John Q. Adams

This is cool for history people. I saw a posting that twitter is posting lines from his diary when he went to Russia. If you to want to follow him, this is where you need to go and follow!

Review of a new writer, Dr. Preetham Grandhi - UPDATE

The Story: A Tale of Jutice and Accountabilitys

The sleepy town of Newbury, Connecticut, is shocked when a little girl is found brutally murdered. The town’s top detective, perplexed by a complete lack of leads, calls in FBI agent Leia Bines, an expert in cases involving children.

Meanwhile, Dr. Peter Gram, a psychiatrist at Newbury’s hospital, searches desperately for the cause of seven-year-old Naya Hastings’s devastating nightmares. Afraid that she might hurt herself in the midst of a torturous episode, Naya’s parents have turned to the bright young doctor as their only hope.

The situations confronting Leia and Peter converge when Naya begins drawing chilling images of murder after being bombarded by the disturbing images in her dreams. Amazingly, her sketches are the only clues to the crime that has panicked Newbury residents. Against her better judgment, Leia explores the clues in Naya’s crude drawings, only to set off an alarming chain of events.

In this stunning psychological thriller, innocence gives way to evil, and trust lies forgotten in a web of deceit, fear, and murder.

What's a "slaaf"? That was the first thing I had to find out. I had heard of the trickster.... who i knew about from the American Indian tale of the coyote but did not know that of India's spider. But i found out. These things added so much to the story for me. As did his view of what a child psych ward should be like and what kind of patients you might see there.

I was sure I knew "who done it"; only to find out I was the one caught in Dr. Grandhi's web.

I liked the way he did his chapters, coming at you from one direction and then another. Those story lines had to come together but how and when?

I knew Dr. Grandhi was a child psychiatrist going into the reading. I wonder if he has ever experienced any of "paranormal kind of thing" in his practice. My dad was a doctor. He once said, "I've been a doctor too long not to believe in God." By that one statement, I knew he had seen things he could not explain. Does this happen to all or most doctors.

I wonder if ... well, let's just say that if the good Dr. Grandhi were closer, I would have lots of questions for him.

It is a really good read and moves quite quickly. I do so hope you get to read it soon. I also hope this this debut novel is not a "one of" so that there is another novel coming from him. Soon.

Oh, did you know his wife is a writer too? She has a cook book out. She is Bindu Grandhi. Her book is "Spice up your life the flexitarian way." No, I can't review it, but Emerial Lagasse liked it enough to give it a thumps up!

I asked our writer a few questions and here are his answers.:

Hi Sandy, I do think paranormal experiences do happen, I haven't had one personally but have always been fascinated by it.

The concept of the "seeked one" is from south Indian Astrology, I did not know it had a name until recently and it was my personal experience that I put into the book and the way it was explained to me by an aunt of mine. Here's a link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nadi_astrology

Every detail of the children's psychiatric unit is real and that's the way its is. Those are all experiences that I have collected since my fellowship days and the realities with managed care.

I have to write my next one. It's in my head and I have no time to write between the hospital, private practice and trying to get this one off the ground. Hopefully should start soon.

i was not going to post tonight

but! i had to clean up my mail so it didn't get out of control. someone sent the this. you guys know i can't figure out how to post videos in here so you just have to go there for yourself. this is so very funny. i think i have to subscribe to her to her site. i had never been exposed to her but will follow her now! you go on over there and see/listen for yourself.

trip time to germany

and by train no less...with our friend, i would rather be knitting. where are we going? to a book store? no. to a yarn shop? yes? but don't worry, it will be free for us. she is going to take us and it will be a wonderful trip because she is such a great tour guide. so just click here and we are of to the WOLLMEISE YARN SHOP.

The Bordeaux Betrayal: A Wine Country Mystery Review

When Valerie Beauvais, author of a book on Thomas Jefferson's travels through the wine regions of France and Italy, turns up dead near Lucie Montgomery's Virginia vineyard, Lucie is certain Valerie's murder has something to do with the authenticity of a 200-year-old bottle of Bordeaux Jefferson may once have purchased for his good friend George Washington.

Though Lucie plans to auction off the valuable bottle at a charity fundraiser, it soon becomes apparent others want to get their hands on what's quickly becoming a wine to die for.

As Lucie and her eccentric winemaker, Quinn Santori, bring in the last grapes of the season, Quinn's controversial past becomes intertwined with Valerie's death and the rare Bordeaux.

What begins as Lucie's quiet investigation into the provenance of the Washington wine ends in revealing a web of deceit and betrayal affecting not only the international wine world, but her own world as well.

My DH and I both enjoyed this mystery, the glimpse into the wine business, and, at the end, a bit of history about Washington and Jefferson history that I never heard in any history class. It was a nice cosy listen on a rainy day.

does your dog need this?

i am not going to comment, i am just going to share it with you.

it's in the news folks!

one of these days i will learn how to take video from one site and put it in here but until i do, you just have to go where i tell you. this time it is here. everything is bigger in texas...even stupidity...is this too serious or what? giggle time!

we can help feed people!

kraft is really trying and we can help. all you have to do is go to

http://brands.kraftfoods.com/sharealittlecomfort/

and click on the big blue button. easy peasy! know what neat? just for clicking on a button, you can get a couple of kraft coupons! what a deal.

i won ravens

by

george dawes green

and i have Isalys at book soulmates to thank for it! if you want to see what she is read, what she thinks of what she just read, or you want to win a book, you just need to click on her name or the blog's name, and you'll be there. after i finish reading it, i'll come back and give you my thoughts about it. meanwhile, the following was lifted from her blog about this book:

The Boatwrights just won 318 million dollars in the Georgia State lottery. It's going to be the worst day of their lives.

When Shaw McBride and Romeo Zderko pull up at a convenience store off I-95 in Georgia, their only thought is to fix a leaky tire and be on their way again to Florida-away from their dull Ohio tech-support jobs. But this happens to be the store from which a 318,000,000 million dollar Jackpot ticket has just been sold -- and when a pretty clerk accidentally reveals to Shaw the identity of the winning family, he hatches a ferociously audacious scheme: He and Romeo will squeeze the family for half their prize.

That night, he visits the Boatwright home and takes the family hostage, while Romeo patrols the streets nearby, prepared to murder the Boatwrights' loved ones at any sign of resistance. At first, the family offers none. But Shaw's plot depends on maintaining constant fear-merciless, unfaltering terror-and soon, under the pressure, everyone's sanity begins to unravel . . .

At once frightening, comic, and suspenseful, RAVENS is a wholly original and utterly compelling novel from one of our most talented writers.

have you seen the newest from KnitPicks?

knitpicks for you not in the know has my favorite needles and yarn and stuff. don't believe me? go here for yourself and find out! this is the latest they have come up with in the name of needles. looks like glass (never in my house) but they are not (maybe in my house). 'sure are pretty! (do you want me to tell you now or later about the 40-50% off sales. ok, i'll let you look for yourself...i love their sales on yarn and books and equipment.)

Thursday Thunks!

i just joined this group. i thought it was fun. the problem is, i can't see what the questions are in the draft. so you read and think about your answers would be while i figure out how to answer so i can see what i am typing. if you want to play, go here.

Welcome to the July 30th 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 14 and the color of life. (2 questions by Ber, figure out which 2.)

1. You are in an enclosed space with a group of friends. Elevator, auto, small room, etc.. You fart and it really stinks. Do you take credit for it or do you play along with the questioning of who did it?

2. You are locked in a room sitting at a desk with just a piece of paper and a purple crayon. What do you draw?

3. Do you ever pee in the shower?

4. Have you bought, sold or got rid of something on Craigslist?

5. You are in a convenience store. In the line in front of you is adrunk guy trying to purchase more alcohol. The cashier tells him they cannot sell it to him because he is obviously already intoxicated. He gets belligerent. The cashier is scared. What do you do?

6. While shopping for produce, do you "sample" before you buy (i.e. grapes)?

7. You are walking down the street and there is a toddler sitting on a bench by themselves in front of a store - do you just keep walking?

8. Have you looked up an old friend and/or lover online?

9. You are nearly in a car/auto accident. Do you freak out, follow the person who nearly caused it & talk to them or just keep going?

1. are you kidding? i would look up at charlie with an accusing eye!

2. draw a purple horse, of course!

3. have done. but never in the bath tub!

4. no. i've never even visited.

5. hmmmm. he is probably between me and the door...i think i will find a place to hide! i'm too little to be very confrontational.

6. don't have to if you know how to pick em. with grapes you look for the greenest stems.

7. i think i have to talk to the kid and if i can't find a parent, i am calling 911. i will stay there until someone comes to be responsible.

8. i am as curious as the next person.

9. are you nuts! i'm in texas! people carry guns in their cars. no, i think i will concentrate on my breathing...you know, getting it back to normal... and just continue on my way; thank you very kindly.

granola

i've never tried to make it myself but susie shepherd has! she calls it "terribly inconvenient granola". (o, if you want to see cute critters and learn about her farm or you just like a good read, give her a visit...also if you like yarn stuff.) even if you don't want to try and make it, reading the recipe is just a whale of a lot of fun! just click on the title of the recipe and you're there!

baby!

now this is a wee alpaca over at jacob's reward farm. i just had to share this picture of him 'cause i think is such a cutie! you ought visit the farms some time and say hi to cindy. tell her what you think of one of her critters, mighty micha.

they are at it again

my friends, krafty max and the eclectic element, are joining together in another giveaway. i do so love krafty max's stuff. i mean, look at what they are giving away this time! click on krafty max's name to go directly to her etsy site and the same to get to the electric element to giveaway site.

help feed rescue dogs

as you can tell by my avatar, i love dogs. both oscar wild (see above) and mystery puppy are both rescue dogs. so when i saw this, i had to share it. if you go here, and click on the button that says "click here to give, it's free" (big purple button), you can help feed shelter dogs. and it costs you nothing but a minute of time. so please, give some critters a moment of your time!

ok, my links won't work so i am posting what i got in my email:

Click on the purple button at The Animal Rescue Site and
give food to an animal living in a shelter or sanctuary... at no cost to you.

http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/tpc/ERA060509ARS

but wait...i figured it out! spaces! i got rid of them and now the links work! another v8 moment! and the first time i didn't check my links after posting!

north star alpaca yarn giveaway

i so want some of this! is there anything as lovely and soft as this! we all have a chance to win some!

Phat Fiber Sample Box: North Star Alpacas Yarn Giveaway!

vogue knitting contest

Win a copy of Iris Schreier's Reversible Knits!

Modular, reversible, lacy, exquisite. No matter which adjective is used to describe Iris Schreier’s compelling designs, the creative force behind Artyarns’ hand-painted luxury fibers is always at the forefront of what’s next in knitting. Enter VK's giveaway for your chance to win a copy. Submissions deadline is October 1, 2009. Click HERE to enter.

Win a copy of Nicky Epstein's Knitted Flowers!

From the fertile mind of Nicky Epstein, one of today's most celebrated knitwear designers—a book devoted entirely to the infinite possibilities of the knitted flower. Inside, you'll find a pretty posy for every mood and in every hue, from lazy daisies to moody blues, buttercups to trumpets. Submissions deadline is October 1, 2009. Click HERE here to enter.

did you notice the difference?

if you are like me, there are some days when you just can't get through all your emails to get to the rss feeds. so, to make it easier on you, i have added the email feature for you. i hope it make things easier for you too.

have a great day while i see if i can get through all my email and some of the rss feeds before my body requests sleep!

i won soap...UPDATE

not just any soap! it from ozark scents in celebration of leslie's 27th birthday. she celebrated by giving others (me among them) gifts.

her site is live love laugh with leslie. oh, and she doesn't just give away stuff on her birthday, she does it all the time. don't believe me? well you just click on her name or her blog name and you'll see for yourself. but watch out! she has recipes too...with pictures you don't want to see if you are on a diet!

what? what happens if you click on ozark scents? why, silly, you get to see all the goodies they have there.

CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRY SOAP

i just got my soap! before i could even open the mailer envelope, i would smell it...think sudden salivation and hunger pain along with a sudden desire for chocolate! out comes a bubble wrapped package. the scent is stronger, as are the desires for chocolate covered cherries. off with the bubble wrap. now we have a sweetly covered yellow tissue paper wrapped package tied up with hemp... that's twine for the unknowedged. i pulled the bow string and there, encased in a wee bag tied up with a bit more twine is what you see above! i'm so hungry for chocolate and strawberries, i could almost (well, i did say "almost") eat the bar instead of taking a bath with it! guys, i really think i will have to visit this amy again for more soap...but this time no foody smells...too hard for the brain to dissociate!

Tamed by a Laird

(2009)el by

Amanda Scott

National bestselling author Amanda Scott sweeps readers back to the turbulent fourteenth-century Scottish Borders, where valiant men and women risk everything for their land. Jenny Easdale is ready to accept her fate. She's agreed to marry a man she will never love - yet not before slipping away for one last adventure. Following a traveling minstrel troupe, she's whisked into a world of intoxicating freedom. Then, all too soon, she finds herself in danger - from a vengeful political plot against Scotland and from the man who has come to take her home. Dutybound to return with his brother's wayward bride, Sir High Douglas is not prepared for how her quick wit, courage, and laughing eyes touch his warrior heart. Now, as the merry minstrels play matchmaker and passion sparks between Hugh and Jenny, the conspiracy against Scotland builds...and threatens all they hold dear.

From its start with a map and a note to the reader, to end with another note to the reader, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

I enjoyed this view into the past. I loved the sweetness and intelligence of Jenny. The determination and cleverness of Hugh. The crassness of Reid. The canniness of The Joculator. All the members of the troupe and Archie the Grim. What a great cast of characters!

If you want a good read, I highly recommend this book...but keep your dictionary handy for some of the arcane words and do enjoy the dialect. I sure did!