. Smile, you're on TV

20. What do M&M's do?

A. Make your tummy happy
B. Melt in your mouth, not in your pocket
C. Make you fat
D. Melt your heart
E. Make you popular
F. Melt in your mouth, not in your hand
G. Come in colors

Below are the right answers:

1. D - Wonder Bread
2. G - Cassius Clay
3. B - He Is Us
4. A - Good night, Chet
5. G - When you brush your teeth with Pepsodent
6. D - Maynard G. Krebbs
7. C - Pants On Fire
8. F - The American Way
9. C - It's Howdy Doody Time
10. E - Oh My
11. D - Over 30
12. C - Joe Namath
13. G - A little dab'll do ya
14. G - On Blueberry Hill
15. B - Mary Martin
16. G - John, Paul, George, Ringo
17. D - Who wrote the book of Love
18. B - Cause I eats me spinach
19. A - Smile, you're on Candid Camera
20. F - Melt In Your Mouth Not In Your Hand

So I scored 100...kski, you started this! Does this make me an antique?

Spew Alert

2011-01-08T01:30:00.000-06:00

Ok, still reading and not writing but kski sent me another one to share...it's a bit naughty so think before reading after the first one~

PENSION SEX

Two men were talking. 'So, how's your sex life?'
'Oh, nothing special. I'm having Pension sex.'
'Pension sex?'
'Yeah, you know; I get a little each month, but not enough to live on!'
_____

LOUD SEX

A wife went in to see a therapist and said,

'I've got a big problem, doctor.
Every time we're in bed and my husband climaxes,
He lets out this ear splitting yell.'
'My dear,' the shrink said, 'that's completely natural.
I don't see what the problem is.'
'The problem is,' she complained, 'it wakes me up!'
_____

QUIET SEX

Tired of a listless sex life, the man came right out and asked his wife
During a recent lovemaking session,

'How come you never tell me when you have an orgasm?'
She glanced at him and replied, 'You're never home!'
_____

CONFOUNDED SEX

A man was in a terrible accident, and his 'manhood' was mangled and torn from
his body. His doctor assured him that modern medicine could give him back his

manhood, but that his insurance wouldn't cover the surgery since it was
considered cosmetic.

The doctor said the cost would be $3,500 for 'small,
$6,500 for 'medium, and $14,000 for 'large.'

The man was sure he would want a medium or large, but the doctor urged him
To talk it over with his wife before he made any decision.
The man called his wife on the phone and explained their options.
The doctor came back into the room, and found the man looking dejected.

'Well, what have the two of you decided?' asked the doctor.
She'd rather remodel the kitchen.'
_____

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY SEX

A husband and his wife had a bitter quarrel on the day of their
40th wedding anniversary The husband yelled, 'When you die, I'm getting
You a headstone that reads:
'Here Lies My Wife - Cold As Ever'.'
'Yeah,' she replies, 'when you die, I'm getting you a headstone that reads:
'Here Lies My Husband - Stiff At Last.' '
_____

WOMEN'S HUMOROUS SEX

My husband came home with a tube of K Y jelly and said,
'This will make you happy tonight.'
He was right. When he went out of the bedroom,
I squirted it all over the doorknobs.
He couldn't get back in.
_____

ELDERLY SEX

One night, an 87 year-old woman came home from Bingo and found
Her 92 year-old husband in bed with another woman.
She became violent and ended up pushing him off the balcony
Of their 20th floor, assisted living apartment, killing him instantly.
Brought before the court on the charge of murder,
The judge asked her if she had anything to say in her defense.
She began coolly, 'Yes, your honor. I figured that at 92, if he could have sex...

He could also fly.'

No eating or drinking while reading the following

2011-01-04T16:31:00.000-06:00

I HATE INSURANCE COMPANIES....THEY CAN CONFUSE EVEN 2 COLLEGE GRADS!

Ok, now that I have released that tantrum, here's the fun part:

To Be 6 Again!

A man was sitting on the edge of the bed, watching his wife, who was
looking at herself in the mirror. Since her birthday was not
far off he asked what she'd like to
have for her birthday.
'I'd like to be six again', she replied, still looking in the mirror .

On the morning of her Birthday, he arose early, made her a nice big bowl of Lucky Charms, and then took her to Six Flags theme park. What a day! He p ut her on every ride in the park; the Death Slide, the Wall
of Fear, the Screaming Roller Coaster, everything there was.

Five hours later they staggered out of the theme park. Her head was
reeling and her stomach felt upside
down. He then took her to a McDonald's where he ordered her a Happy Meal with extra fries and a
chocolate shake.
Then it was off to a movie, popcorn, a soda pop, and her favorite candy,
M&M's. What a fabulous adventure!
Finally she wobbled home with her husband and collapsed into bed
exhausted.

He leaned over his wife with a big smile and lovingly asked, 'Well Dear, what was it like being six
again?'

Her eyes slowly opened and her expression suddenly changed.
'I meant my dress size, you f---ing retard!!!!'
The moral of the story: Even when a man is listening, he is gonna
get it wrong.

Hiding out in Argentina?

2011-01-03T22:57:00.000-06:00

No.

So where have I been? Right here. Why so quite? I've been unwell physically and mentally.. Also, my mom, who is soon to turn 92 has been diagnosed cancer and is undergoing chemo.

But I have been escaping in books and need to write up a huge bunch of reviews. But not tonight.

I am (and have been for a week) fighting with people about bills and insurance and other stuff. (It's enough to pull one's hair out!)

O, I also need to knit a prayer shawl and hat for mom (her hair is falling out....she wants it to come back in red but it's not likely and I can't afford to get her a wig.)

I have some funnies for you too.

The Pillars of the Earth

2011-01-03T22:13:00.000-06:00

The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was an audio book (I brought in from Audible.com). It is very long but is a great listen. Lots of good history about the time.

I would try to only listen to a bit before going to sleep but ended up listening longer than I should.

The reader was good!

I loved all the recurring characters as well as the known ones like Thomas Becket.

Does everyone get their "just deserts? Mostly.

I will probably listen to it again.

What's up?

2010-11-03T19:27:00.001-05:00

This is a bad time of year....figure skating started and I've started PT and there are all these bloody books lurking about....o, and I've been working on getting a van.

I love figure stating....probably because I can't stand up on shoes with blades or 4 wheels. I tried for puppies years but decided cement and and wood they using in roller rinks are hard on your butt so after 5 years, I decided to give it up! Then I went to join my dad in Germany where some friends took me to and ice skating rink. They convinced me that ice skating was way, way easier than roller skating. (14yo are so gullible!) So off we go with a friend on either side. Those skates seemed to have minds of there own! Next thing I knew they were crossed! I asked my friends what to do in such a situation. They let go of my and started laughing hysterically. Lesson: some friends are either big fat liers or don't know what they are talking about. Lesson: falling on ice is just as hard as wood or concrete do hurts the same BUT it is also very cold and wet. I don't remember how they got me off the ice but I can tell you that was a lesson learned quickly....my last attempt to try ice skating! It took me 3 years but I did finally manage to ride a 2 wheeler.

PT, what fun (sarcasm). It's early days so not much to show but I'm going.

I've figured it out. I borrow a Kindle to read to and from and while waiting for PT. I have a paper back to read at home. Audio books are listened to at bed time. So far this is working well except I can't read and watch the skaters at the same time! AND then there are the book reviews I need to write (lots!!!) I haven't figured out exactly how fit in this later as it seems I am in a reading frenzy but not mush into sharing. It's not to worry, things will get figured out!

O, VAN! One other owner (paralyzed vet from first gulf war). He passed and his mother asked the people they got it from to sell it for her at a really reduced price. It's a 2002, White with grey interior. Power just about everything especially the lift which will lift me and chair up and in and lock us down. I hope to have it in about 2 weeks. Randy, sales guy, if off this week so it will have to be next week before we work out what little changes need to be made for me. So, hopefully I will have a van before Thanksgiving! Thanks to all who held good thoughts about me getting it!

Well, today was PT day and I am pooped! Later friends~

frugalcreativity.com

2010-11-01T23:01:00.001-05:00

I stole this posting from Frugal Creativity. I know it is not nice to steal but you see 65 years ago I was born with this disability and I just thing she did a better job than I could do. So please read.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2010

October is Spina Bifida Awareness Month

I'm passing along this press release, just as I received it, to help raise awareness of Spina Bifida and ways to help prevent it.

Spina Bifida Association Launches New Program and Asks You to Educate Yourself and Loved Ones During Spina Bifida Awareness Month

Through Education SBA Hopes to Help More Families Learn About the Birth Defect

WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwire - October 1, 2010) - Did you know that birth defects occur in 7 out of every 10,000 live births in the U.S.? And Spina Bifida is the most common permanently disabling birth defect? In honor of October being Spina Bifida Awareness Month, the Spina Bifida Association is asking folks to take a few minutes today and get involved in the awareness month by educating loved ones.

The first question many have: What exactly is Spina Bifida? In short, Spina Bifida happens when the spinal column doesn't close completely.

And how many births each day are affected? Well, it's hard to believe, but eight births each day are affected by Spina Bifida or a similar birth defect of the brain and spine. If you think about it, there are currently over 65 million women in the U.S. who could become pregnant and each one of these ladies is at risk of having a baby born with Spina Bifida. So because Spina Bifida occurs during the first month of pregnancy (that's even before most women know they're pregnant!) it is that much more important to take proper precautions to help try to prevent it now.

Okay. So what type of precautions can help in prevention, you may wonder? Although at this time there is no known cause of Spina Bifida, research has shown that if a woman takes 400 mcg of folic acid every day and before she becomes pregnant, she reduces her risk of having a baby with Spina Bifida or another neural tube defect by as much as 70%! That fact is reason enough to encourage women (and men) to get out there this month and spread awareness.

Families with a history of Spina Bifida should take extra dosages of folic acid prior to pregnancy. Hear one mom's message: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qshRfegnGD4

And in honor of October's Spina Bifida Awareness Month, SBA will also be launching some great new online resources, including:

SB University (SBU) (http://www.sbuniversity.org/), a new online educational program featuring taped sessions from the 2010 National Conference as well as monthly live seminars conducted by Spina Bifida medical professionals from around the country. During Awareness Month, SBU will debut new sessions each Monday.
SBTween2Teen (http://www.sbtween2teen.org/) a new Web site for tweens and teens with Spina Bifida. Complete with blogs, videos, real stories, fact sheets, and an Ask the Expert feature, the interactive site helps tweens and teens navigate the difficult road to adulthood. There is even a social networking component run through Facebook, allowing tweens and teens to interact with one another and build peer-to-peer relationships!
Preparations, a new transition-focused Web site launching in late October allowing parents, caregivers, and clinicians to answer specific questions with regard to a child's developmental milestones. This tool can even help young adults remedy some transitional challenges.

For even more information, tips and resource, you may visit:http://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/ And be sure to join the Spina Bifida Association on Facebook: www.facebook.com/spina.bifida.learn

The Spina Bifida Association (SBA) serves adults and children who live with the challenges of Spina Bifida. Since 1973, SBA has been the only national voluntary health agency solely dedicated to enhancing the lives of those with Spina Bifida and those whose lives are touched by this challenging birth defect. Its tools are education, advocacy, research, and service. Through its network ofchapters, SBA has a presence in more than 125 communities nationwide and touches thousands of people each year. For more information visit:www.spinabifidaassociation.org. Disclosure: I have not received any compensation in any form for sharing this information. Just trying to help spread the word!

POSTED BY MELISSA AT 12:16 PM

Top 10 Things that Annoy People who use Wheelchairs...but maybe shouldn't

2010-10-22T14:11:00.002-05:00

Here's the official list of the

Top 10 Things that Annoy People who use Wheelchairs...

1.	Able-bodied people parking in accessible parking space	37%
2.	Accessible bathroom stalls being used by an able-bodied person	12%
3.	Talking over my head as if I'm not here	9%
4.	Continuing to insist on helping me after I've said no thanks	8.3%
5.	Congratulating me for things like going to the grocery store like it's worthy of an Olympic medal	6.1%
6.	Strangers asking what happened to me	5.7%
7.	Not inviting me to an event because you are protecting me from some frustration (let me figure it out)	5.3%
8.	Patting me on my head. Don't.	5.0%
9.	Holding on to the back of my chair so I can't move	4.4%
10.	Speaking slowly to me because I'm in a wheelchair	3.5%

Now that we have the Top 10 List, we just have to get people who are behaving badly to cut it out!

I don't agree with some of these so I thought I would comment on them one at a time.

1. Not all people who park in handicapped spots are in chairs but that does not mean they don't need them. For years I went without a chair or walker or even a cane. But then my body started hurting with distance. Finally a doc I was working for asked me where I was parking. He was most surprise I was using the regular parking that was a fur distance away. After a sever lecture we started the process to get my car a disabled sticker and a closer parking space. About a year later a guy started to jump my case for illegal parking. After he ran down, I pointed out my handicapped licence plate and explained my problem with walking distances. Moral: Not all people with disabilities use walking devices but still need close spaces. Look for stickers, licence plates, and tags that hang from the rear view mirror first.

2. I cut people a break on this one. They may be about to burst or have diarrhea. And if they don't go now they my mess themselves. Moral: it could have been a disabled person in there as well as an able bodied person. My problem with some bathrooms are architectural barriers that keep you from getting there. No joke, I have had to go back out to find someone to move a trash can so I can get to the disabled stall. And then there are the stalls that aren't big enough to get you and your chair in and be able to close the stall door.

3. This is one I have not run into often. I attribute it to ignorance and fear of what they don't know so ignore it and just speak right on up. But then I've dealt with my disability all my life ...also, I've always been the shortest person in all classes which is why I probably became such a big mouth. Moral: don't take offence from ignorant people. Just speak up and let them know you can talk for yourself.

4. Don't take it personally. If you watch you will see these 'helpful' people do the same thing for able bodied people. They want the sale and they have been trained that the most helpful get the biggest sales. I generally thank them for their offer, ask their name, and then say 'Mary, let me look around a bit and when I find something I need help with, I'll come and find you." Moral: don't take it personally.

5. This one used to bug the hell out of me until I realized they don't understand that the things we do and the way we do them are 'normal' for us. Just like the same sorts of things are 'normal' for them. We all have to adapt to something. These people just don't think they could handle things if they were in our shoes. Moral: cut them a break, they fear they could do it if they were in the same conditions.

6. This is one I figured out at a kid as they were the ones who generally asked (much to the horror of the parent with them). Here's what I figured out. If I can't talk about it, I have a problem. If they can ask it, I have the chance to educate someone. And if they can't handle the answer, they shouldn't have asked it in the first place.
(Sorry, I couldn't think of a moral for this one.)

7. Piffle! Talk to the person about it. They may have dealt with it before. If not, there's no time like the present! What a lot of people don't recognize is that most every place you go today has ways to accommodate us. You may need to call ahead to find out how but it can be done. One new years, we wanted to go to a swanky dinner in what was once a very beautiful home. We called for reservations and explain my chair would not go up the stairs. No problem, they told us how to come through the kitchen. A wonder of sites and smells no one else got to experience that night. We might have stayed the night but there was no elevator to the second floor. Moral: most things are doable. It's rare to find a roadblock but everyone finds some sometimes.

8. Head patting it a sign of affection and being a shrimp all my life, I have had it a lot. I either ignore it (some of my friends are just like that) or growl and snap or ask where my cookie is. The soon get the idea and stop after we both laugh. The other alternative is to be honest and tell the person you really wish they would not do that as you are no longer a child of 6 and it really bugs you. Moral: it is OK to be honest about feelings.

9. Sorry, folks, I've never had this one happen. If I did, I would probably ask them if there is a danger I've missed and if not, LET GO. Moral: you may have to sit there but you don't have to take it!

10. This person is ignorant. Listen politely and then answer them at your normal speech. (Or if you are in west Texas, realize it is not you. They ALL talk that way.)

Bake Sale Murder by Leslie Meier

2010-10-13T18:35:00.000-05:00

Bake Sale Murder by Leslie Meier

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lucy is the mom of 5, works on the small town newspaper, and is highly involved the school activities. After one the regular meeting of the group of 4 (moms who have been raising their kids and helping others for years) decide there is a need for a bake sale to help kids in need with school supplies, Lucy is sent off to round up the moms who used to bake. Problem: they are all into other things or have moved, are empty nesters, etc. Next meeting, it is decided it is time to involve the new moms that have moved into Lucy's neighborhood.

The meet and greet and bake sale planning is held at Lucy's house and all goes well. Next meeting is a taste and decide on the best products and who's going to make what and all the other details involve.

Comes the day of the bake sale and all the women schedule to work the first half of the day show up. Except for Mimi who works for the city and is a royal pain in the butt who reports everyone's slightest offences except her son's roaring motorcycle.

Lucy is sent off to find out what is going on as Mimi is also not answering her phone. What Lucy finds is burning cookies and smoke and Mimi slumped over the counter. As she goes to pull Mimi out the of the smoke filled house, she discovers Mimi's problem is not due to smoke inhalation but a carving knife embedded in her back.

Ah but that is not the only mystery in town. Someone is sending unsigned note to the paper about hazing of the JV football team and the cheerleaders (one of whom is Lucy's daughter). And then there is the tramp who shows up for Mimi's funeral only to show up dead himself.

While this is one of a series of books, don't worry, everything is nicely wrapped up (not who I thought 'did it'). There is an starter for the next book. BUT most importantly, there are some good recipes at the end that were referred to in the novel. You could jump to the end and start a batch and read while they are cooking unless you are one of those people who block things out while reading.

This is another that I would call a "cozy" mystery. So fix yourself a cuppa, curl up in your favorite chair, and enjoy yourself.

(This is an e'book I got for my Mac Kindle.)

Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

2010-10-10T01:43:00.000-05:00

Oh, Hachette, I can't thank you enough for letting me listen this book for you! I don't know why you have an abridged version of this book.. It is so beautifully written. The descriptions are so necessary for the settings and the people!

I can say Katie is new to a small rural town in North Carolina; that she is reserved and lovely and has moved into a small cottage in the 'boonies'. But that doesn't really describe her. It doesn't show her reservation or give you any feelings of something ominous in her past; that she may be running from something or why.

An abridged version might not build her slow friendship with her new neighbor, Jo, in the only other cabin near hers or her relationship with the grocery story owner and his 2 kids.

This is a cosy mystery. The start is gentle but the writing makes it worthwhile as we start to learn about Katie as she makes friends we learned to love. That gentle pace picks up as we learn who and why Katie is on the run and we run with her to the end.

It was nice to take on a story that builds and builds and builds to a strong ending. I hope you all enjoy it as much as DH and I!

The Red Church

2010-10-06T17:40:00.000-05:00

The Red Church by Scott Nicholson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As most of my friends know, I am not a fan of the 'horror' genre. So why the heck would I read this one? I've been following Scott Nicholson's Kindle tour and as I read his postings, I found I liked them. While some were very lengthy, I didn't mind reading them because of the way he wrote. And then he wanted his fans to push his ebook sale of "The Red Church" up to the 100 mark. Well, I have Kindle on my Mac and 99 cents was a good price to help a friend....yes, I went to Amazon and got it.

I had just finished my last book and thought I would see what I had gotten for 99 cents. If I didn't like it, I wouldn't have to finish it.

Next think I knew, it was time to go to bed. I had met 2 brothers, who while walking home from school had to pass the old red church (which like most from it's time, had a grave yard beside it). The younger brother (not knowing all the history of the church or ghost stories) saw something that drew his attention (a 'girly' magazine) and called his reluctant brother over to see the findings. Next thing you know, an almost dead person grab an ankle with causes much screaming as the ankle get unhooked and the boys race home to tell their parents of the gruesome happening!

The parents meanwhile are at home fighting. It seems a evangelical preacher from the area had left several years ago for California with the wife and a few other woman to start the Church of the Two Suns. The husband had 'rescued' her from them and brought her back to the mountains. But the preacher was back and the wife seemed to have come 'under his spell' again.

Two more strange deaths occur.

The church bell rings but how....there is no bell cord.

Yep. I was hooked. I finished it this morning.

There are ghosts and monsters terrible happenings but maybe because it is primarily told through the 13 year old big brother, it is not a gory as it might have been.

But I think my friends who lean that way will enjoy it as much as I did. 'Definitely right for this time of year~

View all my reviews

Agatha Christie Marathon

2010-10-04T11:11:00.002-05:00

Ok, I know it looks like I've been off books. But it is not true! We have been listening to lots of shorts by Agatha Christie from Audible.com.

The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding (Dramatised) 44:17
After the Funeral (Dramatised)    1:27:20
The Blood-Stained Pavement (Unabridged)    22:52
Cards on the Table (Dramatised) 1:27:28
Endless Night (Dramatised)    57:19
The Golden Ball (Unabridged)   22:19
The Gypsy (Dramatised)   27:46
Hallowe'en Party (Dramatised)   1:27:39
The Herb of Death (Unabridged) 30:48
The Market Basing Mystery (Unabridged) 20:26
The Plymouth Express (Unabridged) 30:23
Sleeping Murder (Dramatised)    1:27:05
The Thumb Mark of St. Peter (Unabridged)   28:43
The Tuesday Night Club (Unabridged) 27:34
The Wasp's Nest (Unabridged) 20:36

All but one we really enjoyed. "Endless Night" just didn't seem to match up as well as the others and I am sorry to say I can't tell you why. It wasn't bad, it just was not as good as the others. But the prices were right for a wee splurge.

The Bride Collector

2010-10-03T22:09:00.001-05:00

I have to thank Libby of Libby's Library News for putting this book up as a giveaway and Hachette Audio for offering it to her!

When the audio arrived, I thought "Why don't we (DH and I) just listen to the first disc and see what we think. We can listen to the rest of it later (12 disc set)."

Well, that was Friday and this is Sunday and disc 12 has finished. What does that tell you? Yes, we did like it...a lot!

This is how Hachette described the book:
FBI Special agent Brad Raines is facing his toughest case yet. A Denver serial killer has killed four beautiful young women, leaving a bridal veil at each crime scene, and he's picking up his pace. Unable to crack the case, Raines appeals for help from a most unusual source: residents of the Center for Wellness and Intelligence, a private psychiatric institution for mentally ill individuals whose are extraordinarily gifted.

It's there that he meets Paradise, a young woman who witnessed her father murder her family and barely escaped his hand. Diagnosed with schizophrenia, Paradise may also have an extrasensory gift: the ability to experience the final moments of a person's life when she touches the dead body.

In a desperate attempt to find the killer, Raines enlists Paradise's help. In an effort to win her trust, he befriends this strange young woman and begins to see in her qualities that most 'sane people' sorely lack. Gradually, he starts to question whether sanity resides outside the hospital walls...or inside.

There is more to the description than this but I am choosing stop here because that last sentence is a salient part of the book. Where is the line between sanity and insanity? Is the line clear? Blurred?

I think the book does well in delving into those questions as it takes you through a hunt with the help some wonderful characters!

I could not see this book abridged without significant loss.

John Glover does a superb narrating job!

Audio or paper version, I think mystery/suspense lovers will enjoy this book!

Cynthia Roberts answers a few questions

2010-09-29T21:42:00.000-05:00

It's lovely when an author will take the time to answer a reader's questions. As Cynthia Roberts was nice enough to do so, I want to share them with you.

Romance novels are easily set in any time or place. Why did you chose to set yours among Indians?
I chose to write an historical Indian romance because the first fiction I ever read was a novel from Cassie Edward’s Savage series. I read her entire sequel and since most of her books were mostly based on the Plains Indians, I wanted to focus on a tribe indigenous to my area. My series of 5 consists of the original tribes that made up the Iroquois League of Nations here on the East coast.

Where did your love of Indians come from?
I've always had a fascination for Native Indian culture since as long as I can remember. I think it started back when I was a little girl and use to watch all the John Wayne movies with my dad. Even at such a young age I felt they was no justification as to how they were treated by our forefathers. As my passion for writing grew, so did my desire to portray them for who they really were.

I've not done a lot of fact checking about your representation of the Indians of the time but it does seem to "ring true". Where does your information come from? How did you research it?
I spent hundreds of hours sitting upon uncomfortable wooden chairs at the state museum library handwriting notes on multiple legal pads as I researched their folklore, religion, language and culture. I personally feel that if I'm using a culture in one of writings and benefiting from it, it's important to pay tribute to the true essence of who they are as a people. For far too long Native Indians have been painted in a savage light and not the honorable, respectful and reverent individuals they truly were.

Will your next novel continue with the tribes of the north east?
Book #2, "Captive Heart", actually picks up where my female villain is banished to the tribe of the Oneida as punishment. The very fate she has mocked her entire adult life sends her on a dangerous journey that tests the very essence of who she is and the woman she secretly wishes to become.

Chronicles of Ancient Darkness by Michelle Paver

2010-09-28T01:22:00.002-05:00

While tooling around in ITunes, I came across a podcast of Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver that was narrated by Sir Ian McKellum. While I could listen to him read just about anything, I found myself intrigued with the story (as was DH).

The story came to a nice conclusion but I just could not let it go! I wanted to know more about what would happen to this young boy who lost his father and became linked to a wolf.

This is the summary from GoodReads:
Six thousand years ago. Evil stalks the land. According to legend, only twelve-year-old Torak and his wolf-cub companion can defeat it. Their journey together takes them through deep forests, across giant glaciers, and into dangers they never imagined. Torak and Wolf are terrified of their mission. But if they do not battle to save their world, who will?

I gotta tell you, while this series may have been written for a young adult audience, this little old lady and DH enjoyed all 6 books as told by Sir Ian McKellum. Hardback or audible, if you too are young at heart, you might want to check this series out.

Water for Elephants

2010-09-27T23:17:00.000-05:00

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My mom (91) recommended this book to me. I had already put it on my wish list but as she has good taste in books... When I found I had Audible.com credit and the book there, I went for it.

The joy of this audio version is hearing the voices of the our hero in his 90+ year old as well as in his 20s.

Just prior to taking his finals to become a vetranarian, his parents die leaving him nothing as it appears they spent everything they had to send him to a Cornell. After burying his parents, he returns to take his finals only to walk out on them and walks and walks until ultimately he ends up in the circus...not THE CIRCUS but 'the circus'. THE CIRCUS would be one you would know today. 'the circus' would be one of less known circuses of the depression era that did not survive.

Between the different time zones we learn of different love stories...human love, animal love, circus love as well as the evolusion of a man.

I am afraid to say much more for fear of giving away too much. So let me just say, my mom made a good recommendation which I think others will find equally enjoyable.

Wind Warrior by Cynthia Roberts

2010-09-27T20:17:00.000-05:00

Cynthia Roberts

I love reading stories about Indians and have since probably since the 5th grade when I heard the legend of the blue bonnets. I searched our school library for more myths and legends and stories about people who could come up with such beautiful stories. When the book mobile came around, I checked every time! The pickings were slim. Most of what I have found has been about the plains Indians. And most was a sad history of mistreatment at the hands of the white man. But occasionally I found stories the before times of how they lived.

When I had the chance to win a copy of Wind Warrior, I jumped at the opportunity. When I was told I had actually won, I was ecstatic. It is the story of 2 people who have visions of one another. Leslie is a white woman who has lived through the lose of her beloved husband and child and is living with her cherished father in the wilderness. She is strong of mind, heart, and spirit. As a new horror descends upon her, those characteristics help her fled for her life..

Enter the second dreamer, an Indian war chief, Winnokin, the head chief of the Senecas (a north eastern tribe). He will find and heal her only to have to deal with the horror she was fleeing from when they met. They must win out for the book to continue to educate both Leslie and readers about the ways of the Seneca; a truly evolved and civilized people.

While I truly enjoyed the basic love story, I especially enjoyed the vision of the Seneca Nation and its people.

Oh, good news! Cynthia Roberts plans to come out more books about the Indians of the north east. And if like this one, they will stand alone.

Jeanne Robertson "Don't send a man to the grocery store!"

2010-09-25T20:51:00.001-05:00

Jeanne Robertson "Mothers vs Teenage Daughters"

2010-09-25T20:51:00.000-05:00

Jeanne Robertson "Flight attendant deals with a bad potato"

2010-09-25T20:50:00.000-05:00

Ramona

2010-09-21T15:55:00.000-05:00

Ramona by H. Jackson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was first published in 1893. I think I read it before I went to college but I am not sure. What I am sure of is how it has hung in my memory. I think I saw recently that TTN had a movie version with Loretta Young playing Ramona.

What did I learned from this book? About prejudice. About why I need to watch out for it within. Looking without I am sadden to feel that much has not changed in 100 years.

I do remember thinking it a good love story.

I think I would like reading it again.

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