what are you reading monday

ok, i am new to this but i do know i need to link this back to J Kaye, so here's the link .

first job, what did i read last week?

Carrie Fisher's WISHFUL DRINKING, i listened. laughed a lot. got the message that mental illness is not something one should be ashamed of nor should one hesitate to get treatment. to laugh so much and learn so much at the same time...great. i also enjoyed her voice read as it is another way to really feel the book.

Robert Ludlum's (TM) The Bourne Deception (Jason Bourne Novels) by Robert Ludlum, Eric Van Lustbader, and Jeremy Davidson. let's just say i like carrie fisher's book better.

Love You to Death (Mass Market Paperback) by Shannon K. Butcher. this is definitely a romantic thriller; not one i would call a "cozy mystery". it was a great read but not a gory read.

on my list for this week:

The Juror [ABRIDGED] [AUDIOBOOK] (Audio CD). i am 2/3s through it and will probably finish it today. it is a really good listen! but i promised dh i would get the rest of the sleep i didn't finish today (uuuh, sunday).

The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker (Mass Market Paperback) by Leanna Renee Hieber. i have been following this book's reviews all over the web. it seems like a good fun read. but i will tell you more after i finish it.

Shades of Gray: A Novel of the Civil War in Virginia by Jessica James this is another one i have been looking forward to reading. lesson, a watched mail book with not make the books appear any faster.

if i can squeeze in one more (Shades of Grey is a bit lenghty), it will probably be A Time for Loving by Herbert Tarr. i was first introduced to the author during a long hospital stay with The Conversion of Chaplin Cohen and Heaven Help Us. if laughter does help to heal the body, i must say these definitely kept the mind healthy and me laughing out loud...thought it sometimes had to be into a pillow to keep from waking other people. if you want or need a laugh, these two will do it. you can sometimes find them on amazon or in a half priced book store. well worth every penny. i report to you soon, if this one matches up.

so my friends, if you don't see me on line much, you know my nose is stuck in one of these three books of fantasy or historical reality or pure humor. well, i did say i liked a wide variety of reading materials.

if a really get stuck in and don't get distracted by fact checking or curiousty about something lightly touched causing me look up stuff, i might even try to get into Stand in the Storm by Breena Clark, a novel about a couple of slaves who escape north to find....well, we'll just have to wait to see what they find.

books book books!

my mom sent me a birth month present:

from amazon, three books i have been anxiously awaiting:

one of my favorite authors (and i've not read this one yet AND it is a FIRST EDITION):

a new friend and award winning author:

:

a new author who is being much heralded for her just released book:

what a great day

why? because i got lots of mail! what a way to celebrate my birth month!!!

the travel tea box....where you give a little and you take a little.

my snow leopard software for my mac

ABOUT AUTHOR

Margaret Maron grew up on a farm near Raleigh and lived in Brooklyn for many years. Returning to her North Carolina roots prompted Marcia to write a series based on her own background, the first of which, BOOTLEGGER'S DAUGHTER, was a Washington Post bestseller and swept the major mystery awards for 1993. DEATH'S HALF ACRE is the fourteenth book in the acclaimed Deborah Knott series. Visit her website at www.margaretmaron.com.

AUDIO AND VIDEO

ABOUT AUTHOR

Margaret Maron grew up on a farm near Raleigh and lived in Brooklyn for many years. Returning to her North Carolina roots prompted Marcia to write a series based on her own background, the first of which, BOOTLEGGER'S DAUGHTER, was a Washington Post bestseller and swept the major mystery awards for 1993. DEATH'S HALF ACRE is the fourteenth book in the acclaimed Deborah Knott series. Visit her website at www.margaretmaron.com.

AUDIO AND VIDEO

Review of Wishful Drinking CD

I like this CD of Carrie Fisher's book. Probably because she is reading it so it has her voice to her words. (Apparently it is based on a one woman show she does.)

She made us laugh (hubby and me) about things that should not be funny; like divorce, death, drug addiction, mental illness, electric shock treatment, and holes in her memory. He went to sleep after disc one. I had to keep listening through the next two discs.

Are names dropped?

Of course. They could not be avoided. I mean, she is the daughter of some famous people and she was married to Paul Simon.

Through the laughter, I got that she is a survivor of mental illness. She is not afraid to talk about it, nor should we. She is not embarrass by it, nor should we. She is a testimony that with help, any of us can get to "the other side".

This memoir is well worth the listen/read. I will keep it and listen to it again sometime (or times).

Thursday Thunks

Welcome to the August 27th version of Thursday Thunks!

(which we always seem to post on Wednesday)

Where we make you think a little bit before you blog!

This week we will answer some crazy questions brought to you by

Kimber, the number of kids I have and the color of dead roses.

1. Have you ever played Bullshit? don't think so. if i did it was unintentional

2. A dog licks you on your face. Are you disgusted or thinking it was sweet? have you seen my avatar? don't you know what snoopy said? "A kiss on the nose does much to avert anger!"

3. Tell us about a fun/special memory you have of a grandparent. catching my grandfather making out down stairs in the rumpus room with his girl friend (who was close to my dad's age.)

4. Have you ever pet a rat? only the 2 footed variety.

5. If I walked into your kitchen, where are the cups? on a peg rack at the end of the kitchen

6. Since you already let me in your home, I found the cup and had water, now where's the bathroom from the kitchen? go to your left to the door to the laundry room. stop. look to your right and go through the doggie door.

7. Have you ever pet a turtle or tortoise? i think so when i was a kid...a little box turtle. but i think we released them back in the creek when we went back home after visiting the grandfather.

WAHHHOOOO! it's thursday at 9 pm and i finished!

What is it about candles?

They add warmth and coziness to any room. And when they have a favored with scent, they can take you to different sense memories or helped create new ones. One of my favorite things after a bad day, is to light candles in the bathroom while the tub fills with warm water as it makes lovely bubbles. I turn off the overhead light, put a glass of wine by the tub and get in...if I need more, I will add soft music as I slide into the tub. There I stay until the water gets all cold and scummy, the wine is gone, and I feel gentle of spirit and ready to sleep.

A while back, I met a lovely lady who makes candles,

oaps and sometimes, creams and lotionsl. The Etsy shop is GREAT LAKES SOYBEAN CANDLES SOY CANDLES and she has been so nice and patient with me and my many curious questions. I thought you might enjoy some of our FaceBook Q&A, If you are, read on, and if you are not, carry on. Sandy hi...please tell me what a kosher candle is? a friend and i are still trying to figure it out. Greatlakessoybean Candles KOSHER MEANS THAT THE PRODUCTS (WAX) IS PURE SOY NO BLENDS OR ADDITIVES Sandy does that mean no fragrance? what is the difference between these and your other candles? Greatlakessoybean Candles No they have scent. Some people use paraffin in their soy candles or palm wax.You can do this and still call it a soy candle if it is 55% soy. Soy is the hardest wax to work with and the paraffin makes it easier. Therefore, the wax that I use is pure kosher soy wax no blends. Does that help you? Sandy cool! will you now talk to me about wicks...why some wicks smoke more than others don't.

Greatlakessoybean Candles

If the proper wick is not used is one reason a candle smokes. another is the scent...the color...any air movement...not trimming the wick...these are just some of the many many variables... 2 main things are the wrong wick for the container ,scent, color or not trimming it. Have a great night♥

The conversation came from FaceBook. The following scents, came from her Etsy site:

SCENTS--------------- COLORS
AMARETTO------------- PINK
AMBER MUSK----------- LITE AMBER
AMISH KITCHEN-------- TAN
ANGEL WINGS---------- WHITE
ANISE--------------- RED
APPLE BLOSSOM-------- PINK
BABY POWDER---------- PINK OR BLUE
BANANA--------------- YELLOW
BANANA NUT----------- BREAD GOLDEN BROWN
BAYBERY-------------- GREEN
BIRTHDAY CAKE-------- WHITE
BLACKBERRY SAGE------ LIGHT PURPLE
BLACK CHERRY----------NEW COLOR BURGANDY
BLUEBERRY MUFFINS---- BLUE
BREAD A BAKING------- LITE GOLDEN BROWN
BUBBLEGUM-------------PINK
BUTTER CREAM--------- WHITE
BUTTERSCOTCH--------- GOLD YELLOW
CANTALOPE------------ ORANGE
CAPPUCCINO BRULEE---- BROWN
CARAMEL APPLE-------- GOLDEN BROWN
CARAMEL CORN--------- GOLDEN BROWN
CARNATION------------ PINK
CARROT CAKE---------- BROWN ORANGE
CHAMPAGNE------------ PINK
CHERRY--------------- RED
CHOCOLATECHIPCOOKIES- GOLDEN BROWN
CINNAMON BUNS-------- TAN
CINNAMON STICK------- REDISH BROWN
CLEAN COTTON--------- WHITE
CLOVE REDDISH-------- BROWN
COCONUT-------------- WHITE
COCONUT CREAM-------- PIE LT YELLOW
COFFEE--------------- DK BROWN
CONCORD GRAPE-------- DK. PURPLE
COOL WATERS---------- BLUE
COTTON BLOSSOM------- WHITE
COTTON CANDY--------- LT PINK
COUNTRY CLOTHESLINE-- WHITE
CRANBERRY------------ DK RED
CREAMSICLE----------- ORANGE
CREME BRULEE--------- LT BROWN
CUCUMBER MELON------- LT GREEN
DA YOOPER CHRISTMAS-- DK GREEN
DAFFODIL--------------YELLOW
EGG NOG-------------- WHITE
ENGLISH IVY---------- DK GREEN
EUCALYPTUS----------- DK GREEN
FREESIA-------------- LT BLUE
FRESH CUT GRASS------ DK GREEN
FRESH SNOW----------- WHITE
FROSTBITE------------ WHITE
FIREPLACE------------ DK GREEN
FUZZY NAVAL---------- ORANGE
GARDENIA LT---------- GREEN
GINGERBREAD---------- BROWNRED
GRANDMA'S KITCHEN---- LT BROWN
GREEN APPLE---------- GREEN
GREEN TEA------------ GREEN
HAPPY HOLIDAYS------- DK RED
HARVEST MOON--------- ORANGE BROWN
HAZELNUT------------- TAN
HAZELNUT COFFEE------ DK BROWN
HOLLYBERRY----------- DK RED
HONEY---------------- GOLD BROWN
HONEYDEW------------- LT GREEN
HONEYSUCKLE---------- YELLOW
HONEY COCO MANGO----- ORANGE
HOT APPLE PIE-------- LT BROWN
HOT BUTTERED RUM----- GOLD YELLOW
HUCKLEBERRY---------- DK BLUE
HYACINTH------------- LT PURPLE
HYDRANGEA------------ MAUVE
JACLYNS BLUEBERRY PANCAKES TAN W'BERRIES
JASMINE-------------- WHITE
JELLY BEANS--------- DK PINK
JUST LIKE HOME------ PINK
LAKE MICHIGAN------- MIST LT BLUE
LAVENDER------------ LAVENDER
LEMON CHIFFON------- YELLOW
LEMON GRASS----------YELLOW
LEMON PUCKER-------- YELLOW
LILAC--------------- PURPLE
LILY OF THE VALLEY-- WHITE
LIME---------------- LIME
LOVE SPELL TYPE----- LT PURPLE
MACINTOSH APPLE----- DK RED
MAGNOLIA------------ WHITE
MANGO PAPAYA-------- ORANGE
MAPLE SYRUP--------- BROWN
MOONLIGHT PATH TYPE- LT PURPLE
MONKEY FARTS------- YELLOW
MULBERRY------------ DK PURPLE
MULLED CIDER-------- RED BROWN
OAK MOSS-------------GREEN
ODOR ELIMINATOR----- PINK
ORANGE BLOSSOM------ WHITE
PATCHOULI----------- DK GREEN
PEACH--------------- PEACH
PEACH N CREAM------- LT ORANGE
PEPPERMINT---------- WHITE
PEONY--------------- PINK
PINA COLODA--------- WHITE
PINE--------------- DK GREEN
PINEAPPLE---------- YELLOW
PINK GRAPEFRUIT---- PINK
PINK LEMONADE------ PINK
PINK SUGAR TYPE---- PINK
PLUMERIA----------- PINK
POPCORN LT--------- YELLOW
POMEGRANATE-------- RED BROWN
PUMPKIN PIE-------- PUMPKIN
RAIN--------------- BLUE
RASPBERRY---------- DK RED
RED HOT CINNAMON--- DK RED
ROSE GARDEN-------- LT PINK
SAGE LT------------ GREEN
SANDALWOOD--------- LT GREEN
SEABREEZE---------- AQUA
SAGE & CITRUS------ ORANGE
SLEIGHBELLS-------- WHITE
SMOKE & ODOR ELIMINATOR WHITE
SNICKERDOODLE------ LT TAN
SPEARMINT---------- LT GREEN
SPICE CAKE--------- ORANGE BROWN
SPICED PEAR-------- LT GREEN
SPRING RAIN-------- LT BLUE
STRAWBERRIES & CREAM--- DK PINK
STRAWBERRY CHAMPAGNE--- LT PINK
STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE--- WHITE & RED
STRAWBERRY DAIQUIIRI--- LT RED
STRAWBERRY JAM----- DK RED
STRAWBERRY KIWI--- DK RED
STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE--- LT BROWN & RED
SUGAR COOKIES------ LT TAN
SWEET PEA---------- LT PINK
TOMMY TYPE--------- LT BLUE
TULIP-------------- DK RED
VANILLA------------ WHITE
VANILLA LAVENDER--- WHITE
VANILLA SUGAR------ LT TAN
VICTORIAN ROSE----- MAUVE
WATERMELON--------- WATERMELON
YULETIDE------------ DK RED

THE FOLLOWING I DON'T PUT ON LIST WITH YOUNG CHILDREN
SEX ON THE BEACH-------ORANGE
BUTT NAKED-------------LT ORANGE

All the candles featured are from her shop. When I need candles, this is the site to visit.

Review of The Bourne Deception CD

Discription by Hachette:

After Bourne is ambushed and nearly killed while in Indonesia, he fakes his death to take on a new identity and mission- to find out who is trying to assassinate him. In the process, Bourne begins to question who he really is and what he would become if he no longer carried the Bourne identity. Across the globe, an American passenger airliner is shot down over Egypt-apparently by an Iranian missile-leaving the world wondering if it was an accident or an act of aggression. A massive global team lead by Soraya Moore is assembled to investigate the attack before the situation escalates.

When Bourne's search for his would-be assassin intersects with Soraya's search for the group behind the airplane bombing, Bourne is thrust into a race to prevent a new world war. But it may already be too late.

There is plenty of action and romance. (I like that stuff.) But I kept getting lost as the writers kept cutting from place to place, story line to story line and back again. And the ending didn't...it just made me look at my husband and go "What the??"

The reader is good except when he has 2 Russians in conversation. It is sometimes hard to differentiate between them but the accents are good. I have a problem with the lady art dealer's voice and accent which DH does not.

Daddy would have liked it. And that is the joy of books, whether in copy or voice, there is something for everyone!

Review of Love You To Death

LOVE YOU TO DEATH

by

Shannon K. Butcher

It's been days since reporter Elise McBride has heard from her sister, Ashley. She's convinced Ashley has met with some kind of foul play, especially when she learns that bodies of other missing women have surfaced in and around Chicago--all victims of a brutal serial killer. Convinced her sister is still alive, Elise vows to risk everything to save her...

The last thing ex-cop Trent Brady needs is more blood on his hands. Yet when he catches Elise breaking into her sister's house, full of reckless determination and fear, he knows she needs his help. But just as desire ignites between them, a twisted madman sets his sights on Elise. Hell-bent on possessing her for himself, this psychopath won't rest until he has his perfect woman.

The words above are theirs. Now for mine. First I need to thank Hachette Book Group for letting me read and review this book.

I started reading yesterday afternoon and finished it this morning. Oh yes I did! I stayed up all night reading it. What does that tell you? That is is a good book? Yes. The characters are interesting? Yes. Well developed? Yes. There are good romantic scenes? Yes, definitely! It is a good mystery? Yes. The story pulls you along? Yes. OK. We get it; it's a good book.

But....

But, what?

Do not start reading this when you get home for work. Wait until Saturday morning. Why? Because if you are where I was at bed time, you will want to get to the happy ending for fear that if you don't, you will have nightmares. The bad guy is like Dr. Frankenstein trying to recreate his love.

This is definitely a romantic thriller; not I would call a "cozy mystery".

You are forewarned!

let's go to dubai!

ok, i have to take you to dubai via a lovely blog, SandierPastures desert living, Dubai style. so now you want to know why. because this is a wonderful as a travel log, a teaching aid, great photography, and she does giveaways. the posting i am sending you to right now is about ramadan. it is a good thing to understand the customs of others.

and this is an older posting complete with pictures of dubai...which i found out has the highest pyramid in the world...and it is modern.

i loved the trip she took me on to japan! wonderful pictures and teaching of some of their customs.

give her a visit! you will be so glad you did.