Book Review: The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker by Leanna Renee Hieber

If you have followed me for very long, you know how antsy I was to read this book! And I am sure you want to know if it lived up to my expectations. IT DID IT DID IT DID IT DID!!! and now for my review:

The language felt right for the time with well defined characters.

The time is 1888. The place is London, England. Percy, an orphan brought up in a convent, has come to Athens Academy to further her education. Her albino coloring gives her the appearance of the one of the ghosts she sees, hears, and can talk to. While she is our main character, there are plenty of interesting others.

There is the Guard made up of Rebecca, the head mistress of the Academy. Alexi, the mathematics professor. Elijah, a Lord with great wealth, Josephine, of French extraction, owner of the establishment where the Guard meet. Michael, a man of the cloth. Jane, an Irish lass, who is a bit of a loner.

What do they guard? And Why?

There is Marianna, a fellow student from Germany who becomes Percy's best live friend.

Lucille, a beautiful, raven haired woman who seems to been in need to protection.

There is the Ripper. Is he man or something else?

Who is theSeventh? Why is the Seventh so important?

London (The Smoke) is also a character, with her well known ghosts and dark atmosphere, and darker alleys.

If you are well versed in mythology, you will love how it is woven into the story as are the Shakespherian references.

Leanna Renee Hieber, who is also a working actress, has wrapped this tale up with great dramatic effect. While she has two more books in store for the me based on these characters, I am pleased to report this one can be read as a stand alone. (I do so hate to be left dangling with floppy, sloppy ending.)

I do hope you have as much fun reading this as i!

UPDATE!!! I just found out the next book will be out in May, 2010.

UPDATE: Book Review: Close Encounters of the Third Grade Kind by Phillip Done

Thanks to Hachette Book Group, I get to review Close Encounters of the Third-Grade Kind" by Phillip Done. The following is their description of the book:

A twenty-year veteran of the classroom, elementary school teacher Phillip Done takes readers through a lively and hilarious year in the classroom. Starting with the relative calm before the storm of buying school supplies and posting class lists, he shares the distinct personalities of grades K-4, what he learned from two professional trick or treating 8-year-old boys, the art of learning cursive and letter-writing, how kindergartners try to trap leprechauns, and what every child should experience before he or she grows up.

These charming, sweet, and funny tales of Mr. Done's trials and triumphs as an award-winning schoolteacher will touch readers' hearts and remind them of the true joys of childhood. We all have that one special, favorite grade school teacher whom we fondly remember throughout our adult lives - and every teacher also has students whom they will never forget. This is the perfect book for teachers, parents, and anyone else who is looking for a lighthearted, nostalgic read.

My thoughts:

After reading a Gothic, ghostly tale and two Civil War themed books, i was having much trouble getting into a A Separate Country, another book stemming from the Civil War. That was when I picked up "Close Encounters of the Third Grade Kind" by Phillip Done.

What a joyous read for anyone who can remember being a third grader, parents of a third grader, teachers, would be teachers ….oh, just anyone who enjoys young kids. I think it was Bennet Surf that wrote the book "Never Get Personal with a Chicken" (WRONG: Don't Get Perconal with a Chicken by H. Allen Smith) who first taught me the joys of the minds of young ones. Mr. Done has done a grand job continuing that legacy. What a grand teacher he must be! I would wish him on every third grader!

I am so glad i got to read this book for all the joy it gave me. I feel lighter than air and ready to hug all teachers and read to a bunch of little kids one of my favorite children's books.

Book Review Shades of Grey by Jessica James

What drew me to the novel? The title which suggests a willingness to give the reader an unbiased view of the conflict? The cover? The fact that General Lee was from Virginia? Maybe I was influenced by my southern heritage with both parents being deeply routed there. I can only rejoice that i was drawn to the novel.

You are not taken from one blood battle to the next, rather you are taken through the war by the conflicts of two people, both Southerns, but one strongly for the rights of the stare and one strongly for keeping the states united. As they battle each other with their wits, as they dutifully do their assigned tasks to end the conflict, the reader is exposed to more of the war's complexities.

The book starts with a chase during the beginning of the war. Confederates chasing a small farmer boy on a big black charger. The Federals suddenly appear causing the Confederates to split up…except for their leader who is intent on his youthful prey.

As the reader, it was the start of a fast moving junket that did no slow down. I could see each character, hear their voices, understand their emotions.

Who do i think should read Shades of Gray? Civil War buffs. Lovers of historical fiction. History lovers. Anyone who just wants a really good read.

Book Review Stand the Storm by Breena Clarke

I must thank Hachette first for letting me review this book!

This is the story of Sewing Annie who is put under the tutelage of Knitting Annie to learn her skills on the Ridley Plantation. When Knitting Annie dies, Sewing Annie takes up the the black smith by whom she has a boy, Gabriel, and a girl, Ellen. By teaching them her skills, she hopes to save her children from the fields. At 10, Gabriel is sent to Washington DC to apprentice to a tailor. The tailor moves on after selling the shop to the Master. The Master's nephew is put in charge of the store with Gabriel, Sewing Annie, and Ellen running the business.

This is the story of the strength and love of family from before and through the Civil War and after. It is heartwarming and gut wrenching and well worth the read.

The rhythm of the language threw me for a bit from time to time but did not stop me wanting to find out what would happen to this family.

I could feel most of the characters and understand their motivations and enjoyed their growth. The novel is portal into time period well known but from a different vantage. It is so well worth the read.

houston, we have power

yes, i'm back. i know, it was only supposed to take a couple of days BUT when the electric company does not show up between 8 and 8:30 like they said that they would and it takes 5 phone calls to get someone who will respond so you don't get the power off until after 5, you know this portends of things to come. ..and it did.

i did tell you that we decided the guys that wired this house were drunk and on drugs? from what dh told me, i think they shared some with the inspector! besides things being wired incorrectly, they weren't up to code. i mean they weren't up to code when the house was built.

oh, and it wasn't grounded.

and if getting the power turned off was a pain, getting it turned back on was just about as easy. talk about left hands and right hands not talking! we were cleared to have the power turned on before lunch...it took lots of phone calls to get it turned back on...after 5pm mind you. AND i got a call this morning to see if we were ready to have it turned back on.

but everything seems about right now and i have computer access so i am a happy camper....well, except for over 2000 emails!

but i have most of that fixed.

Meme: Book Talk

Psychotic State did this meme a few weeks back that I thought was sort of neat.

But if I were to follow it exactly, I wouldn’t answer most of the questions. So I

adjusted the questions to fit my interests in books. If you’d like to see the original

meme,click on Psychotic State highlighted text.

1. Do you have a favorite author?

no. i have many memorable ones 2. What are your favorite genres?

i like gothic novels but am not goth, historical fiction, biographies/memories,

westerns, murder mysteries, humor 3. Least favorite genre?

manuals, self help, religious, most sci-fi, and books with lots of really gory details.
3. What fictional character are you secretly in love with?

no 4. What genre would you like to read more of but don’t?

real humor, legends/myths/folklore 5. What was your favorite book when you were 10 years old?

books about dogs and horses by a man named thomas hinkle

(spelling is probably wrong but that was 53 years ago) 6. What books are on your wish list right now?

Rashi's Daughters, Book III: Rachel: A Novel of Love and the Talmud in Medieval

France

by Maggie Anton

Cleopatra's Daughter

by Michelle Moran

The Traitor's Wife: A Novel of the Reign of Edward II

by Susan Higginbotham

Lizzi & Fredl: A Perilous Journey of Love and Faith

by William B. Stanford

The Shaman and the Rose

by Bill Haynes

Hannibal's Elephant Girl

by Ariion Kathleen Brindley

A Secret Alchemy: A Novel (P.S.)

by Emma Darwin

American on Purpose

by Craig Ferguson

To Know Evil

by Stephen Gaspar

The Last Prince of the Mexican Empire

by C. M. Mayo

Ghost Hunter: Bk. 6 (Chronicles of Ancient Darkness)

by Michelle Paver

Flint

by Margaret Redfern

The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder: A Novel

by Rebecca Wells

The Devil's Company: A Novel

by David Liss

from amazon

Corked by Cabernet (A Wine Lover's Mystery)

by Michele Scott

The Riesling Retribution: A Wine Country Mystery

(Wine Country Mysteries) by Ellen Crosby

Lizzi & Fredl: A Perilous Journey of Love and Faith

by Dr. William Stanford

To the Ends of the Earth: The Last Journey of Lewis & Clark by Frances Hunter Chopping Spree (Goldy Culinary Mysteries, Book 11) by Diane Mott Davidson Sticks & Scones (Goldy Culinary Mysteries, Book 10) Needled to Death (Knitting Mysteries, No. 2) by Maggie Sefton Knit One, Kill Two (Knitting Mysteries, No. 1) by Maggie Sefton Died in the Wool: A Knitting Mystery (Knitting Mysteries) by Mary Kruger there are more that should be there but this is the 2nd time i have done this as i screwed up my blog and had to fix it, during which time i lost my entry. it's best that we don't talk about what i have on my wish list over at audible.com

So what about you? What book is on your wish list that you are dying to get?

Teaser Tuesdays

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My teasers

"She sees ghosts."

"You've never been one for an affair, much less taking liberties with an oddity."

rats, i lost the page number but i can tell you, the book is Leanna Renee Hierber's The Strangely "Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker" (FYI, she is a first time author)

WARNING! DO NOT read the following while drinking

it could cause choking and making a mess! Also, DO NOT read this at work or if you dh is trying to sleep! DO keep tissues close by as tearing may occur! DO NOT read this if you have strained or broken ribs as it may cause futher damage. OK, proceed at your own peril. (a friend sent me this without a warning and I almost died.

Just try reading this without laughing till you cry!!!

Pocket Tazer Stun Gun, a great gift for the wife. A guy who purchased his lovely wife a pocket Tazer for their anniversary submitted this:

Last weekend I saw something at Larry's Pistol & Pawn Shop that sparked my interest. The occasion was our 15th anniversary and I was looking for a little something extra for my wife Julie. What I came across was a 100,000-volt, pocket/purse- sized tazer. The effects of the tazer were supposed to be short lived, with no long-term adverse affect on your assailant, allowing her adequate time to retreat to safety....??

WAY TOO COOL! Long story short, I bought the device and brought it home. I loaded two AAA batteries in the darn thing and pushed the button. Nothing! I was disappointed. I learned, however, that if I pushed the button and pressed it against a metal surface at the same time; I'd get the blue arc of electricity darting back and forth between the prongs.

AWESOME!!!

Unfortunately, I have yet to explain to Julie what that burn spot is on the face of her microwave.

Okay, so I was home alone with this new toy, thinking to myself that it couldn't be all that bad with only two triple-A batteries, right? There I sat in my recliner, my cat Gracie looking on intently (trusting little soul) while I was reading the directions and thinking that I really needed to try this thing out on a flesh & blood moving target. I must admit I thought about zapping Gracie (for a fraction of a second) and thought better of it. She is such a sweet cat. But, if I was going to give this thing to my wife to protect herself against a mugger, I did want some assurance that it would work as advertised. Am I wrong?

So, there I sat in a pair of shorts and a tank top with my reading glasses perched delicately on the bridge of my nose, directions in one hand, and tazer in another. The directions said that a one-second burst would shock and disorient your assailant; a two-second burst was supposed to cause muscle spasms and a major loss of bodily control; a three-second burst would purportedly make your assailant flop on the ground like a fish out of water. Any burst longer than three seconds would be wasting the batteries.

All the while I'm looking at this little device measuring about 5" long, less than 3/4 inch in circumference; pretty cute really and (loaded with two itsy, bitsy triple-A batteries) thinking to myself, 'no possible way!' What happened next is almost beyond description, but I'll do my best.. .?

I'm sitting there alone, Gracie looking on with her head cocked to one side as to say, 'don't do it dipshit,' reasoning that a one second burst from such a tiny little ole thing couldn't hurt all that bad. I decided to give myself a one second burst just for heck of it. I touched the prongs to my naked thigh, pushed the button, and . .

HOLY MOTHER OF GOD . . WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION . . . WHAT THE HELL!!!

I'm pretty sure Jessie Ventura ran in through the side door, picked me up in the recliner, then body slammed us both on the carpet, over and over and over again. I vaguely recall waking up on my side in the fetal position, with tears in my eyes, body soaking wet, both nipples on fire, testicles nowhere to be found, with my left arm tucked under my body in the oddest position, and tingling in my legs? The cat was making meowing sounds I had never heard before, clinging to a picture frame hanging above the fireplace, obviously in an attempt to avoid getting slammed by my body flopping all over the living room.

Note: If you ever feel compelled to 'mug' yourself with a tazer, one note of caution: there is no such thing as a one second burst when you zap yourself! You will not let go of that thing until it is dislodged from your hand by a violent thrashing about on the floor.. A three second burst would be considered conservative?

IT HURT LIKE HELL!!!

A minute or so later (I can't be sure, as time was a relative thing at that point), I collected my wits (what little I had left), sat up and surveyed the landscape. My bent reading glasses were on the mantel of the fireplace. The recliner was upside down and about 8 feet or so from where it originally was. My triceps, right thigh and both nipples were still twitching. My face felt like it had been shot up with Novocain, and my bottom lip weighed 88 lbs. I had no control over the drooling.

Apparently I pooped on myself, but was too numb to know for sure and my sense of smell was gone. I saw a faint smoke cloud above my head which I believe came from my hair. I'm still looking for my nuts and I'm offering a significant reward for their safe return!

P.S. My wife, can't stop laughing about my experience, loved the gift, and now regularly threatens me with it!

If you think education is difficult, try being stupid!!!

stop the presses

dh got everything finished and ready for the people to come but by the he got bathed and everything, it was about 3 a.m. i woke him up at 8. he was kind of goofy so he called the power company and postponed everything until tomorrow. while i do have power, i think that i shall join him in the land of nod.

i don't have to go to the store

to buy popsicle sticks and containers because i won the yoplait whips giveaway! robyn of robyn's online world, i do thank you. i like your giveaways and your nongiveaways (i like the way your mind bends) and i really like that i won this giveaway!! look at this package and you will see how cool a win this is!

when i saw the posting, i asked dh what he thought, and we didn't think to clearly because we just took popsicle sticks and popped them into the lid. have you seen my problem yet? the bottom is wider than the top. but we did find out that any yogurt of theirs works.

now, i gotta tell you one of the reasons why i am a pretty loyal fan of theirs. next month is breast cancer awareness month. in the last few years, they have supported women by having us save the lids to send in to them as they support us. i lost a sister to that nasty disease so i am a supporter of a good product that supports the work to stop this disease. so next month, you watch for special lids and the instructions of what to do with them and you help them to help us.

poor dh

this is the way it started.

him: the water heat has a leak.

me: can you fix it?

him (a couple of days later): well, i tried every thing i can think of. looks like we need a new water heater.

me: damn it. this will be the 3rd one we have put in since we got the house.

me (after doing some thinking): honey, can you find us an electric green water heater for the same price as a regular one would cost? i looked for one and all i can find are gas ones.

him (later): i found one.

me: then let's get it. how much is the installation going to cost on top of that?

him: nothing. (chest sticks out) i can do it.

(see a happy camper)

UNTIL he has every thing set up for the power to be cut off tomorrow and runs into something we have found with other wiring bits in the house.

me: i told you before and i will tell you again, the guy that wired this house were drunk and on dope and they must have shared it with the inspector or how the hell would it be this way?!?!?

(the was my comment when he told about a problem he found pulling cable and doing whatever else in the attic, only a mess that he said had to be fixed as it wasn't "up to code". now the guy is supposed to come tom...scratch that, today (sometime in the a.m.) to turn off the power. problem, this is a holiday so there is no way to stop him. so dh is trying feverishly to get thing finished up tonight. my thought, we call them at 0800 to say "houston, we have a problem" so come another day. but he wants to be ready for tomorrow, soo...

so far, he has come in twice to have me sterile wounds in his hand, a his head.

i think the next "honey due" should not be one that requires other people going poof and appearing on our doorstep. oscar has been none too happy with him in the attic either...just sits and stares up into the attic until dh come down.

the good news is that we may get a tax credit for it (going green) and it should bring down the utility bills and there will be more space in the utility room.)

at the sound of the gong it will be 0100 (1 a.m.)

oh, did i happen to ever mention we are in texas? and have you figured out that dh is filthy? do you remember that the water heater while installed, has no power yet as the new junction box has to be connected after the power is turned off tomorrow, then dh's work has to be inspected, and then the guy has to come back to turn the power back on? will you pray for a really cool day tomorrow?